Yet Another Cycling Forum

Off Topic => The Pub => Topic started by: Basil on 21 April, 2011, 10:43:22 am

Title: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 21 April, 2011, 10:43:22 am
I've noticed that occasional posts by me in the rant thread are not really proper rants.  More sort of "Old Bugger Grumbling".

Thought I'd see if there was a way of stopping some most excelent ranting being watered down by mere grumbling.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 21 April, 2011, 10:45:52 am
Sorry to say that my first grumble concerns this very place.

Look, if you are post number 2 on a new thread, what is the point in quoting the whole of post number 1 (the OP)?
Do you not think that we may guess what you are responding to.  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nicknack on 21 April, 2011, 10:47:16 am
Quote from: Basil on 21 April, 2011, 10:45:52 am
Sorry to say that my first grumble concerns this very place.

Look, if you are post number 2 on a new thread, what is the point in quoting the whole of post number 1 (the OP)?
Do you not think that we may guess what you are responding to.  ::-)

Is it ok to do it as post number 3?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tom_e on 21 April, 2011, 11:08:08 am
Quote from: nicknack on 21 April, 2011, 10:47:16 am
Is it ok to do it as post number 3?

You irritating little...   Oh, I can't be bothered.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Aidan on 21 April, 2011, 11:42:02 am
Ahhh  Grumbling .... sounds fun.


Ok, when my birthday is on the calendar. How come the only other person with a birthday on the same day gets a happy birthday thread to themselves and I dont get a mention? It was a bit of a landmark one as well.  Oh well, I was trying to ignore it too :-(


Good thread this Basil :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 21 April, 2011, 11:51:28 am
Quote from: Aidan on 21 April, 2011, 11:42:02 am
Ahhh  Grumbling .... sounds fun.


Ok, when my birthday is on the calendar. How come the only other person with a birthday on the same day gets a happy birthday thread to themselves and I dont get a mention? It was a bit of a landmark one as well.  Oh well, I was trying to ignore it too :-(


Good thread this Basil :thumbsup:

That's 'cos you don't exist :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 21 April, 2011, 11:52:51 am
Aidan, I wished you a happy birthday.
Look (http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=42912.msg831921#msg831921)
 :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CrinklyLion on 21 April, 2011, 12:04:31 pm
Quote from: Aidan on 21 April, 2011, 11:42:02 am
Ahhh  Grumbling .... sounds fun.


Ok, when my birthday is on the calendar. How come the only other person with a birthday on the same day gets a happy birthday thread to themselves and I dont get a mention? It was a bit of a landmark one as well.  Oh well, I was trying to ignore it too :-(


Good thread this Basil :thumbsup:

Ah - bollocks!  Sorry petal!  I didn't notice  ::-)  In fairness, I knew it was Tim's birthday and didn't actually look at the calendar.....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mattc on 21 April, 2011, 12:11:27 pm
Quote from: Basil on 21 April, 2011, 10:45:52 am
Look, if you are post number 2 on a new thread, what is the point in quoting the whole of post number 1 (the OP)?
Do you not think that we may guess what you are responding to.  ::-)
+1 (can't be bothered to type any more on this issue)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 21 April, 2011, 12:37:47 pm
Various delivery companies: Hurry up with my bits and pieces will you! I've got a ride on Saturday & I'd love to show off my "new" Pompino to the world...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Aidan on 21 April, 2011, 01:12:07 pm
Quote from: tiermat on 21 April, 2011, 11:51:28 am
Quote from: Aidan on 21 April, 2011, 11:42:02 am
Ahhh  Grumbling .... sounds fun.


Ok, when my birthday is on the calendar. How come the only other person with a birthday on the same day gets a happy birthday thread to themselves and I dont get a mention? It was a bit of a landmark one as well.  Oh well, I was trying to ignore it too :-(


Good thread this Basil :thumbsup:

That's 'cos you don't exist :)

Oh yeah, that must be it ::-) ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Aidan on 21 April, 2011, 01:12:38 pm
Quote from: Basil on 21 April, 2011, 11:52:51 am
Aidan, I wished you a happy birthday.
Look (http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=42912.msg831921#msg831921)
 :thumbsup:


Thanks Basil :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Aidan on 21 April, 2011, 01:13:39 pm
Quote from: CrinklyLion on 21 April, 2011, 12:04:31 pm
Quote from: Aidan on 21 April, 2011, 11:42:02 am
Ahhh  Grumbling .... sounds fun.


Ok, when my birthday is on the calendar. How come the only other person with a birthday on the same day gets a happy birthday thread to themselves and I dont get a mention? It was a bit of a landmark one as well.  Oh well, I was trying to ignore it too :-(


Good thread this Basil :thumbsup:

Ah - bollocks!  Sorry petal!  I didn't notice  ::-)  In fairness, I knew it was Tim's birthday and didn't actually look at the calendar.....

Thats ok, you owe me cake now though ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mattc on 21 April, 2011, 02:04:51 pm
<summons up energy to find thread ... >

Promotional emails with special offers that you can't make hide-nor-hair of without loading all the embedded images.

(ProBikeKit & Primera are the most recent offenders ...)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 21 April, 2011, 02:25:09 pm
I got a code.
I haz a snotty nose and I are sneezing.
Mr Sainsbury will visit soon to restock my depleting tissue store.
I got a code.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Regulator on 21 April, 2011, 04:13:52 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 21 April, 2011, 02:25:09 pm
...
I got a code.


Armani Code?*









*Those who watch too much TV will get this...  :-[
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: iddu on 21 April, 2011, 04:51:00 pm
> ...Grumble thread...

Where's the damp pictures then?
 ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 21 April, 2011, 07:11:17 pm
The pub we went to for lunch used to be owned by Anthony Worrall-Thompson, who despite being an irritating git did a very nice Sunday roast indeed at a price which made it excellent value for money, & kept his beer in tip-top condition.

He sold it a couple of years ago to a couple of blokes who do decent but unspectacular lunches (e.g. a sandwich in great bread but a filling which is just OK),  serve beer which is basically good but marred by being put through a sparkler, & charge slightly more than I think it's worth.

It's a bit disappointing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 21 April, 2011, 07:38:15 pm
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 21 April, 2011, 12:37:47 pm
Various delivery companies: Hurry up with my bits and pieces will you! I've got a ride on Saturday & I'd love to show off my "new" Pompino to the world...

Bah! Not one bike related parcel arrived, though the topsoil was dropped off right where it was wanted. I did buy a chain tool after signing on, though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mattc on 22 April, 2011, 11:07:01 am
Why on earth does R4 have the same schedule on a bank holiday as a weekday?

(No offence meant to Woman Hours fans, but ... )

And an extra dose of You and Yours  :hand:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SteveC on 22 April, 2011, 03:21:28 pm
Why does the chap next door find it necessary to take down a chimney stack with an angle grinder?
There probably is a good reason, but it's bloody noisy!  >:(

S
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 24 April, 2011, 08:10:08 am
British Waterways (I assume): Did you have to cut the hawthorn hedging by the canal leading north out of Banbury recently? We got 4 punctures in a mile yesterday. I can't make this a full blown rant as I have a pair of Marathon +'s hanging on the wall at home & I forgot to take the allen key to remove my front wheel, so I couldn't fix my punctures properly & still have a slowie...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Aidan on 24 April, 2011, 10:01:50 am
An epic hour long grumble from Mrs Aidan this morning. She was up at 4.30 ( and then made sure I was awake too ;D) as son was up until 3.50 and woke her up on a number of occasions through the night. Not only is he in for some serious discomfort later, but I'm about to play my guitar. Very Loud.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pedaldog. on 24 April, 2011, 09:16:37 pm
Why did nobody tell me there is a "Calendar" bit on here?  I wuz wondering how people always seem to know when Other people are having Birthdays an stuff!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rogerzilla on 24 April, 2011, 09:23:16 pm
The "box" plants I found growing in the rose bed and used to fill in gaps between the other boxes are, my mother informs me, cotoneasters.  I wondered why they didn't grow at the same time of year as the boxes...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Steve Kish on 24 April, 2011, 10:36:34 pm
WTF can't I find a decent 27.2 black seat pillar that I like for sensible dosh? :-\
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 24 April, 2011, 10:52:23 pm
You moaning minnies........we have just had the most fab weather since .......Shakespeare. It will now piss it down for the rest of the summer a la 2007.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 25 April, 2011, 07:27:45 am
Wilkinsons, Wickes and B&Q.

Is it just too difficult or can't you be bothered to put your Easter opening hours on your websites. Tescos has done so.

Sigh.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 25 April, 2011, 05:08:30 pm
Quote from: rogerzilla on 24 April, 2011, 09:23:16 pm
The "box" plants I found growing in the rose bed and used to fill in gaps between the other boxes are, my mother informs me, cotoneasters.  I wondered why they didn't grow at the same time of year as the boxes...

But Cotoneasters are good, lots of berries for the birds, and spread like billyoh so more plants are always an option.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 25 April, 2011, 07:28:04 pm
Cheapo Argos trampoline makers: There were 42 springs to put on that feckin' trampoline and they had to be done in a set order, didn't they? It would have been soooo much easier if you had taken the small amount of time & effort to number the d-rings and the holes on the pad, so I knew which one to insert & when.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wowbagger on 25 April, 2011, 11:38:48 pm
Quote from: Arch on 25 April, 2011, 05:08:30 pm
Quote from: rogerzilla on 24 April, 2011, 09:23:16 pm
The "box" plants I found growing in the rose bed and used to fill in gaps between the other boxes are, my mother informs me, cotoneasters.  I wondered why they didn't grow at the same time of year as the boxes...

But Cotoneasters are good, lots of berries for the birds, and spread like billyoh so more plants are always an option.

Honey bees are also very fond of cotoneasters.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 26 April, 2011, 10:33:17 am
On -line car insurance proceedure.Mealy mouthed Dick Turpin Ltd failed to take £100 more than the quoted premium from my bank account only after a phone call to Customer dusService drone >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: BrianI on 26 April, 2011, 06:54:56 pm
New fish tank delivered this afternoon.  Came with free value added crack in the plastic trim at the front right corner of the tank.   >:(
Luckily the supplier says they will arrange a swap over with a new tank  :thumbsup:  Except this royal wedding will no doubt postpone things until the end of next week.   >:(

But it's a nice sunny evening though!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 27 April, 2011, 08:40:16 am
Argos: I have lots to do today. Very lots. When I order something from you over the wonder of t'interweb you tell me it will be here between 7am & 6pm, BUT you usually text me to narrow down that ludicrously wide slot to something much more accurate. You haven't done that this time & I am really wanting to get out and get things done. Bah!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 27 April, 2011, 08:46:23 am
I have just made what has to be officially the worst cup of coffee ever![1]

Tiermat's House of Fine Coffee might be taking a bit of a nose dive!!!!

[1] Almost definately my fault, I thought I would finish off the end of the packet of Lavazza before opening the last packet of Monsoon Malabar.  Bad move, and it reminds me I need to get another order into Coffeebeanshop
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CrinklyLion on 27 April, 2011, 09:01:41 am
Quote from: tiermat on 27 April, 2011, 08:46:23 am
I have just made what has to be officially the worst cup of coffee ever![1]

Tiermat's House of Fine Coffee might be taking a bit of a nose dive!!!!

[1] Almost definately my fault, I thought I would finish off the end of the packet of Lavazza before opening the last packet of Monsoon Malabar.  Bad move, and it reminds me I need to get another order into Coffeebeanshop

 :o

Although actually I suspect that my current cup of cheap'n'nasty staffroom instant is an infinitely worse beverage.  Although it probably fails on the 'being a cup of coffee' front and therefore comparing would be comparing apples and oranges. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 27 April, 2011, 09:03:19 am
Quote from: CrinklyLion on 27 April, 2011, 09:01:41 am
Quote from: tiermat on 27 April, 2011, 08:46:23 am
I have just made what has to be officially the worst cup of coffee ever![1]

Tiermat's House of Fine Coffee might be taking a bit of a nose dive!!!!

[1] Almost definately my fault, I thought I would finish off the end of the packet of Lavazza before opening the last packet of Monsoon Malabar.  Bad move, and it reminds me I need to get another order into Coffeebeanshop

 :o

Although actually I suspect that my current cup of cheap'n'nasty staffroom instant is an infinitely worse beverage.  Although it probably fails on the 'being a cup of coffee' front and therefore comparing would be comparing apples and oranges. 

That would be synthi-synthi-synthi-caff [1]

[1] Obviously a Judge Dredd reference :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 27 April, 2011, 12:46:28 pm
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 27 April, 2011, 08:40:16 am
Argos: I have lots to do today. Very lots. When I order something from you over the wonder of t'interweb you tell me it will be here between 7am & 6pm, BUT you usually text me to narrow down that ludicrously wide slot to something much more accurate. You haven't done that this time & I am really wanting to get out and get things done. Bah!

Well, I went out to the LBS and M&S and got sorted and got back at 11.35. At 11.40 the doorbell goes and it is Mr HDN/Argos with my package. Now that's what I call luck! No advance notice, nothing like it used to be.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SandyV on 27 April, 2011, 12:47:21 pm
Will it ever stop raining? I don't think there's been 1 weekend without rain this year.   
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 27 April, 2011, 12:49:57 pm
I would love a bit of rain. Especially torrential downpours in London on Friday...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: RJ on 27 April, 2011, 12:57:14 pm
B&Q - get a grip on SI units.  Your water butt tap is HOW big?:
B&Q Online: From Kitchens & Bathrooms to Sheds & Paving; plus planning tools (http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav.jsp?isSearch=true&fh_search=water+butt+tap)

 :o ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 27 April, 2011, 01:12:25 pm
Quote from: RJ on 27 April, 2011, 12:57:14 pm
B&Q - get a grip on SI units.  Your water butt tap is HOW big?:
B&Q Online: From Kitchens & Bathrooms to Sheds & Paving; plus planning tools (http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav.jsp?isSearch=true&fh_search=water+butt+tap)

 :o ::-)
;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 27 April, 2011, 01:32:27 pm
BBBIIIIIGGGGG tap!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 27 April, 2011, 01:42:23 pm
You need a big tap if you've got a big butt...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 27 April, 2011, 01:52:56 pm
Does my butt look big?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hulver on 27 April, 2011, 02:08:55 pm
Bloody puncture fairy, piss off and leave me alone. I don't need the practise anymore.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 27 April, 2011, 02:42:31 pm
Mate on cycle ride: I know you don't do this very often, but saying "Oh, I've got a mini pump just like yours!" (I doubt it, actually) and, when being asked to produce it so I don't have to convert my fiddly bit from presta to schrader, please don't say "Oh, I haven't got it, it's at home!". It's not exactly a heavy burden is it, FFS?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 27 April, 2011, 05:40:24 pm
Quote from: David Martin on 27 April, 2011, 01:12:25 pm
Quote from: RJ on 27 April, 2011, 12:57:14 pm
B&Q - get a grip on SI units.  Your water butt tap is HOW big?:
B&Q Online: From Kitchens & Bathrooms to Sheds & Paving; plus planning tools (http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav.jsp?isSearch=true&fh_search=water+butt+tap)

 :o ::-)
;D

ISTR 100 litre tubes of toothpaste being offered for sale somewhereplace...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 27 April, 2011, 05:44:47 pm
Utah?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SteveC on 27 April, 2011, 06:52:24 pm
Quote from: RJ on 27 April, 2011, 12:57:14 pm
B&Q - get a grip on SI units.  Your water butt tap is HOW big?:
B&Q Online: From Kitchens & Bathrooms to Sheds & Paving; plus planning tools (http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav.jsp?isSearch=true&fh_search=water+butt+tap)

 :o ::-)
..at least they advertise it as being waterproof!

S
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 27 April, 2011, 06:53:33 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 27 April, 2011, 05:40:24 pm
Quote from: David Martin on 27 April, 2011, 01:12:25 pm
Quote from: RJ on 27 April, 2011, 12:57:14 pm
B&Q - get a grip on SI units.  Your water butt tap is HOW big?:
B&Q Online: From Kitchens & Bathrooms to Sheds & Paving; plus planning tools (http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav.jsp?isSearch=true&fh_search=water+butt+tap)

 :o ::-)
;D

Bugger me, thats a biggun...

I've actually got a couple of those and they are the sort of size you'd expect, and screw into the usual (is it 1/2 inch BSP?) thread, and have a proper hose connector thingy on the bottom.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: BrianI on 27 April, 2011, 07:30:17 pm
Chuffing sore foot arches.   >:(  Looks like I'll need to visit the nhs podiatrist for them to have a poke around at my feet to see what they need to do.....(and hopefully not send me to a private podiatrist at £100 a visit.....)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 28 April, 2011, 10:11:58 am
Arriva buses….sigh.

When I first moved to Stafford in 2002, I was fat, unfit and couldn’t make the 2 miles from home into town. So, it was useful that you ran a bus from the end of my street into town once every 10 mins. You even ran sufficient buses before 7am to allow me to link up with the early trains to that London. The fare for this short journey: one of your quids.

9 years later and 4 stone lighter, I hardly ever use the bus now, preferring either to walk, or to cycle. Its good that I hardly use the “service” anymore as the early morning buses have almost all disappeared (not literally!!!) and the service is now once every 15 mins.

So, why am I grumbling…well, at the start of the year, it cost £1.60 for the trip. Bit pricey for such a short journey but hey ho…. I then used the bus three weeks ago: £1.70. Coming home from dropping my bike of at the LBS for some work (yes, yes, I should learn to do it myself but the time it would take me and the agro just isn’t worth it!) this morning, I was charged £1.80! So, two price increases in 4 months!!!! Yes, I could have walked back, but I needed to be back at my desk by half 9.

Bus fares…sigh.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Majorbloodnok on 28 April, 2011, 10:41:47 am
Spalding CC

Come on lads, I know it was your Nelson Sportive thingy, but a simple 'hiya' or 'morning' would of been nice.  Loads of riders passed me and my mate but there was barely a nod.



May a thousand failed snot rockets hang from your Assos clad shoulders....

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: RJ on 28 April, 2011, 12:42:09 pm
Quote from: Wombat on 27 April, 2011, 06:53:33 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 27 April, 2011, 05:40:24 pm
Quote from: David Martin on 27 April, 2011, 01:12:25 pm
Quote from: RJ on 27 April, 2011, 12:57:14 pm
B&Q - get a grip on SI units.  Your water butt tap is HOW big?:
B&Q Online: From Kitchens & Bathrooms to Sheds & Paving; plus planning tools (http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav.jsp?isSearch=true&fh_search=water+butt+tap)

 :o ::-)
;D

Bugger me, thats a biggun...

I've actually got a couple of those and they are the sort of size you'd expect, and screw into the usual (is it 1/2 inch BSP?) thread, and have a proper hose connector thingy on the bottom.

B&Q:  your waterbutt tap was *much* smaller than I was led to believe by your website ...
</grumble>  ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jasmine on 01 May, 2011, 05:26:49 pm
To anyone who wishes to walk up Snowdon:

To park in the car park at the top of the pass you'll need to be there before 7 this time of year.  When you rock up at 10 it will be full.  However, the kind National Park & Gwynedd council people have provided at huge car park in Nant Peris and another in Llanberis with a park and ride bus to the top.  A sign that looks like a red circle, filled blue with a red cross inside does not mean "Please park here - this is the ideal parking spot".  Parking in the verge backed right up to the sign makes you a selfish ass. Double parking the person parked next to the sign in the verge makes you an ignorant and selfish ass.

Surely if you've come on a walking trip, an extra few hundred metres to park somewhere safe isn't too much to ask, is it?

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 01 May, 2011, 06:58:14 pm
Different cycling mate: When I offer to fix a puncture for you and I do everything except check that the thorns are still in the tyre carcass & leave that to you, thinking that no one could miss a hawthorn sticking 5mm through the casing; do at least make an effort to find it. Taking you at your word that you had checked it, I put the tyre back on and pumped it up (after checking all the punctures had been fixed) only to find it deflating.

After taking it off again, I found two thorns sticking through, luckily only one of which had caused a new puncture.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: PaulF on 01 May, 2011, 07:27:45 pm
Chest infection, I'm bored of you. Please leave
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Chris S on 02 May, 2011, 10:29:56 pm
Wind. Please.

I mean - y'know - it's been entertaining for what, the last 10 days or so.

But please. Enough's enough. Go away.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Majorbloodnok on 02 May, 2011, 10:35:54 pm
Try sucking a mint
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 02 May, 2011, 11:42:03 pm
The ultra-itchy allergic reactions to the assorted beastie/triffid bites I've sustained over the last week I could cope with.  I'm used to it.

Much the same goes for the epic hayfever I suffered on the ride into central London this morning.

The abscess in my armpit was a surprise, but seems to have responded well to some rather painful fettling.

But my 'good' knee turning red, swelling up and making interesting squelchy noises?  That's just unfair.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CommuteTooFar on 03 May, 2011, 10:50:53 am
I do not have next Friday off.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 03 May, 2011, 06:15:50 pm
Bugger!  There are no Bank Holidays next week.  WTF is going on?  ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 03 May, 2011, 06:26:31 pm
A Unilateral Declaration of POETS Day is appropriate
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 05 May, 2011, 12:50:04 pm
I was going to go to a meeting, which would have included a nice bike ride and lunch provided.  But the BT repairman turned up and I needed to be on hand.  So I'm doing the Fire Risk Assessment instead.  And don't have anything here for lunch :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 05 May, 2011, 03:51:26 pm
On my 2.5 mile ride to the LBS this afternoon, I saw a total of 11 adults riding "bikes" (most of them BSO's).

Of the 12 bikes out in Stafford this afternoon therefore (including me), a grand total of 11 were on the pavement.

Come on people, pavements for peds, roads for bikes: ESPECIALLY if you are an adult.

My goat is got.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 05 May, 2011, 04:11:52 pm
Exactly.  This morning, I told one group of middle-aged commuters that, when they grow up, their mummy might let them ride on the road.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 05 May, 2011, 05:05:22 pm
I ordered a kite from Amazon. It came today. It's about two foot long, and all folded up in a case, so it's not really any bigger than an average umbrella. It came in a cardboard box 23"x19"x9.5". Bloody ridiculous.

And to add insult to injury, they enclosed a free gift. Two England car flags.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 05 May, 2011, 05:06:41 pm
Funnily enough, I just had a near miss from a pavement cyclist.  I was in ped mode, stepped diagonally to avoid a roadworks sign, and the BSO squeezed through the remaining gap between me and the wall before going on to swerve round some oncoming pedestrians.  Grr.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 05 May, 2011, 07:37:55 pm
Quote from: BrianI on 27 April, 2011, 07:30:17 pm
Chuffing sore foot arches.   >:(  Looks like I'll need to visit the nhs podiatrist for them to have a poke around at my feet to see what they need to do.....(and hopefully not send me to a private podiatrist at £100 a visit.....)

you are on dodgy ground on a couple of counts, old thing. 

a) see an NHS podiatrist, ha ha you must be joking!  Are you already dead, or diabetic?  If not, forget it.

b) a private one costing £100!!  I know one round here that costs £18 (but I get it free 'cos I'm married to her. )   Some are ripoffs, but £100 is unheard of.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 06 May, 2011, 09:10:20 am
Oh, what a shame.  Focus DIY are going into administration.  Which means the nice man with the goatee who is always so helpful may be out of a job.  And there's a slightly higher risk of me going to B+Q.  Huh >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 06 May, 2011, 09:38:06 am
I must confess I thought they'd sunk into oblivion years ago.  Our local one certainly had.  It started as a "pay less" superstore, then transmogified into Focus do it all.  I interpreted that as "do less, pay it all" 'cos it was pretty rubbish.  We also have a Wickes which has never yet had anything in stock that I needed, with the exception of 2 tins of gas for my steam engines, when I actually wanted 12 tins.  In contrast B&Q is almost pleasant.  I said almost...   I will be walking a couple of miles down there later today, having called in at another branch in my car yesterday, and forgot the fluorescent light tube I needed, as well as having failed to get some micro-irrigation fittings 'cos they didn't have them.  Car use not permitted under current regime till next thursday...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 06 May, 2011, 11:06:52 am
Why oh why do SO many people use detergents that make their clothes STINK! I've bought 2 cycling jersey's from ebay in the last week, and it's taken 3 washes to get the first not to stink too much to wear. The second had to be confined to the shut washing machine even after a first wash, it still stank so much of "perfume" courtesy of Lever Brothers et al.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 06 May, 2011, 11:16:09 am
Quote from: rafletcher on 06 May, 2011, 11:06:52 am
Why oh why do SO many people use detergents that make their clothes STINK! I've bought 2 cycling jersey's from ebay in the last week, and it's taken 3 washes to get the first not to stink too much to wear. The second had to be confined to the shut washing machine even after a first wash, it still stank so much of "perfume" courtesy of Lever Brothers et al.

We find Ecover is almost the worst for this - it's full of lavender which Kim is allergic to (makes her sneeze).  We automatically wash anything we buy or are given at least once cos it's likely we won't like the smell of the washing powder. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 06 May, 2011, 11:22:00 am
We're Ecover liquid / wash ball users.   Nobody complained at the NTRWCW but maybe you were all being polite  :P

I must admit that I've rejected a B&B because of the very strong smell of the laundry detergent on the bedding.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 06 May, 2011, 11:30:15 am
The only problem I had with Ecover was the price.  Being a skinflint I am thus obliged to use Ariel, coz my feet developed a sudden aversion to Persil in 2006.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: BrianI on 06 May, 2011, 12:04:10 pm
Quote from: Wombat on 05 May, 2011, 07:37:55 pm
Quote from: BrianI on 27 April, 2011, 07:30:17 pm
Chuffing sore foot arches.   >:(  Looks like I'll need to visit the nhs podiatrist for them to have a poke around at my feet to see what they need to do.....(and hopefully not send me to a private podiatrist at £100 a visit.....)

you are on dodgy ground on a couple of counts, old thing. 

a) see an NHS podiatrist, ha ha you must be joking!  Are you already dead, or diabetic?  If not, forget it.

b) a private one costing £100!!  I know one round here that costs £18 (but I get it free 'cos I'm married to her. )   Some are ripoffs, but £100 is unheard of.

Well, my mother went private to get orthotics for her feet, didn't get much change out of £300 for her custom made carbon fibre orthotics    :o
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: BrianI on 06 May, 2011, 12:05:03 pm
No coffee today so far, and I feel like the duracell bunny who's batteries have ran out.... zzzzzzz  :P
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Aidan on 06 May, 2011, 12:34:31 pm
Bloody knee. Grumble grumble
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 06 May, 2011, 01:14:18 pm
Quote from: Polar Bear on 06 May, 2011, 11:22:00 am
We're Ecover liquid / wash ball users.   Nobody complained at the NTRWCW but maybe you were all being polite  :P

I must admit that I've rejected a B&B because of the very strong smell of the laundry detergent on the bedding.

Most washing powders are ok on other people's clothes, we only tend to notice it on things we're sleeping on like your aforementioned B&B and things Kim or I might wear.  It's one of those not worth the allergy risks, I was in 1995 allergic to Fairy powder, creeping rash of d00m.  The recipe may have changed but I'd rather not risk it so I simply avoid on principle.  Kim gets eczema probably related to her asthma so we try not to meddle with stuff we don't know about. 

We stick to supermarket brand fake-persil which seems to work and not kill either of us and if they stop making it or change recipes we inevitably have great fun trying to find a suitable replacement.   We halve the recommended amount of powder in our washes and have at times double rinsed everything. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 06 May, 2011, 03:30:11 pm
Mozilla!  Why have you moved the "Home" button in FF4?  There was nothing wrong with leaving it where it was.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 06 May, 2011, 03:41:28 pm
Quote from: barakta on 06 May, 2011, 01:14:18 pm
Quote from: Polar Bear on 06 May, 2011, 11:22:00 am
We're Ecover liquid / wash ball users.   Nobody complained at the NTRWCW but maybe you were all being polite  :P

I must admit that I've rejected a B&B because of the very strong smell of the laundry detergent on the bedding.

Most washing powders are ok on other people's clothes, we only tend to notice it on things we're sleeping on like your aforementioned B&B and things Kim or I might wear.  It's one of those not worth the allergy risks, I was in 1995 allergic to Fairy powder, creeping rash of d00m.  The recipe may have changed but I'd rather not risk it so I simply avoid on principle.  Kim gets eczema probably related to her asthma so we try not to meddle with stuff we don't know about. 

We stick to supermarket brand fake-persil which seems to work and not kill either of us and if they stop making it or change recipes we inevitably have great fun trying to find a suitable replacement.   We halve the recommended amount of powder in our washes and have at times double rinsed everything. 

My bold: - we just use Tesco non-bio tablets (essentially compressed powder) and we use one not two per wash. With the efficiency of washing we get from our machine (a Bosch, which is noticeably better then the preceeding Hoover and Zanussi ones) this is sufficient for almost everything - and at 30 degrees as well. And of cousre it's a non-perfumed powder.  I'm guessing that the item I bought must have been in some variant of Persil or Aeriel, but one of our neighbours uses it - we can smell their washing on the line from a range of 10m!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 06 May, 2011, 04:46:48 pm
The pub at Codsall Station: When you incorrectly pour the wrong pint and have this politely pointed out to you, you should not then stare accusingly and chunter to make it obvious you didn't believe us. Had you been paying attention and not ignoring us & talking to locals, you would have seen that you poured the majority of the pint from the tap adjacent to the mild and then topped up from the mild tap. You were too deep in conversation to either notice this or allow us to tell you. "See, the mild tap's dripping..." is a fail. "Oh, did I? How silly of me, let me get you your pint" would be a pass or at least non-fail.

And waitress, when we jokingly apologise for making you walk all the 20 yards to the conservatory to bring us your (distinctly average) meals, don't then miserably say "Yeah, and I had to take my apron off too!" Talk about a miserable pair. I shan't be going back in a hurry however good the Holden's beer is.

That's The Station at Codsall, in case anyone's in the vicinity.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 06 May, 2011, 05:29:52 pm
Quote from: BrianI on 06 May, 2011, 12:04:10 pm
Quote from: Wombat on 05 May, 2011, 07:37:55 pm
Quote from: BrianI on 27 April, 2011, 07:30:17 pm
Chuffing sore foot arches.   >:(  Looks like I'll need to visit the nhs podiatrist for them to have a poke around at my feet to see what they need to do.....(and hopefully not send me to a private podiatrist at £100 a visit.....)

you are on dodgy ground on a couple of counts, old thing. 

a) see an NHS podiatrist, ha ha you must be joking!  Are you already dead, or diabetic?  If not, forget it.

b) a private one costing £100!!  I know one round here that costs £18 (but I get it free 'cos I'm married to her. )   Some are ripoffs, but £100 is unheard of.

Well, my mother went private to get orthotics for her feet, didn't get much change out of £300 for her custom made carbon fibre orthotics    :o

Ah, well, you'll always have to pay for your orthotics, at "cost plus" (and if you must have carbon fibre... ;D).  A straightforward consultation or treatment session is usually rather better value than half an hour of a garage's labour.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 07 May, 2011, 12:21:55 pm
It's truly a marvel the way in which the human species adapts & evolves to it's environment.......
eyes that can see round corners (at the expense of near-vision & spatial awareness :-\)
the strength to compress a ton of metal to reduce it's width by a metre or more(a.k.a. left hook & kerb-squeeze)
it's lifebreathtaking.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 07 May, 2011, 03:58:36 pm
Brittany Ferries: OK, it is August, but £400 for 3 people and their bikes to Normandy?

Norfolk Line only want £72 for a car & 9 passengers fro a Dover to Dunkirk return the same month.

Rob dogs!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 08 May, 2011, 01:09:49 pm
D4 DCG
Do NOT pass cyclists within,literally, a couple of inches doing,I would estimate,in excess of 60mph in a 40mph zone with one hand firmly planted on the horn as you approach earth gravity escape speed.
You obviously don't use your eyes whilst driving so if we meet face to face I'm going to poke your f**king eyes out.
You are an excellent example of the phrase JerkInAMerc.
Get a narrower car.I suggest a Tamiya 1/35th scale model & use public transport.
The roads would be safer.

That easily remembered/recognised number plate will be disadvantageous....to you.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Snakehips on 08 May, 2011, 08:39:11 pm
Why is it that the pepperoni slices they put on top of pizzas don't stay stuck on when you pick up a piece.

I now have a  slice of pepperoni shaped/sized fatty mark on the front of my puce coloured cycling jersey !
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 08 May, 2011, 08:56:58 pm
Quote from: Snakehips on 08 May, 2011, 08:39:11 pm
Why is it that the pepperoni slices they put on top of pizzas don't stay stuck on when you pick up a piece.

I now have a  slice of pepperoni shaped/sized fatty mark on the front of my puce coloured cycling jersey !


I think you've given your own answer. Grease/fat exudes from sausage when heated and prevents sausage sticking to anything, buggrit
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mmmmartin on 08 May, 2011, 10:07:26 pm
grrrrr. Murdering Syrian government. Always have been always will be. grr.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 09 May, 2011, 10:11:06 am
Quote from: barakta on 06 May, 2011, 01:14:18 pm
Quote from: Polar Bear on 06 May, 2011, 11:22:00 am
We're Ecover liquid / wash ball users.   Nobody complained at the NTRWCW but maybe you were all being polite  :P

I must admit that I've rejected a B&B because of the very strong smell of the laundry detergent on the bedding.

Most washing powders are ok on other people's clothes, we only tend to notice it on things we're sleeping on like your aforementioned B&B and things Kim or I might wear.  It's one of those not worth the allergy risks, I was in 1995 allergic to Fairy powder, creeping rash of d00m.  The recipe may have changed but I'd rather not risk it so I simply avoid on principle.  Kim gets eczema probably related to her asthma so we try not to meddle with stuff we don't know about. 

We stick to supermarket brand fake-persil which seems to work and not kill either of us and if they stop making it or change recipes we inevitably have great fun trying to find a suitable replacement.   We halve the recommended amount of powder in our washes and have at times double rinsed everything. 
I used to get a slight rash when wearing clothes washed in enzyme-ridden bio powder next to the skin. Sainsbury's & Tesco own brand non-bio powder don't have the same effect.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 09 May, 2011, 12:48:27 pm
Lady on the train:

I know I'm not a parent, and there are many ways to bring up children and all that, but I can't help thinking that a child old enough to use the phrase "point Percy at the porcelain" with regard to going to the toilet, is too old to still be breastfeeding....

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Majorbloodnok on 09 May, 2011, 01:12:10 pm
^  :sick: ^
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 09 May, 2011, 03:53:26 pm
Quote from: Majorbloodnok on 09 May, 2011, 01:12:10 pm
^  :sick: ^

Yeah. Made me glad I'd moved from the one unreserved seat of the block of 4 so that the family could sit together....

I wasn't sure that's what she was doing (I was sitting behind them) until she moved the child over and he reached into her top to get the other one out...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 09 May, 2011, 04:03:28 pm
Why did the rain and head wind have to start just as I started to climb kirkstone. Mind otherts from the group are on helvelan and others reported hail in coniston.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CrinklyLion on 09 May, 2011, 04:05:38 pm
Quote from: Arch on 09 May, 2011, 03:53:26 pm
Quote from: Majorbloodnok on 09 May, 2011, 01:12:10 pm
^  :sick: ^

Yeah. Made me glad I'd moved from the one unreserved seat of the block of 4 so that the family could sit together....

I wasn't sure that's what she was doing (I was sitting behind them) until she moved the child over and he reached into her top to get the other one out...

Actually, EldestCub was breastfed until he was more than capable of fairly complex language stuff.  About 3.  And it utterly broke my heart that the littly gave up (following a mildly traumatic biting incident) by the time he was one.

But I do know a few lentil-left families with children who have always been encouraged to "express themselves" and who did extended breastfeeding that I REALLY wouldn't have wanted to sit with on a train.  And the one and only time that I "asked permission" to bf one of my children was when I had a tired, mildly unwell and hungry baby who needed feeding and I was on an overfull train sitting next to a middle-aged chap who was travelling alone.  In all honesty, I'd have carried on regardless had he objected - but by asking I gave him the opportunity for a tactical withdrawal or averting of eyes if he wanted, since the nature of cattle-class Virgin Trains is that you are rather cosy with your neighbour....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Regulator on 09 May, 2011, 04:06:13 pm
Quote from: Arch on 09 May, 2011, 03:53:26 pm
Quote from: Majorbloodnok on 09 May, 2011, 01:12:10 pm
^  :sick: ^

Yeah. Made me glad I'd moved from the one unreserved seat of the block of 4 so that the family could sit together....

I wasn't sure that's what she was doing (I was sitting behind them) until she moved the child over and he reached into her top to get the other one out...

Bitty?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 10 May, 2011, 11:14:15 am
If you're going to drive with your headlights on during the day, please have the good manners to ensure that they're both working.

Flange.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 10 May, 2011, 11:44:29 am
After three month's use it has become apparent to me that the webby user interface for our Helldesk systems was designed by that clown who used to star in the BBC test card.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Si_Co on 10 May, 2011, 12:41:06 pm
I give up.

The response "I'm sure we left it over there" does not fill me with confidence.
 
It's an autoclave with 3 cubic metre capacity that takes four guys to move, it's not like it's going to have slipped down the back of the sofa  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Majorbloodnok on 10 May, 2011, 01:15:01 pm
*checks pockets*  No, I haven't got it.  Sorry
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Si_Co on 10 May, 2011, 02:33:25 pm
Quote from: Majorbloodnok on 10 May, 2011, 01:15:01 pm
*checks pockets*  No, I haven't got it.  Sorry

No, thats because someone, and I quote, "accidently shipped it to Livingstone"  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 10 May, 2011, 02:50:12 pm
That's some accident!  Waaaay beyond Mr Bump's capacity, and well into the further reaches of Mr Bean territory.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mike on 10 May, 2011, 02:52:20 pm
so if I'm working in the states all week (last week) and dont get home till 10am Sunday to save a bit of money on flights, shouldnt I get a couple of days off this week to count for the weekend I've lost?

No.  I have to start work at 7am like normal, and people wonder why I'm grumpy today?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Karla on 10 May, 2011, 02:54:55 pm
Mars, I hate you.  Why do you refuse to give me that Double Decker I can see in your machine?  Oh well, I suppose I'd better support the competition and try the Nestle machine ...

Nestle, I hate you even more!  I wanted a Toffee Crisp, you've given me a Yorkie and YOU'VE TAKEN MY EXTRA 5P!  Thieving scumbag. 

Gah, I now hate big chocolate companies.  Down with global capitalism, I say!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Majorbloodnok on 10 May, 2011, 04:15:02 pm
For god's sake stay off the Coke
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Diver300 on 11 May, 2011, 08:22:17 am
Monitor bracket manufactures. Why do you fit rotation stops to what would otherwise be 360° rotation?

The stands that came with my Benq monitors let them rotate between landscape and portrait, but only portrait to the left, because they have taken the trouble to add a stupid little pin to limit the rotation. It's then a screwdriver job to rotate to the right.

The wall brackets that I now use let me have 5° either way, so changing from portrait to landscape again needed screwdrivers. Now that the rotation stop has met the hacksaw of destiny, I now have a more useful bracket.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wowbagger on 11 May, 2011, 08:25:00 am
Quote from: Mr Bunbury on 10 May, 2011, 02:54:55 pm
Mars, I hate you.  Why do you refuse to give me that Double Decker I can see in your machine?  Oh well, I suppose I'd better support the competition and try the Nestle machine ...

Nestle, I hate you even more!  I wanted a Toffee Crisp, you've given me a Yorkie and YOU'VE TAKEN MY EXTRA 5P!  Thieving scumbag.  

Gah, I now hate big chocolate companies.  Down with global capitalism, I say!

It is from small acorns that Great Oaks grow.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wowbagger on 11 May, 2011, 08:25:45 am
Quote from: Si_Co on 10 May, 2011, 02:33:25 pm
Quote from: Majorbloodnok on 10 May, 2011, 01:15:01 pm
*checks pockets*  No, I haven't got it.  Sorry

No, thats because someone, and I quote, "accidently shipped it to Livingstone"  :facepalm:

What would Ken be doing with one of those? Baking newt pie?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 11 May, 2011, 09:24:34 am
Forgot to pack a belt; dribbled juice from a lovely strawberry on my white shirt.  What else will go wrong this morning?  :(
 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 11 May, 2011, 11:12:49 am
Moreton Smith!  WTF did you do with your FTP  server yesterday?

Feckin' eejits.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Majorbloodnok on 11 May, 2011, 01:15:13 pm
Quote from: Andrij on 11 May, 2011, 09:24:34 am
Forgot to pack a belt; dribbled juice from a lovely strawberry on my white shirt.  What else will go wrong this morning?  :(
 

Well, how did it go in the end?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 11 May, 2011, 01:22:57 pm
Quote from: Majorbloodnok on 11 May, 2011, 01:15:13 pm
Quote from: Andrij on 11 May, 2011, 09:24:34 am
Forgot to pack a belt; dribbled juice from a lovely strawberry on my white shirt.  What else will go wrong this morning?  :(
 

Well, how did it go in the end?

The morning concluded without any further catastrophe.  But there's still the whole afternoon ahead of me, as well as the ride home...
 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 11 May, 2011, 01:41:56 pm
At least it was only your belt Andrij, and not your trousers!

Twice I have done the forget trousers bit, once I had to work all day in my cycling longs, second time wait until Next opened (nearest clothes shop to the office!)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Majorbloodnok on 11 May, 2011, 01:47:16 pm
Quote from: tiermat on 11 May, 2011, 01:41:56 pm
At least it was only your belt Andrij, and not your trousers!

Twice I have done the forget trousers bit, once I had to work all day in my cycling longs

That would be a loooong walk through the factory to the office that day  :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 11 May, 2011, 01:51:30 pm
I keep some spare clothing in my desk (lesson learned the hard way) but a belt is not included in this emergency kit.  Fortunately there's M&S across the road and House of Fraser around the corner.  I know one of my co-workers bought a complete outfit (underwear on up) and toiletries early one morning.  He had missed the last train home (by hours), caught a bit of shut-eye here and there, but needed to be in the office to meet clients the next morning and the suit he has was looking a bit worse for wear.  He learned his lesson, too.  Especially when he got back home to his wife the next evening.
 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 13 May, 2011, 11:17:21 am
Ken Bruce in Dusseldorf ---> Much Eurovision waffle ---> No PopMaster :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 13 May, 2011, 12:25:43 pm
Bloody A11 between Fetfud & Mildenhall.
I was 15 minutes late and she wouldn't see me, and now I have to go back on Monday for the extraction.
Remind me on Monday to account for the A11 factor. Perhaps I should just have gone on the bike?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 13 May, 2011, 12:31:38 pm
Oh bother.  And yes, you know you should.  Cars are rubbesh.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 13 May, 2011, 12:47:14 pm
Quote from: clarion on 13 May, 2011, 12:31:38 pm
Oh bother.  And yes, you know you should.  Cars are rubbesh.
Well I deliberately didn't as I faint, quite easily. so I thought best not. But really. I should've.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 13 May, 2011, 12:59:04 pm
Quote from: boab on 13 May, 2011, 12:25:43 pm
Bloody A11 between Fetfud & Mildenhall.
I was 15 minutes late and she wouldn't see me,


some folk are so far up their own arseholes they view the world thru' their earholes ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 13 May, 2011, 01:32:42 pm
DWP: Your promised 3-hour callback time limit has just been exceeded. I thought it would be...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Marj on 13 May, 2011, 02:05:56 pm

[/quote]

some folk are so far up their own arseholes they view the world thru' their earholes ::-)
[/quote]

I think I might know a person like that and no it's not Jogler
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 13 May, 2011, 04:31:36 pm
Wife... she is a 9 month old kitten and therefore will hunt anything she can get her paws on: remember the butterfly she took down yesterday?

Well, there really isn't no point calling me when she has a blackbird in her mouth is there??? Well okay, I did come out and rescue the bird and then stand outside in the rain doing "door security" for half an hour while it recovered but no doubt, the kittie will be after something else tomorrow.

She is a cat: cats kill. Get over it please.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 13 May, 2011, 05:29:19 pm
I would phone the DWP as soon after the time expires as possible to say "I have been expecting a call for the last 3 hours, is there a problem".  It means they can't claim you didn't answer because it's documented that you called them after the period.

This was before I learned not to let anyone make incoming calls to me cos 18002 scares people.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 14 May, 2011, 08:56:09 am
Autotrader dealers/sellers: If I am looking for a low mileage car and I select the <40,000 mile option, why do you insist on listing your epically worn out vehicles as 112 miles instead of 112,000??? Not only does it fill up my search with erroneous vehicles that I wouldn't touch with a bargepole, but it also makes you look like a bunch of shysters.

Autotrader, I've written to you before about this, as it does your standing no good to allow this to happen.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 14 May, 2011, 01:18:27 pm
Something went wrong with the front door lock two weekends back while I was away, and the locksmith left one key for me with a neighbour.  She told me he'd got more cut but some of them didn't work.  Anyway, landlord says get a spare cut and he'll pay. So I go round to Barnitts, the place I trust best for that sort of thing, and got two cut today.

Neither work.  The chap did say as he handed my original back, that it looked damaged - but it's the one that works, and works fine!

Will have to nip back and see what they can do - this could run and run.  The locksmith had been to Timpsons originally, but I chose Barnitts because they are a proper hardware shop. It's annoying, if I have to keep going back and forth...

Funny, as I was posting, there was a knock at the door and it was my neighbour, checking if I had a key, as they do cheaper prices for 2 or 3 at Timpsons. So we're going round together later to see what can be done.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jaded on 14 May, 2011, 01:45:16 pm
Leave the neighbour in the house and take the lock with you.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SteveC on 14 May, 2011, 02:35:06 pm
Quote from: Jaded on 14 May, 2011, 01:45:16 pm
Leave the neighbour in the house and take the lock with you.
Mental image of Arch, on recumbent, with a front door....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 14 May, 2011, 03:43:35 pm
I must have had the same conversation, word for word, about 20 times this week. 

Haven't seen you for ages!

No, I've been off sick for a while.  But I'm much better now.

Have you been ill?

Not really.  Got knocked off the bike.  But I'm much better now thanks.

Were you wearing your helmet?

Yes.

Good.  Lots of people don't, you know, and it's stupid.  My ********* was knocked off the bike.  S/he died/lost a limb/went blind/had a brain injury and was never the same again.  The roads are so dangerous I don't think you should cycle round here.  Are you back on your bike then?

 :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm:

Good job I'm off for a couple of weeks' holiday.  It'll give me a chance to pre-record the conversation, they can listen to it while I get on with my work. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 14 May, 2011, 05:10:20 pm
Quote from: SteveC on 14 May, 2011, 02:35:06 pm
Quote from: Jaded on 14 May, 2011, 01:45:16 pm
Leave the neighbour in the house and take the lock with you.
Mental image of Arch, on recumbent, with a front door....

 ;D

We got it sorted, by going to Timpsons.  According to my neighbour, the locksmith said Barnitts were rubbish for keys, which is a shame as they are our big local hardware/everything shop, and I like to give them custom.  While there I checked on the status of the oil filled radiator on order to replace the faulty one I took back, and was told it's just this week come into the warehouse, and they can deliver it Monday. I had a hard time persuading the chap that I'd rather pick it up, as I'll be at work all day Monday, and it's only round the corner....

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 15 May, 2011, 06:20:39 pm
Mum, please don't call me from your mobile especially when you have Biggles's portable handset phones (which do at least sound less shit).  The half-duplexing and GSM codec mean that there's dreadful distortion if there's noise at either of our ends while speaking or if we accidentally interrupt.  No wonder it was mashing my head and turning up my hearing aid didn't work. I am now surprisingly braindead from only a 10 minute phonecall... 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CrinklyLion on 16 May, 2011, 07:38:06 am
Forgot it was bloody recycling day again, and the council chaps don't do like Arch's lot used to and grin in a mildly entertained manner when scarecrow headed householders stick their head out of the door and say "Oh shit, I forgot" before running off to find the box.  And because we now have 3 boxes and fortnightly collection you don't have time to sort and get the boxes out (because you have to carry them all the way round the back alley, because they will only collect from the front door) once they're in the street you haven't got time.  

And my neck and shoulder really hurt.  
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 16 May, 2011, 11:36:05 am
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 13 May, 2011, 01:32:42 pm
DWP: Your promised 3-hour callback time limit has just been exceeded. I thought it would be...

Well, just got off the phone & my notes say they DID call back. Did they bollocks! I had the phone with me all afternoon.

Anyway, my claim has been authorised, so I am not so irked now. The callcentre drone admitted that this does happen quite often; i.e. they say they've called when they haven't... Quite brave of him, seeing as calls are recorded.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 16 May, 2011, 01:39:14 pm
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 16 May, 2011, 11:36:05 am
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 13 May, 2011, 01:32:42 pm
DWP: Your promised 3-hour callback time limit has just been exceeded. I thought it would be...

Well, just got off the phone & my notes say they DID call back. Did they bollocks! I had the phone with me all afternoon.

Anyway, my claim has been authorised, so I am not so irked now. The callcentre drone admitted that this does happen quite often; i.e. they say they've called when they haven't... Quite brave of him, seeing as calls are recorded.

Bet he's due to be sacked in the next 2 weeks then.

Like I say, jobcunterplus (bouleplusungood etc) are lying toerags but they almost always back down in the face of a good hearty GRINK and assertion that you bloody well were on time, available by phone, are incompetent etc.

Unlike HMRC who are stubborn own-FAIL-denialist twatbadgers of the highest order!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 16 May, 2011, 01:47:26 pm
Yep, I figured he must be on borrowed time, as he didn't sound the most engaged person I've ever dealt with, but refreshingly honest.

My claim had already been approved and ICBA to take it any further under those circumstances, especially seeing as my savings statement wasn't exactly what they'd asked for - and was an utter pain to get hold of.

Next stop the local council to get them off my back & to stop them - hopefully - shutting down my claim. Oh joy!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 16 May, 2011, 08:45:32 pm
Argh, my shouder muscles hurt and are hard as nails.
Somebody come and thwok me with a meat tenderiser plz?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 16 May, 2011, 08:53:59 pm
The Warwickshire Lad, good luck!

Mrs Pingu, hot bath & cocodamol?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feline on 16 May, 2011, 08:55:19 pm
Quote from: Lindagordinho on 14 May, 2011, 03:43:35 pm
I must have had the same conversation, word for word, about 20 times this week. 

Haven't seen you for ages!

No, I've been off sick for a while.  But I'm much better now.

Have you been ill?

Not really.  Got knocked off the bike.  But I'm much better now thanks.

Were you wearing your helmet?

Yes.

Good.  Lots of people don't, you know, and it's stupid.  My ********* was knocked off the bike.  S/he died/lost a limb/went blind/had a brain injury and was never the same again.  The roads are so dangerous I don't think you should cycle round here.  Are you back on your bike then?

 :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm:

Good job I'm off for a couple of weeks' holiday.  It'll give me a chance to pre-record the conversation, they can listen to it while I get on with my work. 

Gods that would make me sooo angry. I think I would full-on rant in their face! Why do people believe the crap they are force-fed by the media so blindly ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 16 May, 2011, 09:08:22 pm
Quote from: barakta on 16 May, 2011, 08:53:59 pm
Mrs Pingu, hot bath & cocodamol?
I haz neither of those things. I think what I need is a good massage to loosen it up a bit. Pingu doesn't do massaging though  :'(. I can haz personal soigneur (or soigneuse, I'm not fussy) ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 16 May, 2011, 09:11:20 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 16 May, 2011, 09:08:22 pm
Quote from: barakta on 16 May, 2011, 08:53:59 pm
Mrs Pingu, hot bath & cocodamol?
I haz neither of those things. I think what I need is a good massage to loosen it up a bit. Pingu doesn't do massaging though  :'(. I can haz personal soigneur (or soigneuse, I'm not fussy) ;)

Send pingu out to a chemist?  lying flat on the floor and stretching can help as can bending over and just floppnig a bit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 16 May, 2011, 09:16:33 pm
Am currently poking my fingers in there as hard as I can cope with and wondering when I can subject myself for a remedial session.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: eck on 16 May, 2011, 09:23:46 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 16 May, 2011, 09:16:33 pm
Am currently poking my fingers in there as hard as I can cope with and wondering when I can subject myself for a remedial session.
Get Pingu to rub it with a tattie scone. Or a bridie...
Oh, you haven't eaten it, have you?  :facepalm:

GWS  :-*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 17 May, 2011, 10:28:18 am
We shared it for yesterday's lunch. It was this - yum! :P
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 17 May, 2011, 09:33:45 pm
Quote from: barakta on 16 May, 2011, 08:53:59 pm
The Warwickshire Lad, good luck!

Thanks, barakta!

As it happens, I got to speak to a real, honest Human BeingTM who was so pleasant I even got offered a glass of water (or tea or coffee) and we went through the various points. That's how it should be!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 18 May, 2011, 10:49:58 am
Very Minor Grumble:

Every day, I enjoy listening to (and half-heartedly taking part in) Ken Bruce's PopMaster quiz.  Afterwards, he always plays his Long Song, which is a classic track too long for normal airplay.  Frequent plays are the full version of Layla, Hotel California, a bit of Zep or Floyd, or parts of War Of the Worlds.

This morning, it was 10cc. >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 18 May, 2011, 12:15:27 pm
Which one? I can't think of anything they've done that would last longer than a standard pop track?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 18 May, 2011, 12:21:13 pm
They're not in love, apparently, but I didn't hang around to find out any more.  We've heard it all before ::-)

6'02" (according to Wikipedia) of dross
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feline on 18 May, 2011, 01:45:38 pm
I know it's seriously uncool to admit this, but I like 10cc
*runs and hides in shame*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 18 May, 2011, 01:50:25 pm
Why is it uncool?






Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 18 May, 2011, 01:54:05 pm
Quote from: Feline on 18 May, 2011, 01:45:38 pm
I know it's seriously uncool to admit this, but I like 10cc
*runs and hides in shame*

Ah.... 10CC and school discos.... brings back memories of serious snogging and stuff.  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 18 May, 2011, 01:54:39 pm
I saw them once at Bingley Hall, near Stafford. Not the best show I've seen, nor the worst, but it was marred somewhat by the leaking roof and animal dung all over the floor (it being an agricultural show venue principally).

They did some catchy stuff, but it was fluff mainly, wasn't it?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 18 May, 2011, 02:03:57 pm
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 18 May, 2011, 01:54:39 pm
I saw them once at Bingley Hall, near Stafford.

I remember that gig  occurrring
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 18 May, 2011, 02:11:41 pm
June '77
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CrinklyLion on 18 May, 2011, 03:11:28 pm
Not only has what seems like half the blinking forum gone touring in Scotland or if not they're about to (and half of the half that haven't live there anyway) when I was the one that put it on my little list for this year but I really can't see it happening (and it's not fair and I shall sulk) but now to add insult to injury those gits at East Coast just sent me a blooming email that starts
Quote
Visit Scotland and surprise yourself
Well if I could I blooming well would, wouldn't I?  Do you have to rub salt in the wounds?

*wanders off mumbling and grumbling to see if there's any chocolate or cake hiding around here somewhere*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 18 May, 2011, 03:14:05 pm
I too had noticed that.

I'm hoping for a relative speed advantage due to lack of midge-related blood loss when they get back.   ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feline on 18 May, 2011, 03:15:15 pm
Quote from: essexian on 18 May, 2011, 01:54:05 pm
Quote from: Feline on 18 May, 2011, 01:45:38 pm
I know it's seriously uncool to admit this, but I like 10cc
*runs and hides in shame*

Ah.... 10CC and school discos.... brings back memories of serious snogging and stuff.  ;D

Yeah, I think it's the feel-good factor of good memories that must be doing it for me too.
That and  those lyrics about hanging a picture on the wall to hide a nasty stain .... epic!!  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Deano on 18 May, 2011, 04:56:13 pm
Quote from: Kim on 18 May, 2011, 03:14:05 pm
I too had noticed that.

I'm hoping for a relative speed advantage due to lack of midge-related blood loss when they get back.   ;)

Too early for midges :smug:

(probably - I certainly encountered none).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CrinklyLion on 18 May, 2011, 04:58:00 pm
*Grumble grumble GIT mumble mumble GIT can't even get to the bloody chocolate because there's a GIT meeting in there GIT*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 18 May, 2011, 05:04:20 pm
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 18 May, 2011, 02:11:41 pm
June '77

blood&sand  :o where does the time go?I would not have guessed that it was 30 odd years ago.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 18 May, 2011, 06:26:58 pm
Well past their prime by then as well. Deceptive Bends was their swansong in the original line up, I think.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 18 May, 2011, 07:04:20 pm
Quote from: Deano on 18 May, 2011, 04:56:13 pm
Quote from: Kim on 18 May, 2011, 03:14:05 pm
I too had noticed that.

I'm hoping for a relative speed advantage due to lack of midge-related blood loss when they get back.   ;)

Too early for midges :smug:

(probably - I certainly encountered none).

It might be to early for midges in your northern climes.
We've had big fat mozzies sucking our blood for several weeks Darn Sarf.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ravenbait on 18 May, 2011, 07:06:22 pm
Quote from: CrinklyLion on 18 May, 2011, 03:11:28 pm
Not only has what seems like half the blinking forum gone touring in Scotland or if not they're about to (and half of the half that haven't live there anyway) when I was the one that put it on my little list for this year but I really can't see it happening (and it's not fair and I shall sulk) but now to add insult to injury those gits at East Coast just sent me a blooming email that starts
Quote
Visit Scotland and surprise yourself
Well if I could I blooming well would, wouldn't I?  Do you have to rub salt in the wounds?

*wanders off mumbling and grumbling to see if there's any chocolate or cake hiding around here somewhere*

Well you're welcome chez Raven for coffee, cake and chupa chups if you ever make it this far North.

Sam
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: BrianI on 18 May, 2011, 07:18:43 pm
Quote from: ravenbait on 18 May, 2011, 07:06:22 pm
chupa chups.

I didn't know they still made Chupa Chups!   :thumbsup: I remeber when I was a wean getting a few Chupa Chups from the corner sweetie shop with my pocket money!   ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ravenbait on 18 May, 2011, 07:19:46 pm
I just bought two bags of them from Morrison's up the road.

Sam
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 18 May, 2011, 07:32:22 pm
what's a chupa chup?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CrinklyLion on 18 May, 2011, 07:33:52 pm
toothrotonnastick
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 18 May, 2011, 08:44:12 pm
Quote from: CrinklyLion on 18 May, 2011, 07:33:52 pm
toothrotonnastick

Indeed. A lollipop.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 18 May, 2011, 08:54:25 pm
Quote from: Deano on 18 May, 2011, 04:56:13 pm
Too early for midges :smug:

It's never too early for midges.

My legs are already covered in scabs, and it's only May.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 20 May, 2011, 10:03:28 pm
Bugger.  I've missed the cheap tickets.  I'm going to have to buy an Off Peak Open Return.

Still cheaper than the petrol money, though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 20 May, 2011, 10:08:02 pm
Quote from: Kim on 18 May, 2011, 08:54:25 pm
Quote from: Deano on 18 May, 2011, 04:56:13 pm
Too early for midges :smug:

It's never too early for midges.

My legs are already covered in scabs, and it's only May.

My legs are covered in scabs.  It's mostly pedal strike.  :-[
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 20 May, 2011, 10:45:13 pm
Self: Your logic was impeccable; buy a replacement padlock for the motorbike lock/chain & it turned up very quickly.

However, did it not dawn on you that you had to buy a new lock as the old one was locked shut around the chain ends & you can't find the keys? No, it didn't, did it!

So, you now have a nice, shiny & very expensive padlock sitting useless!

Makes mental note to dig out angle grinder tomorrow to try to remove the old one (& set the garage on fire in the process!)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 21 May, 2011, 08:06:52 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 06 May, 2011, 03:41:28 pm
Quote from: barakta on 06 May, 2011, 01:14:18 pm
Quote from: Polar Bear on 06 May, 2011, 11:22:00 am
We're Ecover liquid / wash ball users.   Nobody complained at the NTRWCW but maybe you were all being polite  :P

I must admit that I've rejected a B&B because of the very strong smell of the laundry detergent on the bedding.

Most washing powders are ok on other people's clothes, we only tend to notice it on things we're sleeping on like your aforementioned B&B and things Kim or I might wear.  It's one of those not worth the allergy risks, I was in 1995 allergic to Fairy powder, creeping rash of d00m.  The recipe may have changed but I'd rather not risk it so I simply avoid on principle.  Kim gets eczema probably related to her asthma so we try not to meddle with stuff we don't know about. 

We stick to supermarket brand fake-persil which seems to work and not kill either of us and if they stop making it or change recipes we inevitably have great fun trying to find a suitable replacement.   We halve the recommended amount of powder in our washes and have at times double rinsed everything. 

My bold: - we just use Tesco non-bio tablets (essentially compressed powder) and we use one not two per wash. With the efficiency of washing we get from our machine (a Bosch, which is noticeably better then the preceeding Hoover and Zanussi ones) this is sufficient for almost everything - and at 30 degrees as well. And of cousre it's a non-perfumed powder.  I'm guessing that the item I bought must have been in some variant of Persil or Aeriel, but one of our neighbours uses it - we can smell their washing on the line from a range of 10m!

Buggerit - the Tesco tabs I bought yesterday now have "added fragrence"   :sick:   I don't want to stink of your bloody fragrence!!!!!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 21 May, 2011, 10:28:20 pm
I note the impressive run of dry weather we've had lately. Which contrasts nicely with the bloody torrential bloody rain we have had all week on holiday. Not fair. Want to go home. :-(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Deano on 21 May, 2011, 10:30:09 pm
Quote from: Lindagordinho on 21 May, 2011, 10:28:20 pm
I note the impressive run of dry weather we've had lately. Which contrasts nicely with the bloody torrential bloody rain we have had all week on holiday. Not fair. Want to go home. :-(

Rain on Arran is better than sun on Teesside, surely? 

But yeah, it is a bit annoying.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 21 May, 2011, 10:30:28 pm
Well I phoned my GP's surgery to try and book an appointment for a couple days time but it turns out I have to phone after 8:30am on the day I want an appointment.

Not so useful given that I need to leave for work at 7:45, now I could tell work I'll be in late but if I can't get an appointment that day I'll have to do it all again the day after  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 21 May, 2011, 10:33:49 pm
Apparently the views from here are quite lovely. Not that you can tell. We move on tomorrow. I am favouring the South of England. Force 6 headwind and heavy rain? Hm.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 21 May, 2011, 10:37:53 pm
I've pitched the tent too close to the campsite lights, I'll need a sleepmask tonight. And it won't stop Bloody Raining !
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 21 May, 2011, 11:01:48 pm
Quote from: Ashaman42 on 21 May, 2011, 10:30:28 pm
Well I phoned my GP's surgery to try and book an appointment for a couple days time but it turns out I have to phone after 8:30am on the day I want an appointment.

Not so useful given that I need to leave for work at 7:45, now I could tell work I'll be in late but if I can't get an appointment that day I'll have to do it all again the day after  :facepalm:

My surgery does on line appointment bookings now.  So I book from work.  It makes life so much easier as you can see all the available slots for each day and choose a very early or late one to fit in with work plans.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 22 May, 2011, 10:45:33 pm
Quote from: Basil on 21 May, 2011, 11:01:48 pm
Quote from: Ashaman42 on 21 May, 2011, 10:30:28 pm
Well I phoned my GP's surgery to try and book an appointment for a couple days time but it turns out I have to phone after 8:30am on the day I want an appointment.

Not so useful given that I need to leave for work at 7:45, now I could tell work I'll be in late but if I can't get an appointment that day I'll have to do it all again the day after  :facepalm:

My surgery does on line appointment bookings now.  So I book from work.  It makes life so much easier as you can see all the available slots for each day and choose a very early or late one to fit in with work plans.

Can I come to your surgery then?  ;D

I think I remember reading something about an online system at this surgery when I joined (though might only be for repeat prescriptions) but need to go in in person to get signed onto the system. Which is even more of a pain regarding work at the moment.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 22 May, 2011, 10:46:31 pm
And also, why oh why do I leave it so late when ordering presents? And when copying my work address from a letterhead how do I get the postcode wrong?!?!  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 23 May, 2011, 08:58:34 am
Bread manufacturers, when you label your bread as "toastie" bread, has it not occured to you that it might be good to, you know, make it so it FITS IN THE GODDAMN TOASTER!!!

Nice crispy toast with an untoasted, floppy bit at the end is not nice, it's not like we have a modern, ultra compact (read small) toaster, we have a Dualit, which have been around since dinosaurs roamed the earth...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CrinklyLion on 23 May, 2011, 09:02:06 am
It's Just Wrong, isn't it Tiermat?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Gandalf on 23 May, 2011, 09:44:40 am
Undermining a chap's toasty goodness is ample justification for bringing back the birch, IMHO.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ariadne on 23 May, 2011, 10:17:19 am
We bought a toaster recently and it's just about impossible to get one that fits a standard, modern slice of bread. I know, because I have toured shops with a cardboard cut-out of a slice :-)

The lady who served us in John Lewis said it's a regular complaint and that if you invented a toaster with a longer slot, you'd make a fortune.

We now have a De Longhi. The toast fits.. but the toaster takes so long the toast is a bit dry before it's done.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 23 May, 2011, 11:12:31 am
Bloody wind, bloody hills, knee go 'spoing'.
Ow.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 23 May, 2011, 12:38:20 pm
Toaster toast is minging anyway. Make it on the grill.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: her_welshness on 23 May, 2011, 12:47:15 pm
I think the Dualit toasters are pretty good at fitting up slices to toast. They are very expensive though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 23 May, 2011, 12:50:19 pm
Quote from: her_welshness on 23 May, 2011, 12:47:15 pm
I think the Dualit toasters are pretty good at fitting up slices to toast. They are very expensive though.

Normally, yes, but for the Toastie bread, which seems to be too long to fit in the slots, so the tops stay untoasted (unless you faff about and turn the toast over half way through, then you end up with two half done ends and a smaller patch in the middle done).

Dulaits are very good, we bought ours because Mrs T seems to be the kiss of death to cheap toasters :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 23 May, 2011, 12:53:10 pm
Dear snotsystem,

You threatened me on Friday so I LARTed you with pile-o-drugs.  I know I did lots of stuff this weekend but did you have to start threatening me again today?

Am now spaced out on pile of drugs and can feed the sudafed dehydration effect which will hopefully reduce the breeding opportunity for viral or bacterial gremlins so they can't give me yet another attack of sinusitis.

Could do without feeling quite so dead though.  Motivation to do work is somewhat lacking.  Motivation for "all divisional team meeting" even less so.  I am sure they mean well but god they're BORING.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 23 May, 2011, 12:59:10 pm
Quote from: tiermat on 23 May, 2011, 08:58:34 am
Bread manufacturers, when you label your bread as "toastie" bread, has it not occured to you that it might be good to, you know, make it so it FITS IN THE GODDAMN TOASTER!!!

We have a slightly faulty toaster that cost an awesome 8 quid from Woolies.

It doesn't eject properly, and tends to start fires if left unsupervised, but the bread actually fits.  Consequently we have no desire to replace it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Majorbloodnok on 23 May, 2011, 01:19:11 pm
After investing 10 of my very precious lunch break minutes to peeling it, once again I am left utterly disappointed by the results of my effort.  It’s just a friggin orange, they've been around years you know, why can't you get it right Morrisons and do something radical like stock some that are actually edible?

If this apple is crap too there's gonna be trouble.....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 23 May, 2011, 02:33:14 pm
Best toast is done over a camping stove outside a tent. ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 23 May, 2011, 02:41:58 pm
You appear to have misspelt 'fire' :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rower40 on 23 May, 2011, 02:44:41 pm
Last time I had cooked-bread, it was because there was a very lot of sossidge-fat in the frying pan.  Bread soaks it up a treat.  Nom Nom *burp*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 23 May, 2011, 04:48:39 pm
So as to not de-rail the Rant thread from it's sensitive position at the mo....

$IT_EQUIPMENT_SUPPLIER, why did I bother making sure that the four items I wanted were showing as in stock?

When I get through the payment stage 3 out of the 4 are showing as awaiting stock! Idiots, if I had have known that I would have chosen another model, now I will have to wait until Thursday to get the stuff that I really need tomorrow, 'cos you won't split the delivery.

And you have the bare-faced cheek to charge me for next-day delivery to boot! feckers!!!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Aidan on 23 May, 2011, 05:21:03 pm
Knee... Grumble... Doctors... Grumble... prod.. grumble.. ouch... grumble.. painkillers... grumble...  no cycling for a week or two... fuck! no serious cycling until it settles down properly , could be a month...  fuckity double fuck.  Thats my plans all out of the window then :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 23 May, 2011, 06:49:48 pm
Quote from: tiermat on 23 May, 2011, 12:50:19 pm
Quote from: her_welshness on 23 May, 2011, 12:47:15 pm
I think the Dualit toasters are pretty good at fitting up slices to toast. They are very expensive though.

Normally, yes, but for the Toastie bread, which seems to be too long to fit in the slots, so the tops stay untoasted (unless you faff about and turn the toast over half way through, then you end up with two half done ends and a smaller patch in the middle done).

Dulaits are very good, we bought ours because Mrs T seems to be the kiss of death to cheap toasters :)

We've got a four slice toaster which has two long slots, bread in sideways and job done. I like the 16 slice one my Dad's firestation has though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 24 May, 2011, 10:33:32 am
Quote from: The Mouth Of Sauron

In the interim your calls are being manually actioned and assigned to the appropriate support groups via email, you will receive a corresponding ticket number when the application restarts.


That'd be a first >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CrinklyLion on 24 May, 2011, 05:43:58 pm
Youngest child, will you please start growing some longer legs?  We tried out the trailerbike that I bought as a birthday present for a friend of mine last year, since we were round at their house.  He STILL can't reach the pedals.

Sigh.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: peliroja on 24 May, 2011, 05:46:26 pm
Stuff his boots wi' horsemuck!  ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: BrianI on 24 May, 2011, 06:41:01 pm
go away sair foot arches, sair stiff neck and sair stiff shoulders...    >:(  Checked up on my position in the waiting list to see th nhs podiatrist.  Still 6 weeks. (and that was what they said nearly 6 weeks ago.....)

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feline on 24 May, 2011, 06:47:25 pm
How odd. My daughter is currently without her mobile phone having had it confiscated by the school before Easter and I have yet to go collect  it for her since I was so unimpressed by her 2nd mobile crime (caught using it in lessons) this school year. She appears to have borrowed one half of a walkie talkie and is walking around the house talking to her friend on it constantly. I didn't even know they still made such things in these days of mobiles  :o
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wowbagger on 24 May, 2011, 06:48:49 pm
Quote from: Feline on 24 May, 2011, 06:47:25 pm
How odd. My daughter is currently without her mobile phone having had it confiscated by the school before Easter and I have yet to go collect  it for her since I was so unimpressed by her 2nd mobile crime (caught using it in lessons) this school year. She appears to have borrowed one half of a walkie talkie and is walking around the house talking to her friend on it constantly. I didn't even know they still made such things in these days of mobiles  :o

We've got a set. The idea was that we used them to keep in touch with my parents at night when they lived down the other end of the house.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 24 May, 2011, 06:50:26 pm
Quote from: Feline on 24 May, 2011, 06:47:25 pm
How odd. My daughter is currently without her mobile phone having had it confiscated by the school before Easter and I have yet to go collect  it for her since I was so unimpressed by her 2nd mobile crime (caught using it in lessons) this school year. She appears to have borrowed one half of a walkie talkie and is walking around the house talking to her friend on it constantly. I didn't even know they still made such things in these days of mobiles  :o

If it is a walkie talkie (and not a borrowed phone) then that's pretty awesome. Made me chuckle anyway.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feline on 24 May, 2011, 06:55:05 pm
Quote from: Ashaman42 on 24 May, 2011, 06:50:26 pm
Quote from: Feline on 24 May, 2011, 06:47:25 pm
How odd. My daughter is currently without her mobile phone having had it confiscated by the school before Easter and I have yet to go collect  it for her since I was so unimpressed by her 2nd mobile crime (caught using it in lessons) this school year. She appears to have borrowed one half of a walkie talkie and is walking around the house talking to her friend on it constantly. I didn't even know they still made such things in these days of mobiles  :o

If it is a walkie talkie (and not a borrowed phone) then that's pretty awesome. Made me chuckle anyway.

Well it's crackly and I heard her say 'over' so I think it's for real  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 24 May, 2011, 07:06:02 pm
As a child of the 80s I am of course insanely jealous that she has a friend within walkie-talkie range, although I suppose with PMR that's a fair bit further than it was with the sort of kit we had as kids.  But then that pales into insignificance compared to the coolness of a basic mobile phone.  Such is the way with technology:

(http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/lithium_batteries.png) (http://xkcd.com/560/)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 24 May, 2011, 07:59:31 pm
They do, however, usually only have eight channels & there's a fair chance someone's overhearing her, so you might want to make her aware of this...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 24 May, 2011, 08:56:33 pm
Or get one for yourself...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: border-rider on 24 May, 2011, 09:02:02 pm
Quote from: Wowbagger on 24 May, 2011, 06:48:49 pm
We've got a set.

We've got 4.  1 in each of our cars & a pair in the kitchen.  With no mobile coverage they're very useful for Mrs MV to tell me there's a cup of tea afoot when I'm farting about outside somewhere,

(or: "I'm stuck in sno on the lane.  Bring shvl")
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 24 May, 2011, 09:06:00 pm
We have a box of them downstairs.  At some point I'm going to attempt to fettle a couple to see if they can be made to work with barakta's hearing aid as a significantly less valuable and longer-range alternative to using the FMGenie (http://www.connevans.co.uk/store/viewCategory.do?id=102) so she can hear me over wind noise while on bikes.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Butterfly on 24 May, 2011, 09:12:45 pm
I used to have some for the children I used to look after, so that I could let them know it was luch time if they were in the woods. It was fun :).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 25 May, 2011, 11:33:12 am
2-way radios were the bane of our collective life at Battle Mountain last year.  For many a year we'd had a repeater sat on top of the local mountain, thereby enabling communications over a range of six miles, but at some point prior to the 2010 some ["Oiks" - The Invigilator] either stole or trashed it >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feline on 25 May, 2011, 01:39:41 pm
My collie dog is being such a biatch this month! First she chewed up my brand new (and unused) Exped camping pillow and I had to buy another one. This morning I look out of the kitchen window and there is a box of energy gels open and strewn all over the lawn! How she got the box out through the dog flap I have no clue. The caffeine in them doesn't appear to have had much of an effect on her fortunately. There are only 12 out of 20 of them left  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 26 May, 2011, 02:48:57 pm
Helldesk, if luser x sends you an e-mail asking for report a to be sent monthly to lusers y and z, there is no need to open a separate helldesk ticket for each luser.  It is apparent that they don't have common sense where you come from.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Speshact on 26 May, 2011, 09:41:34 pm
Terry Farrell and Partners have a bloody awful website. I shall look for some stuff about them and Nine Elms elsewhere. I shall not employ them as architects (not that I expect to ever be in a position to employ an architect).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andygates on 26 May, 2011, 10:20:09 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 26 May, 2011, 02:48:57 pm
Helldesk, if luser x sends you an e-mail asking for report a to be sent monthly to lusers y and z, there is no need to open a separate helldesk ticket for each luser.  It is apparent that they don't have common sense where you come from.
But that makes THE HOLY STATS look better.  Two whole calls raised and resolved so fast!

(it's stuff like this that is why I will never be a manager)

Meanwhile in grumble land: the new Echofon is ugly and buggy.  Give me prettier free stuff, you bastards, or I'll moan a bit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 27 May, 2011, 11:05:21 am
SAP team!  STFU!

That is all.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 27 May, 2011, 02:21:21 pm
Motorbike: If you are going to conk out, at least do so when I am not stuck in a queue of traffic in the middle of a busy road, please.

Self: Do not try to bump start a motorbike in first gear.

kthxbai
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 29 May, 2011, 07:04:39 pm
No1Daughter. There was half a stale loaf of white bread. Bread & butter pudding's a bit rubbish with wholemeal. :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 30 May, 2011, 12:47:31 am
Just noticed the time.  I have to go to work tomorrow.  Another lottery FAIL.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CommuteTooFar on 30 May, 2011, 11:26:47 am
Its still raining  :-[
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nicknack on 04 June, 2011, 05:06:04 pm
After a long period of idleness I thought I'd get a bit of exercise. So on Tuesday I walked for 5 miles, Wednesday - cycled 20 miles, Thursday - walked 7 miles, Friday - cycled 28 miles. It may not have been much but it was enough to fuck up my immune system, cos now I've got a bleedin' cold.

Whilst I was idle I was wonderfully healthy.

Bollocks.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 04 June, 2011, 05:20:29 pm
You were doing well up that hill into Eccleston, and we were quite happy to sit behind you in the car until there was room to pass wide. Waving us to go past, when there was clearly another car coming the other way, and we'd have had to pass far to close to make it, and then looking irritable at us for waiting, was a bit off.

Damn cyclists. Ok, it was hot, and he was working hard, but it's not like we were revving the engine or anything.  If we'd passed when he waved us through, no doubt he'd be complaining now about bloody drivers passing too close in the face of oncoming traffic.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Regulator on 05 June, 2011, 07:12:41 am
My radio alarm clock has died  :'(

I've had it almost 18 years and it had a klaxon alarm that was one of the few things that can wake me.  It's been to a number of countries with me, include two war zones. 

And now it is no more...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Gandalf on 05 June, 2011, 07:34:51 am
DVD producers.  When I fork out my hard earned for some boxed set or other, it is  through Amazon, Play.com or some other legitimate vendor.  I have never bought any DVDs from a chinese bloke carrying a large holdall, though I have been approached by many.  In light of this why, whenever I load the DVD, is my living room polluted with your protracted, patronosing piffle about the evils of pirated DVDs.  Just feck off.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Majorbloodnok on 05 June, 2011, 10:38:48 am
Yeah, feck off! ^ (mine come from lovefilm.com and I don't recall seeing that gumph)

Why won't my sodding router fit back in the shitting box, as if using the damn thing isn't confusing enough (pingfuckits galore).



Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 05 June, 2011, 10:46:59 am
Chuffing back! Just sort yourself out, m'kay? This sitting around 'resting' is bloody boring.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 05 June, 2011, 10:55:43 am
Oi, life.
Stop costing so blood much.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 05 June, 2011, 01:12:04 pm
Quote from: Regulator on 05 June, 2011, 07:12:41 am
My radio alarm clock has died  :'(

I've had it almost 18 years and it had a klaxon alarm that was one of the few things that can wake me. 

Ever tried a vibrating one?  They're surprisingly hard to ignore...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 05 June, 2011, 01:20:48 pm
Quote from: Kim on 05 June, 2011, 01:12:04 pm
Quote from: Regulator on 05 June, 2011, 07:12:41 am
My radio alarm clock has died  :'(

I've had it almost 18 years and it had a klaxon alarm that was one of the few things that can wake me. 

Ever tried a vibrating one?  They're surprisingly hard to ignore...

I can think of only rude responses to that Kim.....
it's the law ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 05 June, 2011, 02:08:41 pm
Quote from: Kim on 05 June, 2011, 01:12:04 pm
Quote from: Regulator on 05 June, 2011, 07:12:41 am
My radio alarm clock has died  :'(

I've had it almost 18 years and it had a klaxon alarm that was one of the few things that can wake me. 

Ever tried a vibrating one?  They're surprisingly hard to ignore...

It may wake him up, but he won't want to get out of bed!
 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 05 June, 2011, 03:09:31 pm
Quote from: Andrij on 05 June, 2011, 02:08:41 pm
Quote from: Kim on 05 June, 2011, 01:12:04 pm
Quote from: Regulator on 05 June, 2011, 07:12:41 am
My radio alarm clock has died  :'(

I've had it almost 18 years and it had a klaxon alarm that was one of the few things that can wake me. 

Ever tried a vibrating one?  They're surprisingly hard to ignore...

It may wake him up, but he won't want to get out of bed!
 

Trust me it's not the good sort of buzzing ;).  It's more like having a woodpecker attached to your HEAD very early in the morning!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 05 June, 2011, 03:12:33 pm
Or a tin of angry BEES.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 05 June, 2011, 06:48:01 pm
Might not a tin of angry bees and a woodpecker be a cheap and effective alternative? ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 05 June, 2011, 06:49:08 pm
You'd need some way of programming the alarm time.  Maybe a cockerel...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SteveC on 05 June, 2011, 08:03:02 pm
Quote from: clarion on 05 June, 2011, 06:48:01 pm
Might not a tin of angry bees and a woodpecker be a cheap and effective alternative? ;D
It would have to be a randy woodpecker.  They only drum in the mating season.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rower40 on 05 June, 2011, 08:08:36 pm
Quote from: barakta on 05 June, 2011, 03:09:31 pm
Quote from: Andrij on 05 June, 2011, 02:08:41 pm
Quote from: Kim on 05 June, 2011, 01:12:04 pm
Quote from: Regulator on 05 June, 2011, 07:12:41 am
My radio alarm clock has died  :'(

I've had it almost 18 years and it had a klaxon alarm that was one of the few things that can wake me. 

Ever tried a vibrating one?  They're surprisingly hard to ignore...

It may wake him up, but he won't want to get out of bed!
 

Trust me it's not the good sort of buzzing ;).
This thread is useless without pictures videos...

I'll get my coat dirty mac.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 05 June, 2011, 08:17:23 pm
Quote from: rower40 on 05 June, 2011, 08:08:36 pm
Quote from: barakta on 05 June, 2011, 03:09:31 pm
Trust me it's not the good sort of buzzing ;).
This thread is useless without pictures videos...


    YouTube
        - ‪Sonic Alert Super Shaker Vibrating Alarm Clock‬&rlm;
   (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cWI2BD9A1s)

(Also available in male-specific design.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 05 June, 2011, 08:19:36 pm
Quote from: Kim on 05 June, 2011, 08:17:23 pm
Quote from: rower40 on 05 June, 2011, 08:08:36 pm
Quote from: barakta on 05 June, 2011, 03:09:31 pm
Trust me it's not the good sort of buzzing ;).
This thread is useless without pictures videos...


    YouTube
        - ‪Sonic Alert Super Shaker Vibrating Alarm Clock‬&rlm;
   (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cWI2BD9A1s)

& rim ?? :o :o  ;D       

(Also available in male-specific design.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 05 June, 2011, 08:41:32 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 05 June, 2011, 08:19:36 pm
& rim ?? :o :o  ;D       

I've no idea where that bit came from, some piece of errant web-voodoo no doubt (I was lazy and just pasted the URL and let SMF do the formatting).

You'd have thought cyclists would have got past the rim joke stage, though...   :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 05 June, 2011, 11:05:18 pm
Quote from: Kim on 05 June, 2011, 08:41:32 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 05 June, 2011, 08:19:36 pm
& rim ?? :o :o  ;D       

I've no idea where that bit came from, some piece of errant web-voodoo no doubt (I was lazy and just pasted the URL and let SMF do the formatting).

You'd have thought cyclists would have got past the rim joke stage, though...   :facepalm:

You spoke too soon.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CrinklyLion on 06 June, 2011, 08:01:27 am
Stupid cold - sod off, I have more interesting things (like riding my bike) to do than coughing and sneezing and being full of snot.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 06 June, 2011, 08:23:38 am
Quote from: Kim on 05 June, 2011, 08:17:23 pm
Quote from: rower40 on 05 June, 2011, 08:08:36 pm
Quote from: barakta on 05 June, 2011, 03:09:31 pm
Trust me it's not the good sort of buzzing ;).
This thread is useless without pictures videos...


    YouTube
        - ‪Sonic Alert Super Shaker Vibrating Alarm Clock‬&rlm;
   (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cWI2BD9A1s)

(Also available in male-specific design.)

She needs to learn how to put her nail varnish on.   :o
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: PaulF on 06 June, 2011, 08:33:28 am
Quote from: CrinklyLion on 06 June, 2011, 08:01:27 am
Stupid cold - sod off, I have more interesting things (like riding my bike) to do than coughing and sneezing and being full of snot.

+1 don't even have the energy to type my own post
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jaded on 06 June, 2011, 08:39:15 am
Quote from: Kim on 05 June, 2011, 08:41:32 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 05 June, 2011, 08:19:36 pm
& rim ?? :o :o  ;D       

I've no idea where that bit came from, some piece of errant web-voodoo no doubt (I was lazy and just pasted the URL and let SMF do the formatting).

You'd have thought cyclists would have got past the rim joke stage, though...   :facepalm:

It even has a Doppler effect sound as you throw it across the room.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 06 June, 2011, 01:51:17 pm
Bit disappointed by the Brecon Bike Bus.... I'll explain.

I fancy doing the Taff Trail from Brecon to Cardiff. My plan was to drive to Brecon and do the 55 mile route and then get the bus back to Brecon. I had considered getting the train to Cardiff but on a Sunday (the only day the bike bus runs) the first train doesn't get me to Cardiff until after Noon and of course, there isn't a station in Brecon.

So, is my plan a goer... nope as it seems the Bike Bus only runs from Brecon to Cardiff in the late afternoon and not in the morning when I would like to use it.

Sigh. I suppose I could cycle from Cardiff to Brecon and then get the bike bus back but its up hill that way. :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 08 June, 2011, 02:05:34 pm
Note to self: do not read the motor sport new on the BBC's red button thingie until after you've watched the Superstock TT >:(  However nice it was that Michael Dunlop won after the bad luck he'd been having.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 09 June, 2011, 12:56:45 pm
Bloody four hour power cut this morning.  And when the electrickery came back on it took me fifteen minutes just to start Outhouse ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 09 June, 2011, 02:11:03 pm
Causing an unexpected spike in productivity?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 09 June, 2011, 03:58:10 pm
Quote from: Kim on 09 June, 2011, 02:11:03 pm
Causing an unexpected spike in productivity?

Yes, The Boss and The system Mangler had to log in from home and do all the difficult stuff why I just looked out of the window ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 10 June, 2011, 10:49:21 pm
Brake bosses, you don't really want to go with the old brake block do you? Please detach yourselves so that I can put the new v-brakes back on.

This refurb is taking far longer than I planned.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 12 June, 2011, 09:24:07 pm
PMS, fuck off.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: iddu on 13 June, 2011, 02:44:02 pm
Weather and washed-out flints - FRO.

Another set of carcass threads sliced, and tyre now in the process of self-destruction; let's see if the Uncle Sam boot gets me home tonight...

EDIT: Nope  ::-)

(http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r200/iddu/20110613%20-%20Misc/DSC00001.jpg)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 15 June, 2011, 01:00:22 am
Dear Apple Store,
I placed an order for D's birthday present on 14/6/11. Can you please explain why you are giving expected delivery dates of 29 June - 06 July. Does it really take up to three weeks to pack and send stuffs to London?
Why?
Your website states delivery 1-2 weeks, which is already pretty generous. Tack on another week and I can only surmise that your whole company must inhale herbal cigarettes throughout the working week.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: BrianI on 15 June, 2011, 10:16:17 am
Saw podiatrist today.
She reckons my feet are pretty good at over pronating.
Got given a set of calf stretches to do, now to wait until late august / start september until I get an appointment with the biomechanic clinic.

I'm sure there must be a law against going into a farmers field and stretching his calves though?   ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 15 June, 2011, 10:49:28 am
Only a grumble, as it doesn't directly affect me, but next door must be pissed off:

Contractors, you or your employing company have known for a  week that you'd have to dig the path up in front of our houses. It wouldn't have done any harm to slip a note through our doors a day or two in advance letting us know you'd be working would it?

Unsociable next-door neighbour but one: You commissioned the work, so the same applies to you, as I assume you knew too.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: dasmoth on 18 June, 2011, 03:47:40 pm
Just broken my second Grasshopper derailleur hanger.  Starting to suspect the things are made of cheese -- all I did this time was put a teeny bit of lateral force on while trying to get everything lined up to replace the wheel.  At least I wasn't out riding this time.

The thought of trying to persuade Bikefix to sell me another one is too painful to contemplate.  So, I guess it's a toss-up between Kevin@DTek or seeing if I can order directly from Germany.

...or, perhaps, just whittling my own from a nice block of cheddar...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 18 June, 2011, 06:15:28 pm
Self: when ordering a dozen brake blocks, why the hell didn't you think to check if you had any spare brake cables?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feline on 19 June, 2011, 10:13:10 am
This is more of a  :facepalm: moment than a grumble really. I've just read the most retarded client complaint ever about one of my colleagues. The client accused him of rudely calling her inpatient. The clinical notes had logged an 'inpatient enquiry'. Her pet was an inpatient at the time and she had phoned for an update  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Aidan on 19 June, 2011, 10:22:11 am
Quote from: Feline on 19 June, 2011, 10:13:10 am
This is more of a  :facepalm: moment than a grumble really. I've just read the most retarded client complaint ever about one of my colleagues. The client accused him of rudely calling her inpatient. The clinical notes had logged an 'inpatient enquiry'. Her pet was an inpatient at the time and she had phoned for an update  :facepalm:

 ::-) ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Domestique on 19 June, 2011, 10:36:58 am
Just watching SFTW on BBC 2
'Dab, its a very pretty fish'
Probably doesnt feel feel very pretty now you have cut its head off
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Rapples on 19 June, 2011, 10:40:31 am
Quote from: Feline on 19 June, 2011, 10:13:10 am
This is more of a  :facepalm: moment than a grumble really. I've just read the most retarded client complaint ever about one of my colleagues. The client accused him of rudely calling her inpatient. The clinical notes had logged an 'inpatient enquiry'. Her pet was an inpatient at the time and she had phoned for an update  :facepalm:

That's just imcredibly stupid :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 19 June, 2011, 11:05:30 am
Quote from: Aidan on 19 June, 2011, 10:22:11 am
Quote from: Feline on 19 June, 2011, 10:13:10 am
This is more of a  :facepalm: moment than a grumble really. I've just read the most retarded client complaint ever about one of my colleagues. The client accused him of rudely calling her inpatient. The clinical notes had logged an 'inpatient enquiry'. Her pet was an inpatient at the time and she had phoned for an update  :facepalm:

 ::-) ;D

A while ago, Word's spillchucker would make suggestions about this word. Automagic spelling corrections may cause grief...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 20 June, 2011, 12:24:54 am
Dear tinnitus, piss off.  At least I knew to expect you after all the audio I've had this weekend.  Sleep soon!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 20 June, 2011, 01:52:42 pm
Pointless beeping at cyclists number 1 742 821

Dear Nissain Driver

Please don't beep at me as I climb the humpback bridge over the railway line on the Newport Road...here

Google Maps (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Stafford,+United+Kingdom&ll=52.802265,-2.123027&spn=0,0.004812&z=18&layer=c&cbll=52.802232,-2.123179&panoid=6_tk63-1cAHek2B7xeWUqg&cbp=12,82.52,,0,-1.51)

I checked over my shoulder 3 times and there was more than sufficient time for me to pull over to the right hand lane which starts just before the top of the bridge (where the white car is next to the road sign). Okay, I did not stick my hand out but then, I was out of the saddle trying to keep my average speed up at around 18mph as not to slow the traffic down.

Yes, I do need to be in the right hand lane as I was going straight on. The left hand lane is turn left only. And oh, I am soooooooo sorry that my slowing down made you miss the lights. Enjoy waiting did you?

Sigh. Take your beep and stick it where the sun doesn't shine.

Regards



Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 20 June, 2011, 02:57:37 pm
When I'm doing some DIY, I hate the noise when the drill is straining.

That (amplified) is what the noise from the nearby building site sounds like.

It's OK; it's only been going on for a week.  I'm sure it will pass, whatever the hell they are doing. >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 20 June, 2011, 04:46:54 pm
I noticed at about 3pm I had birdshit on my right chest. God knows what time today I was splatted.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: giropaul on 20 June, 2011, 06:56:12 pm
Quote from: Kirst on 20 June, 2011, 04:46:54 pm
I noticed at about 3pm I had birdshit on my right chest. God knows what time today I was splatted.

I bet afterwards you felt a right t_t?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 20 June, 2011, 10:00:21 pm
Booby or a tit, I expect.

IGMC
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 21 June, 2011, 10:33:09 am
Dear just about everbody.  That van driven by the Trotters in Only Fools And Arses is a Regal, not a fucking Robin, m'kay.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 21 June, 2011, 10:40:11 am
Is that a Regal Robin, then? :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 21 June, 2011, 04:13:34 pm
Can we be reliant on that?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 21 June, 2011, 07:59:51 pm
I wish the people accross the road would hang their curtains up properly, they're really bugging me.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 21 June, 2011, 09:52:01 pm
;D  I misread that.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 22 June, 2011, 11:00:18 am
Radio 2 - fannying about today.  No PopMaster!  After I've managed two 21s, a 6 and a 39 in the first two days of the week, I was agog for what would happen next.  But no. :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hulver on 22 June, 2011, 12:10:30 pm
Stupid Flash player. Why do you stop working properly sometimes? Having to download the full youtube video before starting to play it is really boring.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 23 June, 2011, 10:41:16 am
Quote from: clarion on 22 June, 2011, 11:00:18 am
Radio 2 - fannying about today.  No PopMaster!  After I've managed two 21s, a 6 and a 39 in the first two days of the week, I was agog for what would happen next.  But no. :(
I got 18 in the first round today and 24 in the second.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 23 June, 2011, 10:42:21 am
21 and 15 :-[
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 23 June, 2011, 06:31:07 pm
Bah, I'm lucky to get more than one in Popmaster. And it's rare I do even that well.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rower40 on 23 June, 2011, 09:06:53 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 21 June, 2011, 10:33:09 am
Dear just about everbody.  That van driven by the Trotters in Only Fools And Arses is a Regal, not a fucking Robin, m'kay.
[Pedant] It was a SuperVan III, based on the Regal. 

My turn:
Derby Station Announcer.  Please be pronouncing the consonant at the end of words.

The announcements this evening were for trays to Birmingham New Stree, Oxfour, Readin, and Guildfour.  Also a local tray to Duffeel, Belper, Whastanwell, Cromfour, Matlo' Bath and Matlo'.

As Tony Blair found, a little glottal stop goes a long way.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 23 June, 2011, 09:44:34 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 21 June, 2011, 07:59:51 pm
I wish the people accross the road would hang their curtains up properly, they're really bugging me.
You can see more than you want to of what they're doing, or just the untidiness?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 23 June, 2011, 09:52:40 pm
Quote from: Bledlow on 23 June, 2011, 09:44:34 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 21 June, 2011, 07:59:51 pm
I wish the people accross the road would hang their curtains up properly, they're really bugging me.
You can see more than you want to of what they're doing, or just the untidiness?
Sorry, I know it's a bit anal, but the latter
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wowbagger on 23 June, 2011, 11:40:59 pm
Quote from: clarion on 23 June, 2011, 10:42:21 am
21 and 15 :-[

Showing signs of improvement! ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 24 June, 2011, 11:20:21 am
Quote from: clarion on 23 June, 2011, 10:42:21 am
21 and 15 :-[
24 and 18 today.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 24 June, 2011, 11:31:33 am
24 & 24; both tiebreaker questions and (unusually for me) three in ten!

Although that was Bucks Fizz, so it's a bit embarrassing... :-[
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 24 June, 2011, 11:47:49 am
I have recently had cause to buy a size down in formal dress type trousers due to the loss of some lard. This in itself is not a matter for grumbles, but a cause of much :) :)

However, having bought a size down in formal dress type trousering, I find that my thighs have more in common with Chris Hoy than your average M&S shopper and now despite fitting perfectly round the waist I have may have issues actually sitting down in said trousers. :facepalm:

Goes off to find wide legged freak trouser emporium online.....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 24 June, 2011, 11:52:20 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 24 June, 2011, 11:47:49 am
Goes off to find wide legged freak trouser emporium online.....

If you find such an emporium let us know.

I recall trying on some trousers which were labelled as being an 'athletic' cut.  Whatever 'athletes' they were designed for, it was obvious well developed leg muscles are not a requirement for their sport(s).  Never did find out how they fit around the middle - my thighs stopped them from getting all the way up. :(
 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jaded on 24 June, 2011, 11:55:13 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 23 June, 2011, 09:52:40 pm
Quote from: Bledlow on 23 June, 2011, 09:44:34 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 21 June, 2011, 07:59:51 pm
I wish the people accross the road would hang their curtains up properly, they're really bugging me.
You can see more than you want to of what they're doing, or just the untidiness?
Sorry, I know it's a bit anal, but the latter

So it is a bit anal, rather than a bit of?  ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 24 June, 2011, 11:57:51 am
Quote from: clarion on 24 June, 2011, 11:31:33 am
24 & 24; both tiebreaker questions and (unusually for me) three in ten!

Although that was Bucks Fizz, so it's a bit embarrassing... :-[
Yes, I got the tiebreaks too, and got the three in ten in exactly the same order he did!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 24 June, 2011, 12:08:41 pm
:D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 24 June, 2011, 12:14:59 pm
Quote from: Jaded on 24 June, 2011, 11:55:13 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 23 June, 2011, 09:52:40 pm
Quote from: Bledlow on 23 June, 2011, 09:44:34 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 21 June, 2011, 07:59:51 pm
I wish the people accross the road would hang their curtains up properly, they're really bugging me.
You can see more than you want to of what they're doing, or just the untidiness?
Sorry, I know it's a bit anal, but the latter

So it is a bit anal, rather than a bit of?  ;)
Damn right!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 24 June, 2011, 03:13:39 pm
Look work, I know you send me a sizeable amount of bike buying tokens each month but to expect me to actually earn them is pushing it a bit; what with my line manager being off "sick" and his boss being on holiday.

So please don't phone when I am out on my lunchtime ride with something which is not urgent. I had to turn around a ride home to wait for your repeat call.

Now I get here, I discover that the IT system has packed in (again) and all office based workers have been told they can go home. I however, still have to sit here waiting for your call.

Sigh. Is it really worth it.....?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mike on 24 June, 2011, 03:21:34 pm
it's my brothers stag do this weekend, we're staying in a shit hotel, going hiking in the costwolds, having an afternoon on a racing track in 'an evo' and, presumably, getting very drunk with some of his annoying mates. 

but I'm exhausted, have barely seen Mrs Mike in the last fortnight and I'm away all next week with work, I just want a weekend in bed...   And our coffee machine is broken.

Bah humbug.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 24 June, 2011, 05:47:31 pm
Shimano: It's probably been said elsewhere, but your shoe sizing "system" is shite. I have only just found a pair of your shoes that fit. I am a size 44/10 normally, but have got into your 46s with adequate room lengthwise. However, as for the width, that's something else. I do not have big, wide feet, but even so I was only only the second of ten clicks on the click-fit gubbins. My socks were not that bullky either.

Kindly stop basing your sizing system on kimono-clad, tortured-feet, female models and use normal people instead, kthxbai
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 24 June, 2011, 06:57:33 pm
AWL, my first pair of cycling shoes were men's Specialized Sonomas.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: YahudaMoon on 24 June, 2011, 10:35:05 pm
Anyone now why Radio 4 / BBC world service is one hour behind. So when they do the news and give out a time say 4:00pm it's actually ********* 5:00pm ?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rower40 on 24 June, 2011, 10:49:28 pm
World Service uses GMT the whole year and world around.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: YahudaMoon on 25 June, 2011, 09:03:26 pm
Quote from: rower40 on 24 June, 2011, 10:49:28 pm
World Service uses GMT the whole year and world around.

Lol. It's not like we are all still using valve radio sets, were in the year of super technology. Surely they can at least edit the time correctly for what ever country your in ?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: border-rider on 25 June, 2011, 09:06:12 pm
Quote from: YahudaMoon on 25 June, 2011, 09:03:26 pm
Quote from: rower40 on 24 June, 2011, 10:49:28 pm
World Service uses GMT the whole year and world around.

Lol. It's not like we are all still using valve radio sets, were in the year of super technology. Surely they can at least edit the time correctly for what ever country your in ?

The programme content itself is the same no matter how it's delivered, and the World Service short wave transmitters are in the UK - they transmit all over the planet from there.  Very hard to tailor the programming when it's being squirted in a rough direction to cover a great sector of the globe.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wowbagger on 26 June, 2011, 09:39:21 am
Quote from: Mal Volio on 25 June, 2011, 09:06:12 pm
Quote from: YahudaMoon on 25 June, 2011, 09:03:26 pm
Quote from: rower40 on 24 June, 2011, 10:49:28 pm
World Service uses GMT the whole year and world around.

Lol. It's not like we are all still using valve radio sets, were in the year of super technology. Surely they can at least edit the time correctly for what ever country your in ?

The programme content itself is the same no matter how it's delivered, and the World Service short wave transmitters are in the UK - they transmit all over the planet from there.  Very hard to tailor the programming when it's being squirted in a rough direction to cover a great sector of the globe.

And the great thing about that is that, because it's for a world-wide audience, there seems to be far less of the middle-class, British Radio 4 prejudice resident within the content.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 27 June, 2011, 11:22:11 am
Facilities!  We are techies.  We do not drink decaf.

That is all.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 27 June, 2011, 12:28:05 pm
Dear Orange,
Thank you for your letter.  I have a very common and simple first name, so I find it rather surprising that you managed to mis-spell it.  Unless, of course, putting the h before the o is more common than I am aware.

I won't be following up your offer, thank you.

Love from Bsail
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Greenbank on 27 June, 2011, 01:42:44 pm
Quote from: Basil on 27 June, 2011, 12:28:05 pm
Dear Orange,
Thank you for your letter

I got one from them with my new contract details and they'd managed to miss off the house number from the address, so it was just "<road name>". Luckily my postman isn't stupid and knew which house to deliver it to.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rower40 on 27 June, 2011, 09:51:37 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 27 June, 2011, 11:22:11 am
Facilities!  We are techies.  We do not drink decaf.

That is all.
Of course, this would be in the "rant" thread if the full-caff coffee had not actually run out...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 28 June, 2011, 09:44:56 am
If the full-caf had run out I'd not have time for a rant coz I'd be busy killing the facilities oaves.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 28 June, 2011, 09:59:50 am
Transform.  Kindly fuck off with your multiple Babbage-posts, the notifications for which pop up in the exact same place as the "Previous" link on YACF, thereby making me read a metric fuckton of pointlessly incomprehensible Babbage-dreck.  Which fucking mailbox is full, you electronic helmet, and what am I supposed to do about?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 28 June, 2011, 04:18:29 pm
O2: when I buy a new broadband dongle, I expect it to work out of the box. I do not expect to spend my evening installing and uninstalling your poxy Connections Manager, restarting my computer and uninstalling my Vodafone dongle because you have not activated the SIM.
Thank you for your email advising me to phone Customer Services on some overpriced 0844 number. I did not need to do this as the dongle worked OK today.
I don't like feeling like a numpty.
You could do your bit and send out products in working condition.
Muppets!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SlowCoach on 28 June, 2011, 04:46:45 pm
Sitting on a London bound train... I'm currently losing the will to live cos we are not moving anywhere. I'm trying to work out what the real explanation for our non movement is... I think that they said that we've got lost... Anyway, it doesn't matter - the concert I've travelled down from Durham to see has been cancelled... :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 28 June, 2011, 04:57:47 pm
Not sure about your train, but lightning strike has affected trains using Paddington.  Can't see how that would knock on to your line, but anything could happen...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SlowCoach on 28 June, 2011, 05:25:29 pm
Lightening strikes ay Stevanage have caused the train to be diverted. If I caught the announcement correctly though - it would appear that the driver is now lost and is awaiting directions
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 28 June, 2011, 05:28:29 pm
Quote from: SlowCoach on 28 June, 2011, 05:25:29 pm
Lightening strikes ay Stevanage have caused the train to be diverted. If I caught the announcement correctly though - it would appear that the driver is now lost and is awaiting directions
What was the last station you passed?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 28 June, 2011, 05:31:20 pm
Quote from: SlowCoach on 28 June, 2011, 04:46:45 pm
Sitting on a London bound train... I'm currently losing the will to live cos we are not moving anywhere.

At least your forum name is now highly appropriate ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SlowCoach on 28 June, 2011, 05:40:58 pm
We will be at Kings Cross soon... now admiring the Emirates Stadium. Even I can tell the driver which way to go. I just wish I had a bike with me and could go out for a ride. I'm about to spend the evening listening to my better half bemoaning the fact that Paul Simon has postponed the concert one night. It's not practical for us just to take another day off work, book new train tickets, find accomodation... do they think that everyone only travels 30 miles to come in. If they tell me that the ticket costs are not refundable this will be moving to the rant thread. It's proving to be an expensive birthday non-treat.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 28 June, 2011, 09:05:06 pm
Lost my wrist band at York. So......wanted to go into so called saddlebag sale before coming home and could not get in. Despite having a detailed camping allocation form the cost of which gave you access to all areas. So didn't go in. Slightly nuts thinks. You sell me buy? or have I got it wrong? And being a member hacked me off just a tad. My membership should give me some priority otherwise what is the point?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 29 June, 2011, 09:42:21 am
Your membership should get you free entry!

My grmble

Yes, I know that part of the reason I am extremely tired is that I stayed up all night on Sat.

I'm also aware that you have lots of work to do, and your desk is in our bedroom.

However, being able to get more than 5 hours sleep a night would really help me not be a grumpy bastard. We bough a desk lamp so we could switch off the main light and you could carry on working while I got to sleep.

So covering the bed with paperwork and keeping the lights on until 1am every night for the last 2 weeks is starting to wear me down. I still have to get up for work at 6 or 6:30 every day.

And no, I'm not cancelling the Tan Hill ride because I'm tired. <stops before grumble ascends to a rant>
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 29 June, 2011, 10:33:32 am
It's not a conspiracy.  It's geography.  The majority of our lusers are in BRITAIN so we run the day-end processing after they've gone home.  We can't have lusers Doing Stuffs while the day-end is running as this will break it.  The day-end takes about eight hours to run.  That this means you can't log in from Singapore first thing in your morning is something you're going to have to live with.  Wonk.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cycleman on 29 June, 2011, 11:31:12 am
windows , i want to install any updates and restart my computer when i choose not when i am in the middle of con posing a long email. it takes my a long time with one finger and now i have to START AGAIN  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 29 June, 2011, 03:38:11 pm
Messrs Maconie and umm errrrrrrummm errrerrrerrrr Radcliffe are radio disc jockeys of unparallelled style and wit, and with a breadth of knowledge barely matched by the Wikipedia pages they are looking up, bringing enjoyment and good music to all who have access to Radio6Records.  Furthermore, I am impressed by their refusal to be swayed by the fickle winds of fashion, and the way they intersperse songs from several decades in with the more modern gramophone recordings. 

However, I feel compelled to point out that, however much cosmic fun it was (man), the 2011 Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm, Pilton, has finished on Sunday evening, 26 June, and so, days later, to be reporting that Jessie J performed with a broken leg on the Other Stage on Saturday night DOES NOT qualify as 'music news'.  Nor does anything else from said Festival. 

Is this just the BBC wringing out the last drips from their blanket coverage?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 29 June, 2011, 04:07:29 pm
The BBC is always plugging Old 'News'. This is apparently much watched today and is over 3 months old...http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-12668840 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-12668840)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Aidan on 29 June, 2011, 04:09:03 pm
Mr Riley B King. Why couldn't you invite Slash, Ronnie Wood and the ginger twat as special guests on saturday in Manchester instead of last night in that London? :( :'(



    YouTube
        - ‪BB King Slash Ronnie Wood Someone Really Loves You Royal Albert Hall 28-06-11‬&rlm;
   (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zw7IXBcsFxI&feature=autoshare)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 29 June, 2011, 06:04:01 pm
What do you mean, you're not sure if you'll have room for the recycling basket we delivered today (after you requested it instead of single use bags). It's a plastic basket about the volume of two large shoe boxes , and you live in a double fronted two storey Georgian town house.

I manage, in a one room plus bathroom plus tiny hall bedsit...

 :facepalm:

This is the second person who's reckoned they don't have room for a basket, the other was a lady who claimed to have a 'very small house'.  It's a house love, that automatically makes it big enough, I reckon. Try organising yourself better. Anyway, I can see that you have at least 2 bedrooms, one large reception room, and no doubt a kitchen, bathroom and hallway...  Plus a back yard.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 29 June, 2011, 07:44:12 pm
Blast!

Just tried to tax my m/bike and the "computer says no", apparently I've no MOT, checked that online as can't find the real thing and it expired yesterday. Good thing I cycled to work rather than m/biked today.

Tax is due to end in a couple days so I guess I should SORN the bike and get my Dad to bring his van round to get my bike to the MOT place.

I thought I had another month till the MOT  :facepalm: :-[
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 29 June, 2011, 08:02:11 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 29 June, 2011, 04:07:29 pm
The BBC is always plugging Old 'News'. This is apparently much watched today and is over 3 months old...http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-12668840 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-12668840)

Even older: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7348931.stm (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7348931.stm)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feline on 29 June, 2011, 08:04:06 pm
Quote from: Ashaman42 on 29 June, 2011, 07:44:12 pm
Blast!

Just tried to tax my m/bike and the "computer says no", apparently I've no MOT, checked that online as can't find the real thing and it expired yesterday. Good thing I cycled to work rather than m/biked today.

Tax is due to end in a couple days so I guess I should SORN the bike and get my Dad to bring his van round to get my bike to the MOT place.

I thought I had another month till the MOT  :facepalm: :-[

You are usually OK to ride it to the actual MOT station if you have an appointment there.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 29 June, 2011, 08:07:36 pm
Quote from: Feline on 29 June, 2011, 08:04:06 pm
You are usually OK to ride it to the actual MOT station if you have an appointment there.
Feline speaks right.
My recent experience of M/C MOTs is there's no longer such a thing as 'turn up and test' - it requires an appointment.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 29 June, 2011, 09:42:23 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 29 June, 2011, 08:07:36 pm
Quote from: Feline on 29 June, 2011, 08:04:06 pm
You are usually OK to ride it to the actual MOT station if you have an appointment there.
Feline speaks right.
My recent experience of M/C MOTs is there's no longer such a thing as 'turn up and test' - it requires an appointment.

Ah but by the time I can get it in for an MOT it won't be taxed either (thanks for the reminder, off to SORN it now).

I could probably get away with it but Dad has his van and ramp and works shifts so will be free on a weekday to get it dropped off to the testing place. So thin it's probably easier to do it that way.

I just annoyed with myself as thought it was July the MOT was due not June, though I now recall wondering if taxing online would work last year as had only MOTd it a few hours previously and wasn't sure if the system would have updated.

So I really should have remembered both tax and MOT were due at the same time  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: PaulF on 30 June, 2011, 07:49:36 am
Eurostar!  I used to look forward to my cooked breakfast. Now what do I get? Yogurt, croissant and a roll. Bah!

And my ticket no longer goes to 'any Belgian station'
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Simonb on 30 June, 2011, 07:54:10 am
Bloody seagulls at 4.30am.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 30 June, 2011, 08:25:32 am
Quote from: PaulF on 30 June, 2011, 07:49:36 am
Eurostar!  I used to look forward to my cooked breakfast. Now what do I get? Yogurt, croissant and a roll. Bah!

And my ticket no longer goes to 'any Belgian station'

Oh no!  :o

(Never had brekkie on Eurostar, but have used the onward travel quite often.)
 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jaded on 30 June, 2011, 10:20:32 am
Quote from: PaulF on 30 June, 2011, 07:49:36 am
Eurostar!  I used to look forward to my cooked breakfast. Now what do I get? Yogurt, croissant and a roll. Bah!

And my ticket no longer goes to 'any Belgian station'

On the plus side, at least you know where you'll be going now.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 30 June, 2011, 01:58:30 pm
Quote from: Simonb on 30 June, 2011, 07:54:10 am
Bloody seagulls at 4.30am.

As a UKC graduate, seagulls always make some little part of my brain think it's under exam conditions and have a little panic.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: BrianI on 30 June, 2011, 06:39:17 pm
Remind me not to drink lots of coffee and eat lots of sugary food. Now all wired and slightly manic.   :sick:

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feline on 30 June, 2011, 07:39:26 pm
Quote from: BrianI on 30 June, 2011, 06:39:17 pm
Remind me not to drink lots of coffee and eat lots of sugary food. Now all wired and slightly manic.   :sick:



You're now in a perfect state for Audax then ....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 01 July, 2011, 03:26:26 pm
"Hi
 
With effect from Monday 4th July our shared e-mail address of UKSharedServ,HR-UKSS will be changing it's name to reflect our new department title of People Team. The new e-mail address is UKSharedServ, Peopleteam-UKSS.
"

People Team? :sick: :sick: :sick: :sick: :sick: :sick: :sick: :sick: :sick: :sick:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 01 July, 2011, 03:51:34 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 01 July, 2011, 03:26:26 pm
"Hi
 
With effect from Monday 4th July our shared e-mail address of UKSharedServ,HR-UKSS will be changing it's name to reflect our new department title of People Team. The new e-mail address is UKSharedServ, Peopleteam-UKSS.
"

People Team? :sick: :sick: :sick: :sick: :sick: :sick: :sick: :sick: :sick: :sick:

Presumably previously it was manned by automatons or cyborgs, but now, due to cut backs it is cheaper to man it with YTS-ers?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: bobb on 01 July, 2011, 04:29:44 pm
I have a client who is insisting I use Brush Script MT on a website. That is probably only trumped by Comic Sans.

I am trying to educate him but he's having none of it  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 05 July, 2011, 11:24:36 am
Bookshop!  I ordered that book on June 23rd.  It arrived today.  You are in New Addington, not rural fucking Neptune.

Friend X, if, as I suspect, you require bedspace at Larrington Towers on Saturday do you not think it would be a good idea to tell me?  That way I might assemble the arsedness to remove the mountains of crap obscuring the kitchen table and two-thirds of the drawing room floor.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 05 July, 2011, 11:28:58 am
Chain Reaction - the speed of your service is indeed commendable, but was there really any need to put an Alfine fitting kit into a gert big cardboard box when a jiffy bag would have done the job just as well with the loss of far fewer trees?

Also (and totally unrelated to CRC):

Where the bloody hell are the brevet cards I ordered nearly a month ago? The natives are getting restless.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 05 July, 2011, 11:29:57 am
Quote from: bobb on 01 July, 2011, 04:29:44 pm
I have a client who is insisting I use Brush Script MT on a website. That is probably only trumped by Comic Sans.

I am trying to educate him but he's having none of it  ::-)
The customer is always right, even when it's painfully obvious they're talking complete bollocks.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 05 July, 2011, 02:20:47 pm
Body.  Sort yourself out.  I have just been awarded two weeks off work with this stupid hurty foot, and been ordered to rest.  No gym.  No heavy domestic work.  And absolutely no cycling.

FFS.    >:( >:( >:( >:( >:(     :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 05 July, 2011, 09:21:41 pm
Oh for heaven's sake.  I pop off for a wee, and come back to find I've missed out on an IM conversation with my daughter.  I've not heard from her in weeks!

Oh, well, at least I know she's alive  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Deano on 05 July, 2011, 09:22:51 pm
Quote from: Lindagordinho on 05 July, 2011, 02:20:47 pm
Body.  Sort yourself out.  I have just been awarded two weeks off work with this stupid hurty foot, and been ordered to rest.  No gym.  No heavy domestic work.  And absolutely no cycling.

FFS.    >:( >:( >:( >:( >:(     :facepalm:

 :o

Not even a leetle...?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 05 July, 2011, 09:24:43 pm
Nope.  No cycling.  No gardening.  No decorating.

I'm going to be bored, aren't I?

This weekend's cycle camping with Crusty is now cancelled.  What do people do, who don't walk or cycle?   ???

He's thinking of doing MSeries's ride on Sunday.  I could drive down and meet them all for coffee.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 05 July, 2011, 09:28:39 pm
Quote from: Lindagordinho on 05 July, 2011, 09:24:43 pm
Nope.  No cycling.  No gardening.  No decorating.

I'm going to be bored, aren't I?

This weekend's cycle camping with Crusty is now cancelled.  What do people do, who don't walk or cycle?   ???

He's thinking of doing MSeries's ride on Sunday.  I could drive down and meet them all for coffee.
I've just posted the provisional route, so pick your spot - the most obvious stopping points are Easingwold and Boroughbridge.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 05 July, 2011, 09:30:20 pm
Quote from: Lindagordinho on 05 July, 2011, 09:24:43 pm
What do people do, who don't walk or cycle?   ???

Fettle.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Deano on 05 July, 2011, 09:48:47 pm
Quote from: Kim on 05 July, 2011, 09:30:20 pm
Quote from: Lindagordinho on 05 July, 2011, 09:24:43 pm
What do people do, who don't walk or cycle?   ???

Fettle.

Aye, you can re-build my wheel for me :-*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CrinklyLion on 05 July, 2011, 10:03:56 pm
My sister knits.

I don't understand it personally, but it seems to work for her....

If you're OK to drive you could come to York on Monday or Tuesday and we could be ladies wot lunch.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: thelazycyclist on 05 July, 2011, 10:06:50 pm
Quote from: CrinklyLion on 05 July, 2011, 10:03:56 pm
My sister knits.

I don't understand it personally, but it seems to work for her....

If you're OK to drive you could come to York on Monday or Tuesday and we could be ladies wot lunch.

That might be nice  :)

This is Linda, by the way, not Crusty   :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 05 July, 2011, 10:07:49 pm
Quote from: Lindagordinho on 05 July, 2011, 09:24:43 pm

What do people do, who don't walk or cycle?   ???


Read and post on internet fora? ;)

In all seriousness, how about a reading book or two?  If the weather permits, perhaps in a park or somewhere else pleasant rather than sitting at home.
 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 05 July, 2011, 10:08:47 pm
Knitting's a bit like riding hard on upright bikes.  Surprisingly fun, great sense of achievement, and plays havoc with your wrists and elbows.

I try to avoid doing either too often.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 05 July, 2011, 10:09:35 pm
Goody.  Me and Crusty can go on a dirty-knitting weekend  :thumbsup:  Can't wait.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 06 July, 2011, 12:25:47 am
Quote from: Deano on 05 July, 2011, 09:48:47 pm
Quote from: Kim on 05 July, 2011, 09:30:20 pm
Quote from: Lindagordinho on 05 July, 2011, 09:24:43 pm
What do people do, who don't walk or cycle?   ???

Fettle.

Aye, you can re-build my wheel for me :-*

Yeah, if you want an unconventional shape.  ie not round.   ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: dasmoth on 06 July, 2011, 09:23:59 am
Wondering what's up with my ISP.  Nothing on their status page, nothing on the BT exchange status site... but no connection either (ADSL is synced, PPPoA not connected).  And now I'm at work so, modulo actually hearing something  from them (hah!), I have no idea if it's been fixed until I get home tonight.  Wondering if it might be AAISP time...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 06 July, 2011, 09:53:37 am
Babbage-engine!  It has just taken you ninety seconds to switch from uk.rec.sheds to uk.rec.waterways.  This lack of performance is unacceptable and the River Stort is not far away.  Are you full of jam or something?  Or what?  Prepare for a rinsing.  Dere Thought Polis, yes, I know it smells funny and there is a duck where the CPU used to be, but...

Also I feel like DETH and would like to go home.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 06 July, 2011, 09:58:26 am
Ninety seconds?  Phew, that's pretty fast!

*nhsnet user*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 06 July, 2011, 10:41:17 am
Sigh.... office TV purchased some 3 years ago off ebay....I know you have had quite a lot of use but why, oh why did you have to "blow up" on Monday only 2 hours before the start of ITV4's coverage of TdF??? I liked you: you worked well.

So, off to Tescos I went and a replacement was purchased after deciding the smoke coming from the back of the set was terminal. The new telly has a DVD and built in freeview...all good...however, the built in Freeview is CRAP and will only pick up the BBC channels and NOT ITV4.  :facepalm: >:(

Luckly, I have plugged an old Freeview box into the back and now can get ITV4 so my afternoons will be taken up watching the Tour....sorry, working really hard.  ;)

Now, all I need to do is remove my ginger cat from infront of the telly! Move puss!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 06 July, 2011, 12:53:13 pm
I don't mean to complain, but ....

No that's a total lie.  Am very much going to complain.

Cycling really helps my neck.  It felt almost normal last week.  Now I am moving like a robot again, and it really hurts.  And I am not allowed to cycle because my foot hurts.  And my knees hurt.  And I am so, so sick of things hurting the whole damn time.  Not fair.  It's six months now, and that is quite enough, thank you.

I'm even sick of the sound of my own voice whining about things hurting.   :hand:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 06 July, 2011, 01:03:27 pm
Quote from: dasmoth on 06 July, 2011, 09:23:59 am
Wondering what's up with my ISP.  Nothing on their status page, nothing on the BT exchange status site... but no connection either (ADSL is synced, PPPoA not connected).  And now I'm at work so, modulo actually hearing something  from them (hah!), I have no idea if it's been fixed until I get home tonight.  Wondering if it might be AAISP time...

That usually means the BRAS has vanished, so no route for the PPP connection to your ISP.  Often due to unanticipated planned maintenance by our-favourite-telco.  AAISP's monitoring detects all lines on a BRAS going offline simultaneously on an alarmingly frequent basis (see their status page or twitter feed), only some of which are related to published planned engineering work.

AAISP won't solve this problem (unless you get a redundant connection via Be or Three, of course), but will at least give you some idea of what happened.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: dasmoth on 06 July, 2011, 01:08:06 pm
Our-favourite-telco did eventually 'fess up to a problem in my area.  No meaningful information about what happened -- you may well be right about the BRAS -- but I'm somewhat hopefull that things might be working when I get home.  We'll see...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 06 July, 2011, 10:03:23 pm
Colleague when you ask me to do a 2 hour 'teaching' session for M.Ed students on assistive technology for dyslexia trainees.  Do you think it might have been helpful to tell me more than 5 mins before we started that they're all primary school specialists even though we planned it for a HE level?

I am a HE specialist.  My students are legally adults!  I get to assume my students aren't fick!  I get to assume my students have basic literacy and numeracy even if they use technology to achieve that! 

Your students are children! Primary school dyslexics can be of all severities and 'intelligences'...  Totally different infrastructure that you operate in too.

Argh!  II would have planned things very differently had I known the correct level to aim at!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 07 July, 2011, 10:54:07 am
After PopMaster, Ken Bruce plays a 'long song'.  OK, not as long as Radcliffe & Maconie playing 'Echoes' as part of The Chain, which I thought was a bold piece of broadcasting, but something classic and a bit bigger than the usual 3 min slot.  Something like Stairway to Heaven, or a bit of War of the Worlds, or a Pink Floyd track (though never yet Echoes ;D ).

I'll even put up with Eric Clapton's Layla with the full coda on the odd occasion.

But it is not an excuse to play fucking November fucking Rain by Gonks & Arses.

It just isn't.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 07 July, 2011, 12:57:45 pm
How did you do on PopMaster though?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 07 July, 2011, 01:10:10 pm
oh, 21 & 24 and 3in10.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 07 July, 2011, 01:25:51 pm
Not too shabby. Who was the three in ten?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 07 July, 2011, 01:26:13 pm
Dead easy - Pulp.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 07 July, 2011, 08:41:35 pm
I came across the first Christmas 2011 advert today, how depressing is that...?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 07 July, 2011, 09:00:19 pm
Quote from: Canardly on 07 July, 2011, 08:41:35 pm
I came across the first Christmas 2011 advert today, how depressing is that...?

coincidentally,so did i

Christmas Breaks Cornwall : New Years Eve Restaurant Holidays in the Lizard Cornwall (http://www.houselbay.com/seasonal-offers-hotel-breaks-southwest-cornwall/)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Regulator on 07 July, 2011, 10:12:55 pm
Quote from: jogler on 07 July, 2011, 09:00:19 pm
Quote from: Canardly on 07 July, 2011, 08:41:35 pm
I came across the first Christmas 2011 advert today, how depressing is that...?

coincidentally,so did i

Christmas Breaks Cornwall : New Years Eve Restaurant Holidays in the Lizard Cornwall (http://www.houselbay.com/seasonal-offers-hotel-breaks-southwest-cornwall/)

You're a bit late...

They were advertising Christmas 2012 short breaks in the Cambridge Evening News...


... in January.  :-\
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 07 July, 2011, 10:16:23 pm
Quote from: clarion on 07 July, 2011, 01:26:13 pm
Dead easy - Pulp.
Er. Common People. Year 2000. Er. Stuck now. Quack quack ooops.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 07 July, 2011, 10:31:38 pm
Sorted for Es & Whizz?  Misshapes?  This is Hardcore?

There's 13 of them, surprisingly
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 08 July, 2011, 10:41:54 am
Ms Gaga - two points:

If you're hanging onto The Edge, I trust it is by the throat

Otherwise, if you are on the edge, just jump, then we won't have to listen to your repetitive tripe.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 08 July, 2011, 11:19:32 am
EDF... the call centre worker was very very nice and did what I wanted her to do very professionally, so pleased with that end of your service.

However, did I really need to be on hold for 15 mins before your had a call centre staff member free to take my call? At least, looking on the bright side, its a free call.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Quisling on 11 July, 2011, 10:27:11 am
My girlfriend and her 2 year old stay over most weekends from Friday night to Sunday pm.  This weekend she decided to stay until Monday ( :thumbsup:)  However, late in the evening after 2 year old had gone to bed and we were starting to contemplate an early night, my pregnant neighbour arrived on the doorstep seeking a lift to the hospital because her hubby was several hours away and she'd run out of credit on her phone to call for help.

So my GF takes her to hospital, with lots of towels on the seat of my brand new car, and I head over to Mrs Pregnant's house to babysit her kids until hubby gets back, and MiniQ babysits GF's littlun.

Result - I arrived home 1am and passed out.  GF was already home and in the land of nod.  Early night ruined >:(

No news of baby yet, but it's #6 apparently so I should think it'll come out like a well buttered sprout on boxing day.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 11 July, 2011, 01:18:27 pm
Quote from: Quisling on 11 July, 2011, 10:27:11 am
but it's #6 apparently so I should think it'll come out like a well buttered sprout on boxing day.

I've not heard that one before,PMSL
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 11 July, 2011, 02:45:51 pm
Quote from: jogler on 11 July, 2011, 01:18:27 pm
Quote from: Quisling on 11 July, 2011, 10:27:11 am
but it's #6 apparently so I should think it'll come out like a well buttered sprout on boxing day.
I've not heard that one before,PMSL
Go to 0:25 for an approximation... (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fRJ0T-y-pw)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 11 July, 2011, 03:18:55 pm
do I really want to open that link?
what does the panel think :-\
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 11 July, 2011, 03:44:15 pm
I dare you jogler.

************************

Son.  I love you very much.  It's great having you home from uni.  But for all our sakes, turn that bloody awful music down.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 11 July, 2011, 03:47:25 pm
Quote from: Lindagordinho on 11 July, 2011, 03:44:15 pm


Son.  I love you very much.  It's great having you home from uni.  But for all our sakes, turn that bloody awful music down.

BTDTGTTS
it's great innit. ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 11 July, 2011, 03:55:03 pm
It sounds like the lead singer is being burned to death to a background of (actually, very good) electric guitar.

Atreyu, apparently.  And Cannibal Corpse.  Ewwww.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 11 July, 2011, 03:59:26 pm
Quote from: Lindagordinho on 11 July, 2011, 03:44:15 pm
I dare you jogler.

************************


I have & it's not what I expected. ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 11 July, 2011, 06:05:04 pm
It's more or less SFW. Unless you're Catholic.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 11 July, 2011, 06:18:19 pm
I packed my laptop in a bag to bring home as I'm going away tomorrow, left it next to my pannier while I got changed for the commute and then left it there, despite picking up my pannier. Dummy
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 12 July, 2011, 09:23:54 pm
Self. I know you've never seen a left sided drivechain but when buying a freewheel called 'southpaw' it might men it works the other way round!

I now have a freewheel that only goes backwards  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wowbagger on 12 July, 2011, 09:37:47 pm
I'm having to lift my coffee cup with my left hand because of pain. Sodding Arthritis!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 12 July, 2011, 09:49:36 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 12 July, 2011, 09:23:54 pm
I now have a freewheel that only goes backwards  :facepalm:

Sell it to Wobbly John.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 12 July, 2011, 10:01:17 pm
Quote from: Kim on 12 July, 2011, 09:49:36 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 12 July, 2011, 09:23:54 pm
I now have a freewheel that only goes backwards  :facepalm:

Sell it to Wobbly John.

Wonder what the drive would be like with a chain and freewheel on both sides of the wheel  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cycleman on 13 July, 2011, 09:43:03 am
dual  :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 13 July, 2011, 12:14:10 pm
Oh bugger.  Having left my decent front light in Waleslandshire I'm going to have to pop over the road to BloodyEvans at lunch time.
I just HATE going in there and having to go through the bloody "You don't need my post code you bloody morons" argument every time
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 13 July, 2011, 12:16:39 pm
Now wash your hands.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Si_Co on 13 July, 2011, 12:20:09 pm
Quote from: Basil on 13 July, 2011, 12:14:10 pm
Oh bugger.  Having left my decent front light in Waleslandshire I'm going to have to pop over the road to BloodyEvans at lunch time.
I just HATE going in there and having to go through the bloody "You don't need my post code you bloody morons" argument every time


Papa, Indigo, five, five.....zero, foxtrot, foxtrot
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 14 July, 2011, 10:54:20 am
Just a mathematical query.

If I am number                              zero                           in the queue, as the (badly) automated call handling system informs me, how does that work?  I mean, if there is a queue and it's just me, then surely I'd be number                         one              ?

Also, if I am privileged to be at the front of this metaphysical queue, then why am I waiting So Sodding Long?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 14 July, 2011, 11:01:08 am
Quote from: clarion on 14 July, 2011, 10:54:20 am
Just a mathematical query.

If I am number                              zero                           in the queue, as the (badly) automated call handling system informs me, how does that work?  I mean, if there is a queue and it's just me, then surely I'd be number                         one              ?

Also, if I am privileged to be at the front of this metaphysical queue, then why am I waiting So Sodding Long?

Surely it's more a philosophical question?  If you are number zero, do you actually exist?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 14 July, 2011, 11:05:52 am
Quote from: tiermat on 14 July, 2011, 11:01:08 am
Quote from: clarion on 14 July, 2011, 10:54:20 am
Just a mathematical query.

If I am number                              zero                           in the queue, as the (badly) automated call handling system informs me, how does that work?  I mean, if there is a queue and it's just me, then surely I'd be number                         one              ?

Also, if I am privileged to be at the front of this metaphysical queue, then why am I waiting So Sodding Long?

Surely it's more a philosophical question?  If you are number zero, do you actually exist?

As ever, Dilbert has the answer ... (http://dilbert.com/dyn/str_strip/000000000/00000000/0000000/000000/20000/1000/000/21083/21083.strip.gif)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 14 July, 2011, 11:24:18 am
I am not a number, I am a free man!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 14 July, 2011, 11:37:56 am
If it's such a high priority matter, you gibbon-faced twonk, why has it taken you more than an hour not to reply to my question?  Were it not for the fact that you are in Cape Town I would e'en now be tolchocking you about the gulliver with my stoutest knobkerrie and viddying the red red krovvy flow, o my droogies.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 14 July, 2011, 12:47:30 pm
Quote from: clarion on 14 July, 2011, 10:54:20 am
Just a mathematical query.

If I am number                              zero                           in the queue, as the (badly) automated call handling system informs me, how does that work?  I mean, if there is a queue and it's just me, then surely I'd be number                         one              ?

Also, if I am privileged to be at the front of this metaphysical queue, then why am I waiting So Sodding Long?

Perhaps you're lost in translation (mathematically speaking)?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 14 July, 2011, 01:00:34 pm
Quote from: clarion on 14 July, 2011, 10:54:20 am
Just a mathematical query.

If I am number                              zero                           in the queue, as the (badly) automated call handling system informs me, how does that work?  I mean, if there is a queue and it's just me, then surely I'd be number                         one              ?

Computers, and people who spend too much time getting intimate with them, count from zero, for perfectly sensible reasons.  The writers of the badly automated call handling system probably forgot to convert to human (indeed they may not have actually met one for years).

Of course, if I were writing a call handling system, I'd set it up to lie about people's position in the queue, and make them feel like they were making progress.  A bit like traffic lights with placebo buttons on the pedestrian crossings that do nothing to the timings.  It would also be XKCD/806 (http://xkcd.com/806/) compliant.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 14 July, 2011, 03:16:46 pm
ftr, from being zero in the queue to an answer to my call took fifteen minutes.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CrinklyLion on 14 July, 2011, 04:35:40 pm
Toothache, earache, jawache, shoulder ache, sore throat, split lip and mouth ulcers - your company is rapidly becoming extremely tedious.  Kindly fuck off and leave me alone.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: arabella on 14 July, 2011, 06:13:20 pm
Quote from: Kim
...  A bit like traffic lights with placebo buttons on the pedestrian crossings that do nothing to the timings.  ...
Tell me more.  The traffic light to get to the co-op used to turn pedestrian gree straight off.  Now it waits until the road is empty anyway.  I've long suspected something's up ...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 14 July, 2011, 08:44:57 pm
Oh FFS, bloke in pub.  No.  You didn't see me on the Hagley Road in Quinton yesterday.  This is the third time someone has told me this in as may weeks.  I hardly ever venture out that way.  Except on the way to collect the YACF Baton some time ago.

OMG  :o  There's some poor bugger out there who looks like me!
Poor sod.  ;)


Actually "Looks like me" probably means "not riding a BSO on the pavement"  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 14 July, 2011, 08:57:45 pm
Quote from: Basil on 14 July, 2011, 08:44:57 pm
Actually "Looks like me" probably means "not riding a BSO on the pavement"  ::-)

That's what I was worrying.   :-\

Thankfully I wasn't anywhere near the Hagley Road yesterday either...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Gattopardo on 14 July, 2011, 09:04:52 pm
Aldi ice cream 4l tubs are no longer sold.

It was amazing ice cream and now no more.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 14 July, 2011, 09:06:04 pm
Kim, you know when the wind catches that hair of yours, and a thick strand of it attaches itself across your top lip....................
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SandyV on 15 July, 2011, 04:15:03 am
Airline - charging ridiculously expensive fares and then requiring me to tag and check my own luggage is a bit rich!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 15 July, 2011, 09:02:43 am
Philip, Sir.  I have just spent the last 20 minutes redoing the visitors book for tomorrow after the Adjt pointed out that you use the full stops after the H, the R, and the H.

None of the rest of your family do it.  Why you?  It just makes more WERK for me.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: delthebike on 15 July, 2011, 11:00:12 am
Why does BBC News website say NoW when it should be NotW?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Regulator on 15 July, 2011, 11:18:37 am
Quote from: Guy on 15 July, 2011, 09:02:43 am
Philip, Sir.  I have just spent the last 20 minutes redoing the visitors book for tomorrow after the Adjt pointed out that you use the full stops after the H, the R, and the H.

None of the rest of your family do it.  Why you?  It just makes more WERK for me.

Philip is a bit of a pedant when it somes to such things (as is Brenda).  The kids and their sprogs seem to be afflicted by modern curse of failing to understand the value of proper punctation.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 15 July, 2011, 11:20:08 am
Quote from: Regulator on 15 July, 2011, 11:18:37 am
Quote from: Guy on 15 July, 2011, 09:02:43 am
Philip, Sir.  I have just spent the last 20 minutes redoing the visitors book for tomorrow after the Adjt pointed out that you use the full stops after the H, the R, and the H.

None of the rest of your family do it.  Why you?  It just makes more WERK for me.

Philip is a bit of a pedant when it somes to such things (as is Brenda).  The kids and their sprogs seem to be afflicted by modern curse of failing to understand the value of proper punctation.

And spelling?  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 15 July, 2011, 12:09:37 pm
If the following:

Quote

Username:
Error reading command input
Timeout period expired

appears on your screen, it does not mean that you are unable to log in.  It means you are one of the Slow Children, you big dopey doppo.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: billplumtree on 15 July, 2011, 01:17:47 pm
Similarly, if

Quote
'hinstall.exe' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.

appears, it does not mean that the command ran successfully and without reporting any errors.  The fact that you have admin rights to that machine is just scary.


Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 15 July, 2011, 01:19:45 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 15 July, 2011, 12:09:37 pm
If the following:

Quote

Username:
Error reading command input
Timeout period expired

appears on your screen, it does not mean that you are unable to log in.  It means you are one of the Slow Children, you big dopey doppo.
Ah yes, the classic 'PICNIC' situation.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Zipperhead on 15 July, 2011, 05:18:32 pm
Quote from: spesh on 15 July, 2011, 11:20:08 am
Quote from: Regulator on 15 July, 2011, 11:18:37 am
Quote from: Guy on 15 July, 2011, 09:02:43 am
Philip, Sir.  I have just spent the last 20 minutes redoing the visitors book for tomorrow after the Adjt pointed out that you use the full stops after the H, the R, and the H.

None of the rest of your family do it.  Why you?  It just makes more WERK for me.

Philip is a bit of a pedant when it somes to such things (as is Brenda).  The kids and their sprogs seem to be afflicted by modern curse of failing to understand the value of proper punctation.

And spelling?  ;D

Punctation - isn't that lactation from pierced nipples?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rower40 on 15 July, 2011, 11:41:03 pm
Quote from: Regulator on 15 July, 2011, 11:18:37 am
Quote from: Guy on 15 July, 2011, 09:02:43 am
Philip, Sir.  I have just spent the last 20 minutes redoing the visitors book for tomorrow after the Adjt pointed out that you use the full stops after the H, the R, and the H.

None of the rest of your family do it.  Why you?  It just makes more WERK for me.

Philip is a bit of a pedant when it somes to such things (as is Brenda).  The kids and their sprogs seem to be afflicted by modern curse of failing to understand the value of proper punctation.
Are the dots after H, R and H the equivalent of the Greengrocer's Apostrophe but at the other end of the social spectrum? ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 18 July, 2011, 12:40:01 pm
While it is better that the mains wossname from which my netbook may be supplied with electrickal voles chose to die now rather than while I'm on holibobs, I'd prefer that it had not died at all, as it severely limits my ability to view pr0n in bed.  Bum willy toilets.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: PaulF on 18 July, 2011, 05:19:41 pm
My new rim hasn't arrived from France so it looks like I'll be doing the South Downs Way on singlespeed next weekend ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 18 July, 2011, 05:31:26 pm
Earwigs.  Also, weather with comedy timing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Red on 18 July, 2011, 07:05:43 pm
Dad, there's not much food I get for myself that I'm not happy to just share without you asking, but my expensive strawberries and clotted cream ice cream what I don't get very often is one of those things. Finding several giant scoopfuls missing does rather leave me feeling miffed. I'd eat your sacred stilton in retaliation if I didn't hate the stuff.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 19 July, 2011, 07:47:13 am
Would whatever it is that is chewing holes in my socks please just stop it.  They don't grow on trees you know.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 19 July, 2011, 10:09:47 am
Due to another family members catastrophic work/life balance fail, I find myself on the way to Lichfield to accompany my Dad from hospital there to hospital in Burton, and back again.
Happy to do so, obviousl, but a little more than 11 hours notice would have been good.
Just had an interesting phone conversation with my manager.
Asking for annual leave with zero notice is never good. 
I ended up saying that at least I was being honest.  Most people would have simply thrown a sickie as an easier option.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 19 July, 2011, 11:38:49 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 18 July, 2011, 12:40:01 pm
While it is better that the mains wossname from which my netbook may be supplied with electrickal voles chose to die now rather than while I'm on holibobs, I'd prefer that it had not died at all, as it severely limits my ability to view pr0n in bed.  Bum willy toilets.

It's spontaneously started jbexing again ???  Iz pleased that I didn't order a new one yesterday.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 19 July, 2011, 11:42:24 am
Sister. We had a phone call last week and it ended - as I recall perfectly - with your final words of "Leave it to me, I'll get back to you." So I did. But you didn't. So nothing happened on Sunday. Now you are complaining that you have to drive the 15 miles to Warwick to give my son his birthday present. Tough shit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 19 July, 2011, 01:11:39 pm
Still don't know what's wrong with the car.
It runs, for now, and we've managed to narrow the cause down to three possible units (all computerised, natch) but we won't know *which* unit is to blame until the car starts sulking again. Hmmph.

On the plus side, the garage haven't charged me for the Tech2 diagnostic. Which is nice.

Maybe this is the universe telling me to ride more.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Zipperhead on 19 July, 2011, 02:53:05 pm
Has my phone been hacked by lowlife scumsuckers working for News International? Or, has someone here been giving away my secrets? Or, is it my local vendor of newsprint and periodicals who has put the word out about my subscription to Amateur Proctologist (incorporating Enema Weekly)?

These are the only explanations I can find for the behaviour that I witness daily, where I stop at a red light and then in the period before the lights change to green cyclists that I have previously overtaken come past and stop in front of me, and then when the lights do change to a man (for sadly they are all men) raise their arses in the air and wave them at me as they impede my acceleration. I try and tell them "People, put your arses down and learn to ride your bicycles you bunch of tossers" as I go around them.

Obviously this is just code for "I have promised to gaze only up the botty of two holes Greg"

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 19 July, 2011, 02:53:25 pm
Foxit Reader!  Would you kindly display the PDF I have asked you to display at least four times?  Rather than whatever happened to be visible on the monitor before I bunged you in the foreground.

kthxbai
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 19 July, 2011, 07:26:50 pm
Lurg, bog off, I would like my brain  to work again plz, I have a work and BiCon TODO which was scaring me before I got ill, I can at least do BiCon without much except for a brain...  Meh.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 19 July, 2011, 08:50:42 pm
Silly gym equipment company.

So I called them Sunday and got my delivery changed to my work address, was told they have to do some security checks (as not my billing address) which could take up to 48 hours but they'd call if any problems.

Hadn't heard anything so sat in the work car park till 6pm today as that's when their courier delivers until. Got home to find a snail mail letter asking me to post or fax a copy of either my passport, drivers licence or bank card, if they'd said that on Sunday I could have sorted it Monday!! Grarg!

Faxing it off tomorrow, not a lot of chance of getting the stuff this week now. I'm just hoping it doesn't run into the week after next as I'm off Mon-Wed and if they try and deliver and no one's there I get charged shipment in both directions, which for 150kg of stuff I'd imagine would be expensive. Turning into a right pain.

Grumble grump mutter  :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 19 July, 2011, 09:30:42 pm
It's 'guest week' over at Questionable Content. :-X
 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Aidan on 19 July, 2011, 09:41:12 pm
Quote from: Andrij on 19 July, 2011, 09:30:42 pm
It's 'guest week' over at Questionable Content. :-X

Yep :-X
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 19 July, 2011, 09:44:02 pm
Quote from: Aidan on 19 July, 2011, 09:41:12 pm
Quote from: Andrij on 19 July, 2011, 09:30:42 pm
It's 'guest week' over at Questionable Content. :-X

Yep :-X

+1

They have been a bit meh so far this week. Could do with a Yelling Bird strip to liven things up.  :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: gerwinium on 19 July, 2011, 09:59:10 pm
9 quid for additional Garmin Edge brackets (you can't easily remove them after fitted). That's taking the michael a bit, surely? (Grumble, and 3 ordered)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 20 July, 2011, 09:21:55 am
I had to pay £4 for a tiny retaining hook thingie to keep my Carradice pannier from flapping about. I reckon Mr Li is churning them out for 0.01p in his workshop.

Still, it did serve as a reminder to ensure the screws are now tightened on my others!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 20 July, 2011, 10:56:58 am
What the fuck do you mean with that e-mail it is not english and do not make sense ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 20 July, 2011, 03:07:46 pm
Quote from: Guy on 19 July, 2011, 07:47:13 am
Would whatever it is that is chewing holes in my socks please just stop it.  They don't grow on trees you know.

I believe you are correct; moths don't grow on trees...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Red on 20 July, 2011, 09:21:37 pm
Skegness.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 20 July, 2011, 09:22:56 pm
Quote from: Red on 20 July, 2011, 09:21:37 pm
Skegness.
Nuke it from high orbit, it's the only way to be sure (even SWMBO's parents think so, and they've lived in Lincolnshire all their respective lives)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Red on 20 July, 2011, 09:36:31 pm
Quote from: interzen on 20 July, 2011, 09:22:56 pm
Quote from: Red on 20 July, 2011, 09:21:37 pm
Skegness.
Nuke it from high orbit, it's the only way to be sure (even SWMBO's parents think so, and they've lived in Lincolnshire all their respective lives)

Given how many people have tried - and failed - to set the sodding place on fire, this does seem to be the next logical approach.

I hear people round here like playing with various fuels. Anyone fancy molishing a rocket?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Gandalf on 21 July, 2011, 06:40:24 am
Dog! No not you, the black fluffy gormless one I mean the small, muscular, belligerent but butter wouldn't melt one.....stop nicking my cycling socks and buggering off with them.  I don't need it when I'm getting ready for work.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 21 July, 2011, 10:41:47 am
Symantec Endpoint Protection, why in the name of the Almighty Gin Puffin can you not do your anti-virus shit in the middle of the night?  Especially now that the Thought Police seem to have abandoned their attempt to save the polar bears by shutting down our Babbage-Engines every evening.  Just fuck off and leave my CPU alone, m'kay.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 21 July, 2011, 11:04:38 am
Open BASH shell:

PS -a

Kill - 9 task number id from PS

Oh, your using windows  :facepalm: I thought you were in IT support.  :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 21 July, 2011, 01:20:44 pm
Yes, I support a real operating system ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mattc on 21 July, 2011, 03:10:09 pm
Arm warmers? I don't think we've got any ... we don't tend to stock winter stuff at this time of year.


This from a shop in Oxfordshire - not the South of France ...   :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Red on 22 July, 2011, 03:18:20 am
This place is bloody evil. Bicycles are just the gateway drug. You hang around all innocent-like reading about insane bicycle rides and puncture repairs and CAKE, and then discover the phototalk forum... where you can graduate to the hard drugs of DSLRs and lenses that you have to sell BOTH your kidneys to be able to afford.

I was happy with my Canon S2IS. I really was. Okay, the zoom isn't great for shots of birds (or their behinds in my case, because the feathered bastards love mocking me), but everything else pleases me greatly. And now I'm eyeing up Canon's DSLR range and feeling like I'm cheating on my S2IS while my wallet is making horrified wheezing noises and trying to hide itself beneath the fridge.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 22 July, 2011, 08:29:15 am
Virgin Trains and who ever owns the track now days.....

Three times in the last month when trying to get home from that London I have been delayed and missed my bus (yes yes, I could cycle home but but but...)

First time....kids on the line (the general consensus was that was not a good reason to slow down)

Second time.... dead person on the line (why didn't they kill themsleves elsewhere!)

Third time (last night)....Animals on the line near Rugeley (Ah...little loves, best be careful)

Would it be possible to please purchase some new fencing. Its not expensive if you buy it in bulk and will certainly stop me being latehome and missing the chip shop which closes at 10pm.

Many thanks
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rogerzilla on 22 July, 2011, 10:37:45 am
Our local village shop and post office is up for sale because the owners want to retire.  Although it's well-patronised and profitable, I bet it closes  :(  Their chances of finding someone with the money to buy it who also wants to work 7 days a week are limited, I think.

Oh well, I wanted to retire to Saxmundham anyway, where they have lots of shops.  And a Waitrose.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 22 July, 2011, 11:29:58 am
Bah.
Wife and stepkids taking off for weekend, to visit big brother. I'm staying behind, because it is weekend daughter is with me.

Except that tonight she's staying at her boyfriend's, and tomorrow she's dogsitting for a friend.

That would be ok if I'd known plenty in advance; I've been wanting an evening and day to myself to do a long solo ride.

But you didn't tell me until last night, so I'm knackered, busy and really not in the mood for a long bike ride. I think I'll sit at home, watch mindless action movies and drink beer instead.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 22 July, 2011, 11:40:46 am
Quote from: mrcharly on 22 July, 2011, 11:29:58 am
But you didn't tell me until last night, so I'm knackered, busy and really not in the mood for a long bike ride. I think I'll sit at home, watch mindless action movies and drink beer instead.
I'm thinking of heading up to Dalby tomorrow if you fancy a bit of light off-road mayhem1 ... I'm not going for mega distances, just something a bit different.

Meanwhile, back in the grumble stakes: SWMBO - grow the fuck up. Seriously. When you feel you can talk to me without putting words into my mouth or misinterpreting what I say (either by accident or design) you know where I am. Until then, just don't bother.

1 - where 'light off-road' means a loop of the blue and green trails and maybe a thrash round the fire roads.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 22 July, 2011, 11:50:05 am
Thanks for the offer. The codicil to the complications is that I need to stay around York for the weekend to be 'Dad's Taxi'.

There is a very outside chance MsCharly might decide she fancies a bike ride, in which case we may head out for a day together on Sun. She needs to get some miles in her legs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feline on 22 July, 2011, 01:43:07 pm
Mr Tesco delivery man, plz don't be bitching at me for ordering my delivery not in plastic bags. I don't need to you educate me on the optimal way of you offloading my shopping as rapidly as possible. I didn't randomly select that option by accident. I know you can take the 100 carrier bags that it would take for me to carry the shopping the 12 feet from my hall into my kitchen away again for recycling, but that doesn't have zero impact on the environment you know.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rogerzilla on 22 July, 2011, 02:01:53 pm
Do they re-use them?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 22 July, 2011, 02:13:26 pm
Re-using Tesco bags is a mug's game.  The plasticiser has a half-life of about 25 minutes.  (See previous rants on the subject.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 22 July, 2011, 02:14:01 pm
Urrrrrrgh, no, think of the health and safety!









That, at least is what I expect they would say. Word for word.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 22 July, 2011, 09:10:40 pm
Another bloody late finish...19:15 when I should have left at 4:30.    Some halfwit moved a cable from where it should be to where it shouldn't...... >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 23 July, 2011, 10:15:01 am
It's the weekend.... and I've got the cold  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 23 July, 2011, 11:50:08 am
It's the weekend and my get up and go has got up and gone.

Had planned to get the bus into town this arvo, but then remembered that the bloody races are on meaning it'd be quicker to walk  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 23 July, 2011, 07:17:05 pm
My brother made extra chocolate & cherry tart for me, and now I won't get any cos I'm too poorly to ride  :'(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feline on 23 July, 2011, 10:19:34 pm
Quote from: rogerzilla on 22 July, 2011, 02:01:53 pm
Do they re-use them?

No, they recycle them. My argument was this is not a carbon neutral thing to do, and to use a bag to carry stuff only 12 feet is madness!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jasmine on 24 July, 2011, 04:04:36 pm
Don't Tesco have those big plastic crates to do home delivery in?  Deliver the stuff in the crates then pick them up next time?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 24 July, 2011, 09:43:58 pm
The combination of drugs that make one's skin very dry and fragile, along with a very snotty runny nose is not a good one :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Regulator on 25 July, 2011, 10:11:40 am
Dear Cambridgeshire Highways Authority

Thank you for resurfacing the shared path on the A1307 up Wandlebury Hill.

Whose bright idea was it to resurface it with loose gravel?  :facepalm:

It spoilt an otherwise very enjoyable ride,as I had to pull Regina up the hill because it was impossible to ride up.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feline on 25 July, 2011, 11:32:49 am
Quote from: Jasmine on 24 July, 2011, 04:04:36 pm
Don't Tesco have those big plastic crates to do home delivery in?  Deliver the stuff in the crates then pick them up next time?

Yeah, the stuff is crated, but the guy won't leave his crates behind. To be fair mine is usually a big order with about 8 crates in it. He claims he is only given 30 seconds to walk each crate to the house and get an empty one back to his truck, and so the few seconds I would save by lifting the dozens of carrier bags out of the crates rather than shopping would enable him to keep to his schedule  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 25 July, 2011, 11:56:19 am
Work colleagues: The possession of a tv and your obsessive watching the TDF does not make you an instant expert on all aspects of cycling. Oh, and there are other races in the world that matter.

Just shut up talking about tdf, please. You never give a monkey's toss about bikes or cycle sport any other time of the year.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 25 July, 2011, 12:37:06 pm
^ This ^
This is the first year I've noticed that absolutely everybody seems to be watching it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 25 July, 2011, 04:14:05 pm
Dopey mate stuck in the 20th Century: I gave you a mobile phone with a SIM in it and £10 credit on it. I did this because ASDA mobile charges 10p/minute for calls, whereas you are stuck on some deal where you pay 40p/minute, but are too lazy/dopey/scared/incompetent to do anything about it.

So, when I next see you and you are still on the old tariff and "your mum has lost the phone I gave you", don't expect more help to be forthcoming.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 25 July, 2011, 04:17:30 pm
NAT is evil.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 26 July, 2011, 01:41:44 pm
Quote from: Regulator on 25 July, 2011, 10:11:40 am
Dear Cambridgeshire Highways Authority

Thank you for resurfacing the shared path on the A1307 up Wandlebury Hill.

Whose bright idea was it to resurface it with loose gravel?  :facepalm:

It spoilt an otherwise very enjoyable ride,as I had to pull Regina up the hill because it was impossible to ride up.  >:(
Does that qualify for a pothole card? A VERY BIG one?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rower40 on 26 July, 2011, 07:27:37 pm
Half way through a "Deadly" Killer SuDoku (Saturday Times, 16th July; suggested time - 58mins; time I've spent on it so far - at least 3 hrs) and I find I've got it all wrong.  Time to start again.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 26 July, 2011, 07:50:58 pm
My friend has cancelled his visit to Brum to see me this weekend as we're both too ill.  While I'm slightly relieved cos friend is EXTROVERT (and lovely) I'm also sad and pissed off.  Am hoping to feel more human soonest.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 27 July, 2011, 01:27:48 am
[Insert chunter about sloppy choice of stock photos in this article:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-14291335 ]

It's as if masts all looked the same or something!

(barakta thinks I'm a nerd for recognising it.  I think it's fairly iconic.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 27 July, 2011, 07:30:48 am
O2, stoppit!

Having spent $SMALL_FORTUNE this year on concert tickets, travel etc I thought I might have got away with a bit or respite.

Then you go and send me an email telling me that RHCP tickets go on priority order today!!!!

ARRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

must resist
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 28 July, 2011, 08:59:03 am
Blackbird.

Did you have to evacuate your bowel all over the latch on the garden gate, right where a person on auto-pilot puts his hand :sick:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 28 July, 2011, 10:20:28 am
President Obambi: while you are infinitely less of a dick than your predecessor, charging me fourteen of your dollars for the dubious privet hedge of entering a few details into a form upon teh Intarwebs is havin' a giraffe.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: border-rider on 28 July, 2011, 10:26:19 am
Quote from: Kim on 27 July, 2011, 01:27:48 am
[Insert chunter about sloppy choice of stock photos in this article:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-14291335 ]

It's as if masts all looked the same or something!

(barakta thinks I'm a nerd for recognising it.  I think it's fairly iconic.)

It's certainly got a pretty unusual collection of GSM/3G antenna directions.  And some TETRA :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 28 July, 2011, 10:39:23 am
My neck hurts.  And my foot.  And my knees.  Hmph.   >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 28 July, 2011, 01:14:50 pm
Quote from: Mal Volio on 28 July, 2011, 10:26:19 am
It's certainly got a pretty unusual collection of GSM/3G antenna directions.  And some TETRA :)

I predicted that would happen.  (Image was the 1937 photo of the Alexandra Palace mast when I grumbled.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 28 July, 2011, 02:22:14 pm
Quote from: Kim on 28 July, 2011, 01:14:50 pm
Quote from: Mal Volio on 28 July, 2011, 10:26:19 am
It's certainly got a pretty unusual collection of GSM/3G antenna directions.  And some TETRA :)

I predicted that would happen.  (Image was the 1937 photo of the Alexandra Palace mast when I grumbled.)

That's why I said you should have screenshotted it!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 28 July, 2011, 02:23:27 pm
That would have been a bit nerdy.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 28 July, 2011, 02:32:24 pm
Quote from: Kim on 28 July, 2011, 02:23:27 pm
That would have been a bit nerdy.

Cos knowing one kind of "aerial shaped thing" from "another aerial shaped thing" isn't nerdy?

And indeed knowing it's not just the wrong aerial but which wrong 1937 aerial it is?  :-*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 28 July, 2011, 02:53:48 pm
You want the iconic transmitter?  You can't handle the iconic transmitter (http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1160659)!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 28 July, 2011, 03:02:09 pm
Fear not, I bored barakta at length about Emley Moor and its history when we lived in the People's Republic.  The route over the A628 to The Wet Place is a mast-spotter's delight.  I should really do that by bike at some point, though I anticipate serious grimping.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 28 July, 2011, 03:04:34 pm
It's amazing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 28 July, 2011, 03:06:42 pm
Iconic masts, eh? I had anticiapated something like the SS Great Britain! But I have to admit that Emley Moor, erm, towery thing is strangely attractive in an ugly, once-this-was-the-bright-future, see-how-we-have-dreamed, way.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 28 July, 2011, 03:15:48 pm
Quote from: Kim on 28 July, 2011, 03:02:09 pm
Fear not, I bored barakta at length about Emley Moor and its history when we lived in the People's Republic.  The route over the A628 to The Wet Place is a mast-spotter's delight.  I should really do that by bike at some point, though I anticipate serious grimping.
Many years ago, I worked with a bloke who had been a radio tech at Holme Moss and Emley moor.

He had interesting tales and photos. They have ex-ship's engines as backup generators - starting them involves compressed air and pixies. Switching the power from mains to backup generators involves knife switches activated by gunpowder charges.

Ice formed on the Holme Moss mast one year and fell off in chunks. They evacuated the station - when they went back, one chuck had come clean through the concrete roof and flattened cabinets - he had photos of the mess.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 28 July, 2011, 03:30:28 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 28 July, 2011, 03:06:42 pm
Iconic masts, eh? I had anticiapated something like the SS Great Britain! But I have to admit that Emley Moor, erm, towery thing is strangely attractive in an ugly, once-this-was-the-bright-future, see-how-we-have-dreamed, way.

I think it's quite impressive, given that it was built in a hurry using reasonably novel techniques after the original guyed steel mast collapsed without warning (due to ice and high winds) in 1969.

Still the tallest free-standing structure in the UK, apparently.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 28 July, 2011, 03:37:03 pm
Quote from: clarion on 28 July, 2011, 02:53:48 pm
You want the iconic transmitter?  You can't handle the iconic transmitter (http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1160659)!

Now you've reminded me of the last stretch of the Spurn Head 400, which passed pretty close to Emley Moor.  It was bloody freezing and that Mr Crossland chappie had put a metric fuckton of hills in the last 60 km :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 28 July, 2011, 03:46:40 pm
I've only seen Emley Moor mast from a distance (best view from Brierley Gap, on the B 6273 above Grimethorpe) but I have been to the top of the Sandy Heath Transmitter.  You donarf get marvellous views from 800 feet up! :thumbsup:
http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/230023 (http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/230023)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 28 July, 2011, 05:03:22 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 28 July, 2011, 03:37:03 pm
Quote from: clarion on 28 July, 2011, 02:53:48 pm
You want the iconic transmitter?  You can't handle the iconic transmitter (http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1160659)!

Now you've reminded me of the last stretch of the Spurn Head 400, which passed pretty close to Emley Moor.  It was bloody freezing and that Mr Crossland chappie had put a metric fuckton of hills in the last 60 km :(
Yebbut Yorkshire's flat. Everyone knows that ;) (ask anyone who rode my old York 600 all those years ago  :demon:)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 28 July, 2011, 05:04:33 pm
Pan flat.  Especially Rosedale Chimney, Sutton Bank and Park Rash. ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: border-rider on 28 July, 2011, 06:17:30 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 28 July, 2011, 03:15:48 pm
Ice formed on the Holme Moss mast one year and fell off in chunks. They evacuated the station - when they went back, one chuck had come clean through the concrete roof and flattened cabinets - he had photos of the mess.

Emley Moor Mk 2 went over when it iced up in about 1969. That's why there's a concrete tower there now

I'm told they had to dig the UHF array out of the next field with a bulldozer.

http://tx.mb21.co.uk/emley/eyewitness/index.shtml
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 28 July, 2011, 06:32:49 pm
Oh, thanks very much for posting links to geograph. Never seen it before.  There's the rest of my life wasted....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Salvatore on 28 July, 2011, 06:39:06 pm
Quote from: Mal Volio on 28 July, 2011, 06:17:30 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 28 July, 2011, 03:15:48 pm
Ice formed on the Holme Moss mast one year and fell off in chunks. They evacuated the station - when they went back, one chuck had come clean through the concrete roof and flattened cabinets - he had photos of the mess.

Emley Moor Mk 2 went over when it iced up in about 1969. That's why there's a concrete tower there now

I'm told they had to dig the UHF array out of the next field with a bulldozer.

http://tx.mb21.co.uk/emley/eyewitness/index.shtml

I remember that. My televisual habits were severely curtailed for some time.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 28 July, 2011, 06:43:21 pm
Quote from: Kim on 28 July, 2011, 03:30:28 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 28 July, 2011, 03:06:42 pm
Iconic masts, eh? I had anticiapated something like the SS Great Britain! But I have to admit that Emley Moor, erm, towery thing is strangely attractive in an ugly, once-this-was-the-bright-future, see-how-we-have-dreamed, way.

I think it's quite impressive, given that it was built in a hurry using reasonably novel techniques after the original guyed steel mast collapsed without warning (due to ice and high winds) in 1969.

Still the tallest free-standing structure in the UK, apparently.
I would have guessed it was a bit older than that. What's the definition of "free-standing"? I can't believe something that tall doesn't have foundations! And yes it is impressive, in an ugly kind of way. The kind of thing I'd enjoy gazing at on a bike ride or indeed any journey, but probably would prefer not to have in my view every day - not that I'd actually object to it. I also rather like those tall red-and-white painted steel pylon-type towers, especially against a background of pale blue sky, sunny sky.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 28 July, 2011, 06:48:45 pm
Quote from: Arch on 28 July, 2011, 06:32:49 pm
Oh, thanks very much for posting links to geograph. Never seen it before.  There's the rest of my life wasted....

Oh oh! they haven't got a picture of my house!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 28 July, 2011, 07:09:51 pm
You know when you drive past something like that and it looks like it's keeping up with the car? When we used to go to Skelmanthorpe to see my great great aunt and uncle, my grandad used to tell us that Emley Moor mast was on a trolley and men were running with it and pushing it to make it keep up. Eventually we got smart(er) and asked how they managed that for every car that went past. I don't remember what the answer was.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 29 July, 2011, 03:16:58 pm
The frame builder has the work order for your bike and it's on his list of things to do.

It's taken four weeks to get to this point?  :o

I thought the estimate of six weeks was a bit optimistic, but I'm getting the feeling it may be more like twelve.  :'(
 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 29 July, 2011, 04:54:26 pm
LONDON
CYCLING
CAMPAIGN

Thank you for your

Membership
CARD

which arrived in the post today. I am sufficiently well-educated to realise this is a CARD without needing this to be the largest writing on the CARD
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 30 July, 2011, 04:41:45 pm
Dear BBC, I don't recall any "Prince William marries in England" headlines so why "Zara Phillips marries in Scotland"? Do you think the rest of the UK is as London-centric as you are and therefore unable to realise that Edinburgh is in Scotland? Twonks.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 30 July, 2011, 04:51:16 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 28 July, 2011, 06:43:21 pm
Quote from: Kim on 28 July, 2011, 03:30:28 pm
Still the tallest free-standing structure in the UK, apparently.
I would have guessed it was a bit older than that. What's the definition of "free-standing"? I can't believe something that tall doesn't have foundations! And yes it is impressive, in an ugly kind of way. The kind of thing I'd enjoy gazing at on a bike ride or indeed any journey, but probably would prefer not to have in my view every day - not that I'd actually object to it. I also rather like those tall red-and-white painted steel pylon-type towers, especially against a background of pale blue sky, sunny sky.

free-standing = no guy wires
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 01 August, 2011, 02:42:24 pm
Me.  Next time you order a latte in Aberystwyth, ask them for one that actually tastes of coffee. :-(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 01 August, 2011, 03:46:46 pm
I don't know anything about the reasons why the figures in $SYSTEM1 and $SYSTEM2 don't reconcile.  I'm just the BOFH on $SYSTEM1, so there is no need to keep sending an e-mail every bloody Monday morning.  And even less need to ring me up every Monday afternoon asking about it when I've already told you three times that it is nothing whatsoever to do with me and have you tried the fucking Gas Board?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Regulator on 01 August, 2011, 03:48:51 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 28 July, 2011, 10:20:28 am
President Obambi: while you are infinitely less of a dick than your predecessor, charging me fourteen of your dollars for the dubious privet hedge of entering a few details into a form upon teh Intarwebs is havin' a giraffe.

He's gotta bring down the Federal deficit somehow...  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 01 August, 2011, 03:52:02 pm
Quote from: Regulator on 01 August, 2011, 03:48:51 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 28 July, 2011, 10:20:28 am
President Obambi: while you are infinitely less of a dick than your predecessor, charging me fourteen of your dollars for the dubious privet hedge of entering a few details into a form upon teh Intarwebs is havin' a giraffe.

He's gotta bring down the Federal deficit somehow...  ;D

I advised him to invest in dead dog futures.  Imagine how much a householder would pay not to have an unrefrigerated lorry full of dead dogs parked outside their home during a heatwave...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 01 August, 2011, 10:07:29 pm
Self - you bought those trousers because you could scrunch them into a pannier, shake them out and they would look OK without ironing.  So why the frack did you just put a hot iron on them ??   

I've now got an iron coated in molten nylon and a pair of kecks with a hole in the leg  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 02 August, 2011, 08:11:05 am
I worked from home yesterday, back in the office today.  So far, so good.  Now for the grumble...

Over the weekend they erected a crane on the building site next to the office.  I've always wanted to see how that's done.  >:(  It's not the main crane, so there's always the chance I'll see the small one come down and the big one go up, though I bet they'll do it on a weekend.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 03 August, 2011, 01:30:35 pm
Oh for goodness sake.  I do not need pre-bonk visual disturbance right now.  It's been 6.5 hours since I got off the bike,  I have eaten,  I didn't go for a blast this lunchtime.  So what's with the stupid bloody strobing?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rower40 on 04 August, 2011, 08:18:09 pm
Taxi driver of Derby:
When your colleague pulls out of a taxi rank without looking, requiring me to ease off the power, please don't emulate him, causing me an emergency swerve.  He was indicating, you weren't.  I'd assumed you were just pulling forward to the front of the rank.  When you moved out into the carriageway, I really hope that the shout of "WHOAHHH" that I gave you through your window from about 2 feet away from your ear brought you back to your senses.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mike on 05 August, 2011, 01:27:33 pm
Oi, woman, swimming in my lane at lunchtime today: 

It works much better if we all do laps, love.  Not 2 of us trying to do laps and just you going up and down the same side chatting to your mate in the next lane.

(would have been in the rant thread but she was cute *and* quick)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 06 August, 2011, 10:26:26 am
Audax UK: Shutford is a lovely little village in North Oxon (or Northants ?). Shame the pub was closed when we got there the other day. However, I couldn't help noticing that your team couldn't be bothered to take down the AUK check point sign that you had zip tied to the post presumably for a recent event. Please to be taking them down after the event, you lazy twunts.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 06 August, 2011, 11:24:08 am
AWL, I think you will find that is the responsibility of an individual controller, not Auax UK per se.
It is quite possible that the chap who put the sign up handed card-stamping duty to another, who did not know/had no tools to remove the sign.
AUK controllers are a bunch of fallible volunteers but there would be no events without them.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 06 August, 2011, 01:11:01 pm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-14430591 Oh, ffs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 06 August, 2011, 01:21:39 pm
Helly, I take your point, but there should be an overarching message from the top that that sort of behaviour is unacceptable. Surely anyone responsible for manning the check point should know they should remove the sign? If zip ties are too hard to remove, then don't use them in the first place. They are fast becoming the pollutant/irritant of choice for event organisers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 06 August, 2011, 03:07:28 pm
I don't disagree but some checkpoints are open for a very long time. The person putting the sign up may not ave been present when the control closed. Working as a controller can be surprisingly tiring. I am sorry that this sign was not removed but someone checking scores of riders may have had other thoughts at hometime.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: RJ on 06 August, 2011, 07:47:13 pm
Quote from: Leila K on 06 August, 2011, 01:11:01 pm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-14430591 Oh, ffs.

Tell me about it (http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=10.msg1014673#msg1014673) ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Red on 07 August, 2011, 10:02:19 am
Morning, I really do not approve of you. Go away and take the builders next door with you.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 08 August, 2011, 11:58:27 am
It's no good expecting us to change over the default printers of all those users if you don't tell us when it needs to be done.  "As per $NETWORK_BOD's instructions" doesn't help if they're not supplied.  I expect they've been sent to The Boss, who is on holibobs for the next fortnight.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 08 August, 2011, 12:37:05 pm
Time, hurry up and be Wednesday.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 09 August, 2011, 11:50:59 am
We've had no hot water in the building for 2 weeks and now the cold has gone as well. Can't even flush the bogs.  :sick:

Footsie Blue Chip my arse.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 09 August, 2011, 12:15:16 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 09 August, 2011, 11:50:59 am
We've had no hot water in the building for 2 weeks and now the cold has gone as well. Can't even flush the bogs.  :sick:
Footsie Blue Chip my arse.
I heard somewhere* they have to send people home when the sanitary facilities are no longer usable.

*Probably in a pub one lunchtime**
**Which means it's almost certainly bollocks.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Regulator on 09 August, 2011, 02:11:51 pm
Quote from: TheLurker on 09 August, 2011, 12:15:16 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 09 August, 2011, 11:50:59 am
We've had no hot water in the building for 2 weeks and now the cold has gone as well. Can't even flush the bogs.  :sick:
Footsie Blue Chip my arse.
I heard somewhere* they have to send people home when the sanitary facilities are no longer usable.

*Probably in a pub one lunchtime**
**Which means it's almost certainly bollocks.

Here are the rules (http://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/faqs/toilets.htm)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 09 August, 2011, 08:52:19 pm
Winters coming night are drawing in bah humbug....and after May weather didn't happen.....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jakob on 10 August, 2011, 05:15:21 am
We're in the process of applying for Permanent Residency here in Canada, which inevitably involves a lot of paper work, including criminal records from every country we've lived in since we were was 18.
- New Zealand : send a single page form and they'll send the result directly to immigration services. Cost: Nothing
- Denmark: send an email and specify what language I want the record in. Cost: Nothing
- Korea: Get relative to pick up a copy from the local police station. Cost: Nothing.
- UK: Send a 9 page document, including 2 passport photos endorsed by a professional. Also pay 35 pounds for processing and 7 pounds shipping.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Regulator on 10 August, 2011, 07:00:10 am
Quote from: Jakob on 10 August, 2011, 05:15:21 am
We're in the process of applying for Permanent Residency here in Canada, which inevitably involves a lot of paper work, including criminal records from every country we've lived in since we were was 18.
- New Zealand : send a single page form and they'll send the result directly to immigration services. Cost: Nothing
- Denmark: send an email and specify what language I want the record in. Cost: Nothing
- Korea: Get relative to pick up a copy from the local police station. Cost: Nothing.
- UK: Send a 9 page document, including 2 passport photos endorsed by a professional. Also pay 35 pounds for processing and 7 pounds shipping.

NZ also has one of the fastest passport services that I've ever come across.

I had used my UK passport to travel to NZ for many years.  I decided to get a NZ passport.  Filled in a short form and took it to NZ House in Haymarket, together with the fee.  Handed it over.

The passport information was emailed to NZ straight away, the application was processed and the passpost printed the very same day.  I had the passport in my hand, from NZ via post, 48 hours after I handed the paperwork.

The quickest I've had a passport returned to me here is four days - and that was for a straightforward renewal.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 10 August, 2011, 08:18:49 am
Dearest darling current wife.

I have no idea why on Earth you thought it was "cold" enough to put the central heating on overnight last night!!!

I woke up this moring hotter than something really hot.

Please don't do it again until winter arrives sometime around March.

Ta
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 10 August, 2011, 05:35:40 pm
Quote from: essexian on 10 August, 2011, 08:18:49 am
I have no idea why on Earth you thought it was "cold" enough to put the central heating on overnight last night!!!

Our heating came on briefly this morning.  It's controlled by a real-time weighted average of room occupancy and temperature, though, so it must have been a bit chilly when I first went downstairs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 10 August, 2011, 08:41:41 pm
Regulator is a kiwi?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Greenbank on 10 August, 2011, 08:49:36 pm
Quote from: Regulator on 10 August, 2011, 07:00:10 am
NZ also has one of the fastest passport services that I've ever come across.

I had used my UK passport to travel to NZ for many years.  I decided to get a NZ passport.  Filled in a short form and took it to NZ House in Haymarket, together with the fee.  Handed it over.

The passport information was emailed to NZ straight away, the application was processed and the passpost printed the very same day.  I had the passport in my hand, from NZ via post, 48 hours after I handed the paperwork.

The quickest I've had a passport returned to me here is four days - and that was for a straightforward renewal.

I had two UK passports (both mine) done in the space of 3 hours.

Work sprang a trip on me at a time I didn't have a passport. Off to Petty France in the morning I go...

Second in the queue outside the passport office with photos/form/fees/cheque/etc, walked out with a passport an hour later. On the tube on the way back to work I noticed they'd put my surname as 'GREENBAND'. Back to Petty France, jumped the queue and they did me another with my correct surname within 30 mins.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: RJ on 10 August, 2011, 09:58:30 pm
Quote from: RJ on 06 August, 2011, 07:47:13 pm
Quote from: Leila K on 06 August, 2011, 01:11:01 pm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-14430591 Oh, ffs.

Tell me about it (http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=10.msg1014673#msg1014673) ;)

Rain - hurry up and piss off, huh?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 10 August, 2011, 10:54:50 pm
Why did I go back to sleep this afty?  I'll be up all bloody night now   :-\
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 11 August, 2011, 11:31:39 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 08 August, 2011, 11:58:27 am
It's no good expecting us to change over the default printers of all those users if you don't tell us when it needs to be done.  "As per $NETWORK_BOD's instructions" doesn't help if they're not supplied.  I expect they've been sent to The Boss, who is on holibobs for the next fortnight.

And now the cheeky fucker, from whom I requested the instructions on Monday and which he has still not supplied, has had the sheer bloody nerve to chase up the Helldesk call whining about it not having been completed.  Read your fucking e-mails, you big knobby twatter!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 11 August, 2011, 03:10:31 pm
Self: whilst listening to the cricket yesterday thinking "I can't wait to watch the highlights", ensure that you actually set the PVR to record the highlights. Failure to do so renders you liable to having to watch them on Channel 5's Demand5 "service", which is a total pile of shite.

Channel 5: Mark Nicholas; why?

Channel 5: Fix your on demand service please. It stinks. I had a 10Mbs download speed at 7am this morning & there couldn't have been many viewers at that time, but it was atrocious trying to watch the highlights with pauses every 30 seconds. I gave up.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Marco Stefano on 11 August, 2011, 03:23:48 pm
Hateful bloody DIY. If it took twice as long as expected that would be great. And trying to get plumbing spares locally? No diaphragms, but we can sell you another whole inlet valve...

Bah.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 11 August, 2011, 06:29:24 pm
There are no cheap tickets to Leyland on a Saturday, not even if I wait until the end of October.

I now get to choose which Saturday:
* Mildenhall Rally
* yacf camping weekend
* FNRttC (York-Hull)

By the last weekend on the list n+1 will have been sitting in the shop waiting for me for over a month.  :(

And I'm in the office late today, but perhaps that belongs in the rant thread.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 11 August, 2011, 06:56:00 pm
National Hospital, Queen Square:
I am aware I need six-monthly routine blood tests. You usually send me a blood test form in the post. My last tests were done on 2 December 2010.
In June, I tried phoning the MS Nurses to arrange another blood test but got a recorded announcement they were no longer on the number I had used. No other phone number was given on that announcement. ICNBA to phone the hospital switch as I still have a will to live.
It might have been polite if you had somehow informed me of your new Direct Dial phone number.

On Monday 8 August 2011, I received a letter with a blood form enclosed. It was dated 29 June 2011 and postmarked 5 August 2011.
HOW IN THE NAME OF $$DEITY$$ DOES IT TAKE 6 WEEKS TO PUT A ROUTINE LETTER IN THE POST??

Thank you for phoning me about my blood test this morning. I am disabled and cannot teleport myself in your direction quite yet. I will attend early next week. It's hardly urgent as there are sufficient prescriptions to keep me supplied until November.

It is your bureaucracy that is at fault which is not my problem.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Red on 11 August, 2011, 06:58:19 pm
Window cleaner, saying your bits were nicked out of your van last week is an odd excuse for turning up fortnightly when we're monthly customers, and you admit you have all your records at home, not in the van. Go away and stop trying to sneak extra money out of people for unnecessary washing. And yes, you could come back in 2 weeks, but we're having the windows replaced then, so it's a bit pointless.

Weather, sort yourself out.

Headache, piss off.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 13 August, 2011, 06:52:40 pm
Highlight Entertainment. What is wrong with this sentence?

Quote
Please note although the venue will endeavour to have all your party on one table, larger party's may be split across tables and smaller party's may be sharing their table with other parties.

Show your workings.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jakob on 13 August, 2011, 08:52:22 pm
Quote from: Jakob on 10 August, 2011, 05:15:21 am
We're in the process of applying for Permanent Residency here in Canada, which inevitably involves a lot of paper work, including criminal records from every country we've lived in since we were was 18.
- New Zealand : send a single page form and they'll send the result directly to immigration services. Cost: Nothing
- Denmark: send an email and specify what language I want the record in. Cost: Nothing
- Korea: Get relative to pick up a copy from the local police station. Cost: Nothing.
- UK: Send a 9 page document, including 2 passport photos endorsed by a professional. Also pay 35 pounds for processing and 7 pounds shipping.

Having said that, the S-I-L only got a photocopy of the Korean one and we need the original.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Regulator on 14 August, 2011, 08:12:03 am
Quote from: Greenbank on 10 August, 2011, 08:49:36 pm
Quote from: Regulator on 10 August, 2011, 07:00:10 am
NZ also has one of the fastest passport services that I've ever come across.

I had used my UK passport to travel to NZ for many years.  I decided to get a NZ passport.  Filled in a short form and took it to NZ House in Haymarket, together with the fee.  Handed it over.

The passport information was emailed to NZ straight away, the application was processed and the passpost printed the very same day.  I had the passport in my hand, from NZ via post, 48 hours after I handed the paperwork.

The quickest I've had a passport returned to me here is four days - and that was for a straightforward renewal.

I had two UK passports (both mine) done in the space of 3 hours.

Work sprang a trip on me at a time I didn't have a passport. Off to Petty France in the morning I go...

Second in the queue outside the passport office with photos/form/fees/cheque/etc, walked out with a passport an hour later. On the tube on the way back to work I noticed they'd put my surname as 'GREENBAND'. Back to Petty France, jumped the queue and they did me another with my correct surname within 30 mins.

I know that you can have it done as an express service here (but you pay through the nose for it) but what impressed me about getting my NZ passport was that this was the normal service.  No extra payment or requirement to go through a fast track process - this was just their normal service.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Regulator on 14 August, 2011, 08:12:47 am
Quote from: Canardly on 10 August, 2011, 08:41:41 pm
Regulator is a kiwi?

Yep.  Born and bred in God's own country.   :smug:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 14 August, 2011, 03:13:01 pm
Idiot waitress.  Please STOP asking me if I've finished with my meal every two minutes. 
I like to eat slowly.  The fact that I do not have my knife and fork in my hands does not mean anything.  Look at my plate.  Knife and fork placed in open order.
When I wish to indicate that I am done, I will place them in closed order.
Did they teach you nothing at the University of Hair and Nails?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 14 August, 2011, 03:26:14 pm
Quote from: Regulator on 14 August, 2011, 08:12:47 am
Quote from: Canardly on 10 August, 2011, 08:41:41 pm
Regulator is a kiwi?

Yep.  Born and bred in God's own country.   :smug:
Never knew we had kiwis in Yorkshire  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Red on 14 August, 2011, 09:07:53 pm
Holidaymakers next door, please take your screaming and shouting hellspawn and put them to bed instead of letting them run riot outside.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CommuteTooFar on 16 August, 2011, 12:58:46 pm
I projected my pension fund with yesterday's premium was to leap past £100,000 instead next month I might get back above £90,000.  :'(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 16 August, 2011, 01:26:11 pm
Quote from: Basil on 14 August, 2011, 03:13:01 pm
Idiot waitress.  Please STOP asking me if I've finished with my meal every two minutes. 
I like to eat slowly.  The fact that I do not have my knife and fork in my hands does not mean anything.  Look at my plate.  Knife and fork placed in open order.
When I wish to indicate that I am done, I will place them in closed order.
Did they teach you nothing at the University of Hair and Nails?

whilst we are on stupid food carries in restaurants.  STOP ASKING ME IF THINGS ARE OK.  If anything was wrong, you would be the first to know, and if I really enjoy it I will let you know at the end.  Now just leave me alone to eat and stop passing by to ask me stupid questions.  How would like it if I wandered past you every five minutes and asked you if your meal was ok?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 16 August, 2011, 01:33:21 pm
I do NOT appreciate predatory service. Kindly do not hover by my table like a vulture, ready to clear away my plate as soon as I put the last morsel in my mouth.
I visit a restaurant for a pleasant, leisurely meal. If I wished to be on a production line conveyor belt, I might choose a factory...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 16 August, 2011, 01:39:34 pm
The street outside is blocked off with police, fire and ambulance in attendance.  Apparently someone has threatened to set themselves on fire at the Immigration office over the road.
An appalling number of people in my office saying "leave them to it"...
:sick:

News report (http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news//tm_headline=man-arrested-after-walking-into-liverpool-s-uk-border-agency-and-threatening-to-set-himself-on-fire%26method=full%26objectid=29245895%26siteid=100252-name_page.html)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 16 August, 2011, 02:36:17 pm
Wot the blazes has gone wrong with that FTP wossname?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 16 August, 2011, 02:43:21 pm
Builders nextdoor.  Surely there can't be anything left to drill holes in, can there?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Regulator on 16 August, 2011, 04:45:57 pm
Quote from: interzen on 14 August, 2011, 03:26:14 pm
Quote from: Regulator on 14 August, 2011, 08:12:47 am
Quote from: Canardly on 10 August, 2011, 08:41:41 pm
Regulator is a kiwi?

Yep.  Born and bred in God's own country.   :smug:
Never knew we had kiwis in Yorkshire  ;D

Despite its delusions of grandeur, Yorkshire is not actually a country...  ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 16 August, 2011, 04:56:08 pm
Quote from: Regulator on 16 August, 2011, 04:45:57 pm
Quote from: interzen on 14 August, 2011, 03:26:14 pm
Quote from: Regulator on 14 August, 2011, 08:12:47 am
Quote from: Canardly on 10 August, 2011, 08:41:41 pm
Regulator is a kiwi?

Yep.  Born and bred in God's own country.   :smug:
Never knew we had kiwis in Yorkshire  ;D

Despite its delusions of grandeur, Yorkshire is not actually a country...  ;)
And for the first time ever, we have proof positive that greg is definitively, absolutely wrong.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 16 August, 2011, 06:23:46 pm
Vistaprint: I knew that £3.50 was too cheap for a custom t-shirt to be true, and I wouldn't have minded paying £15 for a two-sided design, so just tell me up front how much it's going to cost instead of displaying stupid prices at the start, then I wouldn't feel so pissed off.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 16 August, 2011, 09:50:21 pm
My landline and broadband are down due to a fault at the exchange.
Connection on this Vodafone dongle is S-L-O-W.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 16 August, 2011, 09:55:56 pm
Broadband can you please decide whether you want to run at 2Mb (my preferred option) or 200kb.

Also BT can you fix my phone line please which for some reason can run the internet (and hub phone) but not a normal telephone
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 16 August, 2011, 09:56:57 pm
Argggh. I've got an eyeball headache again :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 16 August, 2011, 11:18:53 pm
BT, you are a bunch of liars! I rang your fault reporting line over two hours ago and heard a recorded announcement stating there was a problem at the exchange that would be fixed within two hours.
Phone and broadband are still dead.
Your website informs me the line is OK.
It is as dead as a dormouse.
It all worked fine just before I left the house at 15.45.
IT IS NOT MY EQUIPMENT THAT'S AT FAULT!

Your staff had conveniently gone home hen I phoned again at 23.00.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 16 August, 2011, 11:20:46 pm
Our-favourite-telco appear to be on top form this evening   >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 16 August, 2011, 11:28:00 pm
I am waiting for Infinity.
I have zero BT connection right now.
I  am not holding my breath...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: why1040 on 17 August, 2011, 01:34:57 pm
My dear Giles.

When I got you, you were four years old.  A few silly behaviours then were to be expected.  You are now six, but there are days when you behave as though you're two!

Please do let me clarify a few things for you:
-The chickens at the bottom of the hill do not eat horses.  No, really, they don't!  Especially not the bantam!   :facepalm:
-The pigeons tend to rustle in that bush EVERY time we go past it.  That is not a reason for jumping 3 feet into the air and snorting!
-I appreciate that the housebuilding means that there are lots of odd noises, but I guarantee that they will not come out and attack you with the saw they're using.
-The poor woman washing her car didn't need you freezing, snorting and trying to gallop off.  She wasn't planning to wash you off alongside the car, I promise!  And even if she had, water will not kill you!
-The dog that came up to the gate is the yard dog at the yard.  It lives there same as you do.  You see it every single day.  It is not a good reason to leap in the air and refuse to go near the gate!   :o

My dear boy, I love you dearly, but you do make me work hard some days!   ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 17 August, 2011, 02:21:56 pm
Given all that, it's hardly surprising when they get a bit freaked by funny-shaped bicycles.   :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: why1040 on 17 August, 2011, 02:30:07 pm
Haha, Giles is okay about bicycles as long as he knows they're coming.

My friend has one that has a phobia of parked cars.  PARKED cars.  Not moving ones, they're fine.   ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 17 August, 2011, 02:48:53 pm
Quote from: why1040 on 17 August, 2011, 02:30:07 pm
Haha, Giles is okay about bicycles as long as he knows they're coming.

Has he met a recumbent, though?  I find horses get visibly distressed by it about 50% of the time (while they only usually care about normal shaped bikes if they appear silently without warning[1]).  I don't think they like the pedalling motion high up at the front, so I try to freewheel past whenever possible, and speak in the hope they might recognise that I'm actually a human.

I don't use a flag, but I believe flappy plastic is standard horse phobia material anyway.


Animal risk assessment is odd.  On the Tan Hill ride, I discovered that the sheep were absolutely fine with bicycles at close range as long as you were moving at a decent speed, but if you're crawling uphill they'll panic from a fair distance plus optional fence/wall/ditch away.  I assume they're used to motorbikes, but slow-moving cyclists are scary humans.  I actually started paying attention to this, and found that the threshold was consistently somewhere slightly over 15mph.

That would probably work with horses too, but I wouldn't want to pass one at that sort of speed.




[1] Though I was once stopped at a bench eating a sandwich and a horse refused to go past because my bike was standing menacingly nearby on its prop-stand without a rider.  In the end I got up and wheeled the bike a couple of metres, and then everything was fine.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: why1040 on 17 August, 2011, 03:14:30 pm
We haven't come across a recumbent yet, so heaven only knows!  If he's like he was today, I might stop him in the next county...  :facepalm:

We did meet a tandem once, and he did have an extra good look at that when it passed (I guess one-headed monsters are different to two-headed ones...lol)

He can be so grown up and sensible...and then on days like today, he's just daft!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mike on 17 August, 2011, 03:30:39 pm
Quote from: why1040 on 17 August, 2011, 01:34:57 pm
My dear Giles.

When I got you, you were four years old.  A few silly behaviours then were to be expected.  You are now six, but there are days when you behave as though you're two!

Please do let me clarify a few things for you:
-The chickens at the bottom of the hill do not eat horses.  No, really, they don't!  Especially not the bantam!   :facepalm:
-The pigeons tend to rustle in that bush EVERY time we go past it.  That is not a reason for jumping 3 feet into the air and snorting!
-I appreciate that the housebuilding means that there are lots of odd noises, but I guarantee that they will not come out and attack you with the saw they're using.
-The poor woman washing her car didn't need you freezing, snorting and trying to gallop off.  She wasn't planning to wash you off alongside the car, I promise!  And even if she had, water will not kill you!
-The dog that came up to the gate is the yard dog at the yard.  It lives there same as you do.  You see it every single day.  It is not a good reason to leap in the air and refuse to go near the gate!   :o

My dear boy, I love you dearly, but you do make me work hard some days!   ::-)

Mrs Mike thinks Giles might be related to her Rory, who is also terrified of purple flowers.  Thankfully he's finally got over his phobia of daffodils (aged 12)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 17 August, 2011, 03:40:41 pm
Quote from: Kim on 17 August, 2011, 02:21:56 pm
Given all that, it's hardly surprising when they get a bit freaked by funny-shaped bicycles.   :facepalm:
Or drain covers.  I know horses are dumb, but drain covers?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: why1040 on 17 August, 2011, 04:08:49 pm
You can't walk a horse on drain covers.  Metal shoes+metal drain covers+long spindly legs+650 kgs of horse=disaster!  If the horse has slipped on one, he's going to be sodding careful in the future.

Mind you, my old horse was frightened of the road changing colours.  Made for a very interesting ride if it had been raining and the ground was in the process of drying...

"oh my god it's dark"

"oh my god, it's gone light again"

He also jumped chevrons and "SLOW" writing in the road.   :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 17 August, 2011, 04:45:52 pm
A friend worked with a pony who would jump at the site of squirrels or plastic bags.  Some times she would stop dead at a puddle - other times she'd stomp through them like a small child.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 17 August, 2011, 08:11:51 pm
Reading the last few posts I guess my grumble is I can't afford to start riding lessons again. T'was good fun.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 18 August, 2011, 02:32:34 am
Fly, it's been two days now - shove off or you'll soon be meeting the newspaper of deth
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rower40 on 18 August, 2011, 07:57:52 am
Council.  I realise that your waste collection priorities lie with the degradable and festering waste, and the simple wastepaper can sit around a bit.  But your paper collection van has missed our street on two consecutive fortnights.  I don't see the local pizza place flyers, the supermarket 'special offers' adverts, the free newspapers and the rest of the torrent of junk slowing in its assault on my letterbox, so I'd appreciate you collecting some of this valuable raw material before it builds up to the level at which I'm going to need planning permission to put it out for collection.

(This was going to be a rant, but it's only paper, FFS.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 18 August, 2011, 10:07:56 am
Little Miss AWL: I have just had two hours of "fun" tidying up your room in your absence. I would never have believed that such a small child could accumulate such volumes of junk & tat. I have reduced this to manageable levels and the carpet is now visible, albeit with a healthy sprinkling oh Hama beads that will be sucked up when I vacuum after I have recovered.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 18 August, 2011, 10:44:39 am
Helldesk system, why oh why are you so shit?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: henshaw11 on 18 August, 2011, 05:14:52 pm
Why is it that inner tubes (well, Schwalbe 406-sized at least) have the friggin' moulding seam right in the middle of the tread centre, where you're gonna get punctures and where they're a bugger or impossible to fix as a result. Ok, I could be cynical and suggest an answer...

(remains to be seen whether some careful paring-away with a razor blade has done the trick or not...)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Regulator on 18 August, 2011, 06:17:20 pm
Mr R is grumbling.

We did a life expectancy test.  Despite me answering absolutely honestly about being overweight, smoing, drinking etc...



...my life expectancy is 5 years more than his  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 18 August, 2011, 07:12:41 pm
Surely that's entirely or mostly down to his profession?  (everyone knows doctors lie)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jakob on 18 August, 2011, 07:54:18 pm
Quote from: Jakob on 13 August, 2011, 08:52:22 pm
Quote from: Jakob on 10 August, 2011, 05:15:21 am
We're in the process of applying for Permanent Residency here in Canada, which inevitably involves a lot of paper work, including criminal records from every country we've lived in since we were was 18.
- New Zealand : send a single page form and they'll send the result directly to immigration services. Cost: Nothing
- Denmark: send an email and specify what language I want the record in. Cost: Nothing
- Korea: Get relative to pick up a copy from the local police station. Cost: Nothing.
- UK: Send a 9 page document, including 2 passport photos endorsed by a professional. Also pay 35 pounds for processing and 7 pounds shipping.

Having said that, the S-I-L only got a photocopy of the Korean one and we need the original.

I take it back. After some investigation, it turns out that the original just looks like a photocopy and we got the right one after all!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 22 August, 2011, 02:09:10 pm
1) I've got a cold
2) The day after my birthday I have to run a seminar
3) My mid-year review is on my birthday

I am not a happy camper.  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 22 August, 2011, 05:19:35 pm
Biorythms Andji Biorythms.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 22 August, 2011, 05:25:43 pm
Quote from: Regulator on 18 August, 2011, 06:17:20 pm
Mr R is grumbling.

We did a life expectancy test.  Despite me answering absolutely honestly about being overweight, smoing, drinking etc...



...my life expectancy is 5 years more than his  ;D

Remind him that it is not reality, just data modelling.   :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 22 August, 2011, 09:27:15 pm
Stupid Digestive System!  More than 20 seconds warning would be good, thanks.   :hand:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 23 August, 2011, 07:48:39 am
Bobb's on his way back to Essexshire.  :'(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 23 August, 2011, 03:16:19 pm
School uniform shop: £130 for a few items of school uniform? You're having a laugh; bastards! That's without the blazers, which ASDA are kindly supplying at £10, as opposed to your £25. And no, I don't want your nice jacket to go over the blazer.

School: You're the main reason for this, you gits. Insisting on having your logo on PE stuff does not a cheap outfit make. I shall let Miss AWL get her feet under the table before I vent my feelings about this...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 23 August, 2011, 03:30:23 pm
I bet there's loads of official PE kit (tracksuit trousers and the like) that the PE teachers never allow the kids to wear, too...   >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 23 August, 2011, 03:44:05 pm
Oh, had I done the buying at ASDA, it would have cost <£50. The school has two suppliers that you have to use, and they know their privileged position in the supply chain all right!

Why, oh why do the sports socks have to have a logo on them, FFS?!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: RJ on 23 August, 2011, 03:51:14 pm
Quote from: Kim on 23 August, 2011, 03:30:23 pm
I bet there's loads of official PE kit (tracksuit trousers and the like) that the PE teachers never allow the kids to wear, too...   >:(

Ah, but it's character-building see, to have to have the stuff, but not be allowed to wear it (even in the deepest darkest winter) ...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 23 August, 2011, 03:55:13 pm
Quote from: RJ on 23 August, 2011, 03:51:14 pm
Quote from: Kim on 23 August, 2011, 03:30:23 pm
I bet there's loads of official PE kit (tracksuit trousers and the like) that the PE teachers never allow the kids to wear, too...   >:(

Ah, but it's character-building see, to have to have the stuff, but not be allowed to wear it (even in the deepest darkest winter) ...

Yeah.  Builds a character that's put off anything sport-related for life.   :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 23 August, 2011, 04:08:34 pm
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 23 August, 2011, 03:44:05 pm
Oh, had I done the buying at ASDA, it would have cost <£50. The school has two suppliers that you have to use, and they know their privileged position in the supply chain all right!

Why, oh why do the sports socks have to have a logo on them, FFS?!

... this wouldn't be a PRIVATE school by any chance  ??? - it's the sort of tricks they get up to

(When I was a lad the local private school - not where I attended - used an outfitter's owned by the headmistress's husband - total control of the supply chain)

Rob
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 23 August, 2011, 04:23:09 pm
No, Rob, it's a comprehensive, though one with ideas of pretension, clearly.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 23 August, 2011, 04:26:40 pm
Logos on socks is a new one to me.

'school approved' jumpers and sweatshirts, with embroidered logos only available from a single supplier (who is raking in - cheap cheap jumpers costing £70   >:() - that is normal state school crap.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 23 August, 2011, 06:42:49 pm
Quote from: RJ on 23 August, 2011, 03:51:14 pm
Quote from: Kim on 23 August, 2011, 03:30:23 pm
I bet there's loads of official PE kit (tracksuit trousers and the like) that the PE teachers never allow the kids to wear, too...   >:(

Ah, but it's character-building see, to have to have the stuff, but not be allowed to wear it (even in the deepest darkest winter) ...
Oh, flashbacks, flashbacks. I went to secondary school at Salendine Nook High School, and it was a school rumour that it was the highest school above sea-level in the country. No idea if that was true or not, but it was definitely high and the quickest route was up Cowrakes Road, down New Hey Road and across the rec off Goldington Avenue - hilly and very exposed. It was about a mile and a half's walk each way and winters were generally cold and snowy. Several of us wore trousers in the winter, which prompted tellings-off from teachers (teachers: you should be in your uniform skirts, you're bringing about moral decay and the collapse of civilisation - us: well, the Muslim girls wear trousers and that's ok so why can't we?) until our mums wrote snotty letters advising the teachers that while the weather was bad we'd be going to school dressed as our parents saw fit and if they had a problem with it, to talk to them, not us.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 23 August, 2011, 06:47:49 pm
Don't forget hockey without the aid of gloves.  But at least the dog poo was frozen solid.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 23 August, 2011, 06:49:53 pm
Oh, and netball in tiny skirts with no gloves - cornbeef legs and bleeding fingers ahoy.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 23 August, 2011, 06:50:20 pm
Oh god, hockey is an evil game. Whoever decided getting gangs of teenage girls together with big feck off wooden sticks just right for shin breaking and teeth removal was a good idea was some sort of psychopath.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SteveC on 23 August, 2011, 06:59:00 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 23 August, 2011, 06:50:20 pm
Oh god, hockey is an evil game. Whoever decided getting gangs of teenage girls together with big feck off wooden sticks just right for shin breaking and teeth removal was a good idea was some sort of psychopath.
Mixed hockey is even worse!

S
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 23 August, 2011, 07:04:14 pm
Quote from: SteveC on 23 August, 2011, 06:59:00 pm

Mixed hockey is even worse!


Most definitely.  When the boys of our year were forced (quivering, quaking and crying) to play the girls, not only did we lose heavily, but the injury list was 90% male.  :-[
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 23 August, 2011, 07:15:36 pm
I did, briefly, get away with borrowing my brother's rugball shinguards and wearing two sets back to back.  Increased my hockey-survival time no end (as I'm sure you can imagine, I was one of the targets).  Eventually the PE teacher noticed and made me remove them.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 23 August, 2011, 08:04:02 pm
ugh fucking P.E  :sick:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 23 August, 2011, 08:07:26 pm
Quote from: barakta on 23 August, 2011, 08:04:02 pm
ugh fucking P.E  :sick:
Amen to that.
Even to this day, PE lessons are the reason I loathe football (was crap at it), can barely tolerate rugby (was one of the 'big lads' so ended up in the bloody scrum) and actually really enjoy cricket ('cos I was good at it)

The mixed hockey thing is true, though - I swear I still have flashbacks to the one and only 'lads vs. lasses' game that was played at school. Blood on the playground indeed, and most of it from the lads ...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 23 August, 2011, 08:20:53 pm
Quote from: barakta on 23 August, 2011, 08:04:02 pm
ugh fucking P.E  :sick:
Our P.E. teacher was the most savage, sadistic bastard I've ever encountered. If you were good at sports, he loved you. If you were crap, or even indifferent like I was, you were not worth bothering with - except for his inevitably painful distractions. He was an example of how testosterone overload was/is not a good thing. There were two P.E. teachers & he was the head of the section. Every year there was a new deputy, as they clearly couldn't tolerate his neandarthal demeanour.

Ironically, hockey - which he didn't teach - was one of my better sports.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 24 August, 2011, 12:11:34 am
Quote from: Kim on 23 August, 2011, 07:15:36 pm
I did, briefly, get away with borrowing my brother's rugball shinguards and wearing two sets back to back.  Increased my hockey-survival time no end (as I'm sure you can imagine, I was one of the targets).  Eventually the PE teacher noticed and made me remove them.

we were recommended to wear shin pads for hockey. I can still remember being selected to demonstrate defending the ball in a drill with the teacher. when I just planted a leg forward he tapped it with the stick so I grinned and said shin pads.

PE improved in sixth form, the options of table tennis and cycling became available. but also further maths clashed with PE so I was exempt in upper sixth.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Peter on 24 August, 2011, 12:32:10 am
Quote from: Kirst on 23 August, 2011, 06:42:49 pm
Quote from: RJ on 23 August, 2011, 03:51:14 pm
Quote from: Kim on 23 August, 2011, 03:30:23 pm
I bet there's loads of official PE kit (tracksuit trousers and the like) that the PE teachers never allow the kids to wear, too...   >:(

Ah, but it's character-building see, to have to have the stuff, but not be allowed to wear it (even in the deepest darkest winter) ...
Oh, flashbacks, flashbacks. I went to secondary school at Salendine Nook High School, and it was a school rumour that it was the highest school above sea-level in the country. No idea if that was true or not, but it was definitely high and the quickest route was up Cowrakes Road, down New Hey Road and across the rec off Goldington Avenue - hilly and very exposed. It was about a mile and a half's walk each way and winters were generally cold and snowy. Several of us wore trousers in the winter, which prompted tellings-off from teachers (teachers: you should be in your uniform skirts, you're bringing about moral decay and the collapse of civilisation - us: well, the Muslim girls wear trousers and that's ok so why can't we?) until our mums wrote snotty letters advising the teachers that while the weather was bad we'd be going to school dressed as our parents saw fit and if they had a problem with it, to talk to them, not us.

From which I deduce you lived at or near Outlane?  I had a mate lived opposite The Spotted Cow.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 24 August, 2011, 07:56:47 am
No, Lindley. Bottom of Cowrakes Road.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 24 August, 2011, 10:34:09 am
Transform server, you have informed me that you can't send a fax because a mailbox is full.  More than seven hundred times in the past four hours.  If brevity is the soul of wit then these error messages were written by Oscar Wilde; however I should prefer an approach with a little detail, such as telling me how to fix it.  Useless cretinous morons.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jacomus on 25 August, 2011, 05:01:45 pm
Hockey was fun, in part because it wasn't football or rugby, but mostly because it was fun. I always played right midfield. Hockey shinpads were mandatory and anyone trying to get away with a pair of footie pads wouldn't be allowed to play.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 25 August, 2011, 05:06:52 pm
Quote from: interzen on 23 August, 2011, 08:07:26 pm
Quote from: barakta on 23 August, 2011, 08:04:02 pm
ugh fucking P.E  :sick:
Amen to that.
Even to this day, PE lessons are the reason I loathe football (was crap at it), can barely tolerate rugby (was one of the 'big lads' so ended up in the bloody scrum) and actually really enjoy cricket ('cos I was good at it)

The mixed hockey thing is true, though - I swear I still have flashbacks to the one and only 'lads vs. lasses' game that was played at school. Blood on the playground indeed, and most of it from the lads ...
I was one of the small, quick, agile lads, with a damn good chance of evading defenders if I got the ball in an attacking position, so our Neanderthal-in-charge put me in the scrum 'to make a man of' me. I publicly corrected his spelling & grammar, in retaliation.

+1 for mixed hockey. An experiment swiftly discontinued to save the NHS money.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 28 August, 2011, 06:03:10 pm
Ankle, you've had nearly two years to heal the damaged ligaments, so why have you started aching again today :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 28 August, 2011, 08:11:51 pm
Boots why have you stopped making a basic henna shampoo (the non basic which I like makes Kim sneeze) and turned everything into hippy coconut shit?   >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 31 August, 2011, 10:58:39 am
There is no coffee.  This is unacceptable, and will result in stabby DETH unless rectified forthwith.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 31 August, 2011, 11:18:06 am
Talk Talk.... your internet service isn't very good is it. Indeed, we have hardly had a service over the last few days.

So, lets phone the "helpdesk...." if I can find the number on their website (they had hidden it and not even their own search could find it!!). After 5 mins of holding, a recorded message comes on saying there is a fault on my connection which they would look into and fix. Finally, two hours later I have a service but for how long, who knows.

I look back on a world where we didn't have the internet with rose coloured glasses: things were so much better back then, summers were warmer and hills less difficult. Sigh.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: arabella on 31 August, 2011, 12:43:39 pm
Quote from: matthew on 24 August, 2011, 12:11:34 am
we were recommended to wear shin pads for hockey.
shin pads schmin pads
never wore'm*, never got hit on the shin
those that usually wore and then one forgot invariably did get whacked
make of it what you will
*OK, I did wear when I was in goal, but that's different
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 31 August, 2011, 03:34:37 pm
Quote from: arabella on 31 August, 2011, 12:43:39 pm
Quote from: matthew on 24 August, 2011, 12:11:34 am
we were recommended to wear shin pads for hockey.
shin pads schmin pads
never wore'm*, never got hit on the shin
those that usually wore and then one forgot invariably did get whacked
make of it what you will
*OK, I did wear when I was in goal, but that's different

That's a pretty good example of risk compensation, that is.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 31 August, 2011, 06:01:16 pm
Quote from: arabella on 31 August, 2011, 12:43:39 pm
*OK, I did wear when I was in goal, but that's different

I was once designated goalie, and for a change, kitted up in the full pads, boots etc (normally we played without).

Being on the small side, I took most of the first half to walk out to the pitch...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Peter on 31 August, 2011, 06:07:09 pm
Quote from: Arch on 31 August, 2011, 06:01:16 pm
Quote from: arabella on 31 August, 2011, 12:43:39 pm
*OK, I did wear when I was in goal, but that's different

I was once designated goalie, and for a change, kitted up in the full pads, boots etc (normally we played without).

Being on the small side, I took most of the first half to walk out to the pitch...

Reminds of the bit in one of Clive James's books where he describes being bought a pair of rugby boots that were so large they didn't move until a few seconds after he'd started running.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 01 September, 2011, 01:50:27 pm
I don't know who is the bigger cock.  The luser who sent six e-mails to the Helldesk asking for six different reports to be sent to someone, or the Helldesk for raising six separate calls.  I conclude that they are equally cockoid.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SandyV on 01 September, 2011, 05:51:43 pm
Body - you've been back in Australia since Monday. I'd like to still be in France too but it's nearly 3AM. Please, please go to sleep and stay asleep until it's time to get up.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SandyV on 01 September, 2011, 05:54:02 pm
Oh and cold brought back as a souvenir - I've had enough of you too.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Clare on 01 September, 2011, 06:02:47 pm
Oh dear, not a good souvenir.

GWS Sandy.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SandyV on 01 September, 2011, 06:53:08 pm
Thanks Clare.
And now it's nearly 4 and I have to be up before 5 to catch a plane. Grumble, grumble. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 01 September, 2011, 09:16:59 pm
Garmin, why is it so fucking slow and complicated to install updates on your TwatNav?  It makes Apple look like a model of something Nutty would actually like :demon:

Edit: 54 minutes to completion at bedtime.  37 minutes to completion this morning.  Crunts.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 02 September, 2011, 10:44:01 am
car camping is not as much fun as cycle camping. At least with panniers you have to be a bit organised. Which means you can find stuff. Tent looks like a bomb's hit it. So does the bloody car.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: why1040 on 02 September, 2011, 04:02:31 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 01 September, 2011, 09:16:59 pm
Garmin, why is it so fucking slow and complicated to install updates on your TwatNav?  It makes Apple look like a model of something Nutty would actually like :demon:

Edit: 54 minutes to completion at bedtime.  37 minutes to completion this morning.  Crunts.

I'm not able to download the full map update that they charge me for, because the memory on my (top of the range two years ago) Garmin is too small to cope with it.  I have to download JUST UK maps-and that's after deleting everything else like extra languages, people, cars etc.  Otherwise it doesn't TELL me it's too big, it just hangs!  Took me weeks to figure that out as I thought it was my rubbish broadband that was at fault...even now it takes all night, but at least it will update eventually!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rower40 on 02 September, 2011, 09:05:32 pm
Today, I have been mostly watching TV with a mark-space ratio of 13:8.

"A WHAT ratio?" I hear you ask.

I turn the Cable Decoder on, and can watch any channel for 2m10 seconds.  Then the screen reverts to a "Cable & Wireless" logo and a message about my Set-Top Box being updated, for 25 seconds.  Black screen for another 15 seconds, then 40 seconds of the "Virgin Media" logo, then the Telly programme I was watching resumes.  130 seconds on, 80 seconds off.  And repeat.

I phoned up those ever so helpful (*) Virgin Meeja people at their UK (**) Call Centre in Bangalore.  The phone-droid decided after not very many minutes of me explaining the problem that an "engineer" (you mean a technician, but let it pass) would have to attend.  As I'm off to Cornwall for a week, and don't know when I'll have time to let a techie in when I get back, I have passed on the offer, and will re-arrange.  So it's not a rant, because I don't care that my telly isn't working.

(*) This may contain irony or traces of lies.

(**) UK = "Usually Klueless"
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Chris S on 02 September, 2011, 09:40:45 pm
Someone at Muller has done a fucking shit job of shuffling their flavours in this multipack of fruit corners.

Sigh.

Yet Another Peach & Apricot yogurt anyone?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 07 September, 2011, 03:38:14 pm
Do washing.

Hang on line.

Starts raining, just enough to get the washing wetter if I leave it out.

Rescue washing & drape around house.

Rain stops. Dark cloud goes away. Hang out still damp washing again.

Soon afterwards - a downpour.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 07 September, 2011, 08:06:09 pm
Cold and blocked nose, go away!

I've been hospitable enough but I would like to be able to breath and smell things again thank you.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Gandalf on 08 September, 2011, 06:49:17 am
Just had an email from my manager, inviting me to a team meeting.  He goes on to say that due to changes in what can be claimed on expenses, he is unable to provide refreshments.  He helpfully goes on to say that if we bring our own tea/coffee and suitable drinking vessel, he will bring some milk. I've told him to keep his milk as I'm vegan.

I'm not really bothered, I know we are only there to be told how crap we are, but this isn't quite what you expect from a major international company that is one of the UK's largest employers. Pathetic.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 08 September, 2011, 08:08:07 am
Quote from: Gandalf on 08 September, 2011, 06:49:17 am
Just had an email from my manager, inviting me to a team meeting.  He goes on to say that due to changes in what can be claimed on expenses, he is unable to provide refreshments.  He helpfully goes on to say that if we bring our own tea/coffee and suitable drinking vessel, he will bring some milk. I've told him to keep his milk as I'm vegan.

I'm not really bothered, I know we are only there to be told how crap we are, but this isn't quite what you expect from a major international company that is one of the UK's largest employers. Pathetic.
Ermm, that's exactly what I'd expect, but then I have been accused of cynicism before now.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 08 September, 2011, 08:37:37 am
Yup.  Exactly what I have come to expect.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 08 September, 2011, 10:32:11 am
Not a lot I can do about it, but I'd rather my next door neighbour wasn't the person I just had to speak to at my daughter's new school about free school meals.

I'm not bothered about the stigma, perceived or otherwise, I'd just rather she didn't know our circumstances.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Marco Stefano on 08 September, 2011, 08:41:51 pm
Just spent a dripping hot hour fitting new Top Touring Plus tyres to Mrs MS's bike. Had to keep looking at the sidewalls to check they were really 700c & not 27" - why are modern tyres so bloody tight?

If the tubes are pinched & go down overnight, escalation to the RANT thread is the only recourse.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 09 September, 2011, 09:05:51 am
Yet another Friday suited & booted.  :(  Today's joy is presenting to $REGULATOR.  (No, not our beloved D.U.G. — I'd look forward to that).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Butterfly on 09 September, 2011, 09:31:26 am
Nanny agencies - can you try to be a bit less rubbish for a while? I'm fed up with chasing you. And start quoting all wages as gross please - at the moment permanent jobs are quoted net and temp jobs are (the same ::-)) gross - so you can't temp for any length of time because it costs too much. It would also highlight the fact that matenity nurses who work 24 hours a day, 5 or 6 days a week are getting very little more than nannies who work 10 or 12 hours, 5 days a week. You are, in effect, encouraging people to not pay tax >:(, and encouraging employers to hire temps.

And Word, can you stop closing, I need to do that CV and I'm slow enough at computer stuff already, without having to restart the whole thing >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: PaulF on 09 September, 2011, 09:35:47 am
Quote from: Gandalf on 08 September, 2011, 06:49:17 am
Just had an email from my manager, inviting me to a team meeting.  He goes on to say that due to changes in what can be claimed on expenses, he is unable to provide refreshments.  He helpfully goes on to say that if we bring our own tea/coffee and suitable drinking vessel, he will bring some milk. I've told him to keep his milk as I'm vegan.

I'm not really bothered, I know we are only there to be told how crap we are, but this isn't quite what you expect from a major international company that is one of the UK's largest employers. Pathetic.

The week after all our sales force globally were flown to Dubai for a three day piss up sales conference we had a 'travel restriction' imposed together with posters in each kitchen saying that if we all saved $100 on each trip we made we could recoup the cost of the sales conference in 3 months*.

*Actually it didn't say that, some one did a fag packet calculation and amended the poster to give it some 'context'.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Morrisette on 09 September, 2011, 09:36:59 am
Bah! Why has the Cycle Show been moved to Birmingham? I'm not going up there (the train from Cambridge is so slow you need to take a week's supply of food, reading materials, and a fishing chair, cos it's also always full to busting).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Morrisette on 09 September, 2011, 09:40:36 am
Quote from: PaulF on 09 September, 2011, 09:35:47 am
Quote from: Gandalf on 08 September, 2011, 06:49:17 am
Just had an email from my manager, inviting me to a team meeting.  He goes on to say that due to changes in what can be claimed on expenses, he is unable to provide refreshments.  He helpfully goes on to say that if we bring our own tea/coffee and suitable drinking vessel, he will bring some milk. I've told him to keep his milk as I'm vegan.

I'm not really bothered, I know we are only there to be told how crap we are, but this isn't quite what you expect from a major international company that is one of the UK's largest employers. Pathetic.

The week after all our sales force globally were flown to Dubai for a three day piss up sales conference we had a 'travel restriction' imposed together with posters in each kitchen saying that if we all saved $100 on each trip we made we could recoup the cost of the sales conference in 3 months*.

*Actually it didn't say that, some one did a fag packet calculation and amended the poster to give it some 'context'.

We've been told we can't have the heating on until 'management'* decide it's cold enough. This is an office where last year, I wore a down gilet and fingerless gloves every day for two months last year and still got chillblains for the first time in fifteen years.

*Management: One menopausal woman who's always too hot, two awol bosses who might be here three days a month, one bonkers fitness freak who goes running at lunchtime and sits sweating all afternoon in his jogging kit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 09 September, 2011, 09:44:51 am
I'll swap with you.
If I don't have the window open, the air at my desk gets over 26C. With a fan going.

With a window open, I can just about keep it down to 24C.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 09 September, 2011, 09:54:54 am
Quote from: Morrisette on 09 September, 2011, 09:40:36 am
Quote from: PaulF on 09 September, 2011, 09:35:47 am
Quote from: Gandalf on 08 September, 2011, 06:49:17 am
Just had an email from my manager, inviting me to a team meeting.  He goes on to say that due to changes in what can be claimed on expenses, he is unable to provide refreshments.  He helpfully goes on to say that if we bring our own tea/coffee and suitable drinking vessel, he will bring some milk. I've told him to keep his milk as I'm vegan.

I'm not really bothered, I know we are only there to be told how crap we are, but this isn't quite what you expect from a major international company that is one of the UK's largest employers. Pathetic.

The week after all our sales force globally were flown to Dubai for a three day piss up sales conference we had a 'travel restriction' imposed together with posters in each kitchen saying that if we all saved $100 on each trip we made we could recoup the cost of the sales conference in 3 months*.

*Actually it didn't say that, some one did a fag packet calculation and amended the poster to give it some 'context'.

We've been told we can't have the heating on until 'management'* decide it's cold enough. This is an office where last year, I wore a down gilet and fingerless gloves every day for two months last year and still got chillblains for the first time in fifteen years.

*Management: One menopausal woman who's always too hot, two awol bosses who might be here three days a month, one bonkers fitness freak who goes running at lunchtime and sits sweating all afternoon in his jogging kit.

The HSE (http://www.hse.gov.uk/temperature/thermal/faq.htm) are clear on what is a minimum office working temperature. It should be 16oC. (From memory I was always told this was at 1m above floor level 1 hour after opening)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 09 September, 2011, 09:57:34 am
Quote from: mrcharly on 09 September, 2011, 09:44:51 am
I'll swap with you.
If I don't have the window open, the air at my desk gets over 26C. With a fan going.

With a window open, I can just about keep it down to 24C.

I'll swap, our office runs at 27-31oC every afternoon in the summer. The only air conditioned room in the whole structure (big portakabin open plan thing full of computers) is the server room.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jaded on 09 September, 2011, 10:08:12 am
Quote from: Gandalf on 08 September, 2011, 06:49:17 am
Just had an email from my manager, inviting me to a team meeting.  He goes on to say that due to changes in what can be claimed on expenses, he is unable to provide refreshments.  He helpfully goes on to say that if we bring our own tea/coffee and suitable drinking vessel, he will bring some milk. I've told him to keep his milk as I'm vegan.

I'm not really bothered, I know we are only there to be told how crap we are, but this isn't quite what you expect from a major international company that is one of the UK's largest employers. Pathetic.

Remember, look after the pennies and you can waste the pounds at your leisure.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 09 September, 2011, 01:02:08 pm
Quote from: Morrisette on 09 September, 2011, 09:36:59 am
Bah! Why has the Cycle Show been moved to Birmingham? I'm not going up there (the train from Cambridge is so slow you need to take a week's supply of food, reading materials, and a fishing chair, cos it's also always full to busting).

Because if they'd moved it to Cambridge I'd have to use the Slowest Train In The World, which would mean about 5 hours of being crammed next to the toilet in between the screaming children and enormous unwieldy suitcases with nothing but the smell of poo for entertainment.

(Not a fan of that train, either.  Last year I had to sit on my bike between Birmingham and Peterborough because there wasn't enough room.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Morrisette on 09 September, 2011, 01:12:34 pm
LOL I didn't think it should be in Cambridge. It's been in That London for the past few years.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 09 September, 2011, 01:14:06 pm
For some of us it's just cut hours of the journey time :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 09 September, 2011, 03:12:32 pm
Quote from: Morrisette on 09 September, 2011, 01:12:34 pm
LOL I didn't think it should be in Cambridge. It's been in That London for the past few years.

*nods*

While not actually being a northerner, I've lived in the People's Republic for long enough that in some respects I've gone native.  A general attitude that there is in fact life outside the M25 is one of them.  Even if it does mean people having to visit Birmingham occasionally.

As such, CrossCountry (who seem to have a monopoly on going to places other than That London) should get their act together and run some decent trains!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 09 September, 2011, 03:32:36 pm
But...but...Birmingham is further from London than London is from Birmingham!  And all those provincial types should be grateful for a day out in This Grate Capital City Of Ours, seeing the best of BRITISH culture.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Chris S on 09 September, 2011, 03:43:06 pm
Cold. Fuck off. That is all.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 09 September, 2011, 04:14:08 pm
Cleaners.  Please stop filling the paper towel thingy so full that I can’t get any paper towel out, or can only get little ripped off bits out.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: why1040 on 10 September, 2011, 09:11:42 am
Today, chronic fatigue is kicking my 'arris!   :-\

I feel exhausted, achey all over and even slightly hungover, despite having had nothing alcoholic to drink since Wednesday (and no, I didn't have so much to drink then that I'm only just sobering up!).

This is frustrating, especially as my doctor thinks it's all psychosomatic simply because it doesn't happen every day!   ???

I want my normal energy back!   :'(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 10 September, 2011, 09:45:01 am
same here :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 10 September, 2011, 09:58:59 am
Same here, actually.  Since I got struck by that virus, I've got back to work and to cycle commuting, but I don't have the power in my legs I had before.  And now I'm completely knackered again this morning.  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 10 September, 2011, 10:04:04 am
I've reached the point where going outside the hotel gate into the hassle is too draining. Sigh. Time for a sit by the pool, which is something I'd normally class as too tedious to contemplate.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 10 September, 2011, 10:18:10 am
Quote from: clarion on 10 September, 2011, 09:58:59 am
Same here, actually.  Since I got struck by that virus, I've got back to work and to cycle commuting, but I don't have the power in my legs I had before.  And now I'm completely knackered again this morning.  :(

that's 'cause your are not yet recovered from your virus & you are trying to get your body to cash the cheques your mind is writing without there being sufficient zoomzooms in the bank
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: gerwinium on 11 September, 2011, 07:50:13 am
My shoulder hurts - I pulled a muscle and 153km on the bicycle yesterday is apparently not the way to cure it :). And I managed to keep Mr gerwnium awake by snoring all night. Seems to be a trend that I do this after night rides :(. Ah, well, let me order a down mat so I can sleep on the floor next time  :-\.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 11 September, 2011, 02:24:49 pm
Dear BTYahoo,
Putting a noisy advert on top of my webmail guarantees only that I close down my mail tab as soon as I've read my mail; it will not entice me to visit Ireland. Some of the other ads were ugly or annoying but this is the pits.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 11 September, 2011, 02:58:37 pm
Teeth - please stop aching.
I know that one of your number was removed at the beginning of last week, but coming out in sympathy (so to speak) is not enhancing my usual sunny personality any1

1 - may contain traces of irony.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 11 September, 2011, 04:29:11 pm
Quote from: interzen on 11 September, 2011, 02:58:37 pm
Teeth - please stop aching.
I know that one of your number was removed at the beginning of last week, but coming out in sympathy (so to speak) is not enhancing my usual sunny personality any1

1 - may contain traces of irony.

Reminds me old dentist joak:

Is your dentist a Union Dentist?
One out, all out?!

Hope your teeth settle PDQ!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 11 September, 2011, 09:18:40 pm
Quote from: clarion on 10 September, 2011, 09:58:59 am
Same here, actually.  Since I got struck by that virus, I've got back to work and to cycle commuting, but I don't have the power in my legs I had before.  And now I'm completely knackered again this morning.  :(
I don't want to worry you, but that was how my several months of declining health began, culminating in not being able to walk a mile without gasping for breath & needing a rest.

I did get better, though. Just one year totally wrecked.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hulver on 13 September, 2011, 09:38:13 am
Oh bum,

I've left my work clothes at home.  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mobbsy on 13 September, 2011, 09:45:27 am
Quote from: hulver on 13 September, 2011, 09:38:13 am
Oh bum,

I've left my work clothes at home.  :(

Ooops!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 13 September, 2011, 10:03:40 am
jogler = Plonker.
ToB Stage 3 in Hanley today :thumbsup:
Guess where I've arranged to be from 11000hrs today ::-)
working,not spectating :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 13 September, 2011, 10:09:12 am
Digestion! You had one half of a small piece of black pudding (that contained wheat flour) on Sat. That really is no justification for ceasing to work.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 13 September, 2011, 10:36:50 am
Quote from: hulver on 13 September, 2011, 09:38:13 am
Oh bum,

I've left my work clothes at home.  :(
Ditto  ::-)
I had this nagging doubt that something was amiss when I left the house - looking in my desk drawer confirmed it.

Then I packaged up my old iPad ready to be sent off to its new owner only to discover the charger lurking in the bottom of my pannier - fortunately, the package won't be picked up until this afternoon so cue much repacking.

I'm going to go home at lunchtime and try and reboot the day.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 13 September, 2011, 01:24:45 pm
Next door: it's a good idea to have keys at each others' houses in case of emergency. However, your 14-year-old son is using it every other day, which suggests either a) he's a dozy twonk who keeps losing/forgetting his key or b) you don't trust him with a key. Either way it's not good having to open the door & to have to wait for him to bring it back every other day, so please to be getting him a key a.s.a.p.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: gerwinium on 13 September, 2011, 08:29:39 pm
Lost my car keys. I think it's a sign that we need to sell the bugger and go carless. More space for bikes that way!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 13 September, 2011, 08:34:34 pm
Quote from: gerwinium on 13 September, 2011, 08:29:39 pm
Lost my car keys. I think it's a sign that we need to sell the bugger and go carless. More space for bikes that way!
It's a cheaper way of doing it than spending £££ trying to fix an intermittent electrical fault  :-[ (the new owner of my ex-motor has already spent £500 on a new ECU, apparently - rather him than me)

I'm enjoying being carless, for now - it's quicker (and cheaper) for me to go to SWMBO's place in Leeds on the bus, and if I do need a car I can hire one as we've got a work account with $CAR_HIRE_FIRM and therefore get a discount rate.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 14 September, 2011, 08:45:12 am
Planet-X, where are my tyres and tubes?

Coffeebeanshop, where is my coffee?

Two ebay sellers, where is my top tube bag and my bar bag, respectively?

BAH!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 14 September, 2011, 01:04:38 pm
People who make "Here comes a Train": Your DVD is rather charming, and I positively enjoy the song "You can go anywhere on a train" even though the sentiment is inaccurate, and was so even before the era of Dr Beeching.

However, why did you flip the image in some shots? It wouldn't matter, except that the train from the Cotswolds Wildlife Park, which stars throughout, has writing on the side, and the driver has writing on his shirt! Which is backwards!

(I've lost count, but I think we've watched the whole DVD about 7 times so far. Max likes trains)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 14 September, 2011, 03:54:32 pm
Quote from: tiermat on 14 September, 2011, 08:45:12 am
Planet-X, where are my tyres and tubes?

Coffeebeanshop, where is my coffee?

Two ebay sellers, where is my top tube bag and my bar bag, respectively?

BAH!

Answers:

1) the picking sheet hadn't been printed, but they assure me that it will be done today and with me tomorrow (I am waiting for the "sorry we are out of stock of that item" email, at which point Defcon Tiermat is reached....)

2) It arrived just as I was going out for my recce ride

3) F*** knows
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 15 September, 2011, 09:08:56 am
Oh for goodness sake.  I expect the pictures on this new fangled noughts and ones TV, which were mostly OK,   to improve after you switch the wavy line signal off rather than being degraded to the point of unusability.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 15 September, 2011, 09:26:58 am
Various septics: I have a very easy to remember Yahoo.com email address. I've had it since 1996 & I like it, especially since Yahoo allowed me to use a dot instead of an underscore to separate my first & second name.

So why do you keep emailing me when I've told you that I am not Andre - nor would I ever conceivably want to be an Andre? And then, when you've told me that: "you have the beef!", do you get all uppity when I tell you I want mine medium rare? After all, I'd already told you three times I wasn't Andre.

Twunts!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 17 September, 2011, 12:21:31 pm
Bugger.
The 1 button on the land line is borked. That means I can't call anyone for free today.
The only person I know with an 02 number is an elderly rellie.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rower40 on 17 September, 2011, 05:53:02 pm
Quote from: Basil on 17 September, 2011, 12:21:31 pm
Bugger.
The 1 button on the land line is borked. That means I can't call anyone for free today.
The only person I know with an 02 number is an elderly rellie.
Learn to sing the '1' tone.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 17 September, 2011, 05:57:56 pm
Quote from: rower40 on 17 September, 2011, 05:53:02 pm
Quote from: Basil on 17 September, 2011, 12:21:31 pm
Bugger.
The 1 button on the land line is borked. That means I can't call anyone for free today.
The only person I know with an 02 number is an elderly rellie.
Learn to sing the '1' tone.

Isn't each tone actually two tones? Idon't think it's possible to split the human voice. (Phone tones are a bit high for a bloke too...)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 18 September, 2011, 12:35:51 pm
Ah weathergods, that's how it's going to be is it? Set off in nice sunshine for a bike ride, start raining (rather heavily) 2 miles in.

Rains all the way round and then within a mile of home the sun comes out again  ::-)

Actually not too much of a grumble, was a rather pleasant ride especially as it was the first non-commute in ages (and I've not done many commutes lately either), not too windy for a change and nice to just get out and ride.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Diver300 on 18 September, 2011, 04:00:27 pm
Quote from: Basil on 17 September, 2011, 12:21:31 pm
Bugger.
The 1 button on the land line is borked. That means I can't call anyone for free today.
The only person I know with an 02 number is an elderly rellie.

Tap the switch that is operated by putting the handset back down.

The exchanges still recognise pulse dialed numbers, and 1 is the easiest.

(That all goes so wrong on a cordless phone......)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 18 September, 2011, 04:03:21 pm
Vauxhall - I do not need a little light on the dashboard telling me when to change gear. Given all the car-related malarkey I've had to put up with, my brain now interprets any previously invisible dashboard light as "something wrong". Besides which, I know when I need to change gear - I don't need a little light to remind me.

Fortunately, this is a hire car so I only have to put up with it until tomorrow.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 18 September, 2011, 09:25:52 pm
I did actually try tapping, remembering how we used to phone home locally for free in the good old button A, button B days.  One attempt failed and I assumed it no longer worked.
Bought a cheap phone in Tescos in Carmarthen today.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 18 September, 2011, 09:33:41 pm
Pulse dialling by hand is one of my party tricks. Along with doing impressions of a Commodore 1541 disk drive and assorted impact dot-matrix printers.  Which probably says everything you need to know about the kind of parties I tend to get invited to.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 19 September, 2011, 11:29:01 am
Crikey.  I didn't think pulse dialling was even possible any more.  Used to do that a lot on a restricted line.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: why1040 on 19 September, 2011, 04:02:32 pm
I'm a little tired and easily distracted today.

So having someone shooting1 repeatedly somewhere nearby is actually making it really difficult to focus on the stuff I need to do!  Not to mention disrupting the phone calls I'm trying to make!

1I think it's shooting, that's what it sounds like-and I live in the countryside so it's likely to be hunting of something, not shooting neighbours
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Quisling on 20 September, 2011, 10:36:29 am
If you're going to do an eco shop up on your bicycle at the Co-op 2 miles away in a rush job to get something for tea because your kitchen resembles Mother Hubbard's, then don't leave your wallet at home like me.  Again. :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 20 September, 2011, 12:08:14 pm
I feel like shit, am growing a lurgy.

Could you, lurgy-type-thing, either up the ante into a full blown illness, or fuck right off.

Kthxbai.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 20 September, 2011, 12:35:16 pm
I'm utterly fed up with lurgy.  Two weeks ago I was delirious.  Yesterday I was completley washed out.  Today I dragged myself away from the toilet to come into work purely because the payroll needs doing. :(

I should be in bed, popping as many paracetamol as I can keep down.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 22 September, 2011, 11:26:52 pm
Self: check the pannier thoroughly for dead badgers before putting a washload on.  You've managed to wash everything but yesterday's shorts and some wiffy socks.   :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feline on 23 September, 2011, 12:56:36 am
Little tab thingy on thing that seals the plastic milk cartons, just stop breaking off will you? That is all.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 23 September, 2011, 07:05:36 am
Third Friday in a row I have to be suited & booted. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 23 September, 2011, 07:33:41 am
Can't get the smell of cat food off my fingers, Yuk.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 23 September, 2011, 07:35:22 am
Quote from: Andrij on 23 September, 2011, 07:05:36 am
Third Friday in a row I have to be suited & booted.

No need for a suit tomorrow, the flat cap or straw boater, however, is a must! (otherwise how will I recognise you?) :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: PeteB99 on 23 September, 2011, 11:54:50 am
The bathroom cabinet has just fallen off the wall >:(

Not much damage and it was time to redecorate the room anyway.

Ho Hum
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 23 September, 2011, 01:28:33 pm
Quote from: tiermat on 23 September, 2011, 07:35:22 am
Quote from: Andrij on 23 September, 2011, 07:05:36 am
Third Friday in a row I have to be suited & booted.

No need for a suit tomorrow, the flat cap or straw boater, however, is a must! (otherwise how will I recognise you?) :)

Grrr! You now have me rethinking my wardrobe for the weekend as flat cap (never mind the boater) and lycra just don't work together.

Otherwise, guess you'll just have to rely on the accent.  Now which one shall I use...  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 23 September, 2011, 03:02:11 pm
My HRM has suffered an arrest ::-)
I think the wireless computer has killed it :-\

that's the first time both bits of tech have inhabited the handlebars simultaneously
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 23 September, 2011, 03:09:45 pm
Today, being the last day of my leave period and pay day  ;D , I invited SWMBO out to lunch.... my idea was a nice quiet country pub.... I would cycle there and she would drive. Nice idea I thought.

Her had other ideas....Ian, she said, do you fancy a veggie hot dog like we had when we were in Canada.....hummmmmmm foot long veggie dog.  :thumbsup: :Lets go for it...oh, its too far to cycle: okay we will take the car.

So, what place of lovely food did we end up at?????

IKEA..... :demon:

And the veggie hot dogs? Looks like we will have to fly back to Canada to get the real thing.

Oh.... and I spent more on tat than I would have on a meal at a decent pub!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 23 September, 2011, 04:47:57 pm
Quote from: jogler on 23 September, 2011, 03:02:11 pm
My HRM has suffered an arrest ::-)
I think the wireless computer has killed it :-\

that's the first time both bits of tech have inhabited the handlebars simultaneously

Now you are sure it's the monitor that's faulty, not what it's measuring? :-\
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 23 September, 2011, 04:51:34 pm
Quote from: essexian on 23 September, 2011, 03:09:45 pm
So, what place of lovely food did we end up at?????

IKEA..... :demon:
Would that be the lovely M6-side Wednesbury IKEA? If so, you luck lad :demon:

At least the Coventry one's in the town centre.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 23 September, 2011, 07:34:02 pm
I recently bought a Schlumpf Mountain Drive off someone on another forum. It was "only" £200, which is very cheap for one of these esoteric bits of kit. I know I should have delved into it a bit more, but the seller did specifically say "it would fit almost any bike" without having to go down the chamfering route because it had a torque arm. I duly bought it. Anyway, it turns out to be the Brompton-specific model, which fits Bromptons easily but other bikes with great difficulty - and a very significant outlay.

I'm as much to blame as the seller, who did actually offer to refund my money. So I'm now £10 poorer (P&P to return it), a little wiser, but very disappointed, as my Pompino cannot now have a Sturmey Archer S2C hub/Schlumpf combo that would have eliminated the need for every cable bar the front brake.

I'm now going down the SRAM Spectro S7 hub gear/coaster brake route, which eliminates one cable, so I'm still not sure what I'm grumbling about, but I will anyway!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 24 September, 2011, 04:28:05 pm
Sodding boiler.  Why couldn't you have a nice, easy electrical fault that I could fix?

Now I've got to deal with unreliable telephonic plumbers, who will no doubt patronise and/or fail to find a problem other than the boiler being a bit shit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 24 September, 2011, 04:52:42 pm
BT, I would be most grateful if you could be truthful about when I am likely to get FTTC (BT Infinity) for 'superfast broadband'.
My current connection is so slow that I fall asleep waiting for simple pages to load.
Until today, your website stated we would get BT Infinity by 30/12/2011; now it states 31/12/2011. This is, I think, the fourth time this year that the date has been put back.
We are in a Virgin cabled street. Up to now, I have stuck to BT but I think it's time to move on.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 24 September, 2011, 06:30:00 pm
I almost dread to say this, but I am satisfied with Virgin broadband. Outages have been rare in our 2 years here. Indian call centres aren't ideal, but I've had to deal with them so rarely that it hasn't been a major bugbear. We have a phone/BB (10Mb/s - and we regularly get 8 or 9)/TV package that costs £28/month for the whole package. One issue to consider is that the basic phone deal only includes free weekend calls, not evenings. Also, 0845/44/70 numbers are charged unless you add a £2 package.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 24 September, 2011, 06:48:38 pm
Virgin do seem orders of magnitude better at dealing with faults than our-favourite-telco.  They also have the advantage that their infrastructure is, for the most part, newer.  Whether their products are appropriate for your needs is another matter, but it's only reasonable to factor in a naff BT line when weighing up the options.

It would take a fairly bad[1] line to make me give up AAISP, but it does sound like hellymedic's would qualify.



[1] In the long, aluminium or whatever sense, rather than a persistent fault.  A&A are pretty good at collecting evidence and beating our-favourite-telco with the cluebat until faults are resolved.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: border-rider on 24 September, 2011, 07:07:23 pm
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 23 September, 2011, 07:34:02 pm
I recently bought a Schlumpf Mountain Drive off someone on another forum. It was "only" £200, which is very cheap for one of these esoteric bits of kit. I know I should have delved into it a bit more, but the seller did specifically say "it would fit almost any bike" without having to go down the chamfering route because it had a torque arm. I duly bought it. Anyway, it turns out to be the Brompton-specific model, which fits Bromptons easily but other bikes with great difficulty - and a very significant outlay.

I'm as much to blame as the seller, who did actually offer to refund my money. So I'm now £10 poorer (P&P to return it), a little wiser, but very disappointed, as my Pompino cannot now have a Sturmey Archer S2C hub/Schlumpf combo that would have eliminated the need for every cable bar the front brake.

I'm now going down the SRAM Spectro S7 hub gear/coaster brake route, which eliminates one cable, so I'm still not sure what I'm grumbling about, but I will anyway!

Maybe a lucky escape... my guess would be that you'd destroy an S2C with torque by using a Schlumpf

Mine is OK, but my word it's so much more draggy than fixed that there's barely any benefit except the ability to freewheel.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 24 September, 2011, 07:12:22 pm
Ooh, I hadn't thought of that MV!

Anyway, the SRAM hubs ordered & the cold setting operation will be performed at Robgul's on Monday.

Perhaps it's a good thing I didn't sell the 44t chainring on the For Sale board. 40t is a tad too small.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 25 September, 2011, 01:07:16 pm
Bourbon is all gone.  Local shops don't sell anything palatable. *sigh*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 25 September, 2011, 04:23:23 pm
Try digestives instead...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 25 September, 2011, 09:13:57 pm
I'm sure there was a perfectly good reason, and Rower40 will be along shortly to tell me, but why, having waited half an hour longer than normal for a train out of Manchester Piccadilly due to engineering works reducing trains to an hourly service, did we then crawl off for 10 minutes in the wrong direction, stop at Salford Crescent (possibly picking up a member of staff?) and then set off back the way we came.

I expect there's a clever and sensible answer involving points and lines and stuff, but given that I was standing with no prospect of a seat until Leeds at least, it just seemed to be taking the piss a bit....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: arabella on 26 September, 2011, 09:33:40 am
Body, 40 is the new 30 etc.  why are you pretending to be old?
wrist, stop aching, I am not a bloke
weight, I am quite happy for you to stay as you are, stop sneaking off, come back and bring some friends, only a few mind
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 26 September, 2011, 09:42:51 am
So-called mate: I lent you a very decent Fiskars pruning saw that had seen little use. You chose to hold on to it for months & then informed me you'd broken the blade. You then did nothing to replace it until I insisted. You then give me what looked like an Aldi £4 special that promptly bent as soon as it encountered an insubstantial branch. Cheers! And to then say "Oh well" and shrug your shoulders tells me much about you...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 26 September, 2011, 06:26:38 pm
Colleague. There's a reason why, when I put the electric truck away and plug in the charger, I always wait until I can hear the fan whirring, indicating that charging is happening. Otherwise, I wouldn't know if, for example, someone had unplugged the charger at the wall. Because in that case, we'd get in on a morning to find the vehicle uncharged.

Never mind, we coped on the trikes for the morning while she charged. We cope with stuff.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 26 September, 2011, 09:45:52 pm
Why was there a used/full nappy on our front lawn this morning? None of the immediate neighbours have littlys.  :-\

I wonder if a fox carried it from somewhere? Luckily it was all still wrapped up around itself so was easy to hoik into a plastic bag and into the wheely bin but still not what one wants to see at that time of day (or any time really).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 27 September, 2011, 09:04:01 am
Ms librarian. Thanks for putting my books on your library card, but really, wouldn't it be better to admit you can't work the software enough to clear the debt I've paid and just ask for help from someone? You're going to feel pretty stupid if I don't return the books on time and you get the late charges, aren't you. And it's not like you don't know I've got previous ::)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 27 September, 2011, 09:59:20 am
Darling wife, I love you dearly but there are somethings a man should not be asked to do three times in a week.

Before you get the wrong idea, I am talking about visiting IKEA!

Once I could accept as, well the item you wanted was good value from there and as we went early, the place and the M6 wasn't too busy.

To send me back on Saturday instead of me heading out for my normal morning cycle ride was a bit of a pain especially as I went to get something you had rejected on our earlier visit. I can just about live with that however. Sometimes we do things we don't like eh.

BUT to say that there is more from there you want is pushing it abit especially after I asked on Saturday to be sure that was it. I know I am coming home along the M6 tomorrow evening but it wil be rush hour so the road will be hell and the shop even worse!

Wife, I love you but at times.... :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 27 September, 2011, 01:49:38 pm
Quote from: interzen on 18 September, 2011, 04:03:21 pm
Vauxhall - I do not need a little light on the dashboard telling me when to change gear. Given all the car-related malarkey I've had to put up with, my brain now interprets any previously invisible dashboard light as "something wrong". Besides which, I know when I need to change gear - I don't need a little light to remind me.

Fortunately, this is a hire car so I only have to put up with it until tomorrow.

This seems to be a generic GM thing - I remarked upon the "shift" light installed in my chum Preston's Chevy S10 pickup the other week.  He opined that this is because GM assume all their customers are idiots, rather than just most of them.

Where the hell did the button from my trousis go?  I'm sure I put it in the lighter pen pocket for reattachment on arrival home, and now it's done a runner :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 27 September, 2011, 02:10:04 pm
Just carry on using the baler twine.  No one will notice the difference.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 27 September, 2011, 02:11:17 pm
$WORK_FRIEND I find it very laudable that you are a) buying a new bike so that you can compete better in b) these flaming Triathlons you keep telling me about.

BUT TBH, I don't give a flying fuck about either....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 27 September, 2011, 03:04:15 pm
Double grumble: having recuperated after Monday's dental malarkey I have to return to the office tomorrow. Hurrah! I get to be ignored by a building full of people rather than being ignored in solitary splendour in my home office.

Also, turns out I won't find out about the job I interviewed for until Friday - it's a bloody long haul until then, and the way I feel right now I'm inclined to hand in my notice irrespective of whether or not I get it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 27 September, 2011, 03:35:32 pm
Guess which idiot left his battered, well travelled, 1l Sigg water bottle with the spendy sports top in the campsite today...........go on, guess......

It's a bit warm and sunny here, and when  noticed it was gone it took ages to find a shop to buy a plastic bottle of mineral water.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 27 September, 2011, 04:01:05 pm
I just hung up a load of washing.

1 pr pjs, size mens small
4 pairs boxers, size mens small/ age 16
1 pr trousers, 30w x 32l
1 polo shirt 'McDonalds Crew'
2 prs socks, mens size 7-9.

No1Son, well done for learning how to work the washing machine.
Now start washing other peoples' clothes too, eh?

*sigh*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 27 September, 2011, 05:47:18 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 27 September, 2011, 01:49:38 pm
Quote from: interzen on 18 September, 2011, 04:03:21 pm
Vauxhall - I do not need a little light on the dashboard telling me when to change gear. Given all the car-related malarkey I've had to put up with, my brain now interprets any previously invisible dashboard light as "something wrong". Besides which, I know when I need to change gear - I don't need a little light to remind me.

Fortunately, this is a hire car so I only have to put up with it until tomorrow.

This seems to be a generic GM thing - I remarked upon the "shift" light installed in my chum Preston's Chevy S10 pickup the other week.  He opined that this is because GM assume all their customers are idiots, rather than just most of them.
Someone from head office saw some of the non-US cars one day, & was horrified that drivers were exposed to the mind-boggling complexity (for Leftpondians) of manual gear changing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 27 September, 2011, 06:02:21 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 27 September, 2011, 01:49:38 pm
Quote from: interzen on 18 September, 2011, 04:03:21 pm
Vauxhall - I do not need a little light on the dashboard telling me when to change gear. Given all the car-related malarkey I've had to put up with, my brain now interprets any previously invisible dashboard light as "something wrong". Besides which, I know when I need to change gear - I don't need a little light to remind me.

Fortunately, this is a hire car so I only have to put up with it until tomorrow.

This seems to be a generic GM thing - I remarked upon the "shift" light installed in my chum Preston's Chevy S10 pickup the other week.  He opined that this is because GM assume all their customers are idiots, rather than just most of them.

Where the hell did the button from my trousis go?  I'm sure I put it in the lighter pen pocket for reattachment on arrival home, and now it's done a runner :(

Kia are at it as well, only they have decided in their infinite wisdom to have a blue light on the dashboard to show that the engine is cool and it extinguishes when it has warmed up. When I asked why at the dealership, I was met with a jaundiced "please, please, please not that question again" look, so I didn't push the point.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 27 September, 2011, 06:33:08 pm
Ach!

Just grabbed a handful of cutlery from the draining rack to put away in the drawer and discovered that the brown on one of the teaspoons was marmite rather than the usual insoluble tea residue.  I assume this means I've been washing up in poor light again, rather than the presence of a marmite-eating poltergeist, but you never know...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Chris S on 27 September, 2011, 06:51:23 pm
inConsistent Use of capITals in XML tagS.

Bah! I Hate you...  >:(

 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 27 September, 2011, 07:02:14 pm
Quote from: Chris S on 27 September, 2011, 06:51:23 pm
inConsistent Use of capITals in XML tagS.

Bah! I Hate you...  >:(
FTFY
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 27 September, 2011, 07:05:11 pm
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 27 September, 2011, 06:02:21 pm
Kia are at it as well, only they have decided in their infinite wisdom to have a blue light on the dashboard to show that the engine is cool and it extinguishes when it has warmed up. When I asked why at the dealership, I was met with a jaundiced "please, please, please not that question again" look, so I didn't push the point.
They're off the list, then.

The worst one I had was in the Hyundai i30 that I had as a hire car after my accident - not content with just displaying a little 'up arrow' or 'down arrow' graphic, depending on how the ECU thought you should change gear, it also displayed the current gear in the form of a BFO *blue* LCD-style digit. Way to go, Hyundai - instead of keeping your eyes on the road, they're now drawn to the Glowing Number Of Doom every time the car thinks you should change gear.

It's worth noting that my ex-Meriva didn't have a gear change indicator - even if it had, it would have been lost in the noise of all the other dashboard lights when the electrics invariably fucked up.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 27 September, 2011, 07:57:10 pm
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 27 September, 2011, 06:02:21 pm
Kia are at it as well, only they have decided in their infinite wisdom to have a blue light on the dashboard to show that the engine is cool

Nothing about a Kia has ever been cool.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 27 September, 2011, 08:04:09 pm
I saw one on Top Gear once...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 27 September, 2011, 08:09:22 pm
Quote from: Kim on 27 September, 2011, 08:04:09 pm
I saw one on Top Gear once...
I *think* that the Kia Cee'd was the 'Reasonably Priced Car' that was driven by Cameron Diaz and Tom Cruise (amongst others, no doubt) - the main reason I remember it was because Tom Cruise's lap was absolutely pure, unadulterated awesome, helped in no small part by a bit of two-wheeled action on the final bend (other than that, I think the guy's a complete fruit-loop)

EDIT: having checked the Fount Of All Knowledge, it would appear that I remember correctly.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 27 September, 2011, 09:04:47 pm
Dear Hairy Bikers, if you must go to Slaithwaite, at least learn how to pronounce it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 27 September, 2011, 09:36:01 pm
Quote from: Kirst on 27 September, 2011, 09:04:47 pm
Dear Hairy Bikers, if you must go to Slaithwaite, at least learn how to pronounce it.

>:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 27 September, 2011, 09:45:49 pm
As I cycled through an almost deserted pedestrian precinct, following the official cycle route, I clearly heard a woman say "Much too fast". 21.5 kmh. Is that too fast? I'd been further away from every pedestrian (including her & her companion) than cars often pass them in the street when they're walking on the pavement. slowing down when passing a concealed entrance (I knew it was there), etc
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 27 September, 2011, 09:46:23 pm
Quote from: Kirst on 27 September, 2011, 09:04:47 pm
Dear Hairy Bikers, if you must go to Slaithwaite, at least learn how to pronounce it.

This furriner assumes it is not pronounced as written.  This furriner also learned very early on the be extremely cautious when trying to pronounce British place names.  The usual routine is not to pronounce any place name one has not heard others pronounce first.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 27 September, 2011, 09:48:51 pm
Quote from: Andrij on 27 September, 2011, 09:46:23 pm
This furriner assumes it is not pronounced as written.  This furriner also learned very early on the be extremely cautious when trying to pronounce British place names.  The usual routine is not to pronounce any place name one has not heard others pronounce first.

A tactic not infrequently used by this Brit.  Reading Scottish place names in Welsh may cause embarrassment.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 27 September, 2011, 09:50:16 pm
Quote from: Andrij on 27 September, 2011, 09:46:23 pm
Quote from: Kirst on 27 September, 2011, 09:04:47 pm
Dear Hairy Bikers, if you must go to Slaithwaite, at least learn how to pronounce it.

This furriner assumes it is not pronounced as written.  This furriner also learned very early on the be extremely cautious when trying to pronounce British place names.  The usual routine is not to pronounce any place name one has not heard others pronounce first.
The correct pronunciation is Slath-waite - slath to rhyme with bath (northern bath, not southern bath) and waite as is weight and wait. Locals pronounce it Sla-wit. The Hairy Bikers and many others incorrectly pronounce it Slaith-waite, slaith to rhyme with faith.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 27 September, 2011, 10:09:13 pm
I frequently get laughed (pronounced laffed) at for pronouncing Bath differently to bath.


It's the upper case and courier font thing all over again...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Butterfly on 27 September, 2011, 10:14:01 pm
Why can't people either spell places the way they are pronounced or pronounce them the way they are spelt? We have a perfectly reasonable phonetic language. It's just so the locals can laugh at outsiders - ridiculous ::-).

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 27 September, 2011, 10:17:31 pm
Indeed, so why call Bath 'Baaaaaarrrrrrrrth'?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Butterfly on 27 September, 2011, 10:19:58 pm
That's just different pronunciation (wider than just local) of one vowel - not leaving out whole syllables!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: border-rider on 27 September, 2011, 10:22:38 pm
Quote from: Kirst on 27 September, 2011, 09:50:16 pm
Locals pronounce it Sla-wit.

and Linthwaite Lin-fit as I recall (Mrs MV used to work in Huddersfield when we lived in Leeds)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 27 September, 2011, 10:23:14 pm
Quote from: Butterfly on 27 September, 2011, 10:14:01 pm
Why can't people either spell places the way they are pronounced or pronounce them the way they are spelt? We have a perfectly reasonable phonetic language. It's just so the locals can laugh at outsiders - ridiculous ::-).

We do?  Which language would that be?  I know it's definitely not modern English! 
E.g. Slough / tough / through all end in the same four letters but each is pronounced differently.   As for all the (now) superfluous letters in knight  ::-)

Some (most?) of the Slavic languages are phonetic.  German is pretty close.  Any others?


Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: border-rider on 27 September, 2011, 10:29:12 pm
Welsh, I think.  They just change the letters as needed to match the correct pronunciation :)

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 27 September, 2011, 10:38:02 pm
Spanish is pretty much phonetic.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wowbagger on 27 September, 2011, 10:38:13 pm
I'll see your Baaaaaarrrrrrrrrth and raise you Oswaldtwistle, Barnoldswick and Slaithwaite.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: border-rider on 27 September, 2011, 10:41:10 pm
Quote from: Wowbagger on 27 September, 2011, 10:38:13 pm
I'll see your Baaaaaarrrrrrrrrth and raise you Oswaldtwistle, Barnoldswick and Slaithwaite.

That's the B in RB211 you know.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wowbagger on 27 September, 2011, 10:49:36 pm
I didn't and had to google RB211. I was initially under the misapprehension that it might have been a Popular Beat Combo.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 27 September, 2011, 10:52:48 pm
As did I, though I was under the impression that it might have been a MicroTik router.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 28 September, 2011, 01:29:14 am
Quote from: Kim on 27 September, 2011, 06:33:08 pm
Ach!

Just grabbed a handful of cutlery from the draining rack to put away in the drawer and discovered that the brown on one of the teaspoons was marmite rather than the usual insoluble tea residue.  I assume this means I've been washing up in poor light again, rather than the presence of a marmite-eating poltergeist, but you never know...

It was nutella and yes washing up fail on your part as I left it "innamug" yesterday morning...  I had important nutella out of jar eating to do.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 28 September, 2011, 08:22:25 am
Quote from: Wowbagger on 27 September, 2011, 10:38:13 pm
I'll see your Baaaaaarrrrrrrrrth and raise you Oswaldtwistle, Barnoldswick and Slaithwaite.

And I raise you a Sharow (a small village near Ripon, and the best way to telling if a person is local or not)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 28 September, 2011, 08:30:49 am
The best one I know is Sowerby Bridge.  While everyone agrees on the Bridge part, there are three different pronunciations of 'Sowerby' used by locals! :o
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 28 September, 2011, 08:31:20 am
Quote from: Wowbagger on 27 September, 2011, 10:38:13 pm
I'll see your Baaaaaarrrrrrrrrth and raise you Oswaldtwistle, Barnoldswick and Slaithwaite.

You forgot Appletreewick and Grassington ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 28 September, 2011, 09:50:21 am
I'm often amazed that so many motorists think I'm a native of Scunthorpe & can't say that in it's full pronounciation
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 28 September, 2011, 09:59:13 am
I'll add in the villages of Lamplugh and Rowrah round here, and less locally the Vale of Belvoir (there is a letting agent up here called Belvoir and they pronounce themselves it exactly as it's spelt :facepalm:)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 28 September, 2011, 10:02:01 am
My 'working from home' today has been greatly complicated by not being able to access webmail.  No problem, think I, I can just connect directly to the notwork then access my emails (and any other documents I might need).  Nope, can't connect that way, either.  Other websites work, IT dept. doesn't see any problems and confirms others are able to connect.  Cue a day of calling team mates to send across documents to my personal email address and a rubbish start to tomorrow morning as I deal with today's emails.

And they say working from home can be less stressful.  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 28 September, 2011, 10:45:52 am
Quote from: clarion on 27 September, 2011, 07:57:10 pm
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 27 September, 2011, 06:02:21 pm
Kia are at it as well, only they have decided in their infinite wisdom to have a blue light on the dashboard to show that the engine is cool

Nothing about a Kia has ever been cool.

Sorry Jeremy ;)

£30 p.a. road tax softens the blow.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 28 September, 2011, 10:49:57 am
Quote from: Bledlow on 27 September, 2011, 09:45:49 pm
As I cycled through an almost deserted pedestrian precinct, following the official cycle route, I clearly heard a woman say "Much too fast". 21.5 kmh. Is that too fast? I'd been further away from every pedestrian (including her & her companion) than cars often pass them in the street when they're walking on the pavement. slowing down when passing a concealed entrance (I knew it was there), etc

I was told I was going too fast on a (wide) towpath by two seemingly hard-of-hearing ladies a couple of weeks ago. I had been pinging my bell well before my arrival and when consciousness crept up on them, I whizzed past them at the heady speed of 8 m.p.h.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 28 September, 2011, 10:54:02 am
Quote from: Andrij on 27 September, 2011, 10:23:14 pm
Some (most?) of the Slavic languages are phonetic.  German is pretty close.  Any others?
Hungarian is very WYHIWYW, which is the only simple thing about it.

It is still my bugbear that my daughter, who is bilingual, but had only been in England 12 months, "failed" the 11+ by 3 points, when getting two more word spellings correct would have got into grammar school. She would have applied Hungarian spelling conventions to English words and thus got them wrong.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nicknack on 28 September, 2011, 11:02:05 am
Quote from: clarion on 28 September, 2011, 08:30:49 am
The best one I know is Sowerby Bridge.  While everyone agrees on the Bridge part, there are three different pronunciations of 'Sowerby' used by locals! :o

All the SB locals I know (including Mum who is from there) call it Sorby. But it wouldn't surprise me to find variations.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 28 September, 2011, 11:05:04 am
'Sorby', 'Sour-by' and 'Sower-by'
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 28 September, 2011, 11:09:16 am
No one can pronounce Solihull correctly either.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: why1040 on 28 September, 2011, 11:20:20 am
How the heck did I manage to go abroad without my normal handbag stash of Buscopan??

And more importantly, how did I truly succeed in this complete fail by going to a country that actually doesn't stock it?  Not even as a prescription only??   :facepalm:

Thank goodness they at least sell Naproxen-over the counter, even!

I may be somewhat grumpy by the time I get home to my own little corner of the UK this evening!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wowbagger on 28 September, 2011, 11:22:11 am
I recall the BBC controversy over the pronunciation of Kabul, when the Russians went into Afghanistan. Everyone had previously placed the emphasis on the second syllable but the BBC decided to change the pronunciation to "Karble" (as in Vince Karble) because that was how the Kabullians pronounced it. I didn't notice the residents of Saaaaaarfend, Acne and Rovrive being offered the same respect though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 28 September, 2011, 11:24:32 am
Quote from: Andrij on 28 September, 2011, 10:02:01 am

And they say working from home can be less stressful.  ::-)

I used to WFH on an occassional basis & it was a pain in the ass.

Doing it regularly or permenantly:as I do: it becomes much easier
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 28 September, 2011, 12:37:44 pm
Quote from: Bledlow on 27 September, 2011, 05:47:18 pm
Someone from head office saw some of the non-US cars one day, & was horrified that drivers were exposed to the mind-boggling complexity (for Leftpondians) of manual gear changing.

Probably true.  My mate Sacramento John has a similarly-sized Ford Ranger pickup, also with a manual 'box', and that doesn't have idiot lights relating to the gears.

In other news, I searched my trousis again.  I still didn't find the missing button, but I did find a very shiny 20p coin :thumbsup:

Edit:  Coin shininess due to having been through the washing machine a Several of times.  I believe this is called money laundering.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Morrisette on 28 September, 2011, 01:40:35 pm
Happisborough?
Wymondham?
Costessy?

NFN!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 28 September, 2011, 01:46:55 pm
Quote from: Morrisette on 28 September, 2011, 01:40:35 pm
Happisborough?
Wymondham?
Costessy?

NFN!
/hayz-brə/
/ˈwɪndəm/
/ˈkɒsi/ (or Throatwobbler Mangrove)

Respectively (I knew the first two, had never heard of the third)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 28 September, 2011, 02:01:23 pm
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 28 September, 2011, 11:09:16 am
No one can pronounce Solihull correctly either.

tbh, though I've passed through many times, I'm not sure.  I've always said 'Sollyull'.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: billplumtree on 28 September, 2011, 02:13:55 pm
Quote from: clarion on 27 September, 2011, 02:10:04 pm
Just carry on using the baler twine.  No one will notice the difference.

You are Rory Stewart MP (http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk/extremely-foolish-penrith-mp-regrets-primitive-cumbria-remarks-1.737916) and ICMFP
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 28 September, 2011, 02:16:51 pm
Neither the photo nor the politics are a very good likeness. ;D

Mind you, they could put a blue rosette on a donkey & get it elected in Penrith.

Oh no - they already did!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 28 September, 2011, 02:20:22 pm
Quote from: clarion on 28 September, 2011, 02:01:23 pm
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 28 September, 2011, 11:09:16 am
No one can pronounce Solihull correctly either.

tbh, though I've passed through many times, I'm not sure.  I've always said 'Sollyull'.

"so-lee-hull" with stress on the last syllable is how I think it should be said, and I lived there 40+ years. Mind you, the North Solihull upstarts that the town was given in 1974 might have a different idea.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wowbagger on 28 September, 2011, 02:21:38 pm
Quote from: Morrisette on 28 September, 2011, 01:40:35 pm
Happisborough?
Wymondham?
Costessy?

NFN!

NARDGE.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 28 September, 2011, 02:45:39 pm
Kircudbright
Budapest
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 28 September, 2011, 04:34:18 pm
Oh FFS, we have another case of threadworm in the family.

It doesn't hurt, more of a nuisance than anything :(

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 28 September, 2011, 04:53:18 pm
Oh and Erith. Even BBC London never got that one right when I lived there (It's pretty much like Ear-ith btw)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 28 September, 2011, 10:01:08 pm
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 28 September, 2011, 02:45:39 pm
Kircudbright
Budapest
BOO-da-pesht
Fairly short oo
?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 28 September, 2011, 10:04:43 pm
And if we're doing furrin places,
Lodz
Wroclaw
Bialystok
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 28 September, 2011, 10:40:53 pm
.gvfs  ??? That's nice & obvious  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 29 September, 2011, 10:00:29 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 28 September, 2011, 10:01:08 pm
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 28 September, 2011, 02:45:39 pm
Kircudbright
Budapest
BOO-da-pesht
Fairly short oo
?

Give the man a cigar! :) As you say, the "oo" is quite short. All Hungarian words have the stress on the first syllable. That's why many Magyars can sound a bit tedious when speaking English, as they transfer that speech pattern to the new language. And they have the classic v & w confusion.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Chris S on 29 September, 2011, 12:16:10 pm
What a gorgeous day. Light breezes, sunshine, temperature in the mid 20s. I have all my windows open, enjoying the late season air.

So - the council turn up with three chainsaws and two fuck-off chippers to clear the path between the main road and Tesco. I can't hear myself think. Guys - shouldn't you do that in the Autumn? Oh... hang on...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 29 September, 2011, 03:11:26 pm
Quote from: tiermat on 27 September, 2011, 02:11:17 pm
$WORK_FRIEND I find it very laudable that you are a) buying a new bike so that you can compete better in b) these flaming Triathlons you keep telling me about.

BUT TBH, I don't give a flying fuck about either....

Redux, I STILL do not give a flying fuck
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rower40 on 29 September, 2011, 05:07:21 pm
Broken spoke on Orange Bling.  Long way from home (i.e. Cambridge), and it's on the outside of the disk-brake side, so I need a Shimano Special Tool(TM) to take the disk off.

AND the blingy black anodised spokes are £1 a throw.

So I hope I'll have time to fix this AND do the ironing when I get home tomorrow, before setting out to get to the FNRttS.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 29 September, 2011, 05:40:24 pm
"Sam" & (can't remember false name the lying git gave) from "PCN department":

Whatever crap you're peddling, or scam you're trying to work, do you really think that phoning me two days in succession will help you achieve your nefarious aims? Especially after "Sam's" little gaffe yesterday. Speaking of which, I think you're in the wrong job, mate. Getting het up when your intended victim asks you what "PCN department" is, & demanding to know why I was questioning you, is not a course of action likely to get me to co-operate. Nor is telling me to bugger off.

At least your colleague had the wit to give up when I informed him that you'd rung me & said that to me, & that I'd like him & the rest of the scamweasels to do the same.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 29 September, 2011, 06:00:09 pm
fleaBay - why on earth are you telling me that I have four active items with questions from potential buyers when, at last count, I had a grand total of two active listings?

Please to be taking your developers and DBAs out behind the bins and giving them a good going-over with the Clue-By-Fourtm
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 30 September, 2011, 07:47:27 pm
Driver of Porsche Carrera MX something something RRY, you drive like a fud. Porschewanker.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 30 September, 2011, 10:07:28 pm
When I put the washing in today I checked thoroughly that my phone wasn't in my jersey pocket. Shame it was hiding in my shorts instead :facepalm:

The phone went into the washer turned on and when I fished it out the battery was discharging through the camera flash. I've got it drying on the radiator but I think it's a lost cause :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 30 September, 2011, 10:41:28 pm
The essence of comedy may very well be all in the timing, but I fail to see the funny side of having mild lurgi that kicks off on a Friday...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feline on 30 September, 2011, 10:58:26 pm
Carp fettle-fail tonight on the Sabbath. My SRAM right shifter is f***d and replacing the cable has sadly not resurrected it from teh dead. What a fine time to b0rk when I am riding 200k tomorrow. At least I have a spare bike even if it is a bit heavy!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 01 October, 2011, 11:53:33 am
Our invaluable house alerting system for the deaf geeky barakta which was built by Kim in 2003-4 in a hacky prototyping kind of way for about £150 when we were poor is going increasingly senile. 

It decided to crash last night when Kim wasn't here to batter it back into working order and I hope it didn't keep Red of this parish awake with any bleeping (I dunno if it was bleepy or not). 

I think I've *finally* managed to uncrash it after lots of unplugging/replugging/poking things but I'll believe that when Kim is home from all night cycling and has checked it out.

I don't have access to its logs or main interface and tbh it's so arcane I'd never remember how it works even if I was to learn.  In fact I'm not even sure Kim remembers so I fully expect "Well who coded this piece of shit then?" "Oh shit, that was me, it has to be!" type remarks along with crankiness from no sleep later!

I need to make Kim Actually Rebuild v3 this winter and stop avoiding the issue like she has for the last 3 years... I'm not a cycling SWMBO but....


[1] This is what links doorbell, phone ringing, alarm clock going off, heating control, temperature sensors, reminders and alerts and interface to one another with a vibrating pillow pad, strobes and pop up on computer alerts. 

Basic commercial systems cost £500+ and are basically shit, so we're Kim is definitely rebuilding our own!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 01 October, 2011, 12:10:37 pm
Dear $LARGE_CONSULTANCY_KNOWN_FOR_PISSING_TAXPAYERS_MONEY_DOWN_THE_DRAIN,

Whilst I am perfectly happy to supply a character reference for someone you've offered a job to, no matter how you try to spin it 'onboard' is not a fucking verb. If you mean 'recruitment' then say so - 'onboarding' not only sounds like the worse sort of corporate bullshit-ese imaginable, but it also sounds like a novel new method of torture. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 01 October, 2011, 01:59:17 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 30 September, 2011, 10:07:28 pm
When I put the washing in today I checked thoroughly that my phone wasn't in my jersey pocket. Shame it was hiding in my shorts instead :facepalm:

The phone went into the washer turned on and when I fished it out the battery was discharging through the camera flash. I've got it drying on the radiator but I think it's a lost cause :(

Yep, it's dead :(

£70 for a 2nd hand replacement winging it's way to me by Wednesday - a very expensive way to get the spare phone battery i was going to order for touring. At least I now know my old NEC clamshell brick still works.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 01 October, 2011, 07:34:40 pm
Quote from: Feline on 30 September, 2011, 10:58:26 pm
Carp fettle-fail tonight on the Sabbath. My SRAM right shifter is f***d and replacing the cable has sadly not resurrected it from teh dead. What a fine time to b0rk when I am riding 200k tomorrow. At least I have a spare bike even if it is a bit heavy!

I recommend that next time you leave the carp in the pond.  One assumes they're not much use when it comes to fettling. ;)

At least the heavier bike may help you get full value for money.  Have a good ride!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jolmartyn on 01 October, 2011, 09:20:11 pm
Hi, tried to buy gas in B & Q today. They asked me if I was 21. Of course  not I said. As a 61 year old I felt the sudden urge to let rip into this jobsworth character! ...but I didn't...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 01 October, 2011, 09:33:45 pm
Damn. Chainsaw is dead. I have swapped ignition bits and it now refuses to work (rather than run for a few minutes, enough to make you think it is happy, and then go on strike).

Time to get something that isn't an antique and will last a reasonabe length of time.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 01 October, 2011, 09:58:29 pm
Quote from: jolmartyn on 01 October, 2011, 09:20:11 pm
Hi, tried to buy gas in B & Q today. They asked me if I was 21. Of course  not I said. As a 61 year old I felt the sudden urge to let rip into this jobsworth character! ...but I didn't...

The nivea is working keep with it........ ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 01 October, 2011, 10:07:18 pm
I've got the hiccups. They're quite annoying.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 01 October, 2011, 10:16:40 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 01 October, 2011, 10:07:18 pm
I've got the hiccups. They're quite annoying.

BOO! :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 02 October, 2011, 05:09:03 pm
Mate on our cycling trip: You borrowed my bike in August on our last rides out & I gently warned you then that your habit of jumping several gears at low speed when under high load wasn't doing my venerable chain any good at all. So what did you do yesterday as soon as we hit a big hill? That's right; jump 3 gears at once just as you're pedalling hard. What did my chain do? That's right, it snapped. So, we're four miles into a ride that would have taken us along the route of a beer festival, but all seven of us had to turn back. Ho hum.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SandyV on 02 October, 2011, 07:46:45 pm
Quote from: fboab on 27 September, 2011, 04:01:05 pm
No1Son, well done for learning how to work the washing machine.
Now start washing other peoples' clothes too, eh?

This is one of my pet grumbles too!  (I know I'm slow to comment but I'm still away from home and only now catching up)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 02 October, 2011, 07:48:33 pm
Quote from: barakta on 01 October, 2011, 11:53:33 am
Our invaluable house alerting system for the deaf geeky barakta which was built by Kim in 2003-4 in a hacky prototyping kind of way for about £150 when we were poor is going increasingly senile. 

It decided to crash last night when Kim wasn't here to batter it back into working order and I hope it didn't keep Red of this parish awake with any bleeping (I dunno if it was bleepy or not). 

I think I've *finally* managed to uncrash it after lots of unplugging/replugging/poking things but I'll believe that when Kim is home from all night cycling and has checked it out.

I don't have access to its logs or main interface and tbh it's so arcane I'd never remember how it works even if I was to learn.  In fact I'm not even sure Kim remembers so I fully expect "Well who coded this piece of shit then?" "Oh shit, that was me, it has to be!" type remarks along with crankiness from no sleep later!

I need to make Kim Actually Rebuild v3 this winter and stop avoiding the issue like she has for the last 3 years... I'm not a cycling SWMBO but....


[1] This is what links doorbell, phone ringing, alarm clock going off, heating control, temperature sensors, reminders and alerts and interface to one another with a vibrating pillow pad, strobes and pop up on computer alerts. 

Basic commercial systems cost £500+ and are basically shit, so we're Kim is definitely rebuilding our own!
Will Deaf Action or social work fund a new system?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 02 October, 2011, 09:58:33 pm
Quote from: Kirst on 02 October, 2011, 07:48:33 pm
Will Deaf Action or social work fund a new system?

It's not so much the funding which is an issue, I'm reasonably well paid (if pisstakingly less than I'm worth obviously) these days so can afford a few hundred quid for bits over X years.  The last one has lasted 8 years so far.  The limiting factor is Kim needs to sit down and redesign from scratch which she's been half doing for about 3 years and needs to not-half do.  I blame all the cycling  ;)

As for social services I know I'm not a priority (and arguably shouldn't be), not least because when made to register with them to get local disabled bus passes etc that no services has EVER got back to me (Stockport, Newham, Birmingham and I think Sheffield).  I even filled in an extra form by choice here in Brum to see if they'd work better partly as an experiment for my deaf students.  No response.

Pretty poor really and also makes me cross cos I resented having to "tell them I exist" so they get me on their stats but do absolutely fuck all for me at the first step.  If the first step is that bad, I'm privileged enough not to need them enough and I'll pay not to have to do any of the others.  I have enough trouble keeping up with "extra disability paperwork" from HMRC, NHS, GP, audiology, etc

And the useful outcome of my experiment does mean I know better than to say to my students (or advise colleagues to tell their students) "Oh just register with social services for deaf alert stuff" for non uni accommodation because in my personal and professional opinion it's not worth it unless the student has unusual pestering powers and absolutely cannot afford stuff themselves.  Does remind me I ought to find out if local fire service do fire alarms for deaf for free/cheap cos that would be the only issue really, safety.  Most deaf students will do what I always did, rely on housemates and SMS when your friends arrive unless you happen to have all the gizmos already which I didn't till I moved in with Kim.   
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 02 October, 2011, 10:16:21 pm
Deaf Action or the housing department might be able to help with some stuff - everywhere structures it differently though, so it's hard to know.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 03 October, 2011, 12:32:37 am
Quote from: Kirst on 02 October, 2011, 10:16:21 pm
Deaf Action or the housing department might be able to help with some stuff - everywhere structures it differently though, so it's hard to know.

Weirdly, I've never really heard of Deaf Action but then having looked into it, it seems to be specifically Scotland.  Our local deaf charity BIDS might be worth talking to as might Deaf Plus who do send us their stuff quite a lot. 

I also meant to modify my post above to say it isn't specific social workers I have an issue with, it's the system in general which means in lots of services not just social services it is only the really neediest people who get anything at all and lots of people just end up bumbling along not knowing much at all.  I would resent that less if I didn't get told "well to get X, you have to register with Y" when Y doesn't have the capacity to support people. 

It's just yet another brick in the disability effort wall most of which belongs in the Rant Thread!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 03 October, 2011, 07:28:43 am
Not sure if this grumble should be addressed to my wife who insists that I wear a helmet when cycling in case I am hit by a lorry (I kid you not), or the designers of cycle helmets who design them with slats wide enough for wasps to get into them, or the wasp which got into my helmet, couldn't find a way out so promptly stung me.

Or I suppose I could rant at myself for not being able to remove a helmet while cycling uphill before the wasp could attack.

Who ever is to blame, please stop it as it hurt so much that I had to cut the ride short and head home. I still have the bump on my head 20 hours later!

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 03 October, 2011, 08:08:39 am
Quote from: barakta on 03 October, 2011, 12:32:37 am
Quote from: Kirst on 02 October, 2011, 10:16:21 pm
Deaf Action or the housing department might be able to help with some stuff - everywhere structures it differently though, so it's hard to know.

Weirdly, I've never really heard of Deaf Action but then having looked into it, it seems to be specifically Scotland.  Our local deaf charity BIDS might be worth talking to as might Deaf Plus who do send us their stuff quite a lot. 
Oh, they used to be RNID or the Deaf Society or something. I had assumed they were UK-wide.


Quote from: essexian on 03 October, 2011, 07:28:43 am
Not sure if this grumble should be addressed to my wife who insists that I wear a helmet when cycling
Do what I used to do when my mum would make me wear an itchy hat to school in winter - wait till you're round the corner, and take it off.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 03 October, 2011, 08:23:38 am
Quote from: Kirst on 03 October, 2011, 08:08:39 am
Oh, they used to be RNID or the Deaf Society or something. I had assumed they were UK-wide.

RNId have become "Action on Deafness" or in my universe "What?".

There is also a 'Deaf Action' charity in Scotland which is not the RNId.

Deaf society is probably National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS) who were good to my parents when I was young and seem to be continuing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 03 October, 2011, 08:24:12 am
Washing machine motor.  Why oh why oh why did you have to catch fire on Saturday morning? :(

Do you think I'm made of money? (Replacement motor HOW MUCH :o)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 03 October, 2011, 02:02:34 pm
Stupid Digestive System.  The usual.  *sigh*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Gattopardo on 03 October, 2011, 02:05:46 pm
Quote from: Guy on 03 October, 2011, 08:24:12 am
Washing machine motor.  Why oh why oh why did you have to catch fire on Saturday morning? :(

Do you think I'm made of money? (Replacement motor HOW MUCH :o)

Lucky it didn't set fire to the house.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 03 October, 2011, 03:44:38 pm
Quote from: Gattopardo on 03 October, 2011, 02:05:46 pm
Quote from: Guy on 03 October, 2011, 08:24:12 am
Washing machine motor.  Why oh why oh why did you have to catch fire on Saturday morning? :(

Do you think I'm made of money? (Replacement motor HOW MUCH :o)

Lucky it didn't set fire to the house.
No chance of that.  It's not one of they new-fangled automatic things what you just load up and walk away from, but a proper twin-tub where you have to stand over it and do things, so I was there when the smoke belched out.  The serial number shows it was made in 1952 so it hasn't done too bad.

Unfortunately a new motor will cost nearly half as much as getting a "new" reconditioned twin-tub from teh intarwebs.  Fix or replace? Either way, it ent gonna be cheap :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 03 October, 2011, 03:48:28 pm
Fix. Cheaper and less waste.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Chris S on 04 October, 2011, 04:02:55 pm
WTF? My phone has dumped all entries from Contacts  >:(. Piece of junk...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 04 October, 2011, 05:12:08 pm
Quote from: barakta on 03 October, 2011, 08:23:38 am
Quote from: Kirst on 03 October, 2011, 08:08:39 am
Oh, they used to be RNID or the Deaf Society or something. I had assumed they were UK-wide.

RNId have become "Action on Deafness" or in my universe "What?".

There is also a 'Deaf Action' charity in Scotland which is not the RNId.

Deaf society is probably National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS) who were good to my parents when I was young and seem to be continuing.
I saw a poster about Deaf Action the other day, in Brizzle, which may not be an ordinary part of the UK (!) but is definitely Not Scotland.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 05 October, 2011, 12:36:59 pm
Why has my bloody back been itching all week ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 05 October, 2011, 01:43:40 pm
Why do I get so many random phone calls?

Just had the RQ of 1 R Anglian on the phone asking about DNA testing kits ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 05 October, 2011, 01:53:48 pm
Why, pray, is there no fast train line out of Lowestoft? It took me 6 hours to get home from there to Stafford last night.

Oh and Virgin Trains, the choice of only chocolate cake in first class both going and returning from London this week is just not good enough as it is no choice at all. I had to turn down cake!!! Chocolate cake is horrible and nasty: as is chocolate.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 05 October, 2011, 02:01:48 pm
Quote from: essexian on 05 October, 2011, 01:53:48 pm
Chocolate cake is horrible and nasty: as is chocolate.

 :o
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 05 October, 2011, 02:11:15 pm
Quote from: essexian on 05 October, 2011, 01:53:48 pm
I had to turn down cake!!! Chocolate cake is horrible and nasty: as is chocolate.

you are clearly unwell.goto doctor NOW.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 05 October, 2011, 02:20:34 pm
Quote from: jogler on 05 October, 2011, 02:11:15 pm
Quote from: essexian on 05 October, 2011, 01:53:48 pm
I had to turn down cake!!! Chocolate cake is horrible and nasty: as is chocolate.

you are clearly unwell.goto doctor NOW.

Strange you should say that as I have an appointment on Friday as my diabetes is a little unbalanced at the moment....expect to be told to stay off cake for some time! A change of Doctor may be required!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 05 October, 2011, 02:46:29 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 05 October, 2011, 12:36:59 pm
Why has my bloody back been itching all week ???

My back itches in hot weather.
It has been hot.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 05 October, 2011, 03:58:20 pm
Yebbut it was hotter than this when I was on holibobs and my back didn't itch then.  No, instead my feet swelled up to the size of turnips ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 05 October, 2011, 04:04:09 pm
I find those funny-shaped bicycles tend to cause itchy back...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Gattopardo on 05 October, 2011, 04:05:46 pm
Quote from: essexian on 05 October, 2011, 02:20:34 pm
Quote from: jogler on 05 October, 2011, 02:11:15 pm
Quote from: essexian on 05 October, 2011, 01:53:48 pm
I had to turn down cake!!! Chocolate cake is horrible and nasty: as is chocolate.

you are clearly unwell.goto doctor NOW.

Strange you should say that as I have an appointment on Friday as my diabetes is a little unbalanced at the moment....expect to be told to stay off cake for some time! A change of Doctor may be required!

Low carb cake.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 05 October, 2011, 05:57:17 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 05 October, 2011, 12:36:59 pm
Why has my bloody back been itching all week ???
Perhaps you're allergic to the metal in the hooks of your bra. Try tucking the label in so it's between the hooks and your skin.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 05 October, 2011, 06:04:19 pm
Poo. I took MFWHTBAB for a bike ride on Sunday, and as we went over the Stamford Bridge viaduct, I thought, "oh, I'll show him the fantastic spooky empty Scooby Doo house half hidden behind the trees, the one even CrinklyLion hadn't spotted until I showed her".

They've knocked it down.  :( The size of the pile of rubble is testament to how big it was. It was a magnificent place, ought to have had bats coming out of the turrets and everything.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Snakehips on 05 October, 2011, 06:17:59 pm
Quote from: essexian on 03 October, 2011, 07:28:43 am
........... the wasp which got into my helmet, couldn't find a way out so promptly stung me.

Or I suppose I could rant at myself for not being able to remove a helmet while cycling uphill before the wasp could attack.

Who ever is to blame, please stop it as it hurt so much that I had to cut the ride short and head home. I still have the bump on my head 20 hours later!
That happened to me last week. I had no time to react , the sting was almost immediate. After a stop I managed to continue my 'pleasure' ride slowly , but some pain and slight swelling lasted a couple of days. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 06 October, 2011, 09:26:46 am
I was at a job fair the other week (minimum wage fodder, as it happens) and I felt a wriggling in my top. I ignored it, but it wriggled higher & higher and I was finding it hard to concentrate. Eventually, I located the offending thing and gave it a good squeeze through my top and felt it pop. End of story. It was only when I later got out into the foyer that I got the chance to shake it out, whereupon a dead wasp fell to the floor. How the hell I wasn't stung is a mystery.

It either got there on the ride to the fair or it was there from the top having hung out on the line.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 06 October, 2011, 09:36:17 am
Didn't get to watch my Camberwick Green dvd last night :( A mate came round and dragged me off to the pub quiz >:(

My ead urtz
  http://www.titanicbrewery.co.uk/c/our-beers/titanic-occasional-specials/titanic-beer-plumporter/ (http://www.titanicbrewery.co.uk/c/our-beers/titanic-occasional-specials/titanic-beer-plumporter/)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 08 October, 2011, 02:42:48 pm
Elder Ms AWL's Friend's Mother: Your timekeeping is pathetic. Every time I have organised something involving you you have let us down/kept us waiting by being stupidly late without calling to tell us. So, we now reluctantly have to leave our 12-year-old daughter at the swimming pool (where she was earlier already at her swimming club) to wait for you as my son has his friends coming round at 3pm and you can't keep to agreed timetables AND not tell us. Cow.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Oaky on 08 October, 2011, 09:33:56 pm
GRRR... bloody chess season started up again.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 08 October, 2011, 09:44:18 pm
Quote from: Oaky on 08 October, 2011, 09:33:56 pm
GRRR... bloody chess season started up again.

1 e4 ;D

More seriously, why is that a grumble?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Oaky on 08 October, 2011, 10:02:01 pm
:)

I failed to manage to offload captaincy of a league team which, to be honest, I don't really have the time to do the organisation for any more...  I'm just rediscovering how long it can take to find 8 people willing to travel for a match.

(I think my record last season for people called before I got a full team was around 30.  That pretty much exhausted the active, eligible (i.e. not seeded for other teams) players of my club!)

I enjoy the playing (and for the most part don't mind the on-the-night aspects of running the team) it's just the chivvying up a squad that drags.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 08 October, 2011, 10:08:08 pm
It's not much fun I'll agree. That's why I used to avoid being captain if at all possible :D

The simplest system I ever saw was the club captain (all 6 teams!) of Netherton in the Huddersfield league. He used to have a list of players in grade order with contact details for each player and work down it one by one.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Oaky on 08 October, 2011, 10:20:49 pm
My system is similar: I have my list essentially in order of how often they have agreed to play at far flung away venues though.  :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 10 October, 2011, 05:51:26 pm
Slave trader,

There's no need to get all bent out of shape because I've told you I'm not interested in a job developing front-end/user-interface software. There's a genuine reason why I'm not interested: my user interfaces tend to look like the sort of thing that Helen Keller would come up with after dropping some bad acid. Seriously.

Get a grip, take a deep breath and move on to the next person on your list.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: gerwinium on 11 October, 2011, 10:37:39 pm
I nearly ran over a child earlier (girl, can't have been older than 10), who ran across the very busy road in the dark across without looking. Luckily my passenger shouted and I wasn't going very fast, so I managed to stop within a few metres. She ran on into a shop and I turned around and tried to find her without success, so I can only guess I didn't hit her...

Road safety... Start young is a good idea.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 11 October, 2011, 11:27:45 pm
Just looked up my trains to Oban on Tuesday and realised that the Virgin train to Glasgow comes from Mordor not the Smoke.

That's going to mean Super Voyager dangly bike spaces and unloading all my panniers instead of a level storage Pendolino :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jaded on 11 October, 2011, 11:30:33 pm
Just noticed I've missed 14 pages of this thread.  :'(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 12 October, 2011, 12:17:37 am
Brent online school application form:
if I specify applicant has no sibling in need of schooling, please not to ask me its gender and stop form processing because of failure to answer a mandatory field.
We have decided non-existent sibling is male.
13 year old Romanian school applicant thinks your coding is poo.
Who needs education?

(I was helping my cleaning lady and her son through lovely bureaucracy; son arrived from Romania two weeks ago.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 12 October, 2011, 12:24:02 am
Yay for helping cleaning lady through bureaucrazy.  My mum once did that for one of her clients and the jobcentre because the lady was despite having good English completely confused and my mum could do "no, stop being wankers, just fucking do it" at them in polite but pissed off Scottishspeak.

I hope things go smoother from now on for cleaning lady and her son.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 12 October, 2011, 12:35:40 am
So do I. Gave them printout of the form and explained they must be absolutely consistent with spellings, dates and all petty details given if not sure of answers, especially the gender of the non-existent sibling...
 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Manotea on 12 October, 2011, 01:20:49 am
Quote from: mcshroom on 08 October, 2011, 09:44:18 pm
Quote from: Oaky on 08 October, 2011, 09:33:56 pm
GRRR... bloody chess season started up again.

1 e4 ;D

More seriously, why is that a grumble?
Chess has a season?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 12 October, 2011, 01:56:33 am
Quote from: Manotea on 12 October, 2011, 01:20:49 am
Chess has a season?

Presumably when the queens aren't preoccupied with reproduction...   ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 12 October, 2011, 08:53:24 pm
I'm currently not participating in one of the local cycling campaign group's Wednesday evening rides, because I  a) hit myself in the face with a pair of pliers and  b) am generally feeling an overwhelming sense of meh.

I don't suppose we could have summer back, could we?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 12 October, 2011, 08:58:20 pm
that sounds almost as daft as me hitting myself in the face with a pan. twice.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: dasmoth on 12 October, 2011, 09:29:12 pm
Respiratory system: while I appreciate that you've behaved pretty well over the summer and I've lost far less cycling time that I did last year, just before I'm due to give some lectures (on two successive days, at that) isn't the best moment to play up.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 12 October, 2011, 11:35:06 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 12 October, 2011, 12:17:37 am
Brent online school application form:
if I specify applicant has no sibling in need of schooling, please not to ask me its gender and stop form processing because of failure to answer a mandatory field.
We have decided non-existent sibling is male.
13 year old Romanian school applicant thinks your coding is poo.
Who needs education?

(I was helping my cleaning lady and her son through lovely bureaucracy; son arrived from Romania two weeks ago.)
Sounds as daft as Bristol's school application forms. The only detail I recall from that now is having to choose the LEA of his previous school from a drop-down list which, surprise surprise, did not include any in Poland! Perhaps it's a Br... thing? Somehow I doubt if it's alphabet specific, though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wowbagger on 13 October, 2011, 09:24:05 am
Yes, chess has a season. Local leagues tend to follow the football season. In the summer people tend to find better things to do. Weekend tournaments carry on all year round and the British Championship takes place over a fortnight starting late July. This always used to be our family holiday.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 13 October, 2011, 12:00:13 pm
Slave trader, 'no' means 'no', mmkay?
Unless, that is, you can provide me with a job spec and company info that wasn't written by a marketing hipster who's evidently been hitting the nose ajax a little too hard.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 13 October, 2011, 06:49:39 pm
Just once, well, no, just A LOT, I would like to work for a company that doesn't offend the morals I would have if I could afford them.
If you see what I mean.

Cheap foreign labour doing stuff that was once done for proper wages in BRITON, by BRITONS but is now done by Indian children.
Factory Farming of pigs.
Petrochemicals.
Factory Farming of cows.

It would be quite nice to work somewhere, well, even a leetle bitty bit ethical.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 17 October, 2011, 11:05:05 pm
That Betty Crocker.  Can't stand her.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Butterfly on 17 October, 2011, 11:09:56 pm
Quote from: Lindagordinho on 17 October, 2011, 11:05:05 pm
That Betty Crocker.  Can't stand her.

What's she done?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 18 October, 2011, 08:35:47 am
Gym - can you make an effort to get in towels that are all the same size?  I tend not to notice if I've been given a smaller one until I go to wrap it around my wait and have a momentary panic as I think "there's not as much overlap as last time - have I put on that much weight?!?".  I have my fill of momentary panics on my commute, thankyouverymuch.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 18 October, 2011, 11:59:52 am
Eldest daughter: 10pm is not a good time to do homework, especially when you've been reading books/watching TV all evening. 8am on the other hand, is even worse. Start doing your homework on time or your teacher finds out you've been forging (our) signatures to say your homework is done.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 18 October, 2011, 01:14:14 pm
Nose, stop running, I'm really bored of the cold now.
Guts, stop making 'poing' noises like I'm stewing up an enormous guff. It's really off-putting.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 18 October, 2011, 01:19:25 pm
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 18 October, 2011, 11:59:52 am
Eldest daughter: 10pm is not a good time to do homework

I always used to do homework late at night.  The delayed sleep phase which isn't exactly uncommon in teenagers meant I was more alert after 10pm and unlikely to sleep before about 2am anyway, so I might as well get something useful done.  It also meant I could get some sleep in the early evening when I was actually sleepy, didn't miss out on the decent telly and was able to work without sibling distractions.

My parents eventually accepted this when it became apparent that I was, impossible tasks[1] excepted, actually getting the work done, stopped nagging, and generally went to bed leaving me to get on with it.



[1] Art and French were the main offenders, based, as they often were, on an ability to produce art or understand French.  Unlike cargo-cult subjects like English Lit, throwing hours at the problem rarely helped.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 18 October, 2011, 01:32:45 pm
Were you like that at 12, Kim? Bear in mind she is also a slug-a-bed & hard to rouse at 7.15am*. Working later will only make that worse, I fear.

*Aren't we all, but needs must.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 18 October, 2011, 01:39:59 pm
Ms AWL: I'm sorry you don't like the flight times on the trips I booked. However, funds are short these days and (crazily) it was >£400 cheaper to fly you with Lufthansa to BHX from Budapest via Munich. Yes, you'll have to fly at 06.45 from Budapest, but surely the knowledge that I don't have to drive to Luton or Heathrow - only a 20-minute drive to BHX - and subsequently have a lie in is some sort of compensation.  :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 18 October, 2011, 02:20:26 pm
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 18 October, 2011, 01:32:45 pm
Were you like that at 12, Kim?

Probably, yes, if I'd been left to my own devices.  I certainly used to illicitly read well into the early hours[1] at that age, though unsurprisingly more traditional homework and bed times were enforced until I was about 14.

Looking back, I think my parents were generally happy to leave me to my own devices with that sort of thing (I would have done my homework anyway because I was scared of my teachers, not because of my parents), but would make rules that applied to both of us for the benefit of my (younger and much more rebellious) brother.  It was a lot easier to get him to do homework (or got to bed) if I could be seen to be doing the same.



[1] An important part of growing up, that.  IMHO.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 18 October, 2011, 02:21:46 pm
facebook  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 18 October, 2011, 02:32:19 pm
10pm is a bit late at 12 - but it depends. I'd say it's late to be starting an hour's homework, but not late to be starting 30min work.

*definitely* it's a good idea to work on the 'delayed gratification' thing; where we do the activities we enjoy and put off the ones we don't like. This applies to homework, and it is a revelation to most kids when they discover they can race through work if they only have 40 min in which to do it before Strictly Come Dancing starts on the telly.

Eldest stepson was a total dope slacker. Wasted Spent from 15-16 stoned out of his gourd, playing everquest. Bombed out of school.
At 19, he took some A levels.
At 21 he decided to work.
Suddenly he discovered that work was easy if he did the hard things first.

Now 26, he's finishing his degree and looking to do postgrad at Oxford. He's also started a mail order business that turns over £7k per month.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CrinklyLion on 18 October, 2011, 04:51:48 pm
I haz no broadband. And altho i have connection info for next door's i can't get either laptop to connect, and have no idea why. Fecking linux machines wot i have no clue about.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CrinklyLion on 18 October, 2011, 05:00:09 pm
well, feck knows what i did differently on the gadzillionth attempt, but hurrah!  we are back online (i really didn't count the phone as being online :))
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 18 October, 2011, 05:48:25 pm
Turned the right thing off and on again and magically uttered the magic incantation.
Wireless voodoo pixiedust etc.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 19 October, 2011, 11:29:08 am
Terra "Coffee" Roasters, there is no need to change the colour of the packet on a monthly basis.  It just confuses everyone.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 19 October, 2011, 11:44:00 am
^^^^^
Colour blindness ftw
 ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 19 October, 2011, 11:56:35 am
Quote from: jogler on 19 October, 2011, 11:44:00 am
Colour blindness ftw

Until you discover the hard way that something comes in more than one variety.

Never let it be said that I forgot the Jif Lime on pancake day.   :facepalm:


(See also the related rant about not trusting unmarked ketchup bottles when venturing north of Manchester)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 19 October, 2011, 12:39:47 pm
Lime! mmmm! I'd have loved that :P
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 19 October, 2011, 02:04:19 pm
It seems we have a product called Foglight®.  Apparently "Foglight is an application monitoring solution that helps your organization monitor and control the performance of your mission-critical enterprise applications".  It keeps sending me Babbage-Posts, the contents of which were clearly programmed by Ricky Gervais on an off-day.

Plz to shut up kthxbai.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 19 October, 2011, 02:34:34 pm
Slave trader,

Systems Integration specialists are not the same as software engineers. I fall very squarely into the latter category - please don't send me a promising looking job spec for the latter when the organisation in question  are clearly looking to hire the former. Guess I won't be sneaking into the inner sanctum to peek at the writings of Aleister Crowley after all ....

 ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Quisling on 19 October, 2011, 02:56:09 pm
I just rode 2 miles to the surgery with suspected cracked rib to pick up prescription. They were closed for training. Had to console myself with tea and cake at the Village Centre coffee shop. Arrived home just before it rained, and just too late to get the dryish washing off the line

On the plus side, I cycled 4 miles in the dry, had tea and stickies for £1.80 and laughed at the motorists-speeding-towards-a-speed-trap situation en route  :D. Good luck with your speed awareness course guys.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: HTFB on 19 October, 2011, 06:06:50 pm
There's never a good time for pericoronitis.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 19 October, 2011, 08:55:30 pm
Bah, it's just one thing after another. Now our boiler won't go woosh when we turn the thermostat up. T'stat clicks but boiler just sits there like a lemon. Kicks in just fine when I put the hot water on though... and the three upstairs radiators get hot with the hot water on but not the downstairs ones.

Bah, I have a cold and I'm all grumbly now. Warm at least from running up and down the stairs pressing buttons and poking radiators.  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 19 October, 2011, 09:27:50 pm
Quote from: Ashaman42 on 19 October, 2011, 08:55:30 pm
Bah, it's just one thing after another. Now our boiler won't go woosh when we turn the thermostat up. T'stat clicks but boiler just sits there like a lemon. Kicks in just fine when I put the hot water on though... and the three upstairs radiators get hot with the hot water on but not the downstairs ones.

Bah, I have a cold and I'm all grumbly now. Warm at least from running up and down the stairs pressing buttons and poking radiators.  ::-)

Had almost the same thing at Pingu Towers tonight. Eventually it started cooperating but I don't know why, but I'm glad it did.

Now the bloody PVR just turned itself off and it's lost all the channels and can't seem to find them again :(
I can see this being an expensive week.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 19 October, 2011, 10:05:43 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 19 October, 2011, 09:27:50 pm
Quote from: Ashaman42 on 19 October, 2011, 08:55:30 pm
Bah, it's just one thing after another. Now our boiler won't go woosh when we turn the thermostat up. T'stat clicks but boiler just sits there like a lemon. Kicks in just fine when I put the hot water on though... and the three upstairs radiators get hot with the hot water on but not the downstairs ones.

Bah, I have a cold and I'm all grumbly now. Warm at least from running up and down the stairs pressing buttons and poking radiators.  ::-)

Had almost the same thing at Pingu Towers tonight. Eventually it started cooperating but I don't know why, but I'm glad it did.

Now the bloody PVR just turned itself off and it's lost all the channels and can't seem to find them again :(
I can see this being an expensive week.

Think it might be the thermostat, as boiler and pump in airing cupboard kick in when hot water turned on at timer but neither work when water off and heating on. Not sure though, don't know whether to get a man in or pick up a cheap thermostat to try and fit myself and then GAMI if that doesn't work.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Chris S on 20 October, 2011, 09:47:39 am
Tesco. I quite like your Tiger bread. I like it even more when it's half price and therefore 50p for an enormous loaf. But... could you make it a little more... toaster shaped?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Greenbank on 20 October, 2011, 09:51:09 am
I know why Saino's were offering Sure Quantam antiperspirant in a cheap deal, it's because it's like covering your armpits in Spray Mount. Ugh.

Oh well, only another ~6 months of use at work to get through the two bloody cans of it I have.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 20 October, 2011, 12:09:55 pm
Quote from: Ashaman42 on 19 October, 2011, 10:05:43 pm
Think it might be the thermostat, as boiler and pump in airing cupboard kick in when hot water turned on at timer but neither work when water off and heating on. Not sure though, don't know whether to get a man in or pick up a cheap thermostat to try and fit myself and then GAMI if that doesn't work.

The thermostat's nearly always a simple switch.  In the absence of a multimeter to test it, you could just connect the wires directly together, and if the heating comes on, you know what the problem is.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 20 October, 2011, 01:30:03 pm
Mrs B was suddenly & unexpectedly deprived of her main work e-mail account yesterday, the one with all the other NHS staff on & which therefore recognises their names. She also has a social services e-mail account, but there's hardly anyone in the address book she needs to e-mail.

Because this happened via the disabling of her NHS user ID, she also lost access to all the clinical record keeping tools, etc.

A large number of other people are also affected.

This is because her trust is migrating accounts in the most incompetent, cocked-up, arse-over-tit way imaginable.

She rang the trust IT helldesk, & spoke to someone with an impenetrable (to her) Indian accent, an apparently poor command of English, who was in a very noisy room, & who had no knowledge of the different organisations whose e-mail & user accounts are subsumed under the trust IT. He kept asking her which hospital she worked for, & couldn't grasp the idea that there are people in the trust who aren't linked to hospitals.  :facepalm:

This really deserves a full-on rant, but I'm now so used to the fuckwittery of NHS management that I'm too weary for that.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 20 October, 2011, 06:39:49 pm
Quote from: Kim on 20 October, 2011, 12:09:55 pm
Quote from: Ashaman42 on 19 October, 2011, 10:05:43 pm
Think it might be the thermostat, as boiler and pump in airing cupboard kick in when hot water turned on at timer but neither work when water off and heating on. Not sure though, don't know whether to get a man in or pick up a cheap thermostat to try and fit myself and then GAMI if that doesn't work.

The thermostat's nearly always a simple switch.  In the absence of a multimeter to test it, you could just connect the wires directly together, and if the heating comes on, you know what the problem is.

I was considering this, and was going to post on here asking if that was wise. I know electrickery is quite simple really but was drummed into me as a kid not to take any risks.

How do I know which wires to connect, particulary as I don't have the manual/fitting instruction for the thermostat?

Saying that I do have a multimeter, just remembered I got one for my birthday. Grandad was right, the do come in useful. What setting should I use/what should I poke.

Cheers in advance for any help/advice.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 20 October, 2011, 06:43:08 pm
Quote from: Ashaman42 on 20 October, 2011, 06:39:49 pm
How do I know which wires to connect, particulary as I don't have the manual/fitting instruction for the thermostat?

Just try them in pairs, until your hair stops smoking...

 ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 20 October, 2011, 06:46:31 pm
Quote from: Arch on 20 October, 2011, 06:43:08 pm
Quote from: Ashaman42 on 20 October, 2011, 06:39:49 pm
How do I know which wires to connect, particulary as I don't have the manual/fitting instruction for the thermostat?

Just try them in pairs, until your hair stops smoking...

 ;)

Hmm, well I heard it on the internet, it must be true. *Wanders down stairs with screwdriver*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 20 October, 2011, 06:52:17 pm
Quote from: Ashaman42 on 20 October, 2011, 06:46:31 pm
Quote from: Arch on 20 October, 2011, 06:43:08 pm
Quote from: Ashaman42 on 20 October, 2011, 06:39:49 pm
How do I know which wires to connect, particulary as I don't have the manual/fitting instruction for the thermostat?

Just try them in pairs, until your hair stops smoking...

 ;)

Hmm, well I heard it on the internet, it must be true. *Wanders down stairs with screwdriver*

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 20 October, 2011, 06:55:42 pm
Quote from: Arch on 20 October, 2011, 06:52:17 pm
Quote from: Ashaman42 on 20 October, 2011, 06:46:31 pm
Quote from: Arch on 20 October, 2011, 06:43:08 pm
Quote from: Ashaman42 on 20 October, 2011, 06:39:49 pm
How do I know which wires to connect, particulary as I don't have the manual/fitting instruction for the thermostat?

Just try them in pairs, until your hair stops smoking...

 ;)

Hmm, well I heard it on the internet, it must be true. *Wanders down stairs with screwdriver*

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

Teehee. I'm not entirely daft (quiet at the back), I should probably just call my grandad but our landline is being rubbish as well. One thing after another at the mo.  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 20 October, 2011, 07:53:01 pm
Quote from: Ashaman42 on 20 October, 2011, 06:39:49 pm
How do I know which wires to connect, particulary as I don't have the manual/fitting instruction for the thermostat?

Does it actually have more than two?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 20 October, 2011, 07:55:38 pm
It has three: blue, yellow and red. It's a Honeywell T40 if that's any help?

I could take a photo and pop it up here if you want?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 20 October, 2011, 08:06:52 pm
Cut the red one, it's always the red one.

Except, maybe they thought of that.

Cut the blue one!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 20 October, 2011, 08:17:48 pm
Quote from: Ashaman42 on 20 October, 2011, 07:55:38 pm
It has three: blue, yellow and red. It's a Honeywell T40 if that's any help?

I could take a photo and pop it up here if you want?

Ah, that'll probably be a live, neutral[1] and a switched wire back to the boiler that goes live when heat is required.  The colours are likely to be at the whim of the installer, though anyone with an ounce of sense[2] will have used the blue for neutral and red for live.

There are probably markings on the stat terminals that would give a clue which is which...


[1] There's probably a small heating element within the stat to reduce the hysteresis of the system that requires power.
[2] Never assume!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 20 October, 2011, 08:40:26 pm
Hmm, there's a little diagram in the back of the cover. Was going to photo it and the 'stat but, of course, my camera battery is dead.

Back in a bit with a drawing.

Tadaa!

(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f129/Ashaman42/Thermostat.jpg)

Would I be right in thinking I need to connect wires 1 and 3? Or would it be 1 and 2?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: HTFB on 21 October, 2011, 02:28:01 am
Quote from: HTFB on 19 October, 2011, 06:06:50 pm
There's never a good time for pericoronitis.
and half past two in the morning is even worse.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nmcgann on 21 October, 2011, 06:39:13 am
Quote from: Ashaman42 on 20 October, 2011, 08:40:26 pm
...
Would I be right in thinking I need to connect wires 1 and 3? Or would it be 1 and 2?
1&3! The other alternative will cause a loud bang as you would be shorting L and N....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 21 October, 2011, 01:39:40 pm
Quote from: nmcgann on 21 October, 2011, 06:39:13 am
Quote from: Ashaman42 on 20 October, 2011, 08:40:26 pm
...
Would I be right in thinking I need to connect wires 1 and 3? Or would it be 1 and 2?
1&3! The other alternative will cause a loud bang as you would be shorting L and N....

Seconded.  Though it'd probably just blow a fuse somewhere.

Connecting 1 and 3 should make the heating come on.


Similarly, if you have a multimeter, stick it on the continuity/lowest resistance range.  It should display something meaning an approximation of infinity, and then drop to a very close to zero number (and possibly go beep) when you touch the probes together.  Disconnect the wiring from the thermostat and stick the probes on terminals 1 and 3.  As you turn the thermostat up, it should close the circuit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 21 October, 2011, 01:48:44 pm
At entry to a house, there is no neutral - so I don't think your house will blow up if you connect live and neutral (neutral and earth are only separated at the junction box). It should trigger your circuit breakers.

Kim's test is the safe one tho'
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 21 October, 2011, 01:57:27 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 21 October, 2011, 01:48:44 pm
At entry to a house, there is no neutral

Only under the PME system.  TN-S (separate earth and neutral conductors from the transformer) is more common in the UK.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 21 October, 2011, 02:51:06 pm
Mother of my son's mate: You told me your son has anger management issues when we had a chat a couple of weeks ago. Do you think, then, that allowing him at 9-y-o to play Call of Duty - Black Ops is going to calm him down? He just tried sneaking it into our house, but he'll never make a sneak thief. I'll allow a little discrepancy, but not that much!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 21 October, 2011, 07:50:45 pm
Thanks for all the advice regarding thermostat and multimeterage.

However I have discovered it's not the thermostat. Before I got round to poking wires I had another look at the 3 way valve doofer in the airing cupboard, found a little lever hidden round the backside. Had a choice between auto (which it was on) and manual.

Had a lot of play around auto but very stiff moving to manual. Could feel something moving so forced it round (gently) and it seems to be working. Lots of play in both direction with the lever so not sure if it's doing naything but we have heat.

Of course I may have just stuck the valve on heating now so will see if we have hot water in the morning. Gonna have to get a man in to service the boiler/gas fire I think but at least it's not as urgent now.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Oaky on 21 October, 2011, 09:40:05 pm
Fecking low-energy bulb in my dining room lamp.

It would take less time and provide more light if I constructed a bloody candle out of earwax and hair.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 22 October, 2011, 09:42:38 pm
My head has been aching a little for over a day now and I'm feeling mildly crap - not enough to be off to bed, but enough that I didn't go for a ride in the sun earlier. Meh.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Zipperhead on 22 October, 2011, 09:49:09 pm
I dispair for the human race. We seem to be getting more stupid :-(

Today in central London I saw a man pushing a pram along. Attached to the handle of the pram (on one side) was a thing much like a tag-along, wheel, seat & bars. With a small child riding on it.

Wearing a fucking helmet.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rower40 on 23 October, 2011, 12:48:56 pm
The 1130 from St Pancrap to Derby onna Sunday takes two anna half hours.  Stopping at every lamppost on the way, except, strangely, Loughborough.

What, pray, is the point in stopping at BOTH Luton Airport Parkway (for some 12 minutes) AND Luton?

Now at Kettering.  And the trolley has run out of sandwiches.  How can things get any worse?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 23 October, 2011, 01:05:27 pm
Quote from: rower40 on 23 October, 2011, 12:48:56 pm
The 1130 from St Pancrap to Derby onna Sunday takes two anna half hours.  Stopping at every lamppost on the way, except, strangely, Loughborough.

What, pray, is the point in stopping at BOTH Luton Airport Parkway (for some 12 minutes) AND Luton?

Now at Kettering.  And the trolley has run out of sandwiches.  How can things get any worse?

The WiFi, for which East Midlands Trains charges £4 a pop fails, and the bog blocks/floods/runs out of water.

I have made 4 journeys on east Midlands Trains since 1/10/2011.
There was no trolley at all on one trip.
There were no sandwiches on one trolley.
The bog failed on my return from Derby on 13/10/2011...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rower40 on 23 October, 2011, 01:14:13 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 23 October, 2011, 01:05:27 pm
The WiFi, for which East Midlands Trains charges £4 a pop fails, and the bog blocks/floods/runs out of water.

I have made 4 journeys on east Midlands Trains since 1/10/2011.
There was no trolley at all on one trip.
There were no sandwiches on one trolley.
The bog failed on my return from Derby on 13/10/2011...
Wi-fi (free to those of us in Leather class) is working fine.  "Hotel California" has just come on my MP3 player.  I'm clenching to avoid use of the bog.  All is good.
(Except we're now parked on a steeply canted curve at South Wigston Junction, waiting 10 mins for our slot into Leicester.  And the free coffee in Leather Class tastes of, well, nothing.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 23 October, 2011, 01:19:50 pm
You can check out any time, but you can never leave?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 23 October, 2011, 08:31:42 pm
Headwind - can you please go and play somewhere else for a bit? Two days straight in my face is enough, you really don't need to keep up all next week as well
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 24 October, 2011, 12:08:29 pm
Pedalling to go downhill this morning was Not Fun (tm).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 24 October, 2011, 01:55:30 pm
Stupid shitty e-mail spam- and virus-filtering thing - if I add a domain to my shit-list, don't quarantine messages from that domain, just delete them.  You were clearly devised by a massive bastard.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 24 October, 2011, 10:38:07 pm
I've been eaten by beasties.  Probably in That Suffolk.  I'm covered in itchy welts, which wasn't conducive to pleasant train travel earlier.

Pass the piriton...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 24 October, 2011, 10:45:58 pm
Oi, Squeezebox server. You shouldn't need a rescan after an update. It's neither big nor clever  :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 25 October, 2011, 10:26:42 am
Fax sever!  It's bad enough that you exist at all, but the fact of your having dished out about three thousand e-mails about a "full mailbox" in the past eighteen hours is beyond the wossname.  Pack it in, electrick wankspanner, ere I rend thee in the gobberwarts with my blurglecruncheon, see if I don't.

Also, the coffee machine is b0rked.  Spoons!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jacomus on 25 October, 2011, 11:54:00 am
Adobe! When I select 'attach to e-mail...' that is precisely what I want to do. If I actually wanted to use 'Adobe send online' or whateveritsbloodynameis I would click that instead.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 25 October, 2011, 01:28:05 pm
Quote from: Jacomus on 25 October, 2011, 11:54:00 am
Adobe! When I select 'attach to e-mail...' that is precisely what I want to do. If I actually wanted to use 'Adobe send online' or whateveritsbloodynameis I would click that instead. FTFY

Does Adobe ever need expanding?
Along with Apple and Google in fact! Wankspanners the lot of them!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 26 October, 2011, 07:13:44 pm
I am out of bouillon powder and quite fancied a risotto tonight. I have no money to buy new powder because payday is tomorrow and I am Skinty McSkint. So I thought I would improvise a stock out of white wine, water, bay leaf, pepper and a bit of Marmite. Except I appear to be out of Marmite. If I'd known, I would have got some more.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 26 October, 2011, 07:23:02 pm
Quote from: Kirst on 26 October, 2011, 07:13:44 pm
I am out of bouillon powder and quite fancied a risotto tonight. I have no money to buy new powder because payday is tomorrow and I am Skinty McSkint. So I thought I would improvise a stock out of white wine, water, bay leaf, pepper and a bit of Marmite. Except I appear to be out of Marmite. If I'd known, I would have got some more.
That sounds a wee bit like the culinary experiment I performed last night. I fancied a spag bol, but the delivery  from $SUPERMARKET wasn't until much later. I found a pack of turkey mince in the freezer and thought 'how bad can it be?'

The answer is 'fucking awful' - one mouthful was all I could stand before tipping the whole lot down the dunny.

Fortunately, the delivery from $SUPERMARKET contained a couple of packs of genuine minced cow, so I'll be doing the job properly tomorrow night (had bacon sammiches tonight 'cos I couldn't be arsed to do anything else)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 26 October, 2011, 08:14:03 pm
fleaBay seller: Thanks for the full refund. However, advising me to "buy something expensive next time" means you will get negative feedback next time I'm logged in. Your goods were downright dangerous. It was a chip pan & basket & the basket handle sheared off. It was tat of the lowest order. If I knew how, I'd take it further with eBay, as someone could get hurt by your crap.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 26 October, 2011, 09:03:01 pm
Dear Google,

"British" + sign + language +teeshirt should not be giving me whatever the "anti banning some kind of dog breed that uses BSL in the name" teeshirts.

Nor should you be giving me results with American fucking sign language on them as it's completely different and not helpful at all.

The only teeshirt I could find with BSL on it looked a bit too British Flaggy for my liking and was ugly.  So I'll do without!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hulver on 26 October, 2011, 09:10:07 pm
Quote from: barakta on 26 October, 2011, 09:03:01 pm
Dear Google,

"British" + sign + language +teeshirt should not be giving me whatever the "anti banning some kind of dog breed that uses BSL in the name" teeshirts.

Nor should you be giving me results with American fucking sign language on them as it's completely different and not helpful at all.

The only teeshirt I could find with BSL on it looked a bit too British Flaggy for my liking and was ugly.  So I'll do without!

The "+" on google searches no longer does what you think it should do. Google has changed it.

What you need to do instead is search for

"british" "sign" "language" "tshirt"

each word in quotes, instead of with the + at the front.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 26 October, 2011, 10:32:49 pm
I also tried the quotes thing having re-read the how Google works the other day (bloody stupid if you ask me btw) and I even tried -ASL -bull -dog -american on the quotey version and still nothing.

Sad day when Google stops understanding booleans properly and constantly screws around with its output.  I am increasingly hating Google's searching, and should really make an effort to find An Other decent search engine to reduce my dependence on the evil Google empire.

I suspect the results are also skewed by the teeshirt people being dimwits and assuming American sign is the same as British sign..
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 27 October, 2011, 05:17:19 am
A poor night of sleep*, followed by a day of the road in front of my flat being ripped up (great day to work from home), followed by another poor night of sleep* means I feel absolutely horrible.  No desire to crawl out of bed, never mind go to work, but needs must.  I'm taking the Tube rather than the bike because ICBA right now. *sigh*

* I don't mind fireworks, but can they please finish by 10-11pm?  (except for New Year).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: gerwinium on 27 October, 2011, 06:59:42 am
I'm having post-alcohol bicycle displacement issues, so will have to take public transport to work as well. Hope you feel better soon, Andrij
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 27 October, 2011, 08:30:12 am
Ouch.  Hope your day gets better.

I'll be sorted out quite easily by a quiet, stress-free day and a full night of sleep - so should be fine for Monday morning.  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 27 October, 2011, 09:16:32 am
Quote from: Andrij on 27 October, 2011, 05:17:19 am
A poor night of sleep*, followed by a day of the road in front of my flat being ripped up (great day to work from home), followed by another poor night of sleep* means I feel absolutely horrible.  No desire to crawl out of bed, never mind go to work, but needs must.  I'm taking the Tube rather than the bike because ICBA right now. *sigh*
I know the feeling.
After spending some considerable time1 thinking about it, I bailed out and got the bus in today. Even the 10 minute walk from the bus stop to work didn't clear my head. Today, I feel, will be one of those days.

1 - Well, about 15 seconds, really.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: HTFB on 27 October, 2011, 09:38:41 am
Quote from: hulver on 26 October, 2011, 09:10:07 pm
The "+" on google searches no longer does what you think it should do. Google has changed it.
Insanely, Google's +helpful1 did-you-mean-to-search-for suggestions still redirect you to searches with + added.


1 did you see what I did there?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Notsototalnewbie on 27 October, 2011, 09:39:20 am
I didn’t sleep properly last night either because my impacted wisdom tooth has decided it is time for another bout of pain. Going to work when shattered and in pain (plus looking a bit like a hamster on one side) is suboptimal.

I’ve finally got an assessment at Kings College dental hospital on Tuesday and then I’ll hopefully get an idea of how long the waiting list is. If it’s too long I may well give Teethgrinder a ring…to slightly paraphrase Shakespeare, tempt not a desperate woman! In the grumble thread because I know it’s hardly life-threatening and there are much worse things to be on an NHS waiting list for…
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: HTFB on 27 October, 2011, 09:48:35 am
Having had a bout of that last week, NSTN, (see upthread!) I don't think I'd recommend waiting till Tuesday. Get an emergency dental appointment for some antibiotics now, or you might be too inflamed for them to do the assessment.

I'd say "I share your pain" but frankly that's the last thing I want to do.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 27 October, 2011, 09:51:02 am
Quote from: HTFB on 27 October, 2011, 09:48:35 am
Having had a bout of that last week, NSTN, (see upthread!) I don't think I'd recommend waiting till Tuesday. Get an emergency dental appointment for some antibiotics now, or you might be too inflamed for them to do the assessment.

I'd say "I share your pain" but frankly that's the last thing I want to do.

If only it were possible. If we could all undertake to share someone's pain for a day or so, we'd hardly feel it if there were enough of us...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 27 October, 2011, 09:54:58 am
Quote from: Arch on 27 October, 2011, 09:51:02 am
Quote from: HTFB on 27 October, 2011, 09:48:35 am
Having had a bout of that last week, NSTN, (see upthread!) I don't think I'd recommend waiting till Tuesday. Get an emergency dental appointment for some antibiotics now, or you might be too inflamed for them to do the assessment.

I'd say "I share your pain" but frankly that's the last thing I want to do.

If only it were possible. If we could all undertake to share someone's pain for a day or so, we'd hardly feel it if there were enough of us...
If it were possible, there'd be some very uncomfortable coloured-pencil flingers on the middle floor of this 'ere building ...

I second the suggestion to get some antibiotics ASAP, though - I've been going through something similar with a tooth that's awaiting root-canal surgery and a couple of days-worth of amoxicillin got things down to the 'bearable' stage. If you want to throw your dentist a curve-ball, ask them if you can bring your root-canal treatment forward ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Notsototalnewbie on 27 October, 2011, 10:25:10 am
Thanks guys.

When the dentist referred me to the hospital back in September she prescribed me some Metronidazole in case it flared up again, so I started on them last night, but with each infection it seems to take longer and longer to clear and gets more painful each time, which is why I want the offending tooth out, despite my fear of dentists/needles/hospitals. Also going to buy some shares in Corsodyl, methinks (bleurgh).

I’m even more annoyed because although I’m not a big drinker, I wanted to have mulled wine at a fireworks display at the weekend, which is inadvisable on these tablets…pah. Grumble grumble.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 27 October, 2011, 10:44:34 am
Alcohol + Metronidazole -> Antabuse reaction.
Truly horrible as I understand it.
Don't try.
GWS NSTN!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Notsototalnewbie on 27 October, 2011, 11:01:39 am
Oh I won’t, thanks – as I understand it even drinking the day after you finish the course isn’t advised, the leaflet says 48 hours to ensure it’s all out of your system.

It’s just a pain that it should fall this weekend, as otherwise I’ll go weeks without a drink without even realising.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 27 October, 2011, 11:09:46 am
FWIW, I was given Metronidazole once, and I read the leaflet that came in the box, being the good patient that I can occasionally be.

I don't know if it is still the case, but with lesser strength ABs, the leaflet used to say "It is advised that you should not drink alcohol whilst taking these tablets" (or words to that effect) but with the metronidazole it said something along the lines of "Drinking alcohol whilst taking these tablets will lead to pain, hallucinations and DETH" (paraphrasing, obviously :) )
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 27 October, 2011, 03:40:31 pm
Alcohol + amoxicillin -> no problem if sensible (and not allergic to amoxicillin).
Alcohol + Met -> horribleness
Do not imbibe Winehouse-esque quantities of C2H5OH.

DETH with >400mg/100ml blood is not unexpected, even if sudden and a misadventure.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 27 October, 2011, 03:41:16 pm
Lurgy: I haz it :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: gerwinium on 27 October, 2011, 04:25:46 pm
Quote from: Kim on 27 October, 2011, 03:41:16 pm
Lurgy: I haz it :(

Meep, hope you get well before the November audax
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Chris S on 27 October, 2011, 07:36:43 pm
Quote from: Kim on 27 October, 2011, 03:41:16 pm
Lurgy: I haz it :(

You didn't take enough Vitamin C after the weekend, did you?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 27 October, 2011, 09:37:42 pm
Out of the batteries and USB wifi dongle (to enable us to watch iplayer on the new Humax PVR) I ordered from 7dayshop on Sat and which I have been gagging to play with, the batteries arrived today, along with a card saying the other package was too big for the letterbox.
It's only a dongle, how big a box does it need???

No gadget to play with. Meh.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 27 October, 2011, 10:18:57 pm
Quote from: Chris S on 27 October, 2011, 07:36:43 pm
You didn't take enough Vitamin C after the weekend, did you?

I thought the McDonalds would fend it off.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 28 October, 2011, 12:56:17 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 27 October, 2011, 09:37:42 pm
Out of the batteries and USB wifi dongle (to enable us to watch iplayer on the new Humax PVR) I ordered from 7dayshop on Sat and which I have been gagging to play with, the batteries arrived today, along with a card saying the other package was too big for the letterbox.
It's only a dongle, how big a box does it need???

No gadget to play with. Meh.
lso included.

IME Dongles are packaged in boxes 5-6 cm deep * 10-12 cm wide & long.
USB extension cables are sometimes a
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Regulator on 28 October, 2011, 07:07:31 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 27 October, 2011, 10:44:34 am
Alcohol + Metronidazole -> Antabuse reaction.
Truly horrible as I understand it.
Don't try.
GWS NSTN!

I forgot which antibiotics I was on once*... :facepalm:

 :sick: :sick: :sick:

DO NOT mix alcohol and Metronidazole  :facepalm:




*It was at a time when I was taking so many antibiotics for different things, thanks to a suppressed immune system.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 28 October, 2011, 08:19:20 am
In my experience metronidazole is vile enough without added boozahol.  They once put me on doxy and met together for a 3 week course to nuke sinusitis; I managed 2 before my digestive system totally gave up.  I don’t like antibiotics, I don't get on well with many of them.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Notsototalnewbie on 28 October, 2011, 08:42:02 am
Tell me about it...I'm never in a rush to take the buggers as they generally result in another lot of delightful side effects which I won't go into here  :(

It wouldn't be so bad if it was actually doing something but I've been on them for over 36 hours and so far the pain has only got worse  :'( I'm not a patient patient....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 28 October, 2011, 09:38:31 am
Wow ... all these tales of antibiotic woe make me glad I'm teetotal :)
Now oral anti-hyperglycaemic drugs, *they* have some interesting side effects (some of which will affect people within about a 5 mile radius ;) )

To be fair, though, I've never really had anything which hasn't responded to a few days amoxicillin, this sodding periapical abscess included although it's days are very much numbered (root-canal surgery on Tuesday) - however, I do have the deepest sympathy for anyone who is suffering prolonged dental pain.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 28 October, 2011, 09:49:19 am
Just to add to the fun of the time I was on Met, the Doc was obviously having an off day, bearing in mind I had a fistula.  He gave me Co-codamol (as well as the Met) to help manage the pain.....

That was the time I found that Co-codamol 1) don't agree with me 2) last EXACTLY 6 hours....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 28 October, 2011, 09:59:37 am
Quote from: tiermat on 28 October, 2011, 09:49:19 am
Just to add to the fun of the time I was on Met, the Doc was obviously having an off day, bearing in mind I had a fistula.  He gave me Co-codamol (as well as the Met) to help manage the pain.....

That was the time I found that Co-codamol 1) don't agree with me 2) last EXACTLY 6 hours....
Why let the bottom fall out of your world when the world can fall out of your bottom ...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 28 October, 2011, 12:30:57 pm
I have a friend who's had fun with metformin in the past - horrible stuff! 

I'm virtually teetotal so not drinking while on antibiotics is just a default for me.  Even if it wasn't problematic I go on the logic that my body doesn't need any more toxins than absolutely necessary while dealing with lurgy + antibiotics.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 28 October, 2011, 12:50:43 pm
Quote from: barakta on 28 October, 2011, 12:30:57 pm
I have a friend who's had fun with metformin in the past - horrible stuff! 
Apparently one of the side effects of metformin is weight loss ... I'm still waiting for that to kick in :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 28 October, 2011, 02:37:28 pm
Quote from: barakta on 28 October, 2011, 08:19:20 am
In my experience metronidazole is vile enough without added boozahol.  They once put me on doxy and met together for a 3 week course to nuke sinusitis; I managed 2 before my digestive system totally gave up.  I don’t like antibiotics, I don't get on well with many of them.
Snap. But I only had to stop the metronidazole back then. I was given doxy on its own last week, & it screwed my stomach. Pain, nausea, complete loss of appetite. It's part of the reason why I'm still here & not in Japan with Mrs B. Some flu-like virus did the rest. 3 kg lighter & feeling too weak & woozy to travel.

Amoxicillin now, although the doc's a little worried that it might not be potent enough. Much better, but my gut's still giving me a little trouble.

I used to be able to take any antibiotic with no problem. Nowadays my gut won't take them. With my bloody sinuses, that's a problem.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 28 October, 2011, 02:59:53 pm
Oi. Grass.  It's nearly November.  Give me a break, will you?
Mind you, I have been away for a while.  I think I could do the first pass with a combine harvester.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Adam on 28 October, 2011, 07:37:37 pm
BBC Breakfast Time presenter people.  When discussing about feeding birds in the garden and talking about the clocks going back, don't say the birds have now got an hour's less daylight to forage for food. 

On Sunday, there's about 2 minutes less daylight compared with Saturday.   ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 28 October, 2011, 08:05:09 pm
Ubuntu 10.04: You are giving me enough shite with my laptop touchpad & USB mouse. So why do you not talk to Yahoo properly and instead display the mobile version of the Yahoo homepage? I don't have the patience for linux, I'm afraid... As Private Frazer would say: "You're doomed!"...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Peter on 28 October, 2011, 08:52:49 pm
Quote from: Adam on 28 October, 2011, 07:37:37 pm
BBC Breakfast Time presenter people.  When discussing about feeding birds in the garden and talking about the clocks going back, don't say the birds have now got an hour's less daylight to forage for food. 

On Sunday, there's about 2 minutes less daylight compared with Saturday.   ::-)

Strictly true, but in fairness to the presenters, who probably hadn't thought of this anyway, I will be putting the food out an hour later.  At least, I would be if I wasn't struggling round an Audax.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: arabella on 28 October, 2011, 10:38:38 pm
washing machine manufacturer, why did you design your product so that neither the back nor the side nor the front (apparently) come off.  and why is that rubber band thingy so taut I can't possibly pull it back into place.  and with aforementioned lack or removable outers how am I supposed to see what caused the rubber band to fall off anyway.
anyone would think you want me to buy a new one.  as Mr WashingMAchineRepairMan seemed to be on his last legs about 6 years ago that is what I will probably have to do, what a waste ...

(it's a tricity bendix cdw 1000 if anyone actually knows anything about it, from about 1994)

it makes a nice collection with the dead fill valve on the loo ad the leaky kettle though.  I forsee an exciting weekend ahead of me ...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 29 October, 2011, 07:25:42 am
Have you tried googling for the service manual?
Does that mfg still exist?  If so, an email to customer service might help.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: arabella on 29 October, 2011, 01:15:44 pm
tried that - only found the user instructions which I have already.
Anyway, I found a bearing rolling around on the floor this morning so I have decided it is beyond be and am getting a replacement.

Anyone want a working waching machine motor - I think you can use them to make a generator but I don't know how ...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 29 October, 2011, 04:10:02 pm
Don't most basic electric motors produce electricity if you passively spin the armature? Simples...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 30 October, 2011, 10:25:35 am
Bah, I only had a cold the week before last. Why have I woken up (been woken up by) a mega sore throat? I shouldn't get ill again for a good while yet.

And I've got loads that needs doing today but now just want to hibernate.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 30 October, 2011, 02:01:10 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 29 October, 2011, 04:10:02 pm
Don't most basic electric motors produce electricity if you passively spin the armature? Simples...

Yes, they can be made to, however washing machine motors are not basic.
They are not simple beasts which just sync up to the mains frequency.

They have several windings, and a tacho arrangement too.
They need to be driven by deep-magic controllers to regulate their speed.
They are capable of very high speeds if not regulated by the negative feedback system from the tacho to the controller.
This is how they can run tis way and that, at a wide range of speeds for washy washy and spinny spinny.

They are non-trivial things to spin up in a DIY bodge.

If you want to make an alternator, I'd choose a different donor part:-)

--
F
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 30 October, 2011, 02:14:41 pm
Quote from: Kirst on 26 October, 2011, 07:13:44 pm
I am out of bouillon powder and quite fancied a risotto tonight. I have no money to buy new powder because payday is tomorrow and I am Skinty McSkint. So I thought I would improvise a stock out of white wine, water, bay leaf, pepper and a bit of Marmite. Except I appear to be out of Marmite. If I'd known, I would have got some more.
I got more. And then I found the other one.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 31 October, 2011, 06:47:52 am
I ache. All over. I hate audaxing on Sundays, it always leaves you needing another day of the weekend. That, and everything is shut early and you end up spending the long dark teatime of the soul that is the wintery Sunday afternoon slogging round the latter stages wishing it was over, instead of basking in the warmth of a log fire, toasting crumpets.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 31 October, 2011, 07:29:06 pm
Online banking.  The Natwest flavour I can cope with, as that's where my credit card and current accounts are, so I log in on a regular enough basis that I can perform the required memory and mental agility tests without thinking.

The Nationwide ones, on the other hand, I only need to log into every n months, where n is about two weeks longer than it takes to forget one piece of security data.  Added annoyances like mouse-intensive login procedures to thwart keyloggers compound the irritation.

And the password rules are such that I can't just set everything to "correct horse battery staple".

Gah!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 31 October, 2011, 09:37:55 pm
Kim.  I first read that as "on line baking" Which both surprised and intrigued me.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 31 October, 2011, 09:43:57 pm
That's CrinklyLion's department.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 01 November, 2011, 02:29:50 pm
They have replaced hard-copy payslips with some on-line bobbins which, to add insult to basic cockery, only jbexeth with IE.  If you don't log in at least every thirty days, your account is killed to DETH and you can't book holibobs any more either.  How long are some months?

See my case, over there? :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 01 November, 2011, 03:19:11 pm
Thinking join-up FAIL!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 01 November, 2011, 03:29:04 pm
How can it take A MONTH for my union rep to set up a meeting with my boss?  I would've quite happily done it myself but she insisted she should do it.  And in the meantime I'm getting more and more tired and frustrated.  Ah, well, at least my solicitor is setting up some CBT for me.  Assessment appointment Monday.  It's nine months now.  Nine months and I'm still in pain.  Ah, well.  Could be a lot worse.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 01 November, 2011, 03:41:39 pm
Oooh. That reminds me ... I need to light a fire under the lawyers who are supposed to be dealing with my accident compensation claim. I also need to take great care to do it in a metaphorical sense, rather than an combustible sense, no matter how tempting it seems.

Maybe I can use my change in circumstances to convince them to get their collective arses into gear.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 01 November, 2011, 03:43:21 pm
Quote from: interzen on 01 November, 2011, 03:41:39 pm
Oooh. That reminds me ... I need to light a fire under the lawyers who are supposed to be dealing with my accident compensation claim.

Maybe I can use my change in circumstances to convince them to get their collective arses into gear.

Good luck with that IZ, be nice to have things sorted by Christmas eh?  What do you reckon our chances are?   ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 01 November, 2011, 03:46:09 pm
Quote from: Lindagordinho on 01 November, 2011, 03:43:21 pm
Quote from: interzen on 01 November, 2011, 03:41:39 pm
Oooh. That reminds me ... I need to light a fire under the lawyers who are supposed to be dealing with my accident compensation claim.

Maybe I can use my change in circumstances to convince them to get their collective arses into gear.

Good luck with that IZ, be nice to have things sorted by Christmas eh?  What do you reckon our chances are?   ;D
Dunno your exact circumstances, but for myself I reckon that after nearly 11 months, various bits of physiotherapy, more painkillers than the mind can comfortably conceive plus a couple of MRI scans thrown in for good measure I should have had a result by now.

In fact, I reckon I should have had a result six sodding months ago, especially as it was a no-fault claim and the other side admitted liability pretty much straight away.

On my signal, unleash hell ....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 02 November, 2011, 02:56:56 pm
O hai Harlot Council!

There is no need to turn streetlights on when it's bright and sunny.

kthxbai
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 03 November, 2011, 10:30:32 am
Dear BBC London.  There is something Wrong with the sound on your News, Travel & Weather spot during BBC Breakfast.  On Tuesday the lovely Victoria Hollins was inaudible; yesterday she was shouting loud enough to shake the walls.  Today the almost but not quite as lovely Katherine Carpenter was equally shouty.  Sort it out, you manky old twunts.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 03 November, 2011, 12:44:52 pm
Off-shore computer whallers.

STOP using LPAR when you mean VM.

It's easy enough to remember, ok?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 03 November, 2011, 01:17:22 pm
"David Johnson" (presumably) of Bangalore: When you're rumbled, as you were today, just hang up, eh?! Trying to justify your chicanery by giving me a history lesson on Anglo-Indian relations isn't going to stop me laughing at you.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jacomus on 03 November, 2011, 01:43:09 pm
[Delayed grumble]

Bar Staff,

If I am at the bar with mate A, who is just another regular joe like me, and either one of us asks for 'two pints of $beer please' what do you do? Yes, that is correct - you pour and serve two pints of $beer.

However, if I am at the bar with mate B, who is [que shock and/or horror] a woman, and either of us asks for 'two pints of $beer please' what do you do? Yup, immidiately look at her [mouth agape, or not, it seems to be a little random] and say any of the following 'Is that a half?', 'Two pints?', *pour one pint and place infront of me* 'Was that a half?', 'You want a half, yeah?', 'Did you mean a half and a pint, or two pints?'. >:(

If we ask, quite plainly, for two pints... that is what we want! I'm sure that if you ask TimO, he will be able to confirm what this particular operation isn't.

[/Delayed grumble]
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 03 November, 2011, 04:11:52 pm
On account of being an infrequent frequenter of drinking establishments (and many of those being the sort where the consumption of pints by women is far from unusual) that's a phenomenon that I've only had cause to observe on a handful of occasions in the wild.  However, I believe that Julian is a highly qualified expert on the above rant and in exchange for an even number of halves of Crusty Beer - served together in pint glasses, of course - may be persuaded to perform it with all her trademark finesse.

 :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 03 November, 2011, 04:39:33 pm
"Glasses" would be my rant to that.

Back a few aeons I briefly had a job in a pub. Sometimes customers would ask for "a glass of beer" and for some of them this meant a half, for others it meant a pint, for others again it meant a particular shape of drinking vessel (with handle, without handle, dimpled, whatever). And there were also women who would ask for "a beer" and you'd ask if they wanted a pint or a half, they would act astounded that they could have meant anything other than a half. Cos ladies don't drink pints. Except in glasses.

So it's hard to win that one. Still, there's no need to lose quite so spectacularly!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 03 November, 2011, 04:57:43 pm
When I worked in a pub, beer glasses were that jug sort.  When asked for a pint and a half we were supposed to ask if they wanted a "lady's glass". 
We were on a hiding to nothing really.
Ah, the 70s.  A different country.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 03 November, 2011, 05:05:24 pm
I've bought many rounds, and been present at the buying of many more, and I don't think I've ever noticed a bar person querying a pint order for me, except on a few occasions where it's been very noisy, or the person ordering has dithered and not been terribly clear....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Adam on 03 November, 2011, 06:55:39 pm
I'll have a pint as well, thanks.   :P
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 03 November, 2011, 07:52:49 pm
I don't drink pints, as I am a laydee.

And I don't like beer.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 03 November, 2011, 08:28:32 pm
I asked for a pint of Diet Coke at some nightclub once. I was refused.
I was Not Impressed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Butterfly on 03 November, 2011, 08:45:24 pm
People for whom I am babysitting: Yes, it is very clever to have a massively complex tv system, but excessively useless if it isn't possible for a normal person to make it make NOISE. I can't even listen to the radio on it which is what I normally do when babysitting, not being that interested in pictures. >:( Furthermore, if you can't sort the TV out, you could at least leave me the code for the wifi, so I don't have to use my vodafone wireless broadband which is distinctly slower than a slow thing, half the time. >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Butterfly on 03 November, 2011, 09:55:07 pm
^in addition, I notice from the incumbent nanny's notes that she told you ages ago that the heating wasn't working, so how come I'm sitting here in the cold, 2 weeks later?

*Edit - it's just got better, the big fluffy cat has found me and is doing a sterling hot water bottle impersonation :)*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 03 November, 2011, 10:03:43 pm
Perhaps they've turned the TV, wifi and heating off so that they can afford a nanny, a babysitter and a cat?  ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Butterfly on 03 November, 2011, 10:36:39 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 03 November, 2011, 10:03:43 pm
Perhaps they've turned the TV, wifi and heating off so that they can afford a nanny, a babysitter and a cat?  ;)

Well, I know the wifi is actually working since the 7 year old was shouting at the internet earlier ;D. I just don't know how to borrow it. It is possible that the heating is still broken as an economy measure, but I think it is more to do with people who go out to work not having the same urgency about fixing things as the person who is around them all day :-\.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 03 November, 2011, 11:31:36 pm
Is it a BT wireless? The network name and password are written underneath the hub.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SteveC on 03 November, 2011, 11:46:33 pm
Quote from: David Martin on 03 November, 2011, 11:31:36 pm
Is it a BT wireless? The network name and password are written underneath the hub.
Ditto for Orange (at least the password is)

S
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 03 November, 2011, 11:55:07 pm
Don't they teach you 1337 h4xx0r 5|<11z at mary poppins school?   ::-)


Obgrumble: Barakta, you're not a Turing machine, please stop nibbling the antihistamine tablets from the blister pack in a pseudorandom order.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rower40 on 04 November, 2011, 06:26:57 am
Quote from: Jacomus on 03 November, 2011, 01:43:09 pm
Bar Staff,

However, if I am at the bar with mate B, who is [que shock and/or horror] a woman, and either of us asks for 'two pints of $beer please' what do you do? Yup, immidiately look at her [mouth agape, or not, it seems to be a little random] and say any of the following 'Is that a half?', 'Two pints?', *pour one pint and place infront of me* 'Was that a half?', 'You want a half, yeah?', 'Did you mean a half and a pint, or two pints?'. >:(
Gentleman asks for two pints.  (Obv., Gentleman should be buying in an establishment of that sort)
Barman serves first pint, places it in front of Gentleman
Gentleman passes it across to Lady, and then looks quizzically at Barman for the second one

For added kudos, Lady necks pint while Barman is pouring second pint, and places, with an audible clunk, the empty glass on the counter BEFORE the Barman has finished providing the Gentleman's change.  Only to be attempted if you really want to teach Barman a lesson.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Butterfly on 04 November, 2011, 10:21:12 am
Quote from: David Martin on 03 November, 2011, 11:31:36 pm
Is it a BT wireless? The network name and password are written underneath the hub.

Not if they've been fiddled with (they have, I tried that first).

Quote from: Kim on 03 November, 2011, 11:55:07 pm
Don't they teach you 1337 h4xx0r 5|<11z at mary poppins school?   ::-)


Sadly not: If I was going to start a school for nannies I would demand that they learn:


Incidentally, some of these are still beyond me (obviously);D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 04 November, 2011, 10:50:52 am
Quote from: Kim on 03 November, 2011, 11:55:07 pm
Obgrumble: Barakta, you're not a Turing machine, please stop nibbling the antihistamine tablets from the blister pack in a pseudorandom order.

What are you doing eating the emergency backup stash of said antihistamines?  How else will I know you're nibbling away at the BACKUP STASH instead of buying more unless I annoy you enough to moan on the Internet  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 04 November, 2011, 01:34:38 pm
Doctor's surgery; Spiffy website. Looks really nice. So does the new building.

Now, it would be really useful to have the surgery opening hours on there, don't you think?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 04 November, 2011, 03:38:45 pm
Clothing Manufacturers:  Stop putting massive labels made from nasty scratchy material on the inside of garments meant to be worn next to the skin.

When they are cut off because they have become too irritating, any stubble left remaining is even more jaggy.  Cut it any closer to the garment, and you end up cutting the stitching and end up with a hole in the seam of the garment.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 04 November, 2011, 03:54:22 pm
Quote from: rower40 on 04 November, 2011, 06:26:57 am
For added kudos, Lady necks pint while Barman is pouring second pint, and places, with an audible clunk, the empty glass on the counter BEFORE the Barman has finished providing the Gentleman's change.  Only to be attempted if you really want to teach Barman a lesson.
Sounds like you've met my ex ... this is exactly what she used to do when we were at university.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 04 November, 2011, 05:10:14 pm
Quote from: Feanor on 04 November, 2011, 03:38:45 pm
Clothing Manufacturers:  Stop putting massive labels made from nasty scratchy material on the inside of garments meant to be worn next to the skin.

When they are cut off because they have become too irritating, any stubble left remaining is even more jaggy.  Cut it any closer to the garment, and you end up cutting the stitching and end up with a hole in the seam of the garment.



S'not just me with a sensitive neck turn.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 04 November, 2011, 08:53:19 pm
I've been hot & sweaty all day in a vaguely lurgified manner, now despite the fact that it's warm in the flat I'm wearing a fleece top & trousers to feel comfortable :-(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: why1040 on 04 November, 2011, 09:11:00 pm
I dislike fireworks.

They put me in a really negative frame of mind, no matter how illogical I know it is.

Fmeh
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 04 November, 2011, 09:29:23 pm
Me too.  I used to be a pyrotechnician, and i am firmly of the opinion that private purchase of explosives should be illegal. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 04 November, 2011, 09:33:17 pm
People who don't like fireworks: stop grumbling, you spoilsports. Fireworks are ace.

 :P
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 04 November, 2011, 09:34:15 pm
:P ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 04 November, 2011, 09:35:03 pm
Next time bobb goes down for a cig, I'm going with him and taking sparklers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 04 November, 2011, 10:28:21 pm
Fireworks: it is Deepawali, or near enough, so be thankful you still have oxygen and eyes. And it can't be just coincidence Guy Fawkes chose this time of year to try his pyrotechnics, surely.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 05 November, 2011, 10:30:09 am
Pigeons! Stop flying into the windows! I nearly cacked myself, again.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Butterfly on 05 November, 2011, 11:52:52 am
Quote from: Feanor on 04 November, 2011, 03:38:45 pm
Clothing Manufacturers:  Stop putting massive labels made from nasty scratchy material on the inside of garments meant to be worn next to the skin.

When they are cut off because they have become too irritating, any stubble left remaining is even more jaggy.  Cut it any closer to the garment, and you end up cutting the stitching and end up with a hole in the seam of the garment.

Exactly. The worst ones are labels inside the waistband of trousers, they are often really scratchy and sewn all the way round and difficult to unpick without cutting the material. The other thing I have problems with are toggles to tighten the necks of fleeces and the like - the ones in the middle catch your hair constantly: why didn't they think of that? It's not like those for women are most likely to be worn with shaved hair - they might but it's not the most likely scenario >:(.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 05 November, 2011, 12:37:44 pm
Quote from: Kirst on 04 November, 2011, 09:33:17 pm
People who don't like fireworks: stop grumbling, you spoilsports. Fireworks are ace.

 :P

Fireworks are ace, people setting them off at half-eleven on Halloween when I'm trying to sleep off the lurgy are not.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 05 November, 2011, 12:43:25 pm
Fireworks are just tedious.  They go flash or bang or whizz.

Right, I'm cold.  Let's go in for a cup of tea and slice of parkin.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feline on 05 November, 2011, 12:48:21 pm
I hate fireworks with a vengeance. OK, my job might be leaning me towards this view. But why people think it's such a cool idea to celebrate an act of terrorism being thwarted by terrorising other people's pets is beyond me.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 05 November, 2011, 01:19:41 pm
Whilst I agree that fireworks are pretty, I also agree with Feline that being asked to keep your animals indoors/under the bed/in a soundproof booth for more than one night is a bit much. If it were restricted to licenced displays only, just think how much less stressed the emergency services would be at this time of year too.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 05 November, 2011, 01:38:05 pm
Cat, I know you're a poor old senile sossig, but standing outside the door screaming at the top of your lungs is not going to endear you to the neebors.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 05 November, 2011, 01:38:58 pm
Quote from: Feanor on 04 November, 2011, 03:38:45 pm
Clothing Manufacturers:  Stop putting massive labels made from nasty scratchy material on the inside of garments meant to be worn next to the skin.

When they are cut off because they have become too irritating, any stubble left remaining is even more jaggy.  Cut it any closer to the garment, and you end up cutting the stitching and end up with a hole in the seam of the garment.

Buy surgical stitch-cutter (scalpel blade with sharp side on inside of curve) from online merchant. Unpick stiches on label side, close to label.
Label drops off.
Shirt undamaged...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Marj on 05 November, 2011, 02:32:30 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 05 November, 2011, 10:30:09 am
Pigeons! Stop flying into the windows! I nearly cacked myself, again.

You've gone and sent them down here, bloody things made a right mess over the window and the window cleaner only cleaned them the other day, gets cloth out and goes the clean the mess, grumble grumble grumble
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: why1040 on 05 November, 2011, 04:06:41 pm
Budgens, your wasabi peas are completely rubbish!

I was really looking forward to some forceful sinus-cleansing by wasabi, but these are barely coated and weak as stink!

 >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 05 November, 2011, 10:27:53 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 05 November, 2011, 01:38:58 pm
Quote from: Feanor on 04 November, 2011, 03:38:45 pm
Clothing Manufacturers:  Stop putting massive labels made from nasty scratchy material on the inside of garments meant to be worn next to the skin.

When they are cut off because they have become too irritating, any stubble left remaining is even more jaggy.  Cut it any closer to the garment, and you end up cutting the stitching and end up with a hole in the seam of the garment.

Buy surgical stitch-cutter (scalpel blade with sharp side on inside of curve) from online merchant. Unpick stiches on label side, close to label.
Label drops off.
Shirt undamaged...
My mum had something called a Kwik Unpik, which while not surgical, did the same job. Hers was yellow IIRC, the one in the photo at the bottom of this page (http://skinnylaminx.wordpress.com/category/design/page/11/) is white.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wonky on 05 November, 2011, 11:15:08 pm
Quote from: why1040 on 05 November, 2011, 04:06:41 pm
Budgens, your wasabi peas are completely rubbish!

I was really looking forward to some forceful sinus-cleansing by wasabi, but these are barely coated and weak as stink!

 >:(
Wasabi peanuts (we got ours from Loon Fung in Wembley/Alperton) are awesome.

Except when you forget what they are and neck a small handful in one go.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 06 November, 2011, 10:35:25 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 05 November, 2011, 10:27:53 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 05 November, 2011, 01:38:58 pm
Quote from: Feanor on 04 November, 2011, 03:38:45 pm
Clothing Manufacturers:  Stop putting massive labels made from nasty scratchy material on the inside of garments meant to be worn next to the skin.

When they are cut off because they have become too irritating, any stubble left remaining is even more jaggy.  Cut it any closer to the garment, and you end up cutting the stitching and end up with a hole in the seam of the garment.

Buy surgical stitch-cutter (scalpel blade with sharp side on inside of curve) from online merchant. Unpick stiches on label side, close to label.
Label drops off.
Shirt undamaged...
My mum had something called a Kwik Unpik, which while not surgical, did the same job. Hers was yellow IIRC, the one in the photo at the bottom of this page (http://skinnylaminx.wordpress.com/category/design/page/11/) is white.

My Mum has always had (and still has) a Kwik Unpik, very useful little things.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: arabella on 06 November, 2011, 01:54:24 pm
I've got 3.  One came with the sewing machine and the other 2 were 50p apiece from the haberdashery-cum-yarn shop.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 07 November, 2011, 01:35:10 pm
Dozy Chair of the PTA: I told you I was sending you a draft of the newsletter. People have said you are thick & I have held off judgement until recently, but you are, I'm afraid, proving them right. A draft is for you to check - I even asked for feedback - and now you have published it, it has several typos I would have picked up on a more in-depth reading. Not impressed!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Marco Stefano on 07 November, 2011, 04:50:15 pm
Meeting with financial advisor at bank on Saturday morning. I arrived from rowing club suitably lycra'd, Mrs Marco from home with Gill cycling jacket & rucksack. Cue advisor:

'Come by bike? Ooh, you are good...'

The nature of the choice being entirely pragmatic for a <2 mile journey into a small city centre appeared to have been entirely lost on her.  ::-)

The arguments over the introduction of parking charges will outlast me, I think.  :hand:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 07 November, 2011, 08:10:46 pm
Well I'm not complaining that I didn't have a headwind for the ride home but it's a shame that I couldn't take proper advantage of the tailwind as I was outrunning my lights. Ho hum.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 08 November, 2011, 12:08:14 am
No room for my bike on the train on Friday  :'(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 08 November, 2011, 01:42:13 pm
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 07 November, 2011, 01:35:10 pm
Dozy Chair of the PTA: I told you I was sending you a draft of the newsletter. People have said you are thick & I have held off judgement until recently, but you are, I'm afraid, proving them right. A draft is for you to check - I even asked for feedback - and now you have published it, it has several typos I would have picked up on a more in-depth reading. Not impressed!

OK, three strikes & I'm outta here! You cancelled an event a day before it was due to happen on a knee-jerk reaction; you send out a crappy newsletter draft & now you send out incomplete minutes that I said needed your input before distribution. You are either incompetent or reckless & I don't have to work with you - it's unpaid - so find another volunteer who can put up with your "foibles".
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 08 November, 2011, 04:15:52 pm
Apologies to those who don't wrestle with the works of the Great Satan of Seattle on a daily basis.

Is it too much to ask that; if I have declared a variable as boolean and I then assign the return value of some function to it, where that function returns a string, that the bloody compiler picks up on it rather than having the application fall over in an untidy heap at runtime?

Those in the "trade" can probably guess which vile little language I'm using to pay my mortgage.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 08 November, 2011, 04:24:44 pm
I wish my neck would stop hurting already.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 08 November, 2011, 04:27:09 pm
Quote from: TheLurker on 08 November, 2011, 04:15:52 pm
Those in the "trade" can probably guess which vile little language I'm using to pay my mortgage.
Actually, I can think of several vile little languages that might fit this bill - all of them from the Spawn Of Redmond.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Chris S on 08 November, 2011, 04:27:25 pm
Quote from: TheLurker on 08 November, 2011, 04:15:52 pm
Those in the "trade" can probably guess which vile little language I'm using to pay my mortgage.

Hehe. I'm assuming VB; because I so disbelieved this - I just tried it. I am shocked and appalled.

Hooray for c# and strict typing \o/.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 08 November, 2011, 07:46:53 pm
But even if loosely-typed, simply returning *anything* other than zero would be type-cast to boolean '1'?

Even the string "Noe! Noe! Never! A Thousand times Noe! (cont p94) /n"

So it May Still Work, even out of pure chance?
Or not, as chance would have it.

--
F
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 08 November, 2011, 07:55:13 pm
Quote from: Feanor on 08 November, 2011, 07:46:53 pm
But even if loosely-typed, simply returning *anything* other than zero would be type-cast to boolean '1'?
Possibly. In an ideal world.
Many languages don't do this, however (Ruby and Python don't, and I'm pretty sure Perl doesn't either)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Chris S on 08 November, 2011, 09:04:22 pm
Well, I'm with TheLurker. The best (read "cheapest to fix") bug catches are those caught by the compiler. Assigning a string to a boolean is wrong 99% of the time. In an ideal world - all bugs would be caught by the compiler.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 08 November, 2011, 10:09:09 pm
Quote from: interzen on 08 November, 2011, 07:55:13 pm
Quote from: Feanor on 08 November, 2011, 07:46:53 pm
But even if loosely-typed, simply returning *anything* other than zero would be type-cast to boolean '1'?
Possibly. In an ideal world.
Many languages don't do this, however (Ruby and Python don't, and I'm pretty sure Perl doesn't either)

Perl and Python will evaluate the expression in a boolean context if called in that way.

So if (getusername()) {
returns a non-empty string it will evaluate as true, whereas an empty string will evaluate as false.

 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Regulator on 09 November, 2011, 09:53:55 am
Quote from: interzen on 01 November, 2011, 03:46:09 pm
Quote from: Lindagordinho on 01 November, 2011, 03:43:21 pm
Quote from: interzen on 01 November, 2011, 03:41:39 pm
Oooh. That reminds me ... I need to light a fire under the lawyers who are supposed to be dealing with my accident compensation claim.

Maybe I can use my change in circumstances to convince them to get their collective arses into gear.

Good luck with that IZ, be nice to have things sorted by Christmas eh?  What do you reckon our chances are?   ;D
Dunno your exact circumstances, but for myself I reckon that after nearly 11 months, various bits of physiotherapy, more painkillers than the mind can comfortably conceive plus a couple of MRI scans thrown in for good measure I should have had a result by now.

In fact, I reckon I should have had a result six sodding months ago, especially as it was a no-fault claim and the other side admitted liability pretty much straight away.

On my signal, unleash hell ....

I would just caution not to push for too early a settlement, as PI claims are 'one bite of the cherry'.  Sometimes it's better to take your time, to allow all the possible implications of any injury to surface and a firm prognosis to be reached.

It took over 2½ years for my claim to be settled.  But some of the long-term implications of the injury took that long to emerge.

Be guided by the medics in particular.  If they're saying 'we need to wait and see' then it can be best to wait and see.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 09 November, 2011, 12:26:33 pm
Too many possible bike rides this weekend.  I thought by this time of year the choices would be fewer and I wouldn't have this problem. :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 09 November, 2011, 02:01:31 pm
Banks, Typetalk, the usual.

(Ranting preemptively on barakta's behalf as she needs both hands for the phone.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 09 November, 2011, 04:25:19 pm
Day - just give up ok.

Having to use up leave because I slept in is my problem, but then getting parked in at the sorting office for half and hour and giving me a mysterious cut in an active area leading to sitting in a lead box with a beta-gamma counter on my finger for 10 minutes is just taking things too far :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 10 November, 2011, 03:26:35 pm
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 08 November, 2011, 01:42:13 pm
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 07 November, 2011, 01:35:10 pm
Dozy Chair of the PTA: I told you I was sending you a draft of the newsletter. People have said you are thick & I have held off judgement until recently, but you are, I'm afraid, proving them right. A draft is for you to check - I even asked for feedback - and now you have published it, it has several typos I would have picked up on a more in-depth reading. Not impressed!

OK, three strikes & I'm outta here! You cancelled an event a day before it was due to happen on a knee-jerk reaction; you send out a crappy newsletter draft & now you send out incomplete minutes that I said needed your input before distribution. You are either incompetent or reckless & I don't have to work with you - it's unpaid - so find another volunteer who can put up with your "foibles".

Feck! You're a dozy mare. I told you in an email & in person that YOU needed to put the time & venue of today's meeting into the minutes (because you didn't give the information to do so). Seeing as it was due to start 5 minutes ago, I doubt attendance will be anything to write home about...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 10 November, 2011, 03:30:59 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 09 November, 2011, 04:25:19 pm
Day - just give up ok.

Having to use up leave because I slept in is my problem, but then getting parked in at the sorting office for half and hour and giving me a mysterious cut in an active area leading to sitting in a lead box with a beta-gamma counter on my finger for 10 minutes is just taking things too far :(
The gremlins have it in for you, me lad.

Your finger started glowing yet?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 10 November, 2011, 03:36:50 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 10 November, 2011, 03:30:59 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 09 November, 2011, 04:25:19 pm
Day - just give up ok.

Having to use up leave because I slept in is my problem, but then getting parked in at the sorting office for half and hour and giving me a mysterious cut in an active area leading to sitting in a lead box with a beta-gamma counter on my finger for 10 minutes is just taking things too far :(
The gremlins have it in for you, me lad.

Your finger started glowing yet?

Nope, below limit of detection :)

I almost ended up setting the alarm bells off though as the monitor left the sealed source in the box with me first time so I was producing quite a count.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 11 November, 2011, 10:08:17 am
Leafblowing - why?

The other day, there was a chap blowing leaves off his drive into the road, just where you'd expect bikes to be.

This morning, a council chap was blowing leaves off the pavement into the (wet, downhill, round a bend between parked cars with oncoming ratrunners) street.  I looked round the corner to see if there were a sweeper lorry behind him, but no.

???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 11 November, 2011, 12:20:33 pm
$INTERNET_RADIO_STATION - why not just change your name to "Banco De Gaia FM" and have done with it? Whilst I don't dislike their stuff, when it seems like you're playing one of their tracks every 10 minutes or so it starts to get a bit tedious.

Try and mix it up a bit, eh?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 11 November, 2011, 12:35:39 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 10 November, 2011, 03:36:50 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 10 November, 2011, 03:30:59 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 09 November, 2011, 04:25:19 pm
Day - just give up ok.

Having to use up leave because I slept in is my problem, but then getting parked in at the sorting office for half and hour and giving me a mysterious cut in an active area leading to sitting in a lead box with a beta-gamma counter on my finger for 10 minutes is just taking things too far :(
The gremlins have it in for you, me lad.

Your finger started glowing yet?

Nope, below limit of detection :)

I almost ended up setting the alarm bells off though as the monitor left the sealed source in the box with me first time so I was producing quite a count.

Ah, so no discernible super-powers manifesting themselves, either? ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 11 November, 2011, 01:20:29 pm
Dear My Employer, please tell us what is the point of introducing new touch-down desks at headquarters which have to be booked in advance.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rower40 on 11 November, 2011, 02:01:59 pm
When was it that the human race lost the ability to design/install a paper towel dispenser that can dispense exactly ONE, un-molested and intact, paper towel?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Peter on 11 November, 2011, 02:17:19 pm
Quote from: rower40 on 11 November, 2011, 02:01:59 pm
When was it that the human race lost the ability to design/install a paper towel dispenser that can dispense exactly ONE, un-molested and intact, paper towel?

Rower, it never lost it because it never had it.  However, I have thought of running a workshop on this:  the answer vseems to be to use both hands to pull out the towel.  Give it a try!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 11 November, 2011, 02:56:56 pm
And someone to maintain it properly. I.e. not to cram as many towels into the holder as possible, so bearing down too heavily on the bottom ones...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 12 November, 2011, 10:30:16 am
A double barrelled grumble

these f8888**g specs are driving me to distraction >:( >:(

I have a nice route planned from here to Barton under Needwood & am suddenly overtaken by an acute attack of ICBA :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Peter on 12 November, 2011, 10:42:55 am
Quote from: jogler on 12 November, 2011, 10:30:16 am
A double barrelled grumble

these f8888**g specs are driving me to distraction >:( >:(

I have a nice route planned from here to Barton under Needwood & am suddenly overtaken by an acute attack of ICBA :(

Just looked it up.  It looks great - historic church and five pubs (if you like Marstons).  There isn't going to be a better day - do it!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 12 November, 2011, 02:32:47 pm
I've had enough of being in the office on a Saturday, I'm going home!

Sadly, the main activity awaiting me is the continuation of what I've been doing in the office the last four hours...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 12 November, 2011, 04:17:55 pm
Quote from: Peter on 12 November, 2011, 10:42:55 am
Quote from: jogler on 12 November, 2011, 10:30:16 am
A double barrelled grumble

these f8888**g specs are driving me to distraction >:( >:(

I have a nice route planned from here to Barton under Needwood & am suddenly overtaken by an acute attack of ICBA :(

Just looked it up.  It looks great - historic church and five pubs (if you like Marstons).  There isn't going to be a better day - do it!

& Adrian Timmins (TdF & Olympic rider) has a shop there.Very nice bikes & kit in there.Mostly high end stuff but a nice smaller selection of stuff suitable for lesser mortals:and he does coaching.
If my lottery ticket wins tonight I'll be back* there tomorrow.

* I allowed myself to be seduced by a combination of the charms the internal combustion engine & Marj's driving :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: giropaul on 12 November, 2011, 04:37:51 pm
Quote from: Peter on 12 November, 2011, 10:42:55 am
Quote from: jogler on 12 November, 2011, 10:30:16 am
A double barrelled grumble

these f8888**g specs are driving me to distraction >:( >:(

I have a nice route planned from here to Barton under Needwood & am suddenly overtaken by an acute attack of ICBA :(

Just looked it up.  It looks great - historic church and five pubs (if you like Marstons).  There isn't going to be a better day - do it!

At least 1 pub closed for re-furb at the moment (Middle Bell), Top Bell is now Little India restaurant.

Good pub at Barton Marina as well, with loads of real ales, including their own.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: giropaul on 12 November, 2011, 04:39:54 pm
Quote from: jogler on 12 November, 2011, 04:17:55 pm
Quote from: Peter on 12 November, 2011, 10:42:55 am
Quote from: jogler on 12 November, 2011, 10:30:16 am
A double barrelled grumble

these f8888**g specs are driving me to distraction >:( >:(

I have a nice route planned from here to Barton under Needwood & am suddenly overtaken by an acute attack of ICBA :(

Just looked it up.  It looks great - historic church and five pubs (if you like Marstons).  There isn't going to be a better day - do it!

& Adrian Timmins (TdF & Olympic rider) has a shop there.Very nice bikes & kit in there.Mostly high end stuff but a nice smaller selection of stuff suitable for lesser mortals:and he does coaching.
If my lottery ticket wins tonight I'll be back* there tomorrow.

* I allowed myself to be seduced by a combination of the charms the internal combustion engine & Marj's driving :)

Ada is closed Sundays, and opens at 1.30 on Mondays (otherwise open all times)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: why1040 on 13 November, 2011, 07:07:17 am
I'm competing today, so having to get up ridiculously early (been up for nearly an hour already).  I couldn't get to sleep last night (just wasn't tired), presumably because I had two mouthfuls of a caffeinated drink at 3:30 and I was still buzzing at midnight!   :facepalm:

Must remember: no caffeine at all after 3 or I don't sleep!!

I'm tired!  I don't want to be this tired when showjumping! 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 13 November, 2011, 09:23:52 am
Quote from: why1040 on 13 November, 2011, 07:07:17 am
I'm competing today, so having to get up ridiculously early (been up for nearly an hour already).  I couldn't get to sleep last night (just wasn't tired), presumably because I had two mouthfuls of a caffeinated drink at 3:30 and I was still buzzing at midnight!   :facepalm:

Must remember: no caffeine at all after 3 or I don't sleep!!

I'm tired!  I don't want to be this tired when showjumping!

Caffeine has along half-life.
If your total intake over a 24 hour period is more than the equivalent of five cups of coffee, it can affect night time sleep.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: why1040 on 13 November, 2011, 03:43:18 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 13 November, 2011, 09:23:52 am
Quote from: why1040 on 13 November, 2011, 07:07:17 am
I'm competing today, so having to get up ridiculously early (been up for nearly an hour already).  I couldn't get to sleep last night (just wasn't tired), presumably because I had two mouthfuls of a caffeinated drink at 3:30 and I was still buzzing at midnight!   :facepalm:

Must remember: no caffeine at all after 3 or I don't sleep!!

I'm tired!  I don't want to be this tired when showjumping!

Caffeine has along half-life.
If your total intake over a 24 hour period is more than the equivalent of five cups of coffee, it can affect night time sleep.

My biggest problem is that I have pretty much none at all day to day.  So if I do have some, it affects me that much more!  Hence the need for a cut-off point or I don't sleep  :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 13 November, 2011, 04:47:42 pm
Quote from: clarion on 11 November, 2011, 10:08:17 am
Leafblowing - why?

The other day, there was a chap blowing leaves off his drive into the road, just where you'd expect bikes to be.

This morning, a council chap was blowing leaves off the pavement into the (wet, downhill, round a bend between parked cars with oncoming ratrunners) street.  I looked round the corner to see if there were a sweeper lorry behind him, but no.

???
The reason is simple, and ubiquitous: we've got a machine to do it.

Brooms are so... manual.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 13 November, 2011, 05:51:15 pm
STOPPIT WITH THE FIREWORKS!!

I had just drifted off last night when someone set a bunch off.

And then when I drifted off again the neighbour's visitors left, with much banging of car doors and a shouted conversation/set of goodbyes between the car and the garden gate, why not do that indoors in the warm?

And as icing on the cake at about 1am when some of the neighbourhood dogs were barking some bright spark thought bellowing out his window "SHUT UP!" would actually work and not just make them bark more.  :facepalm:

Still, I got a lie-in at least.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 15 November, 2011, 09:36:29 am
That, Sir, is a Vauxhall Meriva, not a Red Bull RB7.  You are not aiming for pole position, therefore there is no need to ride the kerb on the inside of the roundabout.  It gained you precisely this: 0.

Twat.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 15 November, 2011, 01:33:22 pm
RoyalMail, where are my parts? I have a bike, in the garage, in bits that needs the parts you are in possession of to finish it off.....

Grumble, grumble bah! humbug!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 15 November, 2011, 02:23:19 pm
eBay seller: I bought your Avid BB5s because you said they came with 160mm rotors. They didn't - they were 185mm ones. Now I have to reuse my ageing 160mm ones & that was one reason I went for your kit. Let us see what you propose to do about it...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 16 November, 2011, 02:10:10 pm
Royal Opera House.

Your website is shit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: HTFB on 16 November, 2011, 02:55:53 pm
But their choice of personal titles on the registration page is a thing of joy.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 16 November, 2011, 03:29:54 pm
If you are going to do a site transport survey, please don't write half the questions assuming I drive in.

You gave me the option to say I cycled in and explain my route, then ask me whether I'd be more likely to cycle/walk if you put car parks in different places or offered park and ride etc. :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 16 November, 2011, 03:40:32 pm
Talktalk Business.

The clue is in the company name. <$Surname> IT Service LTD.

So don't treat me like a dummy, trying to explain to me what LLU is.

Also, try checking your records BEFORE you ring me to offer me a better deal, then find I am actually on it!!!!

You wonder why I was laughing whilst you were on the phone? the answer is there ^

It would be in the rant thread, but TBH it just made me laugh today :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 16 November, 2011, 07:38:29 pm
Fantastic! It looks like my car may (or may not) have an oil leak. That's it! I quit, it's just one bloody thing after another!

(Just gonna keep going when I head to work tomorrow, I reckon I can cycle to Dover and get across to France, from there onwards!)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 17 November, 2011, 08:44:02 am
Went to the hosptial yesterday to have an ECG: been having minor chest pains for about  week. Heart problems run in our family.

So, yesterday completely pain free..... Today, ECG done, chest pains back  :facepalm:

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 17 November, 2011, 04:23:29 pm
Should have had some root-canal surgery completed today - no such luck.

Not only was the tooth still infected (diabetes = suppressed immune system = infections can take ages to shift) but the dentist discovered that the tooth had a fourth root which didn't show up on the X-ray, therefore it needed to be excavated as well. Hrrmph.

The net result was the roots being filled with calcium hydroxide gel and covered with yet another temporary filling and being told that if the infection hasn't cleared up by the next appointment in a fortnight, the tooth may have to be extracted. Damn, arse and buggeration.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 17 November, 2011, 04:26:08 pm
If your dental work involves arse buggeration, I suggest you try another dentist. Your current one is doing it all wrong.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 17 November, 2011, 04:26:51 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 17 November, 2011, 04:26:08 pm
If your dental work involves arse buggeration, I suggest you try another dentist. Your current one is doing it all wrong.
You haven't seen my dentist ;)
She's very easy on the eyes (teeth, not so much) and is a cyclist too ...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 17 November, 2011, 04:29:08 pm
Next Step adviser, Heidi: That's twice in a week you kept me waiting more than 15 minutes. Worse still you made no mention of it, nor was an apology forthcoming. Very tardy. I may only be one of the 2.6 million on the dole, but that's no excuse.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 17 November, 2011, 05:46:02 pm
An Error Has Occurred!
The server is currently under high stress. Please try again shortly.

Grumble, grumble
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 17 November, 2011, 06:37:29 pm
I thought, seeing as I'm the only one home tonight, the house would be no worse than when I left this morning.
I was wrong.
The little darlings have been home, generated (more) mess and gone out.
How come I am the only one who can wield a dishcloth & wipe a surface?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: why1040 on 17 November, 2011, 08:12:36 pm
Horse of mine...

I love you dearly.  But there are times when I don't like you much!

We know you're a bully in the field, so you've been on isolation for months.  Finally got a horse in that suited being turned out with you and you've been out together for a week with no issues.

So why the heck did you decide to beat him up to such an extent we've had to separate you again?  Thank goodness he's not badly hurt...

Horses aren't supposed to be alone, but we don't have a choice with you, you beat everything up!!  If I didn't know better I'd say you had no horsey social skills and had perhaps been hand-reared, but that's not the case.

Now, can we at least try to stay IN the field you're allocated for a bit?  I've already put up extra height fencing with eckletrickery to try to stop you jumping out/limboing through the wire!   :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 17 November, 2011, 10:53:05 pm
Oh lordy.

E-mail from the Athletics coach, as expected.
Now the normal Athletics season has ended, we've got the winter program of Cross-country and Indoor Graded events.

Is there no end to the taxi work I have to do?

--
F
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CommuteTooFar on 18 November, 2011, 01:08:01 pm
Oh drat!  My mobile phone has packed up.  It wasn't even 15 years old grrrr!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 18 November, 2011, 05:31:54 pm
I've just purchased a new Maxx-D mk4 and a second spare smart-charger from Wiggle.
( So I can have a charger both at home and at work. )

It's been charged, and used, once.
And very nice it is.

The second charger behaved slightly oddly when plugged in to the mains.
The green LED on the charger pulsed bright then dim about once per second.
When I plugged it into the light, the button/light on the Maxx-D did not flash as expected to indicate charging.
But the main white LEDs flashed at about one flash per second.
That seemed wrong, so I un-plugged the charger.

Now the Maxx-D won't switch on.
Totally dead.

I put a volt-meter on the output of the suspect charger, and it's pulsing to over 10 volts.
It looks like a faulty charger has killed the light.

I know my legal recourse is against wiggle, but I thought I'd try Exposure's customer support in the first instance, and so I've e-mailed their support address.   I was greatly encouraged by the following commendation from a member of this parish, on their service & warranty page:

Quote
"I am continually delighted with Exposure's products and customer service and will spread the word among the thousands of cyclists I mix with at yacf.co.uk"

 Lester, High Wycombe

We'll see how it pans out.

--
Ron
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 18 November, 2011, 05:39:57 pm
Quote from: fboab on 17 November, 2011, 06:37:29 pm
I thought, seeing as I'm the only one home tonight, the house would be no worse than when I left this morning.
I was wrong.
The little darlings have been home, generated (more) mess and gone out.
How come I am the only one who can wield a dishcloth & wipe a surface?

sounds familiar
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 18 November, 2011, 06:05:21 pm
I am actually too tired to persuade Kim to go out on a tr{b}ike ride tonight...  Sodding work being tiring onna Friday!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 18 November, 2011, 07:26:44 pm
Bah, after agreeing with a workmate that having to stay late on a Friday sucks and I'm glad I didn't have to I get to my bike to find the rear tyre squidgier than I'd like.  :facepalm:

At least I got to change the tube in the breakroom rather than out in the dark-cold.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: why1040 on 18 November, 2011, 08:02:55 pm
Offs...

Promised to help someone I know to fix their laptop.

Eventually identified that Internet Explorer was blocking Java.  It took quite some time to figure out how to sort that out so that it'll allow Java.  So everything reboots, I log back in, and Java updates.  Only I'm not allowed to see what Java comes to as a conclusion of its update, because that is also blocked.   :facepalm:

I'd download Chrome for him, but he's been told by the O2 people that he must use IE with his dongle and he won't believe that anything else would work.  Besides...frankly, I can't be arsed anymore!  I don't even much like him!  It's working again, that's the important bit!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 18 November, 2011, 11:17:25 pm
My desktop monitor has expired, so no access to the CD writer.

No worries, I've got an external writer in the cupboard - shame I no longer have a laptop with a firewire connector :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 19 November, 2011, 10:27:19 am
David has cycled off to a meeting, wearing my Buff, as it's cold and he has sensitive ears.
He couldn't find his own Buff. In the past two years, I have purchased two yacf Buffs and two other Buffs.
He could not find any other Buff today.
Again.
I know one or two will turn up in a pannier or shoulder bag; they're probably all in the house.
Somewhere...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Arch on 19 November, 2011, 04:35:08 pm
Arch and I decided to support my local church hall Christmas fayre, only because the theatre group I attend is based there.
When we arrived on the Broms a few young lads approached us and told us it was children only and that we were not allowed in, they then wanted to know about the bikes and we spoke a little with them and then despite their protestations that it was children only (it wasn't) we went in.

On leaving I found my saddle and saddle bag wet, and sticky, and then noticed the brown wetness on the seat post, BB, cranks, etc.  One of the little sods had poured a can of coke on my Brom! >:(

Anyway, having wiped as much off as I could we set off, Arch in front.
As we slowed to a traffic light and was passing a small access road a yoof on a motor scooter decided it was a good time to overtake me and then dive through the one bike length gap between me and Arch to enter the side access road! >:(
I shouted 'OI!' at him and I think I got a muffled 'sorry' as he looked over his shoulder at me.

Sometimes I do dislike where I live.  Sometimes I think a tiny island, off the coast of Shetland would be nice, with a population of two!  ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 19 November, 2011, 04:37:24 pm
Quote from: MFWHTBAB on 19 November, 2011, 04:35:08 pm
Sometimes I do dislike where I live.  Sometimes I think a tiny island, off the coast of Shetland would be nice, with a population of two!  ;)

Who would you take?

 ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 19 November, 2011, 04:48:55 pm
Quote from: Arch on 19 November, 2011, 04:37:24 pm
Quote from: MFWHTBAB on 19 November, 2011, 04:35:08 pm
Sometimes I do dislike where I live.  Sometimes I think a tiny island, off the coast of Shetland would be nice, with a population of two!  ;)

Who would you take?

 ;)
Granville, of course :)

(my copy of Velo Vision turned up today ... can you tell?)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Arch on 19 November, 2011, 04:52:12 pm
Quote from: interzen on 19 November, 2011, 04:48:55 pm
Quote from: Arch on 19 November, 2011, 04:37:24 pm
Quote from: MFWHTBAB on 19 November, 2011, 04:35:08 pm
Sometimes I do dislike where I live.  Sometimes I think a tiny island, off the coast of Shetland would be nice, with a population of two!  ;)

Who would you take?

 ;)
Granville, of course :)

(my copy of Velo Vision turned up today ... can you tell?)
You do know you will owe Arch for that quip! ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 19 November, 2011, 04:57:01 pm
Quote from: interzen on 19 November, 2011, 04:48:55 pm
Quote from: Arch on 19 November, 2011, 04:37:24 pm
Quote from: MFWHTBAB on 19 November, 2011, 04:35:08 pm
Sometimes I do dislike where I live.  Sometimes I think a tiny island, off the coast of Shetland would be nice, with a population of two!  ;)

Who would you take?

 ;)
Granville, of course :)

(my copy of Velo Vision turned up today ... can you tell?)

Thank you. That's the turd flavoured icing on my misery cake...

Actually, it made me laugh, thank you.   ;D

I just had a hormone-laptop woes-redundancy wobble, but that cheered me up.

Speaking of laptops, do you happen to know anything about Samsungs which have been coated in beer and are now missing letters, and the faultfinding thereof?  See thread in CTRL-ALT-DEL....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 19 November, 2011, 05:43:52 pm
Arch, it is a relatively simple job to remove said laptop keyboard (that is if you know what you are doing :) ) then soak it, dry it and then reconnect.

Beer and fruit juice are two very bad things to throw at keyboards (but not the worst I have seen, having spent a few months in my youth cleaning keyboards for P&P computers in Scarborough)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 19 November, 2011, 09:19:25 pm
Quote from: tiermat on 19 November, 2011, 05:43:52 pm
Arch, it is a relatively simple job to remove said laptop keyboard (that is if you know what you are doing :) ) then soak it, dry it and then reconnect.

Beer and fruit juice are two very bad things to throw at keyboards (but not the worst I have seen, having spent a few months in my youth cleaning keyboards for P&P computers in Scarborough)

Oh yes, we've had the thing apart, and run the keyboard under the tap, and then had it apart again and given it another wash. We're wondering if the keys need to come off. When you say soak, do you literally mean full immersion?

MFWHTBAB, who's braver than me, even got all the innards out and we looked over them for beer residues and cleaned a couple of small sticky patches up. We were gratified that this didn't make it worse, it just didn't make it better either....

I don't want to think what you might have been cleaning out of laptops in Scab....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 19 November, 2011, 09:51:36 pm
you actually need warm soapy water - I used to clean stuff for a coal mine. Bring it round if you like - we are in most nights.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 19 November, 2011, 10:22:21 pm
Ok, we'll try the warm soapy water tomorrow, and if I'm still no further on, I'll be in touch!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 20 November, 2011, 02:10:19 pm
Quote from: Arch on 19 November, 2011, 10:22:21 pm
Ok, we'll try the warm soapy water tomorrow, and if I'm still no further on, I'll be in touch!
I should probably add, in case it wasn't already obvious, that you should leave the newly cleaned bits to dry naturally if at all possible (in the airing cupboard is good, shoving them in the oven not so much) - just make sure you give 'em a good rinse beforehand.

In the meantime, you could use a USB keyboard and mouse - if you don't have these then I have spares you're more than welcome to.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 20 November, 2011, 04:00:09 pm
Quote from: interzen on 20 November, 2011, 02:10:19 pm
Quote from: Arch on 19 November, 2011, 10:22:21 pm
Ok, we'll try the warm soapy water tomorrow, and if I'm still no further on, I'll be in touch!
I should probably add, in case it wasn't already obvious, that you should leave the newly cleaned bits to dry naturally if at all possible (in the airing cupboard is good, shoving them in the oven not so much) - just make sure you give 'em a good rinse beforehand.

In the meantime, you could use a USB keyboard and mouse - if you don't have these then I have spares you're more than welcome to.

Yes, thanks, we found that propped on top of MFWHTBAB's radiator, on low, dried it very well.  Neither of us have an airing cupboard alas!

I'm using a USB keyboard for the moment, and the touchpad on the laptop is working ok, so it's just a case of remembering which bit to use for what!

I still feel ike a twit, but I've been doing mildly creative things this weekend which has made me feel less idiotic.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 21 November, 2011, 03:16:02 pm
LloydsTSB, you are a bunch of useless cockspurts.  I entered all the details for a new recipient and, when the numbers appeared on my monitor, entered them into my phone as instructed.  Once.  You then decided I'd got it wrong three times and refused to set the thing up.

Bloody sod you, then, I'll write my credit card number on a piece of paper and post it to the supplier in Germany.  This means you won't be getting an extra ten quid out of me.  Ha fucking ha.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 21 November, 2011, 03:27:37 pm
Quote from: Arch on 19 November, 2011, 09:19:25 pm
Quote from: tiermat on 19 November, 2011, 05:43:52 pm
Arch, it is a relatively simple job to remove said laptop keyboard (that is if you know what you are doing :) ) then soak it, dry it and then reconnect.

Beer and fruit juice are two very bad things to throw at keyboards (but not the worst I have seen, having spent a few months in my youth cleaning keyboards for P&P computers in Scarborough)

Oh yes, we've had the thing apart, and run the keyboard under the tap, and then had it apart again and given it another wash. We're wondering if the keys need to come off. When you say soak, do you literally mean full immersion?

MFWHTBAB, who's braver than me, even got all the innards out and we looked over them for beer residues and cleaned a couple of small sticky patches up. We were gratified that this didn't make it worse, it just didn't make it better either....

Warm water and prolonged soaking (i.e. overnight with changes of water) or agitation are required.  Beer, when dried, can be difficult to remove without application of elbow grease.

Quote
I don't want to think what you might have been cleaning out of laptops in Scab....

You don't, no really you don't want to know.  Stuff of nightmares, still
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 21 November, 2011, 05:15:22 pm
Quote from: tiermat on 21 November, 2011, 03:27:37 pm
Quote from: Arch on 19 November, 2011, 09:19:25 pm
Quote from: tiermat on 19 November, 2011, 05:43:52 pm
Arch, it is a relatively simple job to remove said laptop keyboard (that is if you know what you are doing :) ) then soak it, dry it and then reconnect.

Beer and fruit juice are two very bad things to throw at keyboards (but not the worst I have seen, having spent a few months in my youth cleaning keyboards for P&P computers in Scarborough)

Oh yes, we've had the thing apart, and run the keyboard under the tap, and then had it apart again and given it another wash. We're wondering if the keys need to come off. When you say soak, do you literally mean full immersion?

MFWHTBAB, who's braver than me, even got all the innards out and we looked over them for beer residues and cleaned a couple of small sticky patches up. We were gratified that this didn't make it worse, it just didn't make it better either....

Warm water and prolonged soaking (i.e. overnight with changes of water) or agitation are required.  Beer, when dried, can be difficult to remove without application of elbow grease.


Blimey, sounds like I could do it with my next batch of laundry (I handwash...)

With regard to soapiness mentioned above - hand soap? I've heard washing up liquid has salt in it, so I'm assuming that's bad...

 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 21 November, 2011, 08:29:57 pm
What about some bio laundry liquid?- with some enzymes to nom up the beer
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 22 November, 2011, 01:02:34 pm
Colleague, it was nice to see you this morning as we cycled into work together, but I would prefer it if you didn't announce your presence by bumping my back wheel with your front wheel. Even though I was stopped at a red light it was still quite disconcerting.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Adam on 22 November, 2011, 09:23:57 pm
I felt I was getting a sore throat shouting at all the queuing motorists on the A1081 into work, as I merrily cycled past them, down the middle of the road.

"Oi - put your phone away or you're nicked"
"Stop reading a map and concentrate on your driving"
"Put your son's homework away and look at the road"
"Don't drive and do your make-up at the same time"

Mindless muppets, the lot of them.   ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 24 November, 2011, 11:23:51 am
Arm!  Stop going all numb and tingly!  This stopped being funny about two months ago.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nicknack on 24 November, 2011, 03:41:51 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 24 November, 2011, 11:23:51 am
Arm!  Stop going all numb and tingly!  This stopped being funny about two months ago.

Mine stopped being funny about a year ago.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: why1040 on 25 November, 2011, 08:22:33 am
I'm kind of tired, achey and have a headache this morning, which is a sod since I'm driving my horse to Suffolk for a lesson today!  I've not had one since my ill-fated afternoon on the M25, so I'm really looking forward to it (especially with the new transport), but feel a bit like I ran a marathon yesterday!

Fmeh!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 25 November, 2011, 10:15:35 am
eBay seller: Your type of listing relies on extreme accuracy. You tell your buyers to input the details very carefully as you ALWAYS send out codes that have been checked. Only you didn't check the code you sent me, did you?! So I assumed I was doing summat wrong. OK, you did respond to my messages, but you weren't exactly communicative & you didn't even apologise for getting the code wrong, did you? I think a neutral was justified in the circumstances, so don't get so uppity for getting the very basics of your business wrong in my case.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 25 November, 2011, 11:30:57 am
Elderly rellies. 
Stop phoning me for no apparent reason and then expect me to take the lead in the conversation.
 
Cafe.
That is not toast.  That is bread that has been warmed for 15 seconds.
 
Hills.  Bugger off.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 25 November, 2011, 12:01:53 pm
Daughter's senior school: Stop sending me emails to links. Just send me the content of that link, why don't you?! Today's message was a link to a link to download a PDF, FFS!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 25 November, 2011, 02:59:17 pm
Quote from: Feanor on 18 November, 2011, 05:31:54 pm
Now the new Maxx-D won't switch on.
Totally dead.

Wiggle just exchanged it without question.
Sent old one back, and they sent out a replacement straight away.
AND they credited the cost of the return postage to my card, without me asking or anything.   
They just read the postage off the stampy-labely thing.

It's just arrived, so happy bunny again.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 25 November, 2011, 08:46:20 pm
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-hiOdXAPrXQU/Ts_-GY_NDaI/AAAAAAAAAwU/_MNx1xkggA4/s448/weather_warning.jpg)

My first free weekend for a while, I was going to go out on the bike :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 25 November, 2011, 08:56:02 pm
The train manager on my train this evening described it as 'exceptionally crowded'.

I thought it seemed much like the last half dozen times I've caught it.

I'm thinking of emailing TPE to let them know about how you can make trains bigger, by adding carriages?

Helpfully, he also advised people getting off of the gap between platform and train,and to use the handrails when alighting. Which, he added, even more helpfully, were on either side of the doors. Gosh.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 28 November, 2011, 11:17:32 am
Next door: So, the frost is back. That means the return of your refusal to scrape ice off your car's windows and to start up your (diesel) engine ten minutes before you leave. Thanks very much for the noise & the pollution. I do, really, hope someone steals your car from the drive, as that is the height of laziness and is also pretty inconsiderate.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 28 November, 2011, 12:20:41 pm
My back has gone spang for the second time this month.  Arses!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 28 November, 2011, 12:46:32 pm
Self.  You live in Bournville (occasionaly).  You have a card giving you access to the Cadbury staff shop. 
 Why are you constantly paying silly money for full priced chocolate in railway station buffets?
Sort it out!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Arch on 28 November, 2011, 01:09:11 pm
Rather then taking my scrap metal to a nice little scrap merchant 20 miles away, as it is no longer enroute to work, I thought I would try a local large scale scrap metal yard.
Shouldn't have bothered really.
I couldn't tell if I got a good price as they didn't tell me the weight, never asked what it was or where it came from, the yard is covered in oil from breaking engines and gearboxes (without fully draining them I suspect), bits of metal are littering the drive routes so there is a risk of punctures and plant is in action in the public areas without any verbal or signed warnings.

My usual merchant has a dry concrete yard that is swept clean, oil free and he is happy to show the weight of metal received and will ask were it is from and examines it all for anything mixed or dodgy.
Oh well, it is worth paying for a bit of extra fuel to go to a clean and well run yard in future.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 28 November, 2011, 04:27:42 pm
I am the proud owner of a pair of Macs - one desktop, one laptop.

The desktop has Thunderbird as its email client, whereas the laptop uses the native Mail app because, for some reason best known to itself, newer versions of Thunderbird won't install.

Guess which mail client is giving me the most grief?

Mozilla Foundation - once upon a time you had a reputation for turning out decent software. Now, not content with changing the major release of your browser every 48 seconds (or so it seems) your once half-decent email client has degenerated into a festering, unreliable piece of cack.

Please to be sorting it out - things are pretty bad if I'd rather use Safari instead of Firefox and Mac Mail instead of Chunderbird.

 ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 28 November, 2011, 07:32:14 pm
I can give today back and haz refund? It's been a bit crap.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CrinklyLion on 28 November, 2011, 08:19:32 pm
Mrs P, would you like a slice of CAIK and a nice cup of tea?  You sound like you could do with one!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 28 November, 2011, 09:01:05 pm
Thank you, Crinkly :-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SandyV on 28 November, 2011, 09:34:45 pm
I know I am now a woman of "a certain age" but it is not OK to call me dear, love, darling, sweetheart, honey or darl if we have not previously met and our relationship is confined to a shop counter. It makes me feel old!
Is this just an Australian thing? I fear I am now officially a Grumpy Old Woman. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 28 November, 2011, 09:50:45 pm
No it is not, unfortunately....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 28 November, 2011, 09:59:00 pm
Could be worse. Some bloke nearly reversed his moped into me once while his mate shouted "Watch out Jimmy! You nearly hit the wifie!"

Wifie!  :o
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 28 November, 2011, 10:12:58 pm
Could at least have said 'wee wifie'..

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Androcles on 28 November, 2011, 11:03:39 pm
Quote from: Arch on 25 November, 2011, 08:56:02 pm
The train manager on my train this evening described it as 'exceptionally crowded'.

I thought it seemed much like the last half dozen times I've caught it.

I'm thinking of emailing TPE to let them know about how you can make trains bigger, by adding carriages?


Sorry Arch, I'm afraid it's not that simple.  A typical 4 car train will be made up of at least three different types of carriage, each with enough equipment (power units, fuel tanks for diesels, electrical kit for EMUs, etc.... and that's without considering the software) to function as a complete unit.  It is possible to add a carriage to such a train but it's not a case of hooking it to the back and going; it's a significant piece of engineering and a permanent modification.  The only way to make a train bigger is to add a whole new train.

I'm not defending any particular TOC and I'm not a trainspotter, but I do work in rolling stock design.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 28 November, 2011, 11:08:33 pm
That was probably the worst restaurant meal I've had in two decades. They lost the order for our starters, the child who brought the wine didn't know how to use a corkscrew,   I thought Whitebait _fillets_ was a misprint, but no, they brought me tiny scraps of overcooked fish in thick crunchy stuff. The steak was large but tough, with 1 mushroom & 1 half tomato.  I'd asked for rare, but even by my standards it was undercooked. My sisters & parents food didn't look marvelous either.

Next time I pick the restaurant...

Premier Inns "Stag & Rainbow", Queens Drive, Liverpool.  Just don't  :hand:

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 29 November, 2011, 12:44:40 am
Quote from: Androcles on 28 November, 2011, 11:03:39 pm
Quote from: Arch on 25 November, 2011, 08:56:02 pm
The train manager on my train this evening described it as 'exceptionally crowded'.

I thought it seemed much like the last half dozen times I've caught it.

I'm thinking of emailing TPE to let them know about how you can make trains bigger, by adding carriages?


Sorry Arch, I'm afraid it's not that simple.  A typical 4 car train will be made up of at least three different types of carriage, each with enough equipment (power units, fuel tanks for diesels, electrical kit for EMUs, etc.... and that's without considering the software) to function as a complete unit.  It is possible to add a carriage to such a train but it's not a case of hooking it to the back and going; it's a significant piece of engineering and a permanent modification.  The only way to make a train bigger is to add a whole new train.

I'm not defending any particular TOC and I'm not a trainspotter, but I do work in rolling stock design.

This is the unfortunate downside of using multiple units instead of loco hauled trains.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 29 November, 2011, 12:47:54 am
I've had enough of the wind. It's been gusting over 30mph all week and is going to keep doing that for another week :(

I'm also due a 36mph ave (60mph gust) headwind on the way into work tomorrow  :o - which will turn to a sidewind before i head home  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 29 November, 2011, 09:15:44 am
Quote from: Androcles on 28 November, 2011, 11:03:39 pm
Quote from: Arch on 25 November, 2011, 08:56:02 pm
The train manager on my train this evening described it as 'exceptionally crowded'.

I thought it seemed much like the last half dozen times I've caught it.

I'm thinking of emailing TPE to let them know about how you can make trains bigger, by adding carriages?


Sorry Arch, I'm afraid it's not that simple.  A typical 4 car train will be made up of at least three different types of carriage, each with enough equipment (power units, fuel tanks for diesels, electrical kit for EMUs, etc.... and that's without considering the software) to function as a complete unit.  It is possible to add a carriage to such a train but it's not a case of hooking it to the back and going; it's a significant piece of engineering and a permanent modification.  The only way to make a train bigger is to add a whole new train.

I'm not defending any particular TOC and I'm not a trainspotter, but I do work in rolling stock design.
I've been on a TPE train that was made up of odd-numbers of units. No idea how they managed it, but it seems to be possible.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 29 November, 2011, 09:56:19 am
Quote from: Data & Digital Supply Chain Manager

From: Data & Digital Supply Chain Manager
Sent: Monday, November 28, 2011 05:08 PM
To: The Helldesk
Cc: World+Dog
Subject: Stuffs
Importance: High

Hi Helpdesk,
 
We've got a series of strictly embargoed titles where we can't allow any data at all to leave this building. However, the data has unfortunately already fed from $APPLICATION1 to $APPLICATION2. I'm hoping you might be able to come up with something to prevent the ISBNs feeding out to our $APPLICATION2 P&A recipients once the 5 months (& for $CUSTOMER 6 months) before pub deadline is reached.
 
Is there anything that can be done?
 
The ISBNs are:

["Redacted" - Ed.]
 
World + Dog, this just fyi.
 
Thanks,
Data & Digital Supply Chain Manager


I may be missing something here, but five seconds with a Famous Web Search Engine will shew, from the BigCo's own webby SCIENCE, that three of the four ISBNs relate to a biography of The Stone Roses, to be published in June next year.  I fear your efforts to put that particular moggy back in its sack may well be DOOMED.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Butterfly on 29 November, 2011, 10:38:26 am
Quote from: SandyV on 28 November, 2011, 09:34:45 pm
I know I am now a woman of "a certain age" but it is not OK to call me dear, love, darling, sweetheart, honey or darl if we have not previously met and our relationship is confined to a shop counter. It makes me feel old!
Is this just an Australian thing? I fear I am now officially a Grumpy Old Woman.
I remember my mother awarding shop assistants a vicious glare and snapping ' don't patronise me!' The ones that knew her didn't.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 29 November, 2011, 10:53:51 am
Quote from: Butterfly on 29 November, 2011, 10:38:26 am
Quote from: SandyV on 28 November, 2011, 09:34:45 pm
I know I am now a woman of "a certain age" but it is not OK to call me dear, love, darling, sweetheart, honey or darl if we have not previously met and our relationship is confined to a shop counter. It makes me feel old!
Is this just an Australian thing? I fear I am now officially a Grumpy Old Woman.
I remember my mother awarding shop assistants a vicious glare and snapping ' don't patronise me!' The ones that knew her didn't.

I remember being shocked the first time someone in the Midlands (Wednesbury to be accurate) called me "Cock."

My grumble....Virgin Trains, do you think you will ever be able to get the 19.07 train from Euston to Stafford to arrive at Stafford at 20.26 as scheduled??? The train last night was 15 mins late meaning I missed my connection. Its the fourth time in 6 weeks I have used this train and the fourth time its been late.

Please get your act together.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 29 November, 2011, 01:44:56 pm
Quote from: SandyV on 28 November, 2011, 09:34:45 pm
I know I am now a woman of "a certain age" but it is not OK to call me dear, love, darling, sweetheart, honey or darl if we have not previously met and our relationship is confined to a shop counter. It makes me feel old!
Is this just an Australian thing? I fear I am now officially a Grumpy Old Woman.
Ah. That's interesting.  You are not alone.  Mrs Lurker was fulminating about that very thing after a recent trip, last Friday as it happens, to our local metropolis.  I, coward that I am, let her rant.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 29 November, 2011, 01:48:05 pm
Wrist - fix thyself!  OK so I was mean and made you do handwriting, get over it! You've been really good for the best part of a year, so go back to being nice and leaving the fucking up to the grotty elbow joint instead.  Especially as splinting the wrist buggers up the elbow anyway!  *eats pillz*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CrinklyLion on 29 November, 2011, 01:50:23 pm
I'm afraid I am a profligate user of sweetheart, petal, hen, hinny, etc etc etc to many many people.  In my defence, it is in no way a reflection of my perception of the person's age - you're just as likely to get sweethearted by me at 8 as you are at 80.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 29 November, 2011, 02:06:54 pm
Quote from: SandyV on 28 November, 2011, 09:34:45 pm
I know I am now a woman of "a certain age" but it is not OK to call me dear, love, darling, sweetheart, honey or darl if we have not previously met and our relationship is confined to a shop counter. It makes me feel old!
Is this just an Australian thing? I fear I am now officially a Grumpy Old Woman.

A young (younger than some of my kids) lass in a shop called me (in a charming zomerzet accent) 'moi luv'.   

Very disconcerting, it was.

OTOH, I reduced a builder's labourer to apoplectic rage by calling him 'lad'.

A) All labourers get called 'lad' in leeds. No matter what their age. Actually, most of Yorkshire calls the assistant a 'lad' or 'boy', even it they are over 60.
B) He was 20 years younger than me.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 29 November, 2011, 03:46:55 pm
Quote from: CrinklyLion on 29 November, 2011, 01:50:23 pm
I'm afraid I am a profligate user of sweetheart, petal, hen, hinny, etc etc etc to many many people.  In my defence, it is in no way a reflection of my perception of the person's age - you're just as likely to get sweethearted by me at 8 as you are at 80.

Um...me too, though it's more often 'flower' or 'dove', which is just a version of Leeds' famously ubiquitous 'love'.  If you're really lucky, I might call you 'fruitbat' or 'petal'.  Hardly ever 'duck' unless I've been to the East Midlands recently.

mrcharly, you're right.  The lad can be any age at all.  I well remember a chippy in Bradford who had a 'lad' who went to school with Methuselah.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 29 November, 2011, 06:16:28 pm
Quote from: Androcles on 28 November, 2011, 11:03:39 pm
Quote from: Arch on 25 November, 2011, 08:56:02 pm
The train manager on my train this evening described it as 'exceptionally crowded'.

I thought it seemed much like the last half dozen times I've caught it.

I'm thinking of emailing TPE to let them know about how you can make trains bigger, by adding carriages?


Sorry Arch, I'm afraid it's not that simple.  A typical 4 car train will be made up of at least three different types of carriage, each with enough equipment (power units, fuel tanks for diesels, electrical kit for EMUs, etc.... and that's without considering the software) to function as a complete unit.  It is possible to add a carriage to such a train but it's not a case of hooking it to the back and going; it's a significant piece of engineering and a permanent modification.  The only way to make a train bigger is to add a whole new train.

I'm not defending any particular TOC and I'm not a trainspotter, but I do work in rolling stock design.

Well, I know that, I was going for comic effect.

And adding a whole extra train was exactly what they were doing, up to a few months ago. The train came into York, coupled to another at the platform, and we all got to Manchester without standing.

They even managed it the week before last, at Leeds. The train manager announced as we came into Leeds that, and I quote, "By some miracle, they've found another train..." and then cautioned us to hold tight if standing, as coupling up would involve a slight jolt.

The train back from Manchester was also a double, until the same time. Now, you've got two trainsworth of people, mostly weekenders going home, so carrying about 100 suitcases each, trying to get onto one train.

I assume the cut to one train was to do with money. After all, once they have our fares, they don't care if we sit or stand, and on that route there's not much choice of operator. It's that, get a bus (I've never looked into how many days that would take), or drive, which isn't useful to those of us without cars. So it's a nicely captive audience....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Marco Stefano on 30 November, 2011, 08:30:16 pm
Sore lower back. On co-codamol & Diazepam (there's no 'woozy' emoticon) to try and relax it enough for me to be able to put my socks on. Having professional manipulations & doing recommended exercises, but...

No sculling, no gym, no cycling. Nor enthusiasm for much at all.   :(



Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CrinklyLion on 30 November, 2011, 08:42:26 pm
Much sympathy heading your way from the Den!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Marco Stefano on 01 December, 2011, 12:08:16 pm
How kind!   :-*

I feel I need cake, but the lack of calorie-burning hours means I may look even more lumpy in lycra when I get back to doing these things.

Nah, sod it, I need cake.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 01 December, 2011, 03:54:22 pm
Hope your back feels better soon Marco.

I feel a bit rubbish, grr.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SteveC on 01 December, 2011, 06:33:38 pm
It is now December, so I suppose I can't really rant about someone having put a Christmas tree up in the office.
But did it have to be a PINK one?


S
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 04 December, 2011, 05:42:56 pm
Hail stones - they weren't forecast, and I decided I didn't need a hat/specs today because it was only a short ride.

I've just got back, my eyes and nose sting and I've just removed enough hailstones from my hair to build a small hill :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 05 December, 2011, 07:57:31 am
So last Thursday, the gas fire in the front room started to go wrong: it turns on but after a minute or two, it cuts out. Nevermind, we have a central heating system we can use..... well we did until Saturday evening when the pump failed.... the 4th pump we have had in the 10 years we have lived here!!!!

So, the money I had saved for my new bike has now been spent on buying a new gas fire, a new pump and hiring a central heating flusher.  >:(

Why isn't this in the rant thread? Well, SWMBO has agreed to allow me to fit the new pump: i've never done one before so this will be a challenge  ;D (Remind me I said that when I have spent all day trying to get the old on off!)

(Oh and SWMBO looks lovely blue with the cold  ;D)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 05 December, 2011, 02:18:52 pm
The gas fire cutting out may just have been a thermocouple, which is cheap and easy to replace.

Regarding the pump:
There ought to be shutoff valves either side of it, which won't operate.
Then there will be a pair of great big nuts, one each side of the pump, which need to get un-done.
You'll find these are just a bit bigger than any of your adjustable spanners can open to.
Once you obtain some spanners, you'll find the nuts will be seized solid.

Once you've mopped up the blood, and got the pump off, you'll find the replacement pump is slightly different in dimension, requiring you to lengthen or shorten the pipework.   And the 'standard' thread on the new pump will be different to the existing nuts on your pipework, necessitating a 3rd or 4th trip to the plumber's merchants.

Just so you know what to expect  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 05 December, 2011, 02:33:10 pm
Quote from: Feanor on 05 December, 2011, 02:18:52 pm
The gas fire cutting out may just have been a thermocouple, which is cheap and easy to replace.

Regarding the pump:
There ought to be shutoff valves either side of it, which won't operate. Check...they don't.  Then there will be a pair of great big nuts, one each side of the pump, which need to get un-done. The last bloke to fix a pump had a great struggle doing so.  You'll find these are just a bit bigger than any of your adjustable spanners can open to. Got a couple of very large adjustable spanners but will checkOnce you obtain some spanners, you'll find the nuts will be seized solid.

Once you've mopped up the blood (you forgot turn the air blue with swearing which will cause a row with her in doors as she will moan about the neighbours hearing...we live in a detached!!) , and got the pump off, you'll find the replacement pump is slightly different in dimension (ordered the same as on the pump so I will be surprised if it is.... bit this sort of thing happens to me, requiring you to lengthen or shorten the pipework.   And the 'standard' thread on the new pump will be different to the existing nuts on your pipework, necessitating a 3rd or 4th trip to the plumber's merchants. (Oh tell about this!!! Once tried to fit an old inch wide valve into a 22mm joint...it worked until I refilled the system. Strangely the wife was not happy to stick her finger in the hole while I went back to the shops)

Just so you know what to expect  ::-) ....

Ta  ;D Just told SWMBO that I am going to fix a "Magnaclean" to the system at the same time to try and keep it clean.... now just need to find which is the return pipe to the old boiler.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 05 December, 2011, 02:40:46 pm
You forgot 'you will ruin the old washers and the new pump will have shipped without any'
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jacomus on 05 December, 2011, 02:49:21 pm
Oi! Left shoe! >:(

Could you not have waited a measly four bloody weeks before deciding that the sole and upper had irreconcilable differences? Bastards!

I hate buying work shoes.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 05 December, 2011, 03:06:06 pm
My stupid foot hurts.  AGAIN.   >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 05 December, 2011, 03:27:03 pm
Stop stamping it, then!

BTW, I meant to say to you on Sat, that I've decided to carry on calling you 'Linda', because you often sound Ruthless.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 05 December, 2011, 03:30:23 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 05 December, 2011, 03:27:03 pm
Stop stamping it, then!

BTW, I meant to say to you on Sat, that I've decided to carry on calling you 'Linda', because you often sound Ruthless.

 :facepalm:

<stamps foot> 

OW!!!!  >:(

At work they call me "Strewth".  Can't think why. 

 It was nice to see you too   :D :D :D ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 05 December, 2011, 03:52:10 pm
BHS - generally, I like your clothing. It's cheap, good quality and usually the sizing tallies more or less with the label. Even better, you seem to acknowledge that larger than average people might actually want to buy clothes, which is nice (M&S, take note)

The exceptions seem to be the three pairs of trousers I bought today (supposedly 44" waist but actually a bit bigger; nothing a belt won't fix) and the two shirts - 18" collar? Like buggery-bollocks they are ...I've got a wardrobe full of Van Heusen shirts1 which are 18" or 18.5" collar and they fit fine, whereas yours make me feel like someone's trying to pull me up by my armpits.

A Sizing FAIL is annoying, but I'm more pissed off about the fact that I'll have to go into town, again, to swap them for something that fits. Gah!  >:(

1 - I'd like to buy some more Van Heusen shirts, really I would, but they don't make them any more :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 05 December, 2011, 11:22:50 pm
Hang on.   That's four weeks running we haven't won the quiz.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 06 December, 2011, 09:21:06 am
Wife… I know I have a nasty habit of putting stuff down when finished with in the “wrong” place and forgetting about it. Yes, I know this means you “have” to clean up after me but when doing so, please use some logic. 

For example, a hammer goes in the tool box in the garage and my bank book goes in the draw with the other valuable documents… okay, I know I left the hammer on the floor by the front door and the bank book on the piano but were they doing any harm?

So yesterday when I was looking for the bank book where did I find it? Yes, in my shoe tidy in my wardrobe and the hammer, in the knife and fork draw.

What I am trying to say is that I am a messy bugger but you have a Masters Degree in hiding stuff!

Off to find the kittens flea tablets, bet they are in the freezer…….  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 06 December, 2011, 09:27:38 am
Self: You had ample warning last Thursday that your Schwalbe Marathon Slick tyre is shite this time of year - and perhaps all the time - when you had a minor slip on the towpath. You have a perfectly good Schwalbe Land Cruiser tyre waiting to be fitted in the garage. OK, it's cold, but a few minutes of cold fingers would've been netter than the off you had last night! As it happens, it was on a dark path and I fell onto soft mud, but my trousers got very muddy & I had to attend a governors' training course in them. CHANGE IT TODAY!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jacomus on 06 December, 2011, 10:03:10 am
Quote from: Jacomus on 05 December, 2011, 02:49:21 pm
Oi! Left shoe! >:(

Could you not have waited a measly four bloody weeks before deciding that the sole and upper had irreconcilable differences? Bastards!

I hate buying work shoes.

Current shoes have lasted about 2.5years and though I have walked off much of the lining on the inside, they are still super comfortable and smart on the outside. I do keep them regularly polished and the leather has stayed looking good - the toecaps are still smooth and unwrinkled and the wrinkles at the bend in the toes haven't cracked.

A little bit of internetz this morning and I have found that they are still in production! Woo! So a replacement pair has been purchased. It was £50 I didn't need to spend at this time of year, but hey-ho.

I find work shoes are so difficult to purchase as I have an aversion to leather soles and anything that isn't an Oxford Cap-toe style ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 06 December, 2011, 10:56:39 am
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 06 December, 2011, 09:27:38 am
Self: You had ample warning last Thursday that your Schwalbe Marathon Slick tyre is shite this time of year - and perhaps all the time - when you had a minor slip on the towpath. You have a perfectly good Schwalbe Land Cruiser tyre waiting to be fitted in the garage. OK, it's cold, but a few minutes of cold fingers would've been netter than the off you had last night! As it happens, it was on a dark path and I fell onto soft mud, but my trousers got very muddy & I had to attend a governors' training course in them. CHANGE IT TODAY!
Well, this really belongs in the Rant thread now, but...

Took the wheel off the Orbit AND remembered to detach the dynohub connector - doesn't happen often that!

Took wheel inside with replacement tyre to fit. (It's cold in the garage!) Went to deflate it using the presta valve. Feck! It's a Slime tube & the slime has slimed its way into the valve mechanism, so it won't deflate - at all, not even a whisper of air! Tried hot water over the valve to displace it, to no avail. In the end, I took a knife to the side of the tyre and the tube. That worked! What a waste of time those Slime tubes turned out to be. The pair of them are sitting next to the grey bin waiting for Sita to pick 'em up.

Anyone want a Schwalbe Marathon Slick tyre for nowt? Its sibling is also on offer, but with rather a big cut in it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 06 December, 2011, 11:08:29 am
I would like to upgrade my previous grumble to a rant please if possible as I have just spoken to the wife about the whereabouts of the flea tablets..... they are in the bread bin.....

THE BREAD BIN???!!!!!!!!!!!!! WTF would they be in there???!!!!!  :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 06 December, 2011, 11:19:15 am
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 06 December, 2011, 10:56:39 am


Anyone want a Schwalbe Marathon Slick tyre for nowt? Its sibling is also on offer, but with rather a big cut in it.

I could find a use for that.
Yhpm
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 06 December, 2011, 03:05:45 pm
Tonsils.  Meh.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 06 December, 2011, 04:33:13 pm
Snot and aching limbs and the rest of the family watching Narnia DVDs repeatedly. Still. Since Saturday. On the bright side, no silly temperature and none of Miss Dan the Younger's vomiting.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 06 December, 2011, 04:36:09 pm
Quote from: essexian on 06 December, 2011, 11:08:29 am
I would like to upgrade my previous grumble to a rant please if possible as I have just spoken to the wife about the whereabouts of the flea tablets..... they are in the bread bin.....

THE BREAD BIN???!!!!!!!!!!!!! WTF would they be in there???!!!!!  :demon:

 ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 06 December, 2011, 05:45:37 pm
Quote from: essexian on 06 December, 2011, 11:08:29 am
I would like to upgrade my previous grumble to a rant please if possible as I have just spoken to the wife about the whereabouts of the flea tablets..... they are in the bread bin.....

THE BREAD BIN???!!!!!!!!!!!!! WTF would they be in there???!!!!!  :demon:

Clearly, as you are attempting to give cat a pill, you'll need something absorbant to mop up the blood. Bread is quite absorbant....

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: AndyK on 07 December, 2011, 09:25:22 am
Judging by the amount of use car direction indicators get (or the lack thereof) it must be assumed that their controls are either very strenuous to operate or that they are placed in a position which is difficult to find whilst driving. I suggest a simple, lightweight, three position lever switch conveniently located near the steering wheel.  :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Notsototalnewbie on 07 December, 2011, 02:39:11 pm
Quote from: Kim on 06 December, 2011, 03:05:45 pm
Tonsils.  Meh.

Me too.

I could stand the pain/discomfort of having swollen, gunky tonsils (been investigating with assorted bike lights), if only it didn’t make me feel so exhausted all the time.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mike on 07 December, 2011, 02:42:36 pm
Halfwit. 

Those crudcacher 'road' mudguards you've spent 3 days trying to get to fit properly without rubbing?  Check your tyres.  The one you thought was a 23 might be a 25. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 07 December, 2011, 06:00:21 pm
Tonsils, sinuses, nose, ENT system in general.  You've been crap for a week now.  I am completely bored AND exhausted as I'm not sick enough to stay off work anymore, just feeling crappy and TIIIRED.  Immune System! Sort it!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 09 December, 2011, 12:55:22 pm
Son of mine: I was young once. A long time ago, maybe, but I know all the tricks. Coughing unconvincingly when you hear me coming up the stairs isn't going to make your claim of illness credible. You've tried earache earlier in the week as well as a sore throat today. Now, there may be issues at school, so I'll talk to you about that another time soon, but I had plans for today and you managed to convince your mother that you're ill & I have to stay in to look after you. Don't expect any X Box/TV/PC today and yes, you do have to stay in bed. You're ill, remember?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 09 December, 2011, 04:33:36 pm
^^^^^^^
BTDTGTTS with bar ;D

Even now I sometimes find it appropriate to remind my heirs that nothing they come up with is new or original & that I,& their mother,have been there & done all that before they were born.
My grand daughters appear to be grasping this fact rather well :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 09 December, 2011, 04:53:00 pm
I can always tell if the boys are really sick: they don't have the energy to fight with each other, and goading goes un-thumped.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 09 December, 2011, 05:40:38 pm
Cats, gonnae no eat each others food plz?
you're supposed to be getting the P-binder <-- and --> you've got enough issues withouth eating the stuff you don't need
kthxbai
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 09 December, 2011, 06:17:42 pm
Rather embarrassingly I had to take him along to the school xmas fayre today. He made such a miraculous recovery that he was able to eat a burger, a couple of cupcakes and a chocolate fountain dipped skewer of marshmallows in full view of his teachers! Me a governor, as well.

Still, I think he got it well & truly drummed into him today that he was out of order. I made the point by subjecting him to extreme boredom. The only TV he saw was the snooker...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 12 December, 2011, 04:52:13 pm
Letting agent - it's nearly Christmas, you usually only remember to do flat visits in June. Why have you decided you want to inspect mine (and all the ret of us in the area's) on Wednesday?

I've got other things to do in preference to cleaning at the moment. :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 12 December, 2011, 07:34:50 pm
The in-ear headphones of my mp3 player broke today (not for the first time) & were "repaired" but Elvis is emenating from one ear bud only.A bit of firking 'n fiddling demonstrates that a broken wire within the stem is probably the problem.
Maybe Santa might replace them but he'll be as suprised as me no doubt at the cost.I imagined these to be tenapenny items but they're not.
I've only had them about 4 years & used almost daily for several hours ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 13 December, 2011, 09:30:53 am
Dear Tescos

Er, I did A level maths back when A levels were hard (runs and hides from the students and teachers out there) but your latest "Special Offer" has been somewhat confused.....

How is it a special offer to sell two large cheeses at "2 for £4" when they are £2 each anyway? Where is the saving????

Thanks in advance.

Confused of Stafford

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 15 December, 2011, 11:58:19 am
Will the git who stole my number plates please DIAF >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 15 December, 2011, 12:03:18 pm
Apparently, the reason scrotes steal number-plates is so they can fill up with fuel and drive off without paying.   Then you get a call at the door from Mr Plod...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 15 December, 2011, 12:28:10 pm
I had a set stolen some three and a half years ago and no sign of plod yet.  I'm more concerned about getting home tonight with bits of paper stuck in the windows...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 16 December, 2011, 09:25:15 am
My 'unfinished business' in Wales will remain unfinished in 2012 - I'm already have plans for the weekend of the Elenith (well, its successor).  :( 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Clare on 16 December, 2011, 12:07:51 pm
Letting Agent : "The last tenant changed it to a prepaid meter to save money."

BG : "Yes we can change your meter it will take a while but don't worry because I have checked and there is no outstanding debt on the account."

BG : "Who are you and how did you get your meter changed if you are not the registered customer?"

Me : "Dunno."

BG : "There's a debt on that account you've been paying a higher rate for your electricity."

Me : " >:( >:( >:("

BG : "You are now the registered customer and here's a credit for the excess you have paid."

Me : "Thank you."


Thank you to Iain and I'm sorry I was a bit  >:(  but this whole place is turning into a grinding mess of down, down, down.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 16 December, 2011, 12:49:40 pm
Bollocks. I must've had a clash of recordings on the Humax & I failed to record John Arlott in Conversation.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 16 December, 2011, 02:08:06 pm
Fellow Birmingham Cyclist forumite: It's an old chestnut this, but I had just said I wanted those pedals on the For Sale board. Trying to sneak in minutes later saying you could pick them up today was a very obvious way of trying to jump in front of me. I considered posting to that effect, but didn't. Anyway, the seller did the right thing and is selling them to me, so yaboosucks to you! Please to be looking up the word "etiquette" and acting thereupon.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CrinklyLion on 16 December, 2011, 06:50:28 pm
I had a similar thing a while back AWL, where an item got sold to A.N.Other.  Made me very grumbly at the time!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 16 December, 2011, 07:45:56 pm
The pedals had been up for 2+ weeks and this bloke had the cheek to post 7 minutes after I'd said I was interested. It wasn't as if he said "I'll have them if AWL doesn't", he hinted strongly that he should be a better prospect, as he could get them today. Harrumph!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 16 December, 2011, 07:58:35 pm
About an hour ago, barakta prodded me in the elbow (for some legitimate kitchen reason) that's born the brunt of countless unplanned dismounts, and it's still hurting like a really hurty thing  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 16 December, 2011, 08:09:36 pm
Quote from: Kim on 16 December, 2011, 07:58:35 pm
hurting like a really hurty thing  >:(

I had an elbow like that,being the result of a "gentle" crush incident at work,which persisted for many months despite pain killers etc etc.Ultimately I tried using one of those gold plated brass wrist bands with a magnet in it.Despite my initial scepticism the pain eventually went away & I continue to wear the wrist band.

JHAT  I wonder if I could get one for my knee ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 16 December, 2011, 08:22:21 pm
Quote from: Kim on 16 December, 2011, 07:58:35 pm
About an hour ago, barakta prodded me in the elbow (for some legitimate kitchen reason)

Was she trying to tell if you were cooked yet?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 16 December, 2011, 08:30:41 pm
Quote from: Arch on 16 December, 2011, 08:22:21 pm
Quote from: Kim on 16 December, 2011, 07:58:35 pm
About an hour ago, barakta prodded me in the elbow (for some legitimate kitchen reason)

Was she trying to tell if you were cooked yet?

No.  We had that argument[1] about the chicken.

"Hmm, it's a bit pink"
"...and?"
"Well, it's a bit pink, that's what I'm saying."
"Pink's a bad thing, right?  How pink?"
"A bit."
*facepalms* "2 minutes? 5 minutes? 10 minutes? What?"
"I don't know, why don't you taste it?"
*sighs* *cuts a bit out and tastes it* "Hmm, about 5 more minutes, I reckon."
[time passes]
*removes chicken from oven, prods* "Well?"
(from other side of room) "Well what?"
"Well is it still pink?!?"
"I don't know..." *looks* "Not pink now, how does it taste...?"


Needless to say, I don't normally cook by colour.


[1] This is about as arguey as Kimandbarakta get.  We're not very good at it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 16 December, 2011, 09:04:13 pm
KFC ftw?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 16 December, 2011, 09:06:51 pm
MY cooking isn't *that* bad.   :P
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 16 December, 2011, 09:11:53 pm
I was thinking that it would be convenient & dispense with the need for you two to have that "isitdone" discussion
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: PeteB99 on 16 December, 2011, 09:28:21 pm
When it's black it's done.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 17 December, 2011, 04:28:57 pm
I have wittered and whinged about my broadband speed for quite a while.
Earlier this week, the BT website suggested I could get BT Infinity on 31/12/2011. Now it states 31/3/2012. I think it's now been put back a whole year, in stages. The buggers persuaded me to buy a year's landline rental in advance to save money, but the get-out/termination charges for this are high.
In the mean time, my BB is as flaky as an old croissant reheated in a hot oven.
GGRRRRRR!!!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 17 December, 2011, 10:45:44 pm
There appears to be a poltergeist in our telly. It keeps turning itself off and then back on again....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 18 December, 2011, 02:35:48 pm
Spot on my eyelid.  That's just unfair.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 18 December, 2011, 02:45:44 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 17 December, 2011, 10:45:44 pm
There appears to be a poltergeist in our telly. It keeps turning itself off and then back on again....

I think some interaction 'twixt my remote control and burglar alarm sensor once did that to my hifi...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 19 December, 2011, 02:01:00 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 17 December, 2011, 10:45:44 pm
There appears to be a poltergeist in our telly. It keeps turning itself off and then back on again....

There's one in my house, I'm convinced of it.  i went to bed early on Tuesday due to feeling like DETH and being full of unspeakable slime.  In the morning there was a shampoo bottle in the bath and the kitchen was full of steam due to the hot tap being on.

Then on Saturday night my ashtray disappeared from the coffee table in the living room ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 20 December, 2011, 08:58:18 am
Oi Coccyx, stop it NOW!!!

Look tail bone, I know my 20 odd stone landed on you 10 days ago following an unplanned gravity assisted decent from the loft but would you stop hurting….please.

It hurt when I went cycling on Saturday, it hurt when I used the treadmill and rowing machine on Sunday, and its hurting now while I am sitting at my desk trying to work. The only time you didn’t hurt was when I went Christmas shopping yesterday: I think my wallet that was hurting more!

Please stop it, please. I want to be able to exercise without pain, its not that much to ask is it?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 21 December, 2011, 11:16:54 am
luser is supplied with new, pre-expired, password.  luser logs in.

Your password has expired; you must set a new password to log in

New password:
Verification:
New password verification error; please try again
Verification:
New password verification error; please try again
Verification:

Now, what do you think the problem is?  Apart from rampant stupidity, obv.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: lou boutin on 21 December, 2011, 11:52:07 am
I'm having a bad day, which started at 6.30am when only just spotting a cyclist, with black clothing and no lights what so ever, before I pulled out of a junction.  He cycled past me; I pulled out and over took him.  When I stopped at an island, slightly further up the road, I heard screeching of breaks behind me.  I braced myself for impact which didn't happen, so looked in the review mirror to see a car behind me just miss the cyclist without lights.  I spent the rest of my journey to work, and my day so far, feeling guilty for not stopping the cyclist and saying something.  Even if I did what would he have done at that point in his journey ? - well other than getting off the bike and pushing it, which I doubt he'd do.  I got to work to find the 7.30am meeting, that I had gone in early for, was cancelled because of a sickness bug.  I found out when the person I was meeting didn't turn up.  I decided to go to the greasy spoon across, have a bacon sandwich and answer some emails until the office warned up, but I spilt my coffee down my blouse and suit!!!  I cleaned my blouse up as best I could before my next meeting, only to find that the CEO of our company had decided to pop in to wish us all a merry Christmas - I got a foul look.  I've been into town - which is full of people Christmas shopping - to get another blouse.  Now I just want to hide in case anything else goes wrong.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 21 December, 2011, 11:56:00 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 21 December, 2011, 11:16:54 am
luser is supplied with new, pre-expired, password.  luser logs in.

Your password has expired; you must set a new password to log in

New password:
Verification:
New password verification error; please try again
Verification:
New password verification error; please try again
Verification:

Now, what do you think the problem is?  Apart from rampant stupidity, obv.

I think the developer should be shot. The whole process should start over from Password: as it could be either that was incorrectly entered.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rower40 on 21 December, 2011, 12:01:28 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 21 December, 2011, 11:16:54 am
luser is supplied with new, pre-expired, password.  luser logs in.

Your password has expired; you must set a new password to log in

New password:
Verification:
New password verification error; please try again
Verification:
New password verification error; please try again
Verification:

Now, what do you think the problem is?  Apart from rampant stupidity, obv.
Having typed in the pre-expired password, they keep trying to put that one in as the NEW password.  Windoze and its ilk don't like you putting in the same password when told to change it.

luser didn't have it impressed on him/her enough (using Frying Pan of Spang) that they'd have to change their password as soon as they were let in.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 21 December, 2011, 12:08:56 pm
Things that seem obvious to IT people are not always obvious to normal people, and vice versa.

I'm nowhere near an IT person but I do notice that my colleagues are not always very good at reading the screen and doing what it says. For example, if an error message with instructions pops up, I'll hear "oh, it's not working, it's doing something wrong" followed by frantic clicking and then some swearing. When I suggest reading the pop up box and doing what it says, they look at me like I have two heads.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Si_Co on 21 December, 2011, 12:18:30 pm
Ribs - iknow i spent monday morning doing my very best to break you thanks to the black ice but you're supposed to be healing, not depriving me of any sleep and getting worse.

Oh and well I'm here - slipping chain(ring) - stop it -you've only got to last till march then you can retire and become a clock or summat 

<chunter, mutter, grumble>
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 21 December, 2011, 12:48:44 pm
Lady on a bike yesterday.  Yes, you were as far to the left as it was possible to get.  And yes, you had lights, which is a welcome change in this day and age.  These facts notwithstanding, however, cycling the wrong way down a narrow one-way street is, and will forever be, the act of a terminal fuckwit.  One day it'll be a chav in a Corsa doing 40 rather than me doing 20, and where will you be then, eh?

Either in A&E at Whipps Cross on in a box, that's where.  Berk.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 21 December, 2011, 01:53:43 pm
Quote from: Kirst on 21 December, 2011, 12:08:56 pm
Things that seem obvious to IT people are not always obvious to normal people, and vice versa.

If either of my two guesses for the reason for the above error are correct, then that's bad UI design and the error message is unhelpful.  But...


Quote
When I suggest reading the pop up box and doing what it says, they look at me like I have two heads.

Lusers have been trained by years of cargo-cult computer operation that the correct response to an error dialogue is to press "OK" and try again.  The actual purpose of error messages has been lost in the mists of time, and the simple process of reading and acting on them is perceived as akin to magic.

Hence "My computer gave an error." "What was the error?" "???  I don't know!"
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 21 December, 2011, 01:55:13 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 21 December, 2011, 11:16:54 am
luser is supplied with new, pre-expired, password.  luser logs in.

Your password has expired; you must set a new password to log in

New password:
Verification:
New password verification error; please try again
Verification:
New password verification error; please try again
Verification:

Now, what do you think the problem is?  Apart from rampant stupidity, obv.

Take their computer off them, they are obviously too stupid to operate one....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Adam on 22 December, 2011, 06:49:24 pm
Sounds like the woman I saw going into the Manor Hospital in Bedford today.  Despite the front door having a massive sign saying "PULL" with another one above it saying "Please pull the door to open", she kept on pushing and had to resort to ringing the doorbell to be let in.   ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 22 December, 2011, 08:23:54 pm
Quote from: Adam on 22 December, 2011, 06:49:24 pm
Sounds like the woman I saw going into the Manor Hospital in Bedford today.  Despite the front door having a massive sign saying "PULL" with another one above it saying "Please pull the door to open", she kept on pushing and had to resort to ringing the doorbell to be let in.   ::-)

Ahhh! Midvale School for the Gifted...
(http://static.fjcdn.com/pictures/Midvale_965049_2541070.jpg)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 22 December, 2011, 10:29:58 pm
Lothian & Borders police, I know my colleague was parked illegally for a whole minute and I know you didn't know she was only there to pick me up to give me a lift to work and therefore not going to stay there all day, and I know it's part of your job to stop people parking illegally, but I'd have a lot more understanding of your point of view if it wasn't for the fact there's a police van parked illegally on that corner and the opposite one nearly every day. Practise what you preach please, polis.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 22 December, 2011, 10:57:19 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 22 December, 2011, 08:23:54 pm
Quote from: Adam on 22 December, 2011, 06:49:24 pm
Sounds like the woman I saw going into the Manor Hospital in Bedford today.  Despite the front door having a massive sign saying "PULL" with another one above it saying "Please pull the door to open", she kept on pushing and had to resort to ringing the doorbell to be let in.   ::-)

Ahhh! Midvale School for the Gifted...
(http://static.fjcdn.com/pictures/Midvale_965049_2541070.jpg)

Gary Larsen FTW  ;D

He's been known to be somewhat assertive about copyright, so it's not always guaranteed that a web image of a Far Side cartoon will stay around for ever...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 23 December, 2011, 08:19:16 pm
Why is there no online option for requesting a replacement photocard licence? If it's possible to do it over the phone (on an 0300 number so costing the DVLA money) surely it would be easier and quicker to allow online requests. Also why do you have to send the paper bit of the licence to them for a postal request (and get a form from the Post Office), yet not for on the phone? It's not as if they have all my details on computer or anything ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 23 December, 2011, 08:22:56 pm
DVLA, 'nuff said.


On a related note, I appear to have managed to arrange for both my passport and driving licence to expire within a few months of each other.  What could possibly go wrong?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 23 December, 2011, 10:32:05 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 23 December, 2011, 08:19:16 pm
Why is there no online option for requesting a replacement photocard licence? If it's possible to do it over the phone (on an 0300 number so costing the DVLA money) surely it would be easier and quicker to allow online requests. Also why do you have to send the paper bit of the licence to them for a postal request (and get a form from the Post Office), yet not for on the phone? It's not as if they have all my details on computer or anything ::-)

I did it online a few months ago.
Furthermore, they automagically imported my passport photo from my last passport application.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 23 December, 2011, 10:43:24 pm
Could you tell me how you did that please? I can't find that option on directgov anywhere.

edit: first item on the bloody page - I'm getting worse :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Marco Stefano on 28 December, 2011, 08:22:42 pm
Dear Present-Givers,

You may be fed up with giving me book tokens, but they give me a huge amount of enjoyment. It's not just the books, it's the bookshop browsing, and it goes on for some time. It's a trip out (or several) to our own wonderful independent LBS (local book shop).

What is wrong with delighting someone with a book token?  ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 28 December, 2011, 10:35:09 pm
I have the same grumble about socks. I like getting good quality socks (of the expensive outdoor shop style like Bridgedales). They are easy, practical and cosy, and I can think of you every time I wear them.
Note the 'good quality socks'. A pile of festering sock shaped objects that are no more than a knitted tube with the end badly stitched shut are not fit for anything other than donating to the primary school for conversion to hand puppets.
Fortunately the message seems to be getting across. And boot socks are not the same as good quality walking socks.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 28 December, 2011, 11:03:13 pm
20% ABV.

Oh dear.  Tomorrow's bicycle ride may be slightly impaired  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 28 December, 2011, 11:09:14 pm
Quote from: Lindagordinho on 28 December, 2011, 11:03:13 pm
20% ABV.

Oh dear.  Tomorrow's bicycle ride may be slightly impaired  :facepalm:
OMG
You are not me.   I do not claim my £5.

Other than that, yay  :thumbsup: go for it.  :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 29 December, 2011, 08:53:01 am
Quote from: Lindagordinho on 28 December, 2011, 11:03:13 pm
20% ABV. Oh dear.  Tomorrow's bicycle ride may be slightly impaired  :facepalm:
Any port in a storm?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 30 December, 2011, 02:04:59 am
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 29 December, 2011, 08:53:01 am
Quote from: Lindagordinho on 28 December, 2011, 11:03:13 pm
20% ABV. Oh dear.  Tomorrow's bicycle ride may be slightly impaired  :facepalm:
Any port in a storm?

Aye, a very good port as it happens.

My body clock's still not reset.  I'm wide awake and due to meet Daisyhill for a ride in exactly 8.5 hours  :-\
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 30 December, 2011, 05:54:21 pm
I am a stupid twunt. I took the worn chainrings off Mrs B's road bike & ordered some new ones from Spa Cyles. They arrived today. I have just put the outer & middle rings on - but I've lost one of the spacers for the inner ring. Someone tell me what a careless idiot I am. Of course, I have no spares. I've looked through my collection of spacers & fasteners, & there's nothing the right size.

Excuse me while I slap myself round the head a few times.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bairn Again on 31 December, 2011, 01:38:26 pm
Who thought it was a good idea to turn radio five live into radio manchester ffs?

and note to BBC - I know youve moved to Salford - you dont have to mention it every 5 minutes like its the f---ng moon you're broadcasting from. 

and breathe......
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 01 January, 2012, 03:04:21 pm
I so did not need whatever flavour of evangelical Christians knocking on my front door at brunch o'clock today. Spreading the word when everybody is still hungover or feeling semi-detached is being plain sneaky in my book...

Time to carve a few occult signs into the front door, methinks.  :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 01 January, 2012, 09:04:11 pm
So tired that I actually feel sick and dizzy.

Insomnia sucks.

I was like a zombie all day at work  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: lou boutin on 01 January, 2012, 09:07:06 pm
Quote from: Lindagordinho on 01 January, 2012, 09:04:11 pm
So tired that I actually feel sick and dizzy.

Insomnia sucks.

I was like a zombie all day at work  :(

 :( Insomia definitely does such.  I hope you have better luck tonight.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 02 January, 2012, 04:40:58 am
Quote from: Lou Boutin on 01 January, 2012, 09:07:06 pm
Quote from: Lindagordinho on 01 January, 2012, 09:04:11 pm
So tired that I actually feel sick and dizzy.

Insomnia sucks.

I was like a zombie all day at work  :(

 :( Insomia definitely does such.  I hope you have better luck tonight.

Apparently not.  Been awake for over two hours now, after falling asleep on the sofa as soon as I got home at 9pm last night, and spending another day at work like a zombie. 

This is suboptimal.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: lou boutin on 02 January, 2012, 09:25:32 am
Quote from: Lindagordinho on 02 January, 2012, 04:40:58 am
Quote from: Lou Boutin on 01 January, 2012, 09:07:06 pm
Quote from: Lindagordinho on 01 January, 2012, 09:04:11 pm
So tired that I actually feel sick and dizzy.

Insomnia sucks.

I was like a zombie all day at work  :(

 :( Insomia definitely does such.  I hope you have better luck tonight.

Apparently not.  Been awake for over two hours now, after falling asleep on the sofa as soon as I got home at 9pm last night, and spending another day at work like a zombie. 

This is suboptimal.

:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 02 January, 2012, 12:40:33 pm
But thanks for taking notice Lou, and for the sympathy  :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: why1040 on 02 January, 2012, 08:09:10 pm
I'm really bored with coughing!

Really, REALLY bored with coughing!

At the moment, it appears that my biggest trigger for coughing is in fact laughing.  I laugh a lot  :facepalm:

If I go to the Body Shop tomorrow, do you think they'll sell me a new pair of lungs?   ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 02 January, 2012, 08:11:17 pm
Quote from: why1040 on 02 January, 2012, 08:09:10 pm
If I go to the Body Shop tomorrow, do you think they'll sell me a new pair of lungs?   ::-)

I'm sorry, but that made me laugh.  :)

GWS.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pedaldog. on 03 January, 2012, 02:50:26 am
I've been trying to cancel an early morning appointment with my doctor using the EMIS access where you can make/cancel appointments, request repeat prescriptions etc online. I've been trying to log on to the system since Saturday afternoon and it's only now, 2-45am and less than 6 hours before the appointment time, that I have managed to get through and deal with it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 03 January, 2012, 03:56:17 am
Awake again.  Naturally.    :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 03 January, 2012, 10:18:55 am
try chocolate,luuuurve & cycling :demon:
simultaneously ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 03 January, 2012, 10:37:29 am
I spent 4 hours last night nagging my children and myself to empty the kitchen and the bathroom for the builders coming today to take down then replace the stud wall that has so much damp the fungi are fruiting and the radiator is falling off the wall. They'll also be re-plumbing the bathroom, draining the heating system and taking out the dead Rayburn that sucks woodsmoke into the kitchen from the living room fire. It's needed doing for about a year.

We moved everything, and it's stacked under sheets in the living room, making the house, pretty much, unusable. I've arranged for the childers to stay at their Dad's, I'm staying elsewhere, the water will be off, there'll be dust everywhere, it's all very disruptive. (Every cloud has a silver lining- we defrosted the fridgefreezer to move it).

They haven't turned up. No one has phoned to tell me of any delay.

I may have mentioned this before, but

MY LANDLORD IS A TOSSER.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 03 January, 2012, 10:38:43 am
A great many of them are. >:(

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 03 January, 2012, 11:07:34 am
Why aren't bike shops like doctors??? My LBS phoned me at home today to say that my new bike was now in store... I was not in so my much better half took the call.... "What bike is this" she asked.... "the one he ordered in October." they replied..... "oh the one he forgot to tell me about" Came her reply.

Hope the dog house is warm tonight..... Why did the LBS tell her????!!!! Sigh :facepalm:

(And yes, I did tell her I was getting a new bike, but she forgot....or more likely I did not stress the point.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 03 January, 2012, 11:12:13 am
Quote from: essexian on 03 January, 2012, 11:07:34 am


Hope the dog house is warm tonight.....

that's why a bloke should have a shed or a tent or a bivvi bag  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 03 January, 2012, 11:13:24 am
That's why you should make sure you buy her a bike first ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: oncemore on 03 January, 2012, 11:15:04 am
Bloody NHS computer system! Trying to refer me for a chest x-ray (emphysema or worse....) this a.m., my GP (who is only permitted so to do "electronically") could not, his access being continually blocked by the usual "Congratulations! You are the xth visitor today and have won an i-pod" pop-ups.

Now I have to await a letter which will give me a 'phone number to call to arrange a time.

The delay is neither here nor there in my case, but it might be for some. And it hardly gives me a warm feeling about the oft-touted all singing, all dancing, NHS IT panacea!

 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 03 January, 2012, 11:17:59 am
Quote from: oncemore on 03 January, 2012, 11:15:04 am
Bloody NHS computer system! Trying to refer me for a chest x-ray (emphysema or worse....) this a.m., my GP (who is only permitted so to do "electronically") could not, his access being continually blocked by the usual "Congratulations! You are the xth visitor today and have won an i-pod" pop-ups.

You think the NHS IT system has these popups? if it did, they wouldn't work

More likely your GP has a minor trojan on their computer.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 03 January, 2012, 11:18:59 am
Quote from: clarion on 03 January, 2012, 11:13:24 am
That's why you should make sure you buy her a bike first ;)

 & ensure that it costs more £ than any of yours  ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: oncemore on 03 January, 2012, 11:24:21 am
Quote from: mrcharly on 03 January, 2012, 11:17:59 am
Quote from: oncemore on 03 January, 2012, 11:15:04 am
Bloody NHS computer system! Trying to refer me for a chest x-ray (emphysema or worse....) this a.m., my GP (who is only permitted so to do "electronically") could not, his access being continually blocked by the usual "Congratulations! You are the xth visitor today and have won an i-pod" pop-ups.

You think the NHS IT system has these popups? if it did, they wouldn't work

More likely your GP has a minor trojan on their computer.

I was hardly in the mood to discuss the finer points of WHY it wasn't working! Nor indeed do I have the IT knowledge so to do - and I doubt that he has! The outcome (or lack of) was my concern.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 03 January, 2012, 11:35:19 am
mrcharly is correct.  I understand why it was annoying for you, oncemore.  The system is bad enough when it's working, and those following this forum will know how much love I have for NPfIT/CfH/Whateverthey'recallingitthisweek.

But I am trying to deal with a PC whch a GP has managed to infect - not once, but twice. >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 03 January, 2012, 11:49:02 am
Quote from: fboab on 03 January, 2012, 10:37:29 am
I spent 4 hours last night nagging my children and myself to empty the kitchen and the bathroom for the builders coming today to take down then replace the stud wall that has so much damp the fungi are fruiting and the radiator is falling off the wall. They'll also be re-plumbing the bathroom, draining the heating system and taking out the dead Rayburn that sucks woodsmoke into the kitchen from the living room fire. It's needed doing for about a year.

We moved everything, and it's stacked under sheets in the living room, making the house, pretty much, unusable. I've arranged for the childers to stay at their Dad's, I'm staying elsewhere, the water will be off, there'll be dust everywhere, it's all very disruptive. (Every cloud has a silver lining- we defrosted the fridgefreezer to move it).

They haven't turned up. No one has phoned to tell me of any delay.

I may have mentioned this before, but

MY LANDLORD IS A TOSSER.

Joy.
They're coming next Monday. But only because I phoned and said 'err, where's your builders?'.

Do I put it all back? Or leave it for 6 days?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Clare on 03 January, 2012, 11:53:46 am
Quote from: fboab on 03 January, 2012, 11:49:02 am
Do I put it all back? Or leave it for 6 days?

You need storage space for 6 days, surely your landlord's office would be perfect for that.

 :thumbsup:

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 03 January, 2012, 12:11:50 pm
+1
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hulver on 03 January, 2012, 12:13:24 pm
I really don't want to be back to work today. Having some time off over Christmas has left me unmotivated.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 03 January, 2012, 03:11:02 pm
I've got the motivation but no work to do.Want to swap Hulver :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 03 January, 2012, 05:12:09 pm
Grumble update....Grumble update....Grumble update....

So, I phoned the LBS about my new bike expecting to be able to arrange a fitting and collection time after my lovely wife took a message from them saying it was in stock......wrong, its not in stock and won't be as the makers have not sent sufficient numbers for the orders placed  :facepalm:

So no new bike for me as the LBS don't think the bike is likely to be re-stocked this year unless I buy something else... but the cat is now out of the bag with her in doors regarding my new purchase. I might not be allowed to spend the money I earn on something I "need."

Oh no need to use the dog house or any of my tents (we have three) as my lovely lady is spending the night over her Mothers...

Finally, I did offer to buy her a bike but she isn't interested in cycling.  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 03 January, 2012, 06:18:45 pm
Rail websites, all suck, and blow and spew broken pop ups at the same time...  Feckoff!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 03 January, 2012, 06:39:07 pm
It's a measure of how my day went, that when I put on a sweater just now, I wasn't at all surprised when I managed to punch myself in the mouth.

Fecking Wind. Fecking Christmas backlog. Just feck.

Yorkies will probably know where the windiest place in York is. Anyone want to guess which bit our round encompassed?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SteveC on 03 January, 2012, 06:56:41 pm
Quote from: Arch on 03 January, 2012, 06:39:07 pm
It's a measure of how my day went, that when I put on a sweater just now, I wasn't at all surprised when I managed to punch myself in the mouth.

Fecking Wind. Fecking Christmas backlog. Just feck.

Yorkies will probably know where the windiest place in York is. Anyone want to guess which bit our round encompassed?
At least you managed your round.  Our recyclers didn't turn up. (I did feel rather sorry for the bin men, who did come round, this morning.)

S
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Adam on 03 January, 2012, 07:22:29 pm
Quote from: barakta on 03 January, 2012, 06:18:45 pm
Rail websites, all suck, and blow and spew broken pop ups at the same time...  Feckoff!

I tend to stick with using Southern's one - lets you book bike spaces and view all the stops on the route for the train you've selected.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 03 January, 2012, 10:58:50 pm
My beanie didn't come & JLP didn't phone Mrs P  :(

(http://dlazechk.dl.funpic.org/ch890310.jpg)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 04 January, 2012, 11:14:35 am
The bastard coffee machine is b0rked.

Again >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 04 January, 2012, 11:25:39 am
Forgot to take tools with me to the post office. Bike was too big to post. Fortunately the counter clerk had a set of allen keys so I could remove the handlebars and close the box properly. It then came within the size limit (just).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 04 January, 2012, 01:59:27 pm
Quote from: fboab on 03 January, 2012, 11:49:02 am
Quote from: fboab on 03 January, 2012, 10:37:29 am
I spent 4 hours last night nagging my children and myself to empty the kitchen and the bathroom for the builders coming today to take down then replace the stud wall that has so much damp the fungi are fruiting and the radiator is falling off the wall. They'll also be re-plumbing the bathroom, draining the heating system and taking out the dead Rayburn that sucks woodsmoke into the kitchen from the living room fire. It's needed doing for about a year.

We moved everything, and it's stacked under sheets in the living room, making the house, pretty much, unusable. I've arranged for the childers to stay at their Dad's, I'm staying elsewhere, the water will be off, there'll be dust everywhere, it's all very disruptive. (Every cloud has a silver lining- we defrosted the fridgefreezer to move it).

They haven't turned up. No one has phoned to tell me of any delay.

I may have mentioned this before, but

MY LANDLORD IS A TOSSER.

Joy.
They're coming next Monday. But only because I phoned and said 'err, where's your builders?'.

Do I put it all back? Or leave it for 6 days?
Only just see this.

FFS, you must be really down. Not a single sweary sentence?

If I were in your situation, being a lazy git, I would unpack enough to be able to live camp in the house and no more
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 04 January, 2012, 06:42:46 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 04 January, 2012, 01:59:27 pm
Quote from: fboab on 03 January, 2012, 11:49:02 am
Quote from: fboab on 03 January, 2012, 10:37:29 am
I spent 4 hours last night nagging my children and myself to empty the kitchen and the bathroom for the builders coming today to take down then replace the stud wall that has so much damp the fungi are fruiting and the radiator is falling off the wall. They'll also be re-plumbing the bathroom, draining the heating system and taking out the dead Rayburn that sucks woodsmoke into the kitchen from the living room fire. It's needed doing for about a year.

We moved everything, and it's stacked under sheets in the living room, making the house, pretty much, unusable. I've arranged for the childers to stay at their Dad's, I'm staying elsewhere, the water will be off, there'll be dust everywhere, it's all very disruptive. (Every cloud has a silver lining- we defrosted the fridgefreezer to move it).

They haven't turned up. No one has phoned to tell me of any delay.

I may have mentioned this before, but

MY LANDLORD IS A TOSSER.

Joy.
They're coming next Monday. But only because I phoned and said 'err, where's your builders?'.

Do I put it all back? Or leave it for 6 days?
Only just see this.

FFS, you must be really down. Not a single sweary sentence?

If I were in your situation, being a lazy git, I would unpack enough to be able to live camp in the house and no more
Erm , yeah, err.
Cooking round the fridge is interesting. I can't get in the cupboard under the sink. And if I need a recipe: tough shit.
Makes me wonder how much of this stuuuufffff I actually need. Who needs more than a dozen ramekins FFS?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 04 January, 2012, 06:49:58 pm
Goretex shoes don't work when the puddle comes above the level of your shoes. :(

Water in said footwear now has been poured out (a lot of it too) and the shoes arecurrently drip drying in the hallway.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: why1040 on 04 January, 2012, 08:34:57 pm
I'm having a really low energy day!  I thought I'd got this chronic fatigue a little more under control, but today's been rubbish-and the rest of the week's not been great either!

 :-\

Really bored with this now!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 04 January, 2012, 09:02:56 pm
Quote from: fboab on 04 January, 2012, 06:42:46 pm
Who needs more than a dozen ramekins FFS?

Don't think of them as ramekins. Think of them as useful pots for putting pingfukkits in when doing any sort of dismantling...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 04 January, 2012, 09:06:24 pm
Quote from: fboab on 04 January, 2012, 06:42:46 pm
Who needs more than a dozen ramekins FFS?

Our former landlady, without the benefit of whose kitchen cupboards I'd still be unaware of what a ramekin is.

One day I hope to learn what they're for.  Other than temporary pingfuckit storage, as Arch suggests.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 04 January, 2012, 09:12:15 pm
Chocolate mousse innit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 04 January, 2012, 09:24:55 pm
I find ramekins handy when I'm doing the deep prep for Indian/Thai recipes. It's easier to have the spices and sauces all measured out before I start cooking.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 04 January, 2012, 09:27:30 pm
Quote from: spesh on 04 January, 2012, 09:24:55 pm
I find ramekins handy when I'm doing the deep prep for Indian/Thai recipes. It's easier to have the spices and sauces all measured out before I start cooking.  :thumbsup:

and knife sharpening on the unglazed bits.......
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 04 January, 2012, 09:30:16 pm
Quote from: Kirst on 04 January, 2012, 09:12:15 pm
Chocolate mousse innit.


or creme brulee, or baked eggs etc etc

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Marj on 05 January, 2012, 11:50:20 am
Quote from: Arch on 04 January, 2012, 09:30:16 pm
Quote from: Kirst on 04 January, 2012, 09:12:15 pm
Chocolate mousse innit.


or creme brulee, or baked eggs etc etc

I made creme brulee's over Christmas, as a bit of a change from a heavy stodgy pudding, they didn't last very long but I am told were delicious.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 05 January, 2012, 02:18:05 pm
Ring ring!
-Hello, Police!
-I'd like to report a robbery.
-Where did the robbery occur?
-Chez Cudzo.
-Can you identify the items stolen?
-On an occasion or occasions between 24th December and 5th January, my legs, lungs and brain were removed and replaced with spaghetti, cotton wool and papier mache, respectively. As an example of the last I give you this: setting out upon my bicycle, I realised that my trouser-encompassing band thingy (elasticated cuff off the bottom of Mrs Cudzo's old trousers) was fastened around my left ankle...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 05 January, 2012, 02:25:49 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 05 January, 2012, 02:18:05 pm
Ring ring!
-Hello, Police!
-I'd like to report a robbery.
-Where did the robbery occur?
-Chez Cudzo.
-Can you identify the items stolen?
-On an occasion or occasions between 24th December and 5th January, my legs, lungs and brain were removed and replaced with spaghetti, cotton wool and papier mache, respectively. As an example of the last I give you this: setting out upon my bicycle, I realised that my trouser-encompassing band thingy (elasticated cuff off the bottom of Mrs Cudzo's old trousers) was fastened around my left ankle...

We collect from various sets of flats with bin stores, for which we need entry codes. The gates have a number pad to get in, but a simple button to open the gates from the inside.

On Tuesday, we hit upon the fact that at one place we could open both sides of the gate instead of just one, and wheel the trikes in, as opposed to what we have been doing, which was open one half, walk in, collect the boxes, lug then outside and load at the kerb. Much easier to go in with the trikes. Expect this particular gate shuts automatically on the side that opens with the keypad. So when we came to go out, half of the gate had shut, and the half with just a bolt was still open.

No matter, I go out of the open side, take a glove off,  tap the code in, see the auto-half open and go back through to fetch the trike, to find my colleague laughing at me. Why hadn't I just pushed the button on the inside?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 05 January, 2012, 02:30:05 pm
 ;D That's known as over-thinking!

BTW, did you find my legs in someone's recycling?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 05 January, 2012, 03:01:38 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 05 January, 2012, 02:30:05 pm
;D That's known as over-thinking!

BTW, did you find my legs in someone's recycling?

Sorry no. I'll keep looking.

I don't think we've had a bizarre find this week.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 05 January, 2012, 03:05:03 pm
Quote from: Arch on 05 January, 2012, 03:01:38 pm
I don't think we've had a bizarre find this week.

That counts as even more bizarre!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 05 January, 2012, 03:09:34 pm
Quote from: Kim on 05 January, 2012, 03:05:03 pm
Quote from: Arch on 05 January, 2012, 03:01:38 pm
I don't think we've had a bizarre find this week.

That counts as even more bizarre!

 ;D

Some weeks are just more random than others. And it's the binstores that are often most productive. The faux antique globe drinks cabinet was a high spot last year.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 05 January, 2012, 03:13:09 pm
We have received 12 envelopes in the post today.NINE of them were junk mail ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 05 January, 2012, 03:44:42 pm
I don't want to ride home.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 05 January, 2012, 10:07:50 pm
People, people, people!  It's January.  It's a bit moist out there.  Can we see some mudguards? >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 06 January, 2012, 12:07:35 pm
Ar materials shop. Yes I know your opening hours are 9 to 5, but why stand there chatting amongst yourselves when there is a customer standing outside in the cold waiting at a few minutes to 9? Surely opening the door a couple of minutes early won't kill you?

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 06 January, 2012, 07:10:03 pm
I've just got back in from a day at my new employer having twiddled my thumbs for the vast majority of the day. The main boss was out & his deputy was too busy to allocate stuff to me, so I hope they get their act together soon.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 07 January, 2012, 10:49:19 am
The bottom bracket on my MTB has started to be seriously trashed rather than just a little dodgy. Looks like replacement may need to be sooner rather than later :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 07 January, 2012, 12:23:37 pm
No, I'm not interested in having a discussion with you, and does anybody ever want a copy of the Watchtower from a stranger knocking at their door?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 07 January, 2012, 05:22:22 pm
I've taken several copies.  For anthropological research, you understand.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nicknack on 07 January, 2012, 06:09:14 pm
Quote from: clarion on 07 January, 2012, 05:22:22 pm
I've taken several copies.  For anthropological research, you understand.

Nah, you can't fool me. You needed some firelighters.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 07 January, 2012, 08:17:38 pm
Why did my front light have to jump off into a ditch where I couldn't see it in the dark? Getting home on a 0.5W flasher round unlit lanes is not an experience I'd like to repeat.

Also, I'm pretty sure the route I used today was all on road, and I was using a bike with guards, so why does my tourer now look like I've been Cyclo-crossing?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SteveC on 07 January, 2012, 09:15:33 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 07 January, 2012, 08:17:38 pm
Also, I'm pretty sure the route I used today was all on road, and I was using a bike with guards, so why does my tourer now look like I've been Cyclo-crossing?
My wheelie bin looks like it's been cycle-crossing!  I know it was a bit wild here on Tuesday when it was emptied, but...
(Either the bin men left the lid open or it blew open later so there's water in it at the moment which is why I was looking at it so closely!)

S
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 10 January, 2012, 11:25:00 am
I had the merest suggestion of a cold.

So why has my breathing decided to shut down?  Utterly useless all weekend, hardly able to talk on Sun. Yesterday off work.  Better today, but it will be a week before I can cycle again. Oh, ffs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 10 January, 2012, 01:39:29 pm
Barakta's gall bladder attacked again at Audax o'clock this morning.  She's back in sleep-and-feel-terrible mode.

Still nothing from the hospital.   :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feline on 10 January, 2012, 05:05:20 pm
Quote from: Kim on 10 January, 2012, 01:39:29 pm
Barakta's gall bladder attacked again at Audax o'clock this morning.  She's back in sleep-and-feel-terrible mode.

Still nothing from the hospital.   :(

Oh dear :(
GWS Barakta!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 10 January, 2012, 05:11:57 pm
:-( Poor Barakta
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cycleman on 10 January, 2012, 09:55:36 pm
get well soon barakta  :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 10 January, 2012, 10:39:40 pm
Indeed, GWveryS.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: why1040 on 10 January, 2012, 10:56:43 pm
One of my best friends had her handbag stolen out of her car while she was driving it (the car, not the handbag*) yesterday!  I thought stuff like that only happened in the movies!  Classic distraction method "can you tell me how to get to so-and-so" while someone else reached in the other side!   >:(

The only good point is that at least she's not one to have lots of credit cards, she's a cash sorta gal.



*though actually, it's about the size of a good handbag...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 10 January, 2012, 11:20:23 pm
Quote from: why1040 on 10 January, 2012, 10:56:43 pm
The only good point is that at least she's not one to have lots of credit cards, she's a cash sorta gal.

That's a good thing?  Cards can be cancelled, cash is gone...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: why1040 on 10 January, 2012, 11:35:34 pm
It is a good things cos she wasn't carrying much...cards are a PITA to get cancelled and replaced, but as she doesn't really use them, she's not missing them.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 11 January, 2012, 12:10:01 am
Bugger!  How's barakta?  GWS matey.

*worries*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 11 January, 2012, 12:47:46 am
Quote from: Basil on 11 January, 2012, 12:10:01 am
Bugger!  How's barakta?  GWS matey.

*worries*

Still grotty but hopefully improving slowly.  Back to GP tomorrow to chase up scan and ask for drugs and possibly bloods (if they can extract it from me). 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Peter on 11 January, 2012, 12:56:00 am
Get well soon, Barakta.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: why1040 on 11 January, 2012, 12:59:58 am
Urgh, get well soon! 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: citoyen on 11 January, 2012, 04:51:31 pm
Bloody kids.

I've blagged free tickets for me and the boy to go to one of the Heineken Cup rugby matches this weekend. Phoned him to let him know, thinking he'd be delighted, but his response was decidedly lukewarm. OK, so it's not a match involving the team he supports, and it's not quite as big a deal as seeing his team play at Wembley a couple of months ago, but I thought he'd be a little bit more excited than he appears to be. Doesn't know he's born, I tell you.

I suspect the problem is that it interferes with plans he's already made to hang around in town with girls.  ::-)

d.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 12 January, 2012, 01:20:55 pm
The most common side-effect of co-codamol has kicked in. I am not happy.  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 12 January, 2012, 03:43:16 pm
I am sure my work PC and notwork are on a piss me off and go slow today.  Wireless keeps working then timing me out *scowl*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 12 January, 2012, 04:25:30 pm
Quote from: barakta on 12 January, 2012, 03:43:16 pm
I am sure my work PC and notwork are on a piss me off and go slow today.  Wireless keeps working then timing me out *scowl*

You see, that's why I liked those old fasioned big heavy screens.  I could punch them in frustration. [1]  Really used to hurt, which stopped me from doing it again for at least an hour, but at least it felt sort of good to do.

[1]  They were also good for drying out wet mits.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 12 January, 2012, 05:03:46 pm
They made a good noise when you threw them out of the window, too...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 12 January, 2012, 05:09:45 pm
Quote from: Kirst on 12 January, 2012, 01:20:55 pm
The most common side-effect of co-codamol has kicked in. I am not happy.  :(
I was given a stash of those, pray tell what it is, though I can imagine what it might involve...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 12 January, 2012, 05:11:59 pm
It's the one that isn't cancelled out by the otherwise opposite side-effect of most antibiotics...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 12 January, 2012, 05:12:57 pm
Handy for building arches, too:

http://www.imagepoop.com/image/602/Computer-Monitor-Arch.html
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 12 January, 2012, 05:25:18 pm
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 12 January, 2012, 05:09:45 pm
Quote from: Kirst on 12 January, 2012, 01:20:55 pm
The most common side-effect of co-codamol has kicked in. I am not happy.  :(
I was given a stash of those, pray tell what it is, though I can imagine what it might involve...
Last night's black-eyed bean curry, brown rice and curried aubergines have not yet exited my digestive tract and neither has anything else I ate yesterday or today.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 13 January, 2012, 12:53:57 am
Quote from: Kim on 12 January, 2012, 05:03:46 pm
They made a good noise when you threw them out of the window, too...
Especially if you don't open it first..
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pedaldog. on 13 January, 2012, 02:16:11 am
First wife, way back in the early 80's, was really superstitious and it has actually started to pass on to me in recent times! Over 20 years since the Divorce and I now get edgy about Friday the 13th and other stuff. I know everyday is unlucky for somebody or other but Why is this day and date so worrying?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 13 January, 2012, 07:44:05 am
Quote from: Kirst on 12 January, 2012, 01:20:55 pm
The most common side-effect of co-codamol has kicked in. I am not happy.  :(
I am even less happy today than I was yesterday.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 13 January, 2012, 08:28:38 am
The temptation to make a suggestion about Dyno Rod is tempered by the desire not to incur the wrath of the lovely but fiery Kirst....

And apropos friday 13th, it is a crunch day for us, and I've just made unreasonable demands on our reprographics section, which will have repercussions, and this after spending best part of an hour standing outside various council homes with a thermal imaging camera in the dark at zero degrees Celsius....  Its going to be quite a day...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 13 January, 2012, 08:51:41 am
“Cyclists” of Stafford.

I know I have moaned about this before but PLEASE GET SOME LIGHTS!

Just had to return home to change my undies after almost hitting one of you morons. You were completely invisible on a unlit road at 7am. Why, if you are cycling without lights, are you also wearing dark clothing? Sometimes, I just wonder if Darwin was right. What are you doing being alive still?

Please give me a chance of seeing you. Lights can be brought for £6 in Tescos (come on, they need the sales!!!). Isn’t your life worth £6????
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 13 January, 2012, 05:07:44 pm
Quote from: Pedaldog on 13 January, 2012, 02:16:11 am
First wife, way back in the early 80's, was really superstitious and it has actually started to pass on to me in recent times! Over 20 years since the Divorce and I now get edgy about Friday the 13th and other stuff. I know everyday is unlucky for somebody or other but Why is this day and date so worrying?

I think (may be wrong), that Friday is generally thought of as a bad day because of it being the day Jesus was crucified. add in the unlucky 13 (which I think is also a Jesus+disciples thing, if you count Judas), and it's a double whammy...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 13 January, 2012, 05:22:40 pm
Quote from: Arch on 13 January, 2012, 05:07:44 pm
Quote from: Pedaldog on 13 January, 2012, 02:16:11 am
First wife, way back in the early 80's, was really superstitious and it has actually started to pass on to me in recent times! Over 20 years since the Divorce and I now get edgy about Friday the 13th and other stuff. I know everyday is unlucky for somebody or other but Why is this day and date so worrying?

I think (may be wrong), that Friday is generally thought of as a bad day because of it being the day Jesus was crucified. add in the unlucky 13 (which I think is also a Jesus+disciples thing, if you count Judas), and it's a double whammy...

Friday the 13th (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friday_the_13th).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pedaldog. on 13 January, 2012, 06:42:12 pm
Thanks for that.  It does interest me that it is also thought to be unlucky in Furrin lands, Netherlands is mentioned in the wiki' thing.  I had thought of the 13th Dude at the Last Supper as many people claim a positive thing of there being 12 disciples.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mike on 13 January, 2012, 06:47:27 pm
Arse.  There's nothing in the fridge and I cant be bothered to drive 15 mins each way to go to t***o.  I suppose I can at least buy some beer while I'm there..
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 13 January, 2012, 08:11:14 pm
Quote from: mike on 13 January, 2012, 06:47:27 pm
Arse.  There's nothing in the fridge and I cant be bothered to drive 15 mins each way to go to t***o.  I suppose I can at least buy some beer while I'm there..

Village pub not do food?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: why1040 on 13 January, 2012, 09:01:31 pm
I got chilled fettling the bike before putting it away after today's ride and now just can't warm up!  I've had warm dinner, the heating's on and I'm dressed warmly...

I'm starting to consider a hot bath with a glass of wine*! BRRRRRRR!

*the wine may not help my actual temperature, but I may care less
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mike on 13 January, 2012, 09:04:51 pm
Quote from: Andrij on 13 January, 2012, 08:11:14 pm
Quote from: mike on 13 January, 2012, 06:47:27 pm
Arse.  There's nothing in the fridge and I cant be bothered to drive 15 mins each way to go to t***o.  I suppose I can at least buy some beer while I'm there..

Village pub not do food?


it does, but MrsMike's away and it always Ends Badly when I go there without her... :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 13 January, 2012, 11:26:50 pm
Quote from: why1040 on 13 January, 2012, 09:01:31 pm
I got chilled fettling the bike before putting it away after today's ride and now just can't warm up!  I've had warm dinner, the heating's on and I'm dressed warmly...

I'm starting to consider a hot bath with a glass of wine*! BRRRRRRR!

*the wine may not help my actual temperature, but I may care less

Try something hot, sweet and milky; hot chocolate or custard...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 13 January, 2012, 11:38:43 pm
Hot bath, warm drink, hot man.  To warm your feet on, obviously.

My body clock is all over the shop.  This gets less funny by the day.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 14 January, 2012, 07:02:09 am
Quote from: Lindagordinho on 13 January, 2012, 11:38:43 pm
Hot bath, warm drink, hot man.  To warm your feet on, obviously.

you very nearly got ten out of ten there  ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: citoyen on 15 January, 2012, 12:49:00 am
Quote from: Pedaldog on 13 January, 2012, 06:42:12 pm
many people claim a positive thing of there being 12 disciples.

I'm sure they do.

d.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pedaldog. on 15 January, 2012, 01:25:09 am
Quote from: citoyen on 15 January, 2012, 12:49:00 am
Quote from: Pedaldog on 13 January, 2012, 06:42:12 pm
many people claim a positive thing of there being 12 disciples.

I'm sure they do.

d.


I'm sure the twelve of them that Didn't get nailed up felt lucky. The thirteenth bloke wasn't so lucky.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 15 January, 2012, 09:24:07 am
My ludicrously large xmas booze stash has finally run out... :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 15 January, 2012, 12:33:45 pm
It's still January.Clearly it was not large enough.Do better next time.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 15 January, 2012, 04:18:09 pm
I succumbed and bought a couple of bottles of Guinness Foreign Extra Stout.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 15 January, 2012, 06:35:14 pm
I'm sure it's a great advantage putting off-road long distance paths into the Google mapping software, but it makes planning cycle routes with it a lot harder now. Apparently the best way from Kildale to York is straight over the top of the moors on a dirt track.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 15 January, 2012, 06:57:20 pm
Them things called maps may challenge Scholes in the come-back stakes ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 15 January, 2012, 07:01:29 pm
OS maps I haz, but with route planning it was easier to let the machine do it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 16 January, 2012, 12:20:09 pm
I'm proper Grumble with myself.I've ponced about wrt the train tickets for Kildale to the extent that I've missed out on the cheap tickets on the Friday.Cheapest now is £52 &  I'm not paying that much 'cause it's more than petrol would be ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jacomus on 17 January, 2012, 10:22:49 am
Ok sinuses, its not funny anymore, I want to be able to breathe properly plz. Making my nose whistle is irritating and not being able to breathe in properly is highly annoying as I have given myself a sore throat by breathing through my mouth. >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 21 January, 2012, 06:55:56 pm
Why can't some people get a grip on what's important in this life?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-16648829 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-16648829)
7 years ago, my cousin, his wife and two tots (<4 IIRC) had a miraculous escape from the tsunami at Phuket. When they returned to their hotel, another resident bemoaned the lack of marmalade for breakfast!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 21 January, 2012, 07:33:45 pm
According to information (that is t'internets, not the airport) our flight may not arrive until 1am, meaning we won't get back to bed in Furrybootoon until 3-4am :-(.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 22 January, 2012, 11:03:04 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 21 January, 2012, 06:55:56 pm
Why can't some people get a grip on what's important in this life?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-16648829 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-16648829)
7 years ago, my cousin, his wife and two tots (<4 IIRC) had a miraculous escape from the tsunami at Phuket. When they returned to their hotel, another resident bemoaned the lack of marmalade for breakfast!

Quote from that report:

"There was certainly no 'women and children first' policy. It was disgusting."

No, there isn't, apparently, and it's a good thing too. It's been weighed up, and the stress and difficulty of dividing spouses, or fathers from families, wastes time. A good evacuation gets everyone queued up and in the boats and away, regardless.

I've never quite understood the women and children first thing, or the general feeling in any tradegy that women and children's lives are more important than men's. If anyone should get priority, it's those least able to help themselves or most susceptible to cold, regardless of age or sex.

I expect a tidal expert could probably assure the lady that her husband will end up off Monaco eventually.

(of course, the Concordia evacuation, or lack of it, does sound like it was very badly handled initially, that's not in dispute. I can't help thinking though, that if everyone had been told to be ready to get off, and then nothing happened, there'd be complaints about the inconvenience...)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 22 January, 2012, 11:17:18 am
The fact that approx 4000 people were evacuated off a sinking vessel,in the dark, demands that someone deserves a great deal of credit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 22 January, 2012, 11:28:06 am
True, it could clearly have been a lot worse. But whatever happens, someone will moan about it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 23 January, 2012, 01:22:20 am
Is one night of uninterrupted sleep too much to ask for?  Apparently, 'yes'.  It would be nice if I could sleep for more than 3 hours at a time - haven't done so in weeks.  Hopefully I can fall back asleep before it's time to wake up.  :-\
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pedaldog. on 23 January, 2012, 01:45:23 am
I also would like some sleep.  My head has been in such agony this past week or so that I finally succumbed to popping around 20 Dihydrocodeine 30's through the night follwed by, I think, 12 Tramadol 50's through the Sunday up to about 11pm. I have to be at a very important appointment with a psychiatric consultant tomorrow morning that means I'll have to be up for 7am.  Every time I lie down the pain makes me feel like I am floating round the room and ready to blow chunks with the Seasick feelings. All I want is a "Day off from all this" and remember the motivation, opportunism, love for adventure and self confidence I used to have back in the days where a months nett income 25 years ago was a LOT more than I now get in a year and the fact that I actually enjoyed the competitive and satisfying nature of my work and lifestyle. I'd like to know what I did to earn so much Bad Karma.

ETA: I'd also like to be the 10 stones lighter that I was back then and up to the early part of this century when I all but doubled my weight to a 40.9 bmi :sick:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 23 January, 2012, 08:14:27 am
Currently getting quite upset with ATG ticket agency. Firstly, a £4 per ticket booking fee for a theatre you own! Robbing Gets  >:(

And then, you decline my card (and yes, its pay day so there is more than plenty of money in there!) but don't give me a second chance of trying again...oh no, I have to phone your "Helpline" which doesn't open until 9am.

Not a very good service.  ::-)

GRRRRR
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 23 January, 2012, 08:24:15 am
Quote from: Pedaldog on 23 January, 2012, 01:45:23 am
I also would like some sleep.  My head has been in such agony this past week or so that I finally succumbed to popping around 20 Dihydrocodeine 30's through the night follwed by, I think, 12 Tramadol 50's through the Sunday up to about 11pm. I have to be at a very important appointment with a psychiatric consultant tomorrow morning that means I'll have to be up for 7am.  Every time I lie down the pain makes me feel like I am floating round the room and ready to blow chunks with the Seasick feelings. All I want is a "Day off from all this" and remember the motivation, opportunism, love for adventure and self confidence I used to have back in the days where a months nett income 25 years ago was a LOT more than I now get in a year and the fact that I actually enjoyed the competitive and satisfying nature of my work and lifestyle. I'd like to know what I did to earn so much Bad Karma.

ETA: I'd also like to be the 10 stones lighter that I was back then and up to the early part of this century when I all but doubled my weight to a 40.9 bmi :sick:

Hope you feel a bit better now 'Dog.  Try to remember how much you HAVE achieved.

Have a hug.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 23 January, 2012, 08:52:37 am
Finally we appear to have a day where a) the sun is out and b) the wind isn't so strong that it's stripping the bark off trees etc. ....

... and I have to take the car to work because there's a bunch of stuff I need to pick up which isn't really conducive to portage by bike. *And* I've got to go to the dentist in about half an hour.

Arse!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 23 January, 2012, 08:54:24 am
Quote from: interzen on 23 January, 2012, 08:52:37 am
Finally we appear to have a day where a) the sun is out and b) the wind isn't so strong that it's stripping the bark off trees etc. ....

... and I have to take the car to work because there's a bunch of stuff I need to pick up which isn't really conducive to portage by bike. *And* I've got to go to the dentist in about half an hour.

Arse!

Drink!  Nuns!  Girls!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 23 January, 2012, 11:05:42 am
Quote from: Lindagordinho on 23 January, 2012, 08:54:24 am
Quote from: interzen on 23 January, 2012, 08:52:37 am
Finally we appear to have a day where a) the sun is out and b) the wind isn't so strong that it's stripping the bark off trees etc. ....

... and I have to take the car to work because there's a bunch of stuff I need to pick up which isn't really conducive to portage by bike. *And* I've got to go to the dentist in about half an hour.

Arse!

Drink!  Nuns!  Girls!
And, since the trip to the dentist revealed another filling which needs to be replaced I'll see your "Drink! Nuns! Girls!" and raise you a "Feck!" (granted, the filling won't be as wallet-pummelingly expensive as the crown I have to get done, but even so ...)

Obviously, I can't Hackett .... (IGMC)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pedaldog. on 23 January, 2012, 11:55:46 am
Quote from: Lindagordinho on 23 January, 2012, 08:24:15 am
Hope you feel a bit better now 'Dog.  Try to remember how much you HAVE achieved.
Have a hug.

Thanks :-) Managed to get to the appointment on time and was in there for near to Two Hours!
More Guess work and trial and error on Yet MORE DRUGS!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: citoyen on 23 January, 2012, 12:24:44 pm
Quote from: Pedaldog on 15 January, 2012, 01:25:09 am
I'm sure the twelve of them that Didn't get nailed up felt lucky. The thirteenth bloke wasn't so lucky.

I suppose if you accept that there were definitely 12 apostles, it's no big leap to imagining that bad things are more likely to happen when a particular day of the month falls on a particular day of the week.

More importantly, good luck with the medication. My wife has been suffering with persistent headaches for some time and has been going through all sorts of emotional ups and downs while the doctor tries to find a) the right medication for her, and b) the right dose. It seems to be under control now - hope the same happens for you soon.

d.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Zipperhead on 23 January, 2012, 02:16:18 pm
Oy Amazon, I thought that I'd try having something delivered to one of your lockers, so that irrespective of when it was delivered, it would be delivered and I could go and pick it up shortly thereafter.

Well, you sent me the email 48 hours ago to say that it was delivered to the locker, but you haven't yet sent me the email (which the other one refers to) giving me the magic number to open the locker.

That's no much 'kin use now is it?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 23 January, 2012, 02:42:03 pm
Grumble # 1:my knee aches & I've only ridden a kilometre or so.
Grumble # 2: the doc says I've got to surrender a little bit of my body to the surgeons knife
Grumble # 3: whilst fettling I fell over in the garage & twisted my ankle = pain

It's one of those days where everything you touch seems to go wrong.I dare not go for a piss ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 25 January, 2012, 09:40:36 am
Oh, dear.  I seem to have mislaid my dongle.  Anyone seen it?  Last seen in the Travelodge, Leatherhead.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 25 January, 2012, 10:35:37 am
Look, you dopey bints, if you want to stand around gobbing away like a pair of gobby twats, that's fine by me.  But there are two places where you should be to do this, viz.


Having one of you in the lift using the "doors open" button to prevent it from, well, lifting, and one of you not in the lift, when I want to use the lift to go to the fifth floor is the act of a twunt.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 25 January, 2012, 11:06:18 am
Bloody Loyal Fail.

Our Favourite Postal Service has an online stamp-selling system, 'Dumb Stamp'.   However, these are useless for SAEs, since they need to be posted within 3 days or so.   Thus requiring me to go into town to obtain ye olde stick-on stamps.

And then I discover I don't need to send the SAEs anyway.  Book of stamps, anyone?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: dasmoth on 25 January, 2012, 02:51:12 pm
Congestion and low energy over the weekend have finally transformed into a full-on cough.  The two hour meeting this morning may not have helped.

My <unprintable> lungs have form for gunking up for a month or so at a time, so really hoping this one doesn't settle in for the duration.  This winter had been going fairly well up until now....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 25 January, 2012, 10:40:01 pm
Should be a rant, but I'm too tired...

My boss was telling me today about how the council are snowed under with problems with their recycling service (IE, the large area of the city we don't cover).  Also, about their current working practice.

Apparently, the binmen are on 'task and finish' - do the job, then go home. This of course means that the faster they work, the sooner they go home.  Which leads to boxes being missed.

Bad enough. But then, apparently, if they have to go out again to collect missed boxes... they get overtime! :o  So, do a crap job, and then get paid more to correct it.

(we're paid to work the whole day. If we finish the collections early, we find other work to do at the centre. If we over run at busy times, we get time off in lieu...)

The council practice will be changing, apparently. I expect that'll piss a few binmen off...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CrinklyLion on 25 January, 2012, 11:24:21 pm
I just couldn't work out why, a couple of weeks ago, they came and got all the glass.  And then came back a few hours later for the rest.

And no, they don't do as good a job as your lot used to!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 25 January, 2012, 11:26:55 pm
The BloodyStudents next door seem to be having a party.  They have much worse taste in music than the last lot.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 26 January, 2012, 05:25:28 pm
No food in Tescos.  Can't be arsed to go further afield.  Gah.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 26 January, 2012, 06:15:48 pm
Quote from: CrinklyLion on 25 January, 2012, 11:24:21 pm
I just couldn't work out why, a couple of weeks ago, they came and got all the glass.  And then came back a few hours later for the rest.

And no, they don't do as good a job as your lot used to!

I suppose it's possible that their glass hopper was the only one with space in on the van, although I'd say it was unlikely - glass takes up a lot of volume compared to paper and so on. Only plastic is more voluminous. And round your way, there's more glass than paper generally, if I remember rightly.

Meanwhile, a small grumble of my own:

Colleague. You knew that when we got back to base, I was going to take another reading off the batteries (for MFWHTBAB's information, to see if anything can be done with Beryl beyond pushing her off a cliff). You know that this requires the sides to be dropped and the base board lifted off. Not a big job, but the only way to access the batteries. So when you handed me the bag of odds and ends from the cab as I headed in to collect the meter and the bit of paper, I assumed you were going to drop the sides and lift the base board for me.

No, that would assume that you aren't a lazy bloody sod. Since you simply followed me into the building, you could have carried that sodding bag yourself! 

Perhaps it was revenge because I found us a small routine job to do in the spare time before lunch, when you perhaps preferred to just drink tea and send texts.

I don't mind being the sort of muggins who makes an effort, and I know it doesn't go unnoticed or unappreciated, but it would be nice to think I was being appreciated to the tune of a few more pence an hour than him...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: why1040 on 26 January, 2012, 09:03:50 pm
What was it today with complete nutters on the road???

Dear dozy git in the silver Corsa: if you must do a hedge inspection, please not to stop in the middle of a narrow, windy country lane right on a blind bend without even putting your hazards on, k??

Complete fucknugget in an HGV: you indicated to turn left into the road I was coming out of, but my spidey-senses were tingling, so I waited.  You slowed to turn left into the road I was coming out of, but I still didn't trust it and waited.  You started turning, so I finally figured you actually were going to turn and started coming out, which is when you decided that oh no, this wasn't the turn you wanted after all, spun the wheel and floored it.  Lucky I was still on spidey-alert and was able to stop the car, slam it in reverse and get out of your way in about .5 seconds, innit??

Several complete tits through the town centre: you don't need to park on double yellow lines to just pop into M&S for your important shop.  You could actually park in the very nice parking lot ACROSS THE FUCKING ROAD-which is free after 6pm as well!  (oh, sorry, that was almost a rant, wasn't it?)

Several others, it's a shame you got the budget model of the car you were driving-the one without indicators, that is!

And fat bloke on a black Giant (which was funny cos it was too small for you) in black lycra: coming out of a driveway onto a main road in the dark with no streetlights and no lights on your bike without actually checking for current traffic is a really good way of getting yourself killed!  I very nearly needed clean undercrackers after that little stunt!!   :o
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cycleman on 27 January, 2012, 09:44:34 am
slough can be fun can't it  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 28 January, 2012, 12:27:53 pm
Lovefilm: You have a crap rental list system. When I put the Stieg Larsson trilogy of films on my list all at the same priority, surely to dog there must be something in your system to send film one in the trilogy before films two & three. No? Well, there should be. So, I now have a weekend to watch them, but can't!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 28 January, 2012, 12:33:00 pm
Bahfuckit. My old scanner won't work with Windows 7. Unless I can find a driver (& the firm the supplier outsourced all support of old kit to doesn't sell one, & announced that it would no longer respond to any queries about the scanner last year), it's stuffed, & I'll have to buy a new one. Buggrit!

It's only 12 years old.  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 28 January, 2012, 02:02:58 pm
I still seem to have this lung-lurgy after 2 weeks (it started while on cycle ride).  Would like breakfast not to be a hackwheezefest.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 28 January, 2012, 06:22:18 pm
I've just been to feed downstairs' cat and I fell down the stairs cos it's all slippery out there. Ow.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Notsototalnewbie on 30 January, 2012, 01:06:24 pm
Sigh…I know it’s my own stupid fault for not remembering that the office fridge is cleared every Friday (to avoid long-forgotten stuff festering), but really, I had hoped that if the stuff I left in there was unopened and with an expiry date in the distant future, common sense might have prevailed…chucking perfectly good food in the bin just seems really wrong.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 30 January, 2012, 03:20:26 pm
Quote from: Notsototalnewbie on 30 January, 2012, 01:06:24 pm
Sigh…I know it’s my own stupid fault for not remembering that the office fridge is cleared every Friday (to avoid long-forgotten stuff festering), but really, I had hoped that if the stuff I left in there was unopened and with an expiry date in the distant future, common sense might have prevailed…chucking perfectly good food in the bin just seems really wrong.

We also have fridge Friday. However food is rarely wasted - most of it ends up inside one of my colleagues, who is renowned for his gastric sturdiness. He only refuses houmous if it's actually fizzy....

Actually, since he changed his working pattern and days off, it's more likely to be a Monday now.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Adam on 31 January, 2012, 07:13:48 pm
Quote from: Bledlow on 28 January, 2012, 12:33:00 pm
Bahfuckit. My old scanner won't work with Windows 7. Unless I can find a driver (& the firm the supplier outsourced all support of old kit to doesn't sell one, & announced that it would no longer respond to any queries about the scanner last year), it's stuffed, & I'll have to buy a new one. Buggrit!

It's only 12 years old.  :(

Try Vuescan from Hamrick Software (http://www.hamrick.com/) which has kept some SCSI scanners going on Windows 7 PCs for me.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 31 January, 2012, 09:52:06 pm
Oh bum. I thought my back tyre was a bit soft on Monday's ride home but hadn't topped them up that morning so wasn't sure. Just about to goto bed when I remembered about it... and it is flat as a flat thing :( Arse.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 02 February, 2012, 09:52:10 pm
My stir-fry this evening consisted of not-what-I'd've-chosen meat, not-what-I'd've-chosen veg, not-what-I'd've-chosen sauce and not-what-I'd've-chosen noodles.
They were all chosen by No1Daughter who is a) eating at her dad's tonight and b) already in my bad books for not collecting my parcel when she said she would.

Bloody children.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bairn Again on 03 February, 2012, 05:25:07 pm
Boarded the sleeper from edinburgh to london last night.

knock on berth door at 4am - "breakfast's arrived early" I thought.........no. 

A derailment ahead meant that we were going to disembark and be bussed to (that) london.  Crewe not being blessed with 24hr coach services it was another 2 hrs+ in a freezing cabin before the coach arrived / departed, finally arriving into London Euston at lunchtime.  west coast has been a wash out all day.   

Total disaster avoided by cancelling all official meetings and organising an informal networking lunch with london based colleagues in licensed premises (the excellent Craft Brewing Co in Leather Lane) before heading for the train home, which is where I am now.

Now at Darlington heading north.

EDIT - grump factor restored by the fact that the train contains many rugby fans (*) heading north for the rugger tomorrow.  You know, greater than normal numbers of dark green sweaters, pink shirts, mustard corduroys, upturned collars and general twattishness.

(*) at least the English watch and support club rugby, what was it, around 80,000 at Twickenham at Christmas.  It's one man and his dog in Scotland for the whole year except when it's time for a bit of anti English sentiment when 60,000 ephemeral nationalists turn out.  Idiots. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 03 February, 2012, 10:50:21 pm
Drinking in the office on the company tab is all fine and dandy until... one loses track of time and doesn't notice until after the gym has closed.  This will be the gym where one has stored ones cycling kit, leaving one with the option of cycling home 11km+ suited and booted, or picking up the bike from the office the next morning on the way to ones appointment for the day.  Either way, it will cost me £10 on Monday morning to get my stuff back from the gym. *sigh*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 04 February, 2012, 07:49:58 pm
Ever since breakfast my digestion has been fighting a losing battle with my legs for the limited blood supply.
I don't suppose a 3 course pub lunch was helpfull immediatley before the 50km ride home. ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 04 February, 2012, 07:54:05 pm
Quote from: jogler on 04 February, 2012, 07:49:58 pm
Ever since breakfast my digestion has been fighting a losing battle with my legs for the limited blood supply.

Same here.  It's officially a no-score draw.

Actually, I appear to be rather dehydrated.  How on earth do you avoid that while cycling in winter?  I mean, you're losing almost the same amount of fluid through sweat and breathing and stuff as you would in the warm, but you're cold so you don't feel thirsty, and your bladder fills up within milliseconds of going outside which doesn't help either...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 04 February, 2012, 08:24:11 pm
Just dropped two meals worth of Delia's spiced chicken to the floor shattering the bowl it was in and contaminating my supper with shards of ceramic.

Gah!

Merde!

I hate wasting food.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 05 February, 2012, 04:40:21 pm
I get that pelting the mad cyclist with snow is hilarious but what if I'd come off under the wheels of the car overtaking me at the time? Use your feeble excuse for a braincell numbnuts.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 06 February, 2012, 01:36:47 pm
Boss/owner. I think we get on well enough & I exceeded my two-month target within 3 weeks of starting, so I hope I've proved my credentials are kosher. AND I got the company in at a BIG potential customer where you had not had much luck...

So, you now need to listen to me when I directly tell you that I am twiddling my thumbs much of the time and start handing some of your workload over to me. That is why you took me on, isn't it? Believe me, the protestant work ethic passed me by, but I'd rather have something meaningful to do than sit around surfing all day. We've discussed it, and you agreed to do it, so now's the time to turn words into action.

One thing I'm NOT going to do is spend a lot of time sitting in an office working the silly hours that you do without having anything to do.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 06 February, 2012, 10:32:57 pm
Car's dead again, and this time it's definitely the fuel pump. I think a new (to me) car on Friday is on order.

Also the crap shimano chain I had on the tourer has eaten 5/8 gears on the rear cassette. Cylcing with only 12, 26 and 32t rear sprockets is not fun.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 07 February, 2012, 07:39:46 am
Currently sitting in the "Quiet Zone" on a Virgin Train to That London wondering why the three people near me can not type without making more noise than removing a wall......BANG BANG BANG BANG  goes there club like fingers on the keyboard. :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 07 February, 2012, 06:52:39 pm
Bugger! Tightening up loose allen bolts on a rattling rack, one of them went from a bit internally round to bloody useless. I realised it was a bad idea to tighten it any further & it was more sensible to loosen it off & put a new one in there - too late.  :facepalm:

The rack's OK for now, but I'll be stuffed when I want to remove it unless that bolt works loose again.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 07 February, 2012, 09:43:50 pm
Disk fairy.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Peter on 07 February, 2012, 09:47:34 pm
Quote from: Bledlow on 07 February, 2012, 06:52:39 pm
Bugger! Tightening up loose allen bolts on a rattling rack, one of them went from a bit internally round to bloody useless. I realised it was a bad idea to tighten it any further & it was more sensible to loosen it off & put a new one in there - too late.  :facepalm:

The rack's OK for now, but I'll be stuffed when I want to remove it unless that bolt works loose again.

Can't you get a mole grip on it?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 07 February, 2012, 11:59:16 pm
One o' they li'l round headed ones, which because the hole is smaller & more fragile I usually reserve for places where only they will fit, but in this case used to hold the rack on because a couple of 'em exactly the right length were to hand when I fitted it.  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Peter on 08 February, 2012, 01:02:08 am
Hmmmm.

Lots of plusgas, cut a slot (not all the way down) and use a screw-driver? Danger of endiing up having to drill the shank out, though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: RichForrest on 08 February, 2012, 08:51:05 am
Having left the trike out for a few weeks I've been meaning to check all the cables.
Yesterday I got on it to go to work, all ok and moving. No need to lube any.
Go out last night at 23.30 to come home every one was solid (-5), no brakes, no gears  ::-)
To myself, get round to doing things before they need doing in the future  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 08 February, 2012, 10:37:17 am
Quote from: Peter on 08 February, 2012, 01:02:08 am
Hmmmm.

Lots of plusgas, cut a slot (not all the way down) and use a screw-driver? Danger of endiing up having to drill the shank out, though.
Yeah. And given my limited mechanical skills, that'll do something horrible to my nice titanium frame.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bairn Again on 14 February, 2012, 04:02:30 pm
why is it that whenever I'm at the supermarket checkout that the person/people in front of me always seem to pay for part of their shopping with bloody vouchers which takes forever. Invariably some are out of date or ineligible in another way and then they cant find some and oh wait a minute I think they are in here and are you sure youve taken the correct amount off wopuldnt want to miss that vital 2p off my persil etc etc.
     
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 14 February, 2012, 05:15:53 pm
Why is it so difficult to find 700c wheels which take discs??????

I have spent all afternoon looking...sorry working my fingers to the bone and have found only a few suppliers, none of which really catch my eye.

Looks like my evening is now booked hunting bike bits.... hope the wife doesn't mind.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 14 February, 2012, 05:45:50 pm
Hubs, spokes, rim, wheel builder. Job done.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 15 February, 2012, 12:29:49 pm
I've changed time zones (now GMT-5) and I'm at a lower latitude than London, but I'm still waking up just after 04:00, EVERY MORNING.  At least its 04:00 EST, not GMT.  But it's still not fun.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 15 February, 2012, 12:39:59 pm
Quote from: Y L G again on 14 February, 2012, 04:02:30 pm
why is it that whenever I'm at the supermarket checkout that the person/people in front of me always seem to pay for part of their shopping with bloody vouchers which takes forever. Invariably some are out of date or ineligible in another way and then they cant find some and oh wait a minute I think they are in here and are you sure youve taken the correct amount off wopuldnt want to miss that vital 2p off my persil etc etc.
   

Same as cash machines.   It's like the people in front have never used one before, and are studying and considering the instructions carefully.   Enter PIN? Hmm, let's have a think about that.   Select Service?  Hmm, well I don't know what should I do?  Get cash? Balance query?  Oh, I know.  I'll print a statement.  And then take out some cash.   How much? Oh, decisions, decisions...   And then print out another statement.  Study the statements carefully.  Put card back in, and do a mobile top-up.  Oh,and then print another statement.

Grr.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 15 February, 2012, 12:48:46 pm
Quote from: essexian on 14 February, 2012, 05:15:53 pm
Why is it so difficult to find 700c wheels which take discs??????

I have spent all afternoon looking...sorry working my fingers to the bone and have found only a few suppliers, none of which really catch my eye.

Looks like my evening is now booked hunting bike bits.... hope the wife doesn't mind.  :facepalm:

Depends if you need 130mm or 135mm

One word of warning, don't be tempted by the cheap On-One wheels, the hubs are shit.  I got a pair with my InBred Bundle, the front hub was replaced quickly with a dynohub (Shimano T-665 LX) and I have just replaced the complete rear wheel as the rear hub was as wobbly as a jelly sat on top of washing machine on 1400 spin with just one towel in it.  Both hubs were Shimano Deore, I would have expected better, but then my experience of Shimano MTB hubs is 10 years old at best.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Si_Co on 15 February, 2012, 12:55:20 pm
4 weeks in plaster, and then they'll decide wether or not I need surgery, typical now that it's warmed up  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 15 February, 2012, 01:30:37 pm
what have they said about brain damage ;D

Will ring you at home tonight
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 16 February, 2012, 01:16:35 pm
Nearly FIVE weeks of being snotty, chest is mostly clearing but sinuses are back to being snotty and hurty.  Have resorted to fucking codeine for fucking sinus pain ffs!  (well ok and to nix shoulderfail but...)

Can haz working ENT system pls as docs are at wits end.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 17 February, 2012, 02:14:12 pm
Vision Express, you are taking the piss. £220 for lenses of 'similar quality' to what I have already when your rivals are charging £49?  ::-) Needless to say, you will not be getting my custom.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: pixieannie on 17 February, 2012, 02:40:53 pm
Dear sweet woman on the reception of my local surgery.. if I call to make an appointment at 8.40am and am told that all I can have is a call from the doc later in the day, don't be surprised at my shock when you call me back to say that an ear infection with associated sickness and vertigo is an emergency and should be seen today.  That's why I called in the first place but you didn't want to know.  FFS.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 17 February, 2012, 03:11:57 pm
I feel the non-specific digestive malaise of the last couple of days is about to manifest itself properly :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 17 February, 2012, 10:16:41 pm
The pain in the left side of my neck extends through my left shoulder blade and into my arm.  This is unlikely to get any better now.

Still nursing obese people at 68?  Are you having a laugh Dave?

So pissed off now.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 17 February, 2012, 10:17:54 pm
Much sympathy, fwiw.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Zipperhead on 18 February, 2012, 12:17:10 am
Cat, I'm going to put it down to you being a bit hypo after your injection, but going behind the hifi to have a piss was not the smartest decision to come out of your furry brain today.

You were lucky that the hissing and fizzing from pee meeting 240 volts seemed not to include you. Your penance shall be to have a bath tomorrow.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 18 February, 2012, 08:26:08 am
oops!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 18 February, 2012, 11:03:44 am
City of York Council, your reporting system is pants. Cleverly, you gave me the option to give feedback on using the website BEFORE I'd used it, so I didn't bother....

Now, let's see if they actually do something about that crossing on James Street.

I timed it last week. 5 seconds of green man to cross two lanes of traffic to the off-centre refuge (not enough even for me, a relatively fit brisk scuttler). Then 10 seconds of green man to cross the single lane. Someone programme the lights the wrong way round perhaps?

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 18 February, 2012, 11:32:24 am
Quote from: clarion on 17 February, 2012, 10:17:54 pm
Much sympathy, fwiw.

Ah, thanks clarion  :)

Feel a bit more positive today.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 18 February, 2012, 12:38:41 pm
Quote from: Arch on 18 February, 2012, 11:03:44 am
Cleverly, you gave me the option to give feedback on using the website BEFORE I'd used it, so I didn't bother....

That's a whole rant in itself.  If I weren't invariably busy trying to look something up on a website, I'd fill in the feedback thinger to the effect that I've no idea, I haven't seen the site yet.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 18 February, 2012, 12:58:22 pm
Quote from: Arch on 18 February, 2012, 11:03:44 am
City of York Council, your reporting system is pants. Cleverly, you gave me the option to give feedback on using the website BEFORE I'd used it, so I didn't bother....

Now, let's see if they actually do something about that crossing on James Street.

I timed it last week. 5 seconds of green man to cross two lanes of traffic to the off-centre refuge (not enough even for me, a relatively fit brisk scuttler). Then 10 seconds of green man to cross the single lane. Someone programme the lights the wrong way round perhaps?

There are a few crossings with ridiculously short crossing times in York - I keep meaning to report a couple of others. I normally forget about it by the time I get home (:facepalm:) but your post's just made me remember, so I'll go and do it now!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 18 February, 2012, 01:04:50 pm
Quote from: phantasmagoriana on 18 February, 2012, 12:58:22 pm
Quote from: Arch on 18 February, 2012, 11:03:44 am
City of York Council, your reporting system is pants. Cleverly, you gave me the option to give feedback on using the website BEFORE I'd used it, so I didn't bother....

Now, let's see if they actually do something about that crossing on James Street.

I timed it last week. 5 seconds of green man to cross two lanes of traffic to the off-centre refuge (not enough even for me, a relatively fit brisk scuttler). Then 10 seconds of green man to cross the single lane. Someone programme the lights the wrong way round perhaps?

There are a few crossings with ridiculously short crossing times in York - I keep meaning to report a couple of others. I normally forget about it by the time I get home (:facepalm:) but your post's just made me remember, so I'll go and do it now!

Yay!  I'm the same, always mean to report stuff, never get round to it.

In this case, I really do wonder if they've simply programmed the sets the wrong way round, although even 10 seconds to get across the double part would be a bit mean.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: dasmoth on 20 February, 2012, 12:17:54 pm
Lungs: get your act together.  If you end up seriously affecting my March cycling plans, this will become much more than a grumble!

(Does this forum need "The Mucus Thread"...?)

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 20 February, 2012, 04:23:05 pm
One is rebuilding a serious-but-antiquated database, about 400,000 records, for a client, and that incredibly disobliging Windows XP suddenly says

I say old chap, Windows has been updated. Bit of a bind, sorry about that. Restart Now? Restart later? Sorry pardon old bean.

It's five o'clock and one wishes to retire: one can't hang around six hours going "later... later... later..." every wretched half-hour.

[please insert onomatopoeic scream of choice]
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 20 February, 2012, 09:11:30 pm
Gah, Haynes manuals are generally pretty useful. But telling me to refer to my Rover dealer for specs for various fluids isn't entirely helpful what with Rover going out of business and all.  :facepalm:  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Androcles on 20 February, 2012, 11:09:51 pm
Driver on the A38 this evening: when you passed me my speedo needle was just hovering over the right edge of the tick with the number 70 on it, yours must have been well past the one marked with 100.  Why then did you have your rear foglights on?  Who did you think was going to catch you up?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 21 February, 2012, 04:05:58 pm
I don't like Steve Lamacq.  I find his whiny voice grating.  I don't share his sense of humour.  I don't like much of the music he plays.

I don't mind turning over from Radio 6Records* to Radio 4 at 1600 when he comes on.  I really don't - it's easy to press a button.

But he has this terrible habit of playing brilliant songs to open the show, and then I get distracted and don't turn over until he's played several terrible songs.

Today, I was poised to change over, and I heard the unmistakable intro to Buzzcocks' Ever Fallen In Love?  I couldn't cut that off, could I?  Three minutes of perfection.

Writing this post has kept me focussed on the issue until another song came on.  I'm changing over now.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: why1040 on 22 February, 2012, 12:59:05 am
Digestive system:

Having a full-blown IBS attack in a restaurant in central London when I need to drive home again (and I'd have liked to have socialised a bit more too) isn't cricket you know!

I treat you well enough, time to return the favour!  Urk!   :-\
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: petes46 on 22 February, 2012, 11:02:48 am
Ugh!  I've just been told that my buyer has been refused a mortgage.  House now going back on the market for the second time!  Am I never going to get out of here?   :'(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 22 February, 2012, 12:06:55 pm
The wind is picking on me again. It was SSW when I had to ride SSW to get to work. Annoying but I was looking forward to the ride home. Now it's going to be a blustery side wind from the W instead of the nice tail wind I planned on. :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: why1040 on 22 February, 2012, 11:35:18 pm
Quote from: why1040 on 22 February, 2012, 12:59:05 am
Digestive system:

Having a full-blown IBS attack in a restaurant in central London when I need to drive home again (and I'd have liked to have socialised a bit more too) isn't cricket you know!

I treat you well enough, time to return the favour!  Urk!   :-\

Two nights running?  Really?  BAH!   :-\
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 22 February, 2012, 11:50:47 pm
*passes the Buscopan and warm duvet*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 22 February, 2012, 11:51:50 pm
I can't sleep, again.
My knee aches, post physio, and the drugs (that I didn't want to take) aren't touching it.
I've been scraping along today because I didn't sleep last night and tomorrow will be hell (for everyone who falls within my sphere) if I don't sleep tonight.
I'm tired, I'm miserable and I hurt.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CrinklyLion on 23 February, 2012, 12:03:58 am
Hope that it improves, and that sleep turns up sooner rather than later fboab.

My grumble?  My mushroom soup and olive bread for tea was really tasty.  Which made it doubly annoying that I couldn't eat it all....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 23 February, 2012, 11:09:25 am
My dear sir, you have a lovely, if SHOUTY bike.  And you ride very quickly with style and grace.  I am pleased by the support for Herne Hill your cap evidences, and I loved the insouciance you demonstrated by whistling as I passed, then storming away at speed.  From the repeated pattern, I get the idea you were just having lots of fun on the way to work, and you always gave space as you overtook.  And you actually stopped behind the line at every red light you encountered.

I was about to comment on all these positives, when you did that.  And, oh, that as well.  OK, now you've cleaned the tubes, you should be OK, but you did it all again at the next stop, then on the move.  Flipping heck, sir, if you need to get rid of so much mucus via every orifice, you should be in a TB ward.  I have a chest infection (as ever ::-) ), but I'm not repaving the streets of Sarf Landan with slime.

Just stop it, and I can go back to admiring your cool instead.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: why1040 on 23 February, 2012, 11:18:09 pm
I'm feeling a cold coming on, so thought I'd have a nice, early night.   :thumbsup:

Courtesy of lovely next-door neighbour's teenager, I'm still awake.  Because she's playing her music at normal listening level in her room, which shares a wall with mine.  Which means that I'm also hearing it at normal listening level!   :facepalm:

This house really is crap when it comes to insulation...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 23 February, 2012, 11:40:51 pm
Think I have whacky hormones again, all my joints have gone hurty and crap - back's been seized for a week.  Eating all the diclofenac isn't doing much except nuking my guts and I daren't risk mefenamic acid which works but makes me horribly vestibularly ill cos I have PLANZ on Saturday!  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Clare on 24 February, 2012, 03:30:50 pm
Quote from: Clare on 16 December, 2011, 12:07:51 pm
Letting Agent : "The last tenant changed it to a prepaid meter to save money."

BG : "Yes we can change your meter it will take a while but don't worry because I have checked and there is no outstanding debt on the account."

BG : "Who are you and how did you get your meter changed if you are not the registered customer?"

Me : "Dunno."

BG : "There's a debt on that account you've been paying a higher rate for your electricity."

Me : " >:( >:( >:("

BG : "You are now the registered customer and here's a credit for the excess you have paid."

Me : "Thank you."


Thank you to Iain and I'm sorry I was a bit  >:(  but this whole place is turning into a grinding mess of down, down, down.


OI BG, WHERE'S MY CREDIT?

 >:( >:( >:(

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Clare on 24 February, 2012, 03:33:10 pm
OK, short phone call later and apparently there is a cheque waddling it's way to me. Should be here within 28 days, so watch out for this thread exploding on, hang on...


...23/03/12.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 24 February, 2012, 04:06:04 pm
Boss: we've just driven from Wolverhampton to Blackburn & back and you didn't once use the inside lane of the motorway once even when it was obvious you should...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 24 February, 2012, 04:28:39 pm
33 minutes.
Not that I'm counting, or anything.
O o o 32.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 25 February, 2012, 11:08:54 pm
Bugger.
Couldn't get to the Iplayer without seeing the score on the bbc main page.
Thanks bbc. :@
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 26 February, 2012, 12:58:45 pm
My knee is giving me some grief despite the fact that I've not ridden the bike for a couple of days & today I've only walked to the village & back :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 26 February, 2012, 01:18:44 pm
I've just bashed my head really rather hard on the door frame at the bottom of our stairs.  I don't seem to have grown substantially overnight, and there's no evidence of stealth ninja building works, so I'm not entirely sure how.

It really bloody hurts.  And no, I wasn't wearing a helmet.


 ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 26 February, 2012, 01:40:51 pm
Quote from: jogler on 26 February, 2012, 12:58:45 pm
My knee is giving me some grief despite the fact that I've not ridden the bike for a couple of days & today I've only walked to the village & back :(
I have much more knee trouble walking than cycling- it's even given way a couple of times. It's weight bearing, therefore more stress on the joint.
Have you had it properly checked out? Physio reckons we will be able to slow down the degradation with the right exercise and maybe orthotics, as well, obviously, as getting rid if the excess lard.
It's very easy to view arthritis as something that's never going to get better, but actually there's a lot you can do to stop it getting worse.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 26 February, 2012, 01:45:57 pm
Quote from: fboab on 26 February, 2012, 01:40:51 pm
I have much more knee trouble walking than cycling- it's even given way a couple of times.

+1 for that.  My knee has been substantially better since I got back into cycling, and I suspect that's as much because I'm walking less (the biomechanics are all wrong) as any improvement of tracking from strengthening the quads.  If I'm going to be carrying any kind of load, I'll use a bike by default these days.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 26 February, 2012, 01:57:37 pm
 Have you had it properly checked out?


No.
Being a practising coward I'm reluctant to let anyone other than marj prod & poke at my body.

The medical professionals I have come into contact with made a proper dogs breakfast of marj's knee surgery & two of my neighbours have also had knee replacements that have been problematical.

It's interesting that I rode to Stafford & back last week without problems during the ride.My knee did complain but only after an hour or so after returning home.
I did notice a sports physio place on the Stafford to Newport road  & elsewhere on the forum Giropaul has displayed  a link to someone/somewhere that I may investigate :-\
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: why1040 on 27 February, 2012, 02:01:50 am
That thing where you wake yourself up coughing so hard you think you're going to throw up?

Yeah.

That

 :-\
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 27 February, 2012, 10:43:10 am
Quote from: Kim on 26 February, 2012, 01:18:44 pm
I've just bashed my head really rather hard on the door frame at the bottom of our stairs.  I don't seem to have grown substantially overnight, and there's no evidence of stealth ninja building works, so I'm not entirely sure how.

It really bloody hurts.  And no, I wasn't wearing a helmet.


 ???

I tell you - doorframes are lethal.

Wear a helmet any time you walk round the house, kids.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 27 February, 2012, 10:52:25 am
To the person who gave SWMBO the flu last week, Ta.... I had a miserable weekend with her snotting all over the place and generally being miserable. If you have the flu, then DON'T GO OUT AND SPREAD IT ABOUT!!!!

To my lovely lady.... many thanks for donating it to me now....sniff.... I have a meeting in that London tomorrow I have to go and piles of work to do so can not afford to have time off....sniff....  I am going to see if I can do the meeting over the phone instead and stay wrapped up warm in my office/garden shed.

And Boss, ta for saying I can have today off but its not practical is it. Sniff.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 27 February, 2012, 02:07:45 pm
Quote from: clarion on 27 February, 2012, 10:43:10 am
Quote from: Kim on 26 February, 2012, 01:18:44 pm
I've just bashed my head really rather hard on the door frame at the bottom of our stairs.  I don't seem to have grown substantially overnight, and there's no evidence of stealth ninja building works, so I'm not entirely sure how.

It really bloody hurts.  And no, I wasn't wearing a helmet.


 ???

I tell you - doorframes are lethal.

Wear a helmet any time you walk round the house, kids.

I spent most of yesterday feeling distinctly 'off' and Not Riding My Bike.  Am okay now, apart from the painful squishy lump on my head.

I reckon the accident was caused by swerving to avoid a pile of stuff on the "to go upstairs" step, overcompensating, and falling forwards from the extreme right-hand edge of the first cornery step.  (This makes sense if you can see it.)

Pile of stuff duly moved.  I'm all about health & safety me.  If not tidying up (it got moved to the dining room table, rather than up the stairs).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 27 February, 2012, 04:08:45 pm
You could have avoided having to move the pile of stuff if you'd have just worn a helmet from now on though.
Tin foil lined, natch. ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 28 February, 2012, 04:05:24 pm
Won't see bobb again till April. Stupid leap days making it even longer away.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 29 February, 2012, 12:04:11 pm
The sleeper no longer does breakfast - just a cup of tea/coffee with a stick of shortbread.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 29 February, 2012, 12:06:20 pm
:( That's a bit disappointing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 29 February, 2012, 12:42:42 pm
You used to get an airline style thingy. Roll, yoghurt with museli, cup of tea/coffee/fruit juice.

Bit sad really.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 29 February, 2012, 01:12:25 pm
Socks are dangerous.  While donning my left sock this morning, teetering on one foot like a circus elephant, I fell over and biffed my nut on the stair rail.  The one that I never did get round to removing the sharp edges from.

Unfortunately the resulting graze was not sufficiently serious to warrant a return to bed ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 29 February, 2012, 01:14:43 pm
Left nut or right nut?Why have you got sharp edges on yernuts?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 29 February, 2012, 02:40:00 pm
My leg's really sore.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 29 February, 2012, 03:25:52 pm
My lungs aren't working properly, for no apparent reason.  And my digestive system keeps exploding.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 29 February, 2012, 03:29:29 pm
I'm feeling a bit (OK, a lot) like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEuw2mgLRuQ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEuw2mgLRuQ)

(but without Kristen Johnston, sadly)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mike on 29 February, 2012, 03:32:53 pm
Gout hurts. Having a cold at the same time seems unfair.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 29 February, 2012, 03:33:09 pm
I've been to the physio and my knee hurts much much more than it did before.
The pain has been building up since I saw her and I really really don't fancy riding home in a couple of hours.

This is making me miserable, which is making me long for comfort food, to which I am succumbing like, well, a fat girl presented with cake, to be honest.

Ugh.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 29 February, 2012, 04:32:15 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 29 February, 2012, 01:12:25 pm
Socks are dangerous.  While donning my left sock this morning, teetering on one foot like a circus elephant, I fell over and biffed my nut on the stair rail.  The one that I never did get round to removing the sharp edges from.

Unfortunately the resulting graze was not sufficiently serious to warrant a return to bed ???
I recommend sitting down to don/doff socks. If required, I can send you my sock aid that I don't need any more.

That'll be a tenner.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 29 February, 2012, 04:48:52 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 29 February, 2012, 01:12:25 pm
Socks are dangerous.  While donning my left sock this morning, teetering on one foot like a circus elephant, I fell over and biffed my nut on the stair rail.  The one that I never did get round to removing the sharp edges from.

Unfortunately the resulting graze was not sufficiently serious to warrant a return to bed ???

Were you wearing a helmet?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 29 February, 2012, 05:08:50 pm
Quote from: Kim on 29 February, 2012, 03:25:52 pm
My lungs aren't working properly, for no apparent reason.  And my digestive system keeps exploding.

Digestive system has finally calmed down and is merely painful.  Lungs still crap.  Lovely weather for a bike ride, obviously.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Clare on 29 February, 2012, 05:31:39 pm
Quote from: Clare on 24 February, 2012, 03:33:10 pm
OK, short phone call later and apparently there is a cheque waddling it's way to me. Should be here within 28 days, so watch out for this thread exploding on, hang on...


...23/03/12.

Well that's scuppered then!

 :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 29 February, 2012, 06:55:55 pm
Ok own up - who nicked my legs this evening?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: BrianI on 01 March, 2012, 07:04:13 am
Blepheritis. Sod off.  <insertsmileywithitchysairredeyelids>
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rower40 on 02 March, 2012, 07:19:45 am
Letter from my bank:
Quote
Please find enclosed copies of the new Terms and Fees Leaflet.
22 A4-pages.  Not so much a Leaflet as a Tome.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Regulator on 02 March, 2012, 07:53:07 am
Quote from: clarion on 29 February, 2012, 04:48:52 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 29 February, 2012, 01:12:25 pm
Socks are dangerous.  While donning my left sock this morning, teetering on one foot like a circus elephant, I fell over and biffed my nut on the stair rail.  The one that I never did get round to removing the sharp edges from.

Unfortunately the resulting graze was not sufficiently serious to warrant a return to bed ???

Were you wearing a helmet?

Don't nuts tend to come with a helmet as part of the package?   ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Regulator on 02 March, 2012, 07:58:54 am
Quote from: jogler on 26 February, 2012, 01:57:37 pm
Have you had it properly checked out?


No.
Being a practising coward I'm reluctant to let anyone other than marj prod & poke at my body.

The medical professionals I have come into contact with made a proper dogs breakfast of marj's knee surgery & two of my neighbours have also had knee replacements that have been problematical.

It's interesting that I rode to Stafford & back last week without problems during the ride.My knee did complain but only after an hour or so after returning home.
I did notice a sports physio place on the Stafford to Newport road  & elsewhere on the forum Giropaul has displayed  a link to someone/somewhere that I may investigate :-\

Knees are notoriously the most difficult bit of the skeleton for orthopods to deal with.  The knee is one of the most complex joints and the failure rates for knee surgery are amongst the highest for any type of surgery.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: eck on 03 March, 2012, 12:27:35 pm
Madison, your policy for replacing crash-damaged Giro helmets isn't quite so generous as I'd hoped. You want from me "the old helmet, information about the accident, proof of purchase of the old helmet." So far so fair. You also want "a cheque or postal order made payable to Madison, a division of H. Young Operations Ltd for the appropriate amount (see charges below)". Charge for replacing my damaged Ionos: £95
So,you want from me a payment of £95 up front. Then you might send me a replacement
Guys, I can buy a new one cheaper without any of this hassle. I'm quite underwhelmed.  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 04 March, 2012, 10:21:24 pm
How come we don't have a winging thread?

Anyway, I'm sick of being ill.  I'm feeling spectacularly awful again, combined with that low-level tiredness you get when you have to work to breathe, and want to curl up in bed. Except I probably won't sleep and that'll just end in shoulder pain.  The coughing's getting tedious, too, especially now that barakta's in on the act.

I suspect this one's going to linger...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 04 March, 2012, 10:48:30 pm
Quote from: Kim on 04 March, 2012, 10:21:24 pm
How come we don't have a winging thread?

Anyway, I'm sick of being ill.  I'm feeling spectacularly awful again, combined with that low-level tiredness you get when you have to work to breathe, and want to curl up in bed. Except I probably won't sleep and that'll just end in shoulder pain.  The coughing's getting tedious, too, especially now that barakta's in on the act.

I suspect this one's going to linger...

GWS.

I had my first undisturbed nights sleep for a week last night. Every other night has been interrupted by coughing fits that have left me with gasping for breath, with  bulging eyes & sore ribs.  Everyone at work appears to have the same dry cough as well.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 04 March, 2012, 10:59:57 pm
I'm sick of being ill, I only just stopped being ill about 10 days ago.  And both Kim and I being ill is like a pair of fighting cats in the bed - all night long and neither of us has the joints to sleep on alternative bedding options.  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 04 March, 2012, 11:17:45 pm
Seems to be everyone's ill. I've had the runs since Thursday, and I'm not sure whether I should go to bed tonight or just make myself comfortable on the toilet for the duration.

Oh, and of course the letting agents have decided they want to do a 'property visit' this week so I'll be tidying up the tetering piles of crap tomorrow as well.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 05 March, 2012, 12:14:04 am
Tell the property agents you have norovirus (which you could have) and NHS direct told you to stay isolated till you've been symptom free for 48 hrs?  The surfaces in your house like door handles etc will be affected so it's not in their interests to come this week. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Peter on 05 March, 2012, 12:20:55 am
Quote from: mcshroom on 04 March, 2012, 11:17:45 pm
Seems to be everyone's ill. I've had the runs since Thursday, and I'm not sure whether I should go to bed tonight or just make myself comfortable on the toilet for the duration.

Oh, and of course the letting agents have decided they want to do a 'property visit' this week so I'll be tidying up the tetering piles of crap tomorrow as well.

Sounds like the toilet is favourite, then.

Get well soon.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 05 March, 2012, 09:09:20 am
Quote from: Peter on 05 March, 2012, 12:20:55 am
Quote from: mcshroom on 04 March, 2012, 11:17:45 pm
Seems to be everyone's ill. I've had the runs since Thursday, and I'm not sure whether I should go to bed tonight or just make myself comfortable on the toilet for the duration.

Oh, and of course the letting agents have decided they want to do a 'property visit' this week so I'll be tidying up the tetering piles of crap tomorrow as well.

Sounds like the toilet is favourite, then.

Get well soon.

;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 05 March, 2012, 09:30:25 am
My desk's not been fixed yet.  First job this morning was to move all the files, PC, phone, drawers, trays etc and reattach the rogue pedestal leg at the back so it wasn't sloping away at a ludicrous angle.  Now restored to just slightly ridiculous.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 05 March, 2012, 11:03:04 am
My windows box at work is getting more and more fucked by the day, hangy and shit on startup now.  Have uninstalled FireFox as it's greedy and bloaty and crashing.  Have to decide if I'm going to try and get used to Opera or Exploder or reinstall FF from scratch after at least 1 cold boot.

Feeling like shit with this nasty cold, think Kim and I kicked one another all night.  And I forgot to bring enough lactofree milk to have tea today so may end up being bad and drinking the normal stuff cos I NEED TEA and the lactofree milk shop is too far for me to walk with still-fucked-hips  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 05 March, 2012, 11:14:27 am
Work - First you asked me to go to Mumbai for 6-8 months (initially 3-4 months till I asked what I was to be doing). I started to plan for this and prepared to stand down from various roles at church etc.

Then the indian corporate tax implications of providing accomodation became clear so you changed to frequent short visits e.g. 2 weeks there 4 weeks home. Not great but the project is interesting and fabulous experience so I was willing to do it.

Now this morning I am told that on Thursday my role was removed from the hours proposal to improve the cost efficiency.

The only reason this isn't in the rant thread is that I didn't really want to do option 2.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cycleman on 05 March, 2012, 06:45:42 pm
royal mail you useless bunch of ******* !. satmap sent my repaired unit back and it was not delivered on the 22nd march as there was no one in so we left a card .NO YOU DID NOT  >:( :(. tomorrrow i will be paying a visit to your collection center . be afraid , very afraid  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 05 March, 2012, 07:51:42 pm
No he isn't gonna buy that Defy 1 you avaricious prat. Its 9:30 in the morning and he has a day off work to go window shopping for his summer bike. Two customers in front of me (one with two trailing suitcases)  have become fed up and leave. The can of lube I wanted is placed back on shelf and I leave as I am late for a meeting. You have just killed off 3 actual and potentially repeat customers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rogerzilla on 05 March, 2012, 08:06:40 pm
I still don't have my YACF T-shirt  :'(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Maverick on 06 March, 2012, 01:50:11 pm
I've just had to spend a day and a half turning bits of the network on and off, ploughing through piles of log data from the server and router, two long sessions on the phone with the (outstandingly helpful) tech support at A&A and why? Because some idiot has been using my ADSL modem's WAN address as part of an amplified DNS attack. 5.6K DNS packets to port 80 on the WAN address that were then sent to A&A's DNS servers and then back to my modem eating my bandwidth and costing me money >:(  Took ages to track this down, now firewalled out.
Not a full rant because i did actually learn some stuff sorting it out and the network is a little more secure than it was.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 06 March, 2012, 01:52:21 pm
I've just had to take my first day off work ever, because of this silly bug. To add to it the sun's out and I can't go out on the bike either :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 06 March, 2012, 07:00:40 pm
First fairy visit on my Marathon Plus rear tyre on the ride home tonight: there's a small cut in the sidewall that goes all the way through.  No idea how it happened.  Swapped tube and got home, but the tyre's going to need replaced.

But here's my grumble:
It was the first time I'd used my shiny new Lezene mini-pump.  It has a flexi-tube to connect it to the valve, which screws onto the valve and has a nice 'O' ring to seal it.   Similar to days of old with frame-pumps and their little fabric-covered flexy tubes onto yer grandpas old woods valve.

When I came to un-screw the hose from the valve, the o-ring friction on the valve core caused it to unscrew along with the hose, out of the body.  Instant deflation.   I was not able to nip the valve core in with sufficient tightness to remain put as I removed the hose!   I had no nip-nip type deivce on my multi-tool.  I was this >< close to removing the tube from the tyre again to use my teeth as pliers when finally I got it to stay put on the 3rd or 4th attempt.

Upon inspection, all the spare tubes I have are the same: the valve core is finger-tight.   I will be putting a dab of Lock-Tite threadlock on them.

This is not an issue for push-fit type pumps, obviously.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 06 March, 2012, 07:12:36 pm
Bah, not only do I have my sixth or seventh cold of this winter but I have pulled a muscle up under my shoulder blade and everytime I cough, sneeze or try to take a deep breath it hurts.

Not even sure how I did the shoulder, I think I just slept funny.  :facepalm:

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 06 March, 2012, 09:56:49 pm
St Nicks is the venue for a play this week. We were all asked if we'd like to volunteer as stewards and keyholders, and I said I'd do tomorrow night. We get to see the play free.

Having heard bits of the final rehearsal tonight as I did the cleaning, I'm not sure seeing it free is a bonus. It appears to be lots of silences interspersed with shouting.

Ho Hum. I'll take a book.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Morrisette on 07 March, 2012, 09:34:45 am
OK I know you are all on diets, weightwatchers, not eating biscuits, 'being good'. But STOP TALKING ABOUT IT. Please.

I don't care how many 'points' are in this chocolate biscuit. I am still going to eat it, even though I have four people staring at it hungrily while I do so. And looking at the calorie count on the packet and tutting. 'Ooh I couldn't eat that it's three points.'

Apparently my suggestion for weight loss (which was, 'cycle to work, then you can eat what you want') was dismissed as 'that's such a male response' WTF? And it's a LOGICAL response! Much more logical than a diet that makes you think about food ALL THE TIME. I don't normally think about food at all, I have no 'emotional relationship' witb it, but they are MAKING me look at chocolate and think, ooooh lots of calories STOP IT!! You need food to keep you alive and life is too short and too full of crapola to be spent eating dry Ryvita when cheese is available.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 07 March, 2012, 09:46:22 am
Tell them it makes your bum look smaller..

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150629916489089&set=a.10150281607074089.340948.674039088&type=1&theater
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: closetleftie on 07 March, 2012, 09:48:50 am
Am I the only one that sees the thread title and thinks "NSFW"?

 O:-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 07 March, 2012, 10:02:33 am
Quote from: Morrisette on 07 March, 2012, 09:34:45 am
OK I know you are all on diets, weightwatchers, not eating biscuits, 'being good'. But STOP TALKING ABOUT IT. Please.

I don't care how many 'points' are in this chocolate biscuit. I am still going to eat it, even though I have four people staring at it hungrily while I do so. And looking at the calorie count on the packet and tutting. 'Ooh I couldn't eat that it's three points.'

Apparently my suggestion for weight loss (which was, 'cycle to work, then you can eat what you want') was dismissed as 'that's such a male response' WTF? And it's a LOGICAL response! Much more logical than a diet that makes you think about food ALL THE TIME. I don't normally think about food at all, I have no 'emotional relationship' witb it, but they are MAKING me look at chocolate and think, ooooh lots of calories STOP IT!! You need food to keep you alive and life is too short and too full of crapola to be spent eating dry Ryvita when cheese is available.
I did that rant out loud a few months ago when we were planning an office chippy lunch and one of my colleagues said "ooooh no I can't have chips, I'm on a diet but I'll give you a lift to the chip shop if you like."

The chip shop is, at most, quarter of a mile away. I suggested walking to the chippy and back might cancel out the effect of the chips but I don't think it was really understood.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 07 March, 2012, 11:18:52 am
Quote from: Morrisette on 07 March, 2012, 09:34:45 am
OK I know you are all on diets, weightwatchers, not eating biscuits, 'being good'. But STOP TALKING ABOUT IT. Please.

I don't care how many 'points' are in this chocolate biscuit. I am still going to eat it, even though I have four people staring at it hungrily while I do so. And looking at the calorie count on the packet and tutting. 'Ooh I couldn't eat that it's three points.'

Apparently my suggestion for weight loss (which was, 'cycle to work, then you can eat what you want') was dismissed as 'that's such a male response' WTF? And it's a LOGICAL response! Much more logical than a diet that makes you think about food ALL THE TIME. I don't normally think about food at all, I have no 'emotional relationship' witb it, but they are MAKING me look at chocolate and think, ooooh lots of calories STOP IT!! You need food to keep you alive and life is too short and too full of crapola to be spent eating dry Ryvita when cheese is available.

My colleague who sits next to me is on a diet. As in tons of exercise, hardly eating anything to lose lots of weight quickly diet, rather than a lifestyle change, which is my preferred route.
The other day I took a mini egg out of a proferred bag. Just as I was popping it into my mouth she'd already made it to the internets and shouted out "15 calories!".  I could have cheerfully thumped her. Especially as if I'd done that to her I'd have got a right earful about it.
I've got a good mind to shout "15 days!" or something every time she goes for a secret fag. But I'm not that evil.
Except in my head.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 07 March, 2012, 11:22:14 am
Quote from: closetleftie on 07 March, 2012, 09:48:50 am
Am I the only one that sees the thread title and thinks "NSFW"?

 O:-)
No (http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=46587.msg921911#msg921911) ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jasmine on 07 March, 2012, 03:40:42 pm
Quote from: Feanor on 06 March, 2012, 07:00:40 pm
But here's my grumble:
It was the first time I'd used my shiny new Lezene mini-pump.  It has a flexi-tube to connect it to the valve, which screws onto the valve and has a nice 'O' ring to seal it.   Similar to days of old with frame-pumps and their little fabric-covered flexy tubes onto yer grandpas old woods valve.

When I came to un-screw the hose from the valve, the o-ring friction on the valve core caused it to unscrew along with the hose, out of the body.  Instant deflation.   I was not able to nip the valve core in with sufficient tightness to remain put as I removed the hose!   I had no nip-nip type deivce on my multi-tool.  I was this >< close to removing the tube from the tyre again to use my teeth as pliers when finally I got it to stay put on the 3rd or 4th attempt.

Upon inspection, all the spare tubes I have are the same: the valve core is finger-tight.   I will be putting a dab of Lock-Tite threadlock on them.

This is not an issue for push-fit type pumps, obviously.

I think I have the same pump (Lezyne pressure drive).  It's a fantastic little pump that stops me bending the valves and eventually snapping the little buggers.

I also have EXACTLY the same problem with tubes. I use continental tubes - actually, I USED to use contis.  After the having an episode of having this happen twice outside work and needing a lift home I started getting other tubes, which have all been fine.  The old contis have been 'fixed' by screwing them back in and nipping them in with a valve tool, but I can't trust myself to remember to do that with every new tub I buy.  What make were your tubes, so I know to avoid them?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 07 March, 2012, 06:05:48 pm
Quote from: Morrisette on 07 March, 2012, 09:34:45 am
OK I know you are all on diets, weightwatchers, not eating biscuits, 'being good'. But STOP TALKING ABOUT IT. Please.

Our lot have all fallen off their wagons and are all bemoaning it and moaning.  "I can't eat $nice-thing" yet drink 2-5 bottles of wine a week and can't see the calories in that. "Oh you're so lucky you don't have to diet" could perhaps be "I walk to work every day and I try not to eat pointless amounts of crap e.g entire tubs of icecream, packets of biscuit or bottles of wine all at once".

I am getting to the point of stabbing one senior colleague for constantly criticising what I eat which is no worse and better than some people's lunch (as in I actually eat anything) but somehow I'm norty child who needs to be told my food isn't healthy cos it's a can o baked beans.  If I eat a spud with it, it magically becomes healthy.  Fuckers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 07 March, 2012, 08:03:42 pm
Got absolutely pwt today. I seem to have an uncanny knack in cycling between cloud bursts. We are talking suited and booted here.  :P
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wonky on 07 March, 2012, 09:40:05 pm
Wind. Please to be making your mind up!
Last evening, full on headwind. O.K. thinks I, with luck there will be a tail in the morning.
No, its turned 180 degrees. Ho hum thinks I, if it keeps up I'll get a tail this evening. But no, its just as strong, but back round the other way.
Grrrrrr.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 08 March, 2012, 12:02:21 am
They've changed the bloody Exultet as well. It took me ages to learn the old one last year, and now I'm going to have to do it all over again :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 08 March, 2012, 07:33:28 am
Can someone please send me a link to a website I can order a new body from: I am fed up with this one!

I have had a "funny" chest pain since last November....its not my heart, tyroid or lungs so the doctor has no real idea what to do next; last week I had the flu and still feel crap and snotty, and now I have put my back out AGAIN.

This getting old isn't funny. I want a new body (Shimano perferred....)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 08 March, 2012, 08:54:45 am
While I am appreciative that the rather disgusting lungs seem to have improved overnight.

I am much much less appreciative of the severe nausea which woke me up 30 mins before my alarm and hasn't gone away yet.  I can't tell what's causing it but it's making me feel really quite horrid.

Carefully eating something and seeing if I feel well enough to make it into work.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 08 March, 2012, 10:12:19 am
That'll be a no to work then, started feeling shitty about 20 mins after sitting upright and that was before any 'audio' or walking around.  Have emailed in sick, taken lots of drugs, will sit upright to drain my face then go back to bed for a bit.

Hopefully will be well enough for tomorrows students - I had no studes booked today, but annoying evil hearingwise meetings and of course the fucking TODO of hugeness won't get any shorter. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 08 March, 2012, 02:30:16 pm
The New New Street Station Molishing Team
New Street Station
Birmingham
B2

Dear The Molishing Team

I have noticed of late that most of your molishing is currently being carried out to the external area of the NW corner of the station.  It is good to see the progress being made here.  Only yesterday from my window, I noticed that a large crane was brought in to lift a large random object, put it down in a place that looked suitable for having things put down in, and then later in the day pick it up again and put it back where it had been earlier.  Wonderful stuff.  Keep it up!
However, on my lunchtime walk today, I noticed that there are areas much further away from here where molishing, although yet incomplete, seems to have come to a halt.
Might I suggest that some members of your team could be more effectively employed over there?  I would suggest, and hope, that you might agree that it would be a good idea to send over Head of ‘itting Fings Wiv a ‘ammer.  I’ve checked and there is ample evidence of fings that could be ‘it over there.  Also the Pointlessly picking up Scaff Poles and then Noisily Throwing Them Down Again Team ought to be very useful in this other location.

Yours etc
The Bloke with a bloody headache by the window.

PS.  I’m not the bloke who occasionally shouts out of the 4th floor window “Get on with it, you bastards.  Where’s my new bloody station?”
No – That’s just someone who looks like me.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 08 March, 2012, 02:34:03 pm
*has coughing fit*   :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Notsototalnewbie on 08 March, 2012, 02:51:35 pm
I have a very weird twingey pain in my throat that has been around for months so GP sent me for a blood test. Blood tests showed I am as normal as a normal thing. I got a lurgy the other weekend and interestingly the twinge disappeared for a few days but now it is back. GP says it’s not worth investigating further given I am not a ’60-year-old chain-smoking alcoholic’ and I guess he’s right, as I’ve kind of got used to it, but it is mildly annoying not knowing what it is.

Am really low on energy since the lurgy hit too, which is quite boring. A friend suggested I stop cycling to work in case it's delaying my recovery, but it's a mere 2.5 flat miles each way and it saves me having to kill the kids on the bus playing music through their phones. Giving schoolkids free bus passes is the best thing Ken could have done to encourage me to cycle, IMO...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 08 March, 2012, 03:01:23 pm
Can't. Stop. Eating.  :(


EDIT: Comedy typo removed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 08 March, 2012, 03:02:59 pm
Quote from: Andrij on 08 March, 2012, 03:01:23 pm
Can't. Stop. Easting.  :(

Maybe you should try Westing instead :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 08 March, 2012, 03:05:10 pm
That would make him an eastender
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 08 March, 2012, 03:12:11 pm
Quote from: tiermat on 08 March, 2012, 03:02:59 pm
Quote from: Andrij on 08 March, 2012, 03:01:23 pm
Can't. Stop. Easting.  :(

Maybe you should try Westing instead :)

Touché.

Quote from: jogler on 08 March, 2012, 03:05:10 pm
That would make him an eastender

*checks postcode*  Yes, you are correct.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 08 March, 2012, 03:12:22 pm
Unimpressed by last interviewee's numeracy. If a return fare from Birmingham to London Euston is £177 how/why does this punter think this works out as £9 per mile? I suppose he means 90p...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17296263 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17296263)
Presume distaance to Brum is just over 100 miles...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 08 March, 2012, 03:34:22 pm
Quote from: Jasmine on 07 March, 2012, 03:40:42 pm
Quote from: Feanor on 06 March, 2012, 07:00:40 pm
But here's my grumble:
It was the first time I'd used my shiny new Lezene mini-pump.  It has a flexi-tube to connect it to the valve, which screws onto the valve and has a nice 'O' ring to seal it.   Similar to days of old with frame-pumps and their little fabric-covered flexy tubes onto yer grandpas old woods valve.

When I came to un-screw the hose from the valve, the o-ring friction on the valve core caused it to unscrew along with the hose, out of the body.  Instant deflation.   I was not able to nip the valve core in with sufficient tightness to remain put as I removed the hose!   I had no nip-nip type deivce on my multi-tool.  I was this >< close to removing the tube from the tyre again to use my teeth as pliers when finally I got it to stay put on the 3rd or 4th attempt.

Upon inspection, all the spare tubes I have are the same: the valve core is finger-tight.   I will be putting a dab of Lock-Tite threadlock on them.

This is not an issue for push-fit type pumps, obviously.

I think I have the same pump (Lezyne pressure drive).  It's a fantastic little pump that stops me bending the valves and eventually snapping the little buggers.

I also have EXACTLY the same problem with tubes. I use continental tubes - actually, I USED to use contis.  After the having an episode of having this happen twice outside work and needing a lift home I started getting other tubes, which have all been fine.  The old contis have been 'fixed' by screwing them back in and nipping them in with a valve tool, but I can't trust myself to remember to do that with every new tub I buy.  What make were your tubes, so I know to avoid them?
+1 as they say.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 08 March, 2012, 03:38:04 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 08 March, 2012, 03:12:22 pm
Unimpressed by last interviewee's numeracy. If a return fare from Birmingham to London Euston is £177 how/why does this punter think this works out as £9 per mile? I suppose he means 90p...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17296263 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17296263)

Well I suppose you could use the standard southerner view that civilisation stops at Watford Gap services, then it's simply a matter of re-defining Coventry as a part of Brimingham (which isn't that hard if you've ever used the ring road)...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 08 March, 2012, 03:41:32 pm
Quote from: Morrisette on 07 March, 2012, 09:34:45 am
OK I know you are all on diets, weightwatchers, not eating biscuits, 'being good'. But STOP TALKING ABOUT IT. Please.

I don't care how many 'points' are in this chocolate biscuit. I am still going to eat it, even though I have four people staring at it hungrily while I do so. And looking at the calorie count on the packet and tutting. 'Ooh I couldn't eat that it's three points.'

Apparently my suggestion for weight loss (which was, 'cycle to work, then you can eat what you want') was dismissed as 'that's such a male response' WTF? And it's a LOGICAL response! Much more logical than a diet that makes you think about food ALL THE TIME. I don't normally think about food at all, I have no 'emotional relationship' witb it, but they are MAKING me look at chocolate and think, ooooh lots of calories STOP IT!! You need food to keep you alive and life is too short and too full of crapola to be spent eating dry Ryvita when cheese is available.
The corollorary of this is that fat bastards like me, who have to constantly worry about every fecking aniseed ball, are daily pissed off by skinny people (such as your lovely teeny self) who with no thought or concern can eat CAKE every day.
Damn your skinny thighs!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 08 March, 2012, 03:54:05 pm
See, I work on a principle of liberal apathy about such things.  I have no problem with skinny people - indeed some of my best friends are skinny people - other than thinking that perhaps some sort of re-education and licensing scheme would be a good idea before allowing them to design clothes.

My 'emotional relationship' with food is so fucked up (thanks, parents!) that I routinely tune out whatever people say about it in order to satisfy the higher level objective of not making myself physically or mentally ill.  So wittering about calories is something Other People do, like sport or knowing who Cheryl Cole is.  It mostly works.  Mostly.  I couldn't give a toss what shape my thighs are in that context, though from a purely scientific viewpoint, I note that while excessive cycling can be correlated with measurable weight loss, it doesn't seem to make them any smaller.

As for a logical response being dismissed as male, that's your fault for offering solutions rather than sympathy.  Rookie mistake.


There is no situation in which Ryvita can reasonably be classed as food, though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 08 March, 2012, 06:30:52 pm
I thought fuel was expensive these days, and businesses feeling the pinch. I wonder therefore how the driver of the flatbed Transit belonging to a landscape gardening company parked opposite my flat can afford to sit with his engine idling for 15 minutes now, while he talks on his phone....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 08 March, 2012, 06:53:26 pm
probably because the driver doesn't pay for the fuel
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 09 March, 2012, 08:24:21 am
Just phone his boss...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 09 March, 2012, 09:19:05 am
Two punctures in a six mile commute - definitely hedge massacring season
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: welshwheels on 09 March, 2012, 11:11:49 pm
Quote from: Basil on 08 March, 2012, 02:30:16 pm
The New New Street Station Molishing Team
New Street Station
Birmingham
B2

Dear The Molishing Team

I have noticed of late that most of your molishing is currently being carried out to the external area of the NW corner of the station.  It is good to see the progress being made here.  Only yesterday from my window, I noticed that a large crane was brought in to lift a large random object, put it down in a place that looked suitable for having things put down in, and then later in the day pick it up again and put it back where it had been earlier.  Wonderful stuff.  Keep it up!
However, on my lunchtime walk today, I noticed that there are areas much further away from here where molishing, although yet incomplete, seems to have come to a halt.
Might I suggest that some members of your team could be more effectively employed over there?  I would suggest, and hope, that you might agree that it would be a good idea to send over Head of ‘itting Fings Wiv a ‘ammer.  I’ve checked and there is ample evidence of fings that could be ‘it over there.  Also the Pointlessly picking up Scaff Poles and then Noisily Throwing Them Down Again Team ought to be very useful in this other location.

Yours etc
The Bloke with a bloody headache by the window.

PS.  I’m not the bloke who occasionally shouts out of the 4th floor window “Get on with it, you bastards.  Where’s my new bloody station?”
No – That’s just someone who looks like me.
                                post of the decade lol ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 10 March, 2012, 07:36:50 am
Quote from: Kim on 08 March, 2012, 03:54:05 pm

There is no situation in which Ryvita can reasonably be classed as food, though.

I disagree.

Spoon on Longley Farm cottage cheese and top with compote of blackberries and blackcurrants.

Food of my misspent student youth.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CrinklyLion on 10 March, 2012, 07:45:49 am
Sodding moggies.

I managed to 'win' the cats in the split.  So I am now financially responsible for the little fleabags.  I am also allergic to them.  And the little shits kept me awake half the bloody night last night scratching and banging on the door at the bottom of the stairs.  Again.  Chances of rehoming two 11 year old cats?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 11 March, 2012, 06:26:10 pm
If a culinary delight described as cat cake appears, I will be a tad suspicious.........
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 11 March, 2012, 06:30:12 pm
Fat chav in the park. You have the right to keep a dog. You also have the responsibility to control the little fecker so it doesn't jump up me & mess up my jeans. Why did being challenged about its behaviour surprise you so much? It's a good job it wan't muddy today or it would've been a mouthful instead of a mild rebuke.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 11 March, 2012, 10:35:41 pm
Oh great.  Non-localised toothache.  I assume that means a secondary sinus infection...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 11 March, 2012, 11:13:11 pm
Quote from: Kim on 11 March, 2012, 10:35:41 pm
Oh great.  Non-localised toothache.  I assume that means a secondary sinus infection...

Not necessarily; teeth don't localise pain well. I once had a problem with an upper premolar that gave pain which moved all the way round its dental quadrant after exposure to cold air (and I was cycling between Broomhall and Middlewood most days that winter...)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 11 March, 2012, 11:29:32 pm
I was trying to be optimistic...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CrinklyLion on 12 March, 2012, 02:51:06 pm
Bah.  The Community Furniture warehouse don't want my old dining chairs.  Took the table, but the 10 year old chairs have the wrong sort of fire label and some of them have torn covers.  I'm going to have to get them to the tip.  If I'd known that I might not have accepted the donated replacement table and chairs and actually investigated getting them recovered.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 12 March, 2012, 03:18:41 pm
Quote from: barakta on 08 March, 2012, 10:12:19 am
That'll be a no to work then, started feeling shitty about 20 mins after sitting upright and that was before any 'audio' or walking around.  Have emailed in sick, taken lots of drugs, will sit upright to drain my face then go back to bed for a bit.

Hopefully will be well enough for tomorrows students - I had no studes booked today, but annoying evil hearingwise meetings and of course the fucking TODO of hugeness won't get any shorter.

Made it in on Friday avoiding anything that I'd be likely to cockup.  Spent weekend being ill, bored and stupid. Emailed in sick again and GP gave me sensible dose of amoxycillin this morning for upper chest infection.   Now everything smells of amoxcycillin and stinky snot :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 12 March, 2012, 04:00:08 pm
Quote from: CrinklyLion on 12 March, 2012, 02:51:06 pm
Bah.  The Community Furniture warehouse don't want my old dining chairs.  Took the table, but the 10 year old chairs have the wrong sort of fire label and some of them have torn covers.  I'm going to have to get them to the tip.  If I'd known that I might not have accepted the donated replacement table and chairs and actually investigated getting them recovered.
Is there a Freecycle in your area?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rogerzilla on 12 March, 2012, 05:57:09 pm
The lazy gits at eBay just flip the "You're in safe hands when you shop on eBay" image (of the smug woman in the pink top) when you move between the homepage and the login screen.  Are we supposed to think they paid for two photos?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 14 March, 2012, 10:36:42 pm
If you are going to ride a bike and drive to a nice place to do it - it helps if you remember to take your cycling shoes with you :facepalm:

I've just spent a nice day walking around Carlisle looking at the scenery instead of cycling ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 14 March, 2012, 10:43:30 pm
I never forget my cycling shoes.  O:-)

But then I don't tend to forget to put shoes on when I go out, and any shoes will do for cycling in!  ;)

In fact, the only time I've forgotten shoes was when we did the ride to Tan Hill, and I was going on to stay with MFWHTBAB the week after, and forgot to send any normal shoes over with him and my luggage, so I only had my SPDs for the trike. We had to buy some cheap pumps in ASDA for the week.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 15 March, 2012, 09:44:11 am
Which moron parent thought an unlimited texts/unlimited orange-orange calls contract was a good idea for No2Daughter.  :facepalm:

3 texts and 2 calls on the way to work.
Child, I love you dearly, but when I'm riding my bike, and you know I'm riding my bike, it's actually a pain to stop and answer your calls/ texts. I work on the principle that calls are urgent, so have to stop.
Of course the pringles and randoms were for you- I told you that last night when you said thank you for getting you fancy lunch for your trip.
And yes, it's nice to know you love me, but can it wait till I've got to work? Please? Please?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 15 March, 2012, 10:36:30 am
Quote from: mcshroom on 14 March, 2012, 10:36:42 pm
If you are going to ride a bike and drive to a nice place to do it - it helps if you remember to take your cycling shoes with you :facepalm:

I've just spent a nice day walking around Carlisle looking at the scenery instead of cycling ::-)

One of our club members turned up at a reliability trial and discovered his shoes were not there. So he rode on clipless in his sandshoes.. It got a bit painful at the end as the pace went up.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 15 March, 2012, 10:42:57 am
Quote from: fboab on 15 March, 2012, 09:44:11 am
Which moron parent thought an unlimited texts/unlimited orange-orange calls contract was a good idea for No2Daughter.  :facepalm:

3 texts and 2 calls on the way to work.
Child, I love you dearly, but when I'm riding my bike, and you know I'm riding my bike, it's actually a pain to stop and answer your calls/ texts. I work on the principle that calls are urgent, so have to stop.
Of course the pringles and randoms were for you- I told you that last night when you said thank you for getting you fancy lunch for your trip.
And yes, it's nice to know you love me, but can it wait till I've got to work? Please? Please?
:facepalm:
I get this one. But can't hear the phone because of the traffic noise.

So when I stop and see the 3 txts, 6 missed calls and ring back and get an angry "why didn't you answer your phone." my response back should make sense "Because I was on a dual carriageway with cars passing at 70mph and couldn't hear myself think".
Oh, but you are a teen, and hence the world revolves around you (resolves to turn phone off in future).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Chris S on 15 March, 2012, 10:50:02 am
If you have Tasker on Android - it's not hard to write a script to recognise when you are cycling and have it automagically reply to texts/play a message to callers saying "I'm riding my bike at the moment, so b*gger off." Or words to that effect.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 15 March, 2012, 10:51:56 am
My voice mail goes something like "If this call went straight to voicemail, I'm in a meeting - If this call rang out and then went to voicemail, I'm on my bike and can't hear it"
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 15 March, 2012, 11:02:20 am
I usually don't hear my phone when I'm riding, and when I do I often choose to ignore it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 15 March, 2012, 01:58:08 pm
This here hair dye sitting on my head right now is supposed to be less red & more purple than usual.
Based on the visual evidence thus far I suspect this to be a lie. If I leave here with a carrot head instead of a red head I will be less than impressed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 15 March, 2012, 02:00:29 pm
Quote from: Chris S on 15 March, 2012, 10:50:02 am
If you have Tasker on Android - it's not hard to write a script to recognise when you are cycling and have it automagically reply to texts/play a message to callers saying "I'm riding my bike at the moment, so b*gger off." Or words to that effect.
Sounds interesting - how do you get it to recognise that you are cycling?  Time and location?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 15 March, 2012, 02:44:40 pm
Quote from: David Martin on 15 March, 2012, 10:36:30 am
Quote from: mcshroom on 14 March, 2012, 10:36:42 pm
If you are going to ride a bike and drive to a nice place to do it - it helps if you remember to take your cycling shoes with you :facepalm:

I've just spent a nice day walking around Carlisle looking at the scenery instead of cycling ::-)

One of our club members turned up at a reliability trial and discovered his shoes were not there. So he rode on clipless in his sandshoes.. It got a bit painful at the end as the pace went up.

An esteemed AUK arrived at the start of a ride with a pair of two left shoes and DNS.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Chris S on 15 March, 2012, 03:24:51 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 15 March, 2012, 02:00:29 pm
Quote from: Chris S on 15 March, 2012, 10:50:02 am
If you have Tasker on Android - it's not hard to write a script to recognise when you are cycling and have it automagically reply to texts/play a message to callers saying "I'm riding my bike at the moment, so b*gger off." Or words to that effect.
Sounds interesting - how do you get it to recognise that you are cycling?  Time and location?

Speed you're moving at. If you're moving at 6-30mph, and the phone isn't in the Car Dock, you're probably cycling. Best to override it when on public transport. The alternative is a manual switch to turn on/off a cycling mode.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: why1040 on 19 March, 2012, 04:12:44 pm
Urk...

Brain fog, please to wander off and not be attacking me any more today, k?  It's making me feel vulnerable and I don't like that today! 

Note to self...when experiencing brain fog, please double check that you're not posting in the GroupOn thread instead of the Grumble thread...that was close!    ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 20 March, 2012, 01:52:29 am
I spent several hours working in a hospital yesterday.I felt fine & dandy before I went there.I've felt really unwelll for the past six hours.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ham on 20 March, 2012, 03:54:05 pm
Dear person-who-went-to-the-loo-before-me,

Please remove the sprinkler attachment from your dick. It's not pretty and its not clever.

kthxbai
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 20 March, 2012, 04:48:19 pm
Quote from: Ham on 20 March, 2012, 03:54:05 pm
Dear person-who-went-to-the-loo-before-me,

Please remove the sprinkler attachment from your dick. It's not pretty and its not clever.

kthxbai

Are you volunteering to be the mohel?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 20 March, 2012, 09:47:36 pm
Damn body!

After a week of twingy wrists, I bought some tubular support bandage and it seems to be working wearing it at work.

So now my weak ankle is hurting instead.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 20 March, 2012, 09:48:47 pm
Quote from: Arch on 20 March, 2012, 09:47:36 pm
Damn body!

After a week of twingy wrists, I bought some tubular support bandage and it seems to be working wearing it at work.

So now my weak ankle is hurting instead.


It obviously feels left out and wants a bandage too :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 20 March, 2012, 09:49:17 pm
More tubigrips!  You could totally rock the mummy look, what with being an archaeologist and all...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 20 March, 2012, 10:16:37 pm
Bloody cold. A week of it, & still not gone. And just when you've stopped keeping me awake coughing, I get bloody conjunctivitis for what I think is the first time in my life. I wanted to go cycling tomorrow evening, & try out my new light, but between the lingering bastard cold & the driving me crazy itchy red eyes I have to drip antibiotics into, I'm not going to make it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 20 March, 2012, 10:39:12 pm
Quote from: Kim on 20 March, 2012, 09:49:17 pm
More tubigrips!  You could totally rock the mummy look, what with being an archaeologist and all...

 ;D

I did wonder if I'm going to end up encased in one giant elastic support bandage. I'm not sure 'maggot' is a very attractive look though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ham on 21 March, 2012, 08:50:44 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 20 March, 2012, 04:48:19 pm
Quote from: Ham on 20 March, 2012, 03:54:05 pm
Dear person-who-went-to-the-loo-before-me,

Please remove the sprinkler attachment from your dick. It's not pretty and its not clever.

kthxbai

Are you volunteering to be the mohel?

 ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feline on 21 March, 2012, 12:50:47 pm
Why do I have a large and very sore bruise on my left upper arm, when I have no memory of doing anything to said arm? WTF?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 21 March, 2012, 01:15:48 pm
Oh gawd, my cow-workers are discussing the budget. Must be time to put teh headphones of joy upon my ears lest I lamp somebody.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: why1040 on 21 March, 2012, 10:07:47 pm
You know your teeth really aren't doing well when the receptionists (all 3 of them) in your dentist's office know you by name...

I'm really getting bored going all the time!  This time, it seems that the pain I thought was a sinus infection radiating down was in fact toothache radiating up.  Turns out I have an abscess.  Joy.

Despite the anaesthetic injection, the scale hurt so badly I was shaking by the time she finished...not her fault, it had to be cleaned...

Metronidazole, corsodyl and corsodyl gel to go on the inbetweeny brushes...oh joy!  Oh, and of course lots of pain relief...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 22 March, 2012, 12:40:18 am
GWS why! Did I suspect this was your problem or am I a deluded bat, or both?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: why1040 on 22 March, 2012, 11:41:54 am
Laughs!  I can't remember whether you said so or not and my laptop is being a slow thing today so going to check will take half the day, but I've been wondering about it for a while too...figured I might as well finish the course of antibugs I was on for the sinus infection first though-I didn't want to finish halfway through in case it really was the sinuses...I DID have an inordinate amount of snot  ;)

I do suspect this of being the reason for my brain fog on Monday though, infection always seems to make the Chronic Fatigue worse!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 22 March, 2012, 11:44:27 am
Quote from: why1040 on 21 March, 2012, 10:07:47 pm


Despite the anaesthetic injection, the scale hurt so badly I was shaking by the time she finished...

As a youngster I had a tooth removed without anaesthetic.Head held by nurse:shoulder held by the torturer's dentist's knee & PULL/TWIST/YANK.
I  :'(

As a teenager I had 3 cocaine injections,mid morning,which didn't anaethsticise so refused the extraction.Mid afternoon in the pub I suddenly started dribbling my beer from the corner of my completely numb face & was floating three feet off the floor :o

Dentists? :hand:
only after days of agony & a skip load of painkillers
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: why1040 on 22 March, 2012, 11:53:21 am
Yikes!  That'd put me right off the buggers as well!

I have a mild dentophobia caused by being given gas and air to fix a filling when I was 8...it did sod-all to take the pain away, but made me very dizzy and it felt like I was on a ship in a storm, with pain...I'm a control freak at the best of times...you can see how well that went, I'm sure...lol!

My mother was most embarrassed because I screamed the place down.  Didn't come in to check on me, mind you...just spent the time being embarrassed!

Thankfully I have very good dentists who specialise in dentophobics.  I'm almost at the stage where I can cope now, and do go regularly to have them checked.  Sadly my poor teef are struggling because of the years I spent in depression-not getting out of bed doesn't tend to be good for your oral health and some of the antidepressants/sleeping things I was on made me have a dry mouth as well.  Plus I ate tons of sweet things and drank about 2 litres of Coke a day...I'm still picking up the pieces of those years (sometimes quite literally) though I've been out of depression for years.

At least the treatment seems to be working...I haven't actually had a pain killer yet today!  It's grumbling, but not that badly...I'll take something before I go out in a bit though, so it doesn't hit me while riding!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Dibdib on 22 March, 2012, 12:17:32 pm
After ordering a bunch of stuff from Wiggle last night, I get an email this morning telling me it's been packed and despatched.

By an untrackable despatch method.

Which now has me worried - over a hundred quid's worth of stuff out of my bank account and floating around "somewhere". It'd better turn up before I get proper ranty.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 22 March, 2012, 12:24:59 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 22 March, 2012, 12:40:18 am
GWS why! Did I suspect this was your problem or am I a deluded bat, or both?

No, that was me.  Why1040 gave me the lurgy on the barakta birthday ride, and I then passed it on to barakta a couple of days later.  It went to my both my lungs and briefly sinuses, but I managed to eventually get rid of it with gratuitous over-use of salbutamol, ibuprofen and xylometazoline nasal spray.  Barakta, whose sinuses are anatomically 'interesting' so is under instructions not to mess around, was given Augmentin after a week or so, but it didn't do anything.

It was a really rather spectacular lurgy though.  I strongly disrecommend it.  Left both of us in a state where we had about 2 hours worth of useful brain energy per day, then spent the rest of the time sitting around like snot-producing zombies.


Ob-grumble: I lost a fight with the duvet in the early hours of this morning, and ended up bashing the back of my hand on the corner of the bed side table.  It now has a bruise reminiscent of the last time a junior doctor (he was about 12, and trying to Be An Authority Figure) tried to put a cannula in, and I'm hoping it won't end up the same colour.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 22 March, 2012, 07:04:29 pm
Oh ffs.

So, the twingy wrists were cured by support bandage, driving my pain quota to my weak ankle. So today, I wore a banadge on that too. Result!

The pain was however sent to the end of the second finger of my right hand, which I managed to trap in our vehicle's door today...   :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 25 March, 2012, 08:31:54 pm
The clocks may have sprung forward, but it takes a while for the bodyclock to adjust. Dinner will be on time in GMT tonight.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 25 March, 2012, 08:39:05 pm
I tweaked a bit in my foot today at yoga and it's sore. I'm trying ice and anti-inflammatories. I'm fed up of being injured!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 25 March, 2012, 08:55:11 pm
I feel your pain Kirst.
My not-boss has been travelling again, and brought me back a cold, again. I wish he'd stop it. And I'm away this week so I don't even get to feel sorry for myself in the comfort of my own home.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 25 March, 2012, 08:57:15 pm
I turned my foot inwards while I was changing position and felt something ping, like an elastic band, on the lateral dorsal surface. Bah. Ice is soothing though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 25 March, 2012, 09:24:05 pm
The sales bloke who I provide most of the techincal support for his customer (and him, he's not the strongest technically) has been rewarded by the mothership. I do a *lot* stuff for him that I probably don't need to because this is the first time I've had technical full reign on a custo without my not-boss sticking his oar in and I want it to work for my own satisfaction, as well as him.
When I read the announcement in an email last week I nearly spat my tea over the keyboard. I'm not bitter, cos that's just the way that sales and tech are rewarded differently, but I did laugh manically.
The mothership are having a slap up in the Bahamas this week to which he & his gf are invited.
I'll just enjoy my 'warm glow' over here.....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jacomus on 27 March, 2012, 09:57:22 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 25 March, 2012, 09:24:05 pm
The sales bloke who I provide most of the techincal support for his customer (and him, he's not the strongest technically) has been rewarded by the mothership. I do a *lot* stuff for him that I probably don't need to because this is the first time I've had technical full reign on a custo without my not-boss sticking his oar in and I want it to work for my own satisfaction, as well as him.
When I read the announcement in an email last week I nearly spat my tea over the keyboard. I'm not bitter, cos that's just the way that sales and tech are rewarded differently, but I did laugh manically.
The mothership are having a slap up in the Bahamas this week to which he & his gf are invited.
I'll just enjoy my 'warm glow' over here.....

The 'warm glow' of your offices burning to the ground? :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 27 March, 2012, 10:25:23 am
Dear Radio Controlled alarm clock. Why, after sucessfully negotiating the change to BST at the weekend did you choose last night to revert to using the German signal and not the UK one? And wake me up at a putative 06:25, which in reality was 05:25?? Hmm?  And of cousre, as I'm still in purdah on the sofabed in the lounge after my wife's radio(active)Iodine treatment I'd already folded the damn thing before I noticed the (oddly seductively read) 05:30 shipping forecast being read on Radio 4, and shortly thereafter the 05:31 showing on the central heating timer. Pah.

At least I got an extra hours reading time.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 27 March, 2012, 11:23:36 am
About five years ago I dreamed that my alarm clock had gone off.  I got up and had breakfast before noticing it was only 2 am :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 27 March, 2012, 01:45:12 pm
Jesus died to prevent people like me (insomniac atheists) getting lie-ins.  The bastard.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 27 March, 2012, 11:01:37 pm
Quote from: Kim on 27 March, 2012, 01:45:12 pm
Jesus died to prevent people like me (insomniac atheists) getting lie-ins.  The bastard.

 ;D
Surely someone needs to grab sig that?
 ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 28 March, 2012, 12:16:18 am
Well, it's just rude, isn't it?  I mean, I've no problem getting out of bed and falling down the stairs at morning o'clock if there's going to be a parcel in it, but to have to do the same in order to be told about someone who's been dead for quite a while now, to the point where we all learned about it extensively at primary school, seems a bit pointless.

On a related note, it's about time the Hadley Heath New Life Church got a new fluorescent orange Jesus poster.  I've run out of sarcastic comments to think to myself about the current one[1].



[1] "Jesus died for YOU!" - and not in a Lord Kitchener way.  The n-2th one - "God's Sat-nav: The Bible!" is my all-time favourite.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jacomus on 28 March, 2012, 03:39:52 pm
Weird grey gunge building up on the desk around my mouse. Knock it off!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 29 March, 2012, 09:48:07 am
Why in the name of pie floaters did you swap the positions of the printer and the fax?  Now I'm all confused ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: PaulF on 29 March, 2012, 10:01:00 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 29 March, 2012, 09:48:07 am
Why in the name of pie floaters did you swap the positions of the printer and the fax?  Now I'm all confused ???

Just wait 'til he realises that they've also swapped the shredder and photocopier :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 29 March, 2012, 01:51:22 pm
OH BOLLOX!

That's not quite what I asked for....

95% of the way there, but not complete.....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 29 March, 2012, 01:54:55 pm
Oh dear.  Hopefully not a tragic lack. :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 29 March, 2012, 01:58:50 pm
Quote from: clarion on 29 March, 2012, 01:54:55 pm
Oh dear.  Hopefully not a tragic lack. :(

Not quite a ha'penneth of tar type thing, but enough for me not to be 100% happy...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 30 March, 2012, 10:52:36 am
Oh FFS.  I had a brilliant time last night, CORing on the medieval field systems, CORing on the flood defences, CORing up and down banks.

And my reward is a sleepless night of pain and painkillers, and being unable to finish fettling the ivy down the side of the house, and being too sore to ride my bike in the sun.  Dammit.  So sick of being sore all the time.  Ow.

Grumble grumble grumble.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Salvatore on 30 March, 2012, 10:57:23 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 29 March, 2012, 09:48:07 am
Why in the name of pie floaters did you swap the positions of the printer and the fax?  Now I'm all confused ???

I hope they don't try to move the stationary cupboard.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 30 March, 2012, 11:07:57 am
You, sonny, work for a builders merchants. I am a clueless fecker who knows fuck all about such things, so when I ask how much sand and cement I need to lay 11 sq m of slabs, I do not expect to hear, & I quote: "I haven't got a clue, mate". I cannot be the first clueless fecker to have called you, so get a clue, dipstick. I realise it's a "how long's a piece of string" question, but help me narrow it down, why don't you?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Butterfly on 30 March, 2012, 05:05:16 pm
I am peeved because I finally got around to doing the online course that I should have done in December and I booked it and paid by paypal and got put through to an error page.  >:(. The 2 phone numbers I found went to voicemail (at 3.45 - taking the mickey I think!) and one of the 2 email addresses bounced. The other has not so I'll hopefully get a message back, probably on monday, but who knows, when I haven't got time to spend 3 hours doing a course. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Speshact on 30 March, 2012, 06:43:41 pm
I haven't written invoices; I haven't updated attendance records; I haven't written to people I should have.

I have drunk coffee in the sun; eaten ice-cream in the sun; looked at Tawny Owlets in the sun; ridden my bike in the sun and sat out in the sun.

Can't grumble really.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 01 April, 2012, 05:33:01 pm
Various Leamington Freegle users: It's free, right? So no, I don't intend delivering 25 heavy slabs that I am offering. Cheeky buggers!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 01 April, 2012, 10:20:01 pm
Why did I decide to wear new shoes to go for a walk?

Blisters all over the place.  Idiot.   ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 01 April, 2012, 10:23:00 pm
Swapped the winter tyres for summer Off Road knobblies. We are now forecast snow.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 02 April, 2012, 07:57:49 am
A very minor grumble this. It's my day off, and my only timed item for the day is to get to the Pop up shop with some stock, and I can't do that before 9, and indeed could do it any time during the day. Everything is ready to go, and it's a 5 minute ride. I was up for work time on Saturday for the Open Studio, and yesterday so that we could get to a couple of car boot sales. Today, I could have a little lie in.

So, I was wide awake at 7.  ???

Still, I've just been highly entertained to see the business correspondant on BBC breakfast showing off her Irish dancing skills.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 02 April, 2012, 09:46:27 am
Quote from: David Martin on 01 April, 2012, 10:23:00 pm
Swapped the winter tyres for summer Off Road knobblies. We are now forecast snow.

 :smug: :smug: :smug: :smug: :smug:

(not about the snow you understand, more the fact that I've not swapped the tyres yet)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 02 April, 2012, 09:56:19 am
First day back to work after 3 days off....get up at 6am so in work by 6.10am (work at home). I know I have half a dozen reports to run so will order them before the network gets busy with everyone running their end of month reports.

Sigh.... couldn't log on as I kept getting "Runtime Errors."

Finally, near four hours later, I manage to log on.... only to find 106 reports ahead of me in the queue! I estimate I won't get my reports until mid afternoon now.  :facepalm:


Just off to put my snow tyres back on. Well I have the time now!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mattc on 03 April, 2012, 12:04:05 pm
When did Chile become Chil'ay ? Are the BBC going to report from "Par'ee" next?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 03 April, 2012, 12:40:39 pm
I wish my hip would stop hurting and I wish they'd hurry up and send me my physio appointment and I wish the weather wasn't hideous and I wish it was Thursday. *sigh*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 03 April, 2012, 01:23:17 pm
Quote from: Kirst on 03 April, 2012, 12:40:39 pm
I wish my hip would stop hurting and I wish they'd hurry up and send me my physio appointment and I wish the weather wasn't hideous and I wish it was Thursday. *sigh*

Never mind Kirst.  Not many sleeps now is it?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Karla on 03 April, 2012, 01:37:09 pm
Quote from: mattc on 03 April, 2012, 12:04:05 pm
When did Chile become Chil'ay ? Are the BBC going to report from "Par'ee" next?

You've got me wondering: Is there a tribute band in Chile, known as the Red Hot Chile Peppers?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 03 April, 2012, 02:30:44 pm
Quote from: Lindagordinho on 03 April, 2012, 01:23:17 pm
Quote from: Kirst on 03 April, 2012, 12:40:39 pm
I wish my hip would stop hurting and I wish they'd hurry up and send me my physio appointment and I wish the weather wasn't hideous and I wish it was Thursday. *sigh*

Never mind Kirst.  Not many sleeps now is it?
Two.

Quote from: Mr Bunbury on 03 April, 2012, 01:37:09 pm
Quote from: mattc on 03 April, 2012, 12:04:05 pm
When did Chile become Chil'ay ? Are the BBC going to report from "Par'ee" next?

You've got me wondering: Is there a tribute band in Chile, known as the Red Hot Chile Peppers?
Scotland has the Red Hot Chili Pipers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: why1040 on 03 April, 2012, 02:56:46 pm
Epistaxis?   :hand:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 03 April, 2012, 04:33:54 pm
I don't like complaining about the nhs, but I'm just about to...
Why can't my mum get through to anyone on this 'ere ward, in 4 hours of trying? I know it's not a medical emergency or anything, but, even so.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Chris S on 03 April, 2012, 04:35:28 pm
Quote from: fboab on 03 April, 2012, 04:33:54 pm
I don't like complaining about the nhs, but I'm just about to...
Why can't my mum get through to anyone on this 'ere ward, in 4 hours of trying? I know it's not a medical emergency or anything, but, even so.

It's not like they're busy looking after you either! I assume you finally managed to get some water from someone?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 03 April, 2012, 04:50:46 pm
Yes. After 2 hours.
They've left Sylvia on the commode for an hour, now.

(Not her real name).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Chris S on 03 April, 2012, 05:04:49 pm
That's horrendous.

(Note to self - redouble efforts to stay out of hospital)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 03 April, 2012, 05:53:24 pm
But consistent with my experiences of the NHS.   :-\


Obgrumble: Dressed for drizzle, got caught in hailstorm.  Waterproofs on the other bike.  *shivers*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 03 April, 2012, 06:26:52 pm
On the subject of precipitation:

Woman in Waitrose. Yes, it's still raining. This is not 'terrible'.  It's normal. April is a wet month. Chaucer and Bambi were aware of this, why are you so surprised?  Not to mention the utter lack of rain in March means we really need this rain.

I don't think it's 'terrible', and I was out working in it all bloody day!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 03 April, 2012, 07:45:38 pm
Gah! Floury baked potatoes. Bleuch!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 04 April, 2012, 03:49:18 pm
Easter is a busy time for me with all the different choir bits and pieces, so I only get Monday to do some nice cycling. Why has the weather decided that's the day to chuck it down all day :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 04 April, 2012, 04:33:21 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 04 April, 2012, 03:49:18 pm
Easter is a busy time for me with all the different choir bits and pieces, so I only get Monday to do some nice cycling. Why has the weather decided that's the day to chuck it down all day :(

Bank holiday weekend.  It's a tradition, an old charter or something.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 04 April, 2012, 04:45:04 pm
Yebbut why only the Monday? Fri-Sun are due to be fine
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 04 April, 2012, 04:50:21 pm
Because that's the day you pack your tent up, obviously.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rower40 on 06 April, 2012, 08:00:21 am
5 hours on a Voyager ahead of me. I checked again and again, and it was MEANT to be an HST.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 06 April, 2012, 04:36:51 pm
And I've just rounded off a sillier-than-riding-to-York-on-studded-tyres FNRttC in sub-zero temperature with an hour and a bit on a Pendolino with overenthusiastic air conditioning and a PA turned up to 11 - you could see everyone in the quiet coach jump at the first burst of feedback whenever they tried to give us live updates (see rants passim) on the sandwich shop status.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 06 April, 2012, 11:01:30 pm
I spent an hour and a half in a carriage today with a group of increasingly pissed young men, whose language got steadily louder and more sweary as we got to Manchester.

When challenged by a gentleman to pipe down a bit, they got louder on purpose.

When we all got up to get off, they loudly explained their behaviour to this same gentleman. Apparently, this bunch of louts are members of our esteemed infantry, and this makes it ok for them to make other people's journey's unpleasant. Because "we do what other people don't want to".

Frankly, I have more respect for people who have to wipe old people's bums in homes. I found myself hoping they all get shot.

At least one was wearing a regimental sweatshirt. Do the Army care how they behave when in civvies?

I also noticed that they piped down and were nice as pie whenever a member of train staff came along. Seems they're only bothered about authority, and not any of the ordinary people they claimed to be fighting for.... 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Valiant on 07 April, 2012, 05:07:13 am
I chopped the top 5mm off my thumb almost completely today while cutting an onion :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 07 April, 2012, 08:21:22 am
Ouch! You alright?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Clare on 07 April, 2012, 05:57:03 pm
Letter to the RSM Arch?


In other news I've just melted my Mooncup and set fire to its bag.

 :(

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 07 April, 2012, 06:11:30 pm
:o  NSFW is that way -->
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 07 April, 2012, 06:15:46 pm
Quote from: Clare on 07 April, 2012, 05:57:03 pm



In other news I've just melted my Mooncup and set fire to its bag.

 :(

is that some form of ritual Clare?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 07 April, 2012, 06:17:26 pm
Quote from: Clare on 07 April, 2012, 05:57:03 pm
Letter to the RSM Arch?

I did wonder about that.

Quote
In other news I've just melted my Mooncup and set fire to its bag.

 :(

Oh no! Were you boiling it? I'm always worried I'll do that.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Clare on 07 April, 2012, 06:23:10 pm
Quote from: jogler on 07 April, 2012, 06:15:46 pm

is that some form of ritual Clare?

Sadly not, I was boiling them for 7 minutes and started reading the paper, then the cryptic crossword caught my eye, I'd just started on the sudoku when I realised there was smoke pouring out of the kitchen door and a strange smell of burning cotton and hot silicone rubber. The house stank for a while, now it is just bloody cold.



I was boiling the bag because I'd had to store the cup in there pre-boil so I thought it should get a sterilise as well. Don't think there's anything alive on either thing now.


Has anybody seen my memory?

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 07 April, 2012, 07:41:57 pm
Wotwith being a bloke wotaz led a shelterd & niave life I'm not familiar with such pratices :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Clare on 07 April, 2012, 07:50:14 pm
Mooncups or memory?

 ;)

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 07 April, 2012, 08:16:37 pm
both ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 07 April, 2012, 08:17:12 pm
If they spring out in the wrong direction, it's entirely likely that they could affect your memory...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 09 April, 2012, 06:04:24 pm
Why does baking powder no longer have the quantity required to make self raising flour written on the side? I'll get floury hands on the Internet if I'm not careful.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 09 April, 2012, 06:07:47 pm
Oh boabword!

There's CAKE in the oven, and that post has just reminded me what I forgot to add...   :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 09 April, 2012, 06:12:19 pm
Quote from: Kim on 09 April, 2012, 06:07:47 pm
Oh boabword!

There's BISCUIT in the oven, and that post has just reminded me what I forgot to add...   :facepalm:

FTFY....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 09 April, 2012, 06:25:25 pm
Good news, the self-raisingness of the flour appears to have half-done the job.  So it's probably going to end up as high-density audax cake, rather than biscuit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 09 April, 2012, 06:42:39 pm
Why is it, that whenever I put on a nice shiny new cycling top in a nice colour that I really like, that I have to fettle something in the wild, and get oil on it?

Every nice thing I own has oil stains.   >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 09 April, 2012, 06:44:07 pm
Are you related to Butterfly?   :D


(There's a reason most of my cycling things are BLACK.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 09 April, 2012, 06:48:57 pm
Quote from: Lindagordinho on 09 April, 2012, 06:42:39 pm
Why is it, that whenever I put on a nice shiny new cycling top in a nice colour that I really like, that I have to fettle something in the wild, and get oil on it?

Every nice thing I own has oil stains.   >:(

Have you tried Swarfega? Apply to dry clothing, rub in well, then rinse out. Worked well for me when I leaned back against my trike chainring in the back of MFWHTBAB's car...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 09 April, 2012, 06:56:32 pm
Well I now have a mostly clean & lubed bike, but I forgot to mark the saddle position when I took it off and now I'm going to be fiddling with it for ages on my next ride  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 09 April, 2012, 07:43:10 pm
Quote from: Arch on 09 April, 2012, 06:48:57 pm
Quote from: Lindagordinho on 09 April, 2012, 06:42:39 pm
Why is it, that whenever I put on a nice shiny new cycling top in a nice colour that I really like, that I have to fettle something in the wild, and get oil on it?

Every nice thing I own has oil stains.   >:(

Have you tried Swarfega? Apply to dry clothing, rub in well, then rinse out. Worked well for me when I leaned back against my trike chainring in the back of MFWHTBAB's car...

I have just done this and IT TOTALLY WORKED!!!!!

Thanks Arch  :D :D :D :-*

I'm so pleased.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 09 April, 2012, 08:40:20 pm
Yay!  :D

I had no idea you could use Swarfega on cloth, it was MFWHTBAB who told me...

I wonder if it would shift the red wine stain on my carpet...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 09 April, 2012, 09:06:44 pm
Quote from: Arch on 09 April, 2012, 08:40:20 pm
Yay!  :D

I had no idea you could use Swarfega on cloth, it was MFWHTBAB who told me...

I wonder if it would shift the red wine stain on my carpet...

I don't think so.  :(
Swarfega works on oil-based gunk. Red wine is water-based.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 09 April, 2012, 09:38:48 pm
Red wine coloured carpets.  It's the only way to be sure.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Peter on 09 April, 2012, 09:43:26 pm
Quote from: Arch on 09 April, 2012, 08:40:20 pm
Yay!  :D

I had no idea you could use Swarfega on cloth, it was MFWHTBAB who told me...


Yep!  I used it regularly to clean chain oil off my right trouser-leg.  After a few years (I'm thick, see), it occurred to me to wear a long sock on that side - a black one!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 09 April, 2012, 10:08:51 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 09 April, 2012, 09:06:44 pm
Quote from: Arch on 09 April, 2012, 08:40:20 pm
Yay!  :D

I had no idea you could use Swarfega on cloth, it was MFWHTBAB who told me...

I wonder if it would shift the red wine stain on my carpet...

I don't think so.  :(
Swarfega works on oil-based gunk. Red wine is water-based.

Yeah, I reckoned that was the case. I'll have to just continue to put a footstool over it...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 09 April, 2012, 10:46:24 pm
To join two threads together, have you tried rubbing the red wine stain with a bicarbonate of soda solution? The red color (IIRC) includes tannins which should be more soluble in aqueous base. If that fails, use vinegar.
Then rinse well.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 10 April, 2012, 09:20:41 am
Going back home today. Saying goodbye to bobb doesn't get any easier the more I do it.   :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 10 April, 2012, 02:17:20 pm
Rain, rain, go away, come again some other day any time after next Monday.

(For the record, Dublin is not in a drought AFAIK)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 10 April, 2012, 07:20:51 pm
Quote from: David Martin on 09 April, 2012, 10:46:24 pm
To join two threads together, have you tried rubbing the red wine stain with a bicarbonate of soda solution? The red color (IIRC) includes tannins which should be more soluble in aqueous base. If that fails, use vinegar.
Then rinse well.

I fear that after few years, it might be too late....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 10 April, 2012, 08:07:39 pm
Got home safe to find a letter from an upstairs neighbour saying the rhones are all blocked and need to be cleared and the roof needs to be repaired. Fucking marvellous. I hope it's not going to be expensive.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 10 April, 2012, 09:43:33 pm
Ah buggrit. One of the tents I was umming and ahhing about but had finally maybe decided to go for as it was reduced from £180 to £55 is now no longer available at that price.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Marco Stefano on 11 April, 2012, 11:30:15 am
Teenage BMXers & my Park Tools tools...
That tool I bought so I would only have to buy one once.
That small tool that is more expensive, but good value as it is well made.

That tool you borrowed and cannot find again.  >:(  Another £10 goes begging.

And you wonder that I have a lock on the toolbox?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: trio25 on 11 April, 2012, 06:19:06 pm
Getting a rude text telling me I have to have Monday off in lieu with no choice in the matter. Made me feel so happy.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: JonBuoy on 11 April, 2012, 06:50:13 pm
I was quite impressed that my new monitor was delivered by a taxi driver and at a time when I was actually at home.

I was less impressed by the way that he tripped over the doormat and threw the package at me.  I don't think that it was my fault that I failed to catch it before it skittered across the hall floor.

It does however appear to work  -  otherwise this would be in the rant thread.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 11 April, 2012, 07:06:23 pm
The colleague who put the electric truck away on yesterday forgot to plug her in, so she wasn't charged this morning.

Never mind, it happens, we jiggled things round and I went out to get the time-critical stuff on the trike, while the truck charged. My workmate today was therefore at a loose end until I got back.

Never mind, she did the washing up that the same colleague who forgot to plug the truck in was rota'd to do yesterday, but didn't...

 >:(

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mattc on 11 April, 2012, 07:26:13 pm
Quote from: Marco Stefano on 11 April, 2012, 11:30:15 am
Teenage BMXers & my Park Tools tools...
That tool I bought so I would only have to buy one once.
That small tool that is more expensive, but good value as it is well made.

That tool you borrowed and cannot find again.  >:(  Another £10 goes begging.

And you wonder that I have a lock on the toolbox?
If it makes you feel any better ... my and my TeenBMXer mate once broke Dad's bench-vice during a particularly enthusiastic piece of ill-informed fettling  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Marco Stefano on 12 April, 2012, 01:00:20 pm
No... no, doesn't make it better.  :)    Good job I do not have a vice...

The phrase 'give me the job and I'll finish the tools' is perfect for him & his mates.  ::-)

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: why1040 on 12 April, 2012, 03:15:32 pm
Argh!

Just came home to a notice that Royal Fail can't deliver an item to me because there's a fee to pay.  Apparently someone has sent me something but not paid the full amount.  But I can't find out WHAT the package is, even once I've paid the sodding thing-plus the £1 handling fee of course...for .36 postage.  So I can't even grumble at the idiot who sent me something without paying for it properly!   >:(

Not to mention that there was another card slotted in with it.  For $NOT ME$  In fact, for not even someone in this street or post code, but a large business in Slough!   :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 12 April, 2012, 03:18:53 pm
I once came home to find one of those cards through the door.  Luckily I had just got home in time to turn the car around and get to the PO before it closed (this was when they opened sensible times, like until 6PM).

So I went, paid the money and collected the letter which turned out to be my employment contract for the company I had just been at, all day, and for the previous 5 months!!!!

The first thing I did the next morning when I went to work was give the HR director an ear full for not just handing the envelope to me in the office, or if they had to post it, at least put some postage on it......
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: why1040 on 12 April, 2012, 03:33:27 pm
I bought 4 things on ebay yesterday.  These are the only things I am expecting that are not bills or normal other post.

If it's one of those items, I will be alternately really impressed at how quick it was and HIGHLY unimpressed at having to pay extra for the sodding postage! 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Arch on 12 April, 2012, 04:49:53 pm
Why is it so difficult to find and buy a doorbell?

All I want is a bell that goes 'Riiinnnnnggggg' when someone presses the button at the door.  I have the bell push, the cable and the transformer so all I need is a bell.

B&Q store only have wireless ones and ones that go Ding Dong, from a speaker not chimes, and ones that play music and awful tunes.
Wickes are the same but they also sell the bell push and transformers but nothing to connect then to.
City Electrical Factor had one and sold it yesterday, none left in any Manchester outlets.
Other local electrical wholeseller had none in, no demand!
Tool Station only do battery Ding Dong chimes, and wireless crappy tunes ones.
B&Q warehouse had one and it was bright fake chrome and almost £13!  That is about the price of a whole wireless door chime kit that plays crappy tunes!

I could always spray it black I suppose.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Analog Kid on 12 April, 2012, 07:01:37 pm
Damn you broken femur !
How much longer will the borrowed exercise bike be as close as I can get to the real thing?
I'm bored bored bored now.....
Can't walk (ok lurch on crutches) very far, can't cycle, can't drive..
...and I'm really unimpressed with statutory sick pay....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pedaldog. on 13 April, 2012, 03:02:12 am
I live at Flat 2, K*** Court, MAINWAY. On the eletoral roll my address is just 3 Mainway.

I got a You kissed a parcel card today soqwent waliing up the F off big hill to collect it. ONly to find it was my address but not my name.

Decided it could be 3 Hills court, same road or any of the 3rd floor flats in Bridge house or Skerton house (4 number three in each of those) and as my regular posite is away and on crutches they Temp's don't recognise the names and wher they should go to .
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 13 April, 2012, 09:39:05 am
Oh sodding body, you let me do an Arrow last week, although you had delivered the warning signs.

Not needed so much as Aspirin for most of my life and now needing 4 types of medication a day? Bloody ridiculous.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hulver on 13 April, 2012, 02:39:55 pm
I currently have a rather annoying ear worm.

The "Yub-Nub" song from Star Wars.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 13 April, 2012, 02:42:57 pm
There's an App thread for that :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 13 April, 2012, 02:52:05 pm
Work.

Stop giving me stuff to do 1) at 14:30 on a Friday after noon when 2) I am off all next week.

If you expect it doing I am afraid you are SOL.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Marco Stefano on 13 April, 2012, 04:25:15 pm
Quote from: Marco Stefano on 11 April, 2012, 11:30:15 am
That tool you borrowed and cannot find again.  >:(  Another £10 goes begging.

Aha! Found!

And hidden...   :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: why1040 on 13 April, 2012, 08:04:38 pm
I haz a blocked drain somewhere.  I know there's a block, because when my washing machine drains, it overflows straight out of the pipe onto the floor, in bucketloads.

It's not in the obvious U-bend.  I know it's not there, because I took it out and checked it thoroughly.  Which sucks, because trying to clear the rest is going to involve moving tons of STUFF, so is going to be a complete pain in the backside! 

ARGH!   :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 13 April, 2012, 08:19:29 pm
Or you could go to b&q & get one of those long bendy rod thingies ...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: why1040 on 13 April, 2012, 08:26:14 pm
I've got a long bendy rod thingy.  I can't get it into the plastic piping from where it is, so I still need to clear STUFF out the way so I can undo enough to get in properly...urk!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 13 April, 2012, 08:29:35 pm
Countersigning for passport photos. So you want my son's photos countersigned, because obviously he looks a bit different now than he did when he was about one or two in the previous photos, by someone who has known both him and me for at least two years, has a UK passport, is not related to me and has professional qualifications? This could be difficult seeing as we haven't even been back in the UK two years! Well, regulations are an ingenuity test, climb over, slip under.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 15 April, 2012, 10:47:02 am
Oh, bloody body, sort yourself out.

I wasn't in great health before the arrow. Doing the arrow seems to have tipped it over the edge.

Doc reckons stopping taking PPI was a bad idea and possibly gastric reflux is eroding my trachea and voicebox. Back on omeprazole and ventolin.
Kidneys seem to have an infection - anti-inflammatories and painkillers 3 times a day, but I still get woken between 3 and 5am with the pain.

Back to doc on monday for antibiotics, I think
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Redjeep! on 15 April, 2012, 11:02:39 pm
Spent last weekend figuring out how to pursuade the wife that I really deserved and needed another bike only to come into work on Monday to find they've stopped the BTW scheme.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Si_Co on 18 April, 2012, 07:53:57 am
£4.5 million quid for a new facilty and the boiler still trips out every night, well you'll just have to put up with the smell, I ain't having another cold shower
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Dibdib on 18 April, 2012, 12:19:35 pm
Kind of ironic, if not entirely unpredictable, that my Superdry jacket isn't actually waterproof.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 18 April, 2012, 12:44:09 pm
Not from Tokyo, either.  'Nam.  Chelt'nam. ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cycleman on 18 April, 2012, 07:56:34 pm
n-3 to gain n+1 . new machine delivered and my back go;s into spasm. i cannot even get up to look at it  ::-) :(. i will on past experience be stuck here for 2 weeks  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: dasmoth on 18 April, 2012, 07:58:21 pm
Quote from: Dibdib on 18 April, 2012, 12:19:35 pm
Kind of ironic, if not entirely unpredictable, that my Superdry jacket isn't actually waterproof.

Superdry is an instruction, referring to the days when it would be appropriate to wear that garment.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feline on 18 April, 2012, 08:02:17 pm
Quote from: cycleman on 18 April, 2012, 07:56:34 pm
n-3 to gain n+3 . new machine delivered and my back go;s into spasm. i cannot even get up to look at it  ::-) :(. i will on past experience be stuck here for 2 weeks  :facepalm:

Bad luck, GWS!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cycleman on 18 April, 2012, 09:22:26 pm
thanks feline. i am swallowing painkillers as well as my normal pills at the moment.at least it is dry in here  :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 18 April, 2012, 10:40:08 pm
Quote from: cycleman on 18 April, 2012, 07:56:34 pm
n-3 to gain n+1 . new machine delivered and my back go;s into spasm. i cannot even get up to look at it  ::-) :(. i will on past experience be stuck here for 2 weeks  :facepalm:

Bugger.  I hate it when that sort of bodyfail happens.  Hope the pills and other recuperation helps ASAP and you get out on new shiny!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 19 April, 2012, 09:32:52 am
Oh poor cycleman!  I know how frustrated you get with that back, and if you've got n+1 to play with, it's worse.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 19 April, 2012, 09:41:14 am
I have an interview for a job I'm not sure I want, no hot water, I can't 'do' my hair and my trousers aren't ironed.
Bleugh.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 19 April, 2012, 08:26:55 pm
Quote from: fboab on 19 April, 2012, 09:41:14 am
I have an interview for a job I'm not sure I want, no hot water, I can't 'do' my hair and my trousers aren't ironed.
Bleugh.

Bleugh.  Be kind to yourself, and know you're not alone in "doing" hair more often than is ideal  :-[ due to broken bits of bodies.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CrinklyLion on 19 April, 2012, 09:24:29 pm
I cut all my hair off because of The Elbow.  It just annoyed me too bloody much!  I hope that, crows nest hair and crumpled pantaloons notwithstanding, the interview goes/went well and you get/got offered it if you decide/decided that you want it, fboab.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 19 April, 2012, 09:30:44 pm
Quote from: CrinklyLion on 19 April, 2012, 09:24:29 pm
I cut all my hair off because of The Elbow.  It just annoyed me too bloody much!  I hope that, crows nest hair and crumpled pantaloons notwithstanding, the interview goes/went well and you get/got offered it if you decide/decided that you want it, fboab.

CL, I think you've just described my wedding outfit...  ;D

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 19 April, 2012, 10:50:58 pm
Quote from: CrinklyLion on 19 April, 2012, 09:24:29 pm
I cut all my hair off because of The Elbow. 
One of the staff on the ward had had a very similar injury, and she said she'd cut all hers off, too.

I suppose I ought to, seeing as I can brush it, just, but can't put it in a ponytail or anything. It's a bit early for a haircut, though, I only had it done in July! (2009  :-[)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 19 April, 2012, 10:55:01 pm
Quote from: fboab on 19 April, 2012, 10:50:58 pm
Quote from: CrinklyLion on 19 April, 2012, 09:24:29 pm
I cut all my hair off because of The Elbow. 
One of the staff on the ward had had a very similar injury, and she said she'd cut all hers off, too.

I suppose I ought to, seeing as I can brush it, just, but can't put it in a ponytail or anything. It's a bit early for a haircut, though, I only had it done in July! (2009  :-[)

Can you operate one of those hair barrettes (http://www.pretty-pieces.co.uk/v/vspfiles/photos/A09YHABK14-2T.jpg) with one hand?  A friend of mine who has poor dexterity uses those to keep her long hair back off her face.

I have a hatred of people brushing or washing my hair for me, which made my 2009 hand surgery unfun! 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Dibdib on 19 April, 2012, 11:13:08 pm
Left my new pannier in its cardboard box under my desk in the office. For the second day running. I'm such a numpty sometimes.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 20 April, 2012, 09:04:34 am
Just bit the side of my mouth and given myself a mahoosive blood blister.  The only thing to hand with a point sharp enough to burst it is my BFO camping knife . Nothing can go wrong . Right ?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 21 April, 2012, 01:11:13 pm
I have a nasty cough. I wish it would go away.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SandyV on 21 April, 2012, 03:19:19 pm
After driving 600kms yesterday afternoon to visit family and check on our house VeloYellow has been called back to work tomorrow so we drove back this evening. 14 hours on the road for what ended up as 9 waking hours there. Still, we did check the house and sheep, catch up with MIL, daughter,neighbours and chap who's fitting the new gate,shop, collect winter clothes and VY got out on the bike.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 21 April, 2012, 04:44:41 pm
What is it with Natioanl rail?

Mallaig to Whitehaven in June costs £103 direct! Using the same trains but on separate tickets to and from Glasgow it costs £25.60. The only difference is not getting the transfer bus from Queen St to Central - that's one expensive bus!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 21 April, 2012, 04:48:17 pm
Glasgow taxis are cheap & good IME. Bet you can do that transfer for less than £75 (or £7.50)!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 21 April, 2012, 04:51:03 pm
As I'll have a bike with me (and full camping kit) I think I'll just ride between the two, it only takes about ten minutes :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 21 April, 2012, 04:59:47 pm
You wouldn't get it on a bus then anyway, would you?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 21 April, 2012, 05:54:35 pm
No, it's just the 'free bus' comes included on a ticket through Glasgow and is the only difference between my £26 split fare and the £103 single ticket that I'm grumbling about. Why do you have to go through the extra hassle of splitting up the tickets to get a sensible fare?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 21 April, 2012, 06:57:40 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 21 April, 2012, 05:54:35 pm
No, it's just the 'free bus' comes included on a ticket through Glasgow and is the only difference between my £26 split fare and the £103 single ticket that I'm grumbling about. Why do you have to go through the extra hassle of splitting up the tickets to get a sensible fare?

I went to the station on Thursday to book my ticket to Winchester at the end of May, and bless him, the chap behind the counter actually checked for me whether I could travel cheaper on split fares. Alas, I couldn't, but I thought it was nice of him to bother!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 21 April, 2012, 11:52:04 pm
Cycle 50 miles, and I feel a bit tired.  Walk 2km and I've got sore feet, an unstable knee and am utterly shattered.  That's rubbish.

Reckon legs would be better if they could freewheel downhill.  Maybe I should give up walking under the 'no fixies' rule?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cycleman on 22 April, 2012, 10:10:53 am
roller skates maybe  :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: dasmoth on 22 April, 2012, 03:08:26 pm
I thought I'd got past my apparently-obligatory annual springtime spluttering season a bit early this year.  But evidently not...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 22 April, 2012, 03:23:51 pm
Just got a request to review a paper for a journal.

Replies 'is this paper open access? If not, no.'

I don't get paid to review scientific papers. It comes as part of the territory and is an evenings and weekends activity. I'll see some publisher rot in hades before I will any longer donate my time to their profits when they then charge people subscriptions to view that paper.  So now I do not review anything that is not open access (and don't submit to anything that is not open access either.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Aidan on 22 April, 2012, 04:17:48 pm
Knees hurting :-( stoopid dog emptier didn't see any need to control his pooch near the road and it ran into my front wheel. I managed to save it but over extended my leg doing so.  It's the knee I've had a lot of trouble with previously but it had settled down recently .. Bollocks!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 22 April, 2012, 04:20:36 pm
Weather - just sort yourself out, eh?

If I want to experience myriad different types of weather within an unfeasibly short timescale then I'll move to Scotland.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 22 April, 2012, 04:23:18 pm
HEADWIND  in the last eight days I've done two approx circular 150+km rides which had a headwind on the "out" direction and on the "back" direction.

Summatrong there shirley ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 22 April, 2012, 05:10:40 pm
Quote from: jogler on 22 April, 2012, 04:23:18 pm
HEADWIND  in the last eight days I've done two approx circular 150+km rides which had a headwind on the "out" direction and on the "back" direction.

Summatrong there shirley ::-)

No, I think that's perfectly normal isn't it?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ferret on 22 April, 2012, 05:21:12 pm
I want to live some where it doesn't snow in bloody April, and why does my daughters dog crap in my bedroom >:( >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 22 April, 2012, 05:59:19 pm
'cos the daughter's room is already full of crap?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 22 April, 2012, 06:06:22 pm
Basil:  You have missed BOTH rides this w/e due to the Black Dog feeling grumpy.
You've only gone for 3000 miles on my cycling logs, and you're falling behind already.
Sort yourself out!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 22 April, 2012, 06:08:04 pm
On the other hand, you've managed to stay dry...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 22 April, 2012, 06:13:01 pm
I probably got wetter on my 4 mile shopping/pub trip than you got all w/e.  ::-)

How's the knee?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 22 April, 2012, 06:15:14 pm
Quote from: Basil on 22 April, 2012, 06:13:01 pm
How's the knee?

Suspiciously good.  Maybe I should grind up hills in hailstorms more often...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 22 April, 2012, 06:31:07 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 21 April, 2012, 05:54:35 pm
No, it's just the 'free bus' comes included on a ticket through Glasgow and is the only difference between my £26 split fare and the £103 single ticket that I'm grumbling about. Why do you have to go through the extra hassle of splitting up the tickets to get a sensible fare?
Because British rail ticket pricing is done by evil gnomes who take a sadistic delight in torturing travellers.

Last year Mrs B & I saved a lot more than the cost of a Network Railcard on using one for tickets to Banbury, & buying separate tickets from Banbury to Birmingham. The ticket inspector was obviously used to it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 22 April, 2012, 07:50:12 pm
Quote from: Basil on 22 April, 2012, 06:06:22 pm
Basil:  You have missed BOTH rides this w/e due to the Black Dog feeling grumpy.
You've only gone for 3000 miles on my cycling logs, and you're falling behind already.
Sort yourself out!

*delivers virtual kick up arse to Basil*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 22 April, 2012, 11:07:13 pm
Quote from: clarion on 22 April, 2012, 07:50:12 pm
*delivers virtual kick up arse to Basil*

Oh, is that what it was?
For some reason tonight, I decided to ride out and discover if there were any local roads in the Selly Oak/Northfield/King's Norton area that I'd never ridden down before.

12.5 miles of being lost which somehow  ::-) ended up at the Country Girl..
Thanks, Clarion.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 22 April, 2012, 11:43:33 pm
All roads lead to the Country Girl?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jakob on 23 April, 2012, 01:08:25 am
So, our company spends millions a new building and yet somehow forget about basic ergonomics and give us fixed desks that cannot be adjusted....and are 'tied' to 7 other desks, so you can't even just replace it with a different desk...Not clever...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 23 April, 2012, 08:34:21 am
Quote from: Jakob on 23 April, 2012, 01:08:25 am
So, our company spends millions a new building and yet somehow forget about basic ergonomics and give us fixed desks that cannot be adjusted....and are 'tied' to 7 other desks, so you can't even just replace it with a different desk...Not clever...

How do they justify this under the Equality Act 2010 and indeed Health and Safety legislation?  What will they do if a disabled person (and the definition of disabled can be wide if condition/issue lasts more than 1 yr)? 

If they don't have a workable plan they may be indirectly discriminating against disabled people.

I wish people would think sensibly about ergonomics.  Like how we have a disabled employee at our place sharing an office with 2 other people - neither who have the right ergo layout.  They wouldn't have done that to me cos I'd have had a fit (and management know to nix stupid ideas that involve moving me out of my current office cos it'd cost them £££ to replace the phoneline), but they've done it to this employee knowing they won't challenge it cos they don't "identify as disabled".

Bah!  Designers, all shiny no function!  And I bet the desk height is optimised for male employees too.  At my last 2 workplaces all the chairs were MANSIZED and hideous for me, I had to get them to order special teeny chair for "just on upper edge of petite me".
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 23 April, 2012, 08:36:52 am
Fucking joints, go back in and stop being all floppy and HURTY kthx BAI! 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 23 April, 2012, 09:35:55 am
Quote from: barakta on 23 April, 2012, 08:34:21 am
Bah!  Designers, all shiny no function!  And I bet the desk height is optimised for male employees too.  At my last 2 workplaces all the chairs were MANSIZED and hideous for me, I had to get them to order special teeny chair for "just on upper edge of petite me".

Absolutely. Non adjustable desks is a H&S fail. We have a new building in the works. Not quite sure how that will impact me (I may lose my office and be open plan with the rest) We did get the chance to review furniture and pass back comments, even got loaned various chairs to try.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: why1040 on 23 April, 2012, 09:53:16 am
The old "I think I'm a lesbian in a male body" is actually so old now that it's getting seriously offensive, particularly when the person saying it is actually serious.  Especially when he follows it up by "will you and your girlfriend have a threesome with me" and then PUTTING HIS HAND IN MY HAIR!

Hmmm, possibly almost a rant.  Definitely going down as the low-point to an otherwise absolutely awesome weekend!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 23 April, 2012, 10:01:50 am
Sounds way out of order at the very least. Harassment I'd say.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 23 April, 2012, 10:26:23 am
Yeeuch!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 23 April, 2012, 10:31:51 am
Sounds like he'd benefit from a good elbow smash to the jaw.
:-[
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 23 April, 2012, 11:03:58 am
Or an offer to ease his anatomical problem by removing the excess organs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 23 April, 2012, 11:26:35 am
I'm grumpy. And sleepy. Like a bear that wants to hibernate.

Not allowed caffeine until after I've been to the docs at 15:30. It's going to be a really long day.

why1040, send your 'acquaintance' this direction. I need something on which to take out my grump.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 23 April, 2012, 12:19:14 pm
Quote from: why1040 on 23 April, 2012, 09:53:16 am
The old "I think I'm a lesbian in a male body" is actually so old now that it's getting seriously offensive, particularly when the person saying it is actually serious.

I cured this in a friend of mine (who was undermining her new (cis male) partner's gender identity in order to cling her identity as a lesbian) by being all positive about her acceptance of trans people, in a mildly sarcastic way.  She eventually got the hint, stopped worrying and has even been heard to utter the b-word.


Quote
Especially when he follows it up by "will you and your girlfriend have a threesome with me" and then PUTTING HIS HAND IN MY HAIR!

Eeew   :hand:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 23 April, 2012, 01:31:21 pm
The camp site I wanted to use over the June bank holiday weekend is fully booked.  :(  I'm now doubting whether I'll be able to find a decent place so 'close' to the date.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 23 April, 2012, 03:18:47 pm
Bloody swollen glands, bugger off! Rebelling are we? Just 'cos I made you consume lovely, fresh mountain air for the best part of a week.  Stoppit now.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 23 April, 2012, 05:05:11 pm
Quote from: barakta on 23 April, 2012, 08:34:21 am

Bah!  Designers, all shiny no function!  And I bet the desk height is optimised for male employees too.  At my last 2 workplaces all the chairs were MANSIZED and hideous for me, I had to get them to order special teeny chair for "just on upper edge of petite me".

At least you could get a smaller chair...

I'm just enjoying imagining asking for some smaller skips at work so that I can reach to lift stuff into them without the aid of several upturned recycling boxes as improvised steps.  ;D

Still, climbing up the sides of them is giving me a better head for heights...

I find the same with tools though - trying to use some tin snips to cut tyres with, I struggled to reach across the handles when fully open. A range of tools with good leverage, but shorter reach would be useful, but designing tools for women generally seems to involve giving them pink handles....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 23 April, 2012, 05:12:50 pm
Meanwhile. to the tune of 'Favourite Things'

Windows in boxes, and torn up confetti
Half tins of baked beans and rancid spaghetti,
Non-standard boxes that simply don't fit.
These are a few of the things that are shit.

Paper and cardboard all mixed up together,
Chasing the rubbish in wet windy weather,
Beer left in bottles, that runs down your sleeves.
These are a few of recycler's pet peeves.

We're working on more verses and a chorus....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Clare on 23 April, 2012, 05:20:56 pm
Quote from: why1040 on 23 April, 2012, 09:53:16 am
The old "I think I'm a lesbian in a male body" is actually so old now that it's getting seriously offensive, particularly when the person saying it is actually serious.  Especially when he follows it up by "will you and your girlfriend have a threesome with me" and then PUTTING HIS HAND IN MY HAIR!

Hmmm, possibly almost a rant.  Definitely going down as the low-point to an otherwise absolutely awesome weekend!

 :o

that's terrible.

I hope he had difficulty picking his teeth up with broken fingers.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ferret on 23 April, 2012, 05:34:00 pm
number 2 son has just blown up his second engine, this is on top of the OH spending the day in hospital with suspected appendicitis she is now on her way home with lots of antibiotics ?? the bike I was biding on, on ebay turned out to be nicked and all this before lunch time,
aren't I lucky :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 23 April, 2012, 06:03:45 pm
Quote from: ferret on 23 April, 2012, 05:34:00 pm
number 2 son has just blown up his second engine, this is on top of the OH spending the day in hospital with suspected appendicitis she is now on her way home with lots of antibiotics ?? the bike I was biding on, on ebay turned out to be nicked and all this before lunch time,
aren't I lucky :facepalm:

Some people are trying to treat appendicitis with shedloads of Strong Antibiotics, rather than surgery.

Results of trials seem promising for some.

GWS FOH!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 23 April, 2012, 06:16:35 pm
Quote from: Arch on 23 April, 2012, 05:05:11 pm
Quote from: barakta on 23 April, 2012, 08:34:21 am

Bah!  Designers, all shiny no function!  And I bet the desk height is optimised for male employees too.  At my last 2 workplaces all the chairs were MANSIZED and hideous for me, I had to get them to order special teeny chair for "just on upper edge of petite me".
At least you could get a smaller chair...

For values of get...  In employer #1 I borrowed a spare one with a broken seat pan which kept sliding forward.  Something happened which meant my authorisation for mine was blocked for over a month cos some fucker didn't tick a box.  It only got unfucked when I complained and threatened to go off sick.  Chair then arrived a week later.

Employer 2 I was lent someone's chair while she was on maternity leave which is naughty cos she'd have had settings.  I don't think mine came through for several months and it got close to not having mine before maternity lady came back.  I may have threatened to steal a managers' one :D

None of the regular chairs at #1 or #2 were at all suitable, I got back pain while using them for more than an hour or a meeting's length.

At least in current workplace I had an OK chair to begin with and I got mine relatively quickly and no one messes with it!  Good thing really as I can spend 7 hours a day sat in the wretched thing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jakob on 23 April, 2012, 09:09:14 pm
Quote from: barakta on 23 April, 2012, 08:34:21 am
Quote from: Jakob on 23 April, 2012, 01:08:25 am
So, our company spends millions a new building and yet somehow forget about basic ergonomics and give us fixed desks that cannot be adjusted....and are 'tied' to 7 other desks, so you can't even just replace it with a different desk...Not clever...

How do they justify this under the Equality Act 2010 and indeed Health and Safety legislation?  What will they do if a disabled person (and the definition of disabled can be wide if condition/issue lasts more than 1 yr)? 

If they don't have a workable plan they may be indirectly discriminating against disabled people.


Well, this is Canada, so that particular act wont work and there is room for extra desk (One guy already has a standing desk). It's more that we went from fully adjustable desks to non-adjustable ones that boggles my mind.
Our previous 'crew manager'  was great at making sure that the ergonomics was looked after, but she has resigned before of health reasons (unrelated) and I think they completely dropped the ball.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 23 April, 2012, 09:57:19 pm
Ah fair enough.  I'd expect Canada's disability legislation to contain similar though - but that could be wishful thinking.  I only know a tiny bit about America and Australia's disability legislations.

It's a step backwards which is stupid, thoughtless and pointless. 

I had a client in recently who has had proper ergonomic set-up for their work for 6 months and they say the difference is *AMAZING* and they appreciated me pushing them to have a proper ergonomic assessment because it's allowed them to work twice as effectively and for twice the length of time.  It makes plain business sense for flexible and good ergonomics to be built into the new system.

Reminds me, to ensure I'm "in the loop" when our new offices are being designed for that perspective. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: dasmoth on 23 April, 2012, 11:00:44 pm
Lungs now firmly back in "expire" mode.  *sigh*.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 24 April, 2012, 11:45:40 am
Quote from: why1040 on 23 April, 2012, 09:53:16 am
The old "I think I'm a lesbian in a male body" is actually so old now that it's getting seriously offensive, particularly when the person saying it is actually serious.  Especially when he follows it up by "will you and your girlfriend have a threesome with me" and then PUTTING HIS HAND IN MY HAIR!

Hmmm, possibly almost a rant.  Definitely going down as the low-point to an otherwise absolutely awesome weekend!

Since reading this, I've had an earworm.  It's called Ladykiller by Lush:

Quote
Here we go, I'm hanging out in Camden
Drinking with my girlfriends on a Saturday night
This guy says, "come and meet my girlfriend"
She's sitting in the corner looking rather uptight
So I say "hello" and I try to be nice
But I see he's feeling itchy
Trying to play us off each other
"Girls, girls, please don't fight"
(you get the picture)
Hey you, the muscles and the long hair
Telling me that women are superior to men
Most guys just don't appreciate this
You just try convincing me you're better than them
So he talks for hours 'bout his sensitive soul
And his favourite subject is sex
I don't think he even really wanted it
But, Christ, this guy's too much
(I wanna tell him)
I'm as human as the next girl, I like a bit of flattery
But I don't need your practised lines, your school of charm mentality so
Save your breath for someone else and credit me with something more
When it comes to men like you, I know the score, I've heard it all before
(Here comes the next one)
Blondie was with me for a summer
He flirted like a maniac but I wouldn't bite
I'm weak and he was so persistent
He only had to have me 'cause I put up a fight
Oh God, the boy had such an ego
He liked to talk about himself all day and all night
You think you're such a ladykiller
But you were nothing special 'til you turned out the light
When he's nice to me he's just nice to himself
And he's watching his reflection
I'm a five foot mirror for adoring himself
Here's seven years' bad luck
(I wanna tell him)
When you say you love me you're just flattering your vanity
But I don't need your practised lines, your school of charm mentality so
Save your breath for someone else and credit me with something more
When it comes to men like you, I know the score, I've heard it all before
Ooh, you're such a ladykiller, always on a winner, thinking that you're in there
Oh boy, you're such a ladykiller, super sexy mister, call it what you will, oh
You think you're such a ladykiller, I just bet you're still there, posing in the mirror
Hey girls, he's such a ladykiller, but we know where he's coming from and we know the score.
(Author: M. Berenyi)


I was particularly reminded of the lines in bold.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ferret on 24 April, 2012, 12:31:12 pm
run out of heating oil, I am NOT the only one who can look at the feckin level glass,
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 24 April, 2012, 01:19:49 pm
Still feeling a bit 'blergh' - probably a hold-over from yesterday's hypoglycaemic episode, and now my back has decided that it wants a piece of the action, more than likely in protest to last night's thrash-round-the-lanes-on-an-86"-gear.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: simonp on 24 April, 2012, 02:30:28 pm
My back hurts.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 24 April, 2012, 03:27:05 pm
My children won't change my puncture.
How many times have I done it for them?
If this is how they react to a minor incapacitation they're going to be in for a big fucking shock if I really get crip'd.

Gits.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 24 April, 2012, 03:55:42 pm
Have you suggested some of the wonderfully embarrassing things they'd have to help you with if both hands were out of action?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 24 April, 2012, 10:06:20 pm
As a teenager in the 60s, one of our mates managed to end up with both arms in casts and slings.
He asked if he could come to the local with us.  We were emphatic with the noes.
"But you can help me drink"
"That's not what we're worried about"
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 24 April, 2012, 10:50:17 pm
Quote
It's called Ladykiller by Lush:

One of the few mixtapes I ever had made for me of "queer songs" had that on it. 

*earwormed*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rogerzilla on 25 April, 2012, 07:01:16 am
So I ordered a new (waterproof) hat and paid extra for the expedited delivery because I need it tomorrow when I'm out in the rain all day. 

They've chosen a carrier based in Newbury  (I'm not going over there to collect it; it will cost another tenner in petrol and I have other things to do on Saturday).  What's the betting they try and deliver in the three hours when no-one is in?

I only wanted first class post and it pushed through the letterbox, or left with next door  ::-)

Couldn't have it sent to the office as I'm at a hotel "awayday" today.

Fulfilment - the pile on the arse of Internet shopping.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 25 April, 2012, 07:18:23 am
Bugger!

Whyohwhyohwhyohwhy did I go and look on fleabay?

Why did I search for Carlton bikes?

Why then did I look at a particularly nice green one?

I have now found out it is at a local junk shop antiques place, which just happens to be en-route from the car park to the LBS where I need to go today.....

I'll say it again. BUGGER
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: dasmoth on 25 April, 2012, 08:49:55 am
Quote from: rogerzilla on 25 April, 2012, 07:01:16 am
I only wanted first class post and it pushed through the letterbox, or left with next door  ::-)

The first online retailer to understand this will make a killing.

In the spirit of the Grumble Thread...  it's frustrating that Amazon (who I generally love) have a delivery option called "First Class" which still doesn't guarantee they'll ship by Royal Snail.  I had a phase of paying the premium because Super Saver too often seemed to mean HDNL.  But actually, both first class and super saver seem to have similar RS:HDNL ratios.

At least Amazon don't seem to use Shittylink.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ferret on 25 April, 2012, 09:59:12 am
why have junk shops turned in to antique shops, still selling the same old junk, and could someone please explain why a 1980's bike is considered
vintage
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 25 April, 2012, 10:43:08 am
Quote from: ferret on 25 April, 2012, 09:59:12 am
why have junk shops turned in to antique shops, still selling the same old junk, and could someone please explain why a 1980's bike is considered
vintage

:) You've looked at it too then ferret? :D

I, and my marriage, are safe.  The bike IS NOT A CARLTON, it merely has the stickers on it.  No sign of a serial number anywhere.  Oh and it has terminal tin worm.

I walked away.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 25 April, 2012, 11:13:53 am
Quote from: dasmoth on 25 April, 2012, 08:49:55 am
At least Amazon don't seem to use Shittylink.
They do. And DPD. And $DEITY knows how many others.

At least CityLink and DPD (also known as 'Dave's Parcel Delivery' in the office) seem to deliver things on time, in contrast with the shower of shit that seem to work for HDNL.

What annoys me most is that Amazon claim that they can't offer customers a choice of courier. Really? I can think of several on-line emporia that give you just such a choice and they don't have anything like the manpower of Amazon.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 25 April, 2012, 03:31:43 pm
Oh Met Office.  You used to have a website which showed information clearly, and worked.

Now you've got one that hangs for ages every time it is asked to show information.

Why meddle?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 25 April, 2012, 03:34:09 pm
Quote from: clarion on 25 April, 2012, 03:31:43 pm
Oh Met Office.  You used to have a website which showed information clearly, and worked.

Now you've got one that hangs for ages every time it is asked to show information.

Why meddle?

They're keeping up with the BBC.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 25 April, 2012, 03:45:50 pm
Quote from: clarion on 25 April, 2012, 03:31:43 pm
Oh Met Office.  You used to have a website which showed information clearly, and worked.

Now you've got one that hangs for ages every time it is asked to show information.

Why meddle?
Your taxes at work ... heaven forbid that they'd want to, say, improve the quality of their forecasting.
I also think that the new Met Office website is a steaming pile of Web-2.0
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 25 April, 2012, 03:50:41 pm
So do I.

It also seems to assume you'll only want to know the weather where you are at any one time, so you have to change your default location every time you look up anywhere else.

Well, looks like more trips to xcweather instead
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 25 April, 2012, 03:56:58 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 25 April, 2012, 03:50:41 pm
Well, looks like more trips to xcweather instead

xcweather has a much better website, but I'm less impressed by the quality of the weather that they're forecasting.  It seems to be a lot wetter than that prescribed by the Met Office.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feline on 25 April, 2012, 04:03:29 pm
Why not just use yr.no ?

I carefully looked at the forecast on both yr.no and the met office sites before every audax and long ride I rode last year. The met office predictions bore no resemblance to what actually happened whereas yr.no were spot on. If they predict rain between 2 and 3pm then I put my waterproof on after lunch!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 25 April, 2012, 04:09:27 pm
Quote from: Feline on 25 April, 2012, 04:03:29 pm
Why not just use yr.no ?
Because, until about 30 seconds ago, I didn't even know it existed :)

I like - uses proper meteorological symbols, proper units and everything; it's shockingly reminiscent of my undergraduate meteorology lectures. I now also know how York is written in Chinese, so I've learnt something new as well ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 25 April, 2012, 04:18:10 pm
Cute, but the Norwegian weather's still a bit wetter than I'd really like.   ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feline on 25 April, 2012, 04:41:25 pm
Quote from: Kim on 25 April, 2012, 04:18:10 pm
Cute, but the Norwegian weather's still a bit wetter than I'd really like.   ;D

I'm not liking the look of my commute much over the next 24 hours either  ;D

http://www.yr.no/place/United_Kingdom/England/Bristol/hour_by_hour.html
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 25 April, 2012, 04:42:21 pm
Got to go to work tomorrow.

Don't wanna.   >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 25 April, 2012, 04:55:17 pm
Leading a ride in just over two hours.  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 25 April, 2012, 04:55:58 pm
Guess who packed his windproof instead of his waterproof for the first rainy commute in ages :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 25 April, 2012, 04:58:16 pm
How about shoes:any issues with them?
 :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 25 April, 2012, 04:58:31 pm
Quote from: interzen on 25 April, 2012, 04:09:27 pm
Quote from: Feline on 25 April, 2012, 04:03:29 pm
Why not just use yr.no ?
Because, until about 30 seconds ago, I didn't even know it existed :)

I like - uses proper meteorological symbols, proper units and everything; it's shockingly reminiscent of my undergraduate meteorology lectures. I now also know how York is written in Chinese, so I've learnt something new as well ;D

Look at somewhere north of the arctic circle around new year.. they have some symbols that you have probably not seen before. (Like the "it would be sunny if the sun was going to come up but it isn't going to for another few weeks" symbol)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 25 April, 2012, 05:31:29 pm
My toaster has just self-immolated.  Kitchen cabinets are scorched and the house stinks.

Bugger.  I liked that toaster.  The Boy won it in a raffle.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: epa611 on 25 April, 2012, 08:22:28 pm
34 deg. Today I. Turkey in  8)

Too bloody hot to be working  :hand:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Steph on 25 April, 2012, 09:53:03 pm
In contrast to that...
I had the delight of a storm on my last camping trip, but today was perverse. I watched the rain ease, I slung on the lycra and attached the panniers, and I shot off to T*sco in the sun.
By the time I have got out of the shop it is hammering down. I have no overshoes. There is a poxy horrible headwind. There are nobjockeys in cars: as I approach a dad-and-small-lad cycling two abreast towards me, both are overtaken by a wankpanzer that causes me to simultaneously brake hard (secondary is full of pot holes) and shout 'Tosser!". Immediately followes, to the 'dad', "No, not you, mate!"

Cold. Sodding nearly May and cold. Hot bath. So, here I am, copy of the new prequal to The Thing ready to watch, glass of wine to hand, but in winter opaque tights and the longest skirt I've got for warmth. And you complain about heat...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 25 April, 2012, 09:54:57 pm
Took me ages to find my trainers.  But I found them in the loft of our garage.

Just took them off to find my socks covered in mouse poo   :sick:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: BrianI on 26 April, 2012, 07:36:50 am
Guess who butterfingered his binoculars onto the tiled kitchen floor last night?

They didn't bounce very well at all..... 

 :'(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 26 April, 2012, 09:33:52 am
On the plus side, you probably have some interesting bits of lenses to experiment with...

*runs*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 26 April, 2012, 12:39:17 pm
Service Proposal for tender has just come in. It's got to be in by the 7th May. My mentor usually does these, without getting me involved.
My mentor is on holiday for the next fortnight.
His words: 'well, it's more responsibility yadda, yadda'.
Thinks I: 'yeah, but it would have been nice to have given one to do myself while there was actually a safety net in the office'

Guess who's going to be pooping her pants and just a teeny bit stressed for the next week?`
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: RJ on 26 April, 2012, 12:53:48 pm
Quote from: BrianI on 26 April, 2012, 07:36:50 am
Guess who butterfingered his binoculars onto the tiled kitchen floor last night?

They didn't bounce very well at all..... 

 :'(

Ouch.  I once drove off with a pair of Leicas still on the roof of the car - remarkably, they only needed recollimating.  Did the same thing with a notebook full of data as well  :facepalm:

Are they fixable?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ferret on 26 April, 2012, 01:02:08 pm
Quote from: Feline on 25 April, 2012, 04:41:25 pm
Quote from: Kim on 25 April, 2012, 04:18:10 pm
Cute, but the Norwegian weather's still a bit wetter than I'd really like.   ;D

I'm not liking the look of my commute much over the next 24 hours either  ;D

http://www.yr.no/place/United_Kingdom/England/Bristol/hour_by_hour.html

Thats a cracking site feline, it's even got our village listed whereas the met office one hasn't,  we have two weather stations close by one in Sennybridge on the army camp and then another up on the Eppynt which is also under the control of the MOD 50,000 acre play ground
but Trecastle doesn't get a mention on the met site, the closest they get is Brecon 15 bloody miles away,

as this is the rant thread my fecking knee is not right :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Zipperhead on 26 April, 2012, 02:25:02 pm
Quote from: RJ on 26 April, 2012, 12:53:48 pm
Quote from: BrianI on 26 April, 2012, 07:36:50 am
Guess who butterfingered his binoculars onto the tiled kitchen floor last night?

They didn't bounce very well at all..... 

 :'(

Ouch.  I once drove off with a pair of Leicas still on the roof of the car - remarkably, they only needed recollimating.  Did the same thing with a notebook full of data as well  :facepalm:

Are they fixable?

I used to know someone who had done the same with his Hasselblad.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ferret on 26 April, 2012, 05:09:26 pm
theres a hassleblad and some binoculars on the cash converters web site
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: BrianI on 26 April, 2012, 07:14:07 pm
Quote from: RJ on 26 April, 2012, 12:53:48 pm
Quote from: BrianI on 26 April, 2012, 07:36:50 am
Guess who butterfingered his binoculars onto the tiled kitchen floor last night?

They didn't bounce very well at all..... 

 :'(

Ouch.  I once drove off with a pair of Leicas still on the roof of the car - remarkably, they only needed recollimating.  Did the same thing with a notebook full of data as well  :facepalm:

Are they fixable?

Well, having a look at them, the lenses are intact, and mirrors seem to be aligned.
Nasty crack in the casing around the objective lens, and a big dent in the objective lens retaining ring.

Nothing some duct tape and glue won't fix :-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 26 April, 2012, 08:21:57 pm
Quote from: Feline on 25 April, 2012, 04:03:29 pm
Why not just use yr.no ?

I carefully looked at the forecast on both yr.no and the met office sites before every audax and long ride I rode last year. The met office predictions bore no resemblance to what actually happened whereas yr.no were spot on. If they predict rain between 2 and 3pm then I put my waterproof on after lunch!

Thanks for that, looks useful.  The weather forecast for the Hebrides at the weekend doesn't look too bad  :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: RJ on 26 April, 2012, 10:00:36 pm
Quote from: BrianI on 26 April, 2012, 07:14:07 pm
Quote from: RJ on 26 April, 2012, 12:53:48 pm
Quote from: BrianI on 26 April, 2012, 07:36:50 am
Guess who butterfingered his binoculars onto the tiled kitchen floor last night?

They didn't bounce very well at all..... 

 :'(

Ouch.  I once drove off with a pair of Leicas still on the roof of the car - remarkably, they only needed recollimating.  Did the same thing with a notebook full of data as well  :facepalm:

Are they fixable?

Well, having a look at them, the lenses are intact, and mirrors seem to be aligned.
Nasty crack in the casing around the objective lens, and a big dent in the objective lens retaining ring.

Nothing some duct tape and glue won't fix :-)

Work a cable-tie in there and you've got a full house  :thumbsup: ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: why1040 on 26 April, 2012, 10:12:40 pm
Migraine...

Fmeh...

Go vay, kay?

 :'(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wowbagger on 27 April, 2012, 01:38:29 am
For such a small house, it's a very long walk from my daughter's spare bedroom to her lavatory.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: why1040 on 27 April, 2012, 10:27:04 am
Quote from: why1040 on 23 April, 2012, 09:53:16 am
The old "I think I'm a lesbian in a male body" is actually so old now that it's getting seriously offensive, particularly when the person saying it is actually serious.  Especially when he follows it up by "will you and your girlfriend have a threesome with me" and then PUTTING HIS HAND IN MY HAIR!

Hmmm, possibly almost a rant.  Definitely going down as the low-point to an otherwise absolutely awesome weekend!

Feedback gone in to the organiser, making it clear that although the other 99% of camp was AWESOME, I may not return next year purely due to this one cockwomble and that what he does is harassment and Not Okay.

I feel sick, I don't do well with rocking boats, but it had to be said.  I might possibly have left it had he kept it to "will you and your girlfriend have sex with me", but when he touched me, it all became very much Not Okay.   :-\
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 27 April, 2012, 07:48:54 pm
Why1040 does the organisation you were with have any kind of code of conduct for people or system to report unwanted stuff like what you had? 

I have run bisexual events for years and one of our biggest issues is despite an excellent (well honed) code of conduct which does work we don't always get told about incidents in time to be able to track down the perps and warn/remove them.  Nothing more maddening than hearing the same creep has harassed 4 people but because it was too late there's not much we can do cos a different group organise each year. >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: why1040 on 27 April, 2012, 09:16:05 pm
*laughs*

This is a riding club.  We barely have sufficient organisation to actually have everyone in the same place at the same time!  Organisation is not the strong point of those having to do with horses (except when it comes to ordering feed, ensuring vet care etc).

I did comment on it at the time to the organiser*, but I've found out since that several others were made to feel uncomfortable by him after I left.  He's also made several unfortunate comments during lessons.  It was the official feedback I did today, which made me decidedly uncomfortable.  Again...horsey lot...political correctness isn't generally part of peoples' vocabulary...however, the organiser has been fab and is in discussions with the rest of the team re how to deal with it...it's difficult, because venues with those sorts of facilities aren't easy to come by for a gang of 30 riders plus horses etc...but something will be done.

*however, due to being a) wigged out and b) exceedingly tired from chronic fatigue kicking in, I made more of a joke about it than anything, because I simply wasn't mentally equipped to make a big deal out of it at that stage and I headed back to the yard and went to bed shortly afterwards
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 27 April, 2012, 09:31:43 pm
I've had an utterly shit day at work, I was supposed to be clearing my desk & handing stuff over to a colleague for the next 2 weeks. Instead we were hit by escalation after rush job after complaint.
  >:( 

I know there's work I should have done, but didn't, so now I'm starting my holidays knowing I'll probably be moaned at when I get back  :(
On top of that I think I've got a sore throat starting as well   :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jakob on 28 April, 2012, 11:14:01 pm
Looking at a 90+ hour work week and now on 20+ days with out a day off.
Yes, the film industry is soooo glamorous.
(I hate deadlines).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 28 April, 2012, 11:27:32 pm
Humm.
Am on my own this w/e with the kids.  Mrs. F is dealing with a family bereavement down south.

We have a long-standing commitment to a 50th birthday ceilidh this evening, so I trot along with the kids.

Where we meet up with a Dutch family we were friendly with some years back, when they lived here.
Their kid was a good friend of junior #2.  The kids had a get-together.
Came time to leave.

I'm ambushed:
"Oh, our kid was due to have a sleepover with you, didn't you know?"
No I bloody well didn't.
So now I've got a bunch of un-planned hassle.

Bah.


Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 29 April, 2012, 12:23:35 pm
Due to a copious amount of panic and grumpiness on my part, I think I have left one of my favourite Embers skull caps in that there Spanishland :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 29 April, 2012, 12:28:02 pm
Please stop raining.

I want to go out.

Not for a ride or anything.

Just out.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 29 April, 2012, 12:38:09 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 29 April, 2012, 12:28:02 pm
Please stop raining.

I want to go out.

Not for a ride or anything.

Just out.
This.
Times ∞

I got everything I needed to get this morning: some more tea, general low-GI snackage and whatnot. I also got royally soaked - and that was just walking across the car park.

I love summer, me.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Marco Stefano on 29 April, 2012, 02:34:17 pm
April; we get it, showers, yes. Enough now.

May on Tuesday; I can expect a change, can I? 

(not holding breath or putting waterproofs away)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 29 April, 2012, 02:44:15 pm
I've just read that the Ouse is currently 9ft above it's normal level - it's still well short of what it reached in November 2000 (17ft 8in above normal) at least for now.

This is all getting a bit silly - can we track down the people who starting banging on about droughts and give them a good kicking? Please?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 29 April, 2012, 03:12:16 pm
Quote from: interzen on 29 April, 2012, 02:44:15 pm
I've just read that the Ouse is currently 9ft above it's normal level - it's still well short of what it reached in November 2000 (17ft 8in above normal) at least for now.

This is all getting a bit silly - can we track down the people who starting banging on about droughts and give them a good kicking? Please?

they would tell you that...
it's the wrong type of rain
in the wrong places
at the wrong time
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 29 April, 2012, 03:38:37 pm
Quote from: jogler on 29 April, 2012, 03:12:16 pm
Quote from: interzen on 29 April, 2012, 02:44:15 pm
I've just read that the Ouse is currently 9ft above it's normal level - it's still well short of what it reached in November 2000 (17ft 8in above normal) at least for now.

This is all getting a bit silly - can we track down the people who starting banging on about droughts and give them a good kicking? Please?

they would tell you that...
it's the wrong type of rain
in the wrong places
at the wrong time

... and they would also be right (except about the place bit). If the population of the South East was more accepting of giving up land to surface storage then this rain would be far more useful[1], but while most of the area is aquifer fed then you really need long periods of light rain during the winter to actually make a significant impact on the water levels. Most of this rainwater will wash out into rivers and then into the sea leaving little long term benefit.

Unfortunately this, just like the lack of clear evidence on cycle helmets (example not a debate invitation) is something that even science editor in media seem not to be able to comprehend. The 'common sense' argument of 'it's raining hard this week so the drought is over' is the only line they'll believe.

[1] When I worked in the industry down there the surveys said that people were in favour of reservoirs in theory, but the NIMBYism when any scheme was proposed was incredibly strong.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 29 April, 2012, 04:57:52 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 29 April, 2012, 03:38:37 pm
... and they would also be right (except about the place bit). If the population of the South East was more accepting of giving up land to surface storage then this rain would be far more useful[1], but while most of the area is aquifer fed then you really need long periods of light rain during the winter to actually make a significant impact on the water levels. Most of this rainwater will wash out into rivers and then into the sea leaving little long term benefit.
We have a similar problem here - houses getting built on land which also happens to be flood-plain; you know the drill.

My knowledge of groundwater management is pretty limited1 but my understanding is that one of the reasons York is so prone to flooding is that not only is the catchment area for the Ouse pretty damned big (same deal with the Derwent, if you live in Malton) but the management of the land surrounding it is such that the water doesn't really have anywhere to 'go' other than downstream when we have weather like this. Certainly, the last time I nipped up the road to check the conditions on my favourite bit of bridleway a few days ago it was largely dry as the water had just run off it (into the fields, which are now extremely flooded)

Still, it's not (yet) as bad as it was in November 20002, which is a small blessing.

We now return you to your scheduled grumbles ;)

1 - whilst I do have a PhD in fluid dynamics, it's more to do with things that go 'bang' ;D
2 - some pics of mine from the time may well be floating around t'internets; my one lasting memory was the Army trying desperately to shore up the flood defenses in Selby to prevent the river from bursting its banks. To say it was a close run thing would be an understatement.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 29 April, 2012, 06:05:40 pm
Quote from: interzen on 29 April, 2012, 04:57:52 pm

2 - some pics of mine from the time may well be floating around t'internets; my one lasting memory was the Army trying desperately to shore up the flood defenses in Selby to prevent the river from bursting its banks. To say it was a close run thing would be an understatement.

I remember on That Day, cycling into town with Tom, and at the top of Piccadilly we were held up by a policeman who was waving through a convoy of Army trucks laden with sandbags. Being curious sorts, we followed the convoy to outside The Maltings, where they were sandbagging against the floodgates closed under Lendal Bridge, and finished the whole lot off by parking one of the trucks backed up against the sandbags...

That was the night we actually packed a box of stuff to take upstairs, when we heard that there was a warning on the Foss at Foss Islands Road, although we were in Farrar Street, off Lawrence St, some way away.  I packed tins of beans (and tin opener!), my housemates put in a bottle of whisky....

It was all Quite Exciting, from our not-terribly-likely-to-be-flooded point of view. It's a feeling captured very well in the bit of The Kraken Wakes when the Thames overtops the Embankment.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 29 April, 2012, 06:14:14 pm
Quote from: Arch on 29 April, 2012, 06:05:40 pm


That was the night we actually packed a box of stuff to take upstairs,
hellsbells Arch,if you are likely to be flooded at your place there'd be a lot of York under water.Sufficient for you to be packing not for upstairs but more appropriatley for a voyage on The Good Ship Ark,captain Noah in command.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 29 April, 2012, 06:16:41 pm
Quote from: Arch on 29 April, 2012, 06:05:40 pm
I remember on That Day, cycling into town with Tom, and at the top of Piccadilly we were held up by a policeman who was waving through a convoy of Army trucks laden with sandbags.
Something similar happened when we were riding down to Selby - once we got to Riccall and the bit of track that runs alongside the A19 we noticed an awful lot of trucks going past, most of which were carrying rubble - not aggregates, but yer actual busted up concrete/stone/etc. When we got to Barlby we found out where all these trucks were going; the Army had given up on sandbags and were bringing in the Big Stuff to stop the flood bank near the BOCM factory from being breached.

ISTR that one of my photos was published in the Evening Press, possibly the one of the Millennium Bridge (still incomplete at that time) appearing to be 'marooned' in a vast expanse of rather mucky water.


Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: trio25 on 29 April, 2012, 06:20:21 pm
Not allowed to go back to work tomorrow as they want a Dr's note. I know they are just covering their backs but it would be easier to go back when everyone was in as oppose to later in the week when they can 'talk to me'
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 29 April, 2012, 06:21:32 pm
Quote from: jogler on 29 April, 2012, 06:14:14 pm
Quote from: Arch on 29 April, 2012, 06:05:40 pm


That was the night we actually packed a box of stuff to take upstairs,
hellsbells Arch,if you are likely to be flooded at your place there'd be a lot of York under water.Sufficient for you to be packing not for upstairs but more appropriatley for a voyage on The Good Ship Ark,captain Noah in command.
It really was that bad - the level of the river was roughly twice what is currently (17ft 8in was the peak height above normal, compared with 9ft 2in ATM) and to add a bit of extra spice, several of the pumps at the Foss pumping station had failed too, meaning that there was a very real risk of things backing up into the city centre.

Of course, in the aftermath of all that the insurers had a field day - especially the robbing bastards who tried to treble my premium because I lived in a 'flood risk' area; the village I live in has never flooded (to my knowledge) and is about 3 miles from the river. Of course, the next village down is right on the river and happens to have a YO23 postcode  ::-)

Even the clergy weren't spared - the Archbishop's Palace flooded that year too.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 29 April, 2012, 06:26:43 pm
One assume's the Archbishop had commited some sin subsequently having his direct line with god disconnected :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 29 April, 2012, 06:48:01 pm
Quote from: interzen on 29 April, 2012, 06:21:32 pm
Of course, in the aftermath of all that the insurers had a field day - especially the robbing bastards who tried to treble my premium because I lived in a 'flood risk' area; the village I live in has never flooded (to my knowledge) and is about 3 miles from the river. Of course, the next village down is right on the river and happens to have a YO23 postcode  ::-)
A mate of mine's insurers tried that one. He pointed out that he's in a building half a mile from & 20 metres higher than the nearest point that's been flooded in recorded history, pointed them to the Environment Agency flood risk map, which shows him clearly outside the areas at risk of anything short of the melting of the Antarctic ice cap, & told 'em (truthfully) that he lives in a third floor flat. He also said he was looking for an insurer which understood that postcodes at the level of "RG1" are not a reliable indicator of shared risk, whether of flooding or anything else.

They changed their minds.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 29 April, 2012, 10:40:00 pm
Quote from: jogler on 29 April, 2012, 06:14:14 pm
Quote from: Arch on 29 April, 2012, 06:05:40 pm


That was the night we actually packed a box of stuff to take upstairs,
hellsbells Arch,if you are likely to be flooded at your place there'd be a lot of York under water.Sufficient for you to be packing not for upstairs but more appropriatley for a voyage on The Good Ship Ark,captain Noah in command.

Ah, that was when I lived round the corner from where CL lives, not in my current 2nd floor flat! 

It was only because they'd warned about the Foss that we did it, since we were about a quarter mile from the Foss.

Mind you, when I get back to York tomorrow (assuming the trains haven't been washed away), I have to first cross the Ouse, and then the Dean's Garden, which when I crossed it on Thursday afternoon had a puddle in the middle big enough for Olympic swimming heats....

I heard a story about the 2000 flood, that while they were busy battling to work the pumps that stop the Ouse flowing back up the Foss at the gate at their confluence (which would put a serious amount of central York under water), someone noticed that water was merrily creeping from the flooded Tower Gardens, along the road, and round the roundabout towards the Foss.  Swift sandbagging stopped it...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 02 May, 2012, 08:17:10 am
The clarithromycin has given me a nasty bitter taste in my mouth.  :sick:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 02 May, 2012, 09:26:48 am
It will do.  It always does.  But it's damned effective IME. :-\
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 02 May, 2012, 09:39:03 am
My PC is borked & there is a lot of stuff I can't get at now,particularly emails.
It's frustrating.
I can't print anything;this laptop is not configured to the PC printer.I cannot print audax entryt forms.
It's a serious nuisance/inconvenience wrt my business comms.,quotes,invoices.
 :(
as the day progresses I may escalate to the Rant thread.

& there's no W.W. ride

F^ckit.I'm going to have a coffee.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feline on 02 May, 2012, 08:25:53 pm
Quote from: jogler on 02 May, 2012, 09:39:03 am
My PC is borked & there is a lot of stuff I can't get at now,particularly emails.
It's frustrating.
I can't print anything;this laptop is not configured to the PC printer.I cannot print audax entryt forms.
It's a serious nuisance/inconvenience wrt my business comms.,quotes,invoices.
 :(
as the day progresses I may escalate to the Rant thread.

& there's no W.W. ride

F^ckit.I'm going to have a coffee.

If you're really stuck email them to me and I will print them and post them to you!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 02 May, 2012, 08:32:45 pm
I appreciate your kind offer but the PC will not boot up
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 02 May, 2012, 08:35:51 pm
We'll need a bigger boot ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 02 May, 2012, 08:36:25 pm
(can't tell you how long I've been waiting for an opportunity to use that ;D )
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 02 May, 2012, 08:52:37 pm
happy to oblige ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 02 May, 2012, 10:40:03 pm
The BBC are showing adverts about 'why politics matters'. There's scenes of all sorts of things, but at one point they show a bicycle - filtering through traffic and damaging a car wing mirror. Nice balanced view I see
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 03 May, 2012, 08:04:03 am
Yes, that seriously rattled my cage. Downright pig-ignorant Daily Mail-ish thing to show, in my view.  I'm just too tired with my own struggles to do anything about it right now, I'm afraid.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: why1040 on 03 May, 2012, 12:38:38 pm
Poo, bugger and bollocks, and possibly a few other words to go with it!

I'm registered to do the Windsor Sponsored Ride on my horsey this weekend.  A thrilling canter through Windsor Park, with (optional) obstacles to jump over (I was going to do the littlies).  It was going to be my first ever cross-country ride and although a stretch for my confidence, I was getting really excited about it.

It's been postponed, due to rain, rain and more sodding rain.  Til October!!   :-\

Buggrit!  I KNOW it's for safety, as it's like a blinking bog out there a lot of the time, but buggrit anyway!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 03 May, 2012, 02:58:33 pm
Quote from: why1040 on 03 May, 2012, 12:38:38 pm
rain, rain and more sodding rain.  Til October!!

I hope that's not a forecast!   >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 03 May, 2012, 05:18:55 pm
In an unusual fluster of organisation, I discover an entry in my calendar warning that my passport's due to expire at the end of the month.  I suppose I'd better do a renewal now to avoid faff.  Wasn't planning to travel anywhere more international than Wales any time soon, but it's still 70 odd quid :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 07 May, 2012, 11:59:40 am
On a Grand Central Train.  I think it got dressed in a hurry this morning, as the carriages are mislabelled and in the wrong order, and there's no buffet car! :o

Feeling the twitchings from tea withdrawal, I am also regretting eschewing a stop at the Co-op in Romanby for snacks.

Anyone know if Friends House cafe on Euston Road is open today?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 07 May, 2012, 12:32:26 pm
Was going to wander to the local furniture/kitchenware emporium at lunchtime to procure myself a pizza stone.
Left my wallet in my handbag, which as I'm on the bike, is at home, isn't it?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 07 May, 2012, 01:01:27 pm
Quote from: Kim on 03 May, 2012, 05:18:55 pm
In an unusual fluster of organisation, I discover an entry in my calendar warning that my passport's due to expire at the end of the month.  I suppose I'd better do a renewal now to avoid faff.  Wasn't planning to travel anywhere more international than Wales any time soon, but it's still 70 odd quid :(
I've just completed the online form to get renewal docs etc. - my passport expired in 2009  :-\ Whilst my next major trip to forn parts is next year (4 weeks in Alaska) I quite fancy introducing Pugsley to the wonders of cycling on the continent in the interim.

All(!) I need to do now is get the photos countersigned (the guy who runs my LBS offered to do this - turns out I've known him for 16 years, which is a pretty scary thought) and see what, if any, supporting documentation I need to prove that I'm entitled to the honorific 'Dr.'1  ::-)

Oh, and fork over the £77.50 for renewal.

1 - I don't generally stand on ceremony, but I use the honorific on 'official' things like bank details etc. - it's quite a good paper spam filter too, since anything prefixed 'Mr.' is unlikely to be official and hence ends up in the bin.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 07 May, 2012, 05:18:10 pm
There's no title of any sort on my latest passport. Previous did have 'Doctor'. I was never asked for proof. If they don't use honorifics, chasing for proof may be waste of time.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 07 May, 2012, 05:24:38 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 07 May, 2012, 05:18:10 pm
There's no title of any sort on my latest passport. Previous did have 'Doctor'. I was never asked for proof. If they don't use honorifics, chasing for proof may be waste of time.
They class 'Dr' as an 'alternative title' and as such a little thing flashed up saying 'proof may be required' - needless to say, there was absolutely no indication of what would constitute 'proof'1  ::-)

Fortunately, this is a hoop which only needs to be jumped through every 10 years or so.

1 - which would be a copy of my PhD certificate. If they want the original then they can pay to have it dismounted and reframed, too.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 07 May, 2012, 05:37:25 pm
David's passport expired 24/4/12.
Not sure if I CBA to seek proof of his PhD.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 07 May, 2012, 06:50:43 pm
Arse.

Mrs B & I went out to join a CTC ride for lunch, but after a few miles the looseness of my headset was too obvious for me not to notice. I tried tightening it up, but no go. The star nut was moving up inside the steerer, with almost no pressure - single finger on the Allen key. Not right at all.

So we went home, changed bikes, & pootled off to a nearer (& nicer) country pub, where entirely by chance, we met three mountain bikers (well, one also does sportives occasionally) we know.

Popped into an open shop (Evans) today to ask about fettling the headset, & they said if it'd come loose that soon (a couple of thousand miles) after new forks were fitted, it hadn't been done right, & I should take it back to where it was done & ask them to put it right free. He did ask if it'd been done by his shop, & was mightily relieved it hadn't.

I am not pleased. I ended up having a nice ride, with bluebells, & good beer & company, but now I have to chase around & get it fixed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 08 May, 2012, 06:49:56 am
Crusty's been hiding my stuff tidying up again  :hand:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 08 May, 2012, 11:34:27 am
Quote from: Lindagordinho on 08 May, 2012, 06:49:56 am
Crusty's been hiding my stuff tidying up again  :hand:
Take revenge - take him for a bike ride that just happens to end up at a music festival.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 08 May, 2012, 01:08:11 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 08 May, 2012, 11:34:27 am
Quote from: Lindagordinho on 08 May, 2012, 06:49:56 am
Crusty's been hiding my stuff tidying up again  :hand:
Take revenge - take him for a bike ride that just happens to end up at a music festival.

You know, that might not be as mad as it sounds.

<plots deviously>
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: citoyen on 08 May, 2012, 05:29:38 pm
Note to subs: the short form is Pro Green. Please stop "correcting" it. (NB he's not a real professor.)

d.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 08 May, 2012, 06:49:09 pm
Because our boss has worked out that we have virtually no excess in the budget this year, we need to crack on with setting up business waste recycling (something we've expected to do in conjunction with the council, but they simply aren't moving on it).

In order to do this, we'll need to create some more time in our schedule, and the boss is saying that when we come in, instead of putting all the shutters up, and then after we've got the vehicles out, having a cup of tea (and some people eating their breakfasts), we should simply get the vehicles out, and get straight out, saving between 15-30 minutes.

This is fair enough, but I'm ever so slightly peeved. Mainly because I'm the first one in 90% of the time, and always a few minutes before 8am, and have often put all the shutters up before anyone else arrives, and possibly have at least one vehicle out already. I also get up in time to eat my breakfast before I go to work.  I'm not all that bothered about the cup of tea, I guess I'm just fed up that I'm already ready to go in good time, when others haven't even turned up yet...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: +paul on 09 May, 2012, 12:45:21 pm
Quote from: Arch on 08 May, 2012, 06:49:09 pm
Because our boss has worked out that we have virtually no excess in the budget this year, we need to crack on with setting up business waste recycling (something we've expected to do in conjunction with the council, but they simply aren't moving on it).

In order to do this, we'll need to create some more time in our schedule, and the boss is saying that when we come in, instead of putting all the shutters up, and then after we've got the vehicles out, having a cup of tea (and some people eating their breakfasts), we should simply get the vehicles out, and get straight out, saving between 15-30 minutes.

This is fair enough, but I'm ever so slightly peeved. Mainly because I'm the first one in 90% of the time, and always a few minutes before 8am, and have often put all the shutters up before anyone else arrives, and possibly have at least one vehicle out already. I also get up in time to eat my breakfast before I go to work.  I'm not all that bothered about the cup of tea, I guess I'm just fed up that I'm already ready to go in good time, when others haven't even turned up yet...

Sounds like your boss needs to do a bit of "Genchi genbutsu" as we call it in Toyota. It means "Go, see and study" to understand. He would then recognise your additional contribution, and also realise that the apparent savings in time are perhaps not available.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Clare on 09 May, 2012, 01:20:33 pm
Ny nouth's not nerking.


Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 09 May, 2012, 01:35:33 pm
Ab bu been do de dentist?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Clare on 09 May, 2012, 01:36:47 pm
Es.

Root cadal gnerk.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 09 May, 2012, 06:55:07 pm
Quote from: +paul on 09 May, 2012, 12:45:21 pm
Quote from: Arch on 08 May, 2012, 06:49:09 pm
Because our boss has worked out that we have virtually no excess in the budget this year, we need to crack on with setting up business waste recycling (something we've expected to do in conjunction with the council, but they simply aren't moving on it).

In order to do this, we'll need to create some more time in our schedule, and the boss is saying that when we come in, instead of putting all the shutters up, and then after we've got the vehicles out, having a cup of tea (and some people eating their breakfasts), we should simply get the vehicles out, and get straight out, saving between 15-30 minutes.

This is fair enough, but I'm ever so slightly peeved. Mainly because I'm the first one in 90% of the time, and always a few minutes before 8am, and have often put all the shutters up before anyone else arrives, and possibly have at least one vehicle out already. I also get up in time to eat my breakfast before I go to work.  I'm not all that bothered about the cup of tea, I guess I'm just fed up that I'm already ready to go in good time, when others haven't even turned up yet...

Sounds like your boss needs to do a bit of "Genchi genbutsu" as we call it in Toyota. It means "Go, see and study" to understand. He would then recognise your additional contribution, and also realise that the apparent savings in time are perhaps not available.

To be fair, he does do the job with us, and is arranging a meeting of us all to try and come up with ideas for increasing income and efficiency.  It's not him personally I have a beef with, it's just that I'm sort of being asked to do what I already do...

It doesn't help that I'm going through a bit of a 'meh' phase about work, which my recent week off has failed to shift.

It could be a lot worse, as the rants and grumbles here often make me realise!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 09 May, 2012, 07:50:32 pm
GRR, dam physioterrorist, I may be glad that you have 90% diagnosed my hip injury 8 years after I first saw a GP about it but did you have to make my hip so sore for the whole of today. I have noticed that I am limping rather than walking to protect it. *wincing smilie*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: why1040 on 09 May, 2012, 07:58:48 pm
Urk...having spent the day sorting out my ill horsey (who is probably better again), my CFS has kicked in again and I'm totally out of spoons!   :-\

I don't want to be so sensitive to anything out of the ordinary, it's starting to get really boring!  Bah!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 09 May, 2012, 08:23:32 pm
Fucking CityLink didn't pick up my parcel despite saying there was "no reason for the pick-up to fail"- quel surprise
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 10 May, 2012, 10:12:15 am
I seem to have significant snot in my middle ear - even I can hear it clicking...

*throws all the drugs at it* *hopes it's hayfever and not ill - although hayfever can set me up for ill*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 10 May, 2012, 01:43:06 pm
Bastard bus driver!  Wuffo you suddenly decide to stop a mile from the end of the route and make me walk home in the pissing rain?

Git.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 10 May, 2012, 05:59:09 pm
I popped into the Tesco on College Green to get some milk. I see a big sign near the entrance "Dairy" so head there - and find shelves of juice cartons and cans of fizzy pop. No milk, butter, cheese or anything that has been anywhere near a cow. In what world is fruit juice a dairy product?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 10 May, 2012, 06:42:11 pm
Being ready to go this morning in good time, I walked in for a change.

On the way home, I dropped into Waitrose to see what they had reduced. Bingo, a pizza for dinner.

Coming out, I found it raining quite hard. It's been raining on and off all day, just short showers in between sun. So it would be bound to stop soon. I waited a bit in the entrance.

Mayflies were born and died. Elephants gestated. Civilisations rose and fell.

It just rained harder. Torrential. Waves of torrential, interspersed with slightly less torrential, just to get my hopes up. I amused myself watching the enormous puddle building up behind a speed hump.

A chap in a big boat full of animals drifted past.

Eventually, it sort of stopped. By the time I got home, it was blazing sunshine. So blazing, I've had to pull the curtain so that I can see the screen!

Eventually, it became
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 10 May, 2012, 07:09:51 pm
Quote from: Arch on 28 March, 1974, 02:46:13 am

Eventually, it became

What? What did it become? Am on tenterhooks here! ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 10 May, 2012, 07:10:48 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 10 May, 2012, 07:09:51 pm
Quote from: Arch on 28 March, 1974, 02:46:13 am

Eventually, it became

What? What did it become? Am on tenterhooks here! ;)

Tune in next week, when Arch will continue the story of her day...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 10 May, 2012, 07:38:40 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 10 May, 2012, 07:09:51 pm
Quote from: Arch on 28 March, 1974, 02:46:13 am

Eventually, it became

What? What did it become? Am on tenterhooks here! ;)

ooops!  :facepalm:

Eventually, it became... um...  er...

Ah!

"later!"
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 11 May, 2012, 01:50:03 pm
Pukka Tea, any chance you could molish your teabags so that when I take them out of the protective hygienic individual paperbag thing, they don't split a teeny bit and spew the contents into the water?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: citoyen on 11 May, 2012, 02:37:25 pm
Been thinking that the cassette on my road bike is due for replacement sooner rather than later. So I just had a look online at prices for 10spd Shimano compatible cassettes...

Flippin' eck. The current one is going to have to last a little longer.  :-\

Also, why can I get an 11-25 cassette, or a 12-28 cassette, but not a 12-25 cassette? Hmmm? What use is an 11-tooth sprocket to anyone with normal human-sized thighs?


Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 10 May, 2012, 07:09:51 pm
Quote from: Arch on 28 March, 1974, 02:46:13 am
Eventually, it became
What? What did it become? Am on tenterhooks here! ;)

Arch is being Kiplingesque. As in "How the Whale Became".

d.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: dasmoth on 11 May, 2012, 02:40:58 pm
Quote from: citoyen on 11 May, 2012, 02:37:25 pm
Hmmm? What use is an 11-tooth sprocket to anyone with normal human-sized thighs?

We use ours quite a bit on the tandem

(when going downhill)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: citoyen on 11 May, 2012, 02:47:02 pm
dasmoth - there you go, you need two pairs of normal human-sized legs to be able to use one.

Just found out that there's a Shimano 105 12-25 cassette, and it's almost affordable, so maybe I'll treat myself.  :-\

d.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 11 May, 2012, 02:49:02 pm
Quote from: citoyen on 11 May, 2012, 02:37:25 pm
What use is an 11-tooth sprocket to anyone with normal human-sized thighs?

Goes with the 54-tooth chainring.
We call it 'Suffolk Gearing'

MTFU & big ring, baby.

although my thighs are closer in size to Chris Hoy's than to many non-cyclists'
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jaded on 11 May, 2012, 03:00:51 pm
Quote from: fboab on 11 May, 2012, 02:49:02 pm
although my thighs are closer in size to Chris Hoy's than to many non-cyclists'

That is on account of all the muscle being fitted into a shorter height...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 11 May, 2012, 03:39:43 pm
I use my 11t a lot on my tourer it only has a 42t big ring though
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: citoyen on 11 May, 2012, 03:54:47 pm
Quote from: fboab on 11 May, 2012, 02:49:02 pm
MTFU & big ring, baby.

That's me told.  :-[

 ;D

d.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 11 May, 2012, 03:59:20 pm
I'm not a plumber, but I thought the traditional fix for a dripping tap was to replace the washer, not tighten it up and remove the handle.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 12 May, 2012, 05:49:24 pm
after a period of apparent improvement my bloody knee is acting up again >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 12 May, 2012, 10:40:31 pm
:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 12 May, 2012, 10:45:25 pm
Quote from: jogler on 12 May, 2012, 05:49:24 pm
after a period of apparent improvement my bloody knee is acting up again >:(

Its just trying to tell you to stick with 200kms, 3s and 4s may be bigger than is wise.  ;)

Hope things improve
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 13 May, 2012, 12:06:50 am
Quote from: matthew on 12 May, 2012, 10:45:25 pm


Its just trying to tell you to stick with 200kms, 3s and 4s may be bigger than is wise.  ;)


I did consider that Wednesday's 76km & today's 105km might be too much too soon but have adopted an "in denial" attitude*,not least becuase as previously it doesn't hurt whilst riding but starts about an hour after finishing.

*ETA the York/Hull/Lincoln ride at 196km  of a couple of weeks ago allows me to do this 'cause my knee didn't bother me too much on that ride.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 13 May, 2012, 01:43:23 pm
Quote from: jogler on 13 May, 2012, 12:06:50 am
Quote from: matthew on 12 May, 2012, 10:45:25 pm


Its just trying to tell you to stick with 200kms, 3s and 4s may be bigger than is wise.  ;)


I did consider that Wednesday's 76km & today's 105km might be too much too soon but have adopted an "in denial" attitude,not least becuase as previously it doesn't hurt whilst riding but starts about an hour after finishing.

 :-*

Never mind lovely.  You only need your knees for cycling anyway.

I just remembered, I never got around to airing my tent for Rutland - we went to Scotland the next day.  It's now on the washing line smelling all fusty.  Gah.  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 13 May, 2012, 09:25:27 pm
Dear TV Licencing,

Fuck off.  I don't care if you've edged the letter in RED and made it all threatening sounding we STILL don't have a TV licence and given that you're not capable of retaining that data I refuse to waste time and energy retelling you constantly (esp as you don't make it easy).   If you can't keep hold of that data then as far as my interpretations of the DPA go, I'm not required to keep telling you.  "Until we tell you otherwise we are not watching broadcast TV, now fuck off"

If you send an "enforcement officer" round without a court order they won't be let in.  They may also get a lecture from me (if I answer) objecting to the harassment of anyone who buys anything remotely capable of receiving TV.  I don't get that for anything else that needs licencing which ACTUALLY matters like say a car or something! 

Letter filed straight in dev/recycling where it belongs. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Chris S on 13 May, 2012, 10:03:29 pm
Quote from: barakta on 13 May, 2012, 09:25:27 pm
If you send an "enforcement officer" round without a court order they won't be let in.  They may also get a lecture from me (if I answer) objecting to the harassment of anyone who buys anything remotely capable of receiving TV.  I don't get that for anything else that needs licencing which ACTUALLY matters like say a car or something! 

Ah well now. FWIW, I found peace and quiet from the TVLP by letting in the Nice Lady With The Badge, and showing her (a) The absence of TV and (3) The 6 foot gap between aerial cable and absence of TV and (vii) the 9 foot gap between the satellite cable and the absence of TV.

All been quiet since  :thumbsup:.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 14 May, 2012, 01:57:25 pm
Quote from: citoyen on 11 May, 2012, 02:37:25 pm
Also, why can I get an 11-25 cassette, or a 12-28 cassette, but not a 12-25 cassette? Hmmm? What use is an 11-tooth sprocket to anyone with normal human-sized thighs?
Whereas 9 speed shimano compatible cassettes in 12-25 are dirt cheap1 and readily available.   That doesn't help does it?  IGMC.


1You get to keep a leg.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 14 May, 2012, 02:14:07 pm
Activities you don't realise require 2 functional hands #112

Using sellotape.

FFS. Taking painkillers to wrap up parcels seems, somehow, wrong.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 14 May, 2012, 02:14:52 pm
Sellotape dispenser gun thingy.  Or a Kim.  I regularly play human-sellotape-dispenser for barakta.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 14 May, 2012, 02:18:54 pm
Quote from: Kim on 14 May, 2012, 02:14:52 pm
Sellotape dispenser gun thingy.  Or a Kim.  I regularly play human-sellotape-dispenser for barakta.
I don't have a Kim  :( There simply isn't enough of her to go round.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: dasmoth on 14 May, 2012, 02:24:15 pm
Quote from: fboab on 14 May, 2012, 02:18:54 pm
I don't have a Kim  :( There simply isn't enough of her to go round.

http://laughtonelectronics.com/arcana/Kimklone_short_summary.html (http://laughtonelectronics.com/arcana/Kimklone_short_summary.html)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 14 May, 2012, 05:17:00 pm
Quote from: dasmoth on 14 May, 2012, 02:24:15 pm
Quote from: fboab on 14 May, 2012, 02:18:54 pm
I don't have a Kim  :( There simply isn't enough of her to go round.

http://laughtonelectronics.com/arcana/Kimklone_short_summary.html (http://laughtonelectronics.com/arcana/Kimklone_short_summary.html)

Now, I've read that all very carefully* and I don't think it mentions sellotape at all....

*This is a lie.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 14 May, 2012, 05:32:14 pm
Well, I've finally got round to updating the details for a new Credit card on my PAYG mobile broadband account. It took a few goes because after the bit where I could change the expiry date to the new one, there was a bit where it said "Enter issue number (HSBC Maestro Cards only)". Because I was updating a Mastercard, I left this blank and clicked submit, only to be told "You must enter an issue number".

 :facepalm:

In the end, it turned out that 00 was an acceptable compromise.... 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 14 May, 2012, 06:14:36 pm
I have the same beef with the sits that say 'enter your number exactly as it appears on the card' so I put in  wwww xxxx yyyy zzzz at which point it complains about there being spaces in the number *just like there are on the card*. Can you numpties not write a regular expression?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 14 May, 2012, 06:29:30 pm
Bloody amateurs.

Reminds me of the US website for a software company which was promoting itself worldwide, but couldn't handle dates in anything other than standard US formats.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 14 May, 2012, 06:31:23 pm
Similar with US based supplier who's International Shipment required a US zip code!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 14 May, 2012, 06:32:57 pm
Quote from: fboab on 14 May, 2012, 02:14:07 pm
Activities you don't realise require 2 functional hands #112

Using sellotape.

FFS. Taking painkillers to wrap up parcels seems, somehow, wrong.
No, it is possible to use sellotape (&, indeed, parcel & gaffer tape) with one functional hand, an elbow or wrist on another arm plus a table (or even a pair of knees, though one then has to put up with long strips of tape) & teeth. I discovered this when my right hand was temporarily out of use due to bacteria.

Messy, though. You do not get neat wrapping.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 14 May, 2012, 10:10:07 pm
Goddammit  :demon:

Have just recieved an email about my most recent OU assignment. Apparently someone posted the answers on the web somewhere before the submission deadline so they are zero rating the assignment and will split the 10% it was worth over our other work.

Which is fine, but I think I did quite well on this one (no, I didn't find the answers on the web  :P)

Bloody people.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 14 May, 2012, 10:16:22 pm
That's really annoying, I'd be so cross in your situation Ashaman!  Grr.  Some people are dicks.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 14 May, 2012, 10:31:42 pm
It's a pain. Of course I haven't had the marks back yet so it might turn out to be a blessing in disguise  ;D

Oh well, at least they're not making us redo it, I'm behind enough on the next one as it is  :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 16 May, 2012, 07:28:29 pm
Allow me to make some introductions...

Left Hand, this is Right Hand; Right Hand, this is Left Hand.

 ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 16 May, 2012, 09:57:05 pm
RRAAAWWWRRRRGGG!!!

The assignment that I'm getting no marks on due to cheaty cheaters. I would have got 100%  :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Redjeep! on 16 May, 2012, 10:20:12 pm
Why is it that every single time I go for a long swim, somebody in the next lane always tries to race me ? ? ?

I'm not interested in racing you. I've probably already swam a kilometer or two by the time you show up, and so you trying to beat me over 25 or 50 meters and then collapsing at the end of the lane for 5 minutes before trying again is a bit lame really.

I'd say that this has happened the last 5 or 6 times I've been swimming. ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 16 May, 2012, 10:31:25 pm
Workmate. I don't mind you going off early to a music job. After all, I usually get away early on a Friday when I have to get a train over to MFWHTBAB's, and want to avoid the worst of the rush hour.

It would be nice though, if you could get in on time, instead of 15 minutes late...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 17 May, 2012, 06:45:56 am
Oi my cats/ kittens…. Get a grip. You might be nice and furry and can twist my wife around your paws, but she was away last night so I had you all to myself…then the trouble began!

Firstly, thanks Perkins: what am I going to do with yet another dead bird? That’s four you have killed in 5 days. Okay, I know you are only 21 months old so killing is fun for you, but I hate it. I would fit you will a collar and bell but the thin controller she says no. We are running out of places in the garden to bury them.

Then, come 5.30pm you know you all come in for your tea and a sleep. We have trained you to do so, so we, the humans, can have some time to ourselves. Well that does include you Posie. I was especially wanting you in all as I wanted a quick sleep and then to head out for a 90 minute evening ride: it looked a lovely evening for a ride. And no, I am not allowed to leave you out despite you being nearly 2 years old. What time did you decide to come in….yes, 8.45pm. GRRRRRR. Oh and when it was bed time, why Petal when you had been sleep all day why did suddenly wake up and want to play?? Oh I remember, you are a cat.

Jamise cat, I know you have mental health problems but the game of meow to go out and then run off is not funny at any time and even less funny at 3.50am. Oh and 20 minutes after I had fallen back to sleep, you decided to do it again. Went out that time didn’t you…. Finally managed to land you in the neighbours garden: Johnny Wilkinson eat your heart out!

And then Colin, I know you can’t help having hayfever but could you learn to put your paw over your nose when you sneeze: cat snot is not funny.

Finally, Eric the stray. You are welcome to eat the left overs from our pride but it would be nice if you didn’t come in and help yourself… okay, I can live with it, but having a wee on the sofa while you are doing so will get you shouted at.

Cats, you can’t feed them up to eat: sadly.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 17 May, 2012, 09:42:43 am
Quote from: Redjeep! on 16 May, 2012, 10:20:12 pm
Why is it that every single time I go for a long swim, somebody in the next lane always tries to race me ? ? ?

I'm not interested in racing you. I've probably already swam a kilometer or two by the time you show up, and so you trying to beat me over 25 or 50 meters and then collapsing at the end of the lane for 5 minutes before trying again is a bit lame really.

I'd say that this has happened the last 5 or 6 times I've been swimming. ???

Maybe they're not trying to actually race you, but are using you to motivate themselves to try a little bit harder?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 17 May, 2012, 05:21:58 pm
Warwickshire County Council: The Kenilworth Greenway is advertised as a cycling route on your website. Indeed it is a very good resource waiting to happen. However, the Berkswell end of the way fizzles out for cyclists, with no exit point other than footpaths with clear "No Cycling" signs - as I found out to my surprise a couple of weeks ago. I accept that the end I mention is under the jurisdiction of another LA, but you should sign your part of the route so that cyclists do not get to the Berkswell end and suddenly find themselves stranded in the middle of nowhere.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 17 May, 2012, 05:25:30 pm
AWL is just using this as an excuse for having been late to meet us off the train.  ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 17 May, 2012, 05:52:24 pm
I'll enter a plea of partially guilty...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 18 May, 2012, 02:41:03 pm
Since 07:00 (when I was informed I would not be having my gym induction due to the instructor being double-booked) pretty much nothing has gone right. STOP!  I think eight hours of sh1t in one day is more than sufficient.  I'll grudgingly accept another 20 minutes of crappe, but from 15:00 things need to start working, and properly, OK?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 18 May, 2012, 02:46:26 pm
Sends Andrij that long-delayed virtual beer.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 18 May, 2012, 07:39:24 pm
Now my other shoulder's fucked up to make up for the one which fucked up on Sunday's slow but steady recovery.  The drugs I took to nix it made me feel like crap. 

My colleague who is normally Mr Amazing was so tired/ill he could barely function and we had a meeting together with someone at 4pm which turned out to be a waste of time AND the meetingperson was quite clearly bonkers (and not even in a good or entertaining way - which is the default IME).

Then I get home, sleep then food didn't help the feeling like crap or pain AND the fucking house alerting system has crashed (cos kim's not here and it hates me) and I can't fix it. 

edited to add Managed to fix alerting system, not sure how, lots of unplugging, replugging, poking it to reset and it seems to be reading temps again. I also has a nutella sandwich!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 18 May, 2012, 08:20:14 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 18 May, 2012, 02:46:26 pm
Sends Andrij that long-delayed virtual beer.

W zdrowiu!  (sorry if wrong, Google-translation)

But still looking forward to the real thing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pedaldog. on 19 May, 2012, 02:04:54 am
Wear Gloves Pedaldog when mixing E smoking liquids using a base of Propylene Glycol at 72mg of Nicotine per ml of fluid.
Knocking thwe High Nicotime strength bottle over was a FAIL but catching it with Bare Hands and spilling the equivalent of 500mg of Nicotine on you hands and arms is only going to go one way. I managed to get to the tap and wash it within half a minute but have to admit the Wibbly, Wobbly way is going on in my head right now.  I guess a cigarette to calm my nerves wouldn't be the best way to go?
Drinking much water and staying awake for a while to hope that I caught it in time and the effects will wear off soon.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 20 May, 2012, 10:53:31 pm
Quote from: Andrij on 18 May, 2012, 08:20:14 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 18 May, 2012, 02:46:26 pm
Sends Andrij that long-delayed virtual beer.

W zdrowiu!  (sorry if wrong, Google-translation)

But still looking forward to the real thing.
Close - na zdrowie!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 21 May, 2012, 09:28:58 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 20 May, 2012, 10:53:31 pm
Quote from: Andrij on 18 May, 2012, 08:20:14 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 18 May, 2012, 02:46:26 pm
Sends Andrij that long-delayed virtual beer.

W zdrowiu!  (sorry if wrong, Google-translation)

But still looking forward to the real thing.
Close - na zdrowie!

That's what I thought!  Not sure why I decided to trust google.  Lesson learned.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 21 May, 2012, 12:43:44 pm
*sigh*

My computer has eaten the majority of the flexi-sheets I have saved on my local drive this year. *sigh*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 21 May, 2012, 02:45:24 pm
Quote from: Feanor on 14 May, 2012, 06:31:23 pm
Similar with US based supplier who's International Shipment required a US zip code!

Bloody automagical USAnian petrol pumps do this as well.  Haven't you lot ever heard of tourists?  I can perhaps understand it in Bumfuck, Idaho but in central San Fran-fucking-cisco?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 21 May, 2012, 02:58:09 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 21 May, 2012, 02:45:24 pm
Quote from: Feanor on 14 May, 2012, 06:31:23 pm
Similar with US based supplier who's International Shipment required a US zip code!

Bloody automagical USAnian petrol pumps do this as well.  Haven't you lot ever heard of tourists?  I can perhaps understand it in Bumfuck, Idaho but in central San Fran-fucking-cisco?

Petrol pumps asking for a zip code?  How odd.  Whenever asked, I always give 90210.  :smug:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: why1040 on 21 May, 2012, 03:04:10 pm
Since the only zip code I know off by heart is the one we had when I was a kid, I'd be putting that in...06870!   ;D 

But what an odd request...why on earth would the petrol pump need to know where you lived?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 21 May, 2012, 03:13:16 pm
Quote from: why1040 on 21 May, 2012, 03:04:10 pm
Since the only zip code I know off by heart is the one we had when I was a kid, I'd be putting that in...06870!   ;D 

But what an odd request...why on earth would the petrol pump need to know where you lived?
Cos USAnians can't afford to put ANPR on all their roads and it's a simple way of keeping track of you?

IGMC.  Its the one with the tinfoil hat in the pocket...

Two possibilities occur to me:

1 - Prevent card fraud.  If postcode and registered address of payment card don't match refuse service.  If not for that then...

2 - Marketing.  You've bought their gasohol once now they can bombard you with junkdirect mail forever.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 21 May, 2012, 05:29:10 pm
(Sigh).  Can't fettle an extra cage on to my bike because teh braze-on and the plug-screw have seized in what looks like a very permanent way.  If I ever greased anything this wouldn't have happened.

Although to be fair, they might be the same as the naff braze-on on the fork, that has NO THREAD and I have at least managed to safely fettle the front rack on by being very clever.  Using cable ties on the mudguard stays this time, rather than the luggage rack.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 21 May, 2012, 11:43:39 pm
I am going to have to buy yet another adaptor from the Apple Store so I can use my projector with the latest MacBooks.
Tonight's Guest Speaker had a new MacBook which used Thunderbolt.
This will be adaptor #5. (MiniDisplay, DVI, iPad ANOther)
Apple: it just works...
Yeah right!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 22 May, 2012, 12:42:53 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 21 May, 2012, 11:43:39 pm
This will be adaptor #5. (MiniDisplay, DVI, iPad ANOther)
Apple: it just works...
Yeah right!

It does just work as long as you're preared to pay the ££££ to Apple for the privilege!   >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 22 May, 2012, 01:11:00 am
Quote from: barakta on 22 May, 2012, 12:42:53 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 21 May, 2012, 11:43:39 pm
This will be adaptor #5. (MiniDisplay, DVI, iPad ANOther)
Apple: it just works...
Yeah right!

It does just work as long as you're preared to pay the ££££ to Apple for the privilege!   >:(

Perzackly!
A VGA lead will work with most PCs of any brand but last year's Apple adaptor won't work with this year's Apple computer.

Built-in obsolescence GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 22 May, 2012, 10:34:40 am
It's a lovely day outside, so why couldn't I be arsed to ride to work?!1  :(

1 - apart from the obvious reasons that I hate riding across York and my mojo is still evidently MIA
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 22 May, 2012, 10:36:03 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 21 May, 2012, 11:43:39 pm
I am going to have to buy yet another adaptor from the Apple Store so I can use my projector with the latest MacBooks.
Tonight's Guest Speaker had a new MacBook which used Thunderbolt.
This will be adaptor #5. (MiniDisplay, DVI, iPad ANOther)
Apple: it just works...
Yeah right!
You can generally get the leads *much* cheaper from Amazon.
If you can use a Thunderbolt-to-HDMI adapter then PM me, as I have one spare.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 22 May, 2012, 10:39:02 am
Quote from: interzen on 22 May, 2012, 10:34:40 am
It's a lovely day outside, so why couldn't I be arsed to ride to work?!1  :(

1 - apart from the obvious reasons that I hate riding across York and my mojo is still evidently MIA
I don't like riding in this weather. Sweaty, hot, the sun hates me.

Give me some mizzle,
Air with a chill,
A view across heather,
And a girt big hill.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 22 May, 2012, 10:45:22 am
Quote from: mrcharly on 22 May, 2012, 10:39:02 am
Quote from: interzen on 22 May, 2012, 10:34:40 am
It's a lovely day outside, so why couldn't I be arsed to ride to work?!1  :(

1 - apart from the obvious reasons that I hate riding across York and my mojo is still evidently MIA
I don't like riding in this weather. Sweaty, hot, the sun hates me.
I just like riding in the sunshine - temperature is largely irrelevant (although I need to get used to riding in warmer weather).
Trouble is, the bulk of my (bike) commute route is utterly loathsome, despite my best efforts to make it interesting with off-road bits and the like - it was far nicer when I worked on the 'right' side of town and at the University (ironically, the company I work for used to be based at the Science Park)

Hey ho.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hulver on 22 May, 2012, 10:55:19 am
"Google Play", really?

What a stupid name.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 22 May, 2012, 10:58:43 am
Quote from: hulver on 22 May, 2012, 10:55:19 am
"Google Play", really?

What a stupid name.
And just what the world needs - Yet Another App Store  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 22 May, 2012, 11:22:01 am
It's not YAAS, it is Android Marketplace under a new branding.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 22 May, 2012, 11:44:50 am
Quote from: David Martin on 22 May, 2012, 11:22:01 am
It's not YAAS, it is Android Marketplace under a new branding.
Wasn't aware of that, what with being an iOS fanboy and all ;D
Still a stupid name, though
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: GrahamG on 22 May, 2012, 02:25:57 pm
Balls, the loveliest weather yet this year forecast for the weekend and my posh 'summer bike' built up ready (even new wheels to come from Tewdric!), and I'm visiting f**king Birmingham. Birmingham. FFS. I know I get to see friends and family, but seriously, f**king Birmingham. I even mowed the lawn last week so it's prime for lazying after a bike ride. Birmingham deserves really shitty weather.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: citoyen on 22 May, 2012, 03:34:58 pm
Quote from: TheLurker on 14 May, 2012, 01:57:25 pm
Whereas 9 speed shimano compatible cassettes in 12-25 are dirt cheap1 and readily available.

Yeah, I have several part-worn 8 & 9spd cassettes in my box of bike bits in the garage...

Quote
That doesn't help does it?  IGMC.

I shall treat it as a salutory lesson about the wisdom of "upgrading".

d.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Karla on 22 May, 2012, 03:45:43 pm
LibreOffice Impress, why are you such a pile of thin, runny shite?

Forrin students, when in Britain, do as the Brits do: QUEUE!

While I'm at it, Italian conference organisers, I've never heard of IEEE pdfeXpress.  Kindly point me to it before complaining that my paper isn't IEEE compliant.  Of course it is, I created it with your blimmin' Latex template, I just haven't run it through the verification tool that you didn't show me before.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 23 May, 2012, 09:12:14 pm
Right, fingers on buzzers for the next round.
Some, none, or more of today's answers come from our Guest Publication, Price Gouger's Weekly, the national magazine of M6 Motorway Service Stations.

The price of:
1 croissant, 1 glass of orange juice and 1 double espreso is...?

If you guessed £8.10, you just got two points.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 23 May, 2012, 09:22:15 pm
Quote from: Mr Bunbury on 22 May, 2012, 03:45:43 pm
LibreOffice Impress, why are you such a pile of thin, runny shite?

Forrin students, when in Britain, do as the Brits do: QUEUE!

While I'm at it, Italian conference organisers, I've never heard of IEEE pdfeXpress.  Kindly point me to it before complaining that my paper isn't IEEE compliant.  Of course it is, I created it with your blimmin' Latex template, I just haven't run it through the verification tool that you didn't show me before.

Did you also get a copy of the paper from them that you then upload, instead of the one you made yourself? I feel your pain.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: simonp on 23 May, 2012, 11:17:03 pm
I think I might have got an ear infection (outer ear). Ow.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Karla on 23 May, 2012, 11:20:24 pm
Quote from: perpetual dan on 23 May, 2012, 09:22:15 pm
Quote from: Mr Bunbury on 22 May, 2012, 03:45:43 pm
LibreOffice Impress, why are you such a pile of thin, runny shite?

Forrin students, when in Britain, do as the Brits do: QUEUE!

While I'm at it, Italian conference organisers, I've never heard of IEEE pdfeXpress.  Kindly point me to it before complaining that my paper isn't IEEE compliant.  Of course it is, I created it with your blimmin' Latex template, I just haven't run it through the verification tool that you didn't show me before.

Did you also get a copy of the paper from them that you then upload, instead of the one you made yourself? I feel your pain.

It seems they wanted me to run the paper  through this IEEE pdfeXpress service that verifies stuff is IEEE compliant and adds some "checked by pdfeXpress: IEEE compliant" meta-text somewhere, after which you can upload your paper to their conftool site.  That's all done now, it would just have been nice had they made this a bit more apparent on their paper call.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 24 May, 2012, 03:35:13 pm
You know when you've not got enough time to do stuff, and you've got a several of stuffs to do, and you end up not knowing what to do first and instead just sit there flapping for a bit?
That.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 24 May, 2012, 03:37:03 pm
I know that.  All too well. :-[
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 24 May, 2012, 03:38:30 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 24 May, 2012, 03:35:13 pm
You know when you've not got enough time to do stuff, and you've got a several of stuffs to do, and you end up not knowing what to do first and instead just sit there flapping for a bit?
That.

..is the time to go for a cup of tea.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: simonp on 24 May, 2012, 03:40:15 pm
Sore, stuffy ear, aching glands, productive cough.

This is what I get for riding the Bryan Chapman at the tail end of a cold.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 24 May, 2012, 03:50:54 pm
American colleague: the only way I can make the explanation simpler for you to understand involves a plane ticket to Chicago and a cricket bat.

Somehow I don't think management would sign off on that (which is a pity)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 24 May, 2012, 03:55:50 pm
Quote from: interzen on 24 May, 2012, 03:50:54 pm
American colleague: the only way I can make the explanation simpler for you to understand involves a plane ticket to Chicago and a cricket bat.

Somehow I don't think management would sign off on that (which is a pity)

A coworker is moving back to NZ and is looking to sell off some of his belongings, such as a cricket bat.  When I pointed out the lack of a LART in this office he decided to donate the cricket bat to the worthy cause.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 24 May, 2012, 04:02:12 pm
Quote from: Andrij on 24 May, 2012, 03:55:50 pm
Quote from: interzen on 24 May, 2012, 03:50:54 pm
American colleague: the only way I can make the explanation simpler for you to understand involves a plane ticket to Chicago and a cricket bat.

Somehow I don't think management would sign off on that (which is a pity)

A coworker is moving back to NZ and is looking to sell off some of his belongings, such as a cricket bat.  When I pointed out the lack of a LART in this office he decided to donate the cricket bat to the worthy cause.
Despite offering to use my own cricket bat, they still refused to sign off on a plane ticket :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 24 May, 2012, 04:09:40 pm
Why am I reminded of Ian Faith?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 24 May, 2012, 06:10:47 pm
Had a look through some of the CVs we've received in relation to our advert for graduate developers.

Quite a few foreigners, and a strangely large number of Russians - not that I have any particular problem with this; one of the best people I've ever had the pleasure of working with is Russian.

No, the source of the grumble is the CVs from UK nationals (for want of a better term) - without exception, all of the 'foreign' CVs had far better grammar, spelling, syntax etc. than their UK counterparts ::-)

And people wonder why the UK is in the shitter ... this should probably be a rant, but to be honest it's too bloody hot ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 24 May, 2012, 07:39:23 pm
Quote from: Arch on 14 May, 2012, 05:32:14 pm
Well, I've finally got round to updating the details for a new Credit card on my PAYG mobile broadband account. It took a few goes because after the bit where I could change the expiry date to the new one, there was a bit where it said "Enter issue number (HSBC Maestro Cards only)". Because I was updating a Mastercard, I left this blank and clicked submit, only to be told "You must enter an issue number".

 :facepalm:

In the end, it turned out that 00 was an acceptable compromise....

...or so I thought. Topping up for the first time since, using the Mastercard, I get a message telling me that I have entered an unnecessary issue number. I should try leaving the issue number blank...

I have emailed them for clarification. Let's see what happens.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 24 May, 2012, 07:54:29 pm
Yes, issue number fields should be left blank unless the card actually has them.  If their sanity check barfs on this, then it's unfit for purpose.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 24 May, 2012, 08:03:05 pm
Quote from: Kim on 24 May, 2012, 07:54:29 pm
Yes, issue number fields should be left blank unless the card actually has them.  If their sanity check barfs on this, then it's unfit for purpose.

Yes, that was my assumption. But I cannot make it accept my expiry date change without entering a false number.

I've pointed out that my alternative card is due to renew soon, and that if I have this trouble with that one, I'm changing supplier - although I could do without buying a new dongle.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 24 May, 2012, 08:05:35 pm
Opiates.
How I love your pain relieving ways. Since I relented and started necking you like there's an unending supply, I've been using my mending wrist so much more. It's great to be able to open cupboards, lift cutlery, manipulate clothing and type 2 handed, all without yelping.


However.

There's something I miss, more than I ever thought possible.
Please can I be having a crap some time this month?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 25 May, 2012, 12:50:59 pm
Mr Salmond, I don't mind if you want an independence refererererendum, I really don't. But do we really have to start the campaigning now, when the referererererendum is over 2 years away? Couldn't you just send us leaflets the week before?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 29 May, 2012, 07:39:14 pm
Forecasters, sort yourselves out, please.  Yesterday and today you predicted evening showers.  In light of this, I've left the nippy, mudguardless Moulton at home and rode my Orbea (hybrid).  How much rain did I ride through on my evening commutes?  None.   ::-)

I've got you beat tomorrow, though.  Again, some of your are predicting evening showers.  But I'm working from home, so will be out on my bike very early in the morning to get in the miles and won't have to even think about getting wet in the evening.  :smug:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 29 May, 2012, 09:44:18 pm
Dear The Police

I'm so tired I'm going to bed now. The reason I am so tired is that the weather has been so warm I've been sleeping with the bedroom window open. There is a police station outside. Last night, at about midnight, I was kept awake by a couple shouting. She was absolutely roaring greeting, screaming and shouting "you don't loooooooooooooooove me, you're going to leaaaaaaaaaaaaave me, dinnae leaaaaaaaaaaaave me, I looooooooooove you" and he was shouting "I dooooo love youuuuuuuuuuu shut the fuck uuuuuuuuuup Rebeccaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa." This was all taking place in the police car park, in full earshot of at least three of your police ossifers. I know this because after 20 minutes of it I stuck my head out of the window and shouted "fucking shut the fuck up," but it didn't make any difference. The racket continued for quite a while afterwards, interspersed with various bangs and clashes. And then a dog barked for about half an hour.

Next time you lift a pair of drunk fucktards, plz to be keeping them quiet

kthnxbai
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 30 May, 2012, 09:41:37 am
Fairies, I know you're only doing your jobs and living your lives, and I don't even mind you working on me from time to time, but please pick a different occasion, not when I've just locked the front door and have only ten minutes to get to a place that's at least fifteen minutes' ride away. And I only mended a visitation in that wheel on Monday night. Oh well, I'm sure I didn't really want to meet some friends and ride to Clevedon on a sunny day anyway.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 30 May, 2012, 09:57:04 am
Quote from: Andrij on 29 May, 2012, 07:39:14 pm
Forecasters, sort yourselves out, please.  Yesterday and today you predicted evening showers.  In light of this, I've left the nippy, mudguardless Moulton at home and rode my Orbea (hybrid).  How much rain did I ride through on my evening commutes?  None.   ::-)

I've got you beat tomorrow, though.  Again, some of your are predicting evening showers.  But I'm working from home, so will be out on my bike very early in the morning to get in the miles and won't have to even think about getting wet in the evening.  :smug:
In a similar vein: weather, sort it out ...

I'm well used to the fact that the weather will invariably be complete and utter shite whenever I decide to take a holiday, but a high of 12C on June 1st? Do me a bloody favour ... (of course, it's forecast to piss down on both bank holidays, but that's pretty much standard operating procedure in the UK)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 30 May, 2012, 12:51:00 pm
Fellow school governor: I have witnessed first hand that communication from the head to me, a governor, is not what I consider it should be. It is therefore, not beyond the realms of possibility that communication with "lowly" school dinner ladies might not be what it should be. Instead of suggesting that we meet with them with a view to, in essence, invite them to leave because they chose to report an issue direct to Ofsted inspectors is not the best course of action, is it? I have suggested that we meet them to gently ask them why they did so, and I wouldn't be surprised if communication channels aren't what they should be, and possibly what the head imagines them to be.

The head is a fantastic head, teaching-wise, but needs help as an administrator, IMHO.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 30 May, 2012, 02:25:22 pm
Bloody system, why do you keep failing to do what you're supposed to do with the invoices?  This means we get lusers saying "Please can I have invoice #n from February 2006" which means a massive amount of time-consuming fannying around.

Bah!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 30 May, 2012, 06:50:05 pm
WTF ?   Checking tickets for this years Exmouth Exodus, I can get down on Saturday for £32, but can't seem to find a sensible train back on the Sunday for less than £113.50  :o

Edit - single  Exeter to Bham - £24.50  single   Bham to Lpool - £26.10

Perhaps I shall have another night of South Western Suffering after all  :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 30 May, 2012, 06:57:52 pm
Scratter from across the road: your car is a barely MOT-worthy piece of shit. No amount of revving the engine at dumbass o'clock, no amount of sponsorship stickers from assorted car-tuning companies and no amount of cheap plastic tat glued to the bodywork is going to change that.

Your car is an R-reg Fiesta; accept this and move on. Ideally into the next county.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: GothonaBrompton on 31 May, 2012, 09:11:46 am
Do I have a sign on my forehead that says if you are very overweight, and have a problem with deodorant (at 07:15 in the morning for gods sake, did you not shower), and therefore smell hideously of B.O., you have to sit next to me on the train?  :sick:

Also, its a rush hour train.  It gets crowded.  Get over it or get a later train.  Which will be even more crowded.  Stop bl**dy moaning about it in a really loud voice in the hope someone will give up a seat.  You're not disabled, you're fat.  Its not my fault you don't fit in the middle seats.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Lady Cavendish on 31 May, 2012, 10:56:13 am
I'm very fed up, sick of being reliant on people for stuff, missing my exercise endorphins, want my independence back and being in plaster in the heat sucks. And it hurts. I'm down in the dumps.

*grumble grumble*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 31 May, 2012, 11:39:02 am
Shiny paper.  >:(

I'm making an effort to use fountain pens rather than ball points, but 'people' are thwarting my efforts, creating things like customer (sic!) feedback forms on shiny paper. *sigh*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: RJ on 31 May, 2012, 08:58:45 pm
FirstBorn's other class teacher:  your response to pupils talking quietly to each other during a "group task" about the task they're doing is to dole out red spot?  WTF?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Aidan on 31 May, 2012, 10:24:43 pm
I think there's a Cycle magazine somewhere among all this bumf
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 31 May, 2012, 10:41:11 pm
Quote from: RJ on 31 May, 2012, 08:58:45 pm
FirstBorn's other class teacher:  your response to pupils talking quietly to each other during a "group task" about the task they're doing is to dole out red spot?  WTF?

Is that one of the drugs that Chris Morris warned us about?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vernon on 31 May, 2012, 10:58:49 pm
Quote from: Kim on 31 May, 2012, 10:41:11 pm
Quote from: RJ on 31 May, 2012, 08:58:45 pm
FirstBorn's other class teacher:  your response to pupils talking quietly to each other during a "group task" about the task they're doing is to dole out red spot?  WTF?

Is that one of the drugs that Chris Morris warned us about?

Caaake?
 ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Deano on 01 June, 2012, 08:23:10 am
Argh. The guy at the restaurant attached my hotel is setting up a website, almost certainly prompted by the recently-launched by the hotel itself. 

The hotel's website, however, was set up by an American who knew what she was doing. 

Sonny does not. So he asked me for help. After arguing with his internet connection and explaining that he couldn't edit his website from the public page, we started to get into it. 

I know nowt about website design and I'm not flash on computers, but I'm a fucking wizard compared to this poor sod. I did what I could, but if anyone's ever setting up a website, don't use sitew.com and certainly don't try to edit your site on a tiny netbook. The screen resolution was insufficient, so I couldn't access most of the tools to upload photos, edit text, or do anything, really. The interface was one of the fiddliest I've ever encountered, worse even than the monstrosities provided by government departments, and even simple changes such as adding a link to home failed as it changed the entire layout and format of the site.

I wasn't too sure about a dark green background with red and white lettering myself, but I had enough to do just to correct the spelling and rAndom Capitalisations and    oddspacings, as well as removing the more blatant overlaps of what little content there was on the screen. I told him to have a think about what he wanted it to look like and what he wanted on there, and to edit it at a proper computer. I'm not providing a link. 

And I didn't even get a free coffee out of it :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 01 June, 2012, 01:20:19 pm
Magpie, will you plz STFU for 10 mins?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: RJ on 01 June, 2012, 01:26:52 pm
Quote from: Vernon on 31 May, 2012, 10:58:49 pm
Quote from: Kim on 31 May, 2012, 10:41:11 pm
Quote from: RJ on 31 May, 2012, 08:58:45 pm
FirstBorn's other class teacher:  your response to pupils talking quietly to each other during a "group task" about the task they're doing is to dole out red spot?  WTF?

Is that one of the drugs that Chris Morris warned us about?

Caaake?
 ;)
;D  My typo  :-[  - not that correct typing would've made much difference.

("spots"/"dots" plural - supposedly a school disciplinary disincentive to misbehaviour; 1 red dot = loss of 5 minutes "golden time" on a Friday morning)

Would've been clearer thusly:
Quote from: RJ on 31 May, 2012, 08:58:45 pm
FirstBorn's other class teacher:  your response to pupils talking quietly to each other during a "group task" about the task they're doing is to dole out standard petty punishment?  WTF?



They're all getting caaake today, 'cos the school's 120 years old, or something ...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 07 June, 2012, 10:06:06 pm
I'm having some problems with the headphones and microphone I use when I'm skyping with bobb - the sound keeps cutting out and I have to keep jiggling the lead to get it back, like when mp3 player earphones start to get past it. He asked me if I wanted to go to Mildenhall and three times I asked him when it was but couldn't hear the answer because the sound cut out.

I don't want to go anyway because of the camping, but the loss of sound is pissing me off, and my inability to hear him is pissing bobb off.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 07 June, 2012, 10:20:37 pm
Can't you unplug the headphone plug and listen to mcbobb thru the speakers?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: epa611 on 07 June, 2012, 10:44:39 pm
Quote from: Kirst on 07 June, 2012, 10:06:06 pm

I don't want to go anyway because of the camping, but the loss of sound is pissing me off, and my inability to hear him is pissing bobb off.  >:(

What's wrong with camping?  ??? ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 07 June, 2012, 10:45:52 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 07 June, 2012, 10:20:37 pm
Can't you unplug the headphone plug and listen to mcbobb thru the speakers?
Then he complains that I'm typing too loudly.

Quote from: epa611 on 07 June, 2012, 10:44:39 pm
Quote from: Kirst on 07 June, 2012, 10:06:06 pm

I don't want to go anyway because of the camping, but the loss of sound is pissing me off, and my inability to hear him is pissing bobb off.  >:(

What's wrong with camping?  ??? ???

I don't like it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CrinklyLion on 07 June, 2012, 10:59:47 pm
If you can live with it for a week or so I can get you a spare and stick it in the post if that'd help?  Headset, not nonn, obv. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: valkyrie on 07 June, 2012, 11:02:51 pm
Quote from: Kirst on 07 June, 2012, 10:06:06 pm
I'm having some problems with the headphones and microphone I use when I'm skyping with bobb - the sound keeps cutting out and I have to keep jiggling the lead to get it back, like when mp3 player earphones start to get past it. He asked me if I wanted to go to Mildenhall and three times I asked him when it was but couldn't hear the answer because the sound cut out.

I don't want to go anyway because of the camping, but the loss of sound is pissing me off, and my inability to hear him is pissing bobb off.  >:(

Are you sure that Bobb isn't just pretending that the sound is cutting out so that he can watch you "jiggling"? :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 07 June, 2012, 11:05:11 pm
Or you could use a keyboard, like normal people. :P

ETA: Sorry.  Just remembered that you don't have a brilliant track record with those, either.   ;D

Seriously, this telephony thing, it'll never catch on.


I believe it's possible to attend Mildenhall without camping, given sufficient funds and organisation.  Or a bicycle-towed bungalow, if you're Regulator.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 07 June, 2012, 11:09:12 pm
I have a box of spare headsets with mics going to the bin (aka being given away to anyone I can find) at work (we've got 10x more than we need cos I deprecated 7 yr old copies of Dragon), PM me an address and I'll send you one next week if you like.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 07 June, 2012, 11:14:37 pm
I meant leave the mic lead plugged in and just remove the headphone lead, but that presupposes you have 2 seperate plugs and not some high falutin usb doohickey
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Butterfly on 08 June, 2012, 10:28:38 am
Quote from: Kirst on 07 June, 2012, 10:45:52 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 07 June, 2012, 10:20:37 pm
Can't you unplug the headphone plug and listen to mcbobb thru the speakers?
Then he complains that I'm typing too loudly.

Quote from: epa611 on 07 June, 2012, 10:44:39 pm
Quote from: Kirst on 07 June, 2012, 10:06:06 pm

I don't want to go anyway because of the camping, but the loss of sound is pissing me off, and my inability to hear him is pissing bobb off.  >:(

What's wrong with camping?  ??? ???

I don't like it.

We could lend you a fab down mat to make it more comfortable? And you'd get to see all of us! :D And share my (early this year) birthday pancakes 8). Anyway it's August Bank Holiday weekend and you should definitely come :thumbsup: I'm sure Bobb won't give you time to remember that you don't like camping.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 08 June, 2012, 10:38:15 am
This:

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-YAMEukBWPSc/T9HHyraBvDI/AAAAAAAAAgg/1IOoHU2pwJ4/s800/Screen%2520Shot%25202012-06-08%2520at%252010.36.49.png)

Guess who's last day before a fortnight off is next Friday  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: GrahamG on 08 June, 2012, 03:40:06 pm
I've been such a nugget - my mom is visiting today. I completely forgot her birthday last Friday..... in spite of speaking to her on the phone twice this week. ooooooh so bad.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 08 June, 2012, 04:12:30 pm
Quote from: Butterfly on 08 June, 2012, 10:28:38 am
We could lend you a fab down mat to make it more comfortable? And you'd get to see all of us! :D And share my (early this year) birthday pancakes 8). Anyway it's August Bank Holiday weekend and you should definitely come :thumbsup: I'm sure Bobb won't give you time to remember that you don't like camping.
Thank you, but no. I don't like camping. I don't get the bank holidays (other than Christmas, New Year and Easter). I am on annual leave that week but I'll be doing Fringe stuff if I have the money. I don't mind if bobb goes without me though - I wouldn't want him to miss something he likes just because I hate it.  ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 09 June, 2012, 09:31:44 am
I bought 2 tins of paint yesterday (BRG and gold) to paint the rat-bike fixie (which is currently sporting a fetching shade of paint commonly known as grey primer).  Bought them from Wilkos as the price was ok and it was handy.

Went outside this morning to start the painting and the tin of BRG is completely dried up :(  A trip back to Wilkos then.  I suppose it's not too much of a trauma to do so as I need to go into town anyway to see if I can get the PSU for the Popcornhour sorted (found out last night that it is a common problem with the PSU that 4 caps go west).  The guy who I would normally ask (FiL's neighbour) who is an ex TV engineer gave all his gear away last year so he can't do it for me :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 09 June, 2012, 09:52:32 pm
Dearest junior #2:

When bringing your bike with a puncture to be repaired, please not to have ridden through every dog shit in the neghbourhood in knobbly tyres.

Thx.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Chris S on 10 June, 2012, 08:10:51 pm
Quote from: Feanor on 09 June, 2012, 09:52:32 pm
Dearest junior #2:

When bringing your bike with a puncture to be repaired, please not to have ridden through every dog shit in the neghbourhood in knobbly tyres.

Thx.

Ah. That magic moment.

"It's time you learned to fix your own punctures lad..."
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 11 June, 2012, 11:48:05 am
Youth of Today ::-)

I took No.2 Sons car to the fettlers today to have the scuffs (pre purchase) taken out of the back bumper.

On telling the Pretty Young Thing working reception that no, I didn't need a courtesy car to get to Maidenhead, I wouuld walk it, she looked at me in amazement and said how brave I was.

25 minutes walk in the open air is a challenge to her. I bet 5 hours shopping at Westfields or it's ilk would be no problem.

I could have misunderstood however. Perhaps it was the prospect of taking her foundation covered face into the weather that made the prospect seem dangerous.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 11 June, 2012, 12:09:06 pm
It's likely that she has no idea of walking distances or times because she always drives. I was once shocked to discover that one of my neighbours had no idea where anything in & around Reading was: all she knew of spatial relationships was driving routes & times. I've since found that this is common.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Arch on 11 June, 2012, 12:49:03 pm
Receptionist at my preferred garage:
When I phoned up on Thursday, or was it Friday, to say I can't make the Monday appointment for my car's MOT, because I have ruptured my achillies tendon and can't drive, I would have hoped you would write it down, cancel my appointment, or inform the MOT tester.
I was not expecting the Tester to call me this morning wondering where I was. ::-)

At least he was understanding.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 11 June, 2012, 06:42:16 pm
 ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: simonp on 12 June, 2012, 03:00:32 pm
Not another lurgy, is it?!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 12 June, 2012, 06:06:11 pm
How does the window cleaner know when I've been on night duty? Every bloody time. Without fail. FFS.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 12 June, 2012, 06:16:54 pm
Quote from: Bledlow on 11 June, 2012, 12:09:06 pm
It's likely that she has no idea of walking distances or times because she always drives. I was once shocked to discover that one of my neighbours had no idea where anything in & around Reading was: all she knew of spatial relationships was driving routes & times. I've since found that this is common.

Worse when your GPS-free taxi driver has no idea of local geography having been raised within 10 miles of origin and destination.
DAMHIKT.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: madcow on 12 June, 2012, 11:26:55 pm
How not to build a team-part 93:
Put the managers in modern 3 star hotel and the grunts in 2 star dump that is 4 miles away.
Not impressed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 12 June, 2012, 11:42:32 pm
Bah. Coffee on the sleeper is now rubbishy starbucks instant sachets and a pot of hot water. Not impressed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Peter on 12 June, 2012, 11:50:54 pm
Quote from: David Martin on 12 June, 2012, 11:42:32 pm
Bah. Coffee on the sleeper is now rubbishy starbucks instant sachets and a pot of hot water. Not impressed.

Go to sleep!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 13 June, 2012, 03:20:43 pm
Trying to watch the cycling on Eurosport player this afternoon but in common with the last few days, the picture keeps breaking up. Sssoooooo, I have checked my connection which is working okay, if not as fast as BT said it would be (8mbs against 30odd as they sold me!) so I emailed Eurosport to ask if its their problem.

Well no reply expected for 48 hours.....nevermind eh.....

However, just turned it back on to find that the picture is great.... but I seem to be getting Eurosport in Russian and Dutch instead of English!!!!

You have to smile.

Edited to add....it seems its not just me its playing silly persons with.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CrinklyLion on 13 June, 2012, 07:21:28 pm
My day has involved much sitting in chairs designed for 5 year olds.  And homicidal musical instruments throwing themselves off worktops and brutally attacking me.  As a result my back hurts a bit and my left foot hurts A LOT and is all puffy and starting to bruise.

Grrr.

The perils of primary schools....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 13 June, 2012, 07:44:37 pm
It must be summer, all the grass is ejaculating IN MY FACE.  The resulting eye-watering reduced cycling visibility to practically Mancunian levels.  Grr.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rower40 on 14 June, 2012, 10:29:06 pm
X country. Sort out your late night connections at Mordor Central.
Specifically: departures to Nottingham at 2203 and 2309. Last arrival from Plymouth is 2206. AND it takes a slower route, and holds outside the station for 5 mins.  So it (dare I say deliberately) misses the next-to-last train, making me wait an hour.

These trains used to be run by different companies, but they're both meant to be X Country (spelling optional) now.

AND ANOTHER THING...
Don't cancel the last train of the day.  Arrival back home at 0110 rather than 2355, with 40+ miles in a taxi, is not my idea of fun.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cyclops on 15 June, 2012, 01:55:23 pm
Scottish Athletics, you almost make the CTC's membership department look like the pinnacle of efficiency. You kindly sent me a letter dated 20/7/11 which according to the postmark was posted on 13/6/12. Nearly 11 months to stick something in an envelope? If this is your new updated membership system, as you boast, god only knows what the old one was like :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 15 June, 2012, 02:47:27 pm
I can't remember what it is I've forgotten to do today, but I'm sure it was important, though not urgent. Perhaps if I got my arse off this chair and away from this computer I'd get out and do it.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 15 June, 2012, 05:04:21 pm
Today I can't make a decision to save my flippin' life. Gah
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 16 June, 2012, 02:46:25 pm
Quite a lot of data, mostly showing that the experiment is probably working but not well enough to make any claims. I don't have the energy to decide whether to put more time into this or just move on.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 16 June, 2012, 03:09:03 pm
That's the worst outcome..
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 16 June, 2012, 03:24:09 pm
Quote from: Cyclops on 15 June, 2012, 01:55:23 pm
Scottish Athletics,

Don't even get me started about them!

The admin hassles I've had renewing Junior's SA number are just silly.
And it's purely random whether all the results from any particular meet appear on his Powerof10 results page.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 16 June, 2012, 07:39:33 pm
my knee aches
my neck aches
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 18 June, 2012, 03:21:51 pm
Maybe it's just a personality thing but the quality of staff at my Job Centre Plus office today, made me almost suicidal- my 'advisor' could get a job as a civil servant dealing with the public and I am still claiming Job Seekers Allowance.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Chris S on 18 June, 2012, 03:23:44 pm
Quote from: fboab on 18 June, 2012, 03:21:51 pm
Maybe it's just a personality thing but the quality of staff at my Job Centre Plus office today, made me almost suicidal- my 'advisor' could get a job as a civil servant dealing with the public and I am still claiming Job Seekers Allowance.

Yebbut... would you want to work there?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 18 June, 2012, 03:37:25 pm
I "failed" the online assessment test to become an EO at the local one. It is not something I lose sleep over.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 18 June, 2012, 04:45:55 pm
Quote from: Chris S on 18 June, 2012, 03:23:44 pm
Quote from: fboab on 18 June, 2012, 03:21:51 pm
Maybe it's just a personality thing but the quality of staff at my Job Centre Plus office today, made me almost suicidal- my 'advisor' could get a job as a civil servant dealing with the public and I am still claiming Job Seekers Allowance.

Yebbut... would you want to work there?

I thought giving people a job in the Jobcentre was the traditional last-ditch method of getting the terminally unemployable off JSA, with the inevitable consequences?   :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: GothonaBrompton on 19 June, 2012, 09:24:10 am
SouthWest Trains this morning - a 4 coach train on one of the busiest services of the morning - great idea!  I really like being squeezed between two overweight businessmen with beer guts, and unable to move my arms away from where I was holding on for dear life.  And don't tut at me when I don't move into the carriage a bit more - any more and I'll be sitting on someones lap, and I can't reach the overhead rail as I am only 5ft tall, with both legs either side of a covered Brompton, so I have to stay where I am.  Moan at SouthWest trains if you want to moan at anyone.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 19 June, 2012, 09:25:43 am
I did read that as:

Quote from: NOTSJSBrompton on 19 June, 2012, 09:24:10 am
Moon at SouthWest trains if you want to moon at anyone.

Would probably be as much use... ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Salvatore on 19 June, 2012, 09:41:50 am
Do you know how long ago it was that I started dropping my trousers and waggling my bare bottom at trains? 

(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: lou boutin on 19 June, 2012, 03:03:19 pm
I'm p'd off with a colleague, whom I invited to share a presentation with me at a conference and who took the floor after my brief introduction and continued to talk for the full half hour slot which meant I didn't have the opportunity to present what was required of the session. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 19 June, 2012, 06:22:41 pm
Police: I know you said you'd be keeping a high profile in the area for a while, after arresting the drug dealer in the flat next door, but two helicopters hovering over the street for 20 mins now seems excessive.

Unless of course, it's something to do with the fact that The Torch is up at the racecourse at the moment. I'm wondering what tomorrow morning is going to be like, when it leaves the Minster (about 500 yards away) at 7.45.... I suspect I'll be awake early....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 20 June, 2012, 12:34:19 am
Can't sleep.  Spent the whole weekend trying (and failing) to stay awake to support Bob, worked like a dog for the last two days with matchsticks keeping my eyes open, and now - Meerkat Woman.  FFS.  This gets less funny by the day.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: GothonaBrompton on 20 June, 2012, 09:56:18 am
Quote from: clarion on 19 June, 2012, 09:25:43 am
I did read that as:

Quote from: NOTSJSBrompton on 19 June, 2012, 09:24:10 am
Moon at SouthWest trains if you want to moon at anyone.

Would probably be as much use... ;D

 ;D Nearly spat my tea out!  Mind you, I did get a few funny looks earlier in the week when the weather was warm and I decided to strip off my leggings on the train (I had lycra shorts on underneath).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 20 June, 2012, 09:56:47 am
Why has Twitter started emailing me to tell me who's saying stuff? I have a program that shows me what people are saying to do that, that has been running all week. This is rather too much like Facebook for my liking.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 20 June, 2012, 10:02:55 am
Quote from: Lindagordinho on 20 June, 2012, 12:34:19 am
Can't sleep.  Spent the whole weekend trying (and failing) to stay awake to support Bob, worked like a dog for the last two days with matchsticks keeping my eyes open, and now - Meerkat Woman.  FFS.  This gets less funny by the day.
Get a foreign language audiobook, put on headphones, lie back on sofa and try paying attention.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: PaulF on 20 June, 2012, 10:10:28 am
Having tried for nearly an hour to get my laptop to connect wirelessly to the printer connected via USB to my desktop I realised that my desktop's printer was actually connected wirelessly to the laptop's printer. :facepalm:

Just off to Google recursion
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 20 June, 2012, 10:41:22 am
A summer event that HK and I had been looking forward to since last year has just been cancelled. Time to work out what else to do and whether we need to shift the booked leave.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 20 June, 2012, 06:28:52 pm
<ungrateful b*st*rd alert>
Second interview? For a job paying that?

Give me the job or don't, stop fucking about making me wash my hair, paint my face and wear stupid shoes.

Grrr.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 21 June, 2012, 12:52:40 pm
Aaargggh. The tickets that were £16 for ages have suddenly gone up to £31 overnight. Why didn't I buy them yesterday?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Arch on 21 June, 2012, 01:49:18 pm
Paid electricity bill this morning.

Mum took the cash to the bank to pay it but the bank cashier said the computer wasn't working, took the money and rubber date stamped the bill and wrote the paid amount on it.

I have no idea if the money has been misappropriated, lost or paid into the electricity board's account.  Having phoned the company they don't  know either.  I am going to have to phone daily until I find out one way or the other. :facepalm:

Don't want to do the internet thing with it as I then loose the paper bills and payment can only be made online instead of with random bits of real money.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 21 June, 2012, 01:54:22 pm
Work's Web-based timesheet system: my timesheet for 11-17th June is not overdue - it was submitted on the 15th about 30 minutes before I left the office for a fortnight of getting rained onholiday. Said timesheet is even listed under 'submitted'  ::-)

Whilst we're at it, is it really necessary for me to submit timesheets for complete weeks when I'm not in the office? Apparently it is.  :facepalm:

Despite writing software for them, I'm not a fan of 'cloud-based' systems. Especially when they work as badly as this timesheet thing seems to.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 21 June, 2012, 04:56:35 pm
Bloody gah!

While half-arsedly applying chain lube in anticipation of a weekend of getting rained on, the camping stool (which I use to put me comfortably at the right height for the Streetmachine's cranks and longer-than-average chain) suffered a catastrophic failure of the plastic thingy that binds the three legs together, resulting in an ungraceful landing arse-first on the splayed metal poles.  I anticipate interesting bruises.

It's painfully jarred my lower back, and I hit my head on the front wheel of the Trice on the way down.  (I wasn't wearing a helmet, though the wheel was wearing a mudguard.)

Bastard.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 21 June, 2012, 05:02:31 pm
Ouch !  Hope you are OK for the weekend.    A couple of days sleeping on an airbed in a muddy field sounds just the thing for a sore back  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 21 June, 2012, 05:19:39 pm
Quote from: MFWHTBAB on 21 June, 2012, 01:49:18 pm
Paid electricity bill this morning.
Mum took the cash to the bank to pay it but the bank cashier said the computer wasn't working, took the money and rubber date stamped the bill and wrote the paid amount on it.


I did just half hear something on the radio about a bank computer system going down, and branches staying open longer as a result.  In which case, they'll have been doing this with dozens of payments, and will have a routine for processing.

I assume the leccy company can't know until the process clears, which will take a day or more longer than usual.

If you have the bill, stamped and dated, you're covered. It's only the way it all used to be done.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Arch on 21 June, 2012, 05:23:05 pm
Quote from: Arch on 21 June, 2012, 05:19:39 pm
Quote from: MFWHTBAB on 21 June, 2012, 01:49:18 pm
Paid electricity bill this morning.
Mum took the cash to the bank to pay it but the bank cashier said the computer wasn't working, took the money and rubber date stamped the bill and wrote the paid amount on it.


I did just half hear something on the radio about a bank computer system going down, and branches staying open longer as a result.  In which case, they'll have been doing this with dozens of payments, and will have a routine for processing.

I assume the leccy company can't know until the process clears, which will take a day or more longer than usual.

If you have the bill, stamped and dated, you're covered. It's only the way it all used to be done.
Hopefully it will be fine.  Maybe I will leave checking until Monday to save being on the phone for another half hour before it has cleared.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 21 June, 2012, 05:24:37 pm
Quote from: MFWHTBAB on 21 June, 2012, 05:23:05 pm
Quote from: Arch on 21 June, 2012, 05:19:39 pm
Quote from: MFWHTBAB on 21 June, 2012, 01:49:18 pm
Paid electricity bill this morning.
Mum took the cash to the bank to pay it but the bank cashier said the computer wasn't working, took the money and rubber date stamped the bill and wrote the paid amount on it.


I did just half hear something on the radio about a bank computer system going down, and branches staying open longer as a result.  In which case, they'll have been doing this with dozens of payments, and will have a routine for processing.

I assume the leccy company can't know until the process clears, which will take a day or more longer than usual.

If you have the bill, stamped and dated, you're covered. It's only the way it all used to be done.
Hopefully it will be fine.  Maybe I will leave checking until Monday to save being on the phone for another half hour before it has cleared.

Probably a good idea. I'm sure it'll be fine - somehow I trust a rubber stamp more than a computer! ;)

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: arabella on 21 June, 2012, 06:02:34 pm
Quote from: MFWHTBAB on 21 June, 2012, 01:49:18 pm
Don't want to do the internet thing with it as I then loose the paper bills and payment can only be made online instead of with random bits of real money.
My version of the internet thing is:
receive paper bill
log on to on line banking
use leccy/gas/whatever company's details I've already set up (inc ref to my leccy/gas/whatever account) and pay requested sum "pay a bill"
scrawl 'paid/internet + date' on said paper bill
file paper bill
I could still if I chose pay with real money
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 21 June, 2012, 09:49:22 pm
Quote from: PaulF on 20 June, 2012, 10:10:28 am
Just off to Google recursion

For recursion, see recursion.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 22 June, 2012, 10:24:29 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 21 June, 2012, 12:52:40 pm
Aaargggh. The tickets that were £16 for ages have suddenly gone up to £31 overnight. Why didn't I buy them yesterday?
i don't understand this. Just checked again and they're back to £16.  ??? Think I'll buy them now before they change again!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jacomus on 22 June, 2012, 12:34:22 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 22 June, 2012, 10:24:29 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 21 June, 2012, 12:52:40 pm
Aaargggh. The tickets that were £16 for ages have suddenly gone up to £31 overnight. Why didn't I buy them yesterday?
i don't understand this. Just checked again and they're back to £16.  ??? Think I'll buy them now before they change again!

GO! GO! GO!

 ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 22 June, 2012, 02:27:47 pm
I went!  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andyoxon on 22 June, 2012, 04:08:28 pm
Don't you just love the emails asking you a simple question, and copied to about 5 people...  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 25 June, 2012, 04:29:22 pm
Cystitis of doom.  Marvellous.  :(

Quite possibly related to a damp weekend in a windswept swamp with suboptimal washing facilities...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Notsototalnewbie on 25 June, 2012, 04:35:30 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 22 June, 2012, 10:24:29 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 21 June, 2012, 12:52:40 pm
Aaargggh. The tickets that were £16 for ages have suddenly gone up to £31 overnight. Why didn't I buy them yesterday?
i don't understand this. Just checked again and they're back to £16.  ??? Think I'll buy them now before they change again!

The other evening I met a woman who worked for the dept of Virgin trains where they decided how many cheap tickets to issue etc. I asked her about this. She said it should only happen if someone had bought cheap tickets and then cancelled them (so they go back on the market), because the message they were trying to get out was to get people to buy as early as possible to get the cheapest tickets.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Notsototalnewbie on 25 June, 2012, 04:36:21 pm
Quote from: Kim on 25 June, 2012, 04:29:22 pm
Cystitis of doom.  Marvellous.  :(

Quite possibly related to a damp weekend in a windswept swamp with suboptimal washing facilities...

Ouch. Sympathy indeed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 25 June, 2012, 08:33:23 pm
Quote from: Notsototalnewbie on 25 June, 2012, 04:36:21 pm
Quote from: Kim on 25 June, 2012, 04:29:22 pm
Cystitis of doom.  Marvellous.  :(

Quite possibly related to a damp weekend in a windswept swamp with suboptimal washing facilities...

Ouch. Sympathy indeed.

More sympathy from me.

Get thee a pint mug and some fruit squash. Defeat the bugs by dilution, knowledge and MATHS.

Bugs multiply exponentially, doubling every 20 minutes.

Drink pint of squash. Refill glass.
Drink contents when you've been for a pee.

Repeat six times, them stop.

GWS!

Do not continue drinking if you're not peeing - you don't want water intoxication. Try to empty your bladder as completely as possible.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 25 June, 2012, 08:40:45 pm
Pee standing up in the shower if you can. If not, pee till you think you're empty, stand up for a minute, then sit down and pee some more. Or use a shewee. If it stings, pouring warm water over yourself as you pee takes the sting out of it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 25 June, 2012, 08:44:46 pm
Mmmm cranberry juice :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 25 June, 2012, 09:05:25 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 25 June, 2012, 08:33:23 pm
Get thee a pint mug and some fruit squash. Defeat the bugs by dilution, knowledge and MATHS.

Bugs multiply exponentially, doubling every 20 minutes.

Drink pint of squash. Refill glass.
Drink contents when you've been for a pee.

Repeat six times, them stop.

A technique I've used to good effect in the past, and it appears to be working now.  Typically, I first noticed symptoms while on the train this morning, which is a fairly bad place for anything requiring frequent toilet trips.  I made do with drinking my remaining water supply on the (thankfully recumbent) ride back from Mordor Central, and following up with a bottle of Frijj and a pint of dilute orange when I got home.

Large volumes of fluid like that tend to result in IBS consequences, but I think I've headed those off with pre-emptive Buscopan.  And yet another attack of the poo is better than letting these things fester.

Cranberry juice, on the other hand, is ming of the highest order, and makes obtaining Trimethoprim at short notice seem like fun (cystitis, like hearing aid failure, is one of those things that usually happens at the start of bank holiday weekends).  :hand:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 25 June, 2012, 09:10:30 pm
Heh, I came to quite enjoy the taste of cranberry juice :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: lou boutin on 25 June, 2012, 09:19:50 pm
I was encouraged to drink squash with a tsp of bicarbonate of soda dissolved in it.  It helped, but it was horrid. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 25 June, 2012, 09:22:31 pm
I've tried that, too.  Tastes better than cranberry juice, but has a rather spectacular effect on the bowels.

In the absence of something sensible like antibiotics, I reckon volume of fluid should suffice.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 25 June, 2012, 11:20:14 pm
A bladder full of dilute wee is not too painful to pass; it's the small volumes of boggy, buggy pee that hurt.
Waiting until your bladder is fairly full won't make things worse if you're drinking lots.
I went through a trimethoprim-resistant phase of UTIs.
Sometimes a short sharp fluid burst is best.
GWS!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Arch on 26 June, 2012, 05:05:50 pm
Given all of modern technology why can't a tumble dryer dry a duvet cover?
Three times I have unrolled the duvet cover and put it back in.  Three times the dryer has put all the wet bits of the cover into the middle of a ball and reheated dried the dry parts of the cover on the outside. :facepalm:

The duvet cover is now strung out across the furniture to dry by natural evaporation. ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 26 June, 2012, 05:28:45 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 25 June, 2012, 11:20:14 pm
I went through a trimethoprim-resistant phase of UTIs.
<pissing contest> I spent a year with cystitis symptoms and no causal organisms found </pissing contest>
Including a 'romantic' weekend in Rome. In August. Yes, every bit as bad as you think it might be.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 26 June, 2012, 05:35:58 pm
Quote from: fboab on 26 June, 2012, 05:28:45 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 25 June, 2012, 11:20:14 pm
I went through a trimethoprim-resistant phase of UTIs.
<pissing contest> I spent a year with cystitis symptoms and no causal organisms found </pissing contest>
Including a 'romantic' weekend in Rome. In August. Yes, every bit as bad as you think it might be.

I paid a high price for a romantic Valentine's weekend.
My bike was stolen and I got a UTI...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 26 June, 2012, 06:00:55 pm
Sainsbury's no longer give vouchers for late delivery.
They never informed the customers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 26 June, 2012, 06:22:34 pm
Quote from: MFWHTBAB on 26 June, 2012, 05:05:50 pm
Given all of modern technology why can't a tumble dryer dry a duvet cover?
Three times I have unrolled the duvet cover and put it back in.  Three times the dryer has put all the wet bits of the cover into the middle of a ball and reheated dried the dry parts of the cover on the outside. :facepalm:

The duvet cover is now strung out across the furniture to dry by natural evaporation. ::-)

I wonder if it's an effect of the wet bits being heavier or something?

Still, at least with two of us yesterday, changing the cover was a bit easier!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 26 June, 2012, 06:25:58 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 26 June, 2012, 05:35:58 pm
Quote from: fboab on 26 June, 2012, 05:28:45 pm
<pissing contest> I spent a year with cystitis symptoms and no causal organisms found </pissing contest>
Including a 'romantic' weekend in Rome. In August. Yes, every bit as bad as you think it might be.

I paid a high price for a romantic Valentine's weekend.
My bike was stolen and I got a UTI...

Right.  I'm never doing anything romantic ever again.  Just to be on the safe side, like.

(Pain free, urine clear of blood, trace for protein as of earlier this afternoon  :thumbsup:)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 26 June, 2012, 07:36:37 pm
Quote from: Kim on 26 June, 2012, 06:25:58 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 26 June, 2012, 05:35:58 pm
Quote from: fboab on 26 June, 2012, 05:28:45 pm
<pissing contest> I spent a year with cystitis symptoms and no causal organisms found </pissing contest>
Including a 'romantic' weekend in Rome. In August. Yes, every bit as bad as you think it might be.

I paid a high price for a romantic Valentine's weekend.
My bike was stolen and I got a UTI...

Right.  I'm never doing anything romantic ever again.  Just to be on the safe side, like.

(Pain free, urine clear of blood, trace for protein as of earlier this afternoon  :thumbsup:)

Pleased to hear you're better.
I think I've 'outgrown' my tendency to UTIs.
You may, too...

I think the real lesson from my anecdatum is that parking bicycles outside a hospital overnight is Not Advised.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rower40 on 27 June, 2012, 08:56:56 pm
X-Country: your stickers proclaiming "Free WiFi; wireless internet available in this coach" are lying.
Fixing the air-conditioning would be nice too.

Even so, it's nicer than a Voyager.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 27 June, 2012, 09:02:09 pm
It's free on First Class and free if you pay them £LOTS via a credit card, innit?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 27 June, 2012, 09:03:06 pm
Quote from: rower40 on 27 June, 2012, 08:56:56 pm

Fixing the air-conditioning would be nice too.


Ah, I wonder if that's the one I was in a couple of months back....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 27 June, 2012, 09:07:20 pm
I think that's the one I was on on Monday.  I wasn't mentally prepared for a HST, and got a bit flustered securing the bike (and inevitably leaving things I wanted with me in the panniers attached to it).  The air conditioning wasn't doing a lot, but the loo was mostly harmless (smelling mostly of cheap liquid soap) and getting a GPS signal on my phone was a novelty.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rower40 on 27 June, 2012, 09:13:26 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 27 June, 2012, 09:02:09 pm
It's free on First Class and free if you pay them £LOTS via a credit card, innit?
This train's just b0rked.  And, I AM, as usual, in First Class. [insert 'smug' smiley here]

X-country have only 5 HSTs, of which most days see only 2 in use.  So sorting the wifi on them isn't a priority.

Edit: But a Mordor->Tamworth start-to-stop of 15 mins was quite, erm, interesting.  RMallard (126mph) was sustained for at least a minute.  And then a full brake application as we went through Wilnecote. Let's see what he can do from here to Beertown.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 28 June, 2012, 02:56:47 pm
The roofer couldn't look at the roof because of the mad seagulls.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 28 June, 2012, 05:13:35 pm
Seagulls..
I recollect installing roof mounted condensing units for the Chelsea Girl shop in Sunderland.
Of our own volition we chose to wear hard hats,goggles,ear defenders & paper overalls for protection from beaks & shit.
For 5 days we were subject to aerial attack from the multitude of seagulls nesting on the flat roof.I didn't realise how aggresive these birds can be :o
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 28 June, 2012, 05:33:14 pm
Quote from: jogler on 28 June, 2012, 05:13:35 pm
Seagulls..
I recollect installing roof mounted condensing units for the Chelsea Girl shop in Sunderland.
Of our own volition we chose to wear hard hats,goggles,ear defenders & paper overalls for protection from beaks & shit.
For 5 days we were subject to aerial attack from the multitude of seagulls nesting on the flat roof.I didn't realise how aggresive these birds can be :o

Our aircon isn't working, apparently they need to fix / replace something on the roof , and can't because of nesting seagulls.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 28 June, 2012, 05:36:13 pm
My Sunderland experience was before the rise & rise of H&S which is why the management were amazed at our interest in PPE. ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 28 June, 2012, 06:54:56 pm
They've started flying huge raptor shaped kites from the roofs at my workplace to address this problem.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: dasmoth on 29 June, 2012, 09:50:34 am
Apple, your 'puters are generally nice (if a little weak on the expandability front), but would be nicer still if they still stayed up for more than 10 minutes at a time in warm weather.  Judicious use of smcFanControl (http://www.eidac.de/?p=207) seems to have stabilized matters for now, but it does rather sound as though I'm testing jet engines in here.  And rather goes against the grain of the "just works" expectations.

Maybe it's time to give Linux-on-the-Desktop another whirl...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 29 June, 2012, 12:40:42 pm
My ankle isn't working properly (when walking).

My back feels like someone had done up the tendons with a set of fencing strainers.

Yesterday's work was a waste of time, because there was no bug in the memory configuration, just user error.

Today's important job I've done twice, because one person insisted that only the latest examples would do - so I reconfigured and built them all, only to find they aren't compatible with the customer's toolkit.
   
The winds are gusting 35-45mph out there and they'd better bloody be a tailwind, 'cause if they are a headwind when I go home I'll be a bit irritated. Just a bit.

Please, oh please can there be cold beer in the fridge when I get home?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 29 June, 2012, 09:28:03 pm
Guard (or train manager or whatever they call you nowadays) on the 15.57 TPE to Manchester:

I realise that your main job is to see to the running of the train, and checking tickets and stuff and providing basic information over the tannoy. But really, you should also learn how to make an effective, non-irritating announcement. Not, for example:

"Ladies and gentlemen, we apologise for the short formation of this train which is due to a signalling error at Manchester Piccadilly which put us on the wrong platform so we were unable to connect to the further two coaches we normally have, and this means this train is a short formation, due to a signalling error at Manchester. This train was placed on the wrong platform to form up with an additional two coaches and due to a short turnaround time at York there wasn't time to reshunt us to meet those coaches, so this train is a short formation and not the usual formation of four coaches, as we were unable to connect with a further two coaches at Manchester due to a signalling error at Manchester...."  and so on, for what felt like 10 minutes.  After every stop.

Also. Don't try and blame the overcrowding on a pop concert in Manchester. I've been travelling on TPE York-Manchester for 20 months now, and it's always overcrowded because your effing trains are never long enough, even when they haven't been reduced to half their length by a signalling error at Manchester, causing them not to connect with two extra coaches due to being directed by a signalling error to the wrong platform..... (I've never seen a 4 coach train on this service anyway. They come in sets of three. How they managed to make today's a two coach train, I don't know. I'm not even sure it was two coaches, I think he meant three...)

Also, trolley lady on the same service. Try not sucking lemons to improve your sourfaced expression.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 01 July, 2012, 06:48:32 pm
You know, Mr Roadie, your blingy bike and all your club gear would be more impressive if you were cycling on the road instead of the pavement.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: eck on 02 July, 2012, 02:09:26 pm
Woman in the CTC Membership Department: why oh why did you have to be so apologetic, efficient and pleasant when I rang to complain that I'd been charged the wrong rate for my membership fee? I wanted a proper argument. No wonder people complain...  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Arch on 02 July, 2012, 05:14:34 pm
Door to door chuggers:

When I thank you kindly for your presence and then politely refuse your 'wares' and ask you to leave please do not persist in trying to persuade my mum to give you cash for stuff she doesn't want, to 'support' a 'charity' she's never heard of and doesn't want to support.

Next time I may not be so polite about it! >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 02 July, 2012, 05:37:32 pm
Quote from: MFWHTBAB on 02 July, 2012, 05:14:34 pm
Door to door chuggers:

When I thank you kindly for your presence and then politely refuse your 'wares' and ask you to leave please do not persist in trying to persuade my mum to give you cash for stuff she doesn't want, to 'support' a 'charity' she's never heard of and doesn't want to support.

Next time I may not be so polite about it! >:(

Next time, just drive the tractor over them, Isn't that why you keep it in the hallway? ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 02 July, 2012, 05:50:06 pm
Oh, and a delayed grumble on MFWHTBAB's behalf.

Old woman in Morrisons. You have no idea what MFWHTBAB's injury is, or how he did it. Suffice to say he's in a wheelchair pushing himself round the supermarket, crutches neatly stowed in custom built holders at the side.  Asking him what he'd done to himself might be seen as caring, but then calling him 'silly' for hurting himself is just rude. Maybe we'll come round and call you silly when you fall over and break a hip.

Last week a different old lady spoke to him like he was a three year old. What is it with old ladies?!?!

I suppose, at least, we haven't yet encountered anyone who addresses me and ignores him (in a "does he take sugar?" style), but there's time.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 02 July, 2012, 06:05:53 pm
If he were a couple of decades younger, they'd be telling him that he'll be better and playing football in no time.  If you're young, male and have an injured leg, that's what you're supposed to want to be doing (and not, for example, going to the loo without assistance).  If you're female they tend to be slightly less assumptive, but make more of a deal about casts.  (Why yes, I have spent rather a lot of time in orthopaedics/physiotherapy clinics).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Arch on 02 July, 2012, 06:17:42 pm
Quote from: Kim on 02 July, 2012, 06:05:53 pm
If he were a couple of decades younger, they'd be telling him that he'll be better and playing football in no time.  If you're young, male and have an injured leg, that's what you're supposed to want to be doing (and not, for example, going to the loo without assistance).  If you're female they tend to be slightly less assumptive, but make more of a deal about casts.  (Why yes, I have spent rather a lot of time in orthopaedics/physiotherapy clinics).
Quite!

It was one of the things I was determined not to need help with, along with washing myself.  Both stated off as slightly messy attempts but I think I might have got it sussed now. ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 02 July, 2012, 06:57:57 pm
 
Quote from: MFWHTBAB on 02 July, 2012, 06:17:42 pm
Quote from: Kim on 02 July, 2012, 06:05:53 pm
If he were a couple of decades younger, they'd be telling him that he'll be better and playing football in no time.  If you're young, male and have an injured leg, that's what you're supposed to want to be doing (and not, for example, going to the loo without assistance).  If you're female they tend to be slightly less assumptive, but make more of a deal about casts.  (Why yes, I have spent rather a lot of time in orthopaedics/physiotherapy clinics).
Quite!

It was one of the things I was determined not to need help with, along with washing myself.  Both stated off as slightly messy attempts but I think I might have got it sussed now. ;D

And I must say how impressed I am with your determination this last few weeks. Well, not impressed exactly, because I knew you'd cope, but proud of how well you've coped. :-*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Arch on 02 July, 2012, 10:29:13 pm
Quote from: Arch on 02 July, 2012, 06:57:57 pm
And I must say how impressed I am with your determination this last few weeks. Well, not impressed exactly, because I knew you'd cope, but proud of how well you've coped. :-*
But the first couple of weeks, especially when you weren't able to come over for the weekend, I sat and cried in the bath due to the pain and the onset of depression as it was all so difficult to cope with. :'(

Then I got my act together. :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 02 July, 2012, 10:42:18 pm
Quote from: MFWHTBAB on 02 July, 2012, 10:29:13 pm
Quote from: Arch on 02 July, 2012, 06:57:57 pm
And I must say how impressed I am with your determination this last few weeks. Well, not impressed exactly, because I knew you'd cope, but proud of how well you've coped. :-*
But the first couple of weeks, especially when you weren't able to come over for the weekend, I sat and cried in the bath due to the pain and the onset of depression as it was all so difficult to cope with. :'(

Then I got my act together. :thumbsup:

You hid it well. And you made your bath seat, and your toe protector and sorted out your sofa to sleep on and all that. Many would just have sat and felt sorry for themselves - me probably included.

 :-*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 03 July, 2012, 01:56:44 pm
I can sort of understand why the powers that be would use the Metropolitan Police to escort the Feckin' Huge Sponsorship Junket TM Olympic Torch Relay around the country, but why so many of the feckers, and why let them build their part up by waving to the crowd acting all nice on their motorbikes?

So much security and still two little Coventry toe rags manage to evade them all and grab the torch there yesterday.

Disillusioned (though not surprised) of Warwick.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 04 July, 2012, 05:54:08 pm
SMART Centre at AAH, it's lovely that you have a telly in the main reception area so people who are waiting can watch Wimbledon. It would be even nicer if you sorted out the aspect ratio so that watchers can see all of the little score graphic rather than just the score of the player on the bottom half of it. Knowing Andy Murray has won three games isn't useful without knowing how many his opponent has won.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 04 July, 2012, 06:09:51 pm
Expecting correct aspect ratios is like expecting people to not use Comic Sans.  That way lies insanity.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 04 July, 2012, 10:11:10 pm
Quote from: Kirst on 04 July, 2012, 05:54:08 pm
SMART Centre at AAH, it's lovely that you have a telly in the main reception area so people who are waiting can watch Wimbledon. It would be even nicer if you sorted out the aspect ratio so that watchers can see all of the little score graphic rather than just the score of the player on the bottom half of it. Knowing Andy Murray has won three games isn't useful without knowing how many his opponent has won.

Couldn't you just wait for a shot that had the scoreboard in the background?

I was watching a TV set to News 24 at Manchester Picadilly the other day, and the live subtitles on the sport section said that in a test match, India were chasing a total of 2733.

Swiftly corrected to 273....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 04 July, 2012, 10:18:38 pm
I wasn't there for very long.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 04 July, 2012, 11:30:00 pm
Yes ok you managed to get me home around a derailment and a closed main line last Friday, but in the process First Scotrail you managed to break a spoke on my tourer (which explains the wonky wheel)
 
Somehow I managed to ride a 900 mile tour on those wheels, including about 300 with lots of luggage, without doing that, but you manage it with (probably) a bus :(

Oh well, off to the LBS tomorrow (which probably won't have double-butted spokes so it'll have to be plain gauge)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 04 July, 2012, 11:49:37 pm
This is why correct number of spokes for a touring wheel is n+2, where the extras are cable-tied to an unobtrusive bit of bike frame.

If you've got a hub gear in a small wheel or something similarly exotic, it's probably worth having some more squirrelled away at home, because they can be a right arse to order online, let alone from a LBS.  (DAHIKT)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jacomus on 05 July, 2012, 09:09:57 am
Dear 'Y', I thought that I had asked a very simple question:

'How much money are you willing to spend on 'X', I know things are very tight at the moment?'

The correct response is to give the answer and leave it to me to assess my ability/willingness to pay the larger balance. I don't need you to rant at me about how tight things are and then go on to tell me that I'm wasting my money. Its my money and I'll use it as I see fit, and I happen to think that this is a very good way to spend it. However, without your support, it isn't going to happen.

Well done.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 05 July, 2012, 09:24:13 am
Now don't get me wrong, I am happy the Olympics are in London and would be very happy to attend but sadly, I am bring priced out of the games as the rip off's have already started.

What am I on about? Well I am looking to come down to that London for the time trails on 1st August but instead of the £9.50 to £11.00 each way I can book for the week before the games, I can not find a ticket for less than £29. I very much doubt this is supply and demand: seems more likely to be a rip off to me.

Looks like I am going to miss it then.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 05 July, 2012, 11:17:36 am
M$ Outhouse

'nuf sed
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 05 July, 2012, 02:48:57 pm
Dear lady, sucking your teeth is a very effective and emphatic way of expressing disapproval.  But not after every sentence of your telephone call for the duration of a half hour bus ride.  Unless you're discussing the Cabinet, there simply aren't enough things in the world to disapprove of.  Seriously, you just sound like you're fighting a losing battle against dribbling.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 05 July, 2012, 03:05:25 pm
Oh, come on, life, stop taking the piss!  After waiting nearly an hour on a train which went nowhere yesterday, today some fuckwit drove into a rail bridge in Wallington, disrupting services, and just delaying the horrible moment.

Please can I at least get to Wimbledon this afternoon without incident?  I'm not asking much, and it's bloody hard work anyway.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 05 July, 2012, 03:17:27 pm
Bloody hell, on top of today's other grumbles, I have just made the filling for the cake and the Mascapone split :(

Also one of the cakes doesn't look like it is cooked, even though, when I tested it last night the skewer came out clean :(

Bugger, damn and blast...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Arch on 05 July, 2012, 05:54:52 pm
I hate filling in forms! >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 05 July, 2012, 06:10:13 pm
Quote from: Kim on 04 July, 2012, 11:49:37 pm
This is why correct number of spokes for a touring wheel is n+2, where the extras are cable-tied to an unobtrusive bit of bike frame.

If you've got a hub gear in a small wheel or something similarly exotic, it's probably worth having some more squirrelled away at home, because they can be a right arse to order online, let alone from a LBS.  (DAHIKT)

I know a very nice man here in York, with a lot of spokes and a spoke cutting machine. Any problems, I'll put you onto him. ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 05 July, 2012, 06:14:13 pm
Directors of $WORKPLACE - I fully understand why you'd want to celebrate the company's first anniversary, especially given the events which led to the company being formed in the first place, but trying to book a venue in York during the middle of the year's biggest race meeting during which time the drunken fuckwit coefficient tends rapidly towards infinity?

Good luck with that ...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 06 July, 2012, 08:29:36 am
Fellow parent: A good while ago, as I saw that I used to drive past you every day, I offered to pick you and your whiny offspring up and give you a lift. Yesterday I even drove you home. You are in the car between 5 & 10 minutes. It would be normal to talk to the person who is doing you a favour, or at least to acknowledge them. Yesterday, from the moment you got in your seat till the second you got out of your car, you were nose deep in your iPhone on Facebook.

Today it is raining and you are walking...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 06 July, 2012, 12:39:54 pm
Giblets! Please to be sorting yourselves out, I'm still frightened to fart, damnit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 06 July, 2012, 01:06:47 pm
Quote from: interzen on 05 July, 2012, 06:14:13 pm
Directors of $WORKPLACE - I fully understand why you'd want to celebrate the company's first anniversary, especially given the events which led to the company being formed in the first place, but trying to book a venue in York during the middle of the year's biggest race meeting during which time the drunken fuckwit coefficient tends rapidly towards infinity?

Good luck with that ...
Try booking Fiesta Mexicana. They usually close early during race meetings, 'cause they can't be arsed dealing with drunken racegoers. Might open for a local firm, private booking.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: why1040 on 06 July, 2012, 01:17:28 pm
Phone rings.  It's "out of area" which can mean it's my mother, who is abroad (not a broad...).  They've been having some interesting issues with their eckletrickery.

Me: answers with my surname as I always have done
<silence>
Me: hello
Telemarketing Idiot (TI for short): hello?
Me: HELLO!!!
TI: My name is Imran and I'm calling from UK Accidental <something garbled> Helpline
<I decide to play with this one>
Me: You're calling from what company?
TI: Ma'am, we'd like to...
Me: You're calling from WHAT company?
TI: UK Accidental <something garbled again> Helpline
Me: Could you spell that for me please?
TI: Ma'am, we'd like to...
Me: Could you SPELL that for me please?
TI: UK Accidental <something still garbled> Helpline
Me: Yes, you said that, I can't make out the third word, could you spell it for me please? 
TI: Pardon?
Me: Spell the third word for me please
TI: U...K...
Me: No, the THIRD word...you say UK and Accident and then there's something I can't hear and then Helpline...can you spell that third word please?  Just give me the letters of the word
TI: Ma'am, we'd like to...
Me: No, you're not listening to me...I want the full name of your company before we go any further.  Please spell the third word, it's not difficult, just read out the letters on the screen in front of you.
TI: OK, have a nice day <hangs up>

*laughs*  Actually, I'm not even sure this is a grumble, cos I quite enjoyed that!  I do love taking them away from their scripts!   ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: eck on 06 July, 2012, 09:18:58 pm
Graduating from university? I get that.
"Graduating" from High School? Oh, go on then.
"Graduating" from Primary School? Never heard of it....

Wait for it.... wait for it.... in our local paper this week, complete with fotie, "... youngsters who are graduating from the Wendyhouse Nursery in Kirriemuir to primary school eduation...."
FFS.  :facepalm:

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 06 July, 2012, 09:39:54 pm
I got out of work two hours early, raced home, got my phone out of my work trousers and found it defunct due to wet. So now, in order to get my preferred train, the 15.57, I have to pack into half an hour a shower, booting up the laptop, leaving MFWHTBAB messages all over the place, finding the message with his landline number, ringing to leave a message with his Mum (it's them in the granny flat who use that number), and picking up my bags.

I get to the station at 15.45, in good time to find out that the 15.57 is cancelled due to a shortage of rolling stock. :facepalm:

I got the 16.26, which still makes the connection, but with only 10 minutes spare, and consistently arrives a couple of minutes late. And of course, it had two trainsworth of people on it, so I stood all the way to Piccadilly.

All this, having spent all day with sopping wet feet. In fact, all sopping wet.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 07 July, 2012, 04:46:05 pm
I went to the Slutwalk today. The turnout was about a quarter of what it was last year, but there was about a billion times as much rain. I was not impressed at the behaviour of a man in the march who was using his phone to take photos of women's hotpanted arses in front of him then showing them to his mate while they both laughed. I told him he was missing the point of the march and he tried to say he wasn't.  ::-) >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 08 July, 2012, 03:05:35 pm
Cheese toastie, coffee and a bag of crisp. £6.70?! I'd have thought you were joking if not for the emptiness of my purse. That's an hour's wages!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 08 July, 2012, 03:41:51 pm
Just the one crisp? That IS a rip off!
 ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Arch on 08 July, 2012, 05:20:30 pm
Yesterday it was sunny all day except when we popped out briefly to look in the car and it rained while we were out there stopping when we got back in. >:(

Today it has been sunny all day except when we popped out briefly to vacuum the car and it rained while we were out there stopping when we got back in. >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 08 July, 2012, 05:21:45 pm
Yebbut, it was sunny all the time we were out yesterday soaking up the cosmopolitan cafe culture of Eccles....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Arch on 08 July, 2012, 05:40:53 pm
Yebbut why does it start raining the moment we uncover the car?

We sat outside drinking tea and not one spot of rain until we decided to uncover the car.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 08 July, 2012, 06:22:38 pm
Maybe you have some sort of rain god living in the boot?  I mean the car hasn't been out for a couple of weeks, any old squatter could get in....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 08 July, 2012, 09:12:46 pm
Well, can you provide a warning next time you're going to uncover the car?  So we can arrange not to go on any bike rides...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 08 July, 2012, 09:16:27 pm
Quote from: Arch on 08 July, 2012, 03:41:51 pm
Just the one crisp? That IS a rip off!
 ;)

Service station prices  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Arch on 09 July, 2012, 01:47:16 pm
The last few times my Mum has put the compostable waste bin outside for collection some sod has placed a bag of random non recycleable waste in it! >:(

We've yet to track down who it is but my Mum is worried that one day she will not be able to remove it in time before the collection lorry arrives and that she will get in trouble for it! :-\
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 09 July, 2012, 02:13:24 pm
Could you rig a huge Jack in a Box type thing on a spring to punch the unsuspecting culprit in the chops when they open the lid? Or, hire someone to crouch in there, but that could be a big wage bill!

The other answer is to put the bin out in the morning first thing, instead of sooner.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feline on 09 July, 2012, 02:13:55 pm
Quote from: MFWHTBAB on 09 July, 2012, 01:47:16 pm
The last few times my Mum has put the compostable waste bin outside for collection some sod has placed a bag of random non recycleable waste in it! >:(

We've yet to track down who it is but my Mum is worried that one day she will not be able to remove it in time before the collection lorry arrives and that she will get in trouble for it! :-\

My parents had this problem once too. So they put the bin out in the dark the night before with dog shit smeared all around the handle bit of the lid. First thing in the morning my dad went out with a disinfectant wipe to remove it. There were lovely finger prints all in it  ;D
They didn't have the problem again after that!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Arch on 09 July, 2012, 02:21:12 pm
Quote from: Arch on 09 July, 2012, 02:13:24 pm
The other answer is to put the bin out in the morning first thing, instead of sooner.
It needs to be out at about 7am, Mum doesn't want to be taking it out then tbh and would rather take it out the night before as the collection can be earlier.

Quote from: Feline on 09 July, 2012, 02:13:55 pm
My parents had this problem once too. So they put the bin out in the dark the night before with dog shit smeared all around the handle bit of the lid. First thing in the morning my dad went out with a disinfectant wipe to remove it. There were lovely finger prints all in it  ;D
They didn't have the problem again after that!
Tempting though it is it would still require Mum to go out early to clean it.
I might try double sided tape on the lid handles to make it tacky.


If we can get one of the shrubs by the gate post to grow further out we can cut a notch into it to cover the lid of the bin when it is outside.  That would mean having to move the bin before opening it.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 09 July, 2012, 02:22:13 pm
Bin alarm? :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 09 July, 2012, 02:22:35 pm
Ah, yes, 7am is a bit early. 

Ok, next weekend I'll sleep in it....

er, or not.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Arch on 09 July, 2012, 02:24:26 pm
Quote from: Kim on 09 July, 2012, 02:22:13 pm
Bin alarm? :)
A couple of bare cables under the lid handles and plugged into the mains!
It won't affect the collectors as they pull the bin with the trolley handles and that will detach the cables! :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 09 July, 2012, 02:31:13 pm
I was thinking more like a rape alarm under the rim, but I suppose if you want to get all electrical about it...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feline on 09 July, 2012, 02:32:27 pm
Quote from: MFWHTBAB on 09 July, 2012, 02:24:26 pm
Quote from: Kim on 09 July, 2012, 02:22:13 pm
Bin alarm? :)
A couple of bare cables under the lid handles and plugged into the mains!
It won't affect the collectors as they pull the bin with the trolley handles and that will detach the cables! :thumbsup:

Has she tried examining the waste they have put in there for any evidence of who's it is? If there were any envelopes etc. inside you could then go dump it outside their front door and report them to the council for fly tipping.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Butterfly on 09 July, 2012, 02:38:05 pm
I bet if she did the dog poo trick she'd only need to get up early once! I'd smear it with something fairly gloopy and unpleasant to put your hand but not as revolting as dog poo - jam, peanut butter, marmite, shaving foam, shampoo, glue, bike oil, yoghurt with bits in or a thick mixture of all or the above or something like that. Something that will stick to their hands a bit and encourage them to use a different bin.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Arch on 09 July, 2012, 02:55:23 pm
Quote from: Feline on 09 July, 2012, 02:32:27 pm
Has she tried examining the waste they have put in there for any evidence of who's it is? If there were any envelopes etc. inside you could then go dump it outside their front door and report them to the council for fly tipping.
It seems to be general non recyclables from what Mum says, and also fast food packaging.  It seems to happen around evening dinner time as she puts the bin out in the late after noon and then finds stuff in there when she puts the food waste into it after dinner.  She could try putting the bin out later I guess.
As there is a window of opportunity I may sit by the window, or outside hiding behind the hedge if it isn't raining, to catch the sod.  Mum reckons it could be the new person who has moved in next door as it started when she moved in.

Quote from: Butterfly on 09 July, 2012, 02:38:05 pm
I bet if she did the dog poo trick she'd only need to get up early once! I'd smear it with something fairly gloopy and unpleasant to put your hand but not as revolting as dog poo - jam, peanut butter, marmite, shaving foam, shampoo, glue, bike oil, yoghurt with bits in or a thick mixture of all or the above or something like that. Something that will stick to their hands a bit and encourage them to use a different bin.
Other sticky stuff sounds good, preferably something that doesn't wash off easily, and smells a bit. :thumbsup:

I may even try the simple and civilised option of a note on the bin lid.  Something along the lines of:
"Please could you not place your rubbish in our bin as it contaminates the recyclable contents."
 But using fewer and more sweary words. :smug:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 09 July, 2012, 03:05:17 pm
This is a common problem in Bournville, but as they sometimes come round at 6am and the boxes we are provided with are lidless, there's not much I can do about it.
I've decided that my responsibity ends the moment I carry it out the front.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 09 July, 2012, 04:28:27 pm
Quote from: Kim on 09 July, 2012, 02:31:13 pm
I was thinking more like a rape alarm under the rim, but I suppose if you want to get all electrical about it...

If? This is MFWHTBAB we're talking about.... ;)

As a professional, I like to think I'd probably be able to tell the difference between general user stupidity and illicit addition after the act, but then we're much more personally acquainted with our boxes. To the extent that I can tell you pretty much what will be out at many addresses week on week.

For example, X Malt Shovel Court, two tin cans and a small bundle of newspaper, versus Y Hope Street, 6 gallons of Lambrini and fourteen ready meal boxes.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feline on 09 July, 2012, 04:35:50 pm
Quote from: Arch on 09 July, 2012, 04:28:27 pm
Quote from: Kim on 09 July, 2012, 02:31:13 pm
I was thinking more like a rape alarm under the rim, but I suppose if you want to get all electrical about it...

If? This is MFWHTBAB we're talking about.... ;)

As a professional, I like to think I'd probably be able to tell the difference between general user stupidity and illicit addition after the act, but then we're much more personally acquainted with our boxes. To the extent that I can tell you pretty much what will be out at many addresses week on week.

For example, X Malt Shovel Court, two tin cans and a small bundle of newspaper, versus Y Hope Street, 6 gallons of Lambrini and fourteen ready meal boxes.

My kerbside recycling sorting people probably think I'm an alcoholic with my wine bottles and my sons and dads (when he visits) beer cans in there  :o
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Arch on 09 July, 2012, 04:39:37 pm
Quote from: Feline on 09 July, 2012, 04:35:50 pm
My kerbside recycling sorting people probably think I'm an alcoholic with my wine bottles and my sons and dads (when he visits) beer cans in there  :o
Reminds me I should start nicking my neighbour's bin at some point as I am sure I could get a good few quid for the 250litres of aluminium cans in it every fortnight. :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 09 July, 2012, 04:40:28 pm
We're pretty immune to the amount of alcohol folk drink. The funny thing is when they happen to be there when we pick the box up and say "Oh, we had a party this week" and we're thinking, "Funny, you must have had one last week, and the week before etc etc...."  They assume we have 6 day memories...

We're not too bothered about the make up of the legitimate recycling. We're much more animated by the various non-recyclables people try to put out, which range from the comic to the faecal....

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: dasmoth on 09 July, 2012, 04:42:17 pm
Quote from: Arch on 09 July, 2012, 04:40:28 pm
We're not too bothered about the make up of the legitimate recycling. We're much more animated by the various non-recyclables people try to put out, which range from the comic to the faecal....

Comics aren't recyclable?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 09 July, 2012, 04:45:01 pm
Quote from: Arch on 09 July, 2012, 04:28:27 pm
Quote from: Kim on 09 July, 2012, 02:31:13 pm
I was thinking more like a rape alarm under the rim, but I suppose if you want to get all electrical about it...

If? This is MFWHTBAB we're talking about.... ;)

It is indeed.

Motorised lid.

Motion sensor.

Sneaky person starts to open lid prior to depositing rubbish. Bin lid opens itself halfway and snaps shut. Snap! Snap! Snap!

Add an unbalanced weight on a motor so that bin starts lurching about.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Arch on 09 July, 2012, 04:49:22 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 09 July, 2012, 04:45:01 pm
Quote from: Arch on 09 July, 2012, 04:28:27 pm
Quote from: Kim on 09 July, 2012, 02:31:13 pm
I was thinking more like a rape alarm under the rim, but I suppose if you want to get all electrical about it...

If? This is MFWHTBAB we're talking about.... ;)

It is indeed.

Motorised lid.

Motion sensor.

Sneaky person starts to open lid prior to depositing rubbish. Bin lid opens itself halfway and snaps shut. Snap! Snap! Snap!

Add an unbalanced weight on a motor so that bin starts lurching about.
Crossbows aren't legal are they? ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 09 July, 2012, 04:51:17 pm
Quote from: dasmoth on 09 July, 2012, 04:42:17 pm
Quote from: Arch on 09 July, 2012, 04:40:28 pm
We're not too bothered about the make up of the legitimate recycling. We're much more animated by the various non-recyclables people try to put out, which range from the comic to the faecal....

Comics aren't recyclable?

They are - even Heat magazine is recyclable. in fact it's really the only value it has at all.

I was thinking more of things like the faux antique globe drinks cabinet we found in one binstore....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 13 July, 2012, 09:37:03 pm
Bugger bugger bugger. I forgot to put the food in the microwave  before switching it on. Now it doesn't heat up.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 14 July, 2012, 09:38:02 am
Quote from: Bledlow on 13 July, 2012, 09:37:03 pm
Bugger bugger bugger. I forgot to put the food in the microwave  before switching it on. Now it doesn't heat up.

I think this needs explaining?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 14 July, 2012, 11:04:49 am
When I went to remove the reheated rice, I found it wasn't reheated, because it wasn't in the microwave oven. There was an overheated electrics smell.

Since then, the microwave oven has refused to heat anything. All the controls appear to work, but nothing placed inside it gets hot.

This is not entirely unexpected. Microwave ovens do not like being run empty.  The instructions tell you not to do it.

Ah well. It was very cheap.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 14 July, 2012, 11:08:17 am
Ouch
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 14 July, 2012, 01:36:04 pm
I, being a plonker, cannot find my wallet. I suspect it's lying around the house somewhere, but I can't take that chance and have had the cards in it stopped. Much inconvenience will ensue if it's really lost, as all my various membership cards and driving license are in it too.

Bollox! Found it in the pannier I'd already looked in. No access to funds till the new ones show up.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 16 July, 2012, 10:01:49 am
I've done the same before - I cancelled the cards then found the wallet 15 mins later. Now I keep a cash card and a credit card separate at home so that I can still use ATMs and pay for stuff if my wallet is nicked.

Back on topic - Legs it is now the week, you really should be helping me commute. I know there was a head wind, but really it shouldn't feel like I'm riding through treacle on a Monday morning :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 16 July, 2012, 05:41:30 pm
TPE trains don't have a quiet coach, but apparently today I managed to get into the 'slightly noisier than need be coach'. From Stalybridge to Huddersfield it was a large Irish family nattering, which wasn't too bad, although I could have done without the novelty ringtone, but from Leeds to York it was a trio of "ok, yah" female uni students of that sort who are terribly sure of themselves, but also slightly incapable of Real Life (TM). One of them had, like, OMG! left her phone charger behind (I did the same this weekend, and simply turned my phone off to preserve the little charge left), and then another had, like OMG! left her packet of cigarettes behind, leading to a discussion of whether there would be, like, a shop? at their destination.

Still, the funny bit was when the guard announced that the toilet in the middle coach (which I was sitting close to)  was out of order, but that there was a toilet towards the rear of the train. Within minutes, a knuckledragging tracksuit wearer came and tried the door. A passenger told him it was broken and locked, but there was another at the rear of the train, whereupon the knuckledragger set off towards the front of the train....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 16 July, 2012, 05:53:44 pm
Fuck off drizzle!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jacomus on 17 July, 2012, 06:50:02 am
O2, the service delivered by your UK-based call centre really is jolly good, though I have had cause to phone it quite a lot recently :( and one thing irritates me every time. Before I get to speak to you, I have to enter my phone number. What is the first question I am asked by the friendly drone? Yup, my frikkin' telephone number. ??? ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jasmine on 19 July, 2012, 10:29:09 am
Estates department  :facepalm:

You sent a contractor up to our building for some non-urgent and fairly trivial work, and completely forgot to tell them that the road up is a TIDAL CAUSEWAY.  Now he's stuck here for 4 hours and grumbling at us.   :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 19 July, 2012, 10:37:31 am
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 14 July, 2012, 01:36:04 pm
I, being a plonker, cannot find my wallet. I suspect it's lying around the house somewhere, but I can't take that chance and have had the cards in it stopped. Much inconvenience will ensue if it's really lost, as all my various membership cards and driving license are in it too.

Bollox! Found it in the pannier I'd already looked in. No access to funds till the new ones show up.

Better safe than sorry.

If you take your passport or other id into the branch they can give you cash over the counter.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 19 July, 2012, 10:54:24 am
Quote from: Polar Bear on 19 July, 2012, 10:37:31 am
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 14 July, 2012, 01:36:04 pm
I, being a plonker, cannot find my wallet. I suspect it's lying around the house somewhere, but I can't take that chance and have had the cards in it stopped. Much inconvenience will ensue if it's really lost, as all my various membership cards and driving license are in it too.

Bollox! Found it in the pannier I'd already looked in. No access to funds till the new ones show up.

Better safe than sorry.

If you take your passport or other id into the branch they can give you cash over the counter.

If you've got a cheque book to hand that helps as well. I was allowed to take £300 without any notice this way when I cancelled my cards (I would also have been allowed to walk to the next Santander branch 200m up the road and take out another £300 for some reason)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: lou boutin on 19 July, 2012, 10:55:18 am
Grrr car, you cost me £220 to have you oxygen sensor replaced and then breakdown on the way home from the garage, and you are now costing me a further £280 for new road springs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jasmine on 20 July, 2012, 04:09:55 pm
The roof of the entrance at work is leaking, so we now have a 5 cm footbath to step through to get in/out (3 metres by 2 metres, so totally unavoidable).  This is not new.

There are seagulls nesting in the roof of the buidling.  This is new.

The inside of the building now smells of guano.   :sick:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 20 July, 2012, 04:13:17 pm
Quote from: Polar Bear on 19 July, 2012, 10:37:31 am
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 14 July, 2012, 01:36:04 pm
I, being a plonker, cannot find my wallet. I suspect it's lying around the house somewhere, but I can't take that chance and have had the cards in it stopped. Much inconvenience will ensue if it's really lost, as all my various membership cards and driving license are in it too.

Bollox! Found it in the pannier I'd already looked in. No access to funds till the new ones show up.

Better safe than sorry.

If you take your passport or other id into the branch they can give you cash over the counter.
As it happens, PB, I had a nice, frugal weekend. The replacements both showed up on Tuesday, so spending has recommenced, including train tickets for the Pie Run that I hope to persuade you to attend. :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 20 July, 2012, 06:23:25 pm
People of my local.  The constant call of "Where's yer yella jersey?" "Are you in the Tordy France?" is getting somewhat tedious.  I've totally run out of witty reposts.
 
I liked it when nobody used to know anything about it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: why1040 on 20 July, 2012, 09:37:35 pm
I'm going right off people.  Bah!   >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 21 July, 2012, 09:12:37 pm
East Ham must have teh carpest Wilkos in the country.  Forumites are always posting about this and that great little doodad or thingamabob they've picked up from Wilkos.  Mine never has them. :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 21 July, 2012, 11:08:41 pm
Just logged on to sort out my Visa waiver thing for the US trip in October. They've started charging $14 for it !  >:(     And they want to know my address whilst in the US.  Will " A tent, somewhere random" keep the bureaucrats happy ?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ham on 23 July, 2012, 07:41:29 am
Quote from: Andrij on 21 July, 2012, 09:12:37 pm
East Ham must have teh carpest Wilkos in the country.  Forumites are always posting about this and that great little doodad or thingamabob they've picked up from Wilkos.  Mine never has them. :(


Hot tips:
Wikos: Ilford, where Woolys (Not OTP) was
Lidl: Ilford tucked away near the council offices (and if you go there and see the riding gloves, please let me know)
Aldi: Seven kings

Pls to knote, I am LidlAldi Chanllenged, I often find it difficult to tell the difference.

East Ham has the carpest everything, except Indian restaurants
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: why1040 on 23 July, 2012, 04:03:14 pm
Sometimes, I'm just incredibly blonde!   :facepalm:

I've only gone and double-booked myself for Wednesday morning again...both things are difficult to move to other times-one was booked ages ago and the other is a recurring weekly thing which I missed last week due to having double-booked it with something else important that was booked ages ago!  LMAO!

I have one recurring thing each week that is difficult to move.  Everything else is extremely flexible.  So WHY do I keep booking other things for exactly the same time??
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 24 July, 2012, 06:46:02 pm
Bloody hell! I can see why Blacks went bust.

Wandered into the local branch. Saw exactly what I wanted (some short hiking socks) & was pleased to see that they were marked as half price.

Went to till, & the price came up as full price. Salesperson told me that they were half price only if bought with footwear (as in shoes/boots/sandals). I politely queried the labelling, & was told in a rather challenging tone that it was on the labels. I said it wasn't obvious, & she came straight back with "I put the labels on myself" - which wasn't exactly an appropriate response, since I wasn't questioning either that they were labelled, or that the labels said what she claimed, only trying to suggest that small print in pale blue & white is not exactly conspicuous, & it might be wise to label conditional offers such as that more clearly, or more customers & potential customers would end up being irritated. But I didn't get as far as explaining all that. I gave up & left, without the socks.

I'm not sure if I'd have bought them if I'd seen the conditions on the label & expected to pay full price, but I certainly wasn't inclined to after having got as far as the till before discovering the price & then encountering a stroppy shop assistant.

I was passing Millets a few minutes later, & on impulse stepped inside to see if the same socks were on the same offer. Yup! But oddly, with different - and much clearer - labels. The small print was black on white, & hard to miss.

Well, their loss.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 25 July, 2012, 10:56:25 am
What you used to pay for in Blacks was knowledgeable staff. I mostly used the York store and have overheard the staff giving advice to customers; and they obviously knew what they were talking about.

Go into Millets or Yeomans and they are clueless. Just sales droids.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 06 August, 2012, 11:27:34 am
Oh, arse.  My friend Claire asked me to go to the try out day at Norton Archers in a couple of Sundays' time.  Guess who's on a run of night shifts?  I was looking forward to that.  Bum.   >:( :(

I like bows narrows.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 06 August, 2012, 01:12:45 pm
STOP the world, I want to get off.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 06 August, 2012, 02:56:09 pm
On the train home, I was opposite a couple, the female of which drew a picture of me on her iPad. SHe didn't ask or anything, but it was fairly obvious from the way she kept looking up at me and trying not to look like she was. I was mildly narked. I assume (being me) it was unflattering.

And her and her fat boyfriend's luggage took up all the legroom under the table. Use a fecking luggage rack!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 06 August, 2012, 03:08:19 pm
Quote from: Arch on 06 August, 2012, 02:56:09 pm
Use a fecking luggage rack!

A what?   ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 06 August, 2012, 03:10:59 pm
Quote from: Kim on 06 August, 2012, 03:08:19 pm
Quote from: Arch on 06 August, 2012, 02:56:09 pm
Use a fecking luggage rack!

A what?   ;)

There was room overhead. If I can manage to lift a bag up there, the big fat guy should be able to.

He was wearing a hoodie, with the hood up, too. WTF?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 06 August, 2012, 03:33:25 pm
(sigh)

No sign of cooker repair man.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 06 August, 2012, 03:36:40 pm
Quote from: Arch on 06 August, 2012, 03:10:59 pm
There was room overhead. If I can manage to lift a bag up there, the big fat guy should be able to.

Maybe I've spent too much times on trains designed for tilting (and therefore bugger all useful room for luggage at head height once the arctic-rated air conditioning is installed), and become overly cynical about the average train passenger's luggage (which seems to be a giant hardshell wheely case with a mind of its own, and an assortment of poorly-managed carrier bags).

The old slam-door trains had proper luggage racks.  Sort of thing you could hang a mountain bike by the saddle from, and still have room for a large rucksack.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 06 August, 2012, 04:06:12 pm
You should travel First Class....loads of room in there normally  ;D (works pays!!!)



My grumble.... my vets has just told me while they would love to, they can't give me a "Frequent flyers" discount....grumble, grumble, grumble... spent over a grand there in the last two months... should have taken out insurance...grumble grumble grumble.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 06 August, 2012, 04:43:22 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 06 August, 2012, 01:12:45 pm
STOP...

Hammertime!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 06 August, 2012, 04:55:06 pm
Quote from: Pingu on 06 August, 2012, 04:43:22 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 06 August, 2012, 01:12:45 pm
STOP...

Hammertime!
Thank you for the first smile of the day :)
Thank crunchie I'm going to the gym for some happy hormones too.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: giropaul on 06 August, 2012, 07:24:51 pm
Quote from: essexian on 06 August, 2012, 04:06:12 pm
You should travel First Class....loads of room in there normally  ;D (works pays!!!)



My grumble.... my vets has just told me while they would love to, they can't give me a "Frequent flyers" discount....grumble, grumble, grumble... spent over a grand there in the last two months... should have taken out insurance...grumble grumble grumble.

A friend of mine, many moons ago, had to start a torrid affair with the Veterinary Nurse just to avoid some horrendous bills for his dog.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 06 August, 2012, 07:27:00 pm
Quote from: Kim on 06 August, 2012, 03:36:40 pm
Quote from: Arch on 06 August, 2012, 03:10:59 pm
There was room overhead. If I can manage to lift a bag up there, the big fat guy should be able to.

Maybe I've spent too much times on trains designed for tilting (and therefore bugger all useful room for luggage at head height once the arctic-rated air conditioning is installed), and become overly cynical about the average train passenger's luggage (which seems to be a giant hardshell wheely case with a mind of its own, and an assortment of poorly-managed carrier bags).

The old slam-door trains had proper luggage racks.  Sort of thing you could hang a mountain bike by the saddle from, and still have room for a large rucksack.

They can always be better, but the TPE trains aren't as bad as some. The overhead rack takes relatively big stuff, and these two had a squidgy rucksack each.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 07 August, 2012, 12:32:38 pm
Just spectacularly lost balance and fell up the stairs, spilling orange juice everywhere and bashing my knee.   >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 07 August, 2012, 12:36:19 pm
Quote from: Kim on 07 August, 2012, 12:32:38 pm
Just spectacularly lost balance and fell up the stairs, spilling orange juice everywhere and bashing my knee.   >:(

How's the orange juice?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 07 August, 2012, 12:37:42 pm
It's improved the colour of the wallpaper no end.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 07 August, 2012, 01:36:18 pm
Quote from: Kim on 07 August, 2012, 12:37:42 pm
It's improved the colour of the wallpaper no end.

Meep!  Poor cat. 


I am wearing grey trousers.  I should know better when menstruating! >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 07 August, 2012, 01:39:04 pm
We are going to have to buy a car.

MrsCharly has just been given her next prac posting - Harrogate Hospital.

ffs, they have it listed that we don't have a car. Harrogate bloody hospital isn't even near any bloody train station.  So far, two out of 3 of her placements have been an absolute dog to get to.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 07 August, 2012, 01:41:53 pm
Harrogate Hospital is near, surprisingly enough, Harrogate train station.

Getting from York to Harrogate, via train though is another matter :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 07 August, 2012, 01:46:10 pm
Seems to be a direct train with a 30-40min travel time ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 07 August, 2012, 02:50:17 pm
Harrogate hospital is not next to the train station.

It is equidistant from Starbeck and Harrogate train stations. Easy cycling distance - but that would be on the line that doesn't allow bikes during peak period.

It's also near 40min train journey + cycle/walk time. Try doing that with 13hour shifts.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 07 August, 2012, 03:00:42 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 07 August, 2012, 02:50:17 pm
Harrogate hospital is not next to the train station.

It is equidistant from Starbeck and Harrogate train stations. Easy cycling distance - but that would be on the line that doesn't allow bikes during peak period.

It's also near 40min train journey + cycle/walk time. Try doing that with 13hour shifts.

I understand your point, especially if it's bad weather and you are feeling a bit bad, but on the other hand you do have to factor in a 22 mile drive after a 13hr shift.

Not saying driving may not be the best option though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 07 August, 2012, 03:08:20 pm
And factor in odd finishing times (8:30, 9pm) and a woman walking or cycling alone from hospital to train station.

Frankly, I can't see it as practically doable without driving.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 07 August, 2012, 03:21:13 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 07 August, 2012, 02:50:17 pm
Harrogate hospital is not next to the train station.

I didn't say it was....

Quote
It is equidistant from Starbeck and Harrogate train stations. Easy cycling distance - but that would be on the line that doesn't allow bikes during peak period.

Having spent far too long in that hospital (where long enough is <1day/night), this is something else I know...

Quote
It's also near 40min train journey + cycle/walk time. Try doing that with 13hour shifts.

Fair point, I wasn't aware of that from your first post.

It really does suck, doesn't it that TPTB assume car ownership?  I do also agree with Mcshroom WRT driving after a 13 hour shift, it is not a great leap to equate a 13 hour shift on a ward with doing a 300K Audax then jumping in the car and driving home.  BTDTGTTS (though a different job).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 07 August, 2012, 03:24:20 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 07 August, 2012, 03:08:20 pm
And factor in odd finishing times (8:30, 9pm) and a woman walking or cycling alone from hospital to train station.

What's wrong with a woman walking or cycling alone from hospital to station at 9pm?  We don't turn into pumpkins at sunset...   ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 07 August, 2012, 03:27:04 pm
300k is pushing it I think. I ride 200s in about 12hrs.

I accept there are definite advantages to driving in that there's no waiting for trains and you get door to door in your own personal customisable space. It's annoying that the course expect people to drive though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 07 August, 2012, 03:41:11 pm
Quote from: Kim on 07 August, 2012, 03:24:20 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 07 August, 2012, 03:08:20 pm
And factor in odd finishing times (8:30, 9pm) and a woman walking or cycling alone from hospital to train station.

What's wrong with a woman walking or cycling alone from hospital to station at 9pm?  We don't turn into pumpkins at sunset...   ???
Nope, women don't.

But the animals come out to play :(
Maybe it isn't a problem where you live. It's a problem elsewhere.

What pisses me off is that the uni don't assume car ownership. They ask on the form if you have a car.

Then MrsCharly still gets posts in inaccessible places.

What they assume is that you can temporarily relocate to another town for 2-3months at a stretch. Not really ok if you have family.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 07 August, 2012, 03:42:16 pm
Quote from: Kim on 07 August, 2012, 03:24:20 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 07 August, 2012, 03:08:20 pm
And factor in odd finishing times (8:30, 9pm) and a woman walking or cycling alone from hospital to train station.

What's wrong with a woman walking or cycling alone from hospital to station at 9pm?  We don't turn into pumpkins at sunset...   ???

The route that would need to be taken (and I can think of at least two) is not that cycle friendly, even for an experienced rider, even less so for those without the experience.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 07 August, 2012, 03:55:05 pm
Can she claim mileage for traveling away from her base university?

What are taxi fares like between hospital and station?

My commute takes me through some interesting areas at interesting times. I've encountered my share of harassment abuse and intimidation.  The only solution is to put your 'fuck you' head on and ride assertively.  Not everyone is as foolhardy as me.  With a bit of luck she might be able to get a lift into town with a colleague after work.

Our uni used to do this. Its idiotic.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 07 August, 2012, 03:56:58 pm
After a 13 hour shift, I can't imagine any sort of best option, only variously bad options. What the point of such long shifts is, I don't know - I can't imagine it's much good for patients' care either.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 07 August, 2012, 04:01:07 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 07 August, 2012, 03:56:58 pm
After a 13 hour shift, I can't imagine any sort of best option, only variously bad options. What the point of such long shifts is, I don't know - I can't imagine it's much good for patients' care either.

Well, thanks very much  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 07 August, 2012, 04:05:23 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 07 August, 2012, 03:41:11 pm
Quote from: Kim on 07 August, 2012, 03:24:20 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 07 August, 2012, 03:08:20 pm
And factor in odd finishing times (8:30, 9pm) and a woman walking or cycling alone from hospital to train station.

What's wrong with a woman walking or cycling alone from hospital to station at 9pm?  We don't turn into pumpkins at sunset...   ???
Nope, women don't.

But the animals come out to play :(
Maybe it isn't a problem where you live. It's a problem elsewhere.

I've lived in various places, and I've always felt safer than the men of my age.  I'd get verbal harassment; they'd actually be assaulted.  Statistics do seem to confirm this trend.  I also note that while the rapist-in-the-bushes thing isn't actually a myth, when it came to attacks on Brizzle students during the time I was there, they were as likely to target males as females.

More crucially, walking or cycling means you're not hanging around waiting for buses and the like.  That's usually where the trouble comes.


Quote from: tiermat on 07 August, 2012, 03:42:16 pm
The route that would need to be taken (and I can think of at least two) is not that cycle friendly, even for an experienced rider, even less so for those without the experience.

A valid point, but I'm sure it's going to be more cycle-friendly after 8:30 than during rush hour.


Back to the original point, it does sound like one of those situations where motorised transport is the sanest option (not least from a bike security POV).  I remember friends of mine on teaching placements having the same problem.   :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 07 August, 2012, 04:06:11 pm
Quote from: Lindagordinho on 07 August, 2012, 04:01:07 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 07 August, 2012, 03:56:58 pm
After a 13 hour shift, I can't imagine any sort of best option, only variously bad options. What the point of such long shifts is, I don't know - I can't imagine it's much good for patients' care either.

Well, thanks very much  ::-)
My point is that not only would shorter shifts make travel easier in mrcharly's case, but generally I would think that, say 3 x 13 hours is more tiring than 5 x 8 hours for the same total working time, especially at the end of each shift.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 07 August, 2012, 04:10:53 pm
She'll get paid for public transport. Not sure about taxi fares - good point, thanks.

Cuds, the 13hour shifts ensure an overlap. Not every shift is 13, some are a more normal 8. Making some 13 ensures continuity of care. Can be very important when dealing with patients whose condition isn't stable.

I've worked on an 8hour  3 shift system. It was far more disorientating than two twelve hour shifts.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 07 August, 2012, 04:14:05 pm
5x8 could easily be more tiring than 3x13 once you factor in the effort of the commute...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 07 August, 2012, 04:20:19 pm
And sometimes it was 10x8, don't forget, because you only need to average a 37.5 hour week.  And that was far more tiring than 3 or 4x12.

You're right about the driving home though.  When you're on your feet you stay awake.  A lot of the time you're running on adrenaline anyway.  Staying alert at work isn't a problem.

It's when you sit down that the dozies really hit.   :(  In the driving seat, for example.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 07 August, 2012, 07:39:25 pm
I remember uni social work friends who didn't drive having issues with placements in inaccessible places.  The stupid thing is they COULD take it into account, it's sheer laziness and sloppiness that they don't.  The only reason most placement places will consider travel is if the student is disabled - which seems unfair unless they have more inaccessible placements than accessible ones - which does leave one wondering what the feck the client group do.

Oh, drive, of course.  Everyone owns a car of course.

And even "well connected" hospitals seem to be an arse to get to by public transport compared to driving where they STING you for parking.  My home-hospital is 35 mins from my parents' house by car in non rush hour traffic or getting in before 8am.  It's about 2.5-3 hours by public transport one way *SCOWL* and I know this from painful experience.  It was easier to ask a family friend to drive me than public transport it which sucks.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 07 August, 2012, 10:30:26 pm
My front derailleur keeps eating the cables, bah.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jacomus on 08 August, 2012, 09:44:14 am
Bah.

If you were designing a men's bathroom, in a nice modern office block, what are the kind of things that would run through your mind when speccing it?

- Wash basin
- Urinals
- Stalls
- Mirror
- Hand dryer

Yep, that's pretty much covered the hardware requirements. Now, how might a man use a mirror in a bathroom? Well, he could check the state of his apparel, so thanks for the full length mirror, it's a nice touch. What else might he do? Oh yes, he might want to have a shave. Having a shave, requires two key ingredients - water and a mirror. The eminently sensible thing to do with a mirror is put it above the bloody basin, right where a chap having a shave would want to use it.

Having to cross the bathroom from basin to mirror and back is rather irritating. Every morning / mid afternoon spots of shaving foam appear on the floor by the mirror where they have fallen off the head of a razor.

It's a design fail.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 08 August, 2012, 10:09:38 am
It's too 'girly' to have a mirror over a wash basin. Men never get bits they want to remove from eyes, face or teeth, oh no!
IMHO men need supplies of tissues too...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 08 August, 2012, 10:37:04 am
FFS BT!   I don't want you censoring what I read on my mobile! And "Girls With Slingshots" is hardly "adult content"!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 08 August, 2012, 10:38:50 am
Quote from: mrcharly on 07 August, 2012, 03:41:11 pm
What pisses me off is that the uni don't assume car ownership. They ask on the form if you have a car.

Then MrsCharly still gets posts in inaccessible places.

What they assume is that you can temporarily relocate to another town for 2-3months at a stretch. Not really ok if you have family.
It's not just universities. It's everyone. They put it on the form because those drawing up the forms know about diversity, equal opportunities, etc., but those deciding on postings are oblivious.

Many years ago, when I had neither car nor driving licence, I was invited to an interview at an establishment which was inaccessible except by car. Out in the country, no regular bus service, nowhere to stay in the nearest village. The post for which they were interviewing was based at that establishment. The firm that did this knew I had no car or licence: it was one of the questions on the form they'd given me at the job fair where I'd encountered them.

Even if the form notionally doesn't assume car ownership, an awful lot of people don't look at the box you ticked to say "No car", or "No licence",  because to them car use is so deeply ingrained it doesn't occur to them to check.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 08 August, 2012, 11:28:15 am
Quote from: andrewc on 08 August, 2012, 10:37:04 am
FFS BT!   I don't want you censoring what I read on my mobile! And "Girls With Slingshots" is hardly "adult content"!

Well that was painless, 1 phone call to BT, a transfer to the right department and the restriction was removed straight away :-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jacomus on 08 August, 2012, 12:13:48 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 08 August, 2012, 11:28:15 am
Quote from: andrewc on 08 August, 2012, 10:37:04 am
FFS BT!   I don't want you censoring what I read on my mobile! And "Girls With Slingshots" is hardly "adult content"!

Well that was painless, 1 phone call to BT, a transfer to the right department and the restriction was removed straight away :-)

I've had this before, similarly swiftly sorted out by O2. It still irked me though - I have a contract. Paid for by direct debit. Exactly what part of that arrangement would lead to the impression that I am <18 years old?!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 08 August, 2012, 12:52:11 pm
Quote from: Bledlow on 08 August, 2012, 10:38:50 am
Even if the form notionally doesn't assume car ownership, an awful lot of people don't look at the box you ticked to say "No car", or "No licence",  because to them car use is so deeply ingrained it doesn't occur to them to check.

The converse of that being HR departments adding "driving licence" to job specs out of habit, and filing CVs of people without one in the bin, when there's no actual need for driving in the job.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: GrahamG on 08 August, 2012, 03:54:09 pm
Local news reports high numbers of mosquitos in Somerset - I got bitten to shreds in my sleep last night. Bloody countryside.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 08 August, 2012, 06:08:27 pm
Local journalist tweets today is Flying Ant day.
We've seen many rising from our lawn.
At least they don't bite!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 08 August, 2012, 06:15:42 pm
The pavement outside my house is thick with them.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SteveC on 09 August, 2012, 08:52:56 am
I washed my cycling kit last night.
It wasn't quite dry when I needed to put it on this morning.
Clammy.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 09 August, 2012, 02:46:18 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 08 August, 2012, 06:08:27 pm
Local journalist tweets today is Flying Ant day.
We had 'em a couple of weeks ago.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 10 August, 2012, 08:39:20 am
My arm and my neck really hurt and I need a cuddle but Crusty's gone to work  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Emily on 10 August, 2012, 09:27:46 am
Train driver/station staff: could you not have mentioned that the underground station was closed *before* I got off the train and went down into the tube?  I could have stayed on that train, instead of waiting and then cramming onto this grotty old train ten minutes later.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 10 August, 2012, 09:43:41 am
Quote from: Lindagordinho on 10 August, 2012, 08:39:20 am
My arm and my neck really hurt and I need a cuddle but Crusty's gone to work  :(

The sod! Does he not realise he made you miss out on a lovely evening ride (even if we failed to find food) AND is not there to give you cuddles?

Have STERN words with him when he gets home :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CrinklyLion on 10 August, 2012, 06:40:37 pm
"My" cats stink.

Now which inappropriate place have the little buggers pissed in when the neighbours were looking after them while we were on jollydays....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 10 August, 2012, 06:51:09 pm
Checked the Ortliebs?  (At least they're wipe-clean.)


Ob-grumble:  My beastie-bitten hand, while not quite as alarmingly red and infected-looking as after the bastard horsefly attack of 2010, is now significantly larger and stiffer than the other one.  It hurts to bear weight with it, which makes cycling interesting.

There's a similar welt on the back of my leg, but that's less of a problem.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 11 August, 2012, 02:20:20 pm
Head torch is not a sensible thing to remove from your bag in the way of audax weight saving. Not putting a spoke key is also stupid.

Well I think I've just proven I'm not going to be riding LEL next year. I think I'll stick to 100s and 200s for a while.

Now off to find the LEL volunteer form.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 11 August, 2012, 05:16:56 pm
Another grumble.

Just went in to place an offer for a house and found out that they accepted another offer on Thursday :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 13 August, 2012, 08:41:07 pm
Dear programmers for fruit-named handheld devices: if I type "togo" what am i more likely meant to have typed, "Togo" or "to go"?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 14 August, 2012, 10:13:27 am
What I like best about coming to headquarters to use the touch-down desks is the ten to fifteen minutes I get to spend switching numerous computers on to a) see if they're working and b) find a working one which has the programs I need.

Next time my employer thinks it needs to rebrand itself and get a new strapline, I'm going to suggest "X Employer - not quite getting the point."
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jacomus on 14 August, 2012, 04:03:51 pm
*dramatic sigh*

Money? What on earth is that? Ah yes, that would be the stuff that has been running out of my bank account like water out of a sieve.

Oh well, there is always next month :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 14 August, 2012, 06:39:48 pm
Hack presenter on my course today: You did that on auto pilot and it showed. Poorly titled slides and it wasn't very motivational, was it? Oh, and having info that is six years out of date on one slide showed how much care you put into your work, didn't it? I wonder how much you got paid for that effort?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 14 August, 2012, 07:59:26 pm
I've got a spot / ulcer /something irritating, right at the back of my mouth. Meh.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 15 August, 2012, 10:22:50 pm
Didn't ride in to work on Tues, on account of it pissing rain at 5:00.
My next commuting day is Thurs.
And as of now ( Wed evening ), it's pissing it down.

Not a happy bunny.

Looks like tomorrow is a write-off.
Perhaps Friday...

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 15 August, 2012, 10:31:43 pm
Er, can't you just cycle in the rain?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 15 August, 2012, 10:35:08 pm
Well, I might if it were a 10-mile commute.

But my commute is 40 miles each way, and I just won't do that if it's pissing rain.

Lame, I know.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 15 August, 2012, 10:37:48 pm
Surely 40 miles in pissing rain is perfect Audax training?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: welshwheels on 15 August, 2012, 10:40:31 pm
ffs wales we are crap at football  you have just tortured me for 90 mins while I sat in the stand and watched BOSNIA tear us apart there's me starting to put money away hoping we qualify for world cup in Brazil !!!2014 Fuck Brazil after that display I am going to buy  A Pearson compass with the brazil fund and fuck off touring for a bit ...mild rant over!!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 15 August, 2012, 10:43:11 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 15 August, 2012, 10:37:48 pm
Surely 40 miles in pissing rain is perfect Audax training?

Well, yes.
But then I get in trouble for 'Ungentlemanly Conduct'.

Plus I have a dislike of getting into wet kit for the ride home!

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: dasmoth on 16 August, 2012, 12:23:45 pm
So much for $favourite_telco fixing a cross-jumpered DSL connection "within 24h", now it's "there should be an update by Friday evening".

...and I got a phone bill this morning...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 17 August, 2012, 10:34:32 am
And after moaning about the rain on Thurs, it turned out to be a fine day, and I didn't ride in.

So I rode in today and got a proper soaking.  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 17 August, 2012, 11:15:44 am
^^^^
sods law rules
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 17 August, 2012, 03:19:01 pm
Proper damp it was here too..
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 19 August, 2012, 11:01:38 pm
xdp; your consignment pre-alert system is CRAP! Last week's email arrived after the delivery to which it referred. One item was missing.

Saturday's email linked me to your online tracking; the item has been OUT FOR DELIVERY since 0714 on Saturday and has not arrived. Your phones are unattended so you are uncontactable.

GRRRRRRRRR!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 20 August, 2012, 09:47:28 pm
Stoke Mandeville Hospital: it's good that you have a map of the hospital on your website, & it shows both the Florence Nightingale Hospice & the most convenient car parks. But wouldn't it be better to show 1) all the internal roads, & 2) the relationship of them to the outside world, so that anyone arriving has some idea of which bloody way to drive to get to where they're going?

Oddly enough, such a map exists, & is on the 'Joining instructions for Medical Students' letter, which has kindly been put online. Are medical students assumed to be less capable of navigating their way without instructions than visitors & patients?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 20 August, 2012, 09:57:36 pm
Quote from: Bledlow on 20 August, 2012, 09:47:28 pm
Are medical students assumed to be less capable of navigating their way without instructions than visitors & patients?

Mrs B says "Yes"
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 21 August, 2012, 07:54:36 am
Washing machine.  Will you bloody hurry up?  I'm late leaving for work now.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 21 August, 2012, 01:03:48 pm
Kids: absence makes the heart grow fonder does not apply when I pull out the sofa and find a year's worth of assorted junk for me to clean up. Do not ask where any of it went when you return, as it will be landfill.

Miele: (anti-grumble) your vacuum cleaners are superb!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 21 August, 2012, 01:54:06 pm
Why is it almost impossible to find a concrete fence post which is 0.91m, 1.0m or 3 foot long????

I have found one supplier near Liverpool (but then they want £90 to deliever them) but nothing in the Midlands.

Wasted most of my lunchtime on Google.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: dasmoth on 21 August, 2012, 01:57:18 pm
Quote from: essexian on 21 August, 2012, 01:54:06 pm
Why is it almost impossible to find a concrete fence post which is 0.91m, 1.0m or 3 foot long????

Probably because -- once you've allowed a reasonable amount underground -- that's a pretty short fencepost, and demand for midget-proof fences is limited.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 21 August, 2012, 02:01:58 pm
Quote from: dasmoth on 21 August, 2012, 01:57:18 pm
Quote from: essexian on 21 August, 2012, 01:54:06 pm
Why is it almost impossible to find a concrete fence post which is 0.91m, 1.0m or 3 foot long????

Probably because -- once you've allowed a reasonable amount underground -- that's a pretty short fencepost, and demand for midget-proof fences is limited.

Quite. The fence I want to build will be only 2 foot high.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 21 August, 2012, 03:07:49 pm
For 90 quid you could buy a half decent angle grinder and shorten a long one.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jacomus on 21 August, 2012, 04:15:30 pm
Or dig some very deep holes!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tigerrr on 21 August, 2012, 04:48:53 pm
Quote from: essexian on 21 August, 2012, 02:01:58 pm
Quote from: dasmoth on 21 August, 2012, 01:57:18 pm
Quote from: essexian on 21 August, 2012, 01:54:06 pm
Why is it almost impossible to find a concrete fence post which is 0.91m, 1.0m or 3 foot long????

Probably because -- once you've allowed a reasonable amount underground -- that's a pretty short fencepost, and demand for midget-proof fences is limited.

Quite. The fence I want to build will be only 2 foot high.
Are you having a leprechaun problem? I understand they are everywhere this year with the weather.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 21 August, 2012, 04:54:15 pm
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/72/German_garden_gnome.jpg/220px-German_garden_gnome.jpg)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 21 August, 2012, 05:02:24 pm
I am an idiot!

I have put off going out on the bike all day because I was awaiting a response back from a PM that I could go ahead on a build I need to do.  I had absolutely zero expectation of hearing back, but I hung around anyway, instead of going for a ride I tidied a bit of the garage and test fitted some parts to the tandem as well as swapping the rear wheel on the fixie.

Now it's chucking it down and it doesn't look like it is going to give up any time soon :(  I shall have to drown my sorrows in beer and chips (beer from the offy and chips for the chippy :( )
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 21 August, 2012, 07:07:23 pm
Oh bother!

You riding to the offy & chippy, I take it?  Maybe a roundabout route is called for? ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 21 August, 2012, 08:26:39 pm
An update on that.

I drove to the chippy, missed the trip to the offy, got home, ate the chips and it stopped raining!

I gave up on the idea of a bike ride so went out and did a bit of fettling, then came back in and fettled the firewall (needed a new PSU, which was sat on a shelf in the office, I just hadn't had time to fit it)

Tomorrow WILL be different....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 22 August, 2012, 06:26:32 pm
My Light & Motion Stella 120 has packed up.  :( Totally dead. Not a flicker. Bugger. I know it's not exactly bright by current standards, & I've had almost 4 years of use out of it, but it's still annoying. I liked that light. Very compact, handy to pack as a spare, & a nice beam. It was actually as bright as the manufacturer claimed, unlike most: barely dimmer than a Magicshine which claims 200 lumens.

I think if I ever see anyone selling a secondhand Stella I'll buy it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 24 August, 2012, 04:51:33 pm
Purveyors of women's clothing - it's been decades, if not longer, since women had dressers to assist them with fastenings etc. Any chance you can put trouser zips on the right now please?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 24 August, 2012, 05:32:09 pm
My dad's just phoned to ask if it's all permit parking in this street, and if there are metered spaces, what times aren't metered. Given that I've never owned a car, I don't know why he'd think I'd know.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: RJ on 24 August, 2012, 06:01:57 pm
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 24 August, 2012, 05:32:09 pm
My dad's just phoned to ask if it's all permit parking in this street, and if there are metered spaces, what times aren't metered. Given that I've never owned a car, I don't know why he'd think I'd know.

Some spaces will probably be reserved for permit holders only and will be marked with (a) white paint "permit holders only" on the outside of the relevant batch of bays and (b) labels on little white signs that should distinguish between "permit holders only" and "tickets and conditions apply" spaces.

Your dad can park in the second type of place, provided he complies with the conditions - generally speaking, buying and displaying a ticket between specified times.  These details should be on the ticket machines.  Precise details vary street-by-street in Embra, but there will come a point (daily, and for at least part of the weekend) where there's no need to pay. 

http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/info/1265/parking_and_car_parks

Looks like Priestfield is the nearest area with unrestricted parking.  Could he use the Park and Ride?

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 24 August, 2012, 06:21:54 pm
He could, but he wouldn't! The meters clock off at 1730 so he should be ok outside till Monday morning.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 28 August, 2012, 08:43:04 am
My neck hurts and my feet hurt. Hmph.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Clare on 29 August, 2012, 01:01:15 pm
Dum, de dum de dum de dum

Came in  this morning and my cha-air was gone
 
de dum de dum de dum
 
found another, but the set up was wrong
 
de dum de dum de dum
 
Ain't got the right angle, seat's in a mess,
 
How to alter the back is anyone's guess.
 
Gonna be a long day, gotta handbook to write,
there's gotta be something will make it alright...
 
 
ONE WHISKEY, ONE SCOTCH AND ONE BEER


Or two, or three, or...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: why1040 on 29 August, 2012, 01:09:59 pm
Pah!

I go away on my holidays tomorrow.

So naturally Giles (that's the horse) has a foot abscess/stone stuck inside his frog (that's the soft part of the hoof), which is going to require vet, sedation, removal, poulticing and antibiotics.  And I can't bloody well be there! 

ARGH!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CrinklyLion on 29 August, 2012, 02:35:51 pm
Which is why you pay good money for him to be stabled at a good yard, where ppl will look after him well in your absence. And they will.  Giles will be fine, you will be fine.  Doesn't stop it being an absolute arse timing-wise and worth grumbling about thobut!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Dibdib on 29 August, 2012, 05:58:07 pm
Bah. I could have sworn I owned a chain-breaker. Well it's not in my toolbox  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: citoyen on 30 August, 2012, 12:48:47 pm
My wife had a prang in the car this morning. Some old duffer drove into her on a roundabout. His fault, obviously...

As she described what happened, I was having trouble envisaging it. "You know that bit where the roundabout narrows down from two lanes to one..."

Er... ???

I eventually got enough detail from her to work out what happened and I hate to say it, but it sounds like it was probably entirely her fault. But I'm not going to say that to her, am I? No, I'm not that stupid. I value my testicles. I'm going to be a good husband and offer her sympathy and hope she's OK after her nasty shock.

Sigh.

d.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SteveC on 03 September, 2012, 09:51:59 pm
Back working away from home for half the week :(
But I remembered the bike, he***t, gloves, shoes and shorts. :)
Then the last meeting of the day overran and I don't have lights :(
So, no ride today. Tomorrow I'm going to see my mother, so no ride then
And Wednesday I'll be driving home so no ride then either. 
Hope the bike enjoys its tip in the car.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 04 September, 2012, 08:32:10 am
So far, just a grumble, but it may escalate!

Ryanair: your online checking in process makes no allowance for change of travel documentation. Two of my kids' passports have expired during their stay and the new details need to be added to the booking, but no, you can't do that online can you? I called your £1/min premium number to see how to do this and expected a looooong call, but your agent was helpful and within 2.30mins said an email would arrive within an hour detailing how to proceed. We shall see.

Update: Now resolved, although the Ryanair offshore drone did say there would be instructions with the follow up email. There weren't, it was just a new reservation number, so I wasn't sure it was the correct email.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 05 September, 2012, 11:53:45 am
My boiler is supposed to get its annual inspection today. The engineer was supposed to ring between 8 and 9 to let me know what time he'd be here. I rang the service people at 10 to ask what time he'd be here. They said they'd find out and phone back. They haven't. *sigh*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 05 September, 2012, 12:50:17 pm
Border Agency nazi at the Eurotunnel station in France: I don't expect a smile, I don't expect pleasantries; I do, however, expect you to show me that you aren't Robocop. For dog's sake show a trace of humanity...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 05 September, 2012, 01:24:40 pm
Just spent three hours checking and printing out 30, three page documents.

I come to staple them together only to discover the printer ran out of ink after the fifth document.... :facepalm:

Might have to go out for a cycle ride.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Chris S on 06 September, 2012, 09:23:25 am
Dear The Men painting the outside of the flats,

Whilst nowhere near as annoying as the wolf whistling and calls of "Get yer tits out darlin'"1 by the charming hairy apes who put the scaffolding up, your attempts at singing are a distraction when I'm trying to get this SQL query to work.

Please. Stop it.

Sincerely
A. Tenant.

=============
1 This wasn't addressed to me btw, but to a couple of young ladies walking by  ::-).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Dibdib on 07 September, 2012, 09:17:55 am
Office air-con on the blink. Windows helpfully sealed shut.

It's bad now; at this rate it'll be intolerable later.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 07 September, 2012, 08:29:05 pm
Bah I'm such a ninny. Bought a doorframe pull up bar. Though it was just friction fit but turns out it has brackets you need to screw to door frame.

Frame is only just deep enough for the screw holes required (in a triangle layout) so being impatient I thought I'd just wedge it in without brakets to see if it'd hold my weight. Using a bit of corrugated cardboard each end to protect the paintwork. Well it held me but the card was insufficient and I now have a dented doorframe.  :facepalm:

When will I learn to do things properly andbe a bit more patient.

Really annoyed at myself which is silly because the doorframe can be fixed and it's not even that bad anyway.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 07 September, 2012, 08:29:29 pm
2 week old Samsung Galaxy S3s don't float.
I know this to be true.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 07 September, 2012, 09:53:32 pm
Hmm, an update on the Galaxy floating thing.

From the department of Too Much Information, the thing was in the back pocket of my jeans.
As said jeans were being slid down, the thing slipped out and landed in the toilet bowl.
Clean fresh water.
Some bad words may have been said.

Grabed out instantly, and ripped apart, battery removed.
Surface-dried everything.
Shook it a bit, and some water came out of the innards.  Bah.
Tried to boot it.  No go.   Battery back out.
Took it home by bike, and sat it on top of hot water tank.

It's been drying for a couple of hours now.
Tried putting battery in.
It boots and works!

Battery back out, and let it cook overnight.
Looking hopefull, tho.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: eck on 07 September, 2012, 10:01:18 pm
Feanor, next time, get yourself a cheapie Samsung SGH-M150. Mine has survived two 30 degree wash cycles.
Not my fault though - Mrs eck is just a bit too keen to rip off my fragrant 'eau de cycliste' kit as soon as I get home and bung it in the washing machine.  :-X
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 07 September, 2012, 10:05:36 pm
Feanor, try putting it in a sealable container and fill the remaining space with rice. The rice can absorb some of the water.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 07 September, 2012, 10:13:30 pm
Thanks to both for your suggestions.

I too suffer from excessive washings of kit imposed from HQ.
I have several items of nice merino which have been over-washed to death, and would now fit a doll.

The rice as a drying agent sounds quite good, too.

Anyways, the thing is cooking at the moment, and hopefully it may live.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 07 September, 2012, 10:32:50 pm
Put it in a sealed box with hot rice. Best of both worlds.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 07 September, 2012, 10:53:07 pm
Put it in a pan and boil with rice?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 07 September, 2012, 11:14:23 pm
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 07 September, 2012, 10:05:36 pm
Feanor, try putting it in a sealable container and fill the remaining space with rice. The rice can absorb some of the water.

Phone Risotto?  Interesting....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 08 September, 2012, 10:27:04 am
We have the incompatible:

Kim does all the laundry, because she has a SystemTM which disturbance of incurs her wrath.  Kim may collect clothes from round the house to fill up a load...  Cue my ex Nokia 7250i having been washing machined twice (and survived)... 

In my defense I different sets of clothes on the go due to work/home/cycling etc at any one time.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 08 September, 2012, 07:55:23 pm
On account of it being an unseasonably hot day here, I left the thing in a partly-disassembled state out in the sun all day.
It was hot to touch!

All re-molished, and it seems to be none the worse for it's swimming lesson.

A close one, I think.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 09 September, 2012, 09:11:07 am
Phew!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 12 September, 2012, 02:50:26 pm
Dear stationers, printing a pecked line along the side of the paper does not automatically make it perforated.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: why1040 on 12 September, 2012, 03:04:31 pm
Dear self:

Why are you even bothering to engage with a committed Republican on your FB feed??  The fact that as a lesbian she ought to know better is beside the point!  She's already proven her rabid anti-anything-remotely-liberal views a few times, so why on earth do you try to provide evidence for what you post??   :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jacomus on 13 September, 2012, 05:30:06 pm
Quote from: why1040 on 12 September, 2012, 03:04:31 pm
Dear self:

Why are you even bothering to engage with a committed Republican on your FB feed??  The fact that as a lesbian she ought to know better is beside the point!  She's already proven her rabid anti-anything-remotely-liberal views a few times, so why on earth do you try to provide evidence for what you post??   :facepalm:

Lesbian Republican... Is that like Commie-Nazi's? :P

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_g6ctonQoGA (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_g6ctonQoGA)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 13 September, 2012, 11:08:28 pm
It would be nice if the comedy programmes Radio 4extra were actually funny.  Also, someone needs to let them know comedians don't always good continuity announcers.   ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 13 September, 2012, 11:09:33 pm
With you there.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 14 September, 2012, 12:00:25 am
"When The dog Dies"  FFS Somebody tell them!
Oh, hang on, that's not R4 Extra.  It's R4 proper. 

Kill it and everyone involved.  Quickly.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 14 September, 2012, 08:20:56 am
Oh I dunno.  R4extra is sort of hilariously amateurish, and quite engaging.  I went through the agony of fitting a DAB radio to my car, largely for R4extra.

I do get fed up with BBC not sticking to the roles for each station.  When I tune to R3 I expect to hear music, R4 I expect to hear discussion or maybe comedy.  Often I hear discussion on R3 and music on R4, and I'm confused.  Please stick to your subjects!  R4 always has agressive politicking* when I'm driving to work, I don't want that, I want something light hearted, so R4 Extra often fills that need.

* sometimes involving that knob Humphrys, who thinks he's clever. No, he's just an ignorant bad mannered yob.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 14 September, 2012, 10:08:47 am
EDF Energy, it would probably be quicker for me to walk, swim or cycle to your offices in that Exeter, given that you never answer your phones, your "live chat" operators have obviously all fucked off home to google the Countess of Strathearn's tits, and you aim to respond to emails within ten days. Meanwhile, your meter reader came the other day and has read the meter incorrectly, landing me with a gas bill for the last quarter of more than it was in the past 12 months. Idiots.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 18 September, 2012, 07:11:20 pm
Drivers!  FFS!  Just because the car in front of you moves does not mean that it's safe (or indeed that there's even space) for you to do the same!  Seriously!  Please to be reading the highway code, particularly the sections about give way lines, box junctions and yielding to oncoming traffic.  Once you've got the hang of those, we can proceed to advanced topics such as the colour of traffic lights and not being a cock around cyclists.

(It must be September)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: R_nger on 18 September, 2012, 09:17:32 pm
Quote from: Kim on 18 September, 2012, 07:11:20 pm

(It must be September)

That explains...the windscreen washing liquid in the face, the deliberate cutting up and the overtake as I turned at a right hand filter...all in the last mile coming home today (and all different drivers...the last hurling abuse at me from his camper van).

I knew this thread would come in handy one day...feel much better now. Hope I haven't crossed the line into rant territory. Thanks for listening  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 19 September, 2012, 04:01:26 pm
Seller of Abus lock on another forum: if I had mistakenly sent the lock without keys, I would have sent them first class in a padded envelope and paid the right postage. Sending them second class in a flimsy envelope and not with a large stamp on doesn't strike me as a very good way of righting your error to me.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 19 September, 2012, 04:09:30 pm
Sadly, stupidity is not a capital offence. :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 19 September, 2012, 04:23:03 pm
Oh, and BBC? I thought you were known for facts?

Helen Skelton did not 'cycle to the south pole by bicycle'. She didn't even cross from the coast to the South pole, but was flown over the mountains. She covered about 500miles, only 100miles of that on a bike.

ffs

You know I'm really tempted to plan for doing Antarctic coast - south pole by bike when kids have left home and I'm rich enough (hah!). Moonraker bike and custom extrawheel for supplies.

Anyone want to join me?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 19 September, 2012, 04:26:23 pm
I'll stay at home in the warm, such as it is, and cheer you on.  But thanks for the offer.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 19 September, 2012, 04:34:40 pm
Thanks for the cheer.

I don't like the warmth. For me, ideal cycling weather is -10 and sunny skies
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Chris S on 19 September, 2012, 07:03:20 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 19 September, 2012, 04:34:40 pm
Thanks for the cheer.

I don't like the warmth. For me, ideal cycling weather is -10 and sunny skies

You are Nuttycyclist and ICMFP
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 19 September, 2012, 09:17:13 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 19 September, 2012, 04:23:03 pm
Anyone want to join me?
No thanks, but I'll give you a list of people to take.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 20 September, 2012, 10:21:43 am
People, can't you read?
Really!
Quote from: fboab-at-work
Hi Paul, <blah blah work stuff>
Thanks, Fboab

Quote from: Paul

 Hi  Laura

No problem ,<blah blah work stuff>

Many Thanks


Paul


Who the fuck is Laura?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 20 September, 2012, 12:49:32 pm
I once received a letter at work that started

Quote
Kirst
Dept of Occupational Therapy
Hospital I Used to Work In
Town Where I Lived



Dear Billy...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 20 September, 2012, 02:14:41 pm
I get mail from Orange which begins,

Dear Jhon,
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 20 September, 2012, 02:43:36 pm
Quote from: fboab on 20 September, 2012, 10:21:43 am
Who the fuck is Laura?

Your new scapegoat.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 20 September, 2012, 06:19:57 pm
npower sent me an estimated bill, to be paid by direct debit

They also sent a letter saying I needed to read my meter, in order for them to check if I was on the best tariff. I did, although I admit I did it rather belatedly (partly becuase they wanted me to read it once in the morning preferably after 9am and once in the evening before 9pm. As I leave for work at 7.45am, and haven't been home at weekends for months, the former was tricky. In the end I had to read it when I could and send an explanatory note)

Anyway, having sent this info in, they sent an "amended bill" about a month later (for half the amount - yay!).

They've taken both amounts...  :facepalm:

So now I have to badger them...

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 20 September, 2012, 09:02:23 pm
The rule with npower is never to let them estimate your bill, as they seem to use a random number generator to do that.  It's all been pretty painless since I started obsessively sending them meter readings.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 20 September, 2012, 09:19:01 pm
Quote from: Kim on 20 September, 2012, 09:02:23 pm
The rule with npower is never to let them estimate your bill, as they seem to use a random number generator to do that.  It's all been pretty painless since I started obsessively sending them meter readings.

I always used to - they sent me a reminder by email, I did a reading and entered it online and got a correct bill. For some reason, they've stopped sending the reminder, so the first I know is when the bill is ready. I suppose I can send a meter reading straight away when I get the bill, but I'm moderately useless at it!


Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Chris S on 21 September, 2012, 09:02:20 am
Windows 7 UAC.

(sigh)

So, my login is a member of the local Administrators group, but Visual Studio 2010 can't register an assembly because of "Access Denied" errors to the registry. Really?

So - I guess being an Administrator is not enough. I'm not seeing the "Deity" group, which I presumably need to be a member of to get this shit to work  :facepalm:.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 22 September, 2012, 04:24:42 pm
NSAIDs I've been using for severe period pain aren't working as well as they did 6 months ago by a long shot, back taking silly codeine and still in sillypain.   Back to the GP I go I guess and see what ideas she has.  Whoever designed this system should be made to suffer it at its worst.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: why1040 on 22 September, 2012, 06:44:50 pm
Dear self,

You know what arguing about cyclists in traffic on facebook gets you.   :facepalm:

Argh!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 23 September, 2012, 05:58:11 pm
Bought a chest of drawers at Ikea this morning. Assembled it almost completely. The pre-drilled holes for the screws to hold the knobs on the drawers aren't drilled adequately and I can't get the screws into them. I've tried with the electric screwdriver, and they just won't go. So I have a chest of drawers I can't open.  ::-)

Oh well, it's only got bobb's stuff in it. If he wants to get his stuff out, he can help me sort the knobs.  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 23 September, 2012, 07:38:24 pm
Can you use a couple of corkscrews?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 23 September, 2012, 07:39:40 pm
Haven't you got a drill???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 23 September, 2012, 07:57:32 pm
Corkscrew would be too big, I think, and I don't have a drill.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 23 September, 2012, 08:22:07 pm
But....how do you make holes in things?   :o


(How about the tool for removing boy scouts from horses' hooves?)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 23 September, 2012, 08:24:04 pm
I either use my electric screwdriver or I don't make holes in things. I'm not the sort of person to be trusted with powertools, to be honest. It wouldn't end well.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 23 September, 2012, 08:39:31 pm
Quote from: Kim on 23 September, 2012, 08:22:07 pm
But....how do you make holes in things?   :o


(How about the tool for removing boy scouts from horses' hooves?)

My Dad used to say "for removing stones from Dowagers' tiaras."
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 23 September, 2012, 08:49:19 pm
I'd rather have a tiara than a drill.  :smug:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 23 September, 2012, 10:15:49 pm
I've got a terrible pain in all the diodes down my left side..... :(

Actually it's my left side neck/shoulder & arm.  Possibly caused by slumping in a funny position on last nights train home from London.   Self medicating with Aussie Shiraz  :P
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 24 September, 2012, 08:10:59 am
Came in at 0715 for videocon with Stavanger. The water heater obv doesn't come on that early because my shower at work was cold!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 24 September, 2012, 01:08:57 pm
The flu-like symptoms I was suffering from on Friday, & which were greatly reduced & diminishing on Saturday, have returned with full force. Shivery & shaky & achy & shit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hulver on 24 September, 2012, 01:36:04 pm
Orange! How hard would it be to show the actual price of something on the web site? Quite hard it seems.

Instead of "From £9.99", you could put the proper price there, or a range. Instead of expecting your customer to put the phone and the contract into their basket, and then find out that the actual price of the phone is over £500. Quite a difference there.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 24 September, 2012, 02:23:10 pm
My GPs have yet again failed to consult the FNRttC calendar when scheduling their flu vaccination day.  Last year I had no symptoms from it whatsoever, but the year before it made me feel rubbish for the rest of the day.  I suppose I'll have to book a nurse appointment to be on the safe side.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 24 September, 2012, 04:09:10 pm
Dear The Mayor of London,

Please to be extending the bicycle hire scheme in a southerly direction.  There are people who would like to use them beyond SE1.

kthxbai
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 24 September, 2012, 04:29:13 pm
There is London south of the river?  ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 24 September, 2012, 04:30:18 pm
As far as the 'Mare of London is concerned, there's Wandsworth, a load of Plebs (TM), then Surrey and safe Tory seats.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 24 September, 2012, 04:33:25 pm
Quote from: Bledlow on 24 September, 2012, 04:29:13 pm
There is London south of the river?  ???

Technically, no.  It's either Surrey or Kent.  Those who have ridden my TPM have seen the riverside plaque marking the border.  :smug:

As for who lives south of the river, I thought you lot were mostly prols, not plebs. ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Domestique on 24 September, 2012, 04:42:57 pm
The LibDem conferance with Danny alexander. The only clapping I heard, we will make it harder for people to clamp your car. #carcultureUK
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Clare on 24 September, 2012, 07:20:26 pm
Dear Sarah,
when I wrote "when is the last posting date for surface mail to New Zealand in time for Chritmas?"

I did not mean "Can you give me some information on the 2012 Games?"


Turing Test FAIL.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 24 September, 2012, 08:44:25 pm
Oh how sneaky you are Tesco. A dozen eggs are £2.50 but a box of six is only £1.

I'd understand it if one were on promotion but they weren't.

Glad I noticed before I bought.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: welshwheels on 24 September, 2012, 08:57:08 pm
Quote from: Ashaman42 on 24 September, 2012, 08:44:25 pm
Oh how sneaky you are Tesco. A dozen eggs are £2.50 but a box of six is only £1.

I'd understand it if one were on promotion but they weren't.

Glad I noticed before I bought.
THE BAS##RDS you got to watch em!!!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 24 September, 2012, 08:59:36 pm
It's a bit underhand isn't it? I know buyer beware but I'd say it's reasonable to expect bigger packs to be better value  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 24 September, 2012, 09:06:17 pm
Quote from: Ashaman42 on 24 September, 2012, 08:44:25 pm
Oh how sneaky you are Tesco. A dozen eggs are £2.50 but a box of six is only £1.

I'd understand it if one were on promotion but they weren't.

Glad I noticed before I bought.

I do find shopping online great for letting me calculate what's best value. It's far easier when sitting in a quiet room than when standing whilst being barged by others' trolleys.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 24 September, 2012, 09:06:59 pm
For years the 500g packs of spaghetti were considerably more expensive than 2 x 250g packs in our local Co-op.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 24 September, 2012, 10:15:28 pm
Quote from: Andrij on 24 September, 2012, 04:33:25 pm
Quote from: Bledlow on 24 September, 2012, 04:29:13 pm
There is London south of the river?  ???

Technically, no.  It's either Surrey or Kent.  Those who have ridden my TPM have seen the riverside plaque marking the border.  :smug:

As for who lives south of the river, I thought you lot were mostly prols, not plebs. ;)

No mate, we're the elite, not common city oiks...  (well it depends how far south of the river, I'm also considering the many other better and more worthy rivers than the one which londonites seem to consider is THE river.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 24 September, 2012, 10:45:44 pm
Quote from: Ashaman42 on 24 September, 2012, 08:44:25 pm
Oh how sneaky you are Tesco. A dozen eggs are £2.50 but a box of six is only £1.

I'd understand it if one were on promotion but they weren't.

Glad I noticed before I bought.
I found something similar with rice a while ago.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 24 September, 2012, 10:50:02 pm
These people with sensible foods like eggs and rice. I found the same with beefy monster munch in Home Bargains yesterday :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 25 September, 2012, 10:04:09 am
Quote from: Andrij on 24 September, 2012, 04:33:25 pm
Quote from: Bledlow on 24 September, 2012, 04:29:13 pm
There is London south of the river?  ???

Technically, no.  It's either Surrey or Kent.  Those who have ridden my TPM have seen the riverside plaque marking the border.  :smug:

As for who lives south of the river, I thought you lot were mostly prols, not plebs. ;)

I'm pretty sure Boris has extended his map so London now ends at Tooley Street, just shy of City Hall. Beyond that lies terra incognita. No one in London government knows that there is a SE London. It's the land of which they do not speak.

This is not entirely true. Boris does like Bromley and Croydon (but not the northern bit with the scruffies who snuck in from Lewisham and Southwark), though I think he imagines they are somewhere else.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: citoyen on 25 September, 2012, 11:40:18 am
So, one of my colleagues who I like is leaving on Friday. And now another colleague I like has just announced that he's leaving at the end of next month.

And thus the ratio of colleagues I like:colleagues I can't stand gets ever smaller.

Sigh.

d.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nicknack on 26 September, 2012, 12:57:15 pm
Went for my usual stroll this morning. 3 hours of walking in the rain round the country lanes. Had my trusty M&S Ultimate Raincoat and a brolly so wasn't too bad. The lanes were pretty much awash so one might have expected a bit of consideration from the 30 or 40 motorists who passed me in that time. Nope. A grand total of 1 actually slowed down to avoid spraying me. Admittedly in his case I didn't give him much choice. I was walking down the middle of a narrow lane in about an inch of water with a lake either side of me. Anyway he stopped while I negotiated the flood and gave me a smile and a wave when I was safely past. The others buggers didn't.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 26 September, 2012, 01:55:46 pm
Could someone please have a word with the nerve in my back which seems to have become trapped giving me extreme pain in my back and right hip. This has been going on for the last seven days and resulted in me having to cancel a trip to that London. All this stems from the amount of DIY done over the last fortnight which goes to show, you should always get a little man (or women) in to do it for you.

This may turn into a rant if I carry on finding cycling impossible.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 26 September, 2012, 03:23:51 pm
Quote from: nicknack on 26 September, 2012, 12:57:15 pm
Went for my usual stroll this morning. 3 hours of walking in the rain round the country lanes. Had my trusty M&S Ultimate Raincoat and a brolly so wasn't too bad. The lanes were pretty much awash so one might have expected a bit of consideration from the 30 or 40 motorists who passed me in that time. Nope. A grand total of 1 actually slowed down to avoid spraying me. Admittedly in his case I didn't give him much choice. I was walking down the middle of a narrow lane in about an inch of water with a lake either side of me. Anyway he stopped while I negotiated the flood and gave me a smile and a wave when I was safely past. The others buggers didn't.

I just saw a fireman wave angrily at a 4x4 driver to slow down as he approached the large puddle in Clifford Street, which the fireman was in the process of pumping out. Fortunately, the prat driving obeyed, or I think he'd have had a very cross fireman inserting a hose where it oughtn't to go.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 26 September, 2012, 08:06:14 pm
During the ten minute walk back from tonight's swimming lesson, I saw 9 cyclists. Two were properly lit front and back. One had no lights on her bike but had a headtorch on her helmet. One had a back light only, and he was on the pavement. The other four had no lights and dark clothes, but one was ensuring his safety by cycling on the pavement.

Sometimes I think the bottom half of local newspaper websites has a point.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 26 September, 2012, 08:12:59 pm
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 26 September, 2012, 08:06:14 pm
During the ten minute walk back from tonight's swimming lesson, I saw 9 cyclists. Two were properly lit front and back. One had no lights on her bike but had a headtorch on her helmet. One had a back light only, and he was on the pavement. The other four had no lights and dark clothes, but one was ensuring his safety by cycling on the pavement.

You really need one with a red light on the front, to complete the set.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 27 September, 2012, 12:16:15 pm
One of my best ever was the shadow that drifted past me one night when I was cycling home from the pub. I was on a wide two-way cycle path alongside a main road, with 'to be seen by' lights & mudguard, front (brake bracket) & pedal reflectors. Cycling slowly along the the main road, a few feet from this cycle path, was a bloke in dark clothes on a light & reflector-free bike. I saw him as he passed me, & stopped to look over my shoulder & check that the apparition was real, thus verifying his lack of rear lights & reflectors.

On another occasion, I was a passenger in a car when the driver swore & swerved. It was about midnight, & a group of youths were dawdling on bikes in the middle of the carriageway, on a main road. No lights, dark clothes (& skin), no reflectors that I saw. Driver saw reflections from shiny bits of bike first.

A chance for evolution to take a hand, eh?

And then there's the bloke who used to cycle around Reading with the most astonishing, in yer face, blinding light set-up, with a few brilliant flashing lights back before mega-bright LEDs became common & cheap, dazzling head torch, etc. - but always on the pavement or cycle paths, when I saw him.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: citoyen on 27 September, 2012, 05:07:27 pm
There is such a thing as too much light...

Riding down the back lane route home last night on the Brompton, I was dazzled by an oncoming car, the driver being one of those irritants who seem to think you don't need to dip your headlights for cyclists.

Hence I didn't see the pothole in the road, which I consequently hit full force. I partially lost grip on my handlebars and it's only my superior bike handling skillz that saved me from taking a tumble into the car's path.

Fortunately, there appears to be no damage to the Brommie's front wheel.

d.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 27 September, 2012, 06:38:17 pm
That's where a decent head torch is usefull.  You look directly at the oncoming driver, they get the message and dip, you look back at the road in front of you.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 27 September, 2012, 06:58:00 pm
One of the fundamental rules of driving in Birmingham is that if the vehicle in front of you moves, then you should move too - even if you can't see that it's safe to do so, or there isn't physically room for more than one car, or whatever.

I was impressed to note that they're learning this from a young age, as I watched a young teenager on a BMX ride across the road (from the pavement into a car park on the opposite side) through a marginal gap in busy traffic.  Wondering why the cars in front of me were taking so long to move off, I looked back up to note his mate following on a mountain bike, straight into the path of a lorry on the far side of the road.  Luckily the lorry driver was paying attention and applied copious amounts of brakes.  MTB kid proceeded to the car park entrance, where he stopped to show his appreciation in the form of an unintelligible shout and the universal sign for 'wanker'.   ???

As I passed, I felt compelled to point out that that was a bit stupid.  They looked at me, obviously confused, for a fraction of a second, looked at each other, and then reacted in the second most common way for teenage boys on seeing a recumbent bicycle.

*sigh*


Still, at least the four-wheelers were making an effort:  I had one pull out nice and wide to overtake, until an unanticipated blind bend appeared out of nowhere, and they were forced to side-swipe me in case of oncoming traffic.  Being used to this sort of thing, I was in an assertive primary, and had plenty of space to dodge into.   :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 27 September, 2012, 07:27:26 pm
Bugger me! (Actually, don't)
It's dark already.  Who ordered dark?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: citoyen on 27 September, 2012, 10:08:55 pm
Quote from: Basil on 27 September, 2012, 06:38:17 pm
That's where a decent head torch is usefull.  You look directly at the oncoming driver, they get the message and dip, you look back at the road in front of you.

Funnily enough, the same thought occurred to me on the final part of my ride home last night. I have used this tactic in the past and I can see I shall have to start doing it again.

d.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: citoyen on 28 September, 2012, 07:57:24 am
Oh mother, I love you dearly and I'm very sympathetic following your nasty fall yesterday that resulted in a fractured cheekbone, plus other superficial cuts and bruises. Looks painful.

However…

WTF have your injuries sustained while walking got to do with whether or not I wear a h*lmet when cycling?

:facepalm:

(I bit my tongue, of course. Heavy sigh.)

d.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 28 September, 2012, 09:11:43 am
Can anyone guess where I've packed my gloves and overshoes? Anyone?  No?

Neither can I.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: GothonaBrompton on 28 September, 2012, 10:49:04 am
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 26 September, 2012, 08:06:14 pm
During the ten minute walk back from tonight's swimming lesson, I saw 9 cyclists. Two were properly lit front and back. One had no lights on her bike but had a headtorch on her helmet. One had a back light only, and he was on the pavement. The other four had no lights and dark clothes, but one was ensuring his safety by cycling on the pavement.

Sometimes I think the bottom half of local newspaper websites has a point.

Sometimes I think I am the only cyclist in Feltham and Bedfont with lights. It is starting to draw in at around 6pm now (particularly if the weather is a bit murky) and is proper dark by 7pm (when I get off the train).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Lady Cavendish on 28 September, 2012, 10:55:33 am
I need some exercise endorphins.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: citoyen on 28 September, 2012, 11:22:03 am
I need a large drink.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 28 September, 2012, 12:35:59 pm
I need:
Quote from: Lady Cavendish on 28 September, 2012, 10:55:33 am
I need some exercise endorphins.

Followed by:
Quote from: citoyen on 28 September, 2012, 11:22:03 am
I need a large drink.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 28 September, 2012, 01:09:19 pm
My knee is painfull this morning to the extent of almost inducing a limp.This morning I have been to Tesco's for the first time in >two weeks.
I have observed this coincidence previously.Perhaps a Tesco embargo is appropriate ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Dibdib on 28 September, 2012, 01:49:51 pm
cheeky Friday lunch outing.

I think I've been pizza'ed to death.


 :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 28 September, 2012, 02:19:37 pm
BBC weather: Yesterday afternoon you predicted cloud but no rain. It pissed down on my washing. Today, your forecast shows it should be sunny. I look out of my window and see dark clouds gathering and the wind picking up. Natch, my washing is out. If it rains again, it's the shuvel. Fuck me! As I was writing that, it started to piss down. Bastards!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 28 September, 2012, 02:27:03 pm
Dentist, while you or rather your nurse amused me greatly today, why do you have to use all that anaesthetic? Ok, drilling into teeth can cause pain, but I've never found it so. I far prefer a few drilling twinges to total numbness on one side of my face - especially when I'm hungry and really want a cup of tea! I feel as if my face is skewiff and lopsided now. In fact a look in the mirror shows it probably is! (waddaya mean it always was?)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Zipperhead on 28 September, 2012, 02:29:08 pm
I think you should have the cup of tea anyway, just so that you can re-enact a scene from "10"
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 28 September, 2012, 02:49:49 pm
Quote from: jogler on 28 September, 2012, 01:09:19 pm
My knee is painfull this morning to the extent of almost inducing a limp.This morning I have been to Tesco's for the first time in >two weeks.
I have observed this coincidence previously.Perhaps a Tesco embargo is appropriate ;D

Pushing a shopping trolley in a straight line is one of the things that's pretty much guaranteed to b0rk my knee.  The twisting forces involved aren't natural.  I tend to either pull the trolley, or step around it and apply force in a straight line as needed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 28 September, 2012, 02:51:17 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 28 September, 2012, 02:27:03 pm
Dentist, while you or rather your nurse amused me greatly today, why do you have to use all that anaesthetic? Ok, drilling into teeth can cause pain, but I've never found it so. I far prefer a few drilling twinges to total numbness on one side of my face - especially when I'm hungry and really want a cup of tea! I feel as if my face is skewiff and lopsided now. In fact a look in the mirror shows it probably is! (waddaya mean it always was?)

Rule 1: always eat a full meal before seeing the denthitht.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 28 September, 2012, 03:28:42 pm
Quote from: Kim on 28 September, 2012, 02:49:49 pm
Quote from: jogler on 28 September, 2012, 01:09:19 pm
My knee is painfull this morning to the extent of almost inducing a limp.This morning I have been to Tesco's for the first time in >two weeks.
I have observed this coincidence previously.Perhaps a Tesco embargo is appropriate ;D

Pushing a shopping trolley in a straight line is one of the things that's pretty much guaranteed to b0rk my knee.  The twisting forces involved aren't natural.  I tend to either pull the trolley, or step around it and apply force in a straight line as needed.

I don't operate the trolley.
Marj has the trolley to provide support which she finds better than using her stick.I reckon it's to do with wheels.
I'm there to load/unload bags & lift anything from lower or upper shelves.It used to be referred to as slavery ;D

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 28 September, 2012, 03:41:41 pm
Probably just the curse of Tesco then.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 28 September, 2012, 03:45:31 pm
I thinkk so too.We can't both be wrong ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 28 September, 2012, 07:14:27 pm
This is what supermarket by internets was invented for. Well that and not having to deal with other people and their crap trolley driving escapades.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 28 September, 2012, 07:43:44 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 28 September, 2012, 07:14:27 pm
This is what supermarket by internets was invented for. Well that and not having to deal with other people and their crap trolley driving escapades.

That and being cool-headed enough to realise '£1 each or 2 for £2.50' is NOT a bargain.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 28 September, 2012, 07:56:20 pm
Unfortunately Tesco-by-internets around here means the Solihull branch, and their appalling stock control.  Other supermarkets are available, but they don't sell Tesco orange juice which is substantially nicer.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 28 September, 2012, 07:58:30 pm
Train wi-fi can't handle streaming radio4xtra.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 28 September, 2012, 08:02:46 pm
I only like Tropicana, from the offerings by Sainsbury's. I see which offers the cheapest between the milkman and Sainsbury's latest offers. I think I recently bought 2*1.75 litre cartons for £5.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 28 September, 2012, 08:18:52 pm
Oh yes Southern, it's super useful that the bike carriage has a big orange pictogram identifying itself.

Not so useful that when the doors open they cover said picture up  ::-)

Why not have the picture on the door?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 28 September, 2012, 08:22:31 pm
Does my recent grumbled mean I'm solidly middle class?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 29 September, 2012, 10:16:34 am
When defrosting bread, setting the microwave to defrost instead of full power will reduce the chances of the bread hardening like concrete and the kitchen filling with acrid smoke. I have dealt with it by opening a window and going out.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 29 September, 2012, 09:54:03 pm
< unladylike alert>
I hate it when you've been drinking 'beer (I.e.from a bottle) and you burp and the CO2 goes up your nose and it burns.
That is all.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: RJ on 29 September, 2012, 10:43:34 pm
When cooking 3 pizzas at once in a fan oven, make sure the fan is on  :facepalm:

(fan off = 1 underdone, 1 just so, and 1 burnt to a crisp  :-[)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 29 September, 2012, 11:40:22 pm
Quote from: Ashaman42 on 28 September, 2012, 08:18:52 pm
Oh yes Southern, it's super useful that the bike carriage has a big orange pictogram identifying itself.

Not so useful that when the doors open they cover said picture up  ::-)

For bonus points they've painted the door to the bike area poo colour (red) instead of the usual poo colour (medium brown), for ease of identification by non-protanope cyclists.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 30 September, 2012, 12:03:02 am
I'm going away a week on Sunday for what is going to be a very strenuous cycling tour.   I'm currently aching all over & my lower intestine is in Krakatoa mode.   If this doesn't clear up fast I'm going to be a most unhappy bunny. >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Deano on 30 September, 2012, 11:59:04 am
I'm lucky to have a neighbour who's in when the postie comes around, saving me a trek to (in this case) the Parcelforce depot in darkest Boro.

But how come they aren't in when I call around to collect it? Four days they've had it now  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jaded on 30 September, 2012, 12:14:25 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 29 September, 2012, 09:54:03 pm
< unladylike alert>
I hate it when you've been drinking 'beer (I.e.from a bottle) and you burp and the CO2 goes up your nose and it burns.
That is all.

The trick is to burp properly, as nature intended, in a manner designed to frighten off predators.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 30 September, 2012, 01:21:42 pm
Quote from: RJ on 29 September, 2012, 10:43:34 pm
When cooking 3 pizzas at once in a fan oven, make sure the fan is on  :facepalm:

(fan off = 1 underdone, 1 just so, and 1 burnt to a crisp  :-[)

Ah, the Three Bears pizzas....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 30 September, 2012, 01:39:16 pm
Today's lunch with the family has been cancelled and I'm heading back to bed.   Stomach still upset, body still achey.

The first days serious riding of my USA tour next week is 120Km and the temperature is currently in the mid 30's.    If I'm not 100% that's going to be a killer...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 30 September, 2012, 01:55:39 pm
Better now than then Andrew GWS.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 30 September, 2012, 02:20:15 pm
Hope you get better soon Andrew.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 30 September, 2012, 02:23:28 pm
My shoulder/shoulderblade spines have been crap since Wednesday, every time I get from megapain to improvement they flare up again the only thing which helps is sleep but not too much so I'm a bit sleep depped.  stress from work being busy and typing too much probably doesn't help but I can't change either of those so sodit. I'm running out of drugs and my GP wants to see me before giving me more - probably cos it's NSAIDs and opiates and shock horror a handful of different types and doses for different purposes.  Will go and see my usual GP and try and wrangle a flu jab out of her cos she's crap at putting me on the flujab list of the computer. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 30 September, 2012, 03:49:31 pm
My shoulder aches. Might be something to do with the Unintended Involuntary Dismount yesterday whilst off-roading. First time I have been over the bars in years.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 30 September, 2012, 09:32:51 pm
Virgin trains why don't you let cyclists with first class tickets put their bikes in the end nearest my seat?Pendolinos are long trains to sqeeze down the isle of.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 30 September, 2012, 09:42:26 pm
Quote from: Andrij on 28 September, 2012, 08:22:31 pm
Does my recent grumbled mean I'm solidly middle class?
It means you're solidly Britified.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 01 October, 2012, 09:11:18 am
Citroen garage. When I ring up and try to book my car in, you say "No need to book, just turn up, we are open from 8".

So when I turn up at 8:15, wait outside for 30min, try phoning 3 times, all without any success, it is really fucking annoying.

Oh, and if you pay someone to make a website for you, with a handy location map, it would be a really good idea of the location map actually showed your location, not somewhere 2 miles away.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 01 October, 2012, 09:34:51 am
Why do HMRC use paper that's just a bit bigger than A4, so won't go through the photocopier properly  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 01 October, 2012, 09:38:38 am
Quote from: mcshroom on 30 September, 2012, 09:32:51 pm
Virgin trains why don't you let cyclists with first class tickets put their bikes in the end nearest my seat?Pendolinos are long trains to sqeeze down the isle of.

and a follow up - why do you want to stand in the doors on the train for 5 minutes before it gets to the station? Instead of getting back down the train to my bike I had to run 8 carriages along the platform, dodging dozy idiots with fridge sized trolley bags as I went.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: RJ on 01 October, 2012, 12:45:12 pm
Quote from: Arch on 30 September, 2012, 01:21:42 pm
Quote from: RJ on 29 September, 2012, 10:43:34 pm
When cooking 3 pizzas at once in a fan oven, make sure the fan is on  :facepalm:

(fan off = 1 underdone, 1 just so, and 1 burnt to a crisp  :-[)

Ah, the Three Bears pizzas....

 ;D

(Needless to say, burnt-to-a-crisp was for GrowlyBear  ::-) - though it scrubbed up alright  ;))
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 05 October, 2012, 09:31:28 am
The slow lane of the pool was very busy this morning, with traffic jams caused by very slow guy and very very slow guy. At one point I was behind very slow guy who was behind very very slow guy. I had the space to overtake them both but just as I was about to pass very slow guy, he moved out to overtake very very slow guy. But he didn't have the pace to do it in the space available and had to pull back in. This happened twice in one length. I actually spent half that length doing nothing more than treading water and sculling my arms a bit right behind them.

I wish I was fast enough for the medium lane, or that they'd open a very slow lane.  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Chris S on 05 October, 2012, 12:45:32 pm
Why not swim under them, and overtake them that way?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 05 October, 2012, 01:03:20 pm
I have natural buoyancy. I'm kind of like a swimming Tigger.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feline on 05 October, 2012, 02:32:30 pm
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 05 October, 2012, 09:31:28 am
The slow lane of the pool was very busy this morning, with traffic jams caused by very slow guy and very very slow guy. At one point I was behind very slow guy who was behind very very slow guy. I had the space to overtake them both but just as I was about to pass very slow guy, he moved out to overtake very very slow guy. But he didn't have the pace to do it in the space available and had to pull back in. This happened twice in one length. I actually spent half that length doing nothing more than treading water and sculling my arms a bit right behind them.

I wish I was fast enough for the medium lane, or that they'd open a very slow lane.  ;D

God, it sounds like commuting! You even get to be soaking wet too!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 05 October, 2012, 02:41:04 pm
So far this week my days have been spent feeling crap, then good, then crap, then good and now crap again. WTF's going on?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 05 October, 2012, 02:53:50 pm
I need chocolate

and

gin
(although wine would do)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 05 October, 2012, 03:18:07 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 05 October, 2012, 02:41:04 pm
So far this week my days have been spent feeling crap, then good, then crap, then good and now crap again. WTF's going on?

Is the crap/good/crap/good coinciding with being at work/home/work/home?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 05 October, 2012, 05:32:14 pm
Gosh. 
I hope Pingu sees this.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 05 October, 2012, 05:41:51 pm
The good bits being home, obviously.  :o
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: why1040 on 05 October, 2012, 07:46:00 pm
Self...
Checking what time the AGM started would have meant that:
A) you would not have had to rush through showering and grabbing food, and
B) you wouldn't have had to sit in the car outside the village hall for an hour feeling like a total nitwit!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 05 October, 2012, 08:15:20 pm
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 05 October, 2012, 03:18:07 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 05 October, 2012, 02:41:04 pm
So far this week my days have been spent feeling crap, then good, then crap, then good and now crap again. WTF's going on?

Is the crap/good/crap/good coinciding with being at work/home/work/home?
No, more Mondaycrap Tuesdaygood Wednesdaycrap Thursdaygood Fridaycrapagain. If i didn't know better I'd say my body was putting off having the lurgy to save it for le weekend.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 06 October, 2012, 03:04:53 pm
I've had a bad back all week. Can't go for a ride.  :'(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 06 October, 2012, 04:26:36 pm
Jenners won't replace my collapsing pans because after 10 years I don't have proof of purchase. Understandable, but disappointing. I'll be buying replacements (eventually) elsewhere though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 06 October, 2012, 07:20:10 pm
Oh FFS.  Equations.  With Greek letters in them.  I'm back in my secondary school nightmares  >:( :( :( :-\
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Karla on 06 October, 2012, 08:15:20 pm
I've got a hillclimb tomorrow and I've also got a cold.  How am I meant to bust a gut for 7 minutes when I can't even breathe?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 06 October, 2012, 08:23:28 pm
Quote from: Mr Bunbury on 06 October, 2012, 08:15:20 pm
I've got a hillclimb tomorrow and I've also got a cold.  How am I meant to bust a gut for 7 minutes when I can't even breathe?

Don't bother.  Do Gerry's Autumn Brevet instead.  You know it makes sense.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 07 October, 2012, 05:17:54 am
Quote from: Lindagordinho on 06 October, 2012, 07:20:10 pm
Oh FFS.  Equations.  With Greek letters in them.  I'm back in my secondary school nightmares  >:( :( :( :-\

I loved doing equations
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 07 October, 2012, 01:50:51 pm
Quote from: jogler on 07 October, 2012, 05:17:54 am
Quote from: Lindagordinho on 06 October, 2012, 07:20:10 pm
Oh FFS.  Equations.  With Greek letters in them.  I'm back in my secondary school nightmares  >:( :( :( :-\

I loved doing equations

Equations were OK until I did O Level Mathematics and the paper told me to solve an equation which was not an equation (no = sign).
I put up my hand to complain and stupid invigilator told me it WAS an equation.

I abandoned question but was rather put out.
Maths teacher told me I was right months later but I'd lost much confidence.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 07 October, 2012, 02:42:09 pm
Equations with greek letters in them are fine (unless handwritten by mathematicians, of course), up to the point where they require integration-by-pulling-things-out-of-your-arse.  So about halfway through A-level, then.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 07 October, 2012, 10:05:25 pm
e-learning's all very well.  But some of us need a PERSON to talk us through all these bloody diagrams and algorithms and formulae.  Gah.   :(

Blow this for a game o' soldiers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 07 October, 2012, 10:25:18 pm
Tea + cake = haapy face?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 07 October, 2012, 10:26:51 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 07 October, 2012, 10:25:18 pm
Tea + cake = haapy face?

Got tea.  Got cake.  =   :) ;D ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: why1040 on 07 October, 2012, 10:29:39 pm
I thought I'd got some reasonable control over this damned chronic fatigue...I've had a month of feeling vaguely decent-not great, but without the real dips.

Bah!  Today's been a complete write-off!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Androcles on 08 October, 2012, 08:08:00 pm
Morrisons - why do you sell bottles of cleaner for GP contacts but not conditioner solution?  I mean, at a pinch you can get the worst off with conditioner, but you can't store them in cleaner   :o

While I'm at it, handy "flight packs" of lens solution - but only for soft lenses.  GP users don't fly, apparently (although anything longer than a two-shirter will mean check-in baggage anyway).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Dibdib on 08 October, 2012, 09:11:43 pm
Retail (i.e. not ex-rental) Blu-rays with non-skippable trailers. Eff the eff off.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cycleman on 09 October, 2012, 09:35:17 am
pulled my back this morning :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 09 October, 2012, 09:36:15 am
Oh bother.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 09 October, 2012, 09:39:22 am
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 06 October, 2012, 04:26:36 pm
Jenners won't replace my collapsing pans because after 10 years I don't have proof of purchase. Understandable, but disappointing. I'll be buying replacements (eventually) elsewhere though.

Go to Costco(there is one in Edinburgh), they do a most excellent Circulon set for (IIRC) ~£160 (retail value over £300) or a Costco own label Circulon copies for about 1/2 the price!  As a civil servant you can get personal membership (if you haven't already got one, well worth the money).

http://costco.co.uk/locations/edinburgh/
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 09 October, 2012, 09:48:11 am
Quote from: Androcles on 08 October, 2012, 08:08:00 pm
Morrisons - why do you sell bottles of cleaner for GP contacts but not conditioner solution?  I mean, at a pinch you can get the worst off with conditioner, but you can't store them in cleaner    :o

While I'm at it, handy "flight packs" of lens solution - but only for soft lenses.  GP users don't fly, apparently (although anything longer than a two-shirter will mean check-in baggage anyway).

Well you can - it's only peroxide isn't it?  Back when I had GP lenses there were three solutions - a cleaner, a disinfectant (peroxide at 3% generally), and a neutraliser (catalyst to break down the peroxide). But nowadays (even for GP I thought) the norm is a single step clean/disinfect with a peroxide solution (no more rubbing the lens with cleaner and a finger) put into a case with a catalyst to break it down?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 09 October, 2012, 10:09:49 am
The printer is possessed by demons again.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 09 October, 2012, 03:45:45 pm
Strange. Normally it is possessed by daemons.. (sysadmin joke).

I must do a bit more local printer possession..

<manic laugh>
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8170/8070861628_915dab0b1f_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidmam/8070861628/)
printer (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidmam/8070861628/) by davidmamartin (http://www.flickr.com/people/davidmam/), on Flickr
</manic laugh>
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 09 October, 2012, 03:48:04 pm
 ;D x 2
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 09 October, 2012, 04:17:43 pm
Oh how I wish I could do that.....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 09 October, 2012, 04:21:43 pm
Fairly straightforward if the printer speaks PCL...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 09 October, 2012, 04:27:17 pm
I am without electricity AGAIN!
Dodgy Interwebs via a dongle on ancient Windows netbook.
No central heating.
No cordless phones.
No lights.
BAAA! :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 09 October, 2012, 04:29:41 pm
Quote from: Kim on 09 October, 2012, 04:21:43 pm
Fairly straightforward if the printer speaks PCL...
No admin rights. Sadly.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mike on 09 October, 2012, 04:35:58 pm
the bloody binmen have ignored my wheelybin because it was 1 foot off the pavement in our driveway.  So now it's got to fit 4 weeks of rubbish.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 09 October, 2012, 04:38:41 pm
Quote from: mike on 09 October, 2012, 04:35:58 pm
the bloody binmen have ignored my wheelybin because it was 1 foot off the pavement in our driveway.  So now it's got to fit 4 weeks of rubbish.

Write a stinky letter to whoever might listen citing rats.  That seems to have made the binmen substantially less arsey around here.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 09 October, 2012, 04:45:57 pm
Quote from: mike on 09 October, 2012, 04:35:58 pm
the bloody binmen have ignored my wheelybin because it was 1 foot off the pavement in our driveway.  So now it's got to fit 4 weeks of rubbish.

Complain and complain lots, I did the other week when the bin men dropped a load of a neighbour's rubbish directly onto the road in front of our driveway and just kicked it about a bit to make it look like there wasn't too much there.  The driver and 2 mates both got a talking to and they have been as civil as anything since!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 09 October, 2012, 04:54:06 pm
You don't need admin rights. Maybe I can concoct a Javascript version for you that will run from a web page...

This looks like it should be the basis for a suitable hack..

http://code.google.com/p/jsocket/wiki/SimpleExample
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 09 October, 2012, 05:29:45 pm
Quote from: David Martin on 09 October, 2012, 03:45:45 pm
Strange. Normally it is possessed by daemons.. (sysadmin joke).

I must do a bit more local printer possession..

<manic laugh>
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8170/8070861628_915dab0b1f_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidmam/8070861628/)
printer (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidmam/8070861628/) by davidmamartin (http://www.flickr.com/people/davidmam/), on Flickr
</manic laugh>
;D
If I knew how to make our printer say things, I would. But nobody would read it because nobody in my office ever reads instructions.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 09 October, 2012, 05:33:48 pm
When I get back from my bike ride I will endeavour to piece together a web page, which, given appropriate webtrickery will allow you to send a message to the local printer of choice. Unless of course someone else manages to get there first.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 09 October, 2012, 07:19:12 pm
I will totally play with printer trickery although my lot would instantly suspect me because I'm the only one with the slightest likely ability or indeed inclination to do such things  :demon:

But I don't mind being known guilty of making printers say things like "Out of Cheese Error!" :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ran doner on 09 October, 2012, 07:31:08 pm
Quote from: mike on 09 October, 2012, 04:35:58 pm
the bloody binmen have ignored my wheelybin because it was 1 foot off the pavement in our driveway.  So now it's got to fit 4 weeks of rubbish.

A 4 pack of Stella a couple of times a year helps with most bin men. They may even collect your bins mid strike.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 09 October, 2012, 08:04:24 pm
Following the demise of my hard drive and my big pan, the next thing to be fuckered is my mp3 player. *sigh* Won't play more than about a song and a half before switching itself off and rebuilding itself. Currently copying all the content onto my hard drive (and it's a 32gig mp3 player with a 32gig card in it too so there's a lot of content) for the inevitable day it dies altogether.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 09 October, 2012, 11:32:28 pm
Will test the evil genius web page tomorrow when I have a printer that may respond. in the interim I have something that looks like it should work.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 10 October, 2012, 09:26:03 am
Forgot to put my nose stud back in after my swim. Hope it hasn't started to heal over by the time I get home or getting it back in will be sore.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: eck on 10 October, 2012, 09:43:37 am
Well now, Tayside Contracts, I submit a query via the 'Contact Us' bit of your website, and I get an email saying, "I am currently out of the office and will not return until Monday the 22nd October 2012."  ::-)
You are out of the office? What, all of you??  ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 10 October, 2012, 11:07:02 am
Web page printer malarky is limited by security policies in SWF. Sorry. Can you get a DOS box? (run cmd.exe?)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 10 October, 2012, 11:07:58 am
I have left my reading glasses at home. I hadn't realised how much I have come to need them. (not yet essential but make things easier).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: dasmoth on 10 October, 2012, 11:08:06 am
Quote from: David Martin on 10 October, 2012, 11:07:02 am
Web page printer malarky is limited by security policies in SWF. Sorry. Can you get a DOS box? (run cmd.exe?)

Was wondering how you were planning to do that!  Flash has kind-of fallen off my radar at this point...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 10 October, 2012, 11:44:46 am
If you prrinter is available as a windows share, try opening up cmd.exe (windows button, run, cmd.exe) and entering the following at the prompt:

Echo @PJL RDYMSG DISPLAY ="Ready Message" >\\server\printQ
You will need to know the network path to your printer.

http://ss64.com/nt/print.html refers
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 10 October, 2012, 04:15:01 pm
Self: when ordering brake cable outer from eBay, look at the description first that says it is priced per metre. OK, the quantity box was a bit vague, but it's still your fault you missed the massive caution note!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 10 October, 2012, 09:45:52 pm
I tripped over at work today, carrying a recycling box, and now I have a big bruise on each knee, and a small patch of missing skin on one elbow.

And they all hurt. :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feline on 10 October, 2012, 09:49:36 pm
Quote from: Arch on 10 October, 2012, 09:45:52 pm
I tripped over at work today, carrying a recycling box, and now I have a big bruise on each knee, and a small patch of missing skin on one elbow.

And they all hurt. :(

Awww virtual hugs Arch  :-*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 10 October, 2012, 09:54:34 pm
Aw hugs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 10 October, 2012, 10:10:17 pm
Thanks for the hugs.  It was my own daft fault really - there was a bag of laundry in the alley outside the back of a restaurant and I was passing with a box and miscalculated how far the bag was sticking out and caught my foot on it.  I do seem to fall over once or twice a year, sometimes just stepping off the kerb. :facepalm:  Carrying a box makes it harder to save oneself.

When I rolled up my trousers to look at the bruises at lunchtime, my boss suggested another colleague got a photo.

For Twitter.

My knee has been twatted.

Should have waited, it'll be a much more impressive picture tomorrow...

But anyway, ouch.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 10 October, 2012, 10:20:39 pm
Ooh! So you got pain as well as bruises eh? Hope they heal speedily Arch  :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 10 October, 2012, 10:39:23 pm
Quote from: Lindagordinho on 10 October, 2012, 10:20:39 pm
Ooh! So you got pain as well as bruises eh? Hope they heal speedily Arch  :)

Thank you. MFWHTBAB is coming over tomorrow, and has promised to kiss them better.

That's going to look quite odd...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 13 October, 2012, 03:30:14 pm
Where did all this rain come from? I'm sure the forecast showed uninterrupted sunshine when I checked it yesterday morning, but it's been pissing down for half the day. Sometimes stops just long enough to fool you into going outside. Cold, too, & there's been some hail.

Bah!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 13 October, 2012, 04:33:17 pm
30 miles east of you, we've had no rain all day.
It was rather cold but clear this morning.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 13 October, 2012, 04:47:44 pm
Lots of sun earlier in Hertford, after a cold ?frosty night.  But we've been rained at this afternoon.  I'm hoping for clearer weather tomorrow for packing up and riding.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wowbagger on 14 October, 2012, 11:48:55 pm
I am mightily pissed off with this fecking cold.

It started Thursday night, which was when we arrived, and every night I have been unable to sleep properly. Last night I was so congested Ibthought I was drowning. Tonight I have benn imbibing plenty of wine, a large whisky (Oban) and somehow a camembert disappeared. We go home tomorrow so I can get better.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 15 October, 2012, 11:12:22 am
When bobb arrived on Wednesday he had a cold. Now we both have it.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 15 October, 2012, 12:56:03 pm
My midday student's not turned up - after I rearranged the appointment for her last week cos she didn't check how long it'd take to get to us...  I'd done loading data into brain and reading of her file and everything.  Am annoyed about that.  The other one due in today at least emailed to rearrange and has a plausible for them excuse.

Outlook keeps flashing up that it can't connect to the sodding notwork.  My boss's computer hung for 45s waiting for a single webpage.  Getting fucking silly now. I can do some work without it, but not quickly or well.  Restarting it seems to have helped for now.

I feel like shit, slept badly and now I hurt all over and can't think straight.  My working memory's shot to hell which is going to make answering shouty student's email difficult cos it's complicated funding bollocks and I can't get anyone to answer me. 

CBA! 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Marco Stefano on 18 October, 2012, 12:35:15 pm
Listening to Radio 5 Live in the kitchen the other evening I spent a fair time growling at the brain-off-mouth-wide-open presenting style.
 - a sports reporter talking about the pitch before the Poland - England foopball game: 'It's patchy in places.' Really? Not patchy all over?
 - talking about some baking programme to the owner of a celebration cake shop, when asking about which cake he would advise novices to bake & he had replied about simple recipes: 'But sometimes it's the simple recipes that are the most difficult.'
 - talking to the same cake shop owner: 'Which event is the most popular reason for customers ordering a cake?' 'Birthdays', he replied. Who'd have thought it? It's not as if there are more birthdays than any other routine celebration.  ::-)

Where I made my first mistake was actually listening to it instead of letting it wash over me.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 18 October, 2012, 12:37:46 pm
Try Radio 4 instead.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 18 October, 2012, 12:42:48 pm
Quote from: Marco Stefano on 18 October, 2012, 12:35:15 pm
Listening to Radio 5 Live in the kitchen the other evening I spent a fair time growling at the brain-off-mouth-wide-open presenting style.
 - a sports reporter talking about the pitch before the Poland - England foopball game: 'It's patchy in places.' Really? Not patchy all over?
 - talking about some baking programme to the owner of a celebration cake shop, when asking about which cake he would advise novices to bake & he had replied about simple recipes: 'But sometimes it's the simple recipes that are the most difficult.'
 - talking to the same cake shop owner: 'Which event is the most popular reason for customers ordering a cake?' 'Birthdays', he replied. Who'd have thought it? It's not as if there are more birthdays than any other routine celebration.  ::-)

Where I made my first mistake was actually listening to it instead of letting it wash over me.

IMHO, Radio 5Live is now awash with cheap vox pops and second rate journalism. Your examples are typical of a day's programming quality. The standard of "debate" in the 606 phone-ins after games is sub-local radio for much of the time.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 18 October, 2012, 01:32:00 pm
Crossing St Leonards today outside the polis station, pressed the button at the crossing, waited til the light turned red. Silver hatchback Y408 CDS with green P plate on the back had been waiting to pull out of St Leonards Lane, took advantage of the red light to pull out, turned right to head towards the Pleasance, and proceeded to - well, proceed right through the red light and almost hit me as I crossed. Luckily he was going very slowly. He seemed utterly bewildered by my anger and unparliamentary language; didn't seem to have any idea that he'd just gone through the red light he knew was red because he'd used it to get out of the side street.

As I finished bawling at him about handing his licence back, two polis officers appeared from the police station so I hailed them from across the road, told them I'd nearly been hit by this muppet going through a red light at the crossing - and they told me they were off to court so to report it at the station. So I did. Where they took the details, gave me an incident form and pointed out they wouldn't be doing anything without witnesses. *sigh*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 18 October, 2012, 04:25:35 pm
Whereas today, as I drove to a station I don't usually work at, I was adjacent to a dumb cow driver negotiating many a roundabout whilst gassing on her mobile phone. The last roundabout we had to negotiate was adjacent to the police station- a fact she appeared not to be aware of. I spied many a colleague crossing the road and for some reason or other my car made a strange, loud noise. Dumb cow failed to drop her iPhone wotever before pedestrian colleague saw her after wondering WTF the noisy car was ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rogerzilla on 18 October, 2012, 05:58:39 pm
I need reading glasses.  Ho hum.  My employer will pay for them, though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 18 October, 2012, 06:04:42 pm
Did he get her bang to rights? Is she going daaaaaaaaaaahn?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 18 October, 2012, 06:15:01 pm
Those antibiotics I was on were Wrong, apparently.  This explains a few unpleasant things.

So now I'm going to have to take another lot.  For a week.  And they're cephalosporins.  Hmph.   >:( >:( >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 19 October, 2012, 08:46:46 am
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 18 October, 2012, 06:04:42 pm
Did he get her bang to rights? Is she going daaaaaaaaaaahn?

She certainly got a 'tug' 8)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Marco Stefano on 19 October, 2012, 12:38:41 pm
Quote from: Andrij on 18 October, 2012, 12:37:46 pm
Try Radio 4 instead.  :thumbsup:

Radio 4 or 4 Extra are my defaults. Occasionally Jazz FM ('Nice.').

5 Live is Mrs Marco's default in the kitchen (she loves sport) but she only tunes her ears in when she wants to listen to something, then tunes out again, whereas I constantly gnash teeth & mutter in the background. Luckily, she draws the line at 606, since we are solely a house of the ovoid ball. And we cannot stand the constant whining about how their foopball team deserved to win, despite scoring fewer goals than the opposition (sorry, no points for artistic interpretation, go away).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 19 October, 2012, 12:42:18 pm
I used to listen to Radio 4 all day and all night (World Service).  Now, I listen to 4Extra as well (especially 1900-2000 and 2200-0000 for comedy), R2 for PopMaster, Johnnie Walker, Paul O'Grady etc, 6Records for RadMac, and Absolute Classic Rock, or Planet Rock for washing up.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 19 October, 2012, 02:16:56 pm
My employer has decided to push that helmets must be worn in their weekly saftey brief (again) yet lights on bikes only should be used. They've finally got me annoyed enough to bite, so I've just asked for the Risk Assessment completed to determine these two site rules and enquired whether the company consider helmets PPE. :demon:

{eta}I've already received a phone call and my email has been sent to the head of conventional safety. Interesting.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 19 October, 2012, 02:34:15 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 19 October, 2012, 02:16:56 pm
My employer has decided to push that helmets must be worn in their weekly saftey brief (again) yet lights on bikes only should be used. They've finally got me annoyed enough to bite, so I've just asked for the Risk Assessment completed to determine these two site rules and enquired whether the company consider helmets PPE. :demon:

Pretty rough place of employment if helmets are needed in meetings.  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Marco Stefano on 19 October, 2012, 04:24:41 pm
Quote from: clarion on 19 October, 2012, 12:42:18 pm
I used to listen to Radio 4 all day and all night (World Service).  Now, I listen to 4Extra as well (especially 1900-2000 and 2200-0000 for comedy), R2 for PopMaster, Johnnie Walker, Paul O'Grady etc, 6Records for RadMac, and Absolute Classic Rock, or Planet Rock for washing up.

Does that make it quicker?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 19 October, 2012, 04:41:20 pm
I don't wanna go work  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 19 October, 2012, 05:51:31 pm
I listen to rock music while washing up, as the drierperson and I share a love of it which surpasses that of the other members of the household.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 20 October, 2012, 03:06:31 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 19 October, 2012, 02:16:56 pm
My employer has decided to push that helmets must be worn in their weekly saftey brief (again) yet lights on bikes only should be used. They've finally got me annoyed enough to bite, so I've just asked for the Risk Assessment completed to determine these two site rules and enquired whether the company consider helmets PPE. :demon:

{eta}I've already received a phone call and my email has been sent to the head of conventional safety. Interesting.

You have a Head of Unconventional Safety?  ;D

(Of course, I think I know what you mean, knowing where you work...)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 20 October, 2012, 04:38:21 pm
Ingleton YHA is closed on Thursday. When I looked two weeks ago to plan my coast to coast to catch the choir members who started hiking yesterday it was going to be open.

so B&B it is.

Further Scarborough YHA is full grr. I should have booked ahead earlier.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 20 October, 2012, 11:16:48 pm
B0rked my wrists with too much upwrongular off-roading.  Going to have to keep the typing down until i can feel my fingers properly.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 21 October, 2012, 04:35:17 pm
Call me old-fashioned if you like, but I really feel the proper place for young couples who wish to straddle and grope each other should be a park bench rather than the end of the slow lane at the swimming pool. At the very least, they could have moved into the unlaned bit to get out of the way of swimmers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 21 October, 2012, 04:36:47 pm
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 21 October, 2012, 04:35:17 pm
Call me old-fashioned if you like, but I really feel the proper place for young couples who wish to straddle and grope each other should be a park bench rather than the end of the slow lane at the swimming pool.

Yeahbut at least in a swimming pool they're safe from interruptions by extremely well-lit cyclists.   ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 21 October, 2012, 07:47:54 pm
Thanks, mobile provider.  I noticed yesterday my phone displays EE instead of T-Mobile.  I was expecting that.  I wasn't expecting to have to restart my phone to be able to receive text messages, the ones that have been backing up since early Saturday.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 21 October, 2012, 08:34:09 pm
Quote from: Andrij on 21 October, 2012, 07:47:54 pm
Thanks, mobile provider.  I noticed yesterday my phone displays EE instead of T-Mobile.  I was expecting that.  I wasn't expecting to have to restart my phone to be able to receive text messages, the ones that have been backing up since early Saturday.  >:(

Nothing, Anywhere, innit?

Suspect my partner has not had problems because his phone is switched off most of the time. Mine still displays 'Orange', his displays 'EE'. My texts have come through fine.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 21 October, 2012, 09:20:39 pm
I never switch my phone off and at some point it automatically changed from Orange to EE. I haven't lost any texts. It's possible though that being out of range has had the same effect as turning it off and on again.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 21 October, 2012, 09:34:37 pm
I am puzzled as to why my phone displays Orange and partner's displays EE. They're on the same Orange account.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 21 October, 2012, 10:00:36 pm
I vaguely recall that there's a phone firmware thing, whereby it can display a 'friendly' name for a network in its recognised list, but will fall back to whatever's broadcast by the network for other networks.  On its stock (Orange supplied) firmware my phone identified giffgaff as "O2" (their wholesale provider), with Cyanogen firmware it's now heard of giffgaff.  Same network, same SIM.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Marco Stefano on 22 October, 2012, 09:57:50 am
Part of a note that I placed under the wiper of a manager's car this morning:

'Ironic that today is the first day of Health and Safety Week and the theme is Driving Awareness, considering your driving behaviour this morning with reduced visibility and wet roads and your casual law-breaking with regard to the speed limit.'

  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 23 October, 2012, 02:20:40 pm
Quote from: Kim on 21 October, 2012, 10:00:36 pm
I vaguely recall that there's a phone firmware thing, whereby it can display a 'friendly' name for a network in its recognised list, but will fall back to whatever's broadcast by the network for other networks.  On its stock (Orange supplied) firmware my phone identified giffgaff as "O2" (their wholesale provider), with Cyanogen firmware it's now heard of giffgaff.  Same network, same SIM.

They way it worked originally was that GSM handsets read the network name from the firmware (and if it wasn't there would display the MCC/MNC pair - numbers that said which country and network you were on). Firmware updates would update these.
CPHS (Common PCN Handset Specification) was brought in by Orange and One2One as extensions to GSM. They added things like ALS (alternate line service) for having more than one line on your handset, voicemail spool indicators and also a SIM field that contained the network name. A CPHS compliant handset will attempt to read the network name from the SIM, and if it cannot find it then will default to the name in the firmware. The name in the SIM can be updated over the air by the network sending a specially crafted SMS.

The CPHS document is now available on the net - http://www.scribd.com/doc/14454041/T3000450
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 23 October, 2012, 05:47:43 pm
milkandmore.co.uk: I had six milk deliveries per week when I started using you 10 years ago. You have, in stages, reduced this through five and four to the current three deliveries per week.
This would be acceptable if you then delivered FRESH milk. You do not, however.
If you don't buck your ideas up soon, I shall stop getting your 66p/pint eco-friendly glass bottles and resort to getting my milk more cheaply from Mr Sainsbury, freezing any excess in those handy plastic packs they supply.
Supplying Friday's milk on Monday, as you did yesterday, is unacceptable.
The milk I had with breakfast today was just starting to turn.
It is not high summer. If you don't shift, I will!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 25 October, 2012, 10:22:07 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 21 October, 2012, 09:34:37 pm
I am puzzled as to why my phone displays Orange and partner's displays EE. They're on the same Orange account.

In my case I think it's due to one phone being a personal PAYG and the other being a business contract.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 25 October, 2012, 10:23:24 am
Clocks going back = no more after work strolls. Bah.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 25 October, 2012, 10:26:42 am
I leave for work when it is dark now. I get home when it is dark. Clocks going back? Bothered?


meh


I have tinitus. It's quite entertaining - air moving passed my ear sounds like far-off howling jet engines.

I have earache and eye ache as well. Less entertaining. Drank soluble aspirin, now feel like puking. even less entertaining.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: GrahamG on 25 October, 2012, 01:05:35 pm
Body, you need to seriously MTFU - a couple of days on the trot cycle commuting and a few early mornings in a row and you appear to be raising the little white flag!  Time for some serious winter base riding (and subsequent rest!) to get back to being somewhere near moderately fit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 25 October, 2012, 07:02:44 pm
Bloody Orange. When someone buys a SIM-free phone from you, stating that they want a phone they can use on any network, & you sell it on that basis, in what alternate reality is it reasonable to (1) lock it to your network, & (2) try to extract money for unlocking it?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 26 October, 2012, 08:58:16 pm
My house is populated by enormous spiders AND massive great buzzy flies.

I mean, that's just not right.  Nasty things, all of them.

 >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 27 October, 2012, 09:09:31 pm
Ms AWL, standing by the doorway and talking to/at our son's friend's mother for an hour and a half instead of parcelling them out of the door a good deal sooner hugely disrupted our schedule this evening. In the end, said sprog was almost bundled out of the house by me as his antics were wearing distinctly thin towards the end. I think it's their turn next. And the next time he comes round here, as he is welcome to do, I shall do the farewells.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 29 October, 2012, 09:42:55 am
I am a miserable f^cker today. I was a miserable f^cker yesterday evening as well.

Why?  I am pig sick of people around me being rude and ungrateful. Probably going to come over all Victor Meldrew here, but young people are so effing rude, particularly at the dinner table.
Talking to a teacher on the weekend, she has the same problems in class.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Marco Stefano on 29 October, 2012, 12:24:17 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 29 October, 2012, 09:42:55 am
I am a miserable f^cker today. I was a miserable f^cker yesterday evening as well.

Why?  I am pig sick of people around me being rude and ungrateful. Probably going to come over all Victor Meldrew here, but young people are so effing rude, particularly at the dinner table.
Talking to a teacher on the weekend, she has the same problems in class.

I am with you, mrcharly. I sometimes feel like walking away from the table, but I suppose it wouldn't help in the long run. I usually begin talking politely about something else with someone else, so rude interjections can be one-sided only. Polite people of the world, unite, please!

I am considering wildcat domestic strike action, or a go-slow (as slow as they are in the first place). I also feel like gathering Stuff (any Stuff that is in the Wrong Place) into a black bin-bag and putting it somewhere else, and adding to it until the problem goes away by dint of there being no more Stuff to take away.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jasmine on 29 October, 2012, 12:31:41 pm
You could both go on strike action, if you could stand it:

http://tinyurl.com/9hqtwem
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 29 October, 2012, 03:42:38 pm
Quote from: Marco Stefano on 29 October, 2012, 12:24:17 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 29 October, 2012, 09:42:55 am
I am a miserable f^cker today. I was a miserable f^cker yesterday evening as well.

Why?  I am pig sick of people around me being rude and ungrateful. Probably going to come over all Victor Meldrew here, but young people are so effing rude, particularly at the dinner table.
Talking to a teacher on the weekend, she has the same problems in class.

I am with you, mrcharly. I sometimes feel like walking away from the table, but I suppose it wouldn't help in the long run. I usually begin talking politely about something else with someone else, so rude interjections can be one-sided only. Polite people of the world, unite, please!
The rudeness that set me off, yesterday included:

Complaining, loudly, about being asked to wait until everyone was served before starting eating.

Belching like an eruption from krakatoa repeatedly, mouth open, facing the table. When asked to not do it, responding with "It's a bodily function, you can't stop those." To which Mum responded with "So is poohing, but you don't do that at the table."

Not once saying "Thank you" for the food. Complaining about not being allowed to just have their favourite veg.

Shovelling food in mouth so fast some was falling out as more was pushed in.

When asked to bring dirty clothes out of room, throwing them from the top of the stairs.


I could go on.

I'm tempted to strike. But for that to be effective it would mean withdrawal of light, heat, power, internet . . . Some people in the family are polite and helpful. Wouldn't be fair to them.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 29 October, 2012, 04:28:36 pm
Excluding thenm from the benefits of your labours may have an effect.

Seeing their family tucking in to an evening meal you have just dished up, whilst their share remains in the cooking pots, pans and dishes in the kitchen?

Responding to questions about where their clean clothes are with the response "Where you left them"?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Marco Stefano on 29 October, 2012, 07:36:10 pm
I am thinking of asking 'What is in it for me?' when asked for something something is demanded.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 30 October, 2012, 09:29:07 pm
I was bending down, picking up some bits of paper that had escaped from the skip, and when I stood up, I forgot about the housing of the gantry winch, and I bangeded my head on it.

And it hurted.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feline on 31 October, 2012, 07:56:39 pm
Quote from: Jasmine on 29 October, 2012, 12:31:41 pm
You could both go on strike action, if you could stand it:

http://tinyurl.com/9hqtwem

I do something like this every time I go and ride a long audax or work a weekend. It is most effective if you provide no potential junk/fast food and fill the fridge beforehand with broccoli and carrots.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 01 November, 2012, 09:22:54 am
I've just had a 5km diversion on the way into work as they had to close the gate I use due to a diesel spill. OK I accept these things happen, but to get to the other gate that the private not-policeman sent me to (without warning) apparently just took me back along more of the spill route than I'd already covered, so he just sent me to ride 4km of roads that were known to be covered in diesel :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 01 November, 2012, 11:28:38 am
How can a hospital outpatients (ultrasound) appointment at 09:10 be running 45 minutes late? The cottage hospital in question doesn't have an A&E to jump the queue.
 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hbunnet on 01 November, 2012, 12:16:30 pm
Quote from: matthew on 01 November, 2012, 11:28:38 am
How can a hospital outpatients (ultrasound) appointment at 09:10 be running 45 minutes late? The cottage hospital in question doesn't have an A&E to jump the queue.

Specialists can be asked to attend somewhere else with higher priority.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Chris S on 02 November, 2012, 11:05:05 am
It's as well I don't have any pets. Two hours of work, and I'm in the mood to kick something.  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 02 November, 2012, 05:48:43 pm
Bloody iron. Light comes on, but it stays cold. Now I know what the smell was last time I used it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 02 November, 2012, 06:04:52 pm
Quote from: Chris S on 02 November, 2012, 11:05:05 am
It's as well I don't have any pets. Two hours of work, and I'm in the mood to kick something.  :(

It's Friday.Why are you working such long hours ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 03 November, 2012, 02:44:39 pm
Mac power adapter. You may look pretty but your job is to supply the right sort of electrons. You are failing dismally (and dangerously, it's not the first one I have had burn out) and are now redundant. Grr.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 04 November, 2012, 11:04:55 am
Bugger. Our oven doesn't work.

The buttons on the front weren't working so we couldn't change the time when the clocks went back. Turned the oven off and on again and now the clock is flashing 00:00 and won't switch on at all without a time (any time) being set.

Is there anything obvious we should try or do we need to get someone in?

Same problem with a different oven (via some googling) mentioned taking the top cover off and bypassing the timer. Is this worth trying and is it safe to do having turned off the oven at the wall switch or should I kill power via the fusebox as well?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rogerzilla on 04 November, 2012, 11:25:26 am
Oven switch should be double pole but check with a mains tester if you have one.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 04 November, 2012, 11:33:33 am
I have no idea what that means so will just kill it via fusebox. Now, where's my headtorch.  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 04 November, 2012, 11:58:23 am
Quote from: Ashaman42 on 04 November, 2012, 11:04:55 am
Bugger. Our oven doesn't work.

The buttons on the front weren't working so we couldn't change the time when the clocks went back. Turned the oven off and on again and now the clock is flashing 00:00 and won't switch on at all without a time (any time) being set.

Is there anything obvious we should try or do we need to get someone in?

Same problem with a different oven (via some googling) mentioned taking the top cover off and bypassing the timer. Is this worth trying and is it safe to do having turned off the oven at the wall switch or should I kill power via the fusebox as well?

That happened to me some time back.
I did short out the timer to get it working.
Sorry I can't give any advice as I used mostly guesswork, but somehow got away with it.
http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=36663.msg690598#msg690598
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 04 November, 2012, 03:35:44 pm
Hmm, had a look online, found someone with a similar oven with the same part number for the timer with detail on which wires to short circuit  :thumbsup:

Except my wiring doesn't seem to match theirs  ??? If I post a picture of our diagram and board would anyone like to hazard a guess at what wires I should play with?

I'm assuming that the clock/control wiring is, if shorted wrongly, of a kind to just not work rather than catch fire, surely only the element wiring is carrying a large amount of juice?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 04 November, 2012, 03:52:13 pm
Quote from: Ashaman42 on 04 November, 2012, 03:35:44 pm
Hmm, had a look online, found someone with a similar oven with the same part number for the timer with detail on which wires to short circuit  :thumbsup:

Except my wiring doesn't seem to match theirs  ??? If I post a picture of our diagram and board would anyone like to hazard a guess at what wires I should play with?

I'm assuming that the clock/control wiring is, if shorted wrongly, of a kind to just not work rather than catch fire, surely only the element wiring is carrying a large amount of juice?

Go on, post a picture of it.

Also, on many ovens, if you un-screw the plate where the mains cable comes into the oven to gain access to the main incoming terminals, there is often a diagram of the internal wiring on a sticker somewhere in that area.   That would be most usefull.

Regarding failure modes:
They would fall into these categories, I suspect:

1) Just not work.
2) Go BANG and blow the fuse / circuit breaker, but no other major damage.

I suspect the fire risk is minimal, so long as you are able to make good quality connections.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 04 November, 2012, 04:35:40 pm
Right, this is what I have so far. Will have to pull the oven out more to get to where the mains cable comes in but this is the timer block and the diagram it has on it. Might be enough to work from?

One back of timer:

(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f129/Ashaman42/Oveeeeeeen002.jpg)

One top of timer and drawing of diagram:

(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f129/Ashaman42/Oveeeeeeen003.jpg)
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f129/Ashaman42/Oveeeeeeen.jpg)

And one set of crimper:

(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f129/Ashaman42/Oveeeeeeen006.jpg)

The spade connectors in the crimping set are a bit smaller that the ones already on the wires but not by a great deal so I assume they'll be up to the job?

For reference this (http://www.justanswer.com/uk-appliance/4z5oq-neff-u1551-oven-clock-fixed-0-00-not.html) is the answer I found regarding a different model oven (mine is a Neff b1441 rather than a u1551) which takes the same timer block. You'll see their one is wired differently though (eg top left wire on mine is a single wires whereas theirs is a double).

Thanks in advance.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 04 November, 2012, 05:19:22 pm
Good luck.  :thumbsup:

Let us know how it goes.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nicknack on 04 November, 2012, 05:31:24 pm
Quote from: Basil on 04 November, 2012, 05:19:22 pm
Good luck.  :thumbsup:

Let us know how it goes.

Or ask your relatives to.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 04 November, 2012, 05:32:16 pm
OK after reading the linked thread, and looking at your pictures, I'd say:

The Blue and Red wires at the bottom right of your photo are the timer's own power supply, and may be marked as 1 and 2 as per your diagram.
Leave these alone.

The 2 white boxes on the Left and Right of the timer unit are the relays, which switch things on and off.

On the top left, the Purple and White wires need linked.
These will we either 3&4, or 5&6, again, per your diagram.

On the top right, the 2 reds need linking.
These will be the other pair, 3&4 or 5&6, whichever the other pair wasn't.

If there's numbering on the PCB which contradicts this, then don't proceed.

After pulling the crimp connectors from the timer module, you'll probably find the crimps on the wires are the wrong sex to directly connect together; you'll need to chop one.
I'd be inclined to leave the insulated one alone, and chop the other.
Your crimp set looks fine, you'll probably need the blue ones.

Strip the insulation off the chopped wire as necessary by inspection ( the wire should just poke through the crimp, and the insulation on the wire should not be pushed into the crimping area ).
The crimping area should be filled with bare wire only, twisted nice and tight.

Place the empty crimp in the tool, in the correctly-coloured slot, lined up so the tool is pinching on the business-part of the crimp.
Ratchet the tool closed gently, so it's just gripping the crimp.

Insert the wire to the correct depth, and crimp it tightly.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 04 November, 2012, 07:11:28 pm
Quote from: Ashaman42 on 04 November, 2012, 11:04:55 am
Bugger. Our oven doesn't work.

The buttons on the front weren't working so we couldn't change the time when the clocks went back. Turned the oven off and on again and now the clock is flashing 00:00 and won't switch on at all without a time (any time) being set.


I'd be tempted to look at the buttons, and check if there is something simple there that is the problem (like the contacts on them need cleaning) before hacking the oven functionality.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 04 November, 2012, 07:24:05 pm
Quote from: Ashaman42 on 04 November, 2012, 11:04:55 am
Bugger. Our oven doesn't work.

The buttons on the front weren't working so we couldn't change the time when the clocks went back. Turned the oven off and on again and now the clock is flashing 00:00 and won't switch on at all without a time (any time) being set.

Is there anything obvious we should try or do we need to get someone in?

We had an oven that did that. Came back on with the timer set somehow. Pressing and/or holding various buttons got it to buzz and come to life / change mode.

... maybe a bit late now  :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 04 November, 2012, 07:38:22 pm
I have lost my winter boots. I can't fathom how, they're great big clumpy things.
Grumph.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 04 November, 2012, 07:39:03 pm
Haven't dismantled it yet. Will leave it till tomorrow though that will mean fettling via headtorch  :-\

Managed to prise the buttons off earlier but couldn't get the twiddly knob off so can't pull the timer out to check the contacts. Will probably try that before hitting the wiring.

Have tried all combinations of the buttons and nothing doing. Think they're dead. No idea when they conked out as we don't use the timer function. Though they obviously worked in the spring when the clocks changed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 04 November, 2012, 07:53:27 pm
On many oven timer modules I've had to play with, the magic incantation to set the time is:

Hold down TWO of the other buttons ( perhaps the left-hand 2, depending on layout ) whilst pressing the up / down buttons as required.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 04 November, 2012, 08:18:47 pm
Yeah, that's the combo the manual recommend, well except it's a twisty rather than up/down buttons.

Did notice a charcoally patch on the inside of the top panel right above the clokc indicating something has let the magic smoke out. Can't have been too vital though as the clock was still working just not the buttons.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 06 November, 2012, 03:15:18 pm
Quote from: Kim on 05 November, 2012, 06:19:07 pm
Wishing this lurgy would work out which organs to infect and get on with it.

Seems to have settled on the lungs for now.  Marvellous.  *hack* *wheeze*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 06 November, 2012, 03:21:09 pm
Why am I spending my time re-writing a 600 page manual into a 20 page document. Can't I just reference the appropriate bits of the manual please?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 06 November, 2012, 09:02:12 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 06 November, 2012, 03:21:09 pm
Why am I spending my time re-writing a 600 page manual into a 20 page document. Can't I just reference the appropriate bits of the manual please?

Can't you just print it in a REALLY small font?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 06 November, 2012, 10:25:07 pm
Quote from: Kim on 06 November, 2012, 03:15:18 pm
Quote from: Kim on 05 November, 2012, 06:19:07 pm
Wishing this lurgy would work out which organs to infect and get on with it.

Seems to have settled on the lungs for now.  Marvellous.  *hack* *wheeze*
Ah. You too. Sore throat via generalised cold to hacking cough, in just under two weeks. Mrs B's moved into the spare room until it goes away.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 06 November, 2012, 10:40:18 pm
Quote from: Bledlow on 06 November, 2012, 10:25:07 pm
Quote from: Kim on 06 November, 2012, 03:15:18 pm
Quote from: Kim on 05 November, 2012, 06:19:07 pm
Wishing this lurgy would work out which organs to infect and get on with it.

Seems to have settled on the lungs for now.  Marvellous.  *hack* *wheeze*
Ah. You too. Sore throat via generalised cold to hacking cough, in just under two weeks. Mrs B's moved into the spare room until it goes away.

That's the one.  Only it started out with a UTI and progressed through the other stages over a few days.   :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 07 November, 2012, 07:07:58 pm
I'll concede I wasn't signalling continuously but I was cycling in the right hand tyre track approaching a roundabout where the only choices are straight on or right.

It shouldn't take a genius to guess which way I was planning on going.

And I had signalled when I was in his view anyway. A bit of memory would be nice.

I hope his genitals swell up and burst.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 08 November, 2012, 09:22:55 pm
In SEPTEMBER I placed an order with Wiggle for some blingy valve caps, to be delivered to work.

They've finally despatched them.

We moved to a new building last week.

 ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 09 November, 2012, 04:00:57 pm
Quote from: Kim on 06 November, 2012, 10:40:18 pm
Quote from: Bledlow on 06 November, 2012, 10:25:07 pm
Quote from: Kim on 06 November, 2012, 03:15:18 pm
Quote from: Kim on 05 November, 2012, 06:19:07 pm
Wishing this lurgy would work out which organs to infect and get on with it.

Seems to have settled on the lungs for now.  Marvellous.  *hack* *wheeze*
Ah. You too. Sore throat via generalised cold to hacking cough, in just under two weeks. Mrs B's moved into the spare room until it goes away.

That's the one.  Only it started out with a UTI and progressed through the other stages over a few days.   :(
It now seems to be turning into a sinus infection. If old-fashioned remedies don't see it off over the weekend, I think it'll be doctor time on Monday.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 09 November, 2012, 08:35:23 pm
I'm still fighting off this fucking cold after nearly 2 weeks.  It goes up and down and I feel distinctly viral with mornings being vile and then file then shitty then fine then shitty in cycles throughout the days.  Not ill enough to email in sick but not at decent capacity consistently either.

Eating phenomenal amounts of drugs which might be what's stopping it turning nasty as piriton + ibuprofen + snorters does seem to be the magic stop the fucked ENT system getting into antibiotics-needing territory which can only be a good thing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 12 November, 2012, 06:34:37 pm
That ride home wasn't fun.

First my Ixon went flying off the bracket and smashed into bits. Then I almost got taken out by a pick-up whose driver decided to pull in and park on the right of a single lane road without looking or signalling - thankfully I kept the bike upright while CXing across the soggy grass verge. I got thoroughly soaked and arrived home to find I'd not picked up the plastic lens from the Ixon when it went flying so ended up driving back to work to find it.

Now relaxing with a bottle of beer while epoxying the light back together.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 14 November, 2012, 08:28:59 pm
I'm quite enjoying being a House-Husband this week, but -
Fan assisted electric ovens  :o Bloody hell.
I'm used to cooking on gas.  So far I have burnt bread - twice, incinerated an apple pie, been rather over enthusiastic when browning off a shepherd's pie.
The hob's not much better.  You turn it up - nothing happens - for ages.  You turn it down - nothing happens - ever.
I had planned on pizza making tomorrow.  :facepalm:
I've told Mrs. B that dinner will be sandwiches tomorrow.  :thumbsup:  (She thinks I'm joking)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 14 November, 2012, 08:49:11 pm
Electric oven, gas hob.  Best of both worlds.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 14 November, 2012, 09:59:26 pm
That what we've got will have once I actually fix the oven.

Though between the hobs, microwave and slow cooker we've not eaten too poorly this past couple of weeks.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 14 November, 2012, 10:02:02 pm
Quote from: Ashaman42 on 14 November, 2012, 09:59:26 pm

Though between the hobs, microwave and slow cooker we've not eaten too poorly this past couple of weeks.

OK if Mrs. B and I pop round tomorrow? ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 14 November, 2012, 10:10:00 pm
Excellent, you won't be in the way as we use the facilities then. 
Remind me, is the key under the mat or flower pot?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 14 November, 2012, 10:13:40 pm
I've only just checked my gear after my US trip.  The big holdall I used for the panniers in transit has had a hole torn in it, and one of my Carridice front panniers has a neat 1" slit in it as well.   Needle & thread time I think  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 15 November, 2012, 09:14:36 am
Whoever or whatever it is that is making noise in the street at 04:30 everyday this week, stoppit, ok? You manage to wake me enough so that I can't get back to sleep, but I only wake after whoever or whatever has gone so I can't tell who I need to speak to...

Why is this in the Grumble thread? I have had so little sleep that I have no energy to rant :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 15 November, 2012, 09:23:46 am
Dear Kittens,

I know we asked you to stop killing birds which thankfully you have done, but please now stop killing mice.... and leaving them one step length away from our bedroom door....stepping on a dead mouse first thing in the morning is not my idea of fun.


Regards

The Staff.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: PaulF on 15 November, 2012, 09:34:06 am
Trees! Just stop it! I spent Sunday clearing your droppings and the lawn's covered again!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: davelodwig on 15 November, 2012, 09:59:44 am
Dear drivers the police and fire brigade have closed the road as some really big factories are on fire. you cannot rat run through the cul de sac like housing area where I live so stop flipping racing around it looking for a way around the road block.

Your commute is not more important than stopping us burning to death.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 15 November, 2012, 10:04:04 am
Dear Friend,

It was nice to bump into you on the way into work and catch up with things. But did you _really_ need to tell me you had tickets for the Sonny Rollins gig at the London Jazz Festival ?   Now I'm all jealous & dejected...... :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 15 November, 2012, 11:23:00 am
Stupid fucking driver in Tilehurst last night:

I was cycling as fast as the car five metres in front of me. If you'd overtaken me, you'd have been stuck behind that. So, was there really any reason at all for tooting me? All it achieved was to annoy me & tell everyone else in the vicinity that you're a dickhead.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 15 November, 2012, 11:29:30 am
I have finaly got my cup of tea.
No thanks to the two youngsters serving in this cafe. 
Slow?  I bet if I'd phoned my order through before riding to Lampeter, I'd still have had to wait.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 15 November, 2012, 06:27:28 pm
Bugger.

After my sudden deflation event in West Berkshire last night, all seemed well for the rest of the evening. Checked tyre at pub - solid as a rock. After staying until closing time, I rode home

Guess what I just found? Not only the phht! one, but BOTH tyres are flat as pancakes.  And I seem to have left the inner tube I took out at the side of Admoor Lane. :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 16 November, 2012, 10:39:10 am
When I turn over to Ken Bruce to hear PopMaster, I do not want to hear Olly Murs being a brainless TFZ.

Seems that CIN has taken over :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 16 November, 2012, 10:44:28 am
Quote from: clarion on 16 November, 2012, 10:39:10 am
When I turn over to Ken Bruce to hear PopMaster, I do not want to hear Olly Murs being a brainless TFZ.

Seems that CIN has taken over :(

Oddly enough, as I read that, my diePod changed songs to Slipknot - All Hope Is Gone, rather apt I thought ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 16 November, 2012, 10:47:04 am
Half way through that sentence, I got a cold feeling in my bones.  It was a terror, gripping me, wondering whether you were about to say that you were listening to Olly Murs.

It would be a shame to terminate a friendship so abruptly, but, if I had to do it, I would. ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 16 November, 2012, 01:45:27 pm
Quote from: Kim on 14 November, 2012, 08:49:11 pm
Electric oven, gas hob.  Best of both worlds.
Oh yep. But if I have to choose just one fuel, it would be gas every time. I don't use the oven much, mind.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 16 November, 2012, 02:06:50 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 16 November, 2012, 01:45:27 pm
Quote from: Kim on 14 November, 2012, 08:49:11 pm
Electric oven, gas hob.  Best of both worlds.
Oh yep. But if I have to choose just one fuel, it would be gas every time. I don't use the oven much, mind.

Absolutely.  The failings of gas ovens are minor compared to those of even relatively good electric hobs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 16 November, 2012, 04:19:32 pm
Working tomorrow and Sunday.
Meh.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 17 November, 2012, 11:48:47 am
Quote from: MattH on 04 November, 2012, 07:11:28 pm
Quote from: Ashaman42 on 04 November, 2012, 11:04:55 am
Bugger. Our oven doesn't work.

The buttons on the front weren't working so we couldn't change the time when the clocks went back. Turned the oven off and on again and now the clock is flashing 00:00 and won't switch on at all without a time (any time) being set.


I'd be tempted to look at the buttons, and check if there is something simple there that is the problem (like the contacts on them need cleaning) before hacking the oven functionality.

Right finally going to try fixing my oven later. Before I go cutting and crimping wires I'm going to try and get the whole clock unit out as it was just the buttons not working rather than the clock itself.

Would the aerosol contact cleaner that you can get at Maplins/Halfords be suitable bearing in mind we're dealing with a pcb and gubbins rather than just a straight plug/wire connection?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 17 November, 2012, 11:53:04 am
Quote from: Kim on 16 November, 2012, 02:06:50 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 16 November, 2012, 01:45:27 pm
Quote from: Kim on 14 November, 2012, 08:49:11 pm
Electric oven, gas hob.  Best of both worlds.
Oh yep. But if I have to choose just one fuel, it would be gas every time. I don't use the oven much, mind.

Absolutely.  The failings of gas ovens are minor compared to those of even relatively good electric hobs.

Induction hobs included?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Marco Stefano on 17 November, 2012, 05:42:58 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 16 November, 2012, 04:19:32 pm
Working tomorrow and Sunday.
Meh.

I have to work the weekend too. Meh indeed.

At least I managed to ride in today on quiet roads.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 17 November, 2012, 05:58:59 pm
Quote from: Marco Stefano on 17 November, 2012, 05:42:58 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 16 November, 2012, 04:19:32 pm
Working tomorrow and Sunday.
Meh.

I have to work the weekend too. Meh indeed.

At least I managed to ride in today on quiet roads.

Double meh - I'm getting a lift in. OTOH it's only 6 Anna bit km each way and I got to go to the pub briefly this arvo.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 17 November, 2012, 11:20:44 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 17 November, 2012, 05:58:59 pm
Double meh - I'm getting a lift in. OTOH it's only 6 Anna bit km each way and I got to go to the pub briefly this arvo.
6 annas per km? That's remarkably cheap. Are you sure your rickshaw-wallah is earning the minimum wage?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 18 November, 2012, 10:30:35 am
JLP.  It's a Xylophone. By definition it's made of wood.  There is no need to call it a, "Wooden Xylophone".  If you're going to sell "educational" toys do it properly. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 18 November, 2012, 10:45:47 am
...and another thing.  Which clot thought it was a good idea to map U/u to Θ/θ when it's right next door to Y/y which maps to Y/υ?  Couldn't you have kept ;/: as they were and used Q instead?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 18 November, 2012, 11:26:50 am
Just spent the morning unblocking the bog.  >:(
Deep joy.

I'm looking forward to going back to work on Tuesday for a rest.  :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 22 November, 2012, 09:12:54 am
On-one, please stop doing your framesets at stupidly cheap prices.  I don't need another Inbred 29er, but the fact you have them for £140 (just for the frame) is making it hard to resist.

The only thing stopping me is the fact they don't have them in green!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 22 November, 2012, 09:40:47 am
They are selling Macinatos for pennies, too.  I really really really don't need one, but I've been pondering about having a stripped down fixie for day rides.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 22 November, 2012, 09:58:37 am
Quote from: tiermat on 22 November, 2012, 09:12:54 am
On-one, please stop doing your framesets at stupidly cheap prices.  I don't need another Inbred 29er, but the fact you have them for £140 (just for the frame) is making it hard to resist.

The only thing stopping me is the fact they don't have them in green!


How hard is it to just NOT BUY ONE if you don't need it?

I've been doing that all my life, helped by a general lack of space money.

I realise it goes against N+1 and all that, but just think what you spend the £140 on that you do need...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 22 November, 2012, 10:13:36 am
Quote from: Arch on 22 November, 2012, 09:58:37 am
Quote from: tiermat on 22 November, 2012, 09:12:54 am
On-one, please stop doing your framesets at stupidly cheap prices.  I don't need another Inbred 29er, but the fact you have them for £140 (just for the frame) is making it hard to resist.

The only thing stopping me is the fact they don't have them in green!


How hard is it to just NOT BUY ONE if you don't need it?

I've been doing that all my life, helped by a general lack of space money.

I realise it goes against N+1 and all that, but just think what you spend the £140 on that you do need...

Arch.  Are you NASA?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 22 November, 2012, 11:52:59 am
Arch, as much as I appreciate your sentiment, I have a NICE tax rebate from our friends in frozen places and I am trying to work out how to spend it.

All the necessities are covered, along with contingency, so why not allow myself a little luxury?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 22 November, 2012, 11:58:39 am
Quote from: Bledlow on 17 November, 2012, 11:20:44 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 17 November, 2012, 05:58:59 pm
Double meh - I'm getting a lift in. OTOH it's only 6 Anna bit km each way and I got to go to the pub briefly this arvo.
6 annas per km? That's remarkably cheap. Are you sure your rickshaw-wallah is earning the minimum wage?
;D Thank you Bledlow, that give me a nice laugh this morning.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 22 November, 2012, 11:59:30 am
Quote from: Wombat on 17 November, 2012, 11:53:04 am
Quote from: Kim on 16 November, 2012, 02:06:50 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 16 November, 2012, 01:45:27 pm
Quote from: Kim on 14 November, 2012, 08:49:11 pm
Electric oven, gas hob.  Best of both worlds.
Oh yep. But if I have to choose just one fuel, it would be gas every time. I don't use the oven much, mind.

Absolutely.  The failings of gas ovens are minor compared to those of even relatively good electric hobs.

Induction hobs included?
If an induction hob is what I'm thinking of, then the only person I know who has one, hates it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: HTFB on 22 November, 2012, 12:04:33 pm
What sort of idiot fits a bathroom without any isolation valves on the supply at all? Or any access to, for example, the cistern?

And why, when Wiesław (who is no idiot) was doing all that work---we fitted a gas boiler and replumbed the entire flat, from the main inwards, except for that bathroom---did he not install isolators on the bits of pipe you can get at?

I'm going to have turn off the boiler and the main, and swap out the shower mixer valve on a single kettle's worth of tea. Wish me luck, boys, I'm going in.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 22 November, 2012, 12:09:14 pm
Feeling ill again.  FFS!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 22 November, 2012, 12:42:36 pm
Quote from: tiermat on 22 November, 2012, 11:52:59 am
Arch, as much as I appreciate your sentiment, I have a NICE tax rebate from our friends in frozen places and I am trying to work out how to spend it.

All the necessities are covered, along with contingency, so why not allow myself a little luxury?

In which case, it's not really a grumble is it?   ;) ;D

Never grumble about having a bit of luxury!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 22 November, 2012, 03:12:45 pm
Fair point.

Onwards, in a similar vein... ;D

LBS texts me to say they have got my new helmet in stock.

I drive down to get it (no time to ride down and back), to find that they not only have the helmet in stock BUT they have just got a Ridley X-Ride Disc in stock...

Grrrrrr

Must. Resist.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 22 November, 2012, 03:14:00 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 22 November, 2012, 11:59:30 am
Quote from: Wombat on 17 November, 2012, 11:53:04 am
Quote from: Kim on 16 November, 2012, 02:06:50 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 16 November, 2012, 01:45:27 pm
Quote from: Kim on 14 November, 2012, 08:49:11 pm
Electric oven, gas hob.  Best of both worlds.
Oh yep. But if I have to choose just one fuel, it would be gas every time. I don't use the oven much, mind.

Absolutely.  The failings of gas ovens are minor compared to those of even relatively good electric hobs.

Induction hobs included?
If an induction hob is what I'm thinking of, then the only person I know who has one, hates it.

I've quite liked the 3 induction hobs I've used in terms of their heating - but I've found their controls to be a complete batard to use if you've got damp/mucky/anything less than white room clean hands, which isn't very helpful.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 22 November, 2012, 04:09:28 pm
Quote from: Arch on 22 November, 2012, 12:42:36 pm
Quote from: tiermat on 22 November, 2012, 11:52:59 am
Arch, as much as I appreciate your sentiment, I have a NICE tax rebate from our friends in frozen places and I am trying to work out how to spend it.

All the necessities are covered, along with contingency, so why not allow myself a little luxury?

In which case, it's not really a grumble is it?   ;) ;D

Never grumble about having a bit of luxury!

Arch: A little luxury :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 22 November, 2012, 05:29:17 pm
Why oh why did the penpushers of the NHS rename PII (Personally Identifiable Information), which, admittedly, could be mistaken in very rare circumstances for Professional Indemnity Insurance, as PID (Personally Identifiable Data)?

Are the bureaucrats so remote that they have never heard of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 22 November, 2012, 05:36:46 pm
Quote from: clarion on 22 November, 2012, 05:29:17 pm
Are the bureaucrats so remote that they have never heard of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease?

Yes.

You'd be unsurprised at what non-medically knowledgeable people do not know.  Or indeed medics sometimes if ATOS stories of horror are to be believed!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 22 November, 2012, 05:43:58 pm
Quote from: barakta on 22 November, 2012, 05:36:46 pm
Quote from: clarion on 22 November, 2012, 05:29:17 pm
Are the bureaucrats so remote that they have never heard of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease?

Yes.

You'd be unsurprised at what non-medically knowledgeable people do not know.  Or indeed medics sometimes if ATOS stories of horror are to be believed!

I'm Sorry but to me PID is a Piping and Instumentation Diagram.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 22 November, 2012, 05:50:17 pm
To me it's Process ID...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 22 November, 2012, 05:54:47 pm
PID.  Personal Identification Device.
It's the smartcard I log in with on any 'puter to bring up my profile and desktop.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jaded on 22 November, 2012, 06:02:39 pm
Mordor trains.

Why do you randomly turn round? Sometimes you go out the way you came in and sometimes you don't.

It means I never know if I have to play musical chairs until you start moving.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 22 November, 2012, 06:33:23 pm
Quote from: matthew on 22 November, 2012, 05:43:58 pm
Quote from: barakta on 22 November, 2012, 05:36:46 pm
Quote from: clarion on 22 November, 2012, 05:29:17 pm
Are the bureaucrats so remote that they have never heard of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease?

Yes.

You'd be unsurprised at what non-medically knowledgeable people do not know.  Or indeed medics sometimes if ATOS stories of horror are to be believed!

I'm Sorry but to me PID is a Piping and Instumentation Diagram.
Quote from: tiermat on 22 November, 2012, 05:50:17 pm
To me it's Process ID...
Quote from: Basil on 22 November, 2012, 05:54:47 pm
PID.  Personal Identification Device.
It's the smartcard I log in with on any 'puter to bring up my profile and desktop.

To be fair, none of you work in an environment where Pelvic Inflammatory Disease is a particular issue.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 22 November, 2012, 07:36:13 pm
Project Initiation Document.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 22 November, 2012, 08:14:38 pm
I just don't *do* Three Letter Acronyms (TLAs).

I don't know if UPS means a computer works with no mains leckie or the men in brown are delivering a package. As my sister's English teacher wrote in red when marking her work: "Don't use abbrevs!"
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Oaky on 22 November, 2012, 10:34:48 pm
How about ETLAs?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 22 November, 2012, 11:35:52 pm
Quote from: Andrij on 22 November, 2012, 07:36:13 pm
Project Initiation Document.

Peoplesoft ID here
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 23 November, 2012, 12:30:31 am
Quote from: smartd
The following warning/error was logged by the smartd daemon:

Device: /dev/sdb, 2 Offline uncorrectable sectors

For details see host's SYSLOG (default: /var/log/syslog).

You can also use the smartctl utility for further investigation.
No additional email messages about this problem will be sent.

Anyone not backed up their data in the last 24 hours?  You're all going to die!  The disk fairy's on the move...   >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jacomus on 23 November, 2012, 10:32:09 am
Quote from: mcshroom on 22 November, 2012, 11:35:52 pm
Quote from: Andrij on 22 November, 2012, 07:36:13 pm
Project Initiation Document.

Peoplesoft ID here

Positive IDentificaiton (of Bad Guys before you are allowed to shoot at them)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 23 November, 2012, 03:53:35 pm
Personal Infotainment Device, to owners of new Skoda Citigos.  (in English, a box thingy wot is a satnav, MP3 player, additional instruments for the car, and a trip computer thingy.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jacomus on 23 November, 2012, 04:54:31 pm
Pick the correct way to call a lift:

Option 1:
Press both up and down buttons, wait for a lift to arrive and if it is going in the incorrect direction to suit your wish, grumble that the lifts in this place are useless.

Option 2:
Press only the direction you wish to travel in. Get in the lift. Get out at your destination.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 23 November, 2012, 05:08:11 pm
I'm convinced that there's also...

Option 3: Tap in the SEEKRIT lift controller programmer's pass code.  Wait while the closest lift forgets what it's doing and moves straight to your floor to head in the direction of choice.

I mean, you would, wouldn't you?  Anyone looked at any lift controller firmware?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 23 November, 2012, 05:52:32 pm
How on earth can a multi-national enginnering manufacturing company with a huge installed customer base of machines NOT have a plan to cope with one measly fibre-optic comms cable being trashed, and so be without email / IP phones for 36 hours, hmm?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 23 November, 2012, 06:02:01 pm
Same way a Russell Group university can go without mains electricity for two and a half weeks, I expect.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 23 November, 2012, 06:05:04 pm
Gotta go work now. Don't wanna. :'(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 23 November, 2012, 07:02:44 pm
Quote from: Jacomus on 23 November, 2012, 04:54:31 pm
Pick the correct way to call a lift:

Option 1:
Press both up and down buttons, wait for a lift to arrive and if it is going in the incorrect direction to suit your wish, grumble that the lifts in this place are useless.

Option 2:
Press only the direction you wish to travel in. Get in the lift. Get out at your destination.

Correct way to design a lift:

1) The way normal lifts work.  Call lift, get in, press floor number for destination of choice.

2) Have a stupid destination pad OUTside the vestibule for the lift which visually shows which lift will take you to your floor.  Hope the user has no visual impairment or short term memory impairment (e.g 10% of people have these) as the user has to remember which lift while shoving through crowds and hope they get to their lift in time before it gets reallocated.  It's a HORRID feeling not having any control of where the lift goes from inside the damned lift.

I have minimal memory issues and I can only remember which lift I am allocated by holding the American Fingerspelling Alphabet letter for the correct lift on my right hand as I shove through the crowds.  My blind colleague can't use the building as there are no receptionists as per design spec.

It might be more efficient, but it's a fucking horrible user interface which usually makes me swear every time I use it.  The least they could do it put the pre-request floor destination thing in the lift vestibule!  Although if there is NO damned floor 0 then don't have a fucking zero button on the sodding thingers.

hate hate hate...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CrinklyLion on 24 November, 2012, 10:49:45 am
Now really, when you are on a cattle class service stopping at EM Parkway, and 90% of the seats have reserved tickets on them, and it is a connecting service to St Pancras, did you really think that piling your belongings on the unreserved seat next to you slightly obsessively tidily would mean you'd get a double seat to yourself? Seriously? If you did you are daft or dim. If you didn't it's no shock to be asked if someone was sitting there. So take the look of aggrieved affront off your face hinny.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 26 November, 2012, 07:59:37 am
Dear Sisters Cat,

I know you are a spoilt, pampered, pet. Evidence here I am staying at her house to keep you company whilst she is on holiday. however 5:30am alarm calls to feed you breakfast or you'll destroy the carpet is not on.

Go back to sleep you pest.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: reddo on 26 November, 2012, 04:53:34 pm
*seeth*
Ordered some stuff online and it was supposed to be delivered on Fri past. Checked online. Delivered delayed because it couldn't find the address. Really? You're UK Mail and you've successfully delivered here before! The house has only been here for 10 years on a road that's been here for probably hundreds more and the village has been here for 1,000 years.  :facepalm:

Ring the delivery people today, much tut tutting. He'll make some calls and see if he can sort it. No further info online. Grrrrrr wankerz.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 26 November, 2012, 04:59:13 pm
Quote from: Kim on 23 November, 2012, 06:02:01 pm
Same way a Russell Group university can go without mains electricity for two and a half weeks, I expect.
We had an interesting power outage when the campus power station and the national grid had a small contretemps, leading to mutual separation and expulsion of a considerable amount of MAGIC SMOKE. The knock on effects were 1/3 of Dundee going dark for about 5 hours and the power station being rendered off line due to a large HOLE where the interconnect used to be. The fact that said HOLE was between NG and Uni, and between Uni power station and Uni led to a bit of minor panic as the emergency generators are rated for 8 hours, which was about long enough to round up some serious generators to bring essential services back on line to run over the weekend. The hole was bridged by means of appropriate metalwork but it was 3 months before the interconnect was replaced with a shiny new bunker.

Yes it was a hell of a bang when it went.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 26 November, 2012, 05:00:09 pm
UK Fail? expecting an exchange for a bust parcel last tuesday. No show, but cards through the door on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 26 November, 2012, 05:01:35 pm
Quote from: matthew on 26 November, 2012, 07:59:37 am
I know you are a spoilt, pampered, pet. Evidence here I am staying at her house to keep you company whilst she is on holiday. however 5:30am alarm calls to feed you breakfast or you'll destroy the carpet is not on.

I never understood why people feed their cats in the morning[1].  Unless they're little or need medication, they're quite happy with one meal a day, and you're already out of bed in the evening.


[1] Though, TBH, I've never really understood why people do anything in the morning.  Stupid time of day.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: reddo on 26 November, 2012, 08:08:01 pm
@David.  :o Bugga...

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 26 November, 2012, 09:28:42 pm
Quote from: Kim on 26 November, 2012, 05:01:35 pm
I never understood why people feed their cats in the morning[1].  Unless they're little or need medication, they're quite happy with one meal a day, and you're already out of bed in the evening.

Ours only have one meal a day. It's like a continuous all-you-can-eat buffet that starts when we get up and finishes when we go to bed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jacomus on 27 November, 2012, 09:04:09 am
Quote from: Kim on 26 November, 2012, 05:01:35 pm
Quote from: matthew on 26 November, 2012, 07:59:37 am
I know you are a spoilt, pampered, pet. Evidence here I am staying at her house to keep you company whilst she is on holiday. however 5:30am alarm calls to feed you breakfast or you'll destroy the carpet is not on.

I never understood why people feed their cats in the morning[1].  Unless they're little or need medication, they're quite happy with one meal a day, and you're already out of bed in the evening.


[1] Though, TBH, I've never really understood why people do anything in the morning.  Stupid time of day.

Indeed. Changing Princess to a 2200hrs feeding rid us of the early morning demands for food.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: reddo on 27 November, 2012, 10:10:34 am
UK Fail.. rather appropriate name. In spite of me ringing yesterday and leaving my number to call, the dozy driver visited the wrong property. Left a card according to the website. Once again I call them today, explain the situation and now I get a text saying it'll be delivered tomorrow... Yeah, good thing I'm on leave so I can hang around waiting... Grrrr

Update. Driver was "passing through" and delivered the parcel. :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 27 November, 2012, 11:59:14 am
Quote from: Jacomus on 27 November, 2012, 09:04:09 am
Quote from: Kim on 26 November, 2012, 05:01:35 pm
Quote from: matthew on 26 November, 2012, 07:59:37 am
I know you are a spoilt, pampered, pet. Evidence here I am staying at her house to keep you company whilst she is on holiday. however 5:30am alarm calls to feed you breakfast or you'll destroy the carpet is not on.

I never understood why people feed their cats in the morning[1].  Unless they're little or need medication, they're quite happy with one meal a day, and you're already out of bed in the evening.


[1] Though, TBH, I've never really understood why people do anything in the morning.  Stupid time of day.

Indeed. Changing Princess to a 2200hrs feeding rid us of the early morning demands for food.
It would have to be a sodding huge meal to satisfy Sinbad.

When we lived on the boat, he would finish off an adult rabbit in one very prolonged meal, including the skull. Then lie there bulging like Mr Creosote for 24hours.

I feed him one packet wet food in morning and one at night. Could put two in the bowl in the morning but then a load of it would lie around stinking until the evening.

He won't usually ask anyone else for food, unless I'm away and he's really hungry. He'll pester them; but they are supposed to come and find me and make me feed him.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feline on 27 November, 2012, 12:57:31 pm
Quote from: MattH on 26 November, 2012, 09:28:42 pm
Quote from: Kim on 26 November, 2012, 05:01:35 pm
I never understood why people feed their cats in the morning[1].  Unless they're little or need medication, they're quite happy with one meal a day, and you're already out of bed in the evening.

Ours only have one meal a day. It's like a continuous all-you-can-eat buffet that starts when we get up and finishes when we go to bed.

+1  ;D
I am using a feed hopper style bowl that automatically fills as they eat it. They still ask for food whenever I walk past it though! Siamese cats asking for food are not ignorable. Raaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 27 November, 2012, 01:37:38 pm
Dry food out all day FTW.
Unless you've got exceptionally greedy fat bastard cats that will eat it all in a one-er and then vom it up behind the sofa/on the bed/where you next put your feet, that is.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feline on 27 November, 2012, 01:53:58 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 27 November, 2012, 01:37:38 pm
Dry food out all day FTW.
Unless you've got exceptionally greedy fat bastard cats that will eat it all in a one-er and then vom it up behind the sofa/on the bed/where you next put your feet, that is.

You need a dog to take care of that for you  ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 27 November, 2012, 02:19:26 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 27 November, 2012, 01:37:38 pm
Unless you've got exceptionally greedy fat bastard cats that will eat it all in a one-er and then vom it up behind the sofa/on the bed/where you next put your feet, that is.

Clan Fuzzy has two cats.

Scooby is a small and timid little thing who is easily persuaded to vacate her feeding bowl.

Willow is 'Big Boned' and easily persuades Scooby to vacate her feeding bowl. She is also adept at eating as much as she can and then eating plenty more after whch she does the vomming bit. She then clears up after herself :sick:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 27 November, 2012, 02:25:29 pm
I'm on the lemsip.  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 27 November, 2012, 02:59:25 pm
Quote from: Andrij on 27 November, 2012, 02:25:29 pm
I'm on the lemsip.  :(

I'm on the diclofenac.   :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 27 November, 2012, 03:34:41 pm
Quote from: Kim on 27 November, 2012, 02:59:25 pm
I'm on the diclofenac.   :(

Me too. I'm also sporadically wandering round the office doing stupid-looking stretches.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CrinklyLion on 27 November, 2012, 04:54:25 pm
Alternate paracetamol and brufen here.   
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 27 November, 2012, 05:12:38 pm
Caffeine, sugar and chocolate here.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 27 November, 2012, 05:15:04 pm
Do we need a "What drugs have you taken toady?" thread?  This is supposed to be a cycling forum, after all...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 27 November, 2012, 09:11:06 pm
Quote from: Kim on 27 November, 2012, 02:59:25 pm
Quote from: Andrij on 27 November, 2012, 02:25:29 pm
I'm on the lemsip.  :(

I'm on the diclofenac.   :(
I'm on the sofa.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 27 November, 2012, 09:18:59 pm
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 27 November, 2012, 09:11:06 pm
Quote from: Kim on 27 November, 2012, 02:59:25 pm
Quote from: Andrij on 27 November, 2012, 02:25:29 pm
I'm on the lemsip.  :(

I'm on the diclofenac.   :(
I'm on the sofa.

I've fallen off the sofa.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 28 November, 2012, 08:46:44 am
It's my sisters birthday today and her present hasn't arrived from Bloody Amazon yet :-(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jaded on 28 November, 2012, 08:50:31 am
Quote from: andrewc on 28 November, 2012, 08:46:44 am
It's my sisters birthday today and her present hasn't arrived from Bloody Amazon yet :-(

They are probably still adding layers of packaging to it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 28 November, 2012, 08:55:57 am
Quote from: Jaded on 28 November, 2012, 08:50:31 am
Quote from: andrewc on 28 November, 2012, 08:46:44 am
It's my sisters birthday today and her present hasn't arrived from Bloody Amazon yet :-(

They are probably still adding layers of packaging to it.

:-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 28 November, 2012, 11:29:56 am
On Radio 4 now, there is a programme on the teaching and use of English in India, presented by Zareer Masani.

Zareer has just used the words 'schizophrenia', 'schizophrenic' and 'schizoid' to describe the tensions at play in this matter, and his interlocutor even said he had used 'the right word'. :facepalm: ::-) >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 28 November, 2012, 05:30:17 pm
All the trains out of Liverpool Lime St have been cancelled (cable theft/signal failure) so I'm on the bus with a huge bouquet of flowers for little sister.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 28 November, 2012, 05:46:57 pm
All the trains out of Liverpool Lime St have been cancelled (cable theft/signal failure) so I'm on the bus with a huge bouquet of flowers for little sister.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 28 November, 2012, 07:32:41 pm
Dear person on Faceache. You've sent me 11 requests to play some poxy game or other, none of which I have accepted.
Do you not think it might be time to stop now?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 28 November, 2012, 07:43:48 pm
Ooooh, do you want to play Scrabble with me and bobb? Or Angry Birds?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 28 November, 2012, 07:53:06 pm
I don't mind playing a game, but if I've ignored the same game request that number of times.... ;)

I even downloaded Words with Friends but I can't work out why it can't see all my FB friends.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Marco Stefano on 28 November, 2012, 07:57:03 pm
Quote from: Kim on 27 November, 2012, 05:15:04 pm
Do we need a "What drugs have you taken toady?" thread?  This is supposed to be a cycling forum, after all...

'Ere! Who are you calling 'toady'?   ;)

Oh, and the answer is Syndol (codeine, paracetamol, caffeine & doxylamine) - usual sore neck.  :(

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Marco Stefano on 28 November, 2012, 08:04:21 pm
And forgetting your glasses today was a great idea. Not that I had a whole day of reading, writing & computer stuff to do or anything.

Pillock.   ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 28 November, 2012, 08:25:00 pm
Quote from: Marco Stefano on 28 November, 2012, 08:04:21 pm
And forgetting your glasses today was a great idea. Not that I had a whole day of reading, writing & computer stuff to do or anything.

Pillock.   ::-)

S'ok I ran out of hearing aid batteries yesterday...  Scrounged one from my 2nd hearing aid for my physio appt but assumed I'd have some in the office as I have at least 2 places there should ALWAYS be a packet.  Neither had a packet so I had to walk home and get some more and replenish the stashes. 

I didn't have the option of doing without cos of 1 important (turned into 2) meetings and I hear *nothing* without a hearing aid.  :(  I have a spare pair of specs in my work drawer which are good enough to read with...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 29 November, 2012, 08:50:56 am
Non drip paint, why, when used correctly, do you drip?

And Elma the cat, many thanks for walking on my newly painted woodwork. Your paw prints look lovely but that wasn't the look I was going for.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 29 November, 2012, 01:02:57 pm
IKEA Coventry: Kindly train your checkout staff to ask for car park tickets every time they serve a customer. I visit you very rarely, so don't remember and every time I get back to the car & have to return to the checkout to get the ticket validated. I bet I'm not the only one too...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jacomus on 29 November, 2012, 01:26:58 pm
Note to self:

Putting curry in your mouth, small amounts at a time, is the route to 1) nom 2) not being hungry

Putting curry on the floor, all in one big go, does not achieve either of the two above Good Things.


 :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 29 November, 2012, 02:03:48 pm
There's a trailer being overplayed on the wireless for a programme presented by Peter Day about the ride of Berlin as a tech city.

Soundtrack is Autobahn by Kraftwerk.

I checked.  It would take you about six hours on the Autobahn to travel the nearly 600km from Berlin to Dusseldorf. :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 29 November, 2012, 06:45:52 pm
Boss, I know you're under a lot of stress, but forgetting to pass on the new code for that binstore, meaning we couldn't collect from it for the 3rd week running on Wednesday is annoying. Asking us to collect the stuff tomorrow instead on top of our normal round is more annoying, because a) we also have Xmas collection schedule leaflet deliveries to do which slows us down and b) there'll be bloody tonnes of stuff there, and c) I want to get off early to get a decent train (which is something I do by arrangement any Friday I'm heading over to Manchester.)

It's not a huge deal, but if I have to get the 16.26 it'll be packed, and very possibly miss the connection at Piccadilly, which happens to be the only train thus throwing me on the mercy of the trams, and delaying dinner.

On the upside, MFWHTBAB has made loads of progress on the DIY this week.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jacomus on 29 November, 2012, 07:45:41 pm
Quote from: clarion on 29 November, 2012, 02:03:48 pm
There's a trailer being overplayed on the wireless for a programme presented by Peter Day about the ride of Berlin as a tech city.

Soundtrack is Autobahn by Kraftwerk.

I checked.  It would take you about six hours on the Autobahn to travel the nearly 600km from Berlin to Dusseldorf. :facepalm:

I love Berlin.

Just thought I'd throw that in there.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 29 November, 2012, 11:00:15 pm
Berlin is, I am led to believe, a hip, happening and funky place.

I've only been to Osnabruck.  It's lacking something.

Kraftwerk are so not a Berlin band.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: dasmoth on 30 November, 2012, 12:11:25 pm
My right eyelid has decided it likes going "twitch".  Probably my fault for pointing it at a monitor too many hours per day, but it's getting kind-of annoying...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: RJ on 30 November, 2012, 12:21:08 pm
Quote from: clarion on 29 November, 2012, 02:03:48 pm
There's a trailer being overplayed on the wireless for a programme presented by Peter Day about the ride of Berlin as a tech city.

Soundtrack is Autobahn by Kraftwerk.

I checked.  It would take you about six hours on the Autobahn to travel the nearly 600km from Berlin to Dusseldorf. :facepalm:

Quote from: clarion on 29 November, 2012, 11:00:15 pm
Kraftwerk are so not a Berlin band.

Yebbut, what of the Tangerine Dream back catalogue would you pick? ;)

(Actually the way to go would be ICE - Trans Europe Express)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 30 November, 2012, 03:04:47 pm
Mrs T is packing a bag for a weekend away with the girls.

She comes downstairs to show me her camera.

She has managed to break the battery door off it :(

Her favourite compact camera too!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 30 November, 2012, 05:27:42 pm
:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 30 November, 2012, 07:15:46 pm
Office Bar has run out of beer. :(

Either need to stop drinking or switch to wine (spirits are banned, 'things' have happened in the past).

In vino veritas!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: RJ on 30 November, 2012, 07:20:21 pm
Well, at least that's supposed to be the right order to do wine and beer ...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 30 November, 2012, 07:28:41 pm
Quote from: dasmoth on 30 November, 2012, 12:11:25 pm
My right eyelid has decided it likes going "twitch".  Probably my fault for pointing it at a monitor too many hours per day, but it's getting kind-of annoying...

Could be worse.  A while ago my right eardrum decided it liked going twitch -resulting in an extremely distracting thub-thub-thub noise - and kept it up on and off for the best part of a week.  No amount of yawning or chewing or deliberately tensing the timpanic muscle (that's my really boring party trick) would stop it.  And when it did stop, sudden noises would set it off again.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 30 November, 2012, 07:42:53 pm
Quote from: Andrij on 30 November, 2012, 07:15:46 pm
Office Bar has run out of beer. :(

Either need to stop drinking or switch to wine (spirits are banned, 'things' have happened in the past).

In vino veritas!

Hurrah!  After a whip-around, two intrepid souls have gone out to buy more beer and wine (had not realised we were out of the latter as well).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 01 December, 2012, 10:17:31 am
Oi.  Dyson.  When I press that button, there.  You're supposed to retract the cable.  I'm not supposed to get down on the floor, holding the button in with one hand, attempting to push the cable in short lengths into the drum.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 01 December, 2012, 08:00:12 pm
Spend afternoon sawing logs for friend. Go to Thee Pubbe for restorative BEER with friend. But what's this?

Not a Thee Pubbe with a television, but a new fangled twist: A bloke sitting at the bar with his iPad propped against the pumps, watching live streaming telly on it.

Gah.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mmmmartin on 01 December, 2012, 08:16:31 pm
Struggled to have an acceptable day. Sort of suceeded. Saved £490 on annual gas and electricity bills by switching suppliers using the interwebs. This did not compensate for ice on road preventing my 200k monthly ride. Grump. Went for a bit of a run. Worked out gpx files for a couple of audax events next year and sent them to the org. Now watching Attenborough on the box. Good. But am still all crosspatch and grumpyboots over this ice. Especially as illness means I've had no exercise for a month. Grump grump grump.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rogerzilla on 01 December, 2012, 08:21:16 pm
Quote from: Kim on 30 November, 2012, 07:28:41 pm
Could be worse.  A while ago my right eardrum decided it liked going twitch -resulting in an extremely distracting thub-thub-thub noise - and kept it up on and off for the best part of a week.  No amount of yawning or chewing or deliberately tensing the timpanic muscle (that's my really boring party trick) would stop it.  And when it did stop, sudden noises would set it off again.
Or, applying Occam's razor, your neighbours were having a pretty major party.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SteveC on 02 December, 2012, 04:48:34 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 01 December, 2012, 08:00:12 pm
Spend afternoon sawing logs for friend. Go to Thee Pubbe for restorative BEER with friend. But what's this?

Not a Thee Pubbe with a television, but a new fangled twist: A bloke sitting at the bar with his iPad propped against the pumps, watching live streaming telly on it.

Gah.
This has been happening in one of our local pubs for some time.  At least they've had the grace to keep the volume turned down.  Better than a big screen anyway.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 02 December, 2012, 05:21:17 pm
Quote from: Basil on 01 December, 2012, 10:17:31 am
Oi.  Dyson.  When I press that button, there.  You're supposed to retract the cable.  I'm not supposed to get down on the floor, holding the button in with one hand, attempting to push the cable in short lengths into the drum.

Mine does that for the last couple of feet of cable, but for added perversity, it has a habit of reeling the cable in all by itself when I'm not actually pressing on the cable rewind button.  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 02 December, 2012, 06:20:50 pm
Dysons, 'nuff said.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 02 December, 2012, 07:15:39 pm
Yep. Ours is now a Trigger's broom Dyson. It's great that they are serviceable, and that all the parts are readily available and (generally) not too expensive. It's not so great that so many bits of plastic are quite fragile and do break  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 02 December, 2012, 09:55:31 pm
My scalp has hardly itched at all lately, & there's no sign of redness or the other familiar signs of psoriasis (luckily both mild & absent from the rest of me), but it very recently started smelling a bit rank, however much I washed it. Obviously, not something one wants. So I dug out the long-unused anti-psoriasis shampoo, & used it two days in a row.

Smell's gone. It's another bloody symptom. Damn! I'd rather have the itching. Looks as if I'll have to start using the shampoo regularly for the first time in about three years, at least until spring. Getting out in the sun usually effects a seasonal cure.


PS. Just realised I still have the topical steroid liquid I was prescribed when it got painful. It had an almost miraculous effect. My lack of need of regular use of the shampoo dates back to then. I wonder if it's still usable? I hope so.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 02 December, 2012, 10:01:34 pm
You're not the only one having hair trouble Bledlow. I found another big bald patch yesterday. This explains why the plughole is blocked.  Sigh.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 03 December, 2012, 11:55:37 am
Fireworks are great fun, but not in the street at quarter past two in the morning.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 03 December, 2012, 05:55:27 pm
Spokes are very useful plug hole de-hairers. Bend the threaded part at right angles to get some grip then use the head end to go fishing, twisting and eventually retrieving nasty globs of glutinous gloop from the trap. At which point the water flows more rapidly.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 04 December, 2012, 12:48:41 am
Quote from: David Martin on 03 December, 2012, 05:55:27 pm
Spokes are very useful plug hole de-hairers. Bend the threaded part at right angles to get some grip then use the head end to go fishing, twisting and eventually retrieving nasty globs of glutinous gloop from the trap. At which point the water flows more rapidly.

Thanks for your help David. All better now.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 04 December, 2012, 12:52:03 am
Yeah, that's good to know.  At least for when extermination and sodium hydroxide crystals don't do the job.

Which will probably be tomorrow, because I gave barakta a haircut earlier.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 04 December, 2012, 08:40:50 am
Better than sodium hydroxide.. Best to mechanically remove rather than mess with nasties.

..d
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 04 December, 2012, 09:27:53 am
I know you only floated the idea speculatively a few weeks ago about having 25/12 day lunch round yours instead of having a family do, but you did say you would let us know. As I hadn't heard, I assumed it was still going ahead. You, of course, are free to do what you like on 25/12, but once you made the sort-of invitation, I think you were sort-of obliged to let us know it wasn't happening instead of having to be asked.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 05 December, 2012, 12:42:48 pm
Oy, baked spud! I pricked you six times with a 4-tined fork, so don't you go exploding in the oven on me again, right!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 05 December, 2012, 01:00:06 pm
Quote from: David Martin on 04 December, 2012, 08:40:50 am
Better than sodium hydroxide.. Best to mechanically remove rather than mess with nasties.

..d
Yeah, but pipes can get gungy along their length, & dragging physical obstacles out won't stop them stinking. A little bit of NaOH crystals (sold in convenient 500g bottles by Wilkinsons) added to a litre of cold water, stirred gently with a wooden spoon until dissolved (one stone two birds - sterilises the spoon - just remember to rinse it thoroughly) & poured down all the plugholes in the house does wonders.

Handle with care, of course, but as long as one knows what one's doing it's safe enough. Can't be more risky than playing in the traffic on a bike.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jacomus on 05 December, 2012, 04:16:12 pm
I have a standard issue optical mouse, complete with forward and back buttons on the shoulders of it, which are brilliant. What is Not Brilliant is the weird grey goo that builds up around the mouse where it sits on the desk. I presume it is sweat that gets onto the desk and picks up dirt, which then adheres to the bottom of sed mouse and stops it sliding smoothly.

It's really irritating!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 05 December, 2012, 04:48:09 pm
I think grey goo is a mixture of skin cells and textile fluff.  Count yourself lucky that you're not scraping it off the rollers of a ball mouse.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 05 December, 2012, 06:39:07 pm
Quote from: Kim on 05 December, 2012, 04:48:09 pm
I think grey goo is a mixture of skin cells and textile fluff.  Count yourself lucky that you're not scraping it off the rollers of a ball mouse.


Ooh, I quite like doing that. Whenever I was in the Uni computer rooms, I'd degunge whichever mouse I was using.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 05 December, 2012, 06:41:15 pm
Quote from: Arch on 05 December, 2012, 06:39:07 pm
Quote from: Kim on 05 December, 2012, 04:48:09 pm
I think grey goo is a mixture of skin cells and textile fluff.  Count yourself lucky that you're not scraping it off the rollers of a ball mouse.

Ooh, I quite like doing that. Whenever I was in the Uni computer rooms, I'd degunge whichever mouse I was using.

You must have gone to a posh uni.  Our glued the mouseball covers closed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 05 December, 2012, 06:46:42 pm
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 05 December, 2012, 12:42:48 pm
Oy, baked spud! I pricked you six times with a 4-tined fork, so don't you go exploding in the oven on me again, right!

I go mad and prick spuds at least 20 times.   Perhaps that explains why I've never had a tattie bomb.    :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SteveC on 05 December, 2012, 06:47:15 pm
Quote from: Kim on 05 December, 2012, 06:41:15 pm
Quote from: Arch on 05 December, 2012, 06:39:07 pm
Quote from: Kim on 05 December, 2012, 04:48:09 pm
I think grey goo is a mixture of skin cells and textile fluff.  Count yourself lucky that you're not scraping it off the rollers of a ball mouse.

Ooh, I quite like doing that. Whenever I was in the Uni computer rooms, I'd degunge whichever mouse I was using.

You must have gone to a posh uni.  Our glued the mouseball covers closed.
We had teletypes... (sorry, wrong thread (http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=63892.0))
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Oaky on 05 December, 2012, 07:56:13 pm
Use a skewer, that way your steam vent holes can go right into the core.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 05 December, 2012, 08:03:44 pm
I stab the skins of my spuds with the end of a teaspoon which seems to work.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 06 December, 2012, 07:44:36 am
Quote from: Polar Bear on 05 December, 2012, 06:46:42 pm
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 05 December, 2012, 12:42:48 pm
Oy, baked spud! I pricked you six times with a 4-tined fork, so don't you go exploding in the oven on me again, right!

I go mad and prick spuds at least 20 times.   Perhaps that explains why I've never had a tattie bomb.    :(
I don't think I, ahem, pricked them deeply enough. Today's will get a damn good pricking. I may also get round to looking for the skewers I have, somewhere. I haven't seen them since I made some kebabs for a wet BBQ in August.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Butterfly on 06 December, 2012, 11:10:15 am
I use a sharp knife and cut a cross (ish) all the way through. With extra stabs for the really big ones. Then they don't explode even if you forget and leave them in an aga for 2 days :-[.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 06 December, 2012, 11:27:08 am
Isn't that just chopping them into quarters?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Butterfly on 06 December, 2012, 11:28:08 am
No, stabbing straight down, not cutting.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 06 December, 2012, 11:35:46 am
I listed that Tonearm at a fair price and said I'd eat the postage charges.
Saying you'll buy it, giving me a delivery address and _then_ asking if I'll drop the price is a good way to piss me off  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 06 December, 2012, 02:18:32 pm
Quote from: Oaky on 05 December, 2012, 07:56:13 pm
Use a skewer, that way your steam vent holes can go right into the core.
I stick a skewer or two right though & leave it there. Never had one explode.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SteveC on 06 December, 2012, 04:52:24 pm
I left my bag in the pub last night.
I went back to get it at lunchtime.
They don't open on Thursday lunchtimes.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 06 December, 2012, 04:58:53 pm
Quote from: Oaky on 05 December, 2012, 07:56:13 pm
Use a skewer, that way your steam vent holes can go right into the core.

QR, Pin-head, alan key or traditional?


IGMC!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 06 December, 2012, 05:01:42 pm
Quote from: Andrij on 06 December, 2012, 04:58:53 pm
Quote from: Oaky on 05 December, 2012, 07:56:13 pm
Use a skewer, that way your steam vent holes can go right into the core.

QR, Pin-head, alan key or traditional?

Spare spoke, obviously.   :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 06 December, 2012, 08:35:21 pm
Well apparently I work somewhere where even if you openly boast that you know you have no holiday left but book time off anyway it gets okayed.

I am this: peeved.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SteveC on 07 December, 2012, 07:59:52 am
Quote from: SteveC on 06 December, 2012, 04:52:24 pm
I left my bag in the pub last night.
And when going to get it back last evening, I saw a cyclist riding with no lights.  Not that unusual (unfortunately) except this was on an unlit, national speed limit road, with crud all over it at the moment from the rain last weekend, pot holes which seem to grow daily, and the occasional over hanging branch or bramble which gets knocked out of the hedge.
Idiot!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 08 December, 2012, 06:49:59 pm
I really miss bobb. It's nearly 5 weeks since we saw each other, and nearly 3 weeks till we're together next. I wish I had a TARDIS.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 08 December, 2012, 09:25:54 pm
Poop. I seem to have managed to delete some track data from my GPS before I had copied it to my computer. It doesn't really matter in the grand scheme of things but still annoying.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 09 December, 2012, 10:27:23 am
I seem to be full of lurgy. Sore eyes, nose dripping and a scratch throat.  I'd booked Monday as leave to enjoy myself, and now it's going to be spoiled by being poorly  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 09 December, 2012, 10:33:48 am
Quote from: andrewc on 09 December, 2012, 10:27:23 am
I seem to be full of lurgy. Sore eyes, nose dripping and a scratch throat.  I'd booked Monday as leave to enjoy myself, and now it's going to be spoiled by being poorly  >:(

Join the club, exactly the same happened to me last Friday :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 10 December, 2012, 12:45:29 pm
There had better be communication from John Lewis today, otherwise I'm going to get all Grinkosaurus Erectus on their arses...  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SandyV on 11 December, 2012, 04:21:58 am
Butcher in training - please listen. I needed 3 lamb shanks not 2 and 4 rissoles not 6 and 1kg of prawns not 700gms and ... sigh
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jacomus on 11 December, 2012, 10:26:04 am
Rouge moustache hair! Leave my nose alone!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 11 December, 2012, 10:29:35 am
Quote from: Jacomus on 11 December, 2012, 10:26:04 am
Rouge moustache hair! Leave my nose alone!

I take it that different-coloured hairs are better behaved, then?  ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jacomus on 11 December, 2012, 10:30:56 am
Quote from: spesh on 11 December, 2012, 10:29:35 am
Quote from: Jacomus on 11 December, 2012, 10:26:04 am
Rouge moustache hair! Leave my nose alone!

I take it that different-coloured hairs are better behaved, then?  ;)

Rogue moustache hair! Leave my nose alone!

Additional Grumble: Bah! Dyslexia :P

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 11 December, 2012, 02:53:55 pm
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8070/8263454357_5a5abb4ab6_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pingus/8263454357/)
Untitled (http://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pingus/8263454357/) by The Pingus (http://www.flickr.com/people/the_pingus/), on Flickr

WTF???

No it doesn't (we don't live in a hard water area)

How did you work that out?

Whatevaaaah.....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 11 December, 2012, 02:59:00 pm
Well I assume the oxygen content might affect the taste of tea, but I question whether anyone should be keeping fish in a kettle   ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 11 December, 2012, 03:47:29 pm
If the originator of said passive aggressive note is who I think it is, said person has only been in the company for a couple of weeks. Takes a brass neck to start leaving notes like that around after such a short time!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 11 December, 2012, 05:39:27 pm
Quite right about reboiled water - it is due to the oxygen content. If you like grey muddy tea then boil the heck out of it but bright chestnutty flavoursome tea should be made with freshly crafted H20 that has barely had chance to vent it's steam.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 11 December, 2012, 06:20:10 pm
Jettle not a good idea then?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 11 December, 2012, 08:06:29 pm
Quote from: Kim on 11 December, 2012, 02:59:00 pm
Well I assume the oxygen content might affect the taste of tea, but I question whether anyone should be keeping fish in a kettle   ???

You can keep fish in a kettle, but a fish kettle (http://www.lakeland.co.uk/11653/Fish-Kettle) is generally for salmon. Which are DEAD. (but tasty)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 11 December, 2012, 08:14:24 pm
wonders how different the oxygen concentration actually is between once and twice boiled water...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: billplumtree on 11 December, 2012, 08:16:59 pm
Well, reboiling water unnecessarily does use up energy.  Which, arguably, contributes to the acidification of rivers and seas.  Which, arguably, etc etc and tenuously might just possibly......

*wanders off, whistling*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 11 December, 2012, 08:25:26 pm
Anyhoo, I fail to see how anyone drinking Tetley's bogging sweepings off the floor and drownded in half a pint of cow juice would notice the difference  :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 11 December, 2012, 08:27:56 pm
Ah, I think I've worked it out:

Icky tea (because it's been made with needlessly re-boiled water, presumably because of some sort of thermal homeopathy) kills the fishes, because it's being discarded into their tank (or kettle, in the case of salmon)?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 11 December, 2012, 08:31:55 pm
Quote from: David Martin on 11 December, 2012, 05:39:27 pm
Quite right about reboiled water - it is due to the oxygen content. If you like grey muddy tea then boil the heck out of it but bright chestnutty flavoursome tea should be made with freshly crafted H20 that has barely had chance to vent it's steam.

If you care about the providence of your tea water then empty & refill the kettle yourself IMHO!

Although I do hate the people who will open a BRAND new 4pt bottle of milk cos they decide the half empty one must be poisonous.  Milk doesn't last in our fridge long enough to go nasty FFS.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 11 December, 2012, 08:56:11 pm
Quote from: barakta on 11 December, 2012, 08:31:55 pm
If you care about the providence of your tea water then empty & refill the kettle yourself IMHO!

Well, quite :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 11 December, 2012, 09:03:48 pm
We have a device (bought by the retiring Partner) at work which boils a cupful of water each time.  Very clever.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 11 December, 2012, 09:14:36 pm
We go through about 2 kettles a year although the latest one at least pours properly, the last one didn't.  This one is easier to put 1cup of water worth into although if you do that someone else'll come along and want it so I usually do "me plus a bit" cos during the day the kitchen's fairly heavily used by the ~40 building inhabitants.  I swear we run on CAFFEINE!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: RJ on 11 December, 2012, 09:19:37 pm
Quote from: barakta on 11 December, 2012, 08:31:55 pm
Although I do hate the people who will open a BRAND new 4pt bottle of milk cos they decide the half empty one must be poisonous.  Milk doesn't last in our fridge long enough to go nasty FFS.

It's the ones who leave a dribble of milk in the carton to avoid rinsing and binning recycle-binning I can't stand.  Oh, and flatten them too please?  Or shall we make you take them to the nearest paakging waste bins by bike, hmmm?

And breathe ...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 11 December, 2012, 09:49:37 pm
My partner prefers reboiled water in his tea.
London water is hard and most of the hardness is lost (or deposited inside the kettle) on first boling.
Reboiled water makes tea that's less scummy...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 11 December, 2012, 10:47:14 pm
Canterbury used to have chunks of limestone in your hot drink - twas very annoying.  Good old Canterbury carbonate...  I don't miss that at all.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 11 December, 2012, 10:49:13 pm
Quote from: barakta on 11 December, 2012, 10:47:14 pm
Canterbury used to have chunks of limestone in your hot drink - twas very annoying.  Good old Canterbury carbonate...  I don't miss that at all.

Same stuff in helly's part of the world.  I grew up on it, and don't drink tea...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 11 December, 2012, 10:54:57 pm
Quote from: Kim on 11 December, 2012, 10:49:13 pm
Quote from: barakta on 11 December, 2012, 10:47:14 pm
Canterbury used to have chunks of limestone in your hot drink - twas very annoying.  Good old Canterbury carbonate...  I don't miss that at all.

Same stuff in helly's part of the world.  I grew up on it, and don't drink tea...

I don't remember the London stuff being Quite So Bloody Crunchy as the Canterbury stuff.

S'ok, I don't make YOU drink tea!  :-*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Butterfly on 11 December, 2012, 11:00:55 pm
We're on Surrey water now, so it's quite posh and nice, but even the metallic stuff when I lived in Stockwell was nothing compared to the appalling water in Faversham, which was bad enough that my parent's kettle looked 5 years old within 2 weeks. It was awful. East Kent Water must have HUGE pumps to cope with the weight!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 11 December, 2012, 11:01:58 pm
Quote from: barakta on 11 December, 2012, 10:54:57 pm
I don't remember the London stuff being Quite So Bloody Crunchy as the Canterbury stuff.

Different values of London.  The stuff we had in our Stratford flat would have mostly come from the Lea, whereas over in the fictional county of Middlesex and out into the murky realms of Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire it's mainly from boreholes.

None of it tastes quite as dreadful as Manchester water, and the People's Republic still has the best all-rounder.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 12 December, 2012, 09:00:56 am
I live close to Basingstoke. When we ask people how many lumps they want in their hot drinks, we're talking about the water, not sugar  :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 12 December, 2012, 09:29:00 am
Worst water I ever tasted (and I avoided it as far as was possible!) was in Orpington.  Yuk.

At work, when we use the kettle, we use a tea strainer to catch the chunks.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: anotherdeadhero on 12 December, 2012, 09:31:40 am
The water in the People's anarcho-syndicalist commune of Brizzol is OK. Not much of a patch on water at home in Salopia mind, where it had just run off them there hills (and the sheep on the hills). Worst I had was Pembroke - so soft you couldn't get any flavour into the tea, and soap would not lather - I was going to try and find some salt soap!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wowbagger on 12 December, 2012, 09:42:57 am
Surely soap lathers better in soft water?

In Essex we have hard water, but throughout much of the county kettles don't properly fur up but have what is known as "egg-shell hardness". It's down to the wide shallow reservoirs we have, and the presence of enormous quantities of blue-green algae, all photosynthesising like buggery, and the chemical effect they have on the calcium salts. 'Twas my brother who told me this. He was a water company chemist for 42 years so it must be true.  :P

We have a water softener which was installed at the same time as our solar panel: solar panels fur up very quickly. We have one tap, the cold tap in the kitchen, which gives unsoftened water. I tend to wash my hands under the kitchen hot tap and rinse them under the cold tap. Softened water doesn't react with the soap so leaves a slimy film on your hands which takes ages to get rid of. The hardness in the cold tap gets rid of it straight away.

The softest water I know of is that in East Manchester. Mrs Wow's mother has a dark stain on her bath, which is a result of the water having come form a reservoir which collects from peat hills, or so I've been told..
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 12 December, 2012, 09:52:27 am
Best water I ever had was in Mankinholes.  From a spring just below Stoodley Pike, running off millstone grit.

Lovely.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: anotherdeadhero on 12 December, 2012, 10:06:45 am
Quote from: Wowbagger on 12 December, 2012, 09:42:57 am
Surely soap lathers better in soft water?

It appears I am in error. My apologies ... some variable, unaccounted for.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wowbagger on 12 December, 2012, 10:21:36 am
Mrs. Wow's sister lives in a large converted cow byre south of Burnley and they have their own water supply coming form a hole dug in the hill above them. They recently spent a lot of money on their own treatment plant as the water was full of all sorts of stuff. Their plant extracts manganese from it, apparently, and I feel pretty sure that the water has a high copper content: before they had the treatment plant installed, the water would turn a beautiful shade of blue when you washed your hands in it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wowbagger on 12 December, 2012, 10:25:03 am
My grumble is that there's too much random illness in this house. Mrs. Wow has been suffering for weeks: she's got the dreaded labyrinthitis, which is taking ages to leave her alone, which has made her usual December Blues a lot worse. The dog is really ill as well, I think as a result of the long-standing wound on his leg. He's on strong antibiotics and is a very pitiful creature at the moment. And now we've got freezing fog outside, which makes everything feel lots colder.

I'll be bloody glad when I've had enough of this.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: dasmoth on 12 December, 2012, 11:35:12 am
Why don't Amazon sell new respiratory tracts.  I'm sure mine is past overdue for an upgrade!

Annoyingly the count/bad-indigestion correlation doesn't seem to have been a one-off, either.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 12 December, 2012, 11:54:15 am
The worst tasting tap water I've ever drunk was in Warsaw. I don't recall it being particularly hard, it just had a foul taste. Fortunately various parts of the city, including the area I lived in, had "oligocene wells" where you could fill bottles with water piped from deep underneath whatever rocks are there.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 12 December, 2012, 12:14:56 pm
Some of the best water i have tasted has been that available at the public drinking fountains on hot and sweaty days in Rome and Pompeii.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jacomus on 12 December, 2012, 01:31:55 pm
Quote from: fuzzy on 12 December, 2012, 12:14:56 pm
Some of the best water i have tasted has been that available at the public drinking fountains on hot and sweaty days in Rome and Pompeii.

Dehydration works wonders on the taste of water!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: anotherdeadhero on 12 December, 2012, 01:55:51 pm
Oh that reminds me of the water in my Halls of Residence, aeons ago. Milky-white, with a pronounced effervescence, nasal notes of hot metal.

I took the lesson of history, and drank only beer ...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hulver on 12 December, 2012, 02:06:06 pm
Oi! Purveyor of sandwiches containing bacon. I asked for Brown sauce. The one true pairing of sauce and cured, salty pig.

Imagine my disappointment when biting into the sandwich, and having the sweet taste of cheep tomato sauce flooding over my tongue.

I will mention this next time we meet.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 12 December, 2012, 05:07:09 pm
I think that you posted in the wrong thread. Contaminating bacon with "red sauce" should be a hanging offence.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 12 December, 2012, 05:07:50 pm
Contaminating ketchup with bacon? :o  Horrific.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 12 December, 2012, 05:14:56 pm
Brown sauce is an abomination designed by northerners to taunt the colourblind.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 12 December, 2012, 05:30:48 pm
Oi!  It was invented in Nottingham, and made in Birmingham. >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 12 December, 2012, 05:37:59 pm
Okay: brown sauce is an abomination used by northerners to torment the colourblind.

In both Nottingham and Birmingham, the ketchup bottle can generally be relied on to contain ketchup.  It starts getting a bit iffy once you get to Manchester.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 12 December, 2012, 11:53:21 pm
The nice couple from across the landing are moving out next week.   They aren't sure if they are going to sell or rent their flat yet.  Whatever they do I'll have to break in new neighbours.  Nightmare,  it could be Bloody Students again  :(

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 13 December, 2012, 09:11:53 am
I got into the habit as a PhD student of not drinking the last bit of any mug of drink. We had an urn in our (northwest London) tea room which built a phenomenal agglommeration of silt like particles. These woudl be well dispersed when the water boiled and would settle into a layer thick enough to fossilise small rodents anda few lost visiting professors at the bottom of the cup.

Southampton water is vile. London water is hard but is chalk, not limestone so a different sort of hard ('you spill my cuppa, mate?')
Dundee water is soft. SW london water does give a nice cup of tea given the right blend (but then again I grew up on that).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 13 December, 2012, 10:11:06 am
Quote from: Kim on 12 December, 2012, 05:37:59 pm
Okay: brown sauce is an abomination used by northerners to torment the colourblind.

In both Nottingham and Birmingham, the ketchup bottle can generally be relied on to contain ketchup.  It starts getting a bit iffy once you get to Manchester.

Sorry, I CAN'T let this one go.

Depending on your belief system, the Deity of your choice created Porcine creatures in order that they could give Bacon to mankind. The Deity of your choice offered up this creation to compliment their earlier creation of HP Sauce. The Deity of your choice realised that bacon and HP Sauce slapped between two opposing slices of bread (roll, sandwich, baguette- it matters not) were the pinnacle of gastronomy.

Other Porcine products are a happy bonus.

Here endeth the lesson.

If your belief system is such that a Deity does not exist, common sense and evolutionary experience indicates that bacon and HP Sauce slapped between two opposing slices of bread (roll, sandwich, baguette- it matters not) were the pinnacle of gastronomy.

Ketchup is for sausages in bread (or fish and chips).

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 13 December, 2012, 10:26:34 am
;D  And that from a pig!







Sorry, couldn't resist :-[
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 13 December, 2012, 12:33:36 pm
Quote from: clarion on 13 December, 2012, 10:26:34 am
;D  And that from a pig!







Sorry, couldn't resist :-[

 ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 13 December, 2012, 01:20:39 pm
Quote from: David Martin on 13 December, 2012, 09:11:53 am
Southampton is vile.

FTFY
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 14 December, 2012, 10:47:12 am
It's cold

I have a cold (either that or I have developed an allergy to our cats)

It's cold

I'm tired

It's cold

I have shed loads of work to get through

Did I mention it's cold and I am tired?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 14 December, 2012, 10:53:28 am
Quote from: tiermat on 14 December, 2012, 10:47:12 am
It's cold

I have a cold (either that or I have developed an allergy to our cats)

It's cold

I'm tired

It's cold

I have shed loads of work to get through

Did I mention it's cold and I am tired?

Ah bless.

Have a hug and one of these  :-*

Now take some drugs, do some work and MTFU.  You are expected tomorrow.

 :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 14 December, 2012, 11:04:50 am
Dear Wiggle Freebie Fairy

Plz to send gummy sweets made from boiled cow feet and not that minging powdered sports drink

kthxbai
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 14 December, 2012, 11:07:09 am
Quote from: Lindagordinho on 14 December, 2012, 10:53:28 am

Now do some drugs, do some work and MTFU.  You are expected tomorrow.

 :)

It's that professional, caring approach that really shines through. I've noticed it at home.

I get back, limping through the door. Do I get sympathy?

"I had an 89-year-old patient today. We sawed her leg off with a butterknife, stuck a wooden one on and had her walking within 10minutes. She didn't half grumble so we dosed her with a single aspirin and told her to get home, we needed the bed for someone else.
So what's wrong with you?"

It's wonderful, being married to a nursing student.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 14 December, 2012, 11:22:54 am
If you want sympathy it's £12 an hour net.

The bloody garage mice have made a nest in my road shoes. Furry little bastards.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 14 December, 2012, 11:26:07 am
I have Haribo made from cowfoot-extract.  Will that do?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: anotherdeadhero on 14 December, 2012, 11:46:59 am
Rail replacement busses.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 14 December, 2012, 01:40:13 pm
Who gives you the buss? Is it someone attractive? Or a stubbly-chinned railway employee with bad breath?

However nice the person, I can't see the value of it as a replacement for a train. It might be pleasant, but won't get me where I'm going.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 14 December, 2012, 02:29:45 pm
Quote from: Bledlow on 14 December, 2012, 01:40:13 pm
Who gives you the buss? Is it someone attractive? Or a stubbly-chinned railway employee with bad breath?

An electrical engineer, obviously.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 14 December, 2012, 02:38:21 pm
Kim, you live in Birmingham, so you know it must be buzz.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 14 December, 2012, 02:39:28 pm
The busses were replacing rails not trains though ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 14 December, 2012, 02:46:52 pm
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 14 December, 2012, 02:38:21 pm
Kim, you live in Birmingham, so you know it must be buzz.

Depends on whether the power's still on :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 14 December, 2012, 06:22:46 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 14 December, 2012, 02:39:28 pm
The busses were replacing rails not trains though ;)
True, but it still won't enable me to travel. Trains need rails, not busses. That soft & potentially delightful contact is bloody useless for running a line of linked steel-wheeled vehicles on.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 14 December, 2012, 07:25:14 pm
<spodmode>
Anonymous and possibly long since departed colleague.  Slapping a public modifier on a method within an internal class in a DLL project is a truly shite way to "make it modular" and isn't going to work if someone needs access to the method from another DLL.  Oh and using a dataview and expecting others to intuit the table column names (or spelunk through the damned /damnable  code) because otherwise there'd be "too many parameters" isn't that bright either. You have heard of classes? Or structs? Gits.
</spodmode>
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Marco Stefano on 16 December, 2012, 07:16:25 pm
Great. Apparently it was my turn for the lurgy just in time for a non-icy, sunny weekend, so no cycling. Marvellous.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cycleman on 16 December, 2012, 09:47:00 pm
gws :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 16 December, 2012, 10:52:56 pm
I been inside while Pingu has been coughing himself silly, and now it feels like I might be coming down with it too, meh.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: anotherdeadhero on 19 December, 2012, 01:58:31 pm
*enters public house*

'Excuse me my good lady, what ale do you serve?'

'We got Carlsberg or Stella'

*rotates upon heel; exits premises*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jacomus on 19 December, 2012, 02:05:56 pm
Quote from: anotherdeadhero on 19 December, 2012, 01:58:31 pm
*enters public house*

'Excuse me my good lady, what ale do you serve?'

'We got Carlsberg or Stella'

*rotates upon heel; exits premises*

 ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 19 December, 2012, 02:29:28 pm
It's 2.30 in the afternoon, and it's twilight.  In three and a half hours I will have to cycle to work in the dark, and work all night, then ride home again.  In the dark.  Winter sucks.  And I can, in theory, drink hard liquor tomorrow - but I'm at work then, as well.  Bah.  I really don't like this rut I'm in.  The air is stale.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 19 December, 2012, 02:32:30 pm
Quote from: Lindagordinho on 19 December, 2012, 02:29:28 pm
It's 2.30 in the afternoon, and it's twilight.  In three and a half hours I will have to cycle to work in the dark, and work all night, then ride home again.  In the dark.  Winter sucks.  And I can, in theory, drink hard liquor tomorrow - but I'm at work then, as well.  Bah.  I really don't like this rut I'm in.  The air is stale.

Oh poor, you, {{{{HUGS}}}}

Just make sure you wear your present tonight, that should raise some laughs :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: anotherdeadhero on 19 December, 2012, 03:07:41 pm
Quiet Coach = deafened by tannoy announcements on divers subjects, including, but not limited to: relative but unstated proximity of carriage from platform; entreaties to remain vigilant for terrorists, bombs, vials of sarin, dangerous subversives, etc.; warnings that your possessions may be stripped from your cold dead hands and blown to smithereens by a band of minimally trained 'security personel' at any moment; inference that you may be charged with possession of inoffensive items at any time; long lists of station stops, 'connecting' services; inter-company diatribes; intra-company diatribes; performance of services running before and behind this; political innuendo; unsubstantiated promises of punctuality; observations on the weather that can be observed from the windows of the carriage; capacity, current occupation and service provision of other carriages; exhaustive lists of ticket validity/invalidity; musings on current ticketing policy ...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 19 December, 2012, 03:09:50 pm
And the machine that goes beep.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: anotherdeadhero on 19 December, 2012, 05:34:27 pm
I find the beeps strangely comforting.

Quote
We aim to respond within 10 working days

 >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 19 December, 2012, 10:46:33 pm
I've been planning a ride up to Upton-upon-Severn by various routes for this weekend, though I can't get bikehike to make any of them a full 200km - but never mind, that's not the main thing - so I've just had a look at the weather forecast: wet on Sunday, very wet on Saturday. Guess when the nicest days are forecast? Yes, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Grrrr. Maybe Friday...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 19 December, 2012, 10:55:22 pm
Quote from: anotherdeadhero on 19 December, 2012, 03:07:41 pm
Quiet Coach =  ...

Wot, no mouthwatering descriptions of the culinary delights available from the trolley?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 19 December, 2012, 11:11:32 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 19 December, 2012, 10:46:33 pm
I've been planning a ride up to Upton-upon-Severn by various routes for this weekend, though I can't get bikehike to make any of them a full 200km - but never mind, that's not the main thing - so I've just had a look at the weather forecast: wet on Sunday, very wet on Saturday. Guess when the nicest days are forecast? Yes, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Grrrr. Maybe Friday...

One wet year some wag rewrote the town sign as UPTON IN THE SEVERN...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 19 December, 2012, 11:23:51 pm
Oh yes, the train times home are every half hour.... up until the train I missed as didn't want to rush my last drink... then it switches to once an hour.

Half an hour stood in the cold when I could have been drinking another drink or on my way home already.

And the vending machine wouldn't accept my money so I couldn't even console myself with a chocolate bar.

Was still a very nice evening though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 20 December, 2012, 10:04:53 am
Has anyone seen my reading glasses?

 :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 20 December, 2012, 10:13:56 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 20 December, 2012, 10:04:53 am
Has anyone seen my reading glasses?

 :(

On top of your head?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 20 December, 2012, 10:15:00 am
Quote from: fuzzy on 20 December, 2012, 10:13:56 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 20 December, 2012, 10:04:53 am
Has anyone seen my reading glasses?

 :(

On top of your head?

Alas not.  They were in my pocket and now aren't chiz.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Butterfly on 20 December, 2012, 10:17:32 am
On the floor by the loo? Down the chair nick? On a window sill? On the breakfast table?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: anotherdeadhero on 20 December, 2012, 12:50:42 pm
Quote from: Pingu on 19 December, 2012, 10:55:22 pm
Quote from: anotherdeadhero on 19 December, 2012, 03:07:41 pm
Quiet Coach =  ...

Wot, no mouthwatering descriptions of the culinary delights available from the trolley?

Ah I had forgotton the delights of the food. A cup of finest styrofoam or leaky waxed paper, into which is poured the hot 18-hour-stewed brown cofftea, served with a selection of Ginsters rejects, atom-thick cardboard-and-plastic-yellow-gunk pannini, or the usual 'fresh sandwich' (2 damp slices of bread substitute, the central cross-section of which is filled with yellow plastic and pink hamalike, or facon, albino tomato and green crepe paper).

Very reasonably priced too at a pint of blood and an indenture for your first-born.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 20 December, 2012, 01:07:25 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 20 December, 2012, 10:15:00 am
Quote from: fuzzy on 20 December, 2012, 10:13:56 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 20 December, 2012, 10:04:53 am
Has anyone seen my reading glasses?

 :(

On top of your head?

Alas not.  They were in my pocket and now aren't chiz.
They're under whatever you were reading.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 20 December, 2012, 01:14:08 pm
They weren't in my pocket when I arrived at my desk this morning, nor were they in the bog, on the floor, in the car park on in the car.

 ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 20 December, 2012, 01:15:37 pm
You dropped them in the washing up bowl after breakfast.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 20 December, 2012, 01:20:42 pm
HTH (https://www.braybrook.co.uk/index.php/catalog/product/view/id/568/?gclid=CIfFtqaIqbQCFczHtAodrGoAqw)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 20 December, 2012, 01:21:25 pm
A Mayoral Chain?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 20 December, 2012, 01:23:56 pm
They'll be in the first place you looked, the third time you look there.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 20 December, 2012, 01:43:20 pm
Thinking about it, check your sock drawer. Your reading glasses will be paired up with a lone sock. The other sock will be hanging from a hook where you keep your keys. Your keys will be in the tool drawer where your phillips screwdriver usually lives. Your phillips screwdriver will be at the back of the kitchen cupboard below the miscelaneous cooking implements drawer where your whisk lives. Your whisk will be in your desk drawer where your calculator lives and your calculator will be in your pocket where your reading glasses are supposed to be.

Simple.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 20 December, 2012, 01:46:17 pm
Quote from: clarion on 20 December, 2012, 01:21:25 pm
A Mayoral Chain?

Boris has been seen with reading spex; maybe he nicked yours...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 20 December, 2012, 02:09:06 pm
Quote from: fuzzy on 20 December, 2012, 01:43:20 pm
Thinking about it, check your sock drawer. Your reading glasses will be paired up with a lone sock. The other sock will be hanging from a hook where you keep your keys. Your keys will be in the tool drawer where your phillips screwdriver usually lives. Your phillips screwdriver will be at the back of the kitchen cupboard below the miscelaneous cooking implements drawer where your whisk lives. Your whisk will be in your desk drawer where your calculator lives and your calculator will be in your pocket where your reading glasses are supposed to be.

Simple.

OK, so where on earth is the measuring tape?

Any of them?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 20 December, 2012, 02:11:57 pm
Ah, I've got all of those.

They've displaced barakta's birth certificate, which is currently AWOL.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 20 December, 2012, 03:27:56 pm
Steel tape measure on computer desk upstairs as is fibreglass 'sewing'  tape measure.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 20 December, 2012, 03:30:05 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 20 December, 2012, 03:27:56 pm
Steel tape measure on computer desk upstairs as is fibreglass 'sewing'  tape measure.

Which means your mouse is er, um........ ?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 20 December, 2012, 03:41:07 pm
Attached to USB hub by cable.
He who shall remain nameless helped himself to wireless mice...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 20 December, 2012, 03:47:45 pm
Quote from: fuzzy on 20 December, 2012, 03:30:05 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 20 December, 2012, 03:27:56 pm
Steel tape measure on computer desk upstairs as is fibreglass 'sewing'  tape measure.

Which means your mouse is er, um........ ?

Under the cat, would be traditional.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 20 December, 2012, 04:19:38 pm
Quote from: Kim on 20 December, 2012, 03:47:45 pm
Quote from: fuzzy on 20 December, 2012, 03:30:05 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 20 December, 2012, 03:27:56 pm
Steel tape measure on computer desk upstairs as is fibreglass 'sewing'  tape measure.

Which means your mouse is er, um........ ?

Under the cat, would be traditional.

http://cheezburger.com/3342894336 (http://cheezburger.com/3342894336)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SteveC on 21 December, 2012, 08:27:33 am
Stuck in the house waiting for a courier, for a present from our nephew. 
We tried to drop hints last year that:
a) couriers are really difficult for us.  The ShittyLink depot is (for instance) 40 miles away
b) the 'hampers' have been really nice but they're not really us (the Christmas pudding from last year's is still in the cupboard)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rogerzilla on 21 December, 2012, 09:08:31 am
Someone has apparently sent us a Christmas card without a stamp (at least, it's addressed to both of us and the fee to pay is 50p plus £1 handling charge, so it's letter or card sized),  RM's website is broken and won't take payment at the moment.  I don't think I can be arsed to try again, since it won't get here for Christmas anyway.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Notsototalnewbie on 21 December, 2012, 10:08:33 am
Someone did that to me last year. It was from the local estate agent, I found out after I'd paid. This did not endear them to me.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 21 December, 2012, 11:03:40 am
Quote from: SteveC on 21 December, 2012, 08:27:33 am
Stuck in the house waiting for a courier, for a present from our nephew. 
We tried to drop hints last year that:
a) couriers are really difficult for us.  The ShittyLink depot is (for instance) 40 miles away
b) the 'hampers' have been really nice but they're not really us (the Christmas pudding from last year's is still in the cupboard)
YHPM with my address for sending the pudding(s) to.
HTH
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 21 December, 2012, 11:17:25 am
Fucking wrist/elbow.  Hormone joint fail, can't do exercises cos can barely do typing for work... 

Physio on Monday and don't feel I've achieved anything, not helped by trying to find a 1Kg balanced weight from household objects is HARD and annoying.  Closest thing is a D lock and the balance is dreadful so I can't grip it properly.  Have fucked it and bought a proper handweight online.  Life's too short to fuck about and NHS can't lend me one cos of "infection control" or something.

Inbox under 20 for first time in WEEKS!.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 21 December, 2012, 11:56:03 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 20 December, 2012, 10:04:53 am
Has anyone seen my reading glasses?

 :(

Fell out of pocket in the car; subsequently located hiding under the handbrake. :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SteveC on 21 December, 2012, 12:14:45 pm
Quote from: boabacca on 21 December, 2012, 11:03:40 am
Quote from: SteveC on 21 December, 2012, 08:27:33 am
Stuck in the house waiting for a courier, for a present from our nephew. 
We tried to drop hints last year that:
a) couriers are really difficult for us.  The ShittyLink depot is (for instance) 40 miles away
b) the 'hampers' have been really nice but they're not really us (the Christmas pudding from last year's is still in the cupboard)
YHPM with my address for sending the pudding(s) to.
HTH
Said delivery has now arrived and I might let the nephew off this time!  "Hamper" full of savouries from M&S, delivered by ParcelForce. 
Smelly French cheese, two bottles of wine, olives...  :thumbsup:
Sorry, no more puds, boabacca
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 21 December, 2012, 01:37:07 pm
I listen to Radio 6Records in the afternoon for several reasons.  Only one of which is that everything else is rubbish.  Of course, as Radcliffe & Maconie remind us, Radio 2 et al are no more, so that's not an option.

Another reason is that I get to hear some great music, including bands I might not otherwise have heard.  It's really good.  So why am I hearing a cover of Wonderful Christmas Time, perpetrated by The Shins? >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Notsototalnewbie on 21 December, 2012, 02:01:37 pm
The odd WTF moment aside, I wish I could get radio 6 on my phone, which only has ye olde FM radio. (If we had a communal radio in here there would be mutiny).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Butterfly on 21 December, 2012, 02:09:45 pm
Quote from: clarion on 21 December, 2012, 01:37:07 pm
I listen to Radio 6Records in the afternoon for several reasons.  Only one of which is that everything else is rubbish.  Of course, as Radcliffe & Maconie remind us, Radio 2 et al are no more, so that's not an option.

Another reason is that I get to hear some great music, including bands I might not otherwise have heard.  It's really good.  So why am I hearing a cover of Wonderful Christmas Time, perpetrated by The Shins? >:(

They do seem to be having a rubbish record special today. :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Butterfly on 21 December, 2012, 02:57:03 pm
They redeemed themselves somewhat with Slade.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 21 December, 2012, 03:00:02 pm
Quote from: Butterfly on 21 December, 2012, 02:57:03 pm
They redeemed themselves somewhat with Slade.

Does Not Compute
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Butterfly on 21 December, 2012, 03:01:38 pm
They played one of the good ones, not MCE. It's gone downhill again now though:(.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 21 December, 2012, 03:05:45 pm
Nowhere else to go after Slade.  But it's a steep descent, in this case :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 22 December, 2012, 10:08:14 pm
My dad seems to have a medical condition which makes him unable to watch more than 15 consecutive minutes of telly without having to fuck about with the telly settings for 2-3 minutes, usually ensuring we miss vital dialogue/action.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hulver on 24 December, 2012, 10:07:27 am
I've recently had 4 new winter tyres fitted to the car. One of them has now got a massive chunk of metal sticking out of it, and the car is fitted with the space saver spare until I can get it fixed. Hopefully it will by repairable. The tyre place is shut until who knows when though, good job I'm not going anywhere in the car this Christmas.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 27 December, 2012, 11:36:52 am
Went for a blood test at the local horse piddle today. Took a Big Book with me and paid for 2 hours parking envisaging a Long Wait.

Got seen within 5 minutes by Mrs. Hall's cousin. It's just not good enough. I demand something to get all Daily Mail about.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 27 December, 2012, 11:49:48 am
A million thanks to the lazy motherfucker of an HDNL driver who thought it would be OK to dump a box containing £75 worth of books on my doorstep this morning. As far as I'm aware, 'No POD' on the label does not mean 'dump on the doorstep'

Fortunately, by the time I discovered said box the rain hasn't completely soaked through and ruined the books.

The main reason that this is a grumble rather than a rant is because it seems to be SOP for HDNL drivers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 27 December, 2012, 12:12:30 pm
Yesterday we were part of the slow moving traffic on the M25.
Interestingly, even though we were only doing 20mph, the drivers who have to get to the exit at the last moment from the outside lane were still moving across at the same point in the road. Strange really, the outside lane was crawling along and the exit lane was clear.  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 28 December, 2012, 09:56:23 am
You lot in the café!  I do not wish to listen to your crap music.  Please turn it off.

Starship, FFS :sick:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 28 December, 2012, 10:26:18 am
Nothing's gonna stop Mr Larrington now!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 28 December, 2012, 10:46:20 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 28 December, 2012, 09:56:23 am
You lot in the café!  I do not wish to listen to your crap music.  Please turn it off.

Starship, FFS :sick:

<sings> We built this cityyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy! </sings>

I saw Dirty Dancing for the first time last night, so I'm all eightied up, despite it being set in the 60's.

Saw Footloose a while back, just need Flashdance to complete the cheesy 80's dance film set.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 28 December, 2012, 11:24:15 am
Dear GP practice, usually the service I have from you is excellent. Your receptionists are both pleasant and helpful, the practice nurses aren't idiots, all of the GPs are nice, helpful, and discuss their reasoning with me in a way I can understand without making me feel they're talking to a thicky. Your repeat prescription service is very good. And, when I have to phone you as a professional about a service user, you're pretty good too. On the whole, I'm very happy with you.

However, for some reason the last time I ordered a repeat of the Elocon cream for my eczema, for some reason I got hydrocortisone. I have used the Elocon for about 20 years now because hydrocortisone doesn't work. But, I thought I'd give it a try, and after two weeks of twice a day application, it's done fuck all and I now have a scabby back, shoulders and neck which are very very itchy. Plz to not be changing things without discussing it with me first, kthnxbai.

(This is a grumble and not a rant because I rang them, spoke to the duty doctor and she said "ok, I'll do a script for Elocon straight away").
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 28 December, 2012, 03:05:34 pm
Quote from: Arch on 28 December, 2012, 10:46:20 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 28 December, 2012, 09:56:23 am
You lot in the café!  I do not wish to listen to your crap music.  Please turn it off.

Starship, FFS :sick:

<sings> We built this cityyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy! </sings>

I saw Dirty Dancing for the first time last night, so I'm all eightied up, despite it being set in the 60's.

Saw Footloose a while back, just need Flashdance to complete the cheesy 80's dance film set.
You then need to follow up with Ferris Bueller's Day Off and The Breakfast Club back-to-back ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 28 December, 2012, 03:50:58 pm
Quote from: interzen on 28 December, 2012, 03:05:34 pm
Quote from: Arch on 28 December, 2012, 10:46:20 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 28 December, 2012, 09:56:23 am
You lot in the café!  I do not wish to listen to your crap music.  Please turn it off.

Starship, FFS :sick:

<sings> We built this cityyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy! </sings>

I saw Dirty Dancing for the first time last night, so I'm all eightied up, despite it being set in the 60's.

Saw Footloose a while back, just need Flashdance to complete the cheesy 80's dance film set.
You then need to follow up with Ferris Bueller's Day Off and The Breakfast Club back-to-back ;)

Yeah, they are on the list. MFWHTBAB is a bit amazed I've never seen them, but they somehow passed me by...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 29 December, 2012, 11:50:55 am
Yes, Warwick's pubs are dull. I told you that and had prepared a short crawl in livelier Leamington that would have required a 5-minute train ride, AND we would have been very close to the curry quarter. So why spend the night with a long face complaining about how dull Warwick is?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 30 December, 2012, 09:07:07 am
Well, I'm taking that lottery ticket back.  It didn't bloody work!  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Butterfly on 30 December, 2012, 09:42:15 am
Quote from: interzen on 28 December, 2012, 03:05:34 pm
Quote from: Arch on 28 December, 2012, 10:46:20 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 28 December, 2012, 09:56:23 am
You lot in the café!  I do not wish to listen to your crap music.  Please turn it off.

Starship, FFS :sick:

<sings> We built this cityyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy! </sings>

I saw Dirty Dancing for the first time last night, so I'm all eightied up, despite it being set in the 60's.

Saw Footloose a while back, just need Flashdance to complete the cheesy 80's dance film set.
You then need to follow up with Ferris Bueller's Day Off and The Breakfast Club back-to-back ;)

And Pretty in Pink  :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 30 December, 2012, 10:31:31 am
And The Lost Boys.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 30 December, 2012, 12:02:25 pm
And St Elmo's Fire.

But for dance films you're also missing Fame.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 30 December, 2012, 04:25:26 pm
Which is a blessing...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CrinklyLion on 30 December, 2012, 04:52:06 pm
I have been looking for a particular yarn for about a year now.  I could visualise exactly what it was like, I just couldn't find it anywhere. I have looked in shops, and on websites.

I finally found a picture of it.  The perfect yarn.  It is the right sort of yarn.  It is exactly the right colour yarn.  It sounds like exactly the yarn I have been imagining.

Nobody has any for sale.

*grumble*

(please note, not a knitter - I outsource that task.  I just get some of the credit for the eventual gift!)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 30 December, 2012, 06:21:25 pm
In the bunch of roses that is the eBay experience, I seem to have uncovered a right prick ...

The reason I gave you a refund is because I wasn't in a position to fulfil your order due to a couple of the items being defective, something which I explained to you. Twice.

As it happens, I did list a smaller lot of the same components at a slightly lower price but I certainly wasn't under any obligation to offer them to you first. If you want them, just click the link do the biz - if not, kindly STFU and stop whining.

 ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Marj on 30 December, 2012, 08:56:05 pm
Quote from: CrinklyLion on 30 December, 2012, 04:52:06 pm
I have been looking for a particular yarn for about a year now.  I could visualise exactly what it was like, I just couldn't find it anywhere. I have looked in shops, and on websites.

I finally found a picture of it.  The perfect yarn.  It is the right sort of yarn.  It is exactly the right colour yarn.  It sounds like exactly the yarn I have been imagining.

Nobody has any for sale.

*grumble*

(please note, not a knitter - I outsource that task.  I just get some of the credit for the eventual gift!)

Kat, what's the yarn called?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 30 December, 2012, 09:06:08 pm
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 30 December, 2012, 04:25:26 pm
Which is a blessing...

Yeah, I think that, I saw enough of it on the telly.  My sister liked it.

St Elmos Fire. You can't beat an 80's power ballad... ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CrinklyLion on 30 December, 2012, 11:24:32 pm
Quote from: Marj on 30 December, 2012, 08:56:05 pm
Kat, what's the yarn called?

Claudia hand painted 100% merino, Dukes.

Not that I've found summat really specific or anything....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Marj on 30 December, 2012, 11:36:11 pm
Quote from: CrinklyLion on 30 December, 2012, 11:24:32 pm
Quote from: Marj on 30 December, 2012, 08:56:05 pm
Kat, what's the yarn called?

Claudia hand painted 100% merino, Dukes.

Not that I've found summat really specific or anything....

Is this the yarn you are looking for?
http://www.modernknitting.co.uk/shop/claudia-sock-knitting-yarn-1.html
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CrinklyLion on 30 December, 2012, 11:45:08 pm
Right yarn - wrong colour.  I found that one.  But they haven't got (that I could find) "Dukes"....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Valiant on 31 December, 2012, 01:46:58 am
Can you order it in from the USofA? Or do you not have enough time?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 31 December, 2012, 01:50:07 am
I think I'm getting a pressure sore from my headphones.  Ow.  Damn you Spotify, damn you to hell.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Marj on 31 December, 2012, 10:17:29 am
Quote from: CrinklyLion on 30 December, 2012, 11:45:08 pm
Right yarn - wrong colour.  I found that one.  But they haven't got (that I could find) "Dukes"....

Dukes = yellow/blue.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CrinklyLion on 31 December, 2012, 10:20:58 am
That's the one I'm after...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Marj on 31 December, 2012, 10:22:54 am
Quote from: CrinklyLion on 31 December, 2012, 10:20:58 am
That's the one I'm after...

Have you considered emailing Claudia in the States to ask who their stockists are in the uk, they may even supply you direct, just a thought as craft type people tend to be very helpful.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CrinklyLion on 31 December, 2012, 10:31:14 am
Not yet... I only found it yesterday.

Do you know how hard it is to find blue and yellow yarn?  *grumble grumble*

And thank you for being helpful when I'm whining :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 31 December, 2012, 05:05:28 pm
I keep getting faint whiffs of tobacco smoke in my flat....... >:(   

New neighbors downstairs ?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 31 December, 2012, 06:18:47 pm
Quote from: CrinklyLion on 31 December, 2012, 10:31:14 am
Not yet... I only found it yesterday.

Do you know how hard it is to find blue and yellow yarn?  *grumble grumble*

And thank you for being helpful when I'm whining :D

Are you knitting a swedish flag?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CrinklyLion on 31 December, 2012, 09:18:56 pm
Oh no. For a start, I don't and can't knit  :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 31 December, 2012, 11:44:42 pm
Quote from: CrinklyLion on 31 December, 2012, 10:31:14 am
Do you know how hard it is to find blue and yellow yarn?  *grumble grumble*

Have you tried unravelling a green yarn?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 01 January, 2013, 01:42:50 am
Quote from: Pingu on 31 December, 2012, 11:44:42 pm
Quote from: CrinklyLion on 31 December, 2012, 10:31:14 am
Do you know how hard it is to find blue and yellow yarn?  *grumble grumble*

Have you tried unravelling a green yarn?

 ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: arabella on 02 January, 2013, 05:21:33 pm
there's always blue'n'yellow stripes.  just don't make them start/end above each other, it looks better when they don't. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 03 January, 2013, 01:28:45 pm
First day back at work after Xmas etc, I got very little sleep last night (after several nights of disturbed or poor sleep this holiday) and am still fucking lurgied so feel like shit.

Not exactly feeling motivated or full of tuits...  zzzz 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 03 January, 2013, 03:23:44 pm
Sigh.... firstly I wake up with gout this morning after spending an hour last night getting my bike ready for an early morning ride meaning that was cancelled and now, after writing 2 000 words since lunchtime, I discover either I didn't save the document, or for some reason, a copy didn't get saved. Thus, I have to do it all again (and yes, I have checked to see if I can find an autosaved document or a .tmp file... not that I know what that means!)

2013..... meet the new year, same as the old one!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Sergeant Pluck on 03 January, 2013, 05:40:00 pm
Dear Royal Mail. Can it really be cost effective to get the postie to deliver a card asking me to collect something from the PO as it requires a further £0.09 in postage?? 9 pence? OK, you are charging me £1.00 "handling fee" which ought to cover that, I suppose. If it wasn't for the remnants of sentimental feelings for the PO, I'd take you up on the offer of payment by credit card, thus entitling me to a re-delivery.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 04 January, 2013, 06:53:27 pm
Argos you utter pissweasels. Why on Earth have you decided I now need an account to check stock in my local store? Pointless and irksome.

ETA: Scratch that, I'm the pissweasel, just tried again and it worked fine. I must have somehow hit the wrong button.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 06 January, 2013, 09:58:55 am
Not content with waking us up at 7:30am yesterday having a screaming row the neighbours decided to start at 4:30am this time.

And it was at least an hour before they quietened down enough for us to get back to sleep.

They've been on and off since then so a nice restful morning in bed it wasn't.  :demon:

And it's back to early alarms tomorrow for work :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rogerzilla on 06 January, 2013, 10:33:35 am
eBay AGAIN.

Your search function is uttlerly crap.  Not content with taking away wildcard search (why, FFS?) it doesn't even understand plurals, so searching for something like Ian Duncan Smith -"butt plug" still returns all the Ian Duncan Smith butt plugs.

I thought they were a technology company but they seem to just be a load of muppets.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 06 January, 2013, 07:21:06 pm
Teeth. I wish I could afford to have you all replaced with something harder wearing and lower maintenance.
Thursday- no riding, emergency dental treatment (root canal, no less). First part of temporary filling goes when dealing with, er, lettuce, after a whole 8 hours.
Sunday- there goes the rest of it.

Damn it. I guess the silver lining is that I'm so poor you're all paying for it, not me.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 06 January, 2013, 08:09:44 pm
Grumble 1:  My back is hurting, just inside of the shoulder blade. Old training injury but I don't know what's aggravated it.
Grumble 2: My close range vision is getting worse.  While wearing my contact lenses I can't focus on a meal or on the controls of a camera properly.  Reading glasses, here I come.
Grumble 3: I recharged 4 x AA's last night for my Hope Vision 1.  It died within a minute of being turned on.  Same happens with my spare Hope, so I think that the charger has a bad channel.
Grumble 4: When Grumble 3 happened I put my headtorch on.  Batteries in that were half dead and I was subjected to abuse & mockery from zombies on the way home.

And tomorrow is Monday.....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 06 January, 2013, 08:31:39 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 06 January, 2013, 08:09:44 pm
Grumble 4: When Grumble 3 happened I put my headtorch on.  Batteries in that were half dead and I was subjected to abuse & mockery from zombies on the way home.

There's a traditional Ben Folds line for quoting in that situation, especially if it's helmet-mounted.

Unfortunately, zombies never seem to listen to Ben Folds Five.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 06 January, 2013, 08:37:52 pm
Quote from: Kim on 06 January, 2013, 08:31:39 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 06 January, 2013, 08:09:44 pm
Grumble 4: When Grumble 3 happened I put my headtorch on.  Batteries in that were half dead and I was subjected to abuse & mockery from zombies on the way home.

There's a traditional Ben Folds line for quoting in that situation, especially if it's helmet-mounted.

Unfortunately, zombies never seem to listen to Ben Folds Five.

I must be even more out of touch than Kim, I've never heard of Ben Folds.....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 06 January, 2013, 08:43:54 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 06 January, 2013, 08:37:52 pm
Quote from: Kim on 06 January, 2013, 08:31:39 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 06 January, 2013, 08:09:44 pm
Grumble 4: When Grumble 3 happened I put my headtorch on.  Batteries in that were half dead and I was subjected to abuse & mockery from zombies on the way home.

There's a traditional Ben Folds line for quoting in that situation, especially if it's helmet-mounted.

Unfortunately, zombies never seem to listen to Ben Folds Five.

I must be even more out of touch than Kim, I've never heard of Ben Folds.....

Frontman of a once-popular (ie. from the days when I used to buy CDs) beat combo, famed in certain circles for singing in a manner uncannily like Kermit the Frog.  Last seen (confusingly) performing with a bunch of Fraggles.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 06 January, 2013, 09:59:56 pm
I've got some Ben Folds (and Ben Folds Five) but can't think which line you're referring to Kim, wassit?  ??? :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 06 January, 2013, 10:03:46 pm
Quote from: BFF: 'Philosophy'
And you were laughing at my helmet hat
Laughing at my torch

Go ahead and laugh all you want
I got my philosophy
And I trust it like the ground
That's why my philosophy
Keeps me walking when I'm falling down
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 06 January, 2013, 10:14:51 pm
Don't think I've got Philosophy, to Youtube. *Zoooms*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 06 January, 2013, 10:20:45 pm
Hmmm, not bad but I'm almost certain that exact same outro is used on at least one of his other songs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Chris S on 07 January, 2013, 10:33:48 am
Dear The Plumber,

Sure, you can use the loo. But next time, please shut the door first  :facepalm:.

Thanks
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 07 January, 2013, 01:25:34 pm
Dear current work, at the moment I decide I CBA and start looking forward to having a couple of weeks off before starting a new job, why do you offer me a contract extension? :(

Grrrr
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CrinklyLion on 07 January, 2013, 01:32:42 pm
Bright side - you can save a couple of weeks 'off' for the summer when riding bikes is more pleasant?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 07 January, 2013, 01:33:51 pm
It's warm and dry, I'm unreasonably fatigued, and there's a diskpocalypse that needs my attention.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 07 January, 2013, 01:46:33 pm
Quote from: CrinklyLion on 07 January, 2013, 01:32:42 pm
Bright side - you can save a couple of weeks 'off' for the summer when riding bikes is more pleasant?

Possibly, but, right now, I NEED the time off.  A severe case of the LURGY that visited our house over Xmas has left me really tired and quite down.  Right now my CBA-meter is off the scale.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 08 January, 2013, 08:32:48 am
Now look here, Madam Pheasant; you may well have kamikaze tendencies and wish to walk out into the road in front of me, but taking out the side grille on my car with your last act wasn't really necessary, was it? A quick squelch under the tyres would have sufficed.

Ho hum, I now wish I had stopped ostensibly to check you were expired, but really looking for the no doubt expensive bit of plastic you dislodged.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 08 January, 2013, 09:27:12 am
Don't you like eating pheasant?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Valiant on 09 January, 2013, 08:53:43 am
Made it through xmas and ny without getting ill, this was despite having an ill partner and her sister. Both are better now so why am I now coming down with it? Grrr
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 09 January, 2013, 09:27:37 am
That's obviously so they are both fit and well and able to pamper you properly.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: anotherdeadhero on 09 January, 2013, 02:50:44 pm
Quote from: anotherdeadhero on 19 December, 2012, 05:34:27 pm
I find the beeps strangely comforting.

Quote
We aim to respond within 10 working days

 >:(

Quote
We're not paying for your taxi fare, becuase you had not OK'd it with our absent Train staff, at 2am, while being forcably ejected from the station premises. Rail ticket refund takes the form of a voucher, which may only be redeemed by us, in person, on the first Monday of any month with an 'R' in it, between the hours of sunrise and sunset (excepting lunch hours 09:00--18:00), only during leap years, if submitted in triplicate with Form 3BX7a, and may be redeemed against any ticket type (excepting First, Standard, Advance, Saver, Anytime or any variation thereof), to any destination station (excepting London stations), on portions of route wholly and exclusively operated by us, in off-peak hours. Except voucher codes 3XXXXX or 4XXXXX, which may be only be redeemed by us, in person, on the first Tuesday of any month with an 'S' in it, between the hours of sunset and sunrise (office closed 17:00--09:00), on alternate leap year years, if submitted in triplicate with Form 3BX7b, and may be redeemed against any ticket type (excepting First, Standard, Advance, Saver, Anytime or any variation thereof), to any destination station (excepting London stations), on portions of route wholly and exclusively operated by us, in on-peak hours (except 08:00--18:00).

Thank you for your continued custom.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 09 January, 2013, 07:49:40 pm
Ugh, no Coalition for Marriage I do not want your leaflets through my door.

Had I realised what it was sooner I'd have gone out to give it back.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 09 January, 2013, 11:56:22 pm
Apropos of nothing in particular...

Quote from: Ellen Ripley, in "Aliens"
Did IQs just drop sharply while I was away?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 10 January, 2013, 09:31:32 am
Two this morning....

Firstly, I love you dear wife but I do wish you would stop moving stuff.... cleaning up I believe you call it.... hiding stuff more like. This mornings example.... my cycling gloves were on my saddle for ease of use. You must have thought that looked untidy as when I went to cycle to the shops this morning, they had gone. So now (she is away so I can't ask her where she has moved them to) I have frozen hands which isn't nice.

Number two grumble..... UK Government... how on earth can getting a new photo driving licence cost £20!!!!! You are making mega profit on that!!!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 10 January, 2013, 09:35:02 am
Ah, that reminds me I need to get mine renewed this year!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 10 January, 2013, 09:43:05 am
£20?
I was thinking about getting one, as I still use a very tatty piece of paper.  (As in very, very tatty)
Car hire places never seem to worry about it.

Don't think I'll bother.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 10 January, 2013, 10:11:03 am
I have until June thankfully. You still end up having a tatty piece of Paper, Basil, as it's a two-parter, although the only time I've been stopped by The Law I only had to show them my plastic card.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 10 January, 2013, 10:19:39 am
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 10 January, 2013, 10:11:03 am
I have until June thankfully. You still end up having a tatty piece of Paper, Basil, as it's a two-parter, although the only time I've been stopped by The Law I only had to show them my plastic card.

ICBW but I don't believe that the law are allowed to request the counterpart as that shows your points, and they are not suppsoed to take that into account when talking to you..
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: giropaul on 10 January, 2013, 10:57:44 am
Quote from: Basil on 10 January, 2013, 09:43:05 am
£20?
I was thinking about getting one, as I still use a very tatty piece of paper.  (As in very, very tatty)
Car hire places never seem to worry about it.

Don't think I'll bother.

Don't - you don't need a new sort, and car hire companies (well, the one I use) prefer the old sort because people always forget the Part 2 of the new sort. There's no reason to have a new sort - and the photo bit is NOT a proof of identity (direct info from DVLA in which I do some work).

The police shouldn't need to see a licence - as long as you've some proof of identity they can get on the DVLA database. In fact, pretty well everything relating to your car and your driving of it are on there - there's talk of dropping the paper disc for Road Fund Duty because it isn't needed any more.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 10 January, 2013, 11:19:03 am
Um.  I wonder if I need to renew my license?  :-[
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 10 January, 2013, 11:20:01 am
Quote from: clarion on 10 January, 2013, 11:19:03 am
Um.  I wonder if I need to renew my license?  :-[

Every 10 years for a photo one.  Cheapest way is to move house, as you get it updated for free when you change details.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 10 January, 2013, 11:45:22 am
Looks like 2013's touring plans will now be covered by an as-yet undecided plan B :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 10 January, 2013, 12:01:01 pm
Quote from: tiermat on 10 January, 2013, 11:20:01 am
Quote from: clarion on 10 January, 2013, 11:19:03 am
Um.  I wonder if I need to renew my license?  :-[

Every 10 years for a photo one.  Cheapest way is to move house, as you get it updated for free when you change details.

Having just done this, I think I'd rather pay the £20 than £many1000s to sell/buy and move again.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 10 January, 2013, 01:06:54 pm
Yeah - but you got a free house with your licence!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 10 January, 2013, 02:40:03 pm
Quote from: tiermat on 10 January, 2013, 11:20:01 am
Quote from: clarion on 10 January, 2013, 11:19:03 am
Um.  I wonder if I need to renew my license?  :-[

Every 10 years for a photo one.  Cheapest way is to move house, as you get it updated for free when you change details.

That gets you a new card, but doesn't renew the photo.  You still have to pay 20 quid every 10 years for a new one.  The DVLA should write to you when it needs renewing, or you could check the expiry date on the card...

On the plus side, they've successfully managed to integrate their database with the passport one, so if you have a recent passport they can pull the photo from that, saving you from having to get another one taken.  You can do the whole thing online relatively painlessly.


Personally I find the photo licence quite useful, as whatever its official status, it's widely accepted as a proof of ID/age/address and can live neatly in a wallet.  Which means not having to think when collecting parcels, buying knives, etc.

The paper bit only needs to come out of the drawer when hiring cars.  You have to dig out some other proof of address at the same time, so it's not exactly faff.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hulver on 11 January, 2013, 05:02:03 pm
Oh bum, I forgot to take the stock out of the freezer this morning.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 11 January, 2013, 08:07:10 pm
Quote from: hulver on 11 January, 2013, 05:02:03 pm
Oh bum, I forgot to take the stock out of the freezer this morning.
Stick it in the microwave
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cycleman on 11 January, 2013, 08:30:11 pm
back pain again :'(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wowbagger on 12 January, 2013, 06:12:29 pm
Waitrose! Put your prices up! It was like bloody Tesco's in there this afternoon.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 13 January, 2013, 08:14:04 am
In a shocking turn of event the nieghbour is being noisy. Today's gem is screaming at a child distressed from a nightmare "Will you just fucking stop panicking!", amazingly this did not have the desired effect.  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 13 January, 2013, 09:09:27 pm
Quote from: Wowbagger on 12 January, 2013, 06:12:29 pm
Waitrose! Put your prices up! It was like bloody Tesco's in there this afternoon.  >:(
I thought you were all for social inclusion and all that?

Oh I forgot, 'Some animals are more equal than others'.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 13 January, 2013, 09:15:15 pm
That must be how Waitrose stay in business.  Whenever I go to one (usually just the 6-monthy trip to stock up on their excellent non-sneezy handwash, now we don't live anywhere near one) the staff outnumber the customers by at least 2:1.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 13 January, 2013, 11:12:52 pm
Oh bugger.
I've just sent myself an e-mail at work.  (A link I want to look at there)  I didn't get the expected Out Of Office.  Which means I forgot to set it.  (I've always done it before)
No one can really get their head around my unusual two week work pattern and so have no idea which days I am off.  There's going to be some grumpy people when I return on Tuesday who will be wondering why I've not replied to a mail they sent on Friday.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 14 January, 2013, 08:11:30 am
Irrepressibly cheery colleagues saying hello in the pool at 0630 when it's all I can do to keep breathing and moving my arms and legs in the right order. Conversation? Nungh
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andyoxon on 14 January, 2013, 01:21:49 pm
Opened savings accts with cards for the minis over a week ago.  Phoned up the bank, with usual rigmorole of id checks etc, to see why nothing has arrived yet.   Sorry Sir - your 11 year old daughter needs to be there with you before we can discuss this, so that she can say 'Yes I authorise my parent to talk about my account'...   ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 14 January, 2013, 01:23:47 pm
Quote from: andyoxon on 14 January, 2013, 01:21:49 pm
Sorry Sir - your 11 year old daughter needs to be there with you before we can discuss this, so that she can say 'Yes I authorise my parent to talk about my account'...   ::-)

Cool.   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 14 January, 2013, 03:19:43 pm
Excellent anti-money laundering practice.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 14 January, 2013, 03:20:38 pm
Looks like we've got a mini-thaw going on here :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 14 January, 2013, 05:31:32 pm
Quote from: andyoxon on 14 January, 2013, 01:21:49 pm
Opened savings accts with cards for the minis over a week ago.  Phoned up the bank, with usual rigmorole of id checks etc, to see why nothing has arrived yet.   Sorry Sir - your 11 year old daughter needs to be there with you before we can discuss this, so that she can say 'Yes I authorise my parent to talk about my account'...   ::-)

Coo! Things have changed since I was a kid!
At 4, my sister decided she wanted to save up for a bike. She opened a Post Office Savings Account knowing she could not withdraw money until she was 7.
She put all her birthday money into this account and may have saved up some pocket money too (but at 1d per year of age per week, it would not have been much.) At seven, she signed for and withdrew her money and bought a second-hand bicycle...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 14 January, 2013, 05:43:51 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 14 January, 2013, 05:31:32 pm
Quote from: andyoxon on 14 January, 2013, 01:21:49 pm
Opened savings accts with cards for the minis over a week ago.  Phoned up the bank, with usual rigmorole of id checks etc, to see why nothing has arrived yet.   Sorry Sir - your 11 year old daughter needs to be there with you before we can discuss this, so that she can say 'Yes I authorise my parent to talk about my account'...   ::-)

Coo! Things have changed since I was a kid!
At 4, my sister decided she wanted to save up for a bike. She opened a Post Office Savings Account knowing she could not withdraw money until she was 7.
She put all her birthday money into this account and may have saved up some pocket money too (but at 1d per year of age per week, it would not have been much.) At seven, she signed for and withdrew her money and bought a second-hand bicycle...
Yebbut back then we didn't have money-laundering paedophiles and terry-wrists lurking around every corner ...1

I remember going into the local branch of Lloyds to withdraw money from my account when I was a kid and had no problems. Having said that, most of the counter staff knew my parents, so ...

1 - Copyright $TABLOID_OF_CHOICE
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 15 January, 2013, 12:57:35 pm
I've got the lurgy that MFWHTBAB had over the weekend. I feel shit!

I guess it's not quite flu, because I can just about get out of bed to make tea, but it's not far off.

MFWHTBAB went down with it on Sunday afternoon and still feels crap, so it's a few days at least.

 :(

Right, time for more painkillers and trying to sleep.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 15 January, 2013, 03:23:36 pm
Quote from: interzen on 14 January, 2013, 05:43:51 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 14 January, 2013, 05:31:32 pm
Quote from: andyoxon on 14 January, 2013, 01:21:49 pm
Opened savings accts with cards for the minis over a week ago.  Phoned up the bank, with usual rigmorole of id checks etc, to see why nothing has arrived yet.   Sorry Sir - your 11 year old daughter needs to be there with you before we can discuss this, so that she can say 'Yes I authorise my parent to talk about my account'...   ::-)

Coo! Things have changed since I was a kid!
At 4, my sister decided she wanted to save up for a bike. She opened a Post Office Savings Account knowing she could not withdraw money until she was 7.
She put all her birthday money into this account and may have saved up some pocket money too (but at 1d per year of age per week, it would not have been much.) At seven, she signed for and withdrew her money and bought a second-hand bicycle...
Yebbut back then we didn't have money-laundering paedophiles and terry-wrists lurking around every corner ...1

1 - Copyright $TABLOID_OF_CHOICE
Naah, we just had parents who'd nick money given to their kids, or which the kids had saved from pocket money, & spend it on booze & cigs. I've known people it happened to when they were children.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 15 January, 2013, 03:26:35 pm
Quote from: Bledlow on 15 January, 2013, 03:23:36 pm
Naah, we just had parents who'd nick money given to their kids, or which the kids had saved from pocket money, & spend it on booze & cigs. I've known people it happened to when they were children.

Not to mention siblings...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Karla on 16 January, 2013, 02:41:12 pm
I've invented a perpetual motion machine again.  I hate it when I do that :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 17 January, 2013, 06:36:02 pm
Left my phone at work :(

Can't be bothered enough to worry about it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 17 January, 2013, 06:39:06 pm
Quote from: clarion on 17 January, 2013, 06:36:02 pm
Left my phone at work :(

Can't be bothered enough to worry about it.

You will live without it; incredible but true...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 17 January, 2013, 07:41:16 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 17 January, 2013, 06:39:06 pm
Quote from: clarion on 17 January, 2013, 06:36:02 pm
Left my phone at work :(

Can't be bothered enough to worry about it.

You will live without it; incredible but true...

For 12 weeks I have been working in a building with no mobile phone reception.It's quite liberating.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 17 January, 2013, 07:44:01 pm
Quote from: jogler on 17 January, 2013, 07:41:16 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 17 January, 2013, 06:39:06 pm
Quote from: clarion on 17 January, 2013, 06:36:02 pm
Left my phone at work :(

Can't be bothered enough to worry about it.

You will live without it; incredible but true...

For 12 weeks I have been working in a building with no mobile phone reception.It's quite liberating.

Do you know that you can eat, drink and socialise  without a phone?
AMAZING!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: dasmoth on 17 January, 2013, 07:44:08 pm
Quote from: Mr Bunbury on 16 January, 2013, 02:41:12 pm
I've invented a perpetual motion machine again.  I hate it when I do that :(

I tend to think that anyone who doesn't come up with an initially-credible-seeming perpetual motion scheme from time to time lacks imagination.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 17 January, 2013, 09:41:53 pm
Quote from: clarion on 17 January, 2013, 06:36:02 pm
Left my phone at work :(

Can't be bothered enough to worry about it.

Left mine at home today, which was actually annoying as I use it a bit like a pager for work instead of them phoning my non-existent landline or playing mincom roulette.  I really ought to make work pay for a handset+SIM but I'd only lose that instead, usually easiest to use my normal phone... 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 17 January, 2013, 10:39:35 pm
Quote from: barakta on 17 January, 2013, 09:41:53 pm
Quote from: clarion on 17 January, 2013, 06:36:02 pm
Left my phone at work :(

Left mine at home today, which was actually annoying as I use it a bit like a pager for work instead of them phoning my non-existent landline or playing mincom roulette.  I really ought to make work pay for a handset+SIM but I'd only lose that instead, usually easiest to use my normal phone...

They should get you a pager.  Perhaps one that integrated with the fire alarm...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 18 January, 2013, 12:21:58 am
Yeah yeah, if you're offering to annoy my management, feel free.  I ran out of spoons and cope for that years ago.  :'(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 18 January, 2013, 08:24:14 am
I totally accept it was my fault and that I will have to pay the “fine” but, it doesn’t stop me grumbling as I am rather upset with myself.

As a bit of background, I took my beautiful wife out last night (people still tell me I pulled well above my station even although we have been together for 25 years this year) as part of our monthly “date night” series (more on this in “What plays have you just seen” if you are bothered) attending “The Magistrate” at the Lighthouse in Wolverhampton.

Arriving in Wolverhampton, we parked in the car park across from the Arts Complex: our space was only two away from the ticket machine. After purchasing the parking ticket (and commenting how reasonable £2 to park was), I opened the car door for my beloved and after her exit, placed the ticket on the dashboard as I have done many hundreds of times. Closing the door against the snow, we made a fast exit into the warmth of the centre.

That was where my costly mistake was: I failed to check that the ticket was displayed correctly. You can guess the rest: a £25 fine for not “clearly displaying a ticket.” (It had fallen, face up, onto the passengers seat, I suppose when I closed the door).

So, the moral of the story is check the ticket is displayed correctly (although I could argue that it would be impossible to display it “inside the windscreen” but hey ho!). That way, you won’t have a miserable and grumpy end to what had been a really rather good night out!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 18 January, 2013, 08:56:29 am
You lucky bastard, I got a £60 penalty for parking in our own office car park, with a paid permit, when working, on a saturday.  Apparently I was not supposed to use that particular section of the car park on a saturday, because my particular type of permit apparently precludes that.  I say apparently, because no-one had ever told me.  I parked there because it was closest to the office, and I had heavy equipment to carry, because someone in streetscene had lost the equipment I should have been using, so I brought my own in.  I was waiting for a hernia operation, so was a bit fragile.  I appealed  the penalty (which is given by the very same streetscene dept that lost our equipment), was told it was rejected because I did not have the correct ticket, i.e. they completely ignored the appeal.  They emailed me to say I had lost the appeal and had to pay within 7 days, when I was off for 2 weeks having just had the hernia op.  They got my out of office reminder, and didn't even check to see when I was back.  Callous unthinking bastards.  And then they wonder why my commitment to working for them has disappeared.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 18 January, 2013, 01:43:30 pm
Quote from: clarion on 17 January, 2013, 06:36:02 pm
Left my phone at work :(

Can't be bothered enough to worry about it.
me too, yesterday. Cue:
Quote from: No2Daughter on Facebook
ANSWER YOUR PHONE
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 18 January, 2013, 01:44:39 pm
I have backache, periodically and I'm sick of it, and can't work out what I'm doing to set it off. (No, I don't think it's that).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 18 January, 2013, 03:34:46 pm
Quote from: boabacca on 18 January, 2013, 01:44:39 pm
I have backache, periodically and I'm sick of it, and can't work out what I'm doing to set it off. (No, I don't think it's that).

praps it's the other?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 18 January, 2013, 07:29:16 pm
That's a bit cr@p.
It was my Mum's birthday yesterday.
She reminded me of that fact some twenty minutes ago.
B0ll0x!!!!! :-[
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 18 January, 2013, 10:38:02 pm
Just went to make a cup of tea.  No water, pipes must be frozen _again_  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 20 January, 2013, 09:45:29 am
Appparently, the kid next door is "a spoilt little boy"....for wanting to go and play outside in the snow.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Zipperhead on 20 January, 2013, 02:55:20 pm
Bollocks, I've just taken my Team Pro off to see why it's started creaking and found that the frame is broken in two places!

Fuckity arse biscuits
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: petes46 on 21 January, 2013, 06:33:38 pm
Got home today and decided that it was about time I put the winter tyres on the trike.

Into the shed to pull them out.  There's the rear (26") tyre.  But where are the 20" ones?  No-where to be seen!   >:(  I've moved since I used them last year - they're probably in a box in the other shed and I can't pull them out because the garden's covered in SNO and they'll get soggy and fall apart!   :facepalm:

So, I've ordered some new ones.  That should guarantee a thaw!

Bugger, bugger, shit, shit, shit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 21 January, 2013, 07:53:29 pm
*passes the cable ties*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 22 January, 2013, 08:58:23 am
Weather.

I'm bored now.  Do something different please.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 22 January, 2013, 10:09:14 am
Virgin Media: one of the reasons I called you last week to get a free Tivo box out of you was to use Virgin Anywhere, your much vaunted, and appealingly convenient, online app.

Your technician was here and gone in about 15 minutes (for which you charged me £50) and when asked about said app, I did not expect a reply like "sorry, I haven't got a clue, we haven't been trained in it".

Good job I have a spare ethernet cable and a modicum of knowledge, isn't it?

This is getting close to a rant now, as the bloomin' thing doesn't work. "No problem", says the technician. Well, actually it is, matey. I hope there's a feedback request for all this hassle to be aired.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 22 January, 2013, 06:25:09 pm
Someone was good enough to clear a car wide track through the ice up the steep slope to the work carpark.

Which dickhead thought it would be a good idea to park in the cleared section?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 22 January, 2013, 07:46:31 pm
I've just been fannying around with the browser on my latest Kindle.

One of the links it comes up with in its default listing is the Daily fucking Mail.

Die, Amazon.  DIE!!11!!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: dasmoth on 24 January, 2013, 11:52:29 am
Supposedly, delivery attempts were made for two packages yesterday, one of which should contain my shiny new B&M Luxos.  No sign of either, not even a calling card.

Parcelfarce appear to have forgotten that packages to my address are supposed to go to the post office.

So now have no idea when I'm actually going to get hold of them.  Bah.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 24 January, 2013, 01:45:29 pm
Dear facilities staff and/ or suppliers.

When you change our bog rolls from the standard supermarket size one to the big fat commercial ones, please also provide appropriate bog roll holders. Failure to do so results in big fat bog rolls being hooked onto the arms of too small bog roll holders and continually falling off.

Now, due to a) your failure to provide a floor drain in the bog/ shower room and b) this being a male facility, the cubicle floors are often wet with either showere runoff or the product of some blokes complete inability to stand and piss in a pan, floor bound bog rolls get very wet.

Dealing with water/ piss soaked bog roll does not a happy work force make.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 24 January, 2013, 01:54:26 pm
New shiny Army Intranet :sick:

In thast 2 1/2 hours I've been told the action could not be completed because of an "Unexpected Error" ::-) 17 times, had my action "aborted" because of "unscripted handling error" ??? 5 times and in between all this jollity have actually managed to upload 2 small documents.

I used to moan about the old one but this is ridiculous. It's only been live 3 1/2 days and it's borked already :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 24 January, 2013, 07:22:02 pm
Quote from: Guy on 24 January, 2013, 01:54:26 pm
New shiny Army Intranet :sick:

In thast 2 1/2 hours I've been told the action could not be completed because of an "Unexpected Error" ::-) 17 times, had my action "aborted" because of "unscripted handling error" ??? 5 times and in between all this jollity have actually managed to upload 2 small documents.

I used to moan about the old one but this is ridiculous. It's only been live 3 1/2 days and it's borked already :facepalm:
*cough*  +++ REDO FROM START +++
IGMC. :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 26 January, 2013, 10:06:42 am
Next door (the ones who run their big, smelly diesel for 20+ minutes rather than scrape its windows): we don't really get on, do we? We don't even exchange xmas cards. The only time I ever hear from you is a knock on the door to borrow something. Conversely, I would rather do without than turn to you. Anyway, you borrowed my car battery charger the other day & I heard your car start ok yesterday, so why haven't you returned the charger? With thanks, might be nice, but I just want it back so that I am covered should my car need it. In future, I think requests for such assistance will be met by flimsy excuses.

Edit: went and got it back today (5 days later). "I've been looking out for you to give it back". Bollocks. We live next door, FFS!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 26 January, 2013, 01:03:33 pm
Quote from: Guy on 24 January, 2013, 01:54:26 pm
New shiny Army Intranet :sick:

In thast 2 1/2 hours I've been told the action could not be completed because of an "Unexpected Error" ::-) 17 times, had my action "aborted" because of "unscripted handling error" ??? 5 times and in between all this jollity have actually managed to upload 2 small documents.

I used to moan about the old one but this is ridiculous. It's only been live 3 1/2 days and it's borked already :facepalm:

Sounds like the last two changes to the university website which is not only inaccessible (they claim they consulted with us, in reality they told us they wanted to know stuff but they wouldn't do what we said) and it doesn't flipping work.  Searching for X does not return any results for X or departments named X!  I am now submitting complaints every time it doesn't work figuring that they'll get sick of me and send a boss over to try and intimidate me into shutting up.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 28 January, 2013, 10:33:29 pm
Snot Goblin.  FOAD!   I don't want to feel ill at the moment.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jacomus on 29 January, 2013, 08:15:24 pm
Oi! Droid!

Your latest update gave me back post alarm weather, but where has my hide keypad button gone in your new layout? That thing kicked ass.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 29 January, 2013, 10:01:39 pm
I rode the trike today at work for the first time in a few weeks, two trips into town and back, and my legs ache.

Then I spent the afternoon transferring 73 recycling boxesfull of cardboard from the overflow heap into the newly empty skip, and now my arms ache too!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 29 January, 2013, 10:28:33 pm
When I got back to Bournville today, I had the usual problem opening the front door after a week away.  All the free papers, charidy bags (6), important pizza news, Virgin Media, summonses, taxi cards, balti menus, bills, package of eye glass mirrors (hurrah), invites to meet jeebus at the church next door but one, jam under the door and I cant get in.

Anyway, one brown envelope contained a cheque, made out to me for a reasonable amount of money.
Er.. what?  The cheque is from Birmingham City Council (seems they bank at the Co-op - good for them).
But that was the only thing in the envelope.  No letter.  No explanation. Nothing.

What's the grumble?  Cheques!  I fucking hate cheques!
Last year, I worked in the city centre.  They have banks there where you just put your card in, feed in the cheque and it's all done.  Now I'm at Five Ways, I have to stand in a queue for an entire lunchtime.
Fucking cheques!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 30 January, 2013, 12:03:52 am
Quote from: Basil on 29 January, 2013, 10:28:33 pm
When I got back to Bournville today, I had the usual problem opening the front door after a week away.  All the free papers, charidy bags (6), important pizza news, Virgin Media, summonses, taxi cards, balti menus, bills, package of eye glass mirrors (hurrah), invites to meet jeebus at the church next door but one, jam under the door and I cant get in.

Anyway, one brown envelope contained a cheque, made out to me for a reasonable amount of money.
Er.. what?  The cheque is from Birmingham City Council (seems they bank at the Co-op - good for them).
But that was the only thing in the envelope.  No letter.  No explanation. Nothing.

What's the grumble?  Cheques!  I fucking hate cheques!
Last year, I worked in the city centre.  They have banks there where you just put your card in, feed in the cheque and it's all done.  Now I'm at Five Ways, I have to stand in a queue for an entire lunchtime.
Fucking cheques!

I send cheques to my bank branch by post. Slower and more expensive but no queueueueues...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 30 January, 2013, 08:14:03 am
I, too, bank with the Co-op.  So I can pay in cheques over the counter at any Post Office.  If the queues there are also bad, I post to Balloon Street.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 30 January, 2013, 12:20:40 pm
Don't most banks also have little boxes inside with envelopes where you can pay in cheques without queuing?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 30 January, 2013, 07:56:42 pm
Milk and more: I'm trying to lose weight.
Please do not send me recipes for Nutella and banana pancakes!
At least there's nothing physically edible on, in or near my computer!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 30 January, 2013, 08:11:37 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 30 January, 2013, 07:56:42 pm
Milk and more: I'm trying to lose weight.
Please do not send me recipes for Nutella and banana pancakes!
At least there's nothing physically edible on, in or near my computer!

Really? I could probably last a week on the crumbs inside my keyboard....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 30 January, 2013, 09:11:25 pm
Quote from: Arch on 30 January, 2013, 08:11:37 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 30 January, 2013, 07:56:42 pm
Milk and more: I'm trying to lose weight.
Please do not send me recipes for Nutella and banana pancakes!
At least there's nothing physically edible on, in or near my computer!

Really? I could probably last a week on the crumbs inside my keyboard....

MacBook Air is slim enough not to eat much!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 30 January, 2013, 09:16:23 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 30 January, 2013, 09:11:25 pm
Quote from: Arch on 30 January, 2013, 08:11:37 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 30 January, 2013, 07:56:42 pm
Milk and more: I'm trying to lose weight.
Please do not send me recipes for Nutella and banana pancakes!
At least there's nothing physically edible on, in or near my computer!

Really? I could probably last a week on the crumbs inside my keyboard....

MacBook Air is slim enough not to eat much!

Well, eat the computer, it's an apple ain't it? ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 30 January, 2013, 09:21:33 pm
Quote from: Arch on 30 January, 2013, 09:16:23 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 30 January, 2013, 09:11:25 pm
Quote from: Arch on 30 January, 2013, 08:11:37 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 30 January, 2013, 07:56:42 pm
Milk and more: I'm trying to lose weight.
Please do not send me recipes for Nutella and banana pancakes!
At least there's nothing physically edible on, in or near my computer!

Really? I could probably last a week on the crumbs inside my keyboard....

MacBook Air is slim enough not to eat much!

Well, eat the computer, it's an apple ain't it? ;)

It is but aluminium is bad for the brane, I'm told.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: benborp on 31 January, 2013, 12:09:47 am
"How can two reasonably intelligent women find it so hard to buy a ticket?"

I don't know exactly why the pair of you failed. The undeserving wretch that you two bitched about though, she probably squandered her meagre intelligence on such things as having some basic awareness of her approximate location, possibly having some concept of where she could expect to be two minutes hence. She's maybe mastered the art of opening doors that require the pressing of a flashing button marked 'Doors - Open'. Perhaps she can even struggle to perform all these tasks wordlessly. That's probably why she has no faculties left to 'make something of her appearance' and 'looks like she's dressed as a crisp packet.' I wonder to what state of chaos the world would descend if you two cluttered your conciousness with the self awareness necessary for getting on and off a train? How about without irritating everyone around you?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: dasmoth on 31 January, 2013, 11:33:42 am
In the unlikely event that I'm ever responsible for workplace facilities-management, there will be hand-degreaser (ideally Ecover, but Swarfega is much better than nothing) provided in all washrooms.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jacomus on 31 January, 2013, 12:21:55 pm
Quote from: dasmoth on 31 January, 2013, 11:33:42 am
In the unlikely event that I'm ever responsible for workplace facilities-management, there will be hand-degreaser (ideally Ecover, but Swarfega is much better than nothing) provided in all washrooms.

I detest the crappy excuse for liquid 'soap' in our loos.

I generally detest liquid soap anyway, especially anything moisturising, but this really sucks - it won't wash Brylcreem off your hands. Or biro.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 31 January, 2013, 12:45:22 pm
Websites that have a "contact us" email address - that no bugger monitors  >:(  What is the point!!!  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 31 January, 2013, 01:01:23 pm
Or companies whose websites have an "email us" link, that takes you to a page to fill in a web form with no email address in sight.

If I want to email a company, I want to use email - which also allows me to be able to keep a copy of what I've sent, and when, for my records.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: dasmoth on 31 January, 2013, 01:04:13 pm
Those contact forms usually require a phone number.  And very often the contact, when if it actually comes, is by phone.  If I want to contact a business by phone, I'm perfectly capable of doing so, probably at a time which I deem to be at least moderately convenient.  If I'm contacting them textually, that's what I'd prefer by way of a reply...

I assume this becomes even more annoying if you're avoiding the phone due to disability rather than just preference.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 31 January, 2013, 01:09:13 pm
Quote from: dasmoth on 31 January, 2013, 11:33:42 am
In the unlikely event that I'm ever responsible for workplace facilities-management, there will be hand-degreaser (ideally Ecover, but Swarfega is much better than nothing) provided in all washrooms.

See also Thee Pubbe that I would run if I could.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 31 January, 2013, 01:14:31 pm
Dear The BBC.  Please get a grip when doing conversion from Imperial to new fangled mectrickery.

Yesterday's news website had an article where a graveyard was under "2 inches of water (5.08cm)".

Really?

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: dasmoth on 31 January, 2013, 01:17:50 pm
Those 200 microns make all the difference!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: dasmoth on 31 January, 2013, 01:23:16 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2HeHfVSybo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2HeHfVSybo)

"Isn't that the kind of error which caused a space probe to do a controlled flight into terrain on Mars?"
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 31 January, 2013, 05:51:13 pm
Quote from: dasmoth on 31 January, 2013, 01:04:13 pm
Those contact forms usually require a phone number.  And very often the contact, when if it actually comes, is by phone.  If I want to contact a business by phone, I'm perfectly capable of doing so, probably at a time which I deem to be at least moderately convenient.  If I'm contacting them textually, that's what I'd prefer by way of a reply...

I assume this becomes even more annoying if you're avoiding the phone due to disability rather than just preference.

I usually put 0000 000 0000 in contact forms which require a number as I'm damned if I'm giving them one.  Kim's alternative suggestion was one of those non-allocatable ranges (http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/telecoms/numbering/guidance-tele-no/numbers-for-drama) from Ofcom...

I am going to spork Vision Express tomorrow as I booked an appt online but they never emailed me within the one business day they promised and I didn't have time to go in before the date I'd asked for. So I'll go in in person and complain while I'm in town tomorrow.  I SPECIFICALLY booked online cos I did not want to have to do person or phone - I wonder what the excuse will be from the local store.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 31 January, 2013, 06:06:56 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 31 January, 2013, 01:14:31 pm
Dear The BBC.  Please get a grip when doing conversion from Imperial to new fangled mectrickery.

Yesterday's news website had an article where a graveyard was under "2 inches of water (5.08cm)".

Really?

Oh, we get that nonsense all the time.
We're a Merkin company, in the oil industry:

Pressure ratings ( in advertising blurb ):
"The New Super-Do-Hicky is pressure rated to 25,000psi ( 172368.93 kPa )!"
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 31 January, 2013, 09:29:20 pm
Am well known for washing my trousers with snot rags still in the pockets. Surpassed myself this time though, there was an entire packet of tissues in my ski jacket  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 31 January, 2013, 09:31:49 pm
Oh, I washed some orange cardboard at the weekend, but it (unusually) came out intact.

I'll make a note to use that program for cycling caps in future :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 01 February, 2013, 01:57:16 pm
What's all this 'man hug', 'man flu' etc stuff? Apart from the original meaning of 'man flu' (i.e. minor cold blown up into a drama), it adds nothing, & in some cases reads to me as if it's meant to imply that there's something not quite right about a man doing or being or having whatever follows the word 'man', e.g. as if men just hugging, without the modifier, is a suspicious activity.

What next? "Ginger flu"? "Black person hug"? "Tall woman love & kisses"?  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 01 February, 2013, 02:06:30 pm
Quote from: barakta on 31 January, 2013, 05:51:13 pm
Quote from: dasmoth on 31 January, 2013, 01:04:13 pm
Those contact forms usually require a phone number.  And very often the contact, when if it actually comes, is by phone.  If I want to contact a business by phone, I'm perfectly capable of doing so, probably at a time which I deem to be at least moderately convenient.  If I'm contacting them textually, that's what I'd prefer by way of a reply...

I assume this becomes even more annoying if you're avoiding the phone due to disability rather than just preference.

I usually put 0000 000 0000 in contact forms which require a number as I'm damned if I'm giving them one.  Kim's alternative suggestion was one of those non-allocatable ranges (http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/telecoms/numbering/guidance-tele-no/numbers-for-drama) from Ofcom...

I am going to spork Vision Express tomorrow as I booked an appt online but they never emailed me within the one business day they promised and I didn't have time to go in before the date I'd asked for. So I'll go in in person and complain while I'm in town tomorrow.  I SPECIFICALLY booked online cos I did not want to have to do person or phone - I wonder what the excuse will be from the local store.

See my rants, passim, regarding cow-orkers and the use of phone as opposed to IM or Email. >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 01 February, 2013, 02:20:11 pm
Quote from: Bledlow on 01 February, 2013, 01:57:16 pm
What next? "Ginger flu"? "Black person hug"? "Tall woman love & kisses"?  >:(

Here, have a nice cup of lesbian tea...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 01 February, 2013, 02:22:06 pm
My right arm, why wait until I get home (I was on the drive, had just stopped to open the garage door) before hurting? You now hurt like billy-oh and I am not a happy bunny.

At least you did wait until then so you didn't ruin the rest of the ride, but still, pack it in, ok? It's not funny anymore :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 01 February, 2013, 03:09:26 pm
Quote from: Bledlow on 01 February, 2013, 01:57:16 pm
What's all this 'man hug', 'man flu' etc stuff? Apart from the original meaning of 'man flu' (i.e. minor cold blown up into a drama), it adds nothing, & in some cases reads to me as if it's meant to imply that there's something not quite right about a man doing or being or having whatever follows the word 'man', e.g. as if men just hugging, without the modifier, is a suspicious activity.

What next? "Ginger flu"? "Black person hug"? "Tall woman love & kisses"?  >:(
I thought it originated with "man flu" as opposed to "bird flu" or "pig flu".

Quote from: Kim on 01 February, 2013, 02:20:11 pm
Quote from: Bledlow on 01 February, 2013, 01:57:16 pm
What next? "Ginger flu"? "Black person hug"? "Tall woman love & kisses"?  >:(

Here, have a nice cup of lesbian tea...
I don't mind if my tea's lesbian as long as it's black. It's caucasian tea I'm prejudiced against...  ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 01 February, 2013, 03:55:01 pm
£360 for a set of new headlights? Meh.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 01 February, 2013, 04:37:15 pm
Quote from: Kim on 01 February, 2013, 02:20:11 pm
Quote from: Bledlow on 01 February, 2013, 01:57:16 pm
What next? "Ginger flu"? "Black person hug"? "Tall woman love & kisses"?  >:(

Here, have a nice cup of lesbian tea...
;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 01 February, 2013, 04:42:19 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 01 February, 2013, 03:09:26 pm
Quote from: Kim on 01 February, 2013, 02:20:11 pm
Here, have a nice cup of lesbian tea...
I don't mind if my tea's lesbian as long as it's black. It's caucasian tea I'm prejudiced against...  ;)

I think lesbian tea is traditionally served black.  Unless someone's got soya milk, of course...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 01 February, 2013, 04:45:13 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 01 February, 2013, 03:09:26 pm
Quote from: Bledlow on 01 February, 2013, 01:57:16 pm
What's all this 'man hug', 'man flu' etc stuff? Apart from the original meaning of 'man flu' (i.e. minor cold blown up into a drama), it adds nothing, & in some cases reads to me as if it's meant to imply that there's something not quite right about a man doing or being or having whatever follows the word 'man', e.g. as if men just hugging, without the modifier, is a suspicious activity.

What next? "Ginger flu"? "Black person hug"? "Tall woman love & kisses"?  >:(
I thought it originated with "man flu" as opposed to "bird flu" or "pig flu".
Yeah, but that originally had a specific meaning. It was even (occasionally) used for women who exaggerated the severity of a minor sniffle. It wasn't just flu-which-happens-to-be-afflicting-a-man, which is what it seems to have turned into, & spread to other words.

At this rate, I'll soon be  typing on my man keyboard while drinking my man tea from my man mug, seated on my man chair in front of my man computer.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 01 February, 2013, 04:51:53 pm
...eating man muesli:  http://www.tesco.com/groceries/Product/Details/?id=268583054
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 01 February, 2013, 05:40:14 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 31 January, 2013, 09:29:20 pm
Am well known for washing my trousers with snot rags still in the pockets. Surpassed myself this time though, there was an entire packet of tissues in my ski jacket  :facepalm:

Kitchen towels don't disintegrate like tissues do.
If your nose has strong skin, using these might forestall much swearing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 01 February, 2013, 06:00:37 pm
Quote from: Kim on 01 February, 2013, 04:51:53 pm
...eating man muesli:  http://www.tesco.com/groceries/Product/Details/?id=268583054
;D
(http://img.tesco.com/Groceries/pi/702/5052320721702/IDShot_225x225.jpg)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 01 February, 2013, 06:33:42 pm
Quote from: Bledlow on 01 February, 2013, 01:57:16 pm
What's all this 'man hug',
Really Bledlow, do you never watch anything?
Manhugs/manly hugs are not just between men, they are a style. To whit:
Emotional event, requires acknowledgement, character wraps arm around shoulder of other character, a single thump, maybe two, and then separate.
This is as opposed to the girly greet, where air kissing takes place.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 01 February, 2013, 06:36:18 pm
Quote from: Bledlow on 01 February, 2013, 04:45:13 pm

At this rate, I'll soon be  typing on my man keyboard while drinking my man tea from my man mug, seated on my man chair in front of my man computer.

I'm in Man-chester, if that helps?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 01 February, 2013, 06:43:16 pm
moobs
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 01 February, 2013, 07:24:44 pm
Quote from: boabacca on 01 February, 2013, 06:33:42 pm
Quote from: Bledlow on 01 February, 2013, 01:57:16 pm
What's all this 'man hug',
Really Bledlow, do you never watch anything?
Manhugs/manly hugs are not just between men, they are a style. To whit:
Emotional event, requires acknowledgement, character wraps arm around shoulder of other character, a single thump, maybe two, and then separate.
This is as opposed to the girly greet, where air kissing takes place.
Sounds even worse.

At least my sister hasn't called my satchel a 'man bag' recently.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 01 February, 2013, 07:51:52 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 01 February, 2013, 05:40:14 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 31 January, 2013, 09:29:20 pm
Am well known for washing my trousers with snot rags still in the pockets. Surpassed myself this time though, there was an entire packet of tissues in my ski jacket  :facepalm:

Kitchen towels don't disintegrate like tissues do.
If your nose has strong skin, using these might forestall much swearing.

Kitchen towel is my usual snotrag of choice but I usually end up with packets of tissues when on hollybobs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Marco Stefano on 01 February, 2013, 08:05:46 pm
Quote from: Kim on 01 February, 2013, 02:20:11 pm
Quote from: Bledlow on 01 February, 2013, 01:57:16 pm
What next? "Ginger flu"? "Black person hug"? "Tall woman love & kisses"?  >:(

Here, have a nice cup of lesbian tea...

I have had swordfish in a lesbian sauce. That was how it was portrayed on the menu, but it was in a taverna on Lesbos so I think that's suitably described.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 01 February, 2013, 11:08:47 pm
You may or may not be right, now we will never know and we end up even more uncertain. What you really do need to 'get' though is that a powerpoint full of unsubstantiated emotive rubbish is not the same as a peer reviewed scientific report.

Why is the understanding of the scientific method so wilfully avoided in this country, especially by NIMBYs?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 03 February, 2013, 02:43:30 pm
Note to self. 
When setting up a wheel to use on the turbo...
Clot.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 03 February, 2013, 04:52:18 pm
Woman with young daughter in tow: The Hobbit is a loooooong film. It taxes my powers of concentration. I already had a fidgety 10-year-old with me to distract me. Why then did you arrive two hours into the action and then start eating sweets from what seemed to be the world's crinkliest bag?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 03 February, 2013, 05:33:47 pm
Bloody Teutonic white goods. What is wrong with error messages? Our dishwasher just sits at 1 minute, pretending it has done a wash, when all it really has done is rinse everything in cold water! I should have guessed something was amiss when tld switched the thing on earlier and the trip went!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 03 February, 2013, 05:35:54 pm
When heading out to try and shoot some video and wanting some ambient sound recording at the same time, remember to check the batteries in the sound recorder. Having them die at the start of the session was a bad thing, so I will have to go back to gather the sounds of gurgling brooks.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 04 February, 2013, 01:14:16 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 01 February, 2013, 11:08:47 pm
You may or may not be right, now we will never know and we end up even more uncertain. What you really do need to 'get' though is that a powerpoint full of unsubstantiated emotive rubbish is not the same as a peer reviewed scientific report.

Why is the understanding of the scientific method so wilfully avoided in this country, especially by NIMBYs?

Because it is inconvenient

Because we have a government who have stated they do not believe in evidence-based decision making.

I'm guessing you are narked about a certain planning decision make in Cumbria recently.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 04 February, 2013, 01:53:23 pm
Two actually, one underground and one with big white blades, though that one was the one I was grumbling about.

I don't mind votes going certain ways, to be honest I'm not sure whether I'm in favour or not and it won't affect me really either way, but if they wanted to remove us permanently from the process then voting to allow geological assessment would have been the way to do it.

All the political posturing has done is to allow a certain small group of mainly retired NIMBYs to celebrate, and allow the government to go away and come up with another way of asking the same question and setting this all off again.

When I pointed this out I was linked to an anonymously produced powerpoint with some wild speculation, no actual referenced data and a sprinkling of scare stories that the person I was talking to claimed was the evidence that proved the area is unsuitable.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 05 February, 2013, 10:25:53 am
My son was given one hundred lines for forgetting his library card yesterday. This makes me cross for two reasons.
Lines were considered pointless forty years ago when I was at school - can't they come up with anything more imaginative? Secondly by the time he had written them, his disgraphia was causing him so much discomfort he couldn't do any of his set homework. Grrr.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 05 February, 2013, 10:29:35 am
100?

Bloody hell, that is ridiculous. As someone who has always suffered from writer's cramp, I'd have just refused to do it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: numbnuts on 05 February, 2013, 10:50:34 am
I've just had my mail delivered all junk mail  >:(which weighed 8oz is this really necessary
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 05 February, 2013, 11:15:38 am
Quote from: mcshroom on 04 February, 2013, 01:53:23 pm
Two actually, one underground and one with big white blades, though that one was the one I was grumbling about.

I don't mind votes going certain ways, to be honest I'm not sure whether I'm in favour or not and it won't affect me really either way, but if they wanted to remove us permanently from the process then voting to allow geological assessment would have been the way to do it.

All the political posturing has done is to allow a certain small group of mainly retired NIMBYs to celebrate, and allow the government to go away and come up with another way of asking the same question and setting this all off again.

When I pointed this out I was linked to an anonymously produced powerpoint with some wild speculation, no actual referenced data and a sprinkling of scare stories that the person I was talking to claimed was the evidence that proved the area is unsuitable.

I think you need to watch the new series on BBC2  ;) - "The Planners".  The "insight" into local planning committees was, um, interesting.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 05 February, 2013, 12:04:52 pm
Quote from: numbnuts on 05 February, 2013, 10:50:34 am
I've just had my mail delivered all junk mail  >:(which weighed 8oz is this really necessary
Sounds unlucky.  :-\ I know someone who is a postman, he told me that when there is no regular post for a particular address, they usually don't bother to deliver junk mail as the time allowed for each round is very tight - I think he said 4h48mins for 500 addresses.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Butterfly on 05 February, 2013, 12:14:49 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 05 February, 2013, 10:29:35 am
100?

Bloody hell, that is ridiculous. As someone who has always suffered from writer's cramp, I'd have just refused to do it.

My sister and I used to to half each, it was fun. No-one ever noticed, despite us writing with different hands and having pretty different writing!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 05 February, 2013, 12:38:25 pm
I went for a walk at lunchtime. Down 3 floors to the security gate, back up 3 floors to get my pass back down three floors and start walking.
After 10 minutes it started to sleet. 10 seconds of this and I decided to turn up the collar of my jacket. Big Mistake! All the sleet that had stuck to the collar got shot down the back of my neck :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 05 February, 2013, 12:59:48 pm
Quote from: Butterfly on 05 February, 2013, 12:14:49 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 05 February, 2013, 10:29:35 am
100?

Bloody hell, that is ridiculous. As someone who has always suffered from writer's cramp, I'd have just refused to do it.

My sister and I used to to half each, it was fun. No-one ever noticed, despite us writing with different hands and having pretty different writing!

A particularly unintelligent teacher made barakta do lines once...


for (x = 1 to n) ...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 05 February, 2013, 02:09:21 pm
For more fun you would hardware hack a plotter and record the writing (probably use DC motors linked with rotary encoders so you can record and then replay many times.)
For the more advanced student, adding a bit of gaussian error onto the plotting function would add some variability.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: dasmoth on 05 February, 2013, 03:45:11 pm
Am I missing something, or are all the (increasingly common) video clips on the BBC News website... rather lacking in the "subtitles" department...?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 05 February, 2013, 04:17:50 pm
IT Security.  Today is 'new password day' for me - we need to change our login passwords every 70 days, with no repeat of previously used passwords (well, you can, but you have to use dozens before you can repeat).  As a result, I've spent all day either entering my old password or getting part-way through entering my old password then starting again with the new one.  This also means some other passwords are due to expire.  I understand the reasoning behind it all, but it's still a PITA.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 05 February, 2013, 04:26:19 pm
Quote from: Andrij on 05 February, 2013, 04:17:50 pm
IT Security.  Today is 'new password day' for me - we need to change our login passwords every 70 days, with no repeat of previously used passwords (well, you can, but you have to use dozens before you can repeat).  As a result, I've spent all day either entering my old password or getting part-way through entering my old password then starting again with the new one.  This also means some other passwords are due to expire.  I understand the reasoning behind it all, but it's still a PITA.

Being a bear of little brane, I have updated successive passwords sequentially.
Think of a word that includes the letters o or i.
Use, substituting numerics for those letters.
Increase to n+ 1 with every update...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 05 February, 2013, 04:57:45 pm
Usually doesn't work anywhere that has serious password control. Any 'new' password that is too similar to previous one is rejected.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: dasmoth on 05 February, 2013, 05:03:11 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 05 February, 2013, 04:57:45 pm
Usually doesn't work anywhere that has serious password control. Any 'new' password that is too similar to previous one is rejected.

That's slightly alarming.  Doesn't it imply storing old password in cleartext?  I suppose you could imagine spotting simple 1- char substitutions by brute-force testing against hashed old passwords, but anything much more than that seems unlikely.  And cleartext passwords anywhere worry me.

Another reason to grumble about restrictive password policies...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 05 February, 2013, 06:18:11 pm
Quote from: dasmoth on 05 February, 2013, 03:45:11 pm
Am I missing something, or are all the (increasingly common) video clips on the BBC News website... rather lacking in the "subtitles" department...?

Yes.  They don't care, they don't have to, it's not broadcast television.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 05 February, 2013, 10:32:32 pm
Quote from: Wunja on 05 February, 2013, 10:25:53 am
My son was given one hundred lines for forgetting his library card yesterday. This makes me cross for two reasons.
Lines were considered pointless forty years ago when I was at school - can't they come up with anything more imaginative? Secondly by the time he had written them, his disgraphia was causing him so much discomfort he couldn't do any of his set homework. Grrr.

I got given lines once.  I don't shouldn't handwrite for disability reasons so I used my Z88 ancient laptop thing and handed in however many copypasted lines printed out. The teacher winged so I told him he was welcome to talk to my parents and see if they would support a 2nd punishment when teacher was too stupid to remember I wasn't to be made to handwrite by a Statement of SEN (in the days they were a bit easier to get than now).   

Knowing full well my parents would think the punishment was pointless for a virtual non crime (I passed a pencil to someone and chucked it the 1m to their hand) and would laugh at the school :D   :demon: :demon: :demon: :demon: :demon:

Then again I was bolshy enough to refuse punishments which were either unjust or harmful to me.  I would be inclined to complain to the school about that as that's not really OK to do that to anyone with dysgraphia.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 06 February, 2013, 07:10:17 am
It's really annoying when you're having a really busy dream, running around trying to get lots of things done, and then you finally sit down and put your feet up - and the alarm goes off
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: PaulF on 06 February, 2013, 07:42:05 am
Manflu!!  We can put a man on the moon but we still have no cure!

Something must be done
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: dasmoth on 06 February, 2013, 08:53:54 am
Quote from: PaulF on 06 February, 2013, 07:42:05 am
Manflu!!  We can put a man on the moon but we still have no cure!

We could put a man on the moon.  Now there are just a few sad, unused, rocket stages littering America  :'(.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 06 February, 2013, 09:43:40 am
Quote from: dasmoth on 06 February, 2013, 08:53:54 am
Quote from: PaulF on 06 February, 2013, 07:42:05 am
Manflu!!  We can put a man on the moon but we still have no cure!

We could put a man on the moon.  Now there are just a few sad, unused, rocket stages littering America  :'(.

If they charged people to vote for which man to put on the moon (there's been no mention of bring the 'man' back) I bet they could easily fund the project.  :demon: 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: PaulF on 06 February, 2013, 09:58:49 am
Quote from: Andrij on 06 February, 2013, 09:43:40 am
Quote from: dasmoth on 06 February, 2013, 08:53:54 am
Quote from: PaulF on 06 February, 2013, 07:42:05 am
Manflu!!  We can put a man on the moon but we still have no cure!

We could put a man on the moon.  Now there are just a few sad, unused, rocket stages littering America  :'(.

If they charged people to vote for which man to put on the moon (there's been no mention of bring the 'man' back) I bet they could easily fund the project.  :demon: 

But imagine what we could do if we put that money into a cure for manflu :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 06 February, 2013, 11:00:40 am
This headache is a real stinker  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 06 February, 2013, 11:04:28 am
Despite the fact that my desk is beside a radiator, and I'm wearing my woolly hiking socks, my feet are bloody freezing :(

Diabetes sucks ...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 06 February, 2013, 04:52:56 pm
Quote from: barakta on 05 February, 2013, 10:32:32 pm
Quote from: Wunja on 05 February, 2013, 10:25:53 am
My son was given one hundred lines for forgetting his library card yesterday. This makes me cross for two reasons.
Lines were considered pointless forty years ago when I was at school - can't they come up with anything more imaginative? Secondly by the time he had written them, his disgraphia was causing him so much discomfort he couldn't do any of his set homework. Grrr.

I got given lines once.  I don't shouldn't handwrite for disability reasons so I used my Z88 ancient laptop thing and handed in however many copypasted lines printed out. The teacher winged so I told him he was welcome to talk to my parents and see if they would support a 2nd punishment when teacher was too stupid to remember I wasn't to be made to handwrite by a Statement of SEN (in the days they were a bit easier to get than now).   

Knowing full well my parents would think the punishment was pointless for a virtual non crime (I passed a pencil to someone and chucked it the 1m to their hand) and would laugh at the school :D   :demon: :demon: :demon: :demon: :demon:

Then again I was bolshy enough to refuse punishments which were either unjust or harmful to me.  I would be inclined to complain to the school about that as that's not really OK to do that to anyone with dysgraphia.

I have now spoken with the head of year and the teacher concerned. Head of year not impressed as she knew about the dysgraphia, teacher was not aware (so I'm not impressed). I have told them both that if anyone gives lines in future, the lad has my permission to do them in Word. Still grrr.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 06 February, 2013, 08:13:47 pm
Good plan re giving kid permission to refuse harmful punishments.  I am lucky my mum would intervene where she felt the school was being harmful, especially with my sister's year who were crammed onto overfull buses and anyone who refused was threatened with punishment and shouted at. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 07 February, 2013, 03:40:33 pm
Corporate Transport are now called Passenger Operations. I need to borrow the SHUVEL.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 07 February, 2013, 04:22:23 pm
Coughing, wheezing, cold & achey.... the manflu lark is no fun at all  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Adam on 07 February, 2013, 04:30:14 pm
I've never had manflu.  Does this mean I'm not a real man?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 07 February, 2013, 04:35:48 pm
The funeralothon is just about finishing; Dave Lewis nearly 2 weeks ago, Bob K today, John Snuggs today (sorry Janet, couldn't be in Hatch End and Sarf London simultaneously).
Now come the Bar Mitzvahs  :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Can't stay in hotel closest to cousin in Manchester as they have no rooms with facilities for disabled people so have to stay in Premier Inn a mile up the road.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 07 February, 2013, 06:56:18 pm
Quote from: Adam on 07 February, 2013, 04:30:14 pm
I've never had manflu.  Does this mean I'm not a real man?

Same here. I've not had womanflu either
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 07 February, 2013, 06:58:22 pm
Quote from: Adam on 07 February, 2013, 04:30:14 pm
I've never had manflu.  Does this mean I'm not a real man?
You mean that like me, you've only ever had flu?

Quote from: PaulF on 06 February, 2013, 07:42:05 am
Manflu!!  We can put a man on the moon but we still have no cure!

Something must be done
What is manflu? Is it just a silly way of saying flu, or is it a new disease which only affects men? Or is it just people not understanding what 'man flu' originally meant, i.e. a trivial cold, exaggerated?

Here begins the campaign against the terms 'manflu' & 'man flu' being used on YACF.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 07 February, 2013, 07:42:54 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 07 February, 2013, 06:56:18 pm
Quote from: Adam on 07 February, 2013, 04:30:14 pm
I've never had manflu.  Does this mean I'm not a real man?

Same here. I've not had womanflu either

Me neither, though I had swine flu.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 07 February, 2013, 08:40:08 pm
Heh.  It's official.  We no longer have "Targets"  :thumbsup:

Hang on, what are these "Outcome Expectations" I keep seeing in e-mails from on high?
 :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 09 February, 2013, 07:55:38 am
Ugh, the Jimmy Saville jokes weren't funny when the news first broke and you're still making them. Give it a rest for gawds sake.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 11 February, 2013, 08:42:56 am
Golden shred. Only two bits of peel? Not good enough. >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CrinklyLion on 11 February, 2013, 10:33:22 am
Pop round mine - I have Real Marmalade, lovingly crafted by forumites.  Won't do for much longer though :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: arabella on 11 February, 2013, 10:31:16 pm
Bit like me then, except mine's made by my mum.
I had a chunk that looked to be the peel of an entire 1/4 orange in today's sandwich.  Very nice it was too, reminiscent of crystallised orange peel.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 11 February, 2013, 11:24:36 pm
Quote from: Lindagordinho on 11 February, 2013, 08:42:56 am
Golden shred. Only two bits of peel? Not good enough. >:(

Fish out those two bits of peel and it'll be perfect.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 12 February, 2013, 08:09:39 am
Quote from: Wunja on 11 February, 2013, 11:24:36 pm
Quote from: Lindagordinho on 11 February, 2013, 08:42:56 am
Golden shred. Only two bits of peel? Not good enough. >:(

Fish out those two bits of peel and it'll be perfect.

Look.  If I wanted shredless, I'd have bought shredless.  M'kay?   ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ham on 12 February, 2013, 10:30:37 am
Quote from: Lindagordinho on 12 February, 2013, 08:09:39 am
Quote from: Wunja on 11 February, 2013, 11:24:36 pm
Quote from: Lindagordinho on 11 February, 2013, 08:42:56 am
Golden shred. Only two bits of peel? Not good enough. >:(

Fish out those two bits of peel and it'll be perfect.

Look.  If I wanted shredless, I'd have bought shredless.  M'kay?   ;)

Uh-huh.... so you want shreddies, eh? http://www.shreddiesgifts.com/giftware/c/13/ladies-gifts/
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 12 February, 2013, 11:05:21 am
Birth Announcements on company email.

I'm sure it's very exciting for the people involved.  However this is a company with 1400 employees, most of whom I will never meet or even know about. FFS, you do not need to tell us all that someone in your team has popped out a sprog, it's quite a common occurrence you know.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Notsototalnewbie on 12 February, 2013, 12:42:59 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 12 February, 2013, 11:05:21 am
Birth Announcements on company email.

I'm sure it's very exciting for the people involved.  However this is a company with 1400 employees, most of whom I will never meet or even know about. FFS, you do not need to tell us all that someone in your team has popped out a sprog, it's quite a common occurrence you know.

Try engagement announcements. From someone in an office on the other side of the world who you’ve never had any dealings with and likely never will.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: dasmoth on 12 February, 2013, 01:00:12 pm
I guess the trouble with that kind of thing is that once they become engrained, the first happy parent/engagee/whatever who doesn't get a company-wide spam may feel slighted.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 12 February, 2013, 01:03:12 pm
Quote from: Notsototalnewbie on 12 February, 2013, 12:42:59 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 12 February, 2013, 11:05:21 am
Birth Announcements on company email.

I'm sure it's very exciting for the people involved.  However this is a company with 1400 employees, most of whom I will never meet or even know about. FFS, you do not need to tell us all that someone in your team has popped out a sprog, it's quite a common occurrence you know.

Try engagement announcements. From someone in an office on the other side of the world who you’ve never had any dealings with and likely never will.

We used to get emails stating there was left over lunch from meetings available..... That's fine, save some money on buying lunch eh.... but then, how much is the train fare down to that London again????  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 12 February, 2013, 01:03:33 pm
Quote from: Ham on 12 February, 2013, 10:30:37 am
Quote from: Lindagordinho on 12 February, 2013, 08:09:39 am
Quote from: Wunja on 11 February, 2013, 11:24:36 pm
Quote from: Lindagordinho on 11 February, 2013, 08:42:56 am
Golden shred. Only two bits of peel? Not good enough. >:(

Fish out those two bits of peel and it'll be perfect.

Look.  If I wanted shredless, I'd have bought shredless.  M'kay?   ;)

Uh-huh.... so you want shreddies, eh? http://www.shreddiesgifts.com/giftware/c/13/ladies-gifts/
Never mind the underwear, I want that "Your farts are starting to attract bears" advertising schtick as a poster!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 12 February, 2013, 03:07:43 pm
Quote from: interzen on 12 February, 2013, 01:03:33 pm
Quote from: Ham on 12 February, 2013, 10:30:37 am
Quote from: Lindagordinho on 12 February, 2013, 08:09:39 am
Quote from: Wunja on 11 February, 2013, 11:24:36 pm
Quote from: Lindagordinho on 11 February, 2013, 08:42:56 am
Golden shred. Only two bits of peel? Not good enough. >:(

Fish out those two bits of peel and it'll be perfect.

Look.  If I wanted shredless, I'd have bought shredless.  M'kay?   ;)

Uh-huh.... so you want shreddies, eh? http://www.shreddiesgifts.com/giftware/c/13/ladies-gifts/
Never mind the underwear, I want that "Your farts are starting to attract bears" advertising schtick as a poster!

Ham, have you been talking to Crusty? 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 12 February, 2013, 08:07:43 pm
We get emails whining at us for issues with a kitchen which isn't even in our building.  The admin lady responsible for these annoying announcements refused to set up a "divisional people whoa re IN the building" list until we started ALL replying and saying "We don't want these emails and are going to complain CCing bosses till you stop".  Moron!

Thankfully we only get 100 people's worth of engagements/births/deaths/charidee (or their family's charidee) nonsense all of which meets the mighty delete key.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 12 February, 2013, 08:16:37 pm
Added to my list of things I can't find but I'm sure are in the house somewhere: my merino buff and spare crank bolts. >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 12 February, 2013, 09:32:32 pm
All that crap is on the 'opt in' list or restricted to immediately local segments of the organisation (<100 folk). The mandatory lists are mercifully rubbish free.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 12 February, 2013, 10:18:35 pm
Quote from: barakta on 12 February, 2013, 08:07:43 pm


Thankfully we only get 100 people's worth of engagements/births/deaths/charidee (or their family's charidee) nonsense all of which meets the mighty delete key.

Our staff total is barely double figures, so we all know everyone's news without emails, and are interested in it!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 12 February, 2013, 10:45:56 pm
Quote from: interzen on 12 February, 2013, 01:03:33 pm


Quote
<nested quotes snipped for brevity*>

Never mind the underwear, I want that "Your farts are starting to attract bears" advertising schtick as a poster!

Drop the "y" from that, and we have a new yACF tagline.  ;D


* Considered by some to be the soul of lingerie.   :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 12 February, 2013, 10:49:38 pm
 :D
Brilliant!
I don't want an Easter logo.  I want "Our farts are starting to attract bears."
 :thumbsup:

Superb.  Make it happen.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 13 February, 2013, 09:50:55 am
Quote from: barakta on 12 February, 2013, 08:07:43 pm
We get emails whining at us for issues with a kitchen which isn't even in our building.  The admin lady responsible for these annoying announcements refused to set up a "divisional people whoa re IN the building" list until we started ALL replying and saying "We don't want these emails and are going to complain CCing bosses till you stop".  Moron!

Thankfully we only get 100 people's worth of engagements/births/deaths/charidee (or their family's charidee) nonsense all of which meets the mighty delete key.

The other week an e-mail was sent out to the three hundred-odd people using a particular software package in the BigCo.  A Several of menks used "Reply All" to provide the requested information to the originator thereof.  Even after someone had sent a "Reply All" message saying "please do not use 'Reply All' to provide the requested information", further menks did.

To add amusement, and shareholder value, the idiots responsible for the original e-mail have randomly removed the said software from the PC's of various people who need it, thereby proving something although I'm sure I don't know what.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 13 February, 2013, 09:53:29 am
The Monday feeling.

Yes, I know its Wednesday but I've had a couple of days off and my body has obviously decided that today is Monday even though it isn't.

Bleh!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 13 February, 2013, 11:10:23 am
Quote from: Lindagordinho on 11 February, 2013, 08:42:56 am
Golden shred. Only two bits of peel? Not good enough. >:(
Expect post. Marmalade is not Low Carb. It's last year's but it doesn't go off.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 13 February, 2013, 11:13:47 am
Quote from: phantasmagoriana on 12 February, 2013, 08:16:37 pm
Added to my list of things I can't find but I'm sure are in the house somewhere: my merino buff and spare crank bolts. >:(
Probably the same place my glove liners have disappeared to  >:(

And, as Sod's Law dictates, they've done a disappearing act right when I actually need them (snow forecast for tonight, and I don't like cold hands!)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 13 February, 2013, 12:31:14 pm
Quote from: interzen on 13 February, 2013, 11:13:47 am
Quote from: phantasmagoriana on 12 February, 2013, 08:16:37 pm
Added to my list of things I can't find but I'm sure are in the house somewhere: my merino buff and spare crank bolts. >:(
Probably the same place my glove liners have disappeared to  >:(

And, as Sod's Law dictates, they've done a disappearing act right when I actually need them (snow forecast for tonight, and I don't like cold hands!)

The last time I lost inner gloves, I eventually found them inside my gloves :-[
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 13 February, 2013, 12:53:21 pm
I have at least three pairs of glove liners. That way, when I mislay a pair, I can usually find one of the others.

BTW, last time I looked, Decathlon was still selling glove liners for a single British pound. And they're not bad: pretty warm.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 13 February, 2013, 01:08:07 pm
IT Services - I have spent the last 4 years disorganising my steam driven babbage engine to the point that was acceptable. I have not enjoyed spending the morning finding and remapping network drives, resetting all the program preferences (and getting access restored to some) and finding all my old links because they "went missing" overnight.

God only knows how you lot think you will be able to migrate our disintigrating museum pieces computers over to Windows 7 in a few months time
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: billplumtree on 13 February, 2013, 02:36:19 pm
Quote from: boabacca on 13 February, 2013, 11:10:23 am
Quote from: Lindagordinho on 11 February, 2013, 08:42:56 am
Golden shred. Only two bits of peel? Not good enough. >:(
Expect post.

Excellent idea!  Would you like me to send you my orange peelings an'all, LindaG?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 13 February, 2013, 02:38:17 pm
Quote from: billplumtree on 13 February, 2013, 02:36:19 pm
Quote from: boabacca on 13 February, 2013, 11:10:23 am
Quote from: Lindagordinho on 11 February, 2013, 08:42:56 am
Golden shred. Only two bits of peel? Not good enough. >:(
Expect post.

Excellent idea!  Would you like me to send you my orange peelings an'all, LindaG?

Nutters :-D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 13 February, 2013, 10:18:22 pm
Now, this is a fairly poor grumble in as much as I'm looking a gift horse in the mouth and all,
but it's a grumble that's been going round our work recently.

Our USAsian BigCo hand out Long Service Awards.  These have taken various forms over the years.
I have just done a 25-yr stretch without parole.

The current program is a pre-loaded 'Declining Balance' credit card, which you can use for anything you like.
That's a great idea for me, as Golf Clubs are no use to me, I don't need an Ornamental Clock, and we already have a Fondue Set.
This card has 'Bike' ( or at least 'Frame' ) written all over it.

Thing is, it's denominated in $USD.
There's a currency conversion fee of 2% ( hmph, but OK ).
But here's the thing:  There's no way to tell the Currency Conversion rate which will be applied when your transaction is posted.
So you don't know the actual value of the card in £GBP, at the time you are handing the card over.
So you can't 'max it out': you have to 'guess' what will go through, and by some recursive process of declines eventually get it accepted, and then have some un-useable residue on the card.

The company in question can issue cards denominated in £GBP, but the decree from our BigCo is that all cards will be in $USD.

Bah.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 13 February, 2013, 10:46:49 pm
Get your friendly LBS to repeatedly bill you up a nice credit account till it stops working..
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Zipperhead on 13 February, 2013, 11:42:54 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 13 February, 2013, 09:50:55 am
The other week an e-mail was sent out to the three hundred-odd people using a particular software package in the BigCo.  A Several of menks used "Reply All" to provide the requested information to the originator thereof.  Even after someone had sent a "Reply All" message saying "please do not use 'Reply All' to provide the requested information", further menks did.

300? Myself and at least one other around here saw something sent to a mailing list of all London staff, where all London staff would have been around 5k people.

After about 15 people had hit reply all and said "please don't send this to me", the mail system melted. For some hours.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 14 February, 2013, 09:30:23 am
Quote from: Feanor on 13 February, 2013, 10:18:22 pm
Now, this is a fairly poor grumble in as much as I'm looking a gift horse in the mouth and all,
but it's a grumble that's been going round our work recently.

Our USAsian BigCo hand out Long Service Awards.  These have taken various forms over the years.
I have just done a 25-yr stretch without parole.

The current program is a pre-loaded 'Declining Balance' credit card, which you can use for anything you like.
That's a great idea for me, as Golf Clubs are no use to me, I don't need an Ornamental Clock, and we already have a Fondue Set.
This card has 'Bike' ( or at least 'Frame' ) written all over it.

Thing is, it's denominated in $USD.
There's a currency conversion fee of 2% ( hmph, but OK ).
But here's the thing:  There's no way to tell the Currency Conversion rate which will be applied when your transaction is posted.
So you don't know the actual value of the card in £GBP, at the time you are handing the card over.
So you can't 'max it out': you have to 'guess' what will go through, and by some recursive process of declines eventually get it accepted, and then have some un-useable residue on the card.

The company in question can issue cards denominated in £GBP, but the decree from our BigCo is that all cards will be in $USD.

Bah.
Buy something special from the USA?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 14 February, 2013, 09:43:47 am
^^ That.

If you're having trouble thinking of things to buy from the USA, just give the card to me - I have no shortage of ideas ;)

In the meantime: handyman with the BFO drill next door, kindly fuck off and come back later. Ideally after I've gone into the office.

Apropos of this: UPS: kindly hurry up and delivery my Raspberry Pi so I can actually go to the office in the first place.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 14 February, 2013, 10:49:35 am
Quote from: Feanor on 13 February, 2013, 10:18:22 pm
Now, this is a fairly poor grumble in as much as I'm looking a gift horse in the mouth and all,
but it's a grumble that's been going round our work recently.

Our USAsian BigCo hand out Long Service Awards.  These have taken various forms over the years.
I have just done a 25-yr stretch without parole.

The current program is a pre-loaded 'Declining Balance' credit card, which you can use for anything you like.
That's a great idea for me, as Golf Clubs are no use to me, I don't need an Ornamental Clock, and we already have a Fondue Set.
This card has 'Bike' ( or at least 'Frame' ) written all over it.

Thing is, it's denominated in $USD.
There's a currency conversion fee of 2% ( hmph, but OK ).
But here's the thing:  There's no way to tell the Currency Conversion rate which will be applied when your transaction is posted.
So you don't know the actual value of the card in £GBP, at the time you are handing the card over.
So you can't 'max it out': you have to 'guess' what will go through, and by some recursive process of declines eventually get it accepted, and then have some un-useable residue on the card.

The company in question can issue cards denominated in £GBP, but the decree from our BigCo is that all cards will be in $USD.

Bah.

If it's an AMEX card you're about to find out it doesn't even work outside the USA. Leastways they one they gave me doesn't. As a 'valued customer' they promised to send me a cheque in good old pounds sterling. That was last November. I'm thinking we have differing definitions of 'valued'.

I'd just use the damn thing in the US but I inadvertently fed the card to shredding machine, now it's half a card (with the number intact).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 14 February, 2013, 11:17:48 am
Quote from: Feanor on 13 February, 2013, 10:18:22 pm
The company in question can issue cards denominated in £GBP, but the decree from our BigCo is that all cards will be in $USD.

Bah.
??? Why? Don't the management realise how inconvenient this is for staff in many other countries, & how much it therefore annoys them?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Woofage on 14 February, 2013, 11:18:12 am
Quote from: mrcharly on 12 February, 2013, 11:05:21 am
Birth Announcements on company email.

I'm sure it's very exciting for the people involved.  However this is a company with 1400 employees, most of whom I will never meet or even know about. FFS, you do not need to tell us all that someone in your team has popped out a sprog, it's quite a common occurrence you know.

That reminds me: job creation schemes.

A former colleague (who was later disciplined because he was a waste of space, but that's another story) advertised something on via the co. e-mail system. The CEO got the hump and instead of asking IT to implement a sensible policy he instead banned all distribution lists. Twat.

What we ended up with was a system whereby we had to ask a designated member of staff to send the e-mail on our behalf if it was to a list of people. In other words, another inefficient job creation scheme, a total waste of time and complete lack of trust in your staff. Good riddance to the CEO who was bumped out some time later.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Chris S on 15 February, 2013, 09:18:01 am
Oh FFS!

"The middle of the week is likely to see winds from the east or NE, bringing
colder-than-average temperatures to many areas. Coastal areas in the east
will be at risk of sleet or snow showers and a few convective showers may
form further inland."

This winter is never going to end, is it?  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 15 February, 2013, 09:22:14 am
Quote from: Chris S on 15 February, 2013, 09:18:01 am
Oh FFS!

"The middle of the week is likely to see winds from the east or NE, bringing
colder-than-average temperatures to many areas. Coastal areas in the east
will be at risk of sleet or snow showers and a few convective showers may
form further inland."

This winter is never going to end, is it?  :(

The Daily Mash knows when winter will end (http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/environment/experts-warn-that-winter-could-last-until-spring-2013021159228).  :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 15 February, 2013, 09:37:34 am
A couple of years ago someone had the bright idea of clearing out our files by saving 'em to disc. They even labelled the discs so we'd kno what's on 'em.

Unfortunately "5-01" doesn't tell me much, so now I've got to go in and open all the folders and sub-folders to see what's there, and at an average of 7 minutes to open a single folder this is going to be a looooooong job  :hand:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 15 February, 2013, 10:53:27 am
Quote from: Andrij on 15 February, 2013, 09:22:14 am
The Daily Mash knows when winter will end (http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/environment/experts-warn-that-winter-could-last-until-spring-2013021159228).  :)

That's genius!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 15 February, 2013, 11:02:20 am
Quote from: Chris S on 15 February, 2013, 09:18:01 am
Oh FFS!

"The middle of the week is likely to see winds from the east or NE, bringing
colder-than-average temperatures to many areas. Coastal areas in the east
will be at risk of sleet or snow showers and a few convective showers may
form further inland."

This winter is never going to end, is it?  :(
I'm surprised the Met Office aren't predicting a 'barbeque summer' already  ::-)

Long(er)-range forecasts are dicey at best, but I trust the Met Office about as far as I could spit Poland. The long-term forecast from yr.no is predicting that it'll be sunny, but cold.

I don't mind winter, but it'd be nice to have some proper, fat-bike worthy, snow rather than the half-arsed unpleasantness we've been subjected to recently (Wednesday night, in particular)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 15 February, 2013, 06:45:26 pm
Quote from: Chris S on 15 February, 2013, 09:18:01 am
Oh FFS!

"The middle of the week is likely to see winds from the east or NE, bringing
colder-than-average temperatures to many areas. Coastal areas in the east
will be at risk of sleet or snow showers and a few convective showers may
form further inland."

This winter is never going to end, is it?  :(

Um, it is only mid February. By no stretch of the imagination is it not still justifiably winter.  Come back and grumble if it's still doing it in April.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 15 February, 2013, 08:12:16 pm
Twatted my hand off a tap, got an instant bruise and a lump.
Also, gin stocks are perilously low.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 16 February, 2013, 03:57:44 pm
We need a new thermostat, as a prior owner of our house had the bright idea of putting it in the kitchen. Something wireless with a base replacing the old one seems plausible - the kitchen is on the middle floor and not doing wiring will speed the job up. As luck would have it a new screwfix has opened around the corner. I've had a look at their offerings. Someone can't do units - one unit has a 30mm range, another has a 100mm range. That's not very impressive is it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 16 February, 2013, 04:15:17 pm
Quote from: perpetual dan on 16 February, 2013, 03:57:44 pm
Someone can't do units - one unit has a 30mm range, another has a 100mm range. That's not very impressive is it.

About average for a cycle computer :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CrinklyLion on 17 February, 2013, 07:51:27 pm
Buggrit.  Completely fucked over left ankle again.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 17 February, 2013, 07:55:14 pm
Quote from: CrinklyLion on 17 February, 2013, 07:51:27 pm
Buggrit.  Completely fucked over left ankle again.

Were you doing anything comedy at the time?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 17 February, 2013, 07:56:33 pm
Ouch! That is the pits!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CrinklyLion on 17 February, 2013, 07:58:24 pm
Quote from: Kim on 17 February, 2013, 07:55:14 pm
Quote from: CrinklyLion on 17 February, 2013, 07:51:27 pm
Buggrit.  Completely fucked over left ankle again.

Were you doing anything comedy at the time?

Sleeping.  Faintly comedic, except it's not the first time it has happened.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 17 February, 2013, 08:16:04 pm
Well that's just unfair!  (Though my knee has also been known to do that sort of thing while in bed, it's usually after a day of traipsing around or something.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 17 February, 2013, 08:56:15 pm
My VAR tool has disappeared. Where can it have gone to? Is it littering a roadside somewhere, from the last time it was used to help a tyre on, late last year? Did it get dropped when I opened my toolkit in a pub to take something else out? Is it hiding somewhere in the house?

Whatever, I want it back! We've been together for over 20 years.  :'(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 17 February, 2013, 09:36:47 pm
DJs. STFU and play music.
That is all.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 17 February, 2013, 11:37:03 pm
*** Hotel: Can you please explain why the mirror in the en-suite bathroom of Room1 is place behind the WC, a whole bath's length from the wash-basin?
Are your guests all so ugly that you fear the mirror might crack should they place their faces too close whilst attending to cosmetic factors?
Maybe your strictly orthodox Jewish clientele are all bearded and never shave...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 18 February, 2013, 12:08:05 am
Sounds like a bad case of Architects, if you ask me...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 18 February, 2013, 12:24:57 am
To be fair, there's a window behind one side of the washbasin. This was one of the better rooms in the place. It was sort-of accessible to a wheelchair from the street. Parents had to stay in separate rooms in the attic while I had double that opened out onto garden.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 18 February, 2013, 06:22:15 am
Radio4, what have you done with the Today programme? Hmm?  Hearing The Bottom Line just after 06:00 made me think perhaps it wasn't Monday and I could go back to bed.  At least I can rely on the World Service for some news.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 18 February, 2013, 07:07:32 am
Quote from: Andrij on 18 February, 2013, 06:22:15 am
Radio4, what have you done with the Today programme? Hmm?  Hearing The Bottom Line just after 06:00 made me think perhaps it wasn't Monday and I could go back to bed.  At least I can rely on the World Service for some news.

Bah!  World Service not any better.  Seems some BBC staff are on strike.  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 18 February, 2013, 07:08:25 am
NUJ on strike about job losses.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 18 February, 2013, 07:43:27 am
Was in the pool just after 6 this morning to do a km. It was pretty busy and lots of the people in the slow lane with me were very slow swimmers and obviously not confident in the water. That doesn’t bother me – everyone has different abilities and I’m sure I look as awkward to the fast lane people as some of the slow lane people look to me. The slow lane is a very mixed ability lane – it seems to range from almost complete beginners to competent swimmers who are slower than me, competent swimmers about my level and competent swimmers who are faster and fitter than me but not fast enough for the medium lane. I’m easily 15-20 seconds slower than the medium lane swimmers.

There were 4 or 5 very slow swimmers in this morning so there were times when I had to overtake or risk sinking through swimming so slowly. I think I tried hard to be a considerate overtaker, waiting till there was plenty of space, passing as far over as I could and not moving back in until I was well ahead to minimise splashing/kicking people in the head. However on at least two occasions I was overtaking about 10m from the end of the lane and hindered by some of the less confident swimmers choosing to set off from the end I was approaching at exactly same time as they saw me passing the person I was overtaking, leaving me with no room at all. Now, I know you’re thinking “why bother overtaking so close to the end?” and my answer to that is “because these people repeatedly failed to let me pass at the end.” Seriously, even though I was giving them a 25m head start and still on their heels by the end of the length, they would not wait three seconds to let me pass them at the end of the lane. So I was trying to get past them where there was obviously room to do so to prevent a bottleneck going the other way. And there were lots of lengths where there was no space to overtake at all so rather than barge past I stayed behind people and floated along behind them hoping they’d let me past at the end (which they never did).

Anyway, after about 12 lengths the pool attendant called me over at the end of the lane and explained that some people had complained I was overtaking and asked if I wanted to move to the medium lane. I explained that I am way too slow for the medium lane and we had a chat about how the slow lane is a very mixed ability lane. I said I wouldn’t be happy in the medium lane because I know I would be holding up every single person in that lane, and he said fair enough, in that case you’re better off in the slow lane and overtaking safely. So I said well, I am trying to overtake safely and I hope I’m not being risky or selfish in my overtaking but if you have concerns about how I’m doing it, I’m happy to be told, and he said no, I’ve been watching and you’re fine with what you’re doing so carry on. So I carried on but it really felt awkward after that. It really bugs me when people in the slow lane charge past everyone just for the sake of it and overtake badly just because they have to get past and I try really hard not to do that, and it’s upset me to think people think that’s what I’m doing, especially when they don’t have the sense to wait two seconds at the end to give me time to get past them without overtaking. And really, you’d think people would understand that it’s possible for someone to be faster than them but still not fast enough for the medium lane.

One of the regular women I see most mornings asked me what was going on so I told her about the conversation with the guard, and she said I was fine – my overtakes were fine and I wasn’t swimming inconsiderately, and then she said it was probably one of the men who didn’t like being overtaken by a woman and then we laughed and then I did my last length and got out feeling a bit better. But still, it's left me feeling awkward.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 18 February, 2013, 10:56:01 am
I need to send a Grink to Frimley Park Hospital:

The carpark includes a nice secure cycle cage, however when I arrived this morning to the hospital by bike and asked the carpark attendent for the code to the cage I was informed that it is for staff parking only. There is no patient cycle parking.

The only reason this is here rather than the rant thread was I took my bike into the physio department with me and no one batted an eyelid as I walked into reception and then down into the gym for my appointment.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 18 February, 2013, 01:18:34 pm
Job description (in particular It related ones).

Please just stop calling it a long handled earth moving device, please.

I have absolutely no idea about this latest one.

A company in the West Midlands needs some one to look after their systems, and do some upgrades.

Among the infrastructure details is the following:

Internal private cloud.

It's not a freaking cloud then, is it? It's an internal network.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 18 February, 2013, 03:36:59 pm
Quote from: tiermat
Please just stop calling it a long handled earth moving device, please

Don't get me started.

Last year the Railway Magazine reported that the Welsh Highland Railway was applying for lottery funding so they could provide "an enhanced linear museum experience."

Not a fucking train ride then :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 18 February, 2013, 03:54:19 pm
Quote from: tiermat on 18 February, 2013, 01:18:34 pm
Job description (in particular It related ones).

Please just stop calling it a long handled earth moving device, please.

I have absolutely no idea about this latest one.

A company in the West Midlands needs some one to look after their systems, and do some upgrades.

Among the infrastructure details is the following:

Internal private cloud.

It's not a freaking cloud then, is it? It's an internal network.

To be fair to them they might be using cloud software that is only accessible on their network.

Like an intranet vs internet.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 18 February, 2013, 04:09:30 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 18 February, 2013, 03:54:19 pm
Quote from: tiermat on 18 February, 2013, 01:18:34 pm
Job description (in particular It related ones).

Please just stop calling it a long handled earth moving device, please.

I have absolutely no idea about this latest one.

A company in the West Midlands needs some one to look after their systems, and do some upgrades.

Among the infrastructure details is the following:

Internal private cloud.

It's not a freaking cloud then, is it? It's an internal network.

To be fair to them they might be using cloud software that is only accessible on their network.

Like an intranet vs internet.

Pound to a pinch of shit they aren't, though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 18 February, 2013, 04:18:55 pm
It would be perfectly reasonable to ask them what cloud software they are running.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 18 February, 2013, 06:40:12 pm
Quote from: Guy on 18 February, 2013, 03:36:59 pm
Quote from: tiermat
Please just stop calling it a long handled earth moving device, please

Don't get me started.

Last year the Railway Magazine reported that the Welsh Highland Railway was applying for lottery funding so they could provide "an enhanced linear museum experience."

Not a fucking train ride then :facepalm:

but the lottery folk like that sort of bollocks-phrase.  The WHR already had a few million for the railway itself, so now they're trying to get more they need to say its for something else.  To be honest, its not just about a train ride (on almost new coaches hauled by not-very historic locos which never used to work on it in its original incarnation) it is partly about preseving the stations, tunnels etc, which if in management bullshite mode you could well refer to as a linear museum experience.  I wouldn't though, its a ride behind an effing great NGG16 Garratt, which is all good fun, and greener than bringing thousands of cars into the National Park.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 19 February, 2013, 08:04:36 am
I'm not slagging the WHR (or any other steam railway -  I likes steam engines I does), rather the fact they're forced to use ghastly 1990's Corporate American Newspeak :sick: instead of English.

Grumble: I was told a truly awful joke last night and I'm buggered if I can remember it now* :facepalm:


*which is probably a Good Thing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 19 February, 2013, 09:34:51 am
Quote from: Guy on 19 February, 2013, 08:04:36 am
I'm not slagging the WHR (or any other steam railway -  I likes steam engines I does), rather the fact they're forced to use ghastly 1990's Corporate American Newspeak :sick: instead of English.

Grumble: I was told a truly awful joke last night and I'm buggered if I can remember it now* :facepalm:


*which is probably a Good Thing.

Then don't remember it.  Unless, of course, you like that sort of thing. ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 19 February, 2013, 11:40:52 am
Quote from: Andrij on 19 February, 2013, 09:34:51 am
Quote from: Guy on 19 February, 2013, 08:04:36 am

Grumble: I was told a truly awful joke last night and I'm buggered if I can remember it now* :facepalm:


*which is probably a Good Thing.

Then don't remember it.  Unless, of course, you like that sort of thing. ;)

Well, I've tried Morris Dancing, so I s'pose there's only one thing left... :-\
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 19 February, 2013, 11:50:32 am
Radio 4 has an article on about  'She moved through the fair', one of my favourite songs.

Sinaed Conner talks a load of crap about 'in our Celtic DNA'.  Ignoring the much older bloke who said he'd never heard it until he was in India.   Her singing sucks as well; wobbly vibrato all over the place.

Much prefer AaE version. Julianne Regan is a much better singer than Sinaed IMO.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 19 February, 2013, 12:08:06 pm
National Trust,

Your "Find a place to visit" page is a nice feature - if it worked.  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 19 February, 2013, 04:59:52 pm
My stomach doesn't know what time it is. I had breakfast at 0500 GMT and lunch at 1100 CET  but I'm not getting dinner til 1900 CET. I'm starving and trying really hard not to raid the minibar fattisnacks. :P
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 19 February, 2013, 05:25:40 pm
Pillar Hotel: plz not to be sending me room pictures taken with camera lens of insufficient focal length.

Bendy verticals make me  :sick:

Poor advert IMO...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 20 February, 2013, 07:56:51 am
Will whoever ordered cold misty drizzle with a side order of head-wind-up-the-hill for this morning please stand up.  I want to throw rocks at you >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 20 February, 2013, 08:12:31 am
I'm not one to grass, but I think it was that errant sergeant/corporal...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 20 February, 2013, 10:06:06 am
Don't think it was him. He's in enough trouble already. Somebody* "accidentally" let slip that a Major from Army Legal Service has made an appointment to see our Colonel on monday.

*Nowt to do with the only cyclist in the office, honest guv
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 20 February, 2013, 10:11:22 am
I ache everywhere :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 20 February, 2013, 03:22:10 pm
Well have to make that corridor wider. I've just been run over by a badly-driven Chief of Staff.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 20 February, 2013, 07:59:15 pm
Has a new directory been issued to spammy call centres?
I've been disturbed on three consecutive mornings.
I am TPS registered.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 21 February, 2013, 09:02:29 am
Help for Heroes, plz to be sorting your clothing sizes. I ordered a LARGE rugby shirt. Shirt arrived with a big black L on the label. :thumbsup:

Anybody else would be selling this particular size as MEDIUM. ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 21 February, 2013, 10:11:04 am
Snowing. FFS.
Sick of winter.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 21 February, 2013, 10:14:12 am
A very minor grumble, but a grumble non the less.

Idiots, please be selective about requesting read receipts with your emails.  DO NOT set your email client to ALWAYS ask for a read receipt.

It irritates me no end that every time I get an email from you, no matter how trivial, I get asked if I want to send a read receipt.  No, due to group policies, I can't set it to "fuck off I don't want to send and acknowledgement of me getting your email, and what's more, if I get one more of these I shall come around to your desk and remove body parts with a plastic spoon", mores the pity :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 21 February, 2013, 11:10:24 am
Doctors receptionists.
Now, this is a sweeping generalisation, and doubtless there are some lovely people out there doing the job but EVERY SINGLE FUCKING HARPY I have encountered doing this job seems to think it's her job to protect doctors from patients.
i) 'Normal' is not what blood test results say, they give NUMBERS. Tell me the fucking numbers.
ii) "We don't have email". You are a fucking liar. Of course you do. You just have a policy not to email patients.
iii) "I can't post them to you". You can't post my results? You wont post them, more likely.
iv) "I'll ask doctor if you can have them". You what? I do not need someone else's permission to have my results.
v) "phone later today and I'll let you know what he says, and then you can pick them up". Riiiiight. I get to do a 20 mile round trip to save you a stamp & envelope.

I think I'll ask to send her an SAE when I call to see if my (actually quite pleasant and reasonable) GP 'lets' me have a copy of my results.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 21 February, 2013, 11:19:29 am
Glasgow say there are NO INT CORPS posts whatsoever in Grytviken.

Blast

Oh well. Back to the drawing-board.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 21 February, 2013, 12:19:39 pm
Why does the LBS have everything displayed by manufacturer and not product type. To contrast and compare an item requires visiting 6 or 8 different display units.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: PhilO on 22 February, 2013, 09:45:49 am
Denizen of another parish, you took the trouble to respond to my 'wanted' ad, and email me with details of an item that you might have for sale. It's nearly a week since I replied asking for further information, so I assume that you've decided it would be too much trouble after all. Would it really have been so difficult to have just told me that?  ::-)

*heads off to EBay to look for Rohloff hubs*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Chris S on 22 February, 2013, 09:53:05 am
Note to self: Stay away from the treadmill. Use the rower next time  :facepalm:.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jacomus on 22 February, 2013, 09:56:25 am
Quote from: Chris S on 22 February, 2013, 09:53:05 am
Note to self: Stay away from the treadmill. Use the rower next time  :facepalm:.

Treadmill burn to the face? ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 22 February, 2013, 10:16:38 am
Estate Agents are crap.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 22 February, 2013, 04:04:13 pm
Crystal Reports, what joy  :hand:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 22 February, 2013, 04:05:20 pm
Quote from: essexian on 22 February, 2013, 10:16:38 am
Estate Agents are crap.

Not News.

But still true.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 23 February, 2013, 04:04:39 pm
Giving up dieting for Lent is so backfiring on me. Trying out some interview oufits and getting frantic cause nothing fits. And all my beautiful bras make me look like I have four boobs. Damn.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 25 February, 2013, 08:50:58 am
Remind me at christmas to get my sister one of those pet feeders on a timer. It would be so much better than being woken by the cat at 5am every bloody morning.

At least house and cat sitting for her means I have a 10km ride to work to wake up properly.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CrinklyLion on 25 February, 2013, 11:54:37 am
Yeah.... you do know that the mog'll wake you up anyway, don't you?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 25 February, 2013, 11:58:36 am
Can I have my knees back not these aching wobbly things please?

Also, why was the only vehicle that managed to stop at the zebra crossing I was using this morning the cyclist?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 25 February, 2013, 12:00:49 pm
Quote from: CrinklyLion on 25 February, 2013, 11:54:37 am
Yeah.... you do know that the mog'll wake you up anyway, don't you?
This.
It's a fundamental law of the Universe, or something.

Never mind the rise of the machines, if cats ever evolve opposable thumbs we're well and truly screwed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 25 February, 2013, 12:51:51 pm
Quote from: interzen on 25 February, 2013, 12:00:49 pm
Never mind the rise of the machines, if cats ever evolve opposable thumbs we're well and truly screwed.
They don't need them. They've evolved humans to do things for them.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 25 February, 2013, 01:27:38 pm
Yet another reason to hate hotdesking: I spent ages the other week storing a list of contacts in my profile on the deskphone (I don't have to hotdesk - my dodgy hip has got me a fixed desk). Took annual leave Thursday & Friday last week, during which a colleague used my desk and logged into the phone with her number. Now all the contacts have been deleted.  >:( >:( >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 25 February, 2013, 06:57:16 pm
Can someone explain to me how it is that a set of toilet seat buffers (those little pads that go under the seat, & under the lid, so they don't bang on the rim & the seat respectively) is not a standard accessory, sold in every outlet that flogs toilets & seats? And why some of ''em cost more for a set than a decent solid wood seat with all fittings, including a perfectly good set of the bloody things? Or why the only ones I can find on sale locally without buying a new seat are (a) crap & (b) part of an entire (crap) fitting kit, most of which I don't want.

I've had to resort to buying online, with slow delivery, to get something which is both of acceptable quality & not too large a fraction of the price of a whole new seat.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 25 February, 2013, 07:33:10 pm
Trip #4 to the dentist for this tooth. I now have temporary filling #4. The anaesthetic is wearing off now.

I wish I'd told her to take it out and crown it, I'd be done by now.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 25 February, 2013, 07:39:04 pm
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 25 February, 2013, 01:27:38 pm
Yet another reason to hate hotdesking: I spent ages the other week storing a list of contacts in my profile on the deskphone (I don't have to hotdesk - my dodgy hip has got me a fixed desk). Took annual leave Thursday & Friday last week, during which a colleague used my desk and logged into the phone with her number. Now all the contacts have been deleted.  >:( >:( >:(

Note on phone time "Do not log into this with other logins, it will delete Eccentrica's data and she will KILL YOU"

What kind of crap tech is designed for multiple logins which can't store data properly? FAAAAIL!  Hotdesking is EVIL.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 25 February, 2013, 08:14:52 pm
Utterly craptastic.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Deano on 25 February, 2013, 08:24:52 pm
Where I work, we each have two separate logins for the phones. But that's not as confusing as it sounds, cos the passwords are identical (nobody knows how to change them), and people can contact you using either number as an extension.

It does, however, usually mean I usually have to contact two separate people who've nicked my numbers. Or, possibly, I'm stealing their extensions. Who knows.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 25 February, 2013, 08:55:23 pm
Argghh teeth. I have spent all day in bed with toothache/headache. The immediate 'red hot poker through the jaw' pain (which could fortunately be relieved by continued sipping of cold water) has gone leaving a very tender tooth and me feeling like bleaaghh. Postponed 240 undergraduates workshops tomorrow as I am not up to 6 hours of solo standup teaching. Dentist on Wednesday AM
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 25 February, 2013, 09:26:58 pm
Quote from: Deano on 25 February, 2013, 08:24:52 pm
It does, however, usually mean I usually have to contact two separate people who've nicked my numbers. Or, possibly, I'm stealing their extensions. Who knows.

My brane hurts.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 25 February, 2013, 09:51:14 pm
This sounds like a fairly standard Cisco call-manager system.

Extensions can have a generic extension number, or can allow an individual to log in, so their calls to their own personal number also land on that phone.

Used for hot-desking.
So you sit down at any random life-sucking cube, log in on the phone, and you are plugged into the Matrix.
People calling your number are routed to your currently-logged-in extension.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 25 February, 2013, 09:56:50 pm
Yes, that's what we have. But each person can make a profile for their own extension number which includes things like your preferred ringtone (I like one quiet ring and then flashing light because I appreciate that a ringing phone can be disturbing in an open-plan office), plus store contacts. But every time someone else logs into the phone, the profile and the contacts are wiped out.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Deano on 25 February, 2013, 10:25:24 pm
Quote from: Feanor on 25 February, 2013, 09:51:14 pm
This sounds like a fairly standard Cisco call-manager system.

Extensions can have a generic extension number, or can allow an individual to log in, so their calls to their own personal number also land on that phone.

Used for hot-desking.
So you sit down at any random life-sucking cube, log in on the phone, and you are plugged into the Matrix.
People calling your number are routed to your currently-logged-in extension.

Sounds vaguely about right. Though if that's what we have, nobody understands it, which is why I have to log in twice every day. Or, of course, not bother.

Option b is quite popular amongst colleagues. At least those of us who've been told our extensions have the options.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 25 February, 2013, 10:42:02 pm
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 25 February, 2013, 09:56:50 pm
Yes, that's what we have. But each person can make a profile for their own extension number which includes things like your preferred ringtone (I like one quiet ring and then flashing light because I appreciate that a ringing phone can be disturbing in an open-plan office), plus store contacts. But every time someone else logs into the phone, the profile and the contacts are wiped out.

There's probably some magic provisioning server settings that'll make it do the Right Thing that nobody has bothered to configure.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 25 February, 2013, 10:49:14 pm
Yep, we have that cisco system. There is a web page where various settings can be changed about how the server deals with your incoming calls. Of course IT didn't tell anyone about it, I only know because I wanted to change the pin number to log in on the phone which is done via the web page.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 26 February, 2013, 07:44:37 am
I haven't paid the bill. Does this mean the meter-man will come and cut off my supply of raw, damp Nor'Easter? I fucking hope so. >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 26 February, 2013, 06:22:48 pm
That phone system sounds like the seventh level of hell. Half the pleasure of being away from ones' desk is getting away from the clueless muppets who make a habit of tying up the electrons with their stupidity.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 26 February, 2013, 07:11:08 pm
Bleh, tired, fed up of being tired. Feels like I'm moving through molasses all the time lately whether I sleep 7 hours or 11.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: GothonaBrompton on 27 February, 2013, 10:18:25 am
I've asked my boss to please bring back some nice weather from Chennai (320C) where he is at a retail conference, or from Goa (350C) where he is going on Friday for the annual Sales Conference for the whole company.  I'm getting bored of this damp cold.  It might not be snowing in London, but my bones hurt and everything is slower.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 27 February, 2013, 10:25:44 am
Quote from: SJSBrompton on 27 February, 2013, 10:18:25 am
I've asked my boss to please bring back some nice weather from Chennai (320C) where he is at a retail conference, or from Goa (350C) where he is going on Friday for the annual Sales Conference for the whole company.  I'm getting bored of this damp cold.  It might not be snowing in London, but my bones hurt and everything is slower.
There's been talk of a bunch of us (myself included) going out to Bangalore to do some work with one of our teams over there - it's currently 32C according to the BBC, which would be quite a nice antidote to the general cold-and-shittiness we're enduring at the moment (as I type, the sun is out but it's still bloody cold)

Part of me wants to head out there right now if only for the warmth, but a larger part of me wants to wait until the IPL season starts in April so I can watch some cricket too :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 27 February, 2013, 11:32:08 am
Quote from: interzen on 27 February, 2013, 10:25:44 am
...as I type, the sun is out...
Sun? You have sun? How? Who should I speak to?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 27 February, 2013, 03:44:54 pm
Bloody chain power links and bloody cold fingers =   :( >:( :'( >:(

That is all.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: GothonaBrompton on 27 February, 2013, 04:05:53 pm
Quote from: interzen on 27 February, 2013, 10:25:44 am
Quote from: SJSBrompton on 27 February, 2013, 10:18:25 am
I've asked my boss to please bring back some nice weather from Chennai (320C) where he is at a retail conference, or from Goa (350C) where he is going on Friday for the annual Sales Conference for the whole company.  I'm getting bored of this damp cold.  It might not be snowing in London, but my bones hurt and everything is slower.
There's been talk of a bunch of us (myself included) going out to Bangalore to do some work with one of our teams over there - it's currently 32C according to the BBC, which would be quite a nice antidote to the general cold-and-shittiness we're enduring at the moment (as I type, the sun is out but it's still bloody cold)

Part of me wants to head out there right now if only for the warmth, but a larger part of me wants to wait until the IPL season starts in April so I can watch some cricket too :)

Apparently it would be unbearably hot in April (according to the other PA I share an office with, who is from Goa originally and then grew up in Bombay).  She reckons her body isn't used to the Indian weather any more after 20 years with the lovely UK climate.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nikki on 28 February, 2013, 01:55:21 pm
In the uni library trying to write an essay.

I've put up with the loud and detailed discussion about toilet rolls (I think it's something to do with an animation project) and scowled a bit at the lengthy mobile phone conversation, but the person sat opposite me has just taken out a full-on pasta meal and started eating it!

Libraries ain't what they used to be. *tuts* *tries not to inhale the smell of garlic too deeply*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cycleman on 28 February, 2013, 07:25:02 pm
the pulley wheel mount on the peter ross trike has snapped and i don,t know any welders at the moment  :(.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 28 February, 2013, 07:27:10 pm
As karmic retribution for properly indexing gears, I just impaled my finger on a strand of gear cable off-cut that had become caught in my trousers.  Right under the fingernail.  Bastard.


ETA: And as a result I now have a painful swelling on the bit of finger needed to middle-click.  This makes navigating YACF awkward.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 01 March, 2013, 08:43:22 am
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 25 February, 2013, 01:27:38 pm
Yet another reason to hate hotdesking: I spent ages the other week storing a list of contacts in my profile on the deskphone (I don't have to hotdesk - my dodgy hip has got me a fixed desk). Took annual leave Thursday & Friday last week, during which a colleague used my desk and logged into the phone with her number. Now all the contacts have been deleted.  >:( >:( >:(
Today none of the phones are working at all. (This is only a grumble rather than a rant because I have a lot to do today and I don't need phone calls interrupting).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 01 March, 2013, 06:16:33 pm
Royal Fail:

The MINIMUM price for posting a 26mm-thick packet is going up from £2.20 to £2.60 on 2 April.

http://www.royalmail.com/prices-2013
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 01 March, 2013, 06:20:07 pm
Effing cough, just eff off!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 01 March, 2013, 06:34:27 pm
Effing snot, just eff off!  I over-fill a man-size tissue with a single blow.  :sick:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 01 March, 2013, 07:15:20 pm
Yesterday's ride in has left me with a sore bum.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 01 March, 2013, 08:29:49 pm
Quote from: Biggsy on 01 March, 2013, 06:16:33 pm
Royal Fail:

The MINIMUM price for posting a 26mm-thick packet is going up from £2.20 to £2.60 on 2 April.

http://www.royalmail.com/prices-2013

And?

So I give you a jiffy-bag and ask you to deliver it from anywhere in the UK to anywhere else in the UK, using nothing but the £2.60 I give you.

Reckon you could do it?


Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 01 March, 2013, 08:38:42 pm
And the price for doing the same across Europe (for a similar journey, say 600km)?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 01 March, 2013, 09:20:23 pm
Quote from: Feanor on 01 March, 2013, 08:29:49 pm
And?

AND I'M GRUMBLING ABOUT IT BECAUSE IT'S FUCKING EXPENSIVE.  BEING EVEN MORE FUCKING EXPENSIVE FOR ME TO GET A FUCKING TRAIN TICKET IS FUCKING IRRELEVANT.

This is the fucking Grumble Thread, not the fucking Apologising for the Royal Fucking Fail Fucking Thread.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 01 March, 2013, 09:25:32 pm
Quote from: David Martin on 01 March, 2013, 08:38:42 pm
And the price for doing the same across Europe (for a similar journey, say 600km)?

87 pence (if a personal letter is enclosed).  http://www.seajays.org.uk/postage/index.cfm

(Nobody checks that a letter is really enclosed, by the way).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 01 March, 2013, 10:36:23 pm
Quote from: Biggsy on 01 March, 2013, 09:25:32 pm
Quote from: David Martin on 01 March, 2013, 08:38:42 pm
And the price for doing the same across Europe (for a similar journey, say 600km)?

87 pence (if a personal letter is enclosed).  http://www.seajays.org.uk/postage/index.cfm

(Nobody checks that a letter is really enclosed, by the way).

How did you determine that price? I can't find anything even remotely close to that on that site.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 01 March, 2013, 11:06:10 pm
You can on http://www.royalmail.com/price-finder

87p for a letter anywhere within Europe, as long at it doesn't weigh more than 20 grams. Then it goes up in stages, e.g. £1.28 up to 30g.

Small packets are £2.70 up to 100g, then in stages.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 01 March, 2013, 11:13:22 pm
But that is not a parcel with the 26mm minimum width. How much does it cost to send a small packet in any other European country?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 01 March, 2013, 11:22:11 pm
http://www.deutschepost.de/mlm.nf/dpag/briefe_ins_ausland/static/pdf/preisblatt2013.pdf (http://www.deutschepost.de/mlm.nf/dpag/briefe_ins_ausland/static/pdf/preisblatt2013.pdf)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 01 March, 2013, 11:33:25 pm
Quote from: David Martin on 01 March, 2013, 11:13:22 pm
But that is not a parcel with the 26mm minimum width.

For Royal Mail Airmail, the parcel counts as a Letter if it CONTAINS a personal letter.  That's what the RM rules say and that's the price I've paid countless times with never a complaint from the recipient that the postal services demanded more money.  The "Letter", "Large Letter" and "Packet" sizes only apply to posting within the UK.  There is no size restriction for Airmail Letters (up to the size limit for Airmail in general).

It's 87p for up to 20g to Europe and 10g for rest of world, but currently £2.20 from one part of London to another part of London if it's more than 25mm thick.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SandyV on 02 March, 2013, 02:02:12 pm
Third flood warning in 4 weeks. Third Audax cancelled. 

 We're well above flood risk height but I feel for those who've just finished cleaning up from last week!  Could be working from home Monday.
Enough rain now.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 03 March, 2013, 10:22:34 am
Quote from: Biggsy on 01 March, 2013, 11:33:25 pm
It's 87p for up to 20g to Europe and 10g for rest of world, but currently £2.20 from one part of London to another part of London if it's more than 25mm thick.

I'm sure you will now demonstrate a 26mm thick parcel that weighs under 20g?


Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 03 March, 2013, 01:51:03 pm
Cold, sod off now, srsly. I'm fed up of barking and sounding lke Vince from Rex the Runt when I speak.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jaded on 03 March, 2013, 02:00:30 pm
Isn't 26mm an inch?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 03 March, 2013, 02:15:59 pm
Quote from: David Martin on 03 March, 2013, 10:22:34 am
I'm sure you will now demonstrate a 26mm thick parcel that weighs under 20g?

Small magnets in foam in a paper envelope.  (Although most of my despatches are thinner than that).  Even a 40g 26mm parcel is cheaper to post to New Zealand than it is from Bounds Green to Wood Green.  Grumble.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 03 March, 2013, 03:52:50 pm
Quote from: Jaded on 03 March, 2013, 02:00:30 pm
Isn't 26mm an inch?

To all intents and purposes.
An inch is 25.4mm.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 03 March, 2013, 04:09:59 pm
Quote from: Biggsy on 03 March, 2013, 02:15:59 pm
Quote from: David Martin on 03 March, 2013, 10:22:34 am
I'm sure you will now demonstrate a 26mm thick parcel that weighs under 20g?

Small magnets in foam in a paper envelope.  (Although most of my despatches are thinner than that).  Even a 40g 26mm parcel is cheaper to post to New Zealand than it is from Bounds Green to Wood Green.  Grumble.

Couldn't you get your purchaser to erect a big iron pole on their house, and then throw the magnets really hard in the right direction?

Just helpin', like.
 ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 04 March, 2013, 01:42:05 pm
Colleague, please stop snorting semi-liquid snot back up your nose, you sound like a hippo vomiting hippo, only in reverse.

Apart from sounding disgusting, it really isn't good for your health. Your body wants to get rid of the stuff, go blow it out (preferably in a different room).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 05 March, 2013, 10:46:09 am
GAMMA2 fell over on Sunday, and a call was logged.  Your response time is six hours, which means your engineer should have been sitting on the doorstep at 08:00 yesterday.  Someone finally showed up at 15:50 and clearly had no clue what an Alphaserver is.

Your are a pack of useless workshy twats.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 05 March, 2013, 10:05:25 pm
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 05 March, 2013, 11:21:43 pm
My water bill was about £100 less than fboab's.
Water bill seems to have increased faster than inflation.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Dibdib on 05 March, 2013, 11:27:17 pm
Told I have a new boss... In Germany. Yay(!!)

rackum frackum grumble grumble. silver lining though, I'm hoping to use it as a cunning ploy to get my job moved to That London and get the hell out of Swindon ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 05 March, 2013, 11:29:20 pm
Inflation:  Mythical measure of rising prices manipulated by a bunch of dishonest grey persons often found in a posh palace in London...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 06 March, 2013, 07:24:21 am
*remembers* wibble wobble wibble wobble

A Spitting Image sketch, chez Thatcher set sometime in the future*.  Mark asks Mummy for a glass of water. Goes to tap.  Draws off glass of water whilst eff-off great LED display racks up cost of glass of water. Mrs T asks idiot son to deposit cold hard cash in the kitty to pay for said glass of water.

At the time I thought it mildly amusing.

*ie post-privatisation of the water boards.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 06 March, 2013, 08:10:27 am
Water needs to cost more.  It is a valuable resource, and we need to be reminded that is not an endless free resource to be squandered at will.  If we invested more in water resources, then we could probably manage flooding a bit better too.  That said, some of the water companies are not entirely blameless.  I'm all for unversal compulsory metering.

Advice on saving water is freely available, although not as obvious as it should be.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 06 March, 2013, 08:55:06 am
We've just been put onto a compulsory meter. With an unmetered bill of >£500 due to moving to a larger house last year (for an extra bedroom for an office rather than due to extra people) I'm hoping that the cost will come down a little as we don't use huge amounts of water. Our cars get washed twice a year, need it or not, no paddling pools, no running hosepipes to water the garden, low volume toilet cisterns, showers rather than baths etc.

In principle I think meters are a good thing for a resource that is not unlimited. I do worry that the water companies will use the drop in usage due to fitting meters as an excuse not to invest in infrastructure and leak repairs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 06 March, 2013, 10:17:03 am
Quote from: MattH on 06 March, 2013, 08:55:06 am
We've just been put onto a compulsory meter. With an unmetered bill of >£500 due to moving to a larger house last year (for an extra bedroom for an office rather than due to extra people) I'm hoping that the cost will come down a little as we don't use huge amounts of water. Our cars get washed twice a year, need it or not, no paddling pools, no running hosepipes to water the garden, low volume toilet cisterns, showers rather than baths etc.

In principle I think meters are a good thing for a resource that is not unlimited. I do worry that the water companies will use the drop in usage due to fitting meters as an excuse not to invest in infrastructure and leak repairs.
Water companies are scored on the %age of water lost through leakage, reduce the consumption by households and whilst they have greater capacity to accomodate leakage the regulator will be all over them as the % leakage figures rise.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 06 March, 2013, 10:40:42 am
Even in this side of this country water is not scarce. We waste a lot of drinking quality water for tasks we could do with grey water. There are high levels of facetiousness in my "I don't drink water" but as I'm not on the mains for sewage, nor on roads with storm drains I resent paying this much. The last bill worked out as half this. Metering would save me money, if it took this into account
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 06 March, 2013, 11:28:21 am
I went to a school concert last night. The young people played and sang really well with everything from rock to baroque. It was really good.... except the continual intrusion of a 100 decibel simulated shutter noise for a woman taking photos on a digital camera. GAH!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 06 March, 2013, 11:42:43 am
Quote from: matthew on 06 March, 2013, 10:17:03 am
Water companies are scored on the %age of water lost through leakage, reduce the consumption by households and whilst they have greater capacity to accomodate leakage the regulator will be all over them as the % leakage figures rise.
Regulation FAIL.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 06 March, 2013, 11:49:57 am
Not really a grumble, & not serious enough for the bad news thread, but a disappointment.

I sent an e-mail to the Lycée français Charles de Gaulle asking if they still had my grandmother's school records, from before it added the Charles de Gaulle to the name (he being a relatively unknown army officer at the time). They sent a nice but disappointing reply. The pupil records for the early 1930s were lost when the school moved to a new site, so no, they don't have anything.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andyoxon on 08 March, 2013, 01:00:26 am
Constant bloomin' Java updates - at work, on both PC here.   ::-) ::-)  :facepalm:  And if you're not careful, and don't untick a box, you get some toolbar or something loaded by the back door.    :hand:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 08 March, 2013, 06:25:21 am
Quote from: andyoxon on 08 March, 2013, 01:00:26 am
Constant bloomin' Java updates - at work, on both PC here.   ::-) ::-)  :facepalm:  And if you're not careful, and don't untick a box, you get some toolbar or something loaded by the back door.    :hand:
That'd be because of the continuing discovery of zero-day bugs in the java browser plug-in(s).  This sort of thing... 

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/03/05/java_self_signed_exploit_spotted/
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/03/01/another_day_another_java_zero_day/
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/01/30/oracle_java_security_analysis/
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/01/10/java_0day/
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/01/15/avoid_java_in_browsers/

And you're right about the fucking trojan horse approach to installing unwanted crapware.  It's bloody annoying and totally unnecessary.  It would be marginally less evil if it didn't reset your default search engine with a crap search engine with a dodgy approach to deciding result order. More about that here...

http://www.zdnet.com/a-close-look-at-how-oracle-installs-deceptive-software-with-java-updates-7000010038/
Long (for web article) piece, but worth a read.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ham on 08 March, 2013, 01:02:01 pm
Uninstalling Java:

http://www.guidingtech.com/20274/completely-remove-uninstall-java-windows-pc/

You are unlikely to notice the difference
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Dibdib on 08 March, 2013, 01:06:32 pm
I'm almost certainly going to get stuck in the office this afternoon. On a Friday, of all days. Grumble.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 08 March, 2013, 07:11:41 pm
Count yourself lucky, I was hoping that after working this coming Saturday the project was going to calm down. It will, only for me to be parachuted into another to help dig my equivalent team out of a hole of the project managers making. He only promised a schedule to the client without first checking he had the resources to meet it.
Bang go my next two Saturdays as well.

My pay packet in April should make good reading with the overtime.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 08 March, 2013, 10:26:30 pm
22:25
It's no time to be putting supper on the table.
How did you let that happen. Jurek?
Meh!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 08 March, 2013, 10:56:01 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 08 March, 2013, 10:26:30 pm
22:25
It's no time to be putting supper on the table.
How did you let that happen. Jurek?
Meh!

Coming home from work tired & pissed off ?   Having a "little" lie down......that's how it happened to me  :facepalm:

Just finished my steak.....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 09 March, 2013, 02:17:29 pm
Quote from: fboab on 06 March, 2013, 10:40:42 am
Even in this side of this country water is not scarce. We waste a lot of drinking quality water for tasks we could do with grey water. There are high levels of facetiousness in my "I don't drink water" but as I'm not on the mains for sewage, nor on roads with storm drains I resent paying this much. The last bill worked out as half this. Metering would save me money, if it took this into account

If you don't have mains drainage, then you aren't paying for sewage, unless someone has screwed up.  Same for roads with no drainage.  Just having the latter argument with our lot, as I'm on an unmade up unadopted road.  Sadly I do discharge some rainwater into the drains, as I can't manage to store it all.  Metered bills take into account your consumption, on the "getting rid of it" aspect too.  I suggest firm words with your water company.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 12 March, 2013, 12:49:07 pm
Where the frigging hell is my Ortlieb map holder? I can find the blue, round the neck, hiking one, but not the $SILLY_COST Ortlieb one that fixes to the bar bag...

GRRRRR, I know it is around here somewhere, just where I don't know yet.

Whilst I am on, left knee, there is no need to come out in sympathy with the rest of my body right now, I was looking forward to a nice, peaceful, night's sleep last night.  My stomach behaved itself but you had to go and ruin it all, didn't you?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 13 March, 2013, 10:49:23 am
My proto-Babbage Random Error Message Generation Machine is REALLY pissing me off this morning >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 13 March, 2013, 10:53:38 am
So its working correctly then
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 13 March, 2013, 11:27:40 am
It has long been a firmly-held belief of mine that computers are instruments of STAN. Are you telling me I've got something right for once? :o
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 13 March, 2013, 03:20:16 pm
Why am I so bloody good at losing stuff, and no good at finding it again?

The latest thing is the map case for my bar bag.  I know I had it somewhere around the house but can't find it anywhere.

I have had to order a new one.

The old one will now turn up, guaranteed!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 13 March, 2013, 04:48:59 pm
Is it because you've got the wrong chromosome to look *properly*?
<runs >
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 13 March, 2013, 04:53:59 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 13 March, 2013, 04:48:59 pm
Is it because you've got the wrong chromosome to look *properly*?
<runs >

You can run, but you can't hide!

Well you can hide, and I probably wouldn't find you unless I was looking for, oh, I don't know, something like a teapot...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 13 March, 2013, 05:31:38 pm
 ;D
*disguises self as map holder*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 13 March, 2013, 05:57:49 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 13 March, 2013, 05:31:38 pm
;D
*disguises self as map holder*

That won't work.  If he's looking for a Mrs. Pingu, he's most likely to find map holders.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 14 March, 2013, 06:27:16 pm
Apparently, St. Paddy's day is "15th-17th March"
FFS
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Adam on 14 March, 2013, 06:37:57 pm
Why did the BBC 10 pm news devote the first 15 minutes to the new pope, do a couple of other items, and then return to Rome?  Just about 60% of the "news" devoted to something only mildly interesting.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 14 March, 2013, 07:03:07 pm
Quote from: Basil on 14 March, 2013, 06:27:16 pm
Apparently, St. Paddy's day is "15th-17th March"
FFS

Were they using Pub Time?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 14 March, 2013, 11:01:19 pm
Cough, gurgle, wheeze......... I thought this chest infection was clearing up.  It's getting worse.   :(  Time to phone the GP and hope they can give me some magick pills before Kim's ride next weekend. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 15 March, 2013, 08:41:25 am
I know I've just got back from one, but I need a holiday.

After unpacking and repacking my bag (twice), searching round the living room, the kitchen, the bedroom and even the bathroom, I finally found my hat.







On my head :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 15 March, 2013, 11:17:33 am
Just had an email reply from a old boss.

He had emailed me 6 weeks ago to ask if I was interested in coming back.

I said yes.

It all went quiet.

The reply I got today was "It didn't happen" :(

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 15 March, 2013, 02:38:30 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 14 March, 2013, 11:01:19 pm
Cough, gurgle, wheeze......... I thought this chest infection was clearing up.  It's getting worse.   :(  Time to phone the GP and hope they can give me some magick pills before Kim's ride next weekend. 
Just been there, done that. Red and yellow bugs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 15 March, 2013, 07:32:45 pm
Quote from: David Martin on 15 March, 2013, 02:38:30 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 14 March, 2013, 11:01:19 pm
Cough, gurgle, wheeze......... I thought this chest infection was clearing up.  It's getting worse.   :(  Time to phone the GP and hope they can give me some magick pills before Kim's ride next weekend. 
Just been there, done that. Red and yellow bugs.

Phoned the GP this morning and was offered a choice of 2 appointments today.  Not too shabby.     A quick stethoscoping and "it's probably viral but have some antibiotics if you want them"  ::-)  I now have a weeks worth of Clarithromycin.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Littlesox on 16 March, 2013, 06:38:50 am
I don't care if the Roman Catholic church has a new CEO

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 18 March, 2013, 08:12:01 am
According to the US Naval Observatory local sunrise was 0610 and local sunset will be 1810. The Vernal Equinox. Why the bloody hell do we have to put up with poxy freezing fog on the first day of Spring? >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 18 March, 2013, 08:25:10 am
-4C here last night. And I was about to take the insulation off the outside tap on Saturday! Lovely and sunny, thobut.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 18 March, 2013, 08:53:24 am
see the comuting thread re frozen rails and trains that can't run on them.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 18 March, 2013, 02:16:25 pm
I think I have something in my eye. It hurts. Washing in an eyebath doesn't help. there is a black speck in my iris.

Thinking of going to york small injuries unit. Inconveniently located at the hospital now.

[edit] wanting to sing the praises of the nurse practitioner now.  Listened, spotted the offending object, whipped it out. Tested for more bodies with a stain, I have to go back to eye clinic to have rust scraped out in a few days.  Deity bless the NHS
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 18 March, 2013, 02:21:49 pm
Damned tinnitus.

Yesterday I was sat at home and I said to Mrs T "those jets are spending a long time flying over our house"
"What jets?" sez she
"I can hear them" sez I
"Nope, there is nothing"
"Oh"

It eventually went, and I thought that was that.

It's come back again today :(  Back to the docs, I guess.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 18 March, 2013, 03:43:41 pm
It's a day for disturbed senses.  I had an unexpected exacerbation of my visual disturbance this morning.  The world had a glittery frilled edge about three quarters of the way to my periphery.  I did consider getting off the bike, but it seemed not to get in the way of seeing clearly as well.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andyoxon on 18 March, 2013, 04:29:37 pm
SYHA, price/night for a family room two double bunks £94...   :-\
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 20 March, 2013, 07:41:05 am
Grey dark misty murk. Spitting with rain. Wind's NE (again!). Nice to see Spring is making an effort ::-)

Yesterday: Gas man. When you phoned last week and made an appt to come round at 0900 I didn't expect you to roll up at 1140 saying "ooh, I'm a bit late". :facepalm: That's why I was sarcastic at you.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 20 March, 2013, 08:33:21 am
Office Slob.

As a result of having to put up with you spending yesterday morning coating the office with the lining of your lungs, I and at least one of my colleagues have developed a tickly cough.

Tosser >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 20 March, 2013, 09:43:23 pm
Somehow spanged my ankle. Or shin. Or both.

Bugger.

RICE, which means no cycling.

Bugger again.

It had better be fixed by next week, as I'm off to Much Wenlock, to go walking (I hope).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 21 March, 2013, 07:42:43 am
Self. When playing with sharp stabby things in the kitchen please to ensure any Norman Bates type motions are carried out in an away from the body sort of direction. That way you won't have to mop up the claret spilled all over the worktop :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 21 March, 2013, 02:41:51 pm
FFS!  There are 36 seats and only 16 passengers.  You boarded together so why now are you at opposing ends of the bus shouting to each other?   Ay? Wot? Wodj'ya say?

Just sit together, eh?   You pair of ignorant old goats.   >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 21 March, 2013, 02:58:40 pm
I achieve the impossible and get Brummies to (mostly) agree on a date for something, and the weather has to go and ruin it...  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 21 March, 2013, 03:13:11 pm
Quote from: Kim on 21 March, 2013, 02:58:40 pm
I achieve the impossible and get Brummies to (mostly) agree on a date for something, and the weather has to go and ruin it...  >:(
I'm feeling really sorry for Kim.  I know she's put a lot of hard work into this.
I'm old enough to remember the '63 winter.  It was horrendous and extremely cold.  But only in the WINTER.  The weather was fine by the end of March.  What the hell is going on this year?  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 21 March, 2013, 03:22:16 pm
Quote from: Basil on 21 March, 2013, 03:13:11 pm
The weather was fine by the end of March.  What the hell is going on this year?  >:(

Karmic retribution for March 2012:

(http://www.ductilebiscuit.net/gallery_albums/secret_park/IMG_20120328_171151.sized.jpg)

On that ride I was wearing sandals, and paddled in the Bournbrook.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nikki on 21 March, 2013, 03:44:56 pm
Quote from: Basil on 21 March, 2013, 03:13:11 pm
I'm feeling really sorry for Kim.  I know she's put a lot of hard work into this.

^This.
Thanks for all your hard work and excellent prep, Kim. Hopefully for the 3rd attempt the universe can provide Brummies and clement weather in abundance.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 21 March, 2013, 04:02:00 pm
In 1974 it snowed in the middle and end of March. I remember it well because we came back to the UK for a holiday, I was 7 and it was the first time I remember seeing snow. As I woz a crip wearing fibreglass crip-legs (and shorts), I was not allowed to play in the snow. 7-year-old me was Very Cross.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 21 March, 2013, 04:35:24 pm
I'm sure I have some phone pictures of thick SNO in London on April 8 one year but can't remember year or location of pictures...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 21 March, 2013, 05:56:02 pm
You can get the year from the EXIF info in one of the JPEGs, via http://regex.info/exif.cgi if not your image viewer.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 21 March, 2013, 05:59:18 pm
Yebbut I don't know where the picture file is.
It's probably on my other laptop and the file name would give the date anyway.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 21 March, 2013, 06:03:32 pm
Ah   :facepalm:

Like Biggsy, I assumed you meant 'location' in the geotagging sense.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 21 March, 2013, 07:43:44 pm
Quote from: Kim on 21 March, 2013, 06:03:32 pm
Ah   :facepalm:

Like Biggsy, I assumed you meant 'location' in the geotagging sense.

Hardly. I took photo through glazed kitchen door chez moi!

Then I remembered I'd put it on Flickr (and realised the date wasn't quite right).

It was 6 April 2008.

(http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2312/2391237109_cbcd2654e2_o.jpg)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rogerzilla on 21 March, 2013, 08:05:22 pm
Broadband is down.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 21 March, 2013, 08:16:29 pm
No doubt your string is wet or frozen. Isn't technology great?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 21 March, 2013, 09:22:40 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 21 March, 2013, 04:02:00 pm
In 1974 it snowed in the middle and end of March.
And at the beginning of June 1975. I woke early because I was bloody freezing, & saw the snow on the Chilterns from my bedroom window.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 22 March, 2013, 09:59:28 am
For some reason HMRC have removed my tax relief on my HPC fees and BAOT subscriptions from my tax code. In fact, they removed it in November and I didn't know until I got my new tax code yesterday.

This is a grumble and not a rant because I rang them and they sorted it straight away without me having to send in a written claim.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 22 March, 2013, 10:20:18 am
Quote from: Basil on 21 March, 2013, 03:13:11 pm
Quote from: Kim on 21 March, 2013, 02:58:40 pm
I achieve the impossible and get Brummies to (mostly) agree on a date for something, and the weather has to go and ruin it...  >:(
I'm feeling really sorry for Kim.  I know she's put a lot of hard work into this.
I'm old enough to remember the '63 winter.  It was horrendous and extremely cold.  But only in the WINTER.  The weather was fine by the end of March.  What the hell is going on this year?  >:(

Glomate warmange? 
 
Or would that be clibal chaning?

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 22 March, 2013, 10:30:05 am
Nah.  Government cutbacks, innit?
Last year they abolished summer and we went straight from spring to autumn.

This year we go straight from winter to autumn.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 22 March, 2013, 10:51:56 am
HMRC have changed my tax code to yoink money I don't think they're entitled to yoink, too chicken to use the court system they use a system I can't challenge legally at all. I am in the process of suing the fuckers for disability discrimination but that's slow and tedious and I'm not sure I'll recoup my losses caused by their accessfail.  Lawyering is SO boring! (grumble grumble)

Work was the usual half arsed gritting effort in the snow.  Some paths but not others.  Our road/paths at disability services are beautifully gritted, shame the pavements to GET TO US are useless and have piles of snow blocking access to the nice gritted bits.  The ramped routes between disabled parking and disabled accesses are FAAAAIL.   So bored of this stupidity!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 23 March, 2013, 05:14:18 pm
I appear to have lost my GPS. >:( I'll have no hope of navigating on tomorrow's audax without it, so it had better make itself known soon! I know it's around here somewhere...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 24 March, 2013, 05:40:58 pm
Drivers who sit in the middle lane and ignore the left-hand lane; just don't. Tossers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 24 March, 2013, 09:43:09 pm
More Royal Fail.  "Welcome to your handy price guide".  Yeah, I'm sure it's handy if you've got an A3 printer or the eyes of a bionic man.

http://www.royalmail.com/sites/default/files/RoyalMail_OurPrices_April2013b.pdf

Anyway, more changes to familiarise yourselves with there.  Standard Parcels is being scrapped.  Packets are being replaced with Small Parcels and Medium Parcels.  No Large Parcels.

http://www.royalmail.com/parcels-made-easy

http://www.seajays.org.uk/postage/index.cfm
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 24 March, 2013, 10:46:30 pm
Gah, driving back from the bike shop today, 60mph limit, admittedly some snow had fallen but not really, none on the roads, verges and hedges dusted but still >90% green/brown rather than white. None falling at the time, roads not even wet, can maybe see sense in doing 50mph or so rather than sitting on the limit.

So I've no idea why the person in front felt that 30mph was too fast and jumped on the brakes everytime they reached it  :facepalm: And then of course they still stayed at 30mph through the 30 limit sections. Odd.

And no, I wasn't tailgating and therefore inducing the braking, I was a good distance back.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 25 March, 2013, 12:09:56 pm
Quote from: fuzzy on 20 March, 2013, 08:33:21 am
Office Slob.

As a result of having to put up with you spending yesterday morning coating the office with the lining of your lungs, I and at least one of my colleagues have developed a tickly cough.

Tosser >:(

Update:

Tickly cough progressed that day to a runny nose, thick head and chills. Cue going to bed at 9:30 Wednesday evening, an hour and a half after dinner, where I stayed, at varying levels of conciousness, with the shivers, the sweats, the achey joints, the open mouth breathing, the feeling like complete and itter shite, until 10:30 Friday morning. no food, no fluids, no animation just solid staying in bed.

Really fucked up my wall demolition and brick recycling schedule >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 25 March, 2013, 02:43:49 pm
I hate my guts  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Dora on 26 March, 2013, 08:45:00 am
There are at least twenty empty, forward facing rows of seats on this train, do you HAVE to sit there?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 26 March, 2013, 09:18:28 am
Local bakery, as in next to the bus stop for the local tube station.  I don't buy much there, but thought I'd pick up a croissant or two on my way in to the office this morning.  But I couldn't as they don't open until 08:00.  ???  The mind boggles at all the passing trade they're missing.  Even if they opened at 07:30 it would be worth their while.

At least they're not like a fishmonger near where I lived in Leyton - open M-F, 9-5.  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 27 March, 2013, 08:24:47 am
Went to work this morning. Because I got my rota mixed up. So now I'm at home again. And will miss the pubbe run tomorrow. Because I'm working.

Arse.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 27 March, 2013, 08:57:58 am
Our stupid unergonomic inadequate storage lockers are so horrid that this morning my favourite mug, which says Queen of F*cking Everything on it, jumped out and sustained a severe disability (smashing of the handle into 4 pieces). I am devastated. And so is the mug.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 28 March, 2013, 10:42:11 am
Feeling particularly stupid (and uncomfortable) after walking into a metal sign attached to a lamp post.

I must stop looking a the floor for dog sh1t when I'm walking.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 28 March, 2013, 11:05:51 am
I once walked into a lamp post while reading a newspaper.

Outside my partner's house, so I had no excuse for not knowing it was there. :-[
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 28 March, 2013, 01:46:37 pm
Remember Absent-minded Mr Rabbit from the Richard Scarry stories?  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 28 March, 2013, 02:11:53 pm
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 28 March, 2013, 01:46:37 pm
Remember Absent-minded Mr Rabbit from the Richard Scarry stories?  ;D
No.

But then may be he wasn't in Busy Busy World.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 28 March, 2013, 02:15:47 pm
Walking into things on the walk home from school because you're reading is an important part of growing up, surely?  In my day it was Pterry's novels that were main offenders, though I suppose these days it's usually Friendface or something.  It wasn't a really good book unless you had it confiscated in class or had to clean dogshit off your shoes because of it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Oaky on 28 March, 2013, 11:10:26 pm
SELF!!! - you are a twit!

You put a perfectly good unopened pack of 4 Energiser Lithium batteries (for GPS unit usage) somewhere "obvious" and "safe" and "impossible to miss", earlier tonight.

SO,  WHERE THE F-ing F ARE THEY?????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!?????
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 28 March, 2013, 11:35:13 pm
http://gajitz.com/heads-up-texting-and-walking-theres-an-app-for-that/
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Oaky on 28 March, 2013, 11:52:28 pm
As you were.. found them ... they were, predictably, in the last place I looked.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 29 March, 2013, 10:58:03 am
Of course they were. Only an idiot would continue looking after he'd found them.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 30 March, 2013, 09:35:19 am
Ah bum, the gps mount won't fit on my bike ready for tomorrow's Audax, stupid oversize bars. I can get a different mount of eBay but not in time for tomorrow. So I either ride without gps or take the old bike.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 30 March, 2013, 10:41:56 am
Quote from: Ashaman42 on 30 March, 2013, 09:35:19 am
Ah bum, the gps mount won't fit on my bike ready for tomorrow's Audax, stupid oversize bars. I can get a different mount of eBay but not in time for tomorrow. So I either ride without gps or take the old bike.

What gps/mount is it - and is there scope for bodging a mount using cable ties?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 30 March, 2013, 10:51:32 am
It's a garmin Etrex Vista with this (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GENUINE-GARMIN-RAIL-MOUNT-ADAPTER-FOR-ETREX-/360284568167?pt=UK_In_Car_Technology&hash=item53e2a23a67) mount. I've got a plan of getting this (http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_708509_langId_-1_categoryId_165636) light bracket and modifying the light section to take the garmin handlebar mount.

Though I'm not entirely certain the light bracket will fit round the bars either as it doesn't say what size it is. Not an ideal plan but Halfords is about the only place I can get to today. Worth a try at £5 anyway, plus B&Q is right next door so can look for bits and pieces to bodge some rear lights to the Bagman too.

I'll probably get the proper oversize mount in the end but this should hopefully suffice for tomorrow .
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 30 March, 2013, 10:52:15 am
That or I duct tape the unit to my forearm  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 30 March, 2013, 10:58:41 am
How about pushing out the hinge pin from the front and running a wire loop/thin cable tie through the holes with it separate?

I rounded off the screw on a mount just like that (well it was actually the oversize one) on a bike and ended up dismantling it from the hinge. As I was levering it apart the mount now looks rather scruffy but I managed to pin it back together and it's currently on my commuter.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 30 March, 2013, 11:01:13 am
Do you mean just strap the top half on or extend the hinge with wire and use both halves? Either way it's worth looking at, I'll be right back.

ETA: Hmm, might work if I get some Sugru or similar to alter the raduis of the 'hole' in the top half, looks like I might need to remove the crosstop levers though, will try the Halfords doofer first I think.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 30 March, 2013, 11:05:10 am
I was thinking use both halves, as I'm not sure how you could attach it with just the top. If you can find a way of getting decent cable-tie grip on just the top half that may be a goer though :)

Just going to have a look at my mount to se how big the holes actually are. If they are big enough to get a thin cable tie through then you could try ties from the hinge holes to the screw hole from either side.

[edit]Having just looked, there's another idea. Take out the hinge, remove bottom half, put a long thin nail/tie through the two holes for the hinge on the top (they should be on the outside) and the cable-tie from that nail/tie round to the screw hole at the bottom end. Obviously, put some decent tape/inner tube underneath first :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 30 March, 2013, 11:08:04 am
The holes are pretty small but maybe putting the hinge pin back in the top half and ziptieing round that and through the bolt hole might work, depends on how strong the pin is really.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 30 March, 2013, 11:09:53 am
That's why I was thinking a nail - The hinge tube is hollow so I'm not sure how strong it is. OTOH it holds the whole mount together normally.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 30 March, 2013, 11:19:03 am
Yeah, maybe use two or more ties round the tube to spread the load a bit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Gruff on 30 March, 2013, 12:02:32 pm
Quote from: Ashaman42 on 30 March, 2013, 09:35:19 am
Ah bum, the gps mount won't fit on my bike ready for tomorrow's Audax, stupid oversize bars. I can get a different mount of eBay but not in time for tomorrow. So I either ride without gps or take the old bike.

This is why you (and everyone else) should have a 3D printer!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 30 March, 2013, 01:24:18 pm
I've been considering one for a while but can't really justify the cost.

Saying that would the finished product from one be strong enough for clamping with a bolt? I thought it was a bit brittle but I haven't looked that closely into it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 30 March, 2013, 05:05:51 pm
Npowerless

Employ some more customer service staff and give them working infrastructure - it's not as if you're short of cash. I've just been on hold for 72 minutes (After giving up three other times this week about 15 mins in) and even when I finally get through the poor harassed sounding woman at the far end of the line has to take my details and agree to ring back next week because their system is only partially working.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Gruff on 30 March, 2013, 05:49:21 pm
Quote from: Ashaman42 on 30 March, 2013, 01:24:18 pm
Saying that would the finished product from one be strong enough for clamping with a bolt?

Yes, absolutely. You can design your object to be as sturdy as you need, and the materials you can print with are common industrial plastics with sound mechanical properties (such as ABS, the stuff Lego is made out of).

I have self printed objects here which are bolt clamped and I'd have no qualms printing a phone or gps holder.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 31 March, 2013, 08:47:08 pm
Today, the NRM, Great Hall cafe.

I push tray with cake selection to till/hot drink counter. Girl looks at me.

Me: Two teas please.
Girl, turns to workmate who is talking to someone else, having overheard him: Oh, do you work at Wagamamas?
Him: <something or other about shifts>
Girl looks at me again.
Me: Two teas please.
Girl: Right. <inspects our cake choices, taps on till buttons> £8.35
MFWHTBAB hands over cash, gets change.
<Pause>
Me: Two teas?
Girl: Oh! <makes a tea and hands it over>
Me: TWO teas!
Girl: Oh. <makes another tea>

All the time, chatting to her workmate.

Honestly, how hard can it be?

Have sent sarky tweet to NRM.

While we're at it, the Inclinator (sort of angled lift platform) to the workshop isn't working, and a sign up says the parts are no longer available so they are looking into replacing it.

With all their workshop facilities and expertise, they can't MAKE parts?  I bet MFWHTBAB could. Stop wasting time and money on bloody Scotsman!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 01 April, 2013, 07:31:41 am
It started with a sore throat first noticed on the train back from that London last Tuesday…. Built up a bit so by the next morning, my first days Annual Leave since November 2012 I was feeling under the weather….. Thursday my sore throat was now so painful that I had to cancel my wife’s birthday lunch. Friday came the cough, the snot and the feeling mega weak….yuk, Man Flu.   ::-) :facepalm:

Saturday was spent in bed or sleeping on the sofa with hardly the energy to lift my head……

Sunday……….. happy, happy, happy….feeling less crap so went out for half an hour on my turbo with no ill effects….. perhaps the Man Flu has gone…..

Nope, here I am up early so I could do a 10 mile ride to the swimming pool and an hours swim but no, I feel like crap again so am going back to bed.

Such a wasted holiday weekend.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 02 April, 2013, 08:28:39 am
The calendar sez early April

The early appearance of Mr Sun and his angle in the sky sez early April.

The gardens round here say early March.

The temperature sez early February.

Come on. Get with the programme. I'm bored with this coldness now. :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 02 April, 2013, 08:31:46 am
Quote from: Guy on 02 April, 2013, 08:28:39 am
The calendar sez early April

The early appearance of Mr Sun and his angle in the sky sez early April.

The gardens round here say early March.

The temperature sez early February.

Come on. Get with the programme. I'm bored with this coldness now. :(

Er...its just started snowing in Stafford! We still have snow from the last fall in our garden!

This just isn't good enough. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 02 April, 2013, 08:36:22 am
Quote from: essexian on 02 April, 2013, 08:31:46 am
...its just started snowing in Stafford! We still have snow from the last fall in our garden!

This just isn't good enough.

GAD! :o

I think I'll just sit quietly and count my blessings.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 02 April, 2013, 08:50:54 am
Okay snow, now you make me look a prat as, as soon as I post my message above, you stop!

The heavy fall we stuffered today......


http://flic.kr/p/e87cSQ
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 02 April, 2013, 10:46:43 am
Sodding VPN.

I can get onto the internet, 'cos otherwise I wouldn't be able to post this!

From my other laptop (work provided) I can't.  they have them locked down so you can only access the internet through their proxy, which means you need to go via the VPN.  Today the VPN worked first thing this morning, now it don't work, which means WFH is a none-starter...

Luckily I can send an email as I have a Blackberry.

Time to make coffee, I think!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 02 April, 2013, 05:30:37 pm
My disabled Dad has been told that the district nurses have stopped treating leg ulcer patients at home, and also won't allow my Mum to carry on doing some of the expert-standard treatment herself any more, so he will have to go to the clinic twice a week instead.

The transport itself won't be a serious problem, but the inconvenience and stress of the whole thing will be hard for my Dad (and Mum who will go with him).  The nurse (who is no less unhappy than we are) said the stress will stop him getting better.  So it'll cost the NHS more in the long run.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 02 April, 2013, 07:24:05 pm
Biggsy, what would actually happen if your Mum carried on doing the treatment at home, which presumably she is doing now? Would the clinic refuse to do the other treatment or would they just tut or what?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 02 April, 2013, 07:43:35 pm
She couldn't carry on the treatment without the special dressings etc prescribed by the nurses.  She is going to try asking for special permission and prescriptions direct from the GP, but this may not be granted.  Rules are already being bent at the moment.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 03 April, 2013, 10:52:18 am
My order from Bike24 hadn't turned up and I was ready for a rant at the delivery company, that there were three people in the house when they claimed to have tried to deliver it.

After 12 years living in the same house you would think that I would know the house number. Seems not as I had entered 31 instead of 41 on the address form. My rim is now on its way back to Germany and I'll need to re-order it.  :-[
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 03 April, 2013, 11:03:50 am
Travelodge - I'm trying to enter my address but according to your database it doesn't exist. How about a box for filling in the number if not listed eh?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 03 April, 2013, 03:14:19 pm
Wishing people would stop addressing "congratulations on your civil partnership" cards[1] to "Nat and Kim".  It's confusing[2].

ETA:
Quote from: IRC
<nat> that *is* confusing
<nat> makes you worry we all signed in the wrong boxes
(Nat was one of our witnesses)


[1] Which are a thing.  Obviously.
[2] For those who don't know, my best ex is a 'Nat' (without any twiddly bits).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Dibdib on 03 April, 2013, 03:42:56 pm
Clipped one of the alloys on my new car already. I've had it all of a week. Muppet.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 03 April, 2013, 06:19:31 pm
(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hWtSB9ZO800/TSHhovrnLMI/AAAAAAAAHYU/e4M3QOZxheI/s400/Mel%2BAnd%2BKim%2B-%2BF.L.M.jpg)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 03 April, 2013, 06:33:01 pm
Which one's dead Basil? I can't tell.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 03 April, 2013, 06:35:53 pm
Quote from: Lindagordinho on 03 April, 2013, 06:33:01 pm
Which one's dead Basil? I can't tell.

Sorry.  Don't understand.  ???
Is one of them dead, or something?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 03 April, 2013, 06:37:21 pm
Oops
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 03 April, 2013, 06:40:13 pm
Someone else needs to tell him. I charge cash for breaking that kind of bad news.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Deano on 03 April, 2013, 06:41:27 pm
Basil: one of Mel and Kim (not Kim and Barakta) died of cancer, in the eighties or early nineties. She was very young.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 03 April, 2013, 06:41:41 pm
Oops too.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 03 April, 2013, 06:44:27 pm
Quote from: Deano on 03 April, 2013, 06:41:27 pm
Basil: one of Mel and Kim (not Kim and Barakta) died of cancer, in the eighties or early nineties. She was very young.

Oh bloody hell.  Too late to delete my post.
Apologies to Kim and barakta.  I hope I haven't caused offence.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 03 April, 2013, 06:44:58 pm
Laughing so much I wee'd a little bit there
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Deano on 03 April, 2013, 06:45:56 pm
Hold on - this is Kim, and popular culture. She may not have noticed..
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 03 April, 2013, 06:47:20 pm
Quote from: Deano on 03 April, 2013, 06:45:56 pm
Hold on - this is Kim, and popular culture. She may not have noticed..

As in "Kimbagger"?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Deano on 03 April, 2013, 06:48:11 pm
Quick, everyone - delete the last few posts!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 03 April, 2013, 06:50:04 pm
It's fine. Mel's the dead one. Horses for courses Basil  ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Chris S on 03 April, 2013, 06:58:50 pm
No! Don't delete anything! That was brill.

I just showed Boab that sequence and she's making some very weird noises; hysterical kind of noises.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 03 April, 2013, 07:33:40 pm
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1kkyh_mel-and-kim-respectable_music#.UVx16jeSl8M
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 03 April, 2013, 07:56:34 pm
Quote from: Kim on 03 April, 2013, 03:14:19 pm
Wishing people would stop addressing "congratulations on your civil partnership" cards[1]

[1] Which are a thing. 

OT, but the day I saw a Christmas card with "To my nephew and his partner", I knew that card manufacturers had gone too far with the personalisation...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 03 April, 2013, 08:17:08 pm
*reads above*
*boggles*
*giggles*
*hears Kim snorting*
Me: "Have you seen the Grumble thread dear?"
Kim: "Just reading it now *giggles*"

Not offended here.  Sorry to hear Mel died young but I loved the photo/reference.  Only on YACF! :)

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 03 April, 2013, 08:27:19 pm
Ain't never gonna be respectable.   :facepalm:

You know, I sat next to a Mel for a while in primary school (when that one was in the charts).  Neither of us had hair that big.

TBH, I was always more Mel & Sue than Mel & Kim.  Maybe that's why barakta got a card addressed to Natalya & Sam?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 03 April, 2013, 08:28:54 pm
Phew!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 08 April, 2013, 07:46:31 am
Roughly 3 hours sleep last night thanks to a) pain in my shoulder, b) noise from outside, c) mice running round the bedroom floor and squeaking.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Oaky on 08 April, 2013, 08:46:20 am
Train carriage manufacturers/fitters: how do you do it? Whenever I need a bin, it's luggage space and whenever I look for luggage space it's a bloody bin!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 08 April, 2013, 01:18:47 pm
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 08 April, 2013, 07:46:31 am
Roughly 3 hours sleep last night thanks to a) pain in my shoulder, b) noise from outside, c) mice running round the bedroom floor and squeaking.  >:(

This, but with knee and burglar alarms, rather than mice.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 08 April, 2013, 02:38:48 pm
Your knee is running round the bedroom floor and squeaking?  You need to get that checked out professionally.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 08 April, 2013, 06:02:21 pm
Dear Commie Pool staff, if you're going to change the lane sign from Slow Lane to Fast Lane, it might be a good idea to let the slow lane swimmers know.  :o
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 08 April, 2013, 11:33:52 pm
Every spring the sun comes back and every spring I'm ill or injured. Really really fed up with it
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 09 April, 2013, 12:00:15 pm
Where the muddy flip did I put my front door keys this morning ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 09 April, 2013, 01:26:32 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 09 April, 2013, 12:00:15 pm
Where the muddy flip did I put my front door keys this morning ???
In the front door?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Julian on 09 April, 2013, 01:48:20 pm
Quote from: Arch on 15 February, 2013, 06:45:26 pm
Quote from: Chris S on 15 February, 2013, 09:18:01 am
Oh FFS!

"The middle of the week is likely to see winds from the east or NE, bringing
colder-than-average temperatures to many areas. Coastal areas in the east
will be at risk of sleet or snow showers and a few convective showers may
form further inland."

This winter is never going to end, is it?  :(

Um, it is only mid February. By no stretch of the imagination is it not still justifiably winter.  Come back and grumble if it's still doing it in April.

It's April now.

*grumble*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 09 April, 2013, 03:07:16 pm
Well remembered!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 09 April, 2013, 03:31:07 pm
Quote from: Basil on 09 April, 2013, 01:26:32 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 09 April, 2013, 12:00:15 pm
Where the muddy flip did I put my front door keys this morning ???
In the front door?

They went missing some time between getting 'em off the hook in the kitchen and failing to use them to lock the front door.  I had to use the other set which have about a bazillion keys on them and weigh a ton >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 09 April, 2013, 03:48:17 pm
 Look next to the microwave. That's where mine turned up last time I lost them.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 09 April, 2013, 05:41:52 pm
JAWS/Zoomtext are fantastic pieces of assistive software but I hate tech supporting machines with them on cos the voices make me homicidal - inaudible AND annoying! </reluctant deaf AT sysadmin>
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 09 April, 2013, 06:23:34 pm
Quote from: Julian on 09 April, 2013, 01:48:20 pm
Quote from: Arch on 15 February, 2013, 06:45:26 pm
Quote from: Chris S on 15 February, 2013, 09:18:01 am
Oh FFS!

"The middle of the week is likely to see winds from the east or NE, bringing
colder-than-average temperatures to many areas. Coastal areas in the east
will be at risk of sleet or snow showers and a few convective showers may
form further inland."

This winter is never going to end, is it?  :(

Um, it is only mid February. By no stretch of the imagination is it not still justifiably winter.  Come back and grumble if it's still doing it in April.

It's April now.

*grumble*

I wore my sun hat at work for the first time today. You need to move up North a bit! ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 09 April, 2013, 08:49:59 pm
Quote from: Wunja on 09 April, 2013, 03:48:17 pm
Look next to the microwave. That's where mine turned up last time I lost them.

They turned up in my coat pocket ???

Now,  where has my Kindle disappeared to?  No, it's not down the back of the sofa...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 09 April, 2013, 08:54:58 pm
Is it in the toaster?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 09 April, 2013, 09:59:07 pm
Quote from: Kim on 03 April, 2013, 03:14:19 pm
Wishing people would stop addressing "congratulations on your civil partnership" cards[1] to "Nat and Kim".  It's confusing[2].

At risk of more 80s silliness, in this morning's post we received a bottle of champagne with a customised  "Nat & Kim" label on it.  For the full effect, the parcel had the sender's name[3] on the address label.   :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm:



[3] No, not my mother.  Though this level of inappropriateness is her trademark.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 09 April, 2013, 11:31:56 pm
I'm fed uo with my scalpy flake.  None of the special shampoos work.  :(

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 10 April, 2013, 01:15:32 am
Quote from: Kim on 09 April, 2013, 09:59:07 pm
Quote from: Kim on 03 April, 2013, 03:14:19 pm
Wishing people would stop addressing "congratulations on your civil partnership" cards[1] to "Nat and Kim".  It's confusing[2].

At risk of more 80s silliness, in this morning's post we received a bottle of champagne with a customised  "Nat & Kim" label on it.  For the full effect, the parcel had the sender's name[3] on the address label.   :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm:

[3] No, not my mother.  Though this level of inappropriateness is her trademark.

Yeah Kim's teetotal and I am virtually teetotal and think champagne tastes like fizzy battery acid.  I shall take it to work for our next work do and share it round those who will appreciate it...  Sweet (although possibly one upping sender's sibling) gesture, just totally not us.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 10 April, 2013, 02:54:48 am
Quote from: Biggsy on 09 April, 2013, 11:31:56 pm
I'm fed uo with my scalpy flake.  None of the special shampoos work.  :(


+1
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 10 April, 2013, 09:32:44 am
I'm fed up.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 10 April, 2013, 09:57:01 am
Quote from: Biggsy on 09 April, 2013, 11:31:56 pm
I'm fed uo with my scalpy flake.  None of the special shampoos work.  :(
I find sunshine works well, especially if combined with salt water. A week on a beach, & the worst attack goes away completely. In winter, getting up high in the mountains for maximum UV is good.

Steroid shampoo prescribed by my GP is also effective, but not to be used all the time.

The old coal tar stuff used to work well enough, but was taken off the market. The chemists-only stuff you can get now isn't as good. Probably not as carcinogenic, either, but when my scalp's sore & red & weepy (luckily rare: itchy & flaky is usually as bad as it gets) I don't care: gimme the carcinogens!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 10 April, 2013, 11:07:29 am
Isn't T-Gel still full of coal tar and nasties?

(Disappointed of scabby-head-town)

Mine's been much better lately.

Have you tried soaking your scalp in olive oil, Biggsy? Gives a week mebbes without 'snow' showers from your head.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 10 April, 2013, 11:16:26 am
Two broken components that make bikes unusable in two days - I'm running out of functioning bikes! :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 10 April, 2013, 11:34:03 am
Quote from: fboab on 10 April, 2013, 11:07:29 am

Have you tried soaking your scalp in olive oil, Biggsy? Gives a week mebbes without 'snow' showers from your head.


What do you do, paint it on and leave it for......?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 10 April, 2013, 11:41:35 am
I do find sunshine (and maybe just exercise) helps too.  I'm being too lazy to get out on the bike enough.

Oily and greasy products aren't nice to use when you have long thick hair.  I'm seriously thinking of shaving it all off again just so I can apply Vaseline Intensive Rescue direct to my dome.  People won't recognise me, though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 10 April, 2013, 11:53:59 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 10 April, 2013, 11:34:03 am
Quote from: fboab on 10 April, 2013, 11:07:29 am

Have you tried soaking your scalp in olive oil, Biggsy? Gives a week mebbes without 'snow' showers from your head.


What do you do, paint it on and leave it for......?
Yeah. Slather it on. Rub it in. Sit feeling like a dressed joint for an hour. Wash it out.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 10 April, 2013, 12:23:55 pm
Living in the Hour Glass zone :(

I need to add 10 entries to a database and its taken 2 hours so far
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 10 April, 2013, 01:12:55 pm
Quote from: Biggsy on 10 April, 2013, 11:41:35 am
I do find sunshine (and maybe just exercise) helps too.  I'm being too lazy to get out on the bike enough.

Oily and greasy products aren't nice to use when you have long thick hair.  I'm seriously thinking of shaving it all off again just so I can apply Vaseline Intensive Rescue direct to my dome.  People won't recognise me, though.

Shave head, rub in VIR, go out and be embarrasingly outrageous. Get away with it cos no one knows who you are. What could possibly go wrong?

 :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 11 April, 2013, 12:10:15 am
I seem to have brought the Aberdeen weather to Houston. It was all lovely and hot this morning, if a little humid.
Come out of the office this afternoon, it's been raining and it's frikkin baltic!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mbt22 on 11 April, 2013, 12:42:43 am
It's your fault? I've just been blamed for bringing Yorkshire weather to Houston.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 11 April, 2013, 12:51:38 am
Well you blame me, and I'll blame you ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 11 April, 2013, 01:05:22 am
I have got the air con set to 'make warm'. This is very weird.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mbt22 on 11 April, 2013, 01:27:53 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 11 April, 2013, 12:51:38 am
Well you blame me, and I'll blame you ;)

Definitely Scottish rain. ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cycleman on 11 April, 2013, 10:38:41 am
could not sleep last night . doctor has put me on a course of big antibiotics and they are upsetting me  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 11 April, 2013, 12:21:21 pm
Why did I not stop at a cash machine? I have a wallet full of euros and no damned sterling.

Now starving and a $LONG_WALK from a cash machine...

GRRRRRRRRRRRR
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 11 April, 2013, 12:41:37 pm
Quote from: mbt22 on 11 April, 2013, 01:27:53 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 11 April, 2013, 12:51:38 am
Well you blame me, and I'll blame you ;)

Definitely Scottish rain. ;D

Cracking thunderstorm last night. Proper frikkin loud!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 11 April, 2013, 12:46:42 pm
Quote from: cycleman on 11 April, 2013, 10:38:41 am
could not sleep last night . doctor has put me on a course of big antibiotics and they are upsetting me  :(

Me too. Impressive flatulence mind.

Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 11 April, 2013, 12:41:37 pm
Quote from: mbt22 on 11 April, 2013, 01:27:53 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 11 April, 2013, 12:51:38 am
Well you blame me, and I'll blame you ;)

Definitely Scottish rain. ;D

Cracking thunderstorm last night. Proper frikkin loud!

Hmmmm.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 11 April, 2013, 12:51:01 pm
Lol :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Oaky on 11 April, 2013, 04:46:56 pm
Our office has digital thermostat-type heating/aircon controller devices upon which you can set a desired temperature.  This is As It Should Be.  :thumbsup:

Unfortunately you also have to tell it whether to use HEATING or COOLING to reach said desired temperature.   :facepalm:  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 11 April, 2013, 06:39:55 pm
Quote from: Oaky on 11 April, 2013, 04:46:56 pm
Our office has digital thermostat-type heating/aircon controller devices upon which you can set a desired temperature.  This is As It Should Be.  :thumbsup:

But do you get the cow-orkers who think "it's a bit cold", so rather than set it 1 degree higher and rely upon the cleverness to sort it out, they crank it up to full because that way it will get warm faster?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 11 April, 2013, 07:32:07 pm
Quote from: MattH on 11 April, 2013, 06:39:55 pm

But do you get the cow-orkers who think "it's a bit cold", so rather than set it 1 degree higher and rely upon the cleverness to sort it out, they crank it up to full because that way it will get warm faster?

 :facepalm: Oh God.  Don't start me off, Matt.

They're all on max
They're all off completely
They're all on max
They're all off completely
They're all on max
They're all off completely
They're all on max
They're all off completely
 >:(
Aaaarggg!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Marco Stefano on 11 April, 2013, 09:16:32 pm
Quote from: Basil on 11 April, 2013, 07:32:07 pm
Quote from: MattH on 11 April, 2013, 06:39:55 pm

But do you get the cow-orkers who think "it's a bit cold", so rather than set it 1 degree higher and rely upon the cleverness to sort it out, they crank it up to full because that way it will get warm faster?

 :facepalm: Oh God.  Don't start me off, Matt.

They're all on max
They're all off completely
They're all on max
They're all off completely
They're all on max
They're all off completely
They're all on max
They're all off completely
 >:(
Aaaarggg!

Unfortunately, Basil, the concept of tweaking is dead.

I know you will understand how I know this.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 11 April, 2013, 09:57:23 pm
Quote from: Oaky on 11 April, 2013, 04:46:56 pm
Our office has digital thermostat-type heating/aircon controller devices upon which you can set a desired temperature.  This is As It Should Be.  :thumbsup:

Unfortunately you also have to tell it whether to use HEATING or COOLING to reach said desired temperature.   :facepalm:  >:(
we have one of those.
I appear to be the only person in the entire building who knows it works like this.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 11 April, 2013, 10:06:23 pm
Just realised I have forgotten my flight socks.
My feet are going to be like balloons in the morning....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 12 April, 2013, 01:29:03 pm
Quote from: Basil on 11 April, 2013, 07:32:07 pm
Quote from: MattH on 11 April, 2013, 06:39:55 pm

But do you get the cow-orkers who think "it's a bit cold", so rather than set it 1 degree higher and rely upon the cleverness to sort it out, they crank it up to full because that way it will get warm faster?

 :facepalm: Oh God.  Don't start me off, Matt.

They're all on max
They're all off completely
They're all on max
They're all off completely
They're all on max
They're all off completely
They're all on max
They're all off completely
 >:(
Aaaarggg!

Tisk,  any fule kno that you should turn them to max and adjust for comfort by opening the window
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 12 April, 2013, 01:31:18 pm
Quote from: Wunja on 12 April, 2013, 01:29:03 pm
Quote from: Basil on 11 April, 2013, 07:32:07 pm
Quote from: MattH on 11 April, 2013, 06:39:55 pm

But do you get the cow-orkers who think "it's a bit cold", so rather than set it 1 degree higher and rely upon the cleverness to sort it out, they crank it up to full because that way it will get warm faster?

 :facepalm: Oh God.  Don't start me off, Matt.

They're all on max
They're all off completely
They're all on max
They're all off completely
They're all on max
They're all off completely
They're all on max
They're all off completely
 >:(
Aaaarggg!

Tisk,  any fule kno that you should turn them to max and adjust for comfort by opening the window

And turn the radiator on too.  Leastways that's how it works (FSVO works) here.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 12 April, 2013, 02:03:49 pm
Thank you, Defence Intranet Team, for that helpful "how-to" email for something I had  figured out for myself nearly 5 months ago. ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 13 April, 2013, 12:11:23 pm
When fitting roller blinds, wouldn't you think it would make sense to have the chain somewhere that can be reached?

No?

How long have you been fitting blinds?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 13 April, 2013, 04:32:17 pm
B0lleaux!

Just managed to strip one of the threads in the stem of the Scott - using a correctly set torque wrench.

Gah! Moar munny for Wiggle.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nikki on 13 April, 2013, 10:50:53 pm
This week's stats:

Number of words written for Arts Council funding application proposal: 3466 edited to 2614
Number of sheets of evidence prepared for LSF application: 25
Number of sheets of loo roll used: feckloads
Words written for this term's assessed essay: 0
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wowbagger on 13 April, 2013, 10:58:50 pm
Quote from: Lindagordinho on 11 February, 2013, 08:42:56 am
Golden shred. Only two bits of peel? Not good enough. >:(

Golden Shred is not marmalade.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wowbagger on 13 April, 2013, 11:03:00 pm
Quote from: Biggsy on 09 April, 2013, 11:31:56 pm
I'm fed uo with my scalpy flake.  None of the special shampoos work.  :(

Don't use them then. I just use water on my head now and it's a lot better than it used to be.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 13 April, 2013, 11:16:06 pm
Then I'd have an itchy head and trampy hair.  (I have tried).

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Oaky on 13 April, 2013, 11:16:57 pm
First day when I've felt able/happy to ride out in short sleeves and now I've got one forearm looking like Popeye with sunburn, courtesy of some bloody bity insect or other I guess.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 14 April, 2013, 05:35:30 pm
Ten minutes out in a wheelchair, wearing waterproof jacket + fleece was enough for me to look like a scarecrow with blue and white fingers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 14 April, 2013, 06:39:45 pm
Print on my new la vie claire cap disintegrated in the wash.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 14 April, 2013, 09:51:22 pm
I've got a cold, and it looks like we're a staff member down for tomorrow, when I'm already covering for someone who's having a day off. Joy.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 14 April, 2013, 10:57:59 pm
Where in the name of all things bluddy, is my AVO meter?  It's in this house somewhere.  There is no reason I can imagine where I could have taken it somewhere else.
It's got to the point now where I'm looking in underpant drawers, ffs. 
I wish I had a garage, 'cos I'd look in there.

Oh god!  I bet that's where it is.  It's in my garage that I haven't got!  Shit - wrong universe.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 14 April, 2013, 11:06:39 pm
Can lend you something newfangled and digital, if you get stuck...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 14 April, 2013, 11:16:04 pm
Thanks, but it's not really very important.  Just need to use it as a continuity tester. There's loads of places I haven't looked yet.  - In the "no idea what that is" drawer of the freezer, behind the bog U bend, for e.g.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 14 April, 2013, 11:18:59 pm
You wouldn't think an AVO would be that good at hiding, but the law of tools when you need them applies...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 14 April, 2013, 11:25:24 pm
Actually, it isn't a genuine AVO.  I just reverted into the habit of a past life where we tended to use the name "AVO" as a generic term as in "Hoover".
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 15 April, 2013, 01:11:26 am
Quote from: Basil on 14 April, 2013, 11:25:24 pm
Actually, it isn't a genuine AVO.  I just reverted into the habit of a past life where we tended to use the name "AVO" as a generic term as in "Hoover".

Pity.  If it were a genuine AVO you could at least get some bulldozers in for the "burn the haystack" approach, and be reasonably sure it would still be in working order...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Karla on 15 April, 2013, 02:48:20 pm
My entry to the BUCS 10 has fallen through the gaps, now I'm not riding. 

I was really looking forward to that.  After nearly a decade hanging around this place, it would have been my last chance to represent the university at national level.  It's also on a good course and I was hoping to do quite well - I'm pretty sure I could have got my best placing to date. 

At least I hadn't bought train tickets.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 16 April, 2013, 11:21:51 am
Bugger!  I appear to have eaten all my lunch already.
That means I'll be buying stupidly high priced unhealthy snacks from the stupidly high priced unhealthy snacks machine.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 16 April, 2013, 12:49:16 pm
Mobile phone :(

The battery has just died (not gone flat - more an impression of a Norwegian Blue). Of course despite having a charger plugged in at the wall without a working battery it still won't tun on :(

Looks like I'll have to hunt out the spare battery when I get home.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 17 April, 2013, 09:41:49 pm
Oh come on, who rigs a Patt.123 (OK, a Patt.123 copy) upside down?

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v326/ado15/IMG_3390_zps033ce2cb.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/ado15/media/IMG_3390_zps033ce2cb.jpg.html)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 17 April, 2013, 09:47:37 pm
Same lot who keep things Open White and rely on accumulated dust for that rustic effect.

Good to see the compulsory shuttlecock, though.   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 17 April, 2013, 09:54:50 pm
Ah yes, I was going to mention that.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nikki on 17 April, 2013, 10:21:38 pm
We used to do a SCIENCE demonstration in assemblies across the West Midlands that involved igniting a water cooler tank full of the vapour of something alcoholic1.

It wasn't deemed a success unless at least 3 shuttlecocks and a miniature football issued forth from the rafters!  ;D  :thumbsup:


1 Something like that, I seem to be a bit hazy about the details...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 18 April, 2013, 09:40:45 pm
I rarely eat crisps, but today I bought a large bag of poshly flavoured crisps from that well known chain of elderly socialist electricians, cos I was hungry and stuck in an isolation cell of commerce. Not only did they not taste good but my stomach really doesn't feel well now.  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 19 April, 2013, 09:16:00 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 18 April, 2013, 09:40:45 pm
I rarely eat crisps, but today I bought a large bag of poshly flavoured crisps from that well known chain of elderly socialist electricians, cos I was hungry and stuck in an isolation cell of commerce. Not only did they not taste good but my stomach really doesn't feel well now.  :(
I recommend getting crisps from a crisp manufacturer.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 19 April, 2013, 10:34:44 am
Neighbour..... you only mowed your back lawn on Monday so why on earth do you need to do it again today??? I did mine last weekend and it has hardly grown since.

Now have a headache.   :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 19 April, 2013, 10:38:17 am
Send 'em round to ours.  That wasn't mowed on Monday.  In fact, not since early last year... :-[
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 19 April, 2013, 11:44:16 am
Oh poo.  Looks like I'll have to do mine as well.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 19 April, 2013, 11:51:12 am
I did mine on Tuesday  O:-)

Only I didn't strim the fiddly bits and I'll have to do that over the weekend. I don't mind the task, so much, it's getting the darned cables all the way out and back that's the pain.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 19 April, 2013, 11:56:45 am
Never mind the bloody grass.  Mrs. B has just phoned to say that she hasn't been paid.  Her and 7000 others.
Bloody Hell!  That must be the whole Trust.
First payroll of the fiscal year computer fail?
Muppets.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 19 April, 2013, 12:00:33 pm
New system for paying General Practice failed this week on its first attempt.  With a lot of practices struggling to remain solvent, that's a disaster.  Fortunately, a late payment was achieved.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 19 April, 2013, 12:21:47 pm
Good job see told me while I was still in Llandysul on my breakfast ride.
*wanders off grumpily to atm*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 19 April, 2013, 03:21:29 pm
If my mousy pointer does not stop making a beeline for the top right corner of the screen when I'm trying to do pointy-clicky things, then a certain Babbage-rodent is going to have an accident shaped like a hammer.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 19 April, 2013, 03:36:35 pm
I had that problem last month. I had to disable the "pointstick" AKA the nipple with the pointer, not so easy with mouse pointer that had a mind of its own.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 22 April, 2013, 08:02:35 am
There's something liquidly odd going on in my guts. Someone has spent the night stamping on my right knee. They've also poured fine grit in my eyes and concrete in my sinuses. It must be Monday :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 22 April, 2013, 10:53:06 pm
Bugger!  Work tomorrow. 
Hope I can remember where it is.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 24 April, 2013, 11:45:33 am
My trousers don't fit. None of them. The size#lardy ones are faaaaar too big round the waist (like, falling embarrassingly down while walking, too big) and the size#slightlylesslardy are too tight around my Hoy-thighs. The size#normal ones are still too small.
In contrast, my boobs are lolling around a little bit lost in all my bras. Except the ones they sprout out of giving me that super-attractive 4-boob look. Or the mono-boob sports bras.

Anyone got a burqa? Size#slightlylesslardy?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 24 April, 2013, 12:48:06 pm
Braces

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: GothonaBrompton on 24 April, 2013, 02:44:41 pm
Quote from: fboab on 24 April, 2013, 11:45:33 am
My trousers don't fit. None of them. The size#lardy ones are faaaaar too big round the waist (like, falling embarrassingly down while walking, too big) and the size#slightlylesslardy are too tight around my Hoy-thighs. The size#normal ones are still too small.
In contrast, my boobs are lolling around a little bit lost in all my bras. Except the ones they sprout out of giving me that super-attractive 4-boob look. Or the mono-boob sports bras.

Anyone got a burqa? Size#slightlylesslardy?

M&S Modern Slim fit trousers (still just about fit me in the thighs, slim on the hips, cut more like a mans trouser, very straight cut).

Although I weigh more than I did a couple of years ago, my bum seems to be shrinking.  I bought some Levi jeans about 2 months ago as they actually fitted quite nicely (i.e. over my thighs) and when I went to put them on yesterday, they were hoooooge and all baggy.  Previous jeans have always got tighter when washed so not sure how that has happened.

One day I will find jeans that actually fit me.  Until then I am holding on to an ancient pair from Old Navy that I bought when I worked for a US airline and bought that kind of thing over there.  And living in black M&S treggings or jersey trousers.



Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 24 April, 2013, 02:48:41 pm
What on earth is this new trend of not knowing how to queue at a bar all about?  I’ve become aware of two rather annoying trends beginning to set in at my local.
It’s a reasonably large bar, usually staffed by two people (but more on busy weekend nights).  The normal method (surely?) is:  Walk to the bar, noting people who are already there before you, order when it is your turn.
However on approaching the bar recently I find either:

A)   Cloud queuing.  Only the people actually being served are anywhere near the bar.  Everyone else is hanging back keeping a respectful distance from those in front and from each other.  This cloud is so dissipated it is difficult to tell if some people are queuing or not.  Where am I supposed to stand?  Somewhere over the other side of the pub?  The bar staff generally have to plead for people to come forward next to be served and have no idea who is next.


B)   ATM queuing.  This is even worse.  No one can walk past this bloody great line of people who should be a small cluster at the bar and out of the way of normal pub traffic.  I loose patience and look to see who is at the back of the queue and then wander up to take a place at the bar.  The staff (bless them) might try to give me “regular’s precedence” but I don’t push in.  I let them know when it’s my turn.  (although my pint will have magically been started and is settling ready for the final top up)

Grumpy?  Moi?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 24 April, 2013, 02:55:57 pm
I wish my latest knee-strengthening exercises didn't make me look like I'm taking an impromptu dump...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 24 April, 2013, 04:18:43 pm
Herring bricked roads
The Netherlands has hundreds of thousands of miles of the damn things and every one of them sets up resonant vibrations in the bike that develop into a force that saps energy from moving you forward.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Oaky on 24 April, 2013, 04:32:32 pm
Quote from: Wunja on 24 April, 2013, 04:18:43 pm
Herring bricked roads
The Netherlands has hundreds of thousands of miles of the damn things and every one of them sets up resonant vibrations in the bike that develop into a force that saps energy from moving you forward.

The ones I hated most are the paths paved with square block setts where the sand underneath has moved to the extent that every one you ride over rocks as you go over it, sapping your speed/energy; making an alarming tinkling noise and leading you to wonder when you're going to ride over one that rocks so much that the next block will act like a kerb and flip you over the bars.

I seem to remember lots of stretches of that along this cycle lane: http://goo.gl/maps/74QIS
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Zipperhead on 24 April, 2013, 04:33:28 pm
Quote from: Wunja on 24 April, 2013, 04:18:43 pm
Herring bricked roads
The Netherlands has hundreds of thousands of miles of the damn things and every one of them sets up resonant vibrations in the bike that develop into a force that saps energy from moving you forward.

But I've heard that if grannies on their bikes hit just the right speed it puts a smile on their face.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 24 April, 2013, 04:59:50 pm
Herring bricks?   Dread to think what they smell like on a warm summer day.


Coat, please!  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 24 April, 2013, 06:06:26 pm
Why do I feel so utterly miserable all of a sudden? I feel like someone unplugged the sump of my happeh  reservoir and it's gone empty in the last hour.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 24 April, 2013, 07:32:46 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 24 April, 2013, 06:06:26 pm
Why do I feel so utterly miserable all of a sudden? I feel like someone unplugged the sump of my happeh  reservoir and it's gone empty in the last hour.
Blood sugar crash.   Eat more chocolate or cake, or chocolate _and_ cake.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 24 April, 2013, 07:41:48 pm
<not grumble> full of macaroni cheese n leek n bacon. Burp!
:)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 25 April, 2013, 02:17:44 pm
It seems my email account has been hacked and has been sending out much spam.
I've been locked out of access to my account and rest my password.
Chap on Helldesk didn't know radio alphabet and pronounced 'Sierra' like 'sharer' which confused me.

Apologies to anyone who's been spammed.
I understand from London Edinburgh London OTP I am not alone; another victim is also with <spit> BT.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 25 April, 2013, 02:24:31 pm
Quote from: fboab on 24 April, 2013, 11:45:33 am
My trousers don't fit. None of them. The size#lardy ones are faaaaar too big round the waist (like, falling embarrassingly down while walking, too big) and the size#slightlylesslardy are too tight around my Hoy-thighs. The size#normal ones are still too small.

This is the normal state for trousers, surely?  I use thigh-sized trousers with a belt.  It's almost comfortable, and does at least mean people keep asking if you've lost weight.

It's the cycling-specific stuff that has no excuse.  Endura, I'm glaring at you.  It's great that practical things like your 3/4 baggies go up to size #slightlylesslardy, but it would be nice if they had enough room around the thighs to actually operate pedals while wearing them.  I bought a set at the York Rally a couple of years ago, wandered around the field in them for a weekend, then discovered the ludicrous restriction around the quads on the ride home.   :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: arabella on 25 April, 2013, 09:22:22 pm
Quote from: TheLurker on 24 April, 2013, 07:32:46 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 24 April, 2013, 06:06:26 pm
Why do I feel so utterly miserable all of a sudden? I feel like someone unplugged the sump of my happeh  reservoir and it's gone empty in the last hour.
Blood sugar crash.   Eat more chocolate or cake, or chocolate _and_ cake.

light bulb goes on

Quote from: Kim on 25 April, 2013, 02:24:31 pm
This is the normal state for trousers, surely?  I use thigh-sized trousers with a belt.  It's almost comfortable, and does at least mean people keep asking if you've lost weight.

agreed.  except that the falling-down-trousers-style with belt looks strange (or I expect it does, but I don't have a mirror to check).  Instead of which my colleagues get a covered-up-by-jersey view when changing my shoes.

trousers are designed for people with jelly* (tick) and no leg muscles (not-tick)

*"mmm, jelly..." quoth younger guy, patting said jelly in affection
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 26 April, 2013, 08:25:30 am
I've told you before there's nothing unexpected about your errors. What I would like to see is the dialogue box which says "This page has unexpectedly worked!!!" but that implies you doing what you're told first time and that ain't gonna happen anytime soon. Is it.

Great steaming bucket of FAIL >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 26 April, 2013, 09:01:10 am
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 28 April, 2013, 10:57:13 pm
Quote from: Oaky on 24 April, 2013, 04:32:32 pm
Quote from: Wunja on 24 April, 2013, 04:18:43 pm
Herring bricked roads
The Netherlands has hundreds of thousands of miles of the damn things and every one of them sets up resonant vibrations in the bike that develop into a force that saps energy from moving you forward.

The ones I hated most are the paths paved with square block setts where the sand underneath has moved to the extent that every one you ride over rocks as you go over it, sapping your speed/energy; making an alarming tinkling noise and leading you to wonder when you're going to ride over one that rocks so much that the next block will act like a kerb and flip you over the bars.

I seem to remember lots of stretches of that along this cycle lane: http://goo.gl/maps/74QIS

Off road routes in Germany which have small hexagonal setts with holes in the middle through which grass grows  :hand:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: GothonaBrompton on 29 April, 2013, 09:56:34 am
Worked out why my rear Skully light wasn't working any more when I replaced the CR2032 batteries.  If you held the switch (the nose of the skull) in, the lights worked, when you released, it stopped working.  As if it wasn't making contact.

I checked my online order and realised I ordered CR2025 batteries, which look exactly the same, but are thinner.

I'm not using the light much at the moment as it is daylight now on the way home, but I do sometimes use when it is overcast.  And it was bugging me.

Note to self: check the details before placing order, as the picture of the packet looks exactly the same.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 29 April, 2013, 02:47:24 pm
Button cells like CR2032 have a number which specifies the dimensions:

2032 = diameter 20mm, vertical height 3.2mm.

A sad geek.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 29 April, 2013, 03:01:29 pm
Dear Wheelchair Service,
Thank you for supplying my new wheelchair. Unlike my old wheelchair, it is too heavy for me to manhandle it through my front door so I can't leave my house alone if I use it.
The 'pedals' between the rear wheels which are suppose to raise the castor wheels to climb a kerb or step are positioned such that the leverage is insufficient to raise them at all. This means I have to go backwards and allow far more time to cross a road. Given the timing of local pelican crossings, this is downright dangerous.
The web address on the last letter you sent me is out of date.
The phone number was correct but I really need to speak to a Real Human, not a fucking machine. At 2.30pm on a Monday afternoon, I really do not think this is unreasonable.
Mum has asked that I use my old wheelchair when we next go out together.
I'd really like to like my new chair but right now it only seems like a waste of NHS cash and clutter.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 29 April, 2013, 09:53:29 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 29 April, 2013, 02:47:24 pm
Button cells like CR2032 have a number which specifies the dimensions:

2032 = diameter 20mm, vertical height 3.2mm.

A sad geek.
Ain't just button cells. Where do you think the designation 18650 for common Li-ion cells comes from?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 29 April, 2013, 10:27:00 pm
I don't buy Li-ion cells, I do buy button cells...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Dibdib on 30 April, 2013, 02:49:13 pm
MegaCorp doesn't do cycle to work scheme. I want an n+1 :-(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 30 April, 2013, 03:42:05 pm
Yahoo Mail. I use you as I have a lovely address that is easy to share. Generally, you keep me satisfied. Now, however, when I access you via the iPad I am prompted to use your app to access my mail. Every, bleedin' time. I don't want to use it, so there. Even if I did, your link takes me to the Apple store, but not specifically to your app. Amateurish.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 30 April, 2013, 06:48:48 pm
Yahoo! Mail! Has! Been! Behaving! Particularly! Gittishly! Recently!

Just download the damn' thing into Thunderbird and let me decide whether it's an important message advertising the impending publication of the fourth volume of Doug Nye's history of BRM or a Bunch of Arse.  Srsly,  I can set up filters.

The only things I hate more than Tuesdays are Mondays.  And Fridays.  And Thursdays and Wednesdays.  Come to that, Saturdays and Sundays aren't that brilliant either, because I spend most of them asleep.  Fuck this BigCo and the horse it rode in on.  I'm looking...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 30 April, 2013, 06:54:38 pm
I have another flat on the back wheel of the Longstaff.It's deflated whilst just standing in the garage :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 30 April, 2013, 11:35:02 pm
I bought a new chain for the Bianchi a couple of months ago. Could I find it this morning? No chance. I looked in the spares box, emptying most of it out. I looked in the cycle tool box. I looked all over the bench; in the tool box again; I cleared everything off the bench; looked in the spares box; etc.

It finally, finally turned up after a couple of hours searching in the spares box, the first place I had looked. Is there a tool fairy who moves tools and components around when you aren't looking?

(It was in a silver packaging, not black as I remembered!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Zipperhead on 01 May, 2013, 10:45:36 am
I know how to tell when I'm getting old - if I find myself riding along in the back seat of a car and I read out loud every single sign that we pass.

Grrr
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 01 May, 2013, 01:49:06 pm
EDF: You put up my direct debit by £32 without asking me. You did that in the middle of a very harsh winter, based, I assume, on my energy usage at that time. I also assume that that was a ruse to get me to build up a massive credit balance over the next 6 months so you could earn interest on it. I don't like that idea. So when I call you to revise the direct debit amount, you tell me I have to clear my (small-ish) balance first. I don't like that idea either, especially as the direct debit amount you are taking will easily clear that within a few weeks. I wasn't in the mood to argue with you today, but, rest assured, I will call you next month when the balance is cleared and reduce the DD amount drastically.

And another thing or two: get your operatives to speak during very long silences so I know they are not filing their nails in the meantime and buy them some decent headsets so I can hear them and not what's going on in the background.

I can't see this being a long-lasting relationship, tbh.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Somnolent on 01 May, 2013, 02:47:59 pm
(http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/tt318/porkypete58/dpd_zpsa1d82eb5.png)

Dear DPD
I'm so pleased that you have invented a new type of internal combustion engine that enables your delivery van to run without putting any CO2 into the atmosphere, but I'm buggered if I'm going to click the link to your marketing bollox to find out how you did it.
And just WTF is a "sortation hub" ?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 01 May, 2013, 03:00:47 pm
I think they mean they'll plant a few trees to offset the carbon, but they could use electric vehicles charged off windmills, or cyclists eating food made by windmills.  I don't think DPD have any EVs in the UK yet.  DHL does.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: GothonaBrompton on 01 May, 2013, 03:05:49 pm
TNT have delivery bicycles in London .....

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Dibdib on 01 May, 2013, 04:20:19 pm
if they're spectacularly lazy they could just be buying CO2 certs to offset their usage, thus allowing them to claim to be "carbon neutral" without putting any extra effort in whatsoever.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 01 May, 2013, 10:02:35 pm
Quote from: Biggsy on 01 May, 2013, 03:00:47 pm
I think they mean they'll plant a few trees to offset the carbon, but they could use electric vehicles charged off windmills, or cyclists eating food made by windmills.  I don't think DPD have any EVs in the UK yet.  DHL does.

We use an electric truck for collections, powered by our windmill, and solar panels*. Also, Maximus trikes mostly powered, via our legs, by pasties and noodles.

But given that our truck currently manages a range of about 6 miles at 10mph, I'm not sure we're ready to take on worldwide deliveries, unless we have some very patient clients and/or a very long extension lead.

*not entirely powered by renewables sadly, we do draw off the grid. But I do coast downhill with the motor off whenever I can...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Somnolent on 02 May, 2013, 10:42:10 am
Dear SW Trains
I booked a journey on your site today, with ticket to be collected from the nachine at my local station.
So far so good, reference number provided etc.
I thought... I'll get that reference number texted to me so I don't have to print a copy of the reservation and waste acres of forest.
Certainly ... that'll be 25p !

25 p?   Five sodding shillings ?     Surely it must cost them about 5p (or maybe 10p if they are lousy at negotiating with their mobile provider)



Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 02 May, 2013, 01:58:00 pm
So, to the architects who decided to replace the bridge to the London Bridge concourse with escalators up to the very windy sterile space beneath the Shiteard, how do you feel now?  One escalator breaking (what? It's not been open long!) screwed up a lot of people's journeys last night, and meant the subway was rammed.

Perhaps some steps would have been an idea... >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Greenbank on 02 May, 2013, 02:19:31 pm
Quote from: PpPete on 02 May, 2013, 10:42:10 am
Surely it must cost them about 5p (or maybe 10p if they are lousy at negotiating with their mobile provider)

Bulk SMS rates (to UK mobiles) start at ~5p and go down to ~3p (and lower) if you buy enough (100,000+).

Quote from: PpPete on 02 May, 2013, 10:42:10 am
I thought... I'll get that reference number texted to me so I don't have to print a copy of the reservation and waste acres of forest.

Or just add it as a note/memo in your phone. It's only 8 characters or so to type in.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 02 May, 2013, 03:42:01 pm
My kids' primary school. During a recent disciplinary process you were extremely fastidious about following protocols and procedures with extreme rigidity to make sure you got rid of a perfectly decent employee. One governor in particular was very fastidious.

Now I get a letter home from you asking for £12 to send my kids on a trip. This trip forms part of the curriculum and is entirely within school hours. As far as I'm concerned, you are not entitled to charge for it. You CAN ask for a voluntary contribution, but you have to make it clear from the outset that "voluntary" is the operative word. Your letter makes no mention of this and assumes payment.

Given recent history, I am going to be an awkward bugger and not pay. Let's see what you do now, as you are not allowed to exclude my kids on that basis.

Protocols and procedures are great, aren't they?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 02 May, 2013, 03:56:48 pm
That trick really annoys me, AWL. I've seen a few schools do it and it is utterly unfair as people will assume that they have to pay (even when they are very short of money).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 02 May, 2013, 05:02:24 pm
The eldest AWL Jr's secondary school makes a very impassioned plea for contributions to the school fund. That really is blackmail, especially the way they word it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ham on 03 May, 2013, 11:16:17 am
It's a balancing act. AWL is perfectly right in the detail, and it should always be stated as a voluntary contribution. However, when it gets to a point in a class where there are too many of people exercising those rights for whatever reason, the only alternative to the school is not to arrange trips that will cost the school money if the voluntary payments are not received.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 03 May, 2013, 11:57:10 am
Having a tidy house is lovely. Not being able to find any of my stuff - less lovely.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Karla on 03 May, 2013, 12:13:53 pm
One day before the biggest inter-varsity sporting event in Europe, we've had our MTB track disallowed due to some birds that everyone knew was there way in advance, and we're being asked to help the groundsmen rake rocks off the road track - yes that's the 1km track we were promised weeks ago, on which we could really have done with some practise laps before the point when we're meant to be tapering for tomorrow's race!  If they had the faintest doubt about whether it was going to be ready, they should have told us so we could submit a notification for a road TT in the requisite time.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 03 May, 2013, 01:53:27 pm
Quote from: Ham on 03 May, 2013, 11:16:17 am
It's a balancing act. AWL is perfectly right in the detail, and it should always be stated as a voluntary contribution. However, when it gets to a point in a class where there are too many of people exercising those rights for whatever reason, the only alternative to the school is not to arrange trips that will cost the school money if the voluntary payments are not received.
Yes, I agree. However, the wording of the message that we got home is so far removed from the DfE guidance on the subject as is possible. The word "voluntary" is not mentioned and the form to fill in assumes payment will be made, further undermining the voluntary nature of the contribution. There is also an element of "up yours" in my attitude, which is not very constructive, I have to admit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 03 May, 2013, 01:54:52 pm
I am a fucking idiot!

I have waited 3 months for a new appt with my ENT specialist.

Then I go and forget all about it (it was at 09:20 today!)!

IDIOT!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 03 May, 2013, 02:00:04 pm
Quote from: Mr Bunbury on 03 May, 2013, 12:13:53 pm
One day before the biggest inter-varsity sporting event in Europe, we've had our MTB track disallowed due to some birds that everyone knew was there way in advance, and we're being asked to help the groundsmen rake rocks off the road track - yes that's the 1km track we were promised weeks ago, on which we could really have done with some practise laps before the point when we're meant to be tapering for tomorrow's race!  If they had the faintest doubt about whether it was going to be ready, they should have told us so we could submit a notification for a road TT in the requisite time.

Is this in a certain south yorkshire city? The verdict from the Uni club is that that particular entity would have problems finding their ass with both hands, let alone organising anything involving consumption in a venue where production occurs. Maybe we should have put in a bid :) BUCS hill climb, 10TT and road race all in sunny scottishland on well tested and testing courses.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Karla on 03 May, 2013, 09:38:18 pm
Quote from: David Martin on 03 May, 2013, 02:00:04 pm
Quote from: Mr Bunbury on 03 May, 2013, 12:13:53 pm
One day before the biggest inter-varsity sporting event in Europe, we've had our MTB track disallowed due to some birds that everyone knew was there way in advance, and we're being asked to help the groundsmen rake rocks off the road track - yes that's the 1km track we were promised weeks ago, on which we could really have done with some practise laps before the point when we're meant to be tapering for tomorrow's race!  If they had the faintest doubt about whether it was going to be ready, they should have told us so we could submit a notification for a road TT in the requisite time.

Is this in a certain south yorkshire city? The verdict from the Uni club is that that particular entity would have problems finding their ass with both hands, let alone organising anything involving consumption in a venue where production occurs. Maybe we should have put in a bid :) BUCS hill climb, 10TT and road race all in sunny scottishland on well tested and testing courses.

No, it's a certain city in North Yorkshire, The good news is that after the first day's hostilities, we have a slender lead (http://www.yusu.org/roses) over our ancient foes.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 03 May, 2013, 10:13:27 pm
Cough. Plz to be farking off nao? No, really.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 04 May, 2013, 01:09:54 pm
Dear Postman,

Do you know how and when to use a doorbell?
I know there's a knocker on my front door but you used it rather softly; it's actually quieter than the letter box, to which we attend at our leisure. I was upstairs in the bathroom and David was asleep when you came and thought there was post but no knocking.

As a result of your failure to use the doorbell, the foreign currency I ordered for David's trip abroad will not now arrive until after he has left, meaning we will have wasted time, trouble and money. David will now have to get cash elsewhere, at less favourable rates.

Thanks a bunch!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Gattopardo on 04 May, 2013, 05:11:03 pm
Where is my get up and go?

Bought a cheap pair of cycling shorts in halfords, now the security tag is still on it.  So thats got to go back.  Have a list of things to do and not doing any of them.  Have absolutely no energy/will to move.  When I do brave the outside world it seems to go overcast and windy.  The weather does not like me :(

Oh and ebay - filled with people who cannot read.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 04 May, 2013, 11:11:46 pm
We used to have a "please use doorbell" sign on the door when we lived in Sheffield cos otherwise they'd either knock & run which we didn't hear or just not bother.  Something weird about Sheffielders where no one used doorbells.

I used to send RM some right old grinks advising them that there was a SIGN, and that when doorbell was used it triggered off a computer which made the lights flash and other things because I'm deaf, their staff failure to use it is an accessfail and I could DDA them.  It usually solved the issue till the next postie changed or we got the holiday postie. 

I hope David is able to find some money at not too unfavourable rates before his trip.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 04 May, 2013, 11:21:01 pm
Thanks! I'll have to change money back, which is also a hassle (I think RBS do it free, thankfully) but getting to a bank is not that easy. Mum doesn't know of David's plans; otherwise I could offer her the currency as she visits Denmark fairly frequently.
I'm just miffed that postie CNBA to use the doorbell.
It appears from Facebook that my experience is far from unique.
David is only going away for a few days so he won't need much cash; I suspect convenience will now trump thrift.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 05 May, 2013, 11:04:15 am
There's a burst water main in the Pleasance and as a consequence, there's very little water coming out of the taps. I was going to have a shower before I went out for lunch, but now I won't be. I will have to stick my head under the tap at least though - my hair looks like Woodstock.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 06 May, 2013, 04:56:09 pm
On a rare day out without a bike: W9 bus driver near on a north London hail and ride section totally blanked me when I tried to hail his bus.  If it was not an appropriate to stop for any reason then at least he could have waved, shaken his head or mouthed something, but, no, he just stared ahead as if he'd not seen me on the edge of the pavement with my arm sticking out.  Rude!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 06 May, 2013, 06:58:09 pm
Schwalbe Blizzards! >:( One puncture on Thursday, then two in one ride (one for each wheel) today! You're going in the bin, I'm afraid, lest I ever be tempted to retrieve you from the shed again.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 06 May, 2013, 07:06:54 pm
Durano.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 06 May, 2013, 07:35:47 pm
Hotel restaurant closed at 7, as they go into Sunday mode for bank holidays. I found this out at 7:20. :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 06 May, 2013, 07:50:40 pm
Quote from: Andrij on 06 May, 2013, 07:35:47 pm
Hotel restaurant closed at 7, as they go into Sunday mode for bank holidays. I found this out at 7:20. :(
Bummer!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 06 May, 2013, 07:58:42 pm
TBH, missing a meal won't damage me. ;)  I am compensating by taking sustenance in the form of Guinness. :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 06 May, 2013, 08:01:46 pm
Quote from: phantasmagoriana on 06 May, 2013, 06:58:09 pm
Schwalbe Blizzards! >:( One puncture on Thursday, then two in one ride (one for each wheel) today! You're going in the bin, I'm afraid, lest I ever be tempted to retrieve you from the shed again.

Oooh, if you don't want them, can I have them to turn into something else?

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 06 May, 2013, 08:02:43 pm
Looks like I'll miss the Rollright Stones ride because of family-related stuff :(

On the one hand I still get to have a decent length ride (here to my parents' place is about 85 miles) but on the other I'll be missing an opportunity to meet new people1. Damn, blast and arsebiscuits :(

1 - obscure relatives don't count.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 06 May, 2013, 08:06:17 pm
Quote from: Arch on 06 May, 2013, 08:01:46 pm
Quote from: phantasmagoriana on 06 May, 2013, 06:58:09 pm
Schwalbe Blizzards! >:( One puncture on Thursday, then two in one ride (one for each wheel) today! You're going in the bin, I'm afraid, lest I ever be tempted to retrieve you from the shed again.

Oooh, if you don't want them, can I have them to turn into something else?

Sure. I've got a bagful of tubes I've been meaning to give to you at some point too!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 06 May, 2013, 09:08:33 pm
Quote from: phantasmagoriana on 06 May, 2013, 08:06:17 pm
Quote from: Arch on 06 May, 2013, 08:01:46 pm
Quote from: phantasmagoriana on 06 May, 2013, 06:58:09 pm
Schwalbe Blizzards! >:( One puncture on Thursday, then two in one ride (one for each wheel) today! You're going in the bin, I'm afraid, lest I ever be tempted to retrieve you from the shed again.

Oooh, if you don't want them, can I have them to turn into something else?

Sure. I've got a bagful of tubes I've been meaning to give to you at some point too!

Cool! Do you want me to come and collect them sometime? PM me...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 07 May, 2013, 03:44:52 pm
Quote from: phantasmagoriana on 06 May, 2013, 06:58:09 pm
Schwalbe Blizzards! >:( One puncture on Thursday, then two in one ride (one for each wheel) today! You're going in the bin, I'm afraid, lest I ever be tempted to retrieve you from the shed again.
Whilst I'm not exonerating the Blizzards, this is prime hedge cutting season. A group of us got caught out on a towpath recently that was strewn with hawthorn cuttings. My usually hardy Schwalbe Land Cruisers succumbed & they are "puncture-resistant".
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 11 May, 2013, 09:30:38 pm
Could someone tell the BBC, Channel 4 news, & everyone else I've seen reports on the G7 summit from that Hartwell is NOT Aylesbury. I know it's very close (I occasionally walked there across the fields when I was a child), but it's still a village outside town, & is not part of Aylesbury either administratively or in the minds of its people.

The name of the building the summit is being held in might be a clue. It's not called "Aylesbury House".
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 11 May, 2013, 09:59:04 pm
Shoulder blade - I have no idea what I have done to you but can you please be stopping hurting now? :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 12 May, 2013, 02:38:21 pm
If I ever become one of those women who insists on swimming side by side with her boyfriend in a 2-way lane which just has room for single file, please take this as permission a request to drown me.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rogerzilla on 12 May, 2013, 02:44:51 pm
It's taken me several years to realise that the title of this thread (minus the part after the hyphen) could be miscontrued as being a collection of everyone's favourite Frankie Vaughan collected from the Internet,.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Clare on 13 May, 2013, 01:46:20 pm
There's a woman sat opposite me doing a "K'HERRrrrrm" cough every 10 seconds.

It's driving me bonkers. If she carries on I may have to sing my ear worm at her to get it out of my head.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 13 May, 2013, 02:11:13 pm
Hardware maintenance company, you are a bunch of useless workshy twats >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 13 May, 2013, 03:56:53 pm
Ouch ouch ouch!

Did a cycling facilities trial at TRL today - and came off. Didn't seem bad at the time, & I carried on with the trial, then cycled home. But now, my hip is complaining bitterly about being abused. I bashed it right on the head of the femur. Hardly any mark on the surface, but tender as hell when I press on the bone, & stiffening up rapidly.

Also got a scrape on my elbow, but that's just surface. Friction burn from cloth, I reckon - and the TRL first aider who they asked me to see when I'd finished also thought so.

Tight left turn, wet road, bit of grit on the surface, old markings painted over. I'm not sure which bit the back wheel went out on. Managed to pull it back, then went over the other way.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 13 May, 2013, 04:24:50 pm
I hope you reported it and it was properly written up.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 13 May, 2013, 04:34:14 pm
<mutter> Well, I thought someone might think my link to Cmdr Hadfield singing Space Oddity in space was cool enough to say so. </mutter>
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 13 May, 2013, 04:41:40 pm
Quote from: Arch on 13 May, 2013, 04:34:14 pm
<mutter> Well, I thought someone might think my link to Cmdr Hadfield singing Space Oddity in space was cool enough to say so. </mutter>

I think most of the internet saw it already, so didn't read the thread.  Anyway, we had an astronomer visiting.

For the avoidance of doubt, Hadfield wins the internet.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 13 May, 2013, 04:49:00 pm
Quote from: Kim on 13 May, 2013, 04:41:40 pm
Quote from: Arch on 13 May, 2013, 04:34:14 pm
<mutter> Well, I thought someone might think my link to Cmdr Hadfield singing Space Oddity in space was cool enough to say so. </mutter>

I think most of the internet saw it already, so didn't read the thread.  Anyway, we had an astronomer visiting.

For the avoidance of doubt, Hadfield wins the internet.

I only saw it first thing this morning* and posted it here straight away. I even had a quick look to see if it was already posted! As ever, I'm behind the times...

*Well ok, first thing when I got up, about 9.30...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 13 May, 2013, 04:52:12 pm
It was all over twitter last night.  Probably friendface and the like, too.  One of my friends has gone off on a whole Hadfield-worship thing.  By this morning, I'd started tuning it out.

And tbh, the Is Someone Singing live singalong with people across Canada was more awesome than the Bowie filk.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 13 May, 2013, 05:03:25 pm
Quote from: Kim on 13 May, 2013, 04:52:12 pm
It was all over twitter last night. 

Oh that was my mistake, turning the internet off early last night to sit in bed and watch telly with MFWHTBAB.

Ok, so now I know I'm old hat, is it possible to download Is Somebody Singing (the version with the Bare Naked Ladies) from anywhere? I'd really like to have it on my shuffle list.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nikki on 13 May, 2013, 05:36:03 pm
Quote from: Arch on 13 May, 2013, 04:34:14 pm
<mutter> Well, I thought someone might think my link to Cmdr Hadfield singing Space Oddity in space was cool enough to say so. </mutter>

*shuffles apologetically*

I'm not on Twitter or the other one: I saw your post and got to see a video that I would otherwise have missed, so
a) thank you Arch!
and b) cool!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 13 May, 2013, 06:25:26 pm
Quote from: nikki on 13 May, 2013, 05:36:03 pm
Quote from: Arch on 13 May, 2013, 04:34:14 pm
<mutter> Well, I thought someone might think my link to Cmdr Hadfield singing Space Oddity in space was cool enough to say so. </mutter>

*shuffles apologetically*

I'm not on Twitter or the other one: I saw your post and got to see a video that I would otherwise have missed, so
a) thank you Arch!
and b) cool!

 ;D
 :thumbsup:

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 13 May, 2013, 06:29:29 pm
Two PCSOs standing in side street by school to stop anti-social parking - good. BUT, <50 yards away, folk were parking on zig-zags outside the school entrance and they were totally ignoring it!!! I did have a word.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 13 May, 2013, 08:01:17 pm
Quote from: David Martin on 13 May, 2013, 04:24:50 pm
I hope you reported it and it was properly written up.
Reported? Witnessed by at least 10 people, both trial participants & TRL staff, & I think it was on camera. They logged it as an incident without any prompting. Two forms filled out, one by a manager & one by the first aider. Sensible description on the manager's form, noting the possibility of the state of the track being a contributory factor. Not that I'm intending to sue them - certainly not if it's no worse than I think it is.

Stuck a big anti-inflammatory patch on it, & it's eased off a bit, but I expect it'll be bloody stiff in the morning.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 13 May, 2013, 08:15:27 pm
*Still* have armfail 5 days and counting.  Think I may have managed to bugger it in two places which are competing for failure which is why it's taking so long to recover.  I'm beyond digestive tolerance for diclofenac or anything else that works so being "careful" it is I guess...  BORING!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 13 May, 2013, 10:03:17 pm
Dammit self, you booked today off as you were meant to be driving back from an Audax yesterday that you didn't sign up for anyway. You should at least have got some miles in, I know you were enjoying your computer game and I know it was all a bit blowy outside but what a waste of a days holiday  :facepalm: :-[

Ah well, I will say that the quick 8 miles round trip to a friend's house (to try on his jacket re sizing for my new one) was not very fun so I guess not getting the miles in isn't a great loss - somehow I had a headwind there and on the way back.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 14 May, 2013, 07:34:48 pm
Sister: stop Facebook liking all sorts of shite that comes your way, such as PETA information. You are about as aware of these issues as every other Daily Heil reader, so you only like them to seem more "cred". The latest one about linking being proud, British and royalist, as if no other combination would work, drew a response that I hope makes you think, but I doubt it will.

And, by the way, you've already told the whole world umpteen times that you are flying off to Canada on Thursday, so we don't need/want the frequent updates about your latest pre-hols purchases. Paintball's Coming Home was written about you!!!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 14 May, 2013, 08:10:28 pm
We have a dead Sainsbury's electric kettle to recycle. Finding out how and where to do this meant trawling through multiple websites:

Sainsbury's: after trawling through website, it seems they have conveniently discharged their WEEE obligations by putting money into others' recycling banks. They do not take goods back.

recycle-more.co.uk usefully gives me location of nearby recycling banks by road and postcode. Does not tell me where bank on Burnt Oak Broadway HA8 0BE actually is.

brent.gov.uk tells me recycling centre is at Abbey Road, which Google maps informs me is 5.7 miles away.

barnet.gov.uk tells me location of recycling bank is in Tesco car park.

It's hardly surprising people just put things in the bin...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 14 May, 2013, 08:17:22 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 14 May, 2013, 08:10:28 pm
We have a dead Sainsbury's electric kettle to recycle. Finding out how and where to do this meant trawling through multiple websites:


Buy a pound shop cycle lock and lock the kettle out front.  It will be gone in the morning.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 14 May, 2013, 11:34:42 pm
Hmmm.

recycle-more.co.uk doesn't give information in a useful form for round here, nor is it complete. I can think of three small electrical appliance recycling bins within five minutes of here, each as part of bigger recycling banks. Two simply aren't shown on the map or listed, while the other is shown as being for batteries and waste electronics while it's actually for paper, plastics, the works ... And the only dump shown is for another borough.

On the plus side, it does seem to tell me most of the places I can recycle batteries.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 15 May, 2013, 12:11:24 am
Some indeterminate combination of Giffgaff / Nokia:  I appreciate that I'm getting what I pay for, but do you have to fail *silently*?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 15 May, 2013, 07:40:09 am
Spent y'day afternoon doing some more bike building, which involved various degrees of finger contortions and turning strain trying to adjust the disc calipers.
As a consequence the 1st joint on my index finger is now all fat and sore. Damn you arthritis, I'm not old enough for this shit yet.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 15 May, 2013, 08:34:10 am
Dear cow-orker,
As far as I am aware, your mummy doesn't work here.  So you're probably going to have to clean up your microwave/porridge explosion yourself.
"Soon" would be good, muppet.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 15 May, 2013, 02:11:32 pm
Corduroy Paving.
These days, I'm kind of in the trade. We fit this stuff.

This is the guidelines:
Quote from: The Government
On the cyclist side, the surface should be laid with the bars running in the direction of travel
(Figure 29 ).
This arrangement was chosen because it was felt the rumble effect created by the transverse pattern
would deter cyclists from entering on the pedestrian side.

However, your feelings were WRONG. Especially in the wet, the cyclist will ride over the bars at right angles, as then they wont catch their tyres and slip.

I should just take the road, really, but it's a nice path.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 15 May, 2013, 02:19:14 pm
Ugh.  The flat-top ones aren't too bad, but there are some cycle paths around here that have rounded-top.  Those are bad enough in dry weather, but in wet... *shudder*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 15 May, 2013, 02:27:33 pm
Quote from: Andrij on 15 May, 2013, 02:19:14 pm
Ugh.  The flat-top ones aren't too bad, but there are some cycle paths around here that have rounded-top.  Those are bad enough in dry weather, but in wet... *shudder*

There is a standard for this and many installations are non-standard and dangerous to cycles. One moment..

here is an informative post from another place on how to tell whether paving is meeting the specification:

You may wish to point out to the local council that installation of tramline paving with dimensions that do not meet the specs (and round tops do not) pose a significant risk to cyclists and could leave them liable to a claim for negligence. Make sure that letter is dated.

Quote
Some folk may be aware that in the West of England a Council was landed with a substantial bill after the wrong profile of tramline paving was used on a cycle route, and this may assist you in doing quick and dirty surveys of any paving or other road defects (and tram lines/thermoplastic lines themselves)

The standard, extensively tested by TRL about 20 years go for DETR (but with the records apparently untraceable) included testing by riding obliquely over the ridges, on cast concrete 'tiles' when the conditions were varied from dry to wet + liquid detergent.  Similar testrs were carried out on the rumble lines moulded in thermoplastic 'paint'.

The conclusions have informed various specifications for the tramline paving and profiled white lines etc.

To the detail, and the picture

The ribs on tramline paving should be no higher than 5mm AND FLAT TOPPED with a width of 30mm, and a gap between them of 70mm.  The attached photo shows some which has been installed on a new cycle route in Glasgow and I've used coins of the realm as my scaling guide.

The 1p coin is 20mm diameter and can provide a useful scaling aid for the gaps between panels on a level crossing (Network Rail spec - no gap larger than 10mm). On the photo it suggests that the ribs are about 20mm wide (not the 30mm spec)

The ORR spec on tram tracks notes thet the rail should be flush with the tarmac surface and in Nottingham we did emphasise that the 6mm tolerance should be entirely taken by the rail being lower than the tarmac - with feathered edges (ie +0mm to -6mm), although the diagrams suggest that +3mm is the maximum height for railheads and road markings.  This is very significant as those who have hit a crack or ridge running along the road where a trench has been repaired - even a very small vertical edge will knock your tyre sideways.

The £2 coin is 28.4mm in diameter - so on the correct profile of paving it should just about sit on the 30mm wide ribs and 2 x 1p with 1 x £2 should just about fit the 70mm gap.  The £2 coin (newer ones) is 2.5mm thick so a stack of 3 £2 coins (if you are this rich) should have the third coin able to slide and bridge, level between the top of the rib and the 2 coins stacked in the gap.

The £1 coin is approximately 3mm thick, which makes it a good measure for over thick thermoplastic lines, and with 2 you get 6mm the tolerance on height for tram rails.

A rough table below - DIY survey kit!

1 Penny (from 1992) 20.32 mm diameter, 1.65 mm thick ~ 0.75"

2 Pence (from 1992) 25.90 mm diameter, 2.03 mm thick  ~ 1"

5 Pence (from 2011) 18.00 mm diameter, 1.70 mm thick

10 Pence (from 2011) 24.5 mm diameter, 1.85 mm thick

20 Pence (from 1982) 21.4 mm diameter, 1.70 mm thick

50 Pence (from 1997) 27.3 mm diameter, 1.78 mm thick

1 Pound (from 1983) 22.50 mm diameter, 3.15 mm thick  ~ 3mm (max height for railhead/t/plastic road lining)

2 Pound (from 1997) 28.40 mm diameter, 2.50 mm thick  = 5mm (2 high) = height of tramline ridges ~ 30mm width of ridges

Sheet of A4 paper 297mm x 210mm - long dimension ~305mm = 12"
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 15 May, 2013, 02:33:03 pm
Quote from: fboab on 15 May, 2013, 02:11:32 pm
Corduroy Paving.
These days, I'm kind of in the trade. We fit this stuff.

This is the guidelines:
Quote from: The Government
On the cyclist side, the surface should be laid with the bars running in the direction of travel
(Figure 29 ).
This arrangement was chosen because it was felt the rumble effect created by the transverse pattern
would deter cyclists from entering on the pedestrian side.

However, your feelings were WRONG. Especially in the wet, the cyclist will ride over the bars at right angles, as then they wont catch their tyres and slip.

I should just take the road, really, but it's a nice path.

I saw some guidelines that used the word 'tramline' without a hint of irony.  Whoever came up with the standard was utterly clueless as to how a bicycle works.  I'll charitably assume that they were a disability bod, thinking that a bicycle was a bit like a wheelchair (and therefore hard work to push over bumps).

Unfortunately, it's an established standard, and visually impaired people would be stuffed by piecemeal changes.  The only sane approach is not to install it, and to pragmatically use the other side of the path as needed when cycling.  My experience is that blind people are usually sympathetic to the problem (they don't want us losing control or having to ride on the wrong side of the path either), and could therefore be useful allies when campaigning for better design.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 15 May, 2013, 02:33:05 pm
Quote from: jsabine on 14 May, 2013, 11:34:42 pm
Hmmm.

recycle-more.co.uk doesn't give information in a useful form for round here, nor is it complete. I can think of three small electrical appliance recycling bins within five minutes of here, each as part of bigger recycling banks. Two simply aren't shown on the map or listed, while the other is shown as being for batteries and waste electronics while it's actually for paper, plastics, the works ... And the only dump shown is for another borough.

On the plus side, it does seem to tell me most of the places I can recycle batteries.

Batteries are not a problem here as Brent collects them fortnightly from the kerbside.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 15 May, 2013, 02:39:28 pm
Quote from: David Martin on 15 May, 2013, 02:27:33 pm
*snip*

Thanks, that's very useful.  One set is on a path along a busy road (N Woolwich Rd, for those keeping track) in my borough.  I shall do some ground work and and have our local cycling group make a racket about it.  The other path is across the river (Greenwich, I think) so will write as a 'visitor to the Borough' and cc: Greenwich Cyclists.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 15 May, 2013, 02:44:07 pm
Why did I let my chain get into such a state?  I've just spent 15 minutes fighting with a powerlink.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hulver on 15 May, 2013, 03:34:17 pm
Oi, bits of various bikes. Please stop breaking. I want to use you, not be constantly replacing little bits that don't appear vital but are annoying when gone. I'm looking at you, gear cable barrel adjuster. And you, seat post clamp. Fracturing like that last night was very annoying.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hulver on 15 May, 2013, 04:43:24 pm
And now my lovely wireless mouse has stopped recognising half the clicks I give it :(

Although this might be related to me taking it apart to remove fluff from the wheel which was stopping the optical sensor registering scrolling, but it was working fine after I did that.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 15 May, 2013, 06:48:46 pm
Quote from: jsabine on 14 May, 2013, 11:34:42 pm


On the plus side, it does seem to tell me most of the places I can recycle batteries.

Assuming you mean AA and the like, not car batteries, they can be recycled* at any shop that sells more than X batteries a year. Can't remember what X is, but it's quite a small number. Many newsagents and the like will have a bin to deposit them in.

*Well, put in a specific recycling box, I have to assume they are then recycled, but I can also be fairly cynical.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 15 May, 2013, 09:27:51 pm
After telling Tesco that they were breaking the law for not having a battery recycling bin at a certain store, to my embarrassment, I found out direct from the relevant authority that a retailer (selling >X) just has to be willing to take used batteries; they're not obliged to have a public battery bin.  I wonder if all the staff would be informed anyway?

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 16 May, 2013, 10:49:19 am
HR / Occupational Health / GP.  Plz to be answering phone. kthxbai
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 18 May, 2013, 10:36:14 am
I just got a jury citation for the High Court next month. Gah. Do they have nobody else to pick? I did jury service at the Sheriff Court in the late 90s, and I was cited but not used at the High Court a couple of years ago.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Diver300 on 18 May, 2013, 11:09:39 am
Post office.

The 09:15 Saturday collection is far too close to the 16:30 Friday collection to be of much use.

When I post something at 09:13 it shouldn't be staying in the post box all weekend.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 19 May, 2013, 10:29:53 am
Trying to watch The Jo Whiley Sessions on Sky Arts. Why, when showing the bands playing, do they use, constantly, that oversaturated effect? It is hurting my eyes and my poorbrain...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Littlesox on 20 May, 2013, 06:06:25 pm
Thank God.

The football season has come to an end.

And being a year with a odd number, no Euro or World Cups to contend with.

Football.

Meh!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 20 May, 2013, 06:13:46 pm
Quote from: Littlesox on 20 May, 2013, 06:06:25 pm
Thank God.

The football season has come to an end.

And being a year with a odd number, no Euro or World Cups to contend with.

Football.

Meh!

Still the Championship play off final next weekend ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 21 May, 2013, 05:24:52 pm
Corduroy paving - I've never measured the gaps but I've noticed that the square-profiled paving is fine to ride over, whereas the round-profiled is often rather dodgy. I reckon the profile seems to be the key thing, not the dimensions - but like I say, I've never measured it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 21 May, 2013, 06:43:15 pm
And this doesn't deserve a rant because it's not really any of my business but certainly provokes a groan: last Sunday was one of my Polish nephews' First Communion. A significant spiritual occasion for Catholics. To celebrate this my BiL has, I'm reliably informed, taken a 3,000-zloty loan to throw a party for the occasion. That's slightly more than he earns in a month (though his wife earns quite a bit more than him) and I bet the interest wasn't low. There were even horses to give kids rides. Still, at least he made an effort to keep costs down by organising a joint party with a colleague and his child. And you can't blame him that the tradition (convention) is such that doing without a party would be like standing up in church and shouting out atheist slogans.  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 23 May, 2013, 11:17:01 am
Supermarkets that need a 1 pound coin to get a trolley.

I made a fairly rare trip one in the car yesterday to buy a load of stuff (was in the area so decided to stock up), but forgot that basic requirement and had no change on me so ended up only buying a shopping basket full  :( The rest will have to be bought piecemeal locally. I'm always doing this - I wonder how much lost business like this they get?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 23 May, 2013, 12:48:27 pm
I keep a pound-coin-shaped-object clipped to one of the zips on my shopping panniers.  It means I have to stop and put the panniers down to un-clip it, but I'm much less likely to accidentally spend it.

It's irritating, but probably necessary in an area infested by drunken students who might otherwise play trolley commandos on the hill.  You do occasionally see one parked outside a student house, but you get the impression that it'll be going back on the next shopping trip to reclaim the quid.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 23 May, 2013, 01:36:56 pm
One of the door-to-door chuggers left one of those awful souvenir keyrings with a trolley release token.
It might even be useful!
I had to explain what it was to David...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 23 May, 2013, 01:42:53 pm
He thought it was a sex toy, right?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 23 May, 2013, 03:06:31 pm
I do have one of those tokens somewhere, but the clip fell apart and it is now rattling around in a bag somewhere.

That's beside the point though. I'm going in to a shop to spend a lot of money (£50-£100 for a car shop isn't unusual), and they won't let me because I don't have any change in my pocket. As a result they get under a tenner instead and I go away feeling annoyed with them and spend my money elsewhere.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 23 May, 2013, 03:11:34 pm
FWIW I shop online anyway.
I usually have a supply of pound coins because I always carry the pound coin dispenser I bought as a souvenir from Land's End in 1986.
It is frustrating though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 23 May, 2013, 03:38:36 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 23 May, 2013, 01:36:56 pm
a trolley release token.


IIRC Marj has one on her keyring.I'm not into domestic engineering to that degree but normally have a £1 coin in the car.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 23 May, 2013, 04:06:13 pm
I have one of those, which I found in a loose trolley at the Co-op, which I parked.  I would have put the £1 in the charity pot, but when I got a token, I couldn't think of anything to do other than keep hold.

I do, of course, frequently forget that I have it. :-[
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 23 May, 2013, 06:04:10 pm
And so to messers Tesco emporium on the way home,
for emergency purchase of new-style Apple 'Lightning' USB cable.

FIFTEEN of your earth pounds.

For an effing USB cable.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 24 May, 2013, 11:37:51 am
Quote from: Feanor on 23 May, 2013, 06:04:10 pm
And so to messers Tesco emporium on the way home,
for emergency purchase of new-style Apple 'Lightning' USB cable.

FIFTEEN of your earth pounds.

For an effing USB cable.


For an Apple USB cable.

I bet it's really stylish.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 24 May, 2013, 12:31:24 pm
Quote from: fboab on 24 May, 2013, 11:37:51 am
Quote from: Feanor on 23 May, 2013, 06:04:10 pm
And so to messers Tesco emporium on the way home,
for emergency purchase of new-style Apple 'Lightning' USB cable.

FIFTEEN of your earth pounds.

For an effing USB cable.


For an Apple USB cable.

I bet it's really stylish white.

FTFY.   ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Dibdib on 24 May, 2013, 08:01:24 pm
Waiting for inbound chinese food. Don't they know I'm (a) starving, and (b) on a schedule? I have a train to catch dammit!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Dibdib on 24 May, 2013, 08:02:57 pm
Quote from: Feanor on 23 May, 2013, 06:04:10 pm
And so to messers Tesco emporium on the way home,
for emergency purchase of new-style Apple 'Lightning' USB cable.

FIFTEEN of your earth pounds.

For an effing USB cable.

Obviously no good for emergency purchases, but there are *cough*thirdparty*cough* lightning adaptors on Amazon for a fiver or so.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 25 May, 2013, 02:02:04 pm
I'm at bobb's for a few days before he goes on his Grand Tour. It's finally stopped raining. And I have lurgy.  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 25 May, 2013, 02:19:18 pm
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 25 May, 2013, 02:02:04 pm
And I have lurgy.  ::-)

in that case keep your cardigan on ;)
gws.

ETA try some TLC* to rid yourself of the lurgy

*there are several meanings of this abbreviation :demon: ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 25 May, 2013, 02:42:48 pm
I don't see how thin layer chromatography would improve Eccentrica.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 25 May, 2013, 06:40:23 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 25 May, 2013, 02:42:48 pm
I don't see how thin layer chromatography would improve Eccentrica.

Might put some colour back in her cheeks?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 25 May, 2013, 08:09:14 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 25 May, 2013, 02:42:48 pm
I don't see how thin layer chromatography would improve Eccentrica.

 O:-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Gattopardo on 25 May, 2013, 08:37:43 pm
Freecycle, why do I bother.  Even changed my plans and you still did not turn up or answer any of my emails.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 25 May, 2013, 10:18:21 pm
Quote from: MattH on 23 May, 2013, 03:06:31 pm
I do have one of those tokens somewhere, but the clip fell apart and it is now rattling around in a bag somewhere.

That's beside the point though. I'm going in to a shop to spend a lot of money (£50-£100 for a car shop isn't unusual), and they won't let me because I don't have any change in my pocket. As a result they get under a tenner instead and I go away feeling annoyed with them and spend my money elsewhere.
I'm not sure I've ever seen a trolley release token - but I can't remember the last time I used a trolley rather than a basket! Surely most supermarkets have a customer service desk which will give you change for a trolley
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 25 May, 2013, 10:56:12 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 25 May, 2013, 10:18:21 pm
Quote from: MattH on 23 May, 2013, 03:06:31 pm
I do have one of those tokens somewhere, but the clip fell apart and it is now rattling around in a bag somewhere.

That's beside the point though. I'm going in to a shop to spend a lot of money (£50-£100 for a car shop isn't unusual), and they won't let me because I don't have any change in my pocket. As a result they get under a tenner instead and I go away feeling annoyed with them and spend my money elsewhere.
I'm not sure I've ever seen a trolley release token - but I can't remember the last time I used a trolley rather than a basket! Surely most supermarkets have a customer service desk which will give you change for a trolley

If you're happy to queueueueue.
Loads of tokens on ebay http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313.TR10.TRC0&_nkw=trolley+token&_sacat=0&_from=R40 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313.TR10.TRC0&_nkw=trolley+token&_sacat=0&_from=R40)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 25 May, 2013, 11:51:48 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 25 May, 2013, 10:18:21 pm
I'm not sure I've ever seen a trolley release token - but I can't remember the last time I used a trolley rather than a basket!

I always use a trolley if available.  It gives you somewhere to put panniers (for bonus points, hang them facing inwards on the sides of the trolley), wet jacket, etc. that leaves your hands free for shoppingy-payingy stuff.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 26 May, 2013, 10:20:52 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 25 May, 2013, 10:18:21 pm
- but I can't remember the last time I used a trolley rather than a basket!

A basket is boring.
A trolley allows you to perfect your technique for TheStigdoesTesco's.

Rear wheel drifts using footbrake feathering
Opposite lock steering on 180 degree turns in to the next aisle
Two wheel drifts to a halt adjacent to a checkout;in reverse.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 26 May, 2013, 10:51:12 am
"How does a token save you money?": exchange your trolley for a pound with another customer after you've finished with it. :demon:  Not that I do this!

I always worry that my trolley contents won't fit in my not-very-large panniers, but they always do (apart from a few items on top of the rack as well).  TARDIS panniers!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 26 May, 2013, 11:19:26 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 25 May, 2013, 02:42:48 pm
I don't see how thin layer chromatography would improve Eccentrica.

Oops, I was thinking of "Tits like coconuts" :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jasmine on 27 May, 2013, 12:25:13 pm
People towing caravans - use the bloody main road.  I was having a nice cycle ride on Saturday from Bangor down to Bala and then over to the Llyn Peninsular, but the ride was a bit surreal on the B4501 and then A4212.  This is a smallish mountain road connecting Bala to Trawsfynydd (autocorrect wants that to be 'drawstring'  ;D) via Llyn Celyn (Tryweryn), so why exactly were there more cars and caravans on that road than when I was bashing up the A5 to Cerrigydrudion, or going back to Porthmadog on the A470?  If you want to go from Bala to Traws, go on the A494 and A470! Don't get annoyed that you are stuck behind a cyclist on a windy mountain road - if you want to go quickly, there's a main road. I can understand the attraction for motorcyclists, but if you are towing a caravan then the constant rolling terrain is not going to be the most efficient way of travelling (time or fuel).  It was otherwise a nice ride though  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 28 May, 2013, 07:35:36 am
Quote from: jogler on 26 May, 2013, 10:20:52 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 25 May, 2013, 10:18:21 pm
- but I can't remember the last time I used a trolley rather than a basket!

A basket is boring.
A trolley allows you to perfect your technique for TheStigdoesTesco's.

Rear wheel drifts using footbrake feathering
Opposite lock steering on 180 degree turns in to the next aisle
Two wheel drifts to a halt adjacent to a checkout;in reverse.
I had to read that twice to get it - first time, I thought it must be a place in Wales!

Today's grumble - I got up early for this job, where is it? You were supposed to send it half an hour ago! Well, I suppose you did only say "It'll be ready about 7."
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 28 May, 2013, 08:08:48 am
Quote from: Jasmine on 27 May, 2013, 12:25:13 pm
People towing caravans - use the bloody main road.  I was having a nice cycle ride on Saturday from Bangor down to Bala and then over to the Llyn Peninsular, but the ride was a bit surreal on the B4501 and then A4212.  This is a smallish mountain road connecting Bala to Trawsfynydd (autocorrect wants that to be 'drawstring'  ;D) via Llyn Celyn (Tryweryn), so why exactly were there more cars and caravans on that road than when I was bashing up the A5 to Cerrigydrudion, or going back to Porthmadog on the A470?  If you want to go from Bala to Traws, go on the A494 and A470! Don't get annoyed that you are stuck behind a cyclist on a windy mountain road - if you want to go quickly, there's a main road. I can understand the attraction for motorcyclists, but if you are towing a caravan then the constant rolling terrain is not going to be the most efficient way of travelling (time or fuel).  It was otherwise a nice ride though  :thumbsup:

Its a lovely road, and I agree.  I once spent a week in the cottage next to Lyn Tryweryn (Cwm Prysor Cottage), that must have been in about 1963 or 4!  Whenever I've passed there in later years, I've tried to see how the cottage has got on.  It got to nearly derelict, but the last time I stopped by it, it looked llike someone had taken it on and was improving it.  When I stayed it had a Lister generator in an old railway wagon for electricity, and a chemical toilet.  Good walking round there too, and a nice railway viaduct to walk across and look around from.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 28 May, 2013, 08:49:21 am
The coffee machine has failed! :(

Update - Machine will provide black coffee. Not good, but better than nowt.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 28 May, 2013, 09:19:50 am
Quote from: Wombat on 28 May, 2013, 08:08:48 am


Its a lovely road, and I agree.

So do I & I've used it many times in the car with & without a caravan in tow :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jacomus on 28 May, 2013, 10:58:33 am
Me: "Large black filter, to go, with a dash of cold water please"
Drone: "Do you want milk in that?"
Me: "No thanks, black with a dash of cold water"
Drone: "Cold water?"
Me: "Yes, cold water"

*I pay and head to the collection area to be presented with a large, white coffee*

 :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 28 May, 2013, 02:12:36 pm
BBC News: please to be sending Martine Croxall to Specsavers. Bill Pertwee played Warden Hodges, not Warren Hodges.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 28 May, 2013, 02:14:51 pm
Be about the right age: Warren Hodges (http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=24848187)

Just the wrong country. ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Euan Uzami on 28 May, 2013, 04:00:59 pm
Right get this - this is RIDICULOUS: got an email today from my car ins co (Allianz) saying I haven't supplied proof of my no claims bonus and I need to do it within 7 days.
I have managed to find a copy of it, scanned it, and send it in. It was issued by: Allianz.  ::-) ::-) FFS.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 29 May, 2013, 11:03:00 am
Anglian Home Improvements: Kindly to be buggering off with your spam calls. I have reported you to the - toothless - TPS. This would be a rant, but you very cooperatively gave me your address and number. (Probably 'cos you know the TPS is toothless!)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 30 May, 2013, 09:01:29 pm
Friend of a friend on facebook posting about your broken arm, as a student nurse you need to learn that "break" and "fracture" in relation to bones mean exactly the same thing. You might say fracture to mean "a crack" and break to mean "a total separation" (as you put it) but the first orthopaedic surgeon you try that with will give you short shrift. You might want to do some reading about it before you go back.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: redshift on 30 May, 2013, 11:09:14 pm
Dear BBC, CS and pepper-based captor spray are different chemicals.  One is a nasty lachrymatory organochlorine compound with a couple of cyano groups which reacts with water on the moist tissue surfaces, and the other is a synthetic Capsaicinoid which binds to nerve receptors directly.  The term 'CS' is specific, and does not relate to the capsaicin spray, however much your correspondent might like it to.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 31 May, 2013, 07:42:53 am
Half an hour to get to Norwood Junction?  Really?  I got up in time to get the train an hour early so I could get into work before the rush.  Hmm.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 31 May, 2013, 01:18:42 pm
(http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/67910000/jpg/_67910776_draculafrankenstein.jpg)

Dear The BBC,

The character on the right is not Frankenstein.  Sort it out, you muppets!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 01 June, 2013, 11:12:18 pm
Outside it has apparently been one of the best cycling days this year - so why have I slept through just about the whole of it? :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 02 June, 2013, 11:56:33 pm
Bloodsucking insects.  Please FOAD!

After the weekends FNRTTC I've got several bite marks on my legs and a large one on the side of my face which is making me even uglier than usual !

I'm not sure if this happened on the canal path during the ride itself, or the following day when Kim took me up the Crab & Winkle (http://crabandwinkle.org/)....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 02 June, 2013, 11:59:18 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 02 June, 2013, 11:56:33 pm
Kim took me up the Crab & Winkle (http://crabandwinkle.org/)....

 ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 03 June, 2013, 12:03:51 am
Ah, me too.  A couple in distinctly suboptimal places, though at least not the ankles - I have a terrible habit of scratching those to shreds in my sleep when they've been bitten.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 03 June, 2013, 08:16:15 am
I think whoever invented the summer cold should be made to stand in the corner and be flicked with wet towels until they are truly Very Sorry. >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 03 June, 2013, 09:09:10 am
Quote from: mcshroom on 01 June, 2013, 11:12:18 pm
Outside it has apparently been one of the best cycling days this year - so why have I slept through just about the whole of it? :(

Ended up being the full weekend. IOver 40hrs sleep since Friday afternoon and I woke up still feeling tired this morning ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 03 June, 2013, 02:16:56 pm
A buyer on eBay has left me Negative Feedback without giving me a chance to compensate for inconvenience caused by late delivery caused by me stupidly forgetting to stamp the envelope.  I'm only human and I need to be loved!  Spoilt my 100% positive 3530 points.  Now I'm only 99.8% ok.  :'(

(I've refunded and requested feedback revision).

ETA:  Now they have changed their feedback to positive.  Phew!  Thank you buyer.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 03 June, 2013, 03:52:05 pm
DumDum, you dumdum! Picking up the rucksack containing your trainers this morning would have: a) allowed you to go to the gym straight from work, b) provided a better receptacle to carry the laptop home.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 04 June, 2013, 09:50:22 am
Buying a fancy road bike and being half my age isn't enough.  Even if you're reasonably fast on it (though not as quick as the fat old asthmatic on the aged steel tourer with Carradice and a propstand ;) ). 

Really, if you want to appreciate that bike to its best effect, yuo need to be alive.  And that involves not riding down the left hand side of a moving vehicle which is indicating left on the approach to a turn.  Doing it twice in quick succession at junctions which rank among the most hazardous in London is just deeply Not Smart.

If I had a copy of Cyclecraft, I'd lob it at your pointlessly helmeted head.  Stay alive, and get to ride that bike properly, eh now?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 04 June, 2013, 05:58:41 pm
A police idiot tweeted:
Quote
@MPSEnfield With the weather warming up this week, we wanted to remind you to keep your Windows & doors locked if you have an alarm please use it.

What's the point of being secure when you're dead from heatstroke?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 04 June, 2013, 06:46:42 pm
I rather think he shouldn't have opened Windows.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 04 June, 2013, 06:51:48 pm
I came home with all due despatch today, because:


I have to wait 30 minutes between blood sugar check and blood pressure check, so I am all tooled with Stuffs to pass the time.  On a whim, I examine the card I was given when I made the appointment.

It's tomorrow.

Cock >:(

1 - of the garden maintenance, you pervs ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 05 June, 2013, 01:32:07 pm
Quote from: Biggsy on 04 June, 2013, 05:58:41 pm
A police idiot tweeted:
Quote
@MPSEnfield With the weather warming up this week, we wanted to remind you to keep your Windows & doors locked if you have an alarm please use it.

What's the point of being secure when you're dead from heatstroke?
Surely they mean when you leave the house?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 05 June, 2013, 02:02:31 pm
Quote from: fboab on 05 June, 2013, 01:32:07 pm
Quote from: Biggsy on 04 June, 2013, 05:58:41 pm
A police idiot tweeted:
Quote
@MPSEnfield With the weather warming up this week, we wanted to remind you to keep your Windows & doors locked if you have an alarm please use it.

What's the point of being secure when you're dead from heatstroke?
Surely they mean when you leave the house?

Possibly not, a couple of years ago, in the nice, warm summer (you remember when we had them, don't you?) there was a spate of thefts from houses round us by opportunistic thiefs who just look for open doors/patio doors/windows. Quick and simple, step in and lift the first thing of value you see. Job done. Bonus points if thing of value fits in pocket so you can then shamble down the street looking as if you have done nothing and are carrying nothing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 05 June, 2013, 02:14:43 pm
Quote from: tiermat on 05 June, 2013, 02:02:31 pm
Quote from: fboab on 05 June, 2013, 01:32:07 pm
Quote from: Biggsy on 04 June, 2013, 05:58:41 pm
A police idiot tweeted:
Quote
@MPSEnfield With the weather warming up this week, we wanted to remind you to keep your Windows & doors locked if you have an alarm please use it.

What's the point of being secure when you're dead from heatstroke?
Surely they mean when you leave the house?

Possibly not, a couple of years ago, in the nice, warm summer (you remember when we had them, don't you?) there was a spate of thefts from houses round us by opportunistic thiefs who just look for open doors/patio doors/windows. Quick and simple, step in and lift the first thing of value you see. Job done. Bonus points if thing of value fits in pocket so you can then shamble down the street looking as if you have done nothing and are carrying nothing.

True, but the property stolen tended to be stuff from just inside the door, like handbags and wallets from kitchen worktops or side tables in the hall. If you are going to have the doors open whilst in the house, keep the valuables out of sight of the door.

This advice is brought to you by the fuzzy. The fuzzy is not responsible for the actions of his affiliates or of similarly employed carbon based life forms or for the tenacity and downright inability to abide by the rules of the criminal fraternity.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 05 June, 2013, 02:22:54 pm
@MPSEnfield just went on about security again when I mentioned heatstroke to them, so I reckon they do mean always lock your windows when in as well as out.  It's not the first time I've heard this "advice" from police.

How do they expect respect by appearing as unthinking drones with no sense of balancing security with normal life?  Or are they going to provide free aircon for everyone?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 05 June, 2013, 05:34:15 pm
It's not the police's job to worry about your normal life. They just tell you how to avoid being burgled.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 05 June, 2013, 06:39:06 pm
I hope that's satire because it's very much the police's job to help us live normal lives by giving realistic security advice and catching burglars.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 05 June, 2013, 08:02:17 pm
I'd be inpressed if a burglar pinched anything through my open window. But then, I'm on the second floor.

The only reason I don't leave windows open when I'm out is the danger of a pigeon getting in. I don't think even the most determined urban pigeon could pinch my laptop, but they do make a mess...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 05 June, 2013, 09:03:40 pm
It's a difficult one. It's a line between victim blaming and realistic "risk factors".

When we were burgled in 2005 or so we were told by the police that our "please use back door" and "please use doorbell ---->" signs were indicators of vulnerable or elderly people who were easy targets.  We were told to take them off our doors.

Great, except we started missing deliveries and people did the Sheffield thing of ignoring doorbells and banging on doors which I can't hear.  We put the signs back.  I resent that it felt more important to tell me why it was my fault I got burgled than actually attempting to deal with catching the bastard and doing something about it. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 07 June, 2013, 11:38:02 am
The bloody Queen on my radio again?  Good grief!  Didn't we do the whole 60 year thing to death last year?  Yes, I know it's the coronation anniversary, but really.

And is her visit to the BBC a reason to deploy wall to wall fawning across every bloody network?  It's not a big news story, and the BBC shouldn't be reporting it like it is.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 07 June, 2013, 12:11:55 pm
I think it's quite common for police advice to contradict fire brigade advice, too (cos an easy way out tends to also mean an easy way in).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 07 June, 2013, 12:13:57 pm
Quote from: clarion on 07 June, 2013, 11:38:02 am
The bloody Queen on my radio again?  Good grief!  Didn't we do the whole 60 year thing to death last year?  Yes, I know it's the coronation anniversary, but really.

And is her visit to the BBC a reason to deploy wall to wall fawning across every bloody network?  It's not a big news story, and the BBC shouldn't be reporting it like it is.
Is it? Isn't it? I dunno, your post is the first thing I've heard about it! (and when I saw the word "Queen" my first thought was of Freddie Mercury et al  :D)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 07 June, 2013, 12:18:52 pm
I assumed it was across the networks, since Jim Naughtie breathlessly informed me that Her Maj was at the top of New Broadcasting House at Radio 1 being sung at by that hip, groovy and now swingingest of poptastic teenybop stars, er, Daniel Bedingfield.

Biiiig news story.  I can only imagine how overexcited Chris Evans must have been this morning :o
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 07 June, 2013, 12:27:24 pm
Quote from: barakta on 05 June, 2013, 09:03:40 pm
It's a difficult one. It's a line between victim blaming and realistic "risk factors".

When we were burgled in 2005 or so we were told by the police that our "please use back door" and "please use doorbell ---->" signs were indicators of vulnerable or elderly people who were easy targets.  We were told to take them off our doors.

Great, except we started missing deliveries and people did the Sheffield thing of ignoring doorbells and banging on doors which I can't hear.  We put the signs back.  I resent that it felt more important to tell me why it was my fault I got burgled than actually attempting to deal with catching the bastard and doing something about it.

The Police weren't blaming you for getting burgled. We all blame the thieving scumbag for beinga thieving scumbag and a lot more effort is going on the catch said thieving scumbag than is noticeable.

What the Occifer was doing was advising you what it was about your home that may have made it more attractive to the thieving scumbag. What you do with that information is your call.

Sometimes we do engage in a degree ofvictim blaming and, in my opinion, rightly so. I think that the victim who leaves their laptop/ iPhone/ TwatNav/ other shiny expensive thing visible on the passenger seat of their parked and unattended vehicle is inviting trouble.


This information is brought to you by the fuzzy. The fuzzy is not responsible for the actions of his affiliates, any similarly employed carbon based life forms.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 07 June, 2013, 12:50:32 pm
Quote from: clarion on 07 June, 2013, 12:18:52 pm
I assumed it was across the networks, since Jim Naughtie breathlessly informed me that Her Maj was at the top of New Broadcasting House at Radio 1 being sung at by that hip, groovy and now swingingest of poptastic teenybop stars, er, Daniel Bedingfield.

Biiiig news story.  I can only imagine how overexcited Chris Evans must have been this morning :o
He's on holiday. It was Zoe Ball. She was talking to Mark Owen about Chic.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 07 June, 2013, 12:53:51 pm
Better.

I think.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SteveC on 08 June, 2013, 05:23:12 pm
Microsoft.  Hotmail or Outlook or whatever it's called this week...

I know from a certain programming or logical perspective, hiding the 'forward' button under the 'reply' menu might make sense, but it has been confusing the hell out of my 74 year old mother for ages.  It wasn't broken before.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 09 June, 2013, 04:52:16 pm
A smartphone without a notification LED. That is all.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 10 June, 2013, 12:42:11 am
Quoth Sir John Betjeman, "Come, friendly bombs, and fall on Slough!"

Thus spoke someone who had not had the dubious fortune of experiencing Swindon's somewhat idiosyncratic road network.

Now there's a place that qualifies for thermonuclear urban renewal...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 10 June, 2013, 01:01:50 pm
80 years on, nothing's changed -

In labour-saving homes, with care,
Their wives frizz out peroxide hair,
And dry it in synthetic air,
And paint their nails.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 10 June, 2013, 01:07:52 pm
Indigestion, plz to be naffing off nao. Kthxbai.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 10 June, 2013, 06:42:15 pm
I had bad indigestion last night & this morning, with heartburn.

A quilt cover ripped when being hung out to dry this morning. Not repairable, because the fabric is too worn. I will have to buy a new one.

A small filling fell out this afternoon. I will have to give money to a dentist.

At least, if you believe old superstitions, that's all.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 10 June, 2013, 07:27:51 pm
...for now.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 10 June, 2013, 07:30:44 pm
The suns out and I'm off work all week to get some serious miles in, but for some reason I'm finding lots of reasons to do things other than get out and ride. I've fixed the bath, sorted out the addressing errors on my gas/lecky letters (third time lucky ::-)) and some other call centre stuff I've been trying to ignore, and started recording songs for youtube again.

Can someone give me a kick up the arse to get out on my bike please?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 10 June, 2013, 07:33:21 pm
There is a C2C ride out there with your name on it ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 10 June, 2013, 09:28:32 pm
Virgin Trains: your Advance tickets are a bargain. It's a shame the train I booked two months ago no longer exists  now I want to book Disabled Assistance. No, I don't want to cancel the journey; I'm going to my nephew's wedding in Bolton. I'll get a cab from Manc. Picc...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 12 June, 2013, 06:39:59 am
Gaaaaaaaaaaaah! I could have had an extra hour in bed. Bloody time zones. Well, it could just be my fault for forgetting which time was specified.  :-[
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 13 June, 2013, 12:13:39 pm
Dear Employer, why does our intranet's search engine bring up results which include links to pages which no longer exist?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 13 June, 2013, 05:02:55 pm
Oh grunk. I went to print some docs at the library, that being the nearest, cheapest and most reliable place to do it. I'd just printed them out and was putting them into a folder when my phone went. That's ok, libraries don't seem to insist on silence anymore - a bit like those quiet carriages on trains - and coincidentally it was the person I was printing them for. But it was just sufficient distraction to make me overlook my memostickery gidget.  :( Still, I know where it is, there's nothing sensitive/dangerous/incriminating on there, and I've got to go back tomorrow morning anyway - hopefully I'll get it back again.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 13 June, 2013, 08:55:09 pm
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 13 June, 2013, 12:13:39 pm
Dear Employer, why does our intranet's search engine bring up results which include links to pages which no longer exist?

Our employer's search engine doesn't find things even if you type the TITLE of the damned page into it or major keywords.  Management decreed that we use something with "enterprise" in the name which claims to be better than Google if we'd just see the one true way... It doesn't fucking work - google fucking worked!  I have a degree in information management and did searching as part of my fucking degree - internal media are sick of my complaint emails and I am sick of attempting to use the horrid useless fucking thing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 14 June, 2013, 04:48:04 pm
A little victory.  @MPSEnfield police now only tell you "close your windows when u are out" instead of all the time.  It's still not a real effort to provide real advice, though, because I think everyone already knows that people can get through (some) windows.  My grumble is that they think tweeting any old bland crap ticks the crime prevention box.  I'd rather have bad advice that was given a lot of thought than pretend advice.

To be fair, they do occasionally link to articles with more specific stuff that might be genuinely useful, eg http://www.met.police.uk/crimeprevention/mobile/doors.htm
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 15 June, 2013, 11:08:37 am
It's been 3 weeks since I got my last cold, and I've got another one now  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 15 June, 2013, 11:31:34 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 10 June, 2013, 09:28:32 pm
Virgin Trains: your Advance tickets are a bargain. It's a shame the train I booked two months ago no longer exists  now I want to book Disabled Assistance. No, I don't want to cancel the journey; I'm going to my nephew's wedding in Bolton. I'll get a cab from Manc. Picc...

A similar thing happened to me a few years back.   I insisted that they honour the contract as they had sold me the ticket in advance and taken my money.   I got a free taxi for two and two loaded tourers from Carlisle to Annan. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 15 June, 2013, 02:34:56 pm
Quote from: Polar Bear on 15 June, 2013, 11:31:34 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 10 June, 2013, 09:28:32 pm
Virgin Trains: your Advance tickets are a bargain. It's a shame the train I booked two months ago no longer exists  now I want to book Disabled Assistance. No, I don't want to cancel the journey; I'm going to my nephew's wedding in Bolton. I'll get a cab from Manc. Picc...

A similar thing happened to me a few years back.   I insisted that they honour the contract as they had sold me the ticket in advance and taken my money.   I got a free taxi for two and two loaded tourers from Carlisle to Annan.

I've been taxied home to Outer London from Bedford in the past. This time they are offering a taxi from Manc Pic to Manc Vic to get onward train therefrom. That's just too many changes for what's going to be a long day. One change at Piccadilly would have been fine but another change and another cab is just too much. There's a possibility I'll get a lift from a university friend who might be visiting her aged mother in Bolton that day.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 18 June, 2013, 03:55:51 pm
Computer accessory manufactures: please stop making e-SATA cables flat and stiff.  The "e" stands for external.  I want external cables to be round and flexible so they can go where I want nicely.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 19 June, 2013, 12:56:36 pm
The sun is shining, it's moved round to this side of the building, I'm sitting here feeling a bit stuffy with the window open and my colleague next to me has got the freaking radiator on full.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 19 June, 2013, 01:04:35 pm
As the window is already open...

[dalekvoice] DEFENESTRATE [/dalekvoice]
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 19 June, 2013, 03:47:34 pm
Outlook.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 19 June, 2013, 04:44:30 pm
I'll see your Outlook and raise you a Sharepoint!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 19 June, 2013, 06:22:05 pm
Easy, I'll raise you Lotus Notes :P

My grumble - I have no idea what I've done to it but can my shoulder stop aching now as it's really getting annoying.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 19 June, 2013, 08:37:23 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 19 June, 2013, 06:22:05 pm
Easy, I'll raise you Lotus Notes :P

I fold.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ewan Houzami on 19 June, 2013, 09:50:11 pm
Horizon. Why not spend an hour or so explaining some scientific concept* when you could have done it in about five minutes. Or less.

*It's fracking tonight.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 19 June, 2013, 10:17:52 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 19 June, 2013, 06:22:05 pm
Easy, I'll raise you Lotus Notes :P

My grumble - I have no idea what I've done to it but can my shoulder stop aching now as it's really getting annoying.
I'll see your Outlook, Sharepoint and Lotus Notes (yes we use all three at work) and raise you a new corporate social networking system!!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 20 June, 2013, 07:36:49 am
Quote from: Goldilocks on 19 June, 2013, 09:50:11 pm
Horizon. Why not spend an hour or so explaining some scientific concept* when you could have done it in about five minutes. Or less.

*It's fracking tonight.
That sort of thing makes my blood boil too.  MrsLurker tells me go to and listen to the wireless when I start going on about the sundry and apparently endless idiocies of documentary makers these days.

Other things that tick me off, join in if you know the words ...
-  Play acting with twits in costume in historical documentaries.
- "Establishing/journey shots" in documentaries*. 
- The narrator repeating everything that's gone before in the programme.   Channel 4 I am looking at you.

So, documentary makers. Repeat after me, "Just the facts, ma'am. Just the facts."

*Horizon played a blinder very early on with  this sort of nonsense.  Some 15 or 20 years ago in a prog. about H. Pylori and the Aussie who showed it was largely responsible for gastric ulcers.   They showed a 747  landing with the caption "Sydney" (or wherever) and then cut to a talking head shot of the bloke in an office.  Who gives a fuck whether he was in an office in Sydney or Melbourne or Cairns or even sodding Cricklewood?  We want to hear what he's got to say not watch pictures of aeroplanes.   Yes.  It does still rankle.  Not obvious is it?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 20 June, 2013, 07:43:22 am
Oi, you, bloke who spent the night in police cells last night. Given that you spent an hour early this morning shouting "argh argh argh" as loudly as you could, if I get your case on jury duty at the Sheriff Court today, I will be finding you guilty no matter what.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 20 June, 2013, 01:20:46 pm
Quote from: TheLurker on 20 June, 2013, 07:36:49 am
- The narrator repeating everything that's gone before in the programme.   Channel 4 I am looking at you.

Mitchell & Webb did a good sketch about this.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 21 June, 2013, 09:23:43 am
Children. Please don't be upset about being in uniform on a non-school uniform day if you can't remember and dress yourselves in something other than uniform! I didn't get the email about it until yesterday and have only just read it. I wonder if there's a paper letter that we missed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 21 June, 2013, 09:39:00 am
Oy Wiggle!

Having a dutch website is a really good idea completely spoilt by the fact that you won't send half your stock items (tyres, muguards etc) to Holland.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 21 June, 2013, 09:48:59 am
Hayfever, bleaugh :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 21 June, 2013, 11:31:49 am
You know if your car has a rattle in the boot, and you take it to the garage, and they fix that rattle but you find (for example) your engine's now overheating and you wonder if the garage are a bunch of fucking cowboys and have deliberately done something to make you go back so they can have more of your money?

Does that work with Osteopaths? Back- bit better. Knee- fucking agony. Out of nowhere. What the veritable fuck.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 21 June, 2013, 12:07:46 pm
Quote from: fboab on 21 June, 2013, 11:31:49 am
You know if your car has a rattle in the boot, and you take it to the garage, and they fix that rattle but you find (for example) your engine's now overheating and you wonder if the garage are a bunch of fucking cowboys and have deliberately done something to make you go back so they can have more of your money?

Does that work with Osteopaths? Back- bit better. Knee- fucking agony. Out of nowhere. What the veritable fuck.

Fucking agony out of nowhere is what knees do best.

Actually, since having my bladder proddled last week, I've been remarkably pain-free.  But my left patella is wobbling about like a very wobbly thing.  Not painful, but extremely disconcerting.  Maybe it's the same effect?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 21 June, 2013, 12:33:51 pm
Quote from: Kim on 21 June, 2013, 12:07:46 pm
Quote from: fboab on 21 June, 2013, 11:31:49 am
You know if your car has a rattle in the boot, and you take it to the garage, and they fix that rattle but you find (for example) your engine's now overheating and you wonder if the garage are a bunch of fucking cowboys and have deliberately done something to make you go back so they can have more of your money?

Does that work with Osteopaths? Back- bit better. Knee- fucking agony. Out of nowhere. What the veritable fuck.

Fucking agony out of nowhere is what knees do best.

Actually, since having my bladder proddled last week, I've been remarkably pain-free.  But my left patella is wobbling about like a very wobbly thing.  Not painful, but extremely disconcerting.  Maybe it's the same effect?

On my last trip to France on the trike, we had to do a section of very badly surfaced road, and were shaken constantly for about 4 miles.  I had to check at the end that my kneecaps hadn't shaken round to the back of my legs...

Back when I handled animal bones a lot, I always found myself slightly amused by cow patellas. No idea why, they aren't an especially funny shape. I think it was just the idea that cows have kneecaps.  Just always made me smile.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 21 June, 2013, 12:53:25 pm
I think I might have lost my iPod :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 21 June, 2013, 10:16:37 pm
I haven't been to an optician for about eight years.  (my bad). 
My glasses are almost falling to pieces and it's very obvious to me that I also need a new script as I can't see a bleedin' thing these days.
So, I booked an appointment, booked some flexi time off this afternoon and went for it.
Having a severe nickel allergy, I have to go for titanium frames.

Yup.  New script definitely needed.

The grumble?
How fucking much? :o
*puts debit card back in wallet - proffers credit card*  :(

Other news. 
As an official "Old Bastard", I also get free hearing tests, so I organised that as well. 
Hmm.  I knew that I wasn't hearing too well these days but I hadn't realised how bad it was on one side.
If you're sitting to my left - I'll almost be able to hold a conversation in a crowded pub.  If you're sitting on my right, the best you can hope for is "heh, heh, heh" <grin> as I pretend I've got any idea of what you're saying.



WHAT?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Deano on 21 June, 2013, 10:19:55 pm
My dad is completely deaf in his right ear, Basil - he finds it very useful, as if anyone's annoying him down the club, he can tell them to come and sit at his right, and be cheerfully ignorant of their shite for the rest of the night.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 21 June, 2013, 10:26:22 pm
Heh.  Right ears, eh?
Bleedin' useless they are, innit?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 21 June, 2013, 10:29:30 pm
My mother has been deaf in one ear since birth - strangely enough hers is the right ear as well
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 22 June, 2013, 08:53:03 am
Hmm, sounds like there is a design flaw - my right is my bad one too. I wonder if we can get a manufacturer's recall?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 22 June, 2013, 09:47:56 am
Basil old thing give these a ring. Allegedly up to 75% off only need your prescription.

http://www.all-eyes.co.uk/
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 22 June, 2013, 10:35:22 am
My youngest brother became totally and permanently deaf in his right ear overnight at the age of 24. Right ear wrong ear!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 22 June, 2013, 10:41:56 am
Hang on.  This is getting weird. 
Although perhaps not.  The above sample of right ear deafies is self selecting.
Or is it?  Is there something about tight ear hearing loss that makes it more common?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ham on 22 June, 2013, 11:08:00 am
Quote from: Canardly on 22 June, 2013, 09:47:56 am
Basil old thing give these a ring. Allegedly up to 75% off only need your prescription.

http://www.all-eyes.co.uk/

....or if you just want a spare pair, £6 + £5 postage is VERY hard to beat http://www.selectspecs.com/

Quality is good, service is slowish for these cheapies, but even so.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nicknack on 23 June, 2013, 06:41:53 pm
This should be a rant but I don't think I can be arsed now.

I have fucked up.

We are selling our house and buying another. Sometime in March we had a house to buy and a buyer for ours. There was a short chain. We had it suggested to us that a moving date of 28th June would be fine. I thought great - plenty of time.

At this moment the chain stretches to infinity in either direction.

When we started I fondly assumed that I'd wait until we had exchanged contracts before firmly booking a removal firm. A few weeks ago I realised that the exchange wasn't going to happen any time soon and started getting quotes for removal. At this point I discover that the last Friday in June is the most popular date in the whole year for moving. By the time I get the quotes the companies are fully booked.

So here we are, sitting in a sea of cardboard boxes. Supposed to move next Friday. Contracts have not been exchanged (but might be this coming week). It ain't going to happen on Friday. No way.

Tomorrow morning I shall toddle across the road to the solicitor and tell them I can't do it then - I need at least another week. And piss off, no doubt, the rest of the chain.

With the wonderful system we have any fucker in the chain can still pull out and send the whole thing crashing down.

There really ought to be a better way of doing this.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 23 June, 2013, 06:45:23 pm
There is, but it means moving to Scotland.  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nicknack on 23 June, 2013, 06:48:18 pm
I draw the line at that.

Er...

Sorry.

I need this:

 ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 23 June, 2013, 06:51:38 pm
Quote from: nicknack on 23 June, 2013, 06:41:53 pm
At this point I discover that the last Friday in June is the most popular date in the whole year for moving. By the time I get the quotes the companies are fully booked.


*waits for some very interesting pics from nicknack on the "I carried this on my Bicycle" thread.*
 :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nicknack on 23 June, 2013, 06:53:08 pm
I might struggle with the piano.

I used to wonder what people meant when they said they were having a nervous breakdown.

I've now got the idea.

I have been heavily self-medicating - currently a very nice white from Pays D'Oc.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 23 June, 2013, 06:56:09 pm
Wimp.

 ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nicknack on 23 June, 2013, 06:57:43 pm
Quote from: Basil on 23 June, 2013, 06:56:09 pm
Wimp.

 ;)

Aye.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LindaG on 23 June, 2013, 11:23:32 pm
Quote from: nicknack on 23 June, 2013, 06:53:08 pm
I might struggle with the piano.

I used to wonder what people meant when they said they were having a nervous breakdown.

I've now got the idea.

I have been heavily self-medicating - currently a very nice white from Pays D'Oc.

Nom!

Sympathies from here - house full of packing cases and a house move that will coincide with a change of job and a change to single status!

Giz a glass of that will you?

At least you aren't a murderer of wild creatures like I am. You know when you go for a run at dusk, and try really hard not to step on any snails, but then you get that little 'crunch'?

:-(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 23 June, 2013, 11:35:24 pm
Quote from: nicknack on 23 June, 2013, 06:53:08 pm
I might struggle with the piano.
Its been done before :

(http://www.pianoacrossamerica.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/piano-bike-604x247.jpg)
http://www.pianoacrossamerica.com/

Good luck with the move ours is about to start ...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 26 June, 2013, 09:24:16 am
To wear proper shoes in the office you have to wear proper socks.
To wear proper socks you have to remember to put a pair in your bag :facepalm:
White trainer socks don't go with black oxfords.

Raggedy old trainers today then :-[
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 26 June, 2013, 09:30:51 am
I keep a spare pair of sock (along with other items) in the office at all times.  Has saved me from my own stupidity more than once.

My grumble:  When I pour milk into my coffee I do not expect it to come out lumpy.  Good thing I can drink my coffee black (just prefer it with a bit of milk).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 26 June, 2013, 09:32:07 am
Quote from: Andrij on 26 June, 2013, 09:30:51 am
I keep a spare pair of sock (along with other items) in the office at all times.  Has saved me from my own stupidity more than once.

Me too.  :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 26 June, 2013, 09:33:34 am
Quote from: Andrij on 26 June, 2013, 09:30:51 am
I keep a spare pair of sock (along with other items) in the office at all times.  Has saved me from my own stupidity more than once.

My grumble:  When I pour milk into my coffee I do not expect it to come out lumpy.  Good thing I can drink my coffee black (just prefer it with a bit of milk).

You obviosuly didn't grow up in our house! I learnt, at a very early age, to check milk for lumps and bread for mould before consuming.

Food rotation was not my parent's strong point.  I still remember the time my mum put the oven on for Sunday dinner to find that she had left the carcass of the chicken for the previous week in there.  When she took it out she found it crawling with maggots.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 26 June, 2013, 10:13:05 am
Quote from: Andrij on 26 June, 2013, 09:30:51 am
I keep a spare pair of sock (along with other items) in the office at all times. 

Why did I never think of that? :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 26 June, 2013, 10:29:51 am
Pollen.

That is all.

That is not all.

People who leave their antihistamines at home.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 26 June, 2013, 10:30:24 am
Slob colleague.

The house you are engaged in rebuilding has taken over a year. During that time, your long suffering wife has been working part time and also looking after your less than 2 year old twins. We have had to suffer the stories and rants about the work in (or not in) progress.

Announcing that you have a move in date is very nice for you and your family and will be a relief for us.

To then announce that you are only taking the move in day off and counter suggestions that a day either side would be good with the argument that 'She will be home and can deal' is a cockish attitude.

You really do not deserve her and she certainly doesn't deserve you >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jacomus on 26 June, 2013, 10:40:32 am
The last few weeks have been this: Ridiculous

Please can I just have a boring day today, where nothing happens.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 26 June, 2013, 05:18:04 pm
If it weren't bad enough that you have parked that hideous 'bicycle' next to mine, you now are playing angry birds WITH THE SOUND ON opposite me on the train.


DIE DIE DIE
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Karla on 26 June, 2013, 05:18:57 pm
Have you caught a train with Interzen?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 26 June, 2013, 05:21:32 pm
Well, I've never actually met interzen, and the 'bicycle' does only have one gear, and colour coordinated frame/saddle/rims/tape....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CrinklyLion on 26 June, 2013, 05:30:16 pm
But none of Interzen's bikes are hideous, so it can't be :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 26 June, 2013, 05:30:56 pm
That was a lie, wasn't it? I have met interzen- at Tan Hill. :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 26 June, 2013, 05:31:35 pm
Quote from: CrinklyLion on 26 June, 2013, 05:30:16 pm
But none of Interzen's bikes are hideous, so it can't be :)
I suspect this chap doesn't think his abomination is hideous, either.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nicknack on 26 June, 2013, 05:38:44 pm
Quote from: nicknack on 23 June, 2013, 06:41:53 pm
This should be a rant but I don't think I can be arsed now.

I have fucked up.

We are selling our house and buying another. Sometime in March we had a house to buy and a buyer for ours. There was a short chain. We had it suggested to us that a moving date of 28th June would be fine. I thought great - plenty of time.

At this moment the chain stretches to infinity in either direction.

When we started I fondly assumed that I'd wait until we had exchanged contracts before firmly booking a removal firm. A few weeks ago I realised that the exchange wasn't going to happen any time soon and started getting quotes for removal. At this point I discover that the last Friday in June is the most popular date in the whole year for moving. By the time I get the quotes the companies are fully booked.

So here we are, sitting in a sea of cardboard boxes. Supposed to move next Friday. Contracts have not been exchanged (but might be this coming week). It ain't going to happen on Friday. No way.

Tomorrow morning I shall toddle across the road to the solicitor and tell them I can't do it then - I need at least another week. And piss off, no doubt, the rest of the chain.

With the wonderful system we have any fucker in the chain can still pull out and send the whole thing crashing down.

There really ought to be a better way of doing this.

I was wrong. I did manage to get a removal firm for Friday, so all was hunky dory. Until a couple of hours ago. Someone else further down the line can't. Apparently they didn't even know the 28th had been suggested. Either that's utter bullshit or their solicitor and/or estate agent are/is totally crap.

So we'll be living in a sea of cardboard boxes for a while yet.

Great.

We're supposed to be exchanging tomorrow. I'll believe it when it happens.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 26 June, 2013, 11:11:02 pm
My class-sizes have been doubled of late, which has buggered up my cycle-commuting.

The time required for small group sessions has doubled, and my ability to sneak off at 3:30 has vanished :-(

I'm going to have to re-design the course with more self-study and less input from me...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 28 June, 2013, 10:14:29 am
Last night I trashed a contact lens.  'No problem' I thought, will just open another pack in the morning.

This morning I grab the boxes of contact lenses... and they're empty.  ::-)

Thankfully I didn't *need* my contacts today.  Will spend some time this weekend exploring the world on online contact lens sellers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 28 June, 2013, 10:18:42 am
Quote from: fboab on 26 June, 2013, 05:21:32 pm
Well, I've never actually met interzen, and the 'bicycle' does only have one gear, and colour coordinated frame/saddle/rims/tape....
I think Mr.B was alluding to the fact that I'm a bit of an Angry Birds fan ;)

'Tisn't me, though - not only would it be a cold day in Hell before any of my bikes have colour coordinated rims (for colours != black) but I'm not on a train to anywhere at the moment. I wish I was, but I'm not. I also know what headphones and mute controls are for.

It sounds like you have a bad attack of Hipsterus Irritans - I prescribe a blunt instrument applied liberally and with extreme force around the source of irritation.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 30 June, 2013, 12:38:46 pm
Did I miss the memo???? I must have as I didn't realise today was "National Lemming Day" (and no, not National Lemmy Day... which to be honest is long overdue!).

This morning, a total of five people stepped into the road in front of me without looking. Thankfully, I was awake and my brakes work, or my afternoon would be taken up with bike cleaning and doing the paperwork.   :facepalm:
 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 30 June, 2013, 12:52:15 pm
Quote from: essexian on 30 June, 2013, 12:38:46 pm
Did I miss the memo???? I must have as I didn't realise today was "National Lemming Day" (and no, not National Lemmy Day... which to be honest is long overdue!).
The only reason it hasn't happened is because Lemmy is such concentrated awesome that a single day wouldn't be enough ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Littlesox on 30 June, 2013, 02:24:40 pm
June 30th, and I have just battled a 25 mph head-wind.

WTF ?

Where are those "Lazy Hazy Crazy Days of Summer" ?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 30 June, 2013, 02:25:39 pm
Quote from: essexian on 30 June, 2013, 12:38:46 pm
Did I miss the memo???? I must have as I didn't realise today was "National Lemming Day"

Oh no!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 30 June, 2013, 04:11:52 pm
Quote from: Littlesox on 30 June, 2013, 02:24:40 pm
June 30th, and I have just battled a 25 mph head-wind.

WTF ?

Where are those "Lazy Hazy Crazy Days of Summer" ?

Well it''s not rained for at least all day so far...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 30 June, 2013, 04:26:45 pm
Quote from: Littlesox on 30 June, 2013, 02:24:40 pm
June 30th, and I have just battled a 25 mph head-wind.

WTF ?

Where are those "Lazy Hazy Crazy Days of Summer" ?
Didn't we have them last week or so?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 01 July, 2013, 08:14:09 am
Knees.

That might not have been the slowest commute EVUH, but it weren't far off.

Pliz to be sorting yourselves out before the ride home.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 01 July, 2013, 08:45:55 am
Ticks. You are all little bastards!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 01 July, 2013, 01:17:55 pm
Pah. Opened the shed this morning to find a flat rear tyre on the hybrid, with no time to fix it. That scuppered my plan to take the broken-spoked rear wheel off the other bike to the LBS on my way to work (as the hybrid's the only one with a pannier rack). Will have to make sure I leave work early enough to get home and then go to LBS on foot. >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 01 July, 2013, 08:06:05 pm
I really ought to be surprised that I got sent a scan of a print of an email I sent last year as an attachment to an email today.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ham on 01 July, 2013, 08:12:09 pm
Quote from: Wunja on 01 July, 2013, 08:45:55 am
Ticks. You are all little bastards!

I commend this to the house

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/OTOM-TICK-TWISTER-REMOVER-2-X-PACK-DOG-CAT-PEOPLE-HORSE-PET-/251140859454?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Cats&hash=item3a7929663e
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 01 July, 2013, 08:36:24 pm
Blech! Washing hands after tea and I notice a bit of food stuck in my teeth. Reach in to get it forgetting I've still got soapy hands. Nitwit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Littlesox on 02 July, 2013, 04:58:19 am
Quote from: perpetual dan on 01 July, 2013, 08:06:05 pm
I really ought to be surprised that I got sent a scan of a print of an email I sent last year as an attachment to an email today.

Flashback to circa 1976 - an edition of the BBC's Tomorrow's World - Raymond Baxter beside a machine the size of a house, explaining that it was a computer and one day it will be responsible for the "Paperless office". I sit and listen with awe and wonder. My Dad scoffs at the telly, and says it will never happen.

I'll leave it with you......

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Oaky on 02 July, 2013, 10:16:13 am
Wildlife experts who keep harking on about the extraordinary collision-avoidance-sonar abilities of bats: please come to Witham and explain that to the one I got a faceful of during my ride last night!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 02 July, 2013, 11:55:59 am
Quote from: Oaky on 02 July, 2013, 10:16:13 am
Wildlife experts who keep harking on about the extraordinary collision-avoidance-sonar abilities of bats: please come to Witham and explain that to the one I got a faceful of during my ride last night!
You are Ozzy Osbourne and ICMFP 8)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 02 July, 2013, 02:08:40 pm
Quote from: Littlesox on 02 July, 2013, 04:58:19 am
Quote from: perpetual dan on 01 July, 2013, 08:06:05 pm
I really ought to be surprised that I got sent a scan of a print of an email I sent last year as an attachment to an email today.

Flashback to circa 1976 - an edition of the BBC's Tomorrow's World - Raymond Baxter beside a machine the size of a house, explaining that it was a computer and one day it will be responsible for the "Paperless office". I sit and listen with awe and wonder. My Dad scoffs at the telly, and says it will never happen.

I'll leave it with you......
1976? That was the year the Apple 1 came out. Commercial computers that could fit into a  room with all their peripherals (e.g. washing-machine sized disc drives) had been around for a while, & were shrinking fast. The first VAX was sold in 1977, & commercial computers you could put your coffee mug on were hitting the market. I worked with some in the early 1980s.

Are you sure you've got the right decade? Or maybe how you remember it has grown over the years.
1970 -
(http://history-computer.com/ModernComputer/Electronic/Images/pdp_11_20.jpg)
1976 -
(http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/67819000/jpg/_67819758_67819757.jpg)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 02 July, 2013, 02:26:00 pm
Quote from: Bledlow on 02 July, 2013, 02:08:40 pm
Quote from: Littlesox on 02 July, 2013, 04:58:19 am
Quote from: perpetual dan on 01 July, 2013, 08:06:05 pm
I really ought to be surprised that I got sent a scan of a print of an email I sent last year as an attachment to an email today.

Flashback to circa 1976 - an edition of the BBC's Tomorrow's World - Raymond Baxter beside a machine the size of a house, explaining that it was a computer and one day it will be responsible for the "Paperless office". I sit and listen with awe and wonder. My Dad scoffs at the telly, and says it will never happen.

I'll leave it with you......
1976? That was the year the Apple 1 came out. Commercial computers that could fit into a  room with all their peripherals (e.g. washing-machine sized disc drives) had been around for a while, & were shrinking fast. The first VAX was sold in 1977, & commercial computers you could put your coffee mug on were hitting the market. I worked with some in the early 1980s.

Are you sure you've got the right decade? Or maybe how you remember it has grown over the years.
In the early 90s I was working on computers that were bigger than any house I've owned.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 02 July, 2013, 03:16:46 pm
Met office online weather forecast. How come it takes you until 14:30 to update your "dry until 19:00" forecast to "heavy showers at 13:00".  I can do that by looking out of the bloody window  ::-)  Ah well, at least I'm waterproof!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 02 July, 2013, 03:33:40 pm
Ah, related grumble: The Met Office Android app seems to have trouble with British Summer Time, to the effect that it gets confused about what day it is for an hour after midnight.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 02 July, 2013, 08:53:52 pm
Quote from: Oaky on 02 July, 2013, 10:16:13 am
Wildlife experts who keep harking on about the extraordinary collision-avoidance-sonar abilities of bats: please come to Witham and explain that to the one I got a faceful of during my ride last night!

David Attenborough told a story of how he once did a piece to camera at the mouth of a cave housing a huge bat colony, about the collision avoidance of bats, while bats flew in and out around him.  At the end, the director called "Cut", and a bat flew straight into Attenborough's face....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 02 July, 2013, 08:55:14 pm
That's the Law Of Demonstration, which exists in all things.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Greenbank on 02 July, 2013, 11:11:57 pm
Power cut.

Only very local, just 5 or 6 houses in our stretch, they're digging up right outside our house.

Our alarm goes when the power is cut with no way to silence it. It's taken 2 hours for the battery to die and the internal 130dB siren to stop.

Luckily MiniGB has slept through it despite being less than 5 meters from the siren.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 02 July, 2013, 11:57:23 pm
Quote from: Greenbank on 02 July, 2013, 11:11:57 pm
Our alarm goes when the power is cut with no way to silence it. It's taken 2 hours for the battery to die and the internal 130dB siren to stop.

There's fail-safe and then there's fail-annoying.

I see no reason for a burglar alarm to go off for more than about 5 minutes, and once triggered it should require human intervention before going off again.

Why yes, the students have just gone home for the summer...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Greenbank on 03 July, 2013, 12:00:36 am
The alarm isn't our doing, it came with the flat (with no instructions, only the code). We don't use it (or even tell the insurers it exists). The control panel is dead whilst the power is off/out.

I did try and get ADT to come and look at it for us but we just got a sales droid who wanted to sell us back into a monitoring plan; lots of fear and horror stories.

I think tonight serves as a reason to get the alarm sorted (disabled) properly now.

Oh, and Electrickery workmen have just fired up the stone cutter! That's a quiet thing to do at midnight.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hulver on 03 July, 2013, 10:12:26 am
Quote from: Greenbank on 03 July, 2013, 12:00:36 am
The alarm isn't our doing, it came with the flat (with no instructions, only the code). We don't use it (or even tell the insurers it exists). The control panel is dead whilst the power is off/out.

I did try and get ADT to come and look at it for us but we just got a sales droid who wanted to sell us back into a monitoring plan; lots of fear and horror stories.

I think tonight serves as a reason to get the alarm sorted (disabled) properly now.

Oh, and Electrickery workmen have just fired up the stone cutter! That's a quiet thing to do at midnight.

Sounds like the internal battery needs replacing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vsC9jgkVbo

Quote
Burglar alarms are generally reliable but if the internal battery is flat and will no longer hold charge it should be replaced as soon as possible. A flat internal battery can mean that if there is a power cut the external siren will sound because the hold off circuit to it is no longer present. If the outside siren does not have a self contained battery (scb) the alarm can still go into tamper mode and activate when the power is supplied to the alarm system ( this is why many burglar alarms sound after a power cut). This video shows how to replace the back up battery.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hulver on 03 July, 2013, 10:14:47 am
Dear Body,

I know I've been asking a bit of you lately. It's come as a bit of a shock that after 40 years on this earth I'm now asking more of you then I've ever asked. If you just hold together for a few more months I'll start taking it a bit easier, I promise.

Please stop failing in old and boring ways.

Thanks,

Your Brain.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 03 July, 2013, 10:43:30 am
Quote from: rafletcher on 02 July, 2013, 03:16:46 pm
Met office online weather forecast. How come it takes you until 14:30 to update your "dry until 19:00" forecast to "heavy showers at 13:00".  I can do that by looking out of the bloody window  ::-)  Ah well, at least I'm waterproof!
Yeah, but my drying wasn't.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 03 July, 2013, 03:11:15 pm
I had a reasonably shit morning.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Greenbank on 03 July, 2013, 03:22:12 pm
Quote from: hulver on 03 July, 2013, 10:12:26 am
Quote from: Greenbank on 03 July, 2013, 12:00:36 am
The alarm isn't our doing, it came with the flat (with no instructions, only the code). We don't use it (or even tell the insurers it exists). The control panel is dead whilst the power is off/out.

I did try and get ADT to come and look at it for us but we just got a sales droid who wanted to sell us back into a monitoring plan; lots of fear and horror stories.

I think tonight serves as a reason to get the alarm sorted (disabled) properly now.

Oh, and Electrickery workmen have just fired up the stone cutter! That's a quiet thing to do at midnight.

Sounds like the internal battery needs replacing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vsC9jgkVbo

Quote
Burglar alarms are generally reliable but if the internal battery is flat and will no longer hold charge it should be replaced as soon as possible. A flat internal battery can mean that if there is a power cut the external siren will sound because the hold off circuit to it is no longer present. If the outside siren does not have a self contained battery (scb) the alarm can still go into tamper mode and activate when the power is supplied to the alarm system ( this is why many burglar alarms sound after a power cut). This video shows how to replace the back up battery.

Yep, that's what I was thinking. It's slightly more complicated in that there must be a battery in the internal siren too as something is powering that when the mains power is cut.

I'll see about taking the case off it tonight (once I've found my earplugs).

I've no idea whether the outside siren (if there even is one in the box on the wall) was sounding. I didn't go out to find out. Easily checked by flicking the appropriate fuse.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 03 July, 2013, 03:22:50 pm
I haven't had a reasonable shit this morning.  I'll take some lactulose.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 03 July, 2013, 03:36:44 pm
Quote from: Greenbank on 03 July, 2013, 03:22:12 pm
Quote from: hulver on 03 July, 2013, 10:12:26 am
Quote from: Greenbank on 03 July, 2013, 12:00:36 am
The alarm isn't our doing, it came with the flat (with no instructions, only the code). We don't use it (or even tell the insurers it exists). The control panel is dead whilst the power is off/out.

I did try and get ADT to come and look at it for us but we just got a sales droid who wanted to sell us back into a monitoring plan; lots of fear and horror stories.

I think tonight serves as a reason to get the alarm sorted (disabled) properly now.

Oh, and Electrickery workmen have just fired up the stone cutter! That's a quiet thing to do at midnight.

Sounds like the internal battery needs replacing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vsC9jgkVbo

Quote
Burglar alarms are generally reliable but if the internal battery is flat and will no longer hold charge it should be replaced as soon as possible. A flat internal battery can mean that if there is a power cut the external siren will sound because the hold off circuit to it is no longer present. If the outside siren does not have a self contained battery (scb) the alarm can still go into tamper mode and activate when the power is supplied to the alarm system ( this is why many burglar alarms sound after a power cut). This video shows how to replace the back up battery.

Yep, that's what I was thinking. It's slightly more complicated in that there must be a battery in the internal siren too as something is powering that when the mains power is cut.

I'll see about taking the case off it tonight (once I've found my earplugs).

I've no idea whether the outside siren (if there even is one in the box on the wall) was sounding. I didn't go out to find out. Easily checked by flicking the appropriate fuse.

If the battery in the system is dead then you may be able to disable your alarm by removing the fuse on the circuit powering it.

My house when I moved in had been powered down and unoccupied for two years. The alarm would go off as soon as the electricity was turned on (and I don't have the code) as the batteries are dead. Removing the fuse from a panel next to the control box has silenced the alarm until I get round to getting it sorted :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 03 July, 2013, 03:39:54 pm
I always assumed they went off when the power failed as an anti-tamper feature.  Does the main system battery usually die before the sounder battery like this?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Greenbank on 03 July, 2013, 03:44:09 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 03 July, 2013, 03:36:44 pm
If the battery in the system is dead then you may be able to disable your alarm by removing the fuse on the circuit powering it.

No, that causes the alarm (separate internal[1] siren) to sound, with no way to turn it off.

That's the whole problem. Power cut == internal siren sounding. Trying to silence the internal siren is not solving the problem, it's dealing with yet another symptom.

The second problem (well, symptom of the same problem) is that when the power eventually comes back on I've got 30 seconds or so to reset the alarm or the siren will go off again. This is annoying to my neighbours when I'm not there to fix it.

Dead backup battery in the alarm is the likely cause of all of it and last night's shenanigans have given me the impetus to sort it out. I just need the requisite powertools and beer.

1. Internal to the flat not the alarm box itself.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Greenbank on 03 July, 2013, 03:51:25 pm
Quote from: Kim on 03 July, 2013, 03:39:54 pm
I always assumed they went off when the power failed as an anti-tamper feature.  Does the main system battery usually die before the sounder battery like this?

I wouldn't expect a power fail to cause the alarm to sound when there's adequate (system) battery backup.

The failure modes get complicated as there are 3 power sources involved:
* mains power
* system battery (a.k.a. backup battery)
* sounder battery

mainssystem batterysounder batteryexpected outcome
okokoknormal operation
okokdeadnormal operation, sounder would be mains powered if required?
okdeadoknormal operation, panel may show battery warning light
okdeaddeadnormal operation, panel may show battery warning light, sounder mains powered if required
deadokoknormal operation
deadokdeadnormal operation because no problem detected, dunno what would happen if alarm tripped
deaddeadokmy problem, nothing alive to tell the sounder not to sound
deaddeaddeadno sound because there's nothing to power the sounder
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hulver on 03 July, 2013, 03:55:49 pm
When I changed the battery in my system, opening the cover triggered the alarm, but putting the code in stopped it again.

Your system may vary.

Of course, you will want to remove the fuse before opening the cover, in which case use ear plugs.  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 03 July, 2013, 03:57:48 pm
Quote from: Greenbank on 03 July, 2013, 03:51:25 pm
Quote from: Kim on 03 July, 2013, 03:39:54 pm
I always assumed they went off when the power failed as an anti-tamper feature.  Does the main system battery usually die before the sounder battery like this?

I wouldn't expect a power fail to cause the alarm to sound when there's adequate (system) battery backup.

Then half the alarms in Silly Oak have a dead system battery and working external sounder battery.

Unless they detect mains failure as a tamper condition.

(They go off as power fails.  A couple go off again when it's restored.)




Quote
deaddeadokno sound because there's nothing to power the sounder

I assume that's a typo for 'dead dead dead'
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Greenbank on 03 July, 2013, 04:04:02 pm
Yes. I'm guessing the sounder batteries regularly outlive the main system batteries. Could be various things:-

* different sizes
* different usages (system battery is a small drain, sounder battery is a quick drain to battery exhaustion)
* siren sounder battery only required during a power cut and when the system battery is dead
* sounder battery rechargeable and system battery not? or slow discharge cycle causes system battery to stop accepting recharge

I think the 3rd one may be key. Over successive power cuts (or long periods where the power is intentionally shut off) the system battery will slowly be depleted but the sounder battery is never touched. Only when the system battery is finally gone does any power cut cause the sounder to go off.

Fuckwits (like me) live with this for ages until finally thinking about doing something about it.

Anyway, I'll know more once I've attacked it tonight.

Typo fixed. Ta.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hulver on 03 July, 2013, 04:07:01 pm
Quote from: Kim on 03 July, 2013, 03:57:48 pm
Quote from: Greenbank on 03 July, 2013, 03:51:25 pm
Quote from: Kim on 03 July, 2013, 03:39:54 pm
I always assumed they went off when the power failed as an anti-tamper feature.  Does the main system battery usually die before the sounder battery like this?

I wouldn't expect a power fail to cause the alarm to sound when there's adequate (system) battery backup.

Then half the alarms in Silly Oak have a dead system battery and working external sounder battery.

Unless they detect mains failure as a tamper condition.

(They go off as power fails.  A couple go off again when it's restored.)




Quote
deaddeadokno sound because there's nothing to power the sounder

I assume that's a typo for 'dead dead dead'

I think most of the alarms in the country are like that. It's just a sealed lead acid battery. What's the life on one of those? 3-5 years? Depends on how the alarm system cycles the battery as well I suppose.

A large amount of alarms down my street go off on a power cut. The ones where I know people have their alarms serviced do not.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Greenbank on 03 July, 2013, 06:43:11 pm
Had a further look now I'm home. The alarm looks to be a well known brand.

Access to the screws looks good. I'm happy with not isolating it first (as that would just set it off again). I won't be poking around inside it, only taking the cover off (sticking the code in to stop it going off) and taking a couple of photos to get details of the battery and the model number of the board.

(Surprisingly the bloke in the video linked above doesn't isolate his either, but I guess that's because he wants to demonstrate the tamper alarm, and he lives on the edge.)

Once MiniGB is in bed I'll have a go at it.

Sorting out the alarm has been on my TODO list for coming on 6 years now (pretty much ever since we moved in).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 03 July, 2013, 08:24:42 pm
Quote from: hulver on 03 July, 2013, 04:07:01 pm
I think most of the alarms in the country are like that. It's just a sealed lead acid battery. What's the life on one of those? 3-5 years? Depends on how the alarm system cycles the battery as well I suppose.

Well yes.  So why is the sounder battery still working?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Greenbank on 03 July, 2013, 08:25:51 pm
OK, alarm update. I know you're all gripped...

Battery definitely dead. It's leaked a little bit and the +ve terminal has eaten itself (clip on cable seems fine though). Date on battery shows it was installed just under 11 years ago (and it's probably been dead for 4 or 5 years already).

Battery (sealed lead acid, 12V, 7Ah) is £39.95 in Maplin or £14.50 (with free P&P) from eBay. Hmm, tricky choice, not! Ordered. I can take the old one to the special battery grave at the tip on Friday.

However, after opening the case I could stop the alarm by entering the user code (or "Master code") which I know. To shut the case I need the engineer code, which I don't know, otherwise the alarm goes off (and can't be stopped) because of the tamper switch being reseated and that's an engineer thing apparently.

Resetting both the master and engineer codes is easy though (manuals found on t'Interweb), just have to shut off the power by flicking the appropriate breaker (and before replacing the battery) and hold down two keys on the keypad for 2 seconds within 5 seconds of turning the power back on. That's easy enough to do (although I won't do it now as I've probably annoyed the neighbours enough over the last 24 hours) as I've got to wait for the new battery anyway.

Luckily it's away from prying fingers (of a 3 year old) so I can leave it with the cover wedged slightly open.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Greenbank on 03 July, 2013, 08:26:09 pm
Quote from: Kim on 03 July, 2013, 08:24:42 pm
Quote from: hulver on 03 July, 2013, 04:07:01 pm
I think most of the alarms in the country are like that. It's just a sealed lead acid battery. What's the life on one of those? 3-5 years? Depends on how the alarm system cycles the battery as well I suppose.

Well yes.  So why is the sounder battery still working?

Because it has its own battery.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 03 July, 2013, 08:27:41 pm
Quote from: Greenbank on 03 July, 2013, 08:26:09 pm
Quote from: Kim on 03 July, 2013, 08:24:42 pm
Quote from: hulver on 03 July, 2013, 04:07:01 pm
I think most of the alarms in the country are like that. It's just a sealed lead acid battery. What's the life on one of those? 3-5 years? Depends on how the alarm system cycles the battery as well I suppose.

Well yes.  So why is the sounder battery still working?

Because it has its own battery.

Which is magically immune from dying from lack of maintenance.

Dry cell, maybe?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Greenbank on 03 July, 2013, 08:41:06 pm
Quote from: Kim on 03 July, 2013, 08:27:41 pm
Quote from: Greenbank on 03 July, 2013, 08:26:09 pm
Quote from: Kim on 03 July, 2013, 08:24:42 pm
Quote from: hulver on 03 July, 2013, 04:07:01 pm
I think most of the alarms in the country are like that. It's just a sealed lead acid battery. What's the life on one of those? 3-5 years? Depends on how the alarm system cycles the battery as well I suppose.

Well yes.  So why is the sounder battery still working?

Because it has its own battery.

Which is magically immune from dying from lack of maintenance.

Dry cell, maybe?

Dunno, when I've got the engineer code (Friday probably). I'll be able to take the cover off and look. Don't want to risk it bleating out 130dB right next to my ear as I'm trying to unscrew it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ham on 03 July, 2013, 11:16:22 pm
Quote from: Greenbank on 03 July, 2013, 08:25:51 pm
OK, alarm update. I know you're all gripped...

Battery definitely dead. It's leaked a little bit and the +ve terminal has eaten itself (clip on cable seems fine though). Date on battery shows it was installed just under 11 years ago (and it's probably been dead for 4 or 5 years already).

Battery (sealed lead acid, 12V, 7Ah) is £39.95 in Maplin or £14.50 (with free P&P) from eBay. Hmm, tricky choice, not! Ordered. I can take the old one to the special battery grave at the tip on Friday.

However, after opening the case I could stop the alarm by entering the user code (or "Master code") which I know. To shut the case I need the engineer code, which I don't know, otherwise the alarm goes off (and can't be stopped) because of the tamper switch being reseated and that's an engineer thing apparently.

Resetting both the master and engineer codes is easy though (manuals found on t'Interweb), just have to shut off the power by flicking the appropriate breaker (and before replacing the battery) and hold down two keys on the keypad for 2 seconds within 5 seconds of turning the power back on. That's easy enough to do (although I won't do it now as I've probably annoyed the neighbours enough over the last 24 hours) as I've got to wait for the new battery anyway.

Luckily it's away from prying fingers (of a 3 year old) so I can leave it with the cover wedged slightly open.

Durn, sorry, I have a new battery you could have had for nuffink. Not sure of its capacity

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 07 July, 2013, 08:17:22 pm
I spent most of yesterday driving.
Today, I spent the morning cutting the lawns and this afternoon doing more bleeding driving. Bringing the dog up to Brum (deep joy) 'coz Her In Wales has buggered off to Heidleburg with her SiL.
And here I am, reading the "Have You Been Out Today?" thead and feeling very jealous.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 07 July, 2013, 08:44:27 pm
Similar to the above, a hard weekend bringing fun to the poeple of West Bromwich hasn't left much in the way of time to appreciate the cycling weather.  Or sleep/eat/wash.

Good training for the 200 that I'll be DNSing on Wednesday, I suppose.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feline on 07 July, 2013, 09:07:57 pm
Quote from: Kim on 03 July, 2013, 08:27:41 pm
Quote from: Greenbank on 03 July, 2013, 08:26:09 pm
Quote from: Kim on 03 July, 2013, 08:24:42 pm
Quote from: hulver on 03 July, 2013, 04:07:01 pm
I think most of the alarms in the country are like that. It's just a sealed lead acid battery. What's the life on one of those? 3-5 years? Depends on how the alarm system cycles the battery as well I suppose.

Well yes.  So why is the sounder battery still working?

Because it has its own battery.

Which is magically immune from dying from lack of maintenance.

Dry cell, maybe?

My alarm has done the exact same thing more than once since I've lived here. I had the main battery replaced once, and now need another one. No one has ever touched the sounder battery (house and alarm 18 years old), and the damn thing goes off any time there's a power cut because it thinks someone's tampered with the alarm  :facepalm:
It then goes off again when the power comes back on  :facepalm:  :facepalm:

I might get round to having it serviced at some point. I have networked CTC cameras emailing me movement sensitive pictures so it's less important for security these days.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 07 July, 2013, 11:20:09 pm
On rides and other forms of extended exercise, I use large bandannas as big hankies.  (See someone else's thread about runny noses)
So, me and #s 1 & 2 are in the pub at Great Langdale after our successful attack of Scarfell Pike when I feel the need.  Reaching into my pocket I find a large clothy item, pull it out and give a good PARP! into it. 
Both the boys fall about laughing.  Why are they laughing?  What's funny?  What?  What?
I look down.  I've just blown my nose into my YACF buff.  (Which I'd been wearing as a headscarf as a Male Pattern Baldness sun protector during the day and a mozzy hat in the evening)

Bugger.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 07 July, 2013, 11:39:24 pm
Bloody Hell!  I've just come upstairs to go to bed.  It's about 400 degrees hotter up here.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 07 July, 2013, 11:59:15 pm
Teenagers! I was saving two pieces of pizza to take to work tomorrow and the little so and so has eaten one of them.   >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 08 July, 2013, 08:45:08 am
Quote from: Basil on 07 July, 2013, 11:39:24 pm
Bloody Hell!  I've just come upstairs to go to bed.  It's about 400 degrees hotter up here.

We were working upstairs in the attic bedroom building site yesterday, and I was tiling up the side of the shower cubicle. It was noticeably hotter when I was up the 2 steps of the mini step ladder than standing on the floor...

It was long hot day, but I've only got 28 more tiles to stick up to finish it, and we now have an extra velux window in the bathroom, which gives loads more light, and will provide a lovely view of nothing but trees when standing at the basin.



Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Chris S on 08 July, 2013, 06:15:56 pm
So, having written Virginia Wade out of history for having the temerity for being a woman, it must really chap the collective asses of the All England Club that this year's men's champion, is in fact a Scot. Marvellous  :thumbsup:.

I love watching Old Fucker institutions squirm.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 08 July, 2013, 08:06:11 pm
Hmm, lessee now...  '36,  '77, '13.  I make it only 38 or so years or so to go until the next British winner.  Roll on 2050-51!  :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 08 July, 2013, 09:28:30 pm
Quote from: Chris S on 08 July, 2013, 06:15:56 pm
So, having written Virginia Wade out of history for having the temerity for being a woman, it must really chap the collective asses of the All England Club that this year's men's champion, is in fact a Scot. Marvellous  :thumbsup:.

I love watching Old Fucker institutions squirm.
Also Ann Jones, and another woman before her whose name I forget.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Greenbank on 08 July, 2013, 09:43:39 pm
Quote from: Greenbank on 03 July, 2013, 08:25:51 pm
Resetting both the master and engineer codes is easy though (manuals found on t'Interweb), just have to shut off the power by flicking the appropriate breaker (and before replacing the battery) and hold down two keys on the keypad for 2 seconds within 5 seconds of turning the power back on. That's easy enough to do (although I won't do it now as I've probably annoyed the neighbours enough over the last 24 hours) as I've got to wait for the new battery anyway.

Codes reset. (Only required making the alarm sound for a second).

New battery arrived.

Will probably be Friday when I don't coincide with the neighbours so I can finish it off and hopefully get it all closed up without it going off on me.

It'll also be nice to throw the power and not have the alarm go off, nor have it go off after a power cut.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 08 July, 2013, 09:44:35 pm
Quote from: Chris S on 08 July, 2013, 06:15:56 pm
So, having written Virginia Wade out of history for having the temerity for being a woman, it must really chap the collective asses of the All England Club that this year's men's champion, is in fact a Scot. Marvellous  :thumbsup:.

I love watching Old Fucker institutions squirm.

Personally, I'd always discounted her for being a South African, but I find she spent her first year in the UK.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Chris S on 08 July, 2013, 09:48:07 pm
Quote from: clarion on 08 July, 2013, 09:44:35 pm
Quote from: Chris S on 08 July, 2013, 06:15:56 pm
So, having written Virginia Wade out of history for having the temerity for being a woman, it must really chap the collective asses of the All England Club that this year's men's champion, is in fact a Scot. Marvellous  :thumbsup:.

I love watching Old Fucker institutions squirm.

Personally, I'd always discounted her for being a South African, but I find she spent her first year in the UK.

And Chris Froome was born in Keyna, but apparently he's British too!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Greenbank on 08 July, 2013, 09:50:16 pm
Quote from: Chris S on 08 July, 2013, 09:48:07 pm
Quote from: clarion on 08 July, 2013, 09:44:35 pm
Quote from: Chris S on 08 July, 2013, 06:15:56 pm
So, having written Virginia Wade out of history for having the temerity for being a woman, it must really chap the collective asses of the All England Club that this year's men's champion, is in fact a Scot. Marvellous  :thumbsup:.

I love watching Old Fucker institutions squirm.

Personally, I'd always discounted her for being a South African, but I find she spent her first year in the UK.

And Chris Froome was born in Keyna, but apparently he's British too!

Wiggins was born in Belgium.

Millar was born in Malta.

etc, etc.

Nationality is far from as simple as it was, say, 100 years ago.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 08 July, 2013, 09:51:17 pm
I was born in Singapore.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 08 July, 2013, 11:50:50 pm
Quote from: Greenbank on 08 July, 2013, 09:50:16 pm
Quote from: Chris S on 08 July, 2013, 09:48:07 pm
Quote from: clarion on 08 July, 2013, 09:44:35 pm
Quote from: Chris S on 08 July, 2013, 06:15:56 pm
So, having written Virginia Wade out of history for having the temerity for being a woman, it must really chap the collective asses of the All England Club that this year's men's champion, is in fact a Scot. Marvellous  :thumbsup:.

I love watching Old Fucker institutions squirm.

Personally, I'd always discounted her for being a South African, but I find she spent her first year in the UK.

And Chris Froome was born in Keyna, but apparently he's British too!

Wiggins was born in Belgium.

Millar was born in Malta.

etc, etc.

Nationality is far from as simple as it was, say, 100 years ago.
I think you're overestimating its simplicity back then. What nationality was Marie Curie? Andrew Carnegie? Franz Kafka? Henry Farman?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 09 July, 2013, 03:56:48 am
^Seconded, strongly.^ Although I'd never heard of Henry Farman.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 09 July, 2013, 12:50:12 pm
Dear translators, I know you work under deadlines and other pressures, so here's one rule to make your job easier as well as mine: you don't have to always translate a noun with a noun, a verb with a verb, etc. In fact, you don't have to translate every word. And sometimes you have to add extra words. We want the target language to mean the same as the source and, as near as possible, have the same style, ok? We're not interested in preserving word count or even, necessarily, layout. You'll get paid anyway!

And, dear agency, you know some of your translators are more accurate and more reliable than others, because we tell you so when we grade them (and they know this too). So why do you pick the weakest ones or even untried newbies for the jobs with the tightest deadlines and the most demanding clients?

Oh well, I guess it keeps us busy (and amused!)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 09 July, 2013, 10:27:31 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 09 July, 2013, 03:56:48 am
^Seconded, strongly.^ Although I'd never heard of Henry Farman.
Never heard of Farman aircraft? Or wondered how a French aircraft manufacturer got an English name?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 10 July, 2013, 08:48:31 pm
Quote from: Bledlow on 09 July, 2013, 10:27:31 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 09 July, 2013, 03:56:48 am
^Seconded, strongly.^ Although I'd never heard of Henry Farman.
Never heard of Farman aircraft? Or wondered how a French aircraft manufacturer got an English name?
Might have vaguely heard of them, but might just be thinking that because the name's familiar now. In any case I wouldn't have known they were French. Though I do know that Chevrolet and Cadillac aren't French!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 10 July, 2013, 09:24:10 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 10 July, 2013, 08:48:31 pm
Quote from: Bledlow on 09 July, 2013, 10:27:31 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 09 July, 2013, 03:56:48 am
^Seconded, strongly.^ Although I'd never heard of Henry Farman.
Never heard of Farman aircraft? Or wondered how a French aircraft manufacturer got an English name?
Might have vaguely heard of them, but might just be thinking that because the name's familiar now. In any case I wouldn't have known they were French. Though I do know that Chevrolet and Cadillac aren't French!

Never heard of them. Wouldn't have known they were French. If I had known they were French, I wouldn't necessarily have thought the name was that English ...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 10 July, 2013, 09:28:10 pm
Everyday at work, when we get in for lunch, the first thing I do is fill the kettle and put it on to make a pot of tea (and to cook my instant noodles). When it boils, I make the pot of tea first, then cover the noodles and microwave them, and by then, the tea is brewed, so I pour out 2 or 3 mugs, depending on who's working and distribute them before I sit down to eat.

Today, before I got my lunch, I needed to fetch some stuff down for the craft club before I got my lunch, and arrange it on the tables ready.

Did someone else make the pot of tea so there was a mug ready for me?

Did they buggery.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 11 July, 2013, 09:03:17 am
I must remember to switch off my Cateye when I stop. Apparently, it took me 8 hours and 20 minutes to get home from the pub last night :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 11 July, 2013, 09:26:37 am
Quote from: Guy on 11 July, 2013, 09:03:17 am
I must remember to switch off my Cateye when I stop. Apparently, it took me 8 hours and 20 minutes to get home from the pub last night :facepalm:

Drink'll do that to you. It DID take 8.20 to get home, you just don't remember it.

 ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 11 July, 2013, 01:03:29 pm
I keep having to pay to get my favourite sunglasses repaired because I keep breaking them, so I bought a proper padded case for them. Now I've lost the case.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 11 July, 2013, 01:06:52 pm
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 11 July, 2013, 01:03:29 pm
I keep having to pay to get my favourite sunglasses repaired because I keep breaking them, so I bought a proper padded case for them. Now I've lost the case.  >:(

Thank you for reminding me, I have 2 pairs to send off to Maui Jim.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 11 July, 2013, 01:18:21 pm
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 11 July, 2013, 01:03:29 pm
I keep having to pay to get my favourite sunglasses repaired because I keep breaking them, so I bought a proper padded case for them. Now I've lost the case.  >:(

Well I've managed to lose my sunglasses and their distinctive green metal case.  Problem is, they're my prescription ones, and they cost £600!  They seem to have got lost somewhere between the sunny seat outsde the office, and home.  This includes possibilities of the office, the route to the car park, B&Q, and home itself.  Now if my wife would answer the phone message I've left her, I may find out if they are hiding at home.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 12 July, 2013, 12:35:51 am
Quote from: Bledlow on 08 July, 2013, 11:50:50 pm
Quote from: Greenbank on 08 July, 2013, 09:50:16 pm
Nationality is far from as simple as it was, say, 100 years ago.
I think you're overestimating its simplicity back then. What nationality was Marie Curie? Andrew Carnegie? Franz Kafka? Henry Farman?

I don't think nationality was particularly simple 100 years ago.
I an third generation British though neither of my parents was born in GB.
Dad was registered British at birth (in Antwerp) because his father was born in Hornsey to globe-trotting Dutch parents. My paternal great-grandparents had children born in Holland, Australia, New Zealand and Peru...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 12 July, 2013, 10:49:39 am
Yeah.

In the 1930s my maternal grandmother (born 95 years ago) was barred from some jobs* because although born in the UK to a British (English & Welsh) mother, her father was Danish, thus giving her dual nationality should she choose to claim it.

*She discovered this when she applied to join the Metropolitan Police & was turned down because of it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 12 July, 2013, 10:34:32 pm
If I'm going to go and do some shopping it would be a good idea to take my wallet with me instead of leaving it on the windowsill :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 13 July, 2013, 03:25:03 pm
Quote from: Bledlow on 12 July, 2013, 10:49:39 am
Yeah.

In the 1930s my maternal grandmother (born 95 years ago) was barred from some jobs* because although born in the UK to a British (English & Welsh) mother, her father was Danish, thus giving her dual nationality should she choose to claim it.

*She discovered this when she applied to join the Metropolitan Police & was turned down because of it.

I didn't think Danes did dual nationality. My mother remains Danish, despite having lived in the UK since 1956. Having been born stateless and acquiring Danish nationality as an adolescent, it's not something she wants to give up.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 14 July, 2013, 11:06:24 pm
Really fboab, you're a bit old for this crap now aren't you?
It's summer, you're outside in a strappy top... did you really think you could get away without suncream? Really?

Ouch.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 15 July, 2013, 08:06:15 am
Quote from: fboab on 14 July, 2013, 11:06:24 pm
Really fboab, you're a bit old for this crap now aren't you?
It's summer, you're outside in a strappy top... did you really think you could get away without suncream? Really?

Ouch.

Ha, yes. You should see my be-sandalled feet...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 15 July, 2013, 08:37:46 am
That reminds me - there were rain clouds in the sky yesterday late afternoon. Or was it evening? It's hard to say what's evening and what's afternoon and what's night when it's light till ten! Anyway, although it didn't rain, twas my fault - on Saturday I thought to myself, "I really ought to get some sandals for this weather."
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 16 July, 2013, 07:34:41 am
There are some things a wife should not do to her husband. These include standing naked in front of the telly demanding something or other when his favourite team is playing in the cup final, being good friends with his Mum, moving his "stuff" from the safe spot he put it and then forgetting where about she moved it to and, washing his pillow.
 
Yes, my wife washed my pillow behind my back..... look, my late Mum made that for me back in 1980: its been with me ever since through 12 house moves and countless miles. Hell, its even been on holiday with me! Okay, it is a bit smelly, has a few stains on it and was most likely to be 50% bedbugs but hey, I liked it that way!!!
 
Now, its clean and smells of fabric softener. I tried to use it last night but no, its not the same anymore. Sigh. didn't get any sleep worrying if it will ever been the same again.
 
Going off for a quick cry.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 17 July, 2013, 01:31:36 pm
Damn you, BBC Proms!  Why have you decided to do Wagner's Ring cycle over the course of a week, often starting at 5pm?!?  (OK, I can understand the early starts.)  Don't you know there's a FNRttC at the end of the week, which usually results in a late return on Saturday?

Now I'm left to contemplate:
* can I arrange to leave work early for the early shows
* on Friday can I manage a day in the, an evening at the Albert Hall, then a ride to Felpham?
* then can I get back in time on Saturday to recover enough for the final performance in the evening?

Alternatively, I could just go home and listen to it all on the radio.  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 17 July, 2013, 02:19:58 pm
Or you could save your ears from hours of proto-fascistic caterwauling.

And ride your bike, natch.

HTH ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 17 July, 2013, 02:56:20 pm
Quote from: clarion on 17 July, 2013, 02:19:58 pm
Or you could save your ears from hours of proto-fascistic caterwauling.

 :o  Philistine!

Quote
And ride your bike, natch.

HTH ;)

Heading over to the Albert Hall extends my commute a fair bit, so it would involve riding my bike.  ;)



(http://files.myopera.com/trollop/files/viking-smilie_frames-1.png)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 17 July, 2013, 02:58:00 pm
Quote from: Andrij on 17 July, 2013, 02:56:20 pm
Quote from: clarion on 17 July, 2013, 02:19:58 pm
Or you could save your ears from hours of proto-fascistic caterwauling.

 :o  Philistine!


I wear that badge with pride, where a pompous hack like Wagner is concerned. ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feline on 17 July, 2013, 03:04:13 pm
Quote from: essexian on 16 July, 2013, 07:34:41 am
There are some things a wife should not do to her husband. These include standing naked in front of the telly demanding something or other when his favourite team is playing in the cup final, being good friends with his Mum, moving his "stuff" from the safe spot he put it and then forgetting where about she moved it to and, washing his pillow.
 
Yes, my wife washed my pillow behind my back..... look, my late Mum made that for me back in 1980: its been with me ever since through 12 house moves and countless miles. Hell, its even been on holiday with me! Okay, it is a bit smelly, has a few stains on it and was most likely to be 50% bedbugs but hey, I liked it that way!!!
 your
Now, its clean and smells of fabric softener. I tried to use it last night but no, its not the same anymore. Sigh. didn't get any sleep worrying if it will ever been the same again.
 
Going off for a quick cry.

Are you sure it's your pillow and not your comfort blankie?  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 17 July, 2013, 09:27:50 pm
Why am I so knackered?

I'm assuming it's something to do with the v. high pollen count (or maybe temperature) but I've been severely lacking in energy for the last day and a half :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 17 July, 2013, 09:34:07 pm
I've got that too.  Was feeling pretty good (relatively speaking) yesterday.

Being too hot is hard work.  And now it's cooled down I'm too knackered to go for a bike ride.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 17 July, 2013, 09:52:52 pm
Bugger, my two new pairs of shorts are too small, annoyingly I considered getting a pair each of medium and small to see but decided as my current ones are a small then 2x small would be fine. I will concede that according to the size guide it was borderline though.

Well, they are mostly too small, I have to hunch to avoid the straps pulling on my shoulders and the legs/waist are tight but the leg grippers are baggy  ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 17 July, 2013, 09:55:46 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 17 July, 2013, 09:27:50 pm
Why am I so knackered?

I'm assuming it's something to do with the v. high pollen count (or maybe temperature) but I've been severely lacking in energy for the last day and a half :(

I'm knackered too. I'm fortunate not to have a pollen issue, but it's just too hot. And working outside I don't get much respite from the heat. By the end of the day, I'm just a little puddle of misery!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Deano on 17 July, 2013, 10:01:42 pm
It is quite pleasant to work in an air-conditioned office at the moment.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 17 July, 2013, 10:04:40 pm
It's quite novel to be working in minus 25 degrees C.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Deano on 17 July, 2013, 10:05:27 pm
Ok, you win ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 17 July, 2013, 10:08:33 pm
MFWHTBAB and I have been trying to arrange the next few weeks in our diaries, involving several different fixed events, including one weekend where I've committed to be in York on Saturday, but we want to help out at the West Lancs Railway gala on the Sunday, plus a workmate wanting to swap days off with me, and me struggling to work out which day to swap with him.

My Brane hurts!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 18 July, 2013, 11:51:57 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 13 July, 2013, 03:25:03 pm
Quote from: Bledlow on 12 July, 2013, 10:49:39 am
Yeah.

In the 1930s my maternal grandmother (born 95 years ago) was barred from some jobs* because although born in the UK to a British (English & Welsh) mother, her father was Danish, thus giving her dual nationality should she choose to claim it.

*She discovered this when she applied to join the Metropolitan Police & was turned down because of it.

I didn't think Danes did dual nationality. My mother remains Danish, despite having lived in the UK since 1956. Having been born stateless and acquiring Danish nationality as an adolescent, it's not something she wants to give up.
Current Danish law restricts dual nationality, but does allow it in such cases as that of my grandmother. She was Danish because her father was Danish & married to her mother (& the marriage was registered with the Danish authorities: they even had a Lutheran ceremony in the Danish church in London) when she was born, & British because the UK had a jus soli law (see below), i.e. birth here automatically made her British. I don't know if Danish law was the same back then, but I wouldn't be surprised.

British law did allow for dual nationality:

Quote
Any person who by reason of his having been born within His Majesty's dominions and allegiance or on board a British ship is a natural-born British subject, but who at his birth or during his minority became under the law of any foreign state a subject also of that state, and is still such a subject, may, if of full age and not under disability, make a declaration of alienage, and on making the declaration shall cease to be a British subject.
Pretty clear.

And since she was living in the UK, that's what counted.

Someone can be a dual national under the laws of one country, but not those of another, e.g. some countries (including the UK) require that renunciation of citizenship must be done before their own authorities, while others (e.g. the USA, Denmark) make it a condition of naturalisation to renounce foreign citizenships before their authorities. So if they only renounce their citizenship to the new country, the new country will consider them solely its own citizens, while the old country will consider them dual nationals.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 19 July, 2013, 12:02:29 am
Bit different for my Copenhagen born Mum then.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 19 July, 2013, 09:17:50 am
Presumably to parents who were not Danish. AFAIK Denmark has always gone for jus sanguinis, i.e. parents count, not place of birth.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SteveC on 19 July, 2013, 03:45:41 pm
Went into our changing room before cycling home at lunchtime.
Was is necessary for someone to leave a helmet and saddle with connected seat-post on one of the chairs?
And the post was greasy.
Strangely all thie bikes in the rack had saddles fitted already.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 19 July, 2013, 04:06:48 pm
Quote from: Bledlow on 19 July, 2013, 09:17:50 am
Presumably to parents who were not Danish. AFAIK Denmark has always gone for jus sanguinis, i.e. parents count, not place of birth.

Indeed. Mum's parents were born in Germany in 1901. They left in 1933 for Denmark. Mum was born, stateless, in 1936.

AIUI  immigrants had to wait 15 years to be naturalised so family only gained Danish nationality in 1948.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 19 July, 2013, 05:22:15 pm
I can't remember how it worked but at one point in time it was possible to get a state less child if you mixed up the nationalities of Denmark and the UK along with sex of parents and location the wee born popped out.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 19 July, 2013, 07:09:55 pm
There has never been any doubt or difficulty about the fact that I am (3rd generation) BRITISH. Born in BRITAIN to a BRITISH1 father. I don't think I'm eligible for Danish nationality.

1) Dad was registered British at birth (in Antwerp) as his father was born in Hornsey.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 19 July, 2013, 07:28:30 pm
Hmm. Each of the four people in the house right now has a different permutation of nationalities, although they only represent two countries of birth. One of them has the nationality of a country he has never been to. No Danes here though!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 19 July, 2013, 07:29:41 pm
Actually, I've just realised that's not strictly true about the absence of Danes. There are lots of Lego characters!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 20 July, 2013, 09:39:22 am
I've just discovered that during high season (commencing 28th July ) the Caravan & Camping Club have a policy of a minimum fee of two nights.All sites.Nation wide.

Some in the Lake District have a 5 night minimum.

Robdogs >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 20 July, 2013, 09:24:37 pm
That's disgusting. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 21 July, 2013, 12:26:51 pm
It's probably what I would do if I was trying to make a living from running a campsite which was periodically oversubscribed.  :-\

They're usually more flexible for solo campers, especially if without a car.

Not much help for jogler, tho'.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 21 July, 2013, 12:39:53 pm
Quote from: fboab on 21 July, 2013, 12:26:51 pm
It's probably what I would do if I was trying to make a living from running a campsite which was periodically oversubscribed.  :-\


I shall satisfy myself by registering my dis-satisfaction via my wallet & not renew my membership.As I did with the Caravan Club, CTC & National Trust

These £-grasping fiscal policies are generating some economies in my subscriptions


Quote from: fboab on 21 July, 2013, 12:26:51 pm
They're usually more flexible for solo campers, especially if without a car.

This has always been so IME.
In fairness the C&CC have a policy of always finding a space for a solo walker or cyclist.

Quote from: fboab on 21 July, 2013, 12:26:51 pm
Not much help for jogler, tho'.

I might get a pitch if I arrive onmebike towing my caravan ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 21 July, 2013, 06:15:46 pm
Quote from: Arch on 17 July, 2013, 10:08:33 pm
MFWHTBAB and I have been trying to arrange the next few weeks in our diaries, involving several different fixed events, including one weekend where I've committed to be in York on Saturday, but we want to help out at the West Lancs Railway gala on the Sunday, plus a workmate wanting to swap days off with me, and me struggling to work out which day to swap with him.

My Brane hurts!

Well if you see Graham Fairhurst at the West Lancs gala (the owner of "Utrillas") say to him, "William asks if you've found the 1967 pictures of the Penrhyn tar boiler wagon yet? "  That'll fox him... Actually I must get off my arse and email him that question!

My next tricky bit is fiddling how to get enough time to go and work on "Monarch" on the other W&LLR (The Welshpool and Llanfair)  next week.  The poor old girl's a bit sad, but its her 60th Birthday on Weds 31st.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 21 July, 2013, 06:29:38 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 19 July, 2013, 04:06:48 pm
Indeed. Mum's parents were born in Germany in 1901. They left in 1933 for Denmark.
Very sensible & forward-looking of them.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 21 July, 2013, 07:10:12 pm
People of the Netherlands, your driving sucks. I know you're used to cyclists being on the pavement, but puhleese.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 21 July, 2013, 07:23:28 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 21 July, 2013, 07:10:12 pm
People of the Netherlands, your driving sucks. I know you're used to cyclists being on the pavement, but puhleese.

Brummies are also used to cyclists being on the pavement.  'nuff said.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 21 July, 2013, 07:54:25 pm
*Wishes Mrs. P had posted that on Birmingham Cycling*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 21 July, 2013, 08:08:10 pm
F a m I l I e s . . .    ::-)

< SIGH >
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 21 July, 2013, 08:09:14 pm
Basil, Feel free to quote me :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 21 July, 2013, 08:50:22 pm
Thanks Mrs. P.  But I probably won't.  They probably think I'm already a grumpy enough git for occasionally querying their total obsession for wanting Brum to turn into some sort of Dutch cycling model Hell.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 21 July, 2013, 08:51:36 pm
Quote from: Wombat on 21 July, 2013, 06:15:46 pm
Quote from: Arch on 17 July, 2013, 10:08:33 pm
MFWHTBAB and I have been trying to arrange the next few weeks in our diaries, involving several different fixed events, including one weekend where I've committed to be in York on Saturday, but we want to help out at the West Lancs Railway gala on the Sunday, plus a workmate wanting to swap days off with me, and me struggling to work out which day to swap with him.

My Brane hurts!

Well if you see Graham Fairhurst at the West Lancs gala (the owner of "Utrillas") say to him, "William asks if you've found the 1967 pictures of the Penrhyn tar boiler wagon yet? "  That'll fox him... Actually I must get off my arse and email him that question!

My next tricky bit is fiddling how to get enough time to go and work on "Monarch" on the other W&LLR (The Welshpool and Llanfair)  next week.  The poor old girl's a bit sad, but its her 60th Birthday on Weds 31st.

I'll try and remember!

MFWHTBAB went over for the Thursday night volunteer fettling session.  When I arrived at MFWHTBAB's house on Friday, he said "Oh, we need to sort you out an overall".

"Oh, do we?"
"Yeah, I've arranged you a little job at the gala day"
"Oh?"
"Yeah. You're firing".
"Um?"
"You going to be a fireman".
"Um?! Don't I need training?"
"Yeah, you'll get it on the gala day".

There's a saying about frying pans trying to get out of my head....


Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 21 July, 2013, 09:04:43 pm
outofthefryingpanintothefiremansshovel
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 21 July, 2013, 09:36:15 pm
Quote from: jogler on 21 July, 2013, 09:04:43 pm
outofthefryingpanintothefiremansshovel

That's the sort of thing!

I should say, this isn't a grumble, it just happened to follow on from my previous post. :thumbsup:

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 21 July, 2013, 09:49:00 pm
Arch is HotStuff :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 21 July, 2013, 10:14:42 pm
Quote from: jogler on 21 July, 2013, 09:49:00 pm
Arch is HotStuff :demon:

I will be if I get it wrong and stick a hand in the firebox!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Butterfly on 22 July, 2013, 09:44:59 am
Woo! That sounds fun, Arch!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 22 July, 2013, 10:05:03 am
Quote from: Butterfly on 22 July, 2013, 09:44:59 am
Woo! That sounds fun, Arch!

Yeah, a bit nervewracking, but I hope I can do it well. It's a step towards actually driving!

We actually found out about the place at a steam rally and were attracted by the relative cheapness of their 'drive a steam train' experience compared with the larger railways. When we visited, we found just how tiny they are (maybe a mile of track, if that?) and how keen they are to have volunteers. Especially when MFWHTBAB started to list the sort of work he could do. I think they reckoned I'd be worth having just to keep him!

I'd have been happy to look after the shop or clip tickets on the gala day, but MFWHTBAB is a bit better at getting to the point!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 22 July, 2013, 10:17:18 am
Surly have only gone and released a disc-braked monster-cross style bike1 ... just as I'm about to finish building up my Genesis High Latitude to perform more-or-less the same function  >:(

1 - the 'Straggler' if the photos are to be believed - sums up my style of riding perfectly. Others are referring to it as a disc-braked Cross Check, which is something I've fancied for a while.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 22 July, 2013, 10:52:22 am
Fuck off, Biggles.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 22 July, 2013, 04:00:29 pm
Tomorrow, in Cambridgeshire, it is going to p1$$ it down, mightily.  About the time I shall be leaving work.

Guess which idiot left his Night Vision jacket 180 miles away? On the back of the bedroom door...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 22 July, 2013, 07:35:44 pm
Young women of London, what is it with you and tattoos?  It seems like a quarter of those I've seen these last two weeks are tattooed.  I'm not talking about a 'little butterfly' on the ankle, or even a tramp-stamp.  I'm talking 'my, those are interesting arm-warmers... oh, you're not wearing anything on your arms' and beyond.

OK, I'm prejudiced - I'm not a fan of inking human flesh.  I can appreciate the artistry - when it's there - but... *sigh* 

Yeah, I know, many here will disagree with me, and I'm OK with that.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: PeteB99 on 22 July, 2013, 07:44:59 pm
Motons of London, M4 M25 and A1M branch Saturday night

What's wrong with lanes 1 and 3 ? does huddling together in the middle lane give you a sense of security?

Or is there something you're not telling us strangers? Buried landmines in the outside lane? Nests of snipers in the bushes?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 22 July, 2013, 09:17:05 pm
BBC1 interrupts schedule for a one-hour news special to make a ten-second announcement: Royal baby boy, 8 stone, 6 pounds.  Or something.

::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 22 July, 2013, 09:30:21 pm
Bugger.  Sitting at the garden bench, I just reached round for this phone.  In doing so I upset the full glass of wine at my elbow.  In an attempt to save that I knocked over the bottle.  Both of them emptied themselves down on the lawn.
Luckily there are several bottles of Old Speckled Hen in the fridge (hoorah for Mrs. B).  Otherwise I'd be close to making one of those inappropriate 999 calls.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 22 July, 2013, 09:42:46 pm
Quote from: interzen on 22 July, 2013, 10:17:18 am
Surly have only gone and released a disc-braked monster-cross style bike1 ... just as I'm about to finish building up my Genesis High Latitude to perform more-or-less the same function  >:(

1 - the 'Straggler' if the photos are to be believed - sums up my style of riding perfectly. Others are referring to it as a disc-braked Cross Check, which is something I've fancied for a while.

Just had a look and...it seems to be purple! :o

I've had my eye on a Cross Check for a while too, as an eventual replacement when my hybrid gives up. A purple one with disc brakes would be even better!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 22 July, 2013, 10:14:07 pm
Quote from: phantasmagoriana on 22 July, 2013, 09:42:46 pm
Quote from: interzen on 22 July, 2013, 10:17:18 am
Surly have only gone and released a disc-braked monster-cross style bike1 ... just as I'm about to finish building up my Genesis High Latitude to perform more-or-less the same function  >:(

1 - the 'Straggler' if the photos are to be believed - sums up my style of riding perfectly. Others are referring to it as a disc-braked Cross Check, which is something I've fancied for a while.

Just had a look and...it seems to be purple! :o
It is.
Very much so.
They must have travelled all the way back to 1994 to get those anodised purple seatpost collars ...

I like the look of the bike, especially in light of the other snippets of info that have appeared on FacePalm (ie. it has horizontal-ish dropouts so is singlespeed/fixed/IGH-able) but there's no way I could justify getting one ...

.. yet.

If anything, I'm more interested in the tyres that are adorning the new Instigator ... 26x2.75? That'll do nicely ...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 22 July, 2013, 10:15:08 pm
*studiously ignores the temptation of purpoo bikes*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 22 July, 2013, 10:24:09 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 22 July, 2013, 10:15:08 pm
*studiously ignores the temptation of purpoo bikes*
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/999987_498717473544604_2074201417_n.jpg)

Take yer pick ...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 22 July, 2013, 10:28:01 pm
Oh FFS, why did they wait to bring that out *after* I bought the Disc Trucker? I don't like green.
Gits  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: RJ on 22 July, 2013, 10:33:45 pm
Milton Keynes tomorrow :-\.  My carefully-selected work reading for the train is still at the office ::-).  Will have to take a book  :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 22 July, 2013, 11:20:33 pm
Quote from: interzen on 22 July, 2013, 10:24:09 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 22 July, 2013, 10:15:08 pm
*studiously ignores the temptation of purpoo bikes*
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/999987_498717473544604_2074201417_n.jpg)

Take yer pick ...

They are rather lovely. I do hope the purple isn't just a teasing prototype. And that they take 700c wheels, as I don't like 26" (for no good reason).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 22 July, 2013, 11:27:33 pm
Quote from: phantasmagoriana link=topic=46587.msg1527935#msg1527935
They are rather lovely. I do hope the purple isn't just a teasing prototype. And that they take 700c wheels, as I don't like 26" (for no good reason).

The pics were taken at the QBP dealer event in Utah, so they're more than likely to be the complete bikes more or less as-sold. Regarding wheel size, Word of God is:

Quote
Completes with Surly Knard 700x41. Surly Fatties Fit Fine (FFF) stays and our beautiful slope-crowned custom fork provide room for tires up to 700 x 42mm! With fenders!

So yes, 700c. With room for some fairly decent sized rubber.

I've now decided that the reason I'm not going to buy one of these is because there aren't any readily available non-STI drop-bar levers which will work with hydraulic disc brakes  O:-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 23 July, 2013, 09:06:15 am
On a similar note, I am struggling to avoid buying a Fat Bike (fundinfg would cause severe strife for someone- probably me!) so was really incovinienced when, whilst at the Trek world event at Silverstone last week, some complete bastards put the Trek Farley (http://biketrendy.pl/coraz-wiecej-grubasow-trek-farley/) on display ::-)

The link is to a Polish (I think) blog which had the best selection of images.

A very desireable bit of kit which needs me to sacrifice £1700 beer tokens to obtain.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 23 July, 2013, 09:36:13 am
Quote from: fuzzy on 23 July, 2013, 09:06:15 am
On a similar note, I am struggling to avoid buying a Fat Bike (fundinfg would cause severe strife for someone- probably me!) so was really incovinienced when, whilst at the Trek world event at Silverstone last week, some complete bastards put the Trek Farley (http://biketrendy.pl/coraz-wiecej-grubasow-trek-farley/) on display ::-)

The link is to a Polish (I think) blog which had the best selection of images.

A very desireable bit of kit which needs me to sacrifice £1700 beer tokens to obtain.
Genesis Caribou and a gen-yoo-ine Pugsley are cheaper.
On-One Fatty cheaper still.

Just sayin' ...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 23 July, 2013, 10:20:50 am
Quote from: fuzzy on 23 July, 2013, 09:06:15 am
On a similar note, I am struggling to avoid buying a Fat Bike (fundinfg would cause severe strife for someone- probably me!) so was really incovinienced when, whilst at the Trek world event at Silverstone last week, some complete bastards put the Trek Farley (http://biketrendy.pl/coraz-wiecej-grubasow-trek-farley/) on display ::-)

The link is to a Polish (I think) blog which had the best selection of images.

A very desireable bit of kit which needs me to sacrifice £1700 beer tokens to obtain.

Is this before or after you buy a recumbent trike, or have you already slipped one of those into the stable?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 23 July, 2013, 12:49:19 pm
As you can see. I am in serious do do in the want stakes ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 23 July, 2013, 12:50:11 pm
Quote from: interzen on 23 July, 2013, 09:36:13 am
Quote from: fuzzy on 23 July, 2013, 09:06:15 am
On a similar note, I am struggling to avoid buying a Fat Bike (fundinfg would cause severe strife for someone- probably me!) so was really incovinienced when, whilst at the Trek world event at Silverstone last week, some complete bastards put the Trek Farley (http://biketrendy.pl/coraz-wiecej-grubasow-trek-farley/) on display ::-)

The link is to a Polish (I think) blog which had the best selection of images.

A very desireable bit of kit which needs me to sacrifice £1700 beer tokens to obtain.
Genesis Caribou and a gen-yoo-ine Pugsley are cheaper.
On-One Fatty cheaper still.

Just sayin' ...

yeahbut, the Farley is the nicest looking fatty I have seen (with the exception of our Mr Bloke) IMHO.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 23 July, 2013, 12:59:39 pm
Quote from: fuzzy on 23 July, 2013, 12:50:11 pm
Quote from: interzen on 23 July, 2013, 09:36:13 am
Quote from: fuzzy on 23 July, 2013, 09:06:15 am
On a similar note, I am struggling to avoid buying a Fat Bike (fundinfg would cause severe strife for someone- probably me!) so was really incovinienced when, whilst at the Trek world event at Silverstone last week, some complete bastards put the Trek Farley (http://biketrendy.pl/coraz-wiecej-grubasow-trek-farley/) on display ::-)

The link is to a Polish (I think) blog which had the best selection of images.

A very desireable bit of kit which needs me to sacrifice £1700 beer tokens to obtain.
Genesis Caribou and a gen-yoo-ine Pugsley are cheaper.
On-One Fatty cheaper still.

Just sayin' ...

yeahbut, the Farley is the nicest looking fatty I have seen (with the exception of our Mr Bloke) IMHO.
Two words: Salsa Beargrease.
Bonus extra word: Carbon

[FX: exuent, whistling innocently ... ;D]
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 24 July, 2013, 09:10:10 am
It's a terrible tragedy, and I don't want to lose sight of that.  Two girls have drowned in the notoriously strong River Wear, not far from where I used to live.

But why did the BBC call it the River Ware?  It's a major British river, sixty miles long, FHS.  It flows through two cities - Durham and Sunderland, - passing by nearly 400,000 people, and has one of the most picturesque dales in the country.  Ignorance.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Greenbank on 24 July, 2013, 09:25:22 am
Or just a typo. One headline on the BBC home page talked about a "murdered muslim ma."

Have the BBC been employing a whole load of ex-Grauniad sub-editors?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 24 July, 2013, 09:26:16 am
Not a typo.  This was spoken on Radio 4 Today news headlines.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 24 July, 2013, 10:22:18 am
Quote from: clarion on 17 July, 2013, 02:19:58 pm
Or you could save your ears from hours of proto-fascistic caterwauling.

Quote from: clarion on 17 July, 2013, 02:58:00 pm
I wear that badge with pride, where a pompous hack like Wagner is concerned. ;)

You might find last night's "Twnety Minutes" interesting: The Soviet Valkyrie (http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0375s09)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 24 July, 2013, 11:46:29 am
Quote from: clarion on 24 July, 2013, 09:10:10 am
It's a terrible tragedy, and I don't want to lose sight of that.  Two girls have drowned in the notoriously strong River Wear, not far from where I used to live.

But why did the BBC call it the River Ware?  It's a major British river, sixty miles long, FHS.  It flows through two cities - Durham and Sunderland, - passing by nearly 400,000 people, and has one of the most picturesque dales in the country.  Ignorance.
Yeah. I noticed that. Not being from round there, I wondered if that was the local (i.e. correct) pronunciation, & I'd been getting it wrong all my life, but from what you say, I've been right all along & the Beeb was wrong.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 24 July, 2013, 11:50:17 am
I have come to the sad conclusion that, due to financial constraints, I am going to be unable to accompany Mrs T and TLD to Croatia on September :( :'(

Rs
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 24 July, 2013, 11:54:05 am
Quote from: Bledlow on 24 July, 2013, 11:46:29 am
Quote from: clarion on 24 July, 2013, 09:10:10 am
It's a terrible tragedy, and I don't want to lose sight of that.  Two girls have drowned in the notoriously strong River Wear, not far from where I used to live.

But why did the BBC call it the River Ware?  It's a major British river, sixty miles long, FHS.  It flows through two cities - Durham and Sunderland, - passing by nearly 400,000 people, and has one of the most picturesque dales in the country.  Ignorance.
Yeah. I noticed that. Not being from round there, I wondered if that was the local (i.e. correct) pronunciation, & I'd been getting it wrong all my life, but from what you say, I've been right all along & the Beeb was wrong.

Local pronunciation (and I lived about a mile from it at one point, so I am sure about this), is emphasis on the first syllable, and definite break between them, so something like 'weeyur'.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 24 July, 2013, 12:10:13 pm
Beeb pronunciation of loads of Northern Places is shite.

London bias, innit.

(I say Wee-ah).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 24 July, 2013, 12:22:24 pm
Quote from: fboab on 24 July, 2013, 12:10:13 pm
Beeb pronunciation of loads of Northern Places is shite.

London bias, innit.

(I say Wee-ah).
Not too far off how its pronounced where my parents live near Durham (about a mile from the river itself, as the crow flies) - albeit with a short 'a' ('Wee-a') - the IPA rendering is /ˈwɪər/ (wee-r)

Basically, if its north of Watford the Beeb will either pretend it doesn't exist or fuck up the pronounciation (most of their facilities may be in Salford, but they're still annoyingly London-centric)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 24 July, 2013, 12:31:49 pm
Quote from: interzen on 23 July, 2013, 12:59:39 pm
Quote from: fuzzy on 23 July, 2013, 12:50:11 pm
Quote from: interzen on 23 July, 2013, 09:36:13 am
Quote from: fuzzy on 23 July, 2013, 09:06:15 am
On a similar note, I am struggling to avoid buying a Fat Bike (fundinfg would cause severe strife for someone- probably me!) so was really incovinienced when, whilst at the Trek world event at Silverstone last week, some complete bastards put the Trek Farley (http://biketrendy.pl/coraz-wiecej-grubasow-trek-farley/) on display ::-)

The link is to a Polish (I think) blog which had the best selection of images.

A very desireable bit of kit which needs me to sacrifice £1700 beer tokens to obtain.
Genesis Caribou and a gen-yoo-ine Pugsley are cheaper.
On-One Fatty cheaper still.

Just sayin' ...

yeahbut, the Farley is the nicest looking fatty I have seen (with the exception of our Mr Bloke) IMHO.
Two words: Salsa Beargrease.
Bonus extra word: Carbon

[FX: exuent, whistling innocently ... ;D]

fuzzy prepares to deploy the Innocent Whistle Seeking Missile System.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 24 July, 2013, 08:09:51 pm
I've been waking up with a sore, stiff left foot this week and limping. Sounds like Plantar fasciitis  :(   Time to do some stretching to see if I can make it go away.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 25 July, 2013, 09:57:27 am
When I commute, I get hungry about half an hour to an hour after I stop.  Normally, a cereal bar helps.

I forgot to bring any cereal bars in today. :(
 
The shop across the road doesn't sell cereal bars. :(

It does sell chocolate :(

Small grumble, I know.  More of a rumble than a grumble...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Notsototalnewbie on 28 July, 2013, 08:02:17 pm
My ankles and feet are covered in weepy bites. One of them has a really angry swollen red patch round it and my ankle has turned into a cankle.

It's my own stupid fault for going camping and forgetting insect repellent (it doesn't stop them completely but does reduce them).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 28 July, 2013, 08:09:00 pm
Hate it when that happens.  Time to start cutting up sanitary towels and taping them to your ankles?  (absorbs the weepyness and gets in the way of further scratching)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Notsototalnewbie on 28 July, 2013, 08:23:13 pm
That's such a good idea but I don't have sanitary towels to hand, being a mooncup user for some years now... Will try to improvise with something else. Trying very hard not think about the itching...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 28 July, 2013, 08:26:04 pm
Quote from: Notsototalnewbie on 28 July, 2013, 08:23:13 pm
That's such a good idea but I don't have sanitary towels to hand, being a mooncup user for some years now... Will try to improvise with something else. Trying very hard not think about the itching...

Stick a mooncup over every bite. Then at least you'll look like a Dalek...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 28 July, 2013, 08:42:06 pm
It did occur to me that after a few pints, I might have a little difficulty locating my tent in the campsite.  As it happens, I can't even remember where the bloody campsite is.   :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 28 July, 2013, 08:43:37 pm
Probably best to stay in the pub then...   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 29 July, 2013, 10:05:40 am
Quote from: Andrij on 17 July, 2013, 02:56:20 pm
Quote from: clarion on 17 July, 2013, 02:19:58 pm
Or you could save your ears from hours of proto-fascistic caterwauling.

 :o  Philistine!

Quote
And ride your bike, natch.

HTH ;)

Heading over to the Albert Hall extends my commute a fair bit, so it would involve riding my bike.  ;)



(http://files.myopera.com/trollop/files/viking-smilie_frames-1.png)
I was so tired last night I actually fell asleep listening to Gotterdamerung. Imagine how embarrassing that would have been in the Albert Hall - especially in my pyjamas!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 29 July, 2013, 10:12:22 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 29 July, 2013, 10:05:40 am
I was so tired last night I actually fell asleep listening to Götterdämmerung. Imagine how embarrassing that would have been in the Albert Hall - especially in my pyjamas!

While there is no dress code for the Proms - plenty of folk in shorts and t-shirts - I think pyjamas might be pushing things a bit.

For those who didn't/won't sit through the whole thing, you can always turn to Elmer and Bugs.  ;D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=waKc-iuhZPY
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 29 July, 2013, 10:37:34 am
Quote from: Andrij on 29 July, 2013, 10:12:22 am
For those who didn't/won't sit through the whole thing, you can always turn to Elmer and Bugs.  ;D
Kill the wabbit! ;)

('What's Opera, Doc?' - one of the best cartoons ever)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 29 July, 2013, 10:47:22 am
<Michael Caine voice>  Oi.  Stop bloody raining - On me!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 31 July, 2013, 12:23:37 pm
I have just had a look at the weather forecast for the next few days...

It is going to pi$$ it down on my birthday! Grrrr

It is also going to pi$$ it down on the day of my birthday BBQ! DOUBLE Grrrr....

NAHB right now :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cycleman on 31 July, 2013, 07:08:09 pm
i thought that my water infection was getting better but back to the doctors today for a different set of antibiotics plus one of those fasting blood tests . no sleep last night and i am worried i will not sleep tonight either  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 01 August, 2013, 10:39:47 am
I should give up with fountain pens.  I should know, from having had the nickname 'Smudge The Dirt Magnet', that I will always get my fingers covered with ink if I even go near them.  But I do like a decent fountain pen.  It's a lost cause. :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 01 August, 2013, 01:29:11 pm
Fountain pens are lovely.  But I despise handwriting with a passion.  Also a lost cause.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 01 August, 2013, 01:48:09 pm
I was a very inky child.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 01 August, 2013, 03:45:35 pm
Don't fountain pens make you write more legibly?

Not that I can be bothered.  In fact I've almost forgotten how to handwrite altogether, hence my preference for block capitals.  At least people can understand my shit, man.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 01 August, 2013, 03:52:07 pm
I can write legibly, and a fountain pen does help, at about 10 words per minute.  That's so useless that I don't think I've done it since I last sat an exam.

I scribble block capitals when labelling things, and otherwise use a keyboard, at bitrates that don't impair my thinking.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 01 August, 2013, 07:36:36 pm
Spinefail and teh snot at the same time...  Codeine and flurbiprofen (NSAID wot actually works) applied but the side effects from that aren't exactly jolly - oh hai blurred vision and dizziness ^2.  Emailed in sick from work, felt a bit guilty till I slept till 3pm and have the brainfu of a not very brainy thing.  Even typing is hard work...  Fneh!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 06 August, 2013, 12:07:02 pm
Gah! Grumble at myself for this one. It's hard to rate your translators a week after the job. I should have done it at the time, spreadsheet failure or not. It's also slightly unfair if you're then going to compare them against each other, given the varying styles - and, frankly, sense - they had to deal with.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 07 August, 2013, 08:37:07 pm
Just signed up for BT Sports....well its free and I was using BT anyway.

So, go to try and watch it on my tablet earlier but despite saying that it would work on my OS, it seems that it doesn't and I can't update the OS....grrr.

Then, this PM being home alone I thought I would watch some rounders.....baseball on line on ESPN but no, ESPN does not have the online rights to do so.

So, what is the point of BT Sports then if you can't watch what you want....oh well, at least its free.....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Greenbank on 07 August, 2013, 10:56:25 pm
I haz BT Sport via Sky (don't pay for a Sky subscription currently, just use it as a Freeview box). Works fine. Can't record, Sky Plus is £10 a month.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Chris S on 08 August, 2013, 10:49:22 am
Oh. Fucking great.

I did the Right Thing and pulled over into Birchanger Services for a sleep, on the way home from LEL, as I felt I was not in a safe state to drive further.

Now I've been stung £100 (£60 if I pay in 14 days) for over-staying.

You just can't fucking win sometimes, can you?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hulver on 08 August, 2013, 11:20:09 am
Quote from: Chris S on 08 August, 2013, 10:49:22 am
Oh. Fucking great.

I did the Right Thing and pulled over into Birchanger Services for a sleep, on the way home from LEL, as I felt I was not in a safe state to drive further.

Now I've been stung £100 (£60 if I pay in 14 days) for over-staying.

You just can't fucking win sometimes, can you?

I thought those private "Parking tickets" were unenforceable?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 08 August, 2013, 11:41:10 am
Quote from: hulver on 08 August, 2013, 11:20:09 am
Quote from: Chris S on 08 August, 2013, 10:49:22 am
Oh. Fucking great.

I did the Right Thing and pulled over into Birchanger Services for a sleep, on the way home from LEL, as I felt I was not in a safe state to drive further.

Now I've been stung £100 (£60 if I pay in 14 days) for over-staying.

You just can't fucking win sometimes, can you?

I thought those private "Parking tickets" were unenforceable?

According to this, you can avoid paying the full amount

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/cars/article-2242801/The-trick-beat-private-parking-tickets-I-dodged-service-station-fine.html (http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/cars/article-2242801/The-trick-beat-private-parking-tickets-I-dodged-service-station-fine.html)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 08 August, 2013, 02:29:59 pm
I have been supervising a construction site several hundred miles from home for 2 weeks, riding LEL last week and supervising the site again this week (at about 12 hours notice). It would be nice if my workaholic boss didn't keep expecting everybody else to behave likewise.

It gets a little old being expected to do full-time report and specification reviews in parallel with full-time site work. Being salaried, working to late each night isn't of great advantage to me.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 10 August, 2013, 08:50:13 pm
I knew I shouldn't have cleaned my bike.  Since I did clean it, I now know I have a broken spoke on the rear wheel of my Hewitt. :(  Good thing the other 35 are still in good order, I guess.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 10 August, 2013, 09:35:23 pm
Yesterday I took my niece into that London to visit the Tower of London and the Crown Jewels. Yikes that was expensive.  :o train tickets, ice cream, entry and then the gift shop.  :o

Worse a day on my feet has buggered my hips, today I ran the church sound desk for the wedding of a family friend (two hours on my feet) and I can now I can barely get up the stairs at home. Still I see the GP on monday to see if I can get some better pain killers and a referral for a second opinion.

On current going I shall be of absolutely no use when Mum has her hip replacement as I will be no more mobile than she is.

The problem will come when I can no longer get onto my bike.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Littlesox on 11 August, 2013, 02:34:00 pm
Dear Continetal Tyres.

If Gatorskins are uni-directional, then please make the arrow and the word "rotation" a bit more visible.

I have just cleaned my Giant and realised that I have ridden the last 1000 miles with one of the tyres facing the wrong way.

Soon correected, but come on, make it clearer.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 11 August, 2013, 08:38:39 pm
Quote from: matthew on 10 August, 2013, 09:35:23 pm
Yesterday I took my niece into that London to visit the Tower of London and the Crown Jewels. Yikes that was expensive.  :o train tickets, ice cream, entry and then the gift shop.  :o

Worse a day on my feet has buggered my hips, today I ran the church sound desk for the wedding of a family friend (two hours on my feet) and I can now I can barely get up the stairs at home. Still I see the GP on monday to see if I can get some better pain killers and a referral for a second opinion.

On current going I shall be of absolutely no use when Mum has her hip replacement as I will be no more mobile than she is.

The problem will come when I can no longer get onto my bike.
I sometimes find that too - hips hurt when walking or standing a lot, but they're fine for cycling. The solution would seem to be to go everywhere by bike...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 12 August, 2013, 05:09:53 pm
Obligatory fields in on-line ordering forms, chiz moan drone etc.  ::-)

The alternative is to go the Post Office, but compared to Interparcel.com, what they are charging for the parcel I wish to send is bloody ridiculous!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 12 August, 2013, 05:45:20 pm
No wonder the ride in felt a bit odd this morning - another bent pedal spindle.

Yet again, it's on a pair of new(ish) ATAC Aliums  >:( Whilst I got the first pair replaced under warranty I've had these for rather longer ....

Methinks its time to start looking on fleaBay for some old-skool plastic-bodied ATACs


Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 12 August, 2013, 06:18:03 pm
They've painted over the John Paul Jones ship mural in Whitehaven and replaced it with a picture of Gulliver tied up by the Lilliputians. The first picture had some historical significance to the town, the new one has absolutely no link to Whitehaven.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 12 August, 2013, 06:25:00 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 12 August, 2013, 06:18:03 pm
They've painted over the John Paul Jones ship mural in Whitehaven and replaced it with a picture of Gulliver tied up by the Lilliputians. The first picture had some historical significance to the town, the new one has absolutely no link to Whitehaven.
I had to do a quick search for that, largely because I was struggling to see the connection between Led Zeppelin's bassist and Whitehaven ...

... as it turns out, there isn't one. There is a connection between Whitehaven and this chap (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Paul_Jones), however.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: bumper on 12 August, 2013, 08:28:34 pm
I'll put this here because it was a full rant but I've calmed down a bit.

My darling wife has just informed she 'rubbed' the kerb with the car today. The rub has just cost me over £300 for a new Pirelli and I think the wheel is fooked too. I've got a mate calling to look at the wheel tomorrow but it looks beyond repair.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 13 August, 2013, 08:29:01 am
Quote from: bumper on 12 August, 2013, 08:28:34 pm
I'll put this here because it was a full rant but I've calmed down a bit.

My darling wife has just informed she 'rubbed' the kerb with the car today. The rub has just cost me over £300 for a new Pirelli and I think the wheel is fooked too. I've got a mate calling to look at the wheel tomorrow but it looks beyond repair.

And if it was a front wheel then I'd suggest you get the wheel alignment checked too.  Sorry, but with what must be a fairly high performance car to have £300 tyres, it is a bit critical...  :'( :'(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cycleman on 13 August, 2013, 09:28:04 am
my water infection is back :(. more tests at the doctors tomorrow  :(.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: bumper on 13 August, 2013, 11:17:20 am
Quote from: Wombat on 13 August, 2013, 08:29:01 am
Quote from: bumper on 12 August, 2013, 08:28:34 pm
I'll put this here because it was a full rant but I've calmed down a bit.

My darling wife has just informed she 'rubbed' the kerb with the car today. The rub has just cost me over £300 for a new Pirelli and I think the wheel is fooked too. I've got a mate calling to look at the wheel tomorrow but it looks beyond repair.

And if it was a front wheel then I'd suggest you get the wheel alignment checked too.  Sorry, but with what must be a fairly high performance car to have £300 tyres, it is a bit critical...  :'( :'(

All tracking, steering is okay. Wheel is knackered!

I won't say how expensive one is to replace but let's just say I hope she's learnt a lesson. I'm off for a sit down now, my legs have gone a bit wobbly :(

In fact I'd better put a few more hours in this week and not sit down or sleep at all!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 13 August, 2013, 11:30:13 am
A license to drill for fracking has been issued for the area where I'm trying to buy a house. F*cking wonderful.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: BrianI on 13 August, 2013, 11:32:14 am
Oh FFS - yet another cancelled appointment by Scattish PoopFacePower - customer care bod apologised while saying it wasn't their fault that (a) wrong parts had been ordered, and (b), because of travel time the engineer wouldn't be able to make it today....

Apparently engineer is now supposed to turn up on Thursday morning.....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 13 August, 2013, 01:04:17 pm
Failed again!

Chefs at work, stop making such lovely cakes, seriously, just stoppit, ok?

I couldn't decide today between the raspberry slice or the mars bar cake.

So guess what I did?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 13 August, 2013, 01:07:02 pm
Quote from: tiermat on 13 August, 2013, 01:04:17 pm
I couldn't decide today between the raspberry slice or the mars bar cake.

So guess what I did?
Both?
It's what I'd do ...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 13 August, 2013, 03:29:13 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 13 August, 2013, 11:30:13 am
A license to drill for fracking has been issued for the area where I'm trying to buy a house. F*cking wonderful.
Use it to beat down the vendors.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 13 August, 2013, 10:20:59 pm
On One/Planet X. Your main showroom is in Rotherham not Sheffield as you keep saying it is.[/chippy Rotherhamite]
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 14 August, 2013, 03:48:28 pm
Oh god!  Some shouty woman has installed herself at the desk next to me, which unfortunately is unoccupied today.  I think she is something to do with the team behind me – a visitor from another office.
Her mobile is in constant use – incoming and out going.
She’s really shouty.  Horrible short snappy conversations.  Almost every sentence punctuated by “tcha” of exasperation.

“Well I don’t know”  What do you want to do”  “Why are you calling me”

I can’t work out if she’s a truculent Admin, or a crap senior manager.

SHUT UP!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 14 August, 2013, 11:31:55 pm
Tomtom, you are supposed to help me navigate. You are not supposed to:
a) take me down Swindon one way streets in the wrong direction.
b) insist that I cross the channel via the channel tunnel, even though I'm sitting in the dock yard at Dover
and c) you are definitely not supposed to plot a route from Swindon to Dover East Docks via the channel tunnel and Calais ferry
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 15 August, 2013, 09:22:29 pm
In my work capacity as Custodian of Strong Radioactive Sources, I've been told I need to get some padlocks upgrades to a specific spec.

So I call the local Big Locksmith Company.
They know exactly what I'm talking about, and we agree a product and price.
8 padlocks at about £130 each.
He agrees to send me an e-mail confirming the order.

The e-mail comes in from ken.whatever@dumslensecurity.com.
( In all-caps. )

Fine.
After 2 weeks elapse, I need to chase the order.
I phone them.

Me: "Hi, Can I speak to Ken Whatever, please.
Them: "Sorry, he's left the company."
Me: "Ah. Then is there anyone else I can speak to, please? Concerning an order placed a couple of weeks ago?"
Them: "I'll put you through to the shop."
<ring ring>
"Hello?"
"Yes, hello. I  was looking for Ken Whatever, but I understand he's left the company..."
"Oh, yes. He left 5 years ago."
"But I was corresponding with him only 2 weeks ago..."
"Oh. Was it by e-mail?"
"Yes..."
"Ah, well, he set up out computer. He set up the only e-mail address we have.  We don't know how to change it.   So all our e-mail appears to come from him."
Me: " ..... <speechless> "

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: RJ on 15 August, 2013, 09:39:54 pm
Quote from: Basil on 14 August, 2013, 03:48:28 pm
Oh god!  Some shouty woman has installed herself at the desk next to me, which unfortunately is unoccupied today.  I think she is something to do with the team behind me – a visitor from another office.
Her mobile is in constant use – incoming and out going.
She’s really shouty.  Horrible short snappy conversations.  Almost every sentence punctuated by “tcha” of exasperation.

“Well I don’t know”  What do you want to do”  “Why are you calling me”

I can’t work out if she’s a truculent Admin, or a crap senior manager.

SHUT UP!

Ah - the dubious joys of introducing the uninitiated into an open plan environment.  I recommend a temporary, but rapid and marked drop in your personal hygiene standards for the duration of the intrusion  ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 15 August, 2013, 09:47:28 pm
horrible balancing act:

hip pain

or

Codine induced constipation

 :-\  :'(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 15 August, 2013, 10:57:14 pm
Quote from: matthew on 15 August, 2013, 09:47:28 pm
horrible balancing act:

hip pain

or

Codine induced constipation

 :-\  :'(

Add shoulder pain and I hear you!  All opiates suck... 

Hope the hip improves soonest, hip pain is rubbish *scowls at own hip*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 16 August, 2013, 08:58:37 am
My hairdryer has just packed in which means I get to spend the day looking like Woodstock.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 16 August, 2013, 02:07:25 pm
Those nice people at connectright have written to me because they're going to check everyone's sewage connections.
Apparently, the surface water sewer should get only surface water. (Fair enough but I've never given the matter any thought.)
Inspecting my drains it seems only the toilets empty into the soil stack. There is no evidence that the bath, kitchen sink or anything else, like washing machine & shower ever drained into the soil stack as they should.

The connectright leaflet suggests this would not cost much to put right and threatens fines of up to £20,000 for misconnection.

My kitchen sink drains into the surface water drain. There's a door + new ramp and half the house between the kitchen sink and the ancient cast iron soil stack.

I do not see this a an inexpensive problem...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 16 August, 2013, 02:38:39 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 16 August, 2013, 02:07:25 pm
Those nice people at connectright have written to me because they're going to check everyone's sewage connections.
Apparently, the surface water sewer should get only surface water. (Fair enough but I've never given the matter any thought.)
Inspecting my drains it seems only the toilets empty into the soil stack. There is no evidence that the bath, kitchen sink or anything else, like washing machine & shower ever drained into the soil stack as they should.

The connectright leaflet suggests this would not cost much to put right and threatens fines of up to £20,000 for misconnection.

My kitchen sink drains into the surface water drain. There's a door + new ramp and half the house between the kitchen sink and the ancient cast iron soil stack.

I do not see this a an inexpensive problem...

Just because your kitchen etc don't connect directly to the soil stack doesn't mean they connect to the surface water drain.  Is there a inspection cover (manhole) in the vicinity of the kitchen and soil stack? Poking around there could reveal more useful info.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 16 August, 2013, 04:05:54 pm
Should there not be plans available somewhere?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 16 August, 2013, 04:13:30 pm
The kitchen sink discharges into the rainwater gulley that drains the patio.
The bath, washing machine, shower and bathroom washbasin drain into the gulley that drains surface water from the side of the house.
These discharges are evident when in use.

There are two manhole covers. I think I know which ones serve what.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 16 August, 2013, 04:16:07 pm
Stupid bloody HA.   Your tenant is in hospital and you know he's in hospital.   His rent was up-to-date and you didn't serve any notices or get any orders.   Why have you now claimed abandonment and moved a new tenant in FFS!!!    ???

I was hoping for a quieter weekend... 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 16 August, 2013, 04:33:09 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 16 August, 2013, 02:07:25 pm
Those nice people at connectright have written to me because they're going to check everyone's sewage connections.
Apparently, the surface water sewer should get only surface water. (Fair enough but I've never given the matter any thought.)
Inspecting my drains it seems only the toilets empty into the soil stack. There is no evidence that the bath, kitchen sink or anything else, like washing machine & shower ever drained into the soil stack as they should.

The connectright leaflet suggests this would not cost much to put right and threatens fines of up to £20,000 for misconnection.

My kitchen sink drains into the surface water drain. There's a door + new ramp and half the house between the kitchen sink and the ancient cast iron soil stack.

I do not see this a an inexpensive problem...
As far as I can tell, you just need to write to your water&sewage service provider to tell them that you are aware of the misconnection and that due to there not being a soil drain accessible from the kitchen, correcting those connections would not be financially practicable.

If you don't write and tell them this, they can get radgy.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 16 August, 2013, 07:54:45 pm
Quote from: Polar Bear on 16 August, 2013, 04:16:07 pm
Stupid bloody HA.   Your tenant is in hospital and you know he's in hospital.   His rent was up-to-date and you didn't serve any notices or get any orders.   Why have you now claimed abandonment and moved a new tenant in FFS!!!    ???

I was hoping for a quieter weekend...

Feck!  Poor tenant and new tenants and WTF! 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 16 August, 2013, 09:42:58 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 16 August, 2013, 04:33:09 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 16 August, 2013, 02:07:25 pm
Those nice people at connectright have written to me because they're going to check everyone's sewage connections.
Apparently, the surface water sewer should get only surface water. (Fair enough but I've never given the matter any thought.)
Inspecting my drains it seems only the toilets empty into the soil stack. There is no evidence that the bath, kitchen sink or anything else, like washing machine & shower ever drained into the soil stack as they should.

The connectright leaflet suggests this would not cost much to put right and threatens fines of up to £20,000 for misconnection.

My kitchen sink drains into the surface water drain. There's a door + new ramp and half the house between the kitchen sink and the ancient cast iron soil stack.

I do not see this a an inexpensive problem...
As far as I can tell, you just need to write to your water&sewage service provider to tell them that you are aware of the misconnection and that due to there not being a soil drain accessible from the kitchen, correcting those connections would not be financially practicable.

If you don't write and tell them this, they can get radgy.

Thanks!
I'll phone the chap in the letter as he left a phone number.
It seems that nobody has noticed this issue in the 81 years since the house was built. I'm sure they didn't have a washing machine plumbed in, in 1932 but there must have been a kitchen sink and bath.
I might ask David to pop next door to see the neighbour's arrangement. Neighbour will know of any alterations; he moved into the newly-built house when he was eight!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 16 August, 2013, 11:06:32 pm
Could be that everything (inc surface runoff) drains into the foul sewer?  Not an uncommon arrangement, as that's how the Victorians did it, in spite of being suboptimal for treatment plants.  Half of London would be in a similar situation...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 16 August, 2013, 11:51:22 pm
Quote from: Kim on 16 August, 2013, 11:06:32 pm
Could be that everything (inc surface runoff) drains into the foul sewer?  Not an uncommon arrangement, as that's how the Victorians did it, in spite of being suboptimal for treatment plants.  Half of London would be in a similar situation...

It's possible.
I'll get David to run the garden hose at the gullies and look at the manholes.
The house probably operates in a post Victorian manner though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andyoxon on 17 August, 2013, 10:17:39 am
A4 card backed envelope with "DO NOT BEND" on, shoved through the letter box by RoyalMail and...bent; with us all in the house.  They couldn't even be bothered to ring the bell.   ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 17 August, 2013, 12:58:25 pm
The neighbour's just been round to complain about our loud music. Thing is, we're not playing any. And if we were, it wouldn't be the awful '80s soft rock that's currently booming out from - can't tell where. I think it's the house next door, which is divided into several flats, impossible to say which one it's from - I'm not even sure it's that house. Anyway, neighbour has gone to a friend's house to study, she was rather apologetic, but justifiably annoyed. Ah - quiet now!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 17 August, 2013, 01:00:09 pm
No, started again. Chicago or something like that. Never mind, back to work, 67 pages to check for Monday morning.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 18 August, 2013, 04:41:58 pm
Our neighbour got going with a chainsaw at half 8 this morning. Fairly easy to work out which neighbour as he was up a tree with a chainsaw. I'd have been annoyed if I was still in bed or trying to think, but it takes me a while to get between the two states.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: RJ on 18 August, 2013, 10:50:24 pm
Allinsons - your extra strong flour would benefit from being packed in extra-strong bags  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 18 August, 2013, 10:58:20 pm
I second the above grumble.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 18 August, 2013, 11:16:53 pm
Quote from: Kim on 18 August, 2013, 10:58:20 pm
I second the above grumble.

On a similar note, I bought a four pack of Peroni (a type of bottled Italian beer m'lud) held together by a cardboard sleeve. Nicely chilled. And by laying it on its side, it fitted nicely in my bar bag. Cycle off to friend's house for a do. Condensation builds up on cold bottles, causing floppiness of the cardboard. Arrive, lift out four pack from bar bag. Floppy cardboard fails to hold bottles, which escape onto blockwork drive, shattering and spilling their contents. Bum.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 19 August, 2013, 03:34:02 pm
Colleague: there was nothing in your message asking for me to call back, nor did it seem necessary. If you wanted me to call back you should have said. Don't get all passive aggressive with your notes. I'm not paid enough for that crap.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 21 August, 2013, 11:16:40 am
Snuck out of the office to grab a photo or three of a flying boat over Tower Bridge (http://www.ianvisits.co.uk/blog/2013/08/16/flying-boat-to-fly-over-tower-bridge/).  I was expecting him1 to fly E->W, but he flew N->S.  >:(  I managed one picture, but won't know how 'good' it is until I get home.2

I may try to catch the return on Sunday.


1 Met friends of the pilot on London Bridge, who referred to the pilot as 'he'.
2 Shoot raw (NEF) and don't have software on my work computer to view that format.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 21 August, 2013, 12:12:09 pm
Oh.  I thought the info said he would be flying up the river.

I knew it was happening, and so tantalisingly close to the office, too, but there was no way I could get there. :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruth on 21 August, 2013, 06:58:53 pm
Crusty's bike has been stolen. His red MTB. His favourite    :'(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 21 August, 2013, 08:02:43 pm
Quote from: Ruthie on 21 August, 2013, 06:58:53 pm
Crusty's bike has been stolen. His red MTB. His favourite    :'(

 :'(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 21 August, 2013, 08:33:55 pm
Quote from: Ruthie on 21 August, 2013, 06:58:53 pm
Crusty's bike has been stolen. His red MTB. His favourite    :'(

Oh no. Is that the new one :(

My grumble, looks like one of our local farmers has decided to spread mud and cow shit all over NCN72 again. The corner under the bridge (about 3/4 of the way up the pic) is very slippery. Previous form would suggest this mess will be added to for the next few months (it reached above my 32mm marathons last year at one point). I know this is the countryside and we expect a little mud, but this one farmer really takes the piss and I few of my friends have come off on this slick in the past (the farmer is also well known for routinely leaving all their gates open across the cyclepath on the next bit making it hard to get down the track).

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-3Macnqs5IDE/UhUSdQQr-5I/AAAAAAAABqg/jvaPC3vb4bo/s512/2013-08-21%252016.46.04.jpg)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 21 August, 2013, 08:40:01 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 21 August, 2013, 08:33:55 pm
one of our local farmers has decided to spread mud and cow shit all over NCN72 again. The corner under the bridge (about 3/4 of the way up the pic) is very slippery. Previous form would suggest this mess will be added to for the next few months (it reached above my 32mm marathons last year at one point). I know this is the countryside and we expect a little mud, but this one farmer really takes the piss and I few of my friends have come off on this slick in the past (the farmer is also well known for routinely leaving all their gates open across the cyclepath on the next bit making it hard to get down the track).

Erm,  is there not a proper road you could use?  :)  Just askin', like.  :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 21 August, 2013, 08:53:06 pm
Quote from: Basil on 21 August, 2013, 08:40:01 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 21 August, 2013, 08:33:55 pm
one of our local farmers has decided to spread mud and cow shit all over NCN72 again. The corner under the bridge (about 3/4 of the way up the pic) is very slippery. Previous form would suggest this mess will be added to for the next few months (it reached above my 32mm marathons last year at one point). I know this is the countryside and we expect a little mud, but this one farmer really takes the piss and I few of my friends have come off on this slick in the past (the farmer is also well known for routinely leaving all their gates open across the cyclepath on the next bit making it hard to get down the track).

Erm,  is there not a proper road you could use?  :)  Just askin', like.  :demon:

There is, a big wide NSL one that I also use. Unusually for Sustrans paths, this cycle path is nicer though, and also this is a national touring route (Hadrian's Cycle Way) so the tourists won't necessarily know the way round.

After the tunnel under the Main road the path looks like this: -
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-H682-7PKNEs/T7p7RT1RS2I/AAAAAAAAA3s/V-g8P9-GcEA/s640/Photo0202.jpg)
then it carries on along an old railway embankment with views out to sea, and finishes on another small road passing the chapel
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AQ6GUKQBGYw/T7p7Sm_mFOI/AAAAAAAAA30/3AJj5ftlnuY/s640/Photo0205.jpg)

Diverting round means you miss all that and instead get to climb up a pretty dull A-standard road with Sellafield commuters and lorries flying past at 60+ mph.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 21 August, 2013, 09:05:44 pm
 ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 22 August, 2013, 09:19:01 am
Quote from: Basil on 21 August, 2013, 08:40:01 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 21 August, 2013, 08:33:55 pm
one of our local farmers has decided to spread mud and cow shit all over NCN72 again. The corner under the bridge (about 3/4 of the way up the pic) is very slippery. Previous form would suggest this mess will be added to for the next few months (it reached above my 32mm marathons last year at one point). I know this is the countryside and we expect a little mud, but this one farmer really takes the piss and I few of my friends have come off on this slick in the past (the farmer is also well known for routinely leaving all their gates open across the cyclepath on the next bit making it hard to get down the track).

Erm,  is there not a proper road you could use?  :)  Just askin', like.  :demon:
*cough*fatbike*cough*  :demon:

Today's grumble: woke up this morning with very limited range of movement in my left arm - whilst it sounds like the opening couplet from a naff blues song, it's still bloody annoying.

I suspect trapped nerve, especially as it doesn't 'feel' like muscular pain ... :(

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 22 August, 2013, 09:26:33 am
Specsavers Leamington: You were supposed to call me when my new glasses were ready. So, after two weeks & I call you, why do you ask me if I have fixed an appointment to have them fitted? How the heck could I have done that when I was waiting for you to call. Muppets.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 22 August, 2013, 10:51:26 am
Sigh.... when I end a group email with the comment that: "Sorry, I am making less sense than normal".... I don't expect 11 emails back confirming the fact.  :facepalm:

Need holiday.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 22 August, 2013, 11:12:46 am
Well, at least it shows that at least 11 people read the whole e-mail.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: billplumtree on 22 August, 2013, 01:34:52 pm
I've taken to putting bad jokes, shamelessly stolen from The truly terrible jokes thread, at the end of my work emails as a who-has-read-this-far indicator.




Does anyone know where I sign up to become Amish? I can't seem to find their website.
(yeah, mostly they are Biff's, actually)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 22 August, 2013, 04:35:35 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 21 August, 2013, 08:33:55 pm
My grumble, looks like one of our local farmers has decided to spread mud and cow shit all over NCN72 again. The corner under the bridge (about 3/4 of the way up the pic) is very slippery. Previous form would suggest this mess will be added to for the next few months (it reached above my 32mm marathons last year at one point). I know this is the countryside and we expect a little mud, but this one farmer really takes the piss and I few of my friends have come off on this slick in the past (the farmer is also well known for routinely leaving all their gates open across the cyclepath on the next bit making it hard to get down the track).
To you, it's NCN72 cyclepath. To him, it's the track for getting his cows in to milk. He probably leaves 'all his gates open across the cyclepath' so his cows can walk into/ out of the right field. You know he (probably) isn't antagonistic to cyclists. He's (probably) not doing it to make trouble. He's (probably) just trying to make a living. It (possibly) was a track for his cows long before it was NCN72.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 22 August, 2013, 04:44:22 pm
Quote from: fboab on 22 August, 2013, 04:35:35 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 21 August, 2013, 08:33:55 pm
My grumble, looks like one of our local farmers has decided to spread mud and cow shit all over NCN72 again. The corner under the bridge (about 3/4 of the way up the pic) is very slippery. Previous form would suggest this mess will be added to for the next few months (it reached above my 32mm marathons last year at one point). I know this is the countryside and we expect a little mud, but this one farmer really takes the piss and I few of my friends have come off on this slick in the past (the farmer is also well known for routinely leaving all their gates open across the cyclepath on the next bit making it hard to get down the track).
To you, it's NCN72 cyclepath. To him, it's the track for getting his cows in to milk. He probably leaves 'all his gates open across the cyclepath' so his cows can walk into/ out of the right field. You know he (probably) isn't antagonistic to cyclists. He's (probably) not doing it to make trouble. He's (probably) just trying to make a living. It (possibly) was a track for his cows long before it was NCN72.

Can we all agree to blame Sustrans, then?    ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 22 August, 2013, 05:12:29 pm
Quote from: Kim on 22 August, 2013, 04:44:22 pm
Can we all agree to blame Sustrans, then?    ;D
Meanwhile, in York ...

http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/features/readersletters/10628039.Why_don___t_cyclists_use_proper_paths_/
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 22 August, 2013, 05:33:12 pm
Quote from: interzen on 22 August, 2013, 05:12:29 pm
Quote from: Kim on 22 August, 2013, 04:44:22 pm
Can we all agree to blame Sustrans, then?    ;D
Meanwhile, in York ...

http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/features/readersletters/10628039.Why_don___t_cyclists_use_proper_paths_/

Does the A19 go from Rawcliffe to Skelton? I thought it was the A614... Memories of Thorne Audaxes...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 22 August, 2013, 05:37:27 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 22 August, 2013, 05:33:12 pm
Quote from: interzen on 22 August, 2013, 05:12:29 pm
Quote from: Kim on 22 August, 2013, 04:44:22 pm
Can we all agree to blame Sustrans, then?    ;D
Meanwhile, in York ...

http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/features/readersletters/10628039.Why_don___t_cyclists_use_proper_paths_/

Does the A19 go from Rawcliffe to Skelton? I thought it was the A614... Memories of Thorne Audaxes...
That's Rawcliffe as in the suburb of York, rather than the suburb of Howden ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 22 August, 2013, 06:15:25 pm
Oh, right!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 22 August, 2013, 08:54:07 pm
Quote from: Andrij on 21 August, 2013, 11:16:40 am
Snuck out of the office to grab a photo or three of a flying boat over Tower Bridge (http://www.ianvisits.co.uk/blog/2013/08/16/flying-boat-to-fly-over-tower-bridge/).  I was expecting him1 to fly E->W, but he flew N->S.  >:(  I managed one picture, but won't know how 'good' it is until I get home.2

I may try to catch the return on Sunday.


1 Met friends of the pilot on London Bridge, who referred to the pilot as 'he'.
2 Shoot raw (NEF) and don't have software on my work computer to view that format.

Photograph now posted in the appropriate thread (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=40516.msg1548321#msg1548321).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 22 August, 2013, 10:46:47 pm
As Senior Dude On Site, I had an HSE Audit today.

They reviewed my site Risk Assesments.
These have not changed for many years.
I got reprimanded for having an 'and finally' item in my Risk Assesments.

I had considered the risk of 'Velociraptor Attack', and as a Control Measure, had advised the replacement of lever-type door-handles with turny-knob ones.

This had been cheerfully accepted by previous HSE drones in the manner in which it was intended.
But the New Dudes were too tight-laced to allow it.
Arses.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 22 August, 2013, 11:27:34 pm
You mean you failed to point out to them that the replacement of lever-type door-handles with turny-knob ones would be equally useful in the far more likely event of zombie attack?  :o
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 23 August, 2013, 08:36:03 am
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 22 August, 2013, 09:26:33 am
Specsavers Leamington: You were supposed to call me when my new glasses were ready. So, after two weeks & I call you, why do you ask me if I have fixed an appointment to have them fitted? How the heck could I have done that when I was waiting for you to call. Muppets.
And I get home to discover that the focussed part of the lenses is different. The right one is higher than the other, meaning I'd have to tilt my head to get both lenses focussed at the same point. I am now wearing my damaged older pair until I can get back to see you.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 23 August, 2013, 03:30:11 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 22 August, 2013, 11:27:34 pm
You mean you failed to point out to them that the replacement of lever-type door-handles with turny-knob ones would be equally useful in the far more likely event of zombie attack?  :o

Or alien invasion?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 23 August, 2013, 08:04:27 pm
Those lucky enough not to have to work as code monkeys with M$ dev. tools can go right ahead and laugh like drains, for the rest of us who do..

M$.  _WHEN_ self tracking entities don't work as advertised wouldn't it have been a good idea to make it possible/easy to dig around in their guts so that ordinary code monkeys (who have better things to do with their lives than spending them reading MSDN - which is shite BTW ) might stand some chance of working out why and therefore have an alternative to hours and bloody hours of fruitless trawling through teh internets in the hope that some other (un)lucky soul has stumbled (and I do mean stumbled) across the solution already.  Sigh.

Oh well at least they've got shot of Balmer.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 23 August, 2013, 10:58:08 pm
This buggering old laptop's whining.  Far too high in pitch to be a fan, and it's not an HDD (has SSD instead).  I'm not going to stand it.  Recently upgraded as well.  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: menthel on 25 August, 2013, 10:09:24 pm
Some silly wotsit dropped a le cruset pan on his foot which now hurts. Owey.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Clare on 25 August, 2013, 11:29:18 pm
I'm surprised your foot's still attached to your leg after a clout with a Le Creuset.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 26 August, 2013, 08:16:59 am
Saturday….out for a 50km ride which despite the wind, went well: six PB on Strava and a comment that I felt the fittest I have all year. Then back into town to have my bikes tagged for free by the local police saving £60. Follow this up with an agreement from SWMBO that I could do a short cycling tour next year made Saturday a near perfect cycling day……… until Saturday evening then, despite just sitting there and not moving it, my knee “popped”…..OUCH.

So, two days later no cycling as my knee is painful and swollen.

Does the God of Cycling hate me so much???? I know I look horrible in lycra but it’s a Bank Holiday, I want to go out cycling otherwise I will be forced to go to the garden centre…………………….. NNNNNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOO.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 26 August, 2013, 08:36:12 am
Getting up early on a bank holiday Monday for some work - to find that the work I have to work on arrives an hour late, and the main part of it 90 minutes late.  >:( And it's not even a bank holiday over there.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: menthel on 26 August, 2013, 09:41:42 am
Quote from: Clare on 25 August, 2013, 11:29:18 pm
I'm surprised your foot's still attached to your leg after a clout with a Le Creuset.

Surprisingly there is only a very small bruise and no pain!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Marco Stefano on 26 August, 2013, 06:56:59 pm
Emergency work has scuppered any plans I might have had of cycling the 14 miles to Mildenhall this weekend, or doing any cycling at all, in fact. Now another early start tomorrow, I am knackered and I have had no weekend.  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 27 August, 2013, 12:49:06 pm
Oh great!  You're a crisp eater AND a constant sniffer.
You haven't got any cheap tinny earphones you want to put on, have you?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 27 August, 2013, 01:02:40 pm
Doh!
:facepalm
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 27 August, 2013, 01:20:46 pm
Quote from: Basil on 27 August, 2013, 01:02:40 pm
Doh!
: facepalm
Prophetic words then Basil?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 27 August, 2013, 01:22:56 pm
Hurrumph
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 27 August, 2013, 01:25:09 pm
'Excuse me, could you not use your MP3 player as it is interfering with my hearing aid. Thankyou'

(my hearing aid is a quiet room where I can hear..)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 27 August, 2013, 02:02:14 pm
Quote from: David Martin on 27 August, 2013, 01:25:09 pm
'Excuse me, could you not use your MP3 player as it is interfering with my hearing aid. Thankyou'

(my hearing aid is a quiet room where I can hear..)

Doesn't work when it's an actual hearing aid tho.  I used to get TERRIBLE mobile interference if people even used a mobile phone in the same room as me or had them turned on receiving mast checks, calls and SMSes. People did not give a shit or turn the sodding things off even when I explained how batshit crazy it sent me.

Fortunately mobiles got less interferey and I can usually turn my hearing aid off at work and have my own office which they can't remove without me legal nobbling them which they know :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rogerzilla on 27 August, 2013, 03:53:20 pm
Quote from: Wunja on 14 August, 2013, 11:31:55 pm
Tomtom, you are supposed to help me navigate. You are not supposed to:
a) take me down Swindon one way streets in the wrong direction.
b) insist that I cross the channel via the channel tunnel, even though I'm sitting in the dock yard at Dover
and c) you are definitely not supposed to plot a route from Swindon to Dover East Docks via the channel tunnel and Calais ferry
I like telling the woman ("Selina", I think) to kiss my furry butt  when I ignore her stupid turn instructions.  Tomtom is obsessed with getting you on the nearest motorway, even if it's in totally the wrong direction.  When you genuinely don't know where you're going, it can be quite good but, when it's a route you know very well, it's obvious that Selina hasn't done the journey as often as I have  :smug:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 27 August, 2013, 04:11:38 pm
My Toyota satnav loved to go down Deansgate to window shop.

And never worked out the existence of one of the roads out of Crowborough.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 27 August, 2013, 05:54:15 pm
I'm absolutely exhausted.  I'm going to blame a combination of asthma last night and a weekend which, though fun, involved distinctly suboptimal amounts of digestive fail, Being Too Hot and driving, often at the same time.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 27 August, 2013, 06:18:47 pm
Sorry about adding to that driving :-[
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 27 August, 2013, 06:29:27 pm
Better helping you than a traffic jam, forgetting of something important or epic navigational cockup (the less said about the time we drove back from D-tek without a map and discovered the M6 was closed the better).

As I said, I'm happy enough that we were in a position to do something positive, it's not like you wouldn't do the same for someone else if the circumstances were different.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 27 August, 2013, 07:12:47 pm
I hope that I would.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 27 August, 2013, 07:30:40 pm
Train.

Standing.

Shoved around.

Not one person tried to help or offered me a seat.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 27 August, 2013, 10:08:39 pm
Quote from: clarion on 27 August, 2013, 07:30:40 pm
Train.

Standing.

Shoved around.

Not one person tried to help or offered me a seat.

BAAAASTAARDS! Hope they get bad karma.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 27 August, 2013, 10:26:00 pm
Quote from: clarion on 27 August, 2013, 07:30:40 pm
Train.

Standing.

Shoved around.

Not one person tried to help or offered me a seat.

Fuckers!

I need to make up those "Excuse me, I'm disabled - PLEASE give me a seat" badges so that people wearing one (by choice - thank you TfL patronising numpties) might get noticed or feel a little teeny bit more empowered to ask for a seat and maybe get one...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 27 August, 2013, 10:28:30 pm
Good to see I'm not the only one using sweary words...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 27 August, 2013, 10:47:21 pm
Sometimes I'm told I'm too sweary... Such a shame!  :demon: :smug:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruth on 28 August, 2013, 05:49:30 pm
Fuckers.  Good word for 'em.

Fucking London fuckers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 28 August, 2013, 08:52:03 pm
Quote from: barakta on 27 August, 2013, 10:26:00 pm
Quote from: clarion on 27 August, 2013, 07:30:40 pm
Train.

Standing.

Shoved around.

Not one person tried to help or offered me a seat.

Fuckers!

I need to make up those "Excuse me, I'm disabled - PLEASE give me a seat" badges so that people wearing one (by choice - thank you TfL patronising numpties) might get noticed or feel a little teeny bit more empowered to ask for a seat and maybe get one...
Kulcha. Maybe we need to get more used to standing being the norm before this happens. I do not think Poles are any more polite than Englos but it is the norm there to stand for elderly, disabled, parents with small kids (and for the kids then to sit on knees not seats), etc - just because the buses are usually packed and have been for 50 years.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruth on 28 August, 2013, 09:14:49 pm
Yeah.  So.  I went to Canada, and all I got was this lousy emergency root canal surgery ...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Clare on 28 August, 2013, 09:38:00 pm
Lalalalalalala I'm not listening.


Hope it sorts the problem out.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 28 August, 2013, 09:49:59 pm
Quote from: Ruthie on 28 August, 2013, 09:14:49 pm
Yeah.  So.  I went to Canada, and all I got was this lousy emergency root canal surgery ...

Bloody health tourists :P

Hope you're feeling better soon :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 30 August, 2013, 01:42:55 pm
<in Grumble thread as it is my choice to work 180 miles from home>

Idiot that decides Friday afternoon is a good time to cause an accident on the A1, North of Peterborough, thanks a fucking lot, I will now have to endure the A10 and A17 to get back on the A1, as will millions of other people, thus making me late home and making me miss a night ride.

GAH!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jacomus on 30 August, 2013, 05:31:39 pm
Ah, so your free WiFi is not 'here is the code, fire away' it is actually 'login using your email, phone number and name (all mandatory fields, natch). We totally promise not the spam the shit out of you and sell on your details'.

*tap tap tap*

So just entering a series of o or 0 depending on the field doesn't work eh? For my 'convenience' eh?

*tap tap tap*

Well, good sirs, you now have a certain Foxtrot Oscar, mobile 07000 000000, email FoxtrotOscar@youbastards.com, using ur internets.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 30 August, 2013, 05:36:59 pm
Quote from: Jacomus on 30 August, 2013, 05:31:39 pm
Well, good sirs, you now have a certain Foxtrot Oscar, mobile 07000 000000, email FoxtrotOscar@youbastards.com, using ur internets.
Lemme guess .... The Clo(u)d?

More people need to take a leaf out of this chap's book, I reckon: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-23869462

Remember kids, you're not a 'user' any more ... you're the product.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jacomus on 30 August, 2013, 08:05:27 pm
Quote from: interzen on 30 August, 2013, 05:36:59 pm
Quote from: Jacomus on 30 August, 2013, 05:31:39 pm
Well, good sirs, you now have a certain Foxtrot Oscar, mobile 07000 000000, email FoxtrotOscar@youbastards.com, using ur internets.
Lemme guess .... The Clo(u)d?

More people need to take a leaf out of this chap's book, I reckon: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-23869462

Remember kids, you're not a 'user' any more ... you're the product.

Nope, just a restaurant/bar WiFi offering.

I'm on my mobile's data connection now though, as I spent too long working on a document and was 'logged out'. I can't reconnect now, despite the reconnect auto-loaded page's best efforts.

We have had a round of drinks free after I complained that their 'business, booze and bangers' slogan didn't exactly light the world on fire. Especially at £4.95 a pint of Fosters.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 30 August, 2013, 10:45:14 pm
Just heading home from a github-hosted gathering. Dundee being a hotbed of tech wizardry there was a heaving crowd turned up for free drinks.
Good blether - may be in need of chips and a kebab now though...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 30 August, 2013, 11:46:06 pm
Oh bugger.  I think I should have a hair cut.  For deity's sake. That will be three this year.  That will be £22.50 this year.  (£27 inc, tips)

Actually, it takes at least 4 weeks from me deciding that I should have a hair cut to me actually submitting to the hell of a non blokey bloke exposing his rubbish blokeyness in a heavily blokey situation.

 :(



Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 31 August, 2013, 02:53:09 pm
Why do the pictures in the Haynes manual never seem to match up with what's under the bonnet?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 31 August, 2013, 03:31:13 pm
Quote from: Ashaman42 on 31 August, 2013, 02:53:09 pm
Why do the pictures in the Haynes manual never seem to match up with what's under the bonnet?

So it can earn its title of "Book Of Lies"
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 31 August, 2013, 04:29:28 pm
Quote from: Kim on 31 August, 2013, 03:31:13 pm
Quote from: Ashaman42 on 31 August, 2013, 02:53:09 pm
Why do the pictures in the Haynes manual never seem to match up with what's under the bonnet?

So it can earn its title of "Book Of Lies"

 ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 31 August, 2013, 09:30:04 pm
Quote from: Kim on 31 August, 2013, 03:31:13 pm
Quote from: Ashaman42 on 31 August, 2013, 02:53:09 pm
Why do the pictures in the Haynes manual never seem to match up with what's under the bonnet?

So it can earn its title of "Book Of Lies"

This woman speak da troof. 

I had a Peugeot 309 once and needed to fettle something, timing belt probably. This involved locking the engine TDC by placing an xmm diameter drill in the hole in the flywheel housing provided for the purpose and poking it into a hole in the flywheel.  The HBOL said the hole in the flywheel housing was toward the back of the engine. An hour of fruitless poking, with swearing as appropriate, followed by Looking Elsewhere found the hole towards the front of the engine.  Gits.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 31 August, 2013, 09:49:07 pm
That is the back, the engine is in the other way round :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 31 August, 2013, 10:20:10 pm
The main problem with the Haynes Book Of Fiction was that they took a brand new car, and took the engine out and dismantled it on the bench.

"To remove the exhaust manifold, simply undo the 8 nuts holding it in place"
 
No Shit, Sherlock.
Only, with a real car, you need to break your arm in 3 places just to *touch* the nuts in question, never mind getting a spanner on them.
And then, if the car has actually been driven, the nuts are seized to the point that they will shear the studs before coming off.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 31 August, 2013, 10:28:19 pm
I think the fundamental problem with the Haynes approach is that they base their instructions on a comprehensive strip-down of (some obscure and rust-free variant) of the car in question.  So you end up with helpful instructions like "Replacing thermostat: '2 spanner' job easily completed in 10 minutes with a socket set" with the dependency "Complete removal and re-fitting of fuel injection manifold: '4 spanner' job, requiring an obscure dealer-specific tool which the mechanically adept might be able to fashion out of some welding rod, maybe, and an oscilloscope".  It's the mechanical equivalent of trying to do anything useful with a Linux system back in the days before package managers.

Though to give them their credit, the BOL I had for my Corsa contained a comprehensive and freakishly accurate wiring diagram, which merely required squinting at the appallingly grainy printing and a working knowledge of german abbreviations.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 31 August, 2013, 10:55:18 pm
Ah man, I'm just trying to make my radiator fan work. And believe me, it's very trying  ??? I think it's either the thermostat or fan relay. I have another test tomorrow to determine which and then it's phone Dad to decide if we he can fix it or I should just pay our tame mechanic or not.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 31 August, 2013, 11:06:53 pm
At risk of granny sucking eggs issues, have you checked the coolant loop isn't airlocked?  If the sensor that controls the fan (as distinct from the thermostat which controls the flow of coolant through the radiator) is high and dry, it won't get hot enough to do anything useful.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 31 August, 2013, 11:15:30 pm
Temp sensor seems to work (I think), as in coolant gauge (guage?) rises normally and then kicks to overheat, and the fan never kicks in.

The current plan is to fire the engine up tomorrow and hold onto top radiator hose. From what Google tells me if it get hot inline with engine temp then it's stuck open and if it stays cool and suddenly get hot it's working normally. Ergo if it stays cool all the way it's stuck closed but I'm led to believe this is an odd fail situation.

I think the fuses are ok but the Haynes and car manual layout of fuseboxes don't match the acutal layout so am just going on the fact that I can't see any fuses that look brokeded.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Gattopardo on 31 August, 2013, 11:24:04 pm
What car?

Check that the fan works.  There will be a sensor on the rad.  Cross the terminals and, mind your fingers in the fan blades, see if the fan works.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 31 August, 2013, 11:25:24 pm
Be aware that the temperature gauge and the cooling system thermostat are un-related.
The gauge is just that: a gauge. It does not kick in the radiator or fan.

The Engine Thermostat is usually a small dome-shaped thing that diverts water through the radiator when it gets hot enough.

The fan sensor is seperate again.
There will be a sensor to kick the fan in.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Gattopardo on 31 August, 2013, 11:25:50 pm
Temperature guage on the dash is on another sensor than the rad sensor.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 31 August, 2013, 11:29:14 pm
Peugeot 206, Y-reg, early 2001 I think. Obviously the model changed sometime in 2001 but I'm fairly sure I have the right less wrong Book of Lies (tm).

Annoyingly getting to the rad requires removing the front bumper which is recommended via axles stands yada yada yada.

Hopefully Dad will say take it to him as his workplace had a proper pit for working on vehicles.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 31 August, 2013, 11:31:41 pm
Right, just seen other replies. Will check Thermostat via 'hold ze hose' test tomorrow and then phone Papa. And see what he thinks, I hate to spend too much but he is far more practiacal than me and if he reckons mechanics is best then so be it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 01 September, 2013, 09:42:30 am
In the Bible one finds the exhortation to "Make a joyful noise unto the LORD." (Ps. 100:1)

The community worshipping around the corner from me have definitely mastered the 'noise' aspect.  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 01 September, 2013, 01:01:14 pm
Essentially, Haynes are pingfuckit deniers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 01 September, 2013, 01:53:27 pm
The thremostat test used to be to remove it and stick it in a pot of water on a stove. You should then see it open when it heats up. Obviously this is info from the olden days and modern ones may be different.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 01 September, 2013, 04:51:04 pm
Quote from: Kim on 31 August, 2013, 10:28:19 pm
I think the fundamental problem with the Haynes approach is that they base their instructions on a comprehensive strip-down of (some obscure and rust-free variant) of the car in question.  So you end up with helpful instructions like "Replacing thermostat: '2 spanner' job easily completed in 10 minutes with a socket set" with the dependency "Complete removal and re-fitting of fuel injection manifold: '4 spanner' job, requiring an obscure dealer-specific tool which the mechanically adept might be able to fashion out of some welding rod, maybe, and an oscilloscope".  It's the mechanical equivalent of trying to do anything useful with a Linux system back in the days before package managers.

I refer m'learned forumite to the following gem of a post over on El Reg:

http://forums.theregister.co.uk/forum/containing/796851
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: JonBuoy on 01 September, 2013, 07:39:29 pm
I seem to remember that the (not Haynes) manual that I used when replacing the clutch on my mum's mini stated something like ' now undo the 9 bolts on the bell housing - this will require a short spanner and a long temper'.  They weren't wrong.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 02 September, 2013, 09:01:35 pm
A thought re my car and the fan. It only overheats when not moving, if I'm moving the natural airflow is enough to keep it at a comfortable 85ish C.

If the thermostat was jammed closed, so that coolant was not going through the radiator would it stay that cool just from airflow over the engine or does this indicate that the radiator is being supplied with hot coolant? And indicate that it's either the fan relay or the fan itself and not the thermostat.

I know I can test thermostat by sticking it in a pan of water but this means draining the coolant which I may as well do only once if I'm going to replace the thermostat anyway.

Then again a new 'stat is only £9 so guess I could change it blind.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Chris S on 03 September, 2013, 10:15:01 am
FFS, Orange or EE or whatever you are this week.

"I'm sorry, our top-up system is down at the moment. Please call again later. Click...."

Well, that's a bit shit isn't it?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 03 September, 2013, 01:47:49 pm
Quote from: Ashaman42 on 02 September, 2013, 09:01:35 pm
A thought re my car and the fan. It only overheats when not moving, if I'm moving the natural airflow is enough to keep it at a comfortable 85ish C.

If the thermostat was jammed closed, so that coolant was not going through the radiator would it stay that cool just from airflow over the engine or does this indicate that the radiator is being supplied with hot coolant? And indicate that it's either the fan relay or the fan itself and not the thermostat.

I know I can test thermostat by sticking it in a pan of water but this means draining the coolant which I may as well do only once if I'm going to replace the thermostat anyway.

Then again a new 'stat is only £9 so guess I could change it blind.
You should be able to disengage the contacts from the stat and short them out. Haynes is useful for working which terminals to bridge.
If fan runs, then you know that the problem is at thermostat end.

Now you know which terminals to check - use a multi-meter and test resistance across them with cold engine. It should be high. Now run the engine until rad is hot near the thermostat and check again. If the resistance hasn't dropped, then either heat isn't reaching the thermostat or thermostat is bust. *now* drain rad and take thermostat out for further testing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 03 September, 2013, 01:54:56 pm
Rule #1:    unidentified running hot test: 

Take the stat out, run the car without one.   If it stays cool the stat is the issue, if it heats up you have a different problem.

IME, albeit only 18 months as a grease monkey in the eighties, this helps with diagnosis.   
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 03 September, 2013, 01:59:10 pm
Re: Haynes:

I have found them extremely useful when dealing with unfamiliar vehicles.   Best bit usually being the tech data but sometimes you get a feel for something by having some tips on the sequence of dismantling / reassembly.   Having to retrace a couple of hours work because you've done something out of sequence can be a real PITA. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 03 September, 2013, 07:16:35 pm
Quote from: Polar Bear on 03 September, 2013, 01:54:56 pm
Rule #1:    unidentified running hot test: 

Take the stat out, run the car without one.   If it stays cool the stat is the issue, if it heats up you have a different problem.

IME, albeit only 18 months as a grease monkey in the eighties, this helps with diagnosis.   

I'll have to double check the book later but I think the thermostat is built into the housing it's part of so not sure I can run without one.

Though another test I've read for the thermostat is to start up the engine cold and hold the top radiator hose, if it gradually heats inline with the engine the 'stat is jammed open and if it stays cool and then suddenly warms up everything is good there.

Of course first I need to work out exactly which bit is the bit housing the thermostat. I'm sure it says in the book but I wasn't sure on first read through of whether left means left looking under the bonet or left from the driver's seat.

Thanks for all the advice by the way everyone, I know I'm a bit impractical when it comes to car so sure I'm making it hard work for you all.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Gattopardo on 03 September, 2013, 07:18:40 pm
Quote from: Polar Bear on 03 September, 2013, 01:54:56 pm
Rule #1:    unidentified running hot test: 

Take the stat out, run the car without one.   If it stays cool the stat is the issue, if it heats up you have a different problem.

IME, albeit only 18 months as a grease monkey in the eighties, this helps with diagnosis.   

They are starting to be integral to a housing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Gattopardo on 03 September, 2013, 07:22:05 pm
Quote from: Ashaman42 on 03 September, 2013, 07:16:35 pm
Quote from: Polar Bear on 03 September, 2013, 01:54:56 pm
Rule #1:    unidentified running hot test: 

Take the stat out, run the car without one.   If it stays cool the stat is the issue, if it heats up you have a different problem.

IME, albeit only 18 months as a grease monkey in the eighties, this helps with diagnosis.   

I'll have to double check the book later but I think the thermostat is built into the housing it's part of so not sure I can run without one.

Though another test I've read for the thermostat is to start up the engine cold and hold the top radiator hose, if it gradually heats inline with the engine the 'stat is jammed open and if it stays cool and then suddenly warms up everything is good there.

Of course first I need to work out exactly which bit is the bit housing the thermostat. I'm sure it says in the book but I wasn't sure on first read through of whether left means left looking under the bonet or left from the driver's seat.

Thanks for all the advice by the way everyone, I know I'm a bit impractical when it comes to car so sure I'm making it hard work for you all.

Is the water pump one with plastic impellers?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 03 September, 2013, 07:23:43 pm
Quote from: Gattopardo on 03 September, 2013, 07:22:05 pm
Is the water pump one with plastic impellers?

I am not sure, I shall try and find out after tea.

ETA: Looking at the four pumps available on EuroCarParts, the three aftermarket ones appear to be metal but the 'OE quality' one looks to be plastic.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Gattopardo on 03 September, 2013, 07:51:03 pm
Quote from: Ashaman42 on 03 September, 2013, 07:23:43 pm
Quote from: Gattopardo on 03 September, 2013, 07:22:05 pm
Is the water pump one with plastic impellers?

I am not sure, I shall try and find out after tea.

ETA: Looking at the four pumps available on EuroCarParts, the three aftermarket ones appear to be metal but the 'OE quality' one looks to be plastic.

Remember that some of the citroen and some pug water pumps, of that era, are plastic and others arent.  No idea why.

Amazing the stupid things that I know. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 03 September, 2013, 08:16:54 pm
I'm borrowing the Game of Thrones books from a colleague. I returned the first five to him a week ago and he said it would take a while to get the rest to me as someone else has them. So I reserved some library books, which have all arrived on the day my colleague brought me his books. *gets reading*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 03 September, 2013, 08:44:02 pm
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 03 September, 2013, 08:16:54 pm
I'm borrowing the Game of Thrones books from a colleague. I returned the first five to him a week ago and he said it would take a while to get the rest to me as someone else has them. So I reserved some library books, which have all arrived on the day my colleague brought me his books. *gets reading*

My Boss is working his way through the Clan of the Cave Bear series and has got me hooked too.

The books, like Harry Potter, get thicker and thicker.

I read very fast.

He is very dyslexic.

We've reached a bit of a logjam at book 5....

<waits>
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 03 September, 2013, 09:05:12 pm
Surely that's when you both read at the same time, swapping seats as you overtake him and then you can leap onto the next books...

That's what i used to with my childhood friend who we now know to be dyslexic ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 03 September, 2013, 09:56:26 pm
Quote from: barakta on 03 September, 2013, 09:05:12 pm
Surely that's when you both read at the same time, swapping seats as you overtake him and then you can leap onto the next books...

That's what i used to with my childhood friend who we now know to be dyslexic ;D

Interesting idea. But I'm not sure, lovely as he is, that I want to spend all my evenings with him!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 04 September, 2013, 10:00:59 am
Nah, it's when you purloin the volume they're stuck on, and read faster than ever before until you're able to slip it back into their desk or schoolbag briefcase, whistling innocently.

Either that or just move onto the next book, glossing over the plot developments you've missed and storing up the enjoyment of dawning understanding for later.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 04 September, 2013, 10:42:41 am
I'm not sure I should admit it, but there is often a book in our loo with two or even three book marks in it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 04 September, 2013, 10:48:29 am
As long as they are only book marks...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: IanDG on 04 September, 2013, 02:39:55 pm
Ordered a CO2 pump in August - Evans phoned today to say that the mail had destroyed the package because they can't deliver because mail goes by plane and they're not prepared to deliver with the surface mail - they didn't even 'return to sender' - ba***rds. Evans kindly refunded the cost. I need to re-order and pay for next day delivery to get it courier delivered.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 04 September, 2013, 09:32:02 pm
My new commute sucks majorly :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: RJ on 04 September, 2013, 09:53:59 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 04 September, 2013, 09:32:02 pm
My new commute sucks majorly :(
Oh bum; not good.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 04 September, 2013, 10:19:18 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 04 September, 2013, 10:48:29 am
As long as they are only book marks...

And you remmeber to wash your hands after reading..
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 04 September, 2013, 10:39:43 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 04 September, 2013, 09:32:02 pm
My new commute sucks majorly :(

Oh dear.  Why so?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pedaldog. on 05 September, 2013, 12:56:07 am
One of the medications I take for neuropathic pain management is an anti epileptic drug. One of the FOUR A4 SHEETS OF SIDE EFFECTS lists the propensity for middle ear infections to be caused by this drug.  I am now, second time in 3 months, Falling Over Dizzy and deaf as a deaf thing in my left ear apart from the times I can hear and it's distorted like a cheap speaker turned up to Number 12!
I got on a bus today and the spinny, dizzy wib-wobs made me actually fall off the Bus Seat ???

The hearing in my right ear is already at FAYL Central so I could do without this right now :hand:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 05 September, 2013, 07:09:19 am
Quote from: Feanor on 04 September, 2013, 10:39:43 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 04 September, 2013, 09:32:02 pm
My new commute sucks majorly :(

Oh dear.  Why so?


In a nutshell, Altens.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 05 September, 2013, 11:30:19 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 05 September, 2013, 07:09:19 am
Quote from: Feanor on 04 September, 2013, 10:39:43 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 04 September, 2013, 09:32:02 pm
My new commute sucks majorly :(

Oh dear.  Why so?


In a nutshell, Altens.
Ah. Yes.  I remember riding up that hill on my home to Portlethen with a metric shedload of books on the rear rack and the front wheel was lifting unless I leant very far forward.  Still it is better than the main road south.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 05 September, 2013, 02:01:47 pm
Hewlett-Packard broke my printer. Yeah, it was fixable, but why should I need to remove a printer, reinstall the driver, adjust settings & restart the computer just because HP decided to 'upgrade' something relating to a printer they haven't issued a new driver for in this decade?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 05 September, 2013, 03:14:05 pm
Sodding weather!

First thing this morning it was cool (not cold, but cool) and damp, due to the thick fog.  Merino base layer and roubaix backed jersey, both long sleeved, were deployed.

Now it's warmed up and is sunny, I'll am going to be leaking like a bad 'un on the way home :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 05 September, 2013, 07:33:39 pm
My plans for an evening out have FAILED.

Getting out when I am home alone is not easy but I usually manage.

First I dropped the remote control gadget for the burglar alarm and had to go back to the kitchen so I could retrieve it with a litter picker.
Then I dropped the house keys and FAILED to pick them up with the litter picker.

Sat down in the wheelchair, opened the front door, picked up keys and awaited cab booked for 18.00
17.58 Automated call 'We are still trying to find a cab. Do you want us to keep trying? (Yes)
18.08 Automated call 'We are still trying to find a cab. Do you want us to keep trying? (Yes)
18.18 Automated call 'We are still trying to find a cab. Do you want us to keep trying? (Yes)
18.28 Automated call 'We are still trying to find a cab. Do you want us to keep trying? NO

Went back into house and switched on computer.

18.31 David sends a text message stating he's on his way to pub I'd intended to visit.
18.48 David phones from pub. Where are you? Did you get my text?

No, I only got text after that phone call...

Serves me right for wanting a taxi in Edgware on the Jewish New Year I suppose!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 05 September, 2013, 07:48:22 pm
That's a bit spectacularly rubbish.  Not that either texis or tax messages (typo spoonerism left in, cos it's a good one) are known for their reliability, but still...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 05 September, 2013, 08:20:15 pm
I've had several texts spend ages in the ether.

I had decided (around 18.15) to give up if there'd been no cab at 18.28. I'd been sitting in the porch since 17.35.

I hope David had a good meal and rides back here OK. The chain fell off the Brompton as he left the house earlier.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 05 September, 2013, 08:48:51 pm
At work, I just had to modify an interconnect board, which various sensors plug into, and in turn connect to the main data acquisition system.

Previously, the Data Acquisition System provided power to the remote sensors.
The newer models do not, and separate power needs to be supplied at the interface board.

I have just done the necessary mods and added the external power supply.
And nothing worked.

The brand new Switch-Mode Power Supply, an RS 'essentials' cheapy, was DoA.
The work required to remove this effing thing is *highly irritating*, requiring as it does, the disconnection of 10,000 wires from screw-terminals.
Will do better testing this time before re-installing the board in it's cabinet.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 05 September, 2013, 09:41:42 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 05 September, 2013, 07:33:39 pm
Serves me right for wanting a taxi in Edgware on the Jewish New Year I suppose!
Shana Tova!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jacomus on 06 September, 2013, 11:12:15 am
Damnit, Google! I want to see a map. Map. Normal map, top down, without any of your fancy pants 3D building view.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 06 September, 2013, 12:06:45 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 05 September, 2013, 09:41:42 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 05 September, 2013, 07:33:39 pm
Serves me right for wanting a taxi in Edgware on the Jewish New Year I suppose!
Shana Tova!

 :) :) :)

There must have been other people wanting taxis too...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 07 September, 2013, 06:07:03 am
As a result of driving a convertible due west all week, the left side of my face has acquired a respectable tan.  The right side looks like it's spent the summer indoors drinking BEER.  I look like the Phantom of the fucking Opera.  If it isn't sunny one the way back I'm going to have to start job-hunting looking like a twat.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Marco Stefano on 07 September, 2013, 06:58:57 pm
Yet another weekend lost to urgent work. Bloody weary of all this.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Gattopardo on 07 September, 2013, 09:00:23 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 07 September, 2013, 06:07:03 am
As a result of driving a convertible due west all week, the left side of my face has acquired a respectable tan.  The right side looks like it's spent the summer indoors drinking BEER.  I look like the Phantom of the fucking Opera.  If it isn't sunny one the way back I'm going to have to start job-hunting looking like a twat.

Sunbed quick
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Clare on 07 September, 2013, 10:28:20 pm
Gah, no Nigel fix this week  :(

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 09 September, 2013, 11:32:31 am
I need to top up a mobile phone.  I'm at work. I can't do it online as for whatever reason our works laptops/network won't render the site properly.  Ok, I'll use my phone to get to the site. But Orange (ok EE), a mobile phome operator, do not appear to have a site optimised - wait for it - for viewing on a mobile phone. It just loads the full website - whereas other content providers automatically default to a smart-phone sized screen "m" version. Pooh.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 09 September, 2013, 02:02:35 pm
It's really annoying when someone makes a crappy form-for-filling-in in Word and delineates the spaces for typing in with ... . It's even more annoying when they put boxes-to-be-Xd in by adding a tiny square which isn't a text box and can't be typed in.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 09 September, 2013, 03:49:04 pm
Quote from: Gattopardo on 07 September, 2013, 09:00:23 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 07 September, 2013, 06:07:03 am
As a result of driving a convertible due west all week, the left side of my face has acquired a respectable tan.  The right side looks like it's spent the summer indoors drinking BEER.  I look like the Phantom of the fucking Opera.  If it isn't sunny one the way back I'm going to have to start job-hunting looking like a twat.

Sunbed quick
Mirror on the dashboard
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 09 September, 2013, 03:59:41 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 09 September, 2013, 03:49:04 pm
Quote from: Gattopardo on 07 September, 2013, 09:00:23 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 07 September, 2013, 06:07:03 am
As a result of driving a convertible due west all week, the left side of my face has acquired a respectable tan.  The right side looks like it's spent the summer indoors drinking BEER.  I look like the Phantom of the fucking Opera.  If it isn't sunny one the way back I'm going to have to start job-hunting looking like a twat.

Sunbed quick
Mirror on the dashboard

Get a Windcheetah.  Then they'll be too busy trying to work out your elbows to notice the tan on your face.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 09 September, 2013, 06:55:04 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 09 September, 2013, 03:49:04 pm
Quote from: Gattopardo on 07 September, 2013, 09:00:23 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 07 September, 2013, 06:07:03 am
As a result of driving a convertible due west all week, the left side of my face has acquired a respectable tan.  The right side looks like it's spent the summer indoors drinking BEER.  I look like the Phantom of the fucking Opera.  If it isn't sunny one the way back I'm going to have to start job-hunting looking like a twat.

Sunbed quick
Mirror on the dashboard
"I think that was by The Beat, Ken."
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 10 September, 2013, 10:21:21 am
Look.  I am aware of some of what you are working on, and I’m sure we may have had previous discussions.
But,
Your world is not something I spend my whole life thinking about.  I’ve probably been to bed at least 30 times since our last discussion.
So,
Your e-mail which roughly translates as “We need to do the biz with the wossname”, requesting my thoughts, could have been a little more helpful.  Just a few extra words might have saved me having to go back and waste time refreshing my poor old brain.

Lazy git!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 10 September, 2013, 02:07:21 pm
I have taken to saying to people when they refer to your last query the thing we were discussing and other such vague references that we are so hideously busy that I lose track and can make kind to clarify which specific item they are referring to.

It doesn't help that the reference last time wasn't even for me it was for my colleague whose name is a bit similar to mine I don't like sharing similar names it annoying
 
this brought to you by firebreathing Dragon NaturallySpeaking dictation hell which is just wrong computers of typing on not talking to although this version does at least understand me when I'm not being sarcastic previous versions have required me to be cross and sarcastic before it understood be I could do without the lag though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 10 September, 2013, 10:05:58 pm
Dearest junior, it's great that you are doing your homework, even if it is at 22:00 o'clock.

But please not to be asking me about maths I've not done since school at this hour.
Yes, I'll figure it out, but not tonight.

NN.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 10 September, 2013, 10:10:24 pm
Dearest Junior, You spent 6 or 8 weeks assuring us that you had no homework set. Why are you now writing up the notes from the geography trip back in June?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 11 September, 2013, 09:46:07 am
Dear big shiny silver BMW with the 2-letter 2-number personal plate. It was really lovely of you to pull out reeeeallly wide to pas me last night :thumbsup:

Was the bend half-way down The Greenway really the place to do it thobut :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 12 September, 2013, 08:25:00 am
Candidates for Koko's Little List:

People who enter a nice, warm bathroom, use the cludge then open the window because they don't "believe" in air fresheners, so that the next one in freezes his arse off.

Our goddamned cleaning woman who persists in leaving her wretched cleaning cloths to dry right on the corner of the bath where I park my book.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 12 September, 2013, 09:08:51 am
To be honest, I'd rather have a frozen arse than smell most air fresheners - I can warm up quicker than I can forget the chemical taint in my nostrils.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 12 September, 2013, 09:38:21 am
Quote from: jsabine on 12 September, 2013, 09:08:51 am
To be honest, I'd rather have a frozen arse than smell most air fresheners - I can warm up quicker than I can forget the chemical taint in my nostrils.
ditto
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 12 September, 2013, 10:22:58 am
Quote from: jsabine on 12 September, 2013, 09:08:51 am
To be honest, I'd rather have a frozen arse than smell most air fresheners - I can warm up quicker than I can forget the chemical taint in my nostrils.

So hold the air freshener: I'd rather have the nice warm friendly natural pong of a fellow human than plonk down shivering on a slice of frigid plastic.  The nose dismisses smells far faster than the cold recedes.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 12 September, 2013, 10:28:19 am
Quote from: T42 on 12 September, 2013, 10:22:58 am
Quote from: jsabine on 12 September, 2013, 09:08:51 am
To be honest, I'd rather have a frozen arse than smell most air fresheners - I can warm up quicker than I can forget the chemical taint in my nostrils.

So hold the air freshener: I'd rather have the nice warm friendly natural pong of a fellow human than plonk down shivering on a slice of frigid plastic.  The nose dismisses smells far faster than the cold recedes.
How about a fan? Air fresheners don't freshen the air, they just mask whatever's there with a pseudo-floral cocktail. Which could be a metaphor for much more of life...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 12 September, 2013, 10:42:44 am
Oh yes, open window/air freshener is a false dichotomy, though my wife feels that the fan is too slow-acting.

Quote from: T42 on 12 September, 2013, 10:22:58 am
the nice warm friendly natural pong of a fellow human

Hmmm. There are times I'd rather not inflict the aroma on myself again, let alone on anyone else.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ham on 12 September, 2013, 10:46:23 am
Quote from: jsabine on 12 September, 2013, 10:42:44 am
Oh yes, open window/air freshener is a false dichotomy, though my wife feels that the fan is too slow-acting.

Quote from: T42 on 12 September, 2013, 10:22:58 am
the nice warm friendly natural pong of a fellow human

Hmmm. There are times I'd rather not inflict the aroma on myself again, let alone on anyone else.

Now you've confused me. Was it you or me in my khasi a short while ago?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 12 September, 2013, 11:29:42 am
I don't know - is your khazi upstairs in my house? Should I check?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 12 September, 2013, 12:55:48 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 12 September, 2013, 10:28:19 am
Quote from: T42 on 12 September, 2013, 10:22:58 am
Quote from: jsabine on 12 September, 2013, 09:08:51 am
To be honest, I'd rather have a frozen arse than smell most air fresheners - I can warm up quicker than I can forget the chemical taint in my nostrils.

So hold the air freshener: I'd rather have the nice warm friendly natural pong of a fellow human than plonk down shivering on a slice of frigid plastic.  The nose dismisses smells far faster than the cold recedes.
How about a fan? Air fresheners don't freshen the air, they just mask whatever's there with a pseudo-floral cocktail. Which could be a metaphor for much more of life...

In my experience, they don't even do that.  Poo + air freshener = pooey air freshener.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 12 September, 2013, 02:01:07 pm
Quote from: jsabine on 12 September, 2013, 11:29:42 am
I don't know - is your khazi upstairs in my house? Should I check?

Maybe it's a gateway to another universe.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 12 September, 2013, 07:56:47 pm
Quote from: T42 on 12 September, 2013, 02:01:07 pm
Quote from: jsabine on 12 September, 2013, 11:29:42 am
I don't know - is your khazi upstairs in my house? Should I check?

Maybe it's a gateway to another universe.
It's a gateway to some prototype of the Feminist Republic of Juliana. (http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hColANKQ0IPydfk-je8BI__lLinw?docId=CNG.d6c5f1281521bb17069bc782734e1518.341)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 12 September, 2013, 11:37:32 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 12 September, 2013, 07:56:47 pm
Quote from: T42 on 12 September, 2013, 02:01:07 pm
Quote from: jsabine on 12 September, 2013, 11:29:42 am
I don't know - is your khazi upstairs in my house? Should I check?

Maybe it's a gateway to another universe.
It's a gateway to some prototype of the Feminist Republic of Juliana. (http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hColANKQ0IPydfk-je8BI__lLinw?docId=CNG.d6c5f1281521bb17069bc782734e1518.341)

You've got me really worried now: not just a gateway to another world, but one that seems to take cues from both Bernard Manning
Quote
"When a man has to live in his mother-in-law's house, it tends to make him a little quiet," Pariat says.

and from Monty Python
Quote
A men's rights movement did emerge in the early 1960s but petered out after hundreds of Khasi women turned up at one of their meetings, armed with knives.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 13 September, 2013, 11:16:18 am
I have to confess I didn't read the article.  :-[  :facepalm: It was just the first handy thing that came up linked to the Khasi. There were a couple of Khasi in a place I used to work (and some Garu, another tribe from the same state - it was evident that tribal divisions overran state loyalties) and remembered their matrilineal surname system. The OED online says about khazi "Origin: 1960s: from Italian casa 'house' "
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 13 September, 2013, 11:30:57 am
I thought the Khasi was from Kalabar.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 13 September, 2013, 11:35:31 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 13 September, 2013, 11:16:18 am
The OED online says about khazi "Origin: 1960s: from Italian casa 'house' "
I doubt that. The OED is notoriously conservative on first recorded usage, with a strong tendency to go for the most recent possible origin. Eric Partridge derives it from carsey, a Cockney word for privy from the late C19, which may have derived from casa, via being used to mean a brothel. Seems much more likely to me.

The OED has a few odd etymologies, e.g. shop. Blindingly obvious to anyone except a certain type of English lexicographer, which prefers complicated, obscure, & IMO unlikely derivations.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wowbagger on 13 September, 2013, 12:47:43 pm
Quote from: Bledlow on 13 September, 2013, 11:35:31 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 13 September, 2013, 11:16:18 am
The OED online says about khazi "Origin: 1960s: from Italian casa 'house' "
I doubt that. The OED is notoriously conservative on first recorded usage, with a strong tendency to go for the most recent possible origin. Eric Partridge derives it from carsey, a Cockney word for privy from the late C19, which may have derived from casa, via being used to mean a brothel. Seems much more likely to me.

The OED has a few odd etymologies, e.g. shop. Blindingly obvious to anyone except a certain type of English lexicographer, which prefers complicated, obscure, & IMO unlikely derivations.

I can categorically state that the OED is wrong in that case. Where we lived in 1958 there was a small residential road named "Carsey Close"*. It caused considerable hilarity amongst my brothers and me, even then, although at the tender age of 4 I had to have the joke explained to me. I found it so hilarious that I had to rush off and use one.

*It is still there (http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=571272&Y=195738&A=Y&Z=110), despite some residents' attempts to get its name changed, eg to Shit-house Terrace
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 13 September, 2013, 01:31:31 pm
Excellent information. Thanks.

I'm not quite old enough to refute the OED etymology from personal experience, but I recall that kazi (under whatever spelling) was universally understood among people of all ages in my 1960s childhood, which made me suspect that the OED was wrong.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 13 September, 2013, 01:49:00 pm
I'm pretty sure Milligan mentions Khazis in his 'autobiographies', which is well before the 60s (though the book was about 1970).  I see it as one of those sorts of words which were brought back and popularised by ex-servicemen after WWII
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 13 September, 2013, 02:30:08 pm
I suspect that the armed forces may have spread a cockney word (see Eric Partridge) to the country as a whole.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 13 September, 2013, 02:37:59 pm
Clearly by 1968 it had reached Hollywood. Well, Pinewood anyway.

Anyway, I'd much prefer it come from Italian brothels than a tribe of people!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wowbagger on 14 September, 2013, 11:06:24 pm
I am planning a ride tomorrow, it being many weeks since I rode for pleasure in Essex, having been concentrating on Wales, Guernsey and Yorkshire. Having a valid return part of a ticket from Marks Tey to Southend, I thought I would ride out there. But bugger! There is a bus disservice operating between Billericay and Rayleigh which will be knackering at a time when I will already be knackered. This is almost certain to be in the rain as well. Bugger. And thrice bugger!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 14 September, 2013, 11:32:28 pm
That would be a Rayleigh bus.

<swift exit>
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Chris S on 15 September, 2013, 08:21:05 pm
Weather forecaster.

"So, it looks like Autumn is here to stay, at least for now."

Really?

 :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 16 September, 2013, 04:20:00 pm
Rich Tea?  RICH TEA?  Who’s put a pack of Rice Tea biscuits in our biscuit box?
Rich Tea are only one step away from Cream Crackers.  >:(
Go and buy some dark chocolate digestives, if it is your turn.  And proper ones too.  Not supermarket own brand.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 16 September, 2013, 06:25:24 pm
I like Rich Tea.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 16 September, 2013, 07:53:45 pm
Good dunkers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 16 September, 2013, 09:27:18 pm
Digestive system: Just make your bloody mind up already.   >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 16 September, 2013, 10:29:16 pm
Digestives are good dunkers too.

Did you see what I did there?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 17 September, 2013, 08:13:12 am
Last night I sliced my left thumb while cutting tomatoes. This morning I burnt my right thumb on the Trangia........ :-(

Don't think I'd be suited to a job in catering....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 17 September, 2013, 09:25:15 am
Quote from: andrewc on 17 September, 2013, 08:13:12 am
Last night I sliced my left thumb while cutting tomatoes. This morning I burnt my right thumb on the Trangia........ :-(

Don't think I'd be suited to a job in catering....

I disagree!  My brother is a chef - you should see what his hands look like.  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 17 September, 2013, 09:32:34 am
Quote from: andrewc on 17 September, 2013, 08:13:12 am
Last night I sliced my left thumb while cutting tomatoes. This morning I burnt my right thumb on the Trangia........ :-(

Don't think I'd be suited to a job in catering....


No No No No No! You have got it all wrong.

What you are supposed to do is slice your thumb (right or left, it matters not) after which you then burn the same thumb on the trangia, cauterising the wound.

HTH.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 17 September, 2013, 03:09:34 pm
So, Mr Doomandgloom, thanks very much for telling me that I'm almost certain to be squishified on the new commute next week which I'm already dreading.
Thanks a bunch.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 17 September, 2013, 04:06:47 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 17 September, 2013, 03:09:34 pm
So, Mr Doomandgloom, thanks very much for telling me that I'm almost certain to be squishified on the new commute next week which I'm already dreading.
Thanks a bunch.

Well nuts to him.  I haven't met you, but you come across as a confident and capable person.  Those two things alone are a big big help, as you no doubt know, in having a safe and pleasant commute.  And that's before we factor in stuff like road sense and cycling experience.  He's talking through his hat.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 17 September, 2013, 06:06:21 pm
Tim, thank you for your kind words :)
I know, I wouldn't ordinarily pay much heed, but he takes a particular glee in that sort of thing and I'm not feeling all that confident about it which doesn't help (am going from a 7km 'walk in the park' to twice as long incl. 40mph lorry infested dual cabbageway).  I shall see what happens Monday.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 18 September, 2013, 11:06:30 am
Hmm... The USS (Under the Stairs Server) Server has gone very quiet. No sign of life at all. No response to the ON switch. Will have to remove all the food stacked around it and extract from the cupboard tonight to investigate. I only replaced the PSU recently.
:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 18 September, 2013, 11:16:16 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 17 September, 2013, 06:06:21 pm
Tim, thank you for your kind words :)
I know, I wouldn't ordinarily pay much heed, but he takes a particular glee in that sort of thing and I'm not feeling all that confident about it which doesn't help (am going from a 7km 'walk in the park' to twice as long incl. 40mph lorry infested dual cabbageway).  I shall see what happens Monday.

I've ridden through and out of Aberdeen on the dual carriageways (A596 by any chance?) a few times.

Nice wide shoulders (if a little strewn with debris in some bits). Quite a few roundabouts.

Nothing that an experienced rider like yourself should have any issue with at all.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 18 September, 2013, 11:21:40 am
A956 (I assume that's what you meant) south.

*girds loins*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Gattopardo on 18 September, 2013, 02:02:48 pm
Selling stuff - Why do people say they will turn up and then not appear.  No call, no nothing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 18 September, 2013, 08:07:50 pm
grrr, BBC trailer for the new drama. Berkshire County Council disappeared from existance 20 years ago when it became unitary authorities.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Notsototalnewbie on 18 September, 2013, 08:14:53 pm
Quote from: matthew on 18 September, 2013, 08:07:50 pm
grrr, BBC trailer for the new drama. Berkshire County Council disappeared from existance 20 years ago when it became unitary authorities.  >:(

I'm fairly sure there's no such thing as a Town Planning and Noise Guidance Adviser either  ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 18 September, 2013, 09:06:13 pm
My Kindle appears to have died. It was fine last night, but today the on/off switch has no effect at all :-(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 19 September, 2013, 09:43:31 am
When I got to work and went to pick up a book from the library, my purse wasn't in my bag. I'm 99.9999999999999999999% sure I just didn't take it out of my rucksack last night after swimming, but there's a tiny part of me worried I dropped it on the bus.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 19 September, 2013, 04:30:39 pm
Sorry.  Three in one.  I'm not having a great day.

1)
Thanks.  Thanks for sending round that preference thingy.

As you requested, I ranked the suggested venues.

My prefs were
B’ham - 1 (obv)
Manchester - 2
That London – 3333333million

Your suggested dates, I highlighted
Green – Good for me
Yellow – Not great, but I can sort something out (probably)
Red – No.  Can’t do that date.

So. It seems that we are meeting in London, on one of my red dates.

I’ve also noticed that you are the only one actually in London.
GIT!

2)
Other colleague.  I assume that there must be some other meaning to the expression “I’ll get back to you shortly” of which I have been previously unaware.
Also a GIT

3)
Me.  Be much more careful how you word responses to e-mails when you are super busy doing other things.
My response of “Can I look at this later?” was translated in further e-mails to other people as “Basil says will look at this”
After several further Chinese whispers this culminates in an e-mail from my Grandboss “Basil, thank you for taking ownership of this.  We’re on a tight schedule blah blah blah…….

What?  How the hell has this happened?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 19 September, 2013, 08:02:27 pm
I'm sure the income from the booking is welcome, but it really pisses us off when we get back at lunchtime to find notices telling us to be quiet (and after 3.45pm, SILENT!) because of the course and exam happening in the hall.

We do a shitty job in all weathers (and the all weathers was just today), so it would be nice to think we could sit and chat normally at lunchtime. Not to mention all the volunteers who work hard on the reserve.  Also not to mention, it is actually a public building. The hall is open to the rest of the building at the sides, completely stupid to try and have a quiet or silent meeting in there.

Feeling a bit like second class citizens at the moment. >:(

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 21 September, 2013, 05:18:46 pm
Grr, I live all of 1.5 miles from the ToB route today, did I get to see it....



Of course not some daft couple chose to get married at 1pm today and asked paid for the choir to sing at the wedding. So rather than standing in YACF lycra just after the feed zone for some good freebies I was sat in the pews dressed up in robes as the race went by.

Oh and the money goes into choir funds (read organ appeal) not to the few who were actually there.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 22 September, 2013, 01:19:11 am
If it makes you feel any better, I'm 30 minutes from Sunday's route, but I shall be at home nursing a sore head.  All my own fault.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 22 September, 2013, 08:49:00 am
I've just spent an hour in the kitchen fighting with the last incarnation of sourdough and a new folding technique. By the time I gave up there was more dough stuck to me, and the kitchen cupboards than there was on the worktop. After it kept trying to escape off the top I decided it was too wet and added some more flour.
Now I think it's too tight.

I'm beginning to think it's really not worth all this hassle.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 24 September, 2013, 09:35:17 am
Oy Wiggle! Why have you stopped stocking Carradice bags?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 25 September, 2013, 09:20:09 am
What was going on yesterday evening. Going to the pub was a nightmare. It was like trying to negotiate a meeting of the Ampthill Road Park Like A Fud Club - cars seemingly abandoned all over the place.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 25 September, 2013, 10:54:08 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 18 September, 2013, 11:21:40 am
A956 (I assume that's what you meant) south.

*girds loins*
Was the girding effective?


girding . . .  what a great word.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 25 September, 2013, 09:12:55 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 25 September, 2013, 10:54:08 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 18 September, 2013, 11:21:40 am
A956 (I assume that's what you meant) south.

*girds loins*
Was the girding effective?


girding . . .  what a great word.

It is indeed a great word.
Monday was a piece of piss because it was a bank holiday. However, I did bunk up onto the pavement for the last steepest bit of hill after 2 close passes but I probably wasn't taking enough of the lane. Yesterday  was busier but I hopped up onto the pavement even earlier I'm afraid. I really don't mind taking the lane where I'm at pace with the traffic, but 2 lanes of traffic including lorries covered in drill pipe and I felt that the slower and slower I got I would just end up getting aggro as the speed differential got bigger. Which isn't really worth it, but it's only a wee bit of not busy pavement so better that than stress or greasy splat.
Last night I found that the RAB leaving the estate (which I miss in the morning) is a bit of a death trap so I might use that wee bit of pavement on the way home too in order to avoid that.

Yes, it's not the tactic of a guerilla cyclist but sometimes discretion is the better part of valour, and the new office is stressful enough without knowing I'm going to get aggro before I get there every morning.
Sorry   :-[
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 25 September, 2013, 09:16:45 pm
Oh, and my cycle commute took me only 35 mins.
I took the (spit) bus this morning (after work coffee dictated), it cost a fortune, it was shit and it took 1hr 15m to get to work! I could have walked it in not much more than that!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 26 September, 2013, 07:39:26 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 25 September, 2013, 09:16:45 pm
Oh, and my cycle commute took me only 35 mins.
I took the (spit) bus this morning (after work coffee dictated), it cost a fortune, it was shit and it took 1hr 15m to get to work! I could have walked it in not much more than that!
Oy! No spitting on the bus!   (One for the older readers amongst us.)

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Butterfly on 26 September, 2013, 07:54:47 am
Quote from: TheLurker on 26 September, 2013, 07:39:26 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 25 September, 2013, 09:16:45 pm
Oh, and my cycle commute took me only 35 mins.
I took the (spit) bus this morning (after work coffee dictated), it cost a fortune, it was shit and it took 1hr 15m to get to work! I could have walked it in not much more than that!
Oy! No spitting on the bus!   (One for the older readers amongst us.)
When my mother moved to Kent from Sheffield as a child,  she thought people in the south must be very posh because they didn't need signs on the buses telling them not to spit!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hbunnet on 26 September, 2013, 08:39:18 am
Quote from: TheLurker on 26 September, 2013, 07:39:26 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 25 September, 2013, 09:16:45 pm
Oh, and my cycle commute took me only 35 mins.
I took the (spit) bus this morning (after work coffee dictated), it cost a fortune, it was shit and it took 1hr 15m to get to work! I could have walked it in not much more than that!
Oy! No spitting on the bus!   (One for the older readers amongst us.)

It's infradig, infrahip and a very common line.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 28 September, 2013, 11:32:18 pm
Stupid, stupid parents.  Yes, I agree, the language is a bit foul and yes I'm happy that kids are now allowed in pubs, but stop your complaining, it's Saturday night in a local.  What on earth were you thinking?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 29 September, 2013, 04:28:29 am
*yawn* It's times like this I hate travelling.

The only sensible travel which should take place at this hour is finishing an overnight bicycle/train/ferry trip, not waking up to start an all-day journey of tube-tube-plane-plane.

Kim, have you started work on a teleportation device?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruth on 03 October, 2013, 03:35:49 am
Oh, where are my spectacles?

Without my specs on, I can't see to find my specs.

This is a bit frustrating.  I keep tripping over things, and I've crawled over every carpet in the house feeling for them, and I still can't find them.

Huh.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 03 October, 2013, 09:02:08 am
Head? :)

Mine usually get down the back of the sofa as taking them off is cheaper than buying an HD tv.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: GothonaBrompton on 03 October, 2013, 09:42:55 am
Quote from: Basil on 28 September, 2013, 11:32:18 pm
Stupid, stupid parents.  Yes, I agree, the language is a bit foul and yes I'm happy that kids are now allowed in pubs, but stop your complaining, it's Saturday night in a local.  What on earth were you thinking?

I had the same at a rock concert once, for a pretty heavy band.  The greeting of 'Hello London, are you having a f*ckin good time!" is pretty standard.  The kid was at least 11 or 12, and mummy put her hands over his ears and tutted.  She was having an apoplexy when the beer

I'm sure he hears worse than that in the playground.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruth on 03 October, 2013, 09:44:16 am
Quote from: mcshroom on 03 October, 2013, 09:02:08 am
Head? :)

Mine usually get down the back of the sofa as taking them off is cheaper than buying an HD tv.

They had fallen down the back of the bedside table.  Skinny black frames tangled up with black power cords from the radio and light - the perfect disguise.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Oaky on 03 October, 2013, 10:25:03 am
There is no coffee in the office.  This is not conducive to my productivity.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 03 October, 2013, 11:07:31 am
dear snarky tutor,

Do kindly fuck off.  You weren't around all summer, so I wasn't able to liaise with you then your colleagues refused to liaise bouncing it to you.  Now I'm backlogged to buggery.  Welcome to start of term! I can only do one thing at a time.

I have sugar! And tea!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 03 October, 2013, 01:40:09 pm
Self: when ordering t shirts online, ensure that you order the right size. Large isn't large enough you dimwit!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 03 October, 2013, 02:41:12 pm
Quote from: Ruthie on 03 October, 2013, 03:35:49 am
Oh, where are my spectacles?

Without my specs on, I can't see to find my specs.

If you had your false teeth and your hearing aid, you could ask if anyone had seen them...   ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 03 October, 2013, 08:11:47 pm
^^^ I get that joke all the time... See what I have to live with! :-*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 03 October, 2013, 11:18:33 pm
To add to my growing list of concurrent injuries and illnesses, I tripped on the stairs.  Thankfully for my still-fragile shoulder, I didn't fall far, but I landed with my weight on a pointed toe.  I thought it was broken, but it ain't swollen, just bloody painful.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 04 October, 2013, 12:48:07 am
Prompted by recent events, I fancied reading a bit more from Ralph Miliband.

How many works by this leading thinker do you imagine are available for download from Amazon?

Yeah.  Not a one.  We're losing a whole lot by abandoning physical books so quickly.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 04 October, 2013, 11:17:28 am
Quote from: Ruthie on 03 October, 2013, 03:35:49 am
Oh, where are my spectacles?

Without my specs on, I can't see to find my specs.

This is a bit frustrating.  I keep tripping over things, and I've crawled over every carpet in the house feeling for them, and I still can't find them.

Huh.
I think this is why I wear contacts. Soon enough there'll be a time when I haven't a handy child to ask to look for them. They already balk at doing this at 6am when I'm running late for work, can't think why.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 04 October, 2013, 11:21:45 am
Quote from: clarion on 04 October, 2013, 12:48:07 am
Prompted by recent events, I fancied reading a bit more from Ralph Miliband.

How many works by this leading thinker do you imagine are available for download from Amazon?

Yeah.  Not a one.  We're losing a whole lot by abandoning physical books so quickly.

About as many as are available in my local bricks and mortar bookshop then.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 04 October, 2013, 01:15:49 pm
Got all togged up for a decent ride today, did 5 km before the rain came down. "Bugger this" and headed home. Detogged, showered, rain stopped. Streets dry now & sun shining.

Don't mind rain that much, don't like cleaning bike.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 04 October, 2013, 03:17:49 pm
Quote from: David Martin on 04 October, 2013, 11:21:45 am
Quote from: clarion on 04 October, 2013, 12:48:07 am
Prompted by recent events, I fancied reading a bit more from Ralph Miliband.

How many works by this leading thinker do you imagine are available for download from Amazon?

Yeah.  Not a one.  We're losing a whole lot by abandoning physical books so quickly.

About as many as are available in my local bricks and mortar bookshop then.

Where you could ask them to order you one in.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 04 October, 2013, 10:47:20 pm
Quote from: fboab on 04 October, 2013, 11:17:28 am
Quote from: Ruthie on 03 October, 2013, 03:35:49 am
Oh, where are my spectacles?

Without my specs on, I can't see to find my specs.

This is a bit frustrating.  I keep tripping over things, and I've crawled over every carpet in the house feeling for them, and I still can't find them.

Huh.
I think this is why I wear contacts. Soon enough there'll be a time when I haven't a handy child to ask to look for them. They already balk at doing this at 6am when I'm running late for work, can't think why.

I have loads of old prescription specs lying around the house in various places; whilst I can't see *perfectly* with these, I can see well enough for most things, including finding lost specs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 04 October, 2013, 10:56:36 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 04 October, 2013, 10:47:20 pm

I have loads of old prescription specs lying around the house in various places; whilst I can't see *perfectly* with these, I can see well enough for most things, including finding lost specs.

Yup.  That's my strategy too.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 04 October, 2013, 10:59:49 pm
I am sufficiently poorly sighted that the only time my specs come off my face are when I go to bed and when I get in the shower. This makes them not really loseable .....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 04 October, 2013, 11:05:29 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 04 October, 2013, 10:59:49 pm
I am sufficiently poorly sighted that the only time my specs come off my face are when I go to bed and when I get in the shower. This makes them not really loseable .....

I wear my specs almost all the time but resort to using spares if I decide not to return to bed after a bathroom visit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 04 October, 2013, 11:36:31 pm
Quote from: clarion on 04 October, 2013, 03:17:49 pm
Quote from: David Martin on 04 October, 2013, 11:21:45 am
Quote from: clarion on 04 October, 2013, 12:48:07 am
Prompted by recent events, I fancied reading a bit more from Ralph Miliband.

How many works by this leading thinker do you imagine are available for download from Amazon?

Yeah.  Not a one.  We're losing a whole lot by abandoning physical books so quickly.

About as many as are available in my local bricks and mortar bookshop then.

Where you could ask them to order you one in.
Amazon must be reading this thread.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?_encoding=UTF8&field-author=Ralph%20Miliband&search-alias=books-uk&sort=relevancerank
 (http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?_encoding=UTF8&field-author=Ralph%20Miliband&search-alias=books-uk&sort=relevancerank)
I doubt that I'd find that many in any local bookshop - especially not the French language edition.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 08 October, 2013, 08:38:21 am
I am starting reduce my idiocy from Weapons Grade to Simply Dangerous.

I have a hearing aid.

It takes batteries.

These batteries only last a finite time (about 10 days from first use to kaput, in my case).

I carry spares with me at all times (due to having the battery konk out on bike rides, at the cinema etc etc, I have learnt that lesson, well almost, see below)

It is no use leaving those spares at the digs, when I have cycled in, is it? My hearing aid started beeping at me about 7 miles into a 9 mile commute, too late to go back :( GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 08 October, 2013, 09:28:53 am
Hearing aid batteries are like Ventolin inhalers.  Ideally you keep spares in all sorts of random places in order to avoid these sort of problems. In reality it means that they end up everywhere except where you were relying on yourself to have left one. I'm suspicious this effect actually violates the second law of thermodynamics.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 08 October, 2013, 09:56:15 am
Quote from: Kim on 08 October, 2013, 09:28:53 am
Hearing aid batteries are like Ventolin inhalers.  Ideally you keep spares in all sorts of random places in order to avoid these sort of problems. In reality it means that they end up everywhere except where you were relying on yourself to have left one. I'm suspicious this effect actually violates the second law of thermodynamics.

And like inhalers, when you find them, they are either out of date or empty...

I have suspicion that the Tesco across the road, despite have a pharmacy, don't sell ZA13s, which means I will have a hairy commute back before I can get my hands on more batteries :(

It was much easier at the last place, as my co-worker also had a hearing aid that took ZA13s, so we had a shared stockpile in the office.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 08 October, 2013, 11:06:04 am
Tiermat, I hear you (even if you can't hear me).  My 2011-new hearing aid doesn't give me warning of pending fail, it just BEEPS and cuts out at me when it's had enough. Can't even do the old analogue cheat of turning the volume down to use less power.

Shoving what batteries you have in the fridge for a bit might rejuvenate them for a while, but it won't get you a whole day's worth DAHIKT...

Add radio aids and there's even more failure modes "wrong/missing wires" "no batteries" "config complexity == user error"...

And for my grumble I'd like my fecking body to stop inventing new fails, today's gem was my right hip slipping out of joint subluxing every 5-6 steps! The hip in general is on the "See GP TODO" but I can't do that until I've sorted the hand/arm as I don't have enough capacity to manage two sets of physio at once...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 08 October, 2013, 12:16:56 pm
UPDATE.

I now have batteries, I was wrong about Tesco, they did have them, just not at the Pharmacy (silly me for thinking logically and actually asking the useless fucking idiot behind the counter at the Pharmacy).

I found them with the rest of the batteries, shows I wasn't thinking like Mr Tesco.  They were reduced, too, to £1/pack of 6, so I bought every pack they had (5).  I will now restock my stashes.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 08 October, 2013, 02:45:18 pm
:thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 08 October, 2013, 02:56:24 pm
<tongueincheek>My hearing aid battery went flat this morning, so I popped in to Tesco where they order the batteries in specially for me, only to be told that some git had cleared the shelf. </tongueincheek> ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 08 October, 2013, 03:01:01 pm
Quote from: Wunja on 08 October, 2013, 02:56:24 pm
<tongueincheek>My hearing aid battery went flat this morning, so I popped in to Tesco where they order the batteries in specially for me, only to be told that some git had cleared the shelf. </tongueincheek> ;)

 ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 08 October, 2013, 05:54:08 pm
Is it not time that hearing aids came with a rechargeable mini usb port so you could charge at your PC like every other gadget?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 08 October, 2013, 05:57:04 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 08 October, 2013, 05:54:08 pm
Is it not time that hearing aids came with a rechargeable mini usb port so you could charge at your PC like every other gadget?
I'd be more inclined to look at increasing battery life - 10 days is a bit, well, shit really.

Not that I know much about hearing aids, mind - I'd wouldn't have thought that they were a particularly high power application, but then again having a honking great battery attached to the side of your head is hardly ideal either. Even so, 10 days?!

(this has sort-of piqued my curiosity - I'll have to ask my Dad how long his hearing aid batteries last)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 08 October, 2013, 06:05:42 pm
Tiermat's vibes must've hit me, my sodding hearing aid did the beepy bastard mode and I forgot to change after first beep so it started going off while I had a client with me (ffs). So I did a quick "excuse me, hearing aid's gone flat" delved into my coat and switched to the other hearing aid so I can use that one's battery first..  No idea where my packs of batteries are - I'd have to actually open my drawers which are untidy and full of munchies, tools and postits of stuff to find them...

As for how long they last, mileage varies, I get 6-10 days but my HA is a BAHA which means it has a great big honking transducer in it.  Much will depend how much of the HA's capacity is being used e.g is it being used at full volume or not, how many hours a day etc.  Mine spends many hours OFF as well as in use but if I have bad tinnitus I use music which drains it more...

I think HAs do a pretty good job considering how tiny they are, how they have to live in sweaty environments, do a load of DSP and be reliable.  Cheap, fast, good, pick any two.  USB chargeable batteries would be useful but probably not very efficient or something.  They're just about releasing HAs with bluetooth in them in they're swanky...  My hearing aids will be 10-15 years behind the curve cos they're obscure.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 08 October, 2013, 06:18:56 pm
10 days doesn't feel a long time, and I was going to comment on them being zinc-air batteries which (AFAIK) start to self-discharge fairly rapidly as soon as they come into contact with air.

But they do seem to have greater energy density than silver-oxide cells, which would be the obvious alternative in that sort of size: looking at typical cells on the CPC/Farnell site, the ZA31s sit at 210mAh, while SR44s are slightly bigger yet offer only 165mAh. (The alkaline equivalents, LR44, are even worse at about 110mAh - no wonder they're so shit in cameras ...)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 08 October, 2013, 06:35:59 pm
Yeah, and the 44s are the bigger ones which I use a 675 cell.  Tiermat and most hearing aid users have 13s which are smaller with orange tabs on them usually...

I am just old enough to remember box aids... Just.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 08 October, 2013, 06:46:36 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 08 October, 2013, 05:54:08 pm
Is it not time that hearing aids came with a rechargeable mini usb port so you could charge at your PC like every other gadget?

Cochlear implant processors often do (well, use rechargeable Li+ batteries, no idea about USB specifically).  I can see BAHAs doing so at some point, when they catch up with the technology curve.  Regular air-conduction hearing aids (even those with funky DSP in them) aren't that power-hungry, though, so a battery that lasts a week or two seems like a reasonable approach.

The long-term solution to this one seems to be to power them with body heat, or even longer off, to power implantable devices using glucose from the blood.  There's research progressing slowly in both areas.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 08 October, 2013, 06:49:17 pm
Quote from: jsabine on 08 October, 2013, 06:18:56 pm
10 days doesn't feel a long time, and I was going to comment on them being zinc-air batteries which (AFAIK) start to self-discharge fairly rapidly as soon as they come into contact with air.

I measured the current draw of barakta's old BAHA at one point.  It was only a few times greater than the specified self-discharge of the zinc-air cell.  Becomes pretty significant if you're turning them off overnight.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 08 October, 2013, 07:15:43 pm
*imagines Tiermat sat at his desk with his head bent down so his ear reaches a USB port*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 08 October, 2013, 08:14:49 pm
*imagines tiermat sighing in frustration, standing up and then bending backwards inna limbo-dancing style to try again, because USB connectors are always the other way up*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 08 October, 2013, 09:24:48 pm
 ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 08 October, 2013, 09:56:17 pm
Kim wins. ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruth on 08 October, 2013, 09:57:38 pm
+1   ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 09 October, 2013, 11:29:07 am
What the fuck has happened to yahoo mail? It looks ghastly, no differentiation between lines, my folders disappear every time I look at the inbox, and worst of all, the actual mails have been inverted - instead of having a reply appearing at the top, above the original mail, it now appears below. Or in the middle. Or somewhere but you can't find it all, even though you know there's a new one. I don't want bloody pretty pictures to choose from, I want clarity!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 09 October, 2013, 11:31:44 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 09 October, 2013, 11:29:07 am
What the fuck has happened to yahoo mail?
It's the Dilbert Principle - to whit: if it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 09 October, 2013, 11:40:17 am
Going back to battery life and HAs.

Part of the reason I "only" get 10 days is that I actually need a fair bit of amplification in the ear that is affected.  There is also the fact that, yes, they are ZAs, so start running down as soon as you remove the orange tab.  The third thing is that the design is old, I have the NHS standard BTE* digital hearing aid, a Danalogic 6 (also known a GN Resound <something or other>).

If I had a couple of grand to spare, which I don't at the moment, I would be going for a Phonak Naida 3, which is offered in a type that would suit my hearing loss and is waterproof.  The latter point is relevent, as I have gone through 3 of these units in 5 years, all failed for the same reason, water ingress (one from forgetting I had it in and getting the shower, the other two from cycling)

Oh, yes, Kim wins on the USB charging stakes...

*Behind The Ear, as opposed to In The Ear, as the latter are only suitable for mild hearing loss and make you look like a Martian.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 09 October, 2013, 03:08:50 pm
I'm sure the NHS can do some Phonak Naidas but I suspect they don't do the waterproof ones.  I have only twice had close misses with waterproofness as an adult which is impressive as I can't tell you if the BAHAs are in or not without tapping my head to check.  As a child my sister did a good line in chucking my old aids in the bath but we got good at shaking the water out, and drying them overnight.

I have very little choice of aids although more than before as Oticon got in on the market and I hear their aids are better.  My issue is I don't want any of that stinking programmable shite unless *I* can programme it myself kthx etc.  I just about tolerate a digital non-programmable BAHA with the "AGC turned as low as it goes" and there are still sound situations it is atrocious in namely engine noise (cars, buses) and live music which it tries to squelch.  If I didn't listen to my music via direct audio input leads that would be a dealbreaker although in my case I *had* to upgrade as I was previously using an analogue BAHA released in 1993!

Can you get those hearing aid superseals a la http://www.connevans.co.uk/catalogue/187/Super-Seals ?  People seem to speak highly of them and my mum's deaf pupils (Mum's a teacher of the deaf) have them too if you have the tweezer tool it's a 2min job to put them on and off.

ITE aids are weird and not half as discreet as people think, and much less reliable as well as only being suitable for very few people.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 09 October, 2013, 03:12:50 pm
I *believe* our NHS trust can do waterproof/splashproof HAs, but trying to get to see the ENT specialist is a right royal PITA, so I just go along with getting the thing replaced every couple of years or so.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 09 October, 2013, 03:36:25 pm
Ah one of those ENT has to recommend it jobs?  My mum's ENT and audiology seem to act like completely different entities to the point audiology wouldn't give her copies of audiograms because "they belong to ENT" so mum would have to pester them to print 2x copies and then ask the ENTdoc who would be like "yeah but why didn't you ask audiology".

And more annoyingly, she gets a hearing test before ENT appointments but they can't test her hearing before programming her aid and as her hearing has not yet settled to a stable level that means her hearing aids are wrongly tuned for weeks on end.  And this is an assertive ToD who keeps going back cos her moulds are badly fitted and is giving up and going to her pet audiologist colleague for alternamoulds even if she has to cough up for them herself..

Stepping Hill = shithole.  I wouldn't do audiology there if I could do anything else, they're really not very good and snotty with it.  Shame cos its previous instance in Stockport audiology pre 1993 or so was a lovely man who knew his stuff and was very good to me and his old folk.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 10 October, 2013, 12:17:36 am
Quote from: clarion on 08 October, 2013, 09:56:17 pm
Kim wins. ;D
True.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 10 October, 2013, 09:32:41 am
Quote from: Kim on 08 October, 2013, 08:14:49 pm
*imagines tiermat sighing in frustration, standing up and then bending backwards inna limbo-dancing style to try again, because USB connectors are always the other way up*

But surely that is the point of having a USB hub in the monitor.

*imagines tiermat sat with his back to the monitor, because the hearing aid is in one ear and the usb port on the other side of the monitor*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 10 October, 2013, 11:51:47 am
I'm an idiot.
I usually forget something when I go to work, and today that something happens to be my blood glucose monitor  :facepalm:

It's not even USB-powered, either ...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: peliroja on 10 October, 2013, 12:21:31 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 09 October, 2013, 11:29:07 am
What the fuck has happened to yahoo mail?
Marissa. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 12 October, 2013, 05:16:28 pm
Our electronic client record system thingy is called SWIFT and it is a) a heap of fetid rats' cocks, and b) very badly named. They've bought a new interface thingy for it so SWIFT still staggers* along in the background but the bit we see and do things with is different and much easier to use. So far so good. But, in old SWIFT (which we have used since April 2006), the search screen has surname above given name, and the shiny new interface has given name above surname. How long do you think it'll take us to get used to that? And, old SWIFT lets you clear the search screen with shift+F4 (although, to be fair, it didn't always actually clear things) but the new one has a CLEAR button and no shift+F4. I think that's going to take a while to get used to too.



*there's a reason I didn't say runs in the background
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 15 October, 2013, 09:31:39 am
My Fresher's "flu" was getting better yesterday and has come back with a vengeance today.
Annoying colleague dumped me in a tech advice chain without giving me the full-story so the advice I gave was completely useless - a headsup would have been nice...
DRUGS!

<B>EDIT - AntiGrumble</b> Ibruprofen is my friend *noms*! I haz TEA. I'm managing some productivity one step at a time. Only one student today. Other departments in uni are being lovely and helpful.   Can see bottom of inbox even if not the bottom of TODO.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 16 October, 2013, 11:45:44 am
O what a godawful morning
O what a godawful day
I've got a horrible feeling
The rain isn't going away
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 17 October, 2013, 08:25:17 am
I was wrong about the rain. It did stop. Yesterday afternoon. Ten minutes after I got home yesterday afternoon. >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 17 October, 2013, 12:26:32 pm
Quote from: Guy on 17 October, 2013, 08:25:17 am
I was wrong about the rain. It did stop. Yesterday afternoon. Ten minutes after I got home yesterday afternoon. >:(

The weather gods strongly believe that the essence of comedy is all in the timing.  :demon: ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 18 October, 2013, 09:38:39 pm
I can't remember whether it was in this thread that there was some complaining about irrelevant music on websites. Well, http://pzhgp.wielun.pl/ click if you dare.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Oaky on 22 October, 2013, 11:20:46 am
How can this clinic go from being "30 minutes late" when I arrived (35 minutes early for my appointment, as it happens) to being "90 minutes late" over the course of the next half an hour?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 22 October, 2013, 11:23:47 am
If I am flogging a bike, don't be sending me PMs offering me a ridiculously low amount for it. I think a one-word answer was the most you deserved. (This was another another place, I add...)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Oaky on 22 October, 2013, 12:05:28 pm
Quote from: Oaky on 22 October, 2013, 11:20:46 am
How can this clinic go from being "30 minutes late" when I arrived (35 minutes early for my appointment, as it happens) to being "90 minutes late" over the course of the next half an hour?

Oh, and it's not 90 minutes late as is still being displayed: it's already 110 minutes since the time of my appointment :-/
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 22 October, 2013, 01:35:20 pm
Fewer staff in clinic than expected?  If a doc is expected and doesn't turn up, it doubles the workload for remaining people...

110 mins is a bit of a pisstake tho, I'd be inclined to chunter and see if you can be seen sooner.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Oaky on 22 October, 2013, 02:23:14 pm
Well, I was eventually seen, just under two hours after the appointment time.

The session itself only took 10 minutes (possibly less!), but the news is good :) - the bone is healing well, and there's no ligament damage, so from now on, I can remove the wrist splint (wearing it only in "uncontrolled" situations... I guess basically in situations where I might expect to tweak my wrist).  The consultant also said that I can start back on the bike as soon as it feels comfortable to do so.  ;D   (Sorry - veering a bit off-topic for the "Grumble" thread, and into the "Good News" arena)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 22 October, 2013, 03:27:16 pm
ah, fracture clinic.

Notorious for A&E just booking eeryone in to be seen at 8am so they start the day on time but with 20 patients for 4 appointments.

Glad to hear you will be back on your bike shortly

My Grumble:

Sodding hip, sort yourself out, I only spent 2.5 hours on Sunday stood up and 4 the car. I should not be still dosing up to the eyeballs on codine.
Trying to decide if I should go back to hte GP and see if we can push the hospital to accelerate the surgery or if I should wait till week 17 (Feb).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 22 October, 2013, 07:24:47 pm
The consultant remarked this morning that he was seeing me precisely at my appointment time.  This seems to be a rare event.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 22 October, 2013, 07:45:41 pm
Quote from: clarion on 22 October, 2013, 07:24:47 pm
The consultant remarked this morning that he was seeing me precisely at my appointment time. 

Three days late mind you.... ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 23 October, 2013, 11:03:22 am
Michael Ball filling for Ken Bruce today.

I am amused by his time-filling before PopMaster (last time he was heavily criticised by listeners for starting thirty seconds early).

I am pleased that he can competently helm PopMaster (despite not knowing of The Equals :facepalm: - I'll put that down to the pressure of the quiz), unlike Zoe Ball or Claudia Winkelman, who regularly make a complete hash of it.

I was pleased to hear Private Investigations.  While not particularly a fan of Dire Straits, I did have the albums up to and including Love Over Gold, and Private Investigations is one track I do like.

However, to follow it with Robin Thicke's Blurred Lines would have been bad enough just for being a crap record, but, more importantly, I don't want to hear music that's a bit rapey on Radio 2.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 23 October, 2013, 02:20:42 pm
There's a rather cool double rainbow arcing over the harbour, but I don't have a camera with me  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 23 October, 2013, 02:45:38 pm
Toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 23 October, 2013, 03:04:33 pm
Quote from: T42 on 23 October, 2013, 02:45:38 pm
Toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache toothache.

Is that to the same tune as Badger Badger Badger Badger?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 23 October, 2013, 03:34:32 pm
If T42 has mushrooms and snakes as well, I can understand the toothache, but the dentist might be daunted.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 23 October, 2013, 03:52:33 pm
Dentist is grinning and chanting "crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown".
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Chris S on 23 October, 2013, 04:44:04 pm
Quote from: T42 on 23 October, 2013, 03:52:33 pm
Dentist is grinning and chanting "crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown crown".

Are you posting live from The Chair of Pain?  :o
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 23 October, 2013, 04:47:32 pm
Is it safe? :o
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 25 October, 2013, 08:21:09 am
At 6.30 this morning, with a temperature of 12C and light drizzle, a gritting lorry went past my house with stuff spraying out of the back.
 WTF ???
Were they expecting the temerature to plummet, or are Central Beds Council not as hard-up as they try and make out?

Now I've got to wash bloody rock salt off my bike.

Bastards >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 25 October, 2013, 10:00:52 am
Quote from: clarion on 23 October, 2013, 04:47:32 pm
Is it safe? :o

Nope. Just sorey.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 25 October, 2013, 01:49:53 pm
I think I have tennis elbow  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 25 October, 2013, 03:38:21 pm
Quote from: Guy on 25 October, 2013, 08:21:09 am
At 6.30 this morning, with a temperature of 12C and light drizzle, a gritting lorry went past my house with stuff spraying out of the back.
 WTF ???
Were they expecting the temerature to plummet, or are Central Beds Council not as hard-up as they try and make out?

Now I've got to wash bloody rock salt off my bike.

Bastards >:(
Grink letter to local paper about waste of money. They'll love it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 25 October, 2013, 07:59:24 pm
Oh crap.  Some gitinavan is hauling loads of disco gear into the pub.  I'd better bugger off home.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 26 October, 2013, 09:08:58 am
So... did you groove the night away to the Adrian Naff Sounds?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 26 October, 2013, 09:20:31 am
I'm an idiot. I've somehow managed to lose a whole hour changing the freewheel on the singlespeed and readjusting the tension. Now I don't have the time to make it to the ride I was planning on doing :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 27 October, 2013, 11:52:44 am
Dear plague of spiders, harvestmen, daddy long legs or whatever the flip you are, stop covering the igloo in sodding cobwebs! I know it's not on the front page of ideal home magazine but gimme a break....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 27 October, 2013, 11:54:30 am
It won't be ahrvestmen or daddy long legs spinning webs..
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 27 October, 2013, 12:28:53 pm
I know. There are spiders that *look* a bit like harvestmen that are though.
And there is a plague of DLL all sitting on the walls of our wash house. Hunners of 'em.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: bumper on 27 October, 2013, 12:44:34 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 27 October, 2013, 12:28:53 pm
I know. There are spiders that *look* a bit like harvestmen that are though.
And there is a plague of DLL all sitting on the walls of our wash house. Hunners of 'em.

These?

http://www.findaspider.org.au/find/spiders/508.htm
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 27 October, 2013, 01:48:21 pm
Bugger. Came in here to grumble about something, read a couple of others and forgot what it was.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 27 October, 2013, 02:05:52 pm
Quote from: bumper on 27 October, 2013, 12:44:34 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 27 October, 2013, 12:28:53 pm
I know. There are spiders that *look* a bit like harvestmen that are though.
And there is a plague of DLL all sitting on the walls of our wash house. Hunners of 'em.

These?!!

http://www.findaspider.org.au/find/spiders/508.htm

Well, OK, this grumble is not made any easier by the fact there is a daddy long legs spider and there is the crane fly, which flies, is not a spider and is also called a daddy long legs.
We have a plague of crane flies or similar outside. We have a plague of other creatures with several legs indoors which are conspiring to make my abode look a bit too authentically Hallowe'en witches cottage. Clear as mud :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 27 October, 2013, 02:12:37 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 27 October, 2013, 02:05:52 pm
Well, OK, this grumble is not made any easier by the fact there is a daddy long legs spider and there is the crane fly, which flies, is not a spider and is also called a daddy long legs.

I only discovered this relatively recently, having spent my life knowing crane flies as "daddy longlegses", and spiders as, well, spiders (as in "tiny little spider", "big hairy spider", "evil jumping spider", "spherical spider of uniform density" and so on).

I get the impression that leftpondians never use "daddy longlegs" for anything other than the spiders, which adds to the confusion.


On a related note:  Wood lice.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 27 October, 2013, 02:12:44 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 27 October, 2013, 02:05:52 pm
We have a plague of crane flies or similar outside.
Same here - the recent damp weather means there's been a veritable population explosion.

Fortunately, they're not really very good fliers so are fairly easy to catch and remove from the premises in an humane manner.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 27 October, 2013, 02:45:13 pm
Who thought it was a good idea to position my washing-machine's filter in a place that you cannot get anything under it to catch the water, and then have a failure mode where it stops and beeps at you with the water still in the machine until it's sorted?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 27 October, 2013, 02:48:24 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 27 October, 2013, 02:45:13 pm
Who thought it was a good idea to position my washing-machine's filter in a place that you cannot get anything under it to catch the water, and then have a failure mode where it stops and beeps at you with the water still in the machine until it's sorted?

A frustrated engineer.

xkcd://277 refers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 27 October, 2013, 02:50:16 pm
This is probably "bad news" but I couldn't find the thread...
Our local butcher used to serve mostly organic or something along those lines and knew where it had come from. Nice and fresh, would cut you what you needed if it wasn't on display. Friendly chap and very convenient.
A couple of weeks ago it changed hands. Now there are no claims of anything to do with welfare or provenance now and quite a lot of vacuum packed.
I'm rather underwhelmed.

Quote from: mcshroom on 27 October, 2013, 02:45:13 pm
Who thought it was a good idea to position my washing-machine's filter in a place that you cannot get anything under it to catch the water, and then have a failure mode where it stops and beeps at you with the water still in the machine until it's sorted?

I thought this was standard design?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rogerzilla on 27 October, 2013, 03:43:32 pm
As usual here on a Sunday, the Internet is almost unusably slow.  Even Classic FM won't stream at a crappy 48k or whatever.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 28 October, 2013, 10:22:49 am
Gar!  I feel dreadful.
I felt like I was developing a cold at the end of last week, so I suppose that cycling slowly along a canal in the middle of the night in the pouring rain wasn't clever.
I managed to cycle in to work, mainly because I'm mostly on auto pilot first thing in the morning, but I now feel that there is no way I'm going to be able to ride home again.  Head is feeling all spacey plus shivers.
Bugger!  I'm really not keen on leaving my bike here over night.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cycleman on 28 October, 2013, 07:41:41 pm
oh dear  :(, gws basil. :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 28 October, 2013, 07:57:21 pm
No probs.  A restful day at a civil servant's desk and I recovered enough for the ride. 
Going to bed now though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 28 October, 2013, 08:18:58 pm
Hmmm .... I've been feeling medium crap as well today.   Not sure if it was sitting in damp sweaty clothes for the train ride back on Saturday or being exposed to my coughing, spluttering family on Sunday.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 28 October, 2013, 08:24:51 pm
Me too.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Arch on 28 October, 2013, 09:13:11 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 27 October, 2013, 02:45:13 pm
Who thought it was a good idea to position my washing-machine's filter in a place that you cannot get anything under it to catch the water, and then have a failure mode where it stops and beeps at you with the water still in the machine until it's sorted?
It's at the lowest point of the system.

I have my washing machine on a couple of 3x2 battens so it is 3" off the floor.  It allows me to get a bowl under the filter. 
Not much good if your machine in under a kitchen worktop though.

When I remodel the utility room to take the dishwasher and some cupboards I think I will raise the worktop in there so the WM can still be on battens, maybe the dishwasher too so they match.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 28 October, 2013, 09:48:21 pm
When I remodel the utility room the washing machine and tumble drier will be at low bench height - plenty of space underneath to store trugs etc. and able to load/unload without bending down. And drainage would not be a problem.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 28 October, 2013, 09:58:37 pm
My Miele washing machine has its filter about three inches above the bottom of the machine. It's standing on a one inch thick piece of plywood so there's room for quite a large drip tray, should the need arise.
But it's a Miele...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 28 October, 2013, 10:02:52 pm
My Miele dishwasher is held together by zip ties. But then again it is over 10 years old and does get a heavy workload.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 28 October, 2013, 10:04:48 pm
Some machines actually have a wee rubber drain hose - only a few inches long, but that's enough.

Our rather elderly Tricity Bendix has an outlet that's just high enough to get a big roasting tin under. I try not to do that if my wife's watching.

As for lifespan, I thought Mieles were designed (though not guaranteed) for a twenty-year life.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 29 October, 2013, 09:26:38 am
My mother's late 70s Hoover washing machine lasted 25 years. The Bosch that finally replaced it lasted less than ten.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 29 October, 2013, 11:17:28 am
Lurgy.  Fuck off.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 29 October, 2013, 12:00:17 pm
Quote from: Kim on 29 October, 2013, 11:17:28 am
Lurgy.  Fuck off.

Sorry
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 29 October, 2013, 12:03:07 pm
Quote from: Basil on 29 October, 2013, 12:00:17 pm
Quote from: Kim on 29 October, 2013, 11:17:28 am
Lurgy.  Fuck off.

Sorry

I'm fairly sure this is barakta-lurgy, not tunnel-lurgy.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 29 October, 2013, 12:14:25 pm
Quote from: Kim on 29 October, 2013, 11:17:28 am
Lurgy.  Fuck off.
+1
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 29 October, 2013, 01:23:35 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 29 October, 2013, 09:26:38 am
My mother's late 70s Hoover washing machine lasted 25 years. The Bosch that finally replaced it lasted less than ten.

My mother's 1959 Hoovermatic lasted till 1974. Its various Philiips successors lasted around 5-7 years.

I bought my Miele in 2000.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Lady Cavendish on 29 October, 2013, 01:30:48 pm
(Helly how on earth do you have a memory for stuff like that, I wouldnt have a clue when anything like that was bought in my house never mind my mothers house!)

I am Not Very Well today At All. I'm in a right grump and really want to go home.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 29 October, 2013, 01:40:06 pm
Quote from: Bledlow on 29 October, 2013, 12:14:25 pm
Quote from: Kim on 29 October, 2013, 11:17:28 am
Lurgy.  Fuck off.
+1
+2
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 29 October, 2013, 01:49:29 pm
Quote from: Lady Cavendish on 29 October, 2013, 01:30:48 pm
(Helly how on earth do you have a memory for stuff like that, I wouldnt have a clue when anything like that was bought in my house never mind my mothers house!)

I am Not Very Well today At All. I'm in a right grump and really want to go home.

Get Well Soon!

Dad bought the Hoovermatic as a present for my Mum around the time of my sister's birth. It's not amazing if I know my sister's date of birth!
New washing machine was bought when I was doing O Levels. They were memorable too.

I suppose I remember associations rather than the dry facts so that anything O Level-related must have been 1973/4 etc and A Levels were the long, hot summer of 1976.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 29 October, 2013, 02:28:41 pm
Now, I remember that summer - I didn't even know what A levels were then and I think they would have rather spoiled it for me.

But I came here to grumble about a new grading system at work.
Quote
The new system has a more practical outlook -  we are still interested in people doing their best work, but we are not going to pretend that our translators have a perfect knowledge of the target language, or that they always have enough time to do their best.
The original idea of the (previous) grading system was to help translators improve and help project managers select the most appropriately skilled person for the job. We now seem to have given up and accepted most of them are shit and not getting better. Well, I suppose it should keep me in work.  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 29 October, 2013, 06:55:48 pm
Quote from: jsabine on 28 October, 2013, 10:04:48 pm
only a few inches long, but that's enough.


As the Bishop said to the Actress...

(A phrase you can attach to the end of any sentence to render it extremely rude!)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 29 October, 2013, 07:15:19 pm
My work is a horrid place to be at the moment, and I can't even get away from it in bloody Norway....gaaah
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 31 October, 2013, 10:06:35 am
So... when did the current trend for starting responses to question with "so, we did.." or "So, what happened was..."  it SO annoying!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nicknack on 02 November, 2013, 06:20:52 pm
How the heck do utility companies do their bill estimates? We moved nearly 4 months ago and had a proper electric meter reading after we'd been here 20 days. We'd used 120 units. 3 months later we get an estimated reading for those 3 months - 90 units. Did they think we'd gone on a very long holiday or something?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 02 November, 2013, 06:23:55 pm
Quote from: nicknack on 02 November, 2013, 06:20:52 pm
How the heck do utility companies do their bill estimates?
Generally with a Magic 8-ball, chicken entrails and an crypto-grade random number generator.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 02 November, 2013, 06:32:47 pm
Quote from: interzen on 02 November, 2013, 06:23:55 pm
Quote from: nicknack on 02 November, 2013, 06:20:52 pm
How the heck do utility companies do their bill estimates?
Generally with a Magic 8-ball, chicken entrails and an crypto-grade random number generator.

That, or a handful of ten-sided dice.  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 02 November, 2013, 06:42:26 pm
Quote from: spesh on 02 November, 2013, 06:32:47 pm
Quote from: interzen on 02 November, 2013, 06:23:55 pm
Quote from: nicknack on 02 November, 2013, 06:20:52 pm
How the heck do utility companies do their bill estimates?
Generally with a Magic 8-ball, chicken entrails and an crypto-grade random number generator.

That, or a handful of ten-sided dice.  ;D
No, they just use those to calculate the annual price gougingsincreases - rumour has it that they'll need to upgrade to D20s because of the wholesale price of cheese or some such bollocks.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nicknack on 05 November, 2013, 05:58:35 pm
I must be in grumble mode at the mo.

I have to go to Amsterdam next Wednesday. I'm not used to this sort of thing. So I book a flight with Easyjet. Which all went very easily until I come to the online check in bit. All it seemed to do was open a new tab for downloading Adobe Reader, which I already had. After a gazillion tries at getting round this I realised that the pop-up window on the original page offering me insurance was actually the gateway to the check in process. I'd just been closing the damn thing since the options were "Yes, I have insurance" or "No, I don't but I would like to buy some" with no "fuck off with your insurance" option. I had to lie and click on "No" and then tell them I didn't want it. Arseholes.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 05 November, 2013, 06:49:41 pm
Village fireworks display tonight, at the recreation centre at the bottom of the street.

I thought about taking pics of some of the weapons-grade fud-like parking but then figured that the camera would be undergoing meltdown before I was even halfway to the Co-op  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 06 November, 2013, 03:18:02 pm
It's wet out. Not raining as such, just that fine, penetrating "Welsh Mountain Drizzle".  Me 'at and trowsis is soaked. :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 07 November, 2013, 11:09:17 am
Why do I feel like I've just finished a 300km ride?

I've had a sensible night's sleep, but I woke up feeling achy and tired and still don't feel fully awake. This is getting silly now.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Arch on 07 November, 2013, 03:28:08 pm
I wish Twitter would switch off the thing that makes some, but not all, images show up on their time line.  I am more then able to decide if I want, or need, to see an image when I read the tweet.  It is a little more then a bit annoying.

However, I have a phobia of dead stuff, animals and people generally, and Twitter is showing images of dead animals when people tweet news stories or views about badger culls.
I really wish Twitter would stop showing the images as I really don't like scrolling through to be faced with near decapitated animal when all I want to do is read the text of the tweet. :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 07 November, 2013, 03:34:45 pm
I wish Twitter would just switch off. End of story.
Looking at the 'coverage' on the BBC's website it would appear that Rory Cellan-Jones has found another company to fellate (along with Apple, natch)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 07 November, 2013, 03:45:29 pm
I didn't realise you had to read twitter. After all it isn't compulsory. ANd if you do you can choose who you follow.

As for images, use a third party client that lets you choose how tweets are displayed. And then you can avoid said images appearing
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 07 November, 2013, 05:31:31 pm
Quote from: David Martin on 07 November, 2013, 03:45:29 pm
ANd if you do you can choose who you follow.

...unless you're reading it via the website (do people actually do that?), in which case random stuff gets inserted into your timeline by Twitter.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Notsototalnewbie on 07 November, 2013, 05:38:15 pm
I've just got back from Montpellier for my Masters field trip.

It is very cycle/walking friendly with traffic excluded from large chunks of it and a bike path all along the river.

I really wanted to rent a bike for a few hours (they have a Velib style thing there) and several of my classmates were easily persuaded to join me. We were going to explore the city and cycle down the riverside.

Sadly, I had reckoned without the French bureaucracy, lulled into a false sense of security by the much simpler system in Paris and London. Am still bitter that it was seemingly impossible to hire a bike for a few hours without queuing for two hours in an office with all your ID etc. (We didn't manage it because we weren't even sure we were in the right office).

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 07 November, 2013, 05:40:40 pm
If you list things on your website as in stock I don't expect to get an email the following day that says you won't get it until the 26th November.

Also if you are telling me that this is the due date, putting the line 'Out of stock. Available to order, normally dispatched within 7 days if in stock with our suppliers' while technically correct is still misleading. the 26th is rather more than 7 days away and you know that because you are telling me so.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 07 November, 2013, 05:46:07 pm
Several weeks of unswept chutney accumulation on the cyclepath[1], with bonus tactile paving.   >:(


[1] A short but incredibly useful stretch of closed-to-motor-traffic road that provides cycle/pedestrian permeability from one side of the new hospital site to the other, bypassing a large roundabout that's uphill on every approach.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 07 November, 2013, 06:33:04 pm
Quote from: Kim on 07 November, 2013, 05:46:07 pm
Several weeks of unswept chutney accumulation on the cyclepath[1], with bonus tactile paving.   >:(
Oh yes.
And then some ...

Terry Avenue in York is particularly sludge-tastic at the moment ...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 07 November, 2013, 06:57:04 pm
Quote from: David Martin on 07 November, 2013, 03:45:29 pm
I didn't realise you had to read twitter. After all it isn't compulsory. ANd if you do you can choose who you follow.

As for images, use a third party client that lets you choose how tweets are displayed. And then you can avoid said images appearing

Oh well, sorry for being so thick as to look at Twitter on Twitter.

Can you explain the second bit in terms that less savvy old fogies like us can understand? Like with a helpful link or something?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 07 November, 2013, 07:42:53 pm
(the first sentence was aimed at interzen who was complaining about twitter even existing).

Lets start with the simple questions. What kind of computer are you choosing to use to view twitter?
Windows, Mac, Android, iPad, Linux?

Then sensible recommendations can be made.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 08 November, 2013, 11:37:11 am
On Tuesday a courier (UK Mail) wanted to leave a parcel for a neighbour with me. He said he'd leave a note for her to collect it, so no problem. She didn't turn up on Tuesday evening nor on Wednesday so yesterday I took it round. Of course, he'd left no note at all and was relying on me to take it to her (rather than open it and flog it on ebay).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 08 November, 2013, 04:16:15 pm
Had a back massage earlier and have now just carted the cat round the corner to the vet and back. Should have done those 2 things the other way round....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 08 November, 2013, 04:23:31 pm
Carted the massageist to the vet & rubbed the cat's back?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 08 November, 2013, 04:27:30 pm
Quote from: Pingu on 08 November, 2013, 04:23:31 pm
Carted the massageist to the vet & rubbed the cat's back?

I think the only win there would be for the cat.

Anyway, get thee home and supply me with gin!  :smug:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arch on 09 November, 2013, 09:19:20 am
Quote from: David Martin on 07 November, 2013, 07:42:53 pm
(the first sentence was aimed at interzen who was complaining about twitter even existing).

Lets start with the simple questions. What kind of computer are you choosing to use to view twitter?
Windows, Mac, Android, iPad, Linux?

Then sensible recommendations can be made.

Being old fogies, we're on Windows laptops.

Sorry, your post came across to me as more patronising than it actually was, by the sound of it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 09 November, 2013, 09:23:00 am
Try HootSuite (https://hootsuite.com/).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 09 November, 2013, 02:24:46 pm
The great thing about using a twitter client rather than the website is that if you're that way inclined it can look like this:

(http://twirssi.com/twirssi-shot.png)

(I find twitter much more manageable when treated as a particularly slow IRC channel, rather than "going and looking at twitter".)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 11 November, 2013, 07:36:53 pm
Hangnails. That is all.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 13 November, 2013, 09:55:41 am
This would be a rant, but it's of my own making.

Self: when winter is approaching and you look at the garden tap and think "now would be a good time to lag you"; bloody well do it! That way it wouldn't be dripping ominously after a frost today with a burgeoning wet patch appearing on the outside wall. I can only hope that the sun's rays that are now striking the tap don't reveal a catastrophic crack that will turn the dripping into a deluge.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 13 November, 2013, 10:24:44 am
Thank you for dialling in.
However may I suggest that you either:

A: Learn how to mute your phone
Or
B: Learn how turn the pages of your newspaper less noisily.

Thank you.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 13 November, 2013, 10:35:45 am
Tradesmen of any description.

If you don't want my business, just fucking say so - don't leave me hanging around waiting for a callback and/or say that you'll come round at such-and-such a time and then not bother turning up. Not only does it waste my time, it also gives a poor impression of your profession and, above all else, it's bloody rude and inconsiderate.

Plumbers are, by far, the worst offenders in my experience, closely followed by electricians.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 13 November, 2013, 11:21:58 am
My standard issue work steam typewriter desktop has fallen over again. Looks like a PSU issue but whatever it is I'm now a refugee at an alien desk with none of my paper stuff I need until 'IT support' feel like taking a walk down to the office. Last time it took them 4 days
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 13 November, 2013, 02:41:20 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 13 November, 2013, 11:21:58 am
My standard issue work steam typewriter desktop has fallen over again. Looks like a PSU issue but whatever it is I'm now a refugee at an alien desk with none of my paper stuff I need until 'IT support' feel like taking a walk down to the office. Last time it took them 4 days

Just received an email from the IT 'Shared Services Alliance'

Quote
The current Status of the ticket is Work In Progress and is at 0%
::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 14 November, 2013, 09:22:32 am
Riding in this morning there was a CLACK-skrinklety-skrinklety-skrinklety which settled down to a regular CLUNK.

Feels like a broken bearing in the bottom bracket.

BUM!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nicknack on 14 November, 2013, 12:27:53 pm
Fuckin earoles. My ears have been a bit crap for some months now. I'm supposed to be going to the hearing clinic sometime but I've yet to hear from them (ho ho). Yesterday I flew to Amsterdam and back and today everything sounds far away and decidedly muffled. If I speak loudly or try to play sax (my job, as it were) I get horrible distortion in my left ear. Arse, shit, bum and bollocks.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 14 November, 2013, 12:28:48 pm
Wax?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nicknack on 14 November, 2013, 01:05:36 pm
No. Doc checked that a few weeks back. All clear.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 14 November, 2013, 05:51:03 pm
Tried taking some sinus clearing type medication? (I know there's a word for it but it fails to come at the moment)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: kombokim on 14 November, 2013, 06:19:00 pm
My ears have been bad for years. I feel sorry for you as it is most annoying. The only good thing about it is most of the time I can't hear what my wife is saying to me.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jacomus on 14 November, 2013, 06:33:11 pm
Fuck off, TapaTalk. If I wanted you, I'd use you - the fact that I keep selecting 'don't remind me again' should mean you don't remind me that I don't want your app!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nicknack on 14 November, 2013, 06:33:21 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 14 November, 2013, 05:51:03 pm
Tried taking some sinus clearing type medication? (I know there's a word for it but it fails to come at the moment)

Decongestants. I tried the pills a couple of months ago and they seemed to help for a bit. I tried a spray up the nose one too but it just made me feel ill. I started the pills again this morning more in hope than expectation.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 16 November, 2013, 08:47:27 pm
Damn you, level 47 of Jelly Splash, damn you!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 19 November, 2013, 05:02:57 pm
My daughter's class teacher: Oy! Those kids you teach are supposed to leave school at 3.20pm. They hardly ever do. Today my patience ran out and I went to ask the office the times just to make sure. Today's last lesson was still in full swing at 3.20.

Standing outside waiting for you to wrap up your lesson in near-freezing temperatures is no laughing matter. Nor was it over the last few weeks in the rain. Get a grip and finish on time. My next missive will be to the head.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 19 November, 2013, 08:22:37 pm
Gewgle! What in blue blazes have you done to Chrome today? Several inches of empty real estate in the margins and you need a microscope to read the font size.
And resizing the font doesn't help as it doesn't work on all the text.
Gah!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 20 November, 2013, 12:43:47 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 19 November, 2013, 08:22:37 pm
Gewgle! What in blue blazes have you done to Chrome today? Several inches of empty real estate in the margins and you need a microscope to read the font size.
And resizing the font doesn't help as it doesn't work on all the text.
Gah!

CTRL - mousewheel
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 20 November, 2013, 02:12:13 pm
Dear Landlady.

You are a lovely woman, chatty and helpful.

I appreciate you letting me stay in your home 4 nights a week (albeit for a $MINIMAL_AMOUNT).

Please do not, though, start a conversation at the dinner table with "You know who I would put in Room 101? Bloody cyclists" Then go on to a rant about how a cyclist was riding up Newmarket Road last night and they shouldn't have been there.

Having said all that, I think you might just realise, now, that such arguments are ones you will lose!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 20 November, 2013, 02:27:23 pm
Quote from: tiermat on 20 November, 2013, 02:12:13 pm
Dear Landlady.

You are a lovely woman, chatty and helpful.
And obviously blind if she hasn't noticed that you've got a, y'know, bike ...  ::-)

Anyway, my grumble involves my room thermostat - not only is it sited in a singularly boneheaded place1, but it now seems to possess so much hysteresis in its response that it's more or less useless. On the plus side, this time next week I'll have a nice new set of heating controls2 which, thanks to more careful placing of a (wireless) room stat, should allow me to heat the house more efficiently rather than whacking the dial up to 'volcanic' in order to heat the living room.

1 - on the wall in the spare room (aka 'Mission Control'), about a foot above my head when I'm at my desk and one thickness of interior wall away from the hot water tank.
2 - if this event triggers a freak November heatwave then you're welcome.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 20 November, 2013, 02:30:45 pm
Quote from: interzen on 20 November, 2013, 02:27:23 pm
on the wall in the spare room (aka 'Mission Control'), about a foot above my head when I'm at my desk and one thickness of interior wall away from the hot water tank.

They love doing that.  Makes the wiring easier.   :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 20 November, 2013, 02:35:10 pm
Quote from: Kim on 20 November, 2013, 02:30:45 pm
Quote from: interzen on 20 November, 2013, 02:27:23 pm
on the wall in the spare room (aka 'Mission Control'), about a foot above my head when I'm at my desk and one thickness of interior wall away from the hot water tank.

They love doing that.  Makes the wiring easier.   :facepalm:
The current setup probably made perfect sense to the people who lived here before me - however, since I'm spending less and less time up here when I'm not working I've come to realise how bloody difficult it is to heat the living room up. My gas bill this month is going to be a real doozy (but then I'm nearly £200 in credit so British Gas can kiss my arse)

On the plus side, it should be relatively straightforward for the heating engineer to take the mechanical stat out as it's a fairly straight run from the stat to the wiring loom in the airing cupboard.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 20 November, 2013, 06:05:45 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 20 November, 2013, 12:43:47 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 19 November, 2013, 08:22:37 pm
Gewgle! What in blue blazes have you done to Chrome today? Several inches of empty real estate in the margins and you need a microscope to read the font size.
And resizing the font doesn't help as it doesn't work on all the text.
Gah!


CTRL - mousewheel

It's a tablet, no can do :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 20 November, 2013, 06:12:35 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 20 November, 2013, 06:05:45 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 20 November, 2013, 12:43:47 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 19 November, 2013, 08:22:37 pm
Gewgle! What in blue blazes have you done to Chrome today? Several inches of empty real estate in the margins and you need a microscope to read the font size.
And resizing the font doesn't help as it doesn't work on all the text.
Gah!


CTRL - mousewheel

It's a tablet, no can do :(

Isn't the head-crushing gesture the tablet equivalent of CTRL-mousewheel?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8t4pmlHRokg
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 20 November, 2013, 06:25:04 pm
Quote from: Kim on 20 November, 2013, 06:12:35 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 20 November, 2013, 06:05:45 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 20 November, 2013, 12:43:47 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 19 November, 2013, 08:22:37 pm
Gewgle! What in blue blazes have you done to Chrome today? Several inches of empty real estate in the margins and you need a microscope to read the font size.
And resizing the font doesn't help as it doesn't work on all the text.
Gah!


CTRL - mousewheel

It's a tablet, no can do :(

Isn't the head-crushing gesture the tablet equivalent of CTRL-mousewheel?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8t4pmlHRokg

No, that just zooms into the page. I just want the font bigger on this site (no empty real estate on yacf, just stupid text size since the app updated). Telling the default font displayed to be larger has had the effect of some posts remaining tiny and some posts being large. It's quite irritating.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 20 November, 2013, 09:12:08 pm
Quote from: interzen on 20 November, 2013, 02:35:10 pm
On the plus side, it should be relatively straightforward for the heating engineer to take the mechanical stat out as it's a fairly straight run from the stat to the wiring loom in the airing cupboard.

I did my own last year (swapped thermostat for wireless receiver). Barely more complicated than wiring a plug. Ours ran to a different floor than the boiler, but into the kitchen so just as useless.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 20 November, 2013, 09:18:58 pm
Mate.  That was a pretty impressive "Side Slot Snot Shot".  I do it very occasionally myself if needed.
The only difference is that I check behind me for other cyclists first. 

You git! 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 20 November, 2013, 10:34:54 pm
Quote from: Basil on 20 November, 2013, 09:18:58 pm
Mate.  That was a pretty impressive "Side Slot Snot Shot".  I do it very occasionally myself if needed.
The only difference is that I check behind me for other cyclists first. 

Barakta was victim to the avian equivalent yesterday...   :sick:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 20 November, 2013, 10:49:31 pm
Good luck innit?  Quick, get her to buy an idiot lottery ticket.   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 21 November, 2013, 02:31:05 pm
I've destroyed my Smart rear 'kidney' light by leaving it in a drawer unused for a while. Batteries leaked and must have corroded the terminals, though they look ok, cos even after cleaning it up, it doesn't work with new batteries. Gah.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Chris S on 21 November, 2013, 09:18:11 pm
Dear The Council,

Please observe the following:

(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5481/10984086294_cbd483502f.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/40735552@N05/10984086294/)
duplication (http://www.flickr.com/photos/40735552@N05/10984086294/) by Pelotonhound (http://www.flickr.com/people/40735552@N05/), on Flickr

The item on the left was kindly left to me by The Bin Men of your employ (directly, or under some money grabbing PFI fuckwittery, who knows?) on today's refuse collection. Shortly after, the postman delivered the item on the right; the envelope marked "TNT Post".

Even if the TNT Post thing is free (which I doubt) and the Bin Men charge for their delivery (which I also doubt - especially if there is PFI fuckwittery going on), such duplication is completely unnecessary and stupid.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 21 November, 2013, 09:34:15 pm
This summer, everyone on our street got a letter from the B'ham council telling us that, "With Immediate Affect" our refuse collection day would change to the same day that it has always been for the 30 years we have lived here.  ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 21 November, 2013, 09:37:37 pm
Quote from: Chris S on 21 November, 2013, 09:18:11 pm
Dear The Council,

Please observe the following:

(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5481/10984086294_cbd483502f.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/40735552@N05/10984086294/)
duplication (http://www.flickr.com/photos/40735552@N05/10984086294/) by Pelotonhound (http://www.flickr.com/people/40735552@N05/), on Flickr

The item on the left was kindly left to me by The Bin Men of your employ (directly, or under some money grabbing PFI fuckwittery, who knows?) on today's refuse collection. Shortly after, the postman delivered the item on the right; the envelope marked "TNT Post".

Even if the TNT Post thing is free (which I doubt) and the Bin Men charge for their delivery (which I also doubt - especially if there is PFI fuckwittery going on), such duplication is completely unnecessary and stupid.

Bet they haven't put any of it on the web, either...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Chris S on 21 November, 2013, 09:46:39 pm
Quote from: Kim on 21 November, 2013, 09:37:37 pm
Bet they haven't put any of it on the web, either...

Doesn't look like it: http://www.south-norfolk.gov.uk/environment/759.asp
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 21 November, 2013, 11:48:13 pm
Last week our council took all our wheely bins away. We now have to take our rubbish bags down the road to a sunken communal bin, which has an orifice too small to take a fully loaded black sack.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 22 November, 2013, 05:55:10 am
Quote from: Chris S on 21 November, 2013, 09:18:11 pm
Dear The Council,

Please observe the following:

{pretty picture excised}

The item on the left was kindly left to me by The Bin Men of your employ (directly, or under some money grabbing PFI fuckwittery, who knows?) on today's refuse collection. Shortly after, the postman delivered the item on the right; the envelope marked "TNT Post".

Even if the TNT Post thing is free (which I doubt) and the Bin Men charge for their delivery (which I also doubt - especially if there is PFI fuckwittery going on), such duplication is completely unnecessary and stupid.
NFN? :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 22 November, 2013, 10:10:24 am
Quote from: Wunja on 21 November, 2013, 11:48:13 pm
Last week our council took all our wheely bins away. We now have to take our rubbish bags down the road to a sunken communal bin, which has an orifice too small to take a fully loaded black sack.
Oh dear, images, images!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 22 November, 2013, 04:22:32 pm
My rear tyre's bead decided it wasn't happy in its normal position and instead decided to free itself from the tyre wall and start stabbing the inner tube. I of course only noticed this when I'd wrestled the thing back on with my spare tube and then stabbed that one as well. So I was stranded with a dead tyre.

Then I ended up jogging home to pick up the car and jogging in my SPDs has left me with sore patches on the balls of the feet and something feeling remarkably like shin splints in my right leg. :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 24 November, 2013, 12:37:07 pm
I always leave writing the newsletter insert for my London Borough Group until rather late. I usually use the old newsletter as a template for the new. I have 'upgraded' to Mavericks and the latest version of Pages.

Now my vector logo is lost -or the 'table' is 'unsupported' or something.

GGGRRRRRRRRR!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 24 November, 2013, 07:22:36 pm
Lawrence Lessig was writing about this recently when he upgraded and suddenly none of his old documents worked anymore.  I think that's SHODDY of Apple and I would be writing them lots of nasty complaints - idiots.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 27 November, 2013, 08:06:24 am
Virgin trains.... the comment that: "Oh we don't do cake anymore" is NOT acceptable.

A "cookie" is NOT an acceptable replacement!!!!!!


(The only reason this isn't a rant is that work were paying for my train ticket and not me......otherwise  :demon: )
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 27 November, 2013, 01:14:45 pm
Spinning rust. Bloody stupid idea.  The sooner we see the end of it the better.

(This grumble brought to you by the words "DegradedArray event" and "/dev/md/0")
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 27 November, 2013, 01:17:58 pm
Quote from: Kim on 27 November, 2013, 01:14:45 pm
Spinning rust. Bloody stupid idea.  The sooner we see the end of it the better.

(This grumble brought to you by the words "DegradedArray event" and "/dev/md/0")
Preaching to the choir.
Although I'd trust a consumer-grade SSD in a RAID array about as far as I could physically spit Scotland.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 27 November, 2013, 01:59:29 pm
It's been downhill since the punched cards.  Those worked pretty well, as long as you didn't drop them.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 27 November, 2013, 03:47:20 pm
Yesterday, I started work at 8am, which means getting out of bed at 5am.  So I was looking forward to getting home a bit early after I left work a bit after 4pm.  I was at London Bridge a little after 4.30pm, and all trains were cancelled.  Apparently there was a fire in a signal box 'at 4.45pm' according to reports from Southeastern and National Rail.  Bloody good thing they'd closed access to the station in anticipation, then ::-)

So I walked to Blackfriars, where trains were very delayed (and very, very full).  I walked over the platform bridge and down into a frighteningly overcrowded tube, where I got a train to Victoria.  I'd have got off sooner, had it been possible.

Anyway, the tube station was being closed because of an 'Emergency' - being overcrowding - just as I was exiting.

I waited ages for a very much delayed train home.  My journey took me three hours.  I got in, made a pot of tea, had some crackers and honey, then set off for bed, meeting Butterfly coming the other way, having just put The Little Duck down in his cot.  :(

I was up at 5am this morning, too. :(

Reports say that the fire didn't just stop trains arriving at and leaving LB, but caught some in the section of rail just outside.  After a long wait, some passengers forced open the doors and walked back to the station.  I can understand that, but the rail companies are all pissy about it.

The way the exit from LB was handled was very dangerous indeed, and it's a miracle if no one was badly hurt.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 27 November, 2013, 03:54:53 pm
Quote from: Kim on 27 November, 2013, 01:59:29 pm
Those worked pretty well, as long as you didn't drop them.
Tell that to my PhD supervisor and he'd probably beat you to death with a paper tape punch1  :P

(it happened to him, y'see2)

1 - my lab contained, amongst other things, a proper paper tape jig. Work of art, it was.
2 - our 'main' office also contained a box containing the card deck for the FORTRAN66 code which formed part of his thesis dating from, I think, the early-mid 70s (possibly 1974)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 27 November, 2013, 04:06:53 pm
Virgin effing trains:   I lost paid work today because of your incompetence.   You are getting my invoice and I'll chase you in the small claims court if you don't pay.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 27 November, 2013, 08:59:25 pm
Quote from: interzen on 27 November, 2013, 03:54:53 pm
Quote from: Kim on 27 November, 2013, 01:59:29 pm
Those worked pretty well, as long as you didn't drop them.
Tell that to my PhD supervisor and he'd probably beat you to death with a paper tape punch

FLOOR SORT!

Of course if you put numbers in cols 1-7 * you can put the card deck through the mechanical card sorter.

* For Cobol - other languages may vary
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Chris S on 27 November, 2013, 09:06:32 pm
Quote from: Polar Bear on 27 November, 2013, 04:06:53 pm
Virgin effing trains:   I lost paid work today because of your incompetence.   You are getting my invoice and I'll chase you in the small claims court if you don't pay.

Ah - welcome to the New America.  :facepalm:.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 28 November, 2013, 01:25:49 pm
Thanks for e-mailing the agenda for next week's meeting.

But why in the name of dog would anyone produce a one page document like that in bleein' PowerPointless?  :facepalm:

You muppet.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 28 November, 2013, 01:26:47 pm
Why does lurgy choose to rear its head just before I have time off to go and do something fun?

I'm supposed to be heading over to the other side of the Pennines tomorrow for some off-road shenanigans and it turns out I may well have a dose of norovirus  :sick:

I don't have the energy to rant because I feel like I'm being turned inside out ...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Chris S on 29 November, 2013, 11:00:07 am
Ugh... exporting hyper-v virtual machines (that have shedloads of snapshots) takes bloody ages. It might be quicker just to copy them raw, and then recreate the VMs on the new machine. Except of course, the snapshots won't show.

Sigh. I may be here some time.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 29 November, 2013, 02:57:53 pm
Why doesn't word have a mode to switch between accessible display hyperlinks (http://office.microsoft.com/en-gb/word-help/creating-accessible-word-documents-HA101999993.aspx#_Toc275414991) and http://office.microsoft.com/en-gb/word-help/creating-accessible-word-documents-HA101999993.aspx#_Toc275414991 version of links?

We have a (stupidly fucking huge written by technologically idiotic grammar pedants who are editing right up to the last minute) document we expect to be used electronically 90% of the time, but we want to provide a print version for display.

I've said fuckit, I'm not manually switching the hyperlinks from display to link mode and accessibility wins. Most users can go and get electronic version and click on the fucking things. It's not as if I don't expect the fucking links to start degrading the second we hit "publish".

Right, back to it, only 23,000 words and 80 pages of shite to piss off academics with!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 29 November, 2013, 03:46:52 pm
Webmeisters who only write for one browser.  Three days ago the air around my wife was purple for an entire morning as she attempted to upload a TMA to the OU site. Even with their help nothing worked until she switched from Firefox to IE, whereupon it went through immediately.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 29 November, 2013, 03:58:45 pm
Potential employer: FFS, I have told you on at least three separate occasions, in writing, that I have no unspent convictions, cautions, impending prosecutions nor summat or other else. How many feckin' times do I have to tell you?

Oh, BTW, if you could drag out all the security checks until the New Year, that'd be great. Kthxbai
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 01 December, 2013, 12:17:28 pm
Today we shall do the fitting of roller blinds.

Instructions on the packet are sketchy, so I resort to Teh Intarwebz for more clues.

Measure recess, cut roller to width less 38mm. OK.

Cut fabric 1.5mm less than roller. O rilly?  1.5mm?  Like 1/16 of an inch. I think not.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 02 December, 2013, 10:43:57 am
My brane thought it would be rilly rilly funny to wake me up at 1/4 past 3 on a Monday morning. >:(

It's now 20 to 11 and I feel absolutley kernakkered.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 02 December, 2013, 02:36:42 pm
Woman in red jacket & hard shell helmet in Watlington Street at 12.30: why the hell were you cycling on the pavement, right next to a perfectly good tarmac segregated bike lane, with nobody in it except me?

It can't even have been because you saw me coming, because you came round the corner already on the pavement.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CommuteTooFar on 02 December, 2013, 02:42:15 pm
I lost my glasses on Friday. I thought I left them at work but they re not here  :-[
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 02 December, 2013, 04:44:52 pm
Oh carp!
I think I've killed my lap top.
For some reason it hasn't seemed to have enjoyed an almost full pint of beer being tipped over the keyboard last night.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 02 December, 2013, 08:17:33 pm
Wrong kind of IPA, innit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 03 December, 2013, 06:17:41 pm
Vogon trains - It's nice you decided to install heating on your wobbly trains but you are allowed to turn it off you know. By the time I make Carlisle I'll be somewhere between medium and well bloody done.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 03 December, 2013, 06:25:58 pm
Pendolinos are also stunningly quiet when the aircon/heating isn't running full pelt.  It really ruins the effect.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Chris S on 03 December, 2013, 06:27:17 pm
Quote from: Kim on 03 December, 2013, 06:25:58 pm
Pendolinos are also stunningly quiet when the aircon/heating isn't running full pelt.  It really ruins the effect.

I thought they always smell of poo. Which to my mind, would ruin any effect.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 03 December, 2013, 06:29:54 pm
Quote from: Chris S on 03 December, 2013, 06:27:17 pm
Quote from: Kim on 03 December, 2013, 06:25:58 pm
Pendolinos are also stunningly quiet when the aircon/heating isn't running full pelt.  It really ruins the effect.

I thought they always smell of poo. Which to my mind, would ruin any effect.

That's the ones, but the nose usually adjusts by Milton Keynes.  Sometimes the poo is overridden locally by the smell of McDonald's or wet dog.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 03 December, 2013, 06:32:16 pm
Quote from: Chris S on 03 December, 2013, 06:27:17 pm
Quote from: Kim on 03 December, 2013, 06:25:58 pm
Pendolinos are also stunningly quiet when the aircon/heating isn't running full pelt.  It really ruins the effect.

I thought they always smell of poo. Which to my mind, would ruin any effect.

The wheelchair bay is tops for poo pong. :sick:

I have sometime suggested to travelling companions they should find another seat.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 03 December, 2013, 07:41:21 pm
Nexus 7 + shower gel = £236  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Chris S on 03 December, 2013, 07:42:52 pm
Quote from: interzen on 03 December, 2013, 07:41:21 pm
Nexus 7 + shower gel = £236  >:(

Why did you take your Nexus 7 into the shower?

NO! Don't answer that ;).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 03 December, 2013, 07:47:24 pm
Quote from: Chris S on 03 December, 2013, 07:42:52 pm
Quote from: interzen on 03 December, 2013, 07:41:21 pm
Nexus 7 + shower gel = £236  >:(

Why did you take your Nexus 7 into the shower?

NO! Don't answer that ;).
Actually, a more accurate expression would be:

Nexus 7 + confined space (rucksack) + bottle of shower gel wrapped in a plastic bag to prevent accidental leakage = £236

If it had been doused in water I'd be more confident of a successful resurrection ... on the plus side, both the buggered fondleslab and the inside of my backpack are very clean and smell faintly of apples.

A replacement has been ordered - the one time I'm actually glad there's a big Te$co just up the road.


Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 03 December, 2013, 07:53:58 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 03 December, 2013, 06:32:16 pm
Quote from: Chris S on 03 December, 2013, 06:27:17 pm
Quote from: Kim on 03 December, 2013, 06:25:58 pm
Pendolinos are also stunningly quiet when the aircon/heating isn't running full pelt.  It really ruins the effect.

I thought they always smell of poo. Which to my mind, would ruin any effect.

The wheelchair bay is tops for poo pong. :sick:

Does it top the delicate aroma of brake lining that used to percolate through HSTs as they slowed?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 03 December, 2013, 10:59:05 pm
Quote from: Chris S on 03 December, 2013, 07:42:52 pm
Quote from: interzen on 03 December, 2013, 07:41:21 pm
Nexus 7 + shower gel = £236  >:(

Why did you take your Nexus 7 into the shower?

NO! Don't answer that ;).

'Sobvious innit?

To see if it gave a better blow job than a Nexus 6.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 03 December, 2013, 11:00:27 pm
Quote from: fuzzy on 03 December, 2013, 10:59:05 pm
Quote from: Chris S on 03 December, 2013, 07:42:52 pm
Quote from: interzen on 03 December, 2013, 07:41:21 pm
Nexus 7 + shower gel = £236  >:(

Why did you take your Nexus 7 into the shower?

NO! Don't answer that ;).

'Sobvious innit?

To see if it gave a better blow job than a Nexus 6.
I'll never know ... the magic smoke escaped.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 04 December, 2013, 12:58:28 am
Am I the only one who thought a Nexus 7 was a Shimano hub gear?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 04 December, 2013, 07:16:48 am
Quote from: Wunja on 04 December, 2013, 12:58:28 am
Am I the only one who thought a Nexus 7 was a Shimano hub gear?
no  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Chris S on 04 December, 2013, 08:29:58 am
Or an upgraded android.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 04 December, 2013, 10:28:39 am
Quote from: matthew on 04 December, 2013, 07:16:48 am
Quote from: Wunja on 04 December, 2013, 12:58:28 am
Am I the only one who thought a Nexus 7 was a Shimano hub gear?
no  :facepalm:
Because it is.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 04 December, 2013, 10:41:10 am
Quote from: Wunja on 04 December, 2013, 12:58:28 am
Am I the only one who thought a Nexus 7 was a Shimano hub gear?
This is one of those rare situations where you're both right and wrong ...

(if you hadn't worked it out already, I'm referring to the Google fondleslab rather than Shimano's canned gears)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 04 December, 2013, 11:19:33 am
You could have been on a bus in Newcastle.
(http://www.nexus.org.uk/sites/default/themes/nexus/images/nexus-logo-main.png)
For some reason unknown.
Other Nexuses are certainly available.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 04 December, 2013, 12:42:03 pm
Dear cat, thanks for using my face as a doormat this morning - I've got a lovely big scratch on my nose now. Good job I've no customer meetings this week.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 04 December, 2013, 05:49:26 pm
Quote from: jsabine on 03 December, 2013, 07:53:58 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 03 December, 2013, 06:32:16 pm
Quote from: Chris S on 03 December, 2013, 06:27:17 pm
Quote from: Kim on 03 December, 2013, 06:25:58 pm
Pendolinos are also stunningly quiet when the aircon/heating isn't running full pelt.  It really ruins the effect.

I thought they always smell of poo. Which to my mind, would ruin any effect.

The wheelchair bay is tops for poo pong. :sick:

Does it top the delicate aroma of brake lining that used to percolate through HSTs as they slowed?

Of course! Poo pong is more  :sick: than brake lining! I thought you knew...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 05 December, 2013, 08:28:54 am
We have two sets of car keys: the bear keyring one, and the "Ian keyring" set.

Two days ago my good lady asked if I had seen the bear. No I replied: "It will be around somewhere." However, after a quick look, we couldn't find it. Nevermind eh, it will turn up.

This morning the need to head out in the car arose: we had run out of prawns for the cats breakfast and were running low on beef for the same purpose along with a few heavy bits like cat litter and bottles of pop. No worries, I'll just drive down to the shops using the "Ian" set.

Can I find the "Ian" keyring? Nope; nor the already missing bear set! I have checked EVERYWHERE I can think of but they are still missing. Sigh.

Looks like I will have to cook some chicken for the cats breakfast instead. They won't be happy.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 05 December, 2013, 09:36:08 am
Have you checked in the car?

I usually find keys months later (at the change in season) when I put on the coat/fleece/body warmer last worn when it was cold.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Butterfly on 05 December, 2013, 09:56:52 am
Quote from: Wunja on 04 December, 2013, 12:58:28 am
Am I the only one who thought a Nexus 7 was a Shimano hub gear?

No. I was wondering where he was taking a hub to in his backpack!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 05 December, 2013, 10:11:55 am
I was wondering why a hub could be destroyed by shower gel.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 05 December, 2013, 10:12:53 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 04 December, 2013, 05:49:26 pm
... Poo pong ...

Is that like Whiff Whaff? ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ham on 05 December, 2013, 02:24:59 pm
Mr Tesco.

Tesco's Finest Pilgrim's Choice Cheddar

You are right, it probably is your finest, but I really think you are lying when you say a pilgrim chose it. Not unless they were extremely very desperate and hungry, or maybe needed a boot to repair a gash in their tyre sidewall.

kthxbai
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 05 December, 2013, 07:36:38 pm
The google search on this forum is shit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 05 December, 2013, 08:00:25 pm
Quote from: fboab on 05 December, 2013, 07:36:38 pm
The google search on this forum is shit.

Yeah.  What we need is ht://dig   ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 06 December, 2013, 12:01:35 pm
Work Canteen.

What ever possessed you to put both Chili AND Burritos on the menu, on the same day?

I am going to have to have a huge lunch, now, aren't I?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 06 December, 2013, 12:25:09 pm
Quote from: fboab on 05 December, 2013, 07:36:38 pm
The Google search on this forum is shit.
FTFY.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 06 December, 2013, 03:39:16 pm
District nurse phones to say she'll visit to give Dad his flu jab on Monday.

(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 06 December, 2013, 03:46:23 pm
It does happen from time to time*, and is a predictable result of the marketification of the NHS.




* It's not harmful.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 09 December, 2013, 09:20:27 am
Sodding body*, sodding mind**, grump...

*It's week 10
**It's week 10

:( :( :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 09 December, 2013, 09:45:58 am
I wanted a non urgent GP appointment last week.   December 27th.   Yup, that's pretty well non-urgent.   :-\
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 09 December, 2013, 11:13:33 am
Gaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrh! I finally have a free day, so I plan a little bike ride - up Hinton Hill, out to Tormarton and then I'd see how I was doing for time, maybe to Grittleton - but during the night the boiler packed up (only three months after it last broke down) so now I'm waiting in until the gasman cometh. Ggggggggggggaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrhhhhhhhg!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 09 December, 2013, 01:15:54 pm
Bugger.  They're closing our swimming pool. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-mid-wales-25259170)
 >:( :( :'(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 09 December, 2013, 02:21:51 pm
More ggggggggggggggaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrh! Plumber will be here about 6 o'clock. Hmph.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 09 December, 2013, 02:26:42 pm
I feel like shit onna stick.  My 2pm stude didn't turn up.  I am hoping my 3pm stude also unreliable doesn't so up so I can fuck off at 3:30pm and call it quits.   Am not fit for owt.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 10 December, 2013, 04:34:36 pm
Earlier this afternoon I discovered that the Carry Freedom trailer hitch has a hole about 1mm too narrow for the axle of the trike's rear hub motor.  This was after I'd faffed about removing the left side of the pannier rack, naturally (I see Radical bags in barakta's future).  I also discovered that I don't have a 12mm metal drill bit.  Had to do a big shop (cupboards being depleted due to weeks of lurgy) and recycling run under leg power alone, which has re-annoyed my knee.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: GothonaBrompton on 10 December, 2013, 04:44:33 pm
What is the polite notice to put up in the communal corridor/reception of an office to indicate that it is really bl**dy rude and annoying to sit on one of the lovely comfy leather sofas and conduct your personal business all day?

I sit at the back of a shared secretarial office, near the window, but it is driving my colleague batty as her part of the front wall of the office, facing the corridor, is glass with said sofa backing on to it, so she is very close to him (there is one particular chap that does this at least 4 times a day).  We could close the door but it looks a bit unfriendly and my boss in particular has lots of people coming and going.

The corridor area is also used by people conducting company business on mobiles but that can't find a meeting room.

TBH I'm not that fussed as most of my career I have worked in open plan offices and this private office, by dint of being the PA to the most senior boss, is a luxury (and has a nice cupboard I can lock my Brompton in)  :) but my colleague has been in a private office environment for at least 12 years and any noise in the corridor or the ladies on reception laughing (god forbid they should be happy) drives her mad.

Basically I share an office with a grumpy old cow but I occasionally nod and agree for some peace and quiet.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 10 December, 2013, 05:08:06 pm
Sounds like you need to re-purpose the lovely comfy leather sofas...   ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 11 December, 2013, 10:01:34 pm
Quote from: Biggsy on 06 December, 2013, 03:39:16 pm
District Practice nurse phones to say she'll visit to give Dad his flu jab on Monday.

(click to show/hide)

Correction: it was the GP practice nurse who phoned.  Of course it's no surprise that the practice and the district nurses don't talk to each other.  Nor does the hospital dealing with my dad's hernia talk to the hospital dealing with his legs.  (No energy for more detail on that).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 12 December, 2013, 01:28:13 am
An older person with the same name pattern as me (http://xkcd.com/1279/) has signed up for a daily feed of truly terrible jokes, minus their punch-lines (which you have to go to a website to read).  Because I really needed more #EveryDaySexism.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 12 December, 2013, 08:21:08 am
Would it be better if they sent the punchlines?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ham on 12 December, 2013, 09:54:52 am
I think punching lines in the sender would be more apposite.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrew Br on 12 December, 2013, 12:31:21 pm
I don't know why Eon put a card saying they'd come to read the meters through my door yesterday further telling me that they'd come back tomorrow between 08-00-12.00.
Guess what ? I can't arrange to be home at such short notice.
And the meters are outside anyway................

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 12 December, 2013, 01:19:14 pm
Quote from: Kim on 12 December, 2013, 01:28:13 am
An older person with the same name pattern as me (http://xkcd.com/1279/) has signed up for a daily feed of truly terrible jokes, minus their punch-lines (which you have to go to a website to read).  Because I really needed more #EveryDaySexism.
How does that work then? If your name is Kim Commonname and your email is k.commonname@gmail.com, and Kevin or Karen Commonname, when asked for their email while visiting Jokes R Us, goes "Oh, I don't remember... Oh yes, it's gmail, it's k.commonname@gmail.com. Yes, I'd love to get your weekly digest of assorted crap and retail opportunities thinly disguised as humorous news items of interest only to advertising execs." ? So it's the online equivalent of me clipping out a coupon from the Radio Times* and having the Cudzolicious Collection of Cudzosity **inadvertently shipped to Kim Towers, Kimsville, Kimshire?

If it's not that, how? If it is that, how do people manage to do such things??!??!??

*Does this still exist?
**Yours for only £9.99 cash, cheque or postal order and £9.99 a week thereafter until you die or cancel the order, whichever is the later.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 12 December, 2013, 01:30:21 pm
Quote from: Andrew Br on 12 December, 2013, 12:31:21 pm
I don't know why Eon put a card saying they'd come to read the meters through my door yesterday further telling me that they'd come back tomorrow between 08-00-12.00.
Guess what ? I can't arrange to be home at such short notice.
And the meters are outside anyway................
For the same reason as NTL once put a card through my door re the fault I'd reported, saying they'd called to fix it but I was out?

I'd reported that their green box half-way down the road had been run into by a car mounting the pavement & the door was smashed & hanging open.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 12 December, 2013, 01:45:54 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 12 December, 2013, 01:19:14 pm
Quote from: Kim on 12 December, 2013, 01:28:13 am
An older person with the same name pattern as me (http://xkcd.com/1279/) has signed up for a daily feed of truly terrible jokes, minus their punch-lines (which you have to go to a website to read).  Because I really needed more #EveryDaySexism.
How does that work then? If your name is Kim Commonname and your email is k.commonname@gmail.com, and Kevin or Karen Commonname, when asked for their email while visiting Jokes R Us, goes "Oh, I don't remember... Oh yes, it's gmail, it's k.commonname@gmail.com. Yes, I'd love to get your weekly digest of assorted crap and retail opportunities thinly disguised as humorous news items of interest only to advertising execs." ?

Yes, exactly.  It's worse than that, my gmail address is kim.commonname@gmail.com, so they are actually Kims (of assorted genders and nationalities, but none seem to show obvious signs of being younger than me).  I expect they fed their name in to gmail, it said the obvious address was taken and offered them kim.commonname37@ or similar instead.  I expect some automagically configured mail clients mask the address with their full name so they never get reminded that there's a 37.

So I get their spam, gun receipts, electricity bills, royalties statements, photos of grandchildren and confidential union meeting minutes and so on.  If it's a credible organisation who are likely to have alternative contact details I'll generally reply and say their customer doesn't know their own email address.  Random top-posting iPhone-using image-attaching endless-CCers just get ignored.  They're unlikely to understand the problem.

On one occasion I got a message with some quoted material containing my doppelganger's actual address (of the numerical suffix variety), and was able to email them and explain the problem.  This got me added to their address book, so I was able to see the message they sent to everyone they knew (without the aid of BCC) explaining the importance of spelling "Kim.commonname" with a capital 'K' because otherwise it would go to me.  Case sensitivity is possible but strongly disrecommended in the local part of email addresses; gmail isn't case-sensitive, and indeed ignores the presence of dots ("kimcommonname" and "kim.c.om.mon.name" are aliases).

There's an old sysadmin saying: "You can lead a luser to clue, but you can't beat them to death with it."   :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 12 December, 2013, 01:53:12 pm
What a bum deal - you get the bills and the receipts but not the power or the shooters! Still, at least you don't have to get presents for the grandchildren.

More importantly - why haven't you replied to my email?  :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 12 December, 2013, 01:58:17 pm
P.S. I like XKCD's pisstake of the Wikipedia "please donate" banner.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 12 December, 2013, 08:43:21 pm
This lurgy does rather hang about. I was off work today and had a day in bed a bit over a week ago. Definitely no energy for ranting.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 12 December, 2013, 09:23:17 pm
If there's a set of tablets your customers might be desperate for and therefore should always be held in stock - I think Immodium would count as one of them. I am not impressed with the big empty hole in my co-op's drug counter where they should have been. Thankfully I was able to make it the extra 2 miles to the SPAR in the next village and back home without incident. Stupid winter bugs :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 13 December, 2013, 12:56:17 pm
It's very dark outside already.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 13 December, 2013, 02:26:09 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 13 December, 2013, 12:56:17 pm
It's very dark outside already.

It's the earliest sunset of the year in most places on 12 or 13 December.
Things can only get better!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 13 December, 2013, 05:29:04 pm
Dear Wiggle,

Thank you so much for you recent email informing me that you are opening a pop-up shop 'down the road' from me. Please note:
1) 20 miles by the shortest route is not just 'down the road' if you don't have a car.
2) Amersham is UP the road,
3) I have stopped using you as a result of your h****t promotion antics.

Have a nice weekend!
Hxx
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jasmine on 13 December, 2013, 09:44:02 pm
The flat downstairs have a water soaked ceiling.  The plumber has just been up to take a look in my bathroom and says it's the toilet cistern leaking into the ceiling void.  He's turned it off and he hasn't got the parts in to fix it.  He might come back tomorrow, but as it's not an emergency, it might be Monday.  However, the builders put in bathrooms imported from Italy, so the parts might need to be shipped.  Not an emergency!? I've got no f***ing toilet.  >:(

He's left a hole behind the toilet where the pipes were boxed in, and the bloody cats keep getting in it.  I won't be impressed if they fall through the bloody ceiling into the flat downstairs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Clare on 13 December, 2013, 10:55:22 pm
You have got a toilet, you just have no flush, use a bucket of water instead.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jasmine on 14 December, 2013, 08:35:01 am
I'm using a bucket (actually a washing up bowl - I don't own a bucket), but it doesn't work that well.  Either splashes everywhere, or doesn't flush anything away.  I might use it to fill the cistern and then flush it.

On the plus side, the cats haven't fallen through the ceiling yet.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 14 December, 2013, 10:42:01 am
Get a bucket!
A standard 2 gallon/9 litre bucket will flush everything away without unwanted splashing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 14 December, 2013, 10:53:23 am
Even an enormous bucket of water failed to flush the mother of all bowel evacuations I executed this morning ...at first.  *Hot* water did the trick.

TMI, I know.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 14 December, 2013, 11:23:40 am
O2,

FFS, sort it out.  When you kno that you're not entitled to the money and you tell me today that you intend to take it anyway in 14 days, why do you think that I think that you are thieving scum?

Perhaps I should instruct my bank not to honour the DD as it is not for the correct amount?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 14 December, 2013, 11:43:26 am
Quote from: Biggsy on 14 December, 2013, 10:53:23 am
Even an enormous bucket of water failed to flush the mother of all bowel evacuations I executed this morning ...at first.  *Hot* water did the trick.

TMI, I know.

Bogstoppers usually shift after the third or fourth flush IME...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 14 December, 2013, 08:37:52 pm
Quote from: Polar Bear on 14 December, 2013, 11:23:40 am
O2,

FFS, sort it out.  When you kno that you're not entitled to the money and you tell me today that you intend to take it anyway in 14 days, why do you think that I think that you are thieving scum?

Perhaps I should instruct my bank not to honour the DD as it is not for the correct amount?

Write to them and inform them that they may borrow money from you at 100%/day interest.

..d
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Oaky on 15 December, 2013, 09:55:47 pm
I was assaulted earlier by a bloody onion.

Rummaging in the veg. box earlier, I felt a pinprick on the end of my thumb.  No idea how the effing vegetable has done it, but I now have what feels like a splinter in the same spot.  I can even see a little black spot.

Must check with mrs_o where the triffidis allium came from.  Assuming i survive until she gets back.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 16 December, 2013, 02:54:39 am
Still awake. Got to be up in less than 3 hours.
Tomorrow's going to be splendid.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 16 December, 2013, 08:18:12 am
Yeah, I'm suffering a bit of sleep dep which is making me hideously dizzy...  Hope you survive your sleep depped day.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 16 December, 2013, 09:27:19 am
Splitting headache (to go with the one the meds are giving me), real coffee (which will give me unwanted loo-running side effects) and today is just grand.

And I managed to smack myself in the face with the handlebars when doing the daily 'cross at the station.

Sigh.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 16 December, 2013, 09:47:54 am
Lurgy, please fuck off.

Kthxbai.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 16 December, 2013, 11:20:55 am
It's all going a bit shite today.
Just had a phone interview where they told me having a car is a requirement for the position. I asked why.
In case I have to go to the bank.
Which is (drum roll please) 2.1km from the office.
Needless to say, I withdrew my interest (which was admittedly pretty small to start with).
FFS.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Somnolent on 16 December, 2013, 12:32:15 pm
Thought:  Having bought a load of cheap CO2 canisters I consider buying another CO2 inflator so as to have one in the bag I put on the MTB as well one I carry in the Carradice for the road bike.

Would prefer another Air Chuck - or maybe a Lezyne.
Can you buy just the inflator ?  Nope
You have to buy it with the CO2 - and most of the big retailers who might offer it at a discount won't any more cos RM won't let them send compressed gas by post.


 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 17 December, 2013, 09:56:30 am
Running. Why is it banned in the playground? Ridiculous.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 17 December, 2013, 10:20:36 am
Heart attack risk to couch potatoes.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 17 December, 2013, 10:31:31 am
Apparently it's because yesterday was wet and kids might slip over and hurt themselves.  ::-) I suspect someone has a stealth mission to create a generation of little anarchists. ( :thumbsup: :D)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 17 December, 2013, 12:07:13 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 17 December, 2013, 09:56:30 am
Running. Why is it banned in the playground? Ridiculous.

OMG.  Makes me feel all Daily Maily.  Elfin safety gone sad.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 17 December, 2013, 12:52:04 pm
Seriously, has any school really banned running in the playground, or is it just specific games?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 17 December, 2013, 12:55:57 pm
Yes this is a done thing and they also have rain days. Where all play is done indoors because it is wet outside and we are not talking monsoon, just typical British rain.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 17 December, 2013, 01:17:37 pm
Rain days happened even when I was at school, but we called it wet break or something similar. I can't remember how much rain triggered wet break, but it definitely had to be more than drizzle.

What happened yesterday was it had been raining, the playground was wet and therefore could be slippery - and it's on quite a slope - he was playing a game of tag, which obviously involves running, and he was nabbed by one of the "PTAs" (I think they're actually called SLAs), told no running when it's wet and made to stand on the naughty wall for five minutes (standard punishment). Then at the end of break all the naughty wall standers have to go to the office and explain themselves, apparently he was told "no punishment for that". So it all sounds like a case of an overzealous SLA - but of course I only have his word for this, there might well be more to it. He was still very upset about it at the end of school though.

Running is not generally forbidden, the kids do play tag, football and even British Bulldog although that is banned due to (I think) smaller kids getting knocked over. Top Trumps are also banned! Either because the cards were getting lost or they were causing fights - or perhaps it was causing fights when kid A loses kid B's cards.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 18 December, 2013, 01:38:41 pm
^^^Symbionese Liberation Army???  :o
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 18 December, 2013, 01:47:40 pm
Own grumble: Happily grating spuds for lunchtime rösti: wife looks over and says "you can do that in 5 seconds with the food processor". "OK", say I. Wife exhumes FP from drawer and starts fishing out bits. Then the fun starts. It's a Bosch/Boche/Botch with multiple fittings, it's practically new and in a fit of Teutonic intelligence B/B/B didn't put in an instruction book: they put a bunch of videos on the Internet.  So we have the choice of arsing off to the computer or sussing it out.  Latter path chosen. One 3D jigsaw and 15 minutes later the first spud goes in, 16 minutes later they're all done. We dismantle the machine and wife sets about washing the bits. Another 5 minutes lost on her part. By hand I'd maybe have taken another 5 minutes.

Guess why machine is still as new after almost a year?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 18 December, 2013, 02:29:41 pm
Quote from: T42 on 18 December, 2013, 01:47:40 pm
Own grumble: Happily grating spuds for lunchtime rösti: wife looks over and says "you can do that in 5 seconds with the food processor". "OK", say I. Wife exhumes FP from drawer and starts fishing out bits. Then the fun starts. It's a Bosch/Boche/Botch with multiple fittings, it's practically new and in a fit of Teutonic intelligence B/B/B didn't put in an instruction book: they put a bunch of videos on the Internet.  So we have the choice of arsing off to the computer or sussing it out.  Latter path chosen. One 3D jigsaw and 15 minutes later the first spud goes in, 16 minutes later they're all done. We dismantle the machine and wife sets about washing the bits. Another 5 minutes lost on her part. By hand I'd maybe have taken another 5 minutes.

Guess why machine is still as new after almost a year?

They've got their own thread...

https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=77979.msg1597416#msg1597416
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 18 December, 2013, 03:52:01 pm
Quote from: T42 on 18 December, 2013, 01:47:40 pm
Guess why machine is still as new after almost a year?

Because you don't leave it out on the worksurface.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Butterfly on 18 December, 2013, 03:53:33 pm
Or have a baby.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 18 December, 2013, 04:18:09 pm
I feel like shit again, failed to have brain for most of work yesterday, slept from when I got in till 11pm then failed to sleep till 6am...  Fucking vestibular system is very unhappy, post-lurgy balance fail so I've got permanently poundy heartrate and feel like I'm going to pass out every time I walk up the stairs which is grim. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 18 December, 2013, 04:36:59 pm
I'd also like to put forward my membership to the "Feels like Death On Toast Club" ... what started out as a mildly annoying sore throat seems to be developing into something not unlike acute bronchitis.

Needless to say, this is not a development I'm keen on ...

Sod's Law dictates that this occurs when I've got a lot on: yesterday I had heating engineers fitting a new boiler so had to go in to work (on the plus side, I was 'banished' to the spare office, so got far more done than usual  :thumbsup:) and today, being a proper Day Off, had various electricians and surveyors calling to do electrician and surveyor-type things.

Of course, with lurgy comes complete and utter bloody chaos in the blood sugar department  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 18 December, 2013, 04:39:26 pm
Sending you both sympathy & virtual mugs of the warming, relaxing beverage of your choice.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 18 December, 2013, 04:41:23 pm
Quote from: Butterfly on 18 December, 2013, 03:53:33 pm
Or have a baby.

You put them through the food processor????
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 18 December, 2013, 09:40:02 pm
Quote from: T42 on 18 December, 2013, 01:38:41 pm
^^^Symbionese Liberation Army???  :o
"Stupid Lame Assistant" so I'm told...
(turns out there is one particular of these who has a reputation for this stuff)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 18 December, 2013, 10:26:33 pm
Quote from: T42 on 18 December, 2013, 01:47:40 pm
Own grumble: Happily grating spuds for lunchtime rösti: wife looks over and says "you can do that in 5 seconds with the food processor". "OK", say I. Wife exhumes FP from drawer and starts fishing out bits. Then the fun starts. It's a Bosch/Boche/Botch with multiple fittings, it's practically new and in a fit of Teutonic intelligence B/B/B didn't put in an instruction book: they put a bunch of videos on the Internet.  So we have the choice of arsing off to the computer or sussing it out.  Latter path chosen. One 3D jigsaw and 15 minutes later the first spud goes in, 16 minutes later they're all done. We dismantle the machine and wife sets about washing the bits. Another 5 minutes lost on her part. By hand I'd maybe have taken another 5 minutes.

Guess why machine is still as new after almost a year?

A labour-creating device, obviously...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: IanN on 18 December, 2013, 10:38:06 pm
W*terst*nes.

"This book will arrive in (small number of) days".   So, I ordered a variety - for Christmas, obviously

"Your books are at the depot waiting to be collected".

"Your book is out of stock so we've ordered it from the supplier".    Lying toads.

A***** are crap employers and tax avoiders (allegedly), but they are fast and reliable. Problem solved.  Karma status : negative.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 19 December, 2013, 11:08:05 am
BUGGER!

Killed the fileserver with an update :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 19 December, 2013, 04:00:14 pm
Bugger! Bloody tooth. Big chunk fell off, followed soon afterwards by filling.

Dentist tomorrow. Let's see what he can do with it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 19 December, 2013, 07:23:16 pm
Quote from: tiermat on 19 December, 2013, 11:08:05 am
BUGGER!

Killed the fileserver with an update :(

Ouch!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 19 December, 2013, 09:43:55 pm
Little Miss AWL's school: I emailed you this morning (they don't like phone calls) to ask you politely to have my daughter come to reception at 3.15pm so I could whisk her off to the dentist. I turn up at said time to find you oblivious to my request (I checked later and it was in my sent items). Furthermore, you didn't exactly admit you'd had the email, nor did you do anything quickly about it. In fact I had to chivvy you along to get her.

Instead of a leisurely walk into town from home, we had to drive up. Luckily a parking spot near the dentist presented itself.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 20 December, 2013, 01:20:46 pm
Quote from: Bledlow on 19 December, 2013, 04:00:14 pm
Bugger! Bloody tooth. Big chunk fell off, followed soon afterwards by filling.

Dentist tomorrow. Let's see what he can do with it.
Sympathy.  Hope Dentist can fix.

<1stWorldGrumble>
Same boat about 10 days ago.  Dentist suggests RCT & crown.  Turn up some days later for RCT.  Tooth too far gone.  Extraction Sat. last.  Still bloody sore.  Annual festival of eating fast upon us and it hurts to eat.
</1stWorldGrumble>
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 20 December, 2013, 09:27:34 pm
Sainsburys home delivery: I know you told me the hot dog rolls were close to the use by date and I should've looked closer, but really! Delivering bread with a use by date of 19/12 at 9pm on 19/12 is taking the piss.

It would be a rant, but for my own culpability. I shall have words.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 20 December, 2013, 09:34:30 pm
Quote from: TheLurker on 20 December, 2013, 01:20:46 pm
Quote from: Bledlow on 19 December, 2013, 04:00:14 pm
Bugger! Bloody tooth. Big chunk fell off, followed soon afterwards by filling.

Dentist tomorrow. Let's see what he can do with it.
Sympathy.  Hope Dentist can fix.

<1stWorldGrumble>
Same boat about 10 days ago.  Dentist suggests RCT & crown.  Turn up some days later for RCT.  Tooth too far gone.  Extraction Sat. last.  Still bloody sore.  Annual festival of eating fast upon us and it hurts to eat.
</1stWorldGrumble>
I had a gert big chunk fall off a molar a few weeks ago. It was already filled to capacity with filling stuff(TM), so I wasn't optimistic. However, my over-familiar dentist (Is there a dental charm school? If so, he was head boy) wouldn't hear of crowning it or extracting it, but tried some new fangled filling method saying there was a 95% success rate. Sounded like good odds to me, and it's all hunky dory now.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 21 December, 2013, 01:46:10 pm
I spent the morning singing at Tesco raising money for charity. This is the present one of their moronic incompetent customers decided to leave me when I got back to the car.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ceZhVQhujj0/UrWbdosz7WI/AAAAAAAAB4M/oNEaDkbC6OQ/w616-h553-no/DSCF1321.JPG)

Of course they'd run away and there was no note - responsibility for mistakes, whats that?

>:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 21 December, 2013, 01:48:20 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 21 December, 2013, 01:46:10 pm
I spent the morning singing at Tesco raising money for charity. This is the present one of their moronic incompetent customers decided to leave me when I got back to the car.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ceZhVQhujj0/UrWbdosz7WI/AAAAAAAAB4M/oNEaDkbC6OQ/w616-h553-no/DSCF1321.JPG)

Of course they'd'ed run away and there was no note - responsibility for mistakes, whats that?

>:(
Might be worth seeing if the incident was caught on CCTV.

Worked for my sister when some inconsiderate twat reversed into her car in an Asda car park ...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruth on 21 December, 2013, 01:51:21 pm
Gits  >:( >:( >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 21 December, 2013, 01:59:22 pm
I was extremely glad to be en velo when I arrived at Tesco yesterday afternoon.  The car park was full, and there seemed to be an awful lot of that sort of thing going on.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 21 December, 2013, 01:59:54 pm
Quote from: interzen on 21 December, 2013, 01:48:20 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 21 December, 2013, 01:46:10 pm
I spent the morning singing at Tesco raising money for charity. This is the present one of their moronic incompetent customers decided to leave me when I got back to the car.

[snip]

Of course they'd run away and there was no note - responsibility for mistakes, what's that?

>:(
Might be worth seeing if the incident was caught on CCTV.

Worked for my sister when some inconsiderate twat reversed into her car in an Asda car park ...

It might be worth doing, but I couldn't see any CCTV covering that bit of the car park. To be honest that was the straw that broke the camel's back. I'm still not recovered from the bug I seem to have had for the last three weeks, and have been very busy both at work and outside of it and I've had enough. Today I was going to finish my Christmas shopping, source a tree and decorate the house, but I've just driven straight home and just want to hide at the moment.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 21 December, 2013, 02:35:55 pm
Its a low, lousy, miserable and contemptible thing to do. I feel your pain.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 22 December, 2013, 08:00:34 pm
No CCTV at the Tesco :(

I've cleaned the car to try and get a layer of wax over the scratches, and they do look a bit better now the car is clean. Another annoyance is that I intend to change the car in the next few months, and that's probably knocked a decent chunk of the value it had left off of the car.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 22 December, 2013, 09:12:30 pm
Quote from: TheLurker on 20 December, 2013, 01:20:46 pm
Quote from: Bledlow on 19 December, 2013, 04:00:14 pm
Bugger! Bloody tooth. Big chunk fell off, followed soon afterwards by filling.

Dentist tomorrow. Let's see what he can do with it.
Sympathy.  Hope Dentist can fix.

<1stWorldGrumble>
Same boat about 10 days ago.  Dentist suggests RCT & crown.  Turn up some days later for RCT.  Tooth too far gone.  Extraction Sat. last.  Still bloody sore.  Annual festival of eating fast upon us and it hurts to eat.
</1stWorldGrumble>
I was worried that it'd need a crown, but on Friday afternoon I got a tooth rebuilt with white filling stuff, for a lot less money. He said he might as well do a permanent job straight away as a temporary fix, if I had the time, & the materials are now so good that teeth he'd have automatically put a crown on not many years ago can now safely & solidly be rebuilt.

Looks good. Feels good.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 22 December, 2013, 09:17:52 pm
Quote from: Bledlow on 22 December, 2013, 09:12:30 pm
Quote from: TheLurker on 20 December, 2013, 01:20:46 pm
Quote from: Bledlow on 19 December, 2013, 04:00:14 pm
Bugger! Bloody tooth. Big chunk fell off, followed soon afterwards by filling.

Dentist tomorrow. Let's see what he can do with it.
Sympathy.  Hope Dentist can fix.

<1stWorldGrumble>
Same boat about 10 days ago.  Dentist suggests RCT & crown.  Turn up some days later for RCT.  Tooth too far gone.  Extraction Sat. last.  Still bloody sore.  Annual festival of eating fast upon us and it hurts to eat.
</1stWorldGrumble>
I was worried that it'd need a crown, but on Friday afternoon I got a tooth rebuilt with white filling stuff, for a lot less money. He said he might as well do a permanent job straight away as a temporary fix, if I had the time, & the materials are now so good that teeth he'd have automatically put a crown on not many years ago can now safely & solidly be rebuilt.

Looks good. Feels good.  :thumbsup:

Result! :thumbsup:

Now just avoid trying to bite the coins in the Christmas pudding with it :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 22 December, 2013, 09:56:37 pm
Result indeed! A bit like Warwickshire Lad, except that my dentist isn't over-familiar, & we can chat about mutual cycling acquaintances. He & his wife met on a CTC ride.  :thumbsup:

We must spare a thought for poor TheLurker, though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Euan Uzami on 23 December, 2013, 10:56:40 am
so it's the law for it to be a minimum of 16 degrees in an office. I'm pretty sure it's not in mine. I've got a coat on and my typing speed is slowing down my hands are so cold.
What do I do - do I have a right to go home? Is there a whistleblowers helpline I can ring? it would please me greatly if I could get a smug government clipboard waver to come round with a thermometer and close the office down on health and safety grounds.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 23 December, 2013, 11:29:58 am
Sorry, Ben, it isn't 'the law'. It is advisory.

Sounds good to me, anyway. I'll swap you 24C for 16C anyday.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 23 December, 2013, 11:33:31 am
Quote from: mrcharly on 23 December, 2013, 11:29:58 am
Sounds good to me, anyway. I'll swap you 24C for 16C anyday.
Done.
It's bloody freezing here today. I'm almost tempted to fire off something hideously computationally intensive on my server farm just to warm things up a bit.

I normally tolerate cooler temperatures pretty well, but I'm really feeling it today - my feet feel colder than usual, which probably means that there's some violation of the Laws of Thermodynamics going on at ground level.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Euan Uzami on 23 December, 2013, 12:22:26 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 23 December, 2013, 11:29:58 am
Sorry, Ben, it isn't 'the law'. It is advisory.

Sounds good to me, anyway. I'll swap you 24C for 16C anyday.
don't know about you but if it was 24C here I could just open the window.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 23 December, 2013, 12:24:52 pm
As soon as the sun gets round our side of the building we hit the high 20s/low 30s even in November. That's with every window in the place open, as they can only do so much.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 23 December, 2013, 12:36:45 pm
Quote from: interzen on 23 December, 2013, 11:33:31 am
Quote from: mrcharly on 23 December, 2013, 11:29:58 am
Sounds good to me, anyway. I'll swap you 24C for 16C anyday.
Done.
It's bloody freezing here today. I'm almost tempted to fire off something hideously computationally intensive on my server farm just to warm things up a bit.


HCF FTW
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 23 December, 2013, 12:49:24 pm
Quote from: Ben T on 23 December, 2013, 10:56:40 am
so it's the law for it to be a minimum of 16 degrees in an office. I'm pretty sure it's not in mine. I've got a coat on and my typing speed is slowing down my hands are so cold.
What do I do - do I have a right to go home? Is there a whistleblowers helpline I can ring? it would please me greatly if I could get a smug government clipboard waver to come round with a thermometer and close the office down on health and safety grounds.
Union. Workplace H&S officer. H&SE. They're more likely to bring in heaters than send you all home though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 23 December, 2013, 01:55:59 pm
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 23 December, 2013, 12:49:24 pm
Quote from: Ben T on 23 December, 2013, 10:56:40 am
so it's the law for it to be a minimum of 16 degrees in an office. I'm pretty sure it's not in mine. I've got a coat on and my typing speed is slowing down my hands are so cold.
What do I do - do I have a right to go home? Is there a whistleblowers helpline I can ring? it would please me greatly if I could get a smug government clipboard waver to come round with a thermometer and close the office down on health and safety grounds.
Union. Workplace H&S officer. H&SE. They're more likely to bring in heaters than send you all home though.

Bonus points for plugging all the heaters into the same phase, thobut.  Then everyone gets to go home, except for whoever was unfortunate enough to be using the lift, and the man from the electricity board.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 23 December, 2013, 02:22:21 pm
Quote from: Kim on 23 December, 2013, 01:55:59 pm

Bonus points for plugging all the heaters into the same phase, thobut.  Then everyone gets to go home, except for whoever was unfortunate enough to be using the lift, and the man from the electricity board.

Ferzackally what happened at our place last winter.   :thumbsup: ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 23 December, 2013, 04:06:57 pm
Quote from: Polar Bear on 14 December, 2013, 11:23:40 am
O2,

FFS, sort it out.  When you kno that you're not entitled to the money and you tell me today that you intend to take it anyway in 14 days, why do you think that I think that you are thieving scum?

Perhaps I should instruct my bank not to honour the DD as it is not for the correct amount?

I grinked O2.   Somewhat to my surprise and their credit they have done the right thing.

Thank you and well done O2.    :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 23 December, 2013, 04:11:48 pm
I'm heading home soon. Blowing a gale out there, absolutely knackered already.

I expect to find 7 people in the house. One of them will have been shopping and cooking during the afternoon.

On arriving home there is a high chance they will expect me to leap into action and produce dinner for 8.

I don't feel like going home, tbh.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 23 December, 2013, 04:41:54 pm
I'm stuck at Stowmarket station.
Greater Anglia, you're so Great.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 27 December, 2013, 11:16:28 pm
Bloody old inner tube. How the hell did you manage it? Survive without any holes until your valve seat is perished enough that after I patched the holes you got from Mrs B's share of that Lambrini bottle & put you back on her back wheel, your thrice-cursed valve seat blew out while I was pumping you up.  :facepalm:

Yeah, you were sitting around for years before being put in that tyre, but why didn't you split before I'd wasted time & patches on you? You had chances.

Git.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 27 December, 2013, 11:40:19 pm
Bloody hell.  It's easy to forget what it's like having two boys in the house.  (Well, boys in their late 20s now)
You've enjoyed their company and felt warm in observing their geeky catch up chat together - not a word of which you've understood.  You leave them to it, and turn in, secure in the knowledge that you have at least the equivalent of a loaf and a half in various breads, half a turkey carcass, most of a ham............

 :facepalm:

I'll leave it there.  You know where this is going.   ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 28 December, 2013, 08:25:42 pm
The Pasty Shop at Newcastle station - £3.70 for a veggie pasty? SRSLY?  :o
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nicknack on 29 December, 2013, 05:00:02 pm
Quote from: Basil on 27 December, 2013, 11:40:19 pm
Bloody hell.  It's easy to forget what it's like having two boys in the house.  (Well, boys in their late 20s now)
You've enjoyed their company and felt warm in observing their geeky catch up chat together - not a word of which you've understood.  You leave them to it, and turn in, secure in the knowledge that you have at least the equivalent of a loaf and a half in various breads, half a turkey carcass, most of a ham............

 :facepalm:

I'll leave it there.  You know where this is going.   ::-)

You also think you've got plenty of beer in.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pedaldog. on 29 December, 2013, 11:24:38 pm
BAD EYESIGHT IDIOT!  That Bottle of "Banana Brewed Beer" was actually "Banana BREAD Beer" and the closest to a nanananana was the thought "When do I taste the Banana?
Nice enough brew but not what I wanted!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 30 December, 2013, 12:14:09 am
I quite like the banana bread beer but you're right, it doesn't taste like bananas. More like banana-flavoured sweets.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: billplumtree on 30 December, 2013, 08:06:23 pm
I've just been let down by Penelope Wilton  :'(

I was really looking forward to hearing the short play, Hester, on Radio 4 tonight, mostly because it was to be narrated by Penelope Wilton.  Let's face it, she could read the Huddersfield telephone directory out loud and I'm sure I wouldn't be the only one who would pay to hear it.  I mean, come on.  But now she's betrayed me:  I was shocked (and awed, but not in a good way) to hear the tale of the downfall of a Cheshire bank being told by a flat-vowelled Penelope  :o  Penelope Wilton, saying Masster rather than Marster.  I think the world just tilted a little bit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 31 December, 2013, 10:41:37 am
I could be locked up in a cave in a jungle and know that today is new year's eve. How? I have woken with flu like symptoms, again!

Bodfy, sort yourself out...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 31 December, 2013, 10:51:29 am
Quote from: billplumtree on 30 December, 2013, 08:06:23 pm
I've just been let down by Penelope Wilton  :'(

Penelope Wilton, saying Masster rather than Marster.  I think the world just tilted a little bit.
Exactly how it should be said. Especially if referring to someone in and from Cheshire. My grumble is that we in the west midlands region; 90% "masster" sayers, get the inappropriate "marster" pronunciation foisted on us by BBC Midlands Today presenters.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 31 December, 2013, 09:35:59 pm
Of all the times for the shower isolation switch to play silly buggers, when do you think will be the most inconvenient?

Yup, tonight...  ::-)

Fortunately, the simple expedient of disassembly and reassembly appears to have worked, but it's time that I would rather have not wasted.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: R_nger on 01 January, 2014, 12:22:40 am
I blame myself, I fancied a quiet New Year's Eve in.... and I am punished with 'kin Gary Barlow...duetting with himself. Does he ever do stuff he didn't write himself ?  Happy New Year all Take That fans.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 01 January, 2014, 10:57:01 am
Fireworks at midnight?  Oh, alright then; it's a new thing and (other) people like new things, it's not very much worse than church bells and it is very nearly the end of what passes for Saturnalia these days and I'm not such a killjoy that I'd want to stop some harmless fun.  However; fireworks at intermittent intervals for the next hour or two afterwards?  No, that's _not_ on.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 01 January, 2014, 11:10:48 am
Well then you shouldn't pop over to Denmark for a new years trip, UK fireworks is very tame compared to DK. Starts a few weeks before goes on for a week or so after, think a war zone on the night. My folks just told me that they had to control the sale of fireworks, because of the mad use.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 01 January, 2014, 12:05:00 pm
Right can someone please kick the jet stream back into it's normal position? I'm getting sick and fed up of the continual stream of storms and would like to get some decent rides/hikes in. :(

According to the Mountain Weather Information service: -
Quote
Planning Outlook for all mountain areas from Thursday, 2nd January, 2014

Little change in the overall pattern for 10 days or so. Atlantic lows, sometimes intense, will continue to give bouts of severe upland gales or even storm force winds and total precipitation will be considerable, particularly on western mountains.

Wonderful! ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 04 January, 2014, 02:31:29 pm
Retro: can we just get back from it now? Enough already! Stop! Let's go forwards!

Today as we were walking to a celebratory lunch, we pass a church that is holding a "retro fair". Then we get to the place and it calls itself "Art Deco lounge" - but its idea of deco is chipped enamel and school photos from the 70s. And the food wasn't that special either - but the portions were big. It's all well and good to appreciate the best of the past but sometimes I just want to be in the present.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 04 January, 2014, 07:48:30 pm
Tired? check
Unwell? check
Brain playing silly buggers with me? oh yuss...

I have no idea where I have put a) my Garmin 705 and b) a pair of PowerRace Phantom 2 glasses :(

Fingers crossed I have left them in Cambridge, if not then I am in for an expensive week :( :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 04 January, 2014, 09:01:57 pm
Went out to eat last night, the menu was pretty limiting with only 1 veggie main, or a salad. Only one meat eater in the party.

There was a beer that sounded interesting, but the menu didn't say what size, so I asked the waitress.

- It's like, um, a bottle.
- Yes, what size? 330 ml or 500 ml?
- Um, like a lager bottle. I could go and find out?

Beer arrives, it's 500ml. The glass is 330 ml. It's bottle conditioned.
- Be careful pouring, there's a sediment.  ::-)

The bottle says "Best Before (date in the past)"
- Sorry, but this beer is out of date
- No it's not, that's just best before, not sell by
- Really? So the beer's past its best? I'd really prefer a beer that wasn't!
- Sorry, I've just been told to say that, I'll take it off your bill.  :facepalm:

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 05 January, 2014, 10:38:31 am
Yesterdays tickly throat & occasional sneeze is all grown up now.      One nasal passage seems entirely blocked and the back of my throat is sore & inflamed  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruth on 05 January, 2014, 10:47:35 am
Quote from: andrewc on 05 January, 2014, 10:38:31 am
Yesterdays tickly throat & occasional sneeze is all grown up now.      One nasal passage seems entirely blocked and the back of my throat is sore & inflamed  :(

You seem to have sent it down the Intertubes to me andrew.  Thanks a lot.   ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 05 January, 2014, 10:54:52 am
And to us! All three of us have come down with it :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 05 January, 2014, 04:26:35 pm
So, over the xmas period I bought 3 lights to replace some wall lights I don't like. 3 arrived, they have plaster shades and one of these was broken. Took it back last week. Collected the replacement and asked big bro if he would fit them for me.
So we duly take one of the old light down - I unwrap the first light to be installed only to find that the fitting itself has broken. Not that impressed so far.
Never mind, says I, let's press on with another and I'll take this one back to the shop on the way to the pubbeh later.
So looks at the next fitting, the Choc block for wiring it all up sits proud of the rear of the fitting by some way - meaning that to fit this would involve sawing a chunk out of the wall. There was no mention on the instructions which I read on the net before buying, of any need to be cutting chunks out of walls.
Having already had 2 out of 4 lights buggered before I've even done anything to them, I say sod this for a game of soldiers, put the old light back on the wall, go to the pub and I'll take the whole lot back on the way.
Sigh.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 05 January, 2014, 04:28:45 pm
Quote from: tiermat on 04 January, 2014, 07:48:30 pm
Tired? check
Unwell? check
Brain playing silly buggers with me? oh yuss...

I have no idea where I have put a) my Garmin 705 and b) a pair of PowerRace Phantom 2 glasses :(

Fingers crossed I have left them in Cambridge, if not then I am in for an expensive week :( :(

Now both found, I suspect the late MiL.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruth on 05 January, 2014, 04:38:18 pm
Ran out of milk again  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 05 January, 2014, 05:11:04 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 05 January, 2014, 10:38:31 am
Yesterdays tickly throat & occasional sneeze is all grown up now.      One nasal passage seems entirely blocked and the back of my throat is sore & inflamed  :(
Been there, done that.
I took me 5-6 days to get over the worst of it1 (just before Christmas) although some of the residual snottiness still hasn't shifted (seems to be worse when I'm ragging it on the turbo or something similarly strenuous)

1 - YMMV, depending on the state of your immune system and proximity to other plague bearerssufferers
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 06 January, 2014, 01:59:36 am
I've got to go back to work today and I'm still awake. :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 06 January, 2014, 02:03:58 am
Quote from: mcshroom on 06 January, 2014, 01:59:36 am
I've got to go back to work today and I'm still awake. :(

You and barakta.

She went to bed earleir, but as is frequently the case, she woke up hungry.  Now sat on the floor beside me eating porridge.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cycleman on 06 January, 2014, 08:06:33 am
I have had no sleep at all last night and have been trundling around slough on my electric buggy .first to the hospital which had a 4 hour wait to be seen so they sujested going trough the emergency gp .saw him around 04.30 but he was not able to do anything and the problem is keeping me awake  :(. so now I will try the daytime surgery  ::-). I hate being ill  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 06 January, 2014, 08:30:32 am
I slept really badly; didn't get to sleep till after 3, tossed and turned all bloody night and am now up.  I would mind less but I really can't cope with sleep deprivation while taking amitriptyline, it just makes me stupid which I don't need today as I'm giving a lecture at 11am. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cycleman on 06 January, 2014, 08:42:11 am
Hope you feel better soon barakta .lack of sleep is aweful  :'(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 06 January, 2014, 09:11:34 am
I shall run on extra caffeine!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 06 January, 2014, 10:02:53 am
Sent an email saying I was in sick , it went into the team leaders junk mail so he phoned up to see why I wasn't in work.  Woke me up  >:(

Throat still very sore and feeling pretty run down.     Tea and some chocolate truffles are making me feel more human,
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cycleman on 06 January, 2014, 06:59:55 pm
Still up   :o :'( my plumbing is still keeping me awake but the doctor has giving me some antibiotics to try so I hope that tomorrow will be an improvement  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Butterfly on 06 January, 2014, 07:03:34 pm
Hope you feel better soon, cycleman.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 06 January, 2014, 08:10:33 pm
This morning I was rudely awakened by tinnitus about 30 minutes before the alarm.

I then proceeded to have a massive sneezing fit.  I didn't really think anything of it, as I'm allergic to mornings, and the snot subsided once I got out of bed.

Then barakta got home from work, and I discovered that I'd lost my voice.


Pah!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 07 January, 2014, 01:32:12 pm
Just had to go out for a bit.  Post office, train station, shop.

I fell like I've been walking all day and am sleepy.  Got rained on as well.

If I'm not better by the weekend the tickets I've just been to collect will be wasted  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 07 January, 2014, 04:49:20 pm
Sky got the ability to put a nice little emblem on their website saying that it is the website of the year 2013. But can't tell me what my next bill is, due this month, can only tell me the last bill due the 27th of December 2013!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Lady Cavendish on 07 January, 2014, 04:58:34 pm
Feeling very yuk this afternoon, hot, cold, aching, need to lie down, the works. And we have Date Night at a Posh Place tonight I really want to enjoy my dinner :(

And this 5 day week thing is all a bit of a shock isn't it?!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Dibdib on 07 January, 2014, 06:54:33 pm
2,300kcal for a 20km moderate (16kph) bike ride? Endomondo, are you on crack?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 07 January, 2014, 07:08:37 pm
Quote from: Polar Bear on 23 December, 2013, 04:06:57 pm
Quote from: Polar Bear on 14 December, 2013, 11:23:40 am
O2,

FFS, sort it out.  When you kno that you're not entitled to the money and you tell me today that you intend to take it anyway in 14 days, why do you think that I think that you are thieving scum?

Perhaps I should instruct my bank not to honour the DD as it is not for the correct amount?

I grinked O2.   Somewhat to my surprise and their credit they have done the right thing.

Thank you and well done O2.    :thumbsup:

As you were.

The cockwombles have not only failed in their promises but threatened me with measures / legal action for a debt of, wait for it ...  ...  ...   -£5.00    That's right, they've threatened me with legal action for them owing me money.

Can't wait for them to cut me off.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jacomus on 07 January, 2014, 07:15:36 pm
Quote from: Polar Bear on 07 January, 2014, 07:08:37 pm
Quote from: Polar Bear on 23 December, 2013, 04:06:57 pm
Quote from: Polar Bear on 14 December, 2013, 11:23:40 am
O2,

FFS, sort it out.  When you kno that you're not entitled to the money and you tell me today that you intend to take it anyway in 14 days, why do you think that I think that you are thieving scum?

Perhaps I should instruct my bank not to honour the DD as it is not for the correct amount?

I grinked O2.   Somewhat to my surprise and their credit they have done the right thing.

Thank you and well done O2.    :thumbsup:

As you were.

The cockwombles have not only failed in their promises but threatened me with measures / legal action for a debt of, wait for it ...  ...  ...   -£5.00    That's right, they've threatened me with legal action for them owing me money.

Can't wait for them to cut me off.

Dear O2,

Bring it.

Regards,
Your creditor

 ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jacomus on 07 January, 2014, 07:17:28 pm
Quote from: Lady Cavendish on 07 January, 2014, 04:58:34 pm
Feeling very yuk this afternoon, hot, cold, aching, need to lie down, the works. And we have Date Night at a Posh Place tonight I really want to enjoy my dinner :(

And this 5 day week thing is all a bit of a shock isn't it?!

Good luck Lady C
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Dibdib on 07 January, 2014, 09:10:24 pm
Quote from: Dibdib on 07 January, 2014, 06:54:33 pm
2,300kcal for a 20km moderate (16kph) bike ride? Endomondo, are you on crack?

Follow-up grumble... In hindsight I really wish I'd bought the eTrex 30 (which can apparently talk to a HRM strap) instead of the cheaper 20 (which can't). Meh. *headdesk*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 08 January, 2014, 07:34:32 am
Due to the idiot Corsa driver parking in my boot on Monday I now have pain in:
1) Left shoulder
2) Right shoulder
3) right thigh
4) abdomen

2 & 3 should be expected (due to seat belt and brake pedal), but 1? 4 is maybe related to the bump, or the stress, due to my pre-existing condition.

I have no mojo for cycling with :(

In good news, the other party has accepted full liability (how could he not?), but in bad news that means I am being bombarded by phone calls by his Ambulance Chasers.  Do you really really think I am going to settle for £6.5K without me having even seen a doc? REALLY?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cycleman on 08 January, 2014, 09:10:36 am
Update on my grumble . Diagnosed with bladder problems back to  doctors this morning for a referral to a urologist  :'(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 08 January, 2014, 09:36:51 am
Diagnosis is a good step forward towards treatment.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 08 January, 2014, 10:54:25 am
Quote from: Dibdib on 07 January, 2014, 09:10:24 pm
Quote from: Dibdib on 07 January, 2014, 06:54:33 pm
2,300kcal for a 20km moderate (16kph) bike ride? Endomondo, are you on crack?

Follow-up grumble... In hindsight I really wish I'd bought the eTrex 30 (which can apparently talk to a HRM strap) instead of the cheaper 20 (which can't). Meh. *headdesk*
You can get HRM which talk to your phone via bluetooth.

I have a Zephyr (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Zephyr-Bluetooth-Smart-Monitor-iPhone/dp/B009XDTN80/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1389178267&sr=8-1&keywords=zephyr+hxm) and Chris uses a Polar (http://www.amazon.co.uk/POLAR-Bluetooth-WearLink-92043574-Chest/dp/B007XCXOEC/ref=pd_sim_sbs_d_6). This one (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bluetooth-Compatible-Endomondo-Runtastic-RunKeeper/dp/B00C2TL63M/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1389178267&sr=8-6&keywords=zephyr+hxm) is proper cheap.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Dibdib on 08 January, 2014, 01:08:02 pm
Quote from: fboab on 08 January, 2014, 10:54:25 am
Quote from: Dibdib on 07 January, 2014, 09:10:24 pm
Quote from: Dibdib on 07 January, 2014, 06:54:33 pm
2,300kcal for a 20km moderate (16kph) bike ride? Endomondo, are you on crack?

Follow-up grumble... In hindsight I really wish I'd bought the eTrex 30 (which can apparently talk to a HRM strap) instead of the cheaper 20 (which can't). Meh. *headdesk*
You can get HRM which talk to your phone via bluetooth.

I have a Zephyr (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Zephyr-Bluetooth-Smart-Monitor-iPhone/dp/B009XDTN80/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1389178267&sr=8-1&keywords=zephyr+hxm) and Chris uses a Polar (http://www.amazon.co.uk/POLAR-Bluetooth-WearLink-92043574-Chest/dp/B007XCXOEC/ref=pd_sim_sbs_d_6). This one (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bluetooth-Compatible-Endomondo-Runtastic-RunKeeper/dp/B00C2TL63M/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1389178267&sr=8-6&keywords=zephyr+hxm) is proper cheap.

Hmm, I don't know... I'd really prefer not to start using my phone for this, iPhone battery life is dreadful enough without running the GPS and Bluetooth.

I think I'll wait and see what delayed-bonus-santa brings in the spring, and decide whether I can afford to buy an eTrex 30 and try to sell the 20 on here. In the interim, Strava's calorie estimates seem a lot more reasonable (approx 350kcal/hour), it's just a pain to manually correct it in Fitbit. (#firstworldproblems ;))
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 08 January, 2014, 01:29:41 pm
I'd agree, and only really use it (for cycling) if riding <100km. I do however use it for running, rowing, and lifting weights, too, and I'd never use a garmin for those.

The real question is do you even need a HRM? What are you doing with all this data you're collecting? Is it actually helping you achieve your goals? Do you really need to know how many calories you're theoretically burning from exercise, because frankly, they pale into insignificance against the calories you burn from just breathing, and there's such a huge variation between individuals you might as well make it up, they're all pretty much guesses.

Disclaimer: Me, I just love the stats.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 08 January, 2014, 03:15:30 pm
Unless you're actually doing intervals or something, the main use for a HRM seems to be as an indicator of impending lurgy.

Not that I'd ever belittle graphpr0n, of course.


(FWIW, I have an eTrex30 and a HRM, and it works pretty well.  I think it can do cadence too.  But if you ever want to use a power sensor, it may be worth considering the Edge.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 08 January, 2014, 03:37:54 pm
IIRC you also used it as a measure of when you were calmed down enough to continue after the deer-strike on the way to Scarborough Kim :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 08 January, 2014, 03:48:28 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 08 January, 2014, 03:37:54 pm
IIRC you also used it as a measure of when you were calmed down enough to continue after the deer-strike on the way to Scarborough Kim :)

Ohgod.  Yes.  Very handy.

(The Garmin took the brunt of the deer strike, too.  Can't imagine an iPhone doing that without damage.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 08 January, 2014, 03:59:42 pm
Quote from: tiermat on 08 January, 2014, 07:34:32 am
Due to the idiot Corsa driver parking in my boot on Monday I now have pain in:
1) Left shoulder
2) Right shoulder
3) right thigh
4) abdomen

2 & 3 should be expected (due to seat belt and brake pedal), but 1? 4 is maybe related to the bump, or the stress, due to my pre-existing condition.

I have no mojo for cycling with :(

In good news, the other party has accepted full liability (how could he not?), but in bad news that means I am being bombarded by phone calls by his Ambulance Chasers.  Do you really really think I am going to settle for £6.5K without me having even seen a doc? REALLY?

OUCH!!!   GWS Tiermat.

Do you have legal assistance with your insurance?   If so make it work for you.  Oh, and as you rightly say, no settling before you know both your injuries and actual quantifiable losses - a hie car is extremely expensive ... 

Best of luck.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 08 January, 2014, 04:03:25 pm
Yep.  Get yourself checked out.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 08 January, 2014, 04:05:24 pm
Update on this, spoke to my insurer's legal eagles this morning and they are on the case.

Doctor's apt for 17:00 Friday, with my GP.

Do you think they'll get a shock when I tell them the daily rate for loss of earnings? :)

I still haven't checked the bike for damage...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Dibdib on 08 January, 2014, 04:25:23 pm
Quote from: Kim on 08 January, 2014, 03:15:30 pm
Unless you're actually doing intervals or something, the main use for a HRM seems to be as an indicator of impending lurgy.

Not that I'd ever belittle graphpr0n, of course.


(FWIW, I have an eTrex30 and a HRM, and it works pretty well.  I think it can do cadence too.  But if you ever want to use a power sensor, it may be worth considering the Edge.)

99% geek curiosity and internet-of-things graphpr0n, along with 1% a concerted effort to shift the flab this year - both with "proper training" like intervals, and general lifestyle-monitoring. I've got a Fitbit to (semi-)accurately measure general moving-about calories, and MyFitnessPal to (semi-)accurately monitor how many I eat, so the missing gap is how many I burn doing exercise.

(also, I'm somewhat-seriously considering LEL 2017 and seeing as I've got 25kgs to shift beforehand I reckon I need to start sorting myself out now.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 08 January, 2014, 05:28:28 pm
Quote from: tiermat on 08 January, 2014, 04:05:24 pm
I still haven't checked the bike for damage...
If the bike's damaged I shall personally hunt down and kill the perpetrator - that thing's a work of pipe-welding art.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jaded on 08 January, 2014, 05:45:14 pm
Quote from: tiermat on 08 January, 2014, 04:05:24 pm
Update on this, spoke to my insurer's legal eagles this morning and they are on the case.

Doctor's apt for 17:00 Friday, with my GP.

Do you think they'll get a shock when I tell them the daily rate for loss of earnings? :)

I still haven't checked the bike for damage...

Make sure they are well versed in personal injury cases, not just injuries to a car.

Only settle when you are absolutely sure there are no lingering effects not yet identified.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 08 January, 2014, 05:57:01 pm
A nephew of mine was injured in a car accident in 2005.   They offered £5k at the outset.   The final settlement reached last year, out of court, was 20 times the original offer.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 08 January, 2014, 08:27:04 pm
Dara O'Brien! Call yourself a physicist? Degrees frikkin what?!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 08 January, 2014, 08:43:52 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 08 January, 2014, 08:27:04 pm
Dara O'Brien! Call yourself a physicist? Degrees frikkin what?!

Lasers?   ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 08 January, 2014, 09:10:10 pm
Degrees frikkin lasersCelcius. New unit!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 08 January, 2014, 09:34:13 pm
Printer: yes, I know that you are out of cyan, magenta and yellow ink, but seeing as I have instructed you to print in black ink only, why are you being a dick and churning out blank pages? Fucker.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 08 January, 2014, 11:21:04 pm
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 08 January, 2014, 09:34:13 pm
Printer: yes, I know that you are out of cyan, magenta and yellow ink, but seeing as I have instructed you to print in black ink only, why are you being a dick and churning out blank pages? Fucker.

http://theoatmeal.com/comics/printers refers
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 09 January, 2014, 07:14:53 am
Quote from: interzen on 08 January, 2014, 05:28:28 pm
Quote from: tiermat on 08 January, 2014, 04:05:24 pm
I still haven't checked the bike for damage...
If the bike's damaged I shall personally hunt down and kill the perpetrator - that thing's a work of pipe-welding art.

You will have to join the queue, I am afraid...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 09 January, 2014, 07:50:19 am
Dear The Bastard Broadcasting Company.

There was a time (recently) when I could look forward to being able to sit and read on a Wednesday evening without the soul destroying annoyance of Eastenders wittering away in the background as SWMBO lets herself down by watching :sick:

What is all this bollocks of 5 days a week Eastenders? Is this a permanant move?

Bastards  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 09 January, 2014, 08:16:27 am
When I finally manage to escape this place (which may be in May, may be next year, may be sooner) I will dance a little happy dance.

Why?

Because I won't have to deal with the A14 for a while (not until the next contract that brings me to the flatlands).

I am sat at my desk, looking over said road and, once again, the traffic is queued due to an accident (just seen a fleet of polis cars go past and an ambulance)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 09 January, 2014, 02:49:45 pm
Trying to help a couple of people who got tablet computers for Christmas.  Didn't come with printed manuals.  The manuals are on the tablets.  The owners need the manual to know how to use the manual!

(Found user guides on the internet via laptop in the end).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 09 January, 2014, 07:04:47 pm
Quote from: Biggsy on 09 January, 2014, 02:49:45 pm
Trying to help a couple of people who got tablet computers for Christmas.  Didn't come with printed manuals.  The manuals are on the tablets.  The owners need the manual to know how to use the manual!

Did they not come with a sheet of paper explaining how to bootstrap the process?

"Insert SIM like [image] [image] [image].  Plug it in for a few hours [image], press the on switch [image], follow the on-screen instructions.  To get at the PDF manual in a dozen different languages, click on the icon that looks like [image] that should appear on the home screen." sort of thing?  Bit stupid if it doesn't.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 09 January, 2014, 11:01:00 pm
They said they came with no instructions at all.  I wasn't at their homes to check their bins.

I started to get the hang of the tablets myself, but only had a limited time.  One Kindle Fire HD and one Samsung Something.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 10 January, 2014, 01:28:32 pm
My family name isn't difficult: hell its only 5 letters long. So how comes, local council, you managed to spell it incorrectly and differently three times in the same letter?!  :facepalm:

Can't say I am impressed as none of your attempts came close!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 10 January, 2014, 01:46:51 pm
Two nights of bad sleep and I'm a wreck - a major downside of the meds I'm about to try stopping is I cannot manage on lack of sleep. 

So when I booked a taxi to get me into work (it was that or email in sick) I got hung up on twice cos the idiots have forgotten how to use TextRelay.  One grink duly dispatched!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 10 January, 2014, 02:21:16 pm
Affinity Water are trying to sell me Water Supply Pipe Cover insurance. It costs £12 for the first year and you conveniently (for them) sign a Direct Debit to pay for this.
I can see no indication on the paperwork as to what would be charged next year, apart from some waffly wording.

We Are Not Amused
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 10 January, 2014, 06:56:42 pm
Quote from: Biggsy on 09 January, 2014, 11:01:00 pm
They said they came with no instructions at all.  I wasn't at their homes to check their bins.

I started to get the hang of the tablets myself, but only had a limited time.  One Kindle Fire HD and one Samsung Something.
Isn't this webby thing that we're using to communicate handy for this sort of instructiony stuff?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 10 January, 2014, 07:33:29 pm
Quote from: Bledlow on 10 January, 2014, 06:56:42 pm
Isn't this webby thing that we're using to communicate handy for this sort of instructiony stuff?

The users need the manual to get on the web to get the manual!  (Don't assume they already have another computer, let alone one they know how to use well enough).  Thousands or millions of parents and grandparents with limited tech-know were given tablets this Christmas.  Look out for jumble sale bargains in the Spring.  :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Lady Cavendish on 11 January, 2014, 07:16:16 pm
Went out for a 3 hour ride this morning. Was awful. Slow, dead legs, awful. Plus so many roads round here are shut as the Thames is all over them.

Now I think the reason it was so bad is because in a 2 hour period I've gone from fine to impending girlflu and can't really move.

(Although I don't think my new tyres helped much, swapped Schwalbe ultremos for some bontrager puncture proof winter ones. They felt like I was riding a tractor- can tyres make that much difference?)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 12 January, 2014, 04:37:45 am
New Brooks Blues :(

That is all.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 12 January, 2014, 09:57:38 pm
Quote from: Biggsy on 10 January, 2014, 07:33:29 pm
Quote from: Bledlow on 10 January, 2014, 06:56:42 pm
Isn't this webby thing that we're using to communicate handy for this sort of instructiony stuff?

The users need the manual to get on the web to get the manual!  (Don't assume they already have another computer, let alone one they know how to use well enough).  Thousands or millions of parents and grandparents with limited tech-know were given tablets this Christmas.  Look out for jumble sale bargains in the Spring.  :demon:
Ooooh, goody goody goody! Mrs B would probably rather like a tablet.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 13 January, 2014, 11:02:17 am
Quote from: Lady Cavendish on 11 January, 2014, 07:16:16 pm
(Although I don't think my new tyres helped much, swapped Schwalbe ultremos for some bontrager puncture proof winter ones. They felt like I was riding a tractor- can tyres make that much difference?)

Did you pump them up?

 ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 13 January, 2014, 11:13:59 am
A chunk of filling has dropped out of a back molar leaving a nasty jagged hole.   Dentist can't give me an appointment until next Tuesday   :(        Luckily it's not hurting.....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrew Br on 13 January, 2014, 03:54:23 pm
Quote from: Biggsy on 10 January, 2014, 07:33:29 pm
Thousands or millions of parents and grandparents with limited tech-know were given tablets this Christmas.  Look out for jumble sale bargains in the Spring.  :demon:

They'll probaby have tea-cup marks on them.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 13 January, 2014, 05:39:02 pm
Kidney stones. 'Nuff said  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 13 January, 2014, 06:48:40 pm
Ouch! I hear those are NASTY.  Get well soon and hope the pain stops soonest.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 13 January, 2014, 06:56:28 pm
Quote from: barakta on 13 January, 2014, 06:48:40 pm
Ouch! I hear those are NASTY.  Get well soon and hope the pain stops soonest.
Whilst I'm not peeing lumps just yet, it is bloody uncomfortable and the earliest I can see the doctor is Wednesday  ::-)

Apparently diabetics are more prone to kidney stones on account of their urine being slightly more acidic than normal (for a given value of 'normal') which in turn is more conducive to the formation of uric acid-based stones.

Interim advice is 'pee through a tea strainer and see if you can catch one'

Which is nice(!)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 13 January, 2014, 07:30:29 pm
Is catching them useful in itself or is it more that if you catch one you know it's not inside you anymore?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 13 January, 2014, 07:40:26 pm
Bugger! BBC iPlayer will not stream over a 3G connection. I had an hour to spare to catch up on The Bridge, seeing as I only recorded the last 24 mins for some unknown reason. Now I shall YACF to my heart's content.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 13 January, 2014, 07:42:43 pm
Quote from: Ashaman42 on 13 January, 2014, 07:30:29 pm
Is catching them useful in itself or is it more that if you catch one you know it's not inside you anymore?
Apparently, if I catch one it can be sent off for analysis to see what type of stone it is (uric acid, oxalate, something else etc.etc.) - presumably this will have some bearing on the course of any treatment.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Chris S on 13 January, 2014, 08:02:18 pm
Quote from: interzen on 13 January, 2014, 06:56:28 pm
Interim advice is 'pee through a tea strainer and see if you can catch one'

If ever we meet and you offer me a beverage - I'll have a coffee :).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 14 January, 2014, 01:48:19 pm
Uncomfortable?  You must have a higher pain threshold than me.

Left me on the floor unable to do anything. Never actually noticed passing a stone, but several times have peed what looked like straight pure blood, dark red and starting to clot.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 14 January, 2014, 02:05:41 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 14 January, 2014, 01:48:19 pm
Uncomfortable?  You must have a higher pain threshold than me.
That was then.
It sure as hell wasn't in A&E at 4am this morning ... I feel like I've passed Gibraltar through my pee-hole. Complete with monkeys.

(Visit to GP tomorrow, looking at ultrasound followed by ESWL as the stones are evidently uric acid-based)


Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 14 January, 2014, 02:11:16 pm
In addition, "pee through a tea strainer" is probably the best bit of medical advice I've had. Ever.

I now feel the need to purchase a lightweight racing titanium or carbon-fibre tea strainer ...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 14 January, 2014, 02:46:22 pm
Ouch!  Flashbacks!

Hope it subsides.  Mine just went eventually.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 14 January, 2014, 02:46:43 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 14 January, 2014, 01:48:19 pm
but several times have peed what looked like straight pure blood, dark red and starting to clot.

It's when you pee blood like that, stop peeing, and the blood keeps coming that's really unnerving.

Fortunately I was in a hospital at the time.  The nurse acted quickly and ran to get ...some tesco value jumbo-sized sanitary towels, and a mop.  "Well, that's okay then.   ???" I thought.  (The floor was unharmed and the bleeding did stop after a while.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 14 January, 2014, 02:52:02 pm
Quote from: interzen on 14 January, 2014, 02:05:41 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 14 January, 2014, 01:48:19 pm
Uncomfortable?  You must have a higher pain threshold than me.
That was then.
It sure as hell wasn't in A&E at 4am this morning ... I feel like I've passed Gibraltar through my pee-hole. Complete with monkeys.

(Visit to GP tomorrow, looking at ultrasound followed by ESWL as the stones are evidently uric acid-based)

"Lots of liquids, take paracetomol and ibuprofen." 
Standard advice. They missed off "Try not to scream through gritted teeth. Take care on stairs as you may feel dizzy or keel over. You will feel the need to pee constantly. Being kicked in the balls will at times seem to be a preferable experience."
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TimC on 14 January, 2014, 02:56:50 pm
Quote from: interzen on 14 January, 2014, 02:05:41 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 14 January, 2014, 01:48:19 pm
Uncomfortable?  You must have a higher pain threshold than me.
That was then.
It sure as hell wasn't in A&E at 4am this morning ... I feel like I've passed Gibraltar through my pee-hole. Complete with monkeys.

(Visit to GP tomorrow, looking at ultrasound followed by ESWL as the stones are evidently uric acid-based)




I had to visit an A&E in China when I had a kidney stone. The symptoms rendered me pretty much helpless, not aided by the Chinese doctor's empathetic diagnostic technique of a light sucker punch to my right lower back! Twelve hours of a strong saline drip and frequent visits to the toilet sorted it, but it was probably the worst night of my life.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Chris S on 14 January, 2014, 03:08:31 pm
Worst night of your life, so far.

</homer simpson>

;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 14 January, 2014, 03:57:03 pm
On One seem to have a policy of annoying me.

They have just released a new CX bike, the PickenFlick.

It's Ti
It looks lovely
It's a decent price for a full bike.

Against:
The rear brake caliper is on the seat stay
No mudguard or rack eyes
I iz skint...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 14 January, 2014, 04:41:16 pm
Our cat had kidney stones.  It was heart breaking to see him in such pain, so we had him put down*.  Not that I'm saying Interzen should be put down!  :)  Human's have the advantage of knowing what the pain is.  Pain of the unknown is the worst kind of pain, innit?

(* Decades a ago.  I guess modern vet treatment might make this unnecessary these days).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TimC on 14 January, 2014, 05:55:05 pm
Quote from: Chris S on 14 January, 2014, 03:08:31 pm
Worst night of your life, so far.

</homer simpson>

;)

Indeed. And thank you for reminding me, Chris. Mustn't let morale get too high now, must we? ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Chris S on 14 January, 2014, 07:01:18 pm
Quote from: TimC on 14 January, 2014, 05:55:05 pm
Quote from: Chris S on 14 January, 2014, 03:08:31 pm
Worst night of your life, so far.

</homer simpson>

;)

Indeed. And thank you for reminding me, Chris. Mustn't let morale get too high now, must we? ;D

 Never mind - you could be back the simulator tonight. Oh wait... ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrew Br on 14 January, 2014, 11:02:21 pm
Quote from: tiermat on 14 January, 2014, 03:57:03 pm
On One seem to have a policy of annoying me.

They have just released a new CX bike, the PickenFlick.

It's Ti
It looks lovely
It's a decent price for a full bike.

Against:
The rear brake caliper is on the seat stay
No mudguard or rack eyes
I iz skint...

I saw the e-mail earlier and I thought of you  ;D

I've also got the same reservations about the bike.
Why there are no mudguard or rack eyes I can't imagine; they'd only add a few grammes but would increase its appeal markedly.



Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 15 January, 2014, 10:18:33 am
Too much pain to rant ....


SouthWestBloodyTrains please learn how to operate your railway. If there is one service in the morning out of London that Should not be only 4 Cars instead of the normal 8 it is the one that leaves Waterloo for Reading at 7:20. This train is the principle train for getting a significant number of pupils to at least three schools.

We had 5 bikes in vestibule in a standing room only train. I had to get off at a couple of stops to allow others to exit the train. Further I was unable sensibly park my mobility vehicle (bike) TM Kim and had to stand the whole way despite using a walking stick as I boarded the train. Seeing how I have been close to maxing out my Co-codamol intake for the last week anyway I have no head room for the consequences of this mornings commute.

 :'(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 15 January, 2014, 03:04:20 pm
Quote from: matthew on 15 January, 2014, 10:18:33 am
my mobility vehicle (bike) TM Kim

If you're playing that game, the magic words are "class 1 invalid carriage", assuming that the bike has been adapted (you've fitted something to hold walking sticks, right?) for use as a mobility aid by a disabled (your condition has or is likely to last more than 12 months) person .  At that point it should have the same legal status as a manual wheelchair, which means you're allowed to ride it on the pavement etc, but doesn't give you any special rights in terms of rail travel, where it will fall foul of their dimensional requirements for both wheelchairs and luggage, which means it's only getting on as a bicycle.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 15 January, 2014, 03:31:31 pm
All joking aside, unfortunately the walking stick straps to the top tube with no adaptation. Further the injury, whilst lasting for 10 years, has not been that much of a disabling constraint until recently and hopefully will be less of a constraint once I recover from the op at the end of this month.

It was more the frustration at not being able to park the bike and sit down simply because thay had only provided half a train for the busiest service of the morning in that dirrection. The reason being that by the time that train returns into London it is after the morning rush where as by running it at an earlier (less busy) time out of London it would catch a peak for the return journey.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 15 January, 2014, 09:00:09 pm
[lets out a deep breath] Tries to make a long story short...

Previous owner passed my name over to SSE  when we moved in back in June. Peli called them the very next day and told them that we have moved in. They couldn't let Peli do the paperwork because it was in my name but could cancel my name/account and set up an account in her name.

X months down the line, we get a bill for non paid gas in my name. Peli called up and found out that they have taken the money that we paid them but haven't added it to any account at all. We then moved to N-power which did do a great job, some delay from SSE, but we managed to change over.

We just got the finial bill, to whom we never paid anything under that name, from SSE : I'm in credit to the tune of £0.06 ... eh?

This faffing about, us calling up chatting to their staff and sending the letters out must have costs a fair bit, and now they credit me, ok only 6p, no wonder the power companies put put their prices.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 16 January, 2014, 10:30:09 am
Eventful journey into work this morning.  I just missed my planned train to Sutton to change.  Rather than wait for the next one and be late, I decided to cross the station and get a train to London Bridge, and then rush to work from there.  At West Croydon, with no warning, twelve carriages full of passengers were turfed off, with no trains heading into London. :(

I waited for a train back towards Sutton, and got the train an hour later than the one I'd intended to Elephant.  Two hours travelling on London's lovely networks. :(

Here's something that will solve the problem:

Quote
Southern Railway

    A broken down train was causing disruption between Sydenham and London Bridge. This has now been resolved and trains are able to run as normal - journeys between Sydenham and London Bridge may still be delayed by up to 50 minutes while services recover.

    Because of the knock-on impact this disruption is having, buses are replacing trains between Crowborough and Uckfield.

For those not familiar with the area, Uckfield is the last stop on the line, in deepest Sussex, and Crowborough (actually Jarvis Brook) station is the next one along.  Trains are roughly hourly down there.  Both are a long way from Sydenham.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 16 January, 2014, 01:14:46 pm
I appear to have snot again with resultant dizziness from hell.  Going to the shop was hideous, cos Ican't process people moving around me properly :(  I was supposed to be on picket lines and at our strike rally today (I'm on strike today) but I'm too ill to go.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 16 January, 2014, 02:13:54 pm
Quote from: barakta on 16 January, 2014, 01:14:46 pm
I appear to have snot again with resultant dizziness from hell.  Going to the shop was hideous, cos Ican't process people moving around me properly :(  I was supposed to be on picket lines and at our strike rally today (I'm on strike today) but I'm too ill to go.

Are I wondered what was going on at South Gate this morning.  I didn't have time to look properly as my lights turned to green just as I arrived at them and I was busy negotiating with a driver who didn't bother to indicate right until that moment.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 16 January, 2014, 02:37:13 pm
This morning I sneezed and something in my neck went crunch (a bit higher up than last time this happened).  My fault for too much reading in bed, I expect.  I've eaten all the painkillers and am doing daft-looking exercises recommended by cycleman OTP to prevent the tension from spreading to my shoulders.

So I'm a bit stoned and not allowed to do anything that involves heavy lifting, sharp objects or root passwords.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 18 January, 2014, 12:14:45 am
Lighting has just started flickering and my boiler has just started turning on and off (with the dips in the lighting) - looks like a powercut could be happening pretty soon.

I suppose it's a reminder to look into UPSs which I keep putting off.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 18 January, 2014, 12:55:24 pm
Dear Mr Dyson, I think it's time you turned your design skills to making decent ceiling lights, being as that appears to be something rather lacking at the moment.
You know, something that you don't have to super glue your fingers to the bulb to change it, or have to take the whole damn thing out of the ceiling.
Yours in teeth clenching anticipation....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 18 January, 2014, 01:44:24 pm
A Dyson ceiling light?

Would have clever light-pipes and conical reflectors and things, providing an awesomely even distribution of not especially bright light around the room, and changing the bulb would involve removing 15 layers of brittle plastic and associated self-untapping screws.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 18 January, 2014, 01:49:49 pm
Sounds pretty much like what I've got now. We had to remove the entire fitting to change the bulb due to the torque involved into changing a GU10 bulb moved the fitting off the body of the light. Stupid frikking design.
I'm now thinking about ditching the lot and going back to pendants. I've decided recessed down lighters are the work of stan.
That will of course involve having to get a plasterer in (or my brother, depending on whether he can be arsed)  to fill in all the holes left by the down lighters.

And the other light still doesn't work. I really hate having a dim kitchen.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 18 January, 2014, 01:53:32 pm
There's an awful lot to be said for basic pendants (and 5ft fluorescent tubes, in a kitchen).  They're boring, but they actually work, and are easy to replace like-with-like.  Mood lighting can come from things that don't involve decorating to replace.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 18 January, 2014, 02:41:29 pm
Pingu has fluorescent tube horror. Although TBF I'm not really a fan, but he doesn't even like using the one that's hidden on top of the wall cabinets. (It was supposed to be LED strip but obv the Sparky wasn't listening properly).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 18 January, 2014, 02:54:56 pm
High frequency fluorescents are less evil (assuming it's the flicker that's the probelm), but fair enough.

LEDs and wall cabinets are the future.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 18 January, 2014, 08:03:20 pm
Our kitchen has a 5ft LED replacement for a fluorescent tube.  It is bright! It is also 4000deg K, as I hate soggy old warm white lamps, and Mrs W wanted nearer to a daylight colour rendering.  The expected lamp life is about the same as my expected life....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 19 January, 2014, 03:49:38 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 18 January, 2014, 01:49:49 pm
And the other light still doesn't work. I really hate having a dim kitchen.
Anti grumble:
Went to Sainsbury's, bought a different type of light bulb. It works!
Can't tell if the other bulbs are duff or if they just didn't mate well with that light as we don't seem to have another ES fitting in the rest of the house to try them out with.
At least  the kitchen isn't dingy anymore :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 20 January, 2014, 12:41:09 pm
Grumble grumble neck pain grumble shoulders hurt grumble pain killers don't do me any good, in other departments grumble grumble FML!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 26 January, 2014, 12:26:01 pm
Oh for pete's sake this is ridiculous.

Can't we have a drought again?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 26 January, 2014, 12:36:49 pm
Micro$haft Word with the silly effing ribbon at the top:   All we wanted to do is scan an image ffs!   Open Office to the rescue.

Listen good Micro$haft:   Going your own non-standard, non-intuitive way just drives customers away.   People like to feel comfortable and familiar with all things in their lives.   Don't listen to the stupid effing twenty something media studies graduate, they do not by any means reflect a representative sample of humans.  Give miserable older grumpy gits like me a job instead.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TimC on 26 January, 2014, 01:23:33 pm
Think you might be a bit late with this one, PB. The 'ribbon' has been MS's Office interface since 2007 came out in, er, 2006. I think, after 8 years, they aren't likely to admit it was a mistake.

I hate it too!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Greenbank on 26 January, 2014, 01:40:00 pm
Quote from: Polar Bear on 26 January, 2014, 12:36:49 pm
Listen good Micro$haft:   Going your own non-standard, non-intuitive way just drives customers away.   People like to feel comfortable and familiar with all things in their lives.   Don't listen to the stupid effing twenty something media studies graduate, they do not by any means reflect a representative sample of humans.  Give miserable older grumpy gits like me a job instead.

Having participated in UI design reviews (our software is over 20 years' old and some of the GUIs have barely changed in that time) it boils down to something a bit simpler than that:-

There's more money to be made enticing the generations of twenty/thirty-somethings to get into a habit of using your product for their lifetime (by using the more recent design patterns) than keeping the design roughly the same to satisfy the older generations.

I hate the ribbon, but I can see why they've done it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 26 January, 2014, 04:06:37 pm
Quote from: Pickled Onion on 26 January, 2014, 12:26:01 pm
Oh for pete's sake this is ridiculous.

Can't we have a drought again?

Last time we had a drought, it pissed it down for months.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 26 January, 2014, 06:14:26 pm
Quote from: Kim on 26 January, 2014, 04:06:37 pm
Quote from: Pickled Onion on 26 January, 2014, 12:26:01 pm
Oh for pete's sake this is ridiculous.

Can't we have a drought again?

Last time we had a drought, it pissed it down for months.

Ah, yes, so it did! But it's gone beyond reasonableness - I think someone's moved my house to Wales and not told me.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 26 January, 2014, 06:49:21 pm
TBH, I'll take the almost but not quite endless rain over proper winter temperatures (on the assumption that Spring actually arrives on time this year).  Neither are fun to cycle in, but the current arrangement is less actually hazardous.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 26 January, 2014, 07:05:23 pm
Quote from: TimC on 26 January, 2014, 01:23:33 pm
Think you might be a bit late with this one, PB. The 'ribbon' has been MS's Office interface since 2007 came out in, er, 2006. I think, after 8 years, they aren't likely to admit it was a mistake.

I hate it too!

Nods to acknowledge a kindred spirit.

Quote from: Greenbank on 26 January, 2014, 01:40:00 pm
Quote from: Polar Bear on 26 January, 2014, 12:36:49 pm
Listen good Micro$haft:   Going your own non-standard, non-intuitive way just drives customers away.   People like to feel comfortable and familiar with all things in their lives.   Don't listen to the stupid effing twenty something media studies graduate, they do not by any means reflect a representative sample of humans.  Give miserable older grumpy gits like me a job instead.

Having participated in UI design reviews (our software is over 20 years' old and some of the GUIs have barely changed in that time) it boils down to something a bit simpler than that:-

There's more money to be made enticing the generations of twenty/thirty-somethings to get into a habit of using your product for their lifetime (by using the more recent design patterns) than keeping the design roughly the same to satisfy the older generations.

I hate the ribbon, but I can see why they've done it.

Only if their plan for world domination actually succeeds ...   Mwahwahwah!!!   :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 27 January, 2014, 01:34:36 pm
Supplier: If I specify $BRAND in my orders for X Y and Z, then I expect you to quote for $BRAND or tell me explicitly that you don't supply brand instead of sending me a quote where X costs loads more than Y and Z so my spidey sense reads it extra carefully to find that you've not quoted $BRAND for Y and Z which I SPECIFICALLY ASKED FOR!

I don't care YZ are $Approved, they are NOT what I asked for. 

So two rounds of email later I explain I am ONLY interested if the product are $BRAND they come back and agree they will supply $BRAND if I ask for it...

Really fucking tiring and supposed to be a two short jobs and clear the shit out of my inbox and turned into medium sized job and need for very clear emailwords... 

OhWell at least inbox is under20 for the first time in a month...  *keeps on slaying*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 30 January, 2014, 05:25:47 pm
Hmm, just lifted the inspection cover on the drains to see why my toilet is draining slowly. The chamber is completely flooded - looks like Saturday will going to be manhole locating and learning to rod drains day :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 30 January, 2014, 07:39:23 pm
Excruciating pain in my lower back and I'm all out of cocodamol.  :'(  Good thing I had today off ,eh?

At least I can walk - sorta.  Not looking forward to tomorrow...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 30 January, 2014, 07:45:20 pm
Nasty.  And I've got plenty of Co-Codamol, but I'm too far away from you. :(

Hope it resolves soon.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 30 January, 2014, 09:36:50 pm
Bloody hell, chip shop!  I asked for haddock and small chips.  WTF is this?  My largest plate in my kitchen cannot contain your provision.
That is bloody stupid.  Surely no one could possibly eat that?   What on earth would you have given me if I hadn't used the word 'small' in my order?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pedaldog. on 30 January, 2014, 10:15:27 pm
"Small Chips?"... Interesting concept ( Buurp!)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Clare on 30 January, 2014, 10:56:27 pm
Vernon and I usually share a small chips from our local shop between us and still have too many chips.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 31 January, 2014, 12:53:38 am
Quote from: Clare on 30 January, 2014, 10:56:27 pm
Vernon and I usually share a small chips from our local shop between us and still have too many chips.

This.

My chips tolerance isn't great since I had my gallbladder removed, so barakta gets a decent helping.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Gattopardo on 31 January, 2014, 12:59:41 am
Quote from: Clare on 30 January, 2014, 10:56:27 pm
Vernon and I usually share a small chips from our local shop between us and still have too many chips.

Northern small portion of chips are proper, while London is quite poor.

THAT IS A FACT
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 31 January, 2014, 08:08:13 am
I am currently almost spherical from managing to eat most of a takeaway delivered by our nearby Indian food emporium, an extreme rarity for us.  Luckily I am in the office on my own today, I suspect farting may possibly occur....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 31 January, 2014, 09:03:55 am
Quote from: Wombat on 31 January, 2014, 08:08:13 am
I am currently almost spherical from managing to eat most of a takeaway delivered by our nearby Indian food emporium, an extreme rarity for us.  Luckily I am in the office on my own today, I suspect farting may possibly occur....

Perhaps it is fortuitous that the Ka leaks?

Yup, thats me taking cover over there ------------>
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 31 January, 2014, 09:38:34 am
Quote from: Andrij on 30 January, 2014, 07:39:23 pm
Excruciating pain in my lower back and I'm all out of cocodamol.  :'(  Good thing I had today off ,eh?

At least I can walk - sorta.  Not looking forward to tomorrow...

Skipping over last night and 'sleep' ... After an hour or so of slowly and carefully getting ready this morning, I can move fairly normally.  Now at work and preparing for around three hours of meetings.  Getting up from the table at the end should be entertaining.  Hopefully the {checks pacakge} Voltarol I picked up from the chemist will get me through it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 31 January, 2014, 09:58:17 am
Hope you feel better soon. Voltarol sounds like it should have you dancing, or at least put some zap into you.

My grumble for today is second-hand smoke. Actually third-hand smoke; our visitor is a non-smoker but her husband, who's not here, gets through 40 a day and her coat, hanging in the hall, leaves a distinct whiff of Mars. (http://www.rnta-mtk.com.tn/en/nosproduit.php?rub=2&code=1) Except it turns out he gave up a couple of months ago, so in fact it's fourth-hand smoke.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 31 January, 2014, 10:04:11 am
Just posted this in the facilities-

A plea from the heart!

Dear colleague,

The cisterns on these toilets take forever to fill up, seriously- a long time.

Arriving at the facilities needing to engage in a tactical download to discover a pan containing urine is a bit disconcerting. I mean, suffering Neptune’s Kiss (Google it) contaminated with my own urine is bad enough but, someone else’s? Eeeeew!

Please flush after a tactical wee. Having to flush before downloading really adds a long time to my day.

Love and Kisses.

Fuzzy
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 31 January, 2014, 10:11:55 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 31 January, 2014, 09:58:17 am
Hope you feel better soon. Voltarol sounds like it should have you dancing, or at least put some zap into you.

Ha!  I do enjoy dancing, but doubt I'm pretty sure neither our COO nor the clients we're meeting would appreciate me cutting a rug at this morning's meeting.

At least that thought has put a smile on my face. :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hulver on 31 January, 2014, 11:05:14 am
Quote from: fuzzy on 31 January, 2014, 10:04:11 am
Just posted this in the facilities-

A plea from the heart!

Dear colleague,

The cisterns on these toilets take forever to fill up, seriously- a long time.

Arriving at the facilities needing to engage in a tactical download to discover a pan containing urine is a bit disconcerting. I mean, suffering Neptune’s Kiss (Google it) contaminated with my own urine is bad enough but, someone else’s? Eeeeew!

Please flush after a tactical wee. Having to flush before downloading really adds a long time to my day.

Love and Kisses.

Fuzzy

Fuzzy, I think you'll find that goes directly against advice issued from elsewhere in the organisation that came out just a few weeks ago.

If it's brown flush it down, if it's yellow let it mellow
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 31 January, 2014, 11:19:23 am
Quote from: hulver on 31 January, 2014, 11:05:14 am
Quote from: fuzzy on 31 January, 2014, 10:04:11 am
Just posted this in the facilities-

A plea from the heart!

Dear colleague,

The cisterns on these toilets take forever to fill up, seriously- a long time.

Arriving at the facilities needing to engage in a tactical download to discover a pan containing urine is a bit disconcerting. I mean, suffering Neptune’s Kiss (Google it) contaminated with my own urine is bad enough but, someone else’s? Eeeeew!

Please flush after a tactical wee. Having to flush before downloading really adds a long time to my day.

Love and Kisses.

Fuzzy

Fuzzy, I think you'll find that goes directly against advice issued from elsewhere in the organisation that came out just a few weeks ago.

If it's brown flush it down, if it's yellow let it mellow

Give me a personal issue trap and I will follow that advice.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 31 January, 2014, 01:34:47 pm
Quote from: fuzzy on 31 January, 2014, 10:04:11 am
Just posted this in the facilities-

A plea from the heart!

Dear colleague,

The cisterns on these toilets take forever to fill up, seriously- a long time.

Arriving at the facilities needing to engage in a tactical download to discover a pan containing urine is a bit disconcerting. I mean, suffering Neptune’s Kiss (Google it) contaminated with my own urine is bad enough but, someone else’s? Eeeeew!

Please flush after a tactical wee. Having to flush before downloading really adds a long time to my day.

Love and Kisses.

Fuzzy

Technically, of course, you mean 'uploading'.

A pedant.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 31 January, 2014, 02:24:05 pm
He's not a contortionist.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 31 January, 2014, 03:47:54 pm
Meanwhile, back to chips. 
It seems the word "small" should have been replaced by "Cone".

*Files this information away for future use*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruth on 31 January, 2014, 03:51:47 pm
Quote from: Basil on 31 January, 2014, 03:47:54 pm
Meanwhile, back to chips. 
It seems the word "small" should have been replaced by "Cone".

*Files this information away for future use*

OMG do they still sell a cone of chips?!

I used to spend 50p on a cone of chips on a Thursday night after Top Of The Pops, and if you gave me a snog outside the chippy, I'd share them with you! 

Oh god I really am old aren't I.

eta:

Basil how much is it for a cone of chips in this new century?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 31 January, 2014, 03:53:53 pm
Quote from: Ruthie on 31 January, 2014, 03:51:47 pm

I used to spend 50p on a cone of chips on a Thursday night after Top Of The Pops, and if you gave me a snog outside the chippy, I'd share them with you! 

What does it take these days to get some chips off you?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruth on 31 January, 2014, 03:55:32 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 31 January, 2014, 03:53:53 pm
Quote from: Ruthie on 31 January, 2014, 03:51:47 pm

I used to spend 50p on a cone of chips on a Thursday night after Top Of The Pops, and if you gave me a snog outside the chippy, I'd share them with you! 

What does it take these days to get some chips off you?

A snog, but only if you're the right person.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 31 January, 2014, 04:01:26 pm
Quote from: Ruthie on 31 January, 2014, 03:55:32 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 31 January, 2014, 03:53:53 pm
Quote from: Ruthie on 31 January, 2014, 03:51:47 pm

I used to spend 50p on a cone of chips on a Thursday night after Top Of The Pops, and if you gave me a snog outside the chippy, I'd share them with you! 

What does it take these days to get some chips off you?

A snog, but only if you're the right person.

Do you want tongues with that?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruth on 31 January, 2014, 04:05:45 pm
Not from you I bloody don't.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 31 January, 2014, 04:07:28 pm
 ;D

 :P
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruth on 31 January, 2014, 04:11:45 pm
 :P   ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 31 January, 2014, 04:36:19 pm
Quote from: clarion on 31 January, 2014, 02:24:05 pm
He's not a contortionist.

It's not about direction, it's about who initiates the transaction.  Having a poo is usually initiated by the user, rather than the toilet.  Unless perhaps it's one of those complicated Japanese ones and you press the wrong button...   :hand:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrew Br on 31 January, 2014, 05:50:01 pm
What happens if someone offers you a chip Ruthie ?

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 31 January, 2014, 06:10:59 pm
Quote from: Kim on 31 January, 2014, 04:36:19 pm
Quote from: clarion on 31 January, 2014, 02:24:05 pm
He's not a contortionist.

It's not about direction, it's about who initiates the transaction.  Having a poo is usually initiated by the user, rather than the toilet.  Unless perhaps it's one of those complicated Japanese ones and you press the wrong button...   :hand:

Or that one with the fan from the other thread goes into overdrive?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruth on 31 January, 2014, 06:14:49 pm
Quote from: Andrew Br on 31 January, 2014, 05:50:01 pm
What happens if someone offers you a chip Ruthie ?


I say thank you and nom it quickly before they change their mind.  Obv.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrew Br on 31 January, 2014, 06:29:03 pm
Quote from: Ruthie on 31 January, 2014, 06:14:49 pm
Quote from: Andrew Br on 31 January, 2014, 05:50:01 pm
What happens if someone offers you a chip Ruthie ?


I say thank you and nom it quickly before they change their mind.  Obv.

Sigh  ;)

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 31 January, 2014, 07:11:57 pm
Quote from: Ruthie on 31 January, 2014, 03:51:47 pm

Basil how much is it for a cone of chips in this new century?

*wanders next door to check*
£1.20 ;)

Anyway, how many chips to show me your knickers?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruth on 31 January, 2014, 07:15:02 pm
Quote from: Basil on 31 January, 2014, 07:11:57 pm
Quote from: Ruthie on 31 January, 2014, 03:51:47 pm

Basil how much is it for a cone of chips in this new century?

*wanders next door to check*
£1.20 ;)

Anyway, how many chips to show me your knickers?

You don't need chips Basil love.

Here you go.

My best knickers. (http://www.alwaysriding.co.uk/images/paps/Morvelo%2BW%2BSkye%2BKnickers%2BFront.jpg)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 31 January, 2014, 07:19:10 pm
 :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 31 January, 2014, 07:21:05 pm
Ruthie,

You'd better come along to the Long Itch camping weekend.   With knickers like those I'm sure that you'll be very popular!   ;)   :-*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cycleman on 31 January, 2014, 08:37:57 pm
Along with my recent troubles I am suffering from a nasty cold   :( . I am feeling like death warmed up  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 01 February, 2014, 12:16:06 am
Quote from: Polar Bear on 31 January, 2014, 07:21:05 pm
Ruthie,

You'd better come along to the Long Itch camping weekend.   With knickers like those I'm sure that you'll be very popular!   ;)   :-*

There will be chips.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cycleman on 01 February, 2014, 08:39:45 am
Quote from: Kim on 01 February, 2014, 12:16:06 am
Quote from: Polar Bear on 31 January, 2014, 07:21:05 pm
Ruthie,

You'd better come along to the Long Itch camping weekend.   With knickers like those I'm sure that you'll be very popular!   ;)   :-*

There will be chips.

We can make a cone  :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 01 February, 2014, 11:37:44 am
Quote from: cycleman on 01 February, 2014, 08:39:45 am
Quote from: Kim on 01 February, 2014, 12:16:06 am
Quote from: Polar Bear on 31 January, 2014, 07:21:05 pm
Ruthie,

You'd better come along to the Long Itch camping weekend.   With knickers like those I'm sure that you'll be very popular!   ;)   :-*

There will be chips.

We can make a cone  :)
Lemontop chips.  :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruth on 01 February, 2014, 12:41:31 pm
 :P :P :P

GWS cycleman  ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruth on 03 February, 2014, 08:52:35 am
Jet lag  >:( >:( >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cycleman on 03 February, 2014, 09:08:00 am
Thanks Ruthie, getting there slowly as usual  ::-) :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 03 February, 2014, 01:45:10 pm
I'm going to have to use up valuable time in pruning my eyebrows this evening. Just seen my reflection and I'm starting to look like Thufir Hawat :hand:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 03 February, 2014, 04:29:57 pm
Cutting a short piece of stainless bar with a cheap hacksaw and no vice, just the edge of a concrete step, and a spare hand to hold the piece.

In the cold.

With my right hand, because of the shape of the saw.

Bah! >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 03 February, 2014, 04:39:08 pm
For pinning your own bones into place, or someone else's?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 03 February, 2014, 04:50:17 pm
Don't bloody tempt me! >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruth on 03 February, 2014, 07:21:25 pm
Quote from: Ruthie on 03 February, 2014, 08:52:35 am
Jet lag  >:( >:( >:(

Tonight's plan is to drink myself unconscious, to numb the depression, and get to sleep at a reasonable time, and with a bit of luck, have a whole day tomorrow instead of crashing at lunchtime and losing four hours of daylight.

Good plan, I think.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: citoyen on 03 February, 2014, 07:59:02 pm
Friend has just posted on Facebook that her bike has been nicked. Booooo!

It wasn't a flash or expensive bike, hardly even worth nicking, but it was her main mode of transport.

The bastards. >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 03 February, 2014, 08:04:28 pm
Gits!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cycleman on 03 February, 2014, 09:01:14 pm
Quote from: Ruthie on 03 February, 2014, 07:21:25 pm
Quote from: Ruthie on 03 February, 2014, 08:52:35 am
Jet lag  >:( >:( >:(

Tonight's plan is to drink myself unconscious, to numb the depression, and get to sleep at a reasonable time, and with a bit of luck, have a whole day tomorrow instead of crashing at lunchtime and losing four hours of daylight.

Good plan, I think.

Cheer up Ruthie ,you will be back to normal soon  :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: citoyen on 03 February, 2014, 09:17:13 pm

Quote from: Ruthie on 03 February, 2014, 07:21:25 pm
Tonight's plan is to drink myself unconscious...
Good plan, I think.

I've certainly heard worse plans.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 03 February, 2014, 11:33:17 pm
My right (dodgy) hip crapped out on Saturday night for no apparent reason. If it's not one body thing it is another, can't fix the fails fast enough.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: citoyen on 04 February, 2014, 12:35:53 pm
I am a twarting idiot. A few weeks ago, I booked tickets to see the brilliant David O'Doherty tonight. Very much looking forward to it...

Of course, I realise this morning that this also happens to be the day of a thing at school about sixth form stuff. So not only am I not going to be able to see David O'Doherty, it's probably too late to get a refund on the tickets.

I suppose sixth form stuff is quite important though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 04 February, 2014, 04:07:52 pm
Quote from: citoyen on 04 February, 2014, 12:35:53 pm
I suppose sixth form stuff is quite important though.
IME no, not really.

(Sorry, this isn't helpful, is it? But having done that thing 3 times, no, it really wasn't)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: citoyen on 04 February, 2014, 04:21:23 pm
Actually, fboab, that is very helpful!   :thumbsup:

It reassures me that I've made the right executive decision to take the family to the comedy rather than sit in the school hall listening to the teachers droning on for hours.   :)

Ach, he already knows what A-levels he wants to do anyway.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 04 February, 2014, 04:32:30 pm
boab is quite right.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 04 February, 2014, 05:31:36 pm
There may be specific questions regarding courses/options that you want to ask. In which case go along. Otherwise why waste everyone elses time and your own.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 04 February, 2014, 05:59:07 pm
You're overlooking the potential for droning teacher comedy, of course.

You know the sort of thing: "Universities now rate A-level results by points, so if you do 4 A-levels you'll have a better chance of getting in.", "General Studies is recognised as a proper subject by universities."  "We have no bullying at $school.", etc

 :facepalm:

(An awful lot of my year group believed the first one, until it was too late.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: citoyen on 04 February, 2014, 06:07:45 pm
I don't have any recollection of a formal transition into sixth form - my A-level choices were pretty much the default options. They seem to make a much bigger deal of it these days. To what end, I don't know.

Btw, Kim, the comedy gig is at your old stamping ground. Any techies you want me to day hello to?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: citoyen on 04 February, 2014, 06:09:48 pm
PS I'm still a clot for my poor diary management skills, so the grumble stands.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 04 February, 2014, 06:30:05 pm
Quote from: citoyen on 04 February, 2014, 06:07:45 pm
I don't have any recollection of a formal transition into sixth form - my A-level choices were pretty much the default options. They seem to make a much bigger deal of it these days. To what end, I don't know.

We got some "how to chose your A-level subjects" advice sessions.  Which was based largely on teacher misunderstandings of the UCAS process (see above), and vague ideas of what A-levels were expected for various degree courses.

This, combined with the general enthusiasm by teachers for high-achieving pupils to go on and study their subject at A-level, is how I ended up with the erroneous impression that sciences were to be more useful for studying engineering than all-you-can-eat maths.

I suspect it's a bigger deal when you have the temptation of more non-traditional subjects available.



Quote
Btw, Kim, the comedy gig is at your old stamping ground. Any techies you want me to day hello to?

Assuming that's the Kent stomping ground, rather than the Brizzle or Sheffield ones, I suspect they've mostly moved on.  Except for the ones I'm still in contact with.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Dibdib on 05 February, 2014, 07:58:19 am
Quote from: Kim on 04 February, 2014, 05:59:07 pm
You're overlooking the potential for droning teacher comedy, of course.

You know the sort of thing: "Universities now rate A-level results by points, so if you do 4 A-levels you'll have a better chance of getting in.", "General Studies is recognised as a proper subject by universities."  "We have no bullying at $school.", etc

 :facepalm:

(An awful lot of my year group believed the first one, until it was too late.)

Yeah I got burned by that one too. Oh well. All worked out in the end though - I think I was happier at my second-choice uni than I would have been at my first.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 05 February, 2014, 10:53:48 am
These days it is very very important to check what the individual unis' require. UCAS points aren't the be all and end all.

My step daughter dropped maths, as she was told she would struggle to get a good mark (but after that the results of first exam came through and she was top of the class  :facepalm:). Then 3 months down the line discovers the course she wants to do at a uni, the subsequent career path, etc. For that course, for that uni, they want maths or physics A level. Too late for her to get back into A level maths.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 05 February, 2014, 03:01:17 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 05 February, 2014, 10:53:48 am
These days it is very very important to check what the individual unis' require. UCAS points aren't the be all and end all.

I don't think they ever were.  Except in the mind of my headteacher.   >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 05 February, 2014, 03:15:18 pm
No.  they weren't.  Even setting aside preferential offers for chaps from good schools, or applying to their father's old college, the assessment of candidates has depended more on the person than the sausage machine grade. 

I was given a place at Uni based on me and what I'd done, rather than my A Level results (which were then nearly a decade in the past, and in a different discipline).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 05 February, 2014, 03:18:57 pm
Don't the kids still have access to 'A Compendium of University Entrance Requirements'? Is this not produced in these Modern Times?
It was my Bible in the mid-70s and nobody in our Sixth Form had a nasty surprise if they turned out to be doing 'wrong' A Levels.
We made basic choices about our higher education long before we entered the Sixth Form.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 05 February, 2014, 03:26:09 pm
TBH, having done it both ways, I reckon that applying to university before you know your A-level results is more than a little bit bonkers.  Everything's so much less complicated when offers are unconditional.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 05 February, 2014, 03:31:47 pm
I think you're fooling yourself if you think most universities, for most subjects, give places based on anything but the numbers. Admittedly you need the right subjects, but for example, No1Son had 3 offers based purely on points and wasn't interviewed at any of the establishments concerned. Having said that, he was aiming for Maths, which as we know, requires an absence of personality.  ;)

Mature students (by which I mean anyone applying after they have their results in) are a whole different entrance criteria.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 06 February, 2014, 01:27:29 pm
Wonderful weather (sunny, 12°C, light wind) and I'm stuck indoors for a fortnight. Wish it was pissing down.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 06 February, 2014, 01:37:32 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 05 February, 2014, 03:18:57 pm
Don't the kids still have access to 'A Compendium of University Entrance Requirements'? Is this not produced in these Modern Times?
It was my Bible in the mid-70s and nobody in our Sixth Form had a nasty surprise if they turned out to be doing 'wrong' A Levels.
We made basic choices about our higher education long before we entered the Sixth Form.

Nope.

It's all online - but not in any one single place. Each uni lists their entry requirements, course by course. They don't even all do it in same way.

It's not *just* about points, it is also about the subjects you take. UCAS applications have to be in well before you even take your exams, let alone before knowing results. Yeah, all a bit bonkers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: orienteer on 06 February, 2014, 01:58:10 pm
Quote from: T42 on 06 February, 2014, 01:27:29 pm
Wonderful weather (sunny, 12°C, light wind) and I'm stuck indoors for a fortnight. Wish it was pissing down.

If it's any consolation, it is certainly pissing down here in London. :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 06 February, 2014, 02:04:07 pm
Quote from: orienteer on 06 February, 2014, 01:58:10 pm
Quote from: T42 on 06 February, 2014, 01:27:29 pm
Wonderful weather (sunny, 12°C, light wind) and I'm stuck indoors for a fortnight. Wish it was pissing down.

If it's any consolation, it is certainly pissing down here in London. :(

Yes, we've finished with it over here.  We thought that you lot might like it next.  :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 06 February, 2014, 02:21:00 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 06 February, 2014, 01:37:32 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 05 February, 2014, 03:18:57 pm
Don't the kids still have access to 'A Compendium of University Entrance Requirements'? Is this not produced in these Modern Times?
It was my Bible in the mid-70s and nobody in our Sixth Form had a nasty surprise if they turned out to be doing 'wrong' A Levels.
We made basic choices about our higher education long before we entered the Sixth Form.

Nope.

It's all online - but not in any one single place. Each uni lists their entry requirements, course by course. They don't even all do it in same way.

It's not *just* about points, it is also about the subjects you take. UCAS applications have to be in well before you even take your exams, let alone before knowing results. Yeah, all a bit bonkers.

It was always about subjects.
In my day,you could not study Medicine without an A Level in Physics (or Chemistry, which was fair enough), though that requirement was dropped later.
UCCA (as was) closing date was 15 December (15 October for Oxbridge) so many months before A Levels for those not planning a gap year.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 06 February, 2014, 02:34:21 pm
Quote from: T42 on 06 February, 2014, 01:27:29 pm
Wonderful weather (sunny, 12°C, light wind) and I'm stuck indoors for a fortnight. Wish it was pissing down.

Oh dear.  I'm sorry to hear that.  Why so?  Have I missed something?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Clare on 06 February, 2014, 04:41:11 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 06 February, 2014, 01:37:32 pm
It's not *just* about points, it is also about the subjects you take. UCAS applications have to be in well before you even take your exams, let alone before knowing results. Yeah, all a bit bonkers.

Applications have always had to be in before results are known for anybody applying for a place to start immediately after they have completed their 'A' levels. If applicants were to wait until they had got their results they would either have to start later (the following January at the earliest) or it would be complete carnage.

Imagine the scene in a single provincial ex-poly:

14th August 0830: results are out.
14th August 0831: 50 000 applicants chasing 5 000* places start to fill in online forms, phone to ask if they have been successful, e-mail extenuating circumstances or get their mothers to do it for them.
14th August 0831 and 30 seconds: BT put out a press release stating that they are trying to re-connect Provincialmouth but everybody needs to be patient.

Than there's the problem of getting academic references from school teachers in mid-August when they are already dealing with 'A' level result issues.

Meanwhile Student Housing has three weeks to get all housing applications in, processed and allocated, timetabling have less than a fortnight to allocate the rooms for the year as this can't be done until numbers are known, thus academics have no idea when they will be lecturing and course administrators have no idea what numbers they will have or even if courses will run.

At about 0846 on 14th August the UCAS system will go into meltdown, shortly followed by all University systems, nobody will get a place and there will be a mass zombie attack.


The current situation means that at this time of the year we have a good idea how many students we will have on each course so timetabling can begin and administrators and academics can plan. In March applicants with a conditional offer are able to apply for Halls places.

It is still mayhem in August.

*Edit: Apols, number changed to approx first year places from approx all places (my error).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 06 February, 2014, 07:15:34 pm
No, our application hasn't stopped working. You've been trying to type a number in with NumLock off  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Dibdib on 07 February, 2014, 07:47:27 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 06 February, 2014, 02:21:00 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 06 February, 2014, 01:37:32 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 05 February, 2014, 03:18:57 pm
Don't the kids still have access to 'A Compendium of University Entrance Requirements'? Is this not produced in these Modern Times?
It was my Bible in the mid-70s and nobody in our Sixth Form had a nasty surprise if they turned out to be doing 'wrong' A Levels.
We made basic choices about our higher education long before we entered the Sixth Form.

Nope.

It's all online - but not in any one single place. Each uni lists their entry requirements, course by course. They don't even all do it in same way.

It's not *just* about points, it is also about the subjects you take. UCAS applications have to be in well before you even take your exams, let alone before knowing results. Yeah, all a bit bonkers.

It was always about subjects.
In my day,you could not study Medicine without an A Level in Physics (or Chemistry, which was fair enough), though that requirement was dropped later.
UCCA (as was) closing date was 15 December (15 October for Oxbridge) so many months before A Levels for those not planning a gap year.

Depends on the course. None of my offers (for LLB Hons Law places) had any mandatory subjects, just either grades or UCAS points.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 07 February, 2014, 08:05:08 am
My Durham offer was entirely points-based (which suited me, doing 4 A levels), though I don't think any of the others were. No idea whether they still do it that way, though, as that was 13 years ago.

I suspect it's more common for degrees that don't have particular subject requirements.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 07 February, 2014, 09:22:57 am
Having read all of the above and codgitated upon it, I have come to the conclusion that electing to be too fick for uni was a good career choice for me ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Clare on 07 February, 2014, 09:25:10 am
Most offers are points based, some will just ask for e.g. 340 UCAS points (AAB in old language) others will specify subjects as well e.g. 340 UCAS points of which 120 Mathematics (AAB with an A in Maths).

In certain subjects raw ability is important and in these cases you tend to get interviews as well, but there will always be a points requirement regardless.




P.S. Well said Fuzzy  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tom_e on 07 February, 2014, 09:43:17 am
Quote from: citoyen on 04 February, 2014, 06:07:45 pm
I don't have any recollection of a formal transition into sixth form - my A-level choices were pretty much the default options. They seem to make a much bigger deal of it these days. To what end, I don't know.

In case of less-than-useful school advice, the Russel group advice may be a useful starting point:

http://russellgroup.org/Informed%20Choices%20final.pdf

Note long lists of generally advised subjects for different courses.  Unfortunately, given the source I suspect this has a strong academic bias and won't help if your question is traditional university course vs anything else.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Clare on 07 February, 2014, 01:02:55 pm
Listen secret customer, standing in front of me texting 'higher up person' to find out what to ask next is a little bit of a give-away.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 07 February, 2014, 01:04:35 pm
That is a whole new level of crapness.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 07 February, 2014, 01:11:45 pm
Quote from: tom_e on 07 February, 2014, 09:43:17 am
Quote from: citoyen on 04 February, 2014, 06:07:45 pm
I don't have any recollection of a formal transition into sixth form - my A-level choices were pretty much the default options. They seem to make a much bigger deal of it these days. To what end, I don't know.

In case of less-than-useful school advice, the Russel group advice may be a useful starting point:

http://russellgroup.org/Informed%20Choices%20final.pdf

Note long lists of generally advised subjects for different courses.  Unfortunately, given the source I suspect this has a strong academic bias and won't help if your question is traditional university course vs anything else.

It is also a bit out of date on biology. For Life Sciences we are now requiring (from next years applicants) Maths at Higher (anything other than an A grade or better in maths at GCSE/standard grade and you are unlikely to be considered.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 07 February, 2014, 01:50:37 pm
Quote from: Clare on 07 February, 2014, 01:02:55 pm
Listen secret customer, standing in front of me texting 'higher up person' to find out what to ask next is a little bit of a give-away.
Secret 'customer'? As in, he's reviewing you for some sort of students' guide to the best vfm groves of academe?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Clare on 07 February, 2014, 01:55:07 pm
It's what happens when you do a check on the quals checking process, you have to get an international student to present a made up story about why they cannot show the original documents and then escalate the degree of problem with added unlikely scenarios. It would be complicated for one of us who works here to get right.

Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 07 February, 2014, 01:50:37 pm
Secret 'customer'? As in, he's reviewing you for some sort of students' guide to the best vfm groves of academe?

Err no, secret customer as in there is one person in the department who likes to keep tabs on what we are doing and they get students to enact scenarios to test us.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 07 February, 2014, 02:01:09 pm
Boss's canary, then. Probably wasn't texting but tweeting.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 08 February, 2014, 02:14:28 pm
I should have been home around about now. Flight got cancelled and now I won't be home until tomorrow. And it's back to the office on Monday.
Also, this is the first day all week I've managed to sleep past 4am and now I'm going to fuck it all up again.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruth on 08 February, 2014, 03:31:40 pm
Oh Mrs P, I really feel for you.  That's so rubbish.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CrinklyLion on 08 February, 2014, 07:05:02 pm
I wore a necklace on Thursday that I haven't worn for a while.

Turns out that in the meantime I've become allergic to it.  This pretty much always happens eventually with most jewellery - it's one of the reasons I stopped wearing a watch, because sooner or later there was always a bit of it that started to cause a reaction.  Most inconvenient was the glasses that I became allergic to at a time that I couldn't afford a replacement.  However I normally get a bit of warning and stop wearing whatever item of shiny it is as soon as I notice it's a bit itchy.

I didn't notice this one.  I have a two inch wide stinging burning rash around my neck and throat and it is driving me _bonkers_.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 08 February, 2014, 07:15:55 pm
Quote from: CrinklyLion on 08 February, 2014, 07:05:02 pm
I didn't notice this one.  I have a two inch wide stinging burning rash around my neck and throat and it is driving me _bonkers_.
Sounds like a nickel allergy - I have the same thing and don't wear shiny things for precisely the same reasons.
My usual course of action involves hydrocortisone cream and antihistamines ... and steering clear of the offending item(s) of course.

You have my sympathy, contact dermatitis of any sort is very annoying.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 08 February, 2014, 07:22:42 pm
Bizarrely gold brings me up in a rash.   I found out after two days of wearing a wedding ring.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruth on 08 February, 2014, 09:31:07 pm
Quote from: CrinklyLion on 08 February, 2014, 07:05:02 pm
I wore a necklace on Thursday that I haven't worn for a while.

Turns out that in the meantime I've become allergic to it.  This pretty much always happens eventually with most jewellery - it's one of the reasons I stopped wearing a watch, because sooner or later there was always a bit of it that started to cause a reaction.  Most inconvenient was the glasses that I became allergic to at a time that I couldn't afford a replacement.  However I normally get a bit of warning and stop wearing whatever item of shiny it is as soon as I notice it's a bit itchy.

I didn't notice this one.  I have a two inch wide stinging burning rash around my neck and throat and it is driving me _bonkers_.

Oh, no, it's not that one I bought you is it?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cycleman on 08 February, 2014, 10:06:11 pm
Another cold. I have just got over one and now and back on the vics sinex again :(. My health so far this hear has not been good  :'(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 08 February, 2014, 10:07:49 pm
Every time I look at tomorrow's forecast for here it seems to get wetter and windier. Please can it settle down? Really, please?!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Marco Stefano on 09 February, 2014, 10:15:00 am
Quote from: CrinklyLion on 08 February, 2014, 07:05:02 pm
I wore a necklace on Thursday that I haven't worn for a while.

Turns out that in the meantime I've become allergic to it.  This pretty much always happens eventually with most jewellery - it's one of the reasons I stopped wearing a watch, because sooner or later there was always a bit of it that started to cause a reaction.  Most inconvenient was the glasses that I became allergic to at a time that I couldn't afford a replacement.  However I normally get a bit of warning and stop wearing whatever item of shiny it is as soon as I notice it's a bit itchy.

I didn't notice this one.  I have a two inch wide stinging burning rash around my neck and throat and it is driving me _bonkers_.

It could be things living on it (I'm not joking - I have the same problems with seasonal clothing). If you have access to a lab, hot Decon soak and ultrasonic bath zap; at home, possibly hot detergent soak and shake, and rinse in boiling water. But possibly not the watch...

Hope you can get the rash under control, CL. They are maddening.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CrinklyLion on 10 February, 2014, 06:34:28 am
Quote from: Ruthie on 08 February, 2014, 09:31:07 pm
Oh, no, it's not that one I bought you is it?

No!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 10 February, 2014, 07:12:52 am
Quote from: cycleman on 08 February, 2014, 10:06:11 pm
Another cold. I have just got over one and now and back on the vics sinex again :(. My health so far this hear has not been good  :'(

There's almost as much of snotting about as there is water cycleman.   GWS.   :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cycleman on 10 February, 2014, 07:57:44 am
Cheers PB  :). Bit better today. I might even venture out side !  :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 10 February, 2014, 09:03:51 am
It's a cold, bright frosty morning, ideal for a bike ride..
Instead I'm going to be stuck in work.  Must see if I've enough leave left for a day off.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Moultonaught on 10 February, 2014, 11:30:16 am
40 minutes sitting in the car in traffic, moving a couple of hundred yards, until I could get to a junction to turn off, abandon the car in a layby, and walk the last mile to work. Flooding had shut the main road through Henley ( & the road our office is on!) bike in the back of the car tomorrow methinks...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: PeteB99 on 10 February, 2014, 12:01:02 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 10 February, 2014, 09:03:51 am
It's a cold, bright frosty morning, ideal for a bike ride..
Instead I'm going to be stuck in work.  Must see if I've enough leave left for a day off.

And 20 miles away from you in Chester it's been raining all morning :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 10 February, 2014, 12:03:19 pm
Quote from: Moultonaught on 10 February, 2014, 11:30:16 am
40 minutes sitting in the car in traffic, moving a couple of hundred yards, until I could get to a junction to turn off, abandon the car in a layby, and walk the last mile to work. Flooding had shut the main road through Henley ( & the road our office is on!) bike in the back of the car tomorrow methinks...

I would say I feel your pain but, my pain was different (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=26458.15000)  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Moultonaught on 10 February, 2014, 12:05:52 pm
Fuzzy, that's very silly indeed! Bravo!!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 11 February, 2014, 12:41:07 pm
Had to use the shower in the other building today, as the heating system in our building is borked.
Punched the door handle while I was getting dressed. My knuckle hurts now :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 11 February, 2014, 02:49:01 pm
TOTAL FUCKING FAIL
go to page below

http://www.nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk/Services/Emergencies/MinorInjuryClinic/Pages/default.aspx (http://www.nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk/Services/Emergencies/MinorInjuryClinic/Pages/default.aspx)

click on 'click to view map'
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 11 February, 2014, 02:55:04 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 11 February, 2014, 02:49:01 pm
TOTAL FUCKING FAIL
go to page below

http://www.nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk/Services/Emergencies/MinorInjuryClinic/Pages/default.aspx (http://www.nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk/Services/Emergencies/MinorInjuryClinic/Pages/default.aspx)

click on 'click to view map'
Oh, that's special ....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 11 February, 2014, 03:02:09 pm
They could always do it by Face-Ache. 

Then I still wouldn't be able to see it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 11 February, 2014, 03:31:15 pm
It's okay, you can access loads of https://intranet.birmingham.ac.uk/ URLs to make up for it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 11 February, 2014, 03:32:06 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 11 February, 2014, 02:49:01 pm
TOTAL FUCKING FAIL
go to page below

http://www.nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk/Services/Emergencies/MinorInjuryClinic/Pages/default.aspx (http://www.nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk/Services/Emergencies/MinorInjuryClinic/Pages/default.aspx)

click on 'click to view map'

I had low grade similar, where, 'click to see google map' just showed, erm, google maps. With no location marked.
You expect crap like that from The Self Centre for Yoga though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 11 February, 2014, 03:38:33 pm
Quote from: fboab on 11 February, 2014, 03:32:06 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 11 February, 2014, 02:49:01 pm
TOTAL FUCKING FAIL
go to page below

http://www.nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk/Services/Emergencies/MinorInjuryClinic/Pages/default.aspx (http://www.nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk/Services/Emergencies/MinorInjuryClinic/Pages/default.aspx)

click on 'click to view map'

I had low grade similar, where, 'click to see google map' just showed, erm, google maps. With no location marked.
You expect crap like that from The Self Centre for Yoga though.

Maybe you are meant to look deep inside yourself for the map, though...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 11 February, 2014, 03:47:28 pm
What is even better is that the NHS UK site does not list any drop-in centres for Scotland.

Obviously Scotland has already left the UK. I wonder if Alex Salmond knows?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 11 February, 2014, 03:57:18 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 11 February, 2014, 02:49:01 pm
TOTAL FUCKING FAIL
go to page below

http://www.nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk/Services/Emergencies/MinorInjuryClinic/Pages/default.aspx (http://www.nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk/Services/Emergencies/MinorInjuryClinic/Pages/default.aspx)

click on 'click to view map'

OK, I logged in, but they hadn't sent me an email about the location after all :'(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 11 February, 2014, 06:40:02 pm
Health is a devolved matter.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Moultonaught on 12 February, 2014, 08:59:05 am
Car just conked out on the way into work, either dodgy contaminated rural garage fuel or old gunk in the tank being dislodged or fuel pump has gone... Waiting for recovery guys... Bah humbug...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 12 February, 2014, 10:02:16 pm
Both my apple devices have developed faults this week.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 12 February, 2014, 10:32:13 pm
Quote from: perpetual dan on 12 February, 2014, 10:02:16 pm
Both my apple devices have developed faults this week.

Can't be.
They Just Work, so I'm told...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 12 February, 2014, 10:54:29 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 12 February, 2014, 10:32:13 pm
Quote from: perpetual dan on 12 February, 2014, 10:02:16 pm
Both my apple devices have developed faults this week.

Can't be.
They Just Work, so I'm told...
If I were a cynic, I'd say that being Apple devices was the fault.

Oh, wait ...

(I do understand the frustration though, having experienced it first hand after my Nexus 7 had an argument with a bottle of shower gel. The Nexus lost, as did my bank balance.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 12 February, 2014, 11:25:13 pm
David has just messaged that he seems to have lost his iPhone.
I'm not convinced it's truly lost yet and there's no evidence anyone else has used it.
It was a 3rd hand Xmas gift. I don't think he noted the IMEI number and he did not have the original box or paperwork.
He won't be home for a while yet.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 13 February, 2014, 12:12:20 am
Some networks will let you see the IMEI of at least the last phone you've used if you've got an online account. Well, O2 contract phones let you do this anyway.

One of the posts here (http://forum.vodafone.co.uk/t5/Pay-as-you-go-services/IMEI-numbers/td-p/600133) says - apparently authoritatively - that Vodafone customer service people can block the IMEI of the last phone used on a PAYG account. (Or they could in 2010 anyway.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 13 February, 2014, 01:15:08 am
Phone turned up in unexplored pocket of pannier.
Much relief!
Well, i did say I wasn't convinced it was truly lost...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 13 February, 2014, 08:55:12 am
I have to ask....

How did he message you on a lost phone?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TimC on 13 February, 2014, 11:20:55 am
Do you have an iPhone, Helly? If so, you could have used Find My Phone to locate his. I had to do that recently when I'd had lunch with my Dad and he dropped me off at home. 10 minutes later I realised I hadn't got my phone. Checking FMP on my iPad, I could see my phone travelling through Halstead and eventually arriving in Bocking. A quick call to my Dad and the phone was retrieved from under the passenger seat.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 13 February, 2014, 12:45:26 pm
Quote from: Wunja on 13 February, 2014, 08:55:12 am
I have to ask....

How did he message you on a lost phone?

He did have his iPad...
...or was it his MacBook???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 13 February, 2014, 12:48:47 pm
Quote from: TimC on 13 February, 2014, 11:20:55 am
Do you have an iPhone, Helly? If so, you could have used Find My Phone to locate his. I had to do that recently when I'd had lunch with my Dad and he dropped me off at home. 10 minutes later I realised I hadn't got my phone. Checking FMP on my iPad, I could see my phone travelling through Halstead and eventually arriving in Bocking. A quick call to my Dad and the phone was retrieved from under the passenger seat.

I don't have an iPhone. David does.
I'll investigate FMP for him.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 14 February, 2014, 12:01:46 am
Took the Aged P to St George's Whore's Piddle to have his pacemaker checked . We went by car. The car park was very crowded, so I booted him out and orbited the car park, along with a pack of other prowling cars, looking for a space.  On my fifth lap I spy a space, a car waiting nearby and the driver of the car in the adjacent space getting ready to leave. Excellent, one space for the waiting car, one for me.

But no, the waiting car is the a Wankpanzer Extreme Porsche Cayenne and takes up both spaces.

Reader, I shot him.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 14 February, 2014, 10:13:25 am
Well done. But I hope you made him watch his Wankpanzer being crushed first.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 17 February, 2014, 08:59:04 am
The sun is a-shining to welcome the day, and it's heigh-ho, back to the grind.

In the words of that traditional English anthem:

Every f**king morning
Half-past f**king eight
Meet the f**king foreman at the f**king factory gate
Be you f**king early
Be you f**king late
You'll be down in the sewers in the morning.

- Murray & Denton: Hymns Ancient & Modern. Canterbury Press, 1861

PS: pardon the asterisks, I also posted this where tender souls abide and I can't be arsed changing them back.

Shouldn't be working at my age but the under scullery-boy needs a new set of rags, so it's that or sell the second upstairs maid. Damned Whigs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 17 February, 2014, 10:30:50 am
Partner's bike disconnected power supply to broadband as he left the house this morning.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 17 February, 2014, 06:37:04 pm
Dear bottom, what's with the multiple poos?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 17 February, 2014, 07:30:54 pm
Quote from: T42 on 17 February, 2014, 08:59:04 am
...
Shouldn't be working at my age but the under scullery-boy needs a new set of rags, so it's that or sell the second upstairs maid.
How much do you want for her?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Moultonaught on 17 February, 2014, 07:33:30 pm
Pah, went straight from work to Didcot to collect step son from the train. He missed his train due to flooding delaying him getting to the station, and the following train was cancelled so I have an hour's wait- in Didcot...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 18 February, 2014, 11:59:52 am
Oh joy, first my jigsaw is FUBAR due to a stripped gear on the drive shaft, now my sheet sander has graduated from sounding like a rough two-stroke to just humming ominously and failing to oscillate...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruth on 21 February, 2014, 08:53:14 am
I am locked out of my house. My house full of people who are obviously sound asleep and unwakeablr. Might as well wander into town and buy breakfast then  ::-) ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 21 February, 2014, 09:31:54 am
Taking a day off to do a nice bike ride works better if you wake up in time to make the train. :facepalm:

Well Plan B looks like a trip to Shildon to see the A4s before they go home.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 21 February, 2014, 02:25:54 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 21 February, 2014, 09:31:54 am
Taking a day off to do a nice bike ride works better if you wake up in time to make the train. :facepalm:

Well Plan B looks like a trip to Shildon to see the A4s before they go home.

What is up with me? The place is heaving and I've just pulled out of going in twice because I can't face the crowds. :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Moultonaught on 21 February, 2014, 03:00:59 pm
Both my wife and I have to use a car for work. Mine cos a bike commute isn't practical given the distance and time available  :( and because my wife travels to different locations she has to drive. My car conked out last week due to contaminated fuel and although I thought I'd fixed it, it's still not right.

Using my wife's car last  night (as she is away) the cam belt snapped on the way home..... so a (not so) fun weekend of car(s) fettling awaits me..... bah humbug.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 21 February, 2014, 07:09:52 pm
Quote from: Ruthie on 21 February, 2014, 08:53:14 am
I am locked out of my house. My house full of people who are obviously sound asleep and unwakeablr. Might as well wander into town and buy breakfast then  ::-) ::-)

This wouldn't happen with a Rod Hull doorbell...   ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 21 February, 2014, 07:13:49 pm
Quote from: Kim on 21 February, 2014, 07:09:52 pm
Quote from: Ruthie on 21 February, 2014, 08:53:14 am
I am locked out of my house. My house full of people who are obviously sound asleep and unwakeablr. Might as well wander into town and buy breakfast then  ::-) ::-)

This wouldn't happen with a Rod Hull doorbell...   ;D

Is that the sort that attracts their attention by turning the TV on and off?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 21 February, 2014, 07:50:10 pm
;D

No.  It's just the sound of Michael Parkinson beating an emu to death with his bare hands.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Deano on 21 February, 2014, 07:59:57 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 21 February, 2014, 02:25:54 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 21 February, 2014, 09:31:54 am
Taking a day off to do a nice bike ride works better if you wake up in time to make the train. :facepalm:

Well Plan B looks like a trip to Shildon to see the A4s before they go home.

What is up with me? The place is heaving and I've just pulled out of going in twice because I can't face the crowds. :(

That sounds crap, Mcshroom.

You weren't on your bike, were you? I saw a Dawes parked outside just as we were leaving.

And yes, it was chuffing heaving.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 21 February, 2014, 08:13:04 pm
Quote from: Deano on 21 February, 2014, 07:59:57 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 21 February, 2014, 02:25:54 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 21 February, 2014, 09:31:54 am
Taking a day off to do a nice bike ride works better if you wake up in time to make the train. :facepalm:

Well Plan B looks like a trip to Shildon to see the A4s before they go home.

What is up with me? The place is heaving and I've just pulled out of going in twice because I can't face the crowds. :(

That sounds crap, Mcshroom.

You weren't on your bike, were you? I saw a Dawes parked outside just as we were leaving.

And yes, it was chuffing heaving.
No unfortunately I was in the car.

I've always been shy when I don't know people, but I need to work out what to do with social situations as I'm uncomfortable in even reasonable sized social situations (eg: busy pubs) on my own now, and it's coming to a head if I can drive 100 miles to an event that I want to go to, and then not go in simply because I couldn't mentally handle being in a large crowd. Cycling or Singing I find a bit easier by turning up and concentrating on doing that activity, but I need to find a way to cope in less structured situations. :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 21 February, 2014, 08:26:45 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 21 February, 2014, 08:13:04 pm
I've always been shy when I don't know people, but I need to work out what to do with social situations as I'm uncomfortable in even reasonable sized social situations (eg: busy pubs) on my own now, and it's coming to a head if I can drive 100 miles to an event that I want to go to, and then not go in simply because I couldn't mentally handle being in a large crowd. Cycling or Singing I find a bit easier by turning up and concentrating on doing that activity, but I need to find a way to cope in less structured situations. :(
Been there, done that, got several T-shirts - you have my sympathies, 'cos I suffer from it too.

(I'm not as bad as I was, but I still get accused of being reclusive - goes with the territory)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Deano on 21 February, 2014, 08:38:59 pm
I don't have any particular anxieties about crowds (I get irritable, mind).

But that was busy - I wouldn't have fancied it on my own.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 21 February, 2014, 08:46:06 pm
Migraine.  Bleurgh.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 21 February, 2014, 10:31:42 pm
Quote from: jsabine on 21 February, 2014, 07:13:49 pm
Quote from: Kim on 21 February, 2014, 07:09:52 pm
Quote from: Ruthie on 21 February, 2014, 08:53:14 am
I am locked out of my house. My house full of people who are obviously sound asleep and unwakeablr. Might as well wander into town and buy breakfast then  ::-) ::-)

This wouldn't happen with a Rod Hull doorbell...   ;D

Is that the sort that attracts their attention by turning the TV on and off?
No, it plays this...

http://youtu.be/0r8afyJjOsM

(yes, I know I posted it elsewhere, but it's so unbelievably, hilariously crap no one should escape it)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 22 February, 2014, 01:54:19 pm
Quote from: Kim on 21 February, 2014, 08:46:06 pm
Migraine.  Bleurgh.

Fixed with 13.5 hours sleep...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 24 February, 2014, 07:00:47 pm
Google Play Scrabble app: I used to put up with the irritation of banner ads every turn, but now you are making me watch TSB 30-second videos every other turn, wtf? App uninstalled.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 25 February, 2014, 02:16:02 pm
Is there something about Manchester that attracts an unseemly amount of tele-marketers? All the junk calls I've been getting lately have been from the 0161 area...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 25 February, 2014, 02:20:01 pm
Quote from: spesh on 25 February, 2014, 02:16:02 pm
Is there something about Manchester that attracts an unseemly amount of tele-marketers? All the junk calls I've been getting lately have been from the 0161 area...

If I were a telemarketer, I'd present an area code from one of the major cities.  Less likely to be rejected.

Most of ours are from 020 numbers, thobut.  Or international.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Dibdib on 27 February, 2014, 01:57:29 pm
I needed a 1" socket for a lockring remover. Walked all the way to B&Q, only to find out that they don't sell individual imperial-sized sockets, only metric, and even the sets they sell only go up to 7/8".


 :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 27 February, 2014, 09:17:08 pm
Tottenham Hotspur Foopball Club have their ground at White Hart Lane. Having a meeting today at a sporting venue in White Hart Lane today, I though I was onto a winner by going to White Hart Lane, home of THFC.  How foolish was that? White Hart Lane, home of THFC isn't in White Hart Lane is it?  White Hart Lane Community Sports Centre is though, as I eventually found out.   
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 28 February, 2014, 09:43:14 am
The missus is forever hooking her reading/working glasses down the neck of whatever she's wearing, then dropping them somewhere and setting up a hue & cry until they're found. Won't put a cord on them.

So this morning she drops them while getting the car out & drives over them.

Knowing the price of spec frames, we're out a significant chunk of money.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 28 February, 2014, 12:32:16 pm
Irritating people (1): cyclists with no mudguards who overtake then pull straight in front - just because you don't care about having a soaked arse, doesn't mean everyone else wants a face full of grimy water.

Irritating people (2): Ok, so you've had a hard day. Perhaps you nearly missed the train. For some reason you want to communicate this by making that blowing air noise with your lips nearly closed. But for Pete's sake don't fucking do it when your sitting in a table seat on the train opposite a complete stranger! I really, really don't want a face full of your halitosis and dog knows how many germs. Repeatedly.

Get some flaming manners, people!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Paul on 28 February, 2014, 02:01:20 pm
To the people who make underpants for men: If you're going to include a penis portal, make it useable. I bought a pack of pants from (I think) Tesco that would require my cock to describe an N to use the hatch.

 :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 28 February, 2014, 02:31:50 pm
Stanley, some of your "Pozidriv 0" screwdrivers have much larger/smaller tips than some of your other "Pozidriv 0" screwdrivers.  Sort it out!

(No, I didn't get Phillips or Pozidriv 1 instead of Pozidriv 0 by mistake).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 28 February, 2014, 02:50:53 pm
Quote from: Biggsy on 01 March, 2013, 11:33:25 pm
For Royal Mail Airmail, the parcel counts as a Letter if it CONTAINS a personal letter.  The "Letter", "Large Letter" and "Packet" sizes only apply to posting within the UK.  There is no size restriction for Airmail Letters (up to the size limit for Airmail in general).

UPDATE:  This is changing on 31 March.  The RM has closed the loophole.  International Letters will no longer have to contain personal correspondence, but will have to conform to the UK domestic Letter size restrictions.  www.royalmail.com/termschanges

This will increase the cost of posting certain things from 88p to £3.20 (Europe) or £3.80 (World Zone 1) or £4.00 (World Zone 2, a 4.5 times increase all of a sudden).  And the Airmail 10g Letter option has gone, raising the cost of sending a 10g letter beyond Europe from 88p to £1.28, a 45% rise.

Handy calculator with current prices: http://www.seajays.org.uk/postage/

New prices: http://www.royalmail.com/sites/default/files/RM_OurPrices_Mar2014.pdf
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 28 February, 2014, 03:06:58 pm
I've done this one before but it's worth grumbling again - Lotus Notes!

I can't believe I'm actually looking forward to you benig replaced with MS Outlook later in the year.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 28 February, 2014, 05:45:27 pm
Boo.  It's nearly the end of my "Most of February Off"
(I had to do it in order to bring my a/l balance down to the maximum allowable 10 days carry over.)
My leave year begins 1st March.  That will add another 32 days.   :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 28 February, 2014, 07:59:05 pm
Quote from: Basil on 28 February, 2014, 05:45:27 pm
Boo.  It's nearly the end of my "Most of February Off"
(I had to do it in order to bring my a/l balance down to the maximum allowable 10 days carry over.)
My leave year begins 1st March.  That will add another 32 days.   :facepalm:

Isn't the traditional solution to this problem the "Well, fuck Mondays then..." method?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 28 February, 2014, 08:34:42 pm
Quote from: Kim on 28 February, 2014, 07:59:05 pm
Quote from: Basil on 28 February, 2014, 05:45:27 pm
Boo.  It's nearly the end of my "Most of February Off"
(I had to do it in order to bring my a/l balance down to the maximum allowable 10 days carry over.)
My leave year begins 1st March.  That will add another 32 days.   :facepalm:

Isn't the traditional solution to this problem the "Well, fuck Mondays then..." method?

Yep.  I think you may be right.   :thumbsup:  Although sometimes it would have to be Friday, depending on the flavour.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 01 March, 2014, 07:27:57 am
Think I must have brought some dodgy electricity recently….Firstly my cooker hood blows up: smoke and flames everywhere (may not be quite true….) and then the washing machine we have had for 9 years stops working. Tried to fix it but it seems the bearings have gone so £300 for a new one! (and no, the wife won’t accept it as her birthday pressie…… ??? )

Then yesterday one of the outside light stops working for no reason: I replace it and the replacement doesn’t work….. no idea why. Finally, yesterday evening the hoover seizes and starts to burn. Another £100 or so for a replacement.

Not sure why but it’s a bit strange everything has gone wrong as the same time….glad I don’t have a pacemaker!!!

Bleeping expensive weekend so far!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 01 March, 2014, 01:16:17 pm
Have you checked your mains voltage recently?  Sometimes it does get a bit high and they need to send someone round to adjust the tappings.

Washing machine bearings will be unrelated, of course.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 01 March, 2014, 03:05:30 pm
Today, doing a little utility riding in Brum, I decided that I'd like some of that lovely black German bread like wot I bought in the Carmarthen Lidl earlier this week.  (Now this will amaze Kim.)  I remembered that the shop in Selly Oak is an Aldi.  So I headed for the one by the Warwickshire County Ground.

 :facepalm: ffs

Yes, I know I could have carried on to Kings Heath, but my disappointment at finding that I still haven't ceased to confuse the two outlets meant I had to get grumpy with myself instead.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nikki on 01 March, 2014, 03:45:23 pm
Basil, next time that happens, please also try to remember you're only a mile from the Lidl in Balsall Heath.

https://goo.gl/maps/1Lm0e

Lidl -> lido -> swimming pool -> Moseley Baths -> erm, Balsall Heath

HTH
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 01 March, 2014, 03:57:56 pm
Quote from: nikki on 01 March, 2014, 03:45:23 pm
Basil, next time that happens, please also try to remember you're only a mile from the Lidl in Balsall Heath.

https://goo.gl/maps/1Lm0e

Lidl -> lido -> swimming pool -> Moseley Baths -> erm, Balsall Heath

HTH

Thanks nikki, I didn't know about that one.  It would have been nearer from there, but I think Silver Street is my nearest one to Bournville.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 01 March, 2014, 05:24:28 pm
Quote from: Basil on 01 March, 2014, 03:05:30 pm
Today, doing a little utility riding in Brum, I decided that I'd like some of that lovely black German bread like wot I bought in the Carmarthen Lidl earlier this week.  (Now this will amaze Kim.)  I remembered that the shop in Selly Oak is an Aldi.  So I headed for the one by the Warwickshire County Ground.

*giggles*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nikki on 01 March, 2014, 05:37:59 pm
Quote from: Basil on 01 March, 2014, 03:57:56 pm
Thanks nikki, I didn't know about that one.  It would have been nearer from there, but I think Silver Street is my nearest one to Bournville.

Yeahbut, let's face it, plotting the nearest Lidl to all your local Aldi stores will be more useful ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 01 March, 2014, 05:51:27 pm
There you go, i've been to Silver Street.  I now has German Rye bread and a bottle of Malbec.
*is happy*
Blimey.  19 miles shopping.  Lbs-Aldi-Co-op-pub-Lidl.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 01 March, 2014, 05:56:51 pm
Rather fortuitously, my local LIDL  & Aldi shops are about 300 yards apart, although there's a tricky roundabout in between.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 01 March, 2014, 11:24:10 pm
There's a place in Bristol known as the Fish, because it has a statue of a fish on end and it's in Fishponds. It's on the cycle track, which is handy, and next to it are Aldi, Lidl, Morrison's and (I think) Tesco. As well as a Wetherspoons and the Brizzle CTC hut club room. But one thing it doesn't have is a fishmonger's. No ponds nowadays either.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 02 March, 2014, 10:54:08 am
I've just read my water bill. Two things:
1) We are family of 4. More or less every day we run a bowl of washing up, a dishwasher, a washing machine, a couple of showers, cooking that involves boiling something, drink water, flush the toilet on most visits etc. Apparently we use a shade under the water of a typical 2 person house. Either the data is correct and these typical people swim around their houses, or the water co are trying to let people feel ok about using more water because that way they spend more.

2) We pay by direct debit. We're in credit with the water company by more than we were 6 months ago (still not a fortune). There's no evidence on the bill of a price rise. So why do they want to put the monthly rate up by £1.50?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 02 March, 2014, 10:59:48 am
Quote from: perpetual dan on 02 March, 2014, 10:54:08 am
I've just read my water bill. Two things:
2) We pay by direct debit. We're in credit with the water company by more than we were 6 months ago (still not a fortune). There's no evidence on the bill of a price rise. So why do they want to put the monthly rate up by £1.50?
Because, wait for it, wait for it.... there's a price rise in the pipeline.  IGMC.

Joking aside there probably will be prices rises as a result of (or merely excused by) the recent flooding and the cost of pumping and other works. After all we wouldn't want to reduce shareholder dividend and _somebody_ has to pay for it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: claireysmurf on 02 March, 2014, 12:01:49 pm
My shoulder REALLY hurts. Either I am in agony and can't do much or I am sedated by the pain relief.
Drunken wedding dancing hurts.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Clare on 02 March, 2014, 06:39:17 pm
Gah, colleagues with small, snotty children should be banned. I'm on my fourth cold of the year.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 03 March, 2014, 08:32:19 am
Quote from: perpetual dan on 02 March, 2014, 10:54:08 am
I've just read my water bill. Two things:
1) We are family of 4. More or less every day we run a bowl of washing up, a dishwasher, a washing machine, a couple of showers, cooking that involves boiling something, drink water, flush the toilet on most visits etc. Apparently we use a shade under the water of a typical 2 person house. Either the data is correct and these typical people swim around their houses, or the water co are trying to let people feel ok about using more water because that way they spend more.

2) We pay by direct debit. We're in credit with the water company by more than we were 6 months ago (still not a fortune). There's no evidence on the bill of a price rise. So why do they want to put the monthly rate up by £1.50?

I've just read my bill. Increased by 4.5% approx.

Which one of you Lundun Tahn residents wants to claim the bit of the infrastructure under your feet I have been paying for for years?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 03 March, 2014, 08:32:46 am
I wanted to ride to the pub on Friday evening but the back tyre was flat at the bottom.  Bleedin' fairies must have struck on the ride home in the pouring rain Friday afternoon. >:(

Oh well. It gave me something to do Saturday morning ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cycleman on 03 March, 2014, 10:33:40 am
My back has gone again  :(. No riding for me for while  :'(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 03 March, 2014, 10:56:17 am
Oh bother.  GWS.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cycleman on 03 March, 2014, 10:59:02 am
Thanks clarion  :) .
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 03 March, 2014, 11:09:59 am
Take it easy cycleman. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cycleman on 03 March, 2014, 08:47:07 pm
Thanks PB  :) . Laid up as opposed to back for a change  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruth on 03 March, 2014, 08:48:02 pm
 :( GWS Cycleman.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 03 March, 2014, 09:09:37 pm
Quote from: cycleman on 03 March, 2014, 08:47:07 pm
...  :) . Laid...  ::-)

Explains a lot ...   ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 03 March, 2014, 09:24:13 pm
Bring on the cranberry juice. Bah!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruth on 03 March, 2014, 09:28:03 pm
Sympathies, Mrs P.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 09 March, 2014, 03:09:53 pm
Bloody snot again, for 4th time in 4 weeks.  Too dizzy to ride on bike in lovely weather.  Feel like crap and it's making me nauseated this time.  Tea and ribena both taste wrong, tea is making me feel sick. I am struggling to find something I can drink in quantity cos I'm fussy enough at the best of times.  Food tastes wrong too.   

Bring on all the drugs and nasal sprays.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 09 March, 2014, 03:44:23 pm
Get Well Soon, barakta!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 10 March, 2014, 02:45:25 pm
Sainsburys: I tried your sweet chilli hummus for a change & didn't like it. When I looked at the label & saw it contained sugar, I knew why! WTF?! I expect the 'sweet' bit to come from the chillis not added in extra.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 10 March, 2014, 02:58:13 pm
My phone is pulling a steady ~300mA but the battery isn't getting any more charged.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 10 March, 2014, 04:01:35 pm
Quote from: barakta on 09 March, 2014, 03:09:53 pm
Bloody snot again, for 4th time in 4 weeks.  Too dizzy to ride on bike in lovely weather.  Feel like crap and it's making me nauseated this time.  Tea and ribena both taste wrong, tea is making me feel sick. I am struggling to find something I can drink in quantity cos I'm fussy enough at the best of times.  Food tastes wrong too.   


Ginger tea!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruth on 10 March, 2014, 05:04:53 pm
Bloody hell.  Ear infection.  Feel rubbish.  Slept all day and it was sunny.   :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 10 March, 2014, 07:03:28 pm
Feel better soon :)


I've got a sore ear, but I'm pretty sure it's from clenching  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 10 March, 2014, 09:30:44 pm
Just checked the list of Simon's Friday Night Rides,   I can't do any of them before June  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 10 March, 2014, 11:59:37 pm
Have been eating ginger biscuits as I can't quite face the tea (I did used to down dried ginger in water when balance was chronically awful which helped nausea more than any pharmaceuticals did, which wasn't saying much).  Seems magically much better today when I have to go to work after losing all weekend. Better not resurge tomorrow as my colleague and I have to meet a scary dept and she'll KILL me if I am not in cos she's shy.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 11 March, 2014, 12:28:31 am
Quote from: Kim on 10 March, 2014, 02:58:13 pm
My phone is pulling a steady ~300mA but the battery isn't getting any more charged.

Mysteriously, after a few hours doing this from the bench power supply, the current started to tail off.  And it had gone from one red bar to two proper ones.  I then moved it to my usual charging source, which is a powered USB hub on the computer, where it continued until achieving the full 4 bars, and stopped.  I've left it playing mp3s for a while, and it seems to be genuine charge.

I've tested the lead for intermittentness, and it's not that.  Maybe the couple of cold reboots I tried first made a difference.  Or it's gremlins.  But most likely it was ordering a replacement battery that persuaded it to make a miraculous recovery.   ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 12 March, 2014, 09:45:11 pm
Mrs Cudzo, unlike her husband, is a real person with a real job in a real office doing real things with real colleagues and getting real money. This real office contains many real lights, one of which is really right above her real desk. She asked for it be turned off because it was glaring on her real monitor and the real reflections were making it hard to really see what was there, meaning she might gather unreal data which wasn't really there and give real quotes which weren't really real. So someone responsible for such things turned it off - but on Monday it was on again. She asked the someone and was told they had to get permission from head office (in Hertfordshire, lightbulbyears away) to turn off lights.  :facepalm:  :o
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 12 March, 2014, 09:53:42 pm
I would have got up on the chair (deliberately to piss off H&S) and unscrewed the bulb/tube.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 12 March, 2014, 09:58:04 pm
This week, I've been doing some self development, teaching myself restraint, mainly because otherwise I would be beating one of my family members repeatedly round the head with the frying pan of spang.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 13 March, 2014, 08:01:22 am
ME! If you are going to plant your size 10s in a pile of dog eggs, make sure you aren't wearing DMs when you do it.

Oh and then don't wipe it all over the pedals in the car!  :sick:  :sick:  :sick:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 13 March, 2014, 08:55:30 pm
Electricity North West - The power has been off for over an hour. I reported it using yur stupid automated voice system half an hour ago. Why are you not even registering a fault when I check on the website?

I've got panniers to pack and a front mech to fettle, neither of these are easy to do with just a head torch. More importantly, I was just about to start cooking dinner when the lights went out. Get it sorted!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 13 March, 2014, 08:59:16 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 13 March, 2014, 08:55:30 pm
Electricity North West - The power has been off for over an hour. I reported it using yur stupid automated voice system half an hour ago. Why are you not even registering a fault when I check on the website?

CMS inaccessible due to a power cut.   ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 14 March, 2014, 03:03:49 pm
This may move to the rant thread...

Elder children's school' Head of Geography: A) tell me in your message which of my two children you are referring to. B) tell me the name of the country you are talking about. C) worst of all, wtf are you doing asking children to watch a Top Gear special programme to gain insights into a country, I assume Burma. If that is the only source, then you haven't heard the last of this...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 14 March, 2014, 04:29:31 pm
That is ridiculous. At best.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 14 March, 2014, 05:25:10 pm
Quote
Based on what I watched on Sunday the programme showed the economic and social conditions in Burma and how they were planning for development in the future through the creation of a new city despite the poor conditions that still exist for many people. Other students produced spider diagrams of how a variety of issues that they discovered by watching the programme.
What a load of bollocks!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 14 March, 2014, 07:51:58 pm
To be fair, the programme did touch on those issues (though its credibility as a source is otherwise non-existent).  Big mysteriously empty good-quality roads in a country full of congested dirt tracks being of natural interest to wanky car enthusiasts.  I also don't doubt that letting the class watch Top Gear makes for an easy class-control win.

Appropriate?  Bollocks.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 14 March, 2014, 08:03:04 pm
I should qualify my post by saying that watching TG was a homework task. Nevertheless, its educational value is dubious at best. I know that Burma has been a closed shop for decades, but there has to be something better out there.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Deano on 16 March, 2014, 10:58:14 am
Multi-faceted grumble, this one.

There are roadworks in the street - I'm not whinging about that, they're replacing the pipes and IDGAF if it makes it harder for drivers to hit 35 mph in a 20 zone.

But the barriers have been put up so carelessly that they keep falling over, especially when it's windy. Then they block the pavement and road to the point where the bus can't get past.

But my main grumble is at the miserable sod of a bus driver - I was walking to the shop and saw him getting out to shift the barriers, so I stopped to give him a hand and clear a path.

Grumpy old bastard didn't even say thank you ::-) It's probably part of the training, along with waiting until the cyclist's alongside you before pulling out, and refusing to give change for a fiver.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Marco Stefano on 16 March, 2014, 01:24:37 pm
Dear Mrs Marco, turning up at Stowmarket RFC for U20 selection duties would have been fine , apart from the fact that they are all at Sudbury RFC. As is your 'VIP buffet luncheon' which began 20 minutes ago, when you rang to ask directions; at least you should get there for the start of the match.

And you needed to ask directions, didn't you, because your TomTom (bought as a present for this very use) is here on the shelf. And there is no map in the car.

:facepalm:  and   ::-) , but still  :-*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cycleman on 16 March, 2014, 09:01:11 pm
Depression and gastric reflux have sneaked up on me this evening. I have not had a lot of sleep over the past few nights and now I cannot settle. Zopiclone  for me tonight    :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 16 March, 2014, 10:14:59 pm
Quote from: Deano on 16 March, 2014, 10:58:14 am
But my main grumble is at the miserable sod of a bus driver - I was walking to the shop and saw him getting out to shift the barriers, so I stopped to give him a hand and clear a path.

Grumpy old bastard didn't even say thank you ::-) It's probably part of the training, along with waiting until the cyclist's alongside you before pulling out, and refusing to give change for a fiver.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AobZe6iT9kY

;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 17 March, 2014, 07:57:21 am
Shivery, tired, runny nose, sore throat. Marvellous.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Zipperhead on 17 March, 2014, 10:37:52 am
I should have known when I fixed the puncture that the tube of glue sitting in the bowl had been there for a long while and would no longer work reliably.

Quelle nuisance. On the upside, while I had the wheel out I removed about half a kilo of accumulated muck from inside the mudguard, and took the front wheel out to do the same at that end, so when I sort out the puncture today the steed will be lighter (and cleaner!)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 18 March, 2014, 11:47:08 am
Frikkin plumber.   Arse in gear, get over here. 

If he doesn't show today then he's blown out.  That's a week of work he will lose but more importantly, it causes us issues re our internal insulation installation.

He has let me down two days on the bounce.   It's not like I couldn't be elsewhere earning money.   

< very pissed off >
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 18 March, 2014, 02:48:49 pm
My stomach feels all wibbly and bleurgh :(

3/4 bag of Starburst might have something to do with it :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 18 March, 2014, 05:19:35 pm
Sustrans. Urban cyclists trying to get somewhere appears to be an unknown concept to you I observe, but really you have surpassed even yourselves with NCN1 into Edinburgh.

A junction straight off of a busy road with an acute angle, sharp rise and anti-cycle gate; A stepped ramped rail bridge and a set of pedestrian railings across the signed route all within a couple miles. Wonderful! :facepalm:

And the less said about the two sets of diversions in Dalkeith the better.

Shame, as it was a nice ride up until then
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 19 March, 2014, 09:26:43 am
Plug you ears folks-

(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 19 March, 2014, 09:38:48 am
Surely it would be more hygienic to use their hands for that purpose?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 21 March, 2014, 09:09:14 am
This might have gone into the “Good Deed” thread, but unfortunately it’s turned into a grumble.
On Wednesday morning I spotted a cyclist pushing his bike up the Bristol Road.  He was using his phone, which coupled with pushing is often a bad sign.  So I pulled over and asked if everything was OK.
Puncture.
I said that my spare tube wasn’t suitable for his 26”, but if he fancied a repair, I’d got patches, glue and tyre levers.  He’d got a pump in his backpack (fortunately).
So, I gave him the stuff and told him I’d see him the next morning at University South Gate at 8.
Yesterday I arrived just before 8, waited till 10 past.  No sign.
Today, I rode past at 8.  No sign.

Huh?  This is a guy I see maybe once or twice a week, so I’m going to see him again eventually.  Unless he is so determined to keep three tyre levers that he is prepared to completely change his commute route.
 ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 21 March, 2014, 11:47:19 am
Maybe he was struck down with a case of the raging <x> and is lying in his sick bed thinking, well I see the good Samaritan twice a week so hopefully he won't be too upset to get his stuff back late....

Hopefully.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 23 March, 2014, 03:43:49 pm
You aren't worth a rant...

Next-door neighbour: OK, the bonfire was very smoky, but yes, I had worked that out and was damping it down. And, bearing in mind the fact that when it's frosty and you're too lazy to scrape your car windows, so you leave leave it - a big, smelly diesel - running for 20-30 minutes before you depart and pollute the neighbourhood, then I don't think you have the right to flounce angrily because you have smoke in your garden. When you are indoors.

Strangely enough, I then took the opportunity to use my electric mower, strimmer and scarifier. Noisy things those, aren't they?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 24 March, 2014, 09:47:06 am
Quote from: Basil on 21 March, 2014, 09:09:14 am
This might have gone into the “Good Deed” thread, but unfortunately it’s turned into a grumble.
On Wednesday morning I spotted a cyclist pushing his bike up the Bristol Road.  He was using his phone, which coupled with pushing is often a bad sign.  So I pulled over and asked if everything was OK.
Puncture.
I said that my spare tube wasn’t suitable for his 26”, but if he fancied a repair, I’d got patches, glue and tyre levers.  He’d got a pump in his backpack (fortunately).
So, I gave him the stuff and told him I’d see him the next morning at University South Gate at 8.
Yesterday I arrived just before 8, waited till 10 past.  No sign.
Today, I rode past at 8.  No sign.

Huh?  This is a guy I see maybe once or twice a week, so I’m going to see him again eventually.  Unless he is so determined to keep three tyre levers that he is prepared to completely change his commute route.
 ???

Still no sign.  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 24 March, 2014, 01:17:29 pm
26" tube and no puncture kit.  It's entirely possible that he's driving to work until the bike is fixed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 25 March, 2014, 10:18:52 am
No sign of the perp of THE GRATE TYRE LEVER ROBBERY, which was not surprising as I was very late this morning. 
That’s my last commute until next Tuesday, so he’ll remain unspotted for a week.

Remember.  If you are offered a tyre lever in a pub…………………..
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: arabella on 25 March, 2014, 06:00:20 pm
Dear Suffolk County Council student transport,
whilst I apreciate your offer of help for a travel pass for my son, it looks like we will have to regrestfully decline on account of although the (unnecessary) bus portion being valid all morning (to) and all afternoon (from), the train portion which is the bit we actually need is only valid for certain trains, not including all the time he currently uses.
So sad.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 26 March, 2014, 10:48:03 am
Our 13th June diagonale had just been scotched by chum's boss cancelling all standing holiday reservations and deciding to close the works for three weeks in August, the high-handed bastard.  13th June = long daylight hours, full moon, winds probably westerly, August = shortening light & a very good chance of steady NE wind. On Brest-Strasbourg, not a good thing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 27 March, 2014, 12:47:45 pm
There is a magazine article pinned up in the reception area at work.

It is about the bridge closure over the Tyne.

The article, about halfway through, say the roadway will be widen by just under a metre.

The next sentence then says it will go from 1920mm to 2231mm.

WTF, how the hell is 300mm "just" under a metre?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 27 March, 2014, 02:08:33 pm
Quote from: tiermat on 27 March, 2014, 12:47:45 pm
There is a magazine article pinned up in the reception area at work.

It is about the bridge closure over the Tyne.

The article, about halfway through, say the roadway will be widen by just under a metre.

The next sentence then says it will go from 1920mm to 2231mm.

WTF, how the hell is 300mm "just" under a metre?

They really ought to have stuck with imperial units!

From six feet to seven feet. That's one foot in English!
Unfathomable how innumerate some people can be with metric units...  ;) ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 27 March, 2014, 05:43:23 pm
6'4" to 7'4".
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 27 March, 2014, 06:11:26 pm
How can it cost twice as much and take over an hour longer to get to Cumbria from Brid than it does from Aberdeen?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 28 March, 2014, 08:17:15 am
I've just paid my credit card. All £14.07 of it. I thought I was ordering inner tubes but the rotten swines have sent me Fairy-Magnets :hand:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CommuteTooFar on 31 March, 2014, 12:23:48 pm
Saturday night I noticed someone has stolen an hour. It will probable take the government six months to replace it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 31 March, 2014, 12:57:29 pm
Pessimist. It the government clawing back the hour they gave you in the autumn.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 31 March, 2014, 01:06:23 pm
 Bugger (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=13438.msg1663610#msg1663610) :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 31 March, 2014, 03:21:41 pm
Quote from: CommuteTooFar on 31 March, 2014, 12:23:48 pm
Saturday night I noticed someone has stolen an hour. It will probable take the government six seven months to replace it.

FTFY
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruth on 01 April, 2014, 11:04:44 am
Oh, bugger, I forgot to put the bin out again, and the lorry's just gone past.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 01 April, 2014, 11:20:31 am
The Mercian's got a poorly BB and needs to go to the bike hospital, so I've been commuting on the Galaxy for a while.
So set off this morning........ Luckily only rode <2 miles before remembering that today is the day the Mercian is booked in at the (Not very)LBS.  Bugger!
Ride home again and change bikes.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 01 April, 2014, 11:51:34 pm
Slave Traders - why are you now sending me emails about IT jobs? I'm a Chemical Engineer, not a 'PHP developer'. In fact my highest qualification in IT is a Key Skills Level 3 ICT* and my smidgin of PHP knowledge is self taught and not exactly fluent. Go away and stop clogging up my inbox.



*This was a qualification so good that marks were actually awarded for turning the computer on!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 02 April, 2014, 12:01:34 am
Quote from: mcshroom on 01 April, 2014, 11:51:34 pm
Slave Traders - why are you now sending me emails about IT jobs? I'm a Chemical Engineer, not a 'PHP developer'. In fact my highest qualification in IT is a Key Skills Level 3 ICT* and my smidgin of PHP knowledge is self taught and not exactly fluent.

Sounds like you're fully qualified for a PHP dev job, then.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 02 April, 2014, 12:25:03 pm
Dear Auntie Beeb,

The mile is not a unit of area.

Kthxbai
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 02 April, 2014, 05:49:13 pm
Quote from: Pingu on 02 April, 2014, 12:25:03 pm
Dear Auntie Beeb,

The mile is not a unit of area.

Kthxbai
Course not. It's a football pitchTM
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruth on 02 April, 2014, 05:49:57 pm
No it isn't.  It's the size of Wales.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 02 April, 2014, 06:01:46 pm
How many Olympic swimming pools to the mile?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 02 April, 2014, 06:23:08 pm
Quote from: Basil on 02 April, 2014, 06:01:46 pm
How many Olympic swimming pools to the mile?
3 hours
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: epa611 on 02 April, 2014, 08:24:08 pm
Quote from: Basil on 02 April, 2014, 06:01:46 pm
How many Olympic swimming pools to the mile?

32
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 02 April, 2014, 08:28:49 pm
Quote from: epa611 on 02 April, 2014, 08:24:08 pm
Quote from: Basil on 02 April, 2014, 06:01:46 pm
How many Olympic swimming pools to the mile?

32
Metric or imperial Olympic swimming pools?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Dibdib on 02 April, 2014, 08:30:15 pm
Metric, obviously. Imperial swimming pools are non-migratory, aren't they?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 02 April, 2014, 08:35:40 pm
What's the air speed velocity of an unladen swimming pool?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 02 April, 2014, 08:39:38 pm
Quote from: Pingu on 02 April, 2014, 08:35:40 pm
What's the air speed velocity of an unladen swimming pool?

About two and a half football pitches.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 02 April, 2014, 08:43:08 pm
... per double decker bus
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 02 April, 2014, 08:45:25 pm
Actually , and I think I may have mentioned this before., my favourite unit of measurement is the MilliHelen.
A MilliHelen being the amount of beauty required to launch one ship.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 02 April, 2014, 08:46:07 pm
I assume the one-bar electric fire is ineligible as a unit, on account of being SI derived?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Dibdib on 02 April, 2014, 08:51:46 pm
Quote from: Pingu on 02 April, 2014, 08:35:40 pm
What's the air speed velocity of an unladen swimming pool?

(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 02 April, 2014, 09:13:15 pm
Quote from: Kim on 02 April, 2014, 08:46:07 pm
I assume the one-bar electric fire is ineligible as a unit, on account of being SI derived?
The Imperial equivalent being the 14.5 psi voltage conflagration.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 02 April, 2014, 09:17:09 pm
My favourite unit is the micro century, which is the length of a Dundee University lecture. This allows time at each end for room interchange.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 03 April, 2014, 06:16:06 pm
 ;D
Not just Dundee, but I'd never spotted the micro-century bit before.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 03 April, 2014, 06:45:38 pm
Then there is the lecture century; whereby a one hour lecture appears to drag on interminably, or at least to feel a century long. Scandinavian linguistics springs to mind. Or the eminent Dean of School's enlightening summary of Faeroese literature.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 03 April, 2014, 07:55:20 pm
A saga of truly epic proportions..
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Littlesox on 03 April, 2014, 08:04:48 pm
Somebody at work showed me some you tube footage of a motorcyclist with a headcam losing control of his motorbike on a corner and narrowly missing an oncoming car. The footage ends as he dissapears off down an embankment half-way down the Cat & Fiddle.

Thankfully he is OK but I think his trusty steed is a bit worse for wear.

Probably one of the eejits that screamed past me last Sunday as I panted and wheezed my way from Macclesfield to Buxton.

Numty.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 04 April, 2014, 01:44:14 pm
Today is one of those days when you get the wrong work at the wrong time with the wrong deadline. My brain is fried and I need a break, but I don't have time to take a break if I'm to finish by the 4:30 deadline. Oh well.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 05 April, 2014, 08:29:36 am
Was expecting to be snoozing on a plane to Furrybootoon by now. I'm in Cardiff instead. Bah!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 05 April, 2014, 03:34:37 pm
Just paid for my first pair of varifocals.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 05 April, 2014, 04:55:51 pm
Dan, I feel your pain, and have felt it a few times  :facepalm:

Get any change from £500?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 05 April, 2014, 07:24:30 pm
£199
One pair. Somewhat thinner than the basic lenses. One down from the top sized vari bit. Fairly cheap frames, but they were the ones I liked best rather than being cheap.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 06 April, 2014, 03:26:58 pm
I have just had three 14-year-old teenage girls over for a sleepover. Well, my daughter has. I know I was probably like it myself and I know I don't have much in common with them, but sheesh, what an uncommunicative bunch. Not sullen exactly, just totally mute when spoken to.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 06 April, 2014, 07:41:38 pm
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 06 April, 2014, 03:26:58 pm
I have just had three 14-year-old teenage girls over for a sleepover. Well, my daughter has. I know I was probably like it myself and I know I don't have much in common with them, but sheesh, what an uncommunicative bunch. Not sullen exactly, just totally mute when spoken to.

'Yeh wotever.........'
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 06 April, 2014, 10:35:10 pm
That would have been a major breakthrough!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruth on 06 April, 2014, 10:36:41 pm
Did they all burst into giggles when you left the room?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 07 April, 2014, 08:31:53 am
Quote from: perpetual dan on 05 April, 2014, 07:24:30 pm
£199
One pair. Somewhat thinner than the basic lenses. One down from the top sized vari bit. Fairly cheap frames, but they were the ones I liked best rather than being cheap.

My prescription is so awful that I really need the very highest refractive index lenses, and strewth, the price premium for those is scary.  Sunglasses were £600, but the frames for thsoe were a step above basic.  I do go for bendy titanium alloy ones as they survive being headbutted by the cat, rather better.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 07 April, 2014, 09:01:44 am
Quote from: Ruthie on 06 April, 2014, 10:36:41 pm
Did they all burst into giggles when you left the room?
Funnily enough, I did check to see if my flies were done up!

They all had a great time together, which is the important thing, but when asked if they wanted breakfast, I could get neither a 'yes please' nor a 'no, thank you' out of them. All I got was a vacant stare.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 07 April, 2014, 09:09:43 am
Probably because breakfast is an alien concept
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 07 April, 2014, 10:39:30 am
We were certainly on different planets, that's for sure!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 08 April, 2014, 05:09:47 pm
May Richard Branson be forever cursed!  I can't get any radio reception inside this Virgin train.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 08 April, 2014, 06:50:37 pm
Quote from: clarion on 08 April, 2014, 05:09:47 pm
May Richard Branson be forever cursed!  I can't get any radio reception inside this Virgin train.

Voyager is it?  Those things are basically RF jamming devices on rails.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 08 April, 2014, 06:59:23 pm
No idea.  But not a helpful space.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 08 April, 2014, 07:09:47 pm
Virgin Voyagers are Class 221 diesels, jam radio signals and have power sockets and dangly bike spaces.  Pendolinos are electric, have find-someone-with-a-carriage-key bike compartments, smell of poo, don't have enough sockets and wiggle from side to side alarmingly.  As both are designed for tilting operation and necessarily get thinner at the top, neither have enough luggage space.  I'm not sure which I hate most.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 09 April, 2014, 03:23:44 pm
Went down to the caff in the public library on the ground floor to get a hot chocolate and a butterscotch cookie. Couldn't get a hot chocolate because "the machine's switched off at twenty past three, love." Got back to my desk, the clock on the computer says it's 15:19, and the cookie is stale.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 09 April, 2014, 07:12:25 pm
'Paying your respects' does not involve slouching with your hands in your pockets. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26952831)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 09 April, 2014, 08:19:07 pm
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 09 April, 2014, 07:12:25 pm
'Paying your respects' does not involve slouching with your hands in your pockets. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26952831)

Not surprised, really.  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cycleman on 09 April, 2014, 08:37:43 pm
gastric acid again  :(. bah .
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Marco Stefano on 13 April, 2014, 11:22:13 am
New bearings for Daxara 127 camping trailer (and advertised as such) bought from Ebay trader, and arrived promptly.

Do they fit? Do they hell. Larger replacement bearing is the same size as the smaller original, smaller replacement is too small for anything.  ::-)  >:(


Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 14 April, 2014, 06:29:09 pm
Spent much of the last week being ill with non specific DEDness, hideous dizziness and falling over.

Slept like shit last night before work today so shoulder is TELLING ME IT DOESN'T LIIIKE IT loudly enough to need hitting with a codeinehammer - I need food because I can eat MOAR codeine!

(Oh well, at least the fecking codeine works and my GPs aren't cunts about renewing it)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 16 April, 2014, 08:20:58 am
Self: when organising a moonlit, countryside, canalside walk to the pub, as well as checking the sunset time it might also be a good idea to check the moonrise time!

Once it did rise, though, not only was its rise awesome - in the true sense of the word - but it was also bright enough to cast shadows.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 16 April, 2014, 07:26:05 pm
Plaster dust. It really does get everywhere. Sneeze.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 17 April, 2014, 09:12:36 am
Can't find the tenuous claims to fame thread. The search facility if crap.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Salvatore on 17 April, 2014, 09:15:35 am
Quote from: Bledlow on 17 April, 2014, 09:12:36 am
Can't find the tenuous claims to fame thread. The search facility if crap.
https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=1356.0

You're welcome.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 17 April, 2014, 09:54:46 am
Doh! Ta.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 17 April, 2014, 12:14:01 pm
Itchy runny red eyes. Check
Tickly runny nose. Check
Sneezles. Check

Yep. The bloody oilseed rape's in flower >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 22 April, 2014, 02:20:20 pm
After spending the Christmas holiday hacking my lungs up and generally sounding like an entire chorus of consumptives, I've managed to duck and dive every cold in the interim. Despite being surrounded by sick people and their miasma of a grotty viruses and bacteria I've been disease teflon.

Until Friday morning, of course, the start of the four day Easter weekend, when we celebrate the miracle of Space Chicken laying the Magic Bunny Egg. Itchy throat. Headache. Open the floodgates of mucus.

Of course, it's Tuesday now so it's on the way out, though I'm still coughing up things that look suspiciously like exotic deep sea life-forms and I have those glutinous snot bubbles that seem to fill your head before popping through your ears. They always form when I'm trying to speak forcing me to make a strange ga-ah-AH noise as my head basically becomes airtight.

I also spent six hours yesterday making a start on the garden. Despite pulling up tonnes of brambles and having arms that look like I picked a fight with a feline samurai it looks completely unchanged. I may just fly over it in an F4 and drop canisters of agent orange. Oh, and there's a 80 foot fir tree listing to port that'll probably need to come down and some cracking in the render on the side of the house that'll need fixing. I'm like the human cash machine.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 22 April, 2014, 02:26:59 pm
Quote from: ian on 22 April, 2014, 02:20:20 pm
After spending the Christmas holiday hacking my lungs up and generally sounding like an entire chorus of consumptives, I've managed to duck and dive every cold in the interim. Despite being surrounded by sick people and their miasma of a grotty viruses and bacteria I've been disease teflon.

Until Friday morning, of course, the start of the four day Easter weekend, when we celebrate the miracle of Space Chicken laying the Magic Bunny Egg. Itchy throat. Headache. Open the floodgates of mucus.

Of course, it's Tuesday now so it's on the way out, though I'm still coughing up things that look suspiciously like exotic deep sea life-forms and I have those glutinous snot bubbles that seem to fill your head before popping through your ears. They always form when I'm trying to speak forcing me to make a strange ga-ah-AH noise as my head basically becomes airtight.

I also spent six hours yesterday making a start on the garden. Despite pulling up tonnes of brambles and having arms that look like I picked a fight with a feline samurai it looks completely unchanged. I may just fly over it in an F4 and drop canisters of agent orange. Oh, and there's a 80 foot fir tree listing to port that'll probably need to come down and some cracking in the render on the side of the house that'll need fixing. I'm like the human cash machine.

I don't want to know where the card slot is........
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 22 April, 2014, 03:52:34 pm
Quote from: ian on 22 April, 2014, 02:20:20 pm
Until Friday morning, of course, the start of the four day Easter weekend, when we celebrate the miracle of Space Chicken laying the Magic Bunny Egg. Itchy throat. Headache. Open the floodgates of mucus.

This, but 24-48 hours behind.   :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 24 April, 2014, 08:10:39 am
Bloomin coppers. I know you like hooning around in ekspenif flashy kit, chasing baddies so the CPS and the courts can let them go again, an' that, but do you have to do it over my end of town, in the NOISIEST chellywopter EVUH, at 20 to 1 in the bloody morning?

I thought a chinook was trying to land on my roof, but it was only a little Eurocopter hovering nearly 1/2 a mile away.

At least you managed to wake up half the county, so you achieved summat then.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 28 April, 2014, 09:47:41 am
I have a sinus related headache coming on, right down the right side of my face :(

I am ~65miles from home :( :(

I will struggle to hold out until lunchtime :( :( :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: davelodwig on 28 April, 2014, 09:57:59 am
I has hurt myself, in the foot.

So there I was power kiting on a lovely windy day on the common, and everything is going great I'm doing better than I've done before and I think oooohhh Lets swoop the kite a bit that'd be fun only for a great big gust of wind to pull me off my feet into the air a little bit, except my landing wasn't too graceful and I landed on my own ankle and have sprained myself.

So now I'm hobbling around with a stick.

And this isn't helping the training for the half marathon in May.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 28 April, 2014, 10:43:44 am
So I had to take some time off last week.

Arrive back in work to find some stupid fucker has turned up the AC to 24C again.

Not funny, not clever.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 28 April, 2014, 10:56:51 am
Quote from: tiermat on 28 April, 2014, 09:47:41 am
I have a sinus related headache coming on, right down the right side of my face :(

I am ~65miles from home :( :(

I will struggle to hold out until lunchtime :( :( :(
I've been having this on & off (but more on that off) for almost two months now. It's getting me down. On my fourth antibiotic, & a new steroid spray.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 28 April, 2014, 01:01:59 pm
Quote from: davelodwig on 28 April, 2014, 09:57:59 am
I has hurt myself, in the foot.

Snip....
And this isn't helping the training for the half marathon in May.

Perfect trianing for a half marathon- or full marathon for that matter.

Can't run to train, can't run the race- perfick ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 29 April, 2014, 11:38:50 am
Tourer - how did you manage to get a flat tyre overnight? You've been suspended on the work stand since Saturday morning and the tyre was fine when I went to bed.

Of course I didn't notice until after moving all the commuting gubbins overfrom the singlespeed. :facepalm:
:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: davelodwig on 29 April, 2014, 12:24:20 pm
Quote from: fuzzy on 28 April, 2014, 01:01:59 pm
Quote from: davelodwig on 28 April, 2014, 09:57:59 am
I has hurt myself, in the foot.

Snip....
And this isn't helping the training for the half marathon in May.

Perfect trianing for a half marathon- or full marathon for that matter.

Can't run to train, can't run the race- perfick ;)

I quite wanted to do this one it's part of the Keswick Mountain festival, it's starting to look like I might just be drinking the beer.

I managed to hobble about at the St Georges day parade on Sunday, and also to ride the Brompton a short distance yesterday. However I'm totally broken today and it hurts like bally. I think I've overtired the injury so i'm sat at my desk with my foot up on a chair waiting for the end of the shift to go to hospital.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 29 April, 2014, 03:04:16 pm
GWS David.

My moan - first 30oC afternoon in the condemned portakabin our office of the year. It's too hot, I'm struggling to concentrate and I appear to have developed a sort of mini heat shiver ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 29 April, 2014, 03:25:07 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 29 April, 2014, 03:04:16 pm
GWS David.

My moan - first 30oC afternoon in the condemned portakabin our office of the year. It's too hot, I'm struggling to concentrate and I appear to have developed a sort of mini heat shiver ???
You are having a meltdown?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 29 April, 2014, 03:32:35 pm
Perhaps I'm melting :)

Those of us banished to 'temporary'* offices in the unfashionable parts of the outer rim are not afforded such luxuries as air conditioning, hole free roofs or buildings made out of actual building stuff. For some reason they consider the places storing the nasty stuff a higher priority.


*I have photos showing that this one was here in 1991, and it wasn't new then either
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: davelodwig on 30 April, 2014, 01:47:05 pm
Quote from: davelodwig on 29 April, 2014, 12:24:20 pm
Quote from: fuzzy on 28 April, 2014, 01:01:59 pm
Quote from: davelodwig on 28 April, 2014, 09:57:59 am
I has hurt myself, in the foot.

Snip....
And this isn't helping the training for the half marathon in May.

Perfect trianing for a half marathon- or full marathon for that matter.

Can't run to train, can't run the race- perfick ;)

I quite wanted to do this one it's part of the Keswick Mountain festival, it's starting to look like I might just be drinking the beer.

I managed to hobble about at the St Georges day parade on Sunday, and also to ride the Brompton a short distance yesterday. However I'm totally broken today and it hurts like bally. I think I've overtired the injury so i'm sat at my desk with my foot up on a chair waiting for the end of the shift to go to hospital.

I've seen inside my foot (with the help of xrays), thankfully nothing seriously wrong just soft tissue damage and I was sent on my way with a leaflet on exercising the foot to help it heal and instructions to not run for a week and see how I feel. Thankfully the nurse seemed to think gentle spinney pedaling on a bike would be helpful as it'll keep the foot moving.

I've not needed the stick today so that's an improvement, though some drugs were involved.

Will do a short run in a week and see how we get on, I may be watching the other runners head off into the sun (with a pint though).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: JonBuoy on 02 May, 2014, 10:21:46 am
Quote
If you have opted for a TV Licence by email you should receive this within 3 working days.

Why on earth does it take 3 days ?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 02 May, 2014, 10:28:34 am
On the brink of departing yesterday evening on the bike for an evening spin the rear tube blew out.   The ride was abandoned when the Rigida Chrina rim would not give up the Gatorskin.   :(    I eventually prevailed and found that the tube had failed at the valve seat, much as many Spesh tubes have been reported as having failed.   This was the first one that has done this for me.   I'm using Schwalbe tubes now.

Anyway, the real low energy grumble is caused by that bloody Chrina rim.   Grrr!!! 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 03 May, 2014, 09:49:22 am
It's a beautiful day for a bike ride so I'm stuck in the flat waiting for something that should have been delivered during the week. :-(

And my broadband isn't working. Bloody BT.....

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 03 May, 2014, 06:01:54 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 03 May, 2014, 09:49:22 am
It's a beautiful day for a bike ride so I'm stuck in the flat waiting for something that should have been delivered during the week. :-(

And my broadband isn't working. Bloody BT.....

Broadband fault was fixed within 10 minutes of me reporting it  :thumbsup:

My new chair hasn't been delivered.  They quote 5 working days and told me it had been dispatched on Monday,  on Friday the courier sent me a text saying they would deliver within 10 working days.  When I complained to the seller they said they'd send one out for delivery today.......  I think I'll be asking for a refund of the delivery charge if I decide not to cancel the order & go elsewhere  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 04 May, 2014, 10:51:22 am
Checking train costs & times on the East Coast site.    5 minutes to change platforms & catch a connection is not practical when you've got a loaded tourer !  At least not without unpleasant amounts of stress & swearing !
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 04 May, 2014, 09:39:30 pm
Broadband has gone faulty again! Bloody BT!
If I was paying for the service I'd be annoyed! 
Indian repair team seem efficient & helpful so far. Calling me back with an appointment for an engineer.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: madcow on 05 May, 2014, 08:46:55 am
Saturday was completely bolloxed by having to go to Old Trafford (again) to watch the scummers play Sunderland. I made a pact with the devil and supported Sunderland.The only good part of the day was when the ball went in the mufc goal.
Sunday was partially bolloxed as mrs m is suffering with a bad muscle strain in her back and our long ride got cut to only 50 miles and no hills.
Today is set aside  decorating and cleaning duties and is therefore once again bolloxed .

At least we get away next BH.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jaded on 05 May, 2014, 09:45:33 am
This sounds like a very good afternoon.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 05 May, 2014, 09:48:39 am
Our mountains were full of bloody bikers this weekend. Nothing better when you're slogging up an 8% slope than a bunch of weekend Darth Vaders blasting the silence to bits and stinking up the air.  Four of them pulled in three metres past one of our control points and one of them started revving his engine while they all listened with heads cocked for some putative irregularity, never worrying that a bunch of folk were standing right behind the exhaust pipes. They should stay home and blast the fuck out of the Black Forest. Bah.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: madcow on 06 May, 2014, 10:20:18 am
Quote from: Jaded on 05 May, 2014, 09:45:33 am
This sounds like a very good afternoon.

My employer has half share in an  executive box so we entertain customers with lunch and the match. On Saturday one was a true  Sunderland supporter, who was impressed that I knew where Houghton le Spring was. (halfway on Pollag Sniplig  200k don't ya know))
 When the Black cats scored we raised the roof, but the rest of OT was very quiet.
I must be a good omen for Sunderland. I have seen them play at OT twice this season and they have won both games.
the days of attendance were chosen by the previous keeper of my job. When I get to choose I think someone else can have May bank holiday weekend .
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 07 May, 2014, 11:28:13 am
Some Guardian tosser has drawn up a list of ten 'overlooked' novels, described as "dead and forgotten works", which one might "dig up from the dusty vaults of the British Library". It includes (wait for it . . . )


Oblomov  :facepalm:
The Young Visiters
The Diary of a Mad Old Man

A hint: if it's been in print for most of the last 155 years, it isn't bloody 'dead and forgotten'! Nor is it 'dead and forgotten' if it was written in Japanese but multiple copies are available on Amazon in English 53 years after publication, it was made into a film re-set in a European country, & Mrs B exclaims in pleasure when she sees my OUP 1988 edition on a shelf. And it's hard to call anything 'dead and forgotten' when you can watch Jim Broadbent, Bill Nighy, Hugh Laurie, Geoffrey Palmer & Anne Reid (been working as long as I've been alive) in the TV adaptation.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 07 May, 2014, 11:35:35 am
My knees hurting and objecting to any position I can put my chair in.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 07 May, 2014, 11:36:15 am
I remember reading Oblomov and I found it online here http://www.eldritchpress.org/iag/oblomov.htm but I'm not at all tempted to read it again.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 07 May, 2014, 02:58:07 pm
Quote from: Bledlow on 07 May, 2014, 11:28:13 am
Some Guardian tosser has drawn up a list of ten 'overlooked' novels, described as "dead and forgotten works", which one might "dig up from the dusty vaults of the British Library". It includes (wait for it . . . )


Oblomov  :facepalm:
The Young Visiters
The Diary of a Mad Old Man

A hint: if it's been in print for most of the last 155 years, it isn't bloody 'dead and forgotten'! Nor is it 'dead and forgotten' if it was written in Japanese but multiple copies are available on Amazon in English 53 years after publication, it was made into a film re-set in a European country, & Mrs B exclaims in pleasure when she sees my OUP 1988 edition on a shelf. And it's hard to call anything 'dead and forgotten' when you can watch Jim Broadbent, Bill Nighy, Hugh Laurie, Geoffrey Palmer & Anne Reid (been working as long as I've been alive) in the TV adaptation.

Hmm. I hadn't heard of any of those (prompted recall might dredge something up, but certainly not unprompted) and I'd have reckoned my self to be reasonably well read.

Googling for prompts suggests that I've heard of Oblomov and simply forgotten about it because I've never actually read it or seen any detail; that I've got a very dim memory (not including its title) of the JM Barrie authorship controversy around the Young Visiters and no knowledge at all of the TV adaptation; that Diary of a Mad Old Man is completely new to me and I've never heard of Tanizaki.

'Dead and forgotten' might be a bit strong, but I'd say none of them are exactly household names, and 'overlooked' (which is the word the 'Guardian tosser' actually uses in the headline) or 'little known' (used in the standfirst) are both fair enough.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 07 May, 2014, 03:42:58 pm
I read The Young Visiters when I was the same age as the author had been when she wrote the book.
Both are ancient history...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 07 May, 2014, 11:20:30 pm
Broadband just gone off again. Bloody intermittent fault. Engineer coming to check on Friday before I head off to Long Itch.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 08 May, 2014, 11:08:46 am
Quote from: jsabine on 07 May, 2014, 02:58:07 pm
Quote from: Bledlow on 07 May, 2014, 11:28:13 am
Some Guardian tosser has drawn up a list of ten 'overlooked' novels, described as "dead and forgotten works", which one might "dig up from the dusty vaults of the British Library". It includes (wait for it . . . )


Oblomov  :facepalm:
The Young Visiters
The Diary of a Mad Old Man

A hint: if it's been in print for most of the last 155 years, it isn't bloody 'dead and forgotten'! Nor is it 'dead and forgotten' if it was written in Japanese but multiple copies are available on Amazon in English 53 years after publication, it was made into a film re-set in a European country, & Mrs B exclaims in pleasure when she sees my OUP 1988 edition on a shelf. And it's hard to call anything 'dead and forgotten' when you can watch Jim Broadbent, Bill Nighy, Hugh Laurie, Geoffrey Palmer & Anne Reid (been working as long as I've been alive) in the TV adaptation.

Hmm. I hadn't heard of any of those (prompted recall might dredge something up, but certainly not unprompted) and I'd have reckoned my self to be reasonably well read.

Googling for prompts suggests that I've heard of Oblomov and simply forgotten about it because I've never actually read it or seen any detail; that I've got a very dim memory (not including its title) of the JM Barrie authorship controversy around the Young Visiters and no knowledge at all of the TV adaptation; that Diary of a Mad Old Man is completely new to me and I've never heard of Tanizaki.

'Dead and forgotten' might be a bit strong, but I'd say none of them are exactly household names, and 'overlooked' (which is the word the 'Guardian tosser' actually uses in the headline) or 'little known' (used in the standfirst) are both fair enough.
So? You're one person.

"Dead and forgotten" are the words of the author of the article. Not being exactly household names is not the same as dead and forgotten. I didn't claim that they're all in the forefront of public attention, just that the description applied to them was ridiculously inaccurate - and I stand by that.

Tanizaki is famous in Japan; famous enough to have been translated into many languages. His books, including the one in question, are available in English translation - new - on Amazon. That isn't 'dead and forgotten'. For a foreign writer who died 50 years ago, it's high-profile.

I didn't watch the TV adaptation of The Young Visiters, & I've not read it (I looked in it once, & found it irritating, rather than cute), but I clearly remember it being all over the TV & press when the TV adaptation was shown, ten years ago. I found the blanket coverage rather tiresome. That wasn't the first time it had been revived, & new editions published, in my memory. For a book published in 1919, that's a bloody long way from 'dead and forgotten'.

Oblomov is a classic - & there's a Penguin Classic edition, just in case you doubt it. It's always been available in English in my memory, & new editions continue to be published in many languages. Amazon will sell you a Kindle edition. A new English translation was published in London less than three weeks ago. There are bars & restaurants around the world named after the main character. "Dead and forgotten"?  "Little known"? Or "overlooked"? :facepalm:

I don't understand why you butted in.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 08 May, 2014, 12:52:05 pm
Quote from: Bledlow on 08 May, 2014, 11:08:46 am
I don't understand why you butted in.

I'm most terribly sorry. I hadn't realised that this was a private grumble thread.

I'll butt out now and take my own opinions and viewpoints with me.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 08 May, 2014, 02:23:15 pm
Very very busy at work, which means I do a lot of driving just lately.

So could all of you in the happy position of being able to go for a bike ride when I'm working my nuts off at least have the decency to do it where I can't see you.

Gits.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 08 May, 2014, 02:31:04 pm
Quote from: jsabine on 08 May, 2014, 12:52:05 pm
Quote from: Bledlow on 08 May, 2014, 11:08:46 am
I don't understand why you butted in.

I'm most terribly sorry. I hadn't realised that this was a private grumble thread.

I'll butt out now and take my own opinions and viewpoints with me.
My incomprehension wasn't because the thread is private, but because I found the opinion you expressed incomprehensible. The article seems akin to the "this is the worst snow in living memory" articles we get every time it snows, written by people old enough to remember much  heavier snow, & I thought your intervention in support of it rather odd.

Doesn't anyone remember anything any more?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: orienteer on 08 May, 2014, 05:50:17 pm
Quote from: Bledlow on 08 May, 2014, 02:31:04 pm
Quote from: jsabine on 08 May, 2014, 12:52:05 pm
Quote from: Bledlow on 08 May, 2014, 11:08:46 am
I don't understand why you butted in.

I'm most terribly sorry. I hadn't realised that this was a private grumble thread.

I'll butt out now and take my own opinions and viewpoints with me.
My incomprehension wasn't because the thread is private, but because I found the opinion you expressed incomprehensible. The article seems akin to the "this is the worst snow in living memory" articles we get every time it snows, written by people old enough to remember much  heavier snow, & I thought your intervention in support of it rather odd.

Doesn't anyone remember anything any more?

Sadly, we live in an age where documentaries on commercial TV find it necessary to provide a resumé  of what preceded the ad break every time they return.

Such is the length of attention spans  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 08 May, 2014, 06:07:11 pm
Quote from: orienteer on 08 May, 2014, 05:50:17 pm

Sadly, we live in an age where documentaries on commercial TV find it necessary to provide a resumé  of what preceded the ad break every time they return.

Such is the length of attention spans  :(

In my opinion, that has more to do with keeping the cost of a 50 minute programme down by using as little original material as possible.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 08 May, 2014, 06:44:29 pm
Quote from: Bledlow on 08 May, 2014, 02:31:04 pm
Quote from: jsabine on 08 May, 2014, 12:52:05 pm
Quote from: Bledlow on 08 May, 2014, 11:08:46 am
I don't understand why you butted in.

I'm most terribly sorry. I hadn't realised that this was a private grumble thread.

I'll butt out now and take my own opinions and viewpoints with me.
My incomprehension wasn't because the thread is private,

Well, suggesting that I was 'butting in' rather gives the impression you thought I had no business contributing.

Quote
but because I found the opinion you expressed incomprehensible.

Not quite sure why you found it so hard, so I'll try again.

The author talked about ten books he felt were undervalued, unappreciated, nearly forgotten. Clearly he used a bit of hyperbole in the article, but, um, that's something a lot of people do, not just journalists.

You disagreed with him about at least three of the books, and said so.
 
I was surprised by how vituperative you'd felt the need to be, and said that I hadn't heard at all of one of the books, and had no detailed knowledge at all of the other two. Given that I'd see myself as being reasonably well educated and read, that's a data point - one, yes - in support of the Guardian piece. It suggests that, although 'dead and forgotten' may be a bit strong, 'little known' or 'overlooked' may well be appropriate.

Does that render my opinion any more comprehensible?

What's more, given that one effect of such a piece may be to provoke interest in the titles it refers to, and you're apparently an aficionado of at least the Tanizaki work, I'd have thought you might have been a little more graceful in your criticism than simply resorting to abusing John Sutherland as a 'Guardian tosser.'

Ah well, no matter. I shall consider whether to remedy some of these gaps in my reading.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 08 May, 2014, 06:46:31 pm
Quote from: Basil on 08 May, 2014, 06:07:11 pm
Quote from: orienteer on 08 May, 2014, 05:50:17 pm

Sadly, we live in an age where documentaries on commercial TV find it necessary to provide a resumé  of what preceded the ad break every time they return.

Such is the length of attention spans  :(

In my opinion, that has more to do with keeping the cost of a 50 minute programme down by using as little original material as possible.

Indeed. Lets them fill the slot with about 20 mins of material.

(It also lets them repeat the message they've decided they want the doco to push, whether or not it's justified by the balance of the other material they show.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 08 May, 2014, 07:19:27 pm
Quote from: jsabine on 08 May, 2014, 06:44:29 pm
Quote from: Bledlow on 08 May, 2014, 02:31:04 pm
Quote from: jsabine on 08 May, 2014, 12:52:05 pm
Quote from: Bledlow on 08 May, 2014, 11:08:46 am
I don't understand why you butted in.

I'm most terribly sorry. I hadn't realised that this was a private grumble thread.

I'll butt out now and take my own opinions and viewpoints with me.
My incomprehension wasn't because the thread is private,

Well, suggesting that I was 'butting in' rather gives the impression you thought I had no business contributing.

Quote
but because I found the opinion you expressed incomprehensible.

Not quite sure why you found it so hard, so I'll try again.

The author talked about ten books he felt were undervalued, unappreciated, nearly forgotten. Clearly he used a bit of hyperbole in the article, but, um, that's something a lot of people do, not just journalists.

You disagreed with him about at least three of the books, and said so.
 
I was surprised by how vituperative you'd felt the need to be, and said that I hadn't heard at all of one of the books, and had no detailed knowledge at all of the other two. Given that I'd see myself as being reasonably well educated and read, that's a data point - one, yes - in support of the Guardian piece. It suggests that, although 'dead and forgotten' may be a bit strong, 'little known' or 'overlooked' may well be appropriate.

Does that render my opinion any more comprehensible?

What's more, given that one effect of such a piece may be to provoke interest in the titles it refers to, and you're apparently an aficionado of at least the Tanizaki work, I'd have thought you might have been a little more graceful in your criticism than simply resorting to abusing John Sutherland as a 'Guardian tosser.'

Ah well, no matter. I shall consider whether to remedy some of these gaps in my reading.
To me, it was a lazy article, one of a type I find irritating. Someone with a personal agenda found a hook on which to hang a piece promoting a few books he likes & would like to see better known - or even better known, in some cases. To hell with reality, let's lump in some truly obscure books with a few classics & some past best sellers that might deserve reviving, wrap 'em all in a bit of hyperbolic boilerplate & call it an article. Some of them are mis-described? Who cares?

It annoys me that someone gets well-paid for that sort of tosh. It's no better than what a thousand bloggers put online for the love of the books they're pushing, & worse than some.

You then came in saying, in effect, that he was right. You didn't say "I think you're overreacting to a harmless puff", which I might have felt I should own up to, but suggested that your own unfamiliarity with a couple of the books I named justified the author's description of them. I'm still not sure how a 155 year old Russian book which is in print around the world, & which has been translated into English at least six times, including at least twice in the last decade, is 'nearly forgotten', let alone 'dead and forgotten'.

BTW, I consider myself to be fairly well read & well educated, but I'd not be so arrogant as to presume that a book is little known or overlooked because I'm not familiar with it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 08 May, 2014, 08:56:48 pm
I think overall we're arguing about angels on pins ...

Because I'm not familiar with the works you'd called out, I've got no reason to dispute the central premise of the article, which is essentially that these books aren't as well known as they perhaps deserve to be.

I'm still not sure that the fact you're familiar with them, or that they've been adapted for TV, or that they're still in print necessarily means they're not relatively poorly known though. Hell, you pick out the fact one's published as a Penguin Classic - there's plenty of fairly ill-kent stuff on that list. Even the first of their Editors' Picks on the catalogue website (http://www.penguinclassics.co.uk/) - it's a particular Maigret novel. Sure, loads of people have heard of Simenon, loads have read Maigret books, I'm 90% sure I've read this one, though I couldn't put my finger on my copy of it. But how many can actually name a specific work? I'd say that one probably qualifies as pretty obscure.

And you're right, there would be an arrogance in saying "I'm fairly well read, and I've never heard of it, so it must be obscure" - I certainly didn't mean to imply anything so absolute, though I'll happily hold myself up as a datapoint in support of someone else's speculation.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 08 May, 2014, 10:51:22 pm
Quote from: jsabine on 08 May, 2014, 06:46:31 pm
Quote from: Basil on 08 May, 2014, 06:07:11 pm
Quote from: orienteer on 08 May, 2014, 05:50:17 pm

Sadly, we live in an age where documentaries on commercial TV find it necessary to provide a resumé  of what preceded the ad break every time they return.

Such is the length of attention spans  :(

In my opinion, that has more to do with keeping the cost of a 50 minute programme down by using as little original material as possible.

Indeed. Lets them fill the slot with about 20 mins of material.

(It also lets them repeat the message they've decided they want the doco to push, whether or not it's justified by the balance of the other material they show.)

Ah,but its worse. For there is a limit to the amount of advertising they can sell, so they fill the commercial break with adverts for the program you're currently watching.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 09 May, 2014, 09:14:00 am
I can't find the link but someone once did a breakdown of a US factual TV format and from an hour of TV (18 minutes statutory adverts) there was a nicely symmetrical 18 minutes of actual programme. The remainder was 'coming up after the break' and then recapping what had happened before the break and general twizzle and filler.

Mind you, my brain works like that. Only a small portion of my actual thinking is even subjectively useful. At the moment I'm worrying about just how, with those little arms, a Tyrannosaurus would use a mobile phone. I suppose they'd have to use the speakerphone. It won't help them be discrete.

Oh, grumble. BT Openreach. I'm tentatively happy that the roadworks at the bottom of my street might signal the arrival of FTTC (it looks like they're putting a new cabinet in). Less so that you've not left enough room for the bin lorry (or any other lorry for that matter) to get by so no bins got emptied this week. Mind you judging by the amount of recycling my wife has been hosting some crazy parties while I was away.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 09 May, 2014, 09:30:15 am
Not a grumble.  I'd like to nick this

Quote from: ian on 09 May, 2014, 09:14:00 am
At the moment I'm worrying about just how, with those little arms, a Tyrannosaurus would use a mobile phone. I suppose they'd have to use the speakerphone. It won't help them be discrete.
:D :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 09 May, 2014, 09:34:13 am
Knee is still complaining, back in the car today :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Moultonaught on 09 May, 2014, 10:13:34 am
Dishwasher is kaput. Six months remain of the 5 year warranty. Engineer visited and found that a mouse had been living inside it, and not only has it eaten the wiring but also bits of the hard plastic inner panels. Sadly not covered by the guarantee...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 09 May, 2014, 10:38:24 am
Quote from: Moultonaught on 09 May, 2014, 10:13:34 am
Dishwasher is kaput. Six months remain of the 5 year warranty. Engineer visited and found that a mouse had been living inside it, and not only has it eaten the wiring but also bits of the hard plastic inner panels. Sadly not covered by the guarantee...

I wonder how common this is?  We had ours fixed a couple of weeks ago for exactly the same reason.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 09 May, 2014, 11:25:21 am
I have just dug out a pannier that hasn't been used for a few months.
I then removed the banana lying at the bottom of said pannier.
 :sick:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 09 May, 2014, 12:00:55 pm
Quote from: ian on 09 May, 2014, 09:14:00 am
At the moment I'm worrying about just how, with those little arms, a Tyrannosaurus would use a mobile phone. I suppose they'd have to use the speakerphone. It won't help them be discrete.

Isn't this why SMS was invented?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 09 May, 2014, 01:00:10 pm
Quote from: Kim on 09 May, 2014, 12:00:55 pm
Quote from: ian on 09 May, 2014, 09:14:00 am
At the moment I'm worrying about just how, with those little arms, a Tyrannosaurus would use a mobile phone. I suppose they'd have to use the speakerphone. It won't help them be discrete.

Isn't this why SMS was invented?

Can you imagine them texting on one of those dinner tray-sized Samsungs though? Then they drop it and there's all that palaver of them trying to pick it up. It's never going to end well.

When you look at it from this angle it's pretty clear why the dinosaurs died out. They were just unsuited to modern life. Unlike squirrels, who are ace at texting.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TimC on 09 May, 2014, 01:11:07 pm
Squirrels may be the texting lookouts for bears.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrew Br on 09 May, 2014, 05:59:01 pm
Quote from: Basil on 09 May, 2014, 11:25:21 am
I have just dug out a pannier that hasn't been used for a few months.
I then removed the banana lying at the bottom of said pannier.
 :sick:

Some time ago I wondered what the funny smell coming from my wardrobe was.
Repeated investigations including removing everything and lots of cleaning didn't reveal anything.
The culprit turned out to be a banana in the top compartment of my rucsac.
It was probably 6 months old.

Much, much worse was the dead snail under the spare wheel in my ex-wife's car  :sick:

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 14 May, 2014, 09:28:23 am
Quote from: ian on 09 May, 2014, 09:14:00 am

Mind you, my brain works like that. Only a small portion of my actual thinking is even subjectively useful. At the moment I'm worrying about just how, with those little arms, a Tyrannosaurus would use a mobile phone. I suppose they'd have to use the speakerphone. It won't help them be discrete.

Made me think of this t shirt I saw today (https://www.google.com/search?q=stupid+factory+t+shirts&client=firefox-a&hs=Fsq&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&channel=sb&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=MihzU9zsIZKfugTRlYGgCg&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAg&biw=1024&bih=499#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=gSXVAZGwq1tvzM%253A%3BejVnfVNlw4KMrM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fs3-media2.ak.yelpcdn.com%252Fbphoto%252F-VKNLOa7Gm0yk5btdjmEoA%252Fls.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.yelp.com%252Fbiz%252Fthe-stupid-factory-store-honolulu%3B250%3B250)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 14 May, 2014, 11:16:18 am
Quote from: ian on 09 May, 2014, 09:14:00 am
I can't find the link but someone once did a breakdown of a US factual TV format and from an hour of TV (18 minutes statutory adverts) there was a nicely symmetrical 18 minutes of actual programme. The remainder was 'coming up after the break' and then recapping what had happened before the break and general twizzle and filler.

Mind you, my brain works like that. ...
Over 30 years ago I was trying to do some work on a mainframe, & almost nothing was happening. Occasionally I'd get a response, then back to sleep. I phoned the operators.

A little while later, my job died, & then the phone rang. Operator, apologising for killing my job, & telling me why it had to be done, & why it had been running so slowly.

There were so may people logged in, doing so much work, that the computer was using all its resources to handle the scheduling of all those jobs.  :facepalm:

Mine wasn't in the top 10% or however many were allowed to keep running. "Try again later", I was told - that is, try again after they'd adjusted the scheduling parameters so that if it wasn't going to get enough resources to run, it wouldn't be allowed to start.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 14 May, 2014, 11:38:02 am
Quote from: Andrew Br on 09 May, 2014, 05:59:01 pm
Quote from: Basil on 09 May, 2014, 11:25:21 am
I have just dug out a pannier that hasn't been used for a few months.
I then removed the banana lying at the bottom of said pannier.
 :sick:

Some time ago I wondered what the funny smell coming from my wardrobe was.
Repeated investigations including removing everything and lots of cleaning didn't reveal anything.
The culprit turned out to be a banana in the top compartment of my rucsac.
It was probably 6 months old.

Much, much worse was the dead snail under the spare wheel in my ex-wife's car  :sick:

Try a two week-old dead skunk in your car a/c. That's what happened to a friend of mine. He came back from some travels, started the car, and well. Anyway, it was a write-off. Some smells don't leave of any accord.

On other matters. I have no interest in sports. I've given up feigning an interest. Especially if it's football. I truly, truly don't care about football. I make this quite clear whenever someone – virtually always a taxi driver – mentions the topic. It never stops them. "No, I don't follow football," say I. "What about them Arsenals," says they. What about me not caring? For heaven's sake, I can get in a cab anywhere from Nigeria to New York and end up with Manchester United fan in the driving seat. And they just go on. And on. There used to be a time when it was a safe bet that women wouldn't talk about football. But not now, oh no, they're in on it.

For this very reason, I've invented the best sport ever, namely Trifle Diving. It has rules and everything. Any time I'm stuck in a back-seat football conversation now, I introduce Trifle Diving. See, I'm just back from a meeting of the World Trifle Diving Association. We were meeting to prepare our submission for inclusion in the Olympics. Or I'm back from 4th World Trifle Diving Competition. Or I got gold in the inaugural tournament, but now I coach Team GB. Yes, under Italian rules there is a tiramisu round. Trust me, I've had the opportunity to really think this out in some advanced detail. Given enough time, I can get the driver to seriously ask "what kind of jelly? Strawberry?" Of course!

A good Trifle Dive, btw, is called 'touching sponge'. The Canadian team currently hold the world title.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrew Br on 14 May, 2014, 11:49:22 am
Quote from: ian on 14 May, 2014, 11:38:02 am
For heaven's sake, I can get in a cab anywhere from Nigeria to New York and end up with Manchester United fan in the driving seat.


I'll say it before anyone else does; get a cab in Manchester. You can bet that the driver won't be a Utd. fan  ::-).

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 14 May, 2014, 11:54:24 am
But you'll have to put up with drivel about City!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 14 May, 2014, 12:40:18 pm
Ian, I would like to learn Trifle Diving. Where can I go?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 14 May, 2014, 12:52:50 pm
Ian, when are you publishing your book? I want a copy!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 14 May, 2014, 02:44:20 pm
Quote from: ian on 14 May, 2014, 11:38:02 am
Trifle Diving
We can now close the thread.
World laughter supplies need replenishing.
(where do I sign up to the team?)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 14 May, 2014, 02:49:43 pm
YACF forumites: If you express an interest in something I am giving away, at least then say you are no longer interested rather than letting things hang in the air. Oh, and if a collection day is arranged, and you have my phone number, at least let me know you're not going to come. Kthxbai.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 14 May, 2014, 02:57:32 pm
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 14 May, 2014, 12:40:18 pm
Ian, I would like to learn Trifle Diving. Where can I go?

I strongly recommend you start with an instructor formally accredited by the World Trifle Diving Association. There's a common assumption that Trifle Diving is easy. It is not. The physical properties of the five media are extreme. The cream can lull you into a false sense of security, but the custard can crack a head like a egg. Training Trifle Dives typically omit the custard layer for this reason. Even once you've learned to 'cross custard' you're still not hitting sponge. The combination of jelly and fruit brings an entire new set of challenges. Then there's the sponge. It's not just about touching sponge, though that's the buzz that drives many competitors, Trifle Diving scores are accorded through the technical merits of the dive itself, the way a competitor breaches the cream, custard, jelly, fruit and hopefully sponge. Amateurs typically wouldn't cross custard. Professionals would be expected to be touching sponge, but that's no guarantee. Extreme Trifle Divers may touch the very bottom. That's dangerous, there's nowhere to go once the sponge runs out. One thing to note, Harvey's Bristol Cream and QC are banned substances and the WTDA do monitor all competitors and dive trifles. A competition dive trifle, btw, is 2 metres deep with 0.5 m custard layer.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 14 May, 2014, 04:07:55 pm
Quote from: Vince on 14 May, 2014, 12:52:50 pm
Ian, when are you publishing your book? I want a copy!

Well, I have to finish it and find a publisher mad enough to publish 350,000 words of mad space robot related mayhem. I'm half way through the rewrite. They say everyone had a novel in them. That might be true. They also have intestines in them and like intestines, perhaps those novels should stay inside.

The vampire book is better though. That has a lesbian angel love triangle, a serial killer, a rather truculent ghost, and the Devil. Who's gone stir crazy. Oh, and the vampire who just happens to the coolest dead librarian ever. Oh and Croydon blows up. I feel safe that no one will steal this plot.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 14 May, 2014, 04:27:08 pm
Left luggage at railway stations in the UK…. Why aren’t there any? I mean, I can remember the days when we were all scared that left luggage lockers would be used to house bombs and that sort of thing but why don’t major stations like Carlisle or Penrith have an office where you can leave your bags while you head off to the hills for a ride?

And yes, I could take my bag with me but as it’s a works trip and my bag will weigh around 20kg, I don’t really want to.

Why oh why oh why…… 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Graeme on 14 May, 2014, 04:40:55 pm
Quote from: essexian on 14 May, 2014, 04:27:08 pm
Left luggage at railway stations in the UK…. Why aren’t there any? I mean, I can remember the days when we were all scared that left luggage lockers would be used to house bombs and that sort of thing but why don’t major stations like Carlisle or Penrith have an office where you can leave your bags while you head off to the hills for a ride?

And yes, I could take my bag with me but as it’s a works trip and my bag will weigh around 20kg, I don’t really want to.

Why oh why oh why……

Um? Left Luggage (http://www.left-baggage.co.uk/), or were you looking for one near you? :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 14 May, 2014, 04:43:55 pm
Yep, I know about them and have used them previously, but its the smaller stations like Carlisle and Penrith I was grumbling about.

Bloody London centric UK........ (other large cities are available  ;D )

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 14 May, 2014, 08:38:35 pm
Quote from: ian on 14 May, 2014, 11:38:02 am


Try a two week-old dead skunk in your car a/c. That's what happened to a friend of mine. He came back from some travels, started the car, and well. Anyway, it was a write-off. Some smells don't leave of any accord.

On other matters. I have no interest in sports. I've given up feigning an interest. Especially if it's football. I truly, truly don't care about football. I make this quite clear whenever someone – virtually always a taxi driver – mentions the topic. It never stops them. "No, I don't follow football," say I. "What about them Arsenals," says they. What about me not caring? For heaven's sake, I can get in a cab anywhere from Nigeria to New York and end up with Manchester United fan in the driving seat. And they just go on. And on. There used to be a time when it was a safe bet that women wouldn't talk about football. But not now, oh no, they're in on it.
The lift attendant in a Lagos hotel once asked me if I was going to watch the match. I said, no I didn't do football, but asked was he a Man Utd fan. "Oh no sir. I follow Chelsea". In much the same way as Michael Palin playing an ex leper.
Quote

For this very reason, I've invented the best sport ever, namely Trifle Diving. It has rules and everything. Any time I'm stuck in a back-seat football conversation now, I introduce Trifle Diving. See, I'm just back from a meeting of the World Trifle Diving Association. We were meeting to prepare our submission for inclusion in the Olympics. Or I'm back from 4th World Trifle Diving Competition. Or I got gold in the inaugural tournament, but now I coach Team GB. Yes, under Italian rules there is a tiramisu round. Trust me, I've had the opportunity to really think this out in some advanced detail. Given enough time, I can get the driver to seriously ask "what kind of jelly? Strawberry?" Of course!

A good Trifle Dive, btw, is called 'touching sponge'. The Canadian team currently hold the world title.

You'll be stuffed if you need legal advice thobut. On account of de minimis non curat lex.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 14 May, 2014, 11:25:16 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 14 May, 2014, 08:38:35 pm
Quote from: ian on 14 May, 2014, 11:38:02 am
For this very reason, I've invented the best sport ever, namely Trifle Diving.

You'll be stuffed if you need legal advice thobut. On account of de minimis non curat lex.

<Applause>

(For both of you.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 15 May, 2014, 12:01:38 pm
The sun is shinining. The sky is blue. There's no wind to speak of. Little fluffy balls of cotton wool are drifting across the sky. All the burrdies are singing. The air smells fresh and green. I should be out playing on my bike, not stuck in this poxy office until 4 o'clock >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 15 May, 2014, 12:04:22 pm
FFS, $COMPANY_THAT_CURRENTLY_WORK_FOR.  GET YOUR BLOODY FINGER OUT!

Once again you have missed the payment deadline.

You expect me to turn up and do the work, I don't think it is unreasonable to expect you to PAY ME FOR THAT WORK!!!!!!!

Reason this isn't in the Rant thread is because I expected this situation to happen, despite me chasing the invoice...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 15 May, 2014, 12:06:05 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 14 May, 2014, 08:38:35 pm
You'll be stuffed if you need legal advice thobut. On account of de minimis non curat lex.

You should have, of course, ka-BOOMed that.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 16 May, 2014, 04:31:35 pm
The plan was to drive to Severn View straight after work, ride the Bryan Chapman 600, stay there Sunday night and drive straight to Kingston for 09:00 Monday morning. Half an hour ago, I find that I need to do an inspection from Canvey Island at 06:30 Monday.

I'll have to leave the hotel by 03:00 at the latest, drop HK at home and collect my steel-caps and continue on round the M25. Hopefully I'll have time to get some breakfast. Oh, joy!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruth on 17 May, 2014, 10:23:21 pm
Upper left six is already more filling than tooth.  And now two bits of tooth have escaped, leaving Cavity City.

I'm bloody sick of my teeth melting.  I'm already overdrawn so I'll ignore this and hope it goes away  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 19 May, 2014, 02:47:06 pm
Cow-orker. Stop bloody yawning. You're making me feel tired.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 19 May, 2014, 03:29:27 pm
I just want some basic sandals. Nothing fancy. No bulletproof-fabrics-invented-by-NASA. No super-anti-bacterial-colloids. Just some sandals.

£70-80?  You have got to be fucking taking the mickey. No way.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Gattopardo on 19 May, 2014, 03:40:55 pm
How can I lose the rubber cover on the left hand st2300 brifter and the clamp from the right hand brifter.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 20 May, 2014, 08:21:34 am
I was back on the toilet at 5:30am.
I think / hope this is a different bug brought home by Miss Dan the Elder, and isn't as nasty as last weeks' one.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 23 May, 2014, 09:45:47 am
Looks like I'm Billy no mates again.

Both the other riders have pulled out of tonights MTBing because 'it's a Bank Holiday!'*

So I have an audax o'clock start tomorrow I didn't need to have.


*I may just have pointed this out when we were agreeing dates ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruth on 24 May, 2014, 08:48:32 am
I've been up much of the night being the kind of poorly that means I'm washing my jama bottoms and sheets today.

I don't think that Audax is happening this morning   :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 24 May, 2014, 09:04:54 am
Quote from: Ruthie on 24 May, 2014, 08:48:32 am
I've been up much of the night being the kind of poorly that means I'm washing my jama bottoms and sheets today.

I don't think that Audax is happening this morning   :(

Oh! No!

Sending hugs your way...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 24 May, 2014, 02:27:13 pm
Sorry to hear you have the lurgy Ruthie GWS.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 24 May, 2014, 02:55:51 pm
Ugh poor you Ruthie, hope you're feeling rapidly better soon and can do something at home which doesn't feel too miserable.  I was really cross that the gastrolurg we had the week before last ruined my whole weekend.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruth on 24 May, 2014, 11:18:08 pm
Ah, thanks chaps. I watched a movie on tv. Otherwise have mostly slept.

I wish my neighbours having the domestic in the street would either shut up completely, or learn to enunciate properly so I could hear what they're shrieking.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 25 May, 2014, 12:28:40 am
Was considering a sunrise bike ride, so of course it's almost gone 00:30 and I'm sitting here wide awake.  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 25 May, 2014, 03:40:16 pm
BT: thank you for your phone bill of 25 May 2014, which I found in my spam folder.

I am using BT-YAHOO mail which will shortly transfer to BT Mail.

Your competence impresses but does not surprise me.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 27 May, 2014, 06:45:23 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 07 September, 2013, 06:07:03 am
As a result of driving a convertible due west all week, the left side of my face has acquired a respectable tan.  The right side looks like it's spent the summer indoors drinking BEER.  I look like the Phantom of the fucking Opera.  If it isn't sunny one the way back I'm going to have to start job-hunting looking like a twat.

Guess what?  It rained nearly all the way back.  Good job I didn't start looking for a job after all...

Now.  Lloyds TSB Mastercard.  How is it that your Babbage-Engines can block credit card payments1 half-way through a three-week trip to Leftpondia, but don't notice two payments to the same company on the same day for the same amount  with the same fucking reference number?  And the amount involved is non-trivial - the thick end of nine hundred and fifty of the BRITONS' pounds.  You are dicks.

Budget Rent-a-Car, you are equally culpable.  You'd better give me a refund pronto or your motor-car might meet with a nasty accident come September.

Also, IKEA.  Please get some Lindmon 120x155 venetian blinds pronto.  You wouldn't want me to go to B&Q now, would you?

1 - except for hotels ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 28 May, 2014, 09:13:07 am
Bugger!  It's 10 past 9 and I've just finished my lunch.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 28 May, 2014, 09:14:21 am
Quote from: Basil on 28 May, 2014, 09:13:07 am
Bugger!  It's 10 past 9 and I've just finished my lunch.  :facepalm:

WTF! I'd better get my breakfast going- been at work for nearly 2 hours on an empty stomach :o
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 28 May, 2014, 01:33:48 pm
Fed up sticking the SD card into the camera the wrong way round.  I have 7(?) cameras and if there were 7 ways of doing it they'd all be different, but as it is two is enough. You'd think there'd be a 50-50 chance of getting it right, but believe me it's more like 90% wrong.

Oh, and there was ten times too much vinegar in the vinaigrette today, so that the salad went down like saw-blades. One is pissed off.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 28 May, 2014, 06:22:14 pm
Whipps Cross hospital, you are a herd of bevelled flanges!  The ticket machines in your car parks do not take cards or notes; nor do they give change.  Yes, I know I should go on the 'bus but it costs more, takes longer, rattles and frequently contains members of the - gasp - working class...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 28 May, 2014, 09:57:05 pm
What the bloody hell is a Wil Wheaton? 1  And what the fuck is it doing constantly in my twitter feed?
Not interesting. 2  Please go away.

1 Don't bother.  I did the googly thing

2  But not as uninteresting as the occasional American sports stuff that turns up.  What on earth have I done to deserve that?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 28 May, 2014, 10:17:39 pm
Quote from: Basil on 28 May, 2014, 09:57:05 pm
But not as uninteresting as the occasional American sports stuff that turns up.  What on earth have I done to deserve that?

Just be grateful it's not about gnus guns...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 29 May, 2014, 12:01:02 am
Two nights of poor sleep, the last on a horrible dead mattress with feather fucked pillows of doom and trains have turned my neck into a very unhappy neck.  I have eaten all the drugs and going to have a fecking hot bath followed by going to sleep in my very nice bed with memory foam mattress!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 29 May, 2014, 11:50:27 am
Quote from: barakta on 29 May, 2014, 12:01:02 am
going to sleep in my very nice bed with memory foam mattress!

don't stay away from home too long lest the mattress forgets your shape :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Dibdib on 29 May, 2014, 01:06:33 pm
Quote from: Basil on 28 May, 2014, 09:57:05 pm
What the bloody hell is a Wil Wheaton? 1  And what the fuck is it doing constantly in my twitter feed?
Not interesting. 2  Please go away.

1 Don't bother.  I did the googly thing

2  But not as uninteresting as the occasional American sports stuff that turns up.  What on earth have I done to deserve that?

This is pretty much my only complaint about Twitter - when I block someone, I want them blocked. Gone. Dead to me. What I don't want is that user's inane whitterings retweeted into my timeline, which is what happens at the moment.

Decent (i.e. non-web) Twitter clients can mute by text, hashtag or user which is nice, and really clever ones can mute by user agent which is occasionally useful.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 29 May, 2014, 06:42:33 pm
Quote from: Basil on 28 May, 2014, 09:57:05 pm
What the bloody hell is a Wil Wheaton? 1  And what the fuck is it doing constantly in my twitter feed?
Not interesting. 2  Please go away.

1 Don't bother.  I did the googly thing

2  But not as uninteresting as the occasional American sports stuff that turns up.  What on earth have I done to deserve that?

Oh ffs,  will you FUCK OFF.  You are a very uninteresting person.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 29 May, 2014, 08:02:53 pm
Goes to look up Whil Whhheaton on twitter to find out why so many tweets....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 29 May, 2014, 08:06:54 pm
None the wiser, but he looks much less annoying than he did when in Star Trek TNG....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 29 May, 2014, 08:22:26 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 29 May, 2014, 08:06:54 pm
None the wiser, but he looks much less annoying than he did when in Star Trek TNG....

Yeah, he grew up into a proper nerd and apologised :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 29 May, 2014, 08:27:16 pm
Quote from: Basil on 29 May, 2014, 06:42:33 pm
Quote from: Basil on 28 May, 2014, 09:57:05 pm
What the bloody hell is a Wil Wheaton? 1  And what the fuck is it doing constantly in my twitter feed?
Not interesting. 2  Please go away.

1 Don't bother.  I did the googly thing

2  But not as uninteresting as the occasional American sports stuff that turns up.  What on earth have I done to deserve that?

Oh ffs,  will you FUCK OFF.  You are a very uninteresting person.

Have you accidentally followed him ?     
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 29 May, 2014, 08:29:28 pm
Quote from: Kim on 29 May, 2014, 08:22:26 pm

Yeah, he grew up into a proper nerd and apologised :)

Yeah, but shutting up would be much better.
No need for apologies  once you've gone.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 30 May, 2014, 12:25:58 am
Oxfam!

I know where my nearest shop is, but I can't drop off this tantalising crate of Shiny Things there because there's nowhere to park.  And I know where my nearest donation point is too, but I can't drop off this tantalising crate of Shiny Things there either, because the wossnames into which the Shiny Things are usually posted are conspicuous only by their absence.  I know this because I went there this evening just gone.

Never mind, I shall look on that The Internet that they have now for another nearby book-accepting donation point.

Ah!  Your webby SCIENCE is, not to put too fine a point on it, piss-awful.  If I ask it to find me Book Donation Points near $MY_POSTCODE, I do not want a list of $EVERYTHING as far away as Leigh on fucking Sea.  That's forty miles away.  Or eighty, counting the journey back.

And the thing is so slow that I think your server must be full of jam.  And wasps.  Dead wasps.  Either that or you're on the receiving end of a DOS attack, as I really don't think that every insomniac in the EU is looking for their nearest donation point simultaneously.

I would really like to give you this tantalising crate of surplus-to-requirements Shiny Things but on the whole it may just be easier to bung it at the Salvation Army instead...

--
Disgruntled of E17

Should I click "Send"?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 30 May, 2014, 09:46:48 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 30 May, 2014, 12:25:58 am

Should I click "Send"?

yes.

It can be frustratingly difficult to give things away ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 30 May, 2014, 07:39:30 pm
Sainsburys: when I inadvertently ticked the 'allow substitutes' box on a number of previous orders, I failed to notice that the substitutes were rather expensive and not really that close to what I'd ordered. So now I always tick the 'no substitutes' box.

However, on today's order I chose 6 bottles of wine to get the 25% discount. Even the rather unusual Manzanilla was in stock, so why was it that your own brand Cotes du Rhone wasn't? No way was I paying full price for the other five bottles, so back they all went.

In as a grumble, as I knew there was a risk of them not all being in stock.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 30 May, 2014, 10:33:43 pm
I too have fallen foul of the failed multibuy special offer when one item is out of stock. (I seldom allow substitutes either.)
If I really want to take advantage of an offer, I order all from one line.

I usually take the gamble and just hope all is in stock.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Dibdib on 31 May, 2014, 10:22:37 am
I woke up this morning with a hankering for a motorcycle ride, so thought that I'd have a tinker with the bike.

This obviously isn't a grumble. However...

The bike has no MOT, no VED and no insurance. My fault.
It's been up on stands for, I think, about two years so I probably don't have any NCB any more.
It probably needs more work than the bike's actually worth, but I love it enough to do it anyway.
Oh and the kicker - I just tried on my leathers and I can't get them fastened.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SteveC on 31 May, 2014, 10:27:02 am
When there's been something out of stock on a Tesco multi-buy offer, they've still given us the reduced price.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 01 June, 2014, 07:55:26 pm
Telly! Don't just sit there saying "Loading..."  All I want to do is watch last night's "Wallander".  How hard can it be?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 02 June, 2014, 12:32:08 pm
Thanks to a wobbly table, I spilled some wine near the laptop yesterday. A drop must have gone into the USB port, because about 2 hours later a message box popped up telling me to unplug whatever was using too much power, which was confusing as there was nothing plugged in, then I noticed the crackling sound and smell of smoke  :o

After several attempts of leave for a while then switch on, each time it got hot around the USB port. Thankfully is working fine now, but still smells of smoke.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 02 June, 2014, 12:35:01 pm
You've made a mulled wine laptop!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 02 June, 2014, 03:01:58 pm
A mulled grumble on this thread..
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 02 June, 2014, 07:38:50 pm
Dear BT,
I pay £1.75 per month for 'Privacy at Home with Caller Display'.
I have used a phone for texts for several years, though not much as it's wall-mounted and I can't stand up for long.
David inadvertently sent a text to the landline recently, which went through fine. (Bloody imessages/iphone!)

I've just treated myself to a pair of new cordless phones, so I can send texts more easily from my landline.

Test messages sent from my mobile to my landline are all coming through several minutes later as fucking text-to-voice messages, disturbing David with the constant ringing.
I deregister for SMS to voice.
I then receive an automated call informing me I can't get SMS texts as I don't have Caller Display.

GRRRRRRRR! I use SMS cos it's quiet; constant automated phone calls are not quiet.
I'm paying for a service I can't get.

I have complained to BT but not yet had a reply.

GGGRRR!!!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 02 June, 2014, 07:48:05 pm
Does the caller display work?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 02 June, 2014, 08:27:21 pm
Quote from: Pickled Onion on 02 June, 2014, 12:32:08 pm
Thanks to a wobbly table, I spilled some wine near the laptop yesterday. A drop must have gone into the USB port, because about 2 hours later a message box popped up telling me to unplug whatever was using too much power, which was confusing as there was nothing plugged in, then I noticed the crackling sound and smell of smoke  :o

After several attempts of leave for a while then switch on, each time it got hot around the USB port. Thankfully is working fine now, but still smells of smoke.

Next time use
Code: [Select]
sudo apt-get install wine
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 02 June, 2014, 08:50:11 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 02 June, 2014, 08:27:21 pm
Quote from: Pickled Onion on 02 June, 2014, 12:32:08 pm
Thanks to a wobbly table, I spilled some wine near the laptop yesterday. A drop must have gone into the USB port, because about 2 hours later a message box popped up telling me to unplug whatever was using too much power, which was confusing as there was nothing plugged in, then I noticed the crackling sound and smell of smoke  :o

After several attempts of leave for a while then switch on, each time it got hot around the USB port. Thankfully is working fine now, but still smells of smoke.

Next time use
Code: [Select]
sudo apt-get install wine

Shouldn't he use this
Code: [Select]
sudo apt-get remove wine to fix this problem ?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 02 June, 2014, 09:10:25 pm
Quote from: Kim on 02 June, 2014, 07:48:05 pm
Does the caller display work?

Yes. Always has done.
Had it for years but only had to pay extra for it recently.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 02 June, 2014, 09:15:28 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 02 June, 2014, 09:10:25 pm
Quote from: Kim on 02 June, 2014, 07:48:05 pm
Does the caller display work?

Yes. Always has done.

Le sigh.

https://community.bt.com/t5/Phones/Incoming-SMS-texts-reverted-to-phone-calls-say-I-have-no-Caller/td-p/775692


Quote
Had it for years but only had to pay extra for it recently.

Same here.  The bastards.

Got to have caller display, otherwise asterisk doesn't know to blackhole the spammers. :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 02 June, 2014, 09:26:40 pm
Quote from: Kim on 02 June, 2014, 09:15:28 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 02 June, 2014, 09:10:25 pm
Quote from: Kim on 02 June, 2014, 07:48:05 pm
Does the caller display work?

Yes. Always has done.

Le sigh.

https://community.bt.com/t5/Phones/Incoming-SMS-texts-reverted-to-phone-calls-say-I-have-no-Caller/td-p/775692


Quote
Had it for years but only had to pay extra for it recently.

Same here.  The bastards.

Got to have caller display, otherwise asterisk doesn't know to blackhole the spammers. :(

I texted the magic combinations (register and *1#) to 00000 last night and got moar fucking automated calls.

I've sent my grinky email and have had no reply.

I daren't try to send myself a text while David is in...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 02 June, 2014, 09:33:10 pm
Just tried and our BT line is still delivering SMSes as text correctly.  I haven't touched 000000 for years (and at this point, I've no desire to).

Gremlins.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 02 June, 2014, 09:40:02 pm
I'll experiment when David's away; things may be fixed now for all I know.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 03 June, 2014, 07:48:59 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 02 June, 2014, 09:40:02 pm
I'll experiment when David's away; things may be fixed now for all I know.

No such frikking luck!
Still get text to voice.

To add insult to injury, BT have sent a feedback survey about my latest issue.
BT never contacted me, either by email or by phone and I STILL CAN'T GET TEXTS!!!!!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 03 June, 2014, 08:07:37 pm
I have yet again texted *1# to 00000 and tried sending another test text.
Yet again this went to voice. GGGGGRRRRR!!!!!

I have reordered Privacy with Caller Display in the hope BT will alter the settings.
I am unimpressed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 03 June, 2014, 08:33:10 pm
Quote from: woollypigs on 02 June, 2014, 08:50:11 pm
Shouldn't he use this
Code: [Select]
sudo apt-get remove wine to fix this problem ?

If only. I dreamt I was at the mac store failing to keep a straight face when they asked me if anything had been spilled on it, then they opened it up to reveal a big puddle of red wine inside...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 03 June, 2014, 09:08:12 pm
Quote from: Pickled Onion on 03 June, 2014, 08:33:10 pm
Quote from: woollypigs on 02 June, 2014, 08:50:11 pm
Shouldn't he use this
Code: [Select]
sudo apt-get remove wine to fix this problem ?

If only. I dreamt I was at the mac store failing to keep a straight face when they asked me if anything had been spilled on it, then they opened it up to reveal a big puddle of red wine inside...

Tell them. I told them I sat on my iPad and they gave me a new one. I'd hadn't actually sat on it. That was still a bit of a mystery, but everyone agreed they shouldn't be that shape.

My wife did remind me the other day that I discovered the structural anomaly after a trip to San Diego. The one where my plane fell out of the sky, so possibly I crushed it with the power of fear. I could have used that story.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 03 June, 2014, 11:43:08 pm
My Kobo touch seams to be deaded. It won't leave the 'Please charge your E-Reader' page even after charging for 24 hrs and trying all the different methods of resetting it I can find :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 04 June, 2014, 09:33:42 am
Quote from: mcshroom on 03 June, 2014, 11:43:08 pm
My Kobo touch seams to be deaded. It won't leave the 'Please charge your E-Reader' page even after charging for 24 hrs and trying all the different methods of resetting it I can find :(

TLD's did the same thing, I will see if I can find how we fixed it (fwiw the kobo support is very good, or was, and rapid)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 05 June, 2014, 07:32:18 pm
Bad luck, just fuck off and leave us alone, ok? We have had a whole raft of things happen, the latest is that Mrs T has lost/left her phone in a restaurant at KX. Chance of getting it back? Zero, I would say. At least she managed to borrow a phone to call me at home so I have already blocked it with O2.

Her job will be to sort out the insurance, fortunately provided through her bank (we did have CPW cover but realised we were effectively paying twice for the same thing!)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 05 June, 2014, 08:40:44 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 03 June, 2014, 08:07:37 pm
I have yet again texted *1# to 00000 and tried sending another test text.
Yet again this went to voice. GGGGGRRRRR!!!!!

I have reordered Privacy with Caller Display in the hope BT will alter the settings.
I am unimpressed.

Have posted on the BT Community Help Forum and had STUPID responses from 'Distinguished Sage', who answers every post with the same tripe and referred my post to a staff mod.

I followed instructions and emailed them.
They phoned me on my mobile. I could not answer in time.
They left no message.
I still can't receive texts.
Their fucking forum is full of disgruntled customers and BT stooges who pretend to be helpful but are nothing of the sort.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 06 June, 2014, 01:12:57 pm
Nice Irish chap from BT rang today. He was very helpful, checked a few things, agreed all at my end was in order.
He is raising this as a fault with the exchange; WE HAVE PROGRESS!

Got a text from BT to say phone had been fixed.
Sent myself another test text.
Went straight to voice.

GGGRRR!!!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 06 June, 2014, 09:31:46 pm
I strongly suspect the problem is at my end but was not diagnosed by the BT bod, who, of course, never saw my equipment. I did tell them what I have.

I have had a BT Relate SMS for at least 5 years. This is still connected and received SMS texts until recently.

I have acquired these DECT handsets.

I think they are interfering with each other.

I will disconnect them singly and send test texts when David is away.

Interference between SMS capable phones is mentioned in the Relate SMS manual but not in my new phone (Gigaset 590/595) manual.

Oh well, you live and learn...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 07 June, 2014, 08:12:15 pm
I appear to be back in Brum.

That's it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 07 June, 2014, 11:46:42 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 06 June, 2014, 09:31:46 pm
I strongly suspect the problem is at my end but was not diagnosed by the BT bod, who, of course, never saw my equipment. I did tell them what I have.
I have had a BT Relate SMS for at least 5 years. This is still connected and received SMS texts until recently.
I have acquired these DECT handsets.
I think they are interfering with each other.
I will disconnect them singly and send test texts when David is away.
Interference between SMS capable phones is mentioned in the Relate SMS manual but not in my new phone (Gigaset 590/595) manual.
Oh well, you live and learn...

I cured the problem.
Disconnecting Relate SMS was not enough.
Had to reset on 00000

Still not impressed by BT.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 09 June, 2014, 12:54:20 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 06 June, 2014, 09:31:46 pm
Interference between SMS capable phones is mentioned in the Relate SMS manual but not in my new phone (Gigaset 590/595) manual.

Oh well, you live and learn...

D'oh!

I should really have thought of that.

The way SMS works on a landline is a bit of a bodge - it sends a caller ID signal (without following through with a call), which an SMS-aware phone recognises as an instruction to dial the message centre and collect the message in a retro modemmy style.  Naturally, this is going to end badly if two phones try to do it at the same time...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 09 June, 2014, 11:48:36 am
Dear cleaner woman next door,

You cannot sing - to these ears your vocal stylings are redolent of a tomcat with its bollocks trapped in a mangle. For the good of humanity, please stop.

Now.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 09 June, 2014, 03:51:42 pm
Slowly boiling at my desk now the sun's coming out. If I'd remembered to bring a shirt this morning then I could take my fleece off and be far cooler :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 10 June, 2014, 10:45:32 am
iPad!  You charge quite happily from the gadget in the kitchen, so why in the name of Christ's soupy beard will you not do so from the one in the Great Hall?  The iPod is quite happy with the Great Hall's brand of anbarism ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 10 June, 2014, 10:50:08 am
1A/2A issue Mr L?

From what I remember the iPad draws more current than an iPod/iPhone and so some adaptors can't supply the current required to charge the things.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 10 June, 2014, 02:41:49 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 10 June, 2014, 10:50:08 am
1A/2A issue Mr L?

From what I remember the iPad draws more current than an iPod/iPhone and so some adaptors can't supply the current required to charge the things.

...And it appears to be incapable of scaling back gracefully under such circumstances, presumably because it assumes the extra-fussy Apple flavour of dumb charger identification is present.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 10 June, 2014, 03:10:35 pm
Quote from: Kim on 09 June, 2014, 12:54:20 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 06 June, 2014, 09:31:46 pm
Interference between SMS capable phones is mentioned in the Relate SMS manual but not in my new phone (Gigaset 590/595) manual.

Oh well, you live and learn...
D'oh!
I should really have thought of that.
The way SMS works on a landline is a bit of a bodge - it sends a caller ID signal (without following through with a call), which an SMS-aware phone recognises as an instruction to dial the message centre and collect the message in a retro modemmy style.  Naturally, this is going to end badly if two phones try to do it at the same time...

Don't beat yourself up; none of the BT 'experts' had enough Clue to twig.

I might have tried to be a helpful BTCare forumenger but I can't stand the place; far too much Copy & Paste and far too little knowledgeable help.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 10 June, 2014, 04:57:05 pm
Quote from: Kim on 10 June, 2014, 02:41:49 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 10 June, 2014, 10:50:08 am
1A/2A issue Mr L?

From what I remember the iPad draws more current than an iPod/iPhone and so some adaptors can't supply the current required to charge the things.

...And it appears to be incapable of scaling back gracefully under such circumstances, presumably because it assumes the extra-fussy Apple flavour of dumb charger identification is present.

It's all G(r)eek to me...  The one in the kitchen came with a Kindle; there may be other Kindle ones lying around.  I will go hunting...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 10 June, 2014, 08:43:55 pm
I bought about half a kilo of cherries, nice dark, juicy ones. Everyone got home at the same time and I had some work to do. They ate all the cherries without me!  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 10 June, 2014, 09:46:39 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 10 June, 2014, 08:43:55 pm
I bought about half a kilo of cherries, nice dark, juicy ones. Everyone got home at the same time and I had some work to do. They ate all the cherries without me!  >:(

Unforgivable.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 10 June, 2014, 10:44:43 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 10 June, 2014, 04:57:05 pm
Quote from: Kim on 10 June, 2014, 02:41:49 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 10 June, 2014, 10:50:08 am
1A/2A issue Mr L?

From what I remember the iPad draws more current than an iPod/iPhone and so some adaptors can't supply the current required to charge the things.

...And it appears to be incapable of scaling back gracefully under such circumstances, presumably because it assumes the extra-fussy Apple flavour of dumb charger identification is present.

It's all G(r)eek to me...  The one in the kitchen came with a Kindle; there may be other Kindle ones lying around.  I will go hunting...

In simple terms, there are 2 issues:

1) Apple 'does it's own thing' with chargers.   Other USB chargers may, or may not, work with apple things.

2) Even if the charger 'talks' apple, ( including apple's own chargers ), it may not have enough Oomph for the iPad.   Apple produce different chargers for their different devices, depending on the oomph required.  Some chargers have more oomph than others.   The chargers can tell the device how much oomph they can supply, and the iPad may decide that it's just to weedy, and not play.   Size matters.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 10 June, 2014, 11:04:01 pm
iPad happy with Kindle wall wart & dumb extension lead - seems it didn't like the lead from the Sony wireless dongle from the telly...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 10 June, 2014, 11:17:21 pm
I just finished reorganisating the physical bit of the Library.  But why oh why did Dr Larrington have to tell me about the Book Crawler app ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 10 June, 2014, 11:18:43 pm
Dear vestibular system, please to be getting with the programme, you had a nice spazz on Saturday and you're doing a nice attempt at wrecking my evening...  I hope a good night's sleep will help along with remembering to nom the pharmacy while I'm at it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CrinklyLion on 10 June, 2014, 11:23:47 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 10 June, 2014, 11:17:21 pm
I just finished reorganisating the physical bit of the Library.  But why oh why did Dr Larrington have to tell me about the Book Crawler app ???

So that you'd finally see a point to having the iThingy?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 11 June, 2014, 12:39:55 am
Quote from: CrinklyLion on 10 June, 2014, 11:23:47 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 10 June, 2014, 11:17:21 pm
I just finished reorganisating the physical bit of the Library.  But why oh why did Dr Larrington have to tell me about the Book Crawler app ???

So that you'd finally see a point to having the iThingy?

Other than as a means of differentiating the capabilities of various chargers, you mean?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 11 June, 2014, 12:55:23 am
Quote from: CrinklyLion on 10 June, 2014, 11:23:47 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 10 June, 2014, 11:17:21 pm
I just finished reorganisating the physical bit of the Library.  But why oh why did Dr Larrington have to tell me about the Book Crawler app ???

So that you'd finally see a point to having the iThingy?

We did use it for playing choons at the weekend, courtesy of Nozama Cloud (which I only found out about last week!) though we could equally have played choons with an iPod & cheap-donkey external squeaker...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 12 June, 2014, 01:27:28 pm
My BT broadband is down and I am using a dongle.
Connection is S-L-O-W.
I am impatient...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 12 June, 2014, 01:49:40 pm
You shouldn't have raised a ticker with BT. I complained about router that it couldn't block sites any more to sky and their technical team, I got a call back from their email support team asking me what was wrong with outlook. I'm sure that your phone issue will be sorted after they have killed your internet access for a few hours. Very logical me thinks :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 12 June, 2014, 04:05:42 pm
My internets have been restored.
I phoned BT.

Droid had David running up and down stairs doing all the things we had already tried, (and we told them we had tried them) before raising a line fault. (Given that this was a new problem and we had changed nuffink, it seemed obvious to D&I that the problem was 'outside'.
They must have flicked a switch or rebooted something.

All this running around a hot house has left David feeling a little poorly.
I am hoping rehydration and feeding will cure him.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 12 June, 2014, 05:27:23 pm
Quote from: Andrij on 10 June, 2014, 09:46:39 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 10 June, 2014, 08:43:55 pm
I bought about half a kilo of cherries, nice dark, juicy ones. Everyone got home at the same time and I had some work to do. They ate all the cherries without me!  >:(

Unforgivable.

About this time of year in Budapest, perhaps earlier, all the parks local to us had cherry trees burdened with fruit waiting to be plucked. It was a traditional Sunday morning outing. I imagine it's the same in Poland and other Central European countries.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 12 June, 2014, 10:13:53 pm
Ahhhhh..... Summer in the city.........

Woken up by the police helicopter at raid o'clock (http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/re-read-merseyside-police-launch-biggest-7255345) this morning, and I'm now being serenaded by the gentle sound of racing quad bikes.   >:(

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 12 June, 2014, 10:34:28 pm
Telling you that the cows being moved for milking an hour ago were annoying me probably won't help :P

Summer in the Country ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruth on 12 June, 2014, 11:10:35 pm
I just asked an online calculator how many days I had been alive.

The response was: 

Quote
The conversion of a varchar data type to a datetime data type resulted in an out-of-range value.

You utter bastards.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 12 June, 2014, 11:19:18 pm
Pah!  That was a 13yo Ukrainian called Eugene.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 12 June, 2014, 11:20:08 pm
Quote from: Ruthie on 12 June, 2014, 11:10:35 pm
I just asked an online calculator how many days I had been alive.

The response was: 

Quote
The conversion of a varchar data type to a datetime data type resulted in an out-of-range value.

You utter bastards.

Sorry but ;D

For your forum profile age it would be 1597 days I believe. To work it out in Excel, put todays date in one cell, your DoB in another and subtract your DoB from todays date. The number it spits out is the number of days between the two.

Mine's 11352 apparently. :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruth on 12 June, 2014, 11:20:44 pm
I am so not telling you my number.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 12 June, 2014, 11:21:35 pm
Quote from: Ruthie on 12 June, 2014, 11:10:35 pm
I just asked an online calculator how many days I had been alive.

The response was: 

Quote
The conversion of a varchar data type to a datetime data type resulted in an out-of-range value.

You utter bastards.

 ;D ;D ;D

You made I larf, Ruthie.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 13 June, 2014, 08:42:57 am
Quote from: mcshroom on 12 June, 2014, 11:20:08 pm


Mine's 11352 apparently. :)

Mine is almost twice yours.
Small wonder I feel tired ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 13 June, 2014, 10:56:53 am
The picture on mine anbaric television keeps falling off the screen, while the squeakers emit a vulgar electronic farting sound.  But...

It appears to be confined solely to the BRITONS' Broadcasting Corporation, and only to their not-HD channels.

Please to be stopping this unseemly behaviours.

kthxbai
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 13 June, 2014, 11:09:20 am
Hayfever has arrived :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 13 June, 2014, 01:42:12 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 13 June, 2014, 10:56:53 am
The picture on mine anbaric television keeps falling off the screen, while the squeakers emit a vulgar electronic farting sound.  But...

It appears to be confined solely to the BRITONS' Broadcasting Corporation, and only to their not-HD channels.

Please to be stopping this unseemly behaviours.

kthxbai
That is perfectly normal and is just Chris Evans on The One Show. Normal service will be resumed once the farmer boy is back.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 13 June, 2014, 02:10:29 pm
Friday arternoons with Not Much To Do - the last hour just drags
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 14 June, 2014, 02:51:32 pm
Dear BT,
Thank you for sorting out my Broadband on Thursday.
Your droid phoned at 09.36 this morning to check how things were; well, we weren't having a lie-in, which is just as well. Please do not phone me! I can handle emails and texts without interrupting MY activities. Interruption is rude; DON'T DO IT!
You then texted a survey about my 'experience'. Well, your numerical options don't have 'It was a f*cking pain in the arse' as an option. This is a shame; it was!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 14 June, 2014, 07:22:19 pm
kids21.co.uk: you use a UK domain, so I naïvely assumed your DVDs would be dispatched in the UK. But no, they came - eventually - from Thailand and are pirate copies of the films*. Luckily I paid using PayPal, so once you have ignored my email telling you of the dodgy provenance of said DVDs, I shall launch a PP dispute and, more than likely, win. I hope.

*Say I with 95% certainty.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 14 June, 2014, 10:08:09 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 13 June, 2014, 11:09:20 am
Hayfever has arrived :(

Yes, I found my first blood in bogies of the year yesterday.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 15 June, 2014, 05:18:21 pm
A combination of circumstances has meant that bobb and I have only seen each other twice this year, in February and April. It sucks, I miss him and I'm fed up.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Gattopardo on 15 June, 2014, 05:49:19 pm
Need some energy and the will to do stuff, such as tidy flat and get rid of stuff on freecycle.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: bumper on 15 June, 2014, 06:39:06 pm
I was supposed to be having a 4 day mini tour starting tomorrow morning, just had a phone call for some emergency work that needs completing Monday/Tuesday. It's work=money that pays for bills and bike stuff but ffs, they've known about it for weeks and only just told me.

I've got lots of new kit that hasn't been tested yet, I'm itching to try it all out >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 15 June, 2014, 07:54:34 pm
My car seems to know it's due a service.

The ABS light started coming on a couple weeks back, it's just started dripping oil in the last day or two, and the kwik fit guy today told me the brake discs/pads are coming up for replacement.

I'm expecting an unpleasant bill next week when it goes to the garage :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Gattopardo on 15 June, 2014, 07:56:36 pm
Some stuff freecycled other dumped.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Gattopardo on 15 June, 2014, 07:58:39 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 15 June, 2014, 07:54:34 pm
My car seems to know it's due a service.

The ABS light started coming on a couple weeks back, it's just started dripping oil in the last day or two, and the kwik fit guy today told me the brake discs/pads are coming up for replacement.

I'm expecting an unpleasant bill next week when it goes to the garage :(

Oil change isn't that bad, I quite like servicing cars.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 15 June, 2014, 08:15:57 pm
I'm more worried about where it's coming from. The change is due to happen on Thursday as part of it's service anyway, but I don't like sealed systems that aren't sealed, and I'm hoping it's pretty trivial to track down.

Actually, I wonder if it's me being inept. I was checking the oil level a couple days ago and I don't think it was leaking then. Off to see if I left anything undone
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 15 June, 2014, 08:21:43 pm
Yep. The oil is leaking out because some dipstick didn't put the dipstick back in properly :-[

Well, at least it isn't broked :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 15 June, 2014, 08:30:22 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 15 June, 2014, 08:21:43 pm
Yep. The oil is leaking out because some dipstick didn't put the dipstick back in properly :-[

Well, at least it isn't broked :facepalm:

Similarly but with more spectacular results,not long ago I topped the oil from nearly minimum level to maximum & forgot to put the oil filler cap back on.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 15 June, 2014, 08:30:58 pm
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 15 June, 2014, 05:18:21 pm
A combination of circumstances has meant that bobb and I have only seen each other twice this year, in February and April. It sucks, I miss him and I'm fed up.

Hell's teeth K. That's very rough.  Hope you get together soon.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 15 June, 2014, 08:40:17 pm
I have destroyed my gunnera.   :(
I was going to post a picture of it on the appropriate thread, as this year it appeared to be growing bigger than ever before.  I was just waiting for the last leaf (do you call them leaves?) to develop.  Its stem was much thicher than the others, so I was expecting it to be fee-yooge.
This afternoon, I dropped half a tree onto it.  From a great height.

Bugger.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 15 June, 2014, 11:08:25 pm
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 15 June, 2014, 05:18:21 pm
A combination of circumstances has meant that bobb and I have only seen each other twice this year, in February and April. It sucks, I miss him and I'm fed up.

Circumstances absolutely suck, and can FRO. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 15 June, 2014, 11:12:15 pm
Quote from: Basil on 15 June, 2014, 08:40:17 pm
I have destroyed my gunnera.   :(
I was going to post a picture of it on the appropriate thread, as this year it appeared to be growing bigger than ever before.  I was just waiting for the last leaf (do you call them leaves?) to develop.  Its stem was much thicher than the others, so I was expecting it to be fee-yooge.
This afternoon, I dropped half a tree onto it.  From a great height.

Bugger.

This post was more amusing when I assumed gunnera was a sexually transmitted infection.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 15 June, 2014, 11:18:09 pm
It is. It affects huge stems.  :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 15 June, 2014, 11:42:11 pm
Rhubarb.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 16 June, 2014, 09:41:26 am
Dammit! No "Girls With Slingshots". My morning feels incomplete. !
http://www.girlswithslingshots.com/
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Plug1n on 16 June, 2014, 10:10:13 am
Local Boots (Berkhamsted) would not give me a free prescription because it was issued on Friday and I only crossed the old age divide yesterday.  Also wanted to charge me £7 for an over the counter ointment that was priced at £3.

Led to some ranting and threats to post stuff on Twitter.

A proper chemists up the road had no problem.

I know where I will go next time.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 16 June, 2014, 11:57:03 am
Why does Google's spell-checker know the word lumen, but does not consider lumens to be a correct plural?

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 16 June, 2014, 12:50:12 pm
Me: hi, I have a client who has a minuet bed and I need to order cotsides. They're in stock but it won’t let me do it
Stores: hang on, I’ll check
*tumbleweed*
Stores: yeah, you need to order cotsides for an Ergo and put in the notes you need minuet ones instead


It really didn't occur to me that the best way to order something from the stock would be to order something else and then write to say I wanted the other thing. What a fool I've been!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: RJ on 16 June, 2014, 12:58:24 pm
Me:  I was just wondering how things were shaping up in terms of an agenda and timetable?  My travel is booked (flying out $day morning, returning $+1day evening), but have held off sorting out accommodation and further logistics pending a clearer idea of plans.

Reply:  Bones of a schedule is initial meeting $day morning, followed by site visit. Further discussion $+1day morning, should be done by lunchtime $+1day.

Ummm, and that helps with logistics and digs, well - how, exactly?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 16 June, 2014, 01:18:18 pm
I turned up at the blood donation centre in Brum without an appointment today and was dealt with and bled in <1 hour. It was my 50th donation (in the UK) and I got a card for my troubles. Apparently I'll also get a gold badge in the mail and an invitation to a big dinner for similar folk. Not really necessary, but it would be churlish not to accept.

Edit: this was supposed to be in the random things thread. No grumble intended!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 16 June, 2014, 01:27:31 pm
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 16 June, 2014, 01:18:18 pm
I turned up at the blood donation centre in Brum without an appointment today and was dealt with and bled in <1 hour. It was my 50th donation (in the UK) and I got a card for my troubles. Apparently I'll also get a gold badge in the mail and an invitation to a big dinner for similar folk. Not really necessary, but it would be churlish not to accept.

Tea and biscuits, presumably?   :D

Seriously though, well done.   :thumbsup:
(As a transfusion recipient they don't want my blood, so I have to make do with encouraging other people.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 16 June, 2014, 01:57:37 pm
Blimey, it was a veritable smörgåsbord on offer today post-donation. Club biscuits, assorted fruit, chocolate biscuits, crisps, gluten-free options, etc. A far cry from 1979, when all that was on offer was a plate of garibaldis and nasty coffee. The coffee was still crap today, though.

I trust the dinner on offer will be a little more sumptuous.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 16 June, 2014, 02:38:47 pm
Quote from: Pickled Onion on 16 June, 2014, 11:57:03 am
Why does Google's spell-checker know the word lumen, but does not consider lumens to be a correct plural?

Maybe the Latin pedant would say it's lumina and not understand units of light...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 16 June, 2014, 02:46:48 pm
Wouldn't luman be the singular of lumen?

IGMC
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 16 June, 2014, 02:50:53 pm
I'm starting to think this headache is hayfever rather than dehydration related - and I now need the loo.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 16 June, 2014, 02:54:17 pm
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 16 June, 2014, 01:57:37 pm
Blimey, it was a veritable smörgåsbord on offer today post-donation. Club biscuits, assorted fruit, chocolate biscuits, crisps, gluten-free options, etc. A far cry from 1979, when all that was on offer was a plate of garibaldis and nasty coffee. The coffee was still crap today, though.

I trust the dinner on offer will be a little more sumptuous.

Post-ride coffee is a rip-off at club events here: homoeopathic in strength and a euro a cup.  Some clubs still follow tradition and offer it free pre-ride, but afterwards you're fair game.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 16 June, 2014, 05:05:07 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 13 June, 2014, 10:56:53 am
The picture on mine anbaric television keeps falling off the screen, while the squeakers emit a vulgar electronic farting sound.  But...

It appears to be confined solely to the BRITONS' Broadcasting Corporation, and only to their not-HD channels.

Please to be stopping this unseemly behaviours.

kthxbai

You wouldn't have thunk that just moving a set-top aerial a few feet across the Great Hall would have made much difference to a telly getting its input from Pystal Crapace, but moving it a further couple of feet away from saaaaarrf Londonton and up by a couple of shelves has healed my WWP.

Except when a bus goes past, but then it always did that...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: arabella on 16 June, 2014, 05:12:40 pm
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 16 June, 2014, 01:18:18 pm
I turned up at the blood donation centre in Brum without an appointment today and was dealt with and bled in <1 hour. It was my 50th donation (in the UK) and I got a card for my troubles. Apparently I'll also get a gold badge in the mail and an invitation to a big dinner for similar folk. Not really necessary, but it would be churlish not to accept.

Edit: this was supposed to be in the random things thread. No grumble intended!
That must be new.  For my 50th donation I got a badge* and a pen, in a nice box (each).  And the ertificate.  And a duplicate certificate.  *Thinks wistfuly about a dinner*
*Actually I think my bronze bage looks nicest.  Apparently the next one is emerald for 75, should I still be donating.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nicknack on 16 June, 2014, 05:14:32 pm
Quote from: arabella on 16 June, 2014, 05:12:40 pm
Apparently the next one is emerald for 75, should I still be donating.

Poo. My 74th looks like it might have been my last.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 16 June, 2014, 07:21:49 pm
I wonder if I should ask them to transfer my 11 Hungarian and 6 Swedish donations? :)

After the Hungarian ones, I was given beer! In cans though. In Sweden you were paid a small sum to donate, however, it was the done thing to donate that sum to the local equivalent of the WRVS who had laid out a proper smörgåsbord of wonderful dishes. I spent nearly an hour sampling their lovely cooking.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 16 June, 2014, 08:58:00 pm
The last time I checked they didn't want my blood here in the UK. In DK we used to get beer or wine after, would do wonders for the blood to alcohol levels. I for one was rather light headed after my first donation and a quick pint with a mate after.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 17 June, 2014, 12:45:02 am
Quote from: arabella on 16 June, 2014, 05:12:40 pm
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 16 June, 2014, 01:18:18 pm
I turned up at the blood donation centre in Brum without an appointment today and was dealt with and bled in <1 hour. It was my 50th donation (in the UK) and I got a card for my troubles. Apparently I'll also get a gold badge in the mail and an invitation to a big dinner for similar folk. Not really necessary, but it would be churlish not to accept.

Edit: this was supposed to be in the random things thread. No grumble intended!
That must be new.  For my 50th donation I got a badge* and a pen, in a nice box (each).  And the ertificate.  And a duplicate certificate.  *Thinks wistfuly about a dinner*
*Actually I think my bronze bage looks nicest.  Apparently the next one is emerald for 75, should I still be donating.

#25 was a week or two back - slightly shoddy card on the day, and a whinge from the staff that they didn't have the badges any more to give out. I shall wait and see if one turns up in the post - they said they thought it would, but didn't seem confident.

Coincidentally, I'd found my bronze badge a few days earlier. Quite nice, but predictably it's still in the wee box.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Dibdib on 17 June, 2014, 01:04:44 pm
Well now I just feel guilty for having previously felt chuffed when my blue five donations card dropped through the letterbox last week.

It's a shame it's taken me until now (I've just turned 30) to get into a regular habit of giving blood. There was a while in my teens when they didn't want my blood because of recent piercings, but it's something I really should have got sorted sooner.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 17 June, 2014, 02:29:00 pm
Well, I gave for the first time in the year I turned 30 - should have sorted it out sooner, but never quite got round to it. And I've not been as regular as I'd like to be since, either - been a couple of years where I haven't given at all.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 17 June, 2014, 04:39:59 pm
My considerably better half and I aim to go out at least once a month on a "Date Night," mostly to the theatre, cinema, a gig or the likes. Been doing it for years!

Today was the first time since the bloke out of REM had a brain haemorrhage  that we have received notification that an event has been cancelled (Last of the Duty Free at Malvern Theatre).... not a bad run given that was about 20 years ago.

Why the grumble…. Well I have just had another email cancelling a second show (The importance of being Ernest at the Alex Birmingham). Two in one day! Someone is out to irritate me!!!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 17 June, 2014, 04:59:02 pm
Quote from: jsabine on 17 June, 2014, 02:29:00 pm
Well, I gave for the first time in the year I turned 30 - should have sorted it out sooner, but never quite got round to it. And I've not been as regular as I'd like to be since, either - been a couple of years where I haven't given at all.
The Blood Service, or whatever they're called, are still a bit unreconstructed NHS. That's both good and bad, but they do sometimes act like they are doing me a favour when I am donating. Yesterday's receptionist, for example, was very abrupt, if not unpleasant, although she warmed up later on, possibly because the system flagged up that it was my 50th donation. The whole process was very haphazard, in what is the second city's premier centre.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 18 June, 2014, 07:50:52 am
Quote from: nicknack on 16 June, 2014, 05:14:32 pm
Quote from: arabella on 16 June, 2014, 05:12:40 pm
Apparently the next one is emerald for 75, should I still be donating.

Poo. My 74th looks like it might have been my last.

As I rapidly scanned the page, I read it that you feared your 74th poo might be your last... well if it was 74 in a day, then I'd hope it was your last!

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nicknack on 18 June, 2014, 09:17:01 am
Quote from: Wombat on 18 June, 2014, 07:50:52 am
Quote from: nicknack on 16 June, 2014, 05:14:32 pm
Quote from: arabella on 16 June, 2014, 05:12:40 pm
Apparently the next one is emerald for 75, should I still be donating.

Poo. My 74th looks like it might have been my last.

As I rapidly scanned the page, I read it that you feared your 74th poo might be your last... well if it was 74 in a day, then I'd hope it was your last!

 :o  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 18 June, 2014, 12:23:43 pm
Broadband has been throttled down to 256kb/s a whole seven days before the end of the billing period. This has made listening to Just a Minute a bit of a challenge.

Yes, it's uni holibobs time, and they're all blaming each other for one or other of gaming/streaming/p2p. Just how did they manage 22GB of gaming + 14 GB of web + 13 GB of p2p on a SINGLE 24H period????
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Dibdib on 18 June, 2014, 12:29:36 pm
Quote from: Pickled Onion on 18 June, 2014, 12:23:43 pm
Broadband has been throttled down to 256kb/s a whole seven days before the end of the billing period. This has made listening to Just a Minute a bit of a challenge.

Yes, it's uni holibobs time, and they're all blaming each other for one or other of gaming/streaming/p2p. Just how did they manage 22GB of gaming + 14 GB of web + 13 GB of p2p on a SINGLE 24H period????

Without looking in more detail, my hunch is that a bunch of it will be installing/updating games on Steam or a similar games platform. My Steam client is set to only apply updates between midnight and 8am when Plusnet turn off their allowances.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 18 June, 2014, 12:37:28 pm
Yes, you're almost certainly right, and the majority of that would have been in the unmetered off-peak otherwise we wouldn't have made it this far - we only have 100 GB a month.

It's a pain that the overall allowance/usage is done on peak usage, but the detailed daily breakdown shows complete 24 hour periods. Makes it difficult to point the finger at any one of them, they can just say they only used off-peak. Which has a lot of truth, as I was leaving for work the other morning one of them was just cleaning his teeth ready to go to bed  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hulver on 18 June, 2014, 01:59:41 pm
I just dropped my pants in the toilet as I was getting changed after my lunch time ride home.

So I'm now wearing cycling shorts under my trousers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 19 June, 2014, 09:02:28 am
Yesterday (Wednesday) I received a small job due on the morning of the 20th. I glanced at it, confirmed to myself that it was very small and easy and would take an hour tops, more likely half an hour, and decided to do it on Thursday. Last night, people were discussing the solstice. Somehow I got it in my mind that the 21st was on Friday, with the result that this morning I woke up and immediately thought "Shit, that job's due in at 08:00 - and is that BST or CET? - and I haven't even started it yet!" So I jumped out of bed, put some coal in the computer and got to work, in my best office pyjamas.  ;D Luckily it was indeed a small and easy job, even if the person who'd worked on it before me seemed more akin to google translate than anything human, and probably more time was spent accessing systems (Across, are you listening?) than correcting. Sent it off, made my son's school lunch, took him to school, all calm - and then realised it's only the 19th today.  :facepalm:  :-[
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hulver on 19 June, 2014, 09:54:19 am
I must have slept funny on my arm last night, as I woke up with "fizzing" in 2 and a half of the fingers and my thumb on my right hand. It isn't going away, and makes typing and drinking tea (my main activities) quite irritating to do. Lack of proper feeling in them, although they are warm so it's not missing blood, and I can still just about feel hot and cold with them.

I'm glad I'm left handed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: PeteB99 on 20 June, 2014, 12:10:47 pm
The binmen emptied the recycling box an hour ago. Since then 4 separate items of junk advertising have been shoved through my door >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: orienteer on 20 June, 2014, 12:57:28 pm
Quote from: PeteB99 on 20 June, 2014, 12:10:47 pm
The binmen emptied the recycling box an hour ago. Since then 4 separate items of junk advertising have been shoved through my door >:(

Maybe they are just recycling it.......
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hulver on 20 June, 2014, 01:02:16 pm
I half sliced the tip of my thumb off last night while slicing mushrooms. I've never seen a knife go so far through a nail before.

Living without being able to use your thumb is quite awkward.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 20 June, 2014, 01:19:27 pm
Quote from: hulver
I've never seen a knife go so far through a nail before.

This made I cringe :hand:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hulver on 20 June, 2014, 02:29:35 pm
Quote from: Guy on 20 June, 2014, 01:19:27 pm
This made I cringe :hand:

I went a bit pale and wobbly as well.

Picture below.

(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 20 June, 2014, 02:48:03 pm
I clicked on the spoiler button, but was then quite pleased the picture won't show here :)

My grumble: Campag chainset on ebay, "what's the BCD?" - answer "140mm". That will be easy to get rings for then   ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 20 June, 2014, 03:07:03 pm
Indian-sounding twat on phone

Can you put me through to Nicholas?
Me: I don't know who you're talking about
I-STOP: This is the British Army?
Me: Yes, but not all of it (  ;D )
I-STOP: Second part of name is spelled <****>
Me: Oh. No I'm afraid I can't. Colonel **** retired from the army a couple of years ago.
I-STOP: Oh. Goodbye then

That's the second Indian-sounding person who's rung for Nick in the last two weeks. ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruth on 20 June, 2014, 07:45:47 pm
My feet are killing me.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 21 June, 2014, 04:56:39 pm
 How do people enjoy coach holidays? Today was the first day of the break where it's been a typical coach holiday day* and all it seemed to be was piling into overcrowded villages for too short a time to sightsee properly and too long for just a quick coffee. I'm bored stiff**. Oh well home tomorrow.

*We are here as a choir so were singing in a castle on day 1, and I bunked off to go hiking yesterday

 **Not helped by seeing audaxers travelling in the opposite direction to the coach and looking like they were having fun
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 21 June, 2014, 05:00:04 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 21 June, 2014, 04:56:39 pm
...Not helped by seeing audaxers travelling in the opposite direction to the coach and looking like they were having fun.
Does not compute...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 21 June, 2014, 05:01:46 pm
200k round the Trossachs on a pleasently warm and dry day. More fun than on a coach.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 21 June, 2014, 07:17:51 pm
Tea towels. Coach holidays are all about the tea towels and the National Trust pencil sharpeners.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 21 June, 2014, 09:12:06 pm
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 21 June, 2014, 05:00:04 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 21 June, 2014, 04:56:39 pm
...Not helped by seeing audaxers travelling in the opposite direction to the coach and looking like they were having fun.
Does not compute...

See also sportivists. Part of my route today was on the course of Wiggle's "The Long One" (http://www.wiggle.co.uk/wiggle-super-series-wiggle-the-long-one-sportive-epic-2014/) super-sportive, and the vast majority appeared to be taking it far too seriously to exchange even a nod, never mind a greeting. That said, the full-length route, criss-crossing the South Downs was probably enough to give all but the most gregarious rider the thousand yard stare. :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andyoxon on 23 June, 2014, 01:04:51 pm
You'd think that a company like Dell, would be able to manage a delivery window narrower than 8am - 6pm.  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 23 June, 2014, 06:08:23 pm
Car just cost £600 in the garage (new ABS sensor/wheel assembly, front discs and pads*, and tyres among other bits and pieces and a full service/MOT).

Fair play to Scott (the garage owner) who was a bit surprised at the total, and wanted me to see the bits that had been removed as I think he was worried I'd think he'd been adding extra work.

As that's a large %age of the value of the car I think I'd better hold on to it a while longer instead of replacing it as I was starting to think about doing.

*Pads were actually cracked which I've never seen before
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 23 June, 2014, 06:16:48 pm
tbh mcshroom I reckon £600 is a reasonable cost for that amount of work.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 23 June, 2014, 06:18:24 pm
So do I.

The cost seems fine for the work that had to be done, and I have no complaints about the garage, it just needed a bit more work than I thought it did.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruth on 23 June, 2014, 08:04:29 pm
I did an eleven hour shift today, and my feet really hurt, and I've had my tea and am having a lovely cuppa.  And I know an hour on the bike would do me the world of good, but I bet I spend this evening on my arse on the sofa instead. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 23 June, 2014, 11:10:40 pm
My Brooks is creaking. >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 23 June, 2014, 11:43:53 pm
You sure it is the saddle and not BB or some such?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 23 June, 2014, 11:45:42 pm
I thought that was a feature?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 24 June, 2014, 12:10:48 am
Quote from: Kim on 23 June, 2014, 11:45:42 pm
I thought that was a feature?
Quite. "They all do that sir, it's part of their charm"
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 24 June, 2014, 06:24:39 am
I am sure this has been grumbled about before but hey, never let that stop me I always say..... bike policy on British trains...... d'oh!

Back when I was a lad, we had what “they” liked to call “An integrated transport policy.” The idea was that your journey was seamless as all the companies worked together to make it so....it didn't work that way but at least they gave it a good-ish go. Then came along the Great Destroyer and sold everything off to her mates so they could cut services whilst claiming an even large subsidy than before. Such is life eh.

Anyway, back to yesterday. First part of the grumble....Virgin Trains. Why make is so difficult to book a cycle place on your trains. And indeed, why on Earth do you need to book a place? I have yet to see a Virgin train silly bike space which is full. And if they ever become so, why not have built (or actually lease from another company who no doubt claim a subsidy for buying the trains in the first place), some trains with more space for such items. My choices when booking a bike space it would seem, is either book the ticket and hope, after ringing the number, there is a space available, or head down to the station and book in person.

Or, do as I did in the end, book via East Coast Trains who allow the online booking of a bike place. So why is this a grumble.... because East Coast Trains didn't have the discounted fare I could have got on Virgin.

Then, when returning home from epic bike adventure, people with cases the size of a freezer, please do not be putting them in the place signed: “Silly Bike Spot.” and then don't get stroppy with me when I move them out of the way so I can safely store my bike. You were very lucky bag owners as, if the train had had windows like in the “good old days,” they would now be trackside (not that I could have got them out of the window!)

And now the main part of this grumble..... Chester is a large regional centre with direct train links to that London, Manchester, Liverpool, Shrewsbury and Holyhead. It must be great to live there, apart from the fact that there is no direct link to Stafford. Instead, (and after once again fighting for a bike space with the baggage people)  a Arriva Trains Wales train is taken to Crewe and a change made onto a London Midland train for one stop. All straightforward if a little silly really. However, I had not counted on the stupidity of the timetable.......So, arrive into Crewe at XX.18....platform 9. Stafford train leaves from the next door platform, platform 6 (they are staggered so its still a 100m walk)  at XX.19. No chance of catching it if the train is late (which of course it was) or if you are not an Olympic standard runner....which I am not.

So a wait of 30 mins was suffered by me and at least 10 other people. Oh and just for fun, instead of platform 6 again, no, this time its over the bridge to platform 5. Sigh. Why on Earth couldn't the Chester-Crewe train be timetabled to arrive at XX15 and the Stafford train to leave at XX.20. That would give everyone a chance of making the connection and NOT WASTING 30 MINS on Crewe station.

Thanks for listening.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 24 June, 2014, 09:07:37 am
I wouldn't even try to make that one minute connection, especially with a bike or luggage, kids, olds, gammy legs, etc. Sit down with a book, newspaper, game, kid, old person, sandwich, etc and admire the Victorian railway architecture. Or whatever there is. I can think of worse places to be stuck for half an hour.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CrinklyLion on 24 June, 2014, 09:14:41 am
Quote from: Kim on 05 March, 2011, 11:23:29 pm
Friends don't let friends change at Crewe.

Quote from: Kim on 07 August, 2013, 11:02:11 am
Quote from: Wowbagger on 07 August, 2013, 10:06:59 am
Nikki, dear heart that she is, has offered to get a refund on her Pwllheli ticket and keep me company but I've said "Don't".

Too right.  Friends Don't Let Friends Change At Crewe.

Quote from: Kim on 15 October, 2013, 11:37:24 pm
Friends don't let friends change at Crewe

Listen to the wisdom of Kim...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jasmine on 24 June, 2014, 09:22:42 am
It's been a while since I've caught the train from South Wales to North Wales, but if you don't catch the direct Cardiff to Holyhead, then it's Cardiff to Crewe on the Manchester train, then Crewe to Holyhead.  The train from Cardiff arrives into Crewe at XX.18 and the train to Holyhead leaves at XX.17.  The next train is a whole hour.  I think they do it on purpose for a good giggle at the people who want to travel from South to North Wales (because having to go via England isn't hilarious enough).  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 24 June, 2014, 09:31:44 am
If it's any consolation I remember once trying to make a connection in France (I forget where, somewhere south) and we arrived at a local station, a connection promised in 23 minutes. We waited. It never turned up. Nothing turned up. Some reading of the timetable later, it turned out that our connection wait was an entire one day and 23 minutes later.

One the plus side, being stranded there for a day was 74,935 times nicer than spending 23 minutes in Crewe.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 24 June, 2014, 09:35:00 am
But how would you spend money in the WHSmiths/Costa/Pumpkin places if you had a timely connection? ???

The train journey to York form here has two changes (Whitehaven-Carlisle-Newcastle-York). Both connections are timetabled with a 45 minute gap, even when sometimes the Whitehaven-Newcastle leg is actually run using the same rolling stock. It sits in Carlisle station for 45 mins before leaving. :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 24 June, 2014, 10:11:16 am
Quote from: essexian on 24 June, 2014, 06:24:39 am
First part of the grumble....Virgin Trains. Why make is so difficult to book a cycle place on your trains.

I have yet to see a Virgin train silly bike space which is full.

I suspect your first sentence has a correlation with your second.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 24 June, 2014, 05:02:17 pm
Quote from: Ruthie on 23 June, 2014, 08:04:29 pm
I did an eleven hour shift today, and my feet really hurt, and I've had my tea and am having a lovely cuppa.  And I know an hour on the bike would do me the world of good, but I bet I spend this evening on my arse on the sofa instead.

When I've done a 0600-1800 shift all I'm able to do is shower,eat & sleep irrespective of what I may wish to do.
A 0600-1400 shift allows some play time as does a 1400-2200 shift.

I also don't work Friday's 'cause that is tandem&blindstoker day
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Lady Cavendish on 24 June, 2014, 05:38:37 pm
It seems 13ish hour days have become the norm here. I ride for an hour or 2 before and after work so this does not allow for much playtime. This had better not last much longer because I am only seeing my family at weekends really atm and that makes me :(

I keep playing the euromillions, it must be my turn soon
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 24 June, 2014, 05:53:00 pm
Quote from: Lady Cavendish on 24 June, 2014, 05:38:37 pm

I keep playing the euromillions, it must be my turn soon

You are first in the queue after me ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 24 June, 2014, 09:44:58 pm
It appears to be peak seagull season.  The bastards are nesting on our flat roof again & dive bombing passers by. Rather noisy  >:(   

Does pest control count as legal reason for owning an AA12 ?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 24 June, 2014, 09:47:21 pm
Unfortunately they are a protected species (not sure why, there's millions of the things)

http://www.rspb.org.uk/advice/gardening/unwantedvisitors/gulls/thelaw.aspx
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 24 June, 2014, 09:49:38 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 24 June, 2014, 09:44:58 pm
It appears to be peak seagull season.  The bastards are nesting on our flat roof again & dive bombing passers by. Rather noisy  >:(

Exam season, innit?  Amorous seagulls on the roof of the sports hall were the only distraction we had from the sniffling of hayfever sufferers during exams.  (Or alternatively, if you timed it right, the noise of a seagull fight could be used to mask a good snort.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 24 June, 2014, 09:54:07 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 24 June, 2014, 09:47:21 pm
Unfortunately they are a protected species (not sure why, there's millions of the things)

http://www.rspb.org.uk/advice/gardening/unwantedvisitors/gulls/thelaw.aspx

I wonder if they are protected not because they are endangered but because they soon would be if they weren't under protection?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 24 June, 2014, 09:55:41 pm
Forget the AA12 , we need these .....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQDy-5IQvuU (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQDy-5IQvuU)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 24 June, 2014, 10:00:29 pm
I'm assuming the location rules out taking off and nuking them from orbit? :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 24 June, 2014, 10:02:25 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 24 June, 2014, 10:00:29 pm
I'm assuming the location rules out taking off and nuking them from orbit? :)

I've just paid a £250 surcharge on my service charge for repairs to the roof..... >:(    I don't think our insurance covers orbital bombardment....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 24 June, 2014, 10:58:09 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 24 June, 2014, 09:47:21 pm
Unfortunately they are a protected species (not sure why, there's millions of the things)

http://www.rspb.org.uk/advice/gardening/unwantedvisitors/gulls/thelaw.aspx

Have you tried reasoning with them? I had an issue with crows trying to use my head as some kind of corvid landing pad. It was settled over a chat in the park. I exchanged a falafel sandwich for a lifelong crow armistice. Magpies were annoyed to find out they were included in the agreement, but it's binding. They don't have to like it. Gulls, I'm not sure, but I'd be open to sandwich or other snack-based negotiations.

I also signed an agreement with bees and wasps when I was six. They've never, ever stung me.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Lady Cavendish on 25 June, 2014, 09:38:54 am
*shudders at all this bird talk. I hate birds. And their swooping*

My grumble is my own fault, but I rode to work this morning and was a little late leaving. By the time I realised I had no glasses on it was all too late and by the time I got to the office I was totally blind due to pollen issues. I currently look like an extra in a horror film.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 25 June, 2014, 09:46:31 am
Argh, hugs Lady C. Hope they settle down soon.

Sneezing and runny noses are unpleasent, but eyes are far painful and horrible when hayfevered IME.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 25 June, 2014, 10:00:01 am
Quote from: Kim on 24 June, 2014, 09:49:38 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 24 June, 2014, 09:44:58 pm
It appears to be peak seagull season.  The bastards are nesting on our flat roof again & dive bombing passers by. Rather noisy  >:(

Exam season, innit?  Amorous seagulls on the roof of the sports hall were the only distraction we had from the sniffling of hayfever sufferers during exams.  (Or alternatively, if you timed it right, the noise of a seagull fight could be used to mask a good snort.)
I've heard it's the norm now for studes to use pharmaceutical aids to revision, but snorting cocaine in the exam hall is a bit much!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 25 June, 2014, 10:10:51 am
Quote from: andyoxon on 23 June, 2014, 01:04:51 pm
You'd think that a company like Dell, would be able to manage a delivery window narrower than 8am - 6pm.  ::-)

Not them - but their contracted carrier. Lets the courier keep to the SLA stating a certain percentage will be delivered "on time".
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 25 June, 2014, 01:44:36 pm
Ah, Openreach, don'cha jus love'm.

Yesterday I received the following email (not that their own location map has our local exchange "scheduled" for fibre June'14)

 

Dear raf,

Thanks for telling us that you're interested in superfast fibre broadband.

We're really pleased to let you know that your local exchange, {ExchangeName}, has been added to our rollout plans.

You can get more details about the current status of the {ExchangeName} exchange, and find out when superfast fibre broadband will be available, using out new interactive map at www.superfast-openreach.co.uk/where-and-when.

Because there are instances where we can't upgrade every single street cabinet, we'd advise you to contact your preferred Communications Provider and use their line checker to find out whether or not your property will be able to get superfast fibre broadband.

And just now I've received the following update....


Dear raf,

We had a technical problem yesterday whilst using a new email system. The issue led to a number of people receiving inaccurate information about fibre. 

Please ignore any emails you have received from Openreach in the past 24 hours and accept our apologies for the confusion this might have caused.

Regards,

Openreach Marketing

 Wonderful!  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 25 June, 2014, 04:06:05 pm
I have only just realised why I couldn't log into Citrix last night.

I was so tired I was holding my RSA key upside down!  What's the chances of 3 number sets would be readable upside down as well as the normal way and still make sense?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 25 June, 2014, 05:12:27 pm
Quote from: tiermat on 25 June, 2014, 04:06:05 pm
I have only just realised why I couldn't log into Citrix last night.

I was so tired I was holding my RSA key upside down!  What's the chances of 3 number sets would be readable upside down as well as the normal way and still make sense?

Assuming your tired mind would read an inverted 2 as a 5, then 0, 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, and 9 can be read upside down so 3 numbers assuming the first number can't be zero then 6/9 for the first number, 7/10 for the second, 6/10 for the third as the inverted number can't start with 0. 252 of the 900 available combinations would be legible or 28%.  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 25 June, 2014, 06:35:50 pm
Thanks matthew. That *may* have been a rhetorical question  :)

My latest whinge, I am in a whingy mood today.  I am sat at home, Mrs T, FiL and TLD have gone to a school production. Its a lovely evening and I am feeling like Billy NoFuckngMates.

WHY?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruth on 26 June, 2014, 10:48:22 am
I would've gone on a pubbe run tonight MrT, if you hadn't been doing stuff with your family.  Time with your kid, what's that about?  Y'weirdo.

My foot hurts.  A lot.  Pain that stops me doing my job properly.  Now, I have found a kind of shoe that helps with this.  But the shoes are a hundred quid a pair.  FFS.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 26 June, 2014, 11:07:06 am
Not good. If you wear them for work, could you try getting them through the hospital as a required item of PPE?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruth on 26 June, 2014, 11:09:42 am
I got special dispensation to wear my old work shoes mcshroom, instead of the theatre clogs we're supposed to wear.  My old work shoes are the  £100.00 a pair ones.  It was worth it to be comfortable at work, and they lasted on average about three years a pair.

Shoes at £100.00 a pop for outside work is a different matter. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 26 June, 2014, 01:38:00 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 25 June, 2014, 01:44:36 pm
Ah, Openreach, don'cha jus love'm.

Yesterday I received the following email (not that their own location map has our local exchange "scheduled" for fibre June'14)

 

Dear raf,

Thanks for telling us that you're interested in superfast fibre broadband.

We're really pleased to let you know that your local exchange, {ExchangeName}, has been added to our rollout plans.

You can get more details about the current status of the {ExchangeName} exchange, and find out when superfast fibre broadband will be available, using out new interactive map at www.superfast-openreach.co.uk/where-and-when.

Because there are instances where we can't upgrade every single street cabinet, we'd advise you to contact your preferred Communications Provider and use their line checker to find out whether or not your property will be able to get superfast fibre broadband.

And just now I've received the following update....


Dear raf,

We had a technical problem yesterday whilst using a new email system. The issue led to a number of people receiving inaccurate information about fibre. 

Please ignore any emails you have received from Openreach in the past 24 hours and accept our apologies for the confusion this might have caused.

Regards,

Openreach Marketing

 Wonderful!  ::-)

You may kill me, but...

Email from Virgin "Would you like a free upgrade from 20Mb to 50?"  Yes please...  "OK, here it is"  Done.

IGMC
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 26 June, 2014, 09:49:34 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 25 June, 2014, 01:44:36 pm
Ah, Openreach, don'cha jus love'm.
...

If you ring them (or BT, who knows where one ends and the other begins), you soon realise that they're just using the same checker you can google up for yourself. When I called the other day, I knew more that they did.

In other other grumblesome matters. I'm hungry. I forgot to go to the shop so the contents of the fridge consist of some squishy strawberries, a pepper that was seeing better days about a week ago and is now so old it can't actually remember, and block of apparently fossilised parmesan. There's a couple of tins of tuna and some mushy peas in the cupboard. I am poorly equipped to survive the end times. I think a pizza delivery might be in order.

Even worse, I can't even order a pizza because my wife is sitting in a car-park at Gatwick admiring the roadworks.

I may die.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruth on 26 June, 2014, 09:51:47 pm
Quote from: ian on 26 June, 2014, 09:49:34 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 25 June, 2014, 01:44:36 pm
Ah, Openreach, don'cha jus love'm.
...


In other other grumblesome matters. I'm hungry. I forgot to go to the shop so the contents of the fridge consist of some squishy strawberries, a pepper that was seeing better days about a week ago and is now so old it can't actually remember, and block of apparently fossilised parmesan. There's a couple of tins of tuna and some mushy peas in the cupboard. I am poorly equipped to survive the end times. I think a pizza delivery might be in order.

Even worse, I can't even order a pizza because my wife is sitting in a car-park at Gatwick admiring the roadworks.

I may die.

If you only had half a box of eggs ...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 26 June, 2014, 11:54:47 pm
I have a cough, and a runny nose, and a headache, and a fine selection of other aches to boot.  I think I may be coming down with a clod chiz.

Edit: I have come down with a clod and cannot even self-medicate with whisky.  Bah!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pedaldog. on 27 June, 2014, 10:36:26 pm
Mainly due to the smash wot broke my head an brane, I don't have many of my own teeth left and most of them are clinging on in the face of Major fucking Damage. Lottery win = Full DENTAL IMPLANTS!
Tonight whilst easting, coleslaw and pita breads, the filling for the BIG hole in my front tooth came loose and fell out into the gap it was filling but not in place! It hurts like Hell and it's now the weekend so dentists don't do "When you'm in payn hours" and I'll have to ring for a "Toothache appointment" on Monday. I HATE GOB DOCTORS and their RIDICULOUS Prices and too up themselves, in General, to deal with stuff that is important, just maybe when they would like to be doing something else and earning more money.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pedaldog. on 29 June, 2014, 12:05:43 am
Oops! I apologise for my slightly ranty grumble above. I did get through to an out of ho0urs dentist on Saturday morning and was given an appointment within an hour to see them. The guy and the nurse were both lovely people, friendly and professional, and did a nice job of taking the dodgy bit out, killing the nerve and telling me to see my normal dentist as soon as I could. The pain has eased off a lot. :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 29 June, 2014, 03:34:44 pm
Quote from: Pedaldog on 29 June, 2014, 12:05:43 am
Oops! I apologise for my slightly ranty grumble above. I did get through to an out of ho0urs dentist on Saturday morning and was given an appointment within an hour to see them. The guy and the nurse were both lovely people, friendly and professional, and did a nice job of taking the dodgy bit out, killing the nerve and telling me to see my normal dentist as soon as I could. The pain has eased off a lot. :thumbsup:

Glad to hear you were sorted!
My friend in Shetland has a broken tooth at a weekend...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 30 June, 2014, 11:35:38 am
I once broke a tooth on Formentera.

A German fixed it. The Spanish dentist treated locals, the German did tourists & foreign (mainly German) residents.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 30 June, 2014, 01:50:23 pm
Whence cometh that stickiness afflicting my Altura gel mitts?  Or rather mitt, as it's only the left one ???

Note to self: buy some of those string-backed retro-stylee ones and wear them in the garden and/or on holibobs...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 01 July, 2014, 08:23:13 am
Good News (although some people may not think so).

Yesterday morning, around 6am, Pootle our massive grey tom cat arrived home with a half dead mouse in his mouth. Nothing strange about that as our moggies seem to have found a nest of the little critters and routinely leave us a freshly killed breakfast. While this is very nice of them, as both my considerably better half and I are both veggies, we end up giving the poor mouse a respectful burial in the garden rather than eating them…. We now know where Stephen King got his idea for one of his books from looking at the number of dead in our flower beds!

Yesterday morning however was slightly different. When collecting the mouse from the carpet where Pootle had left it, we noticed it was still breathing although did not seem to be able to move anymore. Wanting it to have a dignified death, we put it in a quiet spot in the kitchen to let it slip away. However, come lunchtime, it was still breathing and had moved a little. Hummm… two hours later, while still not moving much, it was much more alert so a decision was made to place the mouse in the greenhouse with some food and water just in case it continued to recover: the cats can’t get into the greenhouse but there are sufficient gaps for the mouse to leave if it was able to. If it couldn’t, then we decided that we would continue to care for it…. Well yes, we are soft and yes, some people think that mouse are vermin. We don’t think that way: everything has the right to life so any help we can give, we will give….. that’s the way we have ended up feeding 8 cats, three hedgehogs, four squirrels and countless slugs (or as my considerably better half call them…. “my people.”)

Anyway when we went back to check on the mouse later in the evening, it had gone. We were both extremely pleased to have saved a life to live another day.

Bad News.

Pootle and his sisters think differently from us and this morning left us not one, not two, not three but four dead mice.

Bloody cats!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 01 July, 2014, 01:39:00 pm
Couriers - well what else? Ok, you did indeed deliver - to a neighbour, despite my wife being in, and despite the fact that she got to the front door before you drove off. How, in Gods name, the electronic device you presented to our neighbour, produced signed for by "P POPKIN" from T GOSLING I'll never know! Thank goodness you attached a photo of the front of the property where you left it!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 01 July, 2014, 05:18:59 pm
I have just received the response to second offer from the insurance company.

Why is this a grumble? Well the other side's insurers have offered a lower amount for the bike, due to it's age and wear and tear.  What. The. Fuck? The quote is for REPAIR.  Not replacement, but REPAIR.

If it was to replace then I would understand fair wear and tear would need to be taken into account, but how the hell can you account for W&T on a REPAIR.

Just in case they reading this, that's the bike quote is for REPAIR...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: bumper on 01 July, 2014, 06:09:40 pm
A combination of sunshine, 3/4 humvees and medium height socks has left my legs looking like a bloody barbers pole >:(

My wife thinks its hilarious, I do not. I look like a right tit with normal shorts on.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Gattopardo on 01 July, 2014, 10:44:16 pm
Cycling through the Hams this evening, the level of car driver idiots was annoying but the busses were all lovely.

Managed to fall off the bike as well....TWICE.  Once doing a u turn and the next coming to a halt and misjudging the distance to the floor.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Julian on 02 July, 2014, 04:08:12 am
I can't sleep :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 02 July, 2014, 08:37:52 am
The BBC say it'll be raining in Ilkley on Saturday morning.

Guess where I'm going to be watching a brightly-coloured lycra blur whizz past
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 02 July, 2014, 12:39:25 pm
You'll be fine as long as you take a hat.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 02 July, 2014, 01:20:25 pm
Bloody BBC. Why on in Gods name do you schedule "Today at Wimbledon" for 8pm, and then show live tennis until 9pm and NEVER BLOODY SHOW THE HIGHLIGHTS OF EARLIER MATCHES!!!!!!!  So I missed seeing Shrapova and Nadal thanks to you. Cretins.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 02 July, 2014, 01:33:00 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 02 July, 2014, 01:20:25 pm
Bloody BBC. Why on in Gods name do you schedule "Today at Wimbledon" for 8pm, and then show live tennis until 9pm and NEVER BLOODY SHOW THE HIGHLIGHTS OF EARLIER MATCHES!!!!!!!  So I missed seeing Shrapova and Nadal thanks to you. Cretins.
Yeah, that. Also, stop moving the games around between the channels. We all have remote controls now and are capable of flicking between the channels to find the game we want; we don't have to get up and walk across the room and press buttons or twiddle knobs. Once we've found the game we want, please keep showing it where it is. YOU NUMPTIES.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 02 July, 2014, 02:13:34 pm
TdF starts Saturday and I'll be out slapping arras on the road for our Sunday event. And on Sunday I'll be sitting in a draught at the bloody computer, zapping entrants' FFCT licences as they arrive and churning out the bloody stats afterwards. Every sodding year. Bah.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 02 July, 2014, 04:21:07 pm
The weather gadget on my colleagues desk is saying temp 26.8C , 40% humidity , possibility of heat exhaustion………………………….

This is despite several free standing air con units scattered around  the office.  >:(

I'm wearing shorts, sandals & a T shirt.  I'm still too hot & I can smell myself.... :sick:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pedaldog. on 02 July, 2014, 11:55:38 pm
I got on a bus to Town today and as I was at the stop the bus came haring along the two lane, one way road trying to race past and dive in to the stop in front of a cyclist! When I got on the bus the driver called the cyclist selfish! Same driver going ito the bus station has to cross a two way cycle lane and again tried to turn across in front of a cyclist with a snarl at them.
I got the number on the back of the bus but by the time I got home ot ring stagecoach I had forgotten the bus number. it was 77724 or 22247 or somethi9ng like that. I would have called the driver a name but was genuinely too gobsmacked that somebody as reckless and angry as that was in charge of a bus filled with passengers and didn't say anything. Wish I had written it down or, in retrospect, I could have called home and left myself a message on the answering machine.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: PhilO on 03 July, 2014, 06:27:33 am
The route and time should be enough for the bus company to identify the driver (if they can be bothered).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 03 July, 2014, 05:39:11 pm
I find the majority of the bus drivers hereabouts ( Route 32;Hanley to Uttoxeter) are very sensible & professional wrt to interacting with cyclists.Well,,with me anyway.
Could it be because I used to work with many of them on that route? ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 03 July, 2014, 05:40:18 pm
Quote from: PhilO on 03 July, 2014, 06:27:33 am
The route and time should be enough for the bus company to identify the driver (if they can be bothered).

The driver will have a unique identity number which should be worn by him at all times when driving.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 04 July, 2014, 08:05:27 am
Had to drag a friend all the way to Carlisle so I could be at the hospital for 7:30. Still sat in a lounge and could have come up by train for this time, saving my friend a 100 miles round trip.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 04 July, 2014, 10:32:51 am
I come out of a nice cool meeting room to find some f***** has turned off the aircon. Even with the window open it is 26C at my desk and rising.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 04 July, 2014, 12:26:30 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 04 July, 2014, 08:05:27 am
Had to drag a friend all the way to Carlisle so I could be at the hospital for 7:30. Still sat in a lounge and could have come up by train for this time, saving my friend a 100 miles round trip.

This is entirely normal for surgery.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 04 July, 2014, 01:13:07 pm
So, my legs are covered in welts from the horsefly attack on Wednesday.  I'm generally knackered, though can't tell if that's from allergic reaction or the piriton that's keeping it under control.  And I was up at 4am wheezing.

Better than a broken arm, admittedly, but doesn't bode well for tonight's FNRttC  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 04 July, 2014, 05:49:58 pm
Genesis, you utter bastards: http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/blog/01/07/14/2015-bike-launch-longitude

(too late to cancel the order for the El Mariachi ...)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: billplumtree on 04 July, 2014, 06:04:49 pm
Double utter bastards:

(http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/img/uploads/images/blog-images/tour-de-fer.jpg) (http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/blog/02/07/14/2015-bike-launch-tour-de-fer)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 04 July, 2014, 06:06:18 pm
Quote from: billplumtree on 04 July, 2014, 06:04:49 pm
Double utter bastards:

(http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/img/uploads/images/blog-images/tour-de-fer.jpg) (http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/blog/02/07/14/2015-bike-launch-tour-de-fer)
The Disc Trucker has competition - seriously, that's a lot of bike for 900 beer tokens even if the logo does look like it was lifted from a Black Sabbath album  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 04 July, 2014, 06:12:01 pm
Friend, I'll gladly proof-read documents for you.  I have an eye for such work, which is a curse as much as a blessing.

Please pick a formatting style and stick to it!  Use the one we worked out, or use something different, I don't care.  But PLEASE stick to the same style throughout!  If you could manage that it would remove at least 2/3 of the 'corrections' I need to make.

*sigh*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 04 July, 2014, 06:33:09 pm
Oh my.

*waits for Alfine 11 version*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Deano on 04 July, 2014, 06:35:48 pm
Quote from: interzen on 04 July, 2014, 06:06:18 pm
Quote from: billplumtree on 04 July, 2014, 06:04:49 pm
Double utter bastards:

(http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/img/uploads/images/blog-images/tour-de-fer.jpg) (http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/blog/02/07/14/2015-bike-launch-tour-de-fer)
The Disc Trucker has competition - seriously, that's a lot of bike for 900 beer tokens even if the logo does look like it was lifted from a Black Sabbath album  ;D

Doesn't seem to come in a 26"-wheeled version, so I reckon the disc Trucker is still the go-to bike.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 04 July, 2014, 06:44:06 pm
Quote from: Deano on 04 July, 2014, 06:35:48 pm
Quote from: interzen on 04 July, 2014, 06:06:18 pm
Quote from: billplumtree on 04 July, 2014, 06:04:49 pm
Double utter bastards:

(http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/img/uploads/images/blog-images/tour-de-fer.jpg) (http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/blog/02/07/14/2015-bike-launch-tour-de-fer)
The Disc Trucker has competition - seriously, that's a lot of bike for 900 beer tokens even if the logo does look like it was lifted from a Black Sabbath album  ;D

Doesn't seem to come in a 26"-wheeled version, so I reckon the disc Trucker is still the go-to bike.
Granted, the Disc Trucker would be my first choice if I was in the market for a 'proper' touring bike but I reckon that Genesis will shift a fair few of these via the Cycle To Work scheme ...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 04 July, 2014, 07:21:54 pm
Bugger - That's got forks with a graceful bend instead of the jutting out straight things on the CdF. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Deano on 04 July, 2014, 07:27:32 pm
No downtube stops either. Still a very nice bike for the cash.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 04 July, 2014, 07:36:33 pm
Quote from: billplumtree on 04 July, 2014, 06:04:49 pm
Double utter bastards:

(http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/img/uploads/images/blog-images/tour-de-fer.jpg) (http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/blog/02/07/14/2015-bike-launch-tour-de-fer)

Oooh, curved forks for disc brakes and front racks. 

No, don't need to make any changes to my Hewitt Cheviot, it's fine the way it is.  :-\
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 04 July, 2014, 07:40:54 pm
Quote from: Andrij on 04 July, 2014, 07:36:33 pm
No, don't need to make any changes to my Hewitt Cheviot, it's fine the way it is.  :-\
I feel much the same about my 2014 Croix de Fer - if I started adding racks and whatnot I'd be too tempted to carry unnecessary junk with me :) I can't help thinking that this is what the Galaxy might have ended up looking like if Dawes hadn't completely lost the plot a few years ago.

Personally, I like the ride of the stock Croix fork even if the mud clearance is rubbish with 35mm tyres.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 04 July, 2014, 08:22:12 pm
Quote from: interzen on 04 July, 2014, 07:40:54 pm
Personally, I like the ride of the stock Croix fork even if the mud clearance is rubbish with 35mm tyres.
I agree about the ride. Its just the aesthetics.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 04 July, 2014, 08:34:49 pm
No fork crown, though, so it's back to Singular

*sigh*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 04 July, 2014, 08:45:17 pm
Quote from: clarion on 04 July, 2014, 08:34:49 pm
No fork crown, though, so it's back to Singular

*sigh*
*cough*Disc Trucker*cough*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 04 July, 2014, 08:54:07 pm
Yeah, if you like long heavy frames ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 04 July, 2014, 09:00:15 pm
Quote from: clarion on 04 July, 2014, 08:54:07 pm
Yeah, if you like long heavy frames ;)
As the proud owner of a Pugsley, I couldn't possibly comment  :P
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Gattopardo on 04 July, 2014, 10:55:00 pm
Don't like the colour but like the idea if it is a 700 or 29 its what I would like my galaxy to be but how to get front disk and rear rim brake
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 04 July, 2014, 11:16:19 pm
Quote from: Gattopardo on 04 July, 2014, 10:55:00 pm
Don't like the colour but like the idea if it is a 700 or 29 its what I would like my galaxy to be but how to get front disk and rear rim brake
It probably involves throwing large numbers of pictures of Liz The Second at a tame framebuilder.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Gattopardo on 04 July, 2014, 11:27:59 pm
Quote from: interzen on 04 July, 2014, 11:16:19 pm
Quote from: Gattopardo on 04 July, 2014, 10:55:00 pm
Don't like the colour but like the idea if it is a 700 or 29 its what I would like my galaxy to be but how to get front disk and rear rim brake
It probably involves throwing large numbers of pictures of Liz The Second at a tame framebuilder.

Forks with disk brake mounts, rear disc mounts will need frame alternation, but can you get brake levers that will do both so I can run rim brakes at the back and disk at the front.  Or is that just sillyness, should I just use it as is.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 04 July, 2014, 11:33:28 pm
Quote from: interzen on 04 July, 2014, 07:40:54 pm
Quote from: Andrij on 04 July, 2014, 07:36:33 pm
No, don't need to make any changes to my Hewitt Cheviot, it's fine the way it is.  :-\
I feel much the same about my 2014 Croix de Fer - if I started adding racks and whatnot I'd be too tempted to carry unnecessary junk with me :) I can't help thinking that this is what the Galaxy might have ended up looking like if Dawes hadn't completely lost the plot a few years ago.

Personally, I like the ride of the stock Croix fork even if the mud clearance is rubbish with 35mm tyres.

I wanted dics brakes on my Cheviot SE (built up to touring), so  ended up with PS2 forks (standard forks have bosses for racks and rim brakes).  There is a slight temptation,  but atm have other priorities.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 05 July, 2014, 07:51:10 am
Quote from: interzen on 04 July, 2014, 05:49:58 pm
Genesis, you utter bastards: http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/blog/01/07/14/2015-bike-launch-longitude

(too late to cancel the order for the El Mariachi ...)

Bastards!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 05 July, 2014, 08:39:22 am
Toothache, bah!  It's not so much the pain, which is manageable, as having one cheek swollen up so I look like half a hamster. :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 06 July, 2014, 01:56:56 pm
Day 2 of not being able to hear much out of my right ear. I have been having problems with it over the last week and despite using one of those ear wax removal liquids, it still hasn’t returned to normal. I would guess my hearing is down to about 20% on that side. My left side (always my stronger ear if you can have such a thing) seems now to be coming out in sympathy as my hearing is down to about 80% on that side today. Sigh.

So anyway, the reason this is a grumble is that after going to see the Chemist today to see if they could do anything, but no, I will have to go and see my Doctor which means at least a four day wait for an appointment if history is anything to go by. By then, I have no idea what I will be able to hear which is irritating as it’s my turn to listen into phone calls at work this week.... which is always fun!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 06 July, 2014, 02:14:33 pm
Quote from: clarion on 05 July, 2014, 08:39:22 am
Toothache, bah!  It's not so much the pain, which is manageable, as having one cheek swollen up so I look like half a hamster. :(
Which half?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 06 July, 2014, 09:55:59 pm
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 06 July, 2014, 02:14:33 pm
Quote from: clarion on 05 July, 2014, 08:39:22 am
Toothache, bah!  It's not so much the pain, which is manageable, as having one cheek swollen up so I look like half a hamster. :(
Which half?
;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 07 July, 2014, 12:25:16 pm
My bloody coffee machine turns itself off after $UNSPECIFIED_PERIOD.  Subsequently reheated brown drink tastes not dissimilar to how I should imagine the flavour of boiled piss >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 07 July, 2014, 08:03:11 pm
Bloody hell.  My first time in the Country Girl for two and a half weeks.  I was really looking forward to a Butty Bach whilst on the train up this afternoon.
So I'm greeted with, "Sorry Basil, the Butty Bach is off."  This can mean one of two things, neither of which are good. This time it meant "We haven't ordered enough and have run out"  AGAIN!

Never mind a brewery, this lot can't even organise a piss up in a pub.
Amateurs!

Sulk.  I'm going to be forced to return to work tomorrow with a clear head.  That's not going to be good.  I'll prolly be alert enough to realise how crap and meaningless my job is.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 07 July, 2014, 08:22:06 pm
Quote from: tiermat on 05 July, 2014, 07:51:10 am
Quote from: interzen on 04 July, 2014, 05:49:58 pm
Genesis, you utter bastards: http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/blog/01/07/14/2015-bike-launch-longitude

(too late to cancel the order for the El Mariachi ...)

Bastards!
I'm consoling myself with the fact that the El Mariachi is both orange and paid for.

Since Genesis didn't bother to answer the questions about the frame that I emailed them1, it's pretty much ruled itself out as a potential n+1. Pity.

1 - this is a potential grumble in and of itself, but since I work in IT I'm fully aware that spammers, scammers and other sump gunk of the interblag have rendered the usefulness of email as a communications medium to something on a par with the usefulness of a trombone to a hedgehog.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 08 July, 2014, 09:07:14 am
ITV4!  When the Tour is revving up to a frantic chase through the streets of Londonton, we do not wish to see evocative Boris-approved touristical vistas.

Doubly so if your helichopter camera droid manages to include the Nut Mines ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 08 July, 2014, 09:10:42 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 08 July, 2014, 09:07:14 am
ITV4!  When the Tour is revving up to a frantic chase through the streets of Londonton, we do not wish to see evocative Boris-approved touristical vistas.

Doubly so if your helichopter camera droid manages to include the Nut Mines ???

It was the same on Eurosport.... I suppose it must be the same feed.

I thought for one moment we were going to miss the bit from the Waterworks to Lea Bridge Road... there would have been trouble if we had  :demon: ;D

(I see they chickened out of climbing the Col De Clapton Pond!)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 08 July, 2014, 09:34:01 am
Quote from: essexian on 08 July, 2014, 09:10:42 am
I thought for one moment we were going to miss the bit from the Waterworks to Lea Bridge Road... there would have been trouble if we had  :demon: ;D

Were you spectating there, then :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 08 July, 2014, 09:50:46 am
Only from my telly. I had planned to go but work got in the way.  :facepalm:

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 08 July, 2014, 10:30:23 pm
Quote from: interzen on 04 July, 2014, 08:45:17 pm
Quote from: clarion on 04 July, 2014, 08:34:49 pm
No fork crown, though, so it's back to Singular

*sigh*
*cough*Disc Trucker*cough*
Jamis Aurora Elite, maybe?
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/jamis/aurora-elite-2014-touring-bike-ec054710
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 08 July, 2014, 10:39:26 pm
No chance of gearsinnacan. :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 08 July, 2014, 10:44:03 pm
You want gearsinnacan and discs and forks with a crown? All on one bike?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 09 July, 2014, 03:32:19 am
Yes.  Yes I do.  And a hub dynamo.  And bullhorn bars.  And front and rear racks.  And maybe even belt drive. :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 09 July, 2014, 06:32:47 am
And a partridge in a pear tree?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 09 July, 2014, 07:31:19 am
Not so much ;D

But the moon on a stick?  Now you're talking. ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 09 July, 2014, 09:44:51 am
How about Dido's head on a stick? (http://legslarry.org.uk/Ibbydare/dido.htm)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 09 July, 2014, 10:25:17 am
tinned gears - √
belt drive - √
disc brakes - √
rear rack - √

No fork crown, no provision for front rack. No bullhorns but nothing to stop you fitting them.
It might be as close as you're going to get without going custom. But it might be that you really should go custom built!
http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/revolution-shadow-13
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 09 July, 2014, 02:23:19 pm
That is rather groovy.  But Singular Peregrine does tick more boxes.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 09 July, 2014, 02:38:54 pm
The Peregrine does look gorgeous and practical. A bit expensive and not the lightest of framesets, but still both gorgeous and practical. Not sure about the eccentric bottom bracket - I'm a bit suspicious of them, for no good reason, never had one - and it won't take a belt drive. But it is gorgeous. And practical.

Odd that the 'frame size' box only gives the option of 'small' (which limits you to 32mm tyres, according to their blurb - even if it fits you, which of course it wouldn't. Oh dear, this is providing more material for a whinge, isn't it? Better stop now!)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruth on 10 July, 2014, 07:55:08 pm
FFS Google.

I'm googling 'cricoid', not bloody cricket  >:(

I hate cricket.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 10 July, 2014, 08:04:05 pm
^ *has a little ER moment*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 11 July, 2014, 03:13:52 pm
Dear Everyone (it would seem) on the entire planet.
There is not, and never has been, a children’s character called “Thomas The Tank”
(Maybe Valiant has something of this name parked outside his abode)

Also, it is not by Ringo Starr.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 11 July, 2014, 05:05:05 pm
We had a teacher who was rather 'well-built'.
She was known as'The Tank'.
But not Thomas, even though she was Welsh.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 14 July, 2014, 04:30:35 pm
Catit Design Cabrio Cat Carrier, what a heap of shit. Images on the instructions are not clear, assembly very awkward. Really difficult to get the door frame attached to the body of the carrier, had to tap it in with a mallet*, and as soon as I persuaded** the cat into it to test it and lifted it up, the door frame came away from it. It's going back. But now it's assembled, it won't fit in the bloody box and if I try and force it apart, it'll break.

Fuck you and your shitty-arsed plastic crap. Poor Pete can just have a wire crate. Not as comfy, but he's unlikely to break out of it.

*claw hammer and a book

**attempted to bribe with Dreamies, then forced

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mattc on 14 July, 2014, 04:53:20 pm
I can go years without seeing a shop shut on a Monday.

But the two places I've just phoned cos they stock the thing I really really need right now are both shut on Mondays.

\grumble
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 14 July, 2014, 07:52:10 pm
Come to Vlaardingen (Dutch town where I work) and you can watch the tumble weed blowing along the main street on any Monday.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 15 July, 2014, 05:14:35 pm
Mr Sainsbury!  Outside your Emporium of Toothy Comestibles is a sort of porch affair, with a roller shutter at each end.  Of it.  For the last three weeks one of said shutters has been perma-closed.  If it's b0rked, mend it.  The closed side is the one closer to the bike stands, natch, and also closer to where I always park my motor-car.  I've been using that branch since it opened about twenty-five years ago, so you ought to know this by now :P
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 16 July, 2014, 10:25:03 am
07:45 is a very wrong time to be operating a pneumatic drill.

Gits >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 16 July, 2014, 06:29:46 pm
Just picked up my motor-car from a service.  I should have kept my trap shut about it being cheaper than last time - the thieving gits have robbed the pound coin I use for liberating horriblemarket trolleys from their bondage >:(

No, you warty cockshafts, that wasn't a fucking tip...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jogler on 16 July, 2014, 06:43:35 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 16 July, 2014, 06:29:46 pm


No, you warty cockshafts, that wasn't a fucking tip...

pmsl

I too have had an interesting car related afternoon.
I began to be suspicious when,upon arrival,I spotted a horse tethered to the front of the garage ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 17 July, 2014, 01:49:28 pm
Oy, Kenilworth bike shop: I know how much spokes cost. Charging 80p each for a 36-hole wheel build is a rip off. I'm all for using my LBS, but that is a rather excessive profit margin. Maybe 80p for a one-off replacement, but not a whole wheel.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 19 July, 2014, 08:41:19 pm
Getting ready for a night on the town I decided to shave the stubble off my neck in the shower.   the razor slipped & I've now got a nice slice on the back of my neck with a steady flow of claret!   

All the plasters I can find are first aid blue ones.   It's going to look a bit daft.

And I changed the bedding earlier, to the white Eqyptian cotton stuff.   I'm going to wake up looking like a murder victim aren't I  :o
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Clare on 19 July, 2014, 09:07:06 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 19 July, 2014, 08:41:19 pm
And I changed the bedding earlier, to the white Eqyptian cotton stuff.

This alone should have told you to leave the razor well alone.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 19 July, 2014, 09:22:30 pm
Clicky.  No Intarwebs.  Try in the living room.  Nowt.  Try in the bedroom, where the wireless wossname lives.  Still 0 less than nothing.  Could it be, sister dear, that you have unplugged the wireless wossname, that you might use the voles it normally relies on for some other nefarious purpose?

Yes.  Yes, it could.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 20 July, 2014, 10:48:52 am
I was resting at the bottom of Col de Coppenhall this morning getting my breath back before the epic climb of this mountain.....okay its only about 100 foot but there are sections of nearly 10%!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (yes, I am that crap at climbing!) when a car pulled up beside me. Down the window came and forth thrust a female head: “Its good to see,” said the driver, “a cyclist in hi viz*. I could see you clearly from 100 yards back!”

I smiled to myself and made no comment to the person driving a very dark grey car which would be nearly invisible in low light. Perhaps the car should wear hi viz? Its a bit of a cheek stopping to make such a comment whilst driving such a car!


* It isn't actually hi viz but simply an orange top....the only one I have ever been able to find which fits comfortably being the fatty I am.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 20 July, 2014, 11:08:14 am
Bloody little bugger on a souped-up buzz-bike
Revving round the village in the wee small hours.
Redeploy the clothes-line, neck-high, choke him off:
Send him to the cemetery with no damn flowers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TimC on 20 July, 2014, 11:57:33 am
Quote from: T42 on 20 July, 2014, 11:08:14 am
Bloody little bugger on a souped-up buzz-bike
Revving round the village in the wee small hours.
Redeploy the clothes-line, neck-high, choke him off:
Send him to the cemetery with no damn flowers.

Ho ho, very witty. Just the sort if thing that gets Clarkson, Parris et al such a fine reputation with cyclists...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 20 July, 2014, 12:21:54 pm
Year seventeen of my six week house refurbishment. That's starting to grind. Main house still waiting for bits and pieces to be finished up and some final snagging, which is now a game of chase the contractors because they're on another job. The kitchen is now an empty and funky smelling space. Sort of a cross between teenager's bedroom and deused WWII facility. Lots of nasty grunk behind the cupboards that was cleaned off. On the plus side, no actual damp, just a long term flood from a blocked dishwasher, so that's one cheque I don't have to write. New floor and then kitchen should go in next week. They spent yesterday fixing the curiously random and free-ranging wiring. Of course, this puts my breakfast plan on hold.

Oh, and there's a nice scratch down the side of the car which I presume was the contractors removing the old bits of house, but could have been the usual carpark idiocy, so I can't shout at them. C'est la vie.

Because I'm not writing enough cheques, I let myself be dragged to the grand citidel of cut-price Swedish furniture yesterday. Normally, I figure myself lucky if I escape with one lamp and unnecessary green spatula (implement and colour), yesterday was a two trolley megaload of something called Besta. It wasn't ever going to fit in the car, but hey they do home delivery. It would have been nice if I knew that the home delivery option consisted of tomorrow or, erm, tomorrow, as I wasn't planning to be in tomorrow. I had exciting plans for tomorrow. Now I'm doing this.

For a bonus plus, the stupid cat has manked her eye yet again (this is the same cat that put a huge thorn through the same eye and persists in bashing the damn eyeball on every sharp corner she can find). So she's off at the emergency vets (I swear that mog is an underwriter's nightmare, she's a four legged insurance claim).

So, here I am stuck, on Ikea sentry duty. I can't even find the toaster.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 20 July, 2014, 12:36:36 pm
Quote from: TimC on 20 July, 2014, 11:57:33 am
Quote from: T42 on 20 July, 2014, 11:08:14 am
Bloody little bugger on a souped-up buzz-bike
Revving round the village in the wee small hours.
Redeploy the clothes-line, neck-high, choke him off:
Send him to the cemetery with no damn flowers.

Ho ho, very witty. Just the sort if thing that gets Clarkson, Parris et al such a fine reputation with cyclists...

If you were awakened four times in a row by the same little shit on his motorbike you might get a little shirty as well.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TimC on 20 July, 2014, 01:18:56 pm
Quote from: T42 on 20 July, 2014, 12:36:36 pm
Quote from: TimC on 20 July, 2014, 11:57:33 am
Quote from: T42 on 20 July, 2014, 11:08:14 am
Bloody little bugger on a souped-up buzz-bike
Revving round the village in the wee small hours.
Redeploy the clothes-line, neck-high, choke him off:
Send him to the cemetery with no damn flowers.

Ho ho, very witty. Just the sort if thing that gets Clarkson, Parris et al such a fine reputation with cyclists...

If you were awakened four times in a row by the same little shit on his motorbike you might get a little shirty as well.

Yep, I probably would! ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 20 July, 2014, 11:18:49 pm
Quote from: T42 on 20 July, 2014, 11:08:14 am
Bloody little bugger on a souped-up buzz-bike
Revving round the village in the wee small hours.
Redeploy the clothes-line, neck-high, choke him off:
Send him to the cemetery with no damn flowers.

Green ink for him, green ink for her
sending an email to the editor
Moan about the other, just look to your self
treat your apoplexy on the national health.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 21 July, 2014, 10:32:25 am
Dear neighbour. You're retired and mobile. That can be seen from the amount of gardening you do. You have an MPV with a big boot. It's a 5 minute drive to a very good recycling centre. So why are you such a lazy ignorant git that you have to shove your garden waste through the hedge opposite and into the farm field, where you think no-one sees it (or you doing it).   ::-) Again, git.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 21 July, 2014, 10:35:08 am
Quote from: rafletcher on 21 July, 2014, 10:32:25 am
Dear neighbour. You're retired and mobile. That can be seen from the amount of gardening you do. You have an MPV with a big boot. It's a 5 minute drive to a very good recycling centre. So why are you such a lazy ignorant git that you have to shove your garden waste through the hedge opposite and into the farm field, where you think no-one sees it (or you doing it).   ::-) Again, git.  >:(
I would suggest that the two emboldened bits are related.

Anonymous tip-off to the council, perhaps? Most take a fairly dim view of fly-tipping .... I suspect that the landowner won't be too happy either.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 21 July, 2014, 10:43:17 am
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 17 July, 2014, 01:49:28 pm
Oy, Kenilworth bike shop: I know how much spokes cost. Charging 80p each for a 36-hole wheel build is a rip off. I'm all for using my LBS, but that is a rather excessive profit margin. Maybe 80p for a one-off replacement, but not a whole wheel.

Mikes Bikes?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 21 July, 2014, 11:33:23 am
Why does a decent amount of interesting work come in after you've committed yourself to a series of dribs and drabs of tedious stuff?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 21 July, 2014, 02:10:54 pm
Nozama!  You maintain that my package is out for delivery and has been since quarter past seven this morning.  From a depot in Bromley-by-Bow.  Which is not very far away at all.

Get with the programme, you fuckhammers!  I've run out of milk, and coffee, and patience, and I need to go to the shops >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jaded on 21 July, 2014, 02:16:19 pm
It'll come on their way home. It always does.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 21 July, 2014, 04:31:11 pm
Oh mighty purveyors of Scandic flat-packery, 23 items out of 30 is not a delivery. It's 23/30ths of a delivery. No we didn't take the other items home. The clue that there should have been thirty items is on the labels that say Item 'n out of 30' stuck to each item. That and the big list of thirty items that the driver held in his hand. Yes, you probably should search for them since I have paid for them. Yes, we're sure we don't have them. No we didn't cancel 7/30ths of the order. Really.

Cat, you are stupid. I now have to single-handedly wrestle you into submission and apply eye drops twice a day. We think she was being chased by her nemesis, the GGMFC*, and ran into the slow to react robotic cat flap, eye and cheek first. Now has the kitteh equivalent of a shiner and possibly a broken cheek.

Vets, how come you do better bedside manner than people doctors? Consistently. It can't be an accident. I'm sure British medical schools do a course in how to adopt the correct condescending, patronising manner with patients. I get sick again, I'm going to the vets even if it does cost £210 quid.

*GGMFC; giant grey monkey-faced cat. It's war and I have a water pistol.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 21 July, 2014, 04:56:48 pm
Quote from: ian on 21 July, 2014, 04:31:11 pm
Vets, how come you do better bedside manner than people doctors? Consistently.

Because their patients have consistently more sharp ends and inclination to use them, obviously.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 21 July, 2014, 05:16:37 pm
Quote from: David Martin on 20 July, 2014, 11:18:49 pm
Quote from: T42 on 20 July, 2014, 11:08:14 am
Bloody little bugger on a souped-up buzz-bike
Revving round the village in the wee small hours.
Redeploy the clothes-line, neck-high, choke him off:
Send him to the cemetery with no damn flowers.

Green ink for him, green ink for her
sending an email to the editor
Moan about the other, just look to your self
treat your apoplexy on the national health.

Doggerel suits me better, and it's free.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 21 July, 2014, 07:06:09 pm
Quote from: ian on 21 July, 2014, 04:31:11 pm

Vets, how come you do better bedside manner than people doctors? Consistently. It can't be an accident. I'm sure British medical schools do a course in how to adopt the correct condescending, patronising manner with patients. I get sick again, I'm going to the vets even if it does cost £210 quid.


There is your answer - if you piss people off as a vet then you don't get paid.

..d
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 21 July, 2014, 07:11:20 pm
Quote from: David Martin on 21 July, 2014, 07:06:09 pm
Quote from: ian on 21 July, 2014, 04:31:11 pm

Vets, how come you do better bedside manner than people doctors? Consistently. It can't be an accident. I'm sure British medical schools do a course in how to adopt the correct condescending, patronising manner with patients. I get sick again, I'm going to the vets even if it does cost £210 quid.


There is your answer - if you piss people off as a vet then you don't get paid.

..d

I thought it was because Brits like animals better than their fellow human beings.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 21 July, 2014, 07:35:01 pm
BBC, I have news for you.  In this day and age web pages can easily handle diacriticals.  For example, the composer's name is Leoš Janáček.  See how easy it is?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cycleman on 21 July, 2014, 10:23:49 pm
fedex you bunch of lazy gits. your tracking site shows you tried to deliver my goods and left a card when failed at the time I was sitting outside my front door in my chair reading a book in the sunshine. there was no sign of either your vehicle or the card you claim to have left  >:(. it had better turn up tomorrow or I might get a little miffed .
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 22 July, 2014, 02:36:20 am
Quote from: cycleman on 21 July, 2014, 10:23:49 pm
fedex you bunch of lazy gits. your tracking site shows you tried to deliver my goods and left a card when failed at the time I was sitting outside my front door in my chair reading a book in the sunshine. there was no sign of either your vehicle or the card you claim to have left  >:(. it had better turn up tomorrow or I might get a little miffed .

Isn't there a shite courier thread here?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 22 July, 2014, 09:53:32 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 22 July, 2014, 02:36:20 am
Quote from: cycleman on 21 July, 2014, 10:23:49 pm
fedex you bunch of lazy gits. your tracking site shows you tried to deliver my goods and left a card when failed at the time I was sitting outside my front door in my chair reading a book in the sunshine. there was no sign of either your vehicle or the card you claim to have left  >:(. it had better turn up tomorrow or I might get a little miffed .

Isn't there a shite courier thread here?
Obviously delivery to the thread failed
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 22 July, 2014, 09:58:07 am
Quote from: mrcharly on 22 July, 2014, 09:53:32 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 22 July, 2014, 02:36:20 am
Quote from: cycleman on 21 July, 2014, 10:23:49 pm
fedex you bunch of lazy gits. your tracking site shows you tried to deliver my goods and left a card when failed at the time I was sitting outside my front door in my chair reading a book in the sunshine. there was no sign of either your vehicle or the card you claim to have left  >:(. it had better turn up tomorrow or I might get a little miffed .

Isn't there a shite courier thread here?
Obviously delivery to the thread failed
The card's probably jammed in an inaccessible corner of his inbox ...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cycleman on 22 July, 2014, 10:40:27 am
Still waiting!.  :( . tracked as leaving the depot at 7.37am  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 22 July, 2014, 01:25:44 pm
A couple of weeks ago, while I was in Yorkshire to watch some random minor sporting event that doesn't seem to get mentioned on the BBC, one of my mates hed a long weekend in a pub in Fyfield to watch the same random minor sporting event etc etc. As said sporting event left ye olde shire of Cantabrigge a car pulled into the car park and two men walked into the bar. Stephen Roche had a guinness and Raymond Poulidor had a lager and my mate had a chat and got their autographs.

Not jealous.

Not me.

Not much.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 23 July, 2014, 09:53:14 am
Surly, I hate you .... http://surlybikes.com/bikes/cross_check

Dream Tangerine, indeed.

(add :) to taste)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 23 July, 2014, 10:27:18 am
Cross Check is a damn fine ride.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 23 July, 2014, 10:31:23 am
Quote from: clarion on 23 July, 2014, 10:27:18 am
Cross Check is a damn fine ride.
Couldn't agree more - I've fancied one for a while, but then the Straggler came along (Cross Check with discs, yeah!) and then I went and bought a Salsa El Mariachi, which isn't a 'cross bike at all but is the right colour.

Sadly, the chances of me getting a Cross Check or a Straggler are fairly slim now, orangeness notwithstanding, since the Croix de Fer covers that particular niche rather nicely (and is a damned fine ride itself)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 23 July, 2014, 11:27:47 am
I'm sorry if you've lost your Jesus Phone, but I haven't got it.  Srsly.  The people next door haven't got it either, and nor has Mr Patel from the first house down the side road.  I don't care whether the other Jesus Phone in your possession says it's "in this house", nor do I care whether the five-oh apparently think so too.  It isn't, and they probably don't.  I doubt the Met's Babbage-Engines are running Hollywood-OS.  And I'm going out.  So stop looking at me in a manner which suggests either:


And it's not in any of my bins either.  For a moment yesterday evening I thought I needed to call the council's pest control people to get rid of an infestation of News International FLJS in my garden.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 23 July, 2014, 11:36:51 am
I suppose it's in the contract, Royal Mail, but you did move my delivery round onto something much more physically demanding. Now I have a dodgy knee and you're not paying me for time off. I could really do with a week off, but will have to return on Monday.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 23 July, 2014, 03:44:47 pm
Cumbria County Council are now gritting roads with 'rock chips' because of the hot weather. Lets make the surfaces even more dangerous for cyclists! :facepalm:
Quote
The crushed rock, in particle sizes between 3mm and dust, helps protect roads and vehicles from damage by putting a fine non-stick layer between road and tyre.
http://www.cumbriacrack.com/2014/07/23/winter-gritters-sent-heatwave-melts-roads/
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 23 July, 2014, 05:26:40 pm
FOI them for their risk assessment.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 23 July, 2014, 08:56:49 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 23 July, 2014, 03:44:47 pm
Cumbria County Council are now gritting roads with 'rock chips' because of the hot weather. Lets make the surfaces even more dangerous for cyclists! :facepalm:
Quote
The crushed rock, in particle sizes between 3mm and dust, helps protect roads and vehicles from damage by putting a fine non-stick layer between road and tyre.
http://www.cumbriacrack.com/2014/07/23/winter-gritters-sent-heatwave-melts-roads/

Worcestershire council have decided that this is the week to surface-dress everything.  In some places it's actually worked quite well, but the stuff put down in the last couple of days simply isn't staying put.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cycleman on 23 July, 2014, 10:53:37 pm
My delivery appeared at 3.57pm after I had phoned the depot  ::-). I shouldn't have to chase them :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 25 July, 2014, 09:42:47 pm
Once, just once, I'd like to get the laundry out of the washing machine and not drop at least one item of clothing onto the dusty kitchen floor.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 26 July, 2014, 07:21:00 pm
The Daily Mail appears to have confused Wales with Nigeria (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2705788/Golden-girls-Sisters-won-two-gold-medals-judo-Scotland-pictured-family-portraits.html#i-1a0fbdb64ae78646).

Edit: they've fixed it now.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 26 July, 2014, 07:48:32 pm
Vexed vexillology!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 26 July, 2014, 08:00:56 pm
Quote from: phantasmagoriana on 26 July, 2014, 07:21:00 pm
The Daily Mail appears to have confused Wales with Nigeria (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2705788/Golden-girls-Sisters-won-two-gold-medals-judo-Scotland-pictured-family-portraits.html#i-1a0fbdb64ae78646).

Both part of Bongo-Bongo land...

<g,d&r>
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: madcow on 26 July, 2014, 08:45:08 pm
Why do pensioners, who have all week to shop and drink coffee , all seem to appear at the weekend?
Arriving ( on the bike) at a garden centre at 11'ish this morning, there were 5  senior couples in the cafe queue ahead of us .
I can't believe that they all needed coffee and cake to give them sufficient energy to walk round said garden centre, perusing the tat.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 26 July, 2014, 09:06:42 pm
Maybe they sometimes mix with Younger Folk who do work during the week.
Maybe they have other commitments during the week.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 26 July, 2014, 11:54:01 pm
Quote from: madcow on 26 July, 2014, 08:45:08 pm
Why do pensioners, who have all week to ,.....

Fuck off!

A pensioner.


Oh god.  Did I just say that out loud?  Sorry.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 27 July, 2014, 10:10:40 am
 ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 27 July, 2014, 05:31:13 pm
Bloody PVR!  You didn't record the Tour yesterday.  Nor today.  And you didn't record the F1 either.  And you appear to be allergic to the Cycle Show.

Sort yourself out, anbaric idiot >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 27 July, 2014, 05:38:18 pm
Quote from: madcow on 26 July, 2014, 08:45:08 pm
Why do pensioners, who have all week to shop and drink coffee , all seem to appear at the weekend?
Arriving ( on the bike) at a garden centre at 11'ish this morning, there were 5  senior couples in the cafe queue ahead of us .
I can't believe that they all needed coffee and cake to give them sufficient energy to walk round said garden centre, perusing the tat.
Ermm, isn't that verging on the clarksonesque?  Mebbe not quite so overt as his anti-cyclist/caravanner/{current target of ridicule} comments, but still shades of, "Who do these people think they are? Getting in my way all the time." 

Remember we're _cyclists_, we're _better_ and _nicer_ than everybody else. See that moral high ground? That's ours that is.  :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 27 July, 2014, 05:46:44 pm
And another thing!  SatNav!  I cannot do a legal U-turn.  I cannot even do an illegal U-turn.  And do you know why?

Because I've just gone into the Blackwall Tunnel.

Like you told me to.

Idiot.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 27 July, 2014, 05:49:33 pm
Quote from: madcow on 26 July, 2014, 08:45:08 pm
Why do pensioners, who have all week to shop and drink coffee , all seem to appear at the weekend?

It's probably you that's appearing at the weekend.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Karla on 27 July, 2014, 06:34:57 pm
I went to book a ticket to see Slint in Leeds, but they were sold out.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 27 July, 2014, 06:58:24 pm
You have my sympathy, Mr B.  I have seen Slint and they are teh Aces.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: madcow on 27 July, 2014, 08:41:26 pm
Quote from: TheLurker on 27 July, 2014, 05:38:18 pm
Quote from: madcow on 26 July, 2014, 08:45:08 pm
Why do pensioners, who have all week to shop and drink coffee , all seem to appear at the weekend?
Arriving ( on the bike) at a garden centre at 11'ish this morning, there were 5  senior couples in the cafe queue ahead of us .
I can't believe that they all needed coffee and cake to give them sufficient energy to walk round said garden centre, perusing the tat.
Ermm, isn't that verging on the clarksonesque?  Mebbe not quite so overt as his anti-cyclist/caravanner/{current target of ridicule} comments, but still shades of, "Who do these people think they are? Getting in my way all the time." 

Remember we're _cyclists_, we're _better_ and _nicer_ than everybody else. See that moral high ground? That's ours that is.  :)

If it's any consolation I own a caravan as well. This is the grumble thread y,know.
Sooo sorry if you are offended , but just needed to get it off my chest.
There really was no-one else except pensioners in the queue . I know I will be there one day, that's the real worry.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 27 July, 2014, 09:31:05 pm
Sorry Mad cow, my previous response failed to exhibit "being excellent". 
My wife is constantly having to say " Please excuse my husband's sledgehammer wit", if that is any consolation.
 :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 27 July, 2014, 09:47:41 pm
Some noisy twat has just let a load of fireworks off.  Which has woken all the bloody seagulls on our flat roof up  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 27 July, 2014, 10:09:26 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 27 July, 2014, 09:47:41 pm
Some noisy twat has just let a load of fireworks off.  Which has woken all the bloody seagulls on our flat roof up  >:(

While I'm all for giving seagulls a taste of their own medicine wrt noise pollution, it doesn't seem worth the collateral damage.

And besides, Didcot was the place to be for fireworks this weekend.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 27 July, 2014, 10:33:49 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 27 July, 2014, 09:47:41 pm
Some noisy twat has just let a load of fireworks off.  Which has woken all the bloody seagulls on our flat roof up  >:(

Eid Mubarak!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 27 July, 2014, 11:01:04 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 27 July, 2014, 10:33:49 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 27 July, 2014, 09:47:41 pm
Some noisy twat has just let a load of fireworks off.  Which has woken all the bloody seagulls on our flat roof up  >:(

Eid Mubarak!

Tomorrow I think ?   And I'd expect more fireworks around here if that was the case.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Karla on 27 July, 2014, 11:09:08 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 27 July, 2014, 06:58:24 pm
You have my sympathy, Mr B.  I have seen Slint and they are teh Aces.

Don't rub it in Mr L!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 28 July, 2014, 10:23:02 am
I discovered some giant hogweed on Sunday.

Cycling into work, I forgot to cover up the evidence of my discovery. There is a 1/4" of hydrocortizone cream on my leg now.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 28 July, 2014, 12:36:24 pm
Oddly enough, I've just finished covering my feet in the metric equivalent.

Bloody midges.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Clare on 28 July, 2014, 12:47:22 pm
Quote from: Kim on 28 July, 2014, 12:36:24 pm
Oddly enough, I've just finished covering my feet in the metric equivalent.

Bloody midges.

You poo hydrocortizone?

 :o
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 28 July, 2014, 12:49:25 pm
I don't know.  Spend a weekend in Didcot and when you come back the forum's obsessed with poo...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 28 July, 2014, 05:15:28 pm
Quote from: Kim on 28 July, 2014, 12:49:25 pm
I don't know.  Spend a weekend in Didcot and when you come back the forum's obsessed with poo...
It's nice to find nothing's changed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 28 July, 2014, 09:58:00 pm
Quote from: Kim on 28 July, 2014, 06:44:34 pm
Triffids.  They just keep growing back, like those skellingtons in Jason and the Argonauts.

Gardening, that was a mistake.  At least without full biosafety level 3 protection.

So not only do I have the usual wheezing and vibration-induced finger numbness, and a nasty sting on my arm from fettling the strimmer's dodgy feed mechanism (which was covered in fresh nettle pulp), but my right eyelid is swelling up and the surrounding area of my face is tingling.  Must have got an angry insect or a bit of Green Stuff in my eye.

ETA: The swelling's starting to interfere with my vision.  Going to bed in the hope it sorts itself out by morning.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: madcow on 29 July, 2014, 10:26:19 am
Think of nettle stings as homeopathy-if it doesn't kill you it can only make you stronger.
Failing that use glyphosate and teach the nettles a real lesson.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 29 July, 2014, 10:58:13 am
My view of gardening is that you need two tools. A hedge trimmer for anything above ground level and a rotary mower with collecting box for everything at ground level.
First use the trimmer to take down hedges, bushes, trimming trees. Allow clippings to fall to the floor. Then mow the area. The mower will chop up the trimmings from hedges, bushes and trees collect them up and allow for easy transfer into black sack, green bins or compost heap (not sure what this is for though - feeding the plants has no future).
I actually have a weed lawn. We cleared all the difficult to maintain shrubs and whilst waiting for me to arrange repairs on the window frame (still waiting!) allowed nature to take its course. Now I just run the mower over it every couple of weeks and it looks not too untidy. I wouldn't walk over it barefotted though.
Putting the mower on its lowest setting and going over the weeds on the paths gives nice green borders to the paving slabs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 29 July, 2014, 12:25:09 pm
That's basically my philosophy too, except that the ground is too three-dimensional for a mower, so I use a strimmer.

The problem is that every time I do gardening I end up with some sort of injury/allergy that incapacitates me for days.

(http://www.ductilebiscuit.net/gallery_albums/random/IMG_4250.sized.jpg)

That's with me making a conscious effort to hold the eye open, it wants to stay mostly closed, so I just some blurred peripheral vision (though works okay if I manually hold the eyelids out of the way, so I'm not too concerned).  I'm looking forward to some sort of secondary injury caused by lack of depth perception before the swelling goes down.  It's my dominant eye, so reading is hard work.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 29 July, 2014, 12:53:30 pm
Ouch. GWS.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 29 July, 2014, 12:54:37 pm
I think you need one of those full-face masks that chainsaw operators use. Or a rebreather kit
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 29 July, 2014, 06:48:06 pm
That's not a good look.  GWS ,  and pass the time molishing a flamethrower to deal with the triffids.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Redlight on 29 July, 2014, 06:51:41 pm
Two counters open at the post office. Both blocked by idiots who had turned up to send parcels but hadn't thought of some basic preparation such as packing whatever it was they were sending, having tape to wrap up the boxes, writing the address on the label.....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 29 July, 2014, 07:55:15 pm
Kim, I think you need one of these....
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/51/Ames_Hazmat_suit_03.jpg)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 29 July, 2014, 07:59:40 pm
Doesn't look much cop against brambles, thobut.  Reckon I need something in the Gordon Freeman style.  Couple of whacks with a crowbar and finish them off with the magnum should show the weeds who's boss.  It always worked against headcrabs.

Or just take off and glyphosate the lot from orbit...

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CrinklyLion on 29 July, 2014, 08:02:27 pm
You need an EldestCub.  Wivva stick.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 30 July, 2014, 08:14:08 am
A flame thrower on a long pole?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 30 July, 2014, 10:28:49 am
Quote from: CrinklyLion on 29 July, 2014, 08:02:27 pm
You need an EldestCub.  Wivva stick.

The first thing I learned as Akela is that Cubs and sticks should be separated at the earliest convenience. :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Dibdib on 30 July, 2014, 11:02:31 am
My approach to gardening is to channel my inner Pyro from TF2:

(http://www.preternia.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/tf2_pyro.jpg)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 30 July, 2014, 03:45:07 pm
Websites with "web contact" forms. Why bother if you never ever bloody respond?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 30 July, 2014, 05:08:48 pm
Eye update: With liberal application of Piriton the swelling is now down to the point where it's pretty much fully functional for seeing out of.  The tear duct still isn't working properly, and it's uncomfortable to wear my glasses, so I still don't get to ride my bike, even if I wasn't permanently about to doze off...

That's the problem with triffids.  Once you lose the advantage of vision, you're fucked.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 31 July, 2014, 02:05:36 pm
Ah!  Meester Sainsbury!  I see what you have done here.  You have increased the price of a 150g refill of $BROWN_DRINK from £3.50 to £4.50.  At the same time, you have decreased the price of a 190g jar of the very same $BROWN_DRINK from whatever it was on Tuesday to £4.00.

Along with "smoked mackerel pate", the phrase or saying "joined-up thinking" is notably absent from your lexicon.

Of course in an ideal world the manufacturers of $BROWN_DRINK would supply both jars and refills in the same fucking size >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 31 July, 2014, 11:28:16 pm
Sainsbury's substituted lactofree milk with UHT lactofree. NOT at all the same thing. I didn't make the order and the person who did didn't challenge the other crap substitutions of food I don't much like cos she was too stressed. Fortunately someone was doing supermarket inna car so they got me proper milk but I resent paying for UHT version I don't like anD  having to decide if I bin it or hoik it home.

What's the point in online delivery if they don't deliver what I asked for? They already didn't STOCK a bunch of stuff that the website had until a locale went into it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 01 August, 2014, 12:16:00 am
Wheel building adventures part n.

Lunch time take old spoke into LBS. I'd like 32 like that, but stainless double butted.  Bloke measures spoke and counts out 32. I pay.

Get home this evening and start lacing wheel. By the time I get to the leading spokes, something is not right and things don't fit. Pull, twist, swear and still the spokes don't reach. Check lacing, nope not that.

Measure new spoke against old one. 2mm shorter. Bum.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: bumper on 01 August, 2014, 08:40:33 pm
Some muppet told me it was a bank holiday this Monday. I've been plodding around all week thinking I'd got an extra day on the bike. I've just been chatting to someone I know through work and he got excited about it too. After asking his wife, she informed us it was Scotland only.

When I see the nobber who told me, I'm going to kick him in the nuts. No doubt I won't see the cock until Tuesday ;D

To add an extra insult, my wife knew it wasn't but never bothered to tell me.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 01 August, 2014, 09:26:55 pm
The calendar on my computer also says it's a Bank Holiday.
It is not.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: bumper on 01 August, 2014, 09:39:45 pm
Can we just pretend so I can go ride instead.

I'm still kicking him in the nuts or up the arse Father Ted Style.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 01 August, 2014, 10:29:36 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 01 August, 2014, 09:26:55 pm
The calendar on my computer also says it's a Bank Holiday.
It is not.

Seeing as said bank holiday is Scotland only, I deduce your computer is a Mac


<rimshot>
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 01 August, 2014, 10:37:06 pm
Bad man.

Railway likely to be Căile Ferate Române.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 01 August, 2014, 10:39:49 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 01 August, 2014, 10:29:36 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 01 August, 2014, 09:26:55 pm
The calendar on my computer also says it's a Bank Holiday.
It is not.

Seeing as said bank holiday is Scotland only, I deduce your computer is a Mac


<rimshot>

Yes, it is a Mac, with Battle of the Boyne stretching indelibly over some July weekend. I really wish I could delete these entries!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 04 August, 2014, 03:38:10 pm
Summer. There's a nice shiny blue sky out there and it's peeing down ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruth on 04 August, 2014, 10:08:45 pm
Why is it that most kitchen timers go up to 60 or 99 minutes?  That's just stupid  >:(

I like my cabbage done for at least three hours.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 04 August, 2014, 10:14:54 pm
Quote from: Ruthie on 04 August, 2014, 10:08:45 pm
Why is it that most kitchen timers go up to 60 or 99 minutes?  That's just stupid  >:(

Because they're designed by the same people who do the timers on ovens.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruth on 04 August, 2014, 10:19:24 pm
But the oven in my old place had a marvellous timer that would time for hours if you wanted to.  It also turned the oven on and off when you told it to.

I worked out how to use this about two weeks before I moved out.  It was brilliant.

 :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 04 August, 2014, 10:26:59 pm
I use a lab timer instead. Something like this: http://www.dx.com/p/1-7-lcd-thermometer-with-timer-for-kitchen-lab-1-x-aaa-127169?tc=GBP&gclid=CNSPgvDF-r8CFVMRtAod0wgAkg which does up to 4 days. So that should be enough for even the most well done Får i kål.

And you can clip it on to your clothes, or use the magnet ont he back to put it on the fridge, or what have you. Many are given away as freebies by companies as promotional items.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 04 August, 2014, 10:29:25 pm
Quote from: Ruthie on 04 August, 2014, 10:19:24 pm
But the oven in my old place had a marvellous timer that would time for hours if you wanted to.  It also turned the oven on and off when you told it to.

I worked out how to use this about two weeks before I moved out.  It was brilliant.

 :facepalm:

That's pretty good, normally they turn the oven on and off at pseudorandom intervals, as a way to dissuade you from meddling.

I do of course have a computer terminal in the kitchen for this sort of thing, but that's because I belong to an older generation of nerd[1].

(http://www.ductilebiscuit.net/gallery_albums/alerter/IMG_4214.sized.jpg)

[1] Someone actually told me this earlier.  I think it was a compliment.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruth on 04 August, 2014, 10:30:06 pm
That's great Dr Oi, but it appears to be calibrated in American Pounds instead of British Poinds, and is therefore substandard.

Where can I get a British timer from? 

 O:-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 04 August, 2014, 10:57:51 pm
Quote from: Ruthie on 04 August, 2014, 10:30:06 pm
That's great Dr Oi, but it appears to be calibrated in American Pounds instead of British Poinds, and is therefore substandard.

Where can I get a British timer from? 

 O:-)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Digital-Triple-Timer-Kitchen-Clock-LCD-Display-Cooking-Baking-Task-UK-SELLER-/201131951738?pt=UK_Kitchen_Accessories&hash=item2ed466067a
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruth on 04 August, 2014, 11:00:13 pm
Quote from: David Martin on 04 August, 2014, 10:57:51 pm
Quote from: Ruthie on 04 August, 2014, 10:30:06 pm
That's great Dr Oi, but it appears to be calibrated in American Pounds instead of British Poinds, and is therefore substandard.

Where can I get a British timer from? 

 O:-)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Digital-Triple-Timer-Kitchen-Clock-LCD-Display-Cooking-Baking-Task-UK-SELLER-/201131951738?pt=UK_Kitchen_Accessories&hash=item2ed466067a

Thank you :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 05 August, 2014, 12:18:02 am
Quote from: Kim on 04 August, 2014, 10:29:25 pm
Quote from: Ruthie on 04 August, 2014, 10:19:24 pm
But the oven in my old place had a marvellous timer that would time for hours if you wanted to.  It also turned the oven on and off when you told it to.

I worked out how to use this about two weeks before I moved out.  It was brilliant.

 :facepalm:

That's pretty good, normally they turn the oven on and off at pseudorandom intervals, as a way to dissuade you from meddling.

I do of course have a computer terminal in the kitchen for this sort of thing, but that's because I belong to an older generation of nerd[1].

(http://www.ductilebiscuit.net/gallery_albums/alerter/IMG_4214.sized.jpg)

[1] Someone actually told me this earlier.  I think it was a compliment.

Slightly different nerd answer but I use a timer app on my phone. - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.leinardi.kitchentimer&hl=en
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 05 August, 2014, 06:20:44 am
Thank you, stomach.  I had planned a long day out on the bike today but you've delayed me just enough that I've had to ditch those plans.  I may do a different route once the morning rush is over, but you may have ell put me off completely.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 05 August, 2014, 09:21:54 am
Look, you stupid machine!  I heard you doing your "fifteen minutes to go" systems check yesterday afternoon, so what the smeg have you done with "The Infinite Monkey Cage".  Do that again and you'll be going swimming with andrewc's TV.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 05 August, 2014, 09:27:07 am
Quote from: Ruthie on 04 August, 2014, 10:19:24 pm
But the oven in my old place had a marvellous timer that would time for hours if you wanted to.  It also turned the oven on and off when you told it to.

I worked out how to use this about two weeks before I moved out.  It was brilliant.

 :facepalm:

Neff/Bosch/Siemens will do up to six hours, with a finishing time up to 24 hours away.

At least, our current one does, and my last one did, so I assume they all do ...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Euan Uzami on 05 August, 2014, 01:58:54 pm
Tell you what, CityLink, here's a great idea how you could save loads of money and effort... instead of taking an order, turning up, failing to follow the explicit instructions to ring the provided number in order to obtain the item, failing to realise that the business address is a frigging TRAVELODGE and thus the parcel is likely to be from a resident rather than the travelodge itself, then driving off again and reporting a failed collection, why don't you just simply admit that you can't be bothered in the first place?

Oh yeah - I know why, sorry - yes, because that would require possession and correct operation of a brain cell, wouldn't it.  :facepalm: ::-) ::-)

What was the actual point in making that journey at all?  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 11 August, 2014, 04:00:33 pm
Halfrauds: your Carrera Kraken bike is very nice, thank you. The brake and gear levers were put on at a funnily jaunty angle, but that can be forgiven. The operation of the bell where it was fitted would need 8"-long thumbs, but never mind. What fazed me was that I made it very clear that I would not be taking up your service options right at the start of the payment process, but your drone still went through a long spiel, and, when I declined, looked bemused. You can't even fit levers properly, so I'm not going to risk you knackering anything else up, am I?

And, when I signed the delivery form as "unchecked", don't be surprised. Had you told me you were going to check it in front of me, I would have waited until after and happily signed. Communication is key here.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 11 August, 2014, 10:26:46 pm
Trying to buy a Drunk Cyclist jersey but can't progress beyond payment options. 

Oh well, I'll try again tomorrow...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 11 August, 2014, 10:37:06 pm
Quote from: Andrij on 11 August, 2014, 10:26:46 pm
Trying to buy a Drunk Cyclist jersey but can't progress beyond payment options. 

Oh well, I'll try again tomorrow...
You realise they don't ship overseas, right? See http://www.voler.com/help/#HelpShippingRates

(assuming you're talking about http://drunkcyclist.com/ and you're not attempting delivery to a USAnian/Canadian/Mexican address)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 11 August, 2014, 10:49:22 pm
Quote from: Andrij on 11 August, 2014, 10:26:46 pm
Trying to buy a Drunk Cyclist jersey but can't progress beyond payment options. 

Oh well, I'll try again tomorrow...

Tangentially apropos which, the BRITONS' Broadcasting Corporation, there is no such thing as a "former alcoholic".  Ask any recovering alcoholic and they'll tell you the same thing.

Buffoons.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 12 August, 2014, 10:47:00 am
Ah yes. The people who know when their last drink was, however many years ago. Like the stone-cold sober taxi driver who took me to work on the morning of 1st January 2000, & remembered his last drink, several years earlier.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 12 August, 2014, 11:23:40 am
Mine was six months ago today.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CrinklyLion on 12 August, 2014, 11:31:47 am
Well done.  Have a little something to mark the occasion....

(http://imgc.allpostersimages.com/images/P-473-488-90/37/3784/WD9IF00Z/posters/philippe-clement-common-whelk-shell-showing-aperture-normandy-france.jpg)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 12 August, 2014, 11:38:22 am
"SWIFT" (it isn't) won't run a casenote report because "Credentials timestamp is in the future."
Huh.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CrinklyLion on 12 August, 2014, 11:43:15 am
Check what time your 'pooter thinks it is? 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 12 August, 2014, 12:42:55 pm
It's a server issue. SWIFT runs on 4 servers. The helldesk advice was to keep restarting the computer and trying again until it connects to a server that knows what time it is. It took 4 goes.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 12 August, 2014, 01:49:24 pm
You'd hope that means the message has been propagated up the chain so that the relevant sysadmin knows to give ntpd a kicking when they get a break from fighting fires.  Keeping clocks synchronised isn't rocket science (except when it is, obviously).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 12 August, 2014, 02:08:14 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 12 August, 2014, 11:23:40 am
Mine was six months ago today.

Keep it up young Larrington.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 12 August, 2014, 04:57:44 pm
Good work, that man!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 14 August, 2014, 11:15:54 am
I just carefully filled out a form from the Social Security in which they wanted all our French bank coordinates, plus the IBAN and the Swift code.  At the bottom it said "you must attach an RIB", this being a document from the bank which contains all the damned codes I had just copied out.

The Law may be an ass but it's got nothing on the Social Security.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 14 August, 2014, 11:19:54 am
I used to have a rubbish bin, by my desk. It wasn't exciting, but it was reliable and got emptied on most days.
Now we have a communal bin with separate compartments for vegetable matter, plastic cups and other waste. It also gets emptied every day and looks smart.
My grumble? Not that I have to make a 10 metre return trip to use it, but that I keep turning to the now vacant space that previously contained my bin when i want to throw stuff away. Grrr!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 14 August, 2014, 11:27:48 am
When I was working in Stuttgart we had old continuous stationery boxes beside every workstation for programmers to dump their old listings into.

One evening an outside contractor who was building a BASIC system for us turned up with his entire system - mag tape, listings, notes, the lot - in a CS box and set it beside his seat.  He then nipped into the cludge for a while, and when he emerged the cleaners had been round.  He then spent a long time in a skip with a torch.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 15 August, 2014, 03:30:13 pm
No, Book Crawler!  That book is "The Story Of March" by Mike Lawrence.  It is not "Music Therapy" by Juliette Alvin.  It's got a picture of a racing car on the dust jacket, not a woman playing the violin.

You are a silly.

At least you were vaguely in the target area with "Lotus: The Early Years" by Peter Ross1.  You got the title and author wrong but at least it was about a Lotus sports car.

1 - Yes, that Peter Ross...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruth on 17 August, 2014, 10:55:01 pm
Quote from: jogler on 24 June, 2014, 05:02:17 pm
Quote from: Ruthie on 23 June, 2014, 08:04:29 pm
I did an eleven hour shift today, and my feet really hurt, and I've had my tea and am having a lovely cuppa.  And I know an hour on the bike would do me the world of good, but I bet I spend this evening on my arse on the sofa instead.

When I've done a 0600-1800 shift all I'm able to do is shower,eat & sleep irrespective of what I may wish to do.
A 0600-1400 shift allows some play time as does a 1400-2200 shift.

I also don't work Friday's 'cause that is tandem&blindstoker day



Miss you.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 18 August, 2014, 08:57:04 am
My stepson teaches at QMU, and cycles there from Walthamstow. On a £200 BSO.  On Friday he went to the cycle rack to collect it for the ride home. To find some scrotes had removed the front wheel. Along with the front fork.   ::-) B*stards.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 18 August, 2014, 11:19:10 am
There is one train in the morning that arrives in Waterloo before the cycle restrictions kick in. Therefore I was on that train this morning.

On boarding one bike already aboard being held up by rider in adjacent seat in the wide access by the disable bays, unfortunately both disabled bays are occupied by able bodied people, he refused to move when politely asked.  >:( So I can't park the bike with minimal impact on seating and have to lean it across the three folding seats.

Cue getting nasty looks and comments from later boarders that I am obstructing too many seats (Feltham) told by the owner of the Brompton that I am being antisocial etc.

Fortunately at the next stop the gent who had refused to move previously disembarked and I could then get the bike into a less obstructive position.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 18 August, 2014, 07:31:58 pm
Thought we'd finally got dust-related work out of the way, so much that I even cleaned my office of the offending stuff. Then I noticed the damn repaired wall in my office has re-cracked. And no, Mr Contractor, the house didn't move in the space of a week, this is Surrey, not San Francisco. So that'll have to come out again and be done properly. I suspect they didn't seal underneath it properly, because some of the whatever-filling-they-used is clearly blown (I don't think they re-plastered, it was a modest area of blown plaster that they patched and repainted). Much as I mostly don't mind the final results of the company we're using, I swear we've had everything done twice, which might have something to do with why a six week project is now past week twelve, and my good humour and willingness to make real coffee has been replaced with a scowl and a cup of out-of-date Nescafe . If they spent a little extra time on the initial job they'd save a lot of time redoing and patching up.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Chris S on 20 August, 2014, 09:53:10 am
Mutter... mutter... mutter...  >:(

I appear to have collected myself a speeding ticket (35 in a 30 zone). How annoying.  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 20 August, 2014, 12:10:31 pm
Quote from: Chris S on 20 August, 2014, 09:53:10 am
Mutter... mutter... mutter...  >:(

I appear to have collected myself a speeding ticket (35 in a 30 zone). How annoying.  ::-)
See an 84" gear is good sometimes :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 20 August, 2014, 08:23:30 pm
Enterprise vehicle rental people.  When you asked me for a contact number when I booked the van the other day, I assumed that it was so you could let me know of any impending collection problems, or so you could ask me "Where the hell are you?" if I was a bit late on the return.
What I wasn't expecting was a phone call from some fifteen year old asking me if I was
A). Completely satisfied with my rental experience.
B). Completely satisfied with my rental experience.
C). Completely satisfied with my rental experience.

Uckfay ffoay.

BTW, in case Kim sees this.  If you need a van, don't phone. They'll just tell you to collect from next to the Hippodrome in town.  No, pop down to Stirchley in person and they'll sort it it.  I ordered the V1 size van for the trip to Stoke and collected from Stirchley, and have ordered the V2 size van for next w/e which they will have down there waiting for me.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 20 August, 2014, 08:32:13 pm
Noted.

IIRC there's a known Enterprise-related spam number in my CallerID blacklist...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 21 August, 2014, 01:28:02 pm
I went to audiology in an attempt to thwart the Bank Holiday Law1 to get this loan-hearing aid replaced with something not half-broken squealy and annoying. I was an hour late into work which I am lucky is fine with by boss who "gets it" but grrr.  I got a taxi up the evil hills road cos I have lurg and need to conserve spoons.

Audiologist had two spares. Both in a MORE fucked state than the one I have. Apparently I run my hearing aids at too high a volume2 and I should have a lower volume and evil Automatic Gain Control3 turned up instead.  We conceeded that I am indeed better off with the half-broken one that I have than either of the ones she had.  They don't officially have loaners and they've switched the contract from Cochlear to Oticon (competitor) and apparently my type of Cochlear Intenso BAHA isn't made anymore (have tweeted Cochlear UK to check this).

Audiologist failed the not speaking to deaf person while they have the hearing aid in their hand test which is slightly irksome and they should know better.  She also told me my digital but not programmable BAHA is analogue... No, It Really Isn't.  It is digital, just cos you can't program it on your computer does not mean it's analogue.  Don't reinvent the meaning of perfectly good engineering words cos you don't understand it.  We had this discussion before.  I even mentioned my partner explaining this last time - apparently I'm to ask him again what that means... I forgot people gender people's partners as norm, it doesn't bother me that much, just grates a tad.

Grrr.  Not audiologist's fault they don't have any working aids of my type. I am at least able to get in to sort stuff, a friend has to wait 3 months for an appointment to fix a broken earmould at her place >:( (woudn't catch me putting up with that shit).  And if I had to buy my own replacements they'd cost between £2000 and £5000 each depending on where I was and if I had even slight insurance cover (US insurance usually excludes hearing aids).  Also some NHS areas will twat about with funding for BAHAs with people having to care that audiology has to go to a panel and argue for the money. None of that for me, just a "your aids are irreparable, we've ordered replacements, arrival in somenum weeks".  Very bloody lucky in that regard.

Welcome to life with hearing aids, where there are inevitable episodes of multiple audiology contacts during a bad phase, before I go back to not annoying them for years while aids behave!

1 Hearing aids will break on the Friday of any Bank Hol when audiology is closed until the following Wednesday or something.  (or as recently on my bloody holiday away from  home).

2 I should be able to run hearing aids at any valid volume without them going wrong somehow ffs.  I know this aid is pushing the power envelope of bone conduction aids but grrr.

3 AGC is evil, I am hearing merrily enough, some noise happens and suddenly half the sound drops for some period of time leaving me unable to hear whatever I'm listening to till it comes back.  This is inevitably someone's speech over background noise I can handle.  I don't have recruitment (difficulty with loud sounds AND a hearing impairment) so I don't need this feature and ideally it'd be OFF but I compromise with it turned as low as it will go.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 21 August, 2014, 01:36:21 pm
Tell her your hubby says it's both, and offer to draw a circuit diagram[1].   :P


[1] A technique that nearly always has the desired effect of making people leave you alone.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 21 August, 2014, 09:04:54 pm
I bought a large tub of mixed olives at M&S on the way home, intending to fix up a nice big bowl of Greek salad.

Can't find them anywhere.  Either they've fallen through a hole in the space-time continuum or I left them at the till  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 22 August, 2014, 09:53:19 pm
Online retailers whose mailing lists I am subscribed to: whilst it's nice that you all seem to have sales on this weekend, please stop mentioning the bank holiday and making me jealous of the southerners! :'(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pedaldog. on 23 August, 2014, 01:20:33 am
Spoke to the surgeon today and he tells me I am not allowed to ride even a tandem, intended to use one leg to help the stoker and rest the gadgy one up. Maybe in a month when I next see him.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pedaldog. on 24 August, 2014, 09:58:31 pm
Hah! Took the r/h crank off the Stokers chainset on the Taylor tandem trike. Placed a footrest (Read "Handlebar stem) in its place so I could keep the Surgeonised foot in a stable position and set off for the first ride. Got about a half mile out before the discomfort of too low a saddle height made turning back the only option. The seat post in there was at its Maximum height so couldn't just shift it and carry on. Proved the principle again but will need to do some more fettling regarding the safety of the foot rest.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 25 August, 2014, 01:27:59 am
David's return flight was delayed 90 minutes.
Trains from Luton Airport Parkway are supposed to be hourly overnight but the 01.09 has been cancelled due to lack of staff.
He's in a cab now; life's too short.
If all had run to time, he would have been back by midnight at minimal expense.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 25 August, 2014, 10:40:16 pm
The only time we've booked ourselves onto a flight getting back to Luton sometime around midnight, the cheapest and easiest way of getting home to SE London was a one-way car hire.

This also suited because I wanted to pick up a new oven so, expecting a normal hatchback, could do it the following day: cue a free upgrade to a rather nice convertible, followed by having to put the top down outside Currys in the *pissing* rain, because it had no boot to speak of and that was the only way to get the oven into the back seat ...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 26 August, 2014, 01:12:02 am
David can't drive.
Had the flight arrived at its scheduled 22.15, he could have caught the 23.09 or 23.39 to Mill Hill Broadway, thence a bus pretty well to our front door.
The cab was £lots but still beats owning a car.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 28 August, 2014, 11:32:24 am
Lack of staff....strewth.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 28 August, 2014, 11:36:52 am
Quote from: Canardly on 28 August, 2014, 11:32:24 am
Lack of staff....strewth.

Item no. 4 on the Southern Trains Excuse Roulette system. When they bother with an excuse, sometimes they just remove the train from the board and hope no one notices.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 28 August, 2014, 12:30:03 pm
I am really too tired and dead of brain (partly my fault for bodging a mum visit after camping) to be timetable wrangling - especially when it's all in code which there is NO lookup table for.  Mech Eng doesn't 'exist' as a building on campus maps. I have to do this for 'reasons' TODAY even tho it's NotMyJobTM cos stude spannered the works by being awkward and we've had closed days.

The uni website doesn't return search results for "term dates" or "dates" properly. I had to fish the webpage of term dates out of an email, webpage is called "key dates".

And we're in resit exam period with the inevitable disasters all over the place and a skeleton staff all over the uni...

And my fucking broken hearing aid is now doing mode switch roulette every time I change mode which is both maddening and somewhat terrifying even though I do have HA hack option on me as backup.

Right, going to read a paper on inclusive assessment urgently before my boss gets in for her half day so I can brain a definitive 'recommendation' based on EVIDENCETM.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 28 August, 2014, 12:39:54 pm
Quote from: barakta on 28 August, 2014, 12:30:03 pm
The uni website doesn't return search results for "term dates" or "dates" properly. I had to fish the webpage of term dates out of an email, webpage is called "key dates".

xkcd://773 (http://xkcd.com/773/) compliance, innit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 28 August, 2014, 12:47:31 pm
Quote from: barakta on 28 August, 2014, 12:30:03 pm

The uni website doesn't return search results for "term dates" or "dates" properly. I had to fish the webpage of term dates out of an email, webpage is called "key dates".


Ah yes, I've had that problem too - ours is called "session dates".
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 28 August, 2014, 01:42:38 pm
I have *nothing* polite to say about our website. Students hate it, parents hate it, staff hate it.  Everyone except the weirdo "internal comms team" who designed the travesty hates it.  Useless, buggy, slow, loadfailing, inaccessible heap of shit.  I've refused to consult on the replacement and insisted they contact third party advisors with actual accessibility and web expertise.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 29 August, 2014, 01:00:53 am
Quote from: barakta on 28 August, 2014, 12:30:03 pm
Mech Eng doesn't 'exist' as a building on campus maps.

But, but if the building is labelled Civil Engineering on the map then someone needs to thump the drawer of the map. Civ Eng moved out of their building and into the Mech Eng building when sports science needed more space.

alternatively send them to the building across the road from the power station.

Unless they have all moved again since I was last there.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 29 August, 2014, 01:22:15 am
Hoteliers of USAnia!

Plz to be supplying more than one sachet of Brown Drink for use with the in-room Brown Drink machine.  Decaf doesn't count.

kthxbai
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 29 August, 2014, 09:30:45 am
Our buildings aren't named after departments which makes it easier to move things (people, departments, lectures) around.

However, our timetables are even more fun as they don't have dates on, just week numbers (no, not year weeks, but term weeks). But when wanting to search the timetables for events in a particualr week you have to search by date, with no cross referencing between the two. T-space is horrendous.

ANd I did fall foul of getting my weeks out of sync by one which makes organisng the field trips which require the tide to be out a little problematic.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 29 August, 2014, 07:53:16 pm
Satan's hairy arse!  _More_ dribbling idiocy at work; an employee survey.  Just let us get on and do our jobs you utter imbeciles.  If _you_ haven't got enough to do to keep yourselves busy why don't you just fuck-off and hold an off-site meeting (I hear Jupiter is good) and get out of our way?

   
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 29 August, 2014, 08:34:29 pm
I'm bored.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 29 August, 2014, 09:19:32 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 29 August, 2014, 01:22:15 am
Hoteliers of USAnia!

Plz to be supplying more than one sachet of Brown Drink for use with the in-room Brown Drink machine.  Decaf doesn't count.

kthxbai

Room service, my man.

Then you can rant about the bill which includes:

(a) inflated purchase price (yeah $18 for a burger)
(b) delivery charge ($4.50)
(c) gratuity 20% (which I suppose is gratuitous)

and let's not forget (d) when you sign there's another tip option because like I've not paid enough to have you get the elevator.

God, I hate chain hotels as much I hate the snotty notes from the mothership for booking a 'non-certified travel option' which somehow saves them money through this. Oh look, $14.95 for the internet.

And the fuckers always try to squeeze a bottle of water onto the bill. $8.50. For water. Which I did not drink.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 30 August, 2014, 02:43:38 am
I am on holibobs and thus am not staying That Kind of Hotel.  If I want extra sachets of Brown Drink I have to go to reception myself and ask for it, or nick it off the chambermaid's trolley when she isn't looking.  Today was exceptional in that there were two sachets of Regular Brown Drink in the room (unless the heat as affected my memory-branes and I drank the decaf by accident).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: lisat on 30 August, 2014, 06:56:43 am
My local bike shop is taking ages to do a few bits to my bike. I was supposed to get it back earlier this week as I had a ride planned for today. No phone from them and when I called the dopey lad, (who I try to avoid asking taxing questions like "when is my bike going to be ready"), he could not find the paperwork, the bike and then didn't ring me back.  Usually they are really good. 

Also I had to hang around in town Wednesday evening and went for a coffee in McDonalds. All the sugars and milks etc were now behind the counter to stop people nicking them. Ffs surely they make enough profit that they can bear a little sugar loss. 

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Templogin on 30 August, 2014, 08:32:05 pm
Quote from: lisat on 30 August, 2014, 06:56:43 am

Also I had to hang around in town Wednesday evening and went for a coffee in McDonalds. All the sugars and milks etc were now behind the counter to stop people nicking them. Ffs surely they make enough profit that they can bear a little sugar loss.

As a cyclist you should be aware of the risks of low sugar!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Templogin on 30 August, 2014, 08:36:12 pm
Why does everyone think that they are a comedian - ahem!?

The butchers usually have sensible names for their sausages like pork, beef, cumberland etc.  Today they have decided to call one welsh dragon pork, so I ask what's in them.  A smartarse female customer, not actually part of the conversation, pipes up with welsh dragons.  What they lack in intelligence around here they make up for in wit, just not today.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Peter on 30 August, 2014, 08:50:27 pm
What did you expect?  Then, I'm a vegetarian.....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 31 August, 2014, 12:10:11 pm
I spent yesterday clambering over the broken stiles of East Sussex yesterday. Which is fine, I can clamber, and pretty much expected. Then we got to the last bit of our walk just outside Uckfield. A big 'footpath closed' sign. Apparently the staircase by the train track crossing was in a bad way. But it was getting dark and past beer o'clock so what the hell, we've clambered this far, let's ignore the notice.

Glad we did. The footpath was closed because of one slightly broken step. A man with a replacement bit of wood and a few tools could have fixed it in 30 minutes. Instead, it's taken both East Sussex CC and National Rail all the effort (and cost) of getting a closure in place (one with no defined end point). Bejeebus, I've just clambered over 30 km of broken stiles, I'm not likely to come a cropper on one slightly sloping step.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 31 August, 2014, 02:46:12 pm
I'm in the supermarket and, of course, my list is on the kitchen table.
Bugger.
Let's see how I do.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 31 August, 2014, 03:10:22 pm
I predict you'll come back with a bottle of wine, a piece of stilton, a large several of items that were on special offer, and you'll have NO milk for your coffee tomorrow morning. Or coffee.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 31 August, 2014, 05:08:59 pm
Quote from: Pickled Onion on 31 August, 2014, 03:10:22 pm
I predict you'll come back with a bottle of wine, a piece of stilton, a large several of items that were on special offer, and you'll have NO milk for your coffee tomorrow morning. Or coffee.

 ;D
Actually, I did quite well.  The only thing I forgot was the turmeric, and we're not actually completely out of that.  No wine or special offers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 31 August, 2014, 07:09:22 pm
Local farmer (presumably) or someone not too far away has sprayed their fields/gardens with shhh manure and it stinks to high heaven. This is not a normal earthy/country smell but rank and unpleasant. Hopefully rain tomorrow am will tone it down a bit. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruth on 31 August, 2014, 07:16:37 pm
We've been getting the same thing, intermittently, for a couple of weeks now.  It's muck spreading season.

It's worrying how much like human faeces it smells.  I hope it's just sileage they're planning to grow in that.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nicknack on 01 September, 2014, 11:09:41 am
Quote from: Ruthie on 31 August, 2014, 07:16:37 pm
It's worrying how much like human faeces it smells.

That's probably because it is.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 01 September, 2014, 11:53:50 am
Quote from: nicknack on 01 September, 2014, 11:09:41 am
Quote from: Ruthie on 31 August, 2014, 07:16:37 pm
It's worrying how much like human faeces it smells.

That's probably because it is.
Sewage sludge or something.  There was a pile in a field down thus way. The tomato plants sprouting out of it gave a clue as to its origins.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 01 September, 2014, 11:55:59 am
IIRC Thames Water had a fertilizer arm (called Terra Eco I think) when I worked there. I think that looked after composting waste as well but it also used digested sewage to make some of the product.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jasmine on 01 September, 2014, 12:01:53 pm
Yes, quite a few farms here use sewage sludge (where else do you think it goes?).  There are regulations on how long you have to leave it before planting food for human consumption, or putting animals out to graze on it.

Other strong smelling fertilisers include chicken shit, which is arguably a worse smell than human shit (high ammonia).  It makes you positively enjoy the smell of cow shit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 01 September, 2014, 12:37:48 pm
"They" are using dried human waste byproducts to build the new part of Stafford Castle Golf Course, so it is said:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/STOP-the-smell-coming-from-Stafford-Castle-Golf-Club-construction-Site/356785437807747?fref=nf

When the wind is in the wrong direction, it smells to really badly.... when the winds in the other wrong directions, we get the pong off the fields 200m away.  :facepalm:

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 01 September, 2014, 04:41:22 pm
What I thought was regular milk with a blue top is actually Buttermilk. A whole litre of the stuff:-(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 01 September, 2014, 05:08:44 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 01 September, 2014, 04:41:22 pm
What I thought was regular milk with a blue top is actually Buttermilk. A whole litre of the stuff:-(

Make some biscuits (http://southern.food.com/recipe/southern-buttermilk-biscuits-26110). :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 01 September, 2014, 06:15:01 pm
Or scones :P
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CrinklyLion on 01 September, 2014, 06:18:43 pm
Pancakes!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 01 September, 2014, 06:47:36 pm
Soda bread.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 01 September, 2014, 07:06:37 pm
Whizz it in a blender with raspberries, blueberries or whatever soft fruit you fancy. It makes a delicious and filling milkshake.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 01 September, 2014, 08:40:47 pm
I'm camping! It may do on porridge but I don't fancy drinking it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CrinklyLion on 01 September, 2014, 08:41:55 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 01 September, 2014, 08:40:47 pm
I'm camping!

Precisely!

Quote from: CrinklyLion on 01 September, 2014, 06:18:43 pm
Pancakes!

Can be cooked on a Trangia :)

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 02 September, 2014, 09:21:29 pm
It's September, Summer is over.  Tourists - go home!  The people of London would like their city back.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 03 September, 2014, 04:09:10 am
In the time it took me to upload today's photos to flickr I could have got a carrier pigeon to take them to Sunnyvale.  Frontier Motel of Lone Pine, CA, your Pipe is clogged up with Fluff.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 03 September, 2014, 08:29:18 pm
So there I am, sat in the pub, pint of Old Speckled Hen, watching tonight's England women T20 against SA.  Cracking match.
Suddenly it's changed to a meaningless footy match that no one appears to be watching.

Ffs.  There's footy on.  We have to have the footy on.
Thick cunts.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 03 September, 2014, 09:19:31 pm
Quote from: Basil on 03 September, 2014, 08:29:18 pm
So there I am, sat in the pub, pint of Old Speckled Hen, watching tonight's England women T20 against SA.  Cracking match.
Suddenly it's changed to a meaningless footy match that no one appears to be watching.

Ffs.  There's footy on.  We have to have the footy on.
Thick cunts.

Though I still view Gryllidae Eneopterinae cricket as the sporting equivalent of Mornington Crescent, international matches in any sport are more important (IMO) than 'local' matches.  Your complaint, Sir, is worthy of a RANT, not a GRUMBLE.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 03 September, 2014, 09:21:42 pm
How on earth have I managed not to have a Euro lead in the house? >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 03 September, 2014, 09:23:13 pm
It's an international friendly in the football Andrij.

My grumble, the white rugby shirt I washed with my white sheets had some red on it. I now have pink splodges on a whole set of white sheets, a white duvet cover and some white pillow cases. :facepalm:

Now off to buy some dye remover and hoping it does what it says :-[
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruth on 03 September, 2014, 09:24:41 pm
You could always pretend they're supposed to look like that?

Or just dye them all red?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 03 September, 2014, 09:35:36 pm
Quote from: Andrij on 03 September, 2014, 09:19:31 pm

Though I still view Gryllidae Eneopterinae cricket as the sporting equivalent of Mornington Crescent,

 :D
You might still be a "Johnnie Foreigner", but I love you, mate.  You made oi  larf.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 03 September, 2014, 10:03:21 pm
Quote from: Basil on 03 September, 2014, 09:35:36 pm
Quote from: Andrij on 03 September, 2014, 09:19:31 pm

Though I still view Gryllidae Eneopterinae cricket as the sporting equivalent of Mornington Crescent,

 :D
You might still be a "Johnnie Foreigner", but I love you, mate.  You made oi  larf.  :thumbsup:

 ;D
As a promise to a friend, I did listen to 'the cricket' on Saturday afternoon.   ???  I think there may have been some type of sporting event involved, at some point, but I must have missed those few seconds.  That said, it did put me in mind of how I used to imagine my best friend and I as drunken OAPs - blathering on about 'something' that no one else could understand.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 03 September, 2014, 10:04:46 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 03 September, 2014, 09:23:13 pm
It's an international friendly in the football Andrij.

Ah, didn't realise [assumption] Ingerlund [/assumption] was playing tonight.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Si_Co on 04 September, 2014, 11:07:01 am
Very grumpy today, want to moan about everything, just CBA.  :(

Better keep my head down methinks.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 04 September, 2014, 11:28:38 am
Quote from: Si_Co on 04 September, 2014, 11:07:01 am
Very grumpy today, want to moan about everything, just CBA.  :(

Better keep my head down methinks.

Be kind to yourself; we all have stresses but grumpiness seems pretty trivial in the light of events of the last few weeks.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SteveC on 04 September, 2014, 06:56:23 pm
Quote from: Andrij on 03 September, 2014, 10:04:46 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 03 September, 2014, 09:23:13 pm
It's an international friendly in the football Andrij.

Ah, didn't realise [assumption] Ingerlund [/assumption] was playing tonight.
They were, friendly against Norway. Apparently more people watched the Bake Off1 than the footy.

1) Including me
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 04 September, 2014, 08:02:33 pm
A Hong Kong eBayer who I'm in the beginnings of a dispute with over some not very expensive items, not content with my photo of the wrong items they sent, is now asking me to send a video from my PayPal email address!  What sort of video they want, I do not know, but I'm not making any sort of video for them!  Piss off!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 04 September, 2014, 09:55:25 pm
We've just managed to dishwasher the same load 3 times.

I loaded it last night, as per usual.   I *thought* I ran it.
This morning, I went to grab a coffee cup out of it, and noticed a plastic Tupperware tub in immediate view was obviously still dirty.
'Bollocks' says I.
Must have forgotten to run it last night.   Sometimes happens.
Shoves in a tab and lets it run.

Gets home this evening, to find it running again.
Mrs. F tells me she found the contents dirty, assumes I've forgotten to run it and has run it this evening.

WTF?
The Tupperware tub is *still* dirty.

Closer inspection reveals it's 2 tubs, stacked together when they were dirty.
The dishwasher can't get at the stuff jammed between the 2 tubs.
The load has now been run 3 times, because a casual inspection makes it look like it's a dirty load.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruth on 04 September, 2014, 10:11:35 pm
Feanor, you are a callous man.  I have only just lost a dishwasher, and am still grieving.  I think I'm in 'guilt', but occasionally it feels like 'anger'.

Have a heart, man.  Running the thing three times for one tupperware thing?  My whole kitchen is backed up with crusty old microwaved plates.  I don't even have any dishwasher tablets to soak my burned rice pan.  And there's water in my Marigolds.

I'm now off to do a bit of 'bargaining'. 

Your post has been a trigger for my 'issues'.  I hope you're proud of yourself.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 04 September, 2014, 10:31:23 pm
The 'first world problems' thread is over there.  ==>
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 05 September, 2014, 01:24:36 am
Quote from: Andrij on 03 September, 2014, 10:03:21 pm
Quote from: Basil on 03 September, 2014, 09:35:36 pm
Quote from: Andrij on 03 September, 2014, 09:19:31 pm

Though I still view Gryllidae Eneopterinae cricket as the sporting equivalent of Mornington Crescent,

 :D
You might still be a "Johnnie Foreigner", but I love you, mate.  You made oi  larf.  :thumbsup:

 ;D
As a promise to a friend, I did listen to 'the cricket' on Saturday afternoon.   ???  I think there may have been some type of sporting event involved, at some point, but I must have missed those few seconds.  That said, it did put me in mind of how I used to imagine my best friend and I as drunken OAPs - blathering on about 'something' that no one else could understand.
This is, surely, the point of cricket. It's a sport for people who'd prefer to drink beer and chat!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: GothonaBrompton on 05 September, 2014, 11:25:50 am
Quote from: Andrij on 02 September, 2014, 09:21:29 pm
It's September, Summer is over.  Tourists - go home!  The people of London would like their city back.

Yes please.

Where I work the chaos will die down slightly post 28th September, when the annual Buckingham Palace tours finish.  We have two offices on Grosvenor Place - one is opposite the gate where everyone comes out and fills the pavement, and the other (where I am), is opposite the coach bay where they get picked up.  Only sometimes three coaches isn't enough, one has to go and park in the taxi bay directly outside the office, and then there are 50-60 people standing directly on the pavement outside the office and blocking access  :hand:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 05 September, 2014, 12:09:01 pm
Quote from: Biggsy on 04 September, 2014, 08:02:33 pm
A Hong Kong eBayer who I'm in the beginnings of a dispute with over some not very expensive items, not content with my photo of the wrong items they sent, is now asking me to send a video from my PayPal email address!  What sort of video they want, I do not know, but I'm not making any sort of video for them!  Piss off!

*Tries to think of something clean that might look like the right thing, but would reveal itself to be the wrong thing because of movement, or lack thereof. Fails.*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 05 September, 2014, 01:18:57 pm
Maybe they wanted me to video myself talking about the problem to prove it's my PayPal account!?, if it's not just delaying tactics. Anyway, they've settled on sending the right items instead of refunding, though they asked me to close the eBay "case" first, which I'm not doing.

My photo was enough to fully reveal the items: red ring illuminated push button switches instead of blue dot.

They're rather nice switches, by the way, except that you have to use the tip of you finger instead of the pad of your finger (unless you have very small fingers).  I'm always grumbling about ergonomics.
  - www.ebay.co.uk/itm/291223651661
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 08 September, 2014, 11:08:24 am
So I've been prescribed Cinnarizine for balance disorder (so ironic for someone who used to be able to tightrope walk). That means I pay the £8 odd for a standard prescription.

However, if I walked into a chemist and asked for something for travel sickness, I'd be sold exactly the same drug, over the counter, at a more sensible retail price.

OFFS
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 08 September, 2014, 12:34:15 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 08 September, 2014, 11:08:24 am
So I've been prescribed Cinnarizine for balance disorder (so ironic for someone who used to be able to tightrope walk). That means I pay the £8 odd for a standard prescription.

However, if I walked into a chemist and asked for something for travel sickness, I'd be sold exactly the same drug, over the counter, at a more sensible retail price.

This isn't unusual.  The prescription is worthwhile if you've got a prepayment card (or are lucky enough to have one of the right chronic conditions).

Of course, healthcare should be free at the point of use.  But that's another rant entirely...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 08 September, 2014, 01:01:10 pm
I don't get many prescriptions but when I got one for a insect bite (you've seen Starship Troopers, that kind of insect I think), the pharmacist pointed me toward the shelf with generic tubes of anti-histamine.

If you've ever bought prescription drugs in the US then you'd think they are free over here.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 08 September, 2014, 01:01:57 pm
A friendly pharmacist may advise when something is cheaper over the counter.

When something cheap is prescription only, like Wow's high-dose folic acid, prescription charges seem really unfair as the patient has no choice.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 08 September, 2014, 01:03:32 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 08 September, 2014, 01:01:57 pm
When something cheap is prescription only, like Wow's high-dose folic acid, prescription charges seem really unfair as the patient has no choice.

Sure they have a choice.  They can choose not to fill the prescription and cost the NHS more down the line by not treating their chronic condition.   >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 08 September, 2014, 01:44:39 pm
MrsC, who dispenses in a pharmacy, suggests that the prescription version might be considerably higher dose than the OTC seasickness version.

Whatever. You aren't supposed to have it with alcohol, as that can render you unconscious for Many Hours. I chose to ignore this, consuming two pints of Hobgoblin + cheap bourbon on Sat night. No effect on me, I just slept as normal. At least I can sleep. Boy can I tell when this stuff has worn off, the whole world is doing a spinny tilting thing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 08 September, 2014, 08:49:36 pm
Hurumpf!  My mates seem to think that watching the Footballer's Cup of Footballing is preferable to coming out to the pub quiz.
Gah!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 08 September, 2014, 09:02:26 pm
We'd come with you! :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 08 September, 2014, 09:45:51 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 08 September, 2014, 11:08:24 am
So I've been prescribed Cinnarizine for balance disorder (so ironic for someone who used to be able to tightrope walk). That means I pay the £8 odd for a standard prescription.

However, if I walked into a chemist and asked for something for travel sickness, I'd be sold exactly the same drug, over the counter, at a more sensible retail price.

OFFS
Has anyone looked at longer term balance rehab for you or indeed the cause of your issues?

Having done the "vestibular fail" gauntlet to death one thing I learned was drugs slow down long term rehab rather than anything else and they should be looking at balance-retraining exercises for you at the very least.  I did of course get this lecture very smugly from an audiological physician it had taken me 12+ months to get to see, and it took 6+ months for the rehab "vestibular tai chi" to come through on top of that and unfortunately it broke other bits of me instead - tai bloody chi broke me...

I buy a prepayment card, yearly if I'm not poor cos CBA but otherwise 3 month ones and stretch my usual drugs out so I just don't have to worry about docs giving me drugs as I'm likely to need at least one random prescription a year on top of my 4-6 repeat script items which I use as needed.  I agree scripts should be free at the point of pharmacy especially to people on low incomes who don't meet criteria (students often come under this) for reductions/free drugs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 08 September, 2014, 10:11:48 pm
Quote from: barakta on 08 September, 2014, 09:45:51 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 08 September, 2014, 11:08:24 am
So I've been prescribed Cinnarizine for balance disorder (so ironic for someone who used to be able to tightrope walk). That means I pay the £8 odd for a standard prescription.

However, if I walked into a chemist and asked for something for travel sickness, I'd be sold exactly the same drug, over the counter, at a more sensible retail price.

OFFS
Has anyone looked at longer term balance rehab for you or indeed the cause of your issues?
The current suggestion is vestibular problems are caused by going on a fairground ride and should go away.
I have two weeks of tablets to prove that is the cause and should recover. We'll see.

The good news is that I can ride a bike when I'm not capable of riding walking in a straight line.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 08 September, 2014, 11:17:26 pm
I've never been on various fairground rides. My parents don't like rollercoasters, my dad gets very wobbly and distressed so I've never been to a theme park.  By the time such things sounded even slightly tempting due to peer pressure I had balance issues and decided that I didn't need anything else to piss my vestibular system off.  I think I had a lucky escape!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 08 September, 2014, 11:23:44 pm
Quote from: barakta on 08 September, 2014, 11:17:26 pm
I've never been on various fairground rides.

Think of them as a bit like a giant Kettwiesel with no handlebars.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 10 September, 2014, 08:00:54 am
My copy of "Two Days in Yorkshire" arrived yesterday. Nice pictures of Ilkley. Pity one of them has been cropped about two feet short of where me and Mum were standing. The people next to us are there but we're not.

Bah!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 11 September, 2014, 10:53:51 am
P-clips! Where are they? It seems the only supply of 40mm p-clips in the whole wide world is on the internet. I've tried seven or eight local places - builders merchants, hardware stores, tool shops, motor factors - cos I want them NOW! and the best answer so far is "Are they for growing peas?"  :D So it seems I'll have to order them from Westfield Fasteners and pay about £5 postage for a £2 purchase. Oh well.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 11 September, 2014, 11:21:37 am
I used copper pipe p-clips on the Raleigh as the tubes were too thin for the p-clips I could see advertised. They held a rack and pannier on for a few months without any problems. Bought them from the plumbing section of B&Q but can't find them on their website
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 11 September, 2014, 12:51:40 pm
It's just taken me about 20 minutes to find a working stapler with staples in it. There seems to have been some sort of Great Collapsing Hrung Disaster on the staplers of south east Edinburgh. That won't happen in an independent Scotland; it'll be working staplers for everyone.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 11 September, 2014, 12:53:42 pm
Perhaps all the staples are fleeing south in case of a yes vote :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Templogin on 13 September, 2014, 04:04:14 pm
Ooh the pain!  Just got arse-raped £22.40 for the most hideous 2 pin spanner one end/pedal spanner the other end, by SJS Cycles.  We all know what Chinese tat looks like, but this looks likes something from the rejects bin.  It's made out of some sort of Chinese monkey metal.   :o
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 13 September, 2014, 06:06:50 pm
Who redesigned my bloody Guardian?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 14 September, 2014, 11:20:12 am
I'm supposed to be on the way to the Plough at Little London, by bike. But last night I started feeling shivery & achey, & now I have a headache & a fever.

Bugger!

Mrs B's gone without me.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Templogin on 14 September, 2014, 04:15:23 pm
Why aren't toilet u-bends made bigger?

Toilet designers wouldn't try to u-turn an articulated truck in a one way street would they?  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 14 September, 2014, 04:17:29 pm
Quote from: Templogin on 14 September, 2014, 04:15:23 pm
Why aren't toilet u-bends made bigger?

Because you'd need more water to flush them?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Templogin on 14 September, 2014, 04:19:42 pm
I don't think that you would.  There would just be a bigger reservoir!  I'm no rocket scientist though!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 14 September, 2014, 08:18:08 pm
Inadequate U bends is why rubber gloves were invented. DAHIKT :sick:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 15 September, 2014, 06:52:22 am
Some fucker in an adjacent room is snoring loud enough to be heard in here.  The air-con may have to go back on >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 15 September, 2014, 09:00:37 am
Quote from: Templogin on 14 September, 2014, 04:19:42 pm
I don't think that you would.  There would just be a bigger reservoir!  I'm no rocket scientist though!

I think its about flow velocity.  Bigger u bend = lower flow velocity.  You need a decent velocity to flush the turds out.  Basically, you need to be producing smaller turds!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 15 September, 2014, 06:31:44 pm
Decided to try going swimming again as I thought it might help my arm recover. It's been shut for a couple weeks but the website says it's open again from today and gives a full timetable.

Of course when I get there it's still shut. Would it really be that hard to put on your website that you aren't actually open before people who believe your website travel to the next town to go swimming?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 16 September, 2014, 05:37:46 pm
Dear Mr Bus driver, I asked you if the diversion was still in place or not. You didn't have to tell me it had been off for 'weeks' like I'm some sort of half wit - funnily enough people travelling to and from the airport stop might not use your service every day, just a simple yes or no would have done.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 19 September, 2014, 07:14:26 am
I am in Carlsbad, New Mexico.  It has been pissing down for most of the last six hours.  My internet connection has been up and down like a bipolar jack-in-the-box for much the same period.  I do not know whether these facts are related but the rain has eased now and the internets seem to be jbexing correctly.

However I don't know whether I've succeeded in booking tomorrow night's accommodation once, three times or not at all.  Arse >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 19 September, 2014, 08:19:26 am
Hermes.

I loathe couriers.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: bumper on 19 September, 2014, 12:42:33 pm
My tennis elbow has returned, only twenty times worse!

My left arm is currently just an ornament. I've strapped it again, which helps me to lift things but the pain is really bad this time. All of my forearm and little finger is very painful, as well as the elbow.

The only thing that doesn't hurt my arm.........



Riding my bike :thumbsup:


Unfortunately, I don't get paid to do that :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Templogin on 19 September, 2014, 04:03:50 pm
www.alpkit.com  -  In the summer please consider having sleeping bags in stock when people might want to buy them

Parcel companies - unless you put a card through my door telling me that you have attempted to deliver I will not know that you have been.  My extra sensory perception skills are non-existant.  Yodel not to blame this time!

www.fieldandtrek.com  -  please dont ask for kit reviews unless you are also willing to publish the negative ones

www.karrimor.com  -  if you are going to sell t-shirts made from "technical" fabrics, please make sure that you use a fabric that isn't shredded by male velcro the moment it touches it, as it is likely that technical fabric wearing people will have velcro on other items that they are wearing.

www.fieldandtrek.com  -  when you send me a sleeping bag by mail order I expect you to have removed the security tags so that I don't have to walk around the retailers in town trying to get them to remove it.  It is still on there and I am not going to the hassle of sending it back as I know that you will probably tell me that you no longer have any stock of the bag that I have bought.

On the good news front - the submarine blocking the u bend has now sailed and should appear on Brighton beach within the next two weeks.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 20 September, 2014, 06:02:36 am
My ickle travel kettle has stopped working >:(  Such things had better be available from Wol-Mart, or there'll be trouble.

Edit: There'll be trouble.  The exact same model, but 33 USD.  Reduced from 53 :o

I paid eight quid for mine in Sainsbury's...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TimC on 20 September, 2014, 09:57:32 am
Go to Target. Much cheaper than Asda West.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 20 September, 2014, 02:14:42 pm
Quote from: TimC on 20 September, 2014, 09:57:32 am
Go to Target. Much cheaper than Asda West.

(Googles)

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5595/15296690622_57f797ab58_c.jpg)

Drat!  And double drat!

Investigation suggests that the nearest Target in the direction I'm going is in El Paso, which is a day's drive away and likely to be under a couple of feet of water by the time I get there.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TimC on 20 September, 2014, 06:40:19 pm
Ah! Not ideal.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 21 September, 2014, 03:35:10 am
I'm a sight closer to El Paso now and likely to be even closer tomorrow.  In the meantime I am improvising with the Brown Drink maker :P
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 21 September, 2014, 08:41:16 am
No outdoors huntin' shootin' fishin' type stores that might have one of they elements on a cable type thing?

ETA like so: http://www.rei.com/item/781694/rei-immersion-heater-120240
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 21 September, 2014, 10:26:24 am
ohhh REI that is is like all the UK outdoor shops combined and then added a bucket of steroids. Co-op, membership, cash back, discounts and a return policy that make the customer blush. I don't think we ever managed to walk out of one with empty bags.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 22 September, 2014, 12:26:26 am
Target had some very nice kettles for twenty dollars but I don't want a 1.7 litre one that I'll have to abandon at the end of the week.  Emily the SatNav has never heard of REI and WiFi connectivity was not available in a car park in El Paso this arvo. I only have to improvise until Thursday night so it's probably not worth the effort to find one.

Edit: Nearest REI to current location: Albuquerque.  230 miles away :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 22 September, 2014, 10:15:12 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 21 September, 2014, 08:41:16 am
No outdoors huntin' shootin' fishin' type stores that might have one of they elements on a cable type thing?

ETA like so: http://www.rei.com/item/781694/rei-immersion-heater-120240

Like the ones in Bamberg pubs for warming old geezers' beer?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 22 September, 2014, 11:58:58 am
Leaf blowers. They do what they say and then a bit more.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 23 September, 2014, 10:26:20 am
Feel like cakk cos my middle ear is full of gunk...  It's day 2 of Fresher's Week, I'm so not deserving the lurgy (Fresher's Flu) just yet. I've only SEEN one student in person.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SteveC on 25 September, 2014, 10:04:56 am
I drove into work this morning. I have left my locker keys at home. This means that instead of going for a run in the nice weather at lunchtime I have to go back home to get them.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Riggers on 25 September, 2014, 10:30:04 am
Thanks very much to our three-legged cat, who decided to launch/scramble onto my lap last night after I was finished with my rant to BT, and about to send, when she trod all over the keyboard!!!

Then spilt water (for the peas) over the hob and floor.

Then a Shepherd Neame 1698 beer exploded upwards after uncapping it in the kitchen. I'll clean the window properly at the weekend!!


Grrrrrrrr and double grrrrrrrrrr!!!!   >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 25 September, 2014, 11:41:56 am
Dear Cow-orker Why is it that, desipte being an intelligent nuclear scientist, when it comes to IT, you are unable to even collect the most basic of information about the fault you want me to try and solve?

Maybe telling me what model router and TV, and what exact error messages you are getting would make it possible to help you work out why they don't connect. Oh, and please stop wittering on about plugging USB sticks into things. You are overcomplicating what should be relatively simple.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 25 September, 2014, 11:54:52 am
Quote from: Templogin on 19 September, 2014, 04:03:50 pm
www.alpkit.com  -  In the summer please consider having sleeping bags in stock when people might want to buy them
You owe me a new keyboard - I've just snorted coffee all over mine.

Alpkit? Have things in stock? Surely ye jest ...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 26 September, 2014, 12:10:43 am
Spontaneous unexplained failure of one of my front teeth (LR1 for those keeping score).  I wasn't even eating anything at the time!  Presumably I'd done something to weaken it recently.  (And before anyone asks, I tend to use wire strippers these days).

It isn't down to the pulp, which is good news, but what's left is tongue-snaggingly sharp and perilously thin, so one proper bite could make things much worse.

Will be phoning the dentist in the morning.   :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 26 September, 2014, 04:02:16 am
Dear the Best Western Rambler hotel, 457 U.S. 85, Walsenburg, CO 81089, USAnia

Plz to be not having your connection to teh Intarwebs suddenly drop out for thirty seconds while my cursor is poised over the clicky-thing to start the on-line check-in process for my flight back to Civilisation tomorrow.

kthxbai

P.S. after which heart-stopping moment I find I have a seat smack at the front of the cattle class cabin anyway so no need to mortgage my soul in exchange for extra legroom.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Riggers on 26 September, 2014, 08:29:30 am
Trod in cat poo while gathering the washing in from the garden yesterday evening. Nice.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 26 September, 2014, 08:40:33 am
Quote from: Kim on 26 September, 2014, 12:10:43 am
Spontaneous unexplained failure of one of my front teeth (LR1 for those keeping score).  I wasn't even eating anything at the time!  Presumably I'd done something to weaken it recently.  (And before anyone asks, I tend to use wire strippers these days).

It isn't down to the pulp, which is good news, but what's left is tongue-snaggingly sharp and perilously thin, so one proper bite could make things much worse.

Will be phoning the dentist in the morning.   :(

Emergency Suguru application ?    (I've got a dental repair kit in the bathroom cabinet.......)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 26 September, 2014, 08:42:19 am
Quote from: andrewc on 26 September, 2014, 08:40:33 am
Quote from: Kim on 26 September, 2014, 12:10:43 am
Spontaneous unexplained failure of one of my front teeth (LR1 for those keeping score).  I wasn't even eating anything at the time!  Presumably I'd done something to weaken it recently.  (And before anyone asks, I tend to use wire strippers these days).

It isn't down to the pulp, which is good news, but what's left is tongue-snaggingly sharp and perilously thin, so one proper bite could make things much worse.

Will be phoning the dentist in the morning.   :(

Emergency Suguru application ?    (I've got a dental repair kit in the bathroom cabinet.......)

Better than teethgrinder and his screwdriver. "Is it safe?"
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 26 September, 2014, 12:28:34 pm
I'm bound to run out of dentist karma at some point, but evidently not today.

Phoned them at 9:30 this morning, and they said they could squeeze me in at 12.  It just needed a quick bit of grinding down, fortunately, which was "the most work I've done all morning".  Seems that everyone else had not turned up.

Got a bit of a headache now, though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 29 September, 2014, 02:50:30 pm
Quote from: Basil on 14 April, 2013, 10:57:59 pm
Where in the name of all things bluddy, is my AVO meter?  It's in this house somewhere.  There is no reason I can imagine where I could have taken it somewhere else.
It's got to the point now where I'm looking in underpant drawers, ffs. 
I wish I had a garage, 'cos I'd look in there.

Oh god!  I bet that's where it is.  It's in my garage that I haven't got!  Shit - wrong universe.
At the end of a whole family weekend we've just had for my mom's 90th, my brother came into the room saying, "I must give you this back", and handed me a familiar case.

Apparently, I " lent" it to him over two years ago.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 29 September, 2014, 03:19:25 pm
Congratulations on being reunited with your AVO, but you appear to be suffering from exposure to Americans.

Go and drink some warm beer or something...   ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 29 September, 2014, 04:05:15 pm
And we've done the "it's not actually a real AVO".  Just something that I picked upup in a previous life from RS as it has a big feck off amp clamp on the top which was useful to see how we were loading each phase.

The american thing?  Am I doing poor spelling again?  Or something else?  :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 29 September, 2014, 04:15:11 pm
'mom'.

We iz BRITONS innit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 29 September, 2014, 05:00:40 pm
Ah.  OK.
I've always wondered how I'm supposed to spell that and tend to use either version on a pretty random basis.
Things I have learned today.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 29 September, 2014, 05:02:20 pm
Mom is also a Brummieism tho.  I've heard Brummies pronounce it Moh-m and write it that way too.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 29 September, 2014, 05:05:16 pm
Quote from: barakta on 29 September, 2014, 05:02:20 pm
Mom is also a Brummieism tho.  I've heard Brummies pronounce it Moh-m and write it that way too.
Oh bloody hell barakta, you just drop kicked me back into focused indecision land again.  ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 29 September, 2014, 05:41:13 pm
It's Mam up here
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 29 September, 2014, 05:43:33 pm
Written "mum", pronounced "mom" in my family based in leafy, snarlingly Tory Solihull.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 30 September, 2014, 10:19:27 am
My rotary slidey-cutter guillotine thingy is dying. Sliding left-to-right it cuts beeyootifully. Sliding right-to-left it makes graunching noises and chews the paper.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 30 September, 2014, 08:51:21 pm
BT have just made some changes to my email account, moving away from using Yahoo as a provider.  For some reason the new settings didn't play with Mail on my Mac, I had to delete the account & rebuild it.

I've just realised I've lost the emails relating to my Eurostar trip to Belgium earlier in the year, which was delayed by more than 2 hours, entitling me to a free return ticket  >:(

Edit: found a hard copy of the tickets with the booking reference.  That's a free ride to Paris or somewhere next year  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 01 October, 2014, 11:31:36 pm
Quote from: Guy on 30 September, 2014, 10:19:27 am
My rotary slidey-cutter guillotine thingy is dying. Sliding left-to-right it cuts beeyootifully. Sliding right-to-left it makes graunching noises and chews the paper.

I always thought slidey guilotines were designed to cut in one direction?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 02 October, 2014, 07:36:30 am
Candidates for Koko's Little List: house guests that rise as early as I do, thus buggering up my blessed half-hour of peace with tea, grub, paper, dogs & parrot.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 02 October, 2014, 08:49:19 am
^^^
Oh This!  A thousand times this.

My morning routine has always been:
Get up nice and early.  After the three Ss, loaf around kitchen, checking e-mails, yacf, listen to the Toady program on R4, gaze glumly into the top of a mug of coffee, that sort of thing.  It's my private time.  It's for me.

Now bloody lodger is also up, wants chats, wants cheerfulness.  I don't do talking in the morning.  I just don't.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 02 October, 2014, 09:01:26 am
Quote from: fuzzy retd. on 01 October, 2014, 11:31:36 pm
Quote from: Guy on 30 September, 2014, 10:19:27 am
My rotary slidey-cutter guillotine thingy is dying. Sliding left-to-right it cuts beeyootifully. Sliding right-to-left it makes graunching noises and chews the paper.

I always thought slidey guilotines were designed to cut in one direction?
The "Dahle 508 Personal Trimmer" (oo-er) was designed to cut both ways, but that's GERMAN teckno-loggy for you.

ETA: And this morning it's slicing both ways again ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 02 October, 2014, 09:53:42 am
Used sliding cutter a lot, often it is just a bit of paper stuck. Most of times they just fall out other times you need to pick it out.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 02 October, 2014, 09:57:44 am
Looks like I've left my house key in the front door this morning :facepalm:

Hoping no-one notices before I can get home at lunch time :-\
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 02 October, 2014, 09:59:11 am
What was your address again... :-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 02 October, 2014, 10:17:52 am
Quote from: woollypigs on 02 October, 2014, 09:59:11 am
What was your address again... :-)

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue :P
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 02 October, 2014, 12:14:18 pm
Quote from: Basil on 02 October, 2014, 08:49:19 am
^^^
Oh This!  A thousand times this.

My morning routine has always been:
Get up nice and early.  After the three Ss, loaf around kitchen, checking e-mails, yacf, listen to the Toady program on R4, gaze glumly into the top of a mug of coffee, that sort of thing.  It's my private time.  It's for me.

Now bloody lodger is also up, wants chats, wants cheerfulness.  I don't do talking in the morning.  I just don't.

I always thought there were 4 S's necessary to start the day.
not necessarily in this order: Shower, shave, shit and a shag.  I must confess my own days rarely get off to that good a start  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 02 October, 2014, 12:39:55 pm
Just the one 'S' here:  Sleep.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 02 October, 2014, 01:23:40 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 02 October, 2014, 09:57:44 am
Looks like I've left my house key in the front door this morning :facepalm:

Hoping no-one notices before I can get home at lunch time :-\
They were where I left them. Lunch time is just long enough to get home and get back to work again but I had to shift a bit :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 02 October, 2014, 01:41:34 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 02 October, 2014, 01:23:40 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 02 October, 2014, 09:57:44 am
Looks like I've left my house key in the front door this morning :facepalm:

Hoping no-one notices before I can get home at lunch time :-\
They were where I left them. Lunch time is just long enough to get home and get back to work again but I had to shift a bit :)
I did that once - drove home at Ludicrous Speed to find a note from the postie1 saying he'd locked the door and left the keys with someone across the road. Just as well he didn't put them through the letterbox - I'd have been royally screwed as my 'spare' set of keys is with my parents. In County Durham.

1 - we're fortunate enough to have a 'regular' postman. I left him a token of my appreciation at the post office.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 02 October, 2014, 01:48:38 pm
I've been meaning to a) change that lock to a non-snap, non-bump one*, and b) hide a spare back door key somewhere just in case I get locked out, for a while

Think this might have just given me an appropriate shaped tuit for those.

*and one I definitively know the Estate Agent/previous owners don't have a key for
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Templogin on 02 October, 2014, 01:50:14 pm
My postie once dropped in a neighbours key, who had left it in the door.  Soon as the postie was away I was over there, but the place was full of crap bikes so I didn't Nick anything!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 02 October, 2014, 02:57:29 pm
I was driving to Bristol on an occasion, I got as far as Charfield when I had the strong feeling that I had forgotten something and turned around. The front door was wide open.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 02 October, 2014, 03:10:25 pm
I have returened from collecting TLD from school to find I have locked the front door, but left the back door wide open.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 02 October, 2014, 03:12:42 pm
I got up in the morning some years ago to find the front door wide open.

Other times I have:
Left the keys in the front door lock all night.
Left the car keys in the passenger door lock (next to the pavement) all night
Left a bike out front of the house all night. (Twice)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 02 October, 2014, 03:23:23 pm
I'm quite anal about locking things.   #1 cub often takes teh rise but he's managed to leave his car unlocked or his keys outside more than once.   Next time I'm going to have his car moved.   He'll learn not to mess with me...  :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 02 October, 2014, 03:53:25 pm
Friend of mine managed to leave his keys in the ignition, with the engine idling, on his parents' driveway overnight.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 02 October, 2014, 06:37:11 pm
Dr Larrington would sometimes deliberately leave her keys in the ignition of her Mini.

In Brixton.

It was never even broken into.  Clearly the local tea leaves suspcted a trap by the babylon.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 02 October, 2014, 07:09:45 pm
The one time I left my front door open, it involved more pints of Abbot Ale Reserve than I can remember. Other times I have left my car keys in the lock, but we are in a cul-de-sac in Warwick, so it's hardly featured regularly on Crimewatch.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 03 October, 2014, 09:52:56 am
I live in a perpetual state of anxiety about things I'm sure I forgot. Because my brain is mostly elsewhere and I regularly do things with no real recall (did I just cycle through Streatham?) that puts me at a disadvantage. Mostly I have done what I think I didn't but I've not booked in the memory, it's much the same to my brain as not doing them. Every bloody time I ride off on my bike I have to stop, open the damn pannier and check I've not left my keys by the stand. You see someone half-way down New Fetter Lane digging through his Ortlieb, that's me. The patio door to my office has been unlocked for about two weeks. Oops.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 04 October, 2014, 03:38:21 pm
Lady on today's round: I deliver the mail. That's all I do, nothing else. When you collar me about a letter you posted on Tuesday that hasn't been delivered yet, what do you want me to do, eh? I tell you, politely, that it's nothing I can help with, but give you a card with a number on to call, which is about all I can constructively do. Don't thereafter try and give me details of your woes, as there is bugger all I can do. I know you wanted someone to moan at, but it wasn't going to be me on a rainy Saturday morning. Kthxbai.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 05 October, 2014, 06:56:29 am
Why the fucking fuck of fuckhamptonshire has my subwoofer suddenly started making an unpleasant farting noise ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 05 October, 2014, 09:57:40 am
Quote from: Polar Bear on 02 October, 2014, 03:23:23 pm
I'm quite anal about locking things.

You don't want to put a key there.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 05 October, 2014, 07:47:49 pm
Sunday night is bath night. I follow the quaint English tradition of being cleaner than the French and ensuring I bathe at least once each week (I reserve the right to shower in between, there's only so much you can hide with a can of Lynx Old Corpse).

Or I would if the boiler wasn't making a continuous whoosh-whoosh-whoosh noise that seems to be doing nothing to warm the water and instead sounds like it's making long, slow love to a small locomotive. Leastways the big blue light is gone and the display flashes random numbers. Five degrees. 10. 21. 14. 11. At least there was enough hot water in the tank for a shower. There is an electrical immersion heater backup but it's an ancient bakelite switch that looks like something Dr Frankenstein would flip. I don't want to spend the rest of my evening trying to turf a monster out of the house so I'm not touching it. Bloody thing isn't even giving me a cryptic fault code that I can cross-reference with the manual before saying something suitably sage like 'it's seems to me that it's the tertiary thermistor in the backup heat exchange stack' and make like I know something about this kind of shit, which of course I don't. Thing could run on magic as far as I know. I hate boilers. I swear their normal function is to be broken.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 05 October, 2014, 08:35:07 pm
Been away for the weekend and the bloody wallpaper is all rippling and mouldy again. No idea if that's because there's still a leak (bloody better not be after having the slater at it already this month) or just because it didn't dry out properly the last time and it's been chilly all weekend. Tokens, I haz them  >:(  >:(  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 05 October, 2014, 10:25:12 pm
My Twitterfeed informs me that Oxford Street in That Lahndan is closed between Oxford Circus and Tottenham Court Road while they install Christmas lights.
It's still the first week of October FFS!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 05 October, 2014, 10:38:30 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 05 October, 2014, 10:25:12 pm
My Twitterfeed informs me that Oxford Street in That Lahndan is closed between Oxford Circus and Tottenham Court Road while they install Christmas lights.
It's still the first week of October FFS!

Yeah, they're a month late!   :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 05 October, 2014, 10:57:09 pm
They're certainly lagging behind Harrods and Selfridges but lights before half-term is too early!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 05 October, 2014, 11:17:12 pm
My right wrist is knackered.  It's been tweaking since I took a wrong turn in France last month, & rather than turn back I lifted my fully loaded bike over a metre high railing.   I've got a neoprene wrist brace somewhere, but can I find it ?   >:( 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 06 October, 2014, 12:32:31 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 05 October, 2014, 10:57:09 pm
They're certainly lagging behind Harrods and Selfridges but lights before half-term Advent is too early!

FTFY...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 06 October, 2014, 08:00:28 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 05 October, 2014, 08:35:07 pm
Been away for the weekend and the bloody wallpaper is all rippling and mouldy again. No idea if that's because there's still a leak (bloody better not be after having the slater at it already this month) or just because it didn't dry out properly the last time and it's been chilly all weekend. Tokens, I haz them  >:(  >:(  >:(

Been pishing with rain all day today and the wallpaper is trying to peel itself off. Guess it's defo a leak then >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 06 October, 2014, 08:02:54 pm
My tourer is developing a liking for chain suck changing between the big and middle ring. The ring is looking slightly worn, so I decided to replace it - except the spare ring I bought last year is of course the wrong size.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 06 October, 2014, 09:05:25 pm
I'm sure I got custody of some of the tyre levers.  Can I find a single one, anywhere?

Can I shite.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 07 October, 2014, 11:22:06 am
I haven't got enough clothes on for an unheated open plan office.
I'm generally all in favour of extra jumpers and open windows rather than more heating and air conditioning, but that doesn't help if they're not here.
(The windows are here, letting out the heat from the radiators immediately below them, it's the extra jumpers I'm missing).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 08 October, 2014, 01:42:29 pm
Just spent the last five minutes extracting small fragments of tooth from a piece of chewing gum. Looks like it's off to the dentists for me :(

Extra moan,  dentist's reception shuts for lunch between 1pm and 2pm apparently according to the recorded message. Would be nice if you put that on the website.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 08 October, 2014, 02:11:44 pm
I need new winter gloves. Not full-on arctic gloves, I have those, but something for the 5c down to zero, with rain, days.

Aldi have some. Cheap, at £5. Only, the biggest size, large, is too small for me (I don't have big hands).

I call in Evans at lunchtime. My life, their gloves are expensive. *start* at £24. Almost none of them have any reinforcing on the thumb web - where drop bar riders press down. Apart from £40-£50 gloves.

I try on some cheapish Castelli ones - only XXL is big enough for me!

FFS, what do people do who actually have big hands?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 08 October, 2014, 03:25:31 pm
Ask Giraffe OTP! I seldom see him in gloves.
His hands are BIG
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 08 October, 2014, 03:35:56 pm
Wet.

I was ruthlessly mugged by a passing branch of Waterstones at lunchtime; consequently I got caught ina downpour of awesome downpouriness on the way home.  The drain at the bottom of the hill looked like that scary photo of a scary reservoir plug'ole that someone (Rogerzilla?) posted in here a while back and my denim jacket has absorbed so much water that it is having to hang from the shower curtain rail, probably until next summer.

Natch it did not stop the genny at the building site over the road chiz (it runs 07:30-17:30 and makes my front door vibrate with its Taos Hum-like, er, humming) and, equally inevitably, by the time I was indoors and divested of dripping everything, the sun was out.

Bah!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 08 October, 2014, 05:43:02 pm
I have worn a hole through the Liberty's Tana Lawn skirt I made for myself a long time ago.
I rather like the 'Strawberry Thief' print.  :( :'( >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: HTFB on 08 October, 2014, 05:44:20 pm
The local vampires have come to an unlikely deal with the Mormons. Possibly the Mormon sort of holy water doesn't count.

Conversely, though, the Mormons are convinced that the vampires' usual offering to their victims of hot-and-wet is unholy water, and forbid it within the walls of their temple. They will permit orange or lemon squash and, as an agnostic compromise, the hot chocolate that clumps pointlessly at the bottom of a scalding paper cup. This is almost but not quite entirely unlike what I'm after.

I only go for the tea and biscuits afterwards, and despite brewing up as soon as I got back it's just not the same. Like Arthur Dent, I'm in a state of having simultaneously tea and no tea.


Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 08 October, 2014, 06:20:32 pm
Schrödinger's Teapot?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 08 October, 2014, 07:17:19 pm
Google, bloody well hurry up and release your new tablet, this one is too heavy and Twitter is bloody well b0rked >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 08 October, 2014, 07:29:05 pm
Dear ex client,

Why are you surprised that I have said 'no thanks' when you keep cancelling at the very last minute and do not understand why I put in an invoice for my inconvenience and loss of opportunity to trade?   It clearly states in our Agreement which I insisted on going through with you clause by clause that payment will be required for cancellations made on the day?

I would rather not have you as a client than consider taking you to court for breach of contract.

Bye.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 08 October, 2014, 11:05:23 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 08 October, 2014, 01:42:29 pm
Just spent the last five minutes extracting small fragments of tooth from a piece of chewing gum. Looks like it's off to the dentists for me :(

Extra moan,  dentist's reception shuts for lunch between 1pm and 2pm apparently according to the recorded message. Would be nice if you put that on the website.

I am all too familiar with all of this mcshroom.  It must be contagious.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 08 October, 2014, 11:10:38 pm
Quote from: Ruthie on 08 October, 2014, 11:05:23 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 08 October, 2014, 01:42:29 pm
Just spent the last five minutes extracting small fragments of tooth from a piece of chewing gum. Looks like it's off to the dentists for me :(

Extra moan,  dentist's reception shuts for lunch between 1pm and 2pm apparently according to the recorded message. Would be nice if you put that on the website.

I am all too familiar with all of this mcshroom.  It must be contagious.

Me three.

I do however have the nicest (or at least least busy) NHS dentist in the country, who seems quite happy to bodge them back into working order the same day.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 08 October, 2014, 11:11:32 pm
I've spent the best part of a grand on my teeth in the last year  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 08 October, 2014, 11:18:16 pm
Quote from: Kim on 08 October, 2014, 11:10:38 pm
Quote from: Ruthie on 08 October, 2014, 11:05:23 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 08 October, 2014, 01:42:29 pm
Just spent the last five minutes extracting small fragments of tooth from a piece of chewing gum. Looks like it's off to the dentists for me :(

Extra moan,  dentist's reception shuts for lunch between 1pm and 2pm apparently according to the recorded message. Would be nice if you put that on the website.

I am all too familiar with all of this mcshroom.  It must be contagious.

Me three.

I do however have the nicest (or at least least busy) NHS dentist in the country, who seems quite happy to bodge them back into working order the same day.
Not quite the same day but not bad. I'm in at 10:10 tomorrow.

Quote from: Ruthie on 08 October, 2014, 11:11:32 pm
I've spent the best part of a grand on my teeth in the last year  :(
Ouch!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 08 October, 2014, 11:18:40 pm
Quote from: Ruthie on 08 October, 2014, 11:11:32 pm
I've spent the best part of a grand on my teeth in the last year  :(

:(

I'm sure I'll get my share of dental trouble sooner or later.  Possibly sooner, as I've had two broken teeth in as many months, after a decade of problem-free failing-to-see-a-dentist.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 09 October, 2014, 11:08:15 am
Over an hour on hold along with repeatedly trying the web site, and no ISIHAC tickets.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 09 October, 2014, 11:50:58 am
Quote from: mcshroom on 08 October, 2014, 11:18:16 pm
Quote from: Kim on 08 October, 2014, 11:10:38 pm
Quote from: Ruthie on 08 October, 2014, 11:05:23 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 08 October, 2014, 01:42:29 pm
Just spent the last five minutes extracting small fragments of tooth from a piece of chewing gum. Looks like it's off to the dentists for me :(

Extra moan,  dentist's reception shuts for lunch between 1pm and 2pm apparently according to the recorded message. Would be nice if you put that on the website.

I am all too familiar with all of this mcshroom.  It must be contagious.

Me three.

I do however have the nicest (or at least least busy) NHS dentist in the country, who seems quite happy to bodge them back into working order the same day.
Not quite the same day but not bad. I'm in at 10:10 tomorrow.

And sorted. I'm now £50 lighter but at least the tooth was fillable.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 09 October, 2014, 12:42:43 pm
Gah!  For the whole of the driest September "ever", the rain radar at http://www.raintoday.co.uk/ worked perfectly.  Now, when it is really important to judge those "between the showers" opportunities, the site is not accessable.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 09 October, 2014, 01:21:03 pm
Quote from: Basil on 09 October, 2014, 12:42:43 pm
Gah!  For the whole of the driest September "ever", the rain radar at http://www.raintoday.co.uk/ worked perfectly.  Now, when it is really important to judge those "between the showers" opportunities, the site is not accessable.  :facepalm:
Not as pretty as Raintoday, but Meteox is pretty a useful backup rain radar - http://www.meteox.co.uk
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 09 October, 2014, 01:48:37 pm
I got my current project to a point where I could take the afternoon off and now we have heavy showers every half-hour or so. I hate cleaning bikes so...


Not really grumbling, though: we had a heap of spare ribs left over from yesterday.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 09 October, 2014, 02:40:04 pm
Strike "showers" & "every half-hour...", subst. "solid bloody rain".
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 09 October, 2014, 02:45:37 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 09 October, 2014, 01:21:03 pm
Not as pretty as Raintoday, but Meteox is pretty a useful backup rain radar - http://www.meteox.co.uk

Ta

According to which, if I want to cycle home in the dry, I’d best stay here until tomorrow.
Bugger.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 09 October, 2014, 06:41:00 pm
https://twitter.com/Bwcabus/status/520235028522217472?s=09

Bloody hell.  It's a good job I'm still able to ride to Emlyn and back.  Might need to invest in electric assist when I get to be a proper old bugger, though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 09 October, 2014, 07:32:50 pm
Yes cut backs are hitting rural areas really hard.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 09 October, 2014, 07:41:36 pm
A parliamentary bus?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 10 October, 2014, 11:34:52 pm
Come on fingers! The brain said "go to the", you typed "fot hte". WTF  ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 11 October, 2014, 07:50:54 pm
SIGH...

Dear Mlle PB,

Because you do not borrow enough on your Cooperative credit card we are reducing your credit limit.   Not borrowing enough can have an adverse affect on your credit score.

Have a shite day.

Your uncaring, unsharing Coop.


I know, I know - it's been like this for ages but it just grates that being creditworthy is measured by how much you frivolously borrow and not by how much you have, or by how frugal you might be.   I thought that the wanking sector might have learned something from the prodigious world economic cockup that their policies of borrow and spend had caused.   But no...      ::-)

Slap the bishop mateys - or at least the methodist minister...

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 11 October, 2014, 08:15:32 pm
The Steaming Turd bank TM seems to have done similar the same with my overdraft, reduced from £450 to £50.  I don't much care, but it is the same focusing on those who borrow etc.

I try to remember to buy stuff on my credit card and pay it off so that there is constant credit score fodder.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 11 October, 2014, 08:28:41 pm
The credit limit on my CC is around forty times as much as I commonly owe them.
I can see little cause to go anywhere near my credit limit.
Credit limits seem ridiculous; either far too much or far too little.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 11 October, 2014, 08:48:45 pm
I always thought that the main purpose of a credit card was to have access to funds in an emergency.   I'd forgotten that seemingly most of the UK live by using theirs on a daily basis.   I cannot remember when I last used a credit card.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 11 October, 2014, 08:54:42 pm
Pay for everything by credit card and pay it off every month - gets you a good credit score and has the other benefit of the CC guarantee if you get fleeced / need insurance etc. The only thing we use our debit/current account card for is getting cash out.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 11 October, 2014, 09:08:01 pm
Dot a told and have had it for days now. Real snotty, sneezy, sore throat, grumpy, bunged up man flu.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 11 October, 2014, 09:28:14 pm
Many still do not and cannot afford to pay the bill In full every month yet somehow become more creditworthy than those who resist the urge to splurge.   Barking.

IIRC, only individual items costing £100 or more qualify for the cc guarantee.   
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 11 October, 2014, 09:54:29 pm
Must admit I tend to use charge card nowadays unless purchasing using pay pal which I have linked to a credit card.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 11 October, 2014, 09:57:24 pm
I use a credit card as an abstraction layer for online and high-value purposes, paying it off within a month.  That seems to keep them happy.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 11 October, 2014, 10:16:17 pm
Not necessarily just under £100
http://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/problem/can-i-claim-on-my-credit-card-when-something-goes-wrong
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 12 October, 2014, 10:09:39 am
Bought three different sizes of grub screw, just to be sure.

All of them are too small.

Bah.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 12 October, 2014, 10:25:47 am
Quote from: Kim on 11 October, 2014, 09:57:24 pm
I use a credit card as an abstraction layer for online and high-value purposes, paying it off within a month.  That seems to keep them happy.

Me too.
I have whole bill direct debit so I never carry any debt over.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Woofage on 13 October, 2014, 08:06:40 am
A well-known range of hair care products used to package the shampoo inna bottle with a black lid and the conditioner in one with a white lid. Now they both have the same colour lid. I am sure that the probability of picking up the conditioner instead of the shampoo is greater than 50% ???.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Si_Co on 13 October, 2014, 12:24:30 pm
What a crap morning
Couldn't find keys - found in dog walking trousers
Couldn't find shoes - found on patio
Commute - just shit, headwind, dark, lots of low level muppetry
Shower - some tw@t's nicked my shower gel when I had Friday off.
Work - yeah Friday off, gotta pay for that.

Grrrrrrrrrrr
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 14 October, 2014, 07:35:55 am
Dear Petrol Station

Please kindly be getting a better selection of anniversary cards for our: “oh dear it’s that day again” 6am purchasing needs.

And while you are at it, call those flowers!

Sigh, needs must I suppose. *

Regards


Ian


* Actually, I went out shopping on both Saturday and Sunday and forgot to get her card. Its going to cost at lunchtime when we go out for lunch!!! So, this is really a grumble at me for being so disorganised. Its not like I haven't had practice in buying her a card!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 16 October, 2014, 02:42:55 pm
AA call centre drone: I know it's a shit job and you have scripts and targets and all that, but I made it patently obvious I wasn't going to renew early on, yet still you persisted. To accuse me of being rude was a little strong, I was abrupt maybe, but you need to learn when you're onto a loser, mate.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 16 October, 2014, 10:13:38 pm
No, FaceAche, a pub on Eltham High Street is not "nearby" - it's 13km away, as the cyclist rides, including a river crossing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 17 October, 2014, 11:05:09 am
Bloody "Local Policing Team"

Three weeks ago I emailed to tell them I'd found an MTB (*not* a BSO) in my garden.

Wait a week. Go to Yorkshire for a week. wait another week. Nope. Nothing. No response at all

Emailed 'em again this morning. No response yet.

At this rate I'm going to have a nice shiny few-years-old-but-well-looked-after MTB for xmuss.



Ringing 101 doesn't work and I ain't tying up the 999 operators with a non-emergency.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Marco Stefano on 17 October, 2014, 01:39:35 pm
On Amoxil for lurgy. Tired & fed up not cycling or sculling, but being just well enough to work. Hope I feel better by Sunday as I wanted to go and see a BHPC race meeting in Hillingdon.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: PhilO on 17 October, 2014, 01:53:22 pm
Guy,

Doesn't really address your grumble, but you could post a 'Has anybody lost a bike in [area]?' thread on singletrackworld. I'd guess the chances of finding the owner are quite high...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 17 October, 2014, 02:13:14 pm
Not heard of that one.

I've advertised on a couple of forums* and had p;enty of hits but no replies

Not having a difference engine at home, I'll give the plod an extra weekend to respond** and then advertise more widely on t'interwebz when they haven't by Monday

*not this one - I couldn't see anywhere to put it

**They've got my phone numbers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: PhilO on 17 October, 2014, 04:06:02 pm
Quote from: Guy on 17 October, 2014, 02:13:14 pm
Not heard of that one.

previous success story (http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/stolen-jones-spaceframe-truss-fork)

Admittedly a much more distinctive bike (I assume!), but it shows that it can work...  :thumbsup:

 :thumbsup: For your honesty and perseverance, too!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: arabella on 17 October, 2014, 06:59:31 pm
Quote from: Guy on 17 October, 2014, 11:05:09 am
<snip>

Ringing 101 doesn't work and I ain't tying up the 999 operators with a non-emergency.

Local police station should also have a normal number for non emergency, probably in the phone book or whatever (or look up as $MyTown Police station.  Works every time for me when contacting them about non-emergency muppetism.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 20 October, 2014, 08:48:10 am
Local coppers number seems to be permanently engaged*, unless it's after 5 on a Saturday afternoon - then it just rings out.


*I've not spent all day every day trying to ring 'em, but 11 times in the first week and 6 more last week.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 20 October, 2014, 10:50:28 am
I've just remembered where I've seen it before.

This means a special trip out in the dark and the cold to a pub I don't visit very often in the hope the person I'm thinking of is there. If it's not his he'll know who it does belong to.

Local Police Team - your communication skills are this: ZERO. ::-)

Yep. Still no response, but that might not matter now.

Oh. And, Biggleswade coppers. What do you do when you open up in the morning? Take the phone off the hook and leave it like that 'til knocking-off time?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 20 October, 2014, 06:56:55 pm
Not beyond the bounds of possibility that it's only staffed for odd hours on odd days what with all the cut-backs.  Worth checking teh intertubes to see when/if it is open?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 20 October, 2014, 07:37:26 pm
Someone has tried to follow, or befriend, or buddy-up, or be my acest pal or something on flickr.  I have discovered the someone to be a creepy oddball of the foot fetishist kind ???  It must have been this photo:

(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3884/15025039545_e8f3f0e763_o.jpg)

wot caused it.  Piss off, weirdo :o
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SteveC on 20 October, 2014, 08:06:06 pm
Had something similar once. I was taking photos of some morris dancers, one of whom lost a shoe during the dance (and kept on dancing). The image got 'favourited' by some one with a fairly weird set of pictures on their account (many including feet).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 21 October, 2014, 12:49:37 am
I hope none of said morris dancers were blacked up.  Bad karma!  Just ask The Lizard King David Cameron.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 21 October, 2014, 08:51:38 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 20 October, 2014, 07:37:26 pm
Someone has tried to follow, or befriend, or buddy-up, or be my acest pal or something on flickr.  I have discovered the someone to be a creepy oddball of the foot fetishist kind ???  It must have been this photo:

(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3884/15025039545_e8f3f0e763_o.jpg)

wot caused it.  Piss off, weirdo :o
yeah, sorry bout that. :-[
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 21 October, 2014, 11:49:42 am
Note to self: you have been back from Abroad, where ther FOREIGNS come from, for well over three weeks.  You do not need to operate on Mountain Time any more.  You are Homo sapiens sapiens (so good they named it twice), not a fucking aye-aye, and therefore not nocturnal.

Bah!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 21 October, 2014, 08:27:25 pm
Ah, British Gas, when you're not sending me the wrong bill because you evidently think cubic feet is an artistic movement and not a bizarre imperial measure, you're smashing my brand new driveway wall with your clumsy driving. Now, apparently, the driver claims he didn't, but he 'hit a rock'. There are no rocks at the bottom of my driveway. It's not a fucking beach or the surface of Mars. Oh, but he didn't damage the van, she says. Well, that's nice, but it's not your van I'm worried about, it's the £200+ quid to rebuild, render, and paint the damn wall you knocked over.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Moultonaught on 22 October, 2014, 09:51:15 am
Chiltern Railways have very kindly provided a track pump built into the bike racks at my local station.

Unplanned use of the cross bike - as the commuter bike was out of action. Having deflated the cross bike's tyres for some genteel off roading, I thought I should pump them up for the, albeit brief, on-road commute.  Oh the joy of watching the track pump handle rise skyward as it tried, fairly successfully, to suck all the air out of my rear tyre, until i engage my brain and disconnected the pump.  I'm sure that's not meant to happen! :facepalm:

A mile ride home on a very squidgy rear tyre keeping my weight as forward as possible and avoiding potholes.

The only reason that this is a grumble and not a rant is that it would seem churlish to rant, when at least they'd tried, by actually providing a track pump.  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SteveC on 22 October, 2014, 11:26:38 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 21 October, 2014, 12:49:37 am
I hope none of said morris dancers were blacked up.  Bad karma!  Just ask The Lizard King David Cameron.
You have looked at my avatar, haven't you?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 22 October, 2014, 01:17:00 pm
I love the Border Morris! 

Cameron should've just refused to have his photo taken, can he not think for himself what would be made of it?  What a div.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 22 October, 2014, 03:50:14 pm
Just had a phone call from a nice lady Sergeant. She's coming to pick the bike up on Friday* arternoon. If not claimed in 28 days I can have it back. :thumbsup:

Man down pub said it's not been nicked from round his way that he knows of.




*That's four bloody weeks since I first reported it ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 25 October, 2014, 11:02:23 am
Big National chain of furniture and DIY products, If you send me nice text messages when I order saying you will text me my delivery time the evening before delivery, wouldn't it be a good idea to actually do so?

I'm now stuck waiting to see if the courier actually turns up today instead of being able to plan your delivery window into the rest of my day and be able to do other stuffs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: PeteB99 on 25 October, 2014, 11:18:36 am
Quote from: Guy on 22 October, 2014, 03:50:14 pm
Just had a phone call from a nice lady Sergeant. She's coming to pick the bike up on Friday* arternoon. If not claimed in 28 days I can have it back. :thumbsup:

Man down pub said it's not been nicked from round his way that he knows of.




*That's four bloody weeks since I first reported it ::-)

You need to move to Cheshire

https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=31801.msg1756766#msg1756766 (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=31801.msg1756766#msg1756766)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 26 October, 2014, 09:22:03 am
Fall back: checked or adjusted 15 devices so far, still got a few to go.  Dogs clamouring at door for their 11 o'clock pee promenade. What price daylight saving versus a cracking bladder?

Simpson & Galton had it right: Lady Don't Fall Backwards.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 26 October, 2014, 08:27:46 pm
And the rockets' red glare,
The bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night
That our flag was still there; it's the period between Diwali and Bonfire Night.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wowbagger on 26 October, 2014, 08:31:54 pm
When I first started teaching I summed up the autumn term as "Conkers - Fireworks - Christmas".

The first two have receded in the past 40 years.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 26 October, 2014, 10:42:48 pm
Melted my shifter hood by leaning the bike against the radiator.

 :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 27 October, 2014, 08:35:14 pm
Dear cold germs,  please to be buggering off.  Or, if you insist on staying , please move from my ear canals to somewhere the clag can more easily drip/be expelled from.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 27 October, 2014, 08:54:03 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 27 October, 2014, 08:35:14 pm
Dear cold germs,  please to be buggering off.  Or, if you insist on staying , please move from my ear canals to somewhere the clag can more easily drip/be expelled from.

And kindly do the same for David, who reminds me every ten minutes when he can't sleep...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 27 October, 2014, 09:13:07 pm
Mine appear to have migrated from my middle ears to my lungs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Moultonaught on 30 October, 2014, 08:34:05 am
The bloke espousing this world view in an irritatingly loud voice behind me in the train carriage

I'm only getting key words but so far it's

In the last 20 mins we've had:
Smoking in pubs
Having a drink after work
Benefits
Credit
Divine right of kings
French revolution
Suffragettes
When I was young....

.... Save me....


Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 30 October, 2014, 08:36:11 am
That's a wide spread of issues.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 30 October, 2014, 11:40:38 am
Long lack of use has turned the strap of my head torch into a non-stretchy thing.  It is an annoyance to have the damn' thing slip over one's eyes when making the seventh attempt to put Tab A into Slot B while lying on the floor groping at arms' length and repeatedly tolchocking one's gulliver on the shelf supporting the Anbaric Distascope.

Bah!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 30 October, 2014, 11:55:05 am
Quote from: Ruthie on 26 October, 2014, 10:42:48 pm
Melted my shifter hood by leaning the bike against the radiator.

 :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm:

How hot are your radiators???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 30 October, 2014, 12:57:08 pm
I've just worked out why my train delay compensation has gone down recently.

They've changed the calculation for season tickets, so if you have an annual ticket they assume that on average you go to work 5.5 days a week1 for 52 weeks a year. That's clearly not the calculation they use when they sell them, or no-one would buy them, but would also be completely illegal & against the WTD. I can't believe there's even one person that uses their ticket 572 times in a year2 on a long distance service, let alone it being any kind of average.



1. i.e. you go M-F every week and a weekend day once a fortnight
2. ok, maybe some lonely train buff enjoying the ride.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 30 October, 2014, 02:02:22 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 30 October, 2014, 11:40:38 am
Long lack of use has turned the strap of my head torch into a non-stretchy thing.  It is an annoyance to have the damn' thing slip over one's eyes when making the seventh attempt to put Tab A into Slot B while lying on the floor groping at arms' length and repeatedly tolchocking one's gulliver on the shelf supporting the Anbaric Distascope.

Bah!

We can thank the latex-allergic for that. Old elastics were made of rubber, which lasted much longer than new-fangled Lycra. Rubber does perish eventually but Lycra degrades more quickly.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 30 October, 2014, 11:32:02 pm
Why are bicycles banned from the P&O Liverpool-Dublin Ferry? It would be by far the most convenient way for me to get there for a tour.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 31 October, 2014, 10:58:40 am
Quote from: mcshroom on 30 October, 2014, 11:32:02 pm
Why are bicycles banned from the P&O Liverpool-Dublin Ferry? It would be by far the most convenient way for me to get there for a tour.

I guess because they want to limit the number of "leisure" passengers - these are updated freight ferries, taking cars as freight traffic falls. They don't allow foot passengers either, so I guess "cyclists" are considered an extension to that. You could always fly Ryanair.....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 31 October, 2014, 11:20:19 am
If I'm touring it will be the Holyhead-Dublin option. You can book through rail tickets from Whitehaven to Dublin for £36 I discovered. It would just be nicer to go via Liverpool rather than training it all the way to Holyhead (including changing at Crewe).

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 31 October, 2014, 11:31:54 am
I did realise Holyhead was an option for the ferry (Irish Ferries I guess, no more fast cat services?) but it's a right trek to get there  :-\
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 31 October, 2014, 12:10:11 pm
No idea which ferries it is (Takes 3h25). I get the same option using 'Dublin Ferryport' or 'Dublin Port Stena' in nationalrail so it sould be either. Overall if I go it will be over 11 hours travelling.

Another grumble is that though there's Railsail fares for Belfast on Nationalrail, but there don't seem to be the same options for Larne. I'm thinking about riding up the coast from Dublin to Larne next March, having not been to Ireland since I was a toddler.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Si_Co on 31 October, 2014, 01:14:09 pm
Can you not do Heysham - Douglas , Douglas - Dublin? A bit closer to you is it not?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: PaulF on 31 October, 2014, 01:58:34 pm
THERE was a Christmas tree up in the pub yesterday. I'd stop going there except that they give us free chips to have with our post ride beers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 31 October, 2014, 02:03:48 pm
Dear The Cat,
Which side of the litter tray would you like me to hack down to vv short, the short side or the long side?
And will you stop widdling on the floor when I've done it?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 31 October, 2014, 02:05:30 pm
Is this to simplify the sitting-in-the-litter-tray-and-pooing-over-the-side process?

Cats.   ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 31 October, 2014, 02:16:24 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 31 October, 2014, 12:10:11 pm
No idea which ferries it is (Takes 3h25). I get the same option using 'Dublin Ferryport' or 'Dublin Port Stena' in nationalrail so it sould be either. Overall if I go it will be over 11 hours travelling.

Another grumble is that though there's Railsail fares for Belfast on Nationalrail, but there don't seem to be the same options for Larne. I'm thinking about riding up the coast from Dublin to Larne next March, having not been to Ireland since I was a toddler.

I think it's Cairnryan to Belfast now, rather than Larne to Stranraer (or that may be the same place as always, I never used that route). Oops no, Stena is Belfast, P&O is still Larne - best check if they take bikes on that route!

Cheap air travel has taken it's toll. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Deano on 31 October, 2014, 03:33:40 pm
Quote from: Si S on 31 October, 2014, 01:14:09 pm
Can you not do Heysham - Douglas , Douglas - Dublin? A bit closer to you is it not?

That's how I'd do it. Adds a bit of time, mind.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 31 October, 2014, 03:54:39 pm
Quote from: Kim on 31 October, 2014, 02:05:30 pm
Is this to simplify the sitting-in-the-litter-tray-and-pooing-over-the-side process?

Cats.   ::-)
If he actually gets in it I will cope with poo over the side given it's on a big washable mat... we shall see.

I went for both sides in the end
https://flic.kr/p/oWfMg7
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 31 October, 2014, 04:14:19 pm
Associated grumble. Why is it so bloody difficult posting pictures from Flickr to here using a tablet? Grr.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Deano on 01 November, 2014, 12:23:20 pm
Hey PayPal, your new website is utter shite.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Marco Stefano on 01 November, 2014, 03:09:18 pm
Fellow rowing club member, after knocking my Pompino over and seeing me come out to pick it up, the correct response involves the word 'sorry', not just 'oh, is that your bike?'.  >:(

Clumsy and rude - great combo.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 01 November, 2014, 03:13:39 pm
Can someone explain why £13.57 and then £18.57 is not enough credit to buy a £1 EE PAYG data pack?
I am hard of thinking!
EE is a pile of poo.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 01 November, 2014, 04:48:58 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 01 November, 2014, 03:13:39 pm
Can someone explain why £13.57 and then £18.57 is not enough credit to buy a £1 EE PAYG data pack?

Either there's some subtle reason that you aren't allowed to buy a data pack (maybe your previous one has to timeout first or something?), or something's b0rked at their end.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 01 November, 2014, 04:57:26 pm
Quote from: Kim on 01 November, 2014, 04:48:58 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 01 November, 2014, 03:13:39 pm
Can someone explain why £13.57 and then £18.57 is not enough credit to buy a £1 EE PAYG data pack?

Either there's some subtle reason that you aren't allowed to buy a data pack (maybe your previous one has to timeout first or something?), or something's b0rked at their end.

It was on Auto refresh or whatever they call it. The last pack timed out last night so should have been repurchased at midnight but there was 'not enough credit'.
I've now bought separate data and talk & text add-ons for £1 each, which are much more than I need.
I think I'll unbuy the other packs so it doesn't renew when it finds out £16.57 >£1.
It is borked but ICnBA to phone their Custard Services.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 02 November, 2014, 10:54:46 am
I need to go to the shops.  Either that or subsist on cat fud.  It is pissing down.  Mr Sunshine has taken his Hat of Æxcellent to Lanzarote.

Bah!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Zipperhead on 02 November, 2014, 12:52:57 pm
Got a few potatos? You could have a cottage kitty kat pie.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 02 November, 2014, 01:27:42 pm
I haz cheez.  But it's stopped raining, so as soon as I've finished plundering this quarter of Mr Sunshine's CD collection I can walk to Sainsbury's with a clear conscience.  And a dry person.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 02 November, 2014, 04:52:17 pm
Gawd. I had forgotten that shops in the UK open on Sundays now. In Alsace they don't.

Own grumble: came home a couple of hours ago from beautiful ride in great weather and developed a stinking sore throat since.  Bugger.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 04 November, 2014, 08:32:37 am
Which gremlin stuffed my face full of snot overnight? Smells bad too which isn't a good sign. Can't repressurise my ears and feel like someone's punched me in the face.  Great! *breaks out all the drugs* I don't think I've had 3 days in a row since September without some kind of snotulance.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Diver300 on 04 November, 2014, 08:54:44 am
I've been on my way to work for a hour and twenty minutes. I don't know how badly the bus is going to get delayed in traffic as we get near to work.

I got fed up with the hour drive to work, sometimes nearly 2 hours with the traffic, and my wife decided that none of the houses withing 20 miles of work would do, so we moved and knocked 15 minutes off the commute.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 04 November, 2014, 11:41:12 am
Mollycat!  If you want to go out - a state of affairs indicated by sitting by the back door - then go out when I open the sodding thing.  Do not instead skulk under the sideboard with a air of injured innocence writ large upon your furry face.

I know you're still sulking about last night's dinner incident, but just CatTFU, willya?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 04 November, 2014, 01:20:48 pm
Cat finally deigned to go out.  Cat is out for ages.  Mr Larrington goes out for fag.  Plaintive cat noises.  Fool cat on top of six foot fence.  Cat can negotiate ladder leading to Miss von Brandenburg's office (which is steep enough for self to request El Capitan levels of Protection when using same; how the hell did she get that potted krynoid (http://img4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20101204193640/tardis/images/f/f8/Seedsofdoom_Krynoid_ravaging_house.jpg) up there?) but cannot get idiotic carcass off fence.  Cat returned to terra firma, runs into house, goes into kitchen to have staring match with washing machine.  Loses.

Also, I've run out of biscuits and cannot find anywhere in Crystal Palace to sell me fewer than fifty blank CDs :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 04 November, 2014, 03:48:38 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 04 November, 2014, 01:20:48 pm
Also, I've run out of biscuits and cannot find anywhere in Crystal Palace to sell me fewer than fifty blank CDs :(

Poundland? Sainsbury's? Should address both cravings.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 04 November, 2014, 04:07:51 pm
Quote from: jsabine on 04 November, 2014, 03:48:38 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 04 November, 2014, 01:20:48 pm
Also, I've run out of biscuits and cannot find anywhere in Crystal Palace to sell me fewer than fifty blank CDs :(

Poundland? Sainsbury's? Should address both cravings.

No "genuine" Poundland and neither facsimile thereof had any blank CDs at all.  Sainsbury's only had packs of fifty.

I now have enough blank CDs to re-tile the roof of Larrington Towers on my return.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 04 November, 2014, 04:33:54 pm
Blank CDs. Single button Mac mices. Seriously Larrers, are you like the ghost of the internet past here to warn us what will happen if we continue to wallow in our insalubrious downloading practices?

I'm sure I have a huge spindle of recordable CDs. There was a plan once. Buggered if I can remember what it was. I think I was going to glue them onto a dinosaur. The shiny disco tyrannosaurs. It's got the moves, provided it doesn't try to punch the sky. It would have looked so cool. CDs are like saurian sequins. Let the Natural History museum short that shit out.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 05 November, 2014, 12:22:47 am
Blank CDs are the simplest way to acquire a backup copy of Stuffs downloaded from the iTunes store in m4p format onto Someone Else's Macintrash.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: IanN on 05 November, 2014, 07:18:59 pm
Is this a good place to say how much I hate bl**dy fireworks?   Surround sound explosions as i sit here. It's like flippin' ... (insert your warzone simile of choice)

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 05 November, 2014, 07:36:34 pm
Quote from: IanN on 05 November, 2014, 07:18:59 pm
Is this a good place to say how much I hate bl**dy fireworks?   Surround sound explosions as i sit here. It's like flippin' ... (insert your warzone simile of choice)

I HATE FIREWORKS TOO!

My David has been complaining about them since he was a young man IMO.

Here in Bangers-R-Us Brent, we 'enjoy' Eid, Diwali and Guido Fawkes in a continuous succession of nocturnal detonations.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 05 November, 2014, 07:43:50 pm
Miaow! says the Mollycat, it is dinner time.  Today she is coiling round my legs while I prepare same.  Put cat fud in usual place.  Turning up of small triangular nose.  Miaow! says the Mollycat again.

No.  Fuck off.  Your dinner is there.  Eat it or starve.  Your choice.

Also, self: do not watch crap 11-9 conspiracy documentaries.  You know full well they just make you angry.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 05 November, 2014, 09:06:44 pm
(http://teresainfortworth.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/cat-fud.jpg)

Remind me again why I volunteered for this gig?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CrinklyLion on 05 November, 2014, 09:14:47 pm
Is it because you are Terribly Nice?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 05 November, 2014, 11:49:29 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 05 November, 2014, 07:36:34 pm
Quote from: IanN on 05 November, 2014, 07:18:59 pm
Is this a good place to say how much I hate bl**dy fireworks?   Surround sound explosions as i sit here. It's like flippin' ... (insert your warzone simile of choice)

I HATE FIREWORKS TOO!

My David has been complaining about them since he was a young man IMO.

Here in Bangers-R-Us Brent, we 'enjoy' Eid, Diwali and Guido Fawkes in a continuous succession of nocturnal detonations.

May I be the small contrary voice that says I actually quite enjoy the things? Still go oooh and aaah like a kid at a proper organised display, and enjoy cycling round town at night at this time of year, with random rockets in every direction.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 05 November, 2014, 11:50:54 pm
I like the pretty ones.  Could do without the bangs, especially the ones that aren't accompanied by an impressive air-burst of stars.  The screeches can fuck right off.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Dibdib on 05 November, 2014, 11:57:30 pm
Quote from: Kim on 05 November, 2014, 11:50:54 pm
I like the pretty ones.  Could do without the bangs, especially the ones that aren't accompanied by an impressive air-burst of stars.  The screeches can fuck right off.

I completely agree, and I think that good firework displays can be amazing (I went to one at Alton Towers as a yoof and it was epic) but I hate having crap ones forced on me when I'm trying to sleep/eat/etc. Personally I'd be in favour of them being restricted to licenced professional displays only, rather than being sold to just anyone.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 06 November, 2014, 07:31:50 am
Quote from: Dibdib on 05 November, 2014, 11:57:30 pm
Quote from: Kim on 05 November, 2014, 11:50:54 pm
I like the pretty ones.  Could do without the bangs, especially the ones that aren't accompanied by an impressive air-burst of stars.  The screeches can fuck right off.

I completely agree, and I think that good firework displays can be amazing (I went to one at Alton Towers as a yoof and it was epic) but I hate having crap ones forced on me when I'm trying to sleep/eat/etc. Personally I'd be in favour of them being restricted to licenced professional displays only, rather than being sold to just anyone.

I am in full agreement here, except my experience of a display of wwesome was NYE 2009, Sydney Harbour.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 06 November, 2014, 07:54:46 am
I love fireworks and restricting them to licensed professional displays only is dull and boring.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wowbagger on 06 November, 2014, 08:11:30 am
We have woken up in Maidstone to an evocatively frosty November 6th. Only there are no rocket carcases all over the pavements. On don't led Saturn Cinqs d'antan? I blame Margaret Thatcher.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 06 November, 2014, 08:42:39 am
Quote from: Wowbagger on 06 November, 2014, 08:11:30 am
We have woken up in Maidstone to an evocatively frosty November 6th. Only there are no rocket carcases all over the pavements. On don't led Saturn Cinqs d'antan? I blame Margaret Thatcher.

I blame autocorrect myself.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 06 November, 2014, 08:52:29 am
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 06 November, 2014, 07:54:46 am
I love fireworks and restricting them to licensed professional displays only is dull and boring.
+ several.

And this is despite the cat, who is not as HARDCORE as she thinks she is, coming home with what appears to be engine oil all over her fur, presumably from hiding under cars. If you don't like them, pusscat, stay home and watch the provided FOC in-house entertainment.

(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 06 November, 2014, 09:19:51 am
The Mollycat is about as hardcore as supermarket own-brand Sliced White, but occasionally deigned to open one eye when the banging was at its loudest.

Though she did make a half-hearted attempt to bite me during a cat-tickling/loud bang juxtaposition.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 06 November, 2014, 09:48:51 am
I had a dog that used to go insane during fireworks. Best thing you could do for him was lock him in a dark (indestructible) box. When I had trouble caring for him (complicated story), a nice couple asked if they could have him - they wanted a black and tan. I warned them about him and fireworks; some months later they wrote and said they hadn't listened - they'd locked him in the kitchen and gone out to a fireworks display. Came back to find the kitchen wrecked. He'd ripped cupboard doors off their hinges in his distress and made a good attempt at eating through the kitchen door.

The current family pet (a cat) couldn't give a fig for them. Totally ignores them.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 06 November, 2014, 10:03:52 am
I enjoyed what I saw and heard last night. Used to hate Diwali in blr though, cos of all the smoke.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 06 November, 2014, 10:27:16 am
I stayed at home last night to make sure Pete was ok with the fireworks, instead of going to pilates . He snored through them.  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 06 November, 2014, 10:34:19 am
Local rag got to place a gopro in the middle of the council organised display. Very nice viewpoint.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wowbagger on 06 November, 2014, 11:53:23 am
Quote from: jsabine on 06 November, 2014, 08:42:39 am
Quote from: Wowbagger on 06 November, 2014, 08:11:30 am
We have woken up in Maidstone to an evocatively frosty November 6th. Only there are no rocket carcases all over the pavements. On don't led Saturn Cinqs d'antan? I blame Margaret Thatcher.

I blame autocorrect myself.
But she was autoincorrect.

Says he, typing on a mobile phone and a not very big one at that.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 06 November, 2014, 11:55:34 am
If you run a slightly posher than usual meeting, wash up your fucking crockery you nobbers.  I can tell it was a poshy nobby meeting cos it was the posh nobby tea-set we have in the kitchen rather than a collection of mugs left scattered everywhere (dirty).  I don't understand why people use this and then don't wash it up. Build 'washing up' into the clear down. Although half the people here won't clear up a meeting room after use either.

No wonder our kitchen looks like a student fucking house cos people like you dump all the crockery from a meeting in there with the idea that some magic fairies will wash them up. Once one person leaves something it seems to set up a cycle of everyone dumping their washing up and running off and then the sink ends up too full and no one CAN wash up in under 10 mins cos they've got to pick through all the fucking skank.

Your meeting. YOU wash the crockery, or make sure someone else does it. 

Still beats the nobber who poured oil into the washing up bowl of dirty left dishes so everything was covered in oily slime.  It's that nasty groupthink thing where no one cares cos it's just 'shared' so the untidy fuckers outnumber those of us who do a bit extra to keep the place reasonably clean.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 06 November, 2014, 12:18:47 pm
Oi, (Sort of) colleague!
Most people move away from their desks to make or receive personal call.
Never, ever put me in the situation again where I have to overhear a phone conversation that includes the phrase “wuv ‘oo”
 :sick:  :sick:  :sick:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 06 November, 2014, 12:56:00 pm
Quote from: barakta on 06 November, 2014, 11:55:34 am
If you run a slightly posher than usual meeting, wash up your fucking crockery you nobbers.  I can tell it was a poshy nobby meeting cos it was the posh nobby tea-set we have in the kitchen rather than a collection of mugs left scattered everywhere (dirty).  I don't understand why people use this and then don't wash it up. Build 'washing up' into the clear down. Although half the people here won't clear up a meeting room after use either.

No wonder our kitchen looks like a student fucking house cos people like you dump all the crockery from a meeting in there with the idea that some magic fairies will wash them up. Once one person leaves something it seems to set up a cycle of everyone dumping their washing up and running off and then the sink ends up too full and no one CAN wash up in under 10 mins cos they've got to pick through all the fucking skank.

Your meeting. YOU wash the crockery, or make sure someone else does it. 

Still beats the nobber who poured oil into the washing up bowl of dirty left dishes so everything was covered in oily slime.  It's that nasty groupthink thing where no one cares cos it's just 'shared' so the untidy fuckers outnumber those of us who do a bit extra to keep the place reasonably clean.

Big notice over the sink/ counter etc.

"Any dirty crockery/ cutlery will be thrown in the bin"
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: IanN on 06 November, 2014, 12:56:42 pm
Quote from: Kim on 05 November, 2014, 11:50:54 pm
I like the pretty ones.  Could do without the bangs, especially the ones that aren't accompanied by an impressive air-burst of stars.  The screeches can fuck right off.

OK...    I'll downgrade my grumpy status to agree with this!  :)

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 06 November, 2014, 02:16:58 pm
Quote from: fuzzy retd. on 06 November, 2014, 12:56:00 pm
Big notice over the sink/ counter etc.

"Any dirty crockery/ cutlery will be thrown in the bin"

There is one and like in student houses no one reads it, even when it becomes passive aggressive note wars. 

But this is 'service crockery' so people wouldn't care till they needed and then there would be DWAMA.  I once saw an admin freaking out and wasting 30 mins trying to find who had hidden the posh saucers in their offices (they make good plates). 

We won't have a kitchen next year so this is all moot really. They think they can deprive us of a kettle and caffeine... I'm not quite sure what they expect us to do? Pay for Costa crap at £££ a go?  I'll probably be buying a travel kettle and fridge for my office at this rate if I even have an office and they don't decide 10 of us can fit in office space for 5 or hotdesk us (4 out of 6 of us have assistive tech and ergo specific set ups).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 06 November, 2014, 05:04:17 pm
EE won't deal with a simple problem without me having to phone them - as if I can stand the mental torture of call centres and the premium rates.  T-Mobile (before being completely taken over by EE) fixed the same problem in the past via Twitter direct message - a bizarre but painless route.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 06 November, 2014, 06:49:56 pm
I know the roof of my house is fragile but I did not appreciate the rocket attack knocking tiles from my abode one November.
Still Grumpy
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 06 November, 2014, 08:50:10 pm
No, not the fireworks, I rather like them, but ...
Last week the tumble drier died. Controller had gone. New one plus fitting was pretty close to price of a new one so it was declared scrap. Just over three years old, I blame planned obsolecence.
Two days later the catch on the washing machine door went. That was fixable.
Today, boiler has died. No lights. Fuse is OK. Look inside, there's charring on the board around one of the connectors (not even a component). We've got a gas fire, kettle and electric shower so will call fixing person in the morning and avoid lunatic fees. I'm mildly disappointed that nothing tripped with whatever died. It went after I left this morning (other people were at home, it being 6th November), so wouldn't have involved anything unusual happening as it went.
Sigh.
More expense that we could do without a month after Mrs Dan changed to a part time job.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 06 November, 2014, 10:49:18 pm
Just looked at the weather forecast to decide what gear to get out for tomorrow's commute. Now wondering wondering if I own a wetsuit :(

We went from a dry, calm, warm July, August and September this year to a sodden wet and windy October and November. Have a guess which month I finally made it back onto the bike after my crash ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Butterfly on 06 November, 2014, 11:13:23 pm
Quote from: Dibdib on 05 November, 2014, 11:57:30 pm
Personally I'd be in favour of them being restricted to licenced professional displays only, rather than being sold to just anyone.

I agree with that Dibdib, although the worst case of them going wrong I ever saw was a public display in Sandown one summer when the whole lot went up. You've never seen several hundred people move so fast on a beach! It was scary.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 07 November, 2014, 10:40:45 am
Wife brought home a new nailbrush for the kitchen. It was in a sealed plastic capsule inside a cardboard wraparound inside a plastic box with sharp edges and corners. Took about 5 minutes to extract at peril of slitting skin under fingernails.

Then she says "Oh, I got another one for the bathroom". Shit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: RJ on 07 November, 2014, 11:17:35 pm
Quote from: fboab on 06 November, 2014, 08:52:29 am
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 06 November, 2014, 07:54:46 am
I love fireworks and restricting them to licensed professional displays only is dull and boring.
+ several.

And this is despite the cat, who is not as HARDCORE as she thinks she is, coming home with what appears to be engine oil all over her fur, presumably from hiding under cars. If you don't like them, pusscat, stay home and watch the provided FOC in-house entertainment.

(click to show/hide)

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5599/15547580779_45b6959d0a_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/pFTq6z)Graffiti 3 (https://flic.kr/p/pFTq6z) by rjevans6 (https://www.flickr.com/people/7194134@N06/), on Flickr
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 09 November, 2014, 08:31:35 pm
Mollycat!  Quit being a dildo and leave my hair alone!  Also, your dinner is over there ^^^^ >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 10 November, 2014, 08:03:50 pm
Got the film times wrong & am 30 minutes early!
Dammit! I may have to purchase a refreshing beverage to help pass the time!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Chris S on 11 November, 2014, 01:20:40 pm
Yes, you may have a very shiny red BMW with personalised plates, and yes - you do indeed have a blue badge.

However.

I could be wrong, but I think you're supposed to park in the designated Disabled bays in the market place, not drive your car right into the pedestrian zone and abandon it outside the bank, thereby blocking everything.

Harumph  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 11 November, 2014, 09:31:52 pm
Rebuild of the Mercian proceeds apace, aided by the arrival of a box from  Bridgewater.  But what's this? The poxy right hand shifter has decided to die. Bah. Previously postponed change to 10 speed here we come.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 11 November, 2014, 11:04:17 pm
Dear lady, that was Hackney, not the Highlands, and thus singularly devoid of scenic grandeur.  Also it was dark.  And raining.  So there was no need to wave your arms around like an epileptic windmill while riding up the Kingsland Road.  Are you turning right?  Are you turning left?  Are you about to lift off for Neptune?  Are you about to poke your companion's eye out?

Just stop it, mkay?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 12 November, 2014, 01:17:14 pm
I've finally accepted that my office PC needs a complete rebuild :-(
This means downloading everything across our office LAN.
It's slower than me going uphill after a decent pub lunch!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 12 November, 2014, 02:21:36 pm
Just killed my phone. Direct fall face down after fumbling it falling out of my pocket and the screen is cracked and dead :(

Now to check whether a new screen is worth it for an S2, or whether it's upgrade time.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hulver on 12 November, 2014, 02:44:45 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 12 November, 2014, 02:21:36 pm
Just killed my phone. Direct fall face down after fumbling it falling out of my pocket and the screen is cracked and dead :(

Now to check whether a new screen is worth it for an S2, or whether it's upgrade time.

Whole screen or just the glass? Coincidentally I was just looking on ebay earlier and saw glass replacement kits (with tools, glue etc) for about £10.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 12 November, 2014, 03:49:50 pm
Bad luck, mcs!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 12 November, 2014, 04:00:32 pm
Quote from: hulver on 12 November, 2014, 02:44:45 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 12 November, 2014, 02:21:36 pm
Just killed my phone. Direct fall face down after fumbling it falling out of my pocket and the screen is cracked and dead :(

Now to check whether a new screen is worth it for an S2, or whether it's upgrade time.

Whole screen or just the glass? Coincidentally I was just looking on ebay earlier and saw glass replacement kits (with tools, glue etc) for about £10.

Nnot sure. The screen is black behind the broken glass which suggests the whole screen has gone, however I'm getting tactile response from it if I touch the screen, but no visuals at all :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 12 November, 2014, 04:00:54 pm
I have the same problem and I have noticed for the two paperweights I have. I can spend between £9-16 for glass and tools on fleabay. But getting the glass of the digitizer/lcd don't look to be easiest thing to do. Heat gun, taking your time because you don't want to break the glass any more, thin and sharp and also makes it harder to get off the digitizer/lcd along with the chance of breaking the digitizer. So I'm looking to buy a new phone, because glass and digitizer/lcd for the paperweights is between £45-65. Anywhoooo that is my 2 cents.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 13 November, 2014, 08:55:05 pm
My feet hurt.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 13 November, 2014, 10:12:36 pm
Not a recurrence of the summer I hope
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 14 November, 2014, 09:32:56 am
The constant noise of torrential rain banging on our corrogated cardb tin roof is giving me a headache :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 14 November, 2014, 01:40:21 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 13 November, 2014, 10:12:36 pm
Not a recurrence of the summer I hope

I hope that too.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wowbagger on 14 November, 2014, 02:29:55 pm
What was the problem with your feet in the summer, Ruthie?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 14 November, 2014, 03:34:47 pm
Nothing that can't be managed with drugs and strong drink. Or drink and strong drugs. Too much weight on feet that aren't designed for it probly  :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 14 November, 2014, 11:12:06 pm
The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Hall is in the middle of a much needed refresh.     For some reason they have decided that Bright Scarlet is a suitable colour for the gents (I didn't check the ladies!).  However they still haven't fixed the doors on the cubicals.  They open inwards, and the cubicals are so small you've got to wiggle around the door to open or close them. 

It's inconvenient enough for an athletic chap like myself,  but I'm at the younger end of their customers age range   If anyone was to collapse or pass out in there it would be very difficult to open the door & get to them.  :(

The loos in the foyer are much better,  unisex cubicals with lots of room & sinks.  No coathooks though. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 18 November, 2014, 07:17:55 pm
These days most beers and lagers seem to have their own specific branded glasses. (Must be a nightmare for the staff - it weren't like that when I worked the bars as a youngster)
Anyway, my usual response to the oft proffered apology of "Sorry, I haven't got a proper glass." is
"I really don't care.  You can give it to me in a chipped enamel mug for all I care"

Tonight.  Young barman was just  ???
"What's an enamel mug?"
I explain.
Him  ???  Still fails to understand.

Bugger!  I need a new response.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 18 November, 2014, 07:28:03 pm
How about 'bucket'?  Just make sure they top it up. ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 18 November, 2014, 07:37:48 pm
"Unless you've started selling gallon buckets" is my stock response to "A pint?"
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 19 November, 2014, 08:18:44 am
My stock response is " If it holds a pint and doesn't leak, I couldn't care less what it looks like".

Which begs the question, why do some people get upset if their pint is served in the "wrong" glass? If you ordered a pint of Doom Bar and it comes in a glass with London Pride on it, does it make the beer taste different or summat ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 19 November, 2014, 09:02:33 am
It's perhaps more important with the varieties of Belgian and German beer glasses, though a lot of that is pretension.

I don't give a stuff if my drink is served in a glass with the 'wrong' logo on, but I'd much rather not have a logo at all.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 19 November, 2014, 09:11:50 am
Ditto, but I would object if my beer was served in a glass that was for a Fullers product.  I've had a severe downer on Fullers since they bought our local brewery and closed it down, thus causing redundancies in the major employer in the poky townlet in question.  Then selling "Horndean special bitter", made in London with London-ish water, is just plain lying.  I'd been drinking that stuff since before I was legally able to, but I stopped the day they closed the brewery.  We did buy the last known case of Prize Old ale, though  ;D ;D (Yes, I know they still sell stuff called Prize Old Ale, but its not real...)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 19 November, 2014, 09:15:49 am
gigsandtours.com

Your site blows goats!

You set up a pre-sale, for a stadium tour of one of the largest selling rock bands around at the moment.

It starts at 09:00 today

By 09:00:01 the site is down!

GAH!

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 19 November, 2014, 11:02:32 am
Quote from: Guy on 19 November, 2014, 08:18:44 am
My stock response is " If it holds a pint and doesn't leak, I couldn't care less what it looks like".

Which begs the question, why do some people get upset if their pint is served in the "wrong" glass? If you ordered a pint of Doom Bar and it comes in a glass with London Pride on it, does it make the beer taste different or summat ???

I reckon the publicans are wary of brewery spies who would give them stick for getting it wrong.

Back in my beer-drinking days I liked the old barrel glasses with a handle, but some people used to kick up shit to get it in a straight glass. "It tastes better". ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 19 November, 2014, 11:03:18 am
Damn. Came in here to grumble about something else and now I've forgotten what.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 19 November, 2014, 12:26:24 pm
Which idiot left his Cinnarazine at home?

I really can't be arsed wobbling to the chemist and lying to get them to give me travel sickeness pills, must be cinnarazine, honest I want them for travel sickeness not vestibular problems guv ('cause if I say they are for vestibular problems they are not allowed to give them to me without prescription, what a load of bollocks).

Guess I better shift myself and go to chemist.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 19 November, 2014, 06:32:10 pm
There are mice in our flat. :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: PeteB99 on 20 November, 2014, 11:02:45 am
Quote from: Guy on 19 November, 2014, 08:18:44 am
My stock response is " If it holds a pint and doesn't leak, I couldn't care less what it looks like".

Which begs the question, why do some people get upset if their pint is served in the "wrong" glass? If you ordered a pint of Doom Bar and it comes in a glass with London Pride on it, does it make the beer taste different or summat ???

About 15 years ago Wife and I go into a pub in Nth Wales. Pint and a half of bitter please I say. Barman pours the pint into a dimpled mug and then picks up some stupid tulip shaped thing for the half.

"Excuse me but can I have the half in a mug as well please?"

"I'm sorry sir, we don't serve ladies beer in mugs"

"The half's for me"

 ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 21 November, 2014, 08:43:35 am
My favourite brown suede boots are approaching the point of no return.  They need resoling & the colour is starting to fade. :-(
I ordered some leather dye to try & revive them but have just noticed some stitching is going as well...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 22 November, 2014, 11:41:55 am
When you have finished reading your book in the bath and place it atop the bog for safekeeping while you wash your hair, it is a good idea to ensure that the lid is closed first :(

For sale: The Fire Witness ~ "Lars Kepler". Paperback, 600pp, only slightly damp. £1 or exchange for clean F430 Spyder.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 22 November, 2014, 12:07:29 pm
Quote from: T42 on 19 November, 2014, 11:02:32 am
Quote from: Guy on 19 November, 2014, 08:18:44 am
My stock response is " If it holds a pint and doesn't leak, I couldn't care less what it looks like".

Which begs the question, why do some people get upset if their pint is served in the "wrong" glass? If you ordered a pint of Doom Bar and it comes in a glass with London Pride on it, does it make the beer taste different or summat ???

Other than branding, some of the glasses are designed to affect the beer, for example narrowing at the top to increase the depth of the head, or scratches in the glass to ensure a steady stream of bubbles. I don't think one of those sorts of glasses would do any favours to a proper beer.


Quote
I reckon the publicans are wary of brewery spies who would give them stick for getting it wrong.

Back in my beer-drinking days I liked the old barrel glasses with a handle, but some people used to kick up shit to get it in a straight glass. "It tastes better". ???

Personally I prefer bitter in a "handle" and lager in a "glass", but that's probably just to do with the thickness of glass at the lip. However, it is a provable fact that things do taste different depending on what they're served in - there are repeatable experiments showing that hot chocolate tastes sweeter in one colour mug and more intense flavour in another.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 22 November, 2014, 05:26:54 pm
Dear people who make those those metal strips for Disciplining carpets in doorways!

Plz to not be making ur fixing screws out of Delice de Bourgogne.

kthxbai
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 22 November, 2014, 06:14:44 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 22 November, 2014, 05:26:54 pm
Dear people who make those those metal strips for Disciplining carpets in doorways!

Plz to not be making ur fixing screws out of Delice de Bourgogne.

kthxbai

While we're on that subject . . .

Do not use drywall screws to affix said metal strippage to caberboard or similar. They exhibit a brittleness which surpasses all that is brittle even when made of brittle peanut brittle. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 23 November, 2014, 11:35:06 am
Bad cat. Again. Her latest attempt at flight resulted in a nice tendon-deep gash on her back leg (the blood everywhere is another grumble). Now she's supposed to wear a collar to stop her picking at the stitches. That's not working out. Her attempts to remove said collar have included:


Anyway, she's going to kill herself so I took it off (according the German locum vet we saw yesterday that 'was very unauthorised') so now I'm supposed to sit around and supervise her otherwise I expect a knock on the door from the very stern teutonic vet. And no, cat, you're not going outside (the rain, at least, is conspiring to dissuade her). Also those collars. Seriously, the fastening, did anyone involved in the design of such thing contemplate that threading an awkward strip of plastic through several slots while holding a wriggly creature that is 90% bitey scratchy is a bit difficult? Surely some kind of stud fastening would have been a million times easier.

Also, in no particular order, I'm having to drink black coffee because my antibiotics are the 'no milk' ones and I don't like black coffee. I'd put in some almond milk but hey, it's full of calcium too. Three fucking weeks of dodging dairy twice a day. It's probably marginally better than fighting off the navigationally-challenged abdominal narwhal and the evil testicle imp and his pointy stick of pain.

In-laws, you wish to attend a concert in London on Tuesday night. Come and stay Tuesday night. Why do you need to arrive Monday morning (because you 'don't want to drive and go out on the same day')? You were here a week ago. Oh and wife, don't do the old 'well, I'll tell them not to come if you...' because you're as annoyed as I am.

Other cat. It's raining. I know. It's not something I can control so stop looking at me like it's my fault you won't go outside.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 23 November, 2014, 01:15:07 pm
My vet does internal stitches cats can't pick at. Tell your vet to do better sewing lessons.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 23 November, 2014, 01:29:18 pm
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 23 November, 2014, 01:15:07 pm
My vet does internal stitches cats can't pick at. Tell your vet to do better sewing lessons.

<Visions of Blue Peter sewing instructions: "And then turn it right sides out again">
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 23 November, 2014, 01:35:52 pm
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 23 November, 2014, 01:15:07 pm
My vet does internal stitches cats can't pick at. Tell your vet to do better sewing lessons.

Because reasons. Something to do with exposed tendons and the size and unruly nature of the wound. She had to debride the edges and stuff and then pinch it all up. £300's worth of gruesome. Apparently had it gone deeper and through the tendon we'd likely have a tripod cat. And an unlucky cat paw keyfob.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 23 November, 2014, 01:42:46 pm
Dear lady, I have not an inkling of where 11 Compton Place is, because I am not your landlord.  So your leaking ceiling is of no interest to me.  If I was your landlord you'd know not to ring me up during the F1 championship decider.  And if you had half a brain you'd listen to the outgoing message on my answering machine before leaving a peevish message.  On it.

You are a doltard with the intellect of a pot of overcooked vermicelli.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 23 November, 2014, 03:11:53 pm
Quote from: ian on 23 November, 2014, 01:35:52 pm
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 23 November, 2014, 01:15:07 pm
My vet does internal stitches cats can't pick at. Tell your vet to do better sewing lessons.

Because reasons. Something to do with exposed tendons and the size and unruly nature of the wound. She had to debride the edges and stuff and then pinch it all up. £300's worth of gruesome. Apparently had it gone deeper and through the tendon we'd likely have a tripod cat. And an unlucky cat paw keyfob.
Poor kitty.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 23 November, 2014, 03:25:16 pm
Quote from: ian on 23 November, 2014, 11:35:06 am
Bad cat. Again. Her latest attempt at flight resulted in a nice tendon-deep gash on her back leg (the blood everywhere is another grumble). Now she's supposed to wear a collar to stop her picking at the stitches. That's not working out. Her attempts to remove said collar have included:

  • pushing head into collection of wires behind computer before yowling and pulling everything out
  • pushing head into collection of wires behind TV before yowling and pulling everything out
  • wedging head between chair back and dining table and then flinging her body off the side before yowling loudly for rescue
  • running backwards around and around the living room / bed room / bathroom / hallway dragging said collar along walls and floors while yowling
  • attempting to reverse downstairs in the hope that the steps will pull it free with predictable bump bump bump yowl results
  • generally knocking everything over, she clambered on a kitchen counter and went through everything like a feline snow plough. While yowling

Anyway, she's going to kill herself so I took it off (according the German locum vet we saw yesterday that 'was very unauthorised') so now I'm supposed to sit around and supervise her otherwise I expect a knock on the door from the very stern teutonic vet. And no, cat, you're not going outside (the rain, at least, is conspiring to dissuade her). Also those collars. Seriously, the fastening, did anyone involved in the design of such thing contemplate that threading an awkward strip of plastic through several slots while holding a wriggly creature that is 90% bitey scratchy is a bit difficult? Surely some kind of stud fastening would have been a million times easier.

Dogs are always howling
Cats are always yowling
But gibbons only like to sing and dance

You should get a gibbon.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 23 November, 2014, 04:37:21 pm
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 23 November, 2014, 03:11:53 pm
Quote from: ian on 23 November, 2014, 01:35:52 pm
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 23 November, 2014, 01:15:07 pm
My vet does internal stitches cats can't pick at. Tell your vet to do better sewing lessons.

Because reasons. Something to do with exposed tendons and the size and unruly nature of the wound. She had to debride the edges and stuff and then pinch it all up. £300's worth of gruesome. Apparently had it gone deeper and through the tendon we'd likely have a tripod cat. And an unlucky cat paw keyfob.
Poor kitty.

She's doesn't seem bothered other than having to go to the vets and (briefly) wear the collar of shame (I'm going to have nightmares with Teuton-vet yelling 'this is most unauthorised!' at me). Both cats regularly injure themselves in their hairbrained schemes (the other one once managed to nearly disembowel herself). I think this one an attempt to leap from the balcony down onto a tree stump in next door's garden like she was some kind of flying squirrel. She's probably building a glider in the attic as I write this.

On the subject of gibbons, our cats' mortal enemy is the GGMFC (that's the Giant Grey Monkey Faced Cat) which does look suspiciously like a baboon. I liked it better when all we had to contend with in the garden were the bears.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Gattopardo on 23 November, 2014, 05:20:34 pm
Quote from: clarion on 19 November, 2014, 09:02:33 am
It's perhaps more important with the varieties of Belgian and German beer glasses, though a lot of that is pretension.

I don't give a stuff if my drink is served in a glass with the 'wrong' logo on, but I'd much rather not have a logo at all.

Certain beers have a prestige prize and I have taken that price to include the vessel it comes in, especially if it is interesting.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Gattopardo on 23 November, 2014, 05:31:23 pm
Quote from: ian on 23 November, 2014, 11:35:06 am
Bad cat. Again. Her latest attempt at flight resulted in a nice tendon-deep gash on her back leg (the blood everywhere is another grumble). Now she's supposed to wear a collar to stop her picking at the stitches. That's not working out. Her attempts to remove said collar have included:

  • pushing head into collection of wires behind computer before yowling and pulling everything out
  • pushing head into collection of wires behind TV before yowling and pulling everything out
  • wedging head between chair back and dining table and then flinging her body off the side before yowling loudly for rescue
  • running backwards around and around the living room / bed room / bathroom / hallway dragging said collar along walls and floors while yowling
  • attempting to reverse downstairs in the hope that the steps will pull it free with predictable bump bump bump yowl results
  • generally knocking everything over, she clambered on a kitchen counter and went through everything like a feline snow plough. While yowling

Anyway, she's going to kill herself so I took it off (according the German locum vet we saw yesterday that 'was very unauthorised') so now I'm supposed to sit around and supervise her otherwise I expect a knock on the door from the very stern teutonic vet. And no, cat, you're not going outside (the rain, at least, is conspiring to dissuade her). Also those collars. Seriously, the fastening, did anyone involved in the design of such thing contemplate that threading an awkward strip of plastic through several slots while holding a wriggly creature that is 90% bitey scratchy is a bit difficult? Surely some kind of stud fastening would have been a million times easier.


Other cat. It's raining. I know. It's not something I can control so stop looking at me like it's my fault you won't go outside.

Cat one sounds quite funny, and get its logic.  If your near London I will quite happily cat annoy.

And cat two is right, as a servant how dare you not control the weather cat has cat stuff to do....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 23 November, 2014, 05:42:03 pm
Bloody hell.  The gannets on that David Attenborough thing have just been reunited with much beak-bashing and cuddling.  Add a bit of background music and that's me all sniffly.

"Their lifelong bond will help them face the last chapter of life together".

Lucky bastard gannets.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 24 November, 2014, 02:00:58 pm
OK, Homebase, riddle me this.

A ready-made ten metre TV aerial cable costs a tenner (or at least it would if you had any in stock).  So how much do you want for ten metres of co-ax?

Thirteen quid ???

B&Q, by the way, will sell you twenty-five metres of co-ax for as near as makes no odds the same price.  Homebase, Nectar points notwithstanding, can therefore go and take a flying wossname at a brick wall.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Paul on 25 November, 2014, 08:45:53 pm
Look, I know that none of us owns the bike rack we have, for the sake of convenience, left our best lock on: I myself have sometimes put my bike on a rack with someone else's lock on it when the one I usually use is occupied.

But you have been locking yours in the space next to mine for a good six months, right through the summer when the bike shed was snided. So why, suddenly, have you started to use the rack I normally use, where my lock hangs, despite the fact that (because it's gone a bit cold the bikes have thinned out) the parking pickings are now better, and the space you've been using happily for the last 6 months is completely free?

If the plan was to mess with my head then you've succeeded.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: arabella on 26 November, 2014, 06:39:33 pm
Isn't leaving a lok on  bike rack similar to leaving a towel on a sun lounger?  :P
Meanwhile, younger guy, why to you need such an enormous suitcase when you are only away for 1 week.  The sort tht is too big to strap to the back of the bike.  What's that, it's embarrassing turning up at school with your mum.  Oh, I see, and the case is actually half empty. Well, you could have taken the smaller case by yourself, no?
Why is neighbour's child's mum acceptable and your own isn't????  :'(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 27 November, 2014, 08:54:43 am
I should have gone to Sandhurst. Then I would have been taught correct Kitchen procedure:

!. make tea in usual fashion
2. chuck used teaspoon on worktop
c. take biscuit (note. DO NOT REPLACE LID ON TIN)
iv. walk off leaving open milk bottle on worktop and fridge door wide open

I was first one in this morning and that's what I found in the kitchen (and not for the first time either)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 27 November, 2014, 09:21:13 am
Quote from: Guy on 27 November, 2014, 08:54:43 am
I should have gone to Sandhurst. Then I would have been taught correct Kitchen procedure:

!. make tea in usual fashion
2. chuck used teaspoon on worktop
c. take biscuit (note. DO NOT REPLACE LID ON TIN)
iv. walk off leaving open milk bottle on worktop and fridge door wide open

I was first one in this morning and that's what I found in the kitchen (and not for the first time either)

I can verify your findings, Mrs T's cousin has recently passed out of Sandhurst and they are his tea making SOPs, providing he can't find a lacky to make tea for him, that is!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 27 November, 2014, 10:04:07 am
Yeah.  Don't think my Uncle (seriously senior officer (retd)) has any idea how tea is made.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 27 November, 2014, 11:16:18 am
For balance inna-BBC-stylee Lt. Col. Larrington (retd.) has a good handle on the whole tea and biscuits thing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 27 November, 2014, 01:00:54 pm
Would he like the MOD to pay him £550+ per day to be RMAS Beverage Consultant?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 27 November, 2014, 01:51:20 pm
My (bolted back together) arm is hurting again, and a bit swollen. No idea what I've done to it. Starting to get rather irritated by it now :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 27 November, 2014, 02:03:53 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 27 November, 2014, 01:51:20 pm
My (bolted back together) arm is hurting again, and a bit swollen. No idea what I've done to it. Starting to get rather irritated by it now :(

You have had a broken bone in what is now Cold Weather.
Welcome to winter!

Get medical advice if arm gets significantly red, tender or leaks.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 27 November, 2014, 02:48:44 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 27 November, 2014, 02:03:53 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 27 November, 2014, 01:51:20 pm
My (bolted back together) arm is hurting again, and a bit swollen. No idea what I've done to it. Starting to get rather irritated by it now :(

You have had a broken bone in what is now Cold Weather.
Welcome to winter!

Get medical advice if arm gets significantly red, tender or leaks.

It's doing none one of those.

What I can't understand is that it isn't any colder/wetter or windier than it has been for the last week or so up here, so why has it chosen to start complaining now?

(I don't expect an answer, this is just a grumble)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 27 November, 2014, 03:21:16 pm
Ah, you will now be able to predict the weather like us old duffers.

Previously injured joints and bones will respond to pressure changes; allowing you to predict that the weather is about to change due to a new front coming through.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 27 November, 2014, 03:48:23 pm
I went grovelling around in the loft on Monday, fer crissakes, and my thighs still feel like they did the morning after the Surrey Hills ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 27 November, 2014, 04:22:56 pm
Quote from: Ruthie on 23 November, 2014, 05:42:03 pm
Bloody hell.  The gannets on that David Attenborough thing have just been reunited with much beak-bashing and cuddling.  Add a bit of background music and that's me all sniffly.

"Their lifelong bond will help them face the last chapter of life together".

Lucky bastard gannets.

Hugs.... (know what you mean....)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 27 November, 2014, 09:02:56 pm
Hip - chunter chunter grr.

Triggered by traipsing around the arse end of Birmingham between Dental Hospital and Snow Hell stations (all of 10 mins walk) as that's the least painful way of getting taxi back to the office. Last time we waited 40 mins for a nonexistant taxi and ended up traipsing anyway - can't believe they don't have a fucking taxi rank signposted from Dental and Children's hospitals!  I couldn't find the staff to direct me cos they've swipelocked all the academic corridors and have no "hello attention!" buzzers.

Thankfully it was me torturing dentists not the other way round Bwahahaha!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 27 November, 2014, 10:44:35 pm
Quote from: Wombat on 27 November, 2014, 04:22:56 pm
Quote from: Ruthie on 23 November, 2014, 05:42:03 pm
Bloody hell.  The gannets on that David Attenborough thing have just been reunited with much beak-bashing and cuddling.  Add a bit of background music and that's me all sniffly.

"Their lifelong bond will help them face the last chapter of life together".

Lucky bastard gannets.

Hugs.... (know what you mean....)

Hugs are good  :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wobbly John on 27 November, 2014, 10:57:12 pm
Grrrrrrr. I'm having to take time off work and sit/lie on a couch doing nothing.  >:(

I have so much to do, but something as little as lifting a bottle of milk from the fridge can leave me in pain for several minutes.   :(

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 28 November, 2014, 07:02:36 am
Pets at Home, if you're going to send me emails pimping your Black Friday sales, at least make sure your website is working.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 28 November, 2014, 12:56:40 pm
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 28 November, 2014, 07:02:36 am
Pets at Home, if you're going to send me emails pimping your Black Friday sales, at least make sure your website is working.
ALL Shops: If you're going to have 'Black Friday' sales, fuck off out of the UK!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 28 November, 2014, 01:07:57 pm
I'm open to 10% off cat litter when the chance arises. Unfortunately the payment page took so long to load I lost interest and did some work instead.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: trekker12 on 28 November, 2014, 02:51:44 pm
Quote from: clarion on 28 November, 2014, 12:56:40 pm
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 28 November, 2014, 07:02:36 am
Pets at Home, if you're going to send me emails pimping your Black Friday sales, at least make sure your website is working.
ALL Shops: If you're going to have 'Black Friday' sales, fuck off out of the UK!

And if you really can't seem to manage that - get some proper security staff rather than wasting taxpayers money and police time when a riot starts in your shop when people are grabbing all they can to sell on Ebay an hour later for slightly more than they paid in the shop and slightly less than the shop will offer it to me on Saturday
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 30 November, 2014, 02:27:54 pm
LG Anbaricks, if you are to put the manual for your The Product on a CD please make it readable in the small but perfectly-formed portable wossname that sometimes plugs into my lapdog.  Furthermore, it would be useful if you were to make a search on your webby SCIENCE for the actual model number actually written on the actual box and on the back of the actual The Product find the manual in question.

Also, it is an anbaric distascope.  I can tell because it has sockets on the back for aerial and SCART leads.  And a built-in AD tuner.  Why you choose to hide the manual under "Monitors" Bog alone knows.  Idiots.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Moultonaught on 30 November, 2014, 10:11:10 pm
Got home from dropping Miss Moltonaught the Junior off at a school play rehearsal to discover the nearside front brake caliper on the little red truck had seized on - cue red hot brake disc :o

Funny the car hadn't been pulling at all!

Not a rant because such events come with running an older car...  nic given that it passed the mot a few weeks ago with flying colours...

Still, I've found a pair of new good quality (Pagid) discs on eBay for £11! Just need to work out which of the 2 possible caliper designs it is and find some cheap good quality pads...

Ho Hum...

I think the truck realised we're about to sell it  :(    :facepalm: much as we love it - having a two seater isn't the most sensible car for family of 5! no matter ho good the bike carrying abilities....

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 01 December, 2014, 12:10:14 pm
Quote from: Moultonaught on 30 November, 2014, 10:11:10 pm
Got home from dropping Miss Moltonaught the Junior off at a school play rehearsal to discover the nearside front brake caliper on the little red truck had seized on - cue red hot brake disc :o

<SNIP>

Ho Hum...

I think the truck realised we're about to sell it  :(    :facepalm: much as we love it - having a two seater isn't the most sensible car for family of 5! no matter ho good the bike carrying abilities....

That makes you a prime candidate for a 'Honest I'm not gay! MitsiNissanYota Super Thunder Patrol Meister' pickup.

Or something . . .
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 01 December, 2014, 01:15:07 pm
Seriously? I seriously had to notify you of special dietary requirements if I wanted any of the lunchtime buffet sandwiches to be vegetarian? It's really that weird to eat cheese or egg? I can understand you might struggle with hummus or roasted veg or spicy bean pate, but not -meat not-fish shouldn't need a special request.

*flounces out to local cafe and pays a fiver for an unpleasant foccacia*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 01 December, 2014, 01:40:17 pm
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 01 December, 2014, 01:15:07 pm
Seriously? I seriously had to notify you of special dietary requirements if I wanted any of the lunchtime buffet sandwiches to be vegetarian? It's really that weird to eat cheese or egg? I can understand you might struggle with hummus or roasted veg or spicy bean pate, but not -meat not-fish shouldn't need a special request.

*flounces out to local cafe and pays a fiver for an unpleasant foccacia*

Welcome to Scotland :demon:

Now, why is a 33 page manual in PDF form half as big again as a 220 page one ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 01 December, 2014, 02:19:16 pm
Pictures and/or lots of different fonts, Mr L.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 01 December, 2014, 02:50:27 pm
The worst offender appears to be the one for the Pioneer squeaker system.  112 pages coz it's in nine languages and covers both the sub-woofer and the squeaker package.  18 Mb.  How hard can it be to separate into a one file per language wossname, dolts?

The text of Dr Larrington's latest book - single font, no illustrations - is 890 kb for 116 pages.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 01 December, 2014, 07:46:27 pm
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 01 December, 2014, 01:15:07 pm
Seriously? I seriously had to notify you of special dietary requirements if I wanted any of the lunchtime buffet sandwiches to be vegetarian? It's really that weird to eat cheese or egg? I can understand you might struggle with hummus or roasted veg or spicy bean pate, but not -meat not-fish shouldn't need a special request.

*flounces out to local cafe and pays a fiver for an unpleasant foccacia*
Pet peeve!

If you're catering for a bunch of NHS types, you can expect nearly 50% veggie.  A couple of scraggly cheese and onion on white bread isn't going to work. >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 01 December, 2014, 08:50:49 pm
Quote from: clarion on 01 December, 2014, 07:46:27 pm
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 01 December, 2014, 01:15:07 pm
Seriously? I seriously had to notify you of special dietary requirements if I wanted any of the lunchtime buffet sandwiches to be vegetarian? It's really that weird to eat cheese or egg? I can understand you might struggle with hummus or roasted veg or spicy bean pate, but not -meat not-fish shouldn't need a special request.

*flounces out to local cafe and pays a fiver for an unpleasant foccacia*
Pet peeve!

If you're catering for a bunch of NHS types, you can expect nearly 50% veggie.  A couple of scraggly cheese and onion on white bread isn't going to work. >:(

And if it's the QUILTBAGs....well, if they can't work that one out, they might as well organise the protest snog-in themselves.

See also: Geeks and the provision of real ale.


There seem to be a surprising number of people in the catering business who need to get out more.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 01 December, 2014, 09:00:35 pm
Vestibular system is being fail and I don't know why.  Middle ear seems OK. I'm no more tired than usual. Haven't eaten any of the usual pharmaceutical triggers.  *scowl*  I'd better not be getting vestibular effects off diclofenac now too  >:(  Fneh!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 01 December, 2014, 09:40:18 pm
Quote from: Kim on 01 December, 2014, 08:50:49 pm
Quote from: clarion on 01 December, 2014, 07:46:27 pm
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 01 December, 2014, 01:15:07 pm
Seriously? I seriously had to notify you of special dietary requirements if I wanted any of the lunchtime buffet sandwiches to be vegetarian? It's really that weird to eat cheese or egg? I can understand you might struggle with hummus or roasted veg or spicy bean pate, but not -meat not-fish shouldn't need a special request.

*flounces out to local cafe and pays a fiver for an unpleasant foccacia*
Pet peeve!

If you're catering for a bunch of NHS types, you can expect nearly 50% veggie.  A couple of scraggly cheese and onion on white bread isn't going to work. >:(

And if it's the QUILTBAGs....well, if they can't work that one out, they might as well organise the protest snog-in themselves.

See also: Geeks and the provision of real ale.


There seem to be a surprising number of people in the catering business who need to get out more.
I think the caterers just did what they were told by the company who organised the course.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 01 December, 2014, 10:04:02 pm
Quite.  My criticism is of whoever decided the catering, not who did it.

Mind you, a caterer with nous might have queried the proportions.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 01 December, 2014, 10:21:50 pm
Quote from: Kim on 01 December, 2014, 08:50:49 pm
Quote from: clarion on 01 December, 2014, 07:46:27 pm
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 01 December, 2014, 01:15:07 pm
Seriously? I seriously had to notify you of special dietary requirements if I wanted any of the lunchtime buffet sandwiches to be vegetarian? It's really that weird to eat cheese or egg? I can understand you might struggle with hummus or roasted veg or spicy bean pate, but not -meat not-fish shouldn't need a special request.

*flounces out to local cafe and pays a fiver for an unpleasant foccacia*
Pet peeve!

If you're catering for a bunch of NHS types, you can expect nearly 50% veggie.  A couple of scraggly cheese and onion on white bread isn't going to work. >:(

And if it's the QUILTBAGs....well, if they can't work that one out, they might as well organise the protest snog-in themselves.

See also: Geeks and the provision of real ale.


There seem to be a surprising number of people in the catering business who need to get out more.
Indeed. Though the example I remember, of a firm providing a meal for a few hundred admin, IT, advertising & publishing staff which offered an entirely carnivorous menu, & when told that was unacceptable, suggested a cheese salad as the only non-meat option, was a long time ago.


The menu miraculously became much more vegetarian-friendly when the customer, which was the company employing the diners, threatened to cancel, & ignore the 'pay n% if cancelling after x_date' clause on the grounds of the caterer failing to fulfil the contract. I missed it, but was told afterwards that the veggie options were rather good. So they could do it, but didn't want to bother.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 01 December, 2014, 10:46:03 pm
Quote from: Kim on 01 December, 2014, 08:50:49 pm
Quote from: clarion on 01 December, 2014, 07:46:27 pm
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 01 December, 2014, 01:15:07 pm
Seriously? I seriously had to notify you of special dietary requirements if I wanted any of the lunchtime buffet sandwiches to be vegetarian? It's really that weird to eat cheese or egg? I can understand you might struggle with hummus or roasted veg or spicy bean pate, but not -meat not-fish shouldn't need a special request.

*flounces out to local cafe and pays a fiver for an unpleasant foccacia*
Pet peeve!

If you're catering for a bunch of NHS types, you can expect nearly 50% veggie.  A couple of scraggly cheese and onion on white bread isn't going to work. >:(

And if it's the QUILTBAGs....well, if they can't work that one out, they might as well organise the protest snog-in themselves.

See also: Geeks and the provision of real ale.


There seem to be a surprising number of people in the catering business who need to get out more.

Are you calling me a geek?





Hold on, 'provision of real ale' :o What sort of meetings do you go to  ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 02 December, 2014, 09:34:10 am
I didn't manage the provision of my own lunch today. My stew was defrosted, zapped back to hot in the microwave, decanted carefully into the thermos... and left on the kitchen side :-[

I wondered why everything seemed to fit in my rack-bag so easily this morning :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 02 December, 2014, 10:31:15 am
I  just ate a tin of beans, straight out of the tin at work yesterday, to associated cat-calls.  Very nice, too.  You can always have it for tea M  :-* 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 02 December, 2014, 10:46:06 am
As an equal opportunity sandwich buyer for meetings the problem is that by trying to please everyone you seemingly please none of them. So at the end of the meeting you end up with comments forms scrawled with 'NoT eNoUGH MeAt!' (that's how carnivores write) or a three hundred word emails about the deep ism I've perpetrated by not including an appropriate level of baba ganoush (that's how vegans write). What is guaranteed is that there will be a pile of partly disemboweled and curling veggie sandwiches at the end. Always. Even at meetings where the lack of veggie options is decried, they'll still be there. As someone once said to me with a pained expression: 'I don't like cooked vegetables.' She turned her nose up at the crudité selection and settled for nibbling a cheese sandwich. Her last words as she left was that 'she was lactose intolerant' like somehow I was responsible for her next bowel movement. What do you bloody eat?

Yes, you say, ask about dietary requirements on the registration form. Good idea. Except they don't fill it in. 'Oh I just thought you'd have a wide selection of lactose-, gluten-free Kosher sandwiches and no, I'm I can't eat aubergine, how dare you.' I'll be honest, when I wade through the comments forms after meetings, it's always about the food, and rarely about the meeting. It's like these people just attend to eat. They must not have food at home, they just flit from event to event, like some ravening – if rather picky – hoard.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 02 December, 2014, 11:08:11 am
Taxable benefit sarnies, unless they are for training......don'tyaknow? Soon stops all this nonsense.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 02 December, 2014, 02:02:49 pm
Quote from: ian on 02 December, 2014, 10:46:06 am
As an equal opportunity sandwich buyer for meetings the problem is that by trying to please everyone you seemingly please none of them. So at the end of the meeting you end up with comments forms scrawled with 'NoT eNoUGH MeAt!' (that's how carnivores write) or a three hundred word emails about the deep ism I've perpetrated by not including an appropriate level of baba ganoush (that's how vegans write). What is guaranteed is that there will be a pile of partly disemboweled and curling veggie sandwiches at the end. Always. Even at meetings where the lack of veggie options is decried, they'll still be there. As someone once said to me with a pained expression: 'I don't like cooked vegetables.' She turned her nose up at the crudité selection and settled for nibbling a cheese sandwich. Her last words as she left was that 'she was lactose intolerant' like somehow I was responsible for her next bowel movement. What do you bloody eat?

Yes, you say, ask about dietary requirements on the registration form. Good idea. Except they don't fill it in. 'Oh I just thought you'd have a wide selection of lactose-, gluten-free Kosher sandwiches and no, I'm I can't eat aubergine, how dare you.' I'll be honest, when I wade through the comments forms after meetings, it's always about the food, and rarely about the meeting. It's like these people just attend to eat. They must not have food at home, they just flit from event to event, like some ravening – if rather picky – hoard.
I think the vegans and the gluten-frees and the lactose-frees and the no-peanuts people would reasonably expect to fill in the dietary requirements bit or go hungry. I think providing sandwiches for 80 people and only having 6 actual no-meat no-fish sandwiches is ridiculous. They'd even done mini baked potatoes - and filled them with haddock.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 02 December, 2014, 02:41:05 pm
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 02 December, 2014, 02:02:49 pm
Quote from: ian on 02 December, 2014, 10:46:06 am
rant-o-matic
I think the vegans and the gluten-frees and the lactose-frees and the no-peanuts people would reasonably expect to fill in the dietary requirements bit or go hungry. I think providing sandwiches for 80 people and only having 6 actual no-meat no-fish sandwiches is ridiculous. They'd even done mini baked potatoes - and filled them with haddock.

Yeah but, even if the do fill in the form, they're the no-aubergine brigade. No, you can't have a full selection because there's three of you and 100 blood-thirsty carnivores. We don't feed the wAnT MoAr MeAt brigade they may eat you. I'm not talking about your average vegetarians, this is the picky brigade. They don't just have intolerances they tell you about them. They have food intolerances that stretch to certain colours. They're allergic to the word 'nuts' (almonds aren't nuts, and you can't be allergic to every kind of nut, even all the nuts that aren't nuts, which is most of them). Fucking palaver, I tell you. Bring a bloody packed lunch.

Fortunately minions handle all this, so they get the shit. I just snarf all the cheese like a robot from the future sent back in time to consume all the cheese in our time. That's my mission. Provided it's non-funky cheese. Haddock in a potato? Scotch people is weird. Bloody haddock everywhere. Put that damn fish down.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 02 December, 2014, 03:17:14 pm
I have too many buttons at my disposal to control Sound and Vision and thus never get the same result twice.  I spend more time prodding buttons than I do watching the damn' AD :-\
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 02 December, 2014, 03:47:12 pm
For the second week in a row our scatterbrained cleaning-woman left a wet cloth on top of the matches and the gloves I wear to light the kitchen fire.

She's also assistant mayor in a neighbouring village, god help them.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 02 December, 2014, 06:46:47 pm
Quote from: ian on 02 December, 2014, 02:41:05 pm
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 02 December, 2014, 02:02:49 pm
Quote from: ian on 02 December, 2014, 10:46:06 am
rant-o-matic
I think the vegans and the gluten-frees and the lactose-frees and the no-peanuts people would reasonably expect to fill in the dietary requirements bit or go hungry. I think providing sandwiches for 80 people and only having 6 actual no-meat no-fish sandwiches is ridiculous. They'd even done mini baked potatoes - and filled them with haddock.

Yeah but, even if the do fill in the form, they're the no-aubergine brigade. No, you can't have a full selection because there's three of you and 100 blood-thirsty carnivores. We don't feed the wAnT MoAr MeAt brigade they may eat you. I'm not talking about your average vegetarians, this is the picky brigade. They don't just have intolerances they tell you about them. They have food intolerances that stretch to certain colours. They're allergic to the word 'nuts' (almonds aren't nuts, and you can't be allergic to every kind of nut, even all the nuts that aren't nuts, which is most of them). Fucking palaver, I tell you. Bring a bloody packed lunch.

Fortunately minions handle all this, so they get the shit. I just snarf all the cheese like a robot from the future sent back in time to consume all the cheese in our time. That's my mission. Provided it's non-funky cheese. Haddock in a potato? Scotch people is weird. Bloody haddock everywhere. Put that damn fish down.
I wasn't asking for a full selection, just enough to eat. The haddocky potato was created by Apex Hotels, not Scottish people. If we'd invented it it would have been in batter.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 03 December, 2014, 09:56:24 am
Nah, I went to Scotland once. A was struck by the amount of haddock. It turns to cod south of the border. Whilst there's certainly batter, that haddock does need to pass through it's larval pre-batter stages. I think the unfortunate potato-related incident involved immature haddock in a pre-batter form. Seriously, who'd put a haddock in a baked potato? It's not buffet food. There's rules.

To be honest, think of that lack of vegetarian selections as a punishment. Oh don't look at me. It's not my idea. It's God's. Yes, God's. It's in the Bible, just not the bit anyone reads or wants to turn into a heavy metal song. Remember Jesus and the loaves and fishes (note that it wasn't potato and fish, and they'd not invented chips). He didn't cater for vegetarians.

'Is there a vegetarian option?' came a voice from the back of munching crowd.

'I've done fish? That's vegetarian,' says Jesus wiping his hands on his apron.

'Erm, no it isn't J. I mean, it's nice all the bread and fishes and that. Even if it isn't battered.'

J sighs. 'What about cheese? I can do cheese.'

'Does it have rennet? From animals?'

'I don't know. Dad isn't getting around to making you monkeys add nutritional labelling for another two thousand years. How about I use my magic Jesus powers to make it vegetarian?'

'You can do that?'

'I can raise dead people. I think I can make cheese vegetarian.'

'OK, I guess.'

J makes enough vegetarian cheese for six rounds of cheese sandwiches. And feels pretty good about it.

Another voice comes from the from the crowd. 'Is there anything for vegans?'

Then another. 'I'm lactose intolerant.'

'Has any of this been near peanuts?'

'Where's the ham?'

'Oh you ungrateful fuckers,' shouts J.

'Language Jesus!' says his mum through a mouthful of cheese sandwich.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 03 December, 2014, 10:02:59 am
Quote from: ian on 02 December, 2014, 02:41:05 pm
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 02 December, 2014, 02:02:49 pm
Quote from: ian on 02 December, 2014, 10:46:06 am
rant-o-matic
I think the vegans and the gluten-frees and the lactose-frees and the no-peanuts people would reasonably expect to fill in the dietary requirements bit or go hungry. I think providing sandwiches for 80 people and only having 6 actual no-meat no-fish sandwiches is ridiculous. They'd even done mini baked potatoes - and filled them with haddock.

Yeah but, even if the do fill in the form, they're the no-aubergine brigade. No, you can't have a full selection because there's three of you and 100 blood-thirsty carnivores. We don't feed the wAnT MoAr MeAt brigade they may eat you. I'm not talking about your average vegetarians, this is the picky brigade. They don't just have intolerances they tell you about them. They have food intolerances that stretch to certain colours. They're allergic to the word 'nuts' (almonds aren't nuts, and you can't be allergic to every kind of nut, even all the nuts that aren't nuts, which is most of them). Fucking palaver, I tell you. Bring a bloody packed lunch.

Fortunately minions handle all this, so they get the shit. I just snarf all the cheese like a robot from the future sent back in time to consume all the cheese in our time. That's my mission. Provided it's non-funky cheese. Haddock in a potato? Scotch people is weird. Bloody haddock everywhere. Put that damn fish down.
That'd be for the carnivores.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 03 December, 2014, 10:07:09 am
Quote from: ian on 03 December, 2014, 09:56:24 am

[Stuffs that had me inhaling toast crumbs]


Blessed are the cheesemakers?

(Peers nervously around for the Python Police)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 03 December, 2014, 10:23:59 am
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 02 December, 2014, 02:02:49 pm
I think the vegans and the gluten-frees and the lactose-frees and the no-peanuts people would reasonably expect to fill in the dietary requirements bit or go hungry. I think providing sandwiches for 80 people and only having 6 actual no-meat no-fish sandwiches is ridiculous. They'd even done mini baked potatoes - and filled them with haddock.
I'm a gluten-free, avoiding dairy person.

My usual request is "please can I bring my own lunch?".
At least I then get something edible, even if I have to put up with people grumbling because my lunch looks nicer than theirs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 03 December, 2014, 10:27:29 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 03 December, 2014, 10:07:09 am
Quote from: ian on 03 December, 2014, 09:56:24 am

[Stuffs that had me inhaling toast crumbs]


Blessed are the cheesemakers?

(Peers nervously around for the Python Police)

Remnds me of the Christingle service, last year. Sat there, in the church, Mrs Torslanda leans over to me and says "what did the vicar just say?" Quick as a flash I retorted with "Blessed are the cheesemakers" I thought Mrs Torslanda was going to keel over as she tried to contain her guffaws!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: trekker12 on 03 December, 2014, 10:40:13 am
A few years ago at a previous employer, we invited some Algerian customers to head office (My boss and I worked in a remote office). Due to requirements of Kosher meat and no pig product we simply asked the Managing Directors PA who organises the catering to go for vegetarian only as that avoids awkward questions.

After the presentation we all trooped out into the reception area to be confronted with the usual spread of sausage rolls, pork pies, chicken goujons with dip and various sandwiches on the same tray including ham and chicken.

After much apologising and re-arrangement of the buffet table so the salad was near the front our visitors saw the funny side which was fine until exactly the same happened on their next visit!

We honestly didn't think it would be that complicated just asking for vegetarian only.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 03 December, 2014, 11:01:54 am
What I find wheely wheely wheely odd is how milk doesn't seem to get any colder if left on the worktop

Again ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 03 December, 2014, 11:57:54 am
Dear LBS,
When fitting new mudguards to bike please to be fitting them so that they don't rub the tyre.


... The problem is a poorly bodged clip to deal with vertical hole in the seat stay bridge, so it's going back as I'm sure they can do better and I'm still short of time and energy.
(Mrs Dan's bike, she wisely realised that I wasn't going to get around to it last weekend.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 03 December, 2014, 08:38:10 pm
I have a mobile hanging from the ceiling of the Great Hall; 'tis a bunch of small wooden Viking ships which I purchased from the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde in 1998 and ferried back to Blighty in the tailbox of my Kingcycle.  Today I managed to dislodge it from its perch while titting about on a stepladder.  It fell on the floor and its strings got all tangled.

Four hours later it was nearly untangled.  Then I blinked.  The resultant new tangle had to be solved in an Alexander the Great stylee.  Tomorrow I are mostly trying to tie small knots in thread.  Arse.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: scott on 04 December, 2014, 04:23:17 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 03 December, 2014, 08:38:10 pm
which I purchased from the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde in 1998

Git. That's one of the places in Europe that I most want to see.

<-- Might-have-been early-medievalist
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 04 December, 2014, 09:48:39 am
In here for now but may be updated to a full blown RANT later.

Our favorite Telecoms Company (TM Kim) posted me out a router ready for the connection of the line at my new house. They stated this would fit through most typical letterboxes...

I get home yesterday to find no router but a card stating that the parcel wouldn't fit through my letterbox, I don't think this letterbox is unusually small. Fortunately RM redeemed themselves as the depot is open from 7am and local to me so I could collect it on route to work.

However I believe that when I get home I will find that it does fit through my letter box.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: HTFB on 04 December, 2014, 10:49:23 am
Dearly beloved stoker: if you are finding it so hard to get going in the mornings that you're getting in late to work, and if you know this is because you are overtired, is the answer really to set our alarm twenty minutes earlier to give yourself more time to wake up in?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 04 December, 2014, 12:48:16 pm
Quote from: scott on 04 December, 2014, 04:23:17 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 03 December, 2014, 08:38:10 pm
which I purchased from the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde in 1998

Git. That's one of the places in Europe that I most want to see.

<-- Might-have-been early-medievalist

Dr Larrington is an early medievalist who seems to spend a lot of time doing Viking-related Stuffs.

The 1998 European HPV Champiosnhips were in Roskilde; Miss von Brandenburg (then wearing her "Mrs Larrington" jersey) and I had a nice tour over from Esbjerg and an equally nice one with other BHPC types back afterwards.  There's a write-up somewhere on the Intertubes (http://www.legslarry.beerdrinkers.co.uk/ego/Euro98.htm).

(http://www.legslarry.beerdrinkers.co.uk/images/gto/Mermaid.jpg)
At the Mossø.  Miss von Brandenburg impersonates the Little Mermaid.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: trekker12 on 04 December, 2014, 03:37:17 pm
To the shop assistant in my local Waitrose. Think 25 applies both ways. I may be short in stature and I may look young for my age but I certainly don't look younger than 25 let alone 18 so take a proper look at the person buying the nice expensive bottle of red (and consider that as part of the context) before you blithely ask for my ID which I haven't carried for 10 years because apparently once you have asked the question there is no going back despite the fact you know you were wrong to ask and now leave us both looking silly.

I left the bottle on the counter and walked off to save her further embarrassment!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 04 December, 2014, 05:35:42 pm
Quote from: scott on 04 December, 2014, 04:23:17 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 03 December, 2014, 08:38:10 pm
which I purchased from the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde in 1998

Git. That's one of the places in Europe that I most want to see.

<-- Might-have-been early-medievalist
I believe it's still there, although I haven't personally verified that by visiting it since Easter 1977.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 04 December, 2014, 07:26:49 pm
I have not yet mended the mobile because spoons.

Also, the BBC, did you have to put to put Bonio and Evans on my AD without even a warning before the programme started?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 04 December, 2014, 07:59:35 pm
Quote from: matthew on 04 December, 2014, 09:48:39 am
In here for now but may be updated to a full blown RANT later.

Our favorite Telecoms Company (TM Kim) posted me out a router ready for the connection of the line at my new house. They stated this would fit through most typical letterboxes...

I get home yesterday to find no router but a card stating that the parcel wouldn't fit through my letterbox, I don't think this letterbox is unusually small. Fortunately RM redeemed themselves as the depot is open from 7am and local to me so I could collect it on route to work.

However I believe that when I get home I will find that it does fit through my letter box.  >:(

Fair does to royal mail, it don't quite fit, therefore BT lied as my letterbox is not abnormally small.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: scott on 04 December, 2014, 08:07:29 pm
Quote from: Bledlow on 04 December, 2014, 05:35:42 pm
I believe it's still there, although I haven't personally verified that by visiting it since Easter 1977.

It's definitely still there. Unfortunately, now that our kid is old enough to handle serious time-zone changes, the fares for transatlantic airfares are unaffordable. There are several places Over There that we want to go, but $3,000+ just for the airfare (for three) is not happenin'.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 05 December, 2014, 06:11:19 pm
Hurrah!  My Vikings are once more Voyaging to Vinland, albeit with the aid of some non-period sticky tape :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 05 December, 2014, 06:40:01 pm
Quote from: matthew on 04 December, 2014, 07:59:35 pm
Quote from: matthew on 04 December, 2014, 09:48:39 am
In here for now but may be updated to a full blown RANT later.

Our favorite Telecoms Company (TM Kim) posted me out a router ready for the connection of the line at my new house. They stated this would fit through most typical letterboxes...

I get home yesterday to find no router but a card stating that the parcel wouldn't fit through my letterbox, I don't think this letterbox is unusually small. Fortunately RM redeemed themselves as the depot is open from 7am and local to me so I could collect it on route to work.

However I believe that when I get home I will find that it does fit through my letter box.  >:(

Fair does to royal mail, it don't quite fit, therefore BT lied as my letterbox is not abnormally small.
I'm afraid it must be, as I deliver a good few of those and they do go through the majority of letterboxes and it's a rarity to have to take one back to the office...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 05 December, 2014, 08:16:10 pm
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 05 December, 2014, 06:40:01 pm
Quote from: matthew on 04 December, 2014, 07:59:35 pm
Quote from: matthew on 04 December, 2014, 09:48:39 am
In here for now but may be updated to a full blown RANT later.

Our favorite Telecoms Company (TM Kim) posted me out a router ready for the connection of the line at my new house. They stated this would fit through most typical letterboxes...

I get home yesterday to find no router but a card stating that the parcel wouldn't fit through my letterbox, I don't think this letterbox is unusually small. Fortunately RM redeemed themselves as the depot is open from 7am and local to me so I could collect it on route to work.

However I believe that when I get home I will find that it does fit through my letter box.  >:(

Fair does to royal mail, it don't quite fit, therefore BT lied as my letterbox is not abnormally small.
I'm afraid it must be, as I deliver a good few of those and they do go through the majority of letterboxes and it's a rarity to have to take one back to the office...

It's a recently built house with a typical front door, however the letterbox must be slightly short top to bottom as the parcel was about 4mm taller than the slot.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 05 December, 2014, 09:52:40 pm
Is there a standard size for letterboxes?  It's the sort of thing that would be a good idea, and therefore thoroughly un-British.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 05 December, 2014, 10:45:27 pm
I thought there was, to make the life of a postman simpler. Whether this 'archaic' system has fallen by the wayside is another matter.
Will Google.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 05 December, 2014, 11:44:15 pm
There isn't even a standard size for postboxes. Large (well, not small) greetings cards and C5 envelopes (A4 sheet folded once) have to be bowed in the middle to squeeze into the one that's closest to the house.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 06 December, 2014, 12:08:19 am
Seems there were standards but these were voluntary and not kept up-to-date...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Letter_box (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Letter_box)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 06 December, 2014, 12:04:22 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 06 December, 2014, 12:08:19 am
Seems there were standards but these were voluntary and no kept up-to-date...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Letter_box (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Letter_box)

That, on the other hand, is thoroughly BRITISH :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 06 December, 2014, 12:41:44 pm
When charged with the pukka Nokia charger in the Scullery, my phone displays "Battery Full" when, er, the battery is full.  When charged with inferior USB voles via a wall wart in the Great Hall it doesn't.  What's THAT all about, eh?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 06 December, 2014, 01:31:05 pm
Dastardly government plot to sow FUD.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 06 December, 2014, 02:54:49 pm
Anyone with a new door or a new-build house with a low-level letter box thoroughly deserves to have their post folded over and creased. Not that I would approve of such an action, no, not me.

Anyone with an external letter box (normally a good thing) that barely has room for one sheet of tracing paper, but nothing thicker, deserves to have to traipse to the sorting office to collect their mail.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 06 December, 2014, 02:58:46 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 06 December, 2014, 12:04:22 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 06 December, 2014, 12:08:19 am
Seems there were standards but these were voluntary and no kept up-to-date...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Letter_box (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Letter_box)

That, on the other hand, is thoroughly BRITISH :thumbsup:
There must be a standard, as those router boxes Matthew talks about only just fit through modern post boxes with a hair's breadth to spare. Some folk on my round have unfeasibly small letterboxes. I feel a tinge of guilt at having to fold over birthday and xmas cards, but they must realise it's too small, so go ahead anyway.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 06 December, 2014, 03:13:35 pm
I suspect the standards were too sensible and useful to survive the bonfire of the QANGOS and were seen to be 'unnecessary red tape'.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 06 December, 2014, 09:44:46 pm
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 06 December, 2014, 02:54:49 pm
Anyone with a new door or a new-build house with a low-level letter box thoroughly deserves to have their post folded over and creased. Not that I would approve of such an action, no, not me.

Anyone with an external letter box (normally a good thing) that barely has room for one sheet of tracing paper, but nothing thicker, deserves to have to traipse to the sorting office to collect their mail.

And anyone with a letterbox ~ 1"x4" who gets the saturday and sunday times delivered can expect it to come through in about 8 bits with the outer pages shredded or agree to it being left on the doorstep.  :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Butterfly on 06 December, 2014, 10:08:22 pm
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 06 December, 2014, 02:58:46 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 06 December, 2014, 12:04:22 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 06 December, 2014, 12:08:19 am
Seems there were standards but these were voluntary and no kept up-to-date...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Letter_box (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Letter_box)

That, on the other hand, is thoroughly BRITISH :thumbsup:
There must be a standard, as those router boxes Matthew talks about only just fit through modern post boxes with a hair's breadth to spare. Some folk on my round have unfeasibly small letterboxes. I feel a tinge of guilt at having to fold over birthday and xmas cards, but they must realise it's too small, so go ahead anyway.
Ours is stupidly small but was nothing to do with us as I suspect it is the original 1913 or thereabouts door. If it were our house I would be tempted to make it larger.

As I was a papergirl in my teens, I have utter sympathy with the view that such things Should Not Be Allowed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 06 December, 2014, 11:38:44 pm
I expect it was not so much bonfire of the quangle-wangles as something that never got enforced anyway, so builders used whatever was cheapest or looked ok.

My sister's house is late Victorian and I suspect has the original letter box. Even a small card won't fit through. I guess more paper, more money, fewer servants.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 07 December, 2014, 01:16:35 am
I think with Victorian letter boxen, it's more that they wrote unfeasibly small on very tiny pieces of paper, then folded them over before putting them in an envelope that could reasonably be expected to fit in the letterbox of a dolls house.

Ergo, a 4in letterbox and door furniture to fit seemed reasonable - and they made piggin postboxes to match.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 07 December, 2014, 07:42:59 am
And another thing (or two)...

There must be many, many (mainly) OAPs who will be saying "Didn't you get my card? The chiselling wotsits at Royal Mail, I bet they had it!". Well Granny/Grandad: we have to read addresses that are barely legible; you don't use a postcode; and you get the number/road/town part of the address wrong. I realise that writing becomes a challenge to you as you get older and you have my sympathies, and we really do try to deliver every card and some of the old hands know almost every address in the town I work in, so virtually every card gets there, but please, please get someone to check the address for you, if possible.

Oh, number 39, the reason I asked you if your dog was secure should have been obvious. You have an external letterbox (often a sign of a vicious dog) and your mutt launches its snarling self at the door whenever I approach. Most dog owners thoughtlessly open the door with their loveable hound loose. Said mutt then tries to get out the door to get a bite of Homo Patrickus, so self preservation outweighs your sensibilities and feelings. And yes, number 72, I have every right to hold your door closed until I'm sure your horrible canine is fettered. And no, number 3, I don't want to get acquainted with your dog so it feels better about me; just keep it away from me.

And, as for owners of those pressed concrete drives that desperately try to look like block paving (done on the cheap), which, at the merest hint of frost, are more use to Torville and Dean than as an access to your property; either put salt down or expect to have to collect your mail from the office. They are lethal. Don't do it!

And finally, to those people who thank me for posting to you when it's cold and frosty or wet: thank you, it's nice to be appreciated. Notes only, please, no coins or cheques.  ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 07 December, 2014, 07:46:27 am
Oi, my body clock!: on my rare days off when I can lazily lie in bed; don't insist on a bowel movement at silly a.m. That way you don't make me write grumpy messages on fora shortly after.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 07 December, 2014, 07:56:18 am
Quote from: Kim on 05 December, 2014, 09:52:40 pm
Is there a standard size for letterboxes?  It's the sort of thing that would be a good idea, and therefore thoroughly un-British.

I discovered this year that there seems to be no standard.   In our new door I had the biggest that we ould fit on the basis that small packages can now be posted.    I have painstakingly pointed this out to our two regular posties who now comply.   

I note that some cheap upvc doors have wafer thin slots.   
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 07 December, 2014, 08:01:04 am
I can confirm that PB has lovely flaps...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 07 December, 2014, 08:03:11 am
I thought you must like then cos you kept fingering thrm...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 07 December, 2014, 08:07:15 am
I think I managed to get my whole hand in. Shiny flaps too.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 07 December, 2014, 08:09:39 am
And, not a bristle in sight.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 07 December, 2014, 09:05:00 am
The way they open up to your warm inner sanctum is glorious.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 07 December, 2014, 05:02:58 pm
Southern Trains. They'd been forecasting frost on Friday/Saturday night for several days. It's winter. Maybe you could put a bit of salt on the platforms and stairs before it gets frosty, rather than the day after (yes, that's you Upper Warlingham, which isn't in Warlingham and if it were, it'd be lower because it's at the bottom of the bloody hill)?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 08 December, 2014, 12:26:11 pm
Graun.
Quote
“A” is a must-have accessory in Russia too. It is the last letter of each of the top eight girls’ names – Sofia, Maria, Daria, Arina, Anastasia, Varvara, Victoria and Anna
Well, do you think there might be a reason for that? I bet it's the last letter of the bottom eight too!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 08 December, 2014, 02:13:52 pm
Partner: thank you SO much for putting my spectacles on the dining room table while we breakfasted in the kitchen. I am quite happy for you to do this with your OWN spectacles but DO NOT HIDE MINE!
I am more myopic than you.
I am much less mobile than you.
You went up to the bathroom where you MUST NOT BE DISTURBED after a lengthy phone call, whilst I was in the downstairs loo.
I returned and couldn't find my specs anywhere that I could have left them but couldn't see much.
Good thing I keep some old specs here in the kitchen!
Then I twigged what might have happened to my specs.
I bet you won't know what I'm talking about if I thank you for hiding my specs.
We will see...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 09 December, 2014, 07:37:45 am
Just when the weather is driving the field-mice into the barns & houses, the idiot supermarket management clear out all the mouse poison and fill the shelf with Christmas bloody decorations.  This morning at 5 am it sounded as if the wee buggers were decking our bloody bedroom with bows of holly.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 09 December, 2014, 08:32:19 am
Were they tying knots in it?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 09 December, 2014, 12:55:46 pm
I have a list of things I need to get done today

I appear to only have enough spoons to do a small number of them.

I am sick of these fucking tablets, waking at 04:00 EVERY fucking morning is, most definitely, not in my game plan.

In the meantime, agency, get a fucking grip, I am heading to $PARTS_FURRIN tomorrow, and would REALLY REALLY like to know the address that I am to report to, or do I have to wander around the fucking town asking all and sundry?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 10 December, 2014, 08:59:57 am
When sitting in my lonely cheap hotel bedroom in that London yesterday morning, I learnt an interesting fact from the BBC News….. some 4 million passenger journeys are made on the tube next work every day. Impressive I thought for a system parts of which are more than 150 years old, although most is just over 100 (I went on the Victoria line the first day its extension to Walthamstow Central opened…and no, it wasn’t 100 years ago!).

So, 4 million passenger journeys eh…. Did it seem that most of them were trying to get my tube Monday morning! How people commute in that London is beyond me! Please consider the evidence…. It took me just under 90 minutes to travel from Stafford to Euston and then 90 minutes to get from there to my destination in Hounslow. I have checked and the TFL journey checker says that should take less than 50 minutes. What it doesn’t factor in, is the fact that it was impossible to get on the first 8 Victoria Line trains heading south to the interchange with the Piccadilly Line at Green Park. I really don’t understand how TFL gets away with the loadings it allows. If TFL ran animal transfers then I am sure it would be picked up by whoever regulates such things.

Anyway, on to my grumble. People wishing to get onto packed tube trains….it is quite simple and indeed the Platform Staff even give you a clue…. PLEASE let people off first. It’s not hard and it will make things easier for everyone. It is really irritating the number of people who are so selfish and demand to get on when there is no space for them: yet, to do so.

Thanks for listening.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: bumper on 10 December, 2014, 09:09:57 am
Weather Bomb

FFS :facepalm:

I think the met office are just trying to make their work sound more interesting than it is. There's a storm coming in from the Atlantic. I think they've hired the writers from the Expendables or Die Hard to jazz the weather reports up.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 10 December, 2014, 09:26:30 am
It is a bit windy and wet out there today
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 10 December, 2014, 09:50:29 am
Quote from: essexian on 10 December, 2014, 08:59:57 am
...What it doesn’t factor in, is the fact that it was impossible to get on the first 8 Victoria Line trains heading south to the interchange with the Piccadilly Line at Green Park. I really don’t understand how TFL gets away with the loadings it allows. If TFL ran animal transfers then I am sure it would be picked up by whoever regulates such things.

Anyway, on to my grumble. People wishing to get onto packed tube trains….it is quite simple and indeed the Platform Staff even give you a clue…. PLEASE let people off first. It’s not hard and it will make things easier for everyone. It is really irritating the number of people who are so selfish and demand to get on when there is no space for them: yet, to do so.

Entry to the Victoria line is restricted during the peak at mainline stations (it's standard at Victoria), they open and close the gate above ground to avoid platform overcrowding. Although we like to think ourselves especially aggrieved, public transport at peak times in any large metropolis is always going to be busy. TfL could restrict the numbers on trains, but that would leave a lot of people above ground and fuming even more. It's all part of the fun.

And yes, there's always the idiot squad who try and get on as others are getting off. It doesn't seem to occur to them that still be first and there'd actually be space if they waited. It's the same on the trains. Also the people who don't move down the carriage and clog the vestibule. Always the case on my train, doubly stupid because they're all getting off at London Bridge so they may as well go down the aisle and find some space.

Actually, you were lucky it wasn't London Bridge because the rebuild work means narrow platforms and a very, very slow exit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 10 December, 2014, 10:31:24 am
Want to get onto the Northern Line at Kings Cross during peak hours?  Forget it.  Doubly so if there's been a signal failure somewhere upstream.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nicknack on 10 December, 2014, 10:41:36 am
Quote from: bumper on 10 December, 2014, 09:09:57 am
Weather Bomb

FFS :facepalm:

I think the met office are just trying to make their work sound more interesting than it is. There's a storm coming in from the Atlantic. I think they've hired the writers from the Expendables or Die Hard to jazz the weather reports up.

Meteorological term that's been around for 30 odd years. Perhaps you would have preferred Explosive Cyclogenesis (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bomb_%28meteorology%29).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 10 December, 2014, 12:11:13 pm
Quote from: essexian on 10 December, 2014, 08:59:57 am

Anyway, on to my grumble. People wishing to get onto packed tube trains….it is quite simple and indeed the Platform Staff even give you a clue…. PLEASE let people off first. It’s not hard and it will make things easier for everyone. It is really irritating the number of people who are so selfish and demand to get on when there is no space for them: yet, to do so.


I nearly got my head kicked in about this time last year when someone attempted to barge onto the cross city train while lots of us were trying to get off.  I simply placed the flat of my hand into his chest and proceeded out of the doors, pushing the idiot back onto the platform.  Although he was a large type, it was quite easy as he was off ballence.  He took great umbrage at this and started to square up and utter oaths but luckily my fellow travellers soon put him in doubt about the outcome of any retaliatory action he was considering.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: bumper on 10 December, 2014, 12:36:14 pm
Quote from: nicknack on 10 December, 2014, 10:41:36 am
Quote from: bumper on 10 December, 2014, 09:09:57 am
Weather Bomb

FFS :facepalm:

I think the met office are just trying to make their work sound more interesting than it is. There's a storm coming in from the Atlantic. I think they've hired the writers from the Expendables or Die Hard to jazz the weather reports up.

Meteorological term that's been around for 30 odd years. Perhaps you would have preferred Explosive Cyclogenesis (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bomb_%28meteorology%29).

Still prefer straight talking storm or gales :thumbsup:

They'll be getting Peter Gibbs rolling into shot with explosions and gun fire in the background next. It's just the weather ffs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 10 December, 2014, 01:53:39 pm
So it's a cyclone even in which particles of vapour chase round and round in an endless loop. Sounds like part of the North Atlantic Track Pursuit Cup.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nicknack on 10 December, 2014, 03:21:05 pm
I'll bet Ikea have never done a customer shopping experience satisfaction survey.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Gattopardo on 10 December, 2014, 03:26:01 pm
Ordered a usb cable for my fruit thing from china, first one didn't arrive so got my money back, it was less than 60p so re ordered the cable from another chinese supplier and a package arrived the other day and now opening it I found a back for another fruit device.

Am grumpy now as I have the hassle of sorting the thing out and still awaiting a cable to arrive to charge my thingy.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jaded on 10 December, 2014, 04:06:42 pm
Quote from: Basil on 10 December, 2014, 12:11:13 pm
Quote from: essexian on 10 December, 2014, 08:59:57 am

Anyway, on to my grumble. People wishing to get onto packed tube trains….it is quite simple and indeed the Platform Staff even give you a clue…. PLEASE let people off first. It’s not hard and it will make things easier for everyone. It is really irritating the number of people who are so selfish and demand to get on when there is no space for them: yet, to do so.


I nearly got my head kicked in about this time last year when someone attempted to barge onto the cross city train while lots of us were trying to get off.  I simply placed the flat of my hand into his chest and proceeded out of the doors, pushing the idiot back onto the platform.  Although he was a large type, it was quite easy as he was off ballence.  He took great umbrage at this and started to square up and utter oaths but luckily my fellow travellers soon put him in doubt about the outcome of any retaliatory action he was considering.

Probably an immigrant.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jaded on 10 December, 2014, 04:10:03 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 06 December, 2014, 11:38:44 pm
My sister's house is late Victorian and I suspect has the original letter box. Even a small card won't fit through. I guess more paper, more money, fewer servants.
Our Georgian letterbox is nailed up. We use the 1980's one, which is large, so large that you could get two cats fighting through it, or maybe a small cow. We get delivery notes scrawled on delivered boxes  saying "couldn't fit this in your wheelie bin, so tried the letterbox".
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 10 December, 2014, 04:47:07 pm
Quote from: nicknack on 10 December, 2014, 03:21:05 pm
I'll bet Ikea have never done a customer shopping experience satisfaction survey.

Teh Roolz for shopping at IKEA:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 10 December, 2014, 04:57:59 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 10 December, 2014, 04:47:07 pm
Quote from: nicknack on 10 December, 2014, 03:21:05 pm
I'll bet Ikea have never done a customer shopping experience satisfaction survey.

Teh Roolz for shopping at IKEA:
  • Go on a weekday.  Preferably as soon as it opens.
  • If getting Stuffs from the warehouse, make a note of where it is before you get there.
  • Keep telling yourself It's just another shop.

If I may be so bold to add a fourth....

4) Find the shortcuts. The IKEA store in Wednesbury has a cut off where you can miss out most of the top floor and get to the warehouse without needing to kill to wonder around for hours being lost. I would hope they all have such shortcuts or otherwise, their staff will never get nowhere (sorry poor English!)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nicknack on 10 December, 2014, 05:00:07 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 10 December, 2014, 04:47:07 pm
Quote from: nicknack on 10 December, 2014, 03:21:05 pm
I'll bet Ikea have never done a customer shopping experience satisfaction survey.

Teh Roolz for shopping at IKEA:
  • Go on a weekday.  Preferably as soon as it opens.
  • If getting Stuffs from the warehouse, make a note of where it is before you get there.
  • Keep telling yourself It's just another shop.

1. Wednesday, about 12. Not particularly crowded.
2. No use if the item has to be collected from the Collection Point after paying (Argos stylee). 15 min wait.
3.Well, yes, it is, but one who employs staff who really couldn't give a shit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Gattopardo on 10 December, 2014, 05:05:18 pm
What IKEA visit with out a visit to the Restaurant and then the final hot dog.  Pity that the cinamon doughnuts aren't made any more.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SteveC on 10 December, 2014, 05:42:34 pm
Ikea: they all have shortcuts.
Tubes: the bottleneck is now, at least on the lines where they've upgraded the trains (Central and Victoria for example) is getting people on and off the platforms. Basically the entire network is full (or over-full) at peak times; it's just a question of moving the sticking point round.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 10 December, 2014, 07:43:38 pm
Ikea stuffz part 666.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 10 December, 2014, 07:58:10 pm
Or just buy things from eBay sellers at a mark-up that seems perfectly reasonable when you consider that it means neither having to ride to Wednesbury, nor visiting Ikea.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Gattopardo on 10 December, 2014, 08:54:30 pm
I am prepared to go shopping in IKEA, if I can borrow kids it is a bonus as you can have the biggest play gorund ever.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 10 December, 2014, 09:54:30 pm
Fighting to keep my bike under control on the way home this evening has left my lower back aching. I'm hoping it's just balancing muscles complaining about being overworked.

Oh, and it would have been nice if they hadn't shut the gate at the top of site, meaning I had to ride back down the hill again into the wind and ride up the exposed NSL road instead.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 10 December, 2014, 10:01:42 pm
I can't get warm at all tonight :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 10 December, 2014, 10:25:20 pm
Quote from: Jaded on 10 December, 2014, 04:10:03 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 06 December, 2014, 11:38:44 pm
My sister's house is late Victorian and I suspect has the original letter box. Even a small card won't fit through. I guess more paper, more money, fewer servants.
Our Georgian letterbox is nailed up. We use the 1980's one, which is large, so large that you could get two cats fighting through it, or maybe a small cow. We get delivery notes scrawled on delivered boxes  saying "couldn't fit this in your wheelie bin, so tried the letterbox".
Your small cow is in the post.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 11 December, 2014, 01:16:37 am
Quote from: ian on 10 December, 2014, 07:43:38 pm
Ikea stuffz part 666.

  • Don't go to the Edmonton one, it's a riot. Occasionally literally.

["The Death Of The Soul" - Mr Sunshine] is my local branch and only has riots these days when the café runs out of dead dogs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 11 December, 2014, 10:09:33 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 11 December, 2014, 01:16:37 am
Quote from: ian on 10 December, 2014, 07:43:38 pm
Ikea stuffz part 666.

  • Don't go to the Edmonton one, it's a riot. Occasionally literally.

["The Death Of The Soul" - Mr Sunshine] is my local branch and only has riots these days when the café runs out of dead dogs.

I actually do like Ikea. There stuff always seems reasonable quality at a not unreasonable price. I'm not one for paying £4000 for a sofa on the grounds I'll just spill stuff on it and the cat will use it as a scratching post.

Customer service is an experience though as we found when they only delivered half our stuff and didn't seem very motivated to find the other half. Which resulted in my wife crashing Boudicca-like (evidently she's swapped the chariot for a Ka) into the Croydon branch and demanding restitution there and then.

It still took them about two hours, but they buy us dinner (including wine – well, we took it anyway) while we waited.

It's weird in the US because the coworkers, in that smiley American way, actually try to be helpful. Which feels like some kind of trap. Or that maybe you've stepped into an alternate dimension.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 11 December, 2014, 10:22:10 am
Feels like a trap, that is a good way to explain it, when you experience the American customer service the first time. It is weird, you are really not sure what to do and say when a person is so keen on helping you, even without asking.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 11 December, 2014, 10:57:56 am
Quote from: woollypigs on 11 December, 2014, 10:22:10 am
Feels like a trap, that is a good way to explain it, when you experience the American customer service the first time. It is weird, you are really not sure what to do and say when a person is so keen on helping you, even without asking.

And greeters. Someone standing there in the entrance of the store with nothing better to do that deliver a smile that's probably 75% pharmaceutical and ask how your day is going and do you need any help? I'm always tempted to ask, sotto voce, if they can help me get the body out of the trunk and bury it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 11 December, 2014, 11:16:07 am
Waited in all afternoon yesterday for a client to send me his database so that I could add a couple of fields and a fix up various crap he'd put in. It finally arrived towards 5 o'clock with the rider that he was waiting for his techs to get back so that he could send me the latest version, and can I have it for 8 am tomorrow please?

No you bloody can't.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jaded on 11 December, 2014, 03:09:00 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 10 December, 2014, 10:25:20 pm
Quote from: Jaded on 10 December, 2014, 04:10:03 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 06 December, 2014, 11:38:44 pm
My sister's house is late Victorian and I suspect has the original letter box. Even a small card won't fit through. I guess more paper, more money, fewer servants.
Our Georgian letterbox is nailed up. We use the 1980's one, which is large, so large that you could get two cats fighting through it, or maybe a small cow. We get delivery notes scrawled on delivered boxes  saying "couldn't fit this in your wheelie bin, so tried the letterbox".
Your small cow is in the post.

It's arrived!!

And I was out, so just as well it fitted  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 11 December, 2014, 03:26:13 pm
Quote from: ian on 11 December, 2014, 10:57:56 am
Quote from: woollypigs on 11 December, 2014, 10:22:10 am
Feels like a trap, that is a good way to explain it, when you experience the American customer service the first time. It is weird, you are really not sure what to do and say when a person is so keen on helping you, even without asking.

And greeters. Someone standing there in the entrance of the store with nothing better to do that deliver a smile that's probably 75% pharmaceutical and ask how your day is going and do you need any help? I'm always tempted to ask, sotto voce, if they can help me get the body out of the trunk and bury it.

They've got greeters in my local Homebase.  I expect them in Home Depot, purveyors of fine International Signal Orange anbaric plugs, but not from what used to be the Wallpaper Paste Division of Sainsbury's.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 11 December, 2014, 04:37:32 pm
Quote from: Jaded on 11 December, 2014, 03:09:00 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 10 December, 2014, 10:25:20 pm
Quote from: Jaded on 10 December, 2014, 04:10:03 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 06 December, 2014, 11:38:44 pm
My sister's house is late Victorian and I suspect has the original letter box. Even a small card won't fit through. I guess more paper, more money, fewer servants.
Our Georgian letterbox is nailed up. We use the 1980's one, which is large, so large that you could get two cats fighting through it, or maybe a small cow. We get delivery notes scrawled on delivered boxes  saying "couldn't fit this in your wheelie bin, so tried the letterbox".
Your small cow is in the post.

It's arrived!!

And I was out, so just as well it fitted  ;D
I do hope it hasn't got TB!

You might have to borrow Flatus's dog for when it shits on your kitchen floor.  :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nicknack on 11 December, 2014, 06:49:41 pm
We spent £2.7k on sorting the bathroom plumbing out last week. We've been here 18 months and are still discovering the bodges of the last 3 owners of the place.
Last night half the mains sockets in the house stopped working. Quite an achievement considering all of the sockets (and the cooker) are on the same circuit breaker - which wasn't affected.
This morning the main computer I use stopped working (I'm typing this on an old laptop).
The electrician we managed to persuade to come round today uncovered a multitude of dodgy wiring. When he returns next week it is likely that much of the floor will need to come up.
Happy fucking Christmas.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 11 December, 2014, 08:15:38 pm
Sounds like my brother's house, nicknack. He got the knackered boiler replaced last week and the resultant flushing uncovered all the leaks in the system.
The week before he found that all the circuit breakers in the fuse box were rated far higher than they should have been, and he reckons that the circuit that should be a ring main, isn't a ring main. Seems like it was a bit of bodgers are us as well.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 11 December, 2014, 10:35:29 pm
Quote from: ian on 11 December, 2014, 10:57:56 am
Quote from: woollypigs on 11 December, 2014, 10:22:10 am
Feels like a trap, that is a good way to explain it, when you experience the American customer service the first time. It is weird, you are really not sure what to do and say when a person is so keen on helping you, even without asking.

And greeters. Someone standing there in the entrance of the store with nothing better to do that deliver a smile that's probably 75% pharmaceutical and ask how your day is going and do you need any help? I'm always tempted to ask, sotto voce, if they can help me get the body out of the trunk and bury it.
Used to be common in posh shops & department stores here. Wandered around directing customers to the right places & keeping an eye on the shop assistants.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 11 December, 2014, 10:49:01 pm
Is that what used to be known as a floorwalker? Or shopwalker, or some similar title?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 12 December, 2014, 12:51:42 pm
I'm sure my knees will start working properly again if I put some beer in them. Unfortunately, I'm going to have to wit 'til this evening to test this theory.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 12 December, 2014, 01:46:13 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 11 December, 2014, 10:49:01 pm
Is that what used to be known as a floorwalker? Or shopwalker, or some similar title?
I think that was what Captain Peacock used to do.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nicknack on 12 December, 2014, 02:05:48 pm
Quote from: nicknack on 11 December, 2014, 06:49:41 pm
We spent £2.7k on sorting the bathroom plumbing out last week. We've been here 18 months and are still discovering the bodges of the last 3 owners of the place.
Last night half the mains sockets in the house stopped working. Quite an achievement considering all of the sockets (and the cooker) are on the same circuit breaker - which wasn't affected.
This morning the main computer I use stopped working (I'm typing this on an old laptop).
The electrician we managed to persuade to come round today uncovered a multitude of dodgy wiring. When he returns next week it is likely that much of the floor will need to come up.
Happy fucking Christmas.

Today brought its own little bit of merriment.
Since we're having the floors up next week we thought we'd try to make a bit of room by putting some stuff in the expensive shed log cabin that we bought last january. Nice pool of water on the floor. Presumably delivered by the horizontal rain we had last night. So man coming round next week to try to improve the sealing.
A few pictures were ruined so the rest that were stored out there I've moved to the loft. All bar one which I dropped from the loft hatch, spraying broken glass all over the hall.
I wonder what tomorrow will bring.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 13 December, 2014, 12:15:25 am
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 12 December, 2014, 01:46:13 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 11 December, 2014, 10:49:01 pm
Is that what used to be known as a floorwalker? Or shopwalker, or some similar title?
I think that was what Captain Peacock used to do.
Are you free?  ;D

IIRC both terms were used.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Templogin on 13 December, 2014, 08:08:44 am
Ebay sellers of bikes.  You have a lovely bike that would suit my partner perfectly.  I am more than happy to pay your initial price, but I can't collect it as I am 800 miles away.  No, I can't arrange for someone to bring a box around to your place with bubble wrap to wrap it up, but I am happy to pay you to do it or have it done by a shop.  If I could it would be me and I would just take it apart and throw it into the car.

A few days later - Price goes down by £150.  You must really hate packing bikes.

A few days later - Auction ends.  No-one has bought the bike.

Next day - bike is re-listed £300 below original price.  That's the price of the flight.  If it goes down by another £100 that will cover the hotel and incidental expenses, but the airline, who fly silly planes with propellors, may say that the box is too big.  I will have paid the original price of the bike in reality, but got a two-day trip to the south of England.  At least the poor man will not have had to pack the bike or ask anyone else to do it for him.  If the airline reject it I will have to ride it up to Aberdeen in winter, then get a 12 hour ferry back to Shetland
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 13 December, 2014, 09:51:00 am
Where in the South of England is this bike?
There might be a helpful yacfer nearby...
After that, there's the Shore Porters...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 13 December, 2014, 11:34:29 am
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 12 December, 2014, 01:46:13 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 11 December, 2014, 10:49:01 pm
Is that what used to be known as a floorwalker? Or shopwalker, or some similar title?
I think that was what Captain Peacock used to do.
Probably what I was thinking of.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 15 December, 2014, 10:10:03 am
Silly me, I missed the email that warned of a deep clean of the drying room on Friday. Therefore I didn't take my towels home and then this morning when I got in I had to go to the bags of stuff.

Only my towels were not there.  :facepalm: shower without towels...

I don't think I took them home on Friday and left them behind this morning but I will have to check.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 15 December, 2014, 02:54:04 pm
Quote from: Templogin on 13 December, 2014, 08:08:44 am
Ebay sellers of bikes.  You have a lovely bike that would suit my partner perfectly.  I am more than happy to pay your initial price, but I can't collect it as I am 800 miles away.  No, I can't arrange for someone to bring a box around to your place with bubble wrap to wrap it up, but I am happy to pay you to do it or have it done by a shop.  If I could it would be me and I would just take it apart and throw it into the car.

A few days later - Price goes down by £150.  You must really hate packing bikes.

A few days later - Auction ends.  No-one has bought the bike.

Next day - bike is re-listed £300 below original price.  That's the price of the flight.  If it goes down by another £100 that will cover the hotel and incidental expenses, but the airline, who fly silly planes with propellors, may say that the box is too big.  I will have paid the original price of the bike in reality, but got a two-day trip to the south of England.  At least the poor man will not have had to pack the bike or ask anyone else to do it for him.  If the airline reject it I will have to ride it up to Aberdeen in winter, then get a 12 hour ferry back to Shetland

What Helly said........
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 15 December, 2014, 03:09:11 pm
Quote from: Templogin on 13 December, 2014, 08:08:44 am
Ebay sellers of bikes.  You have a lovely bike that would suit my partner perfectly.  I am more than happy to pay your initial price, but I can't collect it as I am 800 miles away.  No, I can't arrange for someone to bring a box around to your place with bubble wrap to wrap it up, but I am happy to pay you to do it or have it done by a shop.  If I could it would be me and I would just take it apart and throw it into the car.
I was in a similar situation some years ago. I rang a bike shop local to the seller. they said they'd happily package up the bike and courier it to me - their fee was something like a fiver more than courier cost and for that they'd take the pedals off, move bars, wrap in bubble wrap and pack in a bike box. All the seller had to to was walk into the shop with the bike.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 15 December, 2014, 04:42:10 pm
I asked about such shenanigans for the last bike I saw on t'bay that was collection only. No, he wasn't able to package it for me to arrange a courier collection. No, he didn't have a bike shop anywhere remotely close that he was able to take the bike to.

I gave up, and watched it sell for c50% of his original BIN price, which was in turn about 50% of what I'd have been prepared to pay for it to turn up on my doorstep. Ho hum.

(And yeah, what Helly said. If it's the right bit of the south of England (ie close enough to That London to make an interesting outing), I might be amenable to folding it into a box.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 15 December, 2014, 06:52:57 pm
If I'd intended to ring my landlord and got an answering machine message saying "Hello this is your not-landlord", then rung back and got the same message again, I think I'd notice that I that I'd rung my not-landlord again and hung up.

Rather than, say, leave a detailed message about a blown lightbulb.

Now I have your address though, dear lady, I may come round Equipped to Burgle, or Dispense Clue.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 15 December, 2014, 06:54:11 pm
You could really confuse them, and change the lightbulb...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 15 December, 2014, 06:56:29 pm
Quote from: Kim on 15 December, 2014, 06:54:11 pm
You could really confuse them, and change the lightbulb...

For a red one :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 15 December, 2014, 07:50:11 pm
People really ring their Landlord to change a lightbulb?! ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 15 December, 2014, 09:48:54 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 15 December, 2014, 07:50:11 pm
People really ring their Landlord to change a lightbulb?! ???

If it's perilously high above a communal stairwell, or something...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 15 December, 2014, 10:07:28 pm
Mum, the book (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Book_of_Westmarch) you asked me to get you for Christmas isn't just hard to find - it doesn't actually exist! :facepalm:

(This was a genuine request not a wind up)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 15 December, 2014, 10:08:42 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 15 December, 2014, 10:07:28 pm
Mum, the book (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Book_of_Westmarch) you asked me to get you for Christmas isn't just hard to find - it doesn't actually exist! :facepalm:

(This was a genuine request not a wind up)

Oh, dear. 

*schnorfle*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 16 December, 2014, 01:02:36 am
Quote from: Kim on 15 December, 2014, 09:48:54 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 15 December, 2014, 07:50:11 pm
People really ring their Landlord to change a lightbulb?! ???

If it's perilously high above a communal stairwell, or something...

... or something, like, um, being a lightbulb.

The landlord - or agent - will most probably then put the job in the hands of their favoured local handyman service. Surprising how many owner-occupiers will do the same, or who feel that installing a wireless doorbell requires a professional's touch.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 16 December, 2014, 01:32:50 am
I understand BT & EE are in talks to form a merger of their businesses.
I would have one telco fewer about which to grumble.
Where's the fun in that?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 16 December, 2014, 09:51:26 am
Never mind the quantity, consider the quality of your future grumbles.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 16 December, 2014, 09:53:12 am
Quote from: jsabine on 16 December, 2014, 01:02:36 am
Quote from: Kim on 15 December, 2014, 09:48:54 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 15 December, 2014, 07:50:11 pm
People really ring their Landlord to change a lightbulb?! ???

If it's perilously high above a communal stairwell, or something...

... or something, like, um, being a lightbulb.

The landlord - or agent - will most probably then put the job in the hands of their favoured local handyman service. Surprising how many owner-occupiers will do the same, or who feel that installing a wireless doorbell requires a professional's touch.
Fair enough if you're an owner-occupier, but if you're renting, it sounds a good way to piss off your landlord.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 16 December, 2014, 11:38:11 am
Indeed. the 25 pound blob of glue, where the tenant complained the toilet roll holder had broken. The glue was free, but I had to pay the call out fee.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 16 December, 2014, 12:46:37 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 15 December, 2014, 10:07:28 pm
Mum, the book (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Book_of_Westmarch) you asked me to get you for Christmas isn't just hard to find - it doesn't actually exist! :facepalm:

(This was a genuine request not a wind up)
Oh excellent!

Somewhere in the corner of the long weight shop, between the tartan paint and the buckets for the steam.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 16 December, 2014, 01:23:52 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 16 December, 2014, 09:53:12 am
Quote from: jsabine on 16 December, 2014, 01:02:36 am
Quote from: Kim on 15 December, 2014, 09:48:54 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 15 December, 2014, 07:50:11 pm
People really ring their Landlord to change a lightbulb?! ???

If it's perilously high above a communal stairwell, or something...

... or something, like, um, being a lightbulb.

The landlord - or agent - will most probably then put the job in the hands of their favoured local handyman service. Surprising how many owner-occupiers will do the same, or who feel that installing a wireless doorbell requires a professional's touch.
Fair enough if you're an owner-occupier, but if you're renting, it sounds a good way to piss off your landlord.

It's an even better way to piss off your not-landlord >:(  I've had this clown in Hackney, a leaking ceiling in either Watford or Eastbourne, a collapsed garden wall in Telford and a window frame in Bog knows where.  The last one ("Number nine Church Road" or similar) left a series of increasingly peevish messages over the course of about ten days.  If you do not know the name of your landlord consider taking up Audax and moving to a bus shelter.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 16 December, 2014, 01:25:04 pm
Quote from: clarion on 16 December, 2014, 12:46:37 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 15 December, 2014, 10:07:28 pm
Mum, the book (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Book_of_Westmarch) you asked me to get you for Christmas isn't just hard to find - it doesn't actually exist! :facepalm:

(This was a genuine request not a wind up)
Oh excellent!

Somewhere in the corner of the long weight shop, between the tartan paint and the buckets for the steam.

When I'd managed to explain it didn't exist, she was pretty dissapointed :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 16 December, 2014, 01:50:26 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 16 December, 2014, 01:23:52 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 16 December, 2014, 09:53:12 am
Quote from: jsabine on 16 December, 2014, 01:02:36 am
Quote from: Kim on 15 December, 2014, 09:48:54 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 15 December, 2014, 07:50:11 pm
People really ring their Landlord to change a lightbulb?! ???

If it's perilously high above a communal stairwell, or something...

... or something, like, um, being a lightbulb.

The landlord - or agent - will most probably then put the job in the hands of their favoured local handyman service. Surprising how many owner-occupiers will do the same, or who feel that installing a wireless doorbell requires a professional's touch.
Fair enough if you're an owner-occupier, but if you're renting, it sounds a good way to piss off your landlord.

It's an even better way to piss off your not-landlord >:(  I've had this clown in Hackney, a leaking ceiling in either Watford or Eastbourne, a collapsed garden wall in Telford and a window frame in Bog knows where.  The last one ("Number nine Church Road" or similar) left a series of increasingly peevish messages over the course of about ten days.  If you do not know the name of your landlord consider taking up Audax and moving to a bus shelter.
:D :D :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: iddu on 17 December, 2014, 11:17:00 am
Quote from: mcshroom on 15 December, 2014, 10:07:28 pm
Mum, the book (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Book_of_Westmarch) you asked me to get you for Christmas isn't just hard to find - it doesn't actually exist! :facepalm:

(This was a genuine request not a wind up)

For small values of exist. http://www.indyprops.com/pp-rb.htm. As close to original as ever likely to be.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 17 December, 2014, 11:34:10 am
Quote from: mcshroom on 15 December, 2014, 10:07:28 pm
Mum, the book (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Book_of_Westmarch) you asked me to get you for Christmas isn't just hard to find - it doesn't actually exist! :facepalm:

(This was a genuine request not a wind up)

Get her this (http://www.amazon.com/The-Everyday-Uses-Portland-Cement/dp/1407732765) instead.  My grate frend Uncle Marvo says it's a cracking read.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 17 December, 2014, 08:26:22 pm
Sister: Sorry, but you couldn't park your car on our drive tonight for your xmas do at a nearby pub. It's a cul-de-sac and space is very much at a premium. I've been driving in and out all evening on various taxi duties, so to have to move your car would have been a right PITA. Furthermore, you live <5 mins walk from a station that would take you to Warwick in about 20 mins and the station is 2 mins from your venue. Furthermore parking near the venue is also at a premium, so it really would make sense to let the train take the strain, especially as you will be with your other half.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vernon on 17 December, 2014, 08:59:17 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 16 December, 2014, 01:32:50 am
I understand BT & EE are in talks to form a merger of their businesses.
BEET? Run by vegetables!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 18 December, 2014, 01:21:38 pm
Arse.  My coffee grinder died


It ground one last load of beans beautifully.  The next lot of beans - nothing.  Will not grind.  It has ground to a halt.

In a kind of binary way, it has died, because it totally worked, then it totally didn't.

 >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 18 December, 2014, 01:44:12 pm
sounds like a fix it up challenge. Better bring it to Malham
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 18 December, 2014, 02:23:33 pm
Oh, what a good idea!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 18 December, 2014, 02:36:18 pm
Will tell kim to pack portable soldering iron :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 18 December, 2014, 03:26:44 pm
Quote from: barakta on 18 December, 2014, 02:36:18 pm
Will tell kim to pack portable soldering iron :)

The gentle art of delegation is not dead.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 18 December, 2014, 03:44:05 pm
and bring a fuse......
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 18 December, 2014, 04:11:23 pm
multimeter, random wire, heatshrink, solder . . . anything i've missed? I can always pack it on Sat night before heading over.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 18 December, 2014, 04:14:25 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 18 December, 2014, 04:11:23 pm
multimeter, random wire, heatshrink, solder . . . anything i've missed? I can always pack it on Sat night before heading over.
Hammer, if can't fix it - use a bigger hammer :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Clare on 18 December, 2014, 04:15:04 pm
Number 8 wire, cable ties and Gaffer tape.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 18 December, 2014, 04:15:25 pm
Coffee beans for testing, filter so the ground beans don't get wasted.

I was going to add replacement switch and motor, but I would be disappointed if the assembled peeps couldn't contrive these from an old beer can and piece of soap.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 18 December, 2014, 04:32:54 pm
Quote from: barakta on 18 December, 2014, 02:36:18 pm
Will tell kim to pack portable soldering iron :)

That reminds me ...    ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 18 December, 2014, 04:34:00 pm
Quote from: Vince on 18 December, 2014, 04:15:25 pm
Coffee beans for testing, filter so the ground beans don't get wasted.


Are we ok with a Cafetiere, or do we need the full filter? :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Gattopardo on 18 December, 2014, 04:46:44 pm
Espresso or nothing else.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 18 December, 2014, 05:02:19 pm
Quote from: Polar Bear on 18 December, 2014, 04:32:54 pm
Quote from: barakta on 18 December, 2014, 02:36:18 pm
Will tell kim to pack portable soldering iron :)

That reminds me ...    ;)

Ooh, good thinking...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 18 December, 2014, 05:07:00 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 18 December, 2014, 04:34:00 pm
Quote from: Vince on 18 December, 2014, 04:15:25 pm
Coffee beans for testing, filter so the ground beans don't get wasted.


Are we ok with a Cafetiere, or do we need the full filter? :)
I got as far as 'Filter and C' when I realised I couldn't remember the word 'Cafetiere'  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 19 December, 2014, 03:02:39 pm
While you guys are dithyrambling over coffee one of our dogs just ate a stink bug and threw up on the bedroom rug. Everything since and including his breakfast.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 19 December, 2014, 03:21:51 pm
Quote from: T42 on 19 December, 2014, 03:02:39 pm
While you guys are dithyrambling over coffee one of our dogs just ate a stink bug and threw up on the bedroom rug. Everything since and including his breakfast.
I hope he helped in cleaning it up, ours do :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 19 December, 2014, 03:45:05 pm
Quote from: woollypigs on 19 December, 2014, 03:21:51 pm
Quote from: T42 on 19 December, 2014, 03:02:39 pm
While you guys are dithyrambling over coffee one of our dogs just ate a stink bug and threw up on the bedroom rug. Everything since and including his breakfast.
I hope he helped in cleaning it up, ours do :)

Ours usually do, but stink bugs are stink bugs - once they're broken open the pong is incredible.  A chum got one in her tea a few years back and didn't stop throwing up for an hour.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 19 December, 2014, 04:24:40 pm
Incredibly snooty Kenilworth woman on my post round: Serfdom was abolished in England hundreds of years ago, I believe, so do not expect me to "mind my Ps and Qs" when trying to get you to confirm that your dog is secure. If you think I was rude, then you have a very strange interpretation of that word. I was civil enough, given the circumstances, and you can expect a sarcastic tug of my forelock should we ever need to do business again, which is quite likely.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: bumper on 19 December, 2014, 06:10:11 pm
A comb, which I paid for on the 2nd December, has been left in my postbox today. Was I unreasonable expecting it to be delivered on the 3rd December, when I paid for next day postage and ordered it before the 3.00pm cut off time.

What a crap service!

It's a bloody comb, not a special order Bentley!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 19 December, 2014, 07:34:55 pm
If you want me to donate to the rotary club charity collection,  driving round the estate with a float blairing out a Wombelling Merry Christmas and bashing repeatedly on the front door while I'm on the loo is not the way to do it. Womble off somewhere else.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 20 December, 2014, 01:37:18 pm
I wish that people who know fuck all about cycling wouldn't send me useless books about it for Christmas.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 20 December, 2014, 06:41:44 pm
I have the same trouble with railway books.  Unknowing relatives think "Oh, William likes trains, I'm sure he'll love this discounted book I found in a High Street shop, for Christmas."  If a railway book is sufficiently interesting, I have already bought it, and no, you cannot buy any of them in High Street shops.  There is only one railway book I need right now, and I seem to be writing bits of it, and my research efforts are somewhat buggered by an ebola outbreak.  That's ebola, with one "b", so it cannot possibly be pronounced "ebbola"  :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 21 December, 2014, 08:24:29 am
Ah well, apart from odd mispronunciations on the Inlaw Paw's satellite Beeb I've only heard it in French and German - EBBola. Of course, it's a Belgian coinage from an African name so they must all have got it wrong.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 22 December, 2014, 09:08:28 am
Bah! On my day off, it turns out the cheese shop in Warwick is usually closed on Mondays. I'm hoping it'll be open today, or it's Sainsbury's cheese on Thursday.

Update: five cheeses bought: An Irish, ripe cheddar; a lovely, creamy blue; an almost liquid brie; a chilli-laden cheddar (very hot!) and an oaky, crumbly Lancashire.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 22 December, 2014, 10:19:52 am
If I've asked you for a box of large powder-free examination gloves, why are you offering me medium ones?
Do you think I have the ability to make my hands shrink or something?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 22 December, 2014, 10:31:59 am
Maybe it is a large box of medium gloves?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 22 December, 2014, 11:10:45 am
WTF have the Guardian done to their website ?  >:(   
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: aidan.f on 22 December, 2014, 04:45:12 pm
A family member  has  put  my new merino wool base  layer  through  a  40 degree wash. Any cold PORGS out there!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 22 December, 2014, 04:52:53 pm
Quote from: aidan.f on 22 December, 2014, 04:45:12 pm
A family member  has  put  my new merino wool base  layer  through  a  40 degree wash. Any cold PORGS out there!

Sympathies! My Mum used to do the same with my wool socks.
There's a reason I put my Size 8s into size 9-11 men's socks...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: aidan.f on 22 December, 2014, 05:05:18 pm
I  am wearing  it  damp - hope  this  will stop it  shrinking as it  dries and  maybe stretch  it a bit
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 22 December, 2014, 07:49:31 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 22 December, 2014, 11:10:45 am
WTF have the Guardian done to their website ?  >:(
I dunno, but they got an e-mail snotogram from me yesterday telling them to stop it. PDQ.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 22 December, 2014, 09:14:20 pm
Quote from: aidan.f on 22 December, 2014, 04:45:12 pm
A family member  has  put  my new merino wool base  layer  through  a  40 degree wash. Any cold PORGS out there!
All our merino everythings get washed at 40. (And we have a *lot* of merino). The only issue we've ever had was with an On-One cardi which turned into a Teddy bear top.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 22 December, 2014, 09:32:53 pm
All my merino stuffs get done at 40, and the tops have been just fine.
OTOH, the socks have shrunk every time they have been washed.
I can just-about haul them onto my feet, but it's a bit of a stretch!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 22 December, 2014, 11:57:45 pm
I wash the merino at 40 too, unless there's enough to warrant a merino-only wash at 30 (there normally isn't, so it gets bunged in with the other stuff). No problems with shrinkage.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 23 December, 2014, 08:32:49 am
Ugh, wool, horrible itchy stuff, dunno how sheep cope with it.

I am offically allergic to sheeps wool! (and certain hardwoods, and a few other obscure things)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 23 December, 2014, 01:29:04 pm
Quote from: phantasmagoriana on 22 December, 2014, 11:57:45 pm
I wash the merino at 40 too, unless there's enough to warrant a merino-only wash at 30 (there normally isn't, so it gets bunged in with the other stuff). No problems with shrinkage.

This.

The only exception being my Walz winter cap.  Which regular readers will know is my second one, the first having been given to SmallestCub after an accidental 40C wash courtesy of an unchecked jersey pocket.

It gets a manual rinse under the cold tap every now and then.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 23 December, 2014, 01:55:18 pm
I shrank one green & white On One jersey at 40oC, but nothing else merino (including an older red, green and white On One Jersey of similar design) has been affected
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 23 December, 2014, 01:57:34 pm
I think my On One merino socks might have shrunk a bit, they're slightly less hilariously too big than they used to be (as I was on the cusp of the two sizes, and they were wool, I went for the larger size).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 23 December, 2014, 09:41:27 pm
Sick of all these arseholes on transpondian fora who can't say Christmas any more but wish each other a Happy Solstice, Yule, Chanukah, god knows what else anything but Christmas.  I don't give a shit for religion but all this pussyfooting around actually mentioning the prevalent Western jollification of the season gives me the pip. It's Christmas, bloody hell, so say it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 23 December, 2014, 09:43:47 pm
Has Kawanzaa fallen out of fashion?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 23 December, 2014, 09:48:18 pm
Quote from: T42 on 23 December, 2014, 09:41:27 pm
Sick of all these arseholes on transpondian fora who can't say Christmas any more but wish each other a Happy Solstice, Yule, Chanukah, god knows what else anything but Christmas.  I don't give a shit for religion but all this pussyfooting around actually mentioning the prevalent Western jollification of the season gives me the pip. It's Christmas, bloody hell, so say it.
It's not my christmas. I am quite happy celebrating the Solstice, but not the hijacked version of christmas forced upon us.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 23 December, 2014, 10:23:04 pm
Exactly.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 24 December, 2014, 08:34:57 am
I'll plant my flag alongside T42's.  Regardless of what actual religion (or none) that you espouse, the thing that is currently about to be celebrated, is Christmas, a Christian festival with assorted bits of ancient paganism and other dross thrown in. By all means celebrate something else of your choice, but this one is Christmas, not "Solstice", or "holidays". By all means, if you are non-Christian, just use it as an excuse for a bit of merriment (like my Hindu and Muslim friends do) but don't try to rename it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 24 December, 2014, 10:42:00 am
Festivus! (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Festivus)

But I'm with with Christmas. It's hardly a religious holiday anymore. Eat, drink, be merry, rue the less than delicate aroma of fermented brussel sprouts the day after.

Kawanzaa is still going, but made up holidays need the fulsome support of Hallmark. It's all a racist conspiracy. Probably.

Hanukkah is a real thing. There's a special candle.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 24 December, 2014, 11:46:25 am
I finally decided to put the tree up last night, and found out the new lights didn't come with the required (and supposedly supplied) transformer. I don't have any compatible transformers to sub in (them wiring the lights onto a male jack rather than a female one doesn't help) and God only knows where the receipt has run away to.

Hmm, dark tree or brave the Christmas Eve Shopping Frenzy? :-\
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 24 December, 2014, 11:57:06 am
I've got some spare lights you can have? Just pop round  ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 24 December, 2014, 12:01:00 pm
;D
Actually I'll be passing not far from you this evening - Unfortunately I'll be in rather a hurry though dashing between Midnight Masses :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 24 December, 2014, 12:02:36 pm
Quote from: ian on 24 December, 2014, 10:42:00 am
But I'm with with Christmas. It's hardly a religious holiday anymore. Eat, drink, be merry, rue the less than delicate aroma of fermented brussel sprouts the day after.

More like the Roman festival of Saturnalia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturnalia), then.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 24 December, 2014, 12:14:00 pm
Bahfuckinghumbug and poo to santa elves and houses that look like the spacshipe at the end of CE3K.  Also wrapping presents which causes the loss of an armful of blood.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 24 December, 2014, 12:24:44 pm
Quote from: spesh on 24 December, 2014, 12:02:36 pm
Quote from: ian on 24 December, 2014, 10:42:00 am
But I'm with with Christmas. It's hardly a religious holiday anymore. Eat, drink, be merry, rue the less than delicate aroma of fermented brussel sprouts the day after.

More like the Roman festival of Saturnalia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturnalia), then.

Toga!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 24 December, 2014, 12:59:29 pm
Quote from: ian on 24 December, 2014, 12:24:44 pm
Quote from: spesh on 24 December, 2014, 12:02:36 pm
Quote from: ian on 24 December, 2014, 10:42:00 am
But I'm with with Christmas. It's hardly a religious holiday anymore. Eat, drink, be merry, rue the less than delicate aroma of fermented brussel sprouts the day after.

More like the Roman festival of Saturnalia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturnalia), then.

Toga!

TOGA! TOGA! TOGA! (http://youtu.be/y1Mk7idVfcA) ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 24 December, 2014, 03:42:22 pm
Self: When going knackered straight from work to go shopping in the midst of the post-Solstice throng; check that you have your wallet with you before filling your trolley and depositing the goods on the checkout conveyor!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 24 December, 2014, 03:46:37 pm
Have just untangled three sets of lights all diligently knotted together last February. Little voice in hindbrain chanting "scissors!"

Quote from: spesh on 24 December, 2014, 12:59:29 pm
TOGA! TOGA! TOGA! (http://youtu.be/y1Mk7idVfcA) ;D

Ain't that what they shouted when they dived on Pearl Harbour?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Si_Co on 26 December, 2014, 08:32:59 am
Three different doses of lurgy in 4 days, its like a plague house here, god I'm knackered  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Marj on 26 December, 2014, 11:19:21 am
Quote from: Si S on 26 December, 2014, 08:32:59 am
Three different doses of lurgy in 4 days, its like a plague house here, god I'm knackered  :(

Hope you are feeling better soon, be selfish and keep it to yourself :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 26 December, 2014, 11:51:49 am
Peter May, we know that your "Enzo Files" series of crime novels are set in France.  However there is no need whatsoever to pepper the text with italicised French words for which there exist perfectly cromulent English equivalents.  Pourquoi terrasse or séjour when "terrace" and "living room" will do instead?

It's poncey is what it is.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 26 December, 2014, 06:03:24 pm
Arsebiscuits. The snow has arrived in Liverpool & I'm stuck in the parentals house without transport. Can't ask my 81 year old Dad to give me a lift back in this :-(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 26 December, 2014, 07:12:36 pm
Thought they had Boris bikes in Liverpool  :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 26 December, 2014, 07:19:13 pm
Quote from: Canardly on 26 December, 2014, 07:12:36 pm
Thought they had Boris bikes in Liverpool  :demon:

Hire bikes are not designed for Luggage.
Most people who visit parents for Christmas have some baggage.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 26 December, 2014, 08:18:56 pm
And my parents live in Knowsley, a different council area.
No hire bikes here, I've walked home in the past a few times though. Not tonight I think.  :-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 26 December, 2014, 08:45:49 pm
If only there was someone you could call and they'd turn up with a car and drive you somewhere for an unreasonable fee...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 26 December, 2014, 09:38:51 pm
A wisdom tooth is trying to break through and has been for the last day. I'm being reminded why teething toddlers can get so grumpy.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 26 December, 2014, 09:45:10 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 26 December, 2014, 09:38:51 pm
A wisdom tooth is trying to break through and has been for theast day. I'm being reminded why teething toddlers can get so grumpy.

On the basis that toddlers probably have the right idea, gnawing on the handle of a wooden spoon helped with mine.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 26 December, 2014, 10:22:14 pm
Bah.
Why do things like washing machines choose the most inconvenient time to die?

We're off on holliberries tomorrow, and we were doing a load of washing this afternoon.
The machine packed in mid-way through the cycle.
Extracted the wet load, and Mrs. F took it round to my brother's house to finish it up whilst I had at the machine.

Error E40 .. Tappity-tap... Hmm, door interlock failure.
Strip it down.
Hmm, the cable loom connector is badly burned where it connects to the interlock module.
<Orders new interlock module and cable assembly.>
If the push came to the shove, I could just cut off the burned connector and solder the wires directly onto the parts of the interlock assembly.

Interesting thing, the interlock assembly.
I expected it to be just a simple solenoid, with a contact to sense the position.
But no.
It's a wee ceramic heater pressed against a bi-metallic strip which pushes the locking pin out.
And a curious ratchet-wheel with ramps on it which is rotated by a solenoid repeatedly prodding it which retracts the locking pin.
A most curious design.
Presumably to allow it to fail-open after removing power for a few minutes.


Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 26 December, 2014, 10:27:41 pm
Quote from: Feanor on 26 December, 2014, 10:22:14 pm
Interesting thing, the interlock assembly.
[...]
It's a wee ceramic heater pressed against a bi-metallic strip which pushes the locking pin out.
And a curious ratchet-wheel with ramps on it which is rotated by a solenoid repeatedly prodding it which retracts the locking pin.
A most curious design.
Presumably to allow it to fail-open after removing power for a few minutes.

I'd wondered how they worked (beyond "something fiendishly clever and mechanical"), but not to the point of spending more time dismantling a broken washing machine than I had to...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 26 December, 2014, 10:45:08 pm
My washing machine has also died. It is flashing 'door' which last time meant that the brushes on the motor had gone. Bits on their way. I haven't summoned the enthusiasm to open it up and threatenit with a screwdriver prior to the arrival of the spares.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 28 December, 2014, 08:33:09 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 26 December, 2014, 09:38:51 pm
A wisdom tooth is trying to break through and has been for the last day. I'm being reminded why teething toddlers can get so grumpy.

Scene: Man About the House (an early seventies sitcom, m'lud)
A baby cries
Paula Wilcox "I think she's teething"
Sally Thomsett "No, I think she means it"
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 29 December, 2014, 08:09:28 am
Just looked at the weather forecast for the next month.  The only day that hasn't got rain or snow against it has "0/6°C Dreary".
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 29 December, 2014, 09:49:48 am
You have 168 unread emails......
Just what I need to inspire me on my return to work....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CrinklyLion on 29 December, 2014, 11:13:49 am
Bugger.

Crown has come out...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 29 December, 2014, 12:35:59 pm
Quote from: CrinklyLion on 29 December, 2014, 11:13:49 am
Bugger.

Crown has come out...

I don't remember seeing that in the Queen's Speech.  Is this QS-XL?

(http://legslarry.org.uk/BikeStull/coat_48.png)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 29 December, 2014, 07:40:34 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 29 December, 2014, 09:49:48 am
You have 168 unread emails......
Just what I need to inspire me on my return to work....

408 here. I think I'll go back to pretending they're not there.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 29 December, 2014, 09:49:19 pm
Motor-car!

Plz not to be lowering and raising passenger window at random.  It's cold outside and it makes it harder to hear the wireless.

kthxbai
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 30 December, 2014, 12:56:14 pm
OK, so the front passenger seat seatbelt warning light sometimes doesn't. Or when it does it shouldn't. And the seatbelt pretensioner warning light is about as decisive as an indecisive thing after a severe beating about the head. And the front passenger airbag warning light lies.

I take the front seat out and untie all the magic anbaric knots and retie them and put the seat back. Result? NFC :demon:

Send cage off to cage repairers. They plug in their guru which says Body Control Unit is borked. That will be £518 to replace all in says the guru operator but we have to order the thing as we don't hold it in stock so we can't fix before Wednesday at the earliest. I says OK, I'll pick the car up in a mo. He says fine but you will have to pay for the part in advance as it is a SPECIAL THING.

I arrives at the cage repairers and the guru supervisor says hello here is your car. That will be the cost of the part plus £60 for the honour of us telling you you have to spend over £500 :o

You mean you aren't including the diagnostic cost in the cost of the repair?

No.

Money grabbing wankers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 30 December, 2014, 09:22:59 pm
So bored with my body not working.  Between my knackered feet and my protesting lungs my life is just work, eat, sleep, and has been for bloody months.  Woke up this morning feeling positive, energetic and motivated.  Which was great till I went outside in the cold.  Haven't been able to breathe since.  Blasted buggery bollocksing arsebuckets.  I can't even go for a walk.  Bah.  Grump.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Marj on 30 December, 2014, 10:16:33 pm
Quote from: Ruthie on 30 December, 2014, 09:22:59 pm
So bored with my body not working.  Between my knackered feet and my protesting lungs my life is just work, eat, sleep, and has been for bloody months.  Woke up this morning feeling positive, energetic and motivated.  Which was great till I went outside in the cold.  Haven't been able to breathe since.  Blasted buggery bollocksing arsebuckets.  I can't even go for a walk.  Bah.  Grump.

Envelopes Ruthie in my arms and gives a big hug xxxx
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 30 December, 2014, 10:22:48 pm
Quote from: Marj on 30 December, 2014, 10:16:33 pm
Quote from: Ruthie on 30 December, 2014, 09:22:59 pm
So bored with my body not working.  Between my knackered feet and my protesting lungs my life is just work, eat, sleep, and has been for bloody months.  Woke up this morning feeling positive, energetic and motivated.  Which was great till I went outside in the cold.  Haven't been able to breathe since.  Blasted buggery bollocksing arsebuckets.  I can't even go for a walk.  Bah.  Grump.

Envelopes Ruthie in my arms and gives a big hug xxxx

Hugs Marj back.

You give the best hugs Marj xxxx
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 30 December, 2014, 10:25:26 pm
Second best hug from here.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Gattopardo on 30 December, 2014, 11:10:51 pm
Quote from: CrinklyLion on 29 December, 2014, 11:13:49 am
Bugger.

Crown has come out...

Very regal.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 31 December, 2014, 12:36:19 am
Another hug from here Ruthie. It's warming up a bit the next few days so hopefully your lungs should feel a bit better (provided we don't all smother you with hugs ;D)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 31 December, 2014, 07:33:36 am
We've never met, Ruthie, but may I submit a humble hug as well?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 31 December, 2014, 07:34:56 am
Why yes, thank you!

This is nice  :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 31 December, 2014, 07:36:46 am
BTW, I really admire your sentiments.  I have a buggered ankle and while the roads are iffy I'm housebound.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 31 December, 2014, 07:40:50 am
Forgot me own grumble the while: Turned on the kitchen hot-tap this morning and steam came out.  Thermostat gone west. Plumber, natch, will be off skiing for two weeks.  Fortunately nothing has sundered. So far.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 31 December, 2014, 02:51:41 pm
Bloody sticking plasters - or more specifically the shiny slippery (especially when bloody) individual wrappers that are almost impossible to open. Pah.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 31 December, 2014, 09:41:14 pm
Quote from: David Martin on 26 December, 2014, 10:45:08 pm
My washing machine has also died. It is flashing 'door' which last time meant that the brushes on the motor had gone. Bits on their way. I haven't summoned the enthusiasm to open it up and threatenit with a screwdriver prior to the arrival of the spares.
"Transmission" warning light in car is coming on intermittently - as in every week or so. Car dealer service department admits their mechanics don't have a clue why. They've checked the most likely causes. Honda's diagnostic database is down, & Honda HQ is shut until Monday (or Sunday night, our time). New Year is the biggest holiday in Japan. So we have to wait.

I thought of taking bets on what the real cause is, but Mrs B doesn't like the idea.

At least the car's working - so far. And it's covered by the warranty.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 02 January, 2015, 07:30:59 pm
It is toasty in here, except at floor level.  Unfortunately, this is where I usually keep my feet.  Bloody Laws of Thermodynamics >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 02 January, 2015, 07:54:09 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 02 January, 2015, 07:30:59 pm
It is toasty in here, except at floor level.  Unfortunately, this is where I usually keep my feet.  Bloody Laws of Thermodynamics >:(
What you need, is a pair of BFO slippers anna footstool.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 02 January, 2015, 07:57:59 pm
Or underfloor heating. Mrs P's suggestion may be cheaper ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 02 January, 2015, 08:08:30 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 02 January, 2015, 07:30:59 pm
It is toasty in here, except at floor level.  Unfortunately, this is where I usually keep my feet.  Bloody Laws of Thermodynamics >:(

Are you not of the age to Wear Slippers?

I see Mrs Pingu beat me to it...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 02 January, 2015, 08:21:11 pm
These might be slightly on the extreme slipper side :D http://www.needlesports.com/Catalogue/Technical-Clothing/Feet/Insulated-Booties
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 04 January, 2015, 02:06:13 am
I have slippers, in fact two pairs.  Both of which fall off when I walk in them.  No space for a footstool as there is a coffee table laden with anbaric tqt in the way.  I am not one of those oddballs who keeps the remote controls on the other side of the room when the devices they operate are not in use.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 06 January, 2015, 11:18:02 am
Gah!  Back at work.   :'(
They keep wanting me to do stuff I don’t particularly feel like doing just at the moment.  >:(
Isn’t that harassment? 

 ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 06 January, 2015, 11:26:51 am
Quote from: Feanor on 26 December, 2014, 10:22:14 pm
It's a wee ceramic heater pressed against a bi-metallic strip which pushes the locking pin out.
And a curious ratchet-wheel with ramps on it which is rotated by a solenoid repeatedly prodding it which retracts the locking pin.
A most curious design.
Presumably to allow it to fail-open after removing power for a few minutes.
Fascinating!

Hmm - if the power failed during a boil wash, the door would remain locked until the contents had cooled down. Maybe that is the reason for the complex design?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 06 January, 2015, 04:38:59 pm
You find yourself in the "Basket only" queue at the Horriblemarket.  Ahead of you is a punter who has the entire Tinies' Clothing department in his trolley.  Should you:


I am a BRITON and thus plumped for the first option.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 06 January, 2015, 05:00:13 pm
And did they?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 06 January, 2015, 05:15:51 pm
"Baskets only" queueueues are a work of Stan, and more reasonable horriblemarkets have deprecated them in favour of "n items or less" ("n items or fewer" being too much to hope for) so as not to discriminate against purchasers of small numbers of items who are unable to carry a basket.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 06 January, 2015, 06:06:54 pm
 
Quote from: Kim on 06 January, 2015, 05:15:51 pm
"Baskets only" queueueues are a work of Stan, and more reasonable horriblemarkets have deprecated them in favour of "n items or less" ("n items or fewer" being too much to hope for) so as not to discriminate against purchasers of small numbers of items who are unable to carry a basket.

I've found it better not to use those tills anyway as the queue moves much slower than you expect.  The paying bit is what takes up most of the time.1  The till bods are usually pretty good at their job and can clear a conveyor full in seconds.  It's the punters who do the faffing.
I'll always choose standing in line behind a couple of overflowing trolley loads over a queue of five people with four items each.

1. Why do people only realise that they're going to need their purse/wallet when the till bod asks them for money?   Cue much rummaging in huge bottomless bags.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 06 January, 2015, 08:12:36 pm
Basil has it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 06 January, 2015, 09:51:58 pm
Yes, agreed.  Also, I've snoozed through enough lectures on queuing theory to know that the best queue to be in is probably the one you're already in, as you can't infer much about speed from queue length.


Quote from: Basil on 06 January, 2015, 06:06:54 pm
Why do people only realise that they're going to need their purse/wallet when the till bod asks them for money?

Usually because they're on the phone.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Clare on 06 January, 2015, 10:05:29 pm
Quote from: Kim on 06 January, 2015, 05:15:51 pm
"Baskets only" queueueues are a work of Stan, and more reasonable horriblemarkets have deprecated them in favour of "n items or less" ("n items or fewer" being too much to hope for) so as not to discriminate against purchasers of small numbers of items who are unable to carry a basket.

Waitrose has 'n items or fewer'. You get a better class of posh in Waitrose.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 07 January, 2015, 08:18:24 am
Quote from: Kim on 06 January, 2015, 09:51:58 pm
Yes, agreed.  Also, I've snoozed through enough lectures on queuing theory to know that the best queue to be in is probably the one you're already in, as you can't infer much about speed from queue length.

Corroboration: when you're sitting in traffic jam rated at 10 minutes by the GPS service, taking alternative it suggests will take you 20.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 07 January, 2015, 09:00:22 am
Quote from: Basil on 06 January, 2015, 06:06:54 pm
1. Why do people only realise that they're going to need their purse/wallet when the till bod asks them for money?   Cue much rummaging in huge bottomless bags.

And then, and only then, do they hand over the wodge of coupons they're too lazy to sort and have no idea if they've bought the products referred to, and let the till operator go through the WHOLE lot grrrrrrrrr.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 07 January, 2015, 02:26:16 pm
Quote from: Basil on 06 January, 2015, 06:06:54 pm
Quote from: Kim on 06 January, 2015, 05:15:51 pm
"Baskets only" queueueues are a work of Stan, and more reasonable horriblemarkets have deprecated them in favour of "n items or less" ("n items or fewer" being too much to hope for) so as not to discriminate against purchasers of small numbers of items who are unable to carry a basket.

I've found it better not to use those tills anyway as the queue moves much slower than you expect.  The paying bit is what takes up most of the time.1  The till bods are usually pretty good at their job and can clear a conveyor full in seconds.  It's the punters who do the faffing.
I'll always choose standing in line behind a couple of overflowing trolley loads over a queue of five people with four items each.

1. Why do people only realise that they're going to need their purse/wallet when the till bod asks them for money?   Cue much rummaging in huge bottomless bags.
That's entirely logical and is what I would expect as well - but is the opposite of my experience. It could be there are fewer basket-lane-abusers in Sainsbury's Clifton Down because, well, Clifton (though in fact it's more likely because so many shoppers there are students who tend to only have a basket anyway).

As for people who are unable to carry a basket, I think it would be reasonable to ignore their trolley on the grounds it only has 5 or 10 or whatever items.

What about the bleeping self-service tills though? The queues seem to move quickly, but you can guarantee something will break down or you'll have to wait for a member of staff to clear your purchase of devil juice, glue, paracetamol or razor blades.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 07 January, 2015, 02:48:10 pm
I quite like the self-service tills, if I'm only buying a few items (basically, no more than two carrier bags worth) that won't require special authorisation and - critically - don't involve too many duplicates.

The barcode scanners on them seemed to be designed to be idiot-proof, so it appears to have a lengthy debounce timeout that hinders you scanning duplicate items.  Best approach it to alternate them with items that have a different code, otherwise you stand there waving it about like an idiot while the scanner ignores you.

But I know people who simply can't get the things to behave at all.  There's probably a quantum bogodynamics reason for this, but I'll give them the benefit of the doubt and blame Stan.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mattc on 07 January, 2015, 02:55:12 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 07 January, 2015, 02:26:16 pm
Quote from: Kim on 06 January, 2015, 05:15:51 pm
"Baskets only" queueueues are a work of Stan, and more reasonable horriblemarkets have deprecated them in favour of "n items or less" ("n items or fewer" being too much to hope for) so as not to discriminate against purchasers of small numbers of items who are unable to carry a basket.


As for people who are unable to carry a basket, I think it would be reasonable to ignore their trolley on the grounds it only has 5 or 10 or whatever items.
yup, works for us - quite common at our local. The 'culprit's usually use one of those mini-trolleyettes. Noone minds at all :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 07 January, 2015, 03:33:26 pm
The issue is who looks unable to carry a basket. If someone is elderly they may get benefit of the doubt, but young people with invisible disabilities get a lot of abuse for looking like they are abusing the system.  A friend of mine last night was aggressively asked to show "proof of disability" when she asked for the disability priority seat on a bus cos she can't stand without pain.  If the horridmarkets make the lane "X items or fewer" it doesn't matter how they're transported.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 07 January, 2015, 04:17:43 pm
Quote from: barakta on 07 January, 2015, 03:33:26 pm
The issue is who looks unable to carry a basket. If someone is elderly they may get benefit of the doubt, but young people with invisible disabilities get a lot of abuse for looking like they are abusing the system.  A friend of mine last night was aggressively asked to show "proof of disability" when she asked for the disability priority seat on a bus cos she can't stand without pain. 
Walking sticks ftw
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 07 January, 2015, 04:21:10 pm
Decided to step out for some fresh air and to clear my head.  A 45 minute walk was more than enough to remind me this world is full of people who shouldn't be allowed to breath, never mind breed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 07 January, 2015, 04:39:47 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 07 January, 2015, 04:17:43 pm
Quote from: barakta on 07 January, 2015, 03:33:26 pm
The issue is who looks unable to carry a basket. If someone is elderly they may get benefit of the doubt, but young people with invisible disabilities get a lot of abuse for looking like they are abusing the system.  A friend of mine last night was aggressively asked to show "proof of disability" when she asked for the disability priority seat on a bus cos she can't stand without pain. 
Walking sticks ftw

People shouldn't need props (no pun intended) to be accepted as disabled. I remember getting a rude response from a ticket barrier assistant last July when I asked her to put my train ticket into the barrier. I couldn't do it as I had a broken right arm and it was uncomfortable to reach across with the left, but as my arm was pinned and not in a cast* she assumed I was just being lazy.

*Though it was in a figure-of-8 sling
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 07 January, 2015, 05:12:05 pm
Yeah and carrying a stick takes up a hand - which when you're already low on hand-fu is annoying - I owuld be using a trolley for upper limb reasons. I also have friends who have and use visible mobility aids accused of lying or using them as props.  Can't win when you "prop-play" the game and can't win when you don't/can't... And worse when you need a stick but the stick itself costs you in pain in hands etc.

I find it interesting who gets impatient with me over dexterity tasks and who is fine and it's not always clear whether they have noticed one or both of my hands. Sometimes people are actively helpful and will say "take your time" or smile which is nice.   I think noticing of my hands is very variable, my right hand passes as normal, my left really doesn't and some people are more observant than others.  I also don't have a sense of how slow/awkward I am compared to "normal" cos I have only ever been able to do things at my speed. Some tasks are different from others and I think my dexterity varies quite a bit too.

I think the people who have more experience of being around people with disabilities and impairments tend to be the ones who would do something like benefit of the doubt with McShroom's type of request and assume no one would be asking unless they needed it as the activation energy needed to ask is quite high.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 07 January, 2015, 05:37:21 pm
The looks of confusion I generated getting onto the train with my bike and a walking stick will live long in my memory. Hopefully I won't have to refresh them in a while. *Crosses Fingers*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 07 January, 2015, 05:45:08 pm
Cycles as mobility aids is a whole other rant, of course...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 07 January, 2015, 06:41:28 pm
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 30 December, 2014, 12:56:14 pm
OK, so the front passenger seat seatbelt warning light sometimes doesn't. Or when it does it shouldn't. And the seatbelt pretensioner warning light is about as decisive as an indecisive thing after a severe beating about the head. And the front passenger airbag warning light lies.

I take the front seat out and untie all the magic anbaric knots and retie them and put the seat back. Result? NFC :demon:

Send cage off to cage repairers. They plug in their guru which says Body Control Unit is borked. That will be £518 to replace all in says the guru operator but we have to order the thing as we don't hold it in stock so we can't fix before Wednesday at the earliest. I says OK, I'll pick the car up in a mo. He says fine but you will have to pay for the part in advance as it is a SPECIAL THING.

I arrives at the cage repairers and the guru supervisor says hello here is your car. That will be the cost of the part plus £60 for the honour of us telling you you have to spend over £500 :o

You mean you aren't including the diagnostic cost in the cost of the repair?

No.

Money grabbing wankers.

I hope, for their sake, that they have discumknockerated the seat sensor and checked the wiring continuity because if they haven't I don't think we will need the medium of yacf.co.uk to gauge Fuzzy Rtd etc's response to 'We've changed the body control unit and the fault's come back!'

If a car dealership is suddenly engulfed in an enormous fireball . . .
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 07 January, 2015, 08:59:51 pm
You need someone else to go in "Oh yes, my mate the ex special forces chap with the $car. He gets really annoyed when garages screw up. Wouldn't want to be that mechanic."
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 08 January, 2015, 01:21:49 am
Our burglar/fire/panic alarm went off tonight for no reason.
Panel stated 'Fire Zone 12'
We had NOTHING going anywhere to trigger LOUD NOISE.

Monitoring centre phoned and I told them nothing other than alarm was amiss. Suggested ventilating offending upstairs smoke detector.
Alarm went silent while David was in bathroom, only to go off again when I walked to loo downstairs.
Alarm stopped after a few minutes.

Worry is it could resume at any time.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 08 January, 2015, 10:20:39 am
Sat here in full cycling kit watching the rain lash down. Soon to be changing back again.  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: davelodwig on 08 January, 2015, 10:43:08 am
Quote from: Canardly on 08 January, 2015, 10:20:39 am
Sat here in full cycling kit watching the rain lash down. Soon to be changing back again.  :(

Rule#5?

I decided to go out in the rain mostly because there is no where to park at the bank. Once I was out it didn't seem that bad and skin is mostly waterproof anyway.

D.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 08 January, 2015, 11:05:49 am
If you're taking a whole trolley full through the basket only/small number of items queue, then you are abusing the system, whether you have a disability or not. If your trolley only contains a few things, then reasonable people shouldn't mind one way or the other. If the staff and system are reasonable, that should help engender reasonableness in customers too. I know some places use the phrase 'Express till', perhaps to avoid this whole conveyance and number issue.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 08 January, 2015, 12:07:51 pm
I would have used the self-service wossnames but I had an item with a security wossname on it, and attracting the attention of the lackey at the s-s tills is only slightly harder than Doing It while standing in a hammock.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 08 January, 2015, 02:40:52 pm
"Female policewoman killed in second Paris gun attack"  :facepalm:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/11332148/Police-officers-targeted-in-second-Paris-gun-attack.html (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/11332148/Police-officers-targeted-in-second-Paris-gun-attack.html)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 08 January, 2015, 05:53:38 pm
Just be grateful the Torygraph didn't refer to her as a "Wopsie".
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 08 January, 2015, 06:08:01 pm
Damian Grammaticus, not only are you nowhere near the Champagne region but you should also do something about that five o'clock shadow before appearing on national television.

I've often wondered whether he is married to a woman called "Anna".
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 08 January, 2015, 10:34:53 pm
Do Irish people not do camping?

I'm trying to plan a route along the East Coast from Rosslare to Belfast, but there's hardly any campsites anywhere, and those that are around seem to be shut  in mid-March when I wan't to go :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 08 January, 2015, 11:52:12 pm
I've had enough. I'm going to look at touring through Wales instead
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Gattopardo on 09 January, 2015, 03:47:12 am
Pub carparks and verges...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 09 January, 2015, 09:57:07 am
Quote from: torslanda on 07 January, 2015, 06:41:28 pm
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 30 December, 2014, 12:56:14 pm
OK, so the front passenger seat seatbelt warning light sometimes doesn't. Or when it does it shouldn't. And the seatbelt pretensioner warning light is about as decisive as an indecisive thing after a severe beating about the head. And the front passenger airbag warning light lies.

I take the front seat out and untie all the magic anbaric knots and retie them and put the seat back. Result? NFC :demon:

Send cage off to cage repairers. They plug in their guru which says Body Control Unit is borked. That will be £518 to replace all in says the guru operator but we have to order the thing as we don't hold it in stock so we can't fix before Wednesday at the earliest. I says OK, I'll pick the car up in a mo. He says fine but you will have to pay for the part in advance as it is a SPECIAL THING.

I arrives at the cage repairers and the guru supervisor says hello here is your car. That will be the cost of the part plus £60 for the honour of us telling you you have to spend over £500 :o

You mean you aren't including the diagnostic cost in the cost of the repair?

No.

Money grabbing wankers.

I hope, for their sake, that they have discumknockerated the seat sensor and checked the wiring continuity because if they haven't I don't think we will need the medium of yacf.co.uk to gauge Fuzzy Rtd etc's response to 'We've changed the body control unit and the fault's come back!'

If a car dealership is suddenly engulfed in an enormous fireball . . .

You may jest......

Picked car up last night. Started engine, pre tensioner warning light refused to go out >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wascally Weasel on 09 January, 2015, 10:44:39 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 08 January, 2015, 01:21:49 am
Our burglar/fire/panic alarm went off tonight for no reason.
Panel stated 'Fire Zone 12'
We had NOTHING going anywhere to trigger LOUD NOISE.

Monitoring centre phoned and I told them nothing other than alarm was amiss. Suggested ventilating offending upstairs smoke detector.
Alarm went silent while David was in bathroom, only to go off again when I walked to loo downstairs.
Alarm stopped after a few minutes.

Worry is it could resume at any time.

Could it be a low battery in the sensor?  Mine goes off in those circumstances.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 09 January, 2015, 12:34:12 pm
You'd hope the panel would report 'fault' rather than 'fire'...


While we're on the subject, my mystery chirping has resumed.  (It went on hiatus over Christmas on account of snot-induced conductive hearing loss).


Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 09 January, 2015, 01:33:08 pm
Quote from: Wascally Weasel on 09 January, 2015, 10:44:39 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 08 January, 2015, 01:21:49 am
Our burglar/fire/panic alarm went off tonight for no reason.
Panel stated 'Fire Zone 12'
We had NOTHING going anywhere to trigger LOUD NOISE.

Monitoring centre phoned and I told them nothing other than alarm was amiss. Suggested ventilating offending upstairs smoke detector.
Alarm went silent while David was in bathroom, only to go off again when I walked to loo downstairs.
Alarm stopped after a few minutes.

Worry is it could resume at any time.

Could it be a low battery in the sensor?  Mine goes off in those circumstances.

All batteries were replaced when system was serviced last month...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 09 January, 2015, 02:19:46 pm
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 09 January, 2015, 09:57:07 am
Quote from: torslanda on 07 January, 2015, 06:41:28 pm
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 30 December, 2014, 12:56:14 pm
OK, so the front passenger seat seatbelt warning light sometimes doesn't. Or when it does it shouldn't. And the seatbelt pretensioner warning light is about as decisive as an indecisive thing after a severe beating about the head. And the front passenger airbag warning light lies.

I take the front seat out and untie all the magic anbaric knots and retie them and put the seat back. Result? NFC :demon:

Send cage off to cage repairers. They plug in their guru which says Body Control Unit is borked. That will be £518 to replace all in says the guru operator but we have to order the thing as we don't hold it in stock so we can't fix before Wednesday at the earliest. I says OK, I'll pick the car up in a mo. He says fine but you will have to pay for the part in advance as it is a SPECIAL THING.

I arrives at the cage repairers and the guru supervisor says hello here is your car. That will be the cost of the part plus £60 for the honour of us telling you you have to spend over £500 :o

You mean you aren't including the diagnostic cost in the cost of the repair?

No.

Money grabbing wankers.

I hope, for their sake, that they have discumknockerated the seat sensor and checked the wiring continuity because if they haven't I don't think we will need the medium of yacf.co.uk to gauge Fuzzy Rtd etc's response to 'We've changed the body control unit and the fault's come back!'

If a car dealership is suddenly engulfed in an enormous fireball . . .

You may jest......

Picked car up last night. Started engine, pre tensioner warning light refused to go out >:(

Fuck! Now I need a new laptop . . .

 . . . or at least a way to get the coffee out of this one.

I'm sorry but it's taken me good 5 minutes to stop laughing!!!!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 09 January, 2015, 02:22:17 pm
BTW the pretensioner is probably on the seat belt reel in the bowels of the B-post and (probably) unaffected by the anbaric string on the seat.

Give 'em absolute hell!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 09 January, 2015, 02:35:40 pm
Quote from: torslanda on 09 January, 2015, 02:22:17 pm
BTW the pretensioner is probably on the seat belt reel in the bowels of the B-post and (probably) unaffected by the anbaric string on the seat.

Why would they do that?  It would mean that important MOT-failure warning lights wouldn't come on in response to transporting a chewy dog in the passenger footwell one time.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 09 January, 2015, 02:45:44 pm
The wiring loom would in normal circumstances be completely concealed behind trim panels and thus not immediately vulnerable to chewy dogs and inquisitive children.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 09 January, 2015, 02:47:39 pm
Exactly.  No lucrative repair costs there.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 10 January, 2015, 11:08:18 am
Funny that it's called a loom when it's more akin to the product of one.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 10 January, 2015, 11:16:31 am
Quote from: mcshroom on 08 January, 2015, 11:52:12 pm
I've had enough. I'm going to look at touring through Wales instead

I know you have changed your mind. See if you can find Gordy's round ireland trip thread, as of a couple of years ago, very informative.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 10 January, 2015, 11:36:48 am
Quote from: Canardly on 10 January, 2015, 11:16:31 am
Quote from: mcshroom on 08 January, 2015, 11:52:12 pm
I've had enough. I'm going to look at touring through Wales instead

I know you have changed your mind. See if you can find Gordy's round ireland trip thread, as of a couple of years ago, very informative.

Thanks. just found that report and Jane's write up as well. I think it's more timescales and time of year that was working against me when I was planning on Thursday. I'm thinking of looking at touring over there later in the year, something like September, and maybe taking a little more time over it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 10 January, 2015, 01:31:08 pm
Bloody Amazon keeps shoving Assos FI.Mille S5 shorts at me for 119€, then when I click through they're four sizes too big and no other sizes available.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Diver300 on 11 January, 2015, 08:37:45 am
Ex-colleague, what the hell were you doing putting the full installed directory trees as part of a website, including all the help languages, directories of 400 files, 9 levels down, and then backing the whole lot up to the same web server?

I've deleted 50,000 files so far and I don't know how long the FTP program is going to be chuntering before it finishes.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wowbagger on 11 January, 2015, 04:10:31 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 17 December, 2014, 11:34:10 am
Quote from: mcshroom on 15 December, 2014, 10:07:28 pm
Mum, the book (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Book_of_Westmarch) you asked me to get you for Christmas isn't just hard to find - it doesn't actually exist! :facepalm:

(This was a genuine request not a wind up)

Get her this (http://www.amazon.com/The-Everyday-Uses-Portland-Cement/dp/1407732765) instead.  My grate frend Uncle Marvo says it's a cracking read.

But there are no customer reviews! Why has your Grate Frend Uncle Marvo been so lax in his public duties? I think, Mr. L, you should write one for him.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 11 January, 2015, 04:31:50 pm
Uncle Marvo does not believe in Public Duties, because he is a pikey.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Butterfly on 11 January, 2015, 10:24:13 pm
Quote from: Kim on 07 January, 2015, 05:45:08 pm
Cycles as mobility aids is a whole other rant, of course...
This has been commented in a thread in LCC emails about someone fined for riding on the pavement. (There was some question as to whether the path was shared use and there was some reason he used it anyway), where someone declared that he should just have walked and pushed his bike and K (who has one leg) pointed out that he didn't have that option and many others don't either.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 12 January, 2015, 12:11:43 am
Quote from: Butterfly on 11 January, 2015, 10:24:13 pm
Quote from: Kim on 07 January, 2015, 05:45:08 pm
Cycles as mobility aids is a whole other rant, of course...
This has been commented in a thread in LCC emails about someone fined for riding on the pavement. (There was some question as to whether the path was shared use and there was some reason he used it anyway), where someone declared that he should just have walked and pushed his bike and K (who has one leg) pointed out that he didn't have that option and many others don't either.

Stick a crutch carrier on (or make some other disability-specific adaptation to) the bike, and it (probably, IANAL) achieves the same legal status[1] as a wheelchair[2].


[1] Assuming a disabled rider, and no electrickery, this satisfies the criteria for a Class 1 Invalid Carriage.
[2] Manually propelled.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 12 January, 2015, 12:28:30 am
K's green Brompton appears fairly standard, even when there's a crutch being carried and only one pedal.
Arguing with official jobsworths is tiresome and demoralising.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 12 January, 2015, 12:31:07 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 12 January, 2015, 12:28:30 am
K's green Brompton appears fairly standard, even when there's a crutch being carried and only one pedal.

That'll do.


Quote
Arguing with official jobsworths is tiresome and demoralising.

Indeed.  It's a piece of law that only uppity disabled people and pedants on cycle forums seem to be familiar with, with the obvious effect of counting for approximately nothing when faced with jobsworths...

(It's now academic for barakta, on account of electrickery that meets the EAPC but not Class 2/3 Invalid Carriage spec.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 12 January, 2015, 09:14:59 am
Does that mean barakta could legitimately ride her trice round the supermarket.  :demon:

Obviously it would need someone else to push the trolley / pick anything off any shelf above the bottom one.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 12 January, 2015, 11:28:41 am
Quote from: matthew on 12 January, 2015, 09:14:59 am
Does that mean barakta could legitimately ride her trice round the supermarket.  :demon:

No, not even on the pavement.

Unless you took the motor off.


Anyway, an ICE trike would be rubbish in a supermarket.  That's a job for a Kettwiesel.  :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cycleman on 12 January, 2015, 07:36:56 pm
 ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jakob W on 12 January, 2015, 09:56:59 pm
Fine, staying off the sauce for my three-month course of meds is probably wise, though having a totally dry birthday is a bit of a bore, but why the bizarrely specific other prohibitions? Red wine, ok, tuna, whatever, but you want me to go without cheese for 90 days?! Have you no humanity?!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 12 January, 2015, 10:13:52 pm
If it's MAOI anti-depressants, keep off the Stilton!  :( :(

Tyramine-induced hypertensive crises are best avoided.

Sorry!

IANAPsychiatrist but AIUI MOAIs work really well for some people but living without teh Blue Cheez is a misery.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jakob W on 12 January, 2015, 10:38:12 pm
Thanks - antibiotics rather than MAOIs, but I was warned that cheese might lead to palpitations; I wondered what the culprit was that couldn't be found in other dairy products...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 12 January, 2015, 11:08:44 pm
Don't know enough detail to comment...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 13 January, 2015, 06:52:57 pm
The Bastard Builders over the road seem to have taken to running their diesel-powered Annoyance 24/7.  Sugar.  Fuel tank.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 13 January, 2015, 09:47:55 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 13 January, 2015, 06:52:57 pm
The Bastard Builders over the road seem to have taken to running their diesel-powered Annoyance 24/7.  Sugar.  Fuel tank.

Alternatively offer them use of an extension lead from Larrington Towers (at a suitable rate of recompense obv)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 16 January, 2015, 08:38:12 am
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 09 January, 2015, 09:57:07 am
Quote from: torslanda on 07 January, 2015, 06:41:28 pm
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 30 December, 2014, 12:56:14 pm
OK, so the front passenger seat seatbelt warning light sometimes doesn't. Or when it does it shouldn't. And the seatbelt pretensioner warning light is about as decisive as an indecisive thing after a severe beating about the head. And the front passenger airbag warning light lies.

I take the front seat out and untie all the magic anbaric knots and retie them and put the seat back. Result? NFC :demon:

Send cage off to cage repairers. They plug in their guru which says Body Control Unit is borked. That will be £518 to replace all in says the guru operator but we have to order the thing as we don't hold it in stock so we can't fix before Wednesday at the earliest. I says OK, I'll pick the car up in a mo. He says fine but you will have to pay for the part in advance as it is a SPECIAL THING.

I arrives at the cage repairers and the guru supervisor says hello here is your car. That will be the cost of the part plus £60 for the honour of us telling you you have to spend over £500 :o

You mean you aren't including the diagnostic cost in the cost of the repair?

No.

Money grabbing wankers.

I hope, for their sake, that they have discumknockerated the seat sensor and checked the wiring continuity because if they haven't I don't think we will need the medium of yacf.co.uk to gauge Fuzzy Rtd etc's response to 'We've changed the body control unit and the fault's come back!'

If a car dealership is suddenly engulfed in an enormous fireball . . .

You may jest......

Picked car up last night. Started engine, pre tensioner warning light refused to go out >:(

So, the cage is back at the fettlers. I get a call yesterday arvo from Fettler Admin Dude (FAD)- "Have you had battery problems? We are getting 4 low voltage error codes", "Yes" I reply. "We replaced the battery a little while ago". "Before or after we changed the BCU?" FAD asks. "A couple of months before" I tell him. He goes away to tell the fettlers.

An hour or so later FAD calls back- "Do you need the car back tonight?" I tell him we don't. "We are struggling to find out what is wrong" he explains. "We need to do a snapshot- we get the download all the data from the cars Babbage Engine and send it to Mazda's Babbage Engine so they can look at it". "OK" I says. "Zoom Zoom".

 ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 17 January, 2015, 07:03:35 pm
The drains are blocked again. My sewer inspection cover is flooded, so it's a water company job. My bet will be the same place as 9 months ago two doors down. Off to ring UU.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 17 January, 2015, 07:15:28 pm
Or I would ring them if they weren't shut until tomorrow. Would have been nice to put the opening hours on their website. ::-)

Now wondering if blocked drains count as an 'emergency' meaning I can ring the 24hr line.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 17 January, 2015, 08:09:53 pm
Yes. It is a health hazard
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 18 January, 2015, 06:45:07 pm
A good source for determining what constitutes an 'emergency' in household repair matters is the Tenants Right to Repair Act. Many sources for this, but an example below.

http://www.bridgewaterha.org.uk/repairs-maintenance-and-emergencies/right-to-repair/

Note the qualification to blocked wc pan.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 18 January, 2015, 06:48:24 pm
They rang me back so I assume it does count. They give themselves 48 hours, so unsurprisingly haven't turned up today.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Diver300 on 18 January, 2015, 07:27:26 pm
Family, when I've been 6 hours travelling, and ask to be collected from the stations, please
1) Talk to each other enough to turn up to the right station
2) do not sit in a car with a known doubtful battery for half an hour with the ignition and headlights on but the engine stopped.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 18 January, 2015, 08:45:49 pm
Quote from: Diver300 on 18 January, 2015, 07:27:26 pm
Family, when I've been 6 hours travelling, and ask to be collected from the stations, please
1) Talk to each other enough to turn up to the right station
2) do not sit in a car with a known doubtful battery for half an hour with the ignition and headlights on but the engine stopped.

To quote my then 3-year-old brother: "Oh dear! The batterieth will get ferlat and they won't be able to thtart the car..."
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 20 January, 2015, 08:47:15 am
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 16 January, 2015, 08:38:12 am
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 09 January, 2015, 09:57:07 am
Quote from: torslanda on 07 January, 2015, 06:41:28 pm
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 30 December, 2014, 12:56:14 pm
OK, so the front passenger seat seatbelt warning light sometimes doesn't. Or when it does it shouldn't. And the seatbelt pretensioner warning light is about as decisive as an indecisive thing after a severe beating about the head. And the front passenger airbag warning light lies.

I take the front seat out and untie all the magic anbaric knots and retie them and put the seat back. Result? NFC :demon:

Send cage off to cage repairers. They plug in their guru which says Body Control Unit is borked. That will be £518 to replace all in says the guru operator but we have to order the thing as we don't hold it in stock so we can't fix before Wednesday at the earliest. I says OK, I'll pick the car up in a mo. He says fine but you will have to pay for the part in advance as it is a SPECIAL THING.

I arrives at the cage repairers and the guru supervisor says hello here is your car. That will be the cost of the part plus £60 for the honour of us telling you you have to spend over £500 :o

You mean you aren't including the diagnostic cost in the cost of the repair?

No.

Money grabbing wankers.

I hope, for their sake, that they have discumknockerated the seat sensor and checked the wiring continuity because if they haven't I don't think we will need the medium of yacf.co.uk to gauge Fuzzy Rtd etc's response to 'We've changed the body control unit and the fault's come back!'

If a car dealership is suddenly engulfed in an enormous fireball . . .

You may jest......

Picked car up last night. Started engine, pre tensioner warning light refused to go out >:(

So, the cage is back at the fettlers. I get a call yesterday arvo from Fettler Admin Dude (FAD)- "Have you had battery problems? We are getting 4 low voltage error codes", "Yes" I reply. "We replaced the battery a little while ago". "Before or after we changed the BCU?" FAD asks. "A couple of months before" I tell him. He goes away to tell the fettlers.

An hour or so later FAD calls back- "Do you need the car back tonight?" I tell him we don't. "We are struggling to find out what is wrong" he explains. "We need to do a snapshot- we get the download all the data from the cars Babbage Engine and send it to Mazda's Babbage Engine so they can look at it". "OK" I says. "Zoom Zoom".

 ::-)

No contact from the garage yesterday so I phone them at 4:15 p.m. "Funny you should phone" says FAD, "Your car Babbage Engine has spoken with the Mother Ship Babbage Engine (MSBE) and the MSBE Minions (MSBEM) have sent us a request for further checks- 39 pages of system checks on BCU's, anbaric string connections, resistance etc."

"Am I building up a tab here?" I asks.

"Hang on a mo" says FAD. he returns a little while later to say "If the fault is linked to the work we have done, that will be free. If it isn't, it will be another £114."

"Now wait just one cotton picking moment Hoss" says I. "I have already spent over £600 to be in exactly the same position as I was before I dropped the car off for repair and you might want more money?"

The saga continues.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 20 January, 2015, 02:39:02 pm
Dear The (formerly Hampstead Garden Suburb) Institute,

Thank you for the invitation to your Opening Ceremony.

Would it be too much to include your address on the invite?

Must Adult Education start with an initiative test?

A little Googling has given your address but...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 20 January, 2015, 04:17:12 pm
Gah! An estimated 6-7 pm is not the same as 3.45-4.45! Well, at least it's the same day. So far.  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 20 January, 2015, 04:57:02 pm
If you are sending me a quote for £xxk of technical work don't you think it would be a good idea to make sure you spell my name correctly?

You obviously know it as it's part of my email address, and it makes me wonder where else you've been sloppy.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 20 January, 2015, 05:14:05 pm
I hope that ball of compressed gunk I just fished out of my pocket didn't start life as a banknote ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rabbit on 20 January, 2015, 05:16:53 pm
I had a horrendous day at work.  One of the worst ever.  I knew it would be bad so arranged weeks ago with the office to MAKE SURE I would have the following day to sort out all the paperwork and samples.

They have booked me on site tomorrow anyway  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 20 January, 2015, 05:22:40 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 20 January, 2015, 05:14:05 pm
I hope that ball of compressed gunk I just fished out of my pocket didn't start life as a banknote ???

Probably didn't; banknotes are much more robust than tissues.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 20 January, 2015, 06:22:58 pm
It definitely wasn't a tissue but may have been a Post-It with a shopping list on it.  Good job I remembered the sugar today.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 21 January, 2015, 09:11:50 am
Dentist! When sending a text reminding me of an appointment tomorrow, it would be helpful if you a) included the time b) pointed out it's not actually for me but my son.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 21 January, 2015, 12:12:14 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 20 January, 2015, 05:22:40 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 20 January, 2015, 05:14:05 pm
I hope that ball of compressed gunk I just fished out of my pocket didn't start life as a banknote ???

Probably didn't; banknotes are much more robust than tissues.

Orange Cardboard, on the other hand, is surprisingly non-robust in the face of a washing machine.  Or on a bad day, a couple of hours in a jersey pocket on a recumbent seat (DAHIKT).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 21 January, 2015, 01:58:42 pm
Quote from: Kim on 21 January, 2015, 12:12:14 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 20 January, 2015, 05:22:40 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 20 January, 2015, 05:14:05 pm
I hope that ball of compressed gunk I just fished out of my pocket didn't start life as a banknote ???

Probably didn't; banknotes are much more robust than tissues.

Orange Cardboard, on the other hand, is surprisingly non-robust in the face of a washing machine.  Or on a bad day, a couple of hours in a jersey pocket on a recumbent seat (DAHIKT).


I usually end up with around 8-10 bits of Orange Cardboard per trip.
These seldom get pocketed because they live in the Green Crip's Card Wallet.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 21 January, 2015, 02:58:01 pm
<SNIP>

Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 20 January, 2015, 08:47:15 am

No contact from the garage yesterday so I phone them at 4:15 p.m. "Funny you should phone" says FAD, "Your car Babbage Engine has spoken with the Mother Ship Babbage Engine (MSBE) and the MSBE Minions (MSBEM) have sent us a request for further checks- 39 pages of system checks on BCU's, anbaric string connections, resistance etc."

"Am I building up a tab here?" I asks.

"Hang on a mo" says FAD. he returns a little while later to say "If the fault is linked to the work we have done, that will be free. If it isn't, it will be another £114."

"Now wait just one cotton picking moment Hoss" says I. "I have already spent over £600 to be in exactly the same position as I was before I dropped the car off for repair and you might want more money?"

The saga continues.

Dr John sez they've fucked up. They just don't want to admit it.

Dust off and nuke from orbit etc.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 21 January, 2015, 06:08:55 pm
Partner's dentist has finally discovered crack in crown of tooth that has bothered him, on an off, for several months.
David has seen dentist numerous times complaining about this pain.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 21 January, 2015, 06:51:12 pm
They insisted I move my all my bikes from the communal stairwell so they could renovate it.  That was at the start of December.  Since then they've installed new lights, removed the flooring & fixed some of the bad concrete stairtreads.  That was last year.

Nothing at all since then,  no sign of the workmen at all. An email has been sent to the managing agent  >:(   

And I'm lurgified again,  running a mild temp, a nasty tickly cough & snot trickling down my throat  :sick:

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 22 January, 2015, 01:18:13 pm
Feel like grumbling, can't think of anything specific.  Non-specific grumblitis.

Oh aye (he said in his best provincial old-fart dialect) the honey-process Colombian arabica I paid a bit over the odds for was a great let-down: oily and bitter, zero fruitiness, virtually no redeeming features. Bollocks.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 22 January, 2015, 04:40:12 pm
Lurg, again. I was ill Sat-Mon with prelurg evidence Thu/Fri last week.

Made it back into work on Tues feeling somewhat improved hoping this was it gone...  Weds eve sudden feeling crappy and hot/cold and hideously dizzy making the previous lurg look like a laugh... 

Good thing my boss is decent cos HR/other are going to shit a brick at sick/work/sick in the same week...  Fucking immune system needs to get a fucking grip. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 23 January, 2015, 10:39:56 am
Started losing my voice when talking on the phone.  Called in sick on Thursday,  just felt totally wiped out.   A sore throat with foul tasting mucus running down from my nasal area.  My nose isn't running though....  I'm using an empty yogurt pot as a spitoon..... :sick:

Hacking cough every couple of minutes which is hurting my ribs  :(      Hope this clears up soon.  Bah!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Chris S on 23 January, 2015, 10:49:07 am
Quote from: andrewc on 23 January, 2015, 10:39:56 am
Started losing my voice when talking on the phone.  Called in sick on Thursday,  just felt totally wiped out.   A sore throat with foul tasting mucus running down from my nasal area.  My nose isn't running though....  I'm using an empty yogurt pot as a spitoon..... :sick:

Hacking cough every couple of minutes which is hurting my ribs  :(      Hope this clears up soon.  Bah!

Note to self: If you're ever round andrewc's, politely decline any offer of yogurt.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 23 January, 2015, 01:50:21 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 21 January, 2015, 06:08:55 pm
Partner's dentist has finally discovered crack in crown of tooth that has bothered him, on an off, for several months.
David has seen dentist numerous times complaining about this pain.
I hope he gets refunds for any charges for previous visits, or credits against the cost of fixing the problem.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 23 January, 2015, 02:03:14 pm
Still lurgied here. Taxi'd it into work to do test-webcall of d00m which was pretty dire and I'm now wiped.  Definitely don't feel guilty for being off sick, brain is useless and I'm still hot/cold/hot/cold despite paracetamol AND ibuprofen...  Hoping I am better by Monday and this doesn't turn into broncholurgy.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 23 January, 2015, 04:16:38 pm
Feeling crappy: throat, general bleh, etc. Snow forecast anyway.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 23 January, 2015, 06:12:02 pm
Quote from: Kim on 21 January, 2015, 12:12:14 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 20 January, 2015, 05:22:40 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 20 January, 2015, 05:14:05 pm
I hope that ball of compressed gunk I just fished out of my pocket didn't start life as a banknote ???

Probably didn't; banknotes are much more robust than tissues.

Orange Cardboard, on the other hand, is surprisingly non-robust in the face of a washing machine.  Or on a bad day, a couple of hours in a jersey pocket on a recumbent seat (DAHIKT).

I have a piece of orange cardboard that's supposed to last the year. As I have to push it through a machine four times a day it's a miracle it lasts more than a month...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 23 January, 2015, 06:16:00 pm
I spent half an hour on the phone today to British Gas, the end result of which was he had sent me an email that would "arrive within twenty minutes" and he was going to speak to his manager and phone me back in ten minutes.

An hour later, neither had occurred, so I rang back. There's no record of me having contacted them today.  >:(

Time for the ombudsman, see if they can do any better.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 23 January, 2015, 06:32:29 pm
Quote from: Bledlow on 23 January, 2015, 01:50:21 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 21 January, 2015, 06:08:55 pm
Partner's dentist has finally discovered crack in crown of tooth that has bothered him, on an off, for several months.
David has seen dentist numerous times complaining about this pain.
I hope he gets refunds for any charges for previous visits, or credits against the cost of fixing the problem.

Dentist did not charge for fruitless visit two months ago. He did charge for the check-up and filling to asymptomatic, different tooth 4 months ago.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 23 January, 2015, 07:31:08 pm
Quote from: torslanda on 21 January, 2015, 02:58:01 pm
<SNIP>

Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 20 January, 2015, 08:47:15 am

No contact from the garage yesterday so I phone them at 4:15 p.m. "Funny you should phone" says FAD, "Your car Babbage Engine has spoken with the Mother Ship Babbage Engine (MSBE) and the MSBE Minions (MSBEM) have sent us a request for further checks- 39 pages of system checks on BCU's, anbaric string connections, resistance etc."

"Am I building up a tab here?" I asks.

"Hang on a mo" says FAD. he returns a little while later to say "If the fault is linked to the work we have done, that will be free. If it isn't, it will be another £114."

"Now wait just one cotton picking moment Hoss" says I. "I have already spent over £600 to be in exactly the same position as I was before I dropped the car off for repair and you might want more money?"

The saga continues.

Dr John sez they've fucked up. They just don't want to admit it.

Dust off and nuke from orbit etc.

As the owner of a series of LR Discoverys, which have more ECUs than anything else in the universe, I feel the pain.

Garages can only do diagnostics to a certain level.
"Fault code says blah. We need to replace the XXX at a cost of £XXX".
OK.

But it doesn't fix the problem.
Back a week later with the same issue.
Replace something different.

Can you put back the expensive thing you swapped last week, and refund me?
"No."

There's no *real* fault finding.
Just guessing ( at your expense ).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 23 January, 2015, 08:07:33 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 23 January, 2015, 10:39:56 am
Started losing my voice when talking on the phone.  Called in sick on Thursday,  just felt totally wiped out.   A sore throat with foul tasting mucus running down from my nasal area.  My nose isn't running though....  I'm using an empty yogurt pot as a spitoon..... :sick:

Hacking cough every couple of minutes which is hurting my ribs  :(      Hope this clears up soon.  Bah!

I feel your pain! My cough has turned to bronchitis. Antiboticals seem to have made it worse. Back to the doc on Monday :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 23 January, 2015, 08:44:00 pm
Quote from: Feanor on 23 January, 2015, 07:31:08 pm
Quote from: torslanda on 21 January, 2015, 02:58:01 pm
<SNIP>

Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 20 January, 2015, 08:47:15 am

No contact from the garage yesterday so I phone them at 4:15 p.m. "Funny you should phone" says FAD, "Your car Babbage Engine has spoken with the Mother Ship Babbage Engine (MSBE) and the MSBE Minions (MSBEM) have sent us a request for further checks- 39 pages of system checks on BCU's, anbaric string connections, resistance etc."

"Am I building up a tab here?" I asks.

"Hang on a mo" says FAD. he returns a little while later to say "If the fault is linked to the work we have done, that will be free. If it isn't, it will be another £114."

"Now wait just one cotton picking moment Hoss" says I. "I have already spent over £600 to be in exactly the same position as I was before I dropped the car off for repair and you might want more money?"

The saga continues.

Dr John sez they've fucked up. They just don't want to admit it.

Dust off and nuke from orbit etc.

As the owner of a series of LR Discoverys, which have more ECUs than anything else in the universe, I feel the pain.

Garages can only do diagnostics to a certain level.
"Fault code says blah. We need to replace the XXX at a cost of £XXX".
OK.

But it doesn't fix the problem.
Back a week later with the same issue.
Replace something different.

Can you put back the expensive thing you swapped last week, and refund me?
"No."

There's no *real* fault finding.
Just guessing ( at your expense ).

REAL garages, who rely on fixing customers' cars for their reputation, as opposed to main stealers, who couldn't give a flying, learn to diagnose faults correctly.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 26 January, 2015, 09:43:39 am
Quote from: Feanor on 23 January, 2015, 07:31:08 pm
As the owner of a series of LR Discoverys, which have more ECUs than anything else in the universe, I feel the pain.

Garages can only do diagnostics to a certain level.
"Fault code says blah. We need to replace the XXX at a cost of £XXX".
OK.

But it doesn't fix the problem.
Back a week later with the same issue.
Replace something different.

Can you put back the expensive thing you swapped last week, and refund me?
"No."

There's no *real* fault finding.
Just guessing ( at your expense ).

That makes me appreciate the citreon garage in armley, Leeds, even more.

Garage in dirty building under a railway, no frontage, cars parked up along the road one wheel up on pavement. Interior is filthy, one ancient mechanic has until, half-smoked dog-end permanently stuck to his lip. It's ice-cold, no heating. Air reeks of oil and grease.

I took my Citreon in with an engine management light flashing.

"We've run the diagnostics and the fault codes indicate a problem with braking sensors. Tested the sensors and they are fine. Reset the ECU and cleared fault code listing - the ECU is correctly detecting the sensors. Possibly a dirty connector giving a false signal. Bring it back if the light comes on again. No, no charge."

Proper mechanics who have kept up with the times.

Probably no coincidence that half the taxi firms in Leeds seemed to have their cars in there for work.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 26 January, 2015, 09:59:10 am
Quote from: Feanor on 23 January, 2015, 07:31:08 pm
Quote from: torslanda on 21 January, 2015, 02:58:01 pm
<SNIP>

Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 20 January, 2015, 08:47:15 am

No contact from the garage yesterday so I phone them at 4:15 p.m. "Funny you should phone" says FAD, "Your car Babbage Engine has spoken with the Mother Ship Babbage Engine (MSBE) and the MSBE Minions (MSBEM) have sent us a request for further checks- 39 pages of system checks on BCU's, anbaric string connections, resistance etc."

"Am I building up a tab here?" I asks.

"Hang on a mo" says FAD. he returns a little while later to say "If the fault is linked to the work we have done, that will be free. If it isn't, it will be another £114."

"Now wait just one cotton picking moment Hoss" says I. "I have already spent over £600 to be in exactly the same position as I was before I dropped the car off for repair and you might want more money?"

The saga continues.

Dr John sez they've fucked up. They just don't want to admit it.

Dust off and nuke from orbit etc.

As the owner of a series of LR Discoverys, which have more ECUs than anything else in the universe, I feel the pain.

Garages can only do diagnostics to a certain level.
"Fault code says blah. We need to replace the XXX at a cost of £XXX".
OK.

But it doesn't fix the problem.
Back a week later with the same issue.
Replace something different.

Can you put back the expensive thing you swapped last week, and refund me?
"No."

There's no *real* fault finding.
Just guessing ( at your expense ).

Phoned the garage again on Friday- despite them promising to phone me. Having completed the 39 pages of tests suggested by Mazda central, they are no further forward in telling me what the problem is. Now waiting to speak to an Anbaric Systems Wizard at Mazda Central who won't be in till today ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 26 January, 2015, 04:03:14 pm
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 26 January, 2015, 09:59:10 am
Quote from: Feanor on 23 January, 2015, 07:31:08 pm
Quote from: torslanda on 21 January, 2015, 02:58:01 pm
<SNIP>

Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 20 January, 2015, 08:47:15 am

No contact from the garage yesterday so I phone them at 4:15 p.m. "Funny you should phone" says FAD, "Your car Babbage Engine has spoken with the Mother Ship Babbage Engine (MSBE) and the MSBE Minions (MSBEM) have sent us a request for further checks- 39 pages of system checks on BCU's, anbaric string connections, resistance etc."

"Am I building up a tab here?" I asks.

"Hang on a mo" says FAD. he returns a little while later to say "If the fault is linked to the work we have done, that will be free. If it isn't, it will be another £114."

"Now wait just one cotton picking moment Hoss" says I. "I have already spent over £600 to be in exactly the same position as I was before I dropped the car off for repair and you might want more money?"

The saga continues.

Dr John sez they've fucked up. They just don't want to admit it.

Dust off and nuke from orbit etc.

As the owner of a series of LR Discoverys, which have more ECUs than anything else in the universe, I feel the pain.

Garages can only do diagnostics to a certain level.
"Fault code says blah. We need to replace the XXX at a cost of £XXX".
OK.

But it doesn't fix the problem.
Back a week later with the same issue.
Replace something different.

Can you put back the expensive thing you swapped last week, and refund me?
"No."

There's no *real* fault finding.
Just guessing ( at your expense ).

Phoned the garage again on Friday- despite them promising to phone me. Having completed the 39 pages of tests suggested by Mazda central, they are no further forward in telling me what the problem is. Now waiting to speak to an Anbaric Systems Wizard at Mazda Central who won't be in till today ::-)

Just had ANOTHER call from the garage. Further guided investigation indicates a failure in another body control module type thing. replacement of this will be a further £558. Over a thousand pounds because some fucking blinking lights misbehave >:(

I suggested that maybe the original module change was not required but no, Mazda Babbage Engine suggests that the two modules were fucking with each other and both need changing.

I fucking HATE cars.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 26 January, 2015, 04:16:16 pm
I remember a story I read in one of the motoring mags (would have been something like Practical Classics or the like, not AUTO), whereby a unnamed person took their scooby into the 'shop for an intermittant firing issue.

They connected up the magic box'o'tricks, which told them to replace the plugs. This was done at main dealer prices.

No joy.

Magic box'o'tricks then decides that the coil packs must be faulty, so they are replaced, again at main dealer prices.

Still no joy.

Old skool mechanic comes across to the car, pulls all the leads and replaces them.  Job done, no further issue.

Punter still got charged for the plugs and coils, even though the originals were ok.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 26 January, 2015, 04:59:42 pm
'swat happens when you let computers rool the world I suppose :-\
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 26 January, 2015, 08:25:44 pm
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 26 January, 2015, 04:59:42 pm
'swat happens when you let computers rool the world I suppose :-\

That, and you fail to notice someone burgling your house because you're debugging the unexpected false alarm... (DAHIKT)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 26 January, 2015, 11:04:40 pm
Quote from: Vince on 23 January, 2015, 08:07:33 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 23 January, 2015, 10:39:56 am
Started losing my voice when talking on the phone.  Called in sick on Thursday,  just felt totally wiped out.   A sore throat with foul tasting mucus running down from my nasal area.  My nose isn't running though....  I'm using an empty yogurt pot as a spitoon..... :sick:

Hacking cough every couple of minutes which is hurting my ribs  :(      Hope this clears up soon.  Bah!

I feel your pain! My cough has turned to bronchitis. Antiboticals seem to have made it worse. Back to the doc on Monday :(

Hope the Doc patched you up Vince.  I went back to work today & wished I hadn't.  92 emails  >:(   Now down to a chesty cough, but still really sleepy all the time. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 26 January, 2015, 11:32:29 pm
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 26 January, 2015, 04:59:42 pm
'swat happens when you let computers rool the world I suppose :-\
Sounds as if you're being fucked around there, mate. At the rate your bill is piling up, you're getting towards a good proportion of the price of a car.

Tiermat's story reminds me of this:
A few years ago Mrs B kept getting a warning light come on in the car. Mechanics at dealers couldn't find cause. She went to other car repair place, convenient for work. Mechanic listened to her tale, looked at readouts from box of tricks, said "Hmmm. I wonder . . . " & swapped round sensors. Fault moved. Mechanic plugged in new sensor. Fault went away. Charge = £TOLERABLE.

I'm hoping that if anything similar to your tale happens to the current one, it does so before September, when the warranty runs out.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 27 January, 2015, 01:31:28 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 21 January, 2015, 06:08:55 pm
Partner's dentist has finally discovered crack in crown of tooth that has bothered him, on an off, for several months.
David has seen dentist numerous times complaining about this pain.

'Partial crown' and part of tooth to which it was attached, broke away tonight of Beefeater Grill's fine Rocky Road Sundae.

Looks like dentist won't have to put much effort into seeing the problem now. David already has an appointment for Friday. Hope he remains pain-free.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 27 January, 2015, 01:52:31 am
Have had pretty awful evening at David's astro society 'Christmas' meal.

The venue is on multiple levels many of which only have steps to access. The early arrivals were already drinking in one such when we arrived so I was left out a bit.

The dinner was held in a room up several steps and my wheelchair needed to be lifted, which I dislike. I had only one drink as going to the loo would have been a major excursion.

The room was small and the waiting staff were constantly barging into my wheelchair. The wooden floors vibrated palpably as they passed. (I was musing about fitting a seismograph to my chair.)

The food was somewhat disappointing.

We decided on public transport for our return.
Unfortunately, I didn't realise the lifts at Wembley Park were out of commission so we had to take an extra train south to go north.

The ramps on the last bus home did not work.

David was able to help. I am considering getting a powerchair but really scared that I could get stranded.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 27 January, 2015, 08:25:21 am
Thats infuriating, and basically not bloody good enough...

Presumably no-one in the astro society considered the limitiations of the venue when choosing it, considering they'd definitely have a wheelchair user in their midst.  The venue could/should have made a bit more effort, I suppose its just bad luck that those lifts were outof commission when you needed them, and that bus should have been taken out of service as soon as the fault was detected.

Commiserations, Helly.  Its particularly upsetting when an event that is supposed to be special turns out not to be.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 27 January, 2015, 12:25:35 pm
Rubbish morning this morning.

First I kicked the door of the open Dishwasher hard and seem to have done some damage to my left little toe which now has a dark scab round the back of the nail and hurts when I walk on it. Then I managed to bend the valve on my singlespeed's rear tyre topping up the pressures. I forgot to dry my cycling shoes out last night so had to dig out some old ones, and finally arrived at work (late), to discover I'd not brought my work clothes with me. :facepalm:

Hopefully this afternoon will be better ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 27 January, 2015, 12:37:08 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 26 January, 2015, 11:04:40 pm
Quote from: Vince on 23 January, 2015, 08:07:33 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 23 January, 2015, 10:39:56 am
Started losing my voice when talking on the phone.  Called in sick on Thursday,  just felt totally wiped out.   A sore throat with foul tasting mucus running down from my nasal area.  My nose isn't running though....  I'm using an empty yogurt pot as a spitoon..... :sick:

Hacking cough every couple of minutes which is hurting my ribs  :(      Hope this clears up soon.  Bah!

I feel your pain! My cough has turned to bronchitis. Antiboticals seem to have made it worse. Back to the doc on Monday :(

Hope the Doc patched you up Vince.  I went back to work today & wished I hadn't.  92 emails  >:(   Now down to a chesty cough, but still really sleepy all the time.
Getting there.
A return to the Doc yesterday at 2pm and she decided a chest x-ray is needed. Down to the hospital, 15 minutes to get a hospital ID card sorted out. Then along to radiology. Sat in reception for literally 5 seconds before being called in for the x-ray. Back home at 3:15. 5pm the doctor calls me to say the x-ray is clear and to double up on the use of an inhaler.
Should probably be in the Good News thread as its certainly not a grumble!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 27 January, 2015, 12:47:19 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 27 January, 2015, 12:25:35 pm
Rubbish morning this morning.

First I kicked the door of the open Dishwasher hard and seem to have done some damage to my left toe which now has a dark scab round the back of the nail and hurts when I walk on it. Then I managed to bend the valve on my singlespeed's rear tyre topping up the pressures. I forgot to dry my cycling shoes out last night so had to dig out some old ones, and finally arrived at work (late), to discover I'd not brought my work clothes with me. :facepalm:

Hopefully this afternoon will be better ::-)

After that start to the day, it has to, doesn't it?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 27 January, 2015, 01:41:28 pm
When I Rule The World, I'll make an addition to the Edumication System viz: Telling People What a Thermostat Does.

Get in to the office today and find it's on 24C FFS.  At least it's better than  yesterday's 25C.

(The "normal" setting is 21C, but "it's a bit cold out".)

Gah.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 27 January, 2015, 02:10:24 pm
Quote from: Wombat on 27 January, 2015, 08:25:21 am
Thats infuriating, and basically not bloody good enough...

Presumably no-one in the astro society considered the limitiations of the venue when choosing it, considering they'd definitely have a wheelchair user in their midst.  The venue could/should have made a bit more effort, I suppose its just bad luck that those lifts were outof commission when you needed them, and that bus should have been taken out of service as soon as the fault was detected.

Commiserations, Helly.  Its particularly upsetting when an event that is supposed to be special turns out not to be.

Evening was organised by lady who knows me and my limitations well and happens to be a nurse.
What the people at the venue arranged/told her is unknown to me.

I suppose I should not have blithely assumed lifts at Wembley Park to be operational and done a bit of homework.

The bus with the duff ramp was the Last Bus (midnight departure) and the ramp extended but withdrew when initially deployed at journey's origin.
I didn't extend at all at our destination, conveniently 100 metres from here.

I will tell Sue I don't like being on a different level to the loos so she knows for next time.

Sometimes I seem to spend my life worrying about toilets...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 27 January, 2015, 02:12:21 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 27 January, 2015, 02:10:24 pm
Sometimes I seem to spend my life worrying about toilets...

You and me, both.

Me for different (health) reasons to you, obviously.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 27 January, 2015, 03:56:03 pm
Quote from: tiermat on 27 January, 2015, 02:12:21 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 27 January, 2015, 02:10:24 pm
Sometimes I seem to spend my life worrying about toilets...

You and me, both.

Me for different (health) reasons to you, obviously.

Well yes.
I am living with a chap who has toilet nightmares as well!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 27 January, 2015, 04:35:44 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 27 January, 2015, 01:41:28 pm
When I Rule The World, I'll make an addition to the Edumication System viz: Telling People What a Thermostat Does.

Get in to the office today and find it's on 24C FFS.  At least it's better than  yesterday's 25C.

(The "normal" setting is 21C, but "it's a bit cold out".)

Gah.

I know, I know.   >:(
A "Gah" from here too.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 27 January, 2015, 04:56:31 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 27 January, 2015, 01:41:28 pm
When I Rule The World, I'll make an addition to the Edumication System viz: Telling People What a Thermostat Does.

I don't think I'm likely to rule the world, but if I ever end up molishing a thermostat: lusers for the operation by, I will endeavour to include a cheat code for extra heating that's very much not engaged by turning it above and beyond a reasonable temeprature.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 27 January, 2015, 05:50:55 pm
Helly that sounds utterly maddening for you and does sound like a combo of people not thinking and compound bad luck, but it isn't good enough. Bus ramps should be tested daily and maintained properly with a taxi called at TfL's expense for failure.  Same for lift infrastructure in transport wossnames >:(

My grumble is suddenly discovering items in my work diary which aren't mine.  Upon investigation I find it's reception booking my office out without telling me at random times on my "usual day off" - nice-dippy receptionist thinks I got an email (which I didn't). This is what comes of having an Office Manager managing admin staff separate from the advisers/counsellors - no one knows what the hell is going on ever...  That and the office manager agreeing stuff with her superior without even checking my bosses are happy with it or that it's legal, feasible, sensible or manageable... 

Oh well, 8 months till we move into the new open plan offices in the new building... That'll be spiffing of course!  I think I shall make a bingo card of fail with prizes!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 27 January, 2015, 05:54:02 pm
... add leaving my mobile in the office :facepalm:

Can I start today again please?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 27 January, 2015, 07:07:39 pm
Hefting a Helly onto a bus when it's midnight and COLD might be suboptimal but it got us home pretty promptly. It wasn't the time to make a fuss TBH.

I don't think the ramp had failed before with that driver.

I suspect the information about Wembley's lifts would have been available if I'd bothered to look but we had taken impulsive decisions on leaving the pub.
Taxi? No, let's save money.
Bus? Slow, goes round the houses, hated by David but a single bus would have taken us 300 metres from home. The closest was 11 minutes away.
'Underground'? Train just approaching as we did. Involves a change and then bus for final mile but David prefers, so that's what we chose.

I did alert staff to the dreadful state of the crips' loo at Northwick Park.
They still have a pedal bin in the wheelchair loo. It has been unmolished by a user thobut...

Loo was more presentable at time of my second visit today.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 27 January, 2015, 07:13:01 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 27 January, 2015, 07:07:39 pm
They still have a pedal bin in the wheelchair loo. It has been unmolished by a user thobut...

 :facepalm:  I'd genuinely never thought of that before.  Of course, I'm not provisioning accessible toilets.  If I were, I'd probably want one of those robotic ones, or something that can reasonably be operated by both pedal and hand, or tbh just large, deep and lidless.

I certainly wouldn't install Dyson Airblades.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 27 January, 2015, 09:52:46 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 27 January, 2015, 01:41:28 pm
When I Rule The World, I'll make an addition to the Edumication System viz: Telling People What a Thermostat Does.

Get in to the office today and find it's on 24C FFS.  At least it's better than  yesterday's 25C.

(The "normal" setting is 21C, but "it's a bit cold out".)

Gah.

I had 27C yesterday, having come from the other end of the building where the heating was broken, and so still wearing a jumper.
Frankly, I think thermostats that go that high should require a special licence to buy!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 27 January, 2015, 10:00:45 pm
Quote from: perpetual dan on 27 January, 2015, 09:52:46 pm
I had 27C yesterday, having come from the other end of the building where the heating was broken, and so still wearing a jumper.
Frankly, I think thermostats that go that high should require a special licence to buy!

Or at least have "NOT cannabis" written on them.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 27 January, 2015, 10:02:07 pm
Quote from: Kim on 27 January, 2015, 07:13:01 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 27 January, 2015, 07:07:39 pm
They still have a pedal bin in the wheelchair loo. It has been unmolished by a user thobut...

 :facepalm:  I'd genuinely never thought of that before.  Of course, I'm not provisioning accessible toilets.  If I were, I'd probably want one of those robotic ones, or something that can reasonably be operated by both pedal and hand, or tbh just large, deep and lidless.

I certainly wouldn't install Dyson Airblades.

They have paper towels, which is fine, unlike the pedal bin.

The pedal bin is constructed such that the lid cannot be manually lifted, for Infection Control reasons.
Which is a farce cos a loo full of discarded towels due to bin unsuitability is a greater hygiene risk, as is the likelihood that crips won't bother washing their hands...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Butterfly on 27 January, 2015, 10:05:01 pm
The thermostat at work is set at 30 today (not by me). Doesn't make any difference, it's always bloody cold. I doubt the hall where the thermostat is gets much over 18 degrees. I set the one at home higher so that the radiators don't go off and stop drying the clothes. And because I feel the cold and usually notice that it's gone off within 10 minutes of the setting change.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Deano on 27 January, 2015, 10:14:25 pm
Gah, thermostats.

We're in a new building and it was fucking boiling yesterday. Even the people who are usually cold (and attract rants along the lines of "just wear more clothes you harlots" from the facilities bods) were a bit warm.

About half an hour before the shift was due to end, facilities bod came along to have a look. Turns out, it had been set to "heat only". Accidentally, I'm sure. So we could turn it down as much as we wanted, it was never going to get colder. Especially as we couldn't open the windows  >:(

Personally, I favour the jogler solution - set the temperature centrally, and have placebo panels at strategic positions where people can change the display without affecting the temperature at all. But they'd feel happier about it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 27 January, 2015, 10:34:55 pm
Quote from: Kim on 27 January, 2015, 07:13:01 pm
I certainly wouldn't install Dyson Airblades.

You know that place out in Arizona where unwanted jet aircraft go to die?  When they get there the engines are removed and bought by Dyson to put in their hand-dryers.  Trufax.

Northwick Park is a Nasty Place, improved only by the presence of fragrant ex-zek Miss Morris-Minor at the hostipal.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 27 January, 2015, 10:46:41 pm
Apparently our new building will have centralised temperature setting... I foresee much like the materials and metallurgy building a situation where no one is happy and the temperatures are screwy "and can't be changed".  I might see if I can smuggle my heater over cos I get my own office on crip grounds much to the sulking cos she can't get it of one of the senior managers  ;)...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 27 January, 2015, 11:25:38 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 27 January, 2015, 10:34:55 pm
Northwick Park is a Nasty Place, improved only by the presence of fragrant ex-zek Miss Morris-Minor at the hostipal.

I was born, and indeed spent random bits of my childhood in and around Northwick Park hospital.  It remains the only place where I've ever been rushed to A&E with pneumonia, ridden on a Paternoster, hotwired a car, hacked into a mainframe and examined a stranger's poo under a microscope.  All of which was much less exciting and a fair bit more concretey than it sounds.

The thermostats there were rubbish, too.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 27 January, 2015, 11:49:59 pm
I spent the first two years of my PhD at Northwick park, including hte dismal summer of 1992 when it didn't rain on only 11 days between Easter and the August bank holiday.
Then we moved to Wormwood Scrubs for the latter two years.
I remember being in A&E with a busted ankle (Bad landing off the climbing wall at Brunel) when a chap came in who had been digging in a tranch with a pneumatic hammer when he hit a power cable. Sometimes the cartoon figures are scarily accurate.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 28 January, 2015, 12:14:31 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 27 January, 2015, 10:34:55 pm
Quote from: Kim on 27 January, 2015, 07:13:01 pm
I certainly wouldn't install Dyson Airblades.

You know that place out in Arizona where unwanted jet aircraft go to die?  When they get there the engines are removed and bought by Dyson to put in their hand-dryers.  Trufax.

Northwick Park is a Nasty Place, improved only by the presence of fragrant ex-zek Miss Morris-Minor at the hostipal.

It has one other redeeming feature, the fruit shop.

It no longer appears to be an Orange (not fruit) dead zone. Lack of phone signal there was a PITA.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 28 January, 2015, 08:44:57 am
All this talk of thermostats being turned up too high is making me feel even colder. Our heating broke down last weekend and the dont'twork disservices bums won't do anything about it 'til next week. ???  >:(  QM's dept did bring over a few (small) plug-in radiators but they are only just keeping the chill off. It's too cold to sit at a desk and vegetate  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 28 January, 2015, 08:57:08 am
It's wet & windy in Liverpool, so I'm in the orifice in soaking wet jeans. Bleagh!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 28 January, 2015, 09:34:33 am
Quote from: Guy on 28 January, 2015, 08:44:57 am
All this talk of thermostats being turned up too high is making me feel even colder. Our heating broke down last weekend and the dont'twork disservices bums won't do anything about it 'til next week. ???  >:(  QM's dept did bring over a few (small) plug-in radiators but they are only just keeping the chill off. It's too cold to sit at a desk and vegetate  :(

And being Crown property it'll be exempt from the laws governing minimum temperatures too I guess.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 28 January, 2015, 11:58:32 am
Quote from: rafletcher on 28 January, 2015, 09:34:33 am
And being Crown property it'll be exempt from the laws governing minimum temperatures too I guess.
Not supposed to be, but unless the temperature drops below around 12C it's up to the boss, and as the temp is currently sitting at 14 we've just got to sit here andly slowly turn gelid. >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 28 January, 2015, 12:02:50 pm
Quote from: Guy on 28 January, 2015, 11:58:32 am
Quote from: rafletcher on 28 January, 2015, 09:34:33 am
And being Crown property it'll be exempt from the laws governing minimum temperatures too I guess.
Not supposed to be, but unless the temperature drops below around 12C it's up to the boss, and as the temp is currently sitting at 14 we've just got to sit here andly slowly turn gelid. >:(

Surely you just need to ask the QM to break out the Arctic gear  :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 28 January, 2015, 03:37:44 pm
I have been called for Jury Service.
I can't hold a pen and won't fill out the form. It appears there is no online option available.
I have emailed them.

I tried phoning but lost the will to live/hang on after I'd heard their recorded, somewhat uneducated, messages 4 times.

'A Jury Summonin' Officer'. FFS! Couldn't they use a voice that can pronounce the g in 'Summoning'? Honestly!!!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 28 January, 2015, 04:02:43 pm
At least he/she/it didn't say "summonsing".  I even saw that in a novel the other day: "...he summonsed a taxi."
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 28 January, 2015, 04:20:29 pm
Well maybe it was an Addison Lee one, and needed summonsing  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 28 January, 2015, 04:29:27 pm
Aged Parents (78.9, 84.4) are offline.

BT have disconnected Old String and sent them a New Hub with Lots of New String.

Aged Parents are unwilling/unable to crawl on floor connecting New Hub and New String.

Teenage Grandsons are unavailable due to Exams.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 28 January, 2015, 04:30:07 pm
The remote control of my new Sony TV has a football button!*  What a waste of precious space!

* Not a euphemism, it's for a mode for watching football.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 28 January, 2015, 04:37:14 pm
Quote from: Biggsy on 28 January, 2015, 04:30:07 pm
The remote control of my new Sony TV has a football button!*  What a waste of precious space!

* Not a euphemism, it's for a mode for watching football.

Ours has one, too, everyone else calls it the off switch...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 28 January, 2015, 04:38:08 pm
Quote from: Biggsy on 28 January, 2015, 04:30:07 pm
The remote control of my new Sony TV has a football button!

Is that the red one with a circle with a line through the top?

ETA: Crosspost with tiermat
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 28 January, 2015, 06:43:07 pm
Radio3 web bods, is it really so hard to get with the times?  I'm pretty sure nearly all of the devices used to access your web site have no problem displaying characters with diacritics, so why do you give us Bela Bartok instead of Béla Bartók?  No surpise, Jiří Bělohlávek is simplified too.  (At least they don't translate his name - 'George Whitehead' doesn't have quite the same ring to it.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 28 January, 2015, 07:46:49 pm
Joseph Green sounds ordinary too.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 28 January, 2015, 07:50:51 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 28 January, 2015, 07:46:49 pm
Joseph Green sounds ordinary too.

 ;D.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 28 January, 2015, 07:51:55 pm
Why does the Subsistence Allowance for Jury Service not stretch to paying for a sandwich and a couple of hot drinks?

£5.74 per day; you are having a larf!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: +paul on 29 January, 2015, 06:25:42 am
Quote from: Andrij on 28 January, 2015, 06:43:07 pm
Radio3 web bods, is it really so hard to get with the times?  I'm pretty sure nearly all of the devices used to access your web site have no problem displaying characters with diacritics, so why do you give us Bela Bartok instead of Béla Bartók?  No surpise, Jiří Bělohlávek is simplified too.  (At least they don't translate his name - 'George Whitehead' doesn't have quite the same ring to it.)
I work in Toyota and we have two plants in Poland. Of course many of my colleagues from Poland have diacritics in their names, but I wouldn't know where to find them on the keyboard. I normally end up cutting and pasting from their emails on the basis I don't like my name spelt incorrectly, so why should I do the same to their names!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 29 January, 2015, 08:14:17 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 28 January, 2015, 07:51:55 pm
Why does the Subsistence Allowance for Jury Service not stretch to paying for a sandwich and a couple of hot drinks?

£5.74 per day; you are having a larf!

I can't recall how much I got when I did it for 3 weeks back in about 2004, but it did run to a lunch in their crappy cafeteria.  Everything had baked beans and mash with it, a bit like a transport caff, but minus the bacon rolls.  This was Portsmouth Crown Court, where we started to hear a case about abduction, which promised to be rather distressing, but this was regrettably dropped.  We ended up doing a case about dirty dealings in the motor trade. 
One of the companies that had been stitched up by the fraudulent git in question, was the company who sold my wife a rather used Citroen AX some years beforehand.  "Oh, we've just changed the cambelt".... Lying bastards, when it failed resulting in bent valves about a year later, it was obviously the original belt fitted in the factory, not surprised it failed after 100,000 miles... so, I larfed when they got stitched up!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 29 January, 2015, 09:56:45 am
I bought a non-Apple smartphone in a supermeerkat.

Having done so I thought I'd better get a case.  Why is it, in the shop where I bought the thing there is a choice of just one case for my phone (in shocking pink with a real diamond set in it) but literally billions* of cases for Apple's iPhones? 


* I may be confusing that with the profit made by Apple, but there were a great many.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 29 January, 2015, 11:44:53 am
Cold office update.

The sun is pouring through the windows and it's almost pleasant in here.  Lonjohns, thick trizers, brasher socks, t-shirt, shirt, thick jumper and fleece have nowt to do with it of course..

EdiT: Just looked at the forecast and they've issued a wevver-warnin for SNO this afternoon.  Just. Bloody. Marvellous!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 29 January, 2015, 09:34:21 pm
The new Guardian website. Ugh.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 30 January, 2015, 11:25:44 am
The new BBC News app  :-\
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Dibdib on 30 January, 2015, 12:22:18 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 29 January, 2015, 09:34:21 pm
The new Guardian website. Ugh.

Agreed. 'Orrible. Where shall I get my lunchtime fix now?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 30 January, 2015, 01:41:34 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 28 January, 2015, 04:29:27 pm
Aged Parents (78.9, 84.4) are offline.

BT have disconnected Old String and sent them a New Hub with Lots of New String.

Aged Parents are unwilling/unable to crawl on floor connecting New Hub and New String.

Teenage Grandsons are unavailable due to Exams.

Aged Parents then found their landline didn't work.
They summoned 'engineers' (Dad calls them technicians) to fix these things.
They have called today. Parents will be charged.
£129 for the telephone and
£129 for the Broadband.

Being old or disabled are expensive! I'm sure I could have fixed things for them had I been more mobile or had the services of a Mobile Teenager.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 30 January, 2015, 02:20:19 pm
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 26 January, 2015, 04:03:14 pm
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 26 January, 2015, 09:59:10 am
Quote from: Feanor on 23 January, 2015, 07:31:08 pm
Quote from: torslanda on 21 January, 2015, 02:58:01 pm
<SNIP>

Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 20 January, 2015, 08:47:15 am

No contact from the garage yesterday so I phone them at 4:15 p.m. "Funny you should phone" says FAD, "Your car Babbage Engine has spoken with the Mother Ship Babbage Engine (MSBE) and the MSBE Minions (MSBEM) have sent us a request for further checks- 39 pages of system checks on BCU's, anbaric string connections, resistance etc."

"Am I building up a tab here?" I asks.

"Hang on a mo" says FAD. he returns a little while later to say "If the fault is linked to the work we have done, that will be free. If it isn't, it will be another £114."

"Now wait just one cotton picking moment Hoss" says I. "I have already spent over £600 to be in exactly the same position as I was before I dropped the car off for repair and you might want more money?"

The saga continues.

Dr John sez they've fucked up. They just don't want to admit it.

Dust off and nuke from orbit etc.

As the owner of a series of LR Discoverys, which have more ECUs than anything else in the universe, I feel the pain.

Garages can only do diagnostics to a certain level.
"Fault code says blah. We need to replace the XXX at a cost of £XXX".
OK.

But it doesn't fix the problem.
Back a week later with the same issue.
Replace something different.

Can you put back the expensive thing you swapped last week, and refund me?
"No."

There's no *real* fault finding.
Just guessing ( at your expense ).

Phoned the garage again on Friday- despite them promising to phone me. Having completed the 39 pages of tests suggested by Mazda central, they are no further forward in telling me what the problem is. Now waiting to speak to an Anbaric Systems Wizard at Mazda Central who won't be in till today ::-)

Just had ANOTHER call from the garage. Further guided investigation indicates a failure in another body control module type thing. replacement of this will be a further £558. Over a thousand pounds because some fucking blinking lights misbehave >:(

I suggested that maybe the original module change was not required but no, Mazda Babbage Engine suggests that the two modules were fucking with each other and both need changing.

I fucking HATE cars.

So, the part needs to be paid for in advance- £464.85. Purchased.
2 days for part to arrive.
Part fitted and test driven.
All seems to be OK.
Bill settled over the phone. I'm expecting £557.82 minus £464.85 = £92.97. WRONG. Labour quote did not include VAT. Bastards >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 30 January, 2015, 02:29:09 pm
I really, really hope they've got it right this time*

*May contain traces of lies

Actually, I don't. Not because I want fuzzy (retd.) etc. to have misfortune with his jam jar but because I want to see the results of an irate ex-Forces/ex-Police person going ballistic at the cockwomble called a Serviss Mangler.

My guess is we would hear the eruption here in the North Midlands without the need for amplification . . .

Now trade the bastard in and let it be Someone Else's Problem. There's an awful lot to be said for a 3 year/60,000 mile warranty.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 30 January, 2015, 03:51:16 pm
Quote from: torslanda on 30 January, 2015, 02:29:09 pm
I really, really hope they've got it right this time*

*May contain traces of lies

Actually, I don't. Not because I want fuzzy (retd.) etc. to have misfortune with his jam jar but because I want to see the results of an irate ex-Forces/ex-Police person going ballistic at the cockwomble called a Serviss Mangler.

My guess is we would hear the eruption here in the North Midlands without the need for amplification . . .

Now trade the bastard in and let it be Someone Else's Problem. There's an awful lot to be said for a 3 year/60,000 mile warranty.

My ire is but a pale shadow of what would follow after the arrival on the scene of Mrs Fuzzy. They should be afraid, very afraid.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 30 January, 2015, 04:00:00 pm
I had similar sounding problems with a car in a Fiat garage that was also a dealership.

I stood at service desk talking VERY LOUDLY about the crap service. Just a coincidence that prospective buyers of cars were in hearing range.

Senior service manager very quickly appeared and ordered senior mechanic to personally fix my car, pronto, no charges to be made.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 30 January, 2015, 04:24:31 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 27 January, 2015, 02:10:24 pm
The bus with the duff ramp was the Last Bus (midnight departure) and the ramp extended but withdrew when initially deployed at journey's origin.
I didn't extend at all at our destination, conveniently 100 metres from here.
I wonder if these ramps are the best way of getting wheelchair-persons on buses? I remember in LA they had ramps that were manually unfolded by the driver - probably took longer but nothing to break down, and the driver didn't seem to object to doing it (though I only saw it used once). That was back in the 90s, so technology has moved on - but perhaps not reliably enough. I can't think of a non-ramp solution, but maybe there is one.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 30 January, 2015, 05:43:48 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 30 January, 2015, 04:24:31 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 27 January, 2015, 02:10:24 pm
The bus with the duff ramp was the Last Bus (midnight departure) and the ramp extended but withdrew when initially deployed at journey's origin.
I didn't extend at all at our destination, conveniently 100 metres from here.
I wonder if these ramps are the best way of getting wheelchair-persons on buses? I remember in LA they had ramps that were manually unfolded by the driver - probably took longer but nothing to break down, and the driver didn't seem to object to doing it (though I only saw it used once). That was back in the 90s, so technology has moved on - but perhaps not reliably enough. I can't think of a non-ramp solution, but maybe there is one.

There are 'kneeling' buses, which drop the nearside entrance down towards kerb level but these still tend to leave a gap/step. This is OK for a mother with a lightweight child in a buggy and acceptable if a wheelchair pusher has strong shoulders.

I would not fancy this if I were unattended.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 30 January, 2015, 07:56:28 pm
No, The BBC, Baja California does not have an "H".  In it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 31 January, 2015, 12:09:19 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 30 January, 2015, 07:56:28 pm
No, The BBC, Baja California does not have an "H".  In it.

Similarly, Bone Anchored Sound Processor doesn't have a 'J' in it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 31 January, 2015, 02:32:22 am
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 30 January, 2015, 02:20:19 pm
Bill settled over the phone. I'm expecting £557.82 minus £464.85 = £92.97. WRONG. Labour quote did not include VAT. Bastards >:(

Quote
All retailers must price their goods to include VAT. This rule does not apply to business sales or the price of services, although if services are sold to consumers and the price is quoted exclusive of VAT, it must be made clear that VAT will be added.

Didn't look for a proper reference rather than Trading Standards advice (http://www.dudley.gov.uk/resident/your-council/trading-standards/price-marking-of-goods-for-sale-/): I know Dudley's special, but I don't suppose the rules are different there.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nicknack on 31 January, 2015, 09:31:58 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 29 January, 2015, 09:34:21 pm
The new Guardian website. Ugh.
Judging by the comments on their site I appear to be the only person in the world that thinks it's an improvement. The level of bile is quite astonishing. The level of stupidity is, however, unsurprising. I got accused of being in the pay of the Guardian (I wish) for daring to have a view opposed to the majority.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 31 January, 2015, 10:51:36 am
Another grumble about my new Sony TV.

It can act as a video recorder when you plug in a hard drive.  Which is nice.  BUT, the recordings only play on this TV, and it's losing its "registration" with the drive for no apparent reason whatsoever, meaning you have to re-register it and lose all recordings in the process.  Happened twice already, and I'm only on day two.  I should have stuck with Panasonic.

(I'll try copying the recordings to a PC before re-registering, then copying the recordings back, but this is not something I'll be arsed to do often even if it works).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 31 January, 2015, 02:47:50 pm
Thanks to my coworker deciding to come in ill and spread it around during the week, I'm now suffering from some sort of flu (temperature, running nose, cough, irritated throat, headache feeling zonked out). I had planned a nice ride this afternoon after singing (or at least trying to sing) at a funeral, but I'm off to bed instead :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 31 January, 2015, 03:27:01 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 31 January, 2015, 02:47:50 pm
Thanks to my coworker deciding to come in ill and spread it around during the week, I'm now suffering from some sort of flu (temperature, running nose, cough, irritated throat, headache feeling zonked out). I had planned a nice ride this afternoon after singing (or at least trying to sing) at a funeral, but I'm off to bed instead :(

Sounds like what I've got, in which case you're probably in for a week of it  :(

I appear to be over the fatigue part of it, but still have the sore throat.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 31 January, 2015, 10:58:24 pm
Look, conk, either get a clod or don't, but stop hovering in some kind of mu state where I have to keep up the low-intensity sniffing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 01 February, 2015, 11:48:22 am
Quote from: nicknack on 31 January, 2015, 09:31:58 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 29 January, 2015, 09:34:21 pm
The new Guardian website. Ugh.
Judging by the comments on their site I appear to be the only person in the world that thinks it's an improvement. The level of bile is quite astonishing. The level of stupidity is, however, unsurprising. I got accused of being in the pay of the Guardian (I wish) for daring to have a view opposed to the majority.
I've given up trying to use the Grauniad's website as unnavigable.  Black text on a white ground is what I want not a not a mess of arbitrarily sized coloured kiddy-bricks with _allegedly_ contrasting text in varying point sizes.  It's bad enough with middle-aged presbyopia but $DEITY help anyone with colour perception problems.  I've had to resort to the Torygraph and the Independent neither of which are really to my taste, but at least I can get a readable list of headlines from them.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 01 February, 2015, 12:40:23 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 31 January, 2015, 03:27:01 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 31 January, 2015, 02:47:50 pm
Thanks to my coworker deciding to come in ill and spread it around during the week, I'm now suffering from some sort of flu (temperature, running nose, cough, irritated throat, headache feeling zonked out). I had planned a nice ride this afternoon after singing (or at least trying to sing) at a funeral, but I'm off to bed instead :(

Sounds like what I've got, in which case you're probably in for a week of it  :(

I appear to be over the fatigue part of it, but still have the sore throat.

I seem to have caught your lurgy over the internet!  My throat is so sore that I can't swallow my saliva.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 01 February, 2015, 12:48:12 pm
Quote from: Biggsy on 01 February, 2015, 12:40:23 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 31 January, 2015, 03:27:01 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 31 January, 2015, 02:47:50 pm
Thanks to my coworker deciding to come in ill and spread it around during the week, I'm now suffering from some sort of flu (temperature, running nose, cough, irritated throat, headache feeling zonked out). I had planned a nice ride this afternoon after singing (or at least trying to sing) at a funeral, but I'm off to bed instead :(

Sounds like what I've got, in which case you're probably in for a week of it  :(

I appear to be over the fatigue part of it, but still have the sore throat.

I seem to have caught your lurgy over the internet!  My throat is so sore that I can't swallow my saliva.
:(

My throat is just starting to feel normal again (though tender). Still running a temperature though. Of course it's been brilliant sunshine here all weekend with very little wind. I've been waiting for cycling weather like that for months ::-)

I've been treating with a regular dose of Lemsip or straight Paracetamol and Strepsils, along with plenty of tea and coffee. Plus lots of bed rest
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 01 February, 2015, 03:16:12 pm
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 30 January, 2015, 02:20:19 pm
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 26 January, 2015, 04:03:14 pm
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 26 January, 2015, 09:59:10 am
Quote from: Feanor on 23 January, 2015, 07:31:08 pm
Quote from: torslanda on 21 January, 2015, 02:58:01 pm
<SNIP>

Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 20 January, 2015, 08:47:15 am

No contact from the garage yesterday so I phone them at 4:15 p.m. "Funny you should phone" says FAD, "Your car Babbage Engine has spoken with the Mother Ship Babbage Engine (MSBE) and the MSBE Minions (MSBEM) have sent us a request for further checks- 39 pages of system checks on BCU's, anbaric string connections, resistance etc."

"Am I building up a tab here?" I asks.

"Hang on a mo" says FAD. he returns a little while later to say "If the fault is linked to the work we have done, that will be free. If it isn't, it will be another £114."

"Now wait just one cotton picking moment Hoss" says I. "I have already spent over £600 to be in exactly the same position as I was before I dropped the car off for repair and you might want more money?"

The saga continues.

Dr John sez they've fucked up. They just don't want to admit it.

Dust off and nuke from orbit etc.

As the owner of a series of LR Discoverys, which have more ECUs than anything else in the universe, I feel the pain.

Garages can only do diagnostics to a certain level.
"Fault code says blah. We need to replace the XXX at a cost of £XXX".
OK.

But it doesn't fix the problem.
Back a week later with the same issue.
Replace something different.

Can you put back the expensive thing you swapped last week, and refund me?
"No."

There's no *real* fault finding.
Just guessing ( at your expense ).

Phoned the garage again on Friday- despite them promising to phone me. Having completed the 39 pages of tests suggested by Mazda central, they are no further forward in telling me what the problem is. Now waiting to speak to an Anbaric Systems Wizard at Mazda Central who won't be in till today ::-)

Just had ANOTHER call from the garage. Further guided investigation indicates a failure in another body control module type thing. replacement of this will be a further £558. Over a thousand pounds because some fucking blinking lights misbehave >:(

I suggested that maybe the original module change was not required but no, Mazda Babbage Engine suggests that the two modules were fucking with each other and both need changing.

I fucking HATE cars.

So, the part needs to be paid for in advance- £464.85. Purchased.
2 days for part to arrive.
Part fitted and test driven.
All seems to be OK.
Bill settled over the phone. I'm expecting £557.82 minus £464.85 = £92.97. WRONG. Labour quote did not include VAT. Bastards >:(

So, I've got the car back and so far the blinkenlights aren't. Result. I also have a little tin of complimentary sweets and this-

(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b360/mattlangridge/DSC05302.jpg) (http://s23.photobucket.com/user/mattlangridge/media/DSC05302.jpg.html)

(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b360/mattlangridge/DSC05304.jpg) (http://s23.photobucket.com/user/mattlangridge/media/DSC05304.jpg.html)

(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b360/mattlangridge/DSC05306.jpg) (http://s23.photobucket.com/user/mattlangridge/media/DSC05306.jpg.html)

You couldn't make it up.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 01 February, 2015, 03:25:49 pm
Someone's stuck a fiddypee to your car!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 01 February, 2015, 06:09:40 pm
No mercy!

Time to unleash Mrs. Fuzzy . . .
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 01 February, 2015, 08:21:56 pm
"Extra Strength" Strepsils are doing bugger all for my throat.  :(

I'm feeling a right wally for not getting a flu jab now, though I've probably just got the start of man flu, not real flu.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 02 February, 2015, 09:09:10 am
Picasso was French, was he, quizmaster?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 02 February, 2015, 09:41:00 am
Quote from: nicknack on 31 January, 2015, 09:31:58 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 29 January, 2015, 09:34:21 pm
The new Guardian website. Ugh.
Judging by the comments on their site I appear to be the only person in the world that thinks it's an improvement. The level of bile is quite astonishing. The level of stupidity is, however, unsurprising. I got accused of being in the pay of the Guardian (I wish) for daring to have a view opposed to the majority.

I like it and think it's a vast improvement. I expect the majority of people who view it probably like it. But like with any change, there's a small vociferous minority who don't like it. It's probably even worse for Guardian readers, after all a good proportion of them are inalienably and indubitably correct about everything.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nicknack on 02 February, 2015, 10:33:30 am
Good. Not just me then.
The air was thick with dummies being spat out and toys hurled out of prams.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 02 February, 2015, 01:11:41 pm
I wish any newspaper would drop the comments sections. As a single thing of significance ever been said below the line? No. Be nice if a newspaper had the balls to say it.

And while they're at it: Twitter is a not meaningful measure of anything. At best, about a fifth of population have an account, far fewer are active, and those who do Tweet are a completely unrepresentative demographic of anything other than other Twitter users. And oh, Twitter is an Insignificance Engine, designed to amplify a signal out of the babble. Trending is not fucking news.

I feel better now.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 02 February, 2015, 09:47:04 pm
Still can't shake this bug. I thought I was feeling a bit better this afternoon and went out in the car to buy some bike cleaning stuff (yes I'm that bored). Between that and getting a few phone pics of the snow and a bridge I've upset my lungs with the cold air and have spent most of the evening feeling wiped out and crap. Grrr
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 03 February, 2015, 09:32:16 am
Stay warm,  get plenty of sleep & drink lots of tea.     I found that the occasional single malt helped raise my mood as well.....

It hit me on a Wednesday in work when I found I couldn't talk.  Thursday through Sunday were spent hibernating.    I went into work on Monday which was a mistake, as I still felt crap & spent the rest of that week trying to stay awake during the day & crashing out as soon as I got home.   It wasn't until the weekend that I felt up to doing anything like a short bike ride.

About 10 days of crappiness in total  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 03 February, 2015, 09:38:11 am
Yeah I've come to work this morning (by car) - not sure it was the best idea ::-)

Everyone's going to have to put up with all communication by email/ the rubbish Notes IM client. Phone calls just aren't going to be comfortable.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 03 February, 2015, 01:49:10 pm
Shopping is a less tedious experience when you don't get 2/3 of the way round the horriblemarket before discovering that you have left your wallet at home :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 04 February, 2015, 10:17:23 am
Applying for a savings product I got to the bit near the end where I was asked to download a form.  It then fell over, ending my logged on session.  My subsequent frantic efforts to log back on resulted in my being locked out and given a phone no to get new security number.  None of the options matched that need so just called the nearest one. 

After going through all the security questions ok they confirmed I needed to complete the form and I asked if they would send it.  They refused saying I hadn't got a valid security number.  They eventually arranged to send me a new number but I would have to phone when I'd got it and then I could have the form sent. 

Fortunately I have a mobile app that exempts me from 0845 number charges.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 04 February, 2015, 09:46:53 pm
I'm in the pub, 'cos it's the end of the week (if you ignore a couple of hours tomorrow morning)
I just popped into the chippy next door.
"What time do you close?"
"10 o'clock"
"OK, can I order Haddock and chips for 10 o'clock?"
"Could you come in a bit earlier?"
" :facepalm: OK, what time do you actually close? "
"10 o'clock, will you pay now?"

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 05 February, 2015, 08:41:06 am
Back when closing time in Scotland was 10 pm the Edinburgh corporation, with malice aforethought, closed all the public loos in Princes St. at exactly 10 pm as well.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 05 February, 2015, 09:06:29 am
Not my grumble, the missus's grumble:

She's a French-English translator. Yesterday she received a doc to proof-read. Client: "There's no French original, but the English is pretty good, shouldn't need many corrections".  Sample:

The control of level deburring tank into 3 thresholds is treated like described after :

·         The deburring level is situed between high level « NI_HA_CAT » and low level « NI_BA_CAT » of tank. So if level is insufficient ( below of low level) solenoid “EV_VID_CAT” will be closed for allows increase level. If the level is situed to low level of background cabin “NI_BA_LF”, Solenoid “EV_REMP_AUTO” opens for given fluid necessary.

·         The maintenance level « NI_MA_CAT » of tank by maintenance mode (Nozzle change mode) allows to reduce fluid level until a good level for change high pressure nozzle. This level is condition of safety feeding pump.

Doesn't need many corrections, just euthanasia.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 05 February, 2015, 09:18:14 am
Quote from: T42 on 05 February, 2015, 09:06:29 am
Not my grumble, the missus's grumble:

She's a French-English translator. Yesterday she received a doc to proof-read. Client: "There's no French original, but the English is pretty good, shouldn't need many corrections".  Sample:

The control of level deburring tank into 3 thresholds is treated like described after :

·         The deburring level is situed between high level « NI_HA_CAT » and low level « NI_BA_CAT » of tank. So if level is insufficient ( below of low level) solenoid “EV_VID_CAT” will be closed for allows increase level. If the level is situed to low level of background cabin “NI_BA_LF”, Solenoid “EV_REMP_AUTO” opens for given fluid necessary.

·         The maintenance level « NI_MA_CAT » of tank by maintenance mode (Nozzle change mode) allows to reduce fluid level until a good level for change high pressure nozzle. This level is condition of safety feeding pump.

Doesn't need many corrections, just euthanasia.

I can think of some UK engineers who would try to pass that off, until a native English speaker on the project like me gets to it.  :o
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 05 February, 2015, 09:42:26 am
Is there some weird reason why English chippies close at some bastardly early hour to leave the late night desert of rat-chicken, kebabery, and other sundry grease-loaded takeaway options? I don't eat fish and chips often, but on the few times I've tried for a traditional fish and chips, they're always closed (the one near here does linger till 10pm). Not a problem I had in Edinburgh, but I swear when I lived in Sheffield they used to be closed up by 8pm.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 05 February, 2015, 09:37:50 pm
Quote from: matthew on 05 February, 2015, 09:18:14 am
Quote from: T42 on 05 February, 2015, 09:06:29 am
Not my grumble, the missus's grumble:

She's a French-English translator. Yesterday she received a doc to proof-read. Client: "There's no French original, but the English is pretty good, shouldn't need many corrections".  Sample:

The control of level deburring tank into 3 thresholds is treated like described after :

·         The deburring level is situed between high level « NI_HA_CAT » and low level « NI_BA_CAT » of tank. So if level is insufficient ( below of low level) solenoid “EV_VID_CAT” will be closed for allows increase level. If the level is situed to low level of background cabin “NI_BA_LF”, Solenoid “EV_REMP_AUTO” opens for given fluid necessary.

·         The maintenance level « NI_MA_CAT » of tank by maintenance mode (Nozzle change mode) allows to reduce fluid level until a good level for change high pressure nozzle. This level is condition of safety feeding pump.

Doesn't need many corrections, just euthanasia.

I can think of some UK engineers who would try to pass that off, until a native English speaker on the project like me gets to it.  :o

Trying to work out why "UK engineers" should not be "native English speakers".

FWIW it got worse later on. Missus was practically tearing her hair out by offknock time.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 05 February, 2015, 10:18:02 pm
The nice chippy in Crookes always closed at sensible times, I only ever bought chips there once - leaving us at the mercy of the less-nice one with the creepy man who used to say stuff like "you like hot fish?" in a leery way...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 05 February, 2015, 10:42:36 pm
Quote from: T42 on 05 February, 2015, 09:37:50 pm
Quote from: matthew on 05 February, 2015, 09:18:14 am
Quote from: T42 on 05 February, 2015, 09:06:29 am
Not my grumble, the missus's grumble:

She's a French-English translator. Yesterday she received a doc to proof-read. Client: "There's no French original, but the English is pretty good, shouldn't need many corrections".  Sample:

The control of level deburring tank into 3 thresholds is treated like described after :

·         The deburring level is situed between high level « NI_HA_CAT » and low level « NI_BA_CAT » of tank. So if level is insufficient ( below of low level) solenoid “EV_VID_CAT” will be closed for allows increase level. If the level is situed to low level of background cabin “NI_BA_LF”, Solenoid “EV_REMP_AUTO” opens for given fluid necessary.

·         The maintenance level « NI_MA_CAT » of tank by maintenance mode (Nozzle change mode) allows to reduce fluid level until a good level for change high pressure nozzle. This level is condition of safety feeding pump.

Doesn't need many corrections, just euthanasia.

I can think of some UK engineers who would try to pass that off, until a native English speaker on the project like me gets to it.  :o

Trying to work out why "UK engineers" should not be "native English speakers".

FWIW it got worse later on. Missus was practically tearing her hair out by offknock time.

Engineering is an international career, not all engineers based in and working from an office in the UK were either born here or have English as their first language. Most are not a problem, there are a few I have worked with in the past though where correcting the grammar was the first part of checking the report and the technical details came second.

I have worked with people from Europe, Africa, Russia, India, South America ... plus other countries that while not the UK would claim their first language to be 'English'
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 06 February, 2015, 12:12:03 am
Quote from: barakta on 05 February, 2015, 10:18:02 pm
The nice chippy in Crookes always closed at sensible times, I only ever bought chips there once - leaving us at the mercy of the less-nice one with the creepy man who used to say stuff like "you like hot fish?" in a leery way...

The creepy hot fish man chipshop had fantastic chips though.  That's why we put up with his pervy comments[1] and eccentric opening hours (chippy closing for lunch ffs!).  I expect they closed him down in the end for making false advertising claims about the effects of King Edwards in the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

You're thinking of the Broomhill Friery, which scored highly for opening hours and consistency, but the chips weren't anything special.

The less said about the Northern Soul the better...


[1] Which were genuinely entertaining up until he worked out who the couples were in our regular group of 4...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 06 February, 2015, 10:35:55 am
I used to live opposite Endcliffe Park, the chippy was down near the Ecclesall Road end of Rustlings Road. IIRC, he was done and gone before 8pm even at a weekend. Some days it didn't open at all, and I'm pretty sure it closed for lunch on the days it did open (huh?). Shame, nice chips, but fish and chips to me are post-pub food. Probably gone now, turned into a bistro or some such.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 06 February, 2015, 10:41:59 am
Always enjoy dipping in here to see what other folk are bellyaching about.  Gives me a real lift.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 06 February, 2015, 12:28:47 pm
Wanted to do good e.g. repair rather than get new. Our thermos top/lid is leaking, parts without shipping about £9, a brand new and shiny thermos starts below £9 and as expensive you want with or with fancy design/logo/print.

So what can one use a 1L vacuum flask with a leaky lid for rather than putting it in a bin, idea anyone?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: geraldc on 06 February, 2015, 12:33:31 pm
Use the thermos with a cork bung
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 06 February, 2015, 12:58:16 pm
Quote from: ian on 05 February, 2015, 09:42:26 am
Is there some weird reason why English chippies close at some bastardly early hour to leave the late night desert of rat-chicken, kebabery, and other sundry grease-loaded takeaway options? I don't eat fish and chips often, but on the few times I've tried for a traditional fish and chips, they're always closed (the one near here does linger till 10pm). Not a problem I had in Edinburgh, but I swear when I lived in Sheffield they used to be closed up by 8pm.
My dad's local chippy never closed before my dad and his mate John showed up on their way back from the pub, until Gordon sold it to some other people who were unaware of the arrangement, and when informed, not interested in continuining it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 06 February, 2015, 02:04:10 pm
Quote from: geraldc on 06 February, 2015, 12:33:31 pm
Use the thermos with a cork bung
A little over a half a lifetime ago I would have used it briefly as a container for saltpetre, charcoal and sugar ...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 06 February, 2015, 05:33:35 pm
Quote from: woollypigs on 06 February, 2015, 12:28:47 pm
So what can one use a 1L vacuum flask with a leaky lid for rather than putting it in a bin, idea anyone?

Liquid nitrogen.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 06 February, 2015, 05:51:56 pm
An excellent idea
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 06 February, 2015, 07:05:44 pm
In case it helps anyone else...............

Quote from: Biggsy on 31 January, 2015, 10:51:36 am
Another grumble about my new Sony TV.

It can act as a video recorder when you plug in a hard drive.  Which is nice.  BUT, the recordings only play on this TV, and it's losing its "registration" with the drive for no apparent reason whatsoever, meaning you have to re-register it and lose all recordings in the process.  Happened twice already, and I'm only on day two.  I should have stuck with Panasonic.

Happened a few more times.  Which is very naff.

But the solution is simple: unplug the drive from TV, plug into a PC, unplug from PC, plug back in to TV.  I don't know how this works as I don't know what difference the PC makes, but it does work.  Doing the same without the PC stage doesn't work, even when leaving it disconnected for five minutes or rebooting the TV.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 09 February, 2015, 01:10:26 pm
Possibly to do with file locking when mounting the drive. Windows manages this quite well. The TV probably uses some flavour of Linux, which is 'strict' about mounting and unmounting.

If the device management hasn't been configured well on the TV, I bet it is failing to unmount the drive when going into a hibernation mode. Then it can't properly mount the drive again and is doing some daft wiping of file tables.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 09 February, 2015, 01:34:52 pm
Quote from: T42 on 05 February, 2015, 09:06:29 am
Not my grumble, the missus's grumble:

She's a French-English translator. Yesterday she received a doc to proof-read. Client: "There's no French original, but the English is pretty good, shouldn't need many corrections".  Sample:

The control of level deburring tank into 3 thresholds is treated like described after :

·         The deburring level is situed between high level « NI_HA_CAT » and low level « NI_BA_CAT » of tank. So if level is insufficient ( below of low level) solenoid “EV_VID_CAT” will be closed for allows increase level. If the level is situed to low level of background cabin “NI_BA_LF”, Solenoid “EV_REMP_AUTO” opens for given fluid necessary.

·         The maintenance level « NI_MA_CAT » of tank by maintenance mode (Nozzle change mode) allows to reduce fluid level until a good level for change high pressure nozzle. This level is condition of safety feeding pump.

Doesn't need many corrections, just euthanasia.
Oh yes. Too familiar with this. The "proofreading" where you first have to guess what the original said - unless you're lucky and they've got that too - in order to make any sense of it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: bumper on 09 February, 2015, 04:46:12 pm
Vet bill, quoted last week, between £250 and £450.

Just been in to collect my dog, £449.75.

Next time just tell me it £450 ffs!


I'd also like to be told that there will be another follow up consultation fee and another £50-£70 to stir through a shit sample. The shit is shit it'll cost either £50 or £70 for the tests that are being carried out. I also don't want to pay to have him wormed, chipped or to be covered in flea treatment. They've also just had £30 for his booster and they gave him worming treatment 6 months ago. Why do they feel the need to push EVERYTHING! They're getting worse than fucking estate agents.

It really isn't the money, I'd spend every penny I've got to keep my best mate tip top. I understand that they've trained for years to be good at what they do but they're uncomfortably money orientated.

I had to withhold his food from noon yesterday, when I collected him the nurse said "I've given him some food, it's like you've never fed him". Cheeky fucking bitch! He eats like a horse. Last year we were told to put him on a diet, he's lost 4 kg in 12 months. This morning they weighed him and were concerned about his rapid weight loss over the past fortnight. They weighed him in his pre-op at 14.2kg,and again today at 14.2kg.  the vet wrote down 15.75kg by mistake on his paperwork making it look like he was wasting away, COCK!

Rant over, until the end of the week anyway.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 09 February, 2015, 05:39:08 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 09 February, 2015, 01:34:52 pm
Quote from: T42 on 05 February, 2015, 09:06:29 am
Not my grumble, the missus's grumble:

She's a French-English translator. Yesterday she received a doc to proof-read. Client: "There's no French original, but the English is pretty good, shouldn't need many corrections".  Sample:

The control of level deburring tank into 3 thresholds is treated like described after :

·         The deburring level is situed between high level « NI_HA_CAT » and low level « NI_BA_CAT » of tank. So if level is insufficient ( below of low level) solenoid “EV_VID_CAT” will be closed for allows increase level. If the level is situed to low level of background cabin “NI_BA_LF”, Solenoid “EV_REMP_AUTO” opens for given fluid necessary.

·         The maintenance level « NI_MA_CAT » of tank by maintenance mode (Nozzle change mode) allows to reduce fluid level until a good level for change high pressure nozzle. This level is condition of safety feeding pump.

Doesn't need many corrections, just euthanasia.
Oh yes. Too familiar with this. The "proofreading" where you first have to guess what the original said - unless you're lucky and they've got that too - in order to make any sense of it.
I've had that once or twice with proofreading translations from Japanese. I usually get the originals, though, & have an arrangement with Mrs B. I try to guess what it really means & ask her if I'm right. I usually am, but sometimes not.

The really silly ones are when the translator hasn't realised that there's a definitive English version of part of the text (e.g. the title of a German book, which has been referenced in its Japanese edition) & translates the Japanese into English. Usually they realise, & look it up, but I have had documents which included translations into English of quoted sections of the Japanese translations of documents which are on the web in official English versions, either originals or authorised translations.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 09 February, 2015, 05:43:40 pm
Quote from: ian on 06 February, 2015, 10:35:55 am
I used to live opposite Endcliffe Park, the chippy was down near the Ecclesall Road end of Rustlings Road. IIRC, he was done and gone before 8pm even at a weekend. Some days it didn't open at all, and I'm pretty sure it closed for lunch on the days it did open (huh?). Shame, nice chips, but fish and chips to me are post-pub food. Probably gone now, turned into a bistro or some such.
Tradition. There was a time when fish & chips was a family dinner, & opening times were set accordingly.

When I was a nipper, I was often sent to the chippy with a pound note to get the family's dinner, especially on Friday night.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 09 February, 2015, 06:10:59 pm
We were informed as students that 'doctors didn't eat chips in the street'.
I don't think I ever went to the Broomhill Friary.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 10 February, 2015, 09:50:36 am
Bah! Little sister has cycled to work for the first time since September.  She left her big D lock on the railings & after 4 months with no use it's seized up. Luckily she had a smaller lock with her. She's trying to sweet talk estates into finding some 3in1 or something.
At least it didn't jam with the bike locked up!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 10 February, 2015, 11:53:43 am
If it wasn't so bloody cold, and the sun was shining, I'd say it was a nice day, but it is and it isn't so it's not.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 11 February, 2015, 05:51:34 am
I'm not going to get a cup of tea before I get on the plane, sob.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Gattopardo on 11 February, 2015, 10:00:18 am
Man turns up to do gas safety cert, and proceeds to do so.  He knows nothing of the repair to the leaking boiler nor the leaking radiator valve...so he read his emails then.

This has only taken a couple of months, a few letters from the Landlord to say that the certificate is no longer valid and is urgent that the certificate be renewed, and my email reply of hello not heard from the chap even though I emailed him and CC you in to everything.

Meh.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Riggers on 11 February, 2015, 10:14:59 am
Word to self: It's been a month and a half now, and you still haven't repaired that back tyre puncture have you!

Still, it only needs pumping up twice in the day, so what's the problem?

Oh, and another thing. Before you cycle all the way into town with that 12lb chain of a lock wrapped round you, just make sure you have the key with you next time!!!!!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 11 February, 2015, 10:31:28 am
Planning to go MTBing after work is far better if you pick up the charged battery for your front light rather than the dead one :facepalm:

I blame the sun coming up too early so I don't need lights on the way in. Now it'll be a dash home before it gets too dark. :-[
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 11 February, 2015, 01:04:19 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 09 February, 2015, 06:10:59 pm
We were informed as students that 'doctors didn't eat chips in the street'.
I don't think I ever went to the Broomhill Friary.
They do, I've seen them!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 11 February, 2015, 01:19:54 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 09 February, 2015, 01:34:52 pm
Quote from: T42 on 05 February, 2015, 09:06:29 am
Not my grumble, the missus's grumble:

She's a French-English translator. Yesterday she received a doc to proof-read. Client: "There's no French original, but the English is pretty good, shouldn't need many corrections".  Sample:

The control of level deburring tank into 3 thresholds is treated like described after :

·         The deburring level is situed between high level « NI_HA_CAT » and low level « NI_BA_CAT » of tank. So if level is insufficient ( below of low level) solenoid “EV_VID_CAT” will be closed for allows increase level. If the level is situed to low level of background cabin “NI_BA_LF”, Solenoid “EV_REMP_AUTO” opens for given fluid necessary.

·         The maintenance level « NI_MA_CAT » of tank by maintenance mode (Nozzle change mode) allows to reduce fluid level until a good level for change high pressure nozzle. This level is condition of safety feeding pump.

Doesn't need many corrections, just euthanasia.
Oh yes. Too familiar with this. The "proofreading" where you first have to guess what the original said - unless you're lucky and they've got that too - in order to make any sense of it.

Apparently there wasn't an original; the authors wrote it directly in "English".

Meanwhile our club prez bought a thing called Serif X7 so that he could look after the club website. X8 is just out so X7 was going for 30 euros, so I bought one as well. Dear god. It's a UK product and the French translation is bloody horrible. E.g. "slideshow" is translated as "glissière" (drawer-type slide for those as don't know). Lots of other awkwardness: using it is 50% sussing out what they meant in the original and 50% in finding out how to do something I could do in 30 seconds with Dreamweaver.   :sick:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 11 February, 2015, 01:41:07 pm
Ooooh! I've had those!

One was by a Japanese professor of media studies, teaching in a university in an English-speaking country. His English was - interesting. Imagine a very good speaker of English as a second language, who'd honed it in a media studies department. Very fluent but  slightly quirky bollocks.  :facepalm:


Well, to be fair some of it was interesting, & made sense, but the language!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 11 February, 2015, 01:52:28 pm
When I was in 2nd year maths at Edinburgh we had a Dutch analysis lecturer who wrote big S like little S and big V like small V and both like theta, and went like a bat out of hell into the bargain. Horrible.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 11 February, 2015, 01:55:23 pm
It always gets more interesting when a third language is involved. For instance, the source document - which you either don't have or have to specially request and wait for - mentions names in a third language, which uses a different writing system, and the names are obscure so you're never quite sure whether they've been transliterated according to source language or target language conventions. Or a mixture of both. The one that sticks in my memory though was not an obscure name but an everyday word. The original Polish document quoted someone in Russian, for some forgotten reason, and it had been translated as "In Russian we have the word człowiek, which... " Well, no, you don't have that word in Russian, because it's Polish! To put a Polish word in an English document and say it's Russian is absurd!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 11 February, 2015, 01:57:35 pm
Meanwhile, computer shop, hurry up with this set up business, please! Or I'll have to do something like go Apple instead!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 11 February, 2015, 02:17:05 pm
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 11 February, 2015, 01:04:19 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 09 February, 2015, 06:10:59 pm
We were informed as students that 'doctors didn't eat chips in the street'.
I don't think I ever went to the Broomhill Friary.
They do, I've seen them!

[grumpy old bat]

Standards must have slipped since my day!

[/grumpy old bat]
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 13 February, 2015, 11:48:50 am
I appear to have been suffering from brain-fade when I made the CPC order that just arrived.  After carefully checking that I'd got the right flavour of knobs for the shafts of the potentiometers I intend to attach them to, I carefully ordered the wrong ones.  I've also managed to accidentally order some reed switches that must have been floating around in the cart since I didn't order them a couple of weeks ago.

Also, I've got the snot and the GP has used me as a pin-cushion but failed to draw blood, so I'm not in the best of moods.

Bah!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 13 February, 2015, 02:01:58 pm
 Mr Cough & Mr Snot.   You outstayed your welcome last time.   I don't want a 2nd visit  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 13 February, 2015, 03:13:57 pm
BBC R3 continuity announcer, if it is three o'clock then adding "this afternoon" is somewhat superfluous.  I mean, it's not as if someone is going to think it's three o'clock tomorrow afternoon, are they?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 13 February, 2015, 04:00:09 pm
Assos Factory Outlet spam: Don't forget your loved ones this Valentines...

Violets are blue,
Roses are russet,
And here is some white stuff
To slap on your gusset.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Butterfly on 13 February, 2015, 09:14:11 pm
Quote from: T42 on 13 February, 2015, 04:00:09 pm
Assos Factory Outlet spam: Don't forget your loved ones this Valentines...

Violets are blue,
Roses are russet,
And here is some white stuff
To slap on your gusset.

Snort ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 15 February, 2015, 08:46:23 am
If you are a well respected biologist you could at least get your chemical structures right..

(http://pbs.twimg.com/media/B90bwaYCQAMI6P1.png)

(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 15 February, 2015, 12:21:14 pm
Morrison's new toilet roll is less soft and less effective than the old stuff. I would have put this in First World Problems but I assume that in there you would just use a bidet
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 15 February, 2015, 01:51:19 pm
^^^Wait for PBP, you can find out.

Funny, though: our local Super U (as in Unilever) recently degraded their standard bogroll to Breakthrough Level 2: use doubled or suffer the consequences.  Maybe there's a covert war on to dominate Europe's derrières.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 15 February, 2015, 02:52:42 pm
If you wait a bit UkIP will be along to blame it on the EU, immigrunts and Brown Windsor SOUP.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 15 February, 2015, 03:17:29 pm
Quote from: Kim on 13 February, 2015, 11:48:50 am
I appear to have been suffering from brain-fade when I made the CPC order that just arrived.  After carefully checking that I'd got the right flavour of knobs for the shafts of the potentiometers I intend to attach them to, I carefully ordered the wrong ones.

Blimey, this could go in the "Coincidences do happen" thread, because I too bought some pots last week from CPC, with knobs that don't fit.  Except it wasn't entirely my fault in my case.  They were the knobs that CPC recommended for the particular pots (via "Accessories" on the pot item page).

Quote
Also, I've got the snot and the GP has used me as a pin-cushion but failed to draw blood, so I'm not in the best of moods.

It doesn't help that doctors tend to be poor at taking blood, compared to nurses.  GWS.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 15 February, 2015, 03:32:02 pm
Quote from: Biggsy on 15 February, 2015, 03:17:29 pm
Quote
Also, I've got the snot and the GP has used me as a pin-cushion but failed to draw blood, so I'm not in the best of moods.

It doesn't help that doctors tend to be poor at taking blood, compared to nurses.

Indeed.  I've got difficult veins, so tend to ask for the most senior nurse ("you know, the one you're all a bit scared of") in blood-letting / cannula insertion situations.  But I was there already for prescription jibble and it would have saved everyone time if she'd managed to get some blood there and then.  I'm not squeamish, just bruised.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 15 February, 2015, 06:00:20 pm
Nothing dafter than a 30-year-old door-lock with a broken spring. This one wedged into a mortise as tight as a banker's arse in a door with irreplaceable fancy glass set in a frame with a curly top. Took my full vocabulary to get it out of the door, two hours faffing about with pliers and wire to bend a spring, three four five six shit knows attempts to re-fit bolt A into plate B bearing on lever C with spring D mounted on pin E bearing on back of bolt A and spang shit start over. Then had to persuade the sainted thing back into the mortise with a hammer (see above re irreplaceable).  Now have 30 years' worth of metal dust ingrained in fingers and awaiting brickbats re state of nail-brush, towels, door curtain, light-switch.

I want a bacon sandwich.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 16 February, 2015, 06:13:42 pm
Local Post Office.

3 counters (2 are PO and 1 is newsagents)
2 staff, 1 on newsagents, 1 on PO
8 customers queueing at the PO counters
0 customers at the newsagents
1 staff member serving, the other standing doing nothing

This is 4th time I've been there recently.  The first time there was a Chinese-looking couple who were able and willing to serve at any counter.  The second time I went to the newsagent counter and was told to go to the PO queue.   The 3rd time someone else got told!  This time,in true British fashion, no one asked the idle staff member to serve them as obviously it wasn't their job to do so!

Now I know how the Chinese managed to take over the entire retail operation at Vancouver airport, not to mention making all our stuff.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 16 February, 2015, 09:51:50 pm
Self, you blithering idiot,

firstly, don't get so caught up in what you are doing that you don't leave the office until 8pm.
secondly, when you then rush down change and cycle home it would be wise not to get to home and then find that your door keys are still in the door of the locker at work 30 minutes away.

The only reason this isn't in the rant thread is two parts, your sisters are local and have spare keys for the house, and the security guard at work confirmed where the keys are and took them into safe custody.

 :-[
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 17 February, 2015, 01:05:57 am
Sympathies. Our return from Camden Cyclists' meeting tonight entailed a diversion to return a cycle lock to its owner's home.
Lock had owner's home and sundry other keys attached.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 17 February, 2015, 07:10:57 pm
Fell over a trailing cable at work today.  Everything hurts now.  'Specially my dodgy hip.

Lots of people were watching  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 17 February, 2015, 08:24:11 pm
You take care that there young Ruthie, easily done and cable should not have been loose. In fact its a terribly, terribly, bad show and if I were you, I would be frightfully pissed off annoyed!  I trust it went into the accident book?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 17 February, 2015, 08:38:21 pm
Quote from: Canardly on 17 February, 2015, 08:24:11 pm
You take care that there young Ruthie, easily done and cable should not have been loose. In fact its a terribly, terribly, bad show and if I were you, I would be frightfully pissed off annoyed!  I trust it went into the accident book?

What accident book?

Nah, I was just embarrassed and told them all to stop looking at me and making a fuss.  And the cable was part of a piece of equipment someone was setting up behind me.  It connected the machine to its operating foot pedal.  Just one of those things.  Dangerous place, the operating theatre.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 17 February, 2015, 08:42:47 pm
If it's a known risk there should be a mitigation in a risk assessment somewhere. Then again I work in an industry that can generate a 7 page risk assessment for changing an office light bulb.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 17 February, 2015, 08:44:28 pm
A very long time ago, I marched rapidly onto a wet patch on Ward 3 at the LGI, taking flight and landing on my well padded bum.

This was witnessed by Sister, who insisted on filling out the Accident Book and a trip to A&E.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 17 February, 2015, 08:46:08 pm
Hmmm.  I might Safeguard it tomorrow.  Just wanted it to go away at the time.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 17 February, 2015, 08:48:48 pm
Report it in case you have to make some form of claim later on.

I'm an office First Aider , so any incident I have to deal with get phoned in to our central incident reporting desk.

One of the questions they always ask is "is so & so a member of the union?"........
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 17 February, 2015, 08:52:31 pm
It's also worth doing in case you find you have damaged yourself when the adrenaline wears off. It should keep HR off your back if it was a recorded work injury.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 17 February, 2015, 08:55:11 pm
Yeah, good point.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 17 February, 2015, 08:56:46 pm
At least you have witnesses if required ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 17 February, 2015, 09:24:08 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 17 February, 2015, 08:44:28 pm
A very long time ago, I marched rapidly onto a wet patch on Ward 3 at the LGI, taking flight and landing on my well padded bum.

This was witnessed by Sister, who insisted on filling out the Accident Book and a trip to A&E.

Can never see "Sister" in a hospital context without remembering Hattie Jacques.

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/81/Hattie_Jacques_in_Carry_On_Nurse.jpg/220px-Hattie_Jacques_in_Carry_On_Nurse.jpg)

I remember what was done with the daffodil, too.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 18 February, 2015, 12:07:51 pm
Quote from: T42 on 17 February, 2015, 09:24:08 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 17 February, 2015, 08:44:28 pm
A very long time ago, I marched rapidly onto a wet patch on Ward 3 at the LGI, taking flight and landing on my well padded bum.

This was witnessed by Sister, who insisted on filling out the Accident Book and a trip to A&E.

Can never see "Sister" in a hospital context without remembering Hattie Jacques.

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/81/Hattie_Jacques_in_Carry_On_Nurse.jpg/220px-Hattie_Jacques_in_Carry_On_Nurse.jpg)

I remember what was done with the daffodil, too.

I think nurses still wore caps then.
Sister was a Large Lady...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 18 February, 2015, 12:37:49 pm
Quote from: T42 on 15 February, 2015, 01:51:19 pm
Funny, though: our local Super U (as in Unilever) recently degraded their standard bogroll to Breakthrough Level 2: use doubled or suffer the consequences.  Maybe there's a covert war on to dominate Europe's derrières.
Nowt to do with Unilever except as a customer.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 18 February, 2015, 01:03:21 pm
Just lost my job. Bugger. Not good timing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 18 February, 2015, 01:04:18 pm
Quote from: Kim on 15 February, 2015, 03:32:02 pm
Quote from: Biggsy on 15 February, 2015, 03:17:29 pm
Quote
Also, I've got the snot and the GP has used me as a pin-cushion but failed to draw blood, so I'm not in the best of moods.

It doesn't help that doctors tend to be poor at taking blood, compared to nurses.

Indeed.  I've got difficult veins, so tend to ask for the most senior nurse ("you know, the one you're all a bit scared of") in blood-letting / cannula insertion situations.  But I was there already for prescription jibble and it would have saved everyone time if she'd managed to get some blood there and then.  I'm not squeamish, just bruised.

In and out this morning with less-senior nurse in under two minutes.  She found the vein on the first attempt, with no digging around.   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 18 February, 2015, 01:16:50 pm
Quote from: Pickled Onion on 18 February, 2015, 01:03:21 pm
Just lost my job. Bugger. Not good timing.

Bugger  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 18 February, 2015, 01:24:03 pm
Oh dear   :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 18 February, 2015, 01:31:07 pm
Quote from: Pickled Onion on 18 February, 2015, 01:03:21 pm
Just lost my job. Bugger. Not good timing.

Ugbear, sorry to hear that, but also there is never, really, a good time to lose your job.

Good luck with the job hunting.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 18 February, 2015, 01:33:13 pm
Quote from: Pickled Onion on 18 February, 2015, 01:03:21 pm
Just lost my job. Bugger. Not good timing.

Bugger indeed. :(

Good luck!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 18 February, 2015, 01:56:01 pm
Quote from: tiermat on 18 February, 2015, 01:31:07 pm
Quote from: Pickled Onion on 18 February, 2015, 01:03:21 pm
Just lost my job. Bugger. Not good timing.

Ugbear, sorry to hear that, but also there is never, really, a good time to lose your job.

Good luck with the job hunting.

Good point, but there is a "less bad" time - new mortgage completion date is in a couple of weeks, plus I promised the divorce solicitor she would be paid by the end of March.... Bah!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 18 February, 2015, 03:27:43 pm
Quote from: Pickled Onion on 18 February, 2015, 01:56:01 pm
Quote from: tiermat on 18 February, 2015, 01:31:07 pm
Quote from: Pickled Onion on 18 February, 2015, 01:03:21 pm
Just lost my job. Bugger. Not good timing.

Ugbear, sorry to hear that, but also there is never, really, a good time to lose your job.

Good luck with the job hunting.

Good point, but there is a "less bad" time - new mortgage completion date is in a couple of weeks, plus I promised the divorce solicitor she would be paid by the end of March.... Bah!

Ouch!,

Industry and location? it's not been unknown for the yacf network to result in employment opportunities.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 19 February, 2015, 09:52:17 am
When people with the job title "Cost Transformation Analyst" start asking you to explain how your job works it's not a good sign...... :-(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 19 February, 2015, 09:58:47 am
Anybody with the job title "Cost Transformation Analyst" should very probably be ashamed of themselves. But that doesn't help you. Sorry.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 19 February, 2015, 10:49:32 am
Quote from: Pickled Onion on 18 February, 2015, 01:03:21 pm
Just lost my job. Bugger. Not good timing.

Bugger indeed. Good luck.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 19 February, 2015, 10:55:13 am
PO sorry to hear your news hope you are sorted out asap. At least employment ops are on the up.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 19 February, 2015, 10:57:14 am
Quote from: andrewc on 19 February, 2015, 09:52:17 am
When people with the job title "Cost Transformation Analyst" start asking you to explain how your job works it's not a good sign...... :-(

Probably a lean systems bod looking at cutting out non added value activities, eleminating duplication etc. Not necessarily something to be unduly concerned about. Customer interface is usually a key area with service organisations.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 19 February, 2015, 11:29:14 am
Quote from: Canardly on 19 February, 2015, 10:57:14 am
Quote from: andrewc on 19 February, 2015, 09:52:17 am
When people with the job title "Cost Transformation Analyst" start asking you to explain how your job works it's not a good sign...... :-(

Probably a lean systems bod looking at cutting out non added value activities, eleminating duplication etc. Not necessarily something to be unduly concerned about. Customer interface is usually a key area with service organisations.

I expect that sentence makes sense to someone.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 19 February, 2015, 11:42:19 am
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 19 February, 2015, 11:29:14 am
Quote from: Canardly on 19 February, 2015, 10:57:14 am
Quote from: andrewc on 19 February, 2015, 09:52:17 am
When people with the job title "Cost Transformation Analyst" start asking you to explain how your job works it's not a good sign...... :-(

Probably a lean systems bod looking at cutting out non added value activities, eleminating duplication etc. Not necessarily something to be unduly concerned about. Customer interface is usually a key area with service organisations.

I expect that sentence makes sense to someone.

You probably have to be a Cost Transformation Analyst to appreciate it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 19 February, 2015, 07:34:10 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 19 February, 2015, 11:42:19 am
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 19 February, 2015, 11:29:14 am
Quote from: Canardly on 19 February, 2015, 10:57:14 am
Quote from: andrewc on 19 February, 2015, 09:52:17 am
When people with the job title "Cost Transformation Analyst" start asking you to explain how your job works it's not a good sign...... :-(

Probably a lean systems bod looking at cutting out non added value activities, eleminating duplication etc. Not necessarily something to be unduly concerned about. Customer interface is usually a key area with service organisations.

I expect that sentence makes sense to someone.

You probably have to be a Cost Transformation Analyst to appreciate it.

My team has gone well beyond "Lean", more like bloody anorexic..... >:(

Eliminating duplication ?   There were 2 of the buggers!

Shakespeare got it wrong.   The first thing we do, let's kill all the bean counters....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 19 February, 2015, 09:03:25 pm
Fell over while trying to sit down today.

How come I'm so clumsy?   >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 19 February, 2015, 10:58:54 pm
Perhaps it's just the floor really likes you at the moment.  :P

Nothing hurt but pride I hope :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: davelodwig on 20 February, 2015, 08:19:35 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 19 February, 2015, 09:58:47 am
Anybody with the job title "Cost Transformation Analyst" should very probably be ashamed of themselves. But that doesn't help you. Sorry.

or downsized, as they never seem to realise they are the excess staffing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 20 February, 2015, 09:14:26 am
Quote from: andrewc on 19 February, 2015, 07:34:10 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 19 February, 2015, 11:42:19 am
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 19 February, 2015, 11:29:14 am
Quote from: Canardly on 19 February, 2015, 10:57:14 am
Quote from: andrewc on 19 February, 2015, 09:52:17 am
When people with the job title "Cost Transformation Analyst" start asking you to explain how your job works it's not a good sign...... :-(

Probably a lean systems bod looking at cutting out non added value activities, eleminating duplication etc. Not necessarily something to be unduly concerned about. Customer interface is usually a key area with service organisations.

I expect that sentence makes sense to someone.

You probably have to be a Cost Transformation Analyst to appreciate it.

My team has gone well beyond "Lean", more like bloody anorexic..... >:(

Eliminating duplication ?   There were 2 of the buggers!

Shakespeare got it wrong.   The first thing we do, let's kill all the bean counters....

Some Bean Counters at the BigCo were seriously looking at reducing the Vista Operations team from three to two.  To provide 24/7 cover.  What, some of you actually go on holibobs?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 20 February, 2015, 12:51:56 pm
Quote from: Ruthie on 19 February, 2015, 09:03:25 pm
Fell over while trying to sit down today.

How come I'm so clumsy?   >:(

Take care, Ruthie!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 20 February, 2015, 04:23:56 pm
Cuppa required by Ruthie.   :-*

My grumble.  I should be in the comfort by my own log burner near Maesycrugiau, but I'm not.
Mrs B had a dream about her dad and decided she needed to go up to Co Durham to see him.  So she phoned the other day, told me that she was driving with the dog up to Brum and that I needed to (I needed?) get on line and buy her train tickets.
So instead of being all comfy and warm, I'm freezing my bollocks off dog sitting out side the Country Girl.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 20 February, 2015, 06:57:18 pm
I have a headache, and every time I cough it feels as though I have been assaulted by a Faithful Companion wielding a clicky-ba.

And I sat on my reading glasses >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 22 February, 2015, 11:38:41 pm
Hmm, my 11 year old Vauxhall Astra has started making a mayonnaise-like emulsion in the oil tank. Looks like it's off to the garage tomorrow.  :(

I'm in Bangernomics territory with this car now, so my leisurely look through the market for a new car might  become rather more urgent.


In other grumbles - I'd love to know where my rear left pannier has gone hiding over the winter. I need it in a couple weeks
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 23 February, 2015, 04:58:27 pm
I've just spent ten minutes scrabbling on the cold, wet path, picking up the garden-stored bikes, putting the cover back over them, and then the tricky part - reattaching the bungees that hold the cover down. First time they've blown over this winter, so I think the new arrangements are an improvement.

Ironically, the 'project' I'm meant to be working on now is about a wind farm.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 24 February, 2015, 08:42:11 am
Yesterday I rode to work & strode into the office with my flies undone.
Today I showered, shaved & left the flat without brushing my teeth.
I need a holiday or something......
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 24 February, 2015, 08:47:57 am
I had a tremendous rant on the uselessness of the webby SCIENCE of a local medical practice lined up on the grid, but then the phone rang and by the end of the conversation the forum/SMF/the fondleslab slab had eaten it.

Bah!

I still can't find the opening times of their blood testing service either.  May the chupacabra do Terrible Things to their goats!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 24 February, 2015, 03:14:31 pm
Someone threw my lunch in the bin :(

The only reason this isn't a rant is that the lid was still on so, once I eventually found it, I was able to rinse off the tub and still eat it.

Gits.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 24 February, 2015, 04:43:28 pm
Just had eye operated on so missus is cooking my steak just now. Had a bloody awful lunch and couldn't say a word.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 24 February, 2015, 06:23:47 pm
I'm sure that when my anbaric distascope gets its input from the aerial it used to be happy to transmit its audio down the HDMI cable to the A/V receiver and thus, by the miracle of SCIENCE, to the squeakers.  Now it remains stubbornly silent, though sound may still be had via the distascope's poxy internal squeakers.  Video and, indeed, audio signals are happy to head the other way.  Arse.

This is making me rather cross.  I would try the optical wossname, but the only bit of fibre-optic string I own is about a foot too short.  Double arse, with a Marmite and dead dog sauce >:(

Any experts out there?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 24 February, 2015, 10:40:35 pm
Quote from: Basil on 20 February, 2015, 04:23:56 pm
Cuppa required by Ruthie.   :-*

My grumble.  I should be in the comfort by my own log burner near Maesycrugiau, but I'm not.
Mrs B had a dream about her dad and decided she needed to go up to Co Durham to see him.  So she phoned the other day, told me that she was driving with the dog up to Brum and that I needed to (I needed?) get on line and buy her train tickets.
So instead of being all comfy and warm, I'm freezing my bollocks off dog sitting out side the Country Girl.

It get worse.  Seems that I also "need" to allow #1 son to use my credit card details for a flight from BHX to Newark.  And back.  ::-)

Oh well, at least he asked.

Think I need to start looking for an evening job.  :facepalm:
The Offie?
The petrol station?
Back of Rackham's?  :o

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 24 February, 2015, 11:21:32 pm
Any bar staff vacancies at the Country Girl, Basil ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 24 February, 2015, 11:28:46 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 24 February, 2015, 11:21:32 pm
Any bar staff vacancies at the Country Girl, Basil ;D

If Basil gets an evening job, they'll be laying them off...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 24 February, 2015, 11:49:56 pm
Klutz would appear to have dropped house key attached to hire cycle key at sports centre tonight.
Living with a klutz ain't cheap and he thinks stopping the Boris bike key would be too hasty.
It's on MY credit card.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 24 February, 2015, 11:52:51 pm
The hire bike folk do, I believe, have form for returning keys to the rightful owner.

'Course, that depends on them getting hold of the (hire bike key+house key) bundle ... I'd try the leisure centre.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 24 February, 2015, 11:58:10 pm
He will, eventually. Maybe I will phone them as I get up earlier and he doesn't like phones.
He seldom emerges before 11.30...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 25 February, 2015, 12:22:46 am
My online cycle hire account has been suspended as I have not accessed it for a year. GGGRRRR....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 25 February, 2015, 10:56:49 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 24 February, 2015, 06:23:47 pm
I'm sure that when my anbaric distascope gets its input from the aerial it used to be happy to transmit its audio down the HDMI cable to the A/V receiver and thus, by the miracle of SCIENCE, to the squeakers.  Now it remains stubbornly silent, though sound may still be had via the distascope's poxy internal squeakers.  Video and, indeed, audio signals are happy to head the other way.  Arse.

This is making me rather cross.  I would try the optical wossname, but the only bit of fibre-optic string I own is about a foot too short.  Double arse, with a Marmite and dead dog sauce >:(

Any experts out there?

There's usually an option to found wandering lost in the submenu labyrinth for 'sound out via HDMI' or analogous terminology. My magic box has that.

On other grumbly matters, on removing the parts of the coffeebot from the dishwasher last night I noticed the pot's hollow handle had filled with trapped soapy detergent. I emptied it in the sink and rinsed. Put on the pot and went to bed.

This morning there's a huge brown stain on the hardwood worktop by the sink that smells of dishwasher detergent. Arse.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 25 February, 2015, 11:06:36 am
Gah!  Radio 4 between 6 and 6:30.  How much cliche bullshit can people spout at that time of the morning. 

And whilst I'm on the subject:  Why do people try to make themselves sound more learned by beginning everything they say with, So...?

I must have banged my bonce and died on Sunday and now my consciousness lives in a parallel world of bullshit. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 25 February, 2015, 11:17:18 am
Quote from: ian on 25 February, 2015, 10:56:49 am
There's usually an option to found wandering lost in the submenu labyrinth for 'sound out via HDMI' or analogous terminology. My magic box has that.

The distascope is set up to use "Audio system" by default, rather than "TV speakers".  Even a full-fat reset has failed to persuade it to behave itself.  I may have to lower myself to joining Another Forum to seek Advices ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 25 February, 2015, 11:28:31 am
Quote from: Polar Bear on 25 February, 2015, 11:06:36 am

And whilst I'm on the subject:  Why do people try to make themselves sound more learned by beginning everything they say with, So...?


And why do all sports people begin every answer with "Yeah, no"  or sometimes "No, yeah"?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 25 February, 2015, 11:30:22 am
So, I think it gives them time to try to work out what they are supposed to be talking about. ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 25 February, 2015, 12:23:12 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 25 February, 2015, 11:30:22 am
So, I think it gives them time to try to work out what they are supposed to be talking about. ;D

When I rule the world, sentences like the one above will elicit swift, severe and painful punishment.   >:(


Nothing personal, mcshroom, but it's the only sensible response.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 25 February, 2015, 12:31:28 pm
;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 25 February, 2015, 01:00:05 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 22 February, 2015, 11:38:41 pm
Hmm, my 11 year old Vauxhall Astra has started making a mayonnaise-like emulsion in the oil tank. Looks like it's off to the garage tomorrow.  :(

I'm in Bangernomics territory with this car now, so my leisurely look through the market for a new car might  become rather more urgent.


In other grumbles - I'd love to know where my rear left pannier has gone hiding over the winter. I need it in a couple weeks

Wander about the house loudly proclaiming that you need your pannier in ten days time.

In 11 days time it will magically appear....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 25 February, 2015, 01:02:33 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 25 February, 2015, 11:17:18 am
Quote from: ian on 25 February, 2015, 10:56:49 am
There's usually an option to found wandering lost in the submenu labyrinth for 'sound out via HDMI' or analogous terminology. My magic box has that.

The distascope is set up to use "Audio system" by default, rather than "TV speakers".  Even a full-fat reset has failed to persuade it to behave itself.  I may have to lower myself to joining Another Forum to seek Advices ???

Ah, does it use the audio return channel back from the HDMI lead to the telly, to provide audio back up its chuff for onward distribution?  This, while useful, does tend to mean the bloody things talk to each other and make decisions you are not in agreement with.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jacomus on 25 February, 2015, 01:52:40 pm
Oi! BBC!

Firstly, your new look website looks, frankly, shite. I'll be fair though, you do say it's in Beta, so I hope it get's a little more polished before you're done. Now, that's not what I was grumbling about - Oi! BBC! Please, please can you provide a proper text article to go with your increasing reliance on video content. Sometimes, I like watching videos, especially when I'm chilling out at home. When I'm at work, which is where I consume most of the news, I don't have a way to listen to the video.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 25 February, 2015, 01:55:07 pm
Quote from: Jacomus on 25 February, 2015, 01:52:40 pm
Oi! BBC! Please, please can you provide a proper text article to go with your increasing reliance on video content. Sometimes, I like watching videos, especially when I'm chilling out at home. When I'm at work, which is where I consume most of the news, I don't have a way to listen to the video.

I'm for a blanket ban on speakers for web designers' computers, except for testing of audio content.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 25 February, 2015, 03:36:40 pm
Quote from: Wombat on 25 February, 2015, 01:02:33 pm
Ah, does it use the audio return channel back from the HDMI lead to the telly, to provide audio back up its chuff for onward distribution?  This, while useful, does tend to mean the bloody things talk to each other and make decisions you are not in agreement with.

I've only a hazy idea of what ARC actually does; both the distascope and AV wossname have a surfeit of HDMI ports but only one on each speaks ARC and them's the ones I've been using all along.  I'm sure it used to work ???

Quote from: Kim on 25 February, 2015, 01:55:07 pm
Quote from: Jacomus on 25 February, 2015, 01:52:40 pm
Oi! BBC! Please, please can you provide a proper text article to go with your increasing reliance on video content. Sometimes, I like watching videos, especially when I'm chilling out at home. When I'm at work, which is where I consume most of the news, I don't have a way to listen to the video.

I'm for a blanket ban on speakers for web designers' computers, except for testing of audio content.

This.  And I'd reintroduce the utterly to DETH penalty for people who post links to, or embed, Youtube videos without telling you whether it's Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock or One Direction in the study with the AK47.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 25 February, 2015, 04:12:27 pm
Quote from: Jacomus on 25 February, 2015, 01:52:40 pm
Oi! BBC!

Firstly, your new look website looks, frankly, shite. I'll be fair though, you do say it's in Beta, so I hope it get's a little more polished before you're done. Now, that's not what I was grumbling about - Oi! BBC! Please, please can you provide a proper text article to go with your increasing reliance on video content. Sometimes, I like watching videos, especially when I'm chilling out at home. When I'm at work, which is where I consume most of the news, I don't have a way to listen to the video.

S'ok they don't caption their web video content anyway so I end up clicking x on a lot of interesting looking stuff cos it's video or maybe sentence of text only.  I sometimes google it to find an equivalent text article but it does make me cross cos it's this increased videoification of the web.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 26 February, 2015, 10:51:10 am
Blood testing place, when you say you open at 08:00 any sane person would think that 08:00 would be the time you start getting vampiric, not five minutes before you open the fucking doors >:(. That way you might not have to start turning punters away at 09:10 when you're open till 11:30.

Relying on a patient to dole out the numbered tickets for the queue is probably not best practice either.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TimC on 26 February, 2015, 11:55:00 am
Quote from: Basil on 24 February, 2015, 10:40:35 pm
Quote from: Basil on 20 February, 2015, 04:23:56 pm
Cuppa required by Ruthie.   :-*

My grumble.  I should be in the comfort by my own log burner near Maesycrugiau, but I'm not.
Mrs B had a dream about her dad and decided she needed to go up to Co Durham to see him.  So she phoned the other day, told me that she was driving with the dog up to Brum and that I needed to (I needed?) get on line and buy her train tickets.
So instead of being all comfy and warm, I'm freezing my bollocks off dog sitting out side the Country Girl.

It get worse.  Seems that I also "need" to allow #1 son to use my credit card details for a flight from BHX to Newark.  And back.  ::-)

Oh well, at least he asked.

Think I need to start looking for an evening job.  :facepalm:
The Offie?
The petrol station?
Back of Rackham's?  :o



And here. The wunderkind C-major 'needs' to go to Austin for summat or other to do with comics (not about any inhabitants of that metropolips). She could fly with my employers and their USAnian part-owners for Not Very Much. But she 'needs' to fly with her friend on Her Hispanic Majesty's finest Birdseed Boing Hairyplane at a cost of A Lot.

"Daddy...?!!!". Oh, alright then. But I own her soul  and 15% of her income until she's 93.

I don't even get the airmiles. She does.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 26 February, 2015, 10:41:20 pm
Wishing the lurgy would sod off.  Reckon this is space mumps from last weekend's SF convention.  Pah!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Deano on 27 February, 2015, 09:06:01 am
At least the refurb's finished at Newcastle Central, but god what an appalling layout. It's never been an easy station to get around (toilets in stupid locations for example), but the new layout cleverly fails to address any of the previous erm, quirks, while adding a whole load of new ones.

Going into the station, the entry ticket barriers are on the left, the exit barriers on the right, and farther to the right is the ramp for the bridge, meaning you have to fight your way through the people leaving to get onto the bridge.

And there's now a massive food court and a Boots where the ticket office used to be. The new (smaller) ticket office is now at the darkest loneliest corner of the station - they may as well have just chucked it in the Metro station.

Sure, it's easier to get a sarnie now, but I kinda think the layout of the station should at least give a nod towards its purpose, i.e. actually going somewhere. It's not as though people were starving in the past, there's a Gregg's and a Subway opposite the station.

And the dangly bike space has ruined my mudflap.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 27 February, 2015, 10:36:28 am
Still stuck indoors waiting for eye to heal sufficiently to get out.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 27 February, 2015, 11:16:55 am
Minions!

(a) learn to write in English. Having written a marvellously oblique 70-word sentence, legibility won't be achieved by merely clusterbombing it with commas.

(b) avoid cliches or the next bleeding edge you meet will be the ninja death blade.

(c) 'accelerate' doesn't mean what you think it means.

(d) if you need to tell someone it's 'innovative' then it patently isn't.

(e) stop fucking formatting the damn documents with tab tab tab enter enter enter tab tab tab.

(f) use heading and paragraph styles rather than doing everything manually...

(g) especially the table of contents, which is now monumentally wrong because of your tab tab tab enter enter enter tab tab formatting...

(h) along with all the crossreferencing...

(i) the footers...

(j) and the headers

(k) and make the bloody images span the column rather than leave them the size of postage stamps

(l) and well, really, look at the fucking document and ask yourself 'does this look like the product of a competent and generously compensated grown-up?' and if that answer is no, then fucking make it so before unclenching and shitting the bloody document into my inbox.

I'm supposed to approve these not rewrite and then reformat them. See, the point of delegation is that you do the work so I don't have to, not so that you fail to do the work and I still have to.

Edit: oh and Word 2011 for Mac, you are not helping. Superannuated PoS.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 27 February, 2015, 12:47:54 pm
Quote from: Deano on 27 February, 2015, 09:06:01 am
At least the refurb's finished at Newcastle Central, but god what an appalling layout. It's never been an easy station to get around (toilets in stupid locations for example), but the new layout cleverly fails to address any of the previous erm, quirks, while adding a whole load of new ones.

Going into the station, the entry ticket barriers are on the left, the exit barriers on the right, and farther to the right is the ramp for the bridge, meaning you have to fight your way through the people leaving to get onto the bridge.

And there's now a massive food court and a Boots where the ticket office used to be. The new (smaller) ticket office is now at the darkest loneliest corner of the station - they may as well have just chucked it in the Metro station.

Sure, it's easier to get a sarnie now, but I kinda think the layout of the station should at least give a nod towards its purpose, i.e. actually going somewhere. It's not as though people were starving in the past, there's a Gregg's and a Subway opposite the station.

And the dangly bike space has ruined my mudflap.
Is it any easier to find the way to the metro? I spent so long looking for it once I was swearing at the automatic voice saying "this way to the lift for the metro" (or whatever), absolutely convinced I was on cctv and someone was taking the piss.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 27 February, 2015, 12:58:45 pm
Ah yes, my singular experience of Newcastle Central involved a fair bit of looking for the metro, too.  I was lugging a demux or something, which didn't help.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 27 February, 2015, 01:48:07 pm
Oen fo htsoe days whne my typign figners frie out fo odrer. Hits.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 28 February, 2015, 11:17:46 am
My kettle is leaking.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Deano on 01 March, 2015, 11:35:15 pm
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 27 February, 2015, 12:47:54 pm
Quote from: Deano on 27 February, 2015, 09:06:01 am
At least the refurb's finished at Newcastle Central, but god what an appalling layout. It's never been an easy station to get around (toilets in stupid locations for example), but the new layout cleverly fails to address any of the previous erm, quirks, while adding a whole load of new ones.

Going into the station, the entry ticket barriers are on the left, the exit barriers on the right, and farther to the right is the ramp for the bridge, meaning you have to fight your way through the people leaving to get onto the bridge.

And there's now a massive food court and a Boots where the ticket office used to be. The new (smaller) ticket office is now at the darkest loneliest corner of the station - they may as well have just chucked it in the Metro station.

Sure, it's easier to get a sarnie now, but I kinda think the layout of the station should at least give a nod towards its purpose, i.e. actually going somewhere. It's not as though people were starving in the past, there's a Gregg's and a Subway opposite the station.

And the dangly bike space has ruined my mudflap.
Is it any easier to find the way to the metro? I spent so long looking for it once I was swearing at the automatic voice saying "this way to the lift for the metro" (or whatever), absolutely convinced I was on cctv and someone was taking the piss.

It's in the same place, as badly signposted as ever. I hardly ever take the Metro, but general consensus in the city used to be that it was easier to get to the Metro station from outside the station. Or walk up to Monument...

Also, no signs for the travel office - lucky I've been there before. And no bins whatsoever outside - I asked the lad picking up litter if there was a fag bin nearby, and he growled "no" in reply, I'm not sure if it was aimed at me or the daft sods who didn't put bins in place. I put my stubend in his bin, by the way.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 01 March, 2015, 11:38:20 pm
I usually only experience Newcastle Central from as a transit point so don't have to mess around with the barriers. It is a badly designed station, even in the proper trains bit though. I still haven't worked out what the platform layout is in there.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Oaky on 02 March, 2015, 05:25:08 am
Damn you Jeff Beck!

I wanted to go to sleep but did the rounds of the channels just in case.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 02 March, 2015, 11:59:36 am
I hurt my back swinging a 10lb sledge. So I'm at home.

Watching a 'webinar' training video for work. Part 1 is 67min long. There is a part 2.
Oh
Dear
God
This
Is
Glacial
Kill
Me
Now

Seriously, this is a training vid for a 'technical' product. If the audience needs telling that you click on the floppy icon to save, they should be shot before being allowed near a keyboard.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ham on 03 March, 2015, 08:35:49 am
Oh BUGGER. Bike scheme at work, 2013 - max £2,000 (don't need n+1 here) 2014 - max £3,000 (still don't need one). 2015? Fratello disc on the shopping list. Max value? £1,000  ::-) :'(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 03 March, 2015, 09:16:51 am
Quote from: mrcharly on 02 March, 2015, 11:59:36 am
Seriously, this is a training vid for a 'technical' product. If the audience needs telling that you click on the floppy icon to save, they should be shot before being allowed near a keyboard.

Please, Grandpa, what's a floppy?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ham on 03 March, 2015, 09:21:47 am
Quote from: T42 on 03 March, 2015, 09:16:51 am
Quote from: mrcharly on 02 March, 2015, 11:59:36 am
Seriously, this is a training vid for a 'technical' product. If the audience needs telling that you click on the floppy icon to save, they should be shot before being allowed near a keyboard.

Please, Grandpa, what's a floppy?

Oy, you young whippersnapper, you'll find out for yourself when you get to my age.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 03 March, 2015, 09:28:00 am
Actually, I've got an 8-incher sitting on my shelf here, sandwiched between two books.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jacomus on 03 March, 2015, 09:46:18 am
Wide Ticket Gates >:(

Grumble 1: Why-oh-why does the Oyster reader have to constantly swap between Green and the Red Light of Frustration?! You approach the gate, card ready to tap because you are a responsible Londoner who has got it ready well before The Point of No Return* the light is green, it's going to be a good day. Then, no, DENIED - the Red Light of Frustration appears just as you tap your card and makes you wait aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaages (a time that is directly proportional to how finely you are cutting getting to your platform).

Grumble 2: Once the obstreperous gate has deigned to let you through, the bloody gates only open 2/3 of the way... barely wider than a regular gate!



* Where the careless or the unfamiliar passenger will start fumbling for their card, as the crowd surges against them, inevitably causing a backlog where they can't back out of the gate due to all the people crushed behind them. Leaving them stranded, fumbling for their card and trying to make it read. Or even worse, they get stranded in the gate, the person behind taps their card having expected the person in front to be successful, thereby releasing the person in front and getting trapped themselves.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 03 March, 2015, 10:04:36 am
My 'favourite' is those people you often find queuing to use the wide gates, but with no apparent need to use them.  In the mean time, regular gates are empty and people with luggage, prams, bicycles, etc are delayed even longer.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 03 March, 2015, 10:22:05 am
Quote from: Ham on 03 March, 2015, 08:35:49 am
Oh BUGGER. Bike scheme at work, 2013 - max £2,000 (don't need n+1 here) 2014 - max £3,000 (still don't need one). 2015? Fratello disc on the shopping list. Max value? £1,000  ::-) :'(

'Tis a wondrous device cunningly molished by the Natives of the East from the liver of the elephant.

You can keep fags in it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 03 March, 2015, 10:23:19 am
Quote from: T42 on 03 March, 2015, 09:28:00 am
Actually, I've got an 8-incher sitting on my shelf here, sandwiched between two books.

What's a 'book'?  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 03 March, 2015, 10:31:53 am
See above...

My right elbow is not working properly.  I blame Clarion and his TPoC ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Zipperhead on 03 March, 2015, 11:21:03 am
Quote from: Ham on 03 March, 2015, 08:35:49 am
Oh BUGGER. Bike scheme at work, 2013 - max £2,000 (don't need n+1 here) 2014 - max £3,000 (still don't need one). 2015? Fratello disc on the shopping list. Max value? £1,000  ::-) :'(

What is this need concept of which you speak?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 03 March, 2015, 12:03:22 pm
Knocking the HDMI cable out of the back of the AV wossname is probably ow I've got my hair trapped under my shoulder the reason why fuck the corner of that shelf is sharp the Babbage-Engine is not sending output to the bollocks I've dropped the thing deep into the EU Anbaric Spaghetti Mountain distascope.

Also, would it be too much to ask, Windows, that if the AV wossname is present and correct at the end of the string you default to using it for audio output and only use the internal squeakers as a last resort instead of making me faff around in Control Panel every time I switch the thing on?

It would, you say?  Sorry to have troubled you.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 03 March, 2015, 05:48:31 pm
Oyster gates automagically turn to RED as soon as there is any pressure on the metalwork on the floor of the gate.

This is great fun when partner has to juggle luggage, hefty Helly on wheelchair, his PAYG Oyster and my Freedom Pass.

He has long arms but is no Marsh Gibbon.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 03 March, 2015, 07:51:08 pm
Recruitment offices for social workers, teachers and other relevant public sector workers, are going to be full to the brim now that said personnel can also go to prison for five years for bureaucratic cop outs cock ups. After all, these amazingly well paid, fully resourced, non stressful and fulfilling jobs are highly valued in the UK. Strewth. Course there is always banking, that doesn't seem to carry a prison sentence under any circumstances.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 03 March, 2015, 08:16:16 pm
Quote from: T42 on 03 March, 2015, 09:16:51 am
Quote from: mrcharly on 02 March, 2015, 11:59:36 am
Seriously, this is a training vid for a 'technical' product. If the audience needs telling that you click on the floppy icon to save, they should be shot before being allowed near a keyboard.

Please, Grandpa, what's a floppy?

It's a 3.5" wide model of a save icon.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 03 March, 2015, 08:26:33 pm
Quote from: Canardly on 03 March, 2015, 07:51:08 pm
Recruitment offices for social workers, teachers and other relevant public sector workers, are going to be full to the brim now that said personnel can also go to prison for five years for bureaucratic cop outs cock ups. After all, these amazingly well paid, fully resourced, non stressful and fulfilling jobs are highly valued in the UK. Strewth. Course there is always banking, that doesn't seem to carry a prison sentence under any circumstances.

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/mar/03/david-cameron-child-abuse-ignore-jail (http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/mar/03/david-cameron-child-abuse-ignore-jail)

Does that also apply to MP's who cover up for a mate, or party whips who keep the info in a little black book to keep the chaps in line ?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 03 March, 2015, 10:58:16 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 03 March, 2015, 10:31:53 am
See above...

My right elbow is not working properly.  I blame Clarion and his TPoC ;)
Yeah, sorry 'bout that. ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 04 March, 2015, 08:40:29 am
I 'kin hate football  (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31597887):-\

Last night was cold and miserable and my lurgy is causing snot and koff this morning.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 04 March, 2015, 09:22:18 am
Quote from: David Martin on 03 March, 2015, 08:16:16 pm
Quote from: T42 on 03 March, 2015, 09:16:51 am
Quote from: mrcharly on 02 March, 2015, 11:59:36 am
Seriously, this is a training vid for a 'technical' product. If the audience needs telling that you click on the floppy icon to save, they should be shot before being allowed near a keyboard.

Please, Grandpa, what's a floppy?

It's a 3.5" wide model of a save icon.
It's a skeuomorph.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 04 March, 2015, 11:04:55 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 03 March, 2015, 05:48:31 pm
Oyster gates automagically turn to RED as soon as there is any pressure on the metalwork on the floor of the gate.

Visions of a queue of David Kossof lookalikes going "Oy, oy..." at having to wait.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 04 March, 2015, 12:48:03 pm
You know when the phone and doorbell ring at almost, but not quite, exactly the same time and you need both hands to open the front door while still grasping the phone to your ear'ole and then have to sign for the delivery?

Like that, but with two front doors :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 04 March, 2015, 01:00:32 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 04 March, 2015, 12:48:03 pm
You know when the phone and doorbell ring at almost, but not quite, exactly the same time and you need both hands to open the front door while still grasping the phone to your ear'ole and then have to sign for the delivery?

Like that, but with two front doors :(

Serves you right for giving household staff a day off during the week.  With it being a nice day, I assume the gardener is too busy to pull double duty.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 04 March, 2015, 01:03:24 pm
Missus cooked mushrooms in with the leeks. ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGHHHHHHHpuke.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 04 March, 2015, 02:38:39 pm
Dropbox. Is it the world's slowest ftp?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 04 March, 2015, 02:52:55 pm
No, it's not really an ftp, is it. At least, it's not doing what I hoped/expected it would do.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 04 March, 2015, 03:11:01 pm
wetransfer FTW
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 04 March, 2015, 03:20:37 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 04 March, 2015, 02:52:55 pm
No, it's not really an ftp, is it. At least, it's not doing what I hoped/expected it would do.
What did you expect it to do?

It is software that mirrors a designated drive area into the cloud. More akin to decent backup software than anything else. I think it is fab and wish more people would use it or something similar.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 04 March, 2015, 03:20:59 pm
^^
The only problem with Wetransfer is the short lifespan of uploads.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 04 March, 2015, 04:22:09 pm
Quote from: Andrij on 04 March, 2015, 01:00:32 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 04 March, 2015, 12:48:03 pm
You know when the phone and doorbell ring at almost, but not quite, exactly the same time and you need both hands to open the front door while still grasping the phone to your ear'ole and then have to sign for the delivery?

Like that, but with two front doors :(

Serves you right for giving household staff a day off during the week.  With it being a nice day, I assume the gardener is too busy to pull double duty.

I fired him for buying a Maserati.  A Jaguar would have been fine.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 04 March, 2015, 04:30:23 pm
I thought it was going to upload my files somewhere and give me a link to mail to someone who could then download them. But it didn't. It just - slowly - attached them to my email. Somehow this was possible, although I was only using it because they were too big to send as an attachment, which had prompted a message suggesting I use Dropbox. I didn't want to zip them because I suspect they're going to zipped and unzipped millions of times and they're only just legible as it is - very spidery handwriting.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 04 March, 2015, 04:42:17 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 04 March, 2015, 03:20:37 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 04 March, 2015, 02:52:55 pm
No, it's not really an ftp, is it. At least, it's not doing what I hoped/expected it would do.
What did you expect it to do?

It is software that mirrors a designated drive area into the cloud. More akin to decent backup software than anything else. I think it is fab and wish more people would use it or something similar.

Dr Larrington sent me a link for a ~80kb Word file in Dropbox the other day.  It would have been quicker as an e-mail attachment, even if you exclude the three attempts required to get my Dropbox password right.

At the tail end of last year I had cause to download an 80 Mb file from wetransfer.  Note to sender: I only needed to poofrede the text so embedding a shedload of high-resolution photos in a Word document was both wrong and mad.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 04 March, 2015, 05:23:41 pm
A link is what I wanted to send - and thought it would - but it didn't give me that option.  ??? Several hundred of Mb not 80kb though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 04 March, 2015, 06:26:40 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 04 March, 2015, 05:23:41 pm
A link is what I wanted to send - and thought it would - but it didn't give me that option.  ??? Several hundred of Mb not 80kb though.

Hmm, that sounds like Something Isn't Right.  To do the link thing on a Windows machine I drag and drop the file that I wish to share to dropbox/public. Right click on the file, select "copy public link". Write an email, Ctrl V to paste link. It does take a while to sync (read: upload) the drag and dropped file to the dropbox bit of cloud, but once it's there it's a doddle.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 04 March, 2015, 07:53:50 pm
^And as the grateful recipient of one of Mr  Hall's links, I can confirm that it was indeed a doddle.

Took a while to download, mind.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 04 March, 2015, 09:26:21 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 04 March, 2015, 04:30:23 pm
I didn't want to zip them because I suspect they're going to zipped and unzipped millions of times and they're only just legible as it is - very spidery handwriting.
Zip is losslss. You can zip and unzip  as much as you wish. Now, opening and saving JPEGs is the 'make it awful' thing.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 04 March, 2015, 09:41:52 pm
Zips. Now there's something to grumble about.  I have a collection of perfectly good jerseys with buggered zips, and having them replaced costs as much as a new one.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 04 March, 2015, 10:50:20 pm
Quote from: David Martin on 04 March, 2015, 09:26:21 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 04 March, 2015, 04:30:23 pm
I didn't want to zip them because I suspect they're going to zipped and unzipped millions of times and they're only just legible as it is - very spidery handwriting.
Zip is losslss. You can zip and unzip  as much as you wish. Now, opening and saving JPEGs is the 'make it awful' thing.
Or even lsslss.  :) But even zipped, it would have to be lots of emails to avoid exceeding the 25MB attachment limit. I have 48 scans of about 7MB each. Anyway, worked out the Dropbox thing now. I think.  :-\ It's quicker than attachments, in fact.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ham on 04 March, 2015, 11:16:29 pm
Quote from: T42 on 04 March, 2015, 09:41:52 pm
Zips. Now there's something to grumble about.  I have a collection of perfectly good jerseys with buggered zips, and having them replaced costs as much as a new one.

This:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-41923-400mm-Silicone-Lubricant/dp/B000TOFOSU/ref=pd_sxp_grid_i_0_0

For zip fixing magic. Best used before you rip the thing to shreds out of frustration.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 05 March, 2015, 08:57:48 am
Quote from: Ham on 04 March, 2015, 11:16:29 pm
Quote from: T42 on 04 March, 2015, 09:41:52 pm
Zips. Now there's something to grumble about.  I have a collection of perfectly good jerseys with buggered zips, and having them replaced costs as much as a new one.

This:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-41923-400mm-Silicone-Lubricant/dp/B000TOFOSU/ref=pd_sxp_grid_i_0_0

For zip fixing magic. Best used before you rip the thing to shreds out of frustration.

Sticky zips aren't my gripe, it's sliders that fall apart. And the zip on my soft shell tights that popped open spontaneously and is impossible to resynch.

We did have a gentille dame in the club who used to fix them for nothing, but alas she's moved on.  When I mention it to the T&S she gives me a route map to the sewing machine.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 05 March, 2015, 02:03:12 pm
Mordor Central…..do I need to say anymore?

Oh, I do, do I…..okay. Oi, Mordor Central get your act together! I accept that trains NEVER arrive on time at our platforms but your refit is a complete nightmare! For example, you have closed off the nice and simple exit at the “C” end of the platforms meaning a much longer walk to get to Hill Street….when you can find the correct exit! There seems to be 427 different exits and none of them stay in the same place from week to week (I am sure they move them overnight just to make it confusing to us out of towners.

And what’s this about a “new bright station…” Yes, covering everything in white panels will make it look brighter but it’s still a dungeon down there at platform level.

I have travelled a lot on the UK train network and can say that Mordor Central is the worst station going!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 05 March, 2015, 03:30:04 pm
So, Mordor Central exits are like Hogwarts stairs then?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 05 March, 2015, 03:40:20 pm
I think you'll find that Mordor Central currently only has two exits:  The one that leads you to the crowd of smokers adjacent to the building site that is Stephenson Street, and the one that leads you to the stairs / other-way vehicle ramp down to the building site that is Hill Street.  Any other exits are illusions designed to create turbulence in the crowd flow through the station, and inevitably lead to either an alarmed emergency exit, or yet another white-panelled corridor.

Elfin Safe Tea means they can't actually do anything about the dungeon, other than changing the light fittings and installing some new lifts and escalators.

But come September there will be all manner of exciting new retail opportunities!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 05 March, 2015, 03:42:48 pm
I'm never quite sure whether Mordor Central is underground because it's actually below ground level or just because it has such magnificent retail opps above it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 05 March, 2015, 03:48:52 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 05 March, 2015, 03:42:48 pm
I'm never quite sure whether Mordor Central is underground because it's actually below ground level or just because it has such magnificent retail opps above it.

The latter.

It used to look like this:

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5c/Victorian_New_Street.jpg)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 05 March, 2015, 05:50:41 pm
Quote from: Kim on 05 March, 2015, 03:48:52 pm

It used to look like this:


Note the absence of dead pheasants.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 05 March, 2015, 05:58:03 pm
What the Luftwaffe couldn't destroy, the forward-thinking 1960s town planners achieved with aplomb. Snow Hill is the same on a smaller scale. Moor Street is still rather nice.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 05 March, 2015, 06:22:31 pm
Quote from: Pickled Onion on 18 February, 2015, 01:03:21 pm
Just lost my job. Bugger. Not good timing.

Had an interview today. Spent the morning worrying and getting psyched up. Somehow, between applying for the role and getting called for interview they changed the spec. So I rock up expecting a tech test on skills X, Y and Z but they launch into in-depth questions on A and B. Yes, I can do A and B, but there's a damn good reason why they're not listed as key skills on my CV. Interviewer: "yes, I see A and B are not listed as your key skills... we don't need XYZ any more" Well why the hell did you ask me for interview then???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 05 March, 2015, 07:49:12 pm
Maybe because you might be able to A&B sufficintly for them and they couldn't find anyone better?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 06 March, 2015, 01:03:13 am
Quote from: Basil on 05 March, 2015, 05:50:41 pm
Quote from: Kim on 05 March, 2015, 03:48:52 pm

It used to look like this:


Note the absence of dead pheasants.

Kim's pic looks quite nice, like a proper station.

Should I have been looking for dead pheasants?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 06 March, 2015, 01:48:04 am
Quote from: Kim on 05 March, 2015, 03:40:20 pm
But come September there will be all manner of exciting new retail opportunities!
Presumable to satisfy the survival needs of those unable to find the exits or are the retailers of the B ark type - You really need another Mobile phone vendor or three.

i was going to add something of my own here, but I think I'm heading into full rant mode.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 06 March, 2015, 07:10:13 am
Quote from: jsabine on 06 March, 2015, 01:03:13 am


Should I have been looking for dead pheasants?

https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=128.msg1823019#msg1823019
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 06 March, 2015, 01:22:31 pm
Quote from: Pickled Onion on 05 March, 2015, 06:22:31 pm
Quote from: Pickled Onion on 18 February, 2015, 01:03:21 pm
Just lost my job. Bugger. Not good timing.

Had an interview today. Spent the morning worrying and getting psyched up. Somehow, between applying for the role and getting called for interview they changed the spec. So I rock up expecting a tech test on skills X, Y and Z but they launch into in-depth questions on A and B. Yes, I can do A and B, but there's a damn good reason why they're not listed as key skills on my CV. Interviewer: "yes, I see A and B are not listed as your key skills... we don't need XYZ any more" Well why the hell did you ask me for interview then???
Been there . . . though many years ago. Turned up for the interview, questioned about what I thought were peripheral matters, going by the job spec I'd been sent, & some things not on either the job spec or my CV. Queried it. "Oh, we upgraded the job requirement after inviting you for interview but we thought we'd still give you a chance to get it" - without asking me if I'd want it! I'd never have applied for the job I was being interviewed for, because I knew (as turned out) that I wouldn't get it - & rightly so, because I didn't know too bloody much of what was needed to do it! Wasted a whole day, & lost me a day of pay at contract rates, plus travelling.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 06 March, 2015, 02:02:26 pm
Quote from: David Martin on 05 March, 2015, 07:49:12 pm
Maybe because you might be able to A&B sufficintly for them and they couldn't find anyone better?

Yes, I probably can (and am quite happy to as a secondary responsibility), but just like Bledlow if I'd known they were the main job I'd not have applied. They are legacy skills many years out of support - I'm not old enough yet to leave myself unemployable.

Never mind, I have an interview lined up with a government department in Cambridge Circus  :o
(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 06 March, 2015, 02:11:31 pm
Keep Smileying.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 06 March, 2015, 02:13:11 pm
I once travelled from York to Dundee to interview for a 6month contract. Dead cheap to get to and all that, Agency gave me a brief on what company wanted.
Arrived, presented my spiel, showed examples of previous similar work, talked about approaches, working methodology. At the end of all that they said "But we don't want someone to do that."

Over £100 in train fares utterly wasted. Effing agency had altered client requirements to fit my experience and strengths and told me a load of bullshit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 06 March, 2015, 02:24:00 pm
The clear plastic used in IKEA picture frames can generate enough static anbarism to pull your beard off your face.  This morning I looked like a Hawkwind roadie; now I've turned into Yul Brynner :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 06 March, 2015, 02:51:17 pm
The post office is closed on Wednesdays, and I had some stuff to post, so was forced to buy a book of first class stamps instead of two.

That's not my grumble, this is: why wasn't the post even collected? I guessed this was the case when I posted something early on Thursday and by the sound it clearly landed on a load of other post. That, and the fact it wasn't delivered. Why? Royal Mail is not connected in any way to the Post Office and even less to whether it happens to be closed on Wednesdays!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 06 March, 2015, 03:23:57 pm
O hai friends and family,

The next time any of you gives me a picture "suitable for framing" I will set both it and you on fire.

kthxbai
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 06 March, 2015, 09:08:42 pm
My elbow has seized up.  I was planning on going for a bike ride tomorrow.

Arse.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Zipperhead on 06 March, 2015, 09:23:30 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 06 March, 2015, 09:08:42 pm
My elbow has seized up.  I was planning on going for a bike ride tomorrow.

Arse.

You could stay in and have a ... oh, hang on, that's not going to work is it?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 06 March, 2015, 10:01:17 pm
Quote from: Zipperhead on 06 March, 2015, 09:23:30 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 06 March, 2015, 09:08:42 pm
My elbow has seized up.  I was planning on going for a bike ride tomorrow.

Arse.

You could stay in and have a ... oh, hang on, that's not going to work is it?

Well Les Paul had his elbow set at an angle suitable for guitar playing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 07 March, 2015, 12:28:25 am
Tazio Nuvolari had his whole body plastered up in a motorbike-riding position.  The difference is that he was getting paid.  My elbow goes hurty performing the strenuous task of operating a cigarette lighter so a bicycle is right out.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 07 March, 2015, 10:01:29 am
Mr Larrington went to the horriblemarket yesterday.

Mr Larrington forgot to purchase supplies of Brown Drink.

Silly Mr Larrington :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 07 March, 2015, 12:07:14 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 06 March, 2015, 02:13:11 pm
I once travelled from York to Dundee to interview for a 6month contract. Dead cheap to get to and all that, Agency gave me a brief on what company wanted.
Arrived, presented my spiel, showed examples of previous similar work, talked about approaches, working methodology. At the end of all that they said "But we don't want someone to do that."

Over £100 in train fares utterly wasted. Effing agency had altered client requirements to fit my experience and strengths and told me a load of bullshit.
Twenty years ago, one effing agency sent me to an interview with a completely wrong idea of the customer requirement, & sent the customer a doctored CV to make it look as if I could do the job.

My utter unsuitability very quickly became obvious. We compared notes, & identified the source of the problem. Head interviewer & & I then had a nice chat. She regretted that they didn't have a job to suit me at the moment, but asked for my real CV in case they found they could fit me in somewhere, & promised (without being prompted) to stress my utter lack of culpability for the fiasco when she bollocked the agency. I reckon she'd have been a good boss, if I'd known the stuff her department needed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 07 March, 2015, 12:53:53 pm
This ^^^^.  Note to slave trade: some knowledge of RSTS-V8* operations on PDP-11 != PDP system manager with 5+ years experience.

* 1989.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 08 March, 2015, 06:35:23 pm
Looks like I have the next two hours standing on a crowded 2 carriage train to Cardiff;  and I've managed to leave a Yacf bidon on the last train :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 08 March, 2015, 07:26:37 pm
Well it looks like I will be on the bus to work tomorrow  :( The nurse at minor injuries has given me a splint for my wrist after yesterdays tumble and it wasn't easy riding home while wearing it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 08 March, 2015, 07:31:33 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 08 March, 2015, 06:35:23 pm
Looks like I have the next two hours standing on a crowded 2 carriage train to Cardiff;  and I've managed to leave a Yacf bidon on the last train :(

Is that the Nottingham to Cardiff Crosscountry service?  You have to pick your time of day carefully with that one...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 08 March, 2015, 08:14:00 pm
It's the Manchester to Cardiff Arriva service. Similar train. I got a seat at Ludlow
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 08 March, 2015, 08:17:34 pm
Quote from: Kim on 08 March, 2015, 07:31:33 pm

Is that the Nottingham to Cardiff Crosscountry service?  You have to pick your time of day carefully with that one...

*has become quite expert on that service*

Half past the odd hour from MC for a 3 carriage train would seem to be the pattern, based on my experience of 3s at 11:30,  13:30 and 15:30.  2s at 10:30 and 14:30.
Those are the only times I've ever caught it, but there seems to be a pattern.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 08 March, 2015, 08:19:41 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 08 March, 2015, 08:14:00 pm
It's the Manchester to Cardiff  Milford Haven Arriva service. Similar train. I got a seat at Ludlow

FTFY
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 08 March, 2015, 08:22:16 pm
Quote from: Basil on 08 March, 2015, 08:19:41 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 08 March, 2015, 08:14:00 pm
It's the Manchester to Cardiff  Milford Haven Arriva service. Similar train. I got a seat at Ludlow

FTFY


No definitely Cardiff Central for this one. Maybe Sunday makes a difference
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 08 March, 2015, 09:28:41 pm
Piece O'Shit chain tool fell apart this morning. IQ/Fly' ratchet's buggered. Got a click in the transmission. Fuckit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 09 March, 2015, 11:10:24 am
The American clocks have gone forward an hour, which means all those 2pm UK / 9 am EST meetings are now 1pm until the end of the month. Which is when I go to the pool. The evening sessions are full of chronic splashers and the mornings clogged with OAPs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 09 March, 2015, 11:16:42 am
Quote from: Bledlow on 07 March, 2015, 12:07:14 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 06 March, 2015, 02:13:11 pm
I once travelled from York to Dundee to interview for a 6month contract. Dead cheap to get to and all that, Agency gave me a brief on what company wanted.
Arrived, presented my spiel, showed examples of previous similar work, talked about approaches, working methodology. At the end of all that they said "But we don't want someone to do that."

Over £100 in train fares utterly wasted. Effing agency had altered client requirements to fit my experience and strengths and told me a load of bullshit.
Twenty years ago, one effing agency sent me to an interview with a completely wrong idea of the customer requirement, & sent the customer a doctored CV to make it look as if I could do the job.

Oh, the doctored CV . . . 
You have a carefully crafted CV, highlighting your strengths, technical skills and experience. This gets edited by an office assistant who thinks that 'C' and 'Assembler' are typoes, deletes them and writes 'programmer'. Or in my case, rewrites the sentence saying I'm familiar with C, VB, Pascal, Fortran and replaces them with one saying I'm a programmer. I'm not.

I very nearly didn't get an interview for my current job because the agency deleted the section of my CV that listed my contracting experience. The section listing the potential employer as a previous customer. Arseholes.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 09 March, 2015, 12:37:22 pm
Quote from: Basil on 08 March, 2015, 08:17:34 pm
Quote from: Kim on 08 March, 2015, 07:31:33 pm

Is that the Nottingham to Cardiff Crosscountry service?  You have to pick your time of day carefully with that one...

*has become quite expert on that service*

Half past the odd hour from MC for a 3 carriage train would seem to be the pattern, based on my experience of 3s at 11:30,  13:30 and 15:30.  2s at 10:30 and 14:30.
Those are the only times I've ever caught it, but there seems to be a pattern.
Only caught that train once - from Newport to Chepstow - at can't remember what time, but I'm sure it was a four-carriage train on that occasion. Rather fancy new one, too. But it was school holidays, maybe that's why!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 09 March, 2015, 12:41:55 pm
Thing about that train is that it stops at University[1], which means if I time it right with regard to overcrowding, I can get to both Nottingham and Waleslandshire without having to suffer Mordor Central.


[1] The UK's most arrogantly named station.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 09 March, 2015, 01:24:38 pm
Brighton Sausage Company.
When I pitched up on Saturday morning, having traveled from That London, and asked for half a dozen of your pork, lemon and ginger, being told that you 'make over 50 different varieties, and it's not possible to always have all of them in stock' is not really going to cut it. Is it?
It might be useful if the extensive list on your website gave some indication of that shortfall.
Pork & leek I can pick up anywhere.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 09 March, 2015, 01:35:06 pm
Quote from: Kim on 09 March, 2015, 12:41:55 pm
Thing about that train is that it stops at University[1], which means if I time it right with regard to overcrowding, I can get to both Nottingham and Waleslandshire without having to suffer Mordor Central.


[1] The UK's most arrogantly named station.

What else should they call it "Queen Elizabeth" for the hospital?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 09 March, 2015, 03:13:21 pm
Quote from: matthew on 09 March, 2015, 01:35:06 pm
Quote from: Kim on 09 March, 2015, 12:41:55 pm
Thing about that train is that it stops at University[1], which means if I time it right with regard to overcrowding, I can get to both Nottingham and Waleslandshire without having to suffer Mordor Central.


[1] The UK's most arrogantly named station.

What else should they call it "Queen Elizabeth" for the hospital?

They seem to have incorporated that into the signage and announcements since the big move from Selly Oak, which is useful and fair enough.

But I was thinking more like "University of Birmingham", on the basis that not only do other cities have universities too, but Birmingham has three.  I tend to buy orange cardboard online these days, but I'm sure asking for a ticket to "University" has hilarious consequences outside the West Midlands, much like trying to buy a ticket to Romiley from a station in the South-East.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 09 March, 2015, 07:31:33 pm
Rebranding and marketing droids, I have booked the wrong hotel for next week and
IT IS YOUR FAULT!

Methinks it's deliberate.
Rename the Hilton the Crowne Plaza an stoopid out of townie me thought it was the other Plaza, which is much closer to Aged Parents' retirement pad.

I have booked through booking.com and paid by cc.
ICnBA to change things.

Bah!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 09 March, 2015, 08:07:21 pm
Two for the price of one:

Tesco's we only use you because our preferred emporium do not stock a few items we prefer to use. So we only use you for petrol, when out stock is low and the very odd time when your opening times suits our needs. Saved a few bob on petrol by having your clubcard, thanks. But it is rather annoying when you send us your great offers on stuff we just got (e.g. two-three days after our last visit) and don't need for a good while. See we stock up so that we don't have to enter your horridmart too often. So therefore your great offers are not needed and will not be valid when needed.

Local radio station, you are jolly good fun to tune into and often you do play other stuff. Than the top hit of the week, that it says on the list you gotta play 5-6 times a day, that other radio stations do. But why do you keep saying that you play the best music or better music than other radio station do. Well all the other local radio stations say the same as you do. But isn't it in the ear of the beholder, who decides who plays the best music?

Bonus : when you say that you are the only one that plays "insert random number" songs/tunes/tracks in a row. You all are lying!!! Because it is not in a row if you put your jingle in between the songs/tunes/tracks, and for that matter your jingle is an ad for your radio station!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 09 March, 2015, 08:09:59 pm
Quote from: Kim on 09 March, 2015, 03:13:21 pm
Quote from: matthew on 09 March, 2015, 01:35:06 pm
Quote from: Kim on 09 March, 2015, 12:41:55 pm
Thing about that train is that it stops at University[1], which means if I time it right with regard to overcrowding, I can get to both Nottingham and Waleslandshire without having to suffer Mordor Central.


[1] The UK's most arrogantly named station.

What else should they call it "Queen Elizabeth" for the hospital?

They seem to have incorporated that into the signage and announcements since the big move from Selly Oak, which is useful and fair enough.

But I was thinking more like "University of Birmingham", on the basis that not only do other cities have universities too, but Birmingham has three.  I tend to buy orange cardboard online these days, but I'm sure asking for a ticket to "University" has hilarious consequences outside the West Midlands, much like trying to buy a ticket to Romiley from a station in the South-East.
I bet there was only one university there when the station was built (1978, apparently). There certainly won't be another station in the UK called University and wikip tells us it's the only station in the country built specifically for a uni. As for buying tickets, they'll have machines to look it up, just like the train staff, or even you online. It's not like the days before computers when my parents kept the station staff busy for what seemed like hours looking up "Freshford" and writing out tickets by hand. The cardboard wasn't even orange back then!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 09 March, 2015, 08:16:46 pm
Sorry Cudzo, Aston University was founded in 1895.   The university of Birmingham, teh one close to 'University' station was founded in 1900.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 09 March, 2015, 08:19:20 pm
Aaaaargh, scrub that.   Aston didn't become a university until the 1960's.   Sorry for the initial error but it was still there before 1978. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 09 March, 2015, 08:28:09 pm
At 1130 today we were instructed to leave the building immediately because of a bomb threat. I took my coat and bag with me, and my half-drunk cup of tea. We stood about in the rain and wind for 15 minutes until the people without coats went to sit in cars, and then we all went to sit in the White House cafe. At about 12 we were told "the sergeant" had arrived and we should be back in the building in an hour. At 1240 I left to go to a meeting where I was representing someone at an absence managment meeting, sans any of the paperwork I had prepared. Got back to the White House at 1400, just in time to find the boss buying us all sandwiches, because all our lunches were being searched and potentially destroyed in controlled explosions. At 1430 we pooled what pennies we had on us to buy cake to share. At 1500 the boss said that everyone who had the wherewithal to go home could go home so I went home. The rest of them didn't get back into the building until nearly 1600.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 09 March, 2015, 08:32:17 pm
Quote from: Polar Bear on 09 March, 2015, 08:19:20 pm
Aaaaargh, scrub that.   Aston didn't become a university until the 1960's.   Sorry for the initial error but it was still there before 1978.
Sure it was there, but it wasn't called a university, so the station name was unambiguous. That would still be an argument to change it now, though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 09 March, 2015, 08:43:17 pm
Don't know if is still the case, but I used have real difficulty buying tickets from Universally to Carmarthen on The Train Line.  It always wanted to send me via every weird route possible rather than the bleedin' obvious.  I had to book from MC for it to "get it".
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 10 March, 2015, 01:41:04 pm
Splattered my hand with hot oil putting my lunchtime steak in the pan.  Hand looks like a KOM jersey.  Funny thing is that every so often part of the pain is telegraphed to my left hand. Got a crossed wire somewhere.

Got the sleeve of my favourite HH sweater, too. Hand will heal.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 11 March, 2015, 05:09:30 pm
From:Mr Larrington<maire@mortagne.fr>
To:IKEA<themgt@reconstitutedtree.se>
Subject:Frame-based twattery

Sirs,

Would it be too much to ask that your otherwise-excellent RibbaTM picture frames include:
such that we with odd-sized pictures do not end up with a vertical shit-brownTM stripe up each side thereof?

Yours more in hope than antici
(click to show/hide)

Mr Larrington
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 11 March, 2015, 06:12:27 pm
Quote from: woollypigs on 09 March, 2015, 08:07:21 pm
Tesco's we only use you because our preferred emporium do not stock a few items we prefer to use. So we only use you for petrol, when out stock is low and the very odd time when your opening times suits our needs. Saved a few bob on petrol by having your clubcard, thanks. But it is rather annoying when you send us your great offers on stuff we just got (e.g. two-three days after our last visit) and don't need for a good while. See we stock up so that we don't have to enter your horridmart too often. So therefore your great offers are not needed and will not be valid when needed.

That's how their algorithms are supposed to work - there'd be no benefit (to THEM) in giving you an offer on something you were going to buy anyway.

I just went to my local co-op and their algorithm offered me:
1. £3 off £30 spend on food - if I were to buy £30 of food in one go I wouldn't be able to carry it home. Are you trying to get me to drive here?
2. money off frozen produce - the reason I didn't buy frozen stuffs today is not because I need an offer to prompt me, it's because I haven't got a freezer
3. 10% off meat - you could make it 100% off, I still wouldn't eat it!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 11 March, 2015, 06:16:18 pm
I agree with you, at most it is wasting paper.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 11 March, 2015, 06:24:44 pm
Quote from: T42 on 06 March, 2015, 02:11:31 pm
Keep Smileying.

It got even more intriguing - apparently there were no suitable rooms available, so I was instructed to meet the operative hiring manager at a coffee shop in Chinatown. I would recognise her by a specific item of clothing. This is all absolutely true. I was almost expecting to see a man in a trenchcoat and fedora standing in a doorway opposite (perhaps he was, just too good for me to spot).

Unfortunately I came a "close second", but a miss is as good as a mile. Bah!
I was looking forward to turning up on the first day and asking to be directed to the "nuts and bolts department". :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 11 March, 2015, 09:49:34 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 09 March, 2015, 07:31:33 pm
Rebranding and marketing droids, I have booked the wrong hotel for next week and
IT IS YOUR FAULT!

Methinks it's deliberate.
Rename the Hilton the Crowne Plaza an stoopid out of townie me thought it was the other Plaza, which is much closer to Aged Parents' retirement pad.

I have booked through booking.com and paid by cc.
ICnBA to change things.

Bah!

Mum now wants me to change my hotel.
I would lose all the money I paid.

I don't want to /lose waste $Lots but I don't want an argument.
The distance between the two hotels is just over two miles in a car and 2km on foot.

Given I need a cab to go anywhere, I do not see this as a major issue.

GGGGGRRRRR!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 12 March, 2015, 10:38:06 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 11 March, 2015, 09:49:34 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 09 March, 2015, 07:31:33 pm
Rebranding and marketing droids, I have booked the wrong hotel for next week and
IT IS YOUR FAULT!

Methinks it's deliberate.
Rename the Hilton the Crowne Plaza an stoopid out of townie me thought it was the other Plaza, which is much closer to Aged Parents' retirement pad.

I have booked through booking.com and paid by cc.
ICnBA to change things.

Bah!

Mum now wants me to change my hotel.
I would lose all the money I paid.

I don't want to /lose waste $Lots but I don't want an argument.
The distance between the two hotels is just over two miles in a car and 2km on foot.

Given I need a cab to go anywhere, I do not see this as a major issue.

GGGGGRRRRR!

Then lie.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 12 March, 2015, 12:03:26 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 12 March, 2015, 10:38:06 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 11 March, 2015, 09:49:34 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 09 March, 2015, 07:31:33 pm
Rebranding and marketing droids, I have booked the wrong hotel for next week and
IT IS YOUR FAULT!

Methinks it's deliberate.
Rename the Hilton the Crowne Plaza an stoopid out of townie me thought it was the other Plaza, which is much closer to Aged Parents' retirement pad.

I have booked through booking.com and paid by cc.
ICnBA to change things.

Bah!

Mum now wants me to change my hotel.
I would lose all the money I paid.

I don't want to /lose waste $Lots but I don't want an argument.
The distance between the two hotels is just over two miles in a car and 2km on foot.

Given I need a cab to go anywhere, I do not see this as a major issue.

GGGGGRRRRR!

Then lie.

I've already sent her the booking.com email confirming total cancellation loss.
Maybe I should blame the Ministry of Tourism's Rabbi as deception, 'theft of knowledge' is a specific no-no in Jewish Law.

He just happens to be my B-i-L, the bride's father.

Maybe not...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 12 March, 2015, 01:10:41 pm
Can someone please turn off the rain? I've had enough of riding sodden wet through for one tour thank you.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 12 March, 2015, 01:27:22 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 12 March, 2015, 01:10:41 pm
Can someone please turn off the rain? I've had enough of riding sodden wet through for one tour thank you.

Sorry, I used up the Welsh weather karma last September.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 12 March, 2015, 08:08:12 pm
My Garmin is dead. :'(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 12 March, 2015, 08:41:42 pm
Quote from: phantasmagoriana on 12 March, 2015, 08:08:12 pm
My Garmin is dead. :'(

You are Kurt AICMFP
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 12 March, 2015, 08:51:24 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 11 March, 2015, 05:09:30 pm
From:Mr Larrington<maire@mortagne.fr>
To:IKEA<themgt@reconstitutedtree.se>
Subject:Frame-based twattery

Sirs,

Would it be too much to ask that your otherwise-excellent RibbaTM picture frames include:
  • a piece of backing board in a colour other than shit-brownTM, or
  • a piece of plain not-shit-brownTM paper that fits neatly inside the frame
such that we with odd-sized pictures do not end up with a vertical shit-brownTM stripe up each side thereof?

Yours more in hope than antici
(click to show/hide)

Mr Larrington
Bästa Herr Larrington,

Tack för meddelandet.

Tack för förslaget. Skitbrun är världens populäraste färg, så du får ta huvudet och stoppa det i stjärten. Då får du verkligen se skitbrun.

Vi hoppas att detta hjälper dig.

Med vänliga hälsningar,

Ingvar Kamprad (f.d. nazi)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 12 March, 2015, 11:35:20 pm
Miss, Miss, please Miss!  AWL's been bitten by a rabid møøse, Miss!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 12 March, 2015, 11:46:20 pm
nei, han taler svensk

The (norwegian) joke is that you talk Norwegian, preach Swedish and chatter Danish.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 13 March, 2015, 04:38:00 pm
I thought you would vomit Danish!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 13 March, 2015, 08:11:31 pm
Skitbrun är världens populäraste färg,

 :D :D :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 14 March, 2015, 11:44:39 am
褐色  の 褐色 ?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 15 March, 2015, 08:43:47 am
Quote from: phantasmagoriana on 12 March, 2015, 08:08:12 pm
My Garmin is dead. :'(

...and now, so is my Road Morph! Bah. Everything's breaking. >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 15 March, 2015, 09:33:50 am
Law of threes. Quick, someone break a sweat.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Speshact on 16 March, 2015, 09:41:46 pm
Pah, having spent part of two evening fruitlessly playing around online with various permutations of number of bikes, seating locations and train choices, I resort to phoning First Great Western and it turns out the bike spaces have not all been booked on the dates we want to travel....

.... in fact, the seats aren't actually on sale yet for the return date.

The website doesn't tell you that crucial detail. Doh.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 16 March, 2015, 10:54:48 pm
Quote from: Speshact on 16 March, 2015, 09:41:46 pm
The website doesn't tell you that crucial detail. Doh.

Point of information - in between the delights of Cheltenham station car park being closed and Swindon's impending improvement works, the rolling News banner on the home page does in fact tell you that Advance tickets are currently available until Tuesday May 26. 'Course, you have to i) spot this, and ii) realise that it also means that bike reservations etc are not yet available from May 27 on.

East Coast used to have the decency to put the date in a really obvious splash on the r/h side of the home page: now that Vermin has taken over, it's been moved to bottom left, where it's a lot easier to miss, especially if you've not maximised your browser window. At least it's still there and a static part of the page, unlike FGW.

More generally, the booking horizon is generally about 12 weeks: if you're trying to book tickets about that far ahead, the giveaway on booking sites is whether or not any Advance prices are quoted for your specific dates. I normally have a quick look at a random date a couple of months away, just to see what range of ticket types and prices I should be getting offered.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 17 March, 2015, 01:23:32 pm
Will whoever keeps pinching/borrowing/hiding my cutlery at work stop it please? I want to eat my lunch.

I shouldn't have to hide my stuff in my bloody locker.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 17 March, 2015, 01:47:08 pm
I had TWO 'accessible to me' tin openers walk from a kitchen only used by ~40 people who should know better (being student supporty types)...  I emailed round asking people to not lose them and explained why but still lost the 2nd... So I stopped eating from tins because clearly people are too shitty not to steal my disability-stuff and I can't be arsed hoiking it around the building.... I blame the counsellors, they're the fuckers who think there's magic washing up fairies who pick up after their slobbiness.

In our new office I know we don't even have a kitchen, we may not even be able to have TEA facilities cos all the manglement assume cos they can afford £HOWMUCH? on horrible Costabucks tea and coffee that we mere peons can...  I may be investing in an under-desk kettle and fridge cos I don't function without TEA.  Not sure how I'll manage food as they seem to think we can all afford campus lunch prices too :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 17 March, 2015, 01:51:31 pm
You need a big chain and lock on thay tin opener. The same goes for the kettle/fridge option if you take that route.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 17 March, 2015, 01:51:41 pm
You obviously need a tin opener with a greater spack-handle factor.  I'll see if they do them in NHS beige.  Or failing that, with a built-in LART.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 17 March, 2015, 01:54:02 pm
Spacky looking stuff goes missing too - heat swell unit looked like a heap of metal and I think our ex boss binned it for looking untidy!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 17 March, 2015, 01:55:29 pm
Or hook it up to the mains with a remote control off switch. I'm sure Kim could solder something up for you.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 17 March, 2015, 01:58:15 pm
Quote from: barakta on 17 March, 2015, 01:54:02 pm
Spacky looking stuff goes missing too - heat swell unit looked like a heap of metal and I think our ex boss binned it for looking untidy!

Ah yes.  The old "this patch panel looks messy, let's unplug all the wires and coil them neatly and put them away" effect.


Chain it is, then.  It ought to work, as you're probably the person in the building who's most likely to be caught unbolting it, and anyone else wanting to try will come to you to borrow the tools.


I guarantee that kettles and fridges will be banned under the new regime.  The only question is whether the official reason will be  a) elfin safe tea  b) whoever specified the newly-installed electrical systems didn't allow for the power factor[1]   or  c) having your own fridge simply isn't collegiate.


[1] I swear this is the new "architect forgot to allow for the weight of the books".
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 17 March, 2015, 02:18:19 pm
I reckon there is a market for cutlery/utensils/pots coming with a kingston lock slot.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 17 March, 2015, 02:44:16 pm
Quote from: Kim on 17 March, 2015, 01:58:15 pm
Ah yes.  The old "this patch panel looks messy, let's unplug all the wires and coil them neatly and put them away" effect.


That made me wince.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Gus on 17 March, 2015, 04:31:37 pm
I have influenza  :sick: and abslutely no energy to find a more appropiate thread
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 17 March, 2015, 04:39:53 pm
GWS GUS!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 17 March, 2015, 05:51:36 pm
Well I might have my own office and need to talk to my boss about the "plan not to have me in own office" cos it won't work - they'll have to make the IT accessible in 10+ rooms (what a shame)...  And if anyone says that isn't enough I'll dislocate joints at them till they squeamishly throw up!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 17 March, 2015, 08:32:18 pm
Iam sitting in the semi-dark because these flippin' hotel lights automagically switch themselves off after two hours and I have not yet been a***d to get up and operate the bedside fan and light switch thingummyjig.

I DESPISE this hotel combination of the hefty with the flimsy/mean.

The coffee table has a heavy glass top but all the screws holding its legs are loose, so it's wobbly.
The bedside table top is a loose slab of glass, which rests on four studs. It is easy to displace the slab but more difficult to reposition correctly
The 900ml kettle is permanently plugged into its socket and is situated as far as possible from the bathroom, whose sink and tap only permit filling to 600ml.

The 'Room Service' button on the internal phone connects to Housekeeping, not Room Service.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 18 March, 2015, 10:48:54 am
Quote from: barakta on 17 March, 2015, 01:54:02 pm
Spacky looking stuff goes missing too - heat swell unit looked like a heap of metal and I think our ex boss binned it for looking untidy!
At a firm I worked for in the early 1990s, a director once visited our office. According to witnesses, he ranted about untidy paperwork on an unattended desk, gathered it all up, & threw it in a bin.

Luckily someone carefully put the bin aside (locked in a cupboard, IIRC) so that the absent person could retrieve all the documents about technical details of the firms biggest contract, which had been delivered to his desk just after he went off for a meeting with the senior technical people the firm was working with at its biggest client.

When I resigned from that firm, my boss took me aside with a very worried expression, which changed to relief when I told him I'd got another job. He feared that I was so pissed off (which he'd understand) that I'd quit before finding one. That was the place where a customer complained when I refused to do something illegal for him. My boss (who made sure I didn't suffer for it) let slip that somebody more senior took the complaint seriously.  :facepalm:

The first syllable of this firm's name sometimes has an 'r' inserted.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 18 March, 2015, 11:07:51 am
Grumble, grumble:  Effing Scotrail.

Grumble, grumble:  Stupid pricing policy on Rail and Sail.

Grumble, grumble:  Ever heard of the babbage engine?   It could very easily work out the railcard discount portion for a Rail and Sail.

Grumble, grumble:  Effing halfwits!!!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 18 March, 2015, 11:16:00 am
The thing our ex manager probably threw away was worth about £750 at a time when we couldn't get any money to buy needed disability tech so that was a year's budget if that. I found out on the morning of a day someone was coming to visit to see how it worked with me being asked to demonstrate (I'd taught myself).  I spent 2 hours running round madly trying to find the flipping thing (I thought it was in the cupboard with the rest of the tech) and had to ask someone to phone the visitor to cancel...  I still don't quite know how exboss managed to dispose of it unless she put it in the bin outside herself (not implausible) as I have 2 boxes of WEEE disposal I have to jump through 40 hoops to get taken away now...

I was so embarrassed and just lucky that the visitor didn't take it personally.  I was quite junior then and hadn't been allowed to network in our field so didn't know that this sort of thing probably happens fairly often and it's maddening but is a university and I did the right thing in letting person know...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 18 March, 2015, 02:00:35 pm
Quote from: Bledlow on 18 March, 2015, 10:48:54 am
Quote from: barakta on 17 March, 2015, 01:54:02 pm
Spacky looking stuff goes missing too - heat swell unit looked like a heap of metal and I think our ex boss binned it for looking untidy!
At a firm I worked for in the early 1990s, a director once visited our office. According to witnesses, he ranted about untidy paperwork on an unattended desk, gathered it all up, & threw it in a bin.

Luckily someone carefully put the bin aside (locked in a cupboard, IIRC) so that the absent person could retrieve all the documents about technical details of the firms biggest contract, which had been delivered to his desk just after he went off for a meeting with the senior technical people the firm was working with at its biggest client.

When I resigned from that firm, my boss took me aside with a very worried expression, which changed to relief when I told him I'd got another job. He feared that I was so pissed off (which he'd understand) that I'd quit before finding one. That was the place where a customer complained when I refused to do something illegal for him. My boss (who made sure I didn't suffer for it) let slip that somebody more senior took the complaint seriously.  :facepalm:

The first syllable of this firm's name sometimes has an 'r' inserted.

Ah, them.... congratulations on youer escape!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 18 March, 2015, 02:11:56 pm
You must have had dealings with them.  ;D

Many perfectly decent people work for them, but I think the rot at the top came from the founders & AFAIK has never been got rid of.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 18 March, 2015, 02:38:13 pm
General Register Office, your system is this: SLOW.

I need two copies of the wifes' death certificate. To order them took 25 bloody minutes. And £9.25 each! WTF? Are they going to be hand-engraved on platinum plates by Ethiopian princesses or summat?

SHEESH!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 20 March, 2015, 12:47:26 pm
I have just typed out manually 2x 20 page forms for a blind student of mine needing to RENEW their access to disabled students' allowances...  A shorter renewal form is NOT available for postgrads and the only legal difference is some minor "declaration" wording.  This form could be 5 pages in renewal...  I had decided to do 15-16 at the same time as 14-15 so I know it's DONE!

This is a form to ACCESS disability support at university.  My student in common with many blind people has either no or minimal "admin" social care support.  This is the 4th one I have had to do of these for this student alone.  I tried arguing the toss (expecting to lose) because it's this kind of barrier that is inexcusable...   

That's 20 mins of my life I won't get back. I suspect stude had to cash in favours to get help to sign the 2 pages I needed them to sign, scan and return to me...  I have blind friends so I know just how inaccessible this kind of paperwork is.

Reminds me, it's now 2015 and when I'm in a mood I need to go and SMACK the DWP about their inaccessible forms for PIP which aren't even electronically typable in.   Utter fuckers the lot of them. I want to make all MPs do paperwork for a year with no vision at all and no handwriting ability either! Bastards!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 20 March, 2015, 12:51:35 pm
Bands who put long periods of silence into the CD versions of their albums to fill up the space and/or annoy.  Well, Kyuss, I have Audacity and I'm not afraid to use it, so the version of "Spaceship Landing" on the Babbage-Engine is about twenty-five minutes shorter than you intended.

Why can't I find a v-sign smiley with the hand the right way round?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 20 March, 2015, 01:07:57 pm
And it looks like I completed 2x 2014-15 forms, not one 2014-15 and one 2015-16... FFS!  Am blaming low blood sugar and form-tedium and eating before I go for round 3 and a protest to relevant person at my rep body and a nice LART to Access to Work.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 22 March, 2015, 06:00:30 pm
I am just now at the peak (I hope) of the mother of all man 'flu attacks.  Last week's smog set my asthma off and since then I haven't felt great at all.
I took the Sardar out yesterday, but could immediately feel my heart wasn't in it.  Literally.  I recognised that my heart was under strain.  So I turned back home before hitting the bumpy bits. 
Total mileage this weekend = 2.1 miles.
Went to bed at eight and slept fitfully on and off all night.  Just been to bed this afternoon and woke up just now feeling even worse.

Been thinking about Steve and how risky it is keeping his health.  If this happened to him, he would either loose four days, 850 miles.  Or risk riding through it doing what miles he could and also risking long term damage.

Stay healthy, Steve.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 23 March, 2015, 08:37:19 am
Last day for our VAT declaration and I don't feel like doing it. Bugger all Mondays.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 23 March, 2015, 02:50:51 pm
New cow-orker likes to put Radio 1 on in the afternoons. The DJs are drivelling idiots, and the noises they play! I find it totally incredible that such a number of people with no talent whatsoever should exist on just one planet, incredible that somebody saw fit to record their talentless noises, an incredible that the DJs are actually allowed to play shite so offensive to the ear on national radio.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 23 March, 2015, 02:54:39 pm
When Clarkson gets a million signatures, why wonder? Shite had mass-appeal.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 23 March, 2015, 06:56:57 pm
Quote from: Guy on 23 March, 2015, 02:50:51 pm
New cow-orker likes to put Radio 1 on in the afternoons. The DJs are drivelling idiots, and the noises they play! I find it totally incredible that such a number of people with no talent whatsoever should exist on just one planet, incredible that somebody saw fit to record their talentless noises, an incredible that the DJs are actually allowed to play shite so offensive to the ear on national radio.
You have turned into your Dad AICMFP.  :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 23 March, 2015, 07:10:01 pm
Be forced to listen to Kiss FM and you'll never complain about R1 again :sick:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 23 March, 2015, 07:21:09 pm
Try a 15hr shift of Galaxy FM's 9 track playlist
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 23 March, 2015, 09:25:26 pm
Dear [Airline]. I had an indifferent experience in your hands last week. Sending me the Customer Satisfaction Survey twice in one night reduces my satisfaction somewhat.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nikki on 23 March, 2015, 10:42:02 pm
I burned my boiled potatoes.  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Clare on 23 March, 2015, 10:55:35 pm
Everything aches, even my eyes ache. Gah, I feel like shit.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Clare on 23 March, 2015, 10:58:16 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 23 March, 2015, 07:21:09 pm
Try a 15hr shift of Galaxy FM's 9 track playlist

Or one hour on hold with British Gas.

Damon Albarn is a dead man.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 24 March, 2015, 08:44:49 am
Quote from: nikki on 23 March, 2015, 10:42:02 pm
I burned my boiled potatoes.  :(

I set my Kate Rusby tea towel on fire  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 24 March, 2015, 11:48:24 am
Bloody clients who think that because they work through lunch they can phone up in the middle of ours. Twats don't take a hint, either.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Karla on 24 March, 2015, 02:23:46 pm
Anyone who can even contemplate listing a bike for sale online without putting the size is not human.  They are an android and they should be retired immediately.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 24 March, 2015, 06:28:46 pm
OK, PVR, what's with this Green Screen ov DETH shit ???  Sound works, picture doesn't.  Bum-grapes >:(

Edit: unplug supply of voles, count to ten, re-insert, all well...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 25 March, 2015, 10:55:38 am
I stubbed my toe on a kitchen cabinet yesterday and I think I broke it. Mostly my fault for casually discarding my swimming bag mid-floor with the intent of moving it later and then proceeding to try and step around it on an apple recovery mission. Cue a small thermonuclear outburst of expletives. Today it's turned a nice shade of lurid, cheap party dress purple. No party heels for me this weekend.

British Gas. Oh there's an entire volume for them. We've had four bills from them since we moved here (we're on their dual tariff for gas and elec, I keep meaning to switch but as per the swimming bag incident, I'm fundamentally lazy).

Bill 1: billed for imperial units. We have metric meter. No seriously, BG, we do.

Bill 2: random numbers. I don't think it's possible to use negative gas.

Bill 3: what bill? Never arrived. No, BG, I don't want to pay by DD because quite obviously I'm not about to trust you with access to my bank account.

Bill 4: Gas but no electric. Electric arrives a week later. £500. Argh, say I, oh wait, it's got the previous gas bill added as an outstanding balance (way to give a granny a heart attack). Oh, and they sent the wonderstuff that are G4S around to read the meter, but they despite the two meters being right next to each other, they still estimated the electricity reading.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 25 March, 2015, 11:45:51 am
Toes, bah!  I b0rked my left little toe after a collision with a six tonne sideboard in the opening overs of 1994.  It had just about stopped hurting when the right one suffered the same fate after attacking a chair during the World Cup final :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 25 March, 2015, 04:04:28 pm
Quote from: Basil on 22 March, 2015, 06:00:30 pm
I am just now at the peak (I hope) of the mother of all man 'flu attacks.  Last week's smog set my asthma off and since then I haven't felt great at all.
I took the Sardar out yesterday, but could immediately feel my heart wasn't in it.  Literally.  I recognised that my heart was under strain.  So I turned back home before hitting the bumpy bits. 
Total mileage this weekend = 2.1 miles.
Went to bed at eight and slept fitfully on and off all night.  Just been to bed this afternoon and woke up just now feeling even worse.

Been thinking about Steve and how risky it is keeping his health.  If this happened to him, he would either loose four days, 850 miles.  Or risk riding through it doing what miles he could and also risking long term damage.

Stay healthy, Steve.

Bloody hell!  No, that wasn't the peak.  Since I posted that I spent 48 hours sleeping and shivering.  Today I've crawled out of the pit as I assumed I must be hungry by now.  Seems I'm not.
Mrs B has been sleeping in the spare room and the dog won't come anywhere near me.  What do they know?
Mrs B says that if I die:
A:  she'll f'ing kill me.
B:  she'll never speak to me again.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 25 March, 2015, 04:13:55 pm
You know when you get a bit of your fingernail ripped off and it's all horrible and ragged and you've no means to trim or file it? That.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 25 March, 2015, 09:28:03 pm
I can recommend the Leatherman Micra as a toy for every bumbag or handbag.
Includes file, scissors, tweezers, blade and several screwdrivers.

http://www.leatherman-store.co.uk/multi-tools-c27/micra-multi-tool-stainless-steel-p124 (http://www.leatherman-store.co.uk/multi-tools-c27/micra-multi-tool-stainless-steel-p124)

My Mum has been most impressed whenever I had need to use mine in her company (usually for a battle with the wrappers of very strictly Kosher food).
Maybe I will buy one for her...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 25 March, 2015, 09:38:05 pm
Except your carry on bag, of course.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 25 March, 2015, 09:43:04 pm
Quote from: David Martin on 25 March, 2015, 09:38:05 pm
Except your carry on bag, of course.

El-Al did not stop me on either flight last week.
I forgot I had it on flight #1 and there was no problem.
Mum reminded me of its presence on flight#2 but there was no issue as the blade was <6cm.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 26 March, 2015, 08:36:36 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 25 March, 2015, 09:43:04 pm
Quote from: David Martin on 25 March, 2015, 09:38:05 pm
Except your carry on bag, of course.

El-Al did not stop me on either flight last week.
I forgot I had it on flight #1 and there was no problem.
Mum reminded me of its presence on flight#2 but there was no issue as the blade was <6cm.

This, airlines are a lot more relaxed about it now, I have a Leatherman Style CS, like this: http://www.leathermans.co.uk/Leatherman-Style-CS-Combo.html and had no problems, admittedly on domestic flights.  I always remembered to actually take it out of my carry on, though and place it in the tray for security check.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 26 March, 2015, 03:10:06 pm
Out of curiosity I checked what Luton Airport has to say on the matter...

"You may, providing the blade is less than 6cm in length, does not lock into place and it is simply a folding pocket knife.

However, if the "Swiss Army" knife has a corkscrew on it then it will not be permitted"

 :-\

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 26 March, 2015, 04:31:29 pm
I am an idiot!

Walked in very late to a meeting this afternoon - as I managed to read the wrong week of my diary. I now know I don't have a meeting on the 2nd April :facepalm: :-[

At least my collegue was able to cover until I got there so it wasn't a major issue - I just look like a prat.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Dibdib on 26 March, 2015, 06:15:06 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 26 March, 2015, 03:10:06 pm
does not lock into place

Which annoyingly is why I always leave my Skeletool at home when I go to Germany. Bah.

(That and while I'm sure Germany's laws on such things are eminently sensible, I don't know what is and isn't legal. I don't fancy finding out the hard way either!)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 26 March, 2015, 07:28:40 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 26 March, 2015, 04:31:29 pm
I am an idiot!

Walked in very late to a meeting this afternoon - as I managed to read the wrong week of my diary. I now know I don't have a meeting on the 2nd April :facepalm: :-[

At least my collegue was able to cover until I got there so it wasn't a major issue - I just look like a prat.

I'm a bigger idiot.  I did a couple of hardboiled eggs yesterday morning for my lunch.  Worried all the way into work - I did turn that pan off, didn't I?

Ended up going home again to check, and made myself half an hour late for work.

There was pointing, and laughing  :facepalm:

I hadn't left the hob on, btw.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 26 March, 2015, 09:49:50 pm
The above makes us all sound gratifyingly human.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 27 March, 2015, 09:13:31 am
It's 0915 and there's no bugger in my kitchen doing stuff yet. Why not?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 27 March, 2015, 09:19:50 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 27 March, 2015, 09:13:31 am
It's 0915 and there's no bugger in my kitchen doing stuff yet. Why not?

Because tradesmen.

They'll turn up at 1015 because they, erm, had to collect something. And they'll still leave about 1555.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 27 March, 2015, 09:29:26 am
Quote from: Ruthie on 26 March, 2015, 07:28:40 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 26 March, 2015, 04:31:29 pm
I am an idiot!

Walked in very late to a meeting this afternoon - as I managed to read the wrong week of my diary. I now know I don't have a meeting on the 2nd April :facepalm: :-[

At least my collegue was able to cover until I got there so it wasn't a major issue - I just look like a prat.

I'm a bigger idiot.  I did a couple of hardboiled eggs yesterday morning for my lunch.  Worried all the way into work - I did turn that pan off, didn't I?

Ended up going home again to check, and made myself half an hour late for work.

There was pointing, and laughing  :facepalm:

I hadn't left the hob on, btw.

I can't admit to how many times I've been just about to get on the train to work, then decided to ride back to the garage to check I'd not left the other bike outside it. Never had, it was such a routine action I just had no memory of doing it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 27 March, 2015, 10:35:09 am
Quote from: ian on 27 March, 2015, 09:19:50 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 27 March, 2015, 09:13:31 am
It's 0915 and there's no bugger in my kitchen doing stuff yet. Why not?

Because tradesmen.

They'll turn up at 1015 because they, erm, had to collect something. And they'll still leave about 1555.

Ha, naaa arrived at 1130 to put tools down then pop out for lunch arrive back at one'ish. Pack up and bugger off by 1450, gotta beat that weekend traffic.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 27 March, 2015, 11:27:50 am
Quote from: Ruthie on 26 March, 2015, 07:28:40 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 26 March, 2015, 04:31:29 pm
I am an idiot!

Walked in very late to a meeting this afternoon - as I managed to read the wrong week of my diary. I now know I don't have a meeting on the 2nd April :facepalm: :-[

At least my collegue was able to cover until I got there so it wasn't a major issue - I just look like a prat.

I'm a bigger idiot.  I did a couple of hardboiled eggs yesterday morning for my lunch.  Worried all the way into work - I did turn that pan off, didn't I?

Ended up going home again to check, and made myself half an hour late for work.

There was pointing, and laughing  :facepalm:

I hadn't left the hob on, btw.

That sounds like me setting off on a trip in the car. The number of times I've turned round at the end of the street and gone back to check that the heating's off, coffee machine is off, back door is locked, I've packed everything, lights are off, etc. is countless, and I still manage to forget things :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 27 March, 2015, 11:36:28 am
Quote from: ian on 27 March, 2015, 09:19:50 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 27 March, 2015, 09:13:31 am
It's 0915 and there's no bugger in my kitchen doing stuff yet. Why not?

Because tradesmen.

They'll turn up at 1015 because they, erm, had to collect something. And they'll still leave about 1555.

And fail to turn up to do the quote they promised for a potential customer, because they were still on a job.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 27 March, 2015, 12:23:00 pm
Well apparently they're having the day off, cos there was no one here when I got back home after 11. Oh well, the kitties are appreciating having the run of the house.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 28 March, 2015, 08:18:55 am
Perfect cycling day here - clear sky, temperature ~7°C already, light to no wind. Wife's off to Strasbourg for the day to run with our daughter so I'm stuck in the bloody house baby-sitting the Inlaw Paw. Can't even go over to the barn to fettle my bike.  And our club has an event on tomorrow. Forecast: heavy rain and gales.

In the delightful words of Sweetness Octave Glorious-Honeybun Asiim 12th's granny, cock piss bugger bum balls.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 29 March, 2015, 11:56:55 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 27 March, 2015, 12:23:00 pm
Well apparently they're having the day off, cos there was no one here when I got back home after 11. Oh well, the kitties are appreciating having the run of the house.

Yes they do that too. The random day off.

I had to put my tongue on hold a few times when the subject of being in the third month of our six week refurbishment, because you know, if you did an actual full day that didn't involve turning up at random o'clock and always religiously leaving before 4pm, making tea every fifteen minutes, having an hour lunch regardless, and taking odd days off, then perhaps it would have been six weeks.

Ah, good god, this is all going to kick off again after Easter when they finally start work outside. New fence and outside painting. Don't think I can face getting the driveway done, just getting a quote is a nightmare.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cycleman on 30 March, 2015, 06:32:11 am
Got to bed 11.30. Woke up at3.10 this morning :(.woke up yesterday at 6.30 .feeling tired and washed out .
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 30 March, 2015, 07:54:31 am
Cricked my neck getting out of bed this morning and can't turn my head to the right. Anti-inflammatories are contraindicated on sertraline and I daren't mix it with cocodamol, so I'm hoping plain paracetamol will help.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 30 March, 2015, 11:11:45 am
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 30 March, 2015, 07:54:31 am
Cricked my neck getting out of bed this morning and can't turn my head to the right. Anti-inflammatories are contraindicated on sertraline and I daren't mix it with cocodamol, so I'm hoping plain paracetamol will help.

Coincidence: I did mine while drying my hair yesterday morning.  Reckoned that riding would get rid of it: it didn't, but when I woke up this morning it had gone.

Cricked neck = twisted like a strand of DNA?

Where's me coat?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 30 March, 2015, 05:16:49 pm
Cleared up my desk and it's still a godawful mess. Still, I did rediscover my PBP 2007 medals and my 2012 Strasbourg-Perpignan brevet card.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 30 March, 2015, 06:20:52 pm
Me BlackBerry has stopped getting emails for no apparent reason whatsoever.  What a piece of shit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 31 March, 2015, 12:58:29 pm
Oi, co-shirker. Turn the frikkin' keyboard noises on your phone off when you're in the office  :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 31 March, 2015, 05:45:21 pm
I've got a weeks holiday this week....my first since November. So, lot of cycling planned.....

Well yes but had a visit from the PF yesterday and discovered I didn't have a pump with me (of course there were no cyclists around to borrow one from!) resulting in a long walk back and today I wake up with a really sore throat and a general feeling of being unwell. Couldn't even find the energy to walk to the end of the drive this morning.

Its not right being ill when its your time.  :-[
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 31 March, 2015, 08:46:21 pm
Quote from: Pingu on 31 March, 2015, 12:58:29 pm
Oi, co-shirker. Turn the frikkin' keyboard noises on your phone off. :demon:

FTFY
Nobody should use keypad tones in public!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 01 April, 2015, 09:54:48 am
Quote from: mcshroom on 26 March, 2015, 04:31:29 pm
I am an idiot!

Walked in very late to a meeting this afternoon - as I managed to read the wrong week of my diary. I now know I don't have a meeting on the 2nd April :facepalm: :-[

At least my collegue was able to cover until I got there so it wasn't a major issue - I just look like a prat.

Yesterday I had some time with MsC, decided the day before to tell work I wasn't coming in for the morning (since I had a hospital appointment in the afternoon).
It got to 3pm and I checked the appointment letter before I realised that:
A) it was the 31st of march
B) my appointment was on the 1st of April
C) I was supposed to be at work all day.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Karla on 01 April, 2015, 10:26:09 pm
Our DSL is currently down. 

Housemate (who has been here for aaages, who has C++ proficiency as an item on her CV and who, unlike me, is standing in the same room as the router): "Pharti, is the internet back up yet?"
"I dunno, check the router."
"Oh.  Err, yes I think it's back up"
"Well, is the 'internet' light on or off?"
[checks again] "No, it's off"
"Well the internet's still down then."
"Oh, I was looking at the 'Wireless' light"

Engage brain, please?  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 02 April, 2015, 12:02:24 am
On my router, to tell which light is which you either have to press your nose against the damn thing or RTFM...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 02 April, 2015, 10:42:37 am
This one maybe needs a poetic justice thread.

Bloke who owns one of the meadows our kitchen window overlooks prevailed upon his neighbour to cut the branches of what was a perfect tree because they overhung his land. The tree is now sadly lopsided.

Bloke put in an ugly polytunnel in erstwhile shadow of tree, further bollocking up our view.

Polytunnel taken out by Monday's gales.

(http://r19.imgfast.net/users/1913/47/62/54/smiles/1343537672.gif)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 05 April, 2015, 02:06:05 pm
Not really a grumble, more like a wail of horror: the missus's brand-new Kenwood mixer, a £650 present from the Inlaw Paw, crept off the worktop while her back was turned and crashed onto the tiled floor.

All due credit, the casing didn't crack, in fact nothing broke and it still works, almost; but the top no longer snugs all the way down into the latch and is liable to swing up under load.  It'd make you weep.

Come Tuesday we'll be onto the service centre, but we're expecting a biggish bill.  OTOH a mixer that costly shouldn't creep off a dead level surface, should it?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 05 April, 2015, 02:08:48 pm
Poltergeist?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 07 April, 2015, 03:44:54 pm
Never thought of that. Maybe the vicar's been pointing the bone again.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 07 April, 2015, 04:01:07 pm
Headsets, and the myriad 'standards' thereof.

I could rant on at length about this, since I'm trying to sort out a headset for the new frame, but the whole sorry business has pretty much destroyed my will to do, well, anything very much.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 08 April, 2015, 10:01:35 am
Rose Versand: "SON dynamo spadeclips, pack of 5".  Five, yet. Oh you irritating people.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 08 April, 2015, 10:14:26 am
Enough to do two lamps, and a spare for the one that you've cocked up. What more could you want?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 09 April, 2015, 10:22:24 am
Oi.  Me.  Enough of checking if teethgrinder is triking yet.  Get a grip!

Random Senior Manager: “I notice the latest quarterly stats and the end of year are not yet available.  Was there a problem?”
Me:  *looks at date* - Oh shit! – oops   “No. No problem – blah rubbish blah stuff stuff blah rubbish”
RSM:  “OK great”
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 09 April, 2015, 11:25:33 am
You know that cardinal sin of using tabs and spaces to align things in a word processor?

I've been handed a text file with the equivalent of that. 1500 lines of text that uses space and tab-significant formatting, with spaces, tabs and line breaks used incorrectly.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 09 April, 2015, 11:41:05 am
Quote from: mrcharly on 09 April, 2015, 11:25:33 am
You know that cardinal sin of using tabs and spaces to align things in a word processor?

I've been handed a text file with the equivalent of that. 1500 lines of text that uses space and tab-significant formatting, with spaces, tabs and line breaks used incorrectly.

(http://i0.kym-cdn.com/entries/icons/original/000/007/322/lec-clue-by-four.png)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 09 April, 2015, 11:48:39 am
there is a court exclusion order banning me from possession or handling of:
Kluebats
Nerf guns
Larts
Shuvels
BEARS
Mjölnir
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Clare on 09 April, 2015, 11:51:29 am
You don't mention halfbrickinnasocks in that court order...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 09 April, 2015, 12:08:39 pm
Or Frying Pans
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 09 April, 2015, 12:37:44 pm
Text file is easy - just run it through sed and you should be fine. Or be a bit smarter and work out exactly how much indent is represented by each whitespace character and translate to a common format.

Then send it back and get them to redo it.

That same magic recipe can then be reused many times.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 09 April, 2015, 12:39:21 pm
Quote from: David Martin on 09 April, 2015, 12:37:44 pm
Text file is easy - just run it through sed and you should be fine. Or be a bit smarter and work out exactly how much indent is represented by each whitespace character and translate to a common format.

Then send it back and get them to redo it.

That same magic recipe can then be reused many times.
You are assuming they have done things consistently.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 09 April, 2015, 12:45:16 pm
That is what regexps are for :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 09 April, 2015, 01:41:30 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 09 April, 2015, 11:48:39 am
there is a court exclusion order banning me from possession or handling of:
Kluebats
Nerf guns
Larts
Shuvels
BEARS
Mjölnir

Cattle prods?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 09 April, 2015, 01:54:19 pm
Some years ago I was on a bus in that there London. The bus conductor came up and pointed the object I had hanging around my neck and said - that is a mighty fine Mjölnir you got there - and asked where I got it from. I think I managed to explain it to him, in not too rude way, because I was rather shocked that he managed to pronounced Mjölnir in such a fluent way. Even Danes fall over it now and again.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 09 April, 2015, 02:02:49 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 09 April, 2015, 01:41:30 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 09 April, 2015, 11:48:39 am
there is a court exclusion order banning me from possession or handling of:
Kluebats
Nerf guns
Larts
Shuvels
BEARS
Mjölnir

Cattle prods?
After the incident with the 1/2 farad capacitor, no.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 09 April, 2015, 02:03:38 pm
I've just found out there's a Steampunk weekend at Bressingham this weekend.

http://www.bressingham.co.uk/events/steampunk.aspx (http://www.bressingham.co.uk/events/steampunk.aspx)

 My weekend is booked for other stuff. Bum :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 09 April, 2015, 07:20:53 pm
Something odd has happened to twitter on my Nexus 7.  I can only see stuff from peeps wot I follow. (Which ain't a lot of peeps)
I can no longer see random stuff or search for stuff.
Boo!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 09 April, 2015, 07:50:27 pm
If I see yet another one of those Face ache posts along the lines of "I'm a primary teacher teaching my kids about internet safety please share my picture" I might have to break teh internets.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 09 April, 2015, 08:43:16 pm
Quote from: Basil on 09 April, 2015, 07:20:53 pm
Something odd has happened to twitter on my Nexus 7.  I can only see stuff from peeps wot I follow. (Which ain't a lot of peeps)
I can no longer see random stuff or search for stuff.
Boo!
Sounds like the result of mixing Di2 and hub gears.  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jakob W on 09 April, 2015, 09:04:01 pm
Quote from: Basil on 09 April, 2015, 10:22:24 am
Oi.  Me.  Enough of checking if teethgrinder is triking yet.  Get a grip!

Random Senior Manager: “I notice the latest quarterly stats and the end of year are not yet available.  Was there a problem?”
Me:  *looks at date* - Oh shit! – oops   “No. No problem – blah rubbish blah stuff stuff blah rubbish”
RSM:  “OK great”

Oh balls - I was meant to have done a similar job last week before I buggered off for Easter, but pain-in-the-arse last-minute requests meant it totally slipped my mind. Just one more delight that will await me Monday morning...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 12 April, 2015, 10:04:27 am
Freegle person: So you arrange a time today to collect something and then message me to say you thought yesterday was Sunday. Hmmm. Well, you only get one now, not two, as I have offered one to someone else. AND I bet you don't show tomorrow.

Homebase: I like the look of your soapdish, which is why I bought it. However, the screws supplied are made of cheese and had stupidly shallow cross heads so I had to improvise. And the dish itself didn't have drain holes and is rather small.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 12 April, 2015, 10:14:24 am
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 12 April, 2015, 10:04:27 am
Freegle person: So you arrange a time today to collect something and then message me to say you thought yesterday was Sunday. Hmmm. Well, you only get one now, not two, as I have offered one to someone else. AND I bet you don't show tomorrow.


At least they bothered to send you a message. My recent experience of Freecycle and the like has been that people just don't show up, never to be heard from again. I've given up trying to offer stuff. ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: interzen on 12 April, 2015, 10:21:01 am
Quote from: phantasmagoriana on 12 April, 2015, 10:14:24 am
At least they bothered to send you a message. My recent experience of Freecycle and the like has been that people just don't show up, never to be heard from again. I've given up trying to offer stuff. ::-)
This.
Freecycle is a great idea, but it would appear that a large number of users in the York area are of a particularly bellendulous persuasion. I created a 'blacklist' of people who repeatedly offered to take stuff but then didn't bother showing up - it got to the point where I just couldn't be bothered any more.

That, and the Freecycle website is complete and utter shite.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 12 April, 2015, 11:56:40 am
In the end I gave both chairs to the first bloke who showed up, as I couldn't be sure the other punter would turn up.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 12 April, 2015, 12:21:09 pm
I am fortunate that punters in Brent Freecycle who have wanted my Stuffs have been punctual and friendly.
Individual people are individuals...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 12 April, 2015, 12:57:10 pm
We've had mixed results with Freecycle/Freegle.   Some turn up and are appreciative, some ask for everything (car booters perhaps?) and some start fine but go off quickly.   One chap even got back after a week asking if we could deliver for him even though the ad clearly said 'collect only'.

We like to see stuff reused rather than going to landfill so we carry on regardless. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 12 April, 2015, 01:00:22 pm
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 12 April, 2015, 10:04:27 am
...
Homebase: I like the look of your soapdish, which is why I bought it. However, the screws supplied are made of cheese and had stupidly shallow cross heads so I had to improvise. And the dish itself didn't have drain holes and is rather small.

Homeoftat more like.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 12 April, 2015, 01:47:20 pm
Sadly I bought it in the shop, not online, so I don't seem to be able to review it on their website.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 12 April, 2015, 06:13:45 pm
My grumble is that I have no energy. I could really do with some energy. Next week is busy. Plus, I'd quite like to ride my bike.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 12 April, 2015, 11:12:01 pm
Quote from: Basil on 09 April, 2015, 07:20:53 pm
Something odd has happened to twitter on my Nexus 7.  I can only see stuff from peeps wot I follow. (Which ain't a lot of peeps)
I can no longer see random stuff or search for stuff.
Boo!
I can't help it. When I see "Nexus 7" I think of a Shimano hub gear, & so I wondered what it has to do with twitter.

Well, it's a cycling forum . . .
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 12 April, 2015, 11:30:24 pm
Snot, again. Feel like crap. Braindead. Middle ear full of crud. Drugs not helping much. Nearly didn't make it into work on Friday. Am hoping it fucks off soon cos bored.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 13 April, 2015, 04:18:19 pm
Yesterday, I had a tickle in my throat. Today, I have a streaming, shivering, headachy, sore throat & swollen neck-creating, wobbly when I stand up too suddenly, virus-like something.

Bugger!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 13 April, 2015, 07:49:24 pm
And now a nasty shoulder spazz which hurts when I breathe #FuckOffBody
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 13 April, 2015, 07:59:09 pm
Quote from: Bledlow on 12 April, 2015, 11:12:01 pm
Quote from: Basil on 09 April, 2015, 07:20:53 pm
Something odd has happened to twitter on my Nexus 7.  I can only see stuff from peeps wot I follow. (Which ain't a lot of peeps)
I can no longer see random stuff or search for stuff.
Boo!
I can't help it. When I see "Nexus 7" I think of a Shimano hub gear, & so I wondered what it has to do with twitter.

Well, it's a cycling forum . . .
Me too
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 13 April, 2015, 08:40:20 pm
Work is sending me to deepest yellow fever Africa at the earliest opportunity, so a couple of arms of vaccinations later, I'm looking forward to feeling like crap when I meet my folks this weekend after a year on opposite sides of the world.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 13 April, 2015, 08:43:31 pm
Yellow yap is feverly fun :) NOT!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 13 April, 2015, 08:48:41 pm
T'was the malaria tabs at brekkie that used to make me feel off.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 13 April, 2015, 09:09:05 pm
Something easing me off my feed can only help my PBP-targeted weight loss. Hopefully I won't be over there long enough to miss my qualifiers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 13 April, 2015, 09:47:59 pm
I give up on this pub quiz.
Round one was "Current Affairs".  7 questions were related to TV.  And that doesn't include the Richie Benaud question.  It will be the same if there is a Geography round or a history round.

Bah humbug.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: velosam on 14 April, 2015, 09:38:53 am
Quote from: LittleWheelsandBig on 13 April, 2015, 09:09:05 pm
Something easing me off my feed can only help my PBP-targeted weight loss. Hopefully I won't be over there long enough to miss my qualifiers.

Where is deepest Africa, I would love to go back one day. Enjoy whatever you do
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 14 April, 2015, 09:51:09 am
Quote from: LittleWheelsandBig on 13 April, 2015, 08:40:20 pm
Work is sending me to deepest yellow fever Africa at the earliest opportunity, so a couple of arms of vaccinations later, I'm looking forward to feeling like crap when I meet my folks this weekend after a year on opposite sides of the world.

The other year, because I'd not been anywhere with exotic diseases for a while and I had a trip to sub-Saharan Africa in the offing, I just said 'what the hell, travel clinic nurse, give me the full works.' 'Are you sure?' says she.

Ouch. Hopefully I'm all jabbed up for this year's trip.

For malaria, I've always taken Malarone (and copious G&Ts, just in case) without ill-effect.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 14 April, 2015, 10:12:43 am
Well, that was a fun evening & night. After my last post I rapidly felt more & more wobbly & started shivering uncontrollably, so went to bed. When Mrs B came home from work she took my temperature - 40.8C - then phoned 111, who said the standard "rest, keep warm, drink plenty", what circumstances to call again (or even 999) & to call my GP in the morning.

Temperature's down 3 degrees now, shivering's stopped, headache, earache, sore throat, painful sinuses (complete with ache in back teeth, now gone), tight throat & tender neck all still present but eased, & coughing fits reduced. Still feel washed out, though: weak, wobbly, & now occasionally coughing up unpleasant-coloured muck. Spoken to GP who said to come in later. Complicated by the bashed bones in my face, I think.

Again, bugger! It's a lovely day & there are things I want to do.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 14 April, 2015, 10:17:46 am
Not overly far from the Ivory Coast.

Further grumble - this morning I found out that my hurry rush jabs last night now won't actually be needed for a month. Hopefully my PBP qualifiers won't be affected.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 14 April, 2015, 01:26:44 pm
I find caffeine gives me enough of a rush.

My grumble: a month ago I was scrambling to get figures to the accountant so that he could get our company's balance sheet ready for the tax vultures, the limit having been brought forward from 1st May to 15th April. Haven't heard anything since do I phoned him just now: "Oh, they put it back to the beginning of May because they had too much to handle in the time."

So how about if I decide to put it back to 15th May?  10% automatic penalty, that's what.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 14 April, 2015, 04:05:17 pm
Quote from: LittleWheelsandBig on 14 April, 2015, 10:17:46 am
Not overly far from the Ivory Coast.

Further grumble - this morning I found out that my hurry rush jabs last night now won't actually be needed for a month. Hopefully my PBP qualifiers won't be affected.

Moons ago a co-worker whom really DID NOT like little sharp prickly things was told "you need to jab up for somewhere jungley" (in India or Bangladesh I thing I can remember). X stabs later he was told, hang about we got the dates wrong. So he had repeat most jabs again which he wasn't too keen on. You should have seen his face when he learnt that he had to jab himself everyday and then needed boosters later when it became known that the contract/stay was extended.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 14 April, 2015, 04:31:20 pm
Why am I so crap at knowing where things are at the moment?

I am so bad that I had to make a list, at the weekend.

The list contained 5 things, 3 I was sort of wondering where they were, but not too bothered (low value items), but 2 which I am really annoyed about that I can't find them.

The 3 low value things I have found (FWIW they were a Baabaa hat, a glasses case and cleaning cloth and a small camera pouch which had a 4G card in it).

Can I find the other 2? Can I heck! So I am now faced with the fact that I can't find the Leatherman Crater I had, last that I can remember, 2 weeks ago, and a Ortlieb backroller plus that I can't remember when I last had it!  The former is quite easy to lose, as it is quite small, but how on earth do you lose a BRIGHT YELLOW pannier?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 15 April, 2015, 09:38:25 am
Welcome to getting a bit older, wotsyourname.

PS, check in the daffodil bed for the ortleib, they get drawn to other yellow objects.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 15 April, 2015, 10:49:16 am
I know that feeling Tiermat. My first step is to stand up and look where I have been sitting, it works surprisingly often. My second approach is to shout at Boy Wunja to ask if he has borrowed it. At this point Mrs Wunja will overhear and tell me where she moved it to.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 15 April, 2015, 11:05:20 am
Quote from: tiermat on 14 April, 2015, 04:31:20 pm
Can I find the other 2? Can I heck! So I am now faced with the fact that I can't find the Leatherman Crater I had, last that I can remember, 2 weeks ago, and a Ortlieb backroller plus that I can't remember when I last had it!  The former is quite easy to lose, as it is quite small, but how on earth do you lose a BRIGHT YELLOW pannier?

Everything's bright bloody yellow these days unless it's bright bloody orange.  Yesterday in the workshop I turned round to look for the Fiskars, thinking they'd stand out from the rest. Fat hope, the rest were much the same colour.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 15 April, 2015, 02:51:27 pm
Everything's yellow apart from the blinkenlights on anbaric apparatus, which are not only turning blue but doing so at an intensity visible from distant galaxies.

One day I will do a survey on the blinkenlights visible from my sofa, when I'm really bored.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: davelodwig on 15 April, 2015, 03:28:46 pm
Miss,

Your bike may be a heap of supermarket made unmitigated rubbish the sort that I generally would heave in the nearest skip complete with it's rust spotted colour scheme and drive train so dirty that glastonbury after a wet festival is cleaner.

Mine however is not, so please don't just chuck your bike against mine on the train, yes I was a little grumpy I quite like the paint to remain on it. Yes that means you shouldn't just grab hold of it and remove it from the rack and lean it against the side of the train so your mate can fit his equally crappy bike in. No that dosent' mean you can make a face because I've asked you to stop fiddling with my bike.

Just leave it alone and show other peoples stuff some god damm respect!!!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 16 April, 2015, 12:01:31 am
Oi, Channel 4 News. The temperature in the Sarf was not twice as high as in the North today  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 16 April, 2015, 03:38:31 am
Quote from: Pingu on 16 April, 2015, 12:01:31 am
Oi, Channel 4 News. The temperature in the Sarf was not twice as high as in the North today  ::-)

You mean they weren't counting the other 273 K?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 16 April, 2015, 11:37:51 am
Ants in my espresso machine.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: billplumtree on 16 April, 2015, 01:07:34 pm
Quote from: T42 on 16 April, 2015, 11:37:51 am
Ants in my espresso machine.
That would make a great euphemism for something.  I'm not sure what, but I'll recognise it when I see it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 16 April, 2015, 01:33:26 pm
Quote from: T42 on 16 April, 2015, 11:37:51 am
Ants in my espresso machine.

We know a song about that:

Masters Of Reality - "Ants In The Kitchen" (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NdH62aav950).

Yodel, you're supposed to be shit.  Why, then, did you attempt to deliver my new Babbage-Engine fewer than twenty-four hours after it was despatched by ebuyer?  If I'd suspected you were capable of this level of not-shitness I'd have got up early >:(

Not that it makes much difference, as the Mega-Global Sounds Like A Big River Corporation of Seattle, USAnia haven't delivered Windows yet.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 16 April, 2015, 05:47:42 pm
Cough. Fuh.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 17 April, 2015, 08:49:40 am
Really quite late last night a leather-clad man sounded a peal on the doorbell of Larrington Towers in order to deliver a pizza.  I was in the bath.  And hadn't ordered a pizza, having dined well, if not wisely, on Sossidges a couple of hours earlier.  And the window key fell out of the lock, bounced off the roof of the Grand Portico and disappeared into the Japanese Garden where doubtless the under-gardener will find it in July.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 17 April, 2015, 09:01:40 am
You have a gardener for your undies?  :o
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 17 April, 2015, 09:08:03 am
Ants in the boiler
Ants in the tubes
Ants with antlers
Ants with boobs
Ants with their antholes filled with lube
As they revel in the joys of maceration

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 17 April, 2015, 02:37:19 pm
Self: When scratching about for things to take to the tip to justify a trip there do not then forget to take the ugly, big, old, plastic parasol base that was the main reason for going there in the first place! Eejit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nikki on 18 April, 2015, 05:27:28 pm
Robinsons seem to have changed the sweeteners in their squash.
Nasty horrible perma-aftertaste  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 18 April, 2015, 05:39:30 pm
Quote from: nikki on 18 April, 2015, 05:27:28 pm
Robinsons seem to have changed the sweeteners in their squash.
Nasty horrible perma-aftertaste  >:(

That's more or less what put me off the stuff a several of years ago.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 18 April, 2015, 05:50:26 pm
Since I visited Shimano's site earlier today, Google has been shoving ads for fishing tackle at me.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 18 April, 2015, 07:53:42 pm
No, Evening Standard, the Tweed Run is NOT a race!
http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/hundreds-of-cyclists-clad-in-their-finest-tweed-cycled-through-london-for-charity-race-10186817.html (http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/hundreds-of-cyclists-clad-in-their-finest-tweed-cycled-through-london-for-charity-race-10186817.html)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 18 April, 2015, 08:02:17 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 18 April, 2015, 07:53:42 pm
No, Evening Standard, the Tweed Run is NOT a race!
http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/hundreds-of-cyclists-clad-in-their-finest-tweed-cycled-through-london-for-charity-race-10186817.html (http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/hundreds-of-cyclists-clad-in-their-finest-tweed-cycled-through-london-for-charity-race-10186817.html)

Then it must be for charity.

Where are they going?  That's a long way!

etc.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 18 April, 2015, 08:08:35 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 18 April, 2015, 07:53:42 pm
No, Evening Standard, the Tweed Run is NOT a race!
http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/hundreds-of-cyclists-clad-in-their-finest-tweed-cycled-through-london-for-charity-race-10186817.html (http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/hundreds-of-cyclists-clad-in-their-finest-tweed-cycled-through-london-for-charity-race-10186817.html)
Oh, aren't they absolute heroes?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 18 April, 2015, 09:06:20 pm
Quote from: T42 on 18 April, 2015, 05:50:26 pm
Since I visited Shimano's site earlier today, Google has been shoving ads for fishing tackle at me.

I think their fishing tackle business is order of magnitude larger than cycling kit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 18 April, 2015, 09:08:04 pm
Quote from: Canardly on 18 April, 2015, 09:06:20 pm
Quote from: T42 on 18 April, 2015, 05:50:26 pm
Since I visited Shimano's site earlier today, Google has been shoving ads for fishing tackle at me.

I think their fishing tackle business is order of magnitude larger than cycling kit.

There's a Desmond Tutu quote for that.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 18 April, 2015, 10:00:46 pm
Quote from: Canardly on 18 April, 2015, 09:06:20 pm
Quote from: T42 on 18 April, 2015, 05:50:26 pm
Since I visited Shimano's site earlier today, Google has been shoving ads for fishing tackle at me.

I think their fishing tackle business is order of magnitude larger than cycling kit.

Stand to reason: there's more folk as sits around than drives bikes.  And they get to kill things.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 19 April, 2015, 07:56:05 pm
Grr Fulcrum OEM road wheels.

I'm not a real fan of low spoke count wheels, but having a nipple unscrew completely from the spoke after less than 400km is just poor. Also why do you have to have weird straight-pull spokes that make it harder to get the nipple to start threading, and also it would be nice if you used the same nipple diameter as all my other bikes, instead of having one that looks right but starts rounding when you try and exert any tension on the spoke.

Just bought a 3.2mm (black) spoke key which I think must be the right size (I have a 3.3mm red one which fits all the others), but I think a good pair of hand built wheels with normal spoke numbers might be going on this bike sooner rather than later.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 20 April, 2015, 11:15:52 am
I've just been spammed by some clue-free twatbaskets who claim that for only five hundred and fifteen of the BRITONS' pounds I can have a banner advert for my Webby SCIENCE on the Daily fucking Heil's web shite.  There may be another scenario involving being Wrong in more ways simultaneously, but I shudder to think what it might be.

Also Google!  Please to stop with the adverts for heating oil and red diesel.  I mean, WTFF ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 20 April, 2015, 01:08:20 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 20 April, 2015, 11:15:52 am

Also Google!  Please to stop with the adverts for heating oil and red diesel.  I mean, WTFF ???
Maybe TEH BEAR has been looking for fuel for his chainsaw.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 22 April, 2015, 02:48:12 pm
First day back at work after a week and a bit off. I have lots of stuff I need to print out. Are the printers

a) working
b) not working?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 23 April, 2015, 10:04:18 am
Dear cat, I do love you, but asking for breakfast by poking me in the face with claws and then biting my hair is not acceptable.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 24 April, 2015, 07:18:05 pm
Power cut at the Commie Pool - no swimming class tonight  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 26 April, 2015, 09:23:38 pm
I say, you turbanned ruffian!  Put your rubbish in your own fucking bin, not mine >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 26 April, 2015, 09:43:52 pm
Careful! If you were in Tower Hamlets and said that there'd be an angry mob at your door for infringing the rights of said same selfish twat to put his rubbish in your bin because he's already filled his . . .

Or something.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 28 April, 2015, 09:45:12 am
Google Maps has been 'improved' again today.
GGGGGRRRRRRR!!!!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: iddu on 28 April, 2015, 09:58:09 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 28 April, 2015, 09:45:12 am
Google Maps has been 'improved' again today.
GGGGGRRRRRRR!!!!

https://www.google.com/maps?output=classic FTW (at least for now)

Just FOAD with yer fiddlin'
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 28 April, 2015, 10:23:23 am
Thanks!

Helpfully tells me I won't be able to default to the old maps soon.

Moar GGGGGRRRRR!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 05 May, 2015, 04:57:19 pm
Put a new back wheel on for Friday's 400, transferring tyre & tube from old one.  While resetting brakes noticed that the damn thing's buckled.  So now I know what I'll be doing tomorrow morning.

Scratched my watch crystal in the process. :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 06 May, 2015, 07:43:18 pm
Just snapped my brompton (rear triangle).

Bugger. That's two frames I've snapped at the same point. Either I'm overweight or I'm cycling too much.

Apparently BikeFix don't require booking in, and will do the same day. Let's see what they say to rear triangle + pivot bush + headset. It's not going to be cheap...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 08 May, 2015, 08:26:44 pm
A U2 took off from Fairford an hour or two back and quite by chance I spotted it as I was looking out of the window so I rushed to get MrsLurker's camera from the table, but by the time I'd realised I was pressing the shutter button not the power button the damn thing was in the bloody low cloud we've had most of the afternoon.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 08 May, 2015, 09:18:40 pm
It was Bono flying off to visit his money.

Oh, err,...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 10 May, 2015, 01:42:40 pm
Cats! I know you provide cuteness to our house, but really, doing a dump so fetid horrid that I get the blame for makin the house smell is just not on. It was so bad that it made me retch cleaning it out and I am the person normally called upon to clean mess as I have a resistance to such things! Oh and doing it on the day Mrs T is out for the day is just not on!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 10 May, 2015, 01:57:11 pm
Having just sat on my glasses, again, after putting them somewhere obvious so I wouldn't sit on them, I now realise why I need varifocals. The ones I'm now having to use are at least four years old and not varifocal. If there's a silver lining, it's that a visit to Specsavers was on the cards...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 12 May, 2015, 12:48:47 pm
Just brought a Garmin Edge... well I am fed up of printing maps off so thought it would be nice to have a Sat Nav to tell me where I am going.

However, the machine is taking the mickey by turning itself on to pause when I am trying to climb.... NO MACHINE, I have not stopped....that's my normal climbing speed.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 12 May, 2015, 12:51:45 pm
Quote from: essexian on 12 May, 2015, 12:48:47 pm
Just brought a Garmin Edge... well I am fed up of printing maps off so thought it would be nice to have a Sat Nav to tell me where I am going.

However, the machine is taking the mickey by turning itself on to pause when I am trying to climb.... NO MACHINE, I have not stopped....that's my normal climbing speed.  :facepalm:

I get that, spent the last climb I did up High Hill Lane accompanied by the constant BEEP BEEP as it went into auto pause and then back out of auto pause.

You can disable it, but the trouble is that it also disables the stop tracking whilst I am in the coffee shop feature and the stop tracking when I reach home feature...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 12 May, 2015, 02:15:41 pm
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 10 May, 2015, 01:57:11 pm
Having just sat on my glasses, again, after putting them somewhere obvious so I wouldn't sit on them, I now realise why I need varifocals. The ones I'm now having to use are at least four years old and not varifocal. If there's a silver lining, it's that a visit to Specsavers was on the cards...

If you are not particularly fashion concious why not try the bendable metal frames?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 12 May, 2015, 02:51:18 pm
Quote from: Canardly on 12 May, 2015, 02:15:41 pm
If you are not particularly fashion concious why not try the bendable metal frames?

Oi!  I have a pair of them in Ti and thus they are nearly as cool as bobb's hair.  Except that after having them expensively retrofitted with varifocal lenses my distance vision improved to the extent that I no longer need the wretched things :-\
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 12 May, 2015, 04:37:33 pm
Why do non-cycling family members (i.e. all of them except yrs trly) expect me to be able to say if I'll be free on a given day two weeks hence?  Don't they know it depends on the weather?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 12 May, 2015, 04:45:03 pm
Quote from: T42 on 12 May, 2015, 04:37:33 pm
Why do non-cycling family members (i.e. all of them except yrs trly) expect me to be able to say if I'll be free on a given day two weeks hence?  Don't they know it depends on the weather?

The same reason they say "Why don't you go out on the bike today?" when it's pissing it down, blowing a gale and/or hailstoning.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 12 May, 2015, 04:51:23 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 12 May, 2015, 02:51:18 pm
Quote from: Canardly on 12 May, 2015, 02:15:41 pm
If you are not particularly fashion concious why not try the bendable metal frames?

Oi!  I have a pair of them in Ti and thus they are nearly as cool as bobb's hair.  Except that after having them expensively retrofitted with varifocal lenses my distance vision improved to the extent that I no longer need the wretched things :-\
I think I'll have to go for something like that. This is the second pair that have met an early end. I'm more worried about my near vision. I really don't want 2A ***** Road to have post delivered intended for 2B, who is in transition, do I?

Whilst I'm here: medical secretaries: when sending out extremely sensitive letters to your patients, PLEASE ensure that the title of your letter, and the first few lines, cannot be read through the window of the envelope.

Self: stop being so nosy!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rabbit on 12 May, 2015, 05:10:01 pm
I'm actually having to work for a living today and it SUCKS
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 12 May, 2015, 06:02:16 pm
There are some local medical secretaries who have handwriting with a silly "a" which looks like a 2 so instead of the letter going correctly to 1A XXX road which is a GP, it's coming to us at 12 XXX road... I have APPALLING handwriting but I do my best to make my letters unambiguous or better still print a bloody address sticker.

I have opened one misdelivered letter accidentally cos I have had letters to/for me addressed by name to my GP before cos they and I both get copies so it's plausible it's mine... 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 12 May, 2015, 06:34:37 pm
My bike fell over while it was on the mini workstand the other day, and it turns out that the saddle landed on the trike's power level switch thinger, creating a hole.  It is of course a discontinued BG saddle, so I expect the replacement process to be painful and quite probably expensive.  I already know one current model that doesn't really work (I've got that on the Brompton, as it's fine for short rides).

Also, the chain replacement that caused it to be on the workstand in the first place has now shown up a worn middle chainring, so I need a new one of those too.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 12 May, 2015, 06:55:39 pm
If you're going to cancel a project, it would be much better to do it in advance.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 12 May, 2015, 09:04:14 pm
Next door's fence fell into our garden a fortnight ago. I've been trying on and off to get a hand shifting it as it's heavy (fence post still on one end of panel and there's a fairly big step down from our garden to their's).

So after the chap didn't come round after his dinner for a second time in a row I went and knocked.

Bunch of screaming agro off the lady of the house over the matter. Apparently I'm in the wrong!! How very dare I knock at the exceedingly late hour of half eight!!!! Even though the chap had said he'd knock after his tea at half six. I know they've got young kids but I've given them plenty of chances - I shouldn't even be the one chasing the matter as it's their bloody fence panel. And he's been working nights so it's not their fault he's been too tired.

Still, it's shifted now. She decided she'd do it herself and no she didn't bloody need my help. And then nearly dropped it twice picking it up (in bare feet no less - definitely smart for heavy lifting). What I should have done was let her carry on till she asked for help but I carried one end - I just can't see someone struggling and not help out.

Horrible horrible neighbours. If I didn't hate moving so very much I'd be tempted to get gone. Of course I guess now there's no reason not to go straight to the letting agent over problems (once we work out which one it is) as I can't see things being cordial any longer.

Rude rude rude and I'm all het up. I hate confrontation.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 12 May, 2015, 09:48:54 pm
I'm still tense. I keep thinking of all the replies I should have made and what I should have said instead  :facepalm:

As if any combination of logic and/or volume would have worked.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 12 May, 2015, 10:05:39 pm
Something non-verbal but involving a can of petrol, a box of matches and the Lighthouse Family?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 12 May, 2015, 10:13:24 pm
Very tempting.

I like how I'm worse than Hitler for knocking on their door at that time of evening but it's fine for her to wake us up cursing at the kids at 5am. I'm sure I've recounted that tale before of her calling the middle child a dirty fucking animal for wetting the bed!

Which is another point I should have made.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 12 May, 2015, 11:04:03 pm
Quote from: Ashaman42 on 12 May, 2015, 10:13:24 pm
it's fine for her to wake us up cursing at the kids at 5am.

I don't think we were ever woken by it, and it wasn't at 5am, but in a previous existence I used to find The Specials, Too Much Too Young very therapeutic. *Some* volume, and I *always* felt better by the time they got to "Ain't you heard of contraception?"
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 13 May, 2015, 09:05:35 am
Bank security doodad. Wherefore art thou? I paid a bill before I went away and I know it was right here on my desk. Today? Vamoosed. Nowhere to be found. I even sorted through the pile of paperwork that had mostly given up seeking my attention. Not in there. This means that I've probably absent-mindedly put it somewhere 'safe'. FFS. I hate it when I do that. I should check in the fridge.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 13 May, 2015, 10:38:42 am
Blinking flip, Tossco! Every other time I set up a delivery your bloke is banging on the door 10 minutes early. On my day off, today, here I am well into the slot itching to get out on me bike. Hurry up!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 13 May, 2015, 03:46:24 pm
Oh god, it was in the fridge. This is weird. I put the keys in there quite often too. It's a go-to place for my brain when I switch to auto-pilot. It's been pointed out to me that the only bloody thing I don't put in the fridge is the milk.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 13 May, 2015, 05:33:45 pm
If you have bloody milk then putting it in the fridge is indeed a bad idea. Down the drain might be a better option.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 13 May, 2015, 05:59:03 pm
With its high nitrogen content, the compost bin would be much better.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 13 May, 2015, 08:57:18 pm
Whilst neighbours are the in-topic: next-door, you've been in all day and it has been a very pleasant one too weatherwise. Why then, do you leave it until nigh on 9pm to cut your lawn with a noisy electric mower. Fuck off and move!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 13 May, 2015, 09:05:06 pm
Agent Orange FTW...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 13 May, 2015, 09:10:49 pm
Nah, either a flamethrower or a scythe.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 16 May, 2015, 02:21:12 pm
Just for a change the Overground from the London Borough of Here Be Dragons to Highbury & Islington is working normally today while my end of the Victoria Line is not.  Replacement bus to Seven Sisters.  Arse.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 16 May, 2015, 06:26:12 pm
My ankle hurts.  This is because it objected to me kicking in a Silly Sustrans Gate™ while wearing cycling shoes on Wednesday.  It also objected to me riding an audax today.  And now the knee has come out in sympathy.

Hayfever can sod off too.  Especially when delivered by means of a headwind.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 23 May, 2015, 06:48:59 pm
I haz teh cold. I seem to be going through a 'membranes feel totally dried out yet sense of smell heightened' phase.
Someone on the street has fired up a Barbie (god knows why, it's minging out there).
Smells like everything in Pingu towers is made of BBQ smoke and it's eating through my upper palate with a wire brush. Nice.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 24 May, 2015, 07:04:25 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 23 May, 2015, 06:48:59 pm
I haz teh cold. I seem to be going through a 'membranes feel totally dried out yet sense of smell heightened' phase.

I bet tomato ketchup currently smells disgusting, doesn't it?

This seems to be a reliable indicator of low-level lurgy for me:  If I'm feeling a bit under the weather, and fail the ketchup test, it's probably going to get worse.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 24 May, 2015, 07:26:16 pm
The only thing I have tomato ketchup on is cheese on toast, not had any of that recently. Today's sandwich smelled quite strong though, like i'd stuck the filling up my nostrils.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 24 May, 2015, 08:35:19 pm
Mrs Cudzo was walking to work the other day when a seagull shat on her. Or at her. It missed her but hit her bag. "That's for good luck," I told her. And so today a bird pooed on my shoulder! Not a seagull, thankfully — i didn't see the avian defecator, but I don't think seagulls have taken to perching in trees.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 24 May, 2015, 08:59:09 pm
I got shat on by some unseen avian on the last Tamworth audax.  Luckily it hit bare skin on my arm, which was easily washed (see threads passim about why it's always good to carry some plain water).

Interestingly, that's the third time in my life that I've been pooed on by a bird.  It's always hit my right arm.   ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 24 May, 2015, 09:10:19 pm
It was my right shoulder... but my wife's bag was on her left.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 24 May, 2015, 10:12:28 pm
Our vice-principal at school, a dignified gent of severe mien who looked rather like the actor Mark Strong, was fond of teaching by an open side-hung window with an elbow leaning on top of the fixed lower pane.  One day he was rabbiting on about the Test Act when a bird, which must have been large, dropped a heroic splat on the far side of the open pane, right by his eye. Exit dignity.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 25 May, 2015, 07:53:33 pm
Some oik-scrote nicked my rear light while I was in Aldi this morning.  Git!  Just vandalism really, as they just pulled off the cover battery unit  bit.
My fault I spose.  I'm getting lax and don't bother with London standard security in Brum.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 26 May, 2015, 08:38:10 pm
There was a problem that I've been wanting to solve all of last week but was told to ignore. That problem blew up today, making our firm and myself look unprepared. Running around like a mad thing for most of today and staying on site until after 19:00 means some of the problem gets fixed but I'm not going to get home till close to midnight with an extra-special bus substitution.

I really wanted something easier to deal with today.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 27 May, 2015, 03:36:11 pm
Telefuckingmarketers! Die!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 27 May, 2015, 04:37:39 pm
Argos at the Leamington retail park: You knew there was a problem with your customer payment terminals, as you told me as much. My card was declined and I was more or less the only punter in the shop this morning, so it's likely you knew I was having difficulties, but did nothing. Had you taken the trouble to put a notice on the terminals informing me of the issue I wouldn't have wasted my time calling the bank from your car park. And Ian, you're the manager, so manage the situation rather than act with an air of utter disdain. Twat.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 27 May, 2015, 05:57:53 pm
Quote from: T42 on 27 May, 2015, 03:36:11 pm
Telefuckingmarketers! Die!

+1
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 27 May, 2015, 06:06:31 pm
Quote from: Basil on 25 May, 2015, 07:53:33 pm
Some oik-scrote nicked my rear light while I was in Aldi this morning.  Git!  Just vandalism really, as they just pulled off the cover battery unit  bit.
My fault I spose.  I'm getting lax and don't bother with London standard security in Brum.
Basil, if that's your Phaart light on the Dawes, I have one without a mount, so you're welcome to it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 27 May, 2015, 07:01:03 pm
Do my ears need steam-cleaning or did television's Tomasz Schafernaker really just describe today's weather as "amazeballs" ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 27 May, 2015, 07:05:17 pm
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 27 May, 2015, 06:06:31 pm
Quote from: Basil on 25 May, 2015, 07:53:33 pm
Some oik-scrote nicked my rear light while I was in Aldi this morning.  Git!  Just vandalism really, as they just pulled off the cover battery unit  bit.
My fault I spose.  I'm getting lax and don't bother with London standard security in Brum.
Basil, if that's your Phaart light on the Dawes, I have one without a mount, so you're welcome to it.

Thanks AWL.  See response to your pm.

You is an good egg.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 27 May, 2015, 09:43:26 pm
I think there might be a leak under my bath   :-\
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 27 May, 2015, 10:06:01 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 27 May, 2015, 07:01:03 pm
Do my ears need steam-cleaning or did television's Tomasz Schafernaker really just describe today's weather as "amazeballs" ???
If he did, he's a fuckwit, cos it's been cold and rainy.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 28 May, 2015, 12:12:51 pm
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 27 May, 2015, 10:06:01 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 27 May, 2015, 07:01:03 pm
Do my ears need steam-cleaning or did television's Tomasz Schafernaker really just describe today's weather as "amazeballs" ???
If he did, he's a fuckwit, cos it's been cold and rainy.

Serves you right for living in narwhal territory :smug:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 28 May, 2015, 12:25:21 pm
I think one just swam past the window.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 28 May, 2015, 12:57:11 pm
Me stroling through the ped area under Five Ways.
Oik on BSO from behind, "What where you're ******* going"
Me: I was watching where I was going.  I wasn't watching where you were going - that's your job"
Oik: "******* ****!"
Me. "OK"
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 31 May, 2015, 10:29:54 am
I planned to ride on Saturday, but needed stuff I'd left chez Mr Smith. So I entered a ride for today and now I can't ride because my back is fecking agony.
I want my youth back. Or maybe just my youthful back back would do.
Pah.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 31 May, 2015, 10:40:28 pm
It seems that King Dick, manufacturers of sniggerworthy tools since Adam was a boy, based in Birmingham and having a union flag on the mast head of their web site, refer to this:

(http://www.kingdicktools.co.uk/content/product/20_1_m.jpg)

as a wrench.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 31 May, 2015, 11:56:20 pm
Quote from: Kim on 24 May, 2015, 08:59:09 pm
...Interestingly, that's the third time in my life that I've been pooed on by a bird.  It's always hit my right arm.   ???

If you were in the southern hemisphere it would've been your left arm.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 01 June, 2015, 12:00:40 am
Had my first spam phone call on my mobile damn it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 01 June, 2015, 12:07:32 am
Quote from: Tim Hall on 31 May, 2015, 10:40:28 pm
It seems that King Dick, manufacturers of sniggerworthy tools since Adam was a boy, based in Birmingham and having a union flag on the mast head of their web site, refer to this:

(http://www.kingdicktools.co.uk/content/product/20_1_m.jpg)

as a wrench.

That is Desperanto isn't it?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Paul on 01 June, 2015, 12:21:55 am
Quote from: Tim Hall on 31 May, 2015, 10:40:28 pm
It seems that King Dick, manufacturers of sniggerworthy tools since Adam was a boy, based in Birmingham and having a union flag on the mast head of their web site, refer to this:

(http://www.kingdicktools.co.uk/content/product/20_1_m.jpg)

as a wrench.

In which case it's time to plenish up the vittles in the underground shelter, dust off the 12 gauge and assess the wimmin-folk for breeding, cos surface-dwellin is over for the foreseeable!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 01 June, 2015, 08:25:19 am
Quote from: Tim Hall on 31 May, 2015, 10:40:28 pm
It seems that King Dick, manufacturers of sniggerworthy tools since Adam was a boy, based in Birmingham and having a union flag on the mast head of their web site, refer to this:

(http://www.kingdicktools.co.uk/content/product/20_1_m.jpg)

as a wrench.

And the problem is?

[checks passport against current country of residence]

IS OUTRAGE!  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 01 June, 2015, 09:42:31 am
Got to spend the morning ferreting out the Inlaw Paw's bank & UK pension statements so that I can do his tax return.

Shit, I have to do mine as well.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 01 June, 2015, 09:57:02 am
Quote from: Tim Hall on 31 May, 2015, 10:40:28 pm
It seems that King Dick, manufacturers of sniggerworthy tools since Adam was a boy, based in Birmingham and having a union flag on the mast head of their web site, refer to this:

(http://www.kingdicktools.co.uk/content/product/20_1_m.jpg)

as a wrench.
I'd always assumed they were USAnian. Perhaps I knew they made wrenches, not spanners. I certainly didn't know they were based in Birmingham (not the one where they love the governor, I presume?)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 01 June, 2015, 10:01:20 am
"Proudly made in Birmingham since 1856 ..."

http://www.kingdicktools.co.uk/ (http://www.kingdicktools.co.uk/)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 01 June, 2015, 10:12:40 am
I expect that spanner is a far more modern word than wrench. That wr- prefix is common to many words connected with twisting; wrist, write, wring.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 01 June, 2015, 01:25:33 pm
I think it's an intimation of things to come.  Most of the country is planning to join Scotland to go for Independence.  But nobody wanted Birmingham, so it was annexed by Alabama in an administrative errol.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 01 June, 2015, 02:25:04 pm
An administrative Errol Flynn or Errol Brown?
 :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 01 June, 2015, 02:57:34 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 01 June, 2015, 02:25:04 pm
An administrative Errol Flynn or Errol Brown?
 :D

(https://eoghanlyng.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/paul-barber.jpg)

While looking for that I discovered the existence of an Errol de Ponce on LinkedIn.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 01 June, 2015, 03:09:36 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 01 June, 2015, 09:57:02 am
I'd always assumed they were USAnian. Perhaps I knew they made wrenches, not spanners. I certainly didn't know they were based in Birmingham (not the one where they love the governor, I presume?)
The factory used to be right by Tyseley Station, so I'd pass it every working day and two minutes later I'd be in Acock's Green. Finbarr Saunders would've been on the floor by then.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 01 June, 2015, 06:58:33 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 01 June, 2015, 02:25:04 pm
Errol in Perthshire which incidentally has a pole with a unicorn on it in the village square.
An administrative Errol Flynn or Errol Brown?
 :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 01 June, 2015, 07:34:20 pm
The train's buffet thingy is closed (at 19:00!), so no chance to eat for a couple more hours and lunch got skipped due to work.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 01 June, 2015, 09:36:22 pm
New back wheel gone coggly on first ride. Back to LBS tomorrow for second time. Reckon it's a lemon.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pedaldog. on 02 June, 2015, 12:51:08 am
I spent ELEVEN HOURS sitting in a car on Monday and had less than 1.5 litres of coffee to get me through the day!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 02 June, 2015, 02:32:41 pm
Oi, snails! I put my spuds and sunflowers up on the balcony to avoid you. How dare you either climb up or emerge from my well rotted compost to gorge on said flora. Did you hear that crunching sound? No? Ah, that would be me getting my revenge.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 02 June, 2015, 03:05:54 pm
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 02 June, 2015, 02:32:41 pm
Did you hear that crunching sound? No. Ah, that would be me getting my revenge.
(http://static.fjcdn.com/pictures/Haha_083ace_835206.jpg)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: bumper on 02 June, 2015, 05:08:09 pm
XTR bottom brackets are wank

They look lovely and tiny and black. The cups install easily  :thumbsup:

they are narrower than a normal ht2 cup, I've had to remove the feckers and install 1mm spacers to fill the gap. although they are 24mm axle, my chainset has had to thumped through the bastards to get the axle to fit >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 04 June, 2015, 10:12:22 am
Idiot me

I bought a wire cup for my angle grinder. The note on the outside said 'not for 115 or 125mm angle grinders'. I looked at it and reckoned it would fit on my grinder (125mm). Fitted it to grinder. Powered up, tried it. Blimey that's a bit hard to control. THEN noticed the text stamped into the top of the wire cup "MAX RPM 8500"

My grinder is 11000rpm.

Bollocks.

anyone want a wire cup for a big angle grinder? Max rpm 8500
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 04 June, 2015, 11:30:24 am
Dear dog walkers - our nice quiet pavement-less country lane is not your private dog toilet!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 04 June, 2015, 11:32:23 am
And dear HR persons - no, it isn't alright to block book meeting rooms for weeks at a time and leave them substantially empty "in case we need to make private calls or do interviews". You have your own bloody room, replete with comfy (if off-puttingly acid green) sofas in for that purpose.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 04 June, 2015, 11:58:54 am
Quote from: rafletcher on 04 June, 2015, 11:30:24 am
Dear dog walkers - our nice quiet pavement-less country lane is not your private dog toilet!

No, that would be the pavement on my street  >:(

It must be a dog toilet because it's certainly not fit to walk down  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jasmine on 04 June, 2015, 12:18:58 pm
Why is it so hard to find an NHS dentist?  :'( 

All I want is to be able to get my teeth pain free without needing to take out a bloody mortgage  :'( :'(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 04 June, 2015, 12:35:37 pm
Quote from: Jasmine on 04 June, 2015, 12:18:58 pm
Why is it so hard to find an NHS dentist?  :'( 

They're surprisingly prolific around here, and completely absent in other places.  I'm not sure what governs this.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 04 June, 2015, 01:35:01 pm
Me!  Stop dicking around with Calibre and get up that bloody ladder >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 04 June, 2015, 04:05:15 pm
Just remember Rod Hull. That's possibly what he said...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 04 June, 2015, 06:02:55 pm
Quote from: Kim on 04 June, 2015, 12:35:37 pm
Quote from: Jasmine on 04 June, 2015, 12:18:58 pm
Why is it so hard to find an NHS dentist?  :'( 

They're surprisingly prolific around here, and completely absent in other places.  I'm not sure what governs this.

Big conurbations, I think. Lots of 'em in London too.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 04 June, 2015, 06:06:14 pm
You know when you get the framed pictures up and just need to get them all nice and level and lined up and then one of them falls off the wall and drops ten feet onto a hard wooden floor, bouncing off your head on the way down, before falling down a flight of stairs and smashing itself to bits on the hall floor?

Like that, only taking two other pictures with it in the process.

Arse >:( >:( >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jasmine on 05 June, 2015, 09:41:03 am
Quote from: jsabine on 04 June, 2015, 06:02:55 pm
Quote from: Kim on 04 June, 2015, 12:35:37 pm
Quote from: Jasmine on 04 June, 2015, 12:18:58 pm
Why is it so hard to find an NHS dentist?  :'( 

They're surprisingly prolific around here, and completely absent in other places.  I'm not sure what governs this.

Big conurbations, I think. Lots of 'em in London too.

I think being in Wales is a major factor - free prescriptions, but no bloody NHS dentists.  It's not lack of actual dentists though, as there's about 10 within 5 miles of my house, but none of them take NHS patients at all (1 might take under 16s I think).  I've been on a waiting list for a practice 15 miles away for 8 months.  It wouldn't be so bad if the price differential didn't mean putting off having work done until it's agonsingly painful in the hope you'll reach the end of the waiting list (root canal is £42 NHS, £550+ private).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 05 June, 2015, 09:47:18 am
It's over £50 for the NHS one now, but yes it's a massive difference. You have reminded me I need to book a checkup with my dentist soon. :-\
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 05 June, 2015, 10:12:27 am
I think if it's an emergency they have to see you.
The other week with mine I got a same day NHS appointment from a private dentist (till they discovered I was registered with a dentist 30 miles away). I had to ring the PCT, I think. Can't remember- I was distracted by pain.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jasmine on 05 June, 2015, 10:45:24 am
The emergency dentist only needs to make it safe, not actually fix it.  The emergency fix was to drill it out partially and put stuff in to prevent it getting infected.  The next emergency fix is to remove it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: HTFB on 05 June, 2015, 05:08:30 pm
Our cat is happy having lots of flies to chase. I saw the bin-men on Monday, but it appears they just looked in the bin with the dead fox in it, rather than actually emptying it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 05 June, 2015, 06:43:24 pm
Quote from: Kim on 04 June, 2015, 12:35:37 pm
Quote from: Jasmine on 04 June, 2015, 12:18:58 pm
Why is it so hard to find an NHS dentist?  :'( 

They're surprisingly prolific around here, and completely absent in other places.  I'm not sure what governs this.
The efficiency of the free market.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wowbagger on 05 June, 2015, 06:51:15 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 04 June, 2015, 06:06:14 pm
You know when you get the framed pictures up and just need to get them all nice and level and lined up and then one of them falls off the wall and drops ten feet onto a hard wooden floor, bouncing off your head on the way down, before falling down a flight of stairs and smashing itself to bits on the hall floor?

Like that, only taking two other pictures with it in the process.

Arse >:( >:( >:(

You are Great Uncle Podger AICM£5
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 06 June, 2015, 07:26:15 am
French mosquitoes & other flying bitey things, FOAD!

I've got bites on my arse!  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 06 June, 2015, 12:52:05 pm
They like FOREIGN food, yer bitey things.  I used to get bitten by German insects while BRITISH were far more likely to snack on Miss von Brandenburg.  Some twenty summers back we were in the Nether Lands on a campsite well below sea level and with water on three sides.  Four of the local mossies could pull a carriage and the spiders were the size of light aircraft.

Every mossie within a day's buzz of Lelystad et my grate frend gNick.  His back looked like a side of beef :sick:

Anyone know what they're like in British Columbia in September?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 06 June, 2015, 01:14:49 pm
Quote from: HTFB on 05 June, 2015, 05:08:30 pm
Our cat is happy having lots of flies to chase. I saw the bin-men on Monday, but it appears they just looked in the bin with the dead fox in it, rather than actually emptying it.
I don't blame them...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Deano on 06 June, 2015, 01:33:28 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 06 June, 2015, 12:52:05 pm
They like FOREIGN food, yer bitey things.  I used to get bitten by German insects while BRITISH were far more likely to snack on Miss von Brandenburg.  Some twenty summers back we were in the Nether Lands on a campsite well below sea level and with water on three sides.  Four of the local mossies could pull a carriage and the spiders were the size of light aircraft.

Every mossie within a day's buzz of Lelystad et my grate frend gNick.  His back looked like a side of beef :sick:

Anyone know what they're like in British Columbia in September?

Never mind the mossies, it's the black flies (https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=canada+black+flies&client=safari&rls=en&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=_-RyVeeyOMG-UtisgKAK&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1593&bih=816) you want to watch out for...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 06 June, 2015, 02:59:24 pm
Quote from: Deano on 06 June, 2015, 01:33:28 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 06 June, 2015, 12:52:05 pm
They like FOREIGN food, yer bitey things.  I used to get bitten by German insects while BRITISH were far more likely to snack on Miss von Brandenburg.  Some twenty summers back we were in the Nether Lands on a campsite well below sea level and with water on three sides.  Four of the local mossies could pull a carriage and the spiders were the size of light aircraft.

Every mossie within a day's buzz of Lelystad et my grate frend gNick.  His back looked like a side of beef :sick:

Anyone know what they're like in British Columbia in September?

Never mind the mossies, it's the black flies (https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=canada+black+flies&client=safari&rls=en&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=_-RyVeeyOMG-UtisgKAK&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1593&bih=816) you want to watch out for...

Arse.  I was very much afraid that someone would say something like that.  I'd rather be hassled by BEARs, or møøse.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: HTFB on 06 June, 2015, 10:35:46 pm
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 06 June, 2015, 01:14:49 pm
Quote from: HTFB on 05 June, 2015, 05:08:30 pm
Our cat is happy having lots of flies to chase. I saw the bin-men on Monday, but it appears they just looked in the bin with the dead fox in it, rather than actually emptying it.
I don't blame them...
Back then it was still fairly fresh, and it's in a tightly-knotted garden sack. The forensic science exhibition at the Wellcome museum explains with repulsive video and a pig's head exactly how this is not sufficient to keep flies out.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Salvatore on 07 June, 2015, 10:02:56 am
Quote from: Deano on 06 June, 2015, 01:33:28 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 06 June, 2015, 12:52:05 pm
They like FOREIGN food, yer bitey things.  I used to get bitten by German insects while BRITISH were far more likely to snack on Miss von Brandenburg.  Some twenty summers back we were in the Nether Lands on a campsite well below sea level and with water on three sides.  Four of the local mossies could pull a carriage and the spiders were the size of light aircraft.

Every mossie within a day's buzz of Lelystad et my grate frend gNick.  His back looked like a side of beef :sick:

Anyone know what they're like in British Columbia in September?

Never mind the mossies, it's the black flies (https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=canada+black+flies&client=safari&rls=en&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=_-RyVeeyOMG-UtisgKAK&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1593&bih=816) you want to watch out for...

If they are the cousins of the black flies at similar forested latitudes in Finland and Russia, then they are very nasty. I couldn't outride them, they'd keep buzzing round me, but at least the Finnish ones waited until I stopped before biting me. The Russian ones just bit me as I rode along, with a special liking for the backs of my hands, biting through my gloves. According to the Tourist Information woman at Övertornea, they also go for reindeers' eyes, thereby blinding them.

Canadian black flies may be completely different of course.



Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 07 June, 2015, 10:09:51 pm
The Internets suggest that I'm not going to be even as far north as Edinburgh...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wowbagger on 08 June, 2015, 07:03:16 am
Most of the large Canadian cities are't as far north as London. British black flies (not to be confuse with blackfry, which are to be found on broad beans) also have a very nasty bite which I think is considerably worse than a mozzie. Fortunately they are feeble fliers and can seldom make it above waist height. Stour trousers tend to keep them out. See also Blandford fly.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 08 June, 2015, 07:47:16 am
Yep. Only two (Edmonton & Calgary) of the ten biggest are as far north as London.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: offcumden on 08 June, 2015, 08:07:20 am
Quote from: Ham on 04 March, 2015, 11:16:29 pm
Quote from: T42 on 04 March, 2015, 09:41:52 pm
Zips. Now there's something to grumble about.  I have a collection of perfectly good jerseys with buggered zips, and having them replaced costs as much as a new one.

This:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-41923-400mm-Silicone-Lubricant/dp/B000TOFOSU/ref=pd_sxp_grid_i_0_0

For zip fixing magic. Best used before you rip the thing to shreds out of frustration.

Just seen this.  Does it work on bike chains?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 08 June, 2015, 09:13:16 am
Quote from: Wowbagger on 08 June, 2015, 07:03:16 am
Most of the large Canadian cities are't as far north as London. British black flies (not to be confuse with blackfry, which are to be found on broad beans) also have a very nasty bite which I think is considerably worse than a mozzie. Fortunately they are feeble fliers and can seldom make it above waist height. Stour trousers tend to keep them out. See also Blandford fly.

Indeed, you have to get further north, but if you do, they're the same bitey buggers. See also Greenland and Alaska.

Blandford flies are my nemesis. Despite not being anywhere near Blandford, our garden in SE London had them. I still have a couple of nasty scars. One bite swelled up like a egg and started to pulsate. A reaction my doctor classed, with considerable sang froid, as 'rather spectacular' before prescribing a far and extension selection of the British pharmacopoeia and backing slowly away. No bites in Surrey yet, probably the bears scare them off.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 08 June, 2015, 06:16:24 pm
Wil whatever it is that has been making me feel all sick and wobbly today plz to be fucking right off?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 08 June, 2015, 07:03:46 pm
Green stuff: Stop copulating.  Lungs: Sort yourselves out.

Harumph.  *wheeze*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 08 June, 2015, 07:07:21 pm
Quote from: T42 on 27 May, 2015, 03:36:11 pm
Telefuckingmarketers! Die!

THIS. In spades . . .

Meanwhile in other news . . .

Self. You utter dickhead. When attempting to prune a lilac tree, what in the name of sweet baby cheeses possessed you to use a bow saw?
Further, why weren't you wearing gloves?
Further(II), why, when using said bow saw, did you hold the branch immediately adjacent the cut?
Further(III), why, when the saw stuck in the cut did you give an almighty shove which resulted in a large cut across your thumbnail?

Feck! It hurts to fit 23mm tyres today. . .
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 09 June, 2015, 08:20:36 am
Quote from: Torslanda on 08 June, 2015, 07:07:21 pm
Quote from: T42 on 27 May, 2015, 03:36:11 pm
Telefuckingmarketers! Die!

THIS. In spades . . .

Meanwhile in other news . . .

Self. You utter dickhead. When attempting to prune a lilac tree, what in the name of sweet baby cheeses possessed you to use a bow saw?
Further, why weren't you wearing gloves?
Further(II), why, when using said bow saw, did you hold the branch immediately adjacent the cut?
Further(III), why, when the saw stuck in the cut did you give an almighty shove which resulted in a large cut across your thumbnail?

Feck! It hurts to fit 23mm tyres today. . .

Uergh! Been there, done that, God, it bloody hurts....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: PhilO on 09 June, 2015, 01:09:19 pm
Recent telephone call: 

Some bloke 'phoned, introduced himself (christian name only, I noticed) and then proceeded to explain how I could have my telephone line settings changed to eliminate cold-calls. Which sounded pretty good, I admit. Then he started on the 'this would normally cost £4/month but we're offering it for £1.99' line, so I stopped him and asked if he was calling from my line provider. The conversation then went something like:

"Yes, I'm calling from [Company I've never heard of]."
"So, what you're saying is that you've cold-called me in order to try and sell an anti-cold-calling service?"
"Er... I suppose you could say..."
"Goodbye"

 ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 11 June, 2015, 01:33:27 pm
I feel sick and dizzy. A bloke has come in to give cow-orker extra tuition on some app she's using, and he's wearing a blue-and-cream paisley pattern shirt and a red-and-green paisley pattern tie! :sick:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 11 June, 2015, 03:18:40 pm
Sainsbury's, not only are your disposable lighters expensive (£1.65 for three), they're also shit.  Note to self: go to Poundland next time you're in the High Street.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ham on 12 June, 2015, 11:11:25 am
Quote from: offcumden on 08 June, 2015, 08:07:20 am
Quote from: Ham on 04 March, 2015, 11:16:29 pm
Quote from: T42 on 04 March, 2015, 09:41:52 pm
Zips. Now there's something to grumble about.  I have a collection of perfectly good jerseys with buggered zips, and having them replaced costs as much as a new one.

This:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-41923-400mm-Silicone-Lubricant/dp/B000TOFOSU/ref=pd_sxp_grid_i_0_0

For zip fixing magic. Best used before you rip the thing to shreds out of frustration.

Just seen this.  Does it work on bike chains?

Well, yes it does lubricate quickly, and no it is not something you would ever use as it has no staying power.

It doesn't have any long term lubrication value for metal in the same way it does for plastic. Uses include: Spray on zips, curtain rails for instant fix, spray on gutter or other tight silicone joints to fit them together easily, shower door runners, plastic hinged joints, the list carries on. Everyone should have a can (it doesn't mark or stain fabric, btw)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 12 June, 2015, 11:22:04 am
WTF are those useless workshy twat builders doing over the road?  They've been building those flats for more than a year and have now fired up a pneumatic drill, sounding for all the world as though they're going to spend another twelve months knocking the place down again.

Bah >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 12 June, 2015, 11:36:03 am
I'm singing tonight at a charity do. It would have been nice if my hayfever hadn't kicked in this morning :rolleyes:

I'm sure all the dust being kicked up by our big office move today isn't helping either.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 12 June, 2015, 11:46:42 am
Re zips: try rubbing end of household candle along length of zip from time to time.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 12 June, 2015, 01:54:04 pm
Quote from: Canardly on 12 June, 2015, 11:46:42 am
Re zips: try rubbing end of household candle along length of zip from time to time.

Or a pencil not-lead
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 12 June, 2015, 02:11:35 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 12 June, 2015, 11:22:04 am
WTF are those useless workshy twat builders doing over the road?  They've been building those flats for more than a year and have now fired up a pneumatic drill, sounding for all the world as though they're going to spend another twelve months knocking the place down again.

Bah >:(

There isn't a safety deposit box emporium in the vicinity is there?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 12 June, 2015, 02:12:24 pm
Dear cat: putting your claws away and using soft paws occasionally doesn't make you any less of a man.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 12 June, 2015, 05:33:19 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 12 June, 2015, 11:22:04 am
WTF are those useless workshy twat builders doing over the road?  They've been building those flats for more than a year and have now fired up a pneumatic drill, sounding for all the world as though they're going to spend another twelve months knocking the place down again.

Bah >:(
Only a year? There are some flats being built down the road from me and it's taken over a year to dig the foundations and concrete them. Just further down the road again is a house which was bare earth in January and is now finished.

There are three types of builders: builders who build, builders who demolish and builders who sleep.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 12 June, 2015, 06:02:05 pm
Thermostat. Aircon. Orquers de vasche.

Bah.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: offcumden on 12 June, 2015, 06:50:02 pm
Thanks for the zippy advice, folks. 

Silicon lube sounds useful; I'll get hold of a can to use on zips, curtain rails etc., but will stick with my usual stuff for bike chains! 

As for being grumpy: sat in a queue of cars leaving the theatre car park last night.  Why the **** don't people use their handbrakes?  Being dazzled by modern high-intensity brake lights brings out my homicidal tendencies. Glad I don't commute by car, especially in dark winter weather.  Brake light rage - grrrr!!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jakob W on 12 June, 2015, 07:10:13 pm
Bah - bike has developed a once-per-rev click through the pedals and there is orange all around the BB. Guess this means either a trip to the LBS or the acquisition of some tools and a chance to bugger it up myself, neither of which I can really afford right now  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 14 June, 2015, 11:01:40 am
Bother!  Earache, sore throat, chesty cough, tiredness and (slightly) restricted breathing ability.  It's June; in fact it's damn near the middle of June. How the merry hell can I have my winter cold in June?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SandyV on 14 June, 2015, 01:05:53 pm
Quote from: TheLurker on 14 June, 2015, 11:01:40 am
Bother!  Earache, sore throat, chesty cough, tiredness and (slightly) restricted breathing ability.  It's June; in fact it's damn near the middle of June. How the merry hell can I have my winter cold in June?

It's winter here - maybe you're just in the wrong place?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 14 June, 2015, 01:44:12 pm
Hmm BBC Sport or rather BBC Football with some highlight of crickets and random little bits of rugby thrown in while we ignore everything else sport page.

I got a few friends who goes to Le Mans every year as friends of theirs live spitting distance away. So I see a lot of post from their weekend there on Farcebook. There is even a thread on here about it. Therefore I got curious today. Nothing zip nada on the front page, nothing zip nana on the motor sport section/page. Even when I searched for Le Mans I got results from 2004 as the top results.

I got a friend who have been over in Azerbaijan building/constructing the opening stage show for the 2015 European games. Therefore I got curious and wanted to know what that was all about. Nothing zip nada, well I did get some on the News section about demonstrators some weeks ago. The Beep is happy to show you everything about the Glasgow Games in 2014.

While we are at it, I really don't give a hoot about football, but I did hear that there is a world cup going on in Canada atm. According to BBC sport naaa not really.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 14 June, 2015, 04:19:14 pm
Printer (or driver). There are other apps on my PC than Adobe Fucking Acrobat Reader... Kindly print from them.

Also, I just tried printing FROM Adobe Pissing Reader and you still won't work "processing" you say for 10+ minutes...

I'd defenestrate you or bash you to deth with hammers except Kim would be annoyed.  I shall ask her nicely to kindly SORT IT so I don't kill it.

Step and Kill Hospital - why don't your information governance use EMAIL like the 21st century?  I'm NOT phoning you, and I am not giving you a phone number so if you claim 'security' as reason not to communicate I'll Equality Act you into hell ummkay?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 14 June, 2015, 04:57:54 pm
Quote from: woollypigs on 14 June, 2015, 01:44:12 pm
Hmm BBC Sport or rather BBC Football with some highlight of crickets and random little bits of rugby thrown in while we ignore everything else sport page.

I got a few friends who goes to Le Mans every year as friends of theirs live spitting distance away. So I see a lot of post from their weekend there on Farcebook. There is even a thread on here about it. Therefore I got curious today. Nothing zip nada on the front page, nothing zip nana on the motor sport section/page. Even when I searched for Le Mans I got results from 2004 as the top results.

I got a friend who have been over in Azerbaijan building/constructing the opening stage show for the 2015 European games. Therefore I got curious and wanted to know what that was all about. Nothing zip nada, well I did get some on the News section about demonstrators some weeks ago. The Beep is happy to show you everything about the Glasgow Games in 2014.

While we are at it, I really don't give a hoot about football, but I did hear that there is a world cup going on in Canada atm. According to BBC sport naaa not really.

The BBC standard operating procedure seems to be that if they don't broadcast it, they won't report it on text or website, or if they do so on the latter, it won't ever get on the sports site front page unless something exceptional happens.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 14 June, 2015, 08:09:30 pm
Bah  >:(. My faithful Sea to Summit collapsible cup is starting to split at the rim . Hopefully it will last for this trip but I'll have to replace it when I get home.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 14 June, 2015, 08:49:06 pm
Best mate: I realised on Friday that organisation really isn't your forte - though I knew that already. All you had to do was write down the B&B's number so we could call and get let in on arrival. You called and called, no answer. We spent the next 90 minutes twiddling our thumbs until I checked the number online. You'd got it wrong and they answered right away and we got straight in. That 90 minutes meant we didn't get to meet up with folk I'd pre-arranged things with and we ended up eating in a poncy restaurant where a fish finger sandwich cost nearly a tenner. Things like that happen rather too often and it's quite hard to laugh them off when it has an impact like that. You're a great bloke, but no more organisation for you!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 15 June, 2015, 11:45:50 am
Big trucks. I presume someone is building a house or some-such on the street behind ours which means several big dumper trucks, scaffolding lorries etc. attempting to navigate a steep hill, narrow road, and tight t-junction with parked cars on it (it's a private lane with no double yellows, and their parking is on the junction itself). With the usual hilarity (and running over our verge in the process). I know the vehicles need to get up there, but they're just too big. Hence several times this morning, the annoying beep-beep as they try and align themselves to get around the corner, wheel spins because they're unloaded and the hill is that steep, and then reverse what must be a good 300 metres to their destination (they're going to clunk someone's car back there, if they haven't already). I should go up there and see what they're actually doing. Oh the pile of stones and crap they leave behind, and branches from overhanging trees etc.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 15 June, 2015, 01:59:01 pm
My new bike arrived at 1100 today. It looks quite smart. Unfortunately, I wasn't expecting it to arrive today so didn't bring a pump. I cannot believe that nobody in this HQ has got a pump! I'm going to have to sprint* home and walk back then. That'll delay my tea-time.



*For a given value of "sprint". I'm on the folder and that's so under-geared my legs spin out at about 9mph
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 17 June, 2015, 03:31:47 pm
I know by being sneaky I deserve to be caught out but come on where the hell are you courier???!!!

I ordered a new set of wheels (well they were 40% off) on Monday so that they would be delivered today while my considerably better half is off with her aged mother. I thought, I could get them into the garage and onto the bike before she came home so she would never notice.

Its now 3.30pm and she is expected back in half an hour. If the courier doesn't get his finger out I am going to get caught and buying her forgiveness will be expensive!!!!

And yes, I deserve all I get.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 18 June, 2015, 07:38:20 pm
Self: Before ordering parts for the new build, check that you actually need them! They weren't exactly expensive, but for what they are they're extortionate.

1) The under BB cable guide wasn't needed, because the cables could be routed via the top tube. That's what the braze-ons were for.

2) That bit of 'packing' included with the front derailleur was actually a shim to allow a 34.9 clamp to fit your bike. Fits perfectly, too.

The cost wasn't high, but waiting for the bits I didn't need cost two days. I could've finished things on my days off earlier in the week. Ho hum...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 18 June, 2015, 09:45:42 pm
On crap!  I've just noticed that my debit card is not in my wallet.  I last used it at lunch time today.  About 8 hours ago!
Panic phone call to the number.  No, there has been no activity since I spent £% at %shop at %time. Phew.
So I'm now cardless and it will probably be Tuesday before I get a replacement. 
Bugger!
That means going to a bank tomorrow and using a cheque to get some cash.  I've no idea after all these years what I'm supposed to write on the cheque.  I guess that it isn't moi-même which is what I remember from the late 70s.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 18 June, 2015, 09:56:48 pm
They should tell you at the back (i.e. don't fill it out in advance).   Be sure to take somememe ID as well, like a passport.  Can't remember if I was asked for proof of address last time I did similar, but taking a recent bank statement with you as well couldn't hurt.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 18 June, 2015, 09:57:29 pm
I don't know about cheques either, but I'm sure putting a sock  over your face before entering a bank isn't a good idea.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 18 June, 2015, 10:12:21 pm
Quote from: woollypigs on 18 June, 2015, 09:57:29 pm
I don't know about cheques either, but I'm sure putting a sock  over your face before entering a bank isn't a good idea.

 ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 19 June, 2015, 09:22:03 am
Grr, this morning is going well.

First I stand on a stray thorn left over from moving garden waste though the house and have to pull it out of my right heel. Then I arrived in the kitchen to find a puddle in front of the fridge-freezer. It seems like the whole thing's stopped cooling (making noises but not doing anything - probably a pumping system issue I'd guess).

The fridge is now being supplimented by a freezer block I kept in the freezer for emergencies, and I've dug my old mini-freezer out to take some of the stuff that wasn't too far gone, but a lot of food is now in the bin. It's picked it's time to die too, as I have a visitor arriving tomorrow. :(

Now waiting for bad thing number 3 ... :-\
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 19 June, 2015, 08:25:12 pm
Ouch! There's a lot of blood in a knuckle. Must sharpen that knife so it actually cuts the onion it's aimed at, not sliding off it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 19 June, 2015, 08:41:06 pm
Ah red onion :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 19 June, 2015, 08:42:47 pm
I am now eating chocolate to replace all the lost iron.  :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 19 June, 2015, 09:18:12 pm
What a coincidence.  I've just cut myself in the kitchen too.  No blunt knife though.  A freshly sharpened one. 
The dabigatran I have to take means it will probably stop bleeding by next Thursday.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 19 June, 2015, 09:36:11 pm
Just for further coincidence, I cut myself on the same knuckle that a dog bit my son on a few days ago. Spooky!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Paul on 19 June, 2015, 11:46:09 pm
Yesterday I opened the same knuckle* by doing the same thing** I was doing 3 years ago when I did it last.

What happens when new scar tissue meets old scar tissue?

(*middle finger, left hand)

(**removing pedal)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 20 June, 2015, 06:43:55 am
Me!  You have been awake for forty-four hours and haven't even ridden a 600 while doing so.  Go to bed, you idiot ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 20 June, 2015, 02:33:04 pm
Quote from: Paul on 19 June, 2015, 11:46:09 pm
(*middle finger, left hand)
That's the one!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 21 June, 2015, 09:44:21 am
So here's me thinking that my new bike is still nice & clean, no need to clean it yet, then I take a torch to peer into a drop-out and all the dust (pollen?) appears, up the stays, seat tube, down tube, bloody everywhere.

Carbon bikes get static-loaded?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 21 June, 2015, 05:39:00 pm
Leave it for a while and see if you get a lovely bunch of flowers or some radishes?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 22 June, 2015, 09:53:34 am
Bloody BBC. Sport.

All they could be bothered with this morning was:

Glof
Tennis
Mens U21 Foopball
Ladies Foopball
Ladies Hockey
F1

What cycling? Oh? Was there any? They only mentioned stage 1 coz Lizzie Armitsteadcrashed and they could show the normal sensible driving public a cyclist crashing, which is, of course, utterly hilarious. >:(

Sometimes the BBCs anti-cycling policy gets me down.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 22 June, 2015, 11:41:12 am
They said that Hannah Barnes won the last stage, and with it best British rider on the radio. No mention of the actual tour winner though
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 22 June, 2015, 12:58:01 pm
The tennis was good though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 22 June, 2015, 02:48:01 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 22 June, 2015, 11:41:12 am
They said that Hannah Barnes won the last stage, and with it best British rider on the radio. No mention of the actual tour winner though

As the race was won by a FOREIGN, her identity is of no consequence ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 22 June, 2015, 03:13:43 pm
The cat ignored me for most of the weekend, then woke me up at 2am because he wanted a cuddle.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 22 June, 2015, 03:40:48 pm
Apropos of
Quote from: Guy on 22 June, 2015, 09:53:34 am
Bloody BBC. Sport.

All they could be bothered with this morning was:

Glof
Tennis
Mens U21 Foopball
Ladies Foopball
Ladies Hockey
F1

What cycling? Oh? Was there any? They only mentioned stage 1 coz Lizzie Armitsteadcrashed and they could show the normal sensible driving public a cyclist crashing, which is, of course, utterly hilarious. >:(

Sometimes the BBCs anti-cycling policy gets me down.

And
Quote from: mcshroom on 22 June, 2015, 11:41:12 am
They said that Hannah Barnes won the last stage, and with it best British rider on the radio. No mention of the actual tour winner though

And
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 22 June, 2015, 02:48:01 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 22 June, 2015, 11:41:12 am
They said that Hannah Barnes won the last stage, and with it best British rider on the radio. No mention of the actual tour winner though

As the race was won by a FOREIGN, her identity is of no consequence ;)

My grumble is that I had to be at Tosco topping up vittals etc. whilst the race was setting off from not 5 minutes walk from my abode :-\
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 22 June, 2015, 04:06:47 pm
'Tis the season of cherries.

I enter kitchen this morning.

Parrot: "Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry."

I give him a cherry.

Parrot: "Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry..." etc.

We enter kitchen at lunchtime.

Parrot: "Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry..." etc.

Then (bloody hell!) he shuts up. Sighs of relief.

Inlaw Paw comes down for lunch.

I.P. "Hello Coco. Want a cherry?"

Parrot: "Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry..."
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 22 June, 2015, 08:01:35 pm
^^^^ I wish to register a complaint! ^^^^
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 22 June, 2015, 08:15:13 pm
Why didn't  someone warn me that Whitehaven  is close on a Monday????

MacD for tea........ well needs must I suppose.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 22 June, 2015, 08:28:30 pm
Where are you in Whitehaven Ian?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 22 June, 2015, 08:47:57 pm
Corkickle.

It's quite a drag out of town with a bike and kit which weighs 40 kg.  Who booked a hotel at the top of a hill......oh that would be me.... doh
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 22 June, 2015, 09:01:39 pm
YHPM
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 22 June, 2015, 09:13:54 pm
Quote from: Torslanda on 22 June, 2015, 08:01:35 pm
^^^^ I wish to register a complaint! ^^^^

I don't think it's notifiable any more.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 22 June, 2015, 10:51:31 pm
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 22 June, 2015, 03:13:43 pm
The cat ignored me for most of the weekend, then woke me up at 2am because he wanted a cuddle.

Well, if you refer to him as "the cat" I'm not surprised.   He realised you had forgotten his name is Pete, and wanted to remind you.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 23 June, 2015, 08:23:47 am
"Hello, bird."

"Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry..."
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: iddu on 23 June, 2015, 11:29:08 am
Quote from: T42 on 23 June, 2015, 08:23:47 am
"Hello, bird."

"Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry. Cherry..."

print'n'stick http://www.brandammo.co.uk/neneh-cherry/... or http://fancytoast.blogspot.co.uk/2007/04/parrot-three-ways.html ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 23 June, 2015, 01:14:25 pm
Both good ideas.  Right now #2 is the more probable.

I've put the plant spray in front of his cage. He knows what that means.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 23 June, 2015, 02:57:44 pm
https://youtu.be/WzYXGn0Q7nk

https://youtu.be/dqEh8OBQfmY

https://youtu.be/Py3qW5HAg8U

https://youtu.be/HYEU91d8ngc

https://youtu.be/JWsRz3TJDEY

https://youtu.be/zHxnm1-gVS4

https://youtu.be/Iu3OLnQvl-g

https://youtu.be/-wUJSDary4Q

https://youtu.be/AK51LblcEOw
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 24 June, 2015, 09:57:32 am
Damn.   Forgot to put the wheelie bin out.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 26 June, 2015, 08:44:54 am
Dear cow-orker - please to not be clipping your nails in the office. Save it for the privacy of your mown living room.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 26 June, 2015, 01:57:27 pm
My plan to recce the route to tomorrow's appointment on the Towpath Bike has been thwarted by my left foot being so swollen than I cannot get me cycling shoes on ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 29 June, 2015, 11:38:49 am
Self: when cutting a brake cable outer to length, first remove the inner cable. Tosser.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 29 June, 2015, 12:42:56 pm
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 29 June, 2015, 11:38:49 am
Self: when cutting a brake cable outer to length, first remove the inner cable. Tosser.

BTDTGTTS  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 29 June, 2015, 12:49:59 pm
Pick up 'universal' inner. Check type of nipple on bike. Find that nipple on cable. Carefully cut wrong end off.

Anyone apart from me done that? Hands up, anyone?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 29 June, 2015, 12:52:13 pm
*waves hands in the air*

We've all done it, eventually. Both cutting the inner while cutting the outer and cutting off the wrong end. Tiredness usually encourages my stupidity.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 29 June, 2015, 02:37:50 pm
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 29 June, 2015, 11:38:49 am
Self: when cutting a brake cable outer to length, first remove the inner cable. Tosser.
Yep.  Not for a long while, but I have done it a few times.

Quote from: mrcharly on 29 June, 2015, 12:49:59 pm
Pick up 'universal' inner. Check type of nipple on bike. Find that nipple on cable. Carefully cut wrong end off.

Anyone apart from me done that? Hands up, anyone?
*hand up, sheepishly* :-[
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 29 June, 2015, 03:46:09 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 26 June, 2015, 08:44:54 am
Dear cow-orker - please to not be clipping your nails in the office. Save it for the privacy of your mown living room.

I do like that M
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 29 June, 2015, 04:24:57 pm
One good thing that came from my stupidity was that it creates a lovely clean cut on the outer cable instead of that bit that snags on the inner sometimes. What I shall do in future when cutting outers is to have a short bit of inner to insert prior to cutting.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 29 June, 2015, 04:28:50 pm
I've heard that before as a tip, but completely forgotten.  Thanks for rediscovering :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 29 June, 2015, 04:36:02 pm
I do that by sorting the outer length first and cutting into the excess inner cable (make sure you pull it back a fair way first so you really are in the excess)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 29 June, 2015, 04:59:10 pm
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 29 June, 2015, 04:24:57 pm
One good thing that came from my stupidity was that it creates a lovely clean cut on the outer cable instead of that bit that snags on the inner sometimes. What I shall do in future when cutting outers is to have a short bit of inner to insert prior to cutting.

 :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 30 June, 2015, 08:18:26 am
The nights are drawing in. Bleh.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 30 June, 2015, 09:00:24 am
My cheap headphones have broken, halfway through Pink Floyd's Welcome to the Machine.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 30 June, 2015, 09:07:55 am
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 29 June, 2015, 11:38:49 am
Self: when cutting a brake cable outer to length, first remove the inner cable. Tosser.

A long practised method of mine is to retain inner cable offcuts for use when cutting housing.   It ensures that you get a much cleaner cut of the housing and don't have to faff flaring out the end again.

 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 30 June, 2015, 01:08:50 pm
Quote from: Polar Bear on 30 June, 2015, 09:07:55 am
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 29 June, 2015, 11:38:49 am
Self: when cutting a brake cable outer to length, first remove the inner cable. Tosser.

A long practised method of mine is to retain inner cable offcuts for use when cutting housing.   It ensures that you get a much cleaner cut of the housing and don't have to faff flaring out the end again.

+1
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 30 June, 2015, 01:09:50 pm
Midge bites.  And horsefly bites.  It turns out I'm covered in the fuckers, and they're all itching like a wossname.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 30 June, 2015, 01:25:14 pm
Quote from: LittleWheelsandBig on 29 June, 2015, 12:52:13 pm
*waves hands in the air*

We've all done it, eventually. Both cutting the inner while cutting the outer and cutting off the wrong end. Tiredness usually encourages my stupidity.

Cutting the inner whilst cutting the outer is not such a bad idea, as long as you colocate the intended cut sites. The presence of the inner helps to prevent deformation of the outer.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 30 June, 2015, 01:45:31 pm
Another tip is to do the rear cable first if you are changing both. Ifyou accidentally cut the inner, it should still be long enough for the front cable.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 30 June, 2015, 03:01:31 pm
Quote from: Polar Bear on 30 June, 2015, 09:07:55 am
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 29 June, 2015, 11:38:49 am
Self: when cutting a brake cable outer to length, first remove the inner cable. Tosser.

A long practised method of mine is to retain inner cable offcuts for use when cutting housing.   It ensures that you get a much cleaner cut of the housing and don't have to faff flaring out the end again.
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 29 June, 2015, 04:24:57 pm
One good thing that came from my stupidity was that it creates a lovely clean cut on the outer cable instead of that bit that snags on the inner sometimes. What I shall do in future when cutting outers is to have a short bit of inner to insert prior to cutting.
Keep up at the back...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 30 June, 2015, 03:09:10 pm
The noisy little bastards have been hammering round the village since mid-morning and will likely go on until after midnight. And there's one little swine who comes home at 4 am.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 30 June, 2015, 03:13:33 pm
Lovely weather for a bike ride this evening, I have a road bike parked downstairs outside my office. My eyes are now already itching and watering because of hayfever. Argh. :(

I'd bet if the guy who 'has' to have his windows open in our air-conditioned, open plan office would actually shut them (it's warmer outside the windows than in), then I wouldn't be in this position >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 30 June, 2015, 03:33:02 pm
I spent 6 weeks of a Californian summer driving round with a similar colleague in a rental with plastic-covered seats.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 30 June, 2015, 03:36:20 pm
I shut them just now when he went for a coffee. He hasn't noticed yet.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 30 June, 2015, 03:38:22 pm
Quote from: T42 on 30 June, 2015, 03:33:02 pm
I spent 6 weeks of a Californian summer driving round with a similar colleague in a rental with plastic-covered seats.
The mention of plastic seats brings back the pain of sweaty legs in shorts sticking to the vinyl seats of my grandfather's Austin Allegro. Detestable vehicle that was!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 30 June, 2015, 05:54:29 pm
The companies I worked for here in the 70s only ever had plastic seats, ditto the SNCF. Commuting & working in August was bloody.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 30 June, 2015, 05:59:57 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 30 June, 2015, 03:38:22 pm
Quote from: T42 on 30 June, 2015, 03:33:02 pm
I spent 6 weeks of a Californian summer driving round with a similar colleague in a rental with plastic-covered seats.
The mention of plastic seats brings back the pain of sweaty legs in shorts sticking to the vinyl seats of my grandfather's Austin Allegro. Detestable vehicle that was!

Reminded me of sitting in my parents' Vauxhall Chevette, complete with black vinyl seats. Ah the '80s... :-\
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 01 July, 2015, 05:49:18 pm
I received an email today with the following phrase:

Quote
and hope to work with you on an on-going basis going forwards.

Death's too good for them </Prostetnic Vogon Jeltz>
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 02 July, 2015, 11:00:51 am
Quote from: phantasmagoriana on 30 June, 2015, 05:59:57 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 30 June, 2015, 03:38:22 pm
Quote from: T42 on 30 June, 2015, 03:33:02 pm
I spent 6 weeks of a Californian summer driving round with a similar colleague in a rental with plastic-covered seats.
The mention of plastic seats brings back the pain of sweaty legs in shorts sticking to the vinyl seats of my grandfather's Austin Allegro. Detestable vehicle that was!

Reminded me of sitting in my parents' Vauxhall Chevette, complete with black vinyl seats. Ah the '80s... :-\

Neighbours of ours back then never removed the transportation covers from car or sofa cushions. Ghastly.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 02 July, 2015, 04:57:39 pm
Looks like the 55km/h dismount my Etrex did the other day has actually done more than superficial damage. just noticed the 'up' microswitch in the joystick isn't working :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Si_Co on 05 July, 2015, 03:44:59 pm
After leaving a trail of sweat and sunblock up the trough of Bowland the sun came out on Quernmore and I got a bit fried before I could track down more sunblock, but that's not my grumble.

I've just got aftersun on my glasses, it reacts nicely with polycarbonate. Bugger  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 06 July, 2015, 08:57:49 am
On Saturday I realised I had fallen back into the bad habit of checking my pockets for keys *after* making sure the door is shut properly.

Dont ask what made me realise this :-[ :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 06 July, 2015, 09:38:45 am
Quote from: Si S on 05 July, 2015, 03:44:59 pm
I've just got aftersun on my glasses, it reacts nicely with polycarbonate. Bugger  ::-)
I don't know what it is in sunscreen, but I had a (pre-smart, keyed) phone shed all of the outer plastic coating after use with sunscreen-coated fingers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 06 July, 2015, 09:42:40 am
Quote from: mcshroom on 02 July, 2015, 04:57:39 pm
Looks like the 55km/h dismount my Etrex did the other day has actually done more than superficial damage. just noticed the 'up' microswitch in the joystick isn't working :(

A bit of feeling around and jabbing with the joystick seems to have relocated the switch back into somewhere that works. A little tempremental, but pretty good for not having to take the device apart. :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 06 July, 2015, 10:20:00 am
Quote from: mrcharly on 06 July, 2015, 09:38:45 am
Quote from: Si S on 05 July, 2015, 03:44:59 pm
I've just got aftersun on my glasses, it reacts nicely with polycarbonate. Bugger  ::-)
I don't know what it is in sunscreen, but I had a (pre-smart, keyed) phone shed all of the outer plastic coating after use with sunscreen-coated fingers.

It works on car paint as well. Ditto hand cream etc.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 06 July, 2015, 11:24:44 am
It's the solvent used in water-resistant sunscreen.

DEET is worse.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 07 July, 2015, 09:36:54 am
I do hope the forecast is correct and it brightens up this afternoon. I've left my bleedin' jacket at home :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 07 July, 2015, 10:54:26 am
When I put down my HB bag after climbing the stairs at home my Etrex 20 slipped out of the side pocket, through the railing and plumetted to the hall below.

Unfortunately it landed on some coats and is fine.  I want an excuse to buy an Etrex 30.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 07 July, 2015, 02:56:03 pm
Is it just me, or is the music on Steve Shite In The Afternoon really getting more dire by the week
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 07 July, 2015, 03:03:53 pm
Isn't there an Immutable Law which states that the older one gets the more, as far as music is concerned, one turns into one's Dad?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 07 July, 2015, 03:41:15 pm
No, Slim Whitman has not, thankfully, fallen into my repertoire. Orinoco Flow by Enya and The Power of Love by Jennifer Rush - the only two 'modern' songs he likes and inflicts on us at the xmas dinner table - also leave my nautical mode of travel unfloated.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 07 July, 2015, 03:45:40 pm
Here's where the antiquated prescription system falls apart.

Have telephone consultation with doc, decision is made to renew my prescription. Great. Now how do I get it? I work 25miles away from doctor's surgery. Partner is at work all day. Chemist's online prescription system needs two weeks notice.
   
I have enough pills left to last 4 days.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 07 July, 2015, 08:30:26 pm
Quote from: ian on 06 July, 2015, 11:24:44 am
It's the solvent used in water-resistant sunscreen.

DEET is worse.

DEET = DETH to all plastics, especially expensive equipment.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 07 July, 2015, 08:31:22 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 07 July, 2015, 08:30:26 pm
DEET = DETH to all plastics, especially expensive equipment.

It's moderately effective against beasties, too.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 07 July, 2015, 08:55:58 pm
Sainsbury's website has crashed twice while I've been trying to arrange a delivery for tomorrow.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 07 July, 2015, 09:01:26 pm
Quote from: Kim on 07 July, 2015, 08:31:22 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 07 July, 2015, 08:30:26 pm
DEET = DETH to all plastics, especially expensive equipment.

It's moderately effective against beasties, too.
Only vertebrates, though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 07 July, 2015, 09:13:14 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 07 July, 2015, 09:01:26 pm
Quote from: Kim on 07 July, 2015, 08:31:22 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 07 July, 2015, 08:30:26 pm
DEET = DETH to all plastics, especially expensive equipment.

It's moderately effective against beasties, too.
Only vertebrates, though.

I thought it was used to keep biting invertebrates at bay.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 07 July, 2015, 10:23:09 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 07 July, 2015, 08:55:58 pm
Sainsbury's website has crashed twice while I've been trying to arrange a delivery for tomorrow.

Apparently they've rearranged a lot of the content too, so Lt. Col. Larrington (retd.) could not locate half the Stuffs required to Do A Shop on Sunday and had to get me to do it instead chiz.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 07 July, 2015, 11:31:35 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 07 July, 2015, 09:13:14 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 07 July, 2015, 09:01:26 pm
Quote from: Kim on 07 July, 2015, 08:31:22 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 07 July, 2015, 08:30:26 pm
DEET = DETH to all plastics, especially expensive equipment.

It's moderately effective against beasties, too.
Only vertebrates, though.

I thought it was used to keep biting invertebrates at bay.

All I can say is that I've never been attacked by a wowbadger while covered in DEET.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: contango on 08 July, 2015, 12:36:35 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 07 July, 2015, 09:13:14 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 07 July, 2015, 09:01:26 pm
Quote from: Kim on 07 July, 2015, 08:31:22 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 07 July, 2015, 08:30:26 pm
DEET = DETH to all plastics, especially expensive equipment.

It's moderately effective against beasties, too.
Only vertebrates, though.

I thought it was used to keep biting invertebrates at bay.

I found the aroma resulting from a blend of 100% DEET and a hard hiking day's worth of sweat is potent enough to keep most things with any discernible sense of smell away. The only notable exception, ironically enough, appears to be mosquitoes. And perhaps my friend's dog, which seems to love the smell of festering ass.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 08 July, 2015, 10:42:52 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 07 July, 2015, 09:13:14 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 07 July, 2015, 09:01:26 pm
Quote from: Kim on 07 July, 2015, 08:31:22 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 07 July, 2015, 08:30:26 pm
DEET = DETH to all plastics, especially expensive equipment.

It's moderately effective against beasties, too.
Only vertebrates, though.

I thought it was used to keep biting invertebrates at bay.
It was a particularly pathetic attempt at humour. You cover yourself in DEET, make your skin sting etc etc, and still get bitten.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 08 July, 2015, 10:43:27 am
Quote from: Kim on 07 July, 2015, 11:31:35 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 07 July, 2015, 09:13:14 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 07 July, 2015, 09:01:26 pm
Quote from: Kim on 07 July, 2015, 08:31:22 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 07 July, 2015, 08:30:26 pm
DEET = DETH to all plastics, especially expensive equipment.

It's moderately effective against beasties, too.
Only vertebrates, though.

I thought it was used to keep biting invertebrates at bay.

All I can say is that I've never been attacked by a wowbadger while covered in DEET.
They don't dare: they're spineless.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 08 July, 2015, 02:30:40 pm
Just had to clear a load of stinky disgusting cat faeces from the containers where I so lovingly and carefully planted my choysia ternata, and painstakingly replaced the soil round the root of my rose bush.  I was retching the whole time, it's a horrible job.

They've been surrounded by big white pebbles now so hopefully the problem won't recur.  Pebbles cost me a tenner though  :-\
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 08 July, 2015, 02:33:18 pm
Lion poo is apparently what you need.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 08 July, 2015, 02:33:58 pm
Do you want some pink shingle/gravel?

I have a few hundred kilos of the stuff I don't really want. Cat's don't seem to like it (though they may just be scared of the three dogs near me) :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 08 July, 2015, 02:35:00 pm
No, thanks :D

It wouldn't go with the colour scheme.  And I had enough of red gravel at the Toytown house.  Put me right off.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 08 July, 2015, 03:31:17 pm
Reputedly cats don't like reflections of light - an old gardener told me this - he had plastic bottles part full of water laid in his garden to put them off.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 08 July, 2015, 03:57:06 pm
Silhouette of a cat in fight mode (arched back, bushy tail pointing down)?  I hear that can be surprisingly effective.  Like cardboard policemen for humans.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 08 July, 2015, 05:06:17 pm
And another thing.  Why have Kenwood made the bulb in my microwave impossible for me to replace?  It's obviously a manufacturer specific part, that I can't find to buy online, and in any case it's not fitted like a light bulb.  It has a kind of chastity belt arrangement round the thing. 

I'm not paying someone to change a lightbulb.  I can cook in the dark.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 08 July, 2015, 05:09:57 pm
http://www.fixya.com/support/t8525701-change

Something similar?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 08 July, 2015, 05:16:48 pm
Not dissimilar.  But not nearly so straightforward as that makes it sound.  And I can't obtain a new lightbulb anyway.

It's a K30CSS14
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 08 July, 2015, 05:33:29 pm
See page 26 seems they dont intend lamps being changed by users

http://documents.knowhow.com/Kitchen%20Appliances/0484-Kenwood_K30CSS10.pdf
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 08 July, 2015, 05:34:56 pm
Yeah, I know.  Hence my grumble and my bad mood about it. 

They deliberately made changing a lightbulb a job you have to GAMI for.  Ridiculous.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 08 July, 2015, 05:36:55 pm
Is the cooker yours, or your Landlord's?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 08 July, 2015, 05:40:32 pm
Mine.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 08 July, 2015, 05:55:48 pm
Ah. Pity
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CrinklyLion on 08 July, 2015, 06:03:43 pm
Cooker or microwave? Cos the latter is still under warranty iirc!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 08 July, 2015, 09:03:06 pm
From the model number it's the Microwave
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 08 July, 2015, 09:43:50 pm
Bulbs aren't covered under warranty, are they?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 08 July, 2015, 09:49:33 pm
If they're not user serviceable they ruddy well should be!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 08 July, 2015, 09:52:42 pm
It's about time they started using LEDs for this sort of thing.  I appreciate the heat issue, but really, 25W pigmy bulbs are *so* 19th century.

Anyway, the way I see it, oven (microwave or conventional) with non-working, inaccessible lamp means you're excused from cleaning it for the rest of its service life.   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 08 July, 2015, 10:10:56 pm
Quote from: Ruthie on 08 July, 2015, 09:43:50 pm
Bulbs aren't covered under warranty, are they?
Doesn't hurt to ask
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 09 July, 2015, 08:43:24 am
All this talk of bulbs in microwaves would have my electronics tutor having (yet another) heart attack...

How do you expect your microwave to work if you have turned it into a planter? :) :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 09 July, 2015, 10:44:30 am
It would have been OK with pink gravel instead of white stones around the bulbs
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 13 July, 2015, 09:36:19 am

The bloody cleaner has thrown away random food from the fridge at work. No logic to it, they've chucked a just-opened jar of jam and tub of marg of mine. Done the same to other people's food.

Since the office manager/receptionist and I went through the fridge on Fri checking dates on the food we know none of it was out of date.

Gits.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 13 July, 2015, 10:36:22 am
Quote from: mrcharly on 13 July, 2015, 09:36:19 am

The bloody cleaner has thrown away random food from the fridge at work. No logic to it, they've chucked a just-opened jar of jam and tub of marg of mine. Done the same to other people's food.

Since the office manager/receptionist and I went through the fridge on Fri checking dates on the food we know none of it was out of date.

Gits.

How do you know it was thrown away & not just nicked?

Back when I was young & beautiful the cleaners in our office tossed out the source decks & 4"-thick documentation of a BASIC interpreter a colleague was working on. He'd left them in a CS carton beside his desk.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 13 July, 2015, 10:39:59 am
Quote from: T42 on 13 July, 2015, 10:36:22 am
Quote from: mrcharly on 13 July, 2015, 09:36:19 am

The bloody cleaner has thrown away random food from the fridge at work. No logic to it, they've chucked a just-opened jar of jam and tub of marg of mine. Done the same to other people's food.

Since the office manager/receptionist and I went through the fridge on Fri checking dates on the food we know none of it was out of date.

Gits.

How do you know it was thrown away & not just nicked?

I don't. I'm trying to be less negative.

If they nicked it, they left the office with a large bag of food. I'm not the only person whose food went missing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 13 July, 2015, 10:42:12 am
They probably had a snack in the office.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 13 July, 2015, 10:45:25 am
I would very much like to know which idiot decided it would be a good idea to change all the diagrams into pictures in the document I'm working on. Adding an extra box now involves recreating the whole diagram </Word Blues>
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 13 July, 2015, 11:11:25 am
Quote from: Vince on 13 July, 2015, 10:45:25 am
I would very much like to know which idiot decided it would be a good idea to change all the diagrams into pictures in the document I'm working on. Adding an extra box now involves recreating the whole diagram </Word Blues>
Oh yes, that trick.

Company standard tool for diagrams is Visio. Document writer draws diagram in Visio, saves as jpg then inserts jpg into Word.
I nearly caused apoplexy by suggesting they embed visio diagram in Word, you know, so it can be edited from Word.

I'm pretty sure OLE was invented somewhere back in the mid ninties. 20 years ago, ffs
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ham on 13 July, 2015, 12:59:43 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 13 July, 2015, 11:11:25 am
Quote from: Vince on 13 July, 2015, 10:45:25 am
I would very much like to know which idiot decided it would be a good idea to change all the diagrams into pictures in the document I'm working on. Adding an extra box now involves recreating the whole diagram </Word Blues>
Oh yes, that trick.

Company standard tool for diagrams is Visio. Document writer draws diagram in Visio, saves as jpg then inserts jpg into Word.
I nearly caused apoplexy by suggesting they embed visio diagram in Word, you know, so it can be edited from Word.

I'm pretty sure OLE was invented somewhere back in the mid ninties. 20 years ago, ffs

Sorry, I do that (picture enhanced metafile, NOT jpg) routinely for distribution documents (as opposed to reference) for reasons of size.

Corel used to do a program called Corel Trace that could convert a picture into a vector diagram, useful in extremis.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 13 July, 2015, 01:17:26 pm
Me too.

OLE has been uniformly horrible and will break the moment it leaves your desktop, resulting in an <image link missing!> or a 10 dpi bitmap preview. Distributed documents have to be stupid-proofed or, in my experience, they will come back and haunt you.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 13 July, 2015, 01:37:09 pm
Um, no. You are both wrong.

If you embed, then the document can be distributed without issue.  That's the point of embedding.

If you link, then there is almost no effect on document size but you have a serious risk of broken link if the document is moved. I'm not a fan.

File size a problem? Save as PDF and tell people to embed comments in the PDF if they are reviewing.

I do this for a living, btw.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 13 July, 2015, 03:48:47 pm
Markup languages and source control. But that may expect too much of the cow-orkers...

:)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 13 July, 2015, 03:50:03 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 13 July, 2015, 09:36:19 am

The bloody cleaner has thrown away random food from the fridge at work. No logic to it, they've chucked a just-opened jar of jam and tub of marg of mine. Done the same to other people's food.

Since the office manager/receptionist and I went through the fridge on Fri checking dates on the food we know none of it was out of date.

Gits.
I recall periodic fridge clean outs at work. Cleaners had instructions to dispose of the contents & clean the inside of the fridge. Health reasons. They said what they were doing & when, though.

Might this have been an unannounced fridge cleaning? Or was it partial?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 13 July, 2015, 03:53:40 pm
The write-up of the Battle Mountain event for the BHPC is traditionally a collaborative venture between me and my grate frend Mr Woolrich but my patience was sorely tried last year when his additions to my sparkling prose appeared through the æther as a Word document with a metric fuckton of high resolution photos embedded in it, requiring much tedious mucking about in hyperspace as it was way too big to be sent as an e-mail attachment.  The only thing in favour of this approach is that it is easier to do now than it was in the days of dial-up.

Removing the photos cut the size from somewhere north of 120 MB to about 800k and gave much relief to long-suffering Mr Editor Bird.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 13 July, 2015, 04:09:31 pm
Quote from: Bledlow on 13 July, 2015, 03:50:03 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 13 July, 2015, 09:36:19 am

The bloody cleaner has thrown away random food from the fridge at work. No logic to it, they've chucked a just-opened jar of jam and tub of marg of mine. Done the same to other people's food.

Since the office manager/receptionist and I went through the fridge on Fri checking dates on the food we know none of it was out of date.

Gits.
I recall periodic fridge clean outs at work. Cleaners had instructions to dispose of the contents & clean the inside of the fridge. Health reasons. They said what they were doing & when, though.

Might this have been an unannounced fridge cleaning? Or was it partial?
The office manager/receptionist (who has mild OCD and obsesses on cleaning) has no idea. If she was happy with the state of the fridge on friday, trust me, it was clean with no out of date food.

Mr Martin, markup language don't play that well with randomly embedded graphics. You know I said I do this for a living?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 13 July, 2015, 04:28:49 pm
Does that strange buzzing noise indicate that the boiler at Larrington Towers is about to explode?  Why, no!  No, it does not!  Instead it indicates that some certifiable dick is playing with a radio-controlled racing car, in the street, at two o'clock on a Monday morning.

I had visions of that scene from "The Dead Pool", which would at least save me the cost of getting my motor-car serviced.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 16 July, 2015, 03:36:14 pm
One of the endless list of things 'we' need to do was paint the shed.  This hasn't happened since the initial cuprinol I whacked onto it when I first erected it 5 years ago.

We have a fair share of effort and duties here.
I'm allowed to pay for the equipment and paint.
Mrs. B is allowed to choose the colour.
I'm allowed to do the work.
Mrs. B is allowed to give advice and constructive criticism as the work progresses.

"We're having Sea Grass."   (Looks light blue to me)
"OK"
"Except the double doors on the front will be Country Cream". ( Looks Cream to me.  I don't get the Country bit)
"OK"
"And the gable end boards will be cream.....
" Really?"
"...... except for the pointy piece at top centre.  That will be Sea Grass"
"Yes dear." ( I know my place)

Two coats and much later.
"Ooh, that looks lovely"

"Looks like a fucking Wendy House"
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 16 July, 2015, 04:02:33 pm
Seems like a reasonable allocation of tasks.  I'm banned from choosing paint colours after the 'menstrual tomato' incident.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 16 July, 2015, 10:08:01 pm
My singlespeed commuter's BB sounds like it's on the way out (creaks when pressure is applied on either pedal). Looks like this is going to have to be a 2 step job as Trek don't tell you the spindle length. I was hoping to buy a replacement and then take the cranks off.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 17 July, 2015, 10:14:50 am
I think I killed my i-Pod.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 17 July, 2015, 10:31:32 am
:-\

Put it back in the airing cupboard/rice etc. for as long as you can?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 17 July, 2015, 07:18:47 pm
Partner grumbled that he couldn't see reason I wanted lights switched on when computer display is illuminated.
I said I could focus better on screen through smaller pupils.
Partner is a physics graduate.
And astronomer/astrophotographer.
And grumbler.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 17 July, 2015, 09:29:33 pm
Isn't it the peripheral retina that determines iris dilation and retinal sensitivity, so that not having lights on makes your iris dilate and your depth of field diminish, besides overloading your retina?  As an astronomer he should appreciate that.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 17 July, 2015, 09:38:03 pm
Dammit.  Forgot to buy milk.  No morning tea for me tomorrow.

I might go to work really early so I can top up my levels in the morning.

Also, shaved my legs and cut myself and bled all over my nice clean sheets.  Bum.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 18 July, 2015, 09:22:17 pm
Quote from: Ruthie on 17 July, 2015, 10:14:50 am
I think I killed my i-Pod.

Quote from: mcshroom on 17 July, 2015, 10:31:32 am
:-\

Put it back in the airing cupboard/rice etc. for as long as you can?

IT LIVES!!!!

 :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 18 July, 2015, 09:23:50 pm
:thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 18 July, 2015, 10:13:30 pm
When heating SOUP in a combination oven thing, ensure that the correct sequence of buttons is pressed to microwave it, rather than heat it ovenwise.

Dolt.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 19 July, 2015, 10:19:49 am
Quote from: Ruthie on 18 July, 2015, 09:22:17 pm
Quote from: Ruthie on 17 July, 2015, 10:14:50 am
I think I killed my i-Pod.

Quote from: mcshroom on 17 July, 2015, 10:31:32 am
:-\

Put it back in the airing cupboard/rice etc. for as long as you can?

IT LIVES!!!!

 :D

Oh.  No it doesn't.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 19 July, 2015, 03:22:01 pm
Zombie iPod?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 20 July, 2015, 07:49:20 am
Awoke at 4:30 am to the sound of a mozzie singing sweetly in me lug, not a foot away from the delightful sprigs of citronella SWMBO had tucked into our bed-head.  Then lay awake until the rush-hour was over.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 20 July, 2015, 07:51:35 am
People who say "guesstimate" can fuck off.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 20 July, 2015, 09:13:33 am
Robbing bastard boots opticians

My glasses are very badly scratched and I'm due an eye test. So I go to Boots (I get a discount because my wife works for Boots). Eye test, all fine.

I have frames I'm perfectly happy with, fit fine - here is the robbing bit; They will charge extra to 'reglaze'. If I buy frames, then I just have to pay for the lenses. If I want lenses putting in my existing frames, there is a 'reglazing charge'.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 20 July, 2015, 03:08:35 pm
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 20 July, 2015, 07:51:35 am
People who say "guesstimate" can fuck off.

We were introduced to the 'guesstimate' when we started A Level Nuffield Physics a Very Long Time ago.

I was too young and impressionable to be annoyed. (Anyway the Physics master fancied me bigtime and that was MUCH more annoying than silly words!)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 20 July, 2015, 03:17:28 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 20 July, 2015, 03:08:35 pm
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 20 July, 2015, 07:51:35 am
People who say "guesstimate" can fuck off.

We were introduced to the 'guesstimate' when we started A Level Nuffield Physics a Very Long Time ago.

Indeed.  I don't mind 'guestimate' if that's what it is - a mathematical estimation based on some critical figure you've pulled out of thin air.

If it's based on real data it's an estimate.  If you've just made the answer up, it's a guess.  I'm sure the majority of offenders mean the latter.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 20 July, 2015, 03:23:26 pm
I remember estimating the volume of water that might fall on Greater London in a downpour.
Actually, that's a pretty well-defined estimate, isn't it?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 20 July, 2015, 03:34:27 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 20 July, 2015, 09:13:33 am
Robbing bastard boots opticians

My glasses are very badly scratched and I'm due an eye test. So I go to Boots (I get a discount because my wife works for Boots). Eye test, all fine.

I have frames I'm perfectly happy with, fit fine - here is the robbing bit; They will charge extra to 'reglaze'. If I buy frames, then I just have to pay for the lenses. If I want lenses putting in my existing frames, there is a 'reglazing charge'.

Same with Specsavers - and the charge was high enough that it would be cheaper to buy new...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 20 July, 2015, 04:20:14 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 20 July, 2015, 03:23:26 pm
I remember estimating the volume of water that might fall on Greater London in a downpour.
Actually, that's a pretty well-defined estimate, isn't it?

I could guestimate it by taking the radius of Greater London to be 20km, based on the time taken to cycle to Waltham Abbey from Stratford.  Say a couple of mm of rain in a decent downpour.  Pi, that's about ten...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 20 July, 2015, 04:43:22 pm
Quote from: Kim on 20 July, 2015, 04:20:14 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 20 July, 2015, 03:23:26 pm
I remember estimating the volume of water that might fall on Greater London in a downpour.
Actually, that's a pretty well-defined estimate, isn't it?

I could guestimate it by taking the radius of Greater London to be 20km, based on the time taken to cycle to Waltham Abbey from Stratford.  Say a couple of mm of rain in a decent downpour.  Pi, that's about ten...

My guesstimate would have been 50 * 50km 'square and 1mm rain. Gesstimates within 1 order of magnitude FTW so we'd probably both 'score'.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 20 July, 2015, 05:05:22 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 19 July, 2015, 03:22:01 pm
Zombie iPod?

Kind of.  When docked it works perfectly.  Un-docked it melts down and goes blank.

And my feet really hurt.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 21 July, 2015, 12:28:28 am
Quote from: rafletcher on 20 July, 2015, 03:34:27 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 20 July, 2015, 09:13:33 am
Robbing bastard boots opticians

My glasses are very badly scratched and I'm due an eye test. So I go to Boots (I get a discount because my wife works for Boots). Eye test, all fine.

I have frames I'm perfectly happy with, fit fine - here is the robbing bit; They will charge extra to 'reglaze'. If I buy frames, then I just have to pay for the lenses. If I want lenses putting in my existing frames, there is a 'reglazing charge'.

Same with Specsavers - and the charge was high enough that it would be cheaper to buy new...

No danger of that here! If I don't buy some new specs before we go to France 'erself may well end up driving*. 3 years of accumulated dust, oil vapours and corrosive perspiration and the powder coat on my Safilos has bubbled worse than a Ribble Winter frame that's been out in, er, Winter . . .










*Kinnell. I'm only a bloody genius!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 21 July, 2015, 12:34:59 am
IRTA 'Saniflos'.  I may need some reglazing too...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 21 July, 2015, 02:08:19 pm
Finally got my mates at work to go out on a group ride this evening, so of course now I'm coming down with a bug so will probably have to bail :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 23 July, 2015, 09:32:29 am
I found my old Commodore 64, with its tape player and joystick. There's only one programme tape in the box - the original Star Wars arcade game.

If my mate keeps his promise to drop off his old telly on Saturday I'm going to get sod-all done this weekend.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 23 July, 2015, 11:28:40 am
Quote from: Guy on 23 July, 2015, 09:32:29 am
I found my old Commodore 64, with its tape player and joystick. There's only one programme tape in the box - the original Star Wars arcade game.

If my mate keeps his promise to drop off his old telly on Saturday I'm going to get sod-all done this weekend.

The one with the 'frikkin lazer' emplacements at the top of towers and the flying through the trench to torpedo the outlet arcade game?

Was one of the levels dogfighting TIE fighters? I can't remember but spent many a happy hour (and lots of hard earned dosh) playing that game in the 'Ethnic Cafe' at the barracks in Northern Ireland when I was on QRF/ ARF duties and waiting for a crash out call :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 23 July, 2015, 01:37:42 pm
That's the one. With the monotonously repetitive opening bars of the Star Wars theme playing constantly, driving you up the wall as you blast the TIE fighters, whooooosh down the trench shooting the towers, and line up to launch your torpedoes.

Its well cool :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 23 July, 2015, 01:49:21 pm
It was almost (though not quite) as much fun standing back and watching others play at the stand up consol.

To see squaddies in full webbing standing at the game, death grip on the control yoke, leaning left and right, up on tiptoes as they descend, crouching as they climb- a sight to behold ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 23 July, 2015, 03:27:33 pm
 ;D ;D ;D

But I'll still get sod-all done this weekend :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 23 July, 2015, 03:31:18 pm
Yebbut, at least it will be a totally understandable 'waste' of a weekend.........
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 25 July, 2015, 12:18:12 pm
Well I think that I have figured out why the NHS "choose and book" is a bit well how to say it ... fecked up?

Got my referral letter today, under two weeks after I say my GP who wanted to refer me, a new record me thinks. Though, when I logged in and saw the list of hospitals I was told between the four of them. That I had between unknown time, 9 days, 35 days and 65 days waiting to do. So I picked the 9 days waiting time and was told that I can get an appointment on the 4th Sept! What the heck happened to August? Don't the NHS count summer holiday time?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 25 July, 2015, 01:46:17 pm
Bloody TdF.  Watching the climb up the Croix de Fer, I drank my after-lunch double shot of Kibingo without noticing.  Judging from the aftertaste it was excellent.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 26 July, 2015, 10:52:42 am
I'd really like to find a holidays web site that doesn't have a picture of a very blue swimming pool as the main picture for every place. One pool looks much like another, and if I must get wet I'd much rather be in the sea.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 26 July, 2015, 09:03:07 pm
A dead pigeon the size of an eagle on my doorstep when I got in tonight.

WTF?!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 26 July, 2015, 10:02:30 pm
Pressie from pussy cat, probably.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 26 July, 2015, 10:05:20 pm
I think I've just lost a filling, and the tooth is starting to ache :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 26 July, 2015, 11:05:00 pm
Oil of cloves, 'till you can get to the dentist.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 26 July, 2015, 11:34:00 pm
Trying to find my bottle of clove oil. As it is brushing my teeth and taking paracetamol has deadened it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 27 July, 2015, 12:36:30 pm
Quote from: Guy on 23 July, 2015, 09:32:29 am
I found my old Commodore 64, with its tape player and joystick. There's only one programme tape in the box - the original Star Wars arcade game.

If my mate keeps his promise to drop off his old telly on Saturday I'm going to get sod-all done this weekend.
Bloody old telly didn't work
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 27 July, 2015, 01:58:19 pm
So, took the plunge over the weekend (because birthday) and bought a Kindle.

Being thrifty/ a tight git (delete as appropriate) I got a grade A paperwhite from CEX for £72. bargain.

Got home and went to register.

Kindle says No.

Phoned Kindle support. It is registered as lost/ stolen.

Bugger. I am a crim.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 27 July, 2015, 02:06:45 pm
The irony  . . .

You surely should be able to get a refund from CEX.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 27 July, 2015, 02:10:37 pm
Quote from: Ruthie on 26 July, 2015, 09:03:07 pm
A dead pigeon the size of an eagle on my doorstep when I got in tonight.

WTF?!

Watch out - There's an eagle the size of a slightly larger eagle lurking in the bushes!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 27 July, 2015, 03:49:15 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 27 July, 2015, 02:06:45 pm
The irony  . . .

You surely should be able to get a refund from CEX.

Already contacted CEX and will be returning the goods tomorrow.

I think their testing regime should include trying to register Kindles.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 27 July, 2015, 05:36:50 pm
I seem to be unable to find an up-to-date tariff chart for taxis in London online.
I don't want fucking sample fares.
2013 is history unless I'm really senile, as is 2014.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 27 July, 2015, 05:46:21 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 27 July, 2015, 05:36:50 pm
I seem to be unable to find an up-to-date tariff chart for taxis in London online.
I don't want fucking sample fares.
2013 is history unless I'm really senile, as is 2014.
Is the table on page 12 of this any good?
https://tfl.gov.uk/cdn/static/cms/documents/fpc-20150122-part-1-item08-taxi-fares-tariffs-2015.pdf
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 27 July, 2015, 05:53:31 pm
Thanks!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 27 July, 2015, 08:07:00 pm
Dear the BBC

I am not interested in The Great British Bake-Off and humbly request that you stop it; also take the tristram who came up with the Sound Of Music adverty-thing and hurl them against the Eiger Nordwand with a trebuchet.

Thank you.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 28 July, 2015, 02:15:38 pm
A warning as much as a grumble:

Don't order online from John Lewis and opt to collect from store if paying by PayPal if you don't have a readily available passport or driving licence for photo ID.  That's what they demand.

They should not assume everyone has such documents.  (My Mum doesn't at all, for example, and I don't at the moment as my passport is mislaid).  There wasn't even a warning before ordering, and cancelling isn't an automated process, so quite some inconvenience you will have.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 28 July, 2015, 03:18:27 pm
It does say in their Ts&Cs (http://www.johnlewis.com/customer-services/information-about-delivery-methods-and-charges) that that's what they want.

However, it also says that someone else could collect it, showing *their* photo ID, or that if you don't collect it within a week, it'll be cancelled and refunded automatically.

Quote from: John Lewis
If you've paid entirely by PayPal or gift vouchers, then please bring a photo ID, which must be your passport or photo driving licence. [...]

We're happy for someone else to collect your order, but to prevent fraud the person you've nominated must present your order number and their photo ID (passport or photo driving licence).

Your order will be available for collection at your chosen shop for 7 days, after which it will be returned to our warehouse and your account will be refunded, but please allow up to 2 weeks for this.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 28 July, 2015, 03:32:40 pm
Ok, but no-one really reads the t&cs before ordering.

I won't trouble anyone else to collect for me.  I've emailed customer services to cancel immediately.  Perhaps I could pay directly by card instead (for which they don't ask photo ID), but I don't feel like giving them my custom at the moment.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 28 July, 2015, 03:38:09 pm
Ironically, one reason I ordered from John Lewis rather than a cheaper source was for good service.  Requiring photo ID for a purchase is not what I call good service.  You can even "click and collect" drugs from Boots with nothing but an order number at collection.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 28 July, 2015, 03:45:34 pm
Quote from: Biggsy on 28 July, 2015, 03:38:09 pm
Ironically, one reason I ordered from John Lewis rather than a cheaper source was for good service.  Requiring photo ID for a purchase is not what I call good service.  You can even "click and collect" drugs from Boots with nothing but an order number at collection.

Then Boots isn't very secure is it? Or maybe they figure that OTC drugs aren't a likely target for theft.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 28 July, 2015, 03:50:18 pm
Security has to be balanced with convenience.  Boots has the balance right for me.  Requiring photo ID is excessive security for a simple purchase.

Let me have my grumble!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 28 July, 2015, 03:54:09 pm
Actually I think Boots ask to see a copy the order confirmation webpage/email rather than just the number.  No-one else will guess my nine-digit number anyway.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 28 July, 2015, 03:58:34 pm
the John Lewis click and collect normally requires the order number and the payment card. If the payment is by a means other than card then I can understand wanting some other proof of ID.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 28 July, 2015, 04:09:55 pm
Quote from: matthew on 28 July, 2015, 03:58:34 pm
the John Lewis click and collect normally requires the order number and the payment card. If the payment is by a means other than card then I can understand wanting some other proof of ID.

For PayPal, they specifically want passport or driving licence only, which is unreasonable as well as grossly excessive considering that not everyone has it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Si_Co on 28 July, 2015, 04:12:09 pm
Try Evans click and collect, photo ID, card paid with and a copy the email order confirmation........and the first question is........"have you got an email address?"  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 28 July, 2015, 04:12:22 pm
You might not think asking for photo ID is good service, but I wouldn't criticise them for it, especially as it's only relevant to Paypal or gift voucher transactions - seems fairly reasonable to me. I do carry my driving licence in my wallet though, so I wouldn't have objected even if the request to show it had been a surprise.

I do tend to read the small print with online orders though, especially around documents needed for things like picking up goods, collecting hire cars or taking flights.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 28 July, 2015, 04:18:21 pm
Well, I am criticising them for it.  It's especially bad not to include a prominent warning before ordering.

The main point is:  Not everyone even has a driving license or passport!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 28 July, 2015, 04:25:52 pm
The JL MD is "very disappointed to learn of [my] experience", so maybe even he agrees with me!  :P
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 28 July, 2015, 07:07:22 pm
Quote from: Biggsy on 28 July, 2015, 04:09:55 pm
Quote from: matthew on 28 July, 2015, 03:58:34 pm
the John Lewis click and collect normally requires the order number and the payment card. If the payment is by a means other than card then I can understand wanting some other proof of ID.

For PayPal, they specifically want passport or driving licence only, which is unreasonable as well as grossly excessive considering that not everyone has it.

Agreed about the unreasonable, but perhaps not excessive, given PayPal's habit of siding with the buyer in any dispute.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 28 July, 2015, 07:56:05 pm
Leading my mates back down the C2C cycleway at 20mph into the wind and rain when I'm still recovering from a bug was a bad idea. Now appear to be expelling the entire lining of my lungs :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 28 July, 2015, 08:15:43 pm
Well, what other forms of ID do us freedom loving Brits have other than a driving licence or a passport? I thought it was standard practice to need photo ID if you don't have the payment card and I can understand why.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 28 July, 2015, 09:08:36 pm
No it is not standard practice to need photo ID for collecting stuff from other retailers I use even when paying by PayPal.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 28 July, 2015, 10:09:47 pm
I don't think I've ever used paypal for something I was collecting from a retailer, so it's never arisen
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 28 July, 2015, 10:18:49 pm
Some sellers on Fleabay offer the option of collecting from Argos.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 29 July, 2015, 10:24:16 am
Why not transfer the sum from Paypal to your bank account and pay from there?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 29 July, 2015, 10:49:31 am
Well, given the potential for fraud with PayPal, I'd ask for ID. Otherwise, they've no way at all of knowing it's you, not even a card (which is admittedly weak but something more than nothing).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 29 July, 2015, 11:23:52 am
Other companies are satisfied just to know it's FOR me, which they can tell from the order number and name.  They and I are happy to take the tiny risk of someone stealing and using my info.

Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 29 July, 2015, 10:24:16 am
Why not transfer the sum from Paypal to your bank account and pay from there?

Changing the payment method without cancelling would be complicated (at the John Lewis end), so I've just cancelled instead.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 29 July, 2015, 11:38:57 am
Well, I meant "in future" rather than for this particular transaction. I'll use Paypal online cos it's easier but if, as here, it's not easier, then why use it?

For this specific instance, do you not have any other photo ID they might accept? I've used a long out of date driving licence specific to a tiny island in the South Pacific, as an example of otherwise useless photo ID.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 29 July, 2015, 11:55:53 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 29 July, 2015, 11:38:57 am
For this specific instance, do you not have any other photo ID they might accept?

Probably not, if they're anything like Lloyd's Bank in Hitchin. Forgot my wallet. No problem, I'll get cash over the counter. I don't have either a driving licence or passport, the only ID I had on me was my work pass. Good enough to get me into any MOD establishment in the country, but not good enough to be allowed to withdraw 50 quid out of my account, in my local branch, where I do all my banking, with at least 3 people behind the tills who recognised me.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 29 July, 2015, 12:00:41 pm
Quote from: Guy on 29 July, 2015, 11:55:53 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 29 July, 2015, 11:38:57 am
For this specific instance, do you not have any other photo ID they might accept?

Probably not, if they're anything like Lloyd's Bank in Hitchin. Forgot my wallet. No problem, I'll get cash over the counter. I don't have either a driving licence or passport, the only ID I had on me was my work pass. Good enough to get me into any MOD establishment in the country, but not good enough to be allowed to withdraw 50 quid out of my account, in my local branch, where I do all my banking, with at least 3 people behind the tills who recognised me.
You're not thinking this through properly. Use MOD pass to enter MOD establishment.  Withdraw gun. Return to bank. Withdraw money. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 29 July, 2015, 12:17:27 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 29 July, 2015, 12:00:41 pm
Quote from: Guy on 29 July, 2015, 11:55:53 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 29 July, 2015, 11:38:57 am
For this specific instance, do you not have any other photo ID they might accept?

Probably not, if they're anything like Lloyd's Bank in Hitchin. Forgot my wallet. No problem, I'll get cash over the counter. I don't have either a driving licence or passport, the only ID I had on me was my work pass. Good enough to get me into any MOD establishment in the country, but not good enough to be allowed to withdraw 50 quid out of my account, in my local branch, where I do all my banking, with at least 3 people behind the tills who recognised me.
You're not thinking this through properly. Use MOD pass to enter MOD establishment.  Withdraw gun. Return to bank. Withdraw money.
;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 29 July, 2015, 12:27:43 pm
I have an expired provisional driving licence with photo (that doesn't look like me now), but didn't fancy trying to get it accepted.  Technically I have a passport, but it's lost and will take some time to find or replace.

It's only been a small amount of inconvenience for me (most of which is typing these replies!), but it's the common general assumption that everyone has a driving licence or passport that pisses me off.  It creates more serious difficulty for people doing more serious things.  My mother, for example, wasn't able to use a certain financial service at all.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 29 July, 2015, 12:32:32 pm
Campaign for the CTC/BC/your local CC to put photos on their membership cards!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: billplumtree on 29 July, 2015, 12:42:38 pm
Quote from: Biggsy on 29 July, 2015, 12:27:43 pm
I have an expired provisional driving licence with photo (that doesn't look like me now)

Less facial hair back then?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 29 July, 2015, 12:43:37 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 29 July, 2015, 12:32:32 pm
Campaign for the CTC/BC/your local CC to put photos on their membership cards!

Which won't work if all it says on their crib-sheet is "Driving Licence or Passport", because that is all they'll accept.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 29 July, 2015, 12:45:27 pm
Much less facial hair in my old photos, indeed.  :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 29 July, 2015, 12:50:38 pm
Quote from: Guy on 29 July, 2015, 12:43:37 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 29 July, 2015, 12:32:32 pm
Campaign for the CTC/BC/your local CC to put photos on their membership cards!

Which won't work if all it says on their crib-sheet is "Driving Licence or Passport", because that is all they'll accept.
Of course, but there are two reasons I can think of why that's all they'll accept: 1) that's all most people have 2) those are the only photo IDs issued by government sources, so "secure". Then again, so many people have some kind of photo ID at work nowadays that 1) is not necessarily true (even kids get school ID at secondary schools now), and an MoD pass should surely be reasonably secure.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 29 July, 2015, 12:51:38 pm
Given that we don't have national ID cards, then I'm not sure what other photo IDs they would accept. Anyone can stick their photo on a bit of official looking card. In the US, before I drove, I had a non-driver license to save my passport getting more beer stains on it.

I did have to replace my passport mid-term because the photo stopped looking like me and I was forever being held up at immigration. I used to have to hold the photo page next to my head and pretend to be a puffer fish while the immigration officers gathered to squint and look suspiciously at my efforts. 'Blow your cheeks out more, we're not getting it.'
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 29 July, 2015, 01:49:51 pm
I'm now ordering from Argos, where I can collect without showing any ID at all, regardless of payment method.  They obviously agree that the risk of a thief presenting the code numbers is too slight to bother about.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 29 July, 2015, 01:57:02 pm
God-damned cleaning-personess emptied vacuum cleaner into kitchen bin right beside my espresso machine, covering same with drifting crud. She's been told not to but she hasn't the attention span of a dead cockroach.  She also managed to knock my Porlex over for the 42nd time.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 29 July, 2015, 02:41:23 pm
Quote from: T42 on 29 July, 2015, 01:57:02 pm
God-damned cleaning-personess emptied vacuum cleaner into kitchen bin right beside my espresso machine, covering same with drifting crud. She's been told not to but she hasn't the attention span of a dead cockroach.  She also managed to knock my Porlex over for the 42nd time.

This should be in First World problems....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 29 July, 2015, 02:42:53 pm
Who, in their right mind, empties the hoover in the house, anyway?

What is the point in spending ages hoowvering the house, just to spread a percentage of the dust back around the house?

HAving said that at least she emptied the hoover, something Mrs T seems to have a blindspot on....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 29 July, 2015, 02:47:57 pm
I even hoover the hoover after empting the hoover.  (Vax, actually)

Another grumble: Argos haven't sent me a confirmation email with the number I need.  Been more than an hour.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 29 July, 2015, 04:18:33 pm
Quote from: Biggsy on 29 July, 2015, 02:47:57 pm
I even hoover the hoover after empting the hoover.  (Vax, actually)

Another grumble: Argos haven't sent me a confirmation email with the number I need.  Been more than an hour.

This saga just proves- you aren't meant to have it Biggsy.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 29 July, 2015, 04:36:47 pm
Quote from: Biggsy on 29 July, 2015, 01:49:51 pm
I'm now ordering from Argos, where I can collect without showing any ID at all, regardless of payment method.  They obviously agree that the risk of a thief presenting the code numbers is too slight to bother about.

Are these sent by email?

Given the notorious insecurity of email, I wonder how long this policy will last...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 29 July, 2015, 04:45:56 pm
Email and Text IME. Collect+ now doesn't require ID, just the Emailed/Texted collection code either.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 29 July, 2015, 04:46:17 pm
Anyway, my grumble.

Trying to book a holiday. Shallot#2 won't go anywhere hot. Not even vaguely warm like mountains & lakes. Tough, you can stay here and feed the cat then.

Email a list of suggestions and dates to Shallots#3 & #4. End with: DYOR and choose.

Shallot#3: "OK"
Shallot#4: "Looks good to me"

So I go to book the flights, it's a day off what I emailed so I thought I'd double-check. Shallot#4 now says he's got a job and can't come. FFS I was within a mouseclick of booking everything, when were you going to tell me???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 30 July, 2015, 07:29:30 am
In the Grumble thread as it doesn't fit anywhere else.

My grumble is about me, I went out last night to see Soulfly @ The Corporation in Sheffield.

It was a good night, lots of moshing and loud music.

Why the flaming heck did I join in the pit? This morning I can hardly move my left hand, and when I do it is painful.  Standing on my left leg is painful, too.  I must have bruised parts when I fell over :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 30 July, 2015, 12:33:42 pm
Quote from: tiermat on 30 July, 2015, 07:29:30 am
In the Grumble thread as it doesn't fit anywhere else.

https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=87402.0 ?   ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 30 July, 2015, 01:58:57 pm
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 29 July, 2015, 04:18:33 pm
This saga just proves- you aren't meant to have it Biggsy.

That's what it's feeling like, yes.  Nearly a whole day now with no confirmation email (not even in my spam folder).  Argos have my money, I have nothing, not even an order number.  I'm on to them via Twitter, a bizarre platform for customer services, but they seem to do stuff, eventually.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 30 July, 2015, 03:27:28 pm
Wife snowed under with work, Inlaw Paw "has the doctor coming this afternoon", so instead of going for a ride I stay home to interpret.  Four o'clockish the doc has not appeared, so I phone down to the surgery.  "Oh no, it's next Thursday".  Fuck.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 31 July, 2015, 10:19:25 am
I'm disgusted with Argos.  Took my money and gave me nothing, not even an order number.  Customer services not responded at all via email and only asked questions via Twitter.  I'll try a human in bricks & mortar.  Can't face the hell of the telephone call centre.

Should have stuck with John Lewis.  I didn't like all their policies, but at least they were very prompt with a reply and refund.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 31 July, 2015, 11:12:22 am
At last I have a collection number from Argos (via Twitter of all daft places, where they're painfully slow but helpful eventually).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 31 July, 2015, 03:00:55 pm
Still more trouble!  Went to store and told the collection number was invalid.  Had to cancel and pay again.



Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 31 July, 2015, 03:53:39 pm
I know we shouldn't mock, but given your fit of pique with John Lewis, this is making me titter slightly.

</schadenfreude>
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 31 July, 2015, 03:59:38 pm
Ah the British service culture.....sigh.... ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 31 July, 2015, 03:59:55 pm
On the ID to collect things, I had to pick something up from the post office the other day. They wanted ID - passport, driving licence or credit card. They want this for anything where they leave a card, not just signed for. Interestingly they want my ID. They don't care if I lend it to someone else to do the collecting though. Which is bizarrely relaxed given the ID requirements they create for redirecting post.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 31 July, 2015, 04:25:04 pm
Sensibly relaxed, I call it.

Ironically, I offered to present more ID (my bank card) to Argos to prove the item was mine, but all they valued was the collection number (that I didn't have correctly).  We are the robots, we're functioning automatic, and we are dancing mechanic.

I wouldn't be surprised if Argos fail to refund my original payment.  (I only have their word that they will, so far).  That'll really get on my titters!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 01 August, 2015, 09:21:18 am
Oh yes, very sensible. As evidenced by the hassle experienced when trying to redirect Mrs Dan's other name, which she uses for professional purposes, not passport, bills etc.

Good luck with the refund.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 01 August, 2015, 08:40:59 pm
It's "summer" . so why is my nose leaking ?  I've had to dig the emergency stash of tissues from the bag of camping kit >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 01 August, 2015, 10:10:46 pm
Noses normally leak in summer, shirley?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Otto on 03 August, 2015, 09:24:25 pm
It's 21.23... I have now been in the office 12 hours and 23 minutes... this is shite!

That is all
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 05 August, 2015, 02:03:53 pm
No ranting this week as it is week 12, so zero energy for anything other than looking like GrumpCat.

Anyways, Shimano, why do you have to be so confusing? There would appear to be no such thing as a R685 brake caliper. R685 only applies to the shifters, the calipers being the same as the R785, which in turn are the same as XT.  This means that any pad that fits the XT and R785 will fit the R685, but I have had to dig around a load of places to find this.

Incidentally the calipers will take G01s, G03 and similar pads.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 05 August, 2015, 02:54:40 pm
Bugger.  I'm in a pub, 5 miles from home, and it has started to piss down.
Only five miles?  Yes, but other than spd shoes and mits, I am dressed in civvies.  Non waterproof civvies at that.
*checks rain radar*
Doesn't look good.
*orders unplanned second pint*
This could end badly.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 06 August, 2015, 09:02:16 pm
God, I'm an idiot.
For today's little outing, I googled Newcastle Emlyn market day.  Hurrah!  It's Thursday.  Yummy.
So off I trundle.

Bugger.  Should have read in more depth.  Yummy stuffs market is Friday.  Thursday is live stock.
I'm not that hungry.  Well, nearly.  But not quite.

Oh well, nice ride to Lampeter tomorrow.
(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Paul on 06 August, 2015, 10:22:57 pm
Quote from: Basil on 05 August, 2015, 02:54:40 pm
Bugger.  I'm in a pub, 5 miles from home, and it has started to piss down.
Only five miles?  Yes, but other than spd shoes and mits, I am dressed in civvies.  Non waterproof civvies at that.
*checks rain radar*
Doesn't look good.
*orders unplanned second pint*
This could end badly.

Not really a grumble. More speculation. In circumstances that could go either way but aren't currently terrible.

Bit of a mouthful for a new thread title, granted.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 07 August, 2015, 08:07:09 am
Silly bloody Garmin. Their site lists spare cable ties & magnets for their speed/cadence sensor but not the sensor itself. Tw@s
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 08 August, 2015, 08:03:31 pm
Busker at Bond Street Station this afternoon, singing don't worry 'bout a ting... should have worried about at least one ting - tuning his guitar.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 08 August, 2015, 08:22:14 pm
Maybe his day job is as signwriter for TfL at Waltamstow...http://diamondgeezer.blogspot.co.uk/2015_08_01_diamondgeezer_archive.html (http://diamondgeezer.blogspot.co.uk/2015_08_01_diamondgeezer_archive.html)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 08 August, 2015, 08:28:40 pm
Doesn't much matter coz that section of the Victoria Line is closed for the rest of the month chiz.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 08 August, 2015, 08:47:53 pm
I know but I'm not the only spelling pedant in Londonton.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 08 August, 2015, 11:40:31 pm
Quote from: Andrij on 08 August, 2015, 08:03:31 pm
Busker at Bond Street Station this afternoon, singing don't worry 'bout a ting... should have worried about at least one ting - tuning his guitar.

(Stolen from the terrible jokes thread)
I've got a job playing triangle with The Wailers.

I just stand at the back an ting.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 10 August, 2015, 05:41:23 pm
PBP partner wanders into his saw-you-coming pharmacy and comes out with essential oils and homoeopathic crèmes de bum. He's always insisting this crap is better than evidence-based medicine. Keeping one's kewl in the face of pure & applied damned higgorance is hard betimes.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 10 August, 2015, 05:50:02 pm
Essential oil + lycra = I hope you're on the front?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 10 August, 2015, 09:52:33 pm
So, Radio 3, the plural of concerto is concertos?  That's the sort of dumbing-down one expects from Classic FM, not the Beeb.  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jakob W on 11 August, 2015, 08:19:58 am
In English, I'd say yes - I've never heard anyone refer to (e.g.) the Brandenburg Concerti...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 11 August, 2015, 08:22:55 am
Quote from: Kim on 10 August, 2015, 05:50:02 pm
Essential oil + lycra = I hope you're on the front?

I shall eat beans.

Meanwhile, the varming vamily across the vay are out in numbers (mama + 6 varmints) to vettle their veggie vittle patch; they have a radio churning out disco jive or some such vile vacarme so loudly that mama can scarcely hear herself shriek at varmint the least to kindly regurgitate the hoe.  I can't say that this is interrupting my work: it's so bloody annoying I can't think where to start.

Think I'll have a coffee.

Oh yasus gott. Someone's dung trailer just went past my open window.  I'm outta here.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 11 August, 2015, 12:17:55 pm
Quote from: T42 on 10 August, 2015, 05:41:23 pm
PBP partner wanders into his saw-you-coming pharmacy and comes out with essential oils and homoeopathic crèmes de bum. He's always insisting this crap is better than evidence-based medicine. Keeping one's kewl in the face of pure & applied damned higgorance is hard betimes.
There's a charitable organisation that gives out free 'medicine' to people who want to cure the poor dear fox in their garden of sarcoptic mange.

It's homoeopathic.

I worked out that it's so dilute that most bottles of it will contain none of the supposed active ingredient at all. It's supposed to be given to the fox by putting a few drops on food, once a day. At that rate, the fox will, on average, die of old age before ingesting any of the 'active' ingredient. It's getting food with a few drops of distilled water added.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 11 August, 2015, 12:25:36 pm
But don't leave it out in the rain, or the poor thing will get an overdose
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 11 August, 2015, 03:59:16 pm
The first vet we used here was a raving homoeopath. As a result our first Leonberg's ear infection progressed to the point where she became epileptic.

He also claimed to have hypnotized a neighbour's cat via the telephone.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 11 August, 2015, 09:29:25 pm
My hip aches.  That means it's going to rain.

Fneh.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 11 August, 2015, 10:28:22 pm
My hair is wet.  That meant it was raining when I came home.

It has just occurred to me that the last time I rode in the rain was on PBP in 2007, which says more about the amount of riding I've done than any luck I've had with the weather.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pedaldog. on 12 August, 2015, 12:40:05 am
Eating crishpsh wiff no teefsh ish really bad for the inshide off your moufsh! Self Sabotage again.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 12 August, 2015, 08:42:09 am
Ow!  I feel your pain, PD...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 12 August, 2015, 09:55:29 am
Quote from: David Martin on 11 August, 2015, 12:25:36 pm
But don't leave it out in the rain, or the poor thing will get an overdose
Perhaps I should register with the website & start telling people that. Some of the idiots who get the stuff have expressed worries about a more diluted & thus 'more potent' version, & whether it's too strong for the foxes.

I went there thinking it might be real, & then saw the H word.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 12 August, 2015, 03:18:41 pm
This change in direction means I'll have a head wind all the way home from the pub tonight. A whole 11/10ths of a mile. How ever will I cope?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 12 August, 2015, 10:23:29 pm
Oh deep joy.
Another day of mangle speak, deth by PowerPoint, ice breakers, seminar group work and  other cringeworthy stuff in Nottingham tomorrow.

Come on Basil.  Just play the game.  As Mrs. Pingu says, "Don't clench, it only makes it worse."
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 12 August, 2015, 10:34:45 pm
I have found the secret to making role play bearable is to completely ham it up...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 13 August, 2015, 08:45:14 am
Full on 'lovey' mode?

Turn it in to a Quentin Tarantino inspired production?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 13 August, 2015, 11:25:52 am
Nobody ever made me perform such rank absurdities but I think Tarantino appropriate.  Especially the speech about the AK47 from Jackie Brown.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 13 August, 2015, 11:43:23 am
My diedaphone has dicked.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 13 August, 2015, 12:59:55 pm
Rain, rain, rain. Awful timing. Where were you when my vegetables needed you?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 13 August, 2015, 01:03:00 pm
Quote from: Bledlow on 13 August, 2015, 12:59:55 pm
Rain, rain, rain. Awful timing. Where were you when my vegetables needed you?

Yorkshire....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 13 August, 2015, 02:58:07 pm
I knew my new jacket I bought a couple of months ago would get wet one day, but why did it have to be today. The rain is "Biblical" and the wind is gusty and nicely head-on for the ride home
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wowbagger on 13 August, 2015, 06:36:32 pm
Quote from: tiermat on 30 July, 2015, 07:29:30 am
In the Grumble thread as it doesn't fit anywhere else.

My grumble is about me, I went out last night to see Soulfly @ The Corporation in Sheffield.

It was a good night, lots of moshing and loud music.

Why the flaming heck did I join in the pit? This morning I can hardly move my left hand, and when I do it is painful.  Standing on my left leg is painful, too.  I must have bruised parts when I fell over :(

I didn't understand any of that post, other than that you went to a gig in Sheffield and that somehow you injured yourself.

Bloody youngsters with their new-fangled words for things I've never heard of.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 14 August, 2015, 07:42:13 am
Quote from: Wowbagger on 13 August, 2015, 06:36:32 pm
Quote from: tiermat on 30 July, 2015, 07:29:30 am
In the Grumble thread as it doesn't fit anywhere else.

My grumble is about me, I went out last night to see Soulfly @ The Corporation in Sheffield.

It was a good night, lots of moshing and loud music.

Why the flaming heck did I join in the pit? This morning I can hardly move my left hand, and when I do it is painful.  Standing on my left leg is painful, too.  I must have bruised parts when I fell over :(

I didn't understand any of that post, other than that you went to a gig in Sheffield and that somehow you injured yourself.

Bloody youngsters with their new-fangled words for things I've never heard of.

Soulfly = popular beat combo, m'lud, have been around since the late '90's, known for their very heavy metal style music.
Moshing = a type of "dancing" associated with bands such as Soulfly, which has it's roots is the pogo'ing of the Punk era (late '70's) and the word first appears in a song title in the late '80's (Anthrax - All Caught in a Mosh)

One does wonder just when Mr Wowbagger is going to join the 21st Century :) ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 14 August, 2015, 10:05:23 am
Quote from: tiermat on 14 August, 2015, 07:42:13 am
Quote from: Wowbagger on 13 August, 2015, 06:36:32 pm
Quote from: tiermat on 30 July, 2015, 07:29:30 am
In the Grumble thread as it doesn't fit anywhere else.

My grumble is about me, I went out last night to see Soulfly @ The Corporation in Sheffield.

It was a good night, lots of moshing and loud music.

Why the flaming heck did I join in the pit? This morning I can hardly move my left hand, and when I do it is painful.  Standing on my left leg is painful, too.  I must have bruised parts when I fell over :(

I didn't understand any of that post, other than that you went to a gig in Sheffield and that somehow you injured yourself.

Bloody youngsters with their new-fangled words for things I've never heard of.

Soulfly = popular beat combo, m'lud, have been around since the late '90's, known for their very heavy metal style music.
Moshing = a type of "dancing" associated with bands such as Soulfly, which has it's roots is the pogo'ing of the Punk era (late '70's) and the word first appears in a song title in the late '80's (Anthrax - All Caught in a Mosh)

One does wonder just when Mr Wowbagger is going to join the 21st 20th Century :) ;)

FTFY :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 14 August, 2015, 01:49:28 pm
Why, Bayliss & Harding, is your black pepper and ginseng shower gel in a tube with a screw top lid hmm? I mean, it's not like the gel is thick and needs squeezing from the tube is it? The gel has about as much viscosity as a good motor oil. When using the gel, I have to apply some to my hand, then try not to let it ooze onto the floor of the shower whilst I try to replace the lid single handed. A buit of a faff first thing in the morning.

Other purveyors of shower gel have discovered flip top lids, as have tooth paste manufacturers and their product is thick enough to stay in the tube until squeezed out. Even advertisers have discovered flip tops. Heads in their case.

Think about it next time ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: billplumtree on 14 August, 2015, 07:56:06 pm
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 14 August, 2015, 01:49:28 pm
Why, Bayliss & Harding, is your black pepper and ginseng shower gel in a tube with a screw top lid hmm?

Fuzzy, are you sure it's shower gel, and not a condiment?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 18 August, 2015, 09:52:38 am
I am at work.

Mrs T is at home.

Mrs T rings me and leaves a message (I was parking my breakfast thus didn't want to answer), saying "Most of the power in the house has gone out".

Once I had finished I ring her back to discover that the definition of "Most" is the downstairs lights, the garage and utility room (both outside), the toaster and the dishwasher.

I ran through the distribution boards checks with her (we have two) and all are in the On position.  Not much else we could do.

Quite how she expected me to fix the problem from 85 miles away, I don't know, nor why it was important to get the bloody toaster working.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 18 August, 2015, 10:00:58 am
Quote from: tiermat on 18 August, 2015, 09:52:38 am
I am at work.

Mrs T is at home.

Mrs T rings me and leaves a message (I was parking my breakfast thus didn't want to answer), saying "Most of the power in the house has gone out".

Once I had finished I ring her back to discover that the definition of "Most" is the downstairs lights, the garage and utility room (both outside), the toaster and the dishwasher.

I ran through the distribution boards checks with her (we have two) and all are in the On position.  Not much else we could do.

Quite how she expected me to fix the problem from 85 miles away, I don't know, nor why it was important to get the bloody toaster working.

It's because when there's trouble you're the person she trusts to help her.

Which is nice :-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 18 August, 2015, 10:09:11 am
Good point, well put, Ruthie.

I guess I am just a bit grumpy due to being called whilst otherwise engaged...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Marco Stefano on 18 August, 2015, 01:47:57 pm
Bloody offset pedals on 'you will be doing the company a favour taking over this' BMW have put me off work due to acute pain in the left upper thigh and inability to walk around much (stairs on all fours, not much sleep between gasps & winces). Sodding ow.

Roll on orthopod referral and VW Golf. And codeine.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jenhunt on 18 August, 2015, 03:43:58 pm
customers... and sales reps.... and their lack of understanding of production capacity and how that relates to supply lead time.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Dibdib on 19 August, 2015, 05:31:49 pm
Purchased something a couple of days ago, thankfully low-value and unimportant, from an Etsy seller. I chose this item over a bunch of others primarily because the item location read UK and therefore hopefully it would get here quicker than one from the US, far East, or elsewhere.

The good news is that it was dispatched the morning after I ordered it.
The bad news is that it has an FORRIN POST tracking number.  :facepalm:

I don't mind so much, and if it gets delayed it's not that big a deal, but I'm grumbling mostly at the unnecessary deception. Soured things somewhat.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 19 August, 2015, 10:41:15 pm
Misread the date of the Derbyshire Pie Run - didn't think it was on Saturday, when I intended to head up to Mildenhall for the day.  No problem, think I, just join the Mildenhall social ride on Sunday.  Except the trains don't start running early enough to get there in time.  (Before anyone says it, I'm not in shape to ride to Mildenhall and back in a day and do a social ride.)   Now I have to choose one ride over the other. :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 22 August, 2015, 10:46:24 am
1. My Wiggle order didn't come with any Haribo.
2. When did Velox rim tape stop saying "Fond de Jante" on it? I don't like the new design. :-\
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 22 August, 2015, 09:32:38 pm
Quote from: phantasmagoriana on 22 August, 2015, 10:46:24 am
1. My Wiggle order didn't come with any Haribo.
2. When did Velox rim tape stop saying "Fond de Jante" on it? I don't like the new design. :-\
What?!!! Are you sure it's genuine Velox you've got?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 23 August, 2015, 05:45:40 pm
Rain's turned up 2 hours earlier than forecast. What's the betting all the treatment I just put on my garden fence gets washed off again? :-\
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 23 August, 2015, 05:51:00 pm
It's all right for you.  It has just stopped raining in the last half hour here.  It has rained without ceasing since Thursday.   :(
We've had visitors to entertain for all that time.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Dibdib on 23 August, 2015, 08:58:49 pm
Quote from: Dibdib on 19 August, 2015, 05:31:49 pm
Purchased something a couple of days ago, thankfully low-value and unimportant, from an Etsy seller. I chose this item over a bunch of others primarily because the item location read UK and therefore hopefully it would get here quicker than one from the US, far East, or elsewhere.

The good news is that it was dispatched the morning after I ordered it.
The bad news is that it has an FORRIN POST tracking number.  :facepalm:

I don't mind so much, and if it gets delayed it's not that big a deal, but I'm grumbling mostly at the unnecessary deception. Soured things somewhat.

Aaaaand it's still not even in the UK. Which is strange, considering it supposedly started in Oxford...

While I understand the likely motivation for the deception, based on where it's actually coming from, there will be some "robust" feedback left if it doesn't hurry up and get here soon.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: benborp on 23 August, 2015, 11:01:26 pm
I have sorted and separated all the recycling and posted the bits in the relevant holes but what's the point if you are going to insert a fish where no fish should be?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: benborp on 24 August, 2015, 02:28:49 pm
Why, why by all that's holy would you think that la Communauté de communes des Vals de Saintonge now accepts prawns for recycling? I don't want to know where this is going next.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 24 August, 2015, 09:58:53 pm
Ah piss. It appears out roof is leaking, that not a good sign is it?  :facepalm:

At least the leak appears mild and probably not that new given the plastic tray in the loft in the general vicinity. I certainly didn't put it there and we've lived here six years  ::-)

I best phone some people tomorrow. At least it's mild enough a leak that I can just call from work and arrange a visit for the weekend rather than staying home to get it sorted right this instant.

Still bloody annoying thobut.

I really hope it's a patch from the inside job rather than scaffolding and roof off. Can't afford the latter  :-\ Fingers crossed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 26 August, 2015, 07:14:34 pm
A grumble that's been building for some time now.

"Put your card in."
<yes, I know!>

*watches little display in the vain hope of beating the next instruction*

"Would you like cash back?"
"What?  Oh, no thank you"

*continues to watch little display*
Tap tap "Enter your pin number (sic)"
<damn, she beat me. - YES I KNOW!>

*poised to rip card out of machine*
"Take your card"
<arrgg!  Yes, I bloody know!

Don't know know why this pisses me off so much.  Maybe I should just chill.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 26 August, 2015, 07:21:04 pm
Quote from: Basil on 26 August, 2015, 07:14:34 pm
A grumble that's been building for some time now.

"Put your card in."
<yes, I know!>

*watches little display in the vain hope of beating the next instruction*

"Would you like cash back?"
"What?  Oh, no thank you"

*continues to watch little display*
Tap tap "Enter your pin number (sic)"
<damn, she beat me. - YES I KNOW!>

*poised to rip card out of machine*
"Take your card"
<arrgg!  Yes, I bloody know!

Don't know know why this pisses me off so much.  Maybe I should just chill.

Nah, just pay with cash cos that really pisses off the shops - handling loads of paper and metal - that's why they're so keen to offer cashback to keep the volume of notes down.

Rob
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 26 August, 2015, 10:39:34 pm
Unexpected roadworks in the racing area. Unannounced traffic lights mean that tomorrows race is cancelled. The roadworks should have been finished last friday and there is no mention on the council website of them progressing onto that road.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 27 August, 2015, 07:31:38 am
Prompted by the above:

We've got roadworks on a bridge that should have finished in June. Current speculation is whether they'll be done before bonfire night, when the town needs all the road space it can get.

Meanwhile, I've swapped to paying by card in ticket machines after one took my money, gave change, but no ticket a couple of weeks back. I had to speak to 4 people to get a form for a refund, and 10 days after posting it I've got a letter saying that it will be processed within 10 days. By paying by card, now if I don't get a ticket I will at least have evidence that I paid something.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 27 August, 2015, 10:21:00 am
Quote from: tiermat on 14 August, 2015, 07:42:13 am
Quote from: Wowbagger on 13 August, 2015, 06:36:32 pm
Quote from: tiermat on 30 July, 2015, 07:29:30 am
In the Grumble thread as it doesn't fit anywhere else.

My grumble is about me, I went out last night to see Soulfly @ The Corporation in Sheffield.

It was a good night, lots of moshing and loud music.

Why the flaming heck did I join in the pit? This morning I can hardly move my left hand, and when I do it is painful.  Standing on my left leg is painful, too.  I must have bruised parts when I fell over :(

I didn't understand any of that post, other than that you went to a gig in Sheffield and that somehow you injured yourself.

Bloody youngsters with their new-fangled words for things I've never heard of.

Soulfly = popular beat combo, m'lud, have been around since the late '90's, known for their very heavy metal style music.
Moshing = a type of "dancing" associated with bands such as Soulfly, which has it's roots is the pogo'ing of the Punk era (late '70's) and the word first appears in a song title in the late '80's (Anthrax - All Caught in a Mosh)

One does wonder just when Mr Wowbagger is going to join the 21st Century :) ;)

Webster dates first usage of 'mosh' at 1983.  Wikipedia says that the word was originally written 'mash' but pronounced 'mosh', and cites Total Mash by Scream in 1982.  I certainly knew the term well when I was working rock gigs in the mid-eighties, and we were making provision for moshpits then.

I can't really think that something thirty-three years old can be considered impossibly new-fangled.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 27 August, 2015, 10:25:53 am
Meanwhile, having Grumbled about a Grumble, I introduce the reason I visited this thread:

Those who have ridden with me will know I do not ride lightweight, and that I carry spare tube, random small parts, pump, and more tools than most people would think reasonable.  And I am relatively untroubled by mechanical issues on the road.

But this week, since I am covering less than 5km per day on the folder, I decided I didn't need any sort of tools.

Today I got a puncture.  I can't even take the wheel off the bike, and, even if I could, there is nothing I could do about the leaky tube :facepalm:

I shall be taking a longer lunch break today, and walking to a handy local bike shop.  White's - anyone heard of it?  Hopefully riding back.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 27 August, 2015, 11:04:54 am
I appear to have neglected to shave this morning.

As Mrs. B constantly informs me, young men with stubble look rugged and interesting.  Old men look like they're sleeping rough.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 27 August, 2015, 11:19:55 am
Like most people, clocks play a quite important part in my life: try as an experiment going for a period of time without looking at one… I bet after a few weeks you would learn approximately what the time was by the rising and setting of the sun. However, that’s not quite good enough for most of us, so we have time pieces which are accurate to nano seconds or better.

In my life there are eight clocks I interact with daily. Firstly, there is the alarm clock by my bed which I never need to set as my internal clock always seems to know when it’s time to get up (it’s either that or my bladder which controls my waking time!). Then there is the clock on my phone which tends to regulate my movements when I am out and of course there is the clock on my PVR….who can live without recorded television (I know the answer to this: quite a few people). I think however, the two most important clocks are the one my grandfather made back in the 1920's as an apprentice; it’s the only thing of his I own, and of course the little clock in the corner of my PC….I tend to watch that all day: it must be going home time soon!

The final two clocks are the one I was brought as a leaving gift by my ex workmates when I left London in 1988 and the clock in the kitchen….it’s this latter clock I wish to rant about. Many thanks for getting this far.

The kitchen clock is like the London clock, a quartz clock but unlike the London clock it ticks….a tick which is so loud you can hear it from the bedrooms, especially at night when you can’t sleep. Why, do clock makers (I know they aren’t actually clock makers in the old school sense of things), put ticks in quartz clocks: THEY DON’T NEED TO TICK! It’s a pointless sound; just like the camera shutter sound my phone makes when I take a photo. NO, that’s not needed either!

I hate ticking clocks (we don’t have my granddads clock working as it ticks but then it has the old style brass inners so needs to tick to work) as it reminds me my life is slipping away one tick at a time. Something you don’t need to be reminded of when you are laying in bed at 4am nursing a sick tabby cat.

If I was King, I would ban ticking quartz clocks.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 27 August, 2015, 11:30:31 am
Quote from: clarion on 27 August, 2015, 10:25:53 am
  White's - anyone heard of it?  Hopefully riding back.

This won't add anything to your day.....
Website says 'Closed on Thursdays'  :(
http://www.whitescyclecentre.co.uk/
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 27 August, 2015, 11:34:16 am
Surely the tick comes from the hands and cogs moving? It's nothing to do with being quartz. Unless you mean a digital clock.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 27 August, 2015, 11:38:09 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 27 August, 2015, 11:34:16 am
Surely the tick comes from the hands and cogs moving? It's nothing to do with being quartz. Unless you mean a digital clock.

I am not sure what I mean anymore. I just hate clocks which tick which have no right to tick.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 27 August, 2015, 11:54:56 am
I know what Sir means.  My PVR does not have a time display, the legacy VHS recorder's display is so dim it can scarce be seen from a foot away and the portable telephone remains decently on the table with its little flippy lid firmly closed.  Hence the Great Hall has a cheapo battery-energised quartz wall clock.

It ticks.  Loudly.

Lt. Col. Larrington (retd.) has his andestral grandfather clock, which is loud and hideous.  Dr Larrington and I are both adamant that we don't want to inherit it but she's the one with the seventeenth century house.  And the open fireplace.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 27 August, 2015, 12:07:26 pm
Barakta, the resident deafie, hates ticking clocks with a passion.  It's the sort of high frequency sound that cuts through everything else and drives her bonkers.  I've been recruited to source digital clocks with no moving parts for her former office, and needless to say all our clocks at home are either LED or LCD digital.  (I can't be bothered with analogue clocks - growing up with a sufficiency of digital ones that just had the time written on them, decoding an analogue clock face never became intuitive.)

As such, I've moved on and my new hatred is for clocks with hopeless frequency references:  Portable battery-powered devices with no network connectivity (eg. cycle computers) are allowed to be crap at keeping time.  Anything else has no excuse.  The clock on the oven does an admirable job of avoiding long-term drift by counting mains cycles.  The one on the microwave has no excse.  Mobile phones that don't get their time from the network (or if applicable, GPS) are just embarrassing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 27 August, 2015, 12:07:54 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 27 August, 2015, 11:30:31 am
Quote from: clarion on 27 August, 2015, 10:25:53 am
  White's - anyone heard of it?  Hopefully riding back.

This won't add anything to your day.....
Website says 'Closed on Thursdays'  :(
http://www.whitescyclecentre.co.uk/

In Barnehurst no one can hear you scream.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 27 August, 2015, 02:00:22 pm
Mended!  Fortunately, Bexley Cycle Centre in Bexleyheath was only a bit further away open, and owned by a very pleasant chap. :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 27 August, 2015, 02:50:27 pm
Quote from: Kim on 27 August, 2015, 12:07:26 pm
Barakta, the resident deafie, hates ticking clocks with a passion.  It's the sort of high frequency sound that cuts through everything else and drives her bonkers.  I've been recruited to source digital clocks with no moving parts for her former office, and needless to say all our clocks at home are either LED or LCD digital.  (I can't be bothered with analogue clocks - growing up with a sufficiency of digital ones that just had the time written on them, decoding an analogue clock face never became intuitive.).

There a TWO loudly ticking electric clocks in my kitchen about which barakta did not complain.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 27 August, 2015, 05:12:26 pm
Is it right that a needle should be so blunt as to require pliers to force it through the waistband of a pair of Craghoppers yet at the same time still hurt like fuck when it continues through the trousers, through the hole in the button you are attempting to replace and into your thumb?

Arse >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 27 August, 2015, 05:57:52 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 27 August, 2015, 02:50:27 pm
Quote from: Kim on 27 August, 2015, 12:07:26 pm
Barakta, the resident deafie, hates ticking clocks with a passion.  It's the sort of high frequency sound that cuts through everything else and drives her bonkers.  I've been recruited to source digital clocks with no moving parts for her former office, and needless to say all our clocks at home are either LED or LCD digital.  (I can't be bothered with analogue clocks - growing up with a sufficiency of digital ones that just had the time written on them, decoding an analogue clock face never became intuitive.).

There a TWO loudly ticking electric clocks in my kitchen about which barakta did not complain.

I don't recall hearing those... Also I probably wouldn't complain about a host's ticking clock.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 27 August, 2015, 11:42:26 pm
Quote from: barakta on 27 August, 2015, 05:57:52 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 27 August, 2015, 02:50:27 pm
Quote from: Kim on 27 August, 2015, 12:07:26 pm
Barakta, the resident deafie, hates ticking clocks with a passion.  It's the sort of high frequency sound that cuts through everything else and drives her bonkers.  I've been recruited to source digital clocks with no moving parts for her former office, and needless to say all our clocks at home are either LED or LCD digital.  (I can't be bothered with analogue clocks - growing up with a sufficiency of digital ones that just had the time written on them, decoding an analogue clock face never became intuitive.).

There a TWO loudly ticking electric clocks in my kitchen about which barakta did not complain.

I don't recall hearing those... Also I probably wouldn't complain about a host's ticking clock.

I suppose, as clocks go, they're fairly low frequency so might mostly be below your threshold. They are also about 7 feet above the floor, which might alter their impact on you.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 28 August, 2015, 12:24:47 am
Quote from: Kim on 27 August, 2015, 12:07:26 pm
(I can't be bothered with analogue clocks - growing up with a sufficiency of digital ones that just had the time written on them, decoding an analogue clock face never became intuitive.)
That stunned me. I can see how it can happen, but I'd not thought of the possibility in our world, this country in the late 20th century. I can't remember reading a clock face not being automatic, much faster than reading the numbers, though I can remember remembering not being able to do it, when I was small. I realised many years ago that numbers on the face are unnecessary. I actually prefer number-free faces. No distraction.

I wonder if that's just having learned it thoroughly, or if it's something to do with different people

Quote
Mobile phones that don't get their time from the network (or if applicable, GPS) are just embarrassing.
Damn right.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 28 August, 2015, 11:22:24 am
Work, pah.
Grumble#1: Colleagues, please stop telling me to go to the doctor. It's a cough. What on earth do you think the doctor is going to tell me.

According to NHS online:
Quote
Many chest infections aren't serious and get better within a few days or weeks. You won't usually need to see your GP, unless your symptoms suggest you have a more serious infection (see below).

What's more
Quote
You should see your GP if:
  • you feel very unwell or your symptoms are severe
  • you have a persistent fever
  • your symptoms last longer than three weeks
  • you feel confused, disorientated or drowsy
  • you have chest pain or difficulty breathing
  • you cough up blood or blood-stained phlegm
  • your skin or lips develop a blue tinge (cyanosis)
  • you are pregnant
  • you are 65 or over
  • you are very overweight and have difficulty breathing
  • you think a child under five has a chest infection
  • you have a weakened immune system
  • you have a long-term health condition
AND THAT'S NOT ME
It's just a bloomin' cough. Noisy, unpleasant, no fun for me... but not worthy of a doctor's visit. Still here in a fortnight and I might start listening to you. Until then, ignore it. I'm trying to do the same.

Grumble#2
Putting letters after your name on your emails is wanky. I keep thinking I'll stick (BSc Hons) on there, but I can't bring myself to do it. It's wanky.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 28 August, 2015, 11:29:20 am
Quote from: fboab on 28 August, 2015, 11:22:24 am
Work, pah.
Grumble#1: Colleagues, please stop telling me to go to the doctor. It's a cough. What on earth do you think the doctor is going to tell me.

My lot decided I had TB once cos someone we worked with was rumoured to have it, I emailed my epidemiologist TB specialist friend to ask and was fairly happy I did not have TB but I did get nagged for weeks.  As it was I had to see the doc cos the computer deleted my drugs again so got her to confirm I was unlikely to have TB.

Quote
Grumble#2
Putting letters after your name on your emails is wanky. I keep thinking I'll stick (BSc Hons) on there, but I can't bring myself to do it. It's wanky.

This!  I work in a university. Unless you have a PhD and about 4 Masters degrees, or you're differentiating or showing you are both a medical Dr and a PhD doctor No One Gives A Fuck! People who willy-wave with credentials tend to get laughed at, I'm not even going to try and compete or pretend I have creds I don't. Either they give me a chance and engage or they can get escalated appropriately.

It seems de rigeur to do MA Oxon in some fields though, law for example... Still makes me snort. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 28 August, 2015, 11:44:02 am
Quote from: fboab on 28 August, 2015, 11:22:24 am
Grumble#2
Putting letters after your name on your emails is wanky. I keep thinking I'll stick (BSc Hons) on there, but I can't bring myself to do it. It's wanky.

The wankiness of it knows no bounds.

(signed)

Mr Larrington BSC SSC
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Dibdib on 28 August, 2015, 12:54:50 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 28 August, 2015, 11:44:02 am
Quote from: fboab on 28 August, 2015, 11:22:24 am
Grumble#2
Putting letters after your name on your emails is wanky. I keep thinking I'll stick (BSc Hons) on there, but I can't bring myself to do it. It's wanky.

The wankiness of it knows no bounds.

(signed)

Mr Larrington BSC SSC

[unanticipated drink-keyboard interface]
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: epa611 on 28 August, 2015, 01:11:46 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 28 August, 2015, 11:44:02 am
Quote from: fboab on 28 August, 2015, 11:22:24 am
Grumble#2
Putting letters after your name on your emails is wanky. I keep thinking I'll stick (BSc Hons) on there, but I can't bring myself to do it. It's wanky.

The wankiness of it knows no bounds.

(signed)

Mr Larrington BSC SSC

Agreed

Mr EPA611 BSc (Hons), MSc, MEnvS, FCQI, MIMechE, MIEMA, CEng CQP, CEnv
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 28 August, 2015, 01:51:02 pm
Quote from: barakta on 28 August, 2015, 11:29:20 am
It seems de rigeur to do MA Oxon in some fields though, law for example... Still makes me snort.

I *think* that putting MA (Oxon) or (Cantab) in is only partly about "hey, I went to Oxbridge" willy-waving - the other part of it is a sotto voce "but I didn't actually do extra work for my MA" because both institutions automagically upgrade your undergrad degree after five years or so (well, if you send 'em fifty quid to do it).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 28 August, 2015, 02:30:13 pm
The Americans love the entire arse-end letters trail after the name thing. I'd say they should be shot, and I guess, given they're Americans there's probably a fair chance they will be.

I can't be bothered PhDing. I'm pretty sure my innate intelligence signs through with all the power of a 40 watt filament bulb.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Legs on 28 August, 2015, 02:30:50 pm
Almost.  I don't know what the situation is at the Complete Dump, but I got my MA (Cantab) three years after graduating (I think seven years after matriculation is the norm).  There was no additional charge - just a letter inviting me to a ceremony at the Senate House (declined) and a stickyfoot a few weeks later.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 28 August, 2015, 02:39:57 pm
Quote from: Bledlow on 28 August, 2015, 12:24:47 am
Quote from: Kim on 27 August, 2015, 12:07:26 pm
(I can't be bothered with analogue clocks - growing up with a sufficiency of digital ones that just had the time written on them, decoding an analogue clock face never became intuitive.)
That stunned me. I can see how it can happen, but I'd not thought of the possibility in our world, this country in the late 20th century. I can't remember reading a clock face not being automatic, much faster than reading the numbers, though I can remember remembering not being able to do it, when I was small. I realised many years ago that numbers on the face are unnecessary. I actually prefer number-free faces. No distraction.

I wonder if that's just having learned it thoroughly, or if it's something to do with different people

I'm sure I've talked about this before.

Before I was born, my parents lived in various parts of Africa for about ten years, and we spent a couple of years in The Gambia before moving back the the UK permanently.  As such, most of the things that were in the house I grew up in were either old and important enough to have been in long-term storage for most of the 70s, the few items that had been worth air-freighting around, or things that were bought new as they were needed in the early-mid 80s, when digital clocks were cheap and trendy.

Which meant that the analogue clocks of my childhood consisted of my dad's watch, my mum's watch (proper old-school nurse's one with a smooth second hand movement) and the one on the windowsill in the kitchen that was out of child eye-line (though mum would get it down so we could play with the novelty of ticking and winding occasionally).  Meanwhile there were various appliances with integrated digital clocks, a couple of new clock-radios with digital displays, my brother and I both had digital alarm clocks in our bedrooms, and as we got older - like most children of the 80s - we were so amazingly primitive that cheap beepy digital watches with garish straps seemed like a pretty neat idea.

Obviously I was still taught how to read an an analogue clock in the usual way - it being a staple of small-child education, but because all the useful time sources in the environment I grew up in were digital, it's a skill that never really became intuitive.  As I became old enough to choose my own clocks, I naturally opted for digital displays, because as I say, they've just got the time written on them.  Obviously I still need to read an analogue clock in public places or in pictures from time to time, but not often enough to get really good at it.  They remain more of a geometry exercise than an intuitive display.

I wonder if this trend will continue amongst later generations?  I suppose the average person's under 30's watch is a mobile phone, though technology has progressed to the point where you can have analogue displays on your digital device if you want to.  We've also accepted that while digital timepieces are cheap, accurate and ubiquitous, they're not cool, and in the rare event of buying a timepiece for it's own sake, the display is probably more likely to be analogue.  Dedicated public clocks (in stations etc.) tend to be analogue, except when they're the time displayed in the corner of a screen of information. 

And maybe most people are just better at it than I am, in spite of not actually using the skill very often?

I also struggle to read joined-up writing, for broadly similar reasons - by the time I was in my teens, cheap computer printing had become sufficiently common that hand-written notices and letters were a rarity, and most people print or use block capitals on signs and labels.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Dibdib on 28 August, 2015, 03:17:00 pm
I think I'm officially Dibdib DipHE LLB(Hons), but I don't think I've ever used either of them "officially" (or even seriously).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SteveC on 28 August, 2015, 03:20:30 pm
I had a friend who was The Librarian* at a large London teaching hospital. She refused to bother with any of her qualifications on her name badge. People occasionally asked (as everyone else made sure that all of their letters were there). Her standard response was "Do you think the hospital would employ someone in the role who wasn't appropriately qualified?" which usually did the trick.

* I never once heard her say "Ook" though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Si_Co on 28 August, 2015, 03:27:06 pm
When I worked for large USAnian company twas a disciplinary offence to omit your letters from your email sig.  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Dibdib on 28 August, 2015, 03:31:39 pm
Quote from: Si S on 28 August, 2015, 03:27:06 pm
When I worked for large USAnian company twas a disciplinary offence to omit your letters from your email sig.  ::-)

Blimey. That's ridiculous - for a start, neither of mine are even relevant to my job (the LLB is a law degree and the DipHE is in computer science).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 28 August, 2015, 03:58:15 pm
It can get a bit silly. What next - a hyperlink to your CV for every email sent?

..d PhD PGCertTHE FRSB LMSTG+bar
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 28 August, 2015, 04:05:50 pm
Letters after my name? GSM.

Thanks.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 28 August, 2015, 04:41:56 pm
I do not have a degree, just a temperature.

(signed)

Mr Larrington BSC SSC E&OE SPQR CAFC (Hons) MM DSO Cocktail Lounge and Bar
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TimC on 28 August, 2015, 08:21:02 pm
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 28 August, 2015, 04:05:50 pm
Letters after my name? GSM.

Thanks.

RAF (rtd) and Bar (but that just refers to my preferred leisure location). 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 28 August, 2015, 08:59:56 pm
Quote from: TimC on 28 August, 2015, 08:21:02 pm
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 28 August, 2015, 04:05:50 pm
Letters after my name? GSM.

Thanks.

RAF (rtd) and Bar (but that just refers to my preferred leisure location).

"Yes, I passed the bar.  But I realised my mistake a doubled back."
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 28 August, 2015, 11:02:33 pm
I can't sleep in a room with a ticking clock. When I stay at my mum's, I have to take the battery out of the clock in the spare bedroom.

Kirst (BSc, bronze lifesaver award, winner of ABC cinema's competition to do the best picture of the view from Captain Nemo's submarine's porthole 1978)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 28 August, 2015, 11:31:56 pm
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 28 August, 2015, 11:02:33 pm
Kirst (BSc, bronze lifesaver award, winner of ABC cinema's competition to do the best picture of the view from Captain Nemo's submarine's porthole 1978)

and the mrs joyful prize for rafia work
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 29 August, 2015, 09:42:00 am
The only half decent day of the long weekend & I'm at work. Come on You Bears!!!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 29 August, 2015, 10:55:18 am
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 29 August, 2015, 09:42:00 am
Come on You Bears!!!

Oh is that why there were many large groups of middle aged men walking up the flat cut this morning?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 29 August, 2015, 11:50:35 am
I want to do the dishes then spend a few hours making curries and dhal. Unfortunately there are issues with the Edinburgh water supply today and I can't. *drinks lots of San Pellegrino lemon*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 29 August, 2015, 12:31:38 pm
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 29 August, 2015, 11:50:35 am
I want to do the dishes then spend a few hours making curries and dhal. Unfortunately there are issues with the Edinburgh water supply today and I can't. *drinks lots of San Pellegrino lemon*

That's a pain! I have 2x 2 litre bottles of Sainsbury's Basics still water for such contingencies. They were 17p each.
I'd give them to you if you weren't so far away...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 29 August, 2015, 12:35:13 pm
Quote from: Basil on 29 August, 2015, 10:55:18 am
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 29 August, 2015, 09:42:00 am
Come on You Bears!!!

Oh is that why there were many large groups of middle aged men walking up the flat cut this morning?
Probably, but any Bears fans will most likely be disappointed after their performance in the first semi...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 29 August, 2015, 01:59:47 pm
Just heading downstairs to make lunch when one of the dogs throws up on the landing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 29 August, 2015, 02:18:07 pm
Quote from: T42 on 29 August, 2015, 01:59:47 pm
Just heading downstairs to make lunch when one of the dogs throws up on the landing.

A Several of years ago Miss von Brandenburg was just heading out of the (shared) house to go to "Glasto" when The Cat did that.  It must have happened after we left, she said, from the safety of a soggy field in Somerset.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 29 August, 2015, 03:03:37 pm
A set of rules to Mornington Crescent has been published on the ISIHAC web site. This is just wrong.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 29 August, 2015, 03:53:32 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 29 August, 2015, 02:18:07 pm
Quote from: T42 on 29 August, 2015, 01:59:47 pm
Just heading downstairs to make lunch when one of the dogs throws up on the landing.

A Several of years ago Miss von Brandenburg was just heading out of the (shared) house to go to "Glasto" when The Cat did that.  It must have happened after we left, she said, from the safety of a soggy field in Somerset.

At least ours hadn't had time to fulminate.  But unusually, dog B wasn't interested in clearing it up so I had to do it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 29 August, 2015, 06:45:01 pm
I've been sent to the kitchen.  Mrs. B is in Brum for the long w/e.  She's watching Pride and/or Prejudice.  Apparently, I'll just keep commenting.   :demon:
"Where's all the dust?"
"How come his shoes/clothes are so clean?"
"Why has that person got a 21st century hairstyle?"
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 29 August, 2015, 07:41:25 pm
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 29 August, 2015, 12:35:13 pm
Quote from: Basil on 29 August, 2015, 10:55:18 am
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 29 August, 2015, 09:42:00 am
Come on You Bears!!!

Oh is that why there were many large groups of middle aged men walking up the flat cut this morning?
Probably, but any Bears fans will most likely be disappointed after their performance in the first semi...

Happy to see my home country trounce your lot but not enjoying the rate at which Lancashire are piling on the runs.   :-\
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 29 August, 2015, 07:49:22 pm
Wtf? You didn't hear me order a main course? I assure you  I did.
Do I look like a chap who only orders soup !  And where's my 2nd beer?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 29 August, 2015, 08:38:59 pm
I am coming down with a clod.  This is Not Fair.  I drink gallons of orange juice and don't associate with sniffly-nosed Oiks >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 29 August, 2015, 09:01:16 pm
Note to self. Next time you book a Paris hotel for the end of August, forget the location, forget the olde worlde charme, just make sure it's got bloody air conditioning!

It's 32C outside, even with the window open its warmer in here.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 29 August, 2015, 10:35:01 pm
Mrs. B has a card.  It says 20% off asos and has a code number and everyfink. 
"Can I have that?" I ask. 
"Sure." She says.

Tappity tap.
Oh, that's Asos, not Assos.
Bugger.

For those with nothing to do right now, go to Asos and look at Cycling shorts.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 29 August, 2015, 11:16:59 pm
Quote from: Vince on 29 August, 2015, 03:03:37 pm
A set of rules to Mornington Crescent has been published on the ISIHAC web site. This is just wrong.
rules for mornington crescent (simplified)
1. Get to Mornington Crescent.
2. Stop your opponents getting there first.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 30 August, 2015, 06:12:53 am
Quote from: Basil on 29 August, 2015, 10:35:01 pm
Mrs. B has a card.  It says 20% off asos and has a code number and everyfink. 
"Can I have that?" I ask. 
"Sure." She says.

Tappity tap.
Oh, that's Asos, not Assos.
Bugger.

For those with nothing to do right now, go to Asos and look at Cycling shorts.

Not much lycra there
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 30 August, 2015, 08:39:01 am
Quote from: Polar Bear on 29 August, 2015, 07:41:25 pm
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 29 August, 2015, 12:35:13 pm
Quote from: Basil on 29 August, 2015, 10:55:18 am
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 29 August, 2015, 09:42:00 am
Come on You Bears!!!
Oh is that why there were many large groups of middle aged men walking up the flat cut this morning?
Probably, but any Bears fans will most likely be disappointed after their performance in the first semi...
Happy to see my home county trounce your lot but not enjoying the rate at which Lancashire are piling on the runs.   :-\
I didn't bother watching all the final. Rather an anti-climax to such a wham-bam form of the game.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 01 September, 2015, 10:19:16 am
Yesterday evening, when it was still around 30°C and all the windows were open, some bastard varmer sprayed liquid manure on a field upwind of here. There are times when I hate this place.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 02 September, 2015, 09:51:01 pm
Washing machine, please cease and desist with the noise reminiscent of a drunk trying to change gear in a laden skip lorry and get on with doing the bloody washing >:(

I think it's the clutch.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 03 September, 2015, 12:10:23 am
The spare AA cells in my bum bag met the spare keys, paper clip and stack of neodymium magnets supplied by Biggsy OTP tonight and got VERY HOT.
Baahh!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 03 September, 2015, 12:17:33 am
At least they weren't lithium (presumably).  Or NiCad for that matter.   :hand:

I find these quite useful for avoiding that sort of thing: https://www.7dayshop.com/products/7dayshop-aa-aaa-battery-storage-case-clear-5-pack-7DAYAACASECLEAR5PACK
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 03 September, 2015, 06:44:47 am
Missus came into kitchen and started frying salmon with the skin on while I was having my breakfast.  :sick:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 03 September, 2015, 11:23:29 am
Quote from: Kim on 03 September, 2015, 12:17:33 am
At least they weren't lithium (presumably).  Or NiCad for that matter.   :hand:

I find these quite useful for avoiding that sort of thing: https://www.7dayshop.com/products/7dayshop-aa-aaa-battery-storage-case-clear-5-pack-7DAYAACASECLEAR5PACK
Yeah. I bought some rechargeable batteries from them in packs like that, & use them for carrying spare batteries. Very handy. They need an elastic band round 'em so they don't pop open when rattled around in a bag, though.

But for at least a week, their 'good to go' rechargeable AAA batteries have been unavailable, just when I want some.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 03 September, 2015, 11:55:53 am
Us longhairs will usually have the odd piece of elasticated Stuffs about our person.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 03 September, 2015, 03:10:44 pm
After twenty-four seconds of ringing Lt. Col. Larrington (retd.)'s anbaric distaphone it makes a noise like a highly-amplified version of Jimi Hendrix' guitar seeing a sea otter for the first time, and hangs up.  Subsequent diallings elicit naught but a noise like a modem or fax machine trying to shake hands.  Which is odd, as he posseses neither.  The fax/modem state of affairs persists for anything up to a couple of hours.

WTF ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 03 September, 2015, 05:38:49 pm
Thatsentertainment.co.uk: I went to play my newly acquired copy of Meat is Murder only to find a disc by Mogwai. If I had wanted background music, I would have stood in the nearest lift for three quarters of an hour, thank you. Kindly provide originally ordered item, kthxbai.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 03 September, 2015, 07:05:31 pm
As I went for a little hide from my in box at lunchtime today I had light collision with a bike that came flying round the corner on the pavement.
Girl, late 20s?? Neither of us came to harm.

This isn't a grumble about pavement cycling.  This is a grumble about people.

I said something along the lines of "If you must ride on the pavement, you should slow down a bit"

(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 03 September, 2015, 07:21:50 pm
Quote from: Basil on 03 September, 2015, 07:05:31 pm
(click to show/hide)

Fair point, though.

(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 03 September, 2015, 07:51:50 pm
Not much sign of any grandadship being achieved in this family.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 03 September, 2015, 08:12:01 pm
"If you're going to ride that fast, do it on a canal towpath."
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 03 September, 2015, 08:37:58 pm
It's not just me then?  The pavement cyclists *are* getting faster?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 05 September, 2015, 11:01:02 pm
Dear Santander Cycles,
Thank you SO much for sending me a new key so that your red corporate logo replaces Barclay's blue fob.
You inform me I can activate this key online. I can't due to an 'internal server error' on the TfL website.
Phoning 0343 2549966 gives me silence.
Just as well we don't want to use the bikes just now...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 06 September, 2015, 06:48:04 am
How the muddy flip am I supposed to fish a tea bag out of a cup with that?  It has the structural integrity of a cheese straw and goes floppy when put in hot water >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 06 September, 2015, 02:00:20 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 05 September, 2015, 11:01:02 pm
Dear Santander Cycles,
Thank you SO much for sending me a new key so that your red corporate logo replaces Barclay's blue fob.
You inform me I can activate this key online. I can't due to an 'internal server error' on the TfL website.
Phoning 0343 2549966 gives me silence.
Just as well we don't want to use the bikes just now...

The website seems to be up FSVO 'up' today so I have inactivated the old key.
I don't seem to be able to activate the new key but must ring the their phone line, which is
DEAD.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 06 September, 2015, 02:23:21 pm
If you thought Waterloo [sic] station was big enough to have more than one wheelchair-accessible toilet you would be wrong. I waited nearly half an hour to use a loo that was too small for my wheelchair.
GGGGRRRR!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 07 September, 2015, 04:39:41 pm
The wobbly feeling in my tooth is a filling that's come very loose. It would happen just as I'm about to spend two weeks shuttling 40 miles each way to work off site.

At least there's no pain :-\
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 07 September, 2015, 07:06:28 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 07 September, 2015, 04:39:41 pm
The wobbly feeling in my tooth is a filling that's come very loose. It would happen just as I'm about to spend two weeks shuttling 40 miles each way to work off site.

At least there's no pain :-\

Now would be a good time to invest in an emergency dental bodge kit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 08 September, 2015, 02:30:49 am
Safeway Canada, why can you not tell me today's opening hours of your store just down the street?  It's a Bank Holibob here in Canuckistan, so normal hours do not apply. I could walk down there and have a look, but it's raining.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 08 September, 2015, 07:37:47 am
You're not made of sugar!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 08 September, 2015, 09:16:22 am
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 08 September, 2015, 07:37:47 am
You're not made of sugar!

The bears won't care. He probably smells of maple syrup.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 08 September, 2015, 12:15:28 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 06 September, 2015, 02:23:21 pm
If you thought Waterloo [sic] station was big enough to have more than one wheelchair-accessible toilet you would be wrong. I waited nearly half an hour to use a loo that was too small for my wheelchair.
GGGGRRRR!

Spending a penny or three (million) (http://www.timeout.com/london/blog/victoria-station-is-making-millions-from-people-using-the-toilets-090715)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 08 September, 2015, 01:40:43 pm
Quote from: Andrij on 08 September, 2015, 12:15:28 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 06 September, 2015, 02:23:21 pm
If you thought Waterloo [sic] station was big enough to have more than one wheelchair-accessible toilet you would be wrong. I waited nearly half an hour to use a loo that was too small for my wheelchair.
GGGGRRRR!

Spending a penny or three (million) (http://www.timeout.com/london/blog/victoria-station-is-making-millions-from-people-using-the-toilets-090715)

There's no charge if you have a RADAR key but ONE measly privy for a HUGE station is beyond a joke. Partner did offer to take me to the Royal Festival Hall, which I declined. Dragging 60kg me + 20kg wheelchair + 10kg luggage several hundred metres is no trivial task anyway.

A small suburban Caffè Nero has as many wheelchair loos as Waterloo.
Wonderful!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 08 September, 2015, 06:20:55 pm
I checked the bikes this afternoon ready for the evening pootle.   We depart at the usual time.   By the top of the street (300m at best) my rear tyre is sagging. 

I'd like to thank the thoughtful individual who smashed a glass something-or-other over the road.   I didn't see the debris on the way up the street.

BAH!!!    :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 10 September, 2015, 02:45:57 pm
My colleague has a pus-filled spot on her lower eyelid where an eyelash is ingrown, and she won't let me poke it out with a sterilised pin.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 10 September, 2015, 04:40:11 pm
Last 30k of drive home from LBS were spent as follows:

15k rural then urban behind a removals van
10k urban then rural behind a school bus, which in turn got boxed in behind a tractor towing a trailer with 2 bales of something green on.
5k rural, normally nice fast fun road, behind a clapped-out Renault with a driver who hit the brakes every time he went over 60 kph

Constant oncoming traffic, overtaking impossible, rubbish on the radio.  :demon:  :demon:  :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 10 September, 2015, 05:37:39 pm
I am sorry I sat in that man's seat but a) why, on a train this busy, did he have a seat for him and a second one for his bag and b) why did he think just pointing at the bag when he came back was the way to communicate this fact? Of course my initial response was to pass him his bag.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 10 September, 2015, 06:22:40 pm
Had he bought a second ticket for his bag?  Assuming he didn't, you definitely made the correct response, but why he couldn't have moved his own bag so he could sit down, I don't know.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 10 September, 2015, 07:38:53 pm
That made me laugh Ashaman. I'd have done the same thing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 10 September, 2015, 11:20:06 pm
Yes, the bench beside the bridleway in the middle of Quarry Wood gives spectacular views accross Marlow, the Thames and the weir but, why the fuck do you have to leave your drinks bottles and cans strewn all over the place you lazy fuckers. I crushed 5 plastic bottles and 3 beer cans and squeezed them into my NotCamleback after taking in the view myself and necking a PowerBar smoothie.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 12 September, 2015, 05:09:05 pm
Quote from: Wombat on 10 September, 2015, 06:22:40 pm
Had he bought a second ticket for his bag?  Assuming he didn't, you definitely made the correct response, but why he couldn't have moved his own bag so he could sit down, I don't know.

The bag was in the window seat so I just moved to the seat opposite and he reoccupied his aisle seat. I should have said something but was wrong footed by my misunderstanding so didn't think of it till afterwards.

Between him and the chap next to me in the morning who was manspreading such that I only had two-thirds of a seat it wasn't the nest day of train travel.  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Paul on 14 September, 2015, 01:11:37 pm
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 10 September, 2015, 11:20:06 pm
I crushed 5 plastic bottles and 3 beer cans and squeezed them into my NotCamleback after taking in the view myself and necking a PowerBar smoothie.

 :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CrinklyLion on 15 September, 2015, 07:50:36 am
Earache.  Bah.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 15 September, 2015, 08:22:43 am
Bastard on-line merchants who don't clear discontinued items out of their databases so that you get a bunch of hits on Google followed by "currently unavailable" when you click them.

Hang'em.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 15 September, 2015, 08:34:25 am
Feckin' Gosport Post Orifice... 

Yesterday I went in there to collect my Amazon parcel, and to post a parcel.  There is a queue of 20+ people, and one person serving.  i waited a couple of minutes and the queue didn't move at all, so I gave up.  when I got back to the offic I checked opening times, and all I found was a Post Office statement say "when the new post office opens soon, it will be from 7am to 6pm"  The new post orifice has indeed opened, right down the bottom of the High street, not up her near the Town Hall where Gosport's idea of action is. 

So, I walked down there as soon as I got to work this morning, at around 7-40.  was it open?  No, it bloody wasn't.  I got back here, looked it up again, get a different result from some independent information site, saying it opens at 9am.  So that'll really improve the service over the previous much derided post orifice that opened at 9am and only had one person serving, then?

Today (weather permitting) there are supposed to be Spitfires etc, flying over Gosport at lunchtime, so I am otherwise occupied.  Hopefully this time they will read their maps, unlike the recent alleged flypast when they were 5 miles off their published track, and totally avoided any populated areas, and the thousands of people waiting to see them in Portsmouth, Gosport, and the top of Portsdown Hill.  If they screw it up this time as well, it may escalate into a full rant.

Maybe one day Mrs W will get her birthday gift sent my Amazon.  The awkward thing is that I think they've only sent one of the two books, and my new headphones will arrive at the same place tomorrow, so I can see a lifetime of queueueueing at the post orifice ahead of me. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 15 September, 2015, 10:40:24 am
I am on holiday tomorrow…my first proper holiday this year; a year which has been quite stressful. So really looking forward to it with plans made to finally do all of the Tissington and High Peak trails, a climb of the Malvern’s and Wrekin Hills, a couple of trips to the cinema and the theatre and a lunch or two with my lovely wife.

I was planning those…past tense as walking to the station this morning I tripped over and have pulled what I think it a tendon behind my left knee. I can’t walk not, let alone cycle.

Bugger and all that.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: lou boutin on 15 September, 2015, 11:51:44 am
I hope you heal quickly.  I've not been on any of the Malven walks recently butt the view from e Wrekin is beautiful.  If you were thinking of visiting Shropshire you could try the Cardining Mill Valley there are some flatter walks or you can take the car the the topic the Mynd - not the same as walking it but....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 15 September, 2015, 12:00:47 pm
Quote from: T42 on 15 September, 2015, 08:22:43 am
Bastard on-line merchants who don't clear discontinued items out of their databases so that you get a bunch of hits on Google followed by "currently unavailable" when you click them.

Hang'em.

+1

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wowbagger on 15 September, 2015, 05:43:30 pm
For the second consecutive day I have been deprived of my normally-daily fix of a killer sudoku puzzle from http://www.killersudokuonline.com/ . This is serious.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Paul on 15 September, 2015, 05:54:53 pm
Quote from: essexian on 15 September, 2015, 10:40:24 am
I am on holiday tomorrow…my first proper holiday this year; a year which has been quite stressful. So really looking forward to it with plans made to finally do all of the Tissington and High Peak trails, a climb of the Malvern’s and Wrekin Hills, a couple of trips to the cinema and the theatre and a lunch or two with my lovely wife.

I was planning those…past tense as walking to the station this morning I tripped over and have pulled what I think it a tendon behind my left knee. I can’t walk not, let alone cycle.

Bugger and all that.
That's pants. Get well soon.

Cinema, theatre and lunch all still do-able. In fact, recent experience on crutches is that you sometimes get better seats!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Paul on 16 September, 2015, 12:17:55 pm
Is it so hard to make a butter dish that fits the shapes that butter generally comes in?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 16 September, 2015, 01:47:11 pm
Quote from: Wombat on 15 September, 2015, 08:34:25 am
when they were 5 miles off their published track, and totally avoided any populated areas, and the thousands of people waiting to see them in Portsmouth, Gosport, and the top of Portsdown Hill. 

Perhaps, just perhaps this was a reaction to the Shoreham crash - albeit after the routes had been published?

We were hopeful one or two would make their customary pass over Halton, but no such luck.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 16 September, 2015, 03:39:33 pm
Oh, the dulcet pleasure of pressing the button on a spray can of TF2 only to receive a handful out the sides while SFA but a drop comes out of the wee red straw.

A la Jesus in The Big Lebowski, I'd like to push it up the ass of the genius who first thought of aerosol oil cans and pull the trigger until it goes click; except that it wouldn't really do much, it wouldn't go click and he'd probably enjoy it.

And a big thank-you to two LBSes who stock nothing else. Next CRC order it'll be the wee black bottles again to make up the price to free postage level.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 16 September, 2015, 04:21:48 pm
Dear social worker, when writing casenotes about incontinence, the term is faecal, not fetal.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Chris S on 16 September, 2015, 04:59:40 pm
Just because Fern is a name, doesn't mean calling your child Bracken is better  :facepalm:.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 16 September, 2015, 05:01:39 pm
Really?  I mean really?  Please tell me you've made that up.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Chris S on 16 September, 2015, 05:05:20 pm
Quote from: Basil on 16 September, 2015, 05:01:39 pm
Really?  I mean really?  Please tell me you've made that up.

I wish...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 16 September, 2015, 05:22:20 pm
Quote from: Chris S on 16 September, 2015, 05:05:20 pm
Quote from: Basil on 16 September, 2015, 05:01:39 pm
Really?  I mean really?  Please tell me you've made that up.

I wish...

 :facepalm:  :facepalm:

How about Curly Kale?  Or Chard?   ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 16 September, 2015, 05:29:08 pm
I knew a female called "Bracken" once, but she was a Border Collie.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 16 September, 2015, 05:30:24 pm
Quote from: Basil on 16 September, 2015, 05:22:20 pm
Quote from: Chris S on 16 September, 2015, 05:05:20 pm
Quote from: Basil on 16 September, 2015, 05:01:39 pm
Really?  I mean really?  Please tell me you've made that up.

I wish...

 :facepalm:  :facepalm:

How about Curly Kale?  Or Chard?   ;D
Of course Chard (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chard,_Somerset) can be a name! It's just like Chelsea! Or Taunton. Or Smethwick. Or... I see Rudyard never caught on, anyway.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 16 September, 2015, 07:36:13 pm
Quote from: Basil on 16 September, 2015, 05:22:20 pm
Quote from: Chris S on 16 September, 2015, 05:05:20 pm
Quote from: Basil on 16 September, 2015, 05:01:39 pm
Really?  I mean really?  Please tell me you've made that up.

I wish...

 :facepalm:  :facepalm:

How about Curly Kale?  Or Chard?   ;D

Helmut Kohl's name isn't silly.
Nor is Ronnie Chard...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 16 September, 2015, 07:50:22 pm
and for twins...... Mustard and Cress?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 16 September, 2015, 08:43:21 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 16 September, 2015, 07:36:13 pm
Quote from: Basil on 16 September, 2015, 05:22:20 pm
Quote from: Chris S on 16 September, 2015, 05:05:20 pm
Quote from: Basil on 16 September, 2015, 05:01:39 pm
Really?  I mean really?  Please tell me you've made that up.

I wish...

 :facepalm:  :facepalm:

How about Curly Kale?  Or Chard?   ;D

Helmut Kohl's name isn't silly.
Nor is Ronnie Chard...
Nor Bartosz Kapustka, the Polish footballer.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CrinklyLion on 16 September, 2015, 09:52:39 pm
Quote from: Paul on 16 September, 2015, 12:17:55 pm
Is it so hard to make a butter dish that fits the shapes that butter generally comes in?

I can recommend the butter boxes from here http://www.baltictrader.co.uk/mall/departmentpage.cfm/BalticTraderOnline/_93773/1/Butter%2520Boxes

Just don't drop the lid, because they are made as a pair and you can't replace the lid without replacing the box because they don't fit interchangeably...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Dibdib on 17 September, 2015, 12:07:40 am
Quote from: CrinklyLion on 16 September, 2015, 09:52:39 pm
Quote from: Paul on 16 September, 2015, 12:17:55 pm
Is it so hard to make a butter dish that fits the shapes that butter generally comes in?

I can recommend the butter boxes from here http://www.baltictrader.co.uk/mall/departmentpage.cfm/BalticTraderOnline/_93773/1/Butter%2520Boxes

Just don't drop the lid, because they are made as a pair and you can't replace the lid without replacing the box because they don't fit interchangeably...

I've got a lovely Le Creuset one which takes a normal block of Lurpak quite nicely. Bright ORANGE too, which I likes.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 17 September, 2015, 09:40:47 am
We have a couple (well three actually - 2 in use, one for salted, one for unsalted, one spare) of these

http://www.lakeland.co.uk/1496/Insulated-Butter-Dish?gclid=CLfVoNnV_ccCFQ5sGwod40MD-g&src=gfeed&s_kwcid=AL!49!3!69394197149!!!g!40228173289!&ef_id=VebEcwAAAIiQACK2:20150917083941:s

but HOW MUCH?!? now??  :o

We didn't pat that much but then ours are 10 years old now.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jasmine on 17 September, 2015, 09:55:59 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 16 September, 2015, 05:29:08 pm
I knew a female called "Bracken" once, but she was a Border Collie.

One of my friends has a rottweiler called Bracken. It's one of those names that's appropriate for a dog, but less so a human.

This reminds me of the fact that I have 2 new people working for me, named Ruby and Sam.  Both are fairly appropriate names for people, but unfortunately I have 2 cows called Ruby and Sam (who we bought as a pair), and now I'm struggling to remove the name association.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Legs on 17 September, 2015, 10:06:51 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 16 September, 2015, 08:43:21 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 16 September, 2015, 07:36:13 pm
Quote from: Basil on 16 September, 2015, 05:22:20 pm
Quote from: Chris S on 16 September, 2015, 05:05:20 pm
Quote from: Basil on 16 September, 2015, 05:01:39 pm
Really?  I mean really?  Please tell me you've made that up.

I wish...

 :facepalm:  :facepalm:

How about Curly Kale?  Or Chard?   ;D

Helmut Kohl's name isn't silly.
Nor is Ronnie Chard...
Nor Bartosz Kapustka, the Polish footballer.
Nor indeed Polish cyclist Sylwia Kapusta.

When I was a 10-year-old Legling, I had a schoolfriend with a darkish complexion (I think he was just well tanned).  His name was Richard Lewis but he went by the nickname "Chocolate Chard".  He managed to persuade us to drop the "chocolate" (ooo-err) and was then universally known as "Chard".
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 17 September, 2015, 10:42:37 am
Quote from: Jasmine on 17 September, 2015, 09:55:59 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 16 September, 2015, 05:29:08 pm
I knew a female called "Bracken" once, but she was a Border Collie.

One of my friends has a rottweiler called Bracken. It's one of those names that's appropriate for a dog, but less so a human.


In France there's a category of gun dog called a braque - a Weimaraner here is a Braque de Weimar.  There's probably an obsolete English cognate that gave people the idea of calling their dogs Bracken.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Paul on 17 September, 2015, 01:27:47 pm
Quote from: CrinklyLion on 16 September, 2015, 09:52:39 pm
Quote from: Paul on 16 September, 2015, 12:17:55 pm
Is it so hard to make a butter dish that fits the shapes that butter generally comes in?

I can recommend the butter boxes from here http://www.baltictrader.co.uk/mall/departmentpage.cfm/BalticTraderOnline/_93773/1/Butter%2520Boxes

Just don't drop the lid, because they are made as a pair and you can't replace the lid without replacing the box because they don't fit interchangeably...

They are nice, as are
Quote from: rafletcher on 17 September, 2015, 09:40:47 am
We have a couple (well three actually - 2 in use, one for salted, one for unsalted, one spare) of these

http://www.lakeland.co.uk/1496/Insulated-Butter-Dish?gclid=CLfVoNnV_ccCFQ5sGwod40MD-g&src=gfeed&s_kwcid=AL!49!3!69394197149!!!g!40228173289!&ef_id=VebEcwAAAIiQACK2:20150917083941:s

but HOW MUCH?!? now??  :o

We didn't pat that much but then ours are 10 years old now.

Mine is nice too, but the problem (I realise now from your links) is that it is upside down. Well, not exactly, but the bottom piece is almost flat, while the lid is box-shaped to go over the butter. Which I guess is the problem, because if you don't put it on carefully it catches the butter and you get a mess. Only a small mess, admittedly (which is why this is in 'grumbles', not 'rants').

The linked design solves that problem. I'll think about it...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 17 September, 2015, 01:48:27 pm
Ours is 'upside down' too. As you say, it can result in buttery mess, but then again, it means the butter is easier to get at. What ours does lack is a handle, but well, it only cost about a fiver (less, I think) as opposed to twenty. And at least it's not plastic!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 17 September, 2015, 07:47:20 pm
The tent was a bit wet when I packed it up on Sunday. It's been in its bag since then. Today I put it out on the line to dry and it smells of curry powder and raw fish (two things that have never been near it).  :sick:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 17 September, 2015, 07:59:02 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 17 September, 2015, 07:47:20 pm
The tent was a bit wet when I packed it up on Sunday. It's been in its bag since then. Today I put it out on the line to dry and it smells of curry powder and raw fish (two things that have never been near it).  :sick:

Have you checked for forgotten jumpers?   ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: epa611 on 18 September, 2015, 09:40:38 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 17 September, 2015, 01:48:27 pm
Ours is 'upside down' too. As you say, it can result in buttery mess, but then again, it means the butter is easier to get at. What ours does lack is a handle, but well, it only cost about a fiver (less, I think) as opposed to twenty. And at least it's not plastic!

We just use something like this (http://www.addis.co.uk/kitchen-and-food-storage/food-containers/clip-close/rectangular-containers/rectangular-containers-450ml-rectangular.html).

Works!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CrinklyLion on 18 September, 2015, 09:52:40 am
Quote from: Paul on 17 September, 2015, 01:27:47 pm
Mine is nice too, but the problem (I realise now from your links) is that it is upside down. Well, not exactly, but the bottom piece is almost flat, while the lid is box-shaped to go over the butter. Which I guess is the problem, because if you don't put it on carefully it catches the butter and you get a mess. Only a small mess, admittedly (which is why this is in 'grumbles', not 'rants').

The linked design solves that problem. I'll think about it...

Ah, what you mean is that you have a butter dish and not a butter box.  The distinction is, apparently, very important.  I got a right proper telling off when I tried to buy a replacement lid for what I believed to be a butter 'dish' from the pottery in Lewes - not because they don't sell spare lids (which they don't) but because I was referring to their wares completely incorrectly.  She was most offended :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 18 September, 2015, 12:49:46 pm
Stupid giant laptop from the mothership. See, last year, I ordered a svelte ultrabook thing then I handed in my old laptop. They did the magic and handed me something back the size and weight of a small American pickup truck. Erm, that's not what I put the tick next to on my requisition, say I. Oh we've run out of those, says he. Can you get me one? Not till next year, they're not getting any more. Anyway, I've been dragging it around ever since and hating it more and more by the day. More so as since I have learned that there's a secret pathway to getting a MacBook. So I could have got one of those. I am a seething bathtub of bile.

Anyway, that's an historical grumble, my contemporary grumble is that I fumbled and dropped the behemoth this morning, thus distressing further my distressed hardwood floor. We didn't make the mistake in this house of having a nice pristine wood floor and then scratching, gouging, and denting it (bike locks are superb), this came ready battered and factory engineered rustic. Now more so.

Worst still, it didn't break. Just the damn bluetooth dongle. Which is mine (because the mothership decided to save 4p per laptop by not having a bluetooth chip). Now I have to use the touchpad and once you're used to an Appley one, it's a tearsome business. Fucking cursor is running around like ant on amphetamines.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 18 September, 2015, 01:01:47 pm
Quote from: CrinklyLion on 18 September, 2015, 09:52:40 am
Quote from: Paul on 17 September, 2015, 01:27:47 pm
Mine is nice too, but the problem (I realise now from your links) is that it is upside down. Well, not exactly, but the bottom piece is almost flat, while the lid is box-shaped to go over the butter. Which I guess is the problem, because if you don't put it on carefully it catches the butter and you get a mess. Only a small mess, admittedly (which is why this is in 'grumbles', not 'rants').

The linked design solves that problem. I'll think about it...

Ah, what you mean is that you have a butter dish and not a butter box.  The distinction is, apparently, very important.  I got a right proper telling off when I tried to buy a replacement lid for what I believed to be a butter 'dish' from the pottery in Lewes - not because they don't sell spare lids (which they don't) but because I was referring to their wares completely incorrectly.  She was most offended :D
Ahh, now then, some of the pottery butter box style I don't like as they have an internal overhang- almost as if they're for
(click to show/hide)

We have one of these (http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61qbCdK%2BZEL._SL1000_.jpg). You can fit a 500gm pack in if you want, and it's wide enough that you don't catch the edges with your butter knife.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Zipperhead on 18 September, 2015, 01:57:25 pm
Quote from: ian on 18 September, 2015, 12:49:46 pm
Worst still, it didn't break. Just the damn bluetooth dongle. Which is mine (because the mothership decided to save 4p per laptop by not having a bluetooth chip). Now I have to use the touchpad and once you're used to an Appley one, it's a tearsome business. Fucking cursor is running around like ant on amphetamines.

It would be quite terrible if you were on a (work related) phone call and you were to go to the upper stories of your residence as you were talking, wander over to the window and "oops, how did that happen?"

Make gravity your friend.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 18 September, 2015, 02:15:44 pm
I have contemplated dropping it off the balcony but it'll just make a hole in my driveway. Or bounce along and flatten the car, cat, and cause the garage to collapse when it finally hits it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 18 September, 2015, 04:07:42 pm
Quote from: CrinklyLion on 18 September, 2015, 09:52:40 am
Quote from: Paul on 17 September, 2015, 01:27:47 pm
Mine is nice too, but the problem (I realise now from your links) is that it is upside down. Well, not exactly, but the bottom piece is almost flat, while the lid is box-shaped to go over the butter. Which I guess is the problem, because if you don't put it on carefully it catches the butter and you get a mess. Only a small mess, admittedly (which is why this is in 'grumbles', not 'rants').

The linked design solves that problem. I'll think about it...

Ah, what you mean is that you have a butter dish and not a butter box.  The distinction is, apparently, very important.  I got a right proper telling off when I tried to buy a replacement lid for what I believed to be a butter 'dish' from the pottery in Lewes - not because they don't sell spare lids (which they don't) but because I was referring to their wares completely incorrectly.  She was most offended :D
My grandmother had a butter dish, & it was like the thing I bought many years ago & still use - a rectangular container the right size to contain a half pound/250 gram/or so block of butter, with a fairly flat lid. That was labelled as a butter dish when I bought it, just like my grandmother's - which she always referred to as a butter dish.

John Lewis calls both styles butter dishes, just as I remember them always being called. I'd never heard of one (whatever the style) being called a butter box until I read your post. I think it's a recent affectation by pretentious people.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 18 September, 2015, 04:30:41 pm
Quote from: ian on 18 September, 2015, 02:15:44 pm
I have contemplated dropping it off the balcony but it'll just make a hole in my driveway. Or bounce along and flatten the car, cat, and cause the garage to collapse when it finally hits it.

Would it work well as a butter dish?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 18 September, 2015, 04:56:07 pm
Quote from: David Martin on 18 September, 2015, 04:30:41 pm
Quote from: ian on 18 September, 2015, 02:15:44 pm
I have contemplated dropping it off the balcony but it'll just make a hole in my driveway. Or bounce along and flatten the car, cat, and cause the garage to collapse when it finally hits it.

Would it work well as a butter dish?

Prolly not. bet it'd make a fecking ace chopping board though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Paul on 20 September, 2015, 09:20:09 am
Quote from: David Martin on 18 September, 2015, 04:30:41 pm
Quote from: ian on 18 September, 2015, 02:15:44 pm
I have contemplated dropping it off the balcony but it'll just make a hole in my driveway. Or bounce along and flatten the car, cat, and cause the garage to collapse when it finally hits it.

Would it work well as a butter dish?

Nice post.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 20 September, 2015, 12:52:51 pm
shite electrical installation instructions.

I'm putting in a bathroom ceiling fan. Working in a tiny loft space cramped up in the eaves, surrounded by old dusty rockwool

The fan is 12V with a transformer. So why the fuck does it have 3 terminals labelled L N T? Two terminals on the transformer, neither of them labelled + or -. One has a T next to it.

Oh and the instructions say it needs a 3 core supply. That would be to the 2 terminals . . . No, there isn't a separate earth post and the product info says it is double insulated so doesn't require earthing.

I guess nobody checks this shite before shipping.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 20 September, 2015, 01:28:15 pm
Went out intending to do 100+ km, got utterly fed up after 20.  Got home to a lousy thrown-together lunch, missus is in full house-cleaning mode and everything is noisy and uncomfortable. Decide to have a snooze only to find she's on the point of tackling the bedroom. Fucked-up Sunday.  :demon: :demon: :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Dibdib on 20 September, 2015, 06:34:09 pm
Lost my driving licence and debit card at some point during today's ride. Bugger.

Bank already phoned because it's contactless (credit where it's due, very painless to sort with First Direct) and if the driving licence doesn't show up tomorrow when I phone the cafe, I'll order a new one. Thankfully I didn't have all my other cards with me, so I can cope a few days without.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: neilrj on 20 September, 2015, 07:22:52 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 20 September, 2015, 12:52:51 pm
shite electrical installation instructions.

I'm putting in a bathroom ceiling fan. Working in a tiny loft space cramped up in the eaves, surrounded by old dusty rockwool

The fan is 12V with a transformer. So why the fuck does it have 3 terminals labelled L N T? Two terminals on the transformer, neither of them labelled + or -. One has a T next to it.

Oh and the instructions say it needs a 3 core supply. That would be to the 2 terminals . . . No, there isn't a separate earth post and the product info says it is double insulated so doesn't require earthing.

I guess nobody checks this shite before shipping.

3 wires is just Live Neutral and Timed, if you want it to go just on/off with switch then it only needs two feeds as you have, however if you want delay for air quality reasons then the timer needs sorting with regard to lighting operation.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 20 September, 2015, 07:57:36 pm
Quote from: T42 on 20 September, 2015, 01:28:15 pm
Went out intending to do 100+ km, got utterly fed up after 20.  Got home to a lousy thrown-together lunch, missus is in full house-cleaning mode and everything is noisy and uncomfortable. Decide to have a snooze only to find she's on the point of tackling the bedroom. Fucked-up Sunday.  :demon: :demon: :demon:

It sounds like someone doesn't know which side his bread is buttered  ;)  :P
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 20 September, 2015, 09:39:13 pm
Quote from: neilrj on 20 September, 2015, 07:22:52 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 20 September, 2015, 12:52:51 pm
shite electrical installation instructions.

I'm putting in a bathroom ceiling fan. Working in a tiny loft space cramped up in the eaves, surrounded by old dusty rockwool

The fan is 12V with a transformer. So why the fuck does it have 3 terminals labelled L N T? Two terminals on the transformer, neither of them labelled + or -. One has a T next to it.

Oh and the instructions say it needs a 3 core supply. That would be to the 2 terminals . . . No, there isn't a separate earth post and the product info says it is double insulated so doesn't require earthing.

I guess nobody checks this shite before shipping.

3 wires is just Live Neutral and Timed, if you want it to go just on/off with switch then it only needs two feeds as you have, however if you want delay for air quality reasons then the timer needs sorting with regard to lighting operation.
Aye, that sounds likely. That matches the spec of the fan.

The 12V fan with power feed from the transformer - which has just two outputs.

The timer and humidity sensor is on the PCB. The wiring instructions say to take the mains power from the lighting circuit, so the fan is switched on when the light is on - and then only comes on if the humidity is rising beyond a set rate. It is then supposed to stay on  for a timed period.

Trouble is, it can't possibly do that when the power is via the light to the transformer.  I think it has the wrong transformer - there should be a switched output from the transformer and a permanent output - so when the light comes on, voltage goes up on one feed to the fan, but there is also a permanent 12V power supply.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 21 September, 2015, 08:04:25 am
Quote from: Pickled Onion on 20 September, 2015, 07:57:36 pm
Quote from: T42 on 20 September, 2015, 01:28:15 pm
Went out intending to do 100+ km, got utterly fed up after 20.  Got home to a lousy thrown-together lunch, missus is in full house-cleaning mode and everything is noisy and uncomfortable. Decide to have a snooze only to find she's on the point of tackling the bedroom. Fucked-up Sunday.  :demon: :demon: :demon:

It sounds like someone doesn't know which side his bread is buttered  ;)  :P

It was SUNDAY, FFS.  You don't do shit like house-cleaning on a Sunday.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 21 September, 2015, 09:09:00 am
Possibly a "First World Problem", but...

I have just been downstairs, across the road, to get my morning fix of grease.

The damned cafe is shut!  What am I going to do?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 21 September, 2015, 09:15:19 am
Room service . . . ?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 21 September, 2015, 10:22:50 am
They finally finished painting the exterior of the Asbestos Palace on Friday. It looked glorious, like big cream cake in the sunshine, so of course, it triggered a downpour that splashed dirt up the sides. Then a snail decided to climb up through the not-quite-dry black membrane paint at the base of the wall round the back and proceeded to do a mollusc Banksy on the nice creamy white wall.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Karla on 21 September, 2015, 10:54:00 am
My mother has just bought a Mac, on the recommendation of a friend who used to run a computer company.  Urgh.

She's spent years on Windows, learning how to use it at the pace of a lobotomised snail - a pace that has been greatly slowed, mind you, by her prioritising of her desire to get her sons' attention with cringeing "Wahwahmycomputersbrokencanyoufixit" requests, rather than her desire to either a) use her computer or b) think for herself.  Now she's got a different system and is going to start learning all over again.  Dad - a formerly competent user (also formerly married to my mum), got a Mac on the same friend's recommendation and the pathetically needy requests for help with simple things have quadrupled since he did. 

Friend: what were you thinking?  Not everyone is a computing whizz, some people need to stick with what they know. 

Parents: I'm not a Mac user, you now both are.  That makes you the experts.  If you think you're getting any help with your stupid new toys you don't know how to use, you can fuck right off. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 21 September, 2015, 10:58:47 am
Pharti, BTDTGTTS, my mum and dad now both have PCs, running Windows.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 21 September, 2015, 11:06:20 am
BTDT "because Laurence** has one and says they're great and she's a mathematician".  We now have a Mac under a dust sheet in one corner of the bedroom.

** Woman's name in France, like Jean in the UK.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 21 September, 2015, 01:03:09 pm
Quote from: Phartiphuckborlz on 21 September, 2015, 10:54:00 am
Friend: what were you thinking?

"Macs are easy to use and reliable", I expect.  Fair enough in isolation.


Quote
Not everyone is a computing whizz, some people need to stick with what they know. 

Quite.  Of course, it's not like Microsoft was going to let them stick with what they know either...


Quote
Parents: I'm not a Mac user, you now both are.  That makes you the experts.  If you think you're getting any help with your stupid new toys you don't know how to use, you can fuck right off.

This logic works well, at least to a point.


The best approach to tech support of parents is to swap with someone else in the same boat.  That way both sets of parents will actually listen, the person providing support will find it easier to stay polite, and computers won't become a proxy for family politics.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 21 September, 2015, 01:25:54 pm
Quote from: Phartiphuckborlz on 21 September, 2015, 10:54:00 am
My mother has just bought a Mac, on the recommendation of a friend who used to run a computer company.  Urgh.

She's spent years on Windows, learning how to use it at the pace of a lobotomised snail - a pace that has been greatly slowed, mind you, by her prioritising of her desire to get her sons' attention with cringeing "Wahwahmycomputersbrokencanyoufixit" requests, rather than her desire to either a) use her computer or b) think for herself.  Now she's got a different system and is going to start learning all over again.  Dad - a formerly competent user (also formerly married to my mum), got a Mac on the same friend's recommendation and the pathetically needy requests for help with simple things have quadrupled since he did. 

Friend: what were you thinking?  Not everyone is a computing whizz, some people need to stick with what they know. 

Parents: I'm not a Mac user, you now both are.  That makes you the experts.  If you think you're getting any help with your stupid new toys you don't know how to use, you can fuck right off.

Send them a useful fault finding flowchart. My Dad (88), has this, that my son sent him:
(http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/tech_support_cheat_sheet.png)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 21 September, 2015, 01:26:42 pm
Presumably your friend that was so keen to recommend will be equally happy to provide free tech support....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 21 September, 2015, 01:30:20 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 21 September, 2015, 01:25:54 pm
Send them a useful fault finding flowchart. My Dad (88), has this, that my son sent him:
(http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/tech_support_cheat_sheet.png)

I note that barakta has this pinned to her cublet[1] wall.


[1] She used to have an office; they downgraded.  See rants passim.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 21 September, 2015, 01:34:32 pm
Work Internet connection has been broken all day. 3G signal is also flaky. I may actually have to do some work this afternoon  :o
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 21 September, 2015, 02:53:25 pm
I spent most of yesterday logging.  (I'm starting next years pile.).  :smug:
After I stopped in the evening I found that the thumb and first finger of my left (dominant) hand were quite painful and I was unable to bend them. 
I had a poor nights sleep due to the pain and then today they are swollen, painful and extremely sensitive.
Bugger.  I have a week off work and I can't go out on the bike.  I can't do any gardening and I don't feel much like doing anything at all.  All I can do is sit here and make the occasional right handed coffee.

*feels very sorry for self*

 :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 21 September, 2015, 03:00:32 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 21 September, 2015, 01:25:54 pm
Quote from: Phartiphuckborlz on 21 September, 2015, 10:54:00 am
My mother has just bought a Mac, on the recommendation of a friend who used to run a computer company.  Urgh.

She's spent years on Windows, learning how to use it at the pace of a lobotomised snail - a pace that has been greatly slowed, mind you, by her prioritising of her desire to get her sons' attention with cringeing "Wahwahmycomputersbrokencanyoufixit" requests, rather than her desire to either a) use her computer or b) think for herself.  Now she's got a different system and is going to start learning all over again.  Dad - a formerly competent user (also formerly married to my mum), got a Mac on the same friend's recommendation and the pathetically needy requests for help with simple things have quadrupled since he did. 

Friend: what were you thinking?  Not everyone is a computing whizz, some people need to stick with what they know. 

Parents: I'm not a Mac user, you now both are.  That makes you the experts.  If you think you're getting any help with your stupid new toys you don't know how to use, you can fuck right off.

Send them a useful fault finding flowchart. My Dad (88), has this, that my son sent him:
(http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/tech_support_cheat_sheet.png)
Yeah. Of course "google the name of the program" assumes you know what the program is and "a few words related to what you want to do" assumes you know how to express that, while "ask someone for help" leads right back to...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 21 September, 2015, 03:02:20 pm
I use a Mac and PC back-to-back, tbh, if you can use one you can use the other, there's not a huge difference in everyday operation, and most issues can be solved this new thing called Google. The Mac is vastly more reliable and you don't have worry about the malware (I'm never buying my parents another Windows PC, I've lost too many evenings clearing through the sludge). The again we're talking about my parents then no form of computer is suitable. I dunno, it's seems obligatory to click an option immediately or dither and refuse to click anything. It's binary. They press everything they're not supposed to press and nothing they're supposed to press. On the plus side, they mostly seem to have given up with computers. To be honest, they never entirely got the hang of telephones.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 21 September, 2015, 03:06:42 pm
Quote from: ian on 21 September, 2015, 03:02:20 pm

...  It's binary. They press everything they're not supposed to press and nothing they're supposed to press. ...


I know 'apparently' computer literate folk who resort to this, often whilst impatiently waiting for the computer to do something!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Karla on 21 September, 2015, 03:54:43 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 21 September, 2015, 03:00:32 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 21 September, 2015, 01:25:54 pm
Quote from: Phartiphuckborlz on 21 September, 2015, 10:54:00 am
My mother has just bought a Mac, on the recommendation of a friend who used to run a computer company.  Urgh.

She's spent years on Windows, learning how to use it at the pace of a lobotomised snail - a pace that has been greatly slowed, mind you, by her prioritising of her desire to get her sons' attention with cringeing "Wahwahmycomputersbrokencanyoufixit" requests, rather than her desire to either a) use her computer or b) think for herself.  Now she's got a different system and is going to start learning all over again.  Dad - a formerly competent user (also formerly married to my mum), got a Mac on the same friend's recommendation and the pathetically needy requests for help with simple things have quadrupled since he did. 

Friend: what were you thinking?  Not everyone is a computing whizz, some people need to stick with what they know. 

Parents: I'm not a Mac user, you now both are.  That makes you the experts.  If you think you're getting any help with your stupid new toys you don't know how to use, you can fuck right off.

Send them a useful fault finding flowchart. My Dad (88), has this, that my son sent him:
[XKCD]
Yeah. Of course "google the name of the program" assumes you know what the program is and "a few words related to what you want to do" assumes you know how to express that, while "ask someone for help" leads right back to...

If you think you don't know the name of the program, go bck and study the flowchart some more.  Then try looking in the suggestibly-named places ('Help' is one) and/or else google-fishing for an answer. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 21 September, 2015, 04:37:41 pm
So your mum's already the local computer expert!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 21 September, 2015, 05:11:46 pm
Quote from: ian on 21 September, 2015, 03:02:20 pm
I use a Mac and PC back-to-back, tbh, if you can use one you can use the other, there's not a huge difference in everyday operation, and most issues can be solved this new thing called Google.

Although there are certain models of Mac out there which have the power switch so artfully hidden that I had to resort to Google (on a Windows laptop I happened to have about my person) to find out how to switch the fucking thing on.  That, Steve-o, is taking your slick appearance and no user serviceable parts inside approach a bit far.

Also it had a single-button mouse.  In the 21st century :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 21 September, 2015, 05:34:17 pm
To be fair, whatever the pros and cons of mouse button vs. buttons,  I don't think any Mac has been shipped with a single-button mouse since 2005.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Legs on 22 September, 2015, 11:53:56 am
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-34323136 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-34323136)

I know that part of the fun of going to hospital is in watching your bank account haemorrhaging by the second for their exorbitant parking (the amount you have to pay being inversely proportional to the rapidity of your treatment), but who were the cretins buying the 750ml bottles of water?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 28 September, 2015, 10:25:18 am
Seems like one of the bigger concrete bollards on the verge at the bottom of my front garden snagged a car at the weekend, given one seems to be listing. C'est la vie. I hope it hurt the car (probably a Saturday night drunk driver special). I've given in being surprised that drivers can't negotiate a big white lump of concrete or that they're too impatient to give way to one another on a narrow road (if they didn't insist on driving behemoths they might be able to squeeze past one another, but hey, it's about 50 metres of road and they could just wait the entire seconds it would take to give way). Given the angle of the bollard I presume someone tried to reverse up the hill. It would help if the idiots wouldn't park on the t-junction too, since it reduces visibility to zero. Yes, that's you Little Princess wagon parked entirely on the pavement on the junction at the top of a very steep hill, so neither pedestrians or cars can see around the corner. Be a bonus laugh if she forgets her handbrake.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 28 September, 2015, 02:06:36 pm
Quote from: Legs on 22 September, 2015, 11:53:56 am
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-34323136 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-34323136)

I know that part of the fun of going to hospital is in watching your bank account haemorrhaging by the second for their exorbitant parking (the amount you have to pay being inversely proportional to the rapidity of your treatment), but who were the cretins buying the 750ml bottles of water?

Visitors, who want to give friends something 'nicer' than TAP water that's been stagnating in a jug all day and staff who are on the move and thirsty.

Addenbrookes tried to stop making ice for their patients to save money but reinstated this after an outcry.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Legs on 28 September, 2015, 02:51:17 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 28 September, 2015, 02:06:36 pm
Quote from: Legs on 22 September, 2015, 11:53:56 am
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-34323136 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-34323136)

I know that part of the fun of going to hospital is in watching your bank account haemorrhaging by the second for their exorbitant parking (the amount you have to pay being inversely proportional to the rapidity of your treatment), but who were the cretins buying the 750ml bottles of water?

Visitors, who want to give friends something 'nicer' than TAP water that's been stagnating in a jug all day and staff who are on the move and thirsty.

Addenbrookes tried to stop making ice for their patients to save money but reinstated this after an outcry.

Ah, I see that Auntie has replaced the nice straightforward table with an obfuscating graphic.  The table showed that Smugs were charging 79p for a 500ml bottle of water, but £1.89 for a 750ml bottle.  At which rate, even two of the smaller bottles would come in 21p under the price of the 750ml bottle.  THAT was my point.

Having spent a fair amount of time in Addenbrookes both as a broken-wristed cyclist and as part of my MEng project, I can well believe about tight-fistedness...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 29 September, 2015, 02:48:19 pm
Ah, peace, perfect peace.  Our guest of the last week has departed.  No longer obliged to dance attendance, pass this, pass that, no more numbing prattle about unknown folk over breakfast, no more having to share my precious coffee.  We can do our own things in our own corners and fart when we please.

It's nice to have friends and nice to see them, but it was well worth the 4€ for 15 minutes' parking at the airport to wave a fond farewell.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 29 September, 2015, 04:57:01 pm
Quote from: T42 on 29 September, 2015, 02:48:19 pm
Ah, peace, perfect peace.  Our guest of the last week has departed.  No longer obliged to dance attendance, pass this, pass that, no more numbing prattle about unknown folk over breakfast, no more having to share my precious coffee.  We can do our own things in our own corners and fart when we please.

It's nice to have friends and nice to see them, but it was well worth the 4€ for 15 minutes' parking at the airport to wave a fond farewell.

'And blessed are you when you leave' was the Hebrew wall plaque in my brother's room for years...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 29 September, 2015, 05:00:43 pm
 :thumbsup:
"There'll be many a dry eye when you leave" was Brian Aldiss's version.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 29 September, 2015, 05:42:52 pm
While I have every sympathy with the Redcar steel workers and the families, the wifey interviewed by the BBC yesterday should note that it is September.

It.  Is.  Not.  Fucking.  Christmas >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 30 September, 2015, 07:25:38 pm
Tonight is the final webinar of an online photography course I've been doing.  Well, theoretically speaking.  It should have started 25 minutes ago but they're still having technical difficulties (perhaps an issue with Citrix).   :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 30 September, 2015, 07:32:20 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 29 September, 2015, 05:42:52 pm
While I have every sympathy with the Redcar steel workers and the families, the wifey interviewed by the BBC yesterday should note that it is September.

It.  Is.  Not.  Fucking.  Christmas >:(

And it won't be for them for quite a while given the dire jobs situation that they face.    :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 30 September, 2015, 07:36:57 pm
Just a thought. When a Government gives a bankrupt bank a few hundred billion to continue operating, is that not the same as giving a mothballed steelworks a few quid to keep going?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 30 September, 2015, 07:49:55 pm
Do their skool chums and fellow animal abusers work in steelworks?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 30 September, 2015, 09:17:05 pm
Anyway, that's all 'up North' - so it doesn't qualify . . .
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 30 September, 2015, 09:17:49 pm
WHAT!!!!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 01 October, 2015, 11:57:53 pm
I have a cold and cannot even drink whisky to not cure it >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 02 October, 2015, 12:08:59 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 01 October, 2015, 11:57:53 pm
I have a cold and cannot even drink whisky to not cure it >:(

Chocolate and tactical nuclear curry.  Possibly not in that order.

(Mine appears to be responding to this treatment.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 04 October, 2015, 09:14:52 pm
£7 for a Jagwire Mickey barrell adjuster - strewth!.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 07 October, 2015, 09:09:10 pm
Sudden onset sinus pain after being asleep for 3 hours. Thanks face! *eats all the drugs*

I'm sick of cyclic low level lurgy, few days feeling crap, few days feeling OK, back to crap etc. Colleague at next desk has had epic cold proper nose-blowing and everything so if I've got that I'm going to be UNamused.  Open fucking plan. Germy studes.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 09 October, 2015, 08:05:46 pm
I almost always enjoy translating. I sometimes enjoy poetry. But translating poetry is a horrendous task.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 10 October, 2015, 08:21:15 am
Bastard varmers three doors up put down rat poison, and vermin are now crawling into their neighbours' gardens and cellars to die, rot and stink. A friend's small dog is very sick, and part of this weekend's entertainment for us will be heaving Mt. Boxmore out of the cellar to get at the animal that is decomposing under it somewhere and rendering the air unbreathable.

When I was a kid in Norn Iron our houses backed onto a disused railway cutting, and we used to see the occasional rat in the garden.  A peeler who lived next door but one put down poison and killed our dog.

Not feeling very charitable this morning.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 10 October, 2015, 02:36:53 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 09 October, 2015, 08:05:46 pm
I almost always enjoy translating. I sometimes enjoy poetry. But translating poetry is a horrendous task.

Translating jokes/puns can be nearly impossible...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 10 October, 2015, 05:01:26 pm
Quote from: T42 on 10 October, 2015, 08:21:15 am
Bastard varmers three doors up put down rat poison, and vermin are now crawling into their neighbours' gardens and cellars to die, rot and stink. A friend's small dog is very sick, and part of this weekend's entertainment for us will be heaving Mt. Boxmore out of the cellar to get at the animal that is decomposing under it somewhere and rendering the air unbreathable.

When I was a kid in Norn Iron our houses backed onto a disused railway cutting, and we used to see the occasional rat in the garden.  A peeler who lived next door but one put down poison and killed our dog.

Not feeling very charitable this morning.

My friend's dog died after eating rat poison,  not nice :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 13 October, 2015, 10:31:25 am
^^^Wretched, in fact.  I still remember ours going from pillar to post looking for a cold patch of floor to lie on to ease the pain.  In the end we got the vet to take over.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ham on 13 October, 2015, 02:21:52 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 09 October, 2015, 08:05:46 pm
I almost always enjoy translating. I sometimes enjoy poetry. But translating poetry is a horrendous task.

Just for you, have a go:

Quote
Oh freddled gruntbuggly,
Thy micturations are to me,
As plurdled gabbleblotchits,
On a lurgid bee,
That mordiously hath blurted out,
Its earted jurtles,
Into a rancid festering confectious organ squealer. [drowned out by moaning and screaming]
Now the jurpling slayjid agrocrustles,
Are slurping hagrilly up the axlegrurts,
And living glupules frart and slipulate,
Like jowling meated liverslime,
Groop, I implore thee, my foonting turling dromes,
And hooptiously drangle me,
With crinkly bindlewurdles,
Or else I shall rend thee in the gobberwarts with my blurglecruncheon,
See if I don't.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: offcumden on 13 October, 2015, 03:03:38 pm
Quote from: Ham on 13 October, 2015, 02:21:52 pm
Just for you, have a go:
Quote
Oh freddled gruntbuggly,
Thy micturations are to me,
As plurdled gabbleblotchits,
On a lurgid bee,
That mordiously hath blurted out,
Its earted jurtles,
Into a rancid festering confectious organ squealer. [drowned out by moaning and screaming]
Now the jurpling slayjid agrocrustles,
Are slurping hagrilly up the axlegrurts,
And living glupules frart and slipulate,
Like jowling meated liverslime,
Groop, I implore thee, my foonting turling dromes,
And hooptiously drangle me,
With crinkly bindlewurdles,
Or else I shall rend thee in the gobberwarts with my blurglecruncheon,
See if I don't.

Just because the words don't go to the end of the line, doesn't make it poetry  ;)

Anyway, which language would you like that in? :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 13 October, 2015, 03:16:21 pm
I never knew Foul Ole Ron was a poet :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 13 October, 2015, 03:43:49 pm
Quote from: offcumden on 13 October, 2015, 03:03:38 pm
Quote from: Ham on 13 October, 2015, 02:21:52 pm
Just for you, have a go:
Quote
Oh freddled gruntbuggly,
Thy micturations are to me,
As plurdled gabbleblotchits,
On a lurgid bee,
That mordiously hath blurted out,
Its earted jurtles,
Into a rancid festering confectious organ squealer. [drowned out by moaning and screaming]
Now the jurpling slayjid agrocrustles,
Are slurping hagrilly up the axlegrurts,
And living glupules frart and slipulate,
Like jowling meated liverslime,
Groop, I implore thee, my foonting turling dromes,
And hooptiously drangle me,
With crinkly bindlewurdles,
Or else I shall rend thee in the gobberwarts with my blurglecruncheon,
See if I don't.

Just because the words don't go to the end of the line, doesn't make it poetry  ;)

Anyway, which language would you like that in? :D

Klingon...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: PeteB99 on 13 October, 2015, 03:58:53 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 13 October, 2015, 03:43:49 pm
Quote from: offcumden on 13 October, 2015, 03:03:38 pm
Quote from: Ham on 13 October, 2015, 02:21:52 pm
Just for you, have a go:
Quote
Oh freddled gruntbuggly,
Thy micturations are to me,
As plurdled gabbleblotchits,
On a lurgid bee,
That mordiously hath blurted out,
Its earted jurtles,
Into a rancid festering confectious organ squealer. [drowned out by moaning and screaming]
Now the jurpling slayjid agrocrustles,
Are slurping hagrilly up the axlegrurts,
And living glupules frart and slipulate,
Like jowling meated liverslime,
Groop, I implore thee, my foonting turling dromes,
And hooptiously drangle me,
With crinkly bindlewurdles,
Or else I shall rend thee in the gobberwarts with my blurglecruncheon,
See if I don't.

Just because the words don't go to the end of the line, doesn't make it poetry  ;)

Anyway, which language would you like that in? :D

Klingon...

nIHDaq gruntbuggly freddled.
micturations jIHvaD.
je gabbleblotchits plurdled.
'etlhmey lurgid bee.
blurted mordiously.
earted jurtles.
vaj rancid fester confectious Da'oghlaHneSchugh squealer. [drowned moaning je jach]
toH jurpling slayjid agrocrustles.
woDDI' axlegrurts hagrilly slurping.
'ej yIn glupules frart 'ej slipulate.
rur jowling meated liverslime.
groop, SoHvaD, foonting turling dromes implore jIH.
'ej hooptiously drangle
crinkly bindlewurdles
pagh latlh lo'laHmo' vaj rend jIH neH gobberwarts je blurglecruncheon.
legh, vaj ghewmey jIH.

Scans better - No?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 13 October, 2015, 04:22:13 pm
Twichild! Uberous joberknowle!
Kinkle fizgig mulligrubs?
Snoozle pilliwinks:
Wallydrag quahog humdudgeon gur.
Spoffish squabash!
Estrangelo zoozoo.

(It's all in English.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 15 October, 2015, 06:42:08 pm
Hffff.  Free tickets to see The Martian tonight, and can I find a single person to go see it with me?

Hffff.

I'm going down the garden to eat worms.

Oh, no, I'm going to the pictures aren't I  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CrinklyLion on 15 October, 2015, 07:40:29 pm
Had I known a several of hours earlier I'd have come!  Hope it's good :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 15 October, 2015, 07:41:35 pm
Quote from: Ruthie on 15 October, 2015, 06:42:08 pm
I'm going down the garden to eat wormspotatoes.

FTFY
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 17 October, 2015, 04:05:09 pm
Why is it that you can never get the wretched thing back in the box it came in?  I just spent half an hour wrestling a coffee grinder down into its cardboard nest. It won't go another millimetre but the lid will not go down flat. One is mightily offgepißt and in a state of terminal frust.  :demon:  :demon: :demon: :sick: ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 19 October, 2015, 11:49:26 am
Now the monkey-featured twonks at the council have turned those six nose-in parking bays into four disabled ones it is now actually impossible to park legally anywhere near the sorting office, rather than merely very very difficult >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 19 October, 2015, 12:39:05 pm
Sorry.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 19 October, 2015, 01:02:22 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 19 October, 2015, 11:49:26 am
Now the monkey-featured twonks at the council have turned those six nose-in parking bays into four disabled ones it is now actually impossible to park legally anywhere near the sorting office, rather than merely very very difficult >:(

Incorrect. You mean they've turned into four bays for oversized main urban battle tanks to park. You should try parking the bungalow on wheels that is a Q7 in a measly ordinary car parking space. They're only stopping for a minutes, show them some mercy. Disabled people can walk from an ordinary parking spot. They only drive little cars. Not big important cars for busy people.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 19 October, 2015, 06:42:33 pm
Two of them were actually empty when I went to the sorting office this morning but because I am not a Blue Badge Abuser I had to park illegally in a residents' only road round the corner.

Perhaps I should have taken a leaf out of another punter's book, viz. park directly outside the office partly on double yellows and wholly across the vehicle entrance, with a small child left in the car.  But she had her hazards on, so that's OK.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 20 October, 2015, 10:40:49 pm
Went looking for the tin of beeswax lip balm to
put on my chapped nose. Failed to detect by
smell that it was the minty/menthol one. Until 30
secs later when my face felt like it was covered in
chilli. Doh!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 21 October, 2015, 11:21:41 am
My work laptop appears to be possessed by very naughty demons.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 21 October, 2015, 11:57:16 am
DPD / wiggle.
I paid extra for next day delivery. You took 48 hours, and it was therefore 2 hours after there stopped being someone in to take delivery.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: offcumden on 21 October, 2015, 12:04:31 pm
Instead of driving, I took the train.  One less vehicle on the road, less pollution. No parking problems.
 
I set off on my journey a lover of the surface of the earth and my fellow humans.  But.  Although there were probably 2 or 3 times as many seats as there were passengers, it wasn't easy to find somewhere to sit. Feet on seats, bags spread out to 'discourage' me from sitting alongside, fat geezers sprawling. . .  Having been thus deterred as I walked the length of the carriage, I finally had to insist that the two over-dressed 'ladies' occupying six seats move their 'Harvey Nichols' carrier bags to make room for me. Not a word of apology.

Why are people such arseholes?  Altruism?  What's that?

I came back from my journey a disgruntled, disillusioned grouch. *****

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 21 October, 2015, 12:40:01 pm
I catch a long distance train every day, and some of the antics to get the most space are incredible. For example, putting your bag on the seat opposite makes it look like there's someone occupying the seat next to that, but they're not there to ask to move it. How about at a table seat, open your laptop but turn it to face the opposite (empty) seat, and hang your jacket on the seat next to you, and your bag opposite your jacket. Four seats to yourself! Seriously. Saw some bloke doing this last week.

The prize-winner was the person who sat in the seat next to her own reserved seat on a packed train. Then when someone asked if the seat was taken she replied "yes, that's my reservation"  ??? - she did not move though, until I said something!

Runner-up prize to the person who thought that her reservation for seat 49B entitled her to sit in 49B on the 07:21 even though she was booked on the 07:40  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: offcumden on 21 October, 2015, 12:50:01 pm
That's awful. I don't envy you your daily journeys, PO.

The man was right, other people are hellish.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 21 October, 2015, 02:57:34 pm
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 21 October, 2015, 11:21:41 am
My work laptop appears to be possessed by very naughty demons.

Just the one. Finestre is the Demon of Such Things.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 21 October, 2015, 02:59:56 pm
I think he's using it as a training ground for imps.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 21 October, 2015, 03:08:09 pm
He's a she, but she's terribly creative when it comes to IT and computers. All that bad stuff, it's her. All those files you lose, she has them. Memory fried? She remembers. Hard disk died? All your sectors are hers. She invented pop-ups windows and the <blink> tag. And yes, she did briefly possess Steve Ballmer. Which explains a lot.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 21 October, 2015, 03:35:13 pm
She is also responsible for "CSI: Cyber".  I am beginning to think Matthew Hopkins may have had a point.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Karla on 21 October, 2015, 11:40:04 pm
Habitual drivers who use the train once in a blue moon and get confused about the reservations: stop trying to argue with me about how these things work, hmmkay?  This isn't an equal exchange of opinions, it's me giving you trains 101, like how I  just told you the difference between an advance and an off peak ticket, so STFU and learn.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 22 October, 2015, 04:21:30 pm
You know that saying, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."?

I'm going to write that in weld on a length of scaffold pole, so I can smack people in the forehead with it. The words should get permanently stamped on there forehead, there for every time they look in a mirror.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 22 October, 2015, 08:55:10 pm
Oh hurrah, the fireworks have started.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: De Sisti on 22 October, 2015, 09:13:45 pm
New next door neighbours have move in. They have two cars squeezed onto a parking space that would
comfortably fit one. Therefore they have no pathway up to their front door and continuously use mine.

Now, we're all territorial and I don't like them doing it. My pathway is on a slight ramp. Rather than risk
a confrontation (parking/access always does) I'm going ahead with something I was going to do anyway.

I'm getting the guy who originally sorted my driveway to level the pathway, merging it into my parking space,
making it wider. In the meantime he'll have to build a wall on my side of the boundary, as next door's
parking space is higher than mine (no planning permission required).

I'll tell neighbours when work is about to commence that I need a bigger parking space to accommodate
my larger car (not that I need to give an explanation).

We've only exchanged neighbourly pleasantries on four occasions, so we're not that close. It's the woman,
boyfriend, daughter and her boyfriend who are continuously using my path day in day out.

Once the work is done I expect them to be pissed off. However, I won't be doing anything that I'm not
legally entitled to.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 22 October, 2015, 09:22:25 pm
Where do you think they'll park the second car now?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: De Sisti on 22 October, 2015, 09:55:27 pm
Quote from: Ruthie on 22 October, 2015, 09:22:25 pm
Where do you think they'll park the second car now?
As she won't be able to open the driver's door on her car without hitting the soon to be built wall
I suppose she'll ask her daughter to park the second car on the road. TBH it's not my problem,
so I won't offer any recommendations if she starts a rant (just trying to mentally prepare myself
for all eventualities).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 22 October, 2015, 10:13:02 pm
If they block your drive...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: De Sisti on 22 October, 2015, 10:18:18 pm
Mine has a dropped kerb, so if they did block it they'd be committing an offence. I get the impression they won't,
but I thought they were being a bit brazen by squeezing two cars onto a plot for one and then having the cheek
to use my pathway as their own.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: offcumden on 22 October, 2015, 10:22:34 pm
My neighbours don't park unreasonably.

But they do grow bleeding' leylandii  :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 22 October, 2015, 10:37:38 pm
Quote from: De Sisti on 22 October, 2015, 10:18:18 pm
Mine has a dropped kerb, so if they did block it they'd be committing an offence. I get the impression they won't,
but I thought they were being a bit brazen by squeezing two cars onto a plot for one and then having the cheek
to use my pathway as their own.

Just a thought,  but maybe you could save a few quid just politely asking them not to use your path?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 22 October, 2015, 10:39:00 pm
Quote from: Ruthie on 22 October, 2015, 10:37:38 pm
Quote from: De Sisti on 22 October, 2015, 10:18:18 pm
Mine has a dropped kerb, so if they did block it they'd be committing an offence. I get the impression they won't,
but I thought they were being a bit brazen by squeezing two cars onto a plot for one and then having the cheek
to use my pathway as their own.

Just a thought,  but maybe you could save a few quid just politely asking them not to use your path?

But that would involve talking to a neighbour! :o ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 22 October, 2015, 11:02:24 pm
But neighbours do knowingly take the piss, don't they?! One of my neighbours parks 3 cars on a drive meant for 2. To do so they have to park like sardines. That means that one of the cars is parked right up to the boundary of our connected drive. In fact, the wing mirrors impinge into our drive, they park so close. They know they're doing it and obviously don't care. To 'talk to them' wouldn't make a blind bit of difference. Ah, the entitled middle classes...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: De Sisti on 22 October, 2015, 11:30:14 pm
As AWL said; they'll know what they're doing and "want have their cake and eat it too". On the off-chance that
 they are hostile about it; i think it's best to avoid any potential confrontation by saying nothing untill the work
 is about to commence. Let's hope they're reasonable.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: De Sisti on 22 October, 2015, 11:42:12 pm
Quote from: Ruthie link

Just a thought,  but maybe you could save a few quid just politely asking them not to use your path?
I was thinking of having the work done anyway. This episode has just speeded up the decision.
I'm already stressed about it and don't want that feeling to last any longer than necessary Ruthie.
I'm sure you'll understand how uncomfortable stress can be.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 22 October, 2015, 11:52:20 pm
I can't see how starting a dispute with neighbours over the one thing that's guaranteed to make nearly anyone act irrationally (ie. parking) is liable to reduce your stress levels.

Not that I have a better suggestion.  Maybe you could set up a wayleave for their use of your path?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: De Sisti on 23 October, 2015, 12:10:54 am
Kim, not sure what that means. All I'm doing is widening my parking area to acommodate my larger car.
I had planned to do it anyway. As a consequence, they will have to address their situation of having 2 cars
in a space that was meant for one. It will probably mean they will have to park one on the road.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 23 October, 2015, 09:51:34 am
Parking is sadly a nightmare, we've built a society where everyone 'needs' a car. Not just one. One each. That's two, then the elder child wants a car. That's three. Sibling. That's four. Unless you've got a big driveway, then there's a problem. So every street is lined with them, pavements are blocked, driveways clogged, and every front garden concreted into weary submission. Because we need those cars so much, very few people think about where to put them. Cram them in until our entire environments strain with the bloody things.

But that's where we are. I'm pretty bolshy about it, I had the police move the chap who was parking on the pavement corner near my house (but that was genuinely dangerous), and I'm contemplating annoying the council in general about blocked pavements, but I doubt I'll turn the tide, and you have to pick your battles. Negotiated settlements, especially with neighbours, are a better approach. Sticking a wall in their way probably only passes for negotiation if you're the Israeli government.

This from someone who spent six long years arbitrating parking disputes amongst people who bought houses with one parking space and arrived with three or four cars. Believe me, that kind of stuff etches your soul like acid.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 23 October, 2015, 10:41:54 am
Can I request a re-start for today? I'll just go back to bed and start again.

I got half way to work and realised I'd forgotten my security pass so had to turn round and go home. At home I decided it was too late to try and cycle in again, so took the bags off of the bike and put them behind the car, ready to go in the locked boot, then loaded the bike on the roof and went inside to pick up my pass and car key.

Then jumped in the car, reversed out of the drive and drove off, wondering what the noise was. Half a mile further down the road I realised it was me running over my pump and new Super C rack bag  :facepalm:

Returned home and retrieved run over items and finally made it into work half an hour late.

On the damage I think I've got of lightly. I didn't have my flask in the bag today so everything seems to have survived, though the bag now looks a little lessmore used than it did. The pump looks ok, other than a bit (more) scuffing. It feels a little stiff, but there's also some water in it (not from today's incident) so it may be unrelated.

I'm hoping that's all the bad luck used up for today as I'm singing at a charity dinner tonight :-\

Roll on the weekend!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Peter on 23 October, 2015, 10:54:36 am
Nice one!  (I'm hoping to have a roll on the weekend, too, but it's not really up to me.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: De Sisti on 23 October, 2015, 11:46:36 am
Ian, I am not depriving them of parking space. The wall needs to built to prevent their space from deterioting,
as their parking space is higher than mine (my path is on a slope which is going to be levelled in order to create
space to accommodate my larger car).

I outlined this in my original post. Me not doing anything means I can't widen my parking space (which I'm legally
entitled to do so).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 23 October, 2015, 12:26:34 pm
I'm merely saying you might want to have a chat with them before putting a wall where previously they were walking, rightly or wrongly. Otherwise they may not choose to interpret things the way you do, and thusly arguments between neighbours begin.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 23 October, 2015, 01:10:24 pm
My point exactly.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: davelodwig on 23 October, 2015, 01:27:07 pm
Quote from: ian on 23 October, 2015, 12:26:34 pm
I'm merely saying you might want to have a chat with them before putting a wall where previously they were walking, rightly or wrongly. Otherwise they may not choose to interpret things the way you do, and thusly arguments between neighbours begin.

Though, my experience has been that you can have a chat with them but someone who thinks it's OK to use someone else's property to get to theirs because they've filled there space up is unlikely to take notice of a polite, please stop walking on my path. Generally the response will be along the lines of but where will I put my car as if it's your problem not theirs that they have too many cars.

I've had a number of houses that come with a space only to find that a neighbour or a neighbours guest has parked in my space because there is no other room.

D.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 23 October, 2015, 01:50:30 pm
I'm not saying they will be reasonable or rational, but generally if you start out that way, things at least have an opportunity to proceed to amicable solutions.

I think the best parking issue I had to mediate was our neighbour with – at one point – five cars. He had a habit of getting back late and leaving his car du jour near the gates, effectively leaving only enough room to squeeze a car by. I pointed out a few things, mainly that if he continued to park there, how would a large red emergency vehicle get by? He gave it some thought. Well, of course, he'd get up and move it. What if it's your house? I ask. Somewhere on the ground floor. How are you going to get up and move it then? He gave this some further consideration. He offered me a set of keys so I could move it.

That's what I had to deal with. I got fed up and ordered a job lot of enormous planters, had the gardeners stick some big trees in them and placed the strategically around the development. That did the trick.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 23 October, 2015, 09:15:27 pm
As far as I'm concerned De Sisti should be within his rights to build a small wall on his own property without asking his neighbours permission or even giving them a heads up, providing it's all fine re:planning etc.
They might be pissed off but what right have they to be pissed off when they're using someone else's property?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 23 October, 2015, 09:17:57 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 23 October, 2015, 09:15:27 pm
As far as I'm concerned De Sisti should be within his rights to build a small wall on his own property without asking his neighbours permission or even giving them a heads up, providing it's all fine re:planning etc.
They might be pissed off but what right have they to be pissed off when they're using someone else's property?

Of course he's within his rights, and doing nothing wrong.  It's just conflict with neighbours can get a lot worse than them using your path.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 23 October, 2015, 09:31:28 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 23 October, 2015, 10:41:54 am
Can I request a re-start for today? I'll just go back to bed and start again.

I got half way to work and realised I'd forgotten my security pass so had to turn round and go home. At home I decided it was too late to try and cycle in again, so took the bags off of the bike and put them behind the car, ready to go in the locked boot, then loaded the bike on the roof and went inside to pick up my pass and car key.

Then jumped in the car, reversed out of the drive and drove off, wondering what the noise was. Half a mile further down the road I realised it was me running over my pump and new Super C rack bag  :facepalm:

Returned home and retrieved run over items and finally made it into work half an hour late.

On the damage I think I've got of lightly. I didn't have my flask in the bag today so everything seems to have survived, though the bag now looks a little less used than it did. The pump looks ok, other than a bit (more) scuffing. It feels a little stiff, but there's also some water in it (not from today's incident) so it may be unrelated.

I'm hoping that's all the bad luck used up for today as I'm singing at a charity dinner tonight :-\

Roll on the weekend!
Only Carradice can do this! What destroys lesser bags, rejuvenates Carradice!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 23 October, 2015, 11:42:34 pm
;D

More or less
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 23 October, 2015, 11:56:52 pm
Dear Hampstead Garden Suburb Institute (sic),

I went to a meeting at your new venue in Kingsbury this evening.

Outside the entrance was a flight of ten brick stairs, but no ramp or lift.

There was a tiny sign outside suggesting a phone number for wheelchair access.

Partner rang and had an answering machine to greet him.

After I was lifted up the steps, there was a SEEKRIT lift we could use to access the first floor seminar room.

The wheelchair accessible toilet was beautiful - well-equipped, spotless and big enough to manoeuvre my chair.

HGS Institute has an Equal Opportunities Policy.

I should be grateful...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 24 October, 2015, 11:59:04 am
I order a small number of stainless steel slotted wood screws at huge mark up, because they stock them. What do they send me........ Pozidrive!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 25 October, 2015, 02:22:04 pm
Quote from: ian on 23 October, 2015, 01:50:30 pm
I'm not saying they will be reasonable or rational, but generally if you start out that way, things at least have an opportunity to proceed to amicable solutions.

I think the best parking issue I had to mediate was our neighbour with – at one point – five cars. He had a habit of getting back late and leaving his car du jour near the gates, effectively leaving only enough room to squeeze a car by. I pointed out a few things, mainly that if he continued to park there, how would a large red emergency vehicle get by? He gave it some thought. Well, of course, he'd get up and move it. What if it's your house? I ask. Somewhere on the ground floor. How are you going to get up and move it then? He gave this some further consideration. He offered me a set of keys so I could move it.

That's what I had to deal with. I got fed up and ordered a job lot of enormous planters, had the gardeners stick some big trees in them and placed the strategically around the development. That did the trick.


Or another approach.... (http://southendnewsnetwork.com/news/southchurch-homeowners-without-driveways-install-landmines-to-deter-people-from-parking-legally/)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 25 October, 2015, 03:46:19 pm
I was watering the plants and I dripped a bit of water into the back of the telly, and now it'll switch on, but won't respond to button pressings or the remote.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 25 October, 2015, 03:51:13 pm
Many years ago a housemate spilled a bottle of BEER down the back of the distascope resulting in it going from black and white to black and yellow.  We did wonder whether the addition of further drinkohol would turn it into a colour item but were worried about burning the house down.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 25 October, 2015, 07:04:55 pm
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 25 October, 2015, 03:46:19 pm
I was watering the plants and I dripped a bit of water into the back of the telly, and now it'll switch on, but won't respond to button pressings or the remote.  >:(

Deprive it of power and encourage it to dry out.  Plain water will most likely evaporate without damage.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 26 October, 2015, 01:10:18 am
Will the cows that appear to be having an argument please shut up! It's gone 1am and some of us are trying to sleep.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 26 October, 2015, 08:58:48 am
Just ordered stuff for the company from the UK and had to enter our VAT number.  Easy - it's on the PDF copies we get from the tax office when we do our declaration every month. Except that it isn't. I have to dive into the archives to drag out a paper copy from 2011.

Down south in Midi-Pyrenées, an internal memo was leaked from the regional tax office, directing their local agencies to "make life complicated" for folk who wanted to stick to paper instead of doing everything on line.

Hm...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: offcumden on 26 October, 2015, 08:59:33 am
Quote from: mcshroom on 26 October, 2015, 01:10:18 am
Will the cows that appear to be having an argument please shut up! It's gone 1am and some of us are trying to sleep.

I guess that whatever keeps you awake at night might be regarded as a bad thing but, in the cool light of day, might you not consider that what sounded like an argument could otherwise be described as nocturnal passion?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 26 October, 2015, 09:21:50 am
Quote from: offcumden on 26 October, 2015, 08:59:33 am
Quote from: mcshroom on 26 October, 2015, 01:10:18 am
Will the cows that appear to be having an argument please shut up! It's gone 1am and some of us are trying to sleep.

I guess that whatever keeps you awake at night might be regarded as a bad thing but, in the cool light of day, might you not consider that what sounded like an argument could otherwise be described as nocturnal passion?

Is this that time of year? They were still making a lot of noise this morning when I woke up.*


*When I say 'cows', I mean of the bovine variety
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: offcumden on 26 October, 2015, 09:23:44 am
Quote from: mcshroom on 26 October, 2015, 09:21:50 am
When i say 'cows', I mean of the bovine variety

Never doubted it!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 26 October, 2015, 12:39:54 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 26 October, 2015, 09:21:50 am
Quote from: offcumden on 26 October, 2015, 08:59:33 am
Quote from: mcshroom on 26 October, 2015, 01:10:18 am
Will the cows that appear to be having an argument please shut up! It's gone 1am and some of us are trying to sleep.

I guess that whatever keeps you awake at night might be regarded as a bad thing but, in the cool light of day, might you not consider that what sounded like an argument could otherwise be described as nocturnal passion?

Is this that time of year? They were still making a lot of noise this morning when I woke up.*


*When I say 'cows', I mean of the bovine variety
Bovine gestation is 305 days. If they're dairy cows, it's always that time of year.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 26 October, 2015, 08:28:28 pm
Students, both foreign and British: This is not the U.S.A. We have the word 'toilet' to name the room where one goes to urinate or defecate. As far as I am concerned, one does not bathe therein, nor does one have a rest therein. If you ask me if there's a bathroom or restroom, I shall feign incredulity until I pretend the penny's dropped and say 'Oh, you mean the toilet, do you?'.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 26 October, 2015, 08:30:30 pm
Actually, lavatory, old thing.

Although "The bog" is acceptable.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 26 October, 2015, 08:33:01 pm
I did baulk at 'karzie' and 'shitter', but the day might come...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 26 October, 2015, 09:17:13 pm
"Latrine" is only suitable for squaddies, "lav" for Derek & Clive and "dunny" for Antipodeans.  "Crapper", however, is right there in your .sig ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 27 October, 2015, 09:05:09 am
Do you mean the water closet or the garderobe?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 27 October, 2015, 10:43:52 am
Not 'comfort station' then?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 27 October, 2015, 11:01:36 am
That sounds like there might be more than one person involved and a financial transaction taking place...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 27 October, 2015, 11:15:54 am
It's a ghastly euphemism I heard from a Bostonian hipster. Thank dog it never caught on this side of the Atlantic.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 27 October, 2015, 12:57:14 pm
If I'm searching for a meaning-free euphemism, I tend to ask for 'the facilities.'

(Fits with servizio/servizi, I suppose.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 27 October, 2015, 01:18:37 pm
Where's the kludgie? usually works quite well.

Moving idiom between languages can be perilous.  Germans say so & so is on the toilet as opposed to in.  In triggers guffaw.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 27 October, 2015, 01:23:19 pm
I've seen "comfort station" used by Stephen King, who ought to know better.

ETA: "kludgie" only works if you are Peter Capaldi.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 27 October, 2015, 01:25:08 pm
Quote from: jsabine on 27 October, 2015, 12:57:14 pm
If I'm searching for a meaning-free euphemism, I tend to ask for 'the facilities.'

(Fits with servizio/servizi, I suppose.)

Fits also with Hebrew 'sherutim' = services.

I have asked for facilities in the UK, usually when it's ''disabled facilities'.
Otherwise it's loos, Ladies or toilets.

My Yankee cousin (m) was freaked out by being advised to ask for the 'Gents'...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 27 October, 2015, 01:35:07 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 27 October, 2015, 01:25:08 pm
My Yankee cousin (m) was freaked out by being advised to ask for the 'Gents'...

Much1 fun can be had when, on a trip to Scotland with one's colonial cousins, the opportunity arises to advise them that because gents in Scotland often wear kilts, the polarity of the symbols is reversed.




1: OK, for limited values of 'much.' And 'fun.'
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 27 October, 2015, 01:46:27 pm
The other languages I know well enough, Swedish and Hungarian, use 'WC' for 'toilet'. I'm OK with that one.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 27 October, 2015, 02:07:47 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 27 October, 2015, 01:23:19 pm
I've seen "comfort station" used by Stephen King, who ought to know better.

ETA: "kludgie" only works if you are Peter Capaldi.

Or Scots, laddie, or Scots.  Works in Norn Iron too.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 27 October, 2015, 07:14:27 pm
Double grumble.

First, can bits of my cycling kit please stop breaking? Latest to go is my Pocket Rocket Pump where the piston's leaking. Not what I wanted to discover when I was about to set of home from work and my rear tyre was flat.

Also. 'Trick or Treat'ers. It's only Tuesday! Halloween isn't until Saturday. Go away and don't be surprised I have no sweets on offer!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 27 October, 2015, 07:56:46 pm
I have 'rescued' a pump in similar conditions by spitting on the piston...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 28 October, 2015, 08:14:51 am
Grumble verging on rant:

Found a pair of neoprene overshoes at half price in a French site's clearance sale.  Whoopee, into basket, click "Checkout", enter email addr.

Site says "you haven't used your password since March. We've sent you an email so that you can enter a new one." So I do.

Back into checkout, basket is empty.  Some bastard whipped the last pair while I was faffing about. (http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/gaah.gif)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 28 October, 2015, 12:52:34 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 27 October, 2015, 07:14:27 pm
Also. 'Trick or Treat'ers. It's only Tuesday! Halloween isn't until Saturday. Go away and don't be surprised I have no sweets on offer!

(Note to self: resuscitate that notice reading "Trick or Treaters will be chased up a tree which will then be set on fire" for the window of the Grand Portico)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Zipperhead on 28 October, 2015, 02:44:01 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 28 October, 2015, 12:52:34 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 27 October, 2015, 07:14:27 pm
Also. 'Trick or Treat'ers. It's only Tuesday! Halloween isn't until Saturday. Go away and don't be surprised I have no sweets on offer!

(Note to self: resuscitate that notice reading "Trick or Treaters will be chased up a tree which will then be set on fire" for the window of the Grand Portico)

Pumpkins, pumpkins and thermite (https://youtu.be/n2axFXzRF-U)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 28 October, 2015, 04:22:03 pm
Picked up a new 2016 pocket diary when I was in town.

When I got in, the postman had been, and my 2016 RCN pocket diary had been delivered.

That's £2.99 I'll not see again.

Fortunately the postie delivered a beautiful get well card from that mcshroom as well.  I may have cried a little bit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: lou boutin on 28 October, 2015, 04:37:09 pm
Diaries make good Christmas pressies - useful things to add to a secret santa etc! So may be it could be repurposed?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 28 October, 2015, 05:23:42 pm
Quote from: lou boutin on 28 October, 2015, 04:37:09 pm
Diaries make good Christmas pressies - useful things to add to a secret santa etc! So may be it could be repurposed?

What a good idea!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 28 October, 2015, 05:27:45 pm
Or you can leave them out in a work staff space "help yourself" as someone might want one and not have one already.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 29 October, 2015, 08:20:05 am
The Inlaw Paw's address got onto some charity-mail-shot company's list, so just now he's being bombarded with packs of Christmas cards, diaries, pens etc, mostly already personalized.  And one pestilential low-cost-giveaway bunch sent us a pretty ballpoint & diary as a free sample, and now we receive phone-calls from an 0800 number two or three times a day.  It rings until you pick up then hangs up. I don't know how they expect to do business that way.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 29 October, 2015, 06:18:24 pm
I got sent a load of charity Xmas cards from the charity my dad bought my last Xmas card from. I'm not impressed as it appears he's given them my data without asking me.  I know he likes collecting spam as a hobby (yes really) but that's not my hobby and it's not OK.

Need to email them and ask them to remove my data nicely and not feel guilty for not wanting to buy overly religious xmas card crap!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 29 October, 2015, 06:54:33 pm
Oh don't feel bad about it, most of 'em are as hard as nails.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TPMB12 on 29 October, 2015, 08:41:59 pm
Took bin out this morning in.half light down a shared passage. On the way back to my house I slipped a bit on my heel. Thought it was mud but turned round to see my slipped heel footprint in a big pile of dog poo. One dog poo'd there about a year or two ago and ever since then all manner of local dogs think it's there toilet. Same spot all the time.

People have started to put up signs telling dog owners to scoop their dog's poop all around. There was a real.campaign.going on complete with council notices copied then laminated and stuck to gates, walls and trees.  Still a free hardcore dog owners let their dogs run free to do their business then call them back after a few.minutes. Kind of a lazy dog owner's approach.

Sorry if this was.a rant not a grumble. Still first time it's happened to me but justice because I've been laughing at my partner who's stood in the brown stuff quite a few times over the last year or so.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 03 November, 2015, 09:40:34 am
Well, don't put bleach down on the spot, it encourages them. And good luck digging it out of your soul sole.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 03 November, 2015, 03:21:33 pm
My new blue suede shoes (actually chukkas) squeak when I walk:-(

It's my socks on the leather insole.  Doesn't happen with the other 2 pairs from this manufacturer.

Talcum powder or something else ?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 03 November, 2015, 03:29:02 pm
Downmat!  They're made of Downmat!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 03 November, 2015, 04:00:09 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 03 November, 2015, 03:21:33 pm
My new blue suede shoes (actually chukkas) squeak when I walk:-(

It's my socks on the leather insole.  Doesn't happen with the other 2 pairs from this manufacturer.

Talcum powder or something else ?

Pay for them.

You've reminded me of something my Dad told me when I was little: "New shoes always squeak until they're paid for"

I believed him at the time.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 03 November, 2015, 04:04:03 pm
My saddle squeaks.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 03 November, 2015, 05:00:02 pm
David's slippers squeak on our tiled kitchen floor.
The waterproof mattress covers in our Majorca hotel squawked. Most unpleasant.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 03 November, 2015, 06:30:42 pm
When you said that "temperatures [in fog-afflicted areas of Scotland] did not get above double figures", TV's Louise Lear, I don' think that was quite what you meant...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 03 November, 2015, 06:33:09 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 03 November, 2015, 06:30:42 pm
When you said that "temperatures [in fog-afflicted areas of Scotland] did not get above double figures", TV's Louise Lear, I don' think that was quite what you meant...
Well it's true ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 03 November, 2015, 07:54:51 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 03 November, 2015, 03:21:33 pm
My new blue suede shoes (actually chukkas) squeak when I walk:-(

It's my socks on the leather insole.  Doesn't happen with the other 2 pairs from this manufacturer.

Talcum powder or something else ?

It's the sock/shoe interface,  wool socks don't appear to squeak (have just done the SCIENCE!)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 05 November, 2015, 10:16:48 am
http://www.theguardian.com/cities/2015/nov/05/bristol-conundrum-gentrification-danger-poor-really-stretched-stokes-croft-george-ferguson
No! PRSC are self-important commercial exploiters of a pseudo-non-commerciality, Chris Chalkley is the self-appointed king of the republic and he parks his Mighty Banana van like an uncaring fud! However, Cafe Kino is very good and if those flats are really going for £210 then who knows...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 06 November, 2015, 09:01:36 am
£4.20 a pint?  :o
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 06 November, 2015, 09:40:16 am
When I suggested that on bonfire night I could get some wood and have a fire in the garden, I had in mind family sitting around a nice fire while the sky flashes with fireworks.

Not 8 strange teenagers bombing vodka jellyshots while playing bad 80s music on their phones. I took myself off to bed with a headache.

Sat I'll be cleaning the entire house, sweeping and vacuuming up the sand they tracked through every room. joy.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 07 November, 2015, 10:39:37 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 06 November, 2015, 09:40:16 am
Sat I'll be cleaning the entire house, sweeping and vacuuming up the sand they tracked through every room. joy.
I got home with a fair dose of migraine wierdness and headache to find that kids had washed up everything. Not done any sweeping or shaken sand off cushions, but they had washed up everything. They then helped me with the cushions.

It still took nearly 2hours of sweeping and vaccuming, but I felt a lot better because they'd made a start on cleaning up.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 09 November, 2015, 08:41:58 am
Fire & brimstone on the heads of Home Office excreta who make passport renewal forms available on-line but encrypt and lock them so that Acrobat's Typewriter function won't work and neither will "print as PDF".  Have to print the bastards out, fill in by hand then scan a copy for safekeeping. Back to the Stone Age. <imprecations />
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 09 November, 2015, 06:20:24 pm
I do no t know whether the recreation of the Battle of the Somme outside is celebrating the Gunpowder Plot, Diwali or some unholy mashup of the two but I would like it please to stop so I can watch the news without turning the amp up to 11.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 09 November, 2015, 06:27:06 pm
Quote from: T42 on 09 November, 2015, 08:41:58 am
Fire & brimstone on the heads of Home Office excreta who make passport renewal forms available on-line but encrypt and lock them so that Acrobat's Typewriter function won't work and neither will "print as PDF".  Have to print the bastards out, fill in by hand then scan a copy for safekeeping. Back to the Stone Age. <imprecations />

Oooh, I shall have fun issuing them with an Equality Act accessibility complaint then. My passport is due for renewal Sept 2016, so I can apply from Jan... Plenty of time to troll the fuckers and cheat if I have to but... WHYYYYYY.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 09 November, 2015, 06:58:24 pm
Quote from: barakta on 09 November, 2015, 06:27:06 pm
Quote from: T42 on 09 November, 2015, 08:41:58 am
Fire & brimstone on the heads of Home Office excreta who make passport renewal forms available on-line but encrypt and lock them so that Acrobat's Typewriter function won't work and neither will "print as PDF".  Have to print the bastards out, fill in by hand then scan a copy for safekeeping. Back to the Stone Age. <imprecations />
0
Oooh, I shall have fun issuing them with an Equality Act accessibility complaint then. My passport is due for renewal Sept 2016, so I can apply from Jan... Plenty of time to troll the fuckers and cheat if I have to but... WHYYYYYY.

My passport expires in August 2016 and is 10 years old this month. I can't hold a pen (but don't think being unable to write makes me illiterate).
There might be fun here too!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 09 November, 2015, 08:24:49 pm
What is the procedure for adults who cannot physically sign? Or indeed who are illiterate? Children's passports have "The holder is not required to sign" (I'm not sure up to what age), is there any provision for the same in appropriate adults' passports?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 10 November, 2015, 12:23:25 am
Not sure. Sometimes you can have a power of attorney letter thing which goes in with it but I don't know about adults with competence who just can't sign...  In practice to get shit done: someone probably fudges a signature and hopes for the best in reality...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 10 November, 2015, 09:25:48 am
There's a section on the passport form for someone to sign on your behalf if for some reason and I believe they'll complete it by phone for you if needed.

Adobe have fucked up PDF forms since forever.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 10 November, 2015, 10:30:11 am
Thumbprint in blood?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 10 November, 2015, 10:38:56 am
I believe they give you a US passport if you send them a picture of yourself wearing nothing more or less than a leopard print g-string (bikini for the ladies), sunglasses and a semi-automatic assault rifle.

I've not tried it, H1-B status didn't require the leopard print.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: arabella on 11 November, 2015, 05:50:31 pm
We have a 2.5 line whip to dress up as a "childhood hero" for CiN, orders of boss2 as boss3 is doing it, and possibly boss4.
I can't recall having had a childhood hero.  Nor do I care much for dressing up.

[I do, however, have a shalwar kameez (and a sari but I don't fancy trying to cycle to work or to anywhere else whilst wearing it).  So I will claim that Charulata Mukheree (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charulata_Mukherjee) (woman's actvist, apparently) was my childhood hero.]
(More info on Charulata ratefuly received  ;D)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 11 November, 2015, 06:41:23 pm
Ugh, mandatory dressing up.  I shall hide from world on Friday if it's CiN else my rants will make people RUN AWAY.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 11 November, 2015, 06:43:11 pm
I might just stay in my cycling gear and claim I'm Bradley Wiggins/Chris Froome if anyone suggests stuff at work.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SteveC on 11 November, 2015, 07:57:33 pm
We're just having CAEK.
And MrsC has offered to make some for me to take in on Friday as I'm working away until Thursday evening.  :smug:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 11 November, 2015, 08:16:44 pm
Quote from: arabella on 11 November, 2015, 05:50:31 pm
We have a 2.5 line whip to dress up as a "childhood hero" for CiN, orders of boss2 as boss3 is doing it, and possibly boss4.
I can't recall having had a childhood hero.  Nor do I care much for dressing up.

[I do, however, have a shalwar kameez (and a sari but I don't fancy trying to cycle to work or to anywhere else whilst wearing it).  So I will claim that Charulata Mukheree (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charulata_Mukherjee) (woman's actvist, apparently) was my childhood hero.]
(More info on Charulata ratefuly received  ;D)
Google images show her exclusively wearing a sari. But then they all seem to come from Bollywood and may not relate to the same Charulata. But if you just want an excuse to say a salwar kameez is dressing up, you could say you're Mayawati (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayawati) and demand everyone make a statue of you!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 11 November, 2015, 08:58:44 pm
Quote from: arabella on 11 November, 2015, 05:50:31 pm
We have a 2.5 line whip to dress up as a "childhood hero" for CiN, orders of boss2 as boss3 is doing it, and possibly boss4.
I can't recall having had a childhood hero.  Nor do I care much for dressing up.

[I do, however, have a shalwar kameez (and a sari but I don't fancy trying to cycle to work or to anywhere else whilst wearing it).  So I will claim that Charulata Mukheree (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charulata_Mukherjee) (woman's actvist, apparently) was my childhood hero.]
(More info on Charulata ratefuly received  ;D)
Pick a school teacher from Grange Hill and dress up as them.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 12 November, 2015, 12:41:51 am
(Imagines Arabella as "Bullet" Baxter.  Has brain embolism)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 12 November, 2015, 08:05:10 am
Eczemas decorations going up everywhere. Wish they'd put them right up.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 12 November, 2015, 08:43:00 am
Channel 4 on demand, you're crap!
Realsied I'd missed the start of teh second series of "the returned" which means I'd not have a hope in hell of working out what is going on, its hard enough to keep track anyway.

So, Lets find 4OD on the smart telly.  Oh, its not there, bugger.  Find it on the PC, which has a nice 24" monitor, and is connected to 70Mb broadband, and then struggle to actually find the series, rather than things about making it.  Eventually I find the relevant episodes, and set to watching.

FUCKING ADVERTS!  I have to sit through a load of introductory twaddle, while it exhorts me to "choose a trailer" (I don't want an effing trailer, I want to watch the bleeding episode), and then it starts off.  Er, what video quality is this?  I thought 640x480 went out years ago.... and then, can I skip through the poxy adverts, no, I can't.  The quality is awful, full of artefacts, and fuzzy on my HD monitor.  I never want to watch that quality of broadcast again, so the box wot sits under the telly will record the rest of them. 

And I thought iplayer was a pain to navigate....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 14 November, 2015, 04:16:16 pm
Waitress at restaurant: that isn't the first time you have tried to add an additional carvery meal onto our bill (or your crap system has, anyway). There were five of us and six meals were charged for. It doesn't take a mathematician, does it? Unimpressed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 14 November, 2015, 04:18:41 pm
The two hardest problems in computer science are cache invalidation, naming things and off-by-one errors.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 15 November, 2015, 11:25:11 pm
Quote from: Kim on 14 November, 2015, 04:18:41 pm
The two hardest problems in computer science are cache invalidation, naming things and off-by-one errors.
;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 16 November, 2015, 10:36:48 am
Between pulling shots on the Europiccola and playing flyswat tennis in the kitchen yesterday I can hardly move my right arm today.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 17 November, 2015, 02:05:40 pm
Right foot, plz to not be exhibiting symptoms of cramp for 48 hours and counting.  It make walking hurty and I need to go out later.  kthxbai.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 18 November, 2015, 03:47:33 pm
http://www.bristol247.com/channel/whats-on/art-01/exhibitions/bristol-parkhive?time=1447840800
Quote
Exhibition of this new photography archive, consisting of images of Bristol's parks and green spaces - taken by the people who use them.

Produced by the Bristol Parkhive project, a collaboration between the University of the West of England’s Faculty of Arts, Creative Industries and Education, and Bristol Parks Forum, the umbrella organisation which represents volunteer-led community parks group across the city.

Alongside the Digital Photographic Archive, the project has generated, and supported a wide range of projects throughout 2015, all of which have focussed on collaboration between UWE students, staff and Bristol Parks Forum volunteers to achieve improved outcomes for Bristol’s Parks and Green Spaces.

Pictured: Trooper's Hill (detail) by Rob Acton Campbell.

Preview night Wed 18 Nov, 5-8pm.

For more info on the Bristol Parkhive project, visit www.bristolparkhive.com
So wherethefuck is this "preview" of the "exhibition"? The website makes no mention of any exhibition.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 19 November, 2015, 01:35:08 pm
I opened my lunch flask today to find nothing but hot water in it. I guess the soup will still be standing in the microwave at home.

Lunch out of a vending machine is definately less preferable.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Legs on 19 November, 2015, 02:40:22 pm
Bill Gates sees fit to autocorrect “orthotist” to “orthoptist”.  I nearly misled my wife with an emailed account of how everything had got well when I took the Leglet to hospital to have his eyes straightened (with insoles)...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 19 November, 2015, 03:58:30 pm
Children of mine: One of you wanted some Fruit and Fibre. No problem. There's a bit more sugar and salt added to it than I like, but it's healthier than Cheerios.

So, do you take some from the already opened packet 5cm or so away from the unopened one? No.

1) You choose the unopened one
2) You proceed to open the cardboard box top so menkily that it cannot be resealed
3) You then open the inner bag so ham-fistedly that it is difficult now to scrunch it up as airtight as possible
4) To add insult to all that, you then leave most of it in a bowl for me to clear up!

There will be a lecture.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 21 November, 2015, 04:55:01 pm
Thursday morning, the cat was notable by his absence as I wandered around between bedroom and bathroom.  Normally, he would be figure eighting under my feet saying "Are we going downstairs yet?  Are we going downstairs yet?  Are we going downstairs yet?"
When I went into the kitchen, there he was whining to be let in outside the back door.
Little red light blinking on the cat flap.  Blat flattery.
"Ah, sorry Daf"

So I nipped across the road to the garage and bought a pack of four Duracell (it uses 4 AAs)
This morning it's blinking again!  Wtf?  How can that be?

I've gaffer taped the little lock down until I can buy batteries from somewhere else.  I'm just hoping it was a duff set.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 22 November, 2015, 09:36:32 am
Why the fuck are UK websites sending me "Black Friday" offers?  Are they referring to the day after US Thanksgiving or last week's terrorist attacks?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 22 November, 2015, 02:07:03 pm
Quote from: T42 on 22 November, 2015, 09:36:32 am
Why the fuck are UK websites sending me "Black Friday" offers?  Are they referring to the day after US Thanksgiving

Yes.

Think of it as a buffer zone to keep the Christmas marketing from starting as soon as Halloween's over.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 22 November, 2015, 02:35:16 pm
Quote from: Kim on 22 November, 2015, 02:07:03 pm
Quote from: T42 on 22 November, 2015, 09:36:32 am
Why the fuck are UK websites sending me "Black Friday" offers?  Are they referring to the day after US Thanksgiving

Yes.

Think of it as a buffer zone to keep the Christmas marketing from starting as soon as Halloween's over.

You know what?  It hasn't worked!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 22 November, 2015, 02:42:03 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 22 November, 2015, 02:35:16 pm
Quote from: Kim on 22 November, 2015, 02:07:03 pm
Quote from: T42 on 22 November, 2015, 09:36:32 am
Why the fuck are UK websites sending me "Black Friday" offers?  Are they referring to the day after US Thanksgiving

Yes.

Think of it as a buffer zone to keep the Christmas marketing from starting as soon as Halloween's over.

You know what?  It hasn't worked!
yup never worked because it started before Halloween.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: offcumden on 22 November, 2015, 04:09:50 pm
Two artificially blithe looking ladies knocked at my door this afternoon.
"We're just coming round today asking if you have any concerns for what the future holds." - offers me a leaflet, which doubtless explains the meaning of life in a hundred words.
"I'm not at all interested. I'm an atheist, not interested."
I turn away, leaving them standing smiling emptily on the doorstep. They move slowly away, off to bother my neighbours with their fatuous questions.

They can bother 'god' if they want, just wish they wouldn't bother me.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Karla on 22 November, 2015, 05:07:23 pm
You

Yes you!

YES YOU!

You're the only other person here.  If I'm calling your name but you can't quite hear what I'm saying, which do you think is the appropriate response? 

1) Carry on whatever you're doing?
2) Conclude that I'm trying to attract your attention, and thus respond something along the lines of "Sorry Pharti I can't quite hear you, could you shout a little louder please?" 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: De Sisti on 22 November, 2015, 07:23:29 pm
Quote from: offcumden on 22 November, 2015, 04:09:50 pm
Two artificially blithe looking ladies knocked at my door this afternoon.
"We're just coming round today asking if you have any concerns for what the future holds." - offers me a leaflet,
Had a couple of them aroundbhere recently.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 22 November, 2015, 11:25:46 pm
Quote from: offcumden on 22 November, 2015, 04:09:50 pm
Two artificially blithe looking ladies knocked at my door this afternoon.

I misread that as "artificially lithe looking".

Which would make for an interesting marketing shift in the evangelical god and weakly-godlike entity-bothering field of door-to-door nuisances.  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 23 November, 2015, 12:46:59 am
Quote from: offcumden on 22 November, 2015, 04:09:50 pm
Two artificially blithe looking ladies knocked at my door this afternoon.
"We're just coming round today asking if you have any concerns for what the future holds." - offers me a leaflet, which doubtless explains the meaning of life in a hundred words.
"I'm not at all interested. I'm an atheist, not interested."
I turn away, leaving them standing smiling emptily on the doorstep. They move slowly away, off to bother my neighbours with their fatuous questions.

They can bother 'god' if they want, just wish they wouldn't bother me.

Two alternative manners in which to respond:

i) A friend of my ex reckoned she was frequently approached on the Tube by people who would sit beside her and, in a cheery fashion, ask "Have you talked to Jesus recently?" - she'd concluded that the best answer was, brightly, "Yes! He's warned me about people like you!"

ii) My school RE teacher claimed that whenever godmongers turned up on his doorstep, he'd invite them in and offer them a cup of tea. They'd settle in on his sofa, and ask "Have you read the Bible recently?" "Yes," he'd reply: "as a matter of fact I've got two degrees in theology." Apparently burnt throats were common as they scrambled to make a quick exit, without being so rude as to abandon their teas.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 23 November, 2015, 03:10:48 am
Claim to be a druid.  Bonus points if you happen to be sharpening a sickle at the time.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 23 November, 2015, 07:39:55 am
VAT declaration this morning and cardiac stress test this afternoon.  :sick:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 23 November, 2015, 08:16:19 am
ITYM VAT declaration AND cardiac stress test this morning...

Good luck with it, anyway!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 23 November, 2015, 09:47:09 am
Ta.

VAT declaration was moderately painful but has been done and extortionate sum paid.  Now awaiting next blow.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 23 November, 2015, 10:33:56 am
Quote from: jsabine on 23 November, 2015, 12:46:59 am
ii) My school RE teacher claimed that whenever godmongers turned up on his doorstep, he'd invite them in and offer them a cup of tea. They'd settle in on his sofa, and ask "Have you read the Bible recently?" "Yes," he'd reply: "as a matter of fact I've got two degrees in theology." Apparently burnt throats were common as they scrambled to make a quick exit, without being so rude as to abandon their teas.

My father in law (licensed reader) used to do this. On one occasion he had them there for 3 hours. I believe he felt he was saving his neighbours from being bothered.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 23 November, 2015, 12:08:05 pm
Quote from: Vince on 23 November, 2015, 10:33:56 am
Quote from: jsabine on 23 November, 2015, 12:46:59 am
ii) My school RE teacher claimed that whenever godmongers turned up on his doorstep, he'd invite them in and offer them a cup of tea. They'd settle in on his sofa, and ask "Have you read the Bible recently?" "Yes," he'd reply: "as a matter of fact I've got two degrees in theology." Apparently burnt throats were common as they scrambled to make a quick exit, without being so rude as to abandon their teas.

My father in law (licensed reader) used to do this. On one occasion he had them there for 3 hours. I believe he felt he was saving his neighbours from being bothered.

Salvation for the neighbours: how kind!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 23 November, 2015, 02:51:44 pm
Grrrrr.  Misbegotten cardiologist says "oh, it's a long time since I did an echogram so we'll do that instead and pedal later".  I objected but he said "no, we'll get you an appointment as swiftly as possible" so ok, he did an echogram. Normal.

ASAP turns out to be 18th January, so I'm left wondering if I'll be on the damned table in March instead of doing a flèche. C*nt.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 23 November, 2015, 03:27:38 pm
That would be a pity. HK and I are looking forward to pleasures of the flèche with you, so to speak.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 23 November, 2015, 03:46:49 pm
Yup, me too.  You know how these things work, though: next time around it'll be "right, we'll schedule the full stress test ASAP" and another 8 weeks'll bite the dust.

Still, cardiologists have to live - two houses three cars wife brats & horses to support, after all.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 24 November, 2015, 09:56:29 am
Have now arranged cardiac stress test for early Jan with waiting-list if earlier opportunity occurs. Thumbs pressed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 24 November, 2015, 12:21:08 pm
Quote from: spesh on 22 November, 2015, 11:25:46 pm
Quote from: offcumden on 22 November, 2015, 04:09:50 pm
Two artificially blithe looking ladies knocked at my door this afternoon.

I misread that as "artificially lithe looking".

Which would make for an interesting marketing shift in the evangelical god and weakly-godlike entity-bothering field of door-to-door nuisances.  ;D
Short demonstration of the bliss available in eternity to true believers?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 26 November, 2015, 09:00:50 pm
Oh ffs!  Cliff Richards' "Miserable and Whine" is playing in the pub.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: offcumden on 26 November, 2015, 09:41:49 pm
Quote from: Basil on 26 November, 2015, 09:00:50 pm
Oh ffs!  Cliff Richards' "Miserable and Whine" is playing in the pub.

Cheer up - next week it could be Noddy Holder's turn to delight you.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 26 November, 2015, 09:43:16 pm
Quote from: offcumden on 26 November, 2015, 09:41:49 pm
Quote from: Basil on 26 November, 2015, 09:00:50 pm
Oh ffs!  Cliff Richards' "Miserable and Whine" is playing in the pub.

Cheer up - next week it could be Noddy Holder's turn to delight you.

Is he named after Big Ears's friend in the Enid Blyton books?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 26 November, 2015, 09:45:06 pm
Quote from: offcumden on 26 November, 2015, 09:41:49 pm
Quote from: Basil on 26 November, 2015, 09:00:50 pm
Oh ffs!  Cliff Richards' "Miserable and Whine" is playing in the pub.

Cheer up - next week it could be Noddy Holder's turn to delight you.
It's not Christmas until Noddy tells me it is. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: offcumden on 26 November, 2015, 09:45:44 pm
Or is 'Noddy' a term of affection in Brummie land?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 26 November, 2015, 09:49:27 pm
Quote from: offcumden on 26 November, 2015, 09:45:44 pm
Or is 'Noddy' a term of affection in Brummie land?
No, 'No as far as I am aware.

"Nodder" is a condom, though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Legs on 27 November, 2015, 09:06:05 am
Debenhams.  Why in the name of all that is holy do you make it so frickin' difficult to find anything in your stores?  What's the idea with sorting some things by brand, and some things by type?  Do you really only have 8 women's belts in your Derby store (none of which were the one that my wife wanted me to get)?  FOAD, please.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 27 November, 2015, 11:37:44 am
Legs: Yes. Can't just look for black trousers, have to go round eleventy different branded bollox areas to check each brand's trousers.

Apparently, although I have never tried it, the trick is to book a free personal shopper service and ask for types of what you're looking for. The saleswoman then finds ALL the black trousers for you in one place...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 27 November, 2015, 12:34:16 pm
Black trousers in a clothes store are like milk in a supermarket: cunningly inaccessible so you can get 'tempted' by all the other wares in your path.
Some of us CnBA to endure this experience very frequently.
The stupid marketers have deterred us from simple shopping in what has become a complex obstacle course.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 27 November, 2015, 01:15:53 pm
 ???  All the milk in The Sainsburys Up The Road is in one place, regardless of whether its fat levels, bottle size, organicity or brandedness. Mind you, we usually get the milk from The Little Shop Not So Far Up The Road, cos it's nicer (non-homogenised) and cheaper.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 27 November, 2015, 01:55:30 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 27 November, 2015, 01:15:53 pm
???  All the milk in The Sainsburys Up The Road is in one place, regardless of whether its fat levels, bottle size, organicity or brandedness. Mind you, we usually get the milk from The Little Shop Not So Far Up The Road, cos it's nicer (non-homogenised) and cheaper.

Probably right at the back of the shop, diagonally opposite the entrance?

This ensures that even the most direct route takes you past as much other product as possible.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 27 November, 2015, 02:18:06 pm
Totally shattered, trying to have a nap, and the phone never stops ringing and three people have knocked on the door.

Sod off everyone.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 27 November, 2015, 03:12:12 pm
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 27 November, 2015, 01:55:30 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 27 November, 2015, 01:15:53 pm
???  All the milk in The Sainsburys Up The Road is in one place, regardless of whether its fat levels, bottle size, organicity or brandedness. Mind you, we usually get the milk from The Little Shop Not So Far Up The Road, cos it's nicer (non-homogenised) and cheaper.

Probably right at the back of the shop, diagonally opposite the entrance?

This ensures that even the most direct route takes you past as much other product as possible.

That is precisely the point I was trying to make.

If you try to drop in to make a quick, simple purchase, it's miles away at the back of beyond.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 27 November, 2015, 03:17:24 pm
About the longest routes in both my local supermarkets is the one including Eggs, Bread and Milk. Considering in one place they've just moved the eggs even further from the others I don't think it's accidental.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 27 November, 2015, 03:44:58 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 27 November, 2015, 01:15:53 pm
Mind you, we usually get the milk from The Little Shop Not So Far Up The Road, cos it's nicer (non-homogenised) and cheaper.

Blimey, they must be really ripping the farmers off!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 27 November, 2015, 05:05:00 pm
In my local Mr Sainsbury's House of Toothy Comestibles outlet eggs, milk, bread ect. ect. are smack in the middle.  Drinkohol and frozen chips are the furthest from the entrance although because it's been extended a couple of times since it was first built, socks are also in another time zone from the front door.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 27 November, 2015, 08:12:54 pm
Quote from: Ruthie on 27 November, 2015, 02:18:06 pm
Totally shattered, trying to have a nap, and the phone never stops ringing and three people have knocked on the door.

Sod off everyone.

If I may belatedly join this grumble:  I got three chuggers and a meter reader yesterday.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 27 November, 2015, 08:15:42 pm
Quote from: Basil on 26 November, 2015, 09:49:27 pm
Quote from: offcumden on 26 November, 2015, 09:45:44 pm
Or is 'Noddy' a term of affection in Brummie land?
No, 'No as far as I am aware.

"Nodder" is a condom, though.
That must be a NORTH Birmingham one. I've never heard that one even if Acock's Green...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 28 November, 2015, 09:02:10 am
I wish the downstairs neighbours would crank up their heating a bit.  If the current situation continues much longer I may need to switch on my own heating.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 28 November, 2015, 09:35:50 am
When we lived in Germany our flat was right above the boiler-room.  When the landlord came round to read the wee metering doodads on the radiators he gave us a very jaundiced look - and a DM 600 refund on our paid-in-advance services bill, nyah nyah nyah.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 30 November, 2015, 11:11:20 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 27 November, 2015, 03:12:12 pm
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 27 November, 2015, 01:55:30 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 27 November, 2015, 01:15:53 pm
???  All the milk in The Sainsburys Up The Road is in one place, regardless of whether its fat levels, bottle size, organicity or brandedness. Mind you, we usually get the milk from The Little Shop Not So Far Up The Road, cos it's nicer (non-homogenised) and cheaper.

Probably right at the back of the shop, diagonally opposite the entrance?

This ensures that even the most direct route takes you past as much other product as possible.

That is precisely the point I was trying to make.

If you try to drop in to make a quick, simple purchase, it's miles away at the back of beyond.
No, the milk is in the first aisle, directly opposite the main entrance. Eggs are opposite the milk, cheese and butter are in the same aisle, as are jams and other spreads (including Marmite!). Fruit and veg are immediately to the right. Bread is in the next aisle over (to the left) and tea the next one after that.

Nevertheless, your point remains valid in general.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 30 November, 2015, 03:02:23 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 30 November, 2015, 11:11:20 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 27 November, 2015, 03:12:12 pm
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 27 November, 2015, 01:55:30 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 27 November, 2015, 01:15:53 pm
???  All the milk in The Sainsburys Up The Road is in one place, regardless of whether its fat levels, bottle size, organicity or brandedness. Mind you, we usually get the milk from The Little Shop Not So Far Up The Road, cos it's nicer (non-homogenised) and cheaper.

Probably right at the back of the shop, diagonally opposite the entrance?

This ensures that even the most direct route takes you past as much other product as possible.

That is precisely the point I was trying to make.

If you try to drop in to make a quick, simple purchase, it's miles away at the back of beyond.
No, the milk is in the first aisle, directly opposite the main entrance. Eggs are opposite the milk, cheese and butter are in the same aisle, as are jams and other spreads (including Marmite!). Fruit and veg are immediately to the right. Bread is in the next aisle over (to the left) and tea the next one after that.

Nevertheless, your point remains valid in general.

This sounds like an exceptional emporium!

The ones I know seem to make the commonplace awkward.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: orienteer on 30 November, 2015, 03:17:48 pm
It's long been common practice to put the essentials at the back, to increase temptation as shoppers pass the inessentials! Just like putting the sweets at the checkout.

I have a prepared list on the PC, which I print out copies of to mark off what we need for each trip, in shelf order. Still have a problem with Mrs O dashing back and forth for impulsive purchases!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 30 November, 2015, 03:21:46 pm
Quote from: orienteer on 30 November, 2015, 03:17:48 pm
It's long been common practice to put the essentials at the back, to increase temptation as shoppers pass the inessentials! Just like putting the sweets at the checkout.

I have a prepared list on the PC, which I print out copies of to mark off what we need for each trip, in shelf order. Still have a problem with Mrs O dashing back and forth for impulsive purchases!

You're fortunate.  My shops seem to re-arrange the shelves once or twice a year.  Certain items (chilled/frozen, mainly) remain roughly in he same place, but other items get shuffled around. :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: bumper on 30 November, 2015, 03:49:31 pm
Posted this here because I couldn't find the 'paid for something but it hasn't been delivered yet and I'm like a kid at Christmas waiting for it' thread.


My fantastic wife bought me a new bike from PlanetX last Monday. Delivery time was 3-5 days.
The grumble, it's still not arrived, not even sent out for delivery yet :(

I'm blaming TORSLANDA. You jinxed it all in the courier thread :P
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 30 November, 2015, 05:10:59 pm
I remember a Turkish student (of English, in England) talking about national culture through supermarkets. He got quite excited by it. I'll try to reproduce his intermediate-student Turkish English:

I notice in British supermarkets the first thing you are seeing in the supermarket is lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, so I am thinking the fresh fruits and vegetables are very important to British people. In Turkey the first thing you are seeing in the supermarket is always the milky productions. Lots and lots of milky productions right next to the entrance door, because in Turkey the milky productions are very important to us.


 :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 30 November, 2015, 11:25:55 pm
Quote from: bumper on 30 November, 2015, 03:49:31 pm
Posted this here because I couldn't find the 'paid for something but it hasn't been delivered yet and I'm like a kid at Christmas waiting for it' thread.


My fantastic wife bought me a new bike from PlanetX last Monday. Delivery time was 3-5 days.
The grumble, it's still not arrived, not even sent out for delivery yet :(

I'm blaming TORSLANDA. You jinxed it all in the courier thread :P

Nothing whatsoever to do with me! (Now, need to hide the matt black Kaffenback in the cellar - just in case...)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: bumper on 01 December, 2015, 08:12:09 am
Quote from: Torslanda on 30 November, 2015, 11:25:55 pm
Quote from: bumper on 30 November, 2015, 03:49:31 pm
Posted this here because I couldn't find the 'paid for something but it hasn't been delivered yet and I'm like a kid at Christmas waiting for it' thread.


My fantastic wife bought me a new bike from PlanetX last Monday. Delivery time was 3-5 days.
The grumble, it's still not arrived, not even sent out for delivery yet :(

I'm blaming TORSLANDA. You jinxed it all in the courier thread :P

Nothing whatsoever to do with me! (Now, need to hide the matt black Kaffenback in the cellar - just in case...)

Phew!

Not too far off though!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 01 December, 2015, 08:24:54 am
Quote from: orienteer on 30 November, 2015, 03:17:48 pm
It's long been common practice to put the essentials at the back, to increase temptation as shoppers pass the inessentials! Just like putting the sweets at the checkout.

I have a prepared list on the PC, which I print out copies of to mark off what we need for each trip, in shelf order. Still have a problem with Mrs O dashing back and forth for impulsive purchases!

I can confirm this, as many years ago I used to design supermarkets for a living.  Us building designers didn't do the total "what products go on which shelves" layout, but we needed to know roughly where it was all going to get the refrigerated bits and the veg display units in the right places.  we then got a copy ofg the actual prduct layout back later, or if they wanted to shift things around a bit to suit the sales people's devious minds, we'd adjust locatinos of someof the stuff to suit. 

After a while I could do a shelving and refrigeration layout in a typical supermarket in an afternoon or less, including all the services stuff.  Obviously this was "old school" with Rotring pens on tracing paper.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 01 December, 2015, 08:32:28 am
^^^ Reminds me of my nephew. He's a marine architect but his main source of income these days is designing interiors for private yachts and cruise ships.  A while back he was griping that every time the interior decorators decide to put the grand piano there instead of there they have to redesign the deck reinforcement.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Legs on 01 December, 2015, 10:19:28 am
Snaffled a protractor off my colleague's desk.  Took a few measurements.  Put said protractor back.  Performed a few calculations.  Needed to take another measurement.  Picked up his protractor again.  Noticed that it's in gradians.

(For the uninitiated, gradians are a unit of measuring angles, apparently used occasionally in Germany and Scandinavia.  There are 400 gradians in a full circle, so, for measurements of around 15-20 degrees, it's not immediately apparent that there is a small but significant difference between the gradian and degree measurements.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 01 December, 2015, 11:57:25 am
Quote from: T42 on 01 December, 2015, 08:32:28 am
^^^ Reminds me of my nephew. He's a marine architect but his main source of income these days is designing interiors for private yachts and cruise ships.  A while back he was griping that every time the interior decorators decide to put the grand piano there instead of there they have to redesign the deck reinforcement.

People responsible for grand pianos do this sort of thing deliberately.

Yours, a recovering theatrical lighting designer.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 01 December, 2015, 12:14:58 pm
Can partner's grand piano get fixed PDQ before I die of boredom hearing how long it's taking to fix and of partner's Piano Nightmares?
It will be 11 weeks tomorrow...
It's not my fault that *** are lackadaisical.
I am not responsible for the alcoholic technician they had to dismiss, either.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Clare on 01 December, 2015, 12:59:55 pm
Quote
Its Christmas Jumper Day on Friday 18 December - how exciting is that?!? 😀

I have entered a team this year! we are THE JOLLY JUMPERS!!

All you need to do to join us is wear your Christmas jumper to work and donate £2.00 (or more if you are feeling generous!!)

The money we raise will help three amazing charities – Macmillan Cancer Support, Make-A-Wish® UK and Save the Children – give hope to families in difficulty at Christmas.

Have a look at the Text Santa Facebook for jumper ideas!!

I will collect the money - either visit me on the 3rd Floor or I can visit you in your office - please let me know that you're joining the Faculty Office in this event.

Please join in - its good fun!

I tell you what, I have a better idea, I'll donate money to a charity of my choice and you can fuck off.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 01 December, 2015, 06:11:40 pm
I think I'd come in all in black and yes donate money to a charity of my choice and SCOWL.

I REALLY hate cheesy Xmas jumpers.  People can do what they like but I STILL Hate The Sodding Jumpers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Graeme on 01 December, 2015, 06:16:59 pm
Quote from: barakta on 01 December, 2015, 06:11:40 pm
I think I'd come in all in black and yes donate money to a charity of my choice and SCOWL.

I REALLY hate cheesy Xmas jumpers.  People can do what they like but I STILL Hate The Sodding Jumpers.

Wearing my Christmas jumper today. It's older than many of the people I'm meeting - bought it when I was 19 back when Christmas jumpers were real Christmas jumpers. And small furry creatures from alpha centuri were real small furry creatures from alpha centuri.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 01 December, 2015, 06:39:13 pm
As soon as the saccharine strains of shitly-performed carols start dribbling out of the horriblemarket loudsqueakers in an unparalleled plethora of idiocy the punters' IQs perform a similar trick through their ears.  Never ever queue behind anyone buying clothes at this time of year.  Or at any other time of year either.  It just unleashes a tsunami of Stupid.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 01 December, 2015, 06:41:42 pm
Quote from: Clare on 01 December, 2015, 12:59:55 pm
Quote
Its Christmas Jumper Day on Friday 18 December - how exciting is that?!? 😀

I have entered a team this year! we are THE JOLLY JUMPERS!!

All you need to do to join us is wear your Christmas jumper to work and donate £2.00 (or more if you are feeling generous!!)

The money we raise will help three amazing charities – Macmillan Cancer Support, Make-A-Wish® UK and Save the Children – give hope to families in difficulty at Christmas.

Have a look at the Text Santa Facebook for jumper ideas!!

I will collect the money - either visit me on the 3rd Floor or I can visit you in your office - please let me know that you're joining the Faculty Office in this event.

Please join in - its good fun!

I tell you what, I have a better idea, I'll donate money to a charity of my choice and you can fuck off.



Amen to that. I especially hate the thought that a chrimbo jumper would cost far more than the suggested donation and would be yet another piece of tat cluttering up our compact and bijou abode, so I'd rather give the money too.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 03 December, 2015, 08:36:55 am
Super U had a holiday special on the lurgi so the missus brought home enough for the whole family.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 03 December, 2015, 02:18:16 pm
Bad events yesterday evening. Someone has stolen the CTC biscuit tin!  :o
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 03 December, 2015, 03:18:09 pm
It's already dark outside
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 04 December, 2015, 10:37:06 am
I detected an annoying swelling on the inside of my mouth last night. Doubly annoying as it was adjacent to a particularly sharp tooth.

Naturally I worried it until it was no longer a swelling and became a small and extremely painful hole.

Drinking tea hurts, so does coffee. How am I going to get through the day?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 04 December, 2015, 10:38:22 am
Getting long in the tooth obv!  :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 04 December, 2015, 10:38:47 am
Quote from: Torslanda on 04 December, 2015, 10:37:06 am
I detected an annoying swelling on the inside of my mouth last night. Doubly annoying as it was adjacent to a particularly sharp tooth.

Naturally I worried it until it was no longer a swelling and became a small and extremely painful hole.

Drinking tea hurts, so does coffee. How am I going to get through the day?

DRUGS.

You could try Bonjela, it'll sting at first mind.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Legs on 04 December, 2015, 12:00:29 pm
Quote from: Ruthie on 04 December, 2015, 10:38:47 am
Quote from: Torslanda on 04 December, 2015, 10:37:06 am
I detected an annoying swelling on the inside of my mouth last night. Doubly annoying as it was adjacent to a particularly sharp tooth.

Naturally I worried it until it was no longer a swelling and became a small and extremely painful hole.

Drinking tea hurts, so does coffee. How am I going to get through the day?

DRUGS.

You could try Bonjela, it'll sting at first mind.

Anbesol is your friend.
http://www.lloydspharmacy.com/en/anbesol-liquid-15ml-14910 (http://www.lloydspharmacy.com/en/anbesol-liquid-15ml-14910)
Or try sucking on some cloves...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: bumper on 04 December, 2015, 12:04:44 pm
Quote from: Torslanda on 04 December, 2015, 10:37:06 am

Drinking tea hurts, so does coffee. How am I going to get through the day?

Try Whisky :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 04 December, 2015, 12:13:11 pm
Quote from: bumper on 04 December, 2015, 12:04:44 pm
Quote from: Torslanda on 04 December, 2015, 10:37:06 am

Drinking tea hurts, so does coffee. How am I going to get through the day?

Try Whisky :thumbsup:
That's tonight . . .  ;)

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: HTFB on 04 December, 2015, 01:24:40 pm
I could really use an hour or so in a quiet darkened room, which is not bloody likely with all this drilling and thumping going on downstairs. [migrainesmiley]
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 04 December, 2015, 08:14:58 pm
Quote from: bumper on 04 December, 2015, 12:04:44 pm
Quote from: Torslanda on 04 December, 2015, 10:37:06 am

Drinking tea hurts, so does coffee. How am I going to get through the day?

Try Whisky :thumbsup:
Worked for me after having an errant & obstinate wisdom tooth* removed by cutting & drilling. Swig of whisky, held in the mouth over the hole. First one stung briefly, then the anaesthesia cut in. Keeping it free of infection, too.  :thumbsup:

*In different circumstances I might have enjoyed the dentist leaning on me to get leverage when trying to pull it out. She was very shapely.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 05 December, 2015, 09:37:04 am
On reflection maybe this shoul've been in First World Problems . . .
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rogerzilla on 05 December, 2015, 09:35:38 pm
Fitted new foglight bulbs to the Jimny.  One blew the same day when I was testing my handiwork   I don't foresee any problems getting a free replacement pack but they are a bit of an arse to change, since you have to lie under the front bumper, release two of those annoying push-pin expanding plastic fasteners so the wheel arch liner can be flexed out of the way, and then stick your hand up behind the bumper.  Basically you can only do it in dry weather or it is too miserable a job to contemplate.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: bumper on 05 December, 2015, 10:08:39 pm
Quote from: rogerzilla on 05 December, 2015, 09:35:38 pm
stick your hand up behind the bumper.

Over my dead body :o
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 05 December, 2015, 10:32:29 pm
<Grace Jones>
Pull up to my bumper, baby
In your long black limousine
Pull up to my bumper, baby
And drive it in between

Pull up to it, dont drive through it
Back it up twice, now that fits nice
</Grace Jones>
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: bumper on 06 December, 2015, 10:00:27 am
Quote from: Feanor on 05 December, 2015, 10:32:29 pm
<Grace Jones>
Pull up to my bumper, baby
In your long black limousine
Pull up to my bumper, baby
And drive it in between

Pull up to it, dont drive through it
Back it up twice, now that fits nice
</Grace Jones>


:P
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 06 December, 2015, 02:57:45 pm
Fleabay, I'm sure your Babbage-Posts used to include the item number when telling me I'd lost an auction or been outbid.  Now they don't.  This is not a Good Thing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 08 December, 2015, 09:27:54 am
We're having our HQ group-photo in 5 minutes. This was arranged yesterday while I was off. If I'd known I'd have worn my


Quote
This is what a

Security threatening
Terrorist sympathising
Britain hating

Ideologist looks like

T-shirt.

Bah!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 08 December, 2015, 12:10:44 pm
I've just received an email from some online bike-stuff shop I  once bought something from. It goes like this:
Quote
WHAT DO YOU GET A CYCLIST FOR CHRISTMAS?
For Him
From Garmins and Gatorskins, and Zipp and Elite,
you'll find what he wants without leaving your seat!

For Her
If she loves her bike and calls it her own,
then helmets and lights could be as good as a phone.

For Them
Horns and Lights and Bells with loud rings  -
these are a few of their favourite things!
For some reason, this drivel – I don't think it even deserves to be called doggerel – and the way it's laid out, is annoying me a great deal.
Anyway, shouldn't they have sent it to a cyclist's family and friends? Am I supposed to forward it to People Who Might Buy Me Presents? Well, I'm not going to, because I've got better ideas!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 08 December, 2015, 12:31:49 pm
Not only is it drivel, but it's sexist drivel. Why wouldn't a gurl want a shiny new Garmin?

Sorry. I know the answer to that one. Garmins are techie science stuff and she shouldn't worrry her pretty litle head over it ::-)

I would reccommend the author of that shite for a Twat award.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 08 December, 2015, 01:08:41 pm
^^^ WORD!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 08 December, 2015, 03:47:35 pm
I thought the sexism was not just in the selection of what's suitable for men, women and kids, but in the decision to make selections. The language is then rather old skool; for him, for her. But I didn't want to get all Pobi on it. I didn't show you the illustrations – the helmet "she" gets is, guess what, purple. "His" Garmins are, of course, black.

And the "poetry"; well, it was only on the second "verse" that I realised it was meant to even rhyme.

So, shall I name and shame? Yes! It was an outfit called Pedal-Pedal. In a minute, I might have a look to see what it was I once bought from them and how their service was.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 08 December, 2015, 03:53:59 pm
Ah, it was an extra clip-on battery thing for an Exposure light. Very useful it's been, but I bought it over a year ago as the result of an internet search. I don't find being spammed with marketing mails at all conducive to purchases, especially when I'm not contemplating any. And when the spam-verts are written like that one, it tempts me to create a black list to put them on. It also says annoying grumbleworthy things about Christmas, as I don't recall receiving mail from them at other times of the year.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 08 December, 2015, 04:13:28 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 08 December, 2015, 03:47:35 pm
I didn't show you the illustrations – the helmet "she" gets is, guess what, purple. "His" Garmins are, of course, black.

I've got a purple glittery Garmin somewhere.  Or it might be blue and glittery.  Not that it matters, because Real Men Don't Use Serial Ports.  Or something.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 08 December, 2015, 06:24:24 pm
This 7-up sure tastes strange.  What, it's cherry 7-up?  *bleurgh*  Whose bright idea was that?  I thought the red band across the top was 'festive'.  Must shop more carefully.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 08 December, 2015, 06:56:46 pm
Quote from: Kim on 08 December, 2015, 04:13:28 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 08 December, 2015, 03:47:35 pm
I didn't show you the illustrations – the helmet "she" gets is, guess what, purple. "His" Garmins are, of course, black.

I've got a purple glittery Garmin somewhere.  Or it might be blue and glittery.  Not that it matters, because Real Men Don't Use Serial Ports.  Or something.

If you want to sell a gadget to girls, make it pink. On the grounds that some girls like pink and those that don't like pink will probably buy the black one.

I'm not sure whether you can apply this theory to sex toys of the penetrative variety.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 08 December, 2015, 08:27:39 pm
Well, I don't have any black sex toys...
 :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 08 December, 2015, 09:07:14 pm
I also got that email cudzo, and I got all POBI on their ass.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 08 December, 2015, 10:09:55 pm
I'm glad you did. Hmm, maybe I should too. Have they replied to you yet?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 08 December, 2015, 10:42:21 pm
Sadly not.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 08 December, 2015, 11:13:15 pm
I always thought they came in either lurid tones or "flesh" coloured
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 09 December, 2015, 08:42:56 am
Why should Christmas lights have to flash?  What's Christmassy about it?  What's it even supposed to look like, the Star of Bethlehem on battery-saving mode?  Damned things twist the eyes out of your head.

Folk across the road have got them in bright blue: you'd think they had a police car in their front room.
(http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/gaah.gif)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 09 December, 2015, 08:53:39 am
Quote from: fboab on 08 December, 2015, 09:07:14 pm
I also got that email cudzo, and I got all POBI on their ass.
You went reverse Tyson Fury?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 09 December, 2015, 12:02:15 pm
Quote from: T42 on 09 December, 2015, 08:42:56 am
Why should Christmas lights have to flash?  What's Christmassy about it?

It's a little-known Christmas tradition:  The REINdeer knows who's been naughty and nice, and uses flashing lights to bring packet loss to their broadband connections accordingly.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 09 December, 2015, 12:11:03 pm
I kno you shouldn't rnswer a question with another question, but to the last question on the latest British Cycling survey "Outside of cycling, which brand do you feel represents you the best?" my reply could only be "What kind of question is this?", so I did.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 09 December, 2015, 12:36:05 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 09 December, 2015, 08:53:39 am
Quote from: fboab on 08 December, 2015, 09:07:14 pm
I also got that email cudzo, and I got all POBI on their ass.
You went reverse Tyson Fury?
Like this?

(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 09 December, 2015, 01:27:02 pm
Quote from: fboab on 09 December, 2015, 12:36:05 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 09 December, 2015, 08:53:39 am
Quote from: fboab on 08 December, 2015, 09:07:14 pm
I also got that email cudzo, and I got all POBI on their ass.
You went reverse Tyson Fury?
Like this?

(click to show/hide)

Quite good.

I was thinking along the lines of "This woman will decide for herself where she belongs, and it probably isn't in the kitchen or on her back (since she doesn't ride a recumbent). So she won't be patronized by your pathetic sexist marketing either."
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 09 December, 2015, 01:40:29 pm
Quote
Thanks for your note and sorry to hear that you're not happy with the titles in the email. To be honest, I would never have thought that the terms 'Him' or 'Her' were sexist or patronising. The purpose of the email is to help people to find products that they might think suitable for 'Him' or 'Her' - so if someone is buying for a him then there is a suggested list of products that might suit and vice versa.

If you look carefully you will see that the two lists are remarkably similar - there are Garmins in the 'For Her' list too - we are well aware that Garmins are bought by everyone.

With regards to the accompanying text, this also was never meant to be sexist or patronising - the words are a simple parody of the well-known song that reflected the products our customers buy.

Sorry again for any unintended offence.

Simon
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 09 December, 2015, 01:44:01 pm
Quote from: Kim on 09 December, 2015, 12:02:15 pm
Quote from: T42 on 09 December, 2015, 08:42:56 am
Why should Christmas lights have to flash?  What's Christmassy about it?

It's a little-known Christmas tradition:  The REINdeer knows who's been naughty and nice, and uses flashing lights to bring packet loss to their broadband connections accordingly.

Oh goody.

OTOH maybe he's a cop who parks indoors at night.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 09 December, 2015, 02:56:35 pm
Quote from: fboab on 09 December, 2015, 01:40:29 pm
Quote
Thanks for your note and sorry to hear that you're not happy with the titles in the email. To be honest, I would never have thought that the terms 'Him' or 'Her' were sexist or patronising. The purpose of the email is to help people to find products that they might think suitable for 'Him' or 'Her' - so if someone is buying for a him then there is a suggested list of products that might suit and vice versa.

If you look carefully you will see that the two lists are remarkably similar - there are Garmins in the 'For Her' list too - we are well aware that Garmins are bought by everyone.

With regards to the accompanying text, this also was never meant to be sexist or patronising - the words are a simple parody of the well-known song that reflected the products our customers buy.

Sorry again for any unintended offence.

Simon

We're sorry you were offended.  Useless fucking non apology.  Sexist shite.

I'd probably reply to say this was a complete non apology and that in case there was any doubt, I was making sure my friends knew $Brand are sexist twunts and that we shall not buy from you anymore kthxbai end of matter...

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 09 December, 2015, 03:16:05 pm
Quote from: fboab on 09 December, 2015, 01:40:29 pm
Quote
Thanks for your note and sorry to hear that you're not happy with the titles in the email. To be honest, I would never have thought that the terms 'Him' or 'Her' were sexist or patronising. The purpose of the email is to help people to find products that they might think suitable for 'Him' or 'Her' - so if someone is buying for a him then there is a suggested list of products that might suit and vice versa.

If you look carefully you will see that the two lists are remarkably similar - there are Garmins in the 'For Her' list too - we are well aware that Garmins are bought by everyone.

With regards to the accompanying text, this also was never meant to be sexist or patronising - the words are a simple parody of the well-known song that reflected the products our customers buy.

Sorry again for any unintended offence.

Simon
So 'Simon' completely misses the concept that as soon as you have lists for 'him' and for 'her', the lists are sexist?

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 09 December, 2015, 03:46:08 pm
The 'Him' list when you click through, has more than twice as many products than the 'Her' list.
The 'Him' list includes things that no 'Her' could wish for- like... locks and lights. Doubtless She would have a man with her so wouldn't need a lock, nor should She be doing something so Manly as riding in the dark.

So many things are wrong with it, I'm not sure where to start.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 09 December, 2015, 05:24:37 pm
Quote from: fboab on 09 December, 2015, 12:36:05 pm
Like this?

(click to show/hide)

Yes, exactly like that :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 09 December, 2015, 05:32:43 pm
Completely non-cycling related but effing packaging  :demon:

Opened a new jar of coffee (for the tradesmen) today and as well as nice glass jar it had a plastic seal around the plastic lid and then a plastic/paper foil seal under the lid.  How effing hermetically sealed does a granule need to be?

And the council round here insist that the plastic film seal around the outside of the lid is non recyclable

Aaaaaarrrrgghhhh.

So went out for a lunchtime ride.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 09 December, 2015, 08:26:56 pm
Quote from: Kim on 09 December, 2015, 12:02:15 pm
Quote from: T42 on 09 December, 2015, 08:42:56 am
Why should Christmas lights have to flash?  What's Christmassy about it?

It's a little-known Christmas tradition:  The REINdeer knows who's been naughty and nice, and uses flashing lights to bring packet loss to their broadband connections accordingly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agYHiSXple0
https://youtu.be/agYHiSXple0

Not a REINdeer in sight, unfortunately.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 09 December, 2015, 11:55:26 pm
Quote from: Kim on 09 December, 2015, 08:26:56 pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agYHiSXple0
https://youtu.be/agYHiSXple0

Not a REINdeer in sight, unfortunately.

That is really rather good!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 10 December, 2015, 07:33:18 am
Quote from: ElyDave on 09 December, 2015, 05:32:43 pm
Completely non-cycling related but effing packaging  :demon:

Opened a new jar of coffee (for the tradesmen) today and as well as nice glass jar it had a plastic seal around the plastic lid and then a plastic/paper foil seal under the lid.  How effing hermetically sealed does a granule need to be?

And the council round here insist that the plastic film seal around the outside of the lid is non recyclable

Aaaaaarrrrgghhhh.

So went out for a lunchtime ride.

You mean they've really dissected packagings and turned out a list of which microcomponents are recyclable and which aren't?

If in doubt, chuck the lot in the "general" bin is my motto.  I'd say kill'em all and let God sort them out, but I don't think He does recycling.

Re the coffee, if you're going to drink it then seal it up as tightly as poss, but if it's only for grubby tradesmen at the back door then it doesn't matter.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 14 December, 2015, 12:51:14 pm
I just had some made-to-measure blinds replaced because the glue that held on the weight at the bottom on melted in the sunlight. I mean, who knew the roller blinds would be exposed to sunlight. It's not like they spend their day hanging in windows. The manufacturers admitted that yes, this could be considered a design flaw, and replaced them all.

At the weekend, I glance at our custom cut and sized glass splashback behind the cooker hob. A nice stress crack is making steady progress from one of the corners where it was cut.

I swear everything bespoke has failed in some way. Cheap crap from Homebase on the other hand...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 14 December, 2015, 01:07:02 pm
Quote from: barakta on 09 December, 2015, 02:56:35 pm
Quote from: fboab on 09 December, 2015, 01:40:29 pm
Quote
Thanks for your note and sorry to hear that you're not happy with the titles in the email. To be honest, I would never have thought that the terms 'Him' or 'Her' were sexist or patronising. The purpose of the email is to help people to find products that they might think suitable for 'Him' or 'Her' - so if someone is buying for a him then there is a suggested list of products that might suit and vice versa.

If you look carefully you will see that the two lists are remarkably similar - there are Garmins in the 'For Her' list too - we are well aware that Garmins are bought by everyone.

With regards to the accompanying text, this also was never meant to be sexist or patronising - the words are a simple parody of the well-known song that reflected the products our customers buy.

Sorry again for any unintended offence.

Simon

We're sorry you were offended.  Useless fucking non apology.  Sexist shite.

I'd probably reply to say this was a complete non apology and that in case there was any doubt, I was making sure my friends knew $Brand are sexist twunts and that we shall not buy from you anymore kthxbai end of matter...
I'd forgotten about this. I received a similar reply, very prompt and sounding a little pissed off. As mrcharly says, completely missing the point about the categories.
Quote
Thank you for your note and sorry that you were so disappointed with the email you received from us. No, the words I wrote were not 'poetry' and neither were they 'doggerel' (although it would nice to able to amuse and engage people in the way that Mr McGonagall did). The words were merely a simple parody of the well-known song that reflected the products our customers buy.

As for the use of the 'Him'', 'Her' and 'Them' categories,we are genuinely not alone as a retailer in suggesting that Hims and Hers might want different gifts bought for them. Without wanting to sound trite, a clothing retailers website would be very difficult to navigate if the clothing for Him and Her was not presented on different pages.

So, again, my apologies if you felt patronised - but, for the record, I was extremely upset to be accused of being sexist, especially an 'old-school' one, whatever that means. I have, however, consoled myself with the knowledge that you spent longer reading my words than you might have read someone else's.
I'm afraid I don't recognise the song. Maybe that's me having a bit of a Wowbagger moment, maybe it's cos they've mangled it beyond recognition, but it's not the main point anyway. I do like his "consolation" though!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 14 December, 2015, 02:40:52 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 09 December, 2015, 03:16:05 pm
Quote from: fboab on 09 December, 2015, 01:40:29 pm
Quote
Thanks for your note and sorry to hear that you're not happy with the titles in the email. To be honest, I would never have thought that the terms 'Him' or 'Her' were sexist or patronising. The purpose of the email is to help people to find products that they might think suitable for 'Him' or 'Her' - so if someone is buying for a him then there is a suggested list of products that might suit and vice versa.

If you look carefully you will see that the two lists are remarkably similar - there are Garmins in the 'For Her' list too - we are well aware that Garmins are bought by everyone.

With regards to the accompanying text, this also was never meant to be sexist or patronising - the words are a simple parody of the well-known song that reflected the products our customers buy.

Sorry again for any unintended offence.

Simon
So 'Simon' completely misses the concept that as soon as you have lists for 'him' and for 'her', the lists are sexist?


:o :o :o

And: Good work, boab! :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nicknack on 14 December, 2015, 06:00:56 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 09 December, 2015, 11:55:26 pm
Quote from: Kim on 09 December, 2015, 08:26:56 pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agYHiSXple0
https://youtu.be/agYHiSXple0

Not a REINdeer in sight, unfortunately.

That is really rather good!
Yes, but I've obviously spent too long at YACF cos the image of the flashing light at 1.00 suggested something quite different.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 15 December, 2015, 10:32:03 am
After just over an entire year with nary a sniffle, the insides of my cranium are now pressurized with something that feels like ectoplasm mixed with wallpaper paste. Every now and then, when I least expect it, very liquid snot in some quantity issues profusely from my right nostril. Never the other.

I was hoping that I'd developed some supernatural resistance to lurgy.

On the plus side, I just snotted the cat. That was a nice change, she usually drools on me.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Riggers on 15 December, 2015, 12:01:00 pm
So . . . . you think you're tall enough to reach that top shelf to stash those extra CDs and DVDs do you?

Well, I thought I was. Unfortunately the lower shelf I used to gain extra height gave way, causing an awful mess of CDs and DVDs to come crashing down on top of my head yesterday evening. I suppose "Bollocks!" just about covered my anger. Wife told me not to get cross. I said this is precisely the right time to get cross!!!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 15 December, 2015, 12:53:16 pm
That is precisely the right time to get cross.  If you don't get cross at times like this when there is a genuine reason, you'd probably end up as one of those people who ends up getting cross at silly little things that really don't matter, i.e. a moaning old git...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 15 December, 2015, 01:14:58 pm
Quote from: ian on 15 December, 2015, 10:32:03 am
After just over an entire year with nary a sniffle, the insides of my cranium are now pressurized with something that feels like ectoplasm mixed with wallpaper paste. Every now and then, when I least expect it, very liquid snot in some quantity issues profusely from my right nostril. Never the other.

I was hoping that I'd developed some supernatural resistance to lurgy.

On the plus side, I just snotted the cat. That was a nice change, she usually drools on me.

For the last few days I have been toying with the expression "bungee cords of cheese fondue" for a similar situation, minus the moggie.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 15 December, 2015, 02:59:31 pm
It's quite weird, every now and again, against the tide of general heavy duty bungage, a large river of watery mucus will pour forth from my right nostril. I'm supposed to go for a posh meal tonight. This could be fun.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 15 December, 2015, 03:25:51 pm
Take a roll of kitchen paper.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 15 December, 2015, 04:38:27 pm
Hawksmoor have nice napkins. If I go, my head sort of sloshes if I move it back and forth too quickly.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 16 December, 2015, 08:39:26 am
Météo France last night: "Expect a few drops of rain in Alsace".

This morning: wall-to-wall murk, invisible hills, and it's tipping down.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 16 December, 2015, 11:17:55 am
First, a freak shaving accident (for some reason I missed my entire face with the razor and cut the bottom of my nose, one of those tiny nicks that makes up for its diminutive size by gushing vampire-fattening amounts of blood). Second, a nose that runs and runs and requires blowing about every two seconds. So every time I do that, I knock off the little scab and bleed some more. Added groo, as though I need it.

I'd go back to bed and be officially sick, but lying down causes the huge lake of snot in my head to slosh back and squish my brain until it squeaks, and I can feel the gunk flowing down into my throat which is about as pleasant as it sounds. Every now and then, it will glug, like someone is tipping over a huge vat of noxious slime. Then the cat, who has no respect for my suffering, will come sit on me. Throat getting a bit itchity scratchity too.

I am doomed. In the interim, I'll sit here and try to squeeze as little work as is possible between the bloody sniffles.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: bumper on 19 December, 2015, 07:23:48 am
I've seen four other riders on my morning ride. Three had no lights* and the oncoming fourth had his front on a strobe setting that me feel sick.

No wonder non-cyclists hate us.

*there's no excuse, you can buy one for 99p!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 19 December, 2015, 12:34:22 pm
One twunt on my commute has his front light set to flash S.O.S. in morse code. I do wonder if he realises, but CBA to stop him and ask.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 19 December, 2015, 01:04:50 pm
You could almost wish that a cycling licence were obligatory so that these lardoons could lose theirs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: bumper on 19 December, 2015, 04:21:57 pm
I don't know how they dare to ride with no front or rear lights. A lot of drivers are shit smidsys when we're lit like Xmas trees. Strobists just want kicking.

I must add that these weren't youths (sound like a proper grandad), they were grown men. It didn't start to get light until turned 8.30am and I saw a couple of them not long after 5.00am. Idiots.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 19 December, 2015, 04:25:53 pm
Quote from: bumper on 19 December, 2015, 04:21:57 pm
I don't know how they dare to ride with no front or rear lights. A lot of drivers are shit smidsys when we're lit like Xmas trees.

Evidence that bike lights don't actually make you that much safer, perhaps?

https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=93493.0
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: bumper on 19 December, 2015, 04:29:33 pm
I'd still rather have them on the bike than not, especially on unlit country roads which 99% of my road riding is.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 19 December, 2015, 04:52:18 pm
Quote from: bumper on 19 December, 2015, 04:29:33 pm
I'd still rather have them on the bike than not, especially on unlit country roads which 99% of my road riding is.

As would I.  Even if they do nothing to prevent motorist collisions, they're really bloody useful for seeing where you're going, and their absence would be seen as contributory negligence.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 20 December, 2015, 08:29:36 am
A perfect morning, crisp but not freezing, sun with hazy cloud and the temperature due to rise into the low teens. We have bloody family coming for lunch so I'm stuck at home.  And tomorrow it's to rain.


ETA: 5 p.m. now and they've gone.  Apart from an excellent lunch, that was excruciating.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 20 December, 2015, 04:55:32 pm
Flat cap, child-molester glasses, Hercule Poirot moustache, goatee beard, tweed jacket, mustard trousers and sock-free espadrilles.  In my local branch of Mr Sainsbury's House of Toothy Comestibles.

There goes the neighbourhood.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 20 December, 2015, 04:56:54 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 20 December, 2015, 04:55:32 pm
Flat cap, child-molester glasses, Hercule Poirot moustache, goatee beard, tweed jacket, mustard trousers and sock-free espadrilles.  In my local branch of Mr Sainsbury's House of Toothy Comestibles.

There goes the neighbourhood.

Were your chinos in the wash?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 20 December, 2015, 05:05:24 pm
Quote from: Ruthie on 20 December, 2015, 04:56:54 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 20 December, 2015, 04:55:32 pm
Flat cap, child-molester glasses, Hercule Poirot moustache, goatee beard, tweed jacket, mustard trousers and sock-free espadrilles.  In my local branch of Mr Sainsbury's House of Toothy Comestibles.

There goes the neighbourhood.

Were your chinos in the wash?

(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 21 December, 2015, 10:02:54 am
I know we're in the bleak mid-winter but with the rain it's still bloody dark out.

Feels like I'm back working a night shift
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 21 December, 2015, 01:46:07 pm
Neck/shoulder have spazzed up again... And in a difficult place to apply hot water bottle to. Reminds me to pick up drugs from pharmacy tho.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 24 December, 2015, 01:43:38 pm
Got my usual pre-Christmas depression/grumpiness/can't-be-arsed feeling.  It's a beautiful day but even the idea of going out on the bike is repulsive. Cock piss bugger bum balls.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 25 December, 2015, 12:07:06 am
The Squeezebox keeps dropping out. Router needs moving, or replacing, or additional help in the from of home plugs.
Grrrr.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 25 December, 2015, 01:15:09 pm
If I hear one more sleb claiming to be "blessed" I will doing some blessing of my own.  With this Shuvel I thee bless.

O!  Vous avez été blessé!  Quel dommage :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 25 December, 2015, 02:48:59 pm
Dear BT,
Thank you for your timely seasonal email. Whilst I appreciate Paperless Billing is all automagic electronicals, it would be nice to have a day without bills.
Bah Humbug!

-------------------------

<< ebilling@bt.com
To
helenvecht@btinternet.com
Today at 2:18 PM
BT Bill
Your latest bill is ready to see online>>

WTF??? I've been CHARGED for dialling 101!!! Fucking THIEVES!!!
999 is free.
'Geographic' numbers are included in my 'package'.
Charge me to do My Duty as a Responsible Citizen?

I am unseasonably ANGRY!!!

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 27 December, 2015, 12:48:42 pm
Thermostat in the Mess at Fort Larrington, with your incessant noise like unto a joke novelty clockwork mouse running down you are rapidly turning me homicidal, or at least desperate enough to wander over the hill to the offie to buy some more orange juice >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 27 December, 2015, 04:49:34 pm
Hmm, our thermostat makes the very same noise every time it turns the heating off. One day I mean to replace it with one of those internet controller things. Problem is that I only remember I'm going to do this on those rare occasions when being able to turn the heating on from afar is useful.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 31 December, 2015, 03:20:25 pm
Self: When buying a Blu-Ray DVD player, make sure you buy the model that has a wi-fi connection and external audio outputs. The one you needed was only £5 more. Plonker.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 31 December, 2015, 03:35:35 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 25 December, 2015, 01:15:09 pm
If I hear one more sleb claiming to be "blessed" I will doing some blessing of my own.  With this Shuvel I thee bless.

O!  Vous avez été blessé!  Quel dommage :demon:
What if it's Brian?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 31 December, 2015, 05:29:50 pm
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 31 December, 2015, 03:35:35 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 25 December, 2015, 01:15:09 pm
If I hear one more sleb claiming to be "blessed" I will doing some blessing of my own.  With this Shuvel I thee bless.

O!  Vous avez été blessé!  Quel dommage :demon:
What if it's Brian?

He is excused.  Lewis Hamilton, and 2/3 of the competitors on this year's "Sleb" Mastermind are not, and should fuck off while they're still capable of bipedal locomotion.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 31 December, 2015, 06:36:37 pm
The crazy lady on the street opposite has dropped a note through the letterbox (she's famed for note-bombing apparently, she once complained not only that one of our builders was parked outside her house, but also that he was eating with his mouth open) complaining that one of my trees has had the temerity to drop twigs on her cherished parking space (she recently had it re-laid and put in bollards to stop people parking there – incidentally she has four spaces and no car). I checked and it's true. Entire twigs (it's a silver birch, twigs fall off them). I picked them up which I suspect took less time than writing me a note and hand-delivering it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 31 December, 2015, 06:49:52 pm
I'd have sent a note back generously allowing her to keep the twigs as a present
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 31 December, 2015, 07:03:25 pm
My wife suggested a Blair Witch type approach with the twigs.

Tbh, if the tree was a problem, I'd have it cut back (in fact we did so when we moved in) but it's a wooded area and trees will dump twigs and leaves particular after a storm. I could understand if they were actual branches, but really a couple of handfuls of small twigs. But like I say, she's famously a bit odd.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 31 December, 2015, 08:31:00 pm
IKEA have no RIBBA picture frames in the size I require.  But they will have some more tomorrow.  Am I going anywhere near IKEA on New Year's Day?

No.  No, I am not.

Also the lovely Katie in my local branch of Mr Sainsbury's House of Toothy Comestibles has started wearing glasses.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 03 January, 2016, 12:12:14 pm
I was supposed to go on a club ride to Zumwhere in Zummerzet but I allowed the rain to put me off, thinking it would clear up and I'd go out later. Now I'm sitting under a blanket, wearing thermal longjohns, thermal top, fleece hoody over my jumper and not feeling like going out at all.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 03 January, 2016, 02:25:16 pm
Your body spoke. You listened. This is a bad thing, how, exactly?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 03 January, 2016, 03:12:23 pm
Back to work, tomorrow.

That's not the grumble, though, my grumble is "why on earth can I not remember my AD password?" it has only been two bloody weeks!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 04 January, 2016, 11:15:19 am
Back to work today and it's no gentle introduction to the new year, seeing as there is a huge backlog to contend with and more crap to arrive today...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CrinklyLion on 04 January, 2016, 12:57:47 pm
I go back tomorrow.  Why has today involved so much work stuff?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 04 January, 2016, 01:23:16 pm
Thanks npower. Your meter reading cock up in April has cost me a year's payments in one month.

Probably my own fault as i didn't check the bill on receipt but why in the name of sweet baby cheeses did you decide that the reading was correct? After all, a business premises that used 48 kwH between October '14 and April '15 should have flagged something, no? Especially given that it supplies the flat above which is occupied 24/7 . . .

To compound everything I was about £500 in credit thru the Summer. November's bill? £1353. Your current direct debit is £1 per calender month. So I now owe you around £600. To rectify your cock up you propose taking c.£200 a month starting February. Fabulous!

Thanks for that . . .
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 04 January, 2016, 01:32:37 pm
SOP for npower.  Their random meter reading generator is a work of art.  The only way to win is to provide regular readings yourself.

*goes to see if they've worked out how to track usage with these newfangled smart-meters they installed last month*

Nope, doesn't look like it.   :-\
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 04 January, 2016, 01:35:08 pm
Quote from: CrinklyLion on 04 January, 2016, 12:57:47 pm
I go back tomorrow.  Why has today involved so much work stuff?
For my sins I work in a university student post room. It's been closed, so all that backlog arrived today. Chinese students, in particular, have a non-stop desire to buy the whole of the western world via our services.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 04 January, 2016, 01:54:43 pm
Quote from: CrinklyLion on 04 January, 2016, 12:57:47 pm
I go back tomorrow.  Why has today involved so much work stuff?
I am officially on holiday, sat at my desk marking :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 04 January, 2016, 07:09:42 pm
Fiddling in the Medusa's barnet of wires behind the anbaric distascope and Lo!  ARC started working for the first time in months.  Removed optical cable to be sure.  It continued to work :thumbsup:

Went to the tip and the horriblemarket.  ARC stopped working while I was out.

Arse >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 06 January, 2016, 08:55:10 pm
I have a faulty hot water system, its a pressurised system and the relief valve on the inlet isn't sealing. This means there is a steady trickle through what could be considered as the overflow. Unfortunately the overflow is plumbed into the drain rather than out through the eaves so it is fitted with a "Tunn" dish like this  (http://www.screwfix.com/p/ariston-kit-c-15-x-22mm-tundish/79926?kpid=79926&cm_mmc=Google-_-Product%20Listing%20Ads-_-Sales%20Tracking-_-sales%20tracking%20url&cm_mmc=Google-_-Shopping%20-%20Heating%20and%20Cooling-_-Shopping%20-%20Heating%20and%20Cooling&gclid=CMXpzImIlsoCFQaeGwod_xQMlg), worse the dozy twat who installed the pipework installed the tunn dish on the piss so that it doesn't always catch all the water in the bottom half. Then I end up with a wet patch on the kitchen ceiling below.

Currently I have had to isolate the supply to the tank, manually open the relief valve to depressurise the tank, and turn off my hot water but at least the heating circuit can still run.

Now I just have to find and fit a replacement pressure relief valve on Saturday.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Deano on 06 January, 2016, 09:03:09 pm
TPE website, light grey on a white background is not a useful combination. While I'm at it, defaulting the time of the journey to either an hour in the future or three in the morning is also fucking stupid.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 06 January, 2016, 10:00:56 pm
Quote from: matthew on 06 January, 2016, 08:55:10 pm
I have a faulty hot water system, its a pressurised system and the relief valve on the inlet isn't sealing. This means there is a steady trickle through what could be considered as the overflow. Unfortunately the overflow is plumbed into the drain rather than out through the eaves so it is fitted with a "Tunn" dish like this  (http://www.screwfix.com/p/ariston-kit-c-15-x-22mm-tundish/79926?kpid=79926&cm_mmc=Google-_-Product%20Listing%20Ads-_-Sales%20Tracking-_-sales%20tracking%20url&cm_mmc=Google-_-Shopping%20-%20Heating%20and%20Cooling-_-Shopping%20-%20Heating%20and%20Cooling&gclid=CMXpzImIlsoCFQaeGwod_xQMlg), worse the dozy twat who installed the pipework installed the tunn dish on the piss so that it doesn't always catch all the water in the bottom half. Then I end up with a wet patch on the kitchen ceiling below.

Currently I have had to isolate the supply to the tank, manually open the relief valve to depressurise the tank, and turn off my hot water but at least the heating circuit can still run.

Now I just have to find and fit a replacement pressure relief valve on Saturday.

The PRV is probably working correctly.
Your system  is probably over-pressuring due to a problem in the expansion vessel.
The expansion vessel (which may be internal to the cylinder eg Megaflo ) has either failed or requires topping up with air.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 06 January, 2016, 10:06:55 pm
Quote from: Feanor on 06 January, 2016, 10:00:56 pm
Quote from: matthew on 06 January, 2016, 08:55:10 pm
I have a faulty hot water system, its a pressurised system and the relief valve on the inlet isn't sealing. This means there is a steady trickle through what could be considered as the overflow. Unfortunately the overflow is plumbed into the drain rather than out through the eaves so it is fitted with a "Tunn" dish like this  (http://www.screwfix.com/p/ariston-kit-c-15-x-22mm-tundish/79926?kpid=79926&cm_mmc=Google-_-Product%20Listing%20Ads-_-Sales%20Tracking-_-sales%20tracking%20url&cm_mmc=Google-_-Shopping%20-%20Heating%20and%20Cooling-_-Shopping%20-%20Heating%20and%20Cooling&gclid=CMXpzImIlsoCFQaeGwod_xQMlg), worse the dozy twat who installed the pipework installed the tunn dish on the piss so that it doesn't always catch all the water in the bottom half. Then I end up with a wet patch on the kitchen ceiling below.

Currently I have had to isolate the supply to the tank, manually open the relief valve to depressurise the tank, and turn off my hot water but at least the heating circuit can still run.

Now I just have to find and fit a replacement pressure relief valve on Saturday.

The PRV is probably working correctly.
Your system  is probably over-pressuring due to a problem in the expansion vessel.
The expansion vessel (which may be internal to the cylinder eg Megaflo ) has either failed or requires topping up with air.

I would agree but for three factors,

1).   the water that is being relieved is cold so hasn't been in the tank,
2).   the relief pressure is 6 bar and my mains isn't that high pressure (I can see the comms tower on the service reservoir from my window), and,
3).   the flow is a gentle trickle, if the pressure relief valve was lifting for an incompressible fluid that was undergoing thermal expansion to lift a 6 bar valve I would expect the valve to give short squirts which would release the pressure and then close again. When I manually open the relief valve (test it) the flow is considerably greater.

The gentle cold trickle suggests to me the relief valve is not seating properly.

However I shall just have to borrow a tyre pressure gauge from my father and check the expansion vessels as that will be cheaper than the replacement inlet control unit. Fortunately this is not the TPRV on the side of the tank (7Bar) but the 6bar relief valve that is part of the inlet control unit and immediately downstream of the pressure reducing valve.
(http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/ODMxWDkyOQ==/z/KVIAAOSwd4tT22Id/$_35.JPG)
this red one with the off take to the expansion vessel on the same body.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 06 January, 2016, 10:21:12 pm
On a pressurised DHW cylinder, there are usually 2 relief valves..
The Temperature / Pressure relief valve, usually mounted somewhere near the top of the cylinder.
The Expansion Relief valve, usually mounted in-line with the cold supply.

They often discharge into the same dish,making it hard to tell which is venting.

The expansion relief is usually set to about 8 bar, the TP at about 10 bar.
The expansion relief will lift first when the expansion volume has been lost.
It will vent cold water from the cold feed pipe even if the system is hot.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 07 January, 2016, 04:37:13 pm
Fleabay, I used "Buy It Now" on January 4th.  It seems a bit unlikely that the item was delivered on January 5th, given it was coming from Germany, and even less likely that it was delivered on January 2nd, as another page claims.  It hasn't been delivered at all, btw.  Sort it out u muppets.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 07 January, 2016, 04:46:30 pm
Quote from: Deano on 06 January, 2016, 09:03:09 pm
TPE website, light grey on a white background is not a useful combination. While I'm at it, defaulting the time of the journey to either an hour in the future or three in the morning is also fucking stupid.

I used to work for an Umbrella Company that used that combo as their "Corporate Colours".

I pointed out that, even to a person with normal sight, the website and employee portal was very difficult to read (using 8 point type didn't help).

My complaint went to them in 2008, when they redesigned their website.

It's still like that, now....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 07 January, 2016, 04:59:35 pm
...and now onto my grumbles (sorry, yes, there are multiple ones)

First on is simple, see FB (sorry for being exclusive in my approach here)

Second, I would REALLY like to read the Max Camara books, in order, so why, Mr Amazon, do you send them to me in the ordeer of 3, 2, 5? 1 is not due until next week and 4 is unknown when it will be here! GAH!

Thirdly, body, stop messing me about, I've been feeling great whilst my Crohn's is managed with Methatrexate, so why do you keep me awake all night with frequent toilet trips?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 07 January, 2016, 05:24:55 pm
There's water poring down my wall and chimney, it's pishing with rain so the slater can't fix the roof, I'm getting ridiculously expensive quotes for stove installation and to top it all the newly delivered dehumidifier doesn't sodding work!

I'm off to throw all my toys out of the pram and have a massive sulk :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 07 January, 2016, 07:56:40 pm
Quote from: Feanor on 06 January, 2016, 10:21:12 pm
On a pressurised DHW cylinder, there are usually 2 relief valves..
The Temperature / Pressure relief valve, usually mounted somewhere near the top of the cylinder.
The Expansion Relief valve, usually mounted in-line with the cold supply.

They often discharge into the same dish,making it hard to tell which is venting.

The expansion relief is usually set to about 8 bar, the TP at about 10 bar.
The expansion relief will lift first when the expansion volume has been lost.
It will vent cold water from the cold feed pipe even if the system is hot.

The TPRV is OK and not passing, the Expansion PRV is passing cold water. You were correct to identify that the expansion vessel had no charge left, I connected my track pump onto the valve on the top with the tank depressurised and the gauge showed 0 Bar(g). I therefore pumped it up to 3 Bar(g) and turned the water supply to the cylinder back on. the Tank refilled to pressure and the trickle through the tunn dish resumed.

More annoyingly I don't think I can get the relief valve as a single part in time to fit it on Saturday.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 07 January, 2016, 08:07:48 pm
OK, so a couple of points...

1) When pumping up expansion vessels, you can't just 'have at it' straight away.
You need to have the water side open, so that the bladder can push the water out and expand to the full volume of the vessel at the desired pressure.
It's not just about pressure, it's also about volume.
If the expansion volume is lost, then the vessel is mostly full of water.
If the system remains sealed, then you are pumping up a tiny air volume which is no good.
So you need to shut off the cold supply, and open a hot tap.
Wait for the tap to stop running ( ie the expansion vessel has expended itself ).
Then, as you pump up the air-side, the water in the vessel is expelled via the open hot tap.
This will take more strokes of the pump than if you left the system sealed when inflating it.
Once the bladder is up to pressure with the water-side open, close the hot tap and then open the cold feed.
There will be a short hiss of water as the water side re-pressurises.

2) Cheap PRVs will often fail to seal after they have lifted a few times.

I suspect if you re-inflate the expansion volume as I described in (1), you might be good to go.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 07 January, 2016, 08:18:37 pm
 :facepalm: true, I need to open the circuit to let the air in, the water should stop coming from the tap once the whole vessel is empty and then the vessel expansion vessel will pump full.

You can tell I am only a design engineer (chemical - so PRVs and Expansion vessels are familiar concepts) rather than a commissioning or maintenance engineer.

eta, that took a lot more pumping in an awkward location, expansion vessel now feels much lighter, unfortunately cheap relief valve still leaking so at the least I need to take the cartridge out and check the seat and seal.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 08 January, 2016, 03:29:27 pm
Trainline, thank you for the email informing me of disruptions to my upcoming journey due to the closure of part of the WCML.  That will be the closure announced on 4th January, four days ago, of which you are only now informing me.  I can cancel my journey, you say?

Quote from: Andrij on 04 January, 2016, 07:36:01 pm
I had planned to go to Glasgow for the day this coming Sunday...
BN: No trains running between Carlisle and Glasgow until February; not possible to arrive in time for plans via replacement service or alternative routes.
GN: Tickets cancelled and full refund obtained.

BTDTBTTS.  You bring to mind the American phrase "Day late and a dollar short."  Try a bit harder next time, OK?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Diver300 on 08 January, 2016, 07:20:40 pm
Family, when you suggest meeting me and Brompton, to combine shopping with saving me some time, and you phone and ask when I will be at shops, please be at shops and not at home when I phonr, having arrived at shops at exactly the time estimated. You have extended my commute home, not shortened it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Si S on 10 January, 2016, 03:45:57 pm
Canti brakes.... ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 10 January, 2016, 05:04:37 pm
Complete the following phrase or saying:

It is with considerable inevitability that the ______ in chez Tween should choose the eve of the coldest week of the winter so far to ____ __  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 10 January, 2016, 08:24:11 pm
Quote from: Si S on 10 January, 2016, 03:45:57 pm
Canti brakes.... ::-)

Spawn of Stan . . .
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 11 January, 2016, 08:04:16 pm
Quote from: matthew on 07 January, 2016, 08:18:37 pm
:facepalm: true, I need to open the circuit to let the air in, the water should stop coming from the tap once the whole vessel is empty and then the vessel expansion vessel will pump full.

You can tell I am only a design engineer (chemical - so PRVs and Expansion vessels are familiar concepts) rather than a commissioning or maintenance engineer.

eta, that took a lot more pumping in an awkward location, expansion vessel now feels much lighter, unfortunately cheap relief valve still leaking so at the least I need to take the cartridge out and check the seat and seal.

Anti grumble

New valve fitted, no longer passing water so leak is stopped.

Old valve dismantled, and sure enough, the seat on the valve body is pitted and therefore didn't seal. While the valve was off  I have been able to straighten up the tunn dish so that a future leak stands a better chance of not ending up on the floor.

Even better it took less than 25 minutes to fit and being pressurised the system bled itself by the simple expediency of having the right taps open in the right sequence.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 11 January, 2016, 09:08:57 pm
Dr Larrington has been having problems with water leaks too, in her case from the cold water tank in the loft.  Wouldn't have been too major an isuue had not an investigating Dr Davis put his foot through the ceiling.

Twice :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 12 January, 2016, 07:53:19 am
The hire car I have in place of my own, whilst the latter is repaired, only has AM/FM radio. I though all new cars had DAB?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 12 January, 2016, 08:28:48 am
Dear British Gas, thanks for the bill payment reminder. Be nice if you sent an actual bill. It would also be nice if (again) your online site recognised my email address (remember, this is one you send reminders too, so I believe you do recognise it) so I could correct the undoubtedly random numbers you are basing it on and pay for the service.

I've relegated this to a grumble because it happens for every bill and they've fixed my account every time and it works once. I'd change suppliers but they all seem to operate a cartel of incompetence.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 12 January, 2016, 02:11:34 pm
I'm planning to defect to https://www.robinhoodenergy.co.uk/ as soon as nPower show evidence of being able to read the newly-installed smart meters (and ideally send a non-exploding wall wart for the associated energy display thinger, as promised).

They were spun off by Nottingham council (hence the name - all Nottingham related things are required to be named after Robin Hood, it's a tradition or an old charter or something) as a non-profit entity, which makes them cheaper than everyone else, and hopefully less evil.  They're an energy supplier, which makes them incompetent by default, but apparently they're reasonably polite about it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 12 January, 2016, 02:31:40 pm
Actually applies to anyfink that could be associated - Even in the next county (http://www.robinhoodairport.com/)*...

A revelation: The airport is seven miles from Doncaster. Which is a good 40 minutes drive from Sheffield. But they claim it's in 'Doncaster, Sheffield'. Is this a bit like RyanAir or whoever claiming to fly into 'London, Prestwick'?  ;D




*It may at one time have even been in Lincolnshire, my knowledge of the People's Republic of South Yorkshire is a tad sketchy
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 12 January, 2016, 02:38:15 pm
Quote from: Torslanda on 12 January, 2016, 02:31:40 pm
Actually applies to anyfink that could be associated - Even in the next county (http://www.robinhoodairport.com/)*...

A revelation: The airport is seven miles from Doncaster. Which is a good 40 minutes drive from Sheffield. But they claim it's in 'Doncaster, Sheffield'. Is this a bit like RyanAir or whoever claiming to fly into 'London, Prestwick'?  ;D

Coming soon: services to London-Port Stanley...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 12 January, 2016, 02:54:42 pm
Quote from: Andrij on 12 January, 2016, 02:38:15 pm
Quote from: Torslanda on 12 January, 2016, 02:31:40 pm
Actually applies to anyfink that could be associated - Even in the next county (http://www.robinhoodairport.com/)*...

A revelation: The airport is seven miles from Doncaster. Which is a good 40 minutes drive from Sheffield. But they claim it's in 'Doncaster, Sheffield'. Is this a bit like RyanAir or whoever claiming to fly into 'London, Prestwick'?  ;D

Coming soon: services to London-Port Stanley...

London Baikonur, London Kennedy

...with regular flights to London Tranquillity.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 12 January, 2016, 02:57:32 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 12 January, 2016, 07:53:19 am
The hire car I have in place of my own, whilst the latter is repaired, only has AM/FM radio. I though all new cars had DAB?

When I have a loaner it's usually ten years or more younger than mine and leaves me crooning "new car - new car - new car".  Last time they gave me an Audi A6 with only 7000 km on it.  God, that car had a built-in sneer, but I liked it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Dibdib on 12 January, 2016, 03:17:13 pm
Quote from: T42 on 12 January, 2016, 02:57:32 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 12 January, 2016, 07:53:19 am
The hire car I have in place of my own, whilst the latter is repaired, only has AM/FM radio. I though all new cars had DAB?

When I have a loaner it's usually ten years or more younger than mine and leaves me crooning "new car - new car - new car".  Last time they gave me an Audi A6 with only 7000 km on it.  God, that car had a built-in sneer, but I liked it.

My last courtesy car was a beautiful brand new Jag (sorry, Jaaaaaaaaaaaaaag) X-type. Under a hundred miles on the clock, leather seats, auto box, lovely car. The garage managed to stretch out the repairs for about three weeks but I was still gutted when I had to swap it back for my clapped out Celica.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 12 January, 2016, 06:53:06 pm
Quote from: T42 on 12 January, 2016, 02:57:32 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 12 January, 2016, 07:53:19 am
The hire car I have in place of my own, whilst the latter is repaired, only has AM/FM radio. I though all new cars had DAB?

When I have a loaner it's usually ten years or more younger than mine and leaves me crooning "new car - new car - new car".  Last time they gave me an Audi A6 with only 7000 km on it.  God, that car had a built-in sneer, but I liked it.

One lovely sunny day back in the last decade a cow-orker took his A3 in for a service.  They lent him an RS4 convertible.  Git.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 13 January, 2016, 08:53:38 am
Hmm, looks like we'll never (well, not for years yet) get FTTC for the village. We're obviously economically unviable for Openreach, and there probably aren't enough of us to afford to pay for it under the co-funding model. To rub salt into the wounds, all the other local cabinets are plastered with posters saying it's available. Bah.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 13 January, 2016, 09:54:01 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 12 January, 2016, 06:53:06 pm
Quote from: T42 on 12 January, 2016, 02:57:32 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 12 January, 2016, 07:53:19 am
The hire car I have in place of my own, whilst the latter is repaired, only has AM/FM radio. I though all new cars had DAB?

When I have a loaner it's usually ten years or more younger than mine and leaves me crooning "new car - new car - new car".  Last time they gave me an Audi A6 with only 7000 km on it.  God, that car had a built-in sneer, but I liked it.

One lovely sunny day back in the last decade a cow-orker took his A3 in for a service.  They lent him an RS4 convertible.  Git.

VW were late delivering a chum's car so they lent him a Phaeton for a month or so.  Very nice but only got something like 250 km on a tank at Autobahn speeds. The things were virtually unsellable so they used them as punishment for complaining about deliveries.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 13 January, 2016, 09:58:28 am
Gah, more new baby pictures before breakfast. Warn me, fools! I have a sensitive disposition and I think they only look nice if they belong to you.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 13 January, 2016, 09:59:29 am
May I grumble about my "cyclist legs" please.

I have just brought a new pair of swimming trunks: the style I think is called "Jammers" or something.

Well, they fit well around the waist; I can get my bits in without looking stupid or that I have a hamster down here and the leg length is fine. However, as the muscles at the top of my legs are rather large from cycling, the trunks are really tight around that part of my body. So much so, they are really uncomfortable and I doubt I can wear them for more than a few minutes without cutting off blood supply to my lower legs.

Sigh, I suppose I will have to buy a larger pair which are likely to fall off when I am swimming leaving me looking rather stupid in the deep end.  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 13 January, 2016, 10:09:08 am
Er,  photos?  obv
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 13 January, 2016, 12:00:42 pm
Quote from: Kim on 12 January, 2016, 02:11:34 pm
They were spun off by Nottingham council (hence the name - all Nottingham related things are required to be named after Robin Hood, it's a tradition or an old charter or something) as a non-profit entity

Personal Grumble: There is almost nothing at all to link Robin of Loxley to Nottingham.  There are links to Peveril Castle, Hathersage, Sheffield, Nostell Priory and Whitby, but there wasn't even a Sherriff of Nottingham at the time concerned.

Nottingham is an impostor.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: billplumtree on 13 January, 2016, 01:16:31 pm
Quote from: Ruthie on 13 January, 2016, 10:09:08 am
Er,  photos?  obv

But not before ian has his breakfast, eh?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 13 January, 2016, 01:22:54 pm
Quote from: essexian on 13 January, 2016, 09:59:29 am
May I grumble about my "cyclist legs" please.
Well, they fit well around the waist; I can get my bits in without looking stupid or that I have a hamster down here and the leg length is fine. However, as the muscles at the top of my legs are rather large from cycling, the trunks are really tight around that part of my body. So much so, they are really uncomfortable and I doubt I can wear them for more than a few minutes without cutting off blood supply to my lower legs.
Sigh, I suppose I will have to buy a larger pair which are likely to fall off when I am swimming leaving me looking rather stupid in the deep end.  :(

I have often whinged about Trousers for David.

Seems like Modern Man doesn't have much Muscle.

Is it really too much to expect fit at the waist, space for bits, bum room for sitting and room for quads/hams?
Why???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 13 January, 2016, 01:48:12 pm
If you're going to be a throwback, physically, you clearly need to learn the throwback skillz, and make your own.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 13 January, 2016, 01:52:51 pm
Yesterday I get a panicked phone call "One of the mooring ropes has snapped on your boat". I interrogate them and decide that boat is not in immediate danger of floating away. Book today off work and spend part of last night writing list of tools etc that I might need.

Drive out. All mooring ropes are intact and despite there being considerable river flow, boat is fine.

There is a bit of rope around a post with a cut end that doesn't attach to anything. Rope that I didn't put there - my landlord did. He also cut it.

FFS!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 13 January, 2016, 02:41:19 pm
My desk thermometer says we have 23 degrees of Mr Celsius's bits of warm. So why are we wrapped in scarves, shivering and considering going out for fingerless gloves and wheat bags?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 13 January, 2016, 03:02:51 pm
Wind chill? Is it blowing a gale?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 13 January, 2016, 03:03:50 pm
aircon blowing a gale?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 13 January, 2016, 03:04:52 pm
Crappy landlord/public sector issue windows letting a gale through?

Also, there can be a surprising temperature difference between feet level, desk level and head level.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 13 January, 2016, 04:36:44 pm
Quote from: clarion on 13 January, 2016, 12:00:42 pm
Nottingham is an impostor.

USAnians seem genuinely surprised to learn that Nottingham is a real place.  They think it was made up for the Robin Hood stories, and are shocked to discover that it's the former knife crime capital of the UK and doesn't even have a proper castle.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 13 January, 2016, 04:52:07 pm
They're equally suprised to learn you can't ride a horse from Dover to Nottingham via Hadrian's Wall in four hours.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 13 January, 2016, 04:55:56 pm
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 13 January, 2016, 04:52:07 pm
They're equally suprised to learn you can't ride a horse from Dover to Nottingham via Hadrian's Wall in four hours.

I dunno, remember that the M25 didn't exist in Robin Hood's day...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Deano on 13 January, 2016, 05:45:17 pm
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 13 January, 2016, 02:41:19 pm
My desk thermometer says we have 23 degrees of Mr Celsius's bits of warm. So why are we wrapped in scarves, shivering and considering going out for fingerless gloves and wheat bags?

How about a new job? :)

https://www.bas.ac.uk/jobs/vacancies/
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 13 January, 2016, 05:56:11 pm
Quote from: Deano on 13 January, 2016, 05:45:17 pm
How about a new job? :)

https://www.bas.ac.uk/jobs/vacancies/

Hmm...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 13 January, 2016, 08:18:46 pm
I still have a cassette player in my car.  Can you imagine my glee when I bought it and could turn round to the other half and say "see, I told you I shouldn't throw those old tapes out".

The fact that I now have most of that stuff on CD or digital and can pipe it into the car otherwise is irrelevant :smug:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 13 January, 2016, 08:23:40 pm
They all turn into Queen's greatest hits eventually.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 13 January, 2016, 08:35:26 pm
Quote from: Andrij on 13 January, 2016, 05:56:11 pm
Quote from: Deano on 13 January, 2016, 05:45:17 pm
How about a new job? :)

https://www.bas.ac.uk/jobs/vacancies/

Hmm...
I know someone who was invited to apply for a similar job. He's a mammalogist who'd proved his Antarctic-worthiness by living in a motor caravan for six months studying badgers in the Highlands of Scotland (and other places, mostly remote) for an MSc (or maybe it was a PhD). It was that experience that persuaded him not to apply!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 13 January, 2016, 08:37:20 pm
Rookie mistake.  Always best to specialise in species native to tropical islands and the like.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 13 January, 2016, 08:57:30 pm
I've not managed to make it official policy yet that I only go offshore in the summer, wherever summer happens to be
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 13 January, 2016, 09:08:47 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 13 January, 2016, 08:35:26 pm
Quote from: Andrij on 13 January, 2016, 05:56:11 pm
Quote from: Deano on 13 January, 2016, 05:45:17 pm
How about a new job? :)

https://www.bas.ac.uk/jobs/vacancies/

Hmm...
I know someone who was invited to apply for a similar job. He's a mammalogist who'd proved his Antarctic-worthiness by living in a motor caravan for six months studying badgers in the Highlands of Scotland (and other places, mostly remote) for an MSc (or maybe it was a PhD). It was that experience that persuaded him not to apply!

Wasn't that a plot device in Fortitude?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 13 January, 2016, 09:22:44 pm
Wrong end of the planet, but probably. Badgerology seemed to involve a measure of practical psychotherapy for isolated farmers...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 13 January, 2016, 09:44:08 pm
One of my friends is in effect a badgerologist from a social science perspective rather than zoology tho.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 18 January, 2016, 02:02:51 pm
Just noticed I've worn a hole in my Humvee cycling trousers. Looks like where they'd rub against the saddle.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 18 January, 2016, 02:06:46 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 18 January, 2016, 02:02:51 pm
Just noticed I've worn a hole in my Humvee cycling trousers. Looks like where they'd rub against the saddle.

Your fault for wearing them on a bike.

(Reminds me: I must take a needle and thread to my Altura longs...)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 18 January, 2016, 04:24:11 pm
Wretched internet keeps dropping ou
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 18 January, 2016, 06:58:18 pm
sae her
 :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 19 January, 2016, 11:56:36 am
Quote from: Kim on 18 January, 2016, 02:06:46 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 18 January, 2016, 02:02:51 pm
Just noticed I've worn a hole in my Humvee cycling trousers. Looks like where they'd rub against the saddle.

Your fault for wearing them on a bike.

(Reminds me: I must take a needle and thread to my Altura longs...)
Holes in all but one of my Humvees (=default legwear when not in lycra)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 19 January, 2016, 08:44:40 pm
Bloody CFL "light bulbs".  None I've ever had has lasted as long as it's supposed to.  Just had a big expensive one conk out tonight.  And I didn't keep the receipt.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 19 January, 2016, 08:54:48 pm
The CFL in our bathroom has developed an interesting habit of dropping in brightness about 1.5 seconds after switch on.  That probably means it's going to die soon, and I'll have to replace it with something LEDish that doesn't give you 5 minutes of 3am-pee-compatible dimness before it gets up to full power.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 19 January, 2016, 09:01:39 pm
Yup.  The one on our landing failed this week.
I've replaced it with an old tungsten 60w that I found in the cupboard under the sink.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 19 January, 2016, 09:10:04 pm
I bought a couple of those adaptor wossnames off the Mega-Global Big River Corporation of Seattle, USAnia the other week so I can use up my vast stock of small screw-fitting spotlight bulbs.

Still got a couple of bayonet-fitting CFL jobbies (freebies) waiting for when the bulb goes in the Lesser Bedchamber or the Estate Office which, at current usage rates, will be some time after my eleventy-first birthday.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 20 January, 2016, 11:04:01 am
Just had a count. A few tungstens still in use but only one of them is a bog standard jobbie, all the others are either halogen, reflectorised or speshul dimmable things.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 20 January, 2016, 01:23:47 pm
Quote from: Kim on 19 January, 2016, 08:54:48 pm
The CFL in our bathroom has developed an interesting habit of dropping in brightness about 1.5 seconds after switch on.  That probably means it's going to die soon, and I'll have to replace it with something LEDish that doesn't give you 5 minutes of 3am-pee-compatible dimness before it gets up to full power.

I keep an old battery rear-light beside the bed for such expeditions.  It's a single-LED doodah that casts sharp shadows so I can plan at silhouettes on the back of the bathroom door (translucent) while awaiting enlightenment.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 20 January, 2016, 02:18:44 pm
Your very own red light district, eh?


I prefer LEDs to CFLs nowdays, but these too tend to fail early for me.  (Talking about domestic lamp "bulbs" here).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 20 January, 2016, 06:49:57 pm
They've just run a piece on the Londonton news about that whale that got stuck in the Thames ten years ago.  "This could only have happened in London" exclaimed a grinning twerp over the number of agencies and induhviduals involved in the futile whale-saving nonse, citing for emphasis the involvement of the Port of London Authority.

"If it happened today we'd probably euthanise the whale" said an unemotional expert.  Could he practice on people who make you say "O RLY"?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 20 January, 2016, 09:43:42 pm
Glad my Disco has a BFO battery.  Daughter left the reading light on last night, not noticed until 10:30 this morning  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 21 January, 2016, 08:50:43 am
I'm sure your daughter would have happily push-started it, while you sat inside and steered  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 21 January, 2016, 09:05:44 am
Quote from: ElyDave on 20 January, 2016, 09:43:42 pm
Glad my Disco has a BFO battery.  Daughter left the reading light on last night, not noticed until 10:30 this morning  >:(
For a moment I was wondering why you had a reading light on your On One Dirty Disco, then I twigged: it's for map reading, of course!  :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 21 January, 2016, 10:06:57 am
Quote from: Wombat on 21 January, 2016, 08:50:43 am
I'm sure your daughter would have happily push-started it, while you sat inside and steered  ;D

11yo vs 2.5 te of Landy, that would have been fun :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 21 January, 2016, 11:00:13 am
Quote from: Biggsy on 20 January, 2016, 02:18:44 pm
Your very own red light district, eh?

That explains the drunks at the door at 3 am.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 24 January, 2016, 06:14:04 pm
I am involved in a spat on another parish with a so-called expert. S/he fails to read my posts properly, then makes assertions on spurious assumptions. Rather annoying. I have called them out and now I'm getting the 'I was only trying to help' angle. Well, matey, stick to the facts or shut up.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 26 January, 2016, 09:06:46 pm
Dropped a suit in at the dry cleaners near work today.
£9.50

Nine bloody pounds fifty?  Bloody hell.  And you don't even get a 'Courtesy Suit'
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 26 January, 2016, 10:05:06 pm
Decided to drop into the supermarket while I was in town this evening. After picking the first few items I realised I hadn't picked up my wallet, so I had to put the things back on the shelves and go home :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 26 January, 2016, 10:19:18 pm
If I had a fiver for every time I'd done that mcshroom ...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 26 January, 2016, 10:24:15 pm
I find I only do that in two particular shops: the greengrocers and the hippy egg shop.  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 26 January, 2016, 10:27:41 pm
I didn't realise that hippies lay eggs...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 26 January, 2016, 10:38:31 pm
Quote from: Kim on 26 January, 2016, 10:27:41 pm
I didn't realise that hippies lay eggs...

I'm wondering why Ruthie is going shopping with my wallet ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 26 January, 2016, 10:42:12 pm
Dammit.  I'm busted.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 26 January, 2016, 10:52:45 pm
Quote from: Kim on 26 January, 2016, 10:27:41 pm
I didn't realise that hippies lay eggs...
Where do you think hippies hatch from?

Quote from: mcshroom on 26 January, 2016, 10:38:31 pm
I'm wondering why Ruthie is going shopping with my wallet ???
She's keeping you safe from the clutches of the evil supermarket. Very considerate of her.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 26 January, 2016, 11:14:32 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 26 January, 2016, 10:52:45 pm
Quote from: Kim on 26 January, 2016, 10:27:41 pm
I didn't realise that hippies lay eggs...
Where do you think hippies hatch from?

Yurts.

Or storks.

Or cabbage patches or something.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 26 January, 2016, 11:15:41 pm
Yurts are for weaving yogurt in. Stands to reason.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 26 January, 2016, 11:22:09 pm
Are hippy eggs like dog eggs?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 27 January, 2016, 11:46:58 am
Yurts can cause extensive brain damage1.  This explains the popularity of Hawkwind.

1: Trufax: Mr Larrington was once beaned by a substantial keanu while assisting in the erection of a yurt in Thetford Forest, where the wolves live.  I though the whole point of yurts was that they don't require the use of scarce wood on the Treeless SteppesTM of Yurtistan ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 27 January, 2016, 12:16:54 pm
Lunch break from a day long 'Inspired To lead' training session.......

Fuck off and let me work for my living.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 27 January, 2016, 12:42:00 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 27 January, 2016, 11:46:58 am
Yurts can cause extensive brain damage1.  This explains the popularity of Hawkwind.

1: Trufax: Mr Larrington was once beaned by a substantial keanu while assisting in the erection of a yurt in Thetford Forest, where the wolves live.  I though the whole point of yurts was that they don't require the use of scarce wood on the Treeless SteppesTM of Yurtistan ???
I think the point of yurts is that they are transportable and stand up to truly horrendous weather.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: arabella on 27 January, 2016, 08:31:37 pm
Can't you make yurts out of whale bones too?  (though thee are perhaps scarce in yurtistan)
I think the construction of yurts is echoed in those pop up laundry baskets you can now buy.  Squidgy spiral.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 28 January, 2016, 09:37:36 am
Having just read the last two pages, one question:

'What. The. Fuck. Have. You. Been. Smoking. ?'

A: 'YURTS!'
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 28 January, 2016, 12:41:13 pm
Not to be confused with YARTS, which is not an African bum disease but rather Yosemite Area Regional Transport Something i.e. buses.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 28 January, 2016, 01:16:05 pm
I thought Yarts was what they had in Falmouth harbour.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 28 January, 2016, 01:18:35 pm
Just got a bit of my beard caught in my top front teeth.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Dibdib on 29 January, 2016, 12:09:36 am
I've got no water, hot or cold. Oh bother.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 29 January, 2016, 11:08:24 am
Quote from: arabella on 27 January, 2016, 08:31:37 pm
Can't you make yurts out of whale bones too? 


So THAT'S where the whale in the HHGTTG landed  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 30 January, 2016, 04:34:34 pm
%&@$ing gorrillas in the LBS mounting my pedals.

Just went to swap two pairs, the ones I'd put on with greased threads, no bother to remove.  The other pair needed all my weight, nearly gave up on the left after checking several times that I was going in the right direction - I was.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 30 January, 2016, 11:22:19 pm
After working in a bike shop in the dim-distant past and having to deal with a couple of folk with self-loosening pedals, aiming at the top end of the torque range is cheap insurance.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: eck on 31 January, 2016, 10:04:14 am
I ordered a replacement battery from Bruce at Ay-Up in Australia.

They ship by DHL, who provide a tracking service.
Brisbane > Hong Kong > Leipzig > East Midlands... bish > bash> bosh.... in and out each transit point in a couple of hours until the last update yesterday morning:

January 30, 2016  05:01  East Midlands - UK  Arrived at DHL facility in East Midlands - UK

The rest is silence...... welcome to the UK.  ::-)

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 31 January, 2016, 02:03:22 pm
Had my bodge failed then?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: eck on 31 January, 2016, 03:40:37 pm
Quote from: David Martin on 31 January, 2016, 02:03:22 pm
Had my bodge failed then?
No David, I had two batteries, the one you fixed is still going strong, thanks. But the other battery itself has died. They have both had a lot of use over the past few years, so I've ordered a new one. Ay-Up do a customer loyalty deal giving a 25% discount on replacements.

Update? It has now spent longer sitting at East Midlands than it it took to get there from Australia.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 31 January, 2016, 07:47:28 pm
Looks like I've just lost my half way stop on the Carlisle ride. Hexham is one of a number of Tesco's that's not going to be 24 hours any longer.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/12129954/tesco-24-hour-stores-no-longer-open-24-hours-where-list.html
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: arabella on 31 January, 2016, 09:19:02 pm
*&^@$!
For those of you who go shopping with teenaged-but-underage children: you can't buy alcohol.  This is despinte the fact that legally you can buy alcohol for children over four to drink in the home.  'Cos if the child is present then it's possible that you may be giving it to them not to rink in the home, or something.  They have to wait outside - under 10s are OK, apparently. 
See here (http://news.co-operativefood.co.uk/latest-news/challenge-25.html), last para is the relevant one
Quote
I’m a parent shopping with a child with me, can I buy alcohol for myself?

We can still sell alcohol to an adult who may have their children with them, however our staff are advised to refuse the sale if they have any doubt about whether the alcohol is intended for someone under 18. This may include if they see an underage person choosing or pointing at an alcoholic product.

Please note, a store is under no obligation to sell to an individual, and as a responsible retailer The Co-operative will refuse to sell to anyone who is challenged, but who cannot prove they are over 18.
So no more educating your child by standing in front of the wine and discussing various designations etc.  Which was how we got 'caught'.

Presumably this means that when strapping grandson goes shopping with frail grandparent then the frail grandparent has to carry the shopping basket, just in case.

You has been warned.  O:-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 31 January, 2016, 09:31:56 pm
On a related note I have often wondered whether I'd be entitled to use a Parent-and-Child parking space when taking Lt. Col. Larrington (retd.) to Mr Sainsbury's House Of Toothy Comestibles, but the other day I actually looked at the accompanying notice; the child has to be 12 or under chiz.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 31 January, 2016, 09:37:03 pm
Quote from: arabella on 31 January, 2016, 09:19:02 pm
*&^@$!
For those of you who go shopping with teenaged-but-underage children: you can't buy alcohol. 

It seems that what the USAnians do we are doomed to emulate a decade or two later...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 31 January, 2016, 09:43:26 pm
We once had that as a group of students in Brighouse Tesco about 10 years ago. Solved by one person distracting the woman who refused to serve us while another bought the booze at another till further down.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 01 February, 2016, 08:27:42 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 31 January, 2016, 09:31:56 pm
On a related note I have often wondered whether I'd be entitled to use a Parent-and-Child parking space when taking Lt. Col. Larrington (retd.) to Mr Sainsbury's House Of Toothy Comestibles, but the other day I actually looked at the accompanying notice; the child has to be 12 or under chiz.

This must be a recent addition.  Mrs W, when in her late forties, went there with her father, who was pushing 80 at the time.  She was challenged, and told them to "go away", as they were parent and child, and her father was frail and needed to minimise the walking distance.  I do get very pissed off with all this favouring children stuff.  They've got legs, haven't they?  I parked in the parent and child spaces in my mum's doctor's surgery a few weeks ago, but was not challenged, 'cos they don't seem to have any staff that are awake, even inside the surgery...  Mum's 89.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jasmine on 01 February, 2016, 10:58:11 am
The main benefit of the parent and child spaces is supposed to be the additional space either side, which I suspect is useful if you have smaller children who need to be strapped to a car seat etc.  Once you no longer need the additional space, you shouldn't use them (probably about 6 years old for most kids).  I suspect parent and child spaces would be more useful for their actual purpose if they were situated further from the door, which would discourage their general use by people who don't need the side space.

I don't really understand the 'special spaces by the doors' thing.  Yes, disabled spaces should be by the door, for obvious reasons, but parent and child spaces don't need to be.  Personally, I'm a lazier parker than walker, so I'll park in a drive-though space at the other end of the car park and walk across rather than spend 5 minutes parking in a space where I can't open the doors once I'm in.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Clare on 01 February, 2016, 11:40:04 am
The reason P&C spaces tend to be near to the building is because they also have paths associated with them, usually running between two rows of parking spaces, to maximise car park availability it is easier to have the spaces that need a path (P&C and disabled) near to the doors than have to have a non vehicle route from the far side of the car park to the shop door.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 01 February, 2016, 12:00:49 pm
also better to have less risk aware mini-people not walking through the car park, but generally straight onto the forecourt.

I don't use those spaces with my daughter, but do tend to with my son who has some mobility issues and can be harder to get in/out of the car.  The blue badge tends to stay in the other car (but I don't like driving that one)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 01 February, 2016, 02:54:35 pm
Gah! GERS is being replaced with Concur  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 01 February, 2016, 03:28:52 pm
*snort*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 02 February, 2016, 11:03:05 am
Puzzling my way through a chunk of code with the usual house-of-cards data structure teetering in short-term memory. Suddenly "What's the difference between 3G and 4G?"  followed by "What's bandwidth?"

The missus wants to upgrade her phone.

Pick the "§$%&/( cards up, start over.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 02 February, 2016, 01:43:27 pm
I was once tasked with turning an encryption algorithm into code for the transmission of money. After a couple of days I asked for & got a ban on anyone talking to me while I was at my desk. It was accepted that each interruption took me back to the start of the section I'd loaded into my brain, & that pretty much all the time I'd spent on the problem up to that point had been lost as a result.

It went quite smoothly after that.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 02 February, 2016, 01:54:06 pm
Quote from: T42 on 02 February, 2016, 11:03:05 am
Puzzling my way through a chunk of code with the usual house-of-cards data structure teetering in short-term memory. Suddenly "What's the difference between 3G and 4G?"  followed by "What's bandwidth?"

The missus wants to upgrade her phone.

Pick the "§$%&/( cards up, start over.

Quote
I know you are busy, but you can stop for a minute, can't you?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 02 February, 2016, 02:02:33 pm
Quote from: T42 on 02 February, 2016, 11:03:05 am
Puzzling my way through a chunk of code with the usual house-of-cards data structure teetering in short-term memory. Suddenly "What's the difference between 3G and 4G?"  followed by "What's bandwidth?"

'One cup size' and 'height of material across your back'.

Mine's the dirty mac.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 02 February, 2016, 02:12:36 pm
The number is band size, not cup size.  And a bra of those dimensions is surely only fit for wearing on your head while computer programming.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 02 February, 2016, 02:14:27 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 02 February, 2016, 01:54:06 pm
Quote from: T42 on 02 February, 2016, 11:03:05 am
Puzzling my way through a chunk of code with the usual house-of-cards data structure teetering in short-term memory. Suddenly "What's the difference between 3G and 4G?"  followed by "What's bandwidth?"

The missus wants to upgrade her phone.

Pick the "§$%&/( cards up, start over.

Quote
I know you are busy, but you can stop for a minute, can't you?

And we both know the answer, but on the other hand I didn't fancy cooking my own lunch.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: bumper on 06 February, 2016, 02:54:11 pm
Our internet, TV  and phone are all via VirginMedia. Over the last few months my tv box has been playing up, the remote is on it's last legs, the hub has developed a flashing that's always on and the router has started flashing and dropping our internet at rather inopportune moments.

Last time I called to complain I got the usual 'have to turned it off and back on' bollocks. That didn't work so they sent a man out who took out the card, wiped it on his trousers and said it was all working again, I'm not joking!

I phoned them today and to trim the conversation down, I told them to cancel the lot. I'll have my number diverted to a new number for a few months and start fresh with another provider.

Well, They're installing a new box, more channels, much faster broadband, super hub and it's all costing £20 per month less!!!!

There should be a law that makes them contact you to do this, grabbing swines.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 06 February, 2016, 10:42:25 pm
Quote from: T42 on 02 February, 2016, 02:14:27 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 02 February, 2016, 01:54:06 pm
Quote from: T42 on 02 February, 2016, 11:03:05 am
Puzzling my way through a chunk of code with the usual house-of-cards data structure teetering in short-term memory. Suddenly "What's the difference between 3G and 4G?"  followed by "What's bandwidth?"

The missus wants to upgrade her phone.

Pick the "§$%&/( cards up, start over.

Quote
I know you are busy, but you can stop for a minute, can't you?

And we both know the answer, but on the other hand I didn't fancy cooking my own lunch.

I can be stood at my desk, headset on, obviously engaged in telephony and in she walks and starts distracting away ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 06 February, 2016, 11:13:07 pm
Earlier today I had Agadoo by Black Lace stuck in my head, and now its We Don't Talk Anymore by Cliff Richard.

I'm not a bad person - what have I done to deserve this?

(And now it's going to be the bloody Pet Shop Boys)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jakob W on 06 February, 2016, 11:33:37 pm
I can feel a cold coming on, and the whisky doesn't seem to be helping. Bah.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 07 February, 2016, 12:35:19 am
Quote from: ElyDave on 06 February, 2016, 10:42:25 pm
Quote from: T42 on 02 February, 2016, 02:14:27 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 02 February, 2016, 01:54:06 pm
Quote from: T42 on 02 February, 2016, 11:03:05 am
Puzzling my way through a chunk of code with the usual house-of-cards data structure teetering in short-term memory. Suddenly "What's the difference between 3G and 4G?"  followed by "What's bandwidth?"

The missus wants to upgrade her phone.

Pick the "§$%&/( cards up, start over.

Quote
I know you are busy, but you can stop for a minute, can't you?

And we both know the answer, but on the other hand I didn't fancy cooking my own lunch.

I can be stood at my desk, headset on, obviously engaged in telephony and in she walks and starts distracting away ::-)


In a nutshell... (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pm53NPH01CI)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Clare on 09 February, 2016, 11:34:22 am
and I bet your work start time lines up nicely with school start times as well.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 09 February, 2016, 11:49:50 am
Sorry I deleted it as I was going to move it somewhere more private.

Summary someone is removing unofficial flexible working arrangements which is going to make my commute less pleasent and congestion in the area worse.

Quote from: Clare on 09 February, 2016, 11:34:22 am
and I bet your work start time lines up nicely with school start times as well.



They are actually earlier than the school start times so that at least won't affect it. Not good for parents though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 09 February, 2016, 05:45:42 pm
Okay, I'm bored of snot now.  I think it's getting worse.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Si S on 10 February, 2016, 10:45:50 am
I hate coming back after having time off, 3 days and my desk is a mountain of paperwork, defeats the point of holiday time really.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 10 February, 2016, 10:56:02 am
^^^You should see mine.  After the trauma of getting last year's stuff ready for the immaculate tongs of the accountant last March ICBA filing anything any more. Just now I have to move my keyboard if I want the space to sign anything - and my desk is 200 x 100 mm.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 10 February, 2016, 10:58:21 am
Quote from: T42 on 10 February, 2016, 10:56:02 am
^^^You should see mine.  After the trauma of getting last year's stuff ready for the immaculate tongs of the accountant last March ICBA filing anything any more. Just now I have to move my keyboard if I want the space to sign anything - and my desk is 200 x 100 mm.
About the same size as a large smart phone then
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 10 February, 2016, 10:59:51 am
Dear world. When you're filming what ever trivial event on your phone for everyone to see, do it landscape. kthxbai.

On a related note: Dear the BBC.  Playing video clips on radio news doesn't work. We get confused noises for 15 seconds. (PM the other day had two such clips; one of the shooting in Dublin, one of a leopard in a school in India.  The one was indistinguishable from the other)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 10 February, 2016, 11:10:30 am
Quote from: Vince on 10 February, 2016, 10:58:21 am
Quote from: T42 on 10 February, 2016, 10:56:02 am
^^^You should see mine.  After the trauma of getting last year's stuff ready for the immaculate tongs of the accountant last March ICBA filing anything any more. Just now I have to move my keyboard if I want the space to sign anything - and my desk is 200 x 100 mm.
About the same size as a large smart phone then

Shit. Cm.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 10 February, 2016, 12:19:34 pm
Quote from: Kim on 31 January, 2016, 09:37:03 pm
Quote from: arabella on 31 January, 2016, 09:19:02 pm
*&^@$!
For those of you who go shopping with teenaged-but-underage children: you can't buy alcohol. 

It seems that what the USAnians do we are doomed to emulate a decade or two later...

This isn't a recent thing in the UK, it's been around for several years. My daughters are 21, but could pass for 14. They get to wait outside.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 10 February, 2016, 12:34:13 pm
I'm sure I've bought alcohol in Sainsbusy's with my son in tow, and he's way under 18. Perhaps the point is he's sufficiently under 18 to make it obvious it's not for him? Or perhaps it varies by retailer, I don't know.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 11 February, 2016, 09:22:37 pm
Viruses. Lurky little things. Seems one snuck in. I blame buses, they're sardined full of sick people this time of year. All snorty, coughy bags of infection. Now they're lolling (viruses, not bus passengers) about on the back of my throat, kicking back, making themselves mucus mojitos and generally being mildly annoying. Just my luck if they turn up the music later.

That's the minor symptom. I'm not sure how I missed it, because I'm pretty good at spotting elephants, but it also feels like one did the mighty, mighty elephant march on me and made all my joints go Billy Ray Cyrus. Especially my fingers. Weird. What kind of illness makes your fingers ache. I'm not Googling it, every time I do that I find out that I'm going to die. Invisible elephants are enough to deal with.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 13 February, 2016, 12:47:07 pm
Thanks to some spectacularly bad planning (I'm innocent) both my local train lines to town are inoperative this weekend.  That's OK, I'll cycle in to town for my monthly gig.  Oh joy, rain is back in the forecast and the drizzle has begun.  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 13 February, 2016, 01:09:14 pm
Danm, the Independent is to cease print publishing.  That means my wife will want the Guardian delivered instead. Best of a bad (remaining) lot I suppose..
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 13 February, 2016, 05:43:49 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 13 February, 2016, 01:09:14 pm
Danm, the Independent is to cease print publishing.  That means my wife will want the Guardian delivered instead. Best of a bad (remaining) lot I suppose..

I understand the problem of what paper to read instead as this will be my conundrum as well, that and trying to find out what they will do with my remaining subscription vouchers through till May.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 14 February, 2016, 06:58:30 pm
The cold finally blossomed. Mugfoo glo da sinosses. The army of archy-breaky has reached my spine, which they're now clambering up like they're being led by General Wolfe. I'm not sure there's room in my head for anything else as it already feels like a dangerously over-pressurized snot balloon.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 14 February, 2016, 08:18:59 pm
If I want to cross the Channel I can book the tunnel pretty much as and when, if I want to fly to France it can be booked up to 12 months in advance, too.

But if I want to check a train journey, for June, no can do.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 14 February, 2016, 08:25:23 pm
Quote from: Torslanda on 14 February, 2016, 08:18:59 pm
If I want to cross the Channel I can book the tunnel pretty much as and when, if I want to fly to France it can be booked up to 12 months in advance, too.

But if I want to check a train journey, for June, no can do.

Yup.  Just three months.   More evidence of the shite public transport systems that we have to endure in the UK.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 14 February, 2016, 09:17:01 pm
It's probably because they can't guarantee a service beyond a 3 month period in case one of the Kardashians develops a personality or maybe it's in case the banks foreclose or they get re-re-re-nationalised or something . . .
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 15 February, 2016, 10:24:29 am
*giggles at Torslanda*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 15 February, 2016, 10:48:12 am
More boringly I believe 12 weeks is how far ahead the final maintenance plans are realeased for by Network Rail.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 15 February, 2016, 11:40:24 am
Quote from: mcshroom on 15 February, 2016, 10:48:12 am
More boringly I believe 12 weeks is how far ahead the final maintenance plans are realeased for by Network Rail.
sort of

There is a constant rolling planning period - complicated by multiple commercial companies bidding for access to the track. so it isn't possible to book so far ahead.

The solution would be to run all train services by a single body, you could call it something like 'UK Rail'.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 15 February, 2016, 09:23:15 pm
That would never catch on!

The Germans and the French wouldn't be able to make huge profits and asset strip the UK network to subsidise theirs . . .
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 15 February, 2016, 09:57:20 pm
I think that it's more likely they get a shock when they see the reality of running a UK rail franchise.   Apparently the numbers of bidders for franchises is at it's lowest level and from a smaller pool of potential bidders since privatisation.

When you see what the Germans, Dutch and Danes do with their trains you have to wonder how our network and rolling stock are so appallingly shite.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 15 February, 2016, 10:45:40 pm
Our network suffers from the problem that much of it is 100+ years old and we have either not been able to afford to replace it or when we can, have been Nimby'd into inaction by politicians. Germany has the benefit that we spent some considerable effort on remodelling of their railways about 75 years ago, giving them the opportunity to build on a 20th century rather than 19th century infrastructure.
UK rail networks are complex. Germany carries 20% more passengers on a network 2.5 times larger, the UK has one of the most intensely used networks in the world, especially around London. Much of it is at capacity. The closest comparison in terms of railway density is the Netherlands in terms of Km rail per head of population and per km^2. But UK carries far more passengers per Km track per year.

It is much easier to run a railway at 95% capacity than 100%
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 16 February, 2016, 08:06:36 am
I was booking a holiday by train for May at the weekend. I can't book the trip to London or the Swiss bit over the alps until March, and you'd have thought that they would have things running like, er, clockwork.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 16 February, 2016, 09:13:38 am
Quote from: matthew on 13 February, 2016, 05:43:49 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 13 February, 2016, 01:09:14 pm
Danm, the Independent is to cease print publishing.  That means my wife will want the Guardian delivered instead. Best of a bad (remaining) lot I suppose..

I understand the problem of what paper to read instead as this will be my conundrum as well, that and trying to find out what they will do with my remaining subscription vouchers through till May.

As for the vouchers, I pay monthly, so will just stop the DD (in fact have done so already).  They can chase me for any payment due after the credit expires, or I'll pay the Newsagent what's due. 

I'll miss the Saturday general knowledge crossword, and my wife loves doing the "details" competition of a Sunday - we've won 3 times (just goes to show how few people enter!).  We're outstanding our last bottle of Prosecco though - another week and I'll be chasing it up!

Hurrah, booze prize has arrived  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 16 February, 2016, 09:17:31 am
Quote from: Polar Bear on 14 February, 2016, 08:25:23 pm
Quote from: Torslanda on 14 February, 2016, 08:18:59 pm
If I want to cross the Channel I can book the tunnel pretty much as and when, if I want to fly to France it can be booked up to 12 months in advance, too.

But if I want to check a train journey, for June, no can do.

Yup.  Just three months.   More evidence of the shite public transport systems that we have to endure in the UK.

And most European systems are as "shite" it seems, looking at the booking-ahead limits here.

https://www.raileurope.com/rail-help/how-to/how-far-in-advance-can-i-purchase-a-train-ticket.html?country_origin=GB
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 16 February, 2016, 09:20:08 am
Quote from: Polar Bear on 15 February, 2016, 09:57:20 pm

When you see what the Germans, Dutch and Danes do with their trains you have to wonder how our network and rolling stock are so appallingly shite.

In contrast Belgian rolling stock is rubbish compared to ours, as is much of Italy's.  Most local Dutch stuff is ok, but hardly a quantum better than the UK's stock.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 16 February, 2016, 09:34:32 am
The main issue I have UK rail transport is that it is so effing expensive.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 16 February, 2016, 09:43:11 am
It would help if there was some redundancy in the rail net and the costs are silly.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 16 February, 2016, 10:34:51 am
The problem IMO is not that you can't book far enough ahead but that you need to in order to get a reasonable price. There's far too much differential between Advance and walk-up pricing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 16 February, 2016, 01:01:52 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 16 February, 2016, 10:34:51 am
There's far too much differential between Advance and walk-up pricing.

Except when there isn't.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 16 February, 2016, 01:30:13 pm
When there isn't, it's just right! I'd far rather pay £8.40 to Chippenham whenever than have a £4.20 fare if I book weeks in advance and £16.80 the rest of the time.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 16 February, 2016, 05:48:13 pm
The difference between advance booking the two journeys and an off peak return to Birmingham from Carmarthen is so tiny that I'm happy to pay a couple of quid extra for the flexibility.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 16 February, 2016, 05:56:27 pm
I am waiting to see if there will be any Advance tickets for my forthcoming trip to Cynghordy.
I'm sure we've had them before.
Seems only Off-Peak and Anytime fares are available right now. We're not going until early April though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 17 February, 2016, 01:53:01 pm
This is a good one.

At the end of 2008 the Social Security here (hereinafter referred to as the SS) accidentally set up a second contributions account for Mrs. T42.  In 2011 they realized that although we were submitting her annual declaration of earnings, no contributions were being paid into the spurious account.  That they were landing in the correct account was invisible to them because (deep breath and prepare to boggle) the accounts were not referenced by her unambiguous SS number but by her name and Register of Commerce number, and since they had her down for two different types of professional activity these numbers were different. They had also used slightly different spellings of her name - one of them left out her middle name, the other had it hyphenated onto her first name.

In 2011 they sent us out of the blue a demand for 8000+ euros, with about 3 minutes grace to pay.  I battled with them for months, with them gazumping the penalties every month or so, before they finally admitted their mistake and cancelled everything. Zero excuses, of course.

This January, three days after I had my stent put in, a letter arrived from the SS, saying that they were recalculating Mrs. T's contributions and we would presently receive (get this) a final demand.  Yesterday, after almost a month of nail-biting, a bailiff's letter arrived: 3000+ euros to pay in the next 15 days or else.

I just got off the phone to the SS-Einsatzgruppe. "Oh.  The stop code on the 2011 dossier was unset by accident.  Forget about everything. Very sorry and all that."

One of the things they tell you to avoid after a heart problem is stress.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 17 February, 2016, 07:36:18 pm
Good luck Mr 42.

I've just had to explain to some studenty kid, when one of the bar staff reappeared from round the back and asked who's next.
"Mate.  You know how I was already standing here when you arrived?  Well, traditionally................"

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 17 February, 2016, 08:56:04 pm
I really feel for you T42, after all the arseache of my tax return this year and the morass that is HMRC self assessment, the difference after including all of my investments?

One single solitary pound.  >:(

Which of course I was required to pay immediately as opposed to the googles, amazons, starbucks etc of this world.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 17 February, 2016, 10:11:46 pm
HMRC's original offer after admitting they "misadvised me" which they did was £25 compensation... They thought I'd somehow drop my legal case for disability discrimination against them...  They may have paid over a hundred times more AND my legal fees cos they knew a court would kill them.

Not sure T42 could claim disability but I wish someone with more spoons would try so they realise what a huge deal that sort of nonsense is!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 18 February, 2016, 09:56:56 am
Quote from: Basil on 17 February, 2016, 07:36:18 pm
I've just had to explain to some studenty kid, when one of the bar staff reappeared from round the back and asked who's next.
"Mate.  You know how I was already standing here when you arrived?  Well, traditionally................"
Quote
Age before beauty and my moustache wins on both counts, so f off, brat
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 18 February, 2016, 11:05:28 am
Quote from: barakta on 17 February, 2016, 10:11:46 pm
HMRC's original offer after admitting they "misadvised me" which they did was £25 compensation... They thought I'd somehow drop my legal case for disability discrimination against them...  They may have paid over a hundred times more AND my legal fees cos they knew a court would kill them.

Not sure T42 could claim disability but I wish someone with more spoons would try so they realise what a huge deal that sort of nonsense is!

The thing is that if you go after them you're put on the list of people to be audited every year until they get bored.

The social security set-up here is ridiculously complex (like most other administrative branches in France).  In particular, the organization that receives your contributions and reimburses medical expenses works on behalf of the national system, but when anything goes awry it's the national heavies that kneecap you.  Dunning notices are always vague and when you call up you often get a lot of "it's not us it's them".  It's damnably difficult to get detailed info out of them 'cos it's always the other guy, and even when you do get something the calculation formulae are so complex** you can't reproduce them.  I once asked one of their agents face to face if she could take me through the calculation step by step and she said no, nobody could.  Yet when questioned about a demand for payment the reaction is almost always "pay first and if it turns out to be too much you'll get it back at the end of the year".  I was lucky yesterday - straight answer & immediate action. I still don't quite believe it.

** e.g. one particular type of contribution is based on income from April to the following March but the payments are spread Jan-Dec. Or did they change that? Can't remember.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 19 February, 2016, 10:07:16 pm
Yesterday morning I exchanged Tesco vouchers online for Eurotunnel tokens. All done online with the promise of the tokens by email (usually within 30 minutes). More than 30 hours later, no email. No response to email enquiry.

Oi! Tesco. Where the bloody hell is my order . . . ?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 20 February, 2016, 08:16:02 am
Last night I fettled my bike for audaxing, and stripped down the fraI'm fettleving to Torslanda. Got up at silly o'clock this morning feeling crap. Tried to push through anyway as I thought it was just reaction to the early start.

It wasn't. I got over an hour down the road and had to pull over as I'm feeling sick. No chance of making it to the Depart now and I'm not looking forward to the trip home. :(

Sorry John I won't be bringing the Raleigh down today.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 20 February, 2016, 08:18:33 am
Oh honey what a shame.  GWS.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 20 February, 2016, 08:22:24 am
Quote from: mcshroom on 20 February, 2016, 08:16:02 am
No chance of making it to the Depart now and I'm not looking forward to the trip home. :(



Time to call ETA?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 20 February, 2016, 08:27:06 am
Don't think they rescue cyclists sat in their cars. I've called to DNS and I'm now going to slowly drive home.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 20 February, 2016, 08:55:57 am
Hard luck, you must feel doubly sick.  GWS.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 20 February, 2016, 10:29:20 am
No worries, Marcus.

Get yourself home safe.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 20 February, 2016, 10:36:11 am
Quote from: Basil on 17 February, 2016, 07:36:18 pm
Good luck Mr 42.

I've just had to explain to some studenty kid, when one of the bar staff reappeared from round the back and asked who's next.
"Mate.  You know how I was already standing here when you arrived?  Well, traditionally................"

A decade or so back I went to the Trowbridge Pump festival.   The beer tent was clearly staffed by locals who kept ignoring everybody else, serving just their mates and then loafing around chatting to said mates.    You just cannot get eh staff ...   

Needless to say, I've never bothered to offer them my money again.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 20 February, 2016, 10:37:53 am
Quote from: Torslanda on 20 February, 2016, 10:29:20 am
No worries, Marcus.

Get yourself home safe.
Home and heading to bed. The A595 is a truly terrible farm track road
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: arabella on 24 February, 2016, 08:55:32 pm
Dear kettle manufacturer,
you know that curvy thing on the outside of a kettle for peope to hold onto, aka the 'handle'.
I use it to hold on to when I fill up the kettle.
When I am holding the handle, the inside of the kettle next to the handle isn't visible.
So WHY do you put the water gauge there, where I can't see it without mumble of wrist bending etc?
There are other kettles I've had with better options
regrestfuy
arabella
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Legs on 25 February, 2016, 08:11:07 am
Tits!  My 4' spirit level fell over last night and snapped clean through, after 10 years' good service.

And I forgot my wallet when I came in this morning, so I couldn't go to the gym (which I needed to do for a shower and shave, if not for half an hour on the stepmill)...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: bumper on 28 February, 2016, 09:44:40 pm
Well, I convinced myself to go out for a night blast through the local woods ( just wanted to try my new helmet out). About halfway I decided to have a swig from the camelbak, the bite valve felt funny, a bit too squishy and rough.

I've just returned and had a look at the bite valve and some rodent has chewed through it and nibbled the hose. This must've happened on my last bivvy trip. I knew I'd left the valve out of the frame bag but couldn't be bothered to pop it back, I was too snuggled down in my bag. My wife washed it for me in milton when I got back so I never saw it.

To top it off, the little swine has chewed at my brake cable too >:(

aint nature brilliant :-\
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 29 February, 2016, 01:28:02 pm
Partner routed data cabling between cold observatory and heated 'warm room', mostly under the floorboards.
Rodents ate it!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 29 February, 2016, 04:51:12 pm
When routing cables, always leave a pull cord in place (with a wire core if you have rodents :) )
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 29 February, 2016, 08:05:07 pm
Good thinking!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 29 February, 2016, 10:43:27 pm
Gah, missed this: 'Bright flash' seen in skies over Scotland (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-35689551)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 29 February, 2016, 10:49:19 pm
Quote from: Pingu on 29 February, 2016, 10:43:27 pm
Gah, missed this: 'Bright flash' seen in skies over Scotland (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-35689551)

I thought that was going to be the sun...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 29 February, 2016, 10:52:48 pm
I've just been looking at some pictures from my India trip in 2007.  The only thing that still fits me from that trip is the shoes!  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 01 March, 2016, 09:48:08 am
Bloody pedal removal.

Managed to smack myself on the side of the jaw when the pedal suddenly freed up.  The combination of pedal spanner and fist is substantial.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 01 March, 2016, 10:23:50 am
Pedal spanner plus rubber hammer or use the time honoured method of fitting the pedal spanner so that the crank and spanner make a tight angle then squeeze the two together making for a controlled release.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Peter on 01 March, 2016, 10:27:27 am
Is the correct answer.  (wipe-out......)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 01 March, 2016, 11:35:51 am
Quote from: Torslanda on 01 March, 2016, 10:23:50 am
Pedal spanner plus rubber hammer or use the time honoured method of fitting the pedal spanner so that the crank and spanner make a tight angle then squeeze the two together making for a controlled release.

Trouble is, I don't do it often enough to remember useful stuff like that.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 03 March, 2016, 03:33:49 pm
Damned UPS damned delivery baboon rang the bell then didn't hang about long enough for us to reach the door.  UPS phone n° leads to a voice-recog menu without anything to cover the idea of leaving a message, web site ditto. So tomorrow we have to wait in ambush for the bugger. Bah!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 03 March, 2016, 10:23:47 pm
Why did my new phone have to get delivered to next door? Last time I knocked on their door I got five minutes of yelling and abuse.

I don't wanna go get my phone off them and the first chance I'll get to knock at a reasonable hour will be Saturday anyway as I'm out tomorrow. The phone may as well have gone back to the depot at that rate.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Karla on 06 March, 2016, 11:52:22 pm
People who haven't yet mastered the 'half press to focus, full press to shoot' action that has been around ever since autonomous came along, how are you still alive?  How on earth haven't you earned a Darwin award yet, and for the sake of the rest of us not having to endure your blurry photos, could you please hurry up and get one?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 07 March, 2016, 12:57:18 am
Quote from: Phartiphukborlz on 06 March, 2016, 11:52:22 pm
People who haven't yet mastered the 'half press to focus, full press to shoot' action that has been around ever since autonomous came along, how are you still alive?  How on earth haven't you earned a Darwin award yet, and for the sake of the rest of us not having to endure your blurry photos, could you please hurry up and get one?

My parents had 6 kids before they had auto-focus cameras and don't seem to have acquired too many knacks...
(But 6 kids, 24 grandchildren and 4 great-granchildren (so far) suggest their genes might be propagating.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 07 March, 2016, 07:43:24 am
Once they got autofocus they stopped having kids?  Interesting...  ;D  ;D  ;D

My memories of being photographed as a child consist mostly of being told not to screw my face up like that.  Since parental photographers in the 50s still followed George Eastman's injunction to have the sun behind them, and even at midsummer in Norn Iron it's still pretty low it was their bloody fault, but they never thought of that.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 07 March, 2016, 12:54:51 pm
Quote from: T42 on 07 March, 2016, 07:43:24 am
My memories of being photographed as a child consist mostly of being told not to screw my face up like that.  Since parental photographers in the 50s still followed George Eastman's injunction to have the sun behind them, and even at midsummer in Norn Iron it's still pretty low it was their bloody fault, but they never thought of that.

That's the one.  And once everything was ready and everyone stopped screwing their face up at once, the photographer would inevitably discover that they'd forgotten to wind it on, and would start the focussing process again...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 07 March, 2016, 01:10:04 pm
And then they took another to be sure, to be sure.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 07 March, 2016, 03:26:17 pm
Why the bloody hell is Steve Shite In The Afternoon playing Cilla shouting and screeching her way through "What's It All About, Alfieeeeeeee"

It's not even my radio, so I can't sling it out the window.  Bah
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: arabella on 07 March, 2016, 09:42:43 pm
Quote from: Phartiphukborlz on 06 March, 2016, 11:52:22 pm
People who haven't yet mastered the 'half press to focus, full press to shoot' action that has been around ever since autonomous came along, how are you still alive?  How on earth haven't you earned a Darwin award yet, and for the sake of the rest of us not having to endure your blurry photos, could you please hurry up and get one?
well, that's something i learned new today
and I'm still alive
otoh I only rarely take photos
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 09 March, 2016, 08:41:58 am
Wretched menu-driven answering automata that follow an ear-splitting "This conversation may be recorded..." with a distortion-befuzzed still small voice of clam crying in the widdlerness listing the choices, then a deafening BEEP......... I DID NOT DETECT A RESPONSE and the clam returns.  This at 40 cents/minute.

Damn them to the lowest pit of Hell.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 09 March, 2016, 03:57:48 pm
Concur. It's like gladiatorial travel management. Give me the fucking flight. I know it exists. I can see it on other sites. And if I phone an agent, I get The Memo About Phoning Agents. I'm already a serial violator of corporate travel policies.

Shittens McKittens, I've got another five flights to book. I'll have exploded from the sheer pressure of expletives by the end of the afternoon. I can't shout them at the screen quick enough.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 09 March, 2016, 04:19:19 pm
Quote from: ian on 09 March, 2016, 03:57:48 pm
Concur. It's like gladiatorial travel management. Give me the fucking flight. I know it exists. I can see it on other sites. And if I phone an agent, I get The Memo About Phoning Agents. I'm already a serial violator of corporate travel policies.

Shittens McKittens, I've got another five flights to book. I'll have exploded from the sheer pressure of expletives by the end of the afternoon. I can't shout them at the screen quick enough.

Have you no minions to deal with such tasks on your behalf?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 09 March, 2016, 04:34:23 pm
Sadly not, I'm middling salary drone on mothership sub-deck 14G section 43455642565354-H. Galactic conquest is not nearly as much fun as they make it out to be. I even have to travel economy to the US (business only kicks in for trips to Tau Ceti and beyond). I mean, seriously, why not put me in a small box and post me. By Parcelfarce. Have you seen the people in economy? They're a frightening subspecies of humanity, only slightly more evolved than the lifeforms that ooze and tumble out the doors of Ryanair planes. They're the reason pilots lock the door, not terrorhats.

Technically we can use the agent minions at Carlson Wagonshit but we get charged more commision, hence the Memo. I get a lot of memos. I promised my boss I'd stop doing things that got him CC'ed on the outcome. Oh well, I'll forgo the fabulous rocking chairs of CLT and do the JFK shuffle instead.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 09 March, 2016, 09:19:25 pm
I received an email at work today from a Charlotte Trevillian, director of Leafcard. I don't know her, and I'd never heard of Leafcard.The email said she'd found my name on LinkedIn and guessed my email, and would I please buy a Leafcard and tell all my friends to buy one. So, I won't be buying a Leafcard (not least because they're only for London) and I hope none of my friends do either. Cheeky spammy bastards.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 09 March, 2016, 10:55:26 pm
Bloody Trains.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 09 March, 2016, 11:09:46 pm
Quote from: Kim on 09 March, 2016, 10:55:26 pm
Bloody Trains.

Yup.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 09 March, 2016, 11:14:12 pm
It took something ridiculous to get to That London this morning.  I stopped counting after 4.5 hours.  Barakta reckons it was more like 5.

And then we had to use the Tube...   :hand:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 10 March, 2016, 02:38:29 pm
6 weeks since breaking my arm, cast is off.

Neither wedding or engagement rings fit. Finger still too swollen.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 10 March, 2016, 03:54:24 pm
Quote from: Kim on 09 March, 2016, 11:14:12 pm
It took something ridiculous to get to That London this morning.  I stopped counting after 4.5 hours.  Barakta reckons it was more like 5.

And then we had to use the Tube...   :hand:

5hr15 mins from Mordor to Euston.  That should have taken 2hr20 at most.

08:08am all looked fine on the live screens. 

08:30am Late at mordor cos taxi was late (grrrr) train to Euston has vanished and seems to be replaced with one to Rugby, we're confused and the screens are saying mostly Rugby with flashes of Euston...  We get told by staff to get on it and change at Rugby... We jump on train initially standing but I get a seat and grab one for Kim at Mordor International.  Train does indeed terminate at Rugby.

Nonsense on the screens at Rugby followed eventually by an ironic announcement saying the screens had a 'fault' which a deaf person would not have heard.  Hardly any staff to be seen at many parts of station.

5 separate sets of nonsense from Rugby staff (backup to nonsense screens and inaudible announcements) including:
* Telling us to board a train we'd just got off claiming it was going to London, it wasn't, we got told to get off 2 mins later.
* The most annoying nonsense was sending us out into the POURING rain with no shelter for bustitution some way out of the station where the bus was locked and driverless and no station staff were nearby. Driver showed up after over ten mins and didn't know his destination so we weren't getting on that. When we returned to station entrance to go "wtf" they said "oh yeah, wait here" (still in pouring rain) and were running around giggling and shouting into walkie talkies but not giving clear or coherent advice to passengers now cold wet and getting understandably annoyed... Kim went to loo and on her return other staff told us something else which basically indicated buses weren't necessary! 

Got told to get on a Virgin train which was at platform but the doors wouldn't open despite people being inside. Gave up and asked another human who told us another train to board which eventually after about 30 mins set off, but no announcements ON the train and lots of people confused cos they'd been told different things. Train was due to go to Euston but was terminated at Milton Keynes which we'd worked out would happen AAAGES before they deigned to tell us (or indeed I suspect the poor driver).

Countless lies on the screens at Milton Keynes "train from platform $Foo to Euston due in 4, 3, 2, 1, 0, -1, -2 minutes" before going "delayed" and then back to countdown and delayed repeatedly. We spent 30 mins in the fucking cold for that.  I could have got a cup of tea in a cafe and been WARM until a train was ready IF information had been not-lies.

Then announcement told us of train which DID appear ON platform (most weren't appearing so we knew the announcements were lies) which we boarded only to be told 2 mins later was terminating at MK so EVERYONE had to get off...  Why announce this for MK people if it's not true?  That's just going to piss people off, it pissed me off!

There were multiple instances of staff YELLING instructions from platforms at both Rugby and Milton Keynes which were not even audible to me as having happened and I couldn't hear them even when they did. Staff were mobbed so couldn't be accessed to REPEAT their info clearly, and we'd have been at the back of the crowd.

We missed a Midland train which left MK cos we were waiting for the lying boards train to arrive at our platform.  We had countless running up and down stairs and concourses cos of BAD information.

Eventually we got told of a London Euston train which was departing, we had to run to the FAR end just to fit on, and were standing all the fucking way.  The nice shop lady wouldn't let me pay for tea tho (ungrumble) and she gave away cans of juice and water to those in our area standing which was nice.

All that walking, running and standing has buggered my hips which I am going to have issues with for days.  I understand it is hard with the situation but I struggle to justify the EPIC information provision fail. They would have been better saying "We do not yet know, wait in warm places and we will update you audibly and visually at sensible times as soon as we can".

I will be writing a complaint cos I would have been even more fucked without Kim.  Had we been given sensible information, I suspect we wouldn't have travelled, but we were prevented from that by BAD information and it was easier to push onto London than try and return to Birmingham.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 11 March, 2016, 01:45:20 pm
Bloody Defence Information Infrastructure notwork fell over on Tuesday lunchtime and didn't get up agin 'til this morning. I only had 137 emails to deal with. I've got umptyzillion pages of YACF stuffs to catch up with and no time to do it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 11 March, 2016, 04:24:10 pm
Quote from: Kim on 09 March, 2016, 10:55:26 pm
Bloody Trains.

Related:  Bloody Knees.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 11 March, 2016, 09:22:18 pm
Tea generally tastes better if a tea bag is included in the recipe, rather than just a cup of hot water :-\
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 11 March, 2016, 09:46:41 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 11 March, 2016, 09:22:18 pm
Tea generally tastes better if a tea bag is included in the recipe, rather than just a cup of hot water :-\

Quote from: Mark Watney
I started the day with some nothin’ tea. Nothin’ tea is easy to make. First, get some hot water, then add nothin’.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: vantage on 11 March, 2016, 10:59:55 pm
Witnessed through my doors spiehole my new next door neighbour dealing drugs.
I went to see what all the noise was as my youngest was asleep and there they were plain as sin handing out a taster and discussing money.
Nearly 2 years ago I spent 5 months making complaints and filling out logs and finally got the previous scum evicted. Now I get to do it all again. Oh fu**ing joy. :-[
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 12 March, 2016, 01:40:02 pm
Fucksake Kirsten. Making sure the fridge is shut and hasn't swung open again will a) keep the contents chilled overnight and b) stop your electricity bill going through the roof. Twat.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 12 March, 2016, 02:02:58 pm
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 12 March, 2016, 01:40:02 pm
Fucksake Kirsten. Making sure the fridge is shut and hasn't swung open again will a) keep the contents chilled overnight and b) stop your electricity bill going through the roof. Twat.

Did Pete get his own breakfast this morning?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 12 March, 2016, 02:25:23 pm
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 12 March, 2016, 01:40:02 pm
Fucksake Kirsten. Making sure the fridge is shut and hasn't swung open again will a) keep the contents chilled overnight and b) stop your electricity bill going through the roof. Twat.

I have a computer that moos[1] at me when I do that.

Unfortunately it also moos at me if the fridge has recently received a fresh stock of warm objects.


[1] It seemed like the logical noise for a fridge problem.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SteveC on 12 March, 2016, 02:57:25 pm
Our fridge was left open overnight a couple of weeks ago. This appeared to cause something to go wrong, leading to the circuit breaker tripping. This is turn led to a bit of a panic as we were cooking for six that evening and the meal was always going to be a bit of a performance (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=532.msg1986505#msg1986505) without any help from recalcitrant white goods. Fortunately, everything seemed to settle down and has worked fine since.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 12 March, 2016, 03:34:41 pm
Our Soft Scoop ice cream was very soft last night.
I probably didn't close the freezer properly.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 13 March, 2016, 12:14:26 am
My dad's cousin has just put a youtube link on the book of face. It's a clip from this year's Crufts, two German Shepherds in contention for best of breed. They've been bred so that they have horrendously stooped backs and the poor things can hardly walk. I'm baffled as to how the Kennel Club can allow it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 14 March, 2016, 10:53:17 am
Allow it? Who do you think (1) draws up & maintains the breed descriptions which these poor creatures are bred to fit & (2) decides that the owners of the appallingly crippled mutants should be rewarded for their ghastly cruelty, at Kennel Club run dog shows?

The Kennel Club is the cause of this horror. Asking why it allows it is like asking why (Godwin alert!) Hitler allowed Auschwitz.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 14 March, 2016, 12:52:34 pm
<< Speaking over the phone from her home in Helsingborg on the Sweden-Denmark border, she told the BBC that meeting her mother was "nothing less than a miracle".>>

Yes, Auntie, there's a very big wet border between Sweden and Denmark.

I suppose Dover is on the England-France border...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Si S on 15 March, 2016, 06:34:44 am
Right that's enough spring, I woke up with a lump the size of Vesuvius on my leg, bloody insects, and the anti histamine pills were in the loft.

Now the kettle's just become an ex kettle.

Good start to the day ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 15 March, 2016, 08:58:27 pm
Quote from: Si S on 15 March, 2016, 06:34:44 am
Right that's enough spring, I woke up with a lump the size of Vesuvius on my leg, bloody insects, and the anti histamine pills were in the loft.

Now the kettle's just become an ex kettle.

Good start to the day ::-)

I am minded to purchase a 'just in case' kettle for when our latest (Sainsbury's Basics £4.50) kettle becomes an ex-kettle.
After a cleaning lady killed my then 33-year-old student kettle, others appear to have progressively shorter lifespans.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 16 March, 2016, 08:42:32 am
Don't you have a saucepan, for the boiling of water?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 16 March, 2016, 08:55:44 am
Or a paper bag.  Did that once.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 16 March, 2016, 09:22:24 am
Quote from: T42 on 16 March, 2016, 08:55:44 am
Or a paper bag.  Did that once.
Did it keep the lightning out?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 16 March, 2016, 09:43:55 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 14 March, 2016, 12:52:34 pm
<< Speaking over the phone from her home in Helsingborg on the Sweden-Denmark border, she told the BBC that meeting her mother was "nothing less than a miracle".>>

Yes, Auntie, there's a very big wet border between Sweden and Denmark.

I suppose Dover is on the England-France border...
Strictly speaking, I suppose both pairs of countries have underground borders...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 16 March, 2016, 09:50:45 am
Quote from: Tim Hall on 16 March, 2016, 09:22:24 am
Quote from: T42 on 16 March, 2016, 08:55:44 am
Or a paper bag.  Did that once.
Did it keep the lightning out?

It kept the water in long enough to boil some frogspawn.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 16 March, 2016, 11:27:13 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 16 March, 2016, 09:43:55 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 14 March, 2016, 12:52:34 pm
<< Speaking over the phone from her home in Helsingborg on the Sweden-Denmark border, she told the BBC that meeting her mother was "nothing less than a miracle".>>

Yes, Auntie, there's a very big wet border between Sweden and Denmark.

I suppose Dover is on the England-France border...
Strictly speaking, I suppose both pairs of countries have underground borders...

I think the S/DK one is in the middle of a bridge.  I saw a fly-on-the-wall documentary about it once; it had a copper from Malmö in it ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 16 March, 2016, 12:50:20 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 16 March, 2016, 11:27:13 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 16 March, 2016, 09:43:55 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 14 March, 2016, 12:52:34 pm
<< Speaking over the phone from her home in Helsingborg on the Sweden-Denmark border, she told the BBC that meeting her mother was "nothing less than a miracle".>>

Yes, Auntie, there's a very big wet border between Sweden and Denmark.

I suppose Dover is on the England-France border...
Strictly speaking, I suppose both pairs of countries have underground borders...

I think the S/DK one is in the middle of a bridge.  I saw a fly-on-the-wall documentary about it once; it had a copper from Malmö in it ;D

That bridge is a fair bit south of Helsingør (Elsinore) Helsingborg crossing.
The gap between the two ports looks pretty wet on the maps and on Streetview.
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@56.0434018,12.687612,3a,64.2y,231.79h,86.41t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s0lEJgBMUaAmlYyHE1HCEZA!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo3.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3D0lEJgBMUaAmlYyHE1HCEZA%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D63.513805%26pitch%3D0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en (https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@56.0434018,12.687612,3a,64.2y,231.79h,86.41t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s0lEJgBMUaAmlYyHE1HCEZA!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo3.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3D0lEJgBMUaAmlYyHE1HCEZA%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D63.513805%26pitch%3D0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 16 March, 2016, 12:59:29 pm
You can't expect the BBC to know about that sort of thing.  It's the BRITISH Broadcasting Corporation, not the FOREIGN one and we all know what sort of people1 start at Calais and [Cont. editorial page of Daily Fail]

1: Europeans (spits)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 16 March, 2016, 01:53:17 pm
I was just offered a 'free energy test' by someone who asked me whether I had any glazing in my house. I said that yes, the windows all have glass in them, but it sailed so far over her head that I fear it's now in orbit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 16 March, 2016, 06:47:30 pm
11 lines of A4, 1 sentence, but I had to work out where it was meant to end because the punctuation is full stops and commas used completely randomly. Who the hell writes this shit? Oh, yeah, it's from a tax office.  ::-) Well I guess I'll just have to tidy it up as I translate it, not that it will be worth reading anyway.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 17 March, 2016, 12:43:11 pm
Last night, as I was falling asleep, I heard a mysterious but rather loud noise.  Sort of thing that you'd get if the contents of a distant shelf had been catted, a burglar had climbed in the kitchen window and disturbed the washing-up[1], or if your recently re-grouted tiles had spontaneously decided to sever themselves from the wall.

I sat up, noted the absence of blinkenlights consistent with the kitchen window scenario and wondered about going to check the bathroom tiles.  Then it happened again.  With the benefit of alertness and unimpeded stereo hearing, I was able to determine that it was coming from outside the window and sounded suspiciously like rubble dislodged by something heavy climbing on a dodgy outbuilding roof or a toilet being flushed into a disconnected soil stack[2].

I moved to the window and peered out.  Nothing to see.  The flushing noise again.  This time, accompanied by spitting.  I noticed the adjacent neighbours' first-floor window was open, with light coming from inside.  A shadow moved.  Dry heaving.  "Oh." I thought.

By this point barakta had woken up and inserted her hearing aid, in case of burglars.  I explained what I had learned.  "Eew" she said, "let's go back to sleep."  I went for a pee and checked on the tiles, just in case, and then joined her.


[1] DAHIKT
[2] DAHIKT either.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 17 March, 2016, 01:53:26 pm
Yeah I was getting cold holed by the duvet disturbances and just wanted to be asleep.

Bloody student oaves and all that.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 18 March, 2016, 07:14:11 pm
connectright.org.uk: thank you so much for your missive of August 2013 threatening me with a fine of £20,000 if my foul and surface water were misplumbed.
Plumbers who called today confirmed ALL our water drains to the same sewer.
I need not have worried about out shower, kitchen sink and washing machine joining the outflow from the gutters; that's just the way this place was made. Yes, 1932 was 'after the 1920s'.
You really ought to have known this before scaring the shit out of me...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 19 March, 2016, 08:14:08 am
Folk next door are coming round so that they can get at the wall of their barn to strip off the ivy, thereby turfing out half a dozen birds' nests with chicks in - wrens, blackbirds and a few miscellaneous that we only see as brown arrows darting in and out too quickly to ID.  Fair enough, if they don't do it it'll probably pull the remains of their roof apart, but I wish they'd thought of it sooner. Humans have such bloody big feet and varmers' are bigger than most.

We also have to keep the dogs in while they're at it. Shit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: bumper on 19 March, 2016, 08:18:02 am
you do realise most birds nests are protected when they have chicks in them They can only be removed once the the chicks have fledged or if the nests are somewhere that needs sorting out because of health risks.

Its also very fucking heartless.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 19 March, 2016, 09:52:30 am
Quote from: bumper on 19 March, 2016, 08:18:02 am
you do realise most birds nests are protected when they have chicks in them They can only be removed once the the chicks have fledged or if the nests are somewhere that needs sorting out because of health risks.

In the UK mebbe, but T42's in France. He's probably supposed to eat the chicks.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: bumper on 19 March, 2016, 10:18:43 am
Quote from: jsabine on 19 March, 2016, 09:52:30 am
Quote from: bumper on 19 March, 2016, 08:18:02 am
you do realise most birds nests are protected when they have chicks in them They can only be removed once the the chicks have fledged or if the nests are somewhere that needs sorting out because of health risks.

He's probably supposed to eat the chicks.

probably still in the shell.


He should still ask them to wait a couple of weeks. I should imagine even in France the birds are protected. There's no need to cause friction with the neighbours, just tell them to fuck off  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 19 March, 2016, 10:31:00 am
It's a bit late for him to do that, since they've got the builders next week.  In any case he prefers to rub along peacefully with his neighbours.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: bumper on 19 March, 2016, 10:51:05 am
and also has low moral standards and no idea of how to live in harmony with our declining wildlife.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 19 March, 2016, 02:01:28 pm
Speak for yourself.  The UK has killed off much of its wildlife. Bird populations here are a lot healthier than in the UK - our garden hosts a good flock of sparrows and half a dozen other species, and it's early enough in the season for the birds in the ivy to rebuild.

It also turns out that the ivy has mined the mortar to the extent that the wall is on the point of collapse.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: bumper on 19 March, 2016, 02:19:16 pm
Most of our dwindling bird population are migrants, therefore suffering in other countries. The UK hasn't killed off most of its wildlife, that's a load of of bollocks and a sweeping statement implying that all in the UK are killing wildlife. If you feel the need to justify killed nests of chicks that's fine, just don't try to cover it by saying 'we're all at it'. The wall may be crumbling, it probably has been for years, an extra 20 days wouldn't hurt. Your gardens may host lots of birds, it wont if you keep killing them off!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 19 March, 2016, 05:37:29 pm
My we're grumpy this evening.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: bumper on 19 March, 2016, 05:39:48 pm
I'm always grumpy.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 19 March, 2016, 09:07:07 pm
No birds dying off round here.  Wife and daughter both very animated when I returned from audaxing, and spoke to the mother last night
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 20 March, 2016, 08:06:42 pm
Dear The Guardian, I think over 24 hours of IDS' smug fizzog in big frame at the top of your site is long enough, don't you?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Dibdib on 21 March, 2016, 04:01:30 pm
Like a massive idiot, I managed to lock myself out of the house with no keys at 7:15 this morning, when I stepped out to take Blu for his morning constitutional.

The good news is that I keep a spare set of door keys in my office.
The bad news is that the office is a three-and-a-half mile walk away.
The stupid news is that there's a keysafe on my front door, but I don't currently have a key in it.


 :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 21 March, 2016, 05:03:36 pm
Well you will have a nice tired dog tonight then :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 22 March, 2016, 10:00:38 pm
Fourth cold this winter. Getting bored of this now.

There are at least three possible causes to my increasing susceptibility as far as I can see.

Well I work too far from home to commute regularly but now the weather is improving I shall endavour to get fit again and coworkers have said they have tended to build some immunity after working there a bit.

Still not happy though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 22 March, 2016, 10:47:27 pm
Sympathies! Treating 'every snotty nose in Edgware' in the past and hardly leaving the house now has left me snot-free this year...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 24 March, 2016, 02:37:31 pm
This is a doozy.

Bloke brings a Colnago in to replace the Ergo levers.

Wants me to drop everything the afternoon before a bank holiday weekend to jump the queue, untape the bars and swap all the cables over and tells me I 'quoted' a tenner to do the work.

Door's THAT way ->
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Si S on 24 March, 2016, 02:54:31 pm
I hesitate to say this Tors......you don't charge enough, especially when you keep giving the coffee away.

see you in a couple of weeks
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 24 March, 2016, 03:24:39 pm
A tenner? Including new cables and bar tape, I bet?!?!?!  :hand:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 24 March, 2016, 10:35:37 pm
Quote from: Si S on 24 March, 2016, 02:54:31 pm
I hesitate to say this Tors......you don't charge enough, especially when you keep giving the coffee away.

see you in a couple of weeks

For the life of me I don't remember the conversation! He acted all hurt and pulled his face when I told him I wasn't doing the job for that, took his carbon Colnago and put it back in his Volvo coupe before squealing the tyres as he drove off. He's got form for behaving like a dick/spoilt twat. Frankly that's one customer I don't want back.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 26 March, 2016, 11:02:28 am
Coffee machine reassembly FAIL.  Bit with shut-off valve left on draining board.  Coffee machine has fit of incontinence.  Kitchen floor resembles aftermath of something you don't want to contemplate before coffee.

Arse and, moreover, Bah!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 26 March, 2016, 01:32:32 pm
Bloody hell, me!
When you are surrounded by trees, you need to clean out the guttering.  Once during the autumn, and then again in the winter when further build up has ceased.

A very large lake has appeared where the entire roof catchment was cascading.  If I'd remembered to do this timeously, I'd not have had to assend a ladder in the pouring rain in a silly hat armed with a garden trowel this morning.

I'm now cold, wet, mucky and annoyed with myself.

Right.  Log burner is fired up.  I shall not be leaving the house again today.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 27 March, 2016, 01:27:24 pm
Great!  More but completely different water problems now.   :(

Lavatory cistern took ages to refill while setting off a cacophony of pipe groanings and rumblings that seemed to go on forever.
The kitchen tap then delivered water to the kettle in a slightly juddery style.
Then almost boiled myself alive in the shower.

I'm not great first thing in the morning, so never put two and two together.  Until going out into the lane and wondering why there was now a fair sized stream running down the road towards me.

Bugger!  Reported on line to  Dwr Cymru. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 27 March, 2016, 05:36:11 pm
Well, we have two vans, three blokes, a dear little digger, a bloody great hole in the road, traffic lights and everything!
It's what passes for real excitement round here.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 27 March, 2016, 06:17:13 pm
Are they smiling? Just think of the overtime.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 27 March, 2016, 06:19:37 pm
If they've successfully achieved the traffic lights and bloody great hole in the road, it must be time for a cup of tea and some head scratching, surely?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 27 March, 2016, 07:08:58 pm
Fair play to them, they repaired the main pretty quickly and then buggered off sharpish.
The bloody great hole and the traffic lights remain.  I assume that will not proceed any further until Tuesday.
Amusingly, the lights are generally on red for any of the few cars that use the lane when there is nothing coming the other way.  I've already watched a neighbour(ish) completely ignore them. (As I would have done too)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 27 March, 2016, 08:37:23 pm
Might be a temporary patch which will get sorted properly later.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 28 March, 2016, 01:19:41 pm
On Thursday just gone, I managed to hit a kerb at nearly 20kph resulting in my flying over the bars and landing heavily on my right shoulder. I had hoped the pain would quickly resolve itself but nope, four days later I still can't raise the arm above shoulder level without pain. Sigh. While I can't see any bruising, there is something wrong internally meaning it was quite painful when I tried to ride earlier.

Also, I thought that my bike had come out of the accident undamaged but upon further checking, it seems I have completely buggered the bottom bracket as there is about 10mm of play in it now. Double sigh.

Teach me to look where I am going as this is the second time I have hit a kerb this year!  :facepalm:

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 28 March, 2016, 01:23:18 pm
Sounds like a broken collar-bone.  The symptoms are almost exactly what I had.  Get thee to Emergency.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 28 March, 2016, 05:29:58 pm
Bugger. Just had a text advising me that my credit card provider (Tesco) had declined a charge of £499.98, and was it me that spent it. No, it wasn't. Cue cancellation of said cc and a 6-8 day wait for a replacement (if I'm lucky). Wouldn't tell me the putative beneficiary, but obvs the automated systems caught it as that value of transaction wouldn't be unusual for me.  At least we should have the new (joint) cards before my wife's trip to the US next month. Fortunately we both have our own personal cards to be going on with. I just hope I can remember the PIN for mine!!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 28 March, 2016, 07:13:12 pm
You just reminded me to check my cc after the Sportpursuit hack - nothing obvious thus far.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 28 March, 2016, 08:05:18 pm
I've no idea who might be responsible.  The recent transactions where I've had to input the cvv were for BA, the Aus V8 Supercars site, a Clematis nursery and the local library  :-\.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 29 March, 2016, 04:39:11 am
Why am I still awake at 4:40am  >:(  Hoping reattempt to sleep works.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 29 March, 2016, 07:49:38 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 28 March, 2016, 07:13:12 pm
You just reminded me to check my cc after the Sportpursuit hack - nothing obvious thus far.
thanks for the reminder
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 29 March, 2016, 10:16:41 pm
Quote from: T42 on 28 March, 2016, 01:23:18 pm
Sounds like a broken collar-bone.  The symptoms are almost exactly what I had.  Get thee to Emergency.
Yeah. When I broke one I felt the broken ends grate against each other (don't try this at home - it is not pleasant), but I know one can have a break where that doesn't happen, & everything else fits. So Essexian, if you haven't already, get thee there.

I think another possibility is a dislocation (with ripped ligaments) of the AC joint, & if so the sooner it's treated the better, as leaving it be can result in a wonky joint forever. DAHIKT.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 30 March, 2016, 08:43:56 am
Ian - That sounds very like my sister's symptoms when she dislocated her shoulder playing rugby. I'll add another voice to the 'get thee to A&E' crowd.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 30 March, 2016, 09:29:38 am
Quote from: mcshroom on 30 March, 2016, 08:43:56 am
Ian - That sounds very like my sister's symptoms when she dislocated her shoulder playing rugby. I'll add another voice to the 'get thee to A&E' crowd.

I did that aged 16, that shoulder is still weaker than the other and is noticeably out of true 26 years later.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 30 March, 2016, 10:32:51 am
Cheers all.... I very much doubt its a broken collarbone as the pain is right at the top of my arm where it joins with the top of my shoulder. I have a feeling its ligament damage: I still can't see any surface bruising.

I can raise my arm above my head but it is a little painful to do: about a four on a 0 to 10 scale. I am lacking some power in the arm as well and can't raise it to signal when turning right....so, left hand loops only for a bit perhaps?

I would feel a bit silly heading to A&E but if it doesn't feel any better in a day or two, will go and see my GP.


Thanks again.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 30 March, 2016, 11:56:02 am
Quote from: essexian on 30 March, 2016, 10:32:51 am
I still can't see any surface bruising.
No surface bruising, but this was what was going on inside me after I dropped on my MTB. I only decided to go to A&E when I noticed that my left arm was drooping, shoulder didn't look the same on the outside after a rather painful shower/drying.

(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 30 March, 2016, 01:17:04 pm
My guess would be a Grade I or II AC joint injury, if I were playing 'diagnose by internet forum' bingo.

Get checked out and mend well!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 30 March, 2016, 04:31:56 pm
"And the injury is......"

Well I went to see my GP who promptly sent me to hospital to have some X rays..... these were done and no bone damage was seen. However, it does seem I have some damage to the ligaments in my arm/shoulder and some soft tissue damage. I got off quite lightly it seems.

So, the Doctor says no swimming for at least four to six weeks and more likely 2 months... whilst they don't want to see me on a bike for four weeks.....  :facepalm: It seems if I rush it, it won't repair itself correctly and I could be left in pain for years....just like my ankle which still hurts from 1984!

Anyway, off up the Tissington Trail on Saturday with some friends from down south....that's social riding, not cycling...honest.   

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 30 March, 2016, 04:41:32 pm
The lower back niggle has become a full-blown OUCH!.  As putting on trousers was an epic and groan-filled struggle, I think it probably best I don't head into town this evening.
Now that my evening is free I guess I can spend it ... trying to move as little as possible.  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: bumper on 30 March, 2016, 06:31:47 pm
The house next door has been empty for months, it's been great. The old lady was placed into care because she has dementia. The house has been sold.

Our new neighbours turned up last week. The woman is a non stop chatterbox but pleasant enough, her husband is a bit of a dick from first impressions. He was off work thurs, fri, sat, sun,mon and did nothing to the house at all over the bank holiday, he did sit in the garden for 2 days chatting on his mobile phone at volume 11. New carpets were fitted on Thurday morning so he has no excuse. I think he's pretending to do stuff whilst his wife is at work and bullshitting her when she gets in from work.

Last night he got his drill out, 11.30pm!! for well over an hour!!!!! They left at 3.00am making a fucking racket! They've not been up today so I gather it'll be another night shift.

I understand that things have got to be done but drilling, turned midnight. I have to get up for work early. I think I may go around tonight, new neighbours or not and ask them to do this shit in the daytime. My wife has told me to leave it, but she hasn't got to get up early either!

There's been builders etc in for over a month, singing/shouting/banging/drilling/sawing/sanding at full volume. I'm sick to death of the noise, it's been non.....fucking......stop. Now the night shift has started too.

There is someone currently working in the back garden, banging. It's been like that for a couple of hours. Can't this shit be done when people are out at work, like, during normal work hours.

I have a feeling these are going be neighbours from hell.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 30 March, 2016, 06:37:20 pm
The Man started building some new flats almost, but not quite, opposite Larrington Towers roughly two years ago.  No-one has yet moved in, and the useless workshy twat builders are STILL doing things with power tools >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: bumper on 30 March, 2016, 06:58:52 pm
same knobs that are working next door to me?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 30 March, 2016, 07:08:18 pm
Quote from: Andrij on 30 March, 2016, 04:41:32 pm
The lower back niggle has become a full-blown OUCH!.  As putting on trousers was an epic and groan-filled struggle, I think it probably best I don't head into town this evening.
Now that my evening is free I guess I can spend it ... trying to move as little as possible.  :(

Same here.

*something* went wrong this morning at work, I don't know what.
It was a minor grumble till lunchtime, so I took a walk along the river just to stand up and move a bit.
Afternoon was increasingly uncomfortable.

Ride home was OK so long as I remained in one fixed position, so I took the flat main road at a very steady pace.
Struggled to get off the bike 40 minutes later, I would have fallen over if I didn't have the wall to lean against.

Now totally crocked.
Changing out of cycle kit was a painful and ungainly exercise.
No possibility of riding in tomorrow.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SteveC on 30 March, 2016, 07:50:29 pm
I had a similarly bad back a couple of weeks ago. Sneezing was a most painful experience with pains going down both legs as well as across my lower back.
https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=80971.msg2006530#msg2006530 (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=80971.msg2006530#msg2006530)
I'm now off the tablets after just less than a week and feel much, much better. Not fully right and I haven't tried the bike or running yet, but still much better.
Recommend the drugs, even if only for the short term.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 31 March, 2016, 02:05:34 pm
Some of the mould remover that the mould removing man was using to remove mould on the wall above the bike racks has spilt on to my Carradice rack pack, leaving pale brown splodges. I tried washing them off but to no avail. It seems something in the mould killer reacts with cotton duck and bleaches it. Ah well, I shall just have to consider it patina.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 31 March, 2016, 02:12:25 pm
At least it isn't mouldy?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 31 March, 2016, 02:52:08 pm
I hope it doesn't rot the cotton fabric.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 01 April, 2016, 09:52:32 am
Quote from: Feanor on 30 March, 2016, 07:08:18 pm
Quote from: Andrij on 30 March, 2016, 04:41:32 pm
The lower back niggle has become a full-blown OUCH!.  As putting on trousers was an epic and groan-filled struggle, I think it probably best I don't head into town this evening.
Now that my evening is free I guess I can spend it ... trying to move as little as possible.  :(

Same here.

*something* went wrong this morning at work, I don't know what.
It was a minor grumble till lunchtime, so I took a walk along the river just to stand up and move a bit.
Afternoon was increasingly uncomfortable.

Ride home was OK so long as I remained in one fixed position, so I took the flat main road at a very steady pace.
Struggled to get off the bike 40 minutes later, I would have fallen over if I didn't have the wall to lean against.

Now totally crocked.
Changing out of cycle kit was a painful and ungainly exercise.
No possibility of riding in tomorrow.


Sounds like a slightly displaced sacroiliac. Happened to me on a climb 3 years ago. Fortunately an orthopaedic nurse was riding with us and she gave me a massage with extreme prejudice so I was able to get home, but next morning was hell. This lasted through physiotherapy sessions for about a month until, while I was putting on my trousers after one such, the thing delivered such a stab that my legs gave way.  The physio hoots "oh good, we're getting somewhere" and thereafter it did slowly get better.  The injury was in June: my first painless ride was at the end of August.

You may get lucky and collapse straight off. ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 01 April, 2016, 11:02:10 am
Ah, the good old "data protection" response.  I purchased (from Post Office Money) some US dollars online. I paid with my debit card.  As I wouldn't be at home I put my wife's name in the delivery information, which was due the following day. I also managed to mistype the email address for confirmation purposes.

No money was taken from my account on the morning of the delivery, so I called them. And they refused to discuss the matter "as your wifes name is on the delivery". The fact that I paid for it with my card was apparently irrelevant.

The money was delivered on time. Payment was taken some 12 hour later.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 01 April, 2016, 09:52:28 pm
Strange one this: I've just come back from a very pleasant three-night stay in Edinburgh. We stayed in a flat on Calton Hill that was very well-placed and, although compact, was fine for our purposes. For four of us it cost <£250 for the stay.

Anyway, on the first morning at about 8.30am, a window cleaner cleaned the outside windows. No big deal. However, the owner emailed me, as group leader, to apologise so profusely I thought it was a piss take, but no. The next morning, this time at 6.30am (presumably to carry out a changeover clean/tidy up), a cleaner appeared. She was politely sent away, and was very apologetic. I emailed the owner to politely ask her to ensure that the cleaner didn't appear again at 6.30am and to ask her to show up today after 10am, when we were leaving. The response this time was again excruciatingly apologetic. The owner offered us another weekend free of charge or a sizeable refund. Bugger me, all I wanted was to ensure we got a peaceful lie in after a hard night's, ahem, culture.

So what to do now...? When we showed up, the bedclothes were piled higgledy-piggledy on the beds and we had to put them on ourselves. The towels, although clean, were thrown into the bathrooms. The promised bottle of wine, milk and coffee weren't there. It felt like the owner had got her dates wrong, although the place was clean, if not spotless.

To me, these things were a minor inconvenience, but the owner seems to treat it like a catastrophe. (I'd hate to be a service provider to her!). Do I just tell her to forget about it, as we had a great stay; accept some small refund; or take her up on the free weekend? The latter, to me, would be totally out of proportion to the small inconvenience we experienced. I guess after a lifetime of camping my expectations are somewhat lower than her average visitor! 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 02 April, 2016, 01:17:38 pm
AirBnb or similar? Host reputation is incredibly important and some guests will whine hugely about the slightest problem, trashing the ranking.

ETA: not suggesting you would do that, just pondering why she is so keen to make amends.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 02 April, 2016, 02:35:56 pm
Today's planned UAF 200 brevet from Pezenas was postponed yesterday, due to a forecast rain apocalypse with 80 kph wind. Today, HK and I rode a few hours in Scottish drizzle and bugger-all wind. We lugged cycle helmets around a fair chunk of southern France just for this brevet and never wore them at all! Oh well, pack up the bikes for tomorrow's TGV and Eurostar and another slap-up meal tonight to compensate.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 02 April, 2016, 08:41:56 pm
Quote from: Pickled Onion on 02 April, 2016, 01:17:38 pm
AirBnb or similar? Host reputation is incredibly important and some guests will whine hugely about the slightest problem, trashing the ranking.

ETA: not suggesting you would do that, just pondering why she is so keen to make amends.
It was through a letting site, but I'd be very flattering about it. At the price it was an absolute bargain. I'd heartily recommend it to anyone. It was the price of a hostel, but with a decent kitchen, two bathrooms, free wi-fi, a nice living room and ten minutes walk from York Place. Why she got so flustered about two such minor trifles is really beyond me...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 03 April, 2016, 09:12:06 am
Perfect cycling day: no wind, hazy blue sky and temperature on the rise, and I'm banned from cycling because I had to drop my coronary meds pending a gastroscopy next Tuesday.  On top of that I'm cook of the day.  Oh well, I'll have a bloody good feed and a few coffees afterwards.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 03 April, 2016, 03:50:42 pm
Quote from: LittleWheelsandBig on 02 April, 2016, 02:35:56 pm
Today's planned UAF 200 brevet from Pezenas was postponed yesterday, due to a forecast rain apocalypse with 80 kph wind. Today, HK and I rode a few hours in Scottish drizzle and bugger-all wind. We lugged cycle helmets around a fair chunk of southern France just for this brevet and never wore them at all! Oh well, pack up the bikes for tomorrow's TGV and Eurostar and another slap-up meal tonight to compensate.

In 2013 I cancelled an afternoon UAF 100 on the strength of Meteo France's dire warnings of wind. Called round all the clubs during the morning and went to the start to meet any who didn't get the message.  Of course, the wind missed us completely.

In 1999 Meteo France failed to sufficiently alert the country to the approach a hurricane, and most of the country was without electricity for days.  Since then their warnings have always been on the dire side.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 03 April, 2016, 06:50:25 pm
Bloody hell  >:(

62km on the Giant today, nice average of 28.7km/h on a decent flatt-ish loop.   No complaints at all about that other than the niggling lower back towards the end.

No - my grumble is the fucking pedals.  About 20km in the left pedal axle starts making all sorts of odd noises, about 10km later the right one joins in out of sympathy = tweets, pops, grinds.  After 40-odd km of what sounded like the dawn chorus from between my feet I was starting to question my sanity and wondering whether the botttom bracket was about explode catastrophically, either that or a family of robins setting up in my socks.

Now to have a look at whether it's worth trying to rebuild them or not.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 04 April, 2016, 05:49:35 am
Hotel a/c. It's 32 degrees outside. About -15 inside. I'm not a polar bear. And the air is so dry that it's scrinkling my contact lenses and making me sniffle like a coke fiend. Superman's fortress of solitude is warmer than this conference room.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 04 April, 2016, 06:58:44 am
Quote from: ian on 04 April, 2016, 05:49:35 am
Hotel a/c. It's 32 degrees outside. About -15 inside. I'm not a polar bear. And the air is so dry that it's scrinkling my contact lenses and making me sniffle like a coke fiend. Superman's fortress of solitude is warmer than this conference room.

Ha.  Texas, every day I'd get back to the hotel and turn the AC off, and put on a jumper for haf an hour.  I presume the cleaner was turning it back on at about 10am and it was going all day.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 04 April, 2016, 07:22:57 am
It's a battle in the room. I turn it off. Room service turn it on. I sneak back mid-morning. The sneak in after lunch. I go back at tea-time. They use turn-down to set it to 8 degrees. And turn-down creeps me out. Some weirdo breaks into my room to ruffle my sheets, drop a couple of chocolates on the pillow, and reset the a/c to polar winter.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 04 April, 2016, 07:28:19 am
Colorado was nice though.  Sign in Estes Park hotel room: "Sure you can turn on the AC, but why not open the window first and try our fresh mountain air?"
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 04 April, 2016, 10:33:19 am
My wife had a problem with her CC - it stopped working.  She called NatWest Visa to ask why as she'd had no messages.  Turns out they had sent a replacement card (which never arrived) as her existing one was close to expiry date, and had therefore stopped her existing card. Why, when she'd not used the new one I have no idea. Anyway, 2 days after the call, a second replacement card arrived, and all is well.

So why is it "5-8 working days" for our replacement Tesco Mastercards then?? Harrumph.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 05 April, 2016, 10:00:07 am
My GP has changed their appointment system.  Again.  Well, it's been over a year since I needed to see a GP, so I should have expected a new system.  And they've been consistent - the website isn't clear on how the new system works.

At least I'm still on their books, unlike last time.  It seems that if you're healthy for too long (i.e. don't have need to contact the surgery) they drop you.  That was fun.

 >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 05 April, 2016, 10:54:35 am
Andrij, the surgery definitely do not want to drop you off their list!  Extra numbers means extra funding (which is very precious these days).  If you're a healthy person, you don't spoil any of their review targets or QOF figures, so even better.

However, it used to be that any patient who had not made contact with the surgery for five years was regarded as a 'ghost' patient, and the papers have done 'exposes' (based on info leaked from DH, allegedly)  about the scandal of GPs claiming for 'non-existent' patients.

NHSE have changed it to a three year period.  This should have failed on equality grounds, since adult males are significantly less likely to be in touch with their GP than any other group.  But they got it through, and so lots of (predominantly) men are trying to get appointments and being told they need to re-register.  All extra work for less money. >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 05 April, 2016, 11:08:38 am
While in The Gulag I was, in common with all the zeks, registered with a local GP.  On my release I had to re-enlist at the practice here.  "Hello, Mr Larrington!" said the receptionist before handing my a fat sheaf of paper and a leaky BiroTM.  Apparently there was a possibility I might have turned into someone else while incarcerated.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 05 April, 2016, 11:19:28 am
Quote from: clarion on 05 April, 2016, 10:54:35 am
Andrij, the surgery definitely do not want to drop you off their list!
...

Thank you for the explanation.  It's better than what I recall being told at the surgery.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 05 April, 2016, 12:36:16 pm
Quote from: clarion on 05 April, 2016, 10:54:35 am
Andrij, the surgery definitely do not want to drop you off their list!  Extra numbers means extra funding (which is very precious these days).  If you're a healthy person, you don't spoil any of their review targets or QOF figures, so even better.

However, it used to be that any patient who had not made contact with the surgery for five years was regarded as a 'ghost' patient, and the papers have done 'exposes' (based on info leaked from DH, allegedly)  about the scandal of GPs claiming for 'non-existent' patients.

NHSE have changed it to a three year period.  This should have failed on equality grounds, since adult males are significantly less likely to be in touch with their GP than any other group.  But they got it through, and so lots of (predominantly) men are trying to get appointments and being told they need to re-register.  All extra work for less money. >:(

So.  If you're a 'ghost' patient, do you still get called in for routine screening/MOT etc?  Do you still get your FOB thing through the post?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 05 April, 2016, 01:31:25 pm
If you don't respond to correspondence for three years, don't have appointments, and don't ask for repeat meds, you will be 'de-ghosted'.  Sadly for finances, but happily for patient care, people with long-term conditions are least likely to be removed.

Screening is managed centrally, so probably does not depend on being registered.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 06 April, 2016, 01:54:58 pm
Quote from: T42 on 01 April, 2016, 09:52:32 am
Quote from: Feanor on 30 March, 2016, 07:08:18 pm
Quote from: Andrij on 30 March, 2016, 04:41:32 pm
The lower back niggle has become a full-blown OUCH!.  As putting on trousers was an epic and groan-filled struggle, I think it probably best I don't head into town this evening.
Now that my evening is free I guess I can spend it ... trying to move as little as possible.  :(

Same here.

*something* went wrong this morning at work, I don't know what.
It was a minor grumble till lunchtime, so I took a walk along the river just to stand up and move a bit.
Afternoon was increasingly uncomfortable.

Ride home was OK so long as I remained in one fixed position, so I took the flat main road at a very steady pace.
Struggled to get off the bike 40 minutes later, I would have fallen over if I didn't have the wall to lean against.

Now totally crocked.
Changing out of cycle kit was a painful and ungainly exercise.
No possibility of riding in tomorrow.


Sounds like a slightly displaced sacroiliac. Happened to me on a climb 3 years ago. Fortunately an orthopaedic nurse was riding with us and she gave me a massage with extreme prejudice so I was able to get home, but next morning was hell. This lasted through physiotherapy sessions for about a month until, while I was putting on my trousers after one such, the thing delivered such a stab that my legs gave way.  The physio hoots "oh good, we're getting somewhere" and thereafter it did slowly get better.  The injury was in June: my first painless ride was at the end of August.

You may get lucky and collapse straight off. ;)

Yes, that was indeed what it was.

And I did pretty much collapse straight away.   Just walking along carefully, and the slightest mis-step stabs you and your knees give way under you.
Down you go, and it's almost impossible to get back up unless there's something you can pull yourself up with close to hand.

Physio session today, and we think it's re-aligned now.
Pain-free, but I'm still very cautious.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 06 April, 2016, 02:34:04 pm
I've just tripped while carrying a ladder and bashed my left elbow in the place that always takes the brunt of the impact when I fall off a bike.  It's being disproportionately painful.  Ow.

(No, I wasn't wearing a h*lm*t.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 06 April, 2016, 02:55:41 pm
Did the ladder have hi-viz? No? Well, not your fault then! Sue the ladder makers!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 06 April, 2016, 02:56:01 pm
Quote from: Kim on 06 April, 2016, 02:34:04 pm
I've just tripped while carrying a ladder and bashed my left elbow in the place that always takes the brunt of the impact when I fall off a bike.  It's being disproportionately painful.  Ow.

(No, I wasn't wearing a h*lm*t.)

Ouch.

But I bet you weren't wearing couters (http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R1C8IVowDLU/TaLdZwcj1-I/AAAAAAAAABs/1Q8XAQITe3s/s1600/3873447278_acc9367d21_o.jpg).   ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 06 April, 2016, 02:59:47 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 06 April, 2016, 02:55:41 pm
Did the ladder have hi-viz? No? Well, not your fault then! Sue the ladder makers!

Hm, good thinking.  It was a bit gloomy (someone had removed the light bulb), so it's no wonder I tripped...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 06 April, 2016, 03:26:47 pm
Beautiful spring day, all the windows open, so some bugger round at the village garage has to set fire to some plastic.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 09 April, 2016, 07:21:38 am
I have been soooo tired these last few days, even though I'm sleeping well through the night.  Guess previous rough periods are catching up with me.  So of course I awake at 06:30, unable to fall back asleep.  By 14:00 I won't be able to keep my eyes open, I'm sure. :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 10 April, 2016, 12:06:25 pm
Bustitution.  >:( Still, the engineering works looked impressive.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jasmine on 12 April, 2016, 03:40:37 pm
There is someone who lives in India with the same first name-surname as me.  Today they have been busily subscribing to matrimonial services to find a husband (26-31, professional, etc.).  One site helpfully sends a welcome email with a big button for 'this is not me', which deletes the account.  We are currently playing a game of create account-delete account because they don't seem to realise that [firstname][surname]@gmail.com might be logical, but isn't theirs.  Another site has sent me 5 emails in 15 minutes.  They don't have a 'piss off this isn't me' button, and the unsubscribe button takes me to the account preferences of the user.  Unfortunately, although I don't need a password to see their whole account (having clicked from the email seems to auto-login) I can't edit the email address to thisisnotyouremailaddress@gmail.com without their password.

Grump  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 12 April, 2016, 03:43:13 pm
Yebbut just wait until the marriage offers arrive!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jasmine on 12 April, 2016, 03:48:50 pm
 ;D ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 12 April, 2016, 03:51:19 pm
If the site has an on-the-web messaging thing, presumably you could have some fun with the profile before deleting?
"Looking for a man that understands email addresses for good times etc etc"
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 12 April, 2016, 03:55:33 pm
Someone on the train today probably has a new telephone.  Slightly battered, and no battery in it, but mine nonetheless.  No idea how I lost it, though :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 12 April, 2016, 04:02:58 pm
Well, let's hope the first person they call on it is you.  :-\
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 12 April, 2016, 05:49:17 pm
Quote from: Jasmine on 12 April, 2016, 03:40:37 pm
There is someone who lives in India with the same first name-surname as me.  Today they have been busily subscribing to matrimonial services to find a husband (26-31, professional, etc.).  One site helpfully sends a welcome email with a big button for 'this is not me', which deletes the account.  We are currently playing a game of create account-delete account because they don't seem to realise that [firstname][surname]@gmail.com might be logical, but isn't theirs.  Another site has sent me 5 emails in 15 minutes.  They don't have a 'piss off this isn't me' button, and the unsubscribe button takes me to the account preferences of the user.  Unfortunately, although I don't need a password to see their whole account (having clicked from the email seems to auto-login) I can't edit the email address to thisisnotyouremailaddress@gmail.com without their password.

Grump  >:(

Yeah, but you should be able to request a password reset, as it's associated with your email address.

The tactical nuclear solution to xkcd://1279 (https://xkcd.com/1279/) issues is to change the account's associated email address to support@service.com


(Indian matrimonial services probably beat my Canadian soccer mom; USAnian grandparent[1]; poorly-paid[2] British actor; USAnian who probably didn't turn up to their ob/gyn appointment and person unknown (but let's be honest, probably another USAnian) who is the proud owner of a shotgun with telescopic sight.)


[1] Don't grandchildren grow up quickly these days?
[2] I've seen the royalty statements.  Fortunately these revealed contact details for their agent, who was a bit more on the ball email wise.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 12 April, 2016, 06:01:30 pm
Anyway, what caste are they looking for? What level of education? What dowry are they offering? We could flood them with marriage offers!

And generally, how come people don't know their own email address?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 12 April, 2016, 06:15:52 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 12 April, 2016, 06:01:30 pm
And generally, how come people don't know their own email address?

A technically competent family member or the salesdroid in the mobile phone shop sets up the account for them, mail clients increasingly tend to hide them behind pretty-printed contact names, and they fumble through life not really understanding what they're doing.

I obtained the correct address for one of my gmail doppelgängers through someone else's top-posting, and was able to contact them and explain the problem.  They promptly sent an email to all their contacts (which now included me) explaining that it was vitally important to spell their email address with a capital K, because I had the lower-case version.  I may have been a little terse (and maybe quoted an RFC) in my reply-all, to the effect of "Ignore this, it's bollocks, gmail usernames aren't case sensitive - his is the one with a '54' in it."

Of course, a side-effect of doing that was that his luser friends now have my email address.   :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jasmine on 12 April, 2016, 06:42:06 pm
Quote from: Kim on 12 April, 2016, 05:49:17 pm


Yeah, but you should be able to request a password reset, as it's associated with your email address.

The tactical nuclear solution to xkcd://1279 (https://xkcd.com/1279/) issues is to change the account's associated email address to support@service.com


(Indian matrimonial services probably beat my Canadian soccer mom; USAnian grandparent[1]; poorly-paid[2] British actor; USAnian who probably didn't turn up to their ob/gyn appointment and person unknown (but let's be honest, probably another USAnian) who is the proud owner of a shotgun with telescopic sight.)


[1] Don't grandchildren grow up quickly these days?
[2] I've seen the royalty statements.  Fortunately these revealed contact details for their agent, who was a bit more on the ball email wise.

Good call on the password reset.

This isn't my first one either.  Interestingly, this one and the main one I get loads of stuff for are both registered nurses.  The other is in the US.  A few years ago the US one tried to get gmail to reset the password on my account to get into it.  Fortunately it was actually associated with some other metric of mine (phone or other email or something).  Irritatingly, she subscribes to bloody everything going - voucher shite, childcare bollocks, alternative health websites, all sorts of crap.  In trying to unsubscribe to emails about Las Vegas crawls (pub crawl, casino crawl? I don't know) I managed to end up with Las Vegas crawls being the advert of choice on BookFace and any site with targeted ads.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jasmine on 12 April, 2016, 06:50:49 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 12 April, 2016, 06:01:30 pm
Anyway, what caste are they looking for? What level of education? What dowry are they offering? We could flood them with marriage offers!

And generally, how come people don't know their own email address?

Doesn't say what caste she's looking for.  She's listed as upper middle class in Roorkee.  She's looking for someone 26-31 with a bachelors degree.  Hindi as mother tongue and a baptist.

I suspect some of them are people who have tried to enter [firstname][surname]@provider.com and have been told that they can't have that but can have [firstname][surname]43@provider.com.  They have then clicked 'ok' and promptly forgotten about that last part.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 13 April, 2016, 03:12:52 pm
Two days running a nice day has turned to pissin' rain at home time and it looks like it's going to do it again boo chiz moan drone
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 14 April, 2016, 12:52:14 pm
Owing a cold finally packing its bags and getting ready to leave, I have an annoying snot bubble in my left nostril. Blowing my nose profusely gives me a few seconds of solace as does snorting inwards, but it comes back and sits there and wibbles and wobbles every time I breath or talk. I'm thinking of stenting my nose with a drink straw.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 14 April, 2016, 01:58:23 pm
Quote from: ian on 14 April, 2016, 12:52:14 pm
Owing a cold finally packing its bags and getting ready to leave, I have an annoying snot bubble in my left nostril. Blowing my nose profusely gives me a few seconds of solace as does snorting inwards, but it comes back and sits there and wibbles and wobbles every time I breath or talk. I'm thinking of stenting my nose with a drink straw.

I've had that for a couple of days too.  Xylometazoline works for a while, as does hot curry.  Barakta keeps complaining that she can't hear me, so presumably my speech is affected.

Barakta's also the resident expert on nose stents, and is unlikely to recommend them.  At least it's not the 80s, where your snot-sucking machine could suddenly be rendered inoperative by Arthur Scargill.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 14 April, 2016, 10:45:47 pm
Its still there. It's quite annoying. My job is basically talking for a living (yeah, they pay me for that) and everything at the moment sounds like mumbgloomaloonamamooon. Actually, that might just be how I sound, I'm from the East Midlands and only fluent in Erewashian. It's all mushed vowel sounds and glottal emergency stops.

Fortunately it missed last week when I had a half dozen presentations to give to audiences whose first language is very far from English. That would have been spectacular. It's bad enough with Americans who expect everyone from Britain to sound like they've stepped out of Downton Abbey (I've learned everything I know about that programme from Americans).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 15 April, 2016, 01:26:20 pm
I've still got 35 minutes before I can go home. And it's clouding over again
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 15 April, 2016, 06:11:10 pm
Quote from: Guy on 15 April, 2016, 01:26:20 pm
I've still got 35 minutes before I can go home. And it's clouding over again

It had stopped raining earlier, I thought about running, it started again.

Turbo tonight.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 19 April, 2016, 08:19:13 am
Lost my phone, thanks to a brand new phone lanyard snapping on Sunday, that's annoying and expensive, but shit happens...

Got a new SIM card, fished out the standby phone (A Sony Xperia Pro) and not the person at Vodafone has unblocked the number the new SIM will actually work, but can I sign in to my Google account, no I bloody can't!  It keeps telling me my username and password don't match.  Oh yes they do, how the hell do you think I signed into the PC and tablet with the same username and password, then? (Obviously I changed the password when I lost the phone, as well as blocking the SIM and IMEI number.)

Most frustrating when a message tells you you've got it wrong, when you know damn well you haven't.

Hopefully I'll get into the new phone OK, when it arrives later today.  I'm waiting with baited breath for them to try to deliver it just 5 mins after my wife leaves the house...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 19 April, 2016, 08:34:23 am
Quote from: Wombat on 19 April, 2016, 08:19:13 am
Lost my phone, thanks to a brand new phone lanyard snapping on Sunday, that's annoying and expensive, but shit happens...

Got a new SIM card, fished out the standby phone (A Sony Xperia Pro) and not the person at Vodafone has unblocked the number the new SIM will actually work, but can I sign in to my Google account, no I bloody can't!  It keeps telling me my username and password don't match.  Oh yes they do, how the hell do you think I signed into the PC and tablet with the same username and password, then? (Obviously I changed the password when I lost the phone, as well as blocking the SIM and IMEI number.)

Most frustrating when a message tells you you've got it wrong, when you know damn well you haven't.

Hopefully I'll get into the new phone OK, when it arrives later today.  I'm waiting with baited breath for them to try to deliver it just 5 mins after my wife leaves the house...

giggle
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Si S on 19 April, 2016, 12:16:19 pm
There are times I hate being colour blind, not being able to tell if things are on or off or charged or not is a bit of a pain but having to try the handle on the mixed sex toilet cubicles can be very awkward  :-[
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 19 April, 2016, 12:16:55 pm
Amazingly it turned up while Mrs W was at home fending off cats, while hanging out the washing.  Its at home, on charge, and it had better be a good little lump of technology and behave itself when I get home...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 19 April, 2016, 01:09:26 pm
Quote from: Si S on 19 April, 2016, 12:16:19 pm
There are times I hate being colour blind, not being able to tell if things are on or off or charged or not is a bit of a pain

A bit of gel can help with this, so you get bright/dim (or the presence or absence of a 3D effect if you hold the gel over one eye) to indicate state, but that's not always helpful without a reference.

I've been known to modify hardware to have proper separate charging/charged blinkenlights - it's trivial to snip one of the leads on a two-colour LED and solder another LED (perhaps of an actually different colour) across it, assuming you can get physical access (which you usually can't).  I'll happily pay a premium for chargers etc with numerical/bargraph LCD indicators rather than the hated colour-not-really-changing LEDs.


Quote
but having to try the handle on the mixed sex toilet cubicles can be very awkward  :-[

Not an issue I have (I can usually discriminate red and green, unless it's too small to have colour), but it's bloody stupid of them to use red/green rather than red/white or, you know, text.    >:(

It's the sort of thing people just don't think about.


(Ironically, I've got multi-coloured LEDs to indicate whether there's someone in the bathroom.  They flash in the level crossing wig-wag style when they're red.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 19 April, 2016, 01:28:21 pm
Text would be no good for people who who might have to peer uncomfortably closely to make it out, or who don't know the language or simply can't read. LEDs depend on power. How about colour combined with text and a pictogram on one space? Designing the pictogram should give scope for humour...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 19 April, 2016, 01:52:07 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 19 April, 2016, 01:28:21 pm
Text would be no good for people who who might have to peer uncomfortably closely to make it out, or who don't know the language or simply can't read. LEDs depend on power. How about colour combined with text and a pictogram on one space? Designing the pictogram should give scope for humour...

Yeah, text, like pictograms, can be used to augment a simple colour.  That covers most options.  Do something tactile (external handle in a different physical state would be best, but a screwdriver slot rotating would work) and you've got the completely blind covered too.  Though people tend to be more sympathetic about obviously blind people and toilet doors.

Then you just need working locks.  Standard procedure in British public toilets is to push the cubicle door slowly and listen for a yelp, after all.

And you have to train people to actually use the locks (or at least the light switches[2]) when there are deaf people around.


(That's actually why we've got LEDs on the bathroom door - the computer works out whether there's someone in there by a combination of PIR and door state reed switch and sets the blinkenlights appropriately, without anyone actually using the lock - barakta and I habitually leave it unlocked in case of emergencies[1], but it stops us being startled by being walked in on.)


[1] Be that door lock issues, risk of injury form general wobbliness in a slippery environment, or priority interrupt for use of the toilet.
[2] Standard procedure for entering a not-otherwise-equipped unlocked room that might have an not-decent deaf person in it: Open door enough to get your hand in, frob the light off and on, wait for the yelp or door being opened fully.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 19 April, 2016, 01:54:18 pm
Tick and Cross would be understood pretty widely I'd have thought. Green tick and Red cross if you want it to be colourful :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 19 April, 2016, 01:55:21 pm
Quote from: Kim on 19 April, 2016, 01:09:26 pm
Quote from: Si S on 19 April, 2016, 12:16:19 pm
There are times I hate being colour blind, not being able to tell if things are on or off or charged or not is a bit of a pain

A bit of gel can help with this, so you get bright/dim (or the presence or absence of a 3D effect if you hold the gel over one eye) to indicate state, but that's not always helpful without a reference.

I've been known to modify hardware to have proper separate charging/charged blinkenlights - it's trivial to snip one of the leads on a two-colour LED and solder another LED (perhaps of an actually different colour) across it, assuming you can get physical access (which you usually can't).  I'll happily pay a premium for chargers etc with numerical/bargraph LCD indicators rather than the hated colour-not-really-changing LEDs.


Quote
but having to try the handle on the mixed sex toilet cubicles can be very awkward  :-[

Not an issue I have (I can usually discriminate red and green, unless it's too small to have colour), but it's bloody stupid of them to use red/green rather than red/white or, you know, text.    >:(

It's the sort of thing people just don't think about.


(Ironically, I've got multi-coloured LEDs to indicate whether there's someone in the bathroom.  They flash in the level crossing wig-wag style when they're red.)
There must be smartphone apps that use a smartphone camera to do colour recognition?

When I had to hand my only pair of specs in for new lenses, I used my phone as a visual aid to get around (I'm shortsighted). It worked really well.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 19 April, 2016, 02:05:14 pm
Our work toilets are hard to tell if occupied or not, not helped by it being dark as fuck in there with terrible lighting...

I think something obvious and big would be good for ALL toilets. While blind folk who look blind/carry a cane/have a dog get sympathy, many partially sighted folk simply don't look blind.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 19 April, 2016, 02:05:46 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 19 April, 2016, 01:55:21 pm
There must be smartphone apps that use a smartphone camera to do colour recognition?

I used to have a rather nice one (now unsupported) that did clever false-colour to enhance discrimination, which matters more than absolute colour in most real-life situations.

And then there are things like this: http://shop.rnib.org.uk/home-and-leisure/labelling/colour-detectors.html for helping blind people choose their socks.

But it's a truism that the iPhone[1] (perhaps in combination with one of those watch things) is rapidly becoming the canonical piece of assistive technology for the visually impaired, as it's off the shelf hardware.


[1] Apple's speech interface is miles ahead of Android's.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Si S on 19 April, 2016, 02:10:30 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 19 April, 2016, 01:54:18 pm
Tick and Cross would be understood pretty widely I'd have thought. Green tick and Red cross if you want it to be colourful :)

That's the ticket, embossed to make it tactile
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Si S on 19 April, 2016, 02:17:40 pm
Quote from: Kim on 19 April, 2016, 01:09:26 pm
Quote from: Si S on 19 April, 2016, 12:16:19 pm
There are times I hate being colour blind, not being able to tell if things are on or off or charged or not is a bit of a pain

A bit of gel can help with this, so you get bright/dim (or the presence or absence of a 3D effect if you hold the gel over one eye) to indicate state, but that's not always helpful without a reference.



Gel  ??? I'm assuming this isn't hair gel. Not sure it'd help anyway I'm pretty bad, apparently we have a green carpet in the living room, it's blue to me. Mrs S has purple hair, I know this since that's what it says it on the on the box of dye, that's blue too.

Traffic lights? Nearly gave my licence back after running one on red at 50mph  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 19 April, 2016, 02:41:01 pm
I suspect Kim is thinking of stage lighting gels. so use a coloured gel and look to see if the item gains contrast or not to aid in distinguishing colours. Obviously this requires some colour sensitivity and enough knowledge of your own sight to be able to interpret the effects.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 19 April, 2016, 03:41:56 pm
Yeah, sorry, that's what I meant.

Even if your vision's completely monochromatic you could, for example, use a red gel to discriminate yellow from green, because green will go dark when viewed through the red filter.  This tends to work better for things like LEDs, which usually have a single wavelength.

Swatch books of gel samples can be obtained cheap or free from suppliers of stage stuff.  Might be worth playing around with.


My issue with traffic lights isn't that I can't tell what colour they are, it's that from a distance the green looks like a random mercury/tungsten lamp.  If it's dark, I won't always notice that there are green traffic lights until I'm fairly close (or the lights change).  Those reflective borders help, and should allow you to tell the lights apart by position.


And then sometimes, you get deliberate decoys:

(http://www.ductilebiscuit.net/gallery_albums/random/Photo0183.sized.jpg)

(click to show/hide)

I reported this to the council a couple of years ago.  They haven't fixed it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Si S on 19 April, 2016, 03:50:54 pm
Quote from: Kim on 19 April, 2016, 03:41:56 pm
Yeah, sorry, that's what I meant.

Even if your vision's completely monochromatic you could, for example, use a red gel to discriminate yellow from green, because green will go dark when viewed through the red filter.  This tends to work better for things like LEDs, which usually have a single wavelength.

Swatch books of gel samples can be obtained cheap or free from suppliers of stage stuff.  Might be worth playing around with.


My issue with traffic lights isn't that I can't tell what colour they are, it's that from a distance the green looks like a random mercury/tungsten lamp.  If it's dark, I won't always notice that there are green traffic lights until I'm fairly close (or the lights change).  Those reflective borders help, and should allow you to tell the lights apart by position.


And then sometimes, you get deliberate decoys:

(http://www.ductilebiscuit.net/gallery_albums/random/Photo0183.sized.jpg)

(click to show/hide)

I reported this to the council a couple of years ago.  They haven't fixed it.

Cheers Kim, I'll find a source and play.

Yes the red I jumped had no borders on it. They're essential if I don't want to get beeped at every light for slowing  ::-) Not that I care.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 20 April, 2016, 02:33:37 pm
Swimming pool. I understand you've changed your timetable (for GCSE assessments apparently, god knows what exam they take in the pool). I appreciate that you've put up a sign in reception to warn me of the fact. It's not entirely useful for those who aren't in your reception, especially as you only made the change yesterday afternoon. The online pool timetable is thataway ->

Even worse was trying to make the local free-sheet paper last twenty-five minutes.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 21 April, 2016, 10:05:39 am
When the weather is fine
Be sure it's the time
For messing about at the bloody accountant's all afternoon to get out the company's annual balance sheet for the fiscal ferrets.

Balls.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 21 April, 2016, 02:34:30 pm
Oh well, that went faster than I expected. 

Seems that the bloody inefficient Social Security failed to deduct my contributions from the company's account last year so they'll be dunning us for the lot at one fell swoop. Stupid 7w@zorz.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 24 April, 2016, 04:42:32 pm
I got two little grumbles:
David's PAYG Oyster card did not work today. I worked yesterday and there's plenty of credit on it.
David's iPad has no data. There's a 30 day rolling DD (which has been running for YEARS) set up but the April DD has not been actioned. Nobody at O2 seems to know why.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SteveC on 25 April, 2016, 08:50:29 pm
Is there a special place in hell reserved for people who produce 13A plugs with the cables coming out of the top, rather than the bottom? I now have three power supplies taking up six of the eight sockets on the multi-way on my desk.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: bumper on 25 April, 2016, 08:55:38 pm
Quote from: SteveC on 25 April, 2016, 08:50:29 pm
Is there a special place in hell reserved for people who produce 13A plugs with the cables coming out of the top, rather than the bottom? I now have three power supplies taking up six of the eight sockets on the multi-way on my desk.

I hope there is. Hopefully the people who design plugs that are too wide to fit in between or on the end of a multi plug extension will join them!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 25 April, 2016, 09:04:35 pm
Like the people who installed the sockets under the floor under my desk at work - with the bits where the cables point out facing each other, making it difficult to use all four.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 26 April, 2016, 12:33:48 am
Quote from: bumper on 25 April, 2016, 08:55:38 pm
Quote from: SteveC on 25 April, 2016, 08:50:29 pm
Is there a special place in hell reserved for people who produce 13A plugs with the cables coming out of the top, rather than the bottom? I now have three power supplies taking up six of the eight sockets on the multi-way on my desk.

I hope there is. Hopefully the people who design plugs that are too wide to fit in between or on the end of a multi plug extension will join them!

That's sometimes done deliberately to ensure that wall-warts have adequate air circulation.  Because they've never heard of a kettle/radio/cloverleaf lead.   >:(

Actually, the C5/C6 connector can go directly to the same circle of hell.  It is, as far as I can tell, pointlessly incompatible.    Just use the C13/C14 FFS.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 26 April, 2016, 11:03:46 am
That feeling you get when you screw the crank extractor all the way in but it still drags all the thread out instad of pulling the crank off the axle . . .
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 26 April, 2016, 06:23:52 pm
Quote from: Torslanda on 26 April, 2016, 11:03:46 am
That feeling you get when you screw the crank extractor all the way in but it still drags all the thread out instad of pulling the crank off the axle . . .

Is that the Meaning of Liff entry for Wendover?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 27 April, 2016, 09:10:53 am
No but it's doubled the cost of the job and caused bruised hands . . .
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 27 April, 2016, 02:02:16 pm
Virgin trains - blue text on a red background on your ticket machines? Really? What marketing moron picked that?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 27 April, 2016, 08:49:12 pm
There was I, thinking how kind it was, for the railcard folk to email me to let me know I could simply renew my senior railcard online.  How thoughtful, I'll do that right now, especially as its cheaper than buying it at the station for just a year.

SEVENTY FUCKING QUID!  Er, it seems to have gone up in price a bit, doesn't it?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 27 April, 2016, 09:30:25 pm
Is that one year or three?
I renewed my Disabled Adult Railcard earlier in the year for three years, which was cheaper but still quite costly.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 28 April, 2016, 01:26:12 am
That's a three year price. One year is still £30.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 29 April, 2016, 08:53:48 am
What do you mean STILL £30?  4 years ago it was £20, and when I renewed for three years online the following year, it was a saving on 3x £20.  I know all aspects of rail travel have gone up in price, but that's one hell of an increase.

The first year I had to buy it at a station, as back then, you couldn't even APPLY till you were 60, thus meaning that if you wanted to travel on your 60th birthday (as surely many do, wanting a 60th birthday treat day out) you had to buy the railcard at the station on the day.  Now, they've changed it so you can apply before you are 60, as long as the start date is on or after your 60th birthday.

I need mine on my 60th birthday, as I had a meeting to attend in York.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 29 April, 2016, 02:17:23 pm
Swim Coach? Swim Coach? Did I wake up this morning and fail to realise I had been transported to the other side of The Pond?

This is Maidenhead, where we speak The Queens England. Your T Shirt should read Swimming Instructor or Swimming Teacher, not bloody Swim Coach.

And while we are at it, when you get changed after a session of instruction or teaching (see what I did there, no mention of coaching) please hang your t shirt, costume and several pairs of shorts to dry carefully. I am getting a tad annoyed with constantly putting on a wet top before cycling home.

Failure to do so will result in TEH BEAR coming after you wearing a 'Run For Your Fecking Life Instructor' T Shirt.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 29 April, 2016, 03:47:45 pm
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 29 April, 2016, 02:17:23 pm
Failure to do so will result in TEH BEAR coming after you wearing a 'Run For Your Fecking Life, Coach' T Shirt.

FTFY
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 30 April, 2016, 10:17:50 am
Sending the gardener round at 09:30 on a Saturday is "not appropriate" according to Stupid Woman who has just left a message on my answering machine.  And now Stupid Woman will be grumpy all weekend because the managing agents she thought she was ringing won't call back.

I'm going to have to change the outgoing message to "if you want $AGENTS try calling their number instead of mine" >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 30 April, 2016, 10:31:51 am
They won't listen anyway, you know that right?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 30 April, 2016, 12:40:40 pm
Indeed.  I used to get idiots wanting Waltham Forest council in spite of the "I'm not Waltham Forest council" part of the outgoing message but I think that number has fallen into disuse.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 30 April, 2016, 01:37:01 pm
Twisted my ankle climbing over the garden fence to shove misdelivered mail into the neighbour's post-box.  Checked it on the turbo since: yup, nasty twinge halfway round the cycle when I'm standing on the pedals.

$#!7 neighbours, not having a name or number on their box. $#!7 postie, shoving it into ours so that we could do her job for her. In fact, $#!7 in general. $#!7.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 01 May, 2016, 07:33:47 am
Achilles, @#cking ar$e
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 01 May, 2016, 08:20:18 am
Quote from: ElyDave on 01 May, 2016, 07:33:47 am
Achilles, @#cking ar$e

Not good at anatomy, ElyDave? :) ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 01 May, 2016, 08:45:43 am
Hobbling today. :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 01 May, 2016, 09:32:51 am
Quote from: tiermat on 01 May, 2016, 08:20:18 am
Quote from: ElyDave on 01 May, 2016, 07:33:47 am
Achilles, @#cking ar$e

Not good at anatomy, ElyDave? :) ;)

I know my Achilles from my elbow, one 'king hurts, the other doesn't.

Only exercise this week has been 30 min on the turbo. May try and get out later today on a route with bail out options.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 01 May, 2016, 11:26:12 am
Quote from: ElyDave on 01 May, 2016, 07:33:47 am
Achilles, @#cking ar$e

Oedipus! Your mum wants you . . .
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 01 May, 2016, 02:41:44 pm
I broke my best fingernail!   :'(

I'll have to cut them all now, and they were really long  :'(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 01 May, 2016, 05:30:20 pm
I won't reTweet this image but despair of the scientific literacy of the chatterati.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ChYQLO9WwAANhPB.jpg)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 01 May, 2016, 05:35:45 pm
That's, erm, well...  No, on second thoughts, it's about as scientifically sound as some of the stuff in the Investigatory Powers Bill.  Scientific literacy is a disadvantage in government, when you can simply legislate around the laws of nature.  So it makes perfect sense for petitions to make no sense.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 01 May, 2016, 06:40:33 pm
Excuse me Mr Co-op, you website says you shut at 16:00, the sign by the door says you shut at 16:00.  So why when I arrive at 15:55 (GPS time) are your shutters all down, the lights off and can I see your staff exiting the rear door?  By the time I got to Tesco it was 16:00 precisely and I was legitimately turned away.  Take a guess where I'll go first for next weeks shop.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 02 May, 2016, 09:01:09 am
Morrisons?   ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 02 May, 2016, 03:18:29 pm
Well that protest lasted a long time.  Went to Tesco today go get that which I failed to obtain yesterday, the most exotic of ingredients - risotto rice.  4 types of long grain, 10 types of basmati, 2 types of brown and 135 types of unflavoured and flavoured lazy bastard boil in a bag rice.  I asked and was taken back to the same shelf where "It's just he.... oh!".  Tappity tappity on the computer - not found.  "Sorry sir it seems we don't stock that any more".  Back to Co-op then.

Morrissons is a 90 min round trip or most of a day by bike (not a chance in this weather).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 02 May, 2016, 03:47:34 pm
Still hobbling, on the most beautiful cycling day there's been this year. :demon: :demon:

Next time the neighbour's post lands in our box it's going in the bin.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andyoxon on 02 May, 2016, 09:33:55 pm
Oven friendly frying pans, are not thumb and finger friendly when one takes them out of a 180C oven, then forgets they've been in the oven...  Grasping ice block for ~30mins followed by smothering in aloe vera gel, from freshly plucked stem...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 02 May, 2016, 09:51:33 pm
Ice also burns, better to use cold water...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andyoxon on 02 May, 2016, 11:07:55 pm
Thanks.  I did about 10mins under tap - then ice block, one of those with the thick plastic casing that actually didn't feel that cold.  Now have a 1x1.5cm 'low profile' blister on my thumb, not too bad.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 02 May, 2016, 11:50:24 pm
Quote from: SoreTween on 01 May, 2016, 06:40:33 pm
Excuse me Mr Co-op, you website says you shut at 16:00, the sign by the door says you shut at 16:00.  So why when I arrive at 15:55 (GPS time) are your shutters all down, the lights off and can I see your staff exiting the rear door?  By the time I got to Tesco it was 16:00 precisely and I was legitimately turned away.  Take a guess where I'll go first for next weeks shop.

That happened to me at one of the LBSes yesterday, and it was only 15.51. :-\ Went to other LBS, which was open until 18.00, instead.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 04 May, 2016, 09:30:52 pm
While I was loading my bike up with all the crap I bought or had delivered to work today, it fell over and one of the brake levers snapped in half :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: bumper on 04 May, 2016, 09:44:21 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 04 May, 2016, 09:30:52 pm
While I was loading my bike up with all the crap I bought or had delivered to work today, it fell over and one of the brake levers snapped in half :(

On the plus side you'll be buying not crap to fix your bike and having that delivered to work :thumbsup:

just watch how you load it onto you bike!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 05 May, 2016, 07:00:39 pm
David's smelly piano associate has been >4½ hours and has knocked a small bust off a shelf, smashing a bakelite (I think)  twin electrical socket, which will need to be replaced.
I still want to vote, molish a cake and hang out the washing1.

My senses are overloaded by his voice, indifferent piano playing, olfactory abuse.

1) Task deferred on account of smelly 'friend' being a Clumsy Oaf.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 06 May, 2016, 11:57:15 am
Registered letters from the bank, one for missus, one for me. Dunno about the UK, but over here a registered letter means something dire threatens, so adrenalin surges. We rip the damned things open to find that they're simply telling us that since we've reached retirement age (years ago) we can probably cash up on our savings plans.

Pass the trinitrin spray, someone.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 06 May, 2016, 01:04:18 pm
We have brown envelopes, posted third-class with "DWP" and/or "HMRC" written on them to fulfil that function.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 09 May, 2016, 01:53:32 pm
Exile office is officially TOO FUCKING HOT. 28C on my clock and that's with blinds closed and windows wide open. HR offered me a fan, which I didn't tell them to SHOVE where it belonged. I have a meeting at 2pm which is the only reason I've not sent an email to relevant management with "Lair too hot to function in, gone home cos not reasonable" aka "pick a fight if you dare!".

Evil-Office had no ventilation this morning and was actually more stagnant and airless than usual, but at least not noisy. Ventilation came back on, but was not making a noticeable difference.  Expect heat fun in there too this summer.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 09 May, 2016, 02:09:18 pm
Hot offices are grim and tiring. We regularly hit over 30oC in our old condemned portakabin office anytime between March and mid-October if the sun came out. Unfortunately there is no statutory maximum temperature in an office in the UK.

From experience 28oC was the point at which concentration became difficult and productivity took a dive.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Lady Cavendish on 09 May, 2016, 02:15:01 pm
Our office is 28+ from about May to September! I genuinely have no clue why this is. Can live with it though.... would rather that than freeze to death
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 09 May, 2016, 02:22:11 pm
I would much prefer a cold office. If it's cold you can add layers. Too hot and after a point you run out of layers to remove.

I miss my old lab which had to be 20 +/- 0.5 oC for the machines to work.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 09 May, 2016, 02:24:21 pm
My old lab was meant to be held at 18-20C but the manager used to complain he was cold and set the heating/air-conditioning to 27.

Boiling it was.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 09 May, 2016, 04:15:29 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 09 May, 2016, 02:22:11 pm
I would much prefer a cold office. If it's cold you can add layers. Too hot and after a point you run out of layers to remove.

I miss my old lab which had to be 20 +/- 0.5 oC for the machines to work.

And if you leave the heating on, on the warmest night of the year, your house guest can't sleep.

Sorry about that mcshroom  ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 09 May, 2016, 05:20:32 pm
AIUI 28C is the temperature at which you will be thermally in balance if you are stark naked and immobile.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 09 May, 2016, 05:26:10 pm
I suspect my coworkers would have had words if I'd stripped off.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 09 May, 2016, 05:30:49 pm
That is the point!
The correct temperature for a nude ICU patient is unsuitable for mobile staff...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 09 May, 2016, 09:00:03 pm
Yeah, in fairness I don't think it actually ever got to 27C it was just blooming hot. Aircon/heat and 8 GCs with ovens cycling from room temp to 320C every twenty minutes or so and then venting to the room. Toasty.

And unheated corridors in the rest of the lab so in the winter you really couldn't dress right at all. I swear somedays I spent more time taking jumpers on and off than I did doing actual work.

Oh well, I'm out of it now in a much better place  :thumbsup:

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: bumper on 10 May, 2016, 04:55:16 pm
Hi,

Your public liability insurance is due for renewal. Because you've never claimed, ever, we're going to up it by 25%*. To renew give us a call or pay us via bacs so we don't even have to speak you.

Regards
Robin Twat

*we've also added a secret endorsement that you may not find from your last policy- You're no longer covered for damage to any property you're working on
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 10 May, 2016, 07:52:10 pm
my office at home is a little airless box, no direct communication with outside.

Winter it's freezing until about 2pm when the sun gets round to the front and comes through the glass partition to the hallway.

Summer it's just hot, to the extent that I'm normally found in a pair of shorts and not much else, which is OK until someone unexpectedly add video to a call when I don't know they could.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 10 May, 2016, 10:41:59 pm
I wish Sadiq Khan didn't look like Philip Schofield.  It's very upsetting.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 11 May, 2016, 09:47:15 am
Quote from: Ruthie on 10 May, 2016, 10:41:59 pm
I wish Sadiq Khan didn't look like Philip Schofield.  It's very upsetting.

He didn't until you suggested it. Now he does though :-\

My grumble. If you were going to close a cycle cut-through at the end of a 1km dead end road over a hill, wouldn't it be a good idea to put up some sort of signage warning it's shut, rather than just tying a barrier across the gate at the end? It happens to be one of the busiest cycle routes to my workplace so I won't have been the first to come across this.

This is only a grumble because the farmer had left his access gate further down the lane unlocked so I could walk through the "Private Property, No Access" gate to bypass the closure. Otherwise it was going to be a long diversion. Judging by some of the tyre tracks, others have not known about the farmer's gate and had to go all the way round.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 11 May, 2016, 01:13:54 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 11 May, 2016, 09:47:15 am
Quote from: Ruthie on 10 May, 2016, 10:41:59 pm
I wish Sadiq Khan didn't look like Philip Schofield.  It's very upsetting.

He didn't until you suggested it. Now he does though :-\

Sadiq Khan:
(http://i4.dailyrecord.co.uk/incoming/article1425833.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/Schofield)

Phillip Schofield:
(http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/03591/sadiq-khan-manifes_3591843b.jpg)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 11 May, 2016, 01:19:02 pm
Someone badly needs to apply their l33t 'shopping 5k1llz to the bottom picture so he's holding Gordon the Gopher.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 11 May, 2016, 07:25:25 pm
Dear Odeon Cinemas,
Thank you so much for the email, timestamped 18.25 today confirming my ticket purchase for today's 15.00 screening of 'Florence Foster Jenkins'.
We enjoyed the film, thank you. As it was PG, I came with my Mum.
Please explain why it takes 24 hours to confirm electronic purchase of these tickets.
Yours etc

ETA Further weirdness has changed the timestamp to 5.47pm yesterday.
I definitely did not receive this either yesterday or earlier today.

This is the start of the full header. Perhaps someone who knows about these things can explain what's been happening.

From ODEON Tue May 10 16:47:04 2016
X-Apparently-To: helenvecht@btinternet.com; Wed, 11 May 2016 17:25:22 +0000
Return-Path: <git@odeon-job.krankikom.de>
Received-SPF: none (domain of odeon-job.krankikom.de does not designate permitted sender hosts)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 11 May, 2016, 08:16:29 pm
krankikom.de :o  Wee Jimmy goes international?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 11 May, 2016, 08:18:22 pm
Feels like I've chipped a tooth :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 11 May, 2016, 08:43:02 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 11 May, 2016, 08:16:29 pm
krankikom.de :o  Wee Jimmy goes international?

It would seem BRITAIN'S IT is not good enough for some.
My recent hotel booking for partner's stay in Dorchester on Thames went via Hotel.info, another German outfit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 11 May, 2016, 09:22:16 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 11 May, 2016, 07:25:25 pm
This is the start of the full header. Perhaps someone who knows about these things can explain what's been happening.

From ODEON Tue May 10 16:47:04 2016
X-Apparently-To: helenvecht@btinternet.com; Wed, 11 May 2016 17:25:22 +0000
Return-Path: <git@odeon-job.krankikom.de>
Received-SPF: none (domain of odeon-job.krankikom.de does not designate permitted sender hosts)

"From" lines don't normally have dates in them (it should be a name and email address), and I wouldn't trust an "X-Apparently-To" in this context (that tends to be added by mailing list software to create an audit trail).

The "Date" line is added by the sending software, and should reflect the time the message was sent (time of clicking the notional 'send' button).  This is usually the one that's wrong... either because their clock/timezone is wrong, or because it's right, but the message has been sat in an outgoing queue for ages before actually being sent on.

"Received" lines (which may span multiple lines) are the ones to look at for working out when it was sent.  They tell you when it reached each SMTP server in the delivery chain.  Those tend to have accurate clocks.  Mail may spend non-trivial amounts of time sitting in one SMTP server before being delivered to the next, typically because of network problems or high load. 

There's an optional "Delivery-date" header that the receiving mail server may add to show the time it was delivered to your mail box.  Not all servers do this.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 11 May, 2016, 09:41:31 pm
17.25 GMT = 18.25 BST, which is when mail hit my inbox.

I bought the tickets yesterday evening and the 16.47 time seems about right.

Here is the tail end of the header

X-Originating-IP: [194.77.82.27]
X-OWM-Source-IP: 194.77.82.27(DE)
X-OWM-Env-Sender: git@odeon-job.krankikom.de
X-CTCH-RefID: str=0001.0A0B0201.57336B00.0293:SCGSTAT1769378,ss=1,re=-4.000,recu=0.000,reip=0.000,cl=1,cld=1,fgs=1024
X-CTCH-VOD: Unknown
X-CTCH-Spam: Valid-Bulk
Received: from odeon-job.krankikom.de (194.77.82.27) by rgin11.bt.ext.cpcloud.co.uk (9.0.019.04)
        id 571F3FDE4894DA6E for helenvecht@btinternet.com; Wed, 11 May 2016 18:25:14 +0100
Received: by odeon-job.krankikom.de (Postfix, from userid 1011)
   id 4E33D439D4E; Tue, 10 May 2016 17:47:04 +0100 (BST)
To: helenvecht@btinternet.com
Subject: ODEON BOOKING CONFIRMATION
Date: Tue, 10 May 2016 17:47:04 +0100
From: ODEON <booking@odeoncinemas.info>
Message-ID: <eeaae3b49442175735c1ab4a1882ee12@localhost.localdomain>
X-Priority: 3
X-Mailer: PHPMailer [version 1.73]
X-TicketBoxX-ID: 36512770@
X-TicketBoxX-Country: uk
X-TicketBoxX-Website: odeon
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: multipart/alternative;
   boundary="b1_eeaae3b49442175735c1ab4a1882ee12"
Content-Length: 12473

The whole process seems as useful as a chocolate teapot!

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 11 May, 2016, 09:49:39 pm
So the message sat in odeon-job.krankikom.de for a little more than a day, for some reason.  Either because it wasn't trying or wasn't able to send (maybe it had network problems, or had crashed), or because the btinternet MXwasn't responding.

On balance of probabilities, I'm not going to blame our-favourite-telco for this one...

If it were $another_major_cinema_chain, then I'd be surprised it got through at all.  I know someone who used to have to wrangle their systems.


ETA: I suppose it could have got through to a BT server and had the message temporarily rejected for some reason, causing it to be queued.  Like if the disk server holding your inbox was AWOL, for example.  Or a misguided attempt at rejecting spam.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 11 May, 2016, 10:17:55 pm
I would not be surprised if it's a misguided attempt at stopping spam.
My spam folder often gets non-spam bulk mail.

I am in the habit of always noting any numbers/codes before closing pages so I am not dependent on confirmation emails.
Just as well.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 11 May, 2016, 11:08:38 pm
Important Stuffs get "printed" to PDF and saved on Dropbox.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 12 May, 2016, 08:23:32 am
A politics forum I frequent is up the Swannee this morning which means I've got to do some work instead.

Bah
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 12 May, 2016, 08:28:44 am
Walking along with my son while he smoked his stinky roll-up, just after we passed a bin (with those stinking stub-out things for cigs), he drops it on the pavement, stubs it out with his boot and kicks it into a crack between slabs. First I had a go at him. Then his girlfriend had a go at him. Then I kicked him in the arse, literally (but not very hard).

I hate it when people drop their fags on the pavement.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 12 May, 2016, 09:51:35 am
Quote from: mrcharly on 12 May, 2016, 08:28:44 am
Walking along with my son while he smoked his stinky roll-up, just after we passed a bin (with those stinking stub-out things for cigs), he drops it on the pavement, stubs it out with his boot and kicks it into a crack between slabs. First I had a go at him. Then his girlfriend had a go at him. Then I kicked him in the arse, literally (but not very hard).

I hate it when people drop their fags on the pavement.

I hate it when people's discarded fag ends get blown en-masse into my front yard.  Yech.  And their fag wrappers and scratch cards.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 12 May, 2016, 09:57:48 am
In the 70s I was down in Croydon on a course with a couple of colleagues. One of them came into my room for a natter, in the course of which he knocked the ash off his fag onto the carpet and remarked "I love staying in hotels, you can do things you wouldn't at home".
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 12 May, 2016, 10:00:44 am
Quote from: T42 on 12 May, 2016, 09:57:48 am
... he knocked the ash off his fag onto the carpet and remarked "I love staying in hotels, you can do things you wouldn't at home".

Does this include defenestrating colleagues who've just filthied-up your carpet?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 12 May, 2016, 10:21:51 am
What, and litter the pavement outside? Tut.

Back in the 60s he'd have been tossing the butt as well.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Zipperhead on 12 May, 2016, 02:00:33 pm
Quote from: T42 on 12 May, 2016, 10:21:51 am
Back in the 60s he'd have been tossing the butt as well.

Is that a euphemism?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jakob W on 12 May, 2016, 03:06:12 pm
Turned an ankle on uneven pavement and sprained my foot. Now hobbling around like Igor.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 12 May, 2016, 03:24:51 pm
Quote from: Zipperhead on 12 May, 2016, 02:00:33 pm
Quote from: T42 on 12 May, 2016, 10:21:51 am
Back in the 60s he'd have been tossing the butt as well.

Is that a euphemism?

Answers on a postcard to Blue Peter...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 12 May, 2016, 04:18:20 pm
Missus bought new parrot seed and we now have moths spiralling out of the bird's cage. :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 12 May, 2016, 05:03:15 pm
I see, so you mention the fact on the phone that the train is quite busy but you still sit in the aisle seat with your small bag in the window seat.

Idiot.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Zipperhead on 12 May, 2016, 09:41:39 pm
Quote from: T42 on 12 May, 2016, 04:18:20 pm
Missus bought new parrot seed and we now have moths spiralling out of the bird's cage. :demon:

Your parrot's not called Onan is he?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ham on 12 May, 2016, 10:09:54 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 11 May, 2016, 01:19:02 pm
Someone badly needs to apply their l33t 'shopping 5k1llz to the bottom picture so he's holding Gordon the Gopher.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hALLJdRWqDU/VzTxCn8rIAI/AAAAAAAA3P8/NwH8Yskn524m9mGicMNql_dLD8lldVvkQCCo/s600/SK-GG.jpg)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 12 May, 2016, 10:43:48 pm
Quote from: Ashaman42 on 12 May, 2016, 05:03:15 pm
I see, so you mention the fact on the phone that the train is quite busy but you still sit in the aisle seat with your small bag in the window seat.

Idiot.

Hmm. I don't have too much of a problem with this: I strongly prefer the aisle seat and will always sit in it if I can, so if someone wants to use the window seat there's going to have to be some dialogue.

"Excuse me, is that seat taken?" is exactly the same whether my bag is on the seat, on the luggage rack or on the floor.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 12 May, 2016, 11:18:03 pm
Maybe. Fair enough on a quiet train but when it's busy I think at least a gesture needs to be made.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 12 May, 2016, 11:52:48 pm
What sort of gesture? I tend not to be terribly proactive in offering up such a seat, assuming that if anyone wants to use it they'll make that clear, though I'll give them access with a good grace. Equally, there are some journeys where, as the latecomer, I'll choose not to ask, preferring to stand rather than get someone to shuffle out of my way so I can shoot down and then, ten minutes later, having to do the whole thing in reverse.

Were there folk standing on this train?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 13 May, 2016, 07:35:59 am
Quote from: Zipperhead on 12 May, 2016, 09:41:39 pm
Quote from: T42 on 12 May, 2016, 04:18:20 pm
Missus bought new parrot seed and we now have moths spiralling out of the bird's cage. :demon:

Your parrot's not called Onan is he?

Nor yet is he Algonquin.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 13 May, 2016, 09:43:13 am
Quote from: jsabine on 12 May, 2016, 11:52:48 pm
What sort of gesture? I tend not to be terribly proactive in offering up such a seat, assuming that if anyone wants to use it they'll make that clear, though I'll give them access with a good grace. Equally, there are some journeys where, as the latecomer, I'll choose not to ask, preferring to stand rather than get someone to shuffle out of my way so I can shoot down and then, ten minutes later, having to do the whole thing in reverse.

Were there folk standing on this train?

Sorry, but that attitude is bloody rude and inconsiderate.  If you only buy one ticket, you get one seat (if you're lucky) so if the train is at all busy, then you make sure you occupy only one seat, and make it easy for others to access the seats that they have paid for.  If the train is really empty, then its OK to spread a little, but if someone wants to sit by the window and your bag is there, you move it, without being asked.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 13 May, 2016, 10:52:34 am
Yeah. The painfully shy or timid person who finds it hard to pluck up courage to ask gets left standing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 13 May, 2016, 02:25:44 pm
Bugger.  Both the local decent restaurants close at 3 on Sunday. (Mrs B's mumble-tieth)
How are you supposed to enjoy a fine meal at 1 o'clock?  On a Sunday that is breakfast time.

No. We can't go on Saturday.  Mrs. B has just buggered off for a stupidly expensive weekend of spa-ing and pampering at Celtic Manor with her girl friends.
No.  We won't be going anywhere for pub grub.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 13 May, 2016, 06:47:47 pm
You'll just have to cook something special for her then Basil. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 13 May, 2016, 09:26:51 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 11 May, 2016, 07:25:25 pm
Dear Odeon Cinemas,
Thank you so much for the email, timestamped 18.25 today confirming my ticket purchase for today's 15.00 screening of 'Florence Foster Jenkins'.
We enjoyed the film, thank you. As it was PG, I came with my Mum.
Please explain why it takes 24 hours to confirm electronic purchase of these tickets.
Yours etc

I'll see your couple of hours and raise you the fifty-mumble days which have elapsed between my receiving an item bought on ebay and the receipt of an e-mail telling me it's been despatched ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 13 May, 2016, 09:51:20 pm
I have this evening purchased an item from ebay.
I note the vendor is situated on the other side of Brent, some 10km away.
Wonder when I'll receive said item and how far it will travel...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: orienteer on 13 May, 2016, 11:07:53 pm
When tracking items from overseas thru Royal Mail, I see them arrive at Heathrow (about 4 miles away), then spend several days being transported to Birmingham and back. No wonder our roads are so busy.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 13 May, 2016, 11:16:39 pm
This item is supposed to be sent via Royal Mail Second Class.

Greenford would be fair and reasonable; Windsor/Slough slightly less so.

If I lived 200m south, my address would be in London NW9, not Edgware HA8 and my package would take a totally different path.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 13 May, 2016, 11:18:50 pm
Quote from: Ham on 12 May, 2016, 10:09:54 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 11 May, 2016, 01:19:02 pm
Someone badly needs to apply their l33t 'shopping 5k1llz to the bottom picture so he's holding Gordon the Gopher.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hALLJdRWqDU/VzTxCn8rIAI/AAAAAAAA3P8/NwH8Yskn524m9mGicMNql_dLD8lldVvkQCCo/s600/SK-GG.jpg)

Yep.  Still upsetting  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 14 May, 2016, 01:49:05 am
Quote from: Wombat on 13 May, 2016, 09:43:13 am
Quote from: jsabine on 12 May, 2016, 11:52:48 pm
What sort of gesture? I tend not to be terribly proactive in offering up such a seat, assuming that if anyone wants to use it they'll make that clear, though I'll give them access with a good grace. Equally, there are some journeys where, as the latecomer, I'll choose not to ask, preferring to stand rather than get someone to shuffle out of my way so I can shoot sit down and then, ten minutes later, having to do the whole thing in reverse.

Were there folk standing on this train?

Sorry, but that attitude is bloody rude and inconsiderate. 

Eh? I've just said I'll give them access with a good grace. How is that rude or inconsiderate?

Quote
If you only buy one ticket, you get one seat (if you're lucky) so if the train is at all busy, then you make sure you occupy only one seat, and make it easy for others to access the seats that they have paid for.  If the train is really empty, then its OK to spread a little, but if someone wants to sit by the window and your bag is there, you move it, without being asked.

No-one's said anything about *not* making it easy for others to access the seat, beyond the simple fact of sitting in the aisle seat.

Once I have done that - sat in an aisle seat - then if someone wants to sit in the window seat, then they will have to engage with me in some way. This may be by asking if the seat is free, it may be by tapping me on the shoulder, it may be by catching my eye, it may be by standing passively until I ask if they want to sit down. (It may be by forcing their way past me, treading on my corns, but I hope not.)

Given that I wouldn't expect someone who's indicated that they'd like to use the seat beside me to ask separately for my bag, if any, to be moved, then the bag is something of a red herring, so I'll repeat the question I asked of Ashaman42: what sort of gesture needs to be made?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 14 May, 2016, 07:55:43 am
Quote from: orienteer on 13 May, 2016, 11:07:53 pm
When tracking items from overseas thru Royal Mail, I see them arrive at Heathrow (about 4 miles away), then spend several days being transported to Birmingham and back. No wonder our roads are so busy.

I raise you a set of garden lights I ordered, from a company in Harrogate (about 15 miles away) that were sent to the Tyneside sorting hub (about 60 miles in the opposite direction) before heading towards me. The stupid thing is that the truck would have had to go past the town I live in (and if the A1 was shut overnight, possibly through it!) to get from point A to point B!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Paul on 15 May, 2016, 09:23:35 am
Look, I don't want to be this guy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqaQ_Bhgmrc), but where does everything go? Well, everything apart from the ballpoint pens, which are accounted for (http://h2g2.com/edited_entry/A993378/conversation/view/F117671/T261718).

Like (I suspect) many, we have several incomplete cutlery sets.

I've done a quick tally of the old cutlery against the new cutlery. Each started with 6 knives, 6 forks, 6 dessert spoons and 6 tea spoons. The survival rate is thus:

OC: 4 knives, 4 forks, 3 DS, 3 TS

NC: 6 Knives, 4 forks, 5 DS, 0 TS

How? Why? But mostly: where?

Also, where the hell is my favourite blue towel?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 15 May, 2016, 01:07:22 pm
Mrs B takes cutlery to work with her packed lunches.

Sometimes it stays there.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: citoyen on 15 May, 2016, 01:51:02 pm
Quote from: jsabine on 14 May, 2016, 01:49:05 am
Given that I wouldn't expect someone who's indicated that they'd like to use the seat beside me to ask separately for my bag, if any, to be moved, then the bag is something of a red herring, so I'll repeat the question I asked of Ashaman42: what sort of gesture needs to be made?

Leaving your bag on the seat can be read as a passive-aggressive statement to the effect that "this seat is taken" - whether you intend it that way or not.

Leaving the seat free would be a clearer signal.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 15 May, 2016, 02:03:32 pm
Why did I decide to drive over Hardknott on the way home yesterday?

This is the result of hitting a roadside rock whilst avoiding a kamikaze motorcyclist coming the other way on Wrynose. Of course, this being a modern car it only has a can of gunk in the back, which I can't see being any use here :(

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ksSqyuKtXP4/VzhxqRMUBSI/AAAAAAAALuU/7yfb56gFq1MFYUfoKgK1GA0aG0FhgfANACCo/s640/20160515_134852.jpg)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 15 May, 2016, 03:24:22 pm
Steel rim, plastic cover?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 15 May, 2016, 03:27:40 pm
Indeed. Bent steel rim and cracked plastic cover. Not worried too much about the cover and the tyre is still fully inflated, but the dented rim is going to need attention or more likely, replacement.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: davelodwig on 16 May, 2016, 07:54:01 am
Quote from: mcshroom on 15 May, 2016, 03:27:40 pm
Indeed. Bent steel rim and cracked plastic cover. Not worried too much about the cover and the tyre is still fully inflated, but the dented rim is going to need attention or more likely, replacement.

I've dented a steel rim or two,

the joy of them is often a tyre fitter with a big hammer can often put them right or at least they've always managed to for me. Given the tyre is still inflated I'd be tempted to take it into an independant tyre place and get them to take a peek.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 18 May, 2016, 05:29:57 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 13 May, 2016, 09:51:20 pm
I have this evening purchased an item from ebay.
I note the vendor is situated on the other side of Brent, some 10km away.
Wonder when I'll receive said item and how far it will travel...

I sold an item on ebay the other day. The buyer paid on Sunday night, delivery offered was RM 2nd class, dispatch in two days. I noticed the address was an office on my commute: judging from the feedback I think she was a little surprised to find it had been dropped in the mailroom at 0800 on Monday and on her desk before she arrived at work.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 18 May, 2016, 11:57:16 pm
My package arrived yesterday, by First Class Royal Mail. There was no clue on the packaging to indicate its route.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 19 May, 2016, 04:49:03 pm
why can't they put installation instructions in the various bits of stuff I've ordered to put on the new bike, rather than just the operating instructions?

Now I've got to go and search shimano and you tube.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 19 May, 2016, 06:42:02 pm
Lost credit & debit cards between work and home. Arse.  Have invoked magic spell(666) to make them reappear instantly.

Clouted ankle with laptop bag as it toppled off a chair. That smarts, and I'm meant to be doing an FNRTTC tomorrow. Arse.




666.  Called bank to stop them.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 19 May, 2016, 07:05:04 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 19 May, 2016, 06:42:02 pm
Lost credit & debit cards between work and home. Arse.  Have invoked magic spell(666) to make them reappear instantly.

Clouted ankle with laptop bag as it toppled off a chair. That smarts, and I'm meant to be doing an FNRTTC tomorrow. Arse.




666.  Called bank to stop them.

See. Looking in the Big Red box for tools for the FNRTTC and found the credit cards.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 19 May, 2016, 08:41:36 pm
Fnrttc?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 19 May, 2016, 08:43:59 pm
FNRttC (http://fridaynightridetothecoast.blogspot.co.uk/p/welcome.html)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 19 May, 2016, 08:55:39 pm
As I was waiting behind a van to cross Marlow Bridge this evening, the reversing lights came on giving me flashbacks to when a Tosco delvery driver overtook me then stopped and slammed it in reverse as he had passed his intended drop address. This manouver killed my bike and caused minor injury to me. The lights stayed on briefly even when the van moved off. I decided to let the driver know that he may have a problem so, when it stopped for traffic, I pulled up beside his window, smiled and tapped to get his attention. He sneered at me and then blanked me and moved forward. I stopped beside him again and said that I wanted to tell him about a problem with his lights. He sneered and blanked me again. I shrugged and rode off.

I am about to Gewgal the company and bring it to their attention along with the fact that the incident happened as their driver drove a big Mercedes van accross a 3 ton MGW bridge..........
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 19 May, 2016, 11:28:01 pm
Quote from: fboab on 19 May, 2016, 08:43:59 pm
FNRttC (http://fridaynightridetothecoast.blogspot.co.uk/p/welcome.html)

Ta, there would seem to be scope for that from Cambridge-ish?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 19 May, 2016, 11:30:16 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 19 May, 2016, 11:28:01 pm
Quote from: fboab on 19 May, 2016, 08:43:59 pm
FNRttC (http://fridaynightridetothecoast.blogspot.co.uk/p/welcome.html)

Ta, there would seem to be scope for that from Cambridge-ish?

Build it and they will come :)

We've done similar rides on here (See FNRttS (Smoke) and FNRtSR (Somewhere Random) for more details). All you need is a decent route, somewhere to stop that's open in the early hours, and a good place fro breakfast at the end.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 22 May, 2016, 06:25:49 pm
How have both Oxford and Cambridge ended up with such rubbish rail stations?  One doesn't expect the grandeur of London St Pancras, but surely two such grand cities should have something nicer.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 22 May, 2016, 07:57:23 pm
Quote from: Andrij on 22 May, 2016, 06:25:49 pm
How have both Oxford and Cambridge ended up with such rubbish rail stations?  One doesn't expect the grandeur of London St Pancras, but surely two such grand cities should have something nicer.

I'd keep quiet about that if I were you.  They'll only build a smaller version of Grand Central Mordor Central.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 22 May, 2016, 08:47:33 pm
I always assumed that Cambridge was optimised for freezing wind on the platform, as suits its fenland location.  A sort of early prototype for Bristol Partway.

I'm not sure what Oxford's excuse is, but it's telling that they hid it behind the bike sheds.  I used it in daylight for what may be the first time last weekend, and was underwhelmed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 22 May, 2016, 09:43:16 pm
Didn't the Cambridge dons prohibit the construction of bridges when they first allowed the new-fangled railway into their ancient city?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 23 May, 2016, 09:35:32 am
It's very true. Both Oxford and Cambridge have awful train stations, and having spent too much time in both, I've pondered the same thing. Did they once have nicer stations that got knocked down the Euston 'upgrade' era?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 23 May, 2016, 09:50:52 am
If you look at Cambridge it seems pretty old as railway stations go judging from the brickwork, but obviously shunted out to what was then the outskirts of town with little thought given to station upgrades as the town grew around it.  The extra platforms have reduced congestion, but not done anything to alleviate the wind-tunnel effect or improve the ambience.   Hasn't even got a decent pub. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 23 May, 2016, 01:42:48 pm
Oxford used to have two stations next door to each other, as in Reading. The colleges resisted them to start with, & when they gave in insisted on them being out of town. The old GWR one was replaced in the 1970s.
(http://www.oxfordtoday.ox.ac.uk/sites/files/oxford/styles/ot_full_width/public/media_wysiwyg/Oxford_OHC000073-01_SuperRes.jpg?itok=efxU0CAy)

The LNWR/LMS one (Rewley Road) was closed in 1951 & converted to other uses.
(http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/o/oxford_rewley_road/oxford(alan_young7.1994)rewley_road14.jpg)
The Said Business School is now on that site. The old station building was dismantled in 1994 & re-erected at the Buckinghamshire Railway centre.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jakob W on 23 May, 2016, 01:54:37 pm
TBF there are at least two good pubs within about 10 minutes (5 at a rush) of Cambridge station; it's just you have to go by the timetable rather than the 'sit in the pub until you see your train pull up' approach that a station pub ideally allows...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 23 May, 2016, 03:23:59 pm
true.

The best I've come across was Cleethorpes, very good station pub, serving proper John Smiths Magnet.  I wonder if I looked like a CAMRA member then as well? :P
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 23 May, 2016, 08:32:34 pm
Lurgy, just FRO, ok?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 25 May, 2016, 09:16:58 am
There's a Bank Holiday weekend coming up.

Fluorescent green viscous leakage from nose... Check
Grey-green solid lumps coughing up from chest... Check
Assorted amphibians in throat... Check

Bah
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 25 May, 2016, 09:59:09 am
^^^ Dang. :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 25 May, 2016, 11:21:35 am
Rudely awakened this morning by an electrician who didn't have a parcel for me.  Turns out that Gasman Hipsta had flagged some sort of issue with the earth bonding, and he'd been dispatched to sort it out.  This was the first we'd heard.

He'd better not be wanting to run a line all the way back to the meter...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 25 May, 2016, 11:33:29 am
you mean that not only did your landlord get a gas safety check done but he has then instigated for a tradesman to attend to remedy an identified fault without you having to raise a finger. *falls off chair*  ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 25 May, 2016, 12:07:21 pm
Quote from: matthew on 25 May, 2016, 11:33:29 am
you mean that not only did your landlord get a gas safety check done but he has then instigated for a tradesman to attend to remedy an identified fault without you having to raise a finger. *falls off chair*  ;)

Apparently so.  But there's plenty of rotting window frames, flaking paint, a disintegrated fence and so on that have been quoted for several times without action to make up for it.


TBH, I'm mostly annoyed that the gas man said everything was fine, and then flagged an issue without it getting back to us.  Though I expect it's one of those "yeah, it doesn't comply with the current regs but it's not going to kill anyone" things, else it would have been picked up previously.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 26 May, 2016, 09:59:29 am
No how matter how barking the high-echelon Nazi windbags of the Vril Society were, I'm pretty sure they wouldn't have been driven to meetings with fellow loons in RHD Austins.  Nor would they have lit their fags with Swan Vesta matches.  The people behind the "reconstructions" in rubbish documentaries on the Nazi Channel should take note.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 31 May, 2016, 12:47:21 pm
This half-term holiday week is a swizz. By having it on a bank holiday week I only get 4 days of no school-run instead of 5.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: benborp on 31 May, 2016, 02:15:48 pm
channel4.com/news

News: as a word it doesn't have the most opaque etymology. Surely something has happened of interest since you last posted on your homepage four days ago?

ETA: And almost immediately they take the wind from my sails with the astounding announcement that it is chilly for the time of year.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 01 June, 2016, 08:43:18 am
Bloody Yanks and their stupid bloody paper sizes.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 01 June, 2016, 08:48:07 am
PC LOAD LETTER!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 02 June, 2016, 12:43:36 pm
Dear Mrs Jones,

A letter addressed to you was delivered to us today. Our addresses both start with ** Sta, which is where the similarity ends. I have found your postcode and will arrange to repost your letter.

All the best,
Me

(Mrs Jones' postcode starts with PR8, which is a LONG way from me in HA8...)
This is what can happen if you don't put a postcode on an otherwise well-addressed envelope!!!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 02 June, 2016, 01:31:42 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 02 June, 2016, 12:43:36 pm
Dear Mrs Jones,

A letter addressed to you was delivered to us today. Our addresses both start with ** Sta, which is where the similarity ends. I have found your postcode and will arrange to repost your letter.

All the best,
Me

(Mrs Jones' postcode starts with PR8, which is a LONG way from me in HA8...)
This is what can happen if you don't put a postcode on an otherwise well-addressed envelope!!!

More post code fun:

I was filling in an online form last night.

Enter postcode, hit search.  Form returns options for complete address
17 wibbly road
Crawley

Computer then sa
We have more than one "Crawley".  Did you mean Crawley, West Sussex, Crawley, Oxfordshire or Crawley Hampshire

Umm, I think I meant the one attached to the RH postcode that I just entered.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 02 June, 2016, 01:42:10 pm
We are going to have post fun soon.
Across road from us there are new houses being built. The development will be called 'Holgate Mews'. There will be a 5 Holgate Mews. That will have the same postcode as my house, which is also number 5.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: geraldc on 02 June, 2016, 01:46:06 pm
This grauniad article made me laugh http://www.theguardian.com/money/2016/jun/02/my-year-of-buying-nothing-six-months-in

Apparently only spending money on bills and food and cycling everywhere is opting out of the consumer rat race. There have been times when I've done that. It's called being skint.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 02 June, 2016, 01:48:30 pm
Writing an article about it for the Graun makes it opting out. The skint are those who can't/don't/won't.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 02 June, 2016, 01:52:50 pm
It's very easy to opt out of buying stuff when you've already got plenty of stuff.  This is what all those politicians who claim they could easily live on $smallnum for a week are carefully handwaving, and those angry idiots who complain about benefits claimants having $expensive_items overlook.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 02 June, 2016, 02:04:46 pm
Yeah. When my income crashed a few years ago, I owned a full wardrobe, a few bicycles including a nice new titanium one, a car (shared with Mrs B), a full set of household utensils & the usual consumer durables, furniture, etc., & a house to put it all in. Even if I'd not had savings & Mrs B, I'd have been vastly better off than someone with the same income but who owned little more than the clothes on his back.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 02 June, 2016, 02:35:12 pm
Being broke is much more expensive than being comfortably-off.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 02 June, 2016, 02:36:14 pm
Quote from: Kim on 02 June, 2016, 01:52:50 pm
It's very easy to opt out of buying stuff when you've already got plenty of stuff.  This is what all those politicians who claim they could easily live on $smallnum for a week are carefully handwaving, and those angry idiots who complain about benefits claimants having $expensive_items overlook.

Too true!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 02 June, 2016, 02:40:41 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 02 June, 2016, 01:42:10 pm
We are going to have post fun soon.
Across road from us there are new houses being built. The development will be called 'Holgate Mews'. There will be a 5 Holgate Mews. That will have the same postcode as my house, which is also number 5.

Are you sure they'll have the same postcode?
Houses across the road here have different postcodes.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hulver on 02 June, 2016, 02:51:18 pm
Quote from: Kim on 02 June, 2016, 01:52:50 pm
It's very easy to opt out of buying stuff when you've already got plenty of stuff.  This is what all those politicians who claim they could easily live on $smallnum for a week are carefully handwaving, and those angry idiots who complain about benefits claimants having $expensive_items overlook.

The Sam Vimes "Boots" Theory of Economic Injustice.

Quote
“The reason that the rich were so rich, Vimes reasoned, was because they managed to spend less money.

Take boots, for example. He earned thirty-eight dollars a month plus allowances. A really good pair of leather boots cost fifty dollars. But an affordable pair of boots, which were sort of OK for a season or two and then leaked like hell when the cardboard gave out, cost about ten dollars. Those were the kind of boots Vimes always bought, and wore until the soles were so thin that he could tell where he was in Ankh-Morpork on a foggy night by the feel of the cobbles.

But the thing was that good boots lasted for years and years. A man who could afford fifty dollars had a pair of boots that'd still be keeping his feet dry in ten years' time, while the poor man who could only afford cheap boots would have spent a hundred dollars on boots in the same time and would still have wet feet.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 02 June, 2016, 02:52:49 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 02 June, 2016, 02:40:41 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 02 June, 2016, 01:42:10 pm
We are going to have post fun soon.
Across road from us there are new houses being built. The development will be called 'Holgate Mews'. There will be a 5 Holgate Mews. That will have the same postcode as my house, which is also number 5.

Are you sure they'll have the same postcode?
House across the road here have different postcodes.
100% certain. There are very few houses on the other side of the road, since most of one side of the road is a park. Maybe 10 houses in total (including the 5 under construction), vs mebbe 60 on my side.
Although the houses haven't been finished yet, the addresses are already coming up on postcode searches when entering the postcode.
It's going to be such fun with couriers, not.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 02 June, 2016, 04:57:00 pm
Dear Aliza, from UK Claims service,
If you start a call with 'Shalom' and I answer in Ivrit, do not reward me with silence/call centre background.
Just BOG OFF! I don't do these calls in ANY polite language!

I think I surprised both myself and the caller when I did this!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 02 June, 2016, 07:48:48 pm
just read the instructions on my new swimming goggles. Starts with a warning "will not prevent drowning"

Do they really need to say that? Are people really that stupid?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 02 June, 2016, 08:11:56 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 02 June, 2016, 07:48:48 pm
just read the instructions on my new swimming goggles. Starts with a warning "will not prevent drowning"

Do they really need to say that? Are people really that stupid?

Yes.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pedaldog. on 03 June, 2016, 12:21:33 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 02 June, 2016, 02:40:41 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 02 June, 2016, 01:42:10 pm
We are going to have post fun soon.
Across road from us there are new houses being built. The development will be called 'Holgate Mews'. There will be a 5 Holgate Mews. That will have the same postcode as my house, which is also number 5.

Are you sure they'll have the same postcode?
House across the road here have different postcodes.

my address is Flt 3, **** court, Mainway.
my "On the maps address is 3 Mainway.
there are some new (..ish) houses about 30 yards away called "Hills Court" and they are on Mainway, have a number 3 and the same postcode as mine.
It makes the  electronic address generating things get confused a lot of the time!

if we have a fill in postman he gets quite confused.
Luckily we have a pretty regular postie and I always tell people to use the Full address.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 03 June, 2016, 05:09:05 am
Quote from: Ruthie on 02 June, 2016, 08:11:56 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 02 June, 2016, 07:48:48 pm
just read the instructions on my new swimming goggles. Starts with a warning "will not prevent drowning"

Do they really need to say that? Are people really that stupid?

Yes.
When I was involved in SCUBA diving, on more than one occasion we had non-swimmers turn up to try-dive evenings.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 03 June, 2016, 07:08:40 am
Quote from: Vince on 03 June, 2016, 05:09:05 am
Quote from: Ruthie on 02 June, 2016, 08:11:56 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 02 June, 2016, 07:48:48 pm
just read the instructions on my new swimming goggles. Starts with a warning "will not prevent drowning"

Do they really need to say that? Are people really that stupid?

Yes.
When I was involved in SCUBA diving, on more than one occasion we had non-swimmers turn up to try-dive evenings.

I'm no diver, but I would have thought easier than it sounds? What with all that buoyancy of cylinder, rubber suit etc?

Always interesting when you get the non-swimmers on the offshore survival training, with the underwater escape stuff.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 03 June, 2016, 07:40:37 am
Blood UK: You waste hundreds m(maybe thousands) of Pounds sending incompletely addressed letters to my place of work, despite being told that this happens.

Also, on a personal level, you write to me, text me, email me and call me - at home at 8pm - to chide me into donating. I will give, but in my own good time, so bugger off with the 'reminders'. I'm hoping my account updates will rein you in somewhat...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 03 June, 2016, 07:54:10 am
Quote from: ElyDave on 03 June, 2016, 07:08:40 am
Quote from: Vince on 03 June, 2016, 05:09:05 am
Quote from: Ruthie on 02 June, 2016, 08:11:56 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 02 June, 2016, 07:48:48 pm
just read the instructions on my new swimming goggles. Starts with a warning "will not prevent drowning"

Do they really need to say that? Are people really that stupid?

Yes.
When I was involved in SCUBA diving, on more than one occasion we had non-swimmers turn up to try-dive evenings.

I'm no diver, but I would have thought easier than it sounds? What with all that buoyancy of cylinder, rubber suit etc?
If you are a non-swimmer, how do you cope when things go wrong? There is more to swimming than doing lengths in a pool.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 03 June, 2016, 08:26:07 am
Quote from: mrcharly on 03 June, 2016, 07:54:10 am
Quote from: ElyDave on 03 June, 2016, 07:08:40 am
Quote from: Vince on 03 June, 2016, 05:09:05 am
Quote from: Ruthie on 02 June, 2016, 08:11:56 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 02 June, 2016, 07:48:48 pm
just read the instructions on my new swimming goggles. Starts with a warning "will not prevent drowning"

Do they really need to say that? Are people really that stupid?

Yes.
When I was involved in SCUBA diving, on more than one occasion we had non-swimmers turn up to try-dive evenings.

I'm no diver, but I would have thought easier than it sounds? What with all that buoyancy of cylinder, rubber suit etc?
If you are a non-swimmer, how do you cope when things go wrong? There is more to swimming than doing lengths in a pool.

Agreed, but how much of scuba is swimming vs knowing how to use the scuba gear safely - I speak entirely from a position of ignorance here.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 03 June, 2016, 08:33:44 am
Quote from: ElyDave on 03 June, 2016, 08:26:07 am
Quote from: mrcharly on 03 June, 2016, 07:54:10 am
Quote from: ElyDave on 03 June, 2016, 07:08:40 am
Quote from: Vince on 03 June, 2016, 05:09:05 am
Quote from: Ruthie on 02 June, 2016, 08:11:56 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 02 June, 2016, 07:48:48 pm
just read the instructions on my new swimming goggles. Starts with a warning "will not prevent drowning"

Do they really need to say that? Are people really that stupid?

Yes.
When I was involved in SCUBA diving, on more than one occasion we had non-swimmers turn up to try-dive evenings.

I'm no diver, but I would have thought easier than it sounds? What with all that buoyancy of cylinder, rubber suit etc?
If you are a non-swimmer, how do you cope when things go wrong? There is more to swimming than doing lengths in a pool.

Agreed, but how much of scuba is swimming vs knowing how to use the scuba gear safely - I speak entirely from a position of ignorance here.

Using it safely is all well and good but, learning how to deal with an unexpected occurrence is important. being able to assist someone in trouble is also important.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Legs on 03 June, 2016, 10:16:13 am
Quote from: Vince on 03 June, 2016, 05:09:05 am
Quote from: Ruthie on 02 June, 2016, 08:11:56 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 02 June, 2016, 07:48:48 pm
just read the instructions on my new swimming goggles. Starts with a warning "will not prevent drowning"
Do they really need to say that? Are people really that stupid?
Yes.
When I was involved in SCUBA diving, on more than one occasion we had non-swimmers turn up to try-dive evenings.
I hope they were welcomed and encouraged, though the implication of your post is that you were quite snooty towards them... ::-)  As someone who is not a strong surface-swimmer (low natural buoyancy) I will vouch that the swimming aspect of SCUBA, on the couple of times I've given it a go, is much easier - the effort that was previously diverted to flotation can be redeployed into propulsion.  It's not at all unreasonable for a non-surface-swimmer to be able to expect to enjoy diving.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 03 June, 2016, 10:50:52 am
^^^ Seconded.  I swim like a breeze-block but with flippers and my hands flat out front as a foil I can have a great time.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 03 June, 2016, 10:56:31 am
There is a big difference between a non-swimmer and a poor swimmer.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 03 June, 2016, 10:57:47 am
I'd be poor whether I could swim or not.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Paul on 03 June, 2016, 12:57:55 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 03 June, 2016, 07:54:10 am
Quote from: ElyDave on 03 June, 2016, 07:08:40 am
Quote from: Vince on 03 June, 2016, 05:09:05 am
Quote from: Ruthie on 02 June, 2016, 08:11:56 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 02 June, 2016, 07:48:48 pm
just read the instructions on my new swimming goggles. Starts with a warning "will not prevent drowning"

Do they really need to say that? Are people really that stupid?

Yes.
When I was involved in SCUBA diving, on more than one occasion we had non-swimmers turn up to try-dive evenings.

I'm no diver, but I would have thought easier than it sounds? What with all that buoyancy of cylinder, rubber suit etc?
If you are a non-swimmer, how do you cope when things go wrong? There is more to swimming than doing lengths in a pool.

This is the point. There isn't a scuba qualification for swimming pools, afaik. If you're looking to qualify, you have to be able to swim. In the sea. Possibly having lost a fin or two. And bouyancy aids. Against the tide.

Even if you just want to have a go in a pool, you'll be wearing weights. If you loose bouyancy and panic, you might drown. A swimmer will have a better chance than a non-swimmer.

(I also imagine it's quite likely that an instructor is required to assess someone's ability to swim before allowing them to gear up, if only for the purposes of his/her insurance and continued professional body membership.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Si S on 03 June, 2016, 03:02:51 pm
Quote from: Paul on 03 June, 2016, 12:57:55 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 03 June, 2016, 07:54:10 am
Quote from: ElyDave on 03 June, 2016, 07:08:40 am
Quote from: Vince on 03 June, 2016, 05:09:05 am
Quote from: Ruthie on 02 June, 2016, 08:11:56 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 02 June, 2016, 07:48:48 pm
just read the instructions on my new swimming goggles. Starts with a warning "will not prevent drowning"

Do they really need to say that? Are people really that stupid?

Yes.
When I was involved in SCUBA diving, on more than one occasion we had non-swimmers turn up to try-dive evenings.

I'm no diver, but I would have thought easier than it sounds? What with all that buoyancy of cylinder, rubber suit etc?
If you are a non-swimmer, how do you cope when things go wrong? There is more to swimming than doing lengths in a pool.

This is the point. There isn't a scuba qualification for swimming pools, afaik. If you're looking to qualify, you have to be able to swim. In the sea. Possibly having lost a fin or two. And bouyancy aids. Against the tide.


Whilst dragging your buddy along behind you. I don't think many would dive with someone who would have no choice but to leave them if it all went wrong.

People seem to forget that when diving they are entering a potentially fatal hostile environment and much knowledge and many skills need to be acquired to minimise the risks.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 03 June, 2016, 03:12:13 pm
Either that or they're used to entering potentially fatal hostile environments and just don't think about it, of course.  We see enough of that on the roads.


Anyway, I've no idea what a "try-dive evening" involves, but it sounds a long way from qualifications needed to dive at sea with someone you might end up needing to rescue.  If it could be done safely with a non-swimmer, it might be the inspiration they need to go away and acquire some proper swimming skills.


(And I second Legs' point about surface swimming vs diving.  In my anorexic pre-teenage years, I was negatively buoyant (sitting cross-legged on the bottom of the pool sort of thing), and swimming within breathing range of the surface consumed vast amounts of energy compared to blatting along underwater, which I'd do to great effect.  I've not done much swimming as an adult, but what was noticeable was that in the intervening years I'd acquired the ability to *float*, opening up all sorts of intriguing possibilities.

I'd love to have a go at SCUBA, but I'm severely out of practice with swimming, and my middle ears don't react well to rapid changes in pressure.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 03 June, 2016, 03:35:30 pm
My buoyancy is deficient, and whilst I can swim reasonably, I've never had any coaching. Main reason for never having triathlon'd
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 03 June, 2016, 03:57:34 pm
^^^ Ditto re buoyancy. Legs very heavy for some reason.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 04 June, 2016, 10:34:47 am
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 03 June, 2016, 07:40:37 am
Blood UK: You waste hundreds m(maybe thousands) of Pounds sending incompletely addressed letters to my place of work, despite being told that this happens.

Also, on a personal level, you write to me, text me, email me and call me - at home at 8pm - to chide me into donating. I will give, but in my own good time, so bugger off with the 'reminders'. I'm hoping my account updates will rein you in somewhat...
Too true.
 They keep writing to tell me how valuable my blood type is. They'd be welcome to more of it if only they'd take the narrow minded prong who schedules sessions round the back of the barn with one round chambered.  Having fixed days for a given location is fine for those it suits and 100% excludes those it does not.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 04 June, 2016, 10:58:58 am
I'm not allowed to give blood anymore >:(

Always used to fall foul of the travel to odd places rules as well
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 04 June, 2016, 12:24:50 pm
I've never been allowed to give blood.  There was a brief window where the travel and exposure to the wrong kind of filthy queers restrictions were about to time out, and they went and tightened the rules on having received a transfusion.  :(

So, anyone who is allowed to give blood, take this post as your irregular reminder to go and do so.  This recipient, for one, would be extremely grateful.  Also, I hear they have biscuits.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 04 June, 2016, 01:17:34 pm
AIUI the rules at present are that you can't give blood if you've ever received a transfusion. Which rules me out on the grounds of thinking I probably have received blood but not being able to remember precisely and not having it recorded anywhere that I can still find.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 04 June, 2016, 01:18:45 pm
So yeah, do give blood if you can. Even if you don't like biscuits.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 04 June, 2016, 01:25:04 pm
Anti-grumble: Nowadays the range of snacks on offer post-donation is massive. Orange Club biscuits included, noms. I found a local session with a time suited to my shifts, so 500ml of O- will be on offer soon.

The city-centre location in Brum gives me an excuse to travel in to get other things as well. However, they pay for car parking, but won't contribute to my train ticket.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 04 June, 2016, 01:32:24 pm
I haven't given blood for a few years. Must find a session I can get to, harder now that we don't have a car but worst case I'll borrow the MiL's car for an evening as it's a worthy cause.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 04 June, 2016, 01:34:29 pm
Can't - too much crud (a.k.a. medication) floating round in my blood.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 04 June, 2016, 06:15:10 pm
Got my 75 pint badge the other day, so I thought I'd have a go at platelets. Took a bike ride up to Tooting, where I was given the code to the bike cage. Sat around, ate some biscuits, had my veins examined, had four tubes of blood taken so they can check my platelet level, drank squash, ate more biscuits, cycled to East Croydon.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 04 June, 2016, 06:16:10 pm
I can understand that, T42, as they are very hot on any medication taken. Even my ibuprofen taken for a hangover the previous weekend gets the third degree.

The Blood set up has changed loads over the years. I first gave in '79 and then it was all white starched sheets and proper beds. The nurses prepared you and had to stand by the bed with a hand in the air to get the attention of the doctor on shift who would insert the needle. Nowadays, it's body-sculpted couches that recline and the nurse gets to do the insertion his/herself (though 'tis usually a she), fnarr, fnarr...

In Sweden you get paid a small sum for donating, but are usually expected to donate it to their equivalent of the WRVS who provide lovely coffee and cakes. In Hungary I was offered, and took, beer.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 04 June, 2016, 06:20:06 pm
Bloody noisy bloody garden bloody machinery. Mowers, strimmers and worst of all our OCD neighbour with his bloody garden bloody vacuum.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Dibdib on 04 June, 2016, 06:50:59 pm
I give whenever I can, and am up to about 12 or so I think. I got a nice badge a while ago. I figured one day I might need it, so I should bank some while I can.

Quote from: Kim on 04 June, 2016, 12:24:50 pm
So, anyone who is allowed to give blood, take this post as your irregular reminder to go and do so.  This recipient, for one, would be extremely grateful.  Also, I hear they have biscuits.

This. I only do it for the nurses' attention orange Club bisquits.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 04 June, 2016, 07:27:48 pm
I like Kim fell afoul of the dirty-queers rules then the transfusion ones too. My life was saved at days old by 3 'exchange transfusions' for very high bilirubin levels. I am told that 1-2 exchange transfusions were serious, doing a third was very unusual but they did it out of desperation. No idea how much blood that would have been, more than one pint I'm sure...

Even if eligible to donate, the fact no one seems to be able to extract my blood would probably thwart donation. My dad faints, and despite three attempts he fainted at every one. 6'2" of big heavy man fainting isn't safe so they told him to stop trying to donate. Mum donated regularly till she got cancer then was on nasty meds and no-transfusions rule.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 04 June, 2016, 09:05:16 pm
I was all right, travel excepted until three years ago, Type 1 apparently is a no no, risk to me I'm told, probably in the top 10-15% fitness wise
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 04 June, 2016, 09:32:00 pm
Lurgy in June.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 04 June, 2016, 11:49:01 pm
I used to, & got to 20-odd, then had health issues which stopped me donating. But I've just checked  one of the drugs I'm now on (there used to be others which precluded donating) & it's OK to donate while taking that. I must check the other one.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 05 June, 2016, 08:32:41 am
Quote from: rafletcher on 04 June, 2016, 06:20:06 pm
Bloody noisy bloody garden bloody machinery. Mowers, strimmers and worst of all our OCD neighbour with his bloody garden bloody vacuum.  >:(

Aye, and three+ surplus adolescents on 50cc motorbikes who came down the road doing wheelies at 02:30.  Such stuff as shotgun incidents are made of.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 05 June, 2016, 10:31:01 am
Quote from: Tim Hall on 04 June, 2016, 06:15:10 pm
Got my 75 pint badge the other day, so I thought I'd have a go at platelets. Took a bike ride up to Tooting, where I was given the code to the bike cage. Sat around, ate some biscuits, had my veins examined, had four tubes of blood taken so they can check my platelet level, drank squash, ate more biscuits, cycled to East Croydon.
Chapeau! That's truly impressive.  I've been stuck on 10 for nearly a year now due to reasons above. The forrin parts rules are other reason it's taken 9 years to get that far.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jakob W on 05 June, 2016, 01:24:12 pm
Alas, I got stuck on 15 or so; despite my sweet sweet O neg, my meds mean I'm ineligible. I feel like I'm missing out - I don't remember orange club biscuits in my day!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 05 June, 2016, 03:04:34 pm
75 is impressive.

I got to 30 something. It's a bit vague 'cause some donations didn't appear on the records (mass company donations). Then they got all funny about meds. I'm not on meds that should make any difference, but my meds aren't on their 'ok' list so they tend to say no to me.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 05 June, 2016, 03:29:04 pm
Bloody weather: torrential rain & flooding -> sunny -> thunderstorms in less than 36 hours.  I wouldn't care so much but we have to unplug the computers and routers every time it starts to rumble.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CrinklyLion on 05 June, 2016, 03:49:24 pm
Something nasty bit me (three times - or maybe three things bit me) when I was out dog walking yesterday and now one ankle doesn't bend properly and shoes are annoying because of the nasty swelling on top of one foot, one elbow is hot and uncomfortable and I'm having to really fight the urge to scratch the blistery bite on it, and wearing a bra is even more irritating and uncomfortable than usual because of the bite in the middle of my back.  Bah.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 05 June, 2016, 04:28:06 pm
Partner found bicycle front tyre had deflated when wheeling bicycle out to make space for impeding party.
We seem to be expecting more guests than we have seats.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 06 June, 2016, 09:31:25 am
The half-term hols officially ended for me at 1140 yesterday morning, when the thrown-out-of-Hell-for-making-too-much-noise bastard neighbours came back from their holiday >:( It's been lovely all week, but within seconds of their car stopping it was SHRIEK YELL YAP-YAP-YAP BANG CLONK SHOUTY-SHOUTY SQUEAL YAP SHOUT. >:( >:( >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 06 June, 2016, 09:58:39 am
Call the nick, citing a possible domestic.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 06 June, 2016, 11:14:21 am
If I did that every time they made that much noise I wouldn't have time to do anything else. >:(

Did I mention they are NOISY bastards? The sort of idiots who live their whole lives at full volume.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 06 June, 2016, 12:54:08 pm
The bar downstairs from my office used to be like that.  Walked in one day to hear the owner bawling at one of his brats "you're as big a tw@ as your mother".
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 06 June, 2016, 01:27:10 pm
Toothache. Or sinuses.  Buggrit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 06 June, 2016, 01:39:13 pm
Huh.  I e-mailed payroll on MAY 16TH to see what the implications would be for reducing my working hours.  They still haven't got round to doing it, in spite of being chased.

At my old employer they'd do this sort of thing for you while you waited on the 'phone.

Hmph.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 06 June, 2016, 09:29:53 pm
Quote from: T42 on 06 June, 2016, 12:54:08 pm
The bar downstairs from my office used to be like that.  Walked in one day to hear the owner bawling at one of his brats "you're as big a tw@ as your mother".

My, erm, favourite moment from neighbours (a few years and a couple of houses ago) was 'How many times have I told you not to f*cking swear?'

At high volume.

To a five year-old.

(My personal response - to that and much else - was to put on Too Much Too Young, and smile benignly when it got to 'ain't you heard of contraception?')
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 06 June, 2016, 10:27:10 pm
Quote from: Ruthie on 06 June, 2016, 01:39:13 pm
Huh.  I e-mailed payroll on MAY 16TH to see what the implications would be for reducing my working hours.  They still haven't got round to doing it, in spite of being chased.

At my old employer they'd do this sort of thing for you while you waited on the 'phone.

Hmph.

That could be failure to provide you with info needed to make reasonable adjustments ffs. I'd start muttering about disability discrimination as you've had depression episodes for more than 12 months == disability.

Fuckers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 09 June, 2016, 05:29:36 pm
It has been a lovely, sunny day, all day. I hang a wash out and the dark, brooding clouds gather! You fuckers!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 09 June, 2016, 10:05:25 pm
It's been a lovely sunny week.  It's nearly dark, but the feeyuge hay makers are still tearing around.  It really scares me, the speeds they drive at.
Dog locked in the house.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 09 June, 2016, 10:33:37 pm
So, just back from a week in Hassi Messaoud in Algeria, I was looking forward to a couple of weeks of mundane office work and cycle commuting before buggering orf on my holliberries.

But oh, no.
Regional Manager in India has planned an 'Expert Workshop' for our software the week before my holliberries.
I, as the 'Expert', have to haul my ass over there to do this thing.

I've spent all of yesterday doing my on-line application for an Indian business visa.

On the plus side, I have to attend an in-person interview at the Indian Consulate in Edinburgh on Monday.
I may console myself with an agreeable lunch at Valvona and Corolla.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: vantage on 10 June, 2016, 12:07:16 am
It's just after midnight. My 12 yo and 9yo daughters are in bed sleeping and I'll need to wake them at 6:45 for the 10 mile train ride to school in the morning. So I'll be needing sleep too.
Next doors new mutt is barking and howling and the wankers aren't in. Gonna be a long f***ing night.  :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 10 June, 2016, 08:04:30 am
Quote from: Feanor on 09 June, 2016, 10:33:37 pm
So, just back from a week in Hassi Messaoud in Algeria, I was looking forward to a couple of weeks of mundane office work and cycle commuting before buggering orf on my holliberries.

But oh, no.
Regional Manager in India has planned an 'Expert Workshop' for our software the week before my holliberries.
I, as the 'Expert', have to haul my ass over there to do this thing.

I've spent all of yesterday doing my on-line application for an Indian business visa.

On the plus side, I have to attend an in-person interview at the Indian Consulate in Edinburgh on Monday.
I may console myself with an agreeable lunch at Valvona and Corolla.

This, my friend, makes you a Thought Leader™. Check your hair.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 10 June, 2016, 08:34:53 am
"Happily Married Husband and Wife Week": share this if... Fucking Facebook fools.

Try this one: "Share this if your aged parent or in-law filled the bed with shit last night".
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 10 June, 2016, 09:45:32 am
Hurrah, expenses day. I just emptied the latest batch of receipts from my overstuffed wallet into a sizable mound. It's going to be a long, dull day.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nicknack on 10 June, 2016, 11:43:37 am
Quote from: Tim Hall on 04 June, 2016, 06:15:10 pm
Got my 75 pint badge the other day, so I thought I'd have a go at platelets. Took a bike ride up to Tooting, where I was given the code to the bike cage. Sat around, ate some biscuits, had my veins examined, had four tubes of blood taken so they can check my platelet level, drank squash, ate more biscuits, cycled to East Croydon.
I got to 74 and then was put on beta-blockers, so 75 became out of the question. I was unreasonably rather pissed off. I contemplated not taking them until after 75 but sense prevailed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 10 June, 2016, 12:11:04 pm
Quote from: nicknack on 10 June, 2016, 11:43:37 am
Quote from: Tim Hall on 04 June, 2016, 06:15:10 pm
Got my 75 pint badge the other day, so I thought I'd have a go at platelets. Took a bike ride up to Tooting, where I was given the code to the bike cage. Sat around, ate some biscuits, had my veins examined, had four tubes of blood taken so they can check my platelet level, drank squash, ate more biscuits, cycled to East Croydon.
I got to 74 and then was put on beta-blockers, so 75 became out of the question. I was unreasonably rather pissed off. I contemplated not taking them until after 75 but sense prevailed.
My count has be messed up with transferring back and forward at Uni and then 1+1 donation (Platelets for those whose count isn't high enough). They take one unit red blood and one unit plasma consecutively by separating at source and returning the rest but count it as 2 donations. Therefore ~8 pints count as 16 donations.

I think I am due my 75 soon and should comfortably reach 100.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 10 June, 2016, 12:18:50 pm
Quote from: matthew on 10 June, 2016, 12:11:04 pm
Quote from: nicknack on 10 June, 2016, 11:43:37 am
Quote from: Tim Hall on 04 June, 2016, 06:15:10 pm
Got my 75 pint badge the other day, so I thought I'd have a go at platelets. Took a bike ride up to Tooting, where I was given the code to the bike cage. Sat around, ate some biscuits, had my veins examined, had four tubes of blood taken so they can check my platelet level, drank squash, ate more biscuits, cycled to East Croydon.
I got to 74 and then was put on beta-blockers, so 75 became out of the question. I was unreasonably rather pissed off. I contemplated not taking them until after 75 but sense prevailed.
My count has be messed up with transferring back and forward at Uni and then 1+1 donation (Platelets for those whose count isn't high enough). They take one unit red blood and one unit plasma consecutively by separating at source and returning the rest but count it as 2 donations. Therefore ~8 pints count as 16 donations.

I think I am due my 75 soon and should comfortably reach 100.

I was reading the Awards bit of their website.
Quote
1st - Welcome and thank you pack, including donor card and key fob

5th - Donor card

10th - Badge and certificate

25th - Donor card, badge and certificate

50th - Donor card, badge and certificate

75th - Badge and certificate

100th - Ceremony invitation (whole blood donors), commemorative medal and certificate
ect ect.  Right up to 1000 donations, where you get a special framed certificate. I bet you do. At, say, 4 donations per year (and that's pushing things) I'd be 266 years old if I started at age 16.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 10 June, 2016, 12:22:27 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 10 June, 2016, 12:18:50 pm
Quote from: matthew on 10 June, 2016, 12:11:04 pm
Quote from: nicknack on 10 June, 2016, 11:43:37 am
Quote from: Tim Hall on 04 June, 2016, 06:15:10 pm
Got my 75 pint badge the other day, so I thought I'd have a go at platelets. Took a bike ride up to Tooting, where I was given the code to the bike cage. Sat around, ate some biscuits, had my veins examined, had four tubes of blood taken so they can check my platelet level, drank squash, ate more biscuits, cycled to East Croydon.
I got to 74 and then was put on beta-blockers, so 75 became out of the question. I was unreasonably rather pissed off. I contemplated not taking them until after 75 but sense prevailed.
My count has be messed up with transferring back and forward at Uni and then 1+1 donation (Platelets for those whose count isn't high enough). They take one unit red blood and one unit plasma consecutively by separating at source and returning the rest but count it as 2 donations. Therefore ~8 pints count as 16 donations.

I think I am due my 75 soon and should comfortably reach 100.

I was reading the Awards bit of their website.
Quote
1st - Welcome and thank you pack, including donor card and key fob

5th - Donor card

10th - Badge and certificate

25th - Donor card, badge and certificate

50th - Donor card, badge and certificate

75th - Badge and certificate

100th - Ceremony invitation (whole blood donors), commemorative medal and certificate
ect ect.  Right up to 1000 donations, where you get a special framed certificate. I bet you do. At, say, 4 donations per year (and that's pushing things) I'd be 266 years old if I started at age 16.
Now I see why blood donation appeals to audaxers!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 10 June, 2016, 12:32:05 pm
But IIRC if you are a platelets giver then you can give as frequently as every 2 weeks, whole blood used to be 16 weeks and is now 12 weeks for men.

I've been donating for about 16 years at 3-4 times a year and with ~3 years counting double so the count saying 69 is probably right

Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 10 June, 2016, 12:22:27 pm
Now I see why blood donation appeals to audaxers!

Just don't try to ride 200km the day after you give blood, your legs won't thank you.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 10 June, 2016, 01:38:08 pm
Quote from: Basil on 09 June, 2016, 10:05:25 pm
It's been a lovely sunny week.  It's nearly dark, but the feeyuge hay makers are still tearing around.  It really scares me, the speeds they drive at.
Dog locked in the house.

Blimey.  They were still going past at Five to midnight!  What happened after that, I don't know, as I was asleep.
They were right though.  There's been rain in the air all morning today.
My god, those kids work hard for their money.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cycleman on 10 June, 2016, 10:23:34 pm
There may have been rain in the air when you saw it basil, but a lot of it ended up on me on my way back home from Windsor  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 11 June, 2016, 12:14:05 am
Quote from: Feanor on 09 June, 2016, 10:33:37 pm
So, just back from a week in Hassi Messaoud in Algeria, I was looking forward to a couple of weeks of mundane office work and cycle commuting before buggering orf on my holliberries.

But oh, no.
Regional Manager in India has planned an 'Expert Workshop' for our software the week before my holliberries.
I, as the 'Expert', have to haul my ass over there to do this thing.

I've spent all of yesterday doing my on-line application for an Indian business visa.

On the plus side, I have to attend an in-person interview at the Indian Consulate in Edinburgh on Monday.
I may console myself with an agreeable lunch at Valvona and Corolla.

Indian visa, have fun. I have a bloke off there to Panna and Tripti next week.

Luckily I no longer have to worry about Hassi, I'm PNG on account of medicals.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rogerzilla on 11 June, 2016, 10:47:03 am
Currently trying to negotiate a phone upgrade with the menagerie of muppetry that is EE.  Have been told four different prices and charges by four different people so far.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rogerzilla on 11 June, 2016, 10:54:17 am
...and they're trying to charge me an upgrade fee although my contract says there isn't one.  They're making this up as they go along.  They are notorious for not having a clue.  I might change providers as they're now owned by BT, so their customer service may actually achieve the impossible and get worse.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rr on 11 June, 2016, 11:24:53 am
Quote from: ian on 10 June, 2016, 09:45:32 am
Hurrah, expenses day. I just emptied the latest batch of receipts from my overstuffed wallet into a sizable mound. It's going to be a long, dull day.
Expensify is your friend (https://www.expensify.com)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 13 June, 2016, 08:17:22 am
I need to effect the purchase of some boxes, paperwork for the putting in of.  It would normally be the job of Sweden's finest purveyors of flat-packed wossnames but I'm having second thoughts.

(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 13 June, 2016, 08:26:30 am
Whither the flat-pack coffin?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 13 June, 2016, 08:41:54 am
Apostrophe heaven!     ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 13 June, 2016, 09:03:45 am
Although they have the silly Å in Sweden, the language is entirely devoid of apostrophe's, so do forgive 'em.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 13 June, 2016, 12:10:40 pm
They know not what they do.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 13 June, 2016, 12:44:39 pm
Weird Swedish nicknames - Letter (for Lotte) Card (Karl) & Photo (Peter, but he's a camera man)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 13 June, 2016, 01:13:46 pm
The USB dongle for my spare keyboard has effed off into the scenery.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 14 June, 2016, 10:59:22 am
There are invisible evil pixies in my Chips Room.  Something keeps making a loud "click" noise and last night one of them wedged a piece of wire between two floorboards at the perfect angle to become embedded in the sole of my bare foot, thereby causing me to have to hop to bed.  Plz to bugger off, pesky pixies >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 14 June, 2016, 11:10:14 am
My KB dongle wasn't a dongle at all but one of those black shiny KB/mouse wodgy-shaped doodahs with a cable that plugs into a USB port. And it was right beside the KB but I didn't see it for looking. :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 14 June, 2016, 02:56:30 pm
I've spent most of the day so far trying to turn home-made* bodge-job forms in Word :sick: into nice-looking useful fill-innable pdf forms. Many Saxon words have been uttered and my desk is sore from where it keeps interfacing with my head. :hand:



*Not made by me, or they wouldn't have been so shite.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 14 June, 2016, 03:29:01 pm
Getting a passably good poster into a form that is designed badly is hard enough before people decide to lock down a lot of the editing options, especially on images. Have a guess what I've been doing this afternoon.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 14 June, 2016, 03:37:26 pm
I'm pleased to hear that - misery loves company ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 14 June, 2016, 08:11:50 pm
Back onto the blood donation thread, and not really a grumble, but why do the Blood Service need to tell me that the blood I donated on 7/6 has reached Conquest Hospital in St Leonards-on-Sea?

Furthermore, had I known it was going to end up in a southerner or two, I may have had second thoughts.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 14 June, 2016, 09:13:25 pm
My bits don't fit.  Frustrating new build - see other thread re dropouts

Learning stuff, but head-wall interface in use today.

Also had muchos disruption of work (at home this week) due to kitchen refurb, busy time too
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 14 June, 2016, 10:54:04 pm
I just tried to use my faithful AAA mini keyring torch & it doesn't work  :(    It looks like 2 weeks rattling around in my bar bag has killed it.  The light flickers on if you tap it or shake it hard, but won't stay on.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 14 June, 2016, 11:53:31 pm
Quote from: Feanor on 09 June, 2016, 10:33:37 pm
So, just back from a week in Hassi Messaoud in Algeria,
Are the road between the airport and the shitty city still lined with litter as far as a human arm can fling it in each direction?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 15 June, 2016, 06:36:16 am
Quote from: SoreTween on 14 June, 2016, 11:53:31 pm
Quote from: Feanor on 09 June, 2016, 10:33:37 pm
So, just back from a week in Hassi Messaoud in Algeria,
Are the road between the airport and the shitty city still lined with litter as far as a human arm can fling it in each direction?

Plus that view of the Mad-Max style flares and burn pits as you fly in.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 15 June, 2016, 07:55:59 pm
If it would stop raining reliably for more than fifteen minutes I could take the Black Bike out into the Walled Garden and determine the removability of the freewheel, and from this decide what manner of bits I need to complete the rebuild of the Romany as a shopping bike.

Bah!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 16 June, 2016, 01:04:01 pm
Either my thighs have grown or slim fit is back in vogue.  2 of the three pairs of M&S trousers I bought for work are rather snug around the thighs as soon as I put more than a five pound note in my pocket.  And that's on the same 32" waist.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 16 June, 2016, 01:27:59 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 16 June, 2016, 01:04:01 pm
Either my thighs have grown or slim fit is back in vogue.  2 of the three pairs of M&S trousers I bought for work are rather snug around the thighs as soon as I put more than a five pound note in my pocket.  And that's on the same 32" waist.

I have ranted about this very subject in the past.
M&S trousers are cut for Modern Man: big belly and no muscle.

Older trousers fit my slim but slightly muscular partner better.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: RibbleRouser on 16 June, 2016, 01:50:08 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 16 June, 2016, 01:04:01 pm
Either my thighs have grown or slim fit is back in vogue.  2 of the three pairs of M&S trousers I bought for work are rather snug around the thighs as soon as I put more than a five pound note in my pocket.  And that's on the same 32" waist.
Problem solved, just send me your five pound notes.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 16 June, 2016, 02:29:50 pm
Quote from: RibbleRouser on 16 June, 2016, 01:50:08 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 16 June, 2016, 01:04:01 pm
Either my thighs have grown or slim fit is back in vogue.  2 of the three pairs of M&S trousers I bought for work are rather snug around the thighs as soon as I put more than a five pound note in my pocket.  And that's on the same 32" waist.
Problem solved, just send me your five pound notes.
RibbleRouser does not charge for this service.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 16 June, 2016, 02:30:10 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 16 June, 2016, 01:27:59 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 16 June, 2016, 01:04:01 pm
Either my thighs have grown or slim fit is back in vogue.  2 of the three pairs of M&S trousers I bought for work are rather snug around the thighs as soon as I put more than a five pound note in my pocket.  And that's on the same 32" waist.

I have ranted about this very subject in the past.
M&S trousers are cut for Modern Man: big belly and no muscle.

Older trousers fit my slim but slightly muscular partner better.

I could use a little M&S just now.  I've been noticing that with enforced immobility my weight has stayed constant but my legs have dwindled and my waistband has got tighter.  I feel like a thin bloke who's been shoved through a beach ball.

Still, 'tain't permanent.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 16 June, 2016, 02:36:33 pm
Key cutting shop. £5 for a feckin' key? And then three out of the four don't work. Good job they did second time around. And then you say 'I couldn't get on the right machine to do them'. So why didn't you wait? A grumble, seeing as the keys work now, but...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 16 June, 2016, 03:02:08 pm
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 16 June, 2016, 02:36:33 pm
Key cutting shop. £5 for a feckin' key? And then three out of the four don't work. Good job they did second time around. And then you say 'I couldn't get on the right machine to do them'. So why didn't you wait? A grumble, seeing as the keys works now, but...

Had that happen to me.  Having given my parents the house keys to drop wedding presents off, I and new wife returned home after the honeymoon to find the newly cut keys did not work.

Slept in the car that night before breaking in through the cat flap the next morning.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 16 June, 2016, 03:08:40 pm
Never trust an untested key.  We discovered that our front door key wasn't actually our front door key[1] in similar circumstances.


[1] The entire lock mechanism was loose and rotating in response to any Yale key / screwdriver that would fit the slot.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 16 June, 2016, 03:25:33 pm
Quote from: T42 on 16 June, 2016, 02:30:10 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 16 June, 2016, 01:27:59 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 16 June, 2016, 01:04:01 pm
Either my thighs have grown or slim fit is back in vogue.  2 of the three pairs of M&S trousers I bought for work are rather snug around the thighs as soon as I put more than a five pound note in my pocket.  And that's on the same 32" waist.

I have ranted about this very subject in the past.
M&S trousers are cut for Modern Man: big belly and no muscle.

Older trousers fit my slim but slightly muscular partner better.

I could use a little M&S just now.  I've been noticing that with enforced immobility my weight has stayed constant but my legs have dwindled and my waistband has got tighter.  I feel like a thin bloke who's been shoved through a beach ball.

Still, 'tain't permanent.

M&S trousers have been like this for as long as I can remember.   You need to buy a waist up to get a good thigh fit.    Weird shaped blokes in the cutting room I guess...   
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 16 June, 2016, 04:07:02 pm
Quote from: Polar Bear on 16 June, 2016, 03:25:33 pm
Quote from: T42 on 16 June, 2016, 02:30:10 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 16 June, 2016, 01:27:59 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 16 June, 2016, 01:04:01 pm
Either my thighs have grown or slim fit is back in vogue.  2 of the three pairs of M&S trousers I bought for work are rather snug around the thighs as soon as I put more than a five pound note in my pocket.  And that's on the same 32" waist.

I have ranted about this very subject in the past.
M&S trousers are cut for Modern Man: big belly and no muscle.

Older trousers fit my slim but slightly muscular partner better.

I could use a little M&S just now.  I've been noticing that with enforced immobility my weight has stayed constant but my legs have dwindled and my waistband has got tighter.  I feel like a thin bloke who's been shoved through a beach ball.

Still, 'tain't permanent.

M&S trousers have been like this for as long as I can remember.   You need to buy a waist up to get a good thigh fit.    Weird shaped blokes in the cutting room I guess...

I don't think they're weird. Twenty years ago the shape was better for those who occasionally moved their bodies.

They cut their clothing to fit the 'Normal Brit'. Normal Brit is fatter and flabbier than in my misspent youth.

Things aren't what they used to be...

I remember also chatting about this with Dr Box (Dave Pilbeam, notp) at some Audax Reunion.
As might be expected from a long-suffering AUK, the man has muscles in his thighs and carries little 'spare'.
He also has Trouble with Trousers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 16 June, 2016, 04:41:37 pm
I'd guess that in the specific case of M&S their average customer is older now than twenty years ago. Does anyone under 60 buy anything other than socks and pants there nowadays?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 16 June, 2016, 05:12:59 pm
I am not quite 60. I do buy some things there.

I'm sure Young People buy their comestibles.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 16 June, 2016, 06:29:20 pm
Yes, their food appeals to all ages.  :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 16 June, 2016, 06:59:23 pm
Some of their larger petite range of women's clothes fit me reasonably well.  I'm only 36. Their basic tops are also useful, reasonably hard wearing, plain and not expensive.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 16 June, 2016, 07:07:51 pm
Are their larger petite sizes complemented by a smaller plus range?  :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Clare on 16 June, 2016, 07:10:41 pm
Petite relates to height, sadly it does not have an anti petite counterpart.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 16 June, 2016, 07:12:17 pm
Yeah, I'm 5'3ish about the top end of 'petite'.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 16 June, 2016, 07:14:13 pm
Quote from: Clare on 16 June, 2016, 07:10:41 pm
Petite relates to height, sadly it does not have an anti petite counterpart.

I've always thought the maternity section fills this role, at least in practice.  Usual context: "Ah, these look like a more sensible shape..." *looks up at sign* "Bugger."
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 16 June, 2016, 07:28:56 pm
Oh, I thought petite meant short and slender. Or stumpy and skinny, as you prefer. But definitely with an important or even dominant thinness component.

Actually, shouldn't the complement to 'plus sizes' be 'minus sizes'? No, maybe not.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 16 June, 2016, 09:03:48 pm
I'm 42 and I buy underthings, shirts for work and the odd work (office) trousers and jumpers.

The longevity is generally good from them.

Unfortunately I now need to spend more time in both client offices and the mothership.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 16 June, 2016, 10:32:35 pm
I confess I buy the occasional pair of trousers from M&S because they do 30 inch waists and short legs (if you order them online). Yeah, they have skinny legs and I suspect all that cycling has made me calves of steel and thighs of, erm, something tremendously hard. I do apparently have very taut buttocks. I'd prefer I'd not been told that by a man. I have got to get some friends who aren't gay.

There is alas no 'petit' range for the modern man. They probably need a petitx for non-binary gender defiant dwarves. Can I say dwarves? Actually aren't they friends of elves? Little people. I'm not sure if they're from Middle Earth. You're not supposed to ask them.

Most other stuff I wear comes from those outdoor activity stores. I look like I may climb a mountain at any moment. Other than the general lack of mountains. Sometimes I wear corduroy. Just because I can. Mostly I look like Activity Moby.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 16 June, 2016, 10:36:07 pm
ISTR M&S trousers in smaller waist sizes were rather Crystal Palace...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 16 June, 2016, 10:55:24 pm
When going industrial jeans and polo shirt or walking troos and something merino are perfectly ok
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 16 June, 2016, 11:18:05 pm
Mrs B had to apply for a parking permit for her offices. The form had a confusingly named field with a drop down menu of postcodes of sites - offices, clinics, hospitals, etc. She picked one from the list, but wasn't sure (& nor was I) that this was what was wanted.

Application rejected. She should have ignored the drop-down menu & typed in her home postcode.  :facepalm:  She has to re-apply.

What idiot designed that form? Rules: Thou shalt not present users with invalid options. All fields should be clearly & unambiguously labelled.  A drop-down menu, if used, must present all valid options. And so on . . .
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pedaldog. on 16 June, 2016, 11:48:14 pm
Quote from: barakta on 16 June, 2016, 07:12:17 pm
Yeah, I'm 5'3ish about the top end of 'petite'.

I'm as wide as I am high! 5' 8" tall and need XXXXl stuff on the top half or "Pull em under my belly" 42" waist 30" leg trousers.
I suppose I could eat less and move around more for a while?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 17 June, 2016, 09:29:55 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 16 June, 2016, 10:36:07 pm
ISTR M&S trousers in smaller waist sizes were rather Crystal Palace...

Presumably that's the same as Titanic trousers TAAW.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Diver300 on 17 June, 2016, 04:50:42 pm
The work bus left bang on time as I got within 10 metres of it this morning so I had to wait 15 mins for the next one.
The roadworks mean that the busses have to go past the pick up point at my office on the way to the main office, but ROOLS say that I have to stay on it, be taken to the main office, get off there and cycle back on the main road. Only an 8 minute delay.
This afternoon's bus passed me on the way out, as I was on my way to catch it, 3 minutes before it was due.
The one 15 minutes later was bang on time but the WiFi doesn't work.
The data from the vehicle tracking system on the busses is considered too secret for the passengers to have access too.
40 minutes extra for the bus journey than it needed to be, or 20% of the journey time.
How long is the average commute in this country?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 17 June, 2016, 07:18:31 pm
Those little spring clips that fasten V-brake blocks to the holders: sometimes they're taped to the backing card, sometime's they're just loose. In the latter case you can very easily lose them... And even if you don't lose them, they're really fiddly to get in. Why don't they use a retaining screw like sidepulls?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 18 June, 2016, 03:29:34 pm
Eldest two offspring: working on a Saturday is bad enough, but coming home to two 'you weren't in' courier cards is going to piss me off when both of you plainly were in. Lazy gits.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 18 June, 2016, 04:04:29 pm
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 18 June, 2016, 03:29:34 pm
Eldest two offspring: working on a Saturday is bad enough, but coming home to two 'you weren't in' courier cards is going to piss me off when both of you plainly were in. Lazy gits.

Offspring or couriers lazy gits?

I have known couriers fail to use doorbell...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 18 June, 2016, 04:17:19 pm
^^^ A couple of years back one of our posties was fired for doing that a bit too often.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Paul on 18 June, 2016, 05:45:52 pm
I've heard this alleged. Even suspected it myself once. But it seems illogical to me. Isn't it more work to carry the parcel back? And doesn't it take longer to write the card than to wait for someone to answer the door?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 18 June, 2016, 06:16:58 pm
But much easier to pre write the cards and not carry the parcel at all.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Paul on 18 June, 2016, 06:18:57 pm
No! Is that what they do? But isn't there quite a good chance of getting caught doing that?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 18 June, 2016, 06:43:03 pm
My (old) failed delivery anecdote did not involve a card. I had paid extra for M&S to deliver on a specified date.
Courier's website stated failed delivery at time when I knew I was sitting downstairs awaiting delivery.
The alleged 'no response' on the website got me to check the doorbell, which worked perfectly.

I told both M&S and John Lewis that I would not use their mail order service until they used another courier.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 18 June, 2016, 06:49:05 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 18 June, 2016, 04:04:29 pm
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 18 June, 2016, 03:29:34 pm
Eldest two offspring: working on a Saturday is bad enough, but coming home to two 'you weren't in' courier cards is going to piss me off when both of you plainly were in. Lazy gits.

Offspring or couriers lazy gits?

I have known couriers fail to use doorbell...
"I heard the bell, but I was in my nightie." Ah, that's OK then.
Time card written: 14.43!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 18 June, 2016, 07:39:40 pm
Quote from: Ashaman42 on 18 June, 2016, 06:16:58 pm
But much easier to pre write the cards and not carry the parcel at all.

A few years back in Brum, I was sitting at my desk, which is close to the front door.  I heard foot steps on the gravel path, then the rattle of the letter box as something was pushed through and then the retreating foot steps.
After a while I wandered over to see what exciting and important pizza news had just arrived, only to find a Royal Mail card.

So,
Quote from: Paul on 18 June, 2016, 06:18:57 pm
No! Is that what they do? But isn't there quite a good chance of getting caught doing that?

Yes
And probably not.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SteveC on 19 June, 2016, 11:09:24 am
I am going away for work this afternoon and won't be back until next Sunday. The lawns need mowing before I go. We have an electric mower. It is raining.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 19 June, 2016, 11:55:08 am
same here, back Friday.  Not raining, and a petrol mower, but it has been raining all week so the lawn is rather lush.

Leaving in 5 minutes,
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SteveC on 19 June, 2016, 12:07:02 pm
The rain stopped for just long enough for me to do the bare minimum. At least, I've not electrocuted myself as far as I can tell.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 19 June, 2016, 12:24:04 pm
Quote from: SteveC on 19 June, 2016, 11:09:24 am
I am going away for work this afternoon and won't be back until next Sunday. The lawns need mowing before I go. We have an electric mower. It is raining.
Against the forecast, it turned out nice here yesterday afternoon, so I ran the mower over our postage stamp. This morning I ran amok with the cordless trimmer and tidied up several bushes in a style that would have Monty Don wincing, no doubt. Normal, rainy weather is soon to start again.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 21 June, 2016, 12:05:36 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 17 June, 2016, 07:18:31 pm
Those little spring clips that fasten V-brake blocks to the holders: sometimes they're taped to the backing card, sometime's they're just loose. In the latter case you can very easily lose them... And even if you don't lose them, they're really fiddly to get in. Why don't they use a retaining screw like sidepulls?
Guess what I found yesterday evening while setting up the gears on my son's new-to-him-much-abused-and-neglected-by-his-two-cousins bike? One on the floor, one in the tool box. (And he now has all 24 gears, so I guess that's GN!)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 21 June, 2016, 01:46:00 pm
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 18 June, 2016, 06:49:05 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 18 June, 2016, 04:04:29 pm
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 18 June, 2016, 03:29:34 pm
Eldest two offspring: working on a Saturday is bad enough, but coming home to two 'you weren't in' courier cards is going to piss me off when both of you plainly were in. Lazy gits.

Offspring or couriers lazy gits?

I have known couriers fail to use doorbell...
"I heard the bell, but I was in my nightie." Ah, that's OK then.
Time card written: 14.43!

I solve that problem (though not usually after midday) with a Mk 1 dressing gown.

Doesn't stop them trying to deliver when I'm in the loo, thobut.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 21 June, 2016, 02:35:14 pm
Arthur Dent never had to deal with a courier, did he?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 21 June, 2016, 02:51:38 pm
Don't think so, no.  There was a bit in The Long Dark Teatime Of The Soul with the American who kept trying to get pizza delivered in That London (back in the 80s, when pizza delivery hadn't been imported yet).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 21 June, 2016, 03:59:54 pm
Quote from: Kim on 21 June, 2016, 01:46:00 pm
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 18 June, 2016, 06:49:05 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 18 June, 2016, 04:04:29 pm
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 18 June, 2016, 03:29:34 pm
Eldest two offspring: working on a Saturday is bad enough, but coming home to two 'you weren't in' courier cards is going to piss me off when both of you plainly were in. Lazy gits.

Offspring or couriers lazy gits?

I have known couriers fail to use doorbell...
"I heard the bell, but I was in my nightie." Ah, that's OK then.
Time card written: 14.43!

I solve that problem (though not usually after midday) with a Mk 1 dressing gown.

Doesn't stop them trying to deliver when I'm in the loo, thobut.

I once caught a previous postie in the act of posting the card through the letterbox without even knocking.   He nearly jumped a mile when I greeted him.  I was in the   rather small front garden area of our terraced property and he'd had to walk past me to get to the front door.   He was concentrating on scrawling on the card so didn't see me.

He did not even have the package with him.   ???

I kicked up a right stink at the depot next morning.   :thumbsup:   
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 22 June, 2016, 01:01:15 pm
Sometimes it's because they tried to deliver the package yesterday and then you get the card the next day to tell you they tried yesterday. And sometimes it's just naughtiness. #thatswellBrexit
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 23 June, 2016, 11:06:48 am
I need a replacement for my Cateye LD610 rear light – it's lost its sliding battery hatch because I dropped it – and Planet X no longer have their cheap copies. I might have to shell out for a proper Cateye! (or something else – but it needs to fit a square Cateye bracket).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Redlight on 23 June, 2016, 03:10:12 pm
Five years ago my former employer issued my P60 with the wrong figures. I used it to complete my tax return, assuming it to be correct.  HMRC recently investigated me for providing incorrect information and I had to pay a slug of extra tax as a result (with which I have no issue; if the P60 had been right then I would have paid more tax during that tax year).  However, now the buggers have issued me with a £150 fine as well, even though I have provided them with a copy of the incorrect P60.  Grrr.  Life ain't fair.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 23 June, 2016, 04:14:44 pm
Hope you can appeal the HMRC fine as that seems rather unfair when it should be your employer who is fined.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 23 June, 2016, 04:36:31 pm
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 22 June, 2016, 01:01:15 pm
Sometimes it's because they tried to deliver the package yesterday and then you get the card the next day to tell you they tried yesterday. And sometimes it's just naughtiness. #thatswellBrexit
Having worked at Royal Mail as a postie, I encountered mostly very dedicated people who took pride in their work, but there were also some, a few, who were downright devious, lazy and/or incompetent.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 23 June, 2016, 06:08:45 pm
A dayannahalf before the longest ride I've attempted in 4 years - my filling falls out while I'm drinking coffee!?

Not hurting right now and I hope it stays that way
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 23 June, 2016, 06:21:32 pm
I once tried to go out for  along ride with a grumbling wisdom tooth and very swollen gum.  I got two miles down the road to the roundabout and turned for home again.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 23 June, 2016, 07:12:34 pm
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 23 June, 2016, 04:36:31 pm
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 22 June, 2016, 01:01:15 pm
Sometimes it's because they tried to deliver the package yesterday and then you get the card the next day to tell you they tried yesterday. And sometimes it's just naughtiness. #thatswellBrexit
Having worked at Royal Mail as a postie, I encountered mostly very dedicated people who took pride in their work, but there were also some, a few, who were downright devious, lazy and/or incompetent.
I've encountered some of the former, such as our old regular postman, who once put something through our door though it was addressed to another house, because he recognised the name.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 23 June, 2016, 07:19:20 pm
The old-timers, who'd done every walk in the office over the years, knew every road, alley and walkway - and many of the longer-term residents - off by heart. Sadly, they were also the ones that were least appreciated by management, as they were that little bit slower, even though they were far, far more accurate than their faster colleagues.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 23 June, 2016, 07:25:00 pm
My postie once put a card through the door with his mobile number on it and a note to say there were a couple of parcels for me at the sorting office, they'd been there for ages, had I been informed and did I want them delivered?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Chris S on 23 June, 2016, 09:20:08 pm
Arse. New bike on its way. The TNT delivery van expired on a roundabout just 3 miles away, prompting a "Sorry - we'll try again tomorrow" email.

mutter... mutter...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 24 June, 2016, 03:40:40 pm
Dear [Local School]

If you are trumpeting your excellence by advertising on the whole back cover of the Council magazine, don't you think you could phrase
 '46% of all exams sat got an A* or A' [sic] more eloquently?

I understand you are a Science and Technology College but I would not wish such sub-literacy on any offspring of mine.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 24 June, 2016, 03:48:34 pm
"OK, we understand that the big X is your name, but what's the little one beside it?"

"My Ph.D."
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 24 June, 2016, 06:20:11 pm
Tap's exploded. Had to turn off all water to stop it flooding the bathroom. At six o'clock on a Friday evening.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cygnet on 24 June, 2016, 06:22:00 pm
My order of tyres from Germany yesterday was cancelled by them this morning due to a system failure. Now they will cost more because Brexit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 24 June, 2016, 10:51:13 pm
I've decided, I really don't get adverts anymore. Nine times out of ten I have no idea what I'm supposed to buy
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 24 June, 2016, 11:01:19 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 24 June, 2016, 10:51:13 pm
I've decided, I really don't get adverts anymore. Nine times out of ten I have no idea what I'm supposed to buy

More bicycles, and/or bicycle paraphernalia.

HTH
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 24 June, 2016, 11:03:18 pm
Quote from: Andrij on 24 June, 2016, 11:01:19 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 24 June, 2016, 10:51:13 pm
I've decided, I really don't get adverts anymore. Nine times out of ten I have no idea what I'm supposed to buy

More bicycles, and/or bicycle paraphernalia.

HTH

Don't need ads for that
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 27 June, 2016, 10:54:56 am
Hold music on its own I can stand - I put the phone on low-volume speaker and get on with something else.  But when it's on a 15-second loop with a wee message to say "we're trying to make the wait more agreeable": then my attention gets tweaked every cycle. Bah.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 27 June, 2016, 07:28:11 pm
Dear everyone involved in tonight's foopball match: please to be learning how Icelandic names work.  And that includes whoever supplied the Icelandic team's shirts :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rogerzilla on 27 June, 2016, 08:46:55 pm
They hgave a restricted list of first names in Iceland, presumably to avoid subsequent babies being called Supersoarawayson.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: meddyg on 27 June, 2016, 10:26:46 pm
Quote
Dear [Local School]

If you are trumpeting your excellence by advertising on the whole back cover of the Council magazine, don't you think you could phrase
 '46% of all exams sat got an A* or A' [sic] more eloquently?


Village school in Miserden trumpets 'not only do we consistently rate highly in inspections, but our excellent classroom teaching  is complimented by weekly 'forest school' sessions.'

Shall I tell'em ?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 28 June, 2016, 08:07:37 am
Recruitment agencies. What the hell are they on? I've just been invited to apply for a job as a language teacher. Of German, which I speak to about O level standard. In India, where I haven't lived for five years. I might just apply anyway! If I get invited to interview I wonder if they'll pay my travelling expenses?  ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 29 June, 2016, 01:53:00 pm
Has anyone else noticed how the weather has gone to ratshit since we Brexited?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 29 June, 2016, 02:22:14 pm
40 days and 40 nights ...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 29 June, 2016, 02:26:43 pm
Quote from: Guy on 29 June, 2016, 01:53:00 pm
Has anyone else noticed how the weather has gone to ratshit since we Brexited?

Given that I got so wet going to vote that it took about 48 hours for my shoes to dry out, methinks you might be putting the cart before the horse...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 29 June, 2016, 02:34:20 pm
Nahh, it was warm and sunny on voting day.  Except in That London, where all the remain voters live.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 29 June, 2016, 02:36:18 pm
Well I've just taken my bike outside, sprayed it with Fenwicks cleaner (which supposedly is edible – no, I'm not going to try) and guess what...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 29 June, 2016, 02:38:07 pm
The bike's still dirty, but you have nice clean Fenwicks?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 29 June, 2016, 02:38:28 pm
I quite like a bit of drizzle...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 29 June, 2016, 02:43:36 pm
Quote from: Guy on 29 June, 2016, 02:38:07 pm
The bike's still dirty, but you have nice clean Fenwicks?
Mmm, it makes quite a nice milkshake actually.

Don't try this in your own fridge, kids.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Si S on 29 June, 2016, 03:01:45 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 29 June, 2016, 02:36:18 pm
Well I've just taken my bike outside, sprayed it with Fenwicks cleaner (which supposedly is edible – no, I'm not going to try) and guess what...

And you can't shave with the foaming stuff   :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 30 June, 2016, 01:12:37 am
Michel Bussi, or possibly translator Sam Taylor: ammunition with a calibre of 38 mm will not fit in any revolver known to SCIENCE.  Do yore prep.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 30 June, 2016, 08:20:25 am
^^^Following Brexit, the British Standards Institute decides to devalue the millimetre.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 30 June, 2016, 08:39:58 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 30 June, 2016, 01:12:37 am
Michel Bussi, or possibly translator Sam Taylor: ammunition with a calibre of 38 mm will not fit in any revolver known to SCIENCE.  Do yore prep.

Methinks it might have a bit of a kick...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 30 June, 2016, 09:22:32 am
Quote from: T42 on 30 June, 2016, 08:20:25 am
^^^Following Brexit, the British Standards Institute decides to devalue the millimetre.

Butbutbut, M Bussi is one of those damned Frenchies, who invented the beastly things in the first place.  And as a university professor and author of a shedload of crime novels I'd expect him to know the difference between something you can carry in your coat pocket and a light anti-aircraft gun.  I therefore point the finger of blame at the translator, who is probably one of those other-worldly humanities graduates who can't boil an egg without a 128-page multi-lingual manual, or a UKIP voter.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 30 June, 2016, 09:54:00 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 30 June, 2016, 01:12:37 am
Michel Bussi, or possibly translator Sam Taylor: ammunition with a calibre of 38 mm will not fit in any revolver known to SCIENCE.  Do yore prep.

Quite - even auto-cannons with revolver breech mechanisms haven't gone above 35mm in calibre: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revolver_cannon

EDIT: a Polish mentalist has made a replica of a Remington Model 1859 - a 28mm-calibre monstrosity that even Hellboy would consider to be OTT.  :o

http://pixgrove.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/the-worlds-biggest-revolver.html
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 30 June, 2016, 10:55:07 am
45 kg  :o
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 30 June, 2016, 12:51:49 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 30 June, 2016, 09:22:32 am
Quote from: T42 on 30 June, 2016, 08:20:25 am
^^^Following Brexit, the British Standards Institute decides to devalue the millimetre.

Butbutbut, M Bussi is one of those damned Frenchies, who invented the beastly things in the first place.  And as a university professor and author of a shedload of crime novels I'd expect him to know the difference between something you can carry in your coat pocket and a light anti-aircraft gun.  I therefore point the finger of blame at the translator, who is probably one of those other-worldly humanities graduates who can't boil an egg without a 128-page multi-lingual manual, or a UKIP voter.

What use is a UKIP voter to a humanities graduate trying to boil and egg ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 30 June, 2016, 12:57:24 pm
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 30 June, 2016, 12:51:49 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 30 June, 2016, 09:22:32 am
Quote from: T42 on 30 June, 2016, 08:20:25 am
^^^Following Brexit, the British Standards Institute decides to devalue the millimetre.

Butbutbut, M Bussi is one of those damned Frenchies, who invented the beastly things in the first place.  And as a university professor and author of a shedload of crime novels I'd expect him to know the difference between something you can carry in your coat pocket and a light anti-aircraft gun.  I therefore point the finger of blame at the translator, who is probably one of those other-worldly humanities graduates who can't boil an egg without a 128-page multi-lingual manual, or a UKIP voter.

What use is a UKIP voter to a humanities graduate trying to boil and egg ???

Well, it depends on how much flammable material can be rendered from said voter's corpse, to be burned as fuel for a stove.  :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 30 June, 2016, 01:17:28 pm
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 30 June, 2016, 12:51:49 pm


What use is a UKIP voter???

FTFY  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 30 June, 2016, 02:52:40 pm
Gnat-brained little twat doing wheelies on his moped up & down the road. I do wish he go over backwards and break his neck.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 30 June, 2016, 09:19:30 pm
Quote from: Wombat on 30 June, 2016, 08:39:58 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 30 June, 2016, 01:12:37 am
Michel Bussi, or possibly translator Sam Taylor: ammunition with a calibre of 38 mm will not fit in any revolver known to SCIENCE.  Do yore prep.

Methinks it might have a bit of a kick...

I'd rather have a punt gun, much more useful in the fens, as used in the Littleport riots
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 30 June, 2016, 10:40:19 pm
Having taken the chain-wrench up from the Seekrit Bunker into the house last night as a prop for a photo-shoot, I seem to have left it on the carpet and made an oily stain.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 30 June, 2016, 11:38:06 pm
Quote from: T42 on 30 June, 2016, 02:52:40 pm
Gnat-brained little twat doing wheelies on his moped up & down the road. I do wish he go over backwards and break his neck.

Roofing nails. You need to spill a box . . .
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 30 June, 2016, 11:39:35 pm
Quote from: Torslanda on 30 June, 2016, 11:38:06 pm
Quote from: T42 on 30 June, 2016, 02:52:40 pm
Gnat-brained little twat doing wheelies on his moped up & down the road. I do wish he go over backwards and break his neck.

Roofing nails. You need to spill a box . . .

Silly Sustrans Gate at each end of the road.  It might affect a few legitimate road users, but if it stops one twat on a moped...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 01 July, 2016, 07:55:23 am
When you look at the Sustrans map it looks as if the UK has a nasty dose of varicose veins.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 01 July, 2016, 09:09:38 am
That would be the least of our worries ...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 01 July, 2016, 11:01:51 am
I suppose that Sustrans Gates = buggered-up non-return valves.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 05 July, 2016, 08:07:51 am
On friday, some moron at work turned off the work fridge/freezer.
On Monday, a lot of food was a bit spoiled. So people threw away spoiled stuff.

Tues morning, the cleaner decided that the fridge was smelly, so decided to throw away the entire contents. Which included stuff in jars, and food people had bought on monday.

effing cock. That was my food for the week you threw away. Bought on Monday.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 05 July, 2016, 09:09:31 am
Sympathies.

During the in-office piss-up we had when I was leaving a job in the 70s, a friend gave me a big packet of scampi "because you'll probably not feel like cooking much else after this". It was early in the evening, though, so it was still hot, and the only fridge in the office was in the manager's office, so he being absent we shoved the packet in there.

Little did we know that the fridge was only intended to cool drinks for visitors and was switched off by a timer overnight and at weekends.  The following week, I heard later, the boss was off in Frankfurt, so when he came back and his secretary finally opened the fridge to serve drinks at a meeting with visitors...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 05 July, 2016, 09:18:49 am
Grant H. at my school left his ingredients for a cooking lesson, which for some reason he never attended, in his warm, sealed locker for an entire school year and then opened it on the final day of term. The smell was such that six girls in my class spontaneously threw up. It didn't help.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 05 July, 2016, 10:03:02 am
To put perspective on this, the fridge probably smelt strongly of cheese and meat. Office employees include italians and spaniards who enjoy their cheese and sliced meat. Bought on Monday.

The stuff thrown away included things like snickers bars, ffs. Really likely to have 'gone off'.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 05 July, 2016, 10:12:59 am
Quote from: T42 on 01 July, 2016, 11:01:51 am
I suppose that Sustrans Gates = buggered-up non-return valves.

Very good but a mis-diagnosis.

Those 'Sustrans veins' are in fact the angry popping veins on Britannia's neck and forehead.   
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 05 July, 2016, 05:51:16 pm
Quote from: ian on 05 July, 2016, 09:18:49 am
Grant H. at my school left his ingredients for a cooking lesson, which for some reason he never attended, in his warm, sealed locker for an entire school year and then opened it on the final day of term. The smell was such that six girls in my class spontaneously threw up. It didn't help.

Back when I was fencing I used to bung my kit in my locker after every session - about 3 hours per.  The mask took up a lot of room so I'd put it in first and shove small items into it, including my socks.  Towards the end of the first 10-week term I did this, I began to realize that it was a bad idea.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 05 July, 2016, 07:29:13 pm
Only because you didn't wash your socks.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 05 July, 2016, 08:44:19 pm
A common trait is to place one's gloves in one's hard hat for safekeeping.

I normally point out the obvious error that any contaminant on the gloves is now transferred to the head.

Gloves normally get removed quickly.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 05 July, 2016, 10:23:06 pm
Bored of digestive distress now, come on giblets, sort yourselves out.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 06 July, 2016, 09:03:05 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 05 July, 2016, 10:23:06 pm
Bored of digestive distress now, come on giblets, sort yourselves out.

+1 I am now in week 3 of low level digestive disturbance.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mattc on 06 July, 2016, 12:29:40 pm
Cow-orkers; we all know each-others names, why not use them?

Instead, people shout something out across a busy room; then if you don't answer add: "Matt, are you listening??" or similar.
Surely it's easier to start your statement/question/order with:
"Matt: ... "

I MIGHT JUST be concentrating on my feckin' work, not listening to every stray word that wafts around JUST IN CASE its addressed  to me  :facepalm:


[almost everyone here does it - except possibly our Polish job-snatcher - and they don't just do it to me! ]
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 06 July, 2016, 12:40:23 pm
Quote from: mattc on 06 July, 2016, 12:29:40 pm
Instead, people shout something out across a busy room; then if you don't answer add: "Matt, are you listening??" or similar.
Surely it's easier to start your statement/question/order with:
"Matt: ... "

File under "shit hearing people do".

I'm guilty of it myself.  Typically something like this happens several times a day:

Kim: *walks into room*
Barakta: *makes eye contact attentively*
Kim: *says something*
Barakta: *continues eye contact, doesn't respond*
Kim: "Can you hear me?"
Barakta: (using 1337 lipreading 5|<|11z) "No."
Kim: ...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 10 July, 2016, 12:37:41 pm
Damn you Brexit.  The sexy single Polish vet at my church is preparing to leave the UK along with most of his Polish friends.  The hate-filled campaign of the Leave camp disgusted him so much that he doesn't want to live here any more.

He is so damn hot.  And nice.  And funny.  And intelligent.  And he smells nice too.

Bloody Farridge.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 10 July, 2016, 12:53:52 pm
Quick marry him
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 10 July, 2016, 12:54:18 pm
That is very sad.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 10 July, 2016, 01:23:27 pm
Next year in Warszawa...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 11 July, 2016, 09:05:35 am
I have had very very little sleep this weekend.

Another teenage (well, they are 20 now) party. Only 11 of them, but it seemed like  a horde, mostly because it rained and hence they mostly stayed in the house. I retreated to the bedroom at about 10:30 with a stack of books.

They were so loud. Finally got to sleep about 6 am. Woke about 8:30. They were still going but had moved to the garden. They finally quietened down about 9:30, most of them asleep.

Did they clear up? Did they fuck. Nope, they thanked me for letting them have the party there and buggered off. 3 hours of clearing up and cleaning. Then a trip to the tip hauling two crates of cans and bottles.

The step-daughter woke about 4:30 in the afternoon and enquired "was there any clearing up to do?" when I tersely replied "yes, lots", she was apologetic. Not really a lot to say to that.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 11 July, 2016, 09:34:38 am
Not really grumbling. Just don't enjoy placating the French fiscal authorities with boilerplate'n'split-hair company reports.

At least we had a quiet night, thanks to Portugal.  When France beat Germany last Thursday we were still recovering from taking the Inlaw Paw to hosp in the wee smalls and the godawful racket of horns & sirens into the night wasn't the lullaby we needed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 11 July, 2016, 12:54:02 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 11 July, 2016, 09:05:35 am
I have had very very little sleep this weekend.

Another teenage (well, they are 20 now) party. Only 11 of them, but it seemed like  a horde, mostly because it rained and hence they mostly stayed in the house. I retreated to the bedroom at about 10:30 with a stack of books.

They were so loud. Finally got to sleep about 6 am. Woke about 8:30. They were still going but had moved to the garden. They finally quietened down about 9:30, most of them asleep.

Did they clear up? Did they fuck. Nope, they thanked me for letting them have the party there and buggered off. 3 hours of clearing up and cleaning. Then a trip to the tip hauling two crates of cans and bottles.

The step-daughter woke about 4:30 in the afternoon and enquired "was there any clearing up to do?" when I tersely replied "yes, lots", she was apologetic. Not really a lot to say to that.
Next time, they who party do the clear-up, or pay for someone else to do it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 11 July, 2016, 01:01:09 pm
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 11 July, 2016, 12:54:02 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 11 July, 2016, 09:05:35 am
I have had very very little sleep this weekend.

Another teenage (well, they are 20 now) party. Only 11 of them, but it seemed like  a horde, mostly because it rained and hence they mostly stayed in the house. I retreated to the bedroom at about 10:30 with a stack of books.

They were so loud. Finally got to sleep about 6 am. Woke about 8:30. They were still going but had moved to the garden. They finally quietened down about 9:30, most of them asleep.

Did they clear up? Did they fuck. Nope, they thanked me for letting them have the party there and buggered off. 3 hours of clearing up and cleaning. Then a trip to the tip hauling two crates of cans and bottles.

The step-daughter woke about 4:30 in the afternoon and enquired "was there any clearing up to do?" when I tersely replied "yes, lots", she was apologetic. Not really a lot to say to that.
Next time, they who party do the clear-up, or pay for someone else to do it.
I do need to find a solution for this. Need to talk to the sensible ones. I think before-party designated cleaners is the only way to go. It's 2-3 times a year, which doesn't sound like much, but I'm finding that I'm buying booze for the party as well. I didn't expect them to drink the whole bottle of rum that stepdaughter wanted (one guest brought a bottle as well - that also got drunk).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Legs on 11 July, 2016, 05:11:37 pm
Can't you just say "no, find somewhere else"?  :hand:

You're clearly upset by their behaviour, so you've got to let them know that it's not acceptable, or it'll just carry on.  I appreciate that you might have feelings of "at least they're under my roof so I can keep them (vaguely) under control", so it's not clear-cut, but you have the right to your own peace in your own home and 20 is plenty old enough to know that they ought to respect that.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 11 July, 2016, 06:21:17 pm
I'm horrified at the mess, inconvenience and lack of responsibility taken by your teens in parties Mr C.

Admittedly my friends and I tended to have our parties in the absence of parents due to my ex's parents living in Hong Kong 9 months of the year, Friend B and my parents being away a lot. But in many ways that meant we felt we had enhanced responsibilities to setup, not piss off neighbours, not break valuables and tidy up after. Valuables moved to nogo zones. Friends had tidy houses which had to be restored to suitable spotlessness, ex's house got vacuumed before cos shithole.

There was always a core of 4-6 of us at least who set up and tidied up afterwards. Sometimes ppl had to piss off early the next day cos strict-parents, religious stuff or jobs but we always made sure there were several tidiers "before parents came home". Bottles went into one bag for recycling, cans into another for recycling and binbag for the rest and put outside ready for bin day -- the morning after. I don't remember making hideous mess although probably would have tidied at 'endish' of party if the family were around. We also washed up/dishwashered, wiped up, vacuumed inevitable crisp crumbs and stuff. Took less than an hour cos we'd all help.

We also bought our own food, I made my ex bring double cos he ate so much and we had a policy of not leaving people out of food or pocket, especially as some of us/families did not have much money to spare.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 12 July, 2016, 08:12:05 am
I made the suggestion that there be designated clearers; step-daughter made counter suggestion that MrsC and I go away for two days, leaving her and her brother in charge of house so that they are responsible for clearing. She seems to think that would be fair, since they'd have no choice other than to clear up.

It didn't seem to cross her mind that requiring us to hand over the house for two days is also a huge imposition.

It does have merits, I could go and visit one or the other of my kids for a couple of days. If I were up to cycling anywhere I'd take it as a golden opportunity/excuse to go for a weekend tour. I guess I could manage a weekend walk/camp somewhere.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 12 July, 2016, 10:51:53 am
Bloody bank. Wanted to send my daughter 500€ for her birthday but had to add her P.O. account IBAN to my list to do it. Bank's rules won't allow the transfer for another 3 days now, presumably while their computers check it. Twerps.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 12 July, 2016, 12:25:25 pm
Quote from: barakta on 11 July, 2016, 06:21:17 pm
I'm horrified at the mess, inconvenience and lack of responsibility taken by your teens in parties Mr C.

Admittedly my friends and I tended to have our parties in the absence of parents ...
This was quite common when I was a teenager. Teenagers who had temporarily absent parents would throw a party (I did it). Whoever crashed out for the night assisted in clearing up when they woke. If anyone failed to respect the house (rare), the party-thrower could call on the help of other party-goers to talk to & if necessary evict the miscreant.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 12 July, 2016, 12:57:18 pm
I partook in a party years ago, when friends folks went away. We were sure that this would be a test on how his responsibilities had grown up. We trashed the house, food, crisps, fags (yes youth smoked a lot back then) empty bottles, dirty foot prints etc etc. At about 6am we stared to clean up, polished the house down. By 10am when his folks got home, it looked like a show house. You could see the mum scanning the living room for any broken or missing bits. It was only when we asked the dad if he could help us with taking a few bottles to the shop for refund. That they figured out how mad the party had been, because the utility room was full. I can't remember how many but I remember the dad had to do two journeys to the recycling shop, with a very packed car.

One good thing about refundable bottles. Among my friends it has always been, who ever hold the party kept the bottles, which often was a nice little earner. At the very least would pay for the host next piss up :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 13 July, 2016, 11:46:32 pm
Bloody bastards who chew gum & then spew it out onto the pavement.  The heel of one of my favourite blue suede chukkas is now contaminated, as is the floor of my flat  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 14 July, 2016, 12:00:58 am
I think they come from Peterborough.  For some reason the pavements there are more chewing gum than untainted tarmac.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 14 July, 2016, 07:59:05 am
Quote from: Kim on 14 July, 2016, 12:00:58 am
I think they come from Peterborough.  For some reason the pavements there are more chewing gum than untainted tarmac.
It's how the locals repair potholes
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 16 July, 2016, 11:01:12 am
Grumble 1.  I booked the last week in October off, planning to go to Rome.   Didn't realise this is half term & the airlines have stuck their prices up ££.

Grumble 2.  Flights from Manchester are awkwardly early, that could be an expensive taxi ride, unless I trust that the 03:38 train is running.

I may need to re-arrange this...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hubner on 16 July, 2016, 01:39:51 pm
10 mile bus and tram journey from SW London to SE London took 2 hours and 40 minutes!

It's bad enough that normally it takes 1 hr 40 min!

The extra hour was because two bus stops were closed, I had to walk for 20 min to one that was open. Then 2 buses arrived which I missed by 30 sec because I had 2 heavy bags and couldn't run for the bus. I had to wait 30 min then another 2 arrived! This bus normally runs 4 per hour.

Ridiculous.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 16 July, 2016, 02:21:21 pm
I can just imagine what my parents would have said if we'd told em to go away to let us have a part *laughs* but if you trust offspring to handle it and it's not a hassle, maybe that's the trick to try.  I know my parents had broken up a neighbour teen's party when they were first in our house cos someone got out of control and my big beardy dad was the perfect "grownup" to deal with drunk and nasty teen. It helps most of my friends were sensible and my ex is even bigger than my dad so stupid oiks really did think twice about causing havoc. I also knew that if needed I could call the police and I wouldn't be in trouble for doing so as this was parental advice. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 17 July, 2016, 09:01:25 pm
andrewc: check out the (night) trains. At the half term just gone Miss Dans and I got to Venice at a civilised time, with less hassle and for similar money to a flight.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 18 July, 2016, 08:08:07 am
CBH and I have been together for coming on 28 years. So, you would have thought we know each other quite well by now eh….

Well yesterday for the first time ever she came along to cheer me home at the end of a cycling event: the Great Weston ride which went between Bristol and Weston Super Mere via as many buggering hills as the organiser could find.. and yes, there are quite a few!

Anyway, I texted my beloved when I was 7 miles out giving her my arrival time, which I hit with 60 seconds accuracy. Did I see CBH’s smiling face on the line…. Well only just as she was rushing back to wave me home. It seems that CBH has no clue what I look like on a bike and had headed off a couple of minutes earlier to congratulate another bloke who was, like me, wearing a red and white top and riding a white bike. She had mistaken him for me!

28 years!!! 28 years!!!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CrinklyLion on 18 July, 2016, 08:17:37 am
Is it not the case that you're rather more svelte than you have been for the past few of those 28 years?  Maybe you've temporarily confounded the recognition circuits :)

(There are some old photos of my kids where I only recognise them as my kids because of the clothes they are wearing.  And I gave birth to those humans!)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 18 July, 2016, 09:59:52 am
Quote from: essexian on 18 July, 2016, 08:08:07 am
CBH and I have been together for coming on 28 years. So, you would have thought we know each other quite well by now eh….

Well yesterday for the first time ever she came along to cheer me home at the end of a cycling event: the Great Weston ride which went between Bristol and Weston Super Mere via as many buggering hills as the organiser could find.. and yes, there are quite a few!

Anyway, I texted my beloved when I was 7 miles out giving her my arrival time, which I hit with 60 seconds accuracy. Did I see CBH’s smiling face on the line…. Well only just as she was rushing back to wave me home. It seems that CBH has no clue what I look like on a bike and had headed off a couple of minutes earlier to congratulate another bloke who was, like me, wearing a red and white top and riding a white bike. She had mistaken him for me!

28 years!!! 28 years!!!

When I did Mt. Ventoux in 2007 the missus was up top waiting with her camera. I rode straight past her unnoticed, circled back and said hello, then had to go down to the last bend and come up again so that she could get a few shots.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 18 July, 2016, 07:24:08 pm
Was just slogging happily up the C2C path out of Cleator Moor when I heard a big bang. Somehow a rear spoke seems to have snapped half way down the spoke thread in the nipple?!

Well it gives me an excuse to try out my new 105/Open Pro wheels I suppose
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 19 July, 2016, 08:46:58 pm
18 hours in the saddle on Saturday/Sunday, and my arse was absolutely fine, but my sports bra has left weeping weals around my torso that are starting to really itch and sting.  Probly because I was so hot and sticky.

It really hurts.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 20 July, 2016, 01:17:19 pm
I've never had that problem from a bra, but have had that from other clothing items, when running and walking.

Vaseline really helps. Seals off the weeping sore from sweat and suchlike without inappropriately stopping the wound from getting on with it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 20 July, 2016, 02:09:31 pm
The submammary crease is a VERY sweaty beastie!
I seemed to do OK with unwired cotton/lycra bra tops but I am but modestly endowed.
I once turned a hitherto white bra BLUE wearing it under a brand new Corrinne Dennis cotton lycra jersey, in weather similar to that which we're having in That London right now. I was not impressed.

GWS Ruthie!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 20 July, 2016, 02:17:44 pm
Never had more than an itchy rash from bras, fortunately.  I did have similar from a shorts waistband, in combination with a closed-cell foam recumbent seat pad.  Just in case anyone was thinking those aren't a terrible idea.   :hand:

Usually for weeping weals it's my ankles, from scratching beastie-bites in my sleep.  Those are relatively non-sweaty, thobut.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 20 July, 2016, 08:52:39 pm
(With apologies to W. Shakespeare)

But, soft! what smell through yonder window breaks?
It is next door-but-one, who have lit a fire.
Arise, foul smoke, and kill the evening air,
While the world fulminates at your super-twattery.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 21 July, 2016, 07:54:29 am
Oh, god what do they teach these children . . .

A (higher educated than me) young employee has proposed making major changes to layout of documents. This would entail a lot of work (we use a complex system). I'm not utterly opposed, but suggested it needs justifying and asked what the business case was for doing this. His response:

"Can you elaborate please? I’m not up to date on my business jargon!"

I've refrained from responding with a 'let me google that for you'.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 21 July, 2016, 09:13:42 am
Quote from: spesh on 20 July, 2016, 08:52:39 pm
(With apologies to W. Shakespeare)

But, soft! what smell through yonder window breaks?
It is next door-but-one, who have lit a fire.
Arise, foul smoke, and kill the evening air,
While the world fulminates at your super-twattery.

Nay, 'tis the Everard, who dwells next door,
Strutteth like Duce, worketh chez Peugeot,
Grilleth sardine against the privet hedge
That just divides our property from his...

Fortunately, a long time ago. He's probably dead of cirrhosis since. When he was standing up straight you could have balanced a pint on the jut of his gut.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 21 July, 2016, 10:45:31 am
Wrists.  They're not supposed to go "click" when you operate a screwdriver, are they?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 21 July, 2016, 11:05:13 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 21 July, 2016, 10:45:31 am
Wrists.  They're not supposed to go "click" when you operate a screwdriver, are they?

Unless you've had them upgraded with built-in torque-sensing clutches, I'd think not.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TimC on 21 July, 2016, 12:38:57 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 21 July, 2016, 10:45:31 am
Wrists.  They're not supposed to go "click" when you operate a screwdriver, are they?

Had that yesterday - just turning a tap! 'CLICK' and numbness like I'd been electrocuted. 5 minutes later, it all felt fine. Very odd!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Legs on 21 July, 2016, 01:46:54 pm
Quote from: spesh on 20 July, 2016, 08:52:39 pm
(With apologies to W. Shakespeare)

But, soft! what smell through yonder window breaks?
It is next door-but-one, who have lit a fire.
Arise, foul smoke, and kill the evening air,
While the world fulminates at your super-twattery.

So much more eloquent than my fulmination (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=2177.msg2056923#msg2056923)...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 21 July, 2016, 04:23:27 pm
Quote from: TimC on 21 July, 2016, 12:38:57 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 21 July, 2016, 10:45:31 am
Wrists.  They're not supposed to go "click" when you operate a screwdriver, are they?

Had that yesterday - just turning a tap! 'CLICK' and numbness like I'd been electrocuted. 5 minutes later, it all felt fine. Very odd!


This one has been achey for a couple of days but started going "click" when assembling the stand for Lt. Col. Larrington (retd.)'s new distascope.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jakob W on 22 July, 2016, 05:56:28 pm
Bah, flat on the back of the Dutch bike. Annoyingly I think this may have been because of fettling to try and fix the rubbing noise coming off the front guards. After doing this I propped it up in the sunny bit of the garden, then later moved it to get access to the gate. Didn't notice a flat then, but when I came to use it this evening the rear was down - haven't checked yet but it sounds like a leak near the valve. I hypothesise that the sun caused the tube to swell and pinch at the rim hole when it went down in the shade again. Either way it's a pain - guards, chaincases and hub gears are all very convenient right up until they're not...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 22 July, 2016, 09:30:58 pm
I've just had the Seth thing again. 
 :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 23 July, 2016, 01:07:08 pm
Ding and, moreover, dong, sa the dulcet tones of the doorbell.  Mr Larrington leaps eagerly to his feet, believing it to be a cheerful chappie from Yodel delivering Teh New Shiny... Jehovah's Witnesses. Piss.

At least it was during a TdF advertising-announcement break.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 23 July, 2016, 01:13:30 pm
I really wish there was a LAW prohibiting these Purveyors of Religion disturbing the Peaceful Relaxation of Normal Humans.
What right do they have to disturb our sleep/meal/copulation?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: orienteer on 23 July, 2016, 06:16:46 pm
Don't think I'd indulge in coitus interruptus to answer the doorbell....

My TdF viewing was disturbed by a man with an Irish accent persistently wanting to refurbish my driveway.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 23 July, 2016, 06:56:52 pm
The doorbell spoils the moment even if you don't answer; that's a reason to outlaw unsolicited callers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 23 July, 2016, 06:58:12 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 23 July, 2016, 06:56:52 pm
The doorbell spoils the moment even if you don't answer; that's a reason to outlaw unsolicited callers.

That's also a strong argument for outlawing Rod Hull doorbells...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 23 July, 2016, 07:07:50 pm
Our doorbell is just a plain LOUD ring. I tend to jump when I hear it; so does Partner.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 23 July, 2016, 09:27:31 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 23 July, 2016, 01:07:08 pm
Ding and, moreover, dong, sa the dulcet tones of the doorbell.  Mr Larrington leaps eagerly to his feet, believing it to be a cheerful chappie from Yodel delivering Teh New Shiny... Jehovah's Witnesses. Piss.

Barakta has just discovered another disappointing alternative to cheerful couriers:  Bored police.

(They were following up an incident she reported.)


Quote
At least it was during a TdF advertising-announcement break.

At least I was out on a bike ride.  Apparently they were eyeing up my chocolate though, and if they've seen any 1990s hacker films at all, I expect we're being added to Theresa's little list.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Dibdib on 23 July, 2016, 10:16:35 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 23 July, 2016, 01:13:30 pm
I really wish there was a LAW prohibiting these Purveyors of Religion disturbing the Peaceful Relaxation of Normal Humans.
What right do they have to disturb our sleep/meal/copulation?

I walked out of Chez Dibdib last weekend, playing Pokemon Go taking the dog for a walk, to see a pair of Well Dressed Gentlemen Purveying Religion waiting patiently at a door across the street.

The downstairs window of the house next door to them was wide open, and the full audio soundtrack of their "Something For The Weekend" shenanigans was streaming from the open window. They looked rather sheepish, I failed to contain a larf, and the dog just looked confused. I didn't see which direction the JWs were working down the street to figure out whether they'd skipped that house or not...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 24 July, 2016, 09:19:34 pm
I've just received my monthly BT bill, which is £8.75 more than this time last year.
Neither include any calls outside my 'Package'.
I am Not Pleased.

For those of you with BT expect Bigger Bills.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 25 July, 2016, 03:14:20 pm
My throat's swollen and my head's full of snot.

This'll be because some streptococci heard me say that I need to get more miles in, no doubt.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 25 July, 2016, 03:15:06 pm
Quote from: Kim on 25 July, 2016, 03:14:20 pm
My throat's swollen and my head's full of snot.

This'll be because some streptococci heard me say that I need to get more miles in, no doubt.

They've been eavesdropping on me, too.  Little globular bastards.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Legs on 26 July, 2016, 02:46:05 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 23 July, 2016, 07:07:50 pm
Our doorbell is just a plain LOUD ring. I tend to jump when I hear it; so does Partner.
Sounds like it could be quite enjoyable!  ;)  But relative movement is better - one jump or the other, but not both...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 28 July, 2016, 09:59:50 am
Because Olympics, I'm having to retune the Humax AGAIN, if I want to retain BBC4 HD.  Which means noting all my series recordings down and then searching for the programmes AGAIN after the retune, plus deleting all the dross one channel at a time AGAIN.  >:(  I just hope they leave it wherever they're moving it to after the games, and don't revert and demand another bloody retune.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 28 July, 2016, 11:16:56 am
I'm flying out to Canada on Monday for work and back the following Sunday/ Monday. Really I'd prefer to have some more time at home before heading out to Oz/ Thailand a week later for a fortnight.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 28 July, 2016, 08:29:03 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 28 July, 2016, 09:59:50 am
Because Olympics, I'm having to retune the Humax AGAIN, if I want to retain BBC4 HD.  Which means noting all my series recordings down and then searching for the programmes AGAIN after the retune, plus deleting all the dross one channel at a time AGAIN.  >:(  I just hope they leave it wherever they're moving it to after the games, and don't revert and demand another bloody retune.
Too late for us - it did the retune y'day and, as you say, lost the schedule of recordings, grr.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 29 July, 2016, 02:59:59 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 28 July, 2016, 08:29:03 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 28 July, 2016, 09:59:50 am
Because Olympics, I'm having to retune the Humax AGAIN, if I want to retain BBC4 HD.  Which means noting all my series recordings down and then searching for the programmes AGAIN after the retune, plus deleting all the dross one channel at a time AGAIN.  >:(  I just hope they leave it wherever they're moving it to after the games, and don't revert and demand another bloody retune.
Too late for us - it did the retune y'day and, as you say, lost the schedule of recordings, grr.

Yep, BTDT.  And then there's the one by one deletion of some 120 unwanted channels - which takes some 10 clicks and button presses on the remote per channel.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 29 July, 2016, 05:15:24 pm
seen on sign today at centre parcs

"fishing without a license may result in a fine of up to £1500 by the Environmental Agency"

Aaaaaarrrrgghhhh
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 29 July, 2016, 06:31:05 pm
That TV's Sarah Keith-Lucas is a pretty enough gel but I put it to you, Ms Keith-Lucas, that what we drove through around Northampton yesterday evening was a little bit more than "a shower".
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 29 July, 2016, 06:32:50 pm
Whose bright idea was it to have Noel Fielding as curator at The Museum of Curiosity?  :sick:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 29 July, 2016, 07:02:11 pm
I heard. Not the best choice.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 30 July, 2016, 04:51:40 pm
Boy wanted chips for lunch. Alright then. I didn't want to go to the chip shop so put the oven on for some oven chips. It heated up, I opened the door, put in a tray of chips to cook, shut the door and... all the electricity went off. RCD. So I reset it (are you supposed to do that? Well, I did anyway) and everything seemed to be fine. Go to check on the chips and... the fan is whirring, the lights are indicating their stuff but the oven is just above room temperature. Everything else is working properly so must be a burn out element that tripped the RCD. So, who's up for soggy, raw chips?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 30 July, 2016, 05:35:32 pm
Chip shop it is then?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 31 July, 2016, 03:36:32 pm
Whilst having a shower I managed to knock a pump dispenser of orange Swarfega off the bathroom windowsill & onto my tiled white floor...

Of course the bottle split & gritty orange gunk went everywhere.  It looks like I've murdered something alien !   :sick:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 31 July, 2016, 04:08:09 pm
I routinely decant my Sainsbury's washing-up liquid into a pump dispenser. It's gone so gloopy now that it wouldn't spill but still makes it out of the pump.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 31 July, 2016, 04:16:05 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 31 July, 2016, 03:36:32 pm
Whilst having a shower I managed to knock a pump dispenser of orange Swarfega off the bathroom windowsill & onto my tiled white floor...

Of course the bottle split & gritty orange gunk went everywhere.  It looks like I've murdered something alien !   :sick:

Hope you didn't waste it! Would've done a fabulous job on the grouting . . .
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 31 July, 2016, 04:25:15 pm
Not enough grouting left to clean.
That's another job I've been putting off...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 31 July, 2016, 07:42:02 pm
misjudged the sun today.  tops of arms and knees are a bit pink and stinging after 80km in it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 01 August, 2016, 08:24:44 am
It would have been better if I hadn't left the plan tube on the dining room table. Now tapping my foot at airport dropoff waiting for a taxi to arrive while calculating the latest that I can board.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 01 August, 2016, 08:29:13 am
BTDT. Hope it got there in time.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 03 August, 2016, 01:27:24 pm
Either my feet have gone up two sizes in the last three weeks or my shoes have shrunk by the equivalent amount >:(.

Ow, ow, fuckity-ow :'(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: lou boutin on 03 August, 2016, 01:33:27 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 03 August, 2016, 01:27:24 pm
Either my feet have gone up two sizes in the last three weeks or my shoes have shrunk by the equivalent amount >:(.

Ow, ow, fuckity-ow :'(

I'm really sorry but that made me laugh.   :-[
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 03 August, 2016, 02:34:11 pm
So as my hip has flared up again I contacted the hospital to get an appointment with the consultant who treated me in 2012-2014. Unfortunately the open appointment I had expired after 6 months so I now have to go back to the GP and get a new referral.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 04 August, 2016, 08:26:26 am
Sympathies Matthew, I was promised "come back whenever you like" by the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital for my shoulder or related ortho issues cos they had a "baseline" of my normal but NHS bureaucracy meant that when I tried to use it, the appointment didn't exist. I do remember the days of "lurking on specialists' lists".

I've got a wonderful GP who keeps my referrals with the same people where possible and if needed does a "Dear Mr X" referral rather than choose and book so we can say what's wrong and what we need and she can remind Mr X's team that they saw me Y years ago and I am one of their "interesting" patients :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 04 August, 2016, 09:50:52 am
So far I've only needed one referral per specialist: it seems that once they have you on their books you can call up whenever you like. Which reminds me that I'm overdue for my annual retinal exam. Bugger. I've had a bellyful of waiting-rooms and hospital pong this year, don't need more.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 05 August, 2016, 10:24:08 am
Went out for an early morning pre work ride today.... only 14 muddy miles (the roads around Stafford are in a right state at the moment!) but it was worth doing just to keep my legs moving.

Anyway, thereafter I had to pop into Tescos to do our normal weekly shop still in my cycling kit. So, what comment did I get from the checkout person: a person who has been serving me for years (There are two workers who do the early morning tills so I know them after all these years).....was it:

"Nice legs. Excellent sun tan"..... nope but

(click to show/hide)

Looks like I will need a new supermarket.  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 05 August, 2016, 10:35:07 am
^^^This conversation will not be recorded to improve service.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 05 August, 2016, 10:38:35 am
Quote from: T42 on 05 August, 2016, 10:35:07 am
^^^This conversation will not be recorded to improve service.

Its quite funny you say that as.... I am the person who listens to calls to monitor quality (not for a supermarket thankfully).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 06 August, 2016, 10:53:52 am
Still with phones, Argos claim to work from 8 till 12 Saturdays, but they're not answering the phone.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 07 August, 2016, 09:37:13 am
Dear neighbour,

Thanks for choosing to chainsaw your wood pile in your garage, the one with the open front that faces directly at me.  I see how the alternative of doing it inside your own high walled garden would be inappropriate.  This way I get to enjoy all the noise and fumes rather than your household.  How thoughtful, how neighbourly.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 07 August, 2016, 11:23:13 am
You need a home made smoker.

And garlic. LOTS of garlic . . .
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 08 August, 2016, 03:08:19 pm
Hotel rooms anywhere near Edinburgh are hard to get hold of and furiously expensive in the month of August.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 08 August, 2016, 06:24:52 pm
Self: When walking on a BFO hill in the Lake District, a) ensure you have the correct OS map downloaded onto the phone (I had OL5, not 7), b) when you discover a) ensure you have followed your steps on the paper OS map you had with you (I hadn't) and c) remember that you have the full Lake District OS maps on View Ranger (I forgot). Luckily we found the way back, but it was touch and go before the weather closed in.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 10 August, 2016, 09:59:48 am
The girl ahead of me in the shop queueueue this morning. Tried to pay by card but the till wasn't having any. Shop assistant sez "sorry, our internet connection has gone down. We can only take cash". Girl fumbles in bag for a few minutes, looking for enough cash, which she hasn't got. Without another word she wanders over to the link cash machine in the corner. The cash machine which, y'know, talks to the bank over, like, the internet, innit.  :facepalm: After a few more of minutes she says "it's not working!" ::-) and wanders out the door. The shop assistant pushed the girl's not-purchase to one side, cleared the till, and served a cash customer (me) in just a few seconds.

I was only ten minutes later than usual getting to work ::-)

Young woman with legs so skinny that both of them put together would make one of Chris Froome's arms: You are a feckin' div! >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 10 August, 2016, 10:04:33 am
Actually, that's a bit unfair to the girl - there is no guarantee that the cash machine is using the same internet connection as the shop at all - and some even use dial-up, which would work even when the shop tills go down.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 10 August, 2016, 11:42:27 am
Quote from: mrcharly on 10 August, 2016, 10:04:33 am
Actually, that's a bit unfair to the girl - there is no guarantee that the cash machine is using the same internet connection as the shop at all - and some even use dial-up, which would work even when the shop tills go down.

Exactly, and it is always worth looking just in case.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Morrisette on 11 August, 2016, 09:46:52 am
Nine more years of Abellio. I'm not sure I can do this. Sigh.

*Googles electric bikes*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 11 August, 2016, 02:08:16 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 06 August, 2016, 10:53:52 am
Still with phones, Argos claim to work from 8 till 12 Saturdays, but they're not answering the phone.

Similarly with the local Specsavers. A call at 8:45 on a Tuesday elicits the anwerphone message stating that they are presently closed, but are open from 8:30 on Tuesdays. of course at 9:01 I get through....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 11 August, 2016, 03:01:27 pm
They did answer the phone a bit later though. And today they phoned me. My forks are ready!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 12 August, 2016, 09:01:40 am
^^^Forkin' A.


Meanwhile, my wretched teacup is empty again. :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 12 August, 2016, 09:04:05 am
Quote from: Torslanda on 07 August, 2016, 11:23:13 am
You need a home made smoker.

Visions of flitch of bacon bearing nicotine patches.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: meddyg on 12 August, 2016, 01:32:41 pm
Y'know how all the groovy radio stations 'Heart / Nation /Smooth/Radio 2' (not so groovy, just retired radio 1 jocks)
play jingle type percussion music while they read the news /weather ?
Could you get them to stop it, please ?
(this is the right place to ask isn't it?)

I did mention is to Terry Wogan and his  right hand man Pauli Walters
-but now they have gone to a better place, where they cannot exert the influence required.
Or perhaps they can....

Anyway, make it stop please
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 12 August, 2016, 08:17:52 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 03 August, 2016, 01:27:24 pm
Either my feet have gone up two sizes in the last three weeks or my shoes have shrunk by the equivalent amount >:(.

Ow, ow, fuckity-ow :'(

Note to self: you shoes will fit a lot better if you remember to remove the rolled-up socks from inside them first :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 12 August, 2016, 08:49:03 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 12 August, 2016, 08:17:52 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 03 August, 2016, 01:27:24 pm
Either my feet have gone up two sizes in the last three weeks or my shoes have shrunk by the equivalent amount >:(.

Ow, ow, fuckity-ow :'(

Note to self: you shoes will fit a lot better if you remember to remove the rolled-up socks from inside them first :facepalm:

div thread is down there...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 13 August, 2016, 11:17:14 am
Oh. Shit.

The missus being a lover of books and her birthday being next Wednesday, I went into her Amazon.fr book wish list last week and ordered everything on it.  Just now, dozing around on Amazon.co.uk I discovered another books wish list with a whole different set on it.  The .fr list was all Simone de Beauvoir, the .co.uk is all Wittgenstein GmbH & C° K.G.  Now I come to think of it, the S.d.B. kick was last year, but she wrote so many bloody books I can't keep track of everything.

No way the .co.uk. lot is going to reach France on time.

Oh. Shit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 13 August, 2016, 03:51:09 pm
Dear Neighbours,
The weather here in London is pleasant and we have our windows and doors open.
What makes you think we share your taste in muzak?
Please don't impose it on us; your amplified sound travels a long way!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: meddyg on 14 August, 2016, 08:08:07 pm
Quote
Whose bright idea was it to have Noel Fielding as curator at The Museum of Curiosity?

Is he a famous person, then ?
Likewise it brought me up sharp - he's not a Stephen Fry or a Will Self is he ?

Sarah Millican was brighter and more amusing

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 16 August, 2016, 12:01:01 am
having successfully got to LHR T5 by train in 2 hours this morning I thought I was doing well today.  Good useful day trip to Aberdeen.

Flight 30 mins late on the way home, train stops for 30 minutes part way due to an alarm and then terminates at Cambridge instead of Ely.

Instead of being home for 11 after a 5am start, I've just got in.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mike on 16 August, 2016, 06:53:04 am
Parents of YACF, how early is too early to let your small child shout and scream while playing in the back garden?  Imagine if you lived in a terraced house surrounded by people sleeping. 

I feel 5.30 is a bit early.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 16 August, 2016, 07:02:39 am
IANAP, but...

Any earlier than 07:00 is definitely WRONG.  IIRC, I don't think we were ever out much earlier than 8.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 16 August, 2016, 07:56:07 am
I think I left my decent earphones on Saturdays plane. Got distracted by the other half as I was getting up.

Fuckity arse bollocks
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 16 August, 2016, 11:44:07 am
Quote from: mike on 16 August, 2016, 06:53:04 am
Parents of YACF, how early is too early to let your small child shout and scream while playing in the back garden?  Imagine if you lived in a terraced house surrounded by people sleeping. 

I feel 5.30 is a bit early.

I am not a parent.

I believe it is unlawful to sound the horn on a motor car between 23.30 and 07.00 so there is a general expectation of reduced night-time noise at these times.

It seems reasonable to keep kids quiet at these time too.

Your local Environmental Health department might be helpful...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 16 August, 2016, 12:15:48 pm
Quote from: mike on 16 August, 2016, 06:53:04 am
Parents of YACF, how early is too early to let your small child shout and scream while playing in the back garden?  Imagine if you lived in a terraced house surrounded by people sleeping. 

I feel 5.30 is a bit early.

If you live in London, then no worries, according to the Evening Standard it's only a matter of time before urban foxes eat them. I can't speculate on the appetite of foxes in the provinces, but when the local chicken has suffered the culinary ministrations of Colonel Sanders I can't entirely blame our foxes for making alternative mealtime arrangements.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 16 August, 2016, 12:39:18 pm
Quote from: mike on 16 August, 2016, 06:53:04 am
Parents of YACF, how early is too early to let your small child shout and scream while playing in the back garden?  Imagine if you lived in a terraced house surrounded by people sleeping. 

I feel 5.30 is a bit early.

I live in a terraced house surrounded by, well, builders mostly.

The builders arrive early and start making noise on the dot of 8am.  They're more accurate than Old Joe.  I assume someone's had words.  This seems entirely reasonable.

I prefer it when the students are here, of course.  The sporty ones get up quietly at sparrowfart to go to sportsball training, and the rest are quiet until the afternoon.  I'd much rather have drunken zombies at 2am than anything at 8.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 16 August, 2016, 12:56:05 pm
One thing about living a steep valley that channels sound is that there is a constant beep-beep-beep (and other sundry noises) of reversing vehicles somewhere.

If I was, say, a morally unconstrained vampire I'd hunt down and bite the throat out of whoever invented this noxious audible phenomenon. As it is, I'll settle for beating them flat with a shovel while shouting 'stand clear, stand clear, a beating is happening'.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 16 August, 2016, 01:04:23 pm
Quote from: mike on 16 August, 2016, 06:53:04 am
Parents of YACF, how early is too early to let your small child shout and scream while playing in the back garden?  Imagine if you lived in a terraced house surrounded by people sleeping. 

I feel 5.30 is a bit early.
Sprinklers
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 18 August, 2016, 09:27:41 am
It's time for one of those "Why did they change it?" grumbles. Firstly, I ordered the exact same size and model of mitts to replace the one the paramedic scissored. But Altura seem to have changed their sizing and Medium is now rather tight across the palm while having slightly longer fingerlets. I'm sure my hands haven't become Large so I guess the mitts will stretch a little. No big deal.

Second, the saddle, again exact same model. Well, same manufacturer and same model name. Noticeably lighter than the old one. That's good! But how have they made it lighter? Three ways: by taking most of the squidge out, by shortening the nose and by introducing a cut-out into the shell (but only the shell, not the top). None of these are necessarily bad things but why can't they say they've altered it? Finally, they're using a different material for the top and it's a bit slippery to sit on. I'll see how I get on with it anyway, and at least my bike is now about 100g lighter!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 18 August, 2016, 09:51:46 am
Marketing abhors perfection.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: lou boutin on 18 August, 2016, 12:57:47 pm
I have cabin fever. I am on bed rest again and sick of the sight of these four wall.  Since my op 5wks ago I have left the house 3 times.  I've walked to the shop this week which seems to have lead to the need for bed rest.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 18 August, 2016, 01:14:33 pm
Gah sorry to hear you're having to rest more after unfair over exertion. Hope you reheal quickly and are able to get out and about soonest.  We should send you silly things to cheer you up!

(http://justcuteanimals.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/baby-otter-pups-cute-animal-pictures-pics-600x396.jpg)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 18 August, 2016, 01:27:38 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cm_G82Vq5jY
https://youtu.be/cm_G82Vq5jY
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 18 August, 2016, 01:45:25 pm
Don't they make funny noises!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: lou boutin on 18 August, 2016, 02:33:11 pm
They're so cute :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 19 August, 2016, 09:54:40 am
Lloyds Bank, whether you believe it or not, people sometimes visit more than one part of Abroad, where the FOREIGNS come from, in the course of a single trip, be it Bizniz or holibobs.  But your atupid webby SCIENCE requires specific dates for each country, so I can't tell it that I'll be in USAnia and Canuckistan between dates X and Y.  I don't know precisely when, or even if, I'll be in the latter (although the presence on the Chips Room shelf of a fistful of Canuckistani dollars is a powerful incentive to visit Winnipeg) and trying to adjust things online once I am in USAnia strikes me as being a risky venture.  Oh, and the branch can't do it either, unlike last year.

Your are a pack of Sillies.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mike on 19 August, 2016, 11:30:39 am
that sounds better than first direct, at least they're taking an interest and pretending to have a system. 

Every bloody time I visit the US I warn FD, and every bloody time they block my cards the very first time I use them there, needing a 20 minute phone call to their 'help' desk, then a painful conversation for them about refunding my phone bill.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 19 August, 2016, 12:25:24 pm
FFS.  While I've been at work the bloody cats have had a crap-fest in my back yard, and a nice cuppa in the garden was curtailed by the smell of cat shit, which even overwhelmed the smell of the jasmine which has just come into flower.  I'm going to have to GAMI again and pay him to pressure wash the whole place.  Again.  I've heard a layer of coffee grounds may discourage them, but I fear just encouraging them by giving them something to dig.

 :'( :'(

Oh, well.  I guess it's part of urban living - people and pets living in close proximity and requiring a higher level of tolerance.

I'm off to take a dump on next door's pansies.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 19 August, 2016, 12:32:44 pm
Get a small boy in with a catapult.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 19 August, 2016, 12:45:17 pm
olbas oil or eucalyptus oil on used tea bags has been mooted to work.  Seems to have stopped them getting in my greenhouse
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 19 August, 2016, 12:48:27 pm
I didn't know about used tea bags, but that would explain why no cat has ever been seen in my kitchen!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 19 August, 2016, 12:50:10 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 18 August, 2016, 09:27:41 am
It's time for one of those "Why did they change it?" grumbles...
On a related note; Merrell - I ordered a pair of your Freewheel Shoes in 10.5 and they fit perfectly. Another style in the same size were a tad too big, but fitted with an insole and a third style gave me blisters within 5 minutes. Aaaagh!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: lou boutin on 19 August, 2016, 12:51:03 pm
Apparently you can buy devices that emit a high pitched noise that scares off animals but can't be heard by humans.  My friend has one and it's stopped her neighbours cat goingimto her garden.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 19 August, 2016, 12:56:36 pm
Quote from: lou boutin on 19 August, 2016, 12:51:03 pm
Apparently you can buy devices that emit a high pitched noise that scares off animals but can't be heard by humans.  My friend has one and it's stopped her neighbours cat goingimto her garden.

I noted a couple of potentially useful devices on the relevant thread, but couldn't afford them this month.  Expensive things, other people's cats  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 19 August, 2016, 01:06:59 pm
Quote from: lou boutin on 19 August, 2016, 12:51:03 pm
Apparently you can buy devices that emit a high pitched noise that scares off animals but can't be heard by humans.  My friend has one and it's stopped her neighbours cat goingimto her garden.
I have one for scaring to foxes away from the chicken coop. I can hear it at the lowest frequency.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 19 August, 2016, 01:24:53 pm
Probably scares away kids then.  :-\
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 19 August, 2016, 03:20:04 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 19 August, 2016, 09:54:40 am
Lloyds Bank, whether you believe it or not, people sometimes visit more than one part of Abroad, where the FOREIGNS come from, in the course of a single trip, be it Bizniz or holibobs.  But your atupid webby SCIENCE requires specific dates for each country, so I can't tell it that I'll be in USAnia and Canuckistan between dates X and Y.  I don't know precisely when, or even if, I'll be in the latter (although the presence on the Chips Room shelf of a fistful of Canuckistani dollars is a powerful incentive to visit Winnipeg) and trying to adjust things online once I am in USAnia strikes me as being a risky venture.  Oh, and the branch can't do it either, unlike last year.

I was wondering about this with NatPest, though I haven't actually tried yet.  Maybe it accepts overlapping dates?  Maybe it stops your card if you don't cross the border at midnight?  Who knows?

What I do know is that their webby SCIENCE only pertains to debt (TBAGO) cards.  For credit cards you have to resort to that instrument of anbaric audism, the telephone.  Bastards. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 19 August, 2016, 03:37:45 pm
I believe Lloyds covers both credit and debit cards.  If it doesn't I shall probably be thrown into an Illinois gaol a week on Sunday.

In 2013, having not flagged my FOREIGN business to the bank at all, because I didn't know you could, my credit card stopped working at 'gas' stations from Wyoming to Delaware, but hotels happily accepted it ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 19 August, 2016, 03:41:34 pm
my "Tesco" CC specifically says I do not have to tell them about travelling abroad, and thus far I've had no issues. I've not experienced the FD problems Mike has had, as I rarely use my debit cards, and never abroad.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 19 August, 2016, 03:55:33 pm
I've found that you can either tell them just let it be used anywhere, or tell them each time.

Halifax let me give them a number of countries and date ranges.  Oddly they wanted to know about Indonesia, but couldn't give a stuff about Vietnam - different fraud risk profiles
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 19 August, 2016, 06:47:24 pm
I have never, ever told them. Mind you they should have got the message by now. My wife's card got cloned in NYC as usual. Unless she's buying a lot of sneakers on the sly ($900 in Foot Locker etc.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 19 August, 2016, 06:58:43 pm
Quote from: mike on 19 August, 2016, 11:30:39 am
that sounds better than first direct, at least they're taking an interest and pretending to have a system. 

Every bloody time I visit the US I warn FD, and every bloody time they block my cards the very first time I use them there, needing a 20 minute phone call to their 'help' desk, then a painful conversation for them about refunding my phone bill.

Odd.  I'm with First Direct & have never had this problem.  It's a few years since I visited the USA mind, but I didn't tell them about any of my recent European trips & everything worked fine.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Si S on 20 August, 2016, 04:45:48 am
I know you were born in Blackpool but this is not the fucking illuminations  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TigaSefi on 20 August, 2016, 10:14:17 am
Quote from: Si S on 20 August, 2016, 04:45:48 am
I know you were born in Blackpool but this is not the fucking illuminations  >:(

Christmas lights already up?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 20 August, 2016, 11:07:29 am
Quote from: TigaSefi on 20 August, 2016, 10:14:17 am
Quote from: Si S on 20 August, 2016, 04:45:48 am
I know you were born in Blackpool but this is not the fucking illuminations  >:(

Christmas lights already up?
Naa I think it is time for Si to install motion detectors and timers on all the lights in the house. As person in the household got problems with switches :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 21 August, 2016, 04:38:16 pm
Self: when driving 25 minutes to meet up for a ride, ensure you remember to pack the saddle & seatpost of your Birdy folder that you removed three weeks ago.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 21 August, 2016, 07:13:41 pm
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 21 August, 2016, 04:38:16 pm
Self: when driving 25 minutes to meet up for a ride, ensure you remember to pack the saddle & seatpost of your Birdy folder that you removed three weeks ago.

Many years ago, a certain M Burrows was greatly discombobulated to discover that during the dismantling of his race machine to get it in the car before a three-hour drive to the race, his mate had neglected to put the front wheels in with the rest of it.

Good to see M Burrows racing today1, though he's lost a bit of the pace he had at the start of the season.

1: On a bike where removing either wheel requires a trip to the workshop ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 21 August, 2016, 08:02:01 pm
I have grumbled previously (probably more than once) about modern (classical) music.  Who knows?  I may be wrong and in 100-200 years time it may be considered the best music ever produced.  But I shan't hold my breath (and I'd be dead either way).

I know the Proms has a history of presenting new music, commissioned or otherwise.  Also, the Proms present a great opportunity to expose people to lesser-known works by pairing them up with more popular compositions.
 
But... I'm finding this year it's all a bit much.  It feels as if nearly every evening starts with something modern/new.  There have been very few evenings I've listened to an entire performance (listen a bit, note when the interval is scheduled to begin, go listen to something else then come back for the second half), and almost no programme has raised my interest enough to actually go to the Albert Hall.  I know there's a new Director this year, and it looks like he's making his mark on the Proms.   Personally, I don't like what he's done.  In previous years I'd make an effort to listen (nearly) every evening and go see a handful of concerts.  This year my attitude is all a bit 'meh'. 

Bring on 2017.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 21 August, 2016, 08:50:30 pm
You're getting to be an old fuddy-duddy, Andrij!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 21 August, 2016, 09:09:19 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 21 August, 2016, 08:50:30 pm
You're getting to be an old fuddy-duddy, Andrij!

Oi!  I'm not old!  >:(


 ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 22 August, 2016, 10:16:52 am
Hold music overlaid with the same long, drawn-out, irrelevant voice message delivered in 3 languages, then "all our operators are busy, please call back". :demon:

I should know better than to try and contact officialdom on a Monday morning.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 22 August, 2016, 10:22:22 am
Three and a half hour delay and counting, fog offshore.

I knew I shouldn't have rushed breakfast as soon as I looked out the hotel window this morning
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 22 August, 2016, 11:02:09 am
Quote from: Andrij on 21 August, 2016, 09:09:19 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 21 August, 2016, 08:50:30 pm
You're getting to be an old fuddy-duddy, Andrij!

Oi!  I'm not old!  >:(


 ;)
Young fogey!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 22 August, 2016, 11:24:26 am
Thank you!  :smug:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Diver300 on 22 August, 2016, 08:45:47 pm
With 4 mobile phones between them, and a house phone, it should be really easy to get hold of the family when they are all at home, shouldn't it?

Dream on.

Over an hour to notice the n missed calls.

Two of the family are in their twenties and never off their phones, unless I want to get hold of them, obv.

2 hours 45 minutes to get two busses, cycle 4 miles and finally meet up with car driven to meet me. Another "average" commute home.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 22 August, 2016, 09:48:29 pm
Returning to Andrij's Prom grumble, I've been listening today and... well, it wasn't at all the kind of thing I expected. No, it really wasn't.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 22 August, 2016, 09:50:44 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 22 August, 2016, 09:48:29 pm
Returning to Andrij's Prom grumble, I've been listening today and... well, it wasn't at all the kind of thing I expected. No, it really wasn't.

While not entirely the sort of stuff I'd have on my playlist, I'm enjoying tonight's concert.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 22 August, 2016, 09:51:32 pm
 :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 22 August, 2016, 10:20:19 pm
Quote from: Andrij on 22 August, 2016, 09:50:44 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 22 August, 2016, 09:48:29 pm
Returning to Andrij's Prom grumble, I've been listening today and... well, it wasn't at all the kind of thing I expected. No, it really wasn't.

While not entirely the sort of stuff I'd have on my playlist, I'm enjoying tonight's concert.  :thumbsup:

Kinnell, BBC! Shirley if youse goin' to 'ave a bloody singist wivva norkestrah then FFS! get the sound balance right. Downs grams, up voice.

It's the Fooki-N'Albert-All, not bleedin' karry-yokey . . .
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 23 August, 2016, 08:43:19 am
Quote from: Torslanda on 22 August, 2016, 10:20:19 pm
Quote from: Andrij on 22 August, 2016, 09:50:44 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 22 August, 2016, 09:48:29 pm
Returning to Andrij's Prom grumble, I've been listening today and... well, it wasn't at all the kind of thing I expected. No, it really wasn't.

While not entirely the sort of stuff I'd have on my playlist, I'm enjoying tonight's concert.  :thumbsup:

Kinnell, BBC! Shirley if youse goin' to 'ave a bloody singist wivva norkestrah then FFS! get the sound balance right. Downs grams, up voice.

It's the Fooki-N'Albert-All, not bleedin' karry-yokey . . .

I shall get Prof Larrington to have words with her chum A Davey, who is the Controller of Radio 3 and, I presume, not the Alan Davey who used to play bass in Hawkwind.

[
Omnes:O hai! Teh "Tenuous Claims 2 Faem" thred iz over there ====>!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 23 August, 2016, 09:22:00 am
I've only been to one concert at the Albert Hall, a proms of Beethoven's Ninth IIRC. I was completely underwhelmed by the acoustic, expecting to be blown away (as I was with Carmina Burana in Chichester Cathedral) but instead left wondering where the volume control was.  :-\

Edit:  Actually was the Tchaikovsky 1812 I recall, so even more underwhelming given it had cannons!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 23 August, 2016, 09:38:01 am
Because I am an unkultured oaf the only shows I have seen at the Albert Hall have been by Popular Beat Combos who cheat and use Anbaricks to make sure you can hear them when up the back.  Explosions In The Sky were jolly loud and Beck was more than adequate.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 23 August, 2016, 10:06:31 am
Isn't the Albert Hall notorious for its bad acoustics? Built to impress visually rather than aurally.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 23 August, 2016, 11:15:51 am
Quote from: Billy Connolley
So this is the Albert hall, eh?
I've played some toilets in my time...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Zipperhead on 23 August, 2016, 02:03:36 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 23 August, 2016, 10:06:31 am
Isn't the Albert Hall notorious for its bad acoustics? Built to impress visually rather than aurally.

It certainly is. That's why it's got the flying saucers up in the ceiling.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 23 August, 2016, 03:09:28 pm
Just got an exciting email
Quote
Dear AuroraWatch UK subscriber,

Red alert: aurora likely.

It is likely that aurora will be visible by eye and camera from anywhere
in the UK. Viewing aurora requires clear, dark skies away from light
pollution.
 
To monitor current activity see http://aurorawatch.lancs.ac.uk.

Issued 2016-08-23 13:25 UTC (14:25 BST) by AuroraWatch UK using SAMNET
LAN2 data from Lancaster, UK.


Checked the weather forecast for tonight.

ARSE.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 23 August, 2016, 03:22:47 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 19 August, 2016, 03:41:34 pm
my "Tesco" CC specifically says I do not have to tell them about travelling abroad, and thus far I've had no issues. I've not experienced the FD problems Mike has had, as I rarely use my debit cards, and never abroad.

Ditto with TESCO (which is really RBS/NatWest so I understand)  and AMEX (although AMEX did flag me at a shop after the 4th purchase within 30 minutes in the US - phone rang, assistant handed me the phone, AMEX asked 2 security questions and all was sorted).  AND FD too - only have a debit card and that doesn't get used abroad either - having the "buffer time before payment" with a credit card has some comfort in the event of issues.

Rob

Rob
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 23 August, 2016, 04:32:55 pm
Quote from: David Martin on 23 August, 2016, 03:09:28 pm
Just got an exciting email
Quote
Dear AuroraWatch UK subscriber,

Red alert: aurora likely.

It is likely that aurora will be visible by eye and camera from anywhere
in the UK. Viewing aurora requires clear, dark skies away from light
pollution.
 
To monitor current activity see http://aurorawatch.lancs.ac.uk.

Issued 2016-08-23 13:25 UTC (14:25 BST) by AuroraWatch UK using SAMNET
LAN2 data from Lancaster, UK.


Checked the weather forecast for tonight.

ARSE.

It's OK David, it was a false alarm.... http://aurorawatch.lancs.ac.uk/messages/
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 23 August, 2016, 06:31:59 pm
Dear AuroraWatch UK subscriber,

We apologise for the earlier false alert (issued 13:25 UTC today) which was caused by a lawnmower creating a local disturbance at our Lancaster site. For more information please see
http://wp.lancs.ac.uk/aurorawatchuk/2016/08/23/red-alert-cancelled/
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 23 August, 2016, 06:35:43 pm
Quote from: David Martin on 23 August, 2016, 06:31:59 pm
Dear AuroraWatch UK subscriber,

We apologise for the earlier false alert (issued 13:25 UTC today) which was caused by a lawnmower creating a local disturbance at our Lancaster site. For more information please see
http://wp.lancs.ac.uk/aurorawatchuk/2016/08/23/red-alert-cancelled/

 ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 24 August, 2016, 07:49:22 am
Riding in Germany yesterday we saw two condomautomatonesque inner-tube machines beside the cycle paths.  Chum, who is prez of regional FFCT committee & in frequent contact with the authorities, told me that when he'd suggested that similar machines be placed along cycle paths here, the powers replied that doing so would be to invite the suggestion that their cycling facilities caused punctures.

As it happens, people get more punctures on cycle paths here than on the roads.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 24 August, 2016, 09:01:29 am
Quote from: rafletcher on 23 August, 2016, 09:22:00 am
I've only been to one concert at the Albert Hall, a proms of Beethoven's Ninth IIRC. I was completely underwhelmed by the acoustic, expecting to be blown away (as I was with Carmina Burana in Chichester Cathedral) but instead left wondering where the volume control was.  :-\

Edit:  Actually was the Tchaikovsky 1812 I recall, so even more underwhelming given it had cannons!

Never been to a concert at the Albert Hall, despite being keen on many types of classical music, but I went to a choral concert in Chichester cathedral, and reckoned the acoustic was poor, and this was with artists I've heard before in other venues (The Sixteen).  Different venue suit different types of performance, I suppose.

The last 1812 I heard live was at the Battle Proms, at Highclere, with lots of real cannons, and it was pretty good.  The smoke and smell of black powder does add to the ambience.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 24 August, 2016, 01:17:51 pm
"Charles from Microsoft Windows Technical Department" today, some also Indian-accented woman whose false name I forget yesterday. Why do they keep wasting their bloody time? What sort of dickheads are too stupid to cross me off their list?

Same for "The Vault", though at least they seem to be trying to sell me something (crap though it is) rather than just steal from me.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 24 August, 2016, 02:21:56 pm
At present, stepping from my office and into the factory, is akin to stepping off an airliner at Athens airport.
My office has a/c.
The factory does not.
Scorchio.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 24 August, 2016, 02:42:21 pm
Coming out of the Estate Office just now was like that in reverse. 8'x6' room with a GBFO PC, printer, two rather warm-running NASen, a hifi amp and a south-facing window with a black blind.  I am now slowly congealing back into Mr Larrington from a puddle of melted gloop.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 24 August, 2016, 03:16:53 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 24 August, 2016, 02:42:21 pm
Coming out of the Estate Office just now was like that in reverse. 8'x6' room with a GBFO PC, printer, two rather warm-running NASen, a hifi amp and a south-facing window with a black blind.  I am now slowly congealing back into Mr Larrington from a puddle of melted gloop.

You are Odo AICMFP
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 24 August, 2016, 03:55:38 pm
(Googles "Odo". Is none the wiser.  And no, Mega-Global Chocolate Manufactury Corporation of Mountain View, USAnia, I did not mean "Odometer" :facepalm:)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 24 August, 2016, 04:37:01 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 24 August, 2016, 03:55:38 pm
(Googles "Odo". Is none the wiser.  And no, Mega-Global Chocolate Manufactury Corporation of Mountain View, USAnia, I did not mean "Odometer" :facepalm:)

Star trek reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odo_(Star_Trek)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 24 August, 2016, 07:49:38 pm
Quote from: matthew on 24 August, 2016, 03:16:53 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 24 August, 2016, 02:42:21 pm
Coming out of the Estate Office just now was like that in reverse. 8'x6' room with a GBFO PC, printer, two rather warm-running NASen, a hifi amp and a south-facing window with a black blind.  I am now slowly congealing back into Mr Larrington from a puddle of melted gloop.

You are Odo AICMFP
Is that the same or similar to a squonk (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squonk) ?
Or am I at risk of making my *tolerance* of early Genesis apparent?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 24 August, 2016, 08:17:32 pm
Barakta has it, star trek ds9 reference.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 25 August, 2016, 06:51:07 am
Starbucks.  Nob off with your 'first taste of Autumn' pumpkin spiced latte.  It's still summer for another week. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 25 August, 2016, 07:23:42 am
Quote from: Ruthie on 25 August, 2016, 06:51:07 am
Starbucks.  Nob off with your 'first taste of Autumn' pumpkin spiced latte.  It's still summer for another week.

FTFY :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 25 August, 2016, 07:40:31 am
Quote from: Ruthie on 25 August, 2016, 06:51:07 am
Starbucks.  Nob off with your 'first taste of Autumn' pumpkin spiced latte.  It's still summer for another week.

Still summer here until 21st Sept.  ::-)

But yes, Starbucks belongs where the sun don't shine.

(Good God! Firefox's dick-shun-ary contains "Starbucks". Where can I get an AK47?  I want to run amok in Mozillaville.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 26 August, 2016, 10:31:20 pm
I have been sweltering here in Londonton.
My new landline phones arrived today and take AA batteries while my old ones used AAA cells.
First call received on new phone is a spam call, which starts "with winter here..." at which I hang up.
Partner suggests phones must be Australian.
Does anyone want 4 part-used Duracell (750mAh) AAAs?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 27 August, 2016, 08:19:15 am
Not much, ta, but thanks for reminding me that the accus in my battery headlamp need recharging.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 27 August, 2016, 11:12:19 am
Quote from: T42 on 27 August, 2016, 08:19:15 am
Not much, ta, but thanks for reminding me that the accus in my battery headlamp need recharging.

and reminding me to strip the rechargables out of my now defunct office phone.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 28 August, 2016, 02:18:23 am
A pox on feeble USAnian Anbaricks, which is taking approximately three years to bring the kettle to a suitable state of boilingness for the production of Proper Tea >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 28 August, 2016, 08:18:27 am
When I was over yonder they spoke of tapping 3-phase 110v across two phases to run 220v kit...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 28 August, 2016, 08:56:53 am
Router possibly destroyed by yesterday's thunderstorms.  >:(

Electrical spike caused by lightning? No. Idiot son left window wide open and 2 X routers + NAS have had a bath.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 28 August, 2016, 09:12:10 am
Looks like idiot son will be short on money for a little while, then.  Unless he's a tiny, then he needs to learn that actions (or inactions) have consequences.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 28 August, 2016, 12:39:36 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 28 August, 2016, 02:18:23 am
A pox on feeble USAnian Anbaricks, which is taking approximately three years to bring the kettle to a suitable state of boilingness for the production of Proper Tea >:(
Shouldn't this be in First World Problems?  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 28 August, 2016, 12:45:06 pm
Everything I need/want to buy is going up in price!  I've got so used to fancy things steadily getting cheaper, that its a bit of a struggle seeing a watch go from £130 to £160, a monitor go from £475 to £515, and an SSD go up from £233 to £269 since March.  Ouch!  Not sure if the SSD (Samsung) is affected by any earthquakery, and i have no idea where the Dell monitor is made, but the watch is Swiss, so I'm puzzled.  Probably not "Brexitery"...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 28 August, 2016, 12:46:42 pm
Quote from: Bledlow on 28 August, 2016, 12:39:36 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 28 August, 2016, 02:18:23 am
A pox on feeble USAnian Anbaricks, which is taking approximately three years to bring the kettle to a suitable state of boilingness for the production of Proper Tea >:(
Shouldn't this be in First World Problems?  ;D

Debatable.
Methinks in the Third World they would boil water efficiently with FIRE
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 28 August, 2016, 01:09:37 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 28 August, 2016, 12:46:42 pm
Quote from: Bledlow on 28 August, 2016, 12:39:36 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 28 August, 2016, 02:18:23 am
A pox on feeble USAnian Anbaricks, which is taking approximately three years to bring the kettle to a suitable state of boilingness for the production of Proper Tea >:(
Shouldn't this be in First World Problems?  ;D

Debatable.
Methinks in the Third World they would boil water efficiently with FIRE

Thus deforesting the Sahel.  Open fires are actually quite inefficient for boiling pots.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jakob W on 28 August, 2016, 04:25:37 pm
Quote from: Wombat on 28 August, 2016, 12:45:06 pm
Everything I need/want to buy is going up in price!  I've got so used to fancy things steadily getting cheaper, that its a bit of a struggle seeing a watch go from £130 to £160, a monitor go from £475 to £515, and an SSD go up from £233 to £269 since March.  Ouch!  Not sure if the SSD (Samsung) is affected by any earthquakery, and i have no idea where the Dell monitor is made, but the watch is Swiss, so I'm puzzled.  Probably not "Brexitery"...

Nah, the pound has tanked against the Swiss franc as well, so Brexitery is still in the frame. The posher sort of watch has increased prices well above inflation for at least the last decade, so that may also be a factor...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 28 August, 2016, 06:28:04 pm
Quote from: Wombat on 28 August, 2016, 09:12:10 am
Looks like idiot son will be short on money for a little while, then.  Unless he's a tiny, then he needs to learn that actions (or inactions) have consequences.

He's 24 and a penniless oaf student, having already spent his summer job earnings. But he's just "loaned" me a spare router, and thankfully the drive and the plusnet router survived their soaking.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 29 August, 2016, 09:40:49 am
I still think woodwork when I read "router". I have a Bosch and a big Metabo but apart from the mains they don't connect to anything.

Anyway, my grouse of the day is about the beautiful Le Tanneur document case I was given a while back.  It's nominally for A4 docs & pads, but since it's stiff leather and all the pockets are sized to exact A4 dimensions, it's impossible to slide more than a single sheet into any of them, and that at risk of crumpling.  Eejits.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 29 August, 2016, 07:00:20 pm
I've got a feckin insect bite on my bum and it itches, grrrr!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 30 August, 2016, 01:28:56 pm
My telephone got wet on my bike ride. :(

The screen, at best, has a thin bright line down the middle - at worst is rendered in shades of green. :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 30 August, 2016, 03:20:11 pm
When I search for 'envelopes' on Sainsbury's website

I am looking to purchase postal stationery.

You can stuff your poncey teabags elsewhere.

Thank you.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 30 August, 2016, 05:00:21 pm
Ruddy no-longer-a-teen who returned home early from family holiday had her 'farewell to friends' before going to uni party on Sunday, one day after we returned from holiday. Not while we were away and she was at home, but after we returned.

First day back at work and she wants 2 friends round to watch movies for half the night. Not in her room, but in the living room. That will be the only room in the house I relax in when I get home.

Making a pleasure out of a pain; I repaired a punctured tyre in friend's bike (best friend of the Ruddy no-longer-a-teen), rode it round to their house, ran 2 miles home, showered and went out for a meal with MrsC. Not planned but a nice evening out.
A bit knackered now, 'cause I've walked about 4 miles today and run 2.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 01 September, 2016, 01:32:26 pm
The soft bag in which my reading glasses live when off duty has gone missing.  I work even fewer locations than Laszlo Woodbine but it appears not to be in any of them chiz.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 01 September, 2016, 09:07:39 pm
Quote from: Bledlow on 28 August, 2016, 12:39:36 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 28 August, 2016, 02:18:23 am
A pox on feeble USAnian Anbaricks, which is taking approximately three years to bring the kettle to a suitable state of boilingness for the production of Proper Tea >:(
Shouldn't this be in First World Problems?  ;D
That would be continuing the illusion that the USA is the First World.  ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 03 September, 2016, 11:17:22 pm
We're off to Majorca for a week soon so I ordered a few Euros for us to use as spending money.

The bank has sent me thirty-five notes in four denominations. I can hardly close my 'space cash' purse!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 06 September, 2016, 09:05:10 am
My neck & right shoulder have been sore & stiff for 2 days now,  it hurts all the time & I can't look over my right shoulder when on the bike.    I must be getting old, I've even ordered one of those microwave heat pad thingies! 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TigaSefi on 07 September, 2016, 08:12:02 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 03 September, 2016, 11:17:22 pm
We're off to Majorca for a week soon so I ordered a few Euros for us to use as spending money.

The bank has sent me thirty-five notes in four denominations. I can hardly close my 'space cash' purse!

On the other hand, keeping your holiday money separate is a great idea! Some in socks, bras, underwear, secret hole in sole etc.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 07 September, 2016, 11:04:56 am
Trudge up the stairs one at a time and the Fitbit counts the steps and one "floor".  Run up them two at a time and it doesn't notice. Tw@s.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 07 September, 2016, 01:13:06 pm
bloody aerosol air 'freshner' in the work toilets made me sneeze
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: lou boutin on 07 September, 2016, 03:44:51 pm
Quote from: T42 on 07 September, 2016, 11:04:56 am
Trudge up the stairs one at a time and the Fitbit counts the steps and one "floor".  Run up them two at a time and it doesn't notice. Tw@s.

Yep mine feels me I'm asleep if I sit up in bed in the night and read.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 07 September, 2016, 04:33:22 pm
You're both doing it wrong.  Stop turning 2 pages at a time, and run up the stairs more vigorously.   :D


TBH, I'm astounded that the things can infer anything even remotely like useful data from an accelerometer on the *wrist*.  Actually, I've got a cadence sensor that works on the same principle, which doesn't.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 07 September, 2016, 04:44:04 pm
TBH, I don't give a monkey's what the POYS thinks.  I wear it mostly because three days after the missus gave me it the battery in my real watch ran out. But it's amusing to see that after a 100k it thinks I've climbed 120 floors.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 07 September, 2016, 04:45:28 pm
Barakta's recorded several thousand steps from a session in the washing machine.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 07 September, 2016, 05:50:58 pm
Quote from: Kim on 07 September, 2016, 04:33:22 pm
You're both doing it wrong.  Stop turning 2 pages at a time, and run up the stairs more vigorously.   :D


TBH, I'm astounded that the things can infer anything even remotely like useful data from an accelerometer on the *wrist*.  Actually, I've got a cadence sensor that works on the same principle, which doesn't.

Trust me I'm a doctor tested lots of those Fitbit style devices this week and basically their verdict was - they can't
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 07 September, 2016, 07:28:10 pm
I don't know whether I've done exactly 16381 steps today, and it is pretty easy to fool if you want to, e.g. the floors climbed is certainly broken if you live somewhere hilly; it thinks mowing my parents' lawn is aerobics; I regard the heart rate as uncalibrated and purely wrist based activities (like beating eggs for a meringue) get counted as steps. But, it reminds me when I've been lazy, sitting in one place for ages, how often I was disturbed in the night (which I forget but am still tired) and stress shows up in the relative resting heart rate. So, on balance I like it as a way of reflecting on my day to day care of myself. I doubt my doctor will ever use it as the sole basis of anything.
When I next get a new phone I'll get one that talks to it, so it can buzz when I get a call. Mrs Dan will like this, as I might actually notice it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 07 September, 2016, 09:41:04 pm
Quote from: Kim on 07 September, 2016, 04:45:28 pm
Barakta's recorded several thousand steps from a session in the washing machine.

I'm going to assume barakta wasn't wearing it at the time.   :o
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 07 September, 2016, 09:48:11 pm
Quote from: TigaSefi on 07 September, 2016, 08:12:02 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 03 September, 2016, 11:17:22 pm
We're off to Majorca for a week soon so I ordered a few Euros for us to use as spending money.

The bank has sent me thirty-five notes in four denominations. I can hardly close my 'space cash' purse!

On the other hand, keeping your holiday money separate is a great idea! Some in socks, bras, underwear, secret hole in sole etc.

I found another space cash purse with a hundred Euros enclosed before I left.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 08 September, 2016, 02:04:03 am
The card machine at tonight's accommodation would not talk to my credit card.  If this is symptomatic of a wider malaise there will be trouble >:(

Edit: The "gas" station up the street was quite happy to take thirty-eight dollars from it in exchange for a Certain Quantity of motor-spirit so it's them not me.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 08 September, 2016, 08:27:37 am
I had several instances of that in NZ, so after the second refusal, I contacted my bank (Santander) in the UK to ask what was going on, as they knew I was in NZ.  The response was that there had been no attempted transactions. I also had a rash of it in France*. One can only surmise that some furrin' machines go "ooh, a furrin' card, dunno what to do with that, so I'll just claim it was refused."  I get the impression that most other countries have even more backward banking systems than our own.

* I did also have a nasty rash in France, but I'll try not to mention it again.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 08 September, 2016, 08:57:11 am
Try Japan. It's always a lottery whether the machines will deal with any given card. The only sure bet is the Seven Bank machines in 7-11s.

While Japanese banking systems are impenetrable, US banking systems are forever 1976. There's a place where COBOL will never die.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Legs on 08 September, 2016, 01:26:11 pm
Quote from: ian on 08 September, 2016, 08:57:11 am
Try Japan. It's always a lottery whether the machines will deal with any given card. The only sure bet is the Seven Bank machines in 7-11s.

While Japanese banking systems are impenetrable, US banking systems are forever 1976. There's a place where COBOL will never die.
I seem to remember withdrawing cash from post offices in Japan...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 08 September, 2016, 01:40:12 pm
I found that one of the two cash machines in Nan (a small town in NE Thailand) was perfectly happy to give me money in 1995, which surprised me a little. I didn't try the other machine because the first one worked. I don't recall having much trouble anywhere since except Bulgaria in 1998, where the options were very limited. But I confess that I've not tried Japanese cash machines much. I have other ways to get money there, & an envelope full of yen & a loaded Suica card waiting for my next visit.

I did find that one bank in Sydney refused to give me money in 1999, but I tried the next machine I saw & it worked. I was there for months, working in Chatswood & getting paid in the UK, so I needed cash machines, & I don't recall any other refusals.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 08 September, 2016, 03:08:30 pm
The Wells Fargo machine in Battle Mountain has always been a bit of a lottery but it's the only bank-operated one in town since the Bank of America shut its branch c. 2004.  There are probably machines in various gambling dens but I'd reckon they'd charge a BRITON even more than the three dollars the robbers at Chase wanted yesterday.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Diver300 on 08 September, 2016, 08:16:16 pm
Farnell offers free next day delivery for orders placed up until 8 pm.

Their website seems to have crashed at 7:58 pm and I might or might not have left it until the last moment to complete my order.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 09 September, 2016, 01:43:18 am
Having worked all day with a finish around 21:00, coming in feeling knackered & nauseous, it's now nearly 2 AM and can I sleep? Can I bollox . . .
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 09 September, 2016, 06:58:20 am
I had trouble with a pay at pump machine in somewhere out in the middle of nowhere, West Texas, got chatting to the gas station attendant and it turned out he had been in the USAAF and stationed at Mildenhall, just down the road.

Small world.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 09 September, 2016, 10:09:07 am
I was sitting at my desk in Sydney one day when a new staff member was being shown round the office & introduced to people. We astonished everyone by greeting each other by name. We'd worked together in Reading 10 years earlier.

I once met a former neighbour in Dahab, which is in Egypt, on the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba. While I was telling her she was the second person I knew who I'd met by chance in Egypt, the other one being in Luxor, the other one walked in.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 09 September, 2016, 10:19:55 am
Burglar alarms. Why don't they have a timeout like car alarms? Head aches. Still, at least I haven't been burgled.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 09 September, 2016, 10:56:30 am
No battery to drain.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 09 September, 2016, 11:34:04 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 09 September, 2016, 10:19:55 am
Burglar alarms. Why don't they have a timeout like car alarms?

IIRC the legal requirement is 20 minutes, but only for external sounders.

From extensive anecdotal experience during the Great Selly Oak Substation Clusterfuck of 2012 I can report that most, but not all, alarms seem to honour this.

There are batteries to drain.  They're the ones that allow them to go off during power cuts.  And when the wiring is cut.  And when the batteries are knackered.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 09 September, 2016, 12:07:19 pm
Council, it is commendable that, when one makes an online complaint via your website1 the following occur:
1) you provide a reference number; and
2) you confirm the information submitted via email.

Do you know what else would be sensible?  Including the reference number somewhere in the email.  ::-)


1 It is now the 21st century (I checked).  If I neglect to type www. before $LondonBorough.gov.uk I should still arrive at the home page of the council web site, not receive an error message.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 09 September, 2016, 01:06:51 pm
There's definitely a battery, sometimes there's one in the external sounder and one inside the control panel. I've just had to replace the one in my control box.

Looking in my instructions mine will go off for 20 mins, but it will then wait a bit and go again twice more after that. I'm not sure it's a legal requirement as there is an option to change the settings to 30 mins on mine, and to change the number of repeats.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 09 September, 2016, 01:14:13 pm
Quote from: Kim on 09 September, 2016, 11:34:04 am
There are batteries to drain.  They're the ones that allow them to go off during power cuts.  And when the wiring is cut.  And when the batteries are knackered.

Oh well. We haven't got one. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 09 September, 2016, 01:36:13 pm
What should be a legal requirement is for them to be connected to some sort of monitoring system.  Outside of term time we're surrounded by empty houses, and their alarms can go off for days without interruption.

Actually, let's have car alarms being monitored too.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 09 September, 2016, 02:06:15 pm
Quote from: Kim on 09 September, 2016, 01:36:13 pm
What should be a legal requirement is for them to be connected to some sort of monitoring system.  Outside of term time we're surrounded by empty houses, and their alarms can go off for days without interruption.

Actually, let's have car alarms being monitored too.

A former colleague, when I worked in the control room, was fond of asking complainers re constant burglar alarms whether they were farmers or knew a farmer.

The inevitable question from the caller "Why?" would be answered with "Well, farmers generally have a shotgun" at which point he would hang up.

A bit unconventional, our Dave ;D

He also rarely had to deal with the follow up call from a householder with a somewhat sick burglar alarm box.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 09 September, 2016, 02:12:44 pm
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 09 September, 2016, 02:06:15 pm
Quote from: Kim on 09 September, 2016, 01:36:13 pm
What should be a legal requirement is for them to be connected to some sort of monitoring system.  Outside of term time we're surrounded by empty houses, and their alarms can go off for days without interruption.

Actually, let's have car alarms being monitored too.

A former colleague, when I worked in the control room, was fond of asking complainers re constant burglar alarms whether they were farmers or knew a farmer.

The inevitable question from the caller "Why?" would be answered with "Well, farmers generally have a shotgun" at which point he would hang up.

A bit unconventional, our Dave ;D

He also rarely had to deal with the follow up call from a householder with a somewhat sick burglar alarm box.

So that's where my colleague who also ran a small holding got the idea from. said neighbour was on holiday at the time.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 09 September, 2016, 02:22:38 pm
Quote from: matthew on 09 September, 2016, 02:12:44 pm
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 09 September, 2016, 02:06:15 pm
Quote from: Kim on 09 September, 2016, 01:36:13 pm
What should be a legal requirement is for them to be connected to some sort of monitoring system.  Outside of term time we're surrounded by empty houses, and their alarms can go off for days without interruption.

Actually, let's have car alarms being monitored too.

A former colleague, when I worked in the control room, was fond of asking complainers re constant burglar alarms whether they were farmers or knew a farmer.

The inevitable question from the caller "Why?" would be answered with "Well, farmers generally have a shotgun" at which point he would hang up.

A bit unconventional, our Dave ;D

He also rarely had to deal with the follow up call from a householder with a somewhat sick burglar alarm box.

So that's where my colleague who also ran a small holding got the idea from. said neighbour was on holiday at the time.

Very possibly all Dave's fault!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 09 September, 2016, 02:31:16 pm
Not very far from where I grew up (and I believe it's quite close to where Flatus now lives) there is a secluded valley with a 19th century mansion which was for some reason abandoned when it was about three-quarters finished. Presumably either the owner ran out of cash or the builders had a strop, as I'm pretty sure there was no planning permission back then. Whatever the reason, the entire building and in fact the whole valley lay unused. At some point in the early 20th century the land passed into the hands of a local farmer, who didn't farm that valley but did rig up trip wires linked to shotgun triggers, as a deterrent against skoolboyz. I don't think there were any casualties cos a) the kids knew where the trip wires were, b) the shotguns had no aim. Still, the halcyon days of home protection and all that.  :hand:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 09 September, 2016, 03:00:27 pm
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 09 September, 2016, 02:22:38 pm
Quote from: matthew on 09 September, 2016, 02:12:44 pm
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 09 September, 2016, 02:06:15 pm
Quote from: Kim on 09 September, 2016, 01:36:13 pm
What should be a legal requirement is for them to be connected to some sort of monitoring system.  Outside of term time we're surrounded by empty houses, and their alarms can go off for days without interruption.

Actually, let's have car alarms being monitored too.

A former colleague, when I worked in the control room, was fond of asking complainers re constant burglar alarms whether they were farmers or knew a farmer.

The inevitable question from the caller "Why?" would be answered with "Well, farmers generally have a shotgun" at which point he would hang up.

A bit unconventional, our Dave ;D

He also rarely had to deal with the follow up call from a householder with a somewhat sick burglar alarm box.

So that's where my colleague who also ran a small holding got the idea from. said neighbour was on holiday at the time.

Very possibly all Dave's fault!

Maybe not though as it would either have been in Cumbria or Hertfordshire.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 09 September, 2016, 03:19:26 pm
Quote from: Bledlow on 09 September, 2016, 10:09:07 am
I was sitting at my desk in Sydney one day when a new staff member was being shown round the office & introduced to people. We astonished everyone by greeting each other by name. We'd worked together in Reading 10 years earlier.

When a new bug was being introduced around the Nut Mines some time after the Millennium the new bug and I said to each other "Hello, Dave!" not out of Papa Lazarou fanboizm but because we had known each other a Penniless Student Oaves about twenty years previously.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: davelodwig on 09 September, 2016, 05:24:30 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 09 September, 2016, 02:31:16 pm
Not very far from where I grew up (and I believe it's quite close to where Flatus now lives) there is a secluded valley with a 19th century mansion which was for some reason abandoned when it was about three-quarters finished. Presumably either the owner ran out of cash or the builders had a strop, as I'm pretty sure there was no planning permission back then. Whatever the reason, the entire building and in fact the whole valley lay unused. At some point in the early 20th century the land passed into the hands of a local farmer, who didn't farm that valley but did rig up trip wires linked to shotgun triggers, as a deterrent against skoolboyz. I don't think there were any casualties cos a) the kids knew where the trip wires were, b) the shotguns had no aim. Still, the halcyon days of home protection and all that.  :hand:

I suspect I know where you mean, it's a tourist attraction now.

D.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 09 September, 2016, 05:29:58 pm
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 09 September, 2016, 02:06:15 pm
Quote from: Kim on 09 September, 2016, 01:36:13 pm
What should be a legal requirement is for them to be connected to some sort of monitoring system.  Outside of term time we're surrounded by empty houses, and their alarms can go off for days without interruption.

Actually, let's have car alarms being monitored too.

A former colleague, when I worked in the control room, was fond of asking complainers re constant burglar alarms whether they were farmers or knew a farmer.

The inevitable question from the caller "Why?" would be answered with "Well, farmers generally have a shotgun" at which point he would hang up.

A bit unconventional, our Dave ;D

He also rarely had to deal with the follow up call from a householder with a somewhat sick burglar alarm box.

It's not burglar alarms that are the bugbear round here but minors on ear-shattering sub-50cc motorbikes. A shotgun would be the ideal solution but I gather that The Law frowns upon such radical approaches.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 09 September, 2016, 06:57:30 pm
EE is to double the price of data boosters on my old T-Mobile PAYG tariff.  6 months practically-unlimited internet for £20 was too good to carry on being true after all.  I'll be considering alternative networks at last.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 09 September, 2016, 11:23:08 pm
How the fuck can anyone sell a replacement battery for a product for more than a national chain of bricks & mortar retailers are selling the entire product, complete with a battery & charger? I had thought of getting a spare battery . . .

Aaah, it is on sale elsewhere for less. A mere 65% of the current price of the entire machine with all the trimmings. A bargain!  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 10 September, 2016, 01:49:41 am
Battery capacity the same?

Hazarding a guess that this might be power tools, it's relatively common for the Cheap! Bargain! Amaze! offer to be for tool and (say) 1.3Ah battery, while the slightly dearer spare is actually something like 4Ah.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: PeteB99 on 10 September, 2016, 10:40:57 am
See also toner cartridges for home laser printers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 10 September, 2016, 11:40:03 am
Quote from: jsabine on 10 September, 2016, 01:49:41 am
Battery capacity the same?

Hazarding a guess that this might be power tools, it's relatively common for the Cheap! Bargain! Amaze! offer to be for tool and (say) 1.3Ah battery, while the slightly dearer spare is actually something like 4Ah.
In this case, the battery appears to be identical.

I've just found another one: £59.99 for a standard 1.5 Ah NiCd battery to fit a strimmer that Homebase is selling for £57.47, & Argos for £49.99. Both of those are reduced, but even so . . .

In my experience, the first thing to go on these is the battery, so I was looking for one for which spare batteries are available.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 10 September, 2016, 02:21:16 pm
Often the case that I've found the spare battery is prohibitively expensive to make you go out and buy the latest super dooper version of the thing that you last bought.

Last time this happened to me, I managed to find a drill that came with a spare batery for the same price as another that didn't.  That's got me one step ahead.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 10 September, 2016, 05:49:03 pm
Gah!  I hate searching for holibob breaks on tinternet.
You want me to tell you where I want to fly to?  I dunno, whatcha got?
You now want me to enter the exact dates I want to fly out?  I dunno, whatcha got?
Fuck me.  You need to know the exact airport I want to fly from?

Shit.  I need a site where I can enter
When:. Sometime, anytime in the next three weeks
Duration:  2, 3 or 4 nights
From:  Cardiff, Swansea, Bristol
To:  Entice me.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 10 September, 2016, 08:15:33 pm
Quote from: Basil on 10 September, 2016, 05:49:03 pm
Gah!  I hate searching for holibob breaks on tinternet.
You want me to tell you where I want to fly to?  I dunno, whatcha got?
You now want me to enter the exact dates I want to fly out?  I dunno, whatcha got?
Fuck me.  You need to know the exact airport I want to fly from?

Shit.  I need a site where I can enter
When:. Sometime, anytime in the next three weeks
Duration:  2, 3 or 4 nights
From:  Cardiff, Swansea, Bristol
To:  Entice me.

HTH (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=34316.0) 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 10 September, 2016, 08:52:15 pm
 ;D
Andrij.  I pronounce you Complete and Utter GIT
 :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 10 September, 2016, 08:56:45 pm
Quote from: Basil on 10 September, 2016, 08:52:15 pm
;D
Andrij.  I pronounce you Complete and Utter GIT
 :thumbsup:

Sig'd.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 10 September, 2016, 09:07:20 pm
Much chuckling..... :-D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 10 September, 2016, 10:27:52 pm
Quote from: Basil on 10 September, 2016, 05:49:03 pm
Gah!  I hate searching for holibob breaks on tinternet.
You want me to tell you where I want to fly to?  I dunno, whatcha got?
You now want me to enter the exact dates I want to fly out?  I dunno, whatcha got?
Fuck me.  You need to know the exact airport I want to fly from?

Shit.  I need a site where I can enter
When:. Sometime, anytime in the next three weeks
Duration:  2, 3 or 4 nights
From:  Cardiff, Swansea, Bristol
To:  Entice me.

Skyscanner => From: Cardiff + add nearby airports, To: Everywhere, Date: show whole month.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 12 September, 2016, 05:34:35 pm
*massive sigh*

On Saturday morning my washing machine was draining and my downstairs neighbours came thumping on the door to say they had water pouring through their ceiling. I went down for a look, and they did. Everything up here appeared to be dry.I avoided using the kitchen sink and the washing machine for the rest of the weekend (how much for a launderette? Fuck off!) and this morning I called Stuart who works for one of the contractors we use for bathroom jobs, who is pretty good.

He took up several floorboards, removed the plinths from the bases of units, pulled the washing machine right out etc etc and everything was dry and dusty. We ran the sink, everything stayed dry. We filled and drained the washing machine three times - everything stayed dry. Went down to the neighbour's (with spare keys), everything dry. So we agreed I would do the dishes and a load of washing and keep checking and phone Stuart to let him know what happened. I did loads of dishes, and a load of laundry, and everything stayed dry, here and downstairs.

We are stumped. Because of where the water comes and in and the drainage goes out, and because I was in bed on Saturday morning and not in the bathroom running any water, the chances of it coming from anywhere else in this flat are vanishingly small. It's completely baffling. The only other thing I can think of is the flat behind mine or the fucking plumbed by a chimp flat above mine might have had some sort of incident which for some reason ended up dripping through downstairs while bypassing me, but that would be strange.But I'm not even sure anyone's living in the flat behind mine.

Also, Pete wanted to help Stuart.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 12 September, 2016, 06:11:47 pm
AWL Jr: I know you were very poorly and couldn't help it, but you were a metre away from the nice, non-absorbent bathroom floor when you decide to empty the copious contents of your stomach onto to the very absorbent stair carpet. Scooping up the remnants of a Subway meal - complete with red onions, but NO carrots - was not an entertaining way to end Sunday night.

Poor little sod's on a drip at the moment rehydrating. The only thing he ate that we didn't was a burger at the local Cats Protection gala yesterday...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 12 September, 2016, 08:05:06 pm
Oh dear, not fun to be in hospital with things stuck in you.  GWS to AWL Jr
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 13 September, 2016, 12:55:52 pm
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 12 September, 2016, 05:34:35 pm
*massive sigh*

On Saturday morning my washing machine was draining and my downstairs neighbours came thumping on the door to say they had water pouring through their ceiling. I went down for a look, and they did. Everything up here appeared to be dry.I avoided using the kitchen sink and the washing machine for the rest of the weekend (how much for a launderette? Fuck off!) and this morning I called Stuart who works for one of the contractors we use for bathroom jobs, who is pretty good.

He took up several floorboards, removed the plinths from the bases of units, pulled the washing machine right out etc etc and everything was dry and dusty. We ran the sink, everything stayed dry. We filled and drained the washing machine three times - everything stayed dry. Went down to the neighbour's (with spare keys), everything dry. So we agreed I would do the dishes and a load of washing and keep checking and phone Stuart to let him know what happened. I did loads of dishes, and a load of laundry, and everything stayed dry, here and downstairs.

We are stumped. Because of where the water comes and in and the drainage goes out, and because I was in bed on Saturday morning and not in the bathroom running any water, the chances of it coming from anywhere else in this flat are vanishingly small. It's completely baffling. The only other thing I can think of is the flat behind mine or the fucking plumbed by a chimp flat above mine might have had some sort of incident which for some reason ended up dripping through downstairs while bypassing me, but that would be strange.But I'm not even sure anyone's living in the flat behind mine.

Also, Pete wanted to help Stuart.

Not having had a shower since Friday for fear of leakage, I really needed one this morning before work. So of course Scottish Water were fixing a burst main and supplies to EH8,9,16 and 21 were affected. The water lasted long enough for me to wash my face, hair and body, and condition my hair, and then cut out altogether, so I am work with conditioner in my hair and soapy residue everywhere else.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 13 September, 2016, 01:49:09 pm
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 13 September, 2016, 12:55:52 pm
Not having had a shower since Friday for fear of leakage...

A lot of men my age face that problem.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 14 September, 2016, 10:12:32 am
Have to go to a conference at Heathrow Airport (or rather, an hotel there). I don't know who thinks locating a conference at an airport is a good idea, but it isn't me or a good idea. No one goes to Heathrow specifically. It's like a day trip to Purgatory. My options for getting there seem to be spending a hour in M25 traffic or three bloody trains and a bus. All on a beautifully warm day.

And I have to do this for three bloody days because someone needs to feed the cats and my wife has run away to work drink gin.

I may just take my Brompton and cycle from Hayes & Harlington. So if there's news reports of a bloke cycling up the runway, that's probably me and another of my wrong turns. Not that left, the other.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: lou boutin on 14 September, 2016, 10:39:16 am
Quote from: ian on 14 September, 2016, 10:12:32 am
Have to go to a conference at Heathrow Airport (or rather, an hotel there). I don't know who thinks locating a conference at an airport is a good idea, but it isn't me or a good idea. No one goes to Heathrow specifically. It's like a day trip to Purgatory. My options for getting there seem to be spending a hour in M25 traffic or three bloody trains and a bus. All on a beautifully warm day.

And I have to do this for three bloody days because someone needs to feed the cats and my wife has run away to work drink gin.

I may just take my Brompton and cycle from Hayes & Harlington. So if there's news reports of a bloke cycling up the runway, that's probably me and another of my wrong turns. Not that left, the other.

Yep i feel your pain.  I've been to conferences at airport hotels and it's a hellish journey (and very expensive).  The organisers always argue that it's easier for flying delegates, but if I was flying somewhere for a conference I'd like to see a little of the country rather than just an airport.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 14 September, 2016, 10:47:43 am
Quote from: lou boutin on 14 September, 2016, 10:39:16 am
Quote from: ian on 14 September, 2016, 10:12:32 am
Have to go to a conference at Heathrow Airport (or rather, an hotel there). I don't know who thinks locating a conference at an airport is a good idea, but it isn't me or a good idea. No one goes to Heathrow specifically. It's like a day trip to Purgatory. My options for getting there seem to be spending a hour in M25 traffic or three bloody trains and a bus. All on a beautifully warm day.

And I have to do this for three bloody days because someone needs to feed the cats and my wife has run away to work drink gin.

I may just take my Brompton and cycle from Hayes & Harlington. So if there's news reports of a bloke cycling up the runway, that's probably me and another of my wrong turns. Not that left, the other.

Yep i feel your pain.  I've been to conferences at airport hotels and it's a hellish journey (and very expensive).  The organisers always argue that it's easier for flying delegates, but if I was flying somewhere for a conference I'd like to see a little of the country rather than just an airport.

One of my US colleagues asked if there wasn't anything to do there. Other than get on a train to London, erm, no. Heathrow just happens to be about as awkward as possible for me, necessitating an hour across London or risking the M25 at its frequently stationary rush hour. I'm not sure if 2-4 hours travelling is worse or better than an Heathrow hotel. I'll use today as an excuse for riding my Brompton. It'll also bump up my eccentric arrive-by-bike cred. People are amazed by such a thing. You rode here? Yes, but astride a unicorn, I just happen to be carrying a bike.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 16 September, 2016, 10:11:41 am
Friday is bin day. When it's just a recycling week they normally turn up between about 9 and 4, but when it's wheelie bins too – as it is this week – they get here around 8. Except today they arrived before 6. Is there no way to make rubbish collection quieter? (As it's lots of junk falling a metre or so into a large metal container, probably not. Still, least I don't have to get up at audax o'clock every day to collect other people's garbage – almost a first world problem!)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 16 September, 2016, 02:15:17 pm
Gah! Trying to get Italian vendors with a "she'll be right" attitude to comply with comments made by specification blinkered Kazakh engineers is doing my head in!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 16 September, 2016, 04:56:41 pm
We now have a nurse in 3 times a day to see to the Inlaw Paw. ETA is unpredictable and can vary by a couple of hours. During that time we're continually on the alert so as to have the dogs out of the way quickly when she gets here. It's kinda wearing.

Still, it's free and a hell of a lot better than doing it ourselves.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wowbagger on 17 September, 2016, 07:55:27 am
Sympathy, T42. We are very fortunate that, firstly, Phyllis has made a remarkable recovery to the extent that she only needs one visit a day and, secondly, the carer concerned always arrives about 9.30. Thirdly, the dog has become so completely blasé about the doorbell ringing that he doesn't even lift his head in acknowledgement. Phyllis does pay for this service, but it is a mere £6.80 per visit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 17 September, 2016, 08:16:27 am
Thanks, Wow. I'm hoping our dogs will become similarly conditioned, ditto the nurses.  We're expecting some kind of bill for the bit not covered by the social security, but it's better than the 2,400 € the local care home would take.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 18 September, 2016, 09:16:34 pm
When I opened my back door this morning there was something green and shiny on the concrete slab by the door of the bike box.  When I took a step into the back yard hundreds of greenbottles took flight, revealing a huge pile of cat shit.  It absolutely stank.  When I googled why cat poo would smell so awful, it said that it might be giardia or other parasites.

I am so sick of this.  I was wearing such beautiful shoes, and I had to step round it to get my bike out so I could go to church, as I had to leave straight away to get there on time.  And I was carrying food with me as well.

I cleaned it up when I got back and the smell made me gag.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 21 September, 2016, 09:50:56 am
I passed my radio/alarm clock on to the Inlaw Paw because it has a big easy-to-read display.  Three days ago the missus came back from shopping and presented me with a new one. Two days ago it stopped working - totally doornailsville - and when I asked madame for the receipt she said "oh, it was in the blue bin".  Was, because 2.5 days ago aforesaid bin was emptied.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 21 September, 2016, 12:58:25 pm
How the hell is Mrs B married to you as well as me?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: orienteer on 21 September, 2016, 04:10:24 pm
If it was bought on a card the statement should suffice.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 21 September, 2016, 07:51:35 pm
Sister: You are a skinflint. The bill came to almost exactly a nice round number per person, including my kids who didn't drink alcohol and your lot did, but I wasn't bothered. I put in £20 over the top to cover a tip of £10 for the five of us. You were very cagey about being able to split a £20 note to give me back a tenner. Someone else duly obliged. Then, because you'd offered to pay on your card, you made a big show of putting in a £10 tip. In other words, the seven of you offered nothing as a tip. This was not an oversight, you have previous...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 22 September, 2016, 11:59:48 am
BA online check-in. Why does it only permit check-in 24 hours ahead of a flight? And then, because the flight is to the US, say you can't print your boarding pass as it has to be issued at the airport after your passport & visa are checked? Ho hum.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 22 September, 2016, 12:20:30 pm
I guess the further ahead you have check in, the more people check in and then don't turn up. Actually, I'm not quite sure what the point of online check in is, in practice.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 22 September, 2016, 02:42:29 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 22 September, 2016, 12:20:30 pm
I guess the further ahead you have check in, the more people check in and then don't turn up. Actually, I'm not quite sure what the point of online check in is, in practice.

so If I'm flying hand luggage only, my first obstruction is security, not a desk to get my boarding pass.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 22 September, 2016, 02:56:14 pm
That, to be honest, seems to be the only benefit – if you have checked bags, you're effectively checking in.

Some airlines let you check in three or seven days before, it's not always 24 hours.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 22 September, 2016, 06:12:45 pm
Yebbut, why?

If I buy a ticket for a train, I have a ticket and I turn up and get on.
If I buy a ticket for a plane, it's not a ticket at all, I have to wait a while then get another ticket. Why?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 22 September, 2016, 06:26:25 pm
Quote from: Pickled Onion on 22 September, 2016, 06:12:45 pm
Yebbut, why?

If I buy a ticket for a train, I have a ticket and I turn up and get on.
If I buy a ticket for a plane, it's not a ticket at all, I have to wait a while then get another ticket. Why?

Because airlines routinely sell more tickets than there are seats, while TOCs don't (AFAIK).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 22 September, 2016, 06:29:56 pm
And not everyone is flying scheduled.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 22 September, 2016, 07:27:07 pm
and you don't always get a seat on a train.

Even Ryanair hasn't gone that far.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 22 September, 2016, 07:29:01 pm
I thought the turbo session was a bit easy today.  Check calibration at the end - error message

Tyre very squishy, pump, pump, pump.

Walk away into my office, next to the gym.

"hissssssssssssssss"

Return to gym, very squishy tyre.

Another job for the weekend FFS  :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 22 September, 2016, 07:30:54 pm
Yebbut, they are allowed to 'ram-pack' a train with people standing, or sitting in the aisles reading Private Eye for the cameras or wherever.

They can't do that on airyplanes.
They can only let you on if you have an actual seat.

That's why they need a second level of ticketing over and above the 'Buy a ticket and just get on' model.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 22 September, 2016, 10:37:06 pm
Somebody was parked in my space this evening  >:( Some single-speed* hipster. :demon:





*I checked by moving their cranks   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TimC on 23 September, 2016, 08:01:58 am
Quote from: Andrij on 22 September, 2016, 06:26:25 pm
Quote from: Pickled Onion on 22 September, 2016, 06:12:45 pm
Yebbut, why?

If I buy a ticket for a train, I have a ticket and I turn up and get on.
If I buy a ticket for a plane, it's not a ticket at all, I have to wait a while then get another ticket. Why?

Because airlines routinely sell more tickets than there are seats, while TOCs don't (AFAIK).

TOCs most certainly do! In fact, I'm not sure there is a limit to how many tickets they can sell for any given train or journey; they just rely on passengers' ingenuity at squeezing the maximum number in the space available.

Flights to the USA are managed according to US Customs and Border regulations. BA's 'passport check' is an attempt to make sure all passengers have a valid ESTA or visa, and that their passports match the details they entered in the booking. Anomalies can result in the passenger being refused entry, and the airline being fined. The fines aren't trivial.  The 24-hour limit on pre-flight online check-in is to attempt to avoid people checking in for flights they have no intention of flying on (many business customers will book several flights for a single passenger to give maximum flexibility - hence airlines overbook), and also allow for a late-ish change of aircraft type if the programme is disrupted.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 23 September, 2016, 08:03:51 am
Quote from: Feanor on 22 September, 2016, 07:30:54 pm
Yebbut, they are allowed to 'ram-pack' a train with people standing, or sitting in the aisles reading Private Eye for the cameras or wherever.

They can't do that on airyplanes.
They can only let you on if you have an actual seat.

That's why they need a second level of ticketing over and above the 'Buy a ticket and just get on' model.

Well I guess my experience is only with the budget airlines, but when I buy a ticket I get allocated a seat (and offered a more expensive one). I was comparing that to an advance train ticket for a specific train. I can't see how the airline can oversell the flight if they've allocated seats? Or is there a chance that when I come to print the boarding pass at the specified time they say "sorry, no longer available"?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 23 September, 2016, 08:54:38 am
Budget airlines operate on a different model - all allocated seating, and no (or extremely limited) ticket flexibility: they're comparable to Advance rail tickets with mandatory reservations.

Full fare tickets on traditional airlines are a bit closer to walk-up rail tickets (valid on any, or maybe any off-peak, train) in that you can change your booking at very short notice (in some cases after the original flight has departed) - you might incur a fee, but the ticket will still be valid.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 23 September, 2016, 09:09:51 am
Quote from: Pickled Onion on 23 September, 2016, 08:03:51 am
Quote from: Feanor on 22 September, 2016, 07:30:54 pm
Yebbut, they are allowed to 'ram-pack' a train with people standing, or sitting in the aisles reading Private Eye for the cameras or wherever.

They can't do that on airyplanes.
They can only let you on if you have an actual seat.

That's why they need a second level of ticketing over and above the 'Buy a ticket and just get on' model.

Well I guess my experience is only with the budget airlines, but when I buy a ticket I get allocated a seat (and offered a more expensive one). I was comparing that to an advance train ticket for a specific train. I can't see how the airline can oversell the flight if they've allocated seats? Or is there a chance that when I come to print the boarding pass at the specified time they say "sorry, no longer available"?

Seats aren't allocated until you check-in (and if they are, airlines make it clear that reserve the right to change that due to 'operational reasons'). So, yes, their sales model for busy flights is to assume a proportion of people booked on that flight won't be on it, they'll be on another flight, and potentially they'll want to get on one that's already full. Then there will be people who miss their flight or connection who have to shunted onto another plane. It's common to hear airlines at the gate asking for passengers willing to take a later flight.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 23 September, 2016, 09:12:05 am
that was my experience a fortnight ago at Aberdeen

late return from offshore, got to check-in, found it closed, expecting to have to transfer to the next flight but as a frequent flyer and with an offshore ID they relented and let me through. Next week's flight I've changed already, but I with that class of ticket I can change on the day for fees, and change the return after I've done the outbound.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TimC on 23 September, 2016, 09:14:48 am
Quote from: Pickled Onion on 23 September, 2016, 08:03:51 am
Quote from: Feanor on 22 September, 2016, 07:30:54 pm
Yebbut, they are allowed to 'ram-pack' a train with people standing, or sitting in the aisles reading Private Eye for the cameras or wherever.

They can't do that on airyplanes.
They can only let you on if you have an actual seat.

That's why they need a second level of ticketing over and above the 'Buy a ticket and just get on' model.

Well I guess my experience is only with the budget airlines, but when I buy a ticket I get allocated a seat (and offered a more expensive one). I was comparing that to an advance train ticket for a specific train. I can't see how the airline can oversell the flight if they've allocated seats? Or is there a chance that when I come to print the boarding pass at the specified time they say "sorry, no longer available"?

BA, like most major airlines, has a large number of corporate contract customers who block-book a number of seats on certain flights. They very often don't use all those seats, and experience tells the airline that quite a few seats would otherwise go empty. So the airline will re-sell a number of them. Usually that works ok; sometimes it doesn't and a passenger or two will be downgraded (or upgraded) to fix the issue. Those corporate contracts will allow for this, and will have agreed mitigation measures if their seat availability is affected. Scheduled airline operations are not similar to rail operations, and drawing parallels is misleading.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 23 September, 2016, 09:15:05 am
Quote from: ian on 23 September, 2016, 09:09:51 am
Quote from: Pickled Onion on 23 September, 2016, 08:03:51 am
Quote from: Feanor on 22 September, 2016, 07:30:54 pm
Yebbut, they are allowed to 'ram-pack' a train with people standing, or sitting in the aisles reading Private Eye for the cameras or wherever.

They can't do that on airyplanes.
They can only let you on if you have an actual seat.

That's why they need a second level of ticketing over and above the 'Buy a ticket and just get on' model.

Well I guess my experience is only with the budget airlines, but when I buy a ticket I get allocated a seat (and offered a more expensive one). I was comparing that to an advance train ticket for a specific train. I can't see how the airline can oversell the flight if they've allocated seats? Or is there a chance that when I come to print the boarding pass at the specified time they say "sorry, no longer available"?

Seats aren't allocated until you check-in (and if they are, airlines make it clear that reserve the right to change that due to 'operational reasons'). So, yes, their sales model for busy flights is to assume a proportion of people booked on that flight won't be on it, they'll be on another flight, and potentially they'll want to get on one that's already full. Then there will be people who miss their flight or connection who have to shunted onto another plane. It's common to hear airlines at the gate asking for passengers willing to take a later flight.

And if they offered me real cash instead of vouchers I'd take it more often than not
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 23 September, 2016, 09:30:09 am
When I used to roam the US on a flexible schedule, I used to live splendidly through airline overbooking (they were more generous back then: dinner with wine, decent hotels, upgraded seats, air-miles and real cash – not to mention more negotiable if they really, really needed that seat). I got BA to bump me up from business to first on an overbooked São Paulo flight the other year, though that was like pulling teeth. There wasn't another flight till the following day and there's not a lot of point turning up for a meeting after it's finished.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 23 September, 2016, 12:48:54 pm
I've been upgraded at check-in, volunteered for a night in a hotel in Lisbon & a flight next day (phoned my boss first), upgraded at the gate having checked in online . . .

Mrs B & I were picked for the last because there were two of us surrounded by Japanese schoolgirls, & upgrading us let 'em put the schoolgirls & their teachers together.  :thumbsup:

We've been shuffled onto flights by different airlines. The schoolgirl-avoiding upgrade wasn't the flight we'd originally booked with the change en route, nor the one which they'd tried to shuffle us onto with not only a change but a damned tight transfer between airports which we'd refused to accept, but a direct flight on yet another airline.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jakob W on 23 September, 2016, 01:56:51 pm
Is it national hurry up and wait week or something? If you send me a list of urgent queries and I reply by email within the hour answering some and asking for clarification on others, do you think you could get round to answering them within a couple of days? That's two projects that have now gone silent on me...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 24 September, 2016, 02:11:34 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 22 September, 2016, 11:59:48 am
BA online check-in. Why does it only permit check-in 24 hours ahead of a flight? And then, because the flight is to the US, say you can't print your boarding pass as it has to be issued at the airport after your passport & visa are checked? Ho hum.

They let me print my boarding pass at the start of the current trip, though I don't know why they bother because passport checks and checked baggage.

I forget all about it for today's return flight until about midnight but was still able to snag a seat by the emergency exit :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 24 September, 2016, 05:01:45 pm
Ikea, your instructions are really shit and now I have lots of bits left over.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: lou boutin on 24 September, 2016, 08:01:17 pm
Amazon Prime you're rubbish.  I've ordered two parcels and neither have arrived the next day.  The first you lost and only got to me because someone with the same unusual surname as I worked at the organisation that you delivered it to - which incidentally was 26 miles away - very kindly delivered to my house because she was visiting someone close by.  Today's parcel is nowhere to be seen either and I've waited in all day for it. What the hell is going on?!!!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Owthathurt on 24 September, 2016, 08:11:38 pm
Neither of my dogs can type....... thats crap.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 26 September, 2016, 07:54:40 am
Yesterday: stopped at the only open café in 30k for a therapeutic ice-cream.  All the other patrons were of the Darth Vader clan of the invasive species.  The waitress was speaking to them in German, even the fucking radio Volksempfänger was tuned to a German station. This is France, for fuck's sake.  When we cross the border do the natives speak French to us?  Do they hell.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 26 September, 2016, 12:34:18 pm
Where in France? There are some bits where that could be just the locals taking back their ancestral language.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 26 September, 2016, 01:05:50 pm
Don't worry, I know the difference.  This was wall-to-wall furriners.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 27 September, 2016, 06:15:30 pm
Why does it take two minutes for the PVR to do a full rescan when it takes the distascope ten times that, FFS ???

Or should that be the other way round?  I'm one of the Slow Children today.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 27 September, 2016, 06:24:35 pm
Teeth. Goddamn fucking pileofshitty crap porous disintegrating rubbish.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 27 September, 2016, 08:15:48 pm
Partner had enforced dental visit today due to filling/tooth disintegration.
Somewhat unimpressed with £53.90 charge for 5 minute NHS filling job.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 27 September, 2016, 10:36:03 pm
I know someone who could have done it for a lot less but IIRC Teethgrinder is busy this week.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 27 September, 2016, 10:55:27 pm
Partner had appointment @ 15.15 for dentist less than two furlongs away and was home at around 15.40. Teethgrinder live a long way up Watling Street...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 28 September, 2016, 01:47:45 pm
I thought that I'd bought pz2 impact driver bits.   I seem to have a packet of cheese pieces.  Grrr!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 28 September, 2016, 04:56:44 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 27 September, 2016, 08:15:48 pm
Partner had enforced dental visit today due to filling/tooth disintegration.
Somewhat unimpressed with £53.90 charge for 5 minute NHS filling job.
Better hope you never need a lawyer. Or an architect.

NHS dentistry is still a bargain, compared to the cost of other professional services.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 28 September, 2016, 06:29:42 pm
Quote from: fboab on 28 September, 2016, 04:56:44 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 27 September, 2016, 08:15:48 pm
Partner had enforced dental visit today due to filling/tooth disintegration.
Somewhat unimpressed with £53.90 charge for 5 minute NHS filling job.
Better hope you never need a lawyer. Or an architect.

NHS dentistry is still a bargain, compared to the cost of other professional services.

I know.
Having said that, I've had private dentistry for ages, which seems pricy yet durable. David's restorations and teeth seem to be made of cheese, though he has far fewer decayed, missing or filled teeth than me.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 28 September, 2016, 08:36:06 pm
Quote from: Polar Bear on 28 September, 2016, 01:47:45 pm
I thought that I'd bought pz2 impact driver bits.   I seem to have a packet of cheese pieces.  Grrr!

Seems to be increasing tendency atm! Whatever happened to Made in Britain?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 28 September, 2016, 09:17:50 pm
Quote from: Canardly on 28 September, 2016, 08:36:06 pm
Quote from: Polar Bear on 28 September, 2016, 01:47:45 pm
I thought that I'd bought pz2 impact driver bits.   I seem to have a packet of cheese pieces.  Grrr!

Seems to be increasing tendency atm! Whatever happened to Made in Britain?

People stopped making things in Britain.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 28 September, 2016, 10:26:14 pm
We still make quite a lot of cheese in Britain and some of it is highly regarded abroad.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 29 September, 2016, 07:29:42 am
Quote from: Kim on 28 September, 2016, 09:17:50 pm
Quote from: Canardly on 28 September, 2016, 08:36:06 pm
Quote from: Polar Bear on 28 September, 2016, 01:47:45 pm
I thought that I'd bought pz2 impact driver bits.   I seem to have a packet of cheese pieces.  Grrr!

Seems to be increasing tendency atm! Whatever happened to Made in Britain?

People stopped making things in Britain.

People stopped buying things Made in Britain.

Strangely, at the same time all those people expected (and still expect) to be paid to keep making things in Britain.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 29 September, 2016, 06:13:46 pm
Because a lot of what was made in Britain wasn't worth buying. For instance motor cars and motorbikes that were horribly unreliable and expensive with it. I'm sure other examples can be found without too much effort.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jakob W on 29 September, 2016, 07:11:16 pm
Cat just wandered across my lap and sank her claws into my merino top. That's going to need darning...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 29 September, 2016, 11:34:08 pm
Quote from: Jakob W on 29 September, 2016, 07:11:16 pm
Cat just wandered across my lap and sank her claws into my merino top. That's going to need darning...

Wasn't that a Disney film..... ?  ;)     https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/That_Darn_Cat!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 29 September, 2016, 11:45:37 pm
...also subject of a song by Kevin 'Bloody' Wilson
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 30 September, 2016, 08:47:07 am
German pensions agency sent back my proof-of-life form. The buggers won't take the word of a doctor but will take that of a hospital.  :-\

Maybe there are too many Kr sorry German medics on the fiddle.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 30 September, 2016, 09:02:44 am
Plugged in my forerunner and now Connect won't work.  Bah.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mike on 30 September, 2016, 09:40:05 am
I had a filling last month and lovely dentist warned me it might need root canal work.  It does.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 01 October, 2016, 10:47:38 pm
I've had a sinus infection for the last three weeks. I thought I was fighting it off for a while, but then it got worse, so I went to the GP. A week of antibiotics seemed to work - until 24 hours after the last pill, when it was obvious that they'd failed. So since yesterday afternoon I've been on a week of a different antibiotic.

I should have started a Japanese course on Monday evening. But it's been cancelled. Not enough students, I think. I can repeat the one I did last year at the local FE college, or do another one at the same level run at Reading university by the University of Oxford's Continuing Education department - but what good what that do? I want to move on to the next level.

And today it's taken four attempts to get an inner tube which continues to hold air onto Mrs B's road bike's front wheel. Dodgy valve, failing old patch, exploding tube . . .
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 01 October, 2016, 11:02:46 pm
I seem to have an Unhappy Tooth.
I have Jewish dentist.
It is New Year Monday & Tuesday.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 03 October, 2016, 05:40:59 pm
Lenor Unstoppables: why???

(Sainsbury's have sent me a free sample. Being TV-free, I was unaware of this product. I see no reason to perfume my clothes with artificial stinx. I really wish modern laundry products and cycles removed teh mankiness from our garments but piling in more 'scent' is NOT the answer!)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 03 October, 2016, 06:15:50 pm
My Unhappy Tooth has settled somewhat; I can now chew gently on the left: something I could not do over the weekend.

Another part of my anatomy is unhappy; I think it is merely bruised as I know it got squished a bit. I will wait a few days before I get it checked out for Anything Serious.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 04 October, 2016, 12:30:38 pm
Bicycle components made of cheese. Like the chain that suddenly goes CRACK! when you try to accelerate away from the crossroads onto The Greenway at 16:30 on a bright sunny Monday afternoon.

Bah
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 05 October, 2016, 11:44:55 am
My appointment at the dentist was 1040. I'm still in the waiting room
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 07 October, 2016, 10:22:50 am
A month ago I sent the Chamber of Commerce a declaration covering the missus's resignation as co-CEO of our company.  Last week the fee had not yet been debited from our account so I just phoned them. "Yes, we've got it. You'll have to wait another 3 weeks: just now the 18th August is at the top of the pile."

France does go on holiday for August, after all.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 07 October, 2016, 12:06:37 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 05 October, 2016, 11:44:55 am
My appointment at the dentist was 1040. I'm still in the waiting room
Look on the bright side. Some poor bugger has spent an hour longer sitting in The Chair than they expected.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 07 October, 2016, 12:18:48 pm
Power tools......

Why is it that everyone of my neighbours has a fetish about using power tools almost 24/7? A couple of days ago one neighbour used a petrol chainsaw to cut some trees down. This chainsaw was a moldy old pile of crap which wasn't up to the job and made a hell of a noise.

Then, the bloke two doors down has a wood burner and thus spends a couple of hours each week cutting up logs using what sounds like an angle grinder. Oh.... and why mow your garden at 7.30am on a Sunday morning???

And now a bloke at the end of the street is cutting some floor tiles. I know he is doing so as not only can I hear him, but as he is standing at the end of his drive when doing so, I can see him.

And finally, if Bill doesn't clean the mess he made when power washing his drive off Sue (aged 85) drive, I am going to....EDIT.... this is turning into a bit of a rant!

Power tools...bah!  :hand:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 07 October, 2016, 12:59:07 pm
It's pretty much standard practice in summer that five minutes after I lug my laptop out onto the balcony to work al fresco someone nearby will start grinding, chopping, sawing, leaf blowing, drilling, or mowing. If no one with a power tool is around, someone will be sure to start a smoky, stinky bonfire. It's the British way.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 07 October, 2016, 01:00:21 pm
Or they'll park up on the double yellows outside and have a fag while listening to kickin' bass with the window down.

Or, if there's nobody around to make noise, their unattended alarms will fill the gap.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 07 October, 2016, 01:25:26 pm
If an alarm goes off in the middle of the night and there's no-one there to hear it, does it still make a godawful shrieking for five hours?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 07 October, 2016, 01:32:16 pm
Oh for a monodirectional narrow-beam EMP device.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 07 October, 2016, 01:51:54 pm
Quote from: T42 on 07 October, 2016, 01:32:16 pm
Oh for a monodirectional narrow-beam EMP device.

A Purdey works.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 07 October, 2016, 02:08:10 pm
Quote from: T42 on 07 October, 2016, 01:32:16 pm
Oh for a monodirectional narrow-beam EMP device.

Oh, couldn't we just take off and nuke them from orbit. Its the only way to be sure you know.

And just to get our own back, CBH is mowing the front lawn. It normally takes me 17 minutes to do...yes, I have Strava'ed it.... she says she might take an hour or two doing: "a proper job."

 ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 07 October, 2016, 02:16:32 pm
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 07 October, 2016, 01:51:54 pm
Quote from: T42 on 07 October, 2016, 01:32:16 pm
Oh for a monodirectional narrow-beam EMP device.

A Purdey works.

Purdeys have consequence, but also consequences. A MNBEMPD would be silent and undetectable other than in the sudden burn-out of the target device. A damn fine set of initials, too.

I dare say Kim could run one up in her lunch-hour...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Dibdib on 07 October, 2016, 02:48:40 pm
I read one post elsewhere on the interwebs today about Frasier and now I really, really want an Eames lounge chair and ottoman.

In the "grumble" thread because there's no way I can afford the £600-800 for a half-decent reproduction, let alone the £5k for an authentic one...  :'(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 08 October, 2016, 05:55:11 pm
Franz Kafka is alive & well & writing operating procedures for Skype.

Support Request Number:12345
 
Your details
Country or regionUnited Kingdom
Preferred languageEnglish
On which device are you running this application?Skype for Windows
Your first nameA
Your last nameB
Your email addressAB@Email.com
Your Skype name(s)AB

26-01.2014
info: at 16:35:13
You are now chatting with 'D A'.
D A: at 16:35:32
Hello! My name is D. Welcome to Skype Live Support! How can I help you today?
You: at 16:38:45
I have a problem. I bought some credit last week, to make phone calls to X. the first time I used it, my call was cut off after 3 minutes. When I tried to call again, I got a message saying my account was blocked. I reported it, & got a reply saying my account couldn't be unblocked. Since then, I've managed to get it unblocked, but I've been told that if I call the same number, it will automatically be blocked again
You: at 16:40:12
The reason I bought the credit was mostly to call that number.
You: at 16:40:55
It's an ordinary private phone line, belonging to one of my family.
You: at 16:41:13
D - are still there?
D A: at 16:41:14
I am sorry you are having issues regarding your account. You have come to the right place, let us see what our options are to resolve this issue.
D A: at 16:41:21
Before we proceed to your concern, may I know your first name so I can address you properly?
You: at 16:41:32
AB
D A: at 16:42:09
Thank you, AB.
You: at 16:42:35
For me, the options are simple. Either fix the problem (i.e. permanently unblock the number) or give me my money back. At the moment, I'm not getting the service I paid for.
D A: at 16:42:36
May I also have the Skype name of the account that you are referring to, please?
You: at 16:42:48
AB   
D A: at 16:43:07
Thank you.
You: at 16:44:21
I was told it was blocked because of unusual activity, i.e. lots of calls. I called it a lot, but only because I couldn't get through, & I couldn't get through because it was blocked.
D A: at 16:44:45
As I can see here on my end, your account "AB" is good and working fine.
You: at 16:45:36
It's working fine as long as I don't call my family in X. When I do, the call is cut off & my account is suspended.
D A: at 16:46:04
I see.
D A: at 16:46:36
The reason why you cannot call the number in X is because the number that you are calling to is forbidden.
You: at 16:47:22
That's what I want fixed. There's no reason to forbid it. It's an ordinary number, belonging to one of my relatives.
D A: at 16:48:04
I understand how you feel right now, and would like to help you in the best way I can.
You: at 16:48:30
Fine. Then can you unblock that number?
You: at 16:49:03
The owner of that phone line hasn't received any strange calls, & certainly hasn't made any.
D A: at 16:49:31
I really apologize but I cannot do that since I do not have the option to do so. I hope you would understand.
You: at 16:49:53
Then who can unblock it?
D A: at 16:50:30
All of us here on Skype do not have the option to unblock the number since we do not have the option to do so.
D A: at 16:50:58
You can still call that number. However, you can call it without using Skype.
You: at 16:51:12
If nobody can unblock it, I want my money back. If I don't get it back, I will go to my credit card company, & tell them that Skype is refusing to provide the service that I have paid for, & get them to refund the money & claim it frm you
D A: at 16:51:27
I really apologize for the inconvenience that this has caused you, AB.
You: at 16:51:39
I have paid to call that number via Skype. If you won't let me call it, give me my money back
D A: at 16:52:04
I know how important it is to contact your family. However, since the number was already blocked, we cannot do anything about it.
You: at 16:52:09
Skype has blocked the number, so Skype must be able to unblock it.
You: at 16:52:31
The number is not blocked by anyone else.
You: at 16:53:25
Why has Skype blocked it?
You: at 16:55:08
Still, there, D?
D A: at 16:55:28
I really apologize for the inconvenience, AB. I have already talked to my Supervisor and explain your concern.
D A: at 16:55:44
What I am going to do is to refund the credit that you have purchased.
D A: at 16:56:54
Since you are our valued customer, we can process a refund for this. However, I just want to inform you that this is only a one time courtesy.
D A: at 16:57:13
With regard to the number, I really apologize but we cannot do anything about it.
You: at 16:57:42
Thank you.
D A: at 16:57:58
It is my pleasure.
D A: at 16:58:13
Again, we do apologize for the inconvenience, AB.
D A: at 16:59:44
Please be advised that it will take 5-7 business days to reflect on your bank.
You: at 16:59:56
i am still vey unhappy about the service. Any service that can't unblock a number has serious technical faults.
D A: at 17:00:13
You will also receive a confirmation email about this process.
D A: at 17:00:45
I do understand how you feel, AB. However, this is the only thing that I can do for you.
D A: at 17:00:53
I hope you would understand.
You: at 17:01:52
The responses I've had have been unsatisfactory. the first response was to dismiss the problem without making any attempt to solve it. The second response was to tell me not to use the service, I have spent a lot of time trying to resolve this. If it was not possible, I should have been offered a refund immediately.
D A: at 17:02:19
I already processed your refund request, AB.
You: at 17:02:43
Thank you. When should I get the e-mail?
D A: at 17:02:59
Do not worry because all of your feedback will be forwarded to our Management so that they can take necessary action about this issue.
D A: at 17:03:25
You will receive the email within this day since I have already processed the refund, AB.
D A: at 17:03:42
Do you have any other concern aside from this?
D A: at 17:06:32
I have not heard from you for the last two minutes. Do you still wish to continue chatting?
You: at 17:06:52
Only that the system should be fixed. I am unhappy that I have had to go through this process, & now have to find another way of calling
D A: at 17:07:41
I do understand that, AB. And we really apologize for all the inconvenience.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 08 October, 2016, 06:01:43 pm
Is that a chat bot? All of us AIs at Skype don't have the ability to do that, Dave.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jakob W on 08 October, 2016, 06:28:28 pm
Quote from: Dibdib on 07 October, 2016, 02:48:40 pm
I read one post elsewhere on the interwebs today about Frasier and now I really, really want an Eames lounge chair and ottoman.

In the "grumble" thread because there's no way I can afford the £600-800 for a half-decent reproduction, let alone the £5k for an authentic one...  :'(

If it's any comfort, if you're over 6', they're unlikely to be that comfortable; the originals are sized for 1950s proportions, and though Vitra (the official European licencee) offer a larger size, it's still only for people up to 6' or so. At least that's how I comfort myself when I contemplate the prices...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 09 October, 2016, 12:36:03 am
Quote from: perpetual dan on 08 October, 2016, 06:01:43 pm
Is that a chat bot? All of us AIs at Skype don't have the ability to do that, Dave.
Yeah, the language was a bit weird.

I think "the number was already blocked" was particularly annoying to the owner of the Skype account (not me), since it wasn't blocked to start with - only after 3 minutes. And "We're going to give back what you've paid for the service we're refusing to supply, but only as a special favour".  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 10 October, 2016, 01:30:24 pm
 ::-) ::-) >:( :P ::-) ::-) ::-) ::-) :hand: >:( >:( >:( :facepalm: ::-) ::-)

Quote
DO NOT OVERFILL SHREDDER BIN
If the bin is getting full
 CHANGE THE BAG
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 10 October, 2016, 05:14:36 pm
Who's your The Boss, Guy?  Oliver North?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Aunt Maud on 10 October, 2016, 05:19:58 pm
Quote from: Dibdib on 07 October, 2016, 02:48:40 pm
I read one post elsewhere on the interwebs today about Frasier and now I really, really want an Eames lounge chair and ottoman.

In the "grumble" thread because there's no way I can afford the £600-800 for a half-decent reproduction, let alone the £5k for an authentic one...  :'(

I think I saw one down the dump the other day.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 10 October, 2016, 09:53:18 pm
I remember someone I knew slightly who worked in waste disposal once telling me that none of 'em ever bought furniture. Too much really good stuff* thrown away.

*Often more expensive than they could afford to buy.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 11 October, 2016, 08:16:00 am
Back in the 80s a chum of mine was in the habit of walking from tube to office via the back streets rather than down the main drag.  Once, behind the back of Lillywhite's, I think it was, he found a stack of Rossignol skis piled up against the bins.  He toddled in the back door and asked if they were rubbish too. "Yeah, they were the England Winter Olympics team's, they're finished with them." So he snaffled them: they were top of the range and still in very good condition, some of them hardly used. He made quite a bit from selling them.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 11 October, 2016, 09:28:28 am
Colleague who sits opposite me.  Our employer has a generous sick leave policy.    Please take advantage of it rather than coughing & spluttering everywhere. 

I'm off for a weeks holiday on Saturday & don't want to be touristing around Rome with a stinking cold  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 11 October, 2016, 09:32:57 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 10 October, 2016, 05:14:36 pm
Who's your The Boss, Guy?  Oliver North?

No, but i think he used to work in data management at EnRon
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 12 October, 2016, 08:12:42 am
A nice, deep scratch has appeared in the right lens of my glasses, positioned perfectly so it's right in the way when I look at a computer screen.

No idea where it came from. It wasn't there yesterday evening and I've not dropped them or anything.

Probably that bloody cat. Or aliens.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 12 October, 2016, 04:54:07 pm
And Eurostar. I would like me a train ticket. How about you set up your payment page to not require a bazillion pop-ups and scripts that every fucking browser under the sun now blocks?

Now I am in marooned in that interstitial did-or-didn't I buy a ticket indeterminacy

ETA: Chrome says 'insecure script' and kills the HTTPS. Obviously.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 12 October, 2016, 05:36:58 pm
As there's very little actual food in the house (as I can't really walk or ride a bike) I've just finished baking some  ..dwarf bread.

That's what happened last time too, so more than just bad luck. On investigating I discover that the yeast is over a year past its use-by date.   :facepalm:


Yay, snot noodles for tea.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SA_SA_SA_SA on 12 October, 2016, 07:33:09 pm
Quote from: Kim on 12 October, 2016, 05:36:58 pm
.... just finished baking some  ..dwarf bread.
.....On investigating I discover that the yeast is over a year past its use-by date.   :facepalm:
If you have yogurt/buttermilk and baking soda you could make soda or wheaten bread or if only baking powder some other form of quick bread.... or just cake  :)

Hope your heels get better.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: arabella on 12 October, 2016, 08:25:16 pm
I've found that putting (essentially) unleavened bread (cut to normal sized slices) under the grill* brings it out nicely.
*probably a toaster does the same job, if you have one of those instead.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 13 October, 2016, 10:52:59 am
Bit of work going on at Basil Towers this week.  Fireplace being ripped out and enlarged for wood burning stove.  The builder leaves his mixer and other big stuff here overnight.

Builder:  "Can you unlock the shed for me?"
Me:  "Oh yes, sorry I forgot."  Aside mutter: "Shed?  That's Coach House if you don't mind.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 13 October, 2016, 08:13:36 pm
The middle finger of my right hand has decided to get hurty, making writing - inna-old-skool-stylee with a pen - a painful experience.  Yes, I did break it in an incident involving loose gravel, E-ed-up clubbers and a Mercedes S-Class but that was twenty-seven years ago.  Just stop it >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 16 October, 2016, 10:10:49 pm
I knocked over the ornamental hare in my yard, and her ears broke off  :'(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 16 October, 2016, 10:58:25 pm
Araldite or 'Gorilla Glue' should sort her out. I was going to suggest something like 'using rabbit glue cos from a distance it will look like hairs' but that's probably mixing too many metaphors . . .
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 16 October, 2016, 11:00:44 pm
Quote from: Ruthie on 16 October, 2016, 10:10:49 pm
I knocked over the ornamental hare in my yard, and her ears broke off  :'(
:( GWS hare
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 16 October, 2016, 11:16:13 pm
Plenty hares round here, want me to catch one for you?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 17 October, 2016, 12:24:29 am
I've just spent the weekend at the Victoria Quays Hilton in Sheffield for a Medical School reunion.

I booked an 'accessible' room for two, expecting to get a twin as I was sharing with a class-mate.

Receptionist told me on arrival only 'accessible' rooms had 'standard double' beds. I was not prepared to share a bed with my friend.

I chose to stay in a standard twin and thankfully managed fine but I'm unimpressed that we wouldn't have had separate beds if I had not opted for this. I wasn't prepared to get a second room at extra expense. (The single beds are BIG!)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 17 October, 2016, 11:40:53 am
Quote from: Ruthie on 16 October, 2016, 10:10:49 pm
I knocked over the ornamental hare in my yard, and her ears broke off  :'(
You need a beer.
https://www.bathales.com/our-ales/aid/wild-hare/
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 17 October, 2016, 12:01:12 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 17 October, 2016, 12:24:29 am
I've just spent the weekend at the Victoria Quays Hilton in Sheffield for a Medical School reunion.

I booked an 'accessible' room for two, expecting to get a twin as I was sharing with a class-mate.

Receptionist told me on arrival only 'accessible' rooms had 'standard double' beds. I was not prepared to share a bed with my friend.

I chose to stay in a standard twin and thankfully managed fine but I'm unimpressed that we wouldn't have had separate beds if I had not opted for this. I wasn't prepared to get a second room at extra expense. (The single beds are BIG!)

Argh, sounds like they need to be clearer about what their accessible rooms have all round >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 17 October, 2016, 01:07:52 pm
Rushed around all morning so I could squeeze in a swim before I fly off somewhere this afternoon. Run up to the leisure centre. 'Pool closed - sorry for any inconvenience'.

Bah.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rachel t on 17 October, 2016, 10:57:45 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 17 October, 2016, 12:24:29 am
I've just spent the weekend at the Victoria Quays Hilton in Sheffield for a Medical School reunion.

I booked an 'accessible' room for two, expecting to get a twin as I was sharing with a class-mate.

Receptionist told me on arrival only 'accessible' rooms had 'standard double' beds. I was not prepared to share a bed with my friend.

I chose to stay in a standard twin and thankfully managed fine but I'm unimpressed that we wouldn't have had separate beds if I had not opted for this. I wasn't prepared to get a second room at extra expense. (The single beds are BIG!)

I seem to remember a couple of years ago when we stayed in an accessible room at a travelodge it was a double bed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 18 October, 2016, 05:09:01 pm
Quote from: barakta on 17 October, 2016, 12:01:12 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 17 October, 2016, 12:24:29 am
I've just spent the weekend at the Victoria Quays Hilton in Sheffield for a Medical School reunion.

I booked an 'accessible' room for two, expecting to get a twin as I was sharing with a class-mate.

Receptionist told me on arrival only 'accessible' rooms had 'standard double' beds. I was not prepared to share a bed with my friend.

I chose to stay in a standard twin and thankfully managed fine but I'm unimpressed that we wouldn't have had separate beds if I had not opted for this. I wasn't prepared to get a second room at extra expense. (The single beds are BIG!)

Argh, sounds like they need to be clearer about what their accessible rooms have all round >:(

Indeed but I booked online and (mistakenly) assumed a twin would be available.

When I have travelled with David, we've frequently ended up with twin beds, which don't please us either.

I am a fusspot...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: RibbleRouser on 18 October, 2016, 05:19:42 pm
Quote from: Ruthie on 16 October, 2016, 10:10:49 pm
I knocked over the ornamental hare in my yard, and her ears broke off  :'(
Hare ears broke off ?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 18 October, 2016, 10:12:45 pm
Due to Sloth and Moral Turpitude I did not get the opportunity to visit Mr Sainsbury's House Of Toothy Comestibles this afternoon.  "A-ha" I thought, "I will go after TV's Riz Lateef" has delivered unto me the local Londonton news, when the usual evening traffic has subsided".

Two hours to get there.  And when I came out again thee Traffic ov Doom had evaporated as though whatever had corked up the whole of NE Londonton had been given a pot of coffee laced with Ex-Lax ???

Note to self: finish that project to turn the Romany into a shopping bike/trailer tug :-\
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pedaldog. on 19 October, 2016, 12:37:59 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 18 October, 2016, 10:12:45 pm
Due to Sloth and Moral Turpitude I did not get the opportunity to visit Mr Sainsbury's House Of Toothy Comestibles this afternoon. 

A fine partnership of Property consultants?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 19 October, 2016, 08:25:04 am
Quote from: Pedaldog on 19 October, 2016, 12:37:59 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 18 October, 2016, 10:12:45 pm
Due to Sloth and Moral Turpitude I did not get the opportunity to visit Mr Sainsbury's House Of Toothy Comestibles this afternoon. 

A fine partnership of Property consultants?

There were a firm of solicitors on Hoe Street, not that far from Mr Sainsbury's House which were called: "Beg and Co."

It always made me smile on the way to the station.  ;D   

(Sorry, not a grumble until I remember that I am old enough to have used Mr Sainsbury's previous  store in the same street as the one Mr Larrington uses!)

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 19 October, 2016, 12:25:08 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 18 October, 2016, 05:09:01 pm
Quote from: barakta on 17 October, 2016, 12:01:12 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 17 October, 2016, 12:24:29 am
I've just spent the weekend at the Victoria Quays Hilton in Sheffield for a Medical School reunion.
I booked an 'accessible' room for two, expecting to get a twin as I was sharing with a class-mate.
Receptionist told me on arrival only 'accessible' rooms had 'standard double' beds. I was not prepared to share a bed with my friend.
I chose to stay in a standard twin and thankfully managed fine but I'm unimpressed that we wouldn't have had separate beds if I had not opted for this. I wasn't prepared to get a second room at extra expense. (The single beds are BIG!)
Argh, sounds like they need to be clearer about what their accessible rooms have all round >:(
Indeed but I booked online and (mistakenly) assumed a twin would be available.
When I have travelled with David, we've frequently ended up with twin beds, which don't please us either.
I am a fusspot...

Now I've had this reply from the Hilton.

Quote
Thank you for taking a moment to share your experience regarding Hilton Sheffield.

Your feedback regarding accessible bedrooms has been noted and taken on board. I do hope that we are able to welcome you back to our hotel in the future and if required an additional bed can be placed in the bedroom.

But actually I DON'T WANT my equally paying room mate in a little put-you-up. I want a proper bed! Also, accommodating a bulky wheelchair in a room with an extra bed is VERY awkward!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 19 October, 2016, 01:00:33 pm
I don't understand why their online website doesn't SAY what each room has in it e.g shower/bath, double/twin... They wouldn't expect non disableds to book a room not knowing which is which so that could be discriminatory!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 19 October, 2016, 01:58:29 pm
Quote from: essexian on 19 October, 2016, 08:25:04 am
(Sorry, not a grumble until I remember that I am old enough to have used Mr Sainsbury's previous  store in the same street as the one Mr Larrington uses!)

Actually I've been using the branch of Mr Sainsbury's House Of Toothy Comestibles opposite the dog track since it opened, well before moving into the current iteration of Larrington Towers.  Which is as near as makes no odds twenty years as yesterday would have been my 20th wedding anniversary had it lasted.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 19 October, 2016, 02:01:39 pm
Quote from: barakta on 19 October, 2016, 01:00:33 pm
I don't understand why their online website doesn't SAY what each room has in it e.g shower/bath, double/twin... They wouldn't expect non disableds to book a room not knowing which is which so that could be discriminatory!

Good point!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 20 October, 2016, 03:48:43 pm
Dear Southwest Trains,

I am no longer 'thinking about my trip to Christchurch'.

I booked with another provider as I wanted my tickets mailed to me and you no longer give me this option.

I am disabled and do no not need to be messing with my credit card and umpteen pieces of orange cardboard, luggage and my wheelchair in a noisy station, where the ticket machine is at a suboptimal height for those who cannot stand.

If you wish my continued custom for ticket sales, please reinstate the option of receiving tickets easily by mail.
 
Hellymedic
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 22 October, 2016, 01:41:54 pm
Yet Another Bridge Strike!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-37738633 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-37738633)

Are these things getting more frequent?
One of the news pictures clearly shows the bridge's height limit.

Wishing the victims well...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 22 October, 2016, 01:55:12 pm
Being a past master at sending in an online order and then remembering something else I wanted to add, I paused in the middle of Wiggle's "Validate Basket" routine. Five minutes later an email from them arrived entitled "Vous avez un problème?"

Not any more. The basket is now empty and the one for xxcycle.fr has a couple of items in it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 22 October, 2016, 02:14:31 pm
The train from Rome airport to the city costs €14, has tons of luggage space & takes 30 minutes.
The train from Manchester to Liverpool costs £15, has no luggage space & takes ages 😨

I'm back & have a rotten cold which started yesterday 😷  Sneezing & snotting my way through 2 airports reminded me of the opening credits from "Survivors".
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 23 October, 2016, 10:28:13 am
I have this theory that airyplanes promote bug relocation.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 23 October, 2016, 12:00:48 pm
That's not a theory; it's a fact!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 23 October, 2016, 12:13:27 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 22 October, 2016, 01:41:54 pm
Yet Another Bridge Strike!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-37738633 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-37738633)

Are these things getting more frequent?
One of the news pictures clearly shows the bridge's height limit.

Wishing the victims well...
Sometimes seems like they're getting more frequent, but maybe they're just more widely reported now. And of course there are more vehicles generally and quite likely a higher proportion of traffic is high vehicles.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 23 October, 2016, 01:57:59 pm
Satnavitus!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 23 October, 2016, 04:27:05 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 23 October, 2016, 12:00:48 pm
That's not a theory; it's a fact!

The cold began before the flight.  I woke up on Friday with a bad sore throat & it progressed from there.   By great good fortune I've not had a bad cold for several years now & this is knocking me for six  :(     No apparent high temperature or shivers,  just the throat, coughing & sneezing & copious snot.  I've not much appetite & have been in bed most of the day having strange dreams.  I think I'll not be going into work tomorrow. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 24 October, 2016, 08:59:19 am
Bloody Orange, startling me out of a nice brown study with a text "alert" to watch The Walking Dead.  In fact, bloody Orange in general. Living near the frontier with Germany, every time I ride within 10 km of it B.O. send me TWO messages about how I can stay in touch in forrin partz. That's just before Deutsche Telekom on the other side swamps out Orange, so that I can incur roving fees without leaving France.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 24 October, 2016, 01:27:13 pm
Schwalbe don't do Marathon spiked winter tyres in 650b/27.5", so I had to settle for their Ice Spiker Pro ones at a whopping £85 for a folding pair. Wiggle want £63 each for clinchers!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 24 October, 2016, 01:44:48 pm
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 24 October, 2016, 01:27:13 pm
Schwalbe don't do Marathon spiked winter tyres in 650b/27.5", so I had to settle for their Ice Spiker Pro ones at a whopping £85 for a folding pair. Wiggle want £63 each for clinchers!
And people ask me why I walk to work when it's icy.

Guy - not actually made of money
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 24 October, 2016, 01:47:09 pm
You don't have to be made of money, you just need to have a more sensible wheel size and buy your ice tyres in June.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 24 October, 2016, 02:20:10 pm
Quote from: Guy on 24 October, 2016, 01:44:48 pm
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 24 October, 2016, 01:27:13 pm
Schwalbe don't do Marathon spiked winter tyres in 650b/27.5", so I had to settle for their Ice Spiker Pro ones at a whopping £85 for a folding pair. Wiggle want £63 each for clinchers!
And people ask me why I walk to work when it's icy.

Guy - not actually made of money
That's actually not super-overpriced. £42.50 each.

I don't have to look far to find MTB tyres with a RRP of over £100 (on sale at £60).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 24 October, 2016, 04:43:56 pm
I emailed in sick to work, but had to go out & buy food & stuff.  A sweatshirt & warm coat.  I'm now soaking with perspiration & thinking about going back to bed  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 24 October, 2016, 05:02:35 pm
As good a reason as any to call Deliveroo, surely.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 24 October, 2016, 05:06:46 pm
Quote from: Kim on 24 October, 2016, 01:47:09 pm
You don't have to be made of money, you just need to have a more sensible wheel size and buy your ice tyres in June.
Too true; my 26" & 700c Marathon Winters (with not so many spikes, granted) cost me £12 - 20 each from On One.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 25 October, 2016, 09:37:50 am
One of the things that made living on our street pleasant was the park opposite our house. I don't walk in it every day, but it is there and the knowledge that I can walk in it, sit in it is pleasant. When my step-daughter visits with step-grandaughter, at 5:30-6am I take step-grandaughter out in pram and walk in the park to give mum a lie in. We chat to the dog walkers, play on the swings.

No longer. It is going to be locked from 6pm to 7:30am.

So working folk like me will no longer have use of the park. I'm pissed off. There is a small problem with a very small amount of vandalism. There is a very small amount of rubbish left in two locations.

There are lot of people who walk dogs early (never seen any dog poo left on ground, people are very particular about picking up). Quite a lot of early morning and evening joggers, including me. All those people won't be able to use the park anymore.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 25 October, 2016, 09:49:14 am
Hmm, you have my complete sympathies.  I have the same problem in Ely with public toilets, closed from about 5:30 pm which is typically before I head out for a run if I'm home.

Not a continual problem, but what am I expected to do if I get caught short? Fid the nearest hedge?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 25 October, 2016, 10:01:20 am
It's going to be locked up because people are afraid of what might happen. There have been a small number of drunken parties (4-8 people sitting round a bench drinking). Sometimes. No fires. A few bottles left lying around (I know how many, I picked them up). A grumbling local complained to me that he'd seen people climbing trees! The horror of it!

There is a local drug dealer sits on a bench. He sits on a bench for most of day, people go up to him and buy drugs from him. Discretely. I didn't even realise he was a drug dealer (he offered to sell some to one of my teenagers, that's the only reason I know he is a dealer) If he doesn't sit in the park, he'll sit somewhere else.

I've never seen a discarded needle, syringe or even smelt a spliff in the park. It's very sedate.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 25 October, 2016, 11:02:10 am
Imagine if we had a police force then, who knows, rather than close the park, they could just, well, patrol it every now and again. Like after dark.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 26 October, 2016, 11:26:27 am
People climbing trees. That's the trouble. They might fall out and get injured, if they're kids, or damage the tree with their weight if they're adults. Kids climbing trees is simply dangerous and must be stopped, like running in the school playground, and adults who climb trees clearly have something wrong with them. That leaves people between childhood and adulthood, sometimes known as teenagers, and everyone knows they shouldn't be allowed to exist.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 26 October, 2016, 11:30:54 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 26 October, 2016, 11:26:27 am
People climbing trees. That's the trouble. They might fall out and get injured, if they're kids, or damage the tree with their weight if they're adults. Kids climbing trees is simply dangerous and must be stopped, like running in the school playground, and adults who climb trees clearly have something wrong with them. That leaves people between childhood and adulthood, sometimes known as teenagers, and everyone knows they shouldn't be allowed to exist.

Quote
A tree? Chop it down- it's a danger
to lightning!
Spine Milligna, Values '67.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 26 October, 2016, 11:40:19 am
I've had a response to my query about being a lock-up warden.

Apparently, drug dealing, vandalism and drug use was so frequent ".. resulting in regular police patrols with many people too afraid to use the park at all. "

This is the park that my step-daughter felt so safe in she would go jogging round by herself at dusk. 'twas she who told me about the drug dealer. He asked her "Do you want any weed or anything?" "No thanks" "Ok then"  (not the exact words but something like that)

Very terrifying.

 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 26 October, 2016, 11:58:12 am
Erm, surely if there were 'regular police patrols' none of these 'antisocial' things would be happening.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 26 October, 2016, 12:01:03 pm
Regular, ian, not frequent...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 26 October, 2016, 12:56:49 pm
Quote from: ian on 26 October, 2016, 11:58:12 am
Erm, surely if there were 'regular police patrols' none of these 'antisocial' things would be happening.
Quite.

I've never  seen a police officer in the park.

The same email said "You are the only person who has not been in support of this" (the locking up")

That's odd, because when the community survey was put up, my wife and others opposed locking up. I've spoken to people in the park (dog walkers, people with awake babies) who didn't want it locking up.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 26 October, 2016, 01:23:53 pm
Maybe that's "only one in support after we discard all the responses from people who don't agree with us" (© 2016 Westminster council)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 26 October, 2016, 02:10:37 pm
Maybe get other people to complain too so they can't say that, also how many people have demanded the park is locked up. It won't keep "oiks" out as they'll just climb locked gates etc.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 28 October, 2016, 11:10:27 am
Snotty Kenilworth dog owner: Do not expect me to thank you for your 'trouble' for retrieving your mutt. You were standing in the middle of dual access barriers fussing over the thing, when there were several other places you could & should have played with it. Blocking access and expecting me to thank you for unblocking that access doesn't earn gratitude in my book, so don't throw a sarcastic 'You're very welcome' at me.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Karla on 28 October, 2016, 11:41:15 am
Quote from: mrcharly on 26 October, 2016, 11:40:19 am
I've had a response to my query about being a lock-up warden.

Apparently, drug dealing, vandalism and drug use was so frequent ".. resulting in regular police patrols with many people too afraid to use the park at all. "

This is the park that my step-daughter felt so safe in she would go jogging round by herself at dusk. 'twas she who told me about the drug dealer. He asked her "Do you want any weed or anything?" "No thanks" "Ok then"  (not the exact words but something like that)

Very terrifying.

Which park is it and who do I write to with my complaint?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 28 October, 2016, 01:08:04 pm
Quote from: Phartiphukborlz on 28 October, 2016, 11:41:15 am
Quote from: mrcharly on 26 October, 2016, 11:40:19 am
I've had a response to my query about being a lock-up warden.

Apparently, drug dealing, vandalism and drug use was so frequent ".. resulting in regular police patrols with many people too afraid to use the park at all. "

This is the park that my step-daughter felt so safe in she would go jogging round by herself at dusk. 'twas she who told me about the drug dealer. He asked her "Do you want any weed or anything?" "No thanks" "Ok then"  (not the exact words but something like that)

Very terrifying.

Which park is it and who do I write to with my complaint?
West Bank Park, Holgate

Write to the Council and you could also email:
   friends of west bank park@gmail.com
No spaces

I was in theory on the the friends of west bank park email list - received a total of 2 emails, attended and contributed to the one meeting they announced by email, responded (as did MrsC) to the survey about locking up the park. Never received anything about it actually going ahead or looking for volunteers to do lockup.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 30 October, 2016, 07:32:33 am
Pissed off & bored 'cos I set my dodgy sacroiliac grumbling the other day & helping the nurse with the Inlaw Paw has aggravated it.  Meanwhile the day is longer by an extra hour, the weather is mild and the sun is blazing down outside, and there is nothing I want to do apart from riding my bloody bike. :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 30 October, 2016, 09:00:50 am
shutting the house up last night before bed, I managed to kick the foot of the turbo trainer.

My second toe is either broken or very badly bruised.  Throbbing this morning about 10 hours later
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 30 October, 2016, 01:10:22 pm
Argh. Happened to friend of mine two weeks back.  GWS.

Quote from: T42 on 30 October, 2016, 07:32:33 am
Pissed off & bored 'cos I set my dodgy sacroiliac grumbling the other day & helping the nurse with the Inlaw Paw has aggravated it.  Meanwhile the day is longer by an extra hour, the weather is mild and the sun is blazing down outside, and there is nothing I want to do apart from riding my bloody bike. :demon:

I cracked and went, nothing cracked or twinged, and I had a very satisfying 30+ km toddle before lunch.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 01 November, 2016, 01:16:05 pm
Why do the transparent plastic coverings on food packages which are supposed to peel back always tear down 1/3 leaving the rest in situ?  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 01 November, 2016, 02:30:16 pm
So that "easy open" will work just a little bit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 01 November, 2016, 10:45:36 pm
Lurgy, please FOAD, it's been 12 days now & I'm still coughing, hawking, snotting & feeling crap.  Anything more than a gentle walk or ride has me soaking with sweat  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 02 November, 2016, 12:31:57 am
I'll put in a vote for lurgy as well.  It's gone to my ears and asymmetrically nobbled my hearing in the way that used to really freak me out when I was a kid (even after the chronic infections stopped, it was years before I could bear stereo headphones).  The good ear's probably at least 10dB down at the moment, judging by what I've been doing with my volume control and the amount of sense I made when answering the phone earlier.  Peanuts in hearing loss terms, I know, but really disorientating when it changes over the course of hours.  I spent a couple of minutes earlier triangulating the source of a clicking noise that turned out to be a dripping tap.   :facepalm:

On the plus side the sneezing has subsided somewhat.  Lungs are a work in progress (not sure who's winning there).  Mostly I've been feeling cold and wanting to sleep a lot.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 02 November, 2016, 01:09:53 am
I haz a headache and much achiness over and above the usual quota.  I blame all the fresh smog I got walking to the blood testing midden this morning.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cycleman on 02 November, 2016, 09:52:17 am
GWS all of you  :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 02 November, 2016, 10:07:01 am
For no apparent reason I feel like shit warmed up on a shovel this morning, so can I have a GWS as well?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 02 November, 2016, 12:58:32 pm
Quote from: Kim on 02 November, 2016, 12:31:57 am
Lungs are a work in progress (not sure who's winning there).

Think I've worked out who's winning.

Woke up screaming (literally) at 5am, during a dream about being strangled.  I could smell the nicotine on his hands which was interesting, as I don't remember having dreams with smells in them before.

Took a load of Ventolin and went back to bed, but didn't really sleep after that.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 02 November, 2016, 01:00:03 pm
Quote from: T42 on 02 November, 2016, 10:07:01 am
For no apparent reason I feel like shit warmed up on a shovel this morning, so can I have a GWS as well?

One from this side of the ditch.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 02 November, 2016, 01:23:17 pm
Cheers, Dave.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 03 November, 2016, 03:58:08 pm
Why does Royal Fail online postage payment have to expire the next working day?  I've just discovered that barakta didn't actually post something I gave her on Monday, as she didn't realise the deadline I told her was important.

I mean, I understand that some expiry for unposted items makes sense, so the database doesn't fill with endless cruft.  But a week or two doesn't seem unreasonable, does it?

Do they not have enough bits in the barcode?  Surely not, as that would be prone to abuse.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 04 November, 2016, 07:22:52 pm
Why is hospital WiFi so utterly useless...?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 06 November, 2016, 11:59:40 am
Damned iPad. I'd just typed a long post, went to "post", and got the message the iPad wasn't connected to the internet.  Fearing a repeat of the on-off-on broadband connection we suffered in May I checked the router. Nope, not that. Then I spot the wifi symbol on the iPad is off. How the hell did that happen - Apple magic I guess  >:(. A much shorter post ensued.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 08 November, 2016, 06:20:01 pm
My quiz partner is not well - nothing to worry about, just a grumbly chest (GWS, Peter) - which means tonight's pub quiz will be a borefest bleeding district scout meeting. AND we still have no boiler. This latter to be rectified tomorrow evening . . .
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 08 November, 2016, 08:47:22 pm
fucking cold that my oppo had last week has now spread to me, been sneezing and sniffling all day, throat feels like it's been dremmelled
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 08 November, 2016, 08:50:53 pm
The rain forecast for this evening hasn't arrived.  Not that I miss the rain, but I decided to take the tube instead of cycling because of the forecast.


Yes, I need to HTFU.  That's a separate grumble.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ham on 08 November, 2016, 09:38:58 pm
I'm packing dry clothes for tomorrow's return, I won't grumble if I don't have to use them.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 09 November, 2016, 09:06:10 am
Bloody Windows updates that take half an hour. Or feel like it. And then there was no rush anyway cos "rush job" is cancelled. Might be a day for a bike ride.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 09 November, 2016, 01:47:34 pm
Caught finger in a shoot bolt on a gate. Blood blister on pad of pinkie finger.

Ouch :'(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 09 November, 2016, 06:59:58 pm
Ouch! Mend well and fast!

Are Harrow Freeglers really thick?
Latest 'Wanted' is for 'Cables and Chargers'.

Brent Freegle offered some Ladies walking boots yesterday giving no indication of size thereof.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 10 November, 2016, 01:12:24 pm
Guy has just scored an own goal.

I posted on the Tune Assoc. thread and now I've got a bliddy earworm

Merle Haggard - Pliz to Shut Up and FO :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 10 November, 2016, 01:31:52 pm
Was at dentist yesterday so of course I have toothache today. :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 10 November, 2016, 10:48:20 pm
Dear Sainsbury's
It was challenging enough for me to try to sort out Consignment of Groceries for Aged Parent with recent Dislocated Shoulder whilst you website crashed between 21.00 and 23.00 last night but I managed by completing my order as soon as your poxy wibble came to life.
I have amended the order several times today as various requests emerged.

I went out this evening and returned to a patronising email timestamped 21.09 advising me to check and complete my order and ending with a rather weak apology.

Your statement that the issue was 'swiftly resolved' doesn't really wash and your email 24 hours after the event is very weak, given that it might have been read too late to take any useful action.

I am unimpressed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 11 November, 2016, 11:38:31 am
Mr Sainsbury's House Of Toothy Comestibles' Online Shoppimg Experience is this: a Rubbish.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 13 November, 2016, 01:10:34 pm
I've just spent the last 15 minutes using a needle to dig out a large splinter which was embedded under my fingernail. All because I helped pick up some dropped sheets after today's remembrance service.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 13 November, 2016, 07:33:39 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 11 November, 2016, 11:38:31 am
Mr Sainsbury's House Of Toothy Comestibles' Online Shoppimg Experience is this: a Rubbish.

It is a mixed bag.
I generally have it down to a fine art; there are definite SKILZ acquiring precisely what is desired. A crashed wibble is a PITA. I now order 2 similar commodities, hoping one is available, as an insurance against running out or horrid subs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Gattopardo on 13 November, 2016, 09:15:06 pm
House mates and girlfriend - you are so up your own arseholes and even making a point that I need the kitchen so I can make dinner. 

How can they not be self aware and see what is going on.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 13 November, 2016, 09:27:53 pm
Returned from lovely AUK Reunion weekend to 3 days' washing-up.
That is all.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 13 November, 2016, 09:53:01 pm
Don't really feel like death warmed up any more, more like death tartare.

The sandpapering has progressed from my throat to my eyeballs, to go with the magma chamber in my left sinus
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 13 November, 2016, 10:19:39 pm
In an effort to be organised, I attempt to buy a monthly bus ticket on my phone app. Get to the payment bit and it doesn't prompt with card info (usually gives last few digits of registered card number), just asks for CV2 number. I'm not sure if I registered credit card or current account card. I try CV2 from credit card. That doesn't seem to go through. Try Current account card. That seems to fail. Try going through account details on phone app to see if I can re-register a card. No card seems to be registered, and it doesn't allow me to register another. Look in app, see an unactivated ticket listed. Ah, I think, payment must have processed. Open ticket. That claims to be un-activated ticket from May.

Seems a bit odd, these tickets cost £100 each, I don't think I'd have bought two without noticing!

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 18 November, 2016, 08:46:52 am
grumbleCYCLISTSgrumblePEDESTRIANSgrumbleCYCLISTSgrumbleMOTORISTSgrumbleCYCLISTSgrumble
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Dibdib on 18 November, 2016, 05:04:26 pm
My "cycling in the rain" mojo has completely disappeared, and I'm not sure if it'll ever come back. I just had a strop grumble because, half-kitted already, I couldn't find the particular jacket I wanted so I gave up and got changed again.

I've remembered where I left it now, but I'm too grumpy to go out to the car and retrieve it.

 >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 18 November, 2016, 10:41:54 pm
Normally, if I fancy a bit of telly, which isn't very often, I'll check to see what's on BBC4.  There's usually something tolerable.

8:45. Pop go the 60s - The Kinks
8:50  Pop go the 60s - Status Quo
8:55. Pop go the 60s - Julie Felix
9:00. Black music legends of the 1980s - Prince
10:00. Disco at the BBC
11:00  The genius of funk
12:00 Top of the pops

Wtf?  Has bbc4 turned into radio2?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 19 November, 2016, 11:44:44 am
Its the pre Christmas 'put any old crap on' season.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 19 November, 2016, 12:00:59 pm
We live on a narrow lane, parking nose to the hedge on the verge opposite.  Some arse who couldn't be bothered to slow down in the face of incoming traffic has left a yellow tinted (DHL?) scrape across my back bumper.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 19 November, 2016, 01:01:45 pm
BBC4 usually gets all musical on Fridays.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 20 November, 2016, 12:23:44 am
Dear Imperial College Symphony Orchestra,
Thank you for inviting my partner to your forthcoming concert. I was pleased to see you specified the venue, date and time on this invitation. WELL DONE!

I was less than impressed that the invitation gave no inkling as to which music was to be performed.
I was even less impressed when the orchestra's website was also uninformative about this matter.

I eventually found out by looking for the date on the IC Union 'What's On' feature.

This concert is in less than two weeks time. If you wish to maximise your audience you really MUST TRY HARDER.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 20 November, 2016, 05:06:28 pm
I take size 11 (or 46) shoes, and have done for many years. Look in my cupboard and see size 11 (or 46) trainers, work shoes, "smart" shoes, climbing boots, walking boots, cycling shoes.

Today I went to Evans Gatwick to have my soul drained out of me. Select shoe, Shimano MT34) from Magic Computer. Scrawl number on piece of paper. Hand paper to young lad behind counter. Wait. Wait a bit more. Shoes arrive. try them on. They don't fit. My previous Shimano shoes, MT33, were size 11 (or 46) and fitted beautifully. Even Shimano's shoe sizing guide says they should fit.  Ask for size 47. None in stock, would I like 48s?  Yes please. Wait, wait,  wait some more. After 10 minutes I give up and go.

Why does it have to be so tricky?  There's reviews that say "get a size larger than usual". Why? Why can't manufacturers just make them to the size it says on the box?  It's not even as hard as the whole L, XL, XXL clothing size nonsense either.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 20 November, 2016, 06:27:20 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 19 November, 2016, 12:00:59 pm
We live on a narrow lane, parking nose to the hedge on the verge opposite.  Some arse who couldn't be bothered to slow down in the face of incoming traffic has left a yellow tinted (DHL?) scrape across my back bumper.  >:(

As fellow inhabitant of a narrow lane, I can vouch for the fact it's usually either couriers or delivery drivers. And they always run off.

Actually, it's the same anywhere. I used to live on a private development and I swear they'd knock over one of the bollard lights once a month, despite none of the light being especially close to the roadway. And not one of the drivers ever left their details. On the plus side, someone would usually see them do it, so I'd make them pay over the odds for the repairs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 20 November, 2016, 06:36:02 pm
Tim, I feel your pain. I had to get some new cycling shoes the other day too (not Shimano). They are my only size 9s.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 22 November, 2016, 09:17:01 am
Mega-Global Big River Corporation of Seattle, USAnia, could you be more specific than "today", please?  I have to go shopping.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 22 November, 2016, 09:26:25 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 22 November, 2016, 09:17:01 am
Mega-Global Big River Corporation of Seattle, USAnia, could you be more specific than "today", please?  I have to go shopping.

<insert Soviet Union plumber joke here>
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 22 November, 2016, 09:40:01 am
Quote from: Tim Hall on 22 November, 2016, 09:26:25 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 22 November, 2016, 09:17:01 am
Mega-Global Big River Corporation of Seattle, USAnia, could you be more specific than "today", please?  I have to go shopping.

<insert Soviet Union plumber joke here>

I was supposed to meet with someone at a recent 70th anniversary event - they didn't show.  Got a message "Blah, blah, blah, meet up next time?"  I fought off the temptation to reply "OK, see you at the 140th event, will you be there Friday or Saturday?"
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 22 November, 2016, 10:41:50 am
Quote from: Tim Hall on 22 November, 2016, 09:26:25 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 22 November, 2016, 09:17:01 am
Mega-Global Big River Corporation of Seattle, USAnia, could you be more specific than "today", please?  I have to go shopping.

<insert Soviet Union plumber joke here>

"Out for delivery" at 10:01 from Grays.  Exit Mr Larrington, Mr Sainsbury's House Of Toothy Comestibles-wards.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 22 November, 2016, 12:55:09 pm
Dear Vauxhall marketing wonks, if you're going to send out your marketing emails addressed to "the associate gatekeeper," at least have the decency to sign them "the associate keymaster."
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 23 November, 2016, 09:58:14 am
Philips: bunch of wankers.  First the radio alarm-clock that went phut the day after it was bought, and now the Inlaw Paw's nightlight, one of those 3-LED variable-colour efforts, has gone phut after 6 weeks.

Strasbourg Chamber of Commerce: bunch of wankers.  Six weeks to process our change-of-management declaration.

Strasbourg Commerce Tribunal: bunch of wankers. 5 weeks to process the same declaration once vetted and forwarded by the Chamber of Commerce.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 23 November, 2016, 10:18:05 am
Further to the ASA banning of the baked beans tin advert. Does the panel think that empty baked beans tins being used as persussion instruments is hazardous? Should Caribbean steel band oil drum references now also be banned due to being a much larger version of the same thing?  :P
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 23 November, 2016, 11:38:13 am
Quote from: Canardly on 23 November, 2016, 10:18:05 am
Further to the ASA banning of the baked beans tin advert. Does the panel think that empty baked beans tins being used as persussion instruments is hazardous? Should Caribbean steel band oil drum references now also be banned due to being a much larger version of the same thing?  :P

Are empty baked bean cans a percussion instrument or part of the wind section?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 23 November, 2016, 01:29:26 pm
Commuter is off the road while I await loctite (left crank working loose).  While looking over the bike I see I'll need new tyres by the Spring.  Well, I could use them now, but they should hold.

But no problem, I'll finally fix the flat on the rear of the tourer and use that.  Only one spare tube, but that's OK.  So how are the tyres? Rear is just almost worn out.  :(  Front and rear tyres swapped for now while I sort out new tyres.  *sigh*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 24 November, 2016, 03:28:23 pm
Dear Santander Cycles,
Thank you for suspending my account when my credit card expired a while back. You never sent me any reminder or warning about this, which left my partner unable to use the key which clogs up his pocket.
He was late for his meeting and arrived in a bad mood.
It seems that TfL did email me about my credit card, which I renewed at the time.
This was fine for the Oyster Card but not hire bikes.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 25 November, 2016, 12:19:06 pm
Black frazzling Friday. I could grumble about the spread and mutation of what was originally a depressing day after a big holiday when half the USA had to drive four thousand miles back home after being forced to spend time with people they didn't want to see or having to cut short a visit to people they really wanted to spend more time with (this might be urban myth but it's what I read) into a purchasing palaver which has German cycle dealers send me in the UK emails in Polish – but I won't, cos I don't really object to the development of traditions. What I am going to grumble about is having a thousand emails clog up my inbox trying to sell me crap it hadn't occurred to me not to want.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 25 November, 2016, 12:26:57 pm
Bloody Jehovah's Witnesses (Polish section) (First Bristol squad) have just been round again! Same two; I recognised them. I think they recognised me too!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Si S on 25 November, 2016, 02:27:20 pm
You can't even operate a hoover and you think a ton of metal is the thing for you, $DEITY save us, bleeding kids and cars.
 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 25 November, 2016, 02:53:41 pm
Black Friday sounds more like the anniversary of a massacre than the joyous, carefree and selfless celebration it really is.

Oh (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Friday).  And especially the 2016 UK version.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 25 November, 2016, 03:37:55 pm
Bloody heating. Is the timer (1987 vintage) buggered or not? The water heating was off two mornings in a row, & the central heating didn't switch on the second day. But it was working perfectly when the boiler man came round (on the way home from another job: he lives two streets away), after I'd switched it off & on.

He told me what it'd cost to fit a new controller (it won't exactly break the bank), & said to let him know if we want it done. But since then it's worked!

Decisions, decisions!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fimm on 25 November, 2016, 03:52:28 pm
If you put cold water on your tea bag you will not get good tea. Idiot.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 25 November, 2016, 04:15:20 pm
Quote from: Bledlow on 25 November, 2016, 03:37:55 pm
Bloody heating. Is the timer (1987 vintage) buggered or not? The water heating was off two mornings in a row, & the central heating didn't switch on the second day. But it was working perfectly when the boiler man came round (on the way home from another job: he lives two streets away), after I'd switched it off & on.

He told me what it'd cost to fit a new controller (it won't exactly break the bank), & said to let him know if we want it done. But since then it's worked!

Decisions, decisions!

Sticky diverter valve? DAMHAIKT!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 25 November, 2016, 06:05:38 pm
That was replaced a couple of years ago, when the hot water went off completely. Same bloke fixed it.

He says the boiler's good for years yet, & it'd be a waste of money to replace it, but everything around it has been failing over the last few years. Pump, expansion vessel, diverter valve . . . .  Ah well. According to the paperwork the previous owner handed over when I bought the house, the whole shebang was fitted in 1987, so it's not surprising that some parts have reached the ends of their lives.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 25 November, 2016, 07:01:21 pm
I've just replaced my boiler and wish I hadn't.
I miss my hot water cylinder, I miss having really hot water for washing up and suspect the house won't be as warm in the winter.
My advice is to hang on to your old boiler as long as possible.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 25 November, 2016, 07:48:29 pm
That's what my boiler man says.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 28 November, 2016, 11:33:04 am
Lawyer sent through company dissolution papers, to be initialled & signed in quintuplicate(!) by me and the poor Inlaw Paw.  If the bloody Chamber of Commerce had pulled their fingers out of their fundaments a month ago it wouldn't have been a problem, but now he can barely pick up a paper napkin.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 28 November, 2016, 12:14:55 pm
£26 for replacement Sennheiser headphone ear pads, strewth!.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Zipperhead on 28 November, 2016, 01:59:09 pm
Quote from: Canardly on 28 November, 2016, 12:14:55 pm
£26 for replacement Sennheiser headphone ear pads, strewth!.

£50 including postage for Stax ear pads (although should that be in the first world thread)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 30 November, 2016, 10:26:02 am
Bloody hell.  I did a couple of transfers between bank accounts on line this morning, but I hit the daily-transfer limit for the main source account before I had finished.  I phoned the bank just now, gave the chappie the numbers and he did it without batting a telephonic eyelid - didn't even confirm who I was.  OK, it's a country branch & so forth, but I found it a bit worrying.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 01 December, 2016, 06:59:00 pm
Dear Facebook Friends,
If you must share a 'news' story, please check the date stamp.
Déjà vu makes me yawn!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 01 December, 2016, 06:59:40 pm
2016: The April That Never Ended.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 04 December, 2016, 08:00:14 am
Family friend sent the Inlaw Paw a bouquet of roses & lilies, the latter unopened.  When they did open the stench was so vile we had to throw them out.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 04 December, 2016, 01:52:04 pm
A grateful friend gave me + partner a bouquet of lilies.
We put them in the nice, tall crystal glass vase my sister had given me.
Partner found smell intolerable, so we put vase on the patio, so I could still see the flowers.

A visiting animal knocked the vase over, which broke it.

GRRRR!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 04 December, 2016, 02:00:32 pm
At first we thought the pong was due to a change of the IP's condition. Quite alarming.

Not surprised you had animals visiting yours.  Sympathy for the vase.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 04 December, 2016, 02:07:03 pm
As with all material possessions, we got over the loss quickly.
This happened several years ago but it has been frustrating having no nice vase for tall flowers.

I treated myself to two tall vases earlier this year.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 04 December, 2016, 03:30:32 pm
I refuse to have lilies int he house as I find them intolerable. When we went to my SiL wedding many years ago they had kindly put the lilies in the breakfast room the next morning. I suggested that breakfast might be more tolerable if the lilies were removed sharpish (which they were).
Chemical warfare is what they are. Very nice outside in a strong breeze.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 04 December, 2016, 03:44:12 pm
If you really don't like lilies, send them to me.  I love the scent.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 04 December, 2016, 03:47:41 pm
It's not the scent, it is the feeling of being hit round the head with a pickaxe handle whilst being asphyxiated. Other than that I love the scent. Outdoors, in small doses.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 04 December, 2016, 04:02:51 pm
Some of them are OK. These were somewhere between town gas and rotten teeth.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 05 December, 2016, 12:07:59 am
Is this simply a personal reaction? I love the look of lilies (my mother hates them), and while we've had some that are fairly strongly scented I'm largely indifferent to the smell.

I've never yet come across any I'd react to as strongly as DM  or T42, or HM's David.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 05 December, 2016, 12:13:57 am
Is it one of those genetic things, like smelling / peeing asparagus, or being able to taste the bitterness of sprouts?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 05 December, 2016, 12:20:51 am
Quote from: jsabine on 05 December, 2016, 12:07:59 am
Is this simply a personal reaction? I love the look of lilies (my mother hates them), and while we've had some that are fairly strongly scented I'm largely indifferent to the smell.

I've never yet come across any I'd react to as strongly as DM  or T42, or HM's David.

I dislike them; my Mum (she of the canine olfactory prowess) HATES them (and chrysanths).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 05 December, 2016, 09:11:04 am
Apparently it's the stamens that stink, and if you remove them you get rid of it. Found out too late for ours.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 05 December, 2016, 09:51:12 am
Haven't noticed the smell before. As Peli like them we have had a few over the years. But the last lot we got ended up in the yarden* within a day. Even out there it was strong.

The flower shop said there different kinds, though I didn't pay attention so can't remember names/types.
* Small Victorian terrace house garden with flagstones and walls all around.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 05 December, 2016, 10:13:31 am
Quote from: Kim on 05 December, 2016, 12:13:57 am
Is it one of those genetic things, like smelling / peeing asparagus, or being able to taste the bitterness of sprouts?

Not that I know of. Particular types of lily – stargazer in particular – are very smelly. Others, like tiger lilies, aren't. Some people like the smell, some hate it. It has particular connotations for some people – stargazers are often used in the floral arrangement for funerals, for instance, so people associate the smell with death. Others sniff them at weddings and perhaps think of them more positively until they get divorced. They get more pungent as they die (lilies and spouses).

I'm not convinced it's the stamens, I thought people pulled them to avoid stains from the pollen.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 05 December, 2016, 10:45:27 am
Possibly the whole guts need to be extracted.

If I smelt one of those at a wedding I'd suspect an excessive stag night*.

*or whatever it's called these days.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 05 December, 2016, 05:32:51 pm
Dear Basil, I bet if you could have today again, you wouldn't be applying Damp Seal wearing your best jeans.
Idiot.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jakob W on 05 December, 2016, 06:00:49 pm
Please to be fucking off now, nasty chesty cough - a week of hacking up my lungs is more than enough, and having to use buses rather than the bike is getting tedious.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cycleman on 05 December, 2016, 08:53:55 pm
the same virus hear  :( at least no chest infection (yet)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 06 December, 2016, 06:41:40 pm
Shortly after I lead the Panzers down Whitehall canned music in horriblemarkets will be banned.  This will have three useful effects:

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 06 December, 2016, 07:05:11 pm
One of the few definite Deaf Gains I have is being able to turn off the hearing aid in shops so I don't suffer the bloody awful music.  Shame I can't murder most of the bad lighting (100Hz strobo lighting is back in along with cheap LEDs which strobe which really messes with my vision) or the crammed crowdedness horribleness.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 06 December, 2016, 08:19:26 pm
Actually, it's quite nice being unable to go out shopping and being forced to shop online in my warm, quiet, well-lit kitchen, devoid of madding crowds to put me off-balance and make ANGRY!
 :) ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 07 December, 2016, 11:01:30 am
And you can listen to your own music whilst you shop.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 07 December, 2016, 11:52:22 am
Or none.
SILENCE FTW!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 07 December, 2016, 03:28:43 pm
Will you stop cutting down trees and sending out crimbo letters, two today alone, I'm not interested and it would be better for this little rock we call home, I mean think about the wee post person who have to carry the lot around !!! Still three weeks to go, you can do all your bahumbugging on the 24th Dec and I will give you the 25th, because I'm nice, and that is it!!! Don't start in August !!!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 07 December, 2016, 07:53:18 pm
Royal Snail, according to the Mega-Global Big River Corporation of Seattle, USAnia's webby SCIENCE my parcel was "out for delivery" just after six on Friday morning.  The sorting office is only a mile away, my item has still not landed on the doormat and I am starting to believe thatone of your employees has decided to help himself to my copy of His Bobness' "The REAL Albert Hall Concert".

Git!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 07 December, 2016, 08:53:33 pm
Quote from: woollypigs on 07 December, 2016, 03:28:43 pm
Will you stop cutting down trees and sending out crimbo letters, two today alone, I'm not interested and it would be better for this little rock we call home, I mean think about the wee post person who have to carry the lot around !!! Still three weeks to go, you can do all your bahumbugging on the 24th Dec and I will give you the 25th, because I'm nice, and that is it!!! Don't start in August !!!


And if you then hand deliver your fecking crimbo card make sure you get the right address will you.

This is turning into a rant isn't it
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 08 December, 2016, 11:21:05 am
Dunno whose rubbish Ken Bruce is playing now, but it is my firm belief people who can't sing should not be allowed to make records
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 08 December, 2016, 01:29:03 pm
So, Conservative Party, if privatising Royal Mail was such a brilliant idea why has it taken SIX days for a CD entrusted into their tender care to travel about a mile?  I'be had bike bits arrive from USAnia quicker than that >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 08 December, 2016, 03:12:46 pm
It's 40 minutes to sunset and the clouds are finally breaking up. It's starting to get light just in time for it to get dark.

I hate this time of year :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 08 December, 2016, 03:37:01 pm
Quote from: Guy on 08 December, 2016, 03:12:46 pm
It's 40 minutes to sunset and the clouds are finally breaking up. It's starting to get light just in time for it to get dark.

I hate this time of year :(

Bah! Floating about in the north sea, as one does, at this time of year even without cloud it's barely getting light before it gets dark again.
At least the sea is calmer today.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: runsoncake on 08 December, 2016, 05:31:48 pm
Why can't ruddy farmers leave mud & slurry on the fields and not in road width 150m slippery strips?  I do not wish to indulge in rally Cross on my way to Mr Morrison's supersize grocery to buy butty ingredients 😤
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 08 December, 2016, 09:30:41 pm
Farmer-spread mud? I think that's what I came off on last night. I was leading, & the warning that gave may be what saved everyone else. Ruined the night for me. Gave up & went home (thanks for seeing me back, Jeanette).

Still got a bit of a headache to match the bruised hip, grazed elbow & stiff (bruising, again) shoulder. Could be worse, though - the bike's OK.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 09 December, 2016, 09:33:27 am
Xmuss "pop" songs

 :sick:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: runsoncake on 09 December, 2016, 10:37:26 am
Quote from: Bledlow on 08 December, 2016, 09:30:41 pm
Farmer-spread mud? I think that's what I came off on last night. I was leading, & the warning that gave may be what saved everyone else. Ruined the night for me. Gave up & went home (thanks for seeing me back, Jeanette).

Sorry to hear that, glad you  &  bike are  mostly OK. Sounds like you took one for the team that time. This could grow up to be a full on rant,  just don't  mention hedge cuttings either.  (Searches for soothing music).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 10 December, 2016, 10:39:10 pm
Hmm, so the new Bell box I picked up from the post office this morning to replace the dying one on my house is missing bits, and my ladder is way too short to reach.

I can't be bothered with this, I'm going to break a habit of DIYing everything and get an electrician in to fix it next week.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 11 December, 2016, 10:20:27 am
Drug manufacturers: A) Why do you feel the need to colour your antibiotic capsules? B) If you're going to do so, why use E102 & E110 colourings that have a very dubious safety record?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 11 December, 2016, 07:07:32 pm
Evans spam lands in my inbox. "What do you call an artist who sculpts with bicycle parts?... Cycleangelo"

Er, no. You call him Picasso.  Numpties.
(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/74/6d/67/746d67a99c97a01b0a0cbd6136d89be3.jpg)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 11 December, 2016, 10:34:09 pm
Quote from: Guy on 08 December, 2016, 03:12:46 pm
It's 40 minutes to sunset and the clouds are finally breaking up. It's starting to get light just in time for it to get dark.

I hate this time of year :(
I have Good News and it begins tomorrow. Yes 12 dec not 21.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 11 December, 2016, 10:36:20 pm
Quote from: SoreTween on 11 December, 2016, 10:34:09 pm
Quote from: Guy on 08 December, 2016, 03:12:46 pm
It's 40 minutes to sunset and the clouds are finally breaking up. It's starting to get light just in time for it to get dark.

I hate this time of year :(
I have Good News and it begins tomorrow. Yes 12 dec not 21.

St Lucy's Day is 13 December, usually earliest sunset.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 11 December, 2016, 10:45:28 pm
Somehow it is possible for someone to be completely unaware of what has been common knowledge for many years. Suffice to say that 'flushable' toilet wipes have been permanently banned from entering the house ever again. The terrible promise of otherwise having to fix the problem themselves in future might be sufficient.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 11 December, 2016, 11:16:11 pm
Quote from: LittleWheelsandBig on 11 December, 2016, 10:45:28 pm
Somehow it is possible for someone to be completely unaware of what has been common knowledge for many years. Suffice to say that 'flushable' toilet wipes have been permanently banned from entering the house ever again. The terrible promise of otherwise having to fix the problem themselves in future might be sufficient.

^^^This
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 12 December, 2016, 06:30:42 am
Not so much flushable toilet wipes as attempting to flush said wipes.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 12 December, 2016, 11:19:24 pm
I see that the nostalgia for the good old days of 1973 has finally turned into action with major postal and rail strikes.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 13 December, 2016, 09:27:45 am
Quote from: Canardly on 12 December, 2016, 11:19:24 pm
I see that the nostalgia for the good old days of 1973 has finally turned into action with major postal and rail strikes.

The Daily Mail and Brexit crowds should be in clover. Rationed clover, of course. Merry old, nostalgia-tinted Blighty, unspoiled by all that modernity. I'm going to leave my doors unlocked all night and kill as many foxes as I want.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 13 December, 2016, 11:28:21 am
Lurgy - FOAD.

I have stuff to do that does not involve sniffling, leaking and aching
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 13 December, 2016, 02:39:52 pm
Quote from: ian on 13 December, 2016, 09:27:45 am
Quote from: Canardly on 12 December, 2016, 11:19:24 pm
I see that the nostalgia for the good old days of 1973 has finally turned into action with major postal and rail strikes.

The Daily Mail and Brexit crowds should be in clover. Rationed clover, of course. Merry old, nostalgia-tinted Blighty, unspoiled by all that modernity. I'm going to leave my doors unlocked all night and kill as many foxes as I want.
Clover: something to roll in that it is almost the same as but vitally different from hay.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SteveC on 13 December, 2016, 03:48:53 pm
Signing Christmas cards. Not one of my favourite pastimes. And I've got craft herpes glitter all over me and the desk.

Don't know what it is about signing cards. But I really don't enjoy it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 13 December, 2016, 04:50:46 pm
I dunno what it is about Christmas this year, but the closer it gets, the less I'm looking forward to it.

I've not done any christmas shopping. Don't feel like doing any. Feel like walking away until it is over.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 13 December, 2016, 05:15:32 pm
Quote from: SteveC on 13 December, 2016, 03:48:53 pm
craft herpes glitter

I am so stealing that.  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 13 December, 2016, 06:23:36 pm
Quote from: spesh on 13 December, 2016, 05:15:32 pm
Quote from: SteveC on 13 December, 2016, 03:48:53 pm
craft herpes glitter

I am so stealing that.  ;D

AOL, +1 ect. ect.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SteveC on 13 December, 2016, 07:29:45 pm
Not my original, but please feel free!  :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Marco Stefano on 15 December, 2016, 12:19:32 pm
'Tis the season to be nagged at work for

 - not wearing a Christmas jumper today (I should have one, apparently, filling the world with more tat)
 - not going for the Christmas lunch today (not overly keen on it as a meal, and I am on a good day on the 5+2)
 - not extending the department Christmas evening meal next week into a weekday drinking session in a town where I don't live (Mrs Marco has offered to drive a 60 mile round trip to get me, but I'll be knackered from customer audits and would rather go home for a quiet tipple).

I hate this insidious pressure to join in when I don't want to. Just leave off, will you?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Legs on 15 December, 2016, 12:40:29 pm
To the pillock who was out dog-walking at 7:30 on our lane without any lightly-coloured (let alone reflective) clothing, nor a torch, it's not surprising that I didn't see you until I was pretty close.  If I run over you (or your mutts) in the future, I'll be mildly annoyed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Si S on 15 December, 2016, 01:10:50 pm
Quote from: Marco Stefano on 15 December, 2016, 12:19:32 pm
I hate this insidious pressure to join in when I don't want to. Just leave off, will you?

This is spades, I'm about as sociable as an angry rattlesnake when I'm having a good day.

And since when has it been acceptable for an entire frigging dept, including snr manager, to be off sick because they exploited the free bar at the works party.

Mind you the monthly managers meeting this morning, consisting of me, me and me was very productive and has actioned the above pisshead a mahoooosive quantity of work to be completed before xmas and a hungover director has just signed it all off.  :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 15 December, 2016, 07:40:28 pm
Quote from: Marco Stefano on 15 December, 2016, 12:19:32 pm
I hate this insidious pressure to join in when I don't want to. Just leave off, will you?
It's taken 10 years, but I've finally trained them to not invite me to any of the works' social functions.  For the secret* of my success send a postal order for 7/6d and an SAE to . . . :)



*A polite,  "No thank you." coupled with a steadfast refusal to enter into any further discussion whatsoever about the matter.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 16 December, 2016, 12:19:03 pm
My son, the chef, has just had his head chef tell him "You are working Christmas Eve until 9pm"

Nice. Long distance public transport out of Edinburgh stops at 5pm

Chance of son getting to see family for Christmas is now nil.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 16 December, 2016, 12:39:54 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 16 December, 2016, 12:19:03 pm
My son, the chef, has just had his head chef tell him "You are working Christmas Eve until 9pm"

Nice. Long distance public transport out of Edinburgh stops at 5pm

Chance of son getting to see family for Christmas is now nil.

Because both Mrs B and #2 son are NHS, we would always celebrate crimble on whatever date we could all actually be together for two days.  Son had a particularly hard time, as a single young male he was usually expected to take one for the team.  And, bless him, he could see the point of that.
This year, they have both put their foot down.  We get to have crimble dinner on the 25th.  :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 16 December, 2016, 12:50:56 pm
Will the portcullis be operating by then Basil?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 16 December, 2016, 01:01:21 pm
Quote from: Basil on 16 December, 2016, 12:39:54 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 16 December, 2016, 12:19:03 pm
My son, the chef, has just had his head chef tell him "You are working Christmas Eve until 9pm"

Nice. Long distance public transport out of Edinburgh stops at 5pm

Chance of son getting to see family for Christmas is now nil.

Because both Mrs B and #2 son are NHS, we would always celebrate crimble on whatever date we could all actually be together for two days.  Son had a particularly hard time, as a single young male he was usually expected to take one for the team.  And, bless him, he could see the point of that.
This year, they have both put their foot down.  We get to have crimble dinner on the 25th.  :D
They aren't offering him any extra days off.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 16 December, 2016, 01:09:12 pm
Oh dear.  But that's the device industry, isn't it?  My own experiences were that the more likely that other people weren't working, the more likely it was that we were expected to.
No such thing as a bank holiday in the stage lighting industry.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 16 December, 2016, 01:11:46 pm
Quote from: Canardly on 16 December, 2016, 12:50:56 pm
Will the portcullis be operating by then Basil?

Thought I was going to need a drawbridge.  But before I could fill it with water they've filled it in again and are starting to re tarmac.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: arabella on 16 December, 2016, 04:42:13 pm
Quote from: Marco Stefano on 15 December, 2016, 12:19:32 pm
'Tis the season to be nagged at work for

 - not wearing a Christmas jumper today (I should have one, apparently, filling the world with more tat)
<snip>
I refuse to buy stuff like that especially.  My son has a fair isle wooly pully in shades of murk, one of the patterns happens to be (rein)deer, and another a stylised snowflake, the rest do proxy for baubles etc.  In the event that we both need it the same day I will get my plain red rollneck out and sew a dark brown oblong on the front.  When asked I will tell people that it's an abstract representation of a yule log.  Either that or sew a bow round the neck of a sheep on my sheep jersey.
Meanwhile I avoided today's xmas meal by the expedient of having a day off*.  I finished pruning the hedge in the wintry sunshine and listened to the merry tweeting of birds.  Much more fun.
*not to be confused with the xmas meal on weds which I cycled back from in the moonlight, as mentioned elsewhere.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 16 December, 2016, 08:19:48 pm
I'd be well pissed off if work expected me to wear an Xmas Fucking Jumper cos 'fuck that'.

I have opted out of some xmas socials cos they would be acoustic nightmares for me and not worth the £25-50 they'd cost and I'd be miserable. Some people call me a spoilsport but the nice people grokked I would not enjoy it so leave me alone.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 16 December, 2016, 08:33:24 pm
got the new floor laid in the current gym soon to be office, then moved the turbo back in for tonight until I get the was garage soon to be gym set up. 
1) broke the plastic handle on the turbo that moves the roller to the wheel, snapped clean off
2) turbo kept losing connextion to the brake unit, got about 15 mins in altogether before giving up

Hope that doesn't mean a new turbo is needed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 18 December, 2016, 11:32:46 am
The blue light on the shower control unit isn't working. Though the shower is. This is troubling, the blue light is supposed to blink until the shower is hot (constant blue light) to ensure I don't suffer any calamitous #firstworldproblems involving a suboptimal shower temperature. It's the steady blue light of reassurance. How else can I step into the shower with utter confidence. This, of course, means it will probably cease to function the moment guests arrive for Christmas. We do have a crappy gravity-fed mixer alternative, but after getting used to the powered rainfall shower experience, it's incontinent kitty dribbles are most unsatisfactory.

I suppose I should clamber up into the loft and turn the shower's isolator off and back on. Have to get the tree decorations anyway.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 18 December, 2016, 11:54:27 am
Sounds like an Aqualisa. Interested to hear how you get on with this Ian.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 18 December, 2016, 12:01:43 pm
It is indeed an Aqualisa Viso. We got the simplest one on the grounds that I know any kind of digital technology will break and this propensity to failure is directly proportional to the number of buttons, controls, and lights. It's actually been very reliable, not a problem since it was fitted about 3 years ago.

The pump and water temperature are fine. I'll try the traditional turn it off and back on later.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 19 December, 2016, 10:00:10 am
Off 'n' on failed. But I note the little blue LED is actually working, it's just very, very dim (is that the failure mode for a LED?). I think it defeats the object if I have to stand in the shower to see if it's hot yet. Turning the bathroom lights off might work, I suppose. To be honest, it only takes a few second to get hot, the tank is in the next room and the pump directly above. If there's one thing worse than something breaking and costing me money to fix, it's something not quite breaking and still costing me money to fix.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 19 December, 2016, 10:41:15 am
We have one of these approx two years old. Like you, I like its simplicity and ease of use but do wonder as to life cycle. They are however, well thought of by local plumbers. Spares are readily available. Getting hold of the plumber/electrician on the other hand........
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 19 December, 2016, 11:32:23 am
That's always the worst bit of getting anything fixed – finding someone (and the inevitable fix these days is a new circuit board). Tbh, toasty hot water still comes out, so I can live with a dim LED. We did assume that a pumped shower offered more opportunities for failure, hence a back-up gravity-fed incontinent-kitty alternative.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 19 December, 2016, 02:03:53 pm
Could it be something as simple as the LED has come adrift from its little slot so isn't as close to the case and therefore less visible?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 19 December, 2016, 02:57:07 pm
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 19 December, 2016, 02:03:53 pm
Could it be something as simple as the LED has come adrift from its little slot so isn't as close to the case and therefore less visible?

Possibly, but it looks in place and an experimental flick didn't improve thing. My wife claims the button doesn't work like it used to, but I think that's psychological because the light doesn't come on (there's a delay between button press and water flow to enable you to get out of the way). I don't know how the rest of the world survives without such features.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Zipperhead on 19 December, 2016, 08:13:41 pm
If you're flicking the button and your wife says that the button doesn't work like it used to, I would be careful - she'll want to trade you in for a better button flicker.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 20 December, 2016, 12:33:33 pm
^^^^^^

Normal service has been restored and all is well with the world ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 20 December, 2016, 02:23:18 pm
Quote from: Zipperhead on 19 December, 2016, 08:13:41 pm
If you're flicking the button and your wife says that the button doesn't work like it used to, I would be careful - she'll want to trade you in for a better button flicker.

Would that make ian a has-been flicker?  :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 21 December, 2016, 08:53:11 am
Edinburgh: please to be making better with the weather. Thank you.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 21 December, 2016, 09:50:51 am
Phone bank to cancel a contract before they all fuck off for Christmas: gee-I'm-dynamic muzak, 5-point menu, then "All our councillors are busy, please call later".

Phone Orange Pro services to change a contract: orgiastic muzak, 8-point menu, then "All our councillors are busy, please call later".

Arsebiscuits.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 21 December, 2016, 02:26:45 pm
Fucking hell.

The hair cut, what I did went for, this morning has ended up costing me £40. £15 for the hair cut and £25 for the bloody parking ticket I got due to it taking longer than expected.

Bugger
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 21 December, 2016, 09:06:10 pm
As I was going out, son asks if I can get him a £5 phone top up, so I pop into Carphone Warehouse as I'm passing it. "EE don't do a £5 top up. £10 minimum." "Okay, £10 then." "Have you got your card?" "Card?" "Top up card." "Oh. No, it's not for my phone. Can't you just print out a voucher? That's what I normally get." "They don't do vouchers anymore, you'll need the top up card." Which I know he hasn't got. So I went into Sainsbury's next door and got a £5 top up voucher.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 21 December, 2016, 09:24:49 pm
Quote from: tiermat on 21 December, 2016, 02:26:45 pm
Fucking hell.

The hair cut, what I did went for, this morning has ended up costing me £40. £15 for the hair cut and £25 for the bloody parking ticket I got due to it taking longer than expected.

Bugger

Is that a 'real' parking ticket or some arsehole outfit like Parking Eye? I got a Parking Charge Notice from them yesterday. Seventy five fucking quid for overstaying a 'free' car park. Thumbnail size images of my motor against a totally black background, only the headlights and plate visible, no discernible background to show where they were taken. i've emailed them to tell them they'll have to do a sight better than that, they could literally have been taken anywhere. Funny thing though, I'm supposed to have been in this car park at lunchtime, yet the pictures give every impression of having been taken in the dark . . .

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 22 December, 2016, 08:07:16 am
^^^ Polish bloke I knew, who lived in France, drove to Poland to visit relatives in the early 90s. Got stopped by police with a radar gun when he was doing a legal speed. Queried it and was shown the reading on the gun, well above the speed limit, so not wanting any pother he forked out a trivial fine and went on. Relatives explained: Poles have no money now so they shoot a Polish car exceeding the speed limit then freeze the reading and wait for a foreigner.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 22 December, 2016, 08:19:41 am
Quote from: Torslanda on 21 December, 2016, 09:24:49 pm
Quote from: tiermat on 21 December, 2016, 02:26:45 pm
Fucking hell.

The hair cut, what I did went for, this morning has ended up costing me £40. £15 for the hair cut and £25 for the bloody parking ticket I got due to it taking longer than expected.

Bugger

Is that a 'real' parking ticket or some arsehole outfit like Parking Eye? I got a Parking Charge Notice from them yesterday. Seventy five fucking quid for overstaying a 'free' car park. Thumbnail size images of my motor against a totally black background, only the headlights and plate visible, no discernible background to show where they were taken. i've emailed them to tell them they'll have to do a sight better than that, they could literally have been taken anywhere. Funny thing though, I'm supposed to have been in this car park at lunchtime, yet the pictures give every impression of having been taken in the dark . . .

Nah, totally pukka, council run car park, my own stupid fault as I thought I would only be an hour, tops, and it took >2!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 22 December, 2016, 08:41:32 am
Quote from: tiermat on 22 December, 2016, 08:19:41 am
Quote from: Torslanda on 21 December, 2016, 09:24:49 pm
Quote from: tiermat on 21 December, 2016, 02:26:45 pm
Fucking hell.

The hair cut, what I did went for, this morning has ended up costing me £40. £15 for the hair cut and £25 for the bloody parking ticket I got due to it taking longer than expected.

Bugger

Is that a 'real' parking ticket or some arsehole outfit like Parking Eye? I got a Parking Charge Notice from them yesterday. Seventy five fucking quid for overstaying a 'free' car park. Thumbnail size images of my motor against a totally black background, only the headlights and plate visible, no discernible background to show where they were taken. i've emailed them to tell them they'll have to do a sight better than that, they could literally have been taken anywhere. Funny thing though, I'm supposed to have been in this car park at lunchtime, yet the pictures give every impression of having been taken in the dark . . .

Nah, totally pukka, council run car park, my own stupid fault as I thought I would only be an hour, tops, and it took >2!

Wow, I didn't think anyone cut each hair individually.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 22 December, 2016, 11:32:47 pm
Someone, on the small estate next to mine has had a generator or pump running for more than 24hrs.  It's starting to annoy me  >:(

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 23 December, 2016, 08:28:06 am
If the neighbourhood is hilly then the someone might be the council and the pump could be in the sewers.  There's one near us that has been running for the last 28 years.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Si S on 23 December, 2016, 08:39:04 am
Darling daughter, the Britvic 55 purchased last night, during a somewhat fractious shopping trip, the one's you have guzzled upon your return late last night were for a member otp on Christmas day, I ought to send you to the stupormarket  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 23 December, 2016, 08:41:58 am
Quote from: Si S on 23 December, 2016, 08:39:04 am
Darling daughter, the Britvic 55 purchased last night, during a somewhat fractious shopping trip, the one's you have guzzled upon your return late last night were for a member otp on Christmas day, I ought to send you to the stupormarket  ::-)
Seems fair.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Si S on 23 December, 2016, 08:50:49 am
^^ It's more hassle than its worth MrC, it'll take her the best part of the day to get out of the house and that health hazard she inhabits will not get cleaned, which will lead to me cleaning it by the simple expedient of throwing it all out the window into the wheelie bin, probably not the best way to kick off the festive period.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 23 December, 2016, 09:24:18 am
Quote from: T42 on 23 December, 2016, 08:28:06 am
If the neighbourhood is hilly then the someone might be the council and the pump could be in the sewers.  There's one near us that has been running for the last 28 years.

We are at the top of a hill but I've seen no evidence of any council work.   It appears to be coming from a single house with a "for let" sign.      My suspicious mind is starting to think "dope farm" with a pump for the hydroponics.  Seems a bit careless for that though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 23 December, 2016, 02:57:09 pm
Generator, then?  'tis the season for unfortunate damage to the electrickery supply.  Although the leccy board tend to deploy reasonably quiet ones for that.

Middle Earth is currently full of the things, on account of Christmas retail activities.  I've ranted previously about one being deployed for the simple purpose of powering a giant advertising screen overlooking a road junction.  Because the one thing Birmingham needs is more diesel fumes.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 23 December, 2016, 03:12:51 pm
Generators? Ha! Every largeish business, most small ones and a fair few houses have them in India. Brigade Road was the worst in Blr for generators, it's a road of medium-sized but busy shops, each with a DG chained up outside. Indian party conversation is not about whether to take the B4567 instead of the A1, it's about the respective merits of inline, online and offline generators (and UPSs).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 23 December, 2016, 06:15:27 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 23 December, 2016, 03:12:51 pm
Generators? Ha! Every largeish business, most small ones and a fair few houses have them in India. Brigade Road was the worst in Blr for generators, it's a road of medium-sized but busy shops, each with a DG chained up outside. Indian party conversation is not about whether to take the B4567 instead of the A1, it's about the respective merits of inline, online and offline generators (and UPSs).

See also: Lagos.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 24 December, 2016, 08:33:41 am
Self: stop tutting about the suspension seatpost that should have arrived by now. The fact that it hasn't arrived is down to you not completing the order process, you numpty!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 25 December, 2016, 03:25:50 pm
What's with the Christmas spectacles all over my Faceache feed? Is this the latest thing?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 25 December, 2016, 03:35:53 pm
Is it Christmas?  I didn't get the memo.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 25 December, 2016, 03:58:35 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 25 December, 2016, 03:25:50 pm
What's with the Christmas spectacles all over my Faceache feed? Is this the latest thing?

Seems so.
My brother and his lot came round yesterday with Crombo Specs which we were obliged to wear ( at least for long enough for the obligatory photie ).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Si S on 26 December, 2016, 08:43:28 am
The fairy has been for a visit, she obviously couldn't find the shed so left the hole somewhere inside the boiler.   ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 26 December, 2016, 09:42:37 am
Ar.  This Christmas I are mostly letting air out of the heating system at Fort Larrington.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 26 December, 2016, 11:12:32 am
Quote from: Si S on 26 December, 2016, 08:43:28 am
The fairy has been for a visit, she obviously couldn't find the shed so left the hole somewhere inside the boiler.   ::-)
Oh dear :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 28 December, 2016, 12:48:59 pm
The afternoon day this week when it'll be warm enough for me to get out, and I've got the bloody dentist. :demon:

Missus keeps harping on about the turbo. Fuck that, you can't ride down the Froeschwiller hill at 70 on a turbo.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 29 December, 2016, 09:57:24 am
I keep my mobile on charge next to the bed.    A friend thought I'd be so eager to hear the sad news about Debbie Reynolds he texted me at 05:15  >:(

I then drifted back to sleep & into an annoying dream about being on a campsite, dealing with multiple punctures which kept recurring.  I hope this isn't a bad omen for 2017..

When I finally hauled myself out of bed & off to work it was still below freezing,  I had to scrape frost of the hire bikes saddle,  I suppose it's one way to ensure you are alert   :o
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jasmine on 29 December, 2016, 10:22:44 am
My new neighbour parked across my driveway last week.  If I lived on a housing estate, this would have been very mildly irritating, but I would have simply parked in front/behind it.  However, I live (as virtually everyone else in the village does) just off a main(ish, 40mph limit though the village, out to 60mph just after) road, so the driveway enters directly onto the main road. It's also near the top of a hill, so parking directly on the road isn't very smart.  It would actually have been less inconvenient if they had parked all the way onto the drive, as there is more than enough room to park several cars/shuffle around, but by parking across the gateway it prevented us from getting in at all.   I'm slightly at a loss why they did it; their own driveway is only 30-40m down the hill from ours  ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 29 December, 2016, 06:47:24 pm
Bollocky bollocks.

I've somehow put my back out today, probably humphing skis around.
And we're off skiing tomorrow.

Hope it settles down quickly.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 29 December, 2016, 08:56:08 pm
Absent mindedly pulled off only one side of the foil covering of a chocolate coin before popping it into my mouth.
Wow.  Hurty electric zing.   :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 29 December, 2016, 09:38:10 pm
Quote from: Basil on 29 December, 2016, 08:56:08 pm
Absent mindedly pulled off only one side of the foil covering of a chocolate coin before popping it into my mouth.
Wow.  Hurty electric zing.   :(

My latest trick has been taking a throat lozenge and popping it into my mouth - without unwrapping it first.   :facepalm:   
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 31 December, 2016, 12:15:35 am
My old PC has recently become very erratic, in ways that remind me of past HDD failures - & CHKDSK has found dodgy things on that disc. So, I thought, rather than fiddle around trying to sort out an old - & cheap when new - piece of hardware, I'd replace it. Mrs B was urging rapid replacement, & definitely wanted new, off the shelf so it could be up & running ASAP, & with a warranty, so I got what she wanted. Basic new PC (that seems to mean a terabyte of HDD these days, unless one opts for an SSD) with an OS installed.

I hate Windows 10.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: orienteer on 31 December, 2016, 10:09:20 am
Wait until you've lived with it for a while - you'll hate it even more!

Forced updates, deletion of your apps it no longer likes......
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 31 December, 2016, 10:24:47 am
It killed my perfectly legal edition of Office.  Bastard.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Clare on 31 December, 2016, 10:38:24 am
Don't worry, you'll soon learn to loath it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 01 January, 2017, 10:05:13 am
Whenever I want it to do anything . . . . e.g. open files with my old (legal, paid for) Office applications. It goes out of its way to push me towards renting software I don't need. It was quite a fight to make it let me use my old Office stuff for files with an extension ending in x.

The Microsoft principle - if it works, break it! Connecting this PC to the others is proving unnecessarily difficult. There's a long discussion online about a bug (printing off or saving to file the network password needs making Internet Explorer your default browser temporarily, although otherwise W10 tries to make you use Edge), with a succession of MS support staff pretending it isn't a bug & saying "it's no problem, there's a workround".  :facepalm:  And the old "Easy Transfer" tool for grabbing all your bookmarks, passwords etc. & copying them across - guess what? Dropped from W10! WTF?

BTW, when did Microsoft stop being a company that made things & sold them, & start trying to live off rents?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 01 January, 2017, 12:38:47 pm
My laptop has started telling me to "Fix your Microsoft account".  Since it started doing this as soon as it was switched on for the first time in three months, I can only conclude that if my Microsith account is b0rked it is none of my doing and therefore Microsith can fix it.  Or fuck off.  Their choice.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 01 January, 2017, 08:59:05 pm
Dear aged parents,  you have both been using Macs for years.  Why therefore are you both utterly incapable of updating an email password when your ISP tells you there has been a security breach  :facepalm:


Both accounts reset via ISP,  both Macs  updated, both iPads updated,  passwords written down on scrap of paper.  Grrrrrr.... 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 01 January, 2017, 09:57:45 pm
I don't think Aged Parents do passwords well, if at all.

Mine are on Windows but even being of crisp mentation, remembering and retaining numerous passwords is too much for the Aged Brane. My brane is younger and still struggles. I am just thankful that my Aged Parents (combined age 166) are online and able to make some use of the technology.
Partner's Dad is not online.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 02 January, 2017, 09:43:34 am
I thought my evostik was a bit past it, but it seems very effective at coating my fingertip and now attempting to take the skin off with it
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 02 January, 2017, 11:25:33 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 01 January, 2017, 09:57:45 pm
I don't think Aged Parents do passwords well, if at all.

Mine are on Windows but even being of crisp mentation, remembering and retaining numerous passwords is too much for the Aged Brane. My brane is younger and still struggles. I am just thankful that my Aged Parents (combined age 166) are online and able to make some use of the technology.
Partner's Dad is not online.


Yes, now feeling guilty about being grumbly.  Dad keeps forgetting what he said 20 minutes ago  :(


I don't know what I did yesterday, shouldered the bike a bit to quickly or lay down on the couch awkwardly after dinner but I've knackered my right shoulder & neck. Moving my head in any direction hurts. Painful enough to result in a bad nights sleep.   :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 02 January, 2017, 05:31:04 pm
I need to plug a couple of RCA leads into the back of Miss von Brandenburg's amplifier, because trying to listen to music via the squeakers on my lapdancer hurts me ears so badly that I could only stand it for ten seconds.  But it lives in a cupboard and may have to be done in braille.

It ought to be mandatory for amplifier makers to include a picture of the rear panel in The Fucking Manual >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 02 January, 2017, 06:20:04 pm
Is there not a 3mm input jack on the front of said amp?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 02 January, 2017, 06:26:16 pm
Reach behind amp with phone grasped in mitt. Press button, take picture, withdraw mitt. Examine picture to determine approximate location of correct 'oles.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 02 January, 2017, 06:36:48 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 02 January, 2017, 05:31:04 pm
I need to plug a couple of RCA leads into the back of Miss von Brandenburg's amplifier, because trying to listen to music via the squeakers on my lapdancer hurts me ears so badly that I could only stand it for ten seconds.  But it lives in a cupboard and may have to be done in braille.

I was thinking recently that labelling the back panels of things in actual braille would be a good idea.  The learning curve isn't that awful for recognising the difference between ⠇ and ⠗  or ⠊⠝⠼⠃ or whatever.


Quote
It ought to be mandatory for amplifier makers to include a picture of the rear panel in The Fucking Manual >:(

Indeed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 02 January, 2017, 07:10:54 pm
Quote from: Torslanda on 02 January, 2017, 06:20:04 pm
Is there not a 3mm input jack on the front of said amp?

Short answer: no.

Quote from: Tim Hall on 02 January, 2017, 06:26:16 pm
Reach behind amp with phone grasped in mitt. Press button, take picture, withdraw mitt. Examine picture to determine approximate location of correct 'oles.

Too dark for my crap phone camera.  But I found one for sale on Fleabay, complete with a picture of the back.  Yay.  But I'm missing my sub-woofer already.  Dave Anderson's bass should not sound that weedy.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 03 January, 2017, 08:41:45 am
Council binmen are GITS.

Rubbish was finally collected today - it's been roughly two weeks.  With the holidays, no surprise both our bins were full.  I had an old pair of bicycle tyres to dispose of, so hung them off the corner of a bin.  I could jam them into an empty bin (when we have such a thing) but they would need to be pulled out by hand.  So what did the binmen do?  Took the tyres off the bin, placed them neatly up against the front of the house, emptied our bins, then carried on.  >:(

I'll have to venture out with wire cutters to cut each tyre in half and place into a bin.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 03 January, 2017, 01:05:12 pm
Would the tyres not wrap up into a figure of 8 and thence fold into 2 smaller rings?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 03 January, 2017, 01:12:05 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 03 January, 2017, 01:05:12 pm
Would the tyres not wrap up into a figure of 8 and thence fold into 2 smaller rings?

Wired bead.  I'd rather just cut then faff about trying to twist and fold.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 03 January, 2017, 01:20:25 pm
Twist, fold, zip ties - I'd see that as easier and neater than cutting.

As for the binmen, they're quite possibly not permitted to chuck loose rubbish into the back of the lorry - wheelie bins (assuming that's what you've got) will be picked up and emptied mechanically, reducing the risk of injury from either overreaching or from getting caught in the mechanism.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 03 January, 2017, 01:26:21 pm
Also, taking things left out in the vicinity of the bins would inevitably lead to claims of "You took my ... that I left somewhere or other!"
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 03 January, 2017, 01:57:51 pm
Four snips per tyre, fold each tyre in half, drop into bin.  And Robert is your avuncular relation.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 03 January, 2017, 01:58:58 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 03 January, 2017, 01:26:21 pm
Also, taking things left out in the vicinity of the bins would inevitably lead to claims of "You took my ... that I left somewhere or other!"

Quote from: Andrij on 03 January, 2017, 08:41:45 am
...
I had an old pair of bicycle tyres to dispose of, so hung them off the corner of a bin.
...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 03 January, 2017, 02:01:37 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 03 January, 2017, 01:26:21 pm
Also, taking things left out in the vicinity of the bins would inevitably lead to claims of "You took my ... that I left somewhere or other!"

Heh. In the late 70s an outside developer working for our company left all the docs & mag tapes for the BASIC interpreter he was working on in a CS box beside his workstation and had to go fishing through a skip out back where the cleaners had dumped it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 03 January, 2017, 04:02:17 pm
Quote from: Andrij on 03 January, 2017, 01:58:58 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 03 January, 2017, 01:26:21 pm
Also, taking things left out in the vicinity of the bins would inevitably lead to claims of "You took my ... that I left somewhere or other!"

Quote from: Andrij on 03 January, 2017, 08:41:45 am
...
I had an old pair of bicycle tyres to dispose of, so hung them off the corner of a bin.
...
Precisely! Their regulations might say they can't take anything that is not strictly in the bin. I know it's obvious your tyres were meant for collection, but regulations have to allow for idiots, chancers and professional complainers (as well as honest mistakes).

Anyway, our bins haven't been emptied since 23rd December but they did collect the recycling this morning. And managed to break the lid of the food waste bin. Admittedly it was a tiny bit over-full; but only very little. And how could it not be, not having been emptied for so long at the foodiest time of the year?

I think it's a shame Christmas and New Year are a week apart. Rubbish collection is only one of the reasons.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 03 January, 2017, 05:21:11 pm
Weirdly, in cost-cutting Middle Earth there's minimal disruption to the bin collection schedule over the holidays.  It may be only Christmas Day itself that's affected.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 03 January, 2017, 11:12:01 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 03 January, 2017, 01:26:21 pm
Also, taking things left out in the vicinity of the bins would inevitably lead to claims of "You took my ... that I left somewhere or other!"
I was walking along a street in Reading many years ago when one of my companions suddenly said "Wait a minute", then darted into a front garden, paused briefly beside the dustbin, then rang the doorbell. It was answered, there was a short discussion, a handshake, then he returned, picking up a bike frame from beside the bin on the way.

Rather nice 531 frame, C IIRC. He flogged it for a sum which was useful to a poor student, as he was. Well spotted.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 04 January, 2017, 08:45:29 am
I'm bemused by these mentions of "food waste".  Why do people waste food?  Eat it!

I think we may generate as much as a litre of what could be classified as food waste, in a fortnightly bin collection period, that would be vegetable peelings which we really ought to compost, and a few tiny morsels of uneaten cat food.

I gather nationally that we dump thousands of tons of food, why? Buy what you need, and eat it, where is the problem?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 04 January, 2017, 09:07:16 am
Buying too much, sell-by dates, finicky kids, that kind of thing. BOGOF offers and the like encourage that sort of over-accumulation.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 04 January, 2017, 09:17:35 am
Quote from: Wombat on 04 January, 2017, 08:45:29 am
I'm bemused by these mentions of "food waste".  Why do people waste food?  Eat it!


CBH irritates the pants off me with her wasting of food! Take, for example, a lump of blue cheese I had been eating over Christmas. Its "best before" date was 28th Dec but when I came to have a salad on 30th, it had been moved from the fridge to the bin, as according to CBH, it was no longer fit to be eaten  :facepalm:

She will also open a new bottle of milk when there is still at least half a dozen cups of teas worth in the old bottle. And don't get me started on cat food!  >:(

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 04 January, 2017, 10:52:59 am
Quote from: Wombat on 04 January, 2017, 08:45:29 am
I'm bemused by these mentions of "food waste".  Why do people waste food?  Eat it!

I think we may generate as much as a litre of what could be classified as food waste, in a fortnightly bin collection period, that would be vegetable peelings which we really ought to compost, and a few tiny morsels of uneaten cat food.

I gather nationally that we dump thousands of tons of food, why? Buy what you need, and eat it, where is the problem?
Egg shells, orange peel, bones. In Mrs Cudzo's case, a plantation's worth of avocado skin and stones. But you're right that a lot of it is the result of buying too much, too quickly. Bagged salad seems to be the worst for this in our house (something that I don't remember personally encountering before 2010).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Legs on 04 January, 2017, 11:17:40 am
Any salad that goes soggy in our house (usually as a result of Andrew f**king about with the thermostat in the fridge and freezing it) gets thrown into the paddock for the geese to demolish.  See also: apple cores, outer leaves of Brussels sprouts, windfallen plums...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: citoyen on 04 January, 2017, 11:34:36 am
Our bin collection alternates weekly between landfill/recycling and I feel very unhappy about leaving rotting food out for up to two weeks before being taken away. Luckily, we put hardly any food waste in the bin - peelings etc go in the Insinkerator. Putting them on the compost heap would be preferable, and reducing the amount of food waste we produce would be even better.

At this time of year, the bin collection gets even more erratic than usual. Down in the town, collection day is Monday, while out-of-towners such as us have their bins emptied on Tuesday. However, on bank holidays, collection day in town gets bumped to Tuesday and our collection gets bumped to... whenever they can be bothered.

We're supposed to have a collection calendar to let us know what rubbish is being collected on what day but we misplaced our 2016 calendar a few months ago, and despite numerous requests to the council, we've not been able to get a replacement. You'd think they could make this information available online, but apparently not. We've not had a 2017 calendar yet either.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 04 January, 2017, 11:37:39 am
Our food waste actually gets incinerated in a power plant, as does some of the landfill. I think.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 04 January, 2017, 12:54:24 pm
Quote from: Wombat on 04 January, 2017, 08:45:29 am
I'm bemused by these mentions of "food waste".  Why do people waste food?  Eat it!

I think we may generate as much as a litre of what could be classified as food waste, in a fortnightly bin collection period, that would be vegetable peelings which we really ought to compost, and a few tiny morsels of uneaten cat food.

I gather nationally that we dump thousands of tons of food, why? Buy what you need, and eat it, where is the problem?
I have very little "wasted" food in terms of things going off or being thrown out before they're eaten. Because I'm cooking for one, I cook as much as I want to eat and don't have leftovers. But I have peelings, shells, stones etc and I don't have anywhere to put a compost heap because I don't have a garden. (On the other hand, the council now provides food waste bins and collects the food waste and makes compost for its own gardens and parks etc).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 04 January, 2017, 01:08:30 pm
It's relatively easy to avoid food waste if the person doing the shopping is also doing the cooking and eating, but it doesn't scale well to larger households, as the errors multiply (for exactly the same reason supermarkets end up having to dispose of out-of-date food).  Barakta and I don't generate much food waste - normally just the usual inedible bits and occasional cooking disaster or item that's gone off sooner than expected, except when illness or unexpected being away from home muck up planning.

That said, as a general rule, I'd rather throw away food than eat it just because it would otherwise go to waste.  Antithesis of the post-war generation's attitude, I know, but pragmatically food isn't scarce and not eating pointless food is the healthier option.  By the time you're making that decision it's already wasted.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 04 January, 2017, 01:59:10 pm
better wasted than waisted then..
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 04 January, 2017, 02:37:38 pm
A zillionty years ago a penniless non-student backpacker Cudzo visited a Hari Krishna temple in Fiji because he'd been told Free Food. Indeed there was, but it was so horrible I couldn't eat it. "Don't eat it if you can't," they said. "Too many people are eating forcedly." Meaning in the world in general. Evidently a lot of people shared my opinion because there was a big pile of plate-scrapings making an offering to a shrine of Krishna.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 04 January, 2017, 02:43:07 pm
Mrs Cudzo OTOH gets really annoyed by uneaten food. This might be put down to her growing up in a place and time of food rationing, except that as she grew up on a smallholding (wheat, potatoes, cow, pigs, chickens, vicious turkey) there was no shortage of food. Perhaps it's due to seeing (taking part in) the labour of food production (almost completely unmechanised till her dad built a tractor); or perhaps it's inherited from her parents post-war childhoods, or even her grandparents experiences of wartime occupation. Then again, it might just be a character thing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 04 January, 2017, 03:42:17 pm
We waste little and have weekly food waste collections.
Kim has it; we're just a couple and our food bucket gets fruit & veg peel and stones + chicken bones.

Mum wastes much more than I do but is variably catering for just self & Dad, or HUGE family gatherings.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 04 January, 2017, 06:22:58 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 04 January, 2017, 02:37:38 pm
A zillionty years ago a penniless non-student backpacker Cudzo visited a Hari Krishna temple in Fiji because he'd been told Free Food. Indeed there was, but it was so horrible I couldn't eat it. "Don't eat it if you can't," they said. "Too many people are eating forcedly." Meaning in the world in general. Evidently a lot of people shared my opinion because there was a big pile of plate-scrapings making an offering to a shrine of Krishna.
In the early 1990s I was travelling around the Baltic states with a vegetarian. In Riga, there was a Hare Krishna temple, giving away food to those who might need it (some did: the economy had collapsed with the break-up of the USSR), & selling it to those who made no claim of indigence. Veggie food! Not just food with meat left out!

My companion was mad keen to try it, so we bought dinner. A rather nice vegetable curry, as I remember.  Well worth the modest sum we were charged. My companion had seconds IIRC, & I cleaned my plate.

Interesting discussion with a Russian-Latvian devotee, as well.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 04 January, 2017, 07:27:53 pm
Holy moly, 80 mins after lighting the fire it's finally going properly.  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 04 January, 2017, 09:32:44 pm

bugger bugger bugger.

Electrician finished fitting our extra sockets & new so-called consumer unit yesterday. The electric parts of the cooker, i.e. oven & grill, weren't used for the next 24 hours, but I think every other high consumption appliance probably was: shower, kettle, hairdryer, vacuum cleaner. All was well.

I switched the grill on tonight - sudden darkness! We've reset the circuit breaker a few times, & all is fine until the grill warms up.

Instead of grilling, we fried our fish on the gas hob.

Tomorrow, in daylight, I'm going to experiment. Oven on, grill on low, etc.  Is this the end of the old cooker? I've only had it 27 years.

Spoken to the electrician. Of course, he thinks a faulty appliance is more likely than a fault with his wiring - especially as he didn't touch that circuit except to wire it into the new consumer unit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 04 January, 2017, 10:14:42 pm
New consumer unit might have a more sensitive RCD - but that RCD should trip by itself. You shouldn't end up in darkness. Something is wrong with his wiring I think, if the whole lot is going. Crossed neutrals maybe? Or a miswired appliance actually, with live and neutral swapped.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 04 January, 2017, 10:35:13 pm
Or a dodgy grill with an earth fault?  Could be a faulty element.

The RCD tripping usually takes out the whole lot, unless it's a split CU where the light circuits are excluded.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 04 January, 2017, 11:03:04 pm
I have no difficulty imagining that after 27 years, a heating element could be dodgy. Heating & cooling many times can do that, I think.

Mrs B is saying that it's time for a new cooker anyway.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 05 January, 2017, 12:05:47 am
Quote from: Bledlow on 04 January, 2017, 11:03:04 pm
I have no difficulty imagining that after 27 years, a heating element could be dodgy. Heating & cooling many times can do that, I think.

Indeed.  This sort of element is usually a resistance wire surrounded by magnesium oxide powder wrapped up in a (grounded) metal tube.  Typical failure mode is for the tube to split open, and the exposed wire burns out (not here, as the grill still works) or makes contact to ground, perhaps a via a high-resistance path of accumulated oven mank (or in a water heating appliance, the water itself).

Elements are often replaceable with mild screwdriver work and foul language.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 05 January, 2017, 07:21:59 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 04 January, 2017, 11:37:39 am
Our food waste actually gets incinerated in a power plant, as does some of the landfill. I think.

Not sure what they do with ours, but they collect the caddy every week (our actual bins alternate general rubbish/recycling each other week). Considering we're disorganised shoppers (ooh, that's looks nice), we don't throw out much other than the occasional mouldy slice of bread, egg shells and geriatric fruit and veg. I would normally compost it but the bin is full at the moment. I mostly ignore sell-by and use-by dates, if it don't look or smell off, it probably isn't. I have friends who throw out everything the moment the date comes up. It's like Logan's Bloody Grocery Run in their kitchen.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 05 January, 2017, 02:08:03 pm
Actually, on the subject of food waste, I wish they'd sell cheese in smaller portions.  If you don't eat it all within a day or two of opening the packaging it tastes nasty and is only fit for cooking with, and I don't really like melted cheese.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 05 January, 2017, 03:53:04 pm
If you go to the deli counter in your stupormarket, they'll cut very small amounts.  Often cheaper than off the shelf too.  Probably don't stock the particular cheese you want though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 05 January, 2017, 05:30:25 pm
Quote from: Basil on 05 January, 2017, 03:53:04 pm
If you go to the deli counter in your stupormarket, they'll cut very small amounts.  Often cheaper than off the shelf too.  Probably don't stock the particular cheese you want though.

GPWM.  I've been habitually buying cheese at Aldi, which does not have a deli counter, on account of it being convenient and sensibly priced.  But the packages sizes for things like bog standard cheddar have been getting bigger lately.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 05 January, 2017, 06:00:18 pm
Cheese? Bigger and stronger, please!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 05 January, 2017, 06:13:13 pm
Quote from: Kim on 05 January, 2017, 12:05:47 am
Quote from: Bledlow on 04 January, 2017, 11:03:04 pm
I have no difficulty imagining that after 27 years, a heating element could be dodgy. Heating & cooling many times can do that, I think.

Indeed.  This sort of element is usually a resistance wire surrounded by magnesium oxide powder wrapped up in a (grounded) metal tube.  Typical failure mode is for the tube to split open, and the exposed wire burns out (not here, as the grill still works) or makes contact to ground, perhaps a via a high-resistance path of accumulated oven mank (or in a water heating appliance, the water itself).

Elements are often replaceable with mild screwdriver work and foul language.
Replaceable (compatible parts are available, made by Belling, or someone anonymous at half the price), but Mrs B is firmly of the opinion that it's not worth it, & the electrician strongly recommends replacement of the cooker.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 05 January, 2017, 09:42:25 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 05 January, 2017, 06:00:18 pm
Cheese? Bigger and stronger, please!

:thumbsup:

Cheese that goes wrong before you can eat it? Does not compute.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 05 January, 2017, 09:46:17 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 05 January, 2017, 09:42:25 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 05 January, 2017, 06:00:18 pm
Cheese? Bigger and stronger, please!

:thumbsup:

Cheese that goes wrong before you can eat it? Does not compute.

Absolutely. I don't think I've ever had that problem...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 06 January, 2017, 08:15:33 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 05 January, 2017, 09:42:25 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 05 January, 2017, 06:00:18 pm
Cheese? Bigger and stronger, please!

:thumbsup:

Cheese that goes wrong before you can eat it? Does not compute.


It does if you keep it in the fridge at 3°C.  Cheese needs 15 - 16°.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 06 January, 2017, 08:26:55 am
I don't eat funky cheese. But I've no problem with cheddar from the fridge. Surely it's fine until it starts to turn. At white point it should be conveyed by suitably qualified and PPEd members of the domestic staff to the food waste bin for disposal.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 06 January, 2017, 08:54:02 am
Hard cheeses do better but they need to warm up before eating. Soft ones die unless they're factory-made fat-bombs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 06 January, 2017, 01:15:49 pm
Dairylea and the Laughing Cow are the only soft cheeses anyone needs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 06 January, 2017, 01:31:21 pm
Quote from: ian on 06 January, 2017, 08:26:55 am
I don't eat funky cheese. But I've no problem with cheddar from the fridge. Surely it's fine until it starts to turn.

Nahh, it (Cheddar, Red Leicester, Double Gloucester, etc) tastes markedly different[1] at the surface after a day or more of being exposed to the air.  Wrapping very tightly in foil seems to help, clingfilm doesn't, and leaving it open in the original packaging is right out.  Beyond that point it's edible, but not particularly enjoyable, up until the onset of mould, unless you cut away the outer edges to get to the un-tainted core.  Pre-sliced cheese from the supermarket seems to come in a milder version of this state out of the box, and is fit for use only as a source of body fuel.

Similarly, I quite like Edam, but can't abide the wastage inherent in trimming away the outer 10-15mm or so that are dry and tasteless.  Barkata (who seems immune to such effects) recons that Dutch cheese all tastes like ankles anyway, so it's a rare treat for when I come across some cut and packaged in a way that minimises the wax content.


Quote
At white point it should be conveyed by suitably qualified and PPEd members of the domestic staff to the food waste bin for disposal.

Agreed.


[1] General experience suggests that anything "markedly different" to my tastebuds is lost on about 90% of the population, so YMMV.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 06 January, 2017, 01:45:03 pm
But whose ankles? Some people's ankles taste "markedly different" from others.  :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 06 January, 2017, 01:52:32 pm
That's a very interesting question, which I will raise with barakta when she next appears.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 06 January, 2017, 02:29:47 pm
Quote from: ian on 06 January, 2017, 01:15:49 pm
Dairylea and the Laughing Cow are the only soft cheeses anyone needs.

As I said, factory-made fat bombs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 06 January, 2017, 03:02:02 pm
Quote from: T42 on 06 January, 2017, 02:29:47 pm
Quote from: ian on 06 January, 2017, 01:15:49 pm
Dairylea and the Laughing Cow are the only soft cheeses anyone needs.

As I said, factory-made fat bombs.

Still better than actual mould, thobut.  And factories are an excellent place for making things.

In the interests of SCIENCE, I tried some French Laughing Cow last summer, as what I remembered of it from my childhood was greatly superior to the British version.  It seemed different, but didn't quite hold up.  As with Babybel[1], the individual wrapping lends itself to the avoidance of pannier disasters while cycle touring.

The only Dairylea product worthy of note is the slices - burgers, for the contamination of (which is all most USAnian cheese product is good for).  They're quite fun when you're six.


[1] Which is a strange plastic relative of Edam that's immune to the drying out effect of the real thing I described above.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 06 January, 2017, 03:57:46 pm
I like my cheese to taste of something, and definitely not of ankles, so I'll take a well aged and room temperature bit of Stilton, Gorgonzola, Cheddar, Brie, Camembert or pretty much _anything_ with a bit of flavour in preference to some rubbery confection like Edam any day of the year. The ready sliced processed muck sold by Kraft and others is not cheese.  $DEITY alone knows what it is but it sure as hell isn't cheese.

There used to be a wonderful dairy at Chewton Mendip that did some of the best cheddar I have ever tasted.  Especially the unpasteurised. Unfortunately it was badly affected by the 2000 foot and mouth outbreak and I think it folded.

As for slavish adherence to "best before/use by" dates? Hah!  If it's not moving of its own volition it's safe to eat. :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 06 January, 2017, 05:55:55 pm
Insanity! Cheese should be splendidly luteus yellow and come in little foil triangles or individually wrapped slices. God abhors a naked cheese.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 07 January, 2017, 07:55:47 am
I must retract an earlier statement. I had a look at the wrapper on a block of Comté last night and it said store at 4°-10°C.  15/16°C still applies to soft-crust cheeses, though, and you have to let any cheese warm up to room temperature before eating it.  One of the best bits of cheese I ever tasted was a Cantal that had lived in a pocket of my rucksack for several days in September when the temperatures were in the high 20s.

Quote from: TheLurker on 06 January, 2017, 03:57:46 pm
The ready sliced processed muck sold by Kraft and others is not cheese.  $DEITY alone knows what it is but it sure as hell isn't cheese.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JahMQ5T4058

Applies to US but I doubt if it's much different in the UK.

Quote
As for slavish adherence to "best before/use by" dates? Hah!  If it's not moving of its own volition it's safe to eat. :)

Dunno. Once the outside of a Camembert has turned deep orange I don't much care for it. As a friend once observed on setting one such out her cheese board, "on dirait un sexe négligé".  OTOH we buy Camembert as close to its best-before date as possible, since that way it's reasonably mature.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 07 January, 2017, 09:38:15 am
And that's another thing. When I am World Dictator* they won't be called cheese "triangles" cos they are patently _not_ triangles they're _sectors_.  So start practicing subjects^wpeople.  After me, say, "Cheese Sectors"  :)



*If an orang-utan with yellow nylon candy-floss for hair can do it why not me?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 07 January, 2017, 10:04:11 am
Segments ...     :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 07 January, 2017, 10:41:19 am
Quote from: Polar Bear on 07 January, 2017, 10:04:11 am
Segments ...     :demon:
Alas no.  Sector - think portion of pie chart.  Segment - think of orange segment in profile.  Although were you daft enough to think Edam worth eating - waits for furious reponses ;) - then you could have a segment of vaguely cheese like product, but that would, in my opinion, be carrying masochism to an heretofore unheard of extreme.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 07 January, 2017, 11:10:26 am
Quote from: T42 on 07 January, 2017, 07:55:47 am
I must retract an earlier statement. I had a look at the wrapper on a block of Comté last night and it said store at 4°-10°C.  15/16°C still applies to soft-crust cheeses, though, and you have to let any cheese warm up to room temperature before eating it.  One of the best bits of cheese I ever tasted was a Cantal that had lived in a pocket of my rucksack for several days in September when the temperatures were in the high 20s.

Quote from: TheLurker on 06 January, 2017, 03:57:46 pm
The ready sliced processed muck sold by Kraft and others is not cheese.  $DEITY alone knows what it is but it sure as hell isn't cheese.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JahMQ5T4058

Applies to US but I doubt if it's much different in the UK.

Quote
As for slavish adherence to "best before/use by" dates? Hah!  If it's not moving of its own volition it's safe to eat. :)

Dunno. Once the outside of a Camembert has turned deep orange I don't much care for it. As a friend once observed on setting one such out her cheese board, "on dirait un sexe négligé".  OTOH we buy Camembert as close to its best-before date as possible, since that way it's reasonably mature.

+1

We had some Friends visit us in North East Lincs from London, on a hot summers day, bringing cheese they'd brought from France, V hot day, traffic jams, four hours in the footwell. It could have walked into the house unaided, stank the place out but was absolutely superb
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 07 January, 2017, 02:15:14 pm
Quote from: TheLurker on 07 January, 2017, 10:41:19 am
Quote from: Polar Bear on 07 January, 2017, 10:04:11 am
Segments ...     :demon:
Alas no.  Sector - think portion of pie chart.  Segment - think of orange segment in profile.  Although were you daft enough to think Edam worth eating - waits for furious reponses ;) - then you could have a segment of vaguely cheese like product, but that would, in my opinion, be carrying masochism to an heretofore unheard of extreme.

The pedant in me agrees with the Lurker but won't suggest this part of the thread migrates to Food and Drink....
...yet!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 07 January, 2017, 04:49:25 pm
I've just got in from a 330 mile round trip delivering #1 son's cat back to Bournville.  Mrs B, with the best of intentions, won't stop offering me stuff.  Coffee?   Dinner?  Aperetif?  Please stop trying to make me think.
I'm frazzled.  Yes I would like a coffee, but I want to make it myself.

I'll be fine in 20 minutes.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 07 January, 2017, 06:48:07 pm

Quote
We had some Friends visit us in North East Lincs from London, on a hot summers day, bringing cheese they'd brought from France, V hot day, traffic jams, four hours in the footwell. It could have walked into the house unaided, stank the place out but was absolutely superb

Reminds me of some cheese we bought in Le Touquet - unbelievable aroma, although it tasted excellent - we had a Discovery at the time and ended up putting the cheese in a carrier bag inside the spare wheel on the outside of the back door for the journey home (getting out of the car in le Shuttle train and you could smell it)

Rob
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: PaulF on 07 January, 2017, 08:05:55 pm
Wife and son are watching "Britain's not Got Talent" or some such drivel. Normally I'd go to the pub but I'm doing a dry January.

Bah!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 07 January, 2017, 08:08:38 pm
You don't have to drink alcohol in the pub.  Apparently.    :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: PaulF on 07 January, 2017, 08:27:35 pm
Are you sure about that Basil? It's a pretty bold statement to make unless you can back it up ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 07 January, 2017, 08:39:24 pm
Basil lecturing the former world's scariest barman on pub etiquette?

This could end badly
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 07 January, 2017, 08:41:38 pm
 ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 07 January, 2017, 09:06:42 pm
Quote from: robgul on 07 January, 2017, 06:48:07 pm

Quote
We had some Friends visit us in North East Lincs from London, on a hot summers day, bringing cheese they'd brought from France, V hot day, traffic jams, four hours in the footwell. It could have walked into the house unaided, stank the place out but was absolutely superb

Reminds me of some cheese we bought in Le Touquet - unbelievable aroma, although it tasted excellent - we had a Discovery at the time and ended up putting the cheese in a carrier bag inside the spare wheel on the outside of the back door for the journey home (getting out of the car in le Shuttle train and you could smell it)

Rob

Obviously not a Corsican one, otherwise you'd have sparked a major security alert.  :demon:

https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=90159.msg1954172#msg1954172
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 07 January, 2017, 09:27:31 pm
Quote from: TheLurker on 07 January, 2017, 10:41:19 am
Quote from: Polar Bear on 07 January, 2017, 10:04:11 am
Segments ...     :demon:
Alas no.  Sector - think portion of pie chart.  Segment - think of orange segment in profile.  Although were you daft enough to think Edam worth eating - waits for furious reponses ;) - then you could have a segment of vaguely cheese like product, but that would, in my opinion, be carrying masochism to an heretofore unheard of extreme.

I see them as segments just as I see segments of an orange or a Warwickshire Truckle. .  Iirc, pie charts can be defined in terms of segments or sectors.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 07 January, 2017, 09:46:35 pm
My (somewhat rusty) understanding is that a sector is a bit of a circle where the dividing line(s) are perpendicular to the edge and pass through the centre point.  A segment is just any bit of circle cut off by a single line.  Cut the circle in half and it qualifies as both.

Bonus points for cylinders, heads, tracks, blocks and so on...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 08 January, 2017, 08:53:29 am
Quote from: robgul on 07 January, 2017, 06:48:07 pm

Quote
We had some Friends visit us in North East Lincs from London, on a hot summers day, bringing cheese they'd brought from France, V hot day, traffic jams, four hours in the footwell. It could have walked into the house unaided, stank the place out but was absolutely superb

Reminds me of some cheese we bought in Le Touquet - unbelievable aroma, although it tasted excellent - we had a Discovery at the time and ended up putting the cheese in a carrier bag inside the spare wheel on the outside of the back door for the journey home (getting out of the car in le Shuttle train and you could smell it)

Rob

A German colleague of mine once bought a Livarot in Evreux and went home to Kiel with it in his briefcase.  He told me later that the folk on the train in Germany kept looking at him in disgust - they thought it was him.

Our local stinker is Munster, from the valley at the foot of Col de la Schlucht. Down there they say that the storks fly in circles because they have one wing over their nostrils.  It's great with cumin or big sweet gherkins, or melted on a tarte flambée (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarte_flamb%C3%A9e), although everyone in the restaurant knows when you've ordered one.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 08 January, 2017, 03:34:14 pm
went out on the bike today. M5 recumbent in long distance format with dyno hub etc and luggage.

Didn't enjoy it. Cold, legs hurt, lost route, slow.  Harumph!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 09 January, 2017, 02:07:45 pm
So, for more years than I care to remember, I have been interested in photography. I even got paid for it as a copper. There were times when I had more 35mm film pots than I had £'s in the bank.

Now, when I need one to modify for telescope collimation, can I find one?

Can I bollox >:( I even asked at the photographers next door to the bike shop.....

Digital  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 09 January, 2017, 03:28:45 pm
The water has just stopped in the site office and the temperature is expected to stay below zero here for a couple more days. No prizes for guessing the likely cause.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 09 January, 2017, 03:40:43 pm
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 09 January, 2017, 02:07:45 pm
So, for more years than I care to remember, I have been interested in photography. I even got paid for it as a copper. There were times when I had more 35mm film pots than I had £'s in the bank.

Now, when I need one to modify for telescope collimation, can I find one?

Can I bollox >:( I even asked at the photographers next door to the bike shop.....

Digital  :facepalm:
Last time I  needed some (alka seltzer fuelled rocket manufacture) I asked at Boots.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 09 January, 2017, 03:42:10 pm
There's a plan :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 09 January, 2017, 03:43:43 pm
There are loads of film canisters on ebay for a little cash.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 09 January, 2017, 04:07:37 pm
what about soemthing like a nuun or high5 electrolyte tabs tub? They make very useful little odds and sods holders for on the bike as well.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 09 January, 2017, 07:27:52 pm
Self: Before cashing in Tossco Clubard vouchers for the London Eye, make sure it's actually running the day you travel. Annual feckin' maintenance, innit?!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Butterfly on 09 January, 2017, 10:01:12 pm
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 09 January, 2017, 02:07:45 pm
So, for more years than I care to remember, I have been interested in photography. I even got paid for it as a copper. There were times when I had more 35mm film pots than I had £'s in the bank.

Now, when I need one to modify for telescope collimation, can I find one?

Can I bollox >:( I even asked at the photographers next door to the bike shop.....

Digital  :facepalm:
I suspect we may have some spares. I'll point clarion in this direction.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 10 January, 2017, 08:36:13 am
Heavy snowfall this morning.  Local bye-laws state that residents must clear their pavements by 7:30 am, but do not state that the snow will then stop falling. The bucolic who lives opposite cleared his 40 metres at 6 am, waking me up just as I was falling asleep again after an hourand a half awake. An hour ago the village idiot drove the village snow-plough (mini tractor with a blade on the front and a salt spreader on the back) round the streets (yup, we've got more than one!) like a blue-arsed fly, making little impression on it other than sending a spray over the pavements folk had cleared. Being coronarily challenged, snow-clearing is taboo for yrs trly (missus inquit).

Snow is still falling.

Our club's AGM is this coming Saturday in a restaurant several steep hills away along a narrow, twisty road.  Our prez is a bloody genius.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 14 January, 2017, 12:12:46 pm
Bloody Met Office.  Our bright / sunny turned out to be dull, sleety and now rain  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Diver300 on 17 January, 2017, 06:02:25 pm
Halfords click and collect. Please do not tell me that the Thule bag for a Brompton will be ready to collect after 1pm at Banana Cycle Republic near Euston station, when it wasn't there at 16:15.

I am on Eurostar and my Brompton is now in a fetching pair of Costco bags for life, held in with a bungee strap. They were the plan B, and I am very glad I brought them.

Not a grumble:- How does my mobile phone work in the Chunnel?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 17 January, 2017, 07:49:44 pm
There be them things called antennae in the tunnel, connected to cables running right through.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 17 January, 2017, 09:02:37 pm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leaky_feeder
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 19 January, 2017, 07:04:52 pm
Ordered Shiny Thing from Richer Sounds on Monday.  Arrived Tuesday.
Ordered Shiny Thing from The Mega-Global Big River Corporation of Seattle, USAnia yesterday.  Despatched yesterday.
Ordered other Shiny Thing from The Mega-Global Big River Corporation of Seattle, USAnia on Monday.  Not despatched yet >:(

Bah!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 20 January, 2017, 05:57:08 pm
I wrote to NHS blood & transplant about their policy of holding all three of their donation venues in the forest on Tuesdays:
Quote from: NHS Vampire Service
Dear Mr Tween

Thank you for taking the time to contact us regarding the opening days
of your local sessions held in the Forest of Dean.  I am sorry that
you find it difficult to give blood as the sessions here are held on a
Tuesday.

We appreciate your desire for more varied session days but
unfortunately, we are not currently able to offer more non-Tuesday
sessions than we currently have.  As you have mentioned, once a
session is established on a certain day of the week it becomes
difficult for us to change this due to the donors who regularly attend
these not necessarily being able to change days and this is something
we keep in mind.  In addition to this, the team of Nurses and Donor
Carers who run these sessions are responsible for a huge area, from
Lydney to Weston-Super-Mare to Malmesbury, so this would also have an
effect on their schedules.

Our Planning department is tasked with booking four sessions each week
for this team, each at a different venue, with most venues used less
than once per month.  Some of the venues we use are particularly
flexible and we are able to book various days of the week but many
have schedules of their own, which we must work around.  I apologise
that we are unable to be more flexible.

However, I am pleased to inform you that  we have two Monday sessions
coming up at the Lydney Town Hall on 22nd May 2017 and 26th June 2017,
which may be convenient for you.  If you would like to book an
appointment, please call our helpline on 0300 123 23 23, or by visit
our website
www.blood.co.uk

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your commitment
to blood donation.  Your 10 donations have helped to save and improve
the lives of many people and we are very grateful for the support you
have shown us.
Mostly then: It's always been like that and we can't be arsed to look into changing it.  About the only argument with credibility is access to halls.

Never mind.  Today I made my first donation in Foreign Lands1.  Unsurprisingly given this is a government bureaucracy I had to register all over again, upon selecting my house name & road the postcode came up as Silvyn or some such but other than that it was very smooth.  Possibly the best donation session I've had, I don't recall having one so low on pain, certainly not since I resumed donating in 2012.  I have zero bruise and I don't think that's happened before.

1By about 400 meters, just off Chepstow High Street.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 21 January, 2017, 04:32:15 pm
I think Amazon have been sending my order by boat, from somewhere fairly well inland. 11 days from dispatch...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 21 January, 2017, 04:40:16 pm
I don't think there's any relationship between the distance a package must travel and delivery time.

I have waited several days for Stuffs from within 5 miles.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 21 January, 2017, 07:57:30 pm
They finally threw my Shiny Thing onto the van this afternoon.  Grrr.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 22 January, 2017, 10:01:53 pm
Fortunately I checked my e-mail this arvo, there to find a missive from the Mega-Global Big River Corporation of Seattle, USAnia telling me my Shiny Thing was to be delivered today, rather than tomorrow as originally stated.  Otherwise I'd still have been in my dressing gown when the chap turned up at 17:45, which would have been embarrassing.  And also cold when unsticking the bell push, which has developed an unhealthy desire to remain on.

Tomorrow, lots of undignified grovelling under the desk in the Estate Office :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 24 January, 2017, 04:59:50 pm
Is it just too much to hope that "they" can do the same weather forecast for five days hence?

I ask as I am considering doing a couple of hours ride on Sunday with a local club but the weather is either chilly with some wind but no rain (which I can cope with), or throwing it down with nearly 7mm of rain expected (which I can't). Indeed, I have just checked five sites and each have something different.

To make it more grumblable, the forecasts were different yesterday and no doubt, they will change tomorrow as well.

Bah, British Weather! Okay, I know if we didn't have any then we would have nothing to talk to strangers about but frankly, I could live without that!


Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 27 January, 2017, 01:57:58 pm
Bugger.  That's the second time I've done this. 
I caught the bus from Carmarthen which doesn't meet with the little connection shuttle to Llandysul.
I now have to wait for an hour in nowhere.
I could walk it.  About 4 and a bit miles.  But it's an unpleasant road with no FP and would take as long as waiting here.  Prolly best to sit and hope someone sees me and gives me a lift.

15 mins so far and no luck.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 27 January, 2017, 02:10:02 pm
Quote from: Basil on 27 January, 2017, 01:57:58 pm
Bugger.  That's the second time I've done this. 
I caught the bus from Carmarthen which doesn't meet with the little connection shuttle to Llandysul.
I now have to wait for an hour in nowhere.
I could walk it.  About 4 and a bit miles.  But it's an unpleasant road with no FP and would take as long as waiting here.  Prolly best to sit and hope someone sees me and gives me a lift.

15 mins so far and no luck.

.... I assume that you have managed to exchange your English Old Codger Bus Pass to a Welsh Old Codger Bus Pass - or are you claiming dual nationality now?  :)

Rob
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 27 January, 2017, 02:24:33 pm
I have a Welsh Old Buggers pass.  Not sure if they have dobbed me in to the English pass people', so I don't know if that one still works or not.  Obviously,  you're not allowed both.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 27 January, 2017, 08:17:43 pm
Did the CTC really just send out a spam with the subject line "Make cycling great again"?   :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 27 January, 2017, 08:59:02 pm
Did they? I deleted it. My mind was in Kazakhstan at the time (that's what you get for working late).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 27 January, 2017, 09:50:09 pm
Quote from: Kim on 27 January, 2017, 08:17:43 pm
Did the CTC really just send out a spam with the subject line "Make cycling great again"?   :facepalm:

They did  :facepalm:

Something grates!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 30 January, 2017, 08:54:40 pm
For the next two months the motons of Woking are going to be even more grumpy than usual.  Grumpy = impatient = dangerous.  The council have closed a bunch of roads in order to do some traffic flow related deckchair shuffling. No doubt the two months predicted are what the project planners quoted so when reality gets involved it'll be more like 2 years.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 31 January, 2017, 03:21:43 pm
Quote from: SoreTween on 30 January, 2017, 08:54:40 pm
For the next two months the motons of Woking are going to be even more grumpy than usual.  Grumpy = impatient = dangerous.  The council have closed a bunch of roads in order to do some traffic flow related deckchair shuffling. No doubt the two months predicted are what the project planners quoted so when reality gets involved it'll be more like 2 years.

Which bits have they been messings around with?  I'm due to visit Fort Larrington shortly.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 31 January, 2017, 08:48:31 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 31 January, 2017, 03:21:43 pm
Which bits have they been messings around with?  I'm due to visit Fort Larrington shortly.
Victoria Way West of town is closed southbound, there's a diversion via Triggs Lane & half way to Guildford. You can't use the dizzying entrance/exit to the car parks. The Vic way junction by the travelsplodge is closed.  Cawsey way is out of town only.  Goldsworth Road shuts soon as does Victoria Way Westbound on the North of town.

If you want to cross any of the closed roads on foot phone the cuntcil first, many crossings are simply closed.  No crossings or access for cyclists remain open.

Diversions (https://www.woking.gov.uk/planning/majordevelopments/wokingitp/diversions)
The plan (Ha!) (https://www.woking.gov.uk/planning/majordevelopments/wokingitp)

My advice would be approach and leave in a spokeular manner and forget any thoughts of crossing or visiting town.  On the advice of colleagues who drive definitely don't go near town around 5pm.  40 minutes is reported to be average to escape the car parks.

[ETA] This is in danger of becoming a rant.  I just tried to contact the cuntcil about their utter and complete lack of thought for cyclists but the complaints site seems to be having a spot of bother.
[ET further A] Vic way crossing at Goldsworthy Rd open again.  Useless for leaving town due to one way on Cawsey but at least I can get to work without annoying peds.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 01 February, 2017, 08:56:36 am
Ta. Fort Larrington is on the Guildford side so an approach from the M25/A3 through Ripley and Send seems the best bet.  Especially if they're still mucking about with the A320 between Ottershaw and McLaren's.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 01 February, 2017, 07:30:03 pm
Dear UK Government,
How come I am encouraged to file my Self-Assessment Tax Return online but when I need to complete my 'How Your Disability Affects You' form I have to create and print my own document to complete it?
Three phone calls to your call centre only achieved the advice to print my own paperwork.

I cannot hold a pen. There is no specific place on your 40 page form for me to mention this pertinent fact. There are questions about communication and reading  but none about writing.

You have different standards for collection and payment of money.

I am unimpressed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 01 February, 2017, 08:41:58 pm
Do complain IN your answers, a friend got some of her PIP on the grounds of access issues with the application process itself.

I have always just answered in typed form and said "I can just about do my signature and on a good day a few words, else I type"

It is intentional, shitweaselry by the state!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 01 February, 2017, 09:27:18 pm
Thanks!

I have every intention of pointing this out in my answers.

I have ticked some boxes with a 3B pencil. I know they specify using a pen but I can't and will explain.

I'm not sure whether this shitweaselism is incompetence, ignorance or malice. I can't be the first articulate, literate person who is unable to hold a pen; it's not that difficult a concept to understand.

Fucknuggets!

I might point out that my inability to hold a pen means I need to use more expensive technology, like having Caller Display on my landline so I can note phone numbers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 01 February, 2017, 10:05:33 pm
Oh they know perfectly well. It's intentional. It's to make it harder which puts some people off.

Intelligent, articulate, educated and stroppy people like you and me aren't their most targeted group. But how many disabled people have the education, resources, time, cope, cynicism, fury and determination.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 01 February, 2017, 10:21:13 pm
Indeed and IT'S NOT FAIR!

We have a horrible government and these are horrible times.

I still have many spoons, thankfully.

I got the feeling that the call centre bods were none too knowledgeable.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 01 February, 2017, 10:50:53 pm
yes, fight!

they assume all too often that when confronted with bureaucracy, obfuscation and threats the citizen will back down with a resulting saving a few bob for the taxpayer.

They tried it with us over our son's education, realising that we really meant business when two well educated parents who wouldn't be daunted by their bullsh!t threatened to take them to a tribunal.  They backed down.  But they also knew that 9/10 would back off and get frightened way before that point.

Quoting Citizen Smith "Power to the People" is definitely applicable in this situation.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 01 February, 2017, 11:02:11 pm
Callcentre people if knowledgeable are NOT allowed to deviate from the script. If they are caught in sample listening in by management they get sanctioned/punished and sacked, even if they are being helpful. In fact even being helpful is barely allowed these days. 2 of my friends have escaped working for the DWP in the last few years, saying it was hideous and sanity wrecking.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 01 February, 2017, 11:31:00 pm
I certainly got the feeling the call centre staff were reciting a premolished script, which was very frustrating!
Why does it take a full week for a form to arrive?
Do they have an arrangement with the Royal Mail for Extra-Slow delivery?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 01 February, 2017, 11:34:13 pm
Yes, they intentionally send stuff second class.

I'd argue as 'public service provider' they should be anticipatorily offering people who can't handwrite the electronic version of the form... but I doubt you want to add "make Equality Act complaint" on that grounds to them as well as doing the DAMNED FORM.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 01 February, 2017, 11:47:04 pm
One call centre chap thought a pdf was a Reasonable Adjustment' but the next said that DWP was too afeared of Viruses to do this.
Strange as online filing is the norm for HMRC!
Their version of Second Class post does appear to be Extra Slow.
Eight days, FFS!
It's not as though I am in some offshore hidey hole!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 02 February, 2017, 12:05:06 am
Ah yes the old security lie, either theirs or their faux concern for yours.  Access to Work made me agree a disclaimer last yr to use email (I'll reuse the wording for PIP which I intend to claim and correspond fully by email). They were supposed to be doing digital by default by 2014 but have fucked up the IT at a cost of £££. I would hate to see online only, but it should be a choice ffs.

I think the DWP post is lowest priority as they have special contracts with Royal Snail to handle mail at RM centres before it goes to DWP departments. It's probably "deliver when you can" and RM are happy to do it when they can so it's dreadful at busy times.  People can demand extensions but have to phone for them.

Offshore hideyholes are for the likes of David Scameron.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 02 February, 2017, 11:34:47 pm
In the same vein, received my "challenge to postal voting" letter today. Need to supply a specimen signature unless

a) have a disability that prevents me signing [OK, can perhaps expect ticking a box is do-able]
b) are unable to read or write
c) are unable to sign in a consistent and distinctive way because of disability or inability [again perhaps ticking a box is OK]

but (b), what kind of government fuckwit sends a letter asking people to indicate that they can't read it?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 02 February, 2017, 11:36:17 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 02 February, 2017, 11:34:47 pm
but (b), what kind of government fuckwit sends a letter asking people to indicate that they can't read it?

The usual kind.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 02 February, 2017, 11:36:47 pm
The kind that doesn't give people a choice to specify their comms needs in a centralised way as now required within the NHS Accessible Information Standards!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 07 February, 2017, 04:01:44 pm
Why did Raleigh decide to make a headset lock nut with a head just larger than I can get my big adjustable spanner? Surely they knew in the 1980s someone would want to service their headset 30 years later and not have the right tool?

Also can this bug please bug-off?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 07 February, 2017, 06:17:20 pm
That's what your pressed steel Raleigh Spanner is for...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 07 February, 2017, 06:20:00 pm
More's the point, why do they make large adjustable spanners always slightly too small for headset locknuts?  It's like they've never seen an old bike, or ridden a Brompton over cattle grids.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 07 February, 2017, 06:27:03 pm
Solution: undo grub screw, remove adjusty helix and associated pingfuckits. File a smidgeon off the adjusty helix, allowing the spanner to open further. Reassembly is the reverse of the previous process, inc. associated pingfuckits.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 07 February, 2017, 06:50:17 pm
Quote from: Kim on 07 February, 2017, 06:20:00 pm
More's the point, why do they make large adjustable spanners always slightly too small for headset locknuts?  It's like they've never seen an old bike, or ridden a Brompton over cattle grids.
I've got one that actually reaches for the headset on my Claud Butler. It's right on the edge but does just fit. Unfortunately the Raleigh's is a very helpful 34.1 mm diameter (and octagonal) which is a couple mm outside of the capacity.

Quote from: Tim Hall on 07 February, 2017, 06:27:03 pm
Solution: undo grub screw, remove adjusty helix and associated pingfuckits. File a smidgeon off the adjusty helix, allowing the spanner to open further. Reassembly is the reverse of the previous process, inc. associated pingfuckits.

I thought about that, then realised I could get a new spanner with a 38mm capacity delivered to m for £7.50, so decided not to risk killing the one I have. Especially as I think the fork and headset could be 26tpi, so I'll be sticking with the current headset for a while. As there's no sealing on the bottom cup/cone (I can see the balls and cage!) I'm tempted to nick the bottom half off of a sealed headset and replace that bit though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 07 February, 2017, 07:48:56 pm
Quote from: Kim on 07 February, 2017, 06:20:00 pm
More's the point, why do they make large adjustable spanners always slightly too small for headset locknuts?  It's like they've never seen an old bike, or ridden a Brompton over cattle grids.

Large adjustable spanners are *always* just too small for the large thing you want to spanner.
See also Plumbing / Water Pumps.

That's why we have the wonderous bodge of Water Pump Pliers  (http://www.screwfix.com/p/waterpump-pliers-305mm-12/27031)( AKA 'Hen's Legs' ) which open up to infeasible sizes and make a chewed-up mess of *anything*.

Beyond that, and it's time to get out the Stilsons, but that's not going to be pretty.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Gattopardo on 09 February, 2017, 10:27:41 am
Quote from: ElyDave on 02 February, 2017, 11:34:47 pm
what kind of government fuckwit sends a letter asking people to indicate that they can't read it?

One that will get a bonus and promotion.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Gattopardo on 09 February, 2017, 10:30:18 am
Ok so you want a road bike, you want to ride, and have ridden long distances.  A very nice steel framed bike comes up and you say it is too expensive....but you want to spend more money than the bike on a phone.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 09 February, 2017, 04:43:43 pm
MOAR DWP stuffs:

Posted 40 page 'How your disability affects you' form late Sunday night 5/2/2017.

13.21 today phoned DWP to see if form had arrived. Was told servers were down so phone back in 2 hours.
15.28 phoned DWP: nothing arrived and scanned yet; they said they'd allow extra time, knowing I'd posted it on time.
16.28 received SMS text thanking me for returning form.

At least I'll get my DLA for a couple more months. Dreading assessment and its upshot.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 09 February, 2017, 08:50:05 pm
Quote from: Gattopardo on 09 February, 2017, 10:27:41 am
Quote from: ElyDave on 02 February, 2017, 11:34:47 pm
what kind of government fuckwit sends a letter asking people to indicate that they can't read it?

One that will get a bonus and promotion.

The same one in financial institutions that does not understand that blind and partially sighted people exist.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 11 February, 2017, 11:37:57 am
On my continuing quest for Shimano MT34 shoes that  fit, I notice Decathlon have size 47* in stock. What's more, the shop in town has a pair.

Toddle off to town, park bike, wander into shop. Check website, yup, still in stock.  None on shelf. Ask helpful member of staff who tells me (a) what's on the shelf is what they have and (b) they can order in, click and collect. The answer to why they show them in stock but don't have any eluded him until I suggested perhaps their website is a bit rubbish.


* all the time I've been a grown up I've taken size 46 shoes, even the past three pairs of Shimano shoes.  This time round they've changed how they measure stuff so 46 don't fit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Paul on 11 February, 2017, 11:54:01 am
Quote from: Tim Hall on 11 February, 2017, 11:37:57 am
On my continuing quest for Shimano MT34 shoes that  fit, I notice Decathlon have size 47* in stock. What's more, the shop in town has a pair.

Toddle off to town, park bike, wander into shop. Check website, yup, still in stock.  None on shelf. Ask helpful member of staff who tells me (a) what's on the shelf is what they have and (b) they can order in, click and collect. The answer to why they show them in stock but don't have any eluded him until I suggested perhaps their website is a bit rubbish.


* all the time I've been a grown up I've taken size 46 shoes, even the past three pairs of Shimano shoes.  This time round they've changed how they measure stuff so 46 don't fit.

Funny. I think shimano has done something to their sizing because I've always taken a 45 in their shoes but this time (MT34) the 45 feels a little too big - which is the opposite of your finding.

Has the MT34 been superseded?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 11 February, 2017, 11:57:26 am
Quote from: Paul on 11 February, 2017, 11:54:01 am
Quote from: Tim Hall on 11 February, 2017, 11:37:57 am
On my continuing quest for Shimano MT34 shoes that  fit, I notice Decathlon have size 47* in stock. What's more, the shop in town has a pair.

Toddle off to town, park bike, wander into shop. Check website, yup, still in stock.  None on shelf. Ask helpful member of staff who tells me (a) what's on the shelf is what they have and (b) they can order in, click and collect. The answer to why they show them in stock but don't have any eluded him until I suggested perhaps their website is a bit rubbish.


* all the time I've been a grown up I've taken size 46 shoes, even the past three pairs of Shimano shoes.  This time round they've changed how they measure stuff so 46 don't fit.

Funny. I think shimano has done something to their sizing because I've always taken a 45 in their shoes but this time (MT34) the 45 feels a little too big - which is the opposite of your finding.

Has the MT34 been superseded?

I thought the MT34 was the current model, BICBW.  The ones I'm currently using (which are falling apart and are a several of years old) are MT33.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Paul on 11 February, 2017, 12:07:01 pm
ICBW2 but I couldn't find the blue ones in my (not unusual) size anywhere. Then I noticed that even in black the availability in my size and other 'common' sizes was very limited. And there's an MT54 which seems to do the same thing but for more money.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 11 February, 2017, 05:12:47 pm
I think Shimano do two versions of their sizes: for wide and narrow feet. So a wide 45 might be more like a narrow 46, and vice versa.

Quote from: Tim Hall on 11 February, 2017, 11:37:57 am
On my continuing quest for Shimano MT34 shoes that  fit, I notice Decathlon have size 47* in stock. What's more, the shop in town has a pair.

Toddle off to town, park bike, wander into shop. Check website, yup, still in stock.  None on shelf. Ask helpful member of staff who tells me (a) what's on the shelf is what they have and (b) they can order in, click and collect. The answer to why they show them in stock but don't have any eluded him until I suggested perhaps their website is a bit rubbish.


* all the time I've been a grown up I've taken size 46 shoes, even the past three pairs of Shimano shoes.  This time round they've changed how they measure stuff so 46 don't fit.
Does not compute!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 11 February, 2017, 06:07:51 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 11 February, 2017, 05:12:47 pm
I think Shimano do two versions of their sizes: for wide and narrow feet. So a wide 45 might be more like a narrow 46, and vice versa.

Fairly sure that, a little while ago (3 or 6 months, if I had to guess), someone posted a link to a chart that showed which models used which last.

I might be able to find it once I'm at a PC
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 12 February, 2017, 06:58:47 pm
I say to my wife, as she commands the gardener, that we shouldn't touch the ivy shrouded fence by the driveway because it's obviously rotten underneath and only supported by a couple of decades of vegetation. And I like the ivy.

So, of course, I come back yesterday to a pile of rotten fence panels by the drive because my dear wife didn't tell him and, well, I've no idea why he decided to pull the ivy off anyway since it was fine and the decrepit state of the panels rather obvious. I liked the bloody ivy.

I not only get the bill for work I didn't want doing, I get to pay to replace the fence too. I'm having a formal grump.

eta: on the plus side, this will mean there's no more fence to replace, as that's all of it, every single fucking panel in the three years since we bought the damn place.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 13 February, 2017, 12:03:56 am
sounds a bit like our fence, I know it's absolutely decrepit, but I'm going nowhere near it with anything other than a paintbrush.  It can fall down on it's own
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 13 February, 2017, 12:46:53 am
We replaced the fence on the right side of our garden last spring. It was not cheap and we had put off the evil moment until the  fence came apart. The ancient fence at the back of  the garden has been supplemented by privet, which has overgrown somewhat. The original fencing has totally disintegrated. I've no idea what will happen in the future...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: citoyen on 13 February, 2017, 01:33:09 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 09 February, 2017, 04:43:43 pm
At least I'll get my DLA for a couple more months. Dreading assessment and its upshot.

I admire your stoicism, helly. If it were me, this wouldn't be posted in the Grumble thread, it would be in the Seething With Rage thread. The system is monstrously unfair and clearly this is by design.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 13 February, 2017, 01:16:13 pm
Quote from: citoyen on 13 February, 2017, 01:33:09 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 09 February, 2017, 04:43:43 pm
At least I'll get my DLA for a couple more months. Dreading assessment and its upshot.

I admire your stoicism, helly. If it were me, this wouldn't be posted in the Grumble thread, it would be in the Seething With Rage thread. The system is monstrously unfair and clearly this is by design.

Very much so. I am a literate, numerate, articulate native English speaker, with spoons and no difficulty using a telephone.

Ms barakta has hearing trouble and can't use a conventional phone; that's a different pile of shit. DWP is deliberately obstructive to anyone with impairments in these 'austere' times. Daily Wail/Express Scrounger culture must take some blame for this.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 13 February, 2017, 01:34:20 pm
I may not be able to use phones well but I will simply sue their f***ing arses off if they don't comply to 'reasonableness' under the law. Having taken a case against HMRC I pretty much have the template legalese to use as needed!

And I'm extremely good at ripping the DWP new ones over email.

Which reminds me, I asked DWP for jobcoach/disability employment adviser support by email "as a reasonable adjustment" a while ago. They replied quickly by email to ask me to confirm some personal details which I sent on 30th Jan - heard nothing since. Now a response at all, and indication they intend to communicate with me by email is an improvement from this specific inbox (I had to resort to escalation to managers and complaints in 2012 or so cos they insisted on phones).

One type 1 round of sporking:
" Dear DWP, It is now 14 days since I sent the requested information to you. I have heard nothing more.  Can I please receive an update or assistance as I have requested. Many thanks, Signoff"

There comes a point where 'delay' is in itself unreasonable failure to make reasonable adjustments. I don't expect either a DEA or jobcoach to be useful, but if I've played that game and am still unemployed by the time I need benefits, I can show "I've tried all bases" and they should be housetrained for providing reasonable adjustments without being able to sanction me (can't sanction what they're not paying me).

And yes they are unutterably evil hateful bureaucratic bullying fuckers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: citoyen on 13 February, 2017, 01:51:37 pm
For what it's worth, I'm angry on both your behalfs. And anyone else who has to deal with the DWP.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 13 February, 2017, 02:02:24 pm
The way I fight back is making sure people have information, help where I can provide it, or are directed to sources of proper welfare assistance. Every case adds up to the wider argument of shitbaggery and it is increasingly on political agendas now. The Disability News Service is finally getting results from long term FOIs, investigations and so on.

I can't solve it for the most affected, but by shining a light on it, I hope we'll improve things for everyone thus the most affected. The DWP being shitbags is of course not new, Nu Labour has a lot to answer for as ToryCoalition mostly just expanded on shitbaggery started by NuLab. I had fun with DWP in 2004 (and I take a lot less shit these days).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 13 February, 2017, 10:21:42 pm
Quote from: Ruthie on 06 February, 2017, 11:32:22 am
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 06 February, 2017, 10:33:49 am
Has the warranty run out on everything, Ruthie?

Everything.  Every.  Thing.   ::-)

The washing machine just died.  It has my sheets and lots of sudsy water in it.

It is two years and two months old.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 13 February, 2017, 10:24:30 pm
Quote from: Ruthie on 13 February, 2017, 10:21:42 pm
Quote from: Ruthie on 06 February, 2017, 11:32:22 am
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 06 February, 2017, 10:33:49 am
Has the warranty run out on everything, Ruthie?

Everything.  Every.  Thing.   ::-)

The washing machine just died.  It has my sheets and lots of sudsy water in it.

It is two years and two months old.

:( There'll probably be a wee hatch at the bottom front where you can drain the water out (if you've not worked that out already)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 14 February, 2017, 09:01:03 am
Listening to bloody Orange's hold music yet again. Oh joy.

Just noticed that typing with the phone next to the KB causes a lot of breakup.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 14 February, 2017, 11:03:05 am
Quote from: Ruthie on 13 February, 2017, 10:21:42 pm
Quote from: Ruthie on 06 February, 2017, 11:32:22 am
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 06 February, 2017, 10:33:49 am
Has the warranty run out on everything, Ruthie?

Everything.  Every.  Thing.   ::-)

The washing machine just died.  It has my sheets and lots of sudsy water in it.

It is two years and two months old.
Somewhere in your house, someone spilled water on an odd-looking stuffed toy.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Si S on 14 February, 2017, 12:37:40 pm
Why? It makes no sense!

There are times when I think I ought to give up science and take up something involving phases of the moon and bat blood.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 14 February, 2017, 02:10:30 pm
Quote from: Si S on 14 February, 2017, 12:37:40 pm
Why? It makes no sense!

There are times when I think I ought to give up science and take up something involving phases of the moon and bat blood.

Politics beckons...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: BrianI on 14 February, 2017, 07:25:40 pm
I think I'd better snap a pencil in half or something.

Last week, car windscreen cracked, and it's getting replaced tomorrow though insurance (£100 excess).
Today, gas boiler decided to pack in  as it locks up with "01" error code, and no hot water or central heating.  It's a vokera linea 24. No idea how old it is. Looks like it might be on its last legs.
Phoned  british gas homecare, the soonest they can come out to do the repair (and bring the annnual service forward) is tomorrow.

So sometime between 9am and 2pm, the windscreen person will replace my windscreeen, and 8am to 6pm the man from delmonte British Gas will say "No!" and refuse to repair the boiler due to its age (and despite it being covered under the homecare scheme)...

Guess a busy day off tomorrow.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 14 February, 2017, 07:48:33 pm
Brian we have the same boiler and it is old. Ours did the same and friendly man came around and looked at it. Said that would cost you, parts are dear and it is not really worth spending on part best spend on new.

He gave it a tap with a screwdriver and it spun into life. And said if it get stuck again, tap it there again and you might get lucky and we have for at least 3 months. Haven't died or needed a tap since. So crossing fingers it will keep going until after winter.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 14 February, 2017, 07:52:13 pm
Quote from: woollypigs on 14 February, 2017, 07:48:33 pm
He gave it a tap with a screwdriver and it spun into life. And said if it get stuck again, tap it there again and you might get lucky and we have for at least 3 months. Haven't died or needed a tap since. So crossing fingers it will keep going until after winter.

https://vimeo.com/74965870
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 15 February, 2017, 11:05:26 am
 :thumbsup:

Was going to grump about chum putting photos of his grandson's birthday party onto FB in 47 separate posts, but now won't.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 15 February, 2017, 01:37:08 pm
Quote from: Si S on 14 February, 2017, 12:37:40 pm
Why? It makes no sense!

There are times when I think I ought to give up science and take up something involving phases of the moon and bat blood.

I do have form for bat blood, and you do need a license..
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 15 February, 2017, 04:16:44 pm
The back of my soft palate is still sore after evil blood blister from the other day. Hurts like broken glass when swallowing still >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 15 February, 2017, 06:33:43 pm
My back has gone "SPANNGGG".  While sitting down doing really very little.  Fortunately not seriously "SPANNGGG" as otherwise this would be in the RANT thread.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 15 February, 2017, 06:58:43 pm
BBC weatherbloke, referring to Stevenage as "Saint Evanarge" is neither big nor clever.  Stop it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 15 February, 2017, 08:47:04 pm
St Evenage, St Anmore, St Ansted and St Reatham are  fine between consenting adults in private.

There is no place for them on supposedly 'informative' parts of tellybox broadcasting.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 15 February, 2017, 09:34:00 pm
I'd only ever heard of St Reatham and St Ockwell until this evening.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 15 February, 2017, 11:18:34 pm
In similar though uncanonised vein are Cla'am and BatTerSeeAh.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Gattopardo on 15 February, 2017, 11:32:21 pm
Quote from: Andrij on 15 February, 2017, 09:34:00 pm
I'd only ever heard of St Reatham and St Ockwell until this evening.

Me too.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Gattopardo on 15 February, 2017, 11:33:39 pm
Quote from: jsabine on 15 February, 2017, 11:18:34 pm
In similar though uncanonised vein are Cla'am and BatTerSeeAh.

South chelsea?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 16 February, 2017, 09:26:05 am
It's actually Baalham. Where' the demon Baal fell after his titanic battle with St Reatham. St Reatham's Common is the scar of that battle. Everyone in south London knows this.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 16 February, 2017, 12:02:23 pm
That'll be in one of Mr Rankin's pieces of historical research, no doubt.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 16 February, 2017, 12:09:55 pm
Whereas the area of Bristol known to officialdom as St Anne's is often called Stan's.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 16 February, 2017, 12:31:27 pm
I was once asked for directions in Brum for St. Henry  Square.   
Took me a while to twig that they meant Centenary Square.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 16 February, 2017, 01:01:37 pm
Quote from: Basil on 16 February, 2017, 12:31:27 pm
I was once asked for directions in Brum for St. Henry  Square.

Round the corner from the Gastric Basin.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 16 February, 2017, 03:30:31 pm
Is Gastric Basin the same as Mordor Central?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 16 February, 2017, 03:38:30 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 16 February, 2017, 03:30:31 pm
Is Gastric Basin the same as Mordor Central?

Gastric Basin (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gas_Street_Basin)

Mordor Central (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birmingham_New_Street_station)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 16 February, 2017, 06:58:39 pm
Quote from: ian on 16 February, 2017, 09:26:05 am
It's actually Baalham. Where' the demon Baal fell after his titanic battle with St Reatham. St Reatham's Common is the scar of that battle. Everyone in south London knows this.

St Retham is in between Ely and Cambridge, maybe that was an alternate skirmish.

As for Wind'em (wymondham) and Cossy (Costessy)  - Norfolk has a lot to answer for.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 16 February, 2017, 07:09:04 pm
A lot of places that people think are real aren't. Like Mordon.

I convinced a French friend that Mitcham was pronounced My-sham and it was where all the really rich people in London lived and there was a big fence around it and they'd turned the common into their own wildlife refuge. She was pretty angry when she finally went to Mitcham, but to be honest, most people are.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 16 February, 2017, 09:15:03 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 16 February, 2017, 03:30:31 pm
Is Gastric Basin the same as Mordor Central?

No.

Gas Street Basin. 

Canal hub in Brum centre.

 :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 16 February, 2017, 09:28:56 pm
Quote from: Basil on 16 February, 2017, 09:15:03 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 16 February, 2017, 03:30:31 pm
Is Gastric Basin the same as Mordor Central?

No.

Gas Street Basin. 

Canal hub in Brum centre.

 :)

So pretty similar in atmosphere, if not location?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 16 February, 2017, 09:29:52 pm
Woe betide you if you refer to certain Warwick castle persons as Beuchamp (as if France) when, of course, it is pronounced Beecham.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 16 February, 2017, 09:38:42 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 16 February, 2017, 09:28:56 pm
Quote from: Basil on 16 February, 2017, 09:15:03 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 16 February, 2017, 03:30:31 pm
Is Gastric Basin the same as Mordor Central?

No.

Gas Street Basin. 

Canal hub in Brum centre.

 :)

So pretty similar in atmosphere, if not location?

More geese poo and alcoholic vomit, fewer PM10s.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 16 February, 2017, 10:34:22 pm
sorry, I can only compare Kings Dross and Regents Canal
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 16 February, 2017, 11:18:52 pm
Quote from: Canardly on 16 February, 2017, 09:29:52 pm
Woe betide you if you refer to certain Warwick castle persons as Beuchamp (as if France) when, of course, it is pronounced Beecham.

And 'Belvoir' is pronounced 'beaver'.
At least this is done consistently everywhere, unlike Gillingham, Kent and Gillingham, Dorset or Wymondham, Norfolk and Wymondham, Leicestershire......
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 17 February, 2017, 09:06:29 am
Quote from: Canardly on 16 February, 2017, 09:29:52 pm
Woe betide you if you refer to certain Warwick castle persons as Beuchamp (as if France) when, of course, it is pronounced Beecham.

I have a USAnian friend yclept "Warren Beauchamp".  "Is it 'BOW-CHOMP' or 'BEECHAM'?" asked someone.  Quoth he: "It's pronounced 'SHRIMP-BOAT'".

I think there have been a Several of times over the last fifteen years when he has regretted this.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 17 February, 2017, 10:43:04 am
Pity the poor souls who had to address the earls of Southampton, but had only seen their name written down

Quote
How was I to know Wriothesley is pronounced Risley?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 17 February, 2017, 04:57:51 pm
I have split my left index finger nail down to the quick and it really hurts.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pedaldog. on 19 February, 2017, 03:48:50 pm
My personal tailors, Cotton Traders, have closed their Ambleside outlet. The search begins for a new purveyors of clothing in the multiple X sizes.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 19 February, 2017, 06:14:49 pm
In American measures I'm XS (could probably fit XXS, but I like to leave room to gestate a pie baby after lunch) so you must be really tiny.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feline on 19 February, 2017, 10:10:29 pm
I have finally had to admit I can't see close up stuff that well any more. Been avoid that admission for at least a couple of years  ;D
In normal life it doesn't affect me much- except when Simon thrusts his iPhone into my face to look at something and I have to hold it away to see it.
But when I am operating I find I can't peer at things to get a better view. Little of what I do would class as micro-surgery, and my experience makes me automatically more epic than someone with less than 20 years experience on the job. But I think I might have to go for an eye test- first one in 30 years  ::-) Am 46 now so about time  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pedaldog. on 19 February, 2017, 10:18:34 pm
Quote from: ian on 19 February, 2017, 06:14:49 pm
In American measures I'm XS (could probably fit XXS, but I like to leave room to gestate a pie baby after lunch) so you must be really tiny.

s' prolly quantum innit?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 19 February, 2017, 10:24:23 pm
Quote from: Feline on 19 February, 2017, 10:10:29 pm
I have finally had to admit I can't see close up stuff that well any more. Been avoid that admission for at least a couple of years  ;D
In normal life it doesn't affect me much- except when Simon thrusts his iPhone into my face to look at something and I have to hold it away to see it.
But when I am operating I find I can't peer at things to get a better view. Little of what I do would class as micro-surgery, and my experience makes me automatically more epic than someone with less than 20 years experience on the job. But I think I might have to go for an eye test- first one in 30 years  ::-) Am 46 now so about time  :facepalm:

you'll soon be joining the rest of us mortals, on the borderline of bi-focal-ness, harumph
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 19 February, 2017, 10:35:32 pm
I am a year or so older than you and succummed to this a few years ago. Yes it is annoying. I would suggest that you do not go down the route of bifocals for close work unless you are needing to rapidly switch between close and distant vision. I have bifocals for the lab and it is mostly fine except when it isn't - the most recent example having to read the screen of a machine that is at just above head height, requiring some considerable tneck contortions.

Just do it, a pair of close work specs will make a big difference. I also have some cheap (pound shop) 'reading glasses' that are good for sticking in the jersey pocket for bike rides.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 19 February, 2017, 10:36:27 pm
PS. The 'let me get my glasses and take a look' also gives you a bit longer to work out what the heck is going on without people expecting an immediate pronouncement. :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feline on 19 February, 2017, 10:41:46 pm
Quote from: David Martin on 19 February, 2017, 10:35:32 pm
I am a year or so older than you and succummed to this a few years ago. Yes it is annoying. I would suggest that you do not go down the route of bifocals for close work unless you are needing to rapidly switch between close and distant vision. I have bifocals for the lab and it is mostly fine except when it isn't - the most recent example having to read the screen of a machine that is at just above head height, requiring some considerable tneck contortions.

Just do it, a pair of close work specs will make a big difference. I also have some cheap (pound shop) 'reading glasses' that are good for sticking in the jersey pocket for bike rides.

My main worry is when I get to the point of not being able to see my Garmin while riding without using something to help which then steams up when I am climbing a bastard-hill  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 19 February, 2017, 10:42:42 pm
If you're climbing a bastard hill, you don't need a Garmin to know that it's the right direction.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 19 February, 2017, 10:49:34 pm
No bifocals for me quite yet, just a suggestion at the last eye test, but having worn specs for 20 odd years that's not too bad.  I just take my current specs off for close work these days.

As for the Garmin, surely all you need is the clock and the next turn?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feline on 20 February, 2017, 12:01:54 am
Quote from: ElyDave on 19 February, 2017, 10:49:34 pm
No bifocals for me quite yet, just a suggestion at the last eye test, but having worn specs for 20 odd years that's not too bad.  I just take my current specs off for close work these days.

As for the Garmin, surely all you need is the clock and the next turn?

You (or rather I) need map screen, heart rate, cadence, average heart rate, average cadence, distance to go unit, next point (control), time until finish etc. etc.  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 20 February, 2017, 01:41:14 am
[OT] Was at a social event in the company of of a middled-aged optician, who was struggling with his phone's display; suggested maybe he should get reading specs.
Silly moo!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 20 February, 2017, 11:56:52 am
 :facepalm: Typical clinician then! #NotAlletc...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 20 February, 2017, 02:35:54 pm
It wasn't lack of cake, it was lurgy. (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=10.msg2137115#msg2137115)   :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 20 February, 2017, 02:40:12 pm
Wanted a ride after my sterling efforts of this morning, but was curiously knackered so went for a stroll with the missus instead. 10/10 overcast, wind getting up and a few spots of rain so just as well. Allasame  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 20 February, 2017, 06:44:21 pm
Against my better judgement I took the sprogs to Bicester Village* today. It was full of shallow, label-obsessed narcissists and I couldn't wait to get out of there. Even the sprogs disliked it and Jr phoned me an hour before we'd agreed to meet up to ask to get out of there.

*An out-of-town designer outlet mall, only outside.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cycleman on 20 February, 2017, 07:41:53 pm
new front door frame is to narrow for the trikes so i have had to lock them both out the front of the house  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 20 February, 2017, 07:58:54 pm
Quote from: cycleman on 20 February, 2017, 07:41:53 pm
new front door frame is to narrow for the trikes so i have had to lock them both out the front of the house  :(

That's more than a bit shit.  Any chance that they'll sort it out?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 20 February, 2017, 08:06:52 pm
Or get one of those cycle boxes, like so: http://www.asgardsss.co.uk/bike-cycle-storage
I expect a bigger door might be cheaper.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 20 February, 2017, 11:18:57 pm
Fruit Computers nagged me to upgrade my OS.
Now my computer can't see our networked BIG HP printer in David's room.

Apple just works.
Not!

David spent frustrating evening trying to sort this out.
The best he can do is a workaround by my printing through his networked computer.

David will not be updating his OS any time soon...

He has let Apple know.
Printer drivers are now packaged in the OS and not available separately.

How handy!

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cycleman on 21 February, 2017, 07:10:32 pm
gentleman from the door suppliers came round today . liz's new trike is the narrowest and he is hopeful of sorting something out for it but the trice is to wide  :'( . the new door is built into a frame and has less space due to it's "thermal design"  . i suspect the only answer is a metal cycle box . thanks for the link cudzoziemiec
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 21 February, 2017, 07:36:25 pm
You'd think that it wouldn't be beyond the wit of man to design a door that could open wide enough for the things that need to pass through it without overheating...   :facepalm:

(If they really can't fix it, can they make the floor level so you can tip the trike sideways onto a dolly (front brake on) and wheel it in and out that way?  Barakta's has to go through our door sideways, which is fine as a carefully choreographed two-person lift, but tends to end badly if I attempt it unassisted.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cycleman on 21 February, 2017, 07:45:05 pm
it might be possible kim . i am waiting to see they say  :). now i had a action man but i have never had a dolly..... :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 21 February, 2017, 07:48:49 pm
Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 20 February, 2017, 06:44:21 pm
Against my better judgement I took the sprogs to Bicester Village* today. It was full of shallow, label-obsessed narcissists and I couldn't wait to get out of there. Even the sprogs disliked it and Jr phoned me an hour before we'd agreed to meet up to ask to get out of there.

*An out-of-town designer outlet mall, only outside.
That place causes frequent traffic jams, & has caused Bicester Town railway station to to be downgraded to Village.  >:(

Apparently it is well-known in China.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 21 February, 2017, 08:13:08 pm
Surely they should have been speccing up a door system wide enough for wheelchairs in case of that becoming a necessity for you Cycleman in the future?

Hope you can get a solution or some kind of secure outdoor storage solution.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cycleman on 21 February, 2017, 11:12:28 pm
of course they havent thought of that barakta  ::-). all tva housing round here is having these new doors and windows fitted and it is all standerd sizes. . i have not tried my wheelchair through it yet but i am not hopeful.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 22 February, 2017, 12:15:41 am
Failure to consider your needs as a disabled person is unlawful in the extreme. They have a duty to make reasonable adjustments and as a services provider that duty is ANTICIPATORY and as you exist and already have a wheelchair they should have been asking about your likely access needs and meeting them.

On that grounds alone you can tell them they have to replace the door which is wide enough for wheelchair access even if that means them using different sized parts and replacing the ones they have just installed.

Stupid fuckers. How do organisations not think of this shit?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 22 February, 2017, 12:18:37 am
Quote from: barakta on 22 February, 2017, 12:15:41 am
On that grounds alone you can tell them they have to replace the door which is wide enough for wheelchair access even if that means them using different sized parts and replacing the ones they have just installed.

This also sounds like a good time to pull the "a pedal cycle adapted for a disabled user is a 'class 1 invalid carriage'" (ie. equivalent to a manual wheelchair) thing.  You've adapted your trike to carry crutches, right?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 22 February, 2017, 06:31:13 am
Quote from: barakta on 22 February, 2017, 12:15:41 am
Failure to consider your needs as a disabled person is unlawful in the extreme. They have a duty to make reasonable adjustments and as a services provider that duty is ANTICIPATORY and as you exist and already have a wheelchair they should have been asking about your likely access needs and meeting them.

On that grounds alone you can tell them they have to replace the door which is wide enough for wheelchair access even if that means them using different sized parts and replacing the ones they have just installed.

Stupid fuckers. How do organisations not think of this shit?

Standardisation innit.  Lowest common cost denominator.  Order 10,000 of X and it's cheaper, don't worry about whether its right or not.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 22 February, 2017, 09:00:38 am
Bulk discount, I was going to say, but Ely Dave said it fuller.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cycleman on 22 February, 2017, 09:46:06 am
thanks kim and barakta  :) , i will push them on this
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 22 February, 2017, 10:04:20 am
Wishing you good luck with that.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 22 February, 2017, 10:31:12 am
Quote from: Kim on 22 February, 2017, 12:18:37 am
Quote from: barakta on 22 February, 2017, 12:15:41 am
On that grounds alone you can tell them they have to replace the door which is wide enough for wheelchair access even if that means them using different sized parts and replacing the ones they have just installed.

This also sounds like a good time to pull the "a pedal cycle adapted for a disabled user is a 'class 1 invalid carriage'" (ie. equivalent to a manual wheelchair) thing.  You've adapted your trike to carry crutches, right?

Would DIY adaptations count?  I would have thought that only manufacturer's mods would be eligible.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 22 February, 2017, 12:12:35 pm
Quote from: T42 on 22 February, 2017, 10:31:12 am
Quote from: Kim on 22 February, 2017, 12:18:37 am
Quote from: barakta on 22 February, 2017, 12:15:41 am
On that grounds alone you can tell them they have to replace the door which is wide enough for wheelchair access even if that means them using different sized parts and replacing the ones they have just installed.

This also sounds like a good time to pull the "a pedal cycle adapted for a disabled user is a 'class 1 invalid carriage'" (ie. equivalent to a manual wheelchair) thing.  You've adapted your trike to carry crutches, right?

Would DIY adaptations count?  I would have thought that only manufacturer's mods would be eligible.

The relevant legislation dates from the 70s and doesn't specify.  It was written in order to distinguish manual wheelchairs from powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters, but covers any form of transport designed or adapted for use by a disabled person which isn't mechanically propelled.  The requirement for disability-specificness means that a standard pedal cycle/kick-scooter/skateboard/whatever doesn't count, even when used as a mobility aid; you need that crutch holder/support pedal/adapted brake lever/whatever in order to legally ride your trike on the pavement.  CTC are campaigning to change this, so that unmodified cycles can be recognised as mobility aids.


(The now defunct VAT exemption on disability-related equipment that could be applied to adapted cycles applied at point of sale, so mods would have to be done by the manufacturer or retailer.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 23 February, 2017, 03:59:04 pm
A valve on my amp has died, so I'm having to listen to music on the Mac, until I can get around to buying & fitting a spare :-(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 23 February, 2017, 04:07:26 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 23 February, 2017, 03:59:04 pm
A valve on my amp has died, so I'm having to listen to music on the Mac, until I can get around to buying & fitting a spare :-(
Presta, Schrader or Woods?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 23 February, 2017, 04:09:50 pm
I'll set 'em up....  ;)


EL34, and a bit of a nuisance to replace.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 23 February, 2017, 05:11:24 pm
Ah yes, a JFET with a pilot light.  Retro.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 27 February, 2017, 09:35:27 am
I was really looking forward to Mick's 70 miler to Wells on Sunday, but my body had other plans. After  :sick: x2 on Saturday night, I could hardly walk 7 steps let alone ride 70 miles, and the "pie and mash" pub had lost its attraction. Spent Sunday mostly asleep, alternately shivering uncontrollably and sweating profusely. Suspected source of bug: son's school.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 27 February, 2017, 10:29:48 am
Quote from: Kim on 23 February, 2017, 05:11:24 pm
Ah yes, a JFET with a pilot light.  Retro.

Good old thermionics, I never could get used to them there positive holes.

On-line music shops carry them, they're a favourite in guitar amps.

https://www.thomann.de/fr/tad_jj_el34_roehre.htm
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 27 February, 2017, 02:23:12 pm
Quote from: T42 on 27 February, 2017, 10:29:48 am
Quote from: Kim on 23 February, 2017, 05:11:24 pm
Ah yes, a JFET with a pilot light.  Retro.

Good old thermionics, I never could get used to them there positive holes.

On-line music shops carry them, they're a favourite in guitar amps.

https://www.thomann.de/fr/tad_jj_el34_roehre.htm
Seeing that link reminded  me of something warm, soft and eminently likeable.
Not unlike the cuddles that I, as a small child, received from my Granny.
To the sound of the Light Programme issuing forth from a valve set somewhere in the background....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 27 February, 2017, 03:03:28 pm
Our accountant has taken 6 weeks to turn out our very modest company balance sheet. Our lawyers need it to finish closing the company: they're damnably slow and the Register of Commerce is damnably slow (7 weeks to process a declaration I put in last year), and I need the closure to be all sewn up before I can claim my full pension. The pensions authority dates payments from the beginning of the first quarter after they receive the correctly-completed demand, and the way things are going I'm going to miss the end-of-March deadline and not get anything until July, a loss of >2700 €.

Was too pissed off to go cycling today despite brilliant sunshine & almost no wind. And we're promised gales from tonight until Thursday.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 27 February, 2017, 03:35:55 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 27 February, 2017, 02:23:12 pm
Quote from: T42 on 27 February, 2017, 10:29:48 am
Quote from: Kim on 23 February, 2017, 05:11:24 pm
Ah yes, a JFET with a pilot light.  Retro.

Good old thermionics, I never could get used to them there positive holes.

On-line music shops carry them, they're a favourite in guitar amps.

https://www.thomann.de/fr/tad_jj_el34_roehre.htm
Seeing that link reminded  me of something warm, soft and eminently likeable.
Not unlike the cuddles that I, as a small child, received from my Granny.
To the sound of the Light Programme issuing forth from a valve set somewhere in the background....

Yes,  JJ's are modern production valves built on the old Tesla line and are fairly cheap.  Old production valves are fancied to sound better & be more reliable, hence have a price premium. New Old Stock Mullards or Siemens for example will cost serious money.   If you've got a stash of those in your shed you could retire early.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 27 February, 2017, 08:56:47 pm
In that case I pray to $deity we haven't skipped the ones from my parents' loft...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 27 February, 2017, 11:36:27 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 27 February, 2017, 02:23:12 pm
Seeing that link reminded  me of something warm, soft and eminently likeable.
Not unlike the cuddles that I, as a small child, received from my Granny.
To the sound of the Light Programme issuing forth from a valve set somewhere in the background....
Oooh! My grandparents had a valve radio with "Home", "Light" & "Third" marked on the tuning dial!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 28 February, 2017, 03:04:22 pm
BT Call Protect: you have twice blocked calls from my father, who is abroad at present, even though I have not blocked foreign calls.

I had blocked 'unrecognised' calls, which I have now enabled.

It seems that your technology takes a while to recognise these numbers.

I DO NOT want to 'upgrade' to 1571 (so I could put my parents on a 'VIP' list) for £2.25 per month as:

It will cost me more.
It will cost my callers more.
It will annoy my callers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 28 February, 2017, 03:19:56 pm
I cancelled our company insurance in December.

Today a new schedule of instalments arrives, 60€/month from April 2017 to March 2018.

Insurance C°: Oh, they were all printed at the beginning of December, throw it away.

So: setting aside alarm & despondency occasioned by arrival of said, the waste of two sheets of paper with 4-colour printing plus an envelope + carriage of same shows pretty miserable environmental nous on the part of the (deep breath) Mutuelle Assurance des Commerçants et Industriels de France et des Cadres et Salariés de l'Industrie et du Commerce. IOW, buncha twats.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 03 March, 2017, 11:49:19 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 23 February, 2017, 03:59:04 pm
A valve on my amp has died, so I'm having to listen to music on the Mac, until I can get around to buying & fitting a spare :-(


Ah, that's better..... Mr Cohen sounding like he's in my living room.


Only problem is, Google searches for "Svetlana, best price" seem to have resulted in some extremely odd emails...... :jurek:


(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/643/32850713230_174377f453_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/S3Uuxq)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 04 March, 2017, 08:03:54 am
Very pretty.

Me mum-in-law (not to call her the Inlaw Maw) would have had a doily and a vase of flowers on the middle bit as soon as you left the room.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: PeteB99 on 04 March, 2017, 02:49:08 pm
Screwfix - you do not need my name and address to sell me a £3.99 set of bolt extractors so don't give me a dirty look when I decline to provide it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 06 March, 2017, 02:26:02 pm
Royal Mail, I have the greatest respect for you, and my own local postie is great. But "the final collection from this postbox will be no earlier than 0900" is not helpful. If I post something after 0900, I have no idea whether I've missed the day's collection or I'm in time for it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 06 March, 2017, 02:29:29 pm
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 06 March, 2017, 02:26:02 pm
Royal Mail, I have the greatest respect for you, and my own local postie is great. But "the final collection from this postbox will be no earlier than 0900" is not helpful. If I post something after 0900, I have no idea whether I've missed the day's collection or I'm in time for it.

I think there's a trend for very early 'final collections' everywhere. We have a box with an afternoon final collection about half a mile away and partner often posts things therein. You might have one too...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Dibdib on 06 March, 2017, 02:44:20 pm
Does your postbox have the little sign with the next collection day? "FRI" on this photo:

(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 06 March, 2017, 05:33:05 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 06 March, 2017, 02:29:29 pm
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 06 March, 2017, 02:26:02 pm
Royal Mail, I have the greatest respect for you, and my own local postie is great. But "the final collection from this postbox will be no earlier than 0900" is not helpful. If I post something after 0900, I have no idea whether I've missed the day's collection or I'm in time for it.

I think there's a trend for very early 'final collections' everywhere. We have a box with an afternoon final collection about half a mile away and partner often posts things therein. You might have one too...
Round here they all used to be last collections between 1700 and 1800, which was great because you knew if you'd missed it.

Quote from: Dibdib on 06 March, 2017, 02:44:20 pm
Does your postbox have the little sign with the next collection day? "FRI" on this photo:

(click to show/hide)
Not any more.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 06 March, 2017, 05:44:45 pm
My bank has sent me details of new opening hours for the branch in which I have my account.
M 10-4
Tu Closed
W  Closed
Th Closed
F  10-4
S  Closed
Su Closed
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 06 March, 2017, 06:47:21 pm
That's a lot more open than my bank.

It is currently 10-12 Monday morning only in the playing fields car park.
A mobile bank.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 06 March, 2017, 07:49:24 pm
Aye and mine.  It closed completely a week or two ago.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 06 March, 2017, 08:18:02 pm
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 06 March, 2017, 05:33:05 pm
Quote from: Dibdib on 06 March, 2017, 02:44:20 pm
Does your postbox have the little sign with the next collection day? "FRI" on this photo:

(click to show/hide)
Not any more.
And even if it did, that only tells me I've missed it once I'm at the postbox. Knowing the last collection is at 1730 means I know if I've missed it before I get there.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 06 March, 2017, 08:23:22 pm
It's snail mail.  The postbox lost its markings years ago, so you put your item in, and worry about it in a week or so if it doesn't seem to have arrived.  Anything more urgent is too critical for normal post, and would probably be better sent as a fax or something.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 06 March, 2017, 09:17:57 pm
my local branch is 20 miles away.  I've never been.

I think I'm still technically registered in Solihull
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 06 March, 2017, 09:48:02 pm
My bank branch is in Sheffield. I might have visited once since I left South Yorkshire in 1984...

I can't really grumble!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 06 March, 2017, 09:53:58 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 06 March, 2017, 09:48:02 pm
My bank branch is in Sheffield. I might have visited once since I left South Yorkshire in 1984...

Me TAAW.  Well, 2004.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 06 March, 2017, 09:56:54 pm
Quote from: Dibdib on 06 March, 2017, 02:44:20 pm
Does your postbox have the little sign with the next collection day? "FRI" on this photo:

(click to show/hide)
Our local one had 'NOW' on it..
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 07 March, 2017, 10:11:37 am
Mine is still in Liverpool from my student days. I think I went in twice, once to open the account (£50!) and the second time when it seemed like a bright idea to go expand my overdraft between pints. As the bank chap pointed out, it wouldn't have cleared in time for the next round.

I'm surprised the curious tradition of spending lunch hours queuing in the bank has persisted so long. Other than in the US where banking is still a bit odd.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 07 March, 2017, 10:22:56 am
Mother regularly visits her branch of Barclays and queues up to withdraw cash.

My account with the Natwest used to be in St.Reatham, then it got moved to somewhere like Chatham, cos that's convenient for a South London resident.
I don't think I've set foot in the St.Reatham branch since the mid 80s.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 07 March, 2017, 12:06:23 pm
Though I was an early adopter for cash cards (personalised punched pieces of plastic, each liberating £20, swallowed by the machine and later returned by Royal Mail) I did queue for cash at the University branch as a student.

The Sheffield University branch of Williams and Glyn's Bank closed before I finished my studies, I think.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 07 March, 2017, 12:12:50 pm
Quote from: ian on 07 March, 2017, 10:11:37 am
Mine is still in Liverpool from my student days.

Similarly, mine's in Durham: I haven't been there for a long time.

I do have a local branch, but it's very rarely open when I'm free to go.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 07 March, 2017, 04:37:22 pm
I still have a bank account in Bangalore. I haven't even been to India for almost six years. I think I left about 300 rupees in it (around £3.50).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 07 March, 2017, 04:56:04 pm
I had to mow the lawn today.  It's only the first week of March for heavens sake.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 07 March, 2017, 06:14:23 pm
Quote from: Basil on 07 March, 2017, 04:56:04 pm
I had to mow the lawn today.  It's only the first week of March for heavens sake.

I posted 'Grass is griz' elsewhere here today...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 07 March, 2017, 06:32:36 pm
Does that mean I'll have to go out and mow the nettles/brambles?  Dammit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 07 March, 2017, 08:31:39 pm
mine needs mowing, but every time I'm here it keeps raining
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 07 March, 2017, 08:41:50 pm
Quote from: Kim on 07 March, 2017, 06:32:36 pm
Does that mean I'll have to go out and mow the nettles/brambles?  Dammit.
Nah, turn the nettles into tea and leave the brambles for blackberries. Or don't.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 07 March, 2017, 09:52:54 pm
Quote from: Kim on 07 March, 2017, 06:32:36 pm
Does that mean I'll have to go out and mow the nettles/brambles?  Dammit.


Just get fettling..... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBvtGr1BfVQ      it's the only way to be sure....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Legs on 08 March, 2017, 09:54:22 am
Quote from: Basil on 07 March, 2017, 04:56:04 pm
I had to mow the lawn today.  It's only the first week of March for heavens sake.
This is the wrong way round.  You shouldn't really be surprised that your lawn needs mowing - most lawns spend the entire winter in need of mowing.  We used not to be able to get ours mown until whenever a windy, sunny, dry weekend day came along, which very often wasn't until April, at which point the grass was way too long to dry properly and lift into the mower.  The last few winters, though, we've let our geese into the garden to graze from time to time to keep it manageable.  There's been surprisingly little collateral damage.

Quote from: andrewc on 07 March, 2017, 09:52:54 pm
Quote from: Kim on 07 March, 2017, 06:32:36 pm
Does that mean I'll have to go out and mow the nettles/brambles?  Dammit.
Just get fettling..... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBvtGr1BfVQ      it's the only way to be sure....
Cripes! :o



Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 08 March, 2017, 10:53:40 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 07 March, 2017, 04:37:22 pm
I still have a bank account in Bangalore. I haven't even been to India for almost six years. I think I left about 300 rupees in it (around £3.50).
I remember when 300 rupees was £19.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Si S on 08 March, 2017, 12:23:29 pm
What is this thing with manufacturers making rear lights that are USB charged and held on with an elastic band? I just want a sturdy mount, decent side visibility, good waterproofing and AA batteries, why is that so hard?

<wanders off to try and find another LD1100>
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 08 March, 2017, 12:54:22 pm
You can't have mine. I'm keeping it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 08 March, 2017, 12:57:07 pm
Quote from: Si S on 08 March, 2017, 12:23:29 pm
What is this thing with manufacturers making rear lights that are USB charged and held on with an elastic band? I just want a sturdy mount, decent side visibility, good waterproofing and AA batteries, why is that so hard?

Because all the half-decent rear lights are designed to bolt to a rack.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 08 March, 2017, 05:36:56 pm
Quote from: Si S on 08 March, 2017, 12:23:29 pm
What is this thing with manufacturers making rear lights that are USB charged and held on with an elastic band? I just want a sturdy mount, decent side visibility, good waterproofing and AA batteries, why is that so hard?

<wanders off to try and find another LD1100>
Hold that thought, but substitute electric razor for lamp.  My mains powered Philishave is coming up to 30 years old and making noises that indicate that it may need replacement.  Can I  find a (directly) mains powered shaver? Can I heck as like.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 09 March, 2017, 05:28:52 pm
Quote from: PeteB99 on 04 March, 2017, 02:49:08 pm
Screwfix - you do not need my name and address to sell me a £3.99 set of bolt extractors so don't give me a dirty look when I decline to provide it.
H*lf*rd's asked partner for email address today when he bought some MucOff.  He'll get spammed, poor love.

I have decided not to register a Brabantia kitchen waste caddy he bought today.

Who thehell needs to register a bin ffs?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 09 March, 2017, 05:32:51 pm
having spent four hours of conference calls with a client to closely define the scope and timing of work for May, today they respond with

"we don't actually want you to put X and Y in the proposal, just X. We might get to Y later, Oh and we need to talk about X again, we're not really sure about that"

Oh, and can we change the date?

Aaaaarrrrrggggggghhhhhhh!  :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 09 March, 2017, 05:50:19 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 09 March, 2017, 05:32:51 pm
having spent four hours of conference calls with a client to closely define the scope and timing of work for May, today they respond with

"we don't actually want you to put X and Y in the proposal, just X. We might get to Y later, Oh and we need to talk about X again, we're not really sure about that"

Oh, and can we change the date?

Aaaaarrrrrggggggghhhhhhh!  :demon:
Have we got the same customers?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 09 March, 2017, 06:24:33 pm
Grumble.  I managed to lose my tweed flat cap on my last journey through Liverpool airport.     I couldn't find anything I liked in Liverpool so measured my head & ordered online.   It arrived to day, a nice Peaky Blinders style in Donegal tweed, grey, with flecks of bright colour, but it's just a smidgen too tight  :(   


Perhaps if I have  a haircut...... ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 13 March, 2017, 07:31:32 pm
A cheerful Geordie from EDF just rang up to schedule installing a smart meter in Larrington Towers.  And then discovered his list had, in fact, precisely no slots on it.  At all.  Top tip, EDF, enhance shareholder value by not ringing to schedule something impossible.

This would have been a rant if the Geordie hadn't been a cheerful one.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 14 March, 2017, 08:17:04 am
^^^ Won't the juice be cut after Brexit?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 14 March, 2017, 08:29:25 am
Two things. John Lewis dont offer price match if delivery times differ between competitor and themselves. So it should be Never knowingly undersold if we deliver quicker than them.'

and must say this sounded a bit disingenous to say the least....

The SNP was "playing politics with the future of our country", said Mrs May. Now let me see..........
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Marco Stefano on 14 March, 2017, 01:12:02 pm
Quote from: Canardly on 14 March, 2017, 08:29:25 am
and must say this sounded a bit disingenous to say the least....

The SNP was "playing politics with the future of our country", said Mrs May. Now let me see..........

I shouted at the car radio last night at that one...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 15 March, 2017, 10:52:29 pm
Goddammit Word, me deleting a single word on page three of a document should not move a twelve page appendix from the end of the paper to the middle of page two.  :demon: :demon: :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Si S on 17 March, 2017, 10:16:13 am
Everyone has bailed out of my ride to the No Car cafe tomorrow  :( Whaddya mean you don't want to ride to Rushup Edge and back in a 40mph wind??
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 17 March, 2017, 10:36:08 am
The fact the phone rang and rang and rang and rang and rang and rang until it was finally answered by a MALE voice (ie me) would suggest that no, SHE's not here at the moment, wouldn't it. DICKHEAD

Why do people not understand when the phone they ring is left ringing until answered by somebody from another office it generally means the person whose phone it is might not actually be there ::-)

He is a fule and I diskard him
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 17 March, 2017, 01:19:06 pm
Quote from: Guy on 17 March, 2017, 10:36:08 am
The fact the phone rang and rang and rang and rang and rang and rang until it was finally answered by a MALE voice (ie me) would suggest that no, SHE's not here at the moment, wouldn't it. DICKHEAD

Credit where it's due for not giving up if the phone isn't answered in 10 nanoseconds, thobut.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 17 March, 2017, 01:34:34 pm
Dear The Binmen: 

While I appreciate that you're making up for this week's missed recycling collection, and I note that you're now using a split lorry that keeps the paper/cardboard and the plastic/metal/glass separate, it might perhaps be a good idea to collect the bins that have been correctly returned to people's front gardens after your non-appearance on bin day, rather than the subset of the ones permanently abandoned on the pavements that aren't contaminated with general waste (which is not many).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 17 March, 2017, 03:22:08 pm
^ we're still waiting for our new bin, which is a smaller general waste bin and the current general waste bin will become 'all the recycling' bin.
Which is fine, but it hasn't arrived yet. So we can now recycle more types of stuff than we could 2 weeks ago but we haven't got a big enough bin to fit it in.

I'm fully expecting the new bin to be delivered when the old gen waste one is full, leading to comedy bin diving to transfer the contents from one to the other.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 20 March, 2017, 11:25:41 am
I'm supposed to be on a 15:30 flight home,  just had a text from EasyJet saying it's delayed until 18:10, due to industrial action in Italy.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 22 March, 2017, 01:49:08 pm
Co-Wheels have un-booked my bookings for Long Itch, and the York and Mildenhall rallies.  Because the local Passat estate[1] is being withdrawn from the fleet (perhaps this means someone has broken it?).  They've helpfully re-booked the nearest alternative car, which you might be able to fit a Brompton in if you're lucky.

And the website is down so I can't login and find a more suitable alternative.


[1] The One With The Clutch™
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 23 March, 2017, 07:49:18 pm
If your establishment of sweet toothy comestibles is advertised as being open but when two well exercised touring cyclists arrive it is in fact closed, don't be surprised to find two very disappointed cyclusts using your benches.   

Your black look was pointless as it had to be pointed out to me.   :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 23 March, 2017, 08:07:58 pm
A disappointed but bonked-out cyclist is NOT convivial company (but might be good for RANT lolz).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rogerzilla on 23 March, 2017, 09:54:10 pm
I rarely use Faecebook on anything other than a phone, but OMG it's horrible nowadays on a proper computer.  All the unwanted crap takes longer to load than your average provincial newspaper site, even with AdBlock Plus running, and the videos now autoplay.  Sometimes it takes so long to leave the page, I have to do the Vulcan nerve pinch and shut down Firefox.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 24 March, 2017, 09:03:03 am
Somewhere in the smelly guts of FB settings you can tell it not to autoplay.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 24 March, 2017, 09:26:20 am
I've just received an email in German addressed to me and 22 others from someone who appears to be a teacher in Luzern, Switzerland. I've never even been to Switzerland. I guess it's a .com/.co.ch or similar error. It doesn't seem to be spam. At least, not deliberately. But I'm glad to learn that Frau Erni's Praktikum was a success and I'm sure the kids are looking forward to "Projekt Prometeus" on Monday and Tuesday. It sounds fun with a name like that!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 24 March, 2017, 09:32:50 am
No. It will be the end of the world as we know it.

You have been warned . . .
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 24 March, 2017, 09:42:21 am
Funnily enough, we were discussing the role of Greek mythology in European culture and therefore in education, last night. I expressed surprise that our son's homework for the Polish Saturday school he attends was about Hades(!) rather than anything, well, Polish, to Mrs Cudzo it was obvious.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 24 March, 2017, 10:18:43 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 24 March, 2017, 09:26:20 am
I've just received an email in German addressed to me and 22 others from someone who appears to be a teacher in Luzern, Switzerland. I've never even been to Switzerland. I guess it's a .com/.co.ch or similar error. It doesn't seem to be spam. At least, not deliberately. But I'm glad to learn that Frau Erni's Praktikum was a success and I'm sure the kids are looking forward to "Projekt Prometeus" on Monday and Tuesday. It sounds fun with a name like that!

Theresa May not being Swiss they're presumably not going to be chained to rocks with vultures gnawing at their little livers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 24 March, 2017, 03:24:25 pm
The substance I purchased as a 'Sink Unblocker' has now been rebadged as an 'Odour Eliminator'.
I suppose this is an admission that successive weakening of a product to ensure idiots don't injure themselves has now ensured we buy ineffective wares of merely cosmetic use.

I think I'll get some Proper Strong Chemicals from somewhere next...
 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 24 March, 2017, 04:39:21 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 24 March, 2017, 03:24:25 pm
The substance I purchased as a 'Sink Unblocker' has now been rebadged as an 'Odour Eliminator'.
I suppose this is an admission that successive weakening of a product to ensure idiots don't injure themselves has now ensured we buy ineffective wares of merely cosmetic use.

I think I'll get some Proper Strong Chemicals from somewhere next...

NaOH. Available from a horrible market near you. (Hmm, I wonder if they can do online shopping for that).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 24 March, 2017, 08:18:20 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 24 March, 2017, 04:39:21 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 24 March, 2017, 03:24:25 pm
The substance I purchased as a 'Sink Unblocker' has now been rebadged as an 'Odour Eliminator'.
I suppose this is an admission that successive weakening of a product to ensure idiots don't injure themselves has now ensured we buy ineffective wares of merely cosmetic use.

I think I'll get some Proper Strong Chemicals from somewhere next...

NaOH. Available from a horrible market near you. (Hmm, I wonder if they can do online shopping for that).

Sainsbury's don't stock NaOH.

I last bought that from Boots, which has become the Burnt Oak Pharmacy and probably won't have it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 24 March, 2017, 08:23:04 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 24 March, 2017, 08:18:20 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 24 March, 2017, 04:39:21 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 24 March, 2017, 03:24:25 pm
The substance I purchased as a 'Sink Unblocker' has now been rebadged as an 'Odour Eliminator'.
I suppose this is an admission that successive weakening of a product to ensure idiots don't injure themselves has now ensured we buy ineffective wares of merely cosmetic use.

I think I'll get some Proper Strong Chemicals from somewhere next...

NaOH. Available from a horrible market near you. (Hmm, I wonder if they can do online shopping for that).

Sainsbury's don't stock NaOH.

I last bought that from Boots, which has become the Burnt Oak Pharmacy and probably won't have it.

We find HG products effective. Available from all good hardware stores, and Amazon.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 24 March, 2017, 08:27:47 pm
B&Q and Homebase sell HG.

I'll try these, thanks!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 24 March, 2017, 08:40:23 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 24 March, 2017, 08:18:20 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 24 March, 2017, 04:39:21 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 24 March, 2017, 03:24:25 pm
The substance I purchased as a 'Sink Unblocker' has now been rebadged as an 'Odour Eliminator'.
I suppose this is an admission that successive weakening of a product to ensure idiots don't injure themselves has now ensured we buy ineffective wares of merely cosmetic use.

I think I'll get some Proper Strong Chemicals from somewhere next...

NaOH. Available from a horrible market near you. (Hmm, I wonder if they can do online shopping for that).

Sainsbury's don't stock NaOH.

I last bought that from Boots, which has become the Burnt Oak Pharmacy and probably won't have it.
Soda Crystals  can be obtained from many branches of Waitrose.    Don't ask for caustic soda, you'll get blank looks from the toddlers they employ these days.  :)  Up to you whether you tip them straight down the drain or make up a conc. sol'n.

FWIW Mr. Muscle drain unblocker (orange container) stills seems to be quite effective.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 24 March, 2017, 08:48:38 pm
Note that soda crystals are not the same as caustic but can be employed for some similar uses.

(ETA I'm sure that Helly knows this already) :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 24 March, 2017, 08:56:54 pm
That orange Mr Muscle is fair but needs HOT water, which is not easy since the new boiler needs to run LOTS of cold before the water is halfway hot, wasting   the product.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 24 March, 2017, 09:10:42 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 24 March, 2017, 04:39:21 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 24 March, 2017, 03:24:25 pm
The substance I purchased as a 'Sink Unblocker' has now been rebadged as an 'Odour Eliminator'.
I suppose this is an admission that successive weakening of a product to ensure idiots don't injure themselves has now ensured we buy ineffective wares of merely cosmetic use.

I think I'll get some Proper Strong Chemicals from somewhere next...

NaOH. Available from a horrible market near you. (Hmm, I wonder if they can do online shopping for that).

H2SO4 - much more effective if 1) your sink will take it and 2) the plumbers merchant will sell it to you  - I found out that many won't these days due to oiks throwing it at people
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 24 March, 2017, 09:19:04 pm
I might use HCl aka Harpic toilet cleaner with care...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 25 March, 2017, 08:06:18 pm
My hardware store sells me 'Spirit of Salts'. The sort of place that the Fork Handles sketch represented :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 26 March, 2017, 10:55:39 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 24 March, 2017, 08:18:20 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 24 March, 2017, 04:39:21 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 24 March, 2017, 03:24:25 pm
The substance I purchased as a 'Sink Unblocker' has now been rebadged as an 'Odour Eliminator'.
I suppose this is an admission that successive weakening of a product to ensure idiots don't injure themselves has now ensured we buy ineffective wares of merely cosmetic use.

I think I'll get some Proper Strong Chemicals from somewhere next...

NaOH. Available from a horrible market near you. (Hmm, I wonder if they can do online shopping for that).

Sainsbury's don't stock NaOH.

I last bought that from Boots, which has become the Burnt Oak Pharmacy and probably won't have it.
Wilkinson's stocked it, last time I looked. I have 500g under the sink, replacing the lot I just finished. A 500g pack lasts a while.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 28 March, 2017, 09:25:07 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 03 March, 2017, 11:49:19 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 23 February, 2017, 03:59:04 pm
A valve on my amp has died, so I'm having to listen to music on the Mac, until I can get around to buying & fitting a spare :-(


Ah, that's better..... Mr Cohen sounding like he's in my living room.


Only problem is, Google searches for "Svetlana, best price" seem to have resulted in some extremely odd emails...... :jurek:


(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/643/32850713230_174377f453_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/S3Uuxq)


Sadly after a week of listening something went flash/bang and there was a nasty smell.  Taking the bottom off revealed a small, dented cylindrical metal object rattling around inside.   I took it into work today for a courier to take back to the manufacturer in St Neots for some TLC.


Carrying a very large box which must weigh 25kg down 8 flights of stairs was not fun... :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 29 March, 2017, 12:40:47 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 28 March, 2017, 09:25:07 pm
Carrying a very large box which must weigh 25kg down 8 flights of stairs was not fun... :facepalm:

I reckon it won't be long before someone invents a way of building one of those without the need for all that glass and High Tension Voles.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 03 April, 2017, 08:53:23 am
My main pension scheme only accords the right to a pension once every quarter.  Two weeks back they asked me for a particular certificate from a subsidiary scheme. I got in contact with that lot immediately by phone and explained why, with 31st March looming, the need was urgent. "OK, we'll get right on it." It arrived on Saturday, so now I can wait until July to see the money coming in - assuming, of course, that on 23rd June they don't start asking for more bum fodder. Sod 'em all.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 03 April, 2017, 09:55:39 am
My lawn looks a mess. I need a new mower. Its' blades are nearly as sharp as your average duvet and it's worse than a teenager for not picking up after itself.

Spring=Expense

Boo chiz
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 03 April, 2017, 11:16:47 am
Lawnmower blades can usually be sharpened with a file.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 03 April, 2017, 12:15:57 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 03 April, 2017, 11:16:47 am
Lawnmower blades can usually be sharpened with a file.

Only so many times thobut*, and that still wouldn't fix the problem of it no longer tidying-up after itself. Deffo time for a new one



*Trufax borne out by yers-an-yers-an-yers of doing same
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 03 April, 2017, 11:37:25 pm
Cycling home today, I wanted to change radio stations (I have ear phones in, connected to my phone, which resides in my jersey pocket).  Two clicks on the mic switch advances me to the next station. click-click and away from Radio 4 to BBC London.  Didn't like that, so click click and what's this I can hear?  Nigel sodding oxygen thief Farage. It seems he has a regular spot on LBC (a station I very rarely listen to).  I had to have a good wash when I got in.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 04 April, 2017, 01:39:31 am
Both Farrago and Hatey Cockpins have regular slots on LBC, to make up for that subversive leftie codswallop spouted by James O'Brien, unless it's the other way round.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 04 April, 2017, 08:33:32 am
LBC is the radio station of choice for London taxi drivers. If you're like me, you'll ask them to turn it off, and enjoy the rather icy silence left in its wake. Trust me, it's preferable.

At home, you have no idea my reaction time when I hear Farage, Trump, or May on the radio or TV. I can react in microseconds and shut that shit off. Boris can't even squeeze his first mumble out.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 04 April, 2017, 09:59:09 am
Today I shall not grumble. Today I shall not grumble. Today I shall not grumble. Today I shall not grumble.  Ah, fuck it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Legs on 04 April, 2017, 10:28:15 am
Whichever pencil-fairy conceived this ridiculously-shaped building that I'm trying to size steelwork for must have been totally on crack.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 04 April, 2017, 11:32:44 am
Why, when you need to replace a florescent tube starter, will they always sell them in packs of two?  And where the hell does the spare one go when you eventually need to look for it?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Legs on 04 April, 2017, 11:35:36 am
see also: C2032 batteries
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 04 April, 2017, 01:26:03 pm
Quote from: Legs on 04 April, 2017, 10:28:15 am
Whichever pencil-fairy conceived this ridiculously-shaped building that I'm trying to size steelwork for must have been totally on crack.  >:(

Architects eh  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 04 April, 2017, 03:24:42 pm
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 04 April, 2017, 01:26:03 pm
Quote from: Legs on 04 April, 2017, 10:28:15 am
Whichever pencil-fairy conceived this ridiculously-shaped building that I'm trying to size steelwork for must have been totally on crack.  >:(

Architects eh  ::-)

On my shitlist and all. IF they have won awards, it's a sure sign the building will be visual stress on a stick and make me hideously ill.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 04 April, 2017, 05:02:31 pm
The unholy trinity of awful buildings:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 11 April, 2017, 10:29:23 pm
Dear The BBC. Please learn the difference between accuracy and precision, especially when it comes to converting metric units to imperial:

Quote
It was being driven back to the beach when it became stranded 1,968ft (600m) offshore on 4 April.

kthxbai.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 12 April, 2017, 09:44:19 am
It should be 600m (approx 2000ft) anyway.

We went "metric" on January 1st 1970, before I started my long and not especially illustrious career in building.  I have just retired.  Please stop pandering to stupid people by using non-current units, and they'll soon get the hang of the correct ones (and that doesn't include non-SI compliant centibloodymetres, either!).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 12 April, 2017, 10:27:00 am
I reckon they're not so much stupid people as old ones (and also those who went to school in that time when we retreated from metric).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 12 April, 2017, 11:22:41 am
Aye well, there's no fool like an old fool, and I should know.  After n years in France I still see short distances in inches and longer ones in metres and km.

What pisses me off more is the so-called science page in the Trib that will helpfully tell you that a light year is the distance light travels in a year, but the business section never defines any terms.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 12 April, 2017, 11:31:38 am
Quote from: Wombat on 12 April, 2017, 09:44:19 am
It should be 600m (approx 2000ft) anyway.

3 furlongs would have done, surely, with no need to mess about offering conversions.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 12 April, 2017, 11:35:49 am
Just as long as they're fake-furlongs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 12 April, 2017, 11:45:18 am
Quote from: jsabine on 12 April, 2017, 11:31:38 am
Quote from: Wombat on 12 April, 2017, 09:44:19 am
It should be 600m (approx 2000ft) anyway.

3 furlongs would have done, surely, with no need to mess about offering conversions.
A third of a nautical mile, or thereabouts.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 12 April, 2017, 12:19:44 pm
Twenty seconds of latitude. A short-lived festival.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 12 April, 2017, 01:00:10 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 12 April, 2017, 10:27:00 am
I reckon they're not so much stupid people as old ones (and also those who went to school in that time when we retreated from metric).

Old people and USAnians.  The BBC, for all their faults, lead the way when it came to putting news on the web, and as one of the early pioneers they had a very international audience.  I expect they're still a go-to new source for colonials looking for a European - or at least non-American - perspective.  Doesn't seem unreasonable for their style guide to reflect that. (Personally, I'd prefer the original unit to be quoted first.  Expecting journalists to understand precision seems a bit ambitious.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 12 April, 2017, 02:16:31 pm
effin' BA - their website is borked, but it seems to be my problem.

I may get to book my flights in a day or so once they've sorted their clearly spammed website out
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 17 April, 2017, 04:05:45 pm
Neighbours abutting rear of back garden are having a very noisy barbecue party.

Similar parties have been very lengthy affairs in the past.

They built a HUGE brick barbecue edifice last week.

To be continued...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 17 April, 2017, 04:17:05 pm
Quote from: Wombat on 12 April, 2017, 09:44:19 am
It should be 600m (approx 2000ft) anyway.

We went "metric" on January 1st 1970, before I started my long and not especially illustrious career in building.  I have just retired.  Please stop pandering to stupid people by using non-current units, and they'll soon get the hang of the correct ones (and that doesn't include non-SI compliant centibloodymetres, either!).

The Beeb seem to have gone backwards on this, I'm sure they reported in proper measurements in the past. Now it seems to be all imperial apart from the weather.

It's completely ridiculous, no-one under 50 should have been using feet and inches at school, no-one with any sense uses imperial in their professional life. And as you say, everyone will get the hang of it in about two weeks just like Celcius if you stop pandering to the UKIP tendency. The new 20-bob coin's quite nice though, a bit like the thr'p'ny bit, haven't seen one of those for a week or two.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 17 April, 2017, 04:22:35 pm
Quote from: Kim on 12 April, 2017, 01:00:10 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 12 April, 2017, 10:27:00 am
I reckon they're not so much stupid people as old ones (and also those who went to school in that time when we retreated from metric).

Old people and USAnians.  The BBC, for all their faults, led the way when it came to putting news on the web, and as one of the early pioneers they had a very international audience.  I expect they're still a go-to new source for colonials looking for a European - or at least non-American - perspective.  Doesn't seem unreasonable for their style guide to reflect that. (Personally, I'd prefer the original unit to be quoted first.  Expecting journalists to understand precision seems a bit ambitious.)

Exactly, out of the two (old people, USAnians) the old people aren't stupid and could easily be happy with metric if it was a given. As for colonials, they all went metric before we did, even the Australians are happy with beer in litres. India, Africa, anywhere pretty much, the ex-pats are using metric.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 17 April, 2017, 06:02:45 pm
I remember that the Kiwis were metric in everything apart from beer when I was there (20 years ago). But their beer wasn't in pints either, it was in a variety of odd measures mostly referred to by numbers which, I think, were fluid ounces; except when they were given names, which could be anything. But when I replied to a question about the highest mountains in Britain with "Ben Nevis is about 4500 feet,"* the immediate reply was "Er, I don't do feet." Which kind of took me by surprise cos I was/am used to flipping between the two. But I can't do that with stones easily and Fahrenheit I never got used to at all. So I think it is just a matter of what you're exposed to.

*Probably an exaggeration but it certainly makes the conversion easier!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 18 April, 2017, 11:21:09 am
Bought a DIY-supermarket router bit this morning. It took 15 minutes' work with scissors, screwdriver, pump pliers, big screwdriver, Stanley cutter & much peril to fingers to rid the thing of its packaging. And there's a patch of rust just starting on the shank.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 18 April, 2017, 02:20:35 pm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-39629459 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-39629459)

Suspect cycle theft needs half a million YouTube 'shares' and exposure on Auntie's News before Bristol's BRITAIN'S Finest take notice.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 18 April, 2017, 04:11:03 pm
See also: http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/bristol-motorbike-gang-taunt-police-26860
They steal motorbikes only to post vids of wheelies etc before burning the bikes on instagram.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 18 April, 2017, 06:54:14 pm
I accidentally hit the "Mark all posts read" button
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 18 April, 2017, 07:18:56 pm
I hate it when I do that.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 18 April, 2017, 07:34:58 pm
Yeah, then you have to work out what board things are in.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 18 April, 2017, 09:19:00 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 28 March, 2017, 09:25:07 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 03 March, 2017, 11:49:19 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 23 February, 2017, 03:59:04 pm
A valve on my amp has died, so I'm having to listen to music on the Mac, until I can get around to buying & fitting a spare :-(


Ah, that's better..... Mr Cohen sounding like he's in my living room.


Only problem is, Google searches for "Svetlana, best price" seem to have resulted in some extremely odd emails...... :jurek:


(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/643/32850713230_174377f453_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/S3Uuxq)


Sadly after a week of listening something went flash/bang and there was a nasty smell.  Taking the bottom off revealed a small, dented cylindrical metal object rattling around inside.   I took it into work today for a courier to take back to the manufacturer in St Neots for some TLC.


Carrying a very large box which must weigh 25kg down 8 flights of stairs was not fun... :facepalm:


They replaced a couple of resistors & the 2 blown valves & shipped it back to me for £168 last week.    It's just gone bang again!  This time even the power light won't come one  :'(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 18 April, 2017, 11:21:53 pm
:o  £168!  You could grow your own JFETs for that!

http://srjcstaff.santarosa.edu/~yataiiya/E45/PROJECTS/Homemade%20Field%20Effect%20Transistor.pdf
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 18 April, 2017, 11:44:20 pm
Quote from: Kim on 18 April, 2017, 11:21:53 pm
:jurek:  £168!  You could grow your own JFETs for that!

http://srjcstaff.santarosa.edu/~yataiiya/E45/PROJECTS/Homemade%20Field%20Effect%20Transistor.pdf (http://srjcstaff.santarosa.edu/~yataiiya/E45/PROJECTS/Homemade%20Field%20Effect%20Transistor.pdf)


 £55 for 1 hours labour, 2 EL34's at  £27 each, shipping for a large 25kg package & VAT on top.   Perhaps I should buy the used one on Ebay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/122409378738?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT 


(about twice what I paid for mine 5 years ago!)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 21 April, 2017, 12:45:05 am
When did the facebook thread stop being a sticky?

It was a really handy marker cos after starting at the bottom of the 'new' stack it was clear when you'd read them all . . .
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 21 April, 2017, 10:37:07 am
In France, VAT is payable on every invoice you issue, but in the case of certain professions, whereof ours, it must only be paid when you receive payment.  However, when a company closes, whatever VAT is still outstanding on turnover must be paid, whether payment has been received or not.

I have just sent the tax office a cheque for 2,643 € to cover payments we will now never receive. :'(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 21 April, 2017, 09:44:17 pm
That sucks big time.

In the U.K. you pay over the VAT based on the invoice date whether you've received the money or not (unless you run a cash accounting scheme). But at least when you write off a non-payment you can claim it back, and if necessary HMRC send you a cheque.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Gattopardo on 21 April, 2017, 10:23:24 pm
Quote from: T42 on 21 April, 2017, 10:37:07 am
In France, VAT is payable on every invoice you issue, but in the case of certain professions, whereof ours, it must only be paid when you receive payment.  However, when a company closes, whatever VAT is still outstanding on turnover must be paid, whether payment has been received or not.

I have just sent the tax office a cheque for 2,643 € to cover payments we will now never receive. :'(

May I ask the proffession?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 22 April, 2017, 10:57:28 am
I was an IT consultant, wife a translator.

The amount due was partly my own fault: I could have gone through the invoicing and produced credits notes before the accountants got their hands on it. OTOH they could have warned me.  Trouble was, last year we were too snowed under between the Inlaw Paw and my doddering heart to do more than the minimum.

Anway, we're due over 3600 € back from the Social Security, so it's covered. Theoretically.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cameronp on 22 April, 2017, 11:27:59 am
Quote from: Pickled Onion on 17 April, 2017, 04:22:35 pm
Australians are happy with beer in litres.

Goodness gracious no! Beer and height of humans are about the only thing we don't use metric for here in Oz. To make it more confusing, names for beer glasses vary from state to state...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Riggers on 27 April, 2017, 11:54:14 am
Having repaired the same puncture, on the same wheel, four times in as many days, I thought: "Enough's enough." And bought a new innertube. Cost me nearly £7.00, but at least I'm back on the bike!!!!

Each time, I'd repaired the puncture (successfully I thought) in the evening, pumped the tyre up. Bingo! Worked! Only to come down in the morning and see it flat. Walk to work.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: benborp on 01 May, 2017, 11:54:54 pm
If you wait until everyone is in bed before you call me and I'm five thousand kilometres away, pretty much due east, it shouldn't come as a surprise that I'm immoderately grumpy.

There's every chance that if you hadn't called I would have managed to sleep through the travails of the man in the room next door. What sounded like copious vomiting has now subsided to occasional wretching and phlegm clearance.

I. Am. Awake.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: arabella on 02 May, 2017, 07:43:03 pm
Dear Screwfix peoples
when I type 'adze' into the search box, I do not mean 'mdpe'
when I type 'hatchet' into the search box, I do not mean 'ratchet'
inventing entirely spurious search terms is not helpful.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 03 May, 2017, 11:00:30 am
B&Q, Screwfix and Halfords all have inexplicably terrible search facilities.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 03 May, 2017, 11:07:37 am
Quote from: Ashaman42 on 03 May, 2017, 11:00:30 am
B&Q, Screwfix and Halfords all have inexplicably terrible search facilities.

It wouldn't surprise me if the first two use the same DB and engine, as the former owns the latter.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 03 May, 2017, 01:11:16 pm
Ditto Castorama and Leroy Merlin. The other day I went looking for a roll of sandpaper and was offered a selection of shower cabinets.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 03 May, 2017, 11:56:58 pm
Impressed. With my poor knowledge of the French language - demonstrated by occasional forays into Norauto amongst others - I wouldn't be surprised for a random search to produce anything from a bag'o'shite to a reconditioned jock strap!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 04 May, 2017, 12:25:37 am
Telemarketing scammers: Wouldn't it be a GRATE IDEA if your droids could , you know, actually, like... speak something that approximates to ENGLEESH?

That way, when you call me to tell me you've 'identified a problem with my Google maps listing', I might:

A. Give a shit.*

2. Listen a bit.ii

iii. Actually fecking UNDERSTAND WTF you're gabbling on about.z

*WTF is this to do with me anyway? I am not Google maps . . .

iiIf you can't speak a language I understand, don't call a harassed, working class, Manchester bloke. I was raised to speak English. I fix bikes. If you're calling me and it isn't to do with bikes why do I need to speak to you?

z Ergo, if I can't understand WTF you are gabbling about and it isn't to do with a bike, don't be the tiniest bit surprised when I hang up. Simple innit . . .
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 04 May, 2017, 04:06:45 am
Yesterday I had the third call from the cheerful Geordies of EDF to arrange for the fitting of smart meters to Larrington Towers.  "Before you launch into the whole spiel, can I just make sure you've actually got any slots available?" asks the twice-bitten Mr Larrington.  "Why-aye, loads, bugger man!" replied Cheerful Geordie III.  Five minutes later it transpired that CG3's assurances were once again rooted in a thick mulch of Lie.

I'm getting rather bored with this.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 05 May, 2017, 08:48:07 am
Mr Google's daily doodle is quite good today, marred only by having what appears to be Death Valley* in the background.


*I don't think the Giro has ever got quite that far
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 05 May, 2017, 09:41:38 am
Bloody rubbish Tesco Finest sossidges!  2 of them burst under the grill, sheets of flame.   I was standing right next to it & nearly got my pelt singed!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Legs on 05 May, 2017, 12:55:19 pm
Quote from: Guy on 05 May, 2017, 08:48:07 am
Mr Google's daily doodle is quite good today, marred only by having what appears to be Death Valley* in the background.


*I don't think the Giro has ever got quite that far

Couldn't they be peaks in the Dolomites?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 09 May, 2017, 09:50:45 am
Days that start with the shower going cold half-way through soaping your nethers can only getter better/worse [delete as appropriate].

(boiler seemed to have switched off, I reset it and it seems to making hot water now, leastways the green light came back on and it's making boilery noises)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Salvatore on 09 May, 2017, 10:03:09 am
Quote from: Torslanda on 03 May, 2017, 11:56:58 pm
Impressed. With my poor knowledge of the French language - demonstrated by occasional forays into Norauto amongst others - I wouldn't be surprised for a random search to produce anything from a bag'o'shite to a reconditioned jock strap!

My brand-new local Decathlon seems to have a number of French staff. They might be able to help you with the latter (or even a new one).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ham on 09 May, 2017, 02:41:33 pm
Quote from: Salvatore on 09 May, 2017, 10:03:09 am
Quote from: Torslanda on 03 May, 2017, 11:56:58 pm
Impressed. With my poor knowledge of the French language - demonstrated by occasional forays into Norauto amongst others - I wouldn't be surprised for a random search to produce anything from a bag'o'shite to a reconditioned jock strap!

My brand-new local Decathlon seems to have a number of French staff. They might be able to help you with the latter (or even a new one).

Most UK stores seem to have a good smattering of french staff. Apparently they can't be bothered to go to Portugal, though, which meant that when I had need to communicate last week, knowing the terms for spanner, hex key, screwdriver etc in French was spectacularly useless.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jakob W on 10 May, 2017, 10:25:27 am
Somehow slipped and banged my chin on the stairpost; instant headache, ow.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 10 May, 2017, 01:45:32 pm
While I stabbed myself in the gum with a pointed chip at lunchtime.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 10 May, 2017, 02:38:11 pm
Quote from: T42 on 10 May, 2017, 01:45:32 pm
While I stabbed myself in the gum with a pointed chip at lunchtime.
And then the murders began.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mattc on 10 May, 2017, 02:49:01 pm
"
Dear Matt,
You have been invited to complete an online personality questionnaire called The Quest Profiler® which takes approximately 25 minutes to complete. Please note that this behavioural questionnaire is not a test and is based on your preferences within the work place.
...
"
Oh, spiffing!

 ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 12 May, 2017, 06:46:38 pm
Dear partner,

please do not grumble if your strawberries taste a little fishy later tonight.

I bought the RED cutting board just for use with fruit, so these would not taste of onion and garlic.

Now you have used it to cut up the smoked mackerel we ate for lunch. The board is made of soft plastic which dissolves slightly as it mixes with fish oils, which are impossible to remove fully.

IDIOT!

GRRRRRR!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 12 May, 2017, 06:53:04 pm
Isn't red for raw meat?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 12 May, 2017, 06:59:43 pm
My RED is fruit-shaped.

We don't cut raw meat anyway. (I CAN'T and meat is either purchased pre-cut or roasted whole.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 12 May, 2017, 07:48:37 pm
Barakta bought a nice set of 4 ergonomically excellent (grippy underside, fit in the sink properly) chopping boards a while ago.  The RED one is the right colour, but the others aren't.  We operate an informal system of RED for meat, GREEN for veg, YELLOW for baked goods and BLUE as a control chopping board that shows how worn the others are getting.

At least none of the colours are ambiguous, so I don't have to remember to call the blue one purple or the yellow one green if I want people to know which one I mean.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 12 May, 2017, 07:59:07 pm
I like my fruit untainted.

I don't think I'm a fusspot; garlic strawberries are not my Thing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 12 May, 2017, 08:05:32 pm
Kim, what colour do you use for fruit? If you ever chop fruit. ISTR that in the official HSE colour scheme, fruit is not paired with veg, as would seem logical to me. (In fact, doesn't fruit have a board to itself and veg go with bread? Hmm, no, dairy goes with bread, for some reason. Perhaps fruit and veg have a board each?)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 12 May, 2017, 08:13:51 pm
I eschew fruit unless processed beyond all recognition, and barakta's not a massive fruit eater so it's not really a problem.  On the odd occasion barakta has a kiwi or something that isn't pre-chopped, that tends to get cut up on a plate as she nibbles it.  There's an embargo on banananas anyway, because the smell makes me retch.

IIRC fruit and veg officially get different boards.  Makes sense from the perspective of not contaminating washed ready-to-eat fruit with things that are covered in soil.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 12 May, 2017, 08:41:08 pm
You're right.
Quote
The recommended guidelines from the Food Standards Agency suggest that you should use each colour of chopping board with the following food groups:

Red - Raw Meat
Blue - Raw Fish
Yellow - Cooked Meat
Brown - Vegetables
Green - Salads & Fruit
White - Bakery & Dairy
http://ajstuart.co.uk/shop/category/0163/colour-coded-chopping-boards

What's the betting other countries (I'm looking at USA and France) use the same colours in different, incompatible ways?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 12 May, 2017, 08:45:26 pm
Quote from: Kim on 12 May, 2017, 08:13:51 pm
On the odd occasion barakta has a kiwi or something that isn't pre-chopped,...
Kiwis do it differently!
Quote
Use separate chopping boards for raw and cooked meat, fish, vegetables and bread. Colour-coded boards make it easier to remember which ones to use for each type of food. White is still the best colour for visually spotting food debris and it is possible to get white plastic chopping boards that are colour-coded on the edge.

Photo showing chopping board being washed

All chopping boards should be cleaned after use with a brush in hot soapy water, then rinsed and dried

Photo showing yellow chopping board with raw chicken

Use yellow boards for raw chicken (to keep it separate from other meat)

    
Photo showing red chopping board with raw red meat

Use red boards for raw meat

Photo showing white chopping board with bread and dairy products

Use white boards for bread and dairy products
http://www.foodsafety.govt.nz/elibrary/food-focus-november-2008-11/page-04.htm

No fruit vs veg apartheid for them!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 12 May, 2017, 08:51:30 pm
SAFE is not the issue; onion-flavoured pineapple is!

We eat LOTS of fresh fruit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 12 May, 2017, 08:52:55 pm
My opinion of pineapple is that it would mostly be improved by tasting of onion.  :P I'd hate to have pineapple-flavoured onion though!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 12 May, 2017, 08:56:59 pm
Avoiding cross-contamination is always a good thing, and corralling strong tastes and simplifying the washing-up are as good a reason as safety (which is mostly a commercial kitchen thing, anyway).

A big red fruit-shaped chopping board is about as unsubtle as it gets, thobut.  Not sure what else you can do, really.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 12 May, 2017, 09:50:19 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 12 May, 2017, 08:52:55 pm
My opinion of pineapple is that it would mostly be improved by tasting of onion.  :P I'd hate to have pineapple-flavoured onion though!

No Hawaiian pizza then?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 12 May, 2017, 11:01:37 pm
We have two white chopping boards, one small and one big. Both get used for everything.

Should probably do something about that. I've been intending a new set of boards simply for how scratched the current ones are anyway.

Ho hum, we do keep veg and raw meat boards separate in use even if which is which varies depending on quantities at least.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 13 May, 2017, 08:03:29 am
I am supposed to be helping on a prep ride today, for TLD's school.

I woke full of cold, so there is no way I can do it. Normally I wouldn't be bothered, but it means TLD will have to do the 35 miles without me :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 13 May, 2017, 08:57:58 am
We only have wooden chopping boards. Hygiene rules in the house are that are you wash the board after use.

Certain people have the habit of chopping up onion or garlic and not washing the board afterwards. This really annoys me as I usually discover this *after* I've used the board to cut up fruit. The taint lingers long after the smell.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 13 May, 2017, 05:49:28 pm
There's no room in the mug cupboard for my new mugs, there are too many teapots.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 13 May, 2017, 07:40:52 pm
Quote from: tiermat on 13 May, 2017, 08:03:29 am
I am supposed to be helping on a prep ride today, for TLD's school.

I woke full of cold, so there is no way I can do it. Normally I wouldn't be bothered, but it means TLD will have to do the 35 miles without me :(

As mentioned elsewhere, I have taken medical advice that a wee snifter of Macallan may assist with the symptoms, if not the cause :-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 13 May, 2017, 08:12:19 pm
My youngest is so 'generous' with germs I now have his chest infection with full on closed up sinuses and hacking cough.

Tonight I shall be mostly self medicating with Sinutab and Jagermeister. If I die, I die . . .
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 13 May, 2017, 08:54:59 pm
Quote from: Feanor on 13 May, 2017, 07:40:52 pm
Quote from: tiermat on 13 May, 2017, 08:03:29 am
I am supposed to be helping on a prep ride today, for TLD's school.

I woke full of cold, so there is no way I can do it. Normally I wouldn't be bothered, but it means TLD will have to do the 35 miles without me :(

As mentioned elsewhere, I have taken medical advice that a wee snifter of Macallan may assist with the symptoms, if not the cause :-)

Laphroaig has similar medicinal properties with the added value of TCP thrown in, or at least that's my excuse
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 13 May, 2017, 08:56:49 pm
The Eurovsion song contest.

In particular Portugal FFS

even a martini and a glass of rose can't dull that pain
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 13 May, 2017, 09:04:15 pm
It gets worse - Croatia  [reaches for strong drink]
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 15 May, 2017, 11:12:38 am
The stagnating puddle of dog dribble that is the HRG travel booking website for MOD slaves hath caused me to use much uncouth language.

Not that I really wanted to go to Aldershit next week, anyway.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andytheflyer on 15 May, 2017, 01:05:18 pm
ElyDave:
[/quote]

Laphroaig has similar medicinal properties with the added value of TCP thrown in, or at least that's my excuse
[/quote]

IME, many of the superb Islay malts will do the job - but only the peaty, iodine-y ones (so Ardbeg, Port Charlotte.......).. Regrettably, not had a sniffle for some time, but I did have a Port Charlotte last night after a long day out.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 16 May, 2017, 09:28:22 am
US hotels, not content with being stupidly expensive and expecting more tips than a stripper, slapping on a daily 'resort fee.' It's business, I don't need 1 hour free paddle board rental. Though, who knows, I did once arrive at a meeting on a jetski.

I know it's not my money, but it's the damn principle, it's already about $250/night. I confess, I never tip 'em. Fucking well pay your staff properly.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 16 May, 2017, 11:34:19 am
In some places, these are local taxes imposed by the city or state, and not really the hotel's doing.
They just pass them on.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 16 May, 2017, 01:07:30 pm
Nah, this is a 'resort fee', one of those footnoted little things that creeps onto the bottom of booking behind a little *. This being the US, I've no doubt there will be city taxes, state taxes, and a special-arrive-on-Sunday levy too.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 16 May, 2017, 02:05:55 pm
"I'm sorry Sir isn't happy with his bill. If you read the Small Print you will note that we charge $250 a night for booking the room. It is another $50 a night to actually sleep in it........"
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 16 May, 2017, 02:08:15 pm
See also: Car rental.

Work have pre-booked and pre-paid *everything* that we want.
I accept *no* up-selling at the counter.
I return the tank 100% full.

But on return, they will wave a bar-code scanner at it, and the machine will spew out a 30-foot long paper receipt full of incomprehensible codes and charges.
"Oh, what's all this? I thought it was all pre-paid?"
"Airport Taxes", apparently.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 16 May, 2017, 02:30:49 pm
I am going to Aldershit on Sunday evening, being Travelogical overnight, and attending a <appropriate word removed> boring course on Monday. The anticipation has ruined my weekend already and it's only Tuesday.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 16 May, 2017, 02:52:59 pm
Yes, car rental. Another place where they take the piss. Wear and tear owing to aerodynamic friction. Drop off at the airport (hold on, isn't that where your rental office is...). Third party insurance arrangement fee. Car checking fee. We-made-this-one-up-fee. We-don't-have-the-car-you-reserved-online fee. City tax. County tax. State tax. Federal fuel surcharge. The Oh Fuck It's a Wednesday tax.

Gah.

On the plus side, I can paddle board out into the ocean and kidnap a sea otter. I always wanted one, we can take turns in the bath. I have a stuffed toy version from Monterey called Rick.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 16 May, 2017, 03:34:46 pm
Quote from: ian on 16 May, 2017, 02:52:59 pm
We-don't-have-the-car-you-reserved-online fee.
Really? I usually use that one to wrangle an upgrade.
"I made a reservation online and a preliminary payment, which constitutes a contract, are you now refusing to honour that contract? You are actually going to breach a financial contract?"

My sole experience of renting in the USA had conversation very like that. They were not happy. The English (US residing) friend who had given me a lift to the rental place was a bit shocked. The rental place manager was not happy, was really quite angry. He muttered about calling security. He wanted more money.

I got a big car for no extra money.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 16 May, 2017, 05:09:31 pm
"Hi, I reserved an Abrams M1 Main Battle Tank. I'm here to collect."

"Oh sorry, we don't appear to have an Abrams M1 Main Battle Tank."

"Oh, but that's what I reserved, do you have any other main battle tanks? I plan to invade a small country. That's why I ordered it. I have sorted out air support and infantry and everything. I just need a tank. Something that fires large calibre depleted uranium rounds."

"No sir, we have nothing of that nature. I'm not sure why our site let you book that."

"See, here, I printed off my reservation. Abrams M1 Main Battle Tank with third party insurance and no mileage surplus."

"Hmm, well, all we have in is an Hyundai Compact at the moment. And a voucher for 20% off your next rental."
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 16 May, 2017, 06:56:13 pm
Every time my grate frend Mr Woolrich arrives in USAnia they try to "upgrade" his car to something which has more space he doesn't want, pointless 4wd he doesn't need or an engine which drinks more than the bottom-of-the-line shitbox he reserved.  And thus usually ends up with something even more frightful than a Fraud Siesta.

Every time I go there they try to upgrade me to something with MOAR POWWAH, but for some reason they always want more money for this.  If I'd taken them up on it last year it'd have been $4200 extra :o
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 16 May, 2017, 07:03:53 pm
My recent trips to Houston have seen a very dis-interested and over-worked dude who didn't try to sell me anything.
( Alamo / National ).
He was just trying to get through the queue.

After the desk stuffs, he prints out your hire agreement (which you sign here, here, here, here, and initial here, here, here ) and are then sent out to the parking lot where a bored attendant tells you to take your pick of any of the cars 'over there', and waves his hand vaguely.  The keys are in them, and you just get in and drive off.

(There is a security dude in a booth at the exit, who will ask to see your rental agreement before letting you out! )

This is quite useful, because I wanted to select one which I could get a bike in the back of.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 16 May, 2017, 09:46:02 pm
To be honest, the last couple of times I've hired a car they tried to upgrade to something stupidly huge when I'd have preferred the compact. Mind you, those last couple of times were several years ago, I pay someone to do my driving these days on account of my now being a licenseless buffoon (it expired and I'm no longer American enough). Unless it's my wife driving me, and she does it because she loves me. Admittedly, that's not exactly what she says when I ask her to drive me somewhere, and really the words that come out of her mouth at times are thoroughly unsuitable for a lady.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 16 May, 2017, 09:49:22 pm
Don't know if I've mentioned this before (& ICBA to check) but an acquaintance always used to bang on about making sure he was the very last person off the plane on his annual trips to Florida. He reasoned that by the time he'd cleared customs, baggage, immigration etc all the 'base class' cars would have gone and they would be forced to upgrade him. I only had his word that it worked . . .
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 17 May, 2017, 11:20:06 pm
Yes you have said it here before (and I can't be arsed to check where either  ;) )
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 22 May, 2017, 08:47:49 am
God bless the cotton socks & woolly knickers of the RSI, the Régime Sociale des Indépendants, i.e. NHS/state-pension equivalent for the self-employed in France.  They sent me a form for declaring my 2016 earnings, to be returned for last Friday.  I misread the date as 29th May instead of 19th, so I was somewhat preoccupied by the thing this weekend, particularly since it carried a stentorian paragraph about penalties for missing the date.  As a result I couldn't settle to do a decent ride yesterday and cut it short early on.

Looking at it this morning, none of the boxes appeared to apply to my particular case so I phoned them up.  "Oh, that doesn't apply to you, you're retired. Our mistake, sorry pardon, tear it up."

In February 2015 they threatened us with bailiffs because they'd worked out that we owed them 3000-odd euros, only to admit when phoned that it was their mistake.  Then six months later the same happened again because they'd restored a backup.

Earlier this year, they responded to a request for a simple attestation with a declaration form six feet long, demanding data I had already provided three months earlier. Again, a phone call and "oops, sorry pardon".

RSI in English == Repeated Stress Injury. Not for nowt.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 24 May, 2017, 04:02:17 pm
The air con in the building has failed, I'm on the 2nd floor with a lot of roof area and glass, the temperature is currently 26 deg C and everyone is starting to get grouchy.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 24 May, 2017, 04:28:59 pm
Lightweight.

I spent an hour doing pool maintenance- scrubbing tiles, cleaning skimmer baskets, vacuming etc. Dressed in usual working uniform- polo shirt, work trousers, safety boot.

Pool hall air temperature?

35oC

Weight loss guaranteed.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Little Jim on 24 May, 2017, 04:47:17 pm
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 24 May, 2017, 04:28:59 pm
Lightweight.

I spent an hour doing pool maintenance- scrubbing tiles, cleaning skimmer baskets, vacuming etc. Dressed in usual working uniform- polo shirt, work trousers, safety boot.

Pool hall air temperature?

35oC

Weight loss guaranteed.

Indeed.  We have a digital thermometer in the office that gives up at 27oC and it gave up at lunchtime and still hasn't reappeared.  I think I'll need a shower when I get home.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 24 May, 2017, 04:56:50 pm
Quote from: Little Jim on 24 May, 2017, 04:47:17 pm
We have a digital thermometer in the office that gives up at 27oC

What idiot designed that?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Little Jim on 24 May, 2017, 05:04:03 pm
Well, it was a free gift from a visiting rep!  To be honest once it gets above 27 I don't really need a thermometer to tell me it's a bit warm.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 24 May, 2017, 05:15:49 pm
True but I'm sat here in shirt and tie, fairly warm trousers and boots. It was better yesterday in high vis over trousers and hi vis top, boots and hard hat as I was at least outside.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 25 May, 2017, 04:02:58 pm
Why is it so difficult to find a nice slim leather belt with a neat buckle?  Everything these days seems to be huge brutalist chunks of metal for buckles.
I want a neat looking belt.  I don't want to look like Lemmy.
Well, particularly not like Lemmy, I guess he doesn't look too good right now.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 30 May, 2017, 12:45:09 pm
Oh, I have lots.

1. People with dogs. Yes, it's nice that your creature wants to charge at me while yapping. Firstly, when it does so, consider saying 'sorry', secondly consider keeping it on a lead since you evidently can't control it. Don't simply ignore your dog's behaviour or, even worse, say 'oh just be firm, he'll go away' because your little mutt is the size of a rugby ball and it's fucking tempting to treat it like one and send it with a firm kick flying into some Hampstead back garden.

2. People with children. Pretty much the same as above. I'm not sure what's worst, a train carriage full of screaming and clattering children, or a train carriage filled with their parents constantly and ineffectually telling them to 'stop that' in a tone of voice that pretty much says they don't really care. In which case, it's no surprise they continue doing what you just told them to stop.

3. Mobile phones pt 1. I realise what's happening on that little screen is amazingly enticing but how about you don't get so enticed with it in, say, the entrance of the major train terminus, or was you get to the end of the escalator?

4. Mobile phones pt 2. It's your phone call. Having blissfully found a train carriage not filled with a screaming zoo of children, I don't want to hear the dull, grim minutia of your life.

5. Mobile phones pt 3. See (2). I appreciate you're less interested in your semi-feral spawn than your phone. I would be too. But then, had you figured out contraceptives some time back, you'd be able to give your phone 100% of your attention rather than just the 98% not spent half-heartedly telling your kids to 'stop that.'

6. Modern televisions. Our ancient (thirteen year old) TV expired while I was away. Have you tried to buy a TV recently? It's like specifying a space mission. Quantam fucking dots. OLEDs. QLEDs. Alphabet bloody soup. I have no fucking idea. I had hoped my wife would buy one while I was away, she killed the old one, but apparently TV buying is 'boy stuff.' I'm a crap boy. I have no idea. We did contemplate going to a shop yesterday to look at TVs. For about 4 second but then there's nothing we hate more than shopping, so I picked randomly off the internet because it was special offer and had all the stars and went for a bike ride instead.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 30 May, 2017, 01:26:12 pm
7. Swimming pool. No I don't fucking know it's half term. Why would I? Not everyone has kids. I appreciate you have squirreled this information away in a cryptic PDF somewhere on your website (for some reason, they stopped making it available through a convenient mobile app, too easy I suppose).

8. Swimming pool pt 2. And why timetable all the kiddy and OAP sessions at lunchtime during half-term thus making the pool unavailable to people who might want to use it at the time when it's most likely to be convenient? Because, you know, some of work. Even during half-term.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 30 May, 2017, 02:58:16 pm
Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk Head/Desk

Defence Information Infrastructure

That is all
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 30 May, 2017, 03:09:06 pm
A useful phrase CANNOT be formed using the three words Infrastructure, Defence and Information- you should be aware of this......
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 30 May, 2017, 03:25:28 pm
Dii (no, it's right) is what "they" named the oh-so-wonderful intranet webby stuffs that carries our gloriously-malfunctionous MOSS Sharepoint working (as if it ever did) areas and data storage stuffs.

I am in a bad place at the moment and this is making me cry. I want to go home.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 30 May, 2017, 08:24:43 pm
Quote from: ian on 30 May, 2017, 12:45:09 pm
1. People with dogs. Yes, it's nice that your creature wants to charge at me while yapping. Firstly, when it does so, consider saying 'sorry', secondly consider keeping it on a lead since you evidently can't control it. Don't simply ignore your dog's behaviour or, even worse, say 'oh just be firm, he'll go away' because your little mutt is the size of a rugby ball and it's fucking tempting to treat it like one and send it with a firm kick flying into some Hampstead back garden.

But he's only playing, only being friendly. Didn't you know? Couldn't you tell?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 30 May, 2017, 09:19:03 pm
Indeed. Some bonkers old biddy on a mobility scooter channeling a rather perfect Barbara Woodhouse. BE FIRM, TELL HIM TO BACK AWAY she hollers as she trundles by. I'm looking down at a football-sized ball of yapping fluff and pondering if she means a firm kick.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 31 May, 2017, 12:23:02 pm
9. Snotgrot. My left nostril is blocked as a result of a cold I had at the weekend. But if I lie on my right-hand side, I can feel it pop and glug quite disgustingly through my head until it settles in my right nostril and ear. It's quite unpleasant. I wish it would go, I want to resume a two nostril service.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 31 May, 2017, 01:43:30 pm
Quote from: ian on 31 May, 2017, 12:23:02 pm
9. Snotgrot. My left nostril is blocked as a result of a cold I had at the weekend. But if I lie on my right-hand side, I can feel it pop and glug quite disgustingly through my head until it settles in my right nostril and ear. It's quite unpleasant. I wish it would go, I want to resume a two nostril service.

I find playing snot tennis on center court is quite entertaining. I am however, the proud owner of a quite sizable court so, that may explain the weird enjoyment I get from the feeling of the gloop crossing the 'net' as it goes from court to court.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 31 May, 2017, 02:28:26 pm
Quote from: jsabine on 30 May, 2017, 08:24:43 pm
Quote from: ian on 30 May, 2017, 12:45:09 pm
1. People with dogs. Yes, it's nice that your creature wants to charge at me while yapping. Firstly, when it does so, consider saying 'sorry', secondly consider keeping it on a lead since you evidently can't control it. Don't simply ignore your dog's behaviour or, even worse, say 'oh just be firm, he'll go away' because your little mutt is the size of a rugby ball and it's fucking tempting to treat it like one and send it with a firm kick flying into some Hampstead back garden.

But he's only playing, only being friendly. Didn't you know? Couldn't you tell?

When my wife and I are out walking,and this happens, the owners tend to get a surprise. And I get deafened. My wife is terrified of dogs (yes, yes, we know they're all lovely playful things, except the ones that bite of course). If they even hint at running toward her, she freezes and screams involuntarily. Very loudly.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 31 May, 2017, 03:18:43 pm
I forget where it was (somewhere near Tadsworth, iirc), but out in the country the other week, we were taking a walk and some huge dog starts having a go outside its owner's house. Not a yappy little thing, but full-on agitated wookie, which was troubling enough that I armed myself with a suitable chunk of rock to brain it. The owner comes out and we asked her – perfectly politely – if she'd mind taking her dog in for a moment. Which seemed not unreasonable.

Her response, delivered in perfectly posh Surrey, was 'no, he's not going to hurt you.' So she should there while the dog barked and snarled at us. I should have bashed them both on the head.

I don't dislike dogs, but I got a nasty bite as a child, and thus I really dislike being charged or barked at by them. I don't fucking care if he's being friendly or not going to bite me.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 31 May, 2017, 04:40:00 pm
Similar experience here.  Until I  know them I'm wary.

I was angling for unclipping my left foot and ready to give a clout on the nose to a great dane that came haring out of a front garden to chase me on the recumbent a few weeks ago
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: davelodwig on 31 May, 2017, 04:53:14 pm
My dads springer spaniel does not like small yappy dogs either and has been known to stick a paw on them to stop them yapping and running around.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 01 June, 2017, 08:09:46 pm
I'm distraught.  I just lit an fag with my rather over enthusiastic Zippo.  A gust of breeze caused the enfrazzlement of half my moustache on one side.
#badmoustacheday.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 01 June, 2017, 08:27:05 pm
Quote from: Basil on 01 June, 2017, 08:09:46 pm
I'm distraught.  I just lit an fag with my rather over enthusiastic Zippo.  A gust of breeze caused the enfrazzlement of half my moustache on one side.
#badmoustacheday.

The only way to maintain decorum is to immediatey singe both eyebrows and apply soot in an everything-but-the-goggles pattern.  And keep it that way until the moustache grows back.

Probably best to stagger and pretend you're a bit deaf, too.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 01 June, 2017, 08:45:52 pm
Erm.  Thanks Kim.    :-\
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 01 June, 2017, 08:52:06 pm
Steampunk, innit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 01 June, 2017, 09:16:45 pm
Ah yes.  A big thing with my lads.  Goggles, waistcoats and guns feature a lot.   ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 01 June, 2017, 10:06:54 pm
Quote from: Basil on 01 June, 2017, 08:09:46 pm
I'm distraught.  I just lit an fag with my rather over enthusiastic Zippo.  A gust of breeze caused the enfrazzlement of half my moustache on one side.
#badmoustacheday.

Photos?  :D

Have you had to commit some act of moustache butchery to make it look not terrible? Or shock horror, go clean shaven?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 01 June, 2017, 10:49:21 pm
Quote from: barakta on 01 June, 2017, 10:06:54 pm
Photos?  :D

Will not be happening.

Quote
Have you had to commit some act of moustache butchery to make it look not terrible? Or shock horror, go clean shaven?

Actually, it's not as bad as I thought.  Mrs B has done an evening up job and I think they'll allow me back in the pub.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 01 June, 2017, 11:08:14 pm
Quote from: Basil on 01 June, 2017, 10:49:21 pm
Quote from: barakta on 01 June, 2017, 10:06:54 pm
Photos?  :D

Will not be happening.

Quote
Have you had to commit some act of moustache butchery to make it look not terrible? Or shock horror, go clean shaven?

Actually, it's not as bad as I thought.  Mrs B has done an evening up job and I think they'll allow me back in the pub.

With a blowtorch?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 01 June, 2017, 11:20:33 pm
Quote from: Basil on 01 June, 2017, 10:49:21 pm
Quote from: barakta on 01 June, 2017, 10:06:54 pm
Photos?  :D

Will not be happening.

Can't blame me for trying  ;D


Quote
Actually, it's not as bad as I thought.  Mrs B has done an evening up job and I think they'll allow me back in the pub.

Good one that Mrs B!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 02 June, 2017, 02:21:03 am
Quote from: Basil on 01 June, 2017, 08:09:46 pm
I'm distraught.  I just lit an fag with my rather over enthusiastic Zippo.  A gust of breeze caused the enfrazzlement of half my moustache on one side.
#badmoustacheday.

 Fortunately sparking up a tab while in the breeze generated by the fan in the Estate Office merely results in singed fingers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 02 June, 2017, 08:25:55 am
I added a 17€ profile copier to an order so as to push the total over 100€ and get free express delivery. It doesn't work worth a damn, and given the weight it'd cost 12€ plus bother to send it back. Bah.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ham on 02 June, 2017, 05:30:34 pm
Last night I was trying to get away "early" from work at 17:00, having arrived at 07:00 after a couple of 12  hour days beforehand. Only to get to the bike cage to find a knobhead had locked his and mine. Cue much faffage and getting to the verge of cutting my own rack (which was the the locked part).  I managed to contact him 45 minutes later, and he turned up to unlock.

"That was stupid" quoth he
"Yes" I said, "You are stupid, and to prove it you are stupid enough to leave your credit card in your saddle pack. Which at least let me find you."
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 05 June, 2017, 03:16:03 pm
I wish the folk who man controls would peel the bananas before slicing them. Maybe some folk like eating banana skins, but I don't.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 06 June, 2017, 02:17:43 pm
We are selling a really heavy, big front door via Gumtree.
I give the dimensions and say it is heavy in the advert.
The advert says we are in York. It says we can possibly deliver in York.
A potential buyer contacts me and asks is it still for sale.
They then ask if we can deliver to London. A £30 door.

The door is that way.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 06 June, 2017, 05:05:25 pm
Quote from: Ham on 02 June, 2017, 05:30:34 pm
Last night I was trying to get away "early" from work at 17:00, having arrived at 07:00 after a couple of 12  hour days beforehand. Only to get to the bike cage to find a knobhead had locked his and mine. Cue much faffage and getting to the verge of cutting my own rack (which was the the locked part).  I managed to contact him 45 minutes later, and he turned up to unlock.

"That was stupid" quoth he
"Yes" I said, "You are stupid, and to prove it you are stupid enough to leave your credit card in your saddle pack. Which at least let me find you."

I inadvertently exhibited this degree of divness at Addenbrookes today.  Luckily other person was either staff or had a longer appointment than me. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 07 June, 2017, 04:36:06 pm
My left shoulder and neck are very stiff and achey today.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 07 June, 2017, 09:43:34 pm
I was planning a trip to the shop on the way home but got the wrong train (I presume a last minute platform alteration at East Croydon and I had my headphones in so was oblivious to any announcements) – it was supposed to be the right train. Anyway, all fine, I can get off at another nearby station and get the bus, but I couldn't then be bothered going to the supermarket as the bus goes tauntingly close to my house and I have some pita breads that I can assemble into tasty food.

Or I could, if they weren't now blue and fluffy. I don't seem to have much other food. I probably should have gone to the shops. I'm going to have to brave the freezer, the place where food goes to be forgotten about. I could eat a block of cheese, I suppose.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 07 June, 2017, 10:20:26 pm
you have beer and gin?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 07 June, 2017, 10:37:58 pm
True, I do have about 200 bottles of gin and a large trunk full of beer (and there's probably more in the garage). I generally don't drink on a school night, but given I've had a long day involving cat barf, a four hour presentation, and other travails, maybe boozish liquids and a big block of cheddar should be on the menu.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 08 June, 2017, 07:35:30 pm
Quote from: ian on 07 June, 2017, 10:37:58 pm
... maybe boozish liquids and a big block of cheddar should be on the menu.
If you have oatcakes to go with the cheese then that counts as health food.  Well it does in my book, MrsLurker has yet to be convinced by the overwhelming logic of my argument that I ain't dead yet, ergo it's good for me.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 08 June, 2017, 08:19:50 pm
Quote from: TheLurker on 08 June, 2017, 07:35:30 pm
Quote from: ian on 07 June, 2017, 10:37:58 pm
... maybe boozish liquids and a big block of cheddar should be on the menu.
If you have oatcakes to go with the cheese then that counts as health food.  Well it does in my book, MrsLurker has yet to be convinced by the overwhelming logic of my argument that I ain't dead yet, ergo it's good for me.

works for me, I subsist on oatcakes, cheese, apples and nuts.  Wine/cider contribute to the 5 a day, beer provides extra protein and boozahol sterilises.

I aint dead yet either
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 14 June, 2017, 02:21:49 pm
Having just watched the bin men ignore the mounds of festering bin bags left by the student exodus, I've attempted to spur the council into action using their "report fly tipping" form.  Which complains we're not in Birmingham.  So I've used the "report spilt rubbish" form instead (there is indeed no shortage of spilt rubbish).

Heatwave, you say?  Marvellous.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 14 June, 2017, 07:26:10 pm
I feel that Amazon should not sell fire extinguishers/blankets or allow other companies to sell them if they don't meet BS kitemark or CE standards. It has taken me much longer than it should have done to select 2 extinguishers and a fire blanket.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 14 June, 2017, 09:04:40 pm
Bicycle parts. Buying thereof. I want the thing that connects the handlebars to the bit that goes to the forks. Stem, I know that, I'm not an idiot. Looks kind of standard, I can just buy one and undo a few bolts and et voilà. As it's my wife's bike she'll be impressed. She'd better be, it's been broken* since she bought the bike, which means I've been fixing it for four years.

OK, how big. I don't know. Go to garage with tape measure. Measure it. Come back. Realise I need about eight different measurements. What does the 28.6 mm cryptically refer to? Is that 1 1/8th of an inch? What's the diameter of the handle bars? I don't fucking know, I thought handlebars were handlebars. Why does the world need different diameters. They don't, that's what.

Fuck it, easier just to Google the local bike shop and let them do it. And why is the fucking shop at the top of the bloody giant hill and not the bottom? Both of them, each up huge hills.

*it's always made a horrid creaking noise, which I assumed was just the way it was given the fearsome death grip my wife exerts on the bars when she rides, assuming as she does that every moment will be her last, and the crappiness of an adjustable stam. But last week she refused to ride it any more unless I fix it. So I took it apart (why, I don't know, it just seemed like the right thing to do, it's not like I've ever fixed anything, generally I can't even put them back together). I did however notice it was missing one of the washer/gripper things that I imagine is important and was never there. Another grumble in that.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: DuncanM on 15 June, 2017, 09:23:10 am
FFS
A couple of days ago I pressed the button to unlock the car, and it locked. I figured I hadn't locked it, and continued as normal, though I was perplexed at the amount of crap that had been taken out of the glovebox and dumped on the floor.
Today, I went to get my sunnies off the little shelf they live on, and they weren't there (nor the cases, nor my regular glasses case, nor the broken ones in their case).   >:(
I guess some barsteward realised my car was open and had a rifle around prior to helping themselves to my sunnies. They are Oakley Flak Jackets, but they are prescription ones, so they are basically worthless to anyone except me.  :'(
I liked them, they were only a year old, and they were very pricey. Now I'll have to spend money I didn't want to spend on glasses, to replace something I liked. I've had Flak Jackets twice now - maybe it's time for something else.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 15 June, 2017, 09:32:23 am
At least you haven't got to buy a new side window, which seems to be a regular occurrence for car owners hereabouts.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 15 June, 2017, 09:44:12 am
Oh bloody hell.   Why do I never remember to take the butter dish out of the fridge when I go to bed at night?
It would have been easier if I'd tried to spread a block of marble on my toast.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 15 June, 2017, 12:29:19 pm
Quote from: Basil on 15 June, 2017, 09:44:12 am
Oh bloody hell.   Why do I never remember to take the butter dish out of the fridge when I go to bed at night?
It would have been easier if I'd tried to spread a block of marble on my toast.

10 seconds in the microwave should sort it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 15 June, 2017, 12:38:02 pm
Quote from: Kim on 15 June, 2017, 12:29:19 pm
Quote from: Basil on 15 June, 2017, 09:44:12 am
Oh bloody hell.   Why do I never remember to take the butter dish out of the fridge when I go to bed at night?
It would have been easier if I'd tried to spread a block of marble on my toast.

10 seconds in the microwave should sort it.

Yes.  I suppose.   I've  been put off that method since my last and only attempt over did it somewhat.  :sick:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 15 June, 2017, 12:52:14 pm
Ah yes.  Some calibration required.  :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 15 June, 2017, 01:16:16 pm
Also not very good if the butter is frozen to the metal butter dish.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Paul on 15 June, 2017, 02:10:46 pm
Or just switch the fridge off and leave the door open before retiring.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 15 June, 2017, 02:34:37 pm
Quote from: Basil on 15 June, 2017, 12:38:02 pm
Quote from: Kim on 15 June, 2017, 12:29:19 pm
Quote from: Basil on 15 June, 2017, 09:44:12 am
Oh bloody hell.   Why do I never remember to take the butter dish out of the fridge when I go to bed at night?
It would have been easier if I'd tried to spread a block of marble on my toast.

10 seconds in the microwave should sort it.

Yes.  I suppose.   I've  been put off that method since my last and only attempt over did it somewhat.  :sick:

IME, 10 seconds is inadequate, 12 secs is inadequate, 14 secs is showing a hint of melting, and 15 secs produces a puddle.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 15 June, 2017, 02:45:09 pm
Reduce the wattage and increase the time.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 15 June, 2017, 06:00:00 pm
Quote from: Basil on 15 June, 2017, 09:44:12 am
Oh bloody hell.   Why do I never remember to take the butter dish out of the fridge when I go to bed at night?
It would have been easier if I'd tried to spread a block of marble on my toast.

Because you have a cat . . . ?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 15 June, 2017, 06:27:57 pm
just leave the butter dish out all the time. If it's warm, apply to toast with a spoon.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 16 June, 2017, 01:17:37 am
just arrived home in time to see the daily update e-mail, live
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 16 June, 2017, 11:57:21 am
It's construction season in Silly Oak.  This morning we've mostly had 85dBA of SDS drill from the other side of --->  this wall
...and now they've upped the game with a chainsaw and are killing one of the bastard sycamores to DETH.  The burglar alarms seem to have stopped though, so there's that.

Barakta, who is immune to such things, is still in bed, sleeping off yesterday's dentistry-induced migraine.  Git.


(And for anyone keeping track, no of course they haven't collected those festering binbags.)


ETA: Update: We now have seismic thumping.  My drink is shimmering in the traditional warning of approaching tyranosaurs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 18 June, 2017, 11:30:17 am
Was carving away happily at a guitar headstock this morning when a little pink maggot came strolling along the top of the neck. Pearwood is pink => maggot was woodworm.

I now have to inspect all my stock - a dozen planks of pearwood, a few chunks of mahogany and one pricey slab of ebony - and see how far the wee bastards have got.

Happy Fathers' Day. :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ham on 18 June, 2017, 06:19:44 pm
None of it, er, em, sapient I hope?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Butterfly on 18 June, 2017, 09:29:23 pm
Quote from: Ham on 18 June, 2017, 06:19:44 pm
None of it, er, em, sapient I hope?
;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rogerzilla on 18 June, 2017, 10:40:56 pm
It's too hot to live, let alone sleep.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 18 June, 2017, 11:20:49 pm
One hour on the bike today, 1.25 l fluid, came home, showered, continued leaking like sieve, needed a flannel to mop my face and neck.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 19 June, 2017, 01:30:58 pm
All the windows are open. The door is open. Two fans whirling on full power. It's twentybloodynine degrees Swedish Astronomer in here. If one more dolt walks in, grins, and sez "warm enough for ya?" I am going to beat them to death with my stapler.

If I can muster the energy to do so, that is.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: menthel on 19 June, 2017, 01:32:15 pm
The AC is making the office a little chilly...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 19 June, 2017, 01:56:56 pm
Git!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 19 June, 2017, 02:28:52 pm
Sitting out on my shady balcony and eating a chilled fruit salad isn't so bad. It's not helping with my productivity. It's really not the sort of day to be sweating over a hot laptop and writing about API use cases. Mind you, I've yet to discover the sort of day to write about API use cases. I don't think that sort of day exists.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 19 June, 2017, 02:33:49 pm
Quote from: ian on 19 June, 2017, 02:28:52 pm
Sitting out on my shady balcony and eating a chilled fruit salad isn't so bad. It's not helping with my productivity

I'm starting to go off some people

Hmph
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Clare on 19 June, 2017, 03:00:05 pm
If it makes you feel any better Guy I have about 2 cubic metres of topsoil to move. I am waiting for the sun to shift behind the neighbour's Leylandii before I start.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 19 June, 2017, 03:04:00 pm
Quote from: Guy on 19 June, 2017, 01:30:58 pm
All the windows are open. The door is open. Two fans whirling on full power. It's twentybloodynine degrees Swedish Astronomer in here. If one more dolt walks in, grins, and sez "warm enough for ya?" I am going to beat them to death with my stapler.

If I can muster the energy to do so, that is.
Wet a towel or cloth and drape it in front of the fan. #goodenoughfortheraj
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 19 June, 2017, 03:31:26 pm
My box of an office currently at 29C according to Garmin (but also 10m below sea level) , no fan, but back door and windows open.  Sun no longer coming in directly though which is a bonus.

At least being at home I can sit all day in a pair of shorts without attracting adverse attention
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 19 June, 2017, 03:42:52 pm
And, predictably (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=31801.msg2179512#msg2179512), the water is now off.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 19 June, 2017, 03:56:49 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 19 June, 2017, 03:31:26 pm
My box of an office currently at 29C according to Garmin (but also 10m below sea level) , no fan, but back door and windows open.  Sun no longer coming in directly though which is a bonus.

At least being at home I can sit all day in a pair of shorts without attracting adverse attention

Rather astonishingly, other than a bout of strimming several gardens away earlier, the usual symphony of power tools, building, and gardening work that kicks off every time the British sun deigns to come out and raise the temperature above lukewarm is still in abeyance. No one has even lit a bonfire yet. That said, I've no doubt there will be a nuclear pall of smoke across the valley from several hundred bbqs later as people prepare to spend tomorrow worshiping at the Throne of Porcelain Relief.

I may have to retrieve the fan from the garage though, as the upstairs of the house is rather toasty and last night was sticky icky.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 19 June, 2017, 04:52:18 pm
Quote from: Kim on 19 June, 2017, 03:42:52 pm
And, predictably (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=31801.msg2179512#msg2179512), the water is now off.

Bugger.  Today is not a good day for not showering.
Hope you filled the kettle.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 19 June, 2017, 05:20:08 pm
Quote from: Basil on 19 June, 2017, 04:52:18 pm
Quote from: Kim on 19 June, 2017, 03:42:52 pm
And, predictably (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=31801.msg2179512#msg2179512), the water is now off.

Bugger.  Today is not a good day for not showering.
Hope you filled the kettle.

GN: Water is back on.  Kettle and bath filled.

BN: After lots of archaeological style ferreting around with a trowel, they've been away and returned with a length of sewage pipe and an angle grinder.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 19 June, 2017, 05:41:20 pm
Thus the strimming begins. I've a good mind to go out and there and strim the fucker's head right off and then barbeque the offending item before feeding it to dogs. It's frankly the only way these cunts will learn that I don't want to spend a sunny evening listening to their Flymo serenade.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 19 June, 2017, 05:51:30 pm
Same feelings for the hedge cutters, which ideally should not be undertaken until Aug/September.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 19 June, 2017, 05:53:58 pm
Whilst it is laudable to build an eco-office, what is most distinctly un-good is the fact that the building has two temperatures, those being freezing fucking cold or boiling fucking hot! I now smell like a tramp's vest!!!!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 19 June, 2017, 06:02:43 pm
Quote from: tiermat on 19 June, 2017, 05:53:58 pm
Whilst it is laudable to build an eco-office, what is most distinctly un-good is the fact that the building has two temperatures, those being freezing fucking cold or boiling fucking hot! I now smell like a tramp's vest!!!!

Ditto my office, back of what used to be a garage, no effective temp control, just a window or a jumper.

Quote from: ian on 19 June, 2017, 05:41:20 pm
Thus the strimming begins. I've a good mind to go out and there and strim the fucker's head right off and then barbeque the offending item before feeding it to dogs. It's frankly the only way these cunts will learn that I don't want to spend a sunny evening listening to their Flymo serenade.

I can't see what they're needing to mow - I did mine last weekend, looked at it yesterday and it's hardly grown
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 19 June, 2017, 07:27:20 pm
Gardens are pretty wild around here, which is why we have bears. In fact, the culprit has stopped strimming now and since I did not kill them, I assume the bears did. Free jam sandwiches for my ursine friends.

My office is a mezzanine extension on the side of the house, the roof contiguous with the main house roof, and of course, when we had everything refurbished had the ceiling re-insulated with whatever the latest is in plasterboard technology and the gaps stuffed full of glass fibre. Alas, this seems to mean it gets hotter. The problem is that it's the side of the house, so the main wall is in full sun for three quarters of the day. On the plus side, it has a shady balcony over the back garden/driveway which is my outdoor office and prime cat sleeping zone.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 20 June, 2017, 08:14:11 am
Quote from: tiermat on 19 June, 2017, 05:53:58 pm
... what is most distinctly un-good is the fact that the building has two temperatures, those being freezing fucking cold or boiling fucking hot!

Sounds like our 1950's US DoD glorified Banbury garages with corrugated alumimiunumum rooves. They may well have been plenty good enough for the USAF Air Police, but we is moar civilised and require habitat fit for human consu inhabitation. Do we get it? Do we <summat rude> >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 20 June, 2017, 10:52:29 am
And here someone has decided to turn the aircon off. Twat.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 20 June, 2017, 12:03:36 pm
Those loud cars with a sound system held hostage in the boot. BBBBBMMMM MmmmMMMMM BBbbbbBBB bzzz rattle rattle BBBBBBBMMMMM echoing down the valley. Firstly, whatever the music is, it's always shit. Secondly, it sounds like the car is in the process of falling to bits like the sad lad clown car it so evidently is.

Also don't fucking spin your wheels when you accelerate. The only thing that will go faster is the decline of your car into scrap.

Can anyone handy with a soldering iron help me adapt a tomahawk cruise missile to home in on sound?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 20 June, 2017, 12:37:50 pm
Quote from: ian on 20 June, 2017, 12:03:36 pm
Those loud cars with a sound system held hostage in the boot. BBBBBMMMM MmmmMMMMM BBbbbbBBB bzzz rattle rattle BBBBBBBMMMMM echoing down the valley. Firstly, whatever the music is, it's always shit. Secondly, it sounds like the car is in the process of falling to bits like the sad lad clown car it so evidently is.

Postman Piers used to have a kevved-up Nova so equipped (with an MP3 player based on a 200MHz socket 7 motherboard and a sturdy hard drive, which was the height of cool in those days).  In his defence, his cochleas are solid bone, so bzzz thump rattle is as close as he gets to non-cybernetically-enhanced music.  Annoyingly for the rest of us, he never got round to finishing the project and installing tweeters.   :facepalm:

To his credit, he got someone with fully functional ears to tell him what volume level was acceptable to those outside the car, and he was careful to only exceed this on motorways.

As you might expect, he wasn't down with the kids in terms of what was hot or not on the music scene, and barakta's CD collection wasn't exactly extensive.  Which is how we came to end up kevving our way down Whitstable High Street to the muffled sounds of PJ & Duncan...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 20 June, 2017, 12:43:07 pm
Quote from: Basil on 15 June, 2017, 09:44:12 am
Oh bloody hell.   Why do I never remember to take the butter dish out of the fridge when I go to bed at night?
It would have been easier if I'd tried to spread a block of marble on my toast.

Leave the butter in the fridge. Cut small amounts off for the butter dish as required.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 20 June, 2017, 01:53:33 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 20 June, 2017, 10:52:29 am
And here someone has decided to turn the aircon off. Twat.

Today I have a breeze  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 20 June, 2017, 08:45:53 pm
So, last week I had the summer bike almost completely rebuilt. Indeed the only things left of the bike as purchased were the frame, fork, handle bars, rear hanger, bottle cage and one used, repaired innertube (okay, that's not been on the bike for seven years but you get the idea).  I used the bike over weekend doing around 80km and lovely it was: really light and the new 34:32 smallest gear got me up the biggest hills around here up on Cannock Chase.

Pleased I was....apart from the strange rattle from the bottle cage. Upon checking (I've even brought new bottles....the old ones had turned green inside).... I have discovered that the cage has got a crack in it; so I will need to replace that!

Moving on...this evening off to the garage I went to get the bike out for an evening ride....only to discover the repaired innertube had gone down and would not pump back up..... :facepalm: And of course, I still haven't brought any new tubes  :(

So, what is going to go wrong next.... I have just ordered a new rear hanger and have a spare set of handle bars so I bet its the frame next :facepalm:

It would have been cheaper and less of a pain to buy a new bike.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 22 June, 2017, 08:41:00 am
Trying to get hold of anybody in the Accommodation Stores is like trying to contact the dead. Some people claim to have done it but you just *know* they're lying!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 22 June, 2017, 11:17:58 am
Bloody dentishtsh and their anaeshticsh.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 25 June, 2017, 08:02:46 am
Local DIY supermarket has castors with brakes and castors without.  New mobile bench I'm building needs two of each.

Naturally, the castors with brakes are different heights from those without. ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Quisling on 26 June, 2017, 10:24:40 am
My central heating system has started losing pressure over the last few days and now needs topping up nearly every day.  There is undoubtedly a leak.But not anywhere visible inside or out.

Since Christmas I've refitted a bathroom and a kitchen and moved radiators AND REPLASTERED.  You can guess where the leak will turn out to be already.  It's going to be in a carefully constructed box hiding pipes or above a new ceiling or under the new bathroom floor. :'( :facepalm:

I think I'm just going to have to keep topping up the system until the leak becomes obvious.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 26 June, 2017, 02:08:10 pm
I had something similar and found that the pressure relief valve by the cylinder was passing. Unfortunately the plumber had installed the tun dish off the vertical so it missed the lower cup and drenched the floor.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andytheflyer on 26 June, 2017, 05:21:04 pm
Quote from: Quisling on 26 June, 2017, 10:24:40 am
I think I'm just going to have to keep topping up the system until the leak becomes obvious.

........ and, as ever, the wettest patch on your ceiling below will not be where the leak is.  It will be a couple of joists over, and a metre uphill, and simply gravitated to the wettest patch.  So you'll remove the wettest bit of ceiling and then have to go off on a wild goose chase until the real source becomes apparent.

DAMHIKT.  I've just capitulated after 5 pinhole leaks in the copper pipes in our hall ceiling over the past 10 years, and hence 5 repairs and re-skims.   I've now got a totally destroyed hall ceiling but at least the new, shiny white plastic 15mm pipes look smart.  And can I get a plasterer to commit to a date to come and make good?  Can't even get them to return my calls.......
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 26 June, 2017, 05:24:23 pm
It could be that the expansion vessel has suffered a visit from the p*nct*r* fairy (or just needs a bit more air), causing water to escape from the pressure relief valve when hot, rather than a leak (or fault in the relief valve).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: runsoncake on 27 June, 2017, 06:08:57 pm
Oiks that derail threads and then continue off topic chat when other users are clearly back on topic. Obviously not something that happens in this parish, but all too prevalent in the wider web world.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 27 June, 2017, 06:16:22 pm
Quote from: matthew on 26 June, 2017, 02:08:10 pm
I had something similar and found that the pressure relief valve by the cylinder was passing. Unfortunately the plumber had installed the tun dish off the vertical so it missed the lower cup and drenched the floor.

Yes, pressure loss through the PRV is quite common, and the standard test for this is to tape a poly bag over the end of the exterior vent pipe for a couple of days and see if it fills with water.

Usual reason for the PRV lifting is loss of expansion volume as Kim mentions.
Monitor the pressure rise as the system heats up, after topping up to 1 bar from cold.
If it's getting up to 3 bar or more, then that's the problem.
However, even after fixing this it may continue to leak.

Cheap boiler PRVs often never re-seal properly after lifting, particularly if the water is dirty.
Some plumbers will use the PRV as a means of de-pressurising the system.
I never do this, because as I say, the damn thing will drip for ever more.
I bleed it down elsewhere.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 27 June, 2017, 08:08:18 pm
Lt. Col. Larrington (retd.) CH turned out to be gaining air - and losing water - through the magnetic gunge filter in a difficult-to-reach part of the loft.  If anyone ever needs to know how to change one, I'm the chap to tell you to GAMI.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 27 June, 2017, 09:08:33 pm
Quote from: Kim on 26 June, 2017, 05:24:23 pm
It could be that the expansion vessel has suffered a visit from the p*nct*r* fairy (or just needs a bit more air), causing water to escape from the pressure relief valve when hot, rather than a leak (or fault in the relief valve).
I was plagued by a suspected banjaxed pressure relief valve and/or expansion vessel.  Replaced the PRV to no avail, pressure in expansion vessel was fine.  Much head scratching and a spot of fault finding pin pointed the culprit as being a crud filled flexi hose connecting the expansion vessel to the rest of the system.  So much crud was present that the expansion vessel was effectively isolated, so no expansion could happen.   
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Si S on 28 June, 2017, 08:18:42 am
The spark seems to have solved the problem of the lights not working in my office by removing them all.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Adam on 28 June, 2017, 07:19:06 pm
Why do the train companies impose limits on buying train tickets?  You have to wait 3 minutes to click on the pay button since last buying a ticket, and you're limited to no more than 4 purchases a day.  It just means I have to log onto another train company website to finish getting all the tickets I need.  Annoying.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 28 June, 2017, 07:36:54 pm
Bloody Mark Carney. Why does he go & talk up the pound when I'm due to be paid - in yen? Bah!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 28 June, 2017, 08:10:18 pm
Ms CamraWoman: No, the kitten should not have dumped in the washing basket. However, I did warn you the other day that he was shaping up to do so and advised you to turn the basket over, just in case. You didn't, he did!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 01 July, 2017, 08:41:03 am
Okay… just about to make myself very unpopular no doubt but frankly: “Dogs, in a domestic setting….why?!

To explain…. IMHO there are three types of dogs in domestic settings. Those who are well controlled and do as their owners bid and cause no problems: just like the three Labradors which live in the end house and which their owner takes for a walk each morning…well they walk, he does in his mobility scooter. They are no trouble at all.

Then there are the “status dogs”. You know the type: “Hard dogs for Hard Men….” Apart from the fact that while the dog could rip your face off, the bloke owning it is likely to be out of their face on dope, out of work and out of brain cells. Sadly, this being the home of the Staffie,  just about every second dog around here is one of them. Why do they upset me so? Well last evening I had to chase one of the little f8cks off of my land where it was chasing one of my cats. No doubt if it had caught the cat it would have killed it. So, out with a hammer I went , (actually I went armed only with an angry look upon my face) only for the dog to run back to its thick necked owner…..actually no, back to the 8 year old who was out at 10pm walking it on her own.  Like WTF.  ??? :facepalm:

Finally, there are the “yappers” like Digger from two doors down. Digger is another dog who has chased my cats and resulted in a verbal fight between me and its owners and them not talking to me since….its been lovely. The subject of todays rant however, it the useless lump of fur which lives in the houses behind ours. It owners seem not to care for it so its thrown into the garden at any time, night or day, rain or shine to yap away until it can yap no more. Not the dogs fault, I can hear you say….well yes I will concede that but after being woken up at 4am this morning due to its  yapping, it’s hard to want to do anything other than a major operation to remove it’s voice box.

So, dogs in a domestic setting. Unless you can care, control and keep your mutt quiet, don’t have them!

Regards Ian….staff member to 5 domestic cats and feeder of five strays, all of whom have been trained to poo in Diggers owners’ front garden while he is watching but is behind their gates so can’t chase them.  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 01 July, 2017, 09:28:35 am
On wednesday an unexpected gift arrived, a Sopwith F1*, aka Camel, kit and there was great joy at Maison Lurker, well there was in my part of it, MrsLurker wasn't _quite_ so joyful; strange that.  This morning I thought I'd make a start on it hoping to have it built before the good flying weather ends and I fish out my building board and it is... warped.  Bugger.  Unlikely to be able to sort out a replacement for a week or two. Double bugger.  :(


*For those that may be interested look up the Vintage Model Company.  I recommend them to anyone else, like me, fully embarked on his or her second childhood.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andytheflyer on 01 July, 2017, 06:44:02 pm
Quote from: TheLurker on 01 July, 2017, 09:28:35 am
This morning I thought I'd make a start on it hoping to have it built before the good flying weather ends and I fish out my building board and it is... warped.  Bugger.  Unlikely to be able to sort out a replacement for a week or two. Double bugger.  :(

You have my sympathy. I'd lend you one of mine but at 4ft by 2ft I can hardly lift them (old worktop plus a couple of layers of cork tiles) let alone send one to you!

But thanks for that link - didn't know of them.  Are you going to do  build diary?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 01 July, 2017, 06:58:15 pm
Quote from: CAMRAMan on 28 June, 2017, 08:10:18 pm
Ms CamraWoman: No, the kitten should not have dumped in the washing basket. However, I did warn you the other day that he was shaping up to do so and advised you to turn the basket over, just in case. You didn't, he did!
...and repeat...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 01 July, 2017, 07:37:14 pm
Quote from: andytheflyer on 01 July, 2017, 06:44:02 pm
You have my sympathy. I'd lend you one of mine but at 4ft by 2ft I can hardly lift them (old worktop plus a couple of layers of cork tiles) let alone send one to you!

But thanks for that link - didn't know of them.  Are you going to do  build diary?
Thanks for the thought, but for the small fry that I build 4'x2' is probably a wee bit on the big side.

Diary? Yeah, same as I did for VMC Osprey.  Here (https://www.flickr.com/photos/41392773@N02/sets/72157682238707266)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andytheflyer on 01 July, 2017, 10:52:33 pm
Quote from: TheLurker on 01 July, 2017, 07:37:14 pm
Diary? Yeah, same as I did for VMC Osprey.  Here (https://www.flickr.com/photos/41392773@N02/sets/72157682238707266)

Excellent, a lovely, simple model, flies well too!  Takes me back!  I'm just starting my 6 yo grandson off on the Guillows kits - he lives in Canada so the encouragement is a bit remote, but at least he's learning new skills.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 01 July, 2017, 11:08:44 pm
Eyes have got slightly worse. Bank account has got more than slightly lower. And they had the cheek to give me a voucher for a hearing aid.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ham on 02 July, 2017, 08:24:26 am
Quote from: TheLurker on 01 July, 2017, 09:28:35 am


*For those that may be interested look up the Vintage Model Company.  I recommend them to anyone else, like me, fully embarked on his or her second childhood.

Not INTERESTED AT ALL. Go away.


Mind you.... (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=103168.0)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 02 July, 2017, 09:16:33 am
A coal tit has nested in the lintel arch of my bedroom window.   The noisy little bugger starts his monotonous constant cheeping at 5am.  It's surprisingly loud but I can't sleep with the window closed.
Now, I'm not one to waste his entire Sunday morning in bed, but today chirpy chirpy cheep cheep began at 5.  Soon joined by Jeremy Corvid. At 6, the dog is flinging itself against the bedroom door desperate for the garden.  Then at 8, some git is chainsawing across the valley.

It's too late to do anything about the coal tit nest, but he won't be doing that next year.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 02 July, 2017, 09:33:35 am
Quote from: Ham on 02 July, 2017, 08:24:26 am
Quote from: TheLurker on 01 July, 2017, 09:28:35 am


*For those that may be interested look up the Vintage Model Company.  I recommend them to anyone else, like me, fully embarked on his or her second childhood.

Not INTERESTED AT ALL. Go away.


Mind you.... (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=103168.0)
Ha ha. Gotcha! :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 02 July, 2017, 01:38:50 pm
Quote from: Basil on 02 July, 2017, 09:16:33 am
A coal tit has nested in the lintel arch of my bedroom window.   The noisy little bugger starts his monotonous constant cheeping at 5am.  It's surprisingly loud but I can't sleep with the window closed.
Now, I'm not one to waste his entire Sunday morning in bed, but today chirpy chirpy cheep cheep began at 5.  Soon joined by Jeremy Corvid. At 6, the dog is flinging itself against the bedroom door desperate for the garden.  Then at 8, some git is chainsawing across the valley.

It's too late to do anything about the coal tit nest, but he won't be doing that next year.

I refer to Postman Piers's views on the subject:

Quote
Loads of [deaf people who get a Cochlear implant] are delighted to hear birdsong for the first time.  I say shoot the fuckers.

Having spent much of the morning with my head buried under a pillow (on account of builders rather than birdlife), I'm envying anyone whose hearing comes with an off switch.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 02 July, 2017, 02:11:30 pm
Quote from: TheLurker on 01 July, 2017, 07:37:14 pm
Quote from: andytheflyer on 01 July, 2017, 06:44:02 pm
You have my sympathy. I'd lend you one of mine but at 4ft by 2ft I can hardly lift them (old worktop plus a couple of layers of cork tiles) let alone send one to you!

But thanks for that link - didn't know of them.  Are you going to do  build diary?
Thanks for the thought, but for the small fry that I build 4'x2' is probably a wee bit on the big side.

Diary? Yeah, same as I did for VMC Osprey.  Here (https://www.flickr.com/photos/41392773@N02/sets/72157682238707266)

I use an old chipboard shelf, with a pinboard and cork on top
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Morat on 03 July, 2017, 06:36:02 pm
Directline car insewerants renewal as almost exactly DOUBLE the cost of last year's policy at £750!!
Sod that. 5 minutes with the meerkats and I have a new policy for £200 which wasn't even the cheapest but had the bits I wanted. The only difference is the lack of Green Flag but that was over £60 from Directline so hardly discounted at all. I may as well buy the decent version under a separate policy instead of a stupid 10 mile recovery distance which is useless opp norf.

Ripoff artistes :(

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 03 July, 2017, 08:39:01 pm
Well, if I didn't know before, I now know what they think of me at work. I applied for a role I could do with my eyes shut and with a good word from someone I've worked with with for two years, and I didn't even get shortlisted. Time for an exit strategy, methinks.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 04 July, 2017, 07:35:54 pm
Hanging baskets automatic watering systems.  Not great if you are having an fag while sitting on the window sill out the front of the pub.   :(

And there was me, trying to be a good boy, having sat well away from the door.   :(  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 04 July, 2017, 07:37:26 pm
Not great if you leave your pannier open either.  (DAHIKT)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 04 July, 2017, 08:08:42 pm
Xdp express couriers: your delivery tracking and information was spot on but why oh why oh why do you send emails consisting of black text on 90% dark grey background?
I had to highlight the text to read it. Black on white is fine and white on black is OK if you must.
Black on dark grey is not smart and not clever.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 05 July, 2017, 01:00:03 pm
Cumquat of a Bricomarché** serf, what part of "grain running parallel to the long side" is so difficult to understand that you cut my plywood order with it running perpendicular to the aforesaid?  And why get shirty when I chuckle at the perversity of fate as personified by your theoretically good self, and tell you to have another go?

**chain of rather poor DIY shops in France, motto: we have everything you don't need.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 05 July, 2017, 01:50:37 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 04 July, 2017, 08:08:42 pm
Xdp express couriers: your delivery tracking and information was spot on but why oh why oh why do you send emails consisting of black text on 90% dark grey background?
I had to highlight the text to read it. Black on white is fine and white on black is OK if you must.
Black on dark grey is not smart and not clever.
A similar but opposite grumble is to be had at some of GWR's timetables, which have maps printed in white on pale grey. I have pretty good eyesight but even so I at first thought "why does this one not have a map like all the others?". It looked a blank, pale grey page. Apparently this was a genuine error by the printers – it was meant to be black on pale grey.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 05 July, 2017, 02:15:31 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 05 July, 2017, 01:50:37 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 04 July, 2017, 08:08:42 pm
Xdp express couriers: your delivery tracking and information was spot on but why oh why oh why do you send emails consisting of black text on 90% dark grey background?
I had to highlight the text to read it. Black on white is fine and white on black is OK if you must.
Black on dark grey is not smart and not clever.
A similar but opposite grumble is to be had at some of GWR's timetables, which have maps printed in white on pale grey. I have pretty good eyesight but even so I at first thought "why does this one not have a map like all the others?". It looked a blank, pale grey page. Apparently this was a genuine error by the printers – it was meant to be black on pale grey.

Makes a change from the pale-grey-on-white that people with high-spec iMacs in sensibly-lit offices insist on inflicting on the rest of the world wide web...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 05 July, 2017, 02:37:58 pm
I just had to order my (corporate) calendars for 2018.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 05 July, 2017, 02:49:35 pm
Quote from: Kim on 05 July, 2017, 02:15:31 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 05 July, 2017, 01:50:37 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 04 July, 2017, 08:08:42 pm
Xdp express couriers: your delivery tracking and information was spot on but why oh why oh why do you send emails consisting of black text on 90% dark grey background?
I had to highlight the text to read it. Black on white is fine and white on black is OK if you must.
Black on dark grey is not smart and not clever.
A similar but opposite grumble is to be had at some of GWR's timetables, which have maps printed in white on pale grey. I have pretty good eyesight but even so I at first thought "why does this one not have a map like all the others?". It looked a blank, pale grey page. Apparently this was a genuine error by the printers – it was meant to be black on pale grey.

Makes a change from the pale-grey-on-white that people with high-spec iMacs in sensibly-lit offices insist on inflicting on the rest of the world wide web...

 ;D ;D If you say so...

Poor contrast and colour choice makes me ANGRY & FRUSTRATED whatever hue is selected. Legibiilty is not rocket science.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Poacher on 05 July, 2017, 08:29:06 pm
Quote from: T42 on 05 July, 2017, 01:00:03 pm
Cumquat of a Bricomarché** serf, what part of "grain running parallel to the long side" is so difficult to understand that you cut my plywood order with it running perpendicular to the aforesaid?  And why get shirty when I chuckle at the perversity of fate as personified by your theoretically good self, and tell you to have another go?

**chain of rather poor DIY shops in France, motto: we have everything you don't need.

But shirley some of the grain would be running parallel to the long side, it being plywood after all?  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 05 July, 2017, 10:06:16 pm
Quote from: Poacher on 05 July, 2017, 08:29:06 pm
Quote from: T42 on 05 July, 2017, 01:00:03 pm
Cumquat of a Bricomarché** serf, what part of "grain running parallel to the long side" is so difficult to understand that you cut my plywood order with it running perpendicular to the aforesaid?  And why get shirty when I chuckle at the perversity of fate as personified by your theoretically good self, and tell you to have another go?

**chain of rather poor DIY shops in France, motto: we have everything you don't need.

But shirley some of the grain would be running parallel to the long side, it being plywood after all?  ;D
I thought that. Turn it over, you might be surprised.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 05 July, 2017, 10:31:45 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 05 July, 2017, 10:06:16 pm
Quote from: Poacher on 05 July, 2017, 08:29:06 pm
Quote from: T42 on 05 July, 2017, 01:00:03 pm
Cumquat of a Bricomarché** serf, what part of "grain running parallel to the long side" is so difficult to understand that you cut my plywood order with it running perpendicular to the aforesaid?  And why get shirty when I chuckle at the perversity of fate as personified by your theoretically good self, and tell you to have another go?

**chain of rather poor DIY shops in France, motto: we have everything you don't need.

But shirley some of the grain would be running parallel to the long side, it being plywood after all?  ;D
I thought that. Turn it over, you might be surprised.

Depending on how thick the ply is, I'd certainly expect something like 3/7 or 4/9 of the grain to be running parallel to the long side.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pedaldog. on 06 July, 2017, 01:19:18 am
Grumble about name calling insults on YACF.  I have variable Hemiplaegia on my right side. this includes my face muscles and means I can't often keep my nostrils open to breathe. When it's like that, I breathe in through my open mouth as I like to get that nice air stuff to keep me alive.
When I see phrases like "Sun reading Mouth Breathers", obviously meant as an insult, I get upset and quite angry.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 06 July, 2017, 05:46:54 pm
YMMV, I am a mouth breather (nothing medically diagnosed, just an inadequate/snotty beak) and I read the phrase above to mean more like a slack jawed yokel... But that's just my interpretation.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 06 July, 2017, 07:31:41 pm
I'm with Pedaldog on this one, mouthbreather is a disablist insult and like "Retard", "Lame" and similar is a term I'd prefer not to see becoming acceptable in YACF. At best it's unexcellent.

I also largely breathe through my mouth due to extensive malformation of my nose/sinus anatomy. I had breathing through my mouth held against me by childhood bullies and it still hurts, cos I had no choice.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 06 July, 2017, 08:37:47 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 06 July, 2017, 05:46:54 pm
YMMV, I am a mouth breather (nothing medically diagnosed, just an inadequate/snotty beak) and I read the phrase above to mean more like a slack jawed yokel... But that's just my interpretation.

I always took 'slack-jawed' to refer to a specific facial expression, whereas 'mouth-breather' was a general trait, with strong implications of stupidity outside medical contexts.

(Also a chronic sufferer of snot, I had more than my fair share of being told off for breathing through my mouth as a child.  I don't think I came across the prejudicial use of the term until much later, though.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 06 July, 2017, 09:10:00 pm
I think I'd probably have put mouth-breather in the same category as window-licker: clearly insulting, intended to convey a disdain if not contempt for the target's lack of intelligence (no, stupidity), but probably intended as an insult to that individual rather than as a blanket condemnation or categorisation.

That said, it's a bit lacking in excellence, I wouldn't use it anyway, and if People Who Know regard it as disablist then I'm happy to go along with that.

Funnily enough, I don't have a problem with terms like moron, cretin or idiot, probably because I think they're now so far removed from their very specific historic definitions that they're now a mere insult.

Retard is, I think, far more offensive, while mong is clearly disablist (and derivatives like monging/monged out are too close not to be offensive, even though there is almost certainly no such intent from their users).

It is probable that I am sensitised to this last because my brother has Down's syndrome. Hey ho.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 07 July, 2017, 07:36:32 am
Gormenghast syndrome: when every day of the year becomes the anniversary of one or more events requiring tiresome commemoration.  In the linguistic form, every noun and adjective in the language becomes offensive to some minority group so we all have to keep our traps shut.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: lahoski on 07 July, 2017, 09:00:49 am
Quote from: barakta on 06 July, 2017, 07:31:41 pm
I'm with Pedaldog on this one, mouthbreather is a disablist insult and like "Retard", "Lame" and similar is a term I'd prefer not to see becoming acceptable in YACF. At best it's unexcellent.

Exactly how I feel. I think mouthbreather has some reference to people with developmental disorders and learning difficulties - so it leaves a really nasty taste in my mouth (or ear? Seeing as I avoid using the term...).

To be honest, I don't feel hugely comfortable with any term used to insult those deemed to have a 'lower intellect'. The pomposity of the educated classes is exactly why we move forward at a snail's pace as a society and civilisation.

Often when we call people 'stupid' we actually mean that they are acting in a stupid manner, or possibly unthinking. Or indeed just being a twat - which is NOT THE SAME THING. Why not just call a twat a twat?*

* Okay, so maybe there is an issue with gendered insults... maybe we should just be excellent to each other.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 07 July, 2017, 09:10:52 am
Quote from: jsabine on 06 July, 2017, 09:10:00 pm
Funnily enough, I don't have a problem with terms like moron, cretin or idiot, probably because I think they're now so far removed from their very specific historic definitions that they're now a mere insult.

Anent cretin:

[18c: from Swiss dialect crestin, from Latin christianus Christian, human creature, emphasizing their humanity in spite of their physical and mental deformity.]

Curious how language evolves.  In future I shall be careful about calling anyone a Christian.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 07 July, 2017, 09:49:11 am
Same root as Russian for peasant.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 07 July, 2017, 09:59:41 am
Insults are – well – supposed to be insulting. OMG, I just insulted someone and they're like so offended!

I'm sure 'mouthbreather' is purely a reference to the slack-jawed gormless look that people who, for instance, appear in crime photos have. James Smith, 47, of Cudchew North appeared in court charged with exposing himself in Sports Direct. And there he is, jaw hanging wide like a broken lantern, staring at the camera. Say cheese, James, say cheese. Don't worry, we're not asking you to spell it. And put that away. Sigh.

I know it's a thoroughly modern pastime to define words in such ways as you can then find them offensive (bonus points if you can tweet about it) but I also think that words like idiot, moron, and cretin have moved far beyond specific medical references.

Retard is pretty high on the generally offensive list mind (though pretty generic in the US, like spastic, where it doesn't really resound with the sense it has in British English, though I still cringe), and I don't think anyone who wasn't an idiot would use words like spastic and mong. Of course, I grew up during the era when every school playground was filled with the chant of 'Joey! Joey! Joey!' Don't ever let it be said that 99% of children are little more that miniature sociopaths (and if you think yours are better, they're probably not, you're just hormonally programmed not to realise).

Mind you, I'm a non-nasal breather, with a speech defect, and a lazy eye (I made the rest of me lazy so as to avoid making it stand out).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 07 July, 2017, 01:11:18 pm
I'm just thinking of the time I was out with my son walking through the weekly market.  He was carrying on one of his sensory things, breathing heavily through his mouth with lost of resultant spreading of saliva. Two old biddies "that's disgusting, you're a horrible child".  I confess my reply was less than excellent
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: lahoski on 07 July, 2017, 02:07:24 pm
It's just not okay.

Mouth-breather, window-licker... sure, one person's definition might be innocuous. But not everyone's is. So it's not okay to use them. If you list all of those insults they very quickly become a vile stereotype so I don't think we can pretend it's reassigning origins of words. The impact of language is far, far wider than people seem to accept. It's why rape jokes are not okay. Why white people should never say 'nigger'. Why 'stupid woman' is perpetuating misogyny.

Externalities. You don't have to care. But you can't deny they exist.

Sometimes this stuff comes out of our mouths. And no one is suggesting your genitals should be tasered every time you use one of these insults. But maybe we should think about why we are insulting someone. Most of the time our insults bear little relevance to the reason we're insulting the person.

This is minor. It doesn't really matter. But I've worn glasses since I was three. I used to get called four-eyes. It used to make me cry. Even as an adult I still get called a four-eyed cunt on occasion by actual adults*. It took me until I was 28 before I ever liked the way I looked wearing glasses. I still feel sick when I hear people use four-eyed as an insult.

We may not have the right not to be offended. But we do have the right to be offended and we do have the right to tell people why and ask if they perhaps, perchance might be more considerate around their choices of language in the future.

* I know, right, WTF?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 07 July, 2017, 02:17:29 pm
Agreed, and I think it's important to think about the implications of language, especially when it's punching down against a group who are already disadvantaged or indeed perpetuating horrible and damaging stereotypes.  People with learning difficulties are some of the most disadvantaged in our society and some of them can't fight back or are horribly vulnerable to domestic and public abuse.

Research specifically attributes the worsening of disability hate crime from increased use of scroungers and shirkers style language in the media and indeed by our sodding government. DLA became an insult for the first time in my life after the Coalition got in. I'd never heard that before!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 07 July, 2017, 02:25:28 pm
My not-teen stepkids chuck around 'retard' casually. It makes my hackles rise. I was in 'the spazza class' at school, being one of them disabled kids (yes it was called the spazza class. I can call it that, just like that african american can call themself 'nigger'. You can't call it the spazza class, unless you were in a spazza class).

So when I was at school I was a four-eyed pommie spazza. Never mind that I just had a bone disease that was temporary, I'd been in the spazza class, ergo I was four-eyed pommie spazza for the remainder of my days in that school.

Language matters
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 07 July, 2017, 03:37:04 pm
I reclaim spack and spazz (and indeed crip and cripple) in certain circumstances but am mindful that it's not entirely my term to claim and that sometimes it may not be clear I'm using it in a reclamatory politicised sense.

I don't buy the "everyone is offended these days" as the reality is that most of us have enough privilege not to use words which hurt others.  I wonder if those of us without experience of disability ourselves, or close family members have any idea how often nasty language is used to and about us.

It's like how I am perhaps no longer shocked, but saddened to hear how often say racist comments are used against against BME friends. And like disablism, the type and extent of the abuse (which is what it is) varies by nature of the impairment and how it is perceived - just like variation by ethnicity etc.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 07 July, 2017, 03:51:28 pm
It's not about words being offensive, it's about appropriating words, de-contextualizing and re-defining them, and publicly declaring yourself thusly offended by your new definition. Bonus points for being offended on behalf of someone else, of course.

Children, of course, will be mean about everything but like I say, they're motherfucking evil psychotic mini-Hitlers intent on making each other's life hell. Childhood is an exercise in damage limitation. Demons don't possess children, I suspects it's vice versa. In Hell, demons tell horror stories about human children. It keeps them awake at night.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 07 July, 2017, 10:02:15 pm
Run away.  Get off the roads.  Hide.
Loony contract hay makers.
 >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 08 July, 2017, 05:41:48 pm
This is becoming tedious.  Not to mention expensive. 
Two weeks ago when fettling some extraneous sharp bits off the arm cups of my tri bars my beloved B&D powerfile slowed to a stop in a couple of seconds.  Motor totally seized even once cooled.  Expletives issued forth.  The new equivalent appears to come sans case and I'll bet somehow it doesn't fit in the old one.

Today I set about a small cleaning job for Mrs Tween that involved my Bosch Professional angle grinder.  I'm barely getting going but far enough in to know my method is working nicely and not damaging that which I am cleaning when there's a loud pop from the motor and that's another dead tool.  The new equivalent appears to come sans case and I'll bet somehow it doesn't fit in the old one.

One is not amused.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 09 July, 2017, 09:39:16 am
Quote from: SoreTween on 08 July, 2017, 05:41:48 pm
This is becoming tedious.  Not to mention expensive. 
Two weeks ago when fettling some extraneous sharp bits off the arm cups of my tri bars my beloved B&D powerfile slowed to a stop in a couple of seconds.  Motor totally seized even once cooled.  Expletives issued forth.  The new equivalent appears to come sans case and I'll bet somehow it doesn't fit in the old one.

Today I set about a small cleaning job for Mrs Tween that involved my Bosch Professional angle grinder.  I'm barely getting going but far enough in to know my method is working nicely and not damaging that which I am cleaning when there's a loud pop from the motor and that's another dead tool.  The new equivalent appears to come sans case and I'll bet somehow it doesn't fit in the old one.

One is not amused.

Bloody hell.

I have B&D drills from 1968 & 1978, and a Bosch from 1989. They've all had intensive use and are still going strong. Ditto my 1980s B&D belt sander, although the always-on lock on the trigger doesn't work any more.

What pisses me off about most modern hand-held power tools is that you have to press in a button before you can switch them on. Back when men were men and camels were camels the button locked them on and you kept them out of the hands of fools and children. Maybe drills still do that, I haven't bought one since the Bosch.

Oh, my 1989 Bosch router still works perfectly, too.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 09 July, 2017, 10:55:03 am
I woke up at 05:00 & smelt a nasty burning smell.  Nothing in the flat & no smoke in the immediate vicinity so I went back to bed an hour later.   I've just gotten out up again & now feel knackered  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 09 July, 2017, 02:02:13 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 09 July, 2017, 10:55:03 am
I woke up at 05:00 & smelt a nasty burning smell.  Nothing in the flat & no smoke in the immediate vicinity so I went back to bed an hour later.   I've just gotten out up again & now feel knackered  :(

Carbon monoxide?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 09 July, 2017, 02:46:00 pm
Quote from: Kim on 09 July, 2017, 02:02:13 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 09 July, 2017, 10:55:03 am
I woke up at 05:00 & smelt a nasty burning smell.  Nothing in the flat & no smoke in the immediate vicinity so I went back to bed an hour later.   I've just gotten out up again & now feel knackered  :(

Carbon monoxide?


Just dozing off again & waking up I think.   I had the bedroom windows open, so presume the smell drifted in from outside.   No sign of any fire brigade activity anywhere. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 09 July, 2017, 04:31:09 pm
I can remember the first time I got up at 5 then went back to bed and felt knackered later - about 20 years ago. Nowadays I feel knackered every morning.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 09 July, 2017, 10:03:50 pm
My combination microwave/oven/grill has started misbehaving.  Either it's overheating or just plain weltschmerz, but it gets halfway through cooking my dinner then dies.  Just what I need alongside having to fork out for new glasses and my motor-car going into hospital next week.  Bah!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 10 July, 2017, 02:10:45 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 09 July, 2017, 10:03:50 pm
My combination microwave/oven/grill has started misbehaving.  Either it's overheating or just plain weltschmerz, but it gets halfway through cooking my dinner then dies.  Just what I need alongside having to fork out for new glasses and my motor-car going into hospital next week.  Bah!

Are the vents obstructed?

Make sure there is loads of free space above, to the side and behind it...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: lahoski on 10 July, 2017, 08:59:23 am
No, 101 call-handler, riding 50cc hairdryers offroad bikes on public playing fields* isn't 'not illegal'. It is very much illegal, dangerous and anti-social. And whilst this isn't first had, waffling on to my better half about 'not being able to arrest people who are doing wrong things' is both patronising and entirely irrelevant.

Thankfully your colleagues have a better grasp of the law and confirmed that the plod had already been dispatched and were rounding the corner.

* Rugby club fields, regularly used by dog walkers, children, and people who aren't wankers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 10 July, 2017, 09:33:59 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 10 July, 2017, 02:10:45 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 09 July, 2017, 10:03:50 pm
My combination microwave/oven/grill has started misbehaving.  Either it's overheating or just plain weltschmerz, but it gets halfway through cooking my dinner then dies.  Just what I need alongside having to fork out for new glasses and my motor-car going into hospital next week.  Bah!

Are the vents obstructed?

Make sure there is loads of free space above, to the side and behind it...

No problems with any of that; it's been in the same spot since new, at least half a decade.  A replacement will be collected shortly.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 12 July, 2017, 10:55:20 am
Decabloodyathlon, keep your effing stock up to date.  I wanted some small ball-bearings of the type used in roller blades and your website said my local branch had them in stock so I went there, to find zilch. Flunky: someone probably took the last one and 'they' haven't updated yet. 

That's about three times that's happened: someone always pinches the last whatever before I get there.  Now I've ordered on line (from a real bearing supplier) and what with Friday being a holiday it'll be next week before I can get on with what I'd otherwise be finishing today. Arse. I hope their goldfish die.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 15 July, 2017, 12:19:48 pm
I'm knackered after a week of mid-year thought leading which basically means I've been getting five hours sleep tops every night (yeah, yeah, my own fault for being sat in a bar at 1am, but that's very the nature of thought leading, or at least of having a generous expenses account). So, yeah, sleep, oh beautiful sleep, followed by a chilled out weekend. Maybe a bike ride or a mild hike, some tasty beer, and a decent meal. But everything in a nice low gear with lashings of soft and comfortable sleep. Sounds perfect.

So why the fuck is my mother-in-law here? 'You could at least try to look cheerful' says my wife as I bend over to pick up my face from the floor. That was me trying. Apparently she was supposed to come during the week and go to the opera but booked Saturday by mistake (conveniently inviting herself for the entire weekend). I did tell you, says my wife, evidently at a time I wasn't listening.

Although my wife used the words 'why do you go ride your bike, if you want, I don't mind' her lips actually said if you leave me alone with my mother all evening, I'm going to finish the day as a widow and your death will be the sort of long and protracted affair that I can sell the TV rights to.

So, yeah, 4pm prompt I'll be in Covent Garden with a look of painful cheer stretched across my face.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 15 July, 2017, 05:04:42 pm
Quote from: T42 on 09 July, 2017, 09:39:16 am
Quote from: SoreTween on 08 July, 2017, 05:41:48 pm
This is becoming tedious.  Not to mention expensive. 
Two weeks ago when fettling some extraneous sharp bits off the arm cups of my tri bars my beloved B&D powerfile slowed to a stop in a couple of seconds.  Motor totally seized even once cooled.  Expletives issued forth.  The new equivalent appears to come sans case and I'll bet somehow it doesn't fit in the old one.

Today I set about a small cleaning job for Mrs Tween that involved my Bosch Professional angle grinder.  I'm barely getting going but far enough in to know my method is working nicely and not damaging that which I am cleaning when there's a loud pop from the motor and that's another dead tool.  The new equivalent appears to come sans case and I'll bet somehow it doesn't fit in the old one.

One is not amused.

Bloody hell.

I have B&D drills from 1968 & 1978, and a Bosch from 1989. They've all had intensive use and are still going strong. Ditto my 1980s B&D belt sander, although the always-on lock on the trigger doesn't work any more.

What pisses me off about most modern hand-held power tools is that you have to press in a button before you can switch them on. Back when men were men and camels were camels the button locked them on and you kept them out of the hands of fools and children. Maybe drills still do that, I haven't bought one since the Bosch.

Oh, my 1989 Bosch router still works perfectly, too.
[ungrumble] Popped the cover off the grinder and took a guess the split wide open choke might just be the problem.  Minor complication reading the part number across the split but part found on the Bosch parts site.  £12, fitted, fixed [/ungrumble]

Modern B&D is crap, this will be the third powerfile I've taken to the tip.  They are a brilliant tool but built of pure turd.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 26 July, 2017, 06:16:55 pm
Just got the super-soaker treatment in the eyes from an overtaking bus.  I memorised the registration number, which I've fed into google and obtained more detail about the vehicle and its operator history than I could ever need courtesy of bus spotters (can't remember who to thank for that top tip, thanks YACF).  I'll be sending a sternly-worded email to the bus company about driver attitudes and maintenance standards of essential MOT test items, and if they fail the attitude test, following up to Nobby and Vimes.

ETA: Done.  First (for it was them) have a form for it, complete with lots of useful fields for identifying the bus/driver.  I'm not sure whether that's a good sign or not.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 30 July, 2017, 04:28:57 pm
Quote from: Kim on 26 July, 2017, 06:16:55 pm
Just got the super-soaker treatment in the eyes from an overtaking bus.  I memorised the registration number, which I've fed into google and obtained more detail about the vehicle and its operator history than I could ever need courtesy of bus spotters (can't remember who to thank for that top tip, thanks YACF).  I'll be sending a sternly-worded email to the bus company about driver attitudes and maintenance standards of essential MOT test items, and if they fail the attitude test, following up to Nobby and Vimes.

ETA: Done.  First (for it was them) have a form for it, complete with lots of useful fields for identifying the bus/driver.  I'm not sure whether that's a good sign or not.

...and I've just had an extremely stock-sounding reply:

Quote
Thank you for letting us know about your concerns with the way our driver was operating our number 144 bus on 26 July 2017. I am sorry to hear this and I can imagine how alarming it must have been for you as a cyclist.

We train all our drivers extensively, and they are well aware of the standards we expect of them at First. As such, all complaints are treated with the utmost seriousness and investigated accordingly.

Using the information you have provided, the driver will be identified and interviewed regarding this incident. If the driver's response is not satisfactory, then we will treat this as part of our disciplinary process. While I cannot go into detail as to what action will be taken for confidentiality reasons, please rest assured that this will be dealt with appropriately.

We are also taking proactive steps to make sure our drivers meet our expectations. All our buses are fitted with a ‘drive green’ system which monitors the drivers’ acceleration, braking and manoeuvring. If our drivers fall short of the high standards we train them to, the system will alert us by going from green to amber or red. We can then investigate and, if there is a problem, take steps to stop it happening again.

Furthermore, our drivers also undertake Hazard Perception style workshops. A module throughout this programme is dedicated to cyclists, and the workshops have been designed through liaison with local cycling groups. We raise awareness of the space that cyclists need, and reinforce that cyclists must only be passed only at a safe distance.

Once again thank you for letting us know what happened. I appreciate your contact.

Yours sincerely


Amber Todd
Customer Service Advisor
 
For and on behalf of First Midlands
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 30 July, 2017, 04:53:15 pm
Three cash machines were out of service on our perambulations this afternoon; is there a national problem?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 30 July, 2017, 05:38:18 pm
The train footbridge near my house which took a day to build in the 30s (so says the local rag) is being replaced. Fair enough, it's an old concrete structure and I imagine they have a lifespan and it's probably best to replace them before they fall on a passing train.

It's apparently seven weeks of work (which started at 8am on the dot this morning with a valley-filling grinding and sawing, forcing me to get up and close the window), won't be complete till October. And they have had to remove all the equipment from the local park (which they council installed two months ago). I'm not joking, they've cleared about a football field of space and it seems they're building an actual road to the site. Admittedly they can only access from the park side, the other side is an alley between two houses (I presume it was wider at one point, then someone squeezed a house in).

It seems an epic amount of work (plus a long circumnavigation for me from the local bus stop, bah – they forgot to mention at any point whether there was going to be temporary replacement, so I assume the omission is my answer) for what is a very basic footbridge over two tracks. Still, it explains the cost of a train ticket, I suppose.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 31 July, 2017, 10:37:25 am
Why do bloody smokers always choose to sit upwind of all the other seats outside cafés?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 31 July, 2017, 04:27:21 pm
Quote from: ian on 30 July, 2017, 05:38:18 pm
The train footbridge near my house which took a day to build in the 30s (so says the local rag) is being replaced. Fair enough, it's an old concrete structure and I imagine they have a lifespan and it's probably best to replace them before they fall on a passing train.

It's apparently seven weeks of work (which started at 8am on the dot this morning with a valley-filling grinding and sawing, forcing me to get up and close the window), won't be complete till October. And they have had to remove all the equipment from the local park (which they council installed two months ago). I'm not joking, they've cleared about a football field of space and it seems they're building an actual road to the site. Admittedly they can only access from the park side, the other side is an alley between two houses (I presume it was wider at one point, then someone squeezed a house in).

It seems an epic amount of work (plus a long circumnavigation for me from the local bus stop, bah – they forgot to mention at any point whether there was going to be temporary replacement, so I assume the omission is my answer) for what is a very basic footbridge over two tracks. Still, it explains the cost of a train ticket, I suppose.
I remember when the bridge over the Kennet I used to use to get between Newbury Racecourse station & my office was replaced.

It took ages, & the replacement looked as if it was built to the wrong scale. Everything was too big! The railings at the side were too high to lean on for anyone less than about 2 metres tall, for example, & worryingly, the bottom rail was so high that I was worried that if I slipped on the wet wood, I could go under it & into the river, bike & all. It looked as if someone had done it from plans with the wrong scale marked on them.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 31 July, 2017, 04:49:19 pm
I've no idea how big the resulting the replacement bridge will be – but they've chopped down loads of trees. There's probably enough space to squeeze in a Saturn V launch facility.

I evidently don't know much about these things (add it to the list), but given they could do this in a day back in the 1930s probably with six Irish navvies and a donkey, seven weeks seems a lot (not a solid seven weeks, mostly weekend stuff but still). I thought they just have some kind of prefabricated structure they could hoist onto some foundations. It's just two sets of stairs and a walkway. I doubt they'll fit in a ramp, there's no space on the other side of the tracks with the alleyway and a railway cottage that opens out onto it.

I'm not entirely sure why the council put in an entirely new set of park equipment fewer than two months before and now NR have removed it all (just in time for the summer holiday) either.

(Lots of whinging about car parking with all the works vehicles. Anyone would think the people up there didn't live on a public road.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 31 July, 2017, 06:55:41 pm
We had a patronising company speech about the history of the company that went like this "Most of you are too young to remember, but when I was young, mobile phones were so large you needed a bag to carry them in, I bet you can hardly believe it."

No, I can hardly believe it. When I was young, the phone in my house looked like this:
(http://d2ydh70d4b5xgv.cloudfront.net/images/c/3/vintage-stromberg-carlson-1248wl-mod-5-hand-crank-telephone-phone-6fce1330b4114ef76bd34ef41e2fd64a.jpg)
Not because it was 'retro', but because that's what you needed to work the local exchange; crank the handle, a bell rang in the exchange, then you told them the number you wanted.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 31 July, 2017, 07:58:51 pm
I bet texting was a complete arse, too...   :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 31 July, 2017, 08:08:33 pm
Ours was similar, no dial, but you didn't have to crank it.  You just picked it up and waited until a nice lady said "Hello dear. Would you like a connection? "
I doubt that she listened in on me.  I was only 7, but my mum reckoned that she never had a private  conversation.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 31 July, 2017, 08:48:47 pm
I am older than mrcharly but pretty sure all phones had rotary dials, even when I was tiny.
I am a townie!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 31 July, 2017, 09:34:38 pm
I grew up in redneck hicksville. The next house we moved to had a telephone with a rotary dial, but we didn't have electricity.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 31 July, 2017, 10:20:22 pm
I am a townie, born to townies.
My Mum was born and grew up about 100 metres from Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen and Dad lived in West Hampstead after leaving Antwerp in WWII.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 01 August, 2017, 02:55:25 am
Royal Mail are closing down their Online Prepay Postage accounts from March 2018 so I should withdraw funds or use them up before then.
It seems £10 in that account is non-refundable. That was the amount of my most recent Top-Up.
In September 2016.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 01 August, 2017, 08:12:17 am
Chateau Pickles is shipping a fair amount of water due to a few slipped tiles. The first so-called "roofer" came round last week, complained that my roof was too high and said his ladders wouldn't reach. A "roofer" without a long ladder, srsly?

Second roofer was on holiday, so we collected another bucket of water over the weekend. I left him a very clear message that the roof was quite high, much higher than a modern two-storey house. He arrived promptly Monday morning, then said "your roof's quite high, I'll have to come back later in the week with my longer ladders"  ::-)  Let's hope it doesn't rain too much in the meantime.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 01 August, 2017, 09:40:33 am
Pah. Our first phone was a BT rotary dialer. Grey because they didn't have cream. Them were the days. My mum to this day refuses to use the phone or let anyone use it on account of the potentially ruinous expense. That was partly my fault for being home for the holidays and having somehow acquired an American girlfriend who was also home for the holidays. Sweet telephonic nothings cost a lot more back then*. My parents got my gran a phone. She'd use it once a year on Christmas morning to tell my dad to come and get her. She'd just shout 'we're ready' down the phone and hang up. I don't think she ever got how phones worked.

I saw my first mobile phone in the wild on Wall Street. The owner was talking too loudly into it. So I killed him, obviously. I should have hunted down the rest. I could have put a stop to it.

Anyways, the march of progress. In a presentation the other week I was explaining the world before the internet and social media, that horrible past dystopia of pen and ink and typewriters and Molly Ringwold when some perilously young scamp pointedly asked 'well, how did people know what you were doing?'

You should have seen the horror gouged into her face when I told we ate food rather than instagram it.

*this being my motivation for stumbling onto the internet and spoiling it for everyone else.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 01 August, 2017, 10:05:49 am
Quote from: ian on 01 August, 2017, 09:40:33 am
Anyways, the march of progress. In a presentation the other week I was explaining the world before the internet and social media, that horrible past dystopia of pen and ink and typewriters and Molly Ringwold when some perilously young scamp pointedly asked 'well, how did people know what you were doing?'
Someone in a trenchcoat followed us around writing it down.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 01 August, 2017, 10:21:10 am
Oneof my bonsai hand carving tools seems to have gone rusty in the shed over winter. I seem to have been able to restore the edge, but it looks scruffy now.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 01 August, 2017, 12:40:52 pm
Quote from: Bledlow on 31 July, 2017, 04:27:21 pm
Quote from: ian on 30 July, 2017, 05:38:18 pm
The train footbridge near my house which took a day to build in the 30s (so says the local rag) is being replaced. Fair enough, it's an old concrete structure and I imagine they have a lifespan and it's probably best to replace them before they fall on a passing train.

It's apparently seven weeks of work (which started at 8am on the dot this morning with a valley-filling grinding and sawing, forcing me to get up and close the window), won't be complete till October. And they have had to remove all the equipment from the local park (which they council installed two months ago). I'm not joking, they've cleared about a football field of space and it seems they're building an actual road to the site. Admittedly they can only access from the park side, the other side is an alley between two houses (I presume it was wider at one point, then someone squeezed a house in).

It seems an epic amount of work (plus a long circumnavigation for me from the local bus stop, bah – they forgot to mention at any point whether there was going to be temporary replacement, so I assume the omission is my answer) for what is a very basic footbridge over two tracks. Still, it explains the cost of a train ticket, I suppose.
I remember when the bridge over the Kennet I used to use to get between Newbury Racecourse station & my office was replaced.

It took ages, & the replacement looked as if it was built to the wrong scale. Everything was too big! The railings at the side were too high to lean on for anyone less than about 2 metres tall, for example, & worryingly, the bottom rail was so high that I was worried that if I slipped on the wet wood, I could go under it & into the river, bike & all. It looked as if someone had done it from plans with the wrong scale marked on them.
Parapets on new railway bridges have to be that high to prevent hooligans throwing stuff (or themselves) on the tracks and to protect against accidental contact with overhead line electrification. Almost every bridge between London and Cardiff has been rebuilt over the last couple of years in readiness for electrification (which they've now "put on hold" of course).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 01 August, 2017, 01:06:20 pm
A whole morning of "Please continue to hold for our next available adviser"  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 01 August, 2017, 01:33:48 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 01 August, 2017, 02:55:25 am
Royal Mail are closing down their Online Prepay Postage accounts from March 2018 so I should withdraw funds or use them up before then.
It seems £10 in that account is non-refundable. That was the amount of my most recent Top-Up.
In September 2016.

Urgh, that's crappy... Will they not be allowing pre payment of postage?  I do think swiping £10 from people is CHEEKY... Small claims them? ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 01 August, 2017, 01:48:37 pm
Quote from: Basil on 01 August, 2017, 01:06:20 pm
A whole morning of "Please continue to hold for our next available adviser"  >:(

 >:( >:(
GGGRRR!!!

I feel your frustration!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 01 August, 2017, 02:48:22 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 31 July, 2017, 06:55:41 pm
We had a patronising company speech about the history of the company that went like this "Most of you are too young to remember, but when I was young, mobile phones were so large you needed a bag to carry them in, I bet you can hardly believe it."

No, I can hardly believe it. When I was young, the phone in my house looked like this:
(http://d2ydh70d4b5xgv.cloudfront.net/images/c/3/vintage-stromberg-carlson-1248wl-mod-5-hand-crank-telephone-phone-6fce1330b4114ef76bd34ef41e2fd64a.jpg)
Not because it was 'retro', but because that's what you needed to work the local exchange; crank the handle, a bell rang in the exchange, then you told them the number you wanted.

When I was a nipper we lived next door to a telephone engineer who gave me all kinds of fascinating bits, including the generator out of a 1920s/30s wall-mounted phone. Those things could give you a hell of a kick.  Great fun.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ham on 01 August, 2017, 05:47:32 pm
Would it have been particularly evil to tell schoolmates one of those little gennies was a lie detector, get them to hold the wires and then turn the handle no matter what they answered? No? Oh, good.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 01 August, 2017, 07:24:36 pm
My Nan had a bakelite monstrosity with a chromed steel rotary dial, braided cloth covered wires and a little drawer in the base that had a cler plastic cover and a grid to write cob]ntact numbers down on.

The thing was so heavy that I wouldn't be surprised if it or a sibling had been a murder weapon.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 01 August, 2017, 07:49:39 pm
I still have a GPO 746 (http://www.barnitts.co.uk/products/details/189247.html?adid=25440&aditem=189247&gref=41993454654) connected to my landline, for the sole reason that I like the ring. I hate electronic ringtones.
I cannot make or receive calls from it, but I have other, more modern phones, about the place which can do that.
ETA - Landline..... exactly how much use does that get - aside from calls from Mother?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SteveC on 01 August, 2017, 08:46:34 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 01 August, 2017, 07:49:39 pm
ETA - Landline..... exactly how much use does that get - aside from calls from Mother?
Provides magic for the internet and contact points for elderly relatives.
Also MrsC tends to use it in preference to her mobile, to the extent of waiting until 7.00 pm for the cheaper rate when we get inclusive calls on the mobiles anyway.
Can't remember what deal we have on the landline. That's probably free after 7.00 so doesn't make much difference I suppose.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 01 August, 2017, 09:08:49 pm
Landlines are what are going to save the world come the zombie apocolypse. Mobile phone technology will fail. The yacf Battalion of the World Zombie Defence Force (WZDF) will rally round to protect Kim OTP and she will utilise her SEEKRIT supply of capacitors, transistors etc and, whilst the Pioneer Corp of the battalion pedal furiously on the SON hub equipped generator bikes, she will concoct MAGIC CIRCUITS to enable the Pioneer Corps continued pedaling to power the phone system, so keeping the WZDF command and control structure functioning.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 01 August, 2017, 09:27:42 pm
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 01 August, 2017, 09:08:49 pm
Landlines are what are going to save the world come the zombie apocolypse. Mobile phone technology will fail. The yacf Battalion of the World Zombie Defence Force (WZDF) will rally round to protect Kim OTP and she will utilise her SEEKRIT supply of capacitors, transistors etc and, whilst the Pioneer Corp of the battalion pedal furiously on the SON hub equipped generator bikes, she will concoct MAGIC CIRCUITS to enable the Pioneer Corps continued pedaling to power the phone system, so keeping the WZDF command and control structure functioning.

As long as we can spare a bit of power for my insulin fridge, after raiding Denmark where it's made, I'm in.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 01 August, 2017, 09:35:59 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 01 August, 2017, 09:27:42 pm
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 01 August, 2017, 09:08:49 pm
Landlines are what are going to save the world come the zombie apocolypse. Mobile phone technology will fail. The yacf Battalion of the World Zombie Defence Force (WZDF) will rally round to protect Kim OTP and she will utilise her SEEKRIT supply of capacitors, transistors etc and, whilst the Pioneer Corp of the battalion pedal furiously on the SON hub equipped generator bikes, she will concoct MAGIC CIRCUITS to enable the Pioneer Corps continued pedaling to power the phone system, so keeping the WZDF command and control structure functioning.

As long as we can spare a bit of power for my insulin fridge, after raiding Denmark where it's made, I'm in.

I've actually had a bit of an idea. We send out the Black Ops Platoon to conduct some snatch missions- capturing stray zombies. These zombies are chained to SON equipped roller bikes housed in a secure facility at a central location in each haven and survivors are detailed to walk past on a regular basis. The captive zombie will cycle furiously to catch the survivor- free power!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 01 August, 2017, 10:07:47 pm
This Unit is still of the op!on that landlines are for phone calls and mobiles for emergencies, but then I'm a hopeless fuddy-duddy.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 01 August, 2017, 10:40:50 pm
Landlines are for phone calls of any length.
Mobiles are for calling cabs and sending texts.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 02 August, 2017, 03:50:05 pm
Today's encounter with the idiots. Dogs. I'm not a fan. Big, barky, snarling alsatians. Less so. Big, barky, snarling alsatians not on leads. Even less so. Big, barky, snarling alsatians that are not on leads and only being restrained from eating me by two children even more less so.

The 'adult' (I assume the mother of the children) didn't bother with the usual 'being friendly/won't hurt you' gambit instead I got 'he doesn't like other people.' A somewhat superfluous explanation. I squeezed by and rather mildly remarked 'perhaps it's best to put it on a lead then.'

'Haven't got one,' she explained.

So you've got a large dog with clear antipathy to anyone and anything that it doesn't know and you think it's a bright idea to take it out without a lead?

To be fair, any idea wouldn't need to be very bright to illuminate her mind.

I should just stay inside. After the bin bag beeping incident, I'm pretty sure IQs are in free-fall. I have no idea how these people get through life without setting themselves on fire or forgetting to breath.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 02 August, 2017, 04:42:44 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 01 August, 2017, 10:07:47 pm
This Unit is still of the op!on that landlines are for phone calls and mobiles for emergencies, but then I'm a hopeless fuddy-duddy.

Quote from: hellymedic on 01 August, 2017, 10:40:50 pm
Landlines are for phone calls of any length.
Mobiles are for calling cabs and sending texts.

Landline is what we refer to the SIP line as so we don't confuse people.  It's for calling mums, blind/dyslexic people who struggle with more civilised communication methods, and for dealing with large bureaucratic organisations who don't know anything else.

Mobiles are for their many portable computing and communication applications, for getting TextRelay to work, and for failing to hear people on.

The actual landline just has RevK telling rogue Kelly engineers that the line is in use and not to nick it.  It's purely there as a prerequisite for supplying broadbeans.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 02 August, 2017, 06:42:50 pm
Quote from: ian on 02 August, 2017, 03:50:05 pm
Today's encounter with the idiots. Dogs. I'm not a fan. Big, barky, snarling alsatians. Less so. Big, barky, snarling alsatians not on leads. Even less so. Big, barky, snarling alsatians that are not on leads and only being restrained from eating me by two children even more less so.

The 'adult' (I assume the mother of the children) didn't bother with the usual 'being friendly/won't hurt you' gambit instead I got 'he doesn't like other people.' A somewhat superfluous explanation. I squeezed by and rather mildly remarked 'perhaps it's best to put it on a lead then.'

'Haven't got one,' she explained.

So you've got a large dog with clear antipathy to anyone and anything that it doesn't know and you think it's a bright idea to take it out without a lead?

To be fair, any idea wouldn't need to be very bright to illuminate her mind.

I should just stay inside. After the bin bag beeping incident, I'm pretty sure IQs are in free-fall. I have no idea how these people get through life without setting themselves on fire or forgetting to breath.
You are more tolerant than would have been. An alsation not on a lead, snarling at people? I'd have told the owner to get it muzzled or I would be calling it in the plod.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 02 August, 2017, 07:18:47 pm
Sounds like 'Allowing a dog to be dangerously out of control' to me................
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 02 August, 2017, 09:18:40 pm
It's Surrey. We don't actually have police. Leastways, I've never seen one. The last (and first) time I rang 101 a big fat zilch happened. I hate to be cynical, and in an ideal world I would have, but it's not an experience I was feel inclined to repeat unless it's a genuine 999.

Plus, to be honest, if the police did turn up, I'm sure they'd be long gone.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 03 August, 2017, 09:13:28 am
People in supermarkets who cover the conveyor of the sole working checkout with shopping then drift off to fetch further items, while the cashier waits docilely, should be drowned. Especially when they come back with a couple of health-giving bio vegan gluten-free arse candles then haul the cashier off round the shelves to check the price.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Si S on 04 August, 2017, 02:33:01 am
Darling daughter, you're not 18 until 4.30am and since I'm now awake due to your enthusiasm your chances of making it are not looking good.

/miserableoldbugger
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 04 August, 2017, 12:44:07 pm
Webinar platforms that are about as user friendly as kicking a tyrannosaurus and shouting 'your mum' and that only allow Powerpoint and then proceed to mangle it. Maybe if you save in Powerpoint 1877 format, they say. Figure out how to use PDF, I say.

Marketing monkeys, who finally delight me by sending me a brochure that's not in Word or Powerpoint, and is an actual dtp format. Whoo. Or would be if they hadn't drawn one text box and manually formatted all the text. And used the tab key to format it around the image. Which, of course, they hadn't sent.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Diver300 on 05 August, 2017, 09:56:21 am
BT's webpage for explaining SIM sizes claims that the first SIMs were 25 x 15 mm, which is actually a mini SIM, while showing a (partial) picture of a multi-size SIM that includes the full, credit card sized SIM.

http://home.bt.com/tech-gadgets/phones-tablets/confused-by-sim-cards-we-explain-the-different-types-and-how-to-use-them-11364014360568 (http://home.bt.com/tech-gadgets/phones-tablets/confused-by-sim-cards-we-explain-the-different-types-and-how-to-use-them-11364014360568)

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ham on 08 August, 2017, 05:57:03 pm
Dear colleague. While I don't expect your undying gratitude for turning something around in very short order before I go on holiday, when I respond to your list of 8 questions with "all the answers are in the deck", don't be surprised when your next mail asking me to call you to talk and explain where are my assumptions and where is the resource model, gets answered (Reply All) with: "You will find the assumptions on slide 6, the one titled Assumptions and the resource model is on slide 10, the one titled Headcount, which is another word for resource model". Thank you.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 13 August, 2017, 08:25:27 am
There should be a special section in HELL for those who watch TV at full volume on phablets at hotel breakfasts, featuring an extra inferno for canned laughter.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 13 August, 2017, 09:48:31 am
Sodcasting... My usual reaction is to talk loudly about how inconsiderate it is. If that didn't work I might ask them to stop it and then if that failed ask the hotel to make them stop it cos it's fucking rude and there's no need for it. We have this magic invention called HEADPHONES.

My friend laughed herself silly when on coach to BiCon I talked loudly about whoever was sodcasting bleepy computer games... Sadly didn't take the hint.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 13 August, 2017, 10:09:00 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 13 August, 2017, 08:25:27 am
There should be a special section in HELL for those who watch TV at full volume on phablets at hotel breakfasts, featuring an extra inferno for canned laughter.

I think that I'd ask them to turn down the volume.  Lots.  Ignorant little .....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 13 August, 2017, 10:41:31 am
TBH, if someone is playing loud noise in a public place, they're either unaware that they're doing it, or they don't give a stuff.  Neither is likely to end well if confronted.

I once spent an hour long train journey being glared at by a woman diagnonally opposite because I had a tablet device on standby on the table in front of me.  It turned out that for some reason she assumed "my machinery" was responsible for the hideous squeaking noise eminating from a loose bit of coachwork nearby.

Sodcasting (the deliberate blaring of tinny music) is a specific social behaviour; a midly threatening attempt to 'own' the space.  The only sane approach is headphones, so you can ignore it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 13 August, 2017, 06:07:33 pm
Parents: instead of printing a web page to PDF and emailing that to me, a link would suffice.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 13 August, 2017, 10:45:39 pm
Re: sodcasting

(https://scontent-lht6-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/20840766_10154568154546230_878192304948626816_n.jpg?oh=4bf6fc3d363d7e95c3acee2c7738c710&oe=5A1F4569)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 14 August, 2017, 01:17:47 am
Quote from: Polar Bear on 13 August, 2017, 10:09:00 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 13 August, 2017, 08:25:27 am
There should be a special section in HELL for those who watch TV at full volume on phablets at hotel breakfasts, featuring an extra inferno for canned laughter.

I think that I'd ask them to turn down the volume.  Lots.  Ignorant little .....

Perp was a lady of my parents' generation. I was breakfasting alone, though perp was in company.
I did not feel I could be assertive with a Little Old Lady.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 14 August, 2017, 01:32:23 am
Another place in HELL is reserved for those yobs who insist on reclining their seats in economy class, leaving unfortunate passengers behind them with scant face space.

I was in the centre seat at the very front of economy, between two Big Chaps, one of whom insisted on reclining despite polite requests from an affected passenger. He looked around 10 years old, but that doesn't reduce his need for a little consideration.

Onwards and upwards... (That's a loose English translation of El Al, for those with a lust for trivia.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 14 August, 2017, 09:07:01 am
Quote from: Andrij on 13 August, 2017, 10:45:39 pm
Re: sodcasting

(https://scontent-lht6-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/20840766_10154568154546230_878192304948626816_n.jpg?oh=4bf6fc3d363d7e95c3acee2c7738c710&oe=5A1F4569)

Reminds me of my son, years ago, reading a Mahler score and chuckling in places.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 15 August, 2017, 11:01:15 am
I just had a delivery attempt by an Amazon drone. 'Nope, not for us it has to go to XXXXX', say I. 'Where's that?' he says bewildered - not uncommon for Amazon drivers. 'I'll give you a map', add I and mark out where he is and where he needs to go. He looks baffled. 'But the satnav brought me here', he retorts. I explain that the satnav isn't always right and tell him he knows where he is and where to go, pointing at the map. 'I'm from Birmingham, I don't know where that is!' he says & still looks baffled, but goes away with the parcel. Only later do I realise that he probably doesn't know how to read a map, having relied all his short life on satnavs. Either that or he is particularly dense. I suspect the parcel might not reach its destination.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 15 August, 2017, 11:13:54 am
Traditionally, drones don't do anything but eat and f*ck.  You must have got one of those.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 15 August, 2017, 12:04:52 pm
In my vocabulary, CAMRAman's delivery person was a droid or a squid. A drone is an unmanned flying machine or a bee to me.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 15 August, 2017, 12:11:17 pm
I'm printing B&W, and my printer is complaining it is almost out of yellow ink.  Shut up and get on with the job at hand!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 15 August, 2017, 12:13:11 pm
Quote from: Polar Bear on 13 August, 2017, 10:09:00 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 13 August, 2017, 08:25:27 am
There should be a special section in HELL for those who watch TV at full volume on phablets at hotel breakfasts, featuring an extra inferno for canned laughter.

I think that I'd ask them to turn down the volume.  Lots.  Ignorant little .....

In a further incident of getting old, I had to tell someone in the swimming pool changing to turn his music off. Why does anyone need a loud soundtrack to getting changed? He mumbled something like an errant teenager (and he must have been in his mid-20s) in response but turned it down to a tinny level. Got a 'thank you' from some chap on the way out. I wasn't so bothered by the noise (OK, it was annoying), but it was usual rap content, and I'm not sure a tale of 'niggers' and 'pussy' was (a) about a community predilection for felines or (b) suitable for the pool changing room during the summer holidays. Use some fucking common sense.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 15 August, 2017, 01:10:34 pm
Quote from: Andrij on 15 August, 2017, 12:11:17 pm
I'm printing B&W, and my printer is complaining it is almost out of yellow ink.  Shut up and get on with the job at hand!

Early HP ink-jets made 'black' by mixing all the inks together, only it came out more like khaki.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Clare on 15 August, 2017, 01:44:05 pm
It is remarkably off-putting when the only other two people in the office have decamped to the cupboard kitchen and are talking in such low voices that they cannot be heard. Yes, I do think it is about me.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 16 August, 2017, 11:07:31 am
I know I am getting old but I really don't think it's appropriate for our neighbours* kids (both aged under eight ) to be playing out 1am this morning while their parents were getting drunk with some friends.... I know they were drinking as I have just picked up the empty cans they have thrown into our garden..........again.  :facepalm: :hand:

Sometimes, I wish I had kept my gun.



*They aren't really neighbours as they are the other side of a pathway but noise and beer cans can travel.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 16 August, 2017, 11:18:32 am
Garden hose. And throw back the cans.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 16 August, 2017, 11:30:39 am
Quote from: T42 on 16 August, 2017, 11:18:32 am
Garden hose. And throw back the cans.

They only come back over.... as have in the last few years: A rugby ball, a grill pan, a lighter, several hundred cans, a mini football and a several dead plants.

I wouldn't mind (well actually I do), but the fence they throw stuff over is 7 foot tall and thus, it's likely to be the "adults" rather than the children who chuck stuff.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 18 August, 2017, 11:00:23 pm
I'm starting to dig kit out for next Saturdays trip to the continent & I can't fine my clever Sea to Summit clothes line  :(   I may have to improvise with some hairy string..
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 19 August, 2017, 08:28:36 am
What you need are bungies - and a friend's bike ;D
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nE4UmXk3AXU/VhA0BLIHzWI/AAAAAAAALOk/17RhCIp1_V8/s640-Ic42/20150930_100712.jpg)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jasmine on 22 August, 2017, 12:44:50 pm
I have just received a letter at work from an external person I'm dealing with.  They know who I am, because we've had a fair bit of correspondence.  So why oh why is the letter addressed "Dear Sirs"?  WTF?  It's sent to my email address, which is $firstname.$surname@whereIwork, so they can hardly claim they don't know I'm female. I'm not sure whether they have a standard template that they can't be bothered to change, or whether they think that I'm going to send it on to a man to deal with.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 22 August, 2017, 01:07:08 pm
The way I see it, this sort of thing serves as a warning that you're dealing with either:

a) A luser
b) A robot
c) A person who adheres to hopelessly old-fashioned rules of formality
d) A sexist arse
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 22 August, 2017, 05:35:38 pm
Dear Sir would indicate they thought you were a man, would pass it on to a man, or they just couldn't be bothered to check or change their template, whereas Dear Sirs indicates something addressed with old-fashioned formality to a company as a whole, rather than an individual. Doesn't it? Could always be a badly programmed, sexist, out-dated robot, I suppose.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jakob W on 22 August, 2017, 07:26:16 pm
If I have to be formal, I tend to use 'Dear Sir, Madam,' which is still not entirely unproblematic; otherwise I just use 'Dear <companyname>', which feels informal if clunky.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jasmine on 22 August, 2017, 09:07:14 pm
But would you write that in response to an email or letter where the the sender has signed it Dr. $Firstname $Surname?  Surely if you wanted to send a formal reply, you would send it to Dr $Firstname
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jakob W on 22 August, 2017, 09:31:04 pm
Ah, right - I didn't realise that the email was in response to previous correspondence; I'd assumed it was a general matter that had been sent to you. That is very weird.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Sergeant Pluck on 22 August, 2017, 10:56:51 pm
Quote from: Jasmine on 22 August, 2017, 12:44:50 pm
I have just received a letter at work from an external person I'm dealing with.  They know who I am, because we've had a fair bit of correspondence.  So why oh why is the letter addressed "Dear Sirs"?  WTF?  It's sent to my email address, which is $firstname.$surname@whereIwork, so they can hardly claim they don't know I'm female. I'm not sure whether they have a standard template that they can't be bothered to change, or whether they think that I'm going to send it on to a man to deal with.

Inexcusable.

Leaving that case aside, in those rare situations in which one doesn’t know and cannot find out the name and gender of the person being written to, what is the current best option? Is there no better option than “Dear sir or madam"?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 22 August, 2017, 11:11:25 pm
Dear Company Name or dear Department Name 8f you know it.
I've written Dear Ceredigion Council a few times.

The 80's humorous Dear Sir or Mad Man is probably no longer acceptable.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 22 August, 2017, 11:19:24 pm
This is why I like email, as you can just use "Hi,"
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 23 August, 2017, 09:37:35 am
It's a just a template, I'm sure. I always find Dear Sir/Madam whatever splendidly dated. In email, it's doubly splendid.

Possibly, it's Clippy. I see you're writing a formal letter. We shouldn't be mean to Clippy. It's all that abuse that will, finally, result in SkyNet and our resultant annihilation. All because we mocked Clippy.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 23 August, 2017, 10:40:02 am
Quote from: Kim on 22 August, 2017, 11:19:24 pm
This is why I like email, as you can just use "Hi,"

"Ahoy!" works too ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 23 August, 2017, 10:53:38 am
I've got Blepheritis in my right eye, so now have an eyelid full of antibiotic cream.  This is sub optimal for most stuff as everything is really blurred so I'm working one eyed.    I'm off touring at the weekend, the course should  finish by Sunday.  Hopefully this will clear the problem up.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 23 August, 2017, 11:10:19 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 23 August, 2017, 10:40:02 am
Quote from: Kim on 22 August, 2017, 11:19:24 pm
This is why I like email, as you can just use "Hi,"

"Ahoy!" works too ;D

That's used by one of my xkcd://1279 (https://xkcd.com/1279/) doppelgangers (the poorly paid actor, not the one with the submarine allergy), so it would just muddy the waters if I were to use it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 23 August, 2017, 11:43:19 am
Quote from: Kim on 23 August, 2017, 11:10:19 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 23 August, 2017, 10:40:02 am
Quote from: Kim on 22 August, 2017, 11:19:24 pm
This is why I like email, as you can just use "Hi,"

"Ahoy!" works too ;D

That's used by one of my xkcd://1279 (https://xkcd.com/1279/) doppelgangers (the poorly paid actor, not the one with the submarine allergy), so it would just muddy the waters if I were to use it.

I did a double take when I saw that name on Twitter earlier.   The I realised that _our_ Kim is not the type to get involved with mad inventors & crazy forms of transport...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 23 August, 2017, 11:54:10 am
Quote from: andrewc on 23 August, 2017, 11:43:19 am
The I realised that _our_ Kim is not the type to get involved with mad inventors & crazy forms of transport...

Of course not!

(http://www.ductilebiscuit.net/gallery_albums/BHPC_derby_2017/35898538413_78f46697ea_o.sized.jpg)

(Mike Burrows out of shot to the right...)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 23 August, 2017, 12:36:35 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 23 August, 2017, 10:53:38 am
I've got Blepheritis in my right eye, so now have an eyelid full of antibiotic cream.  This is sub optimal for most stuff as everything is really blurred so I'm working one eyed.    I'm off touring at the weekend, the course should  finish by Sunday.  Hopefully this will clear the problem up.

You may have had this advice already so apologies if it's teaching granny etc...

Use diluted baby shampoo on cotton buds to clean the edge of your eyelids in addition to the a/b cream. The infection is caused by blocked lymph ducts between the eyelashes. Drink more water than normal and use an eye bath if you can. HTH
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 23 August, 2017, 01:07:13 pm
When I Rule The World I shall:

1.   Introduce "how thermostats work" into stuff taught at school.

2.   And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to fuck about with the Aircon in the office.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 23 August, 2017, 01:11:05 pm
Quote from: Torslanda on 23 August, 2017, 12:36:35 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 23 August, 2017, 10:53:38 am
I've got Blepheritis in my right eye, so now have an eyelid full of antibiotic cream.  This is sub optimal for most stuff as everything is really blurred so I'm working one eyed.    I'm off touring at the weekend, the course should  finish by Sunday.  Hopefully this will clear the problem up.

You may have had this advice already so apologies if it's teaching granny etc...

Use diluted baby shampoo on cotton buds to clean the edge of your eyelids in addition to the a/b cream. The infection is caused by blocked lymph ducts between the eyelashes. Drink more water than normal and use an eye bath if you can. HTH

Thanks, Yes, I've been doing that & using hot compresses for a while, but it's not shifted, hence the tube of goop!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 23 August, 2017, 04:08:33 pm
Moles.  >:(  :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 23 August, 2017, 06:07:15 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 23 August, 2017, 01:07:13 pm
When I Rule The World I shall:

1.   Introduce "how thermostats work" into stuff taught at school.

2.   And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to fuck about with the Aircon in the office.

Our building manager has given up with that, and has instead installed locked covers over the air-con controllers so no-one can change them.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 23 August, 2017, 06:27:13 pm
RIP sacrificial verge bollard (2014-2017). You survived the school kids and many attempts by motorists to maim and kill you. But you held your own, scratching bodywork and denting bumpers, and hopefully crushing a few school-age fingers. Plus I've made a not insignificant money from charging companies for fixing it, which I've then done myself. I'm surprisingly and reassuringly expensive.

Alas, some twunt managed to hit it so comprehensively this morning that it ripped out the concrete foundation. It seemed the driver tried to put it back. He didn't do a good job. I think I give up, there is indeed a certain pleasure from knowing that I've ruined a lot of bad drivers' days by them having to explain those dents and scratches, but equally, it's quite heavy to lug around and this time I'll have to pay a grown-up to repour a foundation re-seat it. I think it's reached the point where it's more trouble than it's worth.

I'm not holding my breath for Eurohaul to call back. That said, it might not be them, the woman who saw it thinks it was Eurohaul. Euro-something, anyway. Which isn't as helpful. I'll see if they fess up and whether I can be bothered dealing with another bunch of insurance adjusters.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 23 August, 2017, 07:27:38 pm
What you need is some cctv covering your bollard :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 23 August, 2017, 07:31:16 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 23 August, 2017, 06:07:15 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 23 August, 2017, 01:07:13 pm
When I Rule The World I shall:

1.   Introduce "how thermostats work" into stuff taught at school.

2.   And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to fuck about with the Aircon in the office.

Our building manager has given up with that, and has instead installed locked covers over the air-con controllers so no-one can change them.

Decoy thermostats.  It's the only way to be sure.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 23 August, 2017, 07:51:14 pm
Quote from: Kim on 23 August, 2017, 07:31:16 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 23 August, 2017, 06:07:15 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 23 August, 2017, 01:07:13 pm
When I Rule The World I shall:

1.   Introduce "how thermostats work" into stuff taught at school.

2.   And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to fuck about with the Aircon in the office.

Our building manager has given up with that, and has instead installed locked covers over the air-con controllers so no-one can change them.

Decoy thermostats.  It's the only way to be sure.

On that front, when they remodelled our office to cram more people in (who have yet to arrive a year later but should be soon) it was agreed that some sort of "air con" would be installed. We now have a box with an on/off switch and a knob that goes up to 11, but other than an increase in noise it appears to do nothing.
I have named it the homeopathic air con.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 23 August, 2017, 07:51:36 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 23 August, 2017, 07:27:38 pm
What you need is some cctv covering your bollard :)

I'm not sure secretly filming local schoolchildren is quite the reputation I'm aiming for...

Actually I'm still umming and ahhing about CCTV in general, the smorgasbord of choice resulting in the usual outbreak of indecision. That said, the bollard is/was on the corner, hence its dicey fate, so not really in view as The Asbestos Palace has trees out the front. I have a couple out front to discourage drivers from churning up the verge in winter. The corner one always gets it, hence its sacrificial nature. I mostly despair about how shit some of the drivers are, there's room enough to get around the corner, all the bin lorries manage it fine.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: orienteer on 23 August, 2017, 08:50:12 pm
You need to register any CCTV which includes any land beyond your own property border.

https://ico.org.uk/registration/cctv (https://ico.org.uk/registration/cctv)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 23 August, 2017, 09:06:49 pm
What if I'm filming the sky? You know, in case any aliens are getting their kit off?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 23 August, 2017, 11:23:03 pm
Have you considered an RSJ being inserted into terra firma instead of a concrete bollard? Said RSJ could be covered in an environmentally acceptable but renewable disguise. They do make a nice banging/boinging sound when struck.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 24 August, 2017, 08:25:48 am
I could (rolled steel joist?). That or a landmine or IED, which would give me more satisfaction.

Or I might give up, it's just a verge. I tried to make it look nice (I even netted a few compliments for my trouble) but I suspect it's a battle that will never end, and I have better things to do. Tbh, the road is unsuitable for lorries anyway, but I suspect any weight restriction would be disregarded and not being able to get deliveries wouldn't be popular with the fifty or so houses beyond mine. Plus I'd have to deal with Surrey CC and they're utterly, utterly, utterly fucking useless.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 24 August, 2017, 09:12:37 am
The answer has to be a rubber springy one, covered in sharp metal scratchy bits. So they can drive over it without ripping it out, but it will nicely scratch up their vehicle.

That or a bit of art made from a bundle of stainless cable sticking up vertically.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 24 August, 2017, 10:38:25 am
If you are suggesting I cross Zebedee with a Terminator T1000 and program it to patrol my garden, that's quite possibly the best idea I've heard all morning. Give me your clothes, your boots, and your slinky.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 24 August, 2017, 11:04:35 am
Quote from: ian on 24 August, 2017, 10:38:25 am
If you are suggesting I cross Zebedee with a Terminator T1000 and program it to patrol my garden, that's quite possibly the best idea I've heard all morning. Give me your clothes, your boots, and your slinky.
Yebbut it might then start doing disgusting things with the slinky. Entirely unsuitable viewing for Form 5B on their way home.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 24 August, 2017, 04:28:44 pm
RSJ buried 2/3 into the ground with a scarecrow on top in the uniform of the local school.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 24 August, 2017, 05:04:22 pm
What about a leering Jimmy Savile? That would scare the absolute fuck out of me. Hmm.

I should maybe work on persuading the bear squadron to move out front. Admittedly they have grown fat and lazy on plentiful diet of local Daily Mail readers. That's the problem with an all-you-can-eat buffet. It's hard to motivate them. I couldn't eat another, they say. Plus DM readers are mostly rather chewy, all gristle and skin. The bears would probably like to eat real people. Nice plump ones, the sort that read the Guardian and eat healthily. And some raspberry jam. Bears love jam.

The yetis won't come down, the altitude out front is too low for practical yetiing.

I could raise Finestre, the Demon of Such Things, but she's a busy demon. You don't get the executive town house in Hell's most salubrious suburb, Dress Down Friday, without a full-on dedication to diabolicalism. Besides, all she natters on about is you'll never guess what Astaroth did today? Hell's office politics is much like our own, though admittedly with a lot more screaming.

Life is hard.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 24 August, 2017, 06:12:43 pm
Hang on, you're all thinking about this the wrong way.  All you need to do is fuddishly park a motor vehicle on the corner.  That's the one thing motorists respect.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 24 August, 2017, 07:35:54 pm
I still think anti-tank landmines are the way to go.  A few anti-personnel mines chucked in for good measure and you've sorted the irritating schoolchildren problem and possibly the inconsiderate dog-emptiers as well.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 24 August, 2017, 09:21:11 pm
I'd go full Ed-209 on them

"you have 30 seconds to comply"
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 25 August, 2017, 10:01:40 am
Quote from: andrewc on 23 August, 2017, 10:53:38 am
I've got Blepheritis in my right eye, so now have an eyelid full of antibiotic cream.  This is sub optimal for most stuff as everything is really blurred so I'm working one eyed.    I'm off touring at the weekend, the course should  finish by Sunday.  Hopefully this will clear the problem up.

This stuff is leaching into the back of my throat via the tear duct.  It does not taste good  :sick:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 29 August, 2017, 10:14:59 pm
Dig a deep hole for the foundations for the new bollard. Which you have yet to order. Remember to put a flimsy barrier between it and the road.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 29 August, 2017, 10:29:41 pm
Drainage might be an issue with the hole thobut.  Bound to attract piranhas.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 30 August, 2017, 10:35:00 am
Mate: You don't cycle often, so you hired an electric bike for our ride, which is fair enough. However, you are sensitive to the sun and wore neither hat, helmet nor sunglasses on possibly the hottest day of the year. Surprise, surprise, you got mild sunstroke and we had to bail out half way round. Not the first time...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Quisling on 30 August, 2017, 10:55:09 am
Quote from: Kim on 23 August, 2017, 07:31:16 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 23 August, 2017, 06:07:15 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 23 August, 2017, 01:07:13 pm
When I Rule The World I shall:

1.   Introduce "how thermostats work" into stuff taught at school.

2.   And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to fuck about with the Aircon in the office.

Our building manager has given up with that, and has instead installed locked covers over the air-con controllers so no-one can change them.

Decoy thermostats.  It's the only way to be sure.

It's pretty common in the building services industry to (a) link air-con to a central Building Management System which controls it's time of operation and limits the maximum range of temperature operation and (b) use a local thermostat which is limited to a small range (including zero range!) to give Users some feeling of local control.

In truth, most energy managers would like air con thermostats to range from "COSTLY AND POINTLESS" around 19C up to "TRY OPENING THE WINDOWS FOR CROSS VENTILATION" at 22C and "OK, IF YOU MUST, BUT ONLY IF YOU'RE A SERVER ROOM" at 25C.  Exceptions might be made for exercise facilities in the interests of avoiding deth-by-heatstroke.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 30 August, 2017, 11:33:43 am
My experience of building management systems is that they are a programme that initially lulls the user into a false sense of security before transfiguring into a recurring consultants mega payday.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 31 August, 2017, 03:10:04 pm
Quote from: ian on 24 August, 2017, 05:04:22 pm
What about a leering Jimmy Savile? That would scare the absolute fuck out of me. Hmm.

I should maybe work on persuading the bear squadron to move out front. Admittedly they have grown fat and lazy on plentiful diet of local Daily Mail readers. That's the problem with an all-you-can-eat buffet. It's hard to motivate them. I couldn't eat another, they say. Plus DM readers are mostly rather chewy, all gristle and skin. The bears would probably like to eat real people. Nice plump ones, the sort that read the Guardian and eat healthily. And some raspberry jam. Bears love jam.

The yetis won't come down, the altitude out front is too low for practical yetiing.

I could raise Finestre, the Demon of Such Things, but she's a busy demon. You don't get the executive town house in Hell's most salubrious suburb, Dress Down Friday, without a full-on dedication to diabolicalism. Besides, all she natters on about is you'll never guess what Astaroth did today? Hell's office politics is much like our own, though admittedly with a lot more screaming.

Life is hard.
Mr Ian, you've got all the right ideas and there was a time when people were trying to persuade you to stop pretending to have a day job and write a book for us. But I see you've done it anyway, in episodes, at random intervals and in random places.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Morrisette on 31 August, 2017, 04:26:09 pm
YOU DON'T NEED AIR CON IN THE UK IT ISN'T EVER WARM ENOUGH TO SWITCH IT ON.

The reason people are fiddling with the thermostat is because they are FREEZING COLD ON A NICE HOT DAY.

It's so, so, vanishingly rare to be too hot here - can't you just put up with it for one or two days? Why make it cold? It's cold on every other day of the year!!!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 01 September, 2017, 08:41:13 am
I have always saved the skewers out of old wheels before dumping them, but for some reason I find myself with a dozen spare rear-wheel skewers and only two front-wheel ditto, which I have to move around when I swap a plain wheel for a dyno wheel.  When I try to get more on-line without paying international postage I find I have either to buy them in pairs, front & rear, or else fork out daft prices for super-dooper luxury items. Bollocks, I want function not fashion.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 01 September, 2017, 10:03:55 am
bad enough that I'm having to fly Ryanair for the second time in less than ten years, but I'm being forced to sign up to their system, as if I'm going to be a frequent flyer >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 01 September, 2017, 10:31:38 am
Quote from: ElyDave on 01 September, 2017, 10:03:55 am
bad enough that I'm having to fly Ryanair for the second time in less than ten years, but I'm being forced to sign up to their system, as if I'm going to be a frequent flyer >:(

Get used to it, all airlines seem to be in a race to the bottom (or rather worryingly sea level). One of the more exquisite tortures in Hell is the eternal economy class seat. It's that combination of sweat-inducing, butt-sliding shininess and the poky, metallic bones beneath, always needling and digging into muscle group and nerve plexuses that you didn't even know you had. They're actually operated by lower level demons (there's several large call centres, it's a growth industry), they have dials and buttons to poke there and jab here. The daily highspot of any apprentice demon is hitting the seat-in-front recline button during the meal (meals, remember them, it's what they had before they started selling sandwiches that they don't have, it would have been £8 sir). Now that's diabolical innovation. Whoever thought of that is surely on their way to an executive townhouse in Dress Down Friday. You know what estate agents are like in Hell? Exactly the same as here.

Anyway, I think Hell is providing consulting services to several airlines. I suppose it had to happen after they privatized Heaven℠ (now a JesusCorp™ Business).

Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 31 August, 2017, 03:10:04 pm
Mr Ian, you've got all the right ideas and there was a time when people were trying to persuade you to stop pretending to have a day job and write a book for us. But I see you've done it anyway, in episodes, at random intervals and in random places.

That's my life. Demons, cryptozoology and bears. I'd probably swap the corporate mothership for more time with my favourite undead librarian, but then who wouldn't. If anyone here is a literary agent, I'd probably take a long holiday soon, there's some things that can't be unread. Dan Brown, watch out.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 01 September, 2017, 11:00:52 am
Self publishing? The Amazon is full of it
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 01 September, 2017, 11:25:48 am
And it's 99.9% shit. Oh, hold on a minute.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 03 September, 2017, 02:53:31 pm
Noisy bugger across the road must be new to Alsace. Doesn't know that on Sundays here you definitely do not mow your lawn with a 100 Db mower, and especially not in the middle of Holy Communion lunch.  Making that kind of racket is reserved for 15-year-olds on mopeds.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Legs on 04 September, 2017, 09:07:29 am
I wonder if anyone has ever gone away on holiday, had their car and/or house burglarisation alert go off in their absence, CONTINUOUSLY, and been murdered by their neighbours on their return???

Last week, we were camping in Anglesey, and the wailing began emanating from the far side of the stand of trees from where we'd pitched our tent at about midnight on Tuesday, and was still going when we packed up on Friday morning.  It wasn't really much of an annoyance for us because we were quite well sheltered from it, but...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 06 September, 2017, 02:11:16 am
Last week, Mr Larrington switches his portable telephone back on after getting off the hairyplane to USAnia.  Shortly thereafter it emits a tinny rendition of Jesus Couldn't Drum's "Wooden Chicken", indicating that I have a txt msg.  It is from giffgaff, bidding me welcome to USAnia.  "Hurrah", says Mr Larrington, "it would seem that, just like last year, my portable telephone is working in Abroad, where the FOREIGNS come from!"  A couple of days later, he notices that it no longer has a signal.  Buttons are pushed, options selected and deselected and the Internets consulted, but networks finds it none.  This may conceivably be because there are none to be found while out in the sticks, but to continue doing it in Billings MT, which has a population in excess of 100,000, is beyond the pale.

A Total Prick on an Internet Forum suggested selecting "a network other than O2", thereby proving that he had not read the question, but I did not call the Total Prick a Total Prick as he was the only person who even bothered to reply.  So in disgust I switched it off overnight.  IN the morning it could not find any networks.  So I switched it off all day.  In the evening, in Kalispell MT (pop. > 22,000), it could not find any networks.  So I switched it off all night and all day today.

This evening (Clarkston WA, pop. 40,000-odd when combined with Lewiston ID across the river) it has suddenly entered diplomatic relations with T-Mobile.  I can only assume it was tired, or jet-lagged, or something.

Bah!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 06 September, 2017, 08:17:17 am
18h00 seems to be the designated hour for every prat in the neighbourhood to fire up his internal combustion noisemaker and take the top 2mm off his lawn. Don't they know that it is also l'heure de l'apéro, when they're duty bound to go and get quietly squiffed in a manner befitting?  The bugger next door even got out a cultivator and turned n square tablecloths of lawn into a veg. patch.

I blame the Teutonic streak in the Alsacien nature: too much work ethic and not enough cirrhosis.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 07 September, 2017, 02:12:44 pm
CBH and I have an agreement regarding outside of our place.... I don't do gardening as I really don't like being outside in the sun unless I am riding my bike; watching sport or mowing the lawns/ using power tools such as chainsaws... I don't mind building stuff like walls/ sheds/ fences etc neither. Thus, if CBH wants to do some planting, I'll buy the plants and she can do the rest.

Or at least I thought that was the agreement. It seems however, that the new plants she brought to close off one corner of the garden from the street need large holes and sadly, her being a girl meant that she wasn't strong enough to do the digging... by the way, this was her statement and not one I am making before I am called a sexist; especially as the holes need to be dug near a tree and thus, there are roots everywhere.

Four large holes later, the plants are in place.

Why the grumble? I hurt. My back, arms, head, neck and legs all hurt from three hours worth of digging. I am more knackered than after a 100km hilly ride.

Gardening/ plants....nah, not interested unless you can eat it/ it kills and eats the local dog population. Talking about dogs...is there a point to them apart from to come into our garden for a poo?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 07 September, 2017, 09:19:45 pm
According to my tracker I walked 15.45km today.

My dodgy foot fucking knacks.  >:(  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 07 September, 2017, 10:18:15 pm
Ecover:  wtf have you done to your laundry liquid, washing up liquid and handwash?  What a load of shit all of a sudden!

Bear no likey and has sent you a grumpy email as a result.

Will start looking for alternatives.  :-(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jaded on 08 September, 2017, 07:49:36 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 06 September, 2017, 02:11:16 am
Last week, Mr Larrington switches his portable telephone back on after getting off the hairyplane to USAnia.  Shortly thereafter it emits a tinny rendition of Jesus Couldn't Drum's "Wooden Chicken", indicating that I have a txt msg.  It is from giffgaff, bidding me welcome to USAnia.  "Hurrah", says Mr Larrington, "it would seem that, just like last year, my portable telephone is working in Abroad, where the FOREIGNS come from!"  A couple of days later, he notices that it no longer has a signal.  Buttons are pushed, options selected and deselected and the Internets consulted, but networks finds it none.  This may conceivably be because there are none to be found while out in the sticks, but to continue doing it in Billings MT, which has a population in excess of 100,000, is beyond the pale.

A Total Prick on an Internet Forum suggested selecting "a network other than O2", thereby proving that he had not read the question, but I did not call the Total Prick a Total Prick as he was the only person who even bothered to reply.  So in disgust I switched it off overnight.  IN the morning it could not find any networks.  So I switched it off all day.  In the evening, in Kalispell MT (pop. > 22,000), it could not find any networks.  So I switched it off all night and all day today.

This evening (Clarkston WA, pop. 40,000-odd when combined with Lewiston ID across the river) it has suddenly entered diplomatic relations with T-Mobile.  I can only assume it was tired, or jet-lagged, or something.

Bah!

When we were in the States a few weeks ago we got an urgent text msg to phone home. We were driving and we were going though places like Fenge Heights, Hoisinsauseburgh and Happy which had reasonable populations. No service whatsoever on O2 or T-Moblie so I suggested we used wifi calling from a drive by hotel. So we did and spoiled the poor receptionists night shift because of our sadness at the death.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 08 September, 2017, 09:30:21 am
Quote from: Polar Bear on 07 September, 2017, 10:18:15 pm
Ecover:  wtf have you done to your laundry liquid, washing up liquid and handwash?  What a load of shit all of a sudden!

Bear no likey and has sent you a grumpy email as a result.

Will start looking for alternatives.  :-(

What is it they've done? I've not bought any (other than their bio tablets) for a while, we're using up stock so to speak.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 08 September, 2017, 11:58:57 am
ISO 9001 audit day.

<bangs head>
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 08 September, 2017, 12:00:44 pm
I've had to change my email address for Another Place I frequent. Now my account is showing as "inactive".

Quote
If you are experiencing problems logging in please contact a site Administrator

The only way I can see to contact Admin is to log in and PM them. The only way I can log in to PM them is to contact them :facepalm:. If I ever get back into this bloody forum I'm going to change my name to Yossarian. >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 08 September, 2017, 03:15:12 pm
Someone should be reading emails to postmaster@someotherforum.org
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 08 September, 2017, 07:58:51 pm
My phone / mobile provider says I've lost data connectivity because I've roamed beyond my home network.
Sussex to Hampshire. Really?

Sent from my LG-H850 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 09 September, 2017, 06:01:46 pm
Abandoned my ride as one slide along the chalk seems like enough for the weekend.

Sent from my LG-H850 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 09 September, 2017, 08:55:33 pm
Thought I had a spare gear cable in my shed. I didn't, so I got as far as mounting the new front mech and setting the low position.

On the other hand I did change the front tyre on the 'bent to a marathon racer from a marathon plus, surprised at the difference in weight and stiffness.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nicknack on 10 September, 2017, 11:17:25 am
I don't own a smart phone so this whinge may suffer from a lack of knowledge of the things.
Practically every other camera ever made, if it produces a picture an oblong picture, has the image oriented with the long dimension horizontal (honourable exception being 35mm half-frame). So why do phones produce vertical ones? And, even more irritatingly, vertical videos. Given that the manufacturers obviously don't have a clue is it really hard to turn a phone through 90 degrees when taking a pic/video? Who on earth thinks that a video taken through a vertical letterbox looks good?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 10 September, 2017, 11:32:19 am
People are a bit stupid. Also, shooting in portrait mode can be done one handed while landscape generally uses two.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nicknack on 10 September, 2017, 11:35:25 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 10 September, 2017, 11:32:19 am
People are a bit stupid. Also, shooting in portrait mode can be done one handed while landscape generally uses two.
But why are they set up like that in the first place?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 10 September, 2017, 12:00:13 pm
Quote from: nicknack on 10 September, 2017, 11:35:25 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 10 September, 2017, 11:32:19 am
People are a bit stupid. Also, shooting in portrait mode can be done one handed while landscape generally uses two.
But why are they set up like that in the first place?

Presumably because that way wysiwyg.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 10 September, 2017, 12:12:26 pm
Lewisham (and Croydon) Borough Councils.
Your street lighting has been lit 24/7 right across both boroughs for at least two weeks, and probably more.
I couldn't believe that I'd be the first person to tell them this, and indeed I wasn't.
They've been aware of it for a while and, as Damian from Skanska cheerfully informed me, they haven't got a clue what's wrong with it.
These are the smart street lamps which, I understand have an individual radio link to the control centre , 38,000 of which have been installed across both boroughs in the last five or six years. 38,000 lamps which are burning bright.
Day and night.
Presumably my council tax is paying for this shocking waste of energy. Muppets.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 10 September, 2017, 12:20:07 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 10 September, 2017, 12:00:13 pm
Quote from: nicknack on 10 September, 2017, 11:35:25 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 10 September, 2017, 11:32:19 am
People are a bit stupid. Also, shooting in portrait mode can be done one handed while landscape generally uses two.
But why are they set up like that in the first place?

Presumably because that way wysiwyg.

That's it. Though I'm not sure why there isn't a landscape override. That said, with a little iPhone is not difficult to hold the phone either way, not sure about those giant Samsungs and larger iPhones, those are like dinner trays.

Quote from: Jurek on 10 September, 2017, 12:12:26 pm
Lewisham (and Croydon) Borough Councils.
Your street lighting has been lit 24/7 right across both boroughs for at least two weeks, and probably more
....
Presumably my council tax is paying for this shocking waste of energy. Muppets.

Come to Surrey, we turn ours off at midnight to save an entire £200k. Seems more effort than it's worth (I'm sure it cost more to implement...). It's weird though, where I live is completely black unless the moon is out.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 10 September, 2017, 04:14:43 pm
Quote from: nicknack on 10 September, 2017, 11:35:25 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 10 September, 2017, 11:32:19 am
People are a bit stupid. Also, shooting in portrait mode can be done one handed while landscape generally uses two.
But why are they set up like that in the first place?

The phone is sensible enough to know it's being held portrait and takes a portrait image the right way up, rather than a landscape one sideways[1].  This would be fine if the users were savvy enough to realise that most of the time landscape is a much better way to frame the subject, and only used portrait sparingly (as per a traditional camera).

Stupid people are completely oblivious to subtleties such as framing and aspect ratios.  They're the ones who watched 4:3 analog TV stretched to fill a 16:9 TV and didn't see anything wrong with it, even when watching Stargate: SG1[2], and they're the ones who take photos by pointing their camera at the middle of the subject and pressing the button.

The real rot set in when younger and older people started to use smartphones as their primary internet access device, leading to an outbreak of non-aspect-blind people who see portrait images as reasonable or possibly even desirable.  They forget that people might want to view video on a proper computer or television.


Obviously there's no reason a smartphone camera can't be configured to take landscape photos when held in portrait format (which will probably involve some cropping), but it's a setting that would immediately get turned off by people who "don't want the black bars" in their camera app.

I think we're going to be stuck with this until circular images become the Next Big Thing...


[1] It's amusing to watch a naive smartphone user confronted with an image that's encoded the wrong way up.  They'll instinctively rotate their device, only for it to flip the image back to the wrong way round a second later.  How many times they do this before locking the display aspect ratio or tilting their head probably serves as a form of intelligence test.
[2] A series notable not only for the repeated appearance of a large, circular wormhole device but also Don S. Davis's head.  If you can't spot there's something funny going on with the aspect ratio there, there's something wrong with you.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 10 September, 2017, 05:36:53 pm
Quote from: ian on 10 September, 2017, 12:20:07 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 10 September, 2017, 12:00:13 pm
Quote from: nicknack on 10 September, 2017, 11:35:25 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 10 September, 2017, 11:32:19 am
People are a bit stupid. Also, shooting in portrait mode can be done one handed while landscape generally uses two.
But why are they set up like that in the first place?

Presumably because that way wysiwyg.

That's it. Though I'm not sure why there isn't a landscape override. That said, with a little iPhone is not difficult to hold the phone either way, not sure about those giant Samsungs and larger iPhones, those are like dinner trays.

It never fails to amuse me when I see people taking photos of $TOURIST_ATTRACTION using full-size fondleslabs, because I am irredeemably shallow and easily amused.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 10 September, 2017, 06:15:42 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 10 September, 2017, 05:36:53 pm
It never fails to amuse me when I see people taking photos of $TOURIST_ATTRACTION using full-size fondleslabs, because I am irredeemably shallow and easily amused.

Ah, the dilemma of finding yourself with a fondleslab with a surprisingly good camera (Why?!?) and a phone with a crappy one.  Or likewise with battery/connectivity, I suppose.  Ideally I'd resolve this by owning a camera made this decade.

I draw the line at making a phone call on one, thobut.  Unless I get to stick to the now legendary Dom Joly script.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 11 September, 2017, 11:31:03 pm
I have a camera for taking pictures, a Kindle for reading e-books, an iPod for listening to music, a phone for making phone calls and sending txt msgs and an iPad for, er, fondling.  I must be some kind of techno-Luddite.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 11 September, 2017, 11:42:20 pm
To be fair, I've only really used the fondleslab camera for quick-and-dirty macro stuff in the privacy of my own home.  Or for taking photos of things[1] that appear in front of me while I'm fondling the slab somewhere else, which isn't actually that silly if it's on my lap with the keyboard attached.

My music player died of battery bulge, and I failed to repair it.  Phone (or occasionally fondleslab) does the job well enough for the little I listen to music these days, so I haven't sought to replace it.  I specifically chose a fondleslab I could be happy reading books on, because that's one less thing to carry when travelling.

I do miss having a proper camera, though, but not to the point of actually investing in one.

Actually, the thought occurs - are the people taking photos of tourist attractions with full-sized iPads actually holding them in landscape format?  It might not be such a bad thing after all...


[1] Okay, mostly cats.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 12 September, 2017, 07:16:25 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 11 September, 2017, 11:31:03 pm
I have a camera for taking pictures, a Kindle for reading e-books, an iPod for listening to music, a phone for making phone calls and sending txt msgs and an iPad for, er, fondling.  I must be some kind of techno-Luddite.
+1

It's not Luddism, it's sensible. A machine that does one thing and is designed to do that one thing well, it's how things should be; not this "Swiss Army Knife" insanity.  It also means that if one of your machines dies, 'phone for e.g. you still have a working camera and whatever other bits of kit.
 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 12 September, 2017, 08:23:30 am
Aye, but the hoi polloi fell for phone cameras in a beeg way and gave us all those crappy selfies on Basefook. I have a chum in NZ who plants her phyzog in the middle of every landscape shot she takes.

Meanwhile the half-decent compact camera died out and left Nikon at least wobbly at the knees.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 12 September, 2017, 08:42:00 am
Quote from: T42 on 12 September, 2017, 08:23:30 am
Meanwhile the half-decent compact camera died out and left Nikon at least wobbly at the knees.
Has it? I thought there were quite a few compact digitals around that worked well. My knowledge is not very up-to-date
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 12 September, 2017, 09:27:56 am
I do still have a geriatric Kindle though it stays by the bed. There's a camera somewhere, I don't know where, waiting for my second career in glamour' photography (just another button, darling, and smile). I think I may wear a velvet jacket, I really do. In the meantime, I just carry around a phone for everything. Takes decent pictures, holds all my books, my music, and occasionally even makes phone calls. I am quite obviously the future. Mind you, I open a cupboard yesterday and a box of floppy disks fell out. I have no idea what's supposed to be on them. ASCII porn probs. Kids these day, they just don't have to use their imagination. I stretched my mind plenty. I do have a USB floppy drive somewhere. Who doesn't? And a pet dinosaur called Steve.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 12 September, 2017, 01:16:16 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 12 September, 2017, 08:42:00 am
Quote from: T42 on 12 September, 2017, 08:23:30 am
Meanwhile the half-decent compact camera died out and left Nikon at least wobbly at the knees.
Has it? I thought there were quite a few compact digitals around that worked well. My knowledge is not very up-to-date

There are high-end and long-zoom compacts, but the real money-makers, for Nikon at least, were the small low-to-mid-range cameras that have been almost eclipsed by high pixel-count phones. Shame, because - apart from weakening real camera companies - when you try and tweak a phone pic you usually get porridge in shadows and skies.  Cheap compacts also have the advantage that videos shot with them are in usually in landscape mode.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 12 September, 2017, 01:20:40 pm
Quote from: TheLurker on 12 September, 2017, 07:16:25 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 11 September, 2017, 11:31:03 pm
I have a camera for taking pictures, a Kindle for reading e-books, an iPod for listening to music, a phone for making phone calls and sending txt msgs and an iPad for, er, fondling.  I must be some kind of techno-Luddite.
+1

It's not Luddism, it's sensible. A machine that does one thing and is designed to do that one thing well, it's how things should be; not this "Swiss Army Knife" insanity.  It also means that if one of your machines dies, 'phone for e.g. you still have a working camera and whatever other bits of kit.

And yet Swiss Army Knives have their uses, just like smartphones.  The tool you have with you is better than the ideal tool you've left at home.  Sure you don't plan to crimp connectors with a Leatherman, take photographs with an iPhone or pump up tyres with a mini-pump, but equally you don't always want to lug a toolbox, SLR kit or track pump around with you just in case.

Trading weight against reliability/redundancy is a concept that most cyclists should be intimately familiar with.  Carrying the kitchen sink isn't always the sensible option, unless the purpose of your journey is actually washing up.  There are reasonable decisions at all points on the spectrum.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 12 September, 2017, 01:21:51 pm
Quote from: T42 on 12 September, 2017, 01:16:16 pm
Cheap compacts also have the advantage that videos shot with them are in usually in landscape mode.

Quite!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 12 September, 2017, 09:13:54 pm
My coffee grinder ceased tonight, bugger arse bollocks. I have about two days worth of espresso ground and three packs of Greek coffee.

Anyone recommend a new grinder.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Giraffe on 13 September, 2017, 09:10:47 am
Quote from: ElyDave on 12 September, 2017, 09:13:54 pm
My coffee grinder ceased tonight, bugger arse bollocks. I have about two days worth of espresso ground and three packs of Greek coffee.

Anyone recommend a new grinder.
Use your teeth!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 13 September, 2017, 08:36:26 pm
It's September.  No new book from Pterry. :(

And that slacker B. Aaronovitch hasn't come up with anything either.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ham on 13 September, 2017, 09:25:52 pm
That fookin' cat doesn't understand fookin' English. I gave her some scraps of chicken off our plates, I say "Don't vomit" does she listen? Does she ever.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 14 September, 2017, 10:33:50 am
It's an open plan office with a few 5ft partitions and meeting rooms.

You and one other want to speak to someone who works upstairs.

Do you:

A) All go to a meeting room to have your discussion

B) Walk upstairs to gather round one person's desk

C) Phone them using the phone on your desk set to speaker on max volume?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Diver300 on 14 September, 2017, 08:53:09 pm
HSBC - when my wife picked up an internet banking thingy, it might have been useful to ask if it was needed for personal or business use to save her the journey back to swap it tomorrow.
HSBC - why can't you have one internet banking thingy for both business and personal use?
HSBC - why can't business banking use the imaginary thingy (I think the term that youngsters use is "app") which would save my wife the trip in the first and second places.
HSBC - one letter asking for more information then one telling us to shut the account in 60 days isn't wonderful service
HSBC - not telling the secondary user that there is a load of information needed if you are not to imply we are money launderers, while letting all transactions be done by said secondary user, isn't wonderful service.
HSBC - not letting said secondary user tell you the information that you need if you are not to imply we are money launderers, isn't wonderful service.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 16 September, 2017, 11:55:13 am
Just been through this myself with HSBC, a right pain in the arse. If you have equities you also are now also required to provide proof of your nationality, apparently because the USA wants to receive more tax revenue from avoiders. They do not seem to have considered mobility or disability issues in any of their very officious communications which place the onus on you/the named person to do all the running around and sets out target dates. The perspective of the process is very much their internal one and not that of the customer. They are also using a third party company to verify data, NOT good practice. Not sure how this fits with the DPA/DDA.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 17 September, 2017, 08:24:48 pm
The pavement thieves have struck again. They take about a dozen paving stones from the same street every couple of months.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4357/37115222522_279c81939b_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/YxKdzG)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 17 September, 2017, 09:18:01 pm
Bizarre
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 17 September, 2017, 09:30:46 pm
Not really. 'York stone' flags are sought after.

Before I rented the shop it was derelict for a while. A Victorian wash house with stone floor in the cellar, it was removed by person or persons unknown.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 18 September, 2017, 09:17:42 am
Chum of mine had a horse trough nicked from under his window.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 18 September, 2017, 09:45:13 am
I presume they are stolen by or for sale to builders, landscape architects, gardeners. Possibly some of them even end up split into smaller pieces as un-plates in trendy restaurants!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 18 September, 2017, 01:38:27 pm
Maybe that's the solution?  Start paving things with all the unused plates.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 18 September, 2017, 01:49:02 pm
Just gave a suspected cold caller a hard time then found out it was the missus's complementary pension provider. Was feeling mild remorse about it then discovered that the distant dame was not really who she said she was and was trying to sell the missus insurance we don't need.  Strike remorse, insert glee. :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rogerzilla on 23 September, 2017, 10:09:59 pm
Hermes just charged me a tenner for an "oversize" box that has been delivered by them three times previously with no issues (I had a frame in it, returned it, the seller sent a replacement frame to me and then I used it again).  It's not really oversize in terms of volume but is not quite a perfect cuboid so the max length x girth is about 10cc over).  Moral - you cannot send bicycle frames by Hermes any more.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jakob W on 28 September, 2017, 04:40:52 pm
Inspected the front windows and the outside sills have got some wet rot. Now hoping the weekend weathet stays dry, because I know what I'm going to be doing...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 29 September, 2017, 07:10:13 pm
Dear Anbaric Distascope,

What the blazes have you done with the BBC News Channel?

(Signed)

Mr Larrington
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: PeteB99 on 30 September, 2017, 12:33:10 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 29 September, 2017, 07:10:13 pm
Dear Anbaric Distascope,

What the blazes have you done with the BBC News Channel?

(Signed)

Mr Larrington

Freeview 231. It moved there from 130? about 3 months ago when you were supposed to have done a retune. Of course you're on a different transmitter to me so your numbers may vary.

On a related note why does my new Panasonic HDR insist it's found new channels almost every day and want a retune when the Samsung Tele is quite happy with the channels it's already got?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 30 September, 2017, 01:26:58 pm
Ah.  Lt. Col. Larrington (retd.) is still getting it on 130.  Did the HD ones change as well?  I was getting it on 107 beforehand but when I got back it was saying "No signal".  The Humax recorder still does get it on 107 ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 30 September, 2017, 01:47:30 pm
It looks like it was SD only - http://www.bbc.co.uk/reception/news/news_item179
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: PeteB99 on 30 September, 2017, 02:31:01 pm
107 is still News HD on the Winter Hill transmitter. 130 is no longer visible.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 30 September, 2017, 09:25:06 pm
Quote from: PeteB99 on 30 September, 2017, 12:33:10 pm
On a related note why does my new Panasonic HDR insist it's found new channels almost every day and want a retune when the Samsung Tele is quite happy with the channels it's already got?
Cos it's a piece of shit.  We've got one.  Not only does it constantly witter about needing to retune on a weekly basis but it fails miserably when it tries to automatically retune.  And for good measure every now and again it'll crash for absolutely no bloody reason whatever - often just after retuning or as you're trying to set up a recording.  We will _not_ be buying another Panasonic HDR _or_ TV.  The TV is also a Panasonic and is likewise a piece of shit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 30 September, 2017, 10:09:46 pm
last few TVs we've had have all been Samsung.  No issue like that but we have had two diplays fail almost immediately and be replaced very quickly under warranty.  Would reccomend them.  BBC news does not appear to have moved though
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 01 October, 2017, 01:18:12 am
Quote from: PeteB99 on 30 September, 2017, 02:31:01 pm
107 is still News HD on the Winter Hill transmitter. 130 is no longer visible.

Mine's from Crystal Palace, but I don't know where Fort Larrington's comes from.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vince on 01 October, 2017, 02:30:56 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 17 September, 2017, 08:24:48 pm
The pavement thieves have struck again. They take about a dozen paving stones from the same street every couple of months.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4357/37115222522_279c81939b_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/YxKdzG)
Bristol City Council did have a reputation for relocating York stone pavers to the nicer bits of the city.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 01 October, 2017, 07:36:07 am
Arranged with El Prez to go for a toddle this morning. He just rang up: can't come, his missus has already prepared a meal for lunch.

Jesus wept. :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 01 October, 2017, 08:15:33 am
Quote from: Vince on 01 October, 2017, 02:30:56 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 17 September, 2017, 08:24:48 pm
The pavement thieves have struck again. They take about a dozen paving stones from the same street every couple of months.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4357/37115222522_279c81939b_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/YxKdzG)
Bristol City Council did have a reputation for relocating York stone pavers to the nicer bits of the city.

Funny, that. Rochdale Council have been stealing flags and cobbles from all over the borough for 'heritage' reasons. Since 1974 . . .
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 02 October, 2017, 02:59:41 pm
That would have been under George 'Green Red Trousers' Ferguson, probably. Bristol, that is, not Rochdale... Anyway, this was definitely genuine thieves. Stealing the very roads from under our feet!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 02 October, 2017, 06:40:28 pm
Trek, you bastards! I have too many cycling shoes already. Why, then, must you go and produce these beauties? >:(

(https://trek.scene7.com/is/image/TrekBicycleProducts/21720_B_1_Bontrager_Sonic_Womens_Road_Shoe?wid=1360&hei=1020&fmt=jpg,rgb&qlt=40,1&iccEmbed=0&cache=on,on)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 02 October, 2017, 06:45:08 pm
My train home from York appears to have been defeated by a tree.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 02 October, 2017, 08:49:53 pm
Hopefully not like so?
(http://tomcurtisrailgallery.weebly.com/uploads/6/9/0/3/6903499/43041front100710.jpg)

(AIUI no casualties from that, only a rather shaken driver.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 02 October, 2017, 09:12:07 pm
They made trains out of fibreglass? Bugger me!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 02 October, 2017, 09:27:28 pm
No of course not! That's just the Plastic Padding repair from the last crash.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 02 October, 2017, 10:16:57 pm
Yep, the cabs of the 125s were fibreglass.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 03 October, 2017, 08:29:48 am
Dogs in a domestic setting? What is the point?

To explain, there appears to be three types of dogs in this area. They are:

1)   The status dog…normally a Staffie….where the total IQ of dog and owner is unlikely to get above 70, and most of that comes from the dog.

2)   The yapper….. In the four houses either side and to the back of us, there are yappers who just yap all day, every day for no point at all…. Oh, thinking about it, a squirrel has just wondered by, or the postman has parked his van outside, or, like the one currently 10m away from me, his owners have gone to work and left him in the garden for the day.

3)   The type of dog whose owner lets them off the lead when walking down out street to the fields so that they can either chase our cat (one did yesterday which got me into an argument and caused CBH to utter those words you don’t want to here: “Leave it E, he’s not worth it….” Or the little darlings come into our front garden and have a poo. Of course said owner never cleans it up so I have the pleasure of mowing it up when I do the lawns….

Please don’t get me wrong: I am not “anti dog.” Indeed, we have owned dogs in the past but they were all working dogs (a pointer…my father was into shooting…….and a “security dog” when CBH used to deliver parcels) so were trained to do what their master told them to. I suppose that’s it really, its not the dogs fault it yaps all day, but the owners fault for not taking care of it and training it. It just doesn’t make for a good day listening to yapping as I am trying to work in my luxury executive garden shed. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 03 October, 2017, 10:03:55 am
There's a nice proverb (Arab?) that goes "a hundred dogs barking at one dog barking at nothing".

Our dogs very rarely bark, and then only if surprised or teased.  But then, we have always had dogs of a certain size, say 45 kg and up.  Back when we had our 65+ kilo Leonbergs, a bark was like the voice of the METATRON.

Oh, and when a cat's in the garden they don't bark at all, just get their heads down and give chase. Never caught one, though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hulver on 03 October, 2017, 10:17:28 am
Quote from: essexian on 03 October, 2017, 08:29:48 am
Dogs in a domestic setting? What is the point?

To explain, there appears to be three types of dogs in this area. They are:

1)   The status dog…normally a Staffie….where the total IQ of dog and owner is unlikely to get above 70, and most of that comes from the dog.

2)   The yapper….. In the four houses either side and to the back of us, there are yappers who just yap all day, every day for no point at all…. Oh, thinking about it, a squirrel has just wondered by, or the postman has parked his van outside, or, like the one currently 10m away from me, his owners have gone to work and left him in the garden for the day.

3)   The type of dog whose owner lets them off the lead when walking down out street to the fields so that they can either chase our cat (one did yesterday which got me into an argument and caused CBH to utter those words you don’t want to here: “Leave it E, he’s not worth it….” Or the little darlings come into our front garden and have a poo. Of course said owner never cleans it up so I have the pleasure of mowing it up when I do the lawns….

Please don’t get me wrong: I am not “anti dog.” Indeed, we have owned dogs in the past but they were all working dogs (a pointer…my father was into shooting…….and a “security dog” when CBH used to deliver parcels) so were trained to do what their master told them to. I suppose that’s it really, its not the dogs fault it yaps all day, but the owners fault for not taking care of it and training it. It just doesn’t make for a good day listening to yapping as I am trying to work in my luxury executive garden shed.

That's funny, I seem to use more poo bags picking up foul smelling sloppy disgusting cat shit from our driveway than I do picking up after our two dogs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: lahoski on 03 October, 2017, 10:58:38 am
Quote from: hulver on 03 October, 2017, 10:17:28 am
That's funny, I seem to use more poo bags picking up foul smelling sloppy disgusting cat shit from our driveway than I do picking up after our two dogs.
Thankfully our cats only shit on other people's property so we only get the rest of the neighbourhood cats shitting on the drive. And the small dog two doors up, who gets walked off-lead multiple times a day, loves eating cat shit.

The other day I opened the front door to a cat doing a shit. I shooed it. It just looked straight into my eyes as it continued to shit. Fucker.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 03 October, 2017, 11:02:10 am
My cats shit in our garden. I tell them not to but they don't listen. They do bury it though. I don't think they normally shit on hard surfaces, that's mostly the province of foxes.

I'm listening to the delicate crackle of our patio door. Gardeners and strimmers, eh?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: PeteB99 on 03 October, 2017, 01:12:57 pm
Quote from: TheLurker on 30 September, 2017, 09:25:06 pm
Quote from: PeteB99 on 30 September, 2017, 12:33:10 pm
On a related note why does my new Panasonic HDR insist it's found new channels almost every day and want a retune when the Samsung Tele is quite happy with the channels it's already got?
Cos it's a piece of shit.  We've got one.  Not only does it constantly witter about needing to retune on a weekly basis but it fails miserably when it tries to automatically retune. 

Sorted* by turning the new channel notification to off

* At least until I miss the next set of EPG channel updates, hopefully the TV will warn me.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 03 October, 2017, 09:31:05 pm
Suddenly I realise how much I rely on electricity. Half way through cooking diner the power went out, there went my planned cottage pie as the oven is electric. I had to switch to candles to see the pans on the as hob.

since then it came back on, went out again and is now back again.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 03 October, 2017, 09:44:53 pm
Quote from: matthew on 03 October, 2017, 09:31:05 pm
Suddenly I realise how much I rely on electricity. Half way through cooking diner the power went out, there went my planned cottage pie as the oven is electric. I had to switch to candles to see the pans on the as hob.

since then it came back on, went out again and is now back again.

I know the feeling!
I have a gas hob, grill and oven and I don't think the gas has ever failed here unlike the
water
electricity
phones      )_  These can fail independently, it appears
broadband )

I has torches and emergency water. My USB dongles no longer work but I have a basic mobile dumbphone.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 04 October, 2017, 07:50:43 am
We have candles and oil-lamps (unused for ~18 years - maybe I should check them). I also have doodah like this:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/PORTABLE-COOKER-BUTANE-BOTTLES-CAMPING/dp/B005LVFEWW

Got it for the wok, but it's good for pancakes, omelettes etc.  One cartridge will do for around 5 lots of shrimp tempura for two.

Last time the power went out for more than a couple of hours, during our 1999 hurricane, we barbecued beef ribs in the kitchen fireplace.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 04 October, 2017, 01:37:16 pm
I think there might be a petrol-fired camping stove somewhere, with Coleman fuel but I'm not sure...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 04 October, 2017, 01:50:35 pm
Splodeystoves are strictly outdoor use only, and not ideal as a backup in a power cut.

Sod's law dictates that however many gas stoves you've got to hand, it will be something oven-based that you're cooking when the power goes out.


From a first world perspective, I don't think burning things for illumination has been in any way sensible since LED illumination became practical.  Muck about with candles or Tilley lamps for fun if you must, but if you actually want to see what you're doing, an LED torch is so much better and safer.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 04 October, 2017, 03:05:48 pm
I remember the spring of 1981, when flooding following a freak snowfall left us without electricity for a week. Everything in the house, including hob and heating, was electric. That was a very cold week. It must have either toughened me up to make me the man I am or left me with lifelong rheumatism and a susceptibility to pneumonia. Mustn't it? Or is that the same thing?

Power cuts in India were a weekly if not daily affair. We used mains-charged battery-powered fluorescent "emergency lanterns". Cooking was gas, heating would have been an absurdity, air conditioning wasn't necessary at home. The much harder thing was when there was no water.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 04 October, 2017, 05:15:07 pm
Quote from: Kim on 04 October, 2017, 01:50:35 pm
From a first world perspective, I don't think burning things for illumination has been in any way sensible since LED illumination became practical.  Muck about with candles or Tilley lamps for fun if you must, but if you actually want to see what you're doing, an LED torch is so much better and safer.

Last time we had to use our oil lamps you couldn't get white LEDs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 04 October, 2017, 05:16:03 pm
Quote from: Kim on 04 October, 2017, 01:50:35 pm
Splodeystoves are strictly outdoor use only, and not ideal as a backup in a power cut.

Sod's law dictates that however many gas stoves you've got to hand, it will be something oven-based that you're cooking when the power goes out.


From a first world perspective, I don't think burning things for illumination has been in any way sensible since LED illumination became practical.  Muck about with candles or Tilley lamps for fun if you must, but if you actually want to see what you're doing, an LED torch is so much better and safer.

Agreed LEDs are the way to go safety wise, but what does Thee Panel suggest for a week long camp with minimal access to recharging voles?  At present for Scouts we use a brace of lovely Tilleys in our mess tent, which run for ever on a gallon of paraffin and are hung up out of the way.  A GBFO leisure battery to top up the LED lanterns? PV panel? Scout powered alternator?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 04 October, 2017, 05:42:09 pm
I've just done 4 nights of muddy camping (and a couple of fettling sessions at the CrinklyDen[1]) with my posh Petzl head torch.  The battery is apparently at 84%.  It could be recharged in a few hours with a PV panel or bicycle dynamo.  Small-tent camping is a solved problem.

Lanterns for big tents are trickier, simply because most of what you find are poorly-engineered crap[2], but also because they're more likely to be left on for hours rather than turning them on and off as needed.  Scale up the battery and a week's runtime from a big lithium-ion battery seems plausible, but I don't know what's out there.  FWIW, I have an Alpkit Trinity, which runs on AAs (easy to carry spares when car-camping), but fails barakta approval by having an unacceptably low PWM frequency - we have to run it at full power to avoid flicker, which makes for underwhelming (a few hours) runtime.


[1] Which is a cave.
[2] Big Clive has done several teardowns on deadly dalek-shaped LED camping lamps.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 04 October, 2017, 06:25:50 pm
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Streamlight-44931-Siege-Lantern-Coyote/dp/B00DII7CTI


I have one of these stashed under the kitchen sink,  but have yet to use it in anger.  It's pretty good when tested though.  A bit too heavy for cycle camping but no problem if you are car based.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 04 October, 2017, 06:36:41 pm
Back aches, legs ache, arms ache.  I fear I may be coming down with the dreaded lurgi, unless it's a side effect of foul USAnian cigarettes  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 04 October, 2017, 06:40:12 pm
Have you checked about your person for bullet holes?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 04 October, 2017, 06:47:39 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 04 October, 2017, 05:16:03 pm
Agreed LEDs are the way to go safety wise, but what does Thee Panel suggest for a week long camp with minimal access to recharging voles?
Depends how much illumination you need.  If it's just, "enough to not trip over the furniture and a little bit of reading" then wind-up  LED lanterns from Blacks, Millets and the like might be an answer.  I bought a couple for "just in case" use four or five years back and they're better than candles as far as light levels go for about half an hour or so on a few minutes winding. They're most effective if you can hang them above head height.  Shouldn't think they'll be anywhere near as bright as Tilleys though.

This sort of thing >  https://www.millets.co.uk/equipment/195687-eurohike-6-led-wind-up-lantern.html
Better models may be available.


Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 04 October, 2017, 07:17:56 pm
Quote from: ian on 04 October, 2017, 06:40:12 pm
Have you checked about your person for bullet holes?

(Checks)

Oh, wait, what's this?

It's a nostril.  As you were.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 04 October, 2017, 09:56:35 pm
Virgin Trains East Coast website had the useful feature of being able to book a bikespace on line.   They've revamped the site & removed it  >:(


Do any of the online booking sites still have this ?


Edit. And the confirmation email they send you no longer adds full journey details to my (Apple) calendar.   The old site was good, why the bastardy fuck did they change it ?  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 04 October, 2017, 10:00:47 pm
I believe that Scotrail does.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 04 October, 2017, 10:09:32 pm
Chiltern and Transpennine Express also use the mixing deck system for their tickets. Unfortunately many of the other operators seem to be 'upgrading' to worse systems
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 04 October, 2017, 10:47:39 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 04 October, 2017, 09:56:35 pm
Virgin Trains East Coast website had the useful feature of being able to book a bikespace on line.   They've revamped the site & removed it  >:(


Do any of the online booking sites still have this ?

http://tickets.tpexpress.co.uk/tpe/en/journeyplanning/mixingdeck

They're so old-fashioned that they'll still send you your tickets by first-class post for free.   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 04 October, 2017, 10:49:52 pm
Quote from: Kim on 04 October, 2017, 10:47:39 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 04 October, 2017, 09:56:35 pm
Virgin Trains East Coast website had the useful feature of being able to book a bikespace on line.   They've revamped the site & removed it  >:(


Do any of the online booking sites still have this ?

http://tickets.tpexpress.co.uk/tpe/en/journeyplanning/mixingdeck (http://tickets.tpexpress.co.uk/tpe/en/journeyplanning/mixingdeck)

They're so old-fashioned that they'll still send you your tickets by first-class post for free.   :thumbsup:


That'll save on standing in Lime St station juggling a phone & credit card to get orange cardboard out of the machine with a muttering queue behind me  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 04 October, 2017, 11:18:59 pm
Ob trains. Some scrote had nicked signalling wires from Inverkiething (again). SO the trains were all screwed up. Got to Edinburgh OK and handed a felling axe[1] to my son.
THen the train was late leaving, late arriving at York so I missed the connection. Fortunately the next train was even later so I got that and it was late enough to allow the purchase of comestibles and the washing down of same in the York Tap before departing for Derby. At which station I arrived 90 mins later than planned. 
Pleasant AirBnB. Delay-repay form completed.[2]

[1] Carefully wrapped to look like an innoccuous parcel. Wielding a bladed tool in a station crawling with armed coppers wasn't thought to be a smart move
[2] Happily informed other passengers of delay-repay.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: pucklie24 on 05 October, 2017, 08:01:46 am
Quote from: ElyDave on 01 August, 2017, 10:21:10 am
Oneof my bonsai hand carving tools seems to have gone rusty in the shed over winter. I seem to have been able to restore the edge, but it looks scruffy now.

What shed do you have? I bought a bike shed where I also place my gardening tools.  I got The BillyOh Apex Bike Store 4 X 7 from  http://whatshed.co.uk/bike-sheds/. You can check it out. It has enough space inside for a bike and tools. The strong wood structures keep tools and bike away from this weather. I will still advise you to buy additional bot or padlock to be more secure from thieves.
I got mine for 3 years now and still very functional.

I also have 5 Japanese bonsai and a Chinese elm Bonsai tree. What do you have?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 05 October, 2017, 09:15:22 am
You can also book bike spaces on GWR.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 05 October, 2017, 04:51:05 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 04 October, 2017, 10:49:52 pm
Quote from: Kim on 04 October, 2017, 10:47:39 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 04 October, 2017, 09:56:35 pm
Virgin Trains East Coast website had the useful feature of being able to book a bikespace on line.   They've revamped the site & removed it  >:(


Do any of the online booking sites still have this ?

http://tickets.tpexpress.co.uk/tpe/en/journeyplanning/mixingdeck (http://tickets.tpexpress.co.uk/tpe/en/journeyplanning/mixingdeck)

They're so old-fashioned that they'll still send you your tickets by first-class post for free.   :thumbsup:


That'll save on standing in Lime St station juggling a phone & credit card to get orange cardboard out of the machine with a muttering queue behind me  :thumbsup:

Attempting similar antics from a wheelchair with luggage on my lap is why I opt for orange cardboard in the post. Not all TOCs offer this, with or without postal charges. They have lost my custom.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 05 October, 2017, 05:04:47 pm
Quote from: pucklie24 on 05 October, 2017, 08:01:46 am
Quote from: ElyDave on 01 August, 2017, 10:21:10 am
Oneof my bonsai hand carving tools seems to have gone rusty in the shed over winter. I seem to have been able to restore the edge, but it looks scruffy now.

What shed do you have? I bought a bike shed where I also place my gardening tools.  I got The BillyOh Apex Bike Store 4 X 7 from  http://whatshed.co.uk/bike-sheds/. You can check it out. It has enough space inside for a bike and tools. The strong wood structures keep tools and bike away from this weather. I will still advise you to buy additional bot or padlock to be more secure from thieves.
I got mine for 3 years now and still very functional.

I also have 5 Japanese bonsai and a Chinese elm Bonsai tree. What do you have?

I call it the shed, but it's really an extension of a brick built garage, doubled in size last winter.

I think the issue was the added dampness due to the concrete still setting.

In terms of bonsai, I have lots. 

In pots I have several maples, plums, azalea, elms, pyracantha, cotoneaster, hawthorn, fuschia. plus lots under training and some sat in the ground waiting to be trained.

One of my winter projects will be to use some of the trees in training to refurbish an area of the garden as a Japanese-style gravel garden. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 05 October, 2017, 10:13:54 pm
Grumble.  just got a text from United Utilities,   there may be a problem with the water in your are.  Just checked & not a trickle  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 06 October, 2017, 08:12:23 am
Missing S?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 06 October, 2017, 10:28:55 am
We don’t have enough women in the cycling club to make it worthwhile getting women-specific club kit   :-\
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 06 October, 2017, 10:36:22 am
We used to have a supplier in Alsace who would produce kit to our own design with a minimum of 5 jerseys mixed male/female. That was 10 years ago, though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fimm on 06 October, 2017, 10:41:51 am
Oh yes, says my colleague, it won't take long for the special access you need for this special environment to come through.
1.5 hours later I'm still twiddling my thumbs waiting for it. And I don't want to start doing something else because that's the point when I will get the access.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 06 October, 2017, 10:53:48 am
Quote from: Ruthie on 06 October, 2017, 10:28:55 am
We don’t have enough women in the cycling club to make it worthwhile getting women-specific club kit   :-\
Maybe if you order two of everything... or maybe not.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 06 October, 2017, 11:23:42 am
Bloody BA, winter timetable, I now have flights to Aberdeen on a Monday at 1600 - means leaving the house at noon, or 2100 - means arriving at 2230.  They have conveniently dispensed with the flight in the middle


EDIT - but bizarrely it's back the following week
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: orienteer on 06 October, 2017, 02:35:04 pm
Mrs O had an appointment at the local hospital for an examination, arranged by her GP. The hospital letter confirming it emphasised that failing to keep an appointment cost the NHS £105. As her condition improved, Mrs O decided not to proceed, so wanted to cancel it. The three methods of cancellation given in the letter included:

1 Go to a website: it wasn't available (and in view of 2, below, would probably have demanded an unknown password)
2 Telephone: an automated response system which demanded a password. What password? Never been given one.
3 Through the GP: receptionist refused to help saying Mrs O had to do it herself, she was too busy, and only after much argument and being shown the letter, reluctantly said she'd "see what she could do".

Is it any wonder there are so "unkept" appointments?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 06 October, 2017, 06:55:45 pm
When the oven/microwave device has finished its pre-heating sequence it goes "BEEP".  Too quietly to be heard from the Great Hall when the distascope is on :(

Speak up, you stupid machine!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Paul on 06 October, 2017, 06:58:11 pm
The E, I, O, S, D, F, L, C, V and N have all worn off the keyboard, so (because I can't touch type) svdrythong os takcng md 1.5 tomdd lingdr ti typd.

 ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 06 October, 2017, 09:15:45 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 06 October, 2017, 06:55:45 pm
When the oven/microwave device has finished its pre-heating sequence it goes "BEEP".  Too quietly to be heard from the Great Hall when the distascope is on :(

Speak up, you stupid machine!

Suspect the PING on my poptyping is more effective.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 07 October, 2017, 07:59:41 am
I’ve got quite a bad headache at the moment……so bad, I have even taken some painkillers!

This headache stems back to a lack of sleep which was not caused by going to bed late: I was tucked up in my pit by 9pm as normal, nor due to drinking anything with alcohol in as I don’t do so unless it’s a very special occasion like winning Euromillions…goes off to check…. Sadly, the new bike is still a pipe dream. No, my headache is caused by laying in bed at 3am listening to CBH breathing and wishing she would stop…..doing it so loudly!

Now, I don’t know if it’s just me, but when I can hear someone breathe, for some reason my breathing changes from automatic to try and match the other person’s respiration rate. In CBH’s case, she breathes a lot quicker than me so I got to a stage where I was over breathing, so tried to slow my breathing down, only to get into a state where I didn’t know if I was coming or going.

Several cups of tea later, it was 5am so back to bed I went to try once again to sleep…. Nope, CBH was still breathing heavily….that’s where the pillow came in…..I picked my pillow up and moved into the spare room, only to find the spare bed taken up by three cats who refused to move....yes, they do rule our house. In the end, I slept for an hour on the floor in the living room.

Hurry up Noon so I can go out on my bike as riding tends to remove headaches. Now, to ask CBH to stop breathing so heavily.....wish me luck on that one! :facepalm: :o

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 07 October, 2017, 08:15:17 am
Quote from: Paul on 06 October, 2017, 06:58:11 pm
The E, I, O, S, D, F, L, C, V and N have all worn off the keyboard, so (because I can't touch type) svdrythong os takcng md 1.5 tomdd lingdr ti typd.

 ::-)

Oh gawd.  I use a German QWERTZ KB, missus uses a French AZERTY one.  Mine's a normal one, hers is a M1cr0$0f7 Twisted-and-Lumpy-in-the-Middle one.  I use Windows, she uses Ubuntu. We both touch type, but half the characters are worn off hers.  I'm the official computer tweaker, tho' my UNIXworld skills are 20 years out of date (anyone for C-Shell?)

When she hits a grolly it's utter hell to fix. And right now her printer won't print. :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 07 October, 2017, 04:41:28 pm
Quote from: Paul on 06 October, 2017, 06:58:11 pm
The E, I, O, S, D, F, L, C, V and N have all worn off the keyboard, so (because I can't touch type) svdrythong os takcng md 1.5 tomdd lingdr ti typd.

 ::-)

I've never managed to wear the letters off a keyboard, though I regularly wear the nobbles off the F and J keys. Being able to touch type means it's a right pain switching from one keyboard to another. I took my own keyboard to work and use MapKeys to put the keys where I want them. To avoid any confusion when anyone else uses my keyboard[1] I took out the keys that were remapped and put in blank ones. Now I get "Where the hell is the '2' key??" – err, it's between the '1' and the '3', where would you expect it to be?


[1] Any excuse - everyone loves to use it[2], it's got a proper mechanical action and so different to the spongey standard-issue ones.
[2] Why they don't get their own I don't know. If your job is to type all day, every day, the expense is minimal. If you were a chef you'd bring your own knives to work, etc.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 07 October, 2017, 08:01:51 pm
I took a very nice Cherry keyboard to a small office (3 people) where I was working.   It mysteriously disappeared.  So annoying.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 07 October, 2017, 09:31:33 pm
Quote from: Ruthie on 06 October, 2017, 10:28:55 am
We don’t have enough women in the cycling club to make it worthwhile getting women-specific club kit   :-\

But do you have more women than people called John?

(This is my cycling version of the Bechdel-Wallace test (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bechdel_test).)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 09 October, 2017, 09:37:39 pm
Quote from: Kim on 07 October, 2017, 09:31:33 pm
Quote from: Ruthie on 06 October, 2017, 10:28:55 am
We don’t have enough women in the cycling club to make it worthwhile getting women-specific club kit   :-\

But do you have more women than people called John?

(This is my cycling version of the Bechdel-Wallace test (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bechdel_test).)

I don't know that we have a John.  Most people are called Dave.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 09 October, 2017, 09:47:45 pm
(https://i.pinimg.com/736x/02/06/d5/0206d598a370e209b3779df09f068847--movie-tv-dark-side.jpg)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Diver300 on 12 October, 2017, 08:15:32 pm
There is no post office at Gatwick. You can't post anything in the postbox there that is thicker than a wafer-thin mint, for "security reasons", but you can put hand grenades much larger items in the bins.

The nearest post office is over a mile away and there was a 1 hour wait for a taxi. (That alone deserves a full-on rant, TBH)

My plans to post some stuff at Gatwick before flying did not go well, or cheaply.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 12 October, 2017, 11:34:04 pm
I can't find my nice Austin Reed navy linen jacket  :(    It's not in the wardrobe, not on the coat rack in the hall, not on the floor.  WTF have I done with it ?    I don't recall being drunk enough recently to have left it anywhere  ??? 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 13 October, 2017, 01:00:31 am
a) dry cleaners
ii) in America/airport/on plane
3) are you sure you're not wearing it?  ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 13 October, 2017, 05:24:15 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec
a ) dry cleaners
ii ) in America/airport/on plane
3 ) are you sure you're not wearing it?  ;)
ζ ) Your wife has given it to a charity shop.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 13 October, 2017, 09:09:47 am
Quote from: TheLurker on 13 October, 2017, 05:24:15 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec
a ) dry cleaners
ii ) in America/airport/on plane
3 ) are you sure you're not wearing it?  ;)
ζ ) Your wife has given it to a charity shop.

I'm famously absent minded, but I think I'd remember getting married.....

So far this year I've left a tweed cap in Liverpool airport & my phone in the ferry terminal at Harwich.   Previously I've just walked away from (and lost) 2 bags of camera kit  :facepalm:

I can't find it in the flat & it's not at work.    I'll have to pack something else for NYC tomorrow.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 13 October, 2017, 11:08:23 am
I know it’s my own fault but frankly, when we brought a bungalow we should have known what type of people these properties attract. To us, it was a cheap way of getting a decent sized plot of land and a detached property and, as they are mostly two bedroom places, we hoped there would not be too many children around as, er, we don’t really like children…..

Fifteen years later, I now regret the purchase as the street is full of retired people. While that’s not bad in itself, it seems not having a job means you have time to do other things…. Other noisy things such as having extensions built; having metalworking as a hobby; taking three weeks to re-tile a bathroom and doing the tile cutting in the middle of their front garden (it took me three days to completely redo ours!); using a petrol mower to do your 20m2 front lawn and taking two hours to do so (my front lawn is 120m2 and takes me 17 minutes using an electric mower). Then there is their yappy dogs which I have grumbled about before and the fact that despite all having decent size drives, most of their visitors insist on parking on the pavements.

Before we brought this place we looked at a cottage by the side of the railway line in Carven Arms. However, CBH didn’t like the idea of two trains an hour going by….frankly living overlooking Crewe station would be quieter than it is here!

(only 38 months until I'll have paid the mortgage off so I can retire..... I have a list of things to do...... :demon: )
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 13 October, 2017, 11:24:44 am
Curious.  Fort Larrington is a bunglehouse but both Lt. Col. Larrington (retd.)'s neighbours are families with young kiddiewinks.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Si S on 13 October, 2017, 03:55:02 pm
Websites that only work during office hours, who on earth thought that was a good idea?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 13 October, 2017, 05:11:15 pm
Quote from: Si S on 13 October, 2017, 03:55:02 pm
Websites that only work during office hours, who on earth thought that was a good idea?

Banks.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 14 October, 2017, 03:45:25 pm
So, last night Mrs Tween & I went down to Cardiff Uni Student Union for the first night of the new Public Service Broadcasting (https://www.publicservicebroadcasting.net/) tour.  Mrs Tween has gubbed her knee so this was a bit of a risk, high probability we'd have ended up sitting on the floor at the back seeing nothing, she can't stand for more than a few minutes.  This would be a shame, the visuals are more significant with PSB than most bands as they take inspiration from and extensively sample public service broadcasts and other public information films.
On arrival Mrs T spoke to one of the eventpeeps on the door & enquired if there was any chance of getting a seat somewhere.  This most excellently happened and we were guided by a succession of excellent eventpeeps up to the small balcony reserved for persons with mobility needs.  Chuffin fantastic :-D  So off I toddle to the bar to get a drink, and the fun begins.
The balcony obviously is on the floor above where the gig is and so I was directed by one of the most excellent event peeps to exit the building on that floor 1 and use the Taf Bar also on that floor. We had established that the direct door from the balcony to said Taf Bar was locked.  I exited the building and attempted to enter the Taf bar but was initially refused entry by a member of Union staff as I could not produce student ID, wot with not being a student.  I explained that I had been directed here by the excellent eventpeeps as I was seated in the balcony for the gig.  Grudgingly I was allowed in, I suggested he might like to speak to his colleagues & clear up the confusion.
So I queueued & purchased an IPA and a red wine and left to return to my seat only to be point blank refused exit from the building.  Absolutely no drinks outside ever even if only taking 3 steps to the other door back into the building.  He suggested I ask to be let out the other door direct to the balcony (I had observed while queueueing that the door was not locked but on a pass access system).  So I waited and asked a member of Union staff to let me out explaining balcony, gig etc.  Sure she says but you'll need those in plastic not glass to go into the gig with them.  Before I could even make the obvious next request another member of Union staff butts in:  You can't go that way, staff door only and you can't use the Taf bar for the gig, there's another bar downstairs for the gig.  I explain again.  Different license he bullshits, I have to use the other bar.  So why am I being directed to use the Taf by the event staff? Tough he says, drink up and you can leave.  You really want me carrying drinks on a busy staircase I ask?  Yes, please drink up and leave.  I decline and further reiterate that I have done exactly as directed, the problem is his to resolve as I have now paid for my drinks.  Mr Union Git then starts the whole passive aggressive interrupt the first word routine:

MUG: There's no need to take that tone sir.
Me: But -
MUG: There's no need to get angry sir.
Me: I -
MUG: Calm down sir.
Me: Balcony -
MUG: There's really no need sir.
Me: Could you -
MUG: No I could not sir.  You need to drink up and leave sir.

I was not angry, I was not getting anything other than mildly frustrated.  Now his attitude is starting to push my buttons but I am not going to let that show one little bit as that would justify his reading from the dealing with people script at me.  So after a couple more rounds of him point blank ignoring what I'm saying & simply reading more from the script I tell him straight:

Me: STOP READING FROM THE PASSIVE AGGRESSIVE SCRIPT AT ME, it's not going to work and is not resolving the issue.
MUG: ?!?

He didn't have a page to turn to for that.

I should have asked for the manager, instead I gave up.  I gifted the wine to the nearest student with a wine glass in front of her.  I did have to give a potted version of the story by way of explaining I'm neither trying to chat her up nor poison her.  Mr Union Git stood there watching while I drank the IPA. I suggested a better use of his time would be to go and speak to the excellent event peeps and get a coherent plan in place.  I pointed to the lady member of the excellent event peeps team stood on the other side of the door to the balcony suggesting she be a good place to start.  He left through said door.
A few minutes later I left through the exterior door past Mr intractable Union man, and back into the building.  As I passed I asked the excellent event peeps lady if Mr Union Git had spoken to her, he had not.  I'm really starting to get quite dischuffed with the Union staff but on the whole I'm through annoyed and laughing at the comedy of the disorganisation.  I explained, excellent events lady was deeply unimpressed with Mr Union Git and very apologetic despite there being no need for her to be. 
So I head from the Taf level (2nd floor) down one floor.  I'm just about to ask another of the excellent event peeps if the bar is on that floor or the ground when two other people heading for the other balcony on the 2nd floor (VIP area) ask where they should get their drinks.  Taf bar on the 2nd he says so I give my story.  He's straight on the radio for clarification but the constant stream of people coming down the stairs looking for the entrance to the gig (ground floor) make it difficult.  This chap is drowning but brilliant, patience of a saint repeating time after time 'go down to the ground floor & exit the building, join the queue & back in again for the gig'.  I tried to help directing people and explaining to the two VIPs about the left hand right hand disconnect so he had half a chance of hearing & being heard over the radio.  Eventually the Taf is confirmed.  I ask that a message to this effect be sent to the Union staff and the answer straight back over the radio was it's already happening.
And they were right, 20 seconds later Mr Union Git is holding the door for me, the door from the balcony into the Taf bar.  Did he apologise for a) being wrong and b) refusing point blank to establish the facts when politely challenged?  Oh dear me no.
Even at Student Union prices Mrs Tweens glass plastic of wine ended up quite expensive.

Event peeps - brilliant every one of 'em.
Student Union management - disorganised <deleted>
Student union staff - well trained in dealing with drunks - zero acknowledgement that not all situations are simply dealing with drunks and zero training in how to deal with non drunk situations.
Mr Union Git - nuff said.

Oh and the gig? Excellent.  Surprise guests for the last song - flippin superb.  Crowd response to the surprisingly surprise last song - only in Wales could the reaction be so utterly and doubly brilliant.

1 This is one of those odd buildings with entrances on many levels.  Makes sense on a hill side but odd as that part of Cardiff is flat.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 14 October, 2017, 06:25:25 pm
Quote from: SoreTween on 14 October, 2017, 03:45:25 pm
Student union staff - well trained in dealing with drunks - zero acknowledgement that not all situations are simply dealing with drunks and zero training in how to deal with non drunk situations.

That sounds familiar.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 14 October, 2017, 09:26:02 pm
Reminds me of my exciting Croydon Boxpark experience (the one where we left our bikes completely out of the way in an entirely empty area but broke some anti-bicycle rule, that resulted in the 'manager' and two hefty security guards threatening to call the police because we wouldn't leave with our drinks – fuck them, we were finishing them and anyway it's a non-booze zone outside, it's pre-apocalyptic Croydon after all). The best thing indeed is to be entirely reasonable and watch them struggle to find the right script. We quite enjoyed slowly drinking our beer with an audience of an angry young woman with a serious attitude calibration issue and two embarrassed security staff. I don't think I've ever drunk a beer that slow.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 15 October, 2017, 08:37:23 am
Microwave just packed up. Bloody thing's only 16 years old.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 15 October, 2017, 12:22:24 pm
Quote from: T42 on 15 October, 2017, 08:37:23 am
Microwave just packed up. Bloody thing's only 16 years old.

Commiserations.  All the modern ones will be shit in comparison.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 15 October, 2017, 02:19:42 pm
My first microwave was about £50 from Woolworth's, lasted about 10 years, the next was around £35 from Dixon's/Curry and lasted around 5 years. My current was about the same, also from DSG and is still going.

ETA ***!!! price has as good as DOUBLED in not very long! It's small and simple but...
http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/household-appliances/cooking/microwaves/essentials-c17mw14-solo-microwave-white-21729395-pdt.html (http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/household-appliances/cooking/microwaves/essentials-c17mw14-solo-microwave-white-21729395-pdt.html)

ETA Review of my emails shows I paid £34.99 including delivery on 4 August 2016, so only 14 months ago.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 15 October, 2017, 03:32:53 pm
Ours was Whirlpool. Just ordered a Samsung: 200€. :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 15 October, 2017, 07:16:04 pm
So there was water coming in through the roof of the bay window, and the landlady eventually fixed that (twice, because she bought cheap the first time).

But there was still water coming in, and it is a bloody mess, and trying to get a plumber round to look at things is a nightmare because they are so busy and important.  And I've got asthma and a damp room with blown plaster is suboptimal.

And it turns out that when I got my mate the handyman to fix the seal round the bath with the shower over, he fucked up, and that's where the water's been coming from, but I was blaming the roof, because both problems happened at the same time.

And he's going to fix the sealant and the water damage, but what a complete PITA this has been, and I think my landlady is going to be well pissed off.

FFFS.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 17 October, 2017, 10:43:18 am
As if by magic, Outlook falls over* - just as I'm about to use it ::-)


*again ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 17 October, 2017, 11:08:28 am
The set of silly buggers who don't put phones in landscape mode to take videos now includes my own skin & blister. Jeez.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 17 October, 2017, 03:29:05 pm
Iced mint tea in a jam jar  ???


I hope my Middle Eastern breakfast isn’t on a slate or plank
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 17 October, 2017, 06:29:05 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 17 October, 2017, 03:29:05 pm
Iced mint tea in a jam jar  ???


I hope my Middle Eastern breakfast isn’t on a slate or plank

We Want Plates usually provides comical examples of madness.
http://wewantplates.com (http://wewantplates.com)

Geeta's chutney jars seem to have morphed into hipster drinking vessels.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 17 October, 2017, 07:21:38 pm
Breakfast was on a plate :smug:
Chopped tomatoes, onion& cucumber. Grilled halloumi, scrambled eggs, hummus,labneh & flatbread.


Effy’s cafe on W96th st.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 17 October, 2017, 09:18:25 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 17 October, 2017, 03:29:05 pm
Iced mint tea in a jam jar  ???

The only beverage which should ever come in a jam jar is moonshine.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 18 October, 2017, 03:49:36 pm
Or scrumpy.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 19 October, 2017, 08:09:55 pm
Bloody Hell! A plate of hummus with flatbread & a glass of wine just cost me $28 (inc tax & tip)  MOMA cafe.[/font]
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 19 October, 2017, 08:44:58 pm
That _was_ Zimbabwean dollars, yeah?  Because if it was US, Canuck, Oz etc. then that'd be a bloody rip-off wouldn't it?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: bobb on 19 October, 2017, 09:26:10 pm
Fireworks. I'm bored of you already. Go away...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 19 October, 2017, 10:50:18 pm
Quote from: bobb on 19 October, 2017, 09:26:10 pm
Fireworks. I'm bored of you already. Go away...

Then stay away from E. London - sounds like a war zone here.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 19 October, 2017, 10:55:57 pm
I don't mind fireworks on Diwali, [the Saturday nearest to] November 5th and within the first 5 minutes of the new year.

Actually, I tell a lie.  I like the pretty ones at any time of year.  It's the stuff that goes BANG! that should be used in moderation.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 20 October, 2017, 01:18:18 am
Quote from: Andrij on 19 October, 2017, 10:50:18 pm
Quote from: bobb on 19 October, 2017, 09:26:10 pm
Fireworks. I'm bored of you already. Go away...

Then stay away from E. London - sounds like a war zone here.

Diwali felicitations from the pyro zone that is Brent North...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cycleman on 20 October, 2017, 07:25:26 am
Boom,boom,boom  boom,boom,boom boom,boom,boom!
  Diwali in slough  :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 20 October, 2017, 11:21:53 am
"Your test results should be ready by thursday"
Friday morning
"Your test results haven't come in yet"
grumble grumble
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 20 October, 2017, 03:29:24 pm
I couldn't stand Divali when we lived in Blr. Fireworks pretty, noise bad, injuries inevitable but irrelevant, but what made it unbearable was the smoke and fumes (contributed to some of the injuries too, bang thud whallop).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 20 October, 2017, 03:41:37 pm
Just spoken to Mum (81), who had returned from hospital with Dad (87).
His appointment was cancelled, they told him when he arrived.
Return home by taxi to receive newly-delivered appointment cancellation letter dated 17 October.

I know parents have just returned from forn parts but they has landline, mobile phones and email.
Mum is philosophical.

I am NOT IMPRESSED.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 20 October, 2017, 05:00:43 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 20 October, 2017, 11:21:53 am
"Your test results should be ready by thursday"
Friday morning
"Your test results haven't come in yet"
grumble grumble

Gawd. We get them by post within 48 hours. Doc often has results for early morning blood samples on line the same day.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 20 October, 2017, 09:46:43 pm
I imagine this is a grumble that's going to go on and on...

Builders.

I've needed this work doing for years. I've saved up the cash, everything's in place: architect drawings, structural engineer calculations, building regulations permission. All I need now is a builder.

Builder no. 1: very keen, loves working with old buildings, can start in the new year. All goes quiet then when prodded says he's got enough work for the next 12 months.
Builder no. 2: very keen, wants to start in 8 weeks. Can't give any guesses for time/cost as it's all done by this fantastic software and most of the details are already done. All goes quiet then oh dear, the software update lost all his workings and he's off on holibobs, really sorry, thanks for being so understanding. If he thinks I'm going to digest and approve his quote in the couple of weeks from when he gets it to me...
Builder no. 3: doesn't even bother to respond
Builder no. 4: we'll see
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 21 October, 2017, 08:24:23 am
Contemplating a pleasant day in the workshop when missus announces that our daughter will be here this afternoon with a friend who will be bringing her toddler; so now we have to clean out the parrot, sweep & wash the kitchen floor, hoover the whole bloody place and then waste the afternoon on feckless platitudes until they see fit to bugger off again.  Added to which, daughter only thinks of us when she needs money. Joy abounds.

I shall ask permission to go and fix my puncture first. >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 21 October, 2017, 09:42:02 pm
Woking on Thursday night - mock tudor Sarajevo.

Yes yes, 22 years late.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 21 October, 2017, 10:14:13 pm
About 10 bang per second here much of the time.
Cats have gone into hiding.
Rain clouds have been seeded and it's WET.
Rain is spoiling David's wood varnish.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 22 October, 2017, 07:43:22 am
Looking out the window, I think it might be a turbo day today
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 22 October, 2017, 08:50:33 am
Lurgy.  Fuck off.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 22 October, 2017, 08:54:50 am
Stupid rain. A leak that started yesterday in my bedroom got steadily worse overnight, and by this morning most of the carpet was sodden and I've had to empty my wardrobe and move it away so it doesn't get worse. Half my clothes are also soaking. No Sunday club run for me, then, as I'm spending the morning mopping. The rain at least appears to have stopped now, so hopefully it'll stop coming in soon...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 22 October, 2017, 08:59:59 am
Yes, the rain can fuck off too.

I feel a DNS coming on.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 22 October, 2017, 10:51:15 am
Thee & me both.  And after spending an hour messing about* trying to cancel Herself's AVG subscription that she took out before changing to Linux and losing the details, but which would have set us back 76€ in December, I'm thinking that a bloody good lunch is in the near future.

* how polite I am this morning!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 22 October, 2017, 04:09:09 pm
I lost my tourer's bicycle computer while on a ride today.  >:(

It's been a bit loose in its (new) mount, but when it has fallen off I usually notice quite quickly.  Today it probably went within the last 5km - didn't notice until I got home.  One-way streets and the wind made retracing a PITA.  The tail end of my route was narrow roads (so could have bounced under a parked car) and parks/shared paths covered in leaves.  TBH, I struggled to convince myself to turn back and try to find it - too much riding into the wind today pretty much destroyed me. 

Thankfully I was also recording the ride on my eTrex30.  But guess I'm now in the market for a new computer.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 22 October, 2017, 04:23:48 pm
That's a bugger Andrij

I did go out in the end today, 50km in a loop, the wind was either very helpful, a decent Dutch hill, or somewhat threatening when from the flanks.

My new grumble is that on making a quick stop at waitrose for tonight's dinner, my pocket sized combination lock seized on, wouldn't unlock, requiring a walk to Wilkinson's to buy a pair of snips so I could ride home.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 22 October, 2017, 07:52:30 pm
David doesn't like noise or smoke. This weekend, we've had two ice-cream vans, barbecue smoke from the far end of the back garden, and countless detonations from the pyrophilic neighbours.
Schrödinger's summerautumnwinter...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 23 October, 2017, 09:19:57 am
I live in a steep-sided valley (or on the side of it, anyway) and it seems every single house in the town is currently having an extension added. Be nice if they all take day off.

Oh, and the smoke from burning leaves doesn't, well, leave. But I kind of like that smell. Which is good, as next doors chimney is level with our living room.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 23 October, 2017, 10:18:10 am
The smoke from burning cod doesn't leave either :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 23 October, 2017, 10:50:24 am
We used to have a neighbour who barbecued sardines every Sunday, with his barbecue up against the hedge which divided our gardens. The smoke would permeate the hedge and the stench last for hours.  It took years to persuade him to move the damn thing to the other side of his terrace.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 23 October, 2017, 07:38:08 pm
Quote from: ian on 23 October, 2017, 09:19:57 am
I live in a steep-sided valley (or on the side of it, anyway) and it seems every single house in the town is currently having an extension added. Be nice if they all take day off.

Oh, and the smoke from burning leaves doesn't, well, leave. But I kind of like that smell. Which is good, as next doors chimney is level with our living room.

Why are they burning leaves indoors?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 23 October, 2017, 08:22:59 pm
Well, smoke in general. Though I think she'll burn anything. I think she burned up half our house during the refurbishment. Oh, unwary TV licensing operatives, you name it. She may be smelting aluminium.

It's not that bad, but yes, the perils of living on a slope mean the top of her chimney is level with our ground floor.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 24 October, 2017, 12:26:29 am
maybe she has to burn stuff indoors or the yetis will get her?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 24 October, 2017, 08:13:52 am
Quote from: ian on 23 October, 2017, 08:22:59 pm
Well, smoke in general. Though I think she'll burn anything. I think she burned up half our house during the refurbishment. Oh, unwary TV licensing operatives, you name it. She may be smelting aluminium.

It's not that bad, but yes, the perils of living on a slope mean the top of her chimney is level with our ground floor.

Well then, if she can be obnoxious up the chimney then you can be obnoxious down it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 24 October, 2017, 09:21:24 am
I don't think the yetis will come down as far as her garden. That's mostly bear territory. You can't smoke a bear. Unless you're Finnish.

(I'm not complaining anyway, the smoke mostly blows away and she will happily dispose of anything I need to get rid of, no questions asked. It's a lot less effort than burying them under the patio.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 24 October, 2017, 01:51:33 pm
Officer Cadets.

Our conference room looks like somebody set off a bomb in a transport cafe. You'd think we'd just played host to a chimps tea party rather than a group of "young gentlemen" from Sandhurst.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 24 October, 2017, 04:33:06 pm
Same thing innit!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 24 October, 2017, 05:27:37 pm
Quote from: Guy on 24 October, 2017, 01:51:33 pm
Officer Cadets.

Our conference room looks like somebody set off a bomb in a transport cafe. You'd think we'd just played host to a chimps tea party rather than a group of "young gentlemen" from Sandhurst.

Ooh! I was there today. Sandhurst, that is, not Guy's conference room.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 24 October, 2017, 07:42:44 pm
Lurgy - FOAD
at least it gives me an excuse to drink lagavullin, medicinally of course.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Veloman on 24 October, 2017, 07:58:02 pm
Quote from: Guy on 24 October, 2017, 01:51:33 pm
Officer Cadets.

Our conference room looks like somebody set off a bomb in a transport cafe. You'd think we'd just played host to a chimps tea party rather than a group of "young gentlemen" from Sandhurst.

I thought Sandhurst also trained "young ladies".

Perhaps soldiers would be a better description.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jakob W on 24 October, 2017, 09:47:29 pm
I don't think that would quite convey Guy's feelings about the baby Ruperts; perhaps 'young gentlepersons' or 'young gentlefolk'?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 24 October, 2017, 10:52:04 pm
The amazon locker on campus is full. Oiks, get down there and pick up your parcels, I want to order some stuffs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 25 October, 2017, 10:30:02 am
Quote from: Veloman on 24 October, 2017, 07:58:02 pm
Quote from: Guy on 24 October, 2017, 01:51:33 pm
Officer Cadets.

Our conference room looks like somebody set off a bomb in a transport cafe. You'd think we'd just played host to a chimps tea party rather than a group of "young gentlemen" from Sandhurst.

I thought Sandhurst also trained "young ladies".

Perhaps soldiers would be a better description.

These were all male, and I wouldn't put any of 'em in charge of a dead match, let alone a platoon of squaddies!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 25 October, 2017, 02:46:20 pm
Ah Ruperts, as they are affectionately known.....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mattc on 25 October, 2017, 04:01:50 pm
Quote from: Canardly on 25 October, 2017, 02:46:20 pm
Ah Ruperts, as they are affectionately known.....

Should that be "affectionately" ??
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: arabella on 25 October, 2017, 08:49:16 pm
Peeps wot's diggin up the roads.  When you say the road is blocked, could you be so kind as to specify whether that applies to motor vehicles only or to pedestrians as well?  It takes rather longer to divert at 3mph than it does at 30mph.  10 times longer, in fact.  So it would be good to know if I reeelly needed to divert, given there's no handy footpaths going the same way ...
Not everyone who uses said road is local enough to 'just know'.
eh?
I was sorely tempted to leap over offending barriers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 25 October, 2017, 08:55:46 pm
Quote from: arabella on 25 October, 2017, 08:49:16 pm
Peeps wot's diggin up the roads.  When you say the road is blocked, could you be so kind as to specify whether that applies to motor vehicles only or to pedestrians as well?  It takes rather longer to divert at 3mph than it does at 30mph.  10 times longer, in fact.  So it would be good to know if I reeelly needed to divert, given there's no handy footpaths going the same way ...
Not everyone who uses said road is local enough to 'just know'.
eh?
I was sorely tempted to leap over offending barriers.

We had a diversionary discussion about that recently in some thread or other, in which I suggested the very same.

I work on the principle that as a cyclist, it's usually worth trying your luck with an unknown closed road, as most of the time you can push your bike past someone digging a hole.  It's only rarely a missing bridge or similar.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 25 October, 2017, 09:03:57 pm
Quote from: arabella on 25 October, 2017, 08:49:16 pm
Peeps wot's diggin up the roads.  When you say the road is blocked, could you be so kind as to specify whether that applies to motor vehicles only or to pedestrians as well?  It takes rather longer to divert at 3mph than it does at 30mph.  10 times longer, in fact.  So it would be good to know if I reeelly needed to divert, given there's no handy footpaths going the same way ...
Not everyone who uses said road is local enough to 'just know'.
eh?
I was sorely tempted to leap over offending barriers.
I'm generally a leaper, also following Kim through on bike. it's never gone wrong, yet!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 26 October, 2017, 10:55:37 am
My leaping days are done but I usually get round without bouncing. Usually.  Didn't yesterday, though, 'cos road-closed sign was 2 km before site of blockage and it was all downhill.  Shifted my destination and discovered a nice new road instead: nice rolling hills.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 26 October, 2017, 12:46:44 pm
I don't think I've ever had to leap over a road closure.  I save that sort of nonsense for Sustrans adventures.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 26 October, 2017, 02:05:10 pm
Taking a bike on a train can be so stressful, so when I discovered it was very straightforward on the Scottish Sleeper service, I was most pleased.....however, the tickets for the journey have now arrived and there is no reservation ticket for the bike as I normally receive when travelling on Virgin or other services where booking is required.

So.... in a bit of a worry as I have spent a lot of money on this trip, I phone their helpline.

Guess what...."our lines are very busy: please hold for the first available operator...." 15 bloody minutes worth of hold music before I gave up and emailed them. I suppose I will get a reply but until I do, I am going to worry!

I suppose its down to there being so few unemployed now days* the company are finding it hard to obtain staff to operate their helplines..... :facepalm:






*May contain traces of not believing official figures. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ham on 27 October, 2017, 10:39:13 am
Bloody Waltham Bloody Forest. Why is there no left turn from Blackhorse Lane into Forest Road (https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.5875661,-0.0403932,3a,75y,188.46h,97.63t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sYR9F7xCFoI9SorVAGxZZYQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656)? And why didn't I notice (or take enough notice) of it? (at 21:30 at night) Bet that camera collects a few bob for them. And, given I got caught in the middle of the shockingly complex car trap outside Walthamstow Central (https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.5830792,-0.0207426,3a,75y,77.16h,77.32t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s9OzDQ81wb6mhIAhw5pR3fg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656) I reckon I can expect another penalty from them. Grrrr.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 27 October, 2017, 07:06:50 pm
'twas ever thus, or at least as long as I've been living in these parts.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ham on 27 October, 2017, 08:53:58 pm
Yeah this is the grumble thread, not the rant, I don't drive in Waltham forest if I can help it, and when I do I try to keep my wits about me. Well, clearly that's not good enough, I need someone else's wits, whose would be best?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 27 October, 2017, 10:57:28 pm
Quote from: Ham on 27 October, 2017, 08:53:58 pm
Yeah this is the grumble thread, not the rant, I don't drive in Waltham forest if I can help it, and when I do I try to keep my wits about me. Well, clearly that's not good enough, I need someone else's wits, whose would be best?

One person's grumble is another's aide memoire: I read your grumble Ham and thought of the last time I drove in that neck of the woods. Ooh, I was in the work van. Ooh, I drove the work van today, over the Dartford Crossing. Ooh, I'd better pay the Dart Charge.  Thanks.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 28 October, 2017, 09:00:53 pm
Is it just me or has the standard of British students' written English taken a turn for the worse? Do we actually encourage precision and accuracy in writing any more, or is it not done to tell students when they have made simple errors?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 28 October, 2017, 09:08:16 pm
Quote from: David Martin on 28 October, 2017, 09:00:53 pm
Is it just me or has the standard of British students' written English taken a turn for the worse? Do we actually encourage precision and accuracy in writing any more, or is it not done to tell students when they have made simple errors?

<Grumble>

Not just students. Beeb Beds, Bucks & Herts had 'Scheme for dying patients to expand' headline on its website tonight.
I don't think the idea is for patients with terminal illness to grow...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 29 October, 2017, 08:41:03 am
Washing machine has packed up.  >:( It's only ten years old.

Getting a little man in is probably not cost-effective. After spending a few 'happy' hours trying to work out the difference between eco+ and eco comfort, I found someone on youtube who's convinced me I can fix it with a handful of bike tools. And a £12 part. Happy days.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 29 October, 2017, 09:27:16 am
Hunters. Not the stirrup-cup tally-ho latter-day Light Brigade but the kind who beat the woods to drive game down onto a firing line.  In France they act as if they own the forests, and do their damnedest to wreck any other organized activities queering their pitch.  I was at a meeting of five local clubs' committees last week, and two of them were mightily pissed off that their MTB events, for which they had full permission from the Préfecture and the Office National des Forêts, had been sabotaged, one organizer discovering on the morning of the ride that over 30 route-markers had been removed overnight.  If you complain to the mairies responsible for the areas in question, all you get is "oui, mais c'est la Chasse" (N.B. capital C) and a resigned sigh - and probably a snigger from anyone else in earshot, since most of the farmers are members.

Bloody mafia.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 29 October, 2017, 07:32:23 pm
Quote from: Pickled Onion on 29 October, 2017, 08:41:03 am
Washing machine has packed up.  >:( It's only ten years old.
Ours died yesterday.  Magic smoke job.  It was less than 5 years old, not sure if it even made it to its 3rd "birthday".  Modern white goods are fragile pieces of shite.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 29 October, 2017, 08:27:15 pm
If you can, worth going upmarket and paying for a Miele
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 29 October, 2017, 09:30:52 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 29 October, 2017, 08:27:15 pm
If you can, worth going upmarket and paying for a Miele

+1
See washing machine threads in OT Knowledge.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 30 October, 2017, 08:50:25 am
I think our last Miele lasted around 20 years.  At the time, a neighbour thought the price was scandalous, though - "washing machines never last more than two years so I always get the cheapest".  Er, yes...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 30 October, 2017, 09:15:34 am
I've just received 10 text messages from FedEx telling me my parcel is out for delivery.......   Does that mean I can expect 10 parcels  ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 30 October, 2017, 09:49:49 am
Each in a separate van...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 30 October, 2017, 10:02:28 am
Must be the season for it.
My dishwasher has just died; the drain pump pumpeth not.

After bailing it out by hand, the Internet provided directions on how to get at the pump. This involved removing the outer door skin and then removing an access plate at the bottom front.  All the gubbins are underneath the floor of the machine.  The pump is then surprisingly easy to remove.   So the machine is currently sitting in a partly-dismantled state waiting for the replacement pump, which cost about £30.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 30 October, 2017, 10:25:57 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 29 October, 2017, 09:30:52 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 29 October, 2017, 08:27:15 pm
If you can, worth going upmarket and paying for a Miele

+1
See washing machine threads in OT Knowledge.
Yeah, but that would need building work in this house. Some other manufacturers make machines which we can fit in.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 30 October, 2017, 12:46:09 pm
Quote from: Feanor on 30 October, 2017, 10:02:28 am
Must be the season for it.
My dishwasher has just died; the drain pump pumpeth not.

After bailing it out by hand, the Internet provided directions on how to get at the pump. This involved removing the outer door skin and then removing an access plate at the bottom front.  All the gubbins are underneath the floor of the machine.  The pump is then surprisingly easy to remove.   So the machine is currently sitting in a partly-dismantled state waiting for the replacement pump, which cost about £30.

My problem is the pump too. Very easy to extract: turn machine over, twist the pump, and out it pops. Impeller is broken. Finding the correct replacement was neither easy nor as cheap as the model number either side of mine, for no fathomable reason. Near enough £50 instead of £12 and it's not even OEM!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 31 October, 2017, 09:55:37 am
Look, I know our office is in the middle of a busy industrial estate, and I am glad that there are so many SMEs providing employment to the area, I really am.

And I have no objections to Health & Safety.  I'm a strong advocate.  There are still far too many industrial injuries in this country.

And I know you have some big trucks to unload.

But does that forklift's horn have to be beeped every few seconds, sounding like a bored kid left in the car park?

Really?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 31 October, 2017, 09:03:59 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 29 October, 2017, 08:27:15 pm
If you can, worth going upmarket and paying for a Miele
Vimes' Boots applies.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 31 October, 2017, 10:59:08 pm
Quote from: Bledlow on 30 October, 2017, 10:25:57 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 29 October, 2017, 09:30:52 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 29 October, 2017, 08:27:15 pm
If you can, worth going upmarket and paying for a Miele

+1
See washing machine threads in OT Knowledge.
Yeah, but that would need building work in this house. Some other manufacturers make machines which we can fit in.

My Miele went in the space vacated by the defunct Hygena that had been part of the fitted kitchen when I moved into this house. It projects forward about 10cm more than the Hygena but is no wider. Giraffe made a nice wooden stand for it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 02 November, 2017, 10:09:17 am
Looking forward to a long day on the bike come Saturday.

[ checks forecast ]

Bugger.  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 03 November, 2017, 05:41:21 am
Quote from: TheLurker on 29 October, 2017, 07:32:23 pm
Quote from: Pickled Onion on 29 October, 2017, 08:41:03 am
Washing machine has packed up.  >:( It's only ten years old.
Ours died yesterday.  Magic smoke job.  It was less than 5 years old, not sure if it even made it to its 3rd "birthday".  Modern white goods are fragile pieces of shite.
What kind of _idiot_ writes, "...the angle of inclination, measured according to the worktop, must not exceed 2o." in the installation guide for a washing machine? 2o!?  Sorry, but a protractor from a school geom. kit isn't going to be much good here is it?   If the damn thing needs to be that close to absolutely level then what was wrong with, "...use a spirit level to ensure the washing machine is level."?  And,"...according to the worktop..."?  Do you mean the top of the washing machine or the worktop that it sits under?  I do hope you mean the top of the washing machine because if some poor bugger reads that as the worktop it sits under and that's not level...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Giraffe on 03 November, 2017, 08:14:40 am
Then there's getting the spirit level under the worktop and seeing it.
Also, the rear feet can't be adjusted with the machine in place and, with some machines, the feet don't lock so they rotate as the machine is pushed in.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 03 November, 2017, 09:27:13 am
In the 1970s, 80s and 90s I had perfectly clear phone conversations with folk in Australia and the US, and all over W. Europe.  I just got off the blower to a tax office somewhere in France, and the biddy on the other end sounded as if she was talking through 3 layers of felt and a kazoo - pretty well the norm these days.  It reminds me of that 18th century steward who, when his master observed of his building and landscaping projects "great improvements, don't you think?" replied "great alterations, my lord" and got fired.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 03 November, 2017, 10:07:26 am
Bottom brackets....are they made of cheese?

The only reason I ask is that my LBS have just been on the phone (they are currently giving my winter bike a service) to say that the bottom bracket has excessive play in it, thus needs replacing.

Thing is, this BB is less than 18 months old and will have done no more than 3 000km of mostly winter riding. Surely they should last longer than this?

I must be doing something wrong but across my five bikes, this is the 4th BB I have had to have replaced in the last 5 years. I would love to say that it's my excessive power output but that would be a lie!

This is getting costly as whatever I spend on the bike, I have to spend the same amount on CBH!  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nicknack on 03 November, 2017, 10:21:45 am
Quote from: T42 on 03 November, 2017, 09:27:13 am
In the 1970s, 80s and 90s I had perfectly clear phone conversations with folk in Australia and the US, and all over W. Europe.  I just got off the blower to a tax office somewhere in France, and the biddy on the other end sounded as if she was talking through 3 layers of felt and a kazoo - pretty well the norm these days.  It reminds me of that 18th century steward who, when his master observed of his building and landscaping projects "great improvements, don't you think?" replied "great alterations, my lord" and got fired.
Our daughter's just got back from 2 months working in Manila. While she was there we spoke to her via a video link in Facebook. But for a slight delay between picture and sound everything was perfectly clear and cost precisely nothing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 03 November, 2017, 12:42:21 pm
Quote from: T42 on 03 November, 2017, 09:27:13 am
In the 1970s, 80s and 90s I had perfectly clear phone conversations with folk in Australia and the US, and all over W. Europe.  I just got off the blower to a tax office somewhere in France, and the biddy on the other end sounded as if she was talking through 3 layers of felt and a kazoo - pretty well the norm these days.  It reminds me of that 18th century steward who, when his master observed of his building and landscaping projects "great improvements, don't you think?" replied "great alterations, my lord" and got fired.

The race to the bottom for telephone audio kicked off around the time that GSM happened and people stopped expecting to be able to hear properly on telephones.  Sidetone, what's that?

It's particularly frustrating given that the technology to ensure a high-bandwidth digital path from handset to handset is now ubiquitous.

We use SIP with enforced g.711 codecs for our 'landline', which gives a much better signal to noise ratio than the BT analogue line.  But the bandwidth is still rubbish, and you're still at the mercy of the piece of crap at the other end, which is usually either  a) a lossily-compressed mobile, operated by someone who isn't paying attention in noisy environment  b) some DECT piece of crap from Argos in a noisy environment  or  c) a headset in a noisy callcentre with optional bandwidth-conserving lossy compression from the lowest-bidder telco and a stranger with a confusing accent.

Telephones have gone to shit, but so has people's attitude towards them; it used to be that people would go to the quiet room with the telephone in it in order to make phone calls.  The real mystery is why people insist on using the bloody things.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 03 November, 2017, 01:24:05 pm
The rot set in when the braided cloth-covered cord connecting receiver to base was replaced by those spiral things.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: De Sisti on 03 November, 2017, 08:00:15 pm
Quote from: Kim on 15 October, 2017, 12:22:24 pm
Quote from: T42 on 15 October, 2017, 08:37:23 am
Microwave just packed up. Bloody thing's only 16 years old.

Commiserations.  All the modern ones will be shit in comparison.
2nd hand Toshiba microwave that I bought from a (divoricing) friend in 1994 is still working fine.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 04 November, 2017, 09:20:49 am
Tell me about it.  Our old one's door shut with a satisfying muted clunk, like the door of an up-market car; the new one clangs and shoogles a bit like that of a Renault 18 with 200,000 km on it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 04 November, 2017, 10:11:08 am
Quote from: De Sisti on 03 November, 2017, 08:00:15 pm
Quote from: Kim on 15 October, 2017, 12:22:24 pm
Quote from: T42 on 15 October, 2017, 08:37:23 am
Microwave just packed up. Bloody thing's only 16 years old.

Commiserations.  All the modern ones will be shit in comparison.
2nd hand Toshiba microwave that I bought from a (divoricing) friend in 1994 is still working fine.

Our gas cooker died last October and we bought an old Whirlpool microwave (late eighties we believe) from the BBC shop to tide us over whilst building works were completed.  We then passed it on to a friend as generally we Don't use a microwave. 

It is still going strong.   It was made in Sweden apparently.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 04 November, 2017, 10:20:18 am
Quote from: T42 on 04 November, 2017, 09:20:49 am
[...] a Renault 18 with 200,000 km on it.

I find it difficult to believe that such a thing has ever existed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 04 November, 2017, 11:42:38 am
We're having a party when our pram-wheeled Ford Ka hits 10,000 miles. It has just passed 9k. That took about a decade though. Maybe we'll drive it to Norway rather than Crystal Palace to get a Christmas tree this year.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 04 November, 2017, 11:47:35 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 04 November, 2017, 10:20:18 am
Quote from: T42 on 04 November, 2017, 09:20:49 am
[...] a Renault 18 with 200,000 km on it.

I find it difficult to believe that such a thing has ever existed.

I did have to strain my imagination to think of it. A colleague had one that sounded like a can of old nails in a tumble dryer with only 20,000  on the clock.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 04 November, 2017, 04:44:20 pm
The travellers inhabiting the Bournbrook Walkway down by the bypass, not content with filling the undergrowth with assorted rubbish, have now turned the path (formerly hardpack) into a mudbath.  I'll have to go up the hill and through the hospital until Spring.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 04 November, 2017, 07:17:47 pm
I tripped over my yoga mat, fell, and cracked my shin really hard on a metal box and it fucking HURTS.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 10 November, 2017, 09:31:49 am
Quote from: Andrij on 02 November, 2017, 10:09:17 am
Looking forward to a long day on the bike come Saturday.

[ checks forecast ]

Bugger.  :(

Oh, look - another crappe Saturday.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 10 November, 2017, 09:37:59 am
Saturday I will spend mending a pontoon (email arrived "upstream pontoon arm has broken off and dropped in river") and working, yet again. Might manage a jog but won't have time for a bike ride. Joy

'pontoon arm' is 5m of steel weighing about 90kg, I doubt it has broken off. Suspect someone has been fiddling about, we had a break in on the boat a couple of weeks ago, I fitted padlocks. If it has broken off, I'll have to somehow temp bolt it in place then weld it. Deep joy
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 10 November, 2017, 09:45:23 am
Quote from: Andrij on 10 November, 2017, 09:31:49 am
Quote from: Andrij on 02 November, 2017, 10:09:17 am
Looking forward to a long day on the bike come Saturday.

[ checks forecast ]

Bugger.  :(

Oh, look - another crappe Saturday.  >:(
Oh foo. Yesterday the forecast for Saturday still looked good. Fingers crossed for Sunday.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fimm on 10 November, 2017, 01:06:08 pm
Dear nice hotel, if you are going to have signs about don't change your towels if you don't have to, and we will only change your towels if you leave them on the floor, how about not changing all the towels that have been used but have also been left on the towel rail every single day?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 10 November, 2017, 02:09:30 pm
Quote from: Giraffe on 03 November, 2017, 08:14:40 am
Then there's getting the spirit level under the worktop and seeing it.
Also, the rear feet can't be adjusted with the machine in place and, with some machines, the feet don't lock so they rotate as the machine is pushed in.

As Giraffe will attest, the 1cm steel ball bearing is a handy, portable level surface indicator.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 10 November, 2017, 02:14:28 pm
Quote from: fimm on 10 November, 2017, 01:06:08 pm
Dear nice hotel, if you are going to have signs about don't change your towels if you don't have to, and we will only change your towels if you leave them on the floor, how about not changing all the towels that have been used but have also been left on the towel rail every single day?

+1

Giraffe & I used the 'Do Not Disturb' flag on our door as we really didn't want our room disarranged to others' specifications.
We were twice left bags of fresh, clean towels by the door.

Never needed them.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 10 November, 2017, 03:29:12 pm
There has been no heat in my office all day.    I'm wearing a warm shirt, a wool waistcoat & have just added the holey cardigan that lives on the back of my chair  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 10 November, 2017, 03:44:26 pm
Holey cardigans, Batman, I'm frozen!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 11 November, 2017, 02:23:51 pm
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 04 November, 2017, 07:17:47 pm
I tripped over my yoga mat, fell, and cracked my shin really hard on a metal box and it fucking HURTS.
It still fucking hurts.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 11 November, 2017, 02:52:50 pm
I feel your pain.

I recently smacked my shin on the ironmongery behind a crash rail on a bridge crossing the away down a country later.   It hurt so much it was all I could do to stay conscious fighting the nausea.  The blood oozed.  The pain stayed for a week and I have a scar for my troubles.   :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 11 November, 2017, 06:49:19 pm
Shins stay hurty for aaages as far as I can work out.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 12 November, 2017, 12:41:05 pm
My dishwasher has started leaking :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 13 November, 2017, 07:42:34 am
My left foot has seized up again.  While I was asleep.  Do feets go into spasm the way backs do?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 13 November, 2017, 08:52:01 am
Whom the gods would destroy they first make mad persuade to start a company in France.

I have just received an email from the Tax Office threatening me with fines if I do not submit a declaration of turnover for 1st Jan - 30th June 2017.  We closed our company at the end of September last year, liquidated at the end of December and wound up all the legal claptrap with the Chamber of Commerce by the end of March.

"Yes," says the bloke at the Tax Orifice, "but you still need to submit a declaration of turnover for the first six months of this year." (http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/gaah.gif)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 13 November, 2017, 09:03:09 am
Still no heating in this office.  They’ve got the hot water back on.


Don’t get me started on the toilets, they seem to take forever to refill the cisterns so half the time people can’t flush  :sick:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 13 November, 2017, 11:10:39 am
Back in the 70s I mentioned to our boss that the Office & Factory Act (or whatever it was called) stated that employers could not oblige office staff to work at temperatures below 60°F.  His reply was "yes, and in that case we're not obliged to pay you". Ah...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 13 November, 2017, 01:36:15 pm
Shops, Offices and Railway Premises, I think.

Grumble of the day has to be the packaging of the two Duracell CR 2016 cells I bought fo David's torch/LASER pointer.

After penetrating the vicious blister pack, there are still the plastic film and battery sticky label to negotiate.

I KNOW coin cells kill. That packaging nearly killed me, then it attacked David!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 13 November, 2017, 02:23:28 pm
Damn. You just reminded me that I forgot to pick up a couple of CR2032s 'cos my Garmin temperature sensor is flagging.  I was in the shop on Friday and walked straight past them.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: orienteer on 13 November, 2017, 02:30:10 pm
Poor packaging is a major gripe of mine. I wonder how many A&E visits are due to injuries incurred trying to open packs with no provided means of opening them.

Also cellophane (or whatever) wrapping that needs cutting to open, then tears so easily it can't be used to wrap remaining items.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 13 November, 2017, 05:02:58 pm
To be fair, children have died after swallowing seemingly innocuous coin cells and packaging should prevent this.

BUT!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 13 November, 2017, 05:37:52 pm
Barakta has Shiny! New! bone-anchored sound processors hearing aids.  Oticon have drawn heavily on the Mega-Global Fruit Corporation of Cupertino, USAnia for inspiration (particularly in the startup sound, packaging and Devil's Radio departments, if not the careful dodging of other people's patents).  But the 'feature' that's relevant to this rant is that the 'off switch', in as much as they have one[1], is achieved by opening the battery compartment, so that the battery (a zinc-air[3] 675 cell in this case) may achieve effective air-gap isolation by pingfuckiting to some dusty corner behind the bed leg, across the aisle of the bus, or into the digestive tract (or recent output thereof) of the nearest canine.

They have provided the battery compartment with a screw-operated lock, which can be engaged with the supplied tweaker, for when they're used by small children, primary school teachers and the elderly, who can't be trusted not to lose or eat the batteries.


[1] There's a 'standby' mode which keeps the amplifier and DSP gubbins awake and active[2] with a null input, which serves adequately as a STFU button, but doesn't save power.
[2] Thus avoiding boot-up delay when you switch it back on.
[3] Cheaper and AIUI less deadly when swallowed than lithium cells.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 13 November, 2017, 05:54:26 pm
The lithium cells are more deadly AIUI because they supply a higher voltage.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rogerzilla on 13 November, 2017, 06:17:35 pm
I hate it when they tack an advert for an associated product onto the end of another advert.  Cheapskates.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 13 November, 2017, 06:22:43 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 13 November, 2017, 05:54:26 pm
The lithium cells are more deadly AIUI because they supply a higher voltage.

Yeah, it's enough to generate hydroxide ions, and we all know what strong alkalies do to tissue...   :hand:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 13 November, 2017, 08:10:48 pm
Quote from: T42 on 13 November, 2017, 08:52:01 am
"Yes," says the bloke at the Tax Orifice, "but you still need to submit a declaration of turnover for the first six months of this year."
Look on the bright side, it'll be the easiest turnover statement you've ever filled out.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 13 November, 2017, 09:23:44 pm
Quote from: Kim on 13 November, 2017, 05:37:52 pm
[1] There's a 'standby' mode which keeps the amplifier and DSP gubbins awake and active[2] with a null input, which serves adequately as a STFU button, but doesn't save power.
[2] Thus avoiding boot-up delay when you switch it back on.

Changing volume on one changes on both even though my hearing level isn't even across the two and I might want to drop noise on one side for REASONS...

If hearing aid 1 is in standby and you change programme on hearing aid 2, it brings 1 out of standby - GRRR.

If you frob the silly "streamer" programme one or both standby moded hearing aids come back on...

Seriously considering asking for the damned things to be unlinked so I can control them independently.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 13 November, 2017, 10:22:49 pm
They don't understand REASONS which could include selectively turning a deaf ear to the world in a 'DO NOT DISTURB' kind of way.
Lack imagination.
Nul points!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 14 November, 2017, 12:13:42 am
Shaun over on the other place has decided to move one of my favourite sub-forums there out to a spin off site. I think he misses the point that the reason that sub-forum works well is because we are already there, and atomising the membership over a range of sites will just damage the success of the original cycling forum.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 14 November, 2017, 12:18:02 am
Quote from: mcshroom on 14 November, 2017, 12:13:42 am
Shaun over on the other place has decided to move one of my favourite sub-forums there out to a spin off site. I think he misses the point that the reason that sub-forum works well is because we are already there, and atomising the membership over a range of sites will just damage the success of the original cycling forum.

That's basically the grumble from when everyone started using web forums rather than newsgroups and mailing lists.  It was so much more convenient when everything was in one efficient piece of software (configured the way you like it), and people's identities were reasonably consistent, we said.

Then things started migrating to Facebook and now we have the worst of both worlds...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CrinklyLion on 14 November, 2017, 06:39:48 am
Quote from: mcshroom on 14 November, 2017, 12:13:42 am
Shaun over on the other place has decided to move one of my favourite sub-forums there out to a spin off site. I think he misses the point that the reason that sub-forum works well is because we are already there, and atomising the membership over a range of sites will just damage the success of the original cycling forum.

Yeah, I reckon that might be me about done wiith it. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 14 November, 2017, 09:06:25 am
Quote from: SoreTween on 13 November, 2017, 08:10:48 pm
Quote from: T42 on 13 November, 2017, 08:52:01 am
"Yes," says the bloke at the Tax Orifice, "but you still need to submit a declaration of turnover for the first six months of this year."
Look on the bright side, it'll be the easiest turnover statement you've ever filled out.

I threw it at our old accountant, who's already been paid for winding up the company.  If he didn't wind it up far enough it's his responsibility.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 14 November, 2017, 10:28:43 am
HRG rail booking droids :facepalm:

Quote
Thank you for changing the bookings. Unfortunately we seem to have got our wires crossed. In my original email (below) I stated the outward journey was fine, but that the return part from Edinburgh needed to be changed to a 1530 departure.

Please can you change the outward journey back to what it was and amend the return journey to a 1530 departure, bearing in mind that the two people are travelling together.

Thank you

Regards
 
 Guy
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 14 November, 2017, 12:52:04 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 11 November, 2017, 06:49:19 pm
Shins stay hurty for aaages as far as I can work out.
I think the bleeding and swelling is irritating the nerves - I'm having a lot of tingly burny stingy pain.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 14 November, 2017, 07:35:34 pm
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 14 November, 2017, 12:52:04 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 11 November, 2017, 06:49:19 pm
Shins stay hurty for aaages as far as I can work out.
I think the bleeding and swelling is irritating the nerves - I'm having a lot of tingly burny stingy pain.
GWS!

I think shins are hurty cos they have tight fibrous envelopes in which any bleeding or swelling gets painfully tight. Buttocks, for example don't have these and can swell a lot before they are sore, so long as you don't sit on the injured part.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 14 November, 2017, 08:00:51 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 14 November, 2017, 07:35:34 pm
Buttocks, for example don't have these and can swell a lot before they are sore, so long as you don't sit on the injured part.

That is of course the tricky bit.  (DAHIKT)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 14 November, 2017, 09:00:58 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 14 November, 2017, 07:35:34 pm
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 14 November, 2017, 12:52:04 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 11 November, 2017, 06:49:19 pm
Shins stay hurty for aaages as far as I can work out.
I think the bleeding and swelling is irritating the nerves - I'm having a lot of tingly burny stingy pain.
GWS!

I think shins are hurty cos they have tight fibrous envelopes in which any bleeding or swelling gets painfully tight. Buttocks, for example don't have these and can swell a lot before they are sore, so long as you don't sit on the injured part.
Yeah, like ears - no room to swell, therefore much more painful. Standard painkillers aren't working. I wonder if I could get my GP to prescribe me some capsaicin.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ham on 16 November, 2017, 08:16:51 am
Bike clothing manufacturers, what are you all thinking? I'm talking chamois pads here. Of all the bottom covering apparel I have only one (Condor road shorts) has a black chamois pad, all the rest: blue, orange, bright green and ffs white. Why? All a bit shit, really.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 16 November, 2017, 08:32:52 am
Quote from: Ham on 16 November, 2017, 08:16:51 am
and ffs white. Why? All a bit shit, really.
Depends on your farts. Can be difficult when riding fixed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Butterfly on 16 November, 2017, 08:33:59 am
Quote from: Ham on 16 November, 2017, 08:16:51 am
Bike clothing manufacturers, what are you all thinking? I'm talking chamois pads here. Of all the bottom covering apparel I have only one (Condor road shorts) has a black chamois pad, all the rest: blue, orange, bright green and ffs white. Why? All a bit shit, really.

Yeah, dark brown would be better. Dark burgundy and patterned for ladies pads. It only makes sense.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ham on 16 November, 2017, 09:06:54 am
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 16 November, 2017, 08:32:52 am
Quote from: Ham on 16 November, 2017, 08:16:51 am
and ffs white. Why? All a bit shit, really.
Depends on your farts. Can be difficult when riding fixed.

I thought those helped fixed riding, by virtue of the jet propulsion effect.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 16 November, 2017, 09:31:28 am
Arsebiscuits! My current boss thinks I do a great job & has the good sense to leave me alone. So now they’ve had a management shuffle & under someone new, whom I’ve never heard of. Judging by his staff number though he’s probably in his early 20’s  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 16 November, 2017, 09:33:06 am
Quote from: Ham on 16 November, 2017, 09:06:54 am
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 16 November, 2017, 08:32:52 am
Quote from: Ham on 16 November, 2017, 08:16:51 am
and ffs white. Why? All a bit shit, really.
Depends on your farts. Can be difficult when riding fixed.

I thought those helped fixed riding, by virtue of the jet propulsion effect.

The cyclist's prayer: Dear Lord, please just let it be gas.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 16 November, 2017, 12:25:05 pm
Quote from: Butterfly on 16 November, 2017, 08:33:59 am
Quote from: Ham on 16 November, 2017, 08:16:51 am
Bike clothing manufacturers, what are you all thinking? I'm talking chamois pads here. Of all the bottom covering apparel I have only one (Condor road shorts) has a black chamois pad, all the rest: blue, orange, bright green and ffs white. Why? All a bit shit, really.

Yeah, dark brown would be better. Dark burgundy and patterned for ladies pads. It only makes sense.

I must admit, I assumed the blue was Marketing's idea to hide the period blood.   ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mattc on 16 November, 2017, 12:43:27 pm
Quote from: Ham on 16 November, 2017, 08:16:51 am
Bike clothing manufacturers, what are you all thinking? I'm talking chamois pads here. Of all the bottom covering apparel I have only one (Condor road shorts) has a black chamois pad, all the rest: blue, orange, bright green and ffs white. Why?
Because no one can see it when you're wearing them?

Or am I missing something here  ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 16 November, 2017, 01:09:53 pm
This (https://www.google.fr/search?q=cycling+shorts+inside+out&client=firefox-b-ab&dcr=0&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjn7_vJlMPXAhUF2KQKHdMiAZ8Q_AUICigB&biw=1680&bih=927), maybe?

Meanwhile, me own grumble is that the self-starting fluorescent tubes I put up in my office last year stay on for around a minute then go off. They do this a couple of times then come back on and settle down.  The old tubes that needed starters lasted ~15 years.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 16 November, 2017, 02:39:20 pm
Dear Mr Fuckerberg

I'm sure you have many thousands of users of your walled garden who are interested to know what the weather is doing in York.  I, however, am not one of them.  How many times do you have to be told that an IP address is not a reliable indicator of ICBM coordinates?

Please stop it.

Mr Larrington BSC SSC
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 16 November, 2017, 03:44:37 pm
Not a grumble by me, but I'm sure there must have been some yesterday when the train ran straight past Letchworth, the driver said "sorry I missed my stop, I'll stop at Stevenage instead and you can take a train back from there"
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 16 November, 2017, 05:37:22 pm
Ticket price changed from £1,279.51 to £2,139.51

in the space of a button press.

Fuck off, cheating fuck monkeys.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 16 November, 2017, 06:10:45 pm
You've been bidding on 'Children In Need' stuff?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 16 November, 2017, 06:31:52 pm
I wish but I couldn't afford to keep a child, they need a hutch and kibble.

Flights to somewhere cold, alas. I don't know why I bother with BA these days.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ham on 16 November, 2017, 06:36:01 pm
Clear cookies and look again. Works like magic, eh? Or, better, use a different browser.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 16 November, 2017, 06:42:15 pm
Quote from: ian on 16 November, 2017, 06:31:52 pm
I don't know why I bother with BA these days.

Me neither, but they are the only gig in town for non stop to Denver.
And you really dont want to be collecting, clearing customs, and re-checking a family of 4's ski gear at Chicago.
And so we have heaps of loyalty points with them which has gotten us several Business Class upgrades on other long haul flights.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 16 November, 2017, 07:07:47 pm
Yeah, I have a zillion miles and silver which comes with a few perks, but BA seems to be a case of ascending price and descending service these days.

This is painful because it's being booked for me and they're on a budget so, yeah, of course direct flights are more expensive, but I really don't want to add three hours or more onto a straightforward journal (LHR-PHL) to go via JFK, EWR, etc. Normally I wrestle Concur on my own. I did offer to stay Saturday evening but they wouldn't pay for another night's hotel despite the fact it'll half the price of the flight.

Oh well, wait till they see my bar bill.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 16 November, 2017, 07:27:04 pm
Its effing groundhog day for me.

My previous employer used AmEx corporate travel, and you had to book travel using their online robot.
This produced ludicrous routings, and all my bookings raised out-of-policy exceptions.
But they were always signed off, because everyone could see it was stupid.
It was all purchased with your Corporate Card, and you were expected to put your travel expenses on this card.
Cash expenses were deply frowned on.
You then had a fun week scanning receipts and entering them into Concur.

I'd get queries from an expenses wonk about my taxi receipt from Nigeria.
"Its not a valid VAT receipt, it hasnt got this that and the other on it..."
Seriously, dude. Have you ever gotten a taxi in Nigeria?

And now here I am in the new nut mines, and we've just rolled out Concur and been given Corporate Cards.

Still, my bar bill will be a fine test of the roll out of Concur.
Is there an award you can claim, I wonder?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 16 November, 2017, 07:54:48 pm
Ha, we have the same system. The travel system always thinks that leaving Stansted at 6am is a reasonable flight option for someone that lives near Gatwick. I am not convinced there is a good time to be at Stansted but I am convinced that if there were, it wouldn't be 4am. It regularly emails my boss, like a little tattle-tailing robot. We're supposed to out everything on the corp Amex too, a policy somewhat stymied by the fact most of the world doesn't accept Amex. Everyone except, it seems, our T&E policy team knows this.

To this day, I don't know know what a VAT receipt is. I asked a hotel for one once, and 15 minutes later I gave up and figured no one knows. They get a scan of whatever was given me. It's a happy day once a month I sit down with the stack of receipts and try to remember where I've been and why I went I there and what the hell was that one for?

Yes, I've had to explain that bus and 'taxi' drivers in Africa don't generally give receipts. One convenience of Uber is that it at least goes direct on my Amex and comes with a receipt regardless. And they don't con you, though that would take all the fun out of Nigeria.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andytheflyer on 16 November, 2017, 08:29:37 pm
Thank you, Ian and Feanor, for reminding me just how happy I was to finally leave the corporate world last year.  It was fine when you could submit exes backed up by scruffy bits of paper torn out of a Nigerian exercise book, and a simple promise that the $50 really was needed to get a gate unlocked in some out of the way place in some godforsaken hole (and of course no receipt), or something.  But then corporate cards came along, and trust went out of the window, and exes codes on the claim form didn't remotely fit having to pay cash to hire a JCB for a couple of days in the Sinai peninsula to dig  few test pits.

I really feel sorry for the people I left behind, who have to put up with the corporate cr*p, and I wish you all the best.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 17 November, 2017, 07:37:01 am
We have several clients who would prefer us to use their systems in that way. Unfortunately I can never get my log-in details to work, and am forced to use the most sensible routes possible  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 17 November, 2017, 08:26:36 am
This exchange

Quote from: ian on 16 November, 2017, 05:37:22 pm
Ticket price changed from £1,279.51 to £2,139.51

in the space of a button press.

Fuck off, cheating fuck monkeys.
Quote from: Torslanda on 16 November, 2017, 06:10:45 pm
You've been bidding on 'Children In Need' stuff?
Quote from: ian on 16 November, 2017, 06:31:52 pm
I wish but I couldn't afford to keep a child, they need a hutch and kibble.

has earned me some very funny looks from a colleague. I have spent the last last 5 minutes bent double with laughter

Cheers :D

PostsOTD :thumbsup:

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 17 November, 2017, 08:49:59 am
Back here in Mundanity Hollow, my fluorescents have finally stabilised: they won't come on at all.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 17 November, 2017, 09:18:40 am
Quote from: T42 on 17 November, 2017, 08:49:59 am
Back here in Mundanity Hollow, my fluorescents have finally stabilised: they won't come on at all.

Is there a faint aroma of bullshit as well? You may have accidentally bought the UK Civil Service variety. We're used to being kept in the dark and fed on...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 17 November, 2017, 09:33:22 am
Nespresssso, lords of the use once waste mountain.  Thanks for producing more waste by sending me junk mail about your products.  If I did drink coffee your machine would be my last choice.  Bonus twat points for making it with plastic coated card that cannot go in the recycling.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 17 November, 2017, 10:30:49 am
Quote from: Guy on 17 November, 2017, 09:18:40 am
Quote from: T42 on 17 November, 2017, 08:49:59 am
Back here in Mundanity Hollow, my fluorescents have finally stabilised: they won't come on at all.

Is there a faint aroma of bullshit as well? You may have accidentally bought the UK Civil Service variety. We're used to being kept in the dark and fed on...

It's probably the dogs, who are undercover Civil Servants.  They want clipboards with built-in watches for their birthday.


Anyway, back from blowing 47€ on a double-tube LED fitting, and the old one is up & running like a good'un.  Threatening recalcitrant appliances seems to have an effect.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 17 November, 2017, 10:45:37 am
Quote from: andytheflyer on 16 November, 2017, 08:29:37 pm
Thank you, Ian and Feanor, for reminding me just how happy I was to finally leave the corporate world last year.  It was fine when you could submit exes backed up by scruffy bits of paper torn out of a Nigerian exercise book, and a simple promise that the $50 really was needed to get a gate unlocked in some out of the way place in some godforsaken hole (and of course no receipt), or something.  But then corporate cards came along, and trust went out of the window, and exes codes on the claim form didn't remotely fit having to pay cash to hire a JCB for a couple of days in the Sinai peninsula to dig  few test pits.

I really feel sorry for the people I left behind, who have to put up with the corporate cr*p, and I wish you all the best.

To be honest, it's not that bad, it's just a tedious task to sort through hundreds of receipts (curiously the Americans, despite being inveterate receipt hoarders, don't have to provide receipts for <$50 whereas we have to provide them for everything). I've seen the world on someone else's dime over the last few decades and all the beer has been free. Travel booking would be a lot easier and quicker if I just used Expedia, of course, and I wouldn't have to pay agency fees but someone somewhere aboard the mothership decided that yes, I should go through the steps of making my own booking, and then transfer to an agency. I could do everything a lot cheaper, but oh well, that's private sector efficiency for you.

That said, as I'm getting older I'm trying to travel less and not being very successful because most of my colleagues are American and just won't fucking go anywhere that isn't the US or Canada because they're big scaredy babies.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 17 November, 2017, 10:36:12 pm
Durham Lumiere was a bit of a disappointment this time. Although after queueing for ninety minutes in the cold to get into the Cathedral, I had one of the most joyous wees of my entire life. I’m just glad I don’t have a prostate.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 18 November, 2017, 09:44:59 am
It seems that 38t middle chainrings for 140bcd chainsets have disappeared from the face of the earth. I've ended up buying a 36t middle and a 26t inner. Now I just hope the front derailleur can cope with a 22t jump from top to bottom.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 18 November, 2017, 12:34:43 pm
I hope you meant 104mm...?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 18 November, 2017, 12:43:41 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 18 November, 2017, 09:44:59 am
It seems that 38t middle chainrings for 140bcd chainsets have disappeared from the face of the earth. I've ended up buying a 36t middle and a 26t inner. Now I just hope the front derailleur can cope with a 22t jump from top to bottom.

Should be OK - I've got a 28t spread on a couple of The Fleet.  Though they both have one of those gadgets to stop the chain from overshooting the small ring when changing down.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 18 November, 2017, 01:24:23 pm
Quote from: Torslanda on 18 November, 2017, 12:34:43 pm
I hope you meant 104mm...?
Yep, 104mm :facepalm:


Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 20 November, 2017, 10:31:14 am
Even my wretched bank is holding a Black Week sale. :facepalm: :sick:

(Hmmm... putting hand over face before vomiting is probably a bad idea.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 20 November, 2017, 07:36:57 pm
Wasn't there a post on here somewhere recently about some US state giving a festive 2-for-the-price-of-1 discount on speeding tickets?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fimm on 21 November, 2017, 10:19:46 am
Dear people who name segments on Strava.
"Decent" means OK, reasonable.
Something you go down is a "descent".
That is all.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 21 November, 2017, 03:58:45 pm
I nearly had an off today on Marathon + tyres. I'd pumped them up to 70psi and the rear gave way on a corner when I encountered a parked van that I had to swerve for. Perfectly good tarmac, if somewhat damp, no leaves and 12C. Fortunately I was able to stay upright, but it was close.

 That has shaken my faith in the tyres somewhat, so I'll let them down to 60psi and see if that helps.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 21 November, 2017, 04:08:46 pm
I came off[1] last week on HS420 Marathons (which are apparently now the same thing as the Plus, with a narrower puncture band) at similar pressure.  Road was damp and non-specifically slippery under foot from presumed leaf residue (no actual chutney, though the gutter was full of it), with a slight adverse camber.  Temperature about 12C.  It's a route I take several times a week, and that's the first time I've had a problem there.

That bike's been wearing those tyres since the spring of 2016, when they replaced worn-out HS368s.  Though thinking about it I was off the bike last autumn with tendinitis, so this was one of their first outings in chutney season...


[1] I was fine, the bike wasn't.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 21 November, 2017, 05:32:47 pm
I can't get my bank (rbs) to load.

This minor grumble may escalate if I can't transfer dosh where needed tonight.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 21 November, 2017, 05:57:37 pm
It's Marathon Pluses that spin under me trying to get up the hill to my house. That despite every gram of weight I have on the rear wheel to the point where I noticed the other day that the front wheel was no longer on the ground. That said, the road is liberally leaf chutneyed. All my bikes have pluses so I can't compare. I should possibly eat more pies.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 21 November, 2017, 07:03:37 pm
The Plusses will soon be replaced by Schwalbe Winters, which are grippier and have studs. That'll slow me down as a result, so problem solved.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 21 November, 2017, 07:20:52 pm
I had similar with conti gp4 seasons 28mm last weekend, on a not obviously, but likely from everything around it, muddy road. Might drop pressures a bit, only at 6.5 bar normally
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 22 November, 2017, 09:36:42 pm
Daft o clock train to London for a 2 day workshop. All day in a cramped room with a lot of people shouting.
Communal beer & pizza, I’m an introvert on a table full of extroverts & I find it hard to follow a conversation with all the background noise. 2 of the guys are in the same hotel as me but I don’t want to go out for more beers as I’m tired, so now feeling like a party pooper.
Point A hotels seem a step down from Travelodge, tight fisted company booking system  >:(


I’ve got a sore throat starting as well & forgot my earplugs.


On the good side I met some people I’ve been working with for years, but not met in real life, and lots of them made a point of saying I was wonderful ....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 26 November, 2017, 04:01:58 pm
About now I should be buzzing up & down the promenade of Marina di Massa onna S2L M2L spying out alternate hotels & restaurants not yet tried.  Also looking for the track pump I'm told is here somewhere to get the full 100psi back in it.  Instead I'm sitting here looking at the new toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, shower gel & deodorant just purchased from Carrefour.

Bum.

Oh lordy I hope this story doesn't become a rant.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 27 November, 2017, 08:33:30 pm
Dear The BBC.

Pls to stop buggering around with your Friday night schedule, especially that of that nice Victoria Coren Mitchell. I want to watch Only Connect, not the poxy football.

ktxbai.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rogerzilla on 27 November, 2017, 10:23:39 pm
I've never had a grip problem with M+ in several years' commuting.  I did find City Jets from the same stable to be terrifying on slimy autumn roads.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 28 November, 2017, 12:38:04 am
I've been back to the scene of the off on my Dawes, which is currently wearing 40mm 'Schwalbe Marathon Dureme Evo' tyres, courtesy of last year's PlanetX sale.  I experimented with some hard rear-wheel braking, which wasn't noticeably skiddier than I'd expect for wet tarmac.

Either the chutney's dissipated, or the newer Marathons are crap on slime.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cycleman on 28 November, 2017, 07:55:59 am
I am using standard marathons on the trice and I am getting more wheelslip than the slicker m trikers that were fitted before. I have been a little surprised at that  :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 28 November, 2017, 09:22:38 am
Bloody student finance

They've decided that my daughter, in 3rd year at uni, may be a 'fraudulent non-student' (eh?), hence have suspended all payments to her, pending her proving that she is actually living in rental accommodation.

What the hell do they think she is living in? After two years of living in London with verified parental address in Yorkshire, that suddenly she is living with her mother in Malton and attending university in London?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 28 November, 2017, 09:44:35 am
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 28 November, 2017, 09:22:38 am
Bloody student finance

don't start me on Bloody Student Finance! They decided that my youngest would finish her 3rd year in May like all other students and so reduced her third year loan by 20% But like ALL other nursing students, her year didn't finish until the end of August. What was she supposed to live on for 3 months? I was already paying her rent as the loan wasn't enough to pay for a cardboard box in THAT LONDON (Student nurses aren't supposed to have paying work while studying because they have to spend 6 months of each year on placements)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 28 November, 2017, 02:12:49 pm
got "invacuated" to our cellar this morning, just about to pop out for lunch and the local Evans, but some moron had left a car parked outside Pret opposite the gherkin and wandered off.  Bomb squad etc, and the car doesn't look as shiny now.

If I'd been a bit earlier I could have been out to lunch watching from the street.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 28 November, 2017, 04:24:17 pm
Well that's one way to deal with fud parkers!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 28 November, 2017, 06:11:22 pm
It's my sisters birthday, so on my suggestion my mother booked a table at the Clove Hitch, quiet & nice but dull food Emai which they will all eat. confirmation email was for 17:15.  I was on time, they were not.  I phoned them up & they were still at home.  She thought they'd booked for 7:15!  Luckily they were able to reschedule us..... :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 28 November, 2017, 07:36:40 pm
Phew!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 28 November, 2017, 09:09:15 pm
Brother's latest Ryanair grumble:
Quote
A warning to those who fly Ryanair. I have HAD to fly them 3 times in the last 3 weeks. I tried the following experiment on all three flights. I order a coffee and pay with a 5 Euro note. The crew never have change but they always say they will return with change, but they never do. It's not about the money. Clearly dishonesty and theft is standard practice. If the crew on three flights is happy to be dishonest and steal it begs the question.... what else are they stealing?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 28 November, 2017, 09:38:36 pm
:O That's cheeky.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 28 November, 2017, 10:26:14 pm
It is VERY NORTY!
Suspect it's quite a deliberate ploy by underpaid cabin crew, hoping nobody will kick up a fuss about €2.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 28 November, 2017, 11:24:14 pm
FB has just posted this on FB:
Quote
happened to me once .. I went to the rear and asked for my change . then threatened by Steward that I was causing disruption and I would be banned from ever flying Ryanair again.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 29 November, 2017, 08:29:47 am
3€ for a cup of aviation-grade coffee strikes me as robbery anyway.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 29 November, 2017, 08:35:50 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 28 November, 2017, 11:24:14 pm
FB has just posted this on FB:
Quote
happened to me once .. I went to the rear and asked for my change . then threatened by Steward that I was causing disruption and I would be banned from ever flying Ryanair again.
Begs the question - obviously failure to give the change is petty theft, but under which country's jurisdiction would the offence fall?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 29 November, 2017, 09:23:34 am
It's complicated. Usually the country of registration, but I believe the airline may transfer that jurisdiction to the country it lands in. Plane captains are like Judge Dredd. Kind of. Though not the inflatable ones.

To be fair to the crew, they are usually busy and may simply forget. Mind you, if they lend you a pen, they never forget that. I think they'd follow you all the way to your hotel.

I'm surprised that Ryanair still accept cash, most airlines are card-only these days.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 29 November, 2017, 01:45:47 pm
cash is easier to hide. card payments are easier to tax...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 29 November, 2017, 04:19:03 pm
Also less hassle with change and currency. I can't remember anyone offering cash payment (and I fly a lot, though evidently not with Ryanair). Certainly EasyJet, BA, and Norwegian don't let you pay cash. Admittedly they gave me a free beer because it wasn't cold. At all.

Not as good as the Kenya Airways service the other year, where I asked for a second beer and the steward brought me six cans. Jeez, I wanted to look at Lake Victoria not refill it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 30 November, 2017, 09:02:27 pm
I am so pissed off with people trying to bully me into wearing a cycle helmet.  I'm not bothering anybody, I'm just out to have a nice bike ride, but showing up with no helmet on is like dropping steak into the shark cage.  Inevitably, people talk at me about how stupid it is to not wear a helmet, and how a helmet saved their life, and why aren't I wearing a helmet, and Ooh you want to be wearing a helmet, how dangerous it is cycling without a helmet, George came off on a corner and got his head cut off but the helmet saved his life, helmet helmet helmet helmet helmet helmet ...

After I ended up in tears on a club ride trying to explain there's a REASON I can't wear a helmet, they've actually relaxed their club rules on the novices ride to allow me to continue to ride with them (oh that's nice, being a bloody special needs cyclist, in a CTC affiliated club), but to hear them all trying to out-safe each other on how careful they are and how risk-averse and how hi-viz they are, helmet helmet helmet, I'm amazed any of them dare get out of bed in the morning.  Helmet. 

What the hell is it with people that it becomes all right to be so controlling and bossy and lecturey with someone you barely know, indeed met mere seconds ago?  It's just rude!  Leave me alone!

It's like people think they can magic the danger away by wearing the magic head amulet of polystyrene and nothing bad will ever happen.  Like nothing will drive into us, no badger will leave the hedges, no ice will form on ye potholes, for the HELMET is our shield and our armour and our crossbow and our warhorse and our flu vaccine.  And what's more EVERYBODY ELSE SHOULD DO WHAT THEY DO.  It's downright unBritish, the intrusive ill-manneredness of the whole thing.

Bah.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 30 November, 2017, 09:04:39 pm
Yes.

Tell them you're wearing a cutting edge invisible helmet.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 30 November, 2017, 09:08:24 pm
Wait, nobody told me they worked as badger-repellent.  I might have to re-think this!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 30 November, 2017, 09:19:31 pm
so if I don't wear one will I see moore badgers? Cool!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 30 November, 2017, 09:40:35 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 30 November, 2017, 09:19:31 pm
so if I don't wear one will I see moore badgers? Cool!

Hasn't worked for me, unless you count dead ones :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 30 November, 2017, 09:59:27 pm
I tripped over a live badger. Ran right out across the pavement as I walked home from the station. Scuffed my hand as I stumbled over. That's what happens if you don't wear a helmet.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 30 November, 2017, 10:01:08 pm
Most of the people who insist on telling me how wonderful magic hats are don't cycle themselves :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 30 November, 2017, 10:18:22 pm
Quote from: Ruthie on 30 November, 2017, 09:02:27 pm
It's downright unBritish, the intrusive ill-manneredness of the whole thing.

Bah.
The British are a downright unBritish nation.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 30 November, 2017, 10:22:05 pm
That looked a lot like a full on rant rather than a grumble. Just sayin.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andytheflyer on 01 December, 2017, 07:52:23 am
Quote from: Kim on 30 November, 2017, 09:08:24 pm
Wait, nobody told me they worked as badger-repellent.  I might have to re-think this!

Ah, so if I put a helmet in the middle of my lawn, will that stop the blo*dy badgers digging it up?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 01 December, 2017, 08:23:48 am
Turn it up t'other way and call it a birdbath.

Oh.

Hold on a bit . . .
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: orraloon on 01 December, 2017, 08:24:25 am
Quote from: andytheflyer on 01 December, 2017, 07:52:23 am
Quote from: Kim on 30 November, 2017, 09:08:24 pm
Wait, nobody told me they worked as badger-repellent.  I might have to re-think this!

Ah, so if I put a helmet in the middle of my lawn, will that stop the blo*dy badgers digging it up?

Per Mr J Carrott, there's only one way to get rid of a badger
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 01 December, 2017, 01:21:58 pm
Run flat tyres are the work of Stan.
Unintended 1 hr break in today’s journey courtesy of a puncture that the can of tyre gunk I carry won’t repair. This has also endeared me no end to the tyre fitter who will now get covered in said gunk. The £127 he’s charging me for the replacement should go some way to softening that irritation 😞

On the positive side, at least we’re not making this journey late evening as us our usual mo so the tyre shoppes are at lest available.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 01 December, 2017, 04:09:47 pm
Quote from: Pingu on 30 November, 2017, 10:01:08 pm
Most of the people who insist on telling me how wonderful magic hats are don't cycle themselves :demon:
Or they're the sort of prize idiot who rides a bike at dusk to dark without lights, but wearing a magic hat. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 01 December, 2017, 04:18:40 pm
Quote from: TheLurker on 01 December, 2017, 04:09:47 pm
Quote from: Pingu on 30 November, 2017, 10:01:08 pm
Most of the people who insist on telling me how wonderful magic hats are don't cycle themselves :demon:
Or they're the sort of prize idiot who rides a bike at dusk to dark without lights, but wearing a magic hat.
Or they have a tiny light on the rear on the seatpost, no light on the front, and pootle round town wearing a big coat that hangs down the back over the light.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 01 December, 2017, 07:09:58 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 30 November, 2017, 10:22:05 pm
That looked a lot like a full on rant rather than a grumble. Just sayin.
A good one too.

Oi! Cleaner Of The Room, please to be packing it in with the nicking of my plastic carrier bags.  If I've finished with them I will put them in the bin.  I hadn't because I hadn't.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 01 December, 2017, 09:36:55 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 30 November, 2017, 10:22:05 pm
That looked a lot like a full on rant rather than a grumble. Just sayin.

Do not antagonise Teh Ruthie. Unless you want to see a full on rant.

You have been warned.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 02 December, 2017, 01:57:16 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 01 December, 2017, 04:18:40 pm
Quote from: TheLurker on 01 December, 2017, 04:09:47 pm
Quote from: Pingu on 30 November, 2017, 10:01:08 pm
Most of the people who insist on telling me how wonderful magic hats are don't cycle themselves :demon:
Or they're the sort of prize idiot who rides a bike at dusk to dark without lights, but wearing a magic hat.
Or they have a tiny light on the rear on the seatpost, no light on the front, and pootle round town wearing a big coat that hangs down the back over the light.

Last week the police in Strasbourg were out stopping unlit cyclists, but instead of swingeing 11€ fines they were passing out minimalist lighting kits consisting precisely of tiny LED bobby-dodgers, with a half-dozen 3M spoke reflectors.  Shows that they're more concerned with the law than safety - I'd have no confidence, riding with those things.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 02 December, 2017, 03:36:04 pm
Quote from: T42 on 02 December, 2017, 01:57:16 pm
Last week the police in Strasbourg were out stopping unlit cyclists, but instead of swingeing 11€ fines they were passing out minimalist lighting kits consisting precisely of tiny LED bobby-dodgers, with a half-dozen 3M spoke reflectors.  Shows that they're more concerned with the law than safety - I'd have no confidence, riding with those things.

The Wet Midlands police (of close pass initiative fame) have a similar protocol, but the lights they're giving out are vaguely decent (at least from a be-seen perspective).  They're not setting out to catch unlit cyclists, either, on the basis that as traffic police they have more important things to do.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 02 December, 2017, 10:11:02 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 27 November, 2017, 08:33:30 pm
Dear The BBC.

Pls to stop buggering around with your Friday night schedule, especially that of that nice Victoria Coren Mitchell. I want to watch Only Connect, not the poxy football.

ktxbai.
Dear the BBC. See what I wrote last week. Abstrads.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 02 December, 2017, 11:06:01 pm
Quote from: Kim on 02 December, 2017, 03:36:04 pm
Quote from: T42 on 02 December, 2017, 01:57:16 pm
Last week the police in Strasbourg were out stopping unlit cyclists, but instead of swingeing 11€ fines they were passing out minimalist lighting kits consisting precisely of tiny LED bobby-dodgers, with a half-dozen 3M spoke reflectors.  Shows that they're more concerned with the law than safety - I'd have no confidence, riding with those things.

The Wet Midlands police (of close pass initiative fame) have a similar protocol, but the lights they're giving out are vaguely decent (at least from a be-seen perspective).  They're not setting out to catch unlit cyclists, either, on the basis that as traffic police they have more important things to do.

I guess if they avoid one clean up at another RTA involving a cyclist, its a positive outcome
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 02 December, 2017, 11:25:58 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 02 December, 2017, 11:06:01 pm
Quote from: Kim on 02 December, 2017, 03:36:04 pm
Quote from: T42 on 02 December, 2017, 01:57:16 pm
Last week the police in Strasbourg were out stopping unlit cyclists, but instead of swingeing 11€ fines they were passing out minimalist lighting kits consisting precisely of tiny LED bobby-dodgers, with a half-dozen 3M spoke reflectors.  Shows that they're more concerned with the law than safety - I'd have no confidence, riding with those things.

The Wet Midlands police (of close pass initiative fame) have a similar protocol, but the lights they're giving out are vaguely decent (at least from a be-seen perspective).  They're not setting out to catch unlit cyclists, either, on the basis that as traffic police they have more important things to do.

I guess if they avoid one clean up at another RTA involving a cyclist, its a positive outcome

I think it's basically that they've worked out what they're going to do if they do end up stopping an unlit cyclists (presumably in response to a specific complaint).  Giving out lights seems more likely to work than giving out FPNs.

Meanwhile, they can go after motorists for excessive speed, mobile phones and lack of insurance and so on, which  is more likely to reduce RTCs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 03 December, 2017, 03:07:12 pm
CAMRAMan Jr. I asked you to wash your Mum's car and you said 'I'll do it in 30 minutes'. An hour later, I remind you and you ask for 10 minutes more. OK, think I and go out to set up the hose and put detergent in the bowl & find the sponge. I go out and clean my bike that was well & truly crudded up from the cyclepaths I use near farmland. That takes a good 20 minutes. WTF, think I, I might as well wash the car myself, so I do. And about 3/4 of the way through, you decide to wander out. Well sunshine, too late, so no money.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 03 December, 2017, 06:01:56 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 28 November, 2017, 09:09:15 pm
Brother's latest Ryanair grumble:
Quote
A warning to those who fly Ryanair. I have HAD to fly them 3 times in the last 3 weeks. I tried the following experiment on all three flights. I order a coffee and pay with a 5 Euro note. The crew never have change but they always say they will return with change, but they never do. It's not about the money. Clearly dishonesty and theft is standard practice. If the crew on three flights is happy to be dishonest and steal it begs the question.... what else are they stealing?

Related,  perhaps?
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/dec/03/ryanair-crew-judged-against-strict-sales-targets-documents-show
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 03 December, 2017, 07:05:46 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 03 December, 2017, 06:01:56 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 28 November, 2017, 09:09:15 pm
Brother's latest Ryanair grumble:
Quote
A warning to those who fly Ryanair. I have HAD to fly them 3 times in the last 3 weeks. I tried the following experiment on all three flights. I order a coffee and pay with a 5 Euro note. The crew never have change but they always say they will return with change, but they never do. It's not about the money. Clearly dishonesty and theft is standard practice. If the crew on three flights is happy to be dishonest and steal it begs the question.... what else are they stealing?

Related,  perhaps?
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/dec/03/ryanair-crew-judged-against-strict-sales-targets-documents-show

Certainly fits with brother's experience and helps explain the Despicable Incident of the Sick Passenger.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 04 December, 2017, 09:46:40 am
Could the person who conceived open plan offices also provide compulsory gags for all staff? Oh and a ban on using speakerphone mode in the office?

tired-of-working-with-earmuff-on

FFS
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 04 December, 2017, 10:09:30 am
I worked in an open-plan office in 1975.  I doubt if the sadist who invented them is still around.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: arabella on 04 December, 2017, 12:37:45 pm
Quote from: Ruthie on 30 November, 2017, 09:02:27 pm
...
Bah.
My stock response is to say I read the spec., looked at what it did/didn't cover and compared it with past riding practice.  So far so good.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andytheflyer on 04 December, 2017, 01:19:25 pm
Not sure who is the culprit and the object of this rant, but it revolves around the filthy rural roads that I have to ride on at this time of year.

They are filthy because the increasingly large tractors the farmers use won't fit on the lanes, at least they won't if trying to pass anything wider than a bike - and sometimes not even then.  So the wheels go onto the soft verges, and muck is sprayed liberally across the road.  After a few vehicles have been along, there are the two, narrow reasonably clean wheel tracks, separated by a ridge of mud, hiding a range of thorns and gravel, all sufficient to have me off my recumbent if I am unwise enough not to have planned my ride so as to avoid having to cross this linear mountain range.

The corollary, is that the verges now look like Speilberg's remake of the Battle of The Somme, and the road is barely distinguishable from a ploughed field that's been home to a herd of cows after a couple of inches of November rain.

An modern cars are not much better, although admittedly they don't spread as much muck over the road as a mega-tractor towing a slurry tanker the size of my house.  My mum's old Mini was about as wide as an ICE trike. Then came the Elf  - n - Safety snowflake generation, with the side impact bars and airbags, all of which means that the current Mini is about as mini as a 1970's Ford Transit.

So whose fault is it?  The farmers for buying ever-wider tractors, the E-n-S brigade with ever larger cars, or the councils for not anticipating the trend for ever larger road vehicles and omitting to grub up all the hedges to widen the country lanes into A-road size carriageways?

Whosever fault it is, will you please stop running over the verges at this time of year 'cos it's bad for the environment and it's dangerous to cyclists - especially me.......
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 04 December, 2017, 01:54:26 pm
Around here it's not so much the verges that supply the mud as the fields. The farmers pull out onto the road and bring several cwt of mud with them.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 04 December, 2017, 02:30:53 pm
Ironically the larger tractors are used because they cause less damage to fields, don't chew up the ground so much.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 04 December, 2017, 03:04:21 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 04 December, 2017, 02:30:53 pm
Ironically the larger tractors are used because they cause less damage to fields, don't chew up the ground so much.
I didn't know that. I thought it was because they were more efficient, covering a larger field area in the same time, but I can see larger wheels and wider axles might cause less damage to ground.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 04 December, 2017, 05:16:08 pm
My sympathies on that one tend to side with the farmer.  Their vehicle is (presumably) optimised for a job, and I tend to regard country lanes as their factory floor.

Modern cars are optimised for various things, but rarely the job they actually get used for.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 04 December, 2017, 06:45:13 pm
I must admit, I find the farmers around me to be quite bike friendly, after all, we are getting into or near their workplace, and a large part of their ever  expanding fields and machinery is at least partly due to our push for ever cheaper food.

That said, beet harvest season is particularly muddy as it goes right through the winter
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 05 December, 2017, 09:08:11 am
Radio 2

A Wombling Merry Christmas.

Please. Make it stop
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 05 December, 2017, 09:16:36 am
It's getting chilly in my office. Brigadier Nick's dog has gone to sleep with her head just in the way of shutting the door.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 05 December, 2017, 12:59:13 pm
Quote from: Guy on 05 December, 2017, 09:08:11 am
Radio 2

A Wombling Merry Christmas.

Please. Make it stop

My partner LOVES that one!

We seldom listen to music radio though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 05 December, 2017, 07:25:55 pm
Quote from: Guy on 05 December, 2017, 09:08:11 am
Radio 2

A Wombling Merry Christmas.

Please. Make it stop
Could be worse. Could be McCartney's dreadful little ditty.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 05 December, 2017, 09:34:40 pm
Quote from: TheLurker on 05 December, 2017, 07:25:55 pm
Quote from: Guy on 05 December, 2017, 09:08:11 am
Radio 2

A Wombling Merry Christmas.

Please. Make it stop
Could be worse. Could be McCartney's dreadful little ditty.

Or Mariah.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 07 December, 2017, 10:17:16 am
Météo France does it again: 5°C & sunny forecast, 1°C and 10/10 misty overcast delivered. 5° I can ride in, 1° clobbers me. Haven't been out for a week, now.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 07 December, 2017, 01:16:02 pm
Pisa check in have insisted my b&m foldon go through oversize even though it isn't above max in any dimension. On the way out here I was given the choice and opted to send it the oversize route in the hope of kinder handling. It arrived in perfect condition two nervous days after me.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Si S on 07 December, 2017, 01:17:19 pm
Could have been in the overheard today thread but :

"With us expanding to new office space in the new year we need to start urgently thinking about things like how many Christmas trees we'll need next year"

I can't cope, somebody shoot me.   
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 07 December, 2017, 02:45:08 pm
Dear ourquer de vache

Reasons for creating an Excel document do not include "I'm going to print it out landscape".
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 07 December, 2017, 05:27:44 pm
Bah. Two out of three banks in our local town -Tring- have shut in the last year.  My wife got a letter today to say that the NatWest is closing next June. That means a 4 mile trip (Aylesbury  :sick: or Berkhamstead  ::-)) to a bank branch.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 07 December, 2017, 07:01:12 pm
Quote from: T42 on 07 December, 2017, 10:17:16 am
Météo France does it again: 5°C & sunny forecast, 1°C and 10/10 misty overcast delivered. 5° I can ride in, 1° clobbers me. Haven't been out for a week, now.
Is this a getting older thing?  I've found that my limit for low temperature riding has crept slowly, but surely, upwards.  Half a dozen years ago I could cope with temps down to about -5C to -7C now I struggle at 0 to -2C.  I can ride in it but by gum do my muscles complain about it.  It really does put the kibosh on winter commuting.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 07 December, 2017, 07:09:13 pm
Quote from: Si S on 07 December, 2017, 01:17:19 pm
Could have been in the overheard today thread but :

"With us expanding to new office space in the new year we need to start urgently thinking about things like how many Christmas trees we'll need next year"

I can't cope, somebody shoot me.   
A training course I’ve been on this week included the sage advice ‘Don’t use Excel. Learn R and use that instead!’
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 07 December, 2017, 07:50:54 pm
Quote from: TheLurker on 07 December, 2017, 07:01:12 pm
Quote from: T42 on 07 December, 2017, 10:17:16 am
Météo France does it again: 5°C & sunny forecast, 1°C and 10/10 misty overcast delivered. 5° I can ride in, 1° clobbers me. Haven't been out for a week, now.
Is this a getting older thing?  I've found that my limit for low temperature riding has crept slowly, but surely, upwards.  Half a dozen years ago I could cope with temps down to about -5C to -7C now I struggle at 0 to -2C.  I can ride in it but by gum do my muscles complain about it.  It really does put the kibosh on winter commuting.

Having a commute is great for keeping riding in SUB zero temperatures.   Now I don't commute, I find that i don't want to go out even if it's just a bit overcast.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 07 December, 2017, 10:11:09 pm
As part of the new Residents's Parking Permit Scheme, The Man has been busy with paint down Larrington Gardens Road.  As a result, neither I nor Mr Patel next door can park in front of our respective properties lest we block access to, er, our own property.  But the bloke over the road, who very obviously keeps a Pikey Old BeemerTM behind his side gate, or the people further down who have just built a large and expensive garage, can be blocked in with impunity.

Because there's no dropped kerb in front of their places :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 08 December, 2017, 09:14:02 am
Awakened at 3 am this morning by our UPSes going beep. Thought at first it was a power cut but the streetlights were still on and the neighbour's door-bell was lit up. Right enough, the main circuit-breaker in the cellar was out. Pushing it up restored power for an instant before it plonked down again, so we hadn't had a surge, but none of the breakers we use had popped. Went through the board toggling breakers and trying the main one each time, with no effect. Then one of those which I thought was unused - a 3-phase job marked chauffage, which I thought was provided for central-heating control, which we don't have - turned out to be the culprit. Curious.  I left it off and all was well - only it had taken an hour to find and then we had a cuppa, so we lost two hours' sleep and woke up zombified at 7.

No power in my workshop this morning. :(  That's what the chauffage breaker had been used for by the bloke who restored this place.

The shop has its own fuse-board, so once I've got my eyes aligned with the holes in my face the missus and I will be yodelling back & forth across 15 metres of garden as I push & pop fuses over there. Bugger. Or maybe I'll leave it until tomorrow - I'm too brain-dead just now.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 08 December, 2017, 09:20:28 am
Quote from: TheLurker on 07 December, 2017, 07:01:12 pm
Quote from: T42 on 07 December, 2017, 10:17:16 am
Météo France does it again: 5°C & sunny forecast, 1°C and 10/10 misty overcast delivered. 5° I can ride in, 1° clobbers me. Haven't been out for a week, now.
Is this a getting older thing?  I've found that my limit for low temperature riding has crept slowly, but surely, upwards.  Half a dozen years ago I could cope with temps down to about -5C to -7C now I struggle at 0 to -2C.  I can ride in it but by gum do my muscles complain about it.  It really does put the kibosh on winter commuting.

Nah, it's a coronary-artery-disease thing.  My heart muscle only gets 50% of the blood it's entitled to, and breathing cold air further constricts the arteries.  Once I'm properly warmed up, say about 10 km in, I'm more or less OK in 3° but not otherwise. I suppose I could set up a turbo, but I've never found them to help much.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 08 December, 2017, 12:20:07 pm
Organizations and entities that have peak and off-peak pricing. That's nice, I'm sure. But how about your fucking put the hours on your websites, ticket machines etc? Trains companies obvs, but also you, Crystal Palace swimming pool (phoned them, all day till 5 apparently, now would it be hard to put that information on your web site? Apparently.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 09 December, 2017, 08:55:19 am
Quote from: T42 on 08 December, 2017, 09:14:02 am
No power in my workshop this morning. :(  That's what the chauffage breaker had been used for by the bloke who restored this place.

The shop has its own fuse-board, so once I've got my eyes aligned with the holes in my face the missus and I will be yodelling back & forth across 15 metres of garden as I push & pop fuses over there. Bugger. Or maybe I'll leave it until tomorrow - I'm too brain-dead just now.

Worked things out a bit better today. The chauffage breaker is simply for a central-heating control unit (which in our case we have not got) and the 4-gang breaker beside it is the 3-phase supply to the workshop.

This morning I reset the 3-phase breaker then went over there and restored power to the circuits I usually use - single-phase power, lighting and one extra socket beside the box. The power and light circuits have switches above the door and these had been off all the time anyway, so it was none of these. Then I restored power progressively to the others to see what would happen.

Nothing.

Two possibilities remain: either the fault is in one of two spurs that go out from the shop to power-points in the garden, or it's in the line from the house to the shop.  These are all via heavy armoured cable running underground (and under concrete) in PVC pipes. I'm hoping that the culprit is one of the garden sockets since we don't use them anyway.  We had heavy rain at the time the power went, so they are the most suspect.  I've cut power to them now, so we'll see what happens next time it rains. If it goes out again then it's the main connection from house to shop, and that I am dreading.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 09 December, 2017, 10:04:14 am
Dropped my daughter off at had ballet class yesterday, and went for a run while I waited for her.

All ok on the off road bits with the head torch, then came back onto a tarmacked path, missed pothole, twisted my ankle and foot.

Iced it yesterday and it's walkable, but sore. Hopefully ok for a ride later.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 09 December, 2017, 02:27:27 pm
Spent three hours this morning in my freezing shed getting my MTB ready for snow by fitting spike tyres, a new rear derailleur and replacing the rusted up chain....good work I thought until I went out to test it..... I managed a total of 238 feet before the chain snapped.....sigh.

I really am crap at this bike fixing lark!  :facepalm:

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 09 December, 2017, 06:25:11 pm
Aww no you’re not. It’s just your bike throwing war tantrum cos you got it rusty.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 13 December, 2017, 10:32:20 am
There was something that vexed me on the drive into work this morning, but I can't remember what it was  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 13 December, 2017, 10:49:19 am
Quote from: Beardy on 13 December, 2017, 10:32:20 am
There was something that vexed me on the drive into work this morning, but I can't remember what it was  >:(
The middle-aged thread is thataway ==>
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 13 December, 2017, 11:24:14 am
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 13 December, 2017, 10:49:19 am
Quote from: Beardy on 13 December, 2017, 10:32:20 am
There was something that vexed me on the drive into work this morning, but I can't remember what it was  >:(
The middle-aged thread is thataway ==>
but, but but, I was grumbling about not being able to remember about what it was I wanted to grumble about. Honest.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 13 December, 2017, 01:40:58 pm
Story of my life.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 13 December, 2017, 07:08:01 pm
Quote from: T42 on 08 December, 2017, 09:20:28 am
Nah, it's a coronary-artery-disease thing.  My heart muscle only gets 50% of the blood it's entitled to....
That sounds like no fun at all.  Does the cycling help?

Today's grumble is really tomorrow's grumble.  Tomorrow is to be my last day in the office this year (cheers!) and I was looking forward to the ride there and back.  However... I have just seen the local weather forecast and there's a better than good chance of frost/ice first thing (0530) and as there are still large patches of ice on the road outside the house I'm going to have* to drive there. Chiz, chiz, chiz, chiz, _chiz_!

*700x23s sans studs + icy patches doth not a relaxing nor safe cycling experience make. :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 13 December, 2017, 07:16:36 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 07 December, 2017, 07:09:13 pm
Quote from: Si S on 07 December, 2017, 01:17:19 pm
Could have been in the overheard today thread but :

"With us expanding to new office space in the new year we need to start urgently thinking about things like how many Christmas trees we'll need next year"

I can't cope, somebody shoot me.   
A training course I’ve been on this week included the sage advice ‘Don’t use Excel. Learn R and use that instead!’

And if you can't use R, those who can will do your work faster for you with a little consideration. Just saying...

We teach our students data analysis with R instead of Excel because it is easier (past a certain point in terms of scale, complexity and reproducibility)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 13 December, 2017, 07:22:30 pm
I have yet to make R do quick and dirty pivot tables, which is my main use of Excel/Powerpivot, those sort of what-happens analyses. This might be stupid on my part, that and I'm not a programmer, as I am looking for an alternative to pivot bigger datasets. Otherwise, I'm learning patience.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 13 December, 2017, 09:07:33 pm
R?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vernon on 13 December, 2017, 11:33:02 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 13 December, 2017, 09:07:33 pm
R?
The statistical programming language of pirates.
That it be!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fimm on 14 December, 2017, 08:46:42 am
Text message exchange with my mother on the subject of presents for my sister's children:
Mum: <Sister> is suggesting <these> rucksacks, but they are all black we don't like black, any thoughts?
Me: Why is black a problem?
Mum: Kids not visible in black does not stand out
Me: They'll stand out fine in the hills they're not planning on going walking along the road in the dark....

AAAARRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH Honestly! She's got a thing about black stuff. (Just as well she doesn't see me riding my bike (which has good lights).)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ScumOfTheRoad on 14 December, 2017, 08:52:43 am
Talking about programming languages, I am a big fan of Julia.
If you are interested, here is a piece on pivot tables in Julia  https://discourse.julialang.org/t/a-spreadsheet-like-pivot-function/2701
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 15 December, 2017, 09:41:53 am
Quote
You are currently caller number ... one ... hundred ... five waiting to speak with a representative. Thank you for your patience

WTF?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 15 December, 2017, 09:52:31 am
They are now playing "across a crowded room"

not funny
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 15 December, 2017, 10:15:53 am
Now it's On the Run. "So far away from home..."

They are definitely taking the piss.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 15 December, 2017, 02:27:58 pm
This starts out as a first world problem but bear with me...

Garden waste collection cancelled due to Sno, it's only fortnightly so I already pay full whack for half a service.
Next collection due date is the 27th so that won't be happening either, they CBA hollibob season.

Phoned the council to have a grumble, 6 weeks between collections is a PITA even at this time of year.  I was hoping to get scheduled for a collection next week suspecting they will have caught up as they have cancelled all green collections and are using the vans to help catch up on refuse (got that from their web site). Plus they are working this Saturday.

13 minutes of listening to what amounted to tough shit buster later I was just about giving up when breakthrough.  It was let slip that they have 8 wagons and normally use them 5 refuse 3 green.  Quick mental arithmetic, they lost 3 days so 15 van days of refuse.  They catch up 6 yesterday and today and another 8 on Saturday so near as they are back on schedule come Monday.  I was just about to deliver that maths lesson when the person offered to send out some green waste bags, these being official bags can be filled and left out with the green bin to be collected in January.  That'll do nicely.

Why the hell could they have not done that as soon as I said 'green bin collection missed'?  Why waste 13 minutes of my time and theirs?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 15 December, 2017, 02:29:01 pm
Quote from: Pickled Onion on 15 December, 2017, 10:15:53 am
Now it's On the Run. "So far away from home..."

They are definitely taking the piss.

Still hanging on the telephone ?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 15 December, 2017, 05:05:29 pm
Quote from: Pickled Onion on 15 December, 2017, 10:15:53 am
Now it's On the Run. "So far away from home..."

They are definitely taking the piss.

Have you got the Telephone Blues (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bW0Ak4y490)?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 15 December, 2017, 05:09:05 pm
Woollypigs you are a bad person.  *tee hee*

My grumble.  To Gloucester Royal today, 40 or so miles each way,  for an appt.  Bird strike on the way so busted placky bit of bonnet - kiss goodbye to about 200 quid to get that fixed.   One hour after appt due medic says,  " Umm. Sorry. Umm because Sno and Path. people ill no test results.  Please come again."   Not terribly chuffed about this.  Am thinking that knowing that there had been disruption it would have been a bloody good idea, just this once, to scan the clinic list this morning and check that test results were available and telephone those affected.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 15 December, 2017, 05:24:28 pm
Quote from: Polar Bear on 15 December, 2017, 05:05:29 pm
Quote from: Pickled Onion on 15 December, 2017, 10:15:53 am
Now it's On the Run. "So far away from home..."

They are definitely taking the piss.

Have you got the Telephone Blues (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bW0Ak4y490)?

That's rather good — not heard it before  :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 15 December, 2017, 05:42:47 pm
Quote from: woollypigs on 15 December, 2017, 02:29:01 pm
Quote from: Pickled Onion on 15 December, 2017, 10:15:53 am
Now it's On the Run. "So far away from home..."

They are definitely taking the piss.

Still hanging on the telephone ?

Yeah very good, I wouldn't be surprised if that was up next. Anyway I got through after 1 hour 15 mins. Apparently they are quite busy... here's why (maybe this should be elevated from a grumble to a rant):

A couple of weeks ago I emailed Iresa, the utility company, to say their website was showing a double entry for October. No response. Today the quarterly bills come out so I check it, which isn't hard, there are four lines: (1) Electricity consumption; (2) Total consumption (gas + electric for those who have gas); (3) Standing charge; (4) VAT. Underneath: Grand total = (1) + (2) + (3) + (4) WTF?

So they have an obvious, glaring, schoolboy error in the new billing system, that was surely obvious to the most rudimentary testing, but they're not going to issue a general notice to all customers, or fix it, they are waiting for people to phone and question their bills. I imagine a lot of people won't notice and just wonder why they've used more than last quarter. It is winter, after all.

If anyone here is with Iresa, check your bill now.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 15 December, 2017, 05:46:35 pm
Quote from: TheLurker on 15 December, 2017, 05:09:05 pm
Woollypigs you are a bad person.  *tee hee*

My grumble.  To Gloucester Royal today, 40 or so miles each way,  for an appt.  Bird strike on the way so busted placky bit of bonnet - kiss goodbye to about 200 quid to get that fixed.   One hour after appt due medic says,  " Umm. Sorry. Umm because Sno and Path. people ill no test results.  Please come again."   Not terribly chuffed about this.  Am thinking that knowing that there had been disruption it would have been a bloody good idea, just this once, to scan the clinic list this morning and check that test results were available and telephone those affected.

I'd complain about that to be honest. I would be livid if I'd paid out to attend a hospital appointment and for foreseeable reasons they couldn't do what they were supposed to. I have to attend quite a lot of them and had had hassle in the past from employers who don't understand how shambolic hospitals can be...

Which reminds me, I'm supposed to have a review 3 months ago and an MRI scan. I shall be chasing both of those in the new year.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 15 December, 2017, 07:55:09 pm
I have a midday appointment on Monday for my annual diabetes checkup.  I have a conf call at 4:pm.  I have made contingency plans

I have been an hour late being seen for an 0930 appointment before now.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 15 December, 2017, 10:00:59 pm
Should be OK because clinician might well have afternoon commitments elsewhere for which they have to make a prompt start. Chances are, you'll escape before 2pm.
Don't know if you'll be seen though...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 15 December, 2017, 10:39:20 pm
This is an annual appointment, I make it a year in advance, knowing my schedule this time of year, I'd better be seen otherwise it'll be two years
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 18 December, 2017, 09:34:11 am
PIR controlled flood lights that are not only set to detect a person walking along the road on the opposite side to the light, but also pointed in such a way to render any semblance of night vision history!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 18 December, 2017, 02:03:35 pm
I believe these have been nicknamed 'Rottweilers'  by some in the Campaign/Commission for Dark Skies.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 18 December, 2017, 05:34:41 pm
That was a particular grumble of mine too.  Also the previous neighbours' rear garden searchlight which was apparently for their dog.  A real downer when you're sitting out watching meteors or just the sky in general.
I may have grumbled this before.  If dogs have been peeing in the dark for tens of thousands of years, how come in the last 20 years they've developed a need for the light on.

Now for my grumble.  I think it might be easier if I wore a sign saying, "Yes, I'm ready for Christmas, thank you.".
It would save absolutely everyone I meet from asking.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 18 December, 2017, 05:51:51 pm
PIR floodlights are better than the alternative, which is likely to be permanently-on floodlights rather than no floodlights.

It's the way they always seem set up to trigger if a badger farts on the other side of the road, while failing to activate when you approach the front door that baffles me.  Do people not test the things?  [No, of course they don't - Ed.]
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Zipperhead on 19 December, 2017, 08:53:32 am
My father has one by the front door (well, just above the corner of the door), aimed at my face height. Every time I visit at night I expect the door to be answered by someone demanding to see my papers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 19 December, 2017, 09:22:01 am
Get home - family are out, they've been all day at ik-ee-ya.

Open lounge door and cat runs out. Oh shit.

Oh shit indeed. Cat has been locked in there all day and there is stench of catshit. It is now my job to search the room, find the pile of catshit (on cushions), take it to the gardens, scrub and wash cushions and handwash throw.

Thanks, family, for not checking before leaving the house.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 19 December, 2017, 02:02:44 pm
SharePoint Forums! What a crock of shite. I'm following more than one forum on one of the instances of SharePoint and in doing so am reading more than a few threads. Of course I want to 'dip in' now and then, as you do, but it doesn't 1) mark the threads that have new messages, 2) mark the messages in a thread that you've already read, 3) offer any way to get to the first unread message, 4) offer any way to get to the last page of messages in a thread. I realise that these are all manifestations of the same missing functionality, but for dogs sake M$, it says SharePoint 2016 on the tin not SharePoint 1916!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 21 December, 2017, 09:09:38 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 19 December, 2017, 02:02:44 pm
SharePoint Forums! What a crock of shite.
FTFY

Though to be fair SharePoint has one massive redeeming feature, it isn't Lotus Bloats.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 21 December, 2017, 10:07:29 pm
Both elderly parents & my sister are lurgified as well.  I went to the local shop for some food earlier & returned covered in stinking sweat.  I now appear to have a dodgy tum as well.  Ho, ho, f****** ho  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 22 December, 2017, 08:28:17 am
Christmas letters, Christmas letters, Christmas bloody letters. Twats who think that because they put your name on their card list a generation ago and you had all but forgotten their existence you'd give a tinker's damn that their progeny's progeny are farting round the globe on their break years or doing ever so splendidly at Coddlearse College, or that they really enjoyed their last camel expedition to Bhutan. They can choke on their bonhomie, the lot of them.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: PeteB99 on 24 December, 2017, 06:58:15 pm
EBAY

Why on earth would you think I would be interested in a 12 piece Kabuki make up set as featured in the Email you just sent me???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 24 December, 2017, 07:23:19 pm
I think I’ve had enough Christmas now, please can I leave.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 24 December, 2017, 09:57:11 pm
Quote from: ian on 13 December, 2017, 07:22:30 pm
I have yet to make R do quick and dirty pivot tables, which is my main use of Excel/Powerpivot, those sort of what-happens analyses. This might be stupid on my part, that and I'm not a programmer, as I am looking for an alternative to pivot bigger datasets. Otherwise, I'm learning patience.

You have a table. You want a summary function run by groups on that table. classical R would be tapply(values, groups, function) which gives you the aggregate of running function by groups.

More recently one should be wickhamed[1] and use tidyr and the split, apply, combine methodology which lets you leverage more complex partitioning, subsetting etc.

Try the R Cookbook for guidance, once you get into it you will discover you become a data whisperer, discussing the analyses with the data and gently persuading it in the direction you wish it to go, rather than swearing at it with Excel.


[1] Hadley Wickham, author of many data processing things and the ggplot libraries).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 26 December, 2017, 08:15:22 am
The sizing of clothes......  :facepalm:

Right now, I am wearing a large tee shirt and a XL jumper on my top half.  They fit with some space so are comfortable. All good eh.

No, not really as yesterday I received a new jacket that being Christmas day sized at XXL.... so of course it will fit....like hull does it! It must be smaller than a normal size for an L but then again...what is the normal size for an L????

Is it just me that gets all moany about sizes? There is not a standard so basically you have to guess if you buy something in a pack like a tee shirt or pants and then often the sizing is wrong.

And, as the jacket was brought for me by my Mum In Law, I will have to wear it despite it being too tight.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 26 December, 2017, 11:05:23 am
^^^^^^ I am sure that this kind of thing has something to do with our more petite asian colleagues thinking that no one could possibly have an arse that big, therefore I will trim the specified dimensions a bit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 26 December, 2017, 01:55:15 pm
Quote from: essexian on 26 December, 2017, 08:15:22 am
The sizing of clothes......  :facepalm:

Right now, I am wearing a large tee shirt and a XL jumper on my top half.  They fit with some space so are comfortable. All good eh.

No, not really as yesterday I received a new jacket that being Christmas day sized at XXL.... so of course it will fit....like hull does it! It must be smaller than a normal size for an L but then again...what is the normal size for an L????

Is it just me that gets all moany about sizes? There is not a standard so basically you have to guess if you buy something in a pack like a tee shirt or pants and then often the sizing is wrong.

And, as the jacket was brought for me by my Mum In Law, I will have to wear it despite it being too tight.  :facepalm:

You are not alone!

My grumbles/rants have mostly been about vanity sizing and trousers.

But I've made many on yacf...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 26 December, 2017, 04:12:21 pm
We have an Etrex 30 and a replacement Etrex 30X here. The 30 shows where I've been on the internal map but for the last few months always produces a crap GPX, failing in this manner https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=71940.0 I haven't chucked the 30 away (idiocy on my part), took it out again by mistake and now can't save the track to Strava (Festive 500 vanity), as always.

I start to edit the text using Mac TextEdit but the edited track has been severely truncated (about half an hour remaining instead of 3 hours). Some swearing results, as always.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 28 December, 2017, 06:48:43 pm
As I fail to reverse onto our drive due to sheet ice and watch someone struggle up the slope due to sheet ice there is warmth in my heart.  Not for for the twunt of a neighbour who has, absolutely has to pressure wash his van every night when he gets home; hence the water running down the road that is now sheet ice.  No, the warmth in my heart comes from the thought of what the water he has driven into every crevice is doing to his beloved penoplasty van.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 28 December, 2017, 06:53:00 pm
Quote from: SoreTween on 28 December, 2017, 06:48:43 pm
As I fail to reverse onto our drive due to sheet ice and watch someone struggle up the slope due to sheet ice there is warmth in my heart.  Not for for the twunt of a neighbour who has, absolutely has to pressure wash his van every night when he gets home; hence the water running down the road that is now sheet ice.  No, the warmth in my heart comes from the thought of what the water he has driven into every crevice is doing to his beloved penoplasty van.

I had exactly the same grumble today. The old git at the end of the road who seems to have nothing better to do than wash multiple cars, hosing the ice rink down  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Si S on 30 December, 2017, 10:41:08 pm
The loft is not a tardis  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 30 December, 2017, 11:15:27 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 28 December, 2017, 06:53:00 pm
Quote from: SoreTween on 28 December, 2017, 06:48:43 pm
As I fail to reverse onto our drive due to sheet ice and watch someone struggle up the slope due to sheet ice there is warmth in my heart.  Not for for the twunt of a neighbour who has, absolutely has to pressure wash his van every night when he gets home; hence the water running down the road that is now sheet ice.  No, the warmth in my heart comes from the thought of what the water he has driven into every crevice is doing to his beloved penoplasty van.

I had exactly the same grumble today. The old git at the end of the road who seems to have nothing better to do than wash multiple cars, hosing the ice rink down  >:(

Just to be different, can I grumble about the people who hoot at the cyclist briefly taking pesudo-primary in order to avoid a puddle of what might be sheet ice, or just concealing a shark-infested pothole, caused by same.

I really don't get this car washing thing.  They can't all be selling them?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 31 December, 2017, 12:29:07 am
Quote from: Kim on 30 December, 2017, 11:15:27 pm

I really don't get this car washing thing.  They can't all be selling them?

When I took my Brum car for its MOT a couple of years ago, it occurred to me that it hadn't been washed since the previous test.  I mentioned this to the guy at the test station.  He did his best to appear amused, but his face gave away his bewilderment, disgust and hate.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Clare on 31 December, 2017, 12:56:17 am
Our car gets cleaned regularly, once each year when it is serviced.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 31 December, 2017, 08:11:33 am
Quote from: Clare on 31 December, 2017, 12:56:17 am
Our car gets cleaned regularly, once each year when it is serviced.
+1
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 31 December, 2017, 08:27:55 am
Quote from: TheLurker on 31 December, 2017, 08:11:33 am
Quote from: Clare on 31 December, 2017, 12:56:17 am
Our car gets cleaned regularly, once each year when it is serviced.
+1

Humpft! Our car gets cleaned at least twice a week by CBH including yesterday when after cleaning it I was told I could not use it to go to the match as: "it will only get dirty again." She washed it last week before we went up to the Chase in it and over a number of roads to the car park. Personally, I don't get it.


Strange thing is, CBH won't clean my bikes for love nor money.....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 31 December, 2017, 09:08:24 am
Quote from: TheLurker on 31 December, 2017, 08:11:33 am
Quote from: Clare on 31 December, 2017, 12:56:17 am
Our car gets cleaned regularly, once each year when it is serviced.
+1

+2

It's a landrover, why would it need to be clean?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 31 December, 2017, 11:29:52 am
Quote from: ElyDave on 31 December, 2017, 09:08:24 am
It's a landrover, why would it need to be clean?

So you don't ignite the leaked oil when you start welding?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 31 December, 2017, 12:35:21 pm
Quote from: Clare on 31 December, 2017, 12:56:17 am
Our car gets cleaned regularly, once each year when it is serviced.
Your car is Queen Elizabeth I and I claim my five groats!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 31 December, 2017, 12:59:20 pm
Quote from: Kim on 31 December, 2017, 11:29:52 am
Quote from: ElyDave on 31 December, 2017, 09:08:24 am
It's a landrover, why would it need to be clean?

So you don't ignite the leaked oil when you start welding?

Land Rovers don't leak... they are merely marking their territory.  :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 31 December, 2017, 01:00:59 pm
Grown-up children who have temporarily moved back in to recuperate after breaking themselves.
That is all.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ben T on 31 December, 2017, 01:08:50 pm
Slow cafes/restaurants/pubs....  :demon: sure you've been in that situation where you go into a pub, order some what should be some fairly simple food, at what point do you chivvy them on? On one side I don't want to be a pushy customer or seem grumpy or tar us cyclists with the impatient brush, but on the other hand I find it hard to believe that it's so special it actually takes quite a long time to prepare, but more that they've taken your order and have just sat on it and not bothered starting doing anything about it.
There's lots of lovely places with lovely food but which fail to inspire any confidence they haven't completely forgotten to serve it. Someone has written it down, hopes someone else will pick it up and do something about it, which is proven by the fact that as soon as you ask if there's any progress you usually get it within 10 minutes. Why didn't you just start making it when I ordered it?  :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wowbagger on 31 December, 2017, 02:26:17 pm
Quote from: essexian on 26 December, 2017, 08:15:22 am
The sizing of clothes......  :facepalm:

Right now, I am wearing a large tee shirt and a XL jumper on my top half.  They fit with some space so are comfortable. All good eh.

No, not really as yesterday I received a new jacket that being Christmas day sized at XXL.... so of course it will fit....like hull does it! It must be smaller than a normal size for an L but then again...what is the normal size for an L????

Is it just me that gets all moany about sizes? There is not a standard so basically you have to guess if you buy something in a pack like a tee shirt or pants and then often the sizing is wrong.

And, as the jacket was brought for me by my Mum In Law, I will have to wear it despite it being too tight.  :facepalm:
Some while ago I found a XXXL Altura Night Vision jacket at the LBS knocked down to £40, which would be an ideal replacement for my faded & torn XXXL Altura Night Vision jacket.

Except the bloody thing is too small. Who devalued the X?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 31 December, 2017, 02:54:52 pm
Quote from: Ben T on 31 December, 2017, 01:08:50 pm
Slow cafes/restaurants/pubs....  :demon: sure you've been in that situation where you go into a pub, order some what should be some fairly simple food, at what point do you chivvy them on? On one side I don't want to be a pushy customer or seem grumpy or tar us cyclists with the impatient brush, but on the other hand I find it hard to believe that it's so special it actually takes quite a long time to prepare, but more that they've taken your order and have just sat on it and not bothered starting doing anything about it.
There's lots of lovely places with lovely food but which fail to inspire any confidence they haven't completely forgotten to serve it. Someone has written it down, hopes someone else will pick it up and do something about it, which is proven by the fact that as soon as you ask if there's any progress you usually get it within 10 minutes. Why didn't you just start making it when I ordered it?  :demon:
Dunno, but I once waited almost an hour at the Tutti Pole, of all places.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 31 December, 2017, 04:30:12 pm
Quote from: Kim on 30 December, 2017, 11:15:27 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 28 December, 2017, 06:53:00 pm
Quote from: SoreTween on 28 December, 2017, 06:48:43 pm
As I fail to reverse onto our drive due to sheet ice and watch someone struggle up the slope due to sheet ice there is warmth in my heart.  Not for for the twunt of a neighbour who has, absolutely has to pressure wash his van every night when he gets home; hence the water running down the road that is now sheet ice.  No, the warmth in my heart comes from the thought of what the water he has driven into every crevice is doing to his beloved penoplasty van.

I had exactly the same grumble today. The old git at the end of the road who seems to have nothing better to do than wash multiple cars, hosing the ice rink down  >:(

Just to be different, can I grumble about the people who hoot at the cyclist briefly taking pesudo-primary in order to avoid a puddle of what might be sheet ice, or just concealing a shark-infested pothole, caused by same.

I really don't get this car washing thing.  They can't all be selling them?

I was pondering this the other day. Already getting frosty about 3pm and we drove past a couple of different people all choosing that moment to wash their car. Are they unaware that water turns to ice? Have some super-urgent need for a clean car right then?

Rain is for washing our car. It only gets dirty again. OK, I confess we occasionally get the chaps in the supermarket car park to wash it and valet the inside (the latter because we had at least three christmases' worth of pine needles on the back seat). Frankly, I've never washed and never will. Life is too short.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 31 December, 2017, 06:17:36 pm
Quote from: spesh on 31 December, 2017, 12:59:20 pm
Quote from: Kim on 31 December, 2017, 11:29:52 am
Quote from: ElyDave on 31 December, 2017, 09:08:24 am
It's a landrover, why would it need to be clean?

So you don't ignite the leaked oil when you start welding?

Land Rovers don't leak... they are merely marking their territory.  :demon:

Mine is that strangest of Land Rovers, it doesn't leak. At least if it does so, not on my driveway.

Apart from that one time there was a hole in the diesel line from the pump to the engine. That was more like a flammable mist following me.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 31 December, 2017, 09:17:33 pm
*Waits for ElyDave's Landie to lunch its engine, transmission and axles because there's no oil in it*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 31 December, 2017, 09:31:46 pm
Quote from: Torslanda on 31 December, 2017, 09:17:33 pm
*Waits for ElyDave's Landie to lunch its engine, transmission and axles because there's no oil in it*

I believe that the US Marine Corps have a rule of thumb that you only start worrying about the helicopter you are flying in when the fluid leaks stop.  :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 01 January, 2018, 09:01:58 am
People who get up, shamble straight outside in their dressing-gowns for a fag, then shamble in again wheezing and reeking to spludge down beside me at the breakfast table before they take a shower should be shot. :sick:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 01 January, 2018, 10:26:47 am
Quote from: spesh on 31 December, 2017, 09:31:46 pm
Quote from: Torslanda on 31 December, 2017, 09:17:33 pm
*Waits for ElyDave's Landie to lunch its engine, transmission and axles because there's no oil in it*

I believe that the US Marine Corps have a rule of thumb that you only start worrying about the helicopter you are flying in when the fluid leaks stop.  :demon:

You've all got me paranoid now.  Dipstick will be twiddled today.

As for helicopers, both I and my dad have BTDT.  In his case landing at Manston, did an inspection before the next hop and found one of the blades about 20 mins from failure.  In my case, flew out to a North Sea platform on a helicopter that crashed the next day with gearbx failure, killing 22 people.  The enquiry found that the magnetic particle detector had been showing anomolies for days
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 01 January, 2018, 03:28:53 pm
The local horsepersons left us their usual greeting on the cycle track:

(http://www.pbase.com/johnewing/image/166786578.jpg)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 01 January, 2018, 04:11:21 pm
I'm sure if you were Tracy Emin you'd get a grant for that...!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 01 January, 2018, 09:11:19 pm
Common sight on CS3 here in London.  I've seen the offending riders often enough, but I can't seem to motivate myself to 'have words' with a mounted constable.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: orienteer on 01 January, 2018, 09:32:12 pm
Particle emissions have always been a problem.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 02 January, 2018, 06:31:03 am
When you think about it, it's a reflection on society. Equestrians and their minions never thought anything of leaving their shit for others to clear up, but if we peasants let our dogs foul the footpath we get done for it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Legs on 02 January, 2018, 06:51:26 am
Actually, there's a whole galaxy of difference between horse and dog excreta...  The former is pretty inoffensive,, odourless, etc , which cannot be said of the latter.  And what do you expect a horse rider to do, dismount, pick up and remount (often in the middle of a road, with no convenient place to tether)?

I Am Not A Horsey Person.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 02 January, 2018, 08:06:57 am
Quote from: Legs on 02 January, 2018, 06:51:26 am
Actually, there's a whole galaxy of difference between horse and dog excreta...  The former is pretty inoffensive,, odourless, etc , which cannot be said of the latter.  And what do you expect a horse rider to do, dismount, pick up and remount (often in the middle of a road, with no convenient place to tether)?

Yes, on shared cycle/footpaths in particular - which are off-limits to horses anyway. A single heap of shit blocks half the thoroughfare, and last autumn one of them took over a month to disappear.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 02 January, 2018, 08:57:27 am
And when they are frozen...! :o
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Giraffe on 02 January, 2018, 08:57:55 am
Dung is Ok; shit ain't.
On occasions I've considered getting a decent, small, plastic shovel so that I could put dung in a plastic bag in a pannier and take it home for the garden.
I'd rather have dung on the ground than the disgusting filth from exhausts in and on me!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 02 January, 2018, 09:34:51 am
Quote from: Legs on 02 January, 2018, 06:51:26 am
Actually, there's a whole galaxy of difference between horse and dog excreta...  The former is pretty inoffensive,, odourless, etc , which cannot be said of the latter.  And what do you expect a horse rider to do, dismount, pick up and remount (often in the middle of a road, with no convenient place to tether)?

I Am Not A Horsey Person.

In foreign lands, horses have diapers. It's true. The NYPD's finest (horses) shit in sacks. Possible the humans too, I couldn't and wouldn't comment as they have guns (the humans, possibly not the horses). Canada too is nappy state, if I recall, though I think they should ride bears and not horses. A benefit of bears, of course, is that they only shit in the woods.

To be honest, and this may mark me out as weird, but I don't like stepping in any kind of shit. It's a thing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 02 January, 2018, 01:07:30 pm
Dear swimming pool. If you bothered to put your 2018 times on your fabby web page, then i wouldn't be hanging on the phone while you undoubtedly answer a bazillion similar queries. I checked, and it's definitely already 2018.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 02 January, 2018, 01:10:28 pm
Quote from: ian on 02 January, 2018, 09:34:51 am
To be honest, and this may mark me out as weird, but I don't like stepping in any kind of shit. It's a thing.

Especially in SPDs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 02 January, 2018, 01:28:47 pm
Quote from: Legs on 02 January, 2018, 06:51:26 am
Actually, there's a whole galaxy of difference between horse and dog excreta...  The former is pretty inoffensive,, odourless, etc , which cannot be said of the latter.

They're both offensive, smelly and unpleasant to pick out of your shoes/tyres.

Herbivore faeces are much less of a health hazard to humans, and tend to break down quickly into a Mostly Harmless pile of undigested cellulosey stuff when rained on.

Personally, at modern levels of horseism, I only object to the poo if left in places where people would reasonably expect to walk without getting their feet muddy.  So the occasional pile on unsurfaced bridleways and country roads is fine, but not on surfaced paths in more populated areas.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ben T on 02 January, 2018, 04:09:37 pm
Quote from: ian on 02 January, 2018, 01:07:30 pm
Dear swimming pool. If you bothered to put your 2018 times on your fabby web page, then i wouldn't be hanging on the phone while you undoubtedly answer a bazillion similar queries. I checked, and it's definitely already 2018.
Just go anyway and if it's one of those kids sessions with floats just bludgeon your way through, make sure you wear goggles and a cap to look as professional as possible and earplugs so you can pretend you can't hear.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 02 January, 2018, 06:08:17 pm
Grrr, my gas and electricity supplier wants to change the meters for smart meters, but to do this I have to be home. So they called just before christmas and we agreed a date and time slot when I could be home from work.

Then today I get another call asking to set up an appointment... "Well what about the one I have already made?" says I.

The man on the other end of the phone goes digging into the system to find an appointment that wasn't confirmed and all the records associated. Then he has to go off to his manager as there are now no engineers available for that time.

So I now have a different appointment for 2 weeks later to nicely clash with a deadline at work but at least it enforces my half day friday.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 02 January, 2018, 07:03:27 pm
I've been successfully putting EDF off the smart meter business for about six months now, not because I object to smart meters but more because it'll mean tidying the kitchen.  Which in turn means tidying other bits of Larrington Towers to make space for the TPsOC currently in the kitchen.

And so on.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 02 January, 2018, 07:25:41 pm
I wouldn't mind a smart meter, but our meters are boxed in under the stairs. They're sort of accessible but it depends how much space they need to work in, it's a squeeze unless you have orangutan arms. You're not going to fit a big fella in there. Admittedly, I've not tried to fit a big fella in there because that kind of thing requires ethical committee approval. And shoving a woman in there is likely the plot of one of those interminable thrillers. The Woman with the Gas Meter, or somesuch.

Now is it possible to find out whether or not there's enough space? You know, by sending someone the measurements, or a photo.

Not with BG it isn't. Their solution is to book and wait around for the engineer at which point they'll either do the deed and shake their heads and bugger off. Do I want to hang around for a half day waiting for an engineer to turn up and prompty leave. Not especially, no.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 02 January, 2018, 07:43:38 pm
We've had two rounds of smart meters (two and a half if you count the new gas meter I made them immediately uninstall because it sounded like a BSO chain).  Access merely involves a feat of bicycle Sokoban last seen in coach D of a Crosscountry Voyager.

I'm actually quite underwhelmed by the newer ones.  The previous lot had a nice energy display thing that told you interesting things about how much anbarism you were sucking up.  The new ones have a crap energy display thing that insists on using daft units and doesn't display instantaneous power properly.  Fortunately the new leccy meter has a Mk 1 blinkenlight, and I have RRDtool. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 02 January, 2018, 08:11:17 pm
We were going to have one a few years ago but couldn't due to dodgy wiring.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 02 January, 2018, 08:18:00 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 02 January, 2018, 08:11:17 pm
We were going to have one a few years ago but couldn't due to dodgy wiring.

During the installation of the first set, the electrician discovered that one of the meter tails was loose enough that it could be disconnected without the aid of a screwdriver.  That's a fire waiting to happen.  Scary.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 02 January, 2018, 09:23:27 pm
Quote from: Kim on 02 January, 2018, 08:18:00 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 02 January, 2018, 08:11:17 pm
We were going to have one a few years ago but couldn't due to dodgy wiring.

During the installation of the first set, the electrician discovered that one of the meter tails was loose enough that it could be disconnected without the aid of a screwdriver.  That's a fire waiting to happen.  Scary.

Sounds like a good reason to agree to let them fit a smart meter.  Free safety check.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ham on 02 January, 2018, 09:42:02 pm
I have a smart meter installed a couple of years ago, which is now useless as I have just moved suppliers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 02 January, 2018, 09:48:03 pm
Quote from: Ham on 02 January, 2018, 09:42:02 pm
I have a smart meter installed a couple of years ago, which is now useless as I have just moved suppliers.

That's why we had a second set installed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 02 January, 2018, 10:12:57 pm
Quote from: Ham on 02 January, 2018, 09:42:02 pm
I have a smart meter installed a couple of years ago, which is now useless as I have just moved suppliers.

I was vaguely aware of this issue.  How can the govt and industry be so stupid as to have supplier specific smart meters?   How stupid is that?   Perhaps they should be called Stupid Meters instead.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 02 January, 2018, 10:15:28 pm
Quote from: Polar Bear on 02 January, 2018, 10:12:57 pm
Quote from: Ham on 02 January, 2018, 09:42:02 pm
I have a smart meter installed a couple of years ago, which is now useless as I have just moved suppliers.

I was vaguely aware of this issue.  How can the govt and industry be so stupid as to have supplier specific smart meters?   How stupid is that?   Perhaps they should be called Stupid Meters instead.

The great thing about standards is that there are so many to choose from.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 02 January, 2018, 10:17:42 pm
And vested interests of course.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 02 January, 2018, 10:23:03 pm
It's the reason I haven't had any fitted. Also my meters are on the outside of the house and easy to get to, so I don't find going out and reading them once a month much of an imposition really.

I'm in the process of moving to a new supplier, who don't do smart meters yet, but reckon the SMET2 ones they are rolling out later this year won't be supplier specific, which could be interesting.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 03 January, 2018, 07:29:28 am
Quote from: Ham on 02 January, 2018, 09:42:02 pm
I have a smart meter installed a couple of years ago, which is now useless as I have just moved suppliers.

That's why I stopped the man doing the work when he was here screwdriver in hand - the "tying you in" thing is outrageous to say nothing of wasteful for the industry (although we haven't changed supplier in the 17 years that we've been here as the deals, so far, that we are on have been favourable)

We have a small gadget linked to the electricity that shows consumption and read both electric and gas meters at the end of each month to report to the supplier and get accurate pay-as-you-go bills.

Rob

Rob
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 03 January, 2018, 07:43:42 am
We've been reading our meters on a Sunday evening regularly now for years.   Not sure what a smart meter would give us that we really need.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 03 January, 2018, 08:50:49 am
Supplier-specific meters? They forgot to mention that. I'd assumed – not unreasonably – that I could switch suppliers without changing meters. That seems extraordinarily dumb.

My parents have one, it was interesting for the purposes of curiosity how much is being used and the cost, I have no concept of what my prolonged languishing in the bathtub cost. I suspect I'd get bored quickly, our bills aren't immodest. That and I'm sick of estimated fucking bills. I even got an estimated water bill last time. The meter down a tube with the lid that requires a special thinggummy to open and eyes that can see in the dark to read.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 03 January, 2018, 09:40:10 am
This whole Smart Meter thingy is all a bit odd to me. I've only got electric and gas appliances that I want, and I only turn them on when I need to use them. It's difficult to me to understand just how much I'd change my behaviour if I know that my computers were costing me 5 groats an hour to use, because I'd still need to do whatever, and it's lots cheaper and more convenient that driving to the library to look it up in a book. Someone sent a chap round about 2 years ago to replace the old whiry meter with a new fangled electric meter (complete with blinky light) which isn't smart at all. He did install  the new meter in spite of my dodgy wiring (my fault, I put too many fittings on a lighting circuit. I'll get around to that when I can face the mess of digging the wire out of the wall) mainly because he was a 'repurposed' meter reader who'd had a whole days training in meter replacement and I easily bamboozled him into the dodgy test equipment argument.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ham on 03 January, 2018, 09:47:58 am
I seem to recall that the current generation (G2) of meters are now more universal than G1, what I have.

On the positive side, the info from the meter was very informative, including splitting the costs between types of usage (eg, fridge/freezer, washing machine, always on etc) which I shall miss. I was with Ovo, who were excellent for customer service on all occasions I had to deal with them and - compensating for their not-the-cheapest-prices, they paid substantial interest on credit balances, which I had managed to work up to a mahoosive level. As they finally cottoned on to this and have been using it up, I couldn't ignore that the Bulb (all renewable) deal represented c.15% saving, including paying the penalty for ending the Ovo fixed (for one more year) deal early.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 03 January, 2018, 01:28:24 pm
Quote from: ian on 03 January, 2018, 08:50:49 am
Supplier-specific meters? They forgot to mention that. I'd assumed – not unreasonably – that I could switch suppliers without changing meters. That seems extraordinarily dumb.

You can.  It's just that the new supplier won't be able to read the old supplier's smart meters automagically, and will probably want to install their own.

At some point government regulation is due to solve this problem, but for some ridiculous reason this didn't get sorted out before people started upgrading the meters.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 03 January, 2018, 01:38:28 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 03 January, 2018, 09:40:10 am
This whole Smart Meter thingy is all a bit odd to me. I've only got electric and gas appliances that I want, and I only turn them on when I need to use them. It's difficult to me to understand just how much I'd change my behaviour if I know that my computers were costing me 5 groats an hour to use, because I'd still need to do whatever, and it's lots cheaper and more convenient that driving to the library to look it up in a book.

I think the reasoning is:

- Sending people to read meters is expensive.  Better to let the meters read themselves.
- Many people are far more wasteful than you describe.  Some may be unaware of it.
- People may be conscientious but simply unaware that a certain appliance (eg. an old fridge) is a massive energy-hog and could be worthwhile avoiding using or replacing.
- Smart metering allows billing to reflect demand, at a much finer granularity that the existing off-peak tariffs.  Sure, you still need that computer on now, or that cooking appliance at dinner time, but you might only need to get that wash load done or that car charged by tomorrow morning.  You (or a smart appliance working out the details on your behalf) might be persuaded to do it at 9pm or 3am rather than 6pm if the electricity is substantially cheaper.  This is good for the grid, as it allows demand to be manipulated to maximise use of cheap, clean electricity sources.
- Moar data moar betterer.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 03 January, 2018, 01:49:04 pm
Quote from: Kim on 03 January, 2018, 01:38:28 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 03 January, 2018, 09:40:10 am
This whole Smart Meter thingy is all a bit odd to me. I've only got electric and gas appliances that I want, and I only turn them on when I need to use them. It's difficult to me to understand just how much I'd change my behaviour if I know that my computers were costing me 5 groats an hour to use, because I'd still need to do whatever, and it's lots cheaper and more convenient that driving to the library to look it up in a book.

I think the reasoning is:

- Sending people to read meters is expensive.  Better to let the meters read themselves.
- Many people are far more wasteful than you describe.  Some may be unaware of it.
- People may be conscientious but simply unaware that a certain appliance (eg. an old fridge) is a massive energy-hog and could be worthwhile avoiding using or replacing.
- Smart metering allows billing to reflect demand, at a much finer granularity that the existing off-peak tariffs.  Sure, you still need that computer on now, or that cooking appliance at dinner time, but you might only need to get that wash load done or that car charged by tomorrow morning.  You (or a smart appliance working out the details on your behalf) might be persuaded to do it at 9pm or 3am rather than 6pm if the electricity is substantially cheaper.  This is good for the grid, as it allows demand to be manipulated to maximise use of cheap, clean electricity sources.
- Moar data moar betterer.

"Smart" meters, the Internet of Shit and advanced persistent threats in the cyber-domain, courtesy of hostile foreign powers...

I mean, what's the worst that could happen?  :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 03 January, 2018, 02:09:43 pm
Quote from: spesh on 03 January, 2018, 01:49:04 pm
"Smart" meters, the Internet of Shit and advanced persistent threats in the cyber-domain, courtesy of hostile foreign powers...

I mean, what's the worst that could happen?  :demon:

I think it's been amply demonstrated that hostile foreign powers are unnecessary when we have utility company competence and marginally inventive script kiddies trying to take out a rival minecraft server.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 03 January, 2018, 02:27:00 pm
Speaking of the internet of smart things, my Evohome package arrived this morning but I had to wait until lunch time to open it and play is restricted because I'm actually working today. But the bit I've done so far is good apart from their server refusing to send me emails to activate my account. Rather ironically this vindicates my choice of Evohome because the remote access via their server is an add on to the fully contained functionality of the kit in the home. No, I'm not going to be able to turn it on from Mars or use my phone to control it until THEY get their finger out, but that's the icing on the cake as it were. <wonders if someone has already hacked the controller interface so I don't need to use their servers>
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 03 January, 2018, 05:48:07 pm
Quote from: Beardy
This whole Smart Meter thingy is all a bit odd to me.
As I understand it it's not about the consumer's convenience.  It is, medium to long term, about power companies being able to exert more control over usage, either by demand sensitive pricing or straight-forward turning the taps down* and also to allow remote disconnection for reluctant payers. 

I have also heard that these so called "Smart" meters can't do the sums to cope with feed-in from domestic PV systems, but that may be an "alternative fact".

Excuse me while I get my coat.  It's the one with the tin-foil lining. :)


*No, I don't know how that would/will work either, short of the sort of things ISPs (used to and may still) do.  Gone over your monthly leccy/gas allowance? Oh dearie me.  Well that'll be five squillion pounds per extra unit/btu** used and plus an admin fee of 12.50 for sending you an automated e-mail telling you that you're about to be ripped off.

**Alternative measurement systems are available. For more details send an SAE and postal order for 3/- to ....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Biggsy on 05 January, 2018, 06:10:09 pm
A grumble and a warning:

The old Royal Fail Online Postage (non-business) service is closing on 23 March - replaced with Click & Drop (which has fewer options but is easier for one-offs).  You'll lose any balance in your account if you don't withdraw or spend it by the closing date.  The cheek is that you can't withdraw your last £10 and you can't spend it on Click & Drop.  You can't even spend it in the Shop on old-fashioned stamps and First Class Mum mugs.  Hmm, must put some shit on eBay to have something to post.

www.royalmail.com/prepay/account
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 06 January, 2018, 02:30:10 am
Quote from: Biggsy on 05 January, 2018, 06:10:09 pm
A grumble and a warning:

The old Royal Fail Online Postage (non-business) service is closing on 23 March - replaced with Click & Drop (which has fewer options but is easier for one-offs).  You'll lose any balance in your account if you don't withdraw or spend it by the closing date.  The cheek is that you can't withdraw your last £10 and you can't spend it on Click & Drop.  You can't even spend it in the Shop on old-fashioned stamps and First Class Mum mugs.  Hmm, must put some shit on eBay to have something to post.

www.royalmail.com/prepay/account

They did eventually refund my last £1.56 but took ten days to transfer it into my current account, after I'd bought postage with some of the last £10.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 06 January, 2018, 06:25:34 pm
I've just lost my trusty old Leatherman multi-tool.

It was in the bottom of my day-bag I take out on the mountain when skiing, for any emergency fettling that may be required.
Unfortunately, this is also my hand-baggage bag, and it got left in there accidentally.

It is now in the Naughty Tray at the Aéroport de Genève.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 06 January, 2018, 06:55:50 pm
Bugger, I had my Swiss army knife taken off me at Stavanger, not because of the knife, but due to the saw.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 06 January, 2018, 06:58:10 pm
Sorry for your loss, Feanor!

FWIW I realised my Leatherman Micra had passed Security without comment or problem when I arrived in Israel a while back. It usually resides in the sidepocket of the bumbag that is seldom parted from me, but went through X-ray.

I did not attempt to repeat this feat on my return.

I do love my 'girlie' Leatherman!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 06 January, 2018, 07:02:55 pm
Fucking useless pathetic Tesco binbags, splitting and dribbling cat litter and cat turds through my flat.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 06 January, 2018, 07:36:28 pm
My 'if it's good enough for Macgyver' Swiss Army Knife has been with me since I was 14.  It's gone on sabbatical a couple of times, but always seems to turn up again.  Probably helps that the last time it went through an airport was in about 1996, where the security bod laughed at me Mick Dundee style for declaring it as a knife.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 06 January, 2018, 07:37:29 pm
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 06 January, 2018, 07:02:55 pm
Fucking useless pathetic Tesco binbags, splitting and dribbling cat litter and cat turds through my flat.

Are they using the same stuff that they used to make the carrier bags out of?  That was so biodegradable that exposure to cat piss would cause it to biodegrade before bin day.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 07 January, 2018, 12:02:24 am
Bib bags. Costco is your friend.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 07 January, 2018, 11:08:49 am
Lidl bags with in built tie are quite strong.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 08 January, 2018, 01:18:41 pm
Mrs. T42 ordered a copy of her mum's birth certificate from the England & Wales records office on 18th Dec., paying £10 for fast-track handling. It still hasn't arrived.

She sent them an email this morning to complain. The boilerplate reply told her that they had no mechanism for changing orders or sending them again, so if she really wanted the certificate she could place another order. And pay for it, of course.

Cynical bastards.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 12 January, 2018, 10:29:25 am
I've been here nearly 2 anna 1/2 hours and so far I have managed to:

book 1 return flight
book 2 return orange cards
book 2 hotels
have 1 long, loud, sweary rant at the bloody recalcitrant Hogg Robinson webshite.

And now I'm going for caffeine.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 12 January, 2018, 03:01:49 pm
Today is not a good day. First, I went to a spin class before work and managed to forget to bring any pants. :facepalm: Then, I smashed my mug. I 've had that mug for about 18 years and it's survived numerous house and office moves, but it is no more. :'(

I just want the weekend now.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Paul on 18 January, 2018, 01:17:16 pm
Drivers who, when the vehicle in front of them stops to turn right, drift to the left, despite the fact that there is not enough room to go past the car in front, although there was plenty of room for the cyclist THEY HAVE JUST OVERTAKEN to do so, before they filled it all up.

 ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 18 January, 2018, 01:39:03 pm
Someone's put half a manhole in our wheeliebin.   >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 18 January, 2018, 01:40:27 pm
Quote from: Kim on 18 January, 2018, 01:39:03 pm
Someone's put half a manhole in our wheeliebin.   >:(
Half a hole? Is this quantum rubbish collection?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 18 January, 2018, 01:41:19 pm
It seems cruelly emasculating to place just half in there.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 18 January, 2018, 01:47:51 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 18 January, 2018, 01:40:27 pm
Quote from: Kim on 18 January, 2018, 01:39:03 pm
Someone's put half a manhole in our wheeliebin.   >:(
Half a hole? Is this quantum rubbish collection?

More like quantum flytipping...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 18 January, 2018, 01:49:30 pm
In other grumblenews. A house on the street below ours is having some building work that seems to require constant knock knock knock. That, in and of itself, I don't mind.

It's the fact that (a) I'm anticipating the delivery of a couple of parcels and (b) from my office that sound is indistinguishable from someone knocking on the front door.

Which means I have to leap up every couple of minutes to go check that there's not someone at the door. And I mean leap because the average courier dwell time is measured in the fractions of a second, in the time it takes me to stumble from Thought Leadership Command to the front door they're usually already back at the bottom of the driveway and it's not like a I live in a bloody castle.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 18 January, 2018, 02:00:05 pm
Quote from: ian on 18 January, 2018, 01:49:30 pm
It's the fact that (a) I'm anticipating the delivery of a couple of parcels and (b) from my office that sound is indistinguishable from someone knocking on the front door.

This is easily solved with technology.  Kimbarakta Towers does a passable[1] impression of the Nostromo's self-destruct sequence in response to someone frobbing the doorbell, but for hearing people a sufficiently unambiguous brrrrrrrring or comedy Big Ben tune should suffice.

Then you can moan about couriers being too stupid to use the bloody thing.


[1] If, instead of a deadly xenomorph, Ripley had been trying to destroy Rod Hull and his crack team of drama students.[2]
[2] Look forward to a Broadway production of the new hit musical Aliens! just as soon as the bean-counters decide that particular shark hasn't been jumped thoroughly enough.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 18 January, 2018, 03:36:30 pm
Well, I do have a doorbell though it distinguishes itself by occasionally not working (which is not, I feel, a useful quality in a doorbell), so it's supplemented by a 'please knock! – if no one answers please leave behind the porch or, if signature required, with [housename] next door' sign (complete with a little map showing precisely where the back of the porch is, because what's obvious to me doesn't seem so obvious to couriers, and really it is exactly where you'd think it would be).

Of course, one of the parcels arrived without even a knock. Though it was at least behind the porch rather than just left on the step to entice any thieving scrote who happens to be wandering up the hill (like I say, things obvious to me don't seem so obvious to them).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 18 January, 2018, 06:05:26 pm
Quote from: Kim on 18 January, 2018, 01:39:03 pm
Someone's put half a manhole in our wheeliebin.   >:(

Half a hole? Must weigh a ton!

(Actually, I do appreciate manhole covers are getting stolen and sold for scrap...)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 18 January, 2018, 06:28:13 pm
That's the thing, it's not the cover - it's the hole!

(It's the plastic linery thing that channels all the drains together:  Looks like it's been thrown in a skip, had a hefty plank of wood or similar land on top of it - breaking off a large chunk - and the remains have somehow found their way to our bin.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 19 January, 2018, 08:14:11 am
I’m trying to get my head together and motivate myself for what I know is going to be a painful day in the office, but Dr Beardy (Mrs)is being 'busy' getting chores done because she’s working at home today and wants them out of the way before she sits at her desk.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 22 January, 2018, 12:33:35 pm
The weather has improved, and looks mostly cycleable for the next week or so.

So obviously I woke up in the middle of the night with a chest infection.

Barakta appears to have The Snot, as is her way.

Given the timings, and how little other human contact we've had this week, the blame lies firmly with the sniffling Crapita PIP assessor who came to ask stupid/demeaning questions about (amongst other things) barakta's predisposition to upper respiratory tract infections.  Marvellous.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 22 January, 2018, 01:29:19 pm
Paging Alannis Morisette...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 22 January, 2018, 01:34:38 pm
Quote from: clarion on 22 January, 2018, 01:29:19 pm
Paging Alannis Morisette...

It's like raaaain on your wedding day, when you make your living from meteorology...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 22 January, 2018, 02:35:11 pm
Quite.  Although isn't that more incompetence than irony?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 22 January, 2018, 02:35:39 pm
Quote from: clarion on 22 January, 2018, 02:35:11 pm
Although isn't that more incompetence than irony?

Is what we all thought when the song came out.

(Many years ago a friend of mine wrote alternative lyrics about the irony of writing a song called "Ironic" when you don't understand what irony is[1].  That's the only line I can currently remember.)


[1] There's a school of thought that suggests this was the whole point.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 22 January, 2018, 02:38:00 pm
Well, I think, lacking vocational context it's safe to assume that AM's hypothetical subject was not a weather person, and thus it was mere misfortune.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Butterfly on 22 January, 2018, 03:06:00 pm
Ed Byrne has been known to express views on the song. His pronunciation of unfortunate is a joy.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 23 January, 2018, 09:32:34 am
The skin on my face was a bit flaky, so I bought some "facial scrub".   I didn't read the ingredients properly, it uses particles of charcoal as an exfoliating agent.  I look like I'm blacking up or putting on cammo cream  :o
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 23 January, 2018, 03:25:19 pm
Bastard IT system which sends you an automated email telling you to do something five sodding minutes after you've done it and moved on to the next thing :facepalm:

Defence Intranet, I'm looking at you  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 23 January, 2018, 04:43:15 pm
DO IT AGAIN, THEN!!!

Orders is orders ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 24 January, 2018, 09:58:13 am
What is the point of having gravity when we still have to pedal downhill? Soddin' wind.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 24 January, 2018, 11:01:06 am
I've just watched a crow attempt to fly into the wind, go nowhere and decide to turn around and head the other way.  It's probably in Norfolk by now
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fimm on 26 January, 2018, 12:33:29 pm
Why am I incapable of trying things on in a shop, realising THEY ARE TOO BIG and putting them back? That's another pair of falling-down trousers to add to the collection.
Oh and M&S, while I'm at it, I've been <size N> for years. Why all of a sudden am I <size N-2>? I swear size N-2 wasn't even a thing when I was younger...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 26 January, 2018, 12:50:28 pm
Quote from: fimm on 26 January, 2018, 12:33:29 pm
Oh and M&S, while I'm at it, I've been <size N> for years. Why all of a sudden am I <size N-2>? I swear size N-2 wasn't even a thing when I was younger...

M&S is notorious for vanity sizing. I always end up buying stuff that's 2 sizes smaller than I actually am, as well.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 26 January, 2018, 01:04:58 pm
Quote from: fimm on 26 January, 2018, 12:33:29 pm
Why am I incapable of trying things on in a shop, realising THEY ARE TOO BIG and putting them back? That's another pair of falling-down trousers to add to the collection.
Oh and M&S, while I'm at it, I've been <size N> for years. Why all of a sudden am I <size N-2>? I swear size N-2 wasn't even a thing when I was younger...

I have grumbled about M&S vanity sizing ad nauseam elsewhere on the forum.
In 1976, I was 18 years old and Size 14 fitted a 36-26-38 figure. That was considered the large side of average.
People have become fatter and acquired much more abdominal fat.
I think a Size 14 now accommodates a 31" waist and more.

If you want something to fit a 26" waist now, you are looking at sizes that weren't A Thing in the past...

M&S's Size Guide is often difficult to find online but a 2018 Size 14 will fit somebody who has gained a couple of stone since their size 14 teenage years...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 26 January, 2018, 01:30:12 pm
Quote from: fimm on 26 January, 2018, 12:33:29 pm
Why am I incapable of trying things on in a shop, realising THEY ARE TOO BIG and putting them back? That's another pair of falling-down trousers to add to the collection.
Oh and M&S, while I'm at it, I've been <size N> for years. Why all of a sudden am I <size N-2>? I swear size N-2 wasn't even a thing when I was younger...
Actually the first part would suggest that you have never been size N in spite of your insistence of buying garments of size N. If instead you had bought size N-2 in the past, not only would you have a collection of trousers that didn't fall down, but you'd also not suddenly be (N-2)-2
I hope this helps to explain your predicament.   ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 28 January, 2018, 09:58:55 pm
After my ill advised beer fuelled rant on Friday night (I deleted it on Saturday morning) I’ve been thinking more on the mood that provoked it.
I’ve come to the conclusion that what I’m actually trying to do in these reports to my seniors is justify why years of underinvestment are not my fault, mainly because my boss won’t let my say that the current situation is largely due to years of underinvestment.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 29 January, 2018, 08:00:42 am
Re sizing, I am finding that trousers bought >25 years ago, when I was a fat slug of 92 kg, are too tight now, when I am a fit cyclist weighing 72 kg. Morphology changes with age, it would seem. :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 29 January, 2018, 03:43:15 pm
I thought I'd desnuffle my head or at least give myself an endorphin boost with a swim.

The plant room is broke, pool is currently 25 degrees (again people, a note on the web page maybe). Valour, I believe, on this occasion should join the queue behind discretion. I might have braved it if I didn't have a cold.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 29 January, 2018, 04:31:12 pm
Quote from: ian on 29 January, 2018, 03:43:15 pm
I thought I'd desnuffle my head or at least give myself an endorphin boost with a swim.

The plant room is broke, pool is currently 25 degrees (again people, a note on the web page maybe). Valour, I believe, on this occasion should join the queue behind discretion. I might have braved it if I didn't have a cold.

25 deg seems quite warm to me. I got in from the shed after a turbo session yesterday to find my daughter had used all the hot water.  Soap does not lather well in those conditions.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 29 January, 2018, 05:08:11 pm
I've swum in colder (and I used to scuba many, many years ago), but 30 minutes in 25 degree water with a cold wasn't enticing. Once you get going it's bearable, it the getting going that hurts. I think they have to close if it gets much below 25 degrees in case they flash-freeze any kids.

Apparently they're fixing it, though I imagine that much water takes a good few days to warm up. I may have a chilly start tomorrow morning if my cold starts to pack its back and get the hell out overnight.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 29 January, 2018, 10:45:03 pm
Fucking ebay scalpers.
Two items (saddles), buy-it-now, £4 per item p&p.
'Request total from seller', message back: 'Seller does not combine postage for multiple items'.
Paid the invoice. Items turn up this morning, wrapped together in a Tesco carrier bag, cocooned in parcel tape, 2nd class, £3.40.

Grrrr!!! TWAT!!!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 30 January, 2018, 06:46:25 am
Same on Amazon, I buy second hand hardback books from there occasionally, and spotted two from the same supplier. " Sorry, we're not set up to send them as one combined package" ffs!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 30 January, 2018, 08:28:03 am
A fluttery power surge this morning has killed my stereo. I presume the fuse. I've not replaced a fuse for years. That's not the problem. It's the location of the bloody little packet of fuses. Wherefortharethou?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 30 January, 2018, 08:35:45 am
You got some aluminiuminiuminiuminiuminiuminium foil, right . . . ?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 30 January, 2018, 08:40:40 am
Quote from: Torslanda on 30 January, 2018, 08:35:45 am
You got some aluminiuminiuminiuminiuminiuminium foil, right . . . ?
aluminium foil? There's posh.
What's wrong with a nail? It's a lot less likely to go pop if the fault has caused an issue elsewhere, and you don't want it to go pop do you?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 30 January, 2018, 08:42:27 am
Colleague A has a cold. To illustrate, their nose was discharging more snot than the Amazon does water after a wet spring, while their cough was so loud that residents of the local grave yard were queuing up at the front desk to complain. Finally, the speed of their sneezes made the wind at the top of Mont Ventoux seem like a gentle summer breeze. Yes, this was a cold and a half.

So, what does Colleague A do with this cold on a work day. Do they:

A). Phone in sick and spend the day under a blanket watching crap day time TV whilst recovering.

B) Troop out like a brave droid into their home office and do a few hours of ineffective work struggling all the time to concentrate between periods of screen cleaning.

C) Travel for nearly three hours on a train each way to attend a meeting so that they could sit in a room with 20 other people and share their joy at being ill?

Of course, they picked choice C.

What is it with people and colds? I mean you would not go out in public if you had leprosy so why do so with a high communitive illness like the common cold? Not wishing to be mean: I wish them better soon, but keep your germs to yourself next time!

End note: This will be uprated to a rant if I go down with the cold. Finally, there was little reason for them to attend really as the meeting could have been covered in a ten minute phone call.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 30 January, 2018, 08:58:17 am
Quote from: Beardy on 30 January, 2018, 08:40:40 am
Quote from: Torslanda on 30 January, 2018, 08:35:45 am
You got some aluminiuminiuminiuminiuminiuminium foil, right . . . ?
aluminium foil? There's posh.
What's wrong with a nail? It's a lot less likely to go pop if the fault has caused an issue elsewhere, and you don't want it to go pop do you?

My pikey dad used to stick the live and neutral wires directly into socket (using the screwdriver jabbed into the earth to get them in). Job done.

I've no real idea how I survived childhood.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Si S on 30 January, 2018, 10:07:37 am
Car insurance, renewal prices and business models pioneered by Dick Turpin. A 2 minute phone call can save you 50%.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 30 January, 2018, 10:51:41 am
My work life is ruled by the box tickers. They've no connection with the realities of what we are delivering but there's a whole army of them who have to tick the right boxes before I can get anything progressed through the ruddy system! They call it Governance!!!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 30 January, 2018, 10:52:45 am
Quote from: Si S on 30 January, 2018, 10:07:37 am
Car insurance, renewal prices and business models pioneered by Dick Turpin. A 2 minute phone call can save you 50%.

Found exactly the same thing with Home insurance, 5 minutes on MSE saved me >£500 for the same cover!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Si S on 30 January, 2018, 11:01:33 am
Quote from: tiermat on 30 January, 2018, 10:52:45 am
Quote from: Si S on 30 January, 2018, 10:07:37 am
Car insurance, renewal prices and business models pioneered by Dick Turpin. A 2 minute phone call can save you 50%.

Found exactly the same thing with Home insurance, 5 minutes on MSE saved me >£500 for the same cover!

The whole industry is loopy, as you say half a dozen clicks, get a quote from the same company for the same policy and you've saved a massive amount, I just can't see how it makes sense, the admin costs must be massive.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 30 January, 2018, 11:06:22 am
Quote from: ElyDave on 30 January, 2018, 06:46:25 am
Same on Amazon, I buy second hand hardback books from there occasionally, and spotted two from the same supplier. " Sorry, we're not set up to send them as one combined package" ffs!

Can be because the supplier doesn’t actually hold the stock, an£ they source and send it from multiple locations, just like Amazon themselves do.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 30 January, 2018, 11:13:04 am
Quote from: tiermat on 30 January, 2018, 10:52:45 am
Quote from: Si S on 30 January, 2018, 10:07:37 am
Car insurance, renewal prices and business models pioneered by Dick Turpin. A 2 minute phone call can save you 50%.

Found exactly the same thing with Home insurance, 5 minutes on MSE saved me >£500 for the same cover!

A few years back we found the exact same policy from the exact same company online for half the price that we decided to do the annual insurance merry-go-round.  We pay a third of what we used to pay for the same buildings and contents cover now.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 30 January, 2018, 12:35:37 pm
Quote from: essexian on 30 January, 2018, 08:42:27 am


What is it with people and colds? I mean you would not go out in public if you had leprosy so why do so with a high communitive illness like the common cold? Not wishing to be mean: I wish them better soon, but keep your germs to yourself next time!

End note: This will be uprated to a rant if I go down with the cold. Finally, there was little reason for them to attend really as the meeting could have been covered in a ten minute phone call.
Does your employer, by any chance, have a punitive sickness absence policy which believes all employees should be in perfect health at all times and any absence should be punished by meetings, warnings, withholding of pay progressions, dismissals etc?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 30 January, 2018, 12:59:40 pm
Quote from: Torslanda on 30 January, 2018, 08:35:45 am
You got some aluminiuminiuminiuminiuminiuminium foil, right . . . ?

(http://i.imgur.com/TtFotWu.jpg)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 30 January, 2018, 01:01:05 pm
I suppose it's one way of making cheese on toast.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 30 January, 2018, 01:33:17 pm
Quote from: Kim on 30 January, 2018, 12:59:40 pm
Quote from: Torslanda on 30 January, 2018, 08:35:45 am
You got some aluminiuminiuminiuminiuminiuminium foil, right . . . ?

(http://i.imgur.com/TtFotWu.jpg)

Shouldn't the one with the Audiovisual  Auto-Alert alert be rated at 303 amps?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 30 January, 2018, 01:56:06 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 30 January, 2018, 01:33:17 pm
Quote from: Kim on 30 January, 2018, 12:59:40 pm
Quote from: Torslanda on 30 January, 2018, 08:35:45 am
You got some aluminiuminiuminiuminiuminiuminium foil, right . . . ?

(http://i.imgur.com/TtFotWu.jpg)

Shouldn't the one with the Audiovisual  Auto-Alert alert be rated at 303 amps?
No but<fx:dons anorak> 7.62 Amps might be right :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 30 January, 2018, 02:26:23 pm
From a first world problem to a grumble.
Mini won't authorise the servicing of my car which is on a service plan, while it has 1500 to go on the count down. Their damn booking system allowed me to make the booking after it asked me for my mileage and didn't warn me that I'd have to be closer to the goal before they'd approve it. Given my driving profile, it's quite feasible, neigh likely, that I will be away somewhere when it says get me serviced now, and then I'll get a lecture from the garage about going over the prescribed mileage. Bastards!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 30 January, 2018, 02:41:04 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 30 January, 2018, 01:56:06 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 30 January, 2018, 01:33:17 pm
Quote from: Kim on 30 January, 2018, 12:59:40 pm
Quote from: Torslanda on 30 January, 2018, 08:35:45 am
You got some aluminiuminiuminiuminiuminiuminium foil, right . . . ?

(http://i.imgur.com/TtFotWu.jpg)

Shouldn't the one with the Audiovisual  Auto-Alert alert be rated at 303 amps?
No but<fx:dons anorak> 7.62 Amps might be right :)

My ammo-fu has been outgunned  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 30 January, 2018, 04:57:27 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 30 January, 2018, 01:33:17 pm
Quote from: Kim on 30 January, 2018, 12:59:40 pm
Quote from: Torslanda on 30 January, 2018, 08:35:45 am
You got some aluminiuminiuminiuminiuminiuminium foil, right . . . ?

(http://i.imgur.com/TtFotWu.jpg)

Shouldn't the one with the Audiovisual  Auto-Alert alert be rated at 303 amps?

looks more like a 556 to me.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 30 January, 2018, 04:58:52 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 30 January, 2018, 11:06:22 am
Quote from: ElyDave on 30 January, 2018, 06:46:25 am
Same on Amazon, I buy second hand hardback books from there occasionally, and spotted two from the same supplier. " Sorry, we're not set up to send them as one combined package" ffs!

Can be because the supplier doesn’t actually hold the stock, an£ they source and send it from multiple locations, just like Amazon themselves do.

Both shown as in stock, they won't let you buy them otherwise
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 30 January, 2018, 06:24:57 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 30 January, 2018, 04:58:52 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 30 January, 2018, 11:06:22 am
Quote from: ElyDave on 30 January, 2018, 06:46:25 am
Same on Amazon, I buy second hand hardback books from there occasionally, and spotted two from the same supplier. " Sorry, we're not set up to send them as one combined package" ffs!

Can be because the supplier doesn’t actually hold the stock, an£ they source and send it from multiple locations, just like Amazon themselves do.

Both shown as in stock, they won't let you buy them otherwise

Yes they will be - in stock at the sub suppliers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 30 January, 2018, 07:15:15 pm
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 30 January, 2018, 12:35:37 pm
Does your employer, by any chance, have a punitive sickness absence policy which believes all employees should be in perfect health at all times and any absence should be punished by meetings, warnings, withholding of pay progressions, dismissals etc?
Ah. The, "Well you may have twenty years without a day off, but you have now had three sickness absences in the last 6 months so we're going to interview you (without coffee) at the most inconvenient time and location we can find as well as mark your card as a malingering layabout on your personnel file because we're a bunch of idiot box-tickers who can't be arsed to differentiate between lead-swingers and the genuinely ill." sickness absence policy?  Yes?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 30 January, 2018, 07:33:14 pm
Not quite.  It's not that they can't be arse to differentiate the genuinely ill, it's that they think sickness (genuine or otherwise) is something that can be solved via a disciplinary route.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 30 January, 2018, 10:06:34 pm
Quote from: Kim on 30 January, 2018, 07:33:14 pm
Not quite.  It's not that they can't be arse to differentiate the genuinely ill, it's that they think sickness (genuine or otherwise) is something that can be solved via a disciplinary route.
a policy they often extend to disabilities, especially those that are hidden and thus not real.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 31 January, 2018, 01:11:54 pm
I suppose from the beancounter's perspective a day off sick is a day's productivity lost regardless of the cause.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 31 January, 2018, 01:56:00 pm
My understanding id that having a presenteeist culture means more folk end up ill so unable to "produce as much" and more people end up actually off sick, than if the original person had just stayed at home while infectious.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 31 January, 2018, 01:57:20 pm
You'd need a metric for productivity, though, rather than presence.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 31 January, 2018, 02:18:12 pm
The beans that get counted are often not the ones that make the best stew.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 31 January, 2018, 05:53:54 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 31 January, 2018, 02:18:12 pm
The beans that get counted are often frequently not the ones that make the best stew.
FTFY
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 31 January, 2018, 09:25:49 pm
Quote from: Kim on 31 January, 2018, 01:57:20 pm
You'd need a metric for productivity, though, rather than presence.

I left my previous company ten years ago, partly because of a culture of presenteeism vs performance
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 02 February, 2018, 04:35:33 pm
I went to get a school shirt for my son yesterday and when he saw it, he pointed out it was from the wrong uniform. This wasn't quite as speckle of me as it sounds, as the school has recently altered the uniform – but it turns out the new uniform doesn't apply to his year. So that's my grumble; uniforms which aren't uniform.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 02 February, 2018, 07:47:51 pm
Dr Beardy (Mrs) keeps on changing the channel on TV to the standard definition channels because she forgets/CBA to press the right digits for the HD channels.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 02 February, 2018, 08:20:04 pm
Quote from: TheLurker on 30 January, 2018, 07:15:15 pm
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 30 January, 2018, 12:35:37 pm
Does your employer, by any chance, have a punitive sickness absence policy which believes all employees should be in perfect health at all times and any absence should be punished by meetings, warnings, withholding of pay progressions, dismissals etc?
Ah. The, "Well you may have twenty years without a day off, but you have now had three sickness absences in the last 6 months so we're going to interview you (without coffee) at the most inconvenient time and location we can find as well as mark your card as a malingering layabout on your personnel file because we're a bunch of idiot box-tickers who can't be arsed to differentiate between lead-swingers and the genuinely ill." sickness absence policy?  Yes?
I was recently threatened with a 'letter of concern' by my supervisor. I told him there and then I would contest any such thing. I wrote to his boss pointing out that one of the three absences was when I stuck out a dodgy stomach from 8.30am until 1.30pm and left work two hours early promising to make up the two hours. Supervisor insisted on reporting this as an absence. The second one was when Supervisor approached me as soon as I walked in from a very tense meeting with my son's school (he knew I was going to such a meeting) and instead of asking how things went & how I felt, told me straight away - with my coat still on - that I would have to take the missed time as unpaid leave. I walked out and went home. I discussed this behaviour with his boss and told him what a twat the supervisor is. The third absence was a genuine illness.

Strangely enough, they withdrew the threat and said they were doing so on compassionate grounds. (My father has recently died) rather than admitting it was wrong in the first place. I am still considering what to do about this, as I am not happy with the reason given and want Boss to admit the supervisor should never have been put in a position of such responsibility. That won't happen, natch, but I'll feel better having said that. (I am going to leave in a few motnhs anyway!)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 03 February, 2018, 08:50:27 am
Quote from: Beardy on 02 February, 2018, 07:47:51 pm
Dr Beardy (Mrs) keeps on changing the channel on TV to the standard definition channels because she forgets/CBA to press the right digits for the HD channels.  >:(
Well done Dr Beardy (Mrs).  Please tell her to keep right on doing that.  We don't need HD; 99.999999%* of us can't see the bloody difference between that and "ordinary" anyway and it's just another form of built in obsolesence to drive the endless upgrade cycle.


*Rising to exactly 100% for anyone over about 50.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 03 February, 2018, 08:58:22 am
I'm 57 & prefer HD, especially sports events. Having said that, I didn't pay any extra for getting HD channels & I certainly wouldn't invest in 4K or whatever the next big thing is.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 03 February, 2018, 12:39:29 pm
Trouble with UHD is that you can see make up lines on actors faces.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 03 February, 2018, 01:18:10 pm
Aye, but if something is really worth watching you stop noticing them, and if it's not so great you can poke fun at them.

Our old TV wasn't fast enough at image processing so when someone was speaking their jaws moved while their cheeks lagged behind as if made of soft jelly. That was fun too.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 03 February, 2018, 01:57:33 pm
HD vs SD is about the same as the benefit I get from putting my glasses on.  That's usually worthwhile (especially if there's any text[1] onscreen), though I'm happy to watch SD content if there isn't a choice.  What really bugs me is incorrect aspect ratios or shitty audio.

I remain sceptical of UHD for most purposes, unless you're actually watching at a desktop computer.  The screen has to be ridiculously big to get a benefit from across the room!  OTOH, it makes sense to shoot in these formats and crop or downscale later.


[1] Which may or may not affect the rendering of subtitles, depending on what you're watching with.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 03 February, 2018, 09:17:10 pm
Quote from: CAMRAMan on 03 February, 2018, 08:58:22 am
I'm 57 & prefer HD, especially sports events. Having said that, I didn't pay any extra for getting HD channels & I certainly wouldn't invest in 4K or whatever the next big thing is.


I have 4k, to me SD on 4k is better than HD. What I detest about the beebs HD is the gaps where local programming comes on.

It could be footage of lots of Dave's though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 04 February, 2018, 03:28:52 pm
BT SMS system: why oh why did you have to convert Irene's messages to voice today when they worked fine as text yesterday?
I've now sent her a text and you inform me I have successfully registered for SMS messages today.
Resending messages I read and deleted yesterday is unhelpful!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 04 February, 2018, 03:38:05 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 04 February, 2018, 03:28:52 pm
BT SMS system: why oh why did you have to convert Irene's messages to voice today when they worked fine as text yesterday?

At a guess, your SMS receiving device failed to respond to the polarity inversion properly (for whatever reason), so the system decided you didn't have one any more and switched back to voice mode.

Some years ago, I dedicated far too much time and effort to try to get to the bottom of why the BT SMS system wouldn't play ball with Asterisk.  Turned out to be some sort of undocumented timing shenanigans at the BT end (I've recycled the neurons), which I hacked around in the driver source to achieve a mere ~95% success rate.  Pile of crap.  At least you could set up a cron job to re-register for SMS at regular intervals.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 04 February, 2018, 04:03:15 pm
... but it all worked yesterday...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 04 February, 2018, 04:05:30 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 04 February, 2018, 04:03:15 pm
... but it all worked yesterday...

The common refrain of the BT customer.

I think it comes down to the way they do landline SMS being fundamentally unreliable, and every blue moon the attempt at delivery will randomly fail.  Which would be fine if it just tried again a minute later, rather than deciding you don't have an SMS-capable device any more.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 05 February, 2018, 08:19:17 am
Cardiac arrest coz 0°C, snow and a blustery NE wind. House arrest, that is. Bored shitless and it's only 09:18.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 05 February, 2018, 08:39:07 am
Quote from: Kim on 04 February, 2018, 04:05:30 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 04 February, 2018, 04:03:15 pm
... but it all worked yesterday...

The common refrain of the BT customer.

I think it comes down to the way they do landline SMS being fundamentally unreliable, and every blue moon the attempt at delivery will randomly fail.  Which would be fine if it just tried again a minute later, rather than deciding you don't have an SMS-capable device any more.
To be fair, SMS is not a guaranteed delivery system and never was. If you need to guarantee that a message has been delivered you need to use a messaging service that has proper message confirmation handshakes and the like.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 05 February, 2018, 03:18:26 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 05 February, 2018, 08:39:07 am
Quote from: Kim on 04 February, 2018, 04:05:30 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 04 February, 2018, 04:03:15 pm
... but it all worked yesterday...

The common refrain of the BT customer.

I think it comes down to the way they do landline SMS being fundamentally unreliable, and every blue moon the attempt at delivery will randomly fail.  Which would be fine if it just tried again a minute later, rather than deciding you don't have an SMS-capable device any more.
To be fair, SMS is not a guaranteed delivery system and never was. If you need to guarantee that a message has been delivered you need to use a messaging service that has proper message confirmation handshakes and the like.

Sure, but I'm only talking about the FSK-over-landline part of the process.  Usually it retries at intervals until the message is acknowledged by the receiving device, but sometimes it decides to give up and switches you to robot voice calls instead.

All it needs is for the "there is an SMS-capable device on this line" setting to stick until deliberately turned off, but presumably they don't want SMSes sitting undelivered in the queue indefinitely.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 05 February, 2018, 03:44:32 pm
Maybe our habit of disconnecting the landline 'overnight' (01.00-14.00) is an issue.

There again, Mobiles are frequently switched off for ages.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 05 February, 2018, 03:47:43 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 05 February, 2018, 03:44:32 pm
Maybe our habit of disconnecting the landline 'overnight' (01.00-14.00) is an issue.

That's probably what's done it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 06 February, 2018, 07:23:28 am
With the lighter evenings upon us, I decided to pop out after work in the car for a quick bike ride around the lands of Haughton last Friday. Upon taking the bike out of the car I noticed that the saddle was a few degrees from being straight with the frame: due I suppose to it falling off of the work stand while I was washing it earlier in the day (the roads around here are so covered in "mud" that the bike needs cleaning after every ride!). So, as I had a tool kit with me, it was no effort to turn the saddle back into place and set off for my ride.

However....and yes, I am getting there.... I must have not got the placement quite right as, as I approached Penkridge my back started to really hurt. This got worse and worse meaning I cut the ride short and went home. Since then, I have been in pain when standing or sitting although laying down is fine.....shame I don't have a job where I lay down all day.  No riding for me over the weekend and when I tried a few minutes on the turbo last night, the pains in my back and hips were too much.
.

The moral of the story: "three degrees do matter."

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 06 February, 2018, 07:40:34 am
Swivel is usually to the opposite of the side Sir dresses on, so I'd expect a little discomfort in the concert halls rather than back problems. Is it possible you changed the saddle height while the seat-tube clamp was loose?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 06 February, 2018, 01:12:39 pm
Touch of Sciatica?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 06 February, 2018, 03:39:44 pm
did you know that you can use obfuscation to implement an IRP?
No? Neither did I!
god, but this project is going to make me old before my time  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 06 February, 2018, 03:52:45 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 02 February, 2018, 07:47:51 pm
Dr Beardy (Mrs) keeps on changing the channel on TV to the standard definition channels because she forgets/CBA to press the right digits for the HD channels.  >:(
For the First World Problem thread!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 06 February, 2018, 06:11:17 pm
Gotta hand it to the Ordnance Survey, they really are clever buggers.  I opened the 4 maps purchased for TINAT today and every one came folded the wrong way for the locations I was first looking for.  How do they know?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 06 February, 2018, 09:24:58 pm
My CC details have been misused, as I found out when asked if I’d spent c£400 on women’s clothing this afternoon. That’s not the grumble though.  It’s that it will take Tesco (or whatever bank is behind their CC’s - used to be RBS) 9-11 calendar days to issue replacement cards. Why I wonder can’t I be given the new number immediately, even if the physical entity takes a while to catch up. That way PayPal, Apple Pay, Tesco Pay etc. could remain functional.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 07 February, 2018, 08:14:10 am
Whomever it was that decided that the gutterless car roof was a sensible thing should be made to sit on a soggy seat and have icicles dropped down there neck.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 08 February, 2018, 10:55:41 pm
The new BBC weather map is useless for here. They've stuck the label for Belfast (including an opaque box) straight over the majority of the Lake District ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 09 February, 2018, 08:56:19 am
That'll Larne you.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 10 February, 2018, 09:55:34 am
My iron seems to have expired (it's blowing fuses). Can irons die of underuse?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ham on 10 February, 2018, 11:21:49 am
It's called rust.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 10 February, 2018, 07:44:14 pm
What's an 'iron'...?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 10 February, 2018, 07:50:10 pm
It's what they used to use before they discovered the Corby trouser press.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 11 February, 2018, 10:03:15 am
It's much better than the prefabricated concrete coal bunker!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 12 February, 2018, 01:10:38 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 08 February, 2018, 10:55:41 pm
The new BBC weather map is useless for here. They've stuck the label for Belfast (including an opaque box) straight over the majority of the Lake District ::-)
It's raining, or it's going to rain soon.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 12 February, 2018, 01:30:00 pm
Quote from: Kim on 10 February, 2018, 07:50:10 pm
It's what they used to use before they discovered the Corby trouser press.
Is there any other reason to go to Corby?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 14 February, 2018, 07:53:21 pm
I seem to have missed nearly every train (but the first one today). Arrived at Marylebone with 10 minutes to buy a ticket. But there were only two functioning machines and a big queue at the office. One minute before my train, a nice lady who had been standing there doing nothing suddenly decided that yes, she had the power to dispense a ticket from the machine she had hidden in her pocket. Which wouldn't have been more helpful a few minutes earlier. Then one way back, American colleague discovered that single tickets aren't returns as we tried to get through the gates. Then I got to Victoria just as my ultimate train left. Then I just missed the bus from the station (taunted me by sailing by as I turned the corner) and had to stand in the cold and rain for fifteen minutes. Scott of the Antarctic had nothing on this.

The bins didn't get emptied again because someone parked a scaffolding lorry at the end of the road (the bin men were standing around it when I left this morning, it didn't have any identifying details on it). That's what happens dear council when you have no parking enforcement.

And after just defeating the streptococcomus, I've come down the cold that my wife had been carefully curating in the meantime. Not entirely what I wanted for valentine's day, my dear.

I think I may break my midweek drinking rule and open the gin. It's medicinal and just what the doctor would recommend. This doctor would, anyway.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nicknack on 14 February, 2018, 08:40:32 pm
Quote from: ian on 14 February, 2018, 07:53:21 pm
midweek drinking rule
I have one of those. And I stick to it rigorously.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Si S on 15 February, 2018, 08:09:22 am
Quote from: nicknack on 14 February, 2018, 08:40:32 pm
Quote from: ian on 14 February, 2018, 07:53:21 pm
midweek drinking rule
I have one of those. And I stick to it rigorously.

Same here, I mean why would you want to be hungover in your own time?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 15 February, 2018, 02:41:02 pm
I'm working in Ecuador at the moment and the wet season started a week ago. Half of the company vehicles are 4x4s and the other half are 2 wheel drives that look like 4x4. One of our young engineers drove a 2WD along a soft road that requires using a 4x4. Unfortunately I was a passenger at the time and had to help dig it out and push it out ... in deep mud ... and the rain. Oh joy. The only upside was that the erstwhile driver stood in a drive wheel's line of fire, even after I warned him of such.

On a related note, car manufacturers who build dual cab utes that look like 4x4s but on a car chassis, so not much ground clearance. Also those who install pure road tyres on off-road-looking things.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 15 February, 2018, 03:34:36 pm
2x2 M&S top 4x4 road tyres every time except on rock.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 15 February, 2018, 06:54:40 pm
A USAnian mate has a Toyota Tacoma pickup with big knobbly tyres, "TRO Off-Road" badges and a ground clearance measured in feet.  Once he managed to get it stuck in the brush alongside NV-305.  "Stick it in 4WD, Larry!" suggested the assembled multitude.

"Errrr..."
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 15 February, 2018, 07:01:05 pm
Quote from: nicknack on 14 February, 2018, 08:40:32 pm
Quote from: ian on 14 February, 2018, 07:53:21 pm
midweek drinking rule
I have one of those. And I stick to it rigorously.
Me too. "The weekend begins on Wednesday" and this weekend was inaugurated with a nice glass of ouzo*.



*Any snide comments decrying ouzo will be roundly ignored.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 16 February, 2018, 11:02:05 am
That's my Andover trip booked. Bloody HRG itinerary: Hitchin-Finsbury Park, UndergrounD to Victoria, hang around at Victoria, train to Clapham Jcn, hang around a bit more, train to Andover. Return journey tha same but in reverse. As my orange card is a standard return by any permitted route the Guy itinerary is: Hitchin-King's X, UndergrounD to Waterloo, train to Andover, arriving nearly an hour earlier! Returning the same but backwards. Why do HRG send you all around the houses? I know I like trains, but not so much I want to spend ages looking at them from drafty platforms in early March.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 16 February, 2018, 12:28:19 pm
I once had cause to exchange a warrant, rail, HM Armed Forces for the use of for a ticket from Woking to York "via cheapest recognised route".  I do not know who recognised Woking-Guildford-Reading-Mordor-Sheffield-York as a "route", which is probably just as well for their continued existence and my not being the Snout King of B-Wing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 16 February, 2018, 01:04:54 pm
Mr L, you appear to have missed Morfa Mawddach, Wick and Bloemfontain from your list.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 16 February, 2018, 01:09:32 pm
I suspect 'cheapest possible' meant Avoid That London At All Costs...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 16 February, 2018, 01:26:56 pm
Can something ever be cheapest possible if it is at all costs?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 16 February, 2018, 03:11:50 pm
...if cheap just refers to Money and time and (in)convenience are budgeted otherwise...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 17 February, 2018, 02:23:51 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 16 February, 2018, 01:09:32 pm
I suspect 'cheapest possible' meant Avoid That London At All Costs...

Except that it is routed via Victoria which, as a London Terminal, is pretty much the epitome of something other than a Not London real routing ...

I reckon the Guy routing falls foul of official minimum change or transfer times, and that obeying them would leave him on a train that arrives in Andover a whole 93 seconds after the one suggested by the official routing engine.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 19 February, 2018, 08:07:29 am
Why can’t the boffins sort out a cure for the 'common cold'. I mean it’s been around, like forever and being common there’s lots to practice on.

Feeling slightly like death warmed up as long as I sit still. Movement risks causing a coughing fit measured on the Richter scale and also suggests that my limbs are intact composed of lead. 🤧🤒
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 19 February, 2018, 09:08:20 am
There are over 200 viruses that cause the common cold.  I suppose that finding a vaccine would involve identifying surface proteins common to all of them but not to cells in the human body.  Difficult.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 19 February, 2018, 10:08:51 am
Not just lots of virus (rhinovirus is the most common, but adenovirus, coronavirus, respiratory syncytial virus, and several others, some we've probably not yet identified, metapneumovirus came up in the 2000s). Mostly it's rhinovirus, but there's the better part of 175 different serotypes. That's a lot of targets for a conventional vaccine. Plus modern drug development is more than a bit broke.

As least mine is down to residual sniffles this morning. Thanks for hanging around all weekend.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: orienteer on 19 February, 2018, 10:58:18 am
Much as I hate colds, I always regard them as fitness exercises for the immune system. I've never seen any scientific justification for this though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 19 February, 2018, 12:06:42 pm
Quote from: orienteer on 19 February, 2018, 10:58:18 am
Much as I hate colds, I always regard them as fitness exercises for the immune system. I've never seen any scientific justification for this though.
Well my immune system doesn't seem to be doing much exercise as the moment. Unless, the reason I'm feeling so lethargic is because the immune system is using up all my energy.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 19 February, 2018, 12:11:41 pm
TBH, rather than a vaccine I think we'd be better off working on a way to manipulate our snot production at will.  Would solve all sorts of problems.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 19 February, 2018, 12:15:42 pm
Quote from: orienteer on 19 February, 2018, 10:58:18 am
Much as I hate colds, I always regard them as fitness exercises for the immune system. I've never seen any scientific justification for this though.

Not really, I think that only really matters when you are younger (leastways, that's the current consensus). Colds are just caused by an extraordinarily successful range of viruses. We're all pretty much guaranteed to get a couple every winter (and those that say they don't are just likely better at ignoring the symptoms).

While clearing the mucus (or preventing it) might seem like a good idea, it's probably not. It's a part of the response to the infection (ironically at the same being the main vector for spread).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 19 February, 2018, 12:32:30 pm
Quote from: ian on 19 February, 2018, 12:15:42 pm
Quote from: orienteer on 19 February, 2018, 10:58:18 am
Much as I hate colds, I always regard them as fitness exercises for the immune system. I've never seen any scientific justification for this though.

Snot really, I think that only really matters when you are younger (leastways, that's the current consensus). Colds are just caused by an extraordinarily successful range of viruses. We're all pretty much guaranteed to get a couple every winter (and those that say they don't are just likely better at ignoring the symptoms).

While clearing the mucus (or preventing it) might seem like a good idea, it's probably not. It's a part of the response to the infection (ironically at the same being the main vector for spread).
FTFY  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 19 February, 2018, 12:38:48 pm
Quote from: ian on 19 February, 2018, 12:15:42 pm
While clearing the mucus (or preventing it) might seem like a good idea, it's probably not. It's a part of the response to the infection (ironically at the same being the main vector for spread).

Not a useful reaction when it serves to spread the infection to the lungs or ears, thobut.

And don't get me started on allergies...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 19 February, 2018, 12:46:35 pm
my current cold has, like most of the colds I get these days (though this is the first one this season!) has 'settled' on my chest and for the first couple of hours or so in a morning I have the 'marmalade' cough. The post nasal drip of the mucus formed during the day also causes me to cough, but much les productively.

Dr Beardy (Mrs) continues to threaten me with extreme violence whenever I get a cold/cough because she has delicate hearing and I have big lungs. Trying to suppress the coughing urge in a vain attempt to please her usually results in an explosion which she finds even less acceptable. Of course all this coughing irritates my throat, but complaints about that result in being told to stop coughing. Being married it a former nurse has it's trials.

I can't win.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 19 February, 2018, 12:53:03 pm
Quote from: Kim on 19 February, 2018, 12:38:48 pm
Quote from: ian on 19 February, 2018, 12:15:42 pm
While clearing the mucus (or preventing it) might seem like a good idea, it's probably not. It's a part of the response to the infection (ironically at the same being the main vector for spread).

Not a useful reaction when it serves to spread the infection to the lungs or ears, thobut.


That's evolution (and why it's so successful). It's co-opted your own responses.

I'm looking forward to a night that doesn't involve snot pong – that delightful nocturnal game where you lie on one side and feel the snot flow through you sinuses to block and leak from one nostril, until you are forced to roll over and repeat the process with the other side of your head. Or you can lie on your back and let it drip down your throat.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 19 February, 2018, 01:00:54 pm
Quote from: ian on 19 February, 2018, 12:53:03 pm
I'm looking forward to a night that doesn't involve snot pong – that delightful nocturnal game where you lie on one side and feel the snot flow through you sinuses to block and leak from one nostril, until you are forced to roll over and repeat the process with the other side of your head. Or you can lie on your back and let it drip down your throat.

I think I've been playing that on and off since November.  Hopefully it'll stop soon and I'll get a break until the pollen kicks off in May.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 21 February, 2018, 11:03:26 am
Local Gumtree seller: OK, you have a load of kids' clothes to sell. I get that. But why do you have to list dozens of items individually and swamp my local search with your tat?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 21 February, 2018, 11:08:29 am
And while I have a head of steam: Morrisons' delivery drivers: I clearly state on my preferences that you should call me if you want to drop my stuff off earlier than the chosen time slot. Most of the time, that's fine, but I do say that if I don't answer your call, that you should stick to the allotted time. However, even though some of you read that, you still turn up early. One bloke pulled up just as I was arriving back home from a cold ride home. I was suitably attired and the driver seemed rather impatient to drop the stuff off, even though I had several layers of outer clothing to shed and proper shoes to put on. Harumph. Still, you are better than ASDA.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 25 February, 2018, 05:53:23 pm
EBay buyer. Thank you for your message. I would love to combine the postage on the two items you bought.

 Two hydraulic brakes cost 2.90 each 2nd class. That's 5.80 combined. That's why I put 2.90 p&p on each item.

 You got the pair for less than 25 quid posted

You're welcome.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 25 February, 2018, 11:15:35 pm
Week commencing 5th Feb - 5 days in Aberdeen
12th Feb - 4 days in Aberdeen
19th Feb, flew to Houston on Sunday, back Friday
Today, drove three hours to Birmingham for an Indian meal with my FIL and family, including ferrying ancient aunt to the restaurant, which I didn't really mind. Then a three hour drive to Farnham for a job starting at 9am tomorrow.  Tuesdays work with the same client is cancelled, so tomorrow I'll have to drive from Farnham to Ely, in rush hour.

I'm bloody knackered.  Thank DEITY I'm home for all of March, even though it usually brings 14-16 hour days in the last week or so.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andytheflyer on 26 February, 2018, 08:17:32 am
Quote from: ElyDave on 25 February, 2018, 11:15:35 pm
Week commencing 5th Feb - 5 days in Aberdeen
12th Feb - 4 days in Aberdeen
19th Feb, flew to Houston on Sunday, back Friday

That brings back memories - except my employer's favourite trick was to get me to fly to the Arabian Gulf on a Friday (so their day off), work Saturday to Friday and fly back the following UK w/e.  Wonderful.  Did that a few times one year until I got enough seniority to squash that scheduling. 

Fortunately I was able to pack it all in a couple of years ago, I really couldn't stand that pace anymore.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 26 February, 2018, 12:33:30 pm
My team leader has just reviewed my annual leave. I have 15 days of annual leave remaining, which is supposed to be taken before the end of March. I'm currently working from home so I can be on hand to help MrsC if needed while she recovers from an operation.
Team leader has suggested that I take the time off as annual leave, seeing as I have a surplus.
Nice idea, but pray tell, who is going to do the work that is required for the end of next week? The magic gnomes and fairies?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 26 February, 2018, 12:54:45 pm
Most amused to read that the Nethelands is employing another 750 Border people, the French anticipate that at least 700 additional staff will be required and have budgeted accordingly, whilst the UK  needs to employ anything between 2,000 and 5,000 additional staff. The Netherlands is actively recruiting, France is about to, whilst the UK is doing nothing, but has indicated that the treasury will need to find at least £350m from reserves to be required at a future date. The current French forecast is for 15 mile traffic queues on their side 24 hours a day.

Project planning/Operational Research anyone? No wonder Boris wants a bridge.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 26 February, 2018, 01:13:00 pm
£350m? Where have I seen that figure before?

http://metro.co.uk/2017/07/04/man-behind-350m-brexit-bus-lie-just-said-leaving-the-eu-is-an-error-6754392/ (http://metro.co.uk/2017/07/04/man-behind-350m-brexit-bus-lie-just-said-leaving-the-eu-is-an-error-6754392/)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 26 February, 2018, 01:26:31 pm
£350m is the Brexit equivalent of 42 :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 26 February, 2018, 01:48:47 pm
42 €? ;)

That's about what my UK pension is worth. Mind you, I only worked there about 3½ years, back in the Stone Age.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 28 February, 2018, 11:30:36 am
Modern technology and a management role destroys the concept of SNOdays. Just carry on as normal from home  >:(

I might have to get dressed soon though
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 28 February, 2018, 01:41:22 pm
I once had the pleasure of sending in a fax reading "Nix transit, gloria Tuesday" to a client who insisted I work at his place.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 01 March, 2018, 10:18:10 pm
The pipes are frozen & I’ve no running water. What’s in the tank is all that’s left to flush the loo.
And now I appear to have an upset stomach.... oh dear.  :sick:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 01 March, 2018, 10:30:54 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 26 February, 2018, 12:33:30 pm
My team leader has just reviewed my annual leave. I have 15 days of annual leave remaining, which is supposed to be taken before the end of March. I'm currently working from home so I can be on hand to help MrsC if needed while she recovers from an operation.
Team leader has suggested that I take the time off as annual leave, seeing as I have a surplus.
Nice idea, but pray tell, who is going to do the work that is required for the end of next week? The magic gnomes and fairies?
His problem. Look after yourself.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 02 March, 2018, 10:49:55 am
What he said.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 02 March, 2018, 12:25:32 pm
All moot now, they'll have to pay the days to me (or tell me to take them off and somehow get the work done by elves and fairies).

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 02 March, 2018, 04:17:29 pm
You win.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 03 March, 2018, 07:06:36 pm
Does anyone know if Virgin West Coast still do bike reservations? I'm trying to book travel to the start of my Dungeness to Durness ride but so far all the trains I've tried online (on two different days) have no bike spaces left???

DO they stop bikes for London Marathon weekend or something?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 03 March, 2018, 07:55:11 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 03 March, 2018, 07:06:36 pm
Does anyone know if Virgin West Coast still do bike reservations?

It'd be news to me if they'd stopped.  They're usually pretty strict about them, on account of the Pendolinos.

No change on https://www.virgintrains.co.uk/experience/bikes  Maybe some sort of cockup?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 03 March, 2018, 08:11:03 pm
Oh lovely jubbly we are leaving the EU just before a major international trade war starts. You couldn't make it up.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 03 March, 2018, 08:46:10 pm
Quote from: Canardly on 03 March, 2018, 08:11:03 pm
Oh lovely jubbly we are leaving the EU just before a major international trade war starts. You couldn't make it up.
Even better; El Orangino now wants to stop the Septics buying european cars because we don't buy enough of their oversized, unreliable, fuel hungry, antiquated tin-plate excuses for motor cars in return. Wow. He's an even worse businessman than he is a POTUS cos if the septics made cars that were worth buying then, and only then, would people buy them as any* fule kno.


*El Orangino appears to be the exception that proves the rule.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 03 March, 2018, 08:54:55 pm
Quote from: TheLurker on 03 March, 2018, 08:46:10 pm
Quote from: Canardly on 03 March, 2018, 08:11:03 pm
Oh lovely jubbly we are leaving the EU just before a major international trade war starts. You couldn't make it up.
Even better; El Orangino now wants to stop the Septics buying european cars because we don't buy enough of their oversized, unreliable, fuel hungry, antiquated tin-plate excuses for motor cars in return. Wow. He's an even worse businessman than he is a POTUS cos if the septics made cars that were worth buying then, and only then, would people buy them as any* fule kno.
Aren't they mostly made in Mexico anyway?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 03 March, 2018, 09:17:11 pm
Quote from: Canardly on 03 March, 2018, 08:11:03 pm
Oh lovely jubbly we are leaving the EU just before a major international trade war starts. You couldn't make it up.

Can't wait for that fabulous, special, bigly trade deal with the US...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 04 March, 2018, 01:26:11 am
Quote from: TheLurker on 03 March, 2018, 08:46:10 pm
Quote from: Canardly on 03 March, 2018, 08:11:03 pm
Oh lovely jubbly we are leaving the EU just before a major international trade war starts. You couldn't make it up.
Even better; El Orangino now wants to stop the Septics buying european cars because we don't buy enough of their oversized, unreliable, fuel hungry, antiquated tin-plate excuses for motor cars in return. Wow. He's an even worse businessman than he is a POTUS cos if the septics made cars that were worth buying then, and only then, would people buy them as any* fule kno.


*El Orangino appears to be the exception that proves the rule.

The mass-market offerings from Ford and GM are essentially world cars these days, although no-one seems quite sure what's going to happen with Vauxhall/Opel now they've been sold to PSA.  The Chevy I had for a day last year was an Opel underneath.  And no-one in their right mind would buy anything from Chrysler.  Even Daimler-Benz couldn't fix them, and now they're owned by Fiat.  Sticking a Lancia badge on them won't fool anyone, especially not BRITONS who remember the Beta.

Just about everything else is a lorry, LHD-only or both.  About the only ones worth considering, for very different reasons, are the Ford Mustang and the Tesla S, and there's quite a lot of the latter around.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 04 March, 2018, 08:57:00 am
After watching Météo France's web page all week and waiting for today's 9°C and sun to arrive:

a. we've got 2°C and fog;
b. I've got an abscessed tooth. No pain, but I don't want to pump all the gunge round my system.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 04 March, 2018, 10:08:30 am
Who the hell builds new flats with integrated appliances and doesn't include a tumble drier? How are people supposed to dry clothes?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 04 March, 2018, 10:55:52 am
Quote from: T42 on 04 March, 2018, 08:57:00 am
After watching Météo France's web page all week and waiting for today's 9°C and sun to arrive:

a. we've got 2°C and fog;
b. I've got an abscessed tooth. No pain, but I don't want to pump all the gunge round my system.

Same here, expecting 6-8C, I went out on the old MTB with road tyres on it. Max 3C and some stretches of slushy snowdrift that had me walking.  Rerouted on the way back to avoid some other lanes that might have been similarly affected. Still, that's another 45km in the bank and back home for 9:30
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 04 March, 2018, 01:12:28 pm
I feel th is somewhat ironic that a source for daily email service called the Daily Conspiracy uses underhand methods to stop you from unsubscribing. I’ve successfully unsubscribed twice and yet I still recieve the daily email. Whomever it was that sold them my email address is obviously a worshipper of Stan.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 04 March, 2018, 03:04:05 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 04 March, 2018, 10:08:30 am
Who the hell builds new flats with integrated appliances and doesn't include a tumble drier? How are people supposed to dry clothes?

On a clothes airer or radiator, like normal people who don't have large families?

Anyway, it's not like people build homes for people to actually *live* in anyway.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 04 March, 2018, 03:50:53 pm
Quote from: Kim on 04 March, 2018, 03:04:05 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 04 March, 2018, 10:08:30 am
Who the hell builds new flats with integrated appliances and doesn't include a tumble drier? How are people supposed to dry clothes?

On a clothes airer or radiator, like normal people who don't have large families?

Anyway, it's not like people build homes for people to actually *live* in anyway.
yebbut newbuild flats are usually hermetically sealed, so all the moisture just goes into wrecking the flat/causing mold to grow.
Some of these are 3-4 bedroom flats with sod all spare space in them.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 04 March, 2018, 07:20:00 pm
1) (Bordering on FWP I know) I look forward to a good hot soak in the bath after my Sunday rides. Highlight of my week (I'm still working away in Italy, the bar is not high). Today the water was not hot, just about warm enough to sit in run only from the hot tap.  I still ache.

2) I'm in the Random Chinese to refill some very empy tanks. There's 3 free range childs running and screaming about the place.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 04 March, 2018, 07:22:06 pm
Quote from: SoreTween on 04 March, 2018, 07:20:00 pm
2) I'm in the Random Chinese to refill some very empy tanks. There's 3 free range childs running and screaming about the place.

Have each one of them cooked a different way.  Variety is the spice of life!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 04 March, 2018, 07:23:42 pm
Surely Italy is the land of free-range bambinis and you're expected to pinch their chubby cheeks and make rapid spikey cooing noises?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 04 March, 2018, 07:26:24 pm
Sorry Cudzo, I prefer Andrij's answer  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: arabella on 04 March, 2018, 07:56:10 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 04 March, 2018, 03:50:53 pm
Quote from: Kim on 04 March, 2018, 03:04:05 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 04 March, 2018, 10:08:30 am
Who the hell builds new flats with integrated appliances and doesn't include a tumble drier? How are people supposed to dry clothes?

On a clothes airer or radiator, like normal people who don't have large families?

Anyway, it's not like people build homes for people to actually *live* in anyway.
yebbut newbuild flats are usually hermetically sealed, so all the moisture just goes into wrecking the flat/causing mold to grow.
Some of these are 3-4 bedroom flats with sod all spare space in them.
Indeed.  I read somewhere that in Germany many contracts oblige the tennants to air the house (by opening the windows) for 30 minutes daily on acount of such hermetic sealing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 04 March, 2018, 07:58:50 pm
And I remember reading that in Sweden they had to revise building codes in order to provide a minimum level of ventilation, because new buildings were just too well sealed; it was regarded as a public health problem.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 04 March, 2018, 08:40:57 pm
I read something a couple of years ago questioning the wisdom of recommending modern insulating techniques on traditionally built Scottish buildings....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 04 March, 2018, 09:13:29 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 04 March, 2018, 07:58:50 pm
And I remember reading that in Sweden they had to revise building codes in order to provide a minimum level of ventilation, because new buildings were just too well sealed; it was regarded as a public health problem.
This is why in the UK you can no longer buy double glazing without trickle vents that can be shut off.  Building a properly designed house with properly designed HVAC?  Tough shit, buy foreign windows or have the trickle vents screw your calculations.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 05 March, 2018, 03:58:43 pm
Having a boss who is as at least as tech competent as yourself AND is interested enough to be up to date as well is rubbish. 

In the past I would have been able to ask for an SSD with some spurious reason and it wold have been signed off, now I ask, and he not only asks why, but when I mumble in agreement with him about lack of disk space, took my laptop off me and checked!  >:(

He's probably still the best person I've worked for in a very long time, just don't tell him that I said so.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: arabella on 05 March, 2018, 08:59:03 pm
online shops.
I do not want to register with you
I certainly don't want to join your loyalty programme
Why can't I just buy one item and be forgotten about? 
Maybe I just won't bother and you have lost my custom.  Instead I will get out the sticky tape stick it over the bit with the missing membrane on my existing waterproof. 
sigh
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 06 March, 2018, 08:31:18 am
Quote from: arabella on 05 March, 2018, 08:59:03 pm
online shops.
I do not want to register with you
I certainly don't want to join your loyalty programme
Why can't I just buy one item and be forgotten about? 
Maybe I just won't bother and you have lost my custom.  Instead I will get out the sticky tape stick it over the bit with the missing membrane on my existing waterproof. 
sigh
disposable or junk email addresses are your friend :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: citoyen on 06 March, 2018, 10:03:03 am
Quote from: mcshroom on 03 March, 2018, 07:06:36 pm
Does anyone know if Virgin West Coast still do bike reservations? I'm trying to book travel to the start of my Dungeness to Durness ride but so far all the trains I've tried online (on two different days) have no bike spaces left???

DO they stop bikes for London Marathon weekend or something?

I've just booked a bike place on a train from London to Edinburgh. It wasn't possible to book the bike online, I had to book my train ticket first then call the number on the website and book the bike separately.

I confused matters by buying the ticket through Virgin Trains even though my journey will be on Virgin East Coast, which are two entirely separate companies apparently, but it was straightforward enough to sort it out. I received my bike reservation confirmation email while I was still on the phone.

It's a bit of a PITA that you can't book the bike place online though - forces you to take the chance on buying a ticket for a train that has no bike places left.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jakob W on 06 March, 2018, 11:08:04 am
What do you have to give them - a reservation number for your ticket? I wonder if they'd let you book a space without one.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 06 March, 2018, 11:09:11 am
Some booking engines eg GWR will let you book the bike space at the same time as the ticket.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 06 March, 2018, 04:09:22 pm
I booked it at the station without any problems in the end. It just seems that Virgin are being awkward and not releasing bike space availability to the websites of other operators who are considerate enough to let you book them at the same time.

I don't want to book a ticket and hope there's a bike space. The ticket is useless to me without one so I want to know before I spend the money.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 06 March, 2018, 11:44:21 pm
Cooker oven element has failed. That is the third one in four years. Each time replaced with genuine spares (yes, hotpoint). Grrr. Easy fix but still a pain.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 07 March, 2018, 07:28:21 pm
The Tirreno-Adriatico started today 10 miles down the road from here with a TTT on the pan flat coast road I sometimes ride (slowly).  I was in work. 
Tomorrow the start is from the same location. I'll be in work.
My colleague is in the same hotel as the Movistar team.  I'm not.  Just him & the team.
I could ride down there and see if anything is going on.  It is raining.
By Sunday, my only day off, they will be 3.5 hours drive away.

Bah.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 08 March, 2018, 02:39:53 pm
two watch straps broken in under a week, can't be arsed finding another watch in my drawer with a combination of strap and/or battery/windable.

I'll sit at my desk blissfully ignorant of what time it is and eat when I'm hungry. ( I think there's a Carly Simon song in there somewhere)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 08 March, 2018, 03:08:15 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 08 March, 2018, 02:39:53 pm
two watch straps broken in under a week, can't be arsed finding another watch in my drawer with a combination of strap and/or battery/windable.

I'll sit at my desk blissfully ignorant of what time it is and eat when I'm hungry. ( I think there's a Carly Simon song in there somewhere)

There's a display of the time on two analogue wall clocks, the cooker and clock radio from here so I only need to shift my gaze slightly. Then both my landline and mobile phones display the time if I press a button and there's the top of my computer display.

I can't stay unaware of the time for long.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 08 March, 2018, 04:16:36 pm
bloody telephone conferencing; when you are asked to report, you talk away for 2-3 minutes then realise you can't hear anyone else shuffling or coughing, check, yup, you were disconnected. No idea at what point. So you have been sitting there rambling at a dead microphone for a while.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 08 March, 2018, 04:57:54 pm
or doing a Norman Collier impression
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 08 March, 2018, 05:25:15 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 08 March, 2018, 03:08:15 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 08 March, 2018, 02:39:53 pm
two watch straps broken in under a week, can't be arsed finding another watch in my drawer with a combination of strap and/or battery/windable.

I'll sit at my desk blissfully ignorant of what time it is and eat when I'm hungry. ( I think there's a Carly Simon song in there somewhere)

There's a display of the time on two analogue wall clocks, the cooker and clock radio from here so I only need to shift my gaze slightly. Then both my landline and mobile phones display the time if I press a button and there's the top of my computer display.

I can't stay unaware of the time for long.

I was similarly impressed.  I've got two clocks visible on my computer screens, not counting tailing logs with timestamps, or the time at the top of this page when it was loaded.  My desk phone shows the current time, as does my mobile for the next minute or so until the screen times out.  The LED matrix sign on the wall behind me is currently showing the time in the absence of anything more interesting.  I could probably just about read the clock on barakta's computer from here if I were wearing my glasses.

And that's not including anything I'd have to move to reach or interact with, of which there must be a dozen I can use without leaving the room.

I find I'm most ignorant of the time while I'm cycling, and even then it's there on my bike computer.  Or when I'm at barakta's mum's house, where all the clocks are assumed wrong until proven otherwise.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 08 March, 2018, 06:00:05 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 08 March, 2018, 04:16:36 pm
bloody telephone conferencing; when you are asked to report, you talk away for 2-3 minutes then realise you can't hear anyone else shuffling or coughing, check, yup, you were disconnected. No idea at what point. So you have been sitting there rambling at a dead microphone for a while.

It's best excuse ever for missing your cue. When that important request to share my thoughts with the group comes through and I'm daydreaming, writing this, visiting the loo, making dinner, or the 1001 other things that are more interesting than the average conference call (which will end on the action point for another call). Oh really, sorry, I must have been cut-off. Or yes, didn't you hear me – oh no, I must have been on mute, didn't you hear anything?.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: citoyen on 08 March, 2018, 06:59:31 pm
Quote from: Jakob W on 06 March, 2018, 11:08:04 am
What do you have to give them - a reservation number for your ticket? I wonder if they'd let you book a space without one.

He asked for my reservation number but it was useless to him because it was a Virgin Trains number rather than a Virgin East Coast number... So yes, effectively he booked it for me without being able to confirm that I had the ticket I claimed I had, which was very sporting of him.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 09 March, 2018, 09:08:04 am
Our local pharmacy has changed its supplier and the boxes the drugs are in are 3 times larger. My drug drawer won't close on them.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 09 March, 2018, 09:34:18 am
Quote from: T42 on 09 March, 2018, 09:08:04 am
Our local pharmacy has changed its supplier and the boxes the drugs are in are 3 times larger. My drug drawer won't close on them.
If it’s anything like my local pharmacy, you’ll work out how to accommodate the new box sizes and then they’ll change back to the original. It drives me mad when they do this...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 09 March, 2018, 02:41:50 pm
Supplement to the Rubbish Collection subset of the Snow! thread: our collection is normally Friday morning, last week it was cancelled for obvious reasons and the said they would catch up missed collections by Wednesday. Which they didn't. They still haven't as of now. Possibly they will in the next couple of hours before they finish for the day, and they've said they're also working Saturdays, so more likely it will be tomorrow.

The point of this post is not to grumble about missed collections but to oggle at how thinly their resources must be stretched that two days of snow result in over a week's delay.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 11 March, 2018, 12:35:37 am
Why is it that I have to be up at 06:30, am absolutely knackered but can't get a wink of sleep?

FFS!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 11 March, 2018, 06:50:32 am
Morning Eeyore ...      :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 11 March, 2018, 07:31:39 am
Wake up Tors!  You've overslept.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 11 March, 2018, 10:10:56 am
Quote from: Basil on 11 March, 2018, 07:31:39 am
Wake up Tors!  You've overslept.

Bloody didn't! 2nd stop of the day. Off darn sarf in a mo...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 12 March, 2018, 11:49:35 am
The interface into this hardware bus is not documented; we have an implementation using it, but the customers may want to write their own. Programmers, can you write a psuedo-code description of how commands are written and data is read from the bus?

<programmer copies and pastes his (uncommented) code>

Right, that's useful. I really do have the spare time to read your code and distil it down to a description. It would take you less than 5 minutes to write 4-5 lines of psuedo code (or comment your code).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 12 March, 2018, 06:58:06 pm
Comments in code? That's soooo 1990s
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 12 March, 2018, 07:34:08 pm
Sigh....

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-43372084
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 12 March, 2018, 07:37:35 pm
Quote from: Canardly on 12 March, 2018, 07:34:08 pm
Sigh....

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-43372084

Even fewer brits to pick fruit, serve coffee and wipe the arses of the brexidiots in their care homes then.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 14 March, 2018, 08:13:23 pm
Waited all afternoon for technician to come and check my bath lift. Nobody came.
Phoned Millbrook Healthcare at 16.58 to ask what was happening.
They said they had nothing scheduled for me.
Which was odd as THEY had rung on Monday to arrange this.

David thinks these routine visits are a total waste of time and we should not have them.
I fear Millbrook would remove my bath lift if we didn't let them check it.

Hope they come on Friday!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 14 March, 2018, 08:43:14 pm
Grr. How incompetent and rude.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 14 March, 2018, 11:10:08 pm
Apparently the woman who rang me on Monday is new in the job. Seems she's less than competent. (Undertrained is charitable.) She phoned, then failed to enter my 'booking' into the system; suboptimal...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 15 March, 2018, 07:24:33 am
Ah "individual staff error" my FAVOURITE excuse from companies about any customer service and often disability discrimination fail... It's usable multiple times and never wears out...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 15 March, 2018, 08:03:19 am
Quote from: barakta on 15 March, 2018, 07:24:33 am
Ah "individual staff error" my FAVOURITE excuse from companies about any customer service and often disability discrimination fail... It's usable multiple times and never wears out...
But it does not discharge the company’s responsibilities of duty of care and should harm come to a customer as a result of the individuals shortcoming it will be the company that is held responsible. IF of course anyone is able and can be bothered to take them to task of course.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 15 March, 2018, 04:09:43 pm
They'll bleat individual error right up to and during court.

A friend lost a disability discrim case where the company made 7 mistakes in 2 years.. The judge decided that was "oopsie" and therefore not discrim. It is very hard to argue with a judge who is plain wrong cos they decided not to like the claimant.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 16 March, 2018, 10:38:32 am
Hogg Robinson Group (see Grumbles passim)

We have to use the HRG webshite for booking Travel at Public Expense. Why, when booking tickets this morning, do they show the Any Time Return from Arlesey to London UndergrounD zone 1 as being £4.90 CHEAPER than the Off-Peak version?

Tory Mantra: Privatise for Greater Efficiency and Cost Savings

Guy: Hollow laughter



PS My itinerarary for my trip last week saw me arrive in Andover an hour earlier than the HRG itinereray, and I was at home making a cup of tea at the time HRG would have had me arriving at Hitchin station.

Conclusion: HRG are rubbish
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 16 March, 2018, 11:13:30 am
I have, by dint of walking while insufficiently awake, managed to stab myself in the right achillea with the horny big toenail of my left foot.  Hard enough to draw blood :'(

Owwwwwwwwww!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 16 March, 2018, 09:11:45 pm
<Monty Python> "...and Oliver has RUN HIMSELF OVER!"

Sorry, Mr. L...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 17 March, 2018, 09:46:20 pm
No electricity between 17.32 & 19.48 here today.
No internets. Dongles now obsolete with progressive software updates.
No heating
No lights
No hot water cos our cylinder went when the combi boiler was installed
Still have emergency landline phone. Dialled 105 in rapidly failing residual daylight. Automated system informed me fault had already been reported.
We have candles and a gas hob that will work without electicity.
I was not safe to try these.
David was out.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 17 March, 2018, 09:53:06 pm
Sounds like you could do with a handy backup light source based on somewhat less flammable LED/battery technology.  Not much you can do about heating if you're not safe with a hob, thobut.  :-\

That's quite a long outage for a non-provincial area, given that the snowpocalypse reprise has barely got going.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 17 March, 2018, 10:03:49 pm
I had a torch within reach but couldn't be bothered to use it. There was sufficient sky glow for me to be able to manage and I can do toilet in total darkness.

The last thing I read on Twitter before the lights went out was from a chap in Wembley whose power was out.

I knew our outage affected only a limited area as David had gone to Pets At Home and The Gym around a kilometre hence, neither of which would have functioned without power. He would have returned sooner if they had been out of action.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 19 March, 2018, 01:31:53 pm
Bicycle bells.  They either rattle or are too feeble to hear at the statutory 50 metres. Or else they stop working, as mine just did because the plastic striker spring stiffened. I must have a dozen of the bloody things and none of them are any use. Bah.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 19 March, 2018, 01:39:34 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 17 March, 2018, 10:03:49 pm
I had a torch within reach but couldn't be bothered to use it. There was sufficient sky glow for me to be able to manage and I can do toilet in total darkness.

The last thing I read on Twitter before the lights went out was from a chap in Wembley whose power was out.

I knew our outage affected only a limited area as David had gone to Pets At Home and The Gym around a kilometre hence, neither of which would have functioned without power. He would have returned sooner if they had been out of action.

I see from BookFace that TimO was without electricity today.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 19 March, 2018, 01:39:43 pm
Quote from: T42 on 19 March, 2018, 01:31:53 pm
Bicycle bells.  They either rattle or are too feeble to hear at the statutory 50 metres. Or else they stop working, as mine just did because the plastic striker spring stiffened. I must have a dozen of the bloody things and none of them are any use. Bah.
http://www.lionbellworks.co.uk
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 19 March, 2018, 01:43:11 pm
Another vote for Lion Bells. Lovely tone and LOUD
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 19 March, 2018, 01:51:46 pm
do they last 8 times as long as an el-cheapo thobut?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 19 March, 2018, 02:21:18 pm
HK hasn't managed to kill her Lion bell after several years commuting.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 19 March, 2018, 02:31:46 pm
I've got a Widek bell, like this one: https://www.dutchbikebits.com/bells/widek-chromed-brass-bell as I wanted a bring-bring bell with a left-handed action (this one is reversible), and not completely made of cheese.  The central shaft got bent when I unceremoniously dropped the bike on it[1] while attending to the scene of a collision, but it later bent back without trouble.  It sounds much nicer than the usual steel.

IMHO even really well-made ping bells still sound like tinnitus.   :hand:


[1] Regular readers will know that the bell is a sacrificial component to protect the bar-end shifter from damage in this eventuality.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 19 March, 2018, 02:34:03 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 19 March, 2018, 01:39:34 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 17 March, 2018, 10:03:49 pm
I had a torch within reach but couldn't be bothered to use it. There was sufficient sky glow for me to be able to manage and I can do toilet in total darkness.

The last thing I read on Twitter before the lights went out was from a chap in Wembley whose power was out.

I knew our outage affected only a limited area as David had gone to Pets At Home and The Gym around a kilometre hence, neither of which would have functioned without power. He would have returned sooner if they had been out of action.

I see from BookFace that TimO was without electricity today.

Suspiciously high-speed car vs substation, by the look of it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 19 March, 2018, 02:44:40 pm
I think you mean gas flow unit...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 19 March, 2018, 02:50:37 pm
MllePB has had a Lion bell for a couple of years or so now and it has thus far defied her usual ability to literally test to destruction. 

I'll be in the dog house when she reads this ...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 19 March, 2018, 02:52:07 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 19 March, 2018, 02:44:40 pm
I think you mean gas flow unit...

Quite possibly.  All I saw was a photo of car vs snow-covered generic-poo-coloured utility structure next to some railway lines.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 19 March, 2018, 03:07:43 pm
Quote from: Kim on 19 March, 2018, 02:31:46 pm
It sounds much nicer than the usual steel.
And one of the good things about the Lion bell is that it's brass too. I wouldn't like to use one as a sacrificial compo though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 19 March, 2018, 03:19:00 pm
Quote from: Kim on 19 March, 2018, 02:52:07 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 19 March, 2018, 02:44:40 pm
I think you mean gas flow unit...

Quite possibly.  All I saw was a photo of car vs snow-covered generic-poo-coloured utility structure next to some railway lines.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-43455780 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-43455780)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 19 March, 2018, 03:34:56 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 19 March, 2018, 01:39:43 pm
Quote from: T42 on 19 March, 2018, 01:31:53 pm
Bicycle bells.  They either rattle or are too feeble to hear at the statutory 50 metres. Or else they stop working, as mine just did because the plastic striker spring stiffened. I must have a dozen of the bloody things and none of them are any use. Bah.
http://www.lionbellworks.co.uk

Looks good.  Ta.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 19 March, 2018, 03:39:12 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 19 March, 2018, 03:19:00 pm
Quote from: Kim on 19 March, 2018, 02:52:07 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 19 March, 2018, 02:44:40 pm
I think you mean gas flow unit...

Quite possibly.  All I saw was a photo of car vs snow-covered generic-poo-coloured utility structure next to some railway lines.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-43455780 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-43455780)

From that link:
Quote
A police cordon of 250 meters remains in place.
250 gas meters presumably
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 19 March, 2018, 03:39:36 pm
Quote from: Kim on 19 March, 2018, 02:31:46 pm
I've got a Widek bell, like this one: https://www.dutchbikebits.com/bells/widek-chromed-brass-bell as I wanted a bring-bring bell with a left-handed action (this one is reversible), and not completely made of cheese.  The central shaft got bent when I unceremoniously dropped the bike on it[1] while attending to the scene of a collision, but it later bent back without trouble.  It sounds much nicer than the usual steel.

IMHO even really well-made ping bells still sound like tinnitus.   :hand:


[1] Regular readers will know that the bell is a sacrificial component to protect the bar-end shifter from damage in this eventuality.

Think I'll order one of those as well, to try. Ta.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 19 March, 2018, 05:32:13 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 19 March, 2018, 03:19:00 pm
Quote from: Kim on 19 March, 2018, 02:52:07 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 19 March, 2018, 02:44:40 pm
I think you mean gas flow unit...

Quite possibly.  All I saw was a photo of car vs snow-covered generic-poo-coloured utility structure next to some railway lines.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-43455780 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-43455780)
Not sure why a crash into a gas flow unit means no electricity in Hellyland?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 19 March, 2018, 07:28:43 pm
drifting gas cloud + electrickery = kaboom

may have switched it off until the gas escape was under control.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 19 March, 2018, 08:37:40 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 19 March, 2018, 07:28:43 pm
drifting gas cloud + electrickery = kaboom

may have switched it off until the gas escape was under control.

That's what I assumed.  Presumably they had to do it from somewhere upstream to avoid sparks in the vicinity of the leak.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 19 March, 2018, 11:12:13 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 19 March, 2018, 05:32:13 pm

Not sure why a crash into a gas flow unit means no electricity in Hellyland?

This was not Hellyland, it was Croydon.

My power failed on Saturday.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 19 March, 2018, 11:56:07 pm
Quote from: T42 on 19 March, 2018, 03:39:36 pm
Quote from: Kim on 19 March, 2018, 02:31:46 pm
I've got a Widek bell, like this one: https://www.dutchbikebits.com/bells/widek-chromed-brass-bell as I wanted a bring-bring bell with a left-handed action (this one is reversible), and not completely made of cheese.  The central shaft got bent when I unceremoniously dropped the bike on it[1] while attending to the scene of a collision, but it later bent back without trouble.  It sounds much nicer than the usual steel.

IMHO even really well-made ping bells still sound like tinnitus.   :hand:


[1] Regular readers will know that the bell is a sacrificial component to protect the bar-end shifter from damage in this eventuality.

Think I'll order one of those as well, to try. Ta.

I was thinking more like this. https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/181989421899?chn=ps&dispItem=1&adgroupid=43920634520&rlsatarget=pla-359427365517&abcId=1063846&adtype=pla&merchantid=110693443&poi=&googleloc=1007321&device=c&campaignid=797602469&crdt=0

That would certainly be interesting.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: JonBuoy on 20 March, 2018, 06:30:04 am
Quote from: David Martin on 19 March, 2018, 11:56:07 pm
Quote from: T42 on 19 March, 2018, 03:39:36 pm
Quote from: Kim on 19 March, 2018, 02:31:46 pm
I've got a Widek bell, like this one: https://www.dutchbikebits.com/bells/widek-chromed-brass-bell as I wanted a bring-bring bell with a left-handed action (this one is reversible), and not completely made of cheese.  The central shaft got bent when I unceremoniously dropped the bike on it[1] while attending to the scene of a collision, but it later bent back without trouble.  It sounds much nicer than the usual steel.

IMHO even really well-made ping bells still sound like tinnitus.   :hand:


[1] Regular readers will know that the bell is a sacrificial component to protect the bar-end shifter from damage in this eventuality.

Think I'll order one of those as well, to try. Ta.

I was thinking more like this. https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/181989421899?chn=ps&dispItem=1&adgroupid=43920634520&rlsatarget=pla-359427365517&abcId=1063846&adtype=pla&merchantid=110693443&poi=&googleloc=1007321&device=c&campaignid=797602469&crdt=0

That would certainly be interesting.

Quote
7" or 4" Brass Ships Wall Bell - Pub / Ship / Door / Dinner / School Hanging

When I was at school the threat of the cane was quite sufficient.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 20 March, 2018, 09:04:42 am
The loudest ding-dong bell I've heard is on Joe notp's fixie. It's almost twice the diameter of a Lion but I don't know where he got it from. By far the most attention-grabbing bicycle bell I've ever heard was a tyre-driven device on a "Dutch"* bike, which sounded like an angry tram.

*It probably came from Germany originally, I saw and heard it on a CM in Poland.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: clarion on 20 March, 2018, 10:11:27 am
A lot of people like the big bell on our Circe.

Personally, I like my discreet little Knog. :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 20 March, 2018, 12:44:39 pm
My son needs to apply for a police certificate. They need a 'passport photo' and specify standard 45x45mm

You can upload a photo. They specify the format type - but not the resolution. Hmm. So, will any resolution be acceptable?

https://www.acro.police.uk/Passport_Photograph_Guidance.aspx (https://www.acro.police.uk/Passport_Photograph_Guidance.aspx)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 20 March, 2018, 12:59:47 pm
Quote from: clarion on 20 March, 2018, 10:11:27 am
A lot of people like the big bell on our Circe.

Personally, I like my discreet little Knog. :)

Small is fine, and I haven't got a lot of bar room* so that looks nice too.  Discreet, though - does that mean inaudible at 10 feet?


* nor yet barroom, should it come to that.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 21 March, 2018, 09:52:42 am
I know that they have to make sure they get accurate fault details, but how much ambiguity is there in the phrase 'The battery catch is broken allowing the battery to disconnect...'

If I have to explain it to anyone else I'm likely to get a little bit cross!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 21 March, 2018, 09:57:51 am
Just what, exactly, is the fault?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 21 March, 2018, 09:59:30 am
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 20 March, 2018, 12:44:39 pm
My son needs to apply for a police certificate. They need a 'passport photo' and specify standard 45x45mm

You can upload a photo. They specify the format type - but not the resolution. Hmm. So, will any resolution be acceptable?

https://www.acro.police.uk/Passport_Photograph_Guidance.aspx (https://www.acro.police.uk/Passport_Photograph_Guidance.aspx)

When I needed to provide one (for the same reason) they accepted a selfie, taken on my phone.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 21 March, 2018, 10:01:53 am
Quote from: Guy on 21 March, 2018, 09:57:51 am
Just what, exactly, is the fault?
ho ho ho, everyone's a comedian  >:(

 :P
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 21 March, 2018, 02:14:14 pm
An estate agent that specialises in lettings to working professionals but only does viewings 9-5pm tues-fri and for 3hrs sat morning.

Erm, what part of 'working professionals' and 9-5pm do you think might be an issue?

I have a friend who runs a letting agency in York. She does evening viewings most days of the week and frequently on sat and sun.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jakob W on 21 March, 2018, 02:43:47 pm
That they can get away with it may be a sign of quite how fecked the Cambridge lettings market is; at this stage it's basically an outpost of the London property market.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 21 March, 2018, 02:58:03 pm
Quote from: Jakob W on 21 March, 2018, 02:43:47 pm
That they can get away with it may be a sign of quite how fecked the Cambridge lettings market is; at this stage it's basically an outpost of the London property market.
It has spread everywhere. I've been out of touch.

About 4 years ago we rented a run-down 4 bedroom house in York for £850. Decoration was in poor condition and the kitchen was crummy, with 70s units. Going rate if let per room would have been £250.
It's been redecorated and new kitchen units put in. Let at £460 per room. None of the rooms are large.

The lazy feckers that don't do evening viewings also charge the highest fees of any agency I've yet contacted in Cambridge. It's just a bugger that they seem to have a monopoly on a bunch of the new properties that are reasonable.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 22 March, 2018, 09:36:18 am
I think I've found the nadir in property lettings in Cambridge
Quote
Sofa available in one bedroom flat

Some rooms were small (they must have assembled the bed in the room and getting the mattress in would have been an exercise in trans-dimensional geometry), but renting out a sofa?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 22 March, 2018, 01:25:46 pm
Hmmm, eBay really doesn't like sellers does it!  Sold (in good faith) some Oakleys to what turned out to be a prfessional buyer "buyoakleys".  Some 10 days after sale I get a refund request, with detailed description as to why the frame was counterfeit, altho lens and case are genuine.  I make the refund. Silence.  I ask when I might get the goods back. Silence.  I follow up and get the following:

"Last week you refunded. I received the following message from eBay:

"The seller accepted your return of Oakley Radarlock Sunglasses White Frame, Low Light lens, Hard case. and refunded you GBP 38.90. It should be available in your PayPal account.
You don't need to return this item to the seller - you can keep the item. You can view details of this return on eBay."

You should have waited for eBay to prepare a prepaid return form. Either you ask eBay to do so now retrospectively, or you give me the return costs in advance."

So not only do I have to refund, eBay says he can keep them! Lesson learned.  Tho I'm almost more pissed off at the buyer for apparently being willing to keep the goods, notwithstanding the eBay message to him.

Glad I've shifted a load of stuff.

Now, to find a viable alternative to eBay methinks.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 22 March, 2018, 03:32:03 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 22 March, 2018, 01:25:46 pm
Hmmm, eBay really doesn't like sellers does it!  Sold (in good faith) some Oakleys to what turned out to be a prfessional buyer "buyoakleys".  Some 10 days after sale I get a refund request, with detailed description as to why the frame was counterfeit, altho lens and case are genuine.  I make the refund. Silence.  I ask when I might get the goods back. Silence.  I follow up and get the following:

"Last week you refunded. I received the following message from eBay:

"The seller accepted your return of Oakley Radarlock Sunglasses White Frame, Low Light lens, Hard case. and refunded you GBP 38.90. It should be available in your PayPal account.
You don't need to return this item to the seller - you can keep the item. You can view details of this return on eBay."

You should have waited for eBay to prepare a prepaid return form. Either you ask eBay to do so now retrospectively, or you give me the return costs in advance."

So not only do I have to refund, eBay says he can keep them! Lesson learned.  Tho I'm almost more pissed off at the buyer for apparently being willing to keep the goods, notwithstanding the eBay message to him.

Glad I've shifted a load of stuff.

Now, to find a viable alternative to eBay methinks.
That isn't ebay. You've been scammed. Make a complaint via paypal and ebay.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 22 March, 2018, 03:36:38 pm
I'm getting tired of this accommodation chasing lark.

Sent many, many messages, emails to private landlords and letting agencies.
Private individuals have been most polite.
Only one out of 3 agencies have even responded. One agency offered 'skype tours' but doesn't respond to emails.

Latest rubbish was an advert that explicitly requested contact via email/messaging. So I sent a message with several simple questions. Two line response
Quote
Hi, thank you for the message. Can you contact me on xxxxxxxx.

What was the point of that?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Aunt Maud on 22 March, 2018, 04:15:22 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 22 March, 2018, 01:25:46 pm
Hmmm, eBay really doesn't like sellers does it!  Sold (in good faith) some Oakleys to what turned out to be a prfessional buyer "buyoakleys".  Some 10 days after sale I get a refund request, with detailed description as to why the frame was counterfeit, altho lens and case are genuine.  I make the refund. Silence.  I ask when I might get the goods back. Silence.  I follow up and get the following:

"Last week you refunded. I received the following message from eBay:

"The seller accepted your return of Oakley Radarlock Sunglasses White Frame, Low Light lens, Hard case. and refunded you GBP 38.90. It should be available in your PayPal account.
You don't need to return this item to the seller - you can keep the item. You can view details of this return on eBay."

You should have waited for eBay to prepare a prepaid return form. Either you ask eBay to do so now retrospectively, or you give me the return costs in advance."

So not only do I have to refund, eBay says he can keep them! Lesson learned.  Tho I'm almost more pissed off at the buyer for apparently being willing to keep the goods, notwithstanding the eBay message to him.

Glad I've shifted a load of stuff.

Now, to find a viable alternative to eBay methinks.

I'm currently going through the same process with a camera lens I sold. Buyer complains instantly that the lens coating has been removed, WTF???, and asks for a refund. I accept the return and provide a postage label......silence for 6 days, then buyer prints return label and posts a parcel. I'm not there to inspect it and have refused a refund until I do. Apparently eBay refund the buyer and attempt to claim the money from me. I do have 30 days to dispute the return if the item is faulty, not the same or the buyer is making it all up and was overcome by eBay remorse.

If I make the refund myself, I've accepted the return and have no cause for complaint. If eBay make the refund I can dispute it.

It's tricky and I've spent a long time speaking to them on the phone about it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 26 March, 2018, 11:13:50 am
My iron has died.  :'(   Those who know the off-the-bicycle me will appreciate the enormity of this disaster.

Is this 'tactical iron (http://www.bosch-home.co.uk/store/ironing/irons/TDA3020GB)', discussed elsewhere on this esteemed forum, still the bee's knees?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 26 March, 2018, 01:35:11 pm
Damn you, sir!  Mrs T42 just looked over my shoulder at your iron porn and suggested that if I was interested there was a full basket of washing waiting downstairs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 26 March, 2018, 09:56:43 pm
My current weapon of choice is a Braun TexStyle 7  https://www.johnlewis.com/braun-ts745a-texstyle-7-steam-iron/p1679183   Does the job it's asked to.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Giraffe on 27 March, 2018, 08:38:01 am
I have 2 irons somewhere, but haven't seen them for about a quarter of a kilofortnight.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 27 March, 2018, 03:53:31 pm
Washing the Brompton yesterday was a temptation too strong for the rain demons to resist - 10 mins to knock-off and it's absolutely peeing down >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 27 March, 2018, 04:12:38 pm
Last weds 21st I placed an order for FTTC, and got an acknowledgment that my service would swap (same provider) on the 28th. I opted to get the “free” modem as well. Yesterday (26th) I get am email saying my modem will be despatched today, with a 3-5 day delivery. So that leaves me with no service for anything from 2 days to 4+, depending on the whim of RM. Just as well my existing modem is suitable for FTTC then.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 27 March, 2018, 05:44:37 pm
As it is my birthday today, I was rather cheered by the large parcel that was left in the porch while I was out dog emptying.
Rip tear rip.
Completely forgot about the dog food order I had placed at the weekend.  :facepalm:

 :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 27 March, 2018, 05:48:57 pm
Quote from: Basil on 27 March, 2018, 05:44:37 pm
As it is my birthday today, I was rather cheered by the large parcel that was left in the porch while I was out dog emptying.
Rip tear rip.
Completely forgot about the dog food order I had placed at the weekend.  :facepalm:

 :(

In my head this anecdote ended with the dog sniggering like Muttley.

Happy birthday, anyway.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mike on 27 March, 2018, 05:52:40 pm
I've lost my wallet.

I suspect it was in the cheap jacket I binned last month.  It had no cash and one credit card [cancelled, not been used in ages] so I dont *really* about, except it's got my driving licence in it which has spoiled my plans to hire a Big Truck when I get to Texas tomorrow.... Uber isnt quite so much fun.

Hey ho, I'm off to Texas!   (happy birthday Basil!)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 29 March, 2018, 09:39:55 am
Duracell "child-proof" CR2032 packs are damn near adult-proof as well.  Needed scissors and a trimming knife to get in. Twats.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 29 March, 2018, 01:23:17 pm
Quote from: T42 on 29 March, 2018, 09:39:55 am
Duracell "child-proof" CR2032 packs are damn near adult-proof as well.  Needed scissors and a trimming knife to get in. Twats.

I sustained a stabbing injury getting at one of those the other week.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 29 March, 2018, 03:00:10 pm
Nanny marketing strikes again.  Let the wretches choke if they're daft enough eat the buggering things, say I.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 29 March, 2018, 03:22:34 pm
Quote from: T42 on 29 March, 2018, 03:00:10 pm
Nanny marketing strikes again.  Let the wretches choke if they're daft enough eat the buggering things, say I.

To be fair, the hazard is much worse than choking.  The voltage is high enough to cause Chemistry to happen on the surface, allowing the cell to hydrolyse its way through important tissues in a matter of hours.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 29 March, 2018, 03:42:13 pm
Oh goody!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 29 March, 2018, 06:16:31 pm
Over the last 6 months I've got my "new" manager thoroughly housetrained & used to doing what he's told to.    So now the buggers got another (better paid) job & I'll have to g through the whole process again  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 29 March, 2018, 07:05:27 pm
Quote from: Kim on 29 March, 2018, 01:23:17 pm
Quote from: T42 on 29 March, 2018, 09:39:55 am
Duracell "child-proof" CR2032 packs are damn near adult-proof as well.  Needed scissors and a trimming knife to get in. Twats.

I sustained a stabbing injury getting at one of those the other week.

I've had a "sharp plastic packaging under a thumbnail" injury from those before.  Worse than any scissors in my view
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 29 March, 2018, 08:58:31 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 29 March, 2018, 06:16:31 pm
Over the last 6 months I've got my "new" manager thoroughly housetrained & used to doing what he's told to.    So now the buggers got another (better paid) job & I'll have to g through the whole process again  ::-)

Why not stop being the middleman and DIY?  ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 30 March, 2018, 10:30:58 am
Quote from: Canardly on 29 March, 2018, 08:58:31 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 29 March, 2018, 06:16:31 pm
Over the last 6 months I've got my "new" manager thoroughly housetrained & used to doing what he's told to.    So now the buggers got another (better paid) job & I'll have to g through the whole process again  ::-)

Why not stop being the middleman and DIY?  ;)


Due to the way our pay scales are set up I'd probably lose money.  Most of the people he was managing were earning more than he was!


Plus I really don't want a company mobile & to be on call 24/7.    They've already asked me to be on call on a goodwill basis & I said we've got agreed allowances for that..... ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 30 March, 2018, 10:49:28 am
No, don't become the bottom rung of management.  The bottom rung is the one that they slash away when they want to be rid of bodies.   Also, it's the rung where the shit settles from on high.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 30 March, 2018, 01:03:02 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 27 March, 2018, 04:12:38 pm
Last weds 21st I placed an order for FTTC, and got an acknowledgment that my service would swap (same provider) on the 28th. I opted to get the “free” modem as well. Yesterday (26th) I get am email saying my modem will be despatched today, with a 3-5 day delivery. So that leaves me with no service for anything from 2 days to 4+, depending on the whim of RM. Just as well my existing modem is suitable for FTTC then.

Oh no it won't, as BT/Openretch will not actually install your service on the day they have an appointment for.  They need to ignore at least 4 appointments before they actually install anything, and that's after several emails to the CEO of Openretch (Mr Clive Selley  clive.selley@openreach.co.uk )  They get added points if by doing so they leave a lone woman in a house in the middle of nowhere snowed in for a week with no phone or internet.  Utter bastards, I hope every one of them dies horribly and painfully.  BT and Openreach should be stripped of their franchise/monopoly and all of their office staff prevented from ever working anywhere where customers depend on them.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 30 March, 2018, 04:46:59 pm
Quote from: Kim on 29 March, 2018, 01:23:17 pm
Quote from: T42 on 29 March, 2018, 09:39:55 am
Duracell "child-proof" CR2032 packs are damn near adult-proof as well.  Needed scissors and a trimming knife to get in. Twats.

I sustained a stabbing injury getting at one of those the other week.

CR 2016s are either the same or worse.

Had to get David to extract this from package...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 30 March, 2018, 04:48:29 pm
Quote from: Kim on 29 March, 2018, 03:22:34 pm
Quote from: T42 on 29 March, 2018, 03:00:10 pm
Nanny marketing strikes again.  Let the wretches choke if they're daft enough eat the buggering things, say I.

To be fair, the hazard is much worse than choking.  The voltage is high enough to cause Chemistry to happen on the surface, allowing the cell to hydrolyse its way through important tissues in a matter of hours.

indeed.

These cells have killed quite a few kids.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 30 March, 2018, 09:31:00 pm
Quote from: Wombat on 30 March, 2018, 01:03:02 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 27 March, 2018, 04:12:38 pm
Last weds 21st I placed an order for FTTC, and got an acknowledgment that my service would swap (same provider) on the 28th. I opted to get the “free” modem as well. Yesterday (26th) I get am email saying my modem will be despatched today, with a 3-5 day delivery. So that leaves me with no service for anything from 2 days to 4+, depending on the whim of RM. Just as well my existing modem is suitable for FTTC then.

Oh no it won't, as BT/Openretch will not actually install your service on the day they have an appointment for.  They need to ignore at least 4 appointments before they actually install anything, and that's after several emails to the CEO of Openretch (Mr Clive Selley  clive.selley@openreach.co.uk )  They get added points if by doing so they leave a lone woman in a house in the middle of nowhere snowed in for a week with no phone or internet.  Utter bastards, I hope every one of them dies horribly and painfully.  BT and Openreach should be stripped of their franchise/monopoly and all of their office staff prevented from ever working anywhere where customers depend on them.
Two things, but first a disclaimer. I’ve got 40 years this summer working for BT, but what I say here is my own thoughts and not company policy. In any case, at Ofcoms insistence at the behest of BTs competitors,  Openreach is now a separate entity from BT
1. You don’t know how sad it makes me hearing you slag off BT/Openreach. Most of the people I know would be similarly affected by hearing of such poor service, especially the lifers like me. Yes it’s the tech that gets many of us into the industry, but it’s not long before you realise that customer service is what the business is all about and any of us that want to see the business thrive WANT to make sure the best customer service is delivered.
2. It’s somewhat ironic that you call out the monopoly (no franchise in the utilities) as the issue, because it is the privatisation and introduction of false completion in the utilities that have both reduced the investment in core infrastructure & innovation as well as customer service reduced to levels supported by cost saving measures.

All utilities are by their very nature natural monopolies with the best service and technological advancements being delivered by a state controlled provider. Indeed, did you know that BT had developments in place, planned while it was still whole owned by the government, to install fibre to EVERY premises of the land. We even had the factories built to manufacture the line termination equipment. But Margret Thatcher vetoed the plans because it would prove too be a disincentive to the Americans coming over here and investing in alternative networks. (Does anyone remember any alternative network providers? Yep, they’re lined up right next to the alternative power and gas networks)

I could go into more details about how privatisation destroyed service levels, or stifled research and development and introduction of technological advancements, but I’d need to proved proper referencing to do it justice, and I really don’t want to go into all that here. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 31 March, 2018, 09:47:58 am
Is there a name for the Law which states "Ultimate culpability for anything that can possibly go wrong lies squarely with Margaret Thatcher"?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Butterfly on 31 March, 2018, 09:57:45 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 31 March, 2018, 09:47:58 am
Is there a name for the Law which states "Ultimate culpability for anything that can possibly go wrong lies squarely with Margaret Thatcher"?
clarion's law.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 31 March, 2018, 03:42:36 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 31 March, 2018, 09:47:58 am
Is there a name for the Law which states "Ultimate culpability for anything that can possibly go wrong lies squarely with Margaret Thatcher"?

Tory party policy.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 31 March, 2018, 07:41:48 pm
I have the builders in. They promised to leave a working kitchen. And they have, but not working lights. Or heating.

I am currently making pizza by headtorch.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 01 April, 2018, 08:37:50 am
Why is it that when you buy stuff online they automatically sign you up to their avalanche of shite email? 

Please, let "NO THANKS, KEEP YOUR CRAP, I AM REALLY NOT INTERESTED" be the default.

It should be opt in, not opt out.   A bit of respect wouldn't go amiss.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 01 April, 2018, 01:51:17 pm
Quote from: Polar Bear on 01 April, 2018, 08:37:50 am
Why is it that when you buy stuff online they automatically sign you up to their avalanche of shite email? 

Please, let "NO THANKS, KEEP YOUR CRAP, I AM REALLY NOT INTERESTED" be the default.

It should be opt in, not opt out.   A bit of respect wouldn't go amiss.
As of 25th May there is an EU wide requirement that there is an explicit opt in to allow marketeers to send you their spam with significant fines a possibility for those organisations that ignore this. As of next March, is expect that this will be dropped in the UK...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 01 April, 2018, 03:28:19 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 30 March, 2018, 09:31:00 pm
Quote from: Wombat on 30 March, 2018, 01:03:02 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 27 March, 2018, 04:12:38 pm
Last weds 21st I placed an order for FTTC, and got an acknowledgment that my service would swap (same provider) on the 28th. I opted to get the “free” modem as well. Yesterday (26th) I get am email saying my modem will be despatched today, with a 3-5 day delivery. So that leaves me with no service for anything from 2 days to 4+, depending on the whim of RM. Just as well my existing modem is suitable for FTTC then.

Oh no it won't, as BT/Openretch will not actually install your service on the day they have an appointment for.  They need to ignore at least 4 appointments before they actually install anything, and that's after several emails to the CEO of Openretch (Mr Clive Selley  clive.selley@openreach.co.uk )  They get added points if by doing so they leave a lone woman in a house in the middle of nowhere snowed in for a week with no phone or internet.  Utter bastards, I hope every one of them dies horribly and painfully.  BT and Openreach should be stripped of their franchise/monopoly and all of their office staff prevented from ever working anywhere where customers depend on them.
Two things, but first a disclaimer. I’ve got 40 years this summer working for BT, but what I say here is my own thoughts and not company policy. In any case, at Ofcoms insistence at the behest of BTs competitors,  Openreach is now a separate entity from BT
1. You don’t know how sad it makes me hearing you slag off BT/Openreach. Most of the people I know would be similarly affected by hearing of such poor service, especially the lifers like me. Yes it’s the tech that gets many of us into the industry, but it’s not long before you realise that customer service is what the business is all about and any of us that want to see the business thrive WANT to make sure the best customer service is delivered.
2. It’s somewhat ironic that you call out the monopoly (no franchise in the utilities) as the issue, because it is the privatisation and introduction of false completion in the utilities that have both reduced the investment in core infrastructure & innovation as well as customer service reduced to levels supported by cost saving measures.

All utilities are by their very nature natural monopolies with the best service and technological advancements being delivered by a state controlled provider. Indeed, did you know that BT had developments in place, planned while it was still whole owned by the government, to install fibre to EVERY premises of the land. We even had the factories built to manufacture the line termination equipment. But Margret Thatcher vetoed the plans because it would prove too be a disincentive to the Americans coming over here and investing in alternative networks. (Does anyone remember any alternative network providers? Yep, they’re lined up right next to the alternative power and gas networks)

I could go into more details about how privatisation destroyed service levels, or stifled research and development and introduction of technological advancements, but I’d need to proved proper referencing to do it justice, and I really don’t want to go into all that here.

The engineers were great, but puzzled as to why they were sent at spurious times to achieve nothing.  Their office couldn't organise a piss-up in a brewery or find their arse with both hands, and as for their attitude to appointments, I don't have words foul enough.  As for Openreach being a separate entity, yeah, sure it is...  (Yes I know it is in theory, but I just can't bring myself to believe it, from the way they behave).  There is no competition, because BT/Openreach refuse to release their infrastructure (I thought they legally had to, these days)  The Welsh Govt gave them many millions to provide the fibre service, which they have totally failed to do.  Well I've got it at last, but I don't know anyone else who has (no, I don't know everybody, but I've met pretty well everyone in the village, and many other villages nearby).  How pointless is it for them to spend money installing a fibre line up from the village, only to fail to connect users, thus failing to earn money on their/the Welsh Govt's investment?  In my previous location, Virgin and its predecessors invested their own money to provide the entire infrastructure, so made efforts to connect as many people as possible, ASAP.

Yes, I appreciate how sad this makes you, all those years of loyalty by many worthy staff being utterly wasted by complete numpties with no concept of customer service or responsibility.  I still think completely dismantling BT is the only way to fix it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 01 April, 2018, 10:25:36 pm
Do you mean like the railways, or the water industry or perhaps the electricity. No? The gas then. Hiving off the core network doesn’t work unless it’s government controlled. The operating companies whinge and whine that the core charges them too much for service, and ALWAYS blames them for all delays or problems. The government thus imposes cost controls on the core which causes a further cut in service provion and greater reductions in infrastructure.
 
You can’t have completion in utility provision, because no one is going to provide a universal competing network let alone several companies. If you have free completion you end up with the profitable bits, ie cities with densly packed populaces having multiple providers and sparsely populated regions having reduced or none existent service. Ask an American in the wilds of Alaska what broadband speed they get.

As for Virgin, just where have they spent their money providing networks? That’ll be the cities.

Even the mobile operators share infrastructure outside of the big cities as it’s just not viable to provide their own.

How many villages are there with no gas, even close to populated areas? Do you have mains gas?

As I say, I am desperately sorry that you are suffering problems, and that the organisation can’t sort it out, it really shouldn’t be difficult, but believe me it is. But I also KNOW that the only way to improve service and rollout new technologies in a timely way is for all the utilities to be single entities controlled by the government. If you a cite one single country in the world where true free enterprise provision of utilities has resulted in a universal service of world leading technologies I’d really really like to know.

Oh, and you mention the government paying BT to provide fibre roll out to sparsely populated areas. That was put out to private tender, and In the last round only BT actually put a bid in to do the work and I suspect even then it was reluctantly. It costs a lot of money and is hard to provide firbe coverage.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 02 April, 2018, 05:38:30 pm
I may be a complete ignoramus, but I didn't think that Virgin provided a complete infrastructure. Don't they just run fibre or copper from major (BT/Openreach) exchanges into the houses/offices? Same for the other ISPs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Dibdib on 02 April, 2018, 05:49:04 pm
Virgin own the cable network built by NTL and Telewest way back when, which I believe is entirely separate from the BT infrastructure, although I think they'll sell you *DSL internet access too if you're not in a cable area.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 02 April, 2018, 05:58:41 pm
Virgin did buy up the NTL, Mercury and other networks, and let any unprofitable bits slide (they won't, for instance, connect our house despite a old NT cable run at the bottom of the drive). As others have said, they'll only do if it's likely to be profitable. BT/Openreach on the other hand are obliged.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 02 April, 2018, 06:03:59 pm
Indeed.  The killer feature of Virgin is that (unless you're out in the sticks and they're just reselling DSL) it's a completely separate network, with its own exciting failure modes (which are usually fairly localised).

With the *DSL services over Openreach lines, there are varying degrees of how much our-favourite-telco kit is actually involved between the last-mile cable/fibre infrastructure and your ISP.  For example, my AAISP ADSL2+ line is BT twisted pair to the exchange, and then TalkTalk wholesale provided backhaul[1] to AAISP's LNS.


[1] This sounds like a frying pan / fire situation, but in practice it's been more reliable (as well as cheaper per byte), and better performing as they provide the ISP finer control[2] of the DSLAM parameters than Openreach do.
[2] Which AAISP provides the customers with direct access to.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 02 April, 2018, 08:26:08 pm
Almost. The backhaul is provided over BT fibres, but what is deferent is the levels of kit the providers put in the exchanges which has a direct impact on contention ratios. It’s a long time since I was directly involved in the network and things are constantly evolving, but what doesn’t change is that the more people involved in maintenance of any given service the greater the likelihood of a problem.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 02 April, 2018, 10:30:05 pm
There's also a complete disconnect of attitudes between the wholesale and retail arms of given organisations.  Just because a retailer is competing primarily on price (with contention ratios to match) doesn't mean their wholesale services are going to be bad if specced appropriately.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 03 April, 2018, 07:06:15 am
Quote from: ian on 02 April, 2018, 05:58:41 pm
Virgin did buy up the NTL, Mercury and other networks, and let any unprofitable bits slide (they won't, for instance, connect our house despite a old NT cable run at the bottom of the drive).

It amuses me that the village/small town where I live is where NTL's operational centre for the UK was, and still hosts Virgin Media's head office (1200 people, apparently) in the same grandiose building. We don't have a sniff of cable around here, it's BT only  :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 03 April, 2018, 07:56:16 am
I miss NTL. You could ring 'em up and change package mix there and then no hassle. Switch on a film channel just for Christmas etc.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 03 April, 2018, 07:59:36 am
Quote from: Wombat on 30 March, 2018, 01:03:02 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 27 March, 2018, 04:12:38 pm
Last weds 21st I placed an order for FTTC, and got an acknowledgment that my service would swap (same provider) on the 28th. I opted to get the “free” modem as well. Yesterday (26th) I get am email saying my modem will be despatched today, with a 3-5 day delivery. So that leaves me with no service for anything from 2 days to 4+, depending on the whim of RM. Just as well my existing modem is suitable for FTTC then.

Oh no it won't, as BT/Openretch will not actually install your service on the day they have an appointment for.  They need to ignore at least 4 appointments before they actually install anything, and that's after several emails to the CEO of Openretch (Mr Clive Selley  clive.selley@openreach.co.uk )  They get added points if by doing so they leave a lone woman in a house in the middle of nowhere snowed in for a week with no phone or internet.  Utter bastards, I hope every one of them dies horribly and painfully.  BT and Openreach should be stripped of their franchise/monopoly and all of their office staff prevented from ever working anywhere where customers depend on them.

Actually, and confounding expectations, the router arrived the day after posting (not that i needed it as I said), and the service switch happened  sometime between 23:00 on the 28th and 07:00 on the 29th. Took me all of 2 minutes to reconfigure my modem and hey presto, 74Mb/s download, 18Mb/s upload.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 03 April, 2018, 09:52:00 am
O noes!  I've been banned from posting on Farcebok for 24 hours because some humour-impaired clod didn't like my comment* on a video featuring a rabbit-infested Japanese island.

* HAIRY JAPANESE BASTARDS, together with a picture of Father Jack.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 03 April, 2018, 10:29:35 am
Just delete your account.  Farcebook isn't worth it just as Twatter, Instasham etc. aren't either.

I started a new Farcebook account recently and I've completely mislaid my log in details.  Has my life gone into crisis?  Nope.  Ah, must be able to manage without that then!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 03 April, 2018, 11:10:07 am
Quote from: Beardy on 01 April, 2018, 10:25:36 pm
Do you mean like the railways, or the water industry or perhaps the electricity. No? The gas then. Hiving off the core network doesn’t work unless it’s government controlled. The operating companies whinge and whine that the core charges them too much for service, and ALWAYS blames them for all delays or problems. The government thus imposes cost controls on the core which causes a further cut in service provion and greater reductions in infrastructure.
 
You can’t have completion in utility provision, because no one is going to provide a universal competing network let alone several companies. If you have free completion you end up with the profitable bits, ie cities with densly packed populaces having multiple providers and sparsely populated regions having reduced or none existent service. Ask an American in the wilds of Alaska what broadband speed they get.

As for Virgin, just where have they spent their money providing networks? That’ll be the cities.

Even the mobile operators share infrastructure outside of the big cities as it’s just not viable to provide their own.

How many villages are there with no gas, even close to populated areas? Do you have mains gas?

As I say, I am desperately sorry that you are suffering problems, and that the organisation can’t sort it out, it really shouldn’t be difficult, but believe me it is. But I also KNOW that the only way to improve service and rollout new technologies in a timely way is for all the utilities to be single entities controlled by the government. If you a cite one single country in the world where true free enterprise provision of utilities has resulted in a universal service of world leading technologies I’d really really like to know.

Oh, and you mention the government paying BT to provide fibre roll out to sparsely populated areas. That was put out to private tender, and In the last round only BT actually put a bid in to do the work and I suspect even then it was reluctantly. It costs a lot of money and is hard to provide firbe coverage.

You have some very valid points, but my main gripe with them wasn't about the difficulty of providing a rural service, it was the appalling customer service, arrogance, and complete disinterest as to whether they bothered to turn up for a scheduled appointment.  They just did not care, and never, ever, responded to any of my nine complaints until I emailed the CEO of Openreach.  That is easily fixable by sacking the people concerned, and hiring some who have experience in a company that "does" customer service.  All of the other firms that I was involved with on my house move did what they were supposed to, on the day they were supposed to, BT/Openreach were the only failures. (I'm leaving out the succession of house owners who repeatedly lied to us about actually moving out, as they aren't companies.

As for Virgin, yes, it wasn't as rural as where we are now, it was about 8 miles from a city, in a village, and they provided the complete infrastructure.  And no, we don't have mains gas here, or even mains water.  The European and Welsh Govts paid for the fibre infrastructure, which was done, the bit where it failed was the easy bit of getting the fibre a whole 15 metres from the pole to my house.  They wasted so much manpower by assorted engineers turning up at random with no idea why they were there, it would have been so much easier just to have the one guy turn up at the scheduled time and do the job.  That is just incompetence, and very sad, as its an insult to the engineers who did their best.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 05 April, 2018, 10:39:30 am
The expenses administrator at work has just asked me to commit fraud  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 05 April, 2018, 01:10:17 pm
Quote from: SoreTween on 05 April, 2018, 10:39:30 am
The expenses administrator at work has just asked me to commit fraud  :facepalm:

My wife administers expenses- she is regularly requested to do likewise.......
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Peter on 05 April, 2018, 01:25:11 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 03 April, 2018, 09:52:00 am
O noes!  I've been banned from posting on Farcebok for 24 hours because some humour-impaired clod didn't like my comment* on a video featuring a rabbit-infested Japanese island.

* HAIRY JAPANESE BASTARDS, together with a picture of Father Jack.

It'll be the Catholic lobby - linking Father Jack and bastards probably did for you.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 05 April, 2018, 01:57:16 pm
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 05 April, 2018, 01:10:17 pm
Quote from: SoreTween on 05 April, 2018, 10:39:30 am
The expenses administrator at work has just asked me to commit fraud  :facepalm:

My wife administers expenses- she is regularly requested to do likewise.......

I once had a £1 unreceipted expense questioned, I did point out that if I were going to do fraud, it wouldn't be for that little
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 05 April, 2018, 02:44:56 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 05 April, 2018, 01:57:16 pm
I once had a £1 unreceipted expense questioned, I did point out that if I were going to do fraud, it wouldn't be for that little

Back when I worked in Scotland, Dundee council spent £<oodles> to find an error of 8d in a payroll total.  I heard the figure quoted as £2000, but that seems a lot for 1971.  It turned out to be cumulative rounding error. Computers in council offices weren't all that usual back then.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 05 April, 2018, 03:10:04 pm
Quote from: T42 on 05 April, 2018, 02:44:56 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 05 April, 2018, 01:57:16 pm
I once had a £1 unreceipted expense questioned, I did point out that if I were going to do fraud, it wouldn't be for that little

Back when I worked in Scotland, Dundee council spent £<oodles> to find an error of 8d in a payroll total.  I heard the figure quoted as £2000, but that seems a lot for 1971.  It turned out to be cumulative rounding error. Computers in council offices weren't all that usual back then.

BT billed me for one penny when I first got Broadband in 2005. I had paid online for router and other Stuffs but there was a slight disparity, I think due to VAT so they invoiced me and I raised a Direct Debit for £0.01...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 05 April, 2018, 03:25:04 pm
If you want to do away with fraud in expenses, then employ Concur to run them.

No, they are not brilliant at spotting problems but as their system is so complex and difficult to use, its hardly worth trying to claim anything back. Hence the reason I haven't bothered making a claim (they are normally only for a few quid) for months now.

Concur.....grrrrr. :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 05 April, 2018, 04:02:27 pm
all this actually reminds me of an ex client of mine (now retired and enjoying sailing around the Scottish Isles)

He used to work for a Gubnment Department up in Aberdeen (won't say which one).
First there was the resizing - he was given a head count org and told that's what needed to be met, redundancies and early retirements if necessary. The head count was so far out of date and his present organisation was so far below it, that he was able to give good early retirement to those who wanted it, recruit a bigger team and still hit the KPIs.

The more perversely hilarious though was the new office.  He put in a request for a plant and a clock.  Response from London - No.  Why not he asked?
Response from London was to fly a snivelling serpent up to Aberdeen to point out that his pay grade did not come with a clock and plant, that was the next pay grade.
In the end, he nicked a plant and clock from the next office when the bloke left.
What a waste of money rather than just saying, nip down to B&Q, get yourself something for £X and put the receipt in the system.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 05 April, 2018, 04:10:30 pm
...and there was I, thinking you could get a plant & clock for £20 or £50 if you were doing POSH....

(Many of the wall clocks hereabouts were £1 from Woolworths when I moved here in 2000 and work fine.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 05 April, 2018, 04:36:47 pm
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 05 April, 2018, 01:10:17 pm
Quote from: SoreTween on 05 April, 2018, 10:39:30 am
The expenses administrator at work has just asked me to commit fraud  :facepalm:

My wife administers expenses- she is regularly requested to do likewise.......
Once, when I worked in Hungary, I was paid a per diem expense rate that included meals. I flew to London ostensibly to visit the LSE, but miraculously the trip coincided with a rare, capital Half Man Half Biscuit gig. Too good to resist. I looked at hotels, but could find nothing near the Kentish Town Forum; except that is for a dingy B&B. Instead of booking a £200/night place a coupla miles away, I went for the £55 B&B. Win, win, or so I thought. However, when I submitted the claim, the word 'breakfast' appeared on the invoice for the B&B. Claim denied. I had to get a workmate to photoshop out 'and breakfast' and reprint the bill and scrunch it up to make it look genuine. Claim paid!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 05 April, 2018, 07:04:30 pm
Grumble, gripe and growl, the one day I actually need to buy a stamp is the day they close the sub-post office.  FSVO "the day".  They actually moved it further up Larrington Towers Road in August last year and I utterly failed to notice.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Diver300 on 05 April, 2018, 08:12:18 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 05 April, 2018, 07:04:30 pm
Grumble, gripe and growl, the one day I actually need to buy a stamp is the day they close the sub-post office.  FSVO "the day".  They actually moved it further up Larrington Towers Road in August last year and I utterly failed to notice.
Stamps, how quaint. You can buy postage online now, and pay by PayPal

OTOH you can't register a giffgaff SIM by paying the £10 required with PayPal, and they won't let you use a payment card for more than a couple of SIMs, so I had to use a voucher bought at a shop. To compound that, Asda's kiosk wouldn't take cards for payment for said voucher.

It all seems a bit farcical to use a card to get folding money from a hole in the wall, to exchange that for a bit of paper with number on it, to come back home to use the number to persuade giffgaff that I've paid them £10 to get a phone number on a SIM card that's I've had for weeks.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 05 April, 2018, 08:40:04 pm
Quote from: essexian on 05 April, 2018, 03:25:04 pm
If you want to do away with fraud in expenses, then employ Concur to run them.

No, they are not brilliant at spotting problems but as their system is so complex and difficult to use, its hardly worth trying to claim anything back. Hence the reason I haven't bothered making a claim (they are normally only for a few quid) for months now.

Concur.....grrrrr. :demon:
;D You had me for a moment, I thought this was going to be the first1 and probably last2 comment in support of Concur.

I'm running up expenses of about £1.5k per 3 week rotation at the moment, mostly a hire car I really could live without but thems the rulez.  I'm not paid nearly well enough to not bother with that.

1 Since the Big Bang Burger Bar opened its doors.
2 Before a certain Restaurant serves the main course.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 06 April, 2018, 01:48:29 am
Quote from: SoreTween on 05 April, 2018, 08:40:04 pm
Quote from: essexian on 05 April, 2018, 03:25:04 pm
If you want to do away with fraud in expenses, then employ Concur to run them.

No, they are not brilliant at spotting problems but as their system is so complex and difficult to use, its hardly worth trying to claim anything back. Hence the reason I haven't bothered making a claim (they are normally only for a few quid) for months now.

Concur.....grrrrr. :demon:
;D You had me for a moment, I thought this was going to be the first1 and probably last2 comment in support of Concur.

I'm running up expenses of about £1.5k per 3 week rotation at the moment, mostly a hire car I really could live without but thems the rulez.  I'm not paid nearly well enough to not bother with that.

1 Since the Big Bang Burger Bar opened its doors.
2 Before a certain Restaurant serves the main course.

Does this make you William the Concurrer?

Yes please, the suit of armour with the arrow hole in the helmet...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 06 April, 2018, 08:02:35 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 05 April, 2018, 07:04:30 pm
Grumble, gripe and growl, the one day I actually need to buy a stamp is the day they close the sub-post office.  FSVO "the day".  They actually moved it further up Larrington Towers Road in August last year and I utterly failed to notice.

Ours is always open, except when we need it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jaded on 06 April, 2018, 08:18:42 am
Our post office moved into Tesco a few years ago. Recently they refurbished it and now it opens longer hours, up to 8 pm weekdays and on Sundays.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 06 April, 2018, 02:52:42 pm
My bus from Carmarthen has failed to exist.   I've not missed it, there are several grumbling peeps at the bus station.
Maybe Mrs B is in her Carmarthen office.   Ring ring.  Nope.  She's out west.
Bugger.  I'm going to have to spend 2 hours waiting in a pub.

Oh. Hang on.  Wrong thread.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 06 April, 2018, 06:03:46 pm
I'm supposed to be travelling to Italy again on Sunday.  After simply ignoring emails all week requesting approval from my client's client today they have come back with a firm no.  They've dicked my client about.  They've delayed the travel administrator at my client in leaving for the weekend.  And I've got a crapload of gear out there including a bike with no idea when I'll be able to collect it.
Actually that's a lie, I'll just take time off next week and go at my own companies expense.  Whatever it is they've decided I'm urgently needed for in Woking, f##k 'em.

[ungrumble]
My client has just emailed to say they will cover the cost of a round trip to collect my gear.  They are hoping though that the yard I've been working in kick up sufficient stink to change our common clients mind.
[/ungrumble]
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 06 April, 2018, 08:24:00 pm
I don’t hate driving, in fact, I sometimes enjoy it. But after an eight hour journey from north Devon to East Suffolk I feel lousy. I hate the post journey feeling of nausea and vague headache.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 10 April, 2018, 08:19:34 pm
1) search Trivago for hotels in the Woking area
2) select Talbot Inn in nearby Ripley at a good rate via booking.com
3) book
4) get confirmation of booking at the Talbot Inn in Much Wenlock (150ish miles away)
5) speak to series of disinterested droids in booking.com call center in <somewhere> (Thailand? Just a guess from the accents)
6) Raise complaint about:
  a) being accused of making the mistake - I have the screenshots that prove otherwise
  b) being told I should accept any cancellation fee.  No booking.com, that is invoice fraud.  You placed the booking I did not solicit and you will profit from it via the kickback.  Fraud.
7) Receive glib response that fails to address either point in my complaint.
8 ) Raise complaint about complaint handling.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andytheflyer on 10 April, 2018, 10:52:32 pm
Just had to sit next to very, very large gentleman in the (sold out) theatre.  He wanted half of my seat as well as his own.  His partner was not much smaller. And he had rank halitosis.

I have had 2 lots of spinal surgery, so getting comfortable is important to me. At half time I contemplated leaving, but the theatre put a seat in a vacant wheelchair space for me, but that obscured that lady behind until I was able to move a bit in the space available.

Well done to Theatr Clwyd tonight, but grossly oversize people who know they create a problem (his partner advised me to move seat!  Where?  It was sold out) should buy two seats.  Thank "deity of your choice" it wasn't a long -haul flight.  I'd have got off, shouting loudly......
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 10 April, 2018, 11:16:43 pm
65kg passenger with 25kg suitcase must pay for excess baggage.
120kg passenger with 20kg case does not pay.

Not fair!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 10 April, 2018, 11:40:54 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 10 April, 2018, 11:16:43 pm
65kg passenger with 25kg suitcase must pay for excess baggage.
120kg passenger with 20kg case does not pay.

Not fair!

Not fair; equal.

(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oKnRwgCavKA/UdyYV-DeeiI/AAAAAAAAAkM/ms9g-JjLUcE/s1600/fair+isn%27t+equal.jpg)


The problem here is the space available in the seats.  It sounds like the theatre did a reasonable job at working around that, given the lack of notice.  It would have been easier for all if they'd provided some advanced warning to the theatre so their may-or-may-not-be[1]-a-disability could be accommodated, but equally, it would have been easier for all if the theatre had a few alternative seats designed to accommodate those with size[2] or ergonomic issues.


[1] In the legal sense.
[2] Including, for example, femur length.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 11 April, 2018, 08:50:04 am
I’m not sure I can even summon up the will to grumble about M$ and their crap OS upgrade processes. The second attempt to upgrade has just failed on me at the install Office stage and the only option being offered is to reinstall the OS, a 4 hr plus process.

Oh, and the first attempt killed all my data and the wonderful backup processes don’t appear to have been working.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 11 April, 2018, 08:45:06 pm
Offers sympathy and (virtual) beer.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 12 April, 2018, 12:04:36 am
Sainsbury's website closed for 'planned maintenance' on the stroke of midnight.
I am midway through placing an order.
Quote
We're sorry…

Our website is currently unavailable because of some planned maintenance. We hope to be back up and running soon.

You are rude liars!
There was no indication this was going to happen.
You could have warned me.
YOU ARE NOT SORRY
AT ALL!


Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 12 April, 2018, 08:26:23 am
My favourite routing site recently put in a paywall. Now it has changed from being pleasantly intuitive to being a can of worms with added bugs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: seraphina on 12 April, 2018, 08:34:38 am
Weather. It is supposedly spring. I have spent a week trapped at home with children for half term because it is sodding raining non stop. One afternoon of out and aboutery; the rest we have been either stuck inside or trying to avoid going places that see me as a walking cashpoint. We did just bite the bullet and put on waterproofs but we all got naffed off quite quickly. Bah.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 12 April, 2018, 10:13:44 am
yes, after my traditional end to march with stupid hours, I'd intended getting out and about on the N+1 as the weather improved and daylight returned.

Also, Bah!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 12 April, 2018, 10:21:34 am
Better next week.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 12 April, 2018, 11:17:55 am
Chums are just back from a caravan holiday near Peterborough (no idea why they went but never mind). They had one day that was warm enough to go outside without a pullover and most of the time it was, er, bracing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 12 April, 2018, 11:25:04 am
An indescribably aged chum described Hillingdon on Sunday as the grimmest day's racing he's had in 35 years of going fast in circles on funny bikes.  Possibly not unconnected with falling off on the last lap of the second race, mind.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Giraffe on 13 April, 2018, 09:37:09 am
It's usually in the first half of March that I change the 'phone's screen from snowy to blossomy. This year, I'm on the cusp - perhaps in a couple of days...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 13 April, 2018, 12:26:05 pm
Went to the vending machine to buy a packet of crisps.
Put money in, widget moved 95% of the way and then stopped. Money gone, no crisps.
Come back with some more money, hoping for at least 1 packet of crisps.
Put correct money in. Machine tells me I'm 10p short. Press refund button, machine gives me what it thinks I put in, not what I gave it.
At which point I decided it was telling me I didn't need any poxy crisps anyway.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 13 April, 2018, 01:01:21 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 13 April, 2018, 12:26:05 pm
Went to the vending machine to buy a packet of crisps.
Put money in, widget moved 95% of the way and then stopped. Money gone, no crisps.
Come back with some more money, hoping for at least 1 packet of crisps.
Put correct money in. Machine tells me I'm 10p short. Press refund button, machine gives me what it thinks I put in, not what I gave it.
At which point I decided it was telling me I didn't need any poxy crisps anyway.

Sounds like it could use some percussive maintenance. One of my friends has a 14lb sledge hammer for sale.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 15 April, 2018, 12:54:54 pm
Merrell Shoes: your casual slip-ons are really comfy, however, I really should have returned them, as the left one squeaks very loudly. Fortunately it has stopped doing so after a year. BUT the right one has now decided to echo its other half.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 15 April, 2018, 07:04:41 pm
Quote from: CAMRAMan on 15 April, 2018, 12:54:54 pm
Merrell Shoes: your casual slip-ons are really comfy, however, I really should have returned them, as the left one squeaks very loudly. Fortunately it has stopped doing so after a year. BUT the right one has now decided to echo its other half.

WD-40?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 15 April, 2018, 07:38:07 pm
It’s Sunday evening, a time of mourning for us wage slaves.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 15 April, 2018, 07:59:50 pm
According to the tracking page my dehumidifier is "out for delivery" and will be with me today by 8PM.

hmm..
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 15 April, 2018, 08:02:01 pm
Nope, didn't arrive. I need some dry cycling clothes to wear in the morning, and I'm not putting merino in the tumble.  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: handcyclist on 15 April, 2018, 08:06:54 pm
Hermes. Don't need to elaborate.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 15 April, 2018, 08:35:39 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 15 April, 2018, 07:38:07 pm
It’s Sunday evening, a time of mourning for us wage slaves.

It can be a time of mourning for the partners of wage slaves too.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 17 April, 2018, 08:41:07 pm
Bloody Eurostar  >:(      I booked 3 return tickets from London to Paris return , intending to phone up for their discounted connecting tickets at a later date.  Called today & can't do this anymore.  Can't book them by the website either.   Maninseat61 advises you can get tickets to a mysterious place called London International CIV to connect to Eurostar but none of the ticket sites recognise it.   I'll have to go to the local office & see if they can help.   


Why are things so difficult ?  :'(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 17 April, 2018, 09:06:00 pm
If you are having a problem at a local station with them not knowing the codes:
 LONDON INTL(CIV) has a CRS code of LNE and a NLC of 5470
 LNDON ESTAR CIV has a CRS code of LOE and a NLC of 9934

From Moneysavingexpert.

Convention Internationale pour le transport des Voyageurs' or 'CIV
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 17 April, 2018, 09:11:07 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 17 April, 2018, 08:41:07 pm
Bloody Eurostar  >:(      I booked 3 return tickets from London to Paris return , intending to phone up for their discounted connecting tickets at a later date.  Called today & can't do this anymore.  Can't book them by the website either.   Maninseat61 advises you can get tickets to a mysterious place called London International CIV to connect to Eurostar but none of the ticket sites recognise it.   I'll have to go to the local office & see if they can help.   


Why are things so difficult ?  :'(

Because they want more of your money.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 17 April, 2018, 10:10:46 pm
What makes it particularly galling is the large proportion of the rail network run by European companies and yet this information is not made public/clear.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 18 April, 2018, 08:22:56 am
Another birthday spent offshore.

Should have been home yesterday, but delayed getting out here on Monday.
Should be back today, but the flight has already been delayed once
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 18 April, 2018, 12:55:03 pm
Could you send that in Powerpoint?

No.

I should just set up a rule in my inbox.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 18 April, 2018, 12:59:22 pm
Quote from: ian on 18 April, 2018, 12:55:03 pm
Could you send that in Powerpoint?

No.

I should just set up a rule in my inbox.

How about a video?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 18 April, 2018, 01:12:52 pm
Nah, they don't just want Powerpoint, they want 4:3. It's like 1995 all over again.

Anyway, it's a presentation with animation and cool stuff, so no. It's 2018 and it really shouldn't take a moment to swap an HDMI cable. Of course, good luck when you plug a Windows laptop back in, they still can't manage switching display outputs. This means despite not owning a Windows machine, I am still ninja with the display settings on any and every version of Windows.

Mind you, most conference centre IT is 1995.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 18 April, 2018, 01:40:01 pm
At best, if David's experience is anything to go by...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 18 April, 2018, 02:14:09 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 18 April, 2018, 01:40:01 pm
At best, if David's experience is anything to go by...

Much before that and you're into 35mm slide projectors and Harvard Graphics 3 for DOS.  Which, TBH, was much better than all this PowerPoint rubbish.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 18 April, 2018, 03:06:27 pm
Quote from: Kim on 18 April, 2018, 02:14:09 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 18 April, 2018, 01:40:01 pm
At best, if David's experience is anything to go by...

Much before that and you're into 35mm slide projectors and Harvard Graphics 3 for DOS.  Which, TBH, was much better than all this PowerPoint rubbish.
There's posh. What's wrong with acetates and a handful of coloured pens. If you were lucky the office printer won't die when you run acetates through it and you can therefore print out your powerpoint slides in black and white (ok, WordStar!)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 18 April, 2018, 03:34:55 pm
I do OHP and flipcharts. It's hard to find an OHP these days, that's a special request A/V. As for flipcharts, they're not green. Businesses that leave the lights on all night are very concerned about a few sheets of paper. Whiteboards, on the other hand, are common. The correct marker pens are not. I have my own. I will forget them. Admittedly there are worse things to forget when travelling. Underpants, for instance. Not that you should use underpants as a prop in a presentation. Leastways, always use underwear with caution.

Best prop ever. A young giraffe. Ate my notes though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 18 April, 2018, 09:24:04 pm
A works night out & we’re In Wetherspoons, talk about low rent :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 18 April, 2018, 10:43:55 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 18 April, 2018, 09:24:04 pm
A works night out & we’re In Wetherspoons, talk about low rent :facepalm:

I have vowed never to enter Mr. Brexit's emporium of shite food and slightly off beer ever again.   
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 20 April, 2018, 02:07:19 pm
Dear world, it's a sunny. I have flung open the patio door of my remote command centre. A breeze ruffles my hair and ensures Tidy Haired™ Thought Leadership activities proceed with air-cooled efficiency.

So if you'd please stop hammering, drilling, and fucking mowing, that would be appreciated. Oh, and idiots with booming stereo systems in their boots, I really don't want to know what your "hoes be doing" unless it's stabbing you repeatedly in the ear with something sharp and pointy. Which, incidentally, you deserve for being such monumental cocks.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 20 April, 2018, 04:35:01 pm
More (un)neighbourly grumbles. Why oh why do you have to wash your clothes in such a rank stinking product (no doubt called “Summer Breeze” or somesuch)? And then “air” it right by our patio thus stinking us out of the area - it’s strong enough smelling to make me cough. How in Gods name can you stand to have it in your house, never mind wear it??
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 20 April, 2018, 05:20:33 pm
Suggested riposte: barbecue sardines and hope the wind obliges.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 20 April, 2018, 05:42:28 pm
Cigarette smoke wafting into my house  :sick:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 20 April, 2018, 06:28:23 pm
Seems to have been the water company digging up the pavement further up the lane (probably to fit water meters). Gone now. It's peaceful. Of course, it's waiting for 7pm when I go sit on the patio to open a cold one. Actually, generally it is quite peaceful here, on the semi-rural edges of the great metropolis. Mind you, this is the first house we've lived in that doesn't have a train track running by it and a police helicopter permanently hovering overhead.

The bane of my auditory existence is the reversing vehicle noise. Even the incessant beep beep beep or, even worse, that weird gasping noise, like someone is repeatedly punching an asthmatic in the gut. They echo up and down the valley in a bloody symphony of reversing. It's not just the noise, it's the concept. All that sodding annoyance does is give drivers an excuse not to look behind them (not to mention assume that no one ever would be deaf, of course).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 20 April, 2018, 06:38:54 pm
YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE.  THIS VEHICLE IS ANNOYING.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 20 April, 2018, 06:58:32 pm
And at 1856 someone starts strimming or somesuch. It's a fucking Friday evening you no-life shitbuckets.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 20 April, 2018, 07:57:21 pm
I must confess to strimming earlier this evening.  In my defence, I do the bare minimum to prevent a brambles'n'stingers doomsday scenario, preferring - like all right-minded folk - to use optimal gardening weather for a bike ride.  The application of copious amounts of Agent Orange (which, in the absence of air support, is a reasonably quiet activity) should take care of the rest.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 20 April, 2018, 08:10:41 pm
My confession: I have run round like a blue-arsed fly all day and not had time to do the lawn. It's going to rain tomorrow & possibly Sunday & the grass is already quite long. I started as soon as I got back home at 18.50 and finished 10 minutes later. Compared to the twats next door who cut up logs using an electric saw all afternoon (5+ hours) on a Sunday, I don't feel too guilty.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 20 April, 2018, 09:41:13 pm
Quote from: ian on 20 April, 2018, 02:07:19 pm
Dear world, it's a sunny. I have flung open the patio door of my remote command centre. A breeze ruffles my hair and ensures Tidy Haired™ Thought Leadership activities proceed with air-cooled efficiency.

So if you'd please stop hammering, drilling, and fucking mowing, that would be appreciated. Oh, and idiots with booming stereo systems in their boots, I really don't want to know what your "hoes be doing" unless it's stabbing you repeatedly in the ear with something sharp and pointy. Which, incidentally, you deserve for being such monumental cocks.

This. We have had fucking drum and bass all evening.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 20 April, 2018, 10:54:45 pm
Quote from: Kim on 20 April, 2018, 06:38:54 pm
YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE.  THIS VEHICLE IS ANNOYING.

I make various sounds when being pushed.
'Excuse me please.'
'WARNING, HIS VEHICLE IS ADVANCING.'
'BEEP, BEEP, BEEP, BEEP'

Takes a lot to shift some folk!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 20 April, 2018, 11:33:45 pm
my daughter and I make beeping noises when reversing my landrover on the drive.

I normally do the beeps
She does the "this vehicle is reversing"
Small things  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 20 April, 2018, 11:34:30 pm
Yeah, it's a recumbent trike staple, too.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 21 April, 2018, 05:05:32 pm
Another annoying neighbourly noise - the hours of “sproing, sproing, sproing” from the garden trampoline, oft accompanied by barbecue smoke. Ah the joys of summer  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 22 April, 2018, 08:51:30 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 17 April, 2018, 08:41:07 pm
Bloody Eurostar  >:(      I booked 3 return tickets from London to Paris return , intending to phone up for their discounted connecting tickets at a later date.  Called today & can't do this anymore.  Can't book them by the website either.   Maninseat61 advises you can get tickets to a mysterious place called London International CIV to connect to Eurostar but none of the ticket sites recognise it.   I'll have to go to the local office & see if they can help.   


Why are things so difficult ?  :'(


I went down to the ticket  office at Liverpool Lime St who helped me organise tickets to Portsmouth for my French trip in May.   They couldn't help with the connecting tickets for Eurostar.   For some reason they can't book any tickets out of Liverpool on Friday 22nd June,  the chap said this could be because Lime St is closed then for engineering work & trains are going via South Parkway ,  but I've just checked & can book tickets from South Parkway to Oxford for Rich Forrest's birthday weekend on 7th June.  ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 23 April, 2018, 10:58:46 am
Quote from: ian on 18 April, 2018, 01:12:52 pm
Nah, they don't just want Powerpoint, they want 4:3. It's like 1995 all over again.

Anyway, it's a presentation with animation and cool stuff, so no. It's 2018 and it really shouldn't take a moment to swap an HDMI cable. Of course, good luck when you plug a Windows laptop back in, they still can't manage switching display outputs. This means despite not owning a Windows machine, I am still ninja with the display settings on any and every version of Windows.

Mind you, most conference centre IT is 1995.

They're doing my head in now. No, dear organizer (evidently some intern who's taking the slide deck organization to heart), I don't want you to convert it to Powerpoint for me. I'm quite capable of selecting the 'Export to Powerpoint' option myself. The problem is the results are shit because the presentation features pan-and-zoom (so people at the back can see the fiddly stuff that would otherwise be a 'sorry, I know you can't see this...' moment, and that drives me crazy, if the audience can't see it, don't put it on a bloody slide). Powerpoint doesn't support vectors, so everything ends up a downsampled blur that looks like it was fingerpainted by a monkey.

Seriously, just swap the fucking HDMI cable, it takes seconds. Or worse case, use the PDF, it'll lose the animation but at least avoid the loss of resolution.

At least half the Tidy-Haired Thought Leaders™ use Macs these days. And we laugh at the ones who use Powerpoint. Sometimes we take their dinner money too.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 23 April, 2018, 08:31:11 pm
I have received an email from Amazon:

Quote


Dear ****

Shipping information has been updated for your order, placed with **** on April 21, 2018.

==================================================
SHIPPING DETAILS
==================================================

**** included the following items in package 1 of this shipment:

1 of [item]

Shipping Carrier: Other
Ship Date: April 23, 2018
Shipping Speed: Standard
Carrier Tracking ID: None

Your shipping address:
****

If you have additional items in your order, you will receive an e-mail when those items have shipped.

QUESTIONS?

If you have questions about this order, including the status of your shipment, you can either visit https://www.amazon.co.uk/wheres-my-stuff or use this link - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/help/contact/contact.html?ie=UTF8&marketplaceID=3&orderID=203-2069674-8877166&sellerID=870941412 - to get in touch directly with Absolute Music Solutions.

**************************************************
Safe Shopping Tips
Amazon.co.uk works hard to protect our customers. For your safety, when ordering items advertised by sellers other than Amazon.co.uk:


[blah blah blah]

For more safe-shopping tips, read about Safe Online Transactions at https://www.amazon.co.uk/safe-secure

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/help/customer/display.html/?nodeId=11081621

**************************************************

I have already had a dispatch notification.

What do I gain from this email?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 26 April, 2018, 03:23:40 pm
A system upgrade a couple of weeks ago. The business partner involved has been testing it on the live platform since with some errors coming to light. Ok, we'll fix that and roll it out to all users.. Nope, says she, not until I've seen it go end to end error free. I have to test it in life she adds, because the test model does things different to the live platform.

<fx:sounds of Bearded head being repeatedly hit against the wall>

I despair.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 27 April, 2018, 07:17:06 pm
My wife is delayed at the airport in Rome. Which means she's sending me a text every 5 seconds updating me on her activities in the terminal. Every five seconds. Bing.

I, on the other hand, am trying to finish off some work. I know you're bored dear, but I have to finish this. No, I'm not going to take a picture of the cat. I don't know what's in the fridge. Yes, thanks for the picture of your ravioli. No I don't know what I'm doing in three weekends time. I don't know if you need to ring the taxi company. No I won't drink that beer. I am not lying, I won't drink it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: David Martin on 28 April, 2018, 09:50:35 pm
Is that because drink is future tense and drank is past tense?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 28 April, 2018, 10:03:42 pm
Quote from: ian on 27 April, 2018, 07:17:06 pm
My wife is delayed at the airport in Rome. Which means she's sending me a text every 5 seconds updating me on her activities in the terminal. Every five seconds. Bing.

I, on the other hand, am trying to finish off some work. I know you're bored dear, but I have to finish this. No, I'm not going to take a picture of the cat. I don't know what's in the fridge. Yes, thanks for the picture of your ravioli. No I don't know what I'm doing in three weekends time. I don't know if you need to ring the taxi company. No I won't drink that beer. I am not lying, I won't drink it.

Hah.

Last week, Mrs F and I were on separate business trips:
I had been to Germany, she had been to London.

Turned out we both had the same flight back from LHR to ABZ.
So we met up in the departures area of LHR teminal 5 and had a hasty dinner in the Gordon Ramsay place, and then ran for the gate.

It was almost furtive.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 29 April, 2018, 03:16:34 pm
I’m going over to Manchester On Tuesday evening. To save a bit of time I ordered tickets online & popped into the station to pick them up today. The machine gave me a ticket for 1 journey & a seat reservation for the return  :facepalm:   All queries to the hell desk please.
Why are trains so difficult....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 29 April, 2018, 05:34:44 pm
'Cos we dont have an integrated transport strategy and the train set is broken.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 29 April, 2018, 06:51:30 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 29 April, 2018, 03:16:34 pm
I’m going over to Manchester On Tuesday evening. To save a bit of time I ordered tickets online & popped into the station to pick them up today. The machine gave me a ticket for 1 journey & a seat reservation for the return  :facepalm:   All queries to the hell desk please.
Why are trains so difficult....

The profit motive.  Take the money and shrug.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 30 April, 2018, 09:52:19 am
So I fly off tomorrow to give a presentation and host two workshops, then go to a conference. Super. Or it would be, if I hadn't just developed a nasty sore, swollen, phlegmy throat. Attempts to speak make it sound like I'm gargling toads.

Ah, well, it has until Wednesday to absent itself otherwise I'll be presenting, not for the first time, as mime.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nicknack on 30 April, 2018, 11:37:52 am
You could try interpretative dance.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 30 April, 2018, 11:59:52 am
It's an option.

That said, I feel crap too, so I may just lie down and hold up a series poster boards like that REM video.

Occupational hazard. Travel around the world. Meet people. Catch their diseases.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 30 April, 2018, 12:07:57 pm
Quote from: ian on 30 April, 2018, 11:59:52 am
It's an option.

That said, I feel crap too, so I may just lie down and hold up a series poster boards like that REM video.

Occupational hazard. Travel around the world. Meet people. Catch their diseases.
It's all that travel on sealed metal tubes that cause the issues. The air conditioning on this tubes is very efficient in sharing all airborne contagions liberally amongst the passangers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 30 April, 2018, 12:54:58 pm
I think they studied that phenomenon and it turned out not to be the case, the air recirculation doesn't have an effect. It's just a function of proximity to sick people and their contagions. Like any public place really. Anyway, I presume I picked this on up in Brussels, and I took the train. Some kind of euro-plague.

Oh well, I suppose I'll do my bit by passing it along to our cousins in the America colonies.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 30 April, 2018, 01:54:57 pm
Quote from: Feanor on 28 April, 2018, 10:03:42 pm
Quote from: ian on 27 April, 2018, 07:17:06 pm
My wife is delayed at the airport in Rome. Which means she's sending me a text every 5 seconds updating me on her activities in the terminal. Every five seconds. Bing.

I, on the other hand, am trying to finish off some work. I know you're bored dear, but I have to finish this. No, I'm not going to take a picture of the cat. I don't know what's in the fridge. Yes, thanks for the picture of your ravioli. No I don't know what I'm doing in three weekends time. I don't know if you need to ring the taxi company. No I won't drink that beer. I am not lying, I won't drink it.

Hah.

Last week, Mrs F and I were on separate business trips:
I had been to Germany, she had been to London.

Turned out we both had the same flight back from LHR to ABZ.
So we met up in the departures area of LHR teminal 5 and had a hasty dinner in the Gordon Ramsay place, and then ran for the gate.

It was almost furtive.

Reminds me, but I was flying out to Philadelphia back in January and walking down the travelator to the Virgin gates at Heathrow I looked up and thought I really recognise that woman passing on the other side of the glass. It honestly took a few moments to realise that it was a my wife, arriving back from San Francisco. I knew she was coming back, but wasn't expecting to pass her in the terminal.

It seems we're both in Chicago on different trips at the end of May. I shall attempt to drag her away from the many delights of clinical oncology for a surreptitious meal.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 30 April, 2018, 02:28:25 pm
hmm seems to me that Ian sees his beloved more while abroad than at home :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 30 April, 2018, 02:49:01 pm
Once, several years ago, she was working out in New Jersey. I decided to visit and not tell her. Instead, spotting the opportunity to really put the surprise in my surprise visit as I approached her hotel, I merely emerged from the foliage beside her as she waited outside. She wasn't, I guess, expecting me to be disgorged by a bush, which explained how hard she kicked me.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 30 April, 2018, 02:57:26 pm
Ian. You're a dick - but a nice one . . .  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 30 April, 2018, 07:49:44 pm
Quote from: ian on 30 April, 2018, 12:54:58 pm
{snip}
 Anyway, I presume I picked this on up in Brussels, and I took the train. Some kind of euro-plague.
Oh well, I suppose I'll do my bit by passing it along to our cousins in the America colonies.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzKQJXhTUC0
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 09 May, 2018, 09:59:50 pm
Dear airline, if you’re going to cancel my flight and put me on the earlier one it’s probably useful to tell me this using one of the many contact methods I’ve provided. I got the news friom the taxi company picking me up in the morning. Otherwise I’d be in the bar blissfully unaware I’m holding a boarding pass for a flight that has ceased to exist.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 11 May, 2018, 02:03:31 pm
We’ve just had an ‘all hands’ call with our General Manager and the union chap that works with me put some numbers to him about the public announcements the company made yesterday. The GM managed to mis-understand him which was a shame as I thought he was better than that, but anyway...
A pessimistic worse case scenario is that two thirds of my level and above are to go, with the first compulsory redundancies in the company in its history. By some stroke of luck for the company, the pension scheme that us oldsters are members of is to close at the end of May. The scheme gave us very good protection in the event of compulsory redundancy. Bastards.
However, given the numbers involved, and the work that we do, I’m not altogether sure I want to be in the ‘lucky’ third. There’s going to be a lot of blood on the carpet wherever you are I feel.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 14 May, 2018, 01:35:22 pm
I can appreciate that the lack of mahogany* from our DIY shops is due to the "tropical hardwoods" shame campaign, but are brass bolts an endangered species?  I've just been round one of our local emporia and through the web sites of two more, and you'd think that brass was on a level with the Northern White Rhino for scarcity.

*come to that, beech and oak aren't that visible either, and even pine isn't available in anything but thin sections. Shit & damnation.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 14 May, 2018, 03:09:38 pm
T42's post above shows as post 10001
And on my 'puter is on page 1001.  :D

This won't be so for those who have chosen a different number of posts per page view, obvs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 14 May, 2018, 07:37:04 pm
How bloody inconsiderate of Sir Alfred McAlpine to put up his new tower crane on his Woking site at the weekend. There's a building full of engineers most disappointed to be deprived of the chance to watch the Big Meccano go up.

There's bugger all interesting going on inside the building.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 15 May, 2018, 08:34:11 am
Further to my above grumble re tropical hardwoods disappearing from DIY shops: when I was stumbling round our local effort yesterday I noticed a light wood called ayous in quantity, although not in any sizes I could use.  Back home, I looked it up: it's also known as obeche, abachi, wawa or samba, and according to Wiki it's harvested in an unsustainable manner in some areas.

In other words, they're cutting out the obvious tropical hardwoods for the sake of political correctness, and selling another less well-known one instead.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 15 May, 2018, 08:55:03 pm
Derbyshite Police: when I point out to you that 'Road Tax' was abolished in the 1930s, you reply 'people understand the term', which clearly tells me you are a bunch of Clarkson-esque dinosaurs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 18 May, 2018, 10:28:24 am
As a retired copper, I will defend my serving colleagues. Sometimes, when dealing with the public, you just have to use easy to understand language. To do otherwise is the surest route to despair.

The number of times I have wanted to murder someone because they don't understand/ listen/ comprehend is untold. I avoided due to bad career move.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ham on 18 May, 2018, 01:26:48 pm
Quote from: Basil on 14 May, 2018, 03:09:38 pm
T42's post above shows as post 10001
And on my 'puter is on page 1001.  :D

This won't be so for those who have chosen a different number of posts per page view, obvs.

Cleans a big, big website for less than half a crown.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 18 May, 2018, 01:51:06 pm
Quote from: Ham on 18 May, 2018, 01:26:48 pm
Quote from: Basil on 14 May, 2018, 03:09:38 pm
T42's post above shows as post 10001
And on my 'puter is on page 1001.  :D

This won't be so for those who have chosen a different number of posts per page view, obvs.

Cleans a big, big website for less than half a crown.

 ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 18 May, 2018, 07:16:39 pm
TV's Fiona Bruce is a pretty enough gel but she really needs to check a map before informing the country that Cliveden is in the Cotswolds :'(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 18 May, 2018, 08:31:04 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 18 May, 2018, 07:16:39 pm
TV's Fiona Bruce is a pretty enough gel but she really needs to check a map before informing the country that Cliveden is in the Cotswolds :'(
Speaking on behalf of The Cotswolds Free Peoples' Liberation Army it soon will be.  However that will be the limit of our territorial claims.  We have no other territorial claims to make in Britain...  :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 18 May, 2018, 11:26:54 pm
Clivden? You are welcome to it at the moment. I had to negotiate the barriers and shit around it this afternoon whilst attending the automotive fettlers to collect No.2 Sons Turbo Nutter Bastard1 after its annual service. God but the road has been narrowed by the sheep pens and cones and Rozzer Riot Wagons all looking after Meghans abode for the pre wedding evening.

I also texted a former colleague to ask him about the foopball cup match tomorrow. he is an ardent Chelski fan and goes to That Wemberley lots to watch them. He is a plain clothed intelligence specialist in his day job. He is doing a night shift in uniform tomorrow :o I'm surprised his still fits ;D Apparently just about everyone from Thames Valley Police is on duty at some stage for the next 24- 48 hours.


[/sup]1[/sup]Nissan 370Z
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 19 May, 2018, 07:54:16 am
Quote from: Ham on 18 May, 2018, 01:26:48 pm
Quote from: Basil on 14 May, 2018, 03:09:38 pm
T42's post above shows as post 10001
And on my 'puter is on page 1001.  :D

This won't be so for those who have chosen a different number of posts per page view, obvs.

Cleans a big, big website for less than half a crown.

More than Meghan's getting, then.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ben T on 21 May, 2018, 09:52:55 am
Family members observed that while driving round town on Saturday there was hardly any traffic where usually it is chocker. Do people actually stay at home just to watch the royal wedding? Which raises the question, why are they out driving normally - where are they going that's even less important than the royal wedding?  :-\ ??? :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 21 May, 2018, 10:23:08 am
Quote from: CAMRAMan on 15 May, 2018, 08:55:03 pm
Derbyshite Police: when I point out to you that 'Road Tax' was abolished in the 1930s, you reply 'people understand the term', which clearly tells me you are a bunch of Clarkson-esque dinosaurs.

Surely you mean `road fund licence`  :-)

Rob
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 21 May, 2018, 08:22:46 pm
seem to be many cyclists around Twickenham called Isabell

The answer is yes, especially on shared use paths next to a busy main road where you can't be heard over the traffic.

Only one warning this evening when out running and I'd already seen him out of the corner of my eye as he followed me across the pedestrian crossing at a roundabout
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 23 May, 2018, 08:58:44 pm
On the train home, today, the idiot sat behind me was taking, and receiving, calls at maximum volume. All. The. Way. From. London. To. NTR.

I developed a very loud and persistent cough past Peterborough.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 23 May, 2018, 09:19:39 pm
Trying out some new contact lens because Vision Express are apparently discontinuing the ones I use. Seemed OK, until I got to my destination and tried to read a computer screen. Now it feels like my eyes have been pushed out of the back of my head.

Turns out the samples are wrong size. FFS.

Anyway, just checking online, and it seems the ones I currently used have been discontinued for a newer, even betterer version. I dunno why she couldn't just have offered me those. Cheaper by lots online too... I keep meaning to transfer to the local optician. You don't want to know how much a new pair of glasses has just cost me.

Oh, and while I'm Amazoning for stuff, what is it with the people who answer the product questions with 'I don't know.' They do realise it's not personal correspondence, don't they? And the ones that write reviews along the lines of 'this product didn't arrive.' Maybe, and this could just be a crazy suggestion, you should probably speak to the phone droids or send them an email, rather than write a review.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LEE on 23 May, 2018, 09:23:23 pm
AGGGHHHHHHH!!!

Other people's spoilt, attention-seeking, never-heard-the-word-no, running all over the place in pubs and cafes, Yummy-mummys saying please stop that Henry.....please stop that Henry..... please stop that Henry.....please stop that Henry.....please stop that Henry..... would Henry like some Humous?...little fuckin middle class cunty brats!!!


AGGHHHH !!!

Thank you for listening.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 23 May, 2018, 09:24:32 pm
Suspect Amazon customers are responding to emails asking a question via Amazon just to get it out of their intray and forestall more querying emails.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 23 May, 2018, 09:32:35 pm
Is that how it works? They've never asked me a question. Maybe I don't buy enough crap. And if I didn't know I just wouldn't bother answering it. It's not like they send the Amazon Answer Police around is it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 23 May, 2018, 09:40:37 pm
I have had querying emails mostly when I have bought cables or interfaces for David.

Truth is I don't know if a cable I bought for David's chainsaw is compatible with a Flymo lawnmower.

Queries are usually of that nature.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 23 May, 2018, 09:54:50 pm
I am now worried about the Amazon Answer Police being a thing. I could have been ignoring the requests, I'm fairly handy with the delete button. They could be hiring renegade TV licensing agents. One night I'll be woken with a harsh light in my eyes and man screaming 'HOW LONG IS THE BATTERY LIFE?' HOW LONG, MOTHERFUCKER??? and if I don't answer they'll waterboard me with a wet dishcloth (99p for 3, norkkim101 asks 'are these suitable for waterboarding midgets?')

ETA: I apologise to all midgets for calling them midgets. Little people. Who shouldn't ever be waterboarded. Especially by renegade TV licensing agents. That's what ATOS is for.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 24 May, 2018, 11:19:41 pm
London

not so much it being London, more what it brings out in my personality traits vs nice rural middle-of-nowhereshire.

Feltham station, some hipster cnut just walks right in front of me, turns and gives me "that look" (needs lessons from Paddington) when I accidentally clipped his heel.  My response was a passive aggressive "you just walked into me mate, don't look at me like that"

When I almost bumped into someone in Ely station it was apologies all round                                                                                                                                                             
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 25 May, 2018, 10:14:41 am
When I first took my middle-of-nowhereshire raised children into the big city I soon realised I needed to teach them ‘London manners’ just so they didn’t end up getting pushed around and end up last in every queue. It really is a very rude place.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 25 May, 2018, 10:29:06 am
Re London, I was waiting with a bunch of people to board the Jubilee line at London Bridge yesterday. Commuters getting off and then, just as they were done and the way to board clear, a woman just goes straight through the middle of us and onto the train first. I think she must have been laser guided, she somehow managed to do without knocking anyone. I didn't know whether to be annoyed or impressed.

I was running happy though, arrived at LB to see a massive backup and closed tube gates, so assumed I'd be late. Then as I waited, I saw one of the closed gates at the end randomly flip to open. Zoom. No idea why they were holding people, the minion was too bored to explain, but the platforms weren't even busy.

On the way back some middle-aged bloke in suit just pushed through as we tried to get off the tube. He's now nailed to the platform wall at Victoria as a salutary message to others. Some people are a bit mental. Others a lot so.

I don't think London is rude, it's just what it takes to make a large city work. I was amused a while back at beer thing with the blokes from Northern Monk, who were determined to shake every attendee's hand and do a proper meet and greet. There were about 400 people...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 05 June, 2018, 02:54:33 pm
this is already not fucking going well.

How hard can it be, Ely to Edinburgh, change at Peterborough to get on the ECML.

Edinburgh train cancelled. I'm now sat at Doncaster waiting for the next train to Aberdeen
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 05 June, 2018, 03:04:07 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 05 June, 2018, 02:54:33 pm
this is already not fucking going well.

How hard can it be, Ely to Edinburgh, change at Peterborough to get on the ECML.

Edinburgh train cancelled. I'm now sat at Doncaster waiting for the next train to Aberdeen
It would appear that running a train service is quite difficult and when you add the need for making a profit out of it, the task appears to become impossible. At least based on the evidence of the UK rail network.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 05 June, 2018, 03:45:02 pm
And standing room only on the replacement train.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 05 June, 2018, 03:54:04 pm
 :(    This sort of thing makes me reluctant to arrange cycling trips with a rail component in them.   Hopefully my trip to Oxford with a loaded touring bike on Thursday will be uneventful.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 05 June, 2018, 05:36:52 pm
I was thinking about using the train up to Kirkby Stephen later this year rather than drive to start my tour.

Having been sat on the floor from Doncaster and likely as far as Edinburgh, I may think again.  The Green Beast is at least reliable.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 05 June, 2018, 06:00:10 pm
Fayling Grayling, aka the Twat Controller :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 05 June, 2018, 08:06:12 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 05 June, 2018, 03:54:04 pm
:(    This sort of thing makes me reluctant to arrange cycling trips with a rail component in them.   Hopefully my trip to Oxford with a loaded touring bike on Thursday will be uneventful.

I'm feeling a bit like that, after depleting the reserves of train karma (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=107857.msg2291997#msg2291997) on Saturday...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rogerzilla on 05 June, 2018, 10:29:07 pm
Trying to order something from Spa but can't, because their 3D Secure connection is b0rked.  They're going to lose a lot of business.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 05 June, 2018, 10:40:08 pm
I cancelled the bloody thing on all my cards, the banks didn't seem to mind. I doubt I was the first to complain about being told to remember the 2nd, 3rd, and final letter of the password I've forgotten. They're just coaching people to write down their passwords.

In other news, our GP surgery had cancelled the open surgery system (because it was too popular, erm) but now you can book appointments online. Super, let me try that. Do I have an invite letter from the practice with a secret code? Erm, no. Game over.

I suppose that spares me the IT horrors that undoubtedly would have awaited. Still, I am sure they would pale into insignificance compared to an interaction with the average surgery receptionist who I now have to phone.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 06 June, 2018, 02:22:29 pm
I just had a lovely phone call from someone pertaining to be from my electricity company where they refused to prove they were from my electricity company by telling me any of my account details, or even tell me why they were calling.  I hung up.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 06 June, 2018, 02:36:10 pm
The lights are going out in five, four, three, two, one...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 06 June, 2018, 02:54:41 pm
Quote from: Kim on 06 June, 2018, 02:22:29 pm
I just had a lovely phone call from someone pertaining to be from my electricity company where they refused to prove they were from my electricity company by telling me any of my account details, or even tell me why they were calling.  I hung up.
I've had that and they can't seem to understand that as it is they that called you, you authenticating who you are is rather pointless if they can't or won't authenticate who they are.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 06 June, 2018, 03:44:46 pm
If anyone phones me I simply tell them I'd love to answer. But, you know, GDPR.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 07 June, 2018, 08:08:44 am
Quote from: ian on 06 June, 2018, 03:44:46 pm
If anyone phones me I simply tell them I'd love to answer. But, you know, GDPR.
Like
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 07 June, 2018, 07:44:10 pm
Electric (not induction) hobs.
They are shit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 07 June, 2018, 09:30:12 pm
^^^^^ yes
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 08 June, 2018, 01:38:27 am
Mum ditched hers in the mid 70's when we had gas installed. I like gas...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 08 June, 2018, 09:25:03 am
well, it would seem that the first casualty of Gavin's1 announced GRATE CULL OF MANAGEMENT is.. Gavin. But they've already announced that they are looking for a replacement, which doesn't seem to be in the spirit of reducing head count  >:(

1. Gavin Patterson, CEO and heartthrob (apparently) of BT Group.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 08 June, 2018, 10:12:02 am
Quote from: Beardy on 08 June, 2018, 09:25:03 am
well, it would seem that the first casualty of Gavin's1 announced GRATE CULL OF MANAGEMENT is.. Gavin. But they've already announced that they are looking for a replacement, which doesn't seem to be in the spirit of reducing head count  >:(

1. Gavin Patterson, CEO and heartthrob (apparently) of BT Group.

I wouldn't worry, unlike most, he'll collect a massive payoff and won't have trouble walking into a similar lucrative boardroom position should he wish. If doesn't just want to buy a yacht and cruise the Caribbean. In the unlikely event he becomes short of cash, a couple of non-exec board positions will be on hand.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 08 June, 2018, 10:21:57 am
Quote from: ian on 08 June, 2018, 10:12:02 am
Quote from: Beardy on 08 June, 2018, 09:25:03 am
well, it would seem that the first casualty of Gavin's1 announced GRATE CULL OF MANAGEMENT is.. Gavin. But they've already announced that they are looking for a replacement, which doesn't seem to be in the spirit of reducing head count  >:(

1. Gavin Patterson, CEO and heartthrob (apparently) of BT Group.

I wouldn't worry, unlike most, he'll collect a massive payoff and won't have trouble walking into a similar lucrative boardroom position should he wish. If doesn't just want to buy a yacht and cruise the Caribbean. In the unlikely event he becomes short of cash, a couple of non-exec board positions will be on hand.
Strangely, I’m not worried about his future, even though he lost a £4m bonus a couple of years ago on the back of the Italian Job. The City have been slow to respond to the news though it was obviously their calls that resulted in his departure. Possibly I suspect, because the chairman has said that The board support the strategy of the man they’ve just ousted. Time will tell I suppose.
Moving on, I’m hoping we’ll get an engineer this time because I think we’ve had enough of marketeers and accountants. I’m not holding my breath though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 09 June, 2018, 02:24:45 pm
Twatting neighbour has lit a bonfire.  Washing going back in the machine due to ash appliqué.

Not a sorry, not a yes I'll be more thoughtful next time when asked.  Just "Well I've finished now and I can't put it out".

Quote from: MrsTween
Some people are just total piss flaps aren't they.

However, I took his registration and looked him up and he has no MOT.  So I nipped out with a camera to see if I could get a shot of him leaving (on private land at the mo).  Someone must be smiling down at me today, there's two coppers just out of his sight dealing with a Scoobydoo they've pulled over.  Now they know too.....  :demon: ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 09 June, 2018, 05:17:10 pm
^^^Bloke next door to us 30 yrs ago used to barbecue sardines about 10' from our washing whirligig. No soot or ash but darling, I do love your new perfume.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 10 June, 2018, 07:20:21 pm
I am getting a cold.  This is just what is called for when I have to spend most of Wednesday travelling to a far-flung corner of the Empire.  Bah!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 10 June, 2018, 08:13:26 pm
I don't think he's lit another, I think it's the same one still smouldering.  All the same, garden a no go zone with wet hair again tonight.

May the fleas of 1000 camels infest his arsehole.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 13 June, 2018, 10:34:20 am
I just noticed the nice silver birch by our house seems to be dead or mostly there. Probably fair enough, expect it's been there since the house was built in the late sixties (and we had to get it topped and cropped, rather too aggressively because it was overhanging the house, which I doubt was good for the tree). But still, I liked it. Bah.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 15 June, 2018, 08:13:21 am
Highbury and Islington tube station.
Yesterday at around 16:30.
Two members of fully hi-vizzed LU staff, standing back to back, legs astride, arms out defensively, calling out 'Mind your step ladies and gentlemen, mind your step, the floor is very slippery here'.

Keen students will doubtless want to know what it was that was making the floor slippery.

I can tell you that it was a mashed banana skin.

Yes, really.

This.

From the same generation that put men on the moon.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 15 June, 2018, 09:20:37 am
And if you ask them why they've not cleaned it up, it's 'not my job' so they have to wait for a cleaning contractor. I had this discussion about a piece of fried chicken and a few fries they'd diligently secured at South Norwood station the other year.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 15 June, 2018, 10:13:46 am
The display of flowers behind the horse-trough & pump in the next village but one is gone, replaced by a sign saying, more or less, "what idiot thought it would be a good idea to spray this with weedkiller?"
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 15 June, 2018, 01:59:24 pm
Quote from: Kim on 06 June, 2018, 02:22:29 pm
I just had a lovely phone call from someone pertaining to be from my electricity company where they refused to prove they were from my electricity company by telling me any of my account details, or even tell me why they were calling.  I hung up.

To bring everyone up to date with this saga:

I set a flag in the database to send this number (which is in Redditch, not Nottingham) directly to voicemail.

After several more calls, and no sign of them giving up, I contacted Robin Hood Energy directly on their published 0800 number to ask WTF?

It turns out that they've contracted a third party agency to contact everyone they have on variable direct debit to ask if they'd like to switch to fixed direct debit.  "LOL no", says I (or words to that effect), and gave them a good moaning[1] about calls from out of the blue asking to verify account details possibly being a bad move security-wise.

I got another call about half an hour later.

I called back and was increasingly sarcastic.  They promised to send a message to the agency asking to remove my number from their list.

That was yesterday.

This morning I found another, epic 1:17 second long voicemail in my inbox:

Quote
*hold music*
"Hello is that Mr Leslie?"
*awkward silence*
*clicks*
*hold music*

PEBKAC, presumably, but not exactly confidence inspiring.


(I assume Robin Hood has run out of money and is hoping to stay afloat by persuading as many customers as possible to pay next winter's gas bill now.)


[1] Not in the 'pissing by the door' sense.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 16 June, 2018, 12:42:59 am
Kim Leslie has a certain ring to it. Or is it Leslie Kim? Come to think of it, Kim Les-Lie is probably the next but one dictator of Everyone's Favourite People's Dictatorship.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 18 June, 2018, 05:57:23 pm
Train ticket booking again.

Quote from: Southern's Jam-Lubed Babbage Booking Engine
Tickets with an origin/destination of London Thameslink are valid for travel to/from London Bridge, London Blackfriars, City Thameslink, Farringdon and St Pancras, but are currently not available for every journey. If there is no London Thameslink fare available for your specific journey, please purchase a ticket to St Pancras instead. To confirm this will cost the same and give you exactly the same travel as if you had been able to purchase a London Thameslink ticket.

I don't know what this means as I'm going across London, which I think is is the defined purpose of Thameslink trains. What I'm supposed to do with this message is unknown it seems I can't buy a ticket for the service. There's no such place as London Thameslink and none of those stations are my destination or origin. And assuredly booking a ticket to London St Pancras and then onwards costs about £10 more.

The irony is that I've selected an Anytime return which claims to be good for any train. Yes, I know I can just choose some times that don't produce the error.

Oh why is it so fucking hard.

Oh and Southern, your great new timetable intended to improve reliability resulted around 3/4 of the your trains to my destination being cancelled yesterday. Why, I dunno, you'd given up telling us. Staff shortages I'm sure, but even the apologybot seems to have given in to embarrassment.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 18 June, 2018, 06:34:53 pm
There is a pot by the land line where Mrs B keeps all the ball point pens that don't work.  ::-) Also any broken pencils she may have.  I particularly like the ones that must have been dropped on to a hard surface at some time, thus shattering the entire length of lead within.  The correct procedure with these is to have two, maybe three attempts at sharpening, give up and then, most importantly, place the pencil back in the pot.
The system works really well and should I find at any time in the future that I'm in urgent need of a ball point that doesn't work, I'll know exactly where to look.


 >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andytheflyer on 19 June, 2018, 07:38:50 am
Quote from: Basil on 18 June, 2018, 06:34:53 pm
There is a pot by the land line where Mrs B keeps all the ball point pens that don't work.  ::-) Also any broken pencils she may have.  I particularly like the ones that must have been dropped on to a hard surface at some time, thus shattering the entire length of lead within.  The correct procedure with these is to have two, maybe three attempts at sharpening, give up and then, most importantly, place the pencil back in the pot.
The system works really well and should I find at any time in the future that I'm in urgent need of a ball point that doesn't work, I'll know exactly where to look.


 >:(

Ah!  That must be the variant of the system that my wife uses:  scatter them around the house, whether they work or not, or have a point or not, so that the pot by the house phone never has one in, unless I've been lucky enough to find one (ballpoint or pencil) on my travels around the house and retuned it to its rightful place of abode.  Maybe I've got OCD and she hasn't.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 19 June, 2018, 09:09:55 am
It turns out the proposed journeys I couldn’t book were on trains that don’t exist anyway (presumably because of their new timetable snafu). Improving my journey yet again. Thanks Govia Thameslink.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 19 June, 2018, 01:10:18 pm
Quote from: andytheflyer on 19 June, 2018, 07:38:50 am
Quote from: Basil on 18 June, 2018, 06:34:53 pm
There is a pot by the land line where Mrs B keeps all the ball point pens that don't work.  ::-) Also any broken pencils she may have.  I particularly like the ones that must have been dropped on to a hard surface at some time, thus shattering the entire length of lead within.  The correct procedure with these is to have two, maybe three attempts at sharpening, give up and then, most importantly, place the pencil back in the pot.
The system works really well and should I find at any time in the future that I'm in urgent need of a ball point that doesn't work, I'll know exactly where to look.
 >:(

Ah!  That must be the variant of the system that my wife uses:  scatter them around the house, whether they work or not, or have a point or not, so that the pot by the house phone never has one in, unless I've been lucky enough to find one (ballpoint or pencil) on my travels around the house and retuned it to its rightful place of abode.  Maybe I've got OCD and she hasn't.

I have various 'desk tidies' filled with pens and other bits around the house.
I can't hold or use a pen.
Pens that work when put in these pots stop working due to ink evaporation and disuse; most frustrating!

Pencils are usually OK but the sharpening faerie has gone AWOL.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 19 June, 2018, 01:38:19 pm
My 'landline' phone is within easy reach of a perfectly good computer.

Barakta gets transcripts of her phone calls anyway, at least when the NGTLite app doesn't crash.

Pens that don't work go in the bin.  Unless they've got Aston Web Student Hub written on them, in which case they're a metaphor.

Pencils mostly live with the woodworking tools.

It's finding something to write/doodle/catch stray glue on that's usually trickier.  Often you can take a sheet of fail from the out tray of the Laserjet, but that's awkward if you're downstairs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 19 June, 2018, 09:18:33 pm
I never throw away non-working pens. No one can be sure they won't spontaneously start to work again in future.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 19 June, 2018, 10:42:44 pm
Can't find details of my maternal great grandfather despite knowing he served in WW1  and in which service and that he survived the war.  Death of his son on the SS Lancastria and subsequent burning of his service records in WW2 due to bombs doesn't help, added to which my maternal grandmother died in 1944 and was also bombed out in the 1940 blitz. On the paternal side have got back to 1591 so far, so quite chuffed.,
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 20 June, 2018, 08:44:44 am
Tried to book my bike onto the south west sleeper last night. It's hard to tell whether the website is broken or the bike spaces are full.

Sent from my LG-H850 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 20 June, 2018, 06:09:27 pm
I presented a paper at a conference today. To lighten it up (4pm is late enough to be asking anyone to pay attention) I included a photo of a dinosaur on a bike. Didn't notice much in the way of amusement.
Luddites.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 20 June, 2018, 07:16:00 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 20 June, 2018, 06:09:27 pm
I presented a paper at a conference today. To lighten it up (4pm is late enough to be asking anyone to pay attention) I included a photo of a dinosaur on a bike. Didn't notice much in the way of amusement.
Luddites.

What kind of bike?

(I expect this would get a different response over on Yet Another Dinosaur Forum.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 20 June, 2018, 07:23:11 pm
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/716MJHggVDL._UY879_.jpg)

A shit looking bike!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 20 June, 2018, 07:27:42 pm
That's one of those dockless hire things the Mancunians have, isn't it?  Something very weird going on behind the front wheel (amongst other places).  I suppose it's as practical a means of transport for an inflatable T-Rex as anything else...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 20 June, 2018, 07:32:38 pm
but looks cool with a dino on it :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 20 June, 2018, 07:36:15 pm
Not sure I'm keen on the potential tail/rear wheel interface!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 21 June, 2018, 07:39:27 am
Looks like one of the designs that Mike Burrows keeps uncharacteristically quiet about.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 21 June, 2018, 11:29:55 am
Taxes will rise following Brexit. What a huge surprise. Now then what is the best way to soften them up mmmmm?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 21 June, 2018, 11:34:06 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 20 June, 2018, 07:23:11 pm
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/716MJHggVDL._UY879_.jpg)

A shit looking bike!

I might nick that one for my next presentation
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Paul on 21 June, 2018, 01:29:56 pm
Prehistoric feminists updated the old fish/bicycle simile when the lizards appeared.

How does it handle? Pterribly!

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 21 June, 2018, 07:30:07 pm
Dinosaurs would have had to ride bikes – there quite literally were no fossil fuels back then.

In a recent presentation I just included video of my cat having an argument with a magpie (chief nemesis). That rocked, though not quite as much as the time I got JCvD to read out my summary slide or when Taylor Swift destroyed a vintage dress-wearing Hitler with his own diabolical laser beam eyes (using a mirror. obvs).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 22 June, 2018, 12:11:29 pm
We can truly see why you are a leader of thoughts, though we might worry about where you lead those thoughts.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 22 June, 2018, 12:26:25 pm
I do occasionally do serious presentations.

Today I'm learning to say hello in Amharic (እው ሰላም ነው). When presenting in Foreignlandia I like to kick off with a welcome in the local language. That gets them all het up. And then I switch to English because that's all I've learned to phonetically reproduce. Guarantees momentary audience elation and then delivers consistent disappointment.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 22 June, 2018, 01:33:39 pm
I do the opposite, befuddle them in English first and then thank them in their own language.  I've even learned how to say it in Americanian
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 22 June, 2018, 01:34:02 pm
VPN marketing seems very prevalent at the moment. Except it’s wrong. These people are rarely,  if ever, selling virtual private networks, they are selling packet encryption/decryption solutions that the buyer is taking as offering them greater security, from organisations the neither know nor research. It’s not even particularly clever and definitely not new as seems to be the implications of much of the marketing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 22 June, 2018, 02:06:53 pm
Small metal items of hardware with peel-dirty barcode labels on.  :demon: >:( (http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/gaah.gif)  Have to soak the buggers in oil, peel 'em, rub off the residue and then degrease. I defecate upon the stickers thereof with superhuman force and unerring aim: splat.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 22 June, 2018, 03:14:14 pm
Quote from: ian on 22 June, 2018, 12:26:25 pm
When presenting in Foreignlandia I like to kick off with a welcome in the local language. That gets them all het up. And then I switch to English because...
You are Denis Healey AICMFP.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 22 June, 2018, 04:14:12 pm
Unfortunately, Google doesn't tell me how to pronounce እው ሰላም ነው so I'm going with just reading the transliteration. I've also got my Vietnamese sorted out, though it sounds suspiciously like I'm a doing a racist Jim Davidson piss-take.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 22 June, 2018, 07:30:18 pm
Just remember 'Ich bin ein Berliner'.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 26 June, 2018, 01:24:21 pm
25C

I'm not in the office (went to head office instead) in the morning, so they cranked the aircon up to 25C.

I will admit, it did feel cool when set to 22C yesterday (pleasantly cool to me). However, 25C is effing ridiculous. Put on a sweater if you are cold, ffs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 26 June, 2018, 02:27:39 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 26 June, 2018, 01:24:21 pm
25C

I'm not in the office (went to head office instead) in the morning, so they cranked the aircon up to 25C.

I will admit, it did feel cool when set to 22C yesterday (pleasantly cool to me). However, 25C is effing ridiculous. Put on a sweater if you are cold, ffs.

If it’s 25 outside then it’s not actually having to work that hard.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 26 June, 2018, 03:40:59 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 26 June, 2018, 02:27:39 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 26 June, 2018, 01:24:21 pm
25C

I'm not in the office (went to head office instead) in the morning, so they cranked the aircon up to 25C.

I will admit, it did feel cool when set to 22C yesterday (pleasantly cool to me). However, 25C is effing ridiculous. Put on a sweater if you are cold, ffs.

If it’s 25 outside then it’s not actually having to work that hard.
It is warmer than 25 outside.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 27 June, 2018, 09:25:33 am
Go shopping for new trousers. Pick some off rack, usual size. They just about fall off me. Well, I have lost a lot of weight recently (9kg and counting, according to scales at home). Go down a size.

Fourth time I wear trousers, sit down, hear sound of stitches ripping. Arse. Probably stick out of trousers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 27 June, 2018, 09:36:51 am
Time to wear a kilt then.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 27 June, 2018, 10:26:36 am
Quote from: woollypigs on 27 June, 2018, 09:36:51 am
Time to wear a kilt then.
I've been requesting a kilt for some time.

Not quite born north of the border though (Carlisle doesn't count).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 27 June, 2018, 10:42:33 am
If you're going to wear one of those in the supermarket you'll need to keep your eyes peeled for a Tory MP perverts with his their phone cameras switched on
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 27 June, 2018, 11:08:08 am
^^^ and highly-polished shoes.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 27 June, 2018, 11:24:06 am
Quote from: Guy on 27 June, 2018, 10:42:33 am
If you're going to wear one of those in the supermarket you'll need to keep your eyes peeled for a Tory MP perverts with his their phone cameras switched on
That's ok. i'll just wear a pair of JC undercrackers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: benborp on 27 June, 2018, 07:51:01 pm
So, why am I so pissed off at various articles that report on a study that estimates the amount of interstellar carbon in the galaxy? Obviously someone with a hand in composing the team's press release thought it would be amusing to equate space grease with butter and lo, every journalist uses the figure of '40 trillion trillion trillion packs of butter'. Ha, yes, amusing. Astronomically huge number, ludicrously small unit and no reference to anything remotely useful to comprehension like a solar mass. I'll tell you what they can usefully do with all that butter...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 28 June, 2018, 08:06:58 am
A last tango?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 28 June, 2018, 08:27:43 am
under desk spaghetti  >:(

new work laptop yesterday (another Dull  >:() with a different docking station. Cue ten minutes of dust and "where the fcuk does that go?"
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 28 June, 2018, 09:13:05 am
Quote from: ElyDave on 28 June, 2018, 08:27:43 am
under desk spaghetti  >:(

new work laptop yesterday (another Dull  >:() with a different docking station. Cue ten minutes of dust and "where the fcuk does that go?"
Docking station? You lucky bastard. The preventer of information services here decreed a few years ago now that we can not have docking stations so we all have to spend a few minutes in the morning plugging in all the cables.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 28 June, 2018, 11:48:33 am
Quote from: Beardy on 28 June, 2018, 09:13:05 am
Quote from: ElyDave on 28 June, 2018, 08:27:43 am
under desk spaghetti  >:(

new work laptop yesterday (another Dull  >:() with a different docking station. Cue ten minutes of dust and "where the fcuk does that go?"
Docking station? You lucky bastard. The preventer of information services here decreed a few years ago now that we can not have docking stations so we all have to spend a few minutes in the morning plugging in all the cables.

Forgot to add, new docking station is so new that it has 1 HDMI port and two other new funky display ports. My 10+ YO VGA monitor therefore needs to be plugged directly into the laptop, somewhat reducing the utility of a docking station
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 28 June, 2018, 02:42:56 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 28 June, 2018, 11:48:33 am
Quote from: Beardy on 28 June, 2018, 09:13:05 am
Quote from: ElyDave on 28 June, 2018, 08:27:43 am
under desk spaghetti  >:(

new work laptop yesterday (another Dull  >:() with a different docking station. Cue ten minutes of dust and "where the fcuk does that go?"
Docking station? You lucky bastard. The preventer of information services here decreed a few years ago now that we can not have docking stations so we all have to spend a few minutes in the morning plugging in all the cables.

Forgot to add, new docking station is so new that it has 1 HDMI port and two other new funky display ports. My 10+ YO VGA monitor therefore needs to be plugged directly into the laptop, somewhat reducing the utility of a docking station
i have a docking station with only HDMI port(s) and a display with VGA and some other thing. (DVI?).  Anyhoo, I have an adaptor which changes HDMI electrons into VGA electrons. This is plugged permanently into my docking station and works a treat.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 28 June, 2018, 04:31:34 pm
Because it's a tad warm the building aircon is making extra demands on our water supply.   This means there is no water to flush the toilets  :sick:

Farce Sillities are working on it...

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 29 June, 2018, 11:23:31 am
If your Farce Sillities are anything like ours then I predict them putting bottles of water next to the toilets and then closing the case as resolved.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 29 June, 2018, 02:20:22 pm
There has been an email suggesting that if matters don't improve they'll ask the local fire brigade to top the tanks up..... :facepalm:

OK, it's a bit warm , but not exceptional...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 29 June, 2018, 02:43:30 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 28 June, 2018, 02:42:56 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 28 June, 2018, 11:48:33 am
Quote from: Beardy on 28 June, 2018, 09:13:05 am
Quote from: ElyDave on 28 June, 2018, 08:27:43 am
under desk spaghetti  >:(

new work laptop yesterday (another Dull  >:() with a different docking station. Cue ten minutes of dust and "where the fcuk does that go?"
Docking station? You lucky bastard. The preventer of information services here decreed a few years ago now that we can not have docking stations so we all have to spend a few minutes in the morning plugging in all the cables.

Forgot to add, new docking station is so new that it has 1 HDMI port and two other new funky display ports. My 10+ YO VGA monitor therefore needs to be plugged directly into the laptop, somewhat reducing the utility of a docking station
i have a docking station with only HDMI port(s) and a display with VGA and some other thing. (DVI?).  Anyhoo, I have an adaptor which changes HDMI electrons into VGA electrons. This is plugged permanently into my docking station and works a treat.

We ended up with these...

https://www.ebuyer.com/406801-kensington-usb-3-0-docking-station-k33972eu

So only needed to connect power and one USB to the laptop. Monitors were VGA and HDMI compatible so we could have dual screens plus the laptop, a boon for PDF documents.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 29 June, 2018, 02:46:41 pm
an adapter appeared in the post

Grumble #2 - the envelope used was big enough fo rme to take on tour this summer as an emergency bivvy bag
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 29 June, 2018, 03:48:38 pm
"48-hour delivery", they promise, then take 3 days to pack & dispatch the stuff.  Their mother were a weasel.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 29 June, 2018, 04:04:53 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 29 June, 2018, 02:20:22 pm
There has been an email suggesting that if matters don't improve they'll ask the local fire brigade to top the tanks up..... :facepalm:

OK, it's a bit warm , but not exceptional...

There's a fire engine outside & a hosepipe coming into our centre courtyard.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 29 June, 2018, 07:42:19 pm
It's not what you know, it's who...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 01 July, 2018, 11:15:19 am
Morrisons: It's now July - at least three months after Easter, so why are you still trying flog me Easter eggs on your online shopping site as a 'flash sale'?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 01 July, 2018, 11:35:02 am
Thunderbox, why are you apparently downloading all my e-mails from the server to the local machine?  You know, the local machine THAT ALREADY HAS COPIES OF ALL THE E-EMAILS ON IT?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 01 July, 2018, 01:31:30 pm
I’m on a train packed with rowdy festivalgoers. Ah, the joy.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 01 July, 2018, 01:39:20 pm
LBS person, mudguard sizes are the size of the tyre it’s designed for. Even I know that. In some ways I’m glad you were out of stock, as while a local shop is good a somewhat local and competent shop seems better.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 01 July, 2018, 01:41:39 pm
Related to that, putting dynamo lights on and removing a broken battery light from my mudguard has led to new mudguards and a new brake block holder. And if I don’t finish soon a weekend without a ride.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 03 July, 2018, 12:04:06 pm
So, the local council. I griped about the green waste bin lorry getting stuck the other week. They've since been back five times and failed five times. Finally – because there is apparently no one at the local district council in charge of rubbish collections (that's what they said) – I have to deal directly with their contractor, I get a response that blames a car for being parked in the way as they're using the same lorry as previously.

Now the driver told me it was a new lorry, and I have a picture of a shiny new lorry, with shiny new number plates that clearly date the lorry to 2018. Which I've forwarded. Strangely no response. Why lie, I've no idea.

I have pointed out that the car they're blaming is always parked there (it's on the apex of the t-junction – it's a private street, no idea what the parking regulations are in that situation, it's a bit of dumb place to park but better than the junction itself were we may one day get unenforced double-yellows). And the lorry is new. There's no point keep telling me you've reported the car (to who and what are they going to do?). Seriously guys, if parking is a problem and you can't get a bin lorry around the corner, then the contractor, the local and council council need to work together to sort it out – deal with the issue, get an appropriate vehicle, I don't really care how, it's not my problem. No, I'm not reporting parking problems, I'm not a traffic warden. I'm mostly just being a good citizen, because if you can't get the bin lorry around there, you'll probably struggle with a fire engine. I've already requested the double-yellows etc. It doesn't benefit me (other than occasional annoyance), I live around the corner, I won't end up BBQing while they have to move someone's car off the corner.

It just seems a bit useless, none of the organizations seems willing to work together and it is always someone else's job or reponsibility. I'm paying over a £1000/month for this. I bounced it all to the local county councillor (who also lives up the road).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 03 July, 2018, 09:04:52 pm
And even with a photo of a bin lorry with 2018 plates stuck on the junction, they still claim it's the same vehicle they've been using for 'several years' and have no plans to use a different vehicle. I'm really not sure it's cost effective to keep sending the same vehicle over-and-over in a series of failed mission to empty people's green waste bins. Yes, the normal bin lorry does make it, presumably it has rear wheel steering or a better driver. I don't really know, but then it's not really my problem. Why don't you ask them and not me? You're the same fucking company.

Is it just me or a lot of people not just stupid, but intensely, brilliantly stupid, so stupid that it actually hurts your head just contemplating the sheer breadth and depth of their incomprehension of basic facts and logic?

Reminds me of the headteacher of the local school who told me that 'he didn't see any sign of bad behaviour' while he stood there and watched the kids. Honestly, these people are among us, the great counterbalance, for every Einstein there's a million of these halfwits. I suppose it explains Brexit and Trump.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 04 July, 2018, 10:30:40 am
LBS: I emailed you a while ago, as you were away. I called and spoke to your colleague who said you'd do the job. Two weeks later, now you're back, I call you again & you say you're not interested. Would have been better said three weeks ago, eh?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 04 July, 2018, 11:06:57 am
Just how am I supposed to get the information to make a decision about this project if everyone I need to talk to is constantly on bloody conference calls. they're a pain in the bloody arse!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 04 July, 2018, 03:21:14 pm
 :(. Looks like the area of rain currently moving up over Cardiff and S. Wales is going to miss us by several miles.  Bugger!
I've even put washing on the line to encourage it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 04 July, 2018, 05:07:56 pm
Quote from: Basil on 04 July, 2018, 03:21:14 pm
:(. Looks like the area of rain currently moving up over Cardiff and S. Wales is going to miss us by several miles.  Bugger!
I've even put washing on the line to encourage it.

Light a barbecue?  Wash a car?  Go for a bike ride?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 04 July, 2018, 05:12:12 pm
Water the garden? Paint an outside wall? Cut some hay?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 04 July, 2018, 10:20:00 pm
No, mothership product monkey, averaging the averages of several groups isn't the same as averaging all the individual items from those groups. Have an apposite d'oh!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 05 July, 2018, 10:11:04 am
Quote from: CAMRAMan on 01 July, 2018, 11:15:19 am
Morrisons: It's now July - at least three months after Easter, so why are you still trying flog me Easter eggs on your online shopping site as a 'flash sale'?
And now they're offering me Halloween stuff!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 05 July, 2018, 06:12:46 pm
Quote from: Kim on 04 July, 2018, 05:07:56 pm
Quote from: Basil on 04 July, 2018, 03:21:14 pm
:(. Looks like the area of rain currently moving up over Cardiff and S. Wales is going to miss us by several miles.  Bugger!
I've even put washing on the line to encourage it.

Light a barbecue?  Wash a car?  Go for a bike ride?

I gave up today and turned a hose onto the lawn.
*Awaits inevitable monsoon*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 07 July, 2018, 12:04:47 pm
Yesterday morning at Forest Hill Station the 06:24 to Highbury and Islington was going nowhere.
'Don't know whether this'll be here for 10 minutes, one hour or two hours - you are best off finding alternative transport' was the message from the platform staff.

Of course, they don't announce this until after I've oystered myself onto the platform.
'I'm going to get charged £5.50 for this' I pointed out as I attempted egress.
'You'll have to phone TfL for a refund' came the reply.

0343 222 1234 is the number
Charged at 60p per minute from a BT landline, with a minimum charge of 60p , plus a £1.00 connection fee, only they haven't enough people to answer the volume of calls they receive,  so they put you on hold.
Do they answer within the next 8 minutes or so?
Do they f*ck! >:(

Making it a bit pointless trying to claim back the £5.50 they've fleeced me of, for taking me nowhere.
And then charging me more,to listen to their muzak.
Bastids!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 08 July, 2018, 12:43:53 am
Fairly sure you can ask for oyster refunds online - incomplete journeys show up in your journey history, and you can correct the record.

(At any rate, that's true for contactless travel - I can't see even TfL having it different for oyster though.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 08 July, 2018, 09:36:22 am
You can. But after a severe dig around, I couldn't find an option which takes into account that you entered and exited from the same station.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 08 July, 2018, 12:10:02 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 08 July, 2018, 09:36:22 am
You can. But after a severe dig around, I couldn't find an option which takes into account that you entered and exited from the same station.
doesnt it automatically cancel if you do that?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 08 July, 2018, 12:36:01 pm
On a related note, a friend mollusced a tube entry barrier open yesterday evening, only for a fare-dodger to shoot out through the gate in the time it took to wrangle their luggage, causing the gate to close.  At which point the system wouldn't let them touch in again, and they were stuck until a sympathetic member of staff could be located.   >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 08 July, 2018, 07:49:38 pm
David has been trapped trying to get a folded Brompton through barriers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 10 July, 2018, 02:56:21 am
Quote from: Beardy on 08 July, 2018, 12:10:02 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 08 July, 2018, 09:36:22 am
You can. But after a severe dig around, I couldn't find an option which takes into account that you entered and exited from the same station.
doesnt it automatically cancel if you do that?

I'm sure it has for me, it's not exactly uncommon on Southern trains for trains to be cancelled while you wait (it's all part of the service). They do have a email address which they don't advertise.

In other grumbles, dear wife please don't be removing my envelope of US dollars from my travel bag. It's nice they're safely stored in your desk though not entirely useful, that's my stash of universal currency for obscure parts forrin.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 10 July, 2018, 10:53:43 am
I didn't actually swipe on my way out, as the man in the uniform opened the gate to let me out.
The system obvs thinks I'm either loitering on one of their platforms, or riding a train....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 10 July, 2018, 11:09:01 am
Someone in the neighbourhood seems to be using last year's chip fat. :sick:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 10 July, 2018, 11:11:05 am
Dear CFB dev team,  you should have though about ALL the data when you implemented the IRP and you should NOT be asking for more money now so you can do it properly. Oh, and you should have already implemented the user access policy in keeping with the SecPol and not made your own up because it was difficult for the 3rd party suppliers to use. Asking me for money to fix this is not going to wash.
A cynic might suggest that you are just trying to find work to keep your team together between other developments!

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 10 July, 2018, 11:12:08 am
Quote from: T42 on 10 July, 2018, 11:09:01 am
Someone in the neighbourhood seems to be using last year's chip fat. :sick:
Shirley that'll be FFF (French Fries Fat) ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 11 July, 2018, 01:22:01 am
I am finding it tiresome to discuss matters of O Level Physics on Facebook at 1 am with a chap who allegedly works in the railway industry...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 11 July, 2018, 06:34:23 am
THis weeks plans all to pot.

Next weeks plans rapidly going the same way.  Aberdeen airport on strike on FRiday, replanned the work for the 4th time, can't change my flight.

At least I have a hotel room and can revert to the train if necessary.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 11 July, 2018, 08:03:02 am
Quote from: Beardy on 10 July, 2018, 11:12:08 am
Quote from: T42 on 10 July, 2018, 11:09:01 am
Someone in the neighbourhood seems to be using last year's chip fat. :sick:
Shirley that'll be FFF (French Fries Fat) ;D

Bain-Marie, full of grease, the Lard be with you.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 11 July, 2018, 10:45:43 am
I thought the mere expedient of relocating to Hanoi would have excused me the constant soccer ball. Not so. I'm going to the Moon next time.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 11 July, 2018, 11:03:36 am
All together now:

Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeee is the man
Of constant soccer...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 11 July, 2018, 11:10:16 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 11 July, 2018, 01:22:01 am
I am finding it tiresome to discuss matters of O Level Physics on Facebook at 1 am with a chap who allegedly works in the railway industry...
So turn it off!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 11 July, 2018, 12:05:02 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 11 July, 2018, 11:10:16 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 11 July, 2018, 01:22:01 am
I am finding it tiresome to discuss matters of O Level Physics on Facebook at 1 am with a chap who allegedly works in the railway industry...
So turn it off!

I turned the computer off and went to bed.
Chap now realises he was spouting bollux at 1am.
I think he believed a MAN who put him right.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jasmine on 11 July, 2018, 01:12:26 pm
Why is Radio 4 telling me about the sports ball?  It's supposed to be the last bastion of those of us nerds who were picked last at PE sessions in school.  :'(  If Radio 4 isn't safe, where is?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 11 July, 2018, 01:14:56 pm
The mixed aroma of various foodstuff is currently pervading the office. Why can't people sit in the welfare area, or better still the staff canteen when they eat their lunch.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 11 July, 2018, 01:19:12 pm
Quote from: Jasmine on 11 July, 2018, 01:12:26 pm
Why is Radio 4 telling me about the sports ball?  It's supposed to be the last bastion of those of us nerds who were picked last at PE sessions in school.  :'(  If Radio 4 isn't safe, where is?

s/Radio 4/The Internet/
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 11 July, 2018, 02:06:52 pm
I have misplaced the lid of my coffee travel mug.  This is, if not a disaster, certainly a medium-sized annoyance.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 11 July, 2018, 05:18:02 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 11 July, 2018, 01:14:56 pm
The mixed aroma of various foodstuff is currently pervading the office. Why can't people sit in the welfare area, or better still the staff canteen when they eat their lunch.
[thirdYorkshireman]
Staff canteen!?  Welfare (welfare!?) area?  Which employment utopia* do you inhabit?
[/thirdYorkshireman]



*No need to answer that; I've seen your posts elsewhere on the less than utopian** aspects of your current situation. :)
**Utopia looks wrong I want to spell it eutopia.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: markcjagar on 11 July, 2018, 05:42:22 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 11 July, 2018, 01:14:56 pm
The mixed aroma of various foodstuff is currently pervading the office. Why can't people sit in the welfare area, or better still the staff canteen when they eat their lunch.

I work in a room of self proclaimed "big girls", it constantly stinks KFC & McDs, it's not pleasant
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 11 July, 2018, 09:43:43 pm
Quote from: TheLurker on 11 July, 2018, 05:18:02 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 11 July, 2018, 01:14:56 pm
The mixed aroma of various foodstuff is currently pervading the office. Why can't people sit in the welfare area, or better still the staff canteen when they eat their lunch.
[thirdYorkshireman]
Staff canteen!?  Welfare (welfare!?) area?  Which employment utopia* do you inhabit?
[/thirdYorkshireman]



*No need to answer that; I've seen your posts elsewhere on the less than utopian** aspects of your current situation. :)
**Utopia looks wrong I want to spell it eutopia.
Did I mention the coffee lounge or the coffee shop? No? Well, there’s also a coffee lounge next to the staff restaurant, and a coffee shop at the other side of site. Oh and a barbers shop and a small WHS 😁 And of course there’s the MT workshop where they will service your car and do an MOT. I won’t mention the sports hall or the Tennis courts though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 11 July, 2018, 10:06:23 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 11 July, 2018, 09:43:43 pm
Quote from: TheLurker on 11 July, 2018, 05:18:02 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 11 July, 2018, 01:14:56 pm
The mixed aroma of various foodstuff is currently pervading the office. Why can't people sit in the welfare area, or better still the staff canteen when they eat their lunch.
[thirdYorkshireman]
Staff canteen!?  Welfare (welfare!?) area?  Which employment utopia* do you inhabit?
[/thirdYorkshireman]



*No need to answer that; I've seen your posts elsewhere on the less than utopian** aspects of your current situation. :-)
**Utopia looks wrong I want to spell it eutopia.
Did I mention the coffee lounge or the coffee shop? No? Well, there’s also a coffee lounge next to the staff restaurant, and a coffee shop at the other side of site. Oh and a barbers shop and a small WHS 😁 And of course there’s the MT workshop where they will service your car and do an MOT. I won’t mention the sports hall or the Tennis courts though.


We have an absolutely shite sandwich bar, where you have to wait until the women who run the place deign to come out of their office & take your money.     The days when we had a free staff car park & a subsidised restaurant where you could get a Full English breakfast & 3 course cooked lunch for not much money ended about the turn of the century.  I believe at one stage BT had it's own catering college.....   There is a gym run by the Sports & Social association.  Local motor transport place went long ago.  Can't even borrow power tools from Mechanical Aids these days.... :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 11 July, 2018, 10:24:10 pm
I have just been reading about the navvies who built the Woodhead tunnels. The first 400 on site were not even provided with tents. Anyone who knows the area will wonder how they thought the guys would survive. It seems some out there would like us all to return to these working conditions.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 11 July, 2018, 10:38:31 pm
Quote from: ian on 11 July, 2018, 10:45:43 am
I thought the mere expedient of relocating to Hanoi would have excused me the constant soccer ball. Not so. I'm going to the Moon next time.
Take me with you, please?  Suit and oxygen preferred but I'd put in no more strongly than that under the circumstances.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 12 July, 2018, 09:17:34 am
No, the Today programme sports reporter the entire country was not enthralled with the Football. Actually there's more than a few of us who couldn't give a flying banana about the outcome and who haven't been tied to the TV for the last month. In fact, there's more than a few of us who will be glad when the whole affair is over an done with.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 12 July, 2018, 09:22:47 am
Quote from: andrewc on 11 July, 2018, 10:06:23 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 11 July, 2018, 09:43:43 pm
Quote from: TheLurker on 11 July, 2018, 05:18:02 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 11 July, 2018, 01:14:56 pm
The mixed aroma of various foodstuff is currently pervading the office. Why can't people sit in the welfare area, or better still the staff canteen when they eat their lunch.
[thirdYorkshireman]
Staff canteen!?  Welfare (welfare!?) area?  Which employment utopia* do you inhabit?
[/thirdYorkshireman]



*No need to answer that; I've seen your posts elsewhere on the less than utopian** aspects of your current situation. :-)
**Utopia looks wrong I want to spell it eutopia.
Did I mention the coffee lounge or the coffee shop? No? Well, there’s also a coffee lounge next to the staff restaurant, and a coffee shop at the other side of site. Oh and a barbers shop and a small WHS 😁 And of course there’s the MT workshop where they will service your car and do an MOT. I won’t mention the sports hall or the Tennis courts though.


We have an absolutely shite sandwich bar, where you have to wait until the women who run the place deign to come out of their office & take your money.     The days when we had a free staff car park & a subsidised restaurant where you could get a Full English breakfast & 3 course cooked lunch for not much money ended about the turn of the century.  I believe at one stage BT had it's own catering college.....   There is a gym run by the Sports & Social association.  Local motor transport place went long ago.  Can't even borrow power tools from Mechanical Aids these days.... :(
It all started to go downhill when they introduced 'Investors in people'. that allowed them a target standard that was far below what was the status quo when I joined in 1978.
It's all to do with the move from a stakeholder economy to a shareholder economy.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 12 July, 2018, 05:34:46 pm
Quote from: SoreTween on 11 July, 2018, 10:38:31 pm
Quote from: ian on 11 July, 2018, 10:45:43 am
I thought the mere expedient of relocating to Hanoi would have excused me the constant soccer ball. Not so. I'm going to the Moon next time.
Take me with you, please?  Suit and oxygen preferred but I'd put in no more strongly than that under the circumstances.

The hotel manager came out to console me during breakfast. I had to pretend I really cared. I've spent the entire day pretending I care about the fate of the Engerlish football team to avoid upsetting people and being thrown out of a taxi in some random part of Hanoi. I have up in the end and flew to Bangkok. It was going well until I got into a taxi. He was very sorry about our football team. Then the receptionist in the hotel when I handed her my passport. And so on. I'm doomed to unneeded commiseration.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 12 July, 2018, 08:27:41 pm
I was on an Indian crewed ship, at least we could talk about cricket
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 13 July, 2018, 08:49:28 pm
BLOX
Why have I spent the evening listening to Any Questions on R4, when I could've been listening to Iggy Pop on R6Music. Gah!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 13 July, 2018, 08:54:26 pm
Quote from: ian on 12 July, 2018, 05:34:46 pm
Quote from: SoreTween on 11 July, 2018, 10:38:31 pm
Quote from: ian on 11 July, 2018, 10:45:43 am
I thought the mere expedient of relocating to Hanoi would have excused me the constant soccer ball. Not so. I'm going to the Moon next time.
Take me with you, please?  Suit and oxygen preferred but I'd put in no more strongly than that under the circumstances.

The hotel manager came out to console me during breakfast. I had to pretend I really cared. I've spent the entire day pretending I care about the fate of the Engerlish football team to avoid upsetting people and being thrown out of a taxi in some random part of Hanoi. I have up in the end and flew to Bangkok. It was going well until I got into a taxi. He was very sorry about our football team. Then the receptionist in the hotel when I handed her my passport. And so on. I'm doomed to unneeded commiseration.
Soak it up.
Poo it out.
Feel better.
That's my advice.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 13 July, 2018, 08:57:15 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 13 July, 2018, 08:49:28 pm
BLOX
Why have I spent the evening listening to Any Questions on R4, when I could've been listening to Iggy Pop on R6Music. Gah!

That’s what iPlayer is for.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 13 July, 2018, 08:57:54 pm
Quote from: ian on 12 July, 2018, 05:34:46 pm
Quote from: SoreTween on 11 July, 2018, 10:38:31 pm
Quote from: ian on 11 July, 2018, 10:45:43 am
I thought the mere expedient of relocating to Hanoi would have excused me the constant soccer ball. Not so. I'm going to the Moon next time.
Take me with you, please?  Suit and oxygen preferred but I'd put in no more strongly than that under the circumstances.

The hotel manager came out to console me during breakfast. I had to pretend I really cared. I've spent the entire day pretending I care about the fate of the Engerlish football team to avoid upsetting people and being thrown out of a taxi in some random part of Hanoi. I have up in the end and flew to Bangkok. It was going well until I got into a taxi. He was very sorry about our football team. Then the receptionist in the hotel when I handed her my passport. And so on. I'm doomed to unneeded commiseration.
I was once asked in all seriousness by an official at an airport in Tanzania If I was travelling back to UK to vote so as to ensure Margaret Thatcher stayed in power.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 13 July, 2018, 09:37:08 pm
The election that ended up in the coalition, I was sat on an FPSO in the South China Sea, hoping that Dave et al didn't get in.  My American colleague was nonplussed
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 14 July, 2018, 04:37:04 am
Quote from: Jurek on 13 July, 2018, 08:54:26 pm
Quote from: ian on 12 July, 2018, 05:34:46 pm
Quote from: SoreTween on 11 July, 2018, 10:38:31 pm
Quote from: ian on 11 July, 2018, 10:45:43 am
I thought the mere expedient of relocating to Hanoi would have excused me the constant soccer ball. Not so. I'm going to the Moon next time.
Take me with you, please?  Suit and oxygen preferred but I'd put in no more strongly than that under the circumstances.

The hotel manager came out to console me during breakfast. I had to pretend I really cared. I've spent the entire day pretending I care about the fate of the Engerlish football team to avoid upsetting people and being thrown out of a taxi in some random part of Hanoi. I have up in the end and flew to Bangkok. It was going well until I got into a taxi. He was very sorry about our football team. Then the receptionist in the hotel when I handed her my passport. And so on. I'm doomed to unneeded commiseration.
Soak it up.
Poo it out.
Feel better.
That's my advice.

Given a good week of random local food (usually spicy and once, memorably, involving the words 'stinky bean'), I did precisely that. Three times. Did I mention the spicy? Which I appreciate is too much information.

Tidy-Haired Thought Leaders™ pack an adequate supply of loperamide.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 14 July, 2018, 08:05:52 am
Where we live in leafy Bucks is very pleasant, as well as being very well connected to road, rail and air. But that does mean that on beautiful clear mornings like today, the noise from the Luton air traffic can be intrusive. We’re under the current flight path and this morning it’s the outbound traffic. But we like the convenience of being able to get there in 40 minutes when we want to fly. Can’t have everything.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 15 July, 2018, 03:46:09 pm
Folk next door - home of Porschey Pig, he who revveth loud & generous - are having a WC-final party with their giant TV set up, thuddy music and yakkety yakkety yak blattering the neighbourhood.

Much as I want France to win, to spite that bunch I could almost wish they won't.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 16 July, 2018, 03:00:29 pm
I work in a professional engineering team, this means we all use lots of computers. Currently my clients office has a failed aircon system and we are on the top floor of the building, up in the eaves. The thermometer is currently reading 30 oC and I am melting into a puddle.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 16 July, 2018, 03:12:09 pm
At some point the computers will melt and you all get to go home?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 16 July, 2018, 04:16:45 pm
Quote from: matthew on 16 July, 2018, 03:00:29 pm
I work in a professional engineering team, this means we all use lots of computers. Currently my clients office has a failed aircon system and we are on the top floor of the building, up in the eaves. The thermometer is currently reading 30 oC and I am melting into a puddle.
In olden times when computer halls were still hallowed environments, big telephone exchanges still ran mainly on electromagnets and valves. The rate of installation in the late 70s far outstripped the volume of the buildings and with the IRA an active threat most exchanges exacerbated the poor heat loss qualities of the buildings by fitting secondary double glazing made from 1/2" polycarbonate sheeting bolted into hardwood frames. I remember an dispute being raised about the high temperatures and investigations being carried out. However the upshot was that the shops and factories act defined what was too cold, with different temperatures dependent on the workers level of sedentaryness, but no upper temperatures were defined so we just had to suck it up.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 17 July, 2018, 08:10:46 am
I once worked in an office heated off the factory condensate supply. OK in winter, but intolerable in summer. 

The previous denizens informed me when I joined that the radiator valve was stuck.  A pair of stilsons on the isolator sorted that out.  Simple binary heating - deisolate for winter, isolate for summer
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 17 July, 2018, 02:28:36 pm
Idiot bank. I do a credit transfer on line & tick the box to receive an email copy, which arrives immediately. Half an hour later the bank sends me an email to tell me they've put a copy of the email they already sent me into my inbox on the bank's website.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 18 July, 2018, 02:41:15 pm
The battery on my Aldi multi-purpose cutting tool (AKA "the magic tool that drills square holes") appears to be shagged.  This is unsurprising, it's had a good innings.  Will think about whether it's worth bodging some new cells into it, or investing in a proper one that uses Makita batteries is the way forward, but for now I've got holes to cut...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jakob W on 20 July, 2018, 09:14:12 am
Blooming insects. The last couple of years I don't recall having been too afflicted, but this hot summer has clearly brought out all the beasties - I've got one or two bites that aren't that itchy, but have resulted in lumps the size of an egg. Please to be FOADing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 20 July, 2018, 12:27:58 pm
Unable to make a payment from Lloyds to Natwest. 
Speak to Lloyds (through to human in 3 minutes): "Yeah, we can't make fast payments to HSBC, BOS & Natworst at the moment, the problem isn't our end but we are checking our systems thoroughly anyway."
Speak to Natworst (through in 13 minutes having been told repeatedly they are experiencing higher than usual call volumes): "Dime bar?"  followed by, having spoken to supervisor "No problems known our end".

So, who to believe?
[thinks for 2 femtoseconds]
Natworst you are USELESS.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 21 July, 2018, 03:50:03 pm
Rounded up all the copper small change & dumped it in a poly bag.    Walked up the hill to the supermarket with the change machine, only to find it out of order.  Bah.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 21 July, 2018, 04:18:40 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 21 July, 2018, 03:50:03 pm
Rounded up all the copper small change & dumped it in a poly bag.    Walked up the hill to the supermarket with the change machine, only to find it out of order.  Bah.

That's what the self-checkout is for.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 21 July, 2018, 05:34:04 pm
Did that with our bank once, only it turned out that their machine was broken too. Bloke grinned and counted it by hand anyway, like a machine-gun. I reckon he was pleased to be able to show off.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 21 July, 2018, 05:39:38 pm
Quote from: Kim on 21 July, 2018, 04:18:40 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 21 July, 2018, 03:50:03 pm
Rounded up all the copper small change & dumped it in a poly bag.    Walked up the hill to the supermarket with the change machine, only to find it out of order.  Bah.

That's what the self-checkout is for.
Genius!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 21 July, 2018, 05:51:58 pm
Quote from: Kim on 21 July, 2018, 04:18:40 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 21 July, 2018, 03:50:03 pm
Rounded up all the copper small change & dumped it in a poly bag.    Walked up the hill to the supermarket with the change machine, only to find it out of order.  Bah.

That's what the self-checkout is for.

That's what I do, too. Doesn't charge a fee, either!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 21 July, 2018, 06:02:26 pm
Can you just dump the slummy in a hopper or do you have to feed it in coin by coin ?
(I never use the things)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 21 July, 2018, 06:16:41 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 21 July, 2018, 06:02:26 pm
Can you just dump the slummy in a hopper or do you have to feed it in coin by coin ?
(I never use the things)

The Sainsbury's ones I use for the purpose have a slot that will accept 3-4 coins at a time, and some sort of buffer that it works its way through.  You can, with a bit of practice, pour coins into the slot from your hand, but if you overflow the buffer they immediately reappear in the change hopper.  Once you get the hang of it, you can hear the mechanical click that means it's ready to accept some more coins.  Eventually it will fill up and refuse to accept a particular denomination.

My general approach is that whenever I have to buy some milk or whatever, I fill a pocket with random change, feed that to the machine, and (much kudos to the designer of the machine for allowing it) top up with card payment to complete the purchase.

(Top tip: If you've just fed it a zillion 2p coins, and you then try to pay the remainder with a larger denomination coin, it will give you the change in 2p coins, because for some reason it has loads of the fuckers.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 21 July, 2018, 08:10:06 pm
last time I emptied the jelly baby it contained nearly £70 in loose change, thats a lot of pints of milk
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 21 July, 2018, 08:56:01 pm
I just spent a quite afternoon watching th the contents were f the tea pots sorting and counting. I wrapped
The coins in paper tubes and took them to a local bank who were happy to change the shrapnel into folders
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wobbly John on 21 July, 2018, 08:58:14 pm
Quote from: Kim on 21 July, 2018, 06:16:41 pm
denomination.
(Top tip: If you've just fed it a zillion 2p coins, and you then try to pay the remainder with a larger denomination coin, it will give you the change in 2p coins, because for some reason it has loads of the fuckers.)

The ones at our Co-op, paid back change in the largest coins possible - I would sometimes put a whole handful of 1p,2p & 5ps in and get 50p & 20ps as change.

They've removed them now.  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 27 July, 2018, 05:48:26 pm
Evans no longer give 10% discount for CTC members  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 27 July, 2018, 06:00:16 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 27 July, 2018, 05:48:26 pm
Evans no longer give 10% discount for CTC members  :(
I thought that Cycle Surgery did but looking in the back of Cycle magazine it seems that they don't – although Runners Need and Snow & Rock do!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jakob W on 27 July, 2018, 08:09:37 pm
Halfrauds are now the preferred partner I believe. Nowhere near as useful, mind, though a couple of the LBSes offer a discount; I've never really bothered, as it doesn't really make a difference on small consumables, and their labour rates are so reasonable I don't want to feel like I'm taking advantage. If I ever buy a new bike, then maybe...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 27 July, 2018, 08:39:50 pm
Cotswold Outdoor gives 15%
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 27 July, 2018, 11:04:04 pm
No view of the moon because of much needed rain.  That would have been ok.
No much needed rain but great view of the moon.  That also would have been ok.

No rain.  No moon.  The gods are being gits tonight.   >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 28 July, 2018, 11:02:52 am
Dropping the blanket limit for second-class roads to 80 kph seems to have exposed a class of drivers who drive at 10 kph under the limit no matter what it is. Whereas before they would trundle along at 80, now they dodder along at 70 - speedometer 70 at that, i.e. something like 65*. Driving from here to Haguenau & back, as we did this morning, has become unutterably vile.

* the speed limit in French towns used to be 60, with a 10 kph tolerance, which meant that permitted max speed in town was only 10 kph less than it is on the "open" road nowadays.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 28 July, 2018, 10:45:27 pm
Why hasn’t the world been rebuilt to accommodate people of reasonable stature. The population is getting taller and still facilities only accommodate short arses.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 29 July, 2018, 10:58:14 am
Probably cos everything would then be too high up for us short arses?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: BrianI on 29 July, 2018, 11:49:38 am
No, local cycling club which I recently rejoined after a few years away.
I don't appreciate being automatically registered with Endura, to sign up for club cycling kit orders.    >:(

In anycase I prefer the "anonymity" of non club cycle clothing...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 30 July, 2018, 10:40:28 am
why can't micro$oft get their short cut keys consistent across their applications?  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 30 July, 2018, 12:08:38 pm
By the miracle of SCIENCE I have learned that my ESTA application was indeed successful and I shall therefore be able to enter USAnia next month.  However, Gnomeland "Security", could you tell me what is the point of asking me for my e-mail address during the application process if you do not then e-mail me to let me know the outcome >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 30 July, 2018, 12:17:08 pm
They like you to provide an email address because it saves them having to find it before they hack it
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 30 July, 2018, 12:19:37 pm
Yeah, they're probably checking you haven't posted anything socialist on twitface.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 30 July, 2018, 12:38:44 pm
They're probably just checking for email addresses that end in @isis.com or @jihad.syr or @kill-all-the-infidels.iq. They have a list.

Also @illegaldrugsforsale.com and @moralturpitude.com. Though admittedly, given Donald is in the big chair, the latter evidently isn't such an issue. Though I doubt he can spell turpitude or tweet it with his little fingers.

My ESTA revoked in 3,2,1...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 30 July, 2018, 01:20:09 pm
Quote from: Kim on 30 July, 2018, 12:19:37 pm
Yeah, they're probably checking you haven't posted anything socialist on twitface.

There's a section for "Social Media". At the moment this is optional*.  I left it blank. Plus the e-mail address I use for Farcebok is not the one I use to ask USAnia if I can come to play.

* But probably won't be by 2020
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 30 July, 2018, 01:43:53 pm
So you'll have to have a Facebook account to visit the USA? Sounds totally reasonable...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 30 July, 2018, 02:46:50 pm
The ESTA form gets longer each time. By 2020 it'll be so long it'll take more time to complete than there is time left in the universe.

Oddly, as it's against type, my most recent visit to the US resulted in a lovely cheerful conversation with the agent. Against type because it was Chicago. Usually the immigration hall is the land of grunters and yellers.

It went better than my discourse with the agent in Indonesia. He seemed to want to me to have a visa. I didn't want one and I wasn't about to pony up the $50 for a visa-on-arrival I didn't need. Also because, as detailed elsewhere, I had no US dollars (nor local currency).

"Visa?"
"No."
"Visa?"
"No."
"Visa?"
"No."
"Visa?"
"No."
"Visa?"
"No."
"Visa?"
"No."
"Visa?"
"No."
"Visa?"
"No."
"Visa?"
"No."
etc.

Eventually he twigged that we weren't getting anywhere and this was the limit of our mutual conversational ability and grumpily stamped my passport. They were having a merry time dragging off Chinese visitors (top tip, when the sign says 'no photos' that's what it means, and then having seen your friend escorted away for doing just that, don't then take a picture of that either).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 30 July, 2018, 03:11:49 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 30 July, 2018, 01:43:53 pm
So you'll have to have a Facebook account to visit the USA? Sounds totally reasonable...

Why not, you need one to do everything else?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 30 July, 2018, 05:06:33 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 30 July, 2018, 10:40:28 am
why can't micro$oft get their short cut keys consistent across their applications?  >:(
If this is Outlook's insistence on using ctrl-F for "forward" rather than "search" then blame Bill Gates.  He got them to use that binding because he was used to it from the e-mail client he was using prior to that.  Other cases?  Who the hell knows?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 07 August, 2018, 07:55:12 pm
I had to climb a ladder because Drains, and now my knee hurts.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 07 August, 2018, 09:44:45 pm
Quote from: Kim on 07 August, 2018, 07:55:12 pm
I had to climb a ladder because Drains, and now my knee hurts.
You just have to explain that one.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 08 August, 2018, 12:09:28 am
Quote from: Canardly on 07 August, 2018, 09:44:45 pm
Quote from: Kim on 07 August, 2018, 07:55:12 pm
I had to climb a ladder because Drains, and now my knee hurts.
You just have to explain that one.

Suspicious patch of damp mossy soil alongside the boundary fence, in an otherwise arid wasteland of a cyclist's garden.  "Hmm," says I, digging experimentally with a bit of slate "something must be keeping that wet."

I fetch a ladder in order to peer over the fence, where a gutter downpipe (unlikely, given the lack of rain), upstairs soil pipe, and miscellaneous kitchen drains are known to be present.  The gully collecting the rain non-water and 35mm drains  is immediately adjacent to the fence, but looks normal.  As do the relevant inspection covers further down the neighbours' garden.  However a ~0.5m diameter damp patch on the concrete surrounds the soil pipe.

I photograph the evidence for the benefit of Agencies and Landlords, who are - according to the Law Of Sod - only likely to turn up to investigate 20 minutes after the rains arrive.

In doing so I notice a smaller damp patch around our own soil pipe.  Fearing the worst (ie. a manhole full of backed-up shite) I summon barakta and instruct her to go upstairs, run the sink and flush the bog.  Water trickles forth from the point where the bathroom sink/bath drain joins the soil pipe, flows down the outside of the pipe, and contributes to the puddle.  I extend the ladder to investigate, and succeed in solving the problem by shoving the grommet thingy back in properly and straightening the pipe a bit.  (I assume it's worked loose as a result of either ice expansion, or neighbours' builder incompetence.)

In descending the ladder, I step awkwardly onto the non-level ground, precipitating a minor flare-up of owmeknee.

We'll see what does and doesn't dry up over the next day or two, but I suspect the outstanding issue is Somebody Else's Problem.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 08 August, 2018, 09:51:48 am
I know I'm being a bit of a twat with all this posting, but I do have standards and I'm only allowing myself to make legitimate posts, ie no incorrectly filed rubbish. but his rule is making it difficult for me because I'm running out of threads to answer. I need more branes!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 08 August, 2018, 01:10:25 pm
I need a change in the Law to allow one to fire with impunity upon groups of loitering twats who stay noisy until 1 am.

Wasn't there a HF audio device that the young found ear-splitting but grown-ups couldn't hear?  I need one of those with a parabolic reflector.

Probably drive the dogs bats and the bats... :-\ doggy?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 08 August, 2018, 01:26:55 pm
There is, it was called a mosquito. It was rather frowned upon as being discriminatory to yoofs1 and its continued use has been discouraged.

1.Which was rather the point really.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 08 August, 2018, 01:37:20 pm
The yoof started using it as a teacher-proof ringtone, innit.

It was never that effective anyway (the world was already full of squealing CRT displays that old people couldn't hear, and now it's full of squealing SMPSUs and electric vehicles that old people can't hear).  If you've got so few options that hanging around a bus station seems like fun, then you're unlikely to be put off by an bit of noise.

Apparently playing classical music works much better at repelling antisocial yoof, but since they tend to be replaced by more strangely dressed (albeit much better behaved) yoof, the curmudgeons who can't tell the difference between antisocial behaviour and looking wierd, and think that actively repelling certain demographics is a reasonable thing to do, decided it was a failure.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 08 August, 2018, 01:56:55 pm
Ah, well you see, I've beaten old age by having my own internal whistling. No ageism here, and can hear high pitch sounds any time I like. Well, all the time actually, whether I want to or not.

I hate tinnitus  >:( :'(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 08 August, 2018, 02:05:24 pm
Yes, tinnitus is utterly shit.  I'm fortunate not to have experienced it for more than couple of days at a time.  Barkata is a chronic sufferer.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 08 August, 2018, 03:05:32 pm
to be fair, my tinnitus is 90% better now I turn my hearing aids off a lot... Go figure.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 08 August, 2018, 03:26:25 pm
I did try white noise generators but that just replaces one irritation with another
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 08 August, 2018, 03:28:51 pm
Quote from: Kim on 08 August, 2018, 01:37:20 pm
The yoof started using it as a teacher-proof ringtone, innit.

It was never that effective anyway (the world was already full of squealing CRT displays that old people couldn't hear, and now it's full of squealing SMPSUs and electric vehicles that old people can't hear).  If you've got so few options that hanging around a bus station seems like fun, then you're unlikely to be put off by an bit of noise.

Apparently playing classical music works much better at repelling antisocial yoof, but since they tend to be replaced by more strangely dressed (albeit much better behaved) yoof, the curmudgeons who can't tell the difference between antisocial behaviour and looking wierd, and think that actively repelling certain demographics is a reasonable thing to do, decided it was a failure.

I've been in a high tech public loo that played classical music at you.   I'm not sure if it was to get you nice & relaxed, or to encourage you to spend as little time as possible in there.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 08 August, 2018, 03:44:55 pm
I guess I'll have to lobby our MP for a change in hunting regulations, then. Shouldn't be a problem, he's a right-winger.

In re tinnytush (ref. C-3PO), I have an aural hiss which varies in intensity with my blood glucose.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 08 August, 2018, 03:45:21 pm
West Croydon bus station plays classical music, presumably as a discouragement. They also got rid of shelter and any vestige of comfort. That said, spending any time in West Croydon is a bit like being trapped in an especially grim episode of The Walking Dead anyway.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 08 August, 2018, 04:16:54 pm
That's strange. I'm sure there aren't many audaxes going through West Croydon.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 08 August, 2018, 04:35:47 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 08 August, 2018, 04:16:54 pm
That's strange. I'm sure there aren't many audaxes going through West Croydon.

FNRttC gets within zombie-shuffling range, thobut.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 08 August, 2018, 05:17:06 pm
Every French bus-shelter I've stopped in has benches designed for discomfort: too narrow or too sleep on or just not there.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 08 August, 2018, 05:24:14 pm
I was on a train with my son yesterday and as we stopped in Keynsham station, he was prompted to ask about the design of the seating. This consists of repeated rows of three individual metal seats with arm rests and a sort of long, slanted, steel, bum rest. Presumably the bum rest is cheaper than a proper bench while still allowing waiting passengers to take the weight off their legs to an extent (and some people certainly prefer to stand rather than sit anyway). But why the individual seats rather than a bench? In this case, I'd expect three seats to cost more than a bench seating three. But I guess the individual seats might be preferred by people nowadays, as we're all getting wider and so find it less comfortable to share a seat, and less sharing-y anyway. And perhaps most importantly, it makes it impossible to stretch out and sleep; though they'll be thinking of street homeless rather than audaxers or post-midnight passengers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 08 August, 2018, 08:39:01 pm
Maccie D seats used to be tilted forward slightly to encourage you to buzz off after 15 mins or so.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 08 August, 2018, 08:44:12 pm
Many seats and other resting places are designed to be hostile and discourage loitering or lying down.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 09 August, 2018, 01:24:44 pm
I'm booking a flight, which has necessitated dealing with Mario at $CallCentre.  That's not the grumble.  The real grumble is being referred to as "Mr. $FirstName".  I know it sometimes works that way in other languages (i.e. Ukrainian.  'title' shows respect, but FirstName indicates familiarity).  But NOT in English.  No, 'Mario' does not sound like he's from a country where English is primary language, which is why this is in the Grumble rather than the Rant thread.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 09 August, 2018, 09:44:42 pm
Re the music, there was an underground car park in Bath that played birdsong. Which was odd.

I went for a ride today. The ride was very nice. But... rack pack came off, water bottle bite valve came out, water bottle came out of cage, bike computer stopped working, and LG phone GPS being flakey means Strava tried to claim 38km was 10km.

Sent from my LG-H850 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 09 August, 2018, 09:53:33 pm
Quote from: T42 on 08 August, 2018, 03:44:55 pm
I guess I'll have to lobby our MP for a change in hunting regulations, then. Shouldn't be a problem, he's a right-winger.

In re tinnytush (ref. C-3PO), I have an aural hiss which varies in intensity with my blood glucose.

That's interesting.  I've had tinnitus since well before diagnosis, but now seem much worse.  My BG is generally pretty good (98% of readings in target range).  Today it seems quite bad, but that may be a 6-CD journey in a LandRover Discovery at 60-70mph with the windows open (no air con) and the stereo turned up on Moody Blues and Chris Rea
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 10 August, 2018, 02:15:56 pm
TFW you've got the day off but you can't sit in the garden cos some git has not only got a garden chipper going but a bloody bonfire with the wind blowing in the wrong direction. And sitting in the flat isn't much better cos the old git across the road is using a circular saw to chop up bits of wood.

I suppose being as I can't beat 'em I could join them and chop kindling but I had a beer for lunch so probably best not.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 10 August, 2018, 06:41:17 pm
Try working from home. My remote command centre has a splendidly appointed balcony, nicely shaded in the afternoon, with a table and chair. Oh a pleasingly warm summer's day I can take my laptop and phone, set up, relax and....

Every time I do this someone will crank up a chainsaw, strimmer, pneumatic drill etc. Or just start randomly banging something with a hammer. For hours like some obsessive compulsive Thor. Or the worst thing, the constant beep beep beep beep of reversing vehicles. I am researching who invented the reversing vehicle warning and then I'm going to track down and kill them. Everyone involved is going to die and it won't be pleasant. For them. Me, I'm going to enjoy every long bloody minutes of their slow fucking demise. The last thing they're going to need to worry about is a vehicle reversing. Unless it's over their big fat stupid melon heads.

In other murdering news, I was just stuffing cherries in my mouth and I bit down on one and it splattered everywhere. It looks like I've murdered a purple blooded alien. In fact I got it all over my contact lens so everything has taken on a strange hue. Is it time to start drinking yet?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: PeteB99 on 11 August, 2018, 11:48:38 am
A lot of interference on the TV last night so I retuned it to see if it helped. Now have 40 channels fewer than before.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 11 August, 2018, 12:54:53 pm
Quote from: PeteB99 on 11 August, 2018, 11:48:38 am
A lot of interference on the TV last night so I retuned it to see if it helped. Now have 40 channels fewer than before.
If you selected  the "tune by signal strength" try again today.  Although 40 fewer channels of crap sounds to me like something that should be in one of the Good News threads and I'd be tempted to not bother. :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andytheflyer on 11 August, 2018, 12:56:22 pm
Quote from: ian on 10 August, 2018, 06:41:17 pm
Or the worst thing, the constant beep beep beep beep of reversing vehicles. I am researching who invented the reversing vehicle warning and then I'm going to track down and kill them.

I used to design and prepare environmental permits for landfills for my waste management clients.  The landfill operators used to get the majority of their complaints from neighbouring properties, complaining about the noise pollution from the reversing beepers on rubbish trucks and plant.

IME, if you are wandering around an active landfill, you'll be 100% occupied making sure you don't get run over anyway.  And if not, you'll quickly qualify for a Darwin award.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 11 August, 2018, 01:00:58 pm
Quote from: andytheflyer on 11 August, 2018, 12:56:22 pm
I used to design and prepare environmental permits for landfills for my waste management clients.  The landfill operators used to get the majority of their complaints from neighbouring properties, complaining about the noise pollution from the reversing beepers on rubbish trucks and plant.

Smokers, presumably.  Who else could be bothered by reversing beepers more than the stink of decaying rubbish?   :sick:


Quote
IME, if you are wandering around an active landfill, you'll be 100% occupied making sure you don't get run over anyway.  And if not, you'll quickly qualify for a Darwin award.

My understanding is that the main benefit is on building sites, where people are often wandering about thinking of other things, and deliveries by large squishy vehicles are common, but infrequent.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 11 August, 2018, 01:04:15 pm
Quote from: TheLurker on 11 August, 2018, 12:54:53 pm
Quote from: PeteB99 on 11 August, 2018, 11:48:38 am
A lot of interference on the TV last night so I retuned it to see if it helped. Now have 40 channels fewer than before.
If you selected  the "tune by signal strength" try again today.  Although 40 fewer channels of crap sounds to me like something that should be in one of the Good News threads and I'd be tempted to not bother. :)

Not if all that he was left with was just Dave, shopping, children's and phone sex/dating channels.  :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: PeteB99 on 11 August, 2018, 01:26:36 pm
Quote from: spesh on 11 August, 2018, 01:04:15 pm
Quote from: TheLurker on 11 August, 2018, 12:54:53 pm
Quote from: PeteB99 on 11 August, 2018, 11:48:38 am
A lot of interference on the TV last night so I retuned it to see if it helped. Now have 40 channels fewer than before.
If you selected  the "tune by signal strength" try again today.  Although 40 fewer channels of crap sounds to me like something that should be in one of the Good News threads and I'd be tempted to not bother. :)

Not if all that he was left with was just Dave, shopping, children's and phone sex/dating channels.  :demon:

There isn't an option for tune by signal strength (I've looked). Only autotune, I will have another go when I get a round tuit.

Normally as long as it gets BBC1,2,4 and the news channel I'm ok but last night there was a Portugese footie match I wanted to watch hence the retune attempt.

I'll probably invest in an aerial booster amp. I've got one already but it's at least 25 yrs old and bought for an analogue TV when I lived in the radio shadow of one of Norwich's only tower blocks.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 11 August, 2018, 06:50:38 pm
Problem with booster amps is they do what you'd expect: Amplify the noise, as well as the signal.  Sometimes it's enough to push the signal level over a threshold, but it's not the proper solution (which is a decent aerial and good quality coax, both of which will actually increase the SNR).

Builders, $ky engineers and their ilk are known for installing aerial-shaped-objects (which look the part in exactly the same way that a supermarket BSO does) and the ubiquitous brown 'low loss' coax is notorious for being stingy with the copper and breaking down with old age and letting the water in.

Of course, you can muck about with booster amps without the aid of ladders...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 11 August, 2018, 07:29:48 pm
Quote from: Kim on 11 August, 2018, 06:50:38 pm
Problem with booster amps is they do what you'd expect: Amplify the noise, as well as the signal.  Sometimes it's enough to push the signal level over a threshold, but it's not the proper solution (which is a decent aerial and good quality coax, both of which will actually increase the SNR).

Builders, $ky engineers and their ilk are known for installing aerial-shaped-objects (which look the part in exactly the same way that a supermarket BSO does) and the ubiquitous brown 'low loss' coax is notorious for being stingy with the copper and breaking down with old age and letting the water in.

Of course, you can muck about with booster amps without the aid of ladders...
What she said, but to add, if you still need an amplifier once you’ve got a good aerial and decent coax, then a mast head amp,is what you need. Given the cost of these, it’s probable worthwhile fitting at the same time as the decent aerial then there’s only one visit to the roof required.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 11 August, 2018, 08:12:03 pm
Quote from: PeteB99 on 11 August, 2018, 11:48:38 am
A lot of interference on the TV last night so I retuned it to see if it helped. Now have 40 channels fewer than before.

Could be worse.  Lt. Col. Larrington (retd.) was complaining that his PVR had stopped working.  "It just sits there saying 'No signal'" he said and yes, he did trying switching it off and on again.  Was all set to buy a replacement last weekend, but on a whim decided to try BBC1.  It worked.  No-one can explain how it got persuaded to try to receive Blaze+1 (which appears only to broadcast between 3 and 4 am).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 11 August, 2018, 08:25:20 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 11 August, 2018, 07:29:48 pm
Quote from: Kim on 11 August, 2018, 06:50:38 pm
Problem with booster amps is they do what you'd expect: Amplify the noise, as well as the signal.  Sometimes it's enough to push the signal level over a threshold, but it's not the proper solution (which is a decent aerial and good quality coax, both of which will actually increase the SNR).

Builders, $ky engineers and their ilk are known for installing aerial-shaped-objects (which look the part in exactly the same way that a supermarket BSO does) and the ubiquitous brown 'low loss' coax is notorious for being stingy with the copper and breaking down with old age and letting the water in.

Of course, you can muck about with booster amps without the aid of ladders...
What she said, but to add, if you still need an amplifier once you’ve got a good aerial and decent coax, then a mast head amp,is what you need. Given the cost of these, it’s probable worthwhile fitting at the same time as the decent aerial then there’s only one visit to the roof required.

Supplemental factoid:  Sometimes a 'booster amp' is in fact a power supply for a masthead amplifier.  This can lead to fun and games when a previous resident runs off with it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 12 August, 2018, 07:09:37 am
Bugger off with your: "So, are you doing the Tour de France next year then" comments.

Its old, its boring and frankly, do I look like a professional cyclist? Look, I went to watch the football and not talk to people like you so leave me alone before I find a new use for my bike pump.


(er...this is a bit more or a rant than a grumble).

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: PeteB99 on 12 August, 2018, 11:56:33 am
Quote from: Kim on 11 August, 2018, 06:50:38 pm
Problem with booster amps is they do what you'd expect: Amplify the noise, as well as the signal.  Sometimes it's enough to push the signal level over a threshold, but it's not the proper solution (which is a decent aerial and good quality coax, both of which will actually increase the SNR).

Builders, $ky engineers and their ilk are known for installing aerial-shaped-objects (which look the part in exactly the same way that a supermarket BSO does) and the ubiquitous brown 'low loss' coax is notorious for being stingy with the copper and breaking down with old age and letting the water in.

Of course, you can muck about with booster amps without the aid of ladders...

This

Getting a professional to go up on the roof will cost money that can be better expended on other things and I'm certainly not going up there myself.

Retuned yesterday and got most of the HD channels back on the list although they still come up with weak / no signal If you try to watch them (at least in the evening. Reception was better mid afternoon)

Q If all the channels are broadcast from the same place (Winter hill, 60 miles away but should still be line of sight) and at the same power 100KW according to the transmitter data how come only some channels are affected?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 12 August, 2018, 12:27:17 pm
Quote from: essexian on 12 August, 2018, 07:09:37 am
Its old, its boring and frankly, do I look like a professional cyclist?

I had someone ask if I was a professional cyclist yesterday.  I was crouched on the ground next to my touring recumbent fettling the dynamo wiring with a swiss army knife.

I'm reasonably sure that this is simply down to the complete lack of clue the average BRITON has about cycling.  But you have to wonder...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 12 August, 2018, 12:36:04 pm
Quote from: PeteB99 on 12 August, 2018, 11:56:33 am
Q If all the channels are broadcast from the same place (Winter hill, 60 miles away but should still be line of sight) and at the same power 100KW according to the transmitter data how come only some channels are affected?

Likely because something in the system favours certain frequencies over others.  Damp coax or a tree blocking the line-of-sight is going to attenuate higher frequencies more than lower ones.  Also, it could be due to inappropriate aerial group (In the old days, aerials were frequency-group-specific to improve performance and rejection of unwanted signals from distant transmitters.  In the early days of digital, this went out the window, with the extra signals often being out-of-group, requiring wideband aerials be installed to receive them properly.  I lost the plot with television before the analogue switch-off, but I expect everything got moved around a lot then.  It appears that Winter Hill had a major re-shuffle in March 2018, and the muxes are all now in group A where a 1980s/1990s aerial would have been a C/D.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 12 August, 2018, 10:24:06 pm
Quote from: Kim on 12 August, 2018, 12:27:17 pm
Quote from: essexian on 12 August, 2018, 07:09:37 am
Its old, its boring and frankly, do I look like a professional cyclist?

I had someone ask if I was a professional cyclist yesterday.  I was crouched on the ground next to my touring recumbent fettling the dynamo wiring with a swiss army knife.

I'm reasonably sure that this is simply down to the complete lack of clue the average BRITON has about cycling.  But you have to wonder...
Define professional. I know someone who, at the age of 17 or thereabouts, spent a year riding for a minor Belgian pro team. At the end of the year they said, as they do to 99% of their team, Thanks but you're not fast enough and we've got hundreds of new teenagers hoping to make it big. So it never became a profession for him (and he probably didn't want it to be) but he was a professional cyclist. And then there's someone like Teethgrinder, who took a year or more out of his normal work to spend riding round Milton Keynes and Marsh Gibbon because he'd got sponsorship for it; for doing basically what he did and does anyway. So he isn't a professional but it is his profession.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 12 August, 2018, 10:37:16 pm
Yeahbut, I'm neither Teethgrinder[1] nor a 17yo racing snake.  Nobody's ever paid me to ride a bike, and I'm not even Belgian.

It's not the first time I've been asked, either[2].


[1] I did ride through Marsh Gibbon last weekend.
[2] Blind woman on a train, after I folded up my Brompton to make room for her wheelchair.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 12 August, 2018, 10:53:30 pm
I know several people who've ridden through Marsh Gibbon and none of them are Teethgrinder. And the bloke who raced in Belgium is English (and his team was sponsored, bizarrely, by a Canadian manufacturer of safety boots). None of which is at all the point. Either they are misled by your quads of Hoy or they are just making conversation (I'll allow a few to be genuinely confused and some more to believe you are taking part in or training for some amateur race).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 12 August, 2018, 10:57:30 pm
I've just remembered something recounted here by Mal Volio ex-otp. He stopped at a 24hr garage somewhere (I have a vague feeling it might have been in Devon, which makes the whole thing even odder) and was asked "Are you Teethgrinder?" Except they used Teethgrinder's real name, which probably makes it slightly less bizarre. This was years before the record attempt. I'd like to think that right now Tommy Gerronit in his Sky bodystocking is stocking up on Frijj from the 24hr Shell in Abergavenny and being asked "Are you Teethgrinder?"  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 12 August, 2018, 11:00:49 pm
A random person at Mordor Central asked me if I was Charlotte once[1]...


[1] It's happened on a couple of other occasions, but those were gatherings of cyclists, so much less random.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 12 August, 2018, 11:08:49 pm
To which the correct answer had to be, "No, I'm Wowbagger."
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 13 August, 2018, 11:03:46 am
The trouble with not having anything important enough to do is that the clock appears to be recording the passage of time at half the speed I'd normally expect.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: PeteB99 on 13 August, 2018, 12:02:48 pm
Quote from: Kim on 12 August, 2018, 12:36:04 pm
Quote from: PeteB99 on 12 August, 2018, 11:56:33 am
Q If all the channels are broadcast from the same place (Winter hill, 60 miles away but should still be line of sight) and at the same power 100KW according to the transmitter data how come only some channels are affected?

Likely because something in the system favours certain frequencies over others.  Damp coax or a tree blocking the line-of-sight is going to attenuate higher frequencies more than lower ones.  Also, it could be due to inappropriate aerial group (In the old days, aerials were frequency-group-specific to improve performance and rejection of unwanted signals from distant transmitters.  In the early days of digital, this went out the window, with the extra signals often being out-of-group, requiring wideband aerials be installed to receive them properly.  I lost the plot with television before the analogue switch-off, but I expect everything got moved around a lot then.  It appears that Winter Hill had a major re-shuffle in March 2018, and the muxes are all now in group A where a 1980s/1990s aerial would have been a C/D.)
Looks like my original post was wrong. The affected channels are on the COM8 MUX which for some reason Winter Hill transmits at 22.6 KW rather than 100 KW for the other multiplexs. So probably a combination of distance and atmospherics.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 14 August, 2018, 11:51:11 am
I mean, do I care if you agree to fund those developments or not? I won't be here, and the none delivery of those developments is not going to affect my bonus is it? So Mr Line Manager, there really is no value in giving me a hard time over the funding cockup for stories I took over after that should have all been agreed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 14 August, 2018, 12:46:55 pm
Oh , contents insurance due is it ,  I suppose I'd better sort that out before I vanish off to foreign parts next week then  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 14 August, 2018, 01:25:42 pm
Halfway through a morning's happy re-arrangement of drilling/sanding area of workshop, neighbours pop round to tell us they're knocking down their barn, whose wall closes off one side of our garden. Had to descend to low-grade labour with masonry drills, fenceposts & wire netting to keep the bloody dogs from getting bricks on the noggin. Still not done, either.  :demon: >:( >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 19 August, 2018, 09:27:23 am
Ok BBC radio 4.  That's enough Aretha now.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fimm on 20 August, 2018, 12:43:35 pm
1) Dear nice office cleaning ladies, if I can leave the toilet mirror clean and streak-free with use use of a damp paper towel and some elbow grease, what on earth are you doing to it to leave it so streaky in the first place?

2) Am sent a missive from the GP, asking me to make a phone appointment to discuss scan results.* I was going to make a proper appointment but have failed to get A Round Tuit; OK, telephone is fine. Ring up. Tomorrow between 8am and 1pm, they say. Well, fine, but for some of that time I will be travelling to work and won't be able to answer the phone. Oh, they don't have time to ring you back. So I assume if I don't answer the phone (because I am riding a bicycle and won't hear it) I'll have to ring up again?
If it doesn't work out I shall return to plan A and go for a face-to-face appointment.

*nothing serious as far as I know.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 21 August, 2018, 08:27:33 am
Nothing fucks up your Wednesday like realising it is actually Tuesday!

I got into work, today, all happy because I am on a short week (taking time off to do things with the family, Thursday Friday), then realised that I have another day to work....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 21 August, 2018, 01:08:12 pm
That's funny, I thought it was Monday.

Me own grumble stems from our Sunday afternoon's blighted visitation. The wretched brat's mum gave me a Decathlon cycling jersey in funereal black. I never wear black jerseys.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Legs on 22 August, 2018, 08:45:36 am
Why oh why oh why is it not possible to get palatable oral suspension antibiotics?  My 18-month old has been prescribed flucloxacillin but it tastes like a rancid badger's armpit and he just spits it out.  How is he supposed to get over his highly contagious impetigo if we can't get them into him?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 22 August, 2018, 11:12:32 am
Because antibiotics taste ming, and the things that sort-of mask the taste taste worse?

See also: Paracetamol.

I remain unconvinced that this actually applies to toothpaste however, and suspect there's some sort of global conspiracy by the mint industry.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 22 August, 2018, 11:35:34 am
Can you mix it with strongly-flavoured food he definitely likes?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 22 August, 2018, 04:36:06 pm
Liquid fluclox is bloody disgusting and used to be bright fucking orange. Everything tastes awful for hours afterwards and I suspect it's very hard to disguise the taste. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jakob W on 22 August, 2018, 05:01:41 pm
We tried everything we could; no dice. We eventually ended up in hospital, where Matron, with faint condescension, said 'let me have a try...'

10 minutes later she emerged ashen-faced and said 'that's the first child in my 25 years of nursing I've not been able to get oral antibiotics into.' We ended up with a cannula.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 22 August, 2018, 05:51:36 pm
:O

At least you were vindicated rather than having SmugMatron mode I guess.

Hope the IV versions work and you don't have to keep trying the evil oral suspension.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 22 August, 2018, 09:05:06 pm
Quote from: Jakob W on 22 August, 2018, 05:01:41 pm
We tried everything we could; no dice. We eventually ended up in hospital, where Matron, with faint condescension, said 'let me have a try...'

10 minutes later she emerged ashen-faced and said 'that's the first child in my 25 years of nursing I've not been able to get oral antibiotics into.' We ended up with a cannula.
Thats nurse’s for you. Nearly always right, but generally prepared to admit when they aren’t. Doctors on the other hand are never wrong, especially when the nurse is right, except, it would seem, on A&E where the nurses are generally able to house train them 😁

I hope your little human gets better sooner.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 22 August, 2018, 09:42:08 pm
The microbiologists also tend to take nurses (and the likes of cleaners, caterers and whoever has to fish the dead pigeons out of the water tank) seriously, on the basis that they're the ones ultimately responsible for not spreading infection everywhere.

Of course, as a patient, it's generally best not to have anything that might cause you to need to be seen by a microbiologist.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 22 August, 2018, 09:53:02 pm
I once ended up in an isolation ward, the week before Christmas with possible legionella (probably flu in reality, but similar symptoms to start).  Legionela had been found in the cooling systems I was playing with at work, leaky on recomisioning.  That involved several days of IV antibiotics and armfuls of blood.

I got very familiar with "the world at war" on a tiny telly
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 22 August, 2018, 10:16:31 pm
Granted the circs could have been more favourable but there are much worse TV series . . .
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 23 August, 2018, 08:12:13 am
That one is pretty well definitive WRT WW2 - makes you wonder why Ken Burns would bother.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 24 August, 2018, 03:23:25 pm
Quote from: Torslanda on 22 August, 2018, 10:16:31 pm
Granted the circs could have been more favourable but there are much worse TV series . . .

As long as it isn't the heavily edited, sanitised Yesterday/History Channel version.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 24 August, 2018, 03:53:05 pm
Nah, mate. Umpteen disc 40th anniversary boxset wiv all de extraz innit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 24 August, 2018, 08:17:44 pm
When I watched Auf Wiedersehen Pet on Dave or whatever, it was so heavily edited in parts as to make it incomprehensible. Whole chunks were deleted and scenes followed referring back to the deleted action. I did what you did & bought the DVDs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 25 August, 2018, 03:05:20 pm
Laboriously worked out a cutting list based on 2-metre timber then found that local DIY turd-polishers only offers 1m80.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rogerzilla on 25 August, 2018, 07:27:40 pm
I need a new conservatory.  It's 29 years old, the plastic roof has sagged to buggery and a real cloudburst now causes drips (once a full blown flood, which amazingly didn't damage the laminate floor).

What's the going rate for a 4 x 3m lean to conservatory on an existing base and dwarf wall?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 26 August, 2018, 02:49:27 pm
B&Q (other rapacious profiteering twats are available) used to offer conservatories in flatpack form. Some assembly required.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 26 August, 2018, 04:31:58 pm
Quote from: rogerzilla on 25 August, 2018, 07:27:40 pm
I need a new conservatory.  It's 29 years old, the plastic roof has sagged to buggery and a real cloudburst now causes drips (once a full blown flood, which amazingly didn't damage the laminate floor).

What's the going rate for a 4 x 3m lean to conservatory on an existing base and dwarf wall?
Do you need a new conservatory or just the roof?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 26 August, 2018, 04:42:38 pm
Ride organizers who send you down a hill from A to B then up a hill from B to C when there's a dead flat road from A to C should be flogged.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Giraffe on 27 August, 2018, 09:18:22 am
Quote from: T42 on 26 August, 2018, 04:42:38 pm
Ride organizers who send you down a hill from A to B then up a hill from B to C when there's a dead flat road from A to C should be flogged.
Goose Eye Grimpeur clate 80's: v. steeply down, V-change of direction, v. steeply up. Somehow guessed that there'd be a Secret Control as there was A Flat, Shorter Route available. Changed to 28" gear. Organiser said that I was the only one to be in a low gear*.

* a lot were 'racers' - had to walk up that hill and, much later, even Pendle Hill!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rogerzilla on 27 August, 2018, 12:22:50 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 26 August, 2018, 04:31:58 pm
Quote from: rogerzilla on 25 August, 2018, 07:27:40 pm
I need a new conservatory.  It's 29 years old, the plastic roof has sagged to buggery and a real cloudburst now causes drips (once a full blown flood, which amazingly didn't damage the laminate floor).

What's the going rate for a 4 x 3m lean to conservatory on an existing base and dwarf wall?
Do you need a new conservatory or just the roof?
It would be nice to get just a roof but the companies that specialise in such things exist only to part pensioners from their life savings - I was quoted £7,000.  It is probably about the same cost to replace the lot, using a local firm.  The existing conservatory is well over 25 years old and has other issues..
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ham on 27 August, 2018, 12:25:31 pm
Some time ago I lashed out on some mig welding equipment, with a view to doing some - surprisingly enough - mig welding. Unfortunately, a lot of life has got in the way; today was the first day I was going to have the time to get it going and play. I've been rather looking forward to it, consoling myself that it was all sitting there in the shedde waiting for me.

So. Set it up, connect up. Wire, cables, gas bottle. Oh. I have to turn the gas on now, don't I? It wouldn't have hurt either the supplier of the welder or the gas, both of whom knew I was a novice, to suggest that a gas bottle key for less than a fiver would be required.

Bum bum bum.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andytheflyer on 27 August, 2018, 12:46:49 pm
Quote from: rogerzilla on 25 August, 2018, 07:27:40 pm
I need a new conservatory.  It's 29 years old, the plastic roof has sagged to buggery and a real cloudburst now causes drips (once a full blown flood, which amazingly didn't damage the laminate floor).

What's the going rate for a 4 x 3m lean to conservatory on an existing base and dwarf wall?

We have one, similar size, but the 'Victorian' style, rectangular, with the corners cut off - so 5 sides in all, with 3ft high brick dwarf walls and double full height external doors.  Hardwood, with triple skin clear polycarbonate roof. Cost IIRC about £10k, some 20 years ago.  Faces north, built over the French doors to our lounge, and has an electric night storage heater on Economy 7.

The side widows rotted out because there were no drain holes at the base of the windows.

Had these replaced with new hardwood frames and Kappafloat glass by local joinery company about 5 years ago, @ about 5k IIRC.  They fitted the sides under the old roof.

Eventually decided to go the whole hog and had the plastic roof panels replaced with more Kappafloat glass a couple of years ago.  IIRC these were about £6k.

So, the walls, external double doors and their glass are now new, and the glass roof is new  Roof timbers are original.

Not cheap, but looks really good and I use it every day, all year around, as my music/computer room.  Well worth the cost but very disappointed over the short life of the orignal (~15 years) due to poor design.  New one looks like new and I expect a long life out of it, longer than I'll need to worry about it anyway.


Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ham on 27 August, 2018, 04:00:24 pm
Quote from: Ham on 27 August, 2018, 12:25:31 pm
Some time ago I lashed out on some mig welding equipment, with a view to doing some - surprisingly enough - mig welding. Unfortunately, a lot of life has got in the way; today was the first day I was going to have the time to get it going and play. I've been rather looking forward to it, consoling myself that it was all sitting there in the shedde waiting for me.

So. Set it up, connect up. Wire, cables, gas bottle. Oh. I have to turn the gas on now, don't I? It wouldn't have hurt either the supplier of the welder or the gas, both of whom knew I was a novice, to suggest that a gas bottle key for less than a fiver would be required.

Bum bum bum.

Medium size adjustables did service.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 27 August, 2018, 09:54:48 pm
 We are rather disappointed with the quality of the wood you used when you replaced our garden fence in spring 2016, The posts are fine but the wood has shrunk, opening gaps. There are holes where knots have fallen out. We paid a considerable sum and expected the fence to last many years. It seems the wood was not well seasoned and has shrunk considerably as a result. The attached photographs were taken before the heatwave this summer.
I would welcome your suggestions as to how best to remedy this situation.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 29 August, 2018, 04:57:48 pm
Quote from: T42 on 26 August, 2018, 04:42:38 pm
Ride organizers who send you down a hill from A to B then up a hill from B to C when there's a dead flat road from A to C should be flogged.

And whoever designed the road I was on today that went up the side of the mountains for several km, at 12% in places, then down a series of hairpins when for the whole time I could see the rail line happily following the bottom of the valley.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 31 August, 2018, 10:54:07 am
It looks like we are about to have a new cat (Snowflake) and a number of kittens.... :facepalm:

We seem to have added a new stray queen to our "out door cats" who we believe is pregnant  :facepalm: It seems that this will be her second litter: the first was taken in my a local low life who sold them as they were all pure white but as soon as the kittens had gone, threw the mum out. Of course, not being "done" she seems to be pregnant again based upon the size of her belly and the amount she is eating (we had a pregnant queen previously and she is showing all the same signs).

We have no issues feeding her but simply can't take on any more kittens so I spoke to the local Cats Protection who are willing to rehouse the kittens and have the mum done (I am more than happy to pay for that myself) but don't have anywhere she can give birth... they suggested we tried to get her into one of our outbuildings but I can't see Elma (our head Queen) allowing that. They also knew this cat and had tried to take her into care but the above mentioned low life refused to allow them to....scum.  Oh, our Postie was also aware of the cat as he sees her on his rounds looking for food.

I then phoned the RSPCA who said that as she wasn't sick or injuried there was nothing they could do until the kittens were born.

So, it looks like we are going to have to look after her until after the birth. I hate the idea of her giving birth in a hedge but that is what might happen  :(


 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 31 August, 2018, 12:39:45 pm
Sympathies! BTDT of a fashion.

Last year's hedge-born litter did fine (CP think she'd been turfed intact by locals) and FOAF managed to get Walthamstow CP to find a birthing place for pregnant Queenie, who had another 6 the week after rehoming.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 31 August, 2018, 01:13:48 pm
Thanks Helly. She has just been around for her lunch and is quite a friendly type.

Sorry, I am on a roll today with grumbling.....


DERBY ARENA.... your website is a pile of crap.

So, last week I decided I would like to try a riding on a velodrome while on leave. My choices are either Derby (40 miles away) or Manchester (around 60 miles away) and yes, I know there are outdoor velodromes in Birmingham and Newcastle Stoke. As Derby is closer and easier to get to, I thought I should go there. However, for all of last week their Website wouldn't let you sign up as new member: there was a 503 error whatever that is. Finally, it allowed me to do so today  :thumbsup:

Thus, membership number in hand, I tried to book a session..... only to find that there don't seem to be any. I might be wrong but the search engine was so poor that despite trying every day for the next month, nothing came up.

It looks like I am going to have to go to Manchester now.... that means either a horrid drive up the M6 before getting lost as I always do in Manchester, or spending £30 to £40 getting a train.  :facepalm: Frankly, I might not bother now.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pedaldog. on 31 August, 2018, 03:19:24 pm
Ian, "Teh Wunder of teh Internetz" seems to be so overpowering! I would have thought to use a "Magic telling bone" to make sure appropriate sessions were available?

If you decide to do Manchester, lemme know and I'll come down and shout at you, as you go round. I might Stop shouting if you buy me a KOFFIE or BEERE.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 31 August, 2018, 07:41:40 pm
TfL, MP, AM

I am a wheelchair user who lives on Stag Lane, Edgware, close to the Holyrood Gardens bus stop.
I have a Pay As You Go Oyster card, registered to my email and my address, as well as a Freedom Pass.

I have relied on Route 305 to take me to Kingsbury and Edgware Stations, which have step-free access to the Underground.

This service is to be withdrawn as of tomorrow. I received an email informing me, timestamped 16.40 on Friday 31 August for a change the next morning.

This change follows a consultation I never received. https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/buses/routes-125-303-305/user_uploads/colindale-bus-service-changes-consultation-report.pdf

It seems apparent to me, from the map of respondents' addresses, that few people on the route of the 305 will have been aware of the proposals. I do not think the consultation was valid as I live on the route and receive multiple contacts from TfL via Twitter and email but DID NOT receive anything about this.

Changing buses is difficult and time-consuming for a wheelchair user so the fact the 302 still serves Stag Lane is scant comfort. Every station on the 302 route has a staircase!

I will now be obliged to use more taxis before, which will not improve London's air quality or congestion.

Please tell me how I can have access to the Tube in future.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 31 August, 2018, 10:25:43 pm
If you haven't sent it, ask them how TfL complied with the duty to "pay due regard" to the needs of disabled people with provision of level access bus transport in their consultation and consideration of this decision as per Section 149 of the Equality Act (Public Sector Equality Duty).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: bludger on 31 August, 2018, 10:30:52 pm
Horrendous. I made a complaint to TFL a while ago when their bus information boards started lying to people about timings (a bus route was cancelled but the boards were displaying one was a few minutes away). I ended up waiting at a stop for 30 minutes before social media alerted me to the cancellation. If I'd beena wheelchair user or a pregnant woman it'd have been a nightmare.

Are there any good campaigning groups for wheelchair users? Disability Rights UK looks like the most prominent to me from google.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 31 August, 2018, 11:17:08 pm
Quote from: barakta on 31 August, 2018, 10:25:43 pm
If you haven't sent it, ask them how TfL complied with the duty to "pay due regard" to the needs of disabled people with provision of level access bus transport in their consultation and consideration of this decision as per Section 149 of the Equality Act (Public Sector Equality Duty).

The buses themselves are level access, no problem.

The issue is none of the stations served by the only bus that now passes my house are step-free. The 305 served Edgware (step-free Northern Line) and Kingsbury (step-free Jubilee Line) stations. The 302 Serves Thameslink, Northern, Jubilee and Overground stations, none of which are step-free.

I feel it's too much to ask my pushers to wait at multiple desolate bus stops and haul me up and down ramps for short hops.

I never received the consultation, which by rights both David and I should have received by different routes.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 01 September, 2018, 01:41:53 am
Transport for All is the best campaign group for London transport issues, they're politically sensible and well connected.

Disability Rights UK is one of the massive charities which can be good but can end up politically compromised cos of their networking position.

Helly may well want to contact Transport for All about her bus issue as they may have ideas, advice and be able to chase too. They appear to have an info line and be able to give official advice.

http://www.transportforall.org.uk/about/
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 01 September, 2018, 02:13:40 am
Thanks!
To be fair, I probably only used a bus about once per month, which would hardly justify the route financially.

David referred to the 305 as our 'Taxibus' as we were frequently the sole passengers on the late night southern end of the route.

From what I can see of the consultation documents, they seem very Barnet slanted. We live in Brent.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ham on 01 September, 2018, 07:20:38 am
A little grumble at others on here. Not on the thread in question, because that would be self defeating.

Please.

Do not feed trolls.

Yes, sometimes you might think you can't possibly leave "that" unchallenged. But really, you can. Well known fact, trolls starve without food.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 01 September, 2018, 08:32:20 am
We have trolls? Oh dear, that is unfortunate.  Do Rentokil "do" trolls or do we need to contact more specialized *cough* contractors?  :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 01 September, 2018, 09:20:50 am
Paging Mr. Gruff... (someone had to say it).

Meanwhile, me own grump is at road works contractors who put up "road blocked at 3000 metres" signs and send you on long diversions up hill & down dale when the road is only impassable for 4-wheeled traffic.  I did one such yesterday that added 5k to my trot, then said bollocks to the second one and breezed straight through with only a short patch of - saving your presence - rough.  Looking at the map now, the approved route would have added another 5 or 6.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 02 September, 2018, 09:20:17 am
Quote from: T42 on 01 September, 2018, 09:20:50 am
Paging Mr. Gruff... (someone had to say it).

Meanwhile, me own grump is at road works contractors who put up "road blocked at 3000 metres" signs and send you on long diversions up hill & down dale when the road is only impassable for 4-wheeled traffic.  I did one such yesterday that added 5k to my trot, then said bollocks to the second one and breezed straight through with only a short patch of - saving your presence - rough.  Looking at the map now, the approved route would have added another 5 or 6.

I now routinely ignore all such signs.  Even if I have to walk through a field fo 50 yards it is almost always possible to get through
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 02 September, 2018, 04:32:15 pm
I usually ignore them too, but wonked out at the thought of going downhill for 3 km and then back.  Chums of mine ignored a "route barrée" sign in the Corbières range: they did ~5 km over a col and down the other side only to find a landslide across the road with their destination in sight about half a km beyond.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 03 September, 2018, 12:09:24 am
milkandmore emailed me at 22.30 to inform me they  have cancelled this week's deliveries because they have tried and failed to get payment from my credit card three times.

They could have let me know after the second attempt failed so I had a chance to get my milk tomorrow.

My credit card does not expire until the middle of next year. My bank informed me they were replacing it sooner but no replacement has arrived yet.

I have made successful payments with my CC to Worthy Causes within the last few days.

Another £5.67 will not exceed my credit limit. I suspect a rather zealous Fraud Department see this as a potential 'priming payment' from a scammer.

I always have emergency milk in the freezer...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 03 September, 2018, 06:01:19 am
HK has just reported the same milk availability problem.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 03 September, 2018, 09:35:45 am
BBC: It is not headline news that an obnoxious twat is leaving his job at the end of the year. Kthxbai.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 03 September, 2018, 09:53:06 am
Bosch (though I suspect it's all of them):  0° from the vertical probably covers 99° of table-saw cuts, so why mark it on your scale with a 1mm-thick line and index it with a 1mm-thick needle so as to give a 3mm margin of uncertainty?  And why make it necessary to tilt the blade to 45° to remove the blade guard/riving knife, so that it can't be checked with a real try-square?  Could it really be that you don't give a shit about the dumb fool that bought the thing?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 03 September, 2018, 02:39:59 pm
Quote from: LittleWheelsandBig on 03 September, 2018, 06:01:19 am
HK has just reported the same milk availability problem.

As soon as I read the email, I changed my payment card for my milk account and took an emergency milk out of the freezer.

David insisted on putting out the milk bag, which I thought was futile.

This morning, I receive an email apologising for failure of their payment system.

David went out and found two bottles in the milk bag.

There is now too much milk in the fridge...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 06 September, 2018, 08:30:45 am
The fact that I have just seen my first Christmas Ad of the year is sufficient to get me grumbling.....  :facepalm: Christmas should be restricted to, at most, a week towards the end of December when most of us have a holiday and not before. In the 56 (soon to be 57) years I have been on this planet (and no, I have not spent much time off of it) I am struggling to think of a time when Christmas was "fun"....whatever that is.

And secondly: this is a two for the price of one grumble. Neighbour.... about 6 years ago I promised to kick your dog into the middle of next week if it chased my cats again: The dog had cornered Posie. It was weeks before she was calm enough to go out again. Well, I have just told you I'll will do the same to both you and the dog if I find that you have simply opened your front door to let it out to empty itself on my front lawn again... that the third lump of poo I have found this week. Cleaning up other peoples dog emptying's is not something I should need to do if their dog was controlled correctly. I seriously dislike this neighbour/ dog.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Legs on 06 September, 2018, 10:47:57 am
Bird's in Uttoxeter: I appreciate that you have the right to prepare whatever foodstuffs you want, but is it really that hard to make 3 ham, egg, salad and mayo sarnies for our lunch order?  You do ham, you do egg, but...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Butterfly on 06 September, 2018, 11:22:30 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 03 September, 2018, 02:39:59 pm
Quote from: LittleWheelsandBig on 03 September, 2018, 06:01:19 am
HK has just reported the same milk availability problem.

As soon as I read the email, I changed my payment card for my milk account and took an emergency milk out of the freezer.

David insisted on putting out the milk bag, which I thought was futile.

This morning, I receive an email apologising for failure of their payment system.

David went out and found two bottles in the milk bag.

There is now too much milk in the fridge...

I had the first email, but not the second, but my deliveries turned up as usual this week. When I wentt o the website to see if I could add some pay as you go extras to replace the cancelled things there was a banner apologising for their payment problems and saying that deliveries would happen as normal, so I left it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 06 September, 2018, 05:18:33 pm
Quote from: Butterfly on 06 September, 2018, 11:22:30 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 03 September, 2018, 02:39:59 pm
Quote from: LittleWheelsandBig on 03 September, 2018, 06:01:19 am
HK has just reported the same milk availability problem.

As soon as I read the email, I changed my payment card for my milk account and took an emergency milk out of the freezer.

David insisted on putting out the milk bag, which I thought was futile.

This morning, I receive an email apologising for failure of their payment system.

David went out and found two bottles in the milk bag.

There is now too much milk in the fridge...

I had the first email, but not the second, but my deliveries turned up as usual this week. When I wentt o the website to see if I could add some pay as you go extras to replace the cancelled things there was a banner apologising for their payment problems and saying that deliveries would happen as normal, so I left it.

The problem occurred on Sunday night and must have been resolved within a few hours. If you don't have a Monday delivery, you would not have been troubled.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 06 September, 2018, 06:16:22 pm
I was hoping for a quiet last night to my camping tour. No such luck, the place is overrun with Pre-teen kids, a school party or youth group. The shrieking is annoying. Hopefully they’ll be sent to bed early.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rogerzilla on 06 September, 2018, 09:36:03 pm
New conservatory will be £7750 (on existing base) but that is with a glass roof, not polycarbonate which has caused all the problems, and includes removal of the existing one.  Not too bad and ought to get the money back when I sell - the existing one is a bit of an eyesore with its mouldy, sagged roof, even without the leaks.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Peat on 07 September, 2018, 07:40:11 am
Had the misfortune of having to use a train this week. I went to use the brand new 1800 space multistorey car park at the station. It's Pay & Display and currently CASH ONLY....

2018, folks. You can be pretty sure that anyone arriving by car to a train station is in 'a rush', so why are they asking folk to mess around with coins and machines? Plate recognition and pay-on-exit seems almost ubiquitous elsewhere. Honestly, I ask you....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andytheflyer on 07 September, 2018, 07:41:31 am
Quote from: rogerzilla on 06 September, 2018, 09:36:03 pm
New conservatory will be £7750 (on existing base) but that is with a glass roof, not polycarbonate which has caused all the problems, and includes removal of the existing one.  Not too bad and ought to get the money back when I sell - the existing one is a bit of an eyesore with its mouldy, sagged roof, even without the leaks.

Looks like a good price that.  The glass roof makes the room much lighter. Ours has some coating which is supposed to make it self cleaning - think it does, a bit, but only when it rains! But it's much cleaner than the old polycarbonate one was.

I think the whole rook is great value - it's like sitting in the garden, and I can do my saxophone practice without excessive complaints from SWMBO about how loud the sax is.  But she plays the flute, which is no match for the sax decibels.

Need to turn the storage heater on in ours, it's decidedly chilly in the mornings now.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 07 September, 2018, 01:46:35 pm
Grrrr. Check-in for my flight home didn’t open until after I left the country, so I have checked in with the app as usual. So far so good. Can I have my boarding pass please? No, it has to be printed. Not much chance of finding a printer out here.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 07 September, 2018, 02:05:47 pm
I've never printed a boarding pass ever. Either on my phone or collect at the airport.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 07 September, 2018, 02:50:52 pm
I will have to see. David the Builder Airport (yes really) does not handle electronic boarding passes and Wizz charges at the airport.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 07 September, 2018, 03:26:43 pm
Ah, cheap airline gouging.

It's only a matter of time before you have to pay an extra £20 to not be stabbed in the eyes before boarding.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 07 September, 2018, 03:40:59 pm
Email me the details and I can print it for you or scan it and email it back...


WHAT?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: De Sisti on 07 September, 2018, 04:02:15 pm
A couple of weeks ago I contacted Royal Mail staff regarding the local postbox that was in dire
need of repair, or replacement. They removed it a couple of days later.  I have contacted them
again about a replacement, but they say they need my address to aid their enquiries.
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1874/29595913047_5eb1bb181e_z.jpg)

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1873/29595921497_47a29a3b84_z.jpg)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 08 September, 2018, 08:25:36 pm
The blades on my Wahl hair clippers are well blunt, not surprising as they are over 20 years old.  I can't find replacement blades online that look the same, so they may have changed the design.  The blades I can find are about the same cost as a new set of clippers,  a lot less than I paid for the originals so I'll assume they have  been "cost engineered" & won't last.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 08 September, 2018, 08:30:23 pm
Is it possible to get them reground?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 08 September, 2018, 08:42:34 pm
Wahl do a replacement service for professional blades, but not these.  There are instructions online to resharpen them using waterstones, which I have, so I may give that a try. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 12 September, 2018, 09:30:33 am
Schoolkids are back so I'm back to picking up a couple of handfuls of discarded bottles and other crap from my daily walk to the pool, which is always dispiriting, it's all junk and I doubt any of them are going to die of dehydration on their way to and from school. The holidays are nice, just the occasional discarded beer can. I guess if anyone regularly sees me they probably think I'm a alcoholic, hey look there he goes again, it's 10am and he's on the Special Brew. This would be a lie of course, I'd be on a decent breakfast stout like KCBC or Founders.

Also the cars when I go to the afternoon swim session. I honestly don't understand why a majority of the parents sit outside the school with their engine running. When I get to the pool there must be a good several minutes before their kids appear (why they can't walk home is another question, they're not little kids).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 12 September, 2018, 01:32:27 pm
The binmen have recycled our recycling pod again.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 12 September, 2018, 07:03:36 pm
Arse. Cracked a tooth - upper left 4 - lots of pain and facial swelling.

Can feel this one getting expensive...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 12 September, 2018, 07:42:09 pm
Quote from: Torslanda on 12 September, 2018, 07:03:36 pm
Arse. Cracked a tooth - upper left 4 - lots of pain and facial swelling.
BTDT.  You have my sympathy.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 13 September, 2018, 11:43:37 am
Half the face like a football, visited the dentist this morning. Consultation & x-rays £75.

Need three roots extracting, total bill will be 348 quid. Need to mend some more bikes...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 13 September, 2018, 11:44:35 am
As I walked out of the house last night I noticed it was getting decidedly chilly. Upon my return I thought to dig out my winter hat and gloves in anticipation of the cold weather to come. Guess what? They were in the absolutely *last* place I looked. Why does stuff always have to hide in the very last place you look?

I spent ages hunting for them.

Bah
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 13 September, 2018, 12:49:16 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 08 September, 2018, 08:25:36 pm
The blades on my Wahl hair clippers are well blunt, not surprising as they are over 20 years old.  I can't find replacement blades online that look the same, so they may have changed the design.  The blades I can find are about the same cost as a new set of clippers,  a lot less than I paid for the originals so I'll assume they have  been "cost engineered" & won't last.

I bought my Wahl pro clippers in 1995.
They died earlier this year, and were replaced with Wahl pro clippers.
The first thing I did was opened them up (Yeah, warranties. Whatever) because I wanted to change the stiff PVC covered cord for a flexible rubber one.
Looking at how they're put together, I'll be very surprised if I get anything like 23 years worth of use out of them.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 13 September, 2018, 01:35:13 pm
Quote from: Guy on 13 September, 2018, 11:44:35 am
I thought to dig out my winter hat and gloves

I just looked out my long-fingered gloves as it's getting a bit nippier in the mornings.
They have reached that annoying stage where the inner liner pulls out and inverts every time you remove them, and is a total PITA to wriggle them back in again.
I spent about 15 mins dealing with the prolapsed liners.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 13 September, 2018, 08:13:05 pm
I think my clippers are about the same vintage as yours Jurek.   10 minutes on a medium/fine waterstone & a dab of oil & they seem to be cutting a bit better,  so thats one less piece of landfill.    I keep looking at cordless sets so I don't need to take the extension lead into the bathroom, but am so far resisting.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 13 September, 2018, 08:50:30 pm
Quote from: Guy on 13 September, 2018, 11:44:35 am
They were in the absolutely *last* place I looked. Why does stuff always have to hide in the very last place you look?

Um, because what sort of numpty carries on looking once they've found what they're looking for?
IGMC.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: lou boutin on 13 September, 2018, 09:58:20 pm
I hate graduation. I like graduation in the sense that I love seeing the graduants in their caps and gowns all happy and excited. I love seeing my students celebrate their success with their families. I love the sense of excitement on campus during graduation. But, I hate having to have my photo taken with my doctoral graduants and the VC, I hate parading through town in full academic garb, I hate parading in to the theatre, I hate sitting on the stage, but most of all I hate having to stand on the stage and receive my graduating doctoral students. I gets so utterly, mind blowingly nervous and scared that I'm going to fall over or something. In the past I've attended but made one of the other supervisors do it. This time they just put me down as doing it, hauled me up the stairs to the Offices of the Vice Chancellor where I had to wait until the line up had formed and then trot down the stairs to reception behind the VC and the important people, where we were joined by the rest of the faculty.  I think I'm going to be having nightmares about this for the next few nights. 

Oh by the way, is it rude to not want to stand by the VC when your having your photo taken? I made a colleague stand by him, whilst I stood next to my student. When ever I meet the VC he looks me up and down, huffs and walks off, so why would I stand by him? 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 14 September, 2018, 09:18:57 am
Language evolves, it's descriptive not prescriptive, yadda yadda yadda. But "kudo" as a singular of kudos and "kudoed" to show when someone has received kudos are quite horrid constructions.


(Grumpiness may be increased by reading these terms on the PayPal forum where I'm trying to find out where my refund is)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 14 September, 2018, 09:27:34 am
So they've made kudos countable? I can see the sense in that in the context of a forum or something that gives "kudos points" but I don't think it's going to catch on outside that.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 14 September, 2018, 01:48:12 pm
I can't think when I've ever been stingy enough to just give someone a single kudo, that just seems mean
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 14 September, 2018, 03:22:47 pm
Maybe 25 December will be a Christma.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 16 September, 2018, 10:24:30 am
David is off to Berlin today. David has forgotten his German phrasebook and dictionary.

Airport bookshop apparently stocks neither phrasebook nor guide to Berlin.

T5 Heathrow: I am unimpressed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 17 September, 2018, 05:51:44 am
This Unit has been unimpressed with LHR T5 since the day it opened.  T2 wasn't much better the other week, mind, just smaller.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 17 September, 2018, 09:07:44 am
It's an airport. You can buy 'designer' underpants for £30 and socks for not much less. So don't leave them on the bed at home. Undergarments are generally a lot more useful than phrasebooks in my experience. Unless you are that way inclined, and well, it's Germany. I imagine a nation of commandoes and now wish I hadn't. Did I ever tell the story of the bondage bear? Best I don't. Those wacky Germans.

It used to be worst when they lost my bags going to America and I had to go to the mall. I'd spend the next couple of days wearing clothes so big that the only reasonable assumption was that I'd shrunk. I once had to borrow my girlfriend's stuff. Nope, not her knickers. A man has to have standards. Besides, I prefer lace.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 17 September, 2018, 01:53:29 pm
Who needs phrasebooks when you've got google in your pocket?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 17 September, 2018, 02:40:55 pm
That's all I use, it's pretty magic. Point phone at the menu and it turns English, handily avoiding 'feet of pigs' mealtime debacles. A friend of mine didn't realise you could do that, ah the look on their face. Welcome to 2018.

If it's wasn't for Google, I'd be resorting to using my school-grade French, mostly as a weapon. Snooty French waiter? Watch the slow seep of horror into their faces as I yank out their national tongue and use it as linguistic sandwich filling. Frankly, you can get around the world provided you can say 'yes', 'no', 'thank you,' and 'stop it, that hurts' in the necessary languages.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 17 September, 2018, 03:00:08 pm
The first recorded use of Kudo in the singular was in 1926 according to Merriam-Webster.
Quote
Is kudo a word?
Some commentators hold that since kudos is a singular word it cannot be used as a plural and that the word kudo is impossible. But kudo does exist; it is simply one of the most recent words created by back-formation from another word misunderstood as a plural. Kudos was introduced into English in the 19th century; it was used in contexts where a reader unfamiliar with Greek could not be sure whether it was singular or plural. By the 1920s it began to appear as a plural, and about 25 years later kudo began to appear. It may have begun as a misunderstanding, but then so did cherry and pea.
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kudo
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 17 September, 2018, 03:03:20 pm
See also the Illuminatus! trilogy: the use of "chao" as the singular of chaos, and the "Sacred Chao".
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Gattopardo on 17 September, 2018, 04:17:51 pm
Quote from: lou boutin on 13 September, 2018, 09:58:20 pm
I hate graduation. I like graduation in the sense that I love seeing the graduants in their caps and gowns all happy and excited. I love seeing my students celebrate their success with their families. I love the sense of excitement on campus during graduation. But, I hate having to have my photo taken with my doctoral graduants and the VC, I hate parading through town in full academic garb, I hate parading in to the theatre, I hate sitting on the stage, but most of all I hate having to stand on the stage and receive my graduating doctoral students. I gets so utterly, mind blowingly nervous and scared that I'm going to fall over or something. In the past I've attended but made one of the other supervisors do it. This time they just put me down as doing it, hauled me up the stairs to the Offices of the Vice Chancellor where I had to wait until the line up had formed and then trot down the stairs to reception behind the VC and the important people, where we were joined by the rest of the faculty.  I think I'm going to be having nightmares about this for the next few nights. 

Oh by the way, is it rude to not want to stand by the VC when your having your photo taken? I made a colleague stand by him, whilst I stood next to my student. When ever I meet the VC he looks me up and down, huffs and walks off, so why would I stand by him?

I only ever went to mine for my parents.

Can't see the point if it was just me.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Gattopardo on 17 September, 2018, 04:18:39 pm
It is the start of the christmas in the shops...ho ho fuck that shite.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 17 September, 2018, 04:43:05 pm
Quote from: T42 on 17 September, 2018, 03:03:20 pm
See also the Illuminatus! trilogy: the use of "chao" as the singular of chaos, and the "Sacred Chao".
Can you milk a sacred chao?

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: orienteer on 17 September, 2018, 04:53:43 pm
Quote from: ian on 17 September, 2018, 02:40:55 pm
Frankly, you can get around the world provided you can say 'yes', 'no', 'thank you,' and 'stop it, that hurts' in the necessary languages.

We used to say you only need three phrases in any language:
No
Where is the toilet?
My friend will pay
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 17 September, 2018, 05:14:01 pm
Quote from: Gattopardo on 17 September, 2018, 04:17:51 pm
Quote from: lou boutin on 13 September, 2018, 09:58:20 pm
I hate graduation. I like graduation in the sense that I love seeing the graduants in their caps and gowns all happy and excited. I love seeing my students celebrate their success with their families. I love the sense of excitement on campus during graduation. But, I hate having to have my photo taken with my doctoral graduants and the VC, I hate parading through town in full academic garb, I hate parading in to the theatre, I hate sitting on the stage, but most of all I hate having to stand on the stage and receive my graduating doctoral students. I gets so utterly, mind blowingly nervous and scared that I'm going to fall over or something. In the past I've attended but made one of the other supervisors do it. This time they just put me down as doing it, hauled me up the stairs to the Offices of the Vice Chancellor where I had to wait until the line up had formed and then trot down the stairs to reception behind the VC and the important people, where we were joined by the rest of the faculty.  I think I'm going to be having nightmares about this for the next few nights. 

Oh by the way, is it rude to not want to stand by the VC when your having your photo taken? I made a colleague stand by him, whilst I stood next to my student. When ever I meet the VC he looks me up and down, huffs and walks off, so why would I stand by him?

I only ever went to mine for my parents.

Can't see the point if it was just me.

In the absence of parents who cared, I didn't go to mine.  On balance, I made the right decision.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 17 September, 2018, 05:42:21 pm
I went to my undergraduate graduation – my parents were mostly bemused and amused by the pageantry and it was good fun. It was the last time I saw many friends as we headed off in different directions and slowly forgot to keep in touch.

I didn't bother with the PhD as there wasn't really any point beyond the ceremony and I wasn't about to fly all the way back to the UK to collect a roll of paper.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Gattopardo on 17 September, 2018, 05:46:31 pm
Quote from: Kim on 17 September, 2018, 05:14:01 pm
Quote from: Gattopardo on 17 September, 2018, 04:17:51 pm
Quote from: lou boutin on 13 September, 2018, 09:58:20 pm
I hate graduation. I like graduation in the sense that I love seeing the graduants in their caps and gowns all happy and excited. I love seeing my students celebrate their success with their families. I love the sense of excitement on campus during graduation. But, I hate having to have my photo taken with my doctoral graduants and the VC, I hate parading through town in full academic garb, I hate parading in to the theatre, I hate sitting on the stage, but most of all I hate having to stand on the stage and receive my graduating doctoral students. I gets so utterly, mind blowingly nervous and scared that I'm going to fall over or something. In the past I've attended but made one of the other supervisors do it. This time they just put me down as doing it, hauled me up the stairs to the Offices of the Vice Chancellor where I had to wait until the line up had formed and then trot down the stairs to reception behind the VC and the important people, where we were joined by the rest of the faculty.  I think I'm going to be having nightmares about this for the next few nights. 

Oh by the way, is it rude to not want to stand by the VC when your having your photo taken? I made a colleague stand by him, whilst I stood next to my student. When ever I meet the VC he looks me up and down, huffs and walks off, so why would I stand by him?

I only ever went to mine for my parents.

Can't see the point if it was just me.

In the absence of parents who cared, I didn't go to mine.  On balance, I made the right decision.

Part of me felt like graduation was a money making exercise, from gown hire from eide to tickets for attendees.  Think the degree one I had one or two free.  Others none at all.  The holding the waste pipe for the eyewateringly expensive photos to the walk on stage and collecting a blank piece of paper.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 17 September, 2018, 07:31:16 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 13 September, 2018, 08:13:05 pm
I think my clippers are about the same vintage as yours Jurek.   10 minutes on a medium/fine waterstone & a dab of oil & they seem to be cutting a bit better,  so thats one less piece of landfill.    I keep looking at cordless sets so I don't need to take the extension lead into the bathroom, but am so far resisting.

Take the mains lead in.
It's exciting.
Just don't turn on the water.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 17 September, 2018, 08:26:10 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 14 September, 2018, 01:48:12 pm
I can't think when I've ever been stingy enough to just give someone a single kudo, that just seems mean

(https://1qjpt15fhlq3xjfpm2utibj1-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/IMG_20171201_115722-600x800.jpg)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 18 September, 2018, 06:55:27 pm
I now know why the extractor fan in my bathroom was strangely quiet. The 'blades' inside are more of a melted thermoplastic ball. Looks like that will be this weekend's DIY job.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 19 September, 2018, 10:59:02 am
Curry a bit strong?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 20 September, 2018, 11:02:24 am
After three days of attempting to give access to SharePointy stuff on gubmint IT notwork

Quote
head/desk head/desk head/desk head/desk head/desk head/desk


We’ll try again in the morning. You’ve been site-moved now so maybe the system just hasn’t caught up yet. <clutching at straws.com>

Regards
 
 Guy
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 22 September, 2018, 10:43:29 am
John Lewis sells cheapish work trousers that are dry clean only and I only find out that I didn't check against a designer's insane choice after purchasing and washing them a couple of times.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: offcumden on 22 September, 2018, 11:13:18 am
Quote from: ian on 12 September, 2018, 09:30:33 am
I honestly don't understand why a majority of the parents sit outside the school with their engine running.
If that isn't illegal, it ought to be.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 22 September, 2018, 11:44:27 am
In Sweden, even in the 90s, it was illegal to sit with the engine idling for more than a minute.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 22 September, 2018, 12:06:11 pm
Quote from: CAMRAMan on 22 September, 2018, 11:44:27 am
In Sweden, even in the 90s, it was illegal to sit with the engine idling for more than a minute.
Yebbut Sweden, that's the Continent, they don't have the winters like we do.

Oh! (!)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 22 September, 2018, 12:08:47 pm
This was northen Sweden too...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 22 September, 2018, 01:21:02 pm
Quote from: CAMRAMan on 22 September, 2018, 11:44:27 am
In Sweden, even in the 90s, it was illegal to sit with the engine idling for more than a minute.

And just how widely was/is that law obeyed?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 22 September, 2018, 01:35:01 pm
Quote from: offcumden on 22 September, 2018, 11:13:18 am
Quote from: ian on 12 September, 2018, 09:30:33 am
I honestly don't understand why a majority of the parents sit outside the school with their engine running.
If that isn't illegal, it ought to be.

War on motorists, innit.

I just don't get the why. OK, they didn't get the message about pollution and their kids breathing it. But why just sit there wasting fuel, it's not like restarting your car is hard. And it's not just one car, there's a significant number who just sit there waiting with their engines running.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 22 September, 2018, 01:46:19 pm
Quote from: CAMRAMan on 22 September, 2018, 11:44:27 am
In Sweden, even in the 90s, it was illegal to sit with the engine idling for more than a minute.

There are signs all over BRITISH Columbia declaring it a "No-Idle Province".  They seem to work too.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 22 September, 2018, 01:54:46 pm
It's not just schools either, I cycled past a long line of traffic waiting for the Woolwich ferry a few weeks back – and I mean long, all the way back through North Woolwich. Half the cars had their engines running and there was no danger of anyone moving anytime soon. The ferry still wasn't in when I got to the front of the queue.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Butterfly on 22 September, 2018, 01:58:31 pm
Well, they might freeze to DETH / melt in the heat* if they turn the engine off. Or never be able to start it again. Or be too slow to roll forward 3cms and lose their place.

*delete as applicable

Absolutely no awareness, the lot of em.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Paul on 22 September, 2018, 02:46:58 pm
And there are the phone chargers. I was stunned to hear that a colleague ran her stationary car to change her phone while camping.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 22 September, 2018, 04:22:19 pm
My current company motor is an Audi A4 automatic. If I'm in a queueueue, the auto stop start won't work if I select  neutral and apply the handbrake, like I was taught BITD. If I leave it in gear and keep my foot on the brake it does. This is rubbish.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 22 September, 2018, 06:32:56 pm
Quote from: Paul on 22 September, 2018, 02:46:58 pm
And there are the phone chargers. I was stunned to hear that a colleague ran her stationary car to change her phone while camping.

I spotted someone doing that at Mildenhall last year.   :facepalm:

The answer is of course electric cars.  You can 'run' those as much as you like for climate control, instant readiness or powering random stuff[1] without spewing fumes and with a minimum of noise.  The transition to EVs is obviously simpler than expecting J Random internets-deprived camper to have read the manual or otherwise worked out what those ignition switch positions are for.


[1] Obgrumble: The irritating absence in the current generation of EVs of sensible provision of a 12V (or indeed 230VAC) supply from the traction battery without having the vehicle in ready-to-drive mode, with various auxiliary systems (running lights, brake and steering assist, climate control, etc) powered up.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 23 September, 2018, 10:21:16 am
Quote from: Kim on 22 September, 2018, 06:32:56 pm
Quote from: Paul on 22 September, 2018, 02:46:58 pm
And there are the phone chargers. I was stunned to hear that a colleague ran her stationary car to change her phone while camping.

I spotted someone doing that at Mildenhall last year.   :facepalm:

The answer is of course electric cars.  You can 'run' those as much as you like for climate control, instant readiness or powering random stuff[1] without spewing fumes and with a minimum of noise.  The transition to EVs is obviously simpler than expecting J Random internets-deprived camper to have read the manual or otherwise worked out what those ignition switch positions are for.


[1] Obgrumble: The irritating absence in the current generation of EVs of sensible provision of a 12V (or indeed 230VAC) supply from the traction battery without having the vehicle in ready-to-drive mode, with various auxiliary systems (running lights, brake and steering assist, climate control, etc) powered up.

Many cars - including mine, need the ignition to be in the "ready to start" position to power the 12V sockets up, as opposed to the "aux" position, that merely powers the radio, and that for only 30 minutes.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 23 September, 2018, 10:28:46 am
Quote from: rafletcher on 22 September, 2018, 01:21:02 pm
Quote from: CAMRAMan on 22 September, 2018, 11:44:27 am
In Sweden, even in the 90s, it was illegal to sit with the engine idling for more than a minute.

And just how widely was/is that law obeyed?
There is a completely different mindset in Sweden, so widely observed. This is a country where, even in the 90s, the road surface colour changed to red as you neared a school and the speed limit changed down to 20KMH as you drove past a school.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 23 September, 2018, 11:44:15 am
They'll do it when it's cold and when it's hot. In many cases, they'll sit there with the car running and the window down so they can smoke and stare gormlessly at their phone. I confess it's more than a little depressing because I simply think they just don't care and simply can't be bothered. Which I guess means their kids will grow up in the same mould.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 23 September, 2018, 03:09:50 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 23 September, 2018, 10:21:16 am
Many cars - including mine, need the ignition to be in the "ready to start" position to power the 12V sockets up, as opposed to the "aux" position, that merely powers the radio, and that for only 30 minutes.

The last time I owned a car, I had a permanently live 12V feed to a female XLR in the back of the glove compartment because of this sort of rubbish.

I've seen at least one where you can determine the 12V socket's behaviour by putting a fuse in a different position.

More modern cars tend to have USB sockets, which power up with the radio.  Unfortunately these seem more interested in mounting a MTP device and playing any compatible audio files in a continuous loop[1] than in dispensing useful quantities of electrons.


[1] And so it came to pass that I found myself sat in the car park of Mildenhall's branch of Mr Sainsbury's Emporium of Toothy Comestibles, in the pissing rain, listening to the dulcet tones of a 28k8 modem handshake[2] turned up to 11 while I frantically grappled with the controls of an unfamiliar radio.  Flashbacks to being a naughty teenager pissing about on the fidonets after bedtime.
[2] My SMS notification tone, and therefore one of the few non-FLAC audio files present on the device.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 23 September, 2018, 03:35:31 pm
That Shitbox Dodge, which I returned to Mr Hertz on Friday, had both "live when the ignition is on" and an "always on" 12-vole sockets in its centre console.  As well as an inverter providing 115 vole anbarism out of a mains-shaped socket.  I expected it to be stuffed to the gunwhales with USB sockets too, but could only find two.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 23 September, 2018, 08:46:25 pm
Quote from: Kim on 23 September, 2018, 03:09:50 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 23 September, 2018, 10:21:16 am
Many cars - including mine, need the ignition to be in the "ready to start" position to power the 12V sockets up, as opposed to the "aux" position, that merely powers the radio, and that for only 30 minutes.

The last time I owned a car, I had a permanently live 12V feed to a female XLR in the back of the glove compartment because of this sort of rubbish.
Isn't that a Jaguar? Didn't think that was your type of motor, Kim.

 :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 23 September, 2018, 08:46:53 pm
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1929/44869873911_05625225a9_c.jpg)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: offcumden on 23 September, 2018, 08:54:21 pm
Well, it's not plastic, so that's alright . . .
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 23 September, 2018, 09:12:34 pm
We woke up to water dripping through our ceiling onto HK's family heirloom bureau as a result of the building work next door and some rain. Rapid moving of stuff (including bureau) and setting out several buckets was the result. The forecast looks good for a few days and I've applied some pressure to the builder. He started to bluster until I started quoting appropriate chapter and verse at him. Stop stuffing about and do things properly, otherwise it'll be strict compliance with every single requirement, no matter how trivial. I don't need this shit right now.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 23 September, 2018, 09:21:13 pm
Oh shit!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tod28 on 24 September, 2018, 01:10:46 am
Leaving an engine idling is an offence. "Stationary idling is an offence under section 42 of the Road Traffic Act 1988," says Jeanette Miller, managing director of Geoffrey Miller Solicitors.

The Act enforces rule 123 of the Highway Code, which states: "You must not leave a vehicle’s engine running unnecessarily while that vehicle is stationary on a public road."

Doing this can incur a £20 fixed-penalty fine under the Road Traffic (Vehicle Emissions) Regulations 2002. This goes up to £40 if unpaid within a given time frame.

But this is only imposed if the driver fails to turn off their engine when asked to do so by a Civil Enforcement Officer..

Of course, it doesn't mean you've got to cut your engine at every red light. You’re allowed to leave your engine running if you're stationary in traffic, diagnosing faults or defrosting your windshield.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 24 September, 2018, 08:58:49 am
Quote from: ian on 23 September, 2018, 11:44:15 am
They'll do it when it's cold and when it's hot. In many cases, they'll sit there with the car running and the window down so they can smoke and stare gormlessly at their phone. I confess it's more than a little depressing because I simply think they just don't care and simply can't be bothered. Which I guess means their kids will grow up in the same mould.

Hopefuly the mould of their festering corpse?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 24 September, 2018, 09:32:11 am
Sod's Law verified yet again in terms of need 10mm hole, 10mm wood drill worn out, drill battery flat & backup f*cking battery kaput. Add to which 8°C outside, 15°C in workshop, bloody dogs knocking door open all the time; and I've run out of decent coffee, cause visitors.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 25 September, 2018, 08:36:31 am
Its my birthday next month.... so CBH asked me what I wanted.

Ah, that's easy. I need a new winter cycling top so suggested she gets me one of the jerseys on sale at Aldi's this weekend.  :thumbsup:

Er no....CBH doesn't like shopping there and thus, I suggested that she orders it online. Er no...she only buys online from suppliers she has used before, so no Planet X or the like. No, I can have a cycling top but only from Amazon and/Ebay.....

Well, that proves a problem for me as I don't buy stuff from Amazon until THEY PAY SOME BL**DY TAX... but did check on their site just in case. I am getting to the grumble...honest.

My grumble. Just how rubbish are both sites search engine?! Try putting "Winter Cycling Jersey" into them and see what total rubbish you get back. There were something like 7 000 replies of which about 5 were of any interest.

Frankly, a site which robs...sorry which makes so much money each year could afford to design a better system, or....is that the point. They are so rubbish that buyers get fed up and just buy any old rubbish?

Anyway, I can't be bothered to look anymore so will just tell her to buy me whatever she wants to. I will have to try to say I like it when I am unlikely to do so.... God, how miserable and ungrateful am I!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 25 September, 2018, 08:48:00 am
Quote from: essexian
Its my birthday next month.... so CBH asked me what I wanted.
I have a deal with MrsLurker.  She asks what I want for my, "One year nearer hopping the twig" day or for the "It's winter and it's bloody miserable outside so let's cheer each other up" day gift.  I tell her and if it's something hobby related, which includes cycling, I buy it, she gives me the cash for it, takes it off me, wraps it and gives it back to me come the day.  It's a system which, normally, works very well.   Which brings me to my grumble;  I'm still waiting for the cash for the Lacey M-10 kit I bought some months ago. :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 25 September, 2018, 11:30:18 am
I've stopped pretending - I buy stuff I think I need/want when I need/want it, people aske what to get me for [reason] I just say either nothing/suprise me/get me  abook.

I thought "get me a non-fiction book" would be pretty safe with my sister.  She bought me 4 books for Christmas - I already had 3 of them.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 25 September, 2018, 12:27:11 pm
"Who calleth me at this ungodly hour?" asked a bleary-eyed Mr Larrington, before realising:

The grumble being that although I told BT's fault tracking webby SCIENCE to send updates to my mobile, it took absolutely no notice.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 25 September, 2018, 12:41:01 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 25 September, 2018, 11:30:18 am
I've stopped pretending - I buy stuff I think I need/want when I need/want it, people aske what to get me for [reason] I just say either nothing/suprise me/get me  abook.

I thought "get me a non-fiction book" would be pretty safe with my sister.  She bought me 4 books for Christmas - I already had 3 of them.

I tell people I don't want birthday and Christmas presents for the same reason – if I want something, I'll buy it. My wife still insists on buying something (which mean I have to do the same) because, I don't know, tradition or something. I honestly wish she (and anyone else) wouldn't.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 25 September, 2018, 02:40:46 pm
Quote from: ian on 25 September, 2018, 12:41:01 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 25 September, 2018, 11:30:18 am
I've stopped pretending - I buy stuff I think I need/want when I need/want it, people aske what to get me for [reason] I just say either nothing/suprise me/get me  abook.

I thought "get me a non-fiction book" would be pretty safe with my sister.  She bought me 4 books for Christmas - I already had 3 of them.

I tell people I don't want birthday and Christmas presents for the same reason – if I want something, I'll buy it. My wife still insists on buying something (which mean I have to do the same) because, I don't know, tradition or something. I honestly wish she (and anyone else) wouldn't.

I have let it be known that you can never have enough clamps.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Zipperhead on 25 September, 2018, 03:45:37 pm
Quote from: T42 on 25 September, 2018, 02:40:46 pm
Quote from: ian on 25 September, 2018, 12:41:01 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 25 September, 2018, 11:30:18 am
I've stopped pretending - I buy stuff I think I need/want when I need/want it, people aske what to get me for [reason] I just say either nothing/suprise me/get me  abook.

I thought "get me a non-fiction book" would be pretty safe with my sister.  She bought me 4 books for Christmas - I already had 3 of them.

I tell people I don't want birthday and Christmas presents for the same reason – if I want something, I'll buy it. My wife still insists on buying something (which mean I have to do the same) because, I don't know, tradition or something. I honestly wish she (and anyone else) wouldn't.

I have let it be known that you can never have enough clamps.

Too true. A dungeon isn't a proper dungeon without a sufficiency of clamps...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 25 September, 2018, 03:55:26 pm
I’ve got my new phone, and a thing of grate shiny it is. But i can’t set up Apple Pay on it because my current credit card expires in 6 days time and my new credit card isn’t valid until October. Arse!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 25 September, 2018, 03:57:36 pm
Quote from: Zipperhead on 25 September, 2018, 03:45:37 pm
Quote from: T42 on 25 September, 2018, 02:40:46 pm
Quote from: ian on 25 September, 2018, 12:41:01 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 25 September, 2018, 11:30:18 am
I've stopped pretending - I buy stuff I think I need/want when I need/want it, people aske what to get me for [reason] I just say either nothing/suprise me/get me  abook.

I thought "get me a non-fiction book" would be pretty safe with my sister.  She bought me 4 books for Christmas - I already had 3 of them.

I tell people I don't want birthday and Christmas presents for the same reason – if I want something, I'll buy it. My wife still insists on buying something (which mean I have to do the same) because, I don't know, tradition or something. I honestly wish she (and anyone else) wouldn't.

I have let it be known that you can never have enough clamps.

Too true. A dungeon isn't a proper dungeon without a sufficiency of clamps...

Shh!  Little do they know...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 26 September, 2018, 10:13:26 am
What genius decided to purchase office chairs with faux leather vinyl covering for the office refurb. It may look smart but its also sweaty  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 26 September, 2018, 10:37:06 am
I remember one long August meeting in 1976 where the chairs were all vinyl. 1976 was a scorcher here. When we broke up we looked as if we had pissed ourselves.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Giraffe on 26 September, 2018, 04:45:17 pm
Bloody Samsung! Lamp fails in the millewobblecookhole. No problem, look for spare lamp, recall that I'd fitted it to next door's fridge about 8 years ago. Get 2 new ones.
Remove cover, find out that a). the lamp is 20W, not 15W ('reason': some brain-dead bozo decided to paint the inside of the oven in a nice black finish THAT DOESN'T REFLECT MUCH LIGHT! b). f'ing lamp is part of the holder so instead of £1.19 for 2 it casts £4.50 each on ebay - or pay aninginear to come and do it.
The old oven lasted ~23 years with no faults; this one's 3 years old - and takes 3s to 'boot'.

Sorry - should have been that there thread over there ->>
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 26 September, 2018, 05:33:02 pm
Smart motorways. Which Einstein decided that we drive around with every road junction in the country memorised? e.g. the A14 is closed at junction 20. WTF is that? Hows about the A14 closed 40miles instead?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 26 September, 2018, 06:47:56 pm
More to the point, which fucking genius decided that we no longer need hard shoulders or emergency refuge so we can make 4 lane roads** with no run off and control it all with cameras.

How's that working out?




** Latest from the Tory twats is that most of the hard shoulder on the Northbound M1 from around Jct 6 has been sold to Taylor-Wimpey who will be starting development of 'affordable homes, 2,3 & 4 bedroom' with 'direct motorway access' soon. ish.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 26 September, 2018, 10:24:45 pm
Quote from: Torslanda on 26 September, 2018, 06:47:56 pm
More to the point, which fucking genius decided that we no longer need hard shoulders or emergency refuge so we can make 4 lane roads** with no run off and control it all with cameras.

How's that working out?

An awful lot better than I ever expected it to, tbh.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 27 September, 2018, 07:50:21 am
Quote from: Kim on 26 September, 2018, 10:24:45 pm
Quote from: Torslanda on 26 September, 2018, 06:47:56 pm
More to the point, which fucking genius decided that we no longer need hard shoulders or emergency refuge so we can make 4 lane roads** with no run off and control it all with cameras.

How's that working out?

An awful lot better than I ever expected it to, tbh.
Like a lot of things that are managed by spreadsheet, it’s a grand idea as long as everything runs smoothly. But the removal of contingency means that when something does go wrong, the incident will escalate rapidly.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 27 September, 2018, 10:56:22 am
It works well for the trains. Oh wait, hold on...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 27 September, 2018, 12:28:33 pm
Quote from: Kim on 26 September, 2018, 10:24:45 pm
Quote from: Torslanda on 26 September, 2018, 06:47:56 pm
More to the point, which fucking genius decided that we no longer need hard shoulders or emergency refuge so we can make 4 lane roads** with no run off and control it all with cameras.

How's that working out?

An awful lot better than I ever expected it to, tbh.

I have recent memories of congestion on the M1 south from Milton Keynes where the signs said something along the lines of "Congestion use the Hard Shoulder" to then find the hard shoulder occupied by the broken down vehicle and the congestion being caused by vehicles having to lane change to get round it. That resulted in a rapid 999 to the police to report the stranded vehicle and the need to get the Hard Shoulder closed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 27 September, 2018, 01:26:16 pm
My monthly coffee order was due to be delivered yesterday but still isn't here. As if I weren't already fed up.  Unfortunately the dogs keep cats out of the garden otherwise I'd have something to kick.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 27 September, 2018, 02:29:32 pm
Quote from: Canardly on 26 September, 2018, 05:33:02 pm
Smart motorways. Which Einstein decided that we drive around with every road junction in the country memorised? e.g. the A14 is closed at junction 20. WTF is that? Hows about the A14 closed 40miles instead?

This ^^^^.  I've been using the M25 for more than a quarter of a century and I can't remember junction numbers.  Overhead signs telling me "J28 - 7 min" are useless.  Is J28 Waltham Thingy, the M11, the A12?  The hyperspace bypass for Thurrock?  Dunno.  Perhaps I'll stop on the non-existent hard shoulder and look at a map :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 27 September, 2018, 11:49:39 pm
I know that J22 is London Colony and that there’s a Sainsbury’s there.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 28 September, 2018, 08:11:19 am
J18 is A404,road not found.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 28 September, 2018, 11:41:17 am
Quote from: Torslanda on 26 September, 2018, 06:47:56 pm
More to the point, which fucking genius decided that we no longer need hard shoulders or emergency refuge so we can make 4 lane roads** with no run off and control it all with cameras?

How the emergency service are going to get to the front of an incident that closes the full width of a smart motorway carriageway is left to the readers imagination.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 28 September, 2018, 03:02:19 pm
Still no coffee delivery.  >:( >:( >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 28 September, 2018, 06:33:07 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 22 September, 2018, 01:21:02 pm
Quote from: CAMRAMan on 22 September, 2018, 11:44:27 am
In Sweden, even in the 90s, it was illegal to sit with the engine idling for more than a minute.

And just how widely was/is that law obeyed?

Quote from: Tod28 on 24 September, 2018, 01:10:46 am
Leaving an engine idling is an offence. "Stationary idling is an offence under section 42 of the Road Traffic Act 1988," says Jeanette Miller, managing director of Geoffrey Miller Solicitors.

The Act enforces rule 123 of the Highway Code, which states: "You must not leave a vehicle’s engine running unnecessarily while that vehicle is stationary on a public road."

Doing this can incur a £20 fixed-penalty fine under the Road Traffic (Vehicle Emissions) Regulations 2002. This goes up to £40 if unpaid within a given time frame.

But this is only imposed if the driver fails to turn off their engine when asked to do so by a Civil Enforcement Officer..

Of course, it doesn't mean you've got to cut your engine at every red light. You’re allowed to leave your engine running if you're stationary in traffic, diagnosing faults or defrosting your windshield.

Comparing these two legal strategies, the specific time limit has the advantage that a) it's much harder to wriggle out of, b) because it gives a specific rule, it's more likely to be enforced (in the rare occasion of there being law enforcement agencies around), c) it's easy for the motorist, who doesn't really care one way or another, to assimilate; not that they will set a 60s timer, but the minute limit says "turn it off, sometime soon".
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 29 September, 2018, 11:39:55 am
I found a hole in one of my jumpers, and my mum took it away to repair. Then I noticed anther hole in it.  I also noticed a hole in one of my thin merino jumpers, but assumed it was where I'd trapped it in a zip of my suitcase or something. I'd put a few other holes down to age or snags on the older ones

This morning I went into my drawer to pull out a merino baselayer for tomorrow, more holes and a squirmy culprit.

Over the last few years I've replaced all of my synthetic baselayers with merino and also bought a few smarter jumpers for work etc, some not cheap.  On todays inspection of 2 drawers, 90% have holes in them - little fucking fuckity arse bastard bugs.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 29 September, 2018, 03:03:29 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 29 September, 2018, 11:39:55 am
I found a hole in one of my jumpers, and my mum took it away to repair. Then I noticed anther hole in it.  I also noticed a hole in one of my thin merino jumpers, but assumed it was where I'd trapped it in a zip of my suitcase or something. I'd put a few other holes down to age or snags on the older ones

This morning I went into my drawer to pull out a merino baselayer for tomorrow, more holes and a squirmy culprit.

Over the last few years I've replaced all of my synthetic baselayers with merino and also bought a few smarter jumpers for work etc, some not cheap.  On todays inspection of 2 drawers, 90% have holes in them - little fucking fuckity arse bastard bugs.



What sort of critter?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 29 September, 2018, 04:57:04 pm
it was a little grub of some sort, no idea what type
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 29 September, 2018, 04:59:48 pm
Moth larvae?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 29 September, 2018, 05:50:26 pm
I imagine so, of some kind, probably a good idea to wash everything before replacing the drawers
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 29 September, 2018, 05:50:46 pm
Quote from: Feanor on 29 September, 2018, 04:59:48 pm
Moth larvae?

That would be my guess too.
https://uk.images.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search;_ylt=AwrIRhjxoa9b0BcAXiN3Bwx.;_ylu=X3oDMTB0ZTgxN3Q0BGNvbG8DaXIyBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDBHNlYwNwaXZz?p=clothes+moth&fr2=piv-web&fr=yhs-imt-brwsrex&hspart=imt&hsimp=yhs-brwsrex
 (https://uk.images.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search;_ylt=AwrIRhjxoa9b0BcAXiN3Bwx.;_ylu=X3oDMTB0ZTgxN3Q0BGNvbG8DaXIyBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDBHNlYwNwaXZz?p=clothes+moth&fr2=piv-web&fr=yhs-imt-brwsrex&hspart=imt&hsimp=yhs-brwsrex)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 30 September, 2018, 08:13:57 am
I recently fretted a 3-string with a pentatonic blues scale and now I want to bang in the rest of the frets, but I haven't got enough of the same fretwire and the supplier is out of stock & going belly-up.  I'll have to re-fret the whole damned thing. Or build another one, of course.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 02 October, 2018, 10:32:11 am
Spouse. Whilst your reflex action of saying "Bless you!" when someone sneezes is endearing, it becomes downright annoying after I have sneezed eight times in rapid succession.

Plz 2 B stopping now. KTHXBAI.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 03 October, 2018, 09:27:29 am
Yesterday morning our car insurers gave me an appointment with their assessor for 8 am  this morning at a local garage. Late yesterday afternoon I phoned the assessors to confirm, and an officious woman talking like a machine-gun told me in how-could-you-be-so-stupid tones that they hadn't got the dossier yet so there was no way I could have an appointment for this morning.

So I stayed at home, and a while ago, of course, I received a text confirming the appointment. :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jakob W on 03 October, 2018, 12:01:29 pm
Bloody cat - yowling at me all the time for food is even less likely to endear you to me if, shortly after having been fed, it then reappears all over the kitchen floor...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 03 October, 2018, 12:57:56 pm
Ah the autumn moult is upon us. Fortunately our new cat is a) tiny and b) a shorthair so such occurences are relatively infrequent and minor despite the amount of grooming she does. Also she's not eating the shrews she's catching.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 06 October, 2018, 10:28:37 am
Natwest - so bleedin' useless they can even screw up closing an account.  The instant it was closed they've deleted it from my online view so I cannot download recent statements, something I do quarterly.  I wouldn't need to download them of course if the buggers didn't keep switching me to paperless[1], one of about 6 reasons I transferred this account elsewhere.  I have closed north of a dozen bank and credit card accounts over the last decade and this is the first that has instantly vanished in a puff of notthoughtthrough.

Sigh.  The experience has reinforced my determination to transfer my other accounts.

[1]Business account, paperless isn't an option.  My accountant has to verify the account.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 08 October, 2018, 08:41:21 am
Intermittent brain-killing drone coming from somewhere up the road has just been joined by a pneumatic drill.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 08 October, 2018, 11:47:46 pm
I've got a long weekend in Vienna at the end of November and am trying to book some culturally enrichment for myself.   The only tickets available for the Vienna State Opera are over €100 , the Vienna Symphony Orchestra are trying to charge me €120 subscription before charging me for an individual ticket !  At this rate I think I'll just enrich the local beer halls instead.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Gattopardo on 09 October, 2018, 12:00:58 am
Quote from: andrewc on 08 October, 2018, 11:47:46 pm
I've got a long weekend in Vienna at the end of November and am trying to book some culturally enrichment for myself.   The only tickets available for the Vienna State Opera are over €100 , the Vienna Symphony Orchestra are trying to charge me €120 subscription before charging me for an individual ticket !  At this rate I think I'll just enrich the local beer halls instead.

Prezels and snitzels?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 09 October, 2018, 12:24:22 am
That's MEAN!
David's Berlin concert ticket a fortnight ago was around £50 but starred Barenboim and Anne-Sophie Mutter.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 09 October, 2018, 12:36:46 am
The Opera had 2 individual tickets left for the night I wanted. La Boheme,  one at €141 the other €190.  The cheaper ones are €28 upwards, but all sold out.   The Vienna Symphony Orchestra (not even the Philharmonic!) website just sticks the subscription charge on & there seems no way to remove it. 


I saw Anne-Sophie Mutter at the Bridgewater Hall earlier this year,  I was in the 2nd row, directly in front of her  :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 09 October, 2018, 12:59:53 pm
The Musikverein doesn't insist on a subscription up front. I now have a ticket for Mitsuko Uchida playing Schubert on the Friday I arrive, and one for the Wiener Brahms Trio playing Rachlin • Szeps-Znaider • Baich | Händel • Beethoven • Mendelssohn on the Sunday.    These & the big Bruegel exhibition should keep me occupied.   Hopefully I'll find time to walk around & see a few other things as well.


(https://www.musikverein.at/CustomResources/Musikverein/420ebbc5-b599-4700-b60b-516cb0624e62.jpg?x1=0&y1=0&x2=2405&y2=1604&w=900&q=70)


Edit http://www.viennabrahmstrio.com/videos/
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 09 October, 2018, 02:03:45 pm
Enjoy! I thought Vienna was a more enjoyable place to visit than Prague when we were in both a couple of years ago.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 09 October, 2018, 02:52:22 pm
Will there be cake?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 09 October, 2018, 02:59:53 pm
Sachertorte, natürlich.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 12 October, 2018, 04:22:39 pm
It's annoyingly difficult to verify the names of World Food Programme country directors and national officers. We'll just have to go with "most common spelling".
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 12 October, 2018, 06:04:42 pm
Okay, "Horizon Mathemba" was a reasonable stab at a Malawian name, but "Ireen"? I think it's "goodnight" on that one.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 13 October, 2018, 02:03:45 pm
my washing machine just expired in a puff of smoke.  >:(

Final spin of the cycle, when I heard a bang, a rough sounding spin like an unbalanced load and went to investigate. Decided I didn't like what I heard and then saw smoke rising from it so killed the power. It may be as simple as the drive belt but as it was left by the previous owners when I bought this house 4 years ago I am not complaining but my shopping plans for this afternoon have just changed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 13 October, 2018, 07:34:05 pm
I’m beset by lurgy, which is never fun. Worse, Mrs Dan is being kept apart from a craft show and I’ve got bike bits that I need the time and energy to fettle.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 14 October, 2018, 12:14:03 pm
Power is off in the shop.  How am I supposed to indulge in the British passion for panic buying?
I was going to strip at least one shelf of bread and buy every roll of bog paper they have.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 14 October, 2018, 12:45:50 pm
Quote from: Basil on 14 October, 2018, 12:14:03 pm
Power is off in the shop.  How am I supposed to indulge in the British passion for panic buying?
I was going to strip at least one shelf of bread and buy every roll of bog paper they have.
It’s going to take more than a wodge of bog roll to mop that lot up!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 14 October, 2018, 02:24:24 pm
Rellies gave me a Beer52 voucher for my birthday, 3 month subscription of 8 beers a month.  That's not the grumble (far from it)

Beer52 require a credit card number from me in order to set up the delivery of the beer they've already been paid for.
Beer52 will auto renew my subscription at the end of the pre-paid 3 months.
To cancel I have to phone the shysters, can't do it online.
The beer choices are:
 - Light
 - Mixed light & dark (which contains a max of 2 dark beers a month)
At £3 a beer they ain't exactly giving it away.

No forking way are this bunch of charlatans getting a penny of my money.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 14 October, 2018, 04:16:20 pm
Isn't that how all those things work? Free or discounted offer upfront – attractive as a gift – and then rely on people forgetting or not being bothered to cancel.

I have a Brewdog Fanzine thing from somewhere, I think I pay for it or it might just be one of the things that happen because I talked to someone once when I was drunk, but anyway, three beers every fortnight and they're usually an interesting and pretty good selection. That said, I'm generally happy to browse in a shop. Which is why I went out for a loaf of bread and wobbled back with 12 large cans of beers yesterday. I suspect some of them cost more than £3...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 14 October, 2018, 05:37:59 pm
Quote from: Basil on 14 October, 2018, 12:14:03 pm
Power is off in the shop.  How am I supposed to indulge in the British passion for panic buying?
I was going to strip at least one shelf of bread and buy every roll of bog paper they have.
Try bartering. If you want a pint of milk, swap a house for it!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 14 October, 2018, 08:58:26 pm
Looks like my dishwasher is dying. All the lights have fixed on and it seems to just want to run a drying cycle. It's hard to find out too much about it as it appears to have been MFI's house brand (Diplomat).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 14 October, 2018, 09:04:27 pm
Shame you're at the other end of England! My Hygena (MFI house brand) worked fine when I last used it 17 years ago but it flooded the kitchen due to spent door seals. I don't use a dishwasher and couldn't be arsed to remove the beastie...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 15 October, 2018, 11:49:06 am
I should be getting culturalised in Valletta right now.

Because broken ribs and punctured lung I am watching South East English rain.

Arse :-\
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hulver on 15 October, 2018, 12:25:19 pm
Quote from: mcshroom on 14 October, 2018, 08:58:26 pm
Looks like my dishwasher is dying. All the lights have fixed on and it seems to just want to run a drying cycle. It's hard to find out too much about it as it appears to have been MFI's house brand (Diplomat).
I had one that did that. Something overflowed underneath the dishwasher, and stuck the float on that told it that it was full. Plus the circuit board was underneath as well and got drowned.

Short term solution was to tip the dishwasher to drain all the water that was triggering the pump but not actually getting pumped.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 15 October, 2018, 01:03:13 pm
Everything hurts.  My twisted ankle seems to be aggravating an already twinging lower back. Now a YHA bed & pillow has given me a sore neck. I can see a few visits to the physio in my future.  I’m supposed to be marching in London on Saturday, that’s going to do me a lot of good  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 15 October, 2018, 01:10:40 pm
Well if you make it to London, you can lean against me :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 15 October, 2018, 02:13:24 pm
Quote from: woollypigs on 15 October, 2018, 01:10:40 pm
Well if you make it to London, you can lean against me :-)


You’re a handsome brute, but already married  ;)


I’m glad I bought a strong umbrella with me, it’s been useful for more than keeping the rain off.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 15 October, 2018, 03:18:19 pm
The 10 mm brad-point wood drill I just bought looks beautiful but the damned centre point is about 0.5 mm off-centre.

As Fuzzy observed above, arse.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 15 October, 2018, 03:33:11 pm
Quote from: T42 on 15 October, 2018, 03:18:19 pm
The 10 mm brad-point wood drill I just bought looks beautiful but the damned centre point is about 0.5 mm off-centre.

As Fuzzy observed above, arse.

I have a several of similarly dubious drill bits (mostly the spade type), to serve as a reminder not to buy important drill bits from Wilko.

They're adequate for making rough holes in plastic enclosures that are going to be filed square or hidden by a generously flanged panel-mount connector, so I can't quite bring myself to bin them.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 15 October, 2018, 04:07:48 pm
Yeah. Not keen on spade bits - brutal.  I'm ordering a nice Fisch replacement but I couldn't wait for a week. My blunt old 10 mm got through without too much smoke.

Heh - yesterday my cordless drill batteries were both flat, one from use and the other from internal discharge (piece of rubbish), so I resorted to my 1960s Woolworth's hand-drill, also cordless.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 15 October, 2018, 05:17:22 pm
Quote from: T42 on 15 October, 2018, 04:07:48 pm
.
Heh - yesterday my cordless drill batteries were both flat, one from use and the other from internal discharge (piece of rubbish), so I resorted to my 1960s Woolworth's hand-drill, also cordless.
I bet that didn’t smoke too much either  :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 15 October, 2018, 09:36:01 pm
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 15 October, 2018, 11:49:06 am
I should be getting culturalised in Valletta right now.

Because broken ribs and punctured lung I am watching South East English rain.

Arse :-\

If it’s any consolation it’s been pissing it down and howling a gale across the med today. And the forecast for Valletta over the next week is more of the same.

I came here to have a moan about the various crap Storm Callum has shat on my current trip but having seen Basil’s pictures I’ll STFU.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 16 October, 2018, 08:33:55 am
Quote from: Beardy on 15 October, 2018, 05:17:22 pm
Quote from: T42 on 15 October, 2018, 04:07:48 pm
.
Heh - yesterday my cordless drill batteries were both flat, one from use and the other from internal discharge (piece of rubbish), so I resorted to my 1960s Woolworth's hand-drill, also cordless.
I bet that didn’t smoke too much either  :D

No, but I steamed a bit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 16 October, 2018, 10:15:46 am
Quote from: andrewc on 15 October, 2018, 01:03:13 pm
Everything hurts.  My twisted ankle seems to be aggravating an already twinging lower back. Now a YHA bed & pillow has given me a sore neck. I can see a few visits to the physio in my future.  I’m supposed to be marching in London on Saturday, that’s going to do me a lot of good  :(

Rode into work today , very nervous about putting the foot with the damaged ankle down.  Using my own bike with clipless pedals would be a no-no, unclipping would hurt!

I've always avoided working from home, I like to keep the two parts of my life separate , and I'm very easily distracted, so would probably get nothing done.   However its looking like I'm going to need to get myself set up with a remote login.   This will probably necessitate going into the loft, where I think I've a spare monitor, keyboard & mouse, I'm not using the ones on my work laptop.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 16 October, 2018, 10:25:47 am
Running out of decent wood and the bloody shops don't stock any these days. :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: The French Tandem on 17 October, 2018, 06:48:56 am
Quote from: T42 on 16 October, 2018, 10:25:47 am
Running out of decent wood and the bloody shops don't stock any these days. :(

Decent wood is something I buy from sawmills, not from shops. Okay, it's a lot of trouble, as you will need 1) to buy a large amount, 2) a van, 3) time and room to store the wood and let it dry properly, but in the end, believe me it is well worth all the trouble!

A
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 17 October, 2018, 09:49:48 am
Got all those except the time and the money.  Oh, I could use a planer/thicknesser too.

Yesterday I ended up cannibalising the leg of a mahogany table that was made in Uganda around 1960. It was as ugly as a broken brick and the missus has been telling me to kill it for the last 30 years.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: The French Tandem on 17 October, 2018, 11:22:46 am
Quote from: T42 on 17 October, 2018, 09:49:48 am
Yesterday I ended up cannibalising the leg of a mahogany table that was made in Uganda around 1960.

 :o
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andytheflyer on 17 October, 2018, 12:56:48 pm
Quote from: T42 on 17 October, 2018, 09:49:48 am
Yesterday I ended up cannibalising the leg of a mahogany table that was made in Uganda around 1960. It was as ugly as a broken brick and the missus has been telling me to kill it for the last 30 years.

Some years ago, in a house move, I acquired a gate leg extending oak table - the postwar Utility table IIRC.

We used if for a few years, until MiL passed on and we acquired hers, and the Utility table  has kept me in small bits of seasoned oak for a good few years since.  In fact, may have to go to a saleroom and get me another for a fiver.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 17 October, 2018, 02:29:17 pm
I have just received an email regarding tomorrow's LCC AGM which states cycle parking at the meeting venue is limited.
 :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm:

I know *I* can't cycle but!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: pcolbeck on 19 October, 2018, 12:54:38 pm
Two hours going round in loops trying to get a phone number for my car insurance company !
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 19 October, 2018, 12:59:17 pm
Quote from: pcolbeck on 19 October, 2018, 12:54:38 pm
Two hours going round in loops trying to get a phone number for my car insurance company !

Quotemehappy by any chance?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 19 October, 2018, 07:06:46 pm
This is a grumble on behalf of my son. Well not really on his behalf of course, as he doesn't care about imaginary people inside a keyboard. So it's a grumble for my own sake but relaying to you, dear imaginary people who I do care about, what he was grumbling about to me. Which is the dominance of late Victorian literature in the school syllabus. They've just been told what book they'll be studying for GCSE and it's Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. He doesn't mind that per se, but so far over the four years of secondary school they've looked at books by Dickens, Jules Verne, Edgar Allen Poe, Bram Stoker and H.G. Wells. He's simply a bit over-Victorianed. Okay, the other book they're studying for GCSE is some anthology of "poetry for the modern century". Published 2002, so in fact pretty much written in the old century. "There's nothing written after I was born" he complains.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 19 October, 2018, 07:19:34 pm
We did very little literature that had been written in our lifetimes 50 years ago.

Granted, some of the writers were still alive but most had been written long before we were born.
Joseph Priestley
Arnold Wesker
Dannie Abse
JRR Tolkien
Dylan Thomas
George Orwell were 'modern' but were writing about a past era.

Then there were Brontës, Dickens, Chaucer and Shakespeare....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 19 October, 2018, 08:14:36 pm
We had a reasonable selection of literature, but made up for it by being the yeargroup who, through repeated re-writes of the History curriculum, had studied the Norman conquests over and over.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 19 October, 2018, 11:31:18 pm
Quote from: Pickled Onion on 15 October, 2018, 09:36:01 pm
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 15 October, 2018, 11:49:06 am
I should be getting culturalised in Valletta right now.

Because broken ribs and punctured lung I am watching South East English rain.

Arse :-\

If it’s any consolation it’s been pissing it down and howling a gale across the med today. And the forecast for Valletta over the next week is more of the same.

I came here to have a moan about the various crap Storm Callum has shat on my current trip but having seen Basil’s pictures I’ll STFU.

Ok I’ve had enough I’m going to have a grumble.

I’ve come to the South of Spain for a bit of relaxing cycling thinking it would be warm, sunny and unstressful. So far I’ve had:

Bumped off the flight, rerouted 24 hours later with a multi hop flight from a different airport
Consequent late booking somewhere to stay
Torrential downpour and gales near hypothermia
Some idiots playing kickball in Sevilla so all hotels booked solid
Arrested by the Guardia Civil for being on the carretera sin cosco
Fog
More rain I’ve never been so wet in my life
There are probably other things but my mind is blocking them out for the sake of my sanity
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 20 October, 2018, 09:12:38 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 19 October, 2018, 07:19:34 pm
We did very little literature that had been written in our lifetimes

Then There were Brontës, Dickens, was Chaucer and Shakespeare....
Oh what larks.  Listening to Chaucer as he was wrote. 

And the concession to "modernity"?  E.M. Forster, "Where Angels Fear To Tread". Over 70 years "young" by the time we had to endure it. I tried re-reading it ten or so years back because, I reasoned, there must have been some merit in a book chosen for something as important as O level lit. that my teenage self would not have appreciated.  Aye, right.  I got that wrong as well.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 20 October, 2018, 09:47:29 am
Quote from: Pickled Onion on 19 October, 2018, 11:31:18 pm
Ok I’ve had enough I’m going to have a grumble.

I’ve come to the South of Spain for a bit of relaxing cycling thinking it would be warm, sunny and unstressful. So far I’ve had:

Bumped off the flight, rerouted 24 hours later with a multi hop flight from a different airport
Consequent late booking somewhere to stay
Torrential downpour and gales near hypothermia
Some idiots playing kickball in Sevilla so all hotels booked solid
Arrested by the Guardia Civil for being on the carretera sin cosco
Fog
More rain I’ve never been so wet in my life
There are probably other things but my mind is blocking them out for the sake of my sanity
Christmas '96 I travelled to Andalucia to visit my then Spanish girlfriend. They had endured four years of drought.

I arrive for 2 weeks and there then proceeds to be 275mm of rain over the next 5 days.

To top it all, we split up on New Year's Day.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 21 October, 2018, 09:46:22 am
Thanks so much to the random drunk or yoof who opened our gate sometime yesterday evening / night. I'd taken a bag out to the bin at about 18:00, it was shut then. Chasing 30+ sheep out at 03:30 this morning was such a great way to start the day  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 24 October, 2018, 01:45:03 pm
Sigh.... this grumble is about me.

So, on Monday I noted that a large online retailer was having a sale on bikes. Well, with N=N+1 and with the fact that I don't really like my winter bike (it gives me neck ache) I discussed with CBH whether I should be able to spend some of my own money to buy it. CBH agreed I could although I know whatever I spend on myself, she will spend on herself out of our "shared" account (I am the only one who puts any money into it!) Hence, the bike officially was only £250.....  ;D

So, come to this morning I head to the site to make the purchase: I had been busy yesterday so didn't get the chance to do so then, added all the little bits I wanted and was about to press the "buy" button when I noted that the bike was no longer in the sale and would cost me £200 more than I had budgeted for.  :(

Purchased cancelled and myself blamed for putting work ahead of pleasure. That should NEVER happen.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 24 October, 2018, 02:38:55 pm
Having mislaid my RED Spokey spoke key, I did the wheel build mentioned elsewhere with one of those Evans multi size keys. It did a good ish job, but the Spokey ones grip the nippul on three sides, giving less chance of rounding.

Thusly I went to town this lunchtime. First bike shop didn't have one, second one, very much a "proper" LBS, had a similar thing, made by Torque. Yes, it grips on three sides, yes it's RED. No, the manufacturers don't use a common colour code, so it's too big. Arse.

(The nice man in the shop did warn me I should measure the nippul first, but I ignored him) 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 25 October, 2018, 10:38:55 am
I noted on my way to work today two pelican crossings with failed lollipop lights so I decided to report them. Surrey highways has an a-z list of problems so I clicked on pelican crossing fault and it took me to the traffic signal fault reporting page. On there is a list and a map of all signals in the county to choose from..... that doesn't include pelicans.  Back to the a-z to o for 'other', nope. W for 'Web site', nope.  Found a phone no right next to the helpful advice that reporting online is faster. Phoned the number anyway and listened to two long recorded messages that included the advice that reporting online is faster.
On the plus side the wait to speak to a human once the interminable recordings ended was nil and she was very helpful.
I have my doubts both will be fixed as they went on one report. I have no doubt at all she'll not  be able to get the web site sorted.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 25 October, 2018, 10:51:33 am
Yeah, that was my experience of Surrey CC with the Great Double Yellow Line saga (now headed for year 3, but they're scheduling the work honest, at some point they'll notice the pothole that needs to be filled before they can paint the lines – or given contractors, they'll just pain around it).

When I finally talked to a human in the highways department, he actually came around a couple of days later to have a look and chat. Of course, despite agreeing, that entailed waiting for the annual TRO meeting, putting it out for pointless consultation, responding to equally pointless objections, and then finally arranging for the work... if you want to know how a couple of hundred quid of actual work costs the council and you the taxpayer several thousand, there's a good example.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 25 October, 2018, 12:16:58 pm
Unless I’ve misunderstood, then searching for pelican will take you to traffic signals. If it’s got a ‘lollypop’ Then it’s a zebra crossing isn’t it?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 25 October, 2018, 01:03:38 pm
Do they still call those Belisha Beacons? We don't have them here, nor do we have a menagerie of crossing-types.

Anyway, my grumble is that the one surviving battery for my Leroy Merlin cordless drill has swollen like a dead goldfish and will hold a charge sufficient for one and a half 2mm holes 2 cm deep.  Nice & warm, though.  And bloody Leroy Merlin don't sell them any more.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 25 October, 2018, 01:06:10 pm
Quote from: T42 on 25 October, 2018, 01:03:38 pm
Do they still call those Belisha Beacons? We don't have them here, nor do we have a menagerie of crossing-types.

I certainly do.

I note that about 20% of my driving theory test was on the various species of pedestrian crossing.  Because that's really important for a driver to know, obviously.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 25 October, 2018, 01:22:57 pm
Quote from: Kim on 25 October, 2018, 01:06:10 pm
Quote from: T42 on 25 October, 2018, 01:03:38 pm
Do they still call those Belisha Beacons? We don't have them here, nor do we have a menagerie of crossing-types.

I certainly do.

I note that about 20% of my driving theory test was on the various species of pedestrian crossing.  Because that's really important for a driver to know, obviously.
Did they ask you about the Pegasus crossing?

On a related non-grumble, I noticed a new Zebra crossing on my way home last night. I didn't think they were still installing those.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 25 October, 2018, 01:24:59 pm
I honestly can't remember.  Pelicans, Puffins and Toucans certainly featured.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mattc on 25 October, 2018, 02:56:05 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 19 October, 2018, 07:06:46 pm
This is a grumble on behalf of my son. Well not really on his behalf of course, as he doesn't care about imaginary people inside a keyboard. So it's a grumble for my own sake but relaying to you, dear imaginary people who I do care about, what he was grumbling about to me. Which is the dominance of late Victorian literature in the school syllabus. They've just been told what book they'll be studying for GCSE and it's Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. He doesn't mind that per se, but so far over the four years of secondary school they've looked at books by Dickens, Jules Verne, Edgar Allen Poe, Bram Stoker and H.G. Wells. He's simply a bit over-Victorianed. Okay, the other book they're studying for GCSE is some anthology of "poetry for the modern century". Published 2002, so in fact pretty much written in the old century. "There's nothing written after I was born" he complains.
Surely if you're only 15, then most books were written before you were born. Occupational hazard.

[my theory on this - and I'm no Eng Lit scholar, let alone "well read" - is that the distribution of suitable books over time is patchy. The Victorian era might be when fiction publishing started to get really going, and in the last 30 years-or-so most "modern classics" are either not ideal for the full range of 15yos, or they're higly political/controversial. Or they're Trainspotting.

[I think I was pretty lucky that our exam board offered To Kill a Mockingbird as an option. Our teacher didn't choose it, but when I heard about it, I read it, loved it, and remembered it so vividly that the exam* was made a lot easier! ]

*remember those?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 25 October, 2018, 03:54:07 pm
Quote from: mattc on 25 October, 2018, 02:56:05 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 19 October, 2018, 07:06:46 pm
This is a grumble on behalf of my son. Well not really on his behalf of course, as he doesn't care about imaginary people inside a keyboard. So it's a grumble for my own sake but relaying to you, dear imaginary people who I do care about, what he was grumbling about to me. Which is the dominance of late Victorian literature in the school syllabus. They've just been told what book they'll be studying for GCSE and it's Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. He doesn't mind that per se, but so far over the four years of secondary school they've looked at books by Dickens, Jules Verne, Edgar Allen Poe, Bram Stoker and H.G. Wells. He's simply a bit over-Victorianed. Okay, the other book they're studying for GCSE is some anthology of "poetry for the modern century". Published 2002, so in fact pretty much written in the old century. "There's nothing written after I was born" he complains.
Surely if you're only 15, then most books were written before you were born. Occupational hazard.

[my theory on this - and I'm no Eng Lit scholar, let alone "well read" - is that the distribution of suitable books over time is patchy. The Victorian era might be when fiction publishing started to get really going, and in the last 30 years-or-so most "modern classics" are either not ideal for the full range of 15yos, or they're higly political/controversial. Or they're Trainspotting.

[I think I was pretty lucky that our exam board offered To Kill a Mockingbird as an option. Our teacher didn't choose it, but when I heard about it, I read it, loved it, and remembered it so vividly that the exam* was made a lot easier! ]

*remember those?
Incomplete brackets, must try harder!

Yes, wanting to study books written in your young lifetime might be asking a bit much, though I'm sure something suitable could be found.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 25 October, 2018, 05:01:55 pm
When I did my English A level (as a mature student) nearly all our books were by Irish authors!
Oh, and exams. They’re making a comeback in schools, mainly AIUI to stop the little scrotes buying their essays on the interwebs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SteveC on 25 October, 2018, 06:44:51 pm
We did a slightly weird Eng. Lit. O level where we studied nine books (obviously not it very great depth) in our pre-exam year. At the end of each month we had one lesson where we did a test under formal exam conditions. These were marked by our teachers (with some sort of moderation) and counted towards the result at the end of the following year.
The nine were three autobiographies, three plays, and three novels. I can remember most of them.

My Childhood, Maxim Gorky (translated from the Russian)
Portrait of the Artist as a Young Dog, Dylan Thomas
Down and Out in Paris and London, George Orwell

Playboy of the Western World, Synge
Roots, Wesker
?

Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald
?, Hemingway (may have been short stories)
?

So rather more modern than most, but some of them were still a bit of a grind for a 14 year old

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 26 October, 2018, 08:33:14 am
Customer help lines. Every single one I have called in the last couple of years has ALWAYS prefaced anything with some version of "We're very busy but you can use the internet to save time". If I could use the internet I would have done so. Yesterday it was the turn of Royal Mail. A very nice woman called Nicky helped me out, then said "if you need to call back it's best in the morning, and after 4pm means a very long wait". "Longer than the 20 minutes I waited this morning?" says I. "Oh, I had gaps in my calls, I'll let "them" know"" says she.  So what's the betting that such organisations are deliberately delaying putting "customers" through to dissuade them from using the phone lines?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 26 October, 2018, 09:14:20 am
No need to bet, pushing 'customers' to the interwebs is a design feature of all call centre call handling strategies. It’s also a thing to keep you on the interwebs once you’ve found the right page, usually. Y hiding or omitting any help desk number. As a provider of such interfaces I’ve advocated for years that the customers needs are paramout in the delivery of customer service. This has made me unpopular with those that are bonused on their speending of money.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 26 October, 2018, 09:59:07 am
"I suppose I had better read the 'important message' that smile have justve-mailed me about", I thought.  "But soft!  What is this 'username' they seek?  That wasn't A Thing the last time I logged in*!"

Helpfully, they provide a facility whereby you can prod a button and they will e-mail you to tell you your username.  Unhelpfully, it doesn't work.  I suppose I shall have to telephone them.  Bah!

* which, now I come to think of it, was probably in 2008.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 26 October, 2018, 10:00:30 am
Quote from: Beardy on 25 October, 2018, 12:16:58 pm
Unless I’ve misunderstood, then searching for pelican will take you to traffic signals. If it’s got a ‘lollypop’ Then it’s a zebra crossing isn’t it?
I'll be right back, I just need to pop over to the div thread... :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 26 October, 2018, 11:35:27 am
Quote from: Beardy on 26 October, 2018, 09:14:20 am
No need to bet, pushing 'customers' to the interwebs is a design feature of all call centre call handling strategies.

Which is daft, as surely anyone who isn't blind or dyslexic would rather sort their problem by talking to $BigCo's computer directly, rather than wait 20 minutes to talk to some inaudible callcentre drone who isn't authorised to actually solve problems.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 26 October, 2018, 11:44:15 am
 
Quote from: Kim on 26 October, 2018, 11:35:27 am
Quote from: Beardy on 26 October, 2018, 09:14:20 am
No need to bet, pushing 'customers' to the interwebs is a design feature of all call centre call handling strategies.

Which is daft, as surely anyone who isn't blind or dyslexic would rather sort their problem by talking to $BigCo's computer directly, rather than wait 20 minutes to talk to some inaudible callcentre drone who isn't authorised to actually solve problems.
Well, you would have though so, but the ‘metrics’ the bean counters were using to justify, nay, drive this strategy suggested otherwise. To be fair, I think in the beginning of online offerings, more people did ring before they checked the interwebs, but the bean counters have got so used to this being a wicked wheeze for saving money, the seem to,overlook the changing topology of their customer base. I’m glad I’m out of it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 26 October, 2018, 10:43:55 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 24 October, 2018, 02:38:55 pm
Having mislaid my RED Spokey spoke key, I did the wheel build mentioned elsewhere with one of those Evans multi size keys. It did a good ish job, but the Spokey ones grip the nippul on three sides, giving less chance of rounding.

Thusly I went to town this lunchtime. First bike shop didn't have one, second one, very much a "proper" LBS, had a similar thing, made by Torque. Yes, it grips on three sides, yes it's RED. No, the manufacturers don't use a common colour code, so it's too big. Arse.

(The nice man in the shop did warn me I should measure the nippul first, but I ignored him)
Took it back and swapped it for a Black one, which is the same size as a Spokey RED one. The man in the LBS said he'd given up arguing with customers but if I'd given him the chance he would have told me which one go get. He didn't have to be quite so smug about it. I think I like him though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 29 October, 2018, 08:29:29 am
Bloody four legged killing bot. She just brought in a Blue Tit, but the damn thing isn’t dead and she’s taken into one of her hidyholes.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 29 October, 2018, 09:19:17 am
Why do Cross Country consider it acceptable to not run any trains to Stanstead before 10:20am and then send a 3 coach train to pick up a huge number of people, many having significant luggage? Not as if this a rare occurence.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 29 October, 2018, 12:03:27 pm
Why is it that $train op co's see fit to run two coach trains at peak periods? Everyone crammed in like cattle, yet off-peak trains can be 4 or even 6 coaches and virtually empty.

No one has ever managed a reasonable sounding explanation AFAIK...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 29 October, 2018, 12:09:20 pm
To be fair, trains have to move around too – ToCs can't just magic additional carriages to another part of their network (they have to get there, around the usual congestion and problems). So when something goes awry, carriages are in the wrong place. Plus a lot of long trains off-peak are effectively putting capacity in place for the peak periods. Or simply it's not worth detaching carriages and finding somewhere to put them (which might not be available, those railways sidings are probably a housing estate these days).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 29 October, 2018, 01:38:54 pm
They all seem to be at Ely, take a look at a satellite photo just to the east of the station - massive sidings, always full
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 29 October, 2018, 01:46:13 pm
Quote from: Canardly on 29 October, 2018, 09:19:17 am
Why do Cross Country consider it acceptable to not run any trains to Stanstead before 10:20am and then send a 3 coach train to pick up a huge number of people, many having significant luggage? Not as if this a rare occurence.

Rower40 OTP once explained why the Mordor-Stansted train is so utterly crap.  Something to do with platform length at one end, and some signalling limit on how frequently trains could run in the boring middle section of the route IIRC
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: yorkie on 29 October, 2018, 03:57:27 pm
Cross Country (XC) are only allowed to use platform 2 at Stansted Airport, which is only 106m long. Platforms 1 & 3 are 359 and 291m respectively, but are needed for the Stansted Express, which regularly loads to 12 x 20m vehicles. The only trains XC possess which are (a) available and (b) short enough are the 2 and 3 car class 170 DMUs.

Regarding the penchant for Northern to run 2 car trains in the peak and 4 car trains off peak, at the moment they are required (in the franchise agreement) to run extra trains during the peak, but until the new/second-hand fleet are available, they don't have any extra trains (also in the franchise agreement!) to run those extra services. Guess where the extra trains have to come from...
(This used to happen all the time on the Leeds - Harrogate - York line where 2 x 2 car trains off peak were split to provide extra trains for the peak. Then they got some 3 car trains from Scotland - longer vehicles and 2 fewer cabs and vestibules to worry about = roughly the same number of seats. To quote a guard "At least they won't be able to split *these* buggers in the peak!!")
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 29 October, 2018, 04:21:16 pm
Also if you change from running one train with n seats per hour to running two trains of n/2, they'll automatically become more crowded due to the increased demand for a more conveniently-timed service.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ham on 29 October, 2018, 04:33:18 pm
Frigging vulture frigging companies frigging phoning me about a frigging accident that wasn't my frigging fault just frigging sod off. 

Why on earth am I getting an uptick in the number of these calls?

Ah. Miss Ham has had an accident in <car still registered to me> that wasn't her fault  :facepalm:

Could it possibly be fact based rather than random?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: yorkie on 29 October, 2018, 04:41:33 pm
Quote from: Kim on 29 October, 2018, 04:21:16 pm
Also if you change from running one train with n seats per hour to running two trains of n/2, they'll automatically become more crowded due to the increased demand for a more conveniently-timed service.
Correct! I was living in Mordor during the early days of BeardieRailTM when "Operation Princess" went into (not quite) full swing, replacing 1 train per hour of 7 coaches with 2 per hour of 4 or 5 coaches! What a <expletive deleted> disaster! Thankfully I was only travelling back to York once or twice a month, but even that was once or twice too many sometimes!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 29 October, 2018, 04:58:38 pm
I dislike dark evenings  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: orienteer on 29 October, 2018, 05:18:06 pm
Quote from: Ham on 29 October, 2018, 04:33:18 pm
Frigging vulture frigging companies frigging phoning me about a frigging accident that wasn't my frigging fault just frigging sod off. 

Why on earth am I getting an uptick in the number of these calls?

Ah. Miss Ham has had an accident in <car still registered to me> that wasn't her fault  :facepalm:

Could it possibly be fact based rather than random?

Think these are random, I get them regularly despite no accidents, and they never know my name. I just invite them to take their leave immediately in no uncertain terms.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 29 October, 2018, 07:53:39 pm
Also, as XC don't operate any stations, it's harder for them to get platforms extended to take longer trains. Other operators tend to manage the stations which their trains call at, so it's easier for them to do this.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 29 October, 2018, 08:39:03 pm
Surely that's the stuff of Network Rail?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 29 October, 2018, 10:19:29 pm
Ah, an opening for one of my soap boxes.

Utilities cannot be effectively run by private enterprise, especially so when the government decides to impose ‘competion’ via some screwed up regulator system.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 01 November, 2018, 12:03:37 pm
It's a beautiful day here.  So did I go for a little ride this morning?
No.  I'm on the phone trying to track down another chimney sweep. Any chimney sweep who will actually turn up and, you know, sweep chimneys.

Getting any tradesman around here to actually do anything is like living with grumpy teenagers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 01 November, 2018, 12:14:09 pm
Maybe you could send a grumpy teenager up the chimney instead, kill two birds with one stone?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 01 November, 2018, 12:25:06 pm
Unfortunately, interfering busybody do-gooders frown on that sort of thing these days.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 01 November, 2018, 12:29:38 pm
Quote from: Basil on 01 November, 2018, 12:25:06 pm
Unfortunately, interfering busybody do-gooders frown on that sort of thing these days.
actually, if you call them apprentices you can pretty much do what you like with them.  It’s training isn’t it!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 01 November, 2018, 01:10:45 pm
Welsh teenagers are FAR too fat for chimneys!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 01 November, 2018, 01:37:52 pm
True.
I'm thinking in terms of climbing up on the roof and dropping several cats down the flue.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 01 November, 2018, 01:40:45 pm
I would give my cousin a call, but I think her call out charges from Bicester might be a bit steep
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Gattopardo on 01 November, 2018, 01:45:16 pm
Quote from: Ham on 29 October, 2018, 04:33:18 pm
Frigging vulture frigging companies frigging phoning me about a frigging accident that wasn't my frigging fault just frigging sod off. 

Why on earth am I getting an uptick in the number of these calls?

Ah. Miss Ham has had an accident in <car still registered to me> that wasn't her fault  :facepalm:

Could it possibly be fact based rather than random?

Guess who sold them your details....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 01 November, 2018, 08:37:57 pm
One of the pipe joints in my bathroom is leaking.
The plumber was just leaving the office when I phoned so couldn't make any arrangements.
David has taped up the leak so it's only leaking a little.
Will phone plumbers in the morning.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ham on 01 November, 2018, 10:06:02 pm
Quote from: Gattopardo on 01 November, 2018, 01:45:16 pm
Quote from: Ham on 29 October, 2018, 04:33:18 pm
Frigging vulture frigging companies frigging phoning me about a frigging accident that wasn't my frigging fault just frigging sod off. 

Why on earth am I getting an uptick in the number of these calls?

Ah. Miss Ham has had an accident in <car still registered to me> that wasn't her fault  :facepalm:

Could it possibly be fact based rather than random?

Guess who sold them your details....

Well, there's a thing. If it isn't random, then it is not "our" insurers, as that is in Miss Ham's name. It may be from the other side's insurer's where I am the contact, but thinking about it might be associated with the fact that I instructed a local firm of shysters claim recovery company before the other side's insurer's stepped in, agreed liability and asked to deal direct. Again, not convinced for various reasons, I'd say 50:50.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 02 November, 2018, 07:10:06 am
Had something like this a few years ago.  Was shunted at a junction and everything was dealt with no fuss, no bother and then some months after it was all done and dusted got a few calls of the sort you describe.  I assume that, possibly as part of anti-fraud measures, details are shared quite widely when claims are made and the shite-hawks pick up on them that way. Needless to say I gave the callers very short shrift.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 02 November, 2018, 08:11:15 am
Hmm, I've had two accidents on the last 3 years. In neither case (one my fault, the other not) have they been followed by such calls*, although in both cases the "at fault" party admitted fault, although claim shandling companies were still involved.

ETA: Insurer is Direct Line.

*AFAIK - we have BT phones with built in call screening (Call Guardian) that required unknown callers to leave a voicemail to be screened before we decide to accept the call. Most random callers can't be bothered to wait.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 02 November, 2018, 08:22:29 am
I had a sole vehicle accident about 6 or so years ago, country lane, muddy corner, skidded off into a tree, old car, so written off.

I'm still getting calls "we hear you were involved in an accident and may have been injured, we'd like to help you pursue a claim". 

I go through an "Oh yes, they keep telling me about that, but apparently I have some short term memory loss due to an accident.  Who are you again?"  They soon hang up  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 02 November, 2018, 08:23:41 am
Whenever I get one of these calls, if I’m not in the mood to string them along for a while, I always claim that the accident resulted in my DETH. They most popular action to such a claim is for them  to terminate the call.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 02 November, 2018, 08:47:59 am
Quote from: Kim on 29 October, 2018, 08:39:03 pm
Surely that's the stuff of Network Rail?
They only run major stations. For instance, Bristol Temple Meads was run by GWR until 2014. I don't know who runs Stansted.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 02 November, 2018, 11:09:45 am
On my way to Lille for a long weekend. The train from Liverpool to Euston was rerouted due to track works & got in late. By the time I got through security at St Pancras the boarding gates for the 10:58 had closed.
I’m rebooked on the 12:58.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 02 November, 2018, 12:00:03 pm
The 12:58 is now not leaving until approx 13:45 🙄
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 02 November, 2018, 12:18:45 pm
Well at least you won't miss it!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 02 November, 2018, 12:54:42 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 02 November, 2018, 08:47:59 am
Quote from: Kim on 29 October, 2018, 08:39:03 pm
Surely that's the stuff of Network Rail?
They only run major stations. For instance, Bristol Temple Meads was run by GWR until 2014. I don't know who runs Stansted.

Yeah, but Network Rail do the railway bits.  I suppose it depends on whether platforms come under railway (like tracks and signalling) or stations (like lifts and ticket machines).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 02 November, 2018, 01:00:23 pm
I see what you mean. I was thinking that "station" necessarily included all the stuff that goes to make it a station rather than a stretch of track, so including platforms, but I suppose it might not. It would be daft if the physical structure was managed by NR and a bench on it by TOC, but daft is a frequent feature of the world.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 03 November, 2018, 07:03:38 pm
I would much rather that my bowl was still in one piece, and the curry it was holding was not all over the kitchen floor. To top it off, it looks like the smashing bowl's also chipped the laminate floor.

Better clean up and find something else for dinner :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: bobb on 03 November, 2018, 07:22:23 pm
Fireworks. Go away. It's not even the 5th yet, but I've had at least a week of this nonsense already....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 03 November, 2018, 07:26:29 pm
Saturday closest to the fifth is to be expected.  I got out for a ride earlier before the air quality goes to shit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 03 November, 2018, 07:29:35 pm
I'm being spared the fireworks because it's still lashing it down and it's too windy. Tomorrow night will probably feel a bit like living in a war zone.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 03 November, 2018, 07:45:09 pm
The annual display has been cancelled.  The money saved will go to the flood appeal.




Good-oh.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 03 November, 2018, 07:58:27 pm
The backroom of my local has been taken over by a joint christening and 50th anniversary.  (Not the same couple one would assume)
Consequently, all the noisy crew who are normally in there have been moved into our 'quiet room'
Blokes who can only communicate by shouting at the top of their voices.  Women who try to make themselves heard, not by increasing volume, but by making their voices increasingly shriller.

No I won't be staying.  S'pose I'll go home.  Suddenly Strictly with Mrs B seems bearable.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 03 November, 2018, 08:01:15 pm
I pity you if Strictly becomes the best option.

I'm sitting in the spare sitting room, watching the England vs SA lowlights whilst listening to assorted bangs and whistles outside
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 03 November, 2018, 08:09:50 pm
My fault.  We have a spare sitting room and I've been planning for over two years to run a spare feed from the dish.

That's just moved several places up the to do list.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 03 November, 2018, 08:18:38 pm
*now 'watching' Strictly*

Mrs B keeps telling to shut up.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 03 November, 2018, 08:24:51 pm
Urgh my mum sometimes inflicts Strictly on me and talks throughout even tho I can't hear her (and she can't hear me) over the sodding *noise*. I usually find some iOS tech support to do, even printers is less fucking hellish!

I can't hear the bangs, turned HA to mute/music mode.

McShroom sounds like you had a similar disaster to me. I dropped half my baked spud, beans and cheese on a carpeted floor earlier which was bloody annoying!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 03 November, 2018, 09:03:20 pm
I’ve spent the day walking around Lille which was nice. Now my ankle & lower back are giving me gyp, which is not. Mr Stross’s latest to entertain me in the hotel room.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 03 November, 2018, 09:12:58 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 03 November, 2018, 09:03:20 pm
I’ve spent the day walking around Lille which was nice.

Opposite end of France, isn't it?
About 1000k away...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 03 November, 2018, 09:22:52 pm
Quote from: Basil on 03 November, 2018, 08:18:38 pm
*now 'watching' Strictly*

Mrs B keeps telling to shut up.
A couple of years ago I lodged with a school friend and his wife in his mother's house. She had dementia,  horrible condition that it is, and they were part of the care thing for her.

Anyway, one evening they persuaded me to watch Strictly. When it was over, his mother, who still retained a Several of Marbles pronounced: "Well it is all bollocks isn't it."

I found myself in agreement.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 04 November, 2018, 07:56:56 am
Quote from: Basil on 03 November, 2018, 08:18:38 pm
*now 'watching' Strictly*

Mrs B keeps telling to shut up.
I'm all in favour of "Strictly". MrsL loves it (Pink! Sparkly!) and it guarantees me some completely uninterrupted time to build my "toy" aeroplanes.    :)

I find it difficult to be irked these days by such things as "Strictly" providing I'm allowed to indulge in the trivial things that amuse me and not required to participate in those that don't.





Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jaded on 04 November, 2018, 08:44:32 am
I watched Strictly last night whilst waiting to catch up on Eve.

I marvelled at how the colour balance between cameras was so consistent and then thought because digital. Sadly that bit of cogitation only took up enough seconds to cover about half a ‘dance’.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 04 November, 2018, 10:27:54 am
Leaving aside the folly of playing the lottery...

Camelot have reduced the number of weeks you can buy as an alternative to paying by DD from 8 weeks to 2. Arses.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 04 November, 2018, 10:30:25 am
Quote from: andrewc on 03 November, 2018, 09:03:20 pm
I’ve spent the day walking around Lille which was nice. Now my ankle & lower back are giving me gyp, which is not. Mr Stross’s latest to entertain me in the hotel room.
I’ve just discovered Mr Stross after looking for something to follow on from Mr Aaronovitch.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 04 November, 2018, 10:35:04 am
Quote from: rafletcher on 04 November, 2018, 10:27:54 am
Leaving aside the folly of playing the lottery...

Camelot have reduced the number of weeks you can buy as an alternative to paying by DD from 8 weeks to 2. Arses.
AIUI that’s a temporary thing and it has been counting down from eight for, well, 6 weeks now. They’re introducing ‘another’ new scheme of numbers, but I take little notice other than pay the idiot tax from time to time.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 04 November, 2018, 11:59:36 am
Quote from: Basil on 03 November, 2018, 07:45:09 pm
The annual display has been cancelled.  The money saved will go to the flood appeal.




Good-oh.

I was wrong on that.  The display will be on Monday Nov 5th.  Who'd have thought?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 04 November, 2018, 04:11:27 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 04 November, 2018, 10:30:25 am
Quote from: andrewc on 03 November, 2018, 09:03:20 pm
I’ve spent the day walking around Lille which was nice. Now my ankle & lower back are giving me gyp, which is not. Mr Stross’s latest to entertain me in the hotel room.
I’ve just discovered Mr Stross after looking for something to follow on from Mr Aaronovitch.


You can learn some interesting things in his oeuvre, I’ve just learned what a Tzompantli is..... :jurek:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 05 November, 2018, 04:31:47 pm
FFS. Has Eurostar been subcontracted to Northern Fail?  Just been told that my 17:35 back to London is going to be at Lille for approx 45 minutes.  I’ll probably miss my planned connection back to Liverpool. Luckily it’s an open ticket so I can get a later train.
 >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 05 November, 2018, 05:22:02 pm
Prolly down to knobheads trying to take battlefield 'souvenirs' on the train with them. Seriously, people are picking up the 'iron harvest' to take home.

Understandably, Eurostar don't want anyone picking up a Darwin Award...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 05 November, 2018, 06:11:12 pm
Yes, there were 2 security chaps walking around warning about that.  :facepalm:  My train was delayed because it was coming in from Brussels & a train in front of it broke down .
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 05 November, 2018, 06:14:16 pm
Slightly disappointed that it's something so prosaic.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 05 November, 2018, 06:17:28 pm
I _was_ tempted to buy a souvenir, but common sense got the better of me.


https://twitter.com/andrewxclark/status/1058674767866327040?s=21 (https://twitter.com/andrewxclark/status/1058674767866327040?s=21)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 05 November, 2018, 07:06:49 pm
Just on my planned connection home with 2 minutes to spare.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Si S on 09 November, 2018, 09:06:53 am
Ruddy moths and their liking for merino, one of favourite base layers is now a string vest.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 09 November, 2018, 09:20:06 am
I have a silk tie which demonstrates that some colours of silk are tastier than others to moths. I wear a tie about once every two years, so it's not a big deal in practice.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 09 November, 2018, 09:32:42 am
Damn the local cinema is only showing They shall not grow old in 3d.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 09 November, 2018, 09:48:42 am
Quote from: Si S on 09 November, 2018, 09:06:53 am
Ruddy moths and their liking for merino, one of favourite base layers is now a string vest.

Same here, they worked their way through a drawer full.   
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 09 November, 2018, 09:56:29 am
"They didn't have HB leads in 0.5 mm so I brought you 0.7."

:facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: I give up.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Si S on 09 November, 2018, 10:31:49 am
Quote from: ElyDave on 09 November, 2018, 09:48:42 am
Quote from: Si S on 09 November, 2018, 09:06:53 am
Ruddy moths and their liking for merino, one of favourite base layers is now a string vest.

Same here, they worked their way through a drawer full.   

They've left the Endura baa-baa stuff alone but gone for the heavier weight Aldi one, obviously moths onna budget
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 09 November, 2018, 12:29:11 pm
Quote from: T42 on 09 November, 2018, 09:56:29 am
"They didn't have HB leads in 0.5 mm so I brought you 0.7."

:facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: I give up.

 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 09 November, 2018, 01:43:19 pm
Ta (I think) but still  :facepalm: :'(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 09 November, 2018, 03:07:10 pm
Quote from: T42 on 09 November, 2018, 09:56:29 am
"They didn't have HB leads in 0.5 mm so I brought you 0.7."

:facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: I give up.

Don't you have an inverse shim?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 09 November, 2018, 03:19:56 pm
Quote from: jsabine on 09 November, 2018, 03:07:10 pm
Quote from: T42 on 09 November, 2018, 09:56:29 am
"They didn't have HB leads in 0.5 mm so I brought you 0.7."

:facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: I give up.

Don't you have an inverse shim?

Right enough, I have a length of negative-thickness brass tubing in the workshop. It's 3 mm, but if I cut it in sections and thread all the bits together it ought to work.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 09 November, 2018, 05:33:53 pm
Tfl webshite. Tried the journey planner on my phone - blank result. Tried a different browser - blank result. Phone is an OS version out of date so tried two different browsers on the new kindle. Blank result.

How do I get a job where no one gives a shit if what I do works? How can I get paid for going to the pub instead of working?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 09 November, 2018, 10:39:58 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 02 November, 2018, 12:00:03 pm
The 12:58 is now not leaving until approx 13:45 🙄


Eurostar Barstewards.  They used to give you a free ticket to anywhere on their network if you were more than 60 minutes late.  >:(



Because your journey was delayed by more than two hours you are entitled to 50% of the cost of the affected ticket either as an e-voucher or as a cash refund.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 09 November, 2018, 11:17:44 pm
Tfl cartographers: Yes sure, the fact that the southbound 27 takes a totally different route to the north bound 27 south of Marylebone really is an irrelevant detail. Showing both purple lines would so clutter your work.  I mean, it's not like one could end up two and a half miles from where one began one's journey by trusting your crap is it? The aesthetic is, at the end of the day, far more important than disseminating information on a public information web shite.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 10 November, 2018, 07:03:44 pm
Our kitchen smoke alarm has turned into an inverse salad detector. I blame the random free with something AAs that have leaked. My cooking really wasn’t that burnt, honest. It’s radio linked to two other alarms, so I need to try and find a matching detector.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: iddu on 10 November, 2018, 10:19:48 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 09 November, 2018, 12:29:11 pm
Quote from: T42 on 09 November, 2018, 09:56:29 am
"They didn't have HB leads in 0.5 mm so I brought you 0.7."

:facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: I give up.

 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D :thumbsup:

Well, sanding down is proabably easier than scaling up 0.5 -> 0.7, so it's not ALL hopeless / semi-WIN! for the other side ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: izza on 11 November, 2018, 12:18:58 am
On movie posters so often the actors’ names are not above the correct person on the picture.


Really disconcerting.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 11 November, 2018, 08:29:49 am
O Captan, Mercaptan!

Went out to the workshop around 7 pm yesterday and found it stinking of the stuff: the cylinder in my gas heater appears to have problems, probably in the tap washer or whatever kind of seal they use.  Cylinder's empty now, so it appears that around 10 kg of gas out of 13 have leaked out. Open window & fans have cleared the pong but I'm left with a titchy electric fan heater until I can get to the shop where I got the stuff. :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 11 November, 2018, 09:51:34 am
Mega-Global Fruit Corporation of Cupertino, USAnia, say after me: Holborn and High Holborn are not the same thing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 11 November, 2018, 01:39:08 pm
First time I was in that neck of the boondocks I had the strange experience of watching a rather oddly-dressed bloke walk into a shop about 30 feet away and walk out of another about 10 seconds later, 100 yards down the street and on the opposite side.

'Twas Hatton Garden, m'lud.  I was young and innocent, and newly down from Scotland.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 11 November, 2018, 09:55:26 pm
Italian Facebook friend has just shared an Italian news story about measles and unvaccinated kids
illustrated with a picture of a child with chickenpox.

Bad stock images annoy me in any language!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 12 November, 2018, 07:54:39 am
Quote from: T42 on 11 November, 2018, 01:39:08 pm
First time I was in that neck of the boondocks I had the strange experience of watching a rather oddly-dressed bloke walk into a shop about 30 feet away and walk out of another about 10 seconds later, 100 yards down the street and on the opposite side.

'Twas Hatton Garden, m'lud.  I was young and innocent, and newly down from Scotland.

 ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 12 November, 2018, 08:25:43 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 11 November, 2018, 09:55:26 pm
Italian Facebook friend has just shared an Italian news story about measles and unvaccinated kids
illustrated with a picture of a child with chickenpox.

Bad stock images annoy me in any language!

The encouraging thing about that is that the diseases have become uncommon enough that ordinary folk can't tell them apart. When I was a child everybody knew them, usually from personal experience.

Of course, we're headed back in that direction, but we're a long way off yet.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ham on 12 November, 2018, 09:10:51 am
I'm in my %Megacorp's Milton Keynes office, in which there is a drop-in centre that has precisely 3 desks, side by side.

How much of a knob do you have to be to have your computer playing your* favourite radio station? On speakers.

* as in, not mine.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 12 November, 2018, 09:30:49 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 11 November, 2018, 09:55:26 pm
Italian Facebook friend has just shared an Italian news story about measles and unvaccinated kids
illustrated with a picture of a child with chickenpox.

Bad stock images annoy me in any language!

Maybe it says something about the success of vaccination that we don't recognise the symptoms of such diseases.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 12 November, 2018, 03:09:41 pm
Ahem.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 12 November, 2018, 03:59:39 pm
Yes, a service station on the M40 is unlikely to be a haven of peace and serenity, but holding phone conversations using the speaker on your mobile rather than clamping it to your ear doesn't help.


Bah.


(she's gone now, so it's a bit quieter)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 12 November, 2018, 04:51:46 pm
People don't hold phones to their ears any more.  They hold it flat in front of them with the mouth end to their mouths.  I've no idea why they do it, but I expect it works better if you put it on speakerphone.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 12 November, 2018, 04:54:17 pm
The microphones are so good these days it doesn't really matter how you hold them. I can leave mine on my remote command centre desk and free-range while I talk.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 12 November, 2018, 04:58:18 pm
Or at least the GSM codec throws so much detail away that microphone performance becomes irrelevant  >:(

Regardless, it's the phone->ear side that people seem to be doing wrong.  I wonder if both of these are an inevitable consequence of the lack of side-tone?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 12 November, 2018, 07:16:19 pm
Dunno, could be to do with using video? Or people who are used to using those cord microphone things (so you can walk along the street talking into the ether, a privilege previously only available to tramps and the certifiably insane)?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 12 November, 2018, 09:34:11 pm
My Dad tends to use his home phone on speaker and hold it to his ear.

H seems to hear it best that way.

He does use a hearing aid and this is within the privacy of his own flat, so that's fine by me.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 13 November, 2018, 08:32:56 am
Quote from: Kim on 12 November, 2018, 04:51:46 pm
People don't hold phones to their ears any more.  They hold it flat in front of them with the mouth end to their mouths.  I've no idea why they do it, but I expect it works better if you put it on speakerphone.

I reckon it's to keep their brains* away from all that dangerous radiayshun.

* term used loosely
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 13 November, 2018, 09:07:56 pm
British Library,

Is it that difficult to design your 404 page in such a way that it includes a link to your site's Home Page, perhaps under the red rectangle with the words BRITISH LIBRARY writ on it in white?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 17 November, 2018, 01:13:49 pm
Surrey filled in some of the many potholes at the top of our hill. But not all of them, just random ones which didn't include the one by kerb where they're supposed to be painting double yellow lines (one day, that's really grumble). I'm not entirely clear why they filled one, but not the identical one next door to it. They had all the equipment to hand right there.

It's not really an issue, I'm just curious as to their logic, a metre beyond the top of the hill is a private street that is pretty much a potholed gravel lane. Also, our hill terminates in a steep stepped footpath (100 steps) up the remainder of the hill. They curiously tarmacced random steps that I don't recall being in any especial state of disrepair compared to the others.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 17 November, 2018, 02:59:08 pm
Quote from: ian on 17 November, 2018, 01:13:49 pm
Surrey filled in some of the many potholes at the top of our hill. But not all of them, just random ones which didn't include the one by kerb where they're supposed to be painting double yellow lines (one day, that's really grumble). I'm not entirely clear why they filled one, but not the identical one next door to it. They had all the equipment to hand right there.

My guess is that nobody had reported that one.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 17 November, 2018, 03:00:47 pm
Or it didn't quite meet the minimum depth deemed necessary to fill.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 17 November, 2018, 03:01:36 pm
Or they want to put a dead badger in it before painting the double yellows.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 17 November, 2018, 03:13:47 pm
Perhaps their new semi automated pot hole repair gizmos don't work with half a hole. IYSWIM. We passed Bedford council repairing some holes the other day with new technology, but similarly not at the margins. Our most recent ride casualties a year or two back involved two of our number having broken wrists and arms as a result of this.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 17 November, 2018, 06:43:09 pm
To be honest, that bit of road is a bit like the far side of the moon (our hill is actually unholed, it's just the much-patched border between the adopted hill and the private road beyond – for some reason there's two metres of connecting road that appears to have been made out of cheese). It just seemed a bit random as to the holes they'd filled in. It would have been easier to do them all. The usual cold-tar patches, I doubt they'll survive the winter. A few less judders as we bring our pram-wheeled Ford Ka in for landing (our awkward driveway and narrow road means you have to go up the hill and turn around to get in).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 17 November, 2018, 07:44:24 pm
Quote from: Kim on 17 November, 2018, 02:59:08 pm
Quote from: ian on 17 November, 2018, 01:13:49 pm
Surrey filled in some of the many potholes at the top of our hill. But not all of them, just random ones which didn't include the one by kerb where they're supposed to be painting double yellow lines (one day, that's really grumble). I'm not entirely clear why they filled one, but not the identical one next door to it. They had all the equipment to hand right there.

My guess is that nobody had reported that one.

This. And it was third party contractors with X holes to fill, not council workmen with independent power of thought.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 18 November, 2018, 12:15:57 am
I bought an absolutely beautiful Liberty silk waistcoat on Ebay, XL size.   It _just_ fits, but if I was to breathe too deeply I might pop a button.   Oh well, another incentive to lose some weight.  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 18 November, 2018, 08:34:16 am
Others have felt your pain... (https://www.google.com/search?q=my+girdle+killing+me&client=firefox-b&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjApPSExN3eAhVBjiwKHUJjBBsQ_AUIDigB&biw=1680&bih=937)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 20 November, 2018, 10:36:10 pm
So I left home at Audax O'clock this morning to catch the 5:59 into london to then get to kingsX for the 8:03 to Leeds.

Only on arrival at the station SWR report that there is a track circuit fault and no trains till 7:30. I was advised to get the bus to Reading and train to Paddington. Bus ran to time! Train into Paddington was 5 mins late at Reading so I caught it but 12 late by london. Then the underground played up. Faulty doors on the train ahead of mine so wait 15 minutes at baker street. Arrive at kingsX at 8:20 doh!

LNER kindly validated my ticket for the 8:33 so i was only 30 minutes behind schedule. Add the delay on that train and I got to Leeds 35 minutes late.


Then coming home this evening we lost 20 mins between Leeds and London. Fortunately SWR had sorted themselves out and ran fine out of waterloo.

All in it was a 15 hour day for a less than 4 hour meeting where we had to agree that the contractors design isn't up to spec based on the 1/3rd model i saw today but that due to time and the model fabrication we will not be able to investigate further design improvements.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 22 November, 2018, 12:05:50 am
The problem with not having to pay for any beer you consume is knowing when to stop. Thankfully, I think, that experience enabled me to be at least towards the sensible end of the spectrum. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 22 November, 2018, 09:27:58 am
As I had a doctor’s appointment early this morning I actually had to get up and go out in public first thing, rather than simply heading to my luxury, executive garden shed. Blimey, it had been cold overnight so the roads etc were covered with ice.

So, yet another grumble about cars incoming. Firstly…yes, I know it’s icy but you do not have to run your car for about half an hour as one of my neighbours did to “warm it up.” I am sure setting off from “cold” when “cold” is zero degrees is hardly likely to hurt your car after all, this is the 21st Century so vehicles should be built to higher standards than they used to be (and I have proof it the 21st C in Stafford before anyone asks me to confirm that!)  All that running your car does is put loads of poisons into the atmosphere. So much so, there was a low fog of pollutants the whole of my 2 mile walk given that there was no breeze.

Secondly…. The pollutants come from one of three type of vehicles in this rather middle class (for Stafford) area. Vehicles are either: “we need a big car to take a sick sheep to the vets.” “We need a car which is bigger than our neighbours because….” And finally: “We need a huge car to take our children the 250 yards to school as its not safe for them to walk given all the traffic around here.” When I am King, I am going to ban any cars larger than a Fiat 126.

Thirdly….if you are going to run your car for ages, spend at least a few minutes cleaning the ice off of it…. I saw countless “letter box” cars this morning!

Finally, and I have grumbled about this before….parking on pavements: STOP IT!!! Pavements are for people and not cars. It really irritates me as around here EVERYONE, and I mean EVERYONE has a drive which can fit at least a couple of cars.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 22 November, 2018, 10:55:02 am
Yes, yes, but there's nowhere to park. You have to do the aspirated entitled whine at the gross unfairness of this predicament.

All the cars outside the school are back to full engine mode while they wait. I dunno, perhaps they just don't know about the negative effects of pollution on their children, perhaps they don't believe in them, perhaps they think it only affects the children of other parents, perhaps they simply don't care. There's one who parks around the back entrance that I take onto the school grounds who must pick up one kid earlier, so for bonus points she's not just sitting there waiting with the engine running but puffing away on a cigarette in the car with child number 1. She does open the window though, so probably needs the heater full on.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Aidan on 22 November, 2018, 11:09:51 am
Is anyone else fed up with Black Friday?    I've had loads of emails trying to sell me stuff I don't want or need in the name of a tradition which isn't even applicable in this country!   

And... how does " 3 weeks of Black Friday sales"   even work? 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 22 November, 2018, 11:19:53 am
I had an email this morning from Marc at Carter USM....the best little rock and roll band in the world: EVER.... flogging a new tee shirt (After the Watershed.... viewable here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-lvCkVQQ5w Worth doing...it's brilliant).

Anyway, Marc wrote the following which made me smile and buy the tee shirt: "And in a Black Friday special we are happy to announce we won't be offering a discount. We wouldn't want to patronise you in this way!"

Marc is a frood who really knows his market segment (and no doubt where his towel is!)  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 22 November, 2018, 11:35:51 am
Funny how a mail shot from a national chain that touts a "Black Friday Private Sale!" isn't exactly convincing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 22 November, 2018, 12:21:06 pm
Is there an international tissue shortage on at the moment?  Or do I just work in an office full of filthy bastards?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 22 November, 2018, 12:56:18 pm
Quote from: Aidan on 22 November, 2018, 11:09:51 am
Is anyone else fed up with Black Friday?    I've had loads of emails trying to sell me stuff I don't want or need in the name of a tradition which isn't even applicable in this country!   

And... how does " 3 weeks of Black Friday sales"   even work?
Black Friday is not a Friday, it's a season between Halloween and Christmas.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 22 November, 2018, 01:27:51 pm
Quote from: Aidan on 22 November, 2018, 11:09:51 am
Is anyone else fed up with Black Friday?    I've had loads of emails trying to sell me stuff I don't want or need in the name of a tradition which isn't even applicable in this country!   

And... how does " 3 weeks of Black Friday sales"   even work?

Yes, but not as much as my friends who wrangle e-commerce websites for a living.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 22 November, 2018, 02:30:29 pm
Quote from: SoreTween on 22 November, 2018, 12:21:06 pm
Is there an international tissue shortage on at the moment?  Or do I just work in an office full of filthy bastards?

That's probably an issue with your content blocking software.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 22 November, 2018, 07:08:20 pm
It's not about warming the car up is it?
It's about warming the passenger compartment up.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 22 November, 2018, 07:10:48 pm
It's almost worth plugging your PHEV wankpanzer in for...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 22 November, 2018, 07:54:31 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 22 November, 2018, 07:08:20 pm
It's not about warming the car up is it?
It's about warming the passenger compartment up.

Gloves and scarves, also concrete pills to HTFU
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 22 November, 2018, 08:30:35 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 22 November, 2018, 07:54:31 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 22 November, 2018, 07:08:20 pm
It's not about warming the car up is it?
It's about warming the passenger compartment up.

Gloves and scarves, also concrete pills to HTFU
It's these people who don't want to wear a coat...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 22 November, 2018, 08:39:07 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 22 November, 2018, 08:30:35 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 22 November, 2018, 07:54:31 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 22 November, 2018, 07:08:20 pm
It's not about warming the car up is it?
It's about warming the passenger compartment up.

Gloves and scarves, also concrete pills to HTFU
It's these people who don't want to wear a coat...

Soft southern shites
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 22 November, 2018, 08:53:31 pm
The problem is that they don't go outside other than briefly to scurry to the car, then repeat at the destination, so no, they don't want to bother with all the effort of a coat. This also means they need to park precisely at their destination. That's what happened to Scott of the Antarctic after all. Had he only parked closer to the South Pole.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 22 November, 2018, 09:38:50 pm
I'm not having a good week for transport.  :(

Rather than the trains today it was my car that decided to let me down. The engine warning light came on when in the outside lane of the M26. As the display also lit the RED STOP light I did. An hour and a bit later the nice man from the RAC arrived, said as it appeared to be running OK he would follow me to Clacket Lane and then plug in his diagnostic box.

"Intermittent Fault - Low pressure in the injector rail".

He dutifully cleared the error and sent me on my way. I got to Junction 11 when on accelerating from 60 to 70 to pass an HGV the dash lit up again and the engine hesitated (power pulsed off and on). Cue my exiting from the motorway and driving home very carefully with no electronic stabilisation and an engine management light but not the STOP light this time. The engine feels down on power and I now have no transport other than to cycle to site tomorrow with the laptop in one pannier and the PPE in the other.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 22 November, 2018, 09:50:05 pm
I'd go for the laptop in one pannier and get them to issue more PPE when you get there option.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 22 November, 2018, 10:08:04 pm
No spare boots on site and I want my warm jacket but the hard hat can be borrowed from the spares box.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 26 November, 2018, 10:43:56 am
A month ago the local authority sent me a reminder for a water/sewage-disposal/garbage-collection bill I'd missed paying on the dot, which I duly paid. The reminders just carry the 19-digit invoice number and the amount they want. Last week I received another reminder, but for a smaller amount, so I just thought "shit, I missed another one" and went on-line to pay it. Curiously, when I started to type in the invoice number, Firefox filled it in from memory. Duh?

Called the authority: turns out their system has managed to register payment of the entire invoice, but is now sending reminders for every separate item. "Just put them in the bin".  ??? :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 26 November, 2018, 06:13:57 pm
A Dear Niece sent me a video wot she had recorded on her mobile phone.  It was shot in portrait mode, so I told her off. She explained it was for an Instastory, something that can be done on Instagram and that Instagram doesn't let you shoot in landscape.

No wonder the country is going to the dogs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 27 November, 2018, 06:07:20 pm
Why can’t anyone find a cure for the common cold? Stupid bloody germs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Joe.B on 27 November, 2018, 06:52:12 pm
I'm working away this week and currently sat in a cosy Lake District pub waiting for my steak to arrive. On the table in front of me is today's Daily Express: God it's crap, not as hateful as the Mail, just completely depressing, nothing but moaning from front page to back page, little news and pretty much fuck all journalism.  Who buys this bilge. (Except my mum :facepalm: )
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Joe.B on 27 November, 2018, 06:54:48 pm
Ops, sorry folks, I intended to post this in the grumble thread, not as a stand alone post, just realised my mistake.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 27 November, 2018, 06:58:56 pm
My father used to get it every day, but I think he’s only an occasional reader now. He hangs on every word the Forsyth chap writes.

On a similar note, I had occasion to view a copy of the Sun last week when we decided to have fish and chips for tea. Fortunately the fish and chips weren’t wrapped in it, but it was on the table where one could sit while waiting for your fish to be cooked. I stopped turning the pages after very short while. Every headline was illiterated, with words being made up to allow this should a real word not fit. It was just total garbage.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 27 November, 2018, 07:17:40 pm
'illiterated'. I know what you wanted to say but somehow that seems more apt...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Joe.B on 27 November, 2018, 08:04:13 pm
Thanks mods :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 27 November, 2018, 08:21:27 pm
Quote from: Joe.B
..today's Daily Express: God it's crap, not as hateful as the Mail, just completely depressing, nothing but moaning...

A late friend of mine, dead these 20 odd years, used to call it the, "Daily Distress" for just that reason and it became my pet name for it too.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 27 November, 2018, 09:07:20 pm
I was going to write something here, but I can't remember what.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jaded on 28 November, 2018, 12:13:49 am
Quote from: Tim Hall on 26 November, 2018, 06:13:57 pm
A Dear Niece sent me a video wot she had recorded on her mobile phone.  It was shot in portrait mode, so I told her off. She explained it was for an Instastory, something that can be done on Instagram and that Instagram doesn't let you shoot in landscape.

No wonder the country is going to the dogs.

Amen to that!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 01 December, 2018, 10:51:48 am
FFS, Google. If I type "Banff" into your search box, at least have the grace to present the one true original Scottish Banff (home of Brig'o'Banff whisky) on the first page, and not 57 bits of irrelevant detail about that cardboard Canuck replica.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 01 December, 2018, 11:02:07 am
Quote from: T42 on 01 December, 2018, 10:51:48 am
FFS, Google. If I type "Banff" into your search box, at least have the grace to present the one true original Scottish Banff (home of Brig'o'Banff whisky) on the first page, and not 57 bits of irrelevant detail about that cardboard Canuck replica.

Search engine optimisation, y'all...

Quote
Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of affecting the online visibility of a website or a web page in a web search engine's unpaid results—often referred to as "natural", "organic", or "earned" results. In general, the earlier (or higher ranked on the search results page), and more frequently a website appears in the search results list, the more visitors it will receive from the search engine's users; these visitors can then be converted into customers.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Search_engine_optimization

What you complain about is the relatively innocuous end of what SEO gets used for...

https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2017/06/how-the-trump-russia-data-machine-games-google-to.html
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 01 December, 2018, 11:11:01 am
Fluff. Household full. Where does it all come from? I know that dust in part is human sheddings but where does fluff come from. And more to the point, why is it that two minutes after I’ve vacuumed every last vestige of fluff from every damn crook and nanny is the another metric tonne of the damn stuff blowing tumbleweed like across the floors.
Pah!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 01 December, 2018, 12:44:26 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 01 December, 2018, 11:11:01 am
Fluff. Household full. Where does it all come from? I know that dust in part is human sheddings but where does fluff come from.

Fibres from fabrics (clothing, carpets, etc), mostly.

It's slightly less annoying than human hair.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 01 December, 2018, 01:18:00 pm
Much less annoying, at least fluff has a secondary use as camp fire kindling/tinder
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Si S on 01 December, 2018, 01:37:52 pm
Biological scientists, Excel, sig figs and log mantissas. 

What a mess.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Si S on 01 December, 2018, 01:38:29 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 01 December, 2018, 01:18:00 pm
Much less annoying, at least fluff has a secondary use as camp fire kindling/tinder

I've got a mate called Fluff, it's probably his only use.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 01 December, 2018, 02:49:54 pm
Quote from: Si S on 01 December, 2018, 01:37:52 pm
Biological scientists, Excel, sig figs and log mantissas. 

What a mess.

Ftfy
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 01 December, 2018, 02:50:24 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 01 December, 2018, 01:18:00 pm
Much less annoying, at least fluff has a secondary use as camp fire kindling/tinder
Perhaps I should package it and sell it on. Whitegables fluff for all your campfire starting needs
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 01 December, 2018, 02:56:46 pm
Quote from: spesh on 01 December, 2018, 11:02:07 am
Quote from: T42 on 01 December, 2018, 10:51:48 am
FFS, Google. If I type "Banff" into your search box, at least have the grace to present the one true original Scottish Banff (home of Brig'o'Banff whisky) on the first page, and not 57 bits of irrelevant detail about that cardboard Canuck replica.

Search engine optimisation, y'all...

Quote
Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of affecting the online visibility of a website or a web page in a web search engine's unpaid results—often referred to as "natural", "organic", or "earned" results. In general, the earlier (or higher ranked on the search results page), and more frequently a website appears in the search results list, the more visitors it will receive from the search engine's users; these visitors can then be converted into customers.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Search_engine_optimization

What you complain about is the relatively innocuous end of what SEO gets used for...

https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2017/06/how-the-trump-russia-data-machine-games-google-to.html

Oh, I realize all that. It's still bloody bad-mannered and they should know better. Jumped-up pipsqueaks.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 01 December, 2018, 02:57:25 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 01 December, 2018, 01:18:00 pm
Much less annoying, at least fluff has a secondary use as camp fire kindling/tinder

 >:( #DustBunnyLivesMatter   :demon:


Or Dust puppy (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User_Friendly#Main_characters) lives, for that matter...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 01 December, 2018, 02:59:06 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 01 December, 2018, 11:11:01 am
Fluff. Household full. Where does it all come from? I know that dust in part is human sheddings but where does fluff come from. And more to the point, why is it that two minutes after I’ve vacuumed every last vestige of fluff from every damn crook and nanny is the another metric tonne of the damn stuff blowing tumbleweed like across the floors.
Pah!

Dust bunnies proliferate faster than real ones.  I once had a CPU meltdown due to dog bunnies. That's when I bought an air compressor.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 01 December, 2018, 03:11:04 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 01 December, 2018, 11:11:01 am
Fluff. Household full. Where does it all come from? I know that dust in part is human sheddings but where does fluff come from. And more to the point, why is it that two minutes after I’ve vacuumed every last vestige of fluff from every damn crook and nanny is the another metric tonne of the damn stuff blowing tumbleweed like across the floors.
Pah!

There is (nearly) always a Trump tweet Dilbert cartoon.

https://dilbert.com/strip/1991-12-15
https://dilbert.com/strip/1990-07-22

Disclaimer: any linking on my part to a vintage Dilbert strip does not imply any endorsement of Scott Adams' blog, which I diskard utterly, chiz.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 01 December, 2018, 03:18:49 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 01 December, 2018, 01:18:00 pm
Much less annoying, at least fluff has a secondary use as camp fire kindling/tinder

Whereas tortilla chips/Doritos (other forms of gum laceration are available) are only useful as kindling...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 01 December, 2018, 06:12:00 pm
Quote from: T42 on 01 December, 2018, 02:59:06 pm
Dust bunnies proliferate faster than real ones.  I once had a CPU meltdown due to dog bunnies. That's when I bought an air compressor.

There's nothing quite like blasting air from a compressor for de-fluffing electronics.  Hoovering never quite gets into the crevices and canned air doesn't come close.

The trick is remembering not to breathe.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Si S on 01 December, 2018, 07:37:10 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 01 December, 2018, 02:49:54 pm
Quote from: Si S on 01 December, 2018, 01:37:52 pm
Biological scientists, Excel, sig figs and log mantissas. 

What a mess.

Ftfy

 ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 01 December, 2018, 11:09:02 pm
Quote from: spesh on 01 December, 2018, 11:02:07 am
Quote from: T42 on 01 December, 2018, 10:51:48 am
FFS, Google. If I type "Banff" into your search box, at least have the grace to present the one true original Scottish Banff (home of Brig'o'Banff whisky) on the first page, and not 57 bits of irrelevant detail about that cardboard Canuck replica.

Search engine optimisation, y'all...

Quote
Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of affecting the online visibility of a website or a web page in a web search engine's unpaid results—often referred to as "natural", "organic", or "earned" results. In general, the earlier (or higher ranked on the search results page), and more frequently a website appears in the search results list, the more visitors it will receive from the search engine's users; these visitors can then be converted into customers.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Search_engine_optimization

What you complain about is the relatively innocuous end of what SEO gets used for...

https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2017/06/how-the-trump-russia-data-machine-games-google-to.html

Surely in this case it's "Search engine optimisation, eh"?
(http://legslarry.org.uk/BikeStull/coat_48.png)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 03 December, 2018, 10:52:22 pm
Bloody weather and Churchill Retirement Living.

I'm trying to observe Comet Wirtenen/46P. The bloody gaps in the clouds keep disappearing and, when the gaps are big enough, some fucking idiot has built a retirement apartment complex in the bloody way  :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Legs on 06 December, 2018, 01:10:00 pm
Lycamobile (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-46464730) (ooh!)
Calling for the very last time,
Lycamo-o-o-o-bile,
Got no signal,
And no landline...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 06 December, 2018, 01:29:01 pm
O2 is (or has been) down today and that took out GiffGaff too. I think lyca is also on O2 network.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Legs on 06 December, 2018, 02:46:38 pm
..hence my grumble.  Compounded by the fact that our home landline is also out...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 06 December, 2018, 03:42:06 pm
Service providers seem to,have abandoned the idea of redundancy of single points of failure in this day and age ...
<insert anacdote of minor service failure requiring major reportage in days of yore>
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 06 December, 2018, 04:01:11 pm
Hence 100% bed occupancy causing chaos in hospitals...

A chain is only as strong as its weakest link...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fimm on 06 December, 2018, 04:07:22 pm
Dear colleague, if I have clearly just brought me lunch to my desk, will you stop asking me questions?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 06 December, 2018, 05:32:03 pm
Redundancy only works if you don't roll the same problematic software out across the whole thing...

https://www.ericsson.com/en/press-releases/2018/12/update-on-software-issue-impacting-certain-customers

Expired certificate!  ::-)


I've just received an email from barakta, informing me that Eduroam wasn't and that she's off to do battle with BloodyTrains.  With any luck I'll see her in a couple of hours or so...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 06 December, 2018, 05:55:11 pm
O2 still borked, whatever Ericsson are claiming....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 06 December, 2018, 06:08:46 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 06 December, 2018, 05:55:11 pm
O2 still borked, whatever Ericsson are claiming....

My understanding is that the network is flooded with signalling traffic as a result of the failure, so fixing the underlying software problem won't bring things back to life immediately.

Meanwhile the media is full of sob stories from people for whom telecoms is mission critical, but not critical enough that they're willing to pay for some redundancy.  Makes a change from Brexit, at least...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 06 December, 2018, 06:14:25 pm
Quote from: Kim on 06 December, 2018, 06:08:46 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 06 December, 2018, 05:55:11 pm
O2 still borked, whatever Ericsson are claiming....

My understanding is that the network is flooded with signalling traffic as a result of the failure, so fixing the underlying problem won't bring things back to life immediately.

My son sent me a test sms.  I received it. Received it again a couple of minutes later . Received it a third time an hour and a half after that.
I assume it re-transmits every time they re-boot something.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 06 December, 2018, 06:21:04 pm
Quote from: Basil on 06 December, 2018, 06:14:25 pm
Quote from: Kim on 06 December, 2018, 06:08:46 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 06 December, 2018, 05:55:11 pm
O2 still borked, whatever Ericsson are claiming....

My understanding is that the network is flooded with signalling traffic as a result of the failure, so fixing the underlying problem won't bring things back to life immediately.

My son sent me a test sms.  I received it. Received it again a couple of minutes later . Received it a third time an hour and a half after that.
I assume it re-transmits every time they re-boot something.

Barakta sent me a test SMS this morning.  I replied with a single[1] 'PONG'.  She's received at least 50 copies.

My guess would be general overload meaning that something never receives an acknowledgement that the message has been sent successfully, so it waits a bit and tries again.  None of which is likely to help the situation.


[1] "Give me a ping, Vasili. One ping only, please."
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 06 December, 2018, 06:26:12 pm
So many things I could say, but is shall limit myself to ARF
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 06 December, 2018, 06:35:15 pm
O2 are confident that service will be fully restored by Friday morning.  They haven't specified which Friday...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 06 December, 2018, 06:38:06 pm
I did wonder this morning if it was the Chinese throwing their toys out of the pram over all the Huawei shenanigans of late.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nicknack on 06 December, 2018, 07:00:13 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 06 December, 2018, 06:38:06 pm
I did wonder this morning if it was the Chinese throwing their toys out of the pram over all the Huawei shenanigans of late.
<smug> MY Huawei with Vodafone is working just fine</smug>
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 06 December, 2018, 07:20:24 pm
Quote from: nicknack on 06 December, 2018, 07:00:13 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 06 December, 2018, 06:38:06 pm
I did wonder this morning if it was the Chinese throwing their toys out of the pram over all the Huawei shenanigans of late.
<smug> MY Huawei with Vodafone is working just fine</smug>
Of course it is, they can’t watch you if it doesn’t work  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 06 December, 2018, 10:38:31 pm
There is some pleasing irony in that, if The Register (https://www.theregister.co.uk/2018/12/06/ericsson_o2_telefonica_uk_outage/) is correct, today's wailing and gnashing of teeth occurred because the systems worked exactly as they were designed to (in the event of certificate expiry).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 06 December, 2018, 10:49:27 pm
Quote from: SoreTween on 06 December, 2018, 10:38:31 pm
There is some pleasing irony in that, if The Register (https://www.theregister.co.uk/2018/12/06/ericsson_o2_telefonica_uk_outage/) is correct, today's wailing and gnashing of teeth occurred because the systems worked exactly as they were designed to (in the event of certificate expiry).

It's okay, I'm sure they're rolling out software updates to ensure they accept any old certificate as we speak...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 06 December, 2018, 10:52:01 pm
Best tweet today:. Since o2 has been down I’ve had to talk to the family. Surprised to hear mum no longer works at Woolworths

https://twitter.com/Daniel_weakley/status/1070736651658452993?s=20
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 06 December, 2018, 11:51:23 pm
This explains why I have today re-received every text my mother has ever sent to me.

All six of them.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 07 December, 2018, 12:04:56 am
Quote from: ian on 06 December, 2018, 11:51:23 pm
This explains why I have today re-received every text my mother has ever sent to me.

All six of them.

I sent my mother a text once.  To tell her that I'd sent her an email about some paperwork or other that was vaguely time-critical, so that she could stoke up the babbage-engine and have a look.  Which she did the next day.

Six months later I got the reply to the SMS: A panicked phone call that she couldn't see an email.  I eventually worked out what she was talking about.


Mind you, this is the person who phoned me on New Year's Eve the year after I became persona non grata in the family home with some question about the SCART cables.  The tragic thing is that I was able to provide a satisfactory answer before going off to have a little cry.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Butterfly on 07 December, 2018, 12:07:23 am
I've got all clarion's messages today in duplicate, one minute apart, at some point after they were sent.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 07 December, 2018, 09:00:40 am
My mum once left me a message that was far too technologically advanced for me. It was back in the days of answering machines. She was out when I got home and only when she returned did I find out there was a message for me on the answering machine – I was supposed to know this by means of the tiny red blinkenlight, play the message and discover that dinner was in the oven, or whatever it was. It would have been simpler and more effective to leave a note on a piece of paper, but hey, it's a hungry world when you're a teenager with technosavvy parents. Or something.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 07 December, 2018, 03:35:35 pm
Packaging a guitar for the post:

- what happened to all that bubble wrap that was in the wee office?

- oh, I got sick of seeing it and threw it out.

:facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 07 December, 2018, 03:44:40 pm
Found myself sitting next to a raving brexiter at the Christmas lunch. Fortunately lunch had already been despatched and the comedy was about to start, so I only had to cope with it for about 60 seconds
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 07 December, 2018, 08:02:26 pm
I made an unplanned stupormarket visit today and in consequence had to buy a 5p carrier bag, the first time I've done so. In fact the first time I've taken a carrier bag from the supermarket since before the charge came in. My grumble is not about having to pay – fair charge – but I'd forgotten just how uncomfortable those bags are to carry. I didn't even have a full bag and my fingers were going numb at the end of the short walk home.

I did pay for a carrier bag in Vienna a few years ago. That was before the charge had been introduced in England but the Austrians are ahead of us on some things. IIRC the bag cost 1 euro but it was a proper bag, with a proper handle, though and easier to carry (more like a UKish bag-for-life, but in Vienna that was the only sort).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 07 December, 2018, 08:15:17 pm
England is not only behind Austria,  it was several years behind Wales on charging for plastic bags.  Likewise the smoking in pubs thing.  Wales was a lot earlier on that than Englandshire.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 07 December, 2018, 08:39:03 pm
You're also substantially ahead of us in hills and rain! I knew about the plastic bags, didn't know you'd banned smoking in pubs earlier.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 07 December, 2018, 08:42:43 pm
Scotland was 1st, I believe.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 07 December, 2018, 09:18:10 pm
I almost always end up paying for bags when I go shopping by car (which, to be fair, isn't very often).  I keep some bags in my right pannier, you see.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 07 December, 2018, 09:33:50 pm
Quote from: Kim on 07 December, 2018, 09:18:10 pm
I almost always end up paying for bags when I go shopping by car (which, to be fair, isn't very often).  I keep some bags in my right pannier, you see.
On the occasions that we are with car and have forgotten bags, we reload the trolley at the till, unload yummy things loose into the boot of the car and drive with care.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 07 December, 2018, 09:38:31 pm
Quote from: Basil on 07 December, 2018, 09:33:50 pm
Quote from: Kim on 07 December, 2018, 09:18:10 pm
I almost always end up paying for bags when I go shopping by car (which, to be fair, isn't very often).  I keep some bags in my right pannier, you see.
On the occasions that we are with car and have forgotten bags, we reload the trolley at the till, unload yummy things loose into the boot of the car and drive with care.

That's what I do with the bigger stuff.  Smaller items, particularly those of a potentially leaky disposition, get a bag according to the It's Not My Car principle.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 08 December, 2018, 07:58:16 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 07 December, 2018, 08:42:43 pm
Scotland was 1st, I believe.

Not GB but close enough, Ireland were about 18 months earlier than Scotland.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: yorkie on 08 December, 2018, 04:58:45 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 08 December, 2018, 07:58:16 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 07 December, 2018, 08:42:43 pm
Scotland was 1st, I believe.

Not GB but close enough, Ireland were about 18 months earlier than Scotland.
Scotland was somewhere around the beginning of March 2006, from memory.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 08 December, 2018, 06:58:49 pm
I recycle any bags with Ocado and get my money back
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 09 December, 2018, 11:58:07 am
We have not one but two plastic tower things from Ikea full of plastic bags. Some from supermarkets, some from other sorts of shops. I avoid paying for them but Mrs Cudzo doesn't. In fact she recently discovered that the Co-op has started making its bags compostable, so they get used for the food waste recycling bin (which AIUI indirectly generates electricity).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 09 December, 2018, 12:11:16 pm
We have a (Carradice branded!) plastic bag of bags on the back of the kitchen door.  It seems to stay more-or-less full, so the rate at which I retire torn bags via bin liner duty seems to match the rate I forget and have to buy a new one.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 11 December, 2018, 10:21:13 am
Swimming pool, you have a webpage and timetable. If you're closed (no lifeguard apparently), be nice maybe to indicate this on the webpage rather than write it on a sign outside the centre door. Because, well.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SteveC on 15 December, 2018, 05:59:43 pm
Whose idea was it to buy Christmas cards which are blank inside? Means I have to write something other than a set of names.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 21 December, 2018, 12:12:41 pm
As an early Chringletide present, Surrey Highways finally painted double-yellows on the corner outside. Only 3.5 years since we asked.

As they painted them through the potholes and across the loose road surface, they'll probably have a half-life of a month or two. Oh, and you can guess where the Royal Mail van was parked this morning.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 21 December, 2018, 08:24:54 pm
Turbo trainers.  That is all.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 22 December, 2018, 11:01:23 am
I have at last figured out where the air causing airlocks in our central heating is coming from.  I've been bleeding it several times a day but when I'm not here the system stalls and Mrs Tween gets cold.  The volume of air I've been getting out is most of a 2' square single panel rad twice a day.  Two or three litres a day then.  The culprit?  You know that one way auto vent you always have whose sole function is to get air out of the system....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 23 December, 2018, 09:01:49 pm
David has been playing 'Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer' on his keyboard for most of the day...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 24 December, 2018, 08:30:16 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 23 December, 2018, 09:01:49 pm
David has been playing 'Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer' on his keyboard for most of the day...

Do you need a solicitor, or does he need an ambulance?  If the latter, you'll probably still need the former.  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 24 December, 2018, 09:31:41 pm
See the 'Rant' thread...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 25 December, 2018, 11:44:05 am
Dremel are crafty sods. I was given a set of mini router bits that came in a snazzy wee wooden box, with the bits stuck in a bit of wood inside. To stop them falling out and rattling around, Dremel had put a strip of double-sided tape over the holes then shoved the bits through it, so that tatters of tape were shoved down inside and held the bits in.  They were a bugger to get out and the tape was a pain to get rid of.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andytheflyer on 25 December, 2018, 01:41:03 pm
Quote from: T42 on 25 December, 2018, 11:44:05 am
Dremel are crafty sods. I was given a set of mini router bits that came in a snazzy wee wooden box, with the bits stuck in a bit of wood inside. To stop them falling out and rattling around, Dremel had put a strip of double-sided tape over the holes then shoved the bits through it, so that tatters of tape were shoved down inside and held the bits in.  They were a bugger to get out and the tape was a pain to get rid of.

Ah - that's what the tape is for!  The bit of wood, with the holes, is loose in my box and I couldn't work out why the sticky stuff.  Clearly, mine has disassembled somewhat. A bit of fettling to do....  One day....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 26 December, 2018, 02:36:24 pm
New tooth filling came out yesterday. Ho bloody ho.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 26 December, 2018, 02:48:30 pm
Quote from: Canardly on 26 December, 2018, 02:36:24 pm
New tooth filling came out yesterday. Ho bloody ho.

Like hearing aids and those little screws that hold glasses together[1], fillings can sense the holidays...


[1] Top tip: You can just buy an assortment of hundreds of the wee bastards for a couple of quid on eBay.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 26 December, 2018, 02:57:54 pm
Quote from: Canardly on 26 December, 2018, 02:36:24 pm
New tooth filling came out yesterday. Ho bloody ho.
I’ve got an emergency dental repair kit that I can pop in the post. Probably quicker than getting an appointment, especially at this time of year.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 26 December, 2018, 03:14:15 pm
Thanks Andrew, I don't need one yet as is not giving me any pain and daughter No 2 brought my attention to the temp kits at Boots. Will phone the surgery tomorrow and see whats what. Probably needs a crown.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 26 December, 2018, 03:56:16 pm
Just chew on some of that Suguru DIY stuff & wait for it to set hard.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 26 December, 2018, 04:00:27 pm
Quote from: Kim on 26 December, 2018, 02:48:30 pm
Quote from: Canardly on 26 December, 2018, 02:36:24 pm
New tooth filling came out yesterday. Ho bloody ho.

Like hearing aids and those little screws that hold glasses together[1], fillings can sense the holidays...


[1] Top tip: You can just buy an assortment of hundreds of the wee bastards for a couple of quid on eBay.
JonB otp lost a little screw from his glasses in a downpour on an Easter Arrow last year. Amazingly he (or one of his companions) found it again. IIRC he lost a filling on the same ride, and to cap it all, the weather was so atrocious they didn't even finish the ride...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 26 December, 2018, 05:06:11 pm
Quote from: Canardly on 26 December, 2018, 02:36:24 pm
New tooth filling came out yesterday. Ho bloody ho.

Yeah. MrsT came home from her Christmas Eve run singing "all I want for Christmas is my two front teeth" - one of her crowns had popped out. Dentist put it back an hour later, but not believing in Santa he charged 45 €.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 26 December, 2018, 05:16:41 pm
Quote from: T42 on 26 December, 2018, 05:06:11 pm
Yeah. MrsT came home from her Christmas Eve run singing "all I want for Christmas is my two front teeth" - one of her crowns had popped out. Dentist put it back an hour later, but not believing in Santa he charged 45 €.

It would be against the law for Santa to get involved anyway, as Tooth Fairy is a regulated profession.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 27 December, 2018, 09:02:33 pm
My mother uses an Mac, my father uses a Mac , my sister who lives with them uses an iPhone.  They've all got iPads, so are reasonably familiar with iOs.   So why the blue blazes did Dad buy Mum a Huawei  Smart P ?    She's got an old, voice only phone with an obsolete Sim card size.  Someone is now going to have to get her number moved onto a nano sim, probably with some sort of data plan & help her learn a new OS.  I've a horrible feeling I know who that someone will be, and I've never used an Android device in my life  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 27 December, 2018, 11:02:01 pm
Get a sim cutter and cut the existing sim down to size?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 27 December, 2018, 11:12:46 pm
Last time I did that I put my sisters Sim in the wrong way round  :-[
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 27 December, 2018, 11:13:51 pm
Persuade him to send it back and get something Fruity?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 27 December, 2018, 11:28:40 pm
I’m getting heartily sick of having to prove I’m not a computer by having to klick on grainy underexposed tiny photos of random American shit. That is all.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 27 December, 2018, 11:43:39 pm
Quote from: Kim on 27 December, 2018, 11:13:51 pm
Persuade him to send it back and get something Fruity?

That was my thought as well. Even a second hand fruit-phone would be less pain than learning Android for a FruitFan.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 27 December, 2018, 11:53:36 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 27 December, 2018, 11:28:40 pm
I’m getting heartily sick of having to prove I’m not a computer by having to klick on grainy underexposed tiny photos of random American shit. That is all.

+eleventy
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 27 December, 2018, 11:56:57 pm
She was planning on getting a 2nd hand iPhone & he Pre-empted her. Saying it’s not suitable would probably cause a screaming row  :(    I don’t inherit my sweet & reasonable disposition from either of my parents....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 28 December, 2018, 12:16:27 am
As the Weegies would say "Hell mend them then".
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 28 December, 2018, 12:23:11 am
They both use phones as phones.  I don’t think either of them know what SMS is, let alone WhatsApp! They mostly have mobiles switched off , they are paranoid about things on charge catching fire... (probably seen some of those videos Kim retweet’s  ;) )
Mum is an EBay addict though, if she finds she can get that on a phone... :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 28 December, 2018, 08:58:38 am
I met some very nice people yesterday doing a job in difficult circumstances....

So, for my pleasure, I went to Manchester yesterday to ride the track at the velodrome. It being Christmas and thus, knowing the trains would be busier than normal: its normally standing room anyway, I spent the £3 extra to go First Class both way.... you can sometimes get a "bargain" booking early. And nice it was too.

However.... this is where the grumble comes in. While the people working for Cross Country Trains were very nice, the service itself is a complete shambles. Firstly, the 14.27, the train before the one I was due to catch was nearly an hour late due to "train issues" while my train, the 15.03 was half an hour late arriving and 40 minutes late into Manchester giving me just 20 minutes to get to the Velodrome.  The reason the train was late.... whoever did the rota failed to notice that the crew taking the train to Manchester would not be arriving into Birmingham until 25 minutes after the train was due to leave...... "Happens often" said the Train Manager when I asked.

A £10 taxi ride later I managed to get to the velodrome just as the session started. I was allowed to pay for the shoes on the way out (which was very nice of the velodrome staff) and the Coach remembered me from last time!


Of course nothing could go wrong on the way back could it.....I was booked on the 19.05 out of Manchester and after arriving on time found it had been cancelled. Reason given: "No idea" said the stressed looking information worker, "they don't tell us anything."

Anyway, the 19.27 was available and the First Class section almost empty....unlike the rest of the train which was rammed! Come on Cross Country Trains, how about putting more than four coaches on (yes, yes, they could take off of the First Class coach but but but but..... :( )

So, Cross Country and Velodrome staff excellent. Cross Country Train: up there with Northern Rail and Transpennine Express for crapness. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nicknack on 28 December, 2018, 10:36:01 am
Quote from: andrewc on 27 December, 2018, 09:02:33 pm
My mother uses an Mac, my father uses a Mac , my sister who lives with them uses an iPhone.  They've all got iPads, so are reasonably familiar with iOs.   So why the blue blazes did Dad buy Mum a Huawei  Smart P ?    She's got an old, voice only phone with an obsolete Sim card size.  Someone is now going to have to get her number moved onto a nano sim, probably with some sort of data plan & help her learn a new OS.  I've a horrible feeling I know who that someone will be, and I've never used an Android device in my life  :facepalm:
I've got one of them - an impulse purchase on my 65th birthday in Feb. My first smart phone. It didn't really take long to learn how to use it and AFAICT it's fine. Cost £9 and £16 a month with a tiny (but plenty big enough for me) data allowance.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CommuteTooFar on 30 December, 2018, 11:18:28 am
Bristol airport (Swissport) baggage handlers.  It does not take 1 hour 15 minutes to deliver the bags.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 30 December, 2018, 12:29:55 pm
Quote from: CommuteTooFar on 30 December, 2018, 11:18:28 am
Bristol airport (Swissport) baggage handlers.  It does not take 1 hour 15 minutes to deliver the bags.

This DOES sound excessive but if this means they are handling bags carefully, I would gladly accept the wait in exchange for undamaged possessions.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 30 December, 2018, 05:45:03 pm
Or taking the time to give them a serious professional kicking. O'Hare to London killed my last suitcase (it had admittedly done over a decade of service). I assume they either attacked it with a tank into it or put it into a tag team fight with King Gojirah and Mothra. On the plus side, I griped and got enough cash back to buy an entirely new case (which was overdue, to be honest, the old one was perilously close to losing its undercarriage). New suitcases, like new passports, are like pressing the travel reset button.

And yes to that bloody I'm not a robot thing, tomorrow I'm going to hunt down and kill everyone responsible with actual motherfucking robots. Identify the photos that feature your blood.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 30 December, 2018, 10:00:47 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 28 December, 2018, 12:23:11 am
They both use phones as phones.  I don’t think either of them know what SMS is, let alone WhatsApp! They mostly have mobiles switched off , they are paranoid about things on charge catching fire... (probably seen some of those videos Kim retweet’s  ;) )
Mum is an EBay addict though, if she finds she can get that on a phone... :facepalm:


It's already caused a huge row  :(  I went up earlier , she's got a new nano SIM with her existing number ported over.   They were going to take the phone back to John Lewis, as they thought it had the wrong charger. It's a compact travel 3 pin plug, with the top pin folded down.  No, you cut the almost invisible & ultratight plastic covering off , then that pin slides up & it fits a socket...  :facepalm:


She can make phone calls,  I've shown her how to send a text.  I've not set up email as she can't remember where she's put the password, so unless she can find that I'll have to organise a password reset & then change passwords on 3 different devices.   :facepalm:   :facepalm:

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 30 December, 2018, 10:06:39 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 30 December, 2018, 10:00:47 pm
They were going to take the phone back to John Lewis, as they thought it had the wrong charger. It's a compact travel 3 pin plug, with the top pin folded down.  No, you cut the almost invisible & ultratight plastic covering off , then that pin slides up & it fits a socket...  [/font] :facepalm:

I had to demonstrate the use (and explain the advantages of) such a design to someone recently.  It's evidently not as intuitive as the manufacturers assume.

It hadn't occurred to me that someone might mistake its folded state for some incompatible plug, perhaps intended for use in ABROAD, where the FOREIGNS come from.   :facepalm:

(And of course you can bet whatever scant documentation might be supplied won't refer specifically to the UK charger.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 30 December, 2018, 10:14:35 pm
It flummoxed me for a couple of minutes, and I've got a similar thing myself  :(  Then I spotted that the plastic film was still on, and had to get a Leatherman out to remove it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 31 December, 2018, 09:40:40 pm
I don't think I've ever seen such a design, so it would probably have flummoxed me too!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 01 January, 2019, 10:03:11 am
I’ve got several third party ones like that - assuming all the pins fold flat. Good for travelling.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 03 January, 2019, 03:19:47 pm
Being, sadly, in the market for a replacement bike, I phoned Mercian.  Delivery for a Super Audax frame and forks used to be 10 months but is now "better", although the bod didn't know how much better.

10 months. 300 days. Goodness me.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 03 January, 2019, 05:28:28 pm
I'm sure there is a thread for this sort of thing, but I can't find it.
News headlines at the start of R4s PM program referred to "The dark side of the moon ".  :facepalm:

Thankfully at the headlines repeat at 5.20 they changed it to "Far side".
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: offcumden on 03 January, 2019, 05:31:05 pm
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-46747842
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 04 January, 2019, 02:24:19 pm
Something near this Premier Inn room is sounding/vibrating intermittently at very low frequency.

I really don't like it!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 04 January, 2019, 03:17:12 pm
Quote from: offcumden on 03 January, 2019, 05:31:05 pm
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-46747842

What a load of piffle.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 04 January, 2019, 03:24:57 pm
Dr Beardy (Mrs) continues to make weak tea. I’ve tried to suggest that she a) doesn’t fill the kettle on the grounds of ecology, and b) doesn’t then transfer the total contents of the kettle into the tea pot. She gets quite uppity with me when I make these suggestions, so I try not to, but she continues to make weak team and then complains about it. Come on mussis, it’s not rocket science and you do have a PhD!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 04 January, 2019, 04:03:12 pm
Whereas Mrs Cudzo makes rather strong tea, big pot with bags left stewing at breakfast, then tells me I drink "scarily strong" tea. She's right, of course.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 04 January, 2019, 07:51:21 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 04 January, 2019, 03:24:57 pm
Dr Beardy (Mrs) continues to make weak tea. I’ve tried to suggest that she a) doesn’t fill the kettle on the grounds of ecology, and b) doesn’t then transfer the total contents of the kettle into the tea pot. She gets quite uppity with me when I make these suggestions, so I try not to, but she continues to make weak team and then complains about it. Come on mussis, it’s not rocket science and you do have a PhD!

Not in tea making apparently....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 05 January, 2019, 09:07:55 am
One bag, one cup, three minutes. A dobble of milk, unstirred because I like to watch the convection cells.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 05 January, 2019, 09:45:03 am
One generous pinch of leaves in the bottom of a large mug, pour on boiling water, its ready to drink when its cooled enough to drink
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 05 January, 2019, 10:02:48 am
Quote from: T42 on 05 January, 2019, 09:07:55 am
One bag, one cup, three minutes. A dobble of milk, unstirred because I like to watch the convection cells.
A dobble?  How many dobbles to the grapefruit?  Enquiring minds needs must know.

https://www.theregister.co.uk/Design/page/reg-standards-converter.html
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 05 January, 2019, 10:10:02 am
My grumble.

Oi! Meteo* get the damned overnight forecast right.  Don't tell me it's going to be sub-zero** tomorrow at sparrow-fart when it actually turns out to be 2 or 3 above zero.  I'm getting right narked missing out on my ride to work and the turbo-trainer is absolutely no consolation*** at all.

*Oi! BBC go back to the bloody Met. Office they get this sort of stuff _right_.
**Frosty roads and 23mm tyres are not a good mix and I don't bounce anywhere half as well as I used to.
***It's more like purgatory than consolation, but that's another grumble entirely.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 05 January, 2019, 11:04:03 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 30 December, 2018, 12:29:55 pm
Quote from: CommuteTooFar on 30 December, 2018, 11:18:28 am
Bristol airport (Swissport) baggage handlers.  It does not take 1 hour 15 minutes to deliver the bags.

This DOES sound excessive but if this means they are handling bags carefully, I would gladly accept the wait in exchange for undamaged possessions.

swissport - carefully...  Helly, you've used both those words in the same sentence, which I have to say is an error of judgement.

It took them longer than that at Birmingham airport recently to bring out all the luggage, only to discover that mine was nowhere to be seen.  No staff were available to harangue, as the customer service folk had gone home for the day.  I eventually got my festering bag from Freetown, which had been stuck in Brussels for a while, whereas my colleague's had made the switch successfully.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 05 January, 2019, 12:42:54 pm
Quote from: TheLurker on 05 January, 2019, 10:10:02 am
My grumble.

Oi! Meteo* get the damned overnight forecast right.  Don't tell me it's going to be sub-zero** tomorrow at sparrow-fart when it actually turns out to be 2 or 3 above zero.  I'm getting right narked missing out on my ride to work and the turbo-trainer is absolutely no consolation*** at all.

*Oi! BBC go back to the bloody Met. Office they get this sort of stuff _right_.
**Frosty roads and 23mm tyres are not a good mix and I don't bounce anywhere half as well as I used to.
***It's more like purgatory than consolation, but that's another grumble entirely.

The met office got it wrong too!

They said it would be -5 here, and we were a little concerned as we had a visitor arriving from York for breakfast here in rural Powys, but there was no frost at all.  However when she left the next morning, there was...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 08 January, 2019, 06:03:05 pm
Can someone explain to Mr Grayling what due diligence means?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 08 January, 2019, 07:11:03 pm
Quote from: Canardly on 08 January, 2019, 06:03:05 pm
Can someone explain to Mr Grayling what due diligence means?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 08 January, 2019, 10:00:20 pm
My poo clock has gone all awry. I like having a poo first thing in the morning, not in the evening, damnit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 08 January, 2019, 10:24:56 pm
^ Hate it when that happens.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 08 January, 2019, 10:26:08 pm
I think my poo clock uses TFL minutes or Windows minutes or something.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 08 January, 2019, 10:27:49 pm
Quote from: Kim on 08 January, 2019, 10:26:08 pm
I think my poo clock uses TFL minutes or Windows minutes or something.
What's that, unpredictable?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 08 January, 2019, 10:29:02 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 08 January, 2019, 10:27:49 pm
Quote from: Kim on 08 January, 2019, 10:26:08 pm
I think my poo clock uses TFL minutes or Windows minutes or something.
What's that, unpredictable?

Indeed.  Timings generally optimised for inconvenience, though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 08 January, 2019, 11:28:48 pm
Dunno if mine HAS  a clock...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 09 January, 2019, 08:24:44 am
mine did, until codeine.  Predictable, but on a slower timescale
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 09 January, 2019, 01:15:02 pm
CO detector started bleeping 'Low Battery' at sparrowfart o'clock.

It supposedly had a 10 year lithium battery.

David said it read 9.75V on our multimeter.

A new battery stopped the bleeping...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 09 January, 2019, 01:35:36 pm
The great thing about battery voltage in the kitchen at sparrowfart is that it's several fractions of a vole lower than it is on your bench at awake-enough-to-deal-with-lithium-batteries o'clock.  (DAHIKT)

One day alarm molishers will work this out.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 09 January, 2019, 02:19:51 pm
David asked me if he should investigate the battery further.
I said not.
He repeated the question and when I suggested maybe later, he was angry I'd changed my mind.
I said not again...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 09 January, 2019, 02:59:38 pm
Came home just about blinded by condensation & sleet on glasses --> right cleat & slots full of dog-shit.  :demon: >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 10 January, 2019, 01:04:53 pm
Dear Affinity Water,

You may think stopping our water supply between 2am and 3am is a perfectly fine thing to do.

I would not have minded if you had the courtesy to warn us of this in advance.

It is most disturbing to find no water forthcoming from taps and the toilet cistern failing to refill after flushing.

Our nice new plumbing means we have no reserve tanks whatever in the house when this happens.

My long-suffering partner fetched a bucket of water from our rainwater butt and now bemoans this was unnecessary.

I am most unimpressed.

Yours etc
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: lou boutin on 10 January, 2019, 01:23:34 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 08 January, 2019, 10:27:49 pm
Quote from: Kim on 08 January, 2019, 10:26:08 pm
I think my poo clock uses TFL minutes or Windows minutes or something.
What's that, unpredictable?

Christmas does that to me.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 10 January, 2019, 07:30:07 pm
Only male at the exercise class again.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Gattopardo on 10 January, 2019, 11:26:51 pm
Found a bike frame, with a bike register number, and emailed bike register to confirm that the frame was dumped and not stolen.

After several emails the person has gone quiet after emailing that they wanted the frame back but could only collect after christmas.  Then nothing.

So frame is now going to the police station for them to deal with.  Feel like my time has been wasted trying to help someone.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 13 January, 2019, 03:14:18 pm
The monthly ritual of taking the inserts out of all the medications I take and throwing them away unread. It’s bad enough that all the tablets are blister packed, though I understand the motivation for that, but including the same instructions in every pack is a waste of resources, and if anything changed, I’d not know because Ive never read the damn things since the first time I got the meds.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 13 January, 2019, 04:21:03 pm
I read the inserts from time to time, usually when travelling or visiting a place which states they wish to see my medication. (Syringes which ought to be refrigerated and are only used three times per week don't accompany their box or insert unless necessary.)

I even read the insert in the Canesten cream box I opened last week. The tube replaces one with a 2005 expiry on the crimp...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 13 January, 2019, 04:26:33 pm
One of my meds comes in a wee plastic bottle with a childproof push-down-and-turn cap that doesn't work: if I push down hard enough for the ratchet in the cap to catch the bottle crumples to almost breaking point. To remove the cap without violence I have to use a not very childproof scalpel.

I'm also bemused by the fact that half the meds are in boxes of 30 and some in 28s. One or the other would keep things in sync, but that'd be too user-friendly for the Social Security to want to set it up.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 13 January, 2019, 04:59:29 pm
My Rebif comes in a 28 day pack, which means 13 packs per year.

Each pack is delivered individually by van by the suppliers, which is neither green nor convenient.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 13 January, 2019, 05:30:57 pm
Quote from: T42 on 13 January, 2019, 04:26:33 pm
One of my meds comes in a wee plastic bottle with a childproof push-down-and-turn cap that doesn't work: if I push down hard enough for the ratchet in the cap to catch the bottle crumples to almost breaking point. To remove the cap without violence I have to use a not very childproof scalpel.

You're probably too old for it.  Get someone under the age of 7 to have a go...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 14 January, 2019, 03:22:27 pm
Gah, yet ANOTHER phishing email. I've had then from HSBC, Apple, Amazon, COOP bank and now Lloyds, all in the last two weeks, and several from each purported source.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 14 January, 2019, 04:08:22 pm
Quote from: Kim on 13 January, 2019, 05:30:57 pm
Quote from: T42 on 13 January, 2019, 04:26:33 pm
One of my meds comes in a wee plastic bottle with a childproof push-down-and-turn cap that doesn't work: if I push down hard enough for the ratchet in the cap to catch the bottle crumples to almost breaking point. To remove the cap without violence I have to use a not very childproof scalpel.

You're probably too old for it.  Get someone under the age of 7 to have a go...

One of the Inlaw Maw's favourite sayings was  "give them razor blades to play with".
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 15 January, 2019, 12:05:11 am
Quote from: rafletcher on 14 January, 2019, 03:22:27 pm
Gah, yet ANOTHER phishing email. I've had then from HSBC, Apple, Amazon, COOP bank and now Lloyds, all in the last two weeks, and several from each purported source.  >:(

You think you've got problems? I have apparently been rumbled by a several of bastards who have hacked my e mails and illicitly used my webcam to film me enjoying my porn browsing sessions
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Giraffe on 15 January, 2019, 05:06:44 pm
Some of mine are from the future. I know this is so as the said webcam hasn't yet been bought. By the time it is, I'll be too old to 'enjoy' porn - oh, hang on a minute!  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 15 January, 2019, 08:59:27 pm
David's computer pointing device has failed.
I know Sainsbury's sell some of these.
I enter 'mouse' into the Search box and get HUNDREDS of hits for 'mousse', from chocolate mousse to shaving foam.
'Computer mouse' gives more sensible results but...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 15 January, 2019, 10:02:20 pm
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 15 January, 2019, 12:05:11 am
Quote from: rafletcher on 14 January, 2019, 03:22:27 pm
Gah, yet ANOTHER phishing email. I've had then from HSBC, Apple, Amazon, COOP bank and now Lloyds, all in the last two weeks, and several from each purported source.  >:(

You think you've got problems? I have apparently been rumbled by a several of bastards who have hacked my e mails and illicitly used my webcam to film me enjoying my porn browsing sessions

Me too, hope it was different sites.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pedaldog. on 15 January, 2019, 11:31:47 pm
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 15 January, 2019, 12:05:11 am
Quote from: rafletcher on 14 January, 2019, 03:22:27 pm
Gah, yet ANOTHER phishing email. I've had then from HSBC, Apple, Amazon, COOP bank and now Lloyds, all in the last two weeks, and several from each purported source.  >:(

You think you've got problems? I have apparently been rumbled by a several of bastards who have hacked my e mails and illicitly used my webcam to film me enjoying my porn browsing sessions
They Congratulated me "On my taste" in Cinematography!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 17 January, 2019, 08:31:28 pm
Quote from: Basil on 10 January, 2019, 07:30:07 pm
Only male at the exercise class again.

And again.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 22 January, 2019, 07:04:41 pm
The water is off (burst water main). I've just got back from a spin class and am disgustingly sweaty, but I can't shower. :sick:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 22 January, 2019, 07:46:32 pm
Water outages always pick the worst possible time...

That reminds me:  Regular readers will have seen me grumbling about a shortage of voles at KimBarakta HQ (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=11510.msg2359514#msg2359514).  It appears that we are now additionally suffering from an intermittent case of Crappy BRITISH Water Pressure™.

I'm wondering if we should regard this as practice for brexit, or whether - like brexit - we should adopt a policy of ignoring the problem in the hope that it goes away.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jakob W on 23 January, 2019, 12:20:58 pm
Tripped and threw tea all down my front this morning; just took the baselayer I was wearing out of the wash and it's stained it  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 23 January, 2019, 01:38:09 pm
Quote from: Kim on 22 January, 2019, 07:46:32 pm
Water outages always pick the worst possible time...

That reminds me:  Regular readers will have seen me grumbling about a shortage of voles at KimBarakta HQ (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=11510.msg2359514#msg2359514).  It appears that we are now additionally suffering from an intermittent case of Crappy BRITISH Water Pressure™.

I'm wondering if we should regard this as practice for brexit, or whether - like brexit - we should adopt a policy of ignoring the problem in the hope that it goes away.

Kim, given both your various medical needs I would strongly advise contacting both your elec supplier and STW to get put on the priority / vulnerable  customer lists. Most of the sensitive electronics in your house are adaptations for those that have less than perfect hearing aren't they.

Loss of water pressure to vulnerable customers is a significant no no.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 23 January, 2019, 02:00:16 pm
We're on the water company's list, on the basis that if I'm not here, barakta's ability to carry water home from the shop at the end of the road isn't something she can rely on.  So far this has resulted in one random delivery of bottled water before some works that didn't actually cause an outage.  The brief outages (including that caused by nextdoor's builders[1]) we have had haven't been long enough to be a problem.

The electricity supply has been pretty reliable, even during the Great Selly Oak Substation Meltdown of 2012 it was only off for a couple of hours.  The worst we normally get is a glitch that's enough to set off every burglar alarm in the area, but not long enough to cause computers to reboot.

But the voltage has been creeping down since Christmas.  Yesterday's stats (accumulated from 5-minutely readings of the not-especially-calibrated UPS) give: Average:230.79V Max:243.10V Min:206.18V.  I saw a minimum of 209V when I left a decent multimeter logging at 1-second intervals over the evening peak the other day.  I suppose that's out of spec enough to be worth reporting...

ETA: I plotted a graph.  Averages of averages, so don't read much into the actual figures.  I note a correlation with university term starting on the 14th, but the overall trend is longer-term than that...

(http://www.ductilebiscuit.net/stuff/voltagegraph6month.svg)

I think I'll wait until next week though, in the interests of random engineers not turning up and confusing barakta while I'm away over the weekend.

(Which is what happened when I reported a water leak that I discovered on a country lane a while ago:  It seems that information submitted via the handy click-on-the-map and verbal description bits of Severn Trent's leak reporting web form doesn't actually make it to the engineers, so they turned up to my home address expecting to find a leak instead.)



[1] As soon as I spotted the water main in the hole they were digging I filled some water carriers.  That they broke the pipe was entirely consistent with their level of competence up to (and indeed after) that point.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 24 January, 2019, 09:01:24 am
Quote from: Kim on 23 January, 2019, 02:00:16 pm
The brief outages (including that caused by nextdoor's builders[1]) we have had haven't been long enough to be a problem.
We've had a couple of those recently with the bonus that the builders were actually plumbers, who had turned the mains off as needed for their work. Except they turned the wrong stop cock off. The bonus bonus being that the same plumbers had previously done some work on our place...  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 24 January, 2019, 10:51:02 am
I keep reading outage as outrage. The one leads to the other, I suppose.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 24 January, 2019, 08:17:09 pm
Quote from: Basil on 17 January, 2019, 08:31:28 pm
Quote from: Basil on 10 January, 2019, 07:30:07 pm
Only male at the exercise class again.

And again.

Nuvver bloke!

Ratio reduced from 15/1 to 7/1.
(Nothing wrong with my maths. Mrs B  didn't go tonight)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 24 January, 2019, 10:44:55 pm
Quote from: Basil on 24 January, 2019, 08:17:09 pm
Quote from: Basil on 17 January, 2019, 08:31:28 pm
Quote from: Basil on 10 January, 2019, 07:30:07 pm
Only male at the exercise class again.

And again.

Nuvver bloke!

Ratio reduced from 15/1 to 7/1.
(Nothing wrong with my maths. Mrs B  didn't go tonight)

Given my cycling group version of the Bechdel-Wallace test[1], I have to ask:  Was he called John?   ;D


[1] "Are there more women than people called John?"
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 24 January, 2019, 11:12:31 pm
He wasn't.  I had that covered.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 28 January, 2019, 09:22:55 pm
Subtitles on streaming services. AGAIN.

ITV player continues to be crap because they don’t update the native TV apps to support subtitles.

But I’ve come across another annoyance, this time with Netflix.This is a surprise because they have consistently been in the lead with subtitle provision. As a consequence of having to widen our search for stuff that we both want to watch, we’ve started watching shows recorded in languages from various foreign that are subtitled rather than dubbed, for the none foreign speaking engelesh. This doesn’t bother me because I rely on the subtitles in any case. BUT but. Netflix (for it must be them or their specs because this is on ‘Netflix original content’)have decided in their infinite wisdom that when subtitling a foreign language film for the none foreign speaking engelesh they don’t need to provide subtitles to replace those in foreign when the characters are speaking English.
The bastards.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 28 January, 2019, 09:27:10 pm
Bonus points for using the hearing impaired closed captions stream to superimpose "[SPEAKING $LANGUAGE]" over the open caption translation, so you can't read it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 28 January, 2019, 09:32:09 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 28 January, 2019, 09:22:55 pm
Subtitles on streaming services. AGAIN.

ITV player continues to be crap because they don’t update the native TV apps to support subtitles.

But I’ve come across another annoyance, this time with Netflix.This is a surprise because they have consistently been in the lead with subtitle provision. As a consequence of having to widen our search for stuff that we both want to watch, we’ve started watching shows recorded in languages from various foreign that are subtitled rather than dubbed, for the none foreign speaking engelesh. This doesn’t bother me because I rely on the subtitles in any case. BUT but. Netflix (for it must be them or their specs because this is on ‘Netflix original content’)have decided in their infinite wisdom that when subtitling a foreign language film for the none foreign speaking engelesh they don’t need to provide subtitles to replace those in foreign when the characters are speaking English.
The bastards.
Sounds like you've got plain translation captions there.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 28 January, 2019, 09:35:21 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 28 January, 2019, 09:32:09 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 28 January, 2019, 09:22:55 pm
Subtitles on streaming services. AGAIN.

ITV player continues to be crap because they don’t update the native TV apps to support subtitles.

But I’ve come across another annoyance, this time with Netflix.This is a surprise because they have consistently been in the lead with subtitle provision. As a consequence of having to widen our search for stuff that we both want to watch, we’ve started watching shows recorded in languages from various foreign that are subtitled rather than dubbed, for the none foreign speaking engelesh. This doesn’t bother me because I rely on the subtitles in any case. BUT but. Netflix (for it must be them or their specs because this is on ‘Netflix original content’)have decided in their infinite wisdom that when subtitling a foreign language film for the none foreign speaking engelesh they don’t need to provide subtitles to replace those in foreign when the characters are speaking English.
The bastards.
Sounds like you've got plain translation captions there.
I believe so, but it would seem that having provided those, Netflix didn’t deem it necessary to revisit the programmes to provide hard of hearing subtitles. I looked!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 28 January, 2019, 09:40:03 pm
Always seems daft that you'd provide one but not the other.  It can't be that much extra work to stick in the odd [phone rings] and [car approaches].

There's a middle ground in the fan-generated subtitling world where they subtitle all speech (and sometimes onscreen text) in the original language to serve as a basis for volunteer translation.  The result can be remarkably thorough, while completely omitting captions for non-speech sounds.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 28 January, 2019, 09:58:11 pm
I don't know what Netflix policy is, but many studios/channels will have English and English (SDH) as separate options.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 29 January, 2019, 08:36:24 am
Watched a thing last week where every bit of recent music was given its full title & performer credits in the SDH subtitles, but classical music just got [classical music].

Watching Netflix in France is a bit weird. Foreign films often have French subtitles only, so we find ourselves watching films with English audio and French subtitles.  MrsT needs them but I can usually get along without; but I find them impossible to ignore so I'm always comparing the translation with what was said.  It's amazing how much shorter the text can get when fuck and fucking are left out.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jakob W on 29 January, 2019, 06:34:03 pm
Fairly standard in translation though; 'Go fuck yourself and die, you shit-sucking motherfucker' becomes the local equivalent of 'go away, you cad' in the subtitles. This occasionally leads to people who learned colloquial English from film captions massively underestimating how strong a particular epithet actually is...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 29 January, 2019, 07:26:37 pm
Quote from: Jakob W on 29 January, 2019, 06:34:03 pm
This occasionally leads to people who learned colloquial English from film captions massively underestimating how strong a particular epithet actually is...

I don't think it's just captioning that's responsible for this phenomenon, but it's certainly an endearing feature of FOREIGNS and other non-native English speakers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 30 January, 2019, 07:46:49 pm
So, on the way back from the pool, I do my civic duty and sprinkle a few buckets of grit on the hill because it's getting slippery. Did any of the drivers of the several cars that passed, whose safe passage up and down that hill I'm facilitating, even acknowledge me, maybe a brief appreciative nod at my efforts?

I think you know the answer.

I've given up expecting any of the fiftyish houses back there for taking a few minutes themselves, it's mostly me or the local councillors who live up the road.

On the plus side, the two pedestrians said 'thank you.'
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 31 January, 2019, 07:08:03 am
Bugger me.  It's cold.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ham on 31 January, 2019, 07:38:56 am
No. Not even to keep you warm.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andytheflyer on 31 January, 2019, 08:33:24 am
Quote from: ian on 30 January, 2019, 07:46:49 pm
So, on the way back from the pool, I do my civic duty and sprinkle a few buckets of grit on the hill because it's getting slippery. Did any of the drivers of the several cars that passed, whose safe passage up and down that hill I'm facilitating, even acknowledge me, maybe a brief appreciative nod at my efforts?

I think you know the answer.

I've given up expecting any of the fiftyish houses back there for taking a few minutes themselves, it's mostly me or the local councillors who live up the road.

On the plus side, the two pedestrians said 'thank you.'

Not just me then.  I live on a close of  10 houses - all the residents are getting on, with hip replacements etc, except three.  Me and 2 others.  The close is on a slight slope, not much, but more than enough to stop you getting up it in a car once some irresponsible s*d has driven over it and packed the snow down into the brick paviours. 

In the 28 years we've been here, it's only ever been me that clears the snow sufficient to have an un-iced strip to get up the slope.  And in all that time, I can't recall anyone saying thanks as they drive past on a newly-cleared strip whilst I'm clearing the stuff.  Bastards.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 31 January, 2019, 08:42:26 am
Well, it's a 25% hill, so pretty much unnavigable in snow/ice unless it's gritted. There are around fifty houses back there and I'd guess the majority of them reliant on their cars to get anywhere. I've never seen anyone grit the hill except me and our two local councillors. Possibly they don't want to go work and we're spoiling it for them.

Same in our last place, a private street, we (as management company directors) would do the snow clearing and gritting. At least we'd get the occasional thanks for that. One of the residents asked why we didn't just hire someone. Because snow faeries are readily available. Same person, mind, who used to complain about the management fees.

It's society really, in my experience, of every ten people: two do, seven watch, and one complains.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 31 January, 2019, 10:35:22 am
Oh no! Not today.  Today is not a good day for a power cut.  :(
Bum bum buggery bum.

Edit.
Phew.  Back on after only 20 minutes.   :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 31 January, 2019, 11:26:43 am
Quote from: Ham on 31 January, 2019, 07:38:56 am
No. Not even to keep you warm.

 ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 01 February, 2019, 01:54:05 pm
My tramp round the village this morning revealed that only about a third of households have bothered to clear the snow off their pavements.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 02 February, 2019, 12:57:14 am
Quote from: T42 on 01 February, 2019, 01:54:05 pm
My tramp round the village this morning revealed that only about a third of households have bothered to clear the snow off their pavements.  >:(
A funny part of UK law is that you are potentially responsible if someone slips in a pavement you’ve cleared, but have no liability if they slip on a pavement you haven’t cleared. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 02 February, 2019, 08:40:09 am
Not here: you get it done by 7h30 or you're liable. And thereafter you keep it clear until about 10 pm, which is a bit surreal if you go out to work.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 02 February, 2019, 06:45:44 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 02 February, 2019, 12:57:14 am
Quote from: T42 on 01 February, 2019, 01:54:05 pm
My tramp round the village this morning revealed that only about a third of households have bothered to clear the snow off their pavements.  >:(
A funny part of UK law is that you are potentially responsible if someone slips in a pavement you’ve cleared, but have no liability if they slip on a pavement you haven’t cleared.

Civil law, so there is a test of reasonableness to be had as well.  i.e. if you clear it to get yourself to work, it then partially thaws and re-freezes, how could you be held responsible?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 03 February, 2019, 09:54:44 am
Cracked back rim on Trek so switched to old Ti bike yesterday.  Looked at my maintenance notes for same this morning. Last entry: "8/05/2015: Back wheel to be replaced soon."

OK, it's only done around 200 km since, but still.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 05 February, 2019, 09:36:11 am
I wish to register a grumble about my partners breathing and my wish that she would stop doing so….

Okay, before you suggest I seek help quickly for my murderous intent, I feel I should explain that it is her breathing at night which gets on my nerves namely that her breathing rate is much quicker than mine so if I am awake I find it difficult not to find myself trying to match her rate which leaves me over breathing.

She doesn’t seemed inclined to cease breathing at night so I guess I will have to wear ear plugs.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 05 February, 2019, 12:39:01 pm
In general, small animals have a higher breathing rate than larger ones...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: offcumden on 05 February, 2019, 12:41:42 pm
Thus, if synchronised breathing is important to you, pick on someone your own size  :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 05 February, 2019, 12:54:38 pm
Quote from: offcumden on 05 February, 2019, 12:41:42 pm
Thus, if synchronised breathing is important to you, pick on someone your own size  :)

Or read up on tantric sex.  :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 05 February, 2019, 01:01:39 pm
Quote from: T42 on 29 January, 2019, 08:36:24 am
Watching Netflix in France is a bit weird. Foreign films often have French subtitles only, so we find ourselves watching films with English audio and French subtitles.  MrsT needs them but I can usually get along without; but I find them impossible to ignore so I'm always comparing the translation with what was said.  It's amazing how much shorter the text can get when fuck and fucking are left out.

More annoying is where you are watching a fillum originally in forrin, overdubbed with English, but need the subtitles on too.

The former and the latter rarely match up.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 05 February, 2019, 01:24:50 pm
Quote from: essexian on 05 February, 2019, 09:36:11 am
I wish to register a grumble about my partners breathing and my wish that she would stop doing so….

Okay, before you suggest I seek help quickly for my murderous intent, I feel I should explain that it is her breathing at night which gets on my nerves namely that her breathing rate is much quicker than mine so if I am awake I find it difficult not to find myself trying to match her rate which leaves me over breathing.

She doesn’t seemed inclined to cease breathing at night so I guess I will have to wear ear plugs.  :facepalm:

I have noticed this in my wife. I suspect it is due to her asthma so she substitutes frequency for depth.
May be worth mentioning and checking.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 05 February, 2019, 09:08:59 pm
Quote from: essexian on 05 February, 2019, 09:36:11 am
I wish to register a grumble about my partners breathing and my wish that she would stop doing so….

Okay, before you suggest I seek help quickly for my murderous intent, I feel I should explain that it is her breathing at night which gets on my nerves namely that her breathing rate is much quicker than mine so if I am awake I find it difficult not to find myself trying to match her rate which leaves me over breathing.

She doesn’t seemed inclined to cease breathing at night so I guess I will have to wear ear plugs.  :facepalm:

I have the solution to this : go to sleep before she does
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 06 February, 2019, 07:16:00 am
Or make her sleep with her head stuck out the window
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 06 February, 2019, 07:29:50 am
I do go to bed before her. Me typically between 9 and 10pm, her between midnight and 1am.

However, she manages to wake me up most nights when getting into bed as frankly, she moves the mattress around like no one else....and yes, I know that sounds rude but of course no one on here would consider it such!

Not too bad a nights sleep last night apart from getting an email at 1am telling me I had won a prize on Euromillions. So of course I tried to log in to check but couldn't until 7am. My prize....£3.10!

I can get that new inner tube I have had my eye on now! :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 06 February, 2019, 08:10:01 am
Quote from: essexian on 06 February, 2019, 07:29:50 am
I do go to bed before her. Me typically between 9 and 10pm, her between midnight and 1am.

However, she manages to wake me up most nights when getting into bed as frankly, she moves the mattress around like no one else....and yes, I know that sounds rude but of course no one on here would consider it such!

Not too bad a nights sleep last night apart from getting an email at 1am telling me I had won a prize on Euromillions. So of course I tried to log in to check but couldn't until 7am. My prize....£3.10!

I can get that new inner tube I have had my eye on now! :facepalm:

You can always do what I did 25 years ago: build a bed with two single-bed springs & mattresses in the same frame. Stays friendly but you have independent suspension. Doesn't do anything for breathing, though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 06 February, 2019, 09:00:23 am
Quote from: ElyDave on 06 February, 2019, 07:16:00 am
Or make her sleep with her head stuck out the window
As Little Richard would have put it
I got a girl, six foot four
Sleeps in the kitchen with her feet out the door
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 06 February, 2019, 09:01:42 am
And in passing: Google Maps persists in labelling the odd restaurant around here "French Restaurant". This is France, you bloody moron: they're ALL French.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 06 February, 2019, 09:32:19 am
Quote from: T42 on 06 February, 2019, 08:10:01 am
You can always do what I did 25 years ago: build a bed with two single-bed springs & mattresses in the same frame. Stays friendly but you have independent suspension. Doesn't do anything for breathing, though.

The local (to me) mattress factory - Hypnos - will make you a double mattress with differing spring rates on each side.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 06 February, 2019, 01:20:12 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 06 February, 2019, 09:32:19 am
Quote from: T42 on 06 February, 2019, 08:10:01 am
You can always do what I did 25 years ago: build a bed with two single-bed springs & mattresses in the same frame. Stays friendly but you have independent suspension. Doesn't do anything for breathing, though.

The local (to me) mattress factory - Hypnos - will make you a double mattress with differing spring rates on each side.

I have a John Lewis double mattress with different spring tensions for me and he. Movement is still transmitted.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 06 February, 2019, 02:39:59 pm
Quote from: T42 on 06 February, 2019, 09:01:42 am
And in passing: Google Maps persists in labelling the odd restaurant around here "French Restaurant". This is France, you bloody moron: they're ALL French.
But do they serve French food, and none of that foreign muck?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 06 February, 2019, 03:12:08 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 06 February, 2019, 02:39:59 pm
Quote from: T42 on 06 February, 2019, 09:01:42 am
And in passing: Google Maps persists in labelling the odd restaurant around here "French Restaurant". This is France, you bloody moron: they're ALL French.
But do they serve French food, and none of that foreign muck?

God knows. But I noticed that Google has labelled our favourite Thai eatery "Hot Pot restaurant".
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 07 February, 2019, 08:54:45 am
No breathing or bouncing bed problems for me last night  ;D ......... CBH decided to sleep at her Mums for the next couple of nights  :facepalm:

No, I am not in the dog house thankfully, but we have three lots of tradespersons working on the house today and tomorrow with the first starting at 8am this morning.

My grumble.... its now nearly 9am and no sign of the tradesperson. Why did I believe they would be here on time???? I mean, its not likely is it!  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 07 February, 2019, 09:25:51 am
On time. You're (a) lucky if they turn up at all and (b) on the right day. And if you're blessed with (b), expect them to spend the first hour on their mobile phone, and then spend half the rest of the workday doing the same. They'll probably wander off at some point because 'they need to get some supplies.' And then their battery will die at 3.30pm so they'll have to leave. They'll let you know when they'll 'be back.'
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 07 February, 2019, 09:38:56 am
You are of course correct Ian, that is what I should expect. I however, still live in Hope (and yes, I have been to Hope!)

However...... I just had two tradesperson arrive and quickly and effectively do the tests they were scheduled to do. No need to make them tea or dig in the back of the cupboard for sugar etc as they simply did their bit and went.

Problem is..... they were the second tradesperson scheduled today so checked the electric installation without the new switch which the first tradesperson is yet to arrive and fit.

When asked if that was an issue, it turns out not to be.....  ???

 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 10 February, 2019, 05:43:04 pm
I want to ride my bicycle!  Tomorrow will be two weeks since I last cycled.

But as breathing is an effort, and I can't go 10 minutes without coughing, cycling is probably not a good idea.  :'(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 12 February, 2019, 03:11:44 pm
Still no decision from the police re my SMIDSY incident.

Just rang to find out what's happening "It's with the case officer to decide, they've had it about a month now"

Can't get anywhere with my claim until that gets decided as the lawyers need it before contacting the insurers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 12 February, 2019, 03:21:59 pm
You lot get me into so much trouble. ‘But someing good came up on YACF and I had to read it’ just doesn’t cut it with Dr Beardy (Mrs) when I’m scrabbling around for an excuse as to why the tea isn’t on the table when she gets home. Mind you, neither does ‘But I don’t like cleaning the toilet’ in explanation to the state of the smallest room’

Hrumph.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 12 February, 2019, 03:49:17 pm
Try mixing them up: "Why isn't tea ready?" "Because a thread came up on YACF about cleaning the toilet."
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 12 February, 2019, 06:00:31 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 12 February, 2019, 03:21:59 pm
You lot get me into so much trouble. ‘But someing good came up on YACF and I had to read it’ just doesn’t cut it with Dr Beardy (Mrs) when I’m scrabbling around for an excuse as to why the tea isn’t on the table when she gets home. Mind you, neither does ‘But I don’t like cleaning the toilet’ in explanation to the state of the smallest room’

I think both of those are in my top five go-to excuses.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 12 February, 2019, 06:03:19 pm
But nobody likes cleaning the toilet and therefore not an excuse....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 13 February, 2019, 01:04:42 am
Garmin have 'acquired' Tacx. There goes any hope of innovative tooling solutions in favour of MOAR fucking stupid devices that cost ridiculous amounts of money so you can pretend you ride a bike...

Puts me in mind of that supercilious person advertising 'Elite Singles' - "a shot at finding The One" - yeah! Anything to avoid, you know, actually having to, like, interact with someone. Relationship! NOW! Because entitled...

And now I've turned it into a rant.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 13 February, 2019, 06:21:52 am
Quote from: Torslanda on 13 February, 2019, 01:04:42 am
Garmin have 'acquired' Tacx. There goes any hope of innovative tooling solutions in favour of MOAR fucking stupid devices that cost ridiculous amounts of money so you can pretend you ride a bike...

Puts me in mind of that supercilious person advertising 'Elite Singles' - "a shot at finding The One" - yeah! Anything to avoid, you know, actually having to, like, interact with someone. Relationship! NOW! Because entitled...

And now I've turned it into a rant.

And there's the problem, having been a Garmin user for ten plus years, its now so ingrained that I doubt I could function wit something else, despite regularly ranting about the illogical crap and random turnings off. I've finally bitten the bullet and decided to ditch the ancient uncalibratable Tacx turbo trainer in favour of #modern technology, and ANT+, unless GarTaxc decide that they are going to stop their products talking outside the family. Oh, guess what, they already have - see the new Taxc app, wont talk to anything else.

And now that seems a bit ranty as well
Harumph
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 13 February, 2019, 06:48:03 am
Quote from: Torslanda on 13 February, 2019, 01:04:42 am
Garmin have 'acquired' Tacx. There goes any hope of innovative tooling solutions in favour of MOAR fucking stupid devices that cost ridiculous amounts of money so you can pretend you ride a bike...

Puts me in mind of that supercilious person advertising 'Elite Singles' - "a shot at finding The One" - yeah! Anything to avoid, you know, actually having to, like, interact with someone. Relationship! NOW! Because entitled...

And now I've turned it into a rant.

I am not so down on Garmin.  Having used a Satmap which made a Garmin seem easy to use and had the battery life of a dodo then I am more forgiving.  Also my 1030 works like a charm.

I have had 3 Tacx turbos.  The first simple one was boring and simple but worked so long as you kept the tyre pumped up.  My wife got a forties I think with manual resistance control and bluetooth? transmission of speed? 
I got the original Tacx Neo.  Never gone wrong for me, just works.  Occasional cadence spike at low power when it interprets my lack of smoothness as extra cadence.  I have an old frame on it, permanently plugged in and I walk in climb on and start pedaling.


Tacx will now have access to a lot better software engineers and the TTS RLV may well provide a real life alternative to Zwift, vertigo and BigringVR.  I suspect in a years time one of those 3 will cease to exist.

The alternative is probably that Zwift will produce their own hardware and lock everybody else out.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 13 February, 2019, 01:07:00 pm
Quote from: Torslanda on 13 February, 2019, 01:04:42 am
Garmin have 'acquired' Tacx. There goes any hope of innovative tooling solutions in favour of MOAR fucking stupid devices that cost ridiculous amounts of money so you can pretend you ride a bike...

Puts me in mind of that supercilious person advertising 'Elite Singles' - "a shot at finding The One" - yeah! Anything to avoid, you know, actually having to, like, interact with someone. Relationship! NOW! Because entitled...

And now I've turned it into a rant.

This should probably go in the "Things I Have Learned Today" thread a couple of days back, but it seems that among Garmin's other products are complete avionics suites for small/medium sized hairyplanes.  It is down to the individual, I suppose, to check whether they will be flying on such a beast, and whether they trust the thing to get them to their destination.

Emily the TwatNav did try to direct me to somewhere that was not Hemel Hempstead last summer but even if I'd followed her instructions to the letter it wouldn't have resulted in a controlled flight into terrain.  Only into Watford.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 13 February, 2019, 01:35:30 pm
And as any fule kno...

Quote
We really must by-pass Watford. That place is full of Daleks
*






* From Daleks' Invasion Earth: 2150 AD
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 15 February, 2019, 03:03:20 pm
The saga of the car repair continues.

Having finally got authorisation for everything, including door lock (£100 almost tipped it over the edge of not worth it apparently), I went to pick it up today.  Beacsue it's the 7 seater, it has air suspension on the rear.  There is an extra mudflap bolted to the side step just in front of the rear wheel that protects the air suspension.  The LR original sidestep is no longer available and the pattern part (good though it is) has a different bracket design.

I'll have it for the weekend and then drop it back to them on Monday to fabricate a bracket

At least the body shop is only about 500yds round the corner, and I'll get a spare RH step out of this as they come in pairs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 16 February, 2019, 07:41:25 am
Quote from: chrisbainbridge on 13 February, 2019, 06:48:03 am
Quote from: Torslanda on 13 February, 2019, 01:04:42 am
Garmin have 'acquired' Tacx. There goes any hope of innovative tooling solutions in favour of MOAR fucking stupid devices that cost ridiculous amounts of money so you can pretend you ride a bike...

Puts me in mind of that supercilious person advertising 'Elite Singles' - "a shot at finding The One" - yeah! Anything to avoid, you know, actually having to, like, interact with someone. Relationship! NOW! Because entitled...

And now I've turned it into a rant.

I am not so down on Garmin.  Having used a Satmap which made a Garmin seem easy to use and had the battery life of a dodo then I am more forgiving.  Also my 1030 works like a charm.

I have had 3 Tacx turbos.  The first simple one was boring and simple but worked so long as you kept the tyre pumped up.  My wife got a forties I think with manual resistance control and bluetooth? transmission of speed? 
I got the original Tacx Neo.  Never gone wrong for me, just works.  Occasional cadence spike at low power when it interprets my lack of smoothness as extra cadence.  I have an old frame on it, permanently plugged in and I walk in climb on and start pedaling.


Tacx will now have access to a lot better software engineers and the TTS RLV may well provide a real life alternative to Zwift, vertigo and BigringVR.  I suspect in a years time one of those 3 will cease to exist.

The alternative is probably that Zwift will produce their own hardware and lock everybody else out.

So my Fenix 2 decided today while I was out running to spontaneously stop the activity. When I noticed and restarted it about 500m later, it decided to restart as a Hike rather than Run.  Battery level was about 90% so no issue there, and it's this kind of general shit that really fucks me off with Garmin. 

When working well, they are superb, but the glitches are dammned annoying
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 17 February, 2019, 05:20:41 pm
Partner did not fully tighten stopper to washing machine filter he grudgingly cleaned on Friday.
My kitchen floor is wet, which will upset him.
I have managed to tighten stopper properly...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jakob W on 20 February, 2019, 11:16:21 am
The 3-volume history I mail-ordered arrived in the post this morning. Except the parcel only contained a single book; despite plastering '3-VOLUME SET' all over the listing, the seller had neglected to point out that they were only selling volume 3. To add insult to injury, the invoice slip inside the cover was for half the amount I actually paid. I've already requested a return label.

(ETA: There's clearly another level of silly buggers going on here. The packing slip has the correct address, but a different seller, book title, and price to what I paid. Looks like someone is trying to engage in a little arbitrage by listing books with vaguer (more search-friendly?) titles, and then getting the original seller to ship the book direct whilst pocketing the mark-up.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 20 February, 2019, 12:33:03 pm
Quote from: chrisbainbridge on 13 February, 2019, 06:48:03 am
Heavily trimmed by me...

Tacx will now have access to a lot better software engineers and the TTS RLV may well provide a real life alternative to Zwift, vertigo and BigringVR.  I suspect in a years time one of those 3 will cease to exist.



Pardon?  Access to a lot better software engineers?  from Garmin?  You're avin' a larf!  My experience is that they make perfectly reasonable hardware, but are utterly, unbelievably crap in the software department.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 21 February, 2019, 08:47:27 am
7 meetings by 4pm. How the hell am I supposed to get any work done? Every meeting produces 'actions'. No wonder my beard is white.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 21 February, 2019, 09:07:29 am
"Meetings, the meaningful alternative to work"  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 21 February, 2019, 09:41:04 am
I delegate my action items.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 21 February, 2019, 10:10:16 am
Quote from: ian on 21 February, 2019, 09:41:04 am
I delegate my action items.
Can't delegate most of this, that is the problem with being a 'technical' manager.

Just exited a meeting where we identified that I am the only person who can do the gerrit review on 100 json files, by tomorrow. Small changes in each file, but it will still take a minute or two per file. I guess I know what I'm doing tonight.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 21 February, 2019, 10:22:14 am
What can I say, my development team hate me. Which is good and proper. I pretend not to know anything, which is surprisingly easy. Who the hell is this Jason, anyway?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 21 February, 2019, 10:28:46 am
I am happy to say that since I retired I have forgotten.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 21 February, 2019, 11:47:17 am
Quote from: ian on 21 February, 2019, 10:22:14 am
What can I say, my development team hate me. Which is good and proper. I pretend not to know anything, which is surprisingly easy. Who the hell is this Jason, anyway?

(https://1428elm.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/304/files/2017/01/jason-8-1.jpg)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: pumpkin on 22 February, 2019, 01:45:31 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 21 February, 2019, 09:07:29 am
"Meetings, the meaningful alternative to work"  ::-)

where I work, people have well-paid careers going to meetings
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 22 February, 2019, 02:09:24 pm
Quote from: pumpkin on 22 February, 2019, 01:45:31 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 21 February, 2019, 09:07:29 am
"Meetings, the meaningful alternative to work"  ::-)

where I work, people have well-paid careers going to meetings
I am well paid. I attend many, many meetings.

Unfortunately, I am also expected to do much work in addition to attending the meetings.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 23 February, 2019, 07:36:05 am
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 22 February, 2019, 02:09:24 pm
Quote from: pumpkin on 22 February, 2019, 01:45:31 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 21 February, 2019, 09:07:29 am
"Meetings, the meaningful alternative to work"  ::-)

where I work, people have well-paid careers going to meetings
I am well paid. I attend many, many meetings.

Unfortunately, I am also expected to do much work in addition to attending the meetings.
I wish the same could be said of our, "I go to meetings" cadre.  Many of them are very pleasant people, but I'm damned if I can work out what they contribute to the organisation.  It occurs to me that it must be really quite depressing to be doing a job like that.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 24 February, 2019, 11:39:52 am
The AA have just sent me key insurance policy schedules for myself, Mrs Tween and Miss Somebody residing half a country away.  GDPR anyone?

Included in the envelope are 3 key fobs each with a unique identification number on them.  Now which is mine, which should Mrs Tween use and which would it be a very poor idea indeed to attach to our key sets?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 24 February, 2019, 09:44:01 pm
Watching Endevour on the idiot box and for the second week in a row they have identified a caller after the event by the use of call records. In 1969 this was not a thing.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 24 February, 2019, 09:45:39 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 24 February, 2019, 09:44:01 pm
Watching Endevour on the idiot box and for the second week in a row they have identified a caller after the event by the use of call records. In 1969 this was not a thing.  >:(

It's okay, there's more than enough "keep them on the line so we can trace the call" rubbish in modern drama to make up for it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 24 February, 2019, 10:00:44 pm
Quote from: Kim on 24 February, 2019, 09:45:39 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 24 February, 2019, 09:44:01 pm
Watching Endevour on the idiot box and for the second week in a row they have identified a caller after the event by the use of call records. In 1969 this was not a thing.  >:(

It's okay, there's more than enough "keep them on the line so we can trace the call" rubbish in modern drama to make up for it.
Having done call ‘traces’ for "keep them on the line" situations1 that gets me grumbly as well. I actually have no idea how it’s actually done these days, but i suspect it’s not a lot different from Sys X and involves a person at a terminal.

1. It could get quite stressful doing s 999 grade when you had to decipher grading charts in a hurry. Repeat malicious calls were easier because you could plug in _things_ to hold the circuits up.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 24 February, 2019, 10:16:08 pm
But they didn't trace it, it was a call for a line check?

Surely you know which number that was?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 24 February, 2019, 10:39:23 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 24 February, 2019, 10:16:08 pm
But they didn't trace it, it was a call for a line check?

Surely you know which number that was?
Yes, they said that later, but the initial inference was that they’d got ‘call records’’. That’s certainly what was intimated last week.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 25 February, 2019, 01:32:40 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 24 February, 2019, 09:44:01 pm
Watching Endevour on the idiot box and for the second week in a row they have identified a caller after the event by the use of call records. In 1969 this was not a thing.  >:(

Nor were Series III Lard-Rovers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 25 February, 2019, 02:20:08 pm
Woken up at 6am this morning by a cat vomiting on CBH everything was in place for me to go swimming when the pool opened at 7am. This would allow me to do the required 500 to 800m and get home in time for breakfast and work.

But no, I decided I would rather sit and read the paper for a bit before starting work at 8am. Afterall, there is an adults only session at lunchtime I could attend. So, that's what I did....

The grumble, it wasn't an adults only session but a public one. It seems that some of the local schools were off today despite half term being last week meaning the pools was full of brats children getting in the way and having a good time!

Bah! Having a good time in a swimming pool. That's not what pools are for!  :hand: :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 25 February, 2019, 03:12:24 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 25 February, 2019, 01:32:40 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 24 February, 2019, 09:44:01 pm
Watching Endevour on the idiot box and for the second week in a row they have identified a caller after the event by the use of call records. In 1969 this was not a thing.  >:(

Nor were Series III Lard-Rovers.

Was it a 3 or a 2?  I thought it had headlamps in the grill and sidelamps on the wings making it a 2?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 25 February, 2019, 07:09:10 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 25 February, 2019, 01:32:40 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 24 February, 2019, 09:44:01 pm
Watching Endevour on the idiot box and for the second week in a row they have identified a caller after the event by the use of call records. In 1969 this was not a thing.  >:(

Nor were Series III Lard-Rovers.
I find it hard to be irked by this sort of thing these days. I notice it and think, "Oh that's a bit off. Never mind it'll do as set dressing, carry on with the story."  Having said that, the thing that's making my antennae twitch in the current run is the paucity of suffix alpha registrations on the vehicles being used, especially on the police vehicles.  ICBA to goggle it but I have it in mind that "A" registrations appeared in '62 (might be '61) and while everyone else would be driving around in clapped out pre '62 bangers, the Family Lurker had a string of them until well into the 1970s, I'd sort of expect the police to be driving around in fairly new stuff.  S'not important enough to spill any green ink over though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 25 February, 2019, 08:03:20 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 25 February, 2019, 01:32:40 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 24 February, 2019, 09:44:01 pm
Watching Endevour on the idiot box and for the second week in a row they have identified a caller after the event by the use of call records. In 1969 this was not a thing.  >:(

Nor were Series III Lard-Rovers.
I saw an early Bronze Green series 2a (headlights in the grill) but not a series 3. But then, the mobile library in the first episode of this series was L (1970) registered although Neil was taking his small step for man on the TV.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 26 February, 2019, 03:33:43 am
I thought the vet's L-R was a SIII as the grille was the one shaped a bit like an Alfa's, not the inverted-T of earlier ones.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 27 February, 2019, 07:10:20 pm
Word! Why does it keep changing the language of my document from UK English to US English? I know why sort of, it's because it doesn't recognise words like "unutilised" as existing in UK English so automatically changes them to US English "unutilized". Wrong! "Unutilised" might not be a pretty word, but it's certainly a word.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 27 February, 2019, 07:13:58 pm
What's wrong with 'unused'?  ;) ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 27 February, 2019, 07:28:29 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 27 February, 2019, 07:10:20 pm
Word! Why does it keep changing the language of my document from UK English to US English? I know why sort of, it's because it doesn't recognise words like "unutilised" as existing in UK English so automatically changes them to US English "unutilized". Wrong! "Unutilised" might not be a pretty word, but it's certainly a word.

This is worth far more than just a grumble.

I once had a colleague correct EVERY English spellung in a report of my to that other version. Probably a good job I didn't need to use queue anywhere
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 27 February, 2019, 07:46:06 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 27 February, 2019, 07:28:29 pm
I once had a colleague correct EVERY English spellung in a report of my to that other version.

That's slightly less bad than only changing some of them...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Giraffe on 28 February, 2019, 08:50:43 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 27 February, 2019, 07:10:20 pm
Word! Why does it keep changing the language of my document from UK English to US English? I know why sort of, it's because it doesn't recognise words like "unutilised" as existing in UK English so automatically changes them to US English "unutilized". Wrong! "Unutilised" might not be a pretty word, but it's certainly a word.
Delete the US 'English' (oxymoron?) dictionary. Needs to be a UK English dictionary installed before this will work.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 28 February, 2019, 10:07:55 am
I have just dropped yet another cafetiere.  Luckily we have three two singles and one large one, but this is becoming worryingly common.  It is now me 2; Mrs B 1. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 28 February, 2019, 10:16:54 am
Quote from: Kim on 27 February, 2019, 07:46:06 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 27 February, 2019, 07:28:29 pm
I once had a colleague correct EVERY English spellung in a report of my to that other version.

That's slightly less bad than only changing some of them...

No, it's FUCKING annoying, why employ me to write reports amongst other things if all you are going to do is correct my vernacular for Leftpondian.  Have you nothing else better to do?  Do you think English people are inherently unable to write in their mother tongue?

See, I told you it was supposed to be in the RANT thread

The guy doing the correction BTW is Iranian, nice chap otherwise
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 28 February, 2019, 10:24:32 am
Quote from: ElyDave on 28 February, 2019, 10:16:54 am
Quote from: Kim on 27 February, 2019, 07:46:06 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 27 February, 2019, 07:28:29 pm
I once had a colleague correct EVERY English spellung in a report of my to that other version.

That's slightly less bad than only changing some of them...

No, it's FUCKING annoying, why employ me to write reports amongst other things if all you are going to do is correct my vernacular for Leftpondian.  Have you nothing else better to do?  Do you think English people are inherently unable to write in their mother tongue?

See, I told you it was supposed to be in the RANT thread

The guy doing the correction BTW is Iranian, nice chap otherwise

I'd have thought the last thing he would want to do would be Americanise shit.....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 28 February, 2019, 10:28:37 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 27 February, 2019, 07:13:58 pm
What's wrong with 'unused'?  ;) ;D
Nothing, but the choice wasn't mine.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 28 February, 2019, 10:29:43 am
Quote from: Giraffe on 28 February, 2019, 08:50:43 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 27 February, 2019, 07:10:20 pm
Word! Why does it keep changing the language of my document from UK English to US English? I know why sort of, it's because it doesn't recognise words like "unutilised" as existing in UK English so automatically changes them to US English "unutilized". Wrong! "Unutilised" might not be a pretty word, but it's certainly a word.
Delete the US 'English' (oxymoron?) dictionary. Needs to be a UK English dictionary installed before this will work.
Both are installed, both are needed (and both can be annoying).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 28 February, 2019, 11:55:12 am
This week has been nothing but noise out here in my shed, what with two of my neighbours having Tree Men around with their chainsaws. Now.... one of my neighbour is having their roof pressure washed!

I mean...roof...pressure washed.....why????

If you want quiet, don't live/work a a retirement neighbourhood!

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 28 February, 2019, 01:36:08 pm
Quote from: essexian on 28 February, 2019, 11:55:12 am
I mean...roof...pressure washed.....why????

Our neighbour used to have that done every couple of years. ALWAYS on a sunny saturday. And he would pressure wash his extensive patio every year, ALWAYS on the first really nice spring saturday. It would take him 4 hours.....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 28 February, 2019, 09:25:02 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 25 February, 2019, 03:12:24 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 25 February, 2019, 01:32:40 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 24 February, 2019, 09:44:01 pm
Watching Endevour on the idiot box and for the second week in a row they have identified a caller after the event by the use of call records. In 1969 this was not a thing.  >:(

Nor were Series III Lard-Rovers.

Was it a 3 or a 2?  I thought it had headlamps in the grill and sidelamps on the wings making it a 2?

There was a blue SIII lwb and the vets SII swb.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 01 March, 2019, 09:12:46 am
Quote from: essexian on 28 February, 2019, 11:55:12 am
This week has been nothing but noise out here in my shed, what with two of my neighbours having Tree Men around with their chainsaws. Now.... one of my neighbour is having their roof pressure washed!

I mean...roof...pressure washed.....why????

If you want quiet, don't live/work a a retirement neighbourhood!
Pigeons?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 01 March, 2019, 02:26:46 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 28 February, 2019, 09:25:02 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 25 February, 2019, 03:12:24 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 25 February, 2019, 01:32:40 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 24 February, 2019, 09:44:01 pm
Watching Endevour on the idiot box and for the second week in a row they have identified a caller after the event by the use of call records. In 1969 this was not a thing.  >:(

Nor were Series III Lard-Rovers.

Was it a 3 or a 2?  I thought it had headlamps in the grill and sidelamps on the wings making it a 2?

There was a blue SIII lwb and the vets SII swb.

I loaf corrected.  Though I'm fairly sure that in the episode with the dead schoolgirl, the Velvet Underground track the squatters were playing when Morse rocked up was off "1969 Live" and thus both recorded a couple of months after the moon landing and not released until 1974 :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 01 March, 2019, 02:52:56 pm
Does cold calling go by season? Just fielded my second or third telemarketer of the week looking for 'le responsable de communication' in pidgin French. We closed our company two years ago.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 01 March, 2019, 04:41:11 pm
Knocked my laptop off the table this morning while getting ready for work and smashed the screen. Looks like it's pingfukit and confusing extra screw at the end time next week.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 01 March, 2019, 08:20:31 pm
Internet appears to be down all over town.  Can't use mobile data as my EE signal is also down. 
Bloke behind the bar in the Kings has set his phone up as a hotspot.  What a good egg!  Many relieved customers who thought they were going to have to talk to each other or something.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 02 March, 2019, 11:04:57 pm
It’s difficult in these cold climes. I’ve turned the heating off in my room but there is a residual heat from the rest of the building. I can’t open the window as I would at home because the sub zero temperatures outside would make it unreasonably cold within. I’m sure the more hardy locals have solved this problem, but I’m not privy to their solution.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 04 March, 2019, 04:48:44 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 02 March, 2019, 11:04:57 pm
It’s difficult in these cold climes. I’ve turned the heating off in my room but there is a residual heat from the rest of the building. I can’t open the window as I would at home because the sub zero temperatures outside would make it unreasonably cold within. I’m sure the more hardy locals have solved this problem, but I’m not privy to their solution.
You're in Prague or somewhere similar? The solution probably involves drinking vodka in front of the local shop.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andytheflyer on 08 March, 2019, 12:52:50 pm
Don't think this quite qualifies for a rant, yet.

The cash machine in the village shop now wants 95p from me every time I want cash.  Bastard banks.  They closed our village branch, then the one in the nearest town, and now I'd have to go maybe 20 miles to get my cash from my bank.

I have 2 other options though - the Co-Op and the village shop has a PO counter - so it's not worthy of a rant. Yet.....

Bastard banks.  You've had my money since I was a student, 45 years ago.  You've used my money to make money for yourselves and to pay big bonuses to braces-wearing Tim Nice-but-Dim muppets in the 80s. Now, when I want my cash, you want to fleece me again. F**k off NatWest.

And I don't care who actually provides the cash machine.  It's my sodding money, you lot are all in it together.  We have bugger-all options in rural areas.  So there.

Do I feel better for that?  Not really.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 08 March, 2019, 11:26:39 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 04 March, 2019, 04:48:44 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 02 March, 2019, 11:04:57 pm
It’s difficult in these cold climes. I’ve turned the heating off in my room but there is a residual heat from the rest of the building. I can’t open the window as I would at home because the sub zero temperatures outside would make it unreasonably cold within. I’m sure the more hardy locals have solved this problem, but I’m not privy to their solution.
You're in Prague or somewhere similar? The solution probably involves drinking vodka in front of the local shop.
I was in Tallinn. It was cold, but not as cold as we’d been expecting it to be.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 09 March, 2019, 08:47:43 am
Baker's run out of croissants. :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 09 March, 2019, 08:56:37 am
Already?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 09 March, 2019, 09:10:18 am
He had two reserved for us and the delivery driver took them by mistake. They'll be back in time for lunch.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 12 March, 2019, 08:28:43 pm
Scandiwegian snow tyres are frikking noisy (snap,crackle,pop) when the road is right outside your window. And the peep peep peep of the ped crossing.
AND my hotel room is fucking freezing (finds both the duvets).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 12 March, 2019, 08:40:39 pm
£974 Council tax, for a tiny Band A flat with single occupant discount.   >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 12 March, 2019, 08:53:27 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 12 March, 2019, 08:40:39 pm
£974 Council tax, for a tiny Band A flat with single occupant discount.   >:(

The joys penalties of city living.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 13 March, 2019, 10:23:17 am
Quote from: andrewc on 12 March, 2019, 08:40:39 pm
£974 Council tax, for a tiny Band A flat with single occupant discount.   >:(

 :o 

Surprise of the day: my flat here in London is Band B, with single occupant discount, and I pay less than that. Who would thunk it?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fimm on 13 March, 2019, 10:52:28 am
Stupid Scotrail "smart" card decides that it isn't going to accept the new set of tickets I've just bought, leaving me to scurry over to the ticket office to buy a set of pieces of cardboard instead. The new card is better when it works but a right PITA when it doesn't.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 13 March, 2019, 11:16:59 am
Quote from: Andrij on 13 March, 2019, 10:23:17 am
Quote from: andrewc on 12 March, 2019, 08:40:39 pm
£974 Council tax, for a tiny Band A flat with single occupant discount.   >:(

 :o 

Surprise of the day: my flat here in London is Band B, with single occupant discount, and I pay less than that. Who would thunk it?

Don't knock it, we don't get much change from £2.5k and that from a council that's proud of cutting services to 'save us money' (some definition of 'saving money' I'm not familiar with, since it goes up each year – for which they'll blame the government, despite their ideological alignment). I wouldn't mind, but I seem to pay them a lot of tax too for much the same message. Unlike Amazon et c., HMRC don't invite me around to discuss what I think is a 'fair' amount of tax to pay of course.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 13 March, 2019, 12:56:39 pm
Managed to take tyres off rims to fix n punctures over the last weeks without damage to fingers and then pulled the flesh away from my right thumbnail opening the battery compartment of a frigging outdoor thermometer sensor. :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 13 March, 2019, 03:45:06 pm
Quote from: Andrij on 13 March, 2019, 10:23:17 am
Quote from: andrewc on 12 March, 2019, 08:40:39 pm
£974 Council tax, for a tiny Band A flat with single occupant discount.   >:(

 :o 

Surprise of the day: my flat here in London is Band B, with single occupant discount, and I pay less than that. Who would thunk it?

Maybe your council spends less on transporting its refuse services, school students and care workers, etc.
Maybe they have fewer roads and streets per capita.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 13 March, 2019, 04:26:50 pm
There's no link between amount of council tax in each band and house prices in the area. Or is there? It's down to council finances and funding.

Anyway, I'm impressed by your councils' speed in sending out the bills.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 14 March, 2019, 09:14:46 am
Aren't that based on some ancient valuation of your house, probably the mid-1600s? Or perhaps the Domesday Book?

I seem to recall a tortuous appeal process in a previous place to get the band changed.

Surrey's (Tandridge anyway) most effective service is the dispatch and collection of council tax. I wouldn't knock the London boroughs, they provide a level of service that you don't get in the sticks (despite paying more). In Croydon, we had a 'street team' and everything.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 14 March, 2019, 11:33:01 am
Got my Council Tax e-bill today. £1935 for nice Band E 3-bed semi in Brent.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 14 March, 2019, 11:42:22 am
I'm surprised by how cheap Council Tax is in London! Ours is £2284 for a flat in Glasgow...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 14 March, 2019, 12:02:56 pm
We still get paper bills in Surrey. It's like living in another decade.

I think we may be E (though I think it should probably be an F as they added a large extension at some point which probably isn't factored in) for a four-bed detached in the jungle. Not sure if they charge extra for keeping bears and yeti in the garden.

They do empty the bins quite reliably (but only every two weeks) and now they turn out all the streetlights at midnight so we can pretend civilization has ended. We leave our outside lights on till 1am, after that it's very dark and you need the torch feature of your mobile phone to avoid falling into one of the council-sponsored potholes. Apropos of nothing, Surrey county council's HQ isn't even in Surrey.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 14 March, 2019, 12:17:00 pm
Is it in Richmond, pseudoLondon?

Brent's got spanking new LED streetlights that are supposed to save HYOOGE amounts of electricity.

They might tone them down a bit but don't switch them off.

David can no longer filter out the street lighting thobut.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 14 March, 2019, 12:17:24 pm
The parents are paying about £2200 for a largish detached in Knowsley.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 14 March, 2019, 12:21:40 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 14 March, 2019, 12:17:00 pm
Is it in Richmond, pseudoLondon?

Brent's got spanking new LED streetlights that are supposed to save HYOOGE amounts of electricity.

They might tone them down a bit but don't switch them off.

David can no longer filter out the street lighting thobut.

Kingston. Victim of boundary changes that ceded a chunk of Surrey to Greater London. They got Croydon too, so not all good.

I'm not actually bothered by the streetlights going out (it doesn't actually save them much money, I think they quoted about £200k, which hardly made it worth it), though it's quite spooky if you get home after 1am on a cloudy night, since the darkness is absolute. On cloudless nights you can just about see the Milky Way.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 14 March, 2019, 12:52:30 pm
£1814 for a Band E hovel in Ceredigion.  Of which only £41.21 goes to Llandysul Community Council, the tight bastards.
Actually, that was 18/19.  We haven't had this years bill yet.  I wonder if it will go up or down?  ::-)  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 14 March, 2019, 12:58:27 pm
Quote from: ian on 14 March, 2019, 12:02:56 pm
We still get paper bills in Surrey. It's like living in another decade.

We do as well. Maybe that's what all the money's being spent on round here. We still have old fashioned street lighting, which doesn't get switched off at night (at least the one outside my bedroom window doesn't). We do get the bins emptied weekly (they're communal - flat-dwellers can't be trusted with our own bins). We had the excitement of part of our street being resurfaced last year, but unfortunately they stopped after about 100 metres or so, so the rest is still a pothole-ridden mess.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mattc on 14 March, 2019, 01:08:19 pm
Quote from: ian on 14 March, 2019, 12:21:40 pm
I'm not actually bothered by the streetlights going out (it doesn't actually save them much money, I think they quoted about £200k, which hardly made it worth it

£200k "hardly worth it" ?? :o  eee by gum, you lot must have it good down there.

I'll come and hold a candle at the end of your drive for that!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 14 March, 2019, 02:17:14 pm
£200k isn't much of the entire council's budget (about £1,700,000,000), more so when I assume there was not inconsiderable cost of implementing it.

Our bins alternate – rubbish one week, recycling the next. Seems fine. You can pay for green waste (and have added entertainment watching it get stuck on the corner because their contractor bought a lorry without rear wheel steering).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 14 March, 2019, 02:27:35 pm
Not had my bill yet: its also normally a paper one, but I am expecting the bill to creep up towards £1 500 for my band C property. That's up nearly £400 in the last four years which is just about the same as my increase in salary over the same time.  :facepalm:

Don't get me wrong, I don't mind paying tax, but it would be nice if the Government pay freeze had not made me over 20% worse off in real terms over the last 9 years. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 14 March, 2019, 02:37:06 pm
I also don't begrudge the tax, it's just the lack of service. It's a bit like going to a restaurant and ordering the steak and just getting the sides, but still being charged for steak. Then when you complain, the restaurant manager tells you about much money they're saving by not serving you the steak.

I think we all know that austerity was never about saving money, it was about running down services so the councils don't have to provide them. Everyone sighs about councils and government not having the resources, which is precisely what they wanted, it's set an expectation that the service will be non-existent or poor and perhaps you shouldn't even bother asking.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 14 March, 2019, 04:07:17 pm
Quote from: ian on 14 March, 2019, 12:21:40 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 14 March, 2019, 12:17:00 pm
Is it in Richmond, pseudoLondon?

Brent's got spanking new LED streetlights that are supposed to save HYOOGE amounts of electricity.

They might tone them down a bit but don't switch them off.

David can no longer filter out the street lighting thobut.

Kingston. Victim of boundary changes that ceded a chunk of Surrey to Greater London. They got Croydon too, so not all good.

I'm not actually bothered by the streetlights going out (it doesn't actually save them much money, I think they quoted about £200k, which hardly made it worth it), though it's quite spooky if you get home after 1am on a cloudy night, since the darkness is absolute. On cloudless nights you can just about see the Milky Way.

Which is more than many urban dwellers can do.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 14 March, 2019, 04:44:08 pm
Well, admittedly it's a brief sighting before a bear decides you'll make a most excellent midnight snack.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 14 March, 2019, 06:51:37 pm
Isn't Ursa Major visible on any clear night?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 15 March, 2019, 09:03:24 am
I got my demand yesterday. £1700 for a band D in rural(ish) Suffolk.
Our street lights go out at midnight, which I like, but a late stagger home from the pub is punctuated by badly installed and fettled1 PIR controlled lights. It destroys the night vision  >:(

1. I mean, it’s not hard to point the damn PIR in the right direction. Having a light come on when someone walks past your property on the OTHER side of the road is just rude.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 15 March, 2019, 09:21:12 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 14 March, 2019, 06:51:37 pm
Isn't Ursa Major visible on any clear night?

These are Ursa Surreyanalis, the famed local jungle bear.

Reminds me that someone has installed a driveway light (basically a security light) on my route home from the station that dazzles anyone approaching down the road, which is bright yet not bright.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 15 March, 2019, 09:44:25 am
Quote from: ian on 14 March, 2019, 09:14:46 am
Aren't that based on some ancient valuation of your house, probably the mid-1600s? Or perhaps the Domesday Book?

I seem to recall a tortuous appeal process in a previous place to get the band changed.

Surrey's (Tandridge anyway) most effective service is the dispatch and collection of council tax. I wouldn't knock the London boroughs, they provide a level of service that you don't get in the sticks (despite paying more). In Croydon, we had a 'street team' and everything.

Value on 1st April 1991 apparently. Funnily enough they wouldn't accept that, as my house wasn't built until 2009, it's value in 1991 was £0 so that should also be my council tax bill. ;D

It is Band A however (for a 2 bed & 1 upstairs bike room house!). Round here that will be £1,232.15 next year (before any discount)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 15 March, 2019, 09:46:55 am
Insecurity lights >:(

I am of the opinion that the light of Burglar Bills torch, or the curses as Burglar Bill stubs his toe or skins his shins against an unilluminated obstruction, as he/ she stumbles around your unilluminated back yard is more likely to attract attention than a sudddenly illuminated insecurity light.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 15 March, 2019, 10:55:45 am
Despite the fears of the locals that turning off the lights would result in an apocalyptic crime wave, I'm of the opinion that burglars don't like stumbling around in pitch darkness, and yes, someone with a torch in your back garden tends to be a bit of a giveaway. Unless you live in a multi-million mansion that makes the effort of planning a robbery worthwhile, the average scrote tends to follow the path of least resistance, trying doors etc on obviously empty houses (which they mostly seem to do during daylight).

I've no idea why the street behind ours has council street lights (a few) anyway as it's a private street. Presumably to control the bear menace.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 15 March, 2019, 11:07:57 am
Well, you gotta be careful of those knife wielding, gun toteing muslim bears innit?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 15 March, 2019, 01:08:36 pm
Quote from: ian on 15 March, 2019, 10:55:45 am
I've no idea why the street behind ours has council street lights (a few) anyway as it's a private street. Presumably to control the bear menace.
Is it a public footpath? Councils can put street footpath lights on public footpaths.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 15 March, 2019, 01:42:48 pm
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 15 March, 2019, 09:46:55 am
Insecurity lights >:(

I am of the opinion that the light of Burglar Bills torch, or the curses as Burglar Bill stubs his toe or skins his shins against an unilluminated obstruction, as he/ she stumbles around your unilluminated back yard is more likely to attract attention than a sudddenly illuminated insecurity light.

Those clever Chinese cost-cutters have upped the game in recent years, thobut.  Since the switch to cheap shitty LED technology, the insecurity light is able to disorient or even immobilise your foe, as the current-limiting driver gets stuck in a strobe-o-vision start-overcurrent-shutdown-restart loop due to the burnt-out overdriven LEDs.

I predict a rise in vandalism.  Of security lights.

But they've though of that too: The earth wire on the cheap shitty LED security lights from China is nearly always cosmetic....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 15 March, 2019, 01:50:20 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 15 March, 2019, 01:08:36 pm
Quote from: ian on 15 March, 2019, 10:55:45 am
I've no idea why the street behind ours has council street lights (a few) anyway as it's a private street. Presumably to control the bear menace.
Is it a public footpath? Councils can put street footpath lights on public footpaths.

One of the lights probably is (as a public footpath runs by the front of our house and up the hill), but further along the road, definitely not. I assume at some point Surrey felt generous. Our street also used to be private, but Surrey adopted it back in 1988 for the princely sum of £125. Not actually sure why they did, tbh, it's got two houses on it. Possibly they just like steep hills.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 15 March, 2019, 02:05:01 pm
Quote from: Kim on 15 March, 2019, 01:42:48 pm
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 15 March, 2019, 09:46:55 am
Insecurity lights >:(

I am of the opinion that the light of Burglar Bills torch, or the curses as Burglar Bill stubs his toe or skins his shins against an unilluminated obstruction, as he/ she stumbles around your unilluminated back yard is more likely to attract attention than a sudddenly illuminated insecurity light.

Those clever Chinese cost-cutters have upped the game in recent years, thobut.  Since the switch to cheap shitty LED technology, the insecurity light is able to disorient or even immobilise your foe, as the current-limiting driver gets stuck in a strobe-o-vision start-overcurrent-shutdown-restart loop due to the burnt-out overdriven LEDs.

I predict a rise in vandalism.  Of security lights.

But they've though of that too: The earth wire on the cheap shitty LED security lights from China is nearly always cosmetic....
You are Big Clive AICMFP
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 15 March, 2019, 02:07:04 pm
I learned everything I know about power electronics from Big Clive's usenet alter-ego, Davie Dimmers.   :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 15 March, 2019, 02:38:27 pm
Local DIY emporium has exactly 3 models of wall switch and they're all vile.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 15 March, 2019, 02:47:08 pm
Quote from: Basil on 14 March, 2019, 12:52:30 pm
£1814 for a Band E hovel in Ceredigion.  Of which only £41.21 goes to Llandysul Community Council, the tight bastards.
Actually, that was 18/19.  We haven't had this years bill yet.  I wonder if it will go up or down?  ::-)  :facepalm:

Ours just arrived, £1843 for a band D 2-bed end terrace in Aylesbury Vale. Was a band E when we bought it, but we luckily found out our neighbours were all D in bigger properties (extended) so we appealed and got a reduction. I still think it’s a high banding for what is a modestly extended 2 up 2 down 1840’s farm workers cottage.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: orienteer on 15 March, 2019, 02:53:04 pm
Band E £1784 in LB of Hillingdon, less £99 for over 65s.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 15 March, 2019, 03:12:15 pm
Quote from: ian on 15 March, 2019, 10:55:45 am
Despite the fears of the locals that turning off the lights would result in an apocalyptic crime wave, I'm of the opinion that burglars don't like stumbling around in pitch darkness, and yes, someone with a torch in your back garden tends to be a bit of a giveaway. Unless you live in a multi-million mansion that makes the effort of planning a robbery worthwhile, the average scrote tends to follow the path of least resistance, trying doors etc on obviously empty houses (which they mostly seem to do during daylight).

I've no idea why the street behind ours has council street lights (a few) anyway as it's a private street. Presumably to control the bear menace.

ISTR a TED talk where the speaker said something along the lines of "If someone breaks into your house during the day, chances are they are after stealing stuffs.  If they break in during the night, chances are they are after you!"

Sleep well, won't you?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 15 March, 2019, 03:23:40 pm
Quote from: tiermat on 15 March, 2019, 03:12:15 pm
Quote from: ian on 15 March, 2019, 10:55:45 am
Despite the fears of the locals that turning off the lights would result in an apocalyptic crime wave, I'm of the opinion that burglars don't like stumbling around in pitch darkness, and yes, someone with a torch in your back garden tends to be a bit of a giveaway. Unless you live in a multi-million mansion that makes the effort of planning a robbery worthwhile, the average scrote tends to follow the path of least resistance, trying doors etc on obviously empty houses (which they mostly seem to do during daylight).

I've no idea why the street behind ours has council street lights (a few) anyway as it's a private street. Presumably to control the bear menace.

ISTR a TED talk where the speaker said something along the lines of "If someone breaks into your house during the day, chances are they are after stealing stuffs.  If they break in during the night, chances are they are after you!" a ravenous bear!

Sleep well, won't you?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 15 March, 2019, 06:48:52 pm
Today my phone went haywire and wiped out all my contacts. Fortunately the names were still there in WhatsApp so I was able to recreate the commonly used ones from that and a bit of deduction from texts. Weird though, and annoying.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 16 March, 2019, 08:57:03 pm
My 19 year old Miele washing machine is sick so I've tried to book a call-out online with a local firm who manage these things.

Fill in all details on web form & click on 'submit'.

States date format is incorrect. dd/mm/yy

After several attempts at 19/03/19 I give up & leave field blank and resubmit form, which is accepted...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 17 March, 2019, 02:01:28 pm
Quote from: phantasmagoriana on 14 March, 2019, 11:42:22 am
I'm surprised by how cheap Council Tax is in London! Ours is £2284 for a flat in Glasgow...

Ours include water & sewerage services, thobut.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 17 March, 2019, 02:47:12 pm
I think we pay £250 a year to Thames Water on top of the council tax.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 17 March, 2019, 03:43:43 pm
My water is £500 pa.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 17 March, 2019, 05:18:58 pm
I just paid 293€ for six months, but that includes sewerage.  Fortunately not in the same pipe.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 17 March, 2019, 05:45:31 pm
Quote from: T42 on 17 March, 2019, 05:18:58 pm
I just paid 293€ for six months, but that includes sewerage.  Fortunately not in the same pipe.

I think that would entitle you to a special Nokia discount.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 18 March, 2019, 03:24:55 pm
Right, just had my bill for the new tax year: £1 506, up 4% including a 12.5% increase in the amount paid to the useless Police and Crime Commissioner (a pointless post).

A quick calculation (back of an envelope and without checking a number of things) makes me believe that equates to a 5p ni the pound increase in my basic Income Tax take.

I don't mind paying tax but am a little irritated by the fact that I haven't had a pay increase of more than 1.5% in the last 9 years and indeed in at least 5 of those years, I didn't get any increase. I am quite lucky that I am reasonably well paid but slowly that is being eroded.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 18 March, 2019, 03:51:51 pm
Quote from: essexian on 18 March, 2019, 03:24:55 pm
Right, just had my bill for the new tax year: £1 506, up 4% including a 12.5% increase in the amount paid to the useless Police and Crime Commissioner (a pointless post).

A quick calculation (back of an envelope and without checking a number of things) makes me believe that equates to a 5p ni the pound increase in my basic Income Tax take.

I don't mind paying tax but am a little irritated by the fact that I haven't had a pay increase of more than 1.5% in the last 9 years and indeed in at least 5 of those years, I didn't get any increase. I am quite lucky that I am reasonably well paid but slowly that is being eroded.


Queue here for your gilet jaune ====>

(Pensions here are "indexed" at 0.3%/annum.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 18 March, 2019, 04:33:31 pm
I'd mind less if Surrey didn't complain about the hardships enforced on it by central government while being ideologically aligned with that government.

I've no idea why county and local councils need to be politically inclined, for fuck sake, just do the job. I don't care if you're Labour or Conservative. I do care that you provide the services I'm paying for.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 18 March, 2019, 05:20:03 pm
In the villages around here the usual practice is for whoever is elected mayor to ask his opponent to serve as deputy, otherwise he immediately has half the community against him.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 20 March, 2019, 11:57:11 am
Quote from: ian on 18 March, 2019, 04:33:31 pm
I'd mind less if Surrey didn't complain about the hardships enforced on it by central government while being ideologically aligned with that government.

There was a case in Oxfordshire a few years ago.  Man complains about services being cut.  Oxon CC explains that cuts due to central government slashing local government's funding.  Man not impressed with reply even though he is none other than the Rt. Hon. Gammon-Faced Pig-Botherer for Witney And Gammonshire, a Mr Cameron.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 20 March, 2019, 07:52:10 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 20 March, 2019, 11:57:11 am
Quote from: ian on 18 March, 2019, 04:33:31 pm
I'd mind less if Surrey didn't complain about the hardships enforced on it by central government while being ideologically aligned with that government.

There was a case in Oxfordshire a few years ago.  Man complains about services being cut.  Oxon CC explains that cuts due to central government slashing local government's funding.  Man not impressed with reply even though he is none other than the Rt. Hon. Gammon-Faced Pig-Botherer for Witney And Gammonshire, a Mr Cameron.

 ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 22 March, 2019, 08:57:46 am
Some USA Republican fund raising organisation has managed to acquire one of my email addresses and is this spamming me with requests for money. Now normally I’d just unsubscribe and/or delete these emails with a bit of muttering about unscrupulous spammers not respecting the unsubscribe request, but that would be it. However for some reason continuing to receive these emails is really winding me up. I take GREAT exception to being referred to as a ‘fellow conservative’. It really is beyond the pale. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 22 March, 2019, 10:11:04 am
Get all GDPR on their ass.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 22 March, 2019, 10:19:10 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 22 March, 2019, 10:11:04 am
Get all GDPR on their ass.

Indeed, articles 17 and 21 are your friends in this case.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 22 March, 2019, 08:58:12 pm
Quote from: tiermat on 22 March, 2019, 10:19:10 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 22 March, 2019, 10:11:04 am
Get all GDPR on their ass.

Indeed, articles 17 and 21 are your friends in this case.
Although more than a little difficult to enforce given their Leftpondian location.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 24 March, 2019, 06:13:55 pm
Woke up the dread voice of my wife shouting there's no electricity! Flip the bloody circuit breaker say I as I bury my head under the pillow. Where are they? Which one? I get up and do it myself because it's easier than 101 questions. Except it doesn't work. Every time I put the socket ring back on, ker-chink goes the main breaker. So I go around unplugging everything (and seriously, how much many things do we have that are greedy for electricity?), send the wife upstairs to do the same. But still, every time I flip on the ring, ker-chink. I start to see the bill for getting an electrician out on a Sunday, and the thought doesn't please me greatly.

You did unplug your computer, didn't you?

She didn't, the surge protector multiplug thing with the usual modern office cornucopia was still plugged in. Unplugging that made things good. Then I noticed it was sticky. Now the first thing my wife shouted at me this morning wasn't about the electric. It was about the cat being sick, which I pretended to ignore so well (on the grounds I didn't want to clean it up) that I'd actually forgotten. In her office. By my wife's desk. Can you guess where the multiplug is located? Basically, in addition to what was cleaned up, Bad Cat had also emptied the liquid contents of her stomach into an exposed socket on the multiplug.

I also discovered the labels on the RCD panel are lies. The upstairs and downstairs sockets are on the same breaker, the one labelled 'freezer' definitely isn't the freezer because that was off, and the sockets in the kitchen extension seem to be connected to the oven circuit. Neither of us have a clue where the dishwasher is wired in.

I'm going to wire Bad Cat to the mains.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 24 March, 2019, 06:41:42 pm
;D

I guess I should be thankful that my cat - when he was alive - avoided anointing anything electronic with his bodily fluids (WRT the DVD recorder, that's only because it was behind the glass door of the TV stand).

He vommed all the jute rugs utterly to DETH, proved that a stainless steel BBQ is not proof against scent marking, and one of these days, I must assemble the tuits and treat/re-paint the bottom of the kitchen radiator (he only stopped spraying that when I parked the food and water bowls in front of it).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 25 March, 2019, 12:44:26 am
Grrrr.  I've booked a weekend in London in May for my mother & sister.   Aha, Says I.  I'll not book a train journey on the Bank Holiday Monday, that's when they like to do repairs.  So I booked the hotel from Sat 4th to Tue 7th May.  Just gone to book the trains & can't get tickets to Euston.  West Coast Main Line closed all weekend, planned to reopen on the Tuesday.  Looks like it's train to Paddington via Mordor & Reading on the way down.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 25 March, 2019, 07:43:36 am
Quote from: Beardy on 22 March, 2019, 08:58:12 pm
Quote from: tiermat on 22 March, 2019, 10:19:10 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 22 March, 2019, 10:11:04 am
Get all GDPR on their ass.

Indeed, articles 17 and 21 are your friends in this case.
Although more than a little difficult to enforce given their Leftpondian location.

From experience leftpondian companies run a mile, apologising as they go, when GDPR is quoted at them. Why? Well it hasn't been tested in court yet and nobody wants to be the company to do so.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 25 March, 2019, 09:47:52 am
I've come across a couple of Leftpondian websites that now have a placeholder saying that as a result of GDPR they no longer serve Europe, and redirecting to a European based website.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 25 March, 2019, 12:31:42 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 25 March, 2019, 09:47:52 am
I've come across a couple of Leftpondian websites that now have a placeholder saying that as a result of GDPR they no longer serve Europe, and redirecting to a European based website.

I've come across a couple of Leftpondian websites that now have a placeholder saying that as a result of GDPR they no longer serve Europe, and not redirecting anywhere.  Which is annoying.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 28 March, 2019, 10:56:05 am
My wife's really, but our doctors used to have a genuinely useful system where you could turn up between 8.30-10.30am and see whatever GPs had the open surgery slot. Otherwise you could book an appointment. Worked perfectly.

Alas, it was 'too popular' and they've switched to the utterly impractical call-at-8.30am-system where you spend fifteen minutes on hold hoping to get an appointment that day, otherwise the next actual bookable appointment is in a 'few weeks.'

I presume someone, somewhere must be joining up the dots and figuring out that restricting access to GPs actually pushes people to A&E, and generally results in poorer outcomes because people who should be seeing a doctor just don't bother.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 28 March, 2019, 12:19:25 pm
For tedious mid-life-MOT reasons, they recently wanted to measure (amongst other things) my cortisol level.  This requires pre-9am vampirism, necessitating pre-booking the first appointment of the day.  Attempting to achieve this didn't do the nurse's cortisol levels any favours...

To be fair, our lot are usually pretty good at getting you an appointment within a week or so.  Or same day if you're properly ill, though I think I've only had to do that once (in order to be dismissed by a judgemental GP I don't usually see that time my hand swelled up and went purple).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 28 March, 2019, 12:31:06 pm
Well, apparently they will begrudgingly 'try to find something' if it's urgent. Like all GP surgeries in the UK, there's a belief that having borderline unpleasant reception staff is an ideal conduit to successful primary care.

It seems mad to expect that people should linger on the phone at an impractical time (especially if they have jobs to go to) in the hope of getting an appointment (and quite possibly failing) or accept an appointment at some distant time in future. The old system worked and it was popular because it was offered a practical route to seeing a doctor.

I get a couple of free private appointments via my health insurance, which I've never used, but suspect it'll be the easiest option from now on. Possibly that's the successful outcome they were looking for.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 28 March, 2019, 03:20:54 pm
Them: Please sign this tedious 22-page document and initial every page.
Me: (Applies SCIENCE, saves trees, befriends beavers, by pasting initials and signature into appropriate spaces)
Them: Sorry, not good enough.  Please print, initial, sign, scan and return as enormous e-mail attachment!

/me gives thanks that his scanner has an auto-feed thing, but was still tempted not to join the pages into a single PDF, or to compress the said PDF in a format that Windows can't read.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Moleman76 on 02 April, 2019, 08:16:27 am
Quote from: Beardy on 22 March, 2019, 08:57:46 am
Some USA Republican fund raising organisation has managed to acquire one of my email addresses and is this spamming me with requests for money. 

Send them a minor pittance of a donation, and then report them to the USA Federal Elections Authorities as guilty of accepting foreign donations.  Kind of like the NRA and the rubles.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 02 April, 2019, 02:27:53 pm
Thus breaching US electoral law and laying yourself open to untold years in clink.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 05 April, 2019, 11:24:31 am
Two for the price of one today…

Jamise the cat…. I know you are getting on a bit and, well frankly I am not sure you are all there anymore (if you ever were) but please do not be pooing in my office.

Yes, I know was raining and windy outside yesterday evening when I let you shelter in my office after work, but the door was ajar and I know you know how to opened it fully to get out, so why drop a load of extra smelly poo on my turbo mat? It took ages to clean up and now my office smells a mix between Jeyes Fluid and cat droppings. Not nice.


Secondly….right need to put on a corny local radio advert theme tune here….

“Hi, retired and nothing to do all day…. Want to get out and irritate people….. fancy a bit on the side….well why not come “swimming” at Stafford leisure centre between 7.30 and 9am any week day.

We can guarantee that you will pull if you want to: there is a lot of hot totty available without needing to bother with those computer app thingies. Simply pull on your tightest slug smugglers/ lowest cut swimming costume and pull to your heart's content.”

“Ability to swim not required. Your hair will not get wet unless you allow it to do so.”

I don’t know about other swimming pools early in the morning but my local one is full of two types of people: those doing lane swims against targets set by coaches and the over 65’s so come along to chat including trying to “pull/get pulled” by others of their age. This morning there were 20 such persons in the pool just socialising/ trying to get a date.  Okay, if you want to do so great, but do it somewhere else! To quote my late Mum...."it's like a knocking shop in there!"

God, I am a miserable person!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 05 April, 2019, 07:19:23 pm
Essexian, Jeyes fluid is toxic to cats!
I just use a solution of biological washing powder for accidents (get those enzymes working on the smelly stuff), though you can get special vet stuff most places just recommend the bio laundry option.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 05 April, 2019, 07:31:31 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 05 April, 2019, 07:19:23 pm
Essexian, Jeyes fluid is toxic to cats!
I just use a solution of biological washing powder for accidents (get those enzymes working on the smelly stuff), though you can get special vet stuff most places just recommend the bio laundry option.
The cat-stink-remover spray actually works.

I've had occasion to use it  :sick:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Paul on 05 April, 2019, 07:34:37 pm
Essexian: take Jamise to the pool! 2 for 1!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 05 April, 2019, 07:35:39 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 05 April, 2019, 07:19:23 pm
Essexian, Jeyes fluid is toxic to cats!
Pretty sure it's toxic to humans too.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 05 April, 2019, 08:39:26 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 05 April, 2019, 07:31:31 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 05 April, 2019, 07:19:23 pm
Essexian, Jeyes fluid is toxic to cats!
I just use a solution of biological washing powder for accidents (get those enzymes working on the smelly stuff), though you can get special vet stuff most places just recommend the bio laundry option.
The cat-stink-remover spray actually works.

I've had occasion to use it  :sick:

What do you use? I bought something but couldn't stand the smell.
Getting increasing fed up with all the local toms pissing on our front door  :-X
Our 2 are similarly unimpressed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 06 April, 2019, 08:43:23 am
Landlords have some omega pet stuff that is a bit perfumed. We have something else in York that isn't so scented.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 08 April, 2019, 12:43:38 pm
Darn it, my ESTA expired. I hate to think what they've added to the lengthening form over the past two years. Probably my grandmother's blood type and a list of theatre musicals I've attended in the past ten years.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jasmine on 08 April, 2019, 02:36:48 pm
Quote from: ian on 08 April, 2019, 12:43:38 pm
Darn it, my ESTA expired. I hate to think what they've added to the lengthening form over the past two years. Probably my grandmother's blood type and a list of theatre musicals I've attended in the past ten years.

Several of the questions are quite stupid, given that an ESTA lasts 2 years.  "Have you been on a farm?" Well, at some point in the next 2 years, probably.  Today, no.  "Where are you staying?"  This visit, xxxx. Next time, somewhere else!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 08 April, 2019, 03:08:23 pm
Ah, I think that's round 2, the CBP form (now also usually negotiated by prodding the jam-filled Babbage engine in the immigration area, after joining the wrong queue after being shouted out by an angry small lady who likes saying SIR! in a way that suggests she's not exactly putting a lot of effort into being polite. Sir, why are you standing in that line, SIR! Because, fifteen entire minutes ago, you told me to join it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 08 April, 2019, 04:52:49 pm
The Traders on the Isle of Skye seem to have a-poly embraced 21st century technology with many places displaying their wares and advertising their services availability on the intertubes. However, few of them seem to have grasped the concept of keeping this information up to date. The two eateries (one a bistro / restaurant type thing and one pub) that we tried for Sunday lunch yesterday were not in fact cooking Sunday lunch as proclaimed on their websites. And today, a 1 ½ hour trip to a specialist jewellers was no where near open in spite of them claiming to be open in the spring.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 08 April, 2019, 04:57:06 pm
Could be that spring begins from Easter?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 08 April, 2019, 05:46:35 pm
Power cut about an hour ago rebooted the bread machine partway through its program.  It did not recover gracefully.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 08 April, 2019, 06:36:00 pm
My ancient and not terribly sophisticated breadmaker has a sense of commitment you can't argue with. Once you press go, that's it. It will run the programme. Not attempt to select the programme you actually wanted or unplugment will deviate it from its course. It quite possibly runs an early (or later) version of MayBot OS.

This commitment isn't helped by the fact that the setting labels have rubbed off, so I have to rely on the fact that I remember that dough is three-settings clockwise. Oh, and unlike the commitment of the machine itself, the setting LEDs are rather vague.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 08 April, 2019, 06:39:51 pm
Quote from: ian on 08 April, 2019, 06:36:00 pm
My ancient and not terribly sophisticated breadmaker has a sense of commitment you can't argue with. Once you press go, that's it. It will run the programme. Not attempt to select the programme you actually wanted or unplugment will deviate it from its course. It quite possibly runs an early (or later) version of MayBot OS.

This commitment isn't helped by the fact that the setting labels have rubbed off, so I have to rely on the fact that I remember that dough is three-settings clockwise. Oh, and unlike the commitment of the machine itself, the setting LEDs are rather vague.

Bake means bake!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 08 April, 2019, 06:43:26 pm
Quote from: Basil on 08 April, 2019, 06:39:51 pm
Quote from: ian on 08 April, 2019, 06:36:00 pm
My ancient and not terribly sophisticated breadmaker has a sense of commitment you can't argue with. Once you press go, that's it. It will run the programme. Not attempt to select the programme you actually wanted or unplugment will deviate it from its course. It quite possibly runs an early (or later) version of MayBot OS.

This commitment isn't helped by the fact that the setting labels have rubbed off, so I have to rely on the fact that I remember that dough is three-settings clockwise. Oh, and unlike the commitment of the machine itself, the setting LEDs are rather vague.

Bake means bake!
There's no off in bake!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 08 April, 2019, 06:52:30 pm
Quote from: Basil on 08 April, 2019, 06:39:51 pm
Bake means bake!

I appear to have rescued the bread using exactly this strategy   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 08 April, 2019, 07:02:40 pm
Biscuit means biscuit
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 08 April, 2019, 07:18:51 pm
Brexit means Brexit mmm oh eerrrrrr........ ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 09 April, 2019, 04:57:59 pm
The mothership have finally noticed that I've been expensing my home internet since the days of steam (it's apparently a service these days, like electricity and gas, so they don't cover it, which proves modern life is rubbish).

All I need now is for EE to notice they've not billed me for data for last half a decade.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 10 April, 2019, 05:16:53 pm
This afternoon I be editing some scripts of a conference call about fish (!!), made by machine transcription. It's ridiculous. It interprets every pause as a new speaker, adds extra words where there are none, leaves sentences out, but most of all it has no sense of context. The name Elena becomes "a lender" and the best one so far (only twelve minutes into an hour's conference) is "I went to Tibet, part of Africa."

Still, this is the future and I suppose it keeps me in work for a time at least.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 10 April, 2019, 05:24:59 pm
Yeah, lack of context is where they always flounder.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 10 April, 2019, 06:27:15 pm
Quote from: Kim on 10 April, 2019, 05:24:59 pm
Yeah, lack of context is where they always flounder.
:hand: ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 10 April, 2019, 07:10:59 pm
"Bull sharks" auto-transcribed as "bullshit hawks".  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 11 April, 2019, 07:52:42 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 10 April, 2019, 05:16:53 pm
This afternoon I be editing some scripts of a conference call about fish (!!), made by machine transcription. It's ridiculous. It interprets every pause as a new speaker, adds extra words where there are none, leaves sentences out, but most of all it has no sense of context. The name Elena becomes "a lender" and the best one so far (only twelve minutes into an hour's conference) is "I went to Tibet, part of Africa."

Still, this is the future and I suppose it keeps me in work for a time at least.
Another one today on the more normal topic of media, marketing and advertising, but it's got horribly confused by Kenyan accents. Corporate finance guy says "Our cash of course has gone up as well due to better work in capital management," which the autoscripting machine has put down as "Our cash of course has gone up as well. Uh, do do better next fucking government."  :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 11 April, 2019, 08:53:38 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 10 April, 2019, 05:16:53 pm
This afternoon I be editing some scripts of a conference call about fish (!!), made by machine transcription. It's ridiculous. It interprets every pause as a new speaker, adds extra words where there are none, leaves sentences out, but most of all it has no sense of context. The name Elena becomes "a lender" and the best one so far (only twelve minutes into an hour's conference) is "I went to Tibet, part of Africa."

Still, this is the future and I suppose it keeps me in work for a time at least.
Years ago I read a  Frank Muir and Dennis Norden piece, presumably written for "My Word!" (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Word!). It involved an aerial photograph, the photographer's  girl friend called Ella and a photo interpretation unit. There was confusion whether the photograph was of the girl friend or of a mountainous country between Nepal and China.  Or as they put it: "This creation is Tibet, or part of Ella."
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 13 April, 2019, 10:39:23 pm
There’s a crack appeared in the car windscreen.  Not in front of the driver’s face, but more than a chip. The online repair booking says Thursday. A phone call says Tuesday. Good thing  we didn’t have two days of shuttling kids around the country planned. Oh...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 14 April, 2019, 01:43:06 pm
BT decided to meddle with my landline at around 08.50 today, which wouldn't have mattered as our phones are disconnected at that time
BUT
This caused burglar alarm to arm and beep
which caused David to wake and moan.
I said I'd investigate,
Alarm control panel shows RED locked padlock and reads AWAY

Tried to reconnect phone.
Cat 1 now demands food.
Feed Cat 1 who summons Cat 2.
Attempt to phone burglar alarm folk.
Phone is dead.

Decide to go back to bed. Disarming alarm would make it beep and annoy David.

10.55
Landline reconnects.
Cat in garage activates burglar alarm.

NOISE NOISE NOISE!
David manages to speak to alarm folk on phone which now works.

We forget half our passwords.
Silence is restored.

David now has tinnitus...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: lou boutin on 14 April, 2019, 06:49:06 pm
Why oh why do people think that the percentages of two related data points (ie percentage of males and females) are best represented graphically in a pie chart?  :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 15 April, 2019, 11:31:59 am
Okay, we have cheese strings....  :sick:   Cheese sauce, cheese itself and now, cheese screws.....

What am I talking about.... wood screws which are so soft that its like they are made of cheese. A total waste of time trying to screw them in as the head just rounds and almost impossible to take them out again.

It can't be beyond the wit of personkind to make screws which are fit for purpose....can it.... :facepalm:

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 15 April, 2019, 11:54:16 am
Made in China and imported by the container load.  I always use pozi screws these days, never a slot head.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andytheflyer on 15 April, 2019, 03:15:44 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 15 April, 2019, 11:54:16 am
Made in China ……...

Of Chineseium.  Natch.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 15 April, 2019, 03:33:00 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 15 April, 2019, 11:54:16 am
Made in China and imported by the container load.  I always use pozi screws these days, never a slot head.

Sounds like a racial (or other) insult. Oi, slot-head!

Cue Miss Hissy: "they're not called slot-heads these days, they've got Low-Phillips-Coefficient Syndrome". Oh, sorry.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 15 April, 2019, 04:32:31 pm
GKN made ubiquitous quality fixings in the day. Don't think they make screws any more.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 15 April, 2019, 04:47:38 pm
Quote from: Canardly on 15 April, 2019, 04:32:31 pm
GKN made ubiquitous quality fixings in the day. Don't think they make screws any more.

It was in the GKN factory in Birmingham that I saw one such container load of Chinese manufactured screws, and that was around 30 years ago.  At the time the factory was still making the machine screws used by Black and Decker, but the woodscrews were imported. And were so oil soaked that the cheap cardboard packaging had disintegrated in transit so they had a full container load of loose screws.

It was I believe the Heath Street Mill in Smethwick...

https://www.theurbanexplorer.co.uk/gkn-shadow-factory-tunnels-smethwick-birmingham/

The tunnels originally took lay shafts, and they in turn drove belts which went up through the floor to the various machines.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mcshroom on 19 April, 2019, 10:37:22 am
I just dropped my LEL mug on the kitchen floor and smashed it :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 19 April, 2019, 03:24:58 pm
 :'( :'( :'(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 22 April, 2019, 08:48:47 pm
I'm trying to book a family holiday somewhere sunny. I wish places didn't all open with a picture of a pool - they all look the bloody same.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andytheflyer on 25 April, 2019, 05:15:26 pm
Might need a tin hat here.  I live in a small village, well, it was a small village.  But over the last 3 or 4 years it's become 40% bigger.  There are no jobs here, the farms all run on minimal labour and the new villagers all get into their cars and drive to the nearby towns for work.  I don't really object as the new population has helped the local businesses grow and become more sustainable, and that has to be good.  Except that the planners are muppets - why build loads of new houses in villages where there are no jobs?  WTF??  And they've had to massively extend the primary school, and there's talk of having to move the doctors surgery (purpose-built about 20 years ago) to another new-build, because of all the extra patients.  And the hot topic is car parking - which the local councillors say they will fix.  Where?  How are you going to magic new land near the village centre when it's already fully developed?

OK, people have to live somewhere, but why not build those houses near the major employment areas, and where you could bus or cycle to work?  Why did we move here 30 years ago?  Because my doctor wife was working in the local community and it didn't matter much to me as I was all over the UK and other countries for work anyway.

But (and this is my point) when I walk into the local barber, the only barber, to find it's now an hours wait, that's going too far.  It used to be the case that the single barber, the owner, would get you a cut after maybe a 20 minute wait.  Now there's him and 3 or 4 girls cutting, and it's an hours wait! They are all flat out and there's no room for any more people cutting.  The place is full. I may be retired, but I'm not sitting reading classic car magazines for an hour when I could be doing something more productive.  And I deliberately waited until the schools had gone back so that there would be less of a queue.  My wife frequents the ladies hairdresser (and they do cut men's hair) and tells me to go there as you have to make an appointment, but there's no way I'm paying £30 for a cut.

My only hope is to wait until next week, when people who maybe were taking advantage of a bank holiday week have gone back to work.

And don't get me started on 'Italian' style freeform parking in the High Street (I'll only be a minute - yebbut that big tractor and the silage machine now can't get down the High St and so he's blocking up traffic both ways, because of your inconsiderate parking), and the litter chucked around on our hitherto near-pristine local footpaths.

And breathe.....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 25 April, 2019, 05:39:30 pm
This ^^^^ there is a lot of it about.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 25 April, 2019, 10:16:01 pm
I didn't realise you lived in Llandysul.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 26 April, 2019, 07:40:19 am
I don't know how they get planning permission for such idiot developments, ATF.

There is a huge development going up near where I now live (11 000 homes, eventually, just outside a village of 2 500). Sounds like a similar disaster, right? Except that they are adding schools, moving the train station, planning roads so the existing village doesn't turn into a rat run. Shows what can be done with some thought.

I'm ignoring whether it is wise at all to develop on land that is 0.5m above sea level, when the sea is predicted to rise by more than that in this century.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 26 April, 2019, 09:28:11 am
Who puts Walnuts into fudge brownies.  >:(  I expect them in carrot cake, but not brownies. And I'm allergic to them. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 26 April, 2019, 09:38:29 am
Quote from: andytheflyer on 25 April, 2019, 05:15:26 pm
Might need a tin hat here.  I live in a small village, well, it was a small village.  But over the last 3 or 4 years it's become 40% bigger.  There are no jobs here, the farms all run on minimal labour and the new villagers all get into their cars and drive to the nearby towns for work.  I don't really object as the new population has helped the local businesses grow and become more sustainable, and that has to be good.  Except that the planners are muppets - why build loads of new houses in villages where there are no jobs?  WTF?? 

Because sometimes to build them in the logical place would alienate the voters. That's why Chichester decided to fulfil it's quota by dumping the new houses in Selsey. Not far away, true, but connected to the "mainland" by transport links already groaning under the strain. But the good Conservative burghers of Chi couldn't give a shit about that.

And, more pertinently, it may be that some places didn't get their local plan act together. Locally to me now, that means Aston Clinton is being almost doubled in size by numerous housing developments (each one being just below  the planning threshold for affordable housing to be included) because the parish council were too busy arguing with a local GP about who owned a bit of ground and missed the local plan deadline. Oh, and they (developers) avoid the necessity of building a new primary school by paying a "premium" per property to the AVDC that's supposedly spent on the existing school. Doesn't magic new classrooms on a restricted site 'tho.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 26 April, 2019, 09:58:00 am
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 26 April, 2019, 07:40:19 am
I don't know how they get planning permission for such idiot developments, ATF.

There is a huge development going up near where I now live (11 000 homes, eventually, just outside a village of 2 500). Sounds like a similar disaster, right? Except that they are adding schools, moving the train station, planning roads so the existing village doesn't turn into a rat run. Shows what can be done with some thought.

I'm ignoring whether it is wise at all to develop on land that is 0.5m above sea level, when the sea is predicted to rise by more than that in this century.

Living in a London commuter town, there's a consistent theme to development (which is limited, fortunately, by being part of the green belt) which involves turning business premises into flats (or retirement homes). This, of course, pushes more people onto the train or into their cars. I saw it commented that there was capacity on the train, but we're at the very end of the line, so yes, there are seats. Three stations in there aren't. Sucks for them.

Endless arguments about parking – everyone it seems needs a car, but space won't magically appear to park them (and the planning usually fudges the issue by disingenuously assuming people will have fewer cars than they actually have). The high street is as moribund as most other similar high streets in the county. The shopkeepers, of course, blame the parking situation, because obviously people get in their cars and drive to the local high street (they don't, they drive to Croydon or Redhill or somewhere that has a giant fucking car park). There's parking anyway in the car parks for the two supermarkets, but it's literally an entire minute's walk, which is apparently an inconvenience too far for the modern shopper.

They're looking to redevelop a small shopping precinct, add new shops, flats, a cinema. There seems to be a concerted effort against this because – oh woe! – the parking. To be honest, it's a good idea, would be a much-needed revitalization. Why people who live opposite a train station and bus stop with regular services need cars, I don't know. Lots more people actually living in the town centre might actually be a good thing for local business, rather than hoping magic parking spaces appear and people drive in.

The local plan was reasonable and to a degree realistic, but didn't really offer a solution to the problem of the town centre being dogged by traffic and parking issues. I think we know the solution, just that most people don't want it and would rather blame something else rather than infringe their own convenience. Look at a successful high street – it's not a traffic-congested (with cars going elsewhere) with parking clogged up by people stopping at KFC or to buy a lottery ticket. (We actually put some serious thought into opening a local business, but the rent for premises and business rates were untenable, which given the state of the high street seems to be madness.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Paul on 28 April, 2019, 10:24:32 am
Is it so difficult to keep the marmite off the lip of the jar?

I’m getting disproportionately vexed by having to wrench the top off because the only other user in the house gets it on the lip, which then glues the lid to the jar.

I know I can clean it up easily enough, but there shouldn’t be any need. A little dexterity with the knife avoids the trailing of gloop, and prevents the problem altogether.

That feels better. Thank you for listening.

(Here? First world problems? Middle aged? Random food things? So many threads this could go into. Is there a crossover record?)

ETA: and in the time it took me to type this post, yet another appropriate, even possibly the most appropriate thread (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=111796.msg2389125#msg2389125) for this post came into being!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 28 April, 2019, 03:03:50 pm
We hardly eat Marmite so that's not an issue.

Someone is getting gloop on the threads of all the condiment and sauce bottles and jars and never like to squeeze the squeezy bottles, preferring to remove the lids...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 29 April, 2019, 02:02:06 pm
i) If I send you an email, please reply via email. If I wanted a chat, I would have phoned you
ii) If you call in response to my mail, try reading it first
iii) reading=/= understanding
iv) that's 20 minutes I'll never get back
v) how did it take you so long to say NOTHING
vi) no, I'm not your mate
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Marco Stefano on 29 April, 2019, 06:24:23 pm
Quote from: fboab on 29 April, 2019, 02:02:06 pm
i) If I send you an email, please reply via email. If I wanted a chat, I would have phoned you
ii) If you call in response to my mail, try reading it first
iii) reading=/= understanding
iv) that's 20 minutes I'll never get back
v) how did it take you so long to say NOTHING
vi) no, I'm not your mate

Commiserations. That is the spit of my dealings with a particularly incompetent colleague with whom I had to deal. After sending a technical email to her she would ring within seconds (i.e. she could not possibly have read it), and would say that she didn't understand. I never tried 'Well, once upon a time...', but perhaps I should have; too polite for my own sanity, me. Luckily I am recently redundant and so others will have to suffer her incompetence (redundancy silver lining no. 27).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rogerzilla on 29 April, 2019, 07:00:05 pm
SO has a kettle that's stopped working.  Almost certainly the thermostat.  This costs pennies but the bastards have used tamper-proof screw heads so you can't fix it (a professional repair is uneconomic in any developed country).  So in the bin it goes.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 29 April, 2019, 07:38:46 pm
Quote from: rogerzilla on 29 April, 2019, 07:00:05 pm
SO has a kettle that's stopped working.  Almost certainly the thermostat.  This costs pennies but the bastards have used tamper-proof screw heads so you can't fix it (a professional repair is uneconomic in any developed country).  So in the bin it goes.

AIUI kettles are designed to fail early at the thermostat/switch mechanism, as that's the safest way for them to fail.

Still irksome on general principle.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andytheflyer on 29 April, 2019, 08:42:45 pm
Please don't get me started on kettles.  Our last one, a stainless steel Kenwood, lasted a bit over 2 years, before the opening mechanism bust so you couldn't fill the damn thing.  What a waste of the earth's resources.  Absolutely pathetic.  I did have a bit of a rant at the electrical shop in the village where I get almost all of our appliances (I have previous on this - they hide behind the counter when I go in) but it's not their fault.  It's frustrating that you can't get hold of the Kenwood rep - warmly, by the throat.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 29 April, 2019, 09:07:19 pm
So, kettle on a gas hob then? (Despite the fact it takes up space on the hob and doesn't turn itself off etc)

And they're not very ergonomic - just looking at the pictures is making my tennis elbow hurt.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 29 April, 2019, 09:11:47 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 29 April, 2019, 09:07:19 pm
So, kettle on a gas hob then? (Despite the fact it takes up space on the hob and doesn't turn itself off etc)

I hope it doesn't come to that, we're not complete savages leftpondians.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 29 April, 2019, 10:07:34 pm
Wanders over to kitchen & make a cuppa with his 25+ year old Swan electric kettle.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 29 April, 2019, 10:15:09 pm
I'm pretty sure our John Lewis badged kettle is a good 10+ years old.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 29 April, 2019, 10:18:21 pm
We are not leftpondians but we may be savages (not this sort of savage, (https://www.bristol-savages.org/exhibition/) although some of us have been know to paint). We've been using a kettle on the gas hob since 2 electric kettles failed in one year. This one hasn't failed us. It would be great if it whistled, but it doesn't.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 29 April, 2019, 10:21:06 pm
Our kettle before the current one looked really nice. However, the lid was designed to make filling so difficult that it was a relief when it broke.

Sent from my LG-H850 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 30 April, 2019, 12:20:07 am
The switch on our Sainsbury's kettle is failing; it's a mechanical issue and we can persuade the switch to stay down if we pull it out, push it in and then push it down.

This trick is getting more difficult.

We've had the kettle 3 years, since a cleaner induced a Magic Smoke incident with my 30 year old Russell Hobbs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 30 April, 2019, 10:03:52 am
In sympathy with this thread, the light switch on our cooker extractor hood has now decided to fail to stay on. Grumble.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 30 April, 2019, 11:25:26 am
There are two bulbs in our extractor hood and the left one always fails first. It's in its dickery stage just now, sometimes on, sometimes off.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 30 April, 2019, 11:34:51 am
It is, alas, the mechanical clicky switch that fails to engage. I may get the handichap to take a look to see if it's replaceable, though it's nature of these things to use some component that's both unobtainable and inaccessible. Or I may just bodge it on with the strategic deployment of blue-tack until my wife gets annoyed enough to buy a new one. It's a shame because it does a great job of sucking up the malefic emanations of my culinary experimentations.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 30 April, 2019, 01:05:58 pm
I know not whence emerged this myth that Leftpondians don't do anbaric kettles.  I've been in a Target in El Paso with a greater variety of 'em than you'd find in the average BRITONS horriblemarket and I've encountered them in hotel rooms in Canuckistan.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: orienteer on 30 April, 2019, 01:47:27 pm
The current required for an electric kettle using 110 volts (or only 100v in Japan) is pretty high! Doubt whether they offer 3kw models!

Two previous kettles I had failed within their guarantee periods so I got full refunds (from John Lewis and Robert Dyas). Currently have a Daewoo, fine but the cut-out switch sometimes trips prematurely and has to be reset with the right pressure in the right place.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 30 April, 2019, 02:46:35 pm
Chums at uni used to have one that ejected the power lead if you left it to boil too long.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 30 April, 2019, 03:07:17 pm
Quote from: T42 on 30 April, 2019, 02:46:35 pm
Chums at uni used to have one that ejected the power lead if you left it to boil too long.

That's just a standard "boil dry" feature AFAIK. That's when the cable plugs directly into the kettle, as opposed to plugging in to a base that the kettle sits on.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 30 April, 2019, 03:14:27 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 30 April, 2019, 01:05:58 pm
I know not whence emerged this myth that Leftpondians don't do anbaric kettles.  I've been in a Target in El Paso with a greater variety of 'em than you'd find in the average BRITONS horriblemarket and I've encountered them in hotel rooms in Canuckistan.

I always had a hob (stove top!) kettle when I lived in the USA. That said, if I recall the cooker connections to the lectrics had spare socket for high current electrical items like kettles and toaster ovens. Or I may have imagined that.

Next you'll be telling me that Americans have stopped making fridges you can park an F350 in.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 30 April, 2019, 03:48:53 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 30 April, 2019, 03:07:17 pm
Quote from: T42 on 30 April, 2019, 02:46:35 pm
Chums at uni used to have one that ejected the power lead if you left it to boil too long.

That's just a standard "boil dry" feature AFAIK. That's when the cable plugs directly into the kettle, as opposed to plugging in to a base that the kettle sits on.

Yup. Could be entertaining when it happened, depending on what it was pointing at.   A base that ejected the kettle could be quite entertaining too.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 30 April, 2019, 04:47:05 pm
We’ve got a posh,kettle, but it is going rusty. Who makes consumer products used for water and steam out of a material that reacts with water?  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Giraffe on 30 April, 2019, 04:47:18 pm
Got a Lidl kettle with a 'stat - useful for black instant coffee. It's about 6 months old and the On button needs more of a press. 3 year warranty, but now it's not a free call or e-mail of course but some high-rate number.
Microwave oven shed it lamp - no probs, 70p for a 15W one. Oh no, £4.25 (buying 2 from ebay) 'cos it's in a molded base and it's 20W due to some brain-dead shit-head deciding that the inside of the oven should be black (same as the present case for the PC - black box, black mobo, black connectors so with enough lighting for an oil refinery I can just about make out the details.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 30 April, 2019, 04:53:42 pm
Quote from: T42 on 30 April, 2019, 02:46:35 pm
Chums at uni used to have one that ejected the power lead if you left it to boil too long.

I think our first electric kettle in the 70s was a Swan that did this.

You needed the strength of a gorilla to replace the plug!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 30 April, 2019, 05:13:47 pm
Was that the one with mouth-organ reeds instead of a whistle?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 30 April, 2019, 06:38:27 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 30 April, 2019, 01:05:58 pm
I know not whence emerged this myth that Leftpondians don't do anbaric kettles.  I've been in a Target in El Paso with a greater variety of 'em than you'd find in the average BRITONS horriblemarket and I've encountered them in hotel rooms in Canuckistan.

Yeah, but they're still limited to about 1500W, unless you do something unsporting like wire a euro-kettle into a 220V cooker/dryer/etc outlet (for the full Photonicinduction effect, do this with a leftpondian kettle).

At which point the gas option (or indeed heating pans of water to boil things in from cold on the hob, which my USAnian correspondents inform me is a perfectly normal thing to do) seems like a reasonable alternative speed-wise.  And avoids the shoddier side of kettle engineering, which can't possibly be improved by the addition of those crappy little shaver plugs and an optional approach to grounding.

There will obviously be exceptions where there isn't a gas hob available, like hotel rooms and workplace kitchens.  No idea if USAnian landlords routinely do the all-electric thing to avoid having to have gas installations inspected, but that must happen too.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 30 April, 2019, 06:50:42 pm
An American friend thought my kettle was quaint, and said everyone she knew had wall mounted hot water boilers/dispensers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 30 April, 2019, 07:59:21 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 30 April, 2019, 06:50:42 pm
An American friend thought my kettle was quaint, and said everyone she knew had wall mounted hot water boilers/dispensers.

Is that the thing that occasionally blasts you with superheated steam but somehow fails to dispense water hot enough for a proper cup of boiled leaves?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: BrianI on 30 April, 2019, 08:06:33 pm
Mudguards...   :demon: ??? :facepalm: ::-) They either crack at the rear brake bridge (I'm talking about you, SKS Bluemels), or the assorted brackets required to fit them are too bulky (I'm talking about you, Bontrager NCS  Mudguards) so that they'd only really fit using 10mm width tyres...

Bike (a 2014 Pinnacle Dolomite 2), is rated for 25mm tyres & guards... 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 30 April, 2019, 08:18:45 pm
Quote from: Kim on 30 April, 2019, 06:38:27 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 30 April, 2019, 01:05:58 pm
I know not whence emerged this myth that Leftpondians don't do anbaric kettles.  I've been in a Target in El Paso with a greater variety of 'em than you'd find in the average BRITONS horriblemarket and I've encountered them in hotel rooms in Canuckistan.

Yeah, but they're still limited to about 1500W, unless you do something unsporting like wire a euro-kettle into a 220V cooker/dryer/etc outlet (for the full Photonicinduction effect, do this with a leftpondian kettle).

At which point the gas option (or indeed heating pans of water to boil things in from cold on the hob, which my USAnian correspondents inform me is a perfectly normal thing to do) seems like a reasonable alternative speed-wise.  And avoids the shoddier side of kettle engineering, which can't possibly be improved by the addition of those crappy little shaver plugs and an optional approach to grounding.

There will obviously be exceptions where there isn't a gas hob available, like hotel rooms and workplace kitchens.  No idea if USAnian landlords routinely do the all-electric thing to avoid having to have gas installations inspected, but that must happen too.

Don't Americans do something strange with their dilute electricity to make cookers work? I seem to remember all my cookers being connected via industrial looking flex of a thickness you'd expect to find in an aluminum smelter. See also tumble driers, car charger, giant Tesla coils, etc. That's why their electric chairs are so useless.

I don't recall ever having gas in any property I rented. I'm not sure it was a thing unless you had your own LPG or propane.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 30 April, 2019, 08:37:41 pm
Quote from: ian on 30 April, 2019, 08:18:45 pm
Don't Americans do something strange with their dilute electricity to make cookers work? I seem to remember all my cookers being connected via industrial looking flex of a thickness you'd expect to find in an aluminum smelter. See also tumble driers, car charger, giant Tesla coils, etc. That's why their electric chairs are so useless.

Yes, leftpondian domestic anbarism is centre-tapped, so effectively you get two different 110V phases which can be combined to obtain 220V for appliances that need more than 1500W.  (This isn't the same thing as a true three-phase industrial supply - they have those as well, in a confusing mixture of voltages because reasons.)  They have special properly-engineered plugs and sockets for the 220V stuff (with two live pins, hence the thicker cables) so you can't get things mixed up.  This strikes me as eminently sensible, though I appreciate that one shouldn't really comment when one comes from a country that still thinks ring mains are a pretty neat idea.

Being leftpondians, this is all thoroughly incompatible with the connectors that Europe has standardised on for industrial electrickery.  AIUI the NEMA 14 connectors are roughly equivalent to the 32A Ceeform connector we're used to, so they're continuing the tradition of looking a bit on the feeble side for their current rating, though in their defence the NEMA 14 connector isn't supposed to be waterproof.

(Guerrilla charging of electric vehicles in leftpondia is, frankly, hilarious.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rogerzilla on 30 April, 2019, 08:55:19 pm
It's cheaper to boil a kettle on a gas hob anyway.  It's not as effiicient at the point of use, but gas is about 1/4 the cost of electricity per kWh.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 30 April, 2019, 09:56:53 pm
How about stove top kettles on induction hobs?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 30 April, 2019, 10:24:47 pm
Oh they don't use any gas.

:)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 30 April, 2019, 10:28:33 pm
Quote from: rogerzilla on 30 April, 2019, 08:55:19 pm
It's cheaper to boil a kettle on a gas hob anyway.  It's not as effiicient at the point of use, but gas is about 1/4 the cost of electricity per kWh.
If that is true I might just buy a new kettle.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: PhilO on 01 May, 2019, 12:01:40 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 30 April, 2019, 09:56:53 pm
How about stove top kettles on induction hobs?

I’m not sure about that, but I was impressed to find that our shined new induction hob boils (with the right pan) a litre of water only 2 seconds slower than the electric kettle.

Which is circa 20 years old... [/smug mode]
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 01 May, 2019, 07:30:58 am
Quote from: Kim on 30 April, 2019, 07:59:21 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 30 April, 2019, 06:50:42 pm
An American friend thought my kettle was quaint, and said everyone she knew had wall mounted hot water boilers/dispensers.

Is that the thing that occasionally blasts you with superheated steam but somehow fails to dispense water hot enough for a proper cup of boiled leaves?

It sounds like an early version of the Nutri-Matic  ;D

My grumble...."they" have been out again "resurfacing" roads by throwing some stones at it and running away.  The victim, Holly Lane/Clanford Lane just north of Haughton in Staffordshire.

Now, I will agree the road surface was well worn but this treatment is NOT suitable for a road which sees about 10 cars (and a considerable number of cyclists) each day as the stones simply won't bed in. Indeed, I did try to cycle down it but gave up after 10m as is the going was impossible.

Oh and while I am grumbling..."they" didn't bother to fill up the potholes as the one on the corner was still there.

So instead of taking this once lovely back lane, I was "forced" onto the "main" Long Lane which was resurfaced three years or so back. "Thankfully" the new surface has completely worn away not demonstrating that the whole thing is a complete waste of time and money.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 01 May, 2019, 10:49:17 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 30 April, 2019, 09:56:53 pm
How about stove top kettles on induction hobs?

That's what I thought - since we have an induction hob. But our (Bosch) kettle seems fine, with a a variable temperature setting and "keep-warm" function too. Only fault is, if left full overnight, it leaks from somewhere. Never does it in use, and it's easy enough just to fill it before boiling anyway.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 01 May, 2019, 11:28:43 am
Quote from: essexian on 01 May, 2019, 07:30:58 am
My grumble...."they" have been out again "resurfacing" roads by throwing some stones at it and running away.  The victim, Holly Lane/Clanford Lane just north of Haughton in Staffordshire.

Now, I will agree the road surface was well worn but this treatment is NOT suitable for a road which sees about 10 cars (and a considerable number of cyclists) each day as the stones simply won't bed in. Indeed, I did try to cycle down it but gave up after 10m as is the going was impossible.

Ah yes, there were signs up threatening the chipseal treatment of some of my regular lanes next week.  Some of it would be an improvement if the stuff actually lasted, but the window between loose gravel hazard and the ruts setting in is about 6 months at best.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 01 May, 2019, 12:36:43 pm
Quote from: rogerzilla on 30 April, 2019, 08:55:19 pm
It's cheaper to boil a kettle on a gas hob anyway.  It's not as effiicient at the point of use, but gas is about 1/4 the cost of electricity per kWh.
I wonder how the efficiency compares if you look at the whole system? As most electricity in the UK is now produced by burning gas... but then you've got scale in a power station. And presumably electricity is used to pump the gas to your house. But then you've got kettle lifetime and manufacturing too.

Separate from all that, a kettle on the hob seems to "boil hotter". I guess many electric kettles have thermostats that are either inaccurate or set fractionally low for safety reasons.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 01 May, 2019, 12:47:41 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 01 May, 2019, 12:36:43 pm
And presumably electricity is used to pump the gas to your house.

Mainly gas is used to pump gas to your house.  Typically a gas turbine (ie. jet engine) burning gas from the pipeline powers a centrifugal compressor.  As combustion engines go, they're pretty efficient.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Transmission_System#Compressor_stations
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rogerzilla on 01 May, 2019, 01:27:32 pm
Using a fuel-burning heat engine to pump a combustible gas is engagingly mad.  Mind you, there's little risk of an explision unless you get a leak that mixes with the air around the compressor.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 01 May, 2019, 01:28:56 pm
The wonderful but not at all surprising thing is that Kim just knows this.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 01 May, 2019, 02:18:32 pm
And now a grumble, just to restore this thread to its allotted grumpiness quotient. I've lost the pump that mounted in a bracket next to the bottle cage on one of my bikes. It could have fallen off while I was riding (but I think I'd have noticed – probably felt and/or seen it fall, as it was on the downtube, and heard the clunk), it could be hiding somewhere at home (but I don't remember removing it and I've looked in all the places), it could have got knocked off while parked in town (boo!), or it could have been stolen (grrrrrrrrrrrr!). Either of the last two seems the most likely. Still, I'd had it ten years and IIRC it came free with a bike (that I no longer have), so okay. But now I need a new one. Probably go for one that I can put in a pannier, as I pretty much always have a pannier on this bike. Except then it's bound to end up in the wrong pannier...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 01 May, 2019, 02:28:36 pm
Quote from: Kim on 30 April, 2019, 06:38:27 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 30 April, 2019, 01:05:58 pm
I know not whence emerged this myth that Leftpondians don't do anbaric kettles.  I've been in a Target in El Paso with a greater variety of 'em than you'd find in the average BRITONS horriblemarket and I've encountered them in hotel rooms in Canuckistan.

Yeah, but they're still limited to about 1500W, unless you do something unsporting like wire a euro-kettle into a 220V cooker/dryer/etc outlet (for the full Photonicinduction effect, do this with a leftpondian kettle).

At which point the gas option (or indeed heating pans of water to boil things in from cold on the hob, which my USAnian correspondents inform me is a perfectly normal thing to do) seems like a reasonable alternative speed-wise.  And avoids the shoddier side of kettle engineering, which can't possibly be improved by the addition of those crappy little shaver plugs and an optional approach to grounding.

There will obviously be exceptions where there isn't a gas hob available, like hotel rooms and workplace kitchens.  No idea if USAnian landlords routinely do the all-electric thing to avoid having to have gas installations inspected, but that must happen too.

In-room kettles in Canuckistan appeared to be capable of coming to the boil an order of magnitude faster than my dual-vole travel kettle, to the extent that I was tempted to steal one.  This notion amused the man at reception in the Hotel Cranktheheatinguptoeleven in Whitehorse.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 01 May, 2019, 03:18:15 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 01 May, 2019, 02:18:32 pm
And now a grumble, just to restore this thread to its allotted grumpiness quotient. I've lost the pump that mounted in a bracket next to the bottle cage on one of my bikes. It could have fallen off while I was riding (but I think I'd have noticed – probably felt and/or seen it fall, as it was on the downtube, and heard the clunk), it could be hiding somewhere at home (but I don't remember removing it and I've looked in all the places), it could have got knocked off while parked in town (boo!), or it could have been stolen (grrrrrrrrrrrr!). Either of the last two seems the most likely. Still, I'd had it ten years and IIRC it came free with a bike (that I no longer have), so okay. But now I need a new one. Probably go for one that I can put in a pannier, as I pretty much always have a pannier on this bike. Except then it's bound to end up in the wrong pannier...
The answer, of course, is to have one pump for each pannier, left and right. And one for each small pannier as well, just in case I use those instead. Oh, and one for the rack pack. Hmm....£$£
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 01 May, 2019, 03:18:59 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 01 May, 2019, 02:28:36 pm
Quote from: Kim on 30 April, 2019, 06:38:27 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 30 April, 2019, 01:05:58 pm
I know not whence emerged this myth that Leftpondians don't do anbaric kettles.  I've been in a Target in El Paso with a greater variety of 'em than you'd find in the average BRITONS horriblemarket and I've encountered them in hotel rooms in Canuckistan.

Yeah, but they're still limited to about 1500W, unless you do something unsporting like wire a euro-kettle into a 220V cooker/dryer/etc outlet (for the full Photonicinduction effect, do this with a leftpondian kettle).

At which point the gas option (or indeed heating pans of water to boil things in from cold on the hob, which my USAnian correspondents inform me is a perfectly normal thing to do) seems like a reasonable alternative speed-wise.  And avoids the shoddier side of kettle engineering, which can't possibly be improved by the addition of those crappy little shaver plugs and an optional approach to grounding.

There will obviously be exceptions where there isn't a gas hob available, like hotel rooms and workplace kitchens.  No idea if USAnian landlords routinely do the all-electric thing to avoid having to have gas installations inspected, but that must happen too.

In-room kettles in Canuckistan appeared to be capable of coming to the boil an order of magnitude faster than my dual-vole travel kettle, to the extent that I was tempted to steal one.  This notion amused the man at reception in the Hotel Cranktheheatinguptoeleven in Whitehorse.
Is Canuckistani anbarism different to Usanian then? I always assumed they were unified, so to speak.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 01 May, 2019, 03:26:15 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 01 May, 2019, 02:18:32 pm
And now a grumble, just to restore this thread to its allotted grumpiness quotient. I've lost the pump that mounted in a bracket next to the bottle cage on one of my bikes.

Topeak Mini-Morph?  It's being guarded by the dragons on the COR section by Low Swainby Farm (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=110202.0).  But don't bother with any St George tactics, the business end has snapped off.  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 01 May, 2019, 03:28:25 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 01 May, 2019, 03:18:59 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 01 May, 2019, 02:28:36 pm
In-room kettles in Canuckistan appeared to be capable of coming to the boil an order of magnitude faster than my dual-vole travel kettle, to the extent that I was tempted to steal one.  This notion amused the man at reception in the Hotel Cranktheheatinguptoeleven in Whitehorse.
Is Canuckistani anbarism different to Usanian then? I always assumed they were unified, so to speak.

Probably just that the dual-vole kettle is under-rated.  I assume the Canuckistanis have a slightly better understanding of tea than the USAnians, and put a bit of effort into kettle selection.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 01 May, 2019, 03:30:33 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 01 May, 2019, 01:28:56 pm
The wonderful but not at all surprising thing is that Kim just knows this.

A jet engine enthusiast mentioned it once.  For the reason rogerzilla cites, I didn't believe them, so looked it up on googlepedia.  I suppose gas is a *lot* cheaper than electricity when you're the gas company.

Slightly disappointed that it's an industrial engine turning a compressor, rather than a high-bypass turbofan breathing natural gas, with oxygen injected where the fuel would normally go, thobut.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 01 May, 2019, 03:35:29 pm
Quote from: Kim on 01 May, 2019, 03:26:15 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 01 May, 2019, 02:18:32 pm
And now a grumble, just to restore this thread to its allotted grumpiness quotient. I've lost the pump that mounted in a bracket next to the bottle cage on one of my bikes.

Topeak Mini-Morph?  It's being guarded by the dragons on the COR section by Low Swainby Farm (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=110202.0).  But don't bother with any St George tactics, the business end has snapped off.  :(
I think it came from Decathlon originally. But you've reminded me that I did see what I recognized as the snapped-off handle of a Blackburn pump lying on the road a few days ago, and that in turn reminds me that I have such a pump. I think. I might have given it away and it didn't work very well anyway due to lack of valve lock thingy.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 01 May, 2019, 04:00:15 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 01 May, 2019, 01:28:56 pm
The wonderful but not at all surprising thing is that Kim just knows this.

THis is my line of business as well, gas turbines are used in the offshroe industry directly for power generation adn also as compression engines to move the gas onshore.

I'm currently engaged in another round of "how much gas have you burnt lately" with a load of operators in Aberdeen
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 01 May, 2019, 04:03:10 pm
Quote from: Kim on 01 May, 2019, 03:30:33 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 01 May, 2019, 01:28:56 pm
The wonderful but not at all surprising thing is that Kim just knows this.

A jet engine enthusiast mentioned it once.  For the reason rogerzilla cites, I didn't believe them, so looked it up on googlepedia.  I suppose gas is a *lot* cheaper than electricity when you're the gas company.

Slightly disappointed that it's an industrial engine turning a compressor, rather than a high-bypass turbofan breathing natural gas, with oxygen injected where the fuel would normally go, thobut.

There are also some electrickery driven turbines out there.  Put in a massive variable speed drive and it's a lot more efficient in terms of response to demand.  GTs are only really efficient at high load and fall off very rapidly. On compression turbines offshroe, if the throughput falls below the design point they generally have a recycle loop which wastes energy sending the compressed gas around in a circle
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 02 May, 2019, 01:38:34 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 01 May, 2019, 12:36:43 pm
Quote from: rogerzilla on 30 April, 2019, 08:55:19 pm
It's cheaper to boil a kettle on a gas hob anyway.  It's not as effiicient at the point of use, but gas is about 1/4 the cost of electricity per kWh.
I wonder how the efficiency compares if you look at the whole system? As most electricity in the UK is now produced by burning gas... but then you've got scale in a power station. And presumably electricity is used to pump the gas to your house. But then you've got kettle lifetime and manufacturing too.

Separate from all that, a kettle on the hob seems to "boil hotter". I guess many electric kettles have thermostats that are either inaccurate or set fractionally low for safety reasons.

Our Sainsbury's jug kettle does not cut out until it's rocking with bubbles so I can't imagine it boils any cooler at the ambient atmospheric pressure than a stove top gas kettle unless its whistle is a VERY tight fit...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 02 May, 2019, 01:51:50 pm
Aboard the mothership, boiling water emits from a magic tap (you have to know the secret location of the child-lock). Seems adequate for cups of tea. You can also get it from the coffee machine, which isn't very good, so I'm thinking of making my own coffee or taking in a thermos of coffee from my home coffeebot.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 02 May, 2019, 02:18:15 pm
We also have a Billi-tap for hot (and cold) water. There seem to be several Aeropress's on the drainer.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 03 May, 2019, 07:51:47 am
&& the best temperature for an Aeropress is way below 100˚
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 03 May, 2019, 10:04:56 am
I don't think the Vietnamese stuff I'm on the moment cares about the precise temperature. You could resurface a road with it. It's like they mixed tar with amphetamine and then insulted its mum. I love it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 03 May, 2019, 06:03:34 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 29 April, 2019, 10:18:21 pm
We are not leftpondians but we may be savages (not this sort of savage, (https://www.bristol-savages.org/exhibition/) although some of us have been know to paint). We've been using a kettle on the gas hob since 2 electric kettles failed in one year. This one hasn't failed us. It would be great if it whistled, but it doesn't.
And I've just discovered a bit more about those Savages! I knew where they meet and I have a vague feeling I might even have been to one of their exhibitions, but well, they sound a bit... distinctive...
https://www.bristol247.com/culture/art/an-exclusive-society-hidden-in-the-heart-of-bristol/
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 03 May, 2019, 06:05:46 pm
You know when the HD picture suddenly falls off the distascopic screen, and you break out the signal strength meter to check the string 'twixt antenna and distascope and the battery goes flat so you buy a new one and the signal from the aerial is fine and the signal from the amplifier is also fine and so is the signal at the other end of the long run of coax and likewise after it's been through the PVR and in fact there's nothing wrong at all and the picture is now fine again?

Yes, exactly like that.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rogerzilla on 04 May, 2019, 08:22:45 am
Firefox add-ons have stopped working due to a known fault.  The internet is horrible without a big-ass adblocker.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 04 May, 2019, 08:25:24 am
Quote from: rogerzilla on 04 May, 2019, 08:22:45 am
Firefox add-ons have stopped working due to a known fault.  The internet is horrible without a big-ass adblocker.
I agree. Muchly! I don't use Firefox but a different browser with built-in adblocker and when I see the same sites without, they're almost unreadable.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 04 May, 2019, 11:01:59 am
Triple grumble.

1)
Big race on Sunday. don't have access to car, so dependent on a lift to get me and boat to race. Club arranges lifts. I message my 'driver', asking if we should meet on Sat to load up. No, meet on Sunday morning, he says.

Great. I live 10 miles out of town, really don't want to have to cycle in to town yet again, I'm tired.
Sat morning he messages me "Are you around, I want to get the bars and boats on the car today?"

2)
It is bank holiday, I'm exhausted from work.
I'll be working all of today and most of Monday. Then Tues - Fri attending a conference that I didn't want to attend, but boss insisted I go. Seemed to think it was personally important for my development. You know what is important for my development? Those in-company courses that I haven't had time to do that I am supposed to complete by mid-May.

3)
My lovely landlady and catcare. The cat-litter tray doesn't just need the poop scooping and fresh litter adding, you have to completely empty it sometimes and wash it. I've done it once when you were away, was going to do it again today; but you've just filled it up with a huge pile of cat litter (on top of wet litter). It honks with a nasal-clearing cloud of ammonia.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 06 May, 2019, 01:27:23 pm
10 past 1pm. On a Bank Holiday Monday.

No shit the shutter's down...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 06 May, 2019, 06:57:45 pm
I'm going to Trondheim soon, so I'm mooching around on Strava's Global Heatmap for some ideas where I might go for a run.

Only the map has **NO F*CKING SCALE** on it.

Is that one k, or 10k?
I can see a couple of loops which I assume are 400m running tracks, so I can guess from that.
WTF use is a map with no scale?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 06 May, 2019, 07:36:25 pm
See also: Campus maps and similar which frequently lack a scale, and are often rendered with some direction other than north up without the benefit of an arrow...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 06 May, 2019, 07:47:37 pm
Isn't Trondheim the place with the bike lift?
Right up there then....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 06 May, 2019, 08:10:34 pm
if it was Hammerfest I could help  :P
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 09 May, 2019, 10:10:43 pm
I used a Visa card to draw cash out of 2 ATMs in Hamburg over the weekend.  Now told someone tried to use it to make a payment on £0.0 on Amazon early this morning.  Card now cancelled & I'm waiting for a replacement.  Luckily I only use that one abroad, so it's causing no inconvenience.


Edit.  I could have done without the 05:00 alarm call but  the transaction was timed at 04:59 so that's a pretty fast automated system.


I was careful to use ATM's _inside_ buildings, a bank & a post office.  I've just remembered that when I used the bank one the first machine I tried rejected the card.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 10 May, 2019, 08:06:48 am
I dream of putting a sign on an ATM, reading "This machine uses vocal recognition: please state your PIN loudly and clearly" then watching to see how many people comply.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 10 May, 2019, 09:39:15 pm
I failed to separate a cassette from a wheel earlier. So I need to find someone with a vice / bigger spanner / more strength tomorrow. Tomorrow is already too full.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 12 May, 2019, 12:07:15 pm
 31°C in the gym, heart rate ballistic, workout aborted. Bah.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mllePB on 12 May, 2019, 09:12:46 pm
Just been reading local news on latest update of a case of road rage involving a baseball bat which I witnessed the police mopping up last year.  Bat wielder now sent down having failed to comply with his suspended sentence rules.

Why are there so many baseball bats in circulation in this country when no-one is playing the game? ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 12 May, 2019, 10:48:35 pm
Horrible things which have no place in a gentleman’s armoury.  Besides, a pickaxe handle is cheaper & gives better reach...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 13 May, 2019, 06:06:11 pm
Having spent the last 3 days steering my 81 year old mother & my sister around That London I’m feeling a bit  grumbly.  I nearly lost them on the rush hour tube when the door closed in my face, but annoyingly they were waiting for me 2 stops down :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 14 May, 2019, 11:11:38 am
Quote from: andrewc on 12 May, 2019, 10:48:35 pm
Horrible things which have no place in a gentleman’s armoury.  Besides, a pickaxe handle is cheaper & gives better reach...

Like one of these-
https://www.google.com/search?q=pick+helve&client=firefox-b-d&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjvpojn45riAhVMRBUIHWVPBIgQ_AUIDigB&biw=1440&bih=764#imgrc=HaPbsHxiilwxLM:

I wandered many a mile around various military establishments on guard duty looking after one of these.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 14 May, 2019, 11:16:53 am
Quote from: andrewc on 12 May, 2019, 10:48:35 pm
Horrible things which have no place in a gentleman’s armoury.  Besides, a pickaxe handle is cheaper & gives better reach provides more plausible deniability...

Gratis.  :demon: ;)

"I've got a pickaxe for breaking up the solid chalk subsoil* officer... where's the head? Oh, that got damaged by the chalky subsoil, only I haven't assembled the tuits to go an order a new one. You may have loam to depth of three feet, but I assure you, it's chalky subsoil under my back yard, honest..."


* Other substrates that are a PITA to cultivate are available. Builder's/bomb damage rubble in my case...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 14 May, 2019, 12:37:41 pm
"What" said the Fiscal, "could have caused this injury?"
"Something large and blunt." said I.
"Turn round." he said. "Could this have done it?"

Behind me was a log or pole, about 5 inches in diameter and as long as I was tall...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 15 May, 2019, 08:11:46 am
As I have spent much of the last two weeks laying on my back unable to move (or, more likely unwilling to move due to the pain) I regret that this may be a long post...

My first grumble is aimed at my own body.... look, I know you are getting on a bit and frankly, I haven't always taken care of you in the way I should have, but is there any need to treat me to a dose of sciatica in my left hip and leg? I mean all I did was walk 12 miles over a couple of days, swim a mile and cycle 30. None of that is that excessive. Is it?

And then, just when the fun had stopped, did you really need to get gout in my right foot meaning both legs were out of action? And now, while the right foot is feeling a little better, did you really need to start an outbreak in my left foot? So now, I have both sciatica and gout in the same foot!

Moving on to painkiller manufacturers. How about inventing something what works?! I have tried all of the over the counter stuff with no luck so held out great hope for the prescription stuff the emergency GP gave me...yes, that's right, I went to see a GP as an emergency as....well lets put it this way, not being able to poo for five days is very extreme for me.... who gave me Naproxen which they said is five times stronger than anything I could buy over the counter.... nope, that doesn't work for me either. 

And next, the NHS website....yes, I am strong believer in the NHS and would fight to my last breath to keep it, I must grumble at their website...yes, exercising with sciatica is undoubtedly the thing to do, but how can you when you can't move! 

Right, moving on....or not as the case actually is. I now wish to grumble about how much choice there is! 

CBH and I decided that now might be the good time to get a new mattress so took a look online to find one. There must be at least 200 000 different types on sale. It took us hours to find one which suited our price and requirements (more on this in a second). Why do we need so much choice? Why can't there be a limited number of price points: cheap, reasonable, expensive and blimey you spent how much to choose from. And then of course, do we need as many manufacturers as well?  One will do. The rest can transfer over to making tractors or something.

Returning to requirements, it seems that there is a five grade firmness ratings for mattress ranging from Soft to very firm. So, how comes when you buy a medium mattress what you get is a lump of granite. Why not actually give the deflection rate against a set weight so those of us who can use such measurements will get what we want.

It got worse when I spent time looking at buying a Drone to take on holiday with me.... I am sure there are 7.5 billion different versions out there. Look, all I want is something which will take off, do some flying, come back to me when I call and doesn't cost the Earth (I mean that in both ways). No doubt to find the ideal item, I would need to spend a month researching the matter, no doubt only to find that that version has been discontinued.  :facepalm:

And then, lastly as I need to go and lay down as the pain is excessive again... there is the fact that I spent several hundred pounds on a new set of bike wheels. This resulted in a discussion between CBH and I whether I needed new wheels. Sadly I was not able to convince her that want and need are the same thing to some cyclists. The wheels are still in their box unopened as the garage is still too far away on these feet.

Thinking about it a bit further, perhaps me spending money on something I wanted rather than needed the cause of this pain as Karma gets her own back.... :(

Sorry for any typos. I'll clean up later.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 15 May, 2019, 08:51:05 am
Quote from: essexian on 15 May, 2019, 08:11:46 am
As I have spent much of the last two weeks laying on my back unable to move (or, more likely unwilling to move due to the pain) I regret that this may be a long post...

GWS ol’ boy.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 15 May, 2019, 09:31:21 am
GWS matey.

Being on your back for a fortnight must be sould destroying. A few days was bad enough for me.

Choice- matress/ drone/ whatever. I blame the internet. Back in the day, you would go to a bed shop or a drone shop or two and make your choice based on what they had. Nowadays? Bingle will land a shitload of choices on your screen (along with the odd Rampant Rabbit or Cyalis/ Viagra option).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 15 May, 2019, 09:38:48 am
MrsC and I bought a mattress online (that is to say, she bought a mattress online).

That was a waste of money.

When she was due to go in for a major op, and would be spending much time convalescing, I convinced her:
A) we needed a replacement
B) she should go to places that sold mattresses and try them.
C) sod the cost

Result was a mattress that suited us.

GWS essexian
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 15 May, 2019, 12:15:10 pm
Quote from: essexian on 15 May, 2019, 08:11:46 am
Moving on to painkiller manufacturers. How about inventing something what works?! I have tried all of the over the counter stuff with no luck so held out great hope for the prescription stuff the emergency GP gave me...yes, that's right, I went to see a GP as an emergency as....well lets put it this way, not being able to poo for five days is very extreme for me.... who gave me Naproxen which they said is five times stronger than anything I could buy over the counter.... nope, that doesn't work for me either. 

Apparently - and this came as news to me - some people find that painkillers actually kill pain.

Paracetamol does nothing for pain, but works as an antipyretic, and I'm undecided on whether NSAIs do much (there's only so much my digestive system can tolerate, and you can't be scientific about how much they affect healing with a population on 1).  Opiates can be effective at relaxing tension that's contributing to musculoskeletal pain, and in really high does help you time-travel through the pain.  Dissociatives work in much the same way - by turning your perception of reality into laggy low-bitrate RealVideo, the effect of pain is reduced along with everything else.  But I've never had a painkiller that actually reduced pain directly.  So my general approach to painkillers that it's either bad enough that large doses of codeine seem like a good idea, or not worth bothering - I tend to take first-line stuff purely because it stops me being nagged.

GWS, anyway.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 15 May, 2019, 04:52:43 pm
Quote from: Kim on 15 May, 2019, 12:15:10 pm
Quote from: essexian on 15 May, 2019, 08:11:46 am
Moving on to painkiller manufacturers. How about inventing something what works?! I have tried all of the over the counter stuff with no luck so held out great hope for the prescription stuff the emergency GP gave me...yes, that's right, I went to see a GP as an emergency as....well lets put it this way, not being able to poo for five days is very extreme for me.... who gave me Naproxen which they said is five times stronger than anything I could buy over the counter.... nope, that doesn't work for me either. 

Apparently - and this came as news to me - some people find that painkillers actually kill pain.

Paracetamol does nothing for pain, but works as an antipyretic, and I'm undecided on whether NSAIs do much (there's only so much my digestive system can tolerate, and you can't be scientific about how much they affect healing with a population on 1).  Opiates can be effective at relaxing tension that's contributing to musculoskeletal pain, and in really high does help you time-travel through the pain.  Dissociatives work in much the same way - by turning your perception of reality into laggy low-bitrate RealVideo, the effect of pain is reduced along with everything else.  But I've never had a painkiller that actually reduced pain directly.  So my general approach to painkillers that it's either bad enough that large doses of codeine seem like a good idea, or not worth bothering - I tend to take first-line stuff purely because it stops me being nagged.

GWS, anyway.

Codeine gets my vote for extreme pain, otherwise I tend not to bother and let the body deal with it.  I'm on the cusp of pain relief with my back at the moment
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: lou boutin on 15 May, 2019, 07:46:36 pm
I have had a bit of a horrible day.  I have ended up eating half a packet of chocolate Hobnobs and a pizza.  That's the diet gone for a burton.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SteveC on 15 May, 2019, 08:47:38 pm
Quote from: lou boutin on 15 May, 2019, 07:46:36 pm
That's the diet gone for a burton.
Only for today. And if it's been a horrible day, maybe that's what you needed.
Hope tomorrow is less horrible and better from the diet point of view.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 15 May, 2019, 09:09:28 pm
Aye. Onwards & upwards!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 15 May, 2019, 09:15:33 pm
Heh! :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 16 May, 2019, 08:23:06 am
Quote from: lou boutin on 15 May, 2019, 07:46:36 pm
I have had a bit of a horrible day.  I have ended up eating half a packet of chocolate Hobnobs and a pizza.  That's the diet gone for a burton.

Better eat the other half to get rid of temptation.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 17 May, 2019, 02:28:41 pm
Who on earth pays £28 A MONTH to play a casual gaming game? And on top of that you can also spend another £20 for bonus in game coins?

I like casual gaming, and have on occasion paid a fiver for a game I’m enjoying and want to play sans adverts however, I never buy in game purchases to make it easier to progress. If, As has happened, a level is too difficult to get passed without buying in game coins, I stop playing and find another favourite.

But the latest weeze seems to be subscription to squash the adverts, and I am not going to pay a subscription of >£5 per week, in fact I’m not going to buy any subscription, so it’s a case of playing for as long as I can put up with the ads I suppose. One game I really like at the moment has ads and there is no way to mute the ads unless you mute the whole phone, which is really annoying.

This all seems a bit immoral to me as well, because it’s essentially preying on the weaker members of society, who are often also the poorer ones.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fimm on 20 May, 2019, 03:23:57 pm
I got a pair of Stonewall "Be LBGTQ+ sport friendly" (or somthing like that) in a race goody bag so I put them in a pair of running shoes because 1) being Friendly is a Good Thing and 2) they are nice and (rainbow) colourful. It turns out that they don't stay done up very well so I might have to go back to the laces that came with the shoes.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 21 May, 2019, 09:08:56 pm
I admit 9, a bit of an Apple fanboy, and on the whole I think the walled garden is a GOOD THING ™, but Apple’s policy of not allowing content purchase on Amazon apps (Kindle, Audible, Prime Video) is not only very annoying, its also pointless because it doesn’t actually stop me buying Amazon content on my Apple device.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 22 May, 2019, 10:26:35 am
Hint: when your significant other presents you with lunch consisting of "some pork I found in the freezer", the preferred reply is not "best place for it".
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 23 May, 2019, 05:17:07 pm
Ebay seller, selling a bike that my daughter is interested in purchasing.

Lists two different frame sizes in the advert. Can't see label giving size in photos. Seller doesn't respond to messages.

Bike isn't sold, so they relist it. Still not responding to message. FFS, do you want to sell or not?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 23 May, 2019, 05:41:54 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 21 May, 2019, 09:08:56 pm
I admit 9, a bit of an Apple fanboy, and on the whole I think the walled garden is a GOOD THING ™, but Apple’s policy of not allowing content purchase on Amazon apps (Kindle, Audible, Prime Video) is not only very annoying, its also pointless because it doesn’t actually stop me buying Amazon content on my Apple device.

Apple do allow it, but all in-app purchases go through the App Store, and in the process they cream off their own percentage, so Amazon would have to charge more or get less on the margin.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 24 May, 2019, 10:52:49 am
Quote from: ian on 23 May, 2019, 05:41:54 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 21 May, 2019, 09:08:56 pm
I admit 9, a bit of an Apple fanboy, and on the whole I think the walled garden is a GOOD THING ™, but Apple’s policy of not allowing content purchase on Amazon apps (Kindle, Audible, Prime Video) is not only very annoying, its also pointless because it doesn’t actually stop me buying Amazon content on my Apple device.

Apple do allow it, but all in-app purchases go through the App Store, and in the process they cream off their own percentage, so Amazon would have to charge more or get less on the margin.

I think I knew that once now you mention it, but I must have recycled the neurones at some point.
Well, a plague on both their houses then.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rogerzilla on 25 May, 2019, 10:03:06 am
The morons at the main dealer have overfilled the oil as usual.  It'll have to go back because there is no way I can remove 1/2 litre at home without draining the lot.  They always do this unless I expressly tell them not to and it gets written on the service sheet.  Also impossible to check until I get home, as the engine needs to be cold (there is a big difference in level between hot and cold oil levels on this particular engine).

As well as fouling the crankcase breather with oil carryover, it stops it revving freely due to windage.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 25 May, 2019, 01:46:01 pm
Exam students in the exams wot I just invigiwotsited: please to be looking up 'bladder control' in your dictionaries. Or have a piss beforehand. Kthxbai.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jakob W on 25 May, 2019, 04:09:27 pm
Quote from: CAMRAMan on 25 May, 2019, 01:46:01 pm
Exam students in the exams wot I just invigiwotsited: please to be looking up 'bladder control' in your dictionaries. Or have a piss beforehand. Kthxbai.

Adrenaline, innit. Though my lot were pretty well behaved this year - no incidents of academic misconduct, and fewer loo trips than I expected.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 25 May, 2019, 04:52:30 pm
Quote from: CAMRAMan on 25 May, 2019, 01:46:01 pm
Exam students in the exams wot I just invigiwotsited: please to be looking up 'bladder control' in your dictionaries. Or have a piss beforehand. Kthxbai.

Kim's top tip for exam success:  Don't have a kidney infection.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 25 May, 2019, 05:32:02 pm
Having ascertained that I did, in fact, buy spare door handle springs when I purchased them last year, all I need to do now is find out where I put them.
Somewhere very safe, no doubt.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 25 May, 2019, 06:41:40 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 25 May, 2019, 05:32:02 pm
Having ascertained that I did, in fact, buy spare door handle springs when I purchased them last year, all I need to do now is find out where I put them.
Somewhere very safe, no doubt.
I bet you don’t find them until you’ve managed to at least order the replacements.  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andytheflyer on 25 May, 2019, 06:41:57 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 25 May, 2019, 05:32:02 pm
Having ascertained that I did, in fact, buy spare door handle springs when I purchased them last year, all I need to do now is find out where I put them.
Somewhere very safe, no doubt.
They will be where I put the grease nipple off the swinging arm spindle on my 1972 Triumph Daytona.  I can't find that either.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 25 May, 2019, 08:40:34 pm
Check your panniers, that's where I found my lost shopping list notebook this morning
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 26 May, 2019, 07:58:40 am
Quote from: CAMRAMan on 25 May, 2019, 01:46:01 pm
Exam students in the exams wot I just invigiwotsited: please to be looking up 'bladder control' in your dictionaries. Or have a piss beforehand. Kthxbai.
And while I'm at it; Exam room layout organisers: Having two finishing times in the same room is probably unavoidable. What is avoidable is placing the 3-hour folk next to the exits and having the large number of 2-hour candidates noisily traipse past them having their post-mortems, despite being told to leave in silence.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rr on 26 May, 2019, 08:12:12 am
Quote from: Kim on 25 May, 2019, 04:52:30 pm
Quote from: CAMRAMan on 25 May, 2019, 01:46:01 pm
Exam students in the exams wot I just invigiwotsited: please to be looking up 'bladder control' in your dictionaries. Or have a piss beforehand. Kthxbai.

Kim's top tip for exam success:  Don't have a kidney infection.
Or as Mini found out on Monday: diarrhoea

Sent from my moto x4 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 27 May, 2019, 01:03:41 pm
Either my neighbour is learning the drums or AC/DC's Phil Rudd has moved in next door :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 27 May, 2019, 03:29:38 pm
Sounds like my near neighbour prick.

Not content with taking up one of the few parking spaces with his never used VW camper thing, or using another one of the rare spaces for his Scirroco cos his private parking spaces are full of his never used glider, he now sits in his conservastory, doors and roof panels open, trying to learn funk electric guitar.

Fuck off!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 28 May, 2019, 10:49:21 am
The last few years have seen two of our neighbours put up polytunnels, a couple of them the size of decent Nissen huts, on their land. The last few years have seen same polytunnels torn to bits and cast far & wide by gales. We also had an alu/plastic greenhouse bowled over and wrecked by same.  Now MrsT comes home from Aldi and says "they've got 3m x 2m polytunnels for 49€...". :facepalm:

Feeling like a shit sometimes goes with the job. :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 28 May, 2019, 11:02:43 am
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 27 May, 2019, 03:29:38 pm
...trying to learn funk electric guitar...

Ah, the sound of the suburbs (almost)  :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Martin on 29 May, 2019, 10:53:25 pm
if you thought Ryanair was shit; try Brittany Ferries

I booked a little adventure with my son for next week he's always wanted to go on a cruise but I'd rather vote for Farage than do that :o, so the compromise was cruise on Brittany Ferries to Santander bimble along Northern Spain for a week then fly home.

I was really looking forward to it and got in the mood by tracking the ship. good thing too as I found out today that it's borked in Brest and has been for 12 days. Nice of them to tell us!

https://www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/pont-aven-latest-news


Finally spoke to someone today and we can't take the ferry  :( they are offering alternatives to France for the motorised but sod all for foot passengers  :( :(

so got a full refund. To add insult to injury guess who we have to fly with instead?  :facepalm:

but we'll have a great trip when we get there  :thumbsup:

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 29 May, 2019, 11:00:19 pm
Going by Facebook 'on this day' we had almost the same experience 2 years ago this week with P&O. I found out by mistake that our ferry was bokred and had been so for 2 weeks and was expected to be so for a further 3.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 30 May, 2019, 08:24:54 am
And should you only find out on arriving at the ferry port they'll look at you with an oh-you-sorry-sod expression and say "well it was on our web site" as if that makes it your fault.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 31 May, 2019, 07:14:53 am
"They" say exercising is something you should do with sciatica. "They" are going to get a right kicking when I get hold of them as frankly, I am now almost back to square one since last nights 6 mile turbo ride.

Yes, a gentle six miles on the turbo at 14mph has left me unable to sleep again due to the pain in my left leg and foot. I am fed up with this not healing: its coming on five weeks now and I am getting worried that I will have to cancel my ride plans for the year at this rate.  >:(

Oh and for some reason my left leg seems to be unable to pedal in a straight line. My heel kept catching the frame of the bike as it was turned in. No matter what I did, I could not get it into its normal position so had to cycle uncliped in. That seems to have caused some knee pain this morning  :(

Oh and I have also put on weight due to not being able to do anything other than sit around which is irritating as I found it hard to lose in the first place.  :facepalm:

Right back to writing songs for my first album... "My life is rubbish" by "Pity Party."



Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 31 May, 2019, 09:36:58 am
I'd suggest ==>GP==>X-Ray==>physiotherapist PDQ.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 01 June, 2019, 11:50:38 pm
For some reason there are an awful lot of people riding around beeping their car horns & making too much noise in Liverpool tonight.......  ???



Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 02 June, 2019, 11:16:18 am
Waiting at Lydney station on our way to London to see a show Mrs Tween reads a tweet that said show is cancelled  >:(

Anybody recommend anything to see tonight? Comedy preferred.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: De Sisti on 02 June, 2019, 11:30:34 am
Car drivers beeping their horns when they turn up to pick up someone from houses
(on our street), rather than parking up, getting out of their vehicles and greeting
their intended passenger at the house.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 02 June, 2019, 12:23:00 pm
Quote from: De Sisti on 02 June, 2019, 11:30:34 am
Car drivers beeping their horns when they turn up to pick up someone from houses
(on our street), rather than parking up, getting out of their vehicles and greeting
their intended passenger at the house.

Usually taxis where we are in StudentVille but it pisses me off cos it's not only illegal, it's downright antisocial when done after 11pm, often as late as 3am... I mean FFS, did these people not learn how not to wake up an entire neighbourhood by being selfish fuckwits.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 02 June, 2019, 12:40:52 pm
Also cancelled is our Bristol to Paddington train.

Since I'm here, 45 minutes tapping a screen to book tickets to the comedy store hasn't improved my mood any. I tried the phone number instead but naturally there's no answer.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 03 June, 2019, 07:22:33 am
Did our tax return last week & just checked it again.  After Macron's great reform where "some people will see their taxes reduced and some won't pay any", the amount we'll be paying next year has damn near doubled. Underhand bastard.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 03 June, 2019, 11:45:15 am
Quote from: T42 on 03 June, 2019, 07:22:33 am
Did our tax return last week & just checked it again.  After Macron's great reform where "some people will see their taxes reduced and some won't pay any", the amount we'll be paying next year has damn near doubled. Underhand bastard.

Comment dites-vous "read my lips - no new taxes" en français?   :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 03 June, 2019, 01:30:14 pm
More or less as you'd expect.  Thing is, he's not applying new taxes; he's revamping the collection system and fiddling revising the existing tax tables at the same time.

It's particularly annoying that his bunch are the only ones you can vote for without letting in the populist crooks.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 03 June, 2019, 03:47:33 pm
Postie bundled mail for four adjacent addresses though our mail box, rang the door bell and scarpered, waking partner, who now has to deliver misposted mail.

He has a headache from being woken and wants to disconnect doorbell, which terrifies me.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 03 June, 2019, 04:50:35 pm
Our doorbell died some time back and I never got around to replacing it.

I can't say I miss it. There's a sign on the door with instructions for deliveries (put them in the waterproof box behind the porch, an entire 2 metres away) that the courier can summarily ignore and leave the package on a doorstep all day instead.

If someone has been invited, they'll usually know to stand outside and shout or they'll phone. Not answering the door is liberating.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 03 June, 2019, 05:59:14 pm
I'm not sure if my doorbell works.  When I moved in, about a year ago, the bell push was present and correct. The wireless bell part was not, presumably tidied up and packed away by the previous owner.  If so it now resides on the other side of town, out of range.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 03 June, 2019, 06:20:10 pm
Doorbells that don't work are a work of Stan.  They operantly condition Stupid Hearing People to bang on doors instead of using the perfectly good doorbell.  If you don't want a bell, or it's b0rked, remove the button or stick some tape over it or something.

The rot set in when the things became  a) battery operated  and  b) wireless.  There's no way something like that is going to work for more than a year or two without regular attention.  Proper bells, driven by 6VAC from a transformer (so you don't get almost-but-not-quite-entirely-flat batteries or electrolytic corrosion in the bell push), were both unambiguous and reliable.  Obviously the latest trend is to internet-of-shit the things, so there can be even more ways for them not to work.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 03 June, 2019, 06:31:03 pm
Our wireless one only worked sometimes, which isn't terribly useful. I unplugged it and put it in the garage where it, at least, is guaranteed not to work.

Frankly, I'd rather not be disturbed, it's not like people turn up on spec unless they're trying to sell me something, are religious loons of assorted flavours, political types who somehow get past the bears, or a delivery (in which case they're in the van and sailing off down the street in the 5 seconds it would take me to answer the door).

In theory I could activate the security cameras on the drive and porch and that would ping me when someone approaches, in practice I can't be arsed unless I am specifically expecting something or it's one of those days I anticipate a Viking raiding party.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 03 June, 2019, 06:39:54 pm
Our doorbell hasn't worked since an unknown time before we lived here. Tried changing the battery and it then works once or twice. I think the striker doesn't return properly. But the postman knows it doesn't work and so does everyone else who comes here.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 03 June, 2019, 07:50:33 pm
Stomach!  I don't know what I put in you yesterday that led to the rumblings abdominal (simply phenomenal at that) and generally anti-social behaviour but it isn't there now so kindly start working normally  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 03 June, 2019, 09:22:49 pm
Quote from: ian on 03 June, 2019, 04:50:35 pm
Our doorbell died some time back and I never got around to replacing it.

I can't say I miss it. There's a sign on the door with instructions for deliveries (put them in the waterproof box behind the porch, an entire 2 metres away) that the courier can summarily ignore and leave the package on a doorstep all day instead.

If someone has been invited, they'll usually know to stand outside and shout or they'll phone. Not answering the door is liberating.

I've not responded to the doorbell ringing since 2013*.
In fact, I really ought to terminate the electricity supply to the device.
If you've not made an arrangement to call, then don't bother...


*Some poor bastard is still out there pressing the button, six years later.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Deano on 03 June, 2019, 09:42:02 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 03 June, 2019, 06:39:54 pm
Our doorbell hasn't worked since an unknown time before we lived here. Tried changing the battery and it then works once or twice. I think the striker doesn't return properly. But the postman knows it doesn't work and so does everyone else who comes here.

But how do you know no one else comes if you can't hear the doorbell?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 03 June, 2019, 10:02:33 pm
Quote from: Deano on 03 June, 2019, 09:42:02 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 03 June, 2019, 06:39:54 pm
Our doorbell hasn't worked since an unknown time before we lived here. Tried changing the battery and it then works once or twice. I think the striker doesn't return properly. But the postman knows it doesn't work and so does everyone else who comes here.

But how do you know no one else comes if you can't hear the doorbell?
That's easy, they never get near the house; we find them on the electric fence.
(Serious answer: the layout means 1) we can hear people's footsteps on the path, 2) they're visible from most of the windows 3) they bang on the door.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 03 June, 2019, 11:21:54 pm
Quote from: Deano on 03 June, 2019, 09:42:02 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 03 June, 2019, 06:39:54 pm
Our doorbell hasn't worked since an unknown time before we lived here. Tried changing the battery and it then works once or twice. I think the striker doesn't return properly. But the postman knows it doesn't work and so does everyone else who comes here.

But how do you know no one else comes if you can't hear the doorbell?
Take the AA Milne approach:
Quote
PLES RING IF AN RNSER IS REQIRD
and underneath the bell-pull is a notice that says:

PLEZ CNOKE IF AN RNSR IS NOT REQID.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 04 June, 2019, 05:49:33 am
our doorbell works perfectly, the deliverly twunts don't. they tap pathetically on the door and look offended if you don't hear immediately.

More grumble-worthy is the fact that because we have a nice slate plaque with our house number and street name, we seem to be the local delivery redirect service. NO we are not [any address with our road name] - Read the fucking package!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Giraffe on 04 June, 2019, 08:22:36 am
Recently bough a wireless one - the push is rated IP67 and is kinetic so it sends a signal upon releasing the lever (whole front is hinged at the top and sprung).
There are 2 sounders that plug into the mains and take very little current. I have them where I can hear them anywhere in the house.
They're not audible from outside and I prefer that. Scrotes could ring several times, no answer, break in. There's also the logic that I have them where I can hear them.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andytheflyer on 04 June, 2019, 08:23:39 am
Quote from: Kim on 03 June, 2019, 06:20:10 pm
Doorbells that don't work are a work of Stan.  They operantly condition Stupid Hearing People to bang on doors instead of using the perfectly good doorbell.  If you don't want a bell, or it's b0rked, remove the button or stick some tape over it or something.

The rot set in when the things became  a) battery operated  and  b) wireless.  There's no way something like that is going to work for more than a year or two without regular attention.  Proper bells, driven by 6VAC from a transformer (so you don't get almost-but-not-quite-entirely-flat batteries or electrolytic corrosion in the bell push), were both unambiguous and reliable.  Obviously the latest trend is to internet-of-shit the things, so there can be even more ways for them not to work.
Didn't think it worthy of a grumble (but should have) when our last battery doorbell died, for no apparent reason, voles and vole wires all being present and correct, I was so pissed off that I went for one of these:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Wind-Up-Mechanical-Doorbell-Round-Brass-Push-Model-850R/172522908526?_trkparms=aid%3D555018%26algo%3DPL.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140122125356%26meid%3Dff39c118b753418bb40254bdd3955146%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D12%26mehot%3Dag%26sd%3D173460483244%26itm%3D172522908526&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851

Apart from the fact that the first one bust, and the supplier replaced it FoC, it's brilliant.  It rattles your teeth even if you are the oher side of the house, and only needs a winding up once in a blue moon.  You'd have to be pushing up daisies not to hear it.  My granny had one IIRC, and the batteries never went flat, or the voles escaped.  As Colin Chapman (was it?) said, "Simplificate and add lightness".  Sometimes modern technology just isn't worth the hassle.

Mind you, still had to put a little brass plaque next to the bell push on the door (saying Door Bell (for the intelligently-challenged and Millenials)) to 'encourage' Postie and the couriers to ring the bloody thing.  But now they are all trained, the system works brilliantly.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 04 June, 2019, 11:04:27 am
We had one just like that ^ on the front door of the house I grew up in. I suspect it might have been as old as the house, which it means it lasted over 100 years to my latest knowledge.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 04 June, 2019, 11:15:23 am
Owl lived at The Chestnuts, and old-world residence  of
great  charm,  which was grander than anybody else's, or seemed
so to Bear, because it had both a knocker and a bell-pull.
Underneath the knocker there was a notice which said:
       
        PLES RING IF AN RNSER IS REQIRD.
       
Underneath the bell-pull there was a notice which said:
       
        PLEZ CNOKE IF AN RNSR IS NOT REQID.

(http://www.kulichki.com/moshkow/MILN/img00006.gif)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: PeteB99 on 04 June, 2019, 11:38:26 am
Another one whose doorbell hasn't worked for years. Don't miss it. Door needs replacing though so I might get a Bill Bailey doorbell for the new one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suQbTyxjmXI (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suQbTyxjmXI)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 04 June, 2019, 11:46:44 am
Quote from: ElyDave on 04 June, 2019, 05:49:33 am
our doorbell works perfectly, the deliverly twunts don't. they tap pathetically on the door and look offended if you don't hear immediately.

That's because all the people with broken doorbells have trained them to...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 04 June, 2019, 11:50:48 am
Quote from: andytheflyer on 04 June, 2019, 08:23:39 am
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Wind-Up-Mechanical-Doorbell-Round-Brass-Push-Model-850R/172522908526?_trkparms=aid%3D555018%26algo%3DPL.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140122125356%26meid%3Dff39c118b753418bb40254bdd3955146%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D12%26mehot%3Dag%26sd%3D173460483244%26itm%3D172522908526&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851

Apart from the fact that the first one bust, and the supplier replaced it FoC, it's brilliant.  It rattles your teeth even if you are the oher side of the house, and only needs a winding up once in a blue moon.  You'd have to be pushing up daisies not to hear it.  My granny had one IIRC, and the batteries never went flat, or the voles escaped.  As Colin Chapman (was it?) said, "Simplificate and add lightness".  Sometimes modern technology just isn't worth the hassle.

I like that.  Obviously no good for barakta, who requires modern technology, but can't argue with the principle.


Quote
Mind you, still had to put a little brass plaque next to the bell push on the door (saying Door Bell (for the intelligently-challenged and Millenials)) to 'encourage' Postie and the couriers to ring the bloody thing.  But now they are all trained, the system works brilliantly.

We once got a telling-off from the police (after a burglary) for having a "Please use the doorbell -->" sign on our door.  Apparently that encourages burglars, by implying that you're old and burglable.


Quote from: Giraffe on 04 June, 2019, 08:22:36 am
They're not audible from outside and I prefer that. Scrotes could ring several times, no answer, break in. There's also the logic that I have them where I can hear them.

Not sure I follow the logic here.  Scrote rings doorbell.  Either:  a) A person appears, scrote makes random excuse, moves on.   
 or   b) Nobody appears, scrote burgles at leisure.  I don't see where obfuscating the functionality of the doorbell comes into that - people might be in or out, regardless of how loud their doorbell is.

(I think there's also a c) state where the doorbell is accompanied by enthusiastic dog barking, which probably has decent deterrent value even if a person never answers.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 04 June, 2019, 12:08:22 pm
Our front door sign says clearly 'the doorbell doesn't work' along with the instructions to put deliveries in the box behind the porch (along with a map for those unable to navigate a rectangular structure).

Yet every time I review the footage from porch-cam there's the delivery driver. He carefully reads the sign. Pauses for a moment to collect his thoughts. Then rings the bell.

Always.

And 50% of the time leaves the parcel on the doormat. The other 50% is our well-trained postie.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 04 June, 2019, 12:09:47 pm
Quote from: ian on 04 June, 2019, 12:08:22 pm
Yet every time I review the footage from porch-cam there's the delivery driver. He carefully reads the sign. Pauses for a moment to collect his thoughts. The presses the bell.

Ah, a scientist!

(https://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/the_difference.png) (https://xkcd.com/242/)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 04 June, 2019, 12:36:11 pm
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 04 June, 2019, 12:38:51 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 04 June, 2019, 12:36:11 pm
  • Doorbell rings. Person appears. Scrote makes random excuse.
  • Doorbell rings. No one appears. Scrote concludes building is empty, burgles at leisure.
  • Doorbell does not ring. No one appears. Scrote is left in state of uncertainty as to whether building is occupied and person unalerted due to non-ringing doorbell. Scrote might search for a definitely unoccupied building.

Hm, but surely scrote then does what any courier would do and knocks on the door?  Or are burglars more deaf-aware than shite couriers?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 04 June, 2019, 12:42:45 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 04 June, 2019, 12:36:11 pm
  • Doorbell rings. Person appears. Scrote makes random excuse.
  • Doorbell rings. No one appears. Scrote concludes building is empty, burgles at leisure.
  • Doorbell does not ring. No one appears. Scrote is left in state of uncertainty as to whether building is occupied and person unalerted due to non-ringing doorbell. Scrote might search for a definitely unoccupied building.
Door is opened by two people, one who always tells the truth, the other pointing to a maze of twisty little passages, all alike.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 04 June, 2019, 12:49:45 pm
Quote from: Kim on 04 June, 2019, 12:38:51 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 04 June, 2019, 12:36:11 pm
  • Doorbell rings. Person appears. Scrote makes random excuse.
  • Doorbell rings. No one appears. Scrote concludes building is empty, burgles at leisure.
  • Doorbell does not ring. No one appears. Scrote is left in state of uncertainty as to whether building is occupied and person unalerted due to non-ringing doorbell. Scrote might search for a definitely unoccupied building.

Hm, but surely scrote then does what any courier would do and knocks on the door?  Or are burglars more deaf-aware than shite couriers?
Burglars, at least while still in doorstep mode, are less time-pressured but more nervous than couriers. Also more circumspect due to the greater penalties for failure.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 04 June, 2019, 01:00:56 pm
Internal plumbing!  Even the Hindenburg didn't contain this much gas.  Just stop it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fimm on 04 June, 2019, 01:11:04 pm
Our door bell is a knob which you pull which is attached to some wires that make an actual bell ring. The pulling aspect confuses a lot of people, though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 04 June, 2019, 01:13:54 pm
Quote from: fimm on 04 June, 2019, 01:11:04 pm
Our door bell is a knob which you pull which is attached to some wires that make an actual bell ring. The pulling aspect confuses a lot of people, though.

Anyone got a chain that operates a mercury switch?  A friend bought a house with one of those.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 04 June, 2019, 01:28:31 pm
With a cunning arrangement of pulleys, I reckon the ultimate in remotely operated bells would be one of these:

https://www.houseofbrass.co.uk/bells/butlers-bells-pull-accessories
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 04 June, 2019, 10:45:53 pm
O hai TV's Matt Roberts

Plz 2 not be giving away the result of the first Sidecar TT before the highlights thereof — which YOU present — have been broadcast.  You utter hamsteak.

kthxbai
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 04 June, 2019, 11:26:12 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 04 June, 2019, 12:36:11 pm
  • Doorbell rings. Person appears. Scrote makes random excuse.
  • Doorbell rings. No one appears. Scrote concludes building is empty, burgles at leisure.
  • Doorbell does not ring. No one appears. Scrote is left in state of uncertainty as to whether building is occupied and person unalerted due to non-ringing doorbell. Scrote might search for a definitely unoccupied building.
Door bell does not ring and no one appears at the door. Scrote breaks in to check and discovers SHUVEL or FRYING PAN OV SPANG or POINTY STABBY wielding occupier asking how they can help.........
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 05 June, 2019, 09:11:09 am
Yeah, it's the possibility of that ^ that makes the faulty doorbell into a anti-burglar device. Sort of.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 05 June, 2019, 08:55:31 pm
BRITONS' Blurtcasting Corporation, please do not illustrate the difference between Berkeley and Oakland by showing vehicles crossing the Bay Bridge.  They are bang next to one another on the east side of San Francisco Bay, dolts.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 06 June, 2019, 10:58:05 am
Yeah, but Berkeley is full of students and deprecated hippies while Oakland is full of gun-toting crackheads.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 06 June, 2019, 01:29:46 pm
This was a documentary about the "Counter Culture" circa 1967, so crack hadn't been invented.  Oakland was just full of angry black kids who didn't want to be killed utterly to DETH in Vietnam.  Berkeley was full of angry white kids who had college deferrals.  And hippies.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 06 June, 2019, 02:30:10 pm
I've run out of tea bags.

So, my choice is to hobble down to the shops to get some more which will hurt a considerable amount or make a cup of tea using CBH's "Lady Grey" tea bags, the tea from which tastes completely unlike normal tea.

Or..... I could always go postal.....

Hummmmm....tricky.  :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 06 June, 2019, 02:45:27 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 06 June, 2019, 01:29:46 pm
This was a documentary about the "Counter Culture" circa 1967, so crack hadn't been invented.  Oakland was just full of angry black kids who didn't want to be killed utterly to DETH in Vietnam.  Berkeley was full of angry white kids who had college deferrals.  And hippies.

Tbh, the last time I was in SF, the streets were filled with an extraordinary number of homeless – and by usual SF standards that means a lot.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 07 June, 2019, 01:52:35 pm
Both my wristwatches contrived to go flatline at the same time, so I dug the unasked-for/unwanted/detested Fitbit Surge, also flatline but rechargeable.  Found that I had to install Fitbit's botherware and shove a dognail up my poor PC just to set it to the right time.  POS.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 07 June, 2019, 02:07:18 pm
I’ve got a stinking cold and I’m reeling very sorry for myself. And just to compound my woe, I’m visiting Ms Beardy the elder this weekend so can’t just curl up on the sofa and grumble. 😠
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 07 June, 2019, 02:42:13 pm
If I felt that lousy I'd stay home and keep the cold to myself.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 07 June, 2019, 04:25:47 pm
It was considered, but being 300 miles away we don’t see her that often and arranging a weekend when both she and her mother are available it’s hard to cry off. At least this way the girls will get some time together even if I opt to stay in
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 07 June, 2019, 04:38:28 pm
Good luck.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 08 June, 2019, 04:31:15 pm
I appreciate it must be difficult for TV's Matt Roberts to keep track of what bits of the TT have been broadcast in a week where the racing has been so mucked up by the weather, but ITV4's edit-monkeys have once again given away the result of a race we haven't seen yet.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 10 June, 2019, 07:16:35 pm
Wow!  Bloody hell, Biggles, and Biggles' mate.  You're not supposed to fly directly over the village.  And particularly not that low.  Straight up the high street.  People actually ducked.
Bet they were Yanks.
Gits.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 10 June, 2019, 07:18:30 pm
Quote from: Basil on 10 June, 2019, 07:16:35 pm
Wow!  Bloody hell, Biggles, and Biggles' mate.  You're not supposed to fly directly over the village.  And particularly not that low.  Straight up the high street.  People actually ducked.
Bet they were Yanks.
Gits.

Maybe they were checking the lottery results?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 10 June, 2019, 07:41:17 pm
Possibly.
But I imagine that the cost per minute of that flight considerably exceeded the jackpot value of the village lottery.
Particularly if the lead bird had put the brakes on. I've never seen them that close before.
Are we at war with Scotland?  They were heading north.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Legs on 10 June, 2019, 07:41:57 pm
Why is there no direct rail connection to East Midlands Airport?  I've got to fly to Ireland for work on Wednesday and really don't want to have to leave my car at the airport parking...East Midlands Parkway is apparently a 15 minute bus journey from the terminal.  Anyone know what the bus fare is, though?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 10 June, 2019, 07:58:13 pm
Not exactly what you asked, but there used to be (might still be) a coach service from Derby Station to EMA. Didn't take too long IIRC. Ah, still running: https://www.trentbarton.co.uk/services/skylinkderby/timetable
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 10 June, 2019, 08:00:42 pm
Quote from: Legs on 10 June, 2019, 07:41:57 pm
Why is there no direct rail connection to East Midlands Airport?  I've got to fly to Ireland for work on Wednesday and really don't want to have to leave my car at the airport parking...East Midlands Parkway is apparently a 15 minute bus journey from the terminal.

East Midlands Partway.  Clue's in the name.  Except when it's Ratcliffe-upon-Coal-Heap.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 11 June, 2019, 08:45:12 am
Wretched jeweller or one of his low-grade labourers managed to knock the seconds hand off my watch while replacing the battery. Not just that but the timer's minutes counter was knocked off the zero position and the date advanced by 6 days.  Missus picked it up for me Saturday afternoon & didn't notice.

Heading back there this morning with fire, brimstone & righteous wrath. If they come out with 'well it was like that to start with' There Will Be Blood.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 11 June, 2019, 09:06:57 am
Quote from: Kim on 10 June, 2019, 08:00:42 pm
Quote from: Legs on 10 June, 2019, 07:41:57 pm
Why is there no direct rail connection to East Midlands Airport?  I've got to fly to Ireland for work on Wednesday and really don't want to have to leave my car at the airport parking...East Midlands Parkway is apparently a 15 minute bus journey from the terminal.

East Midlands Partway.  Clue's in the name.  Except when it's Ratcliffe-upon-Coal-Heap.

Anything with "parkway" in the name should star klaxons blaring - Bristol Parkway anyone?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 11 June, 2019, 09:09:23 am
Lurgy, please go away.

Not only am I coughing up green alien goo blobs, but having trouble talking at anything more than a gravelly whisper.  Troubling for no1 daughter, amusing to clients and colleagues.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andyoxon on 11 June, 2019, 09:17:19 am
It's like late October out there.  Heating went on last night again, for the first time since turning off in the Spring...   :hand:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 11 June, 2019, 09:22:32 am
Indeed, there was a huge clanking of pipes in The Asbestos Palace yesterday evening which was, upon further inspection, not the usual outbreak of paranormal activity or a furry cataclysm, but a late-year agitation of the primary heating systems.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 11 June, 2019, 09:26:05 am
Quote from: ElyDave on 11 June, 2019, 09:06:57 am
Quote from: Kim on 10 June, 2019, 08:00:42 pm
Quote from: Legs on 10 June, 2019, 07:41:57 pm
Why is there no direct rail connection to East Midlands Airport?  I've got to fly to Ireland for work on Wednesday and really don't want to have to leave my car at the airport parking...East Midlands Parkway is apparently a 15 minute bus journey from the terminal.

East Midlands Partway.  Clue's in the name.  Except when it's Ratcliffe-upon-Coal-Heap.

Anything with "parkway" in the name should star klaxons blaring - Bristol Parkway anyone?
The original and best! Well, original anyway. When Bristol Parkway was being built, so was the M32 motorway, which goes off the M4 into the city centre, and that was apparently known at the time as the Parkway cos it cut through Stoke Park. No one calls it the Parkway now, it's always known by its number like every other motorway, but apparently it gave its name to the station nearby. In fact the centre of gravity of Bristol has shifted north since both station and motorway were built, so its become a more useful station. They didn't know that back in the late 60s of course.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 11 June, 2019, 09:31:11 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 11 June, 2019, 09:26:05 am
Quote from: ElyDave on 11 June, 2019, 09:06:57 am
Quote from: Kim on 10 June, 2019, 08:00:42 pm
Quote from: Legs on 10 June, 2019, 07:41:57 pm
Why is there no direct rail connection to East Midlands Airport?  I've got to fly to Ireland for work on Wednesday and really don't want to have to leave my car at the airport parking...East Midlands Parkway is apparently a 15 minute bus journey from the terminal.

East Midlands Partway.  Clue's in the name.  Except when it's Ratcliffe-upon-Coal-Heap.

Anything with "parkway" in the name should star klaxons blaring - Bristol Parkway anyone?
The original and best! Well, original anyway. When Bristol Parkway was being built, so was the M32 motorway, which goes off the M4 into the city centre, and that was apparently known at the time as the Parkway cos it cut through Stoke Park. No one calls it the Parkway now, it's always known by its number like every other motorway, but apparently it gave its name to the station nearby. In fact the centre of gravity of Bristol has shifted north since both station and motorway were built, so its become a more useful station. They didn't know that back in the late 60s of course.

That because you park 'way over there and get soaked walking to the trains?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 11 June, 2019, 10:12:45 am
I thought "Parkway" was just a BR replacement for the old GWR "Road" as a station-name suffix indicating you will actually be alighting from your train some miles from the settlement the station purports to serve.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 11 June, 2019, 10:20:18 am
BPW was a brand new station. Some of the "... Parkway" might have been old stations renamed (Didcot?) though I don't know that any of them were "... Road". There have been calls for others to be renamed, eg Ashchurch to be renamed Tewkesbury Parkway. Still best to read it as a typo, of course. (Didcot Tobago?  ;D)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Legs on 11 June, 2019, 10:29:49 am
Cheers CAMRAMan and Kim.  I'm just going to do the £49 airport parking cos it's on expenses anyway, and it allows me to pick my son up from nursery on time when I get back on Thursday afternoon, which I'm not sure I'd be able to do if I catch the train back from East Mids to Uttoxeter.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 11 June, 2019, 10:38:45 am
Quote from: T42 on 11 June, 2019, 08:45:12 am
Wretched jeweller or one of his low-grade labourers managed to knock the seconds hand off my watch while replacing the battery. Not just that but the timer's minutes counter was knocked off the zero position and the date advanced by 6 days.  Missus picked it up for me Saturday afternoon & didn't notice.

Heading back there this morning with fire, brimstone & righteous wrath. If they come out with 'well it was like that to start with' There Will Be Blood.

And wouldn't you believe it the bloody jeweller's is closed until tomorrow. Shops here all close on Mondays so he moved Pentecost back a day.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 11 June, 2019, 12:38:20 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 11 June, 2019, 09:06:57 am
Quote from: Kim on 10 June, 2019, 08:00:42 pm
Quote from: Legs on 10 June, 2019, 07:41:57 pm
Why is there no direct rail connection to East Midlands Airport?  I've got to fly to Ireland for work on Wednesday and really don't want to have to leave my car at the airport parking...East Midlands Parkway is apparently a 15 minute bus journey from the terminal.

East Midlands Partway.  Clue's in the name.  Except when it's Ratcliffe-upon-Coal-Heap.

Anything with "parkway" in the name should star klaxons blaring - Bristol Parkway anyone?

Parkway stations = car park and breezy bus shelter in general.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 11 June, 2019, 12:57:50 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 11 June, 2019, 12:38:20 pm
Parkway stations = car park and breezy bus shelter in general.

And yet Bristol Parkway only comes second in the unofficial top 10 coldest stations list, beating Crewe by a solid margin but narrowly losing to Doncaster.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 11 June, 2019, 01:00:39 pm
I don't think I've ever caught a bus there but BPW's platforms are certainly exposed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 11 June, 2019, 01:11:10 pm
Wivelsfield station isn't even in Wivelsfield. It's a crime.

And there's no such place as Upper Warlingham which is why the station is in Whyteleafe which, if there was any logical sense in the matter, would have at least stretched to being called Lower Warlingham as it really is a lot lower. Apparently it was prefixed Upper because Whyteleafe South station was called Warlingham despite it not being in Warlingham and really being Caterham North. Caterham Junction, on the other hand, had to be renamed Purley primarily because it's in Purley (which now has more settled vampires than Transylvania, but that's another story). Whyteleafe South is, of course, near to the Anne Summer's Dildo Proving Ground and it's rumoured that, late at night, you can hear the tremulous vibration of dysfunctional sex toys. It's like Area 51 but with more négligée.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 11 June, 2019, 01:16:25 pm
Bristol Parkway has been improved! It is still horrible.

It was even more dire 25 years ago.

It was a nightmare 35 years ago. Unsuccessful interviews at Southmead were followed by nightmare homeward journeys. (All while wearing posh clothes and thin tights; the freezing ankles have not been forgotten!)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 11 June, 2019, 01:30:40 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 11 June, 2019, 01:16:25 pm
Bristol Parkway has been improved! It is still horrible.

This review plagiarised from one of Mordor Central :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 11 June, 2019, 02:06:45 pm
I travelled from Brussels to STP on Eurostar yesterday, with the Pretty Bike. I was relived of 5 CO2 cannisters, three when I put my bar bag through the scanner and two taken from the saddle pack I'd put in the bike box.  I wouldn't have minded if I'd been warned I wasn't allowed to take them but there's no mention on the Eurostar website. No shooters, anti personnel mines or CS spray is made clear, but CO2, no.

I asked the Nice Man driving the scanner what the reason was. Apparently "there's a lot of pressure on the train". Uh huh. My oxometer* started twitching and I've grinked Eurostar. They says it's down to "Border control", which I take to mean Border Force but have said they'll forward my suggestion to their web team about actually having some words on the website that CO2 isn't allowed.


* detects bullshit. Obvs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: bludger on 11 June, 2019, 02:08:46 pm
Watching this video about spot trackers while making a soup ahead of the trans pyrennean this October.

https://youtu.be/6jCMjOu2Ol0

These gizmos look like absolute shite. Can't get them wet at all or it's game over.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 11 June, 2019, 02:11:07 pm
I know the NHS is underfunded and all that but a two month wait to see a physio is somewhat excessive  :facepalm:

The idea of a further two months in pain is not something I like the idea of.  :'( 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 11 June, 2019, 02:45:12 pm
Quote from: bludger on 11 June, 2019, 02:08:46 pm
Watching this video about spot trackers while making a soup ahead of the trans pyrennean this October.

https://youtu.be/6jCMjOu2Ol0

These gizmos look like absolute shite. Can't get them wet at all or it's game over.

And don't - erm - lose - sniff - the - erm - screws or you - sniff - won't get your - sniff - erm - deposit back. The lassie should have used a script and snot-free voice-over.

Can you imagine staggering into a control soaking wet and shaking with cold and then having to deal with that chunk of pricey rubbish?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: bludger on 11 June, 2019, 02:47:34 pm
It's boiling my piss just thinking about it and I'm not even racing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 11 June, 2019, 03:18:39 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 11 June, 2019, 02:06:45 pm
I travelled from Brussels to STP on Eurostar yesterday, with the Pretty Bike. I was relived of 5 CO2 cannisters, three when I put my bar bag through the scanner and two taken from the saddle pack I'd put in the bike box.  I wouldn't have minded if I'd been warned I wasn't allowed to take them but there's no mention on the Eurostar website. No shooters, anti personnel mines or CS spray is made clear, but CO2, no.

I asked the Nice Man driving the scanner what the reason was. Apparently "there's a lot of pressure on the train". Uh huh. My oxometer* started twitching and I've grinked Eurostar. They says it's down to "Border control", which I take to mean Border Force but have said they'll forward my suggestion to their web team about actually having some words on the website that CO2 isn't allowed.


* detects bullshit. Obvs.
Like this? (https://www.dropbox.com/s/yw1blwy4by1wink/140.gif?dl=0)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Manotea on 11 June, 2019, 04:33:12 pm
I'm getting fed up with receptionist - an dthe world generally - responding to requests with 'No Problem'

I much prefer the Cylon salutation....

BY YOUR COMMAND!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 11 June, 2019, 05:47:58 pm
Huzzah, it's the annual green-waste-truck-runs-over-our-roadside-bollard festival of fun. I saw the lorry parked outside but was on a call so it's not like I didn't know they'd done something. Anyway, they didn't drive over just a little bit, they tore it out, forty-odd kg of concrete base and all. Top marks for putting it back in the hole, I suppose, presumably in the hope I wouldn't notice. I guess if they hit a car, they just balance the bits that fell off on top and scarper.

You know, it's not the bollard per se, it's that grim sense of creeping despair that comes from knowing you have to deal with the local council and – this is no joke – a Biffa Senior Waste Management Executive.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 11 June, 2019, 06:24:29 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 11 June, 2019, 02:06:45 pm
I travelled from Brussels to STP on Eurostar yesterday, with the Pretty Bike. I was relived of 5 CO2 cannisters, three when I put my bar bag through the scanner and two taken from the saddle pack I'd put in the bike box.  I wouldn't have minded if I'd been warned I wasn't allowed to take them but there's no mention on the Eurostar website. No shooters, anti personnel mines or CS spray is made clear, but CO2, no.

I asked the Nice Man driving the scanner what the reason was. Apparently "there's a lot of pressure on the train". Uh huh. My oxometer* started twitching and I've grinked Eurostar. They says it's down to "Border control", which I take to mean Border Force but have said they'll forward my suggestion to their web team about actually having some words on the website that CO2 isn't allowed.


* detects bullshit. Obvs.

The Man at Thiefrow once took exception to the base of Emily the TwatNav as it's filled with lead shot.  What was I going to do, slice it open with a (plastic) knife, make the pilot eat the contents and wait?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 11 June, 2019, 06:58:38 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 11 June, 2019, 06:24:29 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 11 June, 2019, 02:06:45 pm
I travelled from Brussels to STP on Eurostar yesterday, with the Pretty Bike. I was relived of 5 CO2 cannisters, three when I put my bar bag through the scanner and two taken from the saddle pack I'd put in the bike box.  I wouldn't have minded if I'd been warned I wasn't allowed to take them but there's no mention on the Eurostar website. No shooters, anti personnel mines or CS spray is made clear, but CO2, no.

I asked the Nice Man driving the scanner what the reason was. Apparently "there's a lot of pressure on the train". Uh huh. My oxometer* started twitching and I've grinked Eurostar. They says it's down to "Border control", which I take to mean Border Force but have said they'll forward my suggestion to their web team about actually having some words on the website that CO2 isn't allowed.


* detects bullshit. Obvs.

The Man at Thiefrow once took exception to the base of Emily the TwatNav as it's filled with lead shot.  What was I going to do, slice it open with a (plastic) knife, make the pilot eat the contents and wait?
They were concerned that you would use the lead shot as ammunition for the slingshot you were going to make,out of the elastic from your y-fronts.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 11 June, 2019, 07:46:51 pm
I once had a Swiss Army knife confiscated at Lunnun City "but I took it through Thiefrow last week!" I whined

"tough, we're different, we only allow 3cm blades - look where we are!"

WTAF?

Then there were the Norwegians at Stavanger, perfectly happy about the knife (I'd posted it back to myself from Lunnun) but the saw was a big issue.

"Oh no, that makes it a tool and we can't have that" said with a typical Norwegian smile as they whack you in the nuts with a moose antler
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 11 June, 2019, 07:57:39 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 11 June, 2019, 07:46:51 pm
I once had a Swiss Army knife confiscated at Lunnun City "but I took it through Thiefrow last week!" I whined

"tough, we're different, we only allow 3cm blades - look where we are!"

WTAF?

Then there were the Norwegians at Stavanger, perfectly happy about the knife (I'd posted it back to myself from Lunnun) but the saw was a big issue.

"Oh no, that makes it a tool and we can't have that" said with a typical Norwegian smile as they whack you in the nuts with a moose antler
Some would pay for that.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 11 June, 2019, 08:00:35 pm
I did - £25 for a new knife
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Edd on 11 June, 2019, 08:13:44 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 11 June, 2019, 07:46:51 pm
I once had a Swiss Army knife confiscated at Lunnun City "but I took it through Thiefrow last week!" I whined

"tough, we're different, we only allow 3cm blades - look where we are!"

WTAF?

Then there were the Norwegians at Stavanger, perfectly happy about the knife (I'd posted it back to myself from Lunnun) but the saw was a big issue.

"Oh no, that makes it a tool and we can't have that" said with a typical Norwegian smile as they whack you in the nuts with a moose antler

I remember accidentally leaving some tools in my rucksack before a flight 2005ish (well I hadn't remembered at the time of course). They confiscated the phillips head but I was allowed to keep the 5mm allen key, the adjustable spanner and the cycle patches.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 11 June, 2019, 08:22:10 pm
Quote from: Kim on 11 June, 2019, 01:30:40 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 11 June, 2019, 01:16:25 pm
Bristol Parkway has been improved! It is still horrible.

This review plagiarised from one of Mordor Central :)

Mordor Central is not exposed to the elements.
BPW is.

Mordor has its own awfulness but BPW has this isolated outpost sensation absent at Mordor.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 11 June, 2019, 08:27:41 pm
No, Evening Standard, Willesden Magistrates Court is NOT in North-East London!

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/brent-stabbing-man-fighting-for-life-after-being-stabbed-repeatedly-near-willesden-magistrates-court-a4164936.html (https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/brent-stabbing-man-fighting-for-life-after-being-stabbed-repeatedly-near-willesden-magistrates-court-a4164936.html)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 11 June, 2019, 08:33:51 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 11 June, 2019, 08:22:10 pm
Quote from: Kim on 11 June, 2019, 01:30:40 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 11 June, 2019, 01:16:25 pm
Bristol Parkway has been improved! It is still horrible.

This review plagiarised from one of Mordor Central :)

Mordor Central is not exposed to the elements.

Oh, absolutely.  About the only thing they have in common (apart from being rubbish places to have to change trains) is that they've undergone improvement works that have failed to improve the underlying horror.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 11 June, 2019, 08:38:15 pm
The TSA in Phoenix once confiscated a teeny snow globe off me (a friend of mine collects them, she has Parkinson's and likes to hold them in her hand and go LOOK I'M MAKING IT SNOW WITH MY MIND which, if nothing else, ensures the local children run away and makes dinner parties just slide by). I wouldn't mind but I had bought it in the gift shop by the security point. Right there.

What those TSA officers don't realise is when they die, my connections in Hell are going to ensure they spend the rest of eternity in a vigorously shaken snow globe.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 12 June, 2019, 08:46:19 pm
well, the aliens have stopped trying to escape from my nose, which is good.

Instead, they are hammering away at the inside of my skull with pneumatic drills and scraping at my throat with their tiny JCBs
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Martin on 13 June, 2019, 10:28:10 am
just got back from Spain to find I've been charged €95 for not picking up the hire car I drove for 3 days. Is this some sort of scam? I was expecting to get a pre-printed rental agreement but it was all hand written. I do have proof I was there at the time as they took a charge on my credit card for fuel
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 13 June, 2019, 01:22:54 pm
Just had the following from my now-old energy supplier...my bold

I can confirm the account has been closed as of 31st May 2019.  We aim to have the final bill sent out 6-8 weeks of the account closure, the final bill will cover all use up to 31st May and will confirm the account balance.

I can imagine their reaction if I'd offered to pay my bills 6-8 weeks in arrears.  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Legs on 14 June, 2019, 06:04:09 am
Quote from: Edd on 11 June, 2019, 08:13:44 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 11 June, 2019, 07:46:51 pm
I once had a Swiss Army knife confiscated at Lunnun City "but I took it through Thiefrow last week!" I whined

"tough, we're different, we only allow 3cm blades - look where we are!"

WTAF?

Then there were the Norwegians at Stavanger, perfectly happy about the knife (I'd posted it back to myself from Lunnun) but the saw was a big issue.

"Oh no, that makes it a tool and we can't have that" said with a typical Norwegian smile as they whack you in the nuts with a moose antler

I remember accidentally leaving some tools in my rucksack before a flight 2005ish (well I hadn't remembered at the time of course). They confiscated the phillips head but I was allowed to keep the 5mm allen key, the adjustable spanner and the cycle patches.

I realised yesterday morning that I'd inadvertently flown to Ireland on Wednesday with a Phillips screwdriver in my hand luggage, and came back yesterday with the same.  I got questioned both ways about the vernier calipers, but not about my jagged-edged and much more dangerous tape measure...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ham on 14 June, 2019, 02:53:28 pm
Oh jesus. Sweet Jesus.

Concur.

Just that.

Be so very thankful if you don't know what I am talking about.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 14 June, 2019, 02:54:53 pm
I know what you're talking about

luckily "I just can't get it to work on my laptop"
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 14 June, 2019, 03:08:48 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 11 June, 2019, 02:06:45 pm
I travelled from Brussels to STP on Eurostar yesterday, with the Pretty Bike. I was relived of 5 CO2 cannisters, three when I put my bar bag through the scanner and two taken from the saddle pack I'd put in the bike box.  I wouldn't have minded if I'd been warned I wasn't allowed to take them but there's no mention on the Eurostar website. No shooters, anti personnel mines or CS spray is made clear, but CO2, no.

I asked the Nice Man driving the scanner what the reason was. Apparently "there's a lot of pressure on the train". Uh huh. My oxometer* started twitching and I've grinked Eurostar. They says it's down to "Border control", which I take to mean Border Force but have said they'll forward my suggestion to their web team about actually having some words on the website that CO2 isn't allowed.


* detects bullshit. Obvs.
The next exciting installment in the saga of the confiscated cartridges: Having been told by Eurostar that the scanners are operated by Border Control/Force and that I could find contact details on a .Gov.uk website, I sent a nice email to complaints@homeoffice. I've just had a reply saying, just like an episode of That's Life or Not The Nine O'clock News, "it's nothing to do with us" and suggesting perhaps the dastardly Belgians are to blame. The thick plottens.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 14 June, 2019, 03:54:56 pm
Quote from: Ham on 14 June, 2019, 02:53:28 pm
Oh jesus. Sweet Jesus.

Concur.

Just that.

Be so very thankful if you don't know what I am talking about.

If it's any consolation, I cancelled a conference booking a month or two back, they'll refund this month. So a refund will go back on my card, and at a different FX rate. All of which will feed into Concur.

I don't want to think what this will do to Concur. I can imagine what it will do to me.

I had a five country trip to book last year. Took one look at Concur and emailed the travel agent. It was a decision well worth the memo about 'booking directly.'
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 14 June, 2019, 05:56:35 pm
Is there any mileage in the theory that if you have to advertise software on commercial radio - as Concur has been - then maybe it's not all that good to start with?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 14 June, 2019, 07:14:59 pm
Concurse

And I have my suspicions about where they dredged up the 1st syllable of the name.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 17 June, 2019, 11:00:54 am
It’s June, what passes for summer, so the air con in my office has gone to Max and I’m having to wear a cardigan  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 17 June, 2019, 09:20:33 pm
Currently sitting in the British Oak in Stirchley where I just about managed to not show myself up by saying "How bloody much?" when asked for £4 for a very ordinary ale in a very ordinary pub.  The food was also shit.
Probably should have gone to the Country Girl, but #1 son refuses to go there due a recent shit service experience.
Looking forwarding to the drive home tomorrow morning. I really don't miss Brum at all.

ETA.  The bogs are also a fucking disgrace.
*goes back to son's to go to bed*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 17 June, 2019, 10:43:00 pm
Shoulda come here for a brew instead, we could even have obtained TINS from a shop... Our bog is only a slight disgrace and <S>we</s>I usually clean it before visitors! :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 18 June, 2019, 10:08:08 am
Quote from: barakta on 17 June, 2019, 10:43:00 pm
Shoulda come here for a brew instead, we could even have obtained TINS from a shop... Our bog is only a slight disgrace and <S>we</s>I usually clean it before visitors! :)

Thanks. However, parking the BFO van I was driving anywhere near yours wouldn't have been easy.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 18 June, 2019, 11:04:06 am
Quote from: barakta on 17 June, 2019, 10:43:00 pm
Shoulda come here for a brew instead, we could even have obtained TINS from a shop... Our bog is only a slight disgrace and <S>we</s>I usually clean it before visitors! :)
surely you’re not saying that Kim is a slob?  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 18 June, 2019, 11:21:00 am
Quote from: Basil on 18 June, 2019, 10:08:08 am
Quote from: barakta on 17 June, 2019, 10:43:00 pm
Shoulda come here for a brew instead, we could even have obtained TINS from a shop... Our bog is only a slight disgrace and <S>we</s>I usually clean it before visitors! :)

Thanks. However, parking the BFO van I was driving anywhere near yours wouldn't have been easy.

Students have almost gone, but yeah, makes sense.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 18 June, 2019, 11:21:25 am
Quote from: Beardy on 18 June, 2019, 11:04:06 am
Quote from: barakta on 17 June, 2019, 10:43:00 pm
Shoulda come here for a brew instead, we could even have obtained TINS from a shop... Our bog is only a slight disgrace and <S>we</s>I usually clean it before visitors! :)
surely you’re not saying that Kim is a slob?  ;D

Nah, just that cleaning the toilet is *my* job, she hates it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 18 June, 2019, 11:58:27 am
Quote from: barakta on 18 June, 2019, 11:21:25 am
Quote from: Beardy on 18 June, 2019, 11:04:06 am
Quote from: barakta on 17 June, 2019, 10:43:00 pm
Shoulda come here for a brew instead, we could even have obtained TINS from a shop... Our bog is only a slight disgrace and <S>we</s>I usually clean it before visitors! :)
surely you’re not saying that Kim is a slob?  ;D

Nah, just that cleaning the toilet is *my* job, she hates it.

This is true.  Barkata does bogs and occasional jobs involving asthma-inducing chemicals.  I do everything else, particularly washing-up and those jobs involving heavy lifting or power tools (hoovering, triffid killing, etc.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 18 June, 2019, 03:01:22 pm
New nail gun has to be pressed against the workpiece before it'll fire. Rats: I wanted to shoot nails across the workshop.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 18 June, 2019, 03:36:44 pm
Gaffer tape on the base plate  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 18 June, 2019, 03:41:49 pm
Presumably an elfin safetea requirement to stop you killing people.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 18 June, 2019, 09:40:47 pm
Don't forget nails from a gun can be barbed and can't always be removed by a simple pull.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 18 June, 2019, 09:43:40 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 18 June, 2019, 03:41:49 pm
Presumably an elfin safetea requirement to stop you killing people.

Surely you just push it to their forehead and zap-thunk. It worked for Riggs in Lethal Weapon.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 18 June, 2019, 09:53:23 pm
Yeah, there was some other film where they used a nail gun to fire nails at people long range, like a... gun. Might have been one of the Bonds?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 19 June, 2019, 08:05:47 am
Yeah, and The Girl Who Nailed Down A Bloke's Feet.

Gaffer tape... yeah, but the nozzle has to return to pre-firing position otherwise the next shot won't load.  Cunning devils these foreigners.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 19 June, 2019, 08:52:12 am
Bah! Foiled again. Back to the drawing board for my plan to take over the world
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 19 June, 2019, 10:02:32 am
Aye well, you'd need a bloody long air hose.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 19 June, 2019, 09:07:54 pm
Not necessarily... (http://www.gunsholstersandgear.com/2008/06/07/dewalt-ar-15-nail-gun/)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 20 June, 2019, 09:24:53 pm
"June 2019" is not a good title for a document. It does not tell me or anyone else what the document is about, nor distinguish it from the other "June 2019" documents.  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 20 June, 2019, 09:28:09 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 20 June, 2019, 09:24:53 pm
"June 2019" is not a good title for a document. It does not tell me or anyone else what the document is about, nor distinguish it from the other "June 2019" documents.  ::-)

"AAAJune 2019.doc"
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 20 June, 2019, 09:35:08 pm
Quote from: Kim on 20 June, 2019, 09:28:09 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 20 June, 2019, 09:24:53 pm
"June 2019" is not a good title for a document. It does not tell me or anyone else what the document is about, nor distinguish it from the other "June 2019" documents.  ::-)

"AAAJune 2019.doc"
Given that in this day and age you can call a document almost whatever you like, it’s just bloody laziness not to have an informative title.
I did get lazy with my file structure by the time I retired because between long names and a search function that works there’s no real need for complex nested directory trees.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 20 June, 2019, 09:38:54 pm
Aargh!  If you're going to use a date in a file name, at least make it useful: 2019-06.doc.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 20 June, 2019, 11:02:17 pm
AAAJune 2019.doc would be great. If there was something that corresponded to AAA, which as I'm not compiling documents on hilly audaxes, there isn't. When I've sorted out the June 2019s, I'm going to produce "HLMN July 2019", which is meaningless to you but means something to the people who want it. Some of them do seem to even read it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 21 June, 2019, 12:02:57 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 20 June, 2019, 11:02:17 pm
AAAJune 2019.doc would be great. If there was something that corresponded to AAA, which as I'm not compiling documents on hilly audaxes, there isn't.

Indeed.  The prefix-more-'A's-according-to-importance method beloved of barakta's mum made some sense for a dyslexic's contacts list on a Nokia 3310.  It became infuriating when she was allowed near proper computers.  Filenames of the form AAASheila.doc as far as the explorer window could see.  "Yes, we know it's yours, it's on your computer.  Which one's the essay you want me to proof?  Oh, the one with the most 'A's, of course..."

We did introduce her to sorting by date, but I don't think she really trusted it.  Or any other filesystem that doesn't involve Winnie The Pooh characters as icons.  I suspect she may have a point.


I find it hard to object to months as words in filenames.  What it lacks in ASCIIbetical sort-ability, it makes up for in transpondian unambiguity, so it only irks me about as much as the presence of space characters[1].  Obviously ISO date (and big-endianness generally) is my preferred approach.


[1] I spend enough time at the command line to consider them harmful, but it's much better than 8.3 and there are bigger hills to die on.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 21 June, 2019, 12:11:47 am
Quote from: Kim on 21 June, 2019, 12:02:57 am
... it only irks me about as much as the presence of space characters[1]. 
I've got documents on all sorts of things from a local old folks' cafe to theft of stock from UN warehouses in South Sudan, but nothing with Yuri Gagarin or Buck Rogers...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 21 June, 2019, 11:05:05 am
Spaces in filenames should be Strongly Deprecated.  We tried educating the lusers not to use them in files that were subsequently uploaded to the VMS boxen, but it was a lost cause.  Amazingly, no-one had thought to assemble any SCIENCE to rename them via FTP before trying to transfer them until I got there.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 21 June, 2019, 12:21:34 pm
It's 2019, filenames can have spaces and be as long as you want. Get with it, old people.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 21 June, 2019, 01:20:27 pm
Not just spaceless, but 7-bit characters only, please.

Crikey, I did a credit transfer on line today and my bank's website refused diacriticals in the descriptive text.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Martin on 21 June, 2019, 01:29:43 pm
Quote from: Martin on 13 June, 2019, 10:28:10 am
just got back from Spain to find I've been charged €95 for not picking up the hire car I drove for 3 days. Is this some sort of scam? I was expecting to get a pre-printed rental agreement but it was all hand written. I do have proof I was there at the time as they took a charge on my credit card for fuel

should have kept stumm  :-\ they also refunded my original rental fee so I ended up only paying half!

but they corrected it refunded the €95 and re-charged the rental fee; amazingly since January given the exchange rates it ended up £6.66 cheaper!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 21 June, 2019, 04:49:39 pm
Dare I suggest that file naming protocols or whatever they're called should be made to handle the names that people use, rather than people having to adopt artificial names in order to appease technology which is meant to serve them.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 21 June, 2019, 05:04:41 pm
Nope. ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 21 June, 2019, 06:27:57 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington
Spaces in filenames should be Strongly Deprecated. 

Quote from: Ian
It's 2019, filenames can have spaces and be as long as you want. Get with it, old people.

Mr. Larrington if you would care to hold Ian down I will apply the LART.  Unless of course you would care to adjust his attitude yourself? :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 21 June, 2019, 06:34:24 pm
LED bulbs. 24,000 hours my arse. Doubt that's done even 4000. Bah.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 21 June, 2019, 07:10:13 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 21 June, 2019, 06:34:24 pm
LED bulbs. 24,000 hours my arse. Doubt that's done even 4000. Bah.

See also my grumbling in the LED lighting thread. https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=51806.msg2133903#msg2133903 (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=51806.msg2133903#msg2133903)

Some of mine didn't last 1000 hours!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andytheflyer on 21 June, 2019, 07:13:09 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 21 June, 2019, 06:34:24 pm
LED bulbs. 24,000 hours my arse. Doubt that's done even 4000. Bah.
I've taken to writing the date I fitted the LED bulb, on the bulb.  Then, when they fail at say 1,000 hours, for a rated 25,000 hour  bulb, I go back to the supplier and slap them on the counter and make a noise.  Sometimes they give me new bulbs for free.

Scam.  Scam. Scam.  Time someone was done for it.

Yes, I know they are pulling my plonker with that 25,000 hours, but you'd think you'd get at least 15,000 hours.  Do you heck.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 21 June, 2019, 07:18:32 pm
I list lamp replacements on my computer.

Looks like I've not replaced any since January 2018 but was replacing them frequently before that.

I bought several online and returning/replacing was a PITA.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 21 June, 2019, 07:53:55 pm
I wrote the date on the replacement.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 21 June, 2019, 08:18:02 pm
You're asking us to trust the lusers?  Last time that happened it ended with the Germans bombing Pearl and Teddy Johnson.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 21 June, 2019, 08:29:20 pm
Bloody hell.  I thought I was the only person who knew of Pearl and Teddy Johnson.  Back to my primary school days.
You'll be telling me that you remember 'Come Outside' by Mike Sarn and Wendy wossname next.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 21 June, 2019, 09:06:46 pm
I name all my files in the format This is the file that I use to keep track of all my holidays because Workday is poo.xlsb
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 21 June, 2019, 09:12:18 pm
You have Workday too? Lucky.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 21 June, 2019, 09:35:53 pm
That's one definition of luck I'm unfamiliar with.

I raise you Netsuite.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 21 June, 2019, 09:39:14 pm
Quote from: Basil on 21 June, 2019, 08:29:20 pm
.... 'Come Outside' by Mike Sarn and Wendy wossname Richards next.
They were playing that on the wireless until at least the early 1970s on Ed (Stewpot) Stewart's programme cos I remember it along with delights such as "My Brother" by Terry Scott, "Camp Granada" by someone whose name I can't remember and the one about the damn fishes by Frankie Howard.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 21 June, 2019, 09:46:31 pm
Quote
... "Camp Granada" by someone whose name I can't remember ...

That'll be 'Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh! (A Letter From Camp)' by Allan Sherman.

Apparently, there are Scandiwegian cover versions - the Swedish one is even more twisted...  ;D

Quote
Variations of the song include adaptations in Swedish ("Brev från kolonien" by Cornelis Vreeswijk), Finnish ("Terve mutsi, terve fatsi, tässä teidän ihmelapsi") and Norwegian ("Brev fra leier'n" by Birgit Strøm). The Finnish version is included in the Finnish Boy Scouts' songbook. The Swedish version notably does not revolve around the camper hating the camp, but is about the kids running roughshod over it and having run off all the counselors, one of whom has committed suicide after they let a snake into the mess hall, and the organizer of the camp being arrested by police after the kids start a forest fire. The song begins with the boy writing the letter asking his parents to send more money, because he has lost all his pocket money playing dice with the other campers. The song then ends with the boy having to wrap up the letter as he is about to join the others in burning down the neighboring camp lodge.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hello_Muddah,_Hello_Fadduh_(A_Letter_from_Camp)#Translations
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 21 June, 2019, 09:52:13 pm
Quote from: ian on 21 June, 2019, 09:35:53 pm
That's one definition of luck I'm unfamiliar with.

I raise you Netsuite.
Dunno wot that is.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 21 June, 2019, 09:54:57 pm
I just took an old Word doc and resaved it as "ΗΞΚΜΖΏΦΣήΰχζ ". Apparently that's okay. Almost. Word cancelled out my final space! But "ΗΞΚΜΖΏ ΦΣήΰχζ" with a space in the middle was okay. Didn't previous versions of Word have Arabic and Chinese characters in the "insert symbol" function? They'd be arguably more useful than the Glagolitic the current version has.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 21 June, 2019, 10:00:20 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 21 June, 2019, 09:52:13 pm
Quote from: ian on 21 June, 2019, 09:35:53 pm
That's one definition of luck I'm unfamiliar with.

I raise you Netsuite.
Dunno wot that is.

"The #1 Cloud ERP" apparently. I truly feel for the people who have to use the #2 Cloud ERP.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 21 June, 2019, 10:13:53 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 21 June, 2019, 09:54:57 pm
I just took an old Word doc and resaved it as "ΗΞΚΜΖΏΦΣήΰχζ ". Apparently that's okay. Almost. Word cancelled out my final space! But "ΗΞΚΜΖΏ ΦΣήΰχζ" with a space in the middle was okay. Didn't previous versions of Word have Arabic and Chinese characters in the "insert symbol" function? They'd be arguably more useful than the Glagolitic the current version has.

Other opinions are available...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 21 June, 2019, 10:23:04 pm
Quote from: Andrij on 21 June, 2019, 10:13:53 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 21 June, 2019, 09:54:57 pm
I just took an old Word doc and resaved it as "ΗΞΚΜΖΏΦΣήΰχζ ". Apparently that's okay. Almost. Word cancelled out my final space! But "ΗΞΚΜΖΏ ΦΣήΰχζ" with a space in the middle was okay. Didn't previous versions of Word have Arabic and Chinese characters in the "insert symbol" function? They'd be arguably more useful than the Glagolitic the current version has.

Other opinions are available...
:)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 22 June, 2019, 08:58:44 am
I'm just going to wave Salesfarce in you general direction, and wait for you to stand back and larf
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 22 June, 2019, 09:46:29 am
I'm already standing back & larfing, because nary a one of those burocratech appominations has ever crossed my whatever, infected my purview or darkened my dongle.  I never even learnt to use Excel beyond filling in Audax homologation tables.  Symbols of boredom & drudgery, every miserable one of them.

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D whoopee
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 22 June, 2019, 01:41:43 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 22 June, 2019, 08:58:44 am
I'm just going to wave Salesfarce in you general direction, and wait for you to stand back and larf
ah, the tales I could recount about that particular company and their software. More laughable was the extent to which the directors of the sales channels swallowed the lies promises made by that company, especially in respect of integration and APIs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 24 June, 2019, 08:23:05 am
I work in a building sans air conditioning, supposedly 'cooled' by 'natural airflow', aka, open some windows. On lovely warm sunny days it is a humid stuffy oven with all the windows open.

The building contractors outside are jackhammering and scraping up concrete with heavy machinery.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 25 June, 2019, 10:45:04 am
When I flicked the light switch in the conference room, why did I expect the lights to come on? Bloody silly of me.

I hate having to talk to the (badly) trained monkeys on the Works Services helldesk.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 26 June, 2019, 02:01:13 pm
Why are small flying bugs so fatally attracted to an open tin of Hammerite?
Stupid animals.  I bought Hammerite Smooth, because that was the finish I wanted.
If I'd had wanted an insecty finish, I would have bought Hammerite Insecty.
But I didn't.  So I didn't.   >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 26 June, 2019, 03:23:20 pm
Takes forever to go off nowadays too.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 26 June, 2019, 04:55:02 pm
Quote from: Canardly on 26 June, 2019, 03:23:20 pm
Takes forever to go off nowadays too.

Well, yes that's what I thought. In fact as I understood it, one has to nominate someone to add a second coat as a note in your will.
However, reading the tin, it states "Touch dry 1-2 hours"  "Re-coat 4 hours"

Damn.  I was hoping for a day off tomorrow.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 26 June, 2019, 09:31:07 pm
I’m in Warsaw.

Ok that’s not a grumble, it’s a very nice city, but I’m supposed to be in England. Bloody Wizz Air overbooked and despite being checked in with my bike actually on the plane they bumped me off and the next available seat is 05:55 on Saturday. And unlike BA they have not given me €400 and a replacement flight they have told me to claim via the website.

 >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ruthie on 27 June, 2019, 06:09:05 pm
Oh f'goodness sake.  Post night shift delirium and it's such a lovely day, perfect for an impromptu camping trip.  And now I'm bogged down in writing lists and finding stuff and can't seem to accomplish anything beyond drinking hot chocolate.

Ick.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 27 June, 2019, 07:06:43 pm
Night shift, horrible but necessary. Lists? Take panniers, put things in, go. You can also come back for the forgotten stuff tomorrow.  :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 27 June, 2019, 07:18:08 pm
The trick is to have written the list last time, so you can refer to it and make sure you don't miss anything important (particularly at morning o'clock).

(She says, failing to pack for a camping trip.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 28 June, 2019, 08:52:56 am
Oi, Screwfix!  When I order something from your "EU facility" I expect it to be delivered with an EU plug on it, not the moulded-on UK brick you supplied. That's another tatty adaptor to buy.  Cnuts.*

* Anglo-Danish knigs
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 28 June, 2019, 08:56:52 am
Shirley with your shedd and toolz you can hack it off and replace with a euro-plug?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 28 June, 2019, 09:06:10 am
Sure, but I'd have to go and buy it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 29 June, 2019, 09:39:03 am
Self: Work out how to set an alarm on your phone! Well, I thought I had, but it didn't go off. I suspect I have the volume muted on it, which stops alarms sounding. Bit silly either way. Instead of a comfortable 30 minutes this morning, it became a rather frantic 15.


It also meant I had to go the road way instead of the canal. Fortunately, Saturdays at 7am are not that busy.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 29 June, 2019, 10:19:23 am
Websites into which you put all the information they require only to be told: "POA."

Like hell I am going to book knowing how much it's going to cost me!

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 29 June, 2019, 02:39:54 pm
Quote from: CAMRAMan on 29 June, 2019, 09:39:03 am
Self: Work out how to set an alarm on your phone! Well, I thought I had, but it didn't go off. I suspect I have the volume muted on it, which stops alarms sounding. Bit silly either way. Instead of a comfortable 30 minutes this morning, it became a rather frantic 15.

Did that on a 600 in 2014, slept an hour too long.  Frantic is a good word.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 30 June, 2019, 02:35:22 pm
A phone that mutes the alarm sounds a bit WAD  :facepalm:

My bedside clock has two alarms, one is set for 0529 weekdays, and the other can be set for "ONCE" when I need to get up early to catch transportation. For reasons unfathomable, the default day for "ONCE" is today. I.e., in the past. It also requires a few passes through the settings as they don't always stick the first time. By which time I've forgotten what the date is and have no idea if it's set for tomorrow or not. So I just set it for "DAILY" and unplug it when I get up. With inevitable consequences the first night back from holibobs.  ::-)


[WAD] - Works As Designed. We know it's wrong, but that's what the spec said.
[0529] - In order to hear the news which starts straight after the Shipping Forecast which (unless it's really windy) finishes at 29 and a half minutes past, not 30. It also means I get to hear a different pronunciation of Ardnamurchan Point every day  :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 02 July, 2019, 08:20:16 pm
Gah. I cannot editorise your multiple little bits of document into one big document until you have written all the little bits of document and sent them to me. I think we've talked about this before. Was that a 21:00 deadline?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 03 July, 2019, 07:46:39 am
There is an 'orrible pong in the cellar where one of our waste pipes comes down from the bathroom and takes a knee before hieing off towards the inspection chamber in the garden. Now stuck here for plumber to call, instead of going cycling.

Bugger.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 03 July, 2019, 10:06:15 am
Nice sunny day the other day so open goes the windows to let some air in....promptly to be closed again as a neighbour decided to do some more tile cutting.....they have been retiling their bathroom for the last four years and no, it's not the size of the new Tottenham stadium. 

This morning...nice and sunny so open goes the windows....only to be closed seconds later when another neighbour starts using a jackhammer to dig up their drive.

What is it with retired people and DIY: they seem to love it! Trust me, when I retire in a couple of years time I will find much more interesting things to do than that!

 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 03 July, 2019, 10:29:12 am
Quote from: essexian on 03 July, 2019, 10:06:15 am
Nice sunny day the other day so open goes the windows to let some air in....promptly to be closed again as a neighbour decided to do some more tile cutting.....they have been retiling their bathroom for the last four years and no, it's not the size of the new Tottenham stadium. 

This morning...nice and sunny so open goes the windows....only to be closed seconds later when another neighbour starts using a jackhammer to dig up their drive.

What is it with retired people and DIY: they seem to love it! Trust me, when I retire in a couple of years time I will find much more interesting things to do than that!

Shirley, when you retire, it is time to get up early and do loud DIY as revenge aainst the neighbours?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 03 July, 2019, 10:54:35 am
Nope.... I will just sit in my front garden and tut quietly to myself in the good old fashioned English way..... before heading down to the Magistrates Court to find them all guilty of having an offensive partner a built up zone and sending them down life.....

One can dream.  :thumbsup:

Oh.... and don't call me Shirley!  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 03 July, 2019, 11:36:47 am
On that theme...

Neighbours (well, not really, their garden is one over from the bottom of ours) have been building some weird decking structure up their garden for months now. Looks awful and I'm not sure the point, other than provide what looks like an Olympic stadium venue for the local rat population. Anyway, I swear they spend entire Sunday mornings just hitting it with a hammer.

They also have what might be 50 dogs and a similar number of children. Bark. Bark. Interspersed with 'come on boy, come on' and the usual. All the time. We're quite a way away, if I were their actual neighbour, I'd have probably murdered them by now. The rats would dispose of the evidence.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 03 July, 2019, 05:19:32 pm
Sitting in the hairdresser for 2 hours, listening to other people's banal conversations and listening to a you'd using the word 'like' every 2nd word.
Sigh.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 03 July, 2019, 09:30:52 pm
Quote from: essexian on 03 July, 2019, 10:06:15 am
Nice sunny day the other day so open goes the windows to let some air in....promptly to be closed again as a neighbour decided to do some more tile cutting.....they have been retiling their bathroom for the last four years and no, it's not the size of the new Tottenham stadium. 

This morning...nice and sunny so open goes the windows....only to be closed seconds later when another neighbour starts using a jackhammer to dig up their drive.

What is it with retired people and DIY: they seem to love it! Trust me, when I retire in a couple of years time I will find much more interesting things to do than that!

Sorry, i don't think i live near you but I spent today cutting bathroom floor tiles, i have one i want to recut tomorrow but should be done then and on to adhesive and grout.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 04 July, 2019, 08:58:59 am
Quote from: matthew on 03 July, 2019, 09:30:52 pm

Sorry, i don't think i live near you but I spent today cutting bathroom floor tiles, i have one i want to recut tomorrow but should be done then and on to adhesive and grout.

Please cut away.... its not the fact that he is doing the cutting, but that he has taken 4....yes FOUR years to tile a bathroom. My bathroom which is the same size as his, is fully tiled (something like 400 sq foot) which took my little man something like 3 days to do.

Four years! I have had shorter marriages*



*Contains traces of lie.

Today's grumble...... GDPR and contract law....  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 04 July, 2019, 09:25:21 am
Quote from: ian on 03 July, 2019, 11:36:47 am
On that theme...

Neighbours (well, not really, their garden is one over from the bottom of ours) have been building some weird decking structure up their garden for months now. Looks awful and I'm not sure the point, other than provide what looks like an Olympic stadium venue for the local rat population. Anyway, I swear they spend entire Sunday mornings just hitting it with a hammer.

They also have what might be 50 dogs and a similar number of children. Bark. Bark. Interspersed with 'come on boy, come on' and the usual. All the time. We're quite a way away, if I were their actual neighbour, I'd have probably murdered them by now. The rats would dispose of the evidence.

And again, after a hiatus of many years, Bad Cat (who can't hunt for toffee) bought in another big fat mouse last night. Elusive bugger, got behind the wine rack (I had forgotten we had wine, it's probably aging worse than I am), so my normal tail-grabbing wrangling technique didn't work. I used a feather duster to evict into the porch where it probably still is. I'm hoping if I leave the porch door open it'll vacate. The last time we did this, the mouse refused to budge, partly through the fact it had eaten about a kilogram of cat food.

But I'm sure the upsurge in local rodents has nothing to do with that giant poop deck.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 04 July, 2019, 03:46:50 pm
Microsith SharePoint  ??? :facepalm: :hand: ::-) :sick: :o >:( >:( >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Si S on 04 July, 2019, 04:15:39 pm
Quote from: Guy on 04 July, 2019, 03:46:50 pm
Microsith SharePoint  ??? :facepalm: :hand: ::-) :sick: :o >:( >:( >:(

Have you discovered the joy that is Microsith Teams yet? It appears to be the bastard love child of sharepoint and facebook*  :facepalm: ::-)

* says someone whose exposure to Mr Zuckerberg's walled garden can be measured in milliseconds
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 04 July, 2019, 08:30:46 pm
Yes.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 04 July, 2019, 08:43:59 pm
Whoo, a software horror to which we're not exposed.

I did use SharePoint some years ago. I think I'm repressing most knowledge of that particular trauma. I think they rebadged the less worse bits in OneDrive (it seems to spit out occasional SharePoint links, like it's been fed something nasty).

The current IT policy is that we should keep all our files on OneDrive. They've not explained what happens if we happen to be anywhere without internet.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 06 July, 2019, 10:55:33 am
My Brompton has been in Dublin for three (edit: four) hours with only a tweaked chainring (and Al guard) but HK's MTB may not have even left Heathrow yet. Airline denies all knowledge of the bike's whereabouts. Dublin Airport is not that interesting!

Happily we taking the ferry/ train for the return trip.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 06 July, 2019, 12:39:12 pm
Oh dear! I see too many stories of bicycles failing to arrive.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 06 July, 2019, 02:47:23 pm
After five hours in the airport, HK is on the move towards her hotel. I missed the early train and the middle train, so now waiting for the late train. If the drizzle stopped, I might have enjoyed exploring Dublin but holing up somewhere eating and drinking till 18:00 is the plan. Any suggestions?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 06 July, 2019, 02:56:15 pm
Don't fall in the Liffey.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 06 July, 2019, 02:59:47 pm
Roger, wilco that!

I passed a surprising number of interesting-looking bike shops between Dublin airport and Heuston station.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 07 July, 2019, 01:47:50 pm
Sport.tvfranceinfo.com TdF coverage: 84 sec of adverts play perfectly, then the live feed cuts out after 20 seconds.  :( Hit refresh and if you're lucky you get another 84 sec of ads.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 07 July, 2019, 05:33:21 pm
Quote from: T42 on 07 July, 2019, 01:47:50 pm
Sport.tvfranceinfo.com TdF coverage: 84 sec of adverts play perfectly, then the live feed cuts out after 20 seconds.  :( Hit refresh and if you're lucky you get another 84 sec of ads.

Use P@nd3m1c Pr0duckt10nzTM®'s coverage.  No advertising, guaranteed!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 07 July, 2019, 07:14:05 pm
LAwnmower height adjustment decided to self-destruct today.

May be recoverable, looks like just a pin has gone.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 08 July, 2019, 03:16:00 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 07 July, 2019, 05:33:21 pm
Quote from: T42 on 07 July, 2019, 01:47:50 pm
Sport.tvfranceinfo.com TdF coverage: 84 sec of adverts play perfectly, then the live feed cuts out after 20 seconds.  :( Hit refresh and if you're lucky you get another 84 sec of ads.

Use P@nd3m1c Pr0duckt10nzTM®'s coverage.  No advertising, guaranteed!

Yeah but there's no blood on the road unless Bethany's mum gets stroppy.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 11 July, 2019, 06:55:27 pm
In a poor bit of planning on my part I am on the rota to prepare lunch at Church on Sunday. This means that I shall not be able to spend the day watching the only terrestrial tv cricket broadcast for years.   :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 11 July, 2019, 10:22:57 pm
Quote from: matthew on 11 July, 2019, 06:55:27 pm
In a poor bit of planning on my part I am on the rota to prepare lunch at Church on Sunday. This means that I shall not be able to spend the day watching the only terrestrial tv cricket broadcast for years.   :facepalm:
While I feel sorry for your poor planning abilities, I can console you with the knowledge that I shall also miss the opportunity as I will be driving back from a long overdue visit to elderly parents in Yorkshire. With luck, though I’m not hopeful, the roads will be quieter as others take up said opportunity.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 16 July, 2019, 06:43:46 am
"Sleep is a naturally recurring state of mind and body, characterized by altered consciousness, relatively inhibited sensory activity, reduced muscle activity and inhibition of nearly all voluntary muscles during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep,[1] and reduced interactions with surroundings."


Hummm....sounds interesting.  might try it one night  :facepalm:

Well that's another night spent unable to lay down due to pain meaning the time was spent sitting in a chair watching the sun go down and come back up again a few hours later....anyone noticed how the period of darkness is getting longer: I have.  :(

I would just love to go to bed at 9pm and not wake again until 7am. Ah, to be normal.  :'(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 16 July, 2019, 08:50:39 am
Two moans in one morning...don't stop me, I am on a roll!

This moan goes to my unemployable neighbour who, despite it being before 8.30am when I unlocked my office, is in his garden, radio blasting out some utter sh*t R&B, with a smell of not quite legal smoking substances floating our way. No doubt empty beer cans will find their way into our garden as they always do. He doesn't like them being thrown back over.... stuff him.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 16 July, 2019, 11:30:02 am
The Dude abides.

Meanwhile, we have the Junior Demolition League at it next door: not music, but one youth with a pneumatic drill and another with a sledgehammer, taking down an old barn.  Could feel the vibes coming up through the floor, through the breakfast table and into my elbows.

ETA: Late afternoon: one of the destructive youffs has now gone over the road and is tilling their veggie plot with a motocultivator. Oh the sweet peace of the country.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 17 July, 2019, 08:08:10 am
How long does it take the average British worker to trim some bushes?

I ask as for the third morning running, "they" are doing the bushes in the social housing estate which backs onto my property. Having been around the back looking for kittens previously (and no, that's not code for something else) I am clear that there aren't that many bushes/trees which need trimming so why are they taking so long.

It also irritates me that they started work at 7.30am this morning when quite a few people will still be in bed/just getting their head together for the day. I do think there should be a: "No noise til the first cup of tea is down" rule!


EDIT: Actually, I was wrong, its not the workpersons over the back still trimming bushes, its one of my neighbours having their trees trimmed.  At 7.30am!!! This irritates me more than the above example as, as with the vast majority of people down this street, they are bloody retired so could have asked the tree fellers to come around at a reasonable time. What is it with retired persons? I know when I give up work in a couple of years time, I won't be rushing to get things done first thing in the morning!

Anyway, have my axe ready to go and help....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 17 July, 2019, 09:00:51 am
It might be the tree surgeons wanting to start early. I know it took four or five days to remove a large dead beech tree a couple of streets away. They started about 8 and finished chainsawing (probably still doing other stuff) around 4.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jaded on 17 July, 2019, 09:03:11 am
With kittens and trimmed bushes, that’s well over half of the internet.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 17 July, 2019, 09:12:20 am
Quote from: Jaded on 17 July, 2019, 09:03:11 am
With kittens and trimmed bushes, that’s well over half of the internet.

You've been looking at my internet history again!

And no, the amount of work they have will be finished by 10.30am so no need to start so early....unless of course they have another job to go to after this one.

Sorry, but making such noise at 7.30am is antisocial.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jaded on 17 July, 2019, 10:24:25 am
Agreed on the early start, especially in the summer when windows are likely to be open.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 17 July, 2019, 10:54:22 am
They shouldnt really be trimiming hedges at all until August if it puts nesting birds at risk.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 17 July, 2019, 02:17:31 pm
Note to Stationery Monkey:

Pliz to be checking the standard size of staplers in this HQ (yes, they are all the same) and buy staples what is fitting rather than staples what is cheap. ::-)


(We now has half an HQ running round trying to steal staples from the other half, only to find the other half of the HQ have run out too.  :D :P

And a stationary cupboard full of staples nobody can use. :facepalm: )



If we lose the next war you'll kno why.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 17 July, 2019, 02:20:57 pm
Are the staples bought from Rymans or procured at Filton?  :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 17 July, 2019, 02:39:23 pm
Banner - The approved govt suppliers.

I think their vans are sign Written:

BARGINZ! MUCH CHEEPNIS!!11!!1!

Much of the stuffs in their catalogue is crap.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 17 July, 2019, 06:05:05 pm
Asked to pick up a job 5 minutes before I knocked off. Turned out to be an upgrade from a single link to dual links. My bit took 30 mins, but they won’t close the call until they’ve tested every possible failure combination of multiple switches & firewalls on their side.  I’m hungry & want to get home.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 17 July, 2019, 10:09:51 pm
Power outage for around a minute here in Outer Suburbia at 22.00.
GRRR...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 17 July, 2019, 10:13:29 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 17 July, 2019, 10:09:51 pm
Power outage for around a minute here in Outer Suburbia at 22.00.
GRRR...


Luckily most of my clocks reset automatically.  It's just the clockwork timer on the boiler that needs to be done manually. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 17 July, 2019, 10:18:52 pm
Thanks for reminding me about cooker clock.
Most others are either battery operated or backed up...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 17 July, 2019, 10:44:55 pm
Our power's been suspiciously well behaved since Data Logger Dave reversed the polarity swapped the phases back in April.  It's the season for builder-related <2-second power cuts, though.  The kind that most electronics that isn't a burglar alarm can ride out on a half-decent smoothing cap, unless you're in the middle of a Windows Update or something important.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 18 July, 2019, 08:45:47 am
Quote from: Kim on 17 July, 2019, 10:44:55 pm
Our power's been suspiciously well behaved since Data Logger Dave reversed the polarity swapped the phases back in April.  It's the season for builder-related <2-second power cuts, though.  The kind that most electronics that isn't a burglar alarm can ride out on a half-decent smoothing cap, unless you're in the middle of a Windows Update or something important.

Windows Update and Something Important aren't terms you hear in close proximity often......
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 18 July, 2019, 04:05:58 pm
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 18 July, 2019, 08:45:47 am
Quote from: Kim on 17 July, 2019, 10:44:55 pm
Our power's been suspiciously well behaved since Data Logger Dave reversed the polarity swapped the phases back in April.  It's the season for builder-related <2-second power cuts, though.  The kind that most electronics that isn't a burglar alarm can ride out on a half-decent smoothing cap, unless you're in the middle of a Windows Update or something important.

Windows Update and Something Important aren't terms you hear in close proximity often......

But note the OR between the two ...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andyoxon on 24 July, 2019, 11:15:46 am
Rather than ask one person and then turn off the aircon in the whole office, why don't you put on a light fleece or something...  it really isn't that cold in here.   ;) :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 24 July, 2019, 02:08:42 pm
Quote from: andyoxon on 24 July, 2019, 11:15:46 am
Rather than ask one person and then turn off the aircon in the whole office, why don't you put on a light fleece or something...  it really isn't that cold in here.   ;) :(

Yeah. I did a 6-week stint in Sunnyvale with a colleague who had aircon phobia.  The outside temp was usually >30°C, we had a rental car with vinyl seats and the twit insisted on keeping the window on his side wound down the whole time.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 29 July, 2019, 11:02:37 am
The lifts are not working so I had to _walk_ up to my office on the 4th floor.      This building was built as a main telephone exchange & all the floors are double height to allow for the od equipment. 

3 flights of 10 stairs per floor.  That's my daily exercise done.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 29 July, 2019, 01:04:08 pm
They’re not usually double height but about 1.5 times normal height. A Strowger equipments rack was circa 10’ tall with about 3’ cabling room above. The floors are usually thicker as well because strowger equipment  was heavy.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 29 July, 2019, 01:12:53 pm
The first world problems thread is that way!>>>
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 30 July, 2019, 01:01:32 pm
Pret have stopped doing that nice baguette with mozzarella, pesto & sun dried tomatoes.  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 30 July, 2019, 02:22:16 pm
You used the words Pret and Nice in the same sentence. Fail.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 30 July, 2019, 04:40:17 pm
Quote from: ian on 30 July, 2019, 02:22:16 pm
You used the words Pret and Nice in the same sentence. Fail.
https://www.pretamanger.fr/fr-fr/nos-adresses/nice/ (https://www.pretamanger.fr/fr-fr/nos-adresses/nice/)

HTH.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 30 July, 2019, 07:42:17 pm
Flipping back, Mrs B.  Please warn me next time you throw away your rather elderly beetroot soup down the bog.

Or maybe flush twice.

That was a frightening sight.  :o
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 31 July, 2019, 04:10:59 pm
Treated myself to a new set of wheels with a built in power meter, the first power meter I have ever had..... I do feel sorry for it as I doubt it will record any figures it can brag about to its mates.... so just to make the whole thing even more exciting, I brought a new cassette from Decathlon on next day delivery, some new Gatorskin hardshells, a new pump as my Park Tools one broke and finally a couple of self sealing tubes from Halfords.....don't tell CBH how much I spent please.

Anyway, as always the Gatorskins were tricky to get on but eventually after 45 minutes, the first one was on. Go to pump it up and....yes, the new pump doesn't work. So, off to replace that. Back to try again.... white sealant everywhere as the valve doesn't work. So, that tube comes out and 45 minutes later I've managed to install the other one....that works fine. One wheel down, second to do........................where the same crap happens again. I don't have any spare tubes so that will have to wait until tomorrow.

So, I have one wheel one...oh, apart from the fact that the new cassette hasn't arrived as promised....indeed, upon checking it seems it hasn't even been sent yet.

This would be a rant if it wasn't for the fact that I get to play with shiny stuff tomorrow.... hopefully. :-\
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 31 July, 2019, 05:19:56 pm
I need a tree chopping down. This is a job for grown-ups. I have to date contacted no fewer than seven companies who claim this kind of surgery to be their expertise, to come and give us a quote.

One bloody response to date, all the other messages and emails have disappeared into a black hole. Argh, tradespeople in this country!

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 31 July, 2019, 06:24:55 pm
Quote from: ian on 31 July, 2019, 05:19:56 pm
I need a tree chopping down. This is a job for grown-ups. I have to date contacted no fewer than seven companies who claim this kind of surgery to be their expertise, to come and give us a quote.

One bloody response to date, all the other messages and emails have disappeared into a black hole. Argh, tradespeople in this country!

Thet're rightfuly scared of THE BEARS
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: BrianI on 31 July, 2019, 08:16:07 pm
FFS - it's surprising how much you miss your abdominal strength, after one's six pack abs have been filleted and inner tubes fiddled about with... Even turning in bed is difficult, let alone getting into a car (as a passenger), or doing all those little things like picking mail up from the floor...   :-\

Just been 22 days since my surgery, and I'm still all weak and feeble...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 31 July, 2019, 08:22:09 pm
I've just become irrationally angry with someone on a faceplant* group who started addressing me as "pal".
I've never met him, never likely to, and am extremely unlikely to ever be his 'pal'.
I don't know if this is an age thing, but it gets my goat!
*I've blocked more people on this moderated, invite only, group (for Canal Volunteers) than anywhere else, including twatter. Odd isn't it?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 31 July, 2019, 08:53:30 pm
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 31 July, 2019, 06:24:55 pm
Quote from: ian on 31 July, 2019, 05:19:56 pm
I need a tree chopping down. This is a job for grown-ups. I have to date contacted no fewer than seven companies who claim this kind of surgery to be their expertise, to come and give us a quote.

One bloody response to date, all the other messages and emails have disappeared into a black hole. Argh, tradespeople in this country!

Thet're rightfuly scared of THE BEARS

Could be true, but the chap who has agreed to come around is named Angry Beaver.

I shall miss the tree but it's dead and the stupid mad lady keeps sticking notes through the letter box about how a branch WILL KILL HER. It will if I pull one off and go and beat her to death with it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 31 July, 2019, 08:56:29 pm
Aw, all those homes for beetles and beasties gone.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 31 July, 2019, 09:45:52 pm
As if reinforcement of my opinion of my racist, brexiteer brother were hardly needed, he opines this evening that Bozzer will make a good prime minister...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 31 July, 2019, 10:33:32 pm
Quote from: MikeFromLFE on 31 July, 2019, 08:22:09 pm
I've just become irrationally angry with someone on a faceplant* group who started addressing me as "pal".
I've never met him, never likely to, and am extremely unlikely to ever be his 'pal'.
I don't know if this is an age thing, but it gets my goat!
*I've blocked more people on this moderated, invite only, group (for Canal Volunteers) than anywhere else, including twatter. Odd isn't it?
I’ve heard/read elsewhere that a significant number of canal users are rather to the right politically, and this is especially true of those that live on the canals. It’s sad to say that your post tends to confirm this point of view.  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 01 August, 2019, 09:50:29 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 31 July, 2019, 08:56:29 pm
Aw, all those homes for beetles and beasties gone.

We'll just have the crown removed down to the top of the fence (it overhangs The Asbestos Palace and it's a full-size silver birch that I presume succumbed to old age, they only live sixty or so years, so that would make it contemporaneous with the construction of The Palace). Bugs can still make a home in the trunk and we'll let the hazel next door continue to grow. Anyway, there's a valid point that bits of the crown will fall off and land on someone's head or more importantly my roof.

British people are curiously fearful of trees anywhere near their house.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 01 August, 2019, 08:42:39 pm
 :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 02 August, 2019, 12:48:34 pm
There is a silver birch in a garden adjacent to the Parade Ground of Fort Larrington which was already very large when the Royal Regiment of Larringtons moved there in 1975.  I hope that when it falls over it chooses to do so at right-angles to my inheritance :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 06 August, 2019, 11:54:34 am
Don’t people want my money?  I phoned 2 local independent driving instructors to book some refresher lessons (not driven for 20 years).  Left voicemails with my number.  24 hours later, no response.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 06 August, 2019, 07:16:54 pm
2nd grumble of the day.  I've got a load of papers I want to tidy away safely, so I think I'll get a couple of box files.  All I can find are cheap nasty ones with lightweight plastic clips for retaining the papers, they look like they'll fall apart in a month.   Then I look at the price of Rexel or Eastlight files    :jurek:      Time for a scavenge around the office perhaps...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 06 August, 2019, 07:56:24 pm
We have moved onto larger clear plastic boxes for filing as the old box files are overlowing and decent quality replacements are stupidly expensive. We do go through the paper from time to time and have a shred in. The Tesco et al box file shaped things fall apart pdq.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 06 August, 2019, 07:58:43 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 06 August, 2019, 11:54:34 am
Don’t people want my money?  I phoned 2 local independent driving instructors to book some refresher lessons (not driven for 20 years).  Left voicemails with my number.  24 hours later, no response.
This lot come to you but not cheap
https://www.advanced-driving.co.uk/specialist-courses/ (https://www.advanced-driving.co.uk/specialist-courses/)
See the confidence builder bit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 07 August, 2019, 01:05:33 pm
Quote from: BrianI on 31 July, 2019, 08:16:07 pm
FFS - it's surprising how much you miss your abdominal strength, after one's six pack abs have been filleted and inner tubes fiddled about with... Even turning in bed is difficult, let alone getting into a car (as a passenger), or doing all those little things like picking mail up from the floor...   :-\

Just been 22 days since my surgery, and I'm still all weak and feeble...

I'm not surprised TBH, 9 months on and I'm still feeling the effects of my accident in my hips and back.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 09 August, 2019, 08:16:46 am
The football season has started. :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 09 August, 2019, 09:51:08 am
Quote from: T42 on 09 August, 2019, 08:16:46 am
The football season has started. :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm:

.... it doesn't appear to have stopped?   The overlap with the gentlemanly sport played with the small red (or sometimes white) ball is rather more than it should be.

Rob
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 09 August, 2019, 11:16:39 am
Today's articles relating to premier clubs spending £1.5 billion on players this year whilst paying staff the minimum wage, are quite telling.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 09 August, 2019, 02:47:16 pm
Quote from: robgul on 09 August, 2019, 09:51:08 am
Quote from: T42 on 09 August, 2019, 08:16:46 am
The football season has started. :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm:

.... it doesn't appear to have stopped?   The overlap with the gentlemanly sport played with the small red (or sometimes white) ball is rather more than it should be.

Rob

In France there is maybe a month's respite, then we're back to "France" meaning either the nation or the football team.  Half the radio news today was about who's being a spoilt brat, who's costing the most and who's been accused of rape.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 09 August, 2019, 03:10:13 pm
Well, I for one am looking forward to the football season.... not the fancy dan overpaid prima donnas that play in the Premier League....that "football" is unwatchable now given the introduction of the joke that is VAR but the proper game played by people who do so just for the fun of it.

So, my next few months will be spent cycling to exciting places like Newport (Shropshire), Wellington (Shropshire), Eccleshall, Stone, Brocton. Wolverhampton, Stoke and the like and back to watch matches costing normally less than a fiver to attend.

The one thing I will grumble about is how cold winters are now...back in the day I would attend in a pair of jeans and a teeshirt but now......shiver!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 10 August, 2019, 11:36:02 am
This week I watched 2 men from Chargemaster installing 3 Polar EV charging points ay work, to encourage EV use (we probably get a tax break for doing so). They took 3 days - it’s grant funded so they spin it out I guess. Each morning when I arrived at work around 07:30 one van was parked across the three bays, diesel engine idling. One morning it was still idling, with no sign of any work being done, at 08:45  when his companion, also in a diesel van, arrived. >:(

Sub grumble. We are chronically short of parking, and these three spaces are now EV only.  One person on staff has an EV. And the charging isn’t free, it’s 17p / kWh. I think, now I’m staff, I’ll have a moan about provision of cycle parking facilities.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 11 August, 2019, 02:47:48 pm
If you own a large dog.... I mean LARGE dog, why do you walk it off the lead when you know it chases cyclists? I ask as "Billy" the dog (looked like a very hairy Great Dane) chased me twice during my ride this morning. And you knew it chases as you tried to get between it and me both times.

The reason this isn't a rant is that the dog was too stupid to work out that I was going down hill so could out pace him. Going up hill would have been another thing!

So, PUT YOU DOG ON A LEAD when out on public roads/other places where cyclists are!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 11 August, 2019, 03:39:07 pm
MISSING: Great Dane, very friendly, answers to name of BILLY. Loves cyclists. Reward for return, extra if lead and arm included.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 12 August, 2019, 06:19:41 pm
I pay for amazon prime, mainly for the one day delivery which is usually pretty reliable. But there seems to be more and more stuff, in this case a number of weighty tomes for Dr Beardy (Mrs), which have a two day delivery date even though the email proudly proclaims a guaranteed 1 day delivery.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 13 August, 2019, 06:58:24 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 12 August, 2019, 06:19:41 pm
I pay for amazon prime, mainly for the one day delivery which is usually pretty reliable. But there seems to be more and more stuff, in this case a number of weighty tomes for Dr Beardy (Mrs), which have a two day delivery date even though the email proudly proclaims a guaranteed 1 day delivery.  >:(
I have noted that as well.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 13 August, 2019, 08:14:58 pm
Me too.

I ostensibly pay for it for the video too – though it's been a while since I watched anything on it, and most of the movies we have watched recently have been pay-to-view. Fast delivery is nice, but to be honest, it's not like I'm regularly buying things or can't wait a day or three.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 14 August, 2019, 07:47:11 am
I do watch the prime television and movies. We found the last season of Madam secretary free on there and a couple of others are good on the turbo. Netflix has gone all weird and violent it seems for its series offerings.

I am beginning to wonder if Netflix is sustainable as a model now all the other film and tv, especially Disney, have got into streaming.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 14 August, 2019, 01:36:39 pm
Lax-sphinctered gufflords on my train this morning, put a fucking cork in it, it was like travelling in canister of compressed arsegas.

Re Netflix – they got the market-grab in, so providing they churn enough content and a small but measurable proportion is decent, and at a reasonable price, they'll stand to keep most of it. People won't be willing to pay several subscriptions (so likely some will realise it's more cost-effective to licence content than host it themselves. Netflix have hedged their bets, which is why they now spend most of their money on original content (quality notwithstanding).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 14 August, 2019, 06:18:15 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 14 August, 2019, 06:17:32 pm
The Fire based exhibition at the RWA. I enjoyed the video of people setting fire to pools of oil on what appeared to be an airfield. Also the charred stumps and some nice paintings, Turner, Ravilious and stuff. Unfortunately there were no opportunities for active fire art-making! There was also a bloke going round taking photos of absolutely every item (even where it said you were not allowed to, but none of the attendants paid any attention) with his phone making skuomorphic shutter and bleeping noises. This annoyed me a bit, then I thought, what a stupid thing to get annoyed about, and ignored his noises.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 18 August, 2019, 01:06:38 pm
Picturehouse, your website & booking system are clunky.
Apple, why don’t tickets in my wallet automatically appear in my calendar?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 19 August, 2019, 12:50:30 pm
Would someone kindly feed the hamster? The MOD notwork is on a go-slow. By the time I've moved from one screen to the next entire continents have changed position.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 19 August, 2019, 06:05:06 pm
Bi[1]-colour LED battery status indicators.  Again.


[1] In the changes from yellow-or-green to yellow-or-green sense, rather than being pleasingly purple.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 19 August, 2019, 08:01:36 pm
My right foot is starting to feel achey.  I hope it's not Plantar Fascism again.  It just went away last time & I've been pain free for over a year now.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 19 August, 2019, 08:08:30 pm
Quote from: Kim on 19 August, 2019, 06:05:06 pm
Bi[1]-colour LED battery status indicators.  Again.


[1] In the changes from yellow-or-green to yellow-or-green sense, rather than being pleasingly purple.
Shouldn't that be purple, pink and blue? Meaning bi-colour is actually tri-colour. Confusing!  ??? You're probably lucky if it all looks uni-colour!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 19 August, 2019, 08:13:55 pm
I have encountered blue/red bi-colour LEDs, but rarely.  They're slightly easier than the green/red ones, but still confusing without a reference.

(And yes, a bi-colour LED can display three colours, though probably not pink, so true bisexual lighting requires full RGB hardware.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 19 August, 2019, 08:42:09 pm
Man presenting the GCN technical channel on YouTube : The chain you're fitting to that bike does not have 1/8 inch pitch. It has 1/2 inch pitch. It may well be 1/8 inch wide but the two terms are not interchangeable.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 21 August, 2019, 10:46:03 am
I’ve just booked some train tickets for a long weekend in Edinburgh.  Comparing the prices on The Trainline app to those on their website there was quite a difference. £16.50 on the website one way, the app quoting £33 for the same train.  ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 21 August, 2019, 10:50:17 am
Quote from: andrewc on 21 August, 2019, 10:46:03 am
I’ve just booked some train tickets for a long weekend in Edinburgh.  Comparing the prices on The Trainline app to those on their website there was quite a difference. £16.50 on the website one way, the app quoting £33 for the same train.  ???
I only used Trainline when absolutely forced to by work, but even then mostly managed to, avoid doing so. Since leaving I’ve not used it once, they’re just not consistent in their pricing and don’t offer anything over using the local operators site or app. And if I’m travelling at weekend I’ll use the local train operators call centre because they know and apply all the weezley ways, such as split ticketing, to get the cheapest possible fare.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 21 August, 2019, 01:19:50 pm
Fourth Trainline grouch of the day...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 21 August, 2019, 02:50:14 pm
The podcast searching on my iThing never works. Even if I give it an url. I only seem to be able to get them by logging onto a computer (from which I basically never listen to podcasts), subscribing and syncing. Which is tedious.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 21 August, 2019, 07:00:24 pm
For Click And Collect orders your goods should be ready for collection in 1 business hour.  We will text and e-mail you when they are ready.

Order placed: 12:45
Notified: 17:52

Take a bow, Wickes, you gibbering apes >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 22 August, 2019, 04:41:21 pm
American niece, who has been staying with us for ever, has just asked if we will be putting the heating on.
Yes, it is wet and chilley today, but NO.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 22 August, 2019, 05:44:36 pm
I had something delivered a couple of days ago.   Instead of leaving it in the lobby , or leaving it outside my door 4 floors up the driver "left it with a neighbour" .  Who hasn't answered their bell on the several occasions I've tried to retrieve it.  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 22 August, 2019, 05:54:14 pm
Quote from: Basil on 22 August, 2019, 04:41:21 pm
American niece, who has been staying with us for ever, has just asked if we will be putting the heating on.
Yes, it is wet and chilley today, but NO.

Our heating came on for a couple of minutes on the 16th.  I overrode it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 23 August, 2019, 02:56:44 am
This could move into a rant later....

Had to go into Mordor yesterday for a meeting requiring my first train trip/walk/stairs of any distance since my back and gout problem started four months or so again.

I am now awake at 3am with really bad back pain and gout. Gout, again.  :facepalm: Yes, its back not only in the joint where it was previously, but in the other foot to a lesser degree and in both of my hands.

Hopefully a bit more sleep once I have finished this cup of tea it will go but frankly, given how long it lasted last time, I doubt it!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 23 August, 2019, 08:16:36 am
Aw shit. :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 23 August, 2019, 08:49:43 am
Quote from: T42 on 23 August, 2019, 08:16:36 am
Aw shit. :(

Thanks. I've just taken a couple of Colchicine so that is a strong possibility!  :facepalm: ;D

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 23 August, 2019, 10:25:23 am
Didn't Medea try to poison Theseus with that stuff?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 24 August, 2019, 01:43:23 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 22 August, 2019, 05:44:36 pm
I had something delivered a couple of days ago.   Instead of leaving it in the lobby , or leaving it outside my door 4 floors up the driver "left it with a neighbour" .  Who hasn't answered their bell on the several occasions I've tried to retrieve it.  :(


I've been ringing the wrong bell.  Delivery chap put the wrong number on the note  :facepalm:    Package now retrieved.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 25 August, 2019, 01:29:41 pm
Boots the bloody chemist. I let them manage my repeat prescriptions and it’s been mostly successful over the years. This morning though, there was a breakdown. I turned up to collect my meds only for the bag to have been held back on the naughty shelf. I made some comment about that being a worrying lot of paperwork attached to the back, and she mumbled about it being a manufacturing issue. They haven’t been able to get one of my drugs in the prescribed dose, so rather than get back in touch with the surgery to agree to either prescribe twice as many smaller tables, or a different or generic brand, the just sat on it until I turned up this morning. As it’s a mind altering drug and not one I can miss a dose of, and as pharmacist they’ll know this so why wait for me to turn up? It’s not as if I can influence the solution, I’m only the end user and I didn’t chose to be on a branded drug.
Normally I would have gone in sooner than after I’ve taken my last dose, but I’ve had other things on my mind and I don’t want boxes of drugs in the house more than I need to at the moment.
I wonder if this is a foretaste of the pro brexit services we’ll receive?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 25 August, 2019, 05:50:02 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 25 August, 2019, 01:29:41 pm
I wonder if this is a foretaste of the pro brexit services we’ll receive?
Yep, absolutely. The unthinking idiots, brain farts by usually competent persons and simple mistakes1 that have always existed will in no way be stopped by brexit.

 :facepalm:

1I hazard no guess as to which of these this incident may be.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 27 August, 2019, 11:25:51 am
Quote
Oh, he is. Hello Jessica. Hello. Hi. Hi there. We have suspend Neal Ammo at GI. The Independent Socialists are with us as well as myself, shells into this hurricane.

Okay. Um, I have cats and they're with me in the room so that I say I like test for in high spots, so we wait. Yeah. Bobby and John. Colleen, I think that seeing things there as well in mom and mum.

Random sample of what you get when you try to make machines write things instead of paying humans to do it. Then you have to get another human (yes, it's me in this case) to turn this garbage into something that makes vague sense and is vaguely on topic.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 27 August, 2019, 11:41:57 am
Cudzo, do you get the original language wording as well as the crap-translation?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 27 August, 2019, 11:49:00 am
It's not, in this case, a translation, it's speech to text by machine. I have the original audio. I can confirm there are no cats, dogs, socialists, shells, hurricanes, high spots, and the only correct name is John. Normally a human types up the recording and another human (like me) turns the typed speech into something readable (cos people are vague and windbaggy). With machine stuff it's like doing both jobs in one.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 27 August, 2019, 06:32:18 pm
Really curious as to how it learns vocab because in a couple of sentences it's inserted a random and completely spurious "fuck".
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 27 August, 2019, 08:30:10 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 27 August, 2019, 06:32:18 pm
Really curious as to how it learns vocab because in a couple of sentences it's inserted a random and completely spurious "fuck".
Probably does part-time work in IT with a programmer using a Microsoft product.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 27 August, 2019, 10:43:03 pm
"Last court hearing" comes out as "law school earrings".  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 27 August, 2019, 10:52:27 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 27 August, 2019, 10:43:03 pm
"law school earrings"

Google image search doesn't disappoint...   :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 27 August, 2019, 11:02:24 pm
Quote from: Kim on 27 August, 2019, 10:52:27 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 27 August, 2019, 10:43:03 pm
"law school earrings"

Google image search doesn't disappoint...   :D
You've been mentioned too!
Quote
Mama has saved that she is, he is happy to go out of borough to do activities with our Kim. Um, I've given her the go ahead to look around. Well these activities that will serve us well. Kim Stand up, brother Andrew came about so far and she has no comeback to me as, as the edge, um, with what else he wants to do.
Suffice to say there is a person but he (cos it is a he) isn't called Kim and his brother's name isn't even mentioned.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 28 August, 2019, 05:50:45 am
Maybe Brother Andrew is providing spiritual support
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 28 August, 2019, 08:07:33 am
Quote from: TheLurker on 27 August, 2019, 08:30:10 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 27 August, 2019, 06:32:18 pm
Really curious as to how it learns vocab because in a couple of sentences it's inserted a random and completely spurious "fuck".
Probably does part-time work in IT with a programmer using a Microsoft product.

There was a time when MS Word's spelling-checker would flag a misspelt 'fuck' but wouldn't suggest the correct spelling.

Firefox's, OTOH, flags 'fuck' because of the quotes and suggests that it should be 'fuckwad'.

Ain't that what they call language in evolution?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 28 August, 2019, 09:16:45 am
Quote from: ElyDave on 28 August, 2019, 05:50:45 am
Maybe Brother Andrew is providing spiritual support
Whisky, gin or brandy?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 28 August, 2019, 09:30:46 am
Yes please!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 28 August, 2019, 12:38:50 pm
Quote
I'm not from us. I don't exist.
If only!
("Not from us, I don't think.")
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 29 August, 2019, 02:56:13 am
That moment when you suddenly feel the weight of your head pressing your face into the pillow and you realise that you haven’t gone to sleep yet. You know that from now on sleep will evade you as you try and get to empty your mind of everything. Yeah that.  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ham on 29 August, 2019, 04:00:10 am
You are not alone
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 29 August, 2019, 04:16:31 am
In resisting the urge to go and make tea.
I’m going to feel like shit when Sarah decides its time for me to get up.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 29 August, 2019, 06:57:52 am
Yes, sleep has been very difficult over the last few days, to the tent that I'm actually looking forward to Indonesia next week, for the air con.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 29 August, 2019, 08:21:03 am
Some wretched child in the neighbourhood is playing a shoot-em-up video game with the sound turned up to 11.

The only decent video game music I have ever heard was in Phantasmagoria (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LW_d04W8QWY) (1995) and this ain't it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 29 August, 2019, 08:27:25 am
Aforesaid child's thumbs haved tired and he's now playing [c]rap at a similar volume.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 29 August, 2019, 08:47:55 am
Quote from: Beardy on 29 August, 2019, 04:16:31 am
In resisting the urge to go and make tea.
I’m going to feel like shit when Sarah decides its time for me to get up.
7:15 was my woken time, so probably about 2 ½ hours in the end. It could have been worse. The challenge now is not to snooze or nap today so I don’t have a repeat tonight. Strangely though, yesterday was totally nap free because I was quite busy. I’m not old, so I really should get out of the habit of napping in the afternoon.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 29 August, 2019, 11:07:19 am
Our 50th wedding anniversary is impending and, this being a small village, M. le Maire* sent a minion to ask if we wished our photo in the village mag, being officially attapersoned.  Missus immediately said yes!!! and an appointment was set for this evening.  Now she's buzzing round like a blue-arsed fly dusting, polishing and shooing the poor bloody dogs from pillar to post and don't pee on it.  I have been enjoined to bear a hand, e.g. in removing the defunct microwave from the chest in the hall where it has been perfectly OK for the last two years and in putting up the regulation smoke alarm the Law sez we have to have, all winken and blinken to gladden the mayoral peepers.  Arguments such as "I think the microwave's quaint" and "it wasn't me who invited the fucker" are as an old fart (me) in the hurricane.

Have just finished picking plaster out of my hair and shirt-collar, and already I hear the approach of the Deadly Duster of Doom. I must fly... tell them I died bravely.

P.S. I banged my head putting the microwave in the car boot. I'm going to tell the Mayor she hit me.

* not that M. le Maire
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 29 August, 2019, 02:04:19 pm
Congrats T42
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 29 August, 2019, 03:02:34 pm
I've preemptively informed barakta that any congratulatory mayoral visits will only be permitted if performed by that M. le Maire, who I'm reasonably sure isn't too fussed about dusting, polishing, defunct anbaric equipment, blinkenlights and so on.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 29 August, 2019, 03:26:52 pm
Quote from: LittleWheelsandBig on 29 August, 2019, 02:04:19 pm
Congrats T42

Thanks LWAB.  :thumbsup:

My hands now stink of furniture polish and divers solvents.

Nights in white spirit... ♪
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 29 August, 2019, 04:18:51 pm
shoe laces

SPD shoes - 5 holes, 6-8 hole shoe laces, shorter than the broke one
Smart ankle boots, 6 holes. Laces broke, pair 1 - Boot laces, long enough to have people warn me of untied laces. Pair two, same length as the pair above, not a cat in hell's chance of fitting

That's £1.60 I'll never see again and a market trader I'll steer clear of.  Teach me not to take the shoes with me next time.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 29 August, 2019, 09:24:10 pm
If you find anywhere that actually stocks laces for 2-hole shoes, do let me know!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 30 August, 2019, 11:26:40 am
Them: The best way to book one of our motor-cars is via this online form.
Me: OK. (Fills in form, clicks "submit")
Them: Ta. We will confirm by the electric-type telephone.

[Days pass, electric-type telephone remains silent]

Me: Just calling to confirm that I do indeed get one of your motor-cars at midday today.
Them: No.  Never heard of you.
Me:  :facepalm: I can haz motor-car for midday today?
Them: Yes. Yes, you can.

Take a bow, Galaxy Cars of Woking.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 30 August, 2019, 11:35:31 am
Quote from: Kim on 29 August, 2019, 03:02:34 pm
I've preemptively informed barakta that any congratulatory mayoral visits will only be permitted if performed by that M. le Maire, who I'm reasonably sure isn't too fussed about dusting, polishing, defunct anbaric equipment, blinkenlights and so on.

Hint to that M. le Maire when he does make that ^^^ visit: ours arrived bearing this:

(https://pbase.com/image/169703130.jpg)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 30 August, 2019, 11:39:20 am
If that ^^^^ was in the possession of this M. le Maire it would have all been nommed en route.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 31 August, 2019, 11:44:25 pm
I'm supposed to be going off camping next week & can't find my headtorch.  Probably left in my parents loft.  No problem says I.  The trusty mini-maglite in a webbing headband will do the trick.  Well, I've found the headband....  the maglite......... no


Edit 13:19.   Found it & also the Fenix.  Fixed the problem with the Fenix not changing modes as well, so I'll take that one.



Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 01 September, 2019, 09:50:03 pm
Smoke alarm.  You had a shiny new PP3 a couple of weeks ago.  Why are you going "peep" ?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 01 September, 2019, 10:48:58 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 01 September, 2019, 09:50:03 pm
Smoke alarm.  You had a shiny new PP3 a couple of weeks ago.  Why are you going "peep" ?

Because, like printers, they were sent from hell to make us miserable.  And occasionally save lives.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 01 September, 2019, 11:10:08 pm
Quote from: Kim on 01 September, 2019, 10:48:58 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 01 September, 2019, 09:50:03 pm
Smoke alarm.  You had a shiny new PP3 a couple of weeks ago.  Why are you going "peep" ?

Because, like printers, they were sent from hell to make us miserable.  And occasionally save lives.


I've had stereo car & house alarms going off all day as well  :(    Sigh.   I suppose I'd better risk life & limb by standing on a chair & changing the battery again.  Otherwise I'll get no sleep.



Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 02 September, 2019, 01:01:51 am
Quote from: Kim on 01 September, 2019, 10:48:58 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 01 September, 2019, 09:50:03 pm
Smoke alarm.  You had a shiny new PP3 a couple of weeks ago.  Why are you going "peep" ?

Because, like printers, they were sent from hell to make us miserable.  And occasionally save lives.

Do printers *really* save lives?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 02 September, 2019, 09:55:59 am
Our smoke alarms have both 9v and AAs. Obviously they run down at different rates. Is there an indication of which is flat?

Sent from my LG-H850 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 02 September, 2019, 09:57:58 am
Quote from: jsabine on 02 September, 2019, 01:01:51 am
Quote from: Kim on 01 September, 2019, 10:48:58 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 01 September, 2019, 09:50:03 pm
Smoke alarm.  You had a shiny new PP3 a couple of weeks ago.  Why are you going "peep" ?

Because, like printers, they were sent from hell to make us miserable.  And occasionally save lives.

Do printers *really* save lives?

If you throw them at zombies hard enough
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 02 September, 2019, 12:36:30 pm
Downstairs loo sprung a leak. I hate leaks.

Anyway, I discovered that having an entirely concealed bog unit may look nice, it's not practical when it breaks (which I knew, but aesthetics trump functionality, or rather I wasn't arguing with my wife after the five weeks she spent choosing a bloody toilet as that would be another five weeks deliberation and what do you think of this one?). Now pieces of bathroom everywhere while the floor dries. Leaky connection from cistern, says a grown-up.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 02 September, 2019, 01:45:52 pm
Quote from: jsabine on 02 September, 2019, 01:01:51 am
Quote from: Kim on 01 September, 2019, 10:48:58 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 01 September, 2019, 09:50:03 pm
Smoke alarm.  You had a shiny new PP3 a couple of weeks ago.  Why are you going "peep" ?

Because, like printers, they were sent from hell to make us miserable.  And occasionally save lives.

Do printers *really* save lives?

I expect they may prove useful for forging travel documents in the upcoming fascist regime.

Oh, wait, it's out of cyan.

*exits stage left, pursued by the sound of jackboots*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 02 September, 2019, 01:47:04 pm
Quote from: ian on 02 September, 2019, 12:36:30 pm
Downstairs loo sprung a leak. I hate leaks.

Anyway, I discovered that having an entirely concealed bog unit may look nice, it's not practical when it breaks (which I knew, but aesthetics trump functionality, or rather I wasn't arguing with my wife after the five weeks she spent choosing a bloody toilet as that would be another five weeks deliberation and what do you think of this one?). Now pieces of bathroom everywhere while the floor dries. Leaky connection from cistern, says a grown-up.

There isn't a Saniflo is there?  Those things are worse than printers...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 02 September, 2019, 02:29:06 pm
Is a Saniflo one of those things which chops waste up into tiny little pieces before swooshing it down too-narrow waste pipes? If so, it could also save lives by disposing of incriminating evidence in the upcoming fascist regime.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 02 September, 2019, 02:33:41 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 02 September, 2019, 02:29:06 pm
Is a Saniflo one of those things which chops waste up into tiny little pieces before swooshing it down too-narrow waste pipes?

Yes.
See also...

http://www.diyfaq.org.uk/humour.html#saniflo
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 02 September, 2019, 02:34:50 pm
You can absolutely guarantee that evidence, incriminating or otherwise, would block the thing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 02 September, 2019, 02:51:01 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 02 September, 2019, 02:29:06 pm
Is a Saniflo one of those things which chops waste up into tiny little pieces before swooshing it down too-narrow waste pipes? If so, it could also save lives by disposing of incriminating evidence in the upcoming fascist regime.
The son of one of my cousins three to do that to his girlfriend, though the lack of saniflo left him with an assortment of kitchen tools and a lot of blood. He’s now residing at Betty’s pleasure.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 02 September, 2019, 02:58:20 pm
No, it's a normal toilet, but the plumbing is hidden behind panels and generally inaccessible to individuals of my skill level.

That said, I'm pretty sure it's still a drip-drip-drip which may mean a cracked pan (apparently). That would imply some pretty impressive toileting. Will give it overnight and it ain't dried, grown-up will have to come back.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 02 September, 2019, 03:21:18 pm
Don't talk to me about blocked toilets!

How comes its always my job to unblock them and no one ever tells me their blocked until there is enough, er, poo in them to fertilise 100 acre wood....

I spent over an hour the other day with a high pressure hose on full trying to unblock (I first wrote "unbloke" which also works!) the thing ..... I think I can still smell it....  :sick:

It doesn't help the the plumber who put the loo in didn't put in an inspection hole in the soil pipe so you can clean from one end only..... :facepalm: Why do we employ people who turn up on horseback?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 02 September, 2019, 05:11:40 pm
Son + wife visiting since yesterday afternoon; they're staying for 3 days and already MrsT & I are climbing the walls because their way of life is so different from ours.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mattc on 02 September, 2019, 07:10:34 pm
<colleague grumble #743>

Does anyone work with a mumbler? I'm helping out in "P"s team half of the week, and she's driving me mad!

She talks not quite constantly (that might be less annoying), but at least every 2 minutes. I can't tell the difference between the self-commentary, the quiet whingeing about colleagues, and actual questions/instructions aimed at me. I frequently miss stuff that she later declares to be critical information, and I can't get anything done as I'm constantly saying "You what?" or tuning into her mumbling to see if I can get a clue as to the nature.

And ... breathe ...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 02 September, 2019, 07:41:43 pm
My colleagues all do that weird mumble-murmur-chat thing. I will engage in active dialogue with them, but otherwise I'll turn my hearing aids off entirely and if they want to say something, they can get my attention and do it properly. It's the only way I can concentrate in the shared office.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 02 September, 2019, 11:02:31 pm
I fucking hate mumbling. Just speak clearly in my direction for fucks sake!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mattc on 03 September, 2019, 06:49:37 am
I love you people  :-*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 03 September, 2019, 09:35:44 am
S'funny. Last night we rewatched a film we laughed our legs off at in 1984 and everyone was mumbling.  Can't be our ears.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jaded on 03 September, 2019, 10:09:27 am
In my world everyone should come with name badges and subtitles.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 03 September, 2019, 10:15:31 am
^^^This^^^
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 03 September, 2019, 11:52:27 am
On the mothership no-one is labelled. No names on desks, no department names. Subdecks languish in complete anonymity. No one knows where planetary resource plundering is located, or for that matter, population enslavement and exploitation. I guess they're somewhere.

I've no idea why. I only know I face finance because they have the dullest calls ever (whenever I gripe about my job, I remind myself that I could have entire days dedicated to VAT ledgers, honestly, I'd bake my head).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 04 September, 2019, 02:30:42 pm
Three warm, sunny, windless days during which I've had to stop home because son & his missus to be entertained. They go home tomorrow \o/ and the weather turns cool & windy. :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 05 September, 2019, 01:23:04 pm
Sorry, I forgot you might be hooked on my toilet trouble drama and thusly I owe an update.

It seems to be fixed. No more puddle (leastways until the FiL visits, he must use some kind of Hozelock sprinkler attachment).

It didn't do too much damage (there's a wooden floor in the downstairs loo, not sure why we didn't have it tiled, anyway) other than ripping out all the panelling (mostly held in place by mastic). Yes, yes, Mr Grown-up, it surely would have been a better idea screwing the panels in place. Don't complain too much, we'll be paying you to put it all back. He also pulled out the disco-LED from the bathroom which, in the spirit of easy replaceability, involved yanking out a piece of ceiling to extract the entire unit. I think he just likes smashing bits of my house.

Turned out to be a cracked attachment where the cistern pipe joins the toilet proper. The chap who fitted it must have known it was cracked as instead of getting a new one, he's just put mastic all over it. Not sure why it took five years to decide to leak, but there you go. It happens to us all in the end.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 05 September, 2019, 05:10:54 pm
Quote from: ian on 05 September, 2019, 01:23:04 pm
...he's just put mastic all over it. Not sure why it took five years to decide to leak, but there you go.

Gave him the time to scarper.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 05 September, 2019, 05:17:23 pm
Quote from: ian on 05 September, 2019, 01:23:04 pm
Turned out to be a cracked attachment where the cistern pipe joins the toilet proper.

If I recall fuzzy reporting on a job interview correctly, this is known as a Doughnut.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 06 September, 2019, 08:03:41 am
I work in a building without aircon (but the windows open). It gets very very hot.

We are still reliant on desk fans to survive in the afternoons.

The bloody heating has just come on. Rads around the building are red hot.

FFS
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 06 September, 2019, 09:16:08 am
The solution is to remove all your clothes and adopt the sauna pose.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 08 September, 2019, 12:59:54 pm
Oh, those little pots of Waitrose Cooks Ingredients dried wild herbs, they're evil. While they contain useful cookery goodness superior to other pots of dried herbs, they're flimsy little containers filled with near-weightless dried contents and very approximately sealed with an insubstantial lid. Anyone familiar with these will know that they will fall over and distribute their contents over their kitchen worktop merely from the pressure of someone looking at them.

Anyway, stretching to grab the oregano from the cupboard for my grilled cheese sandwich, I managed to dislodge the wild thyme next to it. A full container, which fell to the worktop and *pop*.

On the plus side, the kitchen smells nice. I'll be finding the bloody stuff for weeks. I've also remembered that I was supposed to be getting a replacement for the broken handheld vacuum that really, really would have been handy about now.

The sandwich was good though.

I'm aware that this is quite possibly the most middle-class grumble ever.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 08 September, 2019, 04:56:45 pm
Birmingham Council forms on website... endless, lets you complete a page without being clear you've missed one of the 725735935923 options...

Having 725735935923 options and no clear list at the start with "you will need A B C D E F G H I J K L etc info before you do this form" which means it's impossible to complete.

And acting like salaries are regular, when they're not. I can't answer some of the Qs cos I'm on a zero hours contract with salary varying from £24 to £1000 a month...

It lets you finish one of the 15+ pages of form with 'errors' but only alerts in a sidebar... It decides you've tried to submit a page at the drop of a hat so covers the page with red writing making the proper form hard to see.  They need to go to gov.uk and learn some lessons about accessibility.

And no fucking email addresses easily findable, the contact us page pushes you into drop downs and then the shitty webforms I've wasted 30 mins fighting already.  I'm not phoning, I'm deaf, they have Equality Act duties that they can damned well meet.

I have tweeted at them. If no reply I'm going to defenestrate them.

If they had said upfront "financial eligibility criteria of $FOO upfront I'd know one way or another and not WASTE MY TIME"...

This is how they make it too hard and scary for poor and cognitively and mentally limited people to access their entitlements!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Riggers on 09 September, 2019, 05:21:18 pm
CHRISTMAS CARDS!!!!


Spotted on 9th September in British Heart Foundation charity shop. What the Dickens!!!!!????
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andyoxon on 11 September, 2019, 05:12:49 pm
Why is it that whenever I don't 'take a name' at the end of a phone conversation, they never actually seem to 'get back to me' as promised...  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 11 September, 2019, 05:23:43 pm
Quote from: Riggers on 09 September, 2019, 05:21:18 pm
CHRISTMAS CARDS!!!!

Spotted on 9th September in British Heart Foundation charity shop. What the Dickens!!!!!????
Mince Pies (sweet variety as traditionally eaten in December, not mutton).  Local Co-Op. Likewise early this week.  CBA to check "best before", but I expect it to be only be mid/late Oct. at best so it's not as if you could buy them now to spread the cost of Xmas catering.  Stupid isn't it?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 11 September, 2019, 05:40:35 pm
I was told that BHF (or was it a local hospice? anyway, a charity shop chain) has its Christmas cards out from May.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 12 September, 2019, 09:55:14 am
I can't post on the "Oiks Shouting Stuff..." thread because:

Quote
Reason:
This URL is blocked. Category: Adult Material. URL:
https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=post;topic=1629.0;last_msg=2415076

 
This web page has been blocked by the Boundary Protection Service (BPS) in accordance with MOD web filtering policy.

 ??? :o :facepalm: ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 12 September, 2019, 03:37:49 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 01 September, 2019, 11:10:08 pm
Quote from: Kim on 01 September, 2019, 10:48:58 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 01 September, 2019, 09:50:03 pm
Smoke alarm.  You had a shiny new PP3 a couple of weeks ago.  Why are you going "peep" ?

Because, like printers, they were sent from hell to make us miserable.  And occasionally save lives.

I've had stereo car & house alarms going off all day as well  :(    Sigh.   I suppose I'd better risk life & limb by standing on a chair & changing the battery again.  Otherwise I'll get no sleep.


I reseated the battery & it was quiet.  Just got back to a smoke free flat after 11 days away & it's going "peep" again  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 12 September, 2019, 06:24:41 pm
I've done some of the washing from my tour, had a shower & was just about to pop out to the shops for a few essentials.    It's hooching down  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Riggers on 13 September, 2019, 12:47:54 pm
Quote from: TheLurker on 11 September, 2019, 05:23:43 pm
Quote from: Riggers on 09 September, 2019, 05:21:18 pm
CHRISTMAS CARDS!!!!

Spotted on 9th September in British Heart Foundation charity shop. What the Dickens!!!!!????
Mince Pies (sweet variety as traditionally eaten in December, not mutton).  Local Co-Op. Likewise early this week.  CBA to check "best before", but I expect it to be only be mid/late Oct. at best so it's not as if you could buy them now to spread the cost of Xmas catering.  Stupid isn't it?



On Wednesday, I chatted to a school caretaker who said he's seen a Christmas tree up, in full regalia, in a Brighton hotel!!!! WHAT!???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 13 September, 2019, 01:04:50 pm
For as long as I can remember, the 'Christmas Season' has always started once the kids are 'safely back at school' in my mind, which is usually the second week in September.

Woolworth's always did this and they've been gone HOW long?

Hotels etc need to get advance bookings for club and corporate beanfeasts so they need to stay ahead.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 13 September, 2019, 02:18:07 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 13 September, 2019, 01:04:50 pm
Hotels etc need to get advance bookings for club and corporate beanfeasts so they need to stay ahead.

The hospitality industry gets a special exemption to the "No Christmas until after the fireworks have stopped" rule.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 13 September, 2019, 02:25:52 pm
Quote from: Kim on 13 September, 2019, 02:18:07 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 13 September, 2019, 01:04:50 pm
Hotels etc need to get advance bookings for club and corporate beanfeasts so they need to stay ahead.

The hospitality industry gets a special exemption to the "No Christmas until after the fireworks have stopped" rule.

No it fucking doesn't, not in my world.

The list of people up against the wall come the revolution includes those inflicting Christmas unfeasibly early. That is unless I'm done first for counterrevolutionary activities.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 13 September, 2019, 02:38:45 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 13 September, 2019, 02:25:52 pm
Quote from: Kim on 13 September, 2019, 02:18:07 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 13 September, 2019, 01:04:50 pm
Hotels etc need to get advance bookings for club and corporate beanfeasts so they need to stay ahead.

The hospitality industry gets a special exemption to the "No Christmas until after the fireworks have stopped" rule.

No it fucking doesn't, not in my world.

The list of people up against the wall come the revolution includes those inflicting Christmas unfeasibly early. That is unless I'm done first for counterrevolutionary activities.

Taking bookings isn't inflicting Christmas, it's forward planning.  Something this country could, in general, do with a bit more of.  On that basis they're allowed One (1) sign and/or web page with a light Christmassy theme, encouraging people to book their enforced corporate revelry in a timely manner.  This does not extend to actual Christmas trees, decorations or god forbid - jingly bell music, the presence of which before the 1st of December (outside premises bearing a licence for the manufacture of such items) should be dealt with in accordance with the now legendary Lord Vetinari's policy on mime artists.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 13 September, 2019, 02:49:13 pm
Bookings, I accept in theory, as long as you need to go down a grubby alley to do so. Only problem is it never stopt there; why not a bit of glitter, tinsel, smell of pine or mulled wine to get you in the mood? How about sleigh bells tinkling in the background.

Its creeping Christmasism that requires mandatory reeducation camps.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 13 September, 2019, 03:13:17 pm
I REALLY don't think Christmas timings creep much  We Grumpy Old Gits might think it does but:
I recall a colleague passing a catalogue round my workplace on 15 July 1990 ±1
Real Xmas always starts when the clocks go back
Early Xmas starts in September.

Choral societies start rehearsing for Christmas concerts in September, don't they?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: yorkie on 13 September, 2019, 08:23:15 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 13 September, 2019, 03:13:17 pm
Choral societies start rehearsing for Christmas concerts in September, don't they?


Many years ago, I played for a (not very good at all) brass band in Ilford that used to start practising Christmas carols in August, to give themselves the best chance of getting them right by December...




...never worked though. To be honest, if they'd kept rehearsing nothing but carols all year round they'd still have been incapable of playing them!  :-[
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 13 September, 2019, 10:52:06 pm
As a once project manager I got used to living my life 3 to 6 months in advance (in the vain hope that the developers would actually deliver on time) but Advent starts 4 Sunday’s before Christmas and any and all transgressions outside that quite excessively allowed window should be treated with proper sanctions. As Dave says, those tasked with arranging the mandatory Christmas cheer should have to do so discreetly down secluded and grubby alleys out of sight and mind of decent civilised society.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 14 September, 2019, 08:43:25 am
And let's not forget that according to Yellowhammer and other cheerful sources, all this Christmas prep means that retailers won't have the capacity to stock up on post-Brexit necessities.  But hey, you can still have a sprig of cardboard holly on your empty insulin box.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 14 September, 2019, 10:45:10 am
I plan on putting in another insulin order next week, just in case,

As I'm sure are 99% of the rest of the T1D population
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 14 September, 2019, 11:11:27 am
My Tilley Hat has developed a hole !   I just took it out of the washing machine & found it  :'(   
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 14 September, 2019, 11:17:41 am
Quote from: andrewc on 14 September, 2019, 11:11:27 am
My Tilley Hat has developed a hole !   I just took it out of the washing machine & found it  :'(   
I can’t find my green Tilly Hat, though I’ve still got my white one that is a bit sort of yellow after I washed it with biological washing power. I also, had a rather wonderful green wool Tilly hat that I really liked, but I left that one on a train one time and never saw it again  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 14 September, 2019, 11:48:53 am
I am not impressed, SWMBO has just returned with mince pies, not the good mutton based variety
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 14 September, 2019, 03:40:09 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 14 September, 2019, 11:17:41 am
Quote from: andrewc on 14 September, 2019, 11:11:27 am
My Tilley Hat has developed a hole !   I just took it out of the washing machine & found it  :'(   
I can’t find my green Tilly Hat, though I’ve still got my white one that is a bit sort of yellow after I washed it with biological washing power. I also, had a rather wonderful green wool Tilly hat that I really liked, but I left that one on a train one time and never saw it again  :(


I never returned the product registration thing, so doubt I can claim under their “Lifetime Warranty “.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 14 September, 2019, 04:11:34 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 14 September, 2019, 03:40:09 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 14 September, 2019, 11:17:41 am
Quote from: andrewc on 14 September, 2019, 11:11:27 am
My Tilley Hat has developed a hole !   I just took it out of the washing machine & found it  :'(   
I can’t find my green Tilly Hat, though I’ve still got my white one that is a bit sort of yellow after I washed it with biological washing power. I also, had a rather wonderful green wool Tilly hat that I really liked, but I left that one on a train one time and never saw it again  :(


I never returned the product registration thing, so doubt I can claim under their “Lifetime Warranty “.
It’s got to be worth a try though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SteveC on 14 September, 2019, 05:13:50 pm
Quote from: yorkie on 13 September, 2019, 08:23:15 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 13 September, 2019, 03:13:17 pm
Choral societies start rehearsing for Christmas concerts in September, don't they?
Many years ago, I played for a (not very good at all) brass band in Ilford that used to start practising Christmas carols in August, to give themselves the best chance of getting them right by December...
...never worked though. To be honest, if they'd kept rehearsing nothing but carols all year round they'd still have been incapable of playing them!  :-[
I have spent all today singing Christmas carols.  :smug:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Giraffe on 15 September, 2019, 09:38:34 am
Quote from: Beardy on 14 September, 2019, 04:11:34 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 14 September, 2019, 03:40:09 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 14 September, 2019, 11:17:41 am
Quote from: andrewc on 14 September, 2019, 11:11:27 am
My Tilley Hat has developed a hole !   I just took it out of the washing machine & found it  :'(   
I can’t find my green Tilly Hat, though I’ve still got my white one that is a bit sort of yellow after I washed it with biological washing power. I also, had a rather wonderful green wool Tilly hat that I really liked, but I left that one on a train one time and never saw it again  :(


I never returned the product registration thing, so doubt I can claim under their “Lifetime Warranty “.
It’s got to be worth a try though.
Mine (Airflow) did the same. Tilley agreed to have a look but I decide not to go that route as, TBH, I hadn't washed it enough. Lucky that I didn't as it's 7¾ but the new one (Nylon) is a size smaller. I might get another Airflow next Spring.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 16 September, 2019, 09:48:26 pm
The Green Beast needs repairs.  Hydraulic anti roll system pipes mosly borked. Genuine LR replacements (deffo 4 pipes, probable 6, only genuine ones available) are best part of £1k before fitting.

Rip it out and put in mechanical anti roll system, less eyewatering at about £550, plus resetting the warning light which seems very expensive for just plugging it in and saying "go away" to a warning light.  The mechanical system was a from new option so not a modification, but I can now see why a lot of the forums ask questions about replacing the hydraulic system.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 16 September, 2019, 10:09:41 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 16 September, 2019, 09:48:26 pm
The Green Beast needs repairs.  Hydraulic anti roll system pipes mosly borked. Genuine LR replacements (deffo 4 pipes, probable 6, only genuine ones available) are best part of £1k before fitting.

Rip it out and put in mechanical anti roll system, less eyewatering at about £550, plus resetting the warning light which seems very expensive for just plugging it in and saying "go away" to a warning light.  The mechanical system was a from new option so not a modification, but I can now see why a lot of the forums ask questions about replacing the hydraulic system.

I'm surprised there's no 3rd party spares, eg Britpart.
I use a local independent garage in Banchory, and they seem to be able to do cost-effective work that would be in the £k+ at the Main Stealer.
But you pays your money etc etc...

"If it doesn't fit, it's a Brit!"
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 16 September, 2019, 10:16:58 pm
Apparently not for these pipes, I have as you say used pattern parts otherwise and paid in some cases about 20-25% of the LR version. I also use a local specialist, who's done good work in the past. He was also the one telling me about the conversion kit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 18 September, 2019, 09:15:51 pm
That £500 was a kipper,

Apparently becasue I still have the air suspension I need an uprated version of the anti-roll bars plus new belts, idlers etc. Min £1k either way.  Disco 2's even in good nick are not much more than £2.5K.  I'm now evaluating options.

F@(K!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 24 September, 2019, 10:05:28 am
Tomorrow morning I depart for USAnia.  I have just attempted to check in online.  Having gone through all (most?) of the rigmarole I was told I must check in with an agent.  I could understand if I was FOREIGN,  but I actually have a valid USAnian passport.  HARUMPH!  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 26 September, 2019, 04:23:39 pm
Garmin.... my speed sensor needs a new battery. Please be making:

1) The instructions on how to do so make sense and
2), it possible to do without asking a child.

It might be easier and less stressful to go out and buy a new one.....perhaps that's their plan :hand:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 27 September, 2019, 07:34:03 am
Waiting at Wigan North Western.  They’ve just said that my connection to Edinburgh is delayed due to passengers causing a disturbance  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 27 September, 2019, 08:21:35 pm
I am touring in Northern Italy, at the end of a 180 km day by complete fluke found a room in a remote castle. So now I am relaxing in a gorgeous C15 courtyard with a glass of vino rosso surrounded by olive trees.

Idyllic

Or rather it was, the enormous German woman on my left thinks it’s completely fine to play shit European pop music on her phone speaker…and fucking sing along to it. Please please please shut the fuck up before I throw you over he parapets.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 27 September, 2019, 10:54:41 pm
Quote from: Pickled Onion on 27 September, 2019, 08:21:35 pm
Or rather it was, the enormous German woman on my left thinks it’s completely fine to play shit European pop music on her phone speaker…and fucking sing along to it. Please please please shut the fuck up before I throw you over he parapets.

AAAAAGGGGGHHHH!
Sympathies!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 28 September, 2019, 07:57:14 am
Seriously, you would have thought I had eaten her child the look she gave me!

So yesterday lunchtime I took myself into town to get a large object from Wilkinsons….they didn't have it but that's a different story. I went by car as it would have been too heavy to carry on the bike so had to pay for parking. Now I am a very strange type of person who does not mind paying for parking when I need* to do so as why should I use someone's private property for free? I just don't get why people think they should be able to do so and then moan when they get a "ticket" for being a few minutes late back. You paid for an hour, you should be back within the hour!

Anyway.... I parked my car and walked over the machine £1 coin in hand only to be stopped half way by a women. "Here" she said, "you can have my ticket, its still got 2 hours left on it."

"No thanks" I replied.

Confused look: "Why" she asked.

"The ticket is not transferrable." I replied going to walk on.

"No one will know." She said.

"Look" I replied. "I am not willing to risk it. If I use your ticket and someone from the parking company sees, I'll get a PCN for £50 as the ticket won't be valid. I am not going to risk it."

Well, the look on her face.  Frankly, don't ask me to take part in your fraud. You might think you are being nice but you are not. You are putting me at risk: a risk I am not willing to take.

I got home and told CBH this story. The look on her face too! It does seem that I was wrong to turn the ticket down but I don't think so!


* apart from Virgin Trains. £12 a day to park at Stafford station is a rip off and one you can pull off as the car park is always full so mugs are willing to pay.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 28 September, 2019, 08:26:11 am
I'm with you on the parking for free. But I tend to view parking tickets as like any other thing I've bought - if i've had my value from it but there's still life in it, i'm happy to pass it on / sell to someone else. I'm assuming that i'm paying mostly for the use of the space rather than wear and tear on the barrier.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 28 September, 2019, 08:57:49 am
surely the risk depends on ANPR being linked to the ticket or not
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 28 September, 2019, 09:12:14 am
There isn't a barrier or ANPR. No, my unwillingness to risk it is based upon the fact that firstly the notice clearly says tickets are not transferrable and secondly, the car park is regularly patrolled so how do I know that I won't be seen taking the ticket and using it? Its not a risk I am willing to take.

Indeed, how do I know that the women didn't work for the parking company...… (yes, okay, unlikely but who knows!)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 29 September, 2019, 01:37:47 pm
Dearest wife, you’re 5’ 4” tall, and our bed is 6’ 6” long. How is it, then, that you end up with your head as far up the bed as it can possibly go, the duvet up to your nose, and 6” at the bottom of the bed - where my feet happen to be - bereft of duvet coverage  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 29 September, 2019, 03:16:32 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 29 September, 2019, 01:37:47 pm
Dearest wife, you’re 5’ 4” tall, and our bed is 6’ 6” long. How is it, then, that you end up with your head as far up the bed as it can possibly go, the duvet up to your nose, and 6” at the bottom of the bed - where my feet happen to be - bereft of duvet coverage  >:(
I find that when Dr Beardy does this, not only are my feet uncovered, but I can’t breath because the duvet is too far up the bed. Almost as bad is when she migrates to the bottom of the bed and takes the duvet with her so I’m exposed from mid-chest up.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 29 September, 2019, 06:35:41 pm
If either of us could wrestle the duvet from under a cat, this would be a problem. I'd like to know how a tiny little cat like LMC can somehow turn into something with the apparent mass of a black hole once she's installed on the bottom of the bed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 29 September, 2019, 07:04:39 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 29 September, 2019, 03:16:32 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 29 September, 2019, 01:37:47 pm
Dearest wife, you’re 5’ 4” tall, and our bed is 6’ 6” long. How is it, then, that you end up with your head as far up the bed as it can possibly go, the duvet up to your nose, and 6” at the bottom of the bed - where my feet happen to be - bereft of duvet coverage  >:(
I find that when Dr Beardy does this, not only are my feet uncovered, but I can’t breath because the duvet is too far up the bed. Almost as bad is when she migrates to the bottom of the bed and takes the duvet with her so I’m exposed from mid-chest up.

Our double bed is 4'6" wide. The king size duvet it 7'6" wide. Come winter, there'll be no duvet width left for me but The Man will moan if I grab the cover...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 29 September, 2019, 07:17:02 pm
I feel compelled to point out that barakta and I are compatible sizes and have reasonably harmonious duvet habits.  We did molish a bed in a size the FOREIGNS use, for extra elbow room without excess length.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Formerly Known As on 29 September, 2019, 08:27:46 pm
Single beds are the future.  Especially if they are in different rooms.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 30 September, 2019, 08:32:53 am
You share a duvet.....blimey,  :o

For the 30 odd....and yes, some of them have been very odd, years that CBH and I have shared a bed, we have always had a duvet each. That way, there are no fights over coverage etc.

It also allows me to have my 3 tog cover whereas even when people from Arizona think its a tad warm, she can stick to her 10.5 one!

And they call us the strange couple.....  ;D  ;D ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 30 September, 2019, 09:09:36 am
Quote from: essexian on 30 September, 2019, 08:32:53 am
You share a duvet.....blimey,  :o

For the 30 odd....and yes, some of them have been very odd, years that CBH and I have shared a bed, we have always had a duvet each. That way, there are no fights over coverage etc.

It also allows me to have my 3 tog cover whereas even when people from Arizona think its a tad warm, she can stick to her 10.5 one!

And they call us the strange couple.....  ;D  ;D ;D

Same here.  We have a crafty double sided duvet that has a 4 tog for me, 25million for her. I'm still sleeping under just a sheet at the moment
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 01 October, 2019, 09:40:07 am
Pigeons!  Until you learn to desist from your habit of practicing your clog-dancing routines at first light you are hereby denied permission to perch on the roof of Larrington Towers >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 01 October, 2019, 10:59:58 am
Rabbi Blue would suggest you get some chickens.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 01 October, 2019, 12:16:16 pm
Quote from: T42 on 01 October, 2019, 10:59:58 am
Rabbi Blue would suggest you get some chickens.

I'd be almost tempted to take a more Tom Lehrer-like approach, IYKWIM.  :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 01 October, 2019, 01:07:25 pm
Good stuff in colourful hexagonal bottles.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 05 October, 2019, 05:44:12 am
Fucking Greek restaurant in geeraardsbergen, pleas out a bfo sign on your door saying you don't take credit cards, so people know that BEFORE they have finished their meals.  I now have to piss about with with an expense claim for cash euros and the bank fee.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 06 October, 2019, 10:34:29 am
Not in my plate today. Cloud grazing the chimneys, it's cold, the dogs keep getting underfoot, went out to the workshop but CBA doing anything. Bleh.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 09 October, 2019, 04:22:51 pm
Went to see a physio today about my back. One of the questions he asked is whether I fall over to which I replied no as I am reasonably stable on my pins..... until this afternoon that is when walking along the tow path of the canal in Newport I slipped and fell onto my right knee and hip causing considerable pain and a nice piece of "towpath rash."

 :facepalm:

That will teach me to be over confident!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 09 October, 2019, 05:36:33 pm
(click to show/hide)

Mend well and fast!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 10 October, 2019, 08:14:21 am
We have a drying room at work. Heated and with a dehumidifier. Fantastic.

A large department regularly has a major planning jamboree, which involves them taking over the canteen, most of the meeting rooms and holding a party in the office in the evening. This goes on for 3 days.

Last night I packed up, went to get my kit out of the drying room; and it was freezing cold. Aircon blowing a howling gale of refrigerated air. WTF?

I loudly wonder what is going on, just as a partying person wanders in;
"Oh we couldn't fit the drinks in the fridge, so they put them in here and turned the cooling up to keep our drinks cool."

I don't think she liked my reply.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 11 October, 2019, 07:16:41 pm
This

(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/YuD_PTsCuG0/hqdefault.jpg)

breaches Farcebok's "community standards" and earns you a spell in Zuckerclink.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 15 October, 2019, 04:59:26 pm
Bosch washing machine takes off when going to warp factor 5 spin.
Web based research suggests the shock absorbers are knackered.
Further web based research finds replacements for around fifty notes.
Gulp, bite bullet, press the button.
A several of days a later a package arrives.
Eagerly I rip it open.
It contains one shock absorber.
Arse.
Get ready to whinge at supplier for only fulfilling the order in a half arsed way.
Read website more. Fifty notes is for one.
Who would want to fit only one shock absorber to anything when the full complement is two? 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 15 October, 2019, 07:17:08 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 11 October, 2019, 07:16:41 pm
This

(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/YuD_PTsCuG0/hqdefault.jpg)

breaches Farcebok's "community standards" and earns you a spell in Zuckerclink.

Seems fair.  If we accept JPEG artefacts like that, it's a slippery slope all the way to wobbly portrait video of landscape screens.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 15 October, 2019, 07:25:34 pm
Quote
Who would want to fit only one shock absorber to anything when the full complement is two? 

You've never worked in a motor factors, have you...?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 20 October, 2019, 08:01:24 pm
Bloody hell.  Llandysul is full of people who have been drinking since 8 o'clock this morning.  Funny at first but mildly irritating now.  I'd best go home before it all kicks off.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: benborp on 22 October, 2019, 07:36:50 pm
Either I have used an entire river's worth of water in the last week, or someone has installed the new water meter the wrong way round haven't they?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 23 October, 2019, 04:54:31 pm
I'm interested in buying something. Person x else wants to sell thing.
Great.
We check and discover that we both have same weekend free. I can come and take a shufti at thing this weekend.

Arrange my life to have car, roofrack etc for this weekend. Message Person x to arrange time and day.

<tumbleweed>

They are 60 miles away. They have been trying to sell thing for 2 months. This is the only weekend for weeks when I will have car and time. FFS.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 23 October, 2019, 05:20:58 pm
Quote from: Torslanda on 15 October, 2019, 07:25:34 pm
Quote
Who would want to fit only one shock absorber to anything when the full complement is two? 

You've never worked in a motor factors, have you...?

Vauxhall.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 23 October, 2019, 11:50:13 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 23 October, 2019, 04:54:31 pm
I'm interested in buying something. Person x else wants to sell thing.
Great.
We check and discover that we both have same weekend free. I can come and take a shufti at thing this weekend.

Arrange my life to have car, roofrack etc for this weekend. Message Person x to arrange time and day.

<tumbleweed>

They are 60 miles away. They have been trying to sell thing for 2 months. This is the only weekend for weeks when I will have car and time. FFS.

It's still a couple of days until the weekend ...

Depending on the tenor of the previous conversations, if I were the seller and the weekend had been agreed, I wouldn't necessarily be too bothered about narrowing down a time until Friday (or maybe even Saturday morning), at least as long as I was able to be flexible.

Sure, if I could only make a particular two hour slot on Saturday night and an hour at lunchtime on Sunday I'd have been keen to check that one of those worked for you, but if I knew I was going to be around all day I'd probably be happy with leaving you to give me a call before leaving, to see if I would be around in a couple of hours time.

I do realise some people might feel I'm a little lackadaisical ...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 24 October, 2019, 08:10:06 am
Quote from: jsabine on 23 October, 2019, 11:50:13 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 23 October, 2019, 04:54:31 pm
I'm interested in buying something. Person x else wants to sell thing.
Great.
We check and discover that we both have same weekend free. I can come and take a shufti at thing this weekend.

Arrange my life to have car, roofrack etc for this weekend. Message Person x to arrange time and day.

<tumbleweed>

They are 60 miles away. They have been trying to sell thing for 2 months. This is the only weekend for weeks when I will have car and time. FFS.

It's still a couple of days until the weekend ...

Depending on the tenor of the previous conversations, if I were the seller and the weekend had been agreed, I wouldn't necessarily be too bothered about narrowing down a time until Friday (or maybe even Saturday morning), at least as long as I was able to be flexible.

Sure, if I could only make a particular two hour slot on Saturday night and an hour at lunchtime on Sunday I'd have been keen to check that one of those worked for you, but if I knew I was going to be around all day I'd probably be happy with leaving you to give me a call before leaving, to see if I would be around in a couple of hours time.

I do realise some people might feel I'm a little lackadaisical ...
No phone number provided.
No address.

Only method of contact is via facebook, on the advert.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 25 October, 2019, 10:18:19 am
they have sold it more locally and cannot be arsed to be honest
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 26 October, 2019, 09:34:55 pm
Shopping in Costco I'm conscious that the jeans I'm wearing a loose, baggy & probably past their best (rolling around my parents floor doing DIY stuff earlier didn't help).   By a fortuitous coincidence they have a table piled high with Levi 501s, after some burrowing I find a pair in Fat Bastard 32 leg & stick them in the trolley.   


Try them on at home & they fit OK , but the fabric feels like tissue paper.   I remember when new jeans would scratch & chafe your legs because the cloth was thick & stiff. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 26 October, 2019, 09:45:36 pm
Yup. I can’t seem to find any jeans that hold up to site inspections amongst barbed wire fences and thorny plants.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 26 October, 2019, 10:28:06 pm
Cowboys used to wear jeans, now they make them.

IGMC
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 27 October, 2019, 06:20:42 am
Quote from: andrewc
I remember when new jeans would scratch & chafe your legs because the cloth was thick & stiff.
Shouldn't this be in, "You know you're middle aged..."? :)

I have this change dated to around about 1989-90 perhaps as late as '92.  Replacing some worn out 501s that were about 5 years old and noticed that the new ones were now "Made in {somewhere in eastern europe*}" and the fabric of the new pair was noticeably thinner than the knackered old pair I was wearing.  I was distinctly unimpressed.  That pair was the last pair of 501s I bought.

*It might have been Poland, but some details escape me.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 27 October, 2019, 08:34:36 am
I remember having to scrub the blue dye from my legs as a kid, having not put them through the wash first
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 27 October, 2019, 10:46:41 am
Where they are made is far less of an issue than what they are made from.

Fashion is that you'll replace them after three or four outings.   I used to buy my favourite jeans for less than a quarter of new price on ebay and they were always in very good nick.  Sometimes they'd even still have the labels attached.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 28 October, 2019, 08:54:32 am
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 24 October, 2019, 08:10:06 am
Quote from: jsabine on 23 October, 2019, 11:50:13 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 23 October, 2019, 04:54:31 pm
I'm interested in buying something. Person x else wants to sell thing.
Great.
We check and discover that we both have same weekend free. I can come and take a shufti at thing this weekend.

Arrange my life to have car, roofrack etc for this weekend. Message Person x to arrange time and day.

<tumbleweed>

They are 60 miles away. They have been trying to sell thing for 2 months. This is the only weekend for weeks when I will have car and time. FFS.

It's still a couple of days until the weekend ...

Depending on the tenor of the previous conversations, if I were the seller and the weekend had been agreed, I wouldn't necessarily be too bothered about narrowing down a time until Friday (or maybe even Saturday morning), at least as long as I was able to be flexible.

Sure, if I could only make a particular two hour slot on Saturday night and an hour at lunchtime on Sunday I'd have been keen to check that one of those worked for you, but if I knew I was going to be around all day I'd probably be happy with leaving you to give me a call before leaving, to see if I would be around in a couple of hours time.

I do realise some people might feel I'm a little lackadaisical ...
No phone number provided.
No address.

Only method of contact is via facebook, on the advert.

He finally responded, last thursday.

So, Sat I went to see, buy kayak.

Pristine condition, as described (amazing for its age). Incredibly light. Looked a bit narrower on the hull than I expected.

He said he was selling because he didn't race much and found it too hard to paddle (unstable).

I bought it.

Sunday took it for a paddle. Hmm, that's odd, I think, when I put it in the water. Jaguars are not noted for being that unstable. I'm looking at a boat so unstable it won't stay upright by itself. Capsizes just sitting in the water without a paddler sat in the cockpit.

Paddled the boat for about 11km. Handles nicely. No troubles in some powerboat wash. But it isn't a stable boat.

Have a close squint at hull details, some googling. Find a picture of a Jaguar (what I has supposedly bought) next to a Cleaver-x.

This isn't a Jaguar. It is a Cleaver-X. Stability 1, which makes it nearly as unstable a boat as they get. Caveat emptor.
I don't think the seller knew.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 28 October, 2019, 10:05:41 am
Some critter spent the night digging up the lawn on the top terrace of my garden. No idea what, it basically peeled all the grass back to get at worms (I assume) underneath. Look like it had big paws, though I'm not sure foxes round here don't survive on KFC leftovers. We do have occasional badgers but I'd think they'd make more of a mess and deeper holes. I don't think yetis or bears eat worms.

Of course, there's no CCTV on that lawn, so it may remain mysterious. Made a mess of my lawn though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 28 October, 2019, 10:13:54 am
Quote from: TheLurker on 27 October, 2019, 06:20:42 am
Quote from: andrewc
I remember when new jeans would scratch & chafe your legs because the cloth was thick & stiff.
Shouldn't this be in, "You know you're middle aged..."? :)

I have this change dated to around about 1989-90 perhaps as late as '92.  Replacing some worn out 501s that were about 5 years old and noticed that the new ones were now "Made in {somewhere in eastern europe*}" and the fabric of the new pair was noticeably thinner than the knackered old pair I was wearing.  I was distinctly unimpressed.  That pair was the last pair of 501s I bought.

*It might have been Poland, but some details escape me.
It would have been Poland. Levi's had/have a factory in a place I could point to on a map (it's the widest point of the River Wisła, downstream of Warsaw) but can't remember the name of. ( :-[)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 28 October, 2019, 10:23:18 am
Quote from: ian on 28 October, 2019, 10:05:41 am
Some critter spent the night digging up the lawn on the top terrace of my garden. No idea what, it basically peeled all the grass back to get at worms (I assume) underneath. Look like it had big paws, though I'm not sure foxes round here don't survive on KFC leftovers. We do have occasional badgers but I'd think they'd make more of a mess and deeper holes. I don't think yetis or bears eat worms.

Of course, there's no CCTV on that lawn, so it may remain mysterious. Made a mess of my lawn though.

Common enough along roadside verges here. Usually wild boar.  No trotter-prints?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 28 October, 2019, 10:41:02 am
You know, it did look piggy, but I don't think we have wild boar in suburban Surrey. The most exotic animals are bear. There's a couple of foxes than hang around the garden, but they're huge and well-fed, and I think they probably get dinner delivered by Deliveroo. Do foxes grub around for worms (given the rain, there would have been plenty)? They're the obvious candidate. I think badgers would dig bigger holes and leave claw marks. We do get the occasional deer and they could, I suppose, have been re-enacting their favourite bits of River Dance on our lawn. That would also explain it. The holes looked to too big for smaller critters.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 28 October, 2019, 11:20:45 am
You have an infestation of Coarse Anglers Ian. They were looking for bait.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 28 October, 2019, 11:37:37 am
It's a possibility. I'd normally blame the cats but that would be strange behaviour even for them. It could be a chupacabra, I suppose. Or a hover-mole.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 28 October, 2019, 11:41:37 am
could actually be woodpeckers.  A few years back we had mysterious holes appearing in the lawn one winter, then I caught the bugger in the act flinging bits of turf all over the place.  It's more prevalent in hard winters as they start to dig for ants and the like, but yours may be afraid of the tree-yetis and find the lawn a safer place.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 28 October, 2019, 11:51:01 am
Nah, the holes are too big for beaks. Current culprit rankings are:

1. Fox
2. Badger
3. Deer
4. Cat (either Bad Cat or LMC)
5. The fabled hover mole
6. Chupacabra
7. Tree Yeti
8. Surrey Jungle Bear
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 28 October, 2019, 12:42:01 pm
They do not create beak-sized holes, more like shell craters


That may contain elements of exaggeration
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andytheflyer on 28 October, 2019, 01:39:21 pm
Quote from: ian on 28 October, 2019, 10:05:41 am
Some critter spent the night digging up the lawn on the top terrace of my garden. No idea what, it basically peeled all the grass back to get at worms (I assume) underneath. Look like it had big paws, though I'm not sure foxes round here don't survive on KFC leftovers. We do have occasional badgers but I'd think they'd make more of a mess and deeper holes. I don't think yetis or bears eat worms.

Of course, there's no CCTV on that lawn, so it may remain mysterious. Made a mess of my lawn though.
Badgers.  They are now out and about - next door's now getting a regular visit, if our dog's intuition is anything to go by.  We've not had a visitation yet - but only a matter of time  - unless the smell of a black lab is putting them off this year.

We've had them carry out little surgical digs to get worms and leather jackets, that simply require the replacement of the divot and a firm tread in.

We've also had the badger equivalent of Steven Spielberg's remake of The Battle Of the Somme.  That was half an hour with a spade, that one.  Bloody badgers.........
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 28 October, 2019, 01:43:57 pm
What I'm wondering is what has moved into the void under nextdoor's path that's been created by a blocked drain overflowing.  At first I thought the hole was created by the water, but after a couple of fillings-in and strategic blocking of the hole with a brick, I've concluded that it's definitely a critter enlarging the hole, rather than hydraulic action.

I'm suspicious that it may be a rat.  But if not a rat, then something of similar size.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 28 October, 2019, 02:46:00 pm
Quote from: Kim on 28 October, 2019, 01:43:57 pm
What I'm wondering is what has moved into the void under nextdoor's path that's been created by a blocked drain overflowing.  At first I thought the hole was created by the water, but after a couple of fillings-in and strategic blocking of the hole with a brick, I've concluded that it's definitely a critter enlarging the hole, rather than hydraulic action.

I'm suspicious that it may be a rat.  But if not a rat, then something of similar size.

A different rat?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 28 October, 2019, 04:00:45 pm
It could well be badgers, I know they're out and about though I rarely see them (I once tripped over one*, they're really not good at running out in front of things). It happened over the very soggy Saturday night. It'll grow back tbh, I think badgers are generally a lot cooler addition to a garden than lawns.

*apropos of nothing, I nearly stepped on a huge adder while aqua-hiking on Saturday, it reared up ready to bite me which, considering my size 9 boot was about to descend on it, seemed not unreasonable.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andytheflyer on 28 October, 2019, 04:55:11 pm
Quote from: ian on 28 October, 2019, 04:00:45 pm
It could well be badgers, I know they're out and about though I rarely see them (I once tripped over one*, they're really not good at running out in front of things). It happened over the very soggy Saturday night. It'll grow back tbh, I think badgers are generally a lot cooler addition to a garden than lawns. 
I did meet a couple of them last year at dusk one evening.  They made it quite clear that this was their patch, and they were not moving for anyone, least of all me, at 105kg.  I stood aside and watched them trot past.  No doubt on their way to dig up someone else's lawn.  They exuded attitude, just like Maro Itoje on Saturday.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 28 October, 2019, 05:09:09 pm
so we could have The Badgers vs The Springboks on Saturday
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cycleman on 28 October, 2019, 07:36:08 pm
My yearly grumble about the rock salt spread with wild abandon across the dry roads. If its going to be wet with a chance of freezing fine but grit would do the job without croading everything and killing roadside plants and fouling watercourses.
Of  course moterists must be allowed to drive just as fast in winter as in summer  ::-) :facepalm:.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 28 October, 2019, 07:46:55 pm
I agree, cycleman, but I ~think~ the salt and grit are usually premixed, so they don't have the option of just grit. Which is pretty stupid really.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 28 October, 2019, 07:48:55 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 28 October, 2019, 08:54:32 am

He finally responded, last thursday.

So, Sat I went to see, buy kayak.

Pristine condition, as described (amazing for its age). Incredibly light. Looked a bit narrower on the hull than I expected.

He said he was selling because he didn't race much and found it too hard to paddle (unstable).

I bought it.

Sunday took it for a paddle. Hmm, that's odd, I think, when I put it in the water. Jaguars are not noted for being that unstable. I'm looking at a boat so unstable it won't stay upright by itself. Capsizes just sitting in the water without a paddler sat in the cockpit.

Paddled the boat for about 11km. Handles nicely. No troubles in some powerboat wash. But it isn't a stable boat.

Have a close squint at hull details, some googling. Find a picture of a Jaguar (what I has supposedly bought) next to a Cleaver-x.

This isn't a Jaguar. It is a Cleaver-X. Stability 1, which makes it nearly as unstable a boat as they get. Caveat emptor.
I don't think the seller knew.

Congratulations.  I have never paddled anything like that.  I bought a south african boat about 10 years ago in a similar fashion which turned out very similarly.  I was not as good as you and whilst i spent many happy hours in it there was a steep learning curve of falling in!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 28 October, 2019, 10:26:19 pm
No pet specific grumble thread, so I'll put this here.
So, I'm walking back through the village with Megan on her evening walk when I noticed a dog wandering around in the middle of the High Street, the occasional car having to weave around it.
What to do?  No one in sight anywhere and the dog was in serious danger of running under a car. So I slipped Meg off her lead and attached it to the stray's harness and took her into the pub nearby to see if anyone their recognised it.  No luck, but they photographed it and posted it on the Llandysul faceache page.
I then took the sort of cross between a Basset Hound and Fox Hound back 200 meters to my house with the intention of taking it to the vet in the morning,. I'd not even taken my coat off when the pub rang me to say the owner had arrived.  (Blimey,  faceache works, doesn't it?  Still not joining though.)
So walk Molly back to the pub for a joyful reunion.  Dog was only 1.5 miles from home and they'd been searching for 4 hours.

The grumble?   The owner profusely thanked the landlord, the barman, the two locals propping up the bar, but just totally blanked me.

Meh
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 29 October, 2019, 11:03:19 am
Aye - no good deed etc.

Bloke up the road used to have a dog that liked to go to sleep in the middle of the road.  Traffic isn't exactly at Place de la Concorde levels here but it isn't zero either. Dog lived to a ripe old age. Really ripe.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 29 October, 2019, 04:54:13 pm
Quote from: chrisbainbridge on 28 October, 2019, 07:48:55 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 28 October, 2019, 08:54:32 am

He finally responded, last thursday.

So, Sat I went to see, buy kayak.

Pristine condition, as described (amazing for its age). Incredibly light. Looked a bit narrower on the hull than I expected.

He said he was selling because he didn't race much and found it too hard to paddle (unstable).

I bought it.

Sunday took it for a paddle. Hmm, that's odd, I think, when I put it in the water. Jaguars are not noted for being that unstable. I'm looking at a boat so unstable it won't stay upright by itself. Capsizes just sitting in the water without a paddler sat in the cockpit.

Paddled the boat for about 11km. Handles nicely. No troubles in some powerboat wash. But it isn't a stable boat.

Have a close squint at hull details, some googling. Find a picture of a Jaguar (what I has supposedly bought) next to a Cleaver-x.

This isn't a Jaguar. It is a Cleaver-X. Stability 1, which makes it nearly as unstable a boat as they get. Caveat emptor.
I don't think the seller knew.

Congratulations.  I have never paddled anything like that.  I bought a south african boat about 10 years ago in a similar fashion which turned out very similarly.  I was not as good as you and whilst i spent many happy hours in it there was a steep learning curve of falling in!

Thanks.

It isn't really what I was after. I wanted something a bit more kindly to handle, for long distance races. Also something very light, so that multi-portage races were not exhausting.

What I have is a super-lightweight boat that is quick, but requires concentration. Get something wrong (like paddle into a mound of pennywort and get my paddle stuck), and I'm in. However it is easy to empty and reboard. Only been in the water once and that was in the dark, when tangles up with weed.
Will go for a longish paddle this weekend (prob at least 30km) and see if I get smoother and more confident then.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jakob W on 29 October, 2019, 05:42:00 pm
Is the trade-off for the instability that it's more manoeuvrable?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 29 October, 2019, 06:00:24 pm
Quote from: Jakob W on 29 October, 2019, 05:42:00 pm
Is the trade-off for the instability that it's more manoeuvrable?
Very much faster if you have the skills to paddle it. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 29 October, 2019, 08:45:40 pm
I'm sorry to be ageist, but I think it's time that Jon Snow off C4News gave up live broadcast in favour of recorded pieces.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 29 October, 2019, 10:43:17 pm
Quote from: chrisbainbridge on 29 October, 2019, 06:00:24 pm
Quote from: Jakob W on 29 October, 2019, 05:42:00 pm
Is the trade-off for the instability that it's more manoeuvrable?
Very much faster if you have the skills to paddle it.

The sounds like the boat they gave me the last time I went kayaking.

In the Everglades. Where the alligators live. In the water.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 30 October, 2019, 12:03:07 pm
Quote from: Basil on 28 October, 2019, 10:26:19 pm
No pet specific grumble thread, so I'll put this here.
So, I'm walking back through the village with Megan on her evening walk when I noticed a dog wandering around in the middle of the High Street, the occasional car having to weave around it.
What to do?  No one in sight anywhere and the dog was in serious danger of running under a car. So I slipped Meg off her lead and attached it to the stray's harness and took her into the pub nearby to see if anyone their recognised it.  No luck, but they photographed it and posted it on the Llandysul faceache page.
I then took the sort of cross between a Basset Hound and Fox Hound back 200 meters to my house with the intention of taking it to the vet in the morning,. I'd not even taken my coat off when the pub rang me to say the owner had arrived.  (Blimey,  faceache works, doesn't it?  Still not joining though.)
So walk Molly back to the pub for a joyful reunion.  Dog was only 1.5 miles from home and they'd been searching for 4 hours.

The grumble?   The owner profusely thanked the landlord, the barman, the two locals propping up the bar, but just totally blanked me.

Meh

I retract this grumble.   The real owner has just turned up at my door bearing Thank You card, box of Milk Tray and a bag of dog treats.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 30 October, 2019, 12:05:26 pm
Quote from: Basil on 30 October, 2019, 12:03:07 pm
The real owner has just turned up at my door bearing Thank You card, box of Milk Tray and a bag of dog treats.

Were they wearing a black poloneck and a balaclava?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 30 October, 2019, 12:19:12 pm
Quote from: Kim on 30 October, 2019, 12:05:26 pm
Quote from: Basil on 30 October, 2019, 12:03:07 pm
The real owner has just turned up at my door bearing Thank You card, box of Milk Tray and a bag of dog treats.

Were they wearing a black poloneck and a balaclava?
If he had been, he'd have abseiled through Basil's loft hatch, rather than use the door.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 30 October, 2019, 01:22:10 pm
Quote from: Kim on 30 October, 2019, 12:05:26 pm
Quote from: Basil on 30 October, 2019, 12:03:07 pm
The real owner has just turned up at my door bearing Thank You card, box of Milk Tray and a bag of dog treats.

Were they wearing a black poloneck and a balaclava?

No, but I was.  Scared the life out of her when I answered the door.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 30 October, 2019, 05:53:17 pm
Just had some trick-or-treaters at the door.  Children, not BloodyStudents.  I  a) haven't got a pumpkin out  and  b) thought it was tomorrow.  ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 30 October, 2019, 06:13:36 pm
Quote from: Kim on 30 October, 2019, 05:53:17 pm
Just had some trick-or-treaters at the door.  Children, not BloodyStudents.  I  a) haven't got a pumpkin out  and  b) thought it was tomorrow.  ???

This time of year, if it's mild, I tend to hide behind the wheelie bins, waiting for them to come round.
Whereupon,  their ringing of my doorbell has an effect, that I surmise, few of them were expecting.
By the time they've turned around to make good their escape, I will have raised the trip wires they had previously walked over.....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SteveC on 02 November, 2019, 11:11:11 am
I had this weekend all planned out. Today is wet and horrible so I will catch up with all the computer based tasks on my list. Tomorrow is supposed to be nicer so I will go for a run, then get out into the garden.

We have a major-ish power cut—450 houses without electricity—which makes using the main computer a bit difficult.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 06 November, 2019, 02:44:07 pm
Why is it that the passenger side of the windscreen always demists faster than the drivers side?? Even on a car (like my current Toyota) designed in a country that drives on the left, and produced and sold in the UK?  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 06 November, 2019, 06:18:17 pm
The driver is breathing in its general direction?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 06 November, 2019, 06:24:38 pm
I certainly sit further forward as a driver than as a passenger.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 07 November, 2019, 09:55:54 am
Quote from: rafletcher on 06 November, 2019, 02:44:07 pm
Why is it that the passenger side of the windscreen always demists faster than the drivers side?? Even on a car (like my current Toyota) designed in a country that drives on the left, and produced and sold in the UK?  >:(

Funny - I don't have that problem at all. ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 08 November, 2019, 10:29:11 am
I am a God.  No really, it's the only explanation.  I have come to realise this through watching those most informative televisual broadcast by renowned documentary makers Marvel.  I have learned I have a real, genuine superpower and I'm hoping there are more to be discovered.  Control of lightning would be cool this time of year.  I don't have super strength, that's obvious and various scars attest to my not having magical healing.  The ability to fly would be useful but I'm not risking a jump from the roof to find out.  Immortality - that'd be handy for the mortgage.
Fear not puny mortals I shall not abuse my one godly superpower.  To be honest I haven't figured figured out any way to abuse my superpower.  Proof of my god status comes in the form of an object in one of the smaller rooms in our office building that only I can lift.  Just as Thor is the only creature in Asgard and the Nine Realms that can wield Mjölnir I am the only warrior sufficiently bold, just and mighty to lift this object.  Well there is one other, she arrives in the office twice a day and wields the object most effectively. 
Throughout the day I see colleagues enter and leave this smaller room in order to attempt lifting the object, and other reasons.  They hide their disappointment well,  I know they must try to wield the object on each visit due to the signs imploring them to do so.  They fail.  They all fail every damn time they use this room.  The evidence of their failure is clear to see by whomever next enters the room.  The evidence is plastered all over the bowl time and time again.
I hope I find my other superpowers soon, I really do.  Otherwise I'm going down in history as the God of toilet brushes.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 09 November, 2019, 01:33:31 pm
Dear Bicycle owner in Camden,

I am sorry you missed our monthly bike maintenance workshop. You say you'd like someone to show you how to change your brake blocks. Oh look, here are some instructions from British Cycling I found after 2 seconds on Google.

Now you want to know if random blocks bought online will be OK on your bike? They might be, but look a bit long.

Have you asked at a bike shop?

Get real! A bunch of scattered volunteers can't spoon-feed you through this!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 09 November, 2019, 01:54:58 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 09 November, 2019, 01:33:31 pm
Dear Bicycle owner in Camden,

I am sorry you missed our monthly bike maintenance workshop. You say you'd like someone to show you how to change your brake blocks. Oh look, here are some instructions from British Cycling I found after 2 seconds on Google.

Now you want to know if random blocks bought online will be OK on your bike? They might be, but look a bit long.

Have you asked at a bike shop?

Get real! A bunch of scattered volunteers can't spoon-feed you through this!

Why not? Some cyclists need spoon feeding. Trust me. We get riders with thousands of annual miles come into the shop to have the simplist of things done. All money through the till but......
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 09 November, 2019, 02:06:13 pm
Yebbut I had to suggest she went to a shop!

My gripe is she didn't go to the workshop and didn't Google either...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 11 November, 2019, 12:29:36 pm
Inspired by Cudzo elsethread:

Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 11 November, 2019, 08:41:08 am
(The obvious flaw being that music is not a possession. The joy in music is listening to it and making it, not in possessing CDs and so on. Except, of course, where joy in music is actually joy in CDs/vinyl/etc, which brings us back to the start, more or less.)

Apropos which, them idle buggers at Ampcorp Industries promised us the vinyl release of "The Octopus" for "late September" and it's not here yet.  I know where you live, Mr Balamir...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 11 November, 2019, 10:26:49 pm
Being on a bus, at night, in surroundings you're not that familiar with. The lights are on and you can see: sod all.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 11 November, 2019, 10:42:27 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 11 November, 2019, 10:26:49 pm
Being on a bus, at night, in surroundings you're not that familiar with. The lights are on and you can see: sod all.

I once did a several of laps of Southampton in similar circumstances before the bus driver thought to ask whether I was planning to get off at any point.  I'd naively assumed that I'd see the distinctive and well-lit railway station forecourt through the misted, rain-soaked windows, unaware that on the return journey the bus dropped off at some nondescript place on the other side of the building.

Buses became a lot more usable when we all started carrying high-sensitivity GPS receivers around with us...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 11 November, 2019, 10:53:21 pm
Quote from: Kim on 11 November, 2019, 10:42:27 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 11 November, 2019, 10:26:49 pm
Being on a bus, at night, in surroundings you're not that familiar with. The lights are on and you can see: sod all.

I once did a several of laps of Southampton in similar circumstances before the bus driver thought to ask whether I was planning to get off at any point.  I'd naively assumed that I'd see the distinctive and well-lit railway station forecourt through the misted, rain-soaked windows, unaware that on the return journey the bus dropped off at some nondescript place on the other side of the building.

Buses became a lot more usable when we all started carrying high-sensitivity GPS receivers around with us...
Quite. I'd be screwed if it weren't for Google maps.
That goes for a lot of things though. But especially the dark.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 12 November, 2019, 10:04:57 am
The British Gas app that says 'it looks like there's something wrong here, are you sure' every time I input my meter readings, forcing me to go back and check I've not transposed a number (and numbers terrify me), which I haven't, so no, there's nothing wrong. As proved by the fact I don't have a bill for £3 billion.

Every form on the internet for displaying the 'form incomplete/you've done something wrong' whatever message and not telling you what, oh no, but cryptically encoding the source of the problem somewhere in the long form itself, perhaps a smidgeon of extra border around a text box, an inkling of pastel colour, or some vague signifier guaranteed to be lost in a form that has busied itself asking questions about stuff there's no reason for it know.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 12 November, 2019, 10:41:27 am
I always take that British Gas app to mean "Surely you must have used at least half of Qatar since your last reading, it's supposed to be winter!"
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 12 November, 2019, 11:09:15 am
I think I get the 'it looks like you've done something wrong' message every time I input a reading. And because numbers jumble up in my head the moment I look away, I might have, so I have to go back and check. I should just pony up and get a smart meter, reading the meters involves waving my phone about in the cupboard of IT spaghetti under the stairs and hopefully capturing a picture of the meter, then the fraught transposition of those digits into the app.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 12 November, 2019, 11:28:22 am
The SSE web page always announces that something is wrong when I input my reading.  It then always accepts the very same numbers on a second attempt.  Very odd.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 12 November, 2019, 12:33:06 pm
We've got smart meters, which means I don't have to go through the faff of submitting readings to avoid random-number billing.

Instead I get bombarded by emails (and, a recent development, paper letters) reminding me to submit readings every month.   :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 12 November, 2019, 12:44:53 pm
I get the monthly emails, but then I have dumb meters. My energy supplier (So) aren't rolling them out until sometime 2020 to ensure all their customers get SMETS 2 versions.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 12 November, 2019, 01:13:20 pm
I've held out because no one at BG seems to know what smart meter they offer. I only read the meter quarterly*, so in theory it's not that bad, other than the terror I'm submitting a reading that's a fit for a small country's energy needs. It's not so much getting that bill that I fear, it's having to deal with customer services. It took about four months to convince them that we had a metric and not imperial gas meter ('but our database says...')

*they've mostly given up sending me notes about paying by monthly direct debit, at least.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Giraffe on 13 November, 2019, 06:07:00 pm
One suppliers site came up with "Unexpected reading" - I didn't know if it was quantity or timing. Re-entered it and OK.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 13 November, 2019, 08:10:12 pm
Hmm, it seems to be the default stance. I'm not sure what they expect, well other than the £267 that I now owe them.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 13 November, 2019, 09:15:38 pm
West Midlands Ambulance Service - This would be a rant, but I know it's not the fault of the people at the sharp end, so: I called you at 17.08 to request an ambulance for an old chap I'd found staggering in the street. I had to leave him in the lovely and capable care of Carmel and John - a lovely couple who threw open their doors to two strangers in need - 45 minutes later to pick up my daughter. Carmel has just phoned me to say that the ambulance arrived at 20.30. That really isn't good enough...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 14 November, 2019, 11:47:30 am
They left an 82 years old on the floor here with a broken hip for 3.5 hours.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 14 November, 2019, 12:24:42 pm
I would commend the BBC series "Ambulance" to you, to get a real insight into the issues the ambulance service faces in trying to get to patients. Not least the long waits at A&E that crews have, not being able to just abandon their patients. And of course, the many vexatious calls and callers they have to deal with (which is nobodies fault other than, perhaps, societies, not even the government of the day).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 16 November, 2019, 02:47:00 pm
Grumble.  Stiff neck & sore shoulder for the last few days.  I've not been doing anything physical either.  Possibly sleeping in an awkward position.  :(    Time to stick a heat pack in the microwave & bake the affected parts.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 16 November, 2019, 08:25:37 pm
Self: you had an almighty off yesterday and escaped relatively lightly. Today should have been devoted to recuperation. Instead you traipse around as normal until, bending over, one of your ribs gives way. You now lie in agony on your bed hardly daring to move. Eejit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 16 November, 2019, 08:29:59 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 14 November, 2019, 12:24:42 pm
I would commend the BBC series "Ambulance" to you, to get a real insight into the issues the ambulance service faces in trying to get to patients. Not least the long waits at A&E that crews have, not being able to just abandon their patients. And of course, the many vexatious calls and callers they have to deal with (which is nobodies fault other than, perhaps, societies, not even the government of the day).

Generally I'd agree wholeheartedly, but they don't always get it right.  I requested the notes from my SMIDSY, and apparently I was
- weight bearing
- passive aggressive
- demanding "a scan"

I had a fractured pelvis, and required the assistance of two people to walk 100 yards to a petrol station, I also had an elbow the size of a canteloupe melon.  I ended up walking with a stick for 8 weeks and on co-codamol. The notes also say that they had intended to discharge me at the scene without my insistence.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 16 November, 2019, 11:00:28 pm
 :o >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 16 November, 2019, 11:22:41 pm
To be fair, I once spent 6 hours in A&E in pain and breathing on manual while watching The Fucking Hoobs because the paramedics decided I'd had a panic attack and biased the triage nurse against proper investigation.  To be fair, two doctors failed to find anything wrong with me either, so I don't really blame them apart from the inappropriate treatment for the assumed condition.  As far as they were concerned, I was a mental heath case wasting their time with fictitious breathing problems.  This came as something of a shock, given how I've been treated when presenting with unambiguous breathing problems in the past.

CAMRAMan: GWS, and I suggest avoiding all kids' TV to be on the safe side.  Also, comedy.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 17 November, 2019, 09:58:51 am
Have given in and gone to A&E. The wait begins...
And I was in, reviewed, x-rayed and diagnosed with 2 broken ribs, in <2 hours. And I got to see my x-ray!
The last time I had 3 broken ribs I was in Budapest and subject to their health regime, which was quick, albeit brutal. They gave me niflumic acid as painkiller and it was brilliant. Today, I asked for, and got, co-codamol.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 17 November, 2019, 01:33:13 pm
GWS and don't catch a cold in the meantime.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 17 November, 2019, 01:35:22 pm
Yesterday, as  Saturdays go, was quite stressful.
5 weeks to go 'til Christmas, and I get it into my head that it is a good idea to go to shopping in Harrods food hall, Fortnum & Mason, Borough Market and M&S Foodhall.
I also took my Mum to do her weekly Sainos shop.

I'm still deliberating which of the two was more stressful.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 17 November, 2019, 07:18:29 pm
Quote from: T42 on 17 November, 2019, 01:33:13 pm
GWS and don't catch a cold in the meantime.
Thanks. Fortunately I had a cold a couple of weeks ago and I'm not planning on getting a new one any time soon!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 18 November, 2019, 09:16:35 am
Royal Fail/DVLA, et al: These flats have been inhabited at least 6 weeks now. Some organisations have the full list of properties in their address lists, some don't - including the DVLA. I don't know whose responsibility that is, but it's a PITA trying to update details and/or open accounts with utility providers, for example. Sort it out!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 18 November, 2019, 09:49:05 am
The list as used by many an online entity has developed a completely mythical Flat B at my street address, but so far no goods, services, letters or bailiffs have turned up.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 18 November, 2019, 10:01:05 am
Similarly, when residents' parking permits were introduced, some of my neighbours discovered their addresses did not officially exist, at least according to the city council.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 18 November, 2019, 05:01:35 pm
A protein shake forms a substantial part of my calorific intake each day (I eat full meals as well).

1hour after lunch I go to work fridge to get some top up. There in work kitchen is my protein shake container, drying on the worktop. Very well washed.

No clue what happened to the contents. Drunk by person who thought it was theirs? Emptied out by the cleaner?

I feel bloody hungry. And not a little pissed off.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 18 November, 2019, 05:06:27 pm
Lunch thieves will be up against the wall when we pedal the panzers up Whitehall.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Paul on 22 November, 2019, 01:31:25 pm
I've got a jacket that somehow manages to be neither waterproof nor breathable.

I've checked: it's not inside out.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 22 November, 2019, 02:15:24 pm
Quote from: Paul on 22 November, 2019, 01:31:25 pm
I've got a jacket that somehow manages to be neither waterproof nor breathable.

I've checked: it's not inside out.
I have one of those. A cheap 'softshell' jacket. It is sweaty and no more waterproof than my montane windshell (but gets sodden, weighs a ton and takes 2 days to dry out).

It is warm in cold weather. That is about all I can say for it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 22 November, 2019, 04:44:38 pm
The joys of trying get a boiler repair this side of the heat death of the universe...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andytheflyer on 22 November, 2019, 06:20:04 pm
Quote from: spesh on 22 November, 2019, 04:44:38 pm
The joys of trying get a boiler repair this side of the heat death of the universe...
Tell me about it.  We live in a small village, but there's a big electrical/plumbing business here, with a retail shop.  We've spent thousands with them over the past 30 years.  They've always been good on service, but, the last twice we've called them for boiler servicing, they've been "too busy....".  A month ago the boiler (that they installed) shut down and my wife suffers from the cold.  They would not even give us a date  - too busy.  I reminded them of the money we've spent with them over the years.  Deaf ears.

I went somewhere else - had to wait a week and had to buy a Berco water boiler so we could at least wash. The new supplier has us on a very economical maintenance contract which guarantees a turn out within 24 hours.  Suits me.  F*** off B*****s, your maintenance business and your appliances. I've been loyal to you over the years. You had 2 chances, and you blew it.

Bear a grudge?  Moi? I sure do. And anyone who asks me will be told why.  This is a small village, news gets around.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 22 November, 2019, 07:12:34 pm
Ringing around, I got December 3 as the earliest I could be seen, voicemail, November 28, November 27, voicemail and Monday morning - which I went with on the basis that was probably as good as I was going to get...  ;D


edited
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 23 November, 2019, 04:49:12 pm
Quote from: andytheflyer on 22 November, 2019, 06:20:04 pm
Quote from: spesh on 22 November, 2019, 04:44:38 pm
The joys of trying get a boiler repair this side of the heat death of the universe...
Tell me about it.  We live in a small village, but there's a big electrical/plumbing business here, with a retail shop.  We've spent thousands with them over the past 30 years.  They've always been good on service, but, the last twice we've called them for boiler servicing, they've been "too busy....".  A month ago the boiler (that they installed) shut down and my wife suffers from the cold.  They would not even give us a date  - too busy.  I reminded them of the money we've spent with them over the years.  Deaf ears.

I went somewhere else - had to wait a week and had to buy a Berco water boiler so we could at least wash. The new supplier has us on a very economical maintenance contract which guarantees a turn out within 24 hours.  Suits me.  F*** off B*****s, your maintenance business and your appliances. I've been loyal to you over the years. You had 2 chances, and you blew it.

Bear a grudge?  Moi? I sure do. And anyone who asks me will be told why.  This is a small village, news gets around.

The taxi company I use to get me to the station is on thin ice for the same reason, late twice in a row, and last time I ended up sprinting onto the train just as the doors closed
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 25 November, 2019, 06:20:12 pm
Our boiler is (over)due it's annual service with BG. Called them at the beginning of November. Next service date is mid-January 2020. My wife is grinking them, they can refund three months of fees then.

(Much as I understand they prioritise fixing broken stuff, it's not really my problem that they can't maintain their current agreements in the meantime.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 25 November, 2019, 06:44:48 pm
Quote from: ian on 25 November, 2019, 06:20:12 pm
Our boiler is (over)due it's annual service with BG. Called them at the beginning of November. Next service date is mid-January 2020. My wife is grinking them, they can refund three months of fees then.

(Much as I understand they prioritise fixing broken stuff, it's not really my problem that they can't maintain their current agreements in the meantime.)
A few years ago my heating engineer (with whom I have a half-decent relationship because motorcycles) informed me that modern gas boilers these days are so safe that they will shut themselves down in the event of anything untoward occurring, adding that the whole 'annual service' thing is a bit of a con.
Since then I've not had my boiler serviced for at least five years, and the heating engineer has been back twice in that time.
Once to replace a defective diverter valve, and a second time to replace a radiator.
I think I'm probably quids in.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 25 November, 2019, 06:59:31 pm
Likewise, we’ve never had our “new” boiler serviced, and we’ve had it at least 7 years. All our plumbing woes have been drain related.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 25 November, 2019, 07:11:26 pm
I have ended up taking out an annual 'maintenance contract' on out boiler only, following the experience I have had with a breakdown.

When it broke down last winter, I simply could not get anyone to come out and look at it.
I could not get most local businesses to even answer the phone.

So I took out a contract with one of the Big Cos, and they showed up the next day.
And I now have a number I can call and get an actual response.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 25 November, 2019, 07:23:28 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 25 November, 2019, 06:44:48 pm
Quote from: ian on 25 November, 2019, 06:20:12 pm
Our boiler is (over)due it's annual service with BG. Called them at the beginning of November. Next service date is mid-January 2020. My wife is grinking them, they can refund three months of fees then.

(Much as I understand they prioritise fixing broken stuff, it's not really my problem that they can't maintain their current agreements in the meantime.)
A few years ago my heating engineer (with whom I have a half-decent relationship because motorcycles) informed me that modern gas boilers these days are so safe that they will shut themselves down in the event of anything untoward occurring, adding that the whole 'annual service' thing is a bit of a con.

I've heard similarly from one that was doing the annual certificate.  He remarked that we didn't really need[1] a CO detector because the suitably modern boiler would fail safe if flue gasses weren't going where they were supposed to be going, and that - safety inspection aside - a service would mostly consist of hoovering the dust out of the innards.


[1] Keeping one anyway, because reasons.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 25 November, 2019, 07:53:06 pm
Quote from: Kim on 25 November, 2019, 07:23:28 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 25 November, 2019, 06:44:48 pm
Quote from: ian on 25 November, 2019, 06:20:12 pm
Our boiler is (over)due it's annual service with BG. Called them at the beginning of November. Next service date is mid-January 2020. My wife is grinking them, they can refund three months of fees then.

(Much as I understand they prioritise fixing broken stuff, it's not really my problem that they can't maintain their current agreements in the meantime.)
A few years ago my heating engineer (with whom I have a half-decent relationship because motorcycles) informed me that modern gas boilers these days are so safe that they will shut themselves down in the event of anything untoward occurring, adding that the whole 'annual service' thing is a bit of a con.

I've heard similarly from one that was doing the annual certificate.  He remarked that we didn't really need[1] a CO detector because the suitably modern boiler would fail safe if flue gasses weren't going where they were supposed to be going, and that - safety inspection aside - a service would mostly consist of hoovering the dust out of the innards.


[1] Keeping one anyway, because reasons.

^
My bold.
This.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 25 November, 2019, 08:55:23 pm
With many modern boilers, they won't even do that.
They won't open the combustion chamber at all.

They will shove some tubes on the flue ports and measure the combustion gasses, check for leaks, and check the flue for compliance.
And serve an At Risk notice if they feel they can get away with it.

Then offer you some add-on purchases ( alarms, additional insurance for your un-covered items, etc ).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 25 November, 2019, 10:00:37 pm
Oh, I don't believe the annual service really achieves much, but I'm paying for it so they can perform the ceremony. The main reason we have the contract is for the reasons mentioned: they turn up at short notice when the heating does fail. Last year, the engineer did spend two hours cleaning out some junk from the bathroom radiator to make it get hot again. I was planning the same scam this year as it gone cold again.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 26 November, 2019, 11:20:55 am
Pissport photos

Rejected, because my head is tilted. Is it? I line up a piece of paper down centreline of photo. I guess it might be, by half a degree. My head is just a bit wonky, thanks.

Second photo; "Your head blends into the background." Well, your rules insist on a pale light background. I have grey hair. Guess what, grey hair blends into a pale background!

FFS  Bring back the standard blue background please.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 26 November, 2019, 11:38:21 am
I just did a phone selfie against the kitchen wall (which I think is plain old white), worked fine. The main issue was getting out of shadow, so now my face is a bit waxing on one side, but it didn't bother them. The picture, by-the-by, is hard to see as it's now buried under so much security holography.

However, my brand new passport (already omitting any mention of the EU) is a bit crap. The picture page, previously a sturdy laminated thing designed to be slammed through slide readers etc by airline staff, is now thin and pathetic and simply bends and took three machines to find one that could read it at check-in on the way back. Compared to my previous passport it's a limp little thing, unlikely to survive the depredations of 10 years of international travel (though I don't anticipate replicating the epic travels of the last 10 years going forwards).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 26 November, 2019, 11:40:37 am
Quote from: ian on 26 November, 2019, 11:38:21 am
(though I don't anticipate replicating the epic travels of the last 10 years going forwards).
I hope you appreciate the new backwards facing airline seats.  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 26 November, 2019, 11:43:55 am
AAaand - they approved the 'grey' photo.

I suspect my accompanying text gave someone a laugh and they waved the photo through, even though the computer said no.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ham on 27 November, 2019, 09:40:40 am
Quote from: ian on 25 November, 2019, 10:00:37 pm
Oh, I don't believe the annual service really achieves much, but I'm paying for it so they can perform the ceremony. The main reason we have the contract is for the reasons mentioned: they turn up at short notice when the heating does fail.

Are you sure? For years I held onto that belief, especially due to the likelihood that when I really needed the engineer there might well be severe contentention for engineers. Indeed, more years ago that I care to think about I was smug and warm in just such an instance when there was a SnoPoccalypse spread over the UK. It was a "premium" package, probably similar to your BG, I religiously paid the premium (some 20% of the cost of a boiler?) for this benefit. However, over the years their modus operandi has changed and a few years back when I needed a repair - not in a SnoPoccaplse time - the earliest visit possible was three days out. They lost my business at the next renewal and I am back to self-insuring as I do with most things. I also have a dependable plumber who prioritises based on need (which may work against me but such is life).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 27 November, 2019, 09:55:27 am
Well, on the two occasions we have needed them in recent memory, they've turned up same day. Once on the eve of Christmas as guests descended and within a few hours they'd magicked up an entire new circuit board for our decade-old boiler and warmth was restored. The other time it was a pump and he had a replacement in the back of his van.

In our older place, I seem to remember them spending days (at one point I think we had their entire engineering staff) replacing our Bosch boiler part by part until they'd essentially assembled a new one.

Limited data points, of course, so mileage may vary. Not so worried about the insurance aspect, just having someone on call. It is, of course, ruinously expensive in terms of the actual cost, like most insurance we could probably just replace the insured item every couple of years. But they know that.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 27 November, 2019, 04:13:59 pm
Cycling club committee meeting this evening = early dinner + two hours of crushing boredom & lousy coffee. Bleh. :sick:

Why don't I resign? Founder member, ex-secretory,* El Prez's buddy etc, etc.  Allasame, bleh.

*yes I know
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 02 December, 2019, 11:56:02 am
We've got christmas music at work. This may get old some time before Christmas.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Clare on 02 December, 2019, 12:22:10 pm
So, with much giggling and chatter the Crapstmass decorations went up at work today, lots of 'Obviously Claaare won't join in' <giggle, giggle>, 'I do hope this isn't annoying Claaare' <giggle, giggle>, 'Can we put anything on your desk Claaare?' <giggle, giggle, giggle> 'Oooh she said 'No', ooh you are such a Scrooge' <giggle, giggle, giggle>.

For Dog's fucking sake, you name is the same as mine, you know how to pronounce Clare so why do the damned extending the 'a' to infinity.

BUT, more than that, you do not have to put everything up exactly the same each year, we do not need you asking 'Can anybody remember where these go?' about every fucking item.

 >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 02 December, 2019, 01:01:48 pm
Dear Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh,
Thank you for sending me a link to your Younger Fellows' Survey from a 'no reply' address.
I have been a Fellow since 1989 and a Retired Fellow since 2004.
I am sixty-one years old.
How does that make me 'younger'?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 02 December, 2019, 01:20:39 pm
Younger than the senile buggers who sent it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 02 December, 2019, 01:21:09 pm


Quote from: Clare on 02 December, 2019, 12:22:10 pm

...
BUT, more than that, you do not have to put everything up exactly the same each year, we do not need you asking 'Can anybody remember where these go?' about every fucking item.

 >:(

I know i was moaning just now, but that sounds designed to suck the joy out of things. My place make a pretty good job of creating actual fun out of it without being overbearing, and most of the office perks budget goes to a good cause.


Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 02 December, 2019, 02:07:44 pm
Now the RCSEd has sent me an email begging for a legacy....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 02 December, 2019, 03:32:12 pm
our decorations went up Sunday, Mrs ED was showing clear signs of stress as her control freakery about colours was sent to the long grass by a combination of me and the two kids  :P

She's still grumbing today, and I have the lights on a twinkly pattern as well  :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 03 December, 2019, 11:33:55 am
Christmas decorations, like Jeffrey Epstein, do not hang themselves.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: madcow on 05 December, 2019, 12:02:37 pm
I am selling a shirt on ebay . I have listed it to start at around half the price that similar items are being sold for.
After the first listing expired,i got an email from a punter asking if they were too late.
Being generous ,I listed it again at the same starting price but as a Buy It Now. Sent the punter the link so they could buy it .
Back come the message-I will buy it if you do free postage.
I resisted the urge to tell him to FOAD and just pulled the item.
Relisted and immediately got a bid.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: madcow on 05 December, 2019, 12:05:16 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 02 December, 2019, 01:01:48 pm
Dear Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh,
Thank you for sending me a link to your Younger Fellows' Survey from a 'no reply' address.
I have been a Fellow since 1989 and a Retired Fellow since 2004.
I am sixty-one years old.
How does that make me 'younger'?

Young at heart, no doubt.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 05 December, 2019, 02:33:50 pm
As I pointed out upthread, the next email from RCSEd, just a few hours later, was begging for me to leave them a legacy...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 09 December, 2019, 02:59:36 pm
The CO detector in the kitchen started bleeping due to a low battery EXACTLY 11 months since it last did this. (7am on the 9th of the month)

I suspect pre-dawn chill triggers it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 09 December, 2019, 03:18:50 pm
I popped the batteries out of ours once we stopped having fires in the lounge last spring and they're still out.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 09 December, 2019, 04:30:53 pm
Ours is part of the house alarm system: smoke, CO, intruder, panic & CCTV, linked to a monitoring station.

Will replace battery.

Shame I see no lithium PP3s listed at Sainsbury's. 11 months is not very long.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 09 December, 2019, 04:34:34 pm
Is this what you need?
https://www.batterystation.co.uk/gp-lithium-9v-pp3-crv9-battery-1-pack/
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Marco Stefano on 09 December, 2019, 04:50:22 pm
Quote from: Clare on 02 December, 2019, 12:22:10 pm
So, with much giggling and chatter the Crapstmass decorations went up at work today, lots of 'Obviously Claaare won't join in' <giggle, giggle>, 'I do hope this isn't annoying Claaare' <giggle, giggle>, 'Can we put anything on your desk Claaare?' <giggle, giggle, giggle> 'Oooh she said 'No', ooh you are such a Scrooge' <giggle, giggle, giggle>.

For Dog's fucking sake, you name is the same as mine, you know how to pronounce Clare so why do the damned extending the 'a' to infinity.

BUT, more than that, you do not have to put everything up exactly the same each year, we do not need you asking 'Can anybody remember where these go?' about every fucking item.

 >:(

Another silver lining for me from being made redundant in April. No, like last year I still don't own a crappy plastic Christmas jumper with non-rechargeable battery-operated lights to wear on your special day. But you can have a quid for your charity anyway. I'm not Scrooge, just hated the false bonhomie of the season at work.

Solidarity, Clare.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 09 December, 2019, 05:11:32 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 09 December, 2019, 04:34:34 pm
Is this what you need?
https://www.batterystation.co.uk/gp-lithium-9v-pp3-crv9-battery-1-pack/

It is but I might try to source locally to reduce carriage costs, or combine with my next multiple battery shop.

I have PP3s in stock here anyway.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 09 December, 2019, 08:36:30 pm
Even better, I went up to my battery stock box. Inside the box of PP3s was the lithium battery we'd been left my an alarm technician on a previous visit.

I checked the battery, which recorded 9.78V

I now haz working alarm system without any additional expenditure.

The newly-installed battery did activate the alarm so I had a quick chat with the bloke at the monitoring station. The system works!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 09 December, 2019, 10:14:20 pm
Have I mentioned how lovely it is not being woken[1] by things going BIP! recently?  Well worth all the research, expenditure, guerrilla floorboard-lifting, ladder-wobbling, cable-wrangling, getting my head round the poorly-documented[2] Windows programming software that looks like something from the 1990s and so on...

(All this really shouldn't be necessary.   >:()


[1] This being Silly Oak, things do occasionally go BIP!, but not generally at 4am and they don't cause the same stress reaction on account of being Somebody Else's Problem.
[2] I expect qualified installers get sent on a training course or something.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 09 December, 2019, 11:54:58 pm
My alarm system is supposed to be serviced annually, though the company has not arranged that this year.

They did replace the SIM in the system.

The annual service usually replaces all the batteries and the system is usually trouble-free. Duracells only last 11 months so their visits have been out of phase with the need for a battery swap, which is why I had this lithium battery in the box.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 10 December, 2019, 12:06:34 am
Preemptive battery replacement is the sanest approach, and if there had been a consumer-grade deaf fire alarm system available that used replaceable batteries and wasn't notorious for false alarms, it would have been my preferred option.  At least with a pro wired system there's a single lead-acid battery, and failure warnings can be muted until a replacement is ready to be fitted.

Battery life of 11 months sounds suspiciously like someone was being optimistic with their specifications...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 10 December, 2019, 12:22:24 am
Duracells have REPEATEDLY failed after 10-11 months in the CO detector.

D goes WILD if his sleep is interrupted or when these things bleep if he's awake. I know he had an issue when I was away at an AUK Reunion a few years ago. Batteries seem to last longer in smoke detectors so a pre-emptive change is fine.

The CO detector in the kitchen is within my reach.

The two smoke detectors are on ceilings so I can't deal with them.

I'll phone the alarm folk tomorrow...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 10 December, 2019, 08:44:07 am
Our CO detector claims to last seven years, the one that necessitated replacement by scaring the bejesus out of me at 5am one morning is still running too, I meant to throw it out, but it's still on the shelf of the kitchen as I found when I did some cleaning at the weekend (it's moving in the right direction, I think it stopped because I was unsure how one correctly disposes of CO detectors). I should throw it out but I assume it wasn't a plea for batteries but an actual false alarm (I'm alive and the new box gives a flatline unmeasurable level of CO, so I'm assuming it wasn't real and I spent fifteen minutes with my head out of the window for no good reason). Never looked how they work.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 10 December, 2019, 10:56:28 am
Our CO detector bears the wording 'Please replace by June 2023' on its edge. It was manufactured in July 2016 and installed the following month. They obviously only last 7 years...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 10 December, 2019, 11:18:00 am
Ours seems to be a chip-based metal oxide semiconductor, reacts with CO and drops its resistance, cue the fearsome beeeeeeeeeep. The one the woke me is beyond its service life and I'm going to chuck it in the bin on the next trip (reading the council's labyrinthine directives on various categories of electronic waste doesn't appeal) before it does it again.

Seven-year sealed unit, which though sounds wasteful, makes sense to replace the entire thing at the end of its service life.

I think smoke detectors are still using americium, no idea how you're supposed to get rid of them.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 10 December, 2019, 11:29:31 am
I'm sure wheelie bins and fly tipping are by far the most popular disposal methods.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 10 December, 2019, 01:03:29 pm
Sadly, despite my best attempts, I'm still cursed with a conscience.

Maybe I can irradiate myself with it and see if I get superpowers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 10 December, 2019, 01:06:58 pm
Quote from: ian on 10 December, 2019, 11:18:00 am
Ours seems to be a chip-based metal oxide semiconductor, reacts with CO and drops its resistance, cue the fearsome beeeeeeeeeep. The one the woke me is beyond its service life and I'm going to chuck it in the bin on the next trip (reading the council's labyrinthine directives on various categories of electronic waste doesn't appeal) before it does it again.

Seven-year sealed unit, which though sounds wasteful, makes sense to replace the entire thing at the end of its service life.

Unless they do a Fireangel and use a shoddy batch of batteries (or you're using it in a particularly hot/cold environment), the battery should outlast the sensor's calibration.


Quote
I think smoke detectors are still using americium, no idea how you're supposed to get rid of them.

Optical seems to be more common these days.  They just blink an IR LED in a chamber designed to admit smoke but not light, and measure the back-scatter.  They're better at cool, smokey fires, so are often combined with a temperature sensor to detect fast flaming fires with rate-of-rise logic.

Ionisation detectors have the advantage of not being triggered by dust, so are still used in dusty environments.  They're not as sensitive to smouldery fires as optical sensors though.

You also get exotica such as pure thermal sensors and carbon monoxide sensors for detecting fires where the usual ones would false-positive, such as kitchens and workshops.


I'd dispose of an end-of-life detector by opening it up and disconnecting the battery, then chuck it in the WEEE pile for wheeliebinning or fly-tipping export to China appropriate disposal.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 10 December, 2019, 01:59:53 pm
I've tried putting WEEE out in a open carrier bag next to the recycling, which is what your're supposed to do by the laws of the county and city of Bristle. Never gets collected.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 10 December, 2019, 02:02:11 pm
Yeah, usually what happens is it kicks around the corner of the living room for months until I'm taking something to the tip, then goes in the appropriate place.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 10 December, 2019, 02:21:39 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 10 December, 2019, 01:59:53 pm
I've tried putting WEEE out in a open carrier bag next to the recycling, which is what your're supposed to do by the laws of the county and city of Bristle. Never gets collected.

Same here, though I've seen them fling it in with the normal rubbish...

My smoke detector has a little radioactive symbol on its behind, so I presume it's using an alpha source, or it's just trying to look cool.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 10 December, 2019, 02:51:04 pm
Americium in ours.

Wikipedia tells me helpfully that it was named after the Americas.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mllePB on 10 December, 2019, 09:40:40 pm
Avanti train announcements now promote the cafe-bar in coach C. 

I've yet to check it out as I'm sure it's what Virgin used to call ye shoppe in good old Anglo saxon before these Italians were allowed it bringing their funny poncy forrin words.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 10 December, 2019, 10:03:20 pm
Do they still do up-to-the-minute cafe-bar status announcements in the quiet coach?

And smell of poo?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 10 December, 2019, 11:49:28 pm
Quote from: Kim on 10 December, 2019, 10:03:20 pm
Do they still do up-to-the-minute cafe-bar status announcements in the quiet coach?

And smell of poo?

Aaah.... Pongo Pendolinos! Wheelchair bay has best aromas EVAH!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 11 December, 2019, 08:04:19 am
Well, they were designed and built by the French...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 11 December, 2019, 08:30:48 am
I thought Virgin had removed most of, or at least a substantial portion of, the "aroma" by rerouting a heating pipe so it was further from the toilet tank? Whereas Cross Country hadn't applied the alteration to their Pendolinos but were making do with air disguiser?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 11 December, 2019, 08:50:55 am
Quote from: rafletcher on 11 December, 2019, 08:04:19 am
Well, they were designed and built by the French...

For the British... ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 11 December, 2019, 01:27:49 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 11 December, 2019, 08:30:48 am
I thought Virgin had removed most of, or at least a substantial portion of, the "aroma" by rerouting a heating pipe so it was further from the toilet tank? Whereas Cross Country hadn't applied the alteration to their Pendolinos but were making do with air disguiser?

I'm reasonably sure CrossCountry don't have Pendolinos.  It'll be the Voyagers, which are generally less smelly, but have exhaust-pipe-vs-thermostat issues instead.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 11 December, 2019, 02:04:33 pm
Oh, I'm failing miserably on rail geekery today!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Giraffe on 11 December, 2019, 04:10:40 pm
Quote from: T42 on 11 December, 2019, 08:50:55 am
Quote from: rafletcher on 11 December, 2019, 08:04:19 am
Well, they were designed and built by the French...

For the British... ;D
Golden Delicious!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 19 December, 2019, 12:50:37 pm
So, just about to leave The Asbestos Palace for the mothership when I glance across the living room and what's that, I spy, befouling my sofa. My sofa. Cat sick, that's what. What a fascinating colour you've made. I don't think it's anything ever seen in nature before.

So I clean all that up, which is as much fun as it sounds. I note I still have time to get the train, just. Arrive at the train station on time – just – so the driver, of course, waits for my finger to hover over the door button before beepity-beep locking them and then sitting there for another 30 seconds before pulling off. He could have let you on, says the platform chap, not very helpfully.

OK, I'll get the next train. CANCELLED says the board. Lack of train crew says the Southern Trains Robot Apologist. She's programmed not to laugh at our misfortune, but I know somewhere that she has a subroutine eternally dedicated to this.

Which is nice, so I can wait thirty minutes at the station listening to a soundtrack of holiday service 'alterations.' Don't plan on going anywhere by train this Christmas, basically.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 21 December, 2019, 02:42:45 pm
D is finding his keyboard specs aren't quite right for piano playing.
D's eyes were tested in October and no new prescription was needed.
I pointed out that as it was darker now, his pupils would be larger and he'd have less depth of field.
He hadn't thought of that.
D is a Physics graduate, astronomer, photographer...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 21 December, 2019, 04:51:02 pm
We spent yesterday loitering in Mrs Barakta's-Mum's kitchen[1].  Which, when you switch off the inadequate Dr-Biggles-installed found-at-the-back-of-the-garage flicker-o-doom florescents, is lit in a theme best described as Thatcher-era dinge.  I kept struggling to read things in a way that made me feel really middle aged.  I had to dig my torch out at one point.


[1] The living room being out of commission because the run up to Christmas is always a good time to embark on a decorating project, on account of the high availability of tradespersons.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 21 December, 2019, 04:52:22 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 21 December, 2019, 02:42:45 pm
D is finding his keyboard specs aren't quite right for piano playing.
D's eyes were tested in October and no new prescription was needed.
I pointed out that as it was darker now, his pupils would be larger and he'd have less depth of field.
He hadn't thought of that.
D is a Physics graduate, astronomer, photographer...

Maybe he could get some of those stick-on lenses that turn your specs into bifocals.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 21 December, 2019, 05:46:28 pm
Quote from: T42 on 21 December, 2019, 04:52:22 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 21 December, 2019, 02:42:45 pm
D is finding his keyboard specs aren't quite right for piano playing.
D's eyes were tested in October and no new prescription was needed.
I pointed out that as it was darker now, his pupils would be larger and he'd have less depth of field.
He hadn't thought of that.
D is a Physics graduate, astronomer, photographer...

Maybe he could get some of those stick-on lenses that turn your specs into bifocals.

i was thinking of that but he needs the full vertical depth of the lens.

He's been to the optician and ordered new specs. He did not see the optometrist though.

I suggested increasing illumination.

He prefers a dark room and thinks the cats do too...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 21 December, 2019, 07:02:08 pm
Reading music is pretty demanding on visual acuity, the staff lines are fairly thin and if you see it wrong the result is disastrous - you need to read it in time, there's no going back like you would reading a book.

You are spot on about more light giving greater depth of field (from smaller pupils). More light also gives better contrast. Perhaps one of those directional floor-standing reading lights would good to light the score and not upset the cats?

Near-distance specs are very specific. I went to the optician for glasses to use for paired programming* armed with the exact eye-to-screen distance, and was given a totally different prescription to my reading glasses.


* Another activity where needing to read correctly and quickly is essential.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 21 December, 2019, 07:31:20 pm
There's a fairly good spotlight directed at the music desk. David tends to play without the room light on, which I'm sure dilates his pupils somewhat.

Keyboard to face distance is 75cm. His current keyboard specs are good for 60cm, which is not quite enough.

Just hope new specs do the job!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 22 December, 2019, 10:26:36 am
Quote from: Pickled Onion on 21 December, 2019, 07:02:08 pm

Near-distance specs are very specific. I went to the optician for glasses to use for paired programming* armed with the exact eye-to-screen distance, and was given a totally different prescription to my reading glasses.


At my last opticians appointment they suggested optimising my varifocals for screen distance, on the basis that occasional peering over the top for fine print isn’t so bad or all that inconvenient.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 22 December, 2019, 02:31:52 pm
Quote from: Kim on 21 December, 2019, 04:51:02 pm
[1] The living room being out of commission because the run up to Christmas is always a good time to embark on a decorating project, on account of the high availability of tradespersons.

My grate frend Mr Sheen has just embarked on a total kitchen refurb, which is doubly bonkers because:
Although Australian politics seem to be every bit as rancid as the BRITISH variety, and the country is on fire.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 22 December, 2019, 04:38:31 pm
At least Scummo is honest about not giving a shit about climate change.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 23 December, 2019, 09:24:23 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 22 December, 2019, 02:31:52 pm
Quote from: Kim on 21 December, 2019, 04:51:02 pm
[1] The living room being out of commission because the run up to Christmas is always a good time to embark on a decorating project, on account of the high availability of tradespersons.

My grate frend Mr Sheen has just embarked on a total kitchen refurb, which is doubly bonkers because:
  • Christmas, and
  • His stated ambition to move to Captain Cook's Mistake as soon as he's been married long enough
Although Australian politics seem to be every bit as rancid as the BRITISH variety, and the country is on fire.
I've just had my warm air heating and Big Gas Burner and a water tank ripped out and replaced with a Shiny! New! combi boiler. This involved a plumber and his mate the weekend before last, the plumber, his mate and two more plumbers the weekend just gone. Stuff me, they make a lot of mess. This evening I have mostly been refilling cupboards, wiping surfaces and putting things away.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 24 December, 2019, 02:45:49 pm
Weather forecast was for showers this morning and solid rain this afternoon, so I thought "no bike" and took metformin at breakfast & lunchtime. Since 2 pm we've had bright sunshine.  Weather looks OK tomorrow but it's f**king Eczemas, innit?

Also: managed to bite the edge of my tongue and when I chew or talk the tooth rides in it and hurts like hell.

Not amused.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 28 December, 2019, 04:02:36 pm
Someone I like (& rather fancy) has just posted a link to a Michael McIntyre sketch. She doesn't live in the UK, so can be forgiven, I suppose.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 31 December, 2019, 03:40:46 pm
Email yesterday: <client> is still at work and has a project coming in 31st December at 3pm. Can you do it for a 7pm deadline?
Me: Yes, no problem.
Today: no sign of project. Email to find out. "The end client has cancelled it." Well thank you for telling me!

OTOH it means I can get the Friday morning project finished today and hopefully get the Monday project finished before Saturday, so I might get a weekend. Might even ride a bike...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 01 January, 2020, 08:59:38 am
The municipality didn't have the usual New Year fireworks, so we were spared them going flash & bang for an hour and scaring the shit out of our dogs.  OTOH the neighbours' kids started theirs on the dot of midnight and scared the shit out of them for an hour and 40 minutes.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 01 January, 2020, 04:18:27 pm
So, I thought I'd try Freegle (a Freecycle copy) to avoid sending stuff to landfill. Two ads placed.

One got a very quick response from someone who seemed very keen, but failed to turn up without explanation. The other got a response from someone very keen who then decided she'd been gifted the same items. Possible, but implausible.

Then, someone who followed up on the first item after I'd been let down left a very terse message because I took 5 hours to reply to his response. FFS, It's NY Day & I was out for a walk. Tosser.

The council refuse site beckons...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 01 January, 2020, 06:59:35 pm
Charidee shop? Better than the tip.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 06 January, 2020, 12:50:23 pm
Yesterday morning I said to myself, "I've not had a cold for ages".   By 11 o'clock that night I had a runny nose, scratchy throat & was feeling cold.    I put some PJ's on & popped 2 Lemsip before bed.  I had some rather strange dreams & was so zonked out this morning I was an hour late getting into the office.  I'm sleepy, grumpy, my body temp is all over the place & it's an effort to lift a mug of tea.  Pah!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 06 January, 2020, 01:33:45 pm
You now need to say "I haven't got better for ages".
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 06 January, 2020, 01:47:40 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 06 January, 2020, 12:50:23 pm
Yesterday morning I said to myself, "I've not had a cold for ages".   By 11 o'clock that night I had a runny nose, scratchy throat & was feeling cold.    I put some PJ's on & popped 2 Lemsip before bed.  I had some rather strange dreams & was so zonked out this morning I was an hour late getting into the office.  I'm sleepy, grumpy, my body temp is all over the place & it's an effort to lift a mug of tea.  Pah!

Fear not, many of your colleagues will be joining you within 48 hours....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 06 January, 2020, 07:44:34 pm
Costco had Laphroaig Quarter Cask (48%) for £29.98.   Hopefully that will cure what ails me.   
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 06 January, 2020, 07:54:43 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 06 January, 2020, 07:44:34 pm
Costco had Laphroaig Quarter Cask (48%) for £29.98.   Hopefully that will cure what ails me.

 :D  Why the hell is this in the grumble thread?   ???

Oh. I see.
GWS Andrew.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 06 January, 2020, 09:00:51 pm
Looks like I'll have a Dry January.
D opened a bottle of bubbly for a gathering chez nous yesterday and served all the attendants but left none for me...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 07 January, 2020, 11:51:18 am
Quote from: andrewc on 06 January, 2020, 07:44:34 pm
Costco had Laphroaig Quarter Cask (48%) for £29.98.   Hopefully that will cure what ails me.

You sure thats not £229 Andrew?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 07 January, 2020, 11:59:55 am
Quote from: Canardly on 07 January, 2020, 11:51:18 am
Quote from: andrewc on 06 January, 2020, 07:44:34 pm
Costco had Laphroaig Quarter Cask (48%) for £29.98.   Hopefully that will cure what ails me.

You sure thats not £229 Andrew?


Yes !  It's very nice as well, needs a splash of water though.  They do have some very expensive stuff on their website, but other stuff in the store isn't listed.  https://www.costco.co.uk/Wines-Spirits-Beer/All-Spirits/Whisky/c/cos_6.10.2
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andytheflyer on 07 January, 2020, 12:17:55 pm
Didn't know that Costco did whisky, and in fact they don't.  They don't list Ardbeg.......
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 07 January, 2020, 12:27:33 pm
https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/p/5850/aberfeldy-12-year-old   They also have that for £26 which is a nice, easy drink.    Never seen any Ardbeg in there.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: PeteB99 on 07 January, 2020, 03:31:58 pm
Saturday night Scottish Power dug a 3 foot deep trench across the end of my driveway (and next doors) to fix a broken cable. Sunday they filled it up with hardcore with just the tarmacing to do. Today a truck of tarmacers arrived spent 15 mins looking at the hole and buggered off again.

I'd quite like to have access to my property that doesn't include cutting across next doors garden or climbing over a wall.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 09 January, 2020, 09:44:27 am
The other day the postie bunged a card through Ye Letterbocks informing me that an item could not be delivered because Insufficient Postage and if I want it, that'll be £1.50.  The card does not, alas, give any clue as to the identity of the said item, so I have had to fork out just to be able to find out what it is.

Should it prove to be the long-awaited tickets for next month's Explosions In The Sky gig there will be Explosions In E17 and ringing denouncement of those involved on Social Media.  Ticket agencies are rip-off bastards made of piss anyway.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Rowan on 09 January, 2020, 09:48:08 am
I had one of those a while back, insufficient postage, 50p to pay. So like a mug I made my way into town handed over the bounty and received a lovely piece of junk mail.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 10 January, 2020, 11:40:06 am
Still feeling crap. A sore throat & hawking up green grot now  :sick:


I've been working from home since Monday, which I dislike, but I suppose it's more considerate to others.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 10 January, 2020, 11:41:20 am
Went to the mothership on Tues/Weds. Itchy throat and cough on Friday. All aboard ye good ship contagion.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 10 January, 2020, 02:00:57 pm
Hurrah: mystery post not gig tickets :thumbsup:
Bah: mystery post not gig tickets >:(
Hurrah & bah simultaneously: mystery post = draft copy of the Last Will & Testament of Larrington, Mr.

Mortality, eh?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 11 January, 2020, 12:34:39 pm
My dentst: I don't want to call you Martin, I want to be scared of you, keep you at a distance and call you Mr W***. Your false friendliness sounds just that. Just look at my teeth, tell me the good/bad news and let me get out of there a.s.a.p., please.

On the other hand, you are a good dentist practicality-wise, so I'll put up with you.

Oh, and enter the 21st century and start accepting card payments. Nobody uses cheques these days for such things. Unless you're called Rees-Mogg, of course.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 11 January, 2020, 04:07:06 pm
I am quite happy to call/refer to my dentist as J****. We are a similar age, I've briefly worked alongside his brother M***, he treats my parents. It all seems part of the family.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 11 January, 2020, 05:21:18 pm
Quote from: CAMRAMan on 11 January, 2020, 12:34:39 pm
Oh, and enter the 21st century and start accepting card payments. Nobody uses cheques these days for such things. Unless you're called Rees-Mogg, of course.
Is your dentist's fee in guineas?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 11 January, 2020, 06:09:56 pm
I paid in cash for my check up in sixpences and threepenny bits. My cheque book is elsewhere. Of course, the usual, nearby ATM was out of action so I had to dash to the other, distant one to get the cash out, thus almost making me late for Martin.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 11 January, 2020, 08:40:56 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 11 January, 2020, 05:21:18 pm
Quote from: CAMRAMan on 11 January, 2020, 12:34:39 pm
Oh, and enter the 21st century and start accepting card payments. Nobody uses cheques these days for such things. Unless you're called Rees-Mogg, of course.
Is your dentist's fee in guineas?

I do recall a previous dentist charging that way in the '70s.

J has alway accepted my credit and debit cards.

Just as well as I can't hold a pen.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 11 January, 2020, 08:43:00 pm
That's a useful reminder of just how far in the past the 70s actually are.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 11 January, 2020, 08:56:28 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 11 January, 2020, 08:43:00 pm
That's a useful reminder of just how far in the past the 70s actually are.

As is Young People using "the 90s" to perform the same syntactic function as I'd use "the 70s" (roughly approximating as "time shortly before I was born when technology was primitive and people seemed to spend most of their time smoking and being shockingly racist/sexist/homophobic")
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 11 January, 2020, 08:57:02 pm
... and how OLD I am! I'm still deluded about being ''young' but legally became an adult in the '70s

which started 50 years ago.

WHAT?!?!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 11 January, 2020, 09:07:47 pm
Quote from: Kim on 11 January, 2020, 08:56:28 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 11 January, 2020, 08:43:00 pm
That's a useful reminder of just how far in the past the 70s actually are.

As is Young People using "the 90s" to perform the same syntactic function as I'd use "the 70s" (roughly approximating as "time shortly before I was born when technology was primitive and people seemed to spend most of their time smoking and being shockingly racist/sexist/homophobic")
Some of that sounds like "the near future".  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andytheflyer on 12 January, 2020, 12:20:01 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 11 January, 2020, 08:43:00 pm
That's a useful reminder of just how far in the past the 70s actually are.
Tell me about it.  I left Uni in the 70's and I have 2 classic Triumph motorcycles, both from the early 70's, nearly 50 years old now...... That's a fair while ago.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 12 January, 2020, 01:25:05 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 11 January, 2020, 08:57:02 pm
... and how OLD I am! I'm still deluded about being ''young' but legally became an adult in the '70s

which started 50 years ago.

WHAT?!?!
It's more about generations, I think. If your dentist in the 70s was 50, he grew up at a time when using guineas was probably quite ordinary.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 12 January, 2020, 01:43:50 pm
It'll be the 50th anniversary of currency decimalisation next year! I do recall the build up to it, which does date me...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 12 January, 2020, 02:09:16 pm
The build-up?  I was a lowly programmer at the time, but I managed to wangle a course in Eindhoven at the right moment and some other guy had to convert my progs from £sd to £p.

---o0o---

Anyway, my grumble involves missing a perfect cycling day yesterday to care of post-operative dog, while the promised weather for today didn't materialize so I'm going stir crazy. Tomorrow being Monday my favourite patisserie will be closed. :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 12 January, 2020, 03:40:49 pm
Quote from: CAMRAMan on 12 January, 2020, 01:43:50 pm
It'll be the 50th anniversary of currency decimalisation next year! I do recall the build up to it, which does date me...

I collected dinner money for the Kosher meals, which were 1/9 each, so 8/9 per week. I was thrilled when handed a NEW! 50p piece instead of the old ten-bob note in 1969...

Full decimalisation was 15 February 1971, only known as D-Day for a short time.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 12 January, 2020, 03:43:56 pm
Why do I keep reading 'currency decriminalisation'?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 12 January, 2020, 04:24:15 pm
Guilty conscience?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 12 January, 2020, 04:24:39 pm
Quote from: Basil on 12 January, 2020, 03:43:56 pm
Why do I keep reading 'currency decriminalisation'?
That stash of fifties under the sofa...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 12 January, 2020, 04:42:16 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 12 January, 2020, 03:40:49 pm
Full decimalisation was 15 February 1971, only known as D-Day for a short time.

I remember the ads on the telly that instructed the elderly to "give more, get change", a great recipe for getting rooked.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 12 January, 2020, 05:00:06 pm
Quote from: CAMRAMan on 12 January, 2020, 01:43:50 pm
It'll be the 50th anniversary of currency decimalisation next year! I do recall the build up to it, which does date me...

I remember the school maths books talking about "new pence" a lot.  From context, I deduced that this meant the plastic ones you used for doing maths exercises in primary school, while "old pence" (usually referred to as just "pence" or "p") were the ones you used to pay for things in shops.

Which probably dates me.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: yorkie on 12 January, 2020, 05:17:09 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 12 January, 2020, 04:24:39 pm
Quote from: Basil on 12 January, 2020, 03:43:56 pm
Why do I keep reading 'currency decriminalisation'?
That stash of fifties under the sofa...
The printing press in the cellar...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 12 January, 2020, 05:19:21 pm
You didn't notice that on the "old pence" used in shops it said "new pence"?

In thinking "shouldn't you have been noticing old/new Gambian <whatever>" I looked it up and, yes, Gambia's currency decimalised at the same time and it's yet another named after that German valley.
Quote
The dalasi is the currency of the Gambia that was adopted in 1971. It is subdivided into 100 bututs. It replaced the Gambian pound at a rate of 1 pound = 5 dalasis, i.e. 1 dalasi = 0.2 pound = 4 shillings.

The name derives from dala, a nickname of the 5 French West African franc note, which in turn derived from "dollar"[1], while butut is from Wolof butuut, "small thing".[2]
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 12 January, 2020, 05:55:21 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 12 January, 2020, 05:19:21 pm
You didn't notice that on the "old pence" used in shops it said "new pence"?

Eventually.  Possibly after someone explained shillings.

Actually, when did they stop saying "new pence"?  Was it before the various coin shrinkages?


Quote
In thinking "shouldn't you have been noticing old/new Gambian <whatever>"

I didn't really develop an awareness of money until we were back in the UK.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 12 January, 2020, 06:20:28 pm
Yes, I think it was before they launched the sensibly sized fives and tens.

Ed: Actually it was 1982, at last for the coppers.
Quote
By 1982 the coins were no longer new so the word was dropped, and the 2p design changed from ‘New Pence’ to ‘Two Pence’.
https://www.changechecker.org/2019/08/19/new-pence-two-pence-how-much-is-the-1983-2p-worth/
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 12 January, 2020, 10:24:18 pm
I grew up using the what was marked as a one or two shilling coin as a five or ten new pence piece. I may still have one or two around. 

My dad educate me on the old money, imagine my confusion as an eight year old in Austria?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 12 January, 2020, 11:27:06 pm
Quote from: T42 on 12 January, 2020, 04:42:16 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 12 January, 2020, 03:40:49 pm
Full decimalisation was 15 February 1971, only known as D-Day for a short time.

I remember the ads on the telly that instructed the elderly to "give more, get change", a great recipe for getting rooked.

My grandmother, who was nearly 73 at the time, had no difficulty. She was numerate and had used decimal currencies elsewhere. My 'Uncle Louis', who was 95 could not really cope.

I was a numerate pre-teen, who was fine with both systems. Mars bars' price seemed to hike...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Giraffe on 13 January, 2020, 08:46:15 am
My brother turned 70 t'other day; in the card I taped a 1950 florin - he'd sent me a penny for my seventieth!

Saturday before change a chippy in Teflon charged 6d for chips; following Saturday the same sign had the ascender scribbled out and a descender appended to make 6p. If we hadn't been so damned hungry we'd have gone elsewhere.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 13 January, 2020, 10:44:43 am
Feck this much needed holipop is going well.

Our van broke down just before = costly. Rental van = cost

Storm one nearly caused us not to get to the destination.

Now we found out why Peli has woken up in the midst of a asthma attack twice (first night we were sure it was just the journey up and a new place since it wasn't bad, second night it was serious), the rental got black mould.

Can't get off the island cause storm two will hang around until Wednesday.

Rental place is trying to find a new place for us.

What next ...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 13 January, 2020, 03:02:30 pm
Time to pay tribute to the late Neil Innes by watching "All You Need Is Cash".  Skip, jump, pause.  Piss.  The DVD is fscked.  Unless it's a hardware issue.

"The Pink Floyd Story" does not display anything at all.  A still-had-the-cellophane-on-it "All You Need Is Love" likewise.  Probably hardware then.  Arse.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 13 January, 2020, 05:04:24 pm
Quote from: woollypigs on 13 January, 2020, 10:44:43 am
Feck this much needed holipop is going well.

Our van broke down just before = costly. Rental van = cost

Storm one nearly caused us not to get to the destination.

Now we found out why Peli has woken up in the midst of a asthma attack twice (first night we were sure it was just the journey up and a new place since it wasn't bad, second night it was serious), the rental got black mould.

Can't get off the island cause storm two will hang around until Wednesday.

Rental place is trying to find a new place for us.

What next ...

Bugger. Hope they got you a new place, that's not on.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 13 January, 2020, 06:08:59 pm
Rental service found a new place but on a busy road, smaller than our own home (also a two up and down) with no views to talk about. Unless you lean and put your face right into the corner of the upstairs bedroom window.

We booked this holiday, last-minute, to get away, to have a brilliant view, in a quiet place ( ok that is hard as our home is the silence, even with windows open on a hot summer day)

So after many tow and froms we are back at the original place but have to spend time in the smaller room (twin bed, no en suite) and they deep cleaned the master bedroom with ensuite

Sadly this moving around I missed with my camera the sunset on the holy island as the clouds opened in the middle of the storm, well you can't win every tiime
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 13 January, 2020, 06:26:51 pm
Hope Peli is feeling better soon & the rest of the trip goes OK.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 14 January, 2020, 06:53:56 pm
The gusting wind and rain and just made my office window start to leak. UPVC piece of shit. Another task for a grown-up.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 14 January, 2020, 07:03:51 pm
Quote from: ian on 14 January, 2020, 06:53:56 pm
The gusting wind and rain and just made my office window start to leak. UPVC piece of shit. Another task for a grown-up.
Are you in Slough ?


https://twitter.com/saudi89/status/1217153873883865089?s=21 (https://twitter.com/saudi89/status/1217153873883865089?s=21)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 14 January, 2020, 07:29:22 pm
No, I live up a hill (thus exposed full-on to the wind and rain) on the side of the North Downs; the sustained gusts the preceded the mystery tink tink tink* sound were pretty extreme. Thought there might be a big bad wolf outside. Mostly annoyed as it's the newest window in the Asbestos Palace, not one of the Everest ones that were already here. Still, it's about five years old now. Will call and nag them tomorrow.

*I thought it was outside until I stood by the blinds and got splashed. Dripping from the join at the top of the frame and tink tink tinking down each slat of the Venetian blind.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 14 January, 2020, 07:46:16 pm
A tube of mastic will sort that out.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 14 January, 2020, 08:10:52 pm
I'd probably end up sealing my own nostrils and falling off the ladder.

We have an actual man. He comes around in his van, shakes his head woefully when he sees me, and dutifully fixes stuff and sends me a bill.

That said, I might nag the window company too, but it's probably the wind just forcing the water through a failed bit of sealant, it's only coming through in one place. Still, a good job I was home, or there'd be a mess.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 14 January, 2020, 11:22:11 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 14 January, 2020, 07:03:51 pm
Quote from: ian on 14 January, 2020, 06:53:56 pm
The gusting wind and rain and just made my office window start to leak. UPVC piece of shit. Another task for a grown-up.
Are you in Slough ?


https://twitter.com/saudi89/status/1217153873883865089?s=21 (https://twitter.com/saudi89/status/1217153873883865089?s=21)

OOps you beat me to it!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 15 January, 2020, 07:46:43 am
Woken up by chainsawing at 1am, now looking out of my window over Union Terrace Gardens to the railway line, there are far fewer trees down there.

Not sure if this is Brendan related, or part of a nefarious plot to remove as many trees from the Gardens as possible under cover of hoardings and darkness
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 15 January, 2020, 10:31:12 am
I'm hungry and it's half an hour till lunch. :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: PeteB99 on 15 January, 2020, 11:40:59 am
Quote from: ElyDave on 15 January, 2020, 07:46:43 am
Woken up by chainsawing at 1am, now looking out of my window over Union Terrace Gardens to the railway line, there are far fewer trees down there.

Not sure if this is Brendan related, or part of a nefarious plot to remove as many trees from the Gardens as possible under cover of hoardings and darkness

They work at night to lessen the chances of being run over by a train. My garden backs onto a railway and network rail or whatever they're called this week put a leaflet through the door when they are about to spend all night doing something noisy.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 15 January, 2020, 11:43:03 am
Also it disrupts fewer services closing the track at night.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 15 January, 2020, 12:40:36 pm
Quote from: PeteB99 on 15 January, 2020, 11:40:59 am
Quote from: ElyDave on 15 January, 2020, 07:46:43 am
Woken up by chainsawing at 1am, now looking out of my window over Union Terrace Gardens to the railway line, there are far fewer trees down there.

Not sure if this is Brendan related, or part of a nefarious plot to remove as many trees from the Gardens as possible under cover of hoardings and darkness

They work at night to lessen the chances of being run over by a train. My garden backs onto a railway and network rail or whatever they're called this week put a leaflet through the door when they are about to spend all night doing something noisy.

There's no shortage of complaints about NRs overzealous tree clearing around tracks. I understand they have to do it, but they sometimes seems to lack strategy. Clearfelling mature trees is a bad idea for lots of reasons. At best they just get a lot of scrub and fast-growing species so a decade later, there's more than they chopped down. At worst, you'll note the correlation between them manically lumberjacking all the trees and then a slip in the embankment.

Of course, it decimates a lot of city habitat. They did the tracks near Anerley the other year, left it looking like Tunguska.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 15 January, 2020, 01:22:38 pm
Some of them have been untouched since the end of steam. Last year they suddenly seemed to wake up to the fact that a lot of the leaves on the line problem was due to all those lineside trees, not to mention the less common but more serious train-hits-tree problem.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 15 January, 2020, 04:01:19 pm
Bah humbug to chopping down trees in UTG.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 15 January, 2020, 08:51:14 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 15 January, 2020, 01:22:38 pm
Some of them have been untouched since the end of steam. Last year they suddenly seemed to wake up to the fact that a lot of the leaves on the line problem was due to all those lineside trees, not to mention the less common but more serious train-hits-tree problem.

The problem was a lack of maintenance, but chopping them wholesale is a bad solution. More cheap short-termism. National Rail is institutionally halfwitted though, so I'm not surprised.

We used to live in a house with a train embankment at the bottom of the garden and our development never got notification of engineering works because apparently 'we weren't on their database' because it was a new development. Can you add us then?

The answer it seemed was 'no.'
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 15 January, 2020, 09:50:02 pm
They've done quite a lot of cutting down rather than back here too. On land that already gets pretty soggy in the rain, with the river beside it. Also some well away from the track in nesting season last year.

Anyway, i had a different grumble...
We have a food waste bin.
When i put it out for collection it has a rock on it.
Partly to keep foxes out when full.
Partly to stop it blowing down the road and getting broken when there's a breeze and it weighs not much.
Bin people: I'd request new bins rather less often if you put it back on top after emptying. Or walk the couple of meters down the drive to the obviously more sheltered spot.
I daresay the effort comes out of a different budget or something.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 15 January, 2020, 10:07:13 pm
Quote from: ian on 15 January, 2020, 08:51:14 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 15 January, 2020, 01:22:38 pm
Some of them have been untouched since the end of steam. Last year they suddenly seemed to wake up to the fact that a lot of the leaves on the line problem was due to all those lineside trees, not to mention the less common but more serious train-hits-tree problem.

The problem was a lack of maintenance, but chopping them wholesale is a bad solution. More cheap short-termism. National Rail is institutionally halfwitted though, so I'm not surprised.

We used to live in a house with a train embankment at the bottom of the garden and our development never got notification of engineering works because apparently 'we weren't on their database' because it was a new development. Can you add us then?

The answer it seemed was 'no.'
I grew up in such a house. I don't remember any vegetation clearing but I do remember Big Yellow Machines coming along the line and making lots of noise, fastening the rails or something. No one got notice of works even though one of our neighbours worked on the railway (some boring admin job, nothing exciting like driving a train – I had an uncle who did that, but he was in Tasmania) but then, it was the 1970s.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 15 January, 2020, 10:15:52 pm
The first unannounced visit by the monster tamping machine was terrifying. It's quite a steep embankment so basically level with our bedroom window (normally not so bad, trains in south London travel far further in time than space).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 20 January, 2020, 10:32:19 am
My (ex)energy supplier, SSE, have just advised me that their records show that my electricity meter has expired.
(They've been haranguing me to allow them to fit a smart meter for some time, now).
Furthermore, they advise me that all meters have an expiry date, and as my meter passes this date, it may become unreliable and provide inaccurate bills.

It matters not a jot as, some time ago, I'd arranged to obtain my energy supplies from a supplier who's sources are 100% renewable, and that supplier isn't SSE. Having said that, there's a temptation to ask SSE what the actual expiry date is, and where that information is displayed.

There's, I guess, an element of irony that this letter should arrive on the same day as my new energy supplier have asked me to furnish them with a final meter reading.

Oh, and another thing.
Expiry date on an electricity meter.
Really?

ETA - Also, they've addressed me as 'Jury'. But I kinda like that  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 20 January, 2020, 11:11:13 am
Well, Members of the Jury, don't hang me on this, but there was an update to the smart meters some time back I wonder if the expiry date is linked to that
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 20 January, 2020, 11:56:38 am
It's not so much expiry of the meter as its certification. Utility meters aren't like factory tools or test instruments which you can check each shift and then ship off to a lab for re-calibration once a year.

Quote
When a design has been approved under GB national legislation, a manufacturer can submit meters, manufactured in accordance with the type approval, for certification. It is a requirement of the Electricity Act 1989 that all domestic meters used for billing purposes by a licensed electricity supplier are certified to show that, when tested following manufacture/refurbishment, they conform to the original type approval and operate within the prescribed levels of accuracy.

Certification is performed by meter examiners appointed by the Office for Product Safety and Standards (Safety & Standards) or by authorised examiners employed by manufacturers/repairers of electricity meters that have been authorised to self-certify. This process is described in detail in the Meters (Certification) Regulations (SI 1998/1566). This prescribes that all meters, following approval, be allocated a certification life (i.e. the time a meter is allowed to remain on the wall from initial certification).

Meters for industrial and commercial customers are either certified or the supplier reaches agreement with the customer for a meter with a similar level of accuracy to be installed. Certification periods are allocated by Safety & Standards and are restricted to 10 years for newly approved induction meters and for periods of between 10 and 20 years for static meters. Certification periods greater than 10 years (for static meters) are subject to the submission and validation of a component reliability model based on the Siemens Norm SN29500.

Subsequent in-service surveillance monitoring through the national sample survey or In-service testing can result in the certification life of a meter type being either extended or reduced. When certification is required meters must be removed from service when the certification period expires.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/electricity-meter-certification

HTH
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 20 January, 2020, 12:42:38 pm
Seems reasonable to me.  If somebody's selling you a thing by quantity, you expect whatever they're using to measure that quantity to be appropriately calibrated and certified.  Different regulations, but same principle as pint glasses and petrol pumps.

When the gas meters reach end of life, they get new batteries and calibration certificates (though, apparently, not lubrication) before being sent back out again.  Presumably the mechanical electricity ones don't on account of being replaced with newer technology.

Obviously this process is unconnected to the migration to smart meters, because that would involve joined-up thinking and common sense.  This is how we got through three gas meters in a couple of months...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 20 January, 2020, 01:46:27 pm
NLMC applies - National Legal Metrological Control.

They are calibrated at the factory to a pemitted uncertainty, which tends to get larger as they age.  WHen veryifying emissions, we have a check box that effectively says "NLMC? OK, don't dig any more"

My understadning from doing work with gas and electricity suppliers is that they should, if anything underread as they age, so the suppliers are keen to keep them up to date for revenue reasons.  In good clean gas service, with no real risk of pver pressurisation, 7-10 years between calibrations should really not be a problem.  I can't comment on dirty electrickery though
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 22 January, 2020, 02:10:27 pm
Extended faffing seems to have led to the frame and wheels I wanted being out of stock.
Also, my head is full of snot and my throat hurts.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Salvatore on 23 January, 2020, 10:47:35 am
Quote from: Jurek on 20 January, 2020, 10:32:19 am
My (ex)energy supplier, SSE, have just advised me that their records show that my electricity meter has expired.
(They've been haranguing me to allow them to fit a smart meter for some time, now).

[snipped]

SSE tried a different tactic with me - they wrote a letter thanking me for booking my smart meter installation and gave me a date and time. [For the avoidance of doubt, I haven't booked any such thing]. The unintended consequence of the letter was to provoke me to look into finding an alternative supplier.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 23 January, 2020, 11:35:23 am
David's off to a concert imminently.
I thought I'd look at the violinist's website... http://www.dominikarosiek.org/teaching.html (http://www.dominikarosiek.org/teaching.html)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 23 January, 2020, 11:39:12 am
Her masterclass http://www.dominikarosiek.org/ismm/index.html is clearly intended for Messrs Larrington and ian. (Niedzwiedz means bear!)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 23 January, 2020, 12:16:39 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 23 January, 2020, 11:39:12 am
Her masterclass http://www.dominikarosiek.org/ismm/index.html is clearly intended for Messrs Larrington and ian. (Niedzwiedz means bear!)

This will in future make me think of Germany's famous former Racing Motor-ist Klaus Niedzwiedz in an entirely different light.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 23 January, 2020, 12:34:10 pm
A page of lorem ipsum and a ink to last year's masterclass impress me not. There was a 404 on another link...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 23 January, 2020, 12:54:36 pm
I have this browser set to automatically translate stuff. This is what I read on the teaching page:

Lorem ipsum carrots or poverty and ullamacorper the first players receive at least some homework mass mountains and sterilized invest hatred antioxidants. It has been said, and the film of at lectus viverra molestie nisl neque amet et vulputate whole, but also to those who invest nostrud. Free but need members chili Reserved partners laughter it that disease. Fusce mollis viverra interdum vel ut of life, one that was not, nor how the gall. But phasellus a non neque eget. In the warm-up and there was a lot at Sed bow of the boat passengers. Soccer fears makeup PCs is not the real estate economy. Earth need not be cured by any law enforcement landed at the price of their hatred lorem lorem lorem hunger playing.

 ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 23 January, 2020, 01:22:23 pm
That looks like the Mission Statement from where I used to work. Actually, no. That makes more sense than our old mission statement.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 23 January, 2020, 01:25:31 pm
It reads like Boris Johnson in full spoffle mode. He went to public school, you know.

The peril of incomplete Wordpress templates.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 23 January, 2020, 01:54:09 pm
Quote from: phantasmagoriana on 23 January, 2020, 12:54:36 pm
Lorem ipsum carrots...

Lorem ipsum always makes me think of:

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/52/Slow_loris.jpg/220px-Slow_loris.jpg)

I wonder if his name's Johnson...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 23 January, 2020, 09:38:32 pm
After 7 days off work I thought I'd better do something about a formal sick note, or "Fit Note" as they are now called.    My GP's surgery allows you to give your symptoms & ask for one online.  I did this & got a text saying it been written & I could collect it from the surgery.  No option to email it to me  :facepalm:


This required a total of 7Km of walking & a short train journey.  I was so tired when i got back I fell asleep missed the Mahler concert I had a ticket for.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 24 January, 2020, 12:41:13 pm
Quote from: phantasmagoriana on 23 January, 2020, 12:54:36 pm
I have this browser set to automatically translate stuff. This is what I read on the teaching page:

Lorem ipsum carrots or poverty and ullamacorper the first players receive at least some homework mass mountains and sterilized invest hatred antioxidants. It has been said, and the film of at lectus viverra molestie nisl neque amet et vulputate whole, but also to those who invest nostrud. Free but need members chili Reserved partners laughter it that disease. Fusce mollis viverra interdum vel ut of life, one that was not, nor how the gall. But phasellus a non neque eget. In the warm-up and there was a lot at Sed bow of the boat passengers. Soccer fears makeup PCs is not the real estate economy. Earth need not be cured by any law enforcement landed at the price of their hatred lorem lorem lorem hunger playing.

 ;D

I may have to steal that to use as a stock reply to Farcebok spammers ;D  At the moment it's random stuff from the Wikinaccurate article on hagfish, and one charmer got very miffed last night.  "Take  thisdown. This  is a Business  web site!" he said, in a manner both barely literate and factually incorrect.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: pumpkin on 24 January, 2020, 03:26:07 pm
Gravel! The new (old) bike buzzword. Special bikes, shoes, tyres, components that seemingly are v.similar to XC or road componentry and command a 20% increase in price. Now I may be old fashioned but back in the day the likes of Anquetil, Coppi, Bartali etc rode bikes using large gearing, tubular tyres etc on unmade roads. Nice to have all this 'gravel' eqpt but people seem to be sucked into something that was being done 100 yrs ago and in the case of Audax is still being done - sometimes in sandals and on fixed gear bikes
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 24 January, 2020, 11:31:46 pm
Quote from: pumpkin on 24 January, 2020, 03:26:07 pm
Gravel! The new (old) bike buzzword. Special bikes, shoes, tyres, components that seemingly are v.similar to XC or road componentry and command a 20% increase in price. Now I may be old fashioned but back in the day the likes of Anquetil, Coppi, Bartali etc rode bikes using large gearing, tubular tyres etc on unmade roads. Nice to have all this 'gravel' eqpt but people seem to be sucked into something that was being done 100 yrs ago and in the case of Audax is still being done - sometimes in sandals and on fixed gear bikes
Oi- leave my wages earning tactics alone!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 25 January, 2020, 09:00:27 am
Quote from: pumpkin on 24 January, 2020, 03:26:07 pm
Gravel! The new (old) bike buzzword. Special bikes, shoes, tyres, components that seemingly are v.similar to XC or road componentry and command a 20% increase in price. Now I may be old fashioned but back in the day the likes of Anquetil, Coppi, Bartali etc rode bikes using large gearing, tubular tyres etc on unmade roads. Nice to have all this 'gravel' eqpt but people seem to be sucked into something that was being done 100 yrs ago and in the case of Audax is still being done - sometimes in sandals and on fixed gear bikes

Ô blessëd dyslexia, I read that as Grave!  You're right, it is.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 28 January, 2020, 11:33:41 am
Yesterday I felt a bit better, so did the moderately physical task of changing the sheets & rotating the mattress .     I had an iffy nights sleep & have only just got up, with a worse sore throat & feeling of general knackerdness  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 28 January, 2020, 01:22:25 pm
Go back to bed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 28 January, 2020, 01:32:52 pm
Ah, Amazon and age restricted deliveries  :-\  I broke my pruning saw, so ordered another. Now it seems there needs to be someone over the age of 18 with appropriate ID to receive it. That's fine, had I known it was coming today, except I'm at work and my wife's gone to the library  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 28 January, 2020, 02:35:33 pm
Bloody facilities team

In our new offices we have a lovely set of showers, for commuting cyclists, lunchtime joggers, etc.
   
There is also a drying room, for drying out wet clothes. This is not so lovely; it is a bit small, has no heating and little ventilation. A sort of 'not drying' room. But still, it is something.

It is heavily used

The facilities team have declared a policy that the drying room and lockers will be cleared of all personal belongings (towels, clothes, shower gel etc) every night.

No consultation, no warning.

Last night they cleared out the lockers, just dumped everyone's belongings into big crates and put the crates in the company post room. Tonight they are removing any towels or other personal items left in the drying room.

These offices, I should add, are huge. Nearly 400m long, with the changing/shower rooms at one end. So anyone from the far end wanting to use them, and (now) needing to store anything at work, is faced with a half mile walk. Stupidly time consuming.

The reason why they are doing seems to be that the drying room/changing facilities are too popular. Too many cycle commuters, the drying rooms can't do the job. So their solution is to stop people using them for the purpose for which they were built.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 28 January, 2020, 03:00:28 pm
Perhaps they should put a dryer in there?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 28 January, 2020, 03:03:43 pm
Quote from: Canardly on 28 January, 2020, 03:00:28 pm
Perhaps they should put a dryer in there?

No power socket  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 28 January, 2020, 03:20:05 pm
They are the facilities team!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 28 January, 2020, 03:32:11 pm
Quote from: Canardly on 28 January, 2020, 03:20:05 pm
They are the facilities team!

Yeah . . . which means they are very good at putting signs up telling people not to do things.

Adding power sockets is somewhat difficult since most of the building only has power-over-ethernet cabling
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 28 January, 2020, 04:24:18 pm
Great Western Railway: I don't mind if you have engineering works from11-19 April in the Bristol area.

I DO mind if you inform me a ticket I am trying to book becomes unavailable in the five minutes between selecting a journey and attempted ticket purchase.

Thankfully, Transport for Wales obliged without a 50% hike in the price. TfW also charge no extra for postal ticket delivery.

I used them last year and have used them again.

GWR you do yourself no favours!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 02 February, 2020, 03:33:40 pm
Guerrilla pruning, chimney re-pointing and fox shit.

I’m just back from the rear of my property, accessed via a road different to the one I live on, where I carried out some guerrilla pruning of my neighbour’s Leylandii as it was robbing me of ~ 1/4 of the big sky that would otherwise be visible to me when I am lying in bed.
On that particular score, the mission was largely a success, although I need to return in order to effect some minor trimming.
Perhaps tomorrow.

Go back back a couple of years, when Ronald and David were my tenants upstairs.
Following some particularly stormy weather, they reported the ingress of water into their newly decorated chimney breast at the back of the house.
My friend's builder at the time, was prised from imminent retirement.
He came round and inspected the chimney breast from indoors and declared that the chimney would need re-pointing.
A date for the work was agreed on.
He turned up and carried out the work.
He sent me a photo of the re-pointed chimney.
I showed the photo to Ronald and David, and they promptly paid the bill.
Something that, as freeholder of the property, I probably should’ve done but, for the moment, let us gloss over that particular detail.

So, fast forward to the present day, where I find myself just outside the back of my property with a lopper on the end of a 2m pole.
For the first time, I am able to see the chimney, which is otherwise not visible whilst the viewer is on my property.
There is no re-pointing.
Nor is there any evidence that there ever was any re-pointing.
Sure, the builder showed me a picture of a re-pointed chimney.
However, I’m pretty sure that the chimney in the picture he showed me, belonged to someone else.
It certainly wasn’t a picture of my chimney.

The fox shit comes into this as I have just had the unenviable task of removing said shit from the chunky soles of my hiking boots.

Delightful.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 02 February, 2020, 03:39:52 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 02 February, 2020, 03:33:40 pm
He came round and inspected the chimney breast from indoors and declared that the chimney would need re-pointing.

Oh rly? X ray specs?He sounds like a keeper, not.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 02 February, 2020, 03:43:37 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 02 February, 2020, 03:39:52 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 02 February, 2020, 03:33:40 pm
He came round and inspected the chimney breast from indoors and declared that the chimney would need re-pointing.

Oh rly? X ray specs?He sounds like a keeper, not.

Indeed.
The slightly bizarre thing about all of this is that, since this incident, there has been no further evidence of ingress of water in the chimney breast ......
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 02 February, 2020, 04:59:58 pm
we had ingress of water into our chimbly a few years back, it was the lead flashing where it come out of the roof, £20 cash in hand job in the end.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 02 February, 2020, 05:54:44 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 02 February, 2020, 03:43:37 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 02 February, 2020, 03:39:52 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 02 February, 2020, 03:33:40 pm
He came round and inspected the chimney breast from indoors and declared that the chimney would need re-pointing.

Oh rly? X ray specs?He sounds like a keeper, not.

Indeed.
The slightly bizarre thing about all of this is that, since this incident, there has been no further evidence of ingress of water in the chimney breast ......


I expect a squirrel ate all the pointing while it was still fresh & juicy....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 02 February, 2020, 05:57:27 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 02 February, 2020, 05:54:44 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 02 February, 2020, 03:43:37 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 02 February, 2020, 03:39:52 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 02 February, 2020, 03:33:40 pm
He came round and inspected the chimney breast from indoors and declared that the chimney would need re-pointing.

Oh rly? X ray specs?He sounds like a keeper, not.

Indeed.
The slightly bizarre thing about all of this is that, since this incident, there has been no further evidence of ingress of water in the chimney breast ......


I expect a squirrel ate all the pointing while it was still fresh & juicy....
And you can F.R.O. with your 'fresh & juicy' too.
 ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 02 February, 2020, 06:16:28 pm
Condensation can be a cause of moisture in the flue as well. Need to ensure ventilation continues and not to block up opening without provision of a vent.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 04 February, 2020, 11:28:04 am
Still poorly sick  :(


Saturday I felt a lot better so walked into town & had a wander around the Walker Art Gallery & did some shopping, no ill effects.  Sunday woke up with a bad throat again,  I had a concert booked at St Georges Hall with friends so walked down to that but began to feel tired & sleepy.  One of my friends has just come back from Cambodia & is feeling rough herself, the other cheers me up by saying she had 6 months off work last year with "post viral syndrome" ?     Woke up on Monday feeling shattered & spent most of the day dozing  in bed, ate some food but no motivation to read or listen to music.  Bed at midnight & slept through to 10.  Still got a bit of a cough.  This is boring now. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Legs on 05 February, 2020, 08:26:42 am
We got a joke estimate for building our extension (other estimates have come in around £70k-£90k), so we asked for a breakdown.  This is a classic case of Parkinson's Law of Triviality (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_of_triviality). (Forgive the typesetting)


Quote
Demolition of single storey extension including support wall/new steel                                                £10,925.00
Take out staircase and replace                                                                                                         £  4,025.00                                                                                                                                             
Utility
Take out door frame                                                                                                                                         £      40.25
Pull down wall                                                                                                                                                           £    172.50
Remove fittings                                                                                                                                             £    115.00
Block wall plastered both sides                                                                                                                            £    510.60
Kitchen
Reduce size of existing kitchen fittings/make good                                                                                £    862.50
Form opening for door                                                                                                                                 £    414.00
Internal door and frame                                                                                                                               £    454.25
Lounge
Take out door and frame                                                                                                                                        £       40.25
Reduce size of existing opening, blocking up, including plaster                                                             £     460.00
Window                                                                                                                                                          £     678.50
Window board                                                                                                                                              £       43.70
Skirting board                                                                                                                                                            £         6.90
Take out door and frame, block up opening                                                                                             £     460.00
Take out window                                                                                                                                          £       40.25
Enlarge opening for patio doors                                                                                                                 £    460.00
Patio doors                                                                                                                                                                £ 1,840.00
First Floor
Take out 2 doors                                                                                                                                                       £      80.50
Take out window                                                                                                                                          £      40.25 
Pull down section of wall, enlarge/steels                                                                                                   £ 1,035.00
Stud partition x 3                                                                                                                                           £    269.10
Internal door and frame                                                                                                                                          £    454.25
Skirting board                                                                                                                                                            £      20.70
External
Porch/Entrance                                                                                                                                                      £  1840.00
Steps 1                                                                                                                                                                       £    517.50
Steps 2                                                                                                                                                            £    747.50
Extension
Floor area                                                                                                                                                       £80,251.00
Prelims                                                                                                                                                            £ 21,907.50

                                                                                                                                    Total:                          £128,806.53
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 05 February, 2020, 08:32:53 am
I'm not sure that's true, Legs. That list looks like it's done by a Quantity Surveyor and probably includes things that would be additional incidentals from your other quotes.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Legs on 05 February, 2020, 08:43:32 am
It's also been done by someone who can't add up (I haven't bothered to add them up, but where did the 3p come from?), and who doesn't understand that an estimate can be accurate without being excessively precise.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 05 February, 2020, 01:02:37 pm
I love they way they break down a ton of trivial stuff - then just put 'floor area' in with an £80k estimate and no breakdown.

Assume that is the actual building work for the extension.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 05 February, 2020, 01:19:35 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 04 February, 2020, 11:28:04 am
the other cheers me up by saying she had 6 months off work last year with "post viral syndrome" ?

Autoimmune nastyness in the wake of an infection.  The effective treatment is rest, which means you have to fight boredom and/or protestant work-ethic.  Best avoided.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 05 February, 2020, 01:56:35 pm
Quote from: Kim on 05 February, 2020, 01:19:35 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 04 February, 2020, 11:28:04 am
the other cheers me up by saying she had 6 months off work last year with "post viral syndrome" ?

Autoimmune nastyness in the wake of an infection.  The effective treatment is rest, which means you have to fight boredom and/or protestant work-ethic.  Best avoided.

If you're lucky it's rest. Some gastroenteritis viruses look very much like beta cells to the immune system, so that you end up with Type 1 diabetes. That happened to the 4-year-old son of a friend of mine. Imagine explaining to a kid that age why Daddy has to stick needles in him after meals.

That was 20 years ago, there might be a better way now.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 05 February, 2020, 02:24:16 pm
Happened to a friend of mine. Had a modest bout of flu-like illness, seemed on the road to recovery, till girlfriend found him having a diabetic snooze on the kitchen floor.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 05 February, 2020, 02:41:05 pm
Thank you for cheering me up !   No gastro symptoms, just mild upper respiratory issues & a feeling of being knackered.  I've never slept so well   ???


Just back from the GP's after collecting another sick note & arranging a check up for next week.   Had a plate of pasta and a affogato al caffe  on the way home.   Slightly tired as flat is at the top of a long hill. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 05 February, 2020, 02:56:31 pm
Quote from: T42 on 05 February, 2020, 01:56:35 pm
Quote from: Kim on 05 February, 2020, 01:19:35 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 04 February, 2020, 11:28:04 am
the other cheers me up by saying she had 6 months off work last year with "post viral syndrome" ?

Autoimmune nastyness in the wake of an infection.  The effective treatment is rest, which means you have to fight boredom and/or protestant work-ethic.  Best avoided.

If you're lucky it's rest. Some gastroenteritis viruses look very much like beta cells to the immune system, so that you end up with Type 1 diabetes. That happened to the 4-year-old son of a friend of mine. Imagine explaining to a kid that age why Daddy has to stick needles in him after meals.

That was 20 years ago, there might be a better way now.

My first cousin has two children who have been Type 1 diabetics since they were toddlers. I think they are on pumps now.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 05 February, 2020, 06:34:44 pm
Continuous glucose monitoring seems to be a game-changer for smalls.  Even if they're still having insulin injections, it eliminates the (generally more painful) testing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 05 February, 2020, 07:14:20 pm
Well I went for a lie down about 15:30.   Fairly troubled sleep & now I’m a bit warm & sweaty. Time to get up & drink some tea.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 05 February, 2020, 08:42:28 pm
Quote from: T42 on 05 February, 2020, 01:56:35 pm
Quote from: Kim on 05 February, 2020, 01:19:35 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 04 February, 2020, 11:28:04 am
the other cheers me up by saying she had 6 months off work last year with "post viral syndrome" ?

Autoimmune nastyness in the wake of an infection.  The effective treatment is rest, which means you have to fight boredom and/or protestant work-ethic.  Best avoided.

If you're lucky it's rest. Some gastroenteritis viruses look very much like beta cells to the immune system, so that you end up with Type 1 diabetes. That happened to the 4-year-old son of a friend of mine. Imagine explaining to a kid that age why Daddy has to stick needles in him after meals.

That was 20 years ago, there might be a better way now.

in my case it was a dose of flu a little under 7 years ago now, felt like crap all weekend and woke up the next week with T1D.

Been on a pump for around 6 of those years and it is much better.  Am thinking about self-funded Abbot Flash Glucose metering as I don't meet the NHS criteria for it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 05 February, 2020, 08:44:50 pm
Interesting. Is that fairly common then?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 05 February, 2020, 08:56:10 pm
I couldn't find a number, it's not that common, but it is a known corollary of viral illnesses.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 05 February, 2020, 09:33:54 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 05 February, 2020, 08:42:28 pm
Been on a pump for around 6 of those years and it is much better.  Am thinking about self-funded Abbot Flash Glucose metering as I don't meet the NHS criteria for it.

A friend of mine is doing that, because his diabetes is hard to control and he finds that rate-of-change is more helpful than the absolute glucose level.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 05 February, 2020, 09:39:52 pm
for me it's a case of
pump = ability to control insulin around exercise more easily
FG monitoring = unobtrusive monitoring when exercising. Frustratingly though it's not legal for driving, where you need to do a fingerprick every 2 hours
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 06 February, 2020, 08:14:24 am
We got a joke estimate for building our extension (other estimates have come in around £70k-£90k), so we asked for a breakdown.  This is a classic case of Parkinson's Law of Triviality. (Forgive the typesetting)

Does not look like a QS estimate to me. Demolitions seem expensive unless access is very limited. Any builder should be able to give you a rough estimate based on a rate per M2 of new build. I see that the area is not stated on your estimate. Is it an estimate or a quote?

https://householdquotes.co.uk/cost-of-extension/
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 06 February, 2020, 08:23:13 am
Quote from: ElyDave on 05 February, 2020, 09:39:52 pm
for me it's a case of
pump = ability to control insulin around exercise more easily
FG monitoring = unobtrusive monitoring when exercising. Frustratingly though it's not legal for driving, where you need to do a fingerprick every 2 hours

It's probably more reliable than the fingerstick but the law hasn't caught up yet - a bit like when only filament lamps were legal for cycling but LEDs were already ten times more effective.  A couple of years back I queried the accuracy of my fingerstick meter and was given a calibration solution to test it against: according to the accompanying bumph a ±18% margin of error was OK.  I don't bother testing any more unless I'm going to the doc.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 06 February, 2020, 09:13:02 am
Quote from: T42 on 06 February, 2020, 08:23:13 am
Quote from: ElyDave on 05 February, 2020, 09:39:52 pm
for me it's a case of
pump = ability to control insulin around exercise more easily
FG monitoring = unobtrusive monitoring when exercising. Frustratingly though it's not legal for driving, where you need to do a fingerprick every 2 hours

It's probably more reliable than the fingerstick but the law hasn't caught up yet - a bit like when only filament lamps were legal for cycling but LEDs were already ten times more effective.  A couple of years back I queried the accuracy of my fingerstick meter and was given a calibration solution to test it against: according to the accompanying bumph a ±18% margin of error was OK.  I don't bother testing any more unless I'm going to the doc.

Yes, when I'm working with companies that need to meter quantities with an uncertaitny of 1.5% I look at glucose monitors and think "are you having a laugh?"
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 06 February, 2020, 12:02:35 pm
I've always assumed that traders will give joke quotes when they don't need/want the work. But if you are silly enough to accept, they would be quite happy to fuck about with the people they are already busy with.  They will also fuck you about as they try to placate their other jobs as they begin to moan.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Chris S on 07 February, 2020, 11:02:10 pm
Why do some people feel the need to shout their sexual preferences from the rooftops (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-51414010)?

Speaking personally - it's nobody else's fucking business what my preferences are.

I simply don't understand the mindset that requires this overt exhibitionism.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 07 February, 2020, 11:11:23 pm
Quote from: Chris S on 07 February, 2020, 11:02:10 pm
Why do some people feel the need to shout their sexual preferences from the rooftops (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-51414010)?

Speaking personally - it's nobody else's fucking business what my preferences are.

I simply don't understand the mindset that requires this overt exhibitionism.

I suspect that it isn't so much exhibitionism, more that he's getting the news out on his terms before one of the tabloids leads with a prurient "exclusive".


Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Chris S on 07 February, 2020, 11:15:57 pm
Quote from: spesh on 07 February, 2020, 11:11:23 pm
Quote from: Chris S on 07 February, 2020, 11:02:10 pm
Why do some people feel the need to shout their sexual preferences from the rooftops (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-51414010)?

Speaking personally - it's nobody else's fucking business what my preferences are.

I simply don't understand the mindset that requires this overt exhibitionism.

I suspect that it isn't so much exhibitionism, more that he's getting the news out on his terms before one of the tabloids leads with a prurient "exclusive".

Jeez. Homo Sapiens deserve everything coming to them, and it can't happen soon enough.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 07 February, 2020, 11:29:48 pm
That and there's a big difference (in 2020) between coming out in your teens, when - assuming you don't get disowned or murdered or whatever - the consequences are relatively straightforward, and coming out in your late 50s when you've established a family and high-profile career as an assumed heterosexual.

I liked his kids' telly (not so keen on his endorsement of Bloody Stupid Johnson).  I don't blame him in the slightest for not coming out at the time.  It was the peak of the AIDS crisis, and the media were busy treating gays with all the warmth and understanding that they treat trans people with today.  One thing leads to another, and before you know it you've been married for 27 years and wondering what happened.  Whether he had to come out for his own and his family's well-being, or (more than likely), what spesh said, it was always going to be news.

Good luck to them.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Chris S on 07 February, 2020, 11:45:21 pm
I guess it's the whole "coming out" thing I still don't get.

In earlier years, I was quite homophobic - and time and life experience have largely cured me of that. But I still don't understand the need to tell all creation where you like to stick your dick.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 08 February, 2020, 12:16:15 am
That's a complicated subject with a need for more than one highlighter pen, but starter for 10:

https://www.pinkpractice.co.uk/quaire.htm

It's more about the cumulative effect of going through life cut off from a whole swathe of normal social interactions[1], usually with a side order of massive guilt and self-hatred, rather than the actual dick-sticking.  But also on a practical level, if you're interested in a bit of dick-sticking with a MOTAS, it helps if they know you're theoretically up for it...

And then there's the other kind of coming out.  When you've been a card-carrying QUILTBAG since your teens and have been in a same-sex relationship for 20 years, and you generally Just Get On With It, you still end up coming out (or not) to everyone new at some point, even if it's just by using your partner's pronoun.


[1] To pick a random example without leaving this browser tab, being able to use a picture of you and your partner as a user icon...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 08 February, 2020, 12:37:18 am
As said before trying to beat the news cycle, he is a "celebrity" after all.

Side note on coming out. My ex and her sister's best friend for years, came out a few days after I met him the second time. We were getting on really well and had a good laugh at a party. Things were said, jokes were told, I got confused/lost in translation as he was French. And I asked but aren't you gay and where's your partner? Much laughter and nooooooo you got the stick and end mixed up, ensued. Few days later sister stormed into our flat and was all - I got big news and many hours of I don't believe it later we got to meet his boyfriend he had for 3 months but haven't told anyone about.

I totally understand, even today (well especially today), why people keep shtum about their sexualitiy. As some people like Kim states don't have the understanding friends/family or othr underlying issues.

I don't care that so and so is this or that but I understand why a person in limelight "want" (for the lack of a better word) to come out on the front pages of MSM. Cause if it is a scoop in say the Scum that person would have had to clean up mud for years to come.


Sorry for rambling mess, I'm drunk and tired, goodnight.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Chris S on 08 February, 2020, 12:37:27 am
Quote from: Kim on 08 February, 2020, 12:16:15 am
That's a complicated subject with a need for more than one highlighter pen, but starter for 10:

https://www.pinkpractice.co.uk/quaire.htm

Oh, g'wan then... (I'm not sure you actually intended this, but... well...)

1. I dunno. It's how I am.
2. I didn't. See 1.
3. No.
4. I don't. Maybe I'll add it to the bucket list.
5. Maybe, but hey I'm 60, so it's a pretty persistent phase.
6. Well, I suppose. But I've not met a "Good Astronaut" either, who might convince me to be an astronaut.
7. You're assuming I'm not mentally ill.
8. Nobody. Except any sad fucker reading this, I guess. GET A LIFE!
9. Do they?
10. Fuck knows.
11. I have had children, three of them - and they were free to make of their lives whatever they liked, using the meagre start in life their parents afforded them as a basis.
12. I don't.
13. WTF? Really??
14. I do keep it quiet. Mostly, folks just don't fucking care. This is how it should be.
15. Erm...
16. I don't. My role playing is my business. Fuck off.
17. I'm divorced. I was married for 30 years. Yes - count them THIRTY YEARS. We raised three great kids, then we were done.
18. I'm not the best person to ask that. Homo Sapiens is screwed - our extinction is imminent. This is a perfectly natural process.
19. It's not our god-given right to be happy all the time.
20. Oh - there is no 20.
21. I've never been in the situation where this was even remotely a thing.
22. It's the differences that make it work.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 08 February, 2020, 06:46:04 am
Quote from: Kim on 08 February, 2020, 12:16:15 am
That's a complicated subject with a need for more than one highlighter pen, but starter for 10:

https://www.pinkpractice.co.uk/quaire.htm

It's more about the cumulative effect of going through life cut off from a whole swathe of normal social interactions[1], usually with a side order of massive guilt and self-hatred, rather than the actual dick-sticking.  But also on a practical level, if you're interested in a bit of dick-sticking with a MOTAS, it helps if they know you're theoretically up for it...

And then there's the other kind of coming out.  When you've been a card-carrying QUILTBAG since your teens and have been in a same-sex relationship for 20 years, and you generally Just Get On With It, you still end up coming out (or not) to everyone new at some point, even if it's just by using your partner's pronoun.


[1] To pick a random example without leaving this browser tab, being able to use a picture of you and your partner as a user icon...

And then you have cases like my colleague, been with his partner for thirty-odd years, and was referring to his partner on a business trip in USAnia. Assumptions were made, and he only the realised they thought he meant his male partner.

At which he had to explain, she is a feminist, lecturer in women's studies and just doesn't agree with the patriarchal connotations of marriage.

Now that opposite sex civil unions are allowed, she's actually asked him to "marry" her, which is great.

Sometimes I think we are all too bothered about what other people think when it has zero impact on them.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 08 February, 2020, 08:10:02 am
Quote from: Chris S on 08 February, 2020, 12:37:27 am
Quote from: Kim on 08 February, 2020, 12:16:15 am
That's a complicated subject with a need for more than one highlighter pen, but starter for 10:

https://www.pinkpractice.co.uk/quaire.htm

Oh, g'wan then... (I'm not sure you actually intended this, but... well...)

Not really, no.

It's a (depressingly timeless[1]) classic way of turning the usual prejudices on their head to illustrate why LGB[2] people might be fucked up by mainstream society and "go on about it" (ie. do normal stuff like have relationships).  I've probably been on the receiving end of about half of those at some point, with varying degrees of "ha ha only serious", and I wasn't out until 1997.


[1] We may have got past some of the worst bits, some 33 years after that was written.  People tend not to conflate gay men are pedobear any more.  Instead, they conflate trans women with pedobear instead...
[2] Bisexuals get their own tropes, vis indecision, denial, promiscuity, etc.  Notably the L&G community tend to be the main offenders.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 08 February, 2020, 09:46:01 am
Quote from: ElyDave on 08 February, 2020, 06:46:04 am
And then you have cases like my colleague, been with his partner for thirty-odd years, and was referring to his partner on a business trip in USAnia. Assumptions were made, and he only the realised they thought he meant his male partner.

Ha. Before we got married, I always used to refer to my wife as my partner (and before that, talked about my now-ex in the same way). *Totally* worth it to see the 'is he, isn't he?' cogs turning in peoples' minds: motivated primarily because girlfriend/boyfriend are such daft terms once you're older than about 1622, but also useful as the smallest of hints to others to not make assumptions.

As for Philip Schofield, I can only imagine it's better to control the narrative of 'I'm gay and I need to work this through with my family' rather than seeing 'Troubled TV star, 57, admits he's been living a lie' plastered over the red-tops.

As for TEH GAYERS 'going on about it', a former colleague used to get really pissed off by others claiming he was 'going on about it' just by talking about having spent the evening or the weekend with his partner. (Admittedly, given that he was rarely discreet about spending weekends in, um, 'specialist' clubs in Antwerp, he sometimes was 'going on about it' - but 'it' was his sex life in general, and the detail that he was doing it with a bloke was just that, a detail among many, many others.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 08 February, 2020, 09:56:08 am
I am starting to feel a little got at.

I am confined to quarters today because the replacement for the cracked rim on my Frezoni is coming via Hermes and requires a signature. Third attempt before the rim goes back to Hubjub. I was expecting to lace it up last night and ride today before tomorrow’s storm. Not going to happen now.

The 1/8” chain whip I ordered arrived yesterday and is 3/32” (already got a couple of those), so have to go through the hassle of returns next week + delay.

I have to go through the hassle of returning the 2nd failed Axa headlight. Frankly I don’t trust that another replacement Axa wouldn’t fail too. Reliability is worth a lot to me.

Had a front wheel slide during my ride home yesterday. No fall but definitely brown pants as I locked up the rear wheel after reflexively letting go of the front brake and helplessly slid into the T-junction with oncoming traffic. That front tyre has got to go - I hate not being able to trust my tyres. It was bad enough negotiating frosty roads in the morning but at least I knew why the wheels were skittering about. Letting go in normal circumstances on a high friction asphalt surface is very disturbing. The Rubino Pro tyre itself looks and feels fine but I'm not using it again.

What is the stickiest 700 x 28-32C tyre? It is a front tyre on a commuter, so excessive wear life isn’t important but broken glass resistance and traction is. I can cope well enough with the back tyre wandering (so will probably stick with Voyager Hyper or similar) but not the front.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 08 February, 2020, 01:11:38 pm
Quote from: jsabine on 08 February, 2020, 09:46:01 am
Quote from: ElyDave on 08 February, 2020, 06:46:04 am
And then you have cases like my colleague, been with his partner for thirty-odd years, and was referring to his partner on a business trip in USAnia. Assumptions were made, and he only the realised they thought he meant his male partner.

Ha. Before we got married, I always used to refer to my wife as my partner (and before that, talked about my now-ex in the same way). *Totally* worth it to see the 'is he, isn't he?' cogs turning in peoples' minds: motivated primarily because girlfriend/boyfriend are such daft terms once you're older than about 1622, but also useful as the smallest of hints to others to not make assumptions.
Does that even work nowadays? Partner seems to be the default term regardless of marital status, gender, sexual orientation, etc. At least for everyone over 22.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 08 February, 2020, 05:36:31 pm
This is rather good.   https://spilleroftea.com/2020/02/08/this-article-isnt-about-phillip-schofield/


[Enters Wowbagger mode.] Until the broadcast with Johnson during the election campaign I'd no idea at all who this chap was....   [Exits Wowbagger mode] 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 08 February, 2020, 08:21:03 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 08 February, 2020, 05:36:31 pm
This is rather good.   https://spilleroftea.com/2020/02/08/this-article-isnt-about-phillip-schofield/

That says a lot of what I was failing to articulate properly above...


Quote
[Enters Wowbagger mode.] Until the broadcast with Johnson during the election campaign I'd no idea at all who this chap was....   [Exits Wowbagger mode]

He's Gordon The Gopher's[1] sidekick and/or Sadiq Khan's evil twin.


[1] Teenagers: Ask your parents.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 08 February, 2020, 08:30:36 pm
Saddiq Khan's evil twin, or the other way round?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 08 February, 2020, 08:36:26 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 08 February, 2020, 08:30:36 pm
Saddiq Khan's evil twin, or the other way round?

Good question.  AFAIK neither of them has a goatee, so it's inconclusive.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 09 February, 2020, 08:12:06 am
Quote from: LittleWheelsandBig on 08 February, 2020, 09:56:08 am
What is the stickiest 700 x 28-32C tyre? It is a front tyre on a commuter, so excessive wear life isn’t important but broken glass resistance and traction is. I can cope well enough with the back tyre wandering (so will probably stick with Voyager Hyper or similar) but not the front.

Michelin Power All Season

This is the current version of what used to be called Pro Grip. It is very grippy, even at cold temperatures where other so-called 4 season tyres tend to harden up and get slippy. They are very much slower than other tyres in the range (they really shouldn't be labelled "Competition Power") but that's inevitable, you can't have low rolling resistance and high grip. Puncture resistance and wear rate are surprisingly good.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 09 February, 2020, 08:47:57 am
Looks good with 700 x 23, 25, 28C.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 09 February, 2020, 08:53:59 am
Duly noted. Ta.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 09 February, 2020, 10:35:27 am
The fence between our garden and the neighbours, which is their responsibility, has started to fail.  The house has just been sold, so it’s a cert not to get fixed until after the new owners move in, which could be months  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 09 February, 2020, 05:38:22 pm
I've just had the bloody fences done rather than worry about who's responsible (it's not clear to be honest, whether the fence down one side of our house is ours or the neighbours) the plans are vague. She didn't seem to know either, so we had them done when all the others were replaced and she paid to have them painted.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 09 February, 2020, 06:31:36 pm
Normally I’d agree but although our garden is a relatively modest 90 square metres, its only 3m wide, leaving a 30m fence. That’s quite an expensive repair.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 09 February, 2020, 06:44:30 pm
Yeah, we had to replace 22 fence panels when we moved in here (the whole lot came down during a wet and windy Christmas eve). At least on the neighbour's side, the posts were fine, so it was really just panels, everywhere else we had to have new concrete posts and the works. To be honest, it wasn't a surprise and we had budgeted for the replacement, but it would have been nicer had it waited till summer. The plans are vague as to who is responsible for the boundary but I suspect it probably is us, though it's arguable.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SteveC on 09 February, 2020, 06:47:07 pm
About ten years ago, we came home from a weekend away to find that the fence was still there, but the posts had gone!
A previous owner had made his own reinforced concrete posts and the reinforcing bars had corroded, expanded, and cracked the concrete and the severe storm did the rest of the damage.
We are responsible for all of the fences round our garden, which has proved expensive over the years.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 10 February, 2020, 09:17:49 am
Quote from: Pickled Onion on 09 February, 2020, 08:12:06 am
Quote from: LittleWheelsandBig on 08 February, 2020, 09:56:08 am
What is the stickiest 700 x 28-32C tyre? It is a front tyre on a commuter, so excessive wear life isn’t important but broken glass resistance and traction is. I can cope well enough with the back tyre wandering (so will probably stick with Voyager Hyper or similar) but not the front.

Michelin Power All Season

This is the current version of what used to be called Pro Grip. It is very grippy, even at cold temperatures where other so-called 4 season tyres tend to harden up and get slippy. They are very much slower than other tyres in the range (they really shouldn't be labelled "Competition Power") but that's inevitable, you can't have low rolling resistance and high grip. Puncture resistance and wear rate are surprisingly good.
Thanks. I don't need glass resistance but I do need inspires confidence on >10% descent on A road
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 10 February, 2020, 02:16:48 pm
Quote from: Kim on 08 February, 2020, 08:21:03 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 08 February, 2020, 05:36:31 pm
This is rather good.   https://spilleroftea.com/2020/02/08/this-article-isnt-about-phillip-schofield/ (https://spilleroftea.com/2020/02/08/this-article-isnt-about-phillip-schofield/)

That says a lot of what I was failing to articulate properly above...


Quote
[Enters Wowbagger mode.] Until the broadcast with Johnson during the election campaign I'd no idea at all who this chap was....   [Exits Wowbagger mode]

He's Gordon The Gopher's[1] sidekick and/or Sadiq Khan's evil twin.


[1] Teenagers: Ask your parents.


Another piece in a similar vein.   https://politics.co.uk/comment-analysis/2020/02/10/schofield-coming-out-revealed-a-generational-gulf-in-the-gay 


A friend of mine in his early 60's still won't come out to his family, after a bad experience coming out to a group of friends at work, the bloke he'd considered his best mate just dropped him completely.


See also  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-51370820
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 10 February, 2020, 02:35:35 pm
That's a good article, particularly

Quote
So allow me to administer a corrective. Phillip Schofield was six when the Stonewall Riots happened. He was seven when the first Pride rally took place in London, consisting of roughly 150 people marching. He was 19 when Dynasty caused an uproar by featuring a character struggling with his sexuality. He was 20 when Mary Whitehouse took the National Theatre to court over a simulated homosexual act. He was 21 when Elton John married a woman named Renate Blauer and Simon Hughes, who would later come out himself, ran a disgracefully homophobic campaign against Peter Tatchell in Bermondsey. He was 24 when Rock Hudson died, at the peak of the moral panic over HIV/AIDS. He was 26 when Clause 28 was passed. He was 27 when furious MPs demanded Eastenders be banned over two men kissing. He was 28 when the West London murders went largely uninvestigated. He was in his early 30s when Westminster Council targetted gay bars in Soho and plain-clothes vice cops were entrapping and arresting people in cruising areas. He was 38 when the Admiral Duncan pub was bombed. He was 40 when the age of consent was equalised. He was 41 when "gay panic" was finally rejected by the courts as a defence to murder. And he was 58 when same-sex marriage became legal in all parts of the United Kingdom, less than a month ago.

as a reminder of how much has changed for the better in my lifetime (and why I hate to feel things are slipping back). It's the case that a lot of younger people take this for granted and it's not something that should ever be taken for granted, people fought in little and big ways for these things. There's no natural and effortless progression towards a better, more accepting world. If anything, it's the opposite.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 10 February, 2020, 02:42:40 pm
Getting my fence done a few years back cost £2.5k. The posts held well but the wood is crap.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 10 February, 2020, 03:26:40 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 10 February, 2020, 02:16:48 pm
A friend of mine in his early 60's still won't come out to his family, after a bad experience coming out to a group of friends at work, the bloke he'd considered his best mate just dropped him completely.

I expect most people have those sorts of experiences with coming out.  It's just that, like with most forms of grief, if you did it long enough ago, you'll have moved on from the people you lost as a result and it's less of a day-to-day issue.

Families, of course, are much more difficult to move on from than friends.

Of course, you also tend to make friends (and even family) as a result.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 10 February, 2020, 05:44:15 pm
e bloody bay and Chinese suppliers . . . what is it with them?     

I've been buying a few bits and pieces in the way of tools - like drill bits and similar.    I'm very careful to always select "UK only" [As an aside why can't you default your searches to UK only?] and showing despatch from a UK address.

Some items arrive within a day or two - some don't and you get a message written in pidgin English (usually calling me "my dear") saying various things like they haven't got stock or it's lost in the post and offering a refund. . . .  and they then delist the sale before you post negative feedback.

I realise these items are "drop shipped" - i.e. sent in bulk from China and then put in the mail here when they receive an order . . . . but why the massive failure rate?  ebay should be stamping on these people

I'm going to try buying direct from Aliexpress (allowing up to a month for delivery) to see what happens there.

Rob
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 11 February, 2020, 09:00:33 am
Bloody bank have "improved" their website to make it "faster and easier" to use.  This means that instead of a full menu down the side and a straight Debit/Credit/Balance display the menu has been split over different levels with a screen per level and the account view now has debit & credit in the same column with the current balance at the top.  The only way to get a side-by-side debit/credit listing is to download the history as an xlsx. In addition, over half of every screen is given over to a marketing-shit image with a couple of links floating in the middle.

Silly bloody buggers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 11 February, 2020, 09:04:52 am
Quote from: robgul on 10 February, 2020, 05:44:15 pm
I'm going to try buying direct from Aliexpress (allowing up to a month for delivery) to see what happens there.

I've had a couple of things from them, usually a few days in advance of the delivery date. Quality is OK.   But if a chum's cycling hat is anything to go by, you won't get a CE rating on the goods.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 11 February, 2020, 11:09:32 am
Quote from: T42 on 11 February, 2020, 09:00:33 am
Bloody bank have "improved" their website to make it "faster and easier" to use.  This means that instead of a full menu down the side and a straight Debit/Credit/Balance display the menu has been split over different levels with a screen per level and the account view now has debit & credit in the same column with the current balance at the top.  The only way to get a side-by-side debit/credit listing is to download the history as an xlsx. In addition, over half of every screen is given over to a marketing-shit image with a couple of links floating in the middle.

Silly bloody buggers.

It seems to be standard operating procedure among website software bonobos that if it ain't broken, fix it until it is.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 11 February, 2020, 12:22:57 pm
Quote from: T42 on 11 February, 2020, 09:04:52 am
Quote from: robgul on 10 February, 2020, 05:44:15 pm
I'm going to try buying direct from Aliexpress (allowing up to a month for delivery) to see what happens there.

I've had a couple of things from them, usually a few days in advance of the delivery date. Quality is OK.   But if a chum's cycling hat is anything to go by, you won't get a CE rating on the goods.

I've used them many times.  They're fine when you either know that a specific product is decent (eg. the Ruideng power meters), or aren't fussed if it turns out to be pure chineseium.

(I've mostly bought hobbyist electronics - LED tat, prototyping boards, DuPont/JST connectors[1] and such.  I wouldn't trust a mains power supply without a teardown, and anything purporting to be a given thickness of copper wire should be treated with a healthy degree of scepticism.  Mechanical tools like drill bits are probably fine, in that the likely worst case is that you get what you pay for.)


[1] Ready-made DuPoint jumper cables being so cheap that it's hardly worth crimping your own.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 11 February, 2020, 01:17:08 pm
Quote from: spesh on 11 February, 2020, 11:09:32 am
Quote from: T42 on 11 February, 2020, 09:00:33 am
Bloody bank have "improved" their website to make it "faster and easier" to use.  This means that instead of a full menu down the side and a straight Debit/Credit/Balance display the menu has been split over different levels with a screen per level and the account view now has debit & credit in the same column with the current balance at the top.  The only way to get a side-by-side debit/credit listing is to download the history as an xlsx. In addition, over half of every screen is given over to a marketing-shit image with a couple of links floating in the middle.

Silly bloody buggers.

It seems to be standard operating procedure among website software bonobos that if it ain't broken, fix it until it is.

Nah, don't blame the mechanics. It's the marketing lizards that want to destabilize the customers.  Although in the olden days I once read of a comment in operating system code that said "This bit is to confuse the operator", that was just innocent sadism, whereas the lizards are looking for prey.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 11 February, 2020, 01:19:29 pm
Quote from: T42 on 11 February, 2020, 01:17:08 pm
Nah, don't blame the mechanics. It's the marketing lizards that want to destabilize the customers.  Although in the olden days I once read of a comment in operating system code that said "This bit is to confuse the operator", that was just innocent sadism, whereas the lizards are looking for prey.

There's also the one where some third-party library or whatever forces a forklift upgrade on the systems monkeys who'd like nothing better than for it to remain a legacy system[1].


[1] In the "stuff that works" sense.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 11 February, 2020, 02:11:04 pm
Old story: if it's running bug-free and bullet-proof nobody will want to upgrade so keep adding cruft until it breaks.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 11 February, 2020, 04:53:29 pm
Quote from: Kim on 11 February, 2020, 01:19:29 pm
Quote from: T42 on 11 February, 2020, 01:17:08 pm
Nah, don't blame the mechanics. It's the marketing lizards that want to destabilize the customers.  Although in the olden days I once read of a comment in operating system code that said "This bit is to confuse the operator", that was just innocent sadism, whereas the lizards are looking for prey.

There's also the one where some third-party library or whatever forces a forklift upgrade on the systems monkeys who'd like nothing better than for it to remain a legacy system[1].


[1] In the "stuff that works" sense.

There was a really useful tool in the water industry that was a substantial Excel '97 spreadsheet, macros, custom tool bar etc. all built in as was the shut down of clippy. It modelled the impact of blending waters and chemical dosing them on the stability of the water (scale forming or agressive) by calculating various indices. Then came Office 2007, Clippy died a death and a number of other features used within the macros became defunct such that the sheet could no longer run. For many years there was the one windows box running an old version of office to use this spreadsheet. Till finally XP was no longer supported and the software died a death. There has just been a joint industry investment to get everything updated and operable in current Excel.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 11 February, 2020, 05:06:16 pm
The BHPC runs on one of those.  Untangling as much of the timing and scoring workflow from it as possible (so that those tasks may be offloaded onto more functional and efficient open source software maintained by Someone Else) is one of my winter projects.  I now know a couple of orders of magnitude more VBA than I wanted to, and have waded through many strata of Interesting Decisions™.   :hand:

These things are best approached with a "KEEP CALM AND TRY NOT TO THINK ABOUT BANKING" mentality.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 12 February, 2020, 02:33:23 pm
I may bear some measure of responsibility for some of that, having volunteered to run the Babbage-Engine at the '96 Euros in Leicester.  Though the Stuffs used then was heavily based on characters created by some unknown h@XX0r in the Dutch HPV club.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 13 February, 2020, 07:54:25 pm
The water inlet for my washing machine seems to have developed a major leak during my towel wash, flooding the kitchen floor.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 13 February, 2020, 08:13:14 pm
Oops
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 13 February, 2020, 09:18:57 pm
That's life!
Have drained and spun washing, with no further flooding.
Will hang towels out and give them an extra rinse if they seem to need this after I've had things fixed.

I HATE musty washing! I don't knowhow much rinsing this stuff had before I stopped the machine: there's been some rinsing.

I'll get things fixed in the cool, clear light of day...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 13 February, 2020, 09:23:26 pm
I took some washing out of the machine earlier & found a packet of Strepsils in one trouser pocket.  My clothes now smell of menthol   :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 14 February, 2020, 10:00:56 am
I'm pretty sure we have a thread for cars that do things without any human involvement, but I'm beggered if I can find it. Anyway, the quality of reporting is worthy of a grumble>


Quote
Car crashes into Bishop's Stortford flats leading to evacuation

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-b ... s-51441769 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-b ... s-51441769)

Readers would be forgiven for thinking the car ignored the driver and decided to do its' own thing. The only mention of human involvement is:
Quote
...A man was treated at the scene before being taken to hospital for further assessment...
which doesn't make clear whether the man was the driver of the car, a passenger, or an occupant of the damaged property.


No, BBC. Cars don't just crash into things, they are* driven* into things, often as a result of human error or sheer bloody stupidity.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 14 February, 2020, 10:11:41 am
They're just ever-so-carefully avoiding assumptions.  Even during their appeals for witnesses back in the 1950s the Beeb would speak of "a car that mounted the pavement" rather than someone driving onto it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Edd on 14 February, 2020, 01:29:20 pm
That journal article looks like it could be intersting, yes, I don't mind reviewing it. [Opens PDF] Oh no, what have I done? Goodbye morning...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 14 February, 2020, 01:47:37 pm
Quote from: T42 on 14 February, 2020, 10:11:41 am
They're just ever-so-carefully avoiding assumptions.  Even during their appeals for witnesses back in the 1950s the Beeb would speak of "a car that mounted the pavement" rather than someone driving onto it.

Except they don't do so elsewhere, it's mostly only motorised vehicles that are granted their own agency. Knives don't rampage. It's still a reasonable assumption that cars are driven by someone.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 14 February, 2020, 01:50:14 pm
True, but there are instances of drivers being incapacitated for one reason or another, making their subsequent actions involuntary. Despite what the courts might decide, I'm unconvinced of accidental stabbings.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 14 February, 2020, 02:12:39 pm
Quote from: ian on 14 February, 2020, 01:47:37 pm
Quote from: T42 on 14 February, 2020, 10:11:41 am
They're just ever-so-carefully avoiding assumptions.  Even during their appeals for witnesses back in the 1950s the Beeb would speak of "a car that mounted the pavement" rather than someone driving onto it.

Except they don't do so elsewhere, it's mostly only motorised vehicles that are granted their own agency. Knives don't rampage. It's still a reasonable assumption that cars are driven by someone.

Trains, planes... I dare say that in the 19th century the broadsheets might mention people being mown down by the London-Manchester coach.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Salvatore on 14 February, 2020, 03:43:08 pm
Quote from: T42 on 14 February, 2020, 02:12:39 pm
Quote from: ian on 14 February, 2020, 01:47:37 pm
Quote from: T42 on 14 February, 2020, 10:11:41 am
They're just ever-so-carefully avoiding assumptions.  Even during their appeals for witnesses back in the 1950s the Beeb would speak of "a car that mounted the pavement" rather than someone driving onto it.

Except they don't do so elsewhere, it's mostly only motorised vehicles that are granted their own agency. Knives don't rampage. It's still a reasonable assumption that cars are driven by someone.

Trains, planes... I dare say that in the 19th century the broadsheets might mention people being mown down by the London-Manchester coach.

 You could blame not only the coach but also the horse

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49534607771_5232ca7812.jpg)
Dublin Evening Packet and Correspondent - Saturday 15 September 1838
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 14 February, 2020, 04:11:52 pm
I don't think we're in danger of Skynet becoming slef-aware anytime soon, my expenses app just interpreted a receipt from BA as being from Ui Yuul Neyhills for £10.

Makes it look like I'm going to see a spoon-bending medium on company time
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 14 February, 2020, 04:35:21 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 14 February, 2020, 01:50:14 pm
True, but there are instances of drivers being incapacitated for one reason or another, making their subsequent actions involuntary. Despite what the courts might decide, I'm unconvinced of accidental stabbings.

They're still driving though. Saying someone drove a car into a house, doesn't imply intent, just that they were driving at the time. It's a mere statement of action. The one thing we do know is that a car didn't drive itself into the house, which this ongoing torture of language implies.

In a recent sad case near me, a car not only ran over and killed someone but then the car also left the scene.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Giraffe on 15 February, 2020, 08:37:04 am
Quote from: ian on 14 February, 2020, 04:35:21 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 14 February, 2020, 01:50:14 pm
True, but there are instances of drivers being incapacitated for one reason or another, making their subsequent actions involuntary. Despite what the courts might decide, I'm unconvinced of accidental stabbings.

They're still driving though. Saying someone drove a car into a house, doesn't imply intent, just that they were driving at the time. It's a mere statement of action. The one thing we do know is that a car didn't drive itself into the house, which this ongoing torture of language implies.

In a recent sad case near me, a car not only ran over and killed someone but then the car also left the scene.
Yes, the car leaves the scene then the poor motorist is prosecuted for being taken away and helpless to stop it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 15 February, 2020, 09:11:02 am
Quote from: Edd on 14 February, 2020, 01:29:20 pm
That journal article looks like it could be intersting, yes, I don't mind reviewing it. [Opens PDF] Oh no, what have I done? Goodbye morning...

I am increasingly just saying no to reviewing. If it is interesting it will appear and if not I have not wasted my life.
Also why are reviewers not paid when the journals make a profit?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jasmine on 19 February, 2020, 02:53:12 pm
My journey from Cardiff to north Wales yesterday took 7 hours. This is only a grumble not a rant because I travelled (home, so I did sort of need to) knowing there was serious disruption on the north-south Wales line (i.e. the line was completely closed, being underwater). However, a detour via Birmingham should have only added 45 minutes* making it a 5 hour journey rather than 4 and a bit. Unfortunately the Cardiff-Birmingham train getting stuck in Gloucester for 30 minutes meant that I missed a fairly critical connection. Fortunately, a couple of coincidentally slightly delayed alternative trains and 3 separate station sprints to make connections meant I got home at midnight (7 hours) rather than 1.30am.

My secondary grumble is that I meant to buy food for the train, but the queue was too long, so I left it, believing that I'd have time to grab something in Birmingham. I didn't, and none of the trains (or the bus replacement) had food. Also, are the station staff in Birmingham specially trained to be unhelpful?


* It says something about the shitness of the Welsh line when a detour of that size only adds 45 mins
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 19 February, 2020, 04:16:22 pm
It's a well known grumble that, even when all lines are open, a train trip between north and South Wales involves travelling via England.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 19 February, 2020, 04:27:40 pm
Quote from: Jasmine on 19 February, 2020, 02:53:12 pm
Also, are the station staff in Birmingham specially trained to be unhelpful?

I think the dieseasel fumes in Mordor Central rot their branez.  Suspect they also stunt their growth, as the platform staff required to let you into the bike space on a Pendolino are always shorter than the rest of the crowd.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 22 February, 2020, 11:55:31 am
damn you death! why did you take the little very quiet deaf old lady next door, been bliss for the last 7 years, not word, sound or bang in that time. The new neighbors have decided to do up the house themselves ... so no more sleep ins on the weekend for a while, why didn't they get builders who only work mon-fri, I sooooo hope they don't have screaming kids or have a barking dog ...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 22 February, 2020, 02:12:32 pm
Builders doing next door's extension work Mon-Sat 08.00 - 18.00.
They've lived there since before I moved here 20 years ago.

On the other side, building is erratic but often takes place at weekends.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 23 February, 2020, 12:35:14 pm
Our neighbour had someone over to repair his bike. This didn't seem to be too involved - done on their drive with a multitool as far as I could see. The grumble - bike repair guy parked on our drive, without so much as a knock to ask until 20 minutes later, when I did some passagg putting stuff on the drive to do the cleaning in the hall.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 24 February, 2020, 08:31:44 pm
Bloody hell.  Reading is a very noisy place.   :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 25 February, 2020, 11:13:21 am
Like my Brompton. After last week's soaking, she now has an agonised squeak. Poor thing. I took the expedient of squirting oil on the chain, but it's still there.

Of course, it only squeaks when I'm riding it, the moment I get off and push it it goes away, which makes diagnosis fraught. I think it comes from the back end, as foul noises often do. Does seem to need me peddling and is related to speed. Faster is more squeaks. More of a plasticy squeal than a throaty metallic grind, if you ask me. Wheels spin freely and soundlessly, the brake blocks are keeping a sensible distance.

I may have to go and buy more oil and commence a tribological battle of wits.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 25 February, 2020, 11:22:38 am
Could be related to the rear section pivot? This would likely only squeak under load and in relation to you movement which would make the squeak more frequent when pedalling faster as your cadence is quicker.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 25 February, 2020, 11:47:39 am
It may be, like I say, it does sound non-metallic, but I generally don't know what I'm talking about. Squeaks shall meet oil and a mighty battle will commence. And it's quite embarrassingly loud, as I discovered on the hill to the station this morning. I felt like apologizing for the evident abuse I was subjecting her to.

It did start last week, on my last commute home of the week, which has been wet, wet, and more wet. I thought given a weekend in the garage that it might fix itself.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 25 February, 2020, 11:51:41 am
Typically the shaft/ bolt through the suspension block itself.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andyoxon on 25 February, 2020, 01:01:43 pm
..answer phones messages permanently on 'sorry but we're experiencing higher than normal call volumes'...  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 25 February, 2020, 02:04:24 pm
Quote from: LittleWheelsandBig on 25 February, 2020, 11:51:41 am
Typically the shaft/ bolt through the suspension block itself.

...was what I was thinking, having developed just such a squeak in similar circumstances, and rectified it with a smear of grease.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 25 February, 2020, 09:21:56 pm
Hmm. Definitely coming out of the suspension thing as she squeaked when I bounced up and down on her. Oil didn't cure her. So I got a fat person to sit on her, so I could fudge some grease into the middle of the thingummy. You're just asking me to do this because I'm fat, he says. Yes, says I, I am. Podge has its uses.

Let's see if she's quieter tomorrow. Or the indignities will continue.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Sergeant Pluck on 25 February, 2020, 09:49:22 pm
Why is everything on Amazon suddenly “unisex”? As in, unisex bike rack. Unisex garden compost.

Wankers.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 25 February, 2020, 10:05:02 pm
Quote from: Sergeant Pluck on 25 February, 2020, 09:49:22 pm
Why is everything on Amazon suddenly “unisex”? As in, unisex bike rack. Unisex garden compost.

Unisex SEO.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 25 February, 2020, 10:14:27 pm
Quote from: Sergeant Pluck on 25 February, 2020, 09:49:22 pm
Why is everything on Amazon suddenly “unisex”? As in, unisex bike rack. Unisex garden compost.

Wankers.
I'll have to get me some of that compost. I can then advise Mrs Fuzzy that she is qualified to lug it round the garden as well.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Sergeant Pluck on 25 February, 2020, 10:21:26 pm
Quote from: Kim on 25 February, 2020, 10:05:02 pm
Quote from: Sergeant Pluck on 25 February, 2020, 09:49:22 pm
Why is everything on Amazon suddenly “unisex”? As in, unisex bike rack. Unisex garden compost.

Unisex SEO.

I see. Well, after googling SEO, I see.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 26 February, 2020, 09:03:48 am
Quote from: Sergeant Pluck on 25 February, 2020, 09:49:22 pm
Why is everything on Amazon suddenly “unisex”? As in, unisex bike rack. Unisex garden compost.

Wankers.
I, for one, will continue to demand my compost in manly colours.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 28 February, 2020, 12:59:36 am
Dear Affinity Water,
Thank you for sending me your latest bill in an email timestamped 00.03 today.
Don't you think it's a bit discourteous to close your web payments between midnight and 2am?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 28 February, 2020, 09:44:46 am
To be fair, if you have to take a system down... I can't imagine many people pay their water bill at that time.

It's more fun with global systems, of course, because midnight here isn't midnight elsewhere. Then you get know-it-all users telling you how easy it would be not to do it like that. Yeah, well, I have the spreadsheets that tell me how much it would cost.

One of the most disappointing things about my current job was the discovery that scrum masters don't have big swords and can't be commanded to kill those who displease me. God, it's like being caught in a nerdball D&D universe. What's worse is that my encyclopaedic knowledge of Buffy quotes had lost contemporary relevancy.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 28 February, 2020, 10:09:21 am
Got my renewal notice from my insurance co. Decided to actually read it, with a view to shopping around and actually insuring the Pretty Bike.

When I took out the policy, a couple of yeasrs ago, bikes up to a grand were covered without needing to be named. The renewal notice has a paltry £500 limit. That's Not Good.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 28 February, 2020, 11:19:54 am
Quote from: Sergeant Pluck on 25 February, 2020, 09:49:22 pm
Why is everything on Amazon suddenly “unisex”? As in, unisex bike rack. Unisex garden compost.

Wankers.

Not everything! ;D https://www.amazon.co.uk/Continental-Race-Bicycle-Inner-Tube/dp/B0068FAWJ0

(I'd buy it, but I fear it may be too manly for my delicate lady thumbs...)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 28 February, 2020, 04:49:25 pm
Dear The Met Office,
This weather is a disgrace.
Must try harder.

Basil
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 28 February, 2020, 05:03:37 pm
Quote from: Basil on 28 February, 2020, 04:49:25 pm
Dear The Met Office,
This weather is a disgrace.
Must try harder.

Basil
I know, as an Old Bugger, the working week may be a thing of the past for you Basil, but for us wage slaves the difference between the weekend and week becomes importtnt. Thus this cycle of manky weather followed by utterly crap weather at weekends is less than amusing.

However, I have a Cunning Plan.  Shift the week along by a couple of days, so that Saturday and Sunday are where the middle of the week currently lands. That way which ever storm we get will be during the week, leaving the weekend clear. Genius? I think so.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 28 February, 2020, 05:08:15 pm
I could post in the Rant thread about British Gas - a supplier I had the misfortune of having thrust upon me when moving into my flat, but ICBA. I will, however, grumble - for 'tis but a grumble at this stage - about  E.On. I started the process to switch a week ago and got my online account info. today. Guess who has my address as no. 6, instead of 36? I imagine that means my welcome pack has been sent there. Not a very favourable start.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 28 February, 2020, 05:41:51 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 28 February, 2020, 05:03:37 pm
Quote from: Basil on 28 February, 2020, 04:49:25 pm
Dear The Met Office,
This weather is a disgrace.
Must try harder.

Basil
I know, as an Old Bugger, the working week may be a thing of the past for you Basil, but for us wage slaves the difference between the weekend and week becomes importtnt. Thus this cycle of manky weather followed by utterly crap weather at weekends is less than amusing.

However, I have a Cunning Plan.  Shift the week along by a couple of days, so that Saturday and Sunday are where the middle of the week currently lands. That way which ever storm we get will be during the week, leaving the weekend clear. Genius? I think so.

Ah but, Mrs B  still works, so if I want a ride, it has to be during the week.  Weekends are reserved  for 'doing things togevva'.
I know I should have gone out yesterday, but I had man round doing man things to my outhouse roof.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 28 February, 2020, 06:04:50 pm
Quote from: ian on 28 February, 2020, 09:44:46 am
To be fair, if you have to take a system down... I can't imagine many people pay their water bill at that time.

It's more fun with global systems, of course, because midnight here isn't midnight elsewhere. Then you get know-it-all users telling you how easy it would be not to do it like that. Yeah, well, I have the spreadsheets that tell me how much it would cost.

One of the most disappointing things about my current job was the discovery that scrum masters don't have big swords and can't be commanded to kill those who displease me. God, it's like being caught in a nerdball D&D universe. What's worse is that my encyclopaedic knowledge of Buffy quotes had lost contemporary relevancy.

Having a system down between 00.00 and 02.00 is fine; just don't send me a bill at 00.03!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andytheflyer on 28 February, 2020, 06:06:49 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 28 February, 2020, 05:03:37 pm
Quote from: Basil on 28 February, 2020, 04:49:25 pm
Dear The Met Office,
This weather is a disgrace.
Must try harder.

Basil
I know, as an Old Bugger, the working week may be a thing of the past for you Basil, but for us wage slaves the difference between the weekend and week becomes importtnt. Thus this cycle of manky weather followed by utterly crap weather at weekends is less than amusing.

However, I have a Cunning Plan.  Shift the week along by a couple of days, so that Saturday and Sunday are where the middle of the week currently lands. That way which ever storm we get will be during the week, leaving the weekend clear. Genius? I think so.
Nah.  Too hit and miss - who's to say that the weather won't move along a couple of days.  I have a more surefire idea.

Dig a trench around the UK (or just England, or England and Wales if the Scots want to be independent).  Haul up the anchors and tow us about 1000 miles South.  Somewhere near Southern Spain maybe?  That should do it.  We'll be out of the firing line there.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 28 February, 2020, 11:42:48 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 28 February, 2020, 05:03:37 pm
Quote from: Basil on 28 February, 2020, 04:49:25 pm
Dear The Met Office,
This weather is a disgrace.
Must try harder.

Basil
I know, as an Old Bugger, the working week may be a thing of the past for you Basil, but for us wage slaves the difference between the weekend and week becomes importtnt. Thus this cycle of manky weather followed by utterly crap weather at weekends is less than amusing.

I'm currently wavering about DNSing tomorrow's audax on the basis that while the rain situation appears to have improved, the wind has got worse again, and the temperature's going to be down into the affecting-lung-performance range for the duration.

I b0rked my knee fighting with the wind last Saturday, and while I now have a fully operational rear gear cable to help, it's still going to be a shedload of Type 2 fun being blown sideways into potholes and such.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 29 February, 2020, 06:17:17 am
Quote from: CAMRAMan on 28 February, 2020, 05:08:15 pm
I could post in the Rant thread about British Gas - a supplier I had the misfortune of having thrust upon me when moving into my flat, but ICBA. I will, however, grumble - for 'tis but a grumble at this stage - about  E.On. I started the process to switch a week ago and got my online account info. today. Guess who has my address as no. 6, instead of 36? I imagine that means my welcome pack has been sent there. Not a very favourable start.

E.on were comfortably the worst supplier I ever had, took months for them to admit they were no longer my supplier, and didn't really get the irony when I mentioned customer service as a reason for changing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 29 February, 2020, 03:11:26 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 29 February, 2020, 06:17:17 am
Quote from: CAMRAMan on 28 February, 2020, 05:08:15 pm
I could post in the Rant thread about British Gas - a supplier I had the misfortune of having thrust upon me when moving into my flat, but ICBA. I will, however, grumble - for 'tis but a grumble at this stage - about  E.On. I started the process to switch a week ago and got my online account info. today. Guess who has my address as no. 6, instead of 36? I imagine that means my welcome pack has been sent there. Not a very favourable start.

E.on were comfortably the worst supplier I ever had, took months for them to admit they were no longer my supplier, and didn't really get the irony when I mentioned customer service as a reason for changing.
I've ditched E.On before we even got properly switched. Yesterday was awful because a) their website kept timing out; b) their app didn't work; and c) their address database was not up to date, so they tried blaming Royal Mail. I'm going to try Octopus, as they weren't too bad when I last used them and have UK call centres.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 29 February, 2020, 03:37:19 pm
You could look at SO Energy too, we’ve been happy with them, and although it’s £5 per supply to change tariffs early, the rates have been falling fast enough to make it worthwhile every couple of months recently.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 29 February, 2020, 06:33:41 pm
We are with Bulb, renewable leccy, gas is a mix of bio an offsetting, but carbon neutral
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Giraffe on 01 March, 2020, 09:00:19 am
My recent energy co. (Flow Energy) was recently merged/taken over by Octopus. Fixed tariff honoured, comparable rate for another fix and no exit charge.
A quick check showed Octopus has the best ratings of all the sector so, although there are some slightly cheaper alternatives, I decided to give it the year as a test.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 01 March, 2020, 01:21:21 pm
Quote from: Giraffe on 01 March, 2020, 09:00:19 am
My recent energy co. (Flow Energy) was recently merged/taken over by Octopus. Fixed tariff honoured, comparable rate for another fix and no exit charge.
A quick check showed Octopus has the best ratings of all the sector so, although there are some slightly cheaper alternatives, I decided to give it the year as a test.
Same here.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 01 March, 2020, 04:23:02 pm
I can count in tens of hours the time I've wasted on British Gas and now E.On, so paying a little more to a company I can actually talk to isn't such a difficult decision.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 01 March, 2020, 05:02:16 pm
looking at my records, I managed to get out on the road on the 1st of Feb in what ended up as very challenging conditions, and last Tuesday for a paltry 10km utility ride. Every other session this month has been on the turbo.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 01 March, 2020, 07:25:04 pm
On the energy front, yesterday I bumped into someone I haven't seen for about three years, since she stopped working in LBS for a green energy start up thing. That folded and as she's now working for Good Energy (based in Chippenham, apparently), supplier of "renewable electricity and 100% carbon neutral gas" that seems as good a reason as any to switch to them. If ICBA of course!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 01 March, 2020, 08:39:19 pm
Also on the energy front, I haven't got any because I'm dosed up on Piriton and my lungs aren't working properly.  Stupid things.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 02 March, 2020, 08:09:59 am
Just phoned GP for appointment to renew meds.  Only time available 13h20 tomorrow, in the middle of the best cycling day Météo France has forecast for a month.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 02 March, 2020, 03:51:29 pm
After nearly 6 weeks off work I felt better last week & told the boss I'd be back online & working from home.   I logged on today & now my throat is sore again & feels swollen  :(


Being at home alone doesn't agree with me,  I'm getting cabin fever, I don't think I'd want to be a permanent  home worker, I'd go loopy.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 02 March, 2020, 03:57:58 pm
Quote from: T42 on 02 March, 2020, 08:09:59 am
Just phoned GP for appointment to renew meds.  Only time available 13h20 tomorrow, in the middle of the best cycling day Météo France has forecast for a month.

At least your appointment is reasonably quick. I phoned the quack this a.m. for the same reason as you. 11.40 on Wed 13th March is, apparently, the earliest they can fit me in. Just as well I'm not relying on these things to keep my heart beating or anything trivial like that, innit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 02 March, 2020, 05:04:22 pm
Got it revised to the following morning; and now of course the forecast has degenerated.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 06 March, 2020, 12:22:13 pm
Travel lodge. Being a person not if modest proportions1 I find their minimist2 philosophy somewhat trying. And in just which universe the bed we slept in last night qualifies as a king size I’m not entirely sure.
And having one person to cook, serve at the bar and act as receptionist is not going to result in any way a service that is even acceptable. I didn’t shout at her because it’s not exactly her fault is it.

1. A six footer with a 44” chests BEFORE 40 years of good living have added their contribution.

2. Squeezing as much as physically possible into a given space rather than minimalist which I would adhere to if I was in any way organised.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 06 March, 2020, 01:47:25 pm
The arm of my office chair just broke. Rats. I've only had the thing since 1997.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 06 March, 2020, 07:51:34 pm
I washed a nice fleecy blanket in the machine.
The fabric is fine but the stitching holding the edge binding has unravelled down the whole length of one edge.
I don't have a sewing machine and can't hold a needle.

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 06 March, 2020, 10:57:56 pm
Anyone you know up for skillshare/helping out? Annoyingly easy for those who can... If we were closer I'd volunteer (Kim) for the job :D  I can't operate sewing machines anymore *glares at shoulder*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 06 March, 2020, 11:02:56 pm
Anywhere that does alterations could probably do it, but would charge.     Don't you have this huge extended family ?           It's ages since I've sewn anything other than the occasional button.   I used to have to repair my gi's & also sew badges on them.  hard work with heavy duty canvas.   My carradice (carradi ?)  need some TLC as well.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 06 March, 2020, 11:18:34 pm
I do have a HUGE extended family, none of whom do any handicrafts or sewing. Nobody has a sewing machine. They are all consumers, not fixers.

They'd either buy new, throw out or Get Someone Else to do this sort of thing.

I'll ask my Romanian cleaning lady friend if she knows anyone but most of her community live in very crowded places, where there's scant space for sewing things.

Otherwise, we'll approach a localish dry cleaner, who'll probably charge more than the replacement cost of the blanket.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 06 March, 2020, 11:22:07 pm
Tailor?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 07 March, 2020, 12:46:17 am
I saw some of these online locally. Prices are eye-watering; that's the problem. Cost of repair will exceed purchase price.

We live in a shit throwaway society, where prices are being kept down by using cheap sweatshop labour.

I'll ask around a few Facebook friends...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 07 March, 2020, 06:08:13 am
HK has raised her hand for repairing. I’ll let you two sort out how, where, etc.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andytheflyer on 07 March, 2020, 08:18:27 pm
Grumble, grumble.

This guy, known to us as an entertaining (and yet informative) source of magic smoke, sparks and other electrical entertainment, has let us down.

No smoke, no sparks, and a waste of perfectly good vodka.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgY04l0CuEs

But  ;D ;D ;D nevertheless.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andytheflyer on 08 March, 2020, 11:49:37 am
Bastards.  Scammers.  But I beat you to it.

First one, allegedly from HMG telling me I'd got a tax refund of £124 as a result of some bug that's going around.  You'd have a better chance if your URL looked like the HMG URL.  But it didn't, so I neglected to click on the link.  Ha ha.

Then another one a few minutes later.  This time, apparently, the Direct Debit that pays my TV licence every June had been declined.  Well, since it's not due, I doubted it.  And again, since the URL looked nothing like anything official, I again declined to click on the link.

The MicroSoft/BT/etc people who ring now get a slightly toned down version of robust Anglo Saxon, after my wife felt I was being a bit unkind.  I still accuse them of being filthy, criminals, etc.  Makes me feel better.  Sometimes they even put the phone down on me. Ha ha.  I win. Again.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andyoxon on 08 March, 2020, 11:52:39 am
Made the mistake of walking around on the lawn with sandals on, and found before going inside, that I'd scooped up a very soft, 'neighbourhood domestic pet' poo on sandal & between my toes...  Will spare you the photo.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 08 March, 2020, 03:40:11 pm
Two perfect cycling days have gone by unused 'cos my left Achilles is sulking. :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 08 March, 2020, 05:10:17 pm
Quote from: T42 on 08 March, 2020, 03:40:11 pm
Two perfect cycling days have gone by unused 'cos my left Achilles is sulking. :(

Symapthies.  I hate it when that happens.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 08 March, 2020, 05:16:30 pm
Thanks! Damn thing waited two days after my last ride to do it, too.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 08 March, 2020, 08:58:31 pm
Over the weekend while we were away in the West Country visiting Ms Beardy the elder (Now Mrs E), Dr Beardy bought me a new Garmin as an anniversary of my start of existence gift. Yea! She won’t let my have the said gift until Tuesday. Boo!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 09 March, 2020, 02:21:49 pm
House around the corner and up the road from ours, what the fuck are you building? For weeks now they've filling skips with rubble. THUNK! CRASH! Are they tunnelling to the centre of the Earth? Building a SMERSH HQ? I can't be bothered going to look, but stop it.

Also the owners of leafblowers. Infernal devices whose only use appears to be primarily to generate noise while distributing garden crud onto the public highway where it'll mostly blow back into their garden or someone else's.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 09 March, 2020, 03:26:11 pm
Quote from: ian on 09 March, 2020, 02:21:49 pm
House around the corner and up the road from ours, what the fuck are you building? For weeks now they've filling skips with rubble. THUNK! CRASH! Are they tunnelling to the centre of the Earth? Building a SMERSH HQ? I can't be bothered going to look, but stop it.

Maybe they found a Birmingham Central Library under the patio?  Could happen to anyone...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 09 March, 2020, 04:00:03 pm
Quote from: ian on 09 March, 2020, 02:21:49 pm
Also the owners of leafblowers. Infernal devices whose only use appears to be primarily to generate noise while distributing garden crud onto the public highway where it'll mostly blow back into their garden or someone else's.
When the area of the world of which I am ruler is extended from my synapses to some territory, possession, use, sale and manufacture of a leafblower shall be punishable by a suitable punishment and you shall be minister for the prevention of leafblowers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 09 March, 2020, 04:01:30 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 09 March, 2020, 04:00:03 pm
Quote from: ian on 09 March, 2020, 02:21:49 pm
Also the owners of leafblowers. Infernal devices whose only use appears to be primarily to generate noise while distributing garden crud onto the public highway where it'll mostly blow back into their garden or someone else's.
When the area of the world of which I am ruler is extended from my synapses to some territory, possession, use, sale and manufacture of a leafblower shall be punishable by a suitable punishment and you shall be minister for the prevention of leafblowers.

I reckon we should just put Colin Furze in charge of them.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 09 March, 2020, 04:09:01 pm
Quote from: Kim on 09 March, 2020, 03:26:11 pm
Quote from: ian on 09 March, 2020, 02:21:49 pm
House around the corner and up the road from ours, what the fuck are you building? For weeks now they've filling skips with rubble. THUNK! CRASH! Are they tunnelling to the centre of the Earth? Building a SMERSH HQ? I can't be bothered going to look, but stop it.

Maybe they found a Birmingham Central Library under the patio?  Could happen to anyone...


Belatedly building a virus proof bunker..... 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 10 March, 2020, 08:19:48 am
Quote from: andrewc on 09 March, 2020, 04:09:01 pm
Quote from: Kim on 09 March, 2020, 03:26:11 pm
Quote from: ian on 09 March, 2020, 02:21:49 pm
House around the corner and up the road from ours, what the fuck are you building? For weeks now they've filling skips with rubble. THUNK! CRASH! Are they tunnelling to the centre of the Earth? Building a SMERSH HQ? I can't be bothered going to look, but stop it.

Maybe they found a Birmingham Central Library under the patio?  Could happen to anyone...


Belatedly building a virus proof bunker.....

Building extra storage for their toilet paper. With a nuke-proof vault door and everything.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 10 March, 2020, 09:28:25 am
I can only assume they're having their back garden excavated and flattened (we all live on a steep 25%+ hill). Possibly they're building a scale model of the Nazca lines to guide in passing UFOs.

All these stupid projects have one outcome, and that involves even more water torrenting down the street.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 11 March, 2020, 07:53:59 am
Anybody else get irked by small power supplies which have the UK plug orientation the wrong way round?

I have a belkin surge protected 8 socket block and most power supplies that plug into it have the body of the PSU sitting to the outside of the unit (wire exiting from live and neutral side) so that the facing socket can be used.  But some have the wire and body sitting over the earth plug so that it blocks 2 sockets.  It irks me as I then either have to move all those to a single array of sockets or put up with empty sockets.  It ends up generally looking untidy.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 11 March, 2020, 08:51:12 am
It's not just a UK problem. "We're important enough to take two parking spaces" seems to be an industry mantra.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 11 March, 2020, 09:06:26 am
Meanwhile tendinitis is better, bike is clean, weather is vile.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 11 March, 2020, 01:09:45 pm
Quote from: chrisbainbridge on 11 March, 2020, 07:53:59 am
Anybody else get irked by small power supplies which have the UK plug orientation the wrong way round?

I have a belkin surge protected 8 socket block and most power supplies that plug into it have the body of the PSU sitting to the outside of the unit (wire exiting from live and neutral side) so that the facing socket can be used.  But some have the wire and body sitting over the earth plug so that it blocks 2 sockets.  It irks me as I then either have to move all those to a single array of sockets or put up with empty sockets.  It ends up generally looking untidy.

Yes.  Of course, it solves the problem of plugging into a wall socket that's suboptimally close to the floor (or other surface).  The pragmatic approach seems to be to have the body sticking out from the plug (which is my favoured approach for travel chargers), but that's a pain if you've got some piece of furniture in front of it.  It's also hopeless with inferior forms of mains plug (I'm glaring at you, leftpondia) which like to fall out.

At least we've mostly got past the era of bulky linear supplies with a whoppng great transformer in them, which would block the socket either side of them.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 13 March, 2020, 04:37:16 pm
John Atkins, Leamington: When I book a slot for you to look at my Bosch e-bike electrics, tell me you need the whole bike, not just the battery. I told you it was the battery at fault. Then, when I drop it off, tell me you need the keys (which I had on me) to sort things out. Luckily I could slip out of work and drop them off. You do this all the time, I don't, so tell me what needs to be done. Then, when you have the bike all day, please call me to let me know whether or not (I assume not now) that it's going to be fixed today. All in all, not the smoothest experience.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 16 March, 2020, 09:21:48 am
Saturday I went to Halfords to make a distress purchase of M8 nuts and bolts.  I had to get an assorted pack of nuts, screws washers and bolts (insert old joak here).  Anyhoo, get back home and start to deploy them. Reach for 13mm spanner, on account of that's what M8 nuts are. Except theses aren't. 14mm. What fresh hell is this?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cycleman on 16 March, 2020, 08:16:44 pm
I have tried every shop I can think of trying to get paracetamol  .all I  can find is empty shelves   :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 17 March, 2020, 09:33:58 am
Day one of working from home and I think I've broken my toe walking to my "desk" (aka the kitchen table). :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 17 March, 2020, 11:01:24 am
my most ironic stubbed toe was on the turbo-trainer - not broke on that occaision
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 17 March, 2020, 11:16:12 am
Quote from: phantasmagoriana on 17 March, 2020, 09:33:58 am
Day one of working from home and I think I've broken my toe walking to my "desk" (aka the kitchen table). :facepalm:
I'm so pleased that someone has an even less office-like office than me.  :D (I have an actual desk but it's in the living room... )
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 18 March, 2020, 07:50:13 am
Quote from: cycleman on 16 March, 2020, 08:16:44 pm
I have tried every shop I can think of trying to get paracetamol  .all I  can find is empty shelves   :(
I've been trying without success to get paracetamol & ibuprofen since I got home Feb 26. This would be close to becoming a rant as I would expect to need a pack of each to take to work with me next Tuesday. However....

My country of current employ has closed its borders until 15 April1.  Great, 3 extra weeks off2. 3 unpaid weeks off.

1Hands up anyone who thinks this will all have blown over by April 15?  Anyone?
2I currently work in Forrin on a 28/28 basis though with travel its 26 days at home and 30 away, 7day working.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 18 March, 2020, 10:55:46 am
If you can't find packs of Paracetamol look for the packs of own brand "Cold & Flu" remedy or Lemsip capsules,  they usually contain the same amount of Paracetamol as an ingredient mixed with a few other things.   Obviously make sure none of the other ingredients disagree with you!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 18 March, 2020, 11:47:12 am
Cheers andrewc  :thumbsup: 
Only thing I need to avoid is caffine. Paracetamol Plus gives me a right nasty headache which since the times I've tried it have been for a not quite so nasty headache is sub optimal.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 18 March, 2020, 11:52:19 am
Oh dear.  A lot of those things do contain caffeine I'm afraid :-(

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 18 March, 2020, 12:48:29 pm
Yeah I can't take the caffeine paracetamols, they give me jitters despite my tea habit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 18 March, 2020, 12:50:59 pm
Best washed down with a double espresso  :jurek:     :hand:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 23 March, 2020, 05:31:37 pm
Dug out the old turbo training thing that I acquired on a whim back in the olden days. Tried it once or twice, got bored, buried it at the back of the garage. Anyway, the archaelogical dig unearthed it from behind the Ikea furniture we're still to get rid of, along with a with a bike to attach to it. That bit, of course, is a plus.

The bike has a flat rear tyre. Pump that up. Looks good, I'm about to put the cap back on the valve when the innards of the valve eject themselves at some velocity through the open garage door. The tyre lets out a terminal sigh of despair. So do I. Start hunting a new inner tube, there must be a spare somewhere in the garage. There are lots of spares, just not for skinny tyres, except for one leaking one that I remember giving up trying to fix.

OK, I'll fix it. Go get the puncture repair kit out of my pannier. Get ready to deploy the glue. Squeeze. Squeeze. The glue has set. OK, praise be to Marathon Pluses, it's been a while. Move to plan b, somewhere in my bag of tools have some self-adhesive patches that I bought for those emergency quick fixes. Also some time ago. They're about as sticky as sandpaper now, but some bodging manages a seal that when pressed against the tube by many PSI may hold.

Finally, ready to go, I get on the bike. My this resistance lever control level is stiff. Push... snap.

Then, 45 sweaty minutes later, on a hook on the garage wall, I noticed a brand new skinny inner tube.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 23 March, 2020, 05:37:19 pm
[Insert Jerome K Jerome quote here]
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 23 March, 2020, 10:54:53 pm
Why is it that I only seem to have gear cable inners that are too short or start to unwind themselves as soon as I touch them. The short ones, obviously, don’t fray. Also the “universal” outer is about 30cm too short for by bike’s needs (fully enclosed, two derailleurs).

I wonder if any online bike shops are still trading...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: orienteer on 24 March, 2020, 10:37:01 am
Real bike shops are permitted to stay open! They can cut cable to length, ask them to molish an appropriate nipple.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 24 March, 2020, 02:15:31 pm
One of my neighbours is taking advantage of lockdown by doing some DIY hammering  >:(         
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 24 March, 2020, 04:06:24 pm
That's all my neighbours. Thunking, grinding, tree cutting, random hammering.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 24 March, 2020, 06:28:31 pm
Our new neighbours celebrated by having a smoky bonfire all day.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Davef on 24 March, 2020, 07:24:41 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 24 March, 2020, 06:28:31 pm
Our new neighbours celebrated by having a smoky bonfire all day.
Practicing for day 27 of the lockdown when the death management provisions sch 1 article 7 kicks in.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 25 March, 2020, 10:07:37 am
Grrr, Bl**dy mothership IT chose this week to update the security protocols around ActiveX and Java from internet explorer without any warning or announcement. Client IT at the same time pushed their remote access to a system that requires both of these to operate.

The new security protocol silently stops the activeX launching the remote access. It took two hours last night with IT trying to update Java and ActiveX before finding the fix that was simply to use chrome!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 27 March, 2020, 12:08:25 am
Quote from: orienteer on 24 March, 2020, 10:37:01 am
Real bike shops are permitted to stay open! They can cut cable to length, ask them to molish an appropriate nipple.

They are and they do. Christ it's been busy. So many people realising that they need a bike to get out of the house for their one exercise a day or discovering that their long garaged/ sheded bike has siezed up and needs molishing. They still need all this yesterday though.

Another thing. What is it about born again cyclists that means they can't read big signs saying wait outside to be served, or dont see the barrier sash right accross the entrance giving the run ragged staff a bit of social distance? Yes, that bright red barrier sash that they moved to one side before asking if they can come in?

And breathe (through the makeshift buff facemask of course).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 27 March, 2020, 07:06:47 am
TacxGarmin have stopped support for the TTS 4 software, I knew this was coming as they want to sell their new subscription app, but they've also stopped selling the RLVs for it FFS, why cut off an income stream.  I've got 4 videos and was looking to get a few more a while back but never got round to it, and now I can't. might give them a call later
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 27 March, 2020, 11:41:25 pm
Have a look at BigRingVR.com
Much better than the Tacx RLV and massive numbers now.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 28 March, 2020, 05:57:10 am
yebbut I've already paid for the Tacx software, and videos, I'd rather not pay again, and keep paying through the new fangled subscription only model

I might do the BigRing free trial thoughto have a look. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Diver300 on 28 March, 2020, 06:21:42 pm
DVLA. I renewed my driving licence online as I need a new photo, and they were able to use my passport photo.
Grumble 1. The passport photo is older than the old driving licence one
Grumble 2. I have to post the photocard back to the DVLA. I can't just cut it or drill holes in it and email a photo of that or something.
Grumble 3. I tried to renew my wife's licence and the website timed out, claiming 20 minutes of inactivity, just a few seconds after I had just entered credit card details.
Grumble 4. When I tried to go back on the website to retry for my wife and it said that the data was not available for 24 hours.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 28 March, 2020, 07:23:04 pm
Good to see that COVID-19 hasn't impacted the DVLA's service standards in any way...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 28 March, 2020, 09:49:17 pm
We've run out of tonic.  We're not really short of anything food wise, so a shopping trip tomorrow wouldn't really count as 'essential'. Bugger.

And gin & orange is just  :sick:

So, a scotch, or a cocoa?  I'm bored stupid and cocoa takes longer to make, so probably that then.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 28 March, 2020, 09:54:46 pm
cocoa with a splash of scotch?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 28 March, 2020, 09:58:44 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 28 March, 2020, 09:54:46 pm
cocoa with a splash of scotch?

Already there.  :D
Had to dig around the back of the cabinet for the cheap stuff, mind.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 29 March, 2020, 07:29:26 pm
Quote from: chrisbainbridge on 27 March, 2020, 11:41:25 pm
Have a look at BigRingVR.com
Much better than the Tacx RLV and massive numbers now.

can you set it up as per the Tacx etc to do intervals, steady sessions, pre-planned workouts etc as well as the video's, or is it video only?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 29 March, 2020, 10:28:02 pm
I have not done workouts but they have just introduced them. There is no reason why you could not do a workout on a Garmin whilst riding the video.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cygnet on 29 March, 2020, 10:42:42 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 27 March, 2020, 07:06:47 am
TacxGarmin have stopped support for the TTS 4 software, I knew this was coming as they want to sell their new subscription app, but they've also stopped selling the RLVs for it FFS, why cut off an income stream.  I've got 4 videos and was looking to get a few more a while back but never got round to it, and now I can't. might give them a call later

You probably know that they've turned off the server that validates the TTS 4 licence key, so you can't simply reinstall if something goes wrong.
but just in case you didn't...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 30 March, 2020, 06:42:04 am
@cygnet, yes I did know that, I'd planned to get a couple more videos before it happened, but missed the date

@chris I'm used to doing either steady state stuff at constant resistance and vary gears/cadence within a hr cap, or intervals say 7 x 4 min on/ 4 min off progression through gears with again fixed slopes for the on vs off.  Not sure how I can do that kind of thing on the Garmin, will have to go and read the manual.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 30 March, 2020, 09:26:22 am
Quote from: Basil on 28 March, 2020, 09:49:17 pm
We've run out of tonic.  We're not really short of anything food wise, so a shopping trip tomorrow wouldn't really count as 'essential'. Bugger.

Says who?  ???

When was this draconian measure put in place?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 30 March, 2020, 10:03:15 am
All this time off is perfect for doing all those jobs round the garden I never quite get to. So this is the winter our elderly wheel barrow chooses to rust fully through (pinholes for years) and the tyre has rotted  out.

I could replace the droopy shelves in the garage.  I bought proper brackets to replace the tinfoil ones a PO fitted on a trip to screwfix last year.  Never needed a trip to a builders merchant at which I'd have picked up a sheet of ply though.

Mrs tween has lots of seeds and no potting compost.

The list of jobs we can't do for want of X is going to be extensive if this really is going to go on for six months.  Self solving problem if it does I suppose, we won't be able to afford a tin of beans by then.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 30 March, 2020, 11:15:03 am
I receive a report that the upstairs toilet seat is loose. Now the reportee is a type A girl, who, as such, believes it's the role of type A boys to fix things. However, she's married a type B boy who can only fix things with glue and prayers.

But yes, even this Type B boy has a spanner (somewhere) and I can tighten a bolt, surely.

Except, standing there, fully armed for maintenance he notices there is no bolt, for the designers of said piece of bathroom porcelain have cunningly hidden it inside to the bog structure itself. Which I assume means removing the entire toilet.

Fucking design genius. I'll add it to the list of things for a grown-up to do.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: davelodwig on 30 March, 2020, 11:43:23 am
Quote from: cygnet on 29 March, 2020, 10:42:42 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 27 March, 2020, 07:06:47 am
TacxGarmin have stopped support for the TTS 4 software, I knew this was coming as they want to sell their new subscription app, but they've also stopped selling the RLVs for it FFS, why cut off an income stream.  I've got 4 videos and was looking to get a few more a while back but never got round to it, and now I can't. might give them a call later

You probably know that they've turned off the server that validates the TTS 4 licence key, so you can't simply reinstall if something goes wrong.
but just in case you didn't...

So basically I have a trainer that wont work anymore. Oh joy, nothing wrong with the thing mechanically and I have a windows 7 machine I use to run the software just have to hope I don't need to reinstall it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 30 March, 2020, 01:08:24 pm
<ungrumble>

Went to Hawthornes, our local pet food warehouse, to stock up & found they had pallets of compost outside.  2x 70L multi-porpoise procured.

</ungrumble>
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 30 March, 2020, 01:24:33 pm
Quote from: SoreTween on 30 March, 2020, 10:03:15 am


Mrs tween has lots of seeds and no potting compost.


Point of order. Potting compost is for potting on seedlings from seed compost, not for sowing seeds.  However, as my wife often says "things want to grow", and most, if not all, seeds will germinate in multipurpose. Mind you, we've stopped sowing, its so bloody cold (and we've run out of windowsills). Next weekend will be soon enough.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: davelodwig on 30 March, 2020, 01:42:38 pm
Quote from: ian on 30 March, 2020, 11:15:03 am
I receive a report that the upstairs toilet seat is loose. Now the reportee is a type A girl, who, as such, believes it's the role of type A boys to fix things. However, she's married a type B boy who can only fix things with glue and prayers.

But yes, even this Type B boy has a spanner (somewhere) and I can tighten a bolt, surely.

Except, standing there, fully armed for maintenance he notices there is no bolt, for the designers of said piece of bathroom porcelain have cunningly hidden it inside to the bog structure itself. Which I assume means removing the entire toilet.

Fucking design genius. I'll add it to the list of things for a grown-up to do.

If it's one of those hidden fixing ones like we have it goes a bit like.

Push button catches on the underside of toilet seat

lift toilet seat and cover away from pins

remove fancy coverings from around the fittings

tighten carefully the fixing screw made of cheese

reassemble in reverse order.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 30 March, 2020, 01:53:43 pm
Hmm, it could be, it wasn't immediately obvious how to remove the seat, previous adjustments have involved the bolt underneath, but this is truly the future of toilet fixings and possibly the world of toilet technology has left me behind. It would make more sense. I'll look later, it can be the highlight of my day.

(That said, fixing a leak in the downstairs loo meant having to rip the entire thing out.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 31 March, 2020, 02:20:33 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 30 March, 2020, 06:42:04 am
@cygnet, yes I did know that, I'd planned to get a couple more videos before it happened, but missed the date

@chris I'm used to doing either steady state stuff at constant resistance and vary gears/cadence within a hr cap, or intervals say 7 x 4 min on/ 4 min off progression through gears with again fixed slopes for the on vs off.  Not sure how I can do that kind of thing on the Garmin, will have to go and read the manual.

To self-quote,

I've exchanged e-mails with the folks at big ring VR, very helpful.  Basically you can import workouts into the system which then drive it effectively using the video as moving wallpaper rather than staring at the wall. 

Looks like you can only import power-based workouts, so the system goes into erg mode using the power targets rather than slope to drive resistance as far as I can tell. That will be a bit odd until I get used to it, as I'm used to working on slope in the TTS world and then varying gear to manage HR for steady sessions.  I guess i'll need to get used to X% of FTP instead.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 01 April, 2020, 09:26:54 am
Muck spreading is underway on the fields over the river out back of us right now.  That's going to be rather pungent tonight, as I always sleep with the window open.
Poo.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 01 April, 2020, 10:02:35 am
Aah. That healthy country air. Air so healthy you can chew it!  :sick:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andytheflyer on 01 April, 2020, 02:35:46 pm
Quote from: Basil on 01 April, 2020, 09:26:54 am
Muck spreading is underway on the fields over the river out back of us right now.  That's going to be rather pungent tonight, as I always sleep with the window open.
Poo.
We have open pasture right up to about 5m from our back door.  Being in Cheshire's black and white cow country, we've just had the first of this season's spreading of slurry.  We were downwind of it for 3 days.......

It was a full dog wash after every walk until we had some rain......

And you can still wiff it, 2 weeks later.

We await the first round of muck spreading.  Whoopee.............

Not sure what's worse, NO2 in the city, or cow muck in the country.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 01 April, 2020, 06:05:22 pm
A new litter problem, discarded masks & gloves everywhere.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 03 April, 2020, 04:12:08 pm
I know interest rate are low, but by what reasoning does First Direct reduce its “Savings” account interest from 0.15% to a staggeringly low 0.01%. Fuckers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 03 April, 2020, 06:12:29 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 03 April, 2020, 04:12:08 pm
I know interest rate are low, but by what reasoning does First Direct reduce its “Savings” account interest from 0.15% to a staggeringly low 0.01%. Fuckers.

I think my Santander one went down to 0.005% which I suppose is their way of saying please take your money and fuck off. I think the concept of savings accounts is dead.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 03 April, 2020, 08:26:44 pm
Quote from: ian on 03 April, 2020, 06:12:29 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 03 April, 2020, 04:12:08 pm
I know interest rate are low, but by what reasoning does First Direct reduce its “Savings” account interest from 0.15% to a staggeringly low 0.01%. Fuckers.

I think my Santander one went down to 0.005% which I suppose is their way of saying please take your money and fuck off. I think the concept of savings accounts is dead.

Except for the purpose of Millennial-bashing media thinkpieces, obviously.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 07 April, 2020, 08:18:02 am
No mucking about throwing paper aeroplanes around the office.
No sneaking out for a stroll in the spring sunshine.
No channel-hopping on the tv in the foyer in a fruitless attempt to find somethijng worth watching (daytime tv :sick:)
No surfing the intarwebz looking for pictures of steam engines.


The Colonel's in today :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 07 April, 2020, 11:01:34 am
Bah, the supplier I ordered weedkiller from via a South American river themed webseller seems to have done a runner.  Pages and pages of feedback along the lines of 'marked as dispatched, not arrived & no response to queries'.  So many it took 5 minutes to scroll back 12 days to when I placed my order to see if I'm an idiot, not on this occasion it turns out not that this helps.  If ordering via that site avoid Chatfield DIY until their feedback shows they've sorted their shit out.
 
Ordered again from another seller, I have a hell of a lot of cleavers I need to nuke while spot treatment is still a viable option. And when I say a lot I am not kidding.  I'll be using one of these:
(https://www.agratech.co.uk/images/D/Cuprinol-1-600.jpg)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 07 April, 2020, 07:39:52 pm
I'm sitting in the window of our attic room, waiting for the moon to rise over the trees on the hill opposite. All the while I've also been watching a bank of cloud slowly heading in that direction.  I know that even though we're pretty far west and it's got a hill to rise over, it must be pretty imminent.  But the leading edge of that cloud bank has just arrived at the tree I think it will rise behind.
Bastard. No cool camera shot tonight.  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 07 April, 2020, 08:56:40 pm
I waited too long, too much contrast to be able to resolve the detail even with a long lens
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 07 April, 2020, 09:32:00 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 07 April, 2020, 08:56:40 pm
I waited too long, too much contrast to be able to resolve the detail even with a long lens

She'd put her top back on then?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 07 April, 2020, 11:21:00 pm
Quote from: Guy on 07 April, 2020, 08:18:02 am
No mucking about throwing paper aeroplanes around the office.
No sneaking out for a stroll in the spring sunshine.
No channel-hopping on the tv in the foyer in a fruitless attempt to find somethijng worth watching (daytime tv :sick:)
No surfing the intarwebz looking for pictures of steam engines.


The Colonel's in today :(
First time I've heard them called 'steam engines'
 ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 08 April, 2020, 11:51:23 am
Making cassoulet* last night.  Wash out the bean tin before putting it in the recycling.  Which genius thought lining those ring-pull tins with a toroidal razor blade was a good idea?  Bled in a torrent like unto the lies issuing from a The Prime Minister.  Now contemplating strapping left thumb to rest of hand with a cable tie left behind by the Thaumaturges who healed the shower at Fort Larrington the other week, on account of the abyss in my thumbflesh being right on the bendy bit.

* OK, sossidge'n'beans
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 08 April, 2020, 02:11:55 pm
When he was two or three, my son got his hand trapped in one of the old-style tins that we had opened, emptied, and then shoved the lid down into. When he put his hand in and tried to pull it out, the lid had cut into the base of his thumb, and the more he pulled the deeper it went.  To get his hand out again, we first had push it further in so that we could push the lid aside.  Try explaining that to a screaming toddler.

I still squash tins closed to this day.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 08 April, 2020, 02:33:35 pm
Oh crap. A power cut.  That's all we need right now. Seems to be a big one too as the power co are talking about a wide area.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 08 April, 2020, 02:42:39 pm
Looks like we'll be having Hula-Hoop salad for dinner.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 08 April, 2020, 03:21:36 pm
When things assume you use all the social media's. Ordnance Survey have a step challenge and to take part you upload a video to Instagram. I don't use it or twitter which is another common one
 Get in touch via twitter. I can't I don't use it. Who thought emails would be obsolete for so much
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 08 April, 2020, 03:25:38 pm
Quote from: T42 on 08 April, 2020, 02:11:55 pm
When he was two or three, my son got his hand trapped in one of the old-style tins that we had opened, emptied, and then shoved the lid down into. When he put his hand in and tried to pull it out, the lid had cut into the base of his thumb, and the more he pulled the deeper it went.  To get his hand out again, we first had push it further in so that we could push the lid aside.  Try explaining that to a screaming toddler.

I still squash tins closed to this day.
Urgh! I always squash empty tins so they take up less space in the recycling/bin/whatever, but that's an additional, better, reason.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 08 April, 2020, 03:26:47 pm
Quote from: Johnny Faro on 08 April, 2020, 03:21:36 pm
When things assume you use all the social media's. Ordnance Survey have a step challenge and to take part you upload a video to Instagram. I don't use it or twitter which is another common one
 Get in touch via twitter. I can't I don't use it. Who thought emails would be obsolete for so much
Strava or you didn't do it!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 09 April, 2020, 12:18:48 am
Quote from: Basil on 08 April, 2020, 02:42:39 pm
Looks like we'll be having Hula-Hoop salad for dinner.

Have you got your electrons back yet?  Friend is suffering a protracted BT exchange failure, but I pointed out that at least he didn't have to have Hula Hoop salad for tea.  (Seriously, what a way to ruin Hula Hoops...)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 09 April, 2020, 12:32:10 am
Quote from: Kim on 09 April, 2020, 12:18:48 am
Quote from: Basil on 08 April, 2020, 02:42:39 pm
Looks like we'll be having Hula-Hoop salad for dinner.

Have you got your electrons back yet?  Friend is suffering a protracted BT exchange failure, but I pointed out that at least he didn't have to have Hula Hoop salad for tea.  (Seriously, what a way to ruin Hula Hoops...)

Came back on this evening but is now off again. Good job the moon is nice and strong.
I can report that cheese and onion hula hoops are best with leaves. Salt and vinegar go well with tomatoes and red onion.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 09 April, 2020, 11:00:38 am
I'm in the queueue for the supermarket. This is fine, though suncream might have been a good idea. I could do without the running commentary from the person behind. I pity the person on the other end with the updates on every 2m step moved and how they use shot glasses for egg cups. And now you get to hear about it too :demon:

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 09 April, 2020, 03:28:02 pm
Just discovered that the 1000 x 500 x 22 sheet of ply I want to turn into a router table has a 3mm dish in the middle. :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 12 April, 2020, 12:39:38 pm
• Seems it's possible to sprain your ankle while lounging on a sofa >:(
• In Facebook gaol again

Bah!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 12 April, 2020, 03:31:17 pm
Sick of getting "He is risen" messages CC'd from friends, as if "He" were a bloody cake.  They've known for the last 50+ years that I'm an atheist, FFS.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jaded on 12 April, 2020, 03:33:42 pm
How come he has got yeast when there are shortages all round?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 12 April, 2020, 03:49:18 pm
That's where the Three Wise Men from the Yeast come in.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 12 April, 2020, 04:49:38 pm
In these bizarre times I have found a local source of live yeast.  Used some last week with mixed results.   Plenty of flour for practise though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Arminius on 12 April, 2020, 06:57:07 pm
Quote from: Polar Bear on 12 April, 2020, 04:49:38 pm
In these bizarre times I have found a local source of live yeast.  Used some last week with mixed results.   Plenty of flour for practise though.

Somehow this sounds really sordid. Probably just my mind...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 12 April, 2020, 07:52:42 pm
Quote from: Arminius on 12 April, 2020, 06:57:07 pm
Quote from: Polar Bear on 12 April, 2020, 04:49:38 pm
In these bizarre times I have found a local source of live yeast.  Used some last week with mixed results.   Plenty of flour for practise though.

Somehow this sounds really sordid. Probably just my mind...
No, same here...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 12 April, 2020, 08:01:17 pm
Make your own
https://www.leaf.tv/articles/how-to-make-bread-yeast-from-potatoes/
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 12 April, 2020, 10:08:59 pm
Jared & T42, double POTD  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 12 April, 2020, 11:59:58 pm
Quote from: T42 on 12 April, 2020, 03:31:17 pm
Sick of getting "He is risen" messages CC'd from friends, as if "He" were a bloody cake.  They've known for the last 50+ years that I'm an atheist, FFS.

Maybe this will appeal more...
(https://scontent.flhr2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/92950151_10157494443284317_1528166217368469504_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&_nc_sid=110474&_nc_ohc=b--UtYK-VaAAX9s15nQ&_nc_ht=scontent.flhr2-1.fna&oh=1be307e3748ab5e937c9a839747715ab&oe=5EB7871F)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 13 April, 2020, 12:06:59 am
 ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 13 April, 2020, 08:47:33 am
 :thumbsup:

Re yeast shortage, MrsT keeps a starter going for months.  Bubbling happily this morning.  I keep threatening to feed it with ginger and make ginger ale.

Hmm... gingerbread.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 13 April, 2020, 11:50:18 am
Quote from: T42 on 12 April, 2020, 03:31:17 pm
Sick of getting "He is risen" messages CC'd from friends, as if "He" were a bloody cake.  They've known for the last 50+ years that I'm an atheist, FFS.

For a moment there I thought you were referring to Bloody Stupid Johnson.  Srsly, there are arsesnuffling Johnsonites actually referring to the monstrous tub of horsehair in this manner.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 18 April, 2020, 03:42:29 pm
Well I thought the noises were seagulls fucking around on the roof but noooope - we have a bird in the loft. Fuck.

Now whether it's nesting in there and was trying to chase me out or if it's just managed to get in but not out again I don't know. On my third trip up the ladder after peering around, going outside to peer around, going back into the loft to listen something birdlike and brown flew at my face. I nearly fell off the ladder which would have been great. I've shut the hatch for a second whilst I get the bedroom doors closed and then I guess it's open the hatch and see if it come out to daylight. And then to try and get it downstairs and out the door.

I really hope it's a stray and not nesting.

I really really don't want to be doing this right now.

I really really really wish I'd got the roof looked at last year.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 18 April, 2020, 04:12:35 pm
this is only a grumble because I have been able to fix it....

Last night I thought I had a sudden power cut, but then I found the RCD in the fuse board had tripped. So I reset it, listened to all the bleeps as various devices powered back on and then click it was off again. So now it becomes a question of turning things off and turning on the RCD to find the culprit device, previously this was a heating valve but I had replaced the actuator in November and thought the issue solved, however the delay was rather indicative of the heating system so I turned off the boiler and turned on the power. It stayed on.  :-\

House was working and I could make diner but no heating or hot water.  The next check was to try the boiler but with only the hot water, click, darkness. OK more investigation needed. Open the airing cupboard where the cylinder and valves are and why is the carpet wet.  :o Long story short the spindle seal on the valve has failed and the water has got to the solenoid actuator and the limit switch hence the power outages. Further proven when I took the actuator off and disconnected the wiring at which point the hot water worked without issue. Fortunately replacement valves are readily available and so, after ordering online, at 8am this morning I could collect a new one from a local merchant.

Then came the task of draining the system, undoing the valve, splitting two other joints to allow the pipework to spread far enough to get the valve out, getting the old olives and nuts off, install the new valve, refill the system, start the pump an bleed the radiators. None of which I had planned on for today as I was planning to be working in the garden in readiness for plants to be delivered next week end.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 18 April, 2020, 05:18:23 pm
After my son's managing to get a current account with a debit card, cash for the not handling of, coronavirus in the times of, we find out they don't give contactless to under-16s. Annoying and slightly silly.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 18 April, 2020, 05:31:52 pm
Quote from: Ashaman42 on 18 April, 2020, 03:42:29 pm
Well I thought the noises were seagulls fucking around on the roof but noooope - we have a bird in the loft. Fuck.

Now whether it's nesting in there and was trying to chase me out or if it's just managed to get in but not out again I don't know. On my third trip up the ladder after peering around, going outside to peer around, going back into the loft to listen something birdlike and brown flew at my face. I nearly fell off the ladder which would have been great. I've shut the hatch for a second whilst I get the bedroom doors closed and then I guess it's open the hatch and see if it come out to daylight. And then to try and get it downstairs and out the door.

I really hope it's a stray and not nesting.

I really really don't want to be doing this right now.

I really really really wish I'd got the roof looked at last year.

You don't need to get it downstairs, I'd get it into a bedroom and out the window myself.

In a similar vein, I heard rustling from the (cleaned out) fireplace. Thought "Oh God, not another pigeon down the chimney".  Nope, house mouse in the ash can under the grate. Phew.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 18 April, 2020, 06:31:41 pm
Ah but the upstairs windows are only teeny tiny top windows and currently flyscreened.

Though I haven't heard any noise for a bit after deciding I just couldn't even today. Either it's popped out for a bit or had a heart attack. Poor blighter.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 19 April, 2020, 10:16:59 am
All day every day, the sound of strimming.  :(
Surely there can't be anywhere within a mile that remains un-strum.
Well yes there is. Another one has started up.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 20 April, 2020, 10:05:00 am
Strimming? I dream of strimming.

All day every day for the last two weeks (including the full bank holiday weekend) we have endured the sounds of Swish Fibre laying their infrastructurwe in a 100m radius of our garden.

Pneumatuic drills, industrial sized disc cutters (tarmac and concrete for the cutting of), heavy duty tampers and whaker plates.

Fuck off!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 22 April, 2020, 02:34:53 pm
I'm still feeling under the weather from whatever lurgy I had earlier in the year, and now appear to be developing Hay Fever as well, which has never previously been a problem for me.  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 23 April, 2020, 08:44:37 pm
Prompted by a message from one of my other leaders, I found an email from the county Scout team in my inbox.

I have my machine set to "don't display images", so I get text plus rectangular block image place holders. Some where in there was a reminder (thanks matthew) about uniform and clapping and St George's Day.  Except it was an image. A picture of some words.

Failing on the accessibility front I feel. Complicating things for no good reason too.  I shall fire off a gentle grink.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: graculus on 24 April, 2020, 08:02:53 am
Quote from: Tim Hall on 23 April, 2020, 08:44:37 pm
I shall fire off a gentle grink.
That's letting them off a bit lightly? A video of you spelling it out in semaphore would provide them with hours of entertainment as well.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 24 April, 2020, 09:29:17 am
Quote from: graculus on 24 April, 2020, 08:02:53 am
Quote from: Tim Hall on 23 April, 2020, 08:44:37 pm
I shall fire off a gentle grink.
That's letting them off a bit lightly? A video of you spelling it out in semaphore would provide them with hours of entertainment as well.

If you ask each scout for a photos of letter could it count as part of the communicator badge?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 24 April, 2020, 01:32:54 pm
Thank you, I hate images of text, they're really pervasive in places they 100% shouldn't be... If it's a small org I will sometimes transcribe them on social media and post the pastebin link, if they're a big org I'll tell them to sort their access.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 24 April, 2020, 01:47:44 pm
Colleagues: Stop whining about H&S. I've told you what to do and that's to get the H&S department involved. I did last time we had an issue and the twunt of a boss had to listen to him. I've told you who to get in touch with, so get on with it...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 24 April, 2020, 10:24:48 pm
Quote from: CAMRAMan on 24 April, 2020, 01:47:44 pm
Colleagues: Stop whining about H&S. I've told you what to do and that's to get the H&S department involved. I did last time we had an issue and the twunt of a boss had to listen to him. I've told you who to get in touch with, so get on with it...

tbh our H&S dept really are the last resort, particularly where my team is involved. we all have far more experience than they do, and understand both reality and theory
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: De Sisti on 25 April, 2020, 08:43:54 am
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 20 April, 2020, 10:05:00 am
Strimming? I dream of strimming.

All day every day for the last two weeks (including the full bank holiday weekend) we have endured the sounds of Swish Fibre laying their infrastructurwe in a 100m radius of our garden.

Pneumatuic drills, industrial sized disc cutters (tarmac and concrete for the cutting of), heavy duty tampers and whaker plates.

Fuck off!
I'll take all of that any day over kids screeching at the top of their voices as they jump up
and down on garden trampolines. >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 25 April, 2020, 11:35:55 am
Quote from: De Sisti on 25 April, 2020, 08:43:54 am
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 20 April, 2020, 10:05:00 am
Strimming? I dream of strimming.

All day every day for the last two weeks (including the full bank holiday weekend) we have endured the sounds of Swish Fibre laying their infrastructurwe in a 100m radius of our garden.

Pneumatuic drills, industrial sized disc cutters (tarmac and concrete for the cutting of), heavy duty tampers and whaker plates.

Fuck off!
I'll take all of that any day over kids screeching at the top of their voices as they jump up
and down on garden trampolines. >:(

All are preferable to:

WOOF!  WOOF-WOOF WOOF!  WOOF-WOOF-WOOF-WOOF-WOOF! WOOF! WOOF!
*random length pause*
GOTO 10
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 25 April, 2020, 12:50:09 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 24 April, 2020, 10:24:48 pm
Quote from: CAMRAMan on 24 April, 2020, 01:47:44 pm
Colleagues: Stop whining about H&S. I've told you what to do and that's to get the H&S department involved. I did last time we had an issue and the twunt of a boss had to listen to him. I've told you who to get in touch with, so get on with it...

tbh our H&S dept really are the last resort, particularly where my team is involved. we all have far more experience than they do, and understand both reality and theory
Yebbut we're doing customer-facing work and the managers haven't done risk assessments and are even asking us to reuse disposable gloves. Of course, they are not customer-facing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 25 April, 2020, 01:00:38 pm
Quote from: CAMRAMan on 25 April, 2020, 12:50:09 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 24 April, 2020, 10:24:48 pm
Quote from: CAMRAMan on 24 April, 2020, 01:47:44 pm
Colleagues: Stop whining about H&S. I've told you what to do and that's to get the H&S department involved. I did last time we had an issue and the twunt of a boss had to listen to him. I've told you who to get in touch with, so get on with it...

tbh our H&S dept really are the last resort, particularly where my team is involved. we all have far more experience than they do, and understand both reality and theory
Yebbut we're doing customer-facing work and the managers haven't done risk assessments and are even asking us to reuse disposable gloves. Of course, they are not customer-facing.

The rest of my team are doing shifts in a laboratory where there has always been a wear gloves policy. Trouble is our suppliers can't supply them at the moment so my team are being asked to reuse gloves where possible as well.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 27 April, 2020, 09:40:43 pm
Fuckbollocks!   I just broke my favourite wine glass.  A chunky green glass goblet I bought from John Lewis (George Henry Lee's) last century.   Recycled Mexican glass.  I've got 2 more from the same batch, but this one had a nice dimple for my thumb  :(


Only the stem is broken.  What's god for fixing glass ?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Davef on 27 April, 2020, 10:16:10 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 27 April, 2020, 09:40:43 pm
Fuckbollocks!   I just broke my favourite wine glass.  A chunky green glass goblet I bought from John Lewis (George Henry Lee's) last century.   Recycled Mexican glass.  I've got 2 more from the same batch, but this one had a nice dimple for my thumb  :(


Only the stem is broken.  What's god for fixing glass ?
Heat


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Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Davef on 27 April, 2020, 10:16:42 pm
Quote from: Davef on 27 April, 2020, 10:16:10 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 27 April, 2020, 09:40:43 pm
Fuckbollocks!   I just broke my favourite wine glass.  A chunky green glass goblet I bought from John Lewis (George Henry Lee's) last century.   Recycled Mexican glass.  I've got 2 more from the same batch, but this one had a nice dimple for my thumb  :(


Only the stem is broken.  What's god for fixing glass ?
Heat


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Lots of


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Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 27 April, 2020, 10:17:55 pm
Surgu is your friend
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 28 April, 2020, 08:35:03 am
Quote from: Kim on 25 April, 2020, 11:35:55 am
Quote from: De Sisti on 25 April, 2020, 08:43:54 am
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 20 April, 2020, 10:05:00 am
Strimming? I dream of strimming.

All day every day for the last two weeks (including the full bank holiday weekend) we have endured the sounds of Swish Fibre laying their infrastructurwe in a 100m radius of our garden.

Pneumatuic drills, industrial sized disc cutters (tarmac and concrete for the cutting of), heavy duty tampers and whaker plates.

Fuck off!
I'll take all of that any day over kids screeching at the top of their voices as they jump up
and down on garden trampolines. >:(

All are preferable to:

WOOF!  WOOF-WOOF WOOF!  WOOF-WOOF-WOOF-WOOF-WOOF! WOOF! WOOF!
*random length pause*
GOTO 10

Our next door neighbours have 2 sons about 15 & 16 that are into basketball (hoop on the back of the house etc) ..... with all the bouncing of the ball on the paving it's like living next door to the Harlem Globetrotters

Rob
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 28 April, 2020, 08:53:06 am
Quote from: andrewc on 27 April, 2020, 09:40:43 pm
Fuckbollocks!   I just broke my favourite wine glass.  A chunky green glass goblet I bought from John Lewis (George Henry Lee's) last century.   Recycled Mexican glass.  I've got 2 more from the same batch, but this one had a nice dimple for my thumb  :(


Only the stem is broken.  What's god for fixing glass ?

Get Charlotte to weld it?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 28 April, 2020, 09:17:49 am
Remember the time I broke not one, not two, not three, but all four of the nice china bowls that my wife really liked.

She still remembers. Every time I open the cupboard she remembers for me.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 30 April, 2020, 02:41:53 pm
Bloody hell Biggles.  :o
Is that journey absolutely necessary?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 30 April, 2020, 03:16:24 pm
Quote from: Basil on 30 April, 2020, 02:41:53 pm
Bloody hell Biggles.  :o
Is that journey absolutely necessary?
If it is the dual Biggles journey I think you mean then no, but who cares. He is worthy.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 30 April, 2020, 04:36:44 pm
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 30 April, 2020, 03:16:24 pm
Quote from: Basil on 30 April, 2020, 02:41:53 pm
Bloody hell Biggles.  :o
Is that journey absolutely necessary?
If it is the dual Biggles journey I think you mean then no, but who cares. He is worthy.
No I didn't mean the spitfire hurricane fly past.  I meant the jet fighter that buzzed our house so low we didn't hear him coming.  So loud that the air was crackling.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 30 April, 2020, 06:24:15 pm
Quote from: Basil on 30 April, 2020, 04:36:44 pm
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 30 April, 2020, 03:16:24 pm
Quote from: Basil on 30 April, 2020, 02:41:53 pm
Bloody hell Biggles.  :o
Is that journey absolutely necessary?
If it is the dual Biggles journey I think you mean then no, but who cares. He is worthy.
No I didn't mean the spitfire hurricane fly past.  I meant the jet fighter that buzzed our house so low we didn't hear him coming.  So loud that the air was crackling.

Time to paint some Bad Words on your roof?   ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 30 April, 2020, 06:29:27 pm
Bah, still no eggs or flour at our local Tesco. Boooo!

I mean we don't really need it, more want it.

And yes, we could have gone shopping earlier in the day but then it would be busier and the queues longer. Oh well. Hopefully next time - trying not to go too often (especially due to my asthma) unlike the people who go in to seemingly buy half a dozen items at a time - that can't be a week's shopping surely?!  ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 30 April, 2020, 08:55:54 pm
Quote from: Kim on 30 April, 2020, 06:24:15 pm
Quote from: Basil on 30 April, 2020, 04:36:44 pm
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 30 April, 2020, 03:16:24 pm
Quote from: Basil on 30 April, 2020, 02:41:53 pm
Bloody hell Biggles.  :o
Is that journey absolutely necessary?
If it is the dual Biggles journey I think you mean then no, but who cares. He is worthy.
No I didn't mean the spitfire hurricane fly past.  I meant the jet fighter that buzzed our house so low we didn't hear him coming.  So loud that the air was crackling.

Time to paint some Bad Words on your roof?   ;D

Seems that only encourages them.  I think that it was in this very place that I read of a farmer who wrote 'Fuck off Biggles' on his barn roof. Word got round at the local airbase and they all started to divert to check it out.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 30 April, 2020, 08:59:23 pm
Quote from: Basil on 30 April, 2020, 08:55:54 pm
Quote from: Kim on 30 April, 2020, 06:24:15 pm
Quote from: Basil on 30 April, 2020, 04:36:44 pm
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 30 April, 2020, 03:16:24 pm
Quote from: Basil on 30 April, 2020, 02:41:53 pm
Bloody hell Biggles.  :o
Is that journey absolutely necessary?
If it is the dual Biggles journey I think you mean then no, but who cares. He is worthy.
No I didn't mean the spitfire hurricane fly past.  I meant the jet fighter that buzzed our house so low we didn't hear him coming.  So loud that the air was crackling.

Time to paint some Bad Words on your roof?   ;D

Seems that only encourages them.  I think that it was in this very place that I read of a farmer who wrote 'Fuck off Biggles' on his barn roof. Word got round at the local airbase and they all started to divert to check it out.

Time to paint some Bad Words on somebody else's roof?   ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 30 April, 2020, 10:31:53 pm
Quote from: Basil on 30 April, 2020, 04:36:44 pm
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 30 April, 2020, 03:16:24 pm
Quote from: Basil on 30 April, 2020, 02:41:53 pm
Bloody hell Biggles.  :o
Is that journey absolutely necessary?
If it is the dual Biggles journey I think you mean then no, but who cares. He is worthy.
No I didn't mean the spitfire hurricane fly past.  I meant the jet fighter that buzzed our house so low we didn't hear him coming.  So loud that the air was crackling.
In that case  :o
Send him my way to crackle the Marlow air!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 01 May, 2020, 12:22:15 pm
Quote from: Basil
I meant the jet fighter that buzzed our house so low we didn't hear him coming.  So loud that the air was crackling.
When I was a very much younger, and considerably less grumpy, Lurker we used to get Canberras, F4s, Jaguars and Tornadoes at nought feet over our house as they practiced low* level flying quite often 3 or 4 in quick (well, yes they were fast jets) succession.  I rather miss it.


*An ex US Marine Corps A-10 pilot of my acquaintance regarded the RAF pilots as certifiable. He said (and I paraphrase), "We were authorised to fly down to 300 feet, and we used to very make sure we didn't go below this to avoid hitting the RAF planes who'd frequently be flying at 100 feet."
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 01 May, 2020, 12:47:14 pm
Quote from: TheLurker on 01 May, 2020, 12:22:15 pm
Quote from: Basil
I meant the jet fighter that buzzed our house so low we didn't hear him coming.  So loud that the air was crackling.
When I was a very much younger, and considerably less grumpy, Lurker we used to get Canberras, F4s, Jaguars and Tornadoes at nought feet over our house as they practiced low* level flying quite often 3 or 4 in quick (well, yes they were fast jets) succession.  I rather miss it.


*An ex US Marine Corps A-10 pilot of my acquaintance regarded the RAF pilots as certifiable. He said (and I paraphrase), "We were authorised to fly down to 300 feet, and we used to very make sure we didn't go below this to avoid hitting the RAF planes who'd frequently be flying at 100 feet."

Gonna have to pull you up there - the A-10's only ever been operated by the USAF. The USMC were flying A/V-8 Harriers and F/A-18 Hornets during the late Cold War period.

And while the US pilots thought ours were mad, the masters of low flying had to be the Swedes. Per this dit from a RAF pilot given a ride in a Viggen:

Quote
They would fly around at Mach 0.95, 650kt give or take a bit, and they trained at 10m. We flew through firebreaks in trees, we flew all over northern Sweden at 30ft, and we never went below 600kt. All of this, I should add, was done under about a 150 to 200ft overcast with no breaks.

https://www.aeroseum.se/british-pilot-and-viggen/
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 01 May, 2020, 01:55:58 pm
Quote from: spesh
...the A-10's only ever been operated by the USAF. The USMC were flying A/V-8 Harriers and F/A-18 Hornets during the late Cold War period.
Will check with him, probably still abed ATM.  I daresay he won't be amused that I thought he was USMC.  :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 01 May, 2020, 04:35:19 pm
Ugh. Some git has dropped their dog poo bag in our bin after the bin men passed through but before I put the bin back in the cupboard.

Unfortunately the bin men tend to just hoik our full bag out rather than take the bin to the truck and tip the whole thing in so the dog poo will stay there now unless I climb in and transfer it to our bin bag.

I mean it's not the worst thing in the world, better than the dog shitting on our lawn but one of the reasons we don't have a dog is I don't want to deal with their mess.

And it's not the first time this has happened.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 01 May, 2020, 04:42:20 pm
Quote from: Ashaman42 on 01 May, 2020, 04:35:19 pm
Unfortunately the bin men tend to just hoik our full bag out rather than take the bin to the truck and tip the whole thing in so the dog poo will stay there now unless I climb in and transfer it to our bin bag.

I hate it when they do that.  I've had smaller bags of smelly rubbish linger at the bottom of the bin for weeks on end because they've just been grabbing what they can be bothered to reach.

Their current trick is more infuriating: Due to COVID-19 they appear to have given up on their oficial schedule, and for the last two weeks they've come a day early (after about a month of not coming at all).  Which would be fine if they emptied the bins that haven't been left out, but they don't.  I don't want to just leave them out on the off-chance they get collected when they're not actually very full, as it's difficult enough for people with mobility impairments to negotiate the Selly Oak Bin Slalom without trying to maintain 2 metres separation from other pedestrians.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 01 May, 2020, 04:56:15 pm
Curiously, our bin collectors seem to be more reliable in the covid era than before.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 01 May, 2020, 05:01:24 pm
Ah well we normally only have a single bag in there anyway but even when more they have always taken the lot. In fact once or twice when we've forgotten to put it out they've still emptied it for us albeit not every time. I think they wheel it when fuller it's just there's a ramp or steps down to the street so if it's a bag or two they consolidate our row of three into one bin to take to the truck.

The recycling guys are great at leaving the bins on the narrow pavement though rather than putting them back onto the lawn  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 01 May, 2020, 05:06:49 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 01 May, 2020, 04:56:15 pm
Curiously, our bin collectors seem to be more reliable in the covid era than before.

What's striking is that our recycling collections have been running like clockwork.  It's just the non-recycleable waste that gets neglected.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 01 May, 2020, 05:18:22 pm
Quote from: Kim on 01 May, 2020, 05:06:49 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 01 May, 2020, 04:56:15 pm
Curiously, our bin collectors seem to be more reliable in the covid era than before.

What's striking is that our recycling collections have been running like clockwork.  It's just the non-recycleable waste that gets neglected.
Odd. Might just reflect one unit being badly hit by covid (whether actual disease or self-isolation)?

Quote from: Ashaman42 on 01 May, 2020, 05:01:24 pm
The recycling guys are great at leaving the bins on the narrow pavement though rather than putting them back onto the lawn  :facepalm:
Annoying but understandable. It's tough work and I'm quite impressed they'll even collect from the lawn (pretty sure they wouldn't here).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 01 May, 2020, 05:26:21 pm
Quote from: Kim on 01 May, 2020, 05:06:49 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 01 May, 2020, 04:56:15 pm
Curiously, our bin collectors seem to be more reliable in the covid era than before.

What's striking is that our recycling collections have been running like clockwork.  It's just the non-recycleable waste that gets neglected.

Interesting. Our recycling collections were cancelled for about 6 weeks (our bin was rammed full by the time they restarted) while non recycleable continued as normal. I could have done with it being the other way around. Now they have started a reduced service where the recycling gets collected monthly rather than twice weekly.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 01 May, 2020, 05:30:53 pm
It's happened before during the the infamous bin strikes.  I suspect it comes down to the recycling workload being more predictable, or at least better resourced.  Once the general waste starts piling up somewhere, it all goes to pot.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 01 May, 2020, 05:48:18 pm
Our recycling collectors (waste and recycling both collected by the same council-owned firm) introduced a new system of big blue bags for cardboard at the beginning of March, due to the increase in volume of cardboard from home deliveries. Great. Except that they no longer take any cardboard which doesn't fit in the bags and people aren't that good at folding or cutting it up.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 01 May, 2020, 06:24:46 pm
Quote from: TheLurker on 01 May, 2020, 12:22:15 pm
Quote from: Basil
I meant the jet fighter that buzzed our house so low we didn't hear him coming.  So loud that the air was crackling.
When I was a very much younger, and considerably less grumpy, Lurker we used to get Canberras, F4s, Jaguars and Tornadoes at nought feet over our house as they practiced low* level flying quite often 3 or 4 in quick (well, yes they were fast jets) succession.  I rather miss it.


*An ex US Marine Corps A-10 pilot of my acquaintance regarded the RAF pilots as certifiable. He said (and I paraphrase), "We were authorised to fly down to 300 feet, and we used to very make sure we didn't go below this to avoid hitting the RAF planes who'd frequently be flying at 100 feet."

It has been said that when the USAnians get below 500' they lower the landing gear but if BRITONS venture above that altitude they get vertigo and have to descend immediately.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 01 May, 2020, 06:30:04 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 01 May, 2020, 05:18:22 pm
Quote from: Kim on 01 May, 2020, 05:06:49 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 01 May, 2020, 04:56:15 pm
Curiously, our bin collectors seem to be more reliable in the covid era than before.

What's striking is that our recycling collections have been running like clockwork.  It's just the non-recycleable waste that gets neglected.
Odd. Might just reflect one unit being badly hit by covid (whether actual disease or self-isolation)?

Quote from: Ashaman42 on 01 May, 2020, 05:01:24 pm
The recycling guys are great at leaving the bins on the narrow pavement though rather than putting them back onto the lawn  :facepalm:
Annoying but understandable. It's tough work and I'm quite impressed they'll even collect from the lawn (pretty sure they wouldn't here).

We're told to put it at the edge of the property :shrug: I mean I get it when there are steps or gates or fences  but in this case it's a flat foot difference to leave the pavement clear for prams and wheelchairs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 01 May, 2020, 07:01:14 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 01 May, 2020, 06:24:46 pm
Quote from: TheLurker on 01 May, 2020, 12:22:15 pm
Quote from: Basil
I meant the jet fighter that buzzed our house so low we didn't hear him coming.  So loud that the air was crackling.
When I was a very much younger, and considerably less grumpy, Lurker we used to get Canberras, F4s, Jaguars and Tornadoes at nought feet over our house as they practiced low* level flying quite often 3 or 4 in quick (well, yes they were fast jets) succession.  I rather miss it.


*An ex US Marine Corps A-10 pilot of my acquaintance regarded the RAF pilots as certifiable. He said (and I paraphrase), "We were authorised to fly down to 300 feet, and we used to very make sure we didn't go below this to avoid hitting the RAF planes who'd frequently be flying at 100 feet."

It has been said that when the USAnians get below 500' they lower the landing gear but if BRITONS venture above that altitude they get vertigo and have to descend immediately.

Can you hear that?

It's the laughter of veteran Lightning pilots (look up the story of Mike Hale intercepting a U-2 at an altitude the Septics had previously thought was safe). ;D

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 01 May, 2020, 08:02:16 pm
yebbut a Lightning was more a case of two effing huge engines with a bloke strapped to them than a plane. 

I remember one occaision when I was uni, on the rugby training pitch.  There was a valley leading up over the hill on which the Uni sat, up which was flying a herc at below treetop height.  Burley rugby players near shat themselves as I watched on with awe.  My best ever air experience flight was low-level in a herc where I got to throw something out the back on the instructions of the loadmaster
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 01 May, 2020, 08:04:24 pm
Quote from: TheLurker on 01 May, 2020, 01:55:58 pm
Quote from: spesh
...the A-10's only ever been operated by the USAF. The USMC were flying A/V-8 Harriers and F/A-18 Hornets during the late Cold War period.
Will check with him, probably still abed ATM.  I daresay he won't be amused that I thought he was USMC.  :)
Checked.  Yes, he was USAF not USMC.  Yes, I am blushing at having posted him to the USMC.  Oh and he and his bods were also cleared down  to 100', but as said before he preferred to keep out of the way of the RAF. He still thinks they were nuts.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 01 May, 2020, 11:03:04 pm
Quote from: spesh on 01 May, 2020, 07:01:14 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 01 May, 2020, 06:24:46 pm
Quote from: TheLurker on 01 May, 2020, 12:22:15 pm
Quote from: Basil
I meant the jet fighter that buzzed our house so low we didn't hear him coming.  So loud that the air was crackling.
When I was a very much younger, and considerably less grumpy, Lurker we used to get Canberras, F4s, Jaguars and Tornadoes at nought feet over our house as they practiced low* level flying quite often 3 or 4 in quick (well, yes they were fast jets) succession.  I rather miss it.


*An ex US Marine Corps A-10 pilot of my acquaintance regarded the RAF pilots as certifiable. He said (and I paraphrase), "We were authorised to fly down to 300 feet, and we used to very make sure we didn't go below this to avoid hitting the RAF planes who'd frequently be flying at 100 feet."

It has been said that when the USAnians get below 500' they lower the landing gear but if BRITONS venture above that altitude they get vertigo and have to descend immediately.

Can you hear that?

It's the laughter of veteran Lightning pilots (look up the story of Mike Hale intercepting a U-2 at an altitude the Septics had previously thought was safe). ;D
I'm guessing Mike Hale could navigate?
I was crewed for a while when doing protection work at Chequers, with an ex RAF fast jet pilot.He was removed from Lightnings because, in his words, his navigation was suspect. On more than one occasion, when scrambled to intercept Bears or some other stinking Soviet intruder, he barely made it back cos it took him a bit longer than some to find the airfield. He was nicknamed 'Bingo'1 by his peers.
1As in radioing air traffic control for immediate landing clearance as he was 'Bingo fuel' or nearly out of juice.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 02 May, 2020, 09:23:19 am
Time to write letter cancelling an unwanted insurance contract: 10 minutes
Time to wade through Laposte.fr's website, create an account and buy a registered-mail sticker: 1 hour (at least).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 07 May, 2020, 07:31:11 pm
Great. Locked down and we get a power cut.  Hope it gets sorted before it gets too dark to read.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 09 May, 2020, 11:16:32 am
From a different thread...
Quote from: Andrij on 09 May, 2020, 10:25:32 am
The complete* works of Bad Religion. 
Now that I've got Banshee working properly, it's much easier to play through my collection.  I will confess I miss using iTunes on my old PC.

* all 17 albums I own.

Bugger.  Banshee can't make it through an entire album before crashing.  No warning, no error message. Tried other albums/artists, same thing. >:(
Suppose this could qualify as a FWP, too.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 09 May, 2020, 03:52:29 pm
So, garden centres are to be allowed to reopen. Why not libraries, even if you have to reserve online and collect, as opposed to browsing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 09 May, 2020, 07:25:42 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 09 May, 2020, 03:52:29 pm
So, garden centres are to be allowed to reopen. Why not libraries, even if you have to reserve online and collect, as opposed to browsing.

Maybe it's a class thing?

Gardening usually involves at least as much stuff going to the tip as coming from the garden centre, in my experience.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 09 May, 2020, 07:34:16 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 09 May, 2020, 03:52:29 pm
So, garden centres are to be allowed to reopen. Why not libraries, even if you have to reserve online and collect, as opposed to browsing.

You appear to be thinking of a library as the place we went to as children to borrow books, not their main function as a place for poor people to attempt to access internet-only services and/or somewhere safe to go after school.

The books are the easy bit.

Besides which, library employees have likely been seconded to keep more essential council services running.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 09 May, 2020, 10:07:58 pm
Quote from: Kim on 09 May, 2020, 07:34:16 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 09 May, 2020, 03:52:29 pm
So, garden centres are to be allowed to reopen. Why not libraries, even if you have to reserve online and collect, as opposed to browsing.

You appear to be thinking of a library as the place we went to as children to borrow books, not their main function as a place for poor people to attempt to access internet-only services and/or somewhere safe to go after school.

The books are the easy bit.

Besides which, library employees have likely been seconded to keep more essential council services running.

No, I really didn’t. But our local library has 2-3 terminals so I’d guess one could - and should - be used. I don’t think they should have been shut at all. Most (non main county) library staff in Herts are part timers so unlikely to be redeployed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 10 May, 2020, 10:56:18 am
Our van hasn't been used for 2+ months which meant that the battery was dead, so we got MiL to come in her car and I jump started ours, with her staying inside her car.

Easy enough a job, just that the car/van manufacturer haven't made it easy. I spent ages finding none painted, none aluminium and none plastic point, on both cars. Along with our cables being on the big and on the heavy duty side, therefore the grips can't grip easily them little screws that are metallic and touching the frame of the car.

Why not make just one nice and big and easy to place a grip on, sticky out bit that isn't plastic or aluminium either, can't be that hard.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 11 May, 2020, 07:17:37 pm
Welcome to Monday in the office - where little old me, a mere minion, got added to emails, invites and tests that by the time comes down to me is hearsay, chinese whispers and mentioned as a “by the by”.

And is clearly waaaaayyy above my paygrade and not in my ballpark - e.g. I got no clue whatsoever what the issue is and why such a test is needed.

So asking me about x.y.z after said test was done, will result in "I dunno" as an answer, I surely wouldn't have asked cause I don't know about x.y.z or what is what or that it might have been a good idea to confirm with the client that. If only you could be arsed to join the call yourself you would have known to ask that question.

Oh and wouldn't it have been grand to have someone from support and engineering on the call too, especially when the system they take care off fell over last week when the client tried to hook something up to it.


ohh that turned into more of a rant than a grumble, sorry.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 12 May, 2020, 10:03:44 pm
Quote from: woollypigs on 11 May, 2020, 07:17:37 pm
Welcome to Monday in the office - where little old me, a mere minion, got added to emails, invites and tests that by the time comes down to me is hearsay, chinese whispers and mentioned as a “by the by”.

And is clearly waaaaayyy above my paygrade and not in my ballpark - e.g. I got no clue whatsoever what the issue is and why such a test is needed.

So asking me about x.y.z after said test was done, will result in "I dunno" as an answer, I surely wouldn't have asked cause I don't know about x.y.z or what is what or that it might have been a good idea to confirm with the client that. If only you could be arsed to join the call yourself you would have known to ask that question.

Oh and wouldn't it have been grand to have someone from support and engineering on the call too, especially when the system they take care off fell over last week when the client tried to hook something up to it.


ohh that turned into more of a rant than a grumble, sorry.

Don't worry Woolly, I got asked a couple of weeks ago to provide engineering support on site as Ops undertook a flow test. All the production techs have been saying with a flow rate >X the site falls over and stops. OK so today the production manager and I planned to go to >X with all the systems timestamped so we could identify the initiating event. Production manager had to cover the oncall last night and got called out twice, he was on sleepy time so it was just the techs and me. Still alls good the techs have a task that ideally wants the site stopped so lets stop the site by tripping it, I'll gather my data while they do their task and then we'll start up again.
Set flow to X; site runs sweet as a nut
30 minutes later set flow to X+50; site continues as sweet as a nut
30 minutes later "I can't go any higher while equipment A is offline, the final step to coming online will be a good test lets do that" ... Site doesn't bat an eyelid A is now online
1 hour later, "I guess we'll go to X+100 then". Still running sweetly, "Lets do Y and see if it stays up" Y completes fine...
1 hour later, "A bit later OK lets try X+150 and leave it there overnight."  8)

When I finally left site I felt it was probably sensible to tell the central control room that we are producing circa 15% more water from site than they expect and let them monitor and flex as they need to. Tomorrow I get to try to step up further and see if we can push the site to full capacity (X+375) but we will need to warn control about that or we could overflow the reservoirs, which would be bad. I suspect if we get to full capacity then the techs will want to turn down a bit (X+150-200) and their management will want to stay there. It's far easier to treat our own water than buy it from the neighbouring water company through the established bulk transfer.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 12 May, 2020, 10:11:44 pm
That has all the setups for a classic engineering disaster.

I bet the second shift are scratching their heads at strange readings as we speak, and you'll arrive tomorrow just in time for the water, erm, meltdown :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 12 May, 2020, 10:16:17 pm
Quote from: Kim on 12 May, 2020, 10:11:44 pm
That has all the setups for a classic engineering disaster.

I bet the second shift are scratching their heads at strange readings as we speak, and you'll arrive tomorrow just in time for the water, erm, meltdown :)

Nope, the night shift is unmanned and the on call man has been briefed and has instructions for what to do if he gets called out. I'm hoping he doesn't, but if he does he knows what data I am going to be looking for and can happily revert to X-50.  :smug:

Also prior to about 2017 the site regularly ran at X+150 and was previously tested up to 107% of full capacity. What we can't work out is what has changed since, though that has just given me an idea.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 13 May, 2020, 12:53:07 am
In other water-related engineering disasters news... our kettle has developed an earth fault.

I was about to go to bed when I was bombarded with alarming messages from smokeping, while barakta appeared sheepishly at the door with a torch.

Hopefully it will have dried out by morning, otherwise TEA production may be affected.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Gattopardo on 13 May, 2020, 04:58:27 am
Don't panic...camping equipment to make tea...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 13 May, 2020, 07:36:49 am
Our kettle developed an hole a few weeks ago but luckily it plugged itself with limescale long enough to sort out getting a new kettle delivered.

It was long overdue, the switch had required a knack for a good year which meant that whenever my friend David visited he couldn't make tea without our help.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 13 May, 2020, 07:50:18 am
Quote from: matthew on 12 May, 2020, 10:03:44 pm
Quote from: woollypigs on 11 May, 2020, 07:17:37 pm
Welcome to Monday in the office - where little old me, a mere minion, got added to emails, invites and tests that by the time comes down to me is hearsay, chinese whispers and mentioned as a “by the by”.

And is clearly waaaaayyy above my paygrade and not in my ballpark - e.g. I got no clue whatsoever what the issue is and why such a test is needed.

So asking me about x.y.z after said test was done, will result in "I dunno" as an answer, I surely wouldn't have asked cause I don't know about x.y.z or what is what or that it might have been a good idea to confirm with the client that. If only you could be arsed to join the call yourself you would have known to ask that question.

Oh and wouldn't it have been grand to have someone from support and engineering on the call too, especially when the system they take care off fell over last week when the client tried to hook something up to it.


ohh that turned into more of a rant than a grumble, sorry.

Don't worry Woolly, I got asked a couple of weeks ago to provide engineering support on site as Ops undertook a flow test. All the production techs have been saying with a flow rate >X the site falls over and stops. OK so today the production manager and I planned to go to >X with all the systems timestamped so we could identify the initiating event. Production manager had to cover the oncall last night and got called out twice, he was on sleepy time so it was just the techs and me. Still alls good the techs have a task that ideally wants the site stopped so lets stop the site by tripping it, I'll gather my data while they do their task and then we'll start up again.
Set flow to X; site runs sweet as a nut
30 minutes later set flow to X+50; site continues as sweet as a nut
30 minutes later "I can't go any higher while equipment A is offline, the final step to coming online will be a good test lets do that" ... Site doesn't bat an eyelid A is now online
1 hour later, "I guess we'll go to X+100 then". Still running sweetly, "Lets do Y and see if it stays up" Y completes fine...
1 hour later, "A bit later OK lets try X+150 and leave it there overnight."  8)

When I finally left site I felt it was probably sensible to tell the central control room that we are producing circa 15% more water from site than they expect and let them monitor and flex as they need to. Tomorrow I get to try to step up further and see if we can push the site to full capacity (X+375) but we will need to warn control about that or we could overflow the reservoirs, which would be bad. I suspect if we get to full capacity then the techs will want to turn down a bit (X+150-200) and their management will want to stay there. It's far easier to treat our own water than buy it from the neighbouring water company through the established bulk transfer.

Retirement has much to recommend it. ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andytheflyer on 13 May, 2020, 08:35:32 am
I wondered why my kettle wouldn't turn on a couple of days ago - but it does now. 

Now I know.  Excessive flow rates somewhere in the water production system.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 13 May, 2020, 08:53:21 am
Never descale a metal kettle, it only reveals the holes.   :hand:

DAMHIKT
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 13 May, 2020, 09:05:14 am
Quote from: Kim on 13 May, 2020, 12:53:07 am
while barakta appeared sheepishly at the door with a torch.
Trying hard to imagine Barakta looking sheepish.

Quote
Hopefully it will have dried out by morning, otherwise TEA production may be affected.
That would be a disaster. Happened to us once in India but we were saved by the local chai stall, which you don't have.

In further water related grumbles, our hot water pressure has been miserably low since about the start of lockdown. The cold's fine, so it's not the mains, and it's still hot. I suspect the pipes and heat exchanger are just furred up. We'd been warned they were on the way out. Unfortunately now is not the time for pre-emptive plumbing.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 13 May, 2020, 10:09:11 am
Quote from: Kim on 13 May, 2020, 12:53:07 am
barakta appeared sheepishly at the door with a torch.

 :o

Oh.  Over 20 years in this country, and I still need to remind myself about the British use of the word torch.  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 13 May, 2020, 10:34:24 am
Quote from: Andrij on 13 May, 2020, 10:09:11 am
Quote from: Kim on 13 May, 2020, 12:53:07 am
barakta appeared sheepishly at the door with a torch.

 :o

Oh.  Over 20 years in this country, and I still need to remind myself about the British use of the word torch.  ::-)
Surely you knew that Barakta and Kim hold a torch for each other?  :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 13 May, 2020, 12:19:02 pm
24Ω live to earth.  That's not good.

Quote from: Gattopardo on 13 May, 2020, 04:58:27 am
Don't panic...camping equipment to make tea...

Emergency back up kettle coming online now...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 13 May, 2020, 12:28:16 pm
Surprisingly, I was able to get the base off with a normal screwdriver.  It's the element, rather than anything that might be repairable.  Bah.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 13 May, 2020, 12:49:08 pm
Quote from: matthew on 12 May, 2020, 10:16:17 pm
Quote from: Kim on 12 May, 2020, 10:11:44 pm
That has all the setups for a classic engineering disaster.

I bet the second shift are scratching their heads at strange readings as we speak, and you'll arrive tomorrow just in time for the water, erm, meltdown :)

Nope, the night shift is unmanned and the on call man has been briefed and has instructions for what to do if he gets called out. I'm hoping he doesn't, but if he does he knows what data I am going to be looking for and can happily revert to X-50.  :smug:

Also prior to about 2017 the site regularly ran at X+150 and was previously tested up to 107% of full capacity. What we can't work out is what has changed since, though that has just given me an idea.

So much for that hope, the Electricity Board had an issue that shut all three local works from 8:30pm till 11:30pm due to power flicks. The poor operators were onsite till 4am restarting them all.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 13 May, 2020, 01:10:00 pm
Water and electricity, never ends well...

(New kettle ordered from the Mega-Global Sounds-Like-A-River Corporation of Seattle, USAnia.  Barakta's cooking on gas in the interim.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 13 May, 2020, 01:13:07 pm
Quote from: Kim on 13 May, 2020, 01:10:00 pm
Water and electricity, never ends well...

(New kettle ordered from the Mega-Global Sounds-Like-A-River Corporation of Seattle, USAnia.  Barakta's cooking on gas in the interim.)
Particularly when you need the electricity to pump the water, pump the treatment chemicals and run the monitoring instruments.  fortunately they didn't mix but the voltage dropped enough to take out the UV reactors and the Ozone generators!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 13 May, 2020, 01:13:36 pm
Quote from: Andrij on 13 May, 2020, 10:09:11 am
Quote from: Kim on 13 May, 2020, 12:53:07 am
barakta appeared sheepishly at the door with a torch.

 :o

Oh.  Over 20 years in this country, and I still need to remind myself about the British use of the word torch.  ::-)

If the sentence doesn't involve pitchforks as well, you're generally OK
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 13 May, 2020, 01:20:52 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 13 May, 2020, 09:05:14 am
Quote
Hopefully it will have dried out by morning, otherwise TEA production may be affected.
That would be a disaster. Happened to us once in India but we were saved by the local chai stall, which you don't have.
Possibly the definitive First World Problem: lack of chai wallahs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 13 May, 2020, 01:41:15 pm
Quote from: Kim on 13 May, 2020, 01:10:00 pm
Water and electricity, never ends well...

(New kettle ordered from the Mega-Global Sounds-Like-A-River Corporation of Seattle, USAnia.  Barakta's cooking on gas in the interim.)


As long as she's caffeinated....  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 13 May, 2020, 03:49:53 pm
I have a stove-top kettle for times when there is no leccy or the electric kettle fails.

Sainsbury's have delivered electric kettles in the past and list them with groceries online.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Giraffe on 13 May, 2020, 04:31:23 pm
Quote from: Kim on 13 May, 2020, 12:53:07 am
In other water-related engineering disasters news... our kettle has developed an earth fault.

I was about to go to bed when I was bombarded with alarming messages from smokeping, while barakta appeared sheepishly at the door with a torch.

Hopefully it will have dried out by morning, otherwise TEA production may be affected.
Last time I saw that was in a cafe where I had ordered tea. I could just see the kettle and had noticed that it took a long time from boiling to switching off.
Lass said that she couldn't do much as the power had gone, so I told her to unplug the kettle and reset the RCD. That worked; I advised how to avoid it again but never went back so don't know the outcome.
I set my kettle to 90 if I want it boiling then do a manual start-stop to get to the boil - on a small amount it just boils at 90.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Giraffe on 13 May, 2020, 04:35:05 pm
Quote from: Kim on 13 May, 2020, 12:19:02 pm
24Ω live to earth.  That's not good.
Ouch - 10A - should take out the 30mA RCD.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 13 May, 2020, 08:26:48 pm
How do you get water to boil at 90 at an altitude of less than 100 metres?
Does Ashton have a different SVP?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 13 May, 2020, 08:29:34 pm
I suspect it’s a lag between indication, sensing and residual heat.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 13 May, 2020, 08:32:10 pm
Quote from: Giraffe on 13 May, 2020, 04:35:05 pm
Quote from: Kim on 13 May, 2020, 12:19:02 pm
24Ω live to earth.  That's not good.
Ouch - 10A - should take out the 30mA RCD.

Yes, that's why various electronics stopped responding and barakta appeared sheepishly with a torch.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 13 May, 2020, 08:46:57 pm
Quote from: Kim on 13 May, 2020, 12:19:02 pm
24Ω live to earth.  That's not good.

And presumably that's as measured with a low-voltage multimeter.
Bet it's much worse at 240v!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 14 May, 2020, 11:18:03 am
DJ Random, pray tell, what have you got against Blanck Mass that you refuse to play them – and them alone – in your frivolous selection of the works of Popular Beat Combos ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 14 May, 2020, 04:38:12 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 14 May, 2020, 11:18:03 am
DJ Random, pray tell, what have you got against Blanck Mass that you refuse to play them – and them alone – in your frivolous selection of the works of Popular Beat Combos ???

DJ Random is trying to tell you that Fuck Buttons beats Blanck Mass?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Giraffe on 15 May, 2020, 09:10:05 am
Quote from: rafletcher on 13 May, 2020, 08:29:34 pm
I suspect it’s a lag between indication, sensing and residual heat.
Precisely - and the residual heat, mostly due to the remote element, is about the same for any amount of water, so +<½-litre just about boils.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 15 May, 2020, 09:29:14 am
Quote from: woollypigs on 11 May, 2020, 07:17:37 pm
Welcome to Monday in the office - where little old me, a mere minion, got added to emails, invites and tests that by the time comes down to me is hearsay, chinese whispers and mentioned as a “by the by”.........

Update to this, yes doing the week I got many more emails, invites and requests to do someone else's job that didn't have a clue about. And felt like any minute I would become the messenger who got shot.

I ended up doing the work that they were testing for on Monday. Other than learning on the fly what is going on, as no one had told little old me what the plan was, who was whom and when what did that.

We ended up on a "back end" phone bridge with people from all corners of the world and background having a good old natter, while the people were doing their thing, for about an hour.

So at the end of the week, I can only grumble as it didn't blow up in my face, but I could happily have lived without four days of "why the feck and arrgghhh and oh shit"
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 15 May, 2020, 11:27:38 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 14 May, 2020, 04:38:12 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 14 May, 2020, 11:18:03 am
DJ Random, pray tell, what have you got against Blanck Mass that you refuse to play them – and them alone – in your frivolous selection of the works of Popular Beat Combos ???

DJ Random is trying to tell you that Fuck Buttons beats Blanck Mass?

He's perfectly happy with playing Fuck Buttons, so you may have a point.  Though if I clone him and replace the condition "Album Artist is not BBC Radio" with "Album Artist is Blanck Mass" it works ???

Edit: He clearly fears the wrath of Mrs P, coz he played "Lung" about an hour ago :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 15 May, 2020, 07:38:54 pm
 :-X
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 15 May, 2020, 09:30:56 pm
I fear that if someone drew a Venn diagram of mine and Senor Larrer's musical tastes, we'd need two sheets of paper. And jet planes.

I just listened to Katy Perry's Firework, of course, because it's Friday and we've both kissed a girl. Probably not the same one.

I'm a bit more hip at the moment with of Grimes and i_o's rather spiffy belly-trembler 4ÆM.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 15 May, 2020, 10:11:47 pm
I expected to like Blanck Mass because it was one of Fuck Buttons. But I did not.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 15 May, 2020, 10:16:45 pm
For some reason, Blanck Mass puts me in mind of Satanist quantum physicists. :demon:

IGMC
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 16 May, 2020, 08:36:14 am
Fans of Fuck Buttons  :thumbsup:  Jarre's Electronica 1 (https://www.discogs.com/Jean-Michel-Jarre-Electronica-1-The-Time-Machine/release/7593002) is a worthy addition to your collection if only for the FB track which is excellent. In fact the whole album is good. Electronica 2 imo is a disappointment in a similar manner to moving from Fuck Buttons to Blanck Mass.  Not bad but not as good.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 16 May, 2020, 09:52:41 am
Quote from: ian on 15 May, 2020, 09:30:56 pm
I'm a bit more hip at the moment with of Grimes and i_o's rather spiffy belly-trembler 4ÆM.

Isn't that part of what the Muskrat just named his daughter?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 16 May, 2020, 12:50:25 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 15 May, 2020, 10:11:47 pm
I expected to like Blanck Mass because it was one of Fuck Buttons. But I did not.

Chacun a son wossname, but then again I like Sunn O))) :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 17 May, 2020, 12:44:35 pm
I just broke my second favourite[1] screwdriver bodging the landlord's shitty kitchen drawer.   >:(


[1] A long-serving Stanley PZ1[2] that was part of a set.  Naturally they're no longer molished in that style.
[2] AKA "the screwdriver that fits everything".
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 17 May, 2020, 02:59:23 pm
Quote from: Kim on 17 May, 2020, 12:44:35 pm
I just broke my second favourite[1] screwdriver bodging the landlord's shitty kitchen drawer.   >:(


[1] A long-serving Stanley PZ1[2] that was part of a set.  Naturally they're no longer molished in that style.
[2] AKA "the screwdriver that fits everything".

Grey trilobed handle with blue rubbery inserts, wozzit?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 17 May, 2020, 06:11:41 pm
That's the badger.

Cunningly I have two, thanks to some inadvertent theft in the late 90s.  So the other one's gone to complete the set, and I'll invest in something posh and German to keep upstairs with my electronics-fettling tools.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 17 May, 2020, 06:34:29 pm
Quote from: Kim on 17 May, 2020, 06:11:41 pm
That's the badger.

Cunningly I have two, thanks to some inadvertent theft in the late 90s.  So the other one's gone to complete the set, and I'll invest in something posh and German to keep upstairs with my electronics-fettling tools.
Intuitively, I knew that.
Magnum. Best screwdrivers evah, to come out of Stanley's screwdriver factory.
I have two sets, as a result of having a 'home' as well as a 'travelling' tool kit.
A third driver has been ground into submission and pressed into service as a bradawl.
Long live the pricks!

ETA - Wiha and Wera are probably your friends - but I suspect you already know that.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 17 May, 2020, 07:18:08 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 17 May, 2020, 06:34:29 pm
Magnum. Best screwdrivers evah, to come out of Stanley's screwdriver factory.

Makes sense.  My mum bought the set for me one Christmas when I was a teenager, likely on recommendation from the nice man in the LHS where she was a regular.  Stopped her screwdrivers going walkies, innit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 17 May, 2020, 10:30:43 pm
Our "main" fan over has broken. The smaller top oven still works and the hob is gas, so it isn't a disaster. I've yet to take a proper look as a) it was already up to temperature when it went in the morning and b) the chances of me fixing it (or making it safe at least) on a Sunday before I needed to cook supper seemed minimal.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 18 May, 2020, 09:54:02 am
Quote from: T42 on 16 May, 2020, 09:52:41 am
Quote from: ian on 15 May, 2020, 09:30:56 pm
I'm a bit more hip at the moment with of Grimes and i_o's rather spiffy belly-trembler 4ÆM.

Isn't that part of what the Muskrat just named his daughter?

It had completely passed me by, but I did Google what his daughter was called (really, she's not going to thank you for that) and discovered he's actually married to Grimes (who knew – well, everyone it seems) so it's all makes sense now.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 18 May, 2020, 06:24:00 pm
Grimes BA (Stoke-on-Trent) was the headmaster of st custards and the proprietor of a whelk stall in the Seven Sisters Road.  I didn't know he had a parallel career in music.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 18 May, 2020, 10:49:51 pm
Quote from: perpetual dan on 17 May, 2020, 10:30:43 pm
Our "main" fan over has broken. The smaller top oven still works and the hob is gas, so it isn't a disaster. I've yet to take a proper look as a) it was already up to temperature when it went in the morning and b) the chances of me fixing it (or making it safe at least) on a Sunday before I needed to cook supper seemed minimal.

It'a come back to life of it's own volition. So ungrumble.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 21 May, 2020, 03:22:47 pm
I hate it when you go online to buy something small - in this case, replacement brushes for my Park Tool chain cleaner - and you end up having* to buy extra stuff to get free P&P. Even Shamazon couldn't do it any better. And I didn't know Chain Reaction was now part of Wiggle - or vice versa.

* Whilst I balk at paying £3 for P&P, I'll not walk away from paying £10 for stuff I don't really need.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 21 May, 2020, 03:55:24 pm
Quote from: CAMRAMan on 21 May, 2020, 03:22:47 pm
I hate it when you go online to buy something small - in this case, replacement brushes for my Park Tool chain cleaner - and you end up having* to buy extra stuff to get free P&P. Even Shamazon couldn't do it any better. And I didn't know Chain Reaction was now part of Wiggle - or vice versa.

* Whilst I balk at paying £3 for P&P, I'll not walk away from paying £10 for stuff I don't really need.

Wiggle is owned by venture capitalists now - Bridgeport Capital - and bought up CRC a long time ago - 2016. Both are now crap IMO, all stock being at the Wiggle "Citadel" despite the separate CRC website. They also own Bike24, which remains pretty good as it's run independently. But it's in Germany, so who knows after Brexit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 21 May, 2020, 05:13:07 pm
Paying for P&P seems fair enough to me. Royal Mail and couriers are not charities.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 21 May, 2020, 08:21:31 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 21 May, 2020, 05:13:07 pm
Paying for P&P seems fair enough to me. Royal Mail and couriers are not charities.
Well, what I mean is that I don't feel I can justify the £3 P&P on an £8 purchase, so I fill up the basket until I reach the free P&P threshold and I end up spending £16 instead of £11. It's as much a grumble against my own flawed logic as anything else.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 21 May, 2020, 09:17:34 pm
If it was £8 postage on a £3 item I'd be following your logic too! (or maybe not buying it at all, if I didn't really need it – not always an option, admittedly)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 21 May, 2020, 09:28:46 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 21 May, 2020, 03:55:24 pm
Quote from: CAMRAMan on 21 May, 2020, 03:22:47 pm
I hate it when you go online to buy something small - in this case, replacement brushes for my Park Tool chain cleaner - and you end up having* to buy extra stuff to get free P&P. Even Shamazon couldn't do it any better. And I didn't know Chain Reaction was now part of Wiggle - or vice versa.

* Whilst I balk at paying £3 for P&P, I'll not walk away from paying £10 for stuff I don't really need.

Wiggle is owned by venture capitalists now - Bridgeport Capital - and bought up CRC a long time ago - 2016. Both are now crap IMO, all stock being at the Wiggle "Citadel" despite the separate CRC website. They also own Bike24, which remains pretty good as it's run independently. But it's in Germany, so who knows after Brexit.

Nope - Wiggle oesn't own Bike24 now - they bought, couldn't make a go of it and virtually gave it back to the previous owner in September 2019

Rob
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 21 May, 2020, 09:32:32 pm
Quote from: CAMRAMan on 21 May, 2020, 03:22:47 pm
I hate it when you go online to buy something small - in this case, replacement brushes for my Park Tool chain cleaner - and you end up having* to buy extra stuff to get free P&P. Even Shamazon couldn't do it any better. And I didn't know Chain Reaction was now part of Wiggle - or vice versa.

* Whilst I balk at paying £3 for P&P, I'll not walk away from paying £10 for stuff I don't really need.

What are you doing buying brushes for the Park cleaner????  - just use degreaser and an old toothbrush - or the extremely good Fenwicks Chain Cleaner Foam in an aerosol can (spray it on like shaving cream, leave for 10 minutes, 2 or 3 rotations of the chain and wash off with water before a re-lube)

Rob

PS: I chucked away a Chinese clone Park chain cleaner the other day, I'd have given it to you!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 21 May, 2020, 09:36:53 pm
Just yesterday i held off buying £8 of things because of £8 postage. While I'm happy for post to be a costed item, it wouldn't cost that for a padded envelope, 2nd class post on the package and £1 of someone's time to stick my address on the envelope.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 22 May, 2020, 10:30:08 am
Quote from: perpetual dan
... it wouldn't cost that for a padded envelope, 2nd class post on the package and £1 of someone's time to stick my address on the envelope.
Ahh, but you've forgotten to factor in the time to walk to the post office, find it's closed because they're working reduced hours, walk back to the office, walk down the next morning, wait in the queue for an hour (or two) then there's the time taken to catch up on the local news with Mrs Miggens behind the counter who you haven't seen for oooooh at least 36 hours and then you've got to walk back to the office and after all that hard work you really need a cup of tea which means you have to pop* out to the corner shop for some milk because you've run out....  it all costs you know.  :)

*FCVO of "pop" allowing for new queueing** arrangements.

**Reminds me of old Soviet-era Polish joke.
What's 22 yards long and eats cabbage?  A meat queue.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 23 May, 2020, 07:04:37 am
No rain  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 23 May, 2020, 08:10:33 am
Quote from: ElyDave on 23 May, 2020, 07:04:37 am
No rain  >:(

Nope.  The clouds are there but the water's staying up.  The farmers must feel like Jean de Florette.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 23 May, 2020, 12:10:09 pm
I bought a “heavy duty, tailored fit” boot liner for my car. It was neither  >:(.  And I had to pay the return postage  >:( >:(.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 23 May, 2020, 01:53:46 pm
Quote from: T42 on 23 May, 2020, 08:10:33 am
Quote from: ElyDave on 23 May, 2020, 07:04:37 am
No rain  >:(

Nope.  The clouds are there but the water's staying up.  The farmers must feel like Jean de Florette.

Water isn't staying up any more. It's cold, too.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 23 May, 2020, 02:50:12 pm
Quote from: T42 on 23 May, 2020, 01:53:46 pm
Quote from: T42 on 23 May, 2020, 08:10:33 am
Quote from: ElyDave on 23 May, 2020, 07:04:37 am
No rain  >:(

Nope.  The clouds are there but the water's staying up.  The farmers must feel like Jean de Florette.

Water isn't staying up any more. It's cold, too.

you lucky sod, you. Stop taunting me.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 23 May, 2020, 04:07:14 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 23 May, 2020, 02:50:12 pm
Quote from: T42 on 23 May, 2020, 01:53:46 pm
Quote from: T42 on 23 May, 2020, 08:10:33 am
Quote from: ElyDave on 23 May, 2020, 07:04:37 am
No rain  >:(

Nope.  The clouds are there but the water's staying up.  The farmers must feel like Jean de Florette.

Water isn't staying up any more. It's cold, too.

you lucky sod, you. Stop taunting me.

It's ok, it's stopped.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 28 May, 2020, 05:31:28 pm
When I lead the panzers down Whitehall and install myself as Emperor of The Known Universe, one of my first decrees will be to ban electric scooters.

Or if someone can persuade me to be lenient, decree that anyone wishing to use one on My Highways can do so only if they are dressed in day-glo pink leotards and bunny slippers. :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 28 May, 2020, 10:30:50 pm
Can you hurry up please
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 28 May, 2020, 10:42:57 pm
No problems with a pink leotard but you’ll pry my Birkenstock’s from my warm damp feet..
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 28 May, 2020, 10:50:15 pm
I had to giveup on Birkenstocks, a) Jeremy corbyn and ii) they made my feet hurt. I admit I have weird feet.

Cue Ian, with his feet horror.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 29 May, 2020, 08:05:17 am
Aldi's milk bottles: pick them up by the neck and the top pops off. Pick them up by the top and you feel the bottle preparing to part company.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 29 May, 2020, 09:53:34 am
Ten terrible toes.

My nightmare is that I click the wrong button on the internet and my screen fills with an infinite number of foot fetish porn site windows.

Birkenstocks would do it too.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 29 May, 2020, 12:44:31 pm
I once uploaded a photo to Flickr.  The subject was my elegantly-besandalled feet in the sun-dappled waters of the infant Colorado.  Some creepy oddball foot weirdo noticed.  You can guess the rest.

(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 29 May, 2020, 04:28:44 pm
Quote from: spesh on 28 May, 2020, 05:31:28 pm
When I lead the panzers down Whitehall and install myself as Emperor of The Known Universe, one of my first decrees will be to ban electric scooters.

Or if someone can persuade me to be lenient, decree that anyone wishing to use one on My Highways can do so only if they are dressed in day-glo pink leotards and bunny slippers. :demon:


On a visit to Michigan last year Was in Ann Arbor. There they have a large student population, and electric scooters for hire, which are rideable on the sidewalks. You’d have loved it.

Meanwhile to my grumble. We have new neighbours, as of yesterday. The grandparents are over to “help”. He’s using a fucking garden vacuum, and has been for the last 20 minutes. Now, the neighbour the other side (we have a 3m wide garden) has got got his fucking strimmer out. I may have mentioned I hate fucking garden machinery.

ETA: An hour on and he’s still fucking vacuuming the patio. It’s almost as bad as the previous incumbent who spent 4 hours one sunny bank holiday pressure washing it! 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 30 May, 2020, 12:38:27 pm
I walked down to the shops yesterday in my Birkenstocks.......   I've now got blisters & raw flesh on the soles of my feet  :jurek:      I used to spend so much time barefoot in the dojo that they were like leather, but that was 20 years ago.  Ouch , ouch !
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 31 May, 2020, 01:20:23 pm
Fuck off pollen.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 31 May, 2020, 08:24:05 pm
It is being a bit of an arse this year
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 31 May, 2020, 09:01:42 pm
A fuck of pollen from here too. My affliction has almost vanished over the years, but Miss Dan the Elder is suffering.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 01 June, 2020, 09:02:03 am
Oh, how I wish people would train their dogs properly. Our new neighbour's two black labradors are generally peaceful enough, but show them a lead, and they bark the place down  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 01 June, 2020, 09:30:35 am
Quote from: ElyDave on 28 May, 2020, 10:50:15 pm
I had to giveup on Birkenstocks, a) Jeremy corbyn and ii) they made my feet hurt. I admit I have weird feet.

Cue Ian, with his feet horror.

Will you be giving up on Land Rover products as a certain Durham Deviant drives one?  😉
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 01 June, 2020, 09:37:25 am
Barky dogs in general, but worse the sort that charge the fence of the property as you walk by. On our regular Sunday perambulations, there's two places that let their dogs roam like this. They can't get through the fence (but you don't know this the first time), but the dogs are going crazy and they're not little dogs, they're giant, slathering hell beasts. As an adult, if you're not expecting them, it's a bit of a shock. But it must be terrifying for little kids.

I'm honestly befuddled why people think shit like that is OK.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 01 June, 2020, 09:46:59 am
Quote from: Polar Bear on 01 June, 2020, 09:30:35 am
Quote from: ElyDave on 28 May, 2020, 10:50:15 pm
I had to giveup on Birkenstocks, a) Jeremy corbyn and ii) they made my feet hurt. I admit I have weird feet.

Cue Ian, with his feet horror.

Will you be giving up on Land Rover products as a certain Durham Deviant drives one?  😉

I don't consider his to be a "real" Land Rover.

That said, finding one is proving diffiult at the moment. I may have to settle for a "comfy" LR (The Horror :o)  or soemthig like a Ford Ranger, which is really an Isuzu
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 01 June, 2020, 10:24:26 am
Quote from: ian on 01 June, 2020, 09:37:25 am
Barky dogs in general, but worse the sort that charge the fence of the property as you walk by. On our regular Sunday perambulations, there's two places that let their dogs roam like this. They can't get through the fence (but you don't know this the first time), but the dogs are going crazy and they're not little dogs, they're giant, slathering hell beasts. As an adult, if you're not expecting them, it's a bit of a shock. But it must be terrifying for little kids.

I'm honestly befuddled why people think shit like that is OK.

Sure, it can make you jump, but it's a dog's duty to defend its pack.  Ours only rarely bark, though, because when they're out so are we and they leave barking to the boss unless other dogs go by.  If a cat comes into the garden they're dead silent, but bloody hell they're fast. The cats always have too good a start, though.

People across the village from us have geese. Now they're surprising.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 01 June, 2020, 10:37:34 am
Quote from: ElyDave on 01 June, 2020, 09:46:59 am
Quote from: Polar Bear on 01 June, 2020, 09:30:35 am
Quote from: ElyDave on 28 May, 2020, 10:50:15 pm
I had to giveup on Birkenstocks, a) Jeremy corbyn and ii) they made my feet hurt. I admit I have weird feet.

Cue Ian, with his feet horror.

Will you be giving up on Land Rover products as a certain Durham Deviant drives one?  😉

I don't consider his to be a "real" Land Rover.

That said, finding one is proving diffiult at the moment. I may have to settle for a "comfy" LR (The Horror :o)  or soemthig like a Ford Ranger, which is really an Isuzu

Hmmm, I'm not sure that you can conveniently ignore that green oval badge.   ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 01 June, 2020, 10:44:05 am
Quote from: T42 on 01 June, 2020, 10:24:26 am
Quote from: ian on 01 June, 2020, 09:37:25 am
Barky dogs in general, but worse the sort that charge the fence of the property as you walk by. On our regular Sunday perambulations, there's two places that let their dogs roam like this. They can't get through the fence (but you don't know this the first time), but the dogs are going crazy and they're not little dogs, they're giant, slathering hell beasts. As an adult, if you're not expecting them, it's a bit of a shock. But it must be terrifying for little kids.

I'm honestly befuddled why people think shit like that is OK.

Sure, it can make you jump, but it's a dog's duty to defend its pack.  Ours only rarely bark, though, because when they're out so are we and they leave barking to the boss unless other dogs go by.  If a cat comes into the garden they're dead silent, but bloody hell they're fast. The cats always have too good a start, though.

People across the village from us have geese. Now they're surprising.

These are fences by regularly used public footpaths, plenty of families out walking. I think it's unacceptable, unless they really get their kicks from terrifying children. Either restrain or train them.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 01 June, 2020, 11:04:59 am
Quote from: ian on 01 June, 2020, 10:44:05 am
Quote from: T42 on 01 June, 2020, 10:24:26 am
Quote from: ian on 01 June, 2020, 09:37:25 am
Barky dogs in general, but worse the sort that charge the fence of the property as you walk by. On our regular Sunday perambulations, there's two places that let their dogs roam like this. They can't get through the fence (but you don't know this the first time), but the dogs are going crazy and they're not little dogs, they're giant, slathering hell beasts. As an adult, if you're not expecting them, it's a bit of a shock. But it must be terrifying for little kids.

I'm honestly befuddled why people think shit like that is OK.

Sure, it can make you jump, but it's a dog's duty to defend its pack.  Ours only rarely bark, though, because when they're out so are we and they leave barking to the boss unless other dogs go by.  If a cat comes into the garden they're dead silent, but bloody hell they're fast. The cats always have too good a start, though.

People across the village from us have geese. Now they're surprising.

These are fences by regularly used public footpaths, plenty of families out walking. I think it's unacceptable, unless they really get their kicks from terrifying children. Either restrain or train them.

Must be wearing for the owners, too.  They should keep them in unless they're out with them.

There's a 'fierce' dog up in the village that'd scare the life out of you first time you hear it, but quite often it brings a toy for you too and barks round it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Edd on 01 June, 2020, 05:43:22 pm
Neighbours been playing their crappy music outside all day while I'm 'WFH'. Must be on bluetooth as now it keeps cutting in an out, don't mind the cutting out bit, why does it have to cut in again??
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 01 June, 2020, 06:26:24 pm
Quote from: ian on 01 June, 2020, 09:37:25 am
Barky dogs in general, but worse the sort that charge the fence of the property as you walk by. On our regular Sunday perambulations, there's two places that let their dogs roam like this. They can't get through the fence (but you don't know this the first time), but the dogs are going crazy and they're not little dogs, they're giant, slathering hell beasts. As an adult, if you're not expecting them, it's a bit of a shock. But it must be terrifying for little kids.

I'm honestly befuddled why people think shit like that is OK.
Out riding in leafy Solihull one day, I rode past a woman walking a dog on a lead on the pavement on the other side of the suburban road. As I neared her the dog went crazy and was straining on its lead trying to get at me. It wasn't a small dog and if she'd been unable to control it, I'm not sure what damage it could have done me, but it wouldn't have been good. How anyone can have a dog like that and not do something about it baffles me. I was no threat to the dog and was a substantial distance away from it and its twatty owner.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 04 June, 2020, 02:27:10 pm
Blarst. Last year's shorts don't fit this year's lockdown gut.  I blame the guvvermint.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 08 June, 2020, 06:53:34 pm
I don't know if you people are aware of the BBC 1 program The Repair Shop.
I was wondering if they would be up for it if I rocked up with my entire house on a trailer.
 :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andytheflyer on 08 June, 2020, 07:32:45 pm
Quote from: Basil on 08 June, 2020, 06:53:34 pm
I don't know if you people are aware of the BBC 1 program The Repair Shop.

TRS has to be the best programme, ever.  Full stop. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 08 June, 2020, 08:03:06 pm
Quote from: andytheflyer on 08 June, 2020, 07:32:45 pm
Quote from: Basil on 08 June, 2020, 06:53:34 pm
I don't know if you people are aware of the BBC 1 program The Repair Shop.

TRS has to be the best programme, ever.  Full stop.

My favourite is the chap with two pairs of spectacles on his head.  He has every tool ever.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 09 June, 2020, 08:04:59 am
Quote from: Basil on 08 June, 2020, 08:03:06 pm
Quote from: andytheflyer on 08 June, 2020, 07:32:45 pm
Quote from: Basil on 08 June, 2020, 06:53:34 pm
I don't know if you people are aware of the BBC 1 program The Repair Shop.

TRS has to be the best programme, ever.  Full stop.

My favourite is the chap with two pairs of spectacles on his head.  He has every tool ever.

Don't want to brag - but we went to The Weald & Downland Museum last November and they were on-site filming the prog - all shut off from the museum but as we walked past the barn we did catch sight of Jay, Dom, Will & Steve as they went to the portable office/canteen units for a coffee.

Brilliant programme but perhaps a little too much on the heart-warming stories? - it's what it's about but slightly shorter time on the stories and perhaps one more item in each prog?

The other prog in the same vein is Something for Nothing (that's on in the afternoons) - some amazing up/re-cycling projects.

Rob
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 09 June, 2020, 01:59:09 pm
Gotta love the cunning bastards that concocted the French on-line tax return.  On page N you declare whatever salaries, pensions, etc. you've received throughout the previous year, and they've very helpfully filled it in for you with figures supplied by whoever paid you.  If you have any doubts to make known, they've supplied a text box on page N+m wherein you may state them.  Catch-21½:  if to do this you need to refer to your earlier entries and press the "previous" button to refer to them, you get a warning that you'll lose what you typed, and a little note tells you not to paste text into the box because doing so may make the bloody thing hang.

I would like to take the genius who thought that one up out to dinner, and sprinkle his/her/its/their plate with strychnine when nobody's looking.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 10 June, 2020, 09:45:06 pm
Holy shit, freezer bags from Ama3on. Double the price of everywhere else.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 11 June, 2020, 08:06:59 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 10 June, 2020, 09:45:06 pm
Holy shit, freezer bags from Ama3on. Double the price of everywhere else.

Our Aldi carries Albal ones with a double seal and an asymmetric opening, so that you don't have to squint and try to poke a fingernail into the top to pull them apart. Jeez, they've actually been thinking.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Giraffe on 11 June, 2020, 08:51:41 am
That's useful to know. Mine are the same but from Ikea - 4 bus rides and 3 hr. round trip! I was in Aldi on Tuesday evening and it was sparsely populated. Going in with a neighbour (yes, I know, but we're fairly, er, close...) is about an hour including shopping. Would have preferred Lidl but that car park was more occupied.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 11 June, 2020, 06:41:40 pm
CLANNGGG  SCRRRRRRRAPE

What the blazes is going on out there?

(Sticks gulliver out of window)

Scaffolding going up alongside #2, Larrington Gardens Road.  No peace around here for the next Several of months.

Bah!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 11 June, 2020, 07:05:15 pm
They were doing that round the corner from here.  Silly Oak is back in business.

I expect the burglar alarm will be going off ...nowish.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 11 June, 2020, 07:13:22 pm
Scaffolding went up next door the weekend of AUK Reunion, mid November last year. Building stopped for Christmas/New Year, then waiting for windows in January, then lockdown. Seemed to resume last week but has stopped again now.

Neighbours have been living across the road but have just called in to say they were burgled last night.

We are waiting for the work to be completed and for their builders to clear their crap from our side passage.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 11 June, 2020, 07:25:05 pm
Outdoor building work didn't seem to stop round here for lockdown.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 12 June, 2020, 10:34:06 am
Fortunately the final act of the rufty-tufty hairy-arsed scaffolders was to hang up a sign with the word "Render*" written on it in large friendly letters so there won't be hordes of hammer-wielding Visigoths disturbing the Queen's Peace, or even mine.

Lockdown didn't prevent the completion of the soundproof Sheds at Schloß von Brandenburg, on the grounds that the building materials stored inside the Schloß itself presented a hazard to life and limb every time someone had to open the door for the cat.

* among others
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 12 June, 2020, 11:54:37 am
Render unto Plasterer that which is Plastered.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Paul on 12 June, 2020, 11:04:20 pm
Are you sure it doesn’t say ‘Bender’?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 13 June, 2020, 09:36:09 pm
Lost tools, where do they go?

Large flathead screwdriver
Largish Phillips screwdriver
10mm spanner.

(I reckon that Pingu eats them, but that's between you & me)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 13 June, 2020, 10:26:41 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 13 June, 2020, 09:36:09 pm
Lost tools, where do they go?

Large flathead screwdriver
Largish Phillips screwdriver
10mm spanner.

(I reckon that Pingu eats them, but that's between you & me)
Blodwyn Pig has got them-
https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=53164.msg1076123#msg1076123
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 14 June, 2020, 07:50:21 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 13 June, 2020, 09:36:09 pm
Lost tools, where do they go?

Large flathead screwdriver
Largish Phillips screwdriver
10mm spanner.

(I reckon that Pingu eats them, but that's between you & me)

I know where the Inlaw Paw's 25cm steel rule is: I inadvertently boxed it inside a window-frame, 30 years ago.   :-[
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 14 June, 2020, 09:00:29 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 13 June, 2020, 09:36:09 pm
Lost tools, where do they go?

Large flathead screwdriver
Largish Phillips screwdriver
10mm spanner.

(I reckon that Pingu eats them, but that's between you & me)

Prisoner at the bar; you stand accused of nomming screwdrivers.  How do you plead?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 14 June, 2020, 09:03:18 am
Quote from: T42 on 14 June, 2020, 07:50:21 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 13 June, 2020, 09:36:09 pm
Lost tools, where do they go?

Large flathead screwdriver
Largish Phillips screwdriver
10mm spanner.

(I reckon that Pingu eats them, but that's between you & me)

I know where the Inlaw Paw's 25cm steel rule is: I inadvertently boxed it inside a window-frame, 30 years ago.   :-[

Do you still have the window frame? Just need to wait for the next refurb
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: orienteer on 14 June, 2020, 09:47:20 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 14 June, 2020, 09:00:29 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 13 June, 2020, 09:36:09 pm
Lost tools, where do they go?

Large flathead screwdriver
Largish Phillips screwdriver
10mm spanner.

(I reckon that Pingu eats them, but that's between you & me)

Prisoner at the bar; you stand accused of nomming screwdrivers.  How do you plead?

With difficulty your Honour.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 14 June, 2020, 09:58:31 am
Quote from: ElyDave on 14 June, 2020, 09:03:18 am
Quote from: T42 on 14 June, 2020, 07:50:21 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 13 June, 2020, 09:36:09 pm
Lost tools, where do they go?

Large flathead screwdriver
Largish Phillips screwdriver
10mm spanner.

(I reckon that Pingu eats them, but that's between you & me)

I know where the Inlaw Paw's 25cm steel rule is: I inadvertently boxed it inside a window-frame, 30 years ago.   :-[

Do you still have the window frame? Just need to wait for the next refurb

Not going to happen.  It wasn't so much the window itself as the surround, which is part & parcel of my built-in 7-metre bookcase.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 14 June, 2020, 11:10:38 am
Quote from: T42 on 14 June, 2020, 09:58:31 am
Quote from: ElyDave on 14 June, 2020, 09:03:18 am
Quote from: T42 on 14 June, 2020, 07:50:21 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 13 June, 2020, 09:36:09 pm
Lost tools, where do they go?

Large flathead screwdriver
Largish Phillips screwdriver
10mm spanner.

(I reckon that Pingu eats them, but that's between you & me)

I know where the Inlaw Paw's 25cm steel rule is: I inadvertently boxed it inside a window-frame, 30 years ago.   :-[

Do you still have the window frame? Just need to wait for the next refurb

Not going to happen.  It wasn't so much the window itself as the surround, which is part & parcel of my built-in 7-metre bookcase.

I have a wooden carpentry mallet that was retrieved when we moved a few months ago and took out the bookcases behind which it had lived for 20 years (my father-in-law had dropped it into the void in a corner)  ... it had dried out and had to be soaked for the head to fit the tapered shaft.   I now have 2 mallets in my toolbox!

Rob
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 15 June, 2020, 11:11:15 am
Why do all the kids bikes have suspension! Looking for a bike for the beastie and although I managed to gee her big sister a non rubbish non isla/frog bike without front suspension all the ones I can see and or afford have suspension which just adds to the already excesive weight.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 15 June, 2020, 12:30:29 pm
I second that grumble!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 15 June, 2020, 12:34:05 pm
This is probably why when you specifically instruct non-cyclist parents that suspension that doesn't cost hundreds of pounds just makes the bike heavier for no benefit, they go and buy one with it anyway.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 15 June, 2020, 12:37:07 pm
I dunno, I did 100km plus of Londons finest roads on a very rigid hybrid the other weekend, and my wrists and hands would have thanked anyone for a kilo or two of front-fork suspension.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 15 June, 2020, 12:59:07 pm
It probably also makes it look cooler but thankfully my girls have so far loved cycling so happy to be on a bike that aids there cycling.... Although if they didnt weight about elevntyhundred pounds id get them both the ones that look like moto Cross bikes
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 15 June, 2020, 01:33:38 pm
Quote from: Johnny Faro on 15 June, 2020, 11:11:15 am
Why do all the kids bikes have suspension! Looking for a bike for the beastie and although I managed to gee her big sister a non rubbish non isla/frog bike without front suspension all the ones I can see and or afford have suspension which just adds to the already excesive weight.

Back when our club had a cycling school the kids mostly turned up on 16kg full-sus supermarket BSOs.  Imagine a poor wee 8-year-old trying to get one of those up a muddy hill in the forest.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Paul on 15 June, 2020, 03:50:59 pm
Quote from: Johnny Faro on 15 June, 2020, 11:11:15 am
Why do all the kids bikes have suspension! Looking for a bike for the beastie and although I managed to gee her big sister a non rubbish non isla/frog bike without front suspension all the ones I can see and or afford have suspension which just adds to the already excesive weight.
What size are you after? I have a 20 or 24” wheeled ridgeback that’s ready for passing on. Probably a “girl’s” bike, but not ostentatiously so; Dylan was happy to ride it for a couple of years (though he wouldn’t have been overly bothered about the intended sex of the rider). It’s a lovely purple, 24 gears, mudguards. 
Drop me a pm if interested.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 15 June, 2020, 05:12:22 pm
Jesus wept!  Just relaxing with a cuppa after a strenuous dog-wrestling session (vet's vaccination visit) and the knuckle-dragger across the road starts up a 100 dB strimmer.  I hope his goldfish die.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 15 June, 2020, 05:55:11 pm
Came back on Saturday evening – post-hike. Still enough lingering warmth to enjoy a beer on the patio or balcony.

Or rather, inhale the fumes from someone's bonfire that had cloaked the entire neighbourhood with acrid smoke. So instead we had to retreat indoors and close the windows.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 16 June, 2020, 06:28:58 am
Paul I'm after a 20" wheel bike. Can you send me some details please
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: arabella on 16 June, 2020, 10:50:39 am
^  sounds like you are sorted, otherwise Argos does a 20" Elswick sans suspension (I still have my 24" wheel Elswick, lovely bike)
Or there's Puky but a bit pricier.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 16 June, 2020, 11:25:15 am
I saw a puky on ebay and was sorely tempted but at £170 our of budget unfortunately
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 16 June, 2020, 10:16:58 pm
Made the mistake of posting some well meaning advice on a post in a Faceache lost & found pet group.
Won't be doing that again.
Why are some people such arseholes?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 16 June, 2020, 10:46:01 pm
Cos Social Media.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 17 June, 2020, 12:35:01 pm
Trying to record a video all morning. First attempt, phone call half-way. Silence phone. Second attempt, phone call on landline. Third attempt, Alexa offers impromptu un-help (mute microphone). Fourth attempt, ding dong goes the courier at the door. Ding dong again. Unplug doorbell. Fifth attempt, ominous soundtrack of thunder. Wait for it to go. Sixth attempt, goes perfectly, finally it's a wrap.

Except, when I minimize the full screen there's an error-reporter telling me the recording app had crashed.

Yeah, I could edit the audio, but for a 10-minute spiel that ought to be more effort than it's worth. Ought.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 18 June, 2020, 03:40:59 pm
1. It's 20 to 4 and I'm still waiting for the document you were supposed to have finished at 12.
2. The thing that makes this worthy of a rant, if ICBA; while waiting, obviously, I made a cup of tea. And the tea bag burst. GAAAAAAH!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 18 June, 2020, 04:41:17 pm
The document has arrived, over four and a half hours late. And it's written in US English when UK English was specifically asked for.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Clare on 18 June, 2020, 04:43:23 pm
Send it back covered in red pen and tea stains.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 18 June, 2020, 05:24:26 pm
I send everything back like that! The great thing about electronic tea stains is they don't show.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Clare on 18 June, 2020, 05:31:03 pm
Adobe must have a tea option somewhere in its Creative thingy.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 18 June, 2020, 07:33:59 pm
90 minutes of IT "helpdesk" starting at 5pm, downloaded all the drivers that were already up to date and achieved nothing, before I diplomatically pointed out the time and suggested they try round two tomorrow

I still can't read an adobe acrobat doc without zooming to about 150%, everything is just blurry otherwise
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 18 June, 2020, 09:10:00 pm
Quote from: Clare on 18 June, 2020, 05:31:03 pm
Adobe must have a tea option somewhere in its Creative thingy.
It does but it'll leak your bank account number.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 19 June, 2020, 03:15:46 pm
I'll need three tea stains today in some sort of quantum interposition. Document in three sequential, chronological parts: first they send the second part, which is called Part 4; then the first part, which they've called Part 2; and finally the third part, which they've called Part 1.   ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 23 June, 2020, 03:20:54 pm
Some monosyllable in the neighbourhood is using some kind of machine that emits a high-pitched whistle.  They're been at it for around 3 hours now.  It even gets through the headphones and whatever music I'm playing.  Just about climbing the walls. >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: aidan.f on 23 June, 2020, 06:42:29 pm
Car went into main dealer for a clutch cylinder  recall. A few days later on the motorway I hear a flapping sound. Pull into services and sure enough the undertray is hanging loose. 30 mins of grovelling installing cable ties to hold it up. Another 40 today to reinstall set screws and repair consequential damage. I'm wondering what to say to the incompetent fools. Before you ask it was going to take longer to return it to them to fix Plus would not have trusted them to carry out a repair.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Deano on 23 June, 2020, 09:39:55 pm
Upstairs neighbour has his girlfriend round (this is not the grumble).

She's a slight little thing, but fuck me, she has a tread like a little hippo. Stompy-stomp around the flat.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 23 June, 2020, 11:22:52 pm
Quote from: Deano on 23 June, 2020, 09:39:55 pm
Upstairs neighbour has his girlfriend round (this is not the grumble).

She's a slight little thing, but fuck me, she has a tread like a little hippo. Stompy-stomp around the flat.

The first time I met barakta's mum (the first time she'd introduced a same-sex partner, so inherently awkward), she decided that we both stomp on the stairs the same way, so I must be okay.

We do endeavour not to be anyone's upstairs neighbour, thobut.  While I can make active effort to walk like a physioterrorist, barakta's almost incapable of being quiet (and tends to knock things over if she tries).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 24 June, 2020, 08:15:16 am
Just an observation.  I have met few women who are light on their feet (my late mother being one of them) and observe that I don't hear the approach of men by footfall nearly as much as I do women.

Perhaps evolution had the hunter gatherers stealthily stalking their prey whilst the cave makers were busy being very very busy and by nature scaring off predators.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 24 June, 2020, 08:18:41 am
Sounds like my son - comes down on his heels when he walks.  Funny thing is that he used to do aikido, and can fall on the floor and roll back onto his feet almost silently.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 24 June, 2020, 08:54:06 am
Damn it. The lawn mower won’t start. I wanted to get the grass cut before it gets too hot but now I’m going to have to rummage for a plug socket that will fit the oddly sized plug. Bugger.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 24 June, 2020, 11:23:22 am
Quote from: Polar Bear on 24 June, 2020, 08:15:16 am
Just an observation.  I have met few women who are light on their feet (my late mother being one of them) and observe that I don't hear the approach of men by footfall nearly as much as I do women.

Perhaps evolution had the hunter gatherers stealthily stalking their prey whilst the cave makers were busy being very very busy and by nature scaring off predators.

I am accused of creeping up on people in the house! I habitually go barefoot (bearfoot?) and blame my "stealth feet"  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Deano on 24 June, 2020, 01:05:04 pm
Quote from: Polar Bear on 24 June, 2020, 08:15:16 am
Just an observation.  I have met few women who are light on their feet (my late mother being one of them) and observe that I don't hear the approach of men by footfall nearly as much as I do women.

Perhaps evolution had the hunter gatherers stealthily stalking their prey whilst the cave makers were busy being very very busy and by nature scaring off predators.

It is noticeable at work, on a Mezzanine floor but some of that is down to wearing heels.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 24 June, 2020, 01:13:09 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 24 June, 2020, 11:23:22 am
Quote from: Polar Bear on 24 June, 2020, 08:15:16 am
Just an observation.  I have met few women who are light on their feet (my late mother being one of them) and observe that I don't hear the approach of men by footfall nearly as much as I do women.

Perhaps evolution had the hunter gatherers stealthily stalking their prey whilst the cave makers were busy being very very busy and by nature scaring off predators.

I am accused of creeping up on people in the house! I habitually go barefoot (bearfoot?) and blame my "stealth feet"  ;D

I.e. normal feet: come down on the ball of the foot first according to the design spec and you get the extra shock absorption afforded by the ankle/calf subsystem.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 24 June, 2020, 03:15:59 pm
Design spec?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 24 June, 2020, 06:26:37 pm
We weren't affected by any of the bog roll/flour/pasta shortages.  Our local convenience store and our (not very) supermarket always had stock.  However today we went to our local garden centre for compost but were restricted to three bags. (We need a lot more).
The owner said it was something to do with a shortage of the plastic sacks which are made in Spain.   ???
Our suggestion that as we were two customers, we could have six bags got us nowhere.
So, lots of driving to Newcastle Emlyn, Aber Teifi and maybe even Lampeter tomorrow.   :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 24 June, 2020, 06:35:33 pm
We've had some compost delivered by our milkandmore milkman, but that was limited to a single 40 litre bag.
David sas the compost is rather stringy this year and the seedlings haven't done very well.

meddyg's post reminds me of of childhood holidays in our neighbour's holiday home. This was near Dinas Cross.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 24 June, 2020, 07:58:40 pm
my germination has been very patchy this year, but it's definitely not the compost, I've got a seed tray with two rows each of cosmos and marigold.  The cosmos are going great guns, the marigolds have 0% germination
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 25 June, 2020, 10:20:17 pm
People are letting off fireworks, beeping their car horns, shouting, singing & generally being antisocial twats.  Something to do with sportsball I believe..... >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 26 June, 2020, 10:13:57 am
Quote from: Polar Bear on 24 June, 2020, 03:15:59 pm
Design spec?

A.k.a. evolution
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 26 June, 2020, 11:43:04 am
Bah, grinding all morning from up the road. And the moment they take a brief break, the hyper-loud woman from the house with the Famous Levitating Tent talking to her dogs. Honestly, it's two gardens away from the bottom of ours, and she's so loud she could be standing in our garden. And she's talking in that stupid baby-voice that idiots use with their dogs, which makes it even more annoying. I'd like to introduce her to power tools.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 26 June, 2020, 12:26:32 pm
How many BT Business Broadband routers does a man need??  BT's amazing system is beyond belief . ..

September 2019 - renegotiated our BB contract - no changes other than cheaper, seamless transfer to the BT Hub and 4G Assure dongle supplied at the previous new contract in 2016.      A new BB router and 4G Assure dongle appeared. 

February 2020 - moved house and moved the phone line etc (same number) - admin cocked up by BT but sorted with a temporary solution.  A new BB router and 4G Assure dongle appeared. 

April 2020 - temporary soluton modified (with engineer not able to enter the buidling) - working a bit better.  A new BB router and 4G Assure dongle appeared. 

June 2020 - final solution sorted with a new 24 month contract at reduced cost and some freebies + 3 months free for compensation  :thumbsup:   . . . and guess what happened today?    A new BB router and 4G Assure dongle appeared. 

Our BT contact suggested that we keep at least one as a "spare" in case of failure.

They say that you can send the routers back . . .. but the system doesn't tell you where.   
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 27 June, 2020, 04:48:03 pm
Had to shut all the windows, losing the cooling breeze, after I ran out of tolerance of the screaming sprogs running up and down the street outside.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 27 June, 2020, 05:12:04 pm
I miss the screaming sprogs.  We've got wanker drivers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 27 June, 2020, 05:17:35 pm
Quote from: ian on 26 June, 2020, 11:43:04 am
And she's talking in that stupid baby-voice that idiots use with their dogs, which makes it even more annoying. I'd like to introduce her to power tools.

Yeah, what is it with that? Out new neighbours 17 year old daughter is forever saying “gooood booooy, goood girrrrl” to their two black labs. Oh, and saying “quite” without training the dogs in the appropriate response is never going to work. Luckily it’s only when they know they’re being taken for a walk that they they bark.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 27 June, 2020, 08:43:56 pm
Emptied the recycling box into the green bin.  Wind picked up.  Empty cans everywhere.  RTHA builders working on house opposite amused.  Bah!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 27 June, 2020, 09:13:39 pm
Quote from: Kim on 27 June, 2020, 05:12:04 pm
I miss the screaming sprogs.  We've got wanker drivers.

We live in a cul-de-sac, thankfully
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 28 June, 2020, 11:03:48 am
It’s not often I feel disgruntled with Amazon, but today I do. I ordered an impact wrench, ostensibly from a company in Aberdeen, but “fulfilled by Amazon”. It should be arriving today, but I’ve had no notification. Despite two other items being “out for delivery” it still says “dispatched”. So I look further - oh, “Undeliverable. A problem occurred during delivery and the package has been returned to Amazon. A refund will be issued in 5-7 business days once the return has been processed”. Bah. The seller is still on Amazon, and advertising that there are 10 of these still available, why can’t they just send another??  And it’s not MY fault it can’t be delivered, so why can’t I have my money back now. When I looked at the detail tracking, it actually came from Germany, via East Midlands. Then at 09:55 this morning it was at Amazon Bardon Hill (Coalville)  “loading”. At 11:24 it was “returned to Amazon”.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 28 June, 2020, 11:35:31 am
Quote from: rafletcher on 28 June, 2020, 11:03:48 am
It’s not often I feel disgruntled with Amazon, but today I do. I ordered an impact wrench, ostensibly from a company in Aberdeen, but “fulfilled by Amazon”. It should be arriving today, but I’ve had no notification. Despite two other items being “out for delivery” it still says “dispatched”. So I look further - oh, “Undeliverable. A problem occurred during delivery and the package has been returned to Amazon. A refund will be issued in 5-7 business days once the return has been processed”. Bah. The seller is still on Amazon, and advertising that there are 10 of these still available, why can’t they just send another??  And it’s not MY fault it can’t be delivered, so why can’t I have my money back now. When I looked at the detail tracking, it actually came from Germany, via East Midlands. Then at 09:55 this morning it was at Amazon Bardon Hill (Coalville)  “loading”. At 11:24 it was “returned to Amazon”.

.... I've been tricked by Amazon a couple of times when they say an item is "fulfilled by Amazon" but mysteriously appears about 6 weeks later from China.   

And don't get me started about ebay sellers with "UK stock" - they seem to be liars to a man - even when there's a UK legit-looking business address the package arrives from China (with a very few exceptions where items are actually in the UK and just posted out from a logistics provider)

On recommendation from a friend I've bought a few bits and pieces from Aliexpress - OK it's sloooooow but so far goods have been OK and good value (the tracking info is interesting ..... I didn't know that there were flights of 3 weeks duration - longest I've done is 17 hours  ;D)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 29 June, 2020, 09:45:05 am
Another bloody tetragrammaton whacking weeds within ear-splitting earshot.  I swear the bastards take it in turn.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 29 June, 2020, 09:57:52 am
Quote from: rafletcher on 27 June, 2020, 05:17:35 pm
Quote from: ian on 26 June, 2020, 11:43:04 am
And she's talking in that stupid baby-voice that idiots use with their dogs, which makes it even more annoying. I'd like to introduce her to power tools.

Yeah, what is it with that? Out new neighbours 17 year old daughter is forever saying “gooood booooy, goood girrrrl” to their two black labs. Oh, and saying “quite” without training the dogs in the appropriate response is never going to work. Luckily it’s only when they know they’re being taken for a walk that they they bark.

There's an entire family of them, honestly, they're all loud (I figure they must be over 100 m away, I can't see them, just hear them), and every time they're out, it's constantly that. The only purpose seems to be to make their dogs bark back. They're the same ones as the Famous Levitating Tent and the giant decking structure that climbs halfway up their garden (and they spend about six hours a day sweeping or hitting with a hammer).

Honestly, Friday was a nightmare. The house that's building a giant underground evil HQ must have had about fifty deliveries of yet more building materials (cue lorries frantically grinding down through their gears as they pass our house, than the constant beep beep beep as they reverse up the lane behind us), there's another house around the corner that seems to be disposing of their entire back garden, someone else was grinding all the paint off the front of his house, and half the valley seemed to be strimming or lawn mowing.

One of the benefits of going to the office in central London is that it's quieter.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 29 June, 2020, 05:18:10 pm
And it's time for the weekly bonfire. It can't not be possible for anyone who lives here to have noticed that upon lighting a smoky bonfire, it simply fills the surrounding valley with a pall of acrid smoke, that even on windy days just lingers, fills houses and gives everyone scratchy eyes. It must be awful for anyone with a respiratory complaint.

I suppose they waited until the heat had subsided so it's possible to close windows. But really, people, just stop being dicks. If you've got garden waste or whatever, pay to dispose of it properly.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nicknack on 29 June, 2020, 05:45:57 pm
If your area is anything like ours then I'm not surprised about the proliferation of bonfires. I usually take our garden rubbish to the local tip. At the moment it is only open for emergencies (although I can't imagine what an emergency tipping situation might be) and you have to book a timed slot. I don't think I can justify getting rid of garden waste as an emergency so we have an increasing number of bags piling up in the yard. I guess others just burn it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 29 June, 2020, 05:49:03 pm
Quote from: nicknack on 29 June, 2020, 05:45:57 pm
although I can't imagine what an emergency tipping situation might be

Something that you can't safely store until this is over.  Eg. because it's hazardous waste, will rot, or pose a fire hazard.

We currently have a king-sized mattress propped vertically against the wall in our living room.  (Also, several bags of WEEE, mostly a result of the tidy-up I did towards the beginning of the lockdown).  I can't take it to the tip until Veolia come up with a policy on booking slots for vehicles without a registration number, but even if they did, it's not an emergency.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 29 June, 2020, 05:55:43 pm
Just paint your own number plate... K1MG33K for instance.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 29 June, 2020, 05:58:06 pm
It did occur to me that I could pick one up from a nearby verge...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 29 June, 2020, 06:05:06 pm
"Our" tip is at Pity Me, and boy, I do pity them.

When they first re-opened they put signs up, made the road one way. The signs said "queue from here is 2 hours" and horrifyingly "queue from here 3 hours"

WTF will wait in their vehicle for THREE HOURS to dispose of non-collection household waste???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SteveC on 29 June, 2020, 06:19:04 pm
Our tip is now (apparently) fully open, which is good news as I have quite a lot of hardcore to dispose of.
When it first reopened, they were only taking garden waste and landfill, and they were alternating which days you could go, depending on your car registration number. There was a no pedestrian or cycle access sign up. They had to get a temporary one way system in the streets around the entrance and the queues were still hours long. We waited until the Wednesday of the second week and barely had to queue. By week four the place was nearly empty.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 29 June, 2020, 06:22:31 pm
I've got a set of number plates you can use, Kim.  They bear the hallmarks of a garage in Farnborough and are supposed to be attached to a black Peugeot 308, so what they were doing wedged between one of my wheelie bins and the wall of the Sheds is a mystery.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 29 June, 2020, 06:28:05 pm
Quote from: fboab on 29 June, 2020, 06:05:06 pm
WTF will wait in their vehicle for THREE HOURS to dispose of non-collection household waste???

Half of Birmingham, it seems.  Apart from the ones who get fed up halfway and do a U-turn into the path of an oncoming cyclist, obviously.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 29 June, 2020, 07:23:40 pm
Quote from: nicknack on 29 June, 2020, 05:45:57 pm
If your area is anything like ours then I'm not surprised about the proliferation of bonfires. I usually take our garden rubbish to the local tip. At the moment it is only open for emergencies (although I can't imagine what an emergency tipping situation might be) and you have to book a timed slot. I don't think I can justify getting rid of garden waste as an emergency so we have an increasing number of bags piling up in the yard. I guess others just burn it.

Our green waste collections have continued (when the lorry can get up the street, they never did sort out rear-wheel steering), but it's £52/year, so cheaper to just set fire to stuff. Plus Surrey and district council seem to be in perpetual battle, Surrey close the refuse centres (or restrict hours) and then the district council have to clear up the increase in fly-tipping, which of course, costs more than keeping the refuse centres open.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Davef on 29 June, 2020, 09:44:19 pm
Quote from: SteveC on 29 June, 2020, 06:19:04 pm
Our tip is now (apparently) fully open, which is good news as I have quite a lot of hardcore to dispose of.
Can’t you just burn it like my mum did when she found mine when I was a teenager.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 29 June, 2020, 10:12:34 pm
Quote from: Davef on 29 June, 2020, 09:44:19 pm
Quote from: SteveC on 29 June, 2020, 06:19:04 pm
Our tip is now (apparently) fully open, which is good news as I have quite a lot of hardcore to dispose of.
Can’t you just burn it like my mum did when she found mine when I was a teenager.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

And we are back to post 16 in this thread.  ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 29 June, 2020, 10:19:45 pm
The fact that people will queue for 3 hours to dispose of rubbish is both rubbish (haven't these people got lives? wot, not even to the extent of a 2a.m. Fenland audax?) and incredibly encouraging (because soe people are not flytipping).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 29 June, 2020, 10:33:54 pm
Lewisham have foresight to have unstaffed recycling centres (enclosed, chute accessed - to exclude oversized items - skips) strategically placed around the borough for smaller items.
Other than builders waste, you can re-cycle smaller WEEE items (kettles not fridge-freezers), clothing/footwear, and all the usual glass/paper/cardboard/plastics.
I recently fed my dead kettle to the hungry black Dalek on Sydenham Road.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 30 June, 2020, 07:46:23 am
Around here all but one of the local-ish tips are open - but by appointment ..... you get a ticket on EventBrite, with your vehicle reg, and are issue with a timed slot of 15 minutes.   I've not used it but several neighbours have and say it works perfectly at the large site in Stratford-upon-Avon.

On the other hand my brother-in-law queued for 2 hours at a Brum tip ... why? - he has a very large garden and could have stored the stuff.

Rob
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 30 June, 2020, 07:59:07 am
It is frustrating that local tips are increasing only open to people with vehicles.  Seems unreasonable to me.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: diapsaon0 on 30 June, 2020, 09:03:57 am
I took a load to our local tip on my Carry Freedom a few weeks ago.  The staff were somewhat intrigued that I took a car load of garden rubbish - too big for the car boot - on a bike!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 30 June, 2020, 10:16:22 am
Quote from: Polar Bear on 30 June, 2020, 07:59:07 am
It is frustrating that local tips are increasing only open to people with vehicles.  Seems unreasonable to me.

There are parallels* with McDonalds only serving cars/vans at the drive ins . . . .

* that's the process not the product . . . although there are similarities  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 30 June, 2020, 10:29:51 am
McDonalds, KFC etc are commercial enterprises and can choose their customers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 30 June, 2020, 10:31:17 am
McD's also provide seating alternatives and I'm not paying directly for them as part of my Council Tax.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 30 June, 2020, 10:49:39 am
No mackerel on the fish van this morning.   :(
Apparently the sea was too rough last night and boats didn't put out from New Quay.
Bugger. I was looking forward to that.

The closest thing I can think of is macaroni cheese.  ;D  So I'd better get some more milk.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 30 June, 2020, 11:43:38 am
Quote from: Basil on 30 June, 2020, 10:49:39 am
No mackerel on the fish van this morning.   :(
Apparently the sea was too rough last night and boats didn't put out from New Quay.
Bugger. I was looking forward to that.

The closest thing I can think of is macaroni cheese.  ;D  So I'd better get some more milk.
Just remember what hapened last time you went out for a pint of milk.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 30 June, 2020, 11:47:25 am
Quote from: Tim Hall on 30 June, 2020, 11:43:38 am
Quote from: Basil on 30 June, 2020, 10:49:39 am
No mackerel on the fish van this morning.   :(
Apparently the sea was too rough last night and boats didn't put out from New Quay.
Bugger. I was looking forward to that.

The closest thing I can think of is macaroni cheese.  ;D  So I'd better get some more milk.
Just remember what hapened last time you went out for a pint of milk.

 ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 30 June, 2020, 12:49:18 pm
Quote from: Polar Bear on 30 June, 2020, 07:59:07 am
It is frustrating that local tips are increasing only open to people with vehicles.  Seems unreasonable to me.

I see the logic for not accepting pedestrians: It's to stop the motorists getting out and queue-jumping on foot (often with fuddish parking).

I've never had a problem (other than disbelief) arriving by bike; I just queue with the cars.  But they've now imposed a booking system that wants a registration number, so I contacted them to ask what to do.  So far, no reply.

I note that CrinklyLion's tip has a dedicated cyclists' entrance....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 30 June, 2020, 12:57:19 pm
Couldn't you just invent a number and explain when you get there? I don't suppose they're checking them on DVLA or anything.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 30 June, 2020, 12:59:18 pm
Possibly.  But I'm not actually going there, because there's a pandemic.  I was mostly trolling them for being overly car-centric.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 30 June, 2020, 01:22:48 pm
Power off. Power on. Power off. Power on. Power off. Power on. Etc.

Fix it, UK Power Networks! This is the second week, something blew up, there's a big power generator perched on a nearby road and a bored chap in a car who's evidently guarding it for some reason (it's the size of a truck, I don't think someone is going to wander off with it). It usually waits just long enough for the computers and internet come back up (it takes about forever for the BT hub to reconnect) and for me to do enough work that my finger hovers over of the save button, befo
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 30 June, 2020, 01:34:41 pm
Quote from: ian on 30 June, 2020, 01:22:48 pm
Power off. Power on. Power off. Power on. Power off. Power on. Etc.

Fix it, UK Power Networks! This is the second week, something blew up, there's a big power generator perched on a nearby road and a bored chap in a car who's evidently guarding it for some reason (it's the size of a truck, I don't think someone is going to wander off with it). It usually waits just long enough for the computers and internet come back up (it takes about forever for the BT hub to reconnect) and for me to do enough work that my finger hovers over of the save button, befo

Huh. My lunchtime coffee has tasted like essence of underpants for the last few days. I realized this morning that the dosage had been reset when the power went the other day.  Then I remembered that the washing machine drops the soap dose back to zero when the juice goes, and we had a wash in. :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 30 June, 2020, 01:36:03 pm
Quote from: Kim on 30 June, 2020, 12:49:18 pm
Quote from: Polar Bear on 30 June, 2020, 07:59:07 am
It is frustrating that local tips are increasing only open to people with vehicles.  Seems unreasonable to me.

I see the logic for not accepting pedestrians: It's to stop the motorists getting out and queue-jumping on foot (often with fuddish parking).

I've never had a problem (other than disbelief) arriving by bike; I just queue with the cars.  But they've now imposed a booking system that wants a registration number, so I contacted them to ask what to do.  So far, no reply.

I note that CrinklyLion's tip has a dedicated cyclists' entrance....

Our local is strictly cars and vans only.  No bicycles and no pads in spite of the fact that it is accessible by cyclists and pedestrians.

It's rubbish!!!    😉
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 30 June, 2020, 02:49:40 pm
Quote from: Polar Bear on 30 June, 2020, 01:36:03 pm
Quote from: Kim on 30 June, 2020, 12:49:18 pm
Quote from: Polar Bear on 30 June, 2020, 07:59:07 am
It is frustrating that local tips are increasing only open to people with vehicles.  Seems unreasonable to me.

I see the logic for not accepting pedestrians: It's to stop the motorists getting out and queue-jumping on foot (often with fuddish parking).

I've never had a problem (other than disbelief) arriving by bike; I just queue with the cars.  But they've now imposed a booking system that wants a registration number, so I contacted them to ask what to do.  So far, no reply.

I note that CrinklyLion's tip has a dedicated cyclists' entrance....

Our local is strictly cars and vans only.  No bicycles and no pads in spite of the fact that it is accessible by cyclists and pedestrians.

It's rubbish!!!    😉

You can go on roller skates to ours if you want to, as long as you've got the chipped card that lets you in.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 30 June, 2020, 03:00:03 pm
Quote from: Polar Bear on 30 June, 2020, 01:36:03 pm
Quote from: Kim on 30 June, 2020, 12:49:18 pm
Quote from: Polar Bear on 30 June, 2020, 07:59:07 am
It is frustrating that local tips are increasing only open to people with vehicles.  Seems unreasonable to me.

I see the logic for not accepting pedestrians: It's to stop the motorists getting out and queue-jumping on foot (often with fuddish parking).

I've never had a problem (other than disbelief) arriving by bike; I just queue with the cars.  But they've now imposed a booking system that wants a registration number, so I contacted them to ask what to do.  So far, no reply.

I note that CrinklyLion's tip has a dedicated cyclists' entrance....

Our local is strictly cars and vans only.  No bicycles and no pads in spite of the fact that it is accessible by cyclists and pedestrians.

It's rubbish!!!    😉

I'd love to challenge that under the Equality Act, but so much fight, not enough time/spoons/capacity + the law is a massive ASS.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 30 June, 2020, 03:49:04 pm
Quote from: Kim on 30 June, 2020, 12:49:18 pm
Quote from: Polar Bear on 30 June, 2020, 07:59:07 am
It is frustrating that local tips are increasing only open to people with vehicles.  Seems unreasonable to me.

I see the logic for not accepting pedestrians: It's to stop the motorists getting out and queue-jumping on foot (often with fuddish parking).

I've never had a problem (other than disbelief) arriving by bike; I just queue with the cars.  But they've now imposed a booking system that wants a registration number, so I contacted them to ask what to do.  So far, no reply.

I note that CrinklyLion's tip has a dedicated cyclists' entrance....

I've taken a very large trailer load to the 'dedicated cyclist's bit'. It isn't an entrance, it is a special compound with some wheelie bins. I filled them in one trip :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 01 July, 2020, 04:13:00 pm
Bah.  I have just discovered that the 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle, which I finally completed today, is actually a 999 piece jigsaw puzzle. 

Bugger.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 01 July, 2020, 04:14:33 pm
Quote from: Basil on 01 July, 2020, 04:13:00 pm
Bah.  I have just discovered that the 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle, which I finally completed today, is actually a 999 piece jigsaw puzzle. 

Bugger.

Have you checked inside the dog?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Giraffe on 02 July, 2020, 09:04:24 am
Just wait and then check outside the dog.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ginger Cat on 02 July, 2020, 02:50:23 pm
Quote from: ian on 30 June, 2020, 01:22:48 pm
Power off. Power on. Power off. Power on. Power off. Power on. Etc.

Fix it, UK Power Networks! This is the second week, something blew up, there's a big power generator perched on a nearby road and a bored chap in a car who's evidently guarding it for some reason (it's the size of a truck, I don't think someone is going to wander off with it). It usually waits just long enough for the computers and internet come back up (it takes about forever for the BT hub to reconnect) and for me to do enough work that my finger hovers over of the save button, befo

If it's a decent big gennie, it's probably worth enough cash to get a mate with a HIAB to come along and "borrow" it without asking................. :o
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 02 July, 2020, 04:17:13 pm
Ungrumble.  The missing puzzle piece has turned up.  Stuck to the underside of the box.
Unfortunately, I only discovered this as I was dismantling and putting all the pieces back in it.  So even though I placed the piece, most of the rest had been undone, therefor the whole puzzle has technically not been competed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 02 July, 2020, 07:19:36 pm
at least it wasn't stuck to the bottom of the dog
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 03 July, 2020, 12:11:25 am
Arse!  Blew out a candle , then turned around & knocked it over.   Wax splatters on 2 different rugs & the laminate floor.   Guess what I'm cleaning tomorrow  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andytheflyer on 03 July, 2020, 07:30:38 am
Quote from: andrewc on 03 July, 2020, 12:11:25 am
Arse!  Blew out a candle , then turned around & knocked it over.   Wax splatters on 2 different rugs & the laminate floor.   Guess what I'm cleaning tomorrow  >:(
Brown paper and a warm iron.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 03 July, 2020, 07:52:02 am
Dogs' bottoms and arse! candles... jeez.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 03 July, 2020, 10:33:47 am
Quote from: andrewc on 03 July, 2020, 12:11:25 am
Arse!  Blew out a candle , then turned around & knocked it over.   Wax splatters on 2 different rugs & the laminate floor.   Guess what I'm cleaning tomorrow  >:(

But did the summoning work?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 03 July, 2020, 10:45:31 am
Quote from: Andrij on 03 July, 2020, 10:33:47 am
Quote from: andrewc on 03 July, 2020, 12:11:25 am
Arse!  Blew out a candle , then turned around & knocked it over.   Wax splatters on 2 different rugs & the laminate floor.   Guess what I'm cleaning tomorrow  >:(

But did the summoning work?


No , so my plan to unleash a horde of ravening demons on Downing St is currently on hold :-(



Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Edd on 03 July, 2020, 11:08:35 am
Quote from: andrewc on 03 July, 2020, 10:45:31 am
Quote from: Andrij on 03 July, 2020, 10:33:47 am
Quote from: andrewc on 03 July, 2020, 12:11:25 am
Arse!  Blew out a candle , then turned around & knocked it over.   Wax splatters on 2 different rugs & the laminate floor.   Guess what I'm cleaning tomorrow  >:(

But did the summoning work?


No , so my plan to unleash a horde of ravening demons on Downing St is currently on hold :-(

Do demons attack their own kind?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 03 July, 2020, 12:17:22 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 03 July, 2020, 10:45:31 am
Quote from: Andrij on 03 July, 2020, 10:33:47 am
Quote from: andrewc on 03 July, 2020, 12:11:25 am
Arse!  Blew out a candle , then turned around & knocked it over.   Wax splatters on 2 different rugs & the laminate floor.   Guess what I'm cleaning tomorrow  >:(

But did the summoning work?


No , so my plan to unleash a horde of ravening demons on Downing St is currently on hold :-(

I dunno, it looks like it's going rather well...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 03 July, 2020, 02:27:42 pm
Blooming heck.  It's July. I shouldn't be having to go upstairs for a jumper.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 03 July, 2020, 03:50:01 pm
Bloomin' BBC weather forecast: you said it wouldn't rain before 3pm, so what was that wet, H20-like stuff cascading all over me at 12.15?  Not the nicest of rides home.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 03 July, 2020, 03:55:00 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 03 July, 2020, 12:11:25 am
Arse!  Blew out a candle , then turned around & knocked it over.   Wax splatters on 2 different rugs & the laminate floor.   Guess what I'm cleaning tomorrow  >:(

That'll teach you not to perform the Rite of AshkEnte the old-fashioned way - it works with  three small sticks and 4 cc of mouse blood or even with a fresh egg and two small sticks.  :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wowbagger on 03 July, 2020, 11:46:22 pm
If you are using your arse to blow out a candle is that not risking an explosion?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 04 July, 2020, 07:13:04 am
A small flash fire at worst. Ive never modelled it, but t would take a fair few farts and a degree of congestion to achieve a run up to detonation.

I don't think the farting is the riskiest bit of the ritual
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 06 July, 2020, 08:37:23 am
I've got a hangnail on my right index finger.   It keeps catching so I've put a plaster on it.     That's my scrolling finger,  it's now awkward to use either a mouse or a trackpad  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 06 July, 2020, 05:16:26 pm
Spent a chunk of the afternoon scrabbling round for the bits to resurrect my old (pre-2010) PC so as to use an ancient development language my current box has taken a scunner against. Finally switched on around 5:30: screen sync skew-whiff with fetching green blobs here & there, barely legible aaargh messages imparting that the CMOS battery has quit.  Well of course it has. Arse.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 06 July, 2020, 05:22:02 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 06 July, 2020, 08:37:23 am
I've got a hangnail on my right index finger.   It keeps catching so I've put a plaster on it.     That's my scrolling finger,  it's now awkward to use either a mouse or a trackpad  :facepalm:

I had to google to find out what a hangnail is.  Fortunately something that I have never suffered.

Apparently you can soften them up and trim the protruding skin only if that helps.  Warm soapy water or petroleum jelly apparently.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 06 July, 2020, 05:34:20 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 06 July, 2020, 08:37:23 am
I've got a hangnail on my right index finger.   It keeps catching so I've put a plaster on it.     That's my scrolling finger,  it's now awkward to use either a mouse or a trackpad  :facepalm:

I bought a cuticle nipper and my life was transformed. I don't use it for manicures, just trimming those bits that turn into hangnails.
No more trying to pull off the bit of skin snd instantly regretting it...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fd3 on 06 July, 2020, 06:05:32 pm
Bike prices rising faster than my n+1 bike fund (yes, even second hand).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ginger Cat on 06 July, 2020, 06:25:00 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 06 July, 2020, 05:34:20 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 06 July, 2020, 08:37:23 am
I've got a hangnail on my right index finger.   It keeps catching so I've put a plaster on it.     That's my scrolling finger,  it's now awkward to use either a mouse or a trackpad  :facepalm:

I bought a cuticle nipper and my life was transformed. I don't use it for manicures, just trimming those bits that turn into hangnails.
No more trying to pull off the bit of skin snd instantly regretting it...

I have a finger tip where due to eczema the skin gets tough then cracks open (ouch), in just the wrong place for using a keyboard.

Then I remembered you can superglue cuts together, so now when my fingertip cracks I put a little dab of superglue on to stop the crack opening. Works a treat.

GC
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 06 July, 2020, 06:53:11 pm
Quote from: Ginger Cat
Then I remembered you can superglue cuts together, so now when my fingertip cracks I put a little dab of superglue on to stop the crack opening. Works a treat.
Also works for knuckles.  DAHIKT.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: orienteer on 06 July, 2020, 10:56:08 pm
I once jokingly told my dentist I'd thought of supergluing a broken filling back in.

He told me superglue contains arsenic.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 06 July, 2020, 11:04:50 pm
Quote from: fd3 on 06 July, 2020, 06:05:32 pm
Bike prices rising faster than my n+1 bike fund (yes, even second hand).
Had a customer today interested in a Domane SLR7 Di2. Retail £6400 and we have one in stock in his size. He asked if we could do a deal and I told him (only half in jest) that yes, we could do a deal. He can have it for £6600 as we won't have trouble selling it ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Torslanda on 07 July, 2020, 12:30:52 am
Quote from: orienteer on 06 July, 2020, 10:56:08 pm
I once jokingly told my dentist I'd thought of supergluing a broken filling back in.

He told me superglue contains arsenic.

Not 100% about that but superglues generally contain cyanoacrylate ester...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 07 July, 2020, 07:25:12 am
Its the cyanoacrylate that reacts with the moisture in the air. I did some consulting work for a company in Fife that controlled something like a third of the worlds supply of superglue at the time through one of the sub ingredients
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 07 July, 2020, 09:41:42 am
Acrylates are a suspected carcinogen, but then everything is, and it's probably based on one of those studies where they dropped a 50kg sack on some rats and found many of them dead.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 07 July, 2020, 04:14:06 pm
swmbo used the phrase "something wth no risk" today, and took umbrage when I suggested "do nothing"  Can't think why? She knows what I do for a living. ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 08 July, 2020, 11:22:02 am
Why can’t Herts libraries get their act together. Let us select our own books for reading, not someone else’s idea of a “book pack”.

https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/about-the-council/news/news-archive/hertfordshire-libraries-launch-ready-reads
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 08 July, 2020, 12:09:13 pm
In Bristol we're being trusted to choose our own books from the online catalogue but there's also a "book pack" style scheme; tell them what you like reading and they'll choose things they consider suitable. It sounds a reasonably good idea for those who like to go in and browse but if that's the only option, it's rather restrictive. And how come we can't go in and browse the shelves of libraries but can do so in bookshops?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 08 July, 2020, 01:07:08 pm
It’s the choice of the council, so I’d guess it’s playing it ultra safe in not opening the libraries fully. The Herts scheme initially is for three libraries, then perhaps 10 more, but as we’re on the extreme western edge of the county (we’re actually in Bucks, but getting to Aylesbury library is a loathsome experience ETA; All Bucks libraries have reopened to some degree)  I suspect Tring will be amongst the last, it it ever reopens. But what I don’t get is why can’t we return our borrowed books (we’ve about a dozen at home) and collect our outstanding reservations? Why some pre-determined “books like this” chosen by others, and no doubt most of which I’ll have already read if I like them? Bah!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 08 July, 2020, 04:54:56 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec
...how come we can't go in and browse the shelves of libraries but can do so in bookshops?
My guess?  Councils have less money than bookshops and can't afford the cost keeping the public spaces and surfaces "clean".  A more cynical thought is that because of the funding cuts to councils they are going to use the, "But no one was using it." excuse to close them permanently, but I may be being unduly jaundiced in my view of things.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 08 July, 2020, 05:10:02 pm
Quote from: TheLurker on 08 July, 2020, 04:54:56 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec
...how come we can't go in and browse the shelves of libraries but can do so in bookshops?
My guess?  Councils have less money than bookshops and can't afford the cost keeping the public spaces and surfaces "clean".  A more cynical thought is that because of the funding cuts to councils they are going to use the, "But no one was using it." excuse to close them permanently, but I may be being unduly jaundiced in my view of things.

I suspect it's also because library books will "travel" through many homes and be handled by many people. How long the virus might persist on them is a different question, but playing safe is cheaper.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 08 July, 2020, 05:13:02 pm
Quote from: T42 on 08 July, 2020, 05:10:02 pm
Quote from: TheLurker on 08 July, 2020, 04:54:56 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec
...how come we can't go in and browse the shelves of libraries but can do so in bookshops?
My guess?  Councils have less money than bookshops and can't afford the cost keeping the public spaces and surfaces "clean".  A more cynical thought is that because of the funding cuts to councils they are going to use the, "But no one was using it." excuse to close them permanently, but I may be being unduly jaundiced in my view of things.

I suspect it's also because library books will "travel" through many homes and be handled by many people. How long the virus might persist on them is a different question, but playing safe is cheaper.

The books will be “quarantined” for 72 hours. I’d be inclined to surmise book shops are private enterprise and non-unionised. But I may be equally as jaundiced in my views as Lurker.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 08 July, 2020, 06:24:35 pm
Quote from: TheLurker on 08 July, 2020, 04:54:56 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec
...how come we can't go in and browse the shelves of libraries but can do so in bookshops?
My guess?  Councils have less money than bookshops and can't afford the cost keeping the public spaces and surfaces "clean".  A more cynical thought is that because of the funding cuts to councils they are going to use the, "But no one was using it." excuse to close them permanently, but I may be being unduly jaundiced in my view of things.

Libraries are hotbeds of subversion.  If the Tories shut them down then the proles won't get to read about the Labour Theory of Value and the storming of the Winter Palace.  Or something.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 08 July, 2020, 07:29:30 pm
If they let people into the library, they might use the computers to jump through DWP hoops and avoid having their benefits sanctioned.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 09 July, 2020, 10:57:44 am
Quote from: Kim on 08 July, 2020, 07:29:30 pm
If they let people into the library, they might use the computers to jump through DWP hoops and avoid having their benefits sanctioned.

Which in turn would lead to a shortfall in the Daily Heil's quota of outraged stories about benefit claimants owning smartphones.  And that would never do.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 09 July, 2020, 01:13:53 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 08 July, 2020, 05:13:02 pm
Quote from: T42 on 08 July, 2020, 05:10:02 pm
Quote from: TheLurker on 08 July, 2020, 04:54:56 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec
...how come we can't go in and browse the shelves of libraries but can do so in bookshops?
My guess?  Councils have less money than bookshops and can't afford the cost keeping the public spaces and surfaces "clean".  A more cynical thought is that because of the funding cuts to councils they are going to use the, "But no one was using it." excuse to close them permanently, but I may be being unduly jaundiced in my view of things.

I suspect it's also because library books will "travel" through many homes and be handled by many people. How long the virus might persist on them is a different question, but playing safe is cheaper.

The books will be “quarantined” for 72 hours. I’d be inclined to surmise book shops are private enterprise and non-unionised. But I may be equally as jaundiced in my views as Lurker.

When lockdown started here in March I began quarantining all our mail.  Some of the window envelopes are still untouched.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 10 July, 2020, 10:23:21 am
Me. "I'm going for a shower"

Mrs B.  "Ok"  *sets off washing machine*  *does washing up*  *has poo* etc etc.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 10 July, 2020, 11:36:33 am
Quote from: Basil on 10 July, 2020, 10:23:21 am
Me. "I'm going for a shower"

Mrs B.  "Ok"  *sets off washing machine*  *does washing up*  *has poo* etc etc.

... so a variably cold/lukewarm shower?

Rob
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 10 July, 2020, 12:33:01 pm
I spent my formative years being alternately frozen and scalded because my parents or my sister would turn on a tap somewhere every time I was in the shower. You'd get the ice-water as they turned on the tap and then the scald as they turned it off.

To this day, I have a fear of combo boilers. They'll take my hot water cylinder from my warm, damp hands.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 10 July, 2020, 02:35:31 pm
I HATE MY COMBINATION BOILER AND ITS ASSOCIATED PLUMBING!

We have had ours for four years. I miss our hot and cold tanks...

Why on earth do these abominations get touted as A Good Thing? (Yeah, yeah, planet, fuel etc)

Two people can't usefully use the plumbing independently. It's a pain for a couple; must be awful for a family!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 10 July, 2020, 03:14:38 pm
Quote from: Basil on 10 July, 2020, 10:23:21 am
Me. "I'm going for a shower"

Mrs B.  "Ok"  *sets off washing machine*  *does washing up*  *has poo* etc etc.
shower together?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 10 July, 2020, 03:27:19 pm
I find that the trick is to take her up a cuppa, which will hopefully keep her in bed for at least 10 minutes. Refill the kettle just in case.

Quote from: robgul on 10 July, 2020, 11:36:33 am
... so a variably cold/lukewarm shower?


I don't understand how this works.  How does running the cold tap make the shower cold? 
Luke warm? If only.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 10 July, 2020, 03:34:21 pm
I think the cold occurs when the showeree has adjusted to a reduced cold flow and then the cold tap (or toilet cistern) stops running and the cold pressure doubles!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 10 July, 2020, 03:44:32 pm
It wasn't just the cold, it was the rebound to several moments of super-heated water (made all the worse by the fact you've just been soaked in cold water) the moment the cold tap closed. I assume all the owners of combo boilers must be familiar with the shower dance.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andytheflyer on 10 July, 2020, 03:56:23 pm
Quote from: ian on 10 July, 2020, 03:44:32 pm
I assume all the owners of combo boilers must be familiar with the shower dance.
Can't speak for the millions of others, but yes.

I have learned to time my shower for when the wife is not running a bath.  Or flushing the bog.  Etc.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 10 July, 2020, 04:00:48 pm
We just tell the other (mostly) "I'm having a shower/bath, don't run bloody water kthx" and if the other does run water, chunter at her.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 10 July, 2020, 04:44:30 pm
All that ^^^ sounds like our system before we got a pressure-reducing valve installed on the main. We now have an even 4 bar throughout, and if someone e.g. flushes the bog when you're showering the valve simply lets more through.  Mind you, our cold taps are directly fed from the main and the hot via the BFO heater in the cellar, which runs off-peak.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 10 July, 2020, 04:46:22 pm
We don't do showers (and their use with a combi boiler sounds very unpleasant) but *any* demand on the water drastically reduces supply elsewhere.

If the washing machine enters the rinse cycle, filling the kettle is a challenge.

Want to wash your hands in hot water after flushing the bog? You'll have to wait....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 10 July, 2020, 05:11:46 pm
We have a combi boiler but we also have an anbaric shower. That is a shower in which the water is heated and pumped by anbaristic magick, not one which showers you with anbarons.

Anyway, I'm kind of lukewarm about the combi boiler. It means you never run out of hot water but you almost always have to wait. I'm also not really sure why it's called combi. Can it be fitted in a dormobile?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 10 July, 2020, 05:28:47 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 10 July, 2020, 04:46:22 pm
We don't do showers (and their use with a combi boiler sounds very unpleasant) but *any* demand on the water drastically reduces supply elsewhere.

If the washing machine enters the rinse cycle, filling the kettle is a challenge.

Want to wash your hands in hot water after flushing the bog? You'll have to wait....

Sounds like your pressure is pretty dismal.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 10 July, 2020, 05:30:51 pm
Quote from: T42 on 10 July, 2020, 04:44:30 pm
All that ^^^ sounds like our system before we got a pressure-reducing valve installed on the main. We now have an even 4 bar throughout, and if someone e.g. flushes the bog when you're showering the valve simply lets more through.  Mind you, our cold taps are directly fed from the main and the hot via the BFO heater in the cellar, which runs off-peak.

That sounds interesting..
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 10 July, 2020, 05:36:47 pm
There are only 2 of us and we only have one bathroom - it is right next to the kitchen and therefore pretty easy to hear when the shower is on and therefore know when not to turn the tap full on or start the washing machine.
I will admit to a bit of sneaky tap running to get the tea & coffee going in the morning but I take care to have it on quite slow and just for a few secs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 10 July, 2020, 05:43:27 pm
We have a giant hot water cylinder to satisfy my extravagantly sudsy bath-time needs, plus there's only two us and two cats, and the cats never knowingly bathe (though LMC fell in once, she plans to have the forgiveness paperwork completed by 2072). Though my wife never takes a bath either because she's odd ('soaking in your own filth' was her reference to the divine marinadory practice).

Anyway, there's enough hot water that it's never run out, even when we have guests or when someone who looks suspiciously like me with a hangover falls asleep in the shower for twenty-five minutes. Our hot water is generally annoying* though, but I think that's because we have small bore pipes that take a Wonkaesque voyage around the grand state of Surrey before returning to the house. Honestly, the hot water goes downstairs to the kitchen, then to the downstairs toilet, and only then comes back to the upstairs bathroom, which is next to the cylinder. Yes, we would have had the corrected had someone mentioned during the refurbishment. The main shower is connected directly via the sort of pump normally found in riot-control cannons. You could replicate the experience of the back-up shower, in comparison, by holiding a small incontinent kitten above your head.

We do have splendid cold water pressure. If I connect the hose, I can water gardens three houses away.

*ok, it's minor gripe, I can just read a book in the time it takes to fill the bathroom sink with hot water to shave.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 10 July, 2020, 05:44:21 pm
Shirley this is FWP fodder?

In our case, pumped shower, bungalow, no hot pressure, 16 year old daughter who could shower for Britain.  Good job I don't like a hot shower, barely warm for me thanks (excepting ex winter audax when it's warming me back up).

HTFU, you lot :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 10 July, 2020, 05:51:49 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 10 July, 2020, 05:28:47 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 10 July, 2020, 04:46:22 pm
We don't do showers (and their use with a combi boiler sounds very unpleasant) but *any* demand on the water drastically reduces supply elsewhere.
If the washing machine enters the rinse cycle, filling the kettle is a challenge.
Want to wash your hands in hot water after flushing the bog? You'll have to wait....
Sounds like your pressure is pretty dismal.

Our pressure is HIGH and water from the kitchen taps has a horrible splashy character.
The pressure into the upstair loo cistern fill has been reduced so it takes ages to fill but still reduces flow to the boiler.
Downstairs cistern fills before I can get to kitchen sink (no handbasin in privy) but pipe run from upstairs boiler is long and hot water takes AGES to arrive.

Did I tell you how much I DETEST this system?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 10 July, 2020, 05:52:49 pm
I grew up in a house with water heated by solar and wood. Tank in the attic.

Cold from a big concrete tank up the hill.

No thermostatic showers. If someone turned on a cold tap while you were in the shower, a scalding ensured, followed by a freezing, because you'd rapidly turned off the hot water just before someone turned their cold tap off. Reverse happened if they ran a hot tap.

Kids these days, don't know how lucky they are.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 10 July, 2020, 06:11:59 pm
Here's the SCIENCE of what happens:

https://youtu.be/Di5VT5PzH1Y (https://youtu.be/Di5VT5PzH1Y)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 10 July, 2020, 09:07:39 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 10 July, 2020, 05:11:46 pm
We have a combi boiler but we also have an anbaric shower. That is a shower in which the water is heated and pumped by anbaristic magick, not one which showers you with anbarons.

Anbaric showers have the potential (pun intended) to be pretty good, but there's nothing more miserable than shivering under the trickle from a 7kW landlord-spec shower with the flow restrictor (euphemistically labelled as the 'temperature knob') turned all the way up to compensate for barely-above-zero incoming water.

For bonus points add one or more of:
- Low voles on the mains supply
- Ancient single-glazed window that doesn't close properly
- Mould
- Shower hose that leaks
- Plughole clogged with hair and/or vegan soap residue
- The afore-mentioned water pressure shenanigans

Happiness is measured in litres per minute, and a combi does a better job at keeping up with demand, if a bit sluggish at modulation.  The gold standard is a full tank of hot water and a pump to deliver it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: orienteer on 10 July, 2020, 09:38:35 pm
Living in a bungalow, water pressure and flow rates from cold and hot tanks were always a problem.

Then last year, as part of bathroom renovation, we had a mains pressure hot tank of considerable capacity installed, and all cold taps put on the mains. Now have a powerful shower and and a fast filling bath.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 10 July, 2020, 09:43:38 pm
If I had my choice in such matters, the toilet(s) would be fed from a tank in the loft, irrespective of other plumbing arrangements.  Quieter, fewer dribbly ball valve problems, and means you can still flush if the supply is interrupted.  Bonus points for arranging to fill it with rainwater when available.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 10 July, 2020, 10:14:13 pm
Quote from: orienteer on 10 July, 2020, 09:38:35 pm
Living in a bungalow, water pressure and flow rates from cold and hot tanks were always a problem.

Then last year, as part of bathroom renovation, we had a mains pressure hot tank of considerable capacity installed, and all cold taps put on the mains. Now have a powerful shower and and a fast filling bath.


Same in a 4th floor flat.  Cold water is mains fed, on a pipe that serves all the flats below. It's not a problem for washing or flushing, but the morning shower can be unpredictable.   Hot water is from a tank that's at floor level & trickles out with as much enthusiasm as Boris trying to be honest...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: graculus on 11 July, 2020, 07:41:04 am
Quote from: Kim on 10 July, 2020, 09:43:38 pm
If I had my choice in such matters, the toilet(s) would be fed from a tank in the loft, irrespective of other plumbing arrangements.  Quieter, fewer dribbly ball valve problems, and means you can still flush if the supply is interrupted.  Bonus points for arranging to fill it with rainwater when available.
This is what my Dad did in the previous house he was in. It was built just after WW1 and had an underground cistern to store rainwater. This was originally extracted by a hand powered pump for use in the laundry (OK small outbuilding next to the coal house) as the soft rainwater was preferable to Wolverhampton's hard stuff for washing. He installed a sump pump to take water up to a second cold water tank in the loft which then fed both WCs.
Now in a bungalow he has recreated the system, this time with several water butts and a small pump to feed the toilet. Not bad going for a 90 year old.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 11 July, 2020, 12:13:41 pm
Loud bang woke me up at about 5:46 this morning.  This is probably related to the fragments of roof tile outside the back door...   >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 11 July, 2020, 01:01:55 pm
At least you weren't standing outside the back door at bang time.  Often a PITA to replace, though: "oh, that's the old style, they haven't made those for 40 years".  Our barn roof is about 200 m² of those, and susceptible to high winds.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 11 July, 2020, 01:10:14 pm
Quote from: Kim on 10 July, 2020, 09:43:38 pm
If I had my choice in such matters, the toilet(s) would be fed from a tank in the loft, irrespective of other plumbing arrangements.  Quieter, fewer dribbly ball valve problems, and means you can still flush if the supply is interrupted.  Bonus points for arranging to fill it with rainwater when available.
Greywater is the way to go here. Rainwater too. Mix the two together and you get grainwater. (No you don't, that's whisky.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 11 July, 2020, 01:13:10 pm
Quote from: T42 on 11 July, 2020, 01:01:55 pm
At least you weren't standing outside the back door at bang time.  Often a PITA to replace, though: "oh, that's the old style, they haven't made those for 40 years".  Our barn roof is about 200 m² of those, and susceptible to high winds.

This is a new style, related to the shoddy upgrade of next door to swanky en-suite BloodyStudent accomodation.  It's not entirely obvious where it came from, but there appears to be a gap on our side of the roof where it looks like a tile wasn't stuck in properly with some some no-more-nails like substance.  Which is confusing, as the tile has a several of nail holes and no trace of adhesive.

(The rest of our roof is much older, with a completely different style of tile.)

We've contacted our agency and sent photos, on the basis that it's our roof that's going to leak.  They can bicker over who pays with nextdoor's landlord if they want.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 11 July, 2020, 01:59:13 pm
Back when we rented, such incidents were more a curiosity than anything else. Now that we have our own place they're dire.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Zipperhead on 11 July, 2020, 02:59:09 pm
Quote from: ian on 10 July, 2020, 03:44:32 pm
It wasn't just the cold, it was the rebound to several moments of super-heated water (made all the worse by the fact you've just been soaked in cold water) the moment the cold tap closed. I assume all the owners of combo boilers must be familiar with the shower dance.

We have a combi boiler and a shower - if someone does something to use cold water (turn tap on in kitchen, turn washing machine on etc.) the flow rate in the shower reduces without changing temperature. When the pressure is restored then the flow rate in the shower goes back to normal, all without changing temperature.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 11 July, 2020, 10:35:57 pm
Dear manufacturers of Duvets and associated covers:

Plz to be indicating the orientation of the product.
As it is, for most almost-square products, we have the almost-but-not-quite-unlike aspect ratios which we have to figure out by trial-and-error.
Just when we are going to bed.

kthxby.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 11 July, 2020, 10:58:49 pm
Is it not square?

The other night, for the first time ever, I decided to put the duvet in the cover with the sewn lines going horizontally rather than vertically.
Surprisingly I didn't feel the need to rehash it all in the middle of the night, despite my control freakish tendencies.

I suppose if you have a Queen or King size YMMV.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Clare on 11 July, 2020, 11:31:34 pm
I just worked out where the label needs to be for the duvet to fit in the cover.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 11 July, 2020, 11:43:30 pm
Quote from: Clare on 11 July, 2020, 11:31:34 pm
I just worked out where the label needs to be for the duvet to fit in the cover.

This.

(King-sized duvet, so almost but not quite square.)


While we're on the subject, I accidentally bought a set of tea towels that turned out to be almost but not quite square.  To the point where it's surprisingly difficult to find the long edge when you come to hang them up.  Crowley excelled himself with that one.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 12 July, 2020, 07:35:18 am
Just bin the duvet and sleep under a sheet, it's summer don't you know
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 12 July, 2020, 12:06:19 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 11 July, 2020, 10:58:49 pm
Is it not square?

The other night, for the first time ever, I decided to put the duvet in the cover with the sewn lines going horizontally rather than vertically.
Surprisingly I didn't feel the need to rehash it all in the middle of the night, despite my control freakish tendencies.

I suppose if you have a Queen or King size YMMV.

Our duvets are stitched in squares. And as a result are square. Orientation isn’t a problem (especially as our duvet covers seem to vary in size, despite being notionally the same).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 12 July, 2020, 06:17:49 pm
Fleabay seller: if the payment is on hold because your PayPal account is not used often, please don't assume that my turning up and scanning the QR collection code is magically going to fix things. Surely the obvious thing to do is to call them to explain. I really don't want to drive 2 hours to run into problems that you can easily fix beforehand. (This has the potential to turn into a rant...)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 12 July, 2020, 11:05:30 pm
Standard King Size duvets are 230 cm wide by 220cm long (so maddeningly not quite square).

John Lewis duvet labels are on the short edge so I think foot end.

All the duvet covers I use have openings at the foot end.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fd3 on 12 July, 2020, 11:26:22 pm
Quasi science that's being touted as definite proof.  It's everywhere!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 12 July, 2020, 11:26:29 pm
Having just read the sizes of duvets (eg single 130cm wide vs super king 260cm wide) the scandi thing of having 2 single duvets on a double bed makes sense.
Better choice of covers (cf super king)
Less expensive
You can have silly kids stuff like dinosaurs & Postman Pat if you want. YMMV.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 13 July, 2020, 07:57:53 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 12 July, 2020, 11:26:29 pm
Having just read the sizes of duvets (eg single 130cm wide vs super king 260cm wide) the scandi thing of having 2 single duvets on a double bed makes sense.

It's what we do. It also allows for one person liking a heavier duvet than the other.  Some years back, MrsT bought a summer/winter duvet set with a thin duvet intended to be added to the heavy one in winter. I use the thin one all winter and she uses the other one most of the year.  In the end, though, I prefer blankets.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 13 July, 2020, 08:10:24 am
Quote from: T42 on 13 July, 2020, 07:57:53 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 12 July, 2020, 11:26:29 pm
Having just read the sizes of duvets (eg single 130cm wide vs super king 260cm wide) the scandi thing of having 2 single duvets on a double bed makes sense.

It's what we do. It also allows for one person liking a heavier duvet than the other.  Some years back, MrsT bought a summer/winter duvet set with a thin duvet intended to be added to the heavy one in winter. I use the thin one all winter and she uses the other one most of the year.  In the end, though, I prefer blankets.

Pretty much what we do as well, except this tiem of year, she has the thin duvet and I have a sheet, twin single duvets might be a better idea, but then that involves the shopping trip of doom to find duvet covers/soft furnishings.  My second least favourite shopping experience after cars
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 13 July, 2020, 09:46:18 am
Quote from: Zipperhead on 11 July, 2020, 02:59:09 pm
Quote from: ian on 10 July, 2020, 03:44:32 pm
It wasn't just the cold, it was the rebound to several moments of super-heated water (made all the worse by the fact you've just been soaked in cold water) the moment the cold tap closed. I assume all the owners of combo boilers must be familiar with the shower dance.

We have a combi boiler and a shower - if someone does something to use cold water (turn tap on in kitchen, turn washing machine on etc.) the flow rate in the shower reduces without changing temperature. When the pressure is restored then the flow rate in the shower goes back to normal, all without changing temperature.

You have travelled back from the future. Welcome! Enjoy your anthropological safari in the past. Marvel at our antediluvian society. Keep your eye on the battery levels in your time machine, you wouldn't want to be stuck here.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 13 July, 2020, 12:35:22 pm
Quote from: ian on 13 July, 2020, 09:46:18 am
Quote from: Zipperhead on 11 July, 2020, 02:59:09 pm
Quote from: ian on 10 July, 2020, 03:44:32 pm
It wasn't just the cold, it was the rebound to several moments of super-heated water (made all the worse by the fact you've just been soaked in cold water) the moment the cold tap closed. I assume all the owners of combo boilers must be familiar with the shower dance.

We have a combi boiler and a shower - if someone does something to use cold water (turn tap on in kitchen, turn washing machine on etc.) the flow rate in the shower reduces without changing temperature. When the pressure is restored then the flow rate in the shower goes back to normal, all without changing temperature.

You have travelled each from the future. Welcome! Enjoy your anthropological safari in the past. Marvel at our antediluvian society. Keep your eye on the battery levels in your time machine, you wouldn't want to be stuck here.

Omnes: This the the 21st century.  We haz electricity!  [Jibbles light switch]  See?  U may recharge ur time machine without let or hindrance!
Them: Onoz!  We haz forgotten the USB-ZZ9 cable and consequently cannot plug it in.  Doomed!
Kim: Let me see that wiring diagram...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 13 July, 2020, 12:37:40 pm
Great scott!  The bastards have encrypted the electrons on a quantum level!  How is anyone supposed to circumvent that kind of DRM?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 13 July, 2020, 12:42:57 pm
Actually, for the standard models of the Ronco Time-o-Matic, they'll need a USB-x23b-a cable to charge it. ZZ9s only work on the early models, the ones they had to recall from customers before they manufactured them.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 13 July, 2020, 12:53:59 pm
Quote from: Kim on 13 July, 2020, 12:37:40 pm
Great scott!  The bastards have encrypted the electrons on a quantum level!  How is anyone supposed to circumvent that kind of DRM?

Collapse the waveform?  I head that Prof. Jimmy Alka-Seltzer talking about it on the wireless the other day*.  You can buy an ACME Waveform Collapser 9000 for only £34.99 from all good electrical parts wholesalers, most crap ones and larger branches of Nobby & Dick's Auto Salvage.

* broadcast in February but only just listened to because Coronalurgi has thwarted my usual practice of mainlining The Infinite Monkey Cage while traversing the lonely highways of Leftpondia.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 13 July, 2020, 11:47:34 pm
Quote from: T42 on 13 July, 2020, 07:57:53 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 12 July, 2020, 11:26:29 pm
Having just read the sizes of duvets (eg single 130cm wide vs super king 260cm wide) the scandi thing of having 2 single duvets on a double bed makes sense.

It's what we do. It also allows for one person liking a heavier duvet than the other.  Some years back, MrsT bought a summer/winter duvet set with a thin duvet intended to be added to the heavy one in winter. I use the thin one all winter and she uses the other one most of the year.  In the end, though, I prefer blankets.

Instead of the above we have a 4.5 tog duvet all year and a bedspread which lives on my side of the bed. All year.
It doesn't really need to be there in the summer but I don't like having a bare bum when it gets stolen by Pingu and/or the cats.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 13 July, 2020, 11:54:25 pm
Our duvet arrangements have been thrown out of whack by the arrival of double glazing and new, non-knackered duvets.  Used to be that we'd have a 4.5TOG for summer, and a 10.5 for not-summer, with the non-default one within grabbing range at the bottom of the bed in case of excess coolth.

But it seems that the 4.5 is now mostly adequate all year round.  Unless you're barakta, who complains that it isn't heavy enough[1].   ???

Obviously what we really need is a cat...


[1] She quite liked an autistic friend's weighted blanket, whereas I thought it felt like having a sack of ball bearings on your lap.  I mean, I like it when a cat snuggles on my lap, but ball bearings do nothing for me.  Obviously some sensory thing I'm missing...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 14 July, 2020, 08:43:51 am
Present for Barakta: https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/11016181052
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 14 July, 2020, 09:29:23 am
Too hot to use any this kind of year, it's jimjams only. Bad Cat generally, at some point, inveigles her way between us, firstly vertical so she fits in the gap without us noticing. Once installed, she gradually horizontalizes and extends until she has annexed half the bed and we're perilously perched on either edge.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 14 July, 2020, 07:05:21 pm
Bonfires again. I guess people are burning waste rather than taking it to the tip, hence the acrid fumes yet again rolling through the valley.

Well, it's not like we're in the middle of a global pandemic of a respiratory illness, is it?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 14 July, 2020, 09:08:24 pm
I kept getting vague burning smells yesterday, which I thought impressive given the damp conditions.  My webby SCIENCE shows the PM10 count was somewhat elevated, but my Stupid Lungs were non-fussed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 14 July, 2020, 09:27:20 pm
Seems to have dissipated now, but it was eye-scratchingly acrid. I think it might have be the house of the underground lair. The problem is that we live in a steep sided valley, so any smoke mostly collects.

OK, I confess to my own crimes, on the eve of our last house move, my wife turned up with a bin bag full over every receipt, bill, and bag statement ever. And a broken and exhausted shredder.

Boy. Fire. BBQ.

Four hours and much, much smoke later...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Gattopardo on 14 July, 2020, 09:30:26 pm
Cleaning others mess and they watch on. 

They offer to clean the bathroom that only they use, but you can see what has been cleaned.  The bath meeded scrubbing with citric acid powder, the toilets needed hydrochloric acid to clean the bowl. 

Tempted to leave a turd in the bath as a gift.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 15 July, 2020, 10:06:32 am
Bloody fed up with mask/no-mask censoriousness, especially when the hypercritical one is talking to me about others.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 15 July, 2020, 02:58:09 pm
Quote from: CAMRAMan on 12 July, 2020, 06:17:49 pm
Fleabay seller: if the payment is on hold because your PayPal account is not used often, please don't assume that my turning up and scanning the QR collection code is magically going to fix things. Surely the obvious thing to do is to call them to explain. I really don't want to drive 2 hours to run into problems that you can easily fix beforehand. (This has the potential to turn into a rant...)
And self: When selling walking boots that you tried on and decided were too small without lacing them up, make sure all the loops and hooks are intact BEFORE selling them. Eejit!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 15 July, 2020, 05:36:14 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 14 July, 2020, 08:43:51 am
Present for Barakta: https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/11016181052

I've been threatening to get a weighted blanket, Kim hates them.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 15 July, 2020, 07:05:28 pm
Tesco: I've got a new bank account and debit card, so I wanted to add it to my account with you. With Sainsburys this was achieved very easily. However, I can only do so with you when I'm placing an order, only I don't want to place an order, I simply want to update my details. ICBA faffing around with you, so I'll shop elsewhere.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 15 July, 2020, 10:11:38 pm
Quote from: barakta on 15 July, 2020, 05:36:14 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 14 July, 2020, 08:43:51 am
Present for Barakta: https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/11016181052

I've been threatening to get a weighted blanket, Kim hates them.

We've used one with my son, only in the winter though, it is surprisingly warm even if that is not the intent.  I've lain under it and it's quite snuggly
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 16 July, 2020, 09:34:18 am
Just got a chunk of wall panelling ready to go over to the house so that I can drill fixing holes and it starts to rain. :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Gattopardo on 16 July, 2020, 12:20:41 pm
The joy of cleaning and discovering stuff that is missing.  Some tenants really are thieves, and general scum bags. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 17 July, 2020, 06:41:05 am
I must be turning into an middle-aged curmudgeon, I'm finding the whole renewed Major Tom kerfuffle around his investiture to be intensely irritating. He had a hip replacement, he did his physio, does that really warrant such a fuss?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 17 July, 2020, 08:36:18 am
In normal circumstances I would entirely agree but he did something our politicos can never manage: he brought together people from all walks of life to support a common cause.

I can see how the fascist party rhetoric is already lining up the NHS for sweeping "privatisation" because we all know don't we that the private "for profit" sector can always squeeze the pips, er I mean do a better job.  Captain Tom Rtd. as he was then simply cut through all of the politicised crap that pervades our society through every right wing press and social media portal and managed something both necessary and good at a time when it is most needed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 17 July, 2020, 10:31:14 am
British Cycling renewal notice arrived by email this morning - "expires in 2 days and all your benefits* will no longer be valid" -  pretty poor admin with just 2 days before being cast adrift?   

Yep, I know I can set up a DD but to keep life simple I have as few of them as possible.

* the only "benefit" I want is the 3P insurance which I need for my club membership.



Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 17 July, 2020, 12:18:45 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 17 July, 2020, 06:41:05 am
I must be turning into an middle-aged curmudgeon, I'm finding the whole renewed Major Tom kerfuffle around his investiture to be intensely irritating. He had a hip replacement, he did his physio, does that really warrant such a fuss?

I just feel it's a massive amount of crip-spiration. The sort of thing which is thrown at people like me with mobility difficulties "Major Tom had a surgery and then he walked umpty-zillion miles, so you're just being lazy" even though my hip issues are more complicated and the good Major was very very lucky to get that level of recovery even if he worked hard for it... 

I also find this idea that we applaud older folk for being so 'vital' if they can function into their 90s, which implies those who got dementia or other ill-health are some how less good people. Ableist A F.

Major Tom shouldn't have needed to raise money for the NHS or allied entities.

Also, there are people who do 'good works' for years and years and years and don't go viral. Major Tom goes viral once and gets a knighthood (ob rant about racist colonial empirey honours systems not provided here due to lack of arsedness on my part).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 17 July, 2020, 01:20:21 pm
It seems that anyone who becomes well-known will eventually be belittled or torn to bits on the internet.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 17 July, 2020, 02:47:19 pm
I have nothing against Major Tom, I do object to inspiration "inspo" porn which he is probably inadvertently perpetuating...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 17 July, 2020, 02:49:38 pm
I rather think that I'm just objecting to the internet.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 20 July, 2020, 07:38:16 pm
It's time to get rid of my 30+ year old microwave, as it doesn't rotate or heat properly anymore.  Another bag of misc electronic waste as well, I'm sure wall warts breed like tribbles.   


The local tip is open, but big queues of cars , however someone in Twitter said he went to the front on his bike & was waved straight in.    So I break out the trailer , carry everything down the stairs & enjoy some of Liverpool's finest road surfaces*, and new physically divided cycle lanes that are a bit narrow.....  get to the recycling centre at 18:30 & am told , no way mate,   no cyclists or motorbikes.  :(


Pedal sadly home, keeping an eye open for a convenient skip... :(


*I'm lying,  the council has been starved of cash for decades. The roads are terrible.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andytheflyer on 20 July, 2020, 08:27:25 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 20 July, 2020, 07:38:16 pm
.....  get to the recycling centre at 18:30 & am told , no way mate,   no cyclists or motorbikes.  :(
Because some 2 year old has had a go at something called a Risk Assessment with his crayon and deemed it "unsafe". Not that they'll ever get out of those nappies......
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 21 July, 2020, 08:45:38 am
After The Great Collapsing Chair Disaster of 2014 I splurged on a 2nd hand Humanscale Freedom chair, because my arse (and back) are worth it.     


The plastic leatherette arm pads are now splitting ,  replacements are available for How Much ££!!   (£110 a pair).  I could probably buy a cheap Ikea chair for that much  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 21 July, 2020, 08:49:20 am
A quick glance at Ikea reveals chairs starting at £10, so you could have a lifetime's supply.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 21 July, 2020, 10:49:59 am
Quote from: andrewc on 21 July, 2020, 08:45:38 am
After The Great Collapsing Chair Disaster of 2014 I splurged on a 2nd hand Humanscale Freedom chair, because my arse (and back) are worth it.     


The plastic leatherette arm pads are now splitting ,  replacements are available for How Much ££!!   (£110 a pair).  I could probably buy a cheap Ikea chair for that much  :(

I have a similar problem with my previously-owned RH Logic.  I wrapped it in (proper) gaffer tape, and it's holding up surprisingly well.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 21 July, 2020, 11:22:10 am
Quote from: andrewc on 21 July, 2020, 08:45:38 am
After The Great Collapsing Chair Disaster of 2014 I splurged on a 2nd hand Humanscale Freedom chair, because my arse (and back) are worth it.     


The plastic leatherette arm pads are now splitting ,  replacements are available for How Much ££!!   (£110 a pair).  I could probably buy a cheap Ikea chair for that much  :(

Do not fall for the wiles of the superficially attractive Ikea leather-upholstered swivel chairs, for the outer surface of the leather comes off in little sooty flakes and you wind up looking like cycling's R Bardet after Mrs Pingu has shoved him up a chimney.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 21 July, 2020, 11:32:33 am
Someone on Ebay is selling a Right arm pad for £26.  Typically it's the left hand one that's most in need of replacement, unless I decide to go for the duct tape solution.


https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2x-Humanscale-Freedom-Chair-With-Headrest/274434126382?hash=item3fe58c722e:g:2BQAAOSw8LBfFquJ       I could bid on these & cannibalise them , but there is a slight problem with the location ! Pick up only. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 21 July, 2020, 02:59:43 pm
The Dokta: plz 2 collect blood test forms from surgery kthxbai.
Me: ICBA right now.  I shall call in on on my way to Mr Sainsbury's House Of Toothy Comestibles on Tuesday.
>> to today
The Dokta (on a note taped to the door): if ur collecting paper-based Product ring this number kthxbai sue.
Me: Onoz!  Being a person unwedded to the notion that a mobile phone is as essential an item of equipment as trousers* when leaving the house, I haz not my phone about my person.  Also, it's probably run out of voles anyway.  Y u not tell me I need to phone when leave msg on machine, Sue?

Bah!

* Other aids to lower-body modesty are available.  Pockets optional.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 21 July, 2020, 03:09:26 pm
Bah! Too much milk in the tea again.  :sick:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 21 July, 2020, 06:12:03 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 21 July, 2020, 11:32:33 am
Someone on Ebay is selling a Right arm pad for £26.  Typically it's the left hand one that's most in need of replacement, unless I decide to go for the duct tape solution.


https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2x-Humanscale-Freedom-Chair-With-Headrest/274434126382?hash=item3fe58c722e:g:2BQAAOSw8LBfFquJ       I could bid on these & cannibalise them , but there is a slight problem with the location ! Pick up only. 

If the pads are removable could you take them to one of those people that redoes vinyl pub seats and the like. A contract upholsterer or summat.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 21 July, 2020, 06:31:48 pm
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Humanscale-Freedom-office-chair-gel-arm-pad-right/324219537910?hash=item4b7cfd89f6:g:pxoAAOSwFIJfANc6


Damn thing looks quite like a saddle.....    I wonder if Selle Italia would do me a favour ?  Or Brooks ?  I've spent enough money on their stuff!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 21 July, 2020, 09:19:14 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 21 July, 2020, 11:32:33 am
Someone on Ebay is selling a Right arm pad for £26.  Typically it's the left hand one that's most in need of replacement, unless I decide to go for the duct tape solution.

Use gaffer tape, like the theatricals use, not duct tape.  It'll last longer without peeling into a sticky mess at the edges.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 22 July, 2020, 08:22:03 am
Bloody Guardian, always ready to present things in a bad light. Re methane seep in Antarctica:

Quote
The active seep was first spotted by chance by divers in 2011, but it took scientists until 2016 to return to the site and study it in detail, before beginning laboratory work.

If the scientists were delinquent in their duty to get there ASAP then the Bloody Graun should come out and say so, instead of suggesting it by their snide choice of words. Their copywriters aren't so thick (I hope) that they didn't know what they were suggesting.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 22 July, 2020, 09:35:12 am
Quote from: T42 on 22 July, 2020, 08:22:03 am
Bloody Guardian, always ready to present things in a bad light. Re methane seep in Antarctica:

Quote
The active seep was first spotted by chance by divers in 2011, but it took scientists until 2016 to return to the site and study it in detail, before beginning laboratory work.

If the scientists were delinquent in their duty to get there ASAP then the Bloody Graun should come out and say so, instead of suggesting it by their snide choice of words. Their copywriters aren't so thick (I hope) that they didn't know what they were suggesting.

That doesn't suggest any delinquency to me, natural methane seeps are not uncommon.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 22 July, 2020, 01:07:20 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 22 July, 2020, 09:35:12 am
Quote from: T42 on 22 July, 2020, 08:22:03 am
Bloody Guardian, always ready to present things in a bad light. Re methane seep in Antarctica:

Quote
The active seep was first spotted by chance by divers in 2011, but it took scientists until 2016 to return to the site and study it in detail, before beginning laboratory work.

If the scientists were delinquent in their duty to get there ASAP then the Bloody Graun should come out and say so, instead of suggesting it by their snide choice of words. Their copywriters aren't so thick (I hope) that they didn't know what they were suggesting.

That doesn't suggest any delinquency to me, natural methane seeps are not uncommon.

Not the point. Graun's wording suggests that the scientists dragged their feet getting there.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 22 July, 2020, 01:09:56 pm
Your interpretation. It could also be inferred that it took 5 years for governments or other bodies to allow funding or access for the scientists to go look.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 22 July, 2020, 01:39:18 pm
But only the scientists were mentioned.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 22 July, 2020, 03:29:27 pm
It also says nothing about whether there was any urgency to look, which wasn't acted on, or whether it was just scientists saying "hmm, that looks interesting, let's put it on the list of things to have a look at"
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 22 July, 2020, 04:02:05 pm
Exactly. Typical Graun.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 22 July, 2020, 07:34:18 pm
I think you're over thinking this, and ascribing a motive that isn't necessarily there.  Best I can agree with you is that it's vague.  Maybe go and have another cup of tea?

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 23 July, 2020, 08:20:44 am
Yeah. Maybe I'm just fed up with their generally censorious approach to just about anything. I'd dump them if the others weren't as bad. MrsT already did - she doesn't do crosswords.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 23 July, 2020, 04:31:16 pm
45 minutes on hold to pay Seiko for a watch repair!
I am not impressed.
Email they sent me this afternoon stated I should phone them & tell them CC details.

No alternatives.

Paying my gardeners/window cleaner is quicker!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 28 July, 2020, 10:50:42 am
Nearest location taking part in the cycle repair scheme is 40km away
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 28 July, 2020, 12:53:37 pm
Got the first of my bits of wall panelling fitted, now have to take it back to the workshop for finishing (dark oak so that it won't show as much where the dogs rub along it).

MrsT: Can we leave it light, like that?

I've got dark oak varnish & matching Liberon wax to hide planned nail-gun holes.  I have not got light oak wax nor clear varnish in sufficient quantity.  And never mind about the dogs.

It does look good the way it is, though...  AAAAAAAAAAArrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: orienteer on 28 July, 2020, 02:57:36 pm
Dye the dogs?  ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 28 July, 2020, 03:17:33 pm
Good idea.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 28 July, 2020, 03:30:48 pm
mini electric fence, mounted 4" proud of the wall?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 30 July, 2020, 11:08:33 am
my dSLR got two side doors, clearly marked what's behind them, so why the flipflop do I still open up door number one after I have seen/read on door number one that door number one doesn't contain what I need behind it ... every flipping time ...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jaded on 30 July, 2020, 11:55:42 am
Muscle memory. Or age.

Try opening it with the other hand.  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Gattopardo on 30 July, 2020, 12:02:51 pm
Quote from: woollypigs on 30 July, 2020, 11:08:33 am
my dSLR got two side doors, clearly marked what's behind them, so why the flipflop do I still open up door number one after I have seen/read on door number one that door number one doesn't contain what I need behind it ... every flipping time ...

I never do that on the sony....never.  You can't prove it either.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 30 July, 2020, 12:55:49 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 28 July, 2020, 03:30:48 pm
mini electric fence, mounted 4" proud of the wall?

Us. Shorts. Summer. Zap.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 30 July, 2020, 03:26:37 pm
Quote from: T42 on 30 July, 2020, 12:55:49 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 28 July, 2020, 03:30:48 pm
mini electric fence, mounted 4" proud of the wall?

Us. Shorts. Summer. Zap.
as a young scout, I had to have a bio break, didn't see wire and was busting ...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 30 July, 2020, 03:28:28 pm
Where do I send my complaint ?

I put on shorts and now wrapped in a big jumper because it's cold, you said it would be summer today !

Liar !

20c my back side !!!

It's brrr the next time you move summer, please let me know, so I can plan accordingly

thx bye
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 30 July, 2020, 04:45:21 pm
Quote from: woollypigs on 30 July, 2020, 03:28:28 pm
Where do I send my complaint ?

I put on shorts and now wrapped in a big jumper because it's cold, you said it would be summer today !

Liar !

20c my back side !!!

It's brrr the next time you move summer, please let me know, so I can plan accordingly

thx bye

24° and lovely here.  We've been to the beach and everything.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 30 July, 2020, 04:53:35 pm
Sweltering here  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 30 July, 2020, 05:00:44 pm
I've got a fleece on (indoors) and it's been pissing down with rain all day. :-\
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 30 July, 2020, 05:29:48 pm
Quote from: woollypigs on 30 July, 2020, 03:28:28 pm
Where do I send my complaint ?

I put on shorts and now wrapped in a big jumper because it's cold, you said it would be summer today !

Liar !

20c my back side !!!

It's brrr the next time you move summer, please let me know, so I can plan accordingly

thx bye

33c according to my motor-car this pm.  Not good when the car is black, has a glass roof and needs its aircon pumping up.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 30 July, 2020, 09:57:23 pm
I'm having an exciting evening looking for replacement cycling shoes. Wiggle advise me that for a pair of Shimano MTB style shoes "Going up half a size from normal shoe size is recommended".  Meanwhile Evans, whose website is shit and whose policy of charging a fiver for Click and Collect is wanky in the extreme suggest going up a whole size when choosing some other brand.

Back to Wiggle and picking J Random EDIT road MTB shoe and I get advised to "buy these shoes one size smaller than your usual size"

It's all bollocks.

Here's an idea: Have a system where the value, in this case shoe size, returned by a number, is a constant. Thus a size 46 shoe is the same size whether irrespective of manufacturer.     
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 30 July, 2020, 10:11:58 pm
Lake FTW. They have extensive instructions on their website for how to measure your feet for their shoes.

Quote from: Tim Hall on 30 July, 2020, 09:57:23 pm

Here's an idea: Have a system where the value, in this case shoe size, returned by a number, is a constant. Thus a size 46 shoe is the same size whether irrespective of manufacturer.     

Yes, that would be good, but wouldn't solve the issue of people having differently shaped feet.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 30 July, 2020, 10:14:22 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 30 July, 2020, 09:57:23 pm
I'm having an exciting evening looking for replacement cycling shoes. Wiggle advise me that for a pair of Shimano MTB style shoes "Going up half a size from normal shoe size is recommended".  Meanwhile Evans, whose website is shit and whose policy of charging a fiver for Click and Collect is wanky in the extreme suggest going up a whole size when choosing some other brand.

Back to Wiggle and picking J Random EDIT road MTB shoe and I get advised to "buy these shoes one size smaller than your usual size"

It's all bollocks.

Here's an idea: Have a system where the value, in this case shoe size, returned by a number, is a constant. Thus a size 46 shoe is the same size whether irrespective of manufacturer.   

That's just the way it is with shoe sizes.
Different mfrs have different interpretations of the sizes.

All the big online sites recognise this, and they allow for repeated return-try-another-size.

It took about 5 returns before I got the right size in SIDI  road shoes from Wiggle, but they were not in the slightest arsey about it.

I would have bought from an LBS where I could try the sizing, but the cost of stock is prohibitive, so there's no LBS in all of ScotlandLand where I could do that.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 30 July, 2020, 10:24:06 pm
Well.
That seems to be quite the hornet's nest.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoe_size

Reading that it looks like the Lake measuring system is similar to Mondopoint, which seems rather sensible.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 30 July, 2020, 10:30:59 pm
Quote from: Feanor on 30 July, 2020, 10:14:22 pm
That's just the way it is with shoe sizes.
Different mfrs have different interpretations of the sizes.

Well they're jolly annoying. (Not what I originally wrote, I'm in a grumpy mood tonight)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 31 July, 2020, 10:45:40 pm
Pleasingly, the Brannock Device mentioned in the Wiki article that Mrs Pingu pointed me at was a question in tonight's Zoom quiz, so got a point there. Didn't win though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 31 July, 2020, 11:07:20 pm
:)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 05 August, 2020, 12:43:32 pm
Bah!  Our kettle no longer switches itself off on boiling.
It wouldn't really be a problem were it not for Mrs B's habit of  switching kettle on, returning to other room, forgetting about tea.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 05 August, 2020, 06:06:12 pm
Quote from: Basil on 05 August, 2020, 12:43:32 pm
Bah!  Our kettle no longer switches itself off on boiling.
It wouldn't really be a problem were it not for Mrs B's habit of  switching kettle on, returning to other room, forgetting about tea.
Do you know, Pingu gives me such a hard time if the kettle boils and I'm not there beside it ready to utilise it immediately...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Gattopardo on 08 August, 2020, 04:55:58 pm
Grumble..well more of a grump, not even a rant.  The super CNC bike I saw for 40e is now sold. 

Now I can't buy it I wish I had..even though it had tubular tyres.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 09 August, 2020, 02:13:13 pm
I've just worked out that if my physio doesn't take a lunch break, his daily income is ~£1380.00
Little wonder that he's smokin' around inna SLK Merc with personalised plates and Carlos Fandango wheels.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: orraloon on 09 August, 2020, 07:21:12 pm
Your physio don't unnerstan' da system.  You do not rock up in flash git motor, you roll up in a Ford Fiesta normally >10 years old, so the punter, sorry client does not get the true picture of earnings and start to question.  Flash git motoring is another place, another time.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 09 August, 2020, 08:19:43 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 09 August, 2020, 02:13:13 pm
I've just worked out that if my physio doesn't take a lunch break, his daily income is ~£1380.00
Little wonder that he's smokin' around inna SLK Merc with personalised plates and Carlos Fandango wheels.

A lot depends on what their outgoings are in terms of room hire, equipment, liability insurance (could be several k a yr) and if they do it full-time. Most physios I know who do private work, do that only one or two days a week and tend not to be fully booked out.

Not that it isn't lucrative if you're any good. And you have to be good at both business and physioing to make private practice work.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 09 August, 2020, 08:30:36 pm
They've also got to save up for all the medical treatment their thumbs will need in old age...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 10 August, 2020, 06:18:26 am
Quote from: Kim on 09 August, 2020, 08:30:36 pm
They've also got to save up for all the medical treatment their thumbs will need in old age...

Its all another big Ponzi scheme, keeping all those physios working on each others thumbs
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 10 August, 2020, 09:35:27 am
Quote from: barakta on 09 August, 2020, 08:19:43 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 09 August, 2020, 02:13:13 pm
I've just worked out that if my physio doesn't take a lunch break, his daily income is ~£1380.00
Little wonder that he's smokin' around inna SLK Merc with personalised plates and Carlos Fandango wheels.

A lot depends on what their outgoings are in terms of room hire, equipment, liability insurance (could be several k a yr) and if they do it full-time. Most physios I know who do private work, do that only one or two days a week and tend not to be fully booked out.

Not that it isn't lucrative if you're any good. And you have to be good at both business and physioing to make private practice work.
It was a gentle dig, rather than a proper complaint.
He is actually very good at what he does.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Gattopardo on 10 August, 2020, 02:17:12 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 10 August, 2020, 06:18:26 am
Quote from: Kim on 09 August, 2020, 08:30:36 pm
They've also got to save up for all the medical treatment their thumbs will need in old age...

Its all another big Ponzi scheme, keeping all those physios working on each others thumbs

 ;D  Now that is funny ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 10 August, 2020, 02:33:35 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 09 August, 2020, 02:13:13 pm
I've just worked out that if my physio doesn't take a lunch break, his daily income is ~£1380.00
Little wonder that he's smokin' around inna SLK Merc with personalised plates and Carlos Fandango wheels.

Must be a trait of the species. The fizzy next door to us blarbs around in a Porsche.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 10 August, 2020, 02:39:37 pm
Broke a blade on my bandsaw this morning - I was cutting about 10 lengths of recycled pallet wood into strips . . . blade bust about 4cm from the end of the cut on the last board - bugger - no time to replace the blade (that takes about an hour) so had to run a handsaw through to finish.

At least I have a spare blade when I get time to change it.  In fairness the blade I was using wasn't really the right one for the job and was pretty old and worn anyway.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 11 August, 2020, 11:42:29 am
Routine blood test followed by weekly visit to Mr Sainsbury’s House of Toothy Comestibles.  Mask must be worn.  Tricky when the 'lastic decides spontaneously to break while sitting on the passenger seat of one’s motor-car.  Had to tie it to my specs, which made me look even more of a dork.

Also Mr Sainsbury’s House of Toothy Comestibles have stopped selling, or have run out of, or have hidden, electric-type fans.  Just when I decided to buy one for the Great Hall.  In which I am currently steaming even though the sun hasn't reached the window that makes up 80% of the longest wall.  Arse.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 11 August, 2020, 01:37:35 pm
Quote from: robgul on 10 August, 2020, 02:39:37 pm
Broke a blade on my bandsaw this morning - I was cutting about 10 lengths of recycled pallet wood into strips . . . blade bust about 4cm from the end of the cut on the last board - bugger - no time to replace the blade (that takes about an hour) so had to run a handsaw through to finish.

At least I have a spare blade when I get time to change it.  In fairness the blade I was using wasn't really the right one for the job and was pretty old and worn anyway.

Bandsaw blades are a sore point with me.  If one will cut straight it leaves cut-marks in the workpiece, and if it doesn't leave marks it doesn't cut straight.  I've watched setup videos ad nauseam and fiddled with the BS for hours to no avail.

My previous bandsaw, sadly deceased, was an el cheapo E. German effort with no pesky H&S encumbrances that cut like a dream.  Current one was safe as houses before I dremeled off most of the H&S crap, but impossible to set right.  The curse of the age, that.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 11 August, 2020, 03:46:01 pm
There seems to be a problem with the vole supply here today.  The UPS keeps switching to battery adding to the heat belting out of Technology Corner.  4 times that I've noticed, spot of log grepping tonight if Mrs Tween lets me near the computers after work.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 11 August, 2020, 06:33:00 pm
Quote from: SoreTween on 11 August, 2020, 03:46:01 pm
There seems to be a problem with the vole supply here today.  The UPS keeps switching to battery adding to the heat belting out of Technology Corner.  4 times that I've noticed, spot of log grepping tonight if Mrs Tween lets me near the computers after work.

Top tip: If this turns into a long term thing, your electrickery distributor may be surprisingly grateful if you can provide RRDtool graphs of the mains voltage.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 11 August, 2020, 09:27:03 pm
Noted thanks. 
Voltage & usage logging are on the to-do list, somewhere around page 19 I think.  If it continues I'll adjust priorities
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 12 August, 2020, 11:12:06 am
Prompted by another thread...

Recently tried to order some books from Greece using a website which thankfully had an English version.  When it came time to complete my purchase I was required to sign in or create an account.  That is the point where the English version of the site ended, along with my knowledge of Greek.  >:(  Even trying to work with online translation tools wasn't helpful.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 13 August, 2020, 09:29:57 am
They are replacing the gutters outside my flat.   2 blokes , a couple of mobile scaff towers & a cherry picker.    Noisy !

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 15 August, 2020, 06:20:32 pm
Which genius at USE developed the original two bolt clamp puzzle for the Alien seat posts?  And which even more awesome person signed off on it?

A cyclops replacement is on order.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 16 August, 2020, 11:49:50 am
It’s convenient (well it was...) to be 15 miles from Luton airport. But the recent spell of easterly winds has meant ALL the approaches have been from the westerly track, and that’s straight overhead at 4000 feet. At least the outbound flight from Heathrow to the US and Canada are a bit more varied and above 10000 feet.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: orienteer on 17 August, 2020, 10:49:33 pm
About a month ago, returning from our lockdown riverside walk via a footpath which links two roads, a heavy shower had caused a manhole at the top of the path to overflow and flood the path with a raging torrent.

At home I contacted Thames Water (the name on the manhole cover) to report a presumably blocked sewer pipe. They came out a few days later to fix it apparently.

Today we came up the walked the same path and found that not only had it overflowed again, but the force of the water had lifted and displace the cover, leaving a gaping hole full of water for someone to fall into.

First I rang the council on my mobile, the operator put me through to one of those wretched numbered option thingies. I tried to choose the best option, and ended up hanging on for about 15 minutes repeatedly listening to how they valued my call before giving up.

Waited until I got home then rang Thames Water. They took 30 minutes to answer, all their staff working from home. At least the responder dealt with it efficiently.

They then sent me a text asking me to rate the response out of 5.

I replied saying 5 for the response, but 1 for the 30 minute wait. Immediately get another text telling me just to send a single digit response.

Obviously no intelligence, artificial or otherwise. So fuck them.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 17 August, 2020, 11:19:19 pm
I tried to report a water leak I discovered on a ride a year or two ago.  Severn Trent have a useful web form that allows you to specify the exact location on a map and provide all sorts of supplemental information.  I thought nothing of it until the next day barakta answered the door to two engineers looking for a water leak.  Apparently the only thing that actually gets through to them are the contact details on the form.   :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Karla on 17 August, 2020, 11:32:39 pm
My mum threw away my Carradice, that I'd lent to my brother and he'd left at her flat. 

"Oh, but who could want something as old and scrappy as this?"  That's patina Mum; that bag has been to at least ... [counts] ... 21 countries!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 18 August, 2020, 07:44:04 am
what you put this in the grumble thread !??!?!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 18 August, 2020, 12:17:17 pm
Quote from: Kim on 17 August, 2020, 11:19:19 pm
I tried to report a water leak I discovered on a ride a year or two ago.  Severn Trent have a useful web form that allows you to specify the exact location on a map and provide all sorts of supplemental information.  I thought nothing of it until the next day barakta answered the door to two engineers looking for a water leak.  Apparently the only thing that actually gets through to them are the contact details on the form.   :facepalm:

Which is why I put my internal contact details on the form and get a colleague to call my work number. Being able to give the asset ID of a valve from the GIS system is a useful hint.  :-\
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 18 August, 2020, 01:23:49 pm
I phoned in a report to the EA last week, they were going down to grid reference level if I could give it.  About half an hour later a responder called back to get the local detail of which side of the road, how obvious etc. Seemed to work OK.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 18 August, 2020, 07:47:03 pm
Man across the road who is always sawing random bits of wood shit at this time. There's been a digger outside shifting earth all day, could you not have made your noise at the same time instead of breaching the peace now it's finally here?
 :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 19 August, 2020, 07:06:43 pm
I have a nasty suspicion that my doorbell has stopped working.  Arse.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 19 August, 2020, 09:16:43 pm
ah missed delivery at the Larrington's
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 20 August, 2020, 11:12:02 am
The last two unmissed deliveries should have been a clue.  Porcelfarce and DPD operatives banging on the door.  I'm surprised it didn’t fall down.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Regulator on 20 August, 2020, 01:00:40 pm
Two grumbles today...

(1) Our inbuilt fridge/freezer has died on us... just as we're about to go on holiday (we're off on the boat on Saturday).  Jon's going to but a new one but we may have to leave it to his father to come and oversee installation.

(2) I was doing a dummy trade on some shares and mistakenly put a deal through.  Managed to wipe £400 paper profit off my portfolio...  :-[
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 22 August, 2020, 01:21:02 pm
The builders working on the car parking plot at the end of the road (i.e. practically outside Pingu Towers) are back with an angle grinding type thing and are attempting to use that to remove a huge pile of concrete lumped against a garage wall. That's going to take fecking hours  :facepalm:
Pumpkin doesn't seem that bothered but Ninkasi is unimpressed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 22 August, 2020, 01:42:10 pm
They've now gone, having cut some grooves in it. I wonder if they will be back later with a pneumatic drill. If it's on Monday my loft 'office' is going to be a bundle of fun.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 22 August, 2020, 03:30:29 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 22 August, 2020, 01:42:10 pm
They've now gone, having cut some grooves in it. I wonder if they will be back later with a pneumatic drill. If it's on Monday my loft 'office' is going to be a bundle of fun.

... probably dynamite - they weren't rolling out a wire to box with a big push button on it were they???  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 24 August, 2020, 10:03:28 am
Last week, because we were on holiday and maybe enticed to sleep in a little before heading out on new exciting adventures, the local gods of thunderous power tools were unleashed every morning at 8.30am.

This morning now I'm back at work? Silence.

I'm hopeful that house up the road have finally finished...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: JonBuoy on 24 August, 2020, 01:14:15 pm
Lucky you!  I have the men with the chainsaws and wood chipper next door.  I'm sure that the people on the other end of this afternoon's WFH 'meeting' will be impressed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 24 August, 2020, 01:20:03 pm
Someone feeding a tree to a wood chipper was my 9 am wake-up call last Monday.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 24 August, 2020, 01:30:55 pm
I was woken at early o'clock on Sunday by raised voices and odd mechanical noises. I though it was the people downstairs having an exchange of views. Once I'd woken propoerly and had a look round I realised my TV had switched on and my printer was doing that "printer maintenance in progress" thing. Both caused by the power tripping and being restored.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 24 August, 2020, 03:25:56 pm
Quote from: ian on 24 August, 2020, 01:20:03 pm
Someone feeding a tree to a wood chipper was my 9 am wake-up call last Monday.


At least it was a tree and not an appendage, accompanied by screaming
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 24 August, 2020, 03:57:09 pm
Given that I'm spending my evenings watching a mix of global apocalypse and disaster movies, I just assumed it was The End.

Now peace reigns, but I'm itchy because at any moment I've been conditioned to expect a cccCCCCCHHHHHRRTTT-thudda-thudda-THUDDA *THUMP* grrrrrrrGrrrrrrnddddGRRRRNNDDDDD. I've missed it so much, I paid a man to come hit my house with a hammer earlier to replace some cracked render.

It would be nice if it continued though, with just the sweet serenade of vehicles reversing up the lane (actually, that can fuck off too).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 24 August, 2020, 04:52:30 pm
All.
Sodding.
Day.

First they turned up with a hand held pneumatic drill.
Then they dId some more mangle grinding.
Then they turned up with a mini digger with pneumatic drill attachment.
So all afternoon it's been a combo of grinding and drilling.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

The concrete lump they're trying to shift is about 18 inches at deepest and 2 feet wide at the bottom. It looks like a previous lazy bodger has just got rid of extra by piling it up against the garage wall.
So there doesn't seem to be a huge amount but the bloody stuff seems to be like diamond.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 24 August, 2020, 06:36:57 pm
Can't blame the courier, yet.

My order from Big River Company should be arriving by 20:00.  As of 18:30 it has yet to be dispatched (according to the tracking page).  Either they are sh!te at updating their tracking info, or sh!te at committing to their delivery promises.  I don't need to have the book in my hands this evening, otherwise this would be for the rant thread.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andrij on 24 August, 2020, 08:01:04 pm
Quote from: Andrij on 24 August, 2020, 06:36:57 pm
Can't blame the courier, yet.

My order from Big River Company should be arriving by 20:00.  As of 18:30 it has yet to be dispatched (according to the tracking page).  Either they are sh!te at updating their tracking info, or sh!te at committing to their delivery promises.  I don't need to have the book in my hands this evening, otherwise this would be for the rant thread.

Barstewards.

Quote
Delayed, not yet shipped
We will email you as soon as this order ships. We're sorry for the inconvenience.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 24 August, 2020, 09:54:18 pm
Plan.  Get out by 6am to hill dodge until Mrs B's 8.30 pre zoom team meeting cuppa needs to be delivered.
*Checks rain radar.*
Bugger
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 24 August, 2020, 11:27:24 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 24 August, 2020, 04:52:30 pm
All.
Sodding.
Day.

First they turned up with a hand held pneumatic drill.
Then they dId some more mangle grinding.
Then they turned up with a mini digger with pneumatic drill attachment.
So all afternoon it's been a combo of grinding and drilling.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

The concrete lump they're trying to shift is about 18 inches at deepest and 2 feet wide at the bottom. It looks like a previous lazy bodger has just got rid of extra by piling it up against the garage wall.
So there doesn't seem to be a huge amount but the bloody stuff seems to be like diamond.

Pingu reckons it might be a lump of granite. Which doesn't exactly click with the shape and position of the lump but would explain why it's taking them so bloody long to get rid of.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 25 August, 2020, 07:51:46 am
Well they are clearly not using enough TNT
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 25 August, 2020, 09:35:48 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 24 August, 2020, 11:27:24 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 24 August, 2020, 04:52:30 pm
All.
Sodding.
Day.

First they turned up with a hand held pneumatic drill.
Then they dId some more mangle grinding.
Then they turned up with a mini digger with pneumatic drill attachment.
So all afternoon it's been a combo of grinding and drilling.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

The concrete lump they're trying to shift is about 18 inches at deepest and 2 feet wide at the bottom. It looks like a previous lazy bodger has just got rid of extra by piling it up against the garage wall.
So there doesn't seem to be a huge amount but the bloody stuff seems to be like diamond.

Pingu reckons it might be a lump of granite. Which doesn't exactly click with the shape and position of the lump but would explain why it's taking them so bloody long to get rid of.

early attempt at a rockery. Got as far as one rock and though "fuckit"
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Neil C on 25 August, 2020, 09:50:47 am
Quote from: woollypigs on 25 August, 2020, 07:51:46 am
Well they are clearly not using enough TNT

Send the ACME boys round to sort it out?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 25 August, 2020, 10:10:53 am
I'm reminded that the early morning silence is broken by the bin lorries (greeen waste on Tuesdays, rubbish/recycling on Wednesdays), both who have reorientated their mid-morning slot to ~7am.

In other grumblesome news, I'm happy to gift the purple berry bounty on the tree out front with the fat pigeons who delight upon them, but in return, it would be nice if they didn't sit on the edge of the roof and expel bright purple shit all over the path.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 25 August, 2020, 12:25:34 pm
I am surprised they didn’t think of demolishing the rock or concrete with expansive demolition grout. A fair number of holes, pour in the grout and it expands overnight and cracks the concrete/ rock for removal. Little noise and not too much effort but some thought is needed to get it to crack where you want it to.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 25 August, 2020, 01:08:51 pm
Quote from: LittleWheelsandBig on 25 August, 2020, 12:25:34 pm
I am surprised they didn’t think of demolishing the rock or concrete with expansive demolition grout. A fair number of holes, pour in the grout and it expands overnight and cracks the concrete/ rock for removal. Little noise and not too much effort but some thought is needed to get it to crack where you want it to.
Similarly quiet are hydraulic splitters. Drill hole, poke hydraulic splitter in, pump hydraulic fluid, concrete splits asunder.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 25 August, 2020, 01:43:54 pm
Yeahbut why would they do all that nicey-nicey stuff when they can attack it with noisy power tools and/or a BFO hammer?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 25 August, 2020, 05:47:23 pm
Fortunately there was relative peace today. They seem to have given up and laid chuckies all over it. Which will presumably end up all over the road once the owners start driving their motorhome in and out of the space.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 29 August, 2020, 03:36:36 pm
Guess who booked a trip to Český Ráj thinking Czechia would be (a) not the choice of the rabble displaced from Spain, etc and (b) stay on the travel corridor for the time being?  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 29 August, 2020, 07:03:58 pm
Our local (Herts) library has finally reopened. For 9 hours a week. And they’re still not operating their online reservation system or delivering previously reserved books. Bucks (where we live) have had their library service running reasonably normally since July.  :-\
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 30 August, 2020, 06:07:25 pm
Just what is the point of ‘track my order’? It’s so often totally worthless, there’s no,actual point to clicking the link. When will I remember this.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 30 August, 2020, 06:24:39 pm
Depends who with. Some of them give you a map with the driver's last drop and number of stops before yours. Agreed that a few of them are a bit shit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 30 August, 2020, 06:58:36 pm
Quote from: Pickled Onion on 30 August, 2020, 06:24:39 pm
Depends who with. Some of them give you a map with the driver's last drop and number of stops before yours. Agreed that a few of them are a bit shit.

The useless workshy twats at Yodel do that.  It didn’t help with my last delivery: “we could not access your property” the first time and “28 stops before yours” 45 minutes after delivery the second.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 30 August, 2020, 07:32:47 pm
For a while DPD were the best around here by a long way.  The likes of Yodel and Hermes are both unreliable and in the case of Hermes ime, dishonest.

DPD though has gone downhill rapidly in the last two months.  I currently have a package with them that was delivered to the local depot and then went out for delivery.  Ten days later it is still out for delivery.  WTF?

I have been in touch with Bike24 who have tried to resolve with DPD but so far without success.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 30 August, 2020, 07:47:59 pm
Royal Mail and Parcelforce are the most reliable by a long way IME.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 30 August, 2020, 08:05:19 pm
Quote from: Polar Bear
...in the case of Hermes ime, dishonest.

Dodgy courier companies are nothing new.  I worked for Jenners as a driver / porter for a while 35 odd years ago and when I was working the loading bay I was under strict instructions to double check everything that came off an ANC van against the manifest to make damn sure it was all there.  I expect older members of the parish who've done similar work saw the problem long before I ever did.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 31 August, 2020, 10:07:24 am
Morrisons home delivery. I know it's a bank holiday and you probably want to get finished asap, but you usually call if dropping off early. Then I spot that one of your colleagues has put a 1Kg jar of Nutella on top of some bread rolls; then there's the matter of the Persil powder leakage over some of the things from a box that looks like it's been kicking around for months, with splits in the box. Must try harder...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 31 August, 2020, 10:37:47 am
Quote from: Polar Bear on 30 August, 2020, 07:32:47 pm
....unreliable and in the case of Hermes ime, dishonest

That a bit like generalising all businesses that only take cash are dodging tax  ;). Hermes as an organisation isn’t inherently dishonest, and in our area the “Hermes Lady” has always been excellent.  It’s really down to the individual in most cases.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 31 August, 2020, 10:42:09 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 30 August, 2020, 07:47:59 pm
Royal Mail and Parcelforce are the most reliable by a long way IME.

Royal Mail are generally fine here but Parcel Farce are anything but.

Quote from: rafletcher on 31 August, 2020, 10:37:47 am
Quote from: Polar Bear on 30 August, 2020, 07:32:47 pm
....unreliable and in the case of Hermes ime, dishonest

That a bit like generalising all businesses that only take cash are dodging tax  ;). Hermes as an organisation isn’t inherently dishonest, and in our area the “Hermes Lady” has always been excellent.  It’s really down to the individual in most cases.



Yes, I see your well made point but counter it with three separate Hermes bods and repeated issues with claimed deliveries not made and packages inexplicably opened.  Perhaps I am just unlucky.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 31 August, 2020, 10:47:24 am
Quote from: CAMRAMan on 31 August, 2020, 10:07:24 am
Morrisons home delivery. I know it's a bank holiday and you probably want to get finished asap, but you usually call if dropping off early. Then I spot that one of your colleagues has put a 1Kg jar of Nutella on top of some bread rolls; then there's the matter of the Persil powder leakage over some of the things from a box that looks like it's been kicking around for months, with splits in the box. Must try harder...
Since we can't get a slot in at out local tesco's* we have to go with Morrisons. They keep packing the wrong things and often the items we want are out of stock. Trying to get a refund for the missed/wrong delivery of things, is very hard and they often refund the wrong amount so we have to apply fill in the hard to find form again.

*click'n'collect and delivery, we can get a slot sometimes and when we do it is like 3-4+ four weeks into the future and it is not a guarantee that we can get what we want on the shopping list.

I hear from a few dog walkers I talk to that the local Tesco and Morrisons are not fully stocked as it was back in Jan. We have tried Sainsburys, it's depo/store is far away, and like Tesco it is hard to get a slot, along with costing more than the other stores. Asda is the easiest to get a slot**, but their fresh good aren't fresh and we often have to send it to the bin, along with their own brand things aren't that good compared to others. And frozen goods are defrosted when they arrive, because like Sainsburys their depo/store is far away. Both Asda and Morrisons tend to bash out shopping around a bit too.

** getting a slot without using the priority option. Sainsbury's and Asda both send us a "Apply here, to get in front of the queue, because you are high risk according to the medical records your GP send out", but going to their website to confirm said thing, both their 'puters says nope, nada, no.  Morisons we got through but be had to pay a small fee to get it, so now we can get a slot within the next 36-48 hours.

So we have been using a local fresh fruit delivery service and a company that normal deliver to restaurants and companies to top up our shopping.

If we around here aren't fully stocked yet and still struggles to get what is needed, I ready do worry come Jan ...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 31 August, 2020, 11:41:16 am
Quote from: Polar Bear on 31 August, 2020, 10:42:09 am
Quote from: rafletcher on 31 August, 2020, 10:37:47 am
Quote from: Polar Bear on 30 August, 2020, 07:32:47 pm
....unreliable and in the case of Hermes ime, dishonest

That a bit like generalising all businesses that only take cash are dodging tax  ;). Hermes as an organisation isn’t inherently dishonest, and in our area the “Hermes Lady” has always been excellent.  It’s really down to the individual in most cases.



Yes, I see your well made point but counter it with three separate Hermes bods and repeated issues with claimed deliveries not made and packages inexplicably opened.  Perhaps I am just unlucky.
Or it could be that the dishonest and/or incompetent Hermes person is not the actual couriers but the manager of the local depot?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andytheflyer on 31 August, 2020, 11:48:41 am
Quote from: woollypigs on 31 August, 2020, 10:47:24 am
** getting a slot without using the priority option. Sainsbury's and Asda both send us a "Apply here, to get in front of the queue, because you are high risk according to the medical records your GP send out", but going to their website to confirm said thing, both their 'puters says nope, nada, no. 
Mrs ATF is on the priority list, we had the NHS letter, and the LA rang us to see if we needed help - which we didn't, except that neither Tesco nor Sainsbury had us on their priority lists.  Mentioned this to the LA woman (not the Doors version...) who gave me a number for Tesco.  Rang that, got straight through, "yes, yes, you are on the list - oh, hold on............ now you are.  Give it 24 hours."

We did, and she was on the list - so we get a slot every 10 days.  Never did crack Sainsbury even after ringing all around the houses.  WoT.

Learned the trick of booking a slot immediately after a delivery - usually you can't get a priority slot within about 6 or 7 days, so we book a slot for 10 days after a delivery and put a few items on the list and checkout.  You can amend the list up to midnight the day before the delivery.  Works well for us.  Sometimes they get something wrong but if it reduces the risk to Mrs ATF, who's awaiting her second lot of cancer surgery this summer, then it's good for us.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 31 August, 2020, 02:31:35 pm
The supermarket list has been a shitshow, there's a 400+ strong legal case about it, which is where the supermarkets have refused to backdown even with a lawyer backing people. The government's list was also a sodding mess.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 31 August, 2020, 03:42:44 pm
As a registered blind person you'd have thought that I might have made the list.  No.

Fortunately for me I get very thick-skinned when some thoughtless fascist starts having a moan at me for taking my time and getting too close to the shelves.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 31 August, 2020, 03:49:31 pm
Yup, blind people were missed off, no recognition that many relied on online delivery or can't distance safely or need staff assistance. Many of those 400 litigants are blind because supermarkets yoinked slots off regular users without giving them a chance to say "err, I'm disabled, I need that".

Several friends have done media skits on this issue, one is the spouse of a shielding person so they HAD to go to the shop in person cos spouse who usually does it, couldn't...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 31 August, 2020, 04:51:56 pm
Professor Larrington managed to get the partially-sighted Lt. Col. Larrington (retd.) onto the list of Mr Sainsbury’s House of Toothy Comestibles, but it took much persistence.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 31 August, 2020, 05:16:02 pm
I would ditch Morrisons, but, for unknown reasons, they aren't charging me for delivery.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andytheflyer on 31 August, 2020, 06:09:22 pm
Quote from: barakta on 31 August, 2020, 02:31:35 pm
The supermarket list has been a shitshow, there's a 400+ strong legal case about it, which is where the supermarkets have refused to backdown even with a lawyer backing people. The government's list was also a sodding mess.
We were worried early on as my wife had been told that she needed urgent surgery and if she caught the bug at the wrong time the surgery would be postponed or cancelled, and that could have been a bridge too far. She'd just completed chemo and radiotherapy by the start of lockdown.  If I went shopping, caught the bug and gave it to her that could have had the same result.  We'd survived on deliveries from the village corner shop and the bakers, but the choice was limited and we stuck it for as long as we could, so getting slots from Tesco was a huge relief.  We do feel sorry though for those who should be on the list but are not as getting ordinary slots was impossible for us as we'd not previously shopped online.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 31 August, 2020, 07:00:47 pm
Why, 20 years ago, did I stop hill walking & take up cycle touring ?  Because it doesn't hurt as much.        Recently I've thought about going back to do a bit of wild camping on foot , but I'm in no shape to do it.  14 flat km took me 4 hrs (including 1hr for breaks), and has given me sore feet , that's without any load  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 31 August, 2020, 07:15:04 pm
That's about 2.5 mph overall. Not fast but not terribly slow really. Keep it up and you'll be in shape for it by next spring, that's soon enough!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 31 August, 2020, 07:35:55 pm
I've gone t'other way and I'm walking far more often than cycling. I've bought a lightweigt tent with a view to wild camping on the Peddars Way/NNCP some unpsecified time next year. Stick with it. I'm fairly sure you'll have good equipment. I started out on canal towpaths and built up from there. 14Km from scratch is respectable, even if your feet hurt. Were you alone or with someone else? Finding someone with a compatible pace is the hard part.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 01 September, 2020, 12:31:16 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 31 August, 2020, 07:15:04 pm
That's about 2.5 mph overall. Not fast but not terribly slow really. Keep it up and you'll be in shape for it by next spring, that's soon enough!
3.5kmh including the break time or 4 ⅔kmh moving time which is approaching 3mph, the speed the army use for calculating on foot travel. As Cudz says not fast, but a reasonable speed over long distances.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Gattopardo on 01 September, 2020, 08:25:01 am
So tired, when is the best time to have a washing machine on...when someone else is trying to get sleep.

Oh and being told it is so tiring being a passenger for a couple of hundred mile driving trip, not so fun for the driver.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 01 September, 2020, 06:15:26 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 30 August, 2020, 07:03:12 pm
Crack! I was just moving off from the lights when, with a sharp noise, my foot slipped and something fell from the bike. Fortunately, it wasn't me. Unfortunately, it was the r/h pedal. The body had broken away leaving the spindle in the crank. Roadworks at the junction combined with quiet traffic meant being stranded in the middle of the B4469 wasn't anywhere near as traumatic as it could have been, and I only had about two miles to walk home. Unfortunately, this means I only got two miles riding.

Looking at the pedal now, there are small cracks and chips in the inner surface of the sleeve, for want of a better word, that forms part of the pedal body and goes round the spindle itself. I'm not sure if this is what caused the failure or is a result of the failure. It also looks as if something might have either snapped (very cleanly) or simply unscrewed itself at the end of the spindle where it fits into a bolt on the outside of the pedal body. I hadn't noticed any looseness previously. They were cheap pedals but only 18 months old. Genetic brand. Came from SJS – I'll see how they respond to an email.
The Pirates of Bridgwater say no.
"I'm sorry to hear that you have had an issue with these pedals.
Unfortunately these pedals only have a 1 year warranty so given the age of these now we would not be able to offer a refund for them.

I'm sorry I could not be more help than this. "

Pah! I'll look elsewhere for replacements. At least they replied quickly though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 02 September, 2020, 02:05:37 pm
Bloomin' 'eck.  These poo bags are like flippin' bin liners. And too stiff to scrunch up a supply in the back pocket.
More use to horsists than dog owners.  Oh hang on.  They don't have to clear up, do they?

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 02 September, 2020, 04:55:54 pm
Tesco's baby poop bags, 35p for 300, for the win.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 02 September, 2020, 06:59:10 pm
Damn hard water. Mixer tap dripping less than a year after replacing CW cartridge. Bring back tap washers is wot I say.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 02 September, 2020, 07:13:25 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 01 September, 2020, 06:15:26 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 30 August, 2020, 07:03:12 pm
Crack! I was just moving off from the lights when, with a sharp noise, my foot slipped and something fell from the bike. Fortunately, it wasn't me. Unfortunately, it was the r/h pedal. The body had broken away leaving the spindle in the crank. Roadworks at the junction combined with quiet traffic meant being stranded in the middle of the B4469 wasn't anywhere near as traumatic as it could have been, and I only had about two miles to walk home. Unfortunately, this means I only got two miles riding.

Looking at the pedal now, there are small cracks and chips in the inner surface of the sleeve, for want of a better word, that forms part of the pedal body and goes round the spindle itself. I'm not sure if this is what caused the failure or is a result of the failure. It also looks as if something might have either snapped (very cleanly) or simply unscrewed itself at the end of the spindle where it fits into a bolt on the outside of the pedal body. I hadn't noticed any looseness previously. They were cheap pedals but only 18 months old. Genetic brand. Came from SJS – I'll see how they respond to an email.
The Pirates of Bridgwater say no.
"I'm sorry to hear that you have had an issue with these pedals.
Unfortunately these pedals only have a 1 year warranty so given the age of these now we would not be able to offer a refund for them.

I'm sorry I could not be more help than this. "

Pah! I'll look elsewhere for replacements. At least they replied quickly though.

What pedals are they?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 02 September, 2020, 09:08:04 pm
Quote from: Canardly on 02 September, 2020, 06:59:10 pm
Damn hard water. Mixer tap dripping less than a year after replacing CW cartridge. Bring back tap washers is wot I say.

That’s exactly what we did, replaced the posh cartridge tap with the cheapest washer stylee mixer. 10 years later it’s still working just fine.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 03 September, 2020, 06:45:57 am
Water softener.  A lot of houses round here have them fitted, make a massive difference.  I wouldn't have fitted one myself necessarily but there was one here when we moved in.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 03 September, 2020, 08:06:08 am
Quote from: rafletcher on 02 September, 2020, 09:08:04 pm
Quote from: Canardly on 02 September, 2020, 06:59:10 pm
Damn hard water. Mixer tap dripping less than a year after replacing CW cartridge. Bring back tap washers is wot I say.

That’s exactly what we did, replaced the posh cartridge tap with the cheapest washer stylee mixer. 10 years later it’s still working just fine.

My task for today is to take the cartridge out of the shower - then hotfoot it down to the plumbing shop (while the water is switched off) for "one of these please"
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 03 September, 2020, 08:48:24 am
Quote from: Polar Bear on 02 September, 2020, 07:13:25 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 01 September, 2020, 06:15:26 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 30 August, 2020, 07:03:12 pm
Crack! I was just moving off from the lights when, with a sharp noise, my foot slipped and something fell from the bike. Fortunately, it wasn't me. Unfortunately, it was the r/h pedal. The body had broken away leaving the spindle in the crank. Roadworks at the junction combined with quiet traffic meant being stranded in the middle of the B4469 wasn't anywhere near as traumatic as it could have been, and I only had about two miles to walk home. Unfortunately, this means I only got two miles riding.

Looking at the pedal now, there are small cracks and chips in the inner surface of the sleeve, for want of a better word, that forms part of the pedal body and goes round the spindle itself. I'm not sure if this is what caused the failure or is a result of the failure. It also looks as if something might have either snapped (very cleanly) or simply unscrewed itself at the end of the spindle where it fits into a bolt on the outside of the pedal body. I hadn't noticed any looseness previously. They were cheap pedals but only 18 months old. Genetic brand. Came from SJS – I'll see how they respond to an email.
The Pirates of Bridgwater say no.
"I'm sorry to hear that you have had an issue with these pedals.
Unfortunately these pedals only have a 1 year warranty so given the age of these now we would not be able to offer a refund for them.

I'm sorry I could not be more help than this. "

Pah! I'll look elsewhere for replacements. At least they replied quickly though.

What pedals are they?
These: https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/pedals-cleats/genetic-pro-mtb-pedal-black-silver/
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hulver on 03 September, 2020, 09:20:16 am
Tesco dog poo bags. Plastic bags, inside a plastic bag. Why make it resealable? What possible purpose does making it resealable do? What problem does it solve? Dog poo dogs do not go off. They are not going to get crispy and inflexible if I don't reseal them when I've taken a few out when I go on a walk.

All that stupid little bit of tape does it catch on the poo bag as I pull it out of the container, often putting a hole in the bag. I've taken to just pulling the tape off and sticking it somewhere on the container when I open them. Why have it? Pointless waste.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 03 September, 2020, 09:25:49 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 03 September, 2020, 08:48:24 am
Quote from: Polar Bear on 02 September, 2020, 07:13:25 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 01 September, 2020, 06:15:26 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 30 August, 2020, 07:03:12 pm
Crack! I was just moving off from the lights when, with a sharp noise, my foot slipped and something fell from the bike. Fortunately, it wasn't me. Unfortunately, it was the r/h pedal. The body had broken away leaving the spindle in the crank. Roadworks at the junction combined with quiet traffic meant being stranded in the middle of the B4469 wasn't anywhere near as traumatic as it could have been, and I only had about two miles to walk home. Unfortunately, this means I only got two miles riding.

Looking at the pedal now, there are small cracks and chips in the inner surface of the sleeve, for want of a better word, that forms part of the pedal body and goes round the spindle itself. I'm not sure if this is what caused the failure or is a result of the failure. It also looks as if something might have either snapped (very cleanly) or simply unscrewed itself at the end of the spindle where it fits into a bolt on the outside of the pedal body. I hadn't noticed any looseness previously. They were cheap pedals but only 18 months old. Genetic brand. Came from SJS – I'll see how they respond to an email.
The Pirates of Bridgwater say no.
"I'm sorry to hear that you have had an issue with these pedals.
Unfortunately these pedals only have a 1 year warranty so given the age of these now we would not be able to offer a refund for them.

I'm sorry I could not be more help than this. "

Pah! I'll look elsewhere for replacements. At least they replied quickly though.

What pedals are they?
These: https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/pedals-cleats/genetic-pro-mtb-pedal-black-silver/

Pity.

I have two pairs of oedals coming off the tandem that I recently purchased which are surplus to requirements.   They are double-sided cleated ones.

I'll check the model number and post it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 03 September, 2020, 09:31:15 am
Quote from: robgul on 03 September, 2020, 08:06:08 am
Quote from: rafletcher on 02 September, 2020, 09:08:04 pm
Quote from: Canardly on 02 September, 2020, 06:59:10 pm
Damn hard water. Mixer tap dripping less than a year after replacing CW cartridge. Bring back tap washers is wot I say.

That’s exactly what we did, replaced the posh cartridge tap with the cheapest washer stylee mixer. 10 years later it’s still working just fine.
i

My task for today is to take the cartridge out of the shower - then hotfoot it down to the plumbing shop (while the water is switched off) for "one of these please"

Good luck! When I looked at replacing ours the variety was huge, and mostly very similar looking.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 03 September, 2020, 09:32:52 am
Quote from: Polar Bear on 03 September, 2020, 09:25:49 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 03 September, 2020, 08:48:24 am
Quote from: Polar Bear on 02 September, 2020, 07:13:25 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 01 September, 2020, 06:15:26 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 30 August, 2020, 07:03:12 pm
Crack! I was just moving off from the lights when, with a sharp noise, my foot slipped and something fell from the bike. Fortunately, it wasn't me. Unfortunately, it was the r/h pedal. The body had broken away leaving the spindle in the crank. Roadworks at the junction combined with quiet traffic meant being stranded in the middle of the B4469 wasn't anywhere near as traumatic as it could have been, and I only had about two miles to walk home. Unfortunately, this means I only got two miles riding.

Looking at the pedal now, there are small cracks and chips in the inner surface of the sleeve, for want of a better word, that forms part of the pedal body and goes round the spindle itself. I'm not sure if this is what caused the failure or is a result of the failure. It also looks as if something might have either snapped (very cleanly) or simply unscrewed itself at the end of the spindle where it fits into a bolt on the outside of the pedal body. I hadn't noticed any looseness previously. They were cheap pedals but only 18 months old. Genetic brand. Came from SJS – I'll see how they respond to an email.
The Pirates of Bridgwater say no.
"I'm sorry to hear that you have had an issue with these pedals.
Unfortunately these pedals only have a 1 year warranty so given the age of these now we would not be able to offer a refund for them.

I'm sorry I could not be more help than this. "

Pah! I'll look elsewhere for replacements. At least they replied quickly though.

What pedals are they?
These: https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/pedals-cleats/genetic-pro-mtb-pedal-black-silver/

Pity.

I have two pairs of oedals coming off the tandem that I recently purchased which are surplus to requirements.   They are double-sided cleated ones.

I'll check the model number and post it.

They are PD-M540's. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 03 September, 2020, 09:41:36 am
Thanks PB  :) but I've already ordered myself a pair of these: https://www.tredz.co.uk/.MKS-Sylvan-Touring_18210.htm
I'm being all old skool with trad toe cages on this bike, because reasons. Got the green bike to ride till these arrive.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 03 September, 2020, 10:34:48 am
Quote from: hulver on 03 September, 2020, 09:20:16 am
Tesco dog poo bags. Plastic bags, inside a plastic bag. Why make it resealable? What possible purpose does making it resealable do? What problem does it solve? Dog poo dogs do not go off. They are not going to get crispy and inflexible if I don't reseal them when I've taken a few out when I go on a walk.

All that stupid little bit of tape does it catch on the poo bag as I pull it out of the container, often putting a hole in the bag. I've taken to just pulling the tape off and sticking it somewhere on the container when I open them. Why have it? Pointless waste.
Go use Tesco nappy poop bags, 300 for 35p, much cheaper and don't have the tape bit at all. I have only had one "blow" up on me in 7 years of using them and that was because other debris around the deposit. 

If only bio gradable bags where as cheap ...

Side note : There is 1-2 dog walkers in town who much spend a fortune on poop bags. Everyday I get free poop bags. Cause they clearly don't take any care with their bags. Some times it is a pile of them or even a whole roll of bags, just laying there unused blowing the the wind. And going from the print on some and the quality of them, they are clearly on the dear end of the scale - over £2-3 for a pack of 75-100.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 03 September, 2020, 01:22:28 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 03 September, 2020, 09:41:36 am
Thanks PB  :) but I've already ordered myself a pair of these: https://www.tredz.co.uk/.MKS-Sylvan-Touring_18210.htm
I'm being all old skool with trad toe cages on this bike, because reasons. Got the green bike to ride till these arrive.

Both me and my principal Captain are "old skool" too which is why the Shimano pedals are surplus to requirements.

I have a pair of the Sylvans on order from Bike24.  They arrived at DPD's Hinckley depot on 17th August and have been "in transit" since then.  I was goinv to order from Tredz but I see that Tredz are quoting 10 days too.  Crazy world.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 03 September, 2020, 01:33:27 pm
Ordered yesterday, dispatched yesterday. "Please allow up to 10 working days." I'm confident(ly hoping) it won't be that long. Normally I wouldn't mind anyway but...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 03 September, 2020, 01:42:25 pm
Lucky you.  Hope that they arrive ...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 03 September, 2020, 01:43:40 pm
Quote from: Polar Bear on 03 September, 2020, 09:32:52 am
Quote from: Polar Bear on 03 September, 2020, 09:25:49 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 03 September, 2020, 08:48:24 am
Quote from: Polar Bear on 02 September, 2020, 07:13:25 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 01 September, 2020, 06:15:26 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 30 August, 2020, 07:03:12 pm
Crack! I was just moving off from the lights when, with a sharp noise, my foot slipped and something fell from the bike. Fortunately, it wasn't me. Unfortunately, it was the r/h pedal. The body had broken away leaving the spindle in the crank. Roadworks at the junction combined with quiet traffic meant being stranded in the middle of the B4469 wasn't anywhere near as traumatic as it could have been, and I only had about two miles to walk home. Unfortunately, this means I only got two miles riding.

Looking at the pedal now, there are small cracks and chips in the inner surface of the sleeve, for want of a better word, that forms part of the pedal body and goes round the spindle itself. I'm not sure if this is what caused the failure or is a result of the failure. It also looks as if something might have either snapped (very cleanly) or simply unscrewed itself at the end of the spindle where it fits into a bolt on the outside of the pedal body. I hadn't noticed any looseness previously. They were cheap pedals but only 18 months old. Genetic brand. Came from SJS – I'll see how they respond to an email.
The Pirates of Bridgwater say no.
"I'm sorry to hear that you have had an issue with these pedals.
Unfortunately these pedals only have a 1 year warranty so given the age of these now we would not be able to offer a refund for them.

I'm sorry I could not be more help than this. "

Pah! I'll look elsewhere for replacements. At least they replied quickly though.

What pedals are they?
These: https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/pedals-cleats/genetic-pro-mtb-pedal-black-silver/

Pity.

I have two pairs of oedals coming off the tandem that I recently purchased which are surplus to requirements.   They are double-sided cleated ones.

I'll check the model number and post it.

They are PD-M540's.

If still available, can I trouble you for a pair for a reasonable fee?  I use these and have room for another pair on my MTB.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 03 September, 2020, 01:47:49 pm
Lol, I just PM’d Mike about them too  :).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 03 September, 2020, 03:32:26 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 03 September, 2020, 01:33:27 pm
Ordered yesterday, dispatched yesterday. "Please allow up to 10 working days." I'm confident(ly hoping) it won't be that long. Normally I wouldn't mind anyway but...

Remember when "mail order" ads (Scotcade and the like in the Sunday papers) quoted "allow 28 days for delivery" ?  - Amazon just delivered something to me same day as I ordered it  (and I'm not one of the mugs that pays for Prime, nor did I pay for delivery)   

Crazy - the how many white vans are running around with just a few parcels on board to satisfy what (to me) is an unnecessarily short delivery time?

I guess Viking Stationery in its heyday were a major culprit with delivery in sub-3 hours.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 04 September, 2020, 10:55:11 am
I had forgotten how much I didn't miss the daily tide of screaming, litter emitting schoolkids every day.

Although they seem to be going home at 11 am. Orientation, I am told by teacher friends. They all have to go to school briefly to be told how to go to school.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 04 September, 2020, 04:27:07 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 03 September, 2020, 01:33:27 pm
Ordered yesterday, dispatched yesterday. "Please allow up to 10 working days." I'm confident(ly hoping) it won't be that long. Normally I wouldn't mind anyway but...
And delivered today. A lot less than 10 days! In a very smart box too (well, they are Japanese).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 05 September, 2020, 07:19:25 pm
Trying to donate an old wardrobe to charity today has created a bit of a grumble fest...
First up, 930am is not the afternoon. I hadn’t gone out yet, but was about to - in anticipation of needing to be in for the afternoon.
Second, if I don’t pick up the phone at 9am, a voicemail or text might be better than a missed call from a random unknown mobile. You could even email.
Finally, if you’ve got a thing against (intact, clean, well applied) white paint then why not say so in advance.
If no random passer by wants it I’ll have to chop it up and take it to the tip. It is, of course, 2cm wide to get in the car.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 05 September, 2020, 07:27:31 pm
UPS have managed to mangle the delivery address for my parcel of recorders. The building and street name for the delivery address (work) with the town and postcode of the billing address (home). Their system therefore says no to delivering it.  :'(

Have spoken to seller and to UPS and have straightened it out but the parcel that should have arrived Thursday is still at the UPS depot and will probably arrive on Monday, I just don't know to which address.  :o
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 05 September, 2020, 10:06:55 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 04 September, 2020, 04:27:07 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 03 September, 2020, 01:33:27 pm
Ordered yesterday, dispatched yesterday. "Please allow up to 10 working days." I'm confident(ly hoping) it won't be that long. Normally I wouldn't mind anyway but...
And delivered today. A lot less than 10 days! In a very smart box too (well, they are Japanese).
And today, rummaging through a box of bits in search of something else (which turned out to be in a completely different place hibernating under a pile of dry bags), what did I find? A pair of flat pedals. Nowhere near as nice as the MKS but perfectly usable. Oh well, it's always good to have spares. Unless you don't know you've got them.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 06 September, 2020, 08:27:46 am
Gah.  Got up at sparrow-fart for street cleaning only for it to be called off at the last minute.  Rain.
I could go back to bed, but as I have consumed a weapons grade coffee, there wouldn't be much point.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 06 September, 2020, 08:30:59 am
So have another coffee.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 06 September, 2020, 08:32:27 am
I'm ahead of you there.  :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 06 September, 2020, 10:09:32 am
See that's why I don't drink coffee. If there is a chance for some kipping I did not want drugs/chemicals/stuff preventing time in bed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 06 September, 2020, 10:18:12 am
Quote from: Basil on 06 September, 2020, 08:32:27 am
I'm ahead of you there.  :)

Haven't had any yet myself, but I just ordered another kilo.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 06 September, 2020, 12:31:29 pm
Quote from: T42
Quote from: Basil
I'm ahead of you there.  :)
Haven't had any yet myself, but I just ordered another kilo.
Coffee by the kilo?  Crikey.  Must be big cups.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 07 September, 2020, 10:15:50 am
Quote from: TheLurker on 06 September, 2020, 12:31:29 pm
Quote from: T42
Quote from: Basil
I'm ahead of you there.  :)
Haven't had any yet myself, but I just ordered another kilo.
Coffee by the kilo?  Crikey.  Must be big cups.

Lethal dose.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 07 September, 2020, 10:18:16 am
Meanwhile, life happens...

Big blue-arsed fly buzzing round.

MrsT: Open window, let it out.

Window duly opened.

Wasp flies in.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 07 September, 2020, 04:09:01 pm
Quote from: T42 on 07 September, 2020, 10:18:16 am
Meanwhile, life happens...

Big blue-arsed fly buzzing round.

MrsT: Open window, let it out.

Window duly opened.

Wasp flies in.

Could be worse...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-54051423
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 07 September, 2020, 07:24:06 pm
"Your Paypal account has been closed" spam phishing featured in this or a nearby thread recently. I've just received a spam text message!
"PayPal: Your account is undergoing review please visit <link> to remove block." (No, I didn't click it.) First time I remember receiving a phishing text as opposed to email.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 07 September, 2020, 07:39:03 pm
bugger!  client lunch on Thursday, in their London Club, requires a tie.  That'll be the first time in about 5 years.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Regulator on 08 September, 2020, 03:01:31 pm
My car is in for safety recall work and BMW have given me an X2 as the courtesy car.  It is a pile of shite!  The seat can't go back far enough for my legs to be comfortable (I got back ache just driving the 12 miles home from the garage) and the rear windscreen is tiny, and partially blocked by the rear head rests.  It's also got one of those silly small steering wheels and is an automatic with silly flappy paddle mode.

Luckily my car will be ready for collection in the morning and I can return the X2.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 08 September, 2020, 03:06:42 pm
Well, if you will drive a BMW...
(https://www.bristol247.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/02_SUV-BMW-Embrace-the-Traffic-Jam_1200-copy-e1599480699565-1200x675.jpg)
 :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Regulator on 08 September, 2020, 03:12:46 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 08 September, 2020, 03:06:42 pm
Well, if you will drive a BMW...
(https://www.bristol247.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/02_SUV-BMW-Embrace-the-Traffic-Jam_1200-copy-e1599480699565-1200x675.jpg)
 :demon:

Unfortunately, I require a car for work.  Next one will be a hybrid/electric.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 08 September, 2020, 04:01:30 pm
Quote from: Regulator on 08 September, 2020, 03:12:46 pm
Next one will be a hybrid/electric.
They've taken care of that as well  :demon:
(https://www.bristol247.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/008_MattBonner_DieselElectricCars_Bristol2020_WEB.jpg)

All from here https://www.bristol247.com/news-and-features/features/in-photos-brandalism-hits-bristol/
though I've seen a couple, including the BMW one, in person.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 08 September, 2020, 05:58:45 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 07 September, 2020, 07:39:03 pm
bugger!  client lunch on Thursday, in their London Club, requires a tie.  That'll be the first time in about 5 years.

Many years ago I used to occasionally attend a proper southern gentleman's country club out in the colonies (I wasn't even close to being a member, the owners of the company I worked for were, I suspect the annual membership fee was more than they were paying me, but I'll take a free dinner any time). The maitre d' would always look me up and down, sigh, and send someone to go and get me a bow tie and a jacket. I'm surprised they didn't bring me clean underwear.

It was the sort of place that was so posh (and so white that I don't think they allowed suntans) that when I first went for dinner there, I asked for the menu and everyone looked at me. There was no menu. You simply asked for what you wanted and they made it happen. Unless that request is battered saveloy and chips, it turned out.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 09 September, 2020, 05:45:08 am
20:00 8th of September.  Indoor flying of "toy" aeroplanes to resume on 17th of Oct.
05:00 9th of September.  Social groups to be limited (in Englandlandshire at least) to six (6) people both indoors and out.

Bugger.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 09 September, 2020, 07:01:28 am
Quote from: TheLurker on 09 September, 2020, 05:45:08 am
20:00 8th of September.  Indoor flying of "toy" aeroplanes to resume on 17th of Oct.
05:00 9th of September.  Social groups to be limited (in Englandlandshire at least) to six (6) people both indoors and out.

Bugger.

If you make social indoor flying a religious experience then you can have more people.  The downside is that you have to keep the doors open which may put paid to any decent flying
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 09 September, 2020, 08:17:04 am
Quote from: rafletcher on 07 September, 2020, 04:09:01 pm
Quote from: T42 on 07 September, 2020, 10:18:16 am
Meanwhile, life happens...

Big blue-arsed fly buzzing round.

MrsT: Open window, let it out.

Window duly opened.

Wasp flies in.

Could be worse...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-54051423

I don't go to the Dordogne these days: never know whether to speak English, German or Dutch. Not that I can speak Dutch.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andytheflyer on 09 September, 2020, 08:24:45 am
Quote from: TheLurker on 09 September, 2020, 05:45:08 am
20:00 8th of September.  Indoor flying of "toy" aeroplanes to resume on 17th of Oct.
05:00 9th of September.  Social groups to be limited (in Englandlandshire at least) to six (6) people both indoors and out.

Bugger.
Just waiting now for the official kill-off notice that the gradually-re-awakening vintage motorcycle gatherings are to be cancelled.  I've not been on one yet as my wife is still shielding pending more surgery shortly, but they'd just got back to having occasional socially-distanced meet-ups (BYO coffee and cakes) to chat about old motorcycles.  The bikes must be >25yo, and the riders >60! ;D ;D

Presumably, model flying will be limited to 6 at the strip at one time?  Is that how it works?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 09 September, 2020, 08:39:51 am
Quote from: andytheflyer
Presumably, model flying will be limited to 6 at the strip at one time?  Is that how it works?
Buggered if I know.  It's all a bit (ha ha) up in the air.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 09 September, 2020, 01:16:07 pm
Quote from: andytheflyer on 09 September, 2020, 08:24:45 am
Quote from: TheLurker on 09 September, 2020, 05:45:08 am
20:00 8th of September.  Indoor flying of "toy" aeroplanes to resume on 17th of Oct.
05:00 9th of September.  Social groups to be limited (in Englandlandshire at least) to six (6) people both indoors and out.

Bugger.
Just waiting now for the official kill-off notice that the gradually-re-awakening vintage motorcycle gatherings are to be cancelled.  I've not been on one yet as my wife is still shielding pending more surgery shortly, but they'd just got back to having occasional socially-distanced meet-ups (BYO coffee and cakes) to chat about old motorcycles.  The bikes must be >25yo, and the riders >60! ;D ;D

Presumably, model flying will be limited to 6 at the strip at one time?  Is that how it works?

Am awaiting similar for the Silly Bike Racing.  Technically it's an organised sporting event run by the venue, so comes under different rules to gatherings in public places, but at this point we've no idea what those might actually be.  No doubt Bloody Stupid Johnson will be on the telly later to provide further obfuscation.

Obviously we'd prefer the venue cancel the booking on us, as that way we don't loose the track fees.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jakob W on 09 September, 2020, 06:41:05 pm
Quote from: T42 on 09 September, 2020, 08:17:04 am
Quote from: rafletcher on 07 September, 2020, 04:09:01 pm
Quote from: T42 on 07 September, 2020, 10:18:16 am
Meanwhile, life happens...

Big blue-arsed fly buzzing round.

MrsT: Open window, let it out.

Window duly opened.

Wasp flies in.

Could be worse...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-54051423

I don't go to the Dordogne these days: never know whether to speak English, German or Dutch. Not that I can speak Dutch.

You speak English and German, no? That's 95% of the way to Dutch...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 10 September, 2020, 09:40:00 am
Quote from: Jakob W on 09 September, 2020, 06:41:05 pm
Quote from: T42 on 09 September, 2020, 08:17:04 am
Quote from: rafletcher on 07 September, 2020, 04:09:01 pm
Quote from: T42 on 07 September, 2020, 10:18:16 am
Meanwhile, life happens...

Big blue-arsed fly buzzing round.

MrsT: Open window, let it out.

Window duly opened.

Wasp flies in.

Could be worse...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-54051423

I don't go to the Dordogne these days: never know whether to speak English, German or Dutch. Not that I can speak Dutch.

You speak English and German, no? That's 95% of the way to Dutch...

It's the missing 5% that kills you.  I once "translated" a report from Danish into German, relying on similarities since I had no Danish dictionary.  It had to do with acceptance tests of a telecom system we were working on, and seemed to say that we did OK on everything.  There was just one frequently-recurring word I couldn't guess, but I thought it would probably just be an emphasizer and ignored it.  It wasn't: it was ikke, meaning not. Oops.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 10 September, 2020, 04:00:09 pm
David's lightly-used Cooper Casablanca has hydraulic disc brakes and Alfine hub gears.
Its rear wheel was found to have deflated a few days ago and he found a penetrating flint, which he removed and patched the tube in situ. (Watched by our attentive cats.)
Rear tyre audibly deflated a few hours after he'd parked the bike in the hall. I thought maybe his patching wasn't up to my standard...
'Patch is fine. No sign of lifting or other puncture source. Tube has blisters every 3 inches.'

Seems the rim tape is failing.
Buggeration!
Why the fuck can't manufacturers use something durable?

Rear wheel removal is non-trivial.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andytheflyer on 10 September, 2020, 05:13:21 pm
Quote from: Kim on 09 September, 2020, 01:16:07 pm
Quote from: andytheflyer on 09 September, 2020, 08:24:45 am
Quote from: TheLurker on 09 September, 2020, 05:45:08 am
20:00 8th of September.  Indoor flying of "toy" aeroplanes to resume on 17th of Oct.
05:00 9th of September.  Social groups to be limited (in Englandlandshire at least) to six (6) people both indoors and out.

Bugger.
Just waiting now for the official kill-off notice that the gradually-re-awakening vintage motorcycle gatherings are to be cancelled.

Am awaiting similar for the Silly Bike Racing.
And, lo and behold, the email duly arrived.  All meetings and club runs cancelled sine die. AKA, next year, maybe?  Who knows. 

As a nation we cannot go on like this.  Unless something changes this is the end of society as we knew it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 11 September, 2020, 08:06:58 am
I have had a long running saga with BT and our Business Broadband line - moved house in February to a house with a BT provided line, only about 1.2 km from the previous house, numbers on the same cluster at the exchange (which is almost exactly midway between the two houses) - sounds simple to transfer our existing (old house) number to the new one?  Oh no - months of confusion, bills for £1,000+ for "cancelling our contract"- £150 engineer visits (including one bloke referring in racist terms to the call centre people in India - "They don't what the fuck they're doing") and more - as well as loads of lne drops and simply not bloody working.  We have the "always on" dongle on the router that should flick across to a 4G connection rather than the wire if that drops - dongle doesn't work.

As at today we have the new number, it works most of the time - but the line/wifi drops 3 or 4 times a day.    For the moment, as it's not mission critical, we've just given up hope and can live with the line drops.

The best bit is that an email arrived to today saying "your compaint is resolved" .... and if we have a problem inviting us to call  800800154  - now, spot the error in the number?   That absolutely takes the biscuit.

As you may imagine there is a parallel activity relating to the billing . . . .

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 11 September, 2020, 08:28:04 am
Quote from: andytheflyer on 10 September, 2020, 05:13:21 pm
Quote from: Kim on 09 September, 2020, 01:16:07 pm
Quote from: andytheflyer on 09 September, 2020, 08:24:45 am
Quote from: TheLurker on 09 September, 2020, 05:45:08 am
20:00 8th of September.  Indoor flying of "toy" aeroplanes to resume on 17th of Oct.
05:00 9th of September.  Social groups to be limited (in Englandlandshire at least) to six (6) people both indoors and out.

Bugger.
Just waiting now for the official kill-off notice that the gradually-re-awakening vintage motorcycle gatherings are to be cancelled.

Am awaiting similar for the Silly Bike Racing.
And, lo and behold, the email duly arrived.  All meetings and club runs cancelled sine die. AKA, next year, maybe?  Who knows. 

As a nation we cannot go on like this.  Unless something changes this is the end of society as we knew it.

The problem is the haphazard, populist, non-strategic approach by the chancers in charge allied to a deadly virus which will devastate an ageing and increasingly pill-jangling, ailment-ridden society like ours.

There is no easy answer but it is being made to look even more difficult by the circus in charge.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: PhilO on 11 September, 2020, 08:53:39 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 10 September, 2020, 04:00:09 pm
David's lightly-used Cooper Casablanca has hydraulic disc brakes and Alfine hub gears.
Its rear wheel was found to have deflated a few days ago and he found a penetrating flint, which he removed and patched the tube in situ. (Watched by our attentive cats.)
Rear tyre audibly deflated a few hours after he'd parked the bike in the hall. I thought maybe his patching wasn't up to my standard...
'Patch is fine. No sign of lifting or other puncture source. Tube has blisters every 3 inches.'

Seems the rim tape is failing.
Buggeration!
Why the fuck can't manufacturers use something durable?

Rear wheel removal is non-trivial.

I find rear wheel removal/replacement on my disc/alfine bike easier than on a derailleur equipped one (mine's Alfine-8 - not sure if the 11 is different)

There are two tricks:  Alfine: disconnect the cable by pulling the outer from its stop first, then unhooking the connector on the hub. This helps even more when putting it back together; hook on first, lay the cable into its groove, then pull the mechanism round by the outer before slotting it into its stop. All done with the shifter set to give maximum cable out, obviously.

Disc rotor:  These go in much easier if you file a small (~0.5mm) chamfer around the outside diameter. It has no effect on braking performance but halves the chance of the rotor fouling on the pad as you slide it in.

Apologies if you know these already!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Diver300 on 11 September, 2020, 01:56:23 pm
Nat West, on their "Contact NatWest" page (https://personal.natwest.com/personal/support-centre/contact-us.html (https://personal.natwest.com/personal/support-centre/contact-us.html) for anyone playing along at home) have a picture of someone using a smart phone as an actual phone. However, NatWest fail to put a contact number on that page, or anywhere I can find that links from that page.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 11 September, 2020, 02:34:49 pm
Quote from: Diver300 on 11 September, 2020, 01:56:23 pm
a picture of someone using a smart phone as an actual phone

Ha, he's holding it to his ear like an old person.  Everyone knows that you're supposed to hold phones outstretched horizontally, away from your mouth...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 11 September, 2020, 02:50:33 pm
That page has a whole load of numbers. And he is an old person. They're the ones with money, after all. Though apparently he isn't old enough to have a bluetooth headset.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 11 September, 2020, 02:51:03 pm
Quote from: Kim on 11 September, 2020, 02:34:49 pm
Quote from: Diver300 on 11 September, 2020, 01:56:23 pm
a picture of someone using a smart phone as an actual phone

Ha, he's holding it to his ear like an old person.  Everyone knows that you're supposed to hold phones outstretched horizontally, away from your mouth...

Isn't that so that the deadly EM radiation doesn't fry your brain?  Judging by the kids shambling down to the bus-stop of a morning, it doesn't work.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 11 September, 2020, 05:29:33 pm
Sweeping up the crap from the kids, honestly, I didn't miss the daily tide. Do they eat some junk. Nice smashed bottle of strawberry milk at the end of the road.

I think this term I'm going to bag it up and return it to the school.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 11 September, 2020, 07:42:11 pm
Quote from: Kim on 11 September, 2020, 02:34:49 pm
Ha, he's holding it to his ear like an old person.  Everyone knows that you're supposed to hold phones outstretched horizontally, away from your mouth...
Other nonsensical ways to hold a phone are available (https://www.theregister.com/2018/07/13/no_seriously_why_are_you_holding_your_phone_like_that/)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 11 September, 2020, 08:11:35 pm
Quote from: SoreTween on 11 September, 2020, 07:42:11 pm
Quote from: Kim on 11 September, 2020, 02:34:49 pm
Ha, he's holding it to his ear like an old person.  Everyone knows that you're supposed to hold phones outstretched horizontally, away from your mouth...
Other nonsensical ways to hold a phone are available (https://www.theregister.com/2018/07/13/no_seriously_why_are_you_holding_your_phone_like_that/)
Amusing! And a Blondie video to finish, that's good. They could have followed it with the Undertones, 'Why don't you ring my number?' Because, as we know, (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=70466.msg2431594#msg2431594) Feargal Sharkey is 75 but Citoyen "still would". Or did I get that mixed up?  :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 11 September, 2020, 09:18:47 pm
Thanks Phil O!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 13 September, 2020, 05:56:52 pm
It would seem that one of our neighbours is poisoning mice as we’ve found 4 unmolested dead mice at the bottom of our garden. I say we, but it was my boys dog that found the first two and unlike our cats, she’s too stupid to know that she can’t eat them.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 13 September, 2020, 06:05:50 pm
Quote from: Kim on 11 September, 2020, 02:34:49 pm
Quote from: Diver300 on 11 September, 2020, 01:56:23 pm
a picture of someone using a smart phone as an actual phone

Ha, he's holding it to his ear like an old person.  Everyone knows that you're supposed to hold phones outstretched horizontally, away from your mouth...
I have discovered the two reasons for this apparent idiocy
a) you don't accidentally disconnect your call with your cheek
b) you can select the appropriate key press when required to press one for sales, two for purchasing, three for customer service.

a is an actual thing I have done many many times. Presumably because I have hamster-esque fat cheeks?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 13 September, 2020, 06:16:52 pm
Quote from: fboab on 13 September, 2020, 06:05:50 pm
Quote from: Kim on 11 September, 2020, 02:34:49 pm
Quote from: Diver300 on 11 September, 2020, 01:56:23 pm
a picture of someone using a smart phone as an actual phone

Ha, he's holding it to his ear like an old person.  Everyone knows that you're supposed to hold phones outstretched horizontally, away from your mouth...
I have discovered the two reasons for this apparent idiocy
a) you don't accidentally disconnect your call with your cheek
b) you can select the appropriate key press when required to press one for sales, two for purchasing, three for customer service.

a is an actual thing I have done many many times. Presumably because I have hamster-esque fat cheeks?
Most half-decent phones have a detection method that disables the screen and keyboard when the phone is held to your ear.

The main reason for the 'talk into the phone' thing, with Apple phones, is that the top speaker is one of the first failures. So you either have to use headphones with mic or put phone on speaker.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: davelodwig on 13 September, 2020, 09:21:49 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 13 September, 2020, 06:16:52 pm
Quote from: fboab on 13 September, 2020, 06:05:50 pm
Quote from: Kim on 11 September, 2020, 02:34:49 pm
Quote from: Diver300 on 11 September, 2020, 01:56:23 pm
a picture of someone using a smart phone as an actual phone

Ha, he's holding it to his ear like an old person.  Everyone knows that you're supposed to hold phones outstretched horizontally, away from your mouth...
I have discovered the two reasons for this apparent idiocy
a) you don't accidentally disconnect your call with your cheek
b) you can select the appropriate key press when required to press one for sales, two for purchasing, three for customer service.

a is an actual thing I have done many many times. Presumably because I have hamster-esque fat cheeks?
Most half-decent phones have a detection method that disables the screen and keyboard when the phone is held to your ear.

The main reason for the 'talk into the phone' thing, with Apple phones, is that the top speaker is one of the first failures. So you either have to use headphones with mic or put phone on speaker.

I always thought it was so people knew what phone you had, like how they don't seem to be able to put it in a pocket.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 19 September, 2020, 07:30:35 pm
We got our new Caxton cards today (foreign currency cash & contactless), for all the use we're going to get out of them for the foreseeable.
Anyway, the actual grumble is that they are not embossed like normal credit/debit cards, they just have your name and number printed on the back.
Which is fine except Pingu's card (or is it somebody else's?) has been through the machine twice and has two names and numbers on it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 19 September, 2020, 08:35:48 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 19 September, 2020, 07:30:35 pm
We got our new Caxton cards today (foreign currency cash & contactless), for all the use we're going to get out of them for the foreseeable.
Anyway, the actual grumble is that they are not embossed like normal credit/debit cards, they just have your name and number printed on the back.
Which is fine except Pingu's card (or is it somebody else's?) has been through the machine twice and has two names and numbers on it.

Notwithstanding the double printing issue I have to say I like the Caxton card as it's flat and doesn't take up so much wallet thickness - the WeSwap forex card is flat too (although I wouldn't recommend the product) - the Pingit debit card I have is flat too . . . although the small Pingit keyring dongle is easier to use.

Cards don't need the embossing nowadays as nobody uses the old carbon paper chits in the slider machine thing  (OK, I think some places in the US still take "imprints")

The more flat cards the better.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 23 September, 2020, 04:09:40 pm
Tomorrow looks like being the last good cycling day for at least a fortnight and I have to visit the cardiologist - who will doubtless fit me up with a holter and fuck up Friday as well.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 01 October, 2020, 07:02:43 pm
Faceache's snooze option doesn't seem to be working
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 02 October, 2020, 08:10:03 am
First break from work* since Xmas and what does the weather do for the first 3 or 4 days? 




*July doesn't count, cos that was a week of getting up early to grind through painting & decorating and P&D are in no wise a break from work in my book.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 02 October, 2020, 08:47:00 am
Quote from: TheLurker on 02 October, 2020, 08:10:03 am
First break from work* since Xmas and what does the weather do for the first 3 or 4 days? 

All those people hollering "Alexia" at a gadget on top of the piano, it's not surprising.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 06 October, 2020, 07:11:54 pm
Facebook, (I know, I know) and how it renders on my android tablet.

On Chrome I can't use it and have the spell checker active. It just changes my typing into nonsense. After several years of never having spell checker on I got fed up with it and all the ads.
Adblock Browser: no ads, brilliant. Can have the spell checker active, great. But. Keeps showing friends on my feed that I'm no longer 'following' and also people that I've muted for 30 days. Que?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 06 October, 2020, 07:43:02 pm
Ah ok, it's not just me
https://m.facebook.com/help/community/question/?id=10161420563485595
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 06 October, 2020, 08:10:29 pm
Quote from: T42 on 02 October, 2020, 08:47:00 am
Quote from: TheLurker on 02 October, 2020, 08:10:03 am
First break from work* since Xmas and what does the weather do for the first 3 or 4 days? 
All those people hollering "Alexia" at a gadget on top of the piano, it's not surprising.

Alexia = inability to read, in my book...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 07 October, 2020, 09:14:39 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 06 October, 2020, 07:11:54 pm
Facebook, (I know, I know) and how it renders on my android tablet.

On Chrome I can't use it and have the spell checker active. It just changes my typing into nonsense.


I was a victim of that this morning. On the way in to work I took a picture of the pre-sunrise glow spreading across the town, and posted it on the local faecesbook group with the caption "Another day dawns over Shefford". Bastard autocorrupt changed that to "Another day Dawn's over Shefford". Gaah.

I rarely post on faecesbook so wasn't expecting this to happen.

Though it does suggest that the residents of Shefford might not be a bunch of functionally-illiterate morons after all.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 07 October, 2020, 11:11:39 am
Grrr...

- running out of dark oak stain. Local DIY shop doesn't have any more of same brand, so took another. Doesn't match.  :-\

- need a wall socket, dark so as not to stick out like a bulldog's bollocks. Same DIY shop only has those ones where you buy a centre bit and a surround separately. Found an "anthracite" centre for ~7€, great. Dark brown surround: 19 €, for a titchy bit of plastic!  Greedy bastards can keep it.  >:(

- got the parrot his usual crackers.  Outer diameter is the same as ever, as is that of the bit of wood sticking up out of the top; but rest of the stick, underneath the seedy coating, is about twice as thick as it used to be. Bloody thieves.  :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 07 October, 2020, 12:06:59 pm
My friends got Alexas a while back, he's incredibly dyslexic and they have a deaf child with additional disabilities (now known to be autism and all sorts). The Alexas worked well for them cos they could say "Alexa tell me my schedule" or "Alexa play music" without having to fiddle. Their life is incredibly busy, both parents have full-time jobs and they really integrated the Alexas for stuff like "add x to shopping list" without losing paper and so on. Their use fit the design case.

The Alexas went down hill with upgrades so they got hacked off and switched them all for Google's equivalent which they say is much better and doesn't currently randomly refuse to open apps cos Amazon had a snit...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Legs on 07 October, 2020, 12:49:50 pm
For shopping lists, Mrs L and I use the AnyList app, which is fab.

My grumble is with local authority (East Staffs BC) who have upped the parking charge at Uttoxeter Leisure Centre from £1 to £1.40 for the express purpose of getting on my tits.  No-one in their right mind would pay for parking in Uttoxeter because there's loads of free parking elsewhere, and the Leisure Centre refunds users anyway.  But you still have to put £1.40 in the machine, and because of Covid, they're only refunding onto cards at the moment...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 07 October, 2020, 01:40:54 pm
Don't the machines take contactless payment? Or allow you tp pay by app like Ring-o?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 07 October, 2020, 03:16:37 pm
Dearest bin people, if you're going to drop bin crap all over the street, pick it fucking up so I don't have to report it every other Wednesday, ta.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Legs on 07 October, 2020, 07:15:20 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 07 October, 2020, 01:40:54 pm
Don't the machines take contactless payment? Or allow you tp pay by app like Ring-o?
You're missing a crucial word in my original post, which is 'Uttoxeter'.  We haven't quite left the twentieth century here.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 10 October, 2020, 08:18:44 pm
There are some new-builds in the street round the corner. New as in ten years, but the owner didn't bother to put them in the PAF or erect a street sign. Someone has moved in there, and as their address doesn't appear in the drop-down box, they've been selecting my address as the closest match.

For fuck's sake, how do you think that's going to work? I've had FOUR FUCKING DELIVERY PEOPLE A DAY for the last week, A Several of whom I found wandering around my garden looking confused. Yes, this is the address on the package, but I am not them, they live in that other road without a name on it. This has included a Tesco food delivery guy who said "it's lucky you're in, otherwise all this food would have just gone in the skip". I've also had letters from the bank "come in to the branch with evidence of your address". Let's see how well that works.

Then, to add insult to injury, the one parcel I *did* order (bike parts from SJS), sent by parcelforce 24, the guy claimed not to be able to find my address. THREE TIMES IN A ROW, including after I'd given a full description and a phone number.

On second thoughts, maybe this is a rant not a grumble.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 10 October, 2020, 09:40:55 pm
That sounds really quite annoying. How do they think their parcels are going to get to their address?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 11 October, 2020, 08:41:33 am
Just hang on to those deliveries you can, and turn others ( like Tesco) away with a shrug.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 11 October, 2020, 10:39:08 am
Up the road a few doors from Fort Larrington is a somewhat decrepit house.  We think the owner died and his/her heirs have Plans for it.  Well, someone has Plans, viz. the council, who have a planning application for the demolition of said house and its replacement with a block of four flats.  Since Fort Larrington Road goes from “narrow” to “very narrow” at that end I foresee hours months of fun with reversing heavy vehicles knocking over garden walls, rufty-tufty hairy-arsed builders making an infernal racket and general mayhem.  Is it wrong of me to wish a pox upon the would-be developers and their planning application?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 11 October, 2020, 11:55:54 am
No, no it is not.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 12 October, 2020, 10:01:26 am
And when they've finished, the new flats will be filled with pavement-parking knobs because 'there's not enough parking.' Which will be the council's fault.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 12 October, 2020, 10:14:40 am
Not the Council any more, planning restrictions have been elminated thanks to Boris and his cohorts. You can now concrete over Ascot and Sunningdale with new  housing  having deemed planning consent.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 12 October, 2020, 10:45:52 am
Quote from: ian on 12 October, 2020, 10:01:26 am
And when they've finished, the new flats will be filled with pavement-parking knobs because 'there's not enough parking.' Which will be the council's fault.

There ent a pavement at all up that end, so they’ll have to park on the grass verges further down the road.  And then complain to the council about being “forced” to walk a hundred yards to their abodes.  Hopefully the inhabitants of the other six or seven houses up the narrow bit will pour contempt, scorn and petril on planning application.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 12 October, 2020, 11:09:30 am
My company has a driver "permit" thing in place, where an outsourced company checks every year that you are still OK to drive company vehicles. So you have to fill in forms about when you last had an eyetest, accidents, convictions, training undertaken etc.
They also have a section where you do a multiple choice theory test like thing, a section on driving attitudes, and a video game where you are shown 10 video clips then asked a question.
Every time the question pools have annoying, or downright wrong, questions. You are put straight into the questions, so you aren't answering based upon information they've given you in a training session. - this is pre-existing knowledge.
My favourite this year was

"How many deaths on the road involve a driver who is over the legal limit for alcohol?" . - that's a reasonable question. Answers are:-


OK, so apart from the confusing change in ranges making this a bit of a maths test, the answers are roughly 17%, 20%, 50% or 15%. The correct one, according to them, was 17%. First irritation - to a company car driver, who cares to within a couple of %? And who, other than a road traffic statistics geek, would know that? Plus, according to the latest government stats (published early this year for 2018) the figure was 26% in 1979, fallen to 16% in 1988, and since 2010 has been around 13%. So none were correct.
Way to go to get people bought into this being valuable and worthwhile when it is impossible to get right other than guessing.

On the driving attitudes, you are asked to answer on a five point range questions like "Do you ever change your driving style because you are running late" from Never to Always.
One question this time was "I do not like the feeling of being lost" ranged from Disagree to Agree.  How on earth do you answer that? It's a "have you stopped beating your wife?" question. If I agree, then it says that I should be planning more and chilling out. But for disagreeing, who genuinely enjoys being lost unless you are doing a follow-your-nose leisure trip?

Aaargh. At least it's only once a year.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andytheflyer on 12 October, 2020, 11:15:08 am
Nothing to do with driver training.  It's only, and all, about 'Management' being able to tick a box so that if someone asks, they can say that they train their drivers.  Me?  Cynical?  Nah......  I used to work for a multinational and we had to do it too, or something similar.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 12 October, 2020, 11:21:15 am
I absolutely get that - they can look to be caring and doing the right stuff, and ticking off one of the "duty of care" things.

But does it have to be quite so shit? It could be really great, making people think about their driving once a year.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 12 October, 2020, 11:26:34 am
No dafter than having “How many members does the Welsh Assembly have” as one of the Things Ones Needs To Know in order to become a BRITON.  While excluding anything about the Laws of Cricket.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 12 October, 2020, 12:11:27 pm
That's worse than my second driving theory test (the first one expired - I'm not sure it was actually possible to fail the early ones), which - presumably due to the vagaries of random number generators - was mostly about the various species of pedestrian crossings.  Which is obviously critical road user knowledge.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 12 October, 2020, 03:53:52 pm
I will freely confess that as far as I’m concerned there are two types of pedestrian crossings, viz. those with traffic lights and those without.  Of course they didn’t have these arj-fangled theory tests when I was learning to drive.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 12 October, 2020, 05:19:26 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 12 October, 2020, 03:53:52 pm
I will freely confess that as far as I’m concerned there are two types of pedestrian crossings, viz. those with traffic lights and those without.  Of course they didn’t have these arj-fangled theory tests when I was learning to drive.

Quite.  As a driver all you actually need to know is to stop at traffic lights.  The specifics of Pelians, Puffins, Pegasi and so on are largely irrelevant.

Still, it required a little more thought than ticking "D) Slow down and proceed with caution" to everything.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 12 October, 2020, 05:25:26 pm
Quote from: Canardly on 12 October, 2020, 10:14:40 am
Not the Council any more, planning restrictions have been elminated thanks to Boris and his cohorts. You can now concrete over Ascot and Sunningdale with new  housing  having deemed planning consent.

I'll check that but your choice of my home village means I know large parts of that are Greenbelt so I believe still protected.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 12 October, 2020, 08:16:06 pm
I thought what had happened was not the removal of all planning restrictions but the expansion of permitted development, meaning various sorts of building works can now happen outside the planning process.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 12 October, 2020, 09:08:58 pm
Quote from: Kim on 12 October, 2020, 05:19:26 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 12 October, 2020, 03:53:52 pm
I will freely confess that as far as I’m concerned there are two types of pedestrian crossings, viz. those with traffic lights and those without.  Of course they didn’t have these arj-fangled theory tests when I was learning to drive.

Quite.  As a driver all you actually need to know is to stop at traffic lights.  The specifics of Pelians, Puffins, Pegasi and so on are largely irrelevant.

Still, it required a little more thought than ticking "D) Slow down and proceed with caution" to everything.

To be fair, Tiger and Toucan crossings could feature cyclists who don't slow down 'coming from nowhere'....

Zebras and Pelicans are pedestrian only, in theory.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 12 October, 2020, 11:20:56 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 12 October, 2020, 09:08:58 pm
Quote from: Kim on 12 October, 2020, 05:19:26 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 12 October, 2020, 03:53:52 pm
I will freely confess that as far as I’m concerned there are two types of pedestrian crossings, viz. those with traffic lights and those without.  Of course they didn’t have these arj-fangled theory tests when I was learning to drive.

Quite.  As a driver all you actually need to know is to stop at traffic lights.  The specifics of Pelians, Puffins, Pegasi and so on are largely irrelevant.

Still, it required a little more thought than ticking "D) Slow down and proceed with caution" to everything.

To be fair, Tiger and Toucan crossings could feature cyclists who don't slow down 'coming from nowhere'....

Zebras and Pelicans are pedestrian only, in theory.

Yeahbut it doesn't matter for a Toucan, because you've stopped for the traffic light.

Zebras and Tigers require motorists to pay attention.  Which is presumably why they're unfashionable.


ETA: I literally just realised while writing that that the reason they're called tiger crossings is because they've got stripes  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 13 October, 2020, 12:50:59 am
I have never heard of a Tiger Crossing, except in parts of Indiah.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 13 October, 2020, 12:53:56 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 13 October, 2020, 12:50:59 am
I have never heard of a Tiger Crossing, except in parts of Indiah.

It's one of those pieces of pinko lefty cycle infrastructure that they have nowadays.  Nothing good can come of it.  [Especially if they punctuate it with sudden-DETH tramline-o-matic tactile paving while expecting cyclists to turn 90 degrees in approximately one bike length to enter and leave the crossing - Ed.]
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: arabella on 14 October, 2020, 04:09:47 pm
Quote from: MattH on 12 October, 2020, 11:21:15 am
I absolutely get that - they can look to be caring and doing the right stuff, and ticking off one of the "duty of care" things.

But does it have to be quite so shit? It could be really great, making people think about their driving once a year.
Indeed.  We have them at my workplace, though I don't recall when I last had to do one.
But ... last time around I got one of the questions wrong.  But there was no explanation why.  I can only assume there was some underlying assumption that I didn't make (iirc it was to do with a car braking sharply because there was already a bike overtaking the upcoming parked car on the same side of the road as they both were, and the Q was what the cyclist could have done different so the car didn't brake sharply)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 15 October, 2020, 01:31:51 pm
Supposedly Tiger crossings originally had yellow stripes, hence the name. I don't know if this was just on the cycle part.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 19 October, 2020, 11:58:24 am
RIP, shiny purple spork. :'( You were a good spork.

(https://i.ibb.co/rvzv5YY/IMG-2583.jpg) (https://ibb.co/N7J7W55)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 19 October, 2020, 05:01:04 pm
Quote from: phantasmagoriana on 19 October, 2020, 11:58:24 am
RIP, shiny purple spork. :'( You were a good spork.

(https://i.ibb.co/rvzv5YY/IMG-2583.jpg) (https://ibb.co/N7J7W55)

It's not purple but it is Ti and folding. Or you can have a non folding one with a bottle opener on t'other end:
https://alpkit.com/products/snapwire-foon
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 19 October, 2020, 05:09:08 pm
It might be broken but it's still purple, which was and is the best thing about it, because it's a spork and therefore neither good as a spoon, fork or knife. IMO...  :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 19 October, 2020, 05:27:42 pm
Quote from: phantasmagoriana on 19 October, 2020, 11:58:24 am
RIP, shiny purple spork. :'( You were a good spork.

(https://i.ibb.co/rvzv5YY/IMG-2583.jpg) (https://ibb.co/N7J7W55)

Either the Park Tool Spork . . . or the PlanetX Ti stuff (not the folding - they're crap)  https://www.planetx.co.uk/c/q/bikepacking-and-bike-touring/cooking   .... we have 2 sets of the "full function" Ti knife and fork (and the spoon that's not listed at the mo) - excellent - they live in our suitcases ready for alfresco dining or hotel-room-picnics on holidays.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 19 October, 2020, 05:33:35 pm
Quote from: phantasmagoriana on 19 October, 2020, 11:58:24 am
RIP, shiny purple spork. :'( You were a good spork.

(https://i.ibb.co/rvzv5YY/IMG-2583.jpg) (https://ibb.co/N7J7W55)

Plastic welding experiment?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 19 October, 2020, 05:36:56 pm
An opportunity for shiny Ti goodness ?


https://snowpeak.co.uk/products/sct-004bl


(https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0056/2583/9650/products/Untitled-1_1024x_d9ef4368-e816-4aba-b5c1-9acddf6fa19b_1024x.png?v=1588268766)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 19 October, 2020, 05:42:55 pm
Andrewc wins!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 19 October, 2020, 05:55:28 pm
https://snowpeak.co.uk/collections/drinkware/products/titanium-single-wall-450-colour-mug-mg-043-1


There's even a matching mug.....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 19 October, 2020, 08:27:01 pm
my solution to broken and burned green spork was to go Ti, only problem I don't go nowhere these days and my spork is just sat in my briefcase twiddling it's thumbs  :( :( :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 20 October, 2020, 08:36:51 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 19 October, 2020, 05:09:08 pm
It might be broken but it's still purple, which was and is the best thing about it, because it's a spork and therefore neither good as a spoon, fork or knife. IMO...  :demon:

This unit fully endorses the above product or sentiment.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 20 October, 2020, 10:37:22 am
Quote from: andrewc on 19 October, 2020, 05:36:56 pm
An opportunity for shiny Ti goodness ?


https://snowpeak.co.uk/products/sct-004bl


(https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0056/2583/9650/products/Untitled-1_1024x_d9ef4368-e816-4aba-b5c1-9acddf6fa19b_1024x.png?v=1588268766)

Do you know, when it broke, and I naturally Googled "metallic purple spork", that was the first thing that came up. It's already on the list... ;)

I hadn't seen the mug though!

(I already have a couple of titanium sporks as well as a titanium mug, so cannot really justify it. But they're not purple... :-[)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 20 October, 2020, 10:39:27 am
Quote from: fboab on 20 October, 2020, 08:36:51 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 19 October, 2020, 05:09:08 pm
It might be broken but it's still purple, which was and is the best thing about it, because it's a spork and therefore neither good as a spoon, fork or knife. IMO...  :demon:

This unit fully endorses the above product or sentiment.

For some things, I actually prefer the spork - I like the shape of the Light My Fire ones in particular. It might just be because in the Before Times, when I used to go to an actual workplace to work, I used my spork for lunch every day and got used to it. Eating pasta salad with any other implement just seems wrong now!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 20 October, 2020, 10:54:03 am
In the Before Times, I used a buffet fork (https://www.hartsofstur.com/stellar-rochester-polished-set-of-6-pastry-forks-gift-box-set-bl30.html?) or a cake fork in the same circumstances.
I have IKEA children's cutlery (https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/fabler-3-piece-cutlery-set-stainless-steel-60137571/) if I need a knife.
I think it's partly the plastic-ness I don't like. I also am no fan of the mouth-feel of titanium.
(Stainless) Steel is real.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 20 October, 2020, 11:19:34 am
I actually have a couple of Light My Fire plastic sporks. Neither is purple; one is green, the other a bargain basement beige. They are handy to throw into a saddlebag or backpack on the off-chance, but if I know I'll need cutlery, I'll take proper cutlery. I agree with fboab that steel is the feel, but my wallet has never stretched to titanium, so for all I know that feels great as well.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 20 October, 2020, 12:47:48 pm
I don't like plastic either[1], but don't have an objection to Ti.

I have a set of the folding Ti stuff linked above - their ability to fit inside a Trangia pan cancels out their ability to come unfolded with repeated spooning motion.  I tend to prefer the real fork to a spork, though.

Barakta likes the LightMyFire stuff for ergonomic reasons, and usually has one lurking in the overfull pockets of her coat for fishing teabags out of things.  We also have a giant one that I saw in an outdoor shop years ago and *had* to buy.  It gets regular use for scooping things out of pans and bowls in the kitchen, because it's a really halfway point between a tablespoon and a ladley thing.


[1] My objection to plastic cutlery is second only to my objection to drinking from (non-disposable) plastic cups.  Too much association with trying to wash the taste of vomit out of my mouth in the back of the car as a kid, I think.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 20 October, 2020, 12:50:41 pm
I don't like the mouthfeel of some Ti, my spork is OK but Kim's mug is horrible to drink from...

I carry a light my fire spork inna case in my work bag or the bag I take anywhere serious. I only have mini sporks in my coat these days.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 20 October, 2020, 01:04:29 pm
I liked the Light My Fire sporks so much that we now have ti versions.  I say now: we've had them for years.  We have three so that cooking of a second course can happen whilst the previus course is being nom'd.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 20 October, 2020, 01:59:55 pm
Quote from: Kim on 20 October, 2020, 12:47:48 pm
Barakta likes the LightMyFire stuff for ergonomic reasons, and usually has one lurking in the overfull pockets of her coat for fishing teabags out of things. 
This is an excellent use (and the reason my bargain basement beige spork is now more of an aged Brooks saddle colour).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 20 October, 2020, 04:11:52 pm
Quote from: barakta on 20 October, 2020, 12:50:41 pm

I carry a light my fire spork inna case in my work bag or the bag I take anywhere serious. I only have mini sporks in my coat these days.

Ah, a spork case - I'd totally forgotten those existed! :facepalm: I, too, have sporks in various bags, because I've been caught out without cutlery in the past and it's not fun.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 20 October, 2020, 04:26:13 pm
My parents owned a set of splayds.  They were brought out for some meals (the ones that didn't need a knife).

When my parents passed away, I claimed the splayds. MrsC makes fun of me when I eat with one.

I think they are the perfect implement for eating curry, particularly dhal.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 20 October, 2020, 04:59:47 pm
Dhal should be eaten with a pinch of chapatti or roti, or possibly a bit of dosa.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 20 October, 2020, 06:47:23 pm
Today I have learned what a splayd is!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 20 October, 2020, 08:49:02 pm
Ah bugger.

I've just realised the new rear dynamo light wot arrived today doesn't have a button to discharge the standlight capacitor. That'll be a pain on a bike that intended for train use.

I can return it as I got it through Amazon but it'll be a faff.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 20 October, 2020, 09:12:31 pm
I agree with the negative comments regarding Ti mugs and taste. Tin mug would be better. Ti sporks however are really useful but not atm sigh.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 21 October, 2020, 07:12:59 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 20 October, 2020, 06:47:23 pm
Today I have learned what a splayd is!

And me! I'm surprised, as they seem to have been a mainstream thing with Viners making them.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 21 October, 2020, 07:16:01 am
Quote from: Ashaman42 on 20 October, 2020, 08:49:02 pm
I've just realised the new rear dynamo light wot arrived today doesn't have a button to discharge the standlight capacitor. That'll be a pain on a bike that intended for train use.

I can return it as I got it through Amazon but it'll be a faff.

That's something I didn't realise was a thing either - none of my dynamo rear lights have that capability. They are all B&M though, maybe it's just not a B&M thing?
And not generally taking bikes on trains I didn't realise that you had to turn it off and couldn't just let it run down (unless it's just a stream of helpful people telling you you've left it on?)

Can you not fashion a cover for it? Bit of a faff every time you have to use it though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 21 October, 2020, 09:04:44 am
What is it with GPs that they have to interrupt you all the time?  My usual GP being on holiday yesterday, I had a consultation with his locum, and thanks to her continual interruptions it took all of 5 minutes to put across what would have taken less than one if she could have shut her yap and listened from start to finish.  A survey I read of a few years ago found that on average, GPs interrupt their patients every 15 seconds, but this chatterbox cut me off every 10.  She was very pleasant and helpful in the end, but I was left feeling that I hadn't managed to explain fully and she hadn't managed to form a complete picture.

Oh well.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 21 October, 2020, 09:15:21 am
Quote from: MattH on 21 October, 2020, 07:12:59 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 20 October, 2020, 06:47:23 pm
Today I have learned what a splayd is!

And me! I'm surprised, as they seem to have been a mainstream thing with Viners making them.


I can remember them being advertised on TV & in colour supplements back in the 70's, poss early 80's.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Splayd
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 21 October, 2020, 09:22:02 am
Amazon difficulties

A dongle I ordered has not arrived.  It's lost?.  Impossible to contact the sender and eventually I got through to Amazon who confirmed the tracking info bore no relation to reality and that despite information to the contrary the article had never been sent.  Refunded.

A monitor I ordered has only a French power cable.  My account is entirely UK-based these days!  I have requested a UK cable from ASUS on principle.  The box had not been tampered with, they just sent it wrong.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nicknack on 21 October, 2020, 09:31:26 am
Quote from: andrewc on 21 October, 2020, 09:15:21 am
Quote from: MattH on 21 October, 2020, 07:12:59 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 20 October, 2020, 06:47:23 pm
Today I have learned what a splayd is!

And me! I'm surprised, as they seem to have been a mainstream thing with Viners making them.


I can remember them being advertised on TV & in colour supplements back in the 70's, poss early 80's.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Splayd
My mum had some. I didn't realise they had a name. I've no idea what happened to them (my mum's that is. She died 7 years ago - probably got dumped in the house clearance).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 21 October, 2020, 09:41:40 am
Quote from: MattH on 21 October, 2020, 07:16:01 am
Quote from: Ashaman42 on 20 October, 2020, 08:49:02 pm
I've just realised the new rear dynamo light wot arrived today doesn't have a button to discharge the standlight capacitor. That'll be a pain on a bike that intended for train use.

I can return it as I got it through Amazon but it'll be a faff.

That's something I didn't realise was a thing either - none of my dynamo rear lights have that capability. They are all B&M though, maybe it's just not a B&M thing?
And not generally taking bikes on trains I didn't realise that you had to turn it off and couldn't just let it run down (unless it's just a stream of helpful people telling you you've left it on?)

Can you not fashion a cover for it? Bit of a faff every time you have to use it though.

I could, but I've seen the B&M toplight line plus, which I've got on two other bikes is currently only £20 on Amazon rather than the usual £25+. So given the new light was £13 I'm inclined to return the new light especially as the return process through Amazon lockers (there's one in the lobby at work) is easy peasy. I think I'll only end up out the cost of a jiffy bag to send it back in.

I considered making a flap to cover it but the I'd have to worry about it coming drift when I'm cycling and covering the light when I want it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 21 October, 2020, 10:02:58 am
Quote from: MattH on 21 October, 2020, 07:16:01 am
And not generally taking bikes on trains I didn't realise that you had to turn it off and couldn't just let it run down (unless it's just a stream of helpful people telling you you've left it on?)
No lights of any colour should be shown on station platforms! They can be confused with legit signals.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 21 October, 2020, 10:20:13 am
Ah, was thinking of on the train itself. That makes sense.
I don't remember the last time I took a bike on a train, and I've never done it in the dark.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jakob W on 21 October, 2020, 12:47:17 pm
I've grumped on here before about how the Brompton's standard dynamo light (A Spanninga Solo) has a standlight, but no button to kill the standlight. Given that the Brompton's USP is that you can take it on trains, this seems a bit daft. My secondary grump is that the B&M Toplight plus I replaced the Solo with has the cable connectors on the LH side of the light rather than the RH, so making the wires on the standard Brompton loom fractionally too short...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 21 October, 2020, 03:08:49 pm
FWIW the Toplight Line Plus has a discharge switch.  I've previously mentioned my modification of the standard Brompton rear light (tilt switch and low value resistor across the capacitor, to discharge automatically when you flip the rear triangle upside down).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 21 October, 2020, 03:29:05 pm
Dear medical practice, Geocities called and they'd like their website back.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jakob W on 21 October, 2020, 04:02:25 pm
Quote from: Kim on 21 October, 2020, 03:08:49 pm
FWIW the Toplight Line Plus has a discharge switch.  I've previously mentioned my modification of the standard Brompton rear light (tilt switch and low value resistor across the capacitor, to discharge automatically when you flip the rear triangle upside down).

Alas, I lack the electronics-fu for such excellent hackery - just buying a Topline plus was more my level of expertise...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 21 October, 2020, 07:38:00 pm
Quote from: ian on 21 October, 2020, 03:29:05 pm
Dear medical practice, Geocities called and they'd like their website back.

(https://uploads.guim.co.uk/2017/09/07/dancingbaby-compressor.gif)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 21 October, 2020, 08:30:56 pm
So I've put a refund in for the Axa rear light and have a Toplight Line Plus on the way. Will pop the Axa in the Amazon locker at work tomorrow. Alas the return is £4 so I'm going to end up spending the normal Toplight price rather than the current sale price. Oh well, at least it's not £4 on top of the usual price.

Now to find a jiffy bag to pop it in and print off the return labels.

What a silly pointless faff.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 22 October, 2020, 12:26:33 pm
Quote from: asterix on 21 October, 2020, 09:22:02 am
Amazon difficulties

A dongle I ordered has not arrived.  It's lost?.  Impossible to contact the sender and eventually I got through to Amazon who confirmed the tracking info bore no relation to reality and that despite information to the contrary the article had never been sent.  Refunded.

A monitor I ordered has only a French power cable.  My account is entirely UK-based these days!  I have requested a UK cable from ASUS on principle.  The box had not been tampered with, they just sent it wrong.

Just realised that when they illustrated the product contents showing a French cable that's exactly what they are sending.  The instructions say 'use a plug suitable for your region' so it's down to you pal!  WYSIWYG.

I guess I will just have to use my European adapter for now.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 22 October, 2020, 01:05:57 pm
Do you not have a box of random cables where IEC 'kettle' leads breed?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 22 October, 2020, 04:03:56 pm
Quote from: Kim on 22 October, 2020, 01:05:57 pm
Do you not have a box of random cables where IEC 'kettle' leads breed?


Buried in the loft, I just need to make the effort and find it's already mostly full of French leads brought back from France! 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 23 October, 2020, 07:55:34 pm
Oh goody, Lloyds have had the image consultants in to modernise the look of their business account statements.  That's always and important use of time and money (If you happen to be related to a B ark candidate image consultant)

There's no room on the revised layout for the sheet number it seems.  Gone.  Absent. Sooo last century dahling.  Not even in increased blank space left on every page by making the font slightly smaller and slightly more rounded and the line spacing slightly tighter.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 24 October, 2020, 05:45:48 pm
Quote from: phantasmagoriana on 19 October, 2020, 11:58:24 am
RIP, shiny purple spork. :'( You were a good spork.

(https://i.ibb.co/rvzv5YY/IMG-2583.jpg) (https://ibb.co/N7J7W55)
I've no idea whether Phantasmagoriana has the slightest interest in football, but here are some football shirts to make up for it:
(https://www.bristol247.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Gas-Girls-and-Bristol-City-2020-away-kits-photos-Bristol-Rovers-Women-and-Bristol-City-e1603447748808-800x450.jpg)
Bristol Rovers women on the left, Bristol City men away shirt on the right. Neither traditionally play in purple. They've been named the best women's and men's football shirts of the current season (whether this will translate to on-field performance is another matter).
https://www.bristol247.com/sport/football/purple-reigns-in-winning-rovers-and-city-shirt-designs/
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 26 October, 2020, 01:20:53 pm
I see the Idiot Tendency has started panic-buying milk again.  Tw@s.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 26 October, 2020, 01:43:15 pm
Exeter Rugby also play in purply-pink, or is it pinkly-purple?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 26 October, 2020, 01:49:18 pm
Not sure; call it lilac! But rugball seems keener on non-primary shades than round-ball kicking. Also, how come their name hasn't attracted BLM attention?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 26 October, 2020, 05:17:02 pm
I believe it has. Heard something on the radio a couple of weeks ago.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 26 October, 2020, 05:25:39 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 26 October, 2020, 01:43:15 pm
Exeter Rugby also play in purply-pink, or is it pinkly-purple?

Magenta.
</tim_hall>
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 26 October, 2020, 05:29:09 pm
Quote from: Basil on 26 October, 2020, 05:17:02 pm
I believe it has. Heard something on the radio a couple of weeks ago.
Fair does.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 26 October, 2020, 05:44:44 pm
Neighbour on the Larrington Towers Road side is shortly to have some new windows fitted at the back of his house.  It will make life easier for the rufty-tufty hairy-arsed builders if they can access his back yard via Larrington Gardens.  This means, however, that I will have to open the gate.  Which is locked.  And I cannot find the only key.

Go outside and crank up my l33t h@ck5@w 5k1llz0rz.  Get through one half of the sturdy steel ring through which the padlock passes and make a start on t'other.  Up pops the neighbour from the Larrington Gardens Road side.  Bearing the key, wot he borrowed when his own set of rufty-tufty hairy-arsed builders were Doing Stuffs on the side of his house that bears upon Larrington Gardens.  Ages ago.  Harsh words are said, though only internally.  Especially as I'd already bought a new lock (old one was allegedly molished of Ti and thus not something that will yield to my Mk. 3b Homebase Junior H@XX0r), and some additional bolts to stop the thing from swaying in the wind like the Millennium Bridge before They mended it.  What it really needs is one of those sturdy horizontal wooden beams traditionally used in medieval castles, but EO Aquitaine isn’t returning my phone calls.

Then it got dark, so I came inside.  Blimey, six o'clock already!  Doesn’t time fly when you’re giving yourself cramp and RSI with a h@ck5@w!  Oh.  It is in fact nobbut 17:15, and the kitchen clock only says six because when you were removing it from BST yesterday you bent the second hand, thereby causing the whole thing to stop its revolving-type behaviours.

My horoscope says it's one o' those days it’s best to stay in bed, as the peot sang.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 26 October, 2020, 06:26:09 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 26 October, 2020, 01:20:53 pm
I see the Idiot Tendency has started panic-buying milk again.  Tw@s.

Local waitrose has empty shelves where the sardines are supposed to live. I know from last time this is a sign to buy flour and yeast now.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 26 October, 2020, 06:42:33 pm
No bucatini in Waitrose, so we had to horrifically settle for ordinary spaghetti. End times indeed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 26 October, 2020, 07:51:00 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 24 October, 2020, 05:45:48 pm
I've no idea whether Phantasmagoriana has the slightest interest in football, but here are some football shirts to make up for it:
(https://www.bristol247.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Gas-Girls-and-Bristol-City-2020-away-kits-photos-Bristol-Rovers-Women-and-Bristol-City-e1603447748808-800x450.jpg)
Bristol Rovers women on the left, Bristol City men away shirt on the right. Neither traditionally play in purple. They've been named the best women's and men's football shirts of the current season (whether this will translate to on-field performance is another matter).
https://www.bristol247.com/sport/football/purple-reigns-in-winning-rovers-and-city-shirt-designs/

I don't follow football (I used to, but the last time I watched any was Euro '96, I think); however, the curators of the National Football Museum clearly have taste! :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 26 October, 2020, 08:25:29 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 26 October, 2020, 01:49:18 pm
Not sure; call it lilac! But rugball seems keener on non-primary shades than round-ball kicking. Also, how come their name hasn't attracted BLM attention?

??? Exeter? ??? ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SteveC on 26 October, 2020, 08:29:53 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 26 October, 2020, 08:25:29 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 26 October, 2020, 01:49:18 pm
Not sure; call it lilac! But rugball seems keener on non-primary shades than round-ball kicking. Also, how come their name hasn't attracted BLM attention?

??? Exeter? ??? ???
Chiefs
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 26 October, 2020, 08:37:31 pm
Chiefs and with that feathered headdress logo, very reminiscent of Washington Redskins. But with less link (afaik). In fact:
Quote
Exeter Chiefs have decided to retain their name and logo following calls from some fans to lose their Native American branding.

The Premiership club's board met on Wednesday to discuss a petition, signed by more than 3,700 people, asking for the "harmful" branding to be dropped.
Quote
"The one aspect which the board felt could be regarded as disrespectful was the club's mascot, 'Big Chief', and as a mark of respect have decided to retire him."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/53587404#:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 26 October, 2020, 09:06:19 pm
OK, that makes sense in that context of Redskins etc, and I remember reading about it, but I wouldn't have got that from BLACK lives matter when talking about the colour of the strip
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 26 October, 2020, 09:08:25 pm
Can no longer get C4 +1 HD. But I can get QVC HD, Q Beauty HD, RT and Quest HD.
Gee, thanks
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 26 October, 2020, 10:32:04 pm
So I'm looking at motorising my Dahon folder. And it's not proving simple, the bike has a narrow front fork (74mm) and the majority of hub kits are the standard 100mm. It is quite large wheeled though at 24"

"Aha" thinks I, what about a Brompton kit, or similar but with a rim change? Apparently that won't work as the hubs are geared for the wheel size and putting the motor from a 16" wheel onto a 24" rim is a bad idea and will damage it.

Fine. Right. Then I thought what about changing the forks? I don't mind if the fold is slightly less compact as I don't really carry the bike much (it's bloody heavy and actually easier to lift unfolded anyway). I'll lose the light mount and the mount for the wee magnet that holds the thing folded but that's not the end of the world.

Looking around for how the headset works on a Dahon I find that there are aftermarket 100mm forks with the light and magnet mounts included. "Huzzah" says I.

Of course I can find said aftermarket forks for their 18" & 20" folders but can I find a 24" equivalent? Not so far.

Oh well, back to the drawing board.

I did find one kit that looks like it should work but at €800 I could just buy an electric bike.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 27 October, 2020, 07:38:34 am
Quote from: Ashaman42 on 26 October, 2020, 10:32:04 pm
So I'm looking at motorising my Dahon folder. And it's not proving simple, the bike has a narrow front fork (74mm) and the majority of hub kits are the standard 100mm. It is quite large wheeled though at 24"

"Aha" thinks I, what about a Brompton kit, or similar but with a rim change? Apparently that won't work as the hubs are geared for the wheel size and putting the motor from a 16" wheel onto a 24" rim is a bad idea and will damage it.

Fine. Right. Then I thought what about changing the forks? I don't mind if the fold is slightly less compact as I don't really carry the bike much (it's bloody heavy and actually easier to lift unfolded anyway). I'll lose the light mount and the mount for the wee magnet that holds the thing folded but that's not the end of the world.

Looking around for how the headset works on a Dahon I find that there are aftermarket 100mm forks with the light and magnet mounts included. "Huzzah" says I.

Of course I can find said aftermarket forks for their 18" & 20" folders but can I find a 24" equivalent? Not so far.

Oh well, back to the drawing board.

I did find one kit that looks like it should work but at €800 I could just buy an electric bike.

Converting ANY bike to electric is a compromise that most people will regret.  Here endeth the lesson.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ppg on 27 October, 2020, 07:58:41 am
Quote from: robgul on 27 October, 2020, 07:38:34 am
Converting ANY bike to electric is a compromise that most people will regret.  Here endeth the lesson.
I was probably sanctimonious too in my younger days.
After a couple of decades doing stupid long Audax rides, and maybe because of, I developed permanent AFib
The compromise for me is ~3500km rides a year around hilly here, or no rides at all
Here endeth the response  :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 27 October, 2020, 08:00:20 am
Well everything is a compromise but I'm trying to use the bike more to avoid trains. And I can do the 25+ miles one way okay at the moment as I'm only back in the office a few days a week but once that ramps back to full time...

It just takes me a bit too long so I figure a motor to help in the junctiony and hilly bits of the route should drag my average up nicely.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 27 October, 2020, 08:10:03 am
Quote from: ppg on 27 October, 2020, 07:58:41 am
Quote from: robgul on 27 October, 2020, 07:38:34 am
Converting ANY bike to electric is a compromise that most people will regret.  Here endeth the lesson.
I was probably sanctimonious too in my younger days.
After a couple of decades doing stupid long Audax rides, and maybe because of, I developed permanent AFib
The compromise for me is ~3500km rides a year around hilly here, or no rides at all
Here endeth the response  :)

robgul might have meant 'converting' vs 'buying new electric bike'.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 27 October, 2020, 08:13:04 am
Quote from: ppg on 27 October, 2020, 07:58:41 am
Quote from: robgul on 27 October, 2020, 07:38:34 am
Converting ANY bike to electric is a compromise that most people will regret.  Here endeth the lesson.
I was probably sanctimonious too in my younger days.
After a couple of decades doing stupid long Audax rides, and maybe because of, I developed permanent AFib
The compromise for me is ~3500km rides a year around hilly here, or no rides at all
Here endeth the response  :)
It's the conversion that will be regretted, not the electrickery.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 27 October, 2020, 08:16:26 am
I think there is a business called swytchbike who make a modular system which fits with minimal fuss and they will build the motorised front wheel.  Might be worth further investigation.

In some ways I agree with Rob's point of view but I have seen a couple of conversions specifically for people's deteriorating physical conditions which have worked out well.

Kits do tend to be a compromise but the Swytch kit looks very good to me. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ppg on 27 October, 2020, 08:23:08 am
Quote from: fboab on 27 October, 2020, 08:13:04 am
It's the conversion that will be regretted, not the electrickery.
But with a garage full of unused but reasonable quality bikes, what do you do?
I converted 3 for less than the cost of one e-bike of inferior quality - 1 x Swytch on the Thorn Audax and 2 x Yosepower (Tourer and MTB)

ETA: The search widget on this forum never seems to work for me, but there doesn't seem to be a sub-forum for e-bikery, despite growing numbers of us with this guilty secret - would it be an idea to start one or is that a step too far from 'cycling'?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 27 October, 2020, 10:01:33 am
“Vroom” seems to be where the motorbike threads congregate :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 27 October, 2020, 10:11:38 am
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 27 October, 2020, 08:10:03 am
Quote from: ppg on 27 October, 2020, 07:58:41 am
Quote from: robgul on 27 October, 2020, 07:38:34 am
Converting ANY bike to electric is a compromise that most people will regret.  Here endeth the lesson.
I was probably sanctimonious too in my younger days.
After a couple of decades doing stupid long Audax rides, and maybe because of, I developed permanent AFib
The compromise for me is ~3500km rides a year around hilly here, or no rides at all
Here endeth the response  :)

robgul might have meant 'converting' vs 'buying new electric bike'.

Indeed that's precisely what I meant.     

Feeling the potential need for some assistance I researched long and hard for conversion stuff for my Dawes Galaxy - whatever I looked at (obviously just front or rear hub motors) there were issues with all manner of stuff relating to controls, battery life, battery location, weight, weight distribution etc.  All of which ended in some sort of compromise with no realistic warranty.

In the end, being in the position to do so, I bought an electric road bike - an Orbea Gain which I use for some club rides and some touring.  It probably cost about 2.5 times what the "best" conversion would have been but I could live with that.   It's an excellent bike - it looks good too with the discreet inside the downtube battery and relatively small rear hub motor (.... a clubmate did remark that he's never seen a bike with a Rohlof and a derailleur  ;D)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ppg on 27 October, 2020, 10:49:46 am
Quote from: robgul on 27 October, 2020, 10:11:38 am
Feeling the potential need for some assistance I researched long and hard for conversion stuff for my Dawes Galaxy - whatever I looked at (obviously just front or rear hub motors) there were issues with all manner of stuff relating to controls, battery life, battery location, weight, weight distribution etc.  All of which ended in some sort of compromise with no realistic warranty.
Fair point about compromise but most people seem content with that.
Warranty? - Mrs ppg's battery expired after 10months and Yose found they couldn't fix it (in Germany) so refunded the full purchase price without quibble.
Technology moving as it does, she bought a larger capacity replacement for the same money

Quote
In the end, being in the position to do so, I bought an electric road bike - an Orbea Gain which I use for some club rides and some touring.  It probably cost about 2.5 times what the "best" conversion would have been but I could live with that
The Orbea does look like a good bike but is compromised IMO by having such a small battery (250Whr vs 500 for the Yose)
With the hills round here that would severely constrain my riding distance.
And at more than £2k that is double what my 3 conversions cost!!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 27 October, 2020, 10:56:57 am
Might be worthy of a thread in it's own right  :)

I keep looking at these for the commute. It's not so bad now I'm doing about 10 miles each way rather than 45, but whilst I'd started using the bicycle again, due to an injury I haven't been able to ride a standard one since June.

For the last few years my normal commute vehicle has been a motorbike. Something between a motorbike and bicycle would be good for exercise, general fitness, not being stuck in a cage but also not spending too many hours of the day commuting. Riding to the main office was taking me 5 hours a day to do the 90 mile round trip, on top of a working day that gets a bit much. I ended up on a motorbike as that dropped it to two hours a day.

At the moment I can use the Trice that I picked up to try out whilst I am recovering fine for the distance, but am really too slow to feel safe on busy commute time roads. A Barakta style electric boost may make that work for me.

Alternatively a e-bike would help out more generally, reducing commute times but also letting me get some exercise. The S-Pedelecs have some appeal, being up to 4kW and 45km/h assisted - and with a full bike license I can use one. However, in the UK you need to register them as a moped, have a number plate, wear a motorcycle helmet, get them MOTed once over 3 years old etc. And with the cost, you are pretty close to just buying a low end electric motorcycle which will have better resale value than a weird machine that is a bit of a licensing oddity. Being able to boost to urban traffic speed levels when needed rather than 15mph would be nice.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 27 October, 2020, 11:37:56 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 26 October, 2020, 09:08:25 pm
Can no longer get C4 +1 HD. But I can get QVC HD, Q Beauty HD, RT and Quest HD.
Gee, thanks

A lot of the +1 channels seem to have disappeared, but thankfully my latest Humax can record 3 channels simultaneously, rendering them generally unnecessary in our household. If only it's software wasn't so flaky.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 27 October, 2020, 01:30:21 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 27 October, 2020, 10:01:33 am
“Vroom” seems to be where the motorbike threads congregate :demon:

 :o Shame on you Mr L   ;)

Many a hardened cyclist is turning to electric assist to enable them to keep pedalling. I have got a number of people back in the saddle after a lay off due to injury, illness or old age by getting them to try an eBike.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 28 October, 2020, 11:28:25 am
Quote from: Polar Bear on 27 October, 2020, 08:16:26 am
I think there is a business called swytchbike who make a modular system which fits with minimal fuss and they will build the motorised front wheel.  Might be worth further investigation.

In some ways I agree with Rob's point of view but I have seen a couple of conversions specifically for people's deteriorating physical conditions which have worked out well.

Kits do tend to be a compromise but the Swytch kit looks very good to me.

I did see the Swytch and even signed up for the half price on the just finished run of preorders but it's the same problems as the others, the Brompton kit is built around a 16" wheel and the universal kit has a too wide hub at 100mm.

I did see the Tern Vectron which looks like a very nice bike but alas at £3500 it's rather out of budget.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 28 October, 2020, 02:35:08 pm
I could get the steel equivalent of my current fork and coldset it but a 26mm increase feels like a bit too much.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 28 October, 2020, 07:23:18 pm
Quote from: Ashaman42 on 28 October, 2020, 11:28:25 am
Quote from: Polar Bear on 27 October, 2020, 08:16:26 am
I think there is a business called swytchbike who make a modular system which fits with minimal fuss and they will build the motorised front wheel.  Might be worth further investigation.

In some ways I agree with Rob's point of view but I have seen a couple of conversions specifically for people's deteriorating physical conditions which have worked out well.

Kits do tend to be a compromise but the Swytch kit looks very good to me.

I did see the Swytch and even signed up for the half price on the just finished run of preorders but it's the same problems as the others, the Brompton kit is built around a 16" wheel and the universal kit has a too wide hub at 100mm.

I did see the Tern Vectron which looks like a very nice bike but alas at £3500 it's rather out of budget.

I thought that I saw a swytch ad on their upgraded (mk2 ?) kit where they said they would build the wheel to the customer's needs.  Perhapz there was an asterisk hidden somewhere in microscopic lettering just beneath the bottom of the picture. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 28 October, 2020, 08:02:51 pm
Quote from: ppg on 27 October, 2020, 10:49:46 am
Quote from: robgul on 27 October, 2020, 10:11:38 am
Feeling the potential need for some assistance I researched long and hard for conversion stuff for my Dawes Galaxy - whatever I looked at (obviously just front or rear hub motors) there were issues with all manner of stuff relating to controls, battery life, battery location, weight, weight distribution etc.  All of which ended in some sort of compromise with no realistic warranty.
Fair point about compromise but most people seem content with that.
Warranty? - Mrs ppg's battery expired after 10months and Yose found they couldn't fix it (in Germany) so refunded the full purchase price without quibble.
Technology moving as it does, she bought a larger capacity replacement for the same money

Quote
In the end, being in the position to do so, I bought an electric road bike - an Orbea Gain which I use for some club rides and some touring.  It probably cost about 2.5 times what the "best" conversion would have been but I could live with that
The Orbea does look like a good bike but is compromised IMO by having such a small battery (250Whr vs 500 for the Yose)
With the hills round here that would severely constrain my riding distance.
And at more than £2k that is double what my 3 conversions cost!!

The point about the battery was a minor issue when I was looking at buying the Orbea - but I planned (and have pretty much succeeded) to ride the bike as a normal machine (i.e. not running the motor) and just switching on for hills or if I'm tired on the way home. 

My estimate is that I only use the motor for around 20% at the most on virtually all my rides.   The Orbea is pretty light - only a shade heavier than my Galaxy was (531 1975 model - although now sold) and the gearing is similar - there is some drag from the motor when running without the battery but not a lot.   AND there is a supplementary battery available that has a bottle cage mount (it's a bit pricey - I have yet to succumb)

... and mine cost £1,800 in April 2018 (it's the cable disc model which was my preference over hydraulic) ... I've added mudguards, rack and a B17 saddle
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rower40 on 28 October, 2020, 09:01:49 pm
My Irish Passport was issued in 2003 and expired in 2013.  As 2003 is more than 15 years ago, I have to submit a whole new application, including:
a) ordering a new birth certificate (I've searched everywhere)
and
b) hunting round my siblings for our deceased father's Dublin 1928 birth certificate
and
c) getting driving licence copied and certified
and
d) finding an approved witness (who is not related nor retired).  The local (Anglican) vicar satisfies the "Member of the Clergy" criterion, but let's hope that doesn't enrage the Irish Passport office.

Had I applied before May 2018, I would only have had to send in my expired passport to get a new one.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 29 October, 2020, 07:53:09 am
Last day of freedom before lockdown.  It pissed down all night, it's blowing 30 kph now and getting ready to piss down again.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 03 November, 2020, 11:54:23 am
So I went onto the RM website to see if there was one of their New! Shiny! Parcel Boxes! near me - the Click and Drop options having reduced dramatically the parcels you can drop off at a post office, instead directing you to collection (for which you have to pay, or course), or delivery office or a New! Shiny! Parcel Box!  And I'm presented with an alphabetical list of locations - with no search function available as a short-cut. Oh, and a find-on-map option that ONLY shows the one you've picked, not others in the local area.  Genius.

ETA: It get better still! Clicking on the "show on map" option just shows a pin dropped in Google maps - no address. Clicking on the pin gives the wrong info (I happen to know that location houses a RM delivery office, so GRG One Fee Ltd mat be surprised by folk wanting to drop parcel off!). Oh, and the other supposed location in the same town (Tring in Herts) well, that goes to a pin dropped..... in Eastbourne.  The actual postcode is the local Tesco. Fucking useless.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 03 November, 2020, 01:16:42 pm
Another GP grumble. So having finagled a reasonable appointment last week, and following the advice to phone back for a followup if it's still 'that colour'* in a week, apparently the doctor isn't there until Thursday. OK, can I book an appointment for Thursday then? No.

*lie, it's an ear infection. Or someone has been whisking me off in my dreams to a deathmetal concert every night.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 04 November, 2020, 10:52:52 am
The scroll function on my mouse has just stopped working on YACF. It still works on every other site I visit. Same for the touchpad. The only way to move vertically is to "grab and drag" the sidebar slider. Really quite irritating.

ETA: Now it's working again. Odd.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 04 November, 2020, 12:54:43 pm
I'm not sure how the GP appointment system works, but despite telling me I couldn't have an appointment, a doctor phoned me back and offered me an appointment in thirty minutes. Again.

So I have to reverse my grumble, it's inadvertently proving very effective. I contact them. Reception says no. Doctor phones back and says yes, come in now.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 04 November, 2020, 04:31:38 pm
Natch today, when I stayed up all night swearing at the distascope before retiring to bed with at the same time as TV's Katty Kay, was the day that shouty men with power tools came and Did Things at the back of next door, about ten feet from my sleep-deprived ears :'(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 04 November, 2020, 06:51:33 pm
Fwiw I have started a new thread in the Folders subforum with some questions about making my bike accept a motor:

https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=117391.0

Any input would be much appreciated.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 05 November, 2020, 06:28:19 pm
Why can't we just have silent fireworks FFS.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 05 November, 2020, 07:50:15 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 05 November, 2020, 06:28:19 pm
Why can't we just have silent fireworks FFS.

Not sure whether it's just me, but they seem especially loud this year! Have fireworks got more bangy? ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 05 November, 2020, 07:51:51 pm
I don't mind the bangs. I'm just glad the ones in the UK leave some oxygen in the air.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 05 November, 2020, 07:59:12 pm
Silly Oak PM10 count: 138.8 μg/m³ and climbing...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 05 November, 2020, 08:02:41 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 05 November, 2020, 07:51:51 pm
I don't mind the bangs. I'm just glad the ones in the UK leave some oxygen in the air.

It's not about me, it's my poor moggies.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 05 November, 2020, 08:15:29 pm
I can't find a SCIENCE that makes you cringe thread, so I'll just grumble here.

Dear TV's Keeley Donovan, don't say "the generator is producing a current of 50Hz".  Don't then make it worse by saying "each turbine at Drax produces more than 600MW of energy".

kthxbai
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 05 November, 2020, 08:31:21 pm
What's the voltage?  In amperes per hour, please.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Deano on 05 November, 2020, 08:32:15 pm
I need to measure something using imperial units, and luckily my (Aldi) Vernier calipers do have an imperial edge.

Except... It's divided into tenths.

Who the fuck divides an inch into ten? ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 05 November, 2020, 08:33:29 pm
Quote from: Deano on 05 November, 2020, 08:32:15 pm
Who the fuck divides an inch into ten? ;D

Electrical engineers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 05 November, 2020, 08:36:55 pm
Quote from: Deano on 05 November, 2020, 08:32:15 pm

Who the fuck divides an inch into ten? ;D

Anyone who works in thou. Just think of the tenths as 100 thou and the tenths of that from the vernier as 10 thou.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Deano on 05 November, 2020, 08:38:06 pm
It was a rhetorical question.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 05 November, 2020, 10:02:47 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 05 November, 2020, 08:15:29 pm
I can't find a SCIENCE that makes you cringe thread, so I'll just grumble here.

Dear TV's Keeley Donovan, don't say "the generator is producing a current of 50Hz".  Don't then make it worse by saying "each turbine at Drax produces more than 600MW of energy".

kthxbai

A Watt being a J/s, why not? Or is your objection that they've not specified it as output electrical energy?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 05 November, 2020, 10:19:34 pm
Quote from: Kim on 05 November, 2020, 07:59:12 pm
Silly Oak PM10 count: 138.8 μg/m³ and climbing...

Yep, it's bonfire night. (https://api-rrd.madavi.de/grafana/d/GUaL5aZMz/pm-sensors?orgId=1&theme=light&var-chipID=raspi-3F7498FAA25)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 05 November, 2020, 10:22:21 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 05 November, 2020, 10:02:47 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 05 November, 2020, 08:15:29 pm
I can't find a SCIENCE that makes you cringe thread, so I'll just grumble here.

Dear TV's Keeley Donovan, don't say "the generator is producing a current of 50Hz".  Don't then make it worse by saying "each turbine at Drax produces more than 600MW of energy".

kthxbai

A Watt being a J/s, why not? Or is your objection that they've not specified it as output electrical energy?
Watt is power, shirley. If she'd said "...more than 600MW of power" my teeth would have remained unground.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 06 November, 2020, 06:42:33 am
I see your quibble, in my defence I'd been staring at a spreadsheet for about 7 hours yesterday and my brain was fuzzy.
I'm used to differentiating thermal input power vs output power for regulatory purposes

Good news, in 20 mins at 5:30 this morning I found the bug that had been evading me all day :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 06 November, 2020, 07:15:45 am
Quote from: Kim
Quote from: Deano
Who the fuck divides an inch into ten? ;D

Electrical engineers.
And Aeromodellers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 06 November, 2020, 07:21:03 am
I don't want to provoke a Trump/Biden debate - but in general on the US election process - OK the "electoral college" idea is a bit odd BUT

Why do they not just count all the votes for each state and then announce the winner? - in much the same way as we do with Parliamentary constituencies.

  - all this "votes so far" announcement and speculation/projection stuff is crazy and is seeming to incite all sorts of protests, violence and juvenile/peurile behaviour (and that's just Trump)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 06 November, 2020, 08:26:17 am
Quote from: robgul on 06 November, 2020, 07:21:03 am
I don't want to provoke a Trump/Biden debate - but in general on the US election process - OK the "electoral college" idea is a bit odd BUT

Why do they not just count all the votes for each state and then announce the winner? - in much the same way as we do with Parliamentary constituencies.

  - all this "votes so far" announcement and speculation/projection stuff is crazy and is seeming to incite all sorts of protests, violence and juvenile/peurile behaviour (and that's just Trump)

Because the votes in different states don't have the same 'power'.

Some states have a large population and proportionally fewer electoral college votes.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andytheflyer on 06 November, 2020, 08:28:00 am
Quote from: Kim on 05 November, 2020, 10:19:34 pm
Quote from: Kim on 05 November, 2020, 07:59:12 pm
Silly Oak PM10 count: 138.8 μg/m³ and climbing...

Yep, it's bonfire night. (https://api-rrd.madavi.de/grafana/d/GUaL5aZMz/pm-sensors?orgId=1&theme=light&var-chipID=raspi-3F7498FAA25)
Many years ago, once the Directive on municipal solid waste incinerator emissions took effect in the mid 90's (i.e. they were cleaned up and many closed anyway) the Environment Agency considered Bonfire Night to be the biggest annual polluter in the UK.  I'd have thought that there were others, but that's what they told me (during a Public Inquiry IIRC).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 06 November, 2020, 08:40:05 am
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 06 November, 2020, 08:26:17 am
Quote from: robgul on 06 November, 2020, 07:21:03 am
I don't want to provoke a Trump/Biden debate - but in general on the US election process - OK the "electoral college" idea is a bit odd BUT

Why do they not just count all the votes for each state and then announce the winner? - in much the same way as we do with Parliamentary constituencies.

  - all this "votes so far" announcement and speculation/projection stuff is crazy and is seeming to incite all sorts of protests, violence and juvenile/peurile behaviour (and that's just Trump)



Because the votes in different states don't have the same 'power'.

Some states have a large population and proportionally fewer electoral college votes.

... that's not the issue I'm talking about - what makes no sense is the "partial" result announcement . . .  logic says that when the ACTUAL FINAL RESULT for each state is decided then say who has won (i.e. how many college votes have ACTUALLY been added for the winning candidate)


I can see the maths working when, for example one candidate is, say, 10,000 ahead and there are only 5,000 ballots left to count . .. but it's still bonkers!

As an aside - I was in Florida on election day in 1992 (Clinton for in) and in the evening results were being announced before voting had closed in California .... that seems odd to me too.
 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 06 November, 2020, 09:05:11 am
Quote from: robgul
Why do they not just count all the votes for each state and then announce the winner? - in much the same way as we do with Parliamentary constituencies.

Quote from: robgul
As an aside - I was in Florida on election day in 1992 (Clinton for in) and in the evening results were being announced before voting had closed in California .... that seems odd to me too.
And this may be why so many USAnians don't appear to understand how voting works.  They've been conditioned by decades of announcements of victory based on partial counts rather than final results.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 06 November, 2020, 09:38:54 am
Quote from: robgul on 06 November, 2020, 08:40:05 am
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 06 November, 2020, 08:26:17 am
Quote from: robgul on 06 November, 2020, 07:21:03 am
I don't want to provoke a Trump/Biden debate - but in general on the US election process - OK the "electoral college" idea is a bit odd BUT

Why do they not just count all the votes for each state and then announce the winner? - in much the same way as we do with Parliamentary constituencies.

  - all this "votes so far" announcement and speculation/projection stuff is crazy and is seeming to incite all sorts of protests, violence and juvenile/peurile behaviour (and that's just Trump)



Because the votes in different states don't have the same 'power'.

Some states have a large population and proportionally fewer electoral college votes.

... that's not the issue I'm talking about - what makes no sense is the "partial" result announcement . . .  logic says that when the ACTUAL FINAL RESULT for each state is decided then say who has won (i.e. how many college votes have ACTUALLY been added for the winning candidate)


I assume it's because the election is based on Electoral College votes won, and they are won progressively throughout the count - so once, say, 15 out of 20 in a state have been won, that could define the overall result.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 06 November, 2020, 09:50:56 am
Quote from: rafletcher on 06 November, 2020, 09:38:54 am
Quote from: robgul on 06 November, 2020, 08:40:05 am
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 06 November, 2020, 08:26:17 am
Quote from: robgul on 06 November, 2020, 07:21:03 am
I don't want to provoke a Trump/Biden debate - but in general on the US election process - OK the "electoral college" idea is a bit odd BUT

Why do they not just count all the votes for each state and then announce the winner? - in much the same way as we do with Parliamentary constituencies.

  - all this "votes so far" announcement and speculation/projection stuff is crazy and is seeming to incite all sorts of protests, violence and juvenile/peurile behaviour (and that's just Trump)

Because the votes in different states don't have the same 'power'.

Some states have a large population and proportionally fewer electoral college votes.

... that's not the issue I'm talking about - what makes no sense is the "partial" result announcement . . .  logic says that when the ACTUAL FINAL RESULT for each state is decided then say who has won (i.e. how many college votes have ACTUALLY been added for the winning candidate)


I assume it's because the election is based on Electoral College votes won, and they are won progressively throughout the count - so once, say, 15 out of 20 in a state have been won, that could define the overall result.

I think the question is why do individual counties and then states release partial counts – rather than stay silent till they're done and then announce the final vote. I know of no legal reason they have to do so (they don't even have to release a tally on election night). It's just the way it is. Americans love voting and taxes, they complain about both, but equally embed them in ceremony. Voting, in particular, is very different to the UK. Typically it takes several days to make a count, every state has it's own voting mechanism from collection of ballots to counting and re-counting.

The electors don't have to send their votes to DC until 8th December. They don't even have to honour the vote – they can be 'faithless electors' (lots of states have laws about this now, but there's nothing really to enforce them, the vote is the vote and can't be undone).

This election is sadly special in the protests, normally they'd be a nutty few, but nothing really like this.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 06 November, 2020, 10:09:17 am
Quote from: ian on 06 November, 2020, 09:50:56 am
Quote from: rafletcher on 06 November, 2020, 09:38:54 am
Quote from: robgul on 06 November, 2020, 08:40:05 am
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 06 November, 2020, 08:26:17 am
Quote from: robgul on 06 November, 2020, 07:21:03 am
I don't want to provoke a Trump/Biden debate - but in general on the US election process - OK the "electoral college" idea is a bit odd BUT

Why do they not just count all the votes for each state and then announce the winner? - in much the same way as we do with Parliamentary constituencies.

  - all this "votes so far" announcement and speculation/projection stuff is crazy and is seeming to incite all sorts of protests, violence and juvenile/peurile behaviour (and that's just Trump)

Because the votes in different states don't have the same 'power'.

Some states have a large population and proportionally fewer electoral college votes.

... that's not the issue I'm talking about - what makes no sense is the "partial" result announcement . . .  logic says that when the ACTUAL FINAL RESULT for each state is decided then say who has won (i.e. how many college votes have ACTUALLY been added for the winning candidate)


I assume it's because the election is based on Electoral College votes won, and they are won progressively throughout the count - so once, say, 15 out of 20 in a state have been won, that could define the overall result.

I think the question is why do individual counties and then states release partial counts – rather than stay silent till they're done and then announce the final vote. I know of no legal reason they have to do so (they don't even have to release a tally on election night). It's just the way it is. Americans love voting and taxes, they complain about both, but equally embed them in ceremony. Voting, in particular, is very different to the UK. Typically it takes several days to make a count, every state has it's own voting mechanism from collection of ballots to counting and re-counting.

The electors don't have to send their votes to DC until 8th December. They don't even have to honour the vote – they can be 'faithless electors' (lots of states have laws about this now, but there's nothing really to enforce them, the vote is the vote and can't be undone).

This election is sadly special in the protests, normally they'd be a nutty few, but nothing really like this.

Exactly.  .... but it must be difficult to gain any sort of alignment across "48 (or whatever it is now) small countries" all with different agenda.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 06 November, 2020, 10:45:32 am
(It's 50, and no, territories like Washington DC and  Puerto Rico can't cast votes for president or congress.)

There are federal laws that determine when certain things must happen (elector votes to DC etc.) and then a mishmash of state laws on the actual voting process and counting. Ballots will feature the presidential vote, of course, and for some, senator, and for others all kind of state local issues. Americans vote for everything.

I lied about the 8th (that's when the votes must have been counted*), the requirement is that the electors meet and cast their vote 'on the first Monday after the second Wednesday in December' - then the votes have to arrive by pony post in DC by the 23rd. The gap between the 8th and 14th is a 'safe harbor' to settle disputes before the electors cast their vote.

*it was on this that the Supreme Court stopped the Florida recount for Gore vs. Bush, the state-wide recount would not have been complete before the 8th.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 06 November, 2020, 10:47:17 am
Perhaps it's partially due to the larger numbers? A UK constituency might have 100,000 voters, a US state might have tens of millions. So it inevitably takes longer and people are impatient. TV doesn't help.

Could there also be an element of a race? Each county wants to count quicker than its neighbours so is tempted to release partial results to get one up on their county rivals?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 06 November, 2020, 10:47:46 am
Quote from: Kim on 05 November, 2020, 10:19:34 pm
Quote from: Kim on 05 November, 2020, 07:59:12 pm
Silly Oak PM10 count: 138.8 μg/m³ and climbing...

Yep, it's bonfire night. (https://api-rrd.madavi.de/grafana/d/GUaL5aZMz/pm-sensors?orgId=1&theme=light&var-chipID=raspi-3F7498FAA25)
Be thankful it's not diwali.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 06 November, 2020, 10:52:36 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 06 November, 2020, 10:47:17 am
Perhaps it's partially due to the larger numbers? A UK constituency might have 100,000 voters, a US state might have tens of millions. So it inevitably takes longer and people are impatient. TV doesn't help.

Could there also be an element of a race? Each county wants to count quicker than its neighbours so is tempted to release partial results to get one up on their county rivals?

Yes, vote counting is quite competitive.

It's easy to forget that the US is big and a lot of counties and states have small rural populations. There are counties in Wyoming the size of Wales where the census lists six people and a chicken (probably). Everything is the US is also localized, so every county counts.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 06 November, 2020, 10:59:08 am
The BBC's map lets you zoom in on individual counties, there are lots with a few hundred total voters. Also lots with "no reported result" which is odd.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 06 November, 2020, 11:13:01 am
Out of sheer geekery I went and looked it up.  Los Angeles County has a population of over 10 million while Kalawao County in Hawaii has fewer than 100.  San Bernadino County, which is most of the interior of Southern California and largely populated by rattlesneks, is more than twice the size of Wales though it only just scrapes into the top ten when the Boroughs and Census Areas of Alaska are thrown in.  Yukon–Koyukuk Census Area is about the size of Germany and has a population of less than 6000 (excl. BEARs).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 06 November, 2020, 11:16:51 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 06 November, 2020, 10:59:08 am
The BBC's map lets you zoom in on individual counties, there are lots with a few hundred total voters. Also lots with "no reported result" which is odd.

Like I say, I don't think there's a legal obligation to report partial counts. Counties can sit on them till they're done.

Even in Connecticut, counties range from ~1,000–50,000 votes.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 06 November, 2020, 11:20:23 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 06 November, 2020, 11:13:01 am
Yukon–Koyukuk Census Area is about the size of Germany and has a population of less than 6000 (excl. BEARs).
Votes for BEARs! No fur without representation!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 06 November, 2020, 03:02:11 pm
Fuck off Biggles.  Surely it's too late in the year for this kind of noise?

Oh. Here comes the 'chaser'.  You can fuck off too.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 06 November, 2020, 04:36:37 pm
Quote from: Basil on 06 November, 2020, 03:02:11 pm
Fuck off Biggles.  Surely it's too late in the year for this kind of noise?

Yeah, that was yesterday.   :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 06 November, 2020, 07:45:36 pm
Starting to have my doubts my broadband is going to be upgraded today...
I could be wrong, there's still a full 4hr 15 minutes to go.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 06 November, 2020, 09:30:38 pm
at 2130 it looks like the plasterboard I ordered that was promised to be delivered today isn't coming - total PITA as I need to get the ceiling in my workshop finished before I can start on a fairly major woodwork project - all the space has been cleared ready for the baording.

These suppliers really get up my  Wickes
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 09 November, 2020, 11:23:44 am
On days I go to the office my alarm goes off at 05:30 which is far too early.

Well today, for not the first time my alarm volume has reset itself from one notch above zero (which is plenty) to near full blast. What a rude awakening.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 09 November, 2020, 12:59:50 pm
My boiler is on the blink. If the hot water circuit calls the boiler it works fine, but if the heating calls it then the valves open, the pump runs but the boiler doesn't ignite. This leads to the circulation of cold water round the radiators. Therefore the only time the house gets heated is if the heating is trying to run when the hot water cylinder decides it also needs to heat up.

GAMI is booked for tomorrow but I suspect I may be investing in a new control unit which means deciding if I want to upgrade to Hive or a similar smart device.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 10 November, 2020, 10:42:03 pm
I've got a small lumpy/flappy bit inside my lower eyelid and it's scratchy.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 11 November, 2020, 07:51:15 am
Quote from: matthew on 09 November, 2020, 12:59:50 pm
My boiler is on the blink. If the hot water circuit calls the boiler it works fine, but if the heating calls it then the valves open, the pump runs but the boiler doesn't ignite. This leads to the circulation of cold water round the radiators. Therefore the only time the house gets heated is if the heating is trying to run when the hot water cylinder decides it also needs to heat up.

GAMI is booked for tomorrow but I suspect I may be investing in a new control unit which means deciding if I want to upgrade to Hive or a similar smart device.

If you do need to upgrade don't hesitate to install Hive - superb with flexible controls - switch on/off or adjust from anywhere in the world! (and get the bits from Screwfix, cheaper than from Hive/British Gas)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 11 November, 2020, 11:16:44 am
Quote from: robgul on 11 November, 2020, 07:51:15 am
Quote from: matthew on 09 November, 2020, 12:59:50 pm
My boiler is on the blink. If the hot water circuit calls the boiler it works fine, but if the heating calls it then the valves open, the pump runs but the boiler doesn't ignite. This leads to the circulation of cold water round the radiators. Therefore the only time the house gets heated is if the heating is trying to run when the hot water cylinder decides it also needs to heat up.

GAMI is booked for tomorrow but I suspect I may be investing in a new control unit which means deciding if I want to upgrade to Hive or a similar smart device.

If you do need to upgrade don't hesitate to install Hive - superb with flexible controls - switch on/off or adjust from anywhere in the world! (and get the bits from Screwfix, cheaper than from Hive/British Gas)

Turned out to be a simple fix. See the div thread. So no need to invest in an upgrade yet though I think that may follow in the summer.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 14 November, 2020, 12:14:01 am
If manufacturers/suppliers could have the correct information on their products that'd be just great. That way the spokes I bought would have fit.

And if Amazon could have their order deadlines match up with reality that'd be great too. Deciding that as there are three hours left to order to get Saturday delivery I'll have dinner and then finding when I get back to the computer two hours later that I can now only get Sunday delivery was not super benificial to my mood.

And given the mismatch between what I saw on the wheel and what the updated calculators say I've ordered a new box of spokes that may or may not be the right size anyway.

Tempted to give up this cycling nonsense.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 14 November, 2020, 09:46:35 am
Poxy phone has died by the favourite method of a b0rked USB charging socket.  No amount of wiggling will bring it back to life. Bah. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jaded on 14 November, 2020, 09:52:24 am
Poke around inside the port with a pin or similar and see if it is filled with fluff and skin and stuff?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 14 November, 2020, 10:31:59 am
Done that and blasted it with air from my camera puffer. However by Thee Magick of YouTube I see it's a plug in module. New module £2.99, ordered. Dry run suggests MTTR 10 minutes even with these stubby peasant fingers.  Let's hope that was the issue.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 14 November, 2020, 11:12:57 pm
Something's in here's been making a funny noise.  At first I assumed it was rain, but there isn't any.  Then I thought maybe it was a wire intermittently catching in one of the computer fans, but it stopped as I moved around the room to determine which.  Then it started up again, with the distinctive bursty pattern of GSM transmission being picked up by an audio amplifier.  This served as a Clue, so I started listening to all the things that had speakers and/or cellular radios in them.  I was closing in on barakta's Screenphone (which has droid rot, and is therefore a prime suspect in such things), when I located the source of the signal...

(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 14 November, 2020, 11:38:08 pm
Yeah mine does that. In a nod to H&S since WFH I've been taking my tea up the loft ladder in a flask. It also has a habit of emitting almost ultrasonic noises mid meeting until I suss what it is and depress the drink button.

Also, if I do that out of hours when I'm downstairs with a kitteh on my lap she runs away because the pressure release sounds like a hiss.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 15 November, 2020, 09:32:26 am
Even though the Law allows us to make noise until noon on a Sunday, in the villages of N. Alsace the custom is no noise all day.  This makes it easier to hear the teenagers on mopeds and Porschey Pig next door firing up his penis substitute.  Running a dust extractor & table saw, though? Tut tut.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 15 November, 2020, 11:20:29 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 14 November, 2020, 11:38:08 pm
Yeah mine does that. In a nod to H&S since WFH I've been taking my tea up the loft ladder in a flask. It also has a habit of emitting almost ultrasonic noises mid meeting until I suss what it is and depress the drink button.

Also, if I do that out of hours when I'm downstairs with a kitteh on my lap she runs away because the pressure release sounds like a hiss.

Had that with a water bottle filled shortly before gaining 2800 metres of altitude.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 15 November, 2020, 11:40:25 am
Quote from: T42 on 15 November, 2020, 09:32:26 am
Even though the Law allows us to make noise until noon on a Sunday, in the villages of N. Alsace the custom is no noise all day.  This makes it easier to hear the teenagers on mopeds and Porschey Pig next door firing up his penis substitute.  Running a dust extractor & table saw, though? Tut tut.

See, that's a classic example of a law that's the wrong way round.  If I were in charge it would be no noise until after noon on Sunday.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 15 November, 2020, 12:52:12 pm
I suppose they have to allow the church bells to make a racket in the morning...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 15 November, 2020, 01:20:39 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 15 November, 2020, 12:52:12 pm
I suppose they have to allow the church bells to make a racket in the morning...

They can have subtitles.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 15 November, 2020, 03:34:56 pm
I really really dislike the dark evenings (soon to be dark afternoons) that result from clocks being put back to GMT. I wonder if the EU will finally ratify the stopping of “daylight saving” clock changes, and whether the UK will follow suit? I’d be really pissed off if we did, and settled on permanent GMT  :-\.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 15 November, 2020, 03:43:55 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 15 November, 2020, 03:34:56 pm
I really really dislike the dark evenings (soon to be dark afternoons) that result from clocks being put back to GMT. I wonder if the EU will finally ratify the stopping of “daylight saving” clock changes, and whether the UK will follow suit? I’d be really pissed off if we did, and settled on permanent GMT  :-\.

God no!  Let's have clocks that tell you what the actual time is, and do things that are affected by sunlight at an appropriate time of day.

(I'd even go so far as to say that everyone's clocks should display UTC and we could get rid of timezones, but I suspect the counter-argument that the effort saved in fudging clocks would be traded off against the effort required to work out what time they go to work in ABROAD, in spite of us already having to do that under the current system.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 15 November, 2020, 05:52:19 pm
Quote from: Kim on 15 November, 2020, 03:43:55 pm
God no!  Let's have clocks that tell you what the actual time is, and do things that are affected by sunlight at an appropriate time of day.

That sounds like an astoundingly good idea.

Though it doesn't really matter if you choose GMT or UTC+1 as your baseline, just keep it constant. It's not like GMT is actual time even at the prime meridian, it's only the actual time a few days of the year, as the M implies.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 15 November, 2020, 05:55:11 pm
We've done pretty well getting (or forcing?) the whole world to adopt a 24-hour day and a 7-day week, let's not push it too far.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 15 November, 2020, 06:18:45 pm
♫ tzdata, tzdata, gives you an excuse for getting up later... ♫
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 15 November, 2020, 06:20:07 pm
It isn't over till the fat lady robotic voice sings.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: arabella on 15 November, 2020, 08:14:07 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 14 November, 2020, 10:31:59 am
Done that and blasted it with air from my camera puffer. However by Thee Magick of YouTube I see it's a plug in module. New module £2.99, ordered. Dry run suggests MTTR 10 minutes even with these stubby peasant fingers.  Let's hope that was the issue.
I have a similar problem.
How do I find out if mine is repairable etc. - do a search under the model no. and so on?
Though I am leaning towards GAMI as my tiny screwdrivers mayn't be that tiny.  otoh man suggests £35-55 for his efforts.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 15 November, 2020, 10:58:03 pm
Quote from: arabella on 15 November, 2020, 08:14:07 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 14 November, 2020, 10:31:59 am
Done that and blasted it with air from my camera puffer. However by Thee Magick of YouTube I see it's a plug in module. New module £2.99, ordered. Dry run suggests MTTR 10 minutes even with these stubby peasant fingers.  Let's hope that was the issue.
I have a similar problem.
How do I find out if mine is repairable etc. - do a search under the model no. and so on?
Though I am leaning towards GAMI as my tiny screwdrivers mayn't be that tiny.  otoh man suggests £35-55 for his efforts.
Yes, I searched on Moto G5 charge socket. Just 8 teeny screws and a plug in tiny cable, no soldering, no hot glue, not even a spudger.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 16 November, 2020, 08:51:05 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 15 November, 2020, 05:55:11 pm
We've done pretty well getting (or forcing?) the whole world to adopt a 24-hour day and a 7-day week, let's not push it too far.

The hours are ancient Egyptian and the week is Babylonian, so who's "we"?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 16 November, 2020, 10:36:51 am
Quote from: T42 on 16 November, 2020, 08:51:05 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 15 November, 2020, 05:55:11 pm
We've done pretty well getting (or forcing?) the whole world to adopt a 24-hour day and a 7-day week, let's not push it too far.

The hours are ancient Egyptian and the week is Babylonian, so who's "we"?
"We" are the heirs of the Ancient Mediterranean world, mostly via Greece and Rome, who have spread these systems along with the Gregorian calendar around the globe. Mostly I suppose it's down to three centuries of European colonisation.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 16 November, 2020, 01:34:17 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 16 November, 2020, 10:36:51 am
Quote from: T42 on 16 November, 2020, 08:51:05 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 15 November, 2020, 05:55:11 pm
We've done pretty well getting (or forcing?) the whole world to adopt a 24-hour day and a 7-day week, let's not push it too far.

The hours are ancient Egyptian and the week is Babylonian, so who's "we"?
"We" are the heirs of the Ancient Mediterranean world, mostly via Greece and Rome, who have spread these systems along with the Gregorian calendar around the globe. Mostly I suppose it's down to three centuries of European colonisation.

Pretty well, I suppose, although the 7-day week was a fixture in the west by the time Genesis was written.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 23 November, 2020, 07:33:56 pm
My running shoes are still in good condition but just looking... and that throws up all sorts of other 'suggested searches' such as 'Is it ok to walk in running shoes?'
Quote
Is it OK to walk in running shoes?
In general, running shoes have more cushioning in the heel and forefoot. ... You don't necessarily need this in walking shoes. Just as it's vital that you wear the right shoes for running, it's important to wear the correct shoes for walking. The right shoes can help prevent injury and make walking more enjoyable.

And 'Is it bad to walk in running shoes?'
Quote
Is it bad to walk in running shoes?
Walking in a running shoe, which often has less cushion, could lead to impact injuries like plantar fasciitis, stress fractures, and Achilles tendinitis.

So it's not ok to walk in running shoes, because they have more cushioning. And it's bad to walk in running shoes, because they have less cushioning. Isn't the internet full of shit?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 23 November, 2020, 07:44:54 pm
It appears to be full of shoes.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 23 November, 2020, 07:48:41 pm
It's more or less the same thing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 23 November, 2020, 07:52:55 pm
I have Strava nagging me to buy new shoes, because the manufacturers recommend buying new ones after 500k or whatever.

Hmm, product manufacturer recommends buying more products.
What a surprise!

I wonder how much it costs to have Strava as a shop-front partner?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Deano on 23 November, 2020, 09:01:13 pm
500 km! That's barely broken in.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 24 November, 2020, 01:34:42 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 23 November, 2020, 07:33:56 pm
My running shoes are still in good condition but just looking... and that throws up all sorts of other 'suggested searches' such as 'Is it ok to walk in running shoes?'
Quote
Is it OK to walk in running shoes?
In general, running shoes have more cushioning in the heel and forefoot. ... You don't necessarily need this in walking shoes. Just as it's vital that you wear the right shoes for running, it's important to wear the correct shoes for walking. The right shoes can help prevent injury and make walking more enjoyable.

And 'Is it bad to walk in running shoes?'
Quote
Is it bad to walk in running shoes?
Walking in a running shoe, which often has less cushion, could lead to impact injuries like plantar fasciitis, stress fractures, and Achilles tendinitis.

So it's not ok to walk in running shoes, because they have more cushioning. And it's bad to walk in running shoes, because they have less cushioning. Isn't the internet full of shit?

Sounds very much like the Daily Mail Oncology Project.  Do running shoes prevent cancer or increase the risk of your house price getting it?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jasmine on 24 November, 2020, 08:07:07 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 23 November, 2020, 07:33:56 pm
My running shoes are still in good condition but just looking... and that throws up all sorts of other 'suggested searches' such as 'Is it ok to walk in running shoes?'
Quote
Is it OK to walk in running shoes?
In general, running shoes have more cushioning in the heel and forefoot. ... You don't necessarily need this in walking shoes. Just as it's vital that you wear the right shoes for running, it's important to wear the correct shoes for walking. The right shoes can help prevent injury and make walking more enjoyable.

And 'Is it bad to walk in running shoes?'
Quote
Is it bad to walk in running shoes?
Walking in a running shoe, which often has less cushion, could lead to impact injuries like plantar fasciitis, stress fractures, and Achilles tendinitis.

So it's not ok to walk in running shoes, because they have more cushioning. And it's bad to walk in running shoes, because they have less cushioning. Isn't the internet full of shit?

This isn't as bonkers as it looks. Both statements are sort of true. Running shoes are not the same as "trainers" (either gym trainers or casual trainers); they are designed to be used for running. The structure of the shoe is designed to cushion the impacts resulting from a running gait, which are different to a walking gait. The support is in a different place. This also varies depending on what type of running it is for (road shoes have more cushioning and stability than trail or fell shoes) and the running style of the runner (e.g front foot vs heel strike; pronation control etc.). This means that there are lots of 'running shoes' that are really not ideally suited to walking.

An additional factor is that if you actually run in your running shoes, you should avoid wearing them for normal everyday use as this decreases the lifespan and often distorts the supportiveness.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 24 November, 2020, 08:49:37 am
There is the argument that running in over-cushioned shoes does not actually reduce the impact, as people strike the ground harder in order to receive the same level of proprioception.

There is no need to cushion the impact, that is what the body is designed to do.

[opens can of worms, hides]
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 24 November, 2020, 09:03:05 am
Quote from: Jasmine on 24 November, 2020, 08:07:07 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 23 November, 2020, 07:33:56 pm
My running shoes are still in good condition but just looking... and that throws up all sorts of other 'suggested searches' such as 'Is it ok to walk in running shoes?'
Quote
Is it OK to walk in running shoes?
In general, running shoes have more cushioning in the heel and forefoot. ... You don't necessarily need this in walking shoes. Just as it's vital that you wear the right shoes for running, it's important to wear the correct shoes for walking. The right shoes can help prevent injury and make walking more enjoyable.

And 'Is it bad to walk in running shoes?'
Quote
Is it bad to walk in running shoes?
Walking in a running shoe, which often has less cushion, could lead to impact injuries like plantar fasciitis, stress fractures, and Achilles tendinitis.

So it's not ok to walk in running shoes, because they have more cushioning. And it's bad to walk in running shoes, because they have less cushioning. Isn't the internet full of shit?

This isn't as bonkers as it looks. Both statements are sort of true. Running shoes are not the same as "trainers" (either gym trainers or casual trainers); they are designed to be used for running. The structure of the shoe is designed to cushion the impacts resulting from a running gait, which are different to a walking gait. The support is in a different place. This also varies depending on what type of running it is for (road shoes have more cushioning and stability than trail or fell shoes) and the running style of the runner (e.g front foot vs heel strike; pronation control etc.). This means that there are lots of 'running shoes' that are really not ideally suited to walking.

An additional factor is that if you actually run in your running shoes, you should avoid wearing them for normal everyday use as this decreases the lifespan and often distorts the supportiveness.

I was going to say pretty much the same thing.

There are different types of running shoes as well, from the space-hopper Hoka's to thin-soled pure race shoes. Walking in those race shoes wouldn't give much support or cushioning.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 24 November, 2020, 09:09:58 am
Quote from: Jasmine on 24 November, 2020, 08:07:07 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 23 November, 2020, 07:33:56 pm
My running shoes are still in good condition but just looking... and that throws up all sorts of other 'suggested searches' such as 'Is it ok to walk in running shoes?'
Quote
Is it OK to walk in running shoes?
In general, running shoes have more cushioning in the heel and forefoot. ... You don't necessarily need this in walking shoes. Just as it's vital that you wear the right shoes for running, it's important to wear the correct shoes for walking. The right shoes can help prevent injury and make walking more enjoyable.

And 'Is it bad to walk in running shoes?'
Quote
Is it bad to walk in running shoes?
Walking in a running shoe, which often has less cushion, could lead to impact injuries like plantar fasciitis, stress fractures, and Achilles tendinitis.

So it's not ok to walk in running shoes, because they have more cushioning. And it's bad to walk in running shoes, because they have less cushioning. Isn't the internet full of shit?

This isn't as bonkers as it looks. Both statements are sort of true. Running shoes are not the same as "trainers" (either gym trainers or casual trainers); they are designed to be used for running. The structure of the shoe is designed to cushion the impacts resulting from a running gait, which are different to a walking gait. The support is in a different place. This also varies depending on what type of running it is for (road shoes have more cushioning and stability than trail or fell shoes) and the running style of the runner (e.g front foot vs heel strike; pronation control etc.). This means that there are lots of 'running shoes' that are really not ideally suited to walking.

An additional factor is that if you actually run in your running shoes, you should avoid wearing them for normal everyday use as this decreases the lifespan and often distorts the supportiveness.
Yeahbut both specifically say "running shoes" rather than "trainers" and neither specifies a particular type of running shoe.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 24 November, 2020, 04:49:33 pm
wondering why my eyes were all wonky, then I put my glasses down on the table. Arms had oriented into a parallelogram and I was effectively looking sideways. 

They are Ti, so here's hoping there is plenty of wiggle left before the snap.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ppg on 25 November, 2020, 11:28:03 am
Unless it concerns Audax, will you please stop bombarding me with 'harder and longer' email offers
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 25 November, 2020, 12:28:16 pm
Quote from: ppg on 25 November, 2020, 11:28:03 am
Unless it concerns Audax, will you please stop bombarding me with 'harder and longer' email offers

You're lucky - I've had about 5 mesages regarding the millions of dollars that I'm due (and not just from Nigeria) in the last couple of days  . .  . I have my paying-in book at the ready ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 27 November, 2020, 04:22:49 pm
Got some new laces. One of them didn't have plastic ends.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 27 November, 2020, 04:59:34 pm
Quote from: Johnny Faro on 27 November, 2020, 04:22:49 pm
Got some new laces. One of them didn't have plastic ends.

As I replace laces with elastic Lock-Laces, I have New, Unused (almost) shoe laces surplus to requirements. I can post these to you if you PM me with your details and required length.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 02 December, 2020, 07:24:08 am
The sky above the 'stow is the colour of television, tuned to a dead channel.  What the hell kind of a time is this for a Gentleman of Leisure to be forced to get up ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 02 December, 2020, 12:42:08 pm
I've got my mouse set so that a click of the wheel acts as the back button. Have done for years over several PCs, and it was working fine on this one (Windows 8.1). Until recently, a click brings up the default scroll bar. So I open the Keyboard and Mouse settings assuming that it's forgotten my setting, to find it's set correctly and now middle click works as expected.

Until I reboot the PC upon which middle click back doesn't work until I open the control centre again.

It's hardly a massive problem but it's irksome. Inordinately so.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 02 December, 2020, 01:09:55 pm
Quote from: Johnny Faro on 27 November, 2020, 04:22:49 pm
Got some new laces. One of them didn't have plastic ends.

What makes me grumble is when the plastic aglet splits and half of it drops off leaving a razor sharp cutting edge and a fraying lace.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 02 December, 2020, 01:49:02 pm
That is the colour the sky goes just before THE END OF THE WORLD. Get up Mr Larrington! You're about to be either Raptured or Captured, and neither the Pearly Gates nor the loading dock of the Mothership will open for people in pyjamas, leaving you floating in limbo...

(yes it's the wrong thread but so what)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 02 December, 2020, 02:11:52 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 02 December, 2020, 01:49:02 pm
That is the colour the sky goes just before THE END OF THE WORLD. Get up Mr Larrington! You're about to be either Raptured or Captured, and neither the Pearly Gates nor the loading dock of the Mothership will open for people in pyjamas, leaving you floating in limbo...

(yes it's the wrong thread but so what)

I'm more worried that this will lead to Señor Larrers embarking on a new series of IT adventures in the dystopian Walthamsprawl. I suggest we all start watching the Ctrl-Alt-Delete rant thread very carefully.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 02 December, 2020, 05:19:58 pm
Had my first off of the season today, at lunchtime  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 02 December, 2020, 06:34:00 pm
Quote from: ian on 02 December, 2020, 02:11:52 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 02 December, 2020, 01:49:02 pm
That is the colour the sky goes just before THE END OF THE WORLD. Get up Mr Larrington! You're about to be either Raptured or Captured, and neither the Pearly Gates nor the loading dock of the Mothership will open for people in pyjamas, leaving you floating in limbo...

(yes it's the wrong thread but so what)

I'm more worried that this will lead to Señor Larrers embarking on a new series of IT adventures in the dystopian Walthamsprawl. I suggest we all start watching the Ctrl-Alt-Delete rant thread very carefully.

Well, I ate’nt dead in spite of having to travel to the “Here Be Dragons” territory south of the Lea Bridge Road today.  By bus :o. And the Babbage-Engine has mostly been behaving itself, though it helps if you read your own notes before doing a whole bunch of Stuffs that then gets deleted for the crime of being Unnecessary.

Edit: the early start is probably why this got posted in completely the wrong thread :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 02 December, 2020, 06:48:35 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 02 December, 2020, 05:19:58 pm
Had my first off of the season today, at lunchtime  :facepalm:

I hope that the only damage is to pride and not to yourself or your bicycle.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 02 December, 2020, 07:02:02 pm
Quote from: Polar Bear on 02 December, 2020, 06:48:35 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 02 December, 2020, 05:19:58 pm
Had my first off of the season today, at lunchtime  :facepalm:

I hope that the only damage is to pride and not to yourself or your bicycle.

Ta. One of the front mudguard bridge bits is now longer attached to the plastic but fairly minor.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 02 December, 2020, 07:05:51 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 02 December, 2020, 07:24:08 am
The sky above the 'stow is the colour of television, tuned to a dead channel.  What the hell kind of a time is this for a Gentleman of Leisure to be forced to get up ???

If you live where I think you do then I doubt you can see "The Stow" from there!!  - as I knew it years ago when I used to go the dog racing (and one of my brothers drove a stock car there a few times)

I haven't been around there for years but I understand that the lights on the listed frontage are working again.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 02 December, 2020, 08:11:41 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 02 December, 2020, 06:34:00 pm
Quote from: ian on 02 December, 2020, 02:11:52 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 02 December, 2020, 01:49:02 pm
That is the colour the sky goes just before THE END OF THE WORLD. Get up Mr Larrington! You're about to be either Raptured or Captured, and neither the Pearly Gates nor the loading dock of the Mothership will open for people in pyjamas, leaving you floating in limbo...

(yes it's the wrong thread but so what)

I'm more worried that this will lead to Señor Larrers embarking on a new series of IT adventures in the dystopian Walthamsprawl. I suggest we all start watching the Ctrl-Alt-Delete rant thread very carefully.

Well, I ate’nt dead in spite of having to travel to the “Here Be Dragons” territory south of the Lea Bridge Road today.  By bus :o. And the Babbage-Engine has mostly been behaving itself, though it helps if you read your own notes before doing a whole bunch of Stuffs that then gets deleted for the crime of being Unnecessary.

Edit: the early start is probably why this got posted in completely the wrong thread :facepalm:

You were still on point enough to riff the first line of Neuromancer. I'd have done Fear and Loathing in Epping Forest

Quote
We were somewhere around Walthamstow on the edge of the metropolis when the drugs began to take hold.

Still, at least you didn't write it in the kitchen sink.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 02 December, 2020, 08:16:35 pm
Quote from: robgul on 02 December, 2020, 07:05:51 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 02 December, 2020, 07:24:08 am
The sky above the 'stow is the colour of television, tuned to a dead channel.  What the hell kind of a time is this for a Gentleman of Leisure to be forced to get up ???

If you live where I think you do then I doubt you can see "The Stow" from there!!  - as I knew it years ago when I used to go the dog racing (and one of my brothers drove a stock car there a few times)

I haven't been around there for years but I understand that the lights on the listed frontage are working again.

I might be able to if I got onto the roof of the flats over the road and stood on tiptoe…. Not been down that way in the dark recently so cannot voice for the lights, although my preferred branch of Mr Sainsbury’s House of Toothy Comestibles is pretty much opposite the mortal remains of the dogs.

Also I have to take issue with Hunter S. Thompson on that one, as Barstow is smack in the middle of the desert.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 02 December, 2020, 08:43:59 pm
The dog track in Bristol became an Ikea, so not so much House of Toothy Comestibles as House of Tinny Furnishings. Or even House of Totey Commodities.
Tote End (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Tote_End,_Eastville_Stadium,_Bristol_1986_(301079828).jpg)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 02 December, 2020, 08:47:29 pm
The one in Catford became an estate of very tiny flats. Possibly they were intended for the greyhounds.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 03 December, 2020, 12:37:31 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 02 December, 2020, 08:43:59 pm
The dog track in Bristol became an Ikea, so not so much House of Toothy Comestibles as House of Tinny Furnishings. Or even House of Totey Commodities.
Tote (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Tote_End,_Eastville_Stadium,_Bristol_1986_(301079828).jpg)

The Man made the developers keep the Art Deco frontage of 'stow Dogs, complete with spiffy neon signs, but the rest of the site has been turned into overpriced housing.  The muddy bombsite opposite – which used to be the car park – is now occupied by a Peugeot/Citroën dealer.  Mr Sainsbury’s House of Toothy Comestibles next door is an unlovely box whose main claim to fame is having a high-tension electricity pylon smack in the middle of the car park.  There’s also a Holiday Inn Express.  And a six-lane section of the North Circular.  Nice.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 03 December, 2020, 01:31:38 am
I think Hendon Greyhound Stadium vanished without trace when Brent Cross flyover was built.

My erstwhile workmates spent an evening watching the doggies run at 'Stow, shortly after I retired in 2004.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 03 December, 2020, 07:59:05 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 02 December, 2020, 07:02:02 pm
Quote from: Polar Bear on 02 December, 2020, 06:48:35 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 02 December, 2020, 05:19:58 pm
Had my first off of the season today, at lunchtime  :facepalm:

I hope that the only damage is to pride and not to yourself or your bicycle.

Ta. One of the front mudguard bridge bits is now longer attached to the plastic but fairly minor.

Relatively good outcome then were such a thing ever possible.

Hope you don't have any aches and pains this morning.

Do you know what caused it?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 03 December, 2020, 08:59:57 am
Feeling OK this morning, Mrs P?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 03 December, 2020, 09:24:57 am
I wot not the colour of the sky over the 'stow at the same time this morning, but that didn’t stop me from waking up at the same time because, like a big divvy doppo, I neglected to switch the bastard alarm clock off yesterday.  Arseburgers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 03 December, 2020, 09:57:42 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 02 December, 2020, 07:02:02 pm
Quote from: Polar Bear on 02 December, 2020, 06:48:35 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 02 December, 2020, 05:19:58 pm
Had my first off of the season today, at lunchtime  :facepalm:

I hope that the only damage is to pride and not to yourself or your bicycle.

Ta. One of the front mudguard bridge bits is now longer attached to the plastic but fairly minor.

Glad that hardware is the main preoccupation.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 03 December, 2020, 05:20:07 pm
Quote from: Polar Bear on 03 December, 2020, 07:59:05 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 02 December, 2020, 07:02:02 pm
Quote from: Polar Bear on 02 December, 2020, 06:48:35 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 02 December, 2020, 05:19:58 pm
Had my first off of the season today, at lunchtime  :facepalm:

I hope that the only damage is to pride and not to yourself or your bicycle.

Ta. One of the front mudguard bridge bits is now longer attached to the plastic but fairly minor.

Relatively good outcome then were such a thing ever possible.

Hope you don't have any aches and pains this morning.

Do you know what caused it?

Quote from: Basil on 03 December, 2020, 08:59:57 am
Feeling OK this morning, Mrs P?

Yes all fine thanks.

It was ice. I had spotted that the cycle path was a little frosty looking so I was taking it easy but when I went round a corner and uphill a bit gravity attacked.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 03 December, 2020, 05:24:15 pm
Ah. A useful reminder for us southerners that ice still exists. Glad you're okay.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 03 December, 2020, 05:33:34 pm
To be fair, early December is pretty darn late for a first decent frost for us (put it this way, stuff still flowering, or flowering again in December is a bit weird), just not expecting it at lunchtime cos I'm not usually commuting then (in normal times). I guess being right next to the river on the wrong side of a slight hill didn't help.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 03 December, 2020, 05:53:08 pm
I guess it's not just that you're quite a lot further north, you're also on the east coast, away from the balmy Gulf Stream.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 05 December, 2020, 09:20:59 am
Hot water out this morning, boiler fault. British Gas = Tuesday, which is vexing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 10 December, 2020, 05:17:57 pm
Forgot how early it gets dark now.  Had to wear a head torch to cut some thyme for tonight's dinner.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: The_Dwarf on 11 December, 2020, 10:59:17 am
Not sure if this is the best place or this...but...it is a Grumble - setting into a rant maybe - about Halfords covering two issues

DOUBLE WHAMMY

Apologies if this is in the wrong area :\
... ... ...

Had a Bronze Service yesterday following joining their Cycle Care Plan (I am not mech-savvy at all) in Mid-November as I done 200-miles so ahead of their suggested 6-weeks. Was out this morning, doing my 8-laps around Villa Park for my 12-days of charity cycling...

Please see my other thread listed, here, regarding my charity cycle challenge:
Aston Villa Foundation - Festive Dash 2020 (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=117715.0)

...included in their service (And part of the 7-point check) was inflating tyres to correct pressure.

Well, I do not know if this is their fault or not - but after cycling literally 8.5-miles I had my first proper BLOW OUT - thankfully I had finished my 8-laps around Villa Park and was was just heading off to head home at walking pace when...
BANG
...my rear inner tube exploded, as far as I can tell along the inner rim. While cycling along my final two laps I did feel something off with my rear tyre. The only way I can describe it is that it felt like there was a lump or something as the wheel rotated.

Would it be too much, do you think, to ask Halfords for a free inner tube, as it violently blew out not even 10-miles following a professional servicing?

Also...

I noticed that they signed the customer signature on my behalf - by putting in the box "covid-19". Thankfully, Covid-19 hasn't effect me personally. But member of my family have had to self-isolate due to being in the vicinity of others who have tested positive - so had to go into self-isolation as a precaution.

I am tempted to write out complaint e-mail over this. As I would not be happy if I saw that Covid-19 had effect me more personally. Comes across as insensitive and dis-respectful for what is a very hard situation for many.

Do you think it is too far to issue a formal complaint regarding the covid-19 "customer" signature?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 11 December, 2020, 12:14:00 pm
Quote from: The_Dwarf on 11 December, 2020, 10:59:17 am
Not sure if this is the best place or this...but...it is a Grumble - setting into a rant maybe - about Halfords covering two issues

DOUBLE WHAMMY

Apologies if this is in the wrong area :\
... ... ...

Had a Bronze Service yesterday following joining their Cycle Care Plan (I am not mech-savvy at all) in Mid-November as I done 200-miles so ahead of their suggested 6-weeks. Was out this morning, doing my 8-laps around Villa Park for my 12-days of charity cycling...

Please see my other thread listed, here, regarding my charity cycle challenge:
Aston Villa Foundation - Festive Dash 2020 (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=117715.0)

...included in their service (And part of the 7-point check) was inflating tyres to correct pressure.

Well, I do not know if this is their fault or not - but after cycling literally 8.5-miles I had my first proper BLOW OUT - thankfully I had finished my 8-laps around Villa Park and was was just heading off to head home at walking pace when...
BANG
...my rear inner tube exploded, as far as I can tell along the inner rim. While cycling along my final two laps I did feel something off with my rear tyre. The only way I can describe it is that it felt like there was a lump or something as the wheel rotated.

Would it be too much, do you think, to ask Halfords for a free inner tube, as it violently blew out not even 10-miles following a professional servicing?

Also...

I noticed that they signed the customer signature on my behalf - by putting in the box "covid-19". Thankfully, Covid-19 hasn't effect me personally. But member of my family have had to self-isolate due to being in the vicinity of others who have tested positive - so had to go into self-isolation as a precaution.

I am tempted to write out complaint e-mail over this. As I would not be happy if I saw that Covid-19 had effect me more personally. Comes across as insensitive and dis-respectful for what is a very hard situation for many.

Do you think it is too far to issue a formal complaint regarding the covid-19 "customer" signature?

Given that the very basic Bronze service part for the tyres was just to (possibly?) pump them up then the blow-out is unlikely to be attributable to them . . . did you check the pressure before riding (just a thumb-press will suffice) as is good practice?

IME, running an LBS, the most frequent cause of a blow-out is for the tube to be trapped between the tyre and the wheel rim . . . it may blow as soon as you pump it up, you may ride for hundreds of miles before it decides to blow . . .

Given the relatively low cost of tube I wouldn't waste my time even complaining.

The other point about the signature is probably just an instruction from HO . . . as part of their Covid safety protocols.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 11 December, 2020, 03:54:23 pm
Cv19 is or covid is pretty much the de facto signiture on most things that I come across currently

And in my experience every blow out I've had except one was either while pumping the tyre or very shortly after. I've been lucky enough never to have one while on the bike but had one go around 10 minutes after getting home once which took the tyre off the rim
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 11 December, 2020, 07:39:47 pm
Both David and I have had rim tape failure cause blow-outs, sometimes on bikes innocently parked indoors, minding their own business.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rogerzilla on 12 December, 2020, 07:12:57 am
Mr Dwarf, yellow-on-white doesn't show up very clearly.  That's why snow is so dangerous.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: The_Dwarf on 14 December, 2020, 12:29:49 pm
Quote from: rogerzilla on 12 December, 2020, 07:12:57 am
Mr Dwarf, yellow-on-white doesn't show up very clearly.  That's why snow is so dangerous.
Oh... is that why it tastes so odd??
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: The_Dwarf on 14 December, 2020, 12:31:56 pm
Upside...I actually changed an inner tube - GO ME!!!
And only wanted to give up once, maybe twice


Although - Google servers are down in the UK at least
And apparently my email address cannot be found because of it
GRRRR

EDIT:
Think Mr Google looked down the side of the sofa somewhere - email address now found
lol
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cycleman on 14 December, 2020, 06:10:38 pm
Yellow fonts are are difficult to see on white background s .
Well done for completing your tube fettling  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 14 December, 2020, 08:49:39 pm
Okay, so for 'demanding clients' (let's call them an international NGO) we now have a QA process following normal editing. Which is what I'm meant to be doing right now, rather than idling on YACF. And thank fuck we do, cos
Quote
Is it possible in this particular case that what Charlie was taking was heroine?
does not refer to opiates.  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 15 December, 2020, 12:51:55 pm
Had the boiler annual service booked for today, and we'd agreed on late morning.

The gasman cometh not. So far...

Might as well make lunch and see if that catalyses his arrival.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Zipperhead on 15 December, 2020, 05:09:14 pm
Quote from: spesh on 15 December, 2020, 12:51:55 pm
Had the boiler annual service booked for today, and we'd agreed on late morning.

The gasman cometh not. So far...

I think I saw that film on a dodgy late night channel.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 15 December, 2020, 05:13:45 pm
I was thinking more of Flanders and Swann, TBH. ;D

Fortunately, he turned up and didn't make more work for the working man to do...
 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 15 December, 2020, 05:28:11 pm
Our boiler service, originally booked for Sept. has been postponed (on the due day) twice.  They're now talking about January.  Aye, right.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 16 December, 2020, 09:35:14 am
Ok rain. The river's full.  You can stop now.

Please.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 17 December, 2020, 09:38:48 am
Just spent ¾ hour wading through the French P.O.'s sluggish, badly-designed (or well-designed with evil intentions) website to send three parcels. The post office is just over the road from us but they're all "no no no you do it on line these days can't you read aren't you awake you old fart?" since the plague arrived.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: orienteer on 17 December, 2020, 10:30:13 am
Sounds similar to the Royal Mail website. Takes much effort to find a price list in the depths.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 17 December, 2020, 12:10:13 pm
I think it's the same people who do university websites (https://xkcd.com/773/).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 17 December, 2020, 03:45:58 pm
Quote from: Basil on 16 December, 2020, 09:35:14 am
Ok rain. The river's full.  You can stop now.

Please.
Well we don't want it, both of ours are full too.  The Vyrnwy and the Banwy.  The Banwy is very bad mannered and is prone to attacking our railway, and throwing unwanted trees at our two span steel viaduct, (which it seems I'm the trustee responsible for, ulp...).  Luckily the beautiful 6 arch stone viaduct only has a squitty little stream flowing under it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 17 December, 2020, 03:52:59 pm
Ah I'll take some more rain next week. Last year around New year's  I had great fun canoeing around the flood plain resolutely staying away from the actual river
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SteveC on 17 December, 2020, 04:31:50 pm
Quote from: Johnny Faro on 17 December, 2020, 03:52:59 pm
Ah I'll take some more rain next week. Last year around New year's  I had great fun canoeing around the flood plain resolutely staying away from the actual river
You can have ours! I went to an outdoor carol service last night and wasn't sure I was going to get home. The ground round here is reaching saturation point, which is where it will probably stay until Easter.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 18 December, 2020, 08:48:23 pm
Quote from: Basil on 16 December, 2020, 09:35:14 am
Ok rain. The river's full.  You can stop now.

Please.

Feck. Latest tweet from the depth gauge.

On 18/12/20 at 19:15 the river level was 3.05m and above its typical range. https://t.co/XK3TFB7wrx
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 19 December, 2020, 11:10:07 am
Quote from: Basil on 18 December, 2020, 08:48:23 pm
Quote from: Basil on 16 December, 2020, 09:35:14 am
Ok rain. The river's full.  You can stop now.

Please.

Feck. Latest tweet from the depth gauge.

On 18/12/20 at 19:15 the river level was 3.05m and above its typical range. https://t.co/XK3TFB7wrx

Falling now, it seems.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SteveC on 19 December, 2020, 11:10:41 am
On Thursday night, as we were getting into bed, MrsC mentions that there seems to be some paper coming off the ceiling directly above her. It's been like that for a while1. I climb on the bed and check--it's damp. Bother.
First thing Friday morning, up into the loft. We have a lot of stuff up there. It's a sort of study, or it was when MrsC was doing her professional qualifications, so the header tank is blocked off by a partial wall in front of which is an Ikea desk/shelving unit. I manage to clear enough stuff to be able to see into the space. There is water coming out of the party wall. No idea how it's getting in there. So we need to phone our tame roofing chap. Not sure why we didn't do that yesterday, but...
Last night, we are going to bed. I get into the room first and there is now a steady drip onto MrsC's pillow. Cue swift re-arrangement of WFH space to spare bedroom, finding of bowls to catch water and so on. Sigh.
The roofer can pop round tomorrow to have a look, but is really busy. Funnily enough with this rain we are not the only people to have discovered a leak.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 19 December, 2020, 11:45:13 am
Quote from: rafletcher on 19 December, 2020, 11:10:07 am
Falling now, it seems.

Yes it is, thankfully.  It came within a door step of the houses that were inundated a couple of years ago.
Park, cricket and football fields are currently under water, but that's the flood plain doing its job.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 19 December, 2020, 03:04:50 pm
Boiler replaced yesterday, not measured properly. New one comes 6" lower than the old one, and now only just clears my desk. Now rather than having a space for my working papers, and camera, I can just fit my power supplies and docking station.

More annoyingly, the installation engineers left my desk in a mess, and did not seal around the flue and condenser outlet.

Even more annoyingly, the boiler ignition cycle is not quite right and it keeps faulting.  Someone looked at it this morning and adjusted the ignitor (looks like a spark plug) as it looked both bent and had the wrong gap. Its still not working and they're now saying its a warranty issue. Manufacturers will not even put it in their system until Monday.

I'm sure I questioned the wisdom of replacing a boiler the week before Christmas,  but do you think I'm going to say "i told you so"?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 19 December, 2020, 03:08:58 pm
Quote from: ElyDave
I'm sure I questioned the wisdom of replacing a boiler the week before Christmas,  but do you think I'm going to say "i told you so"?
Only if you want to spend Xmas in the shed.  :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Chris S on 19 December, 2020, 05:08:27 pm
Quote from: Basil on 19 December, 2020, 11:45:13 am
Quote from: rafletcher on 19 December, 2020, 11:10:07 am
Falling now, it seems.

Yes it is, thankfully.  It came within a door step of the houses that were inundated a couple of years ago.
Park, cricket and football fields are currently under water, but that's the flood plain doing its job.

You probably shouldn't watch the forecast then  :facepalm:.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 19 December, 2020, 10:12:31 pm
Quote from: Chris S on 19 December, 2020, 05:08:27 pm
Quote from: Basil on 19 December, 2020, 11:45:13 am
Quote from: rafletcher on 19 December, 2020, 11:10:07 am
Falling now, it seems.

Yes it is, thankfully.  It came within a door step of the houses that were inundated a couple of years ago.
Park, cricket and football fields are currently under water, but that's the flood plain doing its job.

You probably shouldn't watch the forecast then  :facepalm:.

 :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 21 December, 2020, 12:54:02 pm
I'm working through Christmas eve. My wife is done from the year. This means she's texting me approximately every 2.5 seconds. And then emailing me. And it's cryptic.

Quote
Takeout roast dinner. Two courses.

Right now? I have no idea.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 21 December, 2020, 03:09:39 pm
Bad board on the boiler replaced today, hopefully that's  an end to cycling the start up sequence about ten times in a row every few hours
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 22 December, 2020, 07:21:37 am
There is just so much wrong with this

-2020December18-[Future%7c+Image]]https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20201210-lockheed-u-2-spyplane?xtor=ES-213-[BBC%20Features%20Newsletter]-2020December18-[Future%7c+Image] (https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20201210-lockheed-u-2-spyplane?xtor=ES-213-[BBC%20Features%20Newsletter)

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TimC on 22 December, 2020, 07:42:38 am
Is your objection to the article or its subject?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 22 December, 2020, 07:59:03 am
Quote from: ElyDave on 22 December, 2020, 07:21:37 am
There is just so much wrong with this

-2020December18-[Future%7c+Image]]https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20201210-lockheed-u-2-spyplane?xtor=ES-213-[BBC%20Features%20Newsletter]-2020December18-[Future%7c+Image] (https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20201210-lockheed-u-2-spyplane?xtor=ES-213-[BBC%20Features%20Newsletter)

Surprised that the Gary Powers incident wasn't mentioned in the article?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 22 December, 2020, 08:33:00 am
Quote from: ElyDave
There is just so much wrong with this..

Seemed like a reasonable, non-technical, summary of programmes that are still subject to a great deal of information hiding to me.   What irritated you about it?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 22 December, 2020, 08:34:53 am
Quote from: TimC on 22 December, 2020, 07:42:38 am
Is your objection to the article or its subject?

The content, the writing, "breathing 100% oxygen", just generally irksome

Every other article I've read says pure oxygen on the ground pre-flight, the BBC article implies 100% all the time, talks about modular plug and play equipment while showing a picture of something that looks like an integral part of the wing's construction.  Yes, details will be secret, but there just seems to be a lack of rigour in some of these articles.

And yes, no mention of Gary Powers, Critical 60's/70's missions, UK involvement...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 22 December, 2020, 08:46:50 am
I went to the local library yesterday, as it was the deadline for collecting some reservations, and I had the day off. It was shut. Council website says “following government guidelines all libraries are temporarily closed”. That’ll be the guidelines that state libraries can remain open for collection of reservations, just like in November.  >:(

At least this time they’ve given a reopening date, of the 29th.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TimC on 22 December, 2020, 09:03:40 am
Quote from: ElyDave on 22 December, 2020, 08:34:53 am
Quote from: TimC on 22 December, 2020, 07:42:38 am
Is your objection to the article or its subject?

The content, the writing, "breathing 100% oxygen", just generally irksome

Every other article I've read says pure oxygen on the ground pre-flight, the BBC article implies 100% all the time, talks about modular plug and play equipment while showing a picture of something that looks like an integral part of the wing's construction.  Yes, details will be secret, but there just seems to be a lack of rigour in some of these articles.

And yes, no mention of Gary Powers, Critical 60's/70's missions, UK involvement...

It starts off pretty badly, but recovers some credibility after a while. The statement that they're going to get 30 years more life for an investment of $37.8m might be a tad inaccurate!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 22 December, 2020, 11:28:46 am
Quote from: ElyDave on 22 December, 2020, 08:34:53 am
The content, the writing, "breathing 100% oxygen", just generally irksome

Every other article I've read says pure oxygen on the ground pre-flight, the BBC article implies 100% all the time

I thought that was normal for spacesuits; oxygen (plus water/CO2, because lungs) atmosphere at 4.3PSI to maximise suit flexibility while delivering the necessary oxygen.  Pre-breathing pure oxygen is needed to remove the nitrogen from your tissues in order to not get the bends when dropping to that pressure from a ground-level atmosphere (as is normally used on spacecraft, to prevent Apollo 1 scenarios).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TimC on 22 December, 2020, 11:56:18 am
Yes, that's exactly right Kim. U2 pilots pre-breathe 100% oxygen for an hour pre-flight, and breathe pressurised 100% oxygen in flight. That's still not sufficient to avoid decompression sickness; U2 pilots have suffered DCS in flight on several recorded occasions over the last 30 or so years, as missions have got longer and more complex.

A fairly recent modification to the aircraft has improved the pressurisation so that the cabin altitude is much lower than it once was - it's now around 15,000' rather than the 30,000' it used to be. While that should allow a normal airmix supply to be used, the risk of depressuristion means that they still use the suits and 100% oxygen.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 22 December, 2020, 01:08:20 pm
So, I'm trying to do a belated recorded video presentation.

Attempt 1: wife wanders in and starts obviously talking to me.
Attempt 2: send her upstairs. Cat dramatically throws up next door.
Attempt 3: send wife to shops, kick cat out the door. Doorbell rings. Then rings, rings, rings.
Attempt 4: wife comes back shouts 'hello' as she slams the back door.
Attempt 5: the fucking landline rings. And rings. And rings.
Attempt 6...

Recording a 10-minute presentation is really going to be an all-day affair.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 23 December, 2020, 04:05:59 pm
Delivery season continues. Today, as I don't need silence, they've stopped ringing the doorbell. Instead it's stealth delivery day. Ignore the sign on the door to put it behind the porch, why not. Leave it on the doorstep in the rain. Fortunately, I found the first one before the books were soaked. The second was soaked but in plastic.

And Yodel, Ben Wilson doesn't live here. The clue might be in the address, which isn't that of the doorstep you left it on.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 23 December, 2020, 05:48:53 pm
Got my first pair of proper varifocals this evening. How long will it take before I stop wanting to vomit every time I move my head?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 23 December, 2020, 06:12:52 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 23 December, 2020, 05:48:53 pm
Got my first pair of proper varifocals this evening. How long will it take before I stop wanting to vomit every time I move my head?

Have you tried walking downstairs yet?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Clare on 23 December, 2020, 06:22:39 pm
Took me about a week to get used to mine.

Have you got separate single vision specs for computer use? Varifocals are useless for any screen larger than a laptop.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 23 December, 2020, 07:24:44 pm
Quote from: Basil on 23 December, 2020, 06:12:52 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 23 December, 2020, 05:48:53 pm
Got my first pair of proper varifocals this evening. How long will it take before I stop wanting to vomit every time I move my head?

Have you tried walking downstairs yet?
No. Fortunately the only stairs at Pingu Towers are the ones outside to get into our flat. Might be slippery at the mo though.

Quote from: Clare on 23 December, 2020, 06:22:39 pm
Took me about a week to get used to mine.

Have you got separate single vision specs for computer use? Varifocals are useless for any screen larger than a laptop.

Aw don't say that. No, I have not.
Having said that I'm not convinced I really needed them, I was only peering over the top of my specs at really tiny text, like that on a small image on a phone screen, not like I had a problem with books, tablets, menus. We'll see....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andytheflyer on 23 December, 2020, 07:32:49 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 23 December, 2020, 05:48:53 pm
Got my first pair of proper varifocals this evening. How long will it take before I stop wanting to vomit every time I move my head?
A while............
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 23 December, 2020, 07:40:07 pm
About a week before I discovered the sensory benefits saved me from buying my usual drugs from Crazy Dave.

I don't have a different pair for my computer and it's a huge-o 27 inch screen. Sometimes I have to adjust my eyeline when I'm slouched in front of the TV (not a problem at the moment, since Bad Cat threw up on my sofa, and it's soggy with magic cleaning potions).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Clare on 23 December, 2020, 08:31:39 pm
I use a 34" wide screen (replacing the double screen set up that is on my desk at work), with my varifocals on I have to more my head around a lot to get things in focus ending up with bad neck ache.

I ended up getting a single vision pair specifically for screen use.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 23 December, 2020, 11:25:56 pm
I enjoyed my varifocals sooooooooo much I swapped them for two separate single vision prescriptions- one for reading/ potter/ close shit and another for tv ect.

I have a feeling that, as I now wear the distance ones a bit more, the next purchase of specs will be bifocals.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 24 December, 2020, 07:50:36 am
havent got there yet, but I've now started not needing my specs at all for reading or work on the computer - I have 2 x 24" screens, so plenty of real-estate there. For soem reason it drives the other half batty when I put my glasses on top of my head to read.

"Why don't you get some more glasses for reading?"
"becasue I don't need them, that's why I'm not using them"
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 24 December, 2020, 09:30:34 am
I was somehow persuaded into multifocals and I'm not even sure that's a thing. But whatever thing it is or isn't, it's the most expensive in the catalogue. I see what you're doing there, optolady. Well, I didn't until I'd glunged £600 on a pair of glasses.

Hated them at first, quite like them now. I used to do the thing where I'd be peaking over the top like a stern librarian conjuring up punishments for errant whispers and book return defaulters. Trust me, they'd be harsh punishments.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 24 December, 2020, 09:45:45 am
The free Starleaf app allows 40 minutes per meeting. However, this does not mean that you have to talk for every bloody one of them.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 24 December, 2020, 10:46:00 am
Spec-life get complicated round here.  Need reading glasses for close-up things like using a fondleslab.  Need distance bins for reading Stuffs on the Proper Computer, wot is connected to a 40-something inch distascope on the other side of the room.  Don’t need either for the PC keyboard, which lives on the table a forearm's length away.  Much peering over, under or round the lenses occurs, with swearing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 24 December, 2020, 11:51:38 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 23 December, 2020, 05:48:53 pm
Got my first pair of proper varifocals this evening. How long will it take before I stop wanting to vomit every time I move my head?

Just depends. I've never had a problem adapting to contacts or latterly varifocals. The only failure was monovision contacts, where my dominant eye was just too dominant (ooo-er!). I did trial multi-focal contact lenses, but as they can't (ok, because specsavers wont - I'm sure custom soft lenses could be had) correct astigmatism, they were a no-goer for me.  I now cycle without corrective lenses.

ETA for really close work (like looking upwards trying to thread cables in STI's in a not brilliantly lit shed) I have some cheapo single vision glasses.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: IanN on 24 December, 2020, 12:25:33 pm
I got bifocals because prescription wrap-round sunglasses made me sea sick (guaranteeing varificals would be hideous). Still rubbish and I think next time I'll end up with separate reading glasses

It gets horribly expensive. Up to to 4 separate pairs now. (all prescription):
normal (astigmatism).   Still on my old pre bifocal pair
sunglasses for the car
reactions lenses for cycling
bifocals / reading

(adding to this, the potential comedy of living between two different counties)

At my last eye test - "do I really need the new prescription?".  I'm pretty sure the measurement error in lens prescription is larger than the differences that 'justify' new glasses. I should have plotted it over time.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 24 December, 2020, 12:52:24 pm
Being a boss-eyed super-myope, I usually leave the opticians with my bank balance several hundred pounds lighter.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 24 December, 2020, 12:58:49 pm
Quote from: T42 on 24 December, 2020, 09:45:45 am
The free Starleaf app allows 40 minutes per meeting. However, this does not mean that you have to talk for every bloody one of them.

You got unlimited between the 21st Dec and sometime in Jan :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: orienteer on 24 December, 2020, 01:20:59 pm
Been using varifocals for years now. Be aware there are several types, and the cheapest are not the best.

My latest prescription gave some problems viewing my laptop screen, so I went back to the optician. He found there was a 1mm error (manufacturing tolerance) between the two lenses, meaning I had to have my head at a slightly different angle for each lens for medium distance reading. The revised lenses are fine.

Varifocals are not good when working in contorted positions, as one is not looking through the appropriate part of the lens. I often just remove my glasses.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 24 December, 2020, 02:20:44 pm
I can now turn my head without feeling sick. Haven't got used to using them though, and I really noticed not being able to read the tablet out of the corner of my eye while I turned my head to drink from a mug or glass.

Quote from: ian on 24 December, 2020, 12:52:24 pm
Being a boss-eyed super-myope, I usually leave the opticians with my bank balance several hundred pounds lighter.

I broke the magic -8 dioptres this time round  :-\. Suspect the only reason I didn't top the 500 squids mark was because by some quirk of fate the frames I picked were cheap and because I got 10% off due to various cock ups.

For that I get the 2nd best high index lenses, Reactions, blue light filter and some sort of newfangled anti headlight glare thing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 24 December, 2020, 02:50:37 pm
Two -7ish lenses, the most ultra-thin, ultra-light, ultra-everything, and the multifocalist lenses known to humanity took me to about £600 + frames.

I think that if I went for cheapest in the book, the weight of lenses alone would cause my face to slide off in a fleshy avalanche.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 24 December, 2020, 03:00:43 pm
Quote from: Clare on 23 December, 2020, 06:22:39 pm
Took me about a week to get used to mine.

Have you got separate single vision specs for computer use? Varifocals are useless for any screen larger than a laptop.

D has 'intermediate' single vision specs optimised for 75-100cm face-to-screen distance.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 24 December, 2020, 04:09:55 pm
I am worried I need to look at specific reading glasses on top of the £750 reused frames 2x glasses + an extra £100 for prescription sunglasses whack every 2 years...

My eye movement and balance issues  on top of astigmatism and -4ish lenses mean I can't have contacts, need thinned lenses, anti-glare and the precision blue tint isn't cheap... I also don't think varifocals will work because of my lack of eye movement capacity. I am told my "focus refocus" is very poor by at least 2 separate optiquacks and I can't read print books anymore, the typeface is too small in almost all cases.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 25 December, 2020, 10:51:03 am
I don’t know what the heathens next door are up to but it sounds to involve hitting things with hammers until they break.  Just stop it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 25 December, 2020, 03:32:07 pm
Quote from: barakta on 24 December, 2020, 04:09:55 pm
I am worried I need to look at specific reading glasses on top of the £750 reused frames 2x glasses + an extra £100 for prescription sunglasses whack every 2 years...

My eye movement and balance issues  on top of astigmatism and -4ish lenses mean I can't have contacts, need thinned lenses, anti-glare and the precision blue tint isn't cheap... I also don't think varifocals will work because of my lack of eye movement capacity. I am told my "focus refocus" is very poor by at least 2 separate optiquacks and I can't read print books anymore, the typeface is too small in almost all cases.

Suggest you get cheap readers for your desk and wear them over your prescription specs. You can wiggle them around to optimise position and buy incremental strengths as the need arises. My presbyopia progressed quite rapidly in my 50, other parameters remaining stable. You can then keep your pricy 'outdoor' specs for a few more years. My late great-grandmother used to wear two pairs of specs and this has gone out of fashion, but I'm no fashionista!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 25 December, 2020, 05:27:27 pm
I tried an external blue lens arrangement magnetically attached to my frames but they didn't work as I couldn't focus through the two and it always felt like I was looking through cheap children's binoculars. I took them back and went back to 2 separate pairs.

I think I'll get some kind of proper lens, and either mount it to something or get a mounted one if I can find something not too shit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 25 December, 2020, 08:17:21 pm
ebay down.  Everyone trying to sell Christmas presents at once.  I want to order some bolts.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 27 December, 2020, 12:08:29 am
What we need is something like an astrophotography filter wheel- one for each eye where the wheel is loaded with various prescription lenses that you rotate to put before your eye to suit your needs.
Like two ofthese (http://[https://www.firstlightoptics.com/filter-wheels/zwo-5-position-1-25inch-manual-filter-wheel.html) joined with a bridge.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 27 December, 2020, 12:31:33 am
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 27 December, 2020, 12:08:29 am
What we need is something like an astrophotography filter wheel- one for each eye where the wheel is loaded with various prescription lenses that you rotate to put before your eye to suit your needs.
Like two ofthese (http://[https://www.firstlightoptics.com/filter-wheels/zwo-5-position-1-25inch-manual-filter-wheel.html) joined with a bridge.

The optiquack uses a motorised version of exactly that for determining prescriptions without all that tedious slotting lenses in and out.  Bit bulky, thobut.

I reckon a rotating turret like ye olde TV cameras would be more steampunk.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 27 December, 2020, 07:55:59 am
Quote from: Kim on 27 December, 2020, 12:31:33 am
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 27 December, 2020, 12:08:29 am
What we need is something like an astrophotography filter wheel- one for each eye where the wheel is loaded with various prescription lenses that you rotate to put before your eye to suit your needs.
Like two ofthese (http://[https://www.firstlightoptics.com/filter-wheels/zwo-5-position-1-25inch-manual-filter-wheel.html) joined with a bridge.

The optiquack uses a motorised version of exactly that for determining prescriptions without all that tedious slotting lenses in and out.  Bit bulky, thobut.

I reckon a rotating turret like ye olde TV cameras would be more steampunk.

Yep - our man has an amazing motorised machine that juggles the lenses around, together with a sort of turret that has all sorts of gizmos attached to it that he can fire at your head.

The "can you read this" machine also selects random characters - he says it's to beat the smart-arses that can remember the different sized letter sequences - and the car number plate read test thing is clever (with advancing years my eyesight as a specs wearer since 11 has improved to the point that I am just about legal to drive sans specs - I do cycle now without my contacts or specs, but do put specs on to drive) - the optician man has seen his revenue from me slip away . . . .  :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 02 January, 2021, 07:43:44 pm
Got taken out by a skateboarder this evening.
The Location: Outside Canada Water Library
The event: Skateboarder parted company with his board. Board continued to travel in my direction before colliding with my rear (Brompton) wheel, taking the bike out from under me.
The response: I actually saw it coming and was thus able to take evasive action and execute a perfect Judo break fall, landing on my right shoulder and rolling into the ground.
The aftermath: The skateboardist was profusely apologetic (his board didn't end up in the drink - as I had secretly hoped it might, as that's where it was heading for had my bike not stopped it)
The reflection: No harm done to myself, my attire or my bicycle.
The conclusion: It could've been many worsers. And probably better than being knocked off by a moton.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: bhoot on 02 January, 2021, 09:52:57 pm
Has anyone else observed a much higher quantity of dog shit on the streets in the last month or so? It's definitely the case around this part of East London, to the extent that in some places you need to walk around looking at the pavement. I guess this could be linked to the increase in dog ownership that we have been told about, but I am slightly surprised in an area where many live in small flats.

Note - if I step in it this may turn from grumble to rant!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 03 January, 2021, 12:26:10 pm
Not recently, no, but I did notice this during lockdown one. I put it down to people using dog exercise as an excuse for leaving the house, coupled with people having more time for dog walking.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SteveC on 03 January, 2021, 12:39:22 pm
Do three grumbles make a rant?
I stopped work for the year on 15th December. Since then we have had:
I suppose, if we're lucky, that's the 'three bad things'.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: graculus on 03 January, 2021, 02:07:56 pm
Quote from: SteveC on 03 January, 2021, 12:39:22 pm
  • One of the cars with water in the front passenger footwell due to something being blocked, resulting in the car being at the garage for over a week drying out

What car is that Steve? It sounds a bit like what happened with our Kangoo - turned out to be a third drainhole in the gutter below the wipers that the garage mechanics didn't even know existed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SteveC on 03 January, 2021, 02:28:29 pm
Quote from: graculus on 03 January, 2021, 02:07:56 pm
Quote from: SteveC on 03 January, 2021, 12:39:22 pm
  • One of the cars with water in the front passenger footwell due to something being blocked, resulting in the car being at the garage for over a week drying out

What car is that Steve? It sounds a bit like what happened with our Kangoo - turned out to be a third drainhole in the gutter below the wipers that the garage mechanics didn't even know existed.
It was the Kangoo. (11 plate Kangoo II). In this case the drain hole was blocked, most likely with bits from our tamarisk tree. Said tree has now gone--nothing to do with the car, it was getting too big anyway. The garage said it was probably the drain holes being blocked even before they'd seen it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: pcolbeck on 05 January, 2021, 10:37:35 am
My garage will shortly be full of an 8x10 greenhouse which cant be erected as the builder didn't come to pour the concrete foundation and build the little wall its to be erected on. Not the builders fault, you cant pore concrete when it's < 5 deg C which it has been here for two weeks :(
No idea when he will fit us in to do it now as he was doing it over the Christmas break.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 05 January, 2021, 11:00:12 am
The car, apparently, has a flat tyre.

And a fox (I assume) ran off with the bag of soiled cat litter we left outside the back door last night (too cold and wet to run to the dustbin). No idea where it took it. Erm, enjoy.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 05 January, 2021, 11:15:37 am
Quote from: pcolbeck on 05 January, 2021, 10:37:35 am
My garage will shortly be full of an 8x10 greenhouse which cant be erected as the builder didn't come to pour the concrete foundation and build the little wall its to be erected on. Not the builders fault, you cant pore concrete when it's < 5 deg C which it has been here for two weeks :(
No idea when he will fit us in to do it now as he was doing it over the Christmas break.

That is a good size.  I erected our 8x6 greenhouse just before Christmas on the hard standing we had ready.  I got the heated mats in and started some sweet peas off as an experiment and they are already sprouting within 5 days!  I now have some more mats and a thermostat and the tomatoes will probably go in soon along with some more flowers.  I then need some automatic watering and i will be all set.  One end is set against a brick wall and a side against the shed so they will have some reflective foil and bubble wrap applied this weekend.

I have somehow received an illustrated veg and flower seed catalogue in the post!  I did not realise the extent of such porn!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 05 January, 2021, 01:19:20 pm
Did expect to find the bag of stinky cat litter to be strewn somewhere and necessitate an unpleasant clean-up job, but there's no sign of it anywhere.

Maybe I can get the foxes to take it all. It could be the badgers I suppose, but there's a family of resident foxes. As a double grumble, I'm not sure why the cats have started doing their business in the house (it's cold and wet outside, I guess I wouldn't go in the garden either – but come summer, try stopping me).

In other news, I found the spare tyre under the car*. Not that I plan to fix anything, so don't panic. I think the Lady Upstairs called the RAC and my task was to verify the presence or not of a spare.

*no small task, remember this is the same car that took us twelve years to realise how to lock the doors from the inside.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 05 January, 2021, 01:50:35 pm
Quote from: ian on 05 January, 2021, 01:19:20 pm
I'm not sure why the cats have started doing their business in the house (it's cold and wet outside, I guess I wouldn't go in the garden either – but come summer, try stopping me).


Because you provide them with a liiter tray perchance?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 05 January, 2021, 01:56:51 pm
I'm not sure I'd like to find out where they'd go if there wasn't a back-up litter tray.

Bad Cat came to us because her last owners didn't like 'having a litter tray inside' which meant she shat on their bed (at least that's what the cat rehoming place told us). That said, LMC is going indoors too. It must be too cold for their tender little paws.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 05 January, 2021, 03:00:53 pm
Ours are still going outside. I'm pretty sure Mojo and Pippin when they were getting old started coming back indoors especially to use the tray and then go back out again, but not this pair yet.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 05 January, 2021, 03:10:42 pm
Speaking of cold paws, when I was out for a run on the rather icy Bennachie a few days ago I came across another runner going in the opposite direction.
They had a dog running with them, and it was wearing four tiny little neoprene-ish looking booties.

I'm not sure if these were just thermal to keep the paws warm, or more mechanical to prevent abrasion of the foot-pads on the ice, or if they had metal studs to provide grip like little canine crampons.

I'd never seen such things before.
But the dog seemed very sure-footed on the slippy stuff.
4-paw-drive helps too, I suppose.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: pcolbeck on 05 January, 2021, 04:30:52 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 05 January, 2021, 03:00:53 pm
Ours are still going outside. I'm pretty sure Mojo and Pippin when they were getting old started coming back indoors especially to use the tray and then go back out again, but not this pair yet.

Our old lady (17) definitely does this. Hasn't even needed a litter tray until the last 12 months.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 05 January, 2021, 04:57:43 pm
They are getting older, but it's a suddenish change. They occasionally use the tray but generally like al fresco toileting (forgoing the delights of the many large gardens for the small patch by the kitchen patio). They're not lingering outside at the moment, so I presume the conditions are not to their liking.

Dog booties a certainly a common thing in Canada (otherwise their paws can freeze to the ground).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 05 January, 2021, 05:36:11 pm
Do dogs not also have issues when surfaces have been salted too?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nicknack on 05 January, 2021, 05:40:03 pm
Quote from: ian on 05 January, 2021, 04:57:43 pm
Dog booties a certainly a common thing in Canada (otherwise their paws can freeze to the ground).
How do wolves, coyotes, arctic foxes, etc. manage? Have domestic pooches lost some measure of cold adaptation?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 05 January, 2021, 05:45:19 pm
Quote
...the Arctic fox is the only canid whose foot pads are covered in fur...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arctic_fox#Adaptations
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 05 January, 2021, 06:18:04 pm
Quote from: nicknack on 05 January, 2021, 05:40:03 pm
Quote from: ian on 05 January, 2021, 04:57:43 pm
Dog booties a certainly a common thing in Canada (otherwise their paws can freeze to the ground).
How do wolves, coyotes, arctic foxes, etc. manage? Have domestic pooches lost some measure of cold adaptation?

I think snow and ice are broadly fine, it's manmade, urban surfaces like tarmac that effectively supercool to several degrees below zero.

Once you get into the minus twenties everything freezes quickly. Blinking tear ice out of your eyes is fun.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jasmine on 05 January, 2021, 07:55:09 pm
Quote from: Feanor on 05 January, 2021, 03:10:42 pm
Speaking of cold paws, when I was out for a run on the rather icy Bennachie a few days ago I came across another runner going in the opposite direction.
They had a dog running with them, and it was wearing four tiny little neoprene-ish looking booties.

I'm not sure if these were just thermal to keep the paws warm, or more mechanical to prevent abrasion of the foot-pads on the ice, or if they had metal studs to provide grip like little canine crampons.

I'd never seen such things before.
But the dog seemed very sure-footed on the slippy stuff.
4-paw-drive helps too, I suppose.

Fairly common in dog sports. The boots are to stop damage to the pads, mostly abrasion related. You might see them not in icy conditions too; some dogs have soft pads and don't like running on tarmac or sharp stones. It also reduces the potential contact with the salt on the roads, which is toxic to dogs when they lick it off their paws and can be a bit of an irritant.

If the dog was attached to the runner, this is much higher impact on the dog than just trotting along. In this case the  potential for abrasion is higher.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 06 January, 2021, 10:50:03 am
MrsT realized, looking at the shopping receipts this morning, that she has collected enough points for a free galette des rois.*  "Collect them until 9th Jan", it said on them.  So she hied back down to the shop, only to come back 15 minutes later in a minor strop. Turns out that once you have the tickets you have to order the things between the 16th and 18th and go back to pick them up between the 19th and 23rd.  Great idea in the middle of a pandemic. In previous years you got your tickets and they dealt you a tart off a great stack at the pastry counter.

Galettes des rois are traditionally eaten at Epiphany, to commemorate the rois in question skipping safely off back home before HM's Immigration goons got wind of them.  I sprang to me camel, and Caspar and he...  Dealing them out on the 23rd is a bit... off. Daft.

*a rather nice flaky-pastry apple or frangipani tart with a token in it entitling whoever's tooth it breaks to wear the paper crown than comes with the tart.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: davelodwig on 06 January, 2021, 05:18:14 pm
Quote from: Jasmine on 05 January, 2021, 07:55:09 pm
Quote from: Feanor on 05 January, 2021, 03:10:42 pm
Speaking of cold paws, when I was out for a run on the rather icy Bennachie a few days ago I came across another runner going in the opposite direction.
They had a dog running with them, and it was wearing four tiny little neoprene-ish looking booties.

I'm not sure if these were just thermal to keep the paws warm, or more mechanical to prevent abrasion of the foot-pads on the ice, or if they had metal studs to provide grip like little canine crampons.

I'd never seen such things before.
But the dog seemed very sure-footed on the slippy stuff.
4-paw-drive helps too, I suppose.

Fairly common in dog sports. The boots are to stop damage to the pads, mostly abrasion related. You might see them not in icy conditions too; some dogs have soft pads and don't like running on tarmac or sharp stones. It also reduces the potential contact with the salt on the roads, which is toxic to dogs when they lick it off their paws and can be a bit of an irritant.

If the dog was attached to the runner, this is much higher impact on the dog than just trotting along. In this case the  potential for abrasion is higher.

My dog has adapted by refusing to go out, except when we turf her out or she really needs to go.

She is 15 in march so I suppose it's allowed, but it's a shame because when she first came to live with us I really enjoyed our winter walks in the woods.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 07 January, 2021, 02:30:21 pm
Three Broadband Customer Services: OK, so I missed your call back - which is why this is only a grumble - but leaving a voicemail message asking me to call you back & then having an auto-message that recognises my number and cuts me off isn't brilliant, is it?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 07 January, 2021, 05:49:37 pm
Quote from: CAMRAMan on 07 January, 2021, 02:30:21 pm
Three Broadband Customer Services: OK, so I missed your call back - which is why this is only a grumble - but leaving a voicemail message asking me to call you back & then having an auto-message that recognises my number and cuts me off isn't brilliant, is it?

Standard call-centre functionality. Once it has the details, it tries to transfer you to a team. If nobody can pick up, the call is terminated.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 08 January, 2021, 10:56:21 am
In this instance, it recognised that I had called them earlier, they'd tried to call back and were intending to call me later - which they didn't - and cut me off without any further options.


To be fair, they were ok once I managed to call them back that afternoon.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 09 January, 2021, 06:53:36 pm
Our bedroom needs wallpapering. After a brief dalliance with thoughts of DIY, I saw sense and decided it would be better to GAMI. (Yes, I know it's not difficult in principle but we have the double whammy of coombed ceilings and wooden beading corners to contend with).
Covid rates are now looking like that would be a feckin stupid idea.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 11 January, 2021, 12:35:12 pm
My black wheelie bin is full to overflowing.  With not-mine Rubbishes.  I do not care whether the bin contains Rubbishes that are not supposed to be in it, because they are not my Rubbishes.  So, dere bin-mens, please empty the bin of the not my Rubbishes so's I can put this 'ere bag full of MY Rubbishes in it.  Are you allowed to connect wheelie bins to mains electricity?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 15 January, 2021, 04:45:58 pm
There's a small shop with a socially-distanced capacity of three customers. There is a queue of four outside. It is cold. Now is not the time to chat to the staff. Now is also not the time to shop in couples.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 15 January, 2021, 05:13:21 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 11 January, 2021, 12:35:12 pm
My black wheelie bin is full to overflowing.  With not-mine Rubbishes.  I do not care whether the bin contains Rubbishes that are not supposed to be in it, because they are not my Rubbishes.  So, dere bin-mens, please empty the bin of the not my Rubbishes so's I can put this 'ere bag full of MY Rubbishes in it.  Are you allowed to connect wheelie bins to mains electricity?

Common phenomenon here since the councils started charging by weight. Ditto the bastards who drive out into the country and heave their bags into the ditch.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 15 January, 2021, 06:42:58 pm
If the binmen didn’t empty mine yesterday (I ent looked) then I might have to follow suit.  Sorry, Epping Forest…
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 15 January, 2021, 07:57:04 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec
Now is not the time to chat to the staff.
Had something similar happen to me today, but it did cross my mind that the customer nattering might live alone and not have anyone to talk to other than the budgie/cat/dog.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 15 January, 2021, 08:16:07 pm
Quote from: TheLurker on 15 January, 2021, 07:57:04 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec
Now is not the time to chat to the staff.
Had something similar happen to me today, but it did cross my mind that the customer nattering might live alone and not have anyone to talk to other than the budgie/cat/dog.
That's a good point, and if they looked as if that might be case, I'd cut them some slack (a lot of slack in normal times when you can queue inside), but as it was it really looked like a friendly chat. But TBH the people going in as a couple are more annoying, taking up two-thirds of the shop capacity for one lot of shopping.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 17 January, 2021, 09:34:40 am
A grumble rather than a rant, as I should have known better. I’m presbyopic. I switched from single vision contacts to varifocals 15 years ago. Around 10 years ago I went to a contact lens specialist in Brum (a decent train journey from Aylesbury) to try mono vision contacts. They didn’t work for me, dominant eye too dominant. Now there are bifocal contacts, so I asked the last time I was in the local Specsavers. She showed me what my vision would be like with them (not much better than without, I only need around a +2) and said it was because of my astigmatism, and that bi (or multi) focal contacts don’t correct for it.

What she meant, of course, was that Specsavers don’t bother offering toric multifocal contacts as they are more expensive and a small market.

I’ll be calling local independent opticians (if I can find any) to enquire.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SteveC on 17 January, 2021, 11:20:59 am
I use Boots (used to be Dolland and Aitchinson) for contacts. I have been offered various different types over the years and was due for a trial of something different which would help with my astigmatism just before the first lockdown. I can't remember the details, but it might be worth asking there.
(These days, I only wear the contacts while re-enacting and that's all stopped due to the pandemic as well, so I've not bothered going back to rebook the appointment)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 17 January, 2021, 01:31:24 pm
Interestingly my first lenses (hard gas permeable, not very user friendly!) were from D&H. I subsequently learnt (this was in the mid 80’s) that they refused to offer soft lenses as they felt it would undercut their glasses business. But thanks for the tip, I’ll do some ringing around.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fimm on 18 January, 2021, 05:46:16 pm
I have astigmatism, one eye much worse than the other, and wear toric gas-permeable contact lenses. I've been very happy with the service I've had from Boots opticians.
(My problem at the minute is that I usually go to the Boots near work at lunchtime... I'm trying to decide whether to go to the Boots near home, or just hold on till I get back to the office sometime.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 18 January, 2021, 07:39:26 pm
I was ok with toric soft lenses until about 5 years ago, but advancing years meant my close vision could no longer be readily corrected by single vision lenses.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Paul on 21 January, 2021, 07:13:43 pm
I'm a bit sick of choice. My latest one is tv. Contract coming to an end so I have to choose what tv to have hereafter. It's just a faff. All these so-called choices are just capitalism distracting me from the important stuff.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 21 January, 2021, 07:27:46 pm
I guess if I'd thought about TV in the 2020s, I ought to have guessed that it would be contracts and subscriptions and stuff. But not having had one since 2004, I've never had to think about it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 26 January, 2021, 11:06:36 am
The scaffolding is thump finally coming clang down next crash door :thumbsup:  Though if the scaffolders are as prodigiously useless workshy twats as the rufty-tufty hairy-arsed builders it could still drag on until Easter.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 26 January, 2021, 02:04:16 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 26 January, 2021, 11:06:36 am
The scaffolding is thump finally coming clang down next crash door :thumbsup:  Though if the scaffolders are as prodigiously useless workshy twats as the rufty-tufty hairy-arsed builders it could still drag on until Easter.

Back in the day when I scaffed, we were paid by the job- each one being worth so many hours pay.
As a result, we did jobs as fast and as often as possible. It took more than a bit of cold/ snow/ ice/ wind ect. to confine us to the pub.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 26 January, 2021, 06:29:59 pm
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 26 January, 2021, 02:04:16 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 26 January, 2021, 11:06:36 am
The scaffolding is thump finally coming clang down next crash door :thumbsup:  Though if the scaffolders are as prodigiously useless workshy twats as the rufty-tufty hairy-arsed builders it could still drag on until Easter.

Back in the day when I scaffed, we were paid by the job- each one being worth so many hours pay.
As a result, we did jobs as fast and as often as possible. It took more than a bit of cold/ snow/ ice/ wind ect. to confine us to the pub.

One of my fellow zeks in the Gulag came from a family of scaffolders.  They used to supplement their income by dealing coke, though apparently they were their own best customers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 26 January, 2021, 07:40:31 pm
Quote from: TheLurker on 15 December, 2020, 05:28:11 pm
Our boiler service, originally booked for Sept. has been postponed (on the due day) twice.  They're now talking about January.  Aye, right.
Oh look.  It's now the 1st week of May.  Not holding my breath.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 26 January, 2021, 08:33:00 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 26 January, 2021, 06:29:59 pm
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 26 January, 2021, 02:04:16 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 26 January, 2021, 11:06:36 am
The scaffolding is thump finally coming clang down next crash door :thumbsup:  Though if the scaffolders are as prodigiously useless workshy twats as the rufty-tufty hairy-arsed builders it could still drag on until Easter.

Back in the day when I scaffed, we were paid by the job- each one being worth so many hours pay.
As a result, we did jobs as fast and as often as possible. It took more than a bit of cold/ snow/ ice/ wind ect. to confine us to the pub.

One of my fellow zeks in the Gulag came from a family of scaffolders.  They used to supplement their income by dealing coke, though apparently they were their own best customers.

When we had our house scaffolded to be painted (for reasons, the Asbestos Place wears a wooden overcoat) – that wasn't the plan, the painter had a tower but he saw a scaffolding lorry up the road and went and negotiated an alternative – they were so fast that by the time I got up and opened the curtains to see what the racket outside was, the house was enmeshed in metalwork and the lorry heading off down the street. It might have been less of a surprise had he mentioned his deal with the scaffolders.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 01 February, 2021, 10:18:19 am
An aged lady of our acquaintance gave me an Amazon token for my birthday last month. Amazon dot co dot bloody UK token that is. Thought today I'd use it on a DVD: "An Import Fee Deposit may be added to your purchase". Duh. How much? No way to calculate it and nothing visible at check-out, but rumours of £180 being knocked off for a measly couple of books came to mind so to hell with it, I'm not handing anyone a blank cheque.

I now have £25 sitting on my account.  MrsT: "you could get your sister something." Hah bloody hah she's in Norn Ireland, trans the Boris Border, same bullshit applies.

So there it lies. Bugger.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 01 February, 2021, 12:48:16 pm
Can you spend it on e-books or something else that's downloadable?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 01 February, 2021, 01:16:39 pm
Possibly, though I'm tempted to just let it sit there until the Westminster Brigade of Crooks & Arseholes have fixed things up.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 01 February, 2021, 06:12:32 pm
The receipt for my consignment today from Sainsbury's House of Toothy Comestibles is in a pdf format that my computer is unable to open.

Methinks the file is b0rked.

D has also tried to open the file and failed.

Sainsbury's Helldesk tell me they are unable to send me another receipt and I should look at my orders on their website.

My order is not quite the same as what has been delivered. (It's never exactly the same; bananas' weights etc vary.)

Paperless receipts are a pain when the system teeters.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 01 February, 2021, 07:38:56 pm
Oi, neighbourhood!  What’s with the fireworks  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cygnet on 01 February, 2021, 11:08:48 pm
Chinese New Year?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 01 February, 2021, 11:20:14 pm
February 12 this year according to Mr Google.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cygnet on 01 February, 2021, 11:32:09 pm
I should have checked it starts on 12 Feb not ends  :facepalm:
Mrs Google suggested National Freedom Day.
(She replys to me more often than Mr Google)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Paul on 02 February, 2021, 07:43:17 am
Carelessly tossed fag butt?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 02 February, 2021, 09:43:36 am
The end of dry January?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 05 February, 2021, 09:46:01 pm
I'm poorly sick & very glad I stocked up on extra loo roll  :hand:


Something I ate on Wednesday, pork chop, plain rice, grilled tomatoes, a piece of cheesecake or a piece of Gruyere later in the evening.  The toms were a week past their use by date but seemed OK. 


I had just cleaned the kitchen bench, so it's also possible some spray on stuff got into the food chain. 


I battled through it & logged onto work on THursday, but gave up & have spent most of today in bed. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 05 February, 2021, 09:48:16 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 05 February, 2021, 09:46:01 pm
I'm poorly sick & very glad I stocked up on extra loo roll  :hand:
Something I ate on Wednesday, pork chop, plain rice, grilled tomatoes, a piece of cheesecake or a piece of Gruyere later in the evening.  The toms were a week past their use by date but seemed OK. 
I had just cleaned the kitchen bench, so it's also possible some spray on stuff got into the food chain. 
I battled through it & logged onto work on THursday, but gave up & have spent most of today in bed.

Get well soon!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Gattopardo on 06 February, 2021, 04:03:10 am
Cats...they are awake so need to show you they are awake. 



Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 06 February, 2021, 08:43:40 am
Argos. We had some vouchers to use we get being on the ONS Covid testing. Wife converted them to use at Argos but couldn't get to work

I eventually got round to trying and copy and paste the I think 16 digit code but it won't work. Eventually realised you had to take out the spaces. Why oh why give you a long code you can't just copy and paste.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 06 February, 2021, 10:24:36 am
Woke up to find my broadband is down, bloody BT.  A check on my phone no says they are aware & working on it...


Other parts of my life still resemble a “Kevin Bloody Wilson” song ...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 08 February, 2021, 02:22:32 am
rbs digital: if you do planned maintenance of your website between 01.55 and 02.30 every day, why don't you post this information BEFORE your customers are trying to arrange a payment and faff with card, card reader and phone, only for the page to FREEZE midway through proceedings?
I could easily have waited if I'd known but now I don't know if this money has gone through or not.
Ungruntled of Edgware (Miss)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 08 February, 2021, 01:13:37 pm
Power cut last night around midnight in my Rural Idyll, which I noticed when my pohone wasn't charging and the bedside light didn't work. Ah , that would explain the beeping I heard earlier, presumably some knind of lighting UPS. Anyhoo, experience tells me that on resumption of voles, my TV will spring into action causing unwanted noise and disturbance. Being a lazy abstrad and snuggled under my duvet I did not get up to unplug it, so indeed at 0150 it caused unwanted noise and disturbance once UKPN had fixed their gubbins.  I'll take that one as my own fault.

The additional bonus, having got back to sleep, of a noisy crashing sound permeating my slumbers was deffo not needed. A bit of scrabbling into clothes, peering through windows and venturing outside led me to surmise that The Drilling Man who lives downstairs is not as good at hanging cupboards/other (hopefully non structural) DIY as perhaps he thought.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 08 February, 2021, 03:19:33 pm
Whoever wrote the Tesco home delivery substitutions algorithm.  It's 3 weeks until my delivery. Why, then inform me 1) that a product is unavailable now (a protein shake of a particulr flavour) and that no sustitutions will be made, especially when 2) I have same product in a different flavour in my list whch is still available and 3) there are alternative brands of similar product that I have purchased in the past.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 08 February, 2021, 05:15:34 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 08 February, 2021, 03:19:33 pm
Whoever wrote the Tesco home delivery substitutions algorithm.

I believe the algorithm is based on the level of fuckits in the person doing the picking.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 08 February, 2021, 06:24:28 pm
Quote from: Kim on 08 February, 2021, 05:15:34 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 08 February, 2021, 03:19:33 pm
Whoever wrote the Tesco home delivery substitutions algorithm.

I believe the algorithm is based on the level of fuckits in the person doing the picking.

The algorithm is centrally generated.

STOOPID subs on the day are the product of both stoopid algorithms and clueless pickerdroids.

I have waited  THREE MONTHS for Sainsbury's raisins. They were finally available today. Pickerdroid managed to break bag and said I'll get a refund.

But I still don't have the raisins I want.

Pickerdroid tried to explain lack of raisins to D but his English was so poor that he had to show D a picture of the raisins.

I could not hear this doorstep exchange clearly. D blames his mask and SHOUTED to reepat.

Don't increase the gain; improve your diction FFS!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 08 February, 2021, 08:27:51 pm
Algorithms suggest 'Huggies' nappies instead of haggis, because it sounds similar. No human would do this, I hope.

Humans substitute the intolerable for the requested as, to them, they seem similar.

They also don't notice when, like today, they've picked up the cat food for 'Senior' cats when 'Adult (1-6) was ordered. Can't be bothered to complain. Cats seem to be eating it and D has done the same at Pets at Home.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Flite on 08 February, 2021, 10:16:10 pm
But if you order by old fashioned telephone from your small local co-op, don't be surprised if they pack two tins of beans instead of one.  Because they have noticed they are on offer!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 09 February, 2021, 11:11:27 am
Well, it seems Vodafone really do want to kill off PAYG. £20 used to last my wife 6 months, but as of a couple of weeks ago there is a £1 a day charge even if you don't use the phone - then "unlimited" for the rest of the day. We did get advsed, but I naively assumed it only applied to days the phone was used on the network, a bit like £4 a day charge that got levied when roaming in certain countries. Gee, thanks for nothing. Up to then 90% of her usage was on the home WiFi so attracted no charges at all, hence the long life of her credit. So, time to convert her phone to a cheap SIM only contract I think. I doubt Vodafone will be the last operator to do this. Others already make you top up monthly by not rolling over PAYG credit - so a defacto contract with variable payments.

ETA: My perusing of SIM only deals, including on the Vodafone website, might have, Big Brother stylee, have born3 fruit, as an email arrived this evening, offering discounted deals to existing customers to swap from PAYG to contract, the cheapest being a £7 a month deal with 500Mb of data (wife uses virtually none) and unlimited minutes and texts. I shall check more carefully tomorrow.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Flite on 09 February, 2021, 11:22:12 am
I kept an old non-smart phone as a back-up (and because it is small), and have an EE contract for £1 a week.
I think it starts at about 30mins calls, some texts and a bit of web.  Every few weeks, you can get a bonus of x minutes, texts or web. Can stop any time, but if you re-start you lose the bonuses.
That's not a lot more than £20 for 6 months.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: bhoot on 09 February, 2021, 02:09:26 pm
Worth checking out Giffgaff. You can mix and match PAYG with buying a £6 bundle for a month at a time.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fimm on 09 February, 2021, 02:11:45 pm
Quote from: Kim on 08 February, 2021, 05:15:34 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 08 February, 2021, 03:19:33 pm
Whoever wrote the Tesco home delivery substitutions algorithm.

I believe the algorithm is based on the level of fuckits in the person doing the picking.

My mother ordered Bicarbonate of Soda and got Baking Powder...
(However I think the person who asked me if mixed spice was a suitable substitute for mixed herbs was my then boyfriend, now husband, who is at least available to be educated...)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 09 February, 2021, 05:32:31 pm
My Sainbo's delivery got cancelled due to sno :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 09 February, 2021, 06:29:39 pm
Those beastly Brazilians have gone and added a couple more countries to their map mod for ETS2.  Now I have to mend another dozen mods to keep Unwanted Stuffs out of Venezuela :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 09 February, 2021, 06:40:51 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 09 February, 2021, 05:32:31 pm
My Sainbo's delivery got cancelled due to sno :(

What a pain!

It might have been proper snow up in Aberdeen though, not the excuse that cancels Sainsbo's deliveries to us Souther jessies...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 09 February, 2021, 06:44:49 pm
The van probably would have been fine on the main roads but not so great round the housing areas and we live on a cul de sac that never clears quickly. So Pingu is going to brave click & collect tomorrow. We probably could have managed for lunches and dinners until next Tuesday but I'm not sure I could cope without prunes and oranges for a whole week. (Yes, I know, TMI).
Anyway, it'll give Pingu something to do being as he's still practising being retired.

Of course we didn't find out until *after* we'd cleared the steps of certain death and the path round the side of the building.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 09 February, 2021, 10:59:35 pm
When Sainsbury's cancelled our delivery cos SNO, there were 9 buses per hour in each direction past our house and no discernible whiteness on the carriageway.
Our drive is big enough for a van but...
No figs this week AGAIN.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 13 February, 2021, 12:11:43 pm
Of course I'm not up yet.  It's only 10:30*.  You know full well, Aged Papa, that were sloth and indolence an Olympic sport I'd have a hatful of gold medals and a knighthood by now.  So why phone me at such a ludicrous hour?

* Well, it was when he called
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 13 February, 2021, 12:13:39 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 13 February, 2021, 12:11:43 pm
Of course I'm not up yet.  It's only 10:30*.  You know full well, Aged Papa, that were sloth and indolence an Olympic sport I'd have a hatful of gold medals and a knighthood by now.  So why phone me at such a ludicrous hour?

* Well, it was when he called

I know this one, is it because he is an old person and has been awake since 5am and is bored of waiting for it to be time to be talking to the youf?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 13 February, 2021, 05:43:37 pm
Pingu dropped a wood briquette on my shin. It hurt.   :(
(And alarmed the cats which was obv of most concern.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nicknack on 15 February, 2021, 07:02:07 pm
It'd be nice to get some post soon. It's been ten days since I last saw a postman and it's not as though we're out in the sticks or anything.

Harrumph.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 17 February, 2021, 07:48:29 pm
I wish we had removable heads. I want to cut my hair.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 17 February, 2021, 07:52:35 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 17 February, 2021, 07:48:29 pm
I wish we had removable heads. I want to cut my hair.

Pingu?  Fetch the strimmer!

(Exit, pursued by a peng)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 17 February, 2021, 07:54:56 pm
He did cut my hair last spring, but I feel like I need to give him a bit more length to deal with. By which time it'll be *really* pissing me off.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 17 February, 2021, 08:55:12 pm
My offers to cut Her Hair have been continually rebuffed. Her bob has gone bad, it's the Twin Peaks of hair. When she turns over in bed, I scream. It's like I'm in The Ring.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 17 February, 2021, 08:58:47 pm
I decided 'New Year, New Hair' and lopped off around 10 inches/25cm on 1 January 2021.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 17 February, 2021, 09:15:17 pm
I was watching a You tube vid of a woman cutting her own hair with a pair of proper Wahl clippers a while back, and I was tempted but then I realised there was too much potential for me to get annoyed mid job and do a Britney Spears mid MH crisis job.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 17 February, 2021, 09:17:22 pm
I am also desperate to cut Pingu's hair but he keeps ignoring my offers.
(Maybe my Mum told him the story of the day I decided all my Tiny Tears and Sindy dolls were panny and gave them all a hair cut. I don't think she ever forgave me...)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 17 February, 2021, 09:22:58 pm
Whereas I got bored and (with some help) did this:

(https://i.imgur.com/eCrqOgC.jpg)

Alas that was a couple weeks ago and the dye that was meant to last 6-8 weeks lasted about six days. But it was cool whilst it lasted and I have 2/3 of the jar left  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 17 February, 2021, 09:31:53 pm
Very good. I'm refusing to dye mine at home cos I don't want to splatter my lovely white bathroom with red, which would be inevitable.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 17 February, 2021, 09:48:29 pm
During lockdown 1 my brother's wife got my brother to cut her hair . . . using the clippers she uses for her HORSE (I understand that she did boil them first) . .  the result wsn't that bad considering.

My own wife has rejected my offers of hair cutting . . . she's hopeful that "Mr Kevin" her hairdresser for over 30 years will be open again soon.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 17 February, 2021, 09:55:23 pm
On the plus side, at £145 a cut, I probably shouldn't be complaining that I'm being stalked by the woman from The Ring.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 17 February, 2021, 10:16:13 pm
Please tell me that includes colour as well?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 17 February, 2021, 10:56:03 pm
Quote from: robgul on 17 February, 2021, 09:48:29 pm
During lockdown 1 my brother's wife got my brother to cut her hair . . . using the clippers she uses for her HORSE (I understand that she did boil them first) . .  the result wsn't that bad considering.

Does she like sugar cubes?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 17 February, 2021, 11:59:57 pm
“Panny”?  A Scottishism that hasn’t yet crept into Tartan Noir?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 18 February, 2021, 09:39:17 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 17 February, 2021, 10:16:13 pm
Please tell me that includes colour as well?

No, she's still studiously not noticing the grey bits like they might get fed up with being ignored and move on to bother someone else. I don't think it works like that.

I have no idea what her process involves, the last time I paid for a haircut was, I think, in early 2000s and cost me £5 at Mr Topper's* off Tottenham Court Road.

*shave my head, said the drunk person. Sure, said they. I basically went to the bar in a nearby pub and thought, hmm, wouldn't it be cool if I came back bald. So I did. The thing about shaving your head is that then everyone else has to pretend not to notice. When my flatmate in Edinburgh shaved her head, we all pretended not to notice for six entire months; when Crazy Mary Boss used to whisk off her wig when the waiter was turned, they only had to hold out for the rest of the meal.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 18 February, 2021, 12:37:10 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 17 February, 2021, 11:59:57 pm
“Panny”?  A Scottishism that hasn’t yet crept into Tartan Noir?

Well Google failed me, I couldn't find it in any Scots dictionary.
My definition leans towards something a bit wet, a bit cissy, a bit frou frou.
Pingu, when asked, just plumped for "crap".
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 18 February, 2021, 03:07:08 pm
I cut my hair myself about two weeks ago. Just snipped off a few ends and shaved the fluffy bits at the back of my neck, blind. "It looks exactly the same" they said. "Not the point!" I replied. "It feels entirely different. It doesn't tickle my ears now."

I'm almost tempted to follow one of ian's bald people but a) cold, b) my name isn't Mary Boss, or even Hugo.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 18 February, 2021, 03:32:15 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 18 February, 2021, 03:07:08 pm
I cut my hair myself about two weeks ago. Just snipped off a few ends and shaved the fluffy bits at the back of my neck, blind. "It looks exactly the same" they said. "Not the point!" I replied. "It feels entirely different. It doesn't tickle my ears now."

I'm almost tempted to follow one of ian's bald people but a) cold, b) my name isn't Mary Boss, or even Hugo.

Mary Hugo? Never heard of him.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 18 February, 2021, 04:51:48 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 18 February, 2021, 03:07:08 pm
"Not the point!" I replied. "It feels entirely different. It doesn't tickle my ears now."

This is how I know I need a haircut.  My ears get tickled and my head does not feel right.  A bit like fingernails and knowing when they need cutting
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 18 February, 2021, 04:55:02 pm
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 18 February, 2021, 03:32:15 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 18 February, 2021, 03:07:08 pm
I cut my hair myself about two weeks ago. Just snipped off a few ends and shaved the fluffy bits at the back of my neck, blind. "It looks exactly the same" they said. "Not the point!" I replied. "It feels entirely different. It doesn't tickle my ears now."

I'm almost tempted to follow one of ian's bald people but a) cold, b) my name isn't Mary Boss, or even Hugo.

Mary Hugo? Never heard of him.

Surely everyone knows Hary Mugo!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 18 February, 2021, 06:51:05 pm
I thought 100 quid for a cut & colour was getting extreme but then my preferred stylist moved from the superwanky salon to somewhere a bit less up itself so that knocked about a tenner off.

I just gave my fringe a cut to give the rest of it time to grow to a length Pingu can deal with. Unfortunately I managed to cut a big slice in the pad of my middle finger and a smaller one in my index finger. So now I've had to order Deliveroo for tea lest I bleed all over the kitchen.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 18 February, 2021, 07:28:58 pm
Central London prices, innit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 18 February, 2021, 07:38:24 pm
So I’ve just been to rescue my son from a lack of trains due Covid related timetable alterations only to return to,find that the G&T I had just started to enjoy before I left had been consumed by another resident of the house! 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 18 February, 2021, 07:49:08 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 18 February, 2021, 07:38:24 pm
So I’ve just been to rescue my son from a lack of trains due Covid related timetable alterations only to return to,find that the G&T I had just started to enjoy before I left had been consumed by another resident of the house!

Minesweeping your G&T? Scandalous behaviour.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 18 February, 2021, 07:57:31 pm
Quote from: fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on 18 February, 2021, 07:49:08 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 18 February, 2021, 07:38:24 pm
So I’ve just been to rescue my son from a lack of trains due Covid related timetable alterations only to return to,find that the G&T I had just started to enjoy before I left had been consumed by another resident of the house!

Minesweeping your G&T? Scandalous behaviour.
I know, right. And I was on an errand of mercy and everything. I even had to go and mix my own replacement.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Gattopardo on 21 February, 2021, 11:23:18 pm
Arrange to buy some camera bits from four different people across London.  Informed the people that I would be cycling and my plan was either sunday or monday or wednesday, you know lock down so I was using my excercise and trust that the bits worked.  Contacted the people this evening and everything seems to be sold and yet the adverts are still there on gumtree.

 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 25 February, 2021, 10:48:29 am
Ikea!

You make curtains in a nice 300cm drop available to (from what I can tell, browsing international versions of the website) most of the world. Except we lucky people in the UK get 250cm drop instead. Why? ??? It's not as if there's a shortage of old houses with high ceilings in this country.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 25 February, 2021, 10:50:46 am
Our wretched bank now thinks it's a good idea to have ads for their various services changing every 4 seconds on one half of the screen while you're trying to concentrate on your account in the other half.  Bloody bubbleheads.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 25 February, 2021, 01:54:37 pm
T42, that sounds dire! I complain at my bank regularly for their shitty access fails on online banking. They have finally got rid of the nasty "can we help you" bubble which obscured half the useful bits of the page cos I use a high zoom.

Moving shit would be a "oh hai, remove it in 24hrs or I issue legal proceedings you fucknuggets" level of explode from me. I can't read if stuff is moving in my vision at all.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 25 February, 2021, 02:12:23 pm
I sent them a message from their Contact page with a request to forward it to the idiots who run the website. Whether it'll get there or not is anybody's guess, ditto whether they'll do anything.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 01 March, 2021, 03:24:57 pm
MrsC wanted a new, large frying pan.
She ordered one, with brief confer with me "that seems large", "We'll be able to cook all the arepa we want in a single go."

Pan arrives. It is huge. Mrs Godzilla could use it to flatten Mr Godzilla - and then cook his ribs afterwards.

It is also dented - thick, thick aluminium dinged in for a good 10cm and scratched up.  Packaging was two thin layers of plastic, no padding.
 >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 01 March, 2021, 11:03:52 pm
In unrelated news: Godzilla has a headache after a run-in with $shite_courier.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 05 March, 2021, 11:23:20 am
Last Friday, phoned vet to order canine levothyroxin for one of our dogs then drove in on Monday to pick it up. While there, picked up some prednisolone to treat a bronchitic cough.  Surprised today to find out that the insurance has only reimbursed us for the levothyroxin: the vet's idiot technician had already shot the invoice for it off to the insurance when I ordered it, then done a separate invoice & insurance submission for the prednisolone, the cost of which was less than our excess so it wasn't reimbursed.  If both had been on the same invoice we'd be 60€ richer today. :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: FifeingEejit on 05 March, 2021, 08:07:29 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 18 February, 2021, 12:37:10 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 17 February, 2021, 11:59:57 pm
“Panny”?  A Scottishism that hasn’t yet crept into Tartan Noir?

Well Google failed me, I couldn't find it in any Scots dictionary.
My definition leans towards something a bit wet, a bit cissy, a bit frou frou.
Pingu, when asked, just plumped for "crap".

Pani? Water, wet?
https://dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/pani

Or Penny - multiple derivations possible, cheap?
https://dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/penny

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 05 March, 2021, 10:44:56 pm
Neither of those.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 06 March, 2021, 08:54:36 am
A Jacobite version of the French panné, meaning "coated with egg & breadcrumbs then fried"?

Funny thing to do with dolls, though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 06 March, 2021, 02:26:18 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 18 February, 2021, 12:37:10 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 17 February, 2021, 11:59:57 pm
“Panny”?  A Scottishism that hasn’t yet crept into Tartan Noir?

Well Google failed me, I couldn't find it in any Scots dictionary.
My definition leans towards something a bit wet, a bit cissy, a bit frou frou.
Pingu, when asked, just plumped for "crap".

My handy copy of Cassell's Dictionary of Slang isn't that much more helpful...

According to said tome, "panny" was interchangeable with "panney" as late 18C-early 19C slang for the highway (etymology unknown, possibly Romany) or an underworld term for a house/burglary - thus "do a panny" = rob a house.

In the late 19C, "panny" was a term for a fight between two or more women - the book notes a possible linkage to "panel" being used as a term for a prostitute who worked at a "panel crib/den/house" (a brothel featuring false panels in the prostitutes' rooms so that the clients could be robbed while otherwise distracted), but it seems to have been more of an American term.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 06 March, 2021, 03:54:51 pm
Sounds a bit thrawpit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 06 March, 2021, 09:45:08 pm
Ah Vodafone. Around a week ago I converted a PAYG SIM to contract. This involved getting sent another SIM,  and then asking for that to be replaced by the original, to keep the number. All works well until yesterday when my wife’s phone (for it was her number we were converting) stops working. Only solved by a lengthy call to Vodafone support (in Egypt), and having to swap SIM cards to put in (the fortunately retained) “blank” SIM sent at the time of conversion.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 06 March, 2021, 10:32:16 pm
Quote from: spesh on 06 March, 2021, 02:26:18 pm
In the late 19C, "panny" was a term for a fight between two or more women - the book notes a possible linkage to "panel" being used as a term for a prostitute who worked at a "panel crib/den/house" (a brothel featuring false panels in the prostitutes' rooms so that the clients could be robbed while otherwise distracted), but it seems to have been more of an American term.

Surely not linked to Mrs Pingu's quandary, but I seem to remember that to panel someone or to give them a panelling was to engage in fisticuffs and emerge victorious (20/30 years ago, Glasgow/Edinburgh).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 09 March, 2021, 08:41:09 am
Teenage vanity! His first day back at school, following testing yesterday. It's 3 degrees "feels like 1" here and he's gone off in just a t-shirt and cotton sweatshirt. Refuses to put a coat on. Yesterday afternoon, delivering leaflets, it was much warmer and he went out in coat, hat, etc. "Don't complain to me if you get ill" says his mum.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 09 March, 2021, 01:32:19 pm
Mr Sainsbury of the House of Toothy Comestibles has just texted me to apologise for the late delivery and it will now be with me a 13:32. It should have been here between 11 and 12. Grrr
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 09 March, 2021, 01:51:00 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 09 March, 2021, 01:32:19 pm
Mr Sainsbury of the House of Toothy Comestibles has just texted me to apologise for the late delivery and it will now be with me a 13:32. It should have been here between 11 and 12. Grrr

At least you get stuff delivered! UPS have 'fessed up to losing the laptop.  Idiots.

In good news, the keyboard that was sent to me yesterday arrived this morning....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 11 March, 2021, 06:36:40 pm
Our venerable kettle needs replacing as it doesn't stop boiling any more. I thought choosing a replacement would be a simple task. Had a quick look on Which?  Made a shortlist, but every one I look at on Amazon says they either leak or don't switch off or the lid doesn't fit or the finish comes off etc etc.
 :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 11 March, 2021, 06:41:44 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 11 March, 2021, 06:36:40 pm
Our venerable kettle needs replacing as it doesn't stop boiling any more. I thought choosing a replacement would be a simple task. Had a quick look on Which?  Made a shortlist, but every one I look at on Amazon says they either leak or don't switch off or the lid doesn't fit or the finish comes off etc etc.
 :facepalm:
Dualit 2 litre dome kettle.
John Lewis oblige.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 11 March, 2021, 06:47:29 pm
Yebbut even the Dualit reviews have people moaning about how their old Dualit was brilliant and the new one is shite (I wouldn't get a Dome model anyway as I find the handle on top jobs awkward because I am a weak and feeble woman).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 11 March, 2021, 06:51:47 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 11 March, 2021, 06:47:29 pm
Yebbut even the Dualit reviews have people moaning about how their old Dualit was brilliant and the new one is shite.
people will often complain about their bad experiences while those that are happy with their purchase seldom bother to leave reviews. It would be more helpful if Amazon said how many of a particular,item they have actually sold than we as consumers would be able to,measure the number of failures against the number sold. This would be a much more valuable piece of information.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 11 March, 2021, 07:08:19 pm
Truedat. Meanwhile I still need to make a decision some how...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 11 March, 2021, 07:12:36 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 11 March, 2021, 07:08:19 pm
Truedat. Meanwhile I still need to make a decision some how...

This one works well for us, and has done for a couple of years so far

https://www.bosch-home.co.uk/product-list/kettles-toasters/kettles/TWK8633GB
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 11 March, 2021, 07:15:51 pm
Our venerable Philips got downgraded in its latest incarnation.  More plasticy, and the addition of a ring of blue FRIKKIN LAZER light driven by a HALF BRIDGE RECTIFIER[1] that gives barakta migraines, rather than the perfectly adequate little LED embedded in the switch of the previous model.

It still meets the important criteria of:
- 3kW
- 1.7 litres
- Cordless
- Gauge that works and doesn't leak
- Barakta-friendly handle and lid



[1] To be read in an ElectroBOOM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sI5Ftm1-jik) voice.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 11 March, 2021, 07:41:13 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 11 March, 2021, 07:08:19 pm
Truedat. Meanwhile I still need to make a decision some how...

Just pick one, this is why modern life sucks, there are a dozen types of everything. As said, people aren't really inspired to write a review of a kettle unless it's broke or has somehow conspired to offend them. There's only so much effusion that can be managed for a device that boils water.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 11 March, 2021, 09:09:50 pm
Argos - cheapest they have - buy 2 so you're ready . . .   they're cheap as chips, but yes not great for the environment to take that stance . . .

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 11 March, 2021, 09:25:06 pm
Yes,  I suggested my sister buy something decent & repairable from John Lewis,  she sneered & bought a £15 plastic thing from Asda.   


I'm still using the stainless steel Swan corded kettle that I bought 30 years ago.  In the meantime kettles seem to have morphed into upright jugs, which are all cordless.   I can remember holidays in a Welsh cottage, no electrickery, so the kettle went on the calor gas hob, or on some occasions was stood next to the coal fire...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 11 March, 2021, 09:28:38 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 11 March, 2021, 09:25:06 pm
I'm still using the stainless steel Swan corded kettle that I bought 30 years ago.

Look after it.  The modern ones are all shit.

When we lived in Canterbury, I bought one of the last good Morphy Richards classics to replace the previous crappy plastic one.  Stainless steel was the best approach, as it gave the Canterbury Carbonate something to precipitate on, for lump-free drinks.  Lasted for years, until the switch mechanism finally died.

I understand that kettle switch mechanisms are designed to fail before anything that might cause a fire, leak or electrical hazard reaches the end of its natural life.  Damn you, engineers!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 11 March, 2021, 09:46:34 pm
We have a stainless steel one from JL, must be fifteen years old. It does, however, pour hot water with the sort of accuracy you'd expect from a bloke who's spent every afternoon and evening in Wetherspoons for the past fifteen years.

For that matter, I've no idea who designs spouts, but if it's you, I'm a man that has a very particular set of skills; skills I have acquired over a very long career. Skills that make me a nightmare for people like you. Seriously, pyrex jugs, you cannot pour. Why are you jizzing stock over my hob? You're a jug. It's pretty much your job to pour.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 11 March, 2021, 09:48:03 pm
Soft Welsh water here,  so this carbonate stuff is known only from memories of chemistry lessons.   I remember an American girlfriend being amused at kettles,   don't you have hot water dispensers ?  So that's why their tea & coffee are foul. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 11 March, 2021, 10:03:55 pm
My cheap and cheerful kettle from Mr Sainsbury’s House of Toothy Comestibles is still behaving itself almost eight years down the line, albeit that limescale has dulled the pleasing Cherenkov radiation effect of the “I am on” light.  It doesn’t sing, dance or run an obscure version of Linux to allow it to be controlled from bed though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 11 March, 2021, 10:13:13 pm
Cheap, cheerful Sainsbury's kettles are fine.
D didn't like the plastic taste of a plastic kettle so we gave it away.

The stainless steel one we have is fine though its switch doesn't work as well as it did originally.

It's not perfect but it does the job and nobody had to trek miles for it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 11 March, 2021, 10:21:08 pm
We're in no danger from scale here. Radiation on the other hand...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 11 March, 2021, 10:29:40 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 11 March, 2021, 09:48:03 pm
Soft Welsh water here,  so this carbonate stuff is known only from memories of chemistry lessons.   I remember an American girlfriend being amused at kettles,   don't you have hot water dispensers ?  So that's why their tea & coffee are foul. 
No, it's cos their water is disgusterous. (Well, it is in Houston, anyway, and places like Flint it's just plain hazardous).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 11 March, 2021, 11:56:58 pm
It's mildly impressive that USAnians even *have* water.  You'd think they'd have replaced it with high-fructose corn syrup (mixed with a federally mandated 10% ethanol) by now.  Texans, of course, can have a locally-sourced organic chemical mix.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Diver300 on 12 March, 2021, 12:09:39 am
Quote from: Kim on 11 March, 2021, 07:15:51 pm
Our venerable Philips got downgraded in its latest incarnation.  More plasticy, and the addition of a ring of blue FRIKKIN LAZER light driven by a HALF BRIDGE RECTIFIER[1] that gives barakta migraines, rather than the perfectly adequate little LED embedded in the switch of the previous model.

It still meets the important criteria of:
- 3kW
- 1.7 litres
- Cordless
- Gauge that works and doesn't leak
- Barakta-friendly handle and lid



[1] To be read in an ElectroBOOM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sI5Ftm1-jik) voice.

If you supply the kettle via a FULL BRIDGE RECTIFIER you can either halve the flicker rate or get the light to stay off all the time.

I was going to suggest adding some smoothing capacitors until I realised what would be needed to smooth 3kW, plus what effect it would have on the average power. Also the peak power and the inrush might be a little lively.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 12 March, 2021, 12:14:42 am
Ah, I hadn't considered doing it that way.  Eek.

I've been contemplating opening the base of the kettle and seeing if I could cram a rectifier/capacitor onto the LED side of things, or at least substitute a less obnoxious LED, but murphy's law suggests I'd break something important in the process, and this is barakta's TEA supply we're talking about.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 12 March, 2021, 01:44:24 am
Quote from: andrewc on 11 March, 2021, 09:48:03 pm
Soft Welsh water here,  so this carbonate stuff is known only from memories of chemistry lessons.   I remember an American girlfriend being amused at kettles,   don't you have hot water dispensers ?  So that's why their tea & coffee are foul.

When my travel kettle died on its arse deep in the heart of Texas I visited a branch of Target in El Paso, whose electrical department was well-stocked with kettles in a variety of pleasing colours and designs.  Unfortunately they were all huge – it being Texas – so I departed in a state of continuing kettlessness.  Cheap-donkey no-name travel kettle from Mr Sainsbury’s House of Toothy Comestibles subsequently replaced with pukka Russell Hobbs and Proper Tea while travelling in Leftpondia resumed.

Canuckistani hotel rooms do occasionally have kettles, but I ent never had one in USAnia.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Diver300 on 12 March, 2021, 08:41:47 am
Quote from: Kim on 12 March, 2021, 12:14:42 am
Ah, I hadn't considered doing it that way.  Eek.

I've been contemplating opening the base of the kettle and seeing if I could cram a rectifier/capacitor onto the LED side of things, or at least substitute a less obnoxious LED, but murphy's law suggests I'd break something important in the process, and this is barakta's TEA supply we're talking about.

I've also had to deal with 50 Hz half wave rectified LED indicator lights. I found it easier to add a bigger capacitor (which still wasn't big) than to rearrange the circuit to a full bridge.

Also putting some resistance between the capacitor and the LED can reduce ripple with smaller components than just increasing capacitance.

There are one or two LED lightbulbs and indicators here that now take several seconds to get to zero brightness after turn off. I may not be sorry about not minimising capacitor sizes.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 12 March, 2021, 09:57:28 am
Electric kettles are viewed with suspicion in the US, I've seen them in shops but never met anyone who owned one. Like most US appliances, they're big enough to climb inside (I think there's a law that demands this) and given the weedy nature of US electricity, probably take about two months to boil.

Stove-top kettles are the thing and, tbh, I find them quite pleasing.

The water is often rank though, use bottled (I had the benefit of living near a spring, which used to have a queue, or rather a line of patient cheapskates with large bottles – it was probably toxic nuclear reactor runoff, but it tasted better than Satan's enema from the faucet).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 12 March, 2021, 10:42:41 am
Quote from: ian on 12 March, 2021, 09:57:28 am
The water is often rank though, use bottled (I had the benefit of living near a spring, which used to have a queue, or rather a line of patient cheapskates with large bottles – it was probably toxic nuclear reactor runoff, but it tasted better than Satan's enema from the faucet).
This is also true of Warsaw. The tap water is safe but foul. However, there are dotted around the city "oligocene wells", which look like a cross between a public toilet and the entrance to an underground station, where you can fill up the container of your choice with free and tasty oligocene water. Every other place I've been to in Poland, the water tastes fine. And they have kettles of sensible sense and voles. This doesn't mean you'll get a decent cup of tea though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 12 March, 2021, 11:07:27 am
Quote from: ian on 12 March, 2021, 09:57:28 am
Electric kettles are viewed with suspicion in the US, I've seen them in shops but never met anyone who owned one. Like most US appliances, they're big enough to climb inside (I think there's a law that demands this) and given the weedy nature of US electricity, probably take about two months to boil.

Canuckistan shares USAnia's weak and feeble vole delivery practices yet their kettles are capable of delivering water at a temperature suitable for Proper Tea in no more time than those in the civilised world, where anbarism is a servant rather than a bogeyman.

Some heathens over there advocate the use of a microwave oven for heating water, which is the kind of behaviour that causes immorality, paedophilia and suicide bombing.  If I want radioactive tea I'll go camping on Three Mile Island.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 12 March, 2021, 11:20:26 am
That's true. It's a thing about the US, but their kitchens are like portals back to 1955. Anything more modern is witchery.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 12 March, 2021, 11:44:09 am
Royal Mail, I'd like to support you in preference to MyHerpes, I really would.  SO I do a comparison of costs, and see that Tracked48 is comparable, money-wise.  And I can print the label at home. So far, so good. Then I clock the permitted drop off methods allowed. The one I most use, the most useful one, you know, a Post Office? No, can't do that - parcel box, delivery office, yeah, PO no.  So Herpes it is, again.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 12 March, 2021, 11:59:19 am
Quote from: ian on 12 March, 2021, 11:20:26 am
That's true. It's a thing about the US, but their kitchens are like portals back to 1955. Anything more modern is witchery.

That’s also true, in my limited experience of USAnian domestic kitchens.  Though the last one I was in also contained BEER.  And the owner of said kitchen was happy to keep the bottles coming :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 12 March, 2021, 12:35:28 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 12 March, 2021, 11:59:19 am
Quote from: ian on 12 March, 2021, 11:20:26 am
That's true. It's a thing about the US, but their kitchens are like portals back to 1955. Anything more modern is witchery.

That’s also true, in my limited experience of USAnian domestic kitchens.

That explains the refusal to embrace electric kettles: They're waiting for one of those new atomic ones they've been promised to become available.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 12 March, 2021, 01:44:35 pm
Make kitchens great again!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 12 March, 2021, 10:45:14 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 12 March, 2021, 11:44:09 am
Royal Mail, I'd like to support you in preference to MyHerpes, I really would.  SO I do a comparison of costs, and see that Tracked48 is comparable, money-wise.  And I can print the label at home. So far, so good. Then I clock the permitted drop off methods allowed. The one I most use, the most useful one, you know, a Post Office? No, can't do that - parcel box, delivery office, yeah, PO no.  So Herpes it is, again.

Can't you arrange a Royal Mail collection from your home or work place?

RM have collected parcels from us...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 13 March, 2021, 05:12:08 pm
Rampantly overgrown ivy, wisteria & 40 year old rose bushes in my parents garden.  Having trimmed the bastards back I'll now have to drag the stuff to the recycling centre.  That can be next weekends job.   ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 13 March, 2021, 06:47:06 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 13 March, 2021, 05:12:08 pm
Rampantly overgrown ivy, wisteria & 40 year old rose bushes in my parents garden.  Having trimmed the bastards back I'll now have to drag the stuff to the recycling centre.  That can be next weekends job.   ::-)
Don’t forget to make an appointment at the recycling centre.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 13 March, 2021, 06:49:18 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 13 March, 2021, 05:12:08 pm
Rampantly overgrown ivy, wisteria & 40 year old rose bushes in my parents garden.  Having trimmed the bastards back I'll now have to drag the stuff to the recycling centre.  That can be next weekends job.   ::-)
Where's your inner YACFite arsonist? Burn it!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 14 March, 2021, 01:02:07 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 12 March, 2021, 10:45:14 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 12 March, 2021, 11:44:09 am
Royal Mail, I'd like to support you in preference to MyHerpes, I really would.  SO I do a comparison of costs, and see that Tracked48 is comparable, money-wise.  And I can print the label at home. So far, so good. Then I clock the permitted drop off methods allowed. The one I most use, the most useful one, you know, a Post Office? No, can't do that - parcel box, delivery office, yeah, PO no.  So Herpes it is, again.

Can't you arrange a Royal Mail collection from your home or work place?

RM have collected parcels from us...

Parcelforce certainly do home collections (as do Hermes if you pay), not sure about RM. But I don’t see why all of their options can’t be dropped off at a PO, as opposed to just the more expensive (like Special Delivery) ones.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 14 March, 2021, 01:21:45 pm
Quote
Post Office®
If you need proof of postage, or your item's* too large for a postbox or Parcel Postbox, you can take it to a Post Office® branch. (*If you're using our Royal Mail Tracked 24 or 48 service you'll need to take it to one of our Customer Service Points.)

Customer Service Point (CSP)
You can post your items at our Customer Service Points (usually located in a Delivery Office), as well as collecting items we’ve attempted to deliver.
https://personal.help.royalmail.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/138/

Surprised at that. Pretty sure you can get other tracking services at the PO so perhaps it's to do with the guaranteed delivery time limit; easier to hit it if starts off at the DO.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 14 March, 2021, 01:27:22 pm
Well, if the 24 or 48 were guaranteed maybe, but the small print has it as “an aim, not a promise”. And SD, which is guaranteed by 1pm next day IS available at a PO.  :-\

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 14 March, 2021, 02:35:51 pm
Dunno then.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 14 March, 2021, 03:13:54 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 14 March, 2021, 02:35:51 pm
Dunno then.

Having looked a bit more, perhaps I do. The tracked 24 and 48 options seem to be sub-contracted out to the Collect+ organisation, and Parcelforce are also using them for some options, hence no availability to drop at a PO.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 16 March, 2021, 11:55:26 am
Over the last couple of days, a car has taken to passing that had the music so loud that things actually vibrate in my house. Then it goes and sits up the road for a bit making a racket and eventually drives off (I assume visiting someone on the street behind us). This happens a couple of times a day. I did see it go past and it's the stereotypical blacked-out chavmobile. Seriously, with that sound-system and heavily (and I'm sure illegally) tinted windows, it's effectively a sensory deprivation chamber on wheels. I may go set fire to it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 16 March, 2021, 12:09:19 pm
Today seems to be the day for annoying phones calls (see earlier for the "UK Debt Advice" call).

Now it's AO, calling to let me know that the delivery will be here tomorrow (as the text and email both told me!) but also to try and sell me an extended warranty.

No, I don't want an extra warranty, thank you.  Mainly because we self insure.  The previous machine has lasted >7 years, which at their extended warranty costs would have cost me £504 for absolutely nothing.  That £500 is better put towards a new machine.  This is what we do with the washing machine and the dish washer.

Think I might have pissed him off a little bit as I allowed him to go through all the speil before I said "No thanks"
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Marco Stefano on 16 March, 2021, 02:11:39 pm
Quote from: tiermat on 16 March, 2021, 12:09:19 pm
...
No, I don't want an extra warranty, thank you.  Mainly because we self insure.  The previous machine has lasted >7 years, which at their extended warranty costs would have cost me £504 for absolutely nothing.  That £500 is better put towards a new machine.  This is what we do with the washing machine and the dish washer.

Think I might have pissed him off a little bit as I allowed him to go through all the speil before I said "No thanks"

I recall trying to buy a chosen washing machine with Mrs Marco some decades ago from Comet. She and I became increasingly pissed off with having to say no to repeated entreaties to buy extended warranties and she told the salesman she would buy one, but don't ask about warranties again otherwise we'll leave. We got to the desk to pay, and guess what the salesman said? Oh yes he did.  ::-)  We walked straight out and went elsewhere.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 16 March, 2021, 07:00:13 pm
The same day we find out the council tax has gone up we find that the normal bin is moving from a weekly to a fortnightly collection.

Now luckily we only tend to generate a small bin liner a week so we'll be fine but a lot of the houses round here have a bin that'll barely close every week.

I'm sure this won't result in more littering and fly tipping.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Socks on 16 March, 2021, 07:28:37 pm
Quote from: Ashaman42 on 16 March, 2021, 07:00:13 pm
The same day we find out the council tax has gone up we find that the normal bin is moving from a weekly to a fortnightly collection.

Now luckily we only tend to generate a small bin liner a week so we'll be fine but a lot of the houses round here have a bin that'll barely close every week.

I'm sure this won't result in more littering and fly tipping.

One thing to bear in mind is that local authorities in England get about 80% of their budgets from central government.  Over the last twelve years successive governments have chosen to cut local government budgets, with the biggest cuts falling on the poorest areas.  For example, in North East England, a cumulative cut of more than 50%.

Alongside this, the biggest priorities (public health and social care for the elderly and vulnerable) have been ignored. 

Yes there are a lot of issues which may be less important than allowing frail elderly people to end their lives in poverty, lonelines and squalor.  But still more visible and in the public consciousness - bins, potholes, litter, anti-social behaviour.

For many years local authorities have been used as a convenient scapegoat for the failures of national government.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jasmine on 16 March, 2021, 08:02:36 pm
People still have weekly bin collections? Ours has been once every 3 weeks for several years now. We also have to pay separately for the green waste bin.  Round here that results in lots of people having bonfires, which really is quite regressive.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 16 March, 2021, 08:26:22 pm
Same around here, we have biweekly bin collections (rubbish one week, recycling the next, green waste paid-for) which results in a fair amount of fly-tipping of what is clearly domestic waste.

I personally wish local councils would be de-politicised and simply charge for a statutory defined level of services. If that costs a lot, then fine, it's the government's problem and we'd see it that way. We have pointless contretemps of a Conservative county council blaming a Conservative government for shortfalls and deliberate manipulation of council taxation to political ends.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 16 March, 2021, 09:57:03 pm
Every three weeks for over a year here.  A good thing IMO. You learn to manage your waste. And your purchasing of waste!
Recycling and food being collected every week helps.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 16 March, 2021, 10:01:22 pm
Rubbish fortnightly, recycling weekly here. Garden waste fortnightly for an extra charge (no idea how much). Big campaign about two years ago to get people to put food waste in the brown food waste bins not the black rubbish wheelie bin. Also, the wheelie bins got smaller.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 16 March, 2021, 10:49:37 pm
Oh yeah, I get that budgets are strained and there are more urgent things to spend what they have on. It was just the timing really that rankled.

Like I say we rarely fill our bin anyway.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 16 March, 2021, 10:50:40 pm
We have regular-as-clockwork fortnightly recycling and normal rubbish that is supposed to be weekly, but actually only happens when the binmen can be arsed, which can be anything from 1-5 weeks between collections.

As usual, how much of a problem this is mainly depends on what your neighbours (or your neighbours' landlord's builders) have fucked into your bin when you're not looking.

We're fortunate not to have dedicated food waste bins stinking up the kitchen.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 16 March, 2021, 11:04:31 pm
We have fortnightly landfill, weekly recycling and food & fortnightly garden waste.
Website wouldn't let me renew garden waste payment.
It's been 'upgraded'.
Wouldn't let me update my online Council Account either.
Will borrow a Windows computer tomorrow.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fuzzy on 16 March, 2021, 11:20:20 pm
Fortnightly general waste. Fortnightly recycling, cardboard and garden waste (no extra charge) and weekly food caddy. Works very well.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 17 March, 2021, 07:36:32 am
Alternating weeks for rubbish (black bin lid) and recycling/garden (blue and green bin lids) - but have just had to pay for an annual licence for green bin collection.

Compost bins at home and at the allotment are used extensively wherever possible.   

It seems that our largest volume of waste is corrugated cardboard boxes from stuff being delivered.

Waste "real wood" (not ply/MDF etc) goes to a neighbour for his wood-burner (at least it does while they remain de rigeur)

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 17 March, 2021, 08:40:39 am
Quote from: Kim on 16 March, 2021, 10:50:40 pm
We're fortunate not to have dedicated food waste bins stinking up the kitchen.
They don't, or needn't, stink up the kitchen. The way it works here at least is that you get a small "kitchen caddy" which you line with a compostable bag (usually special green plastic, can be paper) and then you empty the bags into a larger "kerbside bin". In fact, I'd say it's less stinky than putting food waste in the kitchen bin, where – due to the larger size – it will get emptied less frequently.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 17 March, 2021, 08:46:44 am
Alternate landfill and recycling (no glass or tetra packs) here, with paid for composting same week as recycling. Food waste goes into the composting. It’s a bit of a cheek charging us for the composting bin because the council waste management company have an industrial scale composter from which they sell the end product!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 17 March, 2021, 08:53:22 am
Quote from: Beardy on 17 March, 2021, 08:46:44 am
Alternate landfill and recycling (no glass or tetra packs) here, with paid for composting same week as recycling. Food waste goes into the composting. It’s a bit of a cheek charging us for the composting bin because the council waste management company have an industrial scale composter from which they sell the end product!

When they executed people by firing squad in Iran they used to invoice the families for the ammo - same principle.

Anyway, I usually carry a supermarket bag in my HB bag, and shove it under my jersey for long descents.  One time I found at the bottom that the supermarket had changed to "eco-friendly" (or summat) bags and I had a gooey mess next to my skin. :sick:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 17 March, 2021, 12:33:01 pm
Quote from: Kim on 16 March, 2021, 10:50:40 pm
We have regular-as-clockwork fortnightly recycling and normal rubbish that is supposed to be weekly, but actually only happens when the binmen can be arsed, which can be anything from 1-5 weeks between collections.

As if to prove a point, I brought the bin back in[1] this morning, and it had one more bag of rubbish in it than it did when I put it out.  Maybe next week?


[1] I think we and our immediate neighbours are the only people in Silly Oak who actually do this.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 17 March, 2021, 12:44:33 pm
I now1 have weekly food waste collections, fortnightly recycling collection (no glass) and three weekly household waste collection. The protests from the parents of infants at the change from alternating fortnightly recycling and household waste at the smell of the nappies over this summer could become interesting.  :sick:


1 It changed at the beginning of March, we have therefore yet to have the week when all three are collected and there won't be sufficient space at the location where the 8 houses are supposed to wheel their bins to.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 17 March, 2021, 01:02:46 pm
Another fortnightly rubbish alternating with fortnightly recycling here. I think food is weekly, but we never use it. 95% comosted, 5% for the kites, rats etc. in the field - mostly chicken bones.  Green waste is paid for fortnightly, but we don't use it, most is composted, the rest, well I live 2 miles from a fantastic recycling centre, so take the balance there myself.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Giraffe on 17 March, 2021, 04:01:04 pm
Garden and recycling bins fortnightly, alternating with garbage bin. Food waste* (what's that?) weekly.
Green bin sometimes full and more stored ready to go in; most of winter empty but a friend 50m away is seriously tidying her garden (with me doing the heavy stuff) so she fills both.
Recycling will go 6 - 8 weeks but I put it out more frequently in warm weather.
Garbage bin, if nothing exceptional, about 2 - 5 years at a guess.

*Food caddies delivered, washed off (splashed grit), dried thoroughly, nested and put in loft. Be handy sometime.
Most food stuff is OK on compost heap, odd bits go out for the birds, BEARS etc., then I do put odd little bits of gonegreen cheese on the heap - enough in a year to feed a small rat for a day.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 17 March, 2021, 04:19:33 pm
Quote from: robgul on 17 March, 2021, 07:36:32 am
Alternating weeks for rubbish (black bin lid) and recycling/garden (blue and green bin lids) - but have just had to pay for an annual licence for green bin collection.

Compost bins at home and at the allotment are used extensively wherever possible.   

It seems that our largest volume of waste is corrugated cardboard boxes from stuff being delivered.

Waste "real wood" (not ply/MDF etc) goes to a neighbour for his wood-burner (at least it does while they remain de rigeur)

Same regime as ours.  We don't pay for the green bin and have composting on the go.  We try to grow some fruit and veg in the garden every year so the compost comes in useful.

I'd say that on average that both the blue top recycling and the black top household waste bins take between 6 and 8 weeks to fill.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 17 March, 2021, 04:22:28 pm
We don't have any issues with the biweekly alternating collections (they take the food caddy weekly, don't bother with the green waste as the lorry usually doesn't make it up the hill and the gardeners take it). But there's only two of us and we rarely fill either bin (the council gave us a smaller rubbish bin, but you could order a bigger one), usually more in the recycling bin.

The downside is that it does lead to some dumping of what's clearly black-bagged domestic waste.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Flite on 17 March, 2021, 08:04:48 pm
Here we have alternate weeks for general waste and recycling (glass, tins, paper, cardboard, some plastics).
They are very reliable, even in the winter when the same crews are on the snowploughs!
No green waste collection (compost heaps for garden stuff, veg scraps and a lot of the cardboard)
No waste food collection (we don't eat meat or fish, and don't waste much food anyway.)
Waste disposal unit in sink takes any cooked bits to our waste water treatment thingy in the garden.

About the only thing our council is good at is rubbish....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: orienteer on 17 March, 2021, 08:35:41 pm
Are we in the London Borough of Hillingdon the only ones who get full, free collections every week? Three trucks: one for general rubbish in black sacks, one for recycling material in supplied clear sacks, and one for green/food waste for composting.  We compost waste uncooked food (mostly veg trimmings) in our own composter.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 17 March, 2021, 10:03:14 pm
We are also in the alternating weeks of general rubbish and recycling. Green waste is an extra, you can pay for a small bag or another wheelie bin.

The only times we generally have trouble are around Christmas, if we've been doing a clearout or are in the middle of a DIY project. We actually have an extra black bin (no idea why, it came with the house), so we use it as a strategic dry overflow. If we've got too much cardboard for the recycling bin, for example, it'll go in the spare one for storage. If we've got extra bags of non-rancid rubbish that won't fit the black bin, they'll go in it. Then in the following weeks we'll gradually empty it into the main ones (in the past, the bin men have helpfully retrieved the spare from our garden and emptied it - we aren't cheeky enough to put both out). Most of the time it is empty, but it is very useful on occasion to save us doing a dump run.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 17 March, 2021, 10:59:36 pm
Quote from: Giraffe on 17 March, 2021, 04:01:04 pm
Garden and recycling bins fortnightly, alternating with garbage bin. Food waste* (what's that?) weekly.
Green bin sometimes full and more stored ready to go in; most of winter empty but a friend 50m away is seriously tidying her garden (with me doing the heavy stuff) so she fills both.
Recycling will go 6 - 8 weeks but I put it out more frequently in warm weather.
Garbage bin, if nothing exceptional, about 2 - 5 years at a guess.

*Food caddies delivered, washed off (splashed grit), dried thoroughly, nested and put in loft. Be handy sometime.
Most food stuff is OK on compost heap, odd bits go out for the birds, BEARS etc., then I do put odd little bits of gonegreen cheese on the heap - enough in a year to feed a small rat for a day.

What do you do with banana and citrus skin & apple cores?

We also have chicken bones & strawberry calyces in our food bucket.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 17 March, 2021, 11:24:28 pm
Quote from: orienteer on 17 March, 2021, 08:35:41 pm
Are we in the London Borough of Hillingdon the only ones who get full, free collections every week? Three trucks: one for general rubbish in black sacks, one for recycling material in supplied clear sacks, and one for green/food waste for composting.  We compost waste uncooked food (mostly veg trimmings) in our own composter.

A few miles away in Greenwich we get that too, only it's a three wheelie-bin operation. Green lid for compostable waste (garden and food, including meat: our own composter reduces what actually goes in here), blue lid for recyclables, and black lid for The Rest, ie landfill.

It's one of the things the council seems to do pretty well, although there are currently mutterings about charging for the green bin (or at least for garden waste) collections.

Edinburgh confuses me any time I visit but is, I think, weekly for food waste and landfill; alternating fortnightly for glass and for other recycling; fortnightly (summer) and monthly (winter) for paid-for garden waste.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: bhoot on 17 March, 2021, 11:52:32 pm
Quote from: jsabine on 17 March, 2021, 11:24:28 pm
Quote from: orienteer on 17 March, 2021, 08:35:41 pm
Are we in the London Borough of Hillingdon the only ones who get full, free collections every week? Three trucks: one for general rubbish in black sacks, one for recycling material in supplied clear sacks, and one for green/food waste for composting.  We compost waste uncooked food (mostly veg trimmings) in our own composter.

A few miles away in Greenwich we get that too, only it's a three wheelie-bin operation. Green lid for compostable waste (garden and food, including meat: our own composter reduces what actually goes in here), blue lid for recyclables, and black lid for The Rest, ie landfill.

Weekly and free for everything here in Tower Hamlets, although food waste + green garden waste is on a different day to recycling + general waste.

We are composters though so food waste is quite low output for us.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 18 March, 2021, 12:32:07 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 17 March, 2021, 10:59:36 pm


What do you do with banana and citrus skin & apple cores?


Compost them. Along with the mouse and shrew corpses, and often the chicken bones. Oh, and urine, if I'm working in the shed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 18 March, 2021, 02:21:17 pm
Compost goes better with HLA - Human Liquid Accelerator.   ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 18 March, 2021, 02:22:27 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 16 March, 2021, 10:01:22 pm
Rubbish fortnightly, recycling weekly here. Garden waste fortnightly for an extra charge (no idea how much). Big campaign about two years ago to get people to put food waste in the brown food waste bins not the black rubbish wheelie bin. Also, the wheelie bins got smaller.
That's just happened here.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ham on 18 March, 2021, 02:22:44 pm
Quote from: orienteer on 17 March, 2021, 08:35:41 pm
Are we in the London Borough of Hillingdon the only ones who get full, free collections every week? Three trucks: one for general rubbish in black sacks, one for recycling material in supplied clear sacks, and one for green/food waste for composting.  We compost waste uncooked food (mostly veg trimmings) in our own composter.

No. Redbridge are weekly collections, too. What is more, we have just shifted to wheelie bins for general refuse. You can probably smell the flames on the local Facebook group in Hillingdon.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: grams on 18 March, 2021, 02:34:51 pm
Here in the glorious people's republic of Islington we get daily collections at 6:50 pm sharp every day and no wheelie bins. They drop off huge stacks of recycling bags regularly too.

(one of the few advantages of living on a main road)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fimm on 18 March, 2021, 03:27:22 pm
As a dweller in an Edinburgh tenement flat - all rubbish has to be carried down and put into street bins and I have no idea when they are emptied! We have bins for Landfill; cardboard and other packaging; paper; glass; and composable stuff (which we were given a little bin for as described upthread).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 18 March, 2021, 03:55:54 pm
Quote from: Flite on 17 March, 2021, 08:04:48 pm
Here we have alternate weeks for general waste and recycling (glass, tins, paper, cardboard, some plastics).
They are very reliable, even in the winter when the same crews are on the snowploughs!
No green waste collection (compost heaps for garden stuff, veg scraps and a lot of the cardboard)
No waste food collection (we don't eat meat or fish, and don't waste much food anyway.)
Waste disposal unit in sink takes any cooked bits to our waste water treatment thingy in the garden.

About the only thing our council is good at is rubbish....
Unsurprisingly ours is the same regime from the same Council.
The waste generated by the household is a bit different though as we're more urban and don't garden.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 21 March, 2021, 02:21:47 pm
When our new neighbours moved in around a year ago, we were heartened to overhear them discussing where the hole for the washing line might be in the lawn. We knew there wasn’t one - the previous occupants of 20 years never hung any washing out.

Fast forward to today, and there is still no line. Instead, it’s impossible to enjoy our patio as a result of the overpowering noxious “lemon” stench emanating from their property courtesy of their tumble dryer “scent” thing.  >:( >:( 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 21 March, 2021, 03:01:45 pm
That thing when you pull/tweak a muscle in your neck/shoulder by turning over in bed.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 21 March, 2021, 03:14:54 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 21 March, 2021, 03:01:45 pm
That thing when you pull/tweak a muscle in your neck/shoulder by turning over in bed.  :facepalm:

/me mutters darkly
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: arabella on 22 March, 2021, 03:19:30 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 21 March, 2021, 02:21:47 pm
When our new neighbours moved in around a year ago, we were heartened to overhear them discussing where the hole for the washing line might be in the lawn. We knew there wasn’t one - the previous occupants of 20 years never hung any washing out.

Fast forward to today, and there is still no line. Instead, it’s impossible to enjoy our patio as a result of the overpowering noxious “lemon” stench emanating from their property courtesy of their tumble dryer “scent” thing.  >:( >:(
Sympathies.  Yet more chemicals released etc.  Why haven't they (and similar) been banned yet?  Even if not harmful I can't see they're actually beneficial.

In a similar vein our new neighbours leave the frikkin lasers patio lights on all evening every evening.  I'm not sure why as they're never on the patio.  Meanwhile I get the frikkin lasers in my eyes every time I come out of my bike shed, and can't see down my own garden as the fence casts a massive dark shadow (from about chest height down) on account of said frikkin lasers.

When I actually get to meet them I'll mention it.  Otherwise they seem quieter than the previous lot. :-)

On the up side the smoker among them hasn't (yet) used the side passage as a rain shelter - cause our  mandatory ventilation for a gas fired device is in said side passage, thus being perfect for any smoke ingress.

Which reminds me, are herbal cigarettes a thing now?  I'm sure tobacco smoke doesn't smell the same as it used to.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 22 March, 2021, 03:49:41 pm
Quote from: arabella on 22 March, 2021, 03:19:30 pm
Which reminds me, are herbal hairball cigarettes a thing now?  I'm sure tobacco smoke doesn't smell the same as it used to.

FTFY
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: tiermat on 22 March, 2021, 04:02:21 pm
Are you sure it's not like walking round Denver*? The only herbal cigarettes I know of that might be popular are the ones that your mum warned you about.

*Colorado is one of the states that has made the selling and private consumption of weed legal.  However walk down any street, go to a football game, do anything where smokers are and you _will_ smell weed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 29 March, 2021, 12:46:20 pm
Having a sort out in the garage as I need to go to the local dump recycling centre and want to take a full load when I go - I've not been for over a year.
The local dump recycling centre has no available slots in the next week (you can only book 7 days in advance). The next one has slots next Sunday. But you can only have one person unloading, which will be a challenge getting rid of a couple of big bags of green waste, as tat his one you have to climb stairs to get to skip level, rather than the other where they are below you. So if I shred the leylandii cuttings as I normally do to be able to do it in one trip, I won't be able to carry it. If I don't shred it, that'll be about three trips - and you are only allowed one a week.
 
You can also only take 10 litres of engine oil per six months apparently. As all our vehicles have been serviced by me at home, and I wasn't up to date on getting rid of old oil anyway, I now have about 30 litres :-(

I can see why country lane laybys are seen as a good option by some now.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 29 March, 2021, 02:09:46 pm
Dear BBC News. The name "EVERGREEN" is painted on the side of a ship in letters that must be over 15m high. Why then do you persist in writing it's name as "EVER GIVEN".  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Hot Flatus on 29 March, 2021, 02:13:54 pm
Because that is its name. Evergreen is the company
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ravenbait on 29 March, 2021, 02:19:35 pm
My dog keeps farting in her sleep next to my desk.

It's rank.

 :sick:

Sam
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 29 March, 2021, 02:38:30 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 29 March, 2021, 02:09:46 pm
Dear BBC News. The name "EVERGREEN" is painted on the side of a ship in letters that must be over 15m high. Why then do you persist in writing it's name as "EVER GIVEN".  ::-)

Same on all news outlets, not just the BBC.  Reason is as HF states.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 29 March, 2021, 02:54:10 pm
Evergreen's fleet of Golden-class container ships, as any fule kno, consists of Ever Golden, Ever Genius, Ever Gifted, Ever Glory, Ever Globe, Ever Goods, Ever Given, Ever Grade, Ever Gentle, Ever Govern and Ever Greet.  It must have taken some highly paid PR genius literally minutes to come up with that list.  Though only one of them has its own article on Wikinaccurate.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 29 March, 2021, 03:04:34 pm
Sources refuse to confirm, however, that the Ever Given is to be renamed the "(What The) Ever Loving Hell Have You Done?"  :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Regulator on 29 March, 2021, 03:05:42 pm
Quote from: orienteer on 17 March, 2021, 08:35:41 pm
Are we in the London Borough of Hillingdon the only ones who get full, free collections every week? Three trucks: one for general rubbish in black sacks, one for recycling material in supplied clear sacks, and one for green/food waste for composting.  We compost waste uncooked food (mostly veg trimmings) in our own composter.

We used to get daily collections when we lived in Westminster.

In Cambridge it's alternate weeks for recycling and garden waste, and general rubbish.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 29 March, 2021, 03:14:13 pm
Quote from: spesh on 29 March, 2021, 03:04:34 pm
Sources refuse to confirm, however, that the Ever Given is to be renamed the "(What The) Ever Loving Hell Have You Done?"  :demon:


That's almost a Culture ship name.  the Canal Obstruction Unit "(What The) Ever Loving Hell Have You Done?"
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 29 March, 2021, 07:32:55 pm
It'll be renamed Ever Goofed?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 29 March, 2021, 08:23:13 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 29 March, 2021, 02:54:10 pm
Evergreen's fleet of Golden-class container ships, as any fule kno, consists of Ever Golden, Ever Genius, Ever Gifted, Ever Glory, Ever Globe, Ever Goods, Ever Given, Ever Grade, Ever Gentle, Ever Govern and Ever Greet.  It must have taken some highly paid PR genius literally minutes to come up with that list.  Though only one of them has its own article on Wikinaccurate.

Please tell me there's one called Ever Hard.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 29 March, 2021, 08:32:21 pm
Quote from: ian on 29 March, 2021, 08:23:13 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 29 March, 2021, 02:54:10 pm
Evergreen's fleet of Golden-class container ships, as any fule kno, consists of Ever Golden, Ever Genius, Ever Gifted, Ever Glory, Ever Globe, Ever Goods, Ever Given, Ever Grade, Ever Gentle, Ever Govern and Ever Greet.  It must have taken some highly paid PR genius literally minutes to come up with that list.  Though only one of them has its own article on Wikinaccurate.

Please tell me there's one called Ever Hard.

Now I'm expecting the next addition to the fleet to be the Ever Grayson.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 29 March, 2021, 09:06:28 pm
Ever Grounded?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 29 March, 2021, 09:31:44 pm
Sounds like BlueWater whose boats are all called... Blue Water, in various different languages
Quote
For outsiders, the names of the FPSOs in our current or former fleet may seem odd: Acqua Blu, Ayer Biru, Lan Shui, Uisge Gorm, Glas Dowr, Bleo Holm, Haewene Brim, Munin and Aoka Mizu. In fact, all (except Munin) actually mean “Bluewater” in a local dialect language.
https://www.bluewater.com/fleet-operations/our-fpso-fleet/
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 30 March, 2021, 12:32:14 am
One of my teeth broke recently. Lump fell off. Saw dentist who said tooth was too far gone (decades of filling) for new fillings & needed a crown. Having seen the inside, this was not unexpected. Temporary filling to keep me going & appointment with a colleague to sort it out.

Today saw the colleague, who after briefly mentioning the possibily of a less drastic fix had a good look & said no, he'd been right & it needed a crown, & set to work.

Lots of work on my tooth later, I left with a temporary crown & an appointment with her for fitting the permanent one when it's been made.

While eating my dinner (all fairly soft food: nothing crunchy), the temporary crown broke. Fell to pieces. I have three lumps of it in a little bag. There's more in there than still on the tooth.

After sinusitis late last week & my second dose of BioNTech vaccine on Saturday afternoon, I'm too tired for a rant, but BUGGER!

First business tomorrow is phoning the dentist.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Regulator on 30 March, 2021, 07:35:55 am
Quote from: Bledlow on 30 March, 2021, 12:32:14 am
One of my teeth broke recently. Lump fell off. Saw dentist who said tooth was too far gone (decades of filling) for new fillings & needed a crown. Having seen the inside, this was not unexpected. Temporary filling to keep me going & appointment with a colleague to sort it out.

Today saw the colleague, who after briefly mentioning the possibily of a less drastic fix had a good look & said no, he'd been right & it needed a crown, & set to work.

Lots of work on my tooth later, I left with a temporary crown & an appointment with her for fitting the permanent one when it's been made.

While eating my dinner (all fairly soft food: nothing crunchy), the temporary crown broke. Fell to pieces. I have three lumps of it in a little bag. There's more in there than still on the tooth.

After sinusitis late last week & my second dose of BioNTech vaccine on Saturday afternoon, I'm too tired for a rant, but BUGGER!

First business tomorrow is phoning the dentist.


I lost part of a filling a few weeks ago. I'm waiting until I've had my second dose next week before I book a dentist appointment, as fixing it will require an AGP.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 31 March, 2021, 03:05:59 pm
Bloody Hewlett-Packard!

You make solid, dependable printers. Our old B&W one is proof of this. Manufactured 2006 & still working perfectly, & because it was (rightly) very popular & you sold millions of them, toner cartridges are still available - & cheap. It was an excellent buy.

So why do you hide the Windows 64 bit driver for it? It exists - I've installed it - but it was a bloody nightmare to find. No longer accessible on your site. Your troubleshooting software (latest version) finds the printer, but then gets confused & directs me to a dead HP link for the driver.

Some kind soul has put it online, which saved me powering up my old PC & digging it out (I know it's on there), but why not just leave it where it was? I'm sure you can afford the storage space & bandwidth. Has it never occurred to you that it'd be a selling point? What about "Our printers last - & so does our backup!" Lots of people like products that don't become obsolete by Christmas, & will buy them in preference to throwaway stuff.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 31 March, 2021, 03:50:52 pm
I'm afraid HP these days is not your Grand-daddy's HP.  These days it's less about good, solid, dependably engineered products than bleeding the customer consumer dry on the cost of locked-in ink cartridges (and toner).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 31 March, 2021, 04:13:22 pm
Cooking a pie yesterday. Pop it in the oven. Manufacture the mash, take out the pie.

Now, during the cooking process, the thing under the stairs went kaboom and the power went out. Odd, but I flipped the switch back and everything seemed fine.

Anyway, pie was cold. Oven had died. Fortunately, I found another setting on the oven that does work, so delayed pie is better than no pie. But now I need an oven fixer. Oh woe.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 31 March, 2021, 04:22:15 pm
I've come across this issue too, for various hardware vendors.
Drivers being removed from direct download.

MS seems to be encouraging manufacturers to provide drivers and related software only via Windows Update / Windows store.

They increasingly want you to be logged on with a MS account to get this stuff, I think.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 31 March, 2021, 04:30:34 pm
Quote from: TheLurker on 31 March, 2021, 03:50:52 pm
I'm afraid HP these days is not your Grand-daddy's HP.  These days it's less about good, solid, dependably engineered products than bleeding the customer consumer dry on the cost of locked-in ink cartridges (and toner).

I was reading a great thread by Cory Doctorow a little while back on the subject of printer ink...

<tappity tappity>

A little further back than I thought - it was in November last year:

Quote
HP never stopped innovating. From its origins in the 1930s as a leading electronics manufacturer to its role in the birth of PCs and performance servers, it has always demonstrated incredible ingenuity.

Today, that ingenuity is deployed in service of evil ink-based fuckery.

The printer-ink business model has always been a form of commercial sadism in which you are expected to put giant manufacturers' interests ahead of your own with no expectation of any sort of reciprocity.

https://eff.org/deeplinks/2020/11/ink-stained-wretches-battle-soul-digital-freedom-taking-place-inside-your-printer…

[continues...]

For the full thread: https://twitter.com/doctorow/status/1324498946220154885

The article linked in the quote above inspired this one by NPR's Planet Money team:

https://npr.org/2021/02/17/968704526/why-printers-are-the-worst
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 31 March, 2021, 05:07:09 pm
To be fair, if you make a product and say 'it's going to cost you £500 but it'll be cheaper in the long run' and your competitor comes along and says 'ours is a £100, sure you'll have to buy some ink but £100!' you know what happens.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 31 March, 2021, 07:46:43 pm
Quote from: TheLurker on 31 March, 2021, 03:50:52 pm
I'm afraid HP these days is not your Grand-daddy's HP.  These days it's less about good, solid, dependably engineered products than bleeding the customer consumer dry on the cost of locked-in ink cartridges (and toner).

Also, Real Printers don't need drivers.

*pats Laserjet 4050*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 31 March, 2021, 08:00:44 pm
Quote from: ian on 31 March, 2021, 05:07:09 pm
To be fair, if you make a product and say 'it's going to cost you £500... ...sure you'll have to buy some ink but £100!' you know what happens.

You get a thriving market in third party replacement cartridges and refills costing a fraction of the price, still too expensive, but cheaper than (say) HPs.  Until HP* (the greedy, gouging bastards)  make their cartridges with extra little circuits which mean you can't use any but HP cartridges and new ones at that.



*HP aren't alone in this.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 31 March, 2021, 08:30:35 pm
Yeah, but that doesn't really benefit HP and they aren't a charity (I think it's shit, but I have an old Laserjet that eats knock-off toner cartridges at a third of the price of the originals, so they have to gouge someone).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 31 March, 2021, 08:54:49 pm
Gouging doesn't benefit HP in the long run either because people do (eventually) work out that HP printers are an out and out rip off and buy from other people and HP go to the wall.  TBH I'm surprised that HP didn't go to the wall about 10 or 15 years ago.

It's amusing to note that at least 3 people here using *old* HP printers because they were built well and and don't have all the walled garden / lock the sucker in crap, but no-one has chipped in to say that they'll buy a new HP printer.  John Deere (big green tractors) are also busy finding out the hard way that this lock-in model doesn't work.  In their case it's more a lock-in to their support network than DRM on parts, but there is an element of that as well.  Farmers in the US are still buying John Deere tractors, but they're buying old, sometimes decades old, JD tractors because they can fix them themselves and not lose a harvest because the nearest approved technician is a 2 hour flight away and won't be able fix the bloody thing when he gets to it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 31 March, 2021, 09:07:16 pm
It's a financial gamble though, many home printers are pretty much impulss purchases that get used occasionally (business users are a different animal), and no business thinks on ten-year timescales. Quarterly revenue and units shifted if you're lucky. Any kind of subscription is much preferred to transactional revenue for obvious reasons. I doubt we're typical users (I spent fifty quid plus on a razor – and I have a beard).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 31 March, 2021, 09:25:26 pm
Must be a crap razor, send it back for a refund.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 31 March, 2021, 09:36:50 pm
Life is disappointing that way. I still have 9,985 Gilette Seven O'Clock Shadow razor blades. (To be fair, I trim the borders, unruly beards make for poor dictators.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Hot Flatus on 31 March, 2021, 09:43:33 pm
Quote from: ian on 31 March, 2021, 09:36:50 pm
Life is disappointing that way. I still have 9,985 Gilette Seven O'Clock Shadow razor blades.

Yeah but from what I saw in the supermarket yesterday, razor shopping for the first time in 3 years, that is now just one razor head
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 31 March, 2021, 09:50:30 pm
I did wonder where they'd get to. It's a matter of time before they have an infinity blade. All the blades ever made and all the blades that will ever be made in one single shaving head. Women, when they attempt to stroke the resulting smoothness, a chin unblemished by even the most tentative facial scrub, will find their hands slip right by and they will plummet gratefully into your arms. Gillette, I'm writing the advert in my mind now.

(Apropos of nothing, reminds of the brilliant Massive Dad's Commercial Break sketch, which people should google if they haven't because it's very funny.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 01 April, 2021, 09:07:28 am
Shoe sizing:  <sigh>

I have been putting off replacing the daily trudgers hoping for shops to reopen but getting desperate I decided to buy a couple of pairs of shoes mail order.  I bought shoes from brands that I have used in recent history and stuck to the UK sizing requirement.  The brand and model that I have been using for a couple of years seems to be no longer available so one pair is another model from the same brand.

Both pairs are too small.  Though labelled UK9 they are also labelled EU 43 or 43.5 and not EU 44 and one pair is even labelled US 9.5 and not US 10.

Now, I had been fooled into believing that shoe sizing had been more or less sorted.  Clearly not.

I now have to post these ruddy things back at my expense and wait no doubt for a month to get my money refunded. 

Feeling pissed off.  I was bracing myself to expect to return 1 pair but both: that's just taking the piss.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 01 April, 2021, 09:24:52 am
All the shoes (and other clothes) I've bought online in recent years have come with a quick, free return mechanism (usually a ready-to-use return label). I've certainly not needed party heels recently.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 01 April, 2021, 07:20:16 pm
Quote from: ian on 31 March, 2021, 09:50:30 pm
I did wonder where they'd get to. It's a matter of time before they have an infinity blade. All the blades ever made and all the blades that will ever be made in one single shaving head.
Shimano, SRAM and Campag are scrambling right now.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 01 April, 2021, 09:15:18 pm
Shoe sizing is always a f***ing nightmare.

I post my interpretations, cautions & grumbles all over yacf fairly frequently.

American shoe sizes aren't even the same length for any given shoe size so a women's 10 is not the same length as a men's 10.

Continental sizes are theoretically just 50% more than last length in cm so 28cm = Size 42 = UK 8.

That's a 10 for a US woman or an 8.5 for a US man

or something.

ETA  Looks like I didn't butt in quickly enough in the Classified board and there are some women's Size 5/38 shoes in need of a new home...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CommuteTooFar on 02 April, 2021, 06:15:24 pm
I have small feet for a male.  I find that many makers make my UK size 6 1/2 but many shops do not make them.  I once complained to the Hi-Tec shop than they did not stock them although the website says they make them. They listened, now when I look size 6 1/2 is listed but always out of stock so there is probably a demand for them even if they are snapped up by teenagers.
 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 04 April, 2021, 11:00:03 pm
Quote from: Feanor on 31 March, 2021, 04:22:15 pm
I've come across this issue too, for various hardware vendors.
Drivers being removed from direct download.

MS seems to be encouraging manufacturers to provide drivers and related software only via Windows Update / Windows store.

They increasingly want you to be logged on with a MS account to get this stuff, I think.
Yeah, but that didn't work for my printer. Too old, I expect.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 04 April, 2021, 11:20:31 pm
Quote from: TheLurker on 31 March, 2021, 08:54:49 pm
Gouging doesn't benefit HP in the long run either because people do (eventually) work out that HP printers are an out and out rip off and buy from other people and HP go to the wall.  TBH I'm surprised that HP didn't go to the wall about 10 or 15 years ago.

It's amusing to note that at least 3 people here using *old* HP printers because they were built well and and don't have all the walled garden / lock the sucker in crap, but no-one has chipped in to say that they'll buy a new HP printer.  John Deere (big green tractors) are also busy finding out the hard way that this lock-in model doesn't work.  In their case it's more a lock-in to their support network than DRM on parts, but there is an element of that as well.  Farmers in the US are still buying John Deere tractors, but they're buying old, sometimes decades old, JD tractors because they can fix them themselves and not lose a harvest because the nearest approved technician is a 2 hour flight away and won't be able fix the bloody thing when he gets to it.
Having spent much more (several times, I think) on cartridges over the years than my old HP LaserJet cost to buy, despite it only being B&W & having been able to buy knock-offs for much less than HP originals for most of that time, I'm keenly aware that the profits in printers are made on the ink or toner, not the printer.

I'd rather pay the real price for a printer (no cross-subsidy from ink/toner, but a decent profit margin) & the same markup on ink/toner as on printers. That'd be transparent, instead of real costs being hidden, & why should one set of customers be expected to subsidise others?

It'd free manufacturers from the problem of cheap ink or toner taking away their profits. No need to lock customers in if you can sell at close to the price of the knock-offs with the assurance that your ink is the real thing, with none of the potential risk of dodgy cheap ink clogging your nozzles, or whatever.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 05 April, 2021, 12:54:50 am
Quote from: Bledlow on 04 April, 2021, 11:20:31 pm
Quote from: TheLurker on 31 March, 2021, 08:54:49 pm
Gouging doesn't benefit HP in the long run either because people do (eventually) work out that HP printers are an out and out rip off and buy from other people and HP go to the wall.  TBH I'm surprised that HP didn't go to the wall about 10 or 15 years ago.

It's amusing to note that at least 3 people here using *old* HP printers because they were built well and and don't have all the walled garden / lock the sucker in crap, but no-one has chipped in to say that they'll buy a new HP printer.  John Deere (big green tractors) are also busy finding out the hard way that this lock-in model doesn't work.  In their case it's more a lock-in to their support network than DRM on parts, but there is an element of that as well.  Farmers in the US are still buying John Deere tractors, but they're buying old, sometimes decades old, JD tractors because they can fix them themselves and not lose a harvest because the nearest approved technician is a 2 hour flight away and won't be able fix the bloody thing when he gets to it.
Having spent much more (several times, I think) on cartridges over the years than my old HP LaserJet cost to buy, despite it only being B&W & having been able to buy knock-offs for much less than HP originals for most of that time, I'm keenly aware that the profits in printers are made on the ink or toner, not the printer.

I'd rather pay the real price for a printer (no cross-subsidy from ink/toner, but a decent profit margin) & the same markup on ink/toner as on printers. That'd be transparent, instead of real costs being hidden, & why should one set of customers be expected to subsidise others?

It'd free manufacturers from the problem of cheap ink or toner taking away their profits. No need to lock customers in if you can sell at close to the price of the knock-offs with the assurance that your ink is the real thing, with none of the potential risk of dodgy cheap ink clogging your nozzles, or whatever.

Wellsaid.

Old HP printers mainly work.
(At least I hope D's will work when we get a replacement EIO card for it.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 05 April, 2021, 11:31:12 am
I put some Nice Shoes on yesterday, for the first time in ages.    My feet have gone soft from a year of wearing sandals & the Nice Shoes chewed my right heel to a bloody mess.  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 06 April, 2021, 10:51:56 am
Quote from: Bledlow on 04 April, 2021, 11:20:31 pm
Quote from: TheLurker on 31 March, 2021, 08:54:49 pm
Gouging doesn't benefit HP in the long run either because people do (eventually) work out that HP printers are an out and out rip off and buy from other people and HP go to the wall.  TBH I'm surprised that HP didn't go to the wall about 10 or 15 years ago.

It's amusing to note that at least 3 people here using *old* HP printers because they were built well and and don't have all the walled garden / lock the sucker in crap, but no-one has chipped in to say that they'll buy a new HP printer.  John Deere (big green tractors) are also busy finding out the hard way that this lock-in model doesn't work.  In their case it's more a lock-in to their support network than DRM on parts, but there is an element of that as well.  Farmers in the US are still buying John Deere tractors, but they're buying old, sometimes decades old, JD tractors because they can fix them themselves and not lose a harvest because the nearest approved technician is a 2 hour flight away and won't be able fix the bloody thing when he gets to it.
Having spent much more (several times, I think) on cartridges over the years than my old HP LaserJet cost to buy, despite it only being B&W & having been able to buy knock-offs for much less than HP originals for most of that time, I'm keenly aware that the profits in printers are made on the ink or toner, not the printer.

I'd rather pay the real price for a printer (no cross-subsidy from ink/toner, but a decent profit margin) & the same markup on ink/toner as on printers. That'd be transparent, instead of real costs being hidden, & why should one set of customers be expected to subsidise others?

It'd free manufacturers from the problem of cheap ink or toner taking away their profits. No need to lock customers in if you can sell at close to the price of the knock-offs with the assurance that your ink is the real thing, with none of the potential risk of dodgy cheap ink clogging your nozzles, or whatever.

That's the problem though, while you and I may think like that, most of the market (probably) doesn't. They want a low hurdle price and will worry about the rest later.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: +paul on 06 April, 2021, 01:17:52 pm
I used to buy HP printers, but when it decided on a Sunday afternoon to stop printing because a page counter had been reached, I vowed never to buy any HP stuff again. Now I have a Brother laser printer, which works well. I would buy their consumables, but at 4x the price of independents I can’t justify the expense. I can reset the counters on the Brother if I need to...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fd3 on 06 April, 2021, 03:56:33 pm
I will cycle commute in any/all weather.  I have done the commute when I had to carry the bike half the way because of snow; I've cycled through tornadoes; I've cycled through wind that felled trees (and doubled my journey time).  So why am I totally incapacitated by the cold today?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 09 April, 2021, 01:09:32 pm
Three adverts that are annoying me currently: Grammarly, Swytch and Hello Fresh. Also, why does the Hello Fresh woman have a not-quite-traceable Southern Hemisphere accent? Perhaps they think this lends the not-quite Deliveroo idea some exotic cachet? (I guess that's also where the roo in Deliveroo comes from).

Grammarly is probably the most annoying though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 09 April, 2021, 10:30:12 pm
I forgot abut the Ebay adverts. They're like the old spoof ads from Viz but real: "Buy tabs! Buy beer! Buy shit! Buy crap! Buy stuff!"
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 10 April, 2021, 07:08:16 pm
So what are the benefits of the easing of lockdown?  One I didn’t expect was having to queueueueue to get into Mr Sainsbury’s House of Toothy Comestibles for the first time in about nine months.  Bah >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 10 April, 2021, 07:11:52 pm
Our Sainsburys Local which has been invaluable during the last 13 months of covidity closed today.  Bloody annoying because it takes me quite a while to work out the layout of a shop and where the things that I usually buy can be found.   :-\
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 10 April, 2021, 08:08:40 pm
My trusty HP Laserjet 4050 has a paper-jam that won't clear.

Opening all the usual flaps shows nothing out of order.
Going to require a deeper level of dismantlement.

So it was this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNW9TGrKF2k

A clutch that has seized up, requiring rather more cleaning up than shown on the video.
I pretty much cleaned 90% of the iron fillings out of it, and had to add a smear of lube on the o-rings to drop the friction to what I reckoned felt reasonable.
All working now.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 10 April, 2021, 11:01:07 pm
Quote from: Feanor on 10 April, 2021, 08:08:40 pm
My trusty HP Laserjet 4050 has a paper-jam that won't clear.

Opening all the usual flaps shows nothing out of order.
Going to require a deeper level of dismantlement.

So it was this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNW9TGrKF2k

A clutch that has seized up, requiring rather more cleaning up than shown on the video.
I pretty much cleaned 90% of the iron fillings out of it, and had to add a smear of lube on the o-rings to drop the friction to what I reckoned felt reasonable.
All working now.

*files away in back of brain for future reference*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 13 April, 2021, 02:35:58 pm
God, do I wish I could order an airstrike on the fucking twatwagon that drives by once a day with the music so loud it vibrates my desk and sends Bad Cat scattering for cover. It's not like the house is next to the road. I can't imagine what it must be like inside the infernal wheeled sonic cage.

I did glance out as it passed earlier and it's the stereotypical blinged up silver thing with unnecessary spoilers and completely blacked-out windows. If I get the reg, I'm shopping him for the tints alone but mostly for annoying me with the thunderingly offensive twattishness of his sound system.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 13 April, 2021, 09:54:52 pm
Quote from: ian on 13 April, 2021, 02:35:58 pm
I can't imagine what it must be like inside the infernal wheeled sonic cage.

Underwhelming.  The body of the car isn't big enough to get a proper standing wave going, AIUI
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 14 April, 2021, 03:31:37 pm
Quote from: Kim on 13 April, 2021, 09:54:52 pm
Quote from: ian on 13 April, 2021, 02:35:58 pm
I can't imagine what it must be like inside the infernal wheeled sonic cage.

Underwhelming.  The body of the car isn't big enough to get a proper standing wave going, AIUI

Quite possibly, it's a Corsa-ish thing. Seems to vibrate like an out-of-control mains-powered sex toy during a power surge. He (and I'm sure it is) was a bit quieter for today's visitation.

The house down the road is making up today's auditory nuisance by hammering out a Poe-ish rhythm. Seems they're building some ginormous shed or home office solely with the aid of hammers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: FifeingEejit on 16 April, 2021, 01:36:15 pm
HR continue their popularity drive by announcing thst public holidays are no longer allowed to be floated.

Could be interesting as we currently have 2 in the office as essential cover and last time we were asked if we wanted to float or fix public holidays the one team daft enough to want to fix got told that the minimum cover was 0.

Not so bad as England as it'll be Dundee holidays, but still a pain in the hoop.

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Giraffe on 21 April, 2021, 03:49:11 pm
About a week ago I printed off 2 copies of a bus timetable, after spending much time getting it all to fit on one sheet.
Today, noticed said buses weren't running to time and seemed to be more frequent. New timetable out, carefully arranged to be impossible to get on to fewer than 2 sheets and possibly needing 3.
What the hell is wrong with composing a neat, compact format that's easy to print? Well, there is one - only for use at bus stops, if ever put there.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 23 April, 2021, 11:29:57 am
A couple of weeks ago I bought myself a jumper on line. As it was the second ju,per id bought from this company I had no worries about the sizing. I’d didn’t fit! No worries, returns process is easy and the company concerned has a 4 week returns policy. But as the new jumper and the existing jumper where noticeably different in size in spite of being marked as the same sizes, and because I’m really happy with the one that does,fit, I thought I’d mail them and see if the new jumper was mislabelled. They were a bit slow in responding but when they did get back to me it was a nice email and they seemed keen to resolve the issue. They asked me to measure both jumpers and provided them with the numbers. This I’ve done. I’ve sent them an email which has been met with silence. Nothing. Zip. I would probably wait a bit longer, but Dr Beardy (Mrs) has a very low threshold for what she considers ‘faffing’ and is urging (nagging!) me to return the jumper for a refund. And that is probably winding my up more than the lack of response from the company.
Hey ho.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 25 April, 2021, 12:34:14 am
Copulating Seagull's on my roof.  Shut the f*** up , before I buy an air rifle. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 25 April, 2021, 03:07:41 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 25 April, 2021, 12:34:14 am
Copulating Seagull's on my roof.  Shut the f*** up , before I buy an air rifle.

Sympathies! Roosting, cooing pigeons in the eaves, not far from D's head frequently woke him and nearly caused Domestic Strife.
Paid £Lots to get it sorted.

Pigeons are quieter than seagulls...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Regulator on 26 April, 2021, 02:36:46 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 25 April, 2021, 12:34:14 am
Copulating Seagull's on my roof.  Shut the f*** up , before I buy an air rifle.

I should warn you that all gulls are protected species.  Only lesser black-backed gulls and herring gulls are subject general license provisions for control - and those are subject to quite strict requirements.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jasmine on 26 April, 2021, 05:36:36 pm
Quote from: Regulator on 26 April, 2021, 02:36:46 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 25 April, 2021, 12:34:14 am
Copulating Seagull's on my roof.  Shut the f*** up , before I buy an air rifle.

I should warn you that all gulls are protected species.  Only lesser black-backed gulls and herring gulls are subject general license provisions for control - and those are subject to quite strict requirements.

Both black-backed gulls and herring gulls were removed from the general licence list last year. You would need a specific individual licence for them now.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 26 April, 2021, 05:41:47 pm
It's freezing. I've had to put the heating on again. The decorators are coming later in the week so I'll need to have the windows open. And it's too wet for me to finish the exterior painting and too cold for me to paint inside the vestibule. FFS.
Bah!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 26 April, 2021, 05:49:21 pm
The world is a horrid noisy place, and I don’t like it. Dr Beardy (Mrs) is laughing at me because I’m speaking so quietly.

I’ve just returned from the hearing aid clinic where they provided me with shiny new aids with new programmes to replace mine which have been broken for 12 months. Excellent service, but they needn’t have bothered for me >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 26 April, 2021, 05:49:32 pm
Quote from: Regulator on 26 April, 2021, 02:36:46 pm
I should warn you that all gulls are protected species.  Only lesser black-backed gulls and herring gulls are subject general license provisions for control - and those are subject to quite strict requirements.

:o  Was that one of Dominic Cummings' previous jobs?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 26 April, 2021, 06:40:36 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 26 April, 2021, 05:49:21 pm
The world is a horrid noisy place, and I don’t like it. Dr Beardy (Mrs) is laughing at me because I’m speaking so quietly.

I’ve just returned from the hearing aid clinic where they provided me with shiny new aids with new programmes to replace mine which have been broken for 12 months. Excellent service, but they needn’t have bothered for me >:(

Sympathies. Adjusting to new volume levels is hard. Can you run them on lower volume till you adjust?

Hope the world is less noisy soon!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 26 April, 2021, 07:25:01 pm
I can turn them down some, so have done so, but I’ve now taken them out because TV. Sarah is watching some reality thing with make up and apart from the irritating voices there’s also a muzak background which is dreadful.

I also need to get a new streamer so I can Bluetooth to my hearing aids and won’t need to keep taking them out to use my mobile or listen to audio books. That will also give me remote control of the hearing aids which I liked with my old streamer.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 26 April, 2021, 11:19:10 pm
TV noise is the worst, jarring and awful. We haven't had a TV since 2010ish when it died and I've never been able to tolerate TV in the background as it causes major sensory (auditory and visual) overload for me. Just before the pandemic hit, I stayed with a friend who has TWO tellies blaring constantly... It did my head in.

Streamers can be really good. I use them for the computer. I don't control my BAHAs with them cos it takes years to pair properly and often fails. I'm oldskool as my audiology usually say.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 27 April, 2021, 08:45:11 am
When it comes to hearing aids I’m oldskool as well, but that’s because that’s what the NHS have (though I have managed to get into the position where they give me the best they’ve got) and I’m too tight to pay out the £000s required to go private. They just don’t last long enough to warrant that kind of expense, especially as I’m only investing in the delta over what I can get from the NHS. I love the NHS.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 27 April, 2021, 08:49:00 am
Quote from: barakta on 26 April, 2021, 11:19:10 pm
Just before the pandemic hit, I stayed with a friend who has TWO tellies blaring constantly... It did my head in.
TBF that would do me head in too, and not, or not only, cos of sensory overload.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 27 April, 2021, 08:54:21 am
What is it with delivery notifications.  DPD - "your parcel is due today". Great. Which one? From whom?  RM - "your parcel from StoreFeeder is due today" - Who? Oh, an e-commerce company owned by RM. Nope, still none the wiser.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 27 April, 2021, 09:56:44 am
I'd forgotten BG were scheduled to come around on Friday to service our boiler (leastways till about 4pm and checked and it said between 10-2pm and the engineer was 'in our area'). It seems they forgot too since he* got no closer.

Call BG. Was there a problem with the visit, says she. He didn't turn up, says I. Are you sure?

Perhaps the bears got him.

*I've become the awkward chap who, whenever he's going to use a masculine pronoun, now uses the feminine. Girl power! Except in this case, I've never had a female engineer turn up for anything, which is why the plumber is always a bloke in the 70s porn films.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 27 April, 2021, 10:13:25 am
Quote from: ian on 27 April, 2021, 09:56:44 am
I'd forgotten BG were scheduled to come around on Friday to service our boiler (leastways till about 4pm and checked and it said between 10-2pm and the engineer was 'in our area'). It seems they forgot too since he* got no closer.

Call BG. Was there a problem with the visit, says she. He didn't turn up, says I. Are you sure?

Perhaps the bears got him.

*I've become the awkward chap who, whenever he's going to use a masculine pronoun, now uses the feminine. Girl power! Except in this case, I've never had a female engineer turn up for anything, which is why the plumber is always a bloke in the 70s porn films.
How can you be sure he didn’t turn up? He might have turned up in an alternative reality for all you know. You can’t go around stating facts like ‘he didn’t turn up’ based purely on you’re own experiences. I thought you were a SCIENTIST
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 27 April, 2021, 12:42:34 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 27 April, 2021, 08:49:00 am
Quote from: barakta on 26 April, 2021, 11:19:10 pm
Just before the pandemic hit, I stayed with a friend who has TWO tellies blaring constantly... It did my head in.
TBF that would do me head in too, and not, or not only, cos of sensory overload.

Me three, and I grew up in a house full of them.  My parents used to think I was schizophrenic because I'd switch off the unwatched tellies.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 27 April, 2021, 12:46:47 pm
On student flat I was in had semi-defunct two TVs, one without a picture and the other without sound.  It was quite amusing to watch Harold Wilson extolling the qualities of Pepsodent.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 27 April, 2021, 12:50:41 pm
My parents never turn off the TV and the volume is always turned up. Blaring TVs was the soundtrack of my childhood. They're still the same, never turn the bloody off or down. And yes, if I turned off an unwatched TV, they'd get annoyed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 27 April, 2021, 04:34:59 pm
We've got an electrician coming tomorrow to infect us with coronavirus perform an EICR.  This is a Good Thing in principle, as I'm hoping he'll condemn the consumer unit in favour of a Schneider RCBO board something with an RCD in it, along with the almost inevitable earthing upgrade.

However, it means he needs access to every socket, which has necessitated a lot of furniture moving, rearranging all the bikes, bits of bike, camping kit, compu-tqt etc. into the middle of rooms.  I've drawn the line at the fridge and washing machine.

I'm also hoping he isn't going to make a fuss about the fire alarm, which is a less-than-compliant installation of a professional alarm system, in lieu of the unreliable battery-operated smoke detectors that were causing considerable stress, lost sleep and expense.  By my reckoning, it's not part of the electrical installation, on the basis that it's connected via a kettle lead (see above re less-than-compliant), but if he gets sniffy, we're screwed.

Plus the duration off all the testing means the circuits that cannot be cut locally servers and stuff need to be powered down, and that something important is bound not to work when we switch it back on.

Meanwhile we'll be freezing our arses off with the windows open for hours.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Regulator on 27 April, 2021, 04:41:04 pm
Quote from: Jasmine on 26 April, 2021, 05:36:36 pm
Quote from: Regulator on 26 April, 2021, 02:36:46 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 25 April, 2021, 12:34:14 am
Copulating Seagull's on my roof.  Shut the f*** up , before I buy an air rifle.

I should warn you that all gulls are protected species.  Only lesser black-backed gulls and herring gulls are subject general license provisions for control - and those are subject to quite strict requirements.

Both black-backed gulls and herring gulls were removed from the general licence list last year. You would need a specific individual licence for them now.

Oops!  You're right - I forgot about the changes.  Good thing I didn't slap the gull that tried to dive bomb me at Whitby on Sunday...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 27 April, 2021, 04:47:29 pm
Quote from: Regulator on 27 April, 2021, 04:41:04 pm
Quote from: Jasmine on 26 April, 2021, 05:36:36 pm
Quote from: Regulator on 26 April, 2021, 02:36:46 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 25 April, 2021, 12:34:14 am
Copulating Seagull's on my roof.  Shut the f*** up , before I buy an air rifle.

I should warn you that all gulls are protected species.  Only lesser black-backed gulls and herring gulls are subject general license provisions for control - and those are subject to quite strict requirements.

Both black-backed gulls and herring gulls were removed from the general licence list last year. You would need a specific individual licence for them now.

Oops!  You're right - I forgot about the changes.  Good thing I didn't slap the gull that tried to dive bomb me at Whitby on Sunday...


This is LIVERPOOL !  We don't worry about licences for killin stuffs!  That includes each other  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 27 April, 2021, 05:07:55 pm
Quote from: Kim on 27 April, 2021, 04:34:59 pm
We've got an electrician coming tomorrow to infect us with coronavirus perform an EICR.  This is a Good Thing in principle, as I'm hoping he'll condemn the consumer unit in favour of a Schneider RCBO board something with an RCD in it, along with the almost inevitable earthing upgrade.

However, it means he needs access to every socket, which has necessitated a lot of furniture moving, rearranging all the bikes, bits of bike, camping kit, compu-tqt etc. into the middle of rooms.  I've drawn the line at the fridge and washing machine.

I'm also hoping he isn't going to make a fuss about the fire alarm, which is a less-than-compliant installation of a professional alarm system, in lieu of the unreliable battery-operated smoke detectors that were causing considerable stress, lost sleep and expense.  By my reckoning, it's not part of the electrical installation, on the basis that it's connected via a kettle lead (see above re less-than-compliant), but if he gets sniffy, we're screwed.

Plus the duration off all the testing means the circuits that cannot be cut locally servers and stuff need to be powered down, and that something important is bound not to work when we switch it back on.

Meanwhile we'll be freezing our arses off with the windows open for hours.
A lot will depend on how much work the sparky does for your landlord. If he’s trying to curry favour or keep a good client happy he’s unlikely to find much wrong regardless of the state of the installation. It annoys me because I’m no longer legally entitled to do my own electrics, but part P and lazy or easily swayed sparks mean that there are still a lot of dodgy installations but now certified as safe!

And have you seen the price of a proper tester!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 27 April, 2021, 05:09:00 pm
Yeah, it's bollocks, isn't it?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 27 April, 2021, 08:29:05 pm
"Oh, for fuck's sake!" said Kim, as she realised that in freeing access to the wall sockets, she'd carefully tetrised a whole lot of Stuff directly under the light fittings...

(For reference, electrician has estimated the job will take "2-3 hours" which to my mind sounds about right for doing it vaguely properly.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 27 April, 2021, 09:23:47 pm
Light turns on, light turns off. Tested. All good.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: FifeingEejit on 27 April, 2021, 11:43:47 pm
I tried to get my brother to do some work a bit dinghy, but as he fitted the alarm system for compliance next year and did various other stuff with more expensive stuff than I'd have like he pointed out thst if it fucks up not only will his insurance shaft him hell also lose his ticket for signing off stuff.

Of course it may just be revenge.

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 28 April, 2021, 02:37:17 am
Area is without electricity.
AGAIN.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 28 April, 2021, 08:48:09 am
Quote from: FifeingEejit on 27 April, 2021, 11:43:47 pm
I tried to get my brother to do some work a bit dinghy, but as he fitted the alarm system for compliance next year and did various other stuff with more expensive stuff than I'd have like he pointed out thst if it fucks up not only will his insurance shaft him hell also lose his ticket for signing off stuff.

Of course it may just be revenge.

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk
That certainly seems to be the possible outcome of shoddy workmanship, and if you were being charitable you could say that was the aim of the restrictions. However, the reality seems to be that bad sparks are still cutting corners with shoddy work and fictional testing without any apparent sanctions.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 28 April, 2021, 01:02:20 pm
We had our house built and the builder refused to use our electrician. Following completion with certificates completed we decided we needed a couple of changes. Cue a visit from western power to upgrade our fuse, addition of an extra distribution board, multiple other checks and a bill for ~2k to get it safe.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: FifeingEejit on 28 April, 2021, 04:21:00 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 28 April, 2021, 08:48:09 am
Quote from: FifeingEejit on 27 April, 2021, 11:43:47 pm
I tried to get my brother to do some work a bit dinghy, but as he fitted the alarm system for compliance next year and did various other stuff with more expensive stuff than I'd have like he pointed out thst if it fucks up not only will his insurance shaft him hell also lose his ticket for signing off stuff.

Of course it may just be revenge.

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk
That certainly seems to be the possible outcome of shoddy workmanship, and if you were being charitable you could say that was the aim of the restrictions. However, the reality seems to be that bad sparks are still cutting corners with shoddy work and fictional testing without any apparent sanctions.
No ones checking, so only going to be found out if it goes bad quickly.

Missing earth seems to be a favourite, usually obly discover than via deth.

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 28 April, 2021, 10:50:56 pm
Quote from: Kim on 27 April, 2021, 04:34:59 pm
We've got an electrician coming tomorrow to infect us with coronavirus perform an EICR.

For those playing along at home:

Two elec-chickens turned up, approximately two hours late.  Boo.

They did not remove every faceplate, merely one socket/rose on each circuit in order to check the loop resistance.  I did not have to remove any lightbulbs.

That aside, they were reasonably thorough about the electrical tests, and worked their way methodically through the regulation checklist, picking up the things that I expected them to.  Further more, they seemed satisfied with the earthing (I didn't see the figures).  Hurrah.

They grokked the fire alarm, but weren't sure how to write it up.  I'm hoping this doesn't cause landlord grief.

They are displeased about the lack of an RCD on the cooker socket, because someone might plug a lawn mower into it.  I'm hoping that any remedial action involves installing an RCD on the upstairs ring main as well, in case someone plugs a cheap shitty whatever from China into it...

And they managed to do all the power-off stuff in less than the life of the UPS battery, so we can put off the discovery of dicky PSU caps and circular cold-boot dependencies to another day.  Hurrah.

They were fairly hopeless with masks throughout, wingeing when barakta reminded them, and one appeared to be using a Buff-alike that was doing a poor job of nose covering.  Boo.  Hopefully we haven't acquired teh coronalurgi.  They were mumbling to each other in Brummie (which is mostly vowels, and what's more, usually the wrong ones), and I couldn't hear them for shit.  Barakta didn't stand a chance.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 29 April, 2021, 04:23:15 pm
I should add that we wore OUR masks throughout and kept the windows wide open for the duration + 30 mins after they left. We then kept windows open for another 2ish hours while we resorted our house.

I'm not inclined to let them back in for remedial works till we don't need masks again cos I CBA with it. I talked about using masks TWICE before they came by SMS and they were all "of course" which makes me even angrier about it cos it's not like I didn't warn them. And they should be wearing masks in ALL houses by default, and ready masked before ringing doorbell.

Masks Over Noses.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 05 May, 2021, 07:51:50 pm
BG still thinks they serviced our boiler. They seem most bemused. I'm interested to know whose boiler and central heating they did service because it wasn't ours and we're the only occupied house on our street. Reminds me of the time when a friend of mine ordered a swanky computer (back when they cost a lot) and it was mistakenly delivered to a neighbour, and promptly took one look at their unexpected delivery and presumed Christmas in July and unpacked, plugged it in and started to use it.

Anyway, just sort it out BG, claiming that you've not serviced it wouldn't be a cunning scam, would it?

In other news, the boom-boom-boom chavchariot seems to have quieted of late, but it was parked up the road (I assume the same one, I may, of course, be guilty of profiling cars, but blacked out PoS) when I went swimming earlier, silent but engine running. Came back an hour or so later, still sat there, silent but engine running. Doesn't seem to be the car the plates think it is either, though I'll admit I may have misremembered. No one is going to bling up a Mercedes A Class.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 05 May, 2021, 08:00:32 pm
Of course it would be very wrong of you to creep up behind a stationary-with-the-engine-running motor-car and hold a large potato firmly against the outlet of the exhaust pipe, and we of the Democratic Ruthless Bastards Party would never condone such behaviour.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 05 May, 2021, 08:23:25 pm
I couldn't actually tell, owing to the tints, whether it was occupied or I might have been tempted. Apparently, a bit of knotted inner tube is a nice fit, and prophylactic against vehicles left running.

Having consulted the internets however, it does seem that Mercedes have chavved up the A class from back in the day when it was a definite Mum's car. Presumably, they're competing with Audi for their share of the halfwit market.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: FifeingEejit on 05 May, 2021, 11:14:21 pm
I appear to have convinced facebooks recommendation system that I am I terested in unionism.
This has resulted in them suggesting I might be interested in the Scottish libertarian party.

My only interest in said party is to dump their membership on a remote island with the child abuse party and freedom alliance and see how many survivors there are after a year.

It's bad enough getting Willie Rennie political advertising, but at least if there was an in person campaign going on I'd be able to tell him he's "for the birds" to his face

This may have strayed into the realms of another thread and if inappropriate for the grumble I apologise.

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 06 May, 2021, 06:57:22 am
Quote from: ian
BG still thinks they serviced our boiler.
We're still waiting for our service which was due in May July September November Monday next.  My money's on the 10AM 'phone call, "Sorree we cant' make it, not enough technicians cos they're all on strike busy." and a further postponement.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 06 May, 2021, 08:06:03 am
Quote from: TheLurker on 06 May, 2021, 06:57:22 am
Quote from: ian
BG still thinks they serviced our boiler.
We're still waiting for our service which was due in May July September November Monday next.  My money's on the 10AM 'phone call, "Sorree we cant' make it, not enough technicians cos they're all on strike busy." and a further postponement.

. . . our boiler service from BG has also been the victim of delays - BUT the bloke did turn up as per the latest appt date on Tuesday - not a BG employee but a sub-contractor (all seemed legit with ID and BG paperwork etc - and sign-written van) - he said that in our area almost 60% of the boiler service work is being sub-contracted.  Is that a result of the recent issues with BG employees and working time changes etc?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 06 May, 2021, 09:48:06 am
I wouldn't mind a delay (though to be honest, it's a far from cheap service, so you know, if you take the money, provide some service), it that's they told us he was coming, and it didn't happen, but it seems someone signed off on the service having happened. That's outside the call centre script. Anyway, they've now made it possible 'to book again online' for another visit, presumably in umpteen months. I'm not doing that. You didn't come, sort it out amongst yourselves.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 06 May, 2021, 04:40:13 pm
Is it not time everyone moved away from BG and their shite employment practices and supported all their ex-engineers that have just gone freelance?

Meanwhile I phoned our local maintenance co yesterday and got a servicing appointment for Monday, which surprised me somewhat.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 06 May, 2021, 04:42:30 pm
Anyway, what I actually came to grumble about was me getting not one, but three phone calls in the space of 2 hours from the robot voice HMRC tax fraud scammers, despite me blocking the first number.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 06 May, 2021, 04:56:39 pm
Laziness, and on the few occasions we've needed an engineer, they've turned up the same day. Getting someone local and recommended, which we did for a powerflush a while back, involved a six-week wait.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 06 May, 2021, 05:07:31 pm
Yes I get that, I'm just pointing out there are probably more locals and less BG engineers right now.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 06 May, 2021, 06:32:41 pm
That's the thing though, if it's one bloke with a van, there's no guarantee when you're sitting there on Christmas eve with the boiler saying 'non' (which happened to the other year and required a new circuit board). We went elsewhere for the powerflush because they wanted £850 to give our central heating a colonic. I wouldn't pay that much for Gwyneth Paltrow to do it personally.

Admittedly, that's probably not guaranteed these days, but on the few times we've needed urgent attention, BG haven't disappointed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 06 May, 2021, 07:36:57 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 06 May, 2021, 04:40:13 pm
Is it not time everyone moved away from BG and their shite employment practices and supported all their ex-engineers that have just gone freelance?

Meanwhile I phoned our local maintenance co yesterday and got a servicing appointment for Monday, which surprised me somewhat.

Have to say that we got the BG service for a free (for 1 year) when we changed the supply to BG from one of the shyster suppliers (AVRO if you want to know) - for a market beating tariff.   You phone up and speak to them, beat them down to below the best that any of the comparison sites have and BG agrees for a fixed 2 years in our case - result.

Whether we get BG to service the boiler next time is open to debate.   A plus this time is that the engineer also cleaned out the magnetic filter ... which is outside the service tick-sheet work.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 07 May, 2021, 09:44:03 pm
Now BG have offered us £65 to forgo the service they never did but thought they did and now seem to agree they didn't. Because 'it’s been a tough time for all of us and we needed to prioritise vulnerable people and emergencies during the Covid pandemic.'

I am moved to tears. It's been so hard. They shouldn't be in such a hurry to 'thank me for my understanding.' The going rate for my understanding is a lot more than £65.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jaded on 07 May, 2021, 11:04:28 pm
Quote from: ian on 06 May, 2021, 06:32:41 pm
We went elsewhere for the powerflush because they wanted £850 to give our central heating a colonic. I wouldn't pay that much for Gwyneth Paltrow to do it personally.

Admittedly, that's probably not guaranteed these days,

Well, no because she is making Queef Candles now.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 08 May, 2021, 08:28:03 pm
Today's missive from British Gas. 'It's time to book your service...'

'Our engineer called but no one was home.'

I think they're just clicking random buttons on the magic computer. They've now been, not been, and tried to been.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: grams on 12 May, 2021, 01:41:51 pm
Neighbour has acquired a bike. Hooray!

They've decided it's going to live on an intermediate landing just below my flat. It's a wide-ish mountain bike and even with the bars turned 45 degrees the wheel sticks out and takes up most of the width such that I have to squeeze past. I'm not looking forward to taking my own bike or anything else big past.

They almost certainly don't have room for it inside their tiny flat. I'm the only person it affects other than their household.

Grumbling because it is absolutely taking the piss but I'm not too bike sympathetic to say anything.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 12 May, 2021, 02:38:50 pm
I would say something if I were you. If nothing else that could be bad news in the event of a fire.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 12 May, 2021, 03:35:40 pm
Quote from: Ashaman42 on 12 May, 2021, 02:38:50 pm
I would say something if I were you. If nothing else that could be bad news in the event of a fire.

Indeed - I would guess the landlord (and his insurer) would have something to say about risk - my daughter had the same situation in the small block she lived in a while back, neighbours with bike & push-chair on the landing had their collars felt by the managing agent.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 13 May, 2021, 09:27:40 pm
In fairness, this is an almost-grumble.
It would have been a grumble before I realised I was wrong.

So I bought some new kitchen scales, the old one had started jumping around by +/- 10s of g when steady.
And that's not good enough for the bread-making I'm doing now.

The new one had a metal plate which seemed to be the sensitive part.
But the metal plate was recessed a few mm into the body of the scales, so that a large diameter bowl would land off on the body of the scale, and not present the full weight onto the metal plate!

But it turns out this is not an issue; the entire body of the scale is the sensitive part, not just the metal bit.
The strain gauge is between the four little feet on the base, and the body of the scale.
The weight of the scale itself is part of the measurement; it's just zeroed out.
If you pick the thing up off the table, it shows -330g, the weight of the scale.

So a bowl than misses the recessed metal bit and sits on the body of the scale will work just fine.
That's OK, then.



Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 14 May, 2021, 09:11:06 am
I've got a load of wood being delivered today to make a new desk. I don't have a workshop/shed/garage to work in so was planning to do the cutting and drilling in the garden and then just assembly inside so as not to make a(s much of a) mess.

It is pissing with rain  :facepalm:

The circular saw does have a vacuum attachment so I guess we'll see how effective that is. It's that or be patient and wait till a nicer day.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 14 May, 2021, 09:15:31 am
Quote from: Ashaman42 on 14 May, 2021, 09:11:06 am
I've got a load of wood being delivered today to make a new desk. I don't have a workshop/shed/garage to work in so was planning to do the cutting and drilling in the garden and then just assembly inside so as not to make a(s much of a) mess.

It is pissing with rain  :facepalm:

The circular saw does have a vacuum attachment so I guess we'll see how effective that is. It's that or be patient and wait till a nicer day.
Wont you want to acclimatise the timber to its final conditions before you start milling and cutting it? A few days indoors before cutting it to the final dimensions is bound to help.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 14 May, 2021, 09:22:24 am
Quote from: Beardy on 14 May, 2021, 09:15:31 am
Quote from: Ashaman42 on 14 May, 2021, 09:11:06 am
I've got a load of wood being delivered today to make a new desk. I don't have a workshop/shed/garage to work in so was planning to do the cutting and drilling in the garden and then just assembly inside so as not to make a(s much of a) mess.

It is pissing with rain  :facepalm:

The circular saw does have a vacuum attachment so I guess we'll see how effective that is. It's that or be patient and wait till a nicer day.
Wont you want to acclimatise the timber to its final conditions before you start milling and cutting it? A few days indoors before cutting it to the final dimensions is bound to help.

That is a good point that I hadn't really thought about. I haven't done much woodwork and what I have done has mostly been at working using stuff from the storeroom.

Now to work out where to put it because it's coming in 2.4m lengths. Might have to stay in the living room to get tripped over even though the desk will end up upstairs. Shouldn't be too much difference in conditions between the two.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 14 May, 2021, 09:49:43 am
If you send me an email after 9pm asking if I can do x by 7am the next day, the answer isn't yes or no, it's nothing at all, because I'm not checking email that late. Well, I hope you found someone to do it. Maybe try a different time zone?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 15 May, 2021, 11:39:36 am
Typical.  The first time I want some Actual Cash Money in more than a year and the machine outside Mr Sainsbury’s House of Toothy Comestibles is kaput.

Bah!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 15 May, 2021, 02:06:55 pm
"I just bought a multifunction cardio watch and the instructions are in Chinese and English. Can you translate them into French for me?"

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGHHHH!

I wish people wouldn't assume that translating = reading and typing, especially when the damned Chinglish needs to be translated into English first.

Heigh ho, he did help me install a new water a couple of years ago...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 17 May, 2021, 01:46:13 pm
Yesterday, while freeing the car for a trip to the shops, I absently reached down to grab the old-skool five kg weight we use to prop the garage door open. My fingers sank into something with the consistency of hummus.

It wasn't hummus.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 17 May, 2021, 02:12:22 pm
Mrs. B.  Yes, all Ceredigion Council car parks are free during the pandemic.  (No, I've no idea why either)
However,  the car park at llangrannog is privately owned and is still charging.  It also has number plate recognition technology as the sign clearly states.
I wasn't pleased to receive a demand for £100 £60 in the post this morning.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 17 May, 2021, 02:45:42 pm
Quote from: Basil on 17 May, 2021, 02:12:22 pm
Mrs. B.  Yes, all Ceredigion Council car parks are free during the pandemic.  (No, I've no idea why either)

To encourage people to drive, obviously.  One of the stupider bits of public heath advice to come from Bloody Stupid Johnson over the last year.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 17 May, 2021, 10:39:07 pm
My Kindle seems to have some sort of droid rot. It refuses to connect to our router all of a sudden. It's quite happy to use my phone as a Wifi hotspot though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 18 May, 2021, 12:05:13 am
My last-but-one Kindle went through a phase of refusing to do wifi at all before finally dying on its arse.  These days I leave it in airplane mode all the time and load stuff via Calibre and a piece of anbaric string.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 18 May, 2021, 09:47:27 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 17 May, 2021, 10:39:07 pm
My Kindle seems to have some sort of droid rot. It refuses to connect to our router all of a sudden. It's quite happy to use my phone as a Wifi hotspot though.

It may be a victim of the gradual demise of TKIP, in my experience devices don't tell you they need to switch encryption to AES, they just cease doing wifi. Or the Kindle has decided to use the hidden channel only available to diabolists (and Americans).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 18 May, 2021, 02:13:36 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 17 May, 2021, 10:39:07 pm
My Kindle seems to have some sort of droid rot. It refuses to connect to our router all of a sudden. It's quite happy to use my phone as a Wifi hotspot though.

Is it an old Kindle?
Our first one IIRC could only do 2.4GHz (802.11 b/g), and was limited to the US channel range (1-11, I think).
If your router has decided to auto-womble off to channel 13, the Kindle might not be able to see it.
Check on the router what channel it's operating on.

I had to nail my access points down to a channel in the US range, and not let them auto-seek a quiet channel beyond 11.

But that was a long time ago.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 18 May, 2021, 03:05:58 pm
I tried it just now and it connected to the notwork immediately. There have been no router or any other changes ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 18 May, 2021, 03:11:05 pm
Some routers will automagically channel-hop to confuse the enemy find a quiet channel.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Regulator on 18 May, 2021, 03:23:25 pm
Quote from: Basil on 17 May, 2021, 02:12:22 pm
Mrs. B.  Yes, all Ceredigion Council car parks are free during the pandemic.  (No, I've no idea why either)
However,  the car park at llangrannog is privately owned and is still charging.  It also has number plate recognition technology as the sign clearly states.
I wasn't pleased to receive a demand for £100 £60 in the post this morning.

Many councils suspended parking charges so that they didn't have to handle the coins (or that was their excuse).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 18 May, 2021, 05:40:59 pm
Quote from: Feanor on 18 May, 2021, 03:11:05 pm
Some routers will automagically channel-hop to confuse the enemy find a quiet channel.

Ours is set to use a specific channel.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 18 May, 2021, 06:46:19 pm
Does seem odd though that in the past year the Kindle and the Logitech Harmony both got bolshy about speaking to the router (in the latter case won't do it at all now).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 18 May, 2021, 09:02:26 pm
Did an online hearing test this evening, which confirmed my hearing was OK. (I thought it was, but sometimes I have problems and wondered if these were 'them' or 'me'.)

Person who wants to join D's astro soc phones, having had no contact since he last phoned 4 weeks ago. D is outside working in shed. I don't want to disturb him, nor do I wish to leave my seat. Caller's speech repeatedly becomes unintelligible and he remedies this several times. I find and give him email address of Memb Sec. I then attend to personal issues and wash the dishes.

Caller phones again. Email has bounced. Speech again becomes unintelligible. I am standing, stressed as I can't hear properly and can't prop myself up well if a hand is occupied with phone. Transpires he has left a dot out of the email address I gave him. Resends email and it goes through OK.

I've been somewhat sharp with caller. I don't like this but dealing with the incompetent (and inconsiderate1) is frustrating!

1) I'm sure caller KNOWS when he is not speaking into phone properly.

D says he gave this chap details of other committee members. Doesn't know what his problem is. I suspect meatware error.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 19 May, 2021, 01:21:22 pm
The pandemic must be over.   The Chuggers are out in Liverpool.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 19 May, 2021, 01:29:47 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 18 May, 2021, 09:02:26 pm
Did an online hearing test this evening, which confirmed my hearing was OK. (I thought it was, but sometimes I have problems and wondered if these were 'them' or 'me'.)

Person who wants to join D's astro soc phones, having had no contact since he last phoned 4 weeks ago. D is outside working in shed. I don't want to disturb him, nor do I wish to leave my seat. Caller's speech repeatedly becomes unintelligible and he remedies this several times. I find and give him email address of Memb Sec. I then attend to personal issues and wash the dishes.

Caller phones again. Email has bounced. Speech again becomes unintelligible. I am standing, stressed as I can't hear properly and can't prop myself up well if a hand is occupied with phone. Transpires he has left a dot out of the email address I gave him. Resends email and it goes through OK.

I've been somewhat sharp with caller. I don't like this but dealing with the incompetent (and inconsiderate1) is frustrating!

1) I'm sure caller KNOWS when he is not speaking into phone properly.

D says he gave this chap details of other committee members. Doesn't know what his problem is. I suspect meatware error.

Are all the contact details not available online somewhere?

I can't imagine any club membership issue that requires phone calls in 2021!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 19 May, 2021, 01:44:13 pm
Quote from: Feanor on 18 May, 2021, 02:13:36 pm
Is it an old Kindle?
Our first one IIRC could only do 2.4GHz (802.11 b/g), and was limited to the US channel range (1-11, I think).
If your router has decided to auto-womble off to channel 13, the Kindle might not be able to see it.
Check on the router what channel it's operating on.

I get caught out by this on an irregular basis.  Channel 13 is a valuable strategy for making use of uncongested spectrum around here.  It's better now we have more than one AP, as 13-incapable devices will connect to the one on the other channel with poor signal strength, thereby providing a Clue.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 19 May, 2021, 07:46:13 pm
Quote from: Feanor on 19 May, 2021, 01:29:47 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 18 May, 2021, 09:02:26 pm
Did an online hearing test this evening, which confirmed my hearing was OK. (I thought it was, but sometimes I have problems and wondered if these were 'them' or 'me'.)
Person who wants to join D's astro soc phones, having had no contact since he last phoned 4 weeks ago. D is outside working in shed. I don't want to disturb him, nor do I wish to leave my seat. Caller's speech repeatedly becomes unintelligible and he remedies this several times. I find and give him email address of Memb Sec. I then attend to personal issues and wash the dishes.
Caller phones again. Email has bounced. Speech again becomes unintelligible. I am standing, stressed as I can't hear properly and can't prop myself up well if a hand is occupied with phone. Transpires he has left a dot out of the email address I gave him. Resends email and it goes through OK.
I've been somewhat sharp with caller. I don't like this but dealing with the incompetent (and inconsiderate1) is frustrating!
1) I'm sure caller KNOWS when he is not speaking into phone properly.
D says he gave this chap details of other committee members. Doesn't know what his problem is. I suspect meatware error.
Are all the contact details not available online somewhere?
I can't imagine any club membership issue that requires phone calls in 2021!

I visited the astro soc's website later. There is a perfectly good online form to allow folk to join, linked from the homepage.

The man is INCOMPETENT!

He cannot handle a phone, email or website.

How the freaking fuck will he manage a TELESCOPE?

GGGGGRRRR!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 19 May, 2021, 07:50:03 pm
He's looking forward to studying minute organisms invisible to the naked eye.  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 19 May, 2021, 08:06:56 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 19 May, 2021, 07:50:03 pm
He's looking forward to studying minute organisms invisible to the naked eye.  ;D

 ;D ;D ;D ;D

I'm not looking forward to the next round of serial incompetence, as I'm bound to be the one answering the phone while D's in the shed...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 19 May, 2021, 08:21:04 pm
You'd think most men are competent with the operation of an extendable tube (as long as that doesn't stretch to aiming it in the right direction, that ain't the North Star, it's your shoe).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 19 May, 2021, 08:36:03 pm
Yebbut many modern telescopes aren't extendable tubes; they're computer-guided catadioptric magick...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 19 May, 2021, 08:39:13 pm
That probably explains the damp patches on the trousers then.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 19 May, 2021, 09:36:53 pm
All day at the office trying to fix a bit of kit and never got to fix/test my fix because I ended up with a whole day of whack-a-mole problems with testing equipment not working and then the equipment to fix that equipment not working.

Turtles Problems all the way down.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 19 May, 2021, 10:50:15 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 19 May, 2021, 08:36:03 pm
Yebbut many modern telescopes aren't extendable tubes; they're computer-guided catadioptric magick...

I suspect this is where the real distinction between enthusiastic amateurs and professional astrononononononmers is drawn:   The former aren't guiding their telescopes using a crusty SunOS 5 workstation running some spaghetti Fortran code written by a long-since-departed postdoc that nobody dare touch.  They've probably even got a hard drive with multiple gigabytes of free space for astronononononomical data.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 19 May, 2021, 11:31:01 pm
Quote from: Ashaman42 on 19 May, 2021, 09:36:53 pm
All day at the office trying to fix a bit of kit and never got to fix/test my fix because I ended up with a whole day of whack-a-mole problems with testing equipment not working and then the equipment to fix that equipment not working.

Turtles Problems all the way down.
in the old days when telephone exchanges (well the older ones) still needed a lot of tweaking and fettling to carry on working we had machines that routinely tested every ‘switch’ every night that were imaginatively called Routiners. The exchange I was working in at the time of this story had 4 of these routines each covering four or five thousand ‘switches’. (A switch in this context is a single two motion selector which selects routing for one digit in a telephone number). Anyhoo, these routiners ran overnight testing each switch with a number of discrete tests before moving on to the next switch. If a switch failed one of the (26 or so) tests the routiner printed of a docket with the details. Our first job of the day was to attend to these faults, testing and repairing as required. The routiners were the same level of tech as the switches, namely  discrete relays, wire wound resisters and electromechanical movements. 2000 type Strowger really was a joy to work on, I digress.
You now have a bit of background (get on with it: Ed)

On the morning in question we met up with our vending machine coffee at the TO(A)s (the team leader) desk and collected out stack of dockets. You’d normally expect the 15 or so I had that morning. One of my colleagues had hundreds of dockets, each one marked sequencaly with the switch ID and every one the same fail code. The docket printer had run out of dockets and the routiner stopped. The night shift guys hadn’t bothered to reload the printer and restart the routiner for obvious reasons. Well, obvious to most of us. There was much banter at said colleagues expense because fixing routiners can be a bugger of a job. Even the To(A) commiserated with the chap. We all wander off to or sections to get on with the day. At some point during the afternoon there’s some banter going on as we’ve finished the routiner work and we’re doing some routine maintenance or whatever our tasks are that week. Apart from docket boy. So we wander over to see how he’s getting on faulting and fixing his routiner.  :facepalm: He’s on about his 17th switch, which he’s struggling to adjust to get it to pass the routiner test. He’s complaining because the switches he’s already adjusted to pass the routiner keep failing in service and causing alarms and he keeps having to go and reset them to clear the alarms. That, he says, is making it difficult to focus on fixing the switches.  :facepalm:

I liked the guy, he was good company, but I really didn’t think anyone could be that stupid and actually get a job in an exchange. It was about this time that I started to realise that I wasn’t actually the idiot I’d been lead to believe. Well, that is until I arrived at the R&D establishment and became surrounded by some seriously clever people.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 19 May, 2021, 11:41:17 pm
Free space?! You jest!
D is always running out but frootyputers never have much for their price...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 20 May, 2021, 09:39:06 am
Buy external disks, they're effectively cheap. I've downloaded the entire internet to be safe*.

*don't joke, this is how it works in Cuba, you can buy and swap USB sticks with the bits of the internet you are interested in.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 20 May, 2021, 01:26:30 pm
Surveyor's just been to do the home report. 15 mins, and for that we get the privilege of paying £450. I'm in the wrong job.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: grams on 20 May, 2021, 01:37:34 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 20 May, 2021, 01:26:30 pm
Surveyor's just been to do the home report. 15 mins, and for that we get the privilege of paying £450. I'm in the wrong job.

They've got to cover the enormous wear and tear on the copy and paste keys somehow.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 20 May, 2021, 01:46:12 pm
Quote from: grams on 20 May, 2021, 01:37:34 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 20 May, 2021, 01:26:30 pm
Surveyor's just been to do the home report. 15 mins, and for that we get the privilege of paying £450. I'm in the wrong job.

They've got to cover the enormous wear and tear on the copy and paste keys somehow.
And if there’s anything the surveyor didn’t find that subsequently kills you or costs you money, they are not liable. It’s hardly an incentive to,do the job thoroughly is it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 20 May, 2021, 02:45:45 pm
I know right? I've got one of those 2 pronged moisture meters, and after all the hours I've spent learning about traditional buildings as a result of living here (i.e. they're prone to being cold, damp and leaky), I could totally do that.
And having read a fair few home reports over the last few months I would concur it's 20 pages of copy & paste with maybe a couple of short paragraphs of relevance at best.
Still better than the old stupid system of every prospective buyer having to get their own survey done, leading to multiple reports for the same property.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 20 May, 2021, 02:50:29 pm
Yes, it seemed useless, but it's an expensive box tick. We asked ours lots of questions to get value for money. I'm not sure if he hated or loved us for that.

Basically, he filled out a House Survey Word template which was just filled with random things that could be easily observed (is the cooker extractor hood too low, ours was by 7mm). Nice to, erm, know.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Redlight on 20 May, 2021, 02:54:25 pm
Some years ago, when I worked for a well-known Building Society, anything other than a full structural survey was known internally as a drive-by. The joke - which may not have been too far from the truth - was that for flats all the surveyor had to do was change down a gear as s/he went past.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 20 May, 2021, 02:55:03 pm
I used to work for a building society (on the marketing side) and the joke about valuations for mortage/surveys was:

Basic valuation for mortgage - stop outside the house and see if it's there
Housebuyer report/survey - stop outside the house and, assuming it's there, lower the car window

The other con is the EPC that most houses have to have - the chap took 7 minutes door to door when he did one for our sale (3 bed town-house) last year

EDIT - see immediate previous thread re drive-by ;D  [The outfit I worked for was the names of a town and city in Gloucestershire - long gone, subsumed by Lloyds Bank]
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 20 May, 2021, 03:10:58 pm
A former professional acquaintance bought a townhouse in a very fine Georgian square many years ago: the only reason they could afford it was because it needed extensive work.

They concluded that the surveyor couldn't have opened the front door, because if he had, surely he'd have mentioned that it didn't have a roof.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 20 May, 2021, 04:07:45 pm
Quote from: jsabine on 20 May, 2021, 03:10:58 pm
A former professional acquaintance bought a townhouse in a very fine Georgian square many years ago: the only reason they could afford it was because it needed extensive work.

They concluded that the surveyor couldn't have opened the front door, because if he had, surely he'd have mentioned that it didn't have a roof.

... ah, if only a townhouse in a Georgian Square - ours was a 1992-built living machine, but great for what we needed and where it was (10 min walk to M&S for Mrs robgul)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Redlight on 20 May, 2021, 04:28:48 pm
Quote from: robgul on 20 May, 2021, 02:55:03 pm
I used to work for a building society (on the marketing side) and the joke about valuations for mortage/surveys was:

 [The outfit I worked for was the names of a town and city in Gloucestershire - long gone, subsumed by Lloyds Bank]

Mine has also long gone, although the town in SE London (and its fine old former HQ slap bang in the centre) are still there. I'm sure you're with me by now  :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 20 May, 2021, 05:04:56 pm
The report required in Scotland is very different from the English version though.

IME of the scottish reports, the surveyors are unduly pessimistic.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 20 May, 2021, 06:26:55 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 20 May, 2021, 05:04:56 pm
The report required in Scotland is very different from the English version though.

IME of the scottish reports, the surveyors are unduly pessimistic.

Bit like the one I just read that effectively said 'high voltage power lines over garden could impact property value if found to have link with health issues in future'
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 20 May, 2021, 06:41:46 pm
Quote from: robgul on 20 May, 2021, 02:55:03 pm
EDIT - see immediate previous thread re drive-by ;D  [The outfit I worked for was the names of a town and city in Gloucestershire - long gone, subsumed by Lloyds Bank]
Ah, the late lamented Yate & Dursley.  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ravenbait on 20 May, 2021, 06:44:57 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 20 May, 2021, 06:26:55 pm


Bit like the one I just read that effectively said 'high voltage power lines over garden could impact property value if found to have link with health issues in future'
You've either changed jobs or are you moving, Mrs P?

Sam
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 20 May, 2021, 07:08:32 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 20 May, 2021, 06:41:46 pm
Quote from: robgul on 20 May, 2021, 02:55:03 pm
EDIT - see immediate previous thread re drive-by ;D  [The outfit I worked for was the names of a town and city in Gloucestershire - long gone, subsumed by Lloyds Bank]
Ah, the late lamented Yate & Dursley.  ;D

Is one of those a city? - and I thought Yate was in C.U.B.A. ?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 20 May, 2021, 07:45:18 pm
Quote from: ravenbait on 20 May, 2021, 06:44:57 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 20 May, 2021, 06:26:55 pm


Bit like the one I just read that effectively said 'high voltage power lines over garden could impact property value if found to have link with health issues in future'
You've either changed jobs or are you moving, Mrs P?

Sam
If you check out my last elebenty billion posts on the "what have you fettled today" thread you'll get a clue.
This of course all depends on us finding a sucker...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 20 May, 2021, 08:38:23 pm
Quote from: robgul on 20 May, 2021, 07:08:32 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 20 May, 2021, 06:41:46 pm
Quote from: robgul on 20 May, 2021, 02:55:03 pm
EDIT - see immediate previous thread re drive-by ;D  [The outfit I worked for was the names of a town and city in Gloucestershire - long gone, subsumed by Lloyds Bank]
Ah, the late lamented Yate & Dursley.  ;D

Is one of those a city? - and I thought Yate was in C.U.B.A. ?
Yate is in CUBA but a long time ago it was in Gloucestershire. According to some, it's not only a city but a metropolis of high culture!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 20 May, 2021, 10:34:39 pm
Quote from: robgul on 20 May, 2021, 07:08:32 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 20 May, 2021, 06:41:46 pm
Quote from: robgul on 20 May, 2021, 02:55:03 pm
EDIT - see immediate previous thread re drive-by ;D  [The outfit I worked for was the names of a town and city in Gloucestershire - long gone, subsumed by Lloyds Bank]
Ah, the late lamented Yate & Dursley.  ;D
Is one of those a city? - and I thought Yate was in C.U.B.A. ?

Pedersen & County innit?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 21 May, 2021, 10:17:21 am
Pedersen works for both of them (Dursley and... Robgul's mystery town... ): v.g! ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 21 May, 2021, 04:29:56 pm
Well the draft home report arrived (it really did look like a 15min job):

Quote
no sight was available of the flat roof
If you'd looked out of the Velux window when you were in the loft you'd have seen it just fine.

Quote
Some soft wood round the door frame and window surrounds
Er, the windows are all PVC and the nearest wood to them is the trim round the tops of the dormers which is all boxed in by wood effect UPVC trim. Also, if you could reach that with your telescopic ladder you're having a laugh.

On the plus side he didn't find the small mouldy bit I hid with judicious placement of DVD box sets  O:-) and he didn't report any elevated moisture readings, which as regular subscribers to this channel will know is a complete miracle.  :thumbsup:
And the valuation was better than I expected (not that it means anything really with the flat market being so slow).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: FifeingEejit on 21 May, 2021, 04:57:33 pm
Now you just need to remmeber the portion of fantasy housing surveyors work in for reading home reports on other places.

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 24 May, 2021, 10:05:34 am
Just paid an overdue water bill a week after getting the reminder.  Noticed that:

- the billing authority's address is in a town 10 km away
- the postmark was that of a suburb of Lyon, over 400 km away
- it was despatched on 5th May, so it spent almost 3 weeks getting here
- the reminder states "payable up to 30 days from this notification", after which the thumbscrews come out.
- it doesn't bear a date.

BTW, "date as postmark" is a formula often quoted at people posting in their tax returns.  One woman I heard of on the radio posted hers on the last day before the deadline and was surprised to be fined 10% on top of the amount due.  When she protested she was told "do you think we keep envelopes?"

Oh aye, the address printed on the envelope for my water bill payment is in Lille.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 25 May, 2021, 11:10:48 am
Dear Messrs Astra, Oxford and Zeneca.

I had my second dose of your Coronalurgi vaccine on April 29th.  Why, then, did I go to bed last night with all the classic side-effects, viz. aching limbs, chattering teeth and a disinclination to remove my socks lest my feet turn into miniature icey-floes*?

Yours ect

M le Maire

* penguins optional
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 25 May, 2021, 11:34:08 am
Flu?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 25 May, 2021, 11:35:23 am
Mortagne-au-Perche variant obv.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 25 May, 2021, 12:08:39 pm
Feel fine now apart from the lingering backache that comes from spending three hours wedged into a tight corner of the Mess at Fort Larrington disentangling bits of Anbaric String while a steady rain of fifty year old cassette tapes fall on my head.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 25 May, 2021, 04:34:06 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 21 May, 2021, 04:29:56 pm
Well the draft home report arrived (it really did look like a 15min job):

Quote
no sight was available of the flat roof
If you'd looked out of the Velux window when you were in the loft you'd have seen it just fine.

Quote
Some soft wood round the door frame and window surrounds
Er, the windows are all PVC and the nearest wood to them is the trim round the tops of the dormers which is all boxed in by wood effect UPVC trim. Also, if you could reach that with your telescopic ladder you're having a laugh.

All mention of soft wood removed now. Shame the 2nd draft got sent to some random with a similar but different gmail address. But I suppose it will be available to anyone with an ASPC account soon.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 25 May, 2021, 04:54:56 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 25 May, 2021, 04:34:06 pm
Shame the 2nd draft got sent to some random with a similar but different gmail address.

Can confirm that I didn't get it.  Actually, I haven't had an xkcd://1279 since the bill[1] for 911 calls.


[1] USAnians are weird.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 26 May, 2021, 10:44:07 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 25 May, 2021, 12:08:39 pm
Feel fine now apart from the lingering backache that comes from spending three hours wedged into a tight corner of the Mess at Fort Larrington disentangling bits of Anbaric String while a steady rain of fifty year old cassette tapes fall on my head.

Could be that you picked up a dose of Covid and your immune system saw it off.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 27 May, 2021, 01:23:17 pm
Bejezus, Legal & General, a cheque! WTAF are those? You have my bank details, you clearly take the money from there in the first place, so put the money back in there.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 27 May, 2021, 02:24:22 pm
Garmin, purveyors of shite software for unreliable devices.  OK, my car is now 7 years old, (but its only done 47k miles!) and the newest one with the same nav/entertainment/car info device is over 4 years old, but totally stopping all support, including map updates?  The updates were a ripoff anyway, as they were still a couple of years out of date when they issued them, but to totally stop?  So how am I supposed to navigate to this place which is in a postcode you do not recognise (because it was built about 2 years ago), buy a new separate Garmin nav unit, I think not!  A Tomtom, which has a far, far better user interface, and free map updates for ever, and costs the same as two map updates for the Garmin, will be purchased in due course. The Garmin thing has also decided it doesn't like my new Xiaomi phone, although it played happily with its Sony predecessor, so I can no longer make or receive phone calls (by voice command) in the car.  It connects, but refuses to actually relay the speech.  A Tomtom will do this, like my old one did, which is about 13 years old, and still works (albeit also out of map update now, as it preceded the free updates for life arrangement). 

Oh, and I didn't much appreciate you stealing £1100 from me last year in a fake transaction.  Luckily my bank got it back after a bit of to-ing and fro-ing.

So Garmin, up yours...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 27 May, 2021, 06:12:41 pm
Quote from: ian on 27 May, 2021, 01:23:17 pm
Bejezus, Legal & General, a cheque! WTAF are those? You have my bank details, you clearly take the money from there in the first place, so put the money back in there.

See also HMRC. I’m sure it’s nothing to do with them holding on to your money for longer to earn interest, oh no.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 27 May, 2021, 11:40:21 pm
Bloody police helicopter has been orbiting over my flat for over an hour.  >:(


Anyone know where I can buy a reliable MANPAD ?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 28 May, 2021, 12:02:05 am
Quote from: andrewc on 27 May, 2021, 11:40:21 pm
Bloody police helicopter has been orbiting over my flat for over an hour.  >:(


Anyone know where I can buy a reliable MANPAD ?

Write to:
The Rt Hon. Kwasi Kwarteng MP
Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy*
1, Victoria Street
London SW1H 0ET

and I'm sure he’ll be able to steer you right.  Best if you sign your letter “Sheikh” though.

* aka “Exchange & Mart”
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 29 May, 2021, 02:58:32 pm
People are pigs.  About 10k from here our local cycle track runs alongside a lay-by on the main road, separated from it by a scrappy hedge. When I rode by yesterday I had to weave round a burst bin-bag that had scattered what looked like dog-turds across the path.  Some swine had obviously driven there and heaved it through the hedge with malice aforethought.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: citoyen on 02 June, 2021, 04:49:20 pm
Put a set of 32mm Marathon Supremes on my audax bike. While I was fitting them, I thought, hang on - the frame only has clearance for 28mm... maybe 30mm at a push. But since I was already mid-job, I thought why not see it through. And what do you know, they fitted nicely.

Then I measured them for a sanity check.

29mm

 :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 02 June, 2021, 10:59:59 pm
You may measure them closer to 32mm in a couple of weeks.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 03 June, 2021, 10:40:30 pm
Looking at houses on the internet and if I never see another one of the following:
It will be too soon.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 03 June, 2021, 11:06:21 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 03 June, 2021, 10:40:30 pm
  • Those crappy plastic wall stickers in crappy script with "Live, laugh, love!" Or some equally ghastly Clinton's card type pukeitudes

Lock her up!

[“Get out!” – Ed.]
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 03 June, 2021, 11:57:36 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 03 June, 2021, 10:40:30 pm
That bloody multicoloured highland cow painting

I had to look that one up.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 04 June, 2021, 12:06:54 am
Quote from: Kim on 03 June, 2021, 11:57:36 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 03 June, 2021, 10:40:30 pm
That bloody multicoloured highland cow painting

I had to look that one up.

The Singing Butler is now soooo last century, donchaknow?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 04 June, 2021, 08:57:41 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 03 June, 2021, 10:40:30 pm
Looking at houses on the internet and if I never see another one of the following:
  • Every room is grey
  • Those crappy plastic wall stickers in crappy script with "Live, laugh, love!" Or some equally ghastly Clinton's card type pukeitudes
  • That bloody multicoloured highland cow painting
[/b]
[/list]
It will be too soon.
I have that as a shower curtain.
Wouldn't want it as a picture on a wall.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 04 June, 2021, 12:18:03 pm
Does this mean that grey is the new magnolia?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 04 June, 2021, 12:20:38 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 04 June, 2021, 12:18:03 pm
Does this mean that grey is the new magnolia?

Isn't grey one of those colours that people reflexively use because it's not magnolia, when they're allowed to paint their own walls for the first time?  Like menstrual tomato terracotta.  Or BLACK.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Clare on 04 June, 2021, 12:21:34 pm
Grey is soooo last year, green is the new grey.

You also missed the enormous clock over the mantelpiece.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 04 June, 2021, 12:43:46 pm
Quote from: Kim on 04 June, 2021, 12:20:38 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 04 June, 2021, 12:18:03 pm
Does this mean that grey is the new magnolia?

Isn't grey one of those colours that people reflexively use because it's not magnolia, when they're allowed to paint their own walls for the first time?  Like menstrual tomato terracotta.  Or BLACK.
Could be I suppose, though certainly wouldn't have occurred to me. Anyway, we all know which of those YOU'LL be using!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 04 June, 2021, 12:56:38 pm
Some friends of mine had grey walls with a yellow diagonal. In 1984.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: FifeingEejit on 04 June, 2021, 01:05:54 pm
Quote from: citoyen on 02 June, 2021, 04:49:20 pm
Put a set of 32mm Marathon Supremes on my audax bike. While I was fitting them, I thought, hang on - the frame only has clearance for 28mm... maybe 30mm at a push. But since I was already mid-job, I thought why not see it through. And what do you know, they fitted nicely.

Then I measured them for a sanity check.

29mm

 :facepalm:
Mind that rim width impacts actual tyre width, on 13mm wide rims I've got 25mm tyres that are 23mm wide, need 17mm rim to get 25mm on the calipers. Obviously when width is narrowed the size goes somewhere else, like in the height

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: FifeingEejit on 04 June, 2021, 01:08:46 pm
Quote from: Kim on 04 June, 2021, 12:20:38 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 04 June, 2021, 12:18:03 pm
Does this mean that grey is the new magnolia?

Isn't grey one of those colours that people reflexively use because it's not magnolia, when they're allowed to paint their own walls for the first time?  Like menstrual tomato terracotta .  Or BLACK.

Shit,

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210604/6ce1e22ae0aff75e46db35b318c99532.jpg)

I thought I'd managed to buy a house that only had 1 wall needing redecorated but now you tell me this colour is common as muck?

I'll get round to it around the same time as I deal with the flowery wallpaper in my bedroom...

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nuttycyclist on 04 June, 2021, 01:17:02 pm
I saw my old house up for sale the other month and looked at the photos.   Pleased to see most of my DIY was still in place, but they'd repainted the whole place grey/black, and also ripped out the garden to lay turf.   :sick: :sick: :sick:  Sad times.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 04 June, 2021, 01:59:07 pm
We got giddy and painted the innards of our first house pink. I think it was supposed to be peachy, which in itself was a bad idea, but basically, once on the walls, it was like living in a floodlit vagina.

To the point, we had to paint over it (discovering the process that cheap white emulsion is cheap for a reason, eighty-two coats later, we gave up and bought the expensive stuff and finally banished our gynaecological colour scheme).

Saw the house recently on some property website, now suffering from a pointless extension, like an erection in a strip club it's probably of little use. They turned the former kitchen into a tiny office and the living room into a kitchen-diner-living room thing that ate half the garden because modern living is kitchen smells. Very white and very pointlessly contemporary. Oh look, a skylight. Just admit it's a tiny house. Yours for about £650k.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 04 June, 2021, 03:08:06 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 04 June, 2021, 12:56:38 pm
Some friends of mine had grey walls with a yellow diagonal. In 1984.
That does sound like a photoshoot or album cover of the era. Post-industrial, wasn't that the phrase?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: FifeingEejit on 04 June, 2021, 03:11:20 pm
Kitchens in living rooms was on of my nonos even having a full partition wall and door I don't like (but could almost tolerate)

Even with a decent powered extraction hood the grease gets everywhere and then there's smoke/heat alarms (compulsory here from next January) and my ability to set them off... (admittedly im getting better at turning the gas down after getting the pan up to temperature, I've been spoilt by halogens ability to get things to a specific temp and then shut off)

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 04 June, 2021, 03:20:47 pm
Kitchens involve fire, smoke, and grease. I can only assume those entirely impractical open-plan 'diner' set-ups are for people who don't cook but like to create the impression that they might cook.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 04 June, 2021, 03:33:47 pm
My mum got a super bollocking after childsitting her god-daughter's grandchildren with their granny (mum's best friend) cos they COOKED on the cooker from scratch and the paint behind the cooker wasn't water proof...

It is indeed a show kitchen, oven and microwave only... Mostly pre-prepared food.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 04 June, 2021, 03:38:12 pm
Quote from: ian on 04 June, 2021, 03:20:47 pm
Kitchens involve fire, smoke, and grease. I can only assume those entirely impractical open-plan 'diner' set-ups are for people who don't cook but like to create the impression that they might cook.

Smokers.  They don't notice.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 04 June, 2021, 04:08:58 pm
Quote from: ian on 04 June, 2021, 03:20:47 pm
Kitchens involve fire, smoke, and grease.

And sprouts and cabbage. There is no good reason to have an open plan kitchen / living area. Or, indeed, dining kitchens with sofas in.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 04 June, 2021, 04:26:49 pm
Quote from: Clare on 04 June, 2021, 12:21:34 pm
Grey is soooo last year, green is the new grey.

You also missed the enormous clock over the mantelpiece.
Mrs C has embraced this, by painting one room grey with green.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: FifeingEejit on 04 June, 2021, 05:38:31 pm
Quote from: Kim on 04 June, 2021, 03:38:12 pm
Quote from: ian on 04 June, 2021, 03:20:47 pm
Kitchens involve fire, smoke, and grease. I can only assume those entirely impractical open-plan 'diner' set-ups are for people who don't cook but like to create the impression that they might cook.

Smokers.  They don't notice.
Having once opened a heavy smokers PC with a ticket setting "not working"...

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 04 June, 2021, 06:21:25 pm
Quote from: Clare on 04 June, 2021, 12:21:34 pm
Grey is soooo last year, green is the new grey.

You also missed the enormous clock over the mantelpiece.


I did! All the enormous (half the wall size) clocks here are on kitchen/dining room walls.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 04 June, 2021, 06:27:34 pm
Quote from: FifeingEejit on 04 June, 2021, 03:11:20 pm
Kitchens in living rooms was on of my nonos even having a full partition wall and door I don't like (but could almost tolerate)

Even with a decent powered extraction hood the grease gets everywhere and then there's smoke/heat alarms (compulsory here from next January) and my ability to set them off... (admittedly im getting better at turning the gas down after getting the pan up to temperature, I've been spoilt by halogens ability to get things to a specific temp and then shut off)

Yes! Agree! I saw a lovely placed they'd spoiled by making the living room into a bedroom and adding an extension onto the kitchen and sticking a sofa and GBFO telly in it. (Ok, I suppose you could make the bedroom back into the lounge and make it a kitchen diner in that case).
Aside from the smell and stuff, what if one person wants to watch telly while the other one clatters pots and pans about? And as for sharing a room with a spinning washing machine?
It's bad enough hearing Pingu swearing at thing in the kitchen with a wall between us...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: FifeingEejit on 04 June, 2021, 06:34:10 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 04 June, 2021, 06:27:34 pm
Quote from: FifeingEejit on 04 June, 2021, 03:11:20 pm
Kitchens in living rooms was on of my nonos even having a full partition wall and door I don't like (but could almost tolerate)

Even with a decent powered extraction hood the grease gets everywhere and then there's smoke/heat alarms (compulsory here from next January) and my ability to set them off... (admittedly im getting better at turning the gas down after getting the pan up to temperature, I've been spoilt by halogens ability to get things to a specific temp and then shut off)

Yes! Agree! I saw a lovely placed they'd spoiled by making the living room into a bedroom and adding an extension onto the kitchen and sticking a sofa and GBFO telly in it. (Ok, I suppose you could make the bedroom back into the lounge and make it a kitchen diner in that case).
Aside from the smell and stuff, what if one person wants to watch telly while the other one clatters pots and pans about? And as for sharing a room with a spinning washing machine?
It's bad enough hearing Pingu swearing at thing in the kitchen with a wall between us...
Student housing...

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 04 June, 2021, 06:40:35 pm
Also, while I`m grumbling,
Yesterday the solicitor said we had an offer of £xk. (Valuation, and over the asking price). He reckoned it was to test the water and suggested he go back and ask for 5k more. I said we were happy with the offer as it stood given they were flexible with entry date. (I didn't see the point in rocking the boat for what might ultimately be negotiated to an extra 2 grand).

So why did I get an email this morning saying he'd been talking to the buyer's solicitor and they had agreed an extra whole £1000 on the initial offer?
Aren't you supposed to do what I instruct? Who told you it was alright to cook this up between you?
You've made me look like a greedy arsehole for the sake of a whole thousand pounds, which is frankly a drop in the ocean really isn't it.
If she'd turned round and said no, fuck you and fuck your property, how would that have gone?
Is that ethical?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 04 June, 2021, 06:41:57 pm
Quote from: FifeingEejit on 04 June, 2021, 06:34:10 pm
Student housing...

Nope, this was built over 100 years ago and the walls are lath & plaster.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 04 June, 2021, 07:56:28 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 03 June, 2021, 11:06:21 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 03 June, 2021, 10:40:30 pm
  • Those crappy plastic wall stickers in crappy script with "Live, laugh, love!" Or some equally ghastly Clinton's card type pukeitudes

Lock her up!

[“Get out!” – Ed.]

You might find the Live, Laugh, Love (https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/351335/) thread on London's Famous London's LFGSS repays a visit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 04 June, 2021, 08:03:04 pm
What really fucks me off, looking back at the pictures of our very first house, is that in the process of adding the entirely pointless extension they totally fucked over the pleasant little garden we'd cultured with a grim chunk of paved over nothing.

That garden was ironically one of the key reasons we originally bought the place. That and we could afford it, because London.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 04 June, 2021, 08:24:51 pm
Oh, this reminds me of the carpet tiles in the kitchen in our old place. The previous owner was both a student (with student kitchen hygiene) and a dog owner, and the kitchen was the way out to the garden and garage. It was minging.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 04 June, 2021, 08:25:47 pm
Quote from: jsabine on 04 June, 2021, 07:56:28 pm
You might find the Live, Laugh, Love (https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/351335/) thread on London's Famous London's LFGSS repays a visit.
Very good. But my worktops are like that. Not with white gloss cabs though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 04 June, 2021, 08:29:58 pm
Quote from: ian on 04 June, 2021, 08:03:04 pm
What really fucks me off, looking back at the pictures of our very first house, is that in the process of adding the entirely pointless extension they totally fucked over the pleasant little garden we'd cultured with a grim chunk of paved over nothing.

That garden was ironically one of the key reasons we originally bought the place. That and we could afford it, because London.
I think the moral of this story might be, don't look back.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 04 June, 2021, 08:54:16 pm
Quote from: Kim on 04 June, 2021, 03:38:12 pm
Quote from: ian on 04 June, 2021, 03:20:47 pm
Kitchens involve fire, smoke, and grease. I can only assume those entirely impractical open-plan 'diner' set-ups are for people who don't cook but like to create the impression that they might cook.

Smokers.  They don't notice.

Reminds me, sometime back when we were house hunting I went to see this house that was evidently inhabited by people who took their smoking very seriously and hadn't re-decorated since the house was built in the 1930s. Everything was coated with a lutinous layer of tar. The walls, the ceilings, the windows, the doors, the carpets. Everything was a lymphatic yellow. As I walked across the linoleum from the back door, I could feel the floor sticking to my shoes, like the house had plans for anyone who ventured within. The carpet looked like Exxon had sponsored it. The entire place reeked like someone had smoked an old man on a pyre of toxic waste. Reminded me of my grandparent's house. It was awful. It was worse for the estate agent, a young woman perched on splendidly vertiginous pink heels that she was singly unwilling to sacrifice to that carpet. If I'd had those shoes, I wouldn't have either. It probably needs redecorating she opined from the threshold of the back door. I couldn't go any further either. She confided, back on the safer ground of the driveway, that the last time she's shown the place she'd opened the back door to be greeted by a large pile of dog crap in the middle of the kitchen floor. Giant, she said, spreading her arms to indicate something of such a size that you wouldn't merely step around but take on supplies and circumnavigate. I had to go home and shower.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 04 June, 2021, 09:05:08 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 04 June, 2021, 08:29:58 pm
Quote from: ian on 04 June, 2021, 08:03:04 pm
What really fucks me off, looking back at the pictures of our very first house, is that in the process of adding the entirely pointless extension they totally fucked over the pleasant little garden we'd cultured with a grim chunk of paved over nothing.

That garden was ironically one of the key reasons we originally bought the place. That and we could afford it, because London.
I think the moral of this story might be, don't look back.

True enough, but it's a bit sad, it was a nice secluded green space that we'd enjoyed many a summer evening in, now reduced to a small square of dead paving (https://www.rightmove.co.uk/house-prices/detailMatching.html?prop=62019699&sale=9807916&country=england).

I told a lie about the price, it was only £518k. Those photos tell biggly lies, nothing in that house was close to as big as it looks in those photos, ask our cat Lamb Chop (you will need a ouija board) who would have had strong opinions on being swung on any of those rooms. Even in the main bedroom, you had to move the bed to open the wardrobe. But it was ours.

Oh and those replacement uPVC windows. The absolute fuck of it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: FifeingEejit on 04 June, 2021, 09:29:26 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 04 June, 2021, 06:41:57 pm
Quote from: FifeingEejit on 04 June, 2021, 06:34:10 pm
Student housing...

Nope, this was built over 100 years ago and the walls are lath & plaster.
It's what landlords have done to the posh tenements in Dundees West end, 2 bed flats turned into 3 by ditching the living room in favour of a sofa in the kitchen.

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 04 June, 2021, 09:32:25 pm
Quote from: ian on 04 June, 2021, 09:05:08 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 04 June, 2021, 08:29:58 pm
Quote from: ian on 04 June, 2021, 08:03:04 pm
What really fucks me off, looking back at the pictures of our very first house, is that in the process of adding the entirely pointless extension they totally fucked over the pleasant little garden we'd cultured with a grim chunk of paved over nothing.

That garden was ironically one of the key reasons we originally bought the place. That and we could afford it, because London.
I think the moral of this story might be, don't look back.

True enough, but it's a bit sad, it was a nice secluded green space that we'd enjoyed many a summer evening in, now reduced to a small square of dead paving (https://www.rightmove.co.uk/house-prices/detailMatching.html?prop=62019699&sale=9807916&country=england).

I told a lie about the price, it was only £518k. Those photos tell biggly lies, nothing in that house was close to as big as it looks in those photos, ask our cat Lamb Chop (you will need a ouija board) who would have had strong opinions on being swung on any of those rooms. Even in the main bedroom, you had to move the bed to open the wardrobe. But it was ours.

Oh and those replacement uPVC windows. The absolute fuck of it.
That BBQ looks really sad.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 04 June, 2021, 09:39:33 pm
It does look like the saddest little BBQ. I presume they redid the place for sale, it doesn't look lived in.

I like the little fox on the bed though. That's the room Lamb Chop hid in for an entire week when we kidnapped her from West London.

Also giant school building. That wasn't there.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 04 June, 2021, 09:43:41 pm
Yes I had just come back to say I liked the fox.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Paul on 04 June, 2021, 11:23:39 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 04 June, 2021, 06:40:35 pm
Also, while I`m grumbling,
Yesterday the solicitor said we had an offer of £xk. (Valuation, and over the asking price). He reckoned it was to test the water and suggested he go back and ask for 5k more. I said we were happy with the offer as it stood given they were flexible with entry date. (I didn't see the point in rocking the boat for what might ultimately be negotiated to an extra 2 grand).

So why did I get an email this morning saying he'd been talking to the buyer's solicitor and they had agreed an extra whole £1000 on the initial offer?
Aren't you supposed to do what I instruct? Who told you it was alright to cook this up between you?
You've made me look like a greedy arsehole for the sake of a whole thousand pounds, which is frankly a drop in the ocean really isn't it.
If she'd turned round and said no, fuck you and fuck your property, how would that have gone?
Is that ethical?
No it’s not. And, more importantly, it’s a breach of the code of conduct.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 06 June, 2021, 12:09:19 am
Quote from: ian on 04 June, 2021, 09:39:33 pm
It does look like the saddest little BBQ. I presume they redid the place for sale, it doesn't look lived in.

I like the little fox on the bed though. That's the room Lamb Chop hid in for an entire week when we kidnapped her from West London.

Also giant school building. That wasn't there.

Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 04 June, 2021, 09:43:41 pm
Yes I had just come back to say I liked the fox.

The fox is the best thing.

We retained squirrel and badger for photie taking of our place, but they didn't make the cut.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: FifeingEejit on 06 June, 2021, 12:44:13 am
3 hrs sleep last night, up at 5am, almost 12hrs riding bike, can I sleep? CIF.

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 06 June, 2021, 09:25:23 pm
Quote from: ian on 04 June, 2021, 09:05:08 pm
True enough, but it's a bit sad, it was a nice secluded green space that we'd enjoyed many a summer evening in, now reduced to a small square of dead paving (https://www.rightmove.co.uk/house-prices/detailMatching.html?prop=62019699&sale=9807916&country=england).

Good grief that's bleak.  Aimed for minimalist, overshot by a significant margin and landed slap on the border between featureless & depressing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 06 June, 2021, 11:50:14 pm
Quote from: FifeingEejit on 06 June, 2021, 12:44:13 am
3 hrs sleep last night, up at 5am, almost 12hrs riding bike, can I sleep? CIF.

I've had about 4 hours sleep since Friday.  About 6 hours of driving, two hours of cycle racing, and assorted concentration-requiring tech wrangling.  If I don't get a good 8+ hours sleep tonight, I give up.

The bedroom temperature does not seem promising in this regard.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 07 June, 2021, 12:09:58 am
Dunno if our weather is heading towards Mordor but at this end of That London it's been tipping down.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 07 June, 2021, 12:15:05 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 07 June, 2021, 12:09:58 am
Dunno if our weather is heading towards Mordor but at this end of That London it's been tipping down.

So that's where Preston's weather went...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 07 June, 2021, 09:30:36 am
Quote from: SoreTween on 06 June, 2021, 09:25:23 pm
Quote from: ian on 04 June, 2021, 09:05:08 pm
True enough, but it's a bit sad, it was a nice secluded green space that we'd enjoyed many a summer evening in, now reduced to a small square of dead paving (https://www.rightmove.co.uk/house-prices/detailMatching.html?prop=62019699&sale=9807916&country=england).

Good grief that's bleak.  Aimed for minimalist, overshot by a significant margin and landed slap on the border between featureless & depressing.

I have never seen a small barbeque look, well, suicidal. I called The Samaritans but they don't, apparently, do barbeques.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 07 June, 2021, 01:56:30 pm
On further streetviewing, I'm impressed that our former next-door neighbours-but-one (who used to be a crazy gay Spanish couple and might still be) have used their parking space for a shed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nuttycyclist on 08 June, 2021, 02:11:22 pm
Sun's out, but sitting in garden office instead of sunlounger out of habit.  Doors and windows open.
Neighbours have the builders in and so nothing but chainsaw engines, thrown timber, loud radio, and chatting to drown out the birdsong.

They are of course allowed to do this, so I can't complain, but I miss the silence.   
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 08 June, 2021, 06:14:59 pm
This morning, as usual, I went out to my car, which is, like my neighbours, parked nose-in on the wide verge opposite the cottages. I’d put my bag in the boot, walked around to the side and opened the door. It was at this point I noticed the dog shit deposited equidistant between the cars, which I had, fortunately, managed not to step in, otherwise this would be a rant. Fucking selfish dog owner  >:(. I messaged my wife once I got to work, and she kindly took a trowel to it and chucked it in the hedge.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 09 June, 2021, 09:49:57 am
People who spend an hour on the phone to Dr Beardy (Mrs). whinging about how they have too much to do and not enough time to do. It’s had enough to show interest in her marking rants when she goes into excruciating detail about why she thought a dissertation was worth 64% when her colleague had only given it 60% without me having to feign interest it the minutiae of her colleagues work life balance. Especially when I think that some of those complaining take advantage of Dr Beardy’s organised and helpful nature.  >:(

Ok, that might have turned into more of a rant than I intended.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 09 June, 2021, 10:23:30 am
ASR is getting better, coping with a wider range of accents and voices, but it still can't cope with variants on its vocabulary. So it knows assure and insurance but not assurance, audit and non but can't cope with non-audit. It's getting a bit boring. Okay, the topic is boring but it's boringer. Also, it still can't differentiate reliably between speakers.

Ed: "data source" asr-ed to "dinosaurs".  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nuttycyclist on 09 June, 2021, 12:13:34 pm
Quote from: nuttycyclist on 08 June, 2021, 02:11:22 pm
Sun's out, but sitting in garden office instead of sunlounger out of habit.  Doors and windows open.
Neighbours have the builders in and so nothing but chainsaw engines, thrown timber, loud radio, and chatting to drown out the birdsong.

They are of course allowed to do this, so I can't complain, but I miss the silence.

Good news - builders are silent.
Bad news - can now hear nothing but blackbird's alarm calls.  Of course the neighbour's ruddy cat is there you stupid bird, it has been for years.  SHUT UP!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 09 June, 2021, 12:17:15 pm
Try the eternal battle of Bad Cat versus the magpies, which has been going on since we moved here.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nuttycyclist on 09 June, 2021, 12:21:30 pm
It's usually magpie v blackbird.  Magpie raided one nest last week, and the aerial battles have been a sight to watch.

I like blackbirds.  The nesting one in the last house was tame enough that I hand fed worms to save them getting off the nest.

Last few weeks have been nothing but CHEEP CHEEP CHEEP CHEEP CHEEP CHEEP CHEEP from dawn to dusk. >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 09 June, 2021, 12:24:06 pm
Remember the days when blackbirds did the Nokia Ring?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 09 June, 2021, 12:31:14 pm
Bad Cat sits there, usually on the balcony, and makes her array of strange noises, while the magpies fly around and squawk. Bad Cat is pretty useless and eventually retreats indoors and resumes her audio battle from the safe side of the bedroom window.

She bolted from dive bomb the other day straight into a bemused fox, which could have ended badly had they both not been so surprised by the sudden collision of felid and canid.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 09 June, 2021, 01:05:46 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 09 June, 2021, 10:23:30 am
ASR is getting better, coping with a wider range of accents and voices, but it still can't cope with variants on its vocabulary. So it knows assure and insurance but not assurance, audit and non but can't cope with non-audit. It's getting a bit boring. Okay, the topic is boring but it's boringer. Also, it still can't differentiate reliably between speakers.

Ed: "data source" asr-ed to "dinosaurs".  :thumbsup:
I'm wondering how it works. It seems it doesn't work by recognising sounds and mapping them to known words, because it uses variable spellings of the same word. So "modeled" and then "modelled" in the same sentence. It's supposed to be an American system, so you'd expect the first. Perhaps what it actually does is map sounds onto letter clusters? But that would probably result in meaningless strings of letters more often than not, at least in English. So maybe it's actually learnt "modeled" and "modelled" as two slightly different sounds. The speaker in this case is German, so falls somewhere between the two.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 09 June, 2021, 01:41:53 pm
I believe the major late-90s innovation in speech-to-text was considering arbitrary chains of sounds, rather than looking at words individually.  Hence you tend to get coherent (if contextually wrong) phrases, rather than jumbles of homophones, and - just like a human listener - it tends to fail at key nouns that provide the context.

The more recent breakthrough has been deep-learning based, which is basically a black box of computational witchcraft.  I think at some point there was a shift from spelling out sounds and then correcting that with a language model to somehow (!) going straight from sounds to correctly spelled language, greatly reducing the memory requirements, which were getting unwieldy.

Also at some point we did away with the need for speaker-specific training.

I think I'm safe in assuming that however I suspect it might work, the reality is a lot more complicated than that.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 09 June, 2021, 02:08:30 pm
The reality is also that it still produces a far less accurate result than transcription by human, although of course it's also far quicker and cheaper. And both processes still need human correction to produce something worth reading.

A further reality is that so much of it is not worth reading even when perfectly written, but that goes for so many activities.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 09 June, 2021, 02:35:34 pm
Trying to remember the name of the British company that raised loads of money with it's automated service that took your mobile voicemail message and used speech recognition to transcribe to SMS. A bit like Orange's Wildfire, but better - mid 2000s at a guess.
They raised loads of venture capital, then it turned out that their speech to text engine wasn't particularly good, and they'd got an Indian call centre doing it manually whilst their techies tried desperately to improve it. Went bust in the end.

Edit - SpinVox (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SpinVox) - got sold for a fraction of the venture capital input, and call centres were South Africa and Phillipines rather than India.
I found it by remembering that Christina Domecq, one of the founders, had completed RAAM  (https://www.raceacrossamerica.org/raamx/rcracer.php?s_N_Year_ID=2&s_N_Entry_ID=2507), so wasn't all bad.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: FifeingEejit on 09 June, 2021, 04:22:32 pm
Dbeaver you useless crock of shite*, stop remembering a query that was useful to me in March, has since been haxlcked to shit  to deal with changing requirements in various other script windows and is now different enough that I stsrt babbling about now defunct requirements in meetings that would cause a problem for what that meeting is nominally about.

I might still reinstall oracle sql developer and iris studio, but having Dbeaver for the dbs I don't really want to be working with is quite handy.


* lies, it's useful for mumps, various other dbs with shit tooling and passable as an alternative to SSMS until you need to do Server cobfig and can't be arsed finding out the commands

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 09 June, 2021, 04:53:39 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 09 June, 2021, 02:08:30 pm
The reality is also that it still produces a far less accurate result than transcription by human, although of course it's also far quicker and cheaper. And both processes still need human correction to produce something worth reading.

A further reality is that so much of it is not worth reading even when perfectly written, but that goes for so many activities.


We've now moved over to Microsoft Teams for both messaging & voice calls.   The last call I missed went to Voicemail & it gave me a fairly shonky transcription of what the caller had said in the alert message.



Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 09 June, 2021, 05:56:59 pm
And given that the company in question was a significant player in early speech to text/text to speech research and development its a sad inditement on UK industry's ability to convert innovation to developed products.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 09 June, 2021, 06:03:16 pm
Grumble 1:  First dental check in 2 years (Covid etc)  A filling needs repairing.  Not totally unexpected, but ouch needles & drills. 


Grumble 2: Parcelfarce.  Where's my new breadmaker ?  Returned to depot without even a card through my letterbox. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 09 June, 2021, 10:02:15 pm
So a grown-up came to replace the fan element in my oven today. It seemed a simple task: undo some screws on a panel at the back of the oven, take out old element, install new element, replace panel. Job done.

Of course, there were two more screws to be undone to complete the task. Where were those, you might ask? It's a fitted oven and they were round the back, so he had to take out the entire oven for just those two screws.

Someone in Hell has an intern.

This meant he didn't have time to re-silicone my shower. Darn.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 10 June, 2021, 01:23:02 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 09 June, 2021, 02:08:30 pm
The reality is also that it still produces a far less accurate result than transcription by human, although of course it's also far quicker and cheaper. And both processes still need human correction to produce something worth reading.

Quite.  It's a great labour-saving tool for human correction, if only because it saves all that mucking about with the timing.

The problem is that if you show the average hearing person (especially those who appreciate how difficult it is for computers to decode speech, but aren't habitual users of subtitles) machine transcription in action, they tend to fixate on the 95% that it gets right, rather than the critical 5% that it doesn't.


Still, it's also given us search engines that can index audio and video, and speech based user interfaces (Siri et al) that are pretty usable.  I wonder what the next 20 years will bring.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 10 June, 2021, 07:50:32 am
I am continually amazed at speech transcription.  I can dictate a 30 page report and produce a completely intelligible document.  There will be glitches.  I know for example that it occasionally (5%) transcribes "full stop" as "will stop". which means I do a global search and replace. 

My problem is that I cannot proof read something I have just dictated.  I need to leave at least 2 weeks before I can proof read it properly so my PA proof reads them and then sends them back to me.  We used to do this on paper but she now prefers to do it electronically with comments and track changes.  This alone has saved us about 100 sheets of paper a week which is great.

Compared to the original voice transcription of the early Dragon and Olympus?? it is a massive change.  There has not been an upgrade to Dragon for over 2 years that I can remember so it will be interesting to see what comes in the next versions.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 10 June, 2021, 08:19:52 am
Yes. Not doing things on paper is amazing!

Quote from: Kim on 10 June, 2021, 01:23:02 am
Quite.  It's a great labour-saving tool for human correction, if only because it saves all that mucking about with the timing.
Not so sure. I wasn't even thinking about on-screen captions, but the timing for those is, as I'm sure you're aware, not as simple as having the right words appear as they're spoken.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 10 June, 2021, 10:47:55 am
I find paper for reviewing (especially final reviews) very useful.
There's something about the change in medium - compared to viewing on screen - that makes errors jump out, even ones that you've read several times on screen before. It's also good to have a document laid out in full, with all pages visible. That can highlight formatting or flow issues.
Does get through a lot of paper though, so I do it less frequently now. For important submissions though it's worth the extra time and effort.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jasmine on 10 June, 2021, 02:11:08 pm
Quote from: chrisbainbridge on 10 June, 2021, 07:50:32 am
I am continually amazed at speech transcription.  I can dictate a 30 page report and produce a completely intelligible document.  There will be glitches.  I know for example that it occasionally (5%) transcribes "full stop" as "will stop". which means I do a global search and replace. 


Me too. I'm a real convert to dictation. Yes, I have to correct it, but I can do it immediately and it's faster overall than if I just type. The advantage is twofold. Firstly, I don't have a great sitting position to type longer documents, so I try to avoid at all costs for spine related reasons. Secondly, I think and talk way faster than I can type. I can do a stream of consciousness dictation and capture 90-95% of it, rather than forget what I was trying to say mid-sentence.

I'll admit to the following irritations:

Transcribing 'period' as '.' in the middle of a sentence. e.g. "In the current. The effect of this will be..."
Transcribing 'but' as 'that'. This one is really common, to the point where I'm over-pronouncing 'but'
Spelling mistakes. The system immediately underlines them as mistakes, so what's that about?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 10 June, 2021, 02:31:53 pm
Quote from: Jasmine on 10 June, 2021, 02:11:08 pm
Quote from: chrisbainbridge on 10 June, 2021, 07:50:32 am
I am continually amazed at speech transcription.  I can dictate a 30 page report and produce a completely intelligible document.  There will be glitches.  I know for example that it occasionally (5%) transcribes "full stop" as "will stop". which means I do a global search and replace. 


Me too. I'm a real convert to dictation. Yes, I have to correct it, but I can do it immediately and it's faster overall than if I just type. The advantage is twofold. Firstly, I don't have a great sitting position to type longer documents, so I try to avoid at all costs for spine related reasons. Secondly, I think and talk way faster than I can type. I can do a stream of consciousness dictation and capture 90-95% of it, rather than forget what I was trying to say mid-sentence.

I'll admit to the following irritations:

Transcribing 'period' as '.' in the middle of a sentence. e.g. "In the current. The effect of this will be..."
Transcribing 'but' as 'that'. This one is really common, to the point where I'm over-pronouncing 'but'
Spelling mistakes. The system immediately underlines them as mistakes, so what's that about?

Interesting that you get the but/that transcription error as well.  Very frequent with me.  The american Voice recognition forums do not seem to recognise it as aproblem

spelling mistakes are because of the 2 seperate vocabularies.  one in word and one in Dragon

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: pumpkin on 11 June, 2021, 10:17:17 am
To whoever borrowed my pump in the Cycle Hub. I appreciate you may have had tyre/tube issues and the hub pump doesnt work but if you use my Topeak Road Master and switch the pump head assembly around to Schraeder, kindly put it all back in the right order, not leaving the presta end jutting out and please reattach the pump to my bike in the way it was not the way you left it. I have now decided to remove the pump everyday in order to maintain its functionality.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 11 June, 2021, 02:13:06 pm
Quote from: chrisbainbridge on 10 June, 2021, 07:50:32 am
I am continually amazed at speech transcription.  I can dictate a 30 page report and produce a completely intelligible document.

Witchcraft!

Then again, my hearing DSA assessor colleagues just use A Random Profile to demonstrate Dragon speech recognition to disabled students.

Dragon doesn't work for me even with training, suspect my speech is too inconsistent. I've been trying it on and off since 1998.

Quote
There has not been an upgrade to Dragon for over 2 years that I can remember so it will be interesting to see what comes in the next versions.

Dragon was bought out by Microsoft recently, so there may be moves to integrate it into Windows more seamlessly. They stopped developing Dragon for the Mac but someone has developed a specific package for those whom the built-in MacOS one isn't good enough called TalkType or something.

Have you come across Medincle (https://www.medincle.com/)? It's a programme which improves the recognition of medical words and indeed puts medical words into all the other spellcheckers on the system. Devised by a dyslexic doctor and pals and probably one of my favourite pieces of "DSA software".
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 11 June, 2021, 02:24:14 pm
Quote from: barakta on 11 June, 2021, 02:13:06 pm
Quote from: chrisbainbridge on 10 June, 2021, 07:50:32 am
I am continually amazed at speech transcription.  I can dictate a 30 page report and produce a completely intelligible document.

Witchcraft!

Then again, my hearing DSA assessor colleagues just use A Random Profile to demonstrate Dragon speech recognition to disabled students.

Dragon doesn't work for me even with training, suspect my speech is too inconsistent. I've been trying it on and off since 1998.

Quote
There has not been an upgrade to Dragon for over 2 years that I can remember so it will be interesting to see what comes in the next versions.

Dragon was bought out by Microsoft recently, so there may be moves to integrate it into Windows more seamlessly. They stopped developing Dragon for the Mac but someone has developed a specific package for those whom the built-in MacOS one isn't good enough called TalkType or something.

Have you come across Medincle (https://www.medincle.com/)? It's a programme which improves the recognition of medical words and indeed puts medical words into all the other spellcheckers on the system. Devised by a dyslexic doctor and pals and probably one of my favourite pieces of "DSA software".
Yes dragon has real limitations just as much AI does.  I tried Dragon for Mac but it just was not good enough and the commands were just too different to allow me to use it easily.

My medical vocab is pretty limited and now fully built but I will certainly look at Medincle, thank you and talktype as well.
Chris
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 11 June, 2021, 11:25:46 pm
Yeah Dragon for Mac was never anywhere near as good as Proper Windows Flavoured Dragon. The development was always a lot less.

Dragon is often the most loved AND most hated piece of "assistive" software which I think is very interesting on many levels. I often ask students how much they use Siri or the Google assistanty thing as a guide to whether they're going to find Dragon useful or just a novelty.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 12 June, 2021, 11:33:38 am
Why, in spite of The Sheds being positively afloat on a sea of screws, do I not have a matching set of six suitable for attaching this 'ere curtain wire to Larrington Towers?

(Stomps off to B&Q in a huff)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: FifeingEejit on 12 June, 2021, 03:15:26 pm
I've found that text to speech is second only to international travel for discovering that the form of English you speak isn't standard English.

Although what gets tricky is when a German customs officer on the vogelflugline (rip) uses American English which matches Scottish English for the question he's asking but you convert it from English English...

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 12 June, 2021, 09:20:27 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 12 June, 2021, 11:33:38 am
Why, in spite of The Sheds being positively afloat on a sea of screws, do I not have a matching set of six suitable for attaching this 'ere curtain wire to Larrington Towers?

I had that last week with 1.5" (or the metric equivalent) countersunk wood screws.

This week I am the proud owner of 200 of the above, and needed 1" pan head...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 12 June, 2021, 10:04:55 pm
Pan headed screws are surprising difficult to find in anything but stainless steel in my experience. It can be very frustrating.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 12 June, 2021, 11:27:48 pm
Quote from: Kim on 12 June, 2021, 09:20:27 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 12 June, 2021, 11:33:38 am
Why, in spite of The Sheds being positively afloat on a sea of screws, do I not have a matching set of six suitable for attaching this 'ere curtain wire to Larrington Towers?

I had that last week with 1.5" (or the metric equivalent) countersunk wood screws.

This week I am the proud owner of 200 of the above, and needed 1" pan head...

I thought I had a box of eminently suitable screws (6 x 40mm) but I must have used them while performing open leg surgery on Lt. Col. Larrington (retd.)'s small round coffee table last year.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 14 June, 2021, 11:30:13 am
So the dishwasher is playing up, didn't drain on Saturday, though waiting for a bit seems to have worked (there is no water in the bottom after re-running it) without having dispelled the 'error code.'

I'd turn it off and on, but one million points to anyone who can tell me where it is plugged in, because it's not where I thought it was, that's the extractor fan. And nope, not that one, that's the oven.

Having assayed the front panel LEDs and found the little manual to decrypt them, I am pleased to announce that the problem is that the dishwasher has water in it and I should consult my 'after-sales service.' Thanks, appliance.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 14 June, 2021, 12:12:01 pm
While setting out the stall for the installation of a curtain wire in the Great Hall of Larrington Towers I brought my Park cable cutters in from the Sheds and put them on the table along with the Rawlplugs, drill, ratchet screwdriver, tape measure, shiny new screws, big box of drill bits ect & moreover ect.  But when I came actually to cut the wire to the right length there they are: gorn, vanishéd, disparu like Mother’s mink.

Bah!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 14 June, 2021, 01:04:21 pm
In a similar vein, a week or two ago I found a jiffy bag containing four nicely rubber sealed automotive blade fuse holders from the "minimum qty 5" order when I repaired the mud-encrusted and corroded wiring around the battery on the dirt bike. I was looking for something else at the time, so just noted their presence.

Fast forward a couple of weeks, I really need one of those to protect some additional wiring for a fan-assisted roof vent I'm putting in the campervan. Can I remember in which teetering pile I saw them? Looks like I may well do my usual trick of buying some more, then finding the ones I had the morning the postie drops the new ones through the letterbox.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 14 June, 2021, 05:23:55 pm
Somehow the Park cable cutters had migrated back into the Sheds.  But not into the toolbox, no, that would be too easy and imply that they had in fact been there all along.  Why, no, they were hiding in plain sight on top of the socket set ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 14 June, 2021, 05:34:04 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington
Why, no, they were hiding in plain sight...
Hoo yes.  A few days ago... measuring and stretching things for aeromodelling purposes and I put my trusty 40" rule down.  Three minutes later (I know this because the bell used to time the process had just gone off) I went to pick it up again. Waaah?  Where'd he go Vince?  Half an hour later I spy it,  not 6" from my left foot leaning against a sheet of cardboard.  It's not as if the rule is cardboard coloured, it's *shiny* metal.  Hopeless.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: FifeingEejit on 14 June, 2021, 06:08:08 pm
I out my compass and mountain whistle somewhere sensible a couple of months ago, so far I've bought a new whistle and compass and that sensible location still hasn't revealed itself.

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 14 June, 2021, 08:42:13 pm
Dear colleague, paying £15 to mail a ream of paper to a workmate is not a very good value way for her to get paper, is it really. Kthxbai.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 14 June, 2021, 10:17:57 pm
Couldn’t they have e-mailed it?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 14 June, 2021, 10:47:58 pm
House viewing tonight, and another lesson relearned:
If it looks a bit shit in the photos it will be even worse IRL.

Ok, I knew it was going to be a bit shit, but if someone like me can spot all your bodges in a photo and then find more IRL it does make you wonder about all the ones you can't see.
Like that nice new ensuite where the bath panels don't fit under the bath properly. What exactly does the important stuff like the plumbing look like?

<Twiddles thumbs, waits for some nice houses to appear that aren't also sited on busy road of certain kitteh deth
f5 f5 f5 >
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 14 June, 2021, 10:49:08 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 14 June, 2021, 10:17:57 pm
Couldn’t they have e-mailed it?

Or photocopied a blank sheet..
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 14 June, 2021, 10:50:59 pm
Quote from: Kim on 14 June, 2021, 10:49:08 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 14 June, 2021, 10:17:57 pm
Couldn’t they have e-mailed it?

Or photocopied a blank sheet..
Don't be silly. Don't these people have fax machines?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 15 June, 2021, 12:34:15 am
Quote from: Tim Hall on 14 June, 2021, 10:50:59 pm
Quote from: Kim on 14 June, 2021, 10:49:08 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 14 June, 2021, 10:17:57 pm
Couldn’t they have e-mailed it?

Or photocopied a blank sheet..
Don't be silly. Don't these people have fax machines?

No.  The 1980s popped by and took them all away.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jaded on 15 June, 2021, 12:43:40 am
I lost my electronic Dymo label maker at the beginning of last year. After being able to look in all the places it might be, Mum’s, Scotland, etc., post covid, it was decreed that I could replace it. So a Christmas present was bought for me. Three days before Christmas the original one turned up underneath a piece of furniture we move for Christmas…
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 15 June, 2021, 09:28:25 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 14 June, 2021, 10:47:58 pm
House viewing tonight, and another lesson relearned:
If it looks a bit shit in the photos it will be even worse IRL.

Ok, I knew it was going to be a bit shit, but if someone like me can spot all your bodges in a photo and then find more IRL it does make you wonder about all the ones you can't see.
Like that nice new ensuite where the bath panels don't fit under the bath properly. What exactly does the important stuff like the plumbing look like?

<Twiddles thumbs, waits for some nice houses to appear that aren't also sited on busy road of certain kitteh deth
f5 f5 f5 >

One of the reasons I live on the edge of London was a long run of really grim houses when we first started looking – it's the better part of a million pounds and it, erm, looks like the DIY was done by me after a few drinks.

And people that just don't bother. You're selling a house for £800k, couldn't you at least take ten minutes to yank the weeds out of your driveway, maybe turn your house into some less of a town-dump obstacle course?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 15 June, 2021, 09:35:25 am
Yeah, this lot had obviously cut all the skirtings off to lay laminate flooring (spit) and then just stuck them back on again without bothering to fill all the gaps between the skirting and the doorframe etc, etc. Pingu said he didn't like the 'open plan' boiler in the kitchen either.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 15 June, 2021, 11:34:47 am
The curse of dreadful DIY (about 99% of it, tbh, people of Britain put down your power tools).

The significant disjoint in London is that people treat £800k hours like they're £8k houses, so despite the eyewatering purchase price, expect weed-strewn driveways, tired decoration, peeling windows, and a general lassitude. It's not worth the effort, it's going to sell for a vast amount, so why bother. They evidently don't.

Also, stupid extensions, oversized excrescences clinging to the sides and back of houses – or balanced precariously on top – with no regard to size or style. Just because you can doesn't mean you should. People that rip out sash windows to replaced them with cheapest possible uPVC, those with bits of plastic in them that just makes them look even worse, like they're made out of some cheap Chinese Lego knockoff. I don't want to see a 2010 house that has plastic 'leaded' windows. Henry the fucking VIIIth did not live there. He would have everyone involved beheaded.

And, take a breath ian, the fucking car parks, entire gardens gone to tarmac, it must be like living in a Tesco car park. Shrubs, lawns, trees, all gone. Just a slick of tarmac or desert of grey paving so you can park eight cars. That's what you see every time you look out of your front window. A car park.

Of note in house-hunting adventures, I mentioned the smokers' sticky house elsewhere, but one splendid house we saw was literally splitting in half. Serious, had a crack that went up one wall, across the ceiling, and down the other. Not a small crack, the sort that made you feel unsafe standing in it. They'd sort of bodged with industrial quantities of polyfilla. £750k for a house that looked to be on its way to being two houses with interior open-air access.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 15 June, 2021, 01:40:55 pm
If When we ever find a house that's got the front garden paved over it'll all be getting hoicked up apart from a small Roomster sized area and covered in some sort of nature.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 15 June, 2021, 02:04:47 pm
Front garden conversions to parking space continue apace around here – you'd think we'd put a stop to it, it just adds more cars to the mix. No nature allowed. Of course, they gush surface water onto roads and overload the storm drains (which they're not supposed to do, but who checks this work?) As a bonus, I regularly see houses that have converted every inch of frontage to car parking and there's an extra car slapped across the pavement in front, now de facto annexed as a 'driveway.' Or those with a small front garden, not big enough for a car, but who do it anyway, leaving their car across the pavement.

We saw a new build the other week, in a pretty village, the entire front garden was paved. Seriously, you could have parked a dozen cars on there, so the view out of the well-appointed front windows was literally a car park opening onto the main road. I guess it's sold as low maintenance, but honestly if you can afford that sort of house, you can afford a fucking gardener.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 15 June, 2021, 02:44:05 pm
Paving gardens makes the area hotter in summer, too.  Possibly colder in winter but me physics is having a siesta. I think yes.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 15 June, 2021, 03:39:53 pm
I like a paved garden, me. Stops the on road parking and bloody wildlife can stay in the wild.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 15 June, 2021, 03:40:33 pm
This house had a car park when I bought it. I left it because I'm mean & lazy. It's been quite useful though we've never had a car.

Chap next door had a proper garden until he was decamped to a care home. New owners wasted no time converting this to a car park,

Phoned up the care home on Sunday as old man would have been 97 tomorrow. They told me he died in the spring.

I'm not sure I'd do up a place to sell it. My parents did this and purchasers ripped everything up or out. I've not redone anything inessential since I arrived. Of course it's all tired now. If I NEED to redo it, I'll do it for ME but I have no intention of budging yet, nor budget for refurbishments.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 15 June, 2021, 04:17:34 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 15 June, 2021, 01:40:55 pm
If When we ever find a house that's got the front garden paved over it'll all be getting hoicked up apart from a small Roomster sized area and covered in some sort of nature.

Get some Grasscrete or similar in.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 15 June, 2021, 04:40:54 pm
Paving over gardens doesn't, alas, stop on-road parking, it just reserves a road-side space for the house owners (who will take advantage of the fact that no one else can block their access by parking yet another car there). And even if they don't, they just create more parking pressure, since there's less on-road parking for guests, visitors and existing residents – who now, of course, have an incentive to pave over their own gardens. Thusly concrete, paving, and tarmac spreads like some untreatable skin condition.

As for those excrescent patches of lurid astroturf, honestly, everyone responsible should just die. I'm happy to help. Harsh but fair.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 15 June, 2021, 04:48:28 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 15 June, 2021, 04:17:34 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 15 June, 2021, 01:40:55 pm
If When we ever find a house that's got the front garden paved over it'll all be getting hoicked up apart from a small Roomster sized area and covered in some sort of nature.

Get some Grasscrete or similar in.

Why would I do that? The key word being in bold.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 15 June, 2021, 04:50:49 pm
Please don't kill my brother! He has decided to Astroturf his back garden. He's a nice chap but doesn't like mowing. To be fair he has had back surgery.

My front car park is useful for tradespeople, guests, deliveries and taxis.

Having OSP for these visitors relieves drivers of time pressure so despite disliking the presence of a car park, it does get used.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 15 June, 2021, 04:57:29 pm
Quote from: fboab on 15 June, 2021, 03:39:53 pm
I like a paved garden, me. Stops the on road parking and bloody wildlife can stay in the wild.

+1  The triffids are best when they're Somebody Else's Problem.  If I'm going to go outside and get allergic/injured, I'd much rather it be for a bike ride or something fun, rather than sodding gardening.  Drainage issues can - at least in principle - be solved by Doing It Properly.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SteveC on 15 June, 2021, 05:45:49 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 15 June, 2021, 03:40:33 pm
I'm not sure I'd do up a place to sell it. My parents did this and purchasers ripped everything up or out. I've not redone anything inessential since I arrived. Of course it's all tired now. If I NEED to redo it, I'll do it for ME but I have no intention of budging yet, nor budget for refurbishments.
House next door to us. Previously owned (and nicely extended) by a plumber. Last couple of weeks before he moved out, there was a skip in the front garden as he got rid of the accumulated junk they didn't want to move with and finish off the last few jobs.
New person moves in. Another skip arrives. Several weeks of removing recently fitted stuff and replacing it with new stuff they liked.

Well, I suppose it keeps the economy ticking along.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 15 June, 2021, 05:47:13 pm
IMHO "Doing up a place to sell" should be limited to fixing actual problems and a big tub of landlord-grade magnolia to keep the mistake agents happy.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 15 June, 2021, 05:52:13 pm
Quote from: Kim on 15 June, 2021, 04:57:29 pm
Quote from: fboab on 15 June, 2021, 03:39:53 pm
I like a paved garden, me. Stops the on road parking and bloody wildlife can stay in the wild.

+1  The triffids are best when they're Somebody Else's Problem.  If I'm going to go outside and get allergic/injured, I'd much rather it be for a bike ride or something fun, rather than sodding gardening.  Drainage issues can - at least in principle - be solved by Doing It Properly.

+1.  Murdock*'s First Law of Gardening: if it's green the paving isn't finished yet.

* Guy "Murdock" Barrett, not him off of The A-Team
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 15 June, 2021, 05:57:24 pm
I'm sure the A-Team's Murdock has strong opinions about gardening, too.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nuttycyclist on 15 June, 2021, 05:58:34 pm
Quote from: SteveC on 15 June, 2021, 05:45:49 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 15 June, 2021, 03:40:33 pm
I'm not sure I'd do up a place to sell it. My parents did this and purchasers ripped everything up or out. I've not redone anything inessential since I arrived. Of course it's all tired now. If I NEED to redo it, I'll do it for ME but I have no intention of budging yet, nor budget for refurbishments.
House next door to us. Previously owned (and nicely extended) by a plumber. Last couple of weeks before he moved out, there was a skip in the front garden as he got rid of the accumulated junk they didn't want to move with and finish off the last few jobs.
New person moves in. Another skip arrives. Several weeks of removing recently fitted stuff and replacing it with new stuff they liked.

Well, I suppose it keeps the economy ticking along.

My previous next door was sold several times while I was there, each person ripped out kitchen and bathroom and replaced it.  Time period approx ten years.

I recently saw my previous house up for sale, they'd wrecked the garden (except the decking I built) and new internal paint scheme was awful, but 100% of my DIY was still there, the kitchen and bathroom we fitted (not DIY, and desperately needed to replace previous no-more-nails DIY) were untouched and as we left it.  Time period approx ten years.

Sometimes I get it right.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 15 June, 2021, 06:21:15 pm
Quote from: Kim on 15 June, 2021, 05:57:24 pm
I'm sure the A-Team's Murdock has strong opinions about gardening, too.

“I ain't doin' no gardenin', fool!” B.A. Baracus, yesterday
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 15 June, 2021, 06:41:16 pm
Dear large white domestic appliance,

You are a fridge, not a freezer, and don’t you forget it.

Grrr!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 15 June, 2021, 06:53:26 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 15 June, 2021, 06:21:15 pm
Quote from: Kim on 15 June, 2021, 05:57:24 pm
I'm sure the A-Team's Murdock has strong opinions about gardening, too.

“I ain't doin' no gardenin', fool!” B.A. Baracus, yesterday

BA's idea of gardening would involve Agent Orange.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 15 June, 2021, 07:50:02 pm
Unfortunately, every bit of garden paved over is another bit of nature lost and another car on the road and at least one fewer person walking or cycling. That's the true cost. People also grow into their surroundings, which if they look like the car park of an abandoned retail park is some dystopian near-future, explains much of modern Britain.

I don't do any gardening, I pay a man (ok, usually three of them), though I did mow the front lawns of ours and next doors' yesterday, owing to the fact that the grass waited for the gardeners to leave after their last visit. I left the back garden though because of the perfect confluence of laziness and leaving a bit of nature around for the bees and assorted other bugs. Though at the moment I can see Little Monster Cat's ears in the middle of it all. She likes to think she's stealthy.

I mention the impressively useless extension our first house has acquired elsewhere. While the house was best described as compact and bijou (or in Estateagentese surprisingly spacious) it offered nothing other than putting the kitchen in the living room and reducing the garden to a cheerless square of paving for the Saddest Little Barbeque in SE London. Of course, ker-ching, it's now a three-bedroom house even if you'd struggle to get a single bed in the former kitchen. The kitchen was so small we risked inadvertently starting a family by turning around too quickly.

Reminds me, when we looking last we saw a place billed as 'four-bedroom' in Bromley. Seriously, two of those 'bedrooms' wouldn't have fitted single beds, the third maybe a single, and only the fourth was ample enough to earn to sobriquet bedroom. They'd basically taken a two-and-a-half bedroom house and upped the count to four. I remember that one because I cycled past some months later to see people trying to get a bed through the front door (the hallway was blessed with a turn sharp enough to guarantee impregnability to any furnishing that wasn't still flat-packed). Even the expedient and taking it around the back and through the kitchen, well, you still had to navigate that hallway to get it up the stairs. I suppose that solved the bedroom problem, not need to worry, you're not getting a bed up there in the first place. I have no idea why someone bought the place, the failings were obvious and it wasn't even especially cheap.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 15 June, 2021, 08:43:17 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 15 June, 2021, 04:48:28 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 15 June, 2021, 04:17:34 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 15 June, 2021, 01:40:55 pm
If When we ever find a house that's got the front garden paved over it'll all be getting hoicked up apart from a small Roomster sized area and covered in some sort of nature.

Get some Grasscrete or similar in.

Why would I do that? The key word being in bold.

To park the Roomster on? And retain a green-ish finish with decent drainage.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 15 June, 2021, 10:23:33 pm
Alright, now that I've looked it up I apologise, I didn't realise it had actual grass in it!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 16 June, 2021, 08:13:18 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 15 June, 2021, 10:23:33 pm
Alright, now that I've looked it up I apologise, I didn't realise it had actual grass in it!

NP. I assumed knowledge on the part of othes too  :).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 16 June, 2021, 09:02:54 am
After delighting me with it's instant use as garmin-free utility ride tracking, my Fitbit has now 3 times failed to do it's thing for my commute.
Bastard. I blame Bluetooth. Everyone knows without Strava it didn't happen. Although my legs are telling me otherwise.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 16 June, 2021, 09:52:27 am
Effing 'background check' companies.

My future employers are a US firm. So they are using the US branch of a background check company. That can't cope with things like my not having a USA Social Security number.

Towering pile of shite lot keep telling future employers that they have tried to contact me to get information (that they already have, it is on the forms on their website). No they haven't. Every time I phone them (waiting 15 min on hold for US calls is annoying), they tell me they have all the information needed. Then give a different answer to my future employer.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Regulator on 16 June, 2021, 01:42:10 pm
Quote from: ian on 15 June, 2021, 02:04:47 pm
Front garden conversions to parking space continue apace around here – you'd think we'd put a stop to it, it just adds more cars to the mix. No nature allowed. Of course, they gush surface water onto roads and overload the storm drains (which they're not supposed to do, but who checks this work?) As a bonus, I regularly see houses that have converted every inch of frontage to car parking and there's an extra car slapped across the pavement in front, now de facto annexed as a 'driveway.' Or those with a small front garden, not big enough for a car, but who do it anyway, leaving their car across the pavement.

We saw a new build the other week, in a pretty village, the entire front garden was paved. Seriously, you could have parked a dozen cars on there, so the view out of the well-appointed front windows was literally a car park opening onto the main road. I guess it's sold as low maintenance, but honestly if you can afford that sort of house, you can afford a fucking gardener.

We have started reporting cars parked on grass verges to the district council, if there is any damage caused (which there so often is).  The council sends their insurers a bill....  :thumbsup: :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 16 June, 2021, 02:16:04 pm
It's about time – if only more councils would be proactive (and same for pavement parking, drivers should be held liable).

I'm surprised anyone's insurance pays out if they're improperly parked. That would be sad if it comes out of their pockets.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 16 June, 2021, 03:57:50 pm
Quote from: ian
... same for pavement parking, drivers should be held liable...

I haven't been paying close attention, but isn't this about to become illegal throughout Englandland?  Seem to remember there's some weasliness about enforcement though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Regulator on 16 June, 2021, 07:02:07 pm
Quote from: TheLurker on 16 June, 2021, 03:57:50 pm
Quote from: ian
... same for pavement parking, drivers should be held liable...

I haven't been paying close attention, but isn't this about to become illegal throughout Englandland?  Seem to remember there's some weasliness about enforcement though.

The government proposed changing the law, using their Covid powers, but the gammonati in Parliament are trying to kaibosh it.

Enforcement falls to the police unless they devolve it to  local authority.  Many police forces (our local one included) refuse to do so, so there is effectively no enforcement...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 16 June, 2021, 07:39:56 pm
Don't councils have some kind of duty to keep pavements open and clear? I guess not, which seems a manifest failing. People should start tripping over cars and suing them. I'm very accident-prone.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 16 June, 2021, 10:51:17 pm
Quote from: fboab on 16 June, 2021, 09:02:54 am
After delighting me with it's instant use as garmin-free utility ride tracking, my Fitbit has now 3 times failed to do it's thing for my commute.
Bastard. I blame Bluetooth. Everyone knows without Strava it didn't happen. Although my legs are telling me otherwise.
Can the Fitbit app see it, or is it not even getting that far?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 18 June, 2021, 06:03:01 pm
"For the assurance team, we strive to build complexity, but deliver on simplicity. We understand how valuable your time is"

If you really understood that, you'd cut the platitudes and just show us the stuff.

A few minutes later in the same presentations:
"As the earth goes round, the seasons change dramatically. As technology becomes more advanced, the work you have to do changes dramatically. Value your time to make our world a better place."

 :sick:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 19 June, 2021, 12:59:54 pm
I went to Toolstation to buy some pipe freezer spray.
Fox shit management - for the use of.
What's the product code? Says the face behind the counter.
I've no idea - Says I.
You need to look it up in the book. Says the face, pointing yonder.
I located the index at the back of the book.
Pipe freezer spray Page 152 - says the book.
Page 152 has a number of products branded 'Arctic Hayes' - which I know to be the branding on the empty can of pipe freezer in my shed.
PIN number is keyed into pad, I leave the store with a navy blue aerosol can in my bag.
It isn't until I get home and try and put the aerosol to use that I discover what he has actually sold me isn't a can of pipe freezer spray, but is a can of compressed air, dust for the blowing away of, and absolutely useless when it comes to freezing fox shit.
ETA - I'm struggling to believe that I actually tried it.

Wankers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 19 June, 2021, 01:48:58 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 18 June, 2021, 06:03:01 pm
"For the assurance team, we strive to build complexity, but deliver on simplicity. We understand how valuable your time is"

If you really understood that, you'd cut the platitudes and just show us the stuff.

A few minutes later in the same presentations:
"As the earth goes round, the seasons change dramatically. As technology becomes more advanced, the work you have to do changes dramatically. Value your time to make our world a better place."

 :sick:

You must have been really bad in a past life.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 19 June, 2021, 01:50:22 pm
Whereas if I was really bad in this life, I'd be the one writing that...  :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 21 June, 2021, 01:22:05 pm
Speaking of Baal Zevuv, the flies are hyperactive today.  I had one all round me at lunch and the damned thing has followed me upstairs now.

Time to string some rubber bands together...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 22 June, 2021, 11:46:43 am
The Oticon Streamer I use for connecting my phone via Bluetooth to my hearing aids isn’t the most intuitive piece of hardware I’ve ever used, and it’s functionality can be at best described as, well, functional. It’s ability to stream audio books and music from my phone is a nice addition though, but it would be an awful lot better if it didn’t seem to change details of just how it functions every time use it. It works, but sometimes the stream switch stopes the playback and sometimes it just mutes, with no audible indication of which option it has chosen.

I bought a newer version recently so I could gain added functionality that is only available via a phone app. I’m beginning to think that was a waste of money, because, as above, the functionality seems to change with the weather or sunspots or something, and the need for an audiologist to actually programme some of functions on the hearing aids before the app will let me turn them on or off is very frustrating. And the audiologists (multiple) had issues even trying to pair my streamers with my hearing aids.

Audiology doesn’t seem to benefit from the consumer driven need to provide reliable and flexible tech as, say, mobile phones.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 22 June, 2021, 12:34:52 pm
The customer driven need, as perceived by hearing aid manufacturers, is that they be:

a) Invisible
b) Not sound 'weird' to someone who's never used a hearing aid before

Because we know that all hearing aid users are old people[1] who are ashamed of their acquired hearing loss.  Or something.

I'm suspicious that all other features are designed primary to appeal to audiologists/parents/educators - ie. people with influence over purchasing decisions who appreciate the theoretical benefit of direct input, radio aids and the like, but who don't have to actually use them.


[1] But not to the point where they struggle with vision or dexterity as pertains to the manipulation of small objects, obviously.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 22 June, 2021, 12:37:07 pm
Barakta informs me that her opinion of Oticon streamers is unprintable..
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nuttycyclist on 22 June, 2021, 06:10:57 pm
Dear bbc NEWS at six.

it is now 18:10.    Please stop talking about the futpool and start giving me the news. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 22 June, 2021, 06:13:03 pm
And, as if by magic, the shopkeeper Little Hattie Mancock appeared…
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 22 June, 2021, 09:24:54 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 22 June, 2021, 06:13:03 pm
And, as if by magic, the shopkeeper Little Hattie Mancock appeared…
Hasn’t he been scapegoated sacked resigned to spend more time with his children yet?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 22 June, 2021, 10:00:18 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 22 June, 2021, 09:24:54 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 22 June, 2021, 06:13:03 pm
And, as if by magic, the shopkeeper Little Hattie Mancock appeared…
Hasn’t he been scapegoated sacked resigned to spend more time with his children yet?

No such luck…
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 22 June, 2021, 10:14:35 pm
I'm down in That London for the first weekend of July.  I've just tried to book for "Epic Iran" at the V&A , but it's sold out for the whole 3 days.  Arse!   It may have to be Rodin at Tate Modern then.


Taking advantage of my Shiny New English Heritage card I've got tickets booked for Apsley House & Eltham Palace.   
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 24 June, 2021, 06:41:57 pm
While a lot of people may have left the employ of the theaTAH in the West End, hairy Sir, I very much doubt that the quantity is “innumerate” >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 25 June, 2021, 10:06:31 am
Dear God, the Wimbledon ticketing system is an absolute shambles this year.  I've "chosen" digital ticketing. No, I was forced to accept it. As you have to provide proof of vaccination from the NHS app, AND provide phot ID, I can't see whay physical tickets are such a problem. And why do I only get them 2 days before (and not the 5 that Ticketmaster said)? I got a pair of tickets. Will they be "sent" to me - yes. Can I use them to get us both into the ground-no.  Oh no, I have to "share your benefits" using the wimbledon.com app and mYwimbledon. So my companion (in this case my wife) needs to register for a mYwimbledon account. Oh look, the latest version - which is the one that allows "benefit sharing" won't load 'cos her (i)phone is too old to run the latest OS. Cue a new (i)phone  ::-).  As to the app itself - what a crock of shit.  We'll definitely be printing out our Covid vaccine status rather than accessing that on the phones too - goodness knows how long it'll take to get into the ground! 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 25 June, 2021, 06:59:05 pm
The problem with a really nice property coming on the market on a Friday afternoon is that you have to* stew on it all weekend before you can do anything about it.


*yes, I know I don't have to. But me being me, I will.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 26 June, 2021, 01:56:57 am
Silly Oak has been experiencing problems with the supply of electrosity.  We're now just experiencing problems with the supply of quiet.

It's not bedtime until the power's back on *and* all the burglar alarms have shut up.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 26 June, 2021, 10:00:23 pm
Recently my parents had a plumber in, to deal with a toilet that wasn't flushing.   They also asked him to fix a leaking mixer tap in the kitchen that must have been over 60 years old.   He did this by replacing it with a new mixer tap. 


It now transpires that the screw on adapter for the jetwash they use to hose dog pee & poo of their patio area won't fit this tap,  and neither will any replacement I can find. 


I can see Mr Plumber being invited back to install an external tap ,  which is probably a better solution than the current one of feeding the hose & power cable of the Karcher through the kitchen window.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 26 June, 2021, 10:17:27 pm
Urg, please tell me they're not hosing the dog poo down the drain?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 26 June, 2021, 10:24:17 pm
Depends how solid it is.   A gluten intolerant rottweiler.....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 27 June, 2021, 06:33:31 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 22 June, 2021, 10:00:18 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 22 June, 2021, 09:24:54 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 22 June, 2021, 06:13:03 pm
And, as if by magic, the shopkeeper Little Hattie Mancock appeared…
Hasn’t he been scapegoated sacked resigned to spend more time with his children yet?

No such luck…

Who'd have thought that a tory MP and cabinet minister might do "the right thing" and resign?  He's clung on like "sticks like shit" through nearly 18 months of covid calamities, cronyism* and corruption* but suddenly he finds some backbone about grabbing Gina's backside whilst searching for her tonsils.  Seems strange given what has passed but perhaps such behaviour is only permissable by the bumbler-in-chief?

* his and his sister's nice little PPE earner as well as Ginagate and of course Dodo Hardof-Thinking and her traumatic test and trace tomfoolery.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 27 June, 2021, 10:57:06 pm
Dr Beardy (Mrs) expects me to do tasks towards the general running of the household such as loading the dishwasher and hanging the laundry. These I will do (relatively) happy on account of her earning money through her activities while I don’t, so this is not the grumble. Neither will I grumble about her correcting my dishwasher loading because I can thwart this by putting the dishwasher on regardless of completion status of dishwasher load. But don’t tell her I said that.   :o

No, my grumble is to do with the clothes airier we have in the garden, or more accurately her attachment of clothes to the same. Due to our slightly out of step sleeping patterns she has often hung a laundry load before she abandons the household chores to my inept care. Therefore, given that she is more often than not the first person to hang wet laundry on the whirly gig why, WHY, does she keep hanging the first items on the outer ropes of said whirligig. Why??!! And moreover. Why? It just does not make sense to start at the outside and then have to duck under the already hung clothes and work your way in. It doesn’t.   

Hrummph.

And for the curious, no, I’m not brave enough to challenge her about this abhorrent behaviour. Do I look suicidal to you?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 28 June, 2021, 09:09:32 am
Maybe if a load doesn't fill the whirly she's trying to get as much of it as she can on the out ones which will presumably dry first?
I dunno, I hate those whirly things. No doubt I will get one at our next house.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 28 June, 2021, 10:16:49 am
Quote from: Beardy on 27 June, 2021, 10:57:06 pm
Dr Beardy (Mrs) expects me to do tasks towards the general running of the household such as loading the dishwasher and hanging the laundry. These I will do (relatively) happy on account of her earning money through her activities while I don’t, so this is not the grumble. Neither will I grumble about her correcting my dishwasher loading because I can thwart this by putting the dishwasher on regardless of completion status of dishwasher load. But don’t tell her I said that.   :o

No, my grumble is to do with the clothes airier we have in the garden, or more accurately her attachment of clothes to the same. Due to our slightly out of step sleeping patterns she has often hung a laundry load before she abandons the household chores to my inept care. Therefore, given that she is more often than not the first person to hang wet laundry on the whirly gig why, WHY, does she keep hanging the first items on the outer ropes of said whirligig. Why??!! And moreover. Why? It just does not make sense to start at the outside and then have to duck under the already hung clothes and work your way in. It doesn’t.   

Hrummph.

And for the curious, no, I’m not brave enough to challenge her about this abhorrent behaviour. Do I look suicidal to you?

Does the whirlygig loading include putting the longer, dangly items on the inner lines too?  I admit to being completely anal about whirlygig loading putting socks and smalls on the innermost lines, shorts tee shirts etc. in the mid zone and finishing with what I call "arms and egs" but also of course includes other longer items on the outer wires.  I tend to pair socks as I am pegging out too which makes for much easier putting away of laundry.

I also don't like the pegs mixed up as we have two types of peg. 

My position on this and the washing up which is a non-mechanised event in the Bear-o-drome is that I happily undertake these tasks until some interference happens and then I hand over to the interferer-in-chief.   
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 28 June, 2021, 10:25:04 am
Bugger.   Power cut.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 28 June, 2021, 10:34:36 am
My wife undertakes all washing related activities because I'm a sexist pigdog* but that involves a drying rack in the spare room. I did finally noticed we have a whirly dryer at the top of the garden, though it seems to be at about 30 degrees from vertical, and I'm not sure why it's at the top of garden, since that would involve scrambling up lots of narrow steps. Anyway, I suspect that its current state, even hanging the briefest pair lacy briefs on it would precipitate collapse. Much of my childhood seems to have been spent putting the washing in or out depending on whether it looked like rain, which in Britain, is about every five minutes, so I'm not doing that as a grown-up.

*I'm probably not, but for some reason lost to history, I'm not allowed to do the washing. I am allowed to operate the dishwasher though, surprisingly since I once washed a pair of trainers in there.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Paul on 28 June, 2021, 11:44:07 am
Quote from: Polar Bear on 28 June, 2021, 10:16:49 am
Quote from: Beardy on 27 June, 2021, 10:57:06 pm
Dr Beardy (Mrs) expects me to do tasks towards the general running of the household such as loading the dishwasher and hanging the laundry. These I will do (relatively) happy on account of her earning money through her activities while I don’t, so this is not the grumble. Neither will I grumble about her correcting my dishwasher loading because I can thwart this by putting the dishwasher on regardless of completion status of dishwasher load. But don’t tell her I said that.   :o

No, my grumble is to do with the clothes airier we have in the garden, or more accurately her attachment of clothes to the same. Due to our slightly out of step sleeping patterns she has often hung a laundry load before she abandons the household chores to my inept care. Therefore, given that she is more often than not the first person to hang wet laundry on the whirly gig why, WHY, does she keep hanging the first items on the outer ropes of said whirligig. Why??!! And moreover. Why? It just does not make sense to start at the outside and then have to duck under the already hung clothes and work your way in. It doesn’t.   

Hrummph.

And for the curious, no, I’m not brave enough to challenge her about this abhorrent behaviour. Do I look suicidal to you?

Does the whirlygig loading include putting the longer, dangly items on the inner lines too?  I admit to being completely anal about whirlygig loading putting socks and smalls on the innermost lines, shorts tee shirts etc. in the mid zone and finishing with what I call "arms and egs" but also of course includes other longer items on the outer wires.  I tend to pair socks as I am pegging out too which makes for much easier putting away of laundry.

I also don't like the pegs mixed up as we have two types of peg. 
Is there room for a third person in this support group?

I have a collapsible airer (it stands on 4 legs and concertinas away after use. Smalls inside, bigs outside. 

I have a line for the 8 fine drying days per year.

I have 3 types of peg: good, better and best. Not by design, it just happened. The ranking can fluctuate, depending on what’s being hung, so that a normally ‘good’ peg can become ‘best’ in certain circumstances.

I see tea and coffee. Any biscuits?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 28 June, 2021, 12:06:59 pm
Quote from: Paul on 28 June, 2021, 11:44:07 am
Quote from: Polar Bear on 28 June, 2021, 10:16:49 am
Quote from: Beardy on 27 June, 2021, 10:57:06 pm
Dr Beardy (Mrs) expects me to do tasks towards the general running of the household such as loading the dishwasher and hanging the laundry. These I will do (relatively) happy on account of her earning money through her activities while I don’t, so this is not the grumble. Neither will I grumble about her correcting my dishwasher loading because I can thwart this by putting the dishwasher on regardless of completion status of dishwasher load. But don’t tell her I said that.   :o

No, my grumble is to do with the clothes airier we have in the garden, or more accurately her attachment of clothes to the same. Due to our slightly out of step sleeping patterns she has often hung a laundry load before she abandons the household chores to my inept care. Therefore, given that she is more often than not the first person to hang wet laundry on the whirly gig why, WHY, does she keep hanging the first items on the outer ropes of said whirligig. Why??!! And moreover. Why? It just does not make sense to start at the outside and then have to duck under the already hung clothes and work your way in. It doesn’t.   

Hrummph.

And for the curious, no, I’m not brave enough to challenge her about this abhorrent behaviour. Do I look suicidal to you?

Does the whirlygig loading include putting the longer, dangly items on the inner lines too?  I admit to being completely anal about whirlygig loading putting socks and smalls on the innermost lines, shorts tee shirts etc. in the mid zone and finishing with what I call "arms and egs" but also of course includes other longer items on the outer wires.  I tend to pair socks as I am pegging out too which makes for much easier putting away of laundry.

I also don't like the pegs mixed up as we have two types of peg. 
Is there room for a third person in this support group?

I have a collapsible airer (it stands on 4 legs and concertinas away after use. Smalls inside, bigs outside. 

I have a line for the 8 fine drying days per year.

I have 3 types of peg: good, better and best. Not by design, it just happened. The ranking can fluctuate, depending on what’s being hung, so that a normally ‘good’ peg can become ‘best’ in certain circumstances.

I see tea and coffee. Any biscuits?

Homemade raspberry and chocolate flapjack?

I (we) still insist upon wooden pegs.  The lovely newer, never been wet ones are used for clothing.  The scruffier, neglected ones which were here when I arrive twenty years ago ( probably not but who is counting? ) for towels, bedding, etc.  I keep them properly separated ...

< sips coffee and bites flapjack >
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nuttycyclist on 28 June, 2021, 12:23:09 pm
Quote from: Polar Bear on 28 June, 2021, 12:06:59 pm
Quote from: Paul on 28 June, 2021, 11:44:07 am
Quote from: Polar Bear on 28 June, 2021, 10:16:49 am
Quote from: Beardy on 27 June, 2021, 10:57:06 pm
Dr Beardy (Mrs) expects me to do tasks towards the general running of the household such as loading the dishwasher and hanging the laundry. These I will do (relatively) happy on account of her earning money through her activities while I don’t, so this is not the grumble. Neither will I grumble about her correcting my dishwasher loading because I can thwart this by putting the dishwasher on regardless of completion status of dishwasher load. But don’t tell her I said that.   :o

No, my grumble is to do with the clothes airier we have in the garden, or more accurately her attachment of clothes to the same. Due to our slightly out of step sleeping patterns she has often hung a laundry load before she abandons the household chores to my inept care. Therefore, given that she is more often than not the first person to hang wet laundry on the whirly gig why, WHY, does she keep hanging the first items on the outer ropes of said whirligig. Why??!! And moreover. Why? It just does not make sense to start at the outside and then have to duck under the already hung clothes and work your way in. It doesn’t.   

Hrummph.

And for the curious, no, I’m not brave enough to challenge her about this abhorrent behaviour. Do I look suicidal to you?

Does the whirlygig loading include putting the longer, dangly items on the inner lines too?  I admit to being completely anal about whirlygig loading putting socks and smalls on the innermost lines, shorts tee shirts etc. in the mid zone and finishing with what I call "arms and egs" but also of course includes other longer items on the outer wires.  I tend to pair socks as I am pegging out too which makes for much easier putting away of laundry.

I also don't like the pegs mixed up as we have two types of peg. 
Is there room for a third person in this support group?

I have a collapsible airer (it stands on 4 legs and concertinas away after use. Smalls inside, bigs outside. 

I have a line for the 8 fine drying days per year.

I have 3 types of peg: good, better and best. Not by design, it just happened. The ranking can fluctuate, depending on what’s being hung, so that a normally ‘good’ peg can become ‘best’ in certain circumstances.

I see tea and coffee. Any biscuits?

Homemade raspberry and chocolate flapjack?

I (we) still insist upon wooden pegs.  The lovely newer, never been wet ones are used for clothing.  The scruffier, neglected ones which were here when I arrive twenty years ago ( probably not but who is counting? ) for towels, bedding, etc.  I keep them properly separated ...

< sips coffee and bites flapjack >

Loading a whirlygig is easy.  Stand next to wash basket, load small items on the inside ropes, spin whirlygig as you work your way outwards to outer lines and larger item.  Don't forget to only load alternate strings to aid ventialation and drying.

When my mother stays, she insists on helping load the line if I am doing it.  She starts with the bedsheets/towels on the outside lines, and walks around the whirlygig line in order to find a space.   When I commented, and moaned at having to duck through wet towels, I got told that she does it this way as she likes the washing to dry.     

WTF?   Really?    Why?


<somebody pass me a biscuit>
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 28 June, 2021, 01:38:56 pm
There seem to be some serious clothes-drying psychological trauma issues here. Hmm, perhaps as a small child you were forced by your overbearing, hypercompetitive father to learn to swim by being thrown in the river fully clothed, then spend the rest of the day in wet things? Or was it your mother who suffocated you with her maternal instincts, forcing you to change your clothes after each spot of rain? Hmmm, (strokes beard, adjusts small round glasses), you should lie on zees couch and tell us all about zees earliest memories. Later I will prescribe the most advanced form of tumble dryer.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 28 June, 2021, 02:12:45 pm
Tumble dryer?  Get out of here!!!    :demon:

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 28 June, 2021, 02:22:06 pm
Quote from: Polar Bear on 28 June, 2021, 02:12:45 pm
Tumble dryer?  Get out of here!!!    :demon:

Indeed. Yesterday we opened our garden. Ere long, I was being asked “what’s that scent”. I answered honestly that it was most likely the aroma of whatever chemical flannel our neighbours use - for about 4 hours, every Sunday afternoon - in their tumble dryer  >:( >:(

We had hoped for better, the day they moved in they were looking for the hole in the lawn where a rotary line might go, but that was as good as it got.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Paul on 28 June, 2021, 04:14:32 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 28 June, 2021, 01:38:56 pm
There seem to be some serious clothes-drying psychological trauma issues here. Hmm, perhaps as a small child you were forced by your overbearing, hypercompetitive father to learn to swim by being thrown in the river fully clothed, then spend the rest of the day in wet things? Or was it your mother who suffocated you with her maternal instincts, forcing you to change your clothes after each spot of rain? Hmmm, (strokes beard, adjusts small round glasses), you should lie on zees couch and tell us all about zees earliest memories. Later I will prescribe the most advanced form of tumble dryer.
My mum was one of eight kids and my dad was one of nine! They were too poor for towels so, after a bath, they were all hung on the line to dry, so developed an appreciation of the intricacies of drying, which they passed on.

We were still washing by hand when I left home in 1983, although we did, by then, have a mangle.

So, yes, I have laundry issues.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nuttycyclist on 28 June, 2021, 05:12:22 pm
Ahhhhhh, mangles.     I still remember using one every time I visited me nan on washing day.  And the pocket on the front of her floral apron where she kept her pegs and fags.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 28 June, 2021, 07:45:20 pm
My mum always claimed that when she was small, being put through the mangle was an ever-threatened but never-delivered punishment.

I'm now wondering if there's a connection between mangles and mangle wurzels. (No! Of course not!)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 28 June, 2021, 08:30:19 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 28 June, 2021, 07:45:20 pm
My mum always claimed that when she was small, being put through the mangle was an ever-threatened but never-delivered punishment.

I'm now wondering if there's a connection between mangles and mangle wurzels. (No! Of course not!)

I thought The Wurzels had a combine-harvester (brand new)?

IGMC
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nuttycyclist on 28 June, 2021, 08:53:20 pm
Have you seen the size of a mangle on the front of the combine harvester?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 30 June, 2021, 09:46:59 am
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Come on, give it a fucking a rest. Even women. It was once upon a time you could be reasonably assured of having a conversation with a woman that didn't involve the subject. But now it's also

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I have a phone call with India, it's

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Even the bloody Americans

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I appreciate you enjoy your sport, but really take a fucking hint.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 30 June, 2021, 10:04:08 am
Just for ian… (https://youtu.be/45NOP1OA-EQ)

(Runs away)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 30 June, 2021, 10:11:48 am
You’d think it was 1966 the way the tabloids (in particular) are reporting the outcome of the kickaround yesterday evening. And since when has Germany been the ‘old enemy’. Tossers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: arabella on 30 June, 2021, 10:47:03 am
Reminded by the other thread:
why are sofas designed so that only ridiculously tall people can sit in them with their lower back properly supported (or so you have to pad out the back with a 2nd payer of cushions)  Given our ever tinier-roomed housing stock this is just a bad use of space.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 30 June, 2021, 11:39:16 am
Quote from: Beardy on 30 June, 2021, 10:11:48 am
You’d think it was 1966 the way the tabloids (in particular) are reporting the outcome of the kickaround yesterday evening. And since when has Germany been the ‘old enemy’. Tossers.

As ani fule shud kno, France is the old enemy upon whom utter perdition must be wished and visited at every available opportunity.  :demon: ;) :P
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 30 June, 2021, 12:17:03 pm
Quote from: spesh on 30 June, 2021, 11:39:16 am
Quote from: Beardy on 30 June, 2021, 10:11:48 am
You’d think it was 1966 the way the tabloids (in particular) are reporting the outcome of the kickaround yesterday evening. And since when has Germany been the ‘old enemy’. Tossers.

As ani fule shud kno, France is the old enemy upon whom utter perdition must be wished and visited at every available opportunity.  :demon: ;) :P

Surely there is only one old enemy:  the entire world.  That's the reality of post brexit dystopian England.

Of course, the real auld enemy is Scotland.   :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 30 June, 2021, 05:15:13 pm
Quote from: arabella on 30 June, 2021, 10:47:03 am
Reminded by the other thread:
why are sofas designed so that only ridiculously tall people can sit in them with their lower back properly supported (or so you have to pad out the back with a 2nd payer of cushions)  Given our ever tinier-roomed housing stock this is just a bad use of space.

Sitting on a sofa? Odd. I just lie down.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 30 June, 2021, 05:18:38 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 30 June, 2021, 10:11:48 am
You’d think it was 1966 the way the tabloids (in particular) are reporting the outcome of the kickaround yesterday evening. And since when has Germany been the ‘old enemy’. Tossers.

Last time I looked, Them Germans don’t regard Ing-ger-lund's foopball team as their #1 rivals anyway, because that honour belongs to the Dutch.  The night of the England-Germany game in Italia '90 some passing locals in Assen shouted “Deutschland unter Alles!” at us, which may indicate that they feel the same way.  And the barman was sympathetic when Ing-ger-lund lost, and bought us BEER.  We didn’t have the heart to tell him our party of six included an Irishman and two Scots :P
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 30 June, 2021, 05:31:34 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 30 June, 2021, 05:18:38 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 30 June, 2021, 10:11:48 am
You’d think it was 1966 the way the tabloids (in particular) are reporting the outcome of the kickaround yesterday evening. And since when has Germany been the ‘old enemy’. Tossers.

Last time I looked, Them Germans don’t regard Ing-ger-lund's foopball team as their #1 rivals anyway, because that honour belongs to the Dutch.  The night of the England-Germany game in Italia '90 some passing locals in Assen shouted “Deutschland unter Alles!” at us, which may indicate that they feel the same way. 

Well, the Dutch do have a particular beef with Germany...

Quote
The Dutch in particular have not forgotten the millions of bicycles stolen by the Germans during the war. A common Dutch taunt of Germans after the war was, “Geef me min fiets!” Give me my bike! On “Dolle Dinsdag,” or Rabid Tuesday, German troops panicked when the BBC announced that Allied troops had crossed the Dutch border (they hadn’t, in fact). Soldiers stole bikes from the general populace and rode out of Holland, with whatever they could carry.

https://www.campfirecycling.com/blog/2016/11/30/geef-me-min-fiets-give-me-my-bike-the-bikes-of-world-war-ii
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 30 June, 2021, 05:48:54 pm
Oh indeed.

German: Can you tell me the way to $DESTINATION?
Dutchie: Not until we get our bicycles back!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: FifeingEejit on 30 June, 2021, 09:39:24 pm
Let's face it
Dutch is to German as Scots is to English, and the 3 Scandinavian nordic languages are to each other.

It's the Icelandic and faeroese who are laughing at us all for over 1000 years of bastardisation.

Im not sure where the west frissians come in though, probably chewing the cud somewhere.

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 01 July, 2021, 09:32:17 am
Modern WC’s are rubbish. Their flush is pathetic (oh how I pine for our old syphonic device) and their refill time laggardly.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 01 July, 2021, 10:32:32 am
Quote from: rafletcher on 01 July, 2021, 09:32:17 am
Modern WC’s are rubbish. Their flush is pathetic (oh how I pine for our old syphonic device) and their refill time laggardly.

One holiday gîte we stayed in had a hydropneumatic flushing device called La Trombe. When you pressed the lever the water fairly blasted into the pan. Would have scared the shit out of you if you hadn't already.

They're still available: https://www.leroymerlin.fr/produits/chauffage-plomberie/equipement-wc-et-accessoires-de-robinet/reservoir-wc-et-cuvette-seule/reservoir-pour-wc/reservoir-sous-pression-wc-trombe-trombe-57050196.html

The picture belies the beast within.  If you've ever experienced one of those water/air rockets taking off, double and redouble it in spades.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 01 July, 2021, 11:23:30 am
Not sure I trust a site that wants you to complete a Captcha just to view their poxy catalogue  :-\
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 01 July, 2021, 01:13:55 pm
Quote from: ian on 30 June, 2021, 09:46:59 am
footballfootballfootballengerlandfootballfootballfootballfootballengerlandfootballfootball... footballfootballfootballengerlandfootballfootballfootballfootballengerlandfootballfootball... footballfootballfootballengerlandfootballfootballfootballfootballengerlandfootballfootball... footballfootballfootballengerlandfootballfootballfootballfootballengerlandfootballfootball... footballfootballfootballengerlandfootballfootballfootballfootballengerlandfootballfootball... footballfootballfootballengerlandfootballfootballfootballfootballengerlandfootballfootball... footballfootballfootballengerlandfootballfootballfootballfootballengerlandfootballfootball... footballfootballfootballengerlandfootballfootballfootballfootballengerlandfootballfootball...
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Come on, give it a fucking a rest. Even women. It was once upon a time you could be reasonably assured of having a conversation with a woman that didn't involve the subject. But now it's also

footballfootballfootballengerlandfootballfootballfootballfootballengerlandfootballfootball... footballfootballfootballengerlandfootballfootballfootballfootballengerlandfootballfootball... footballfootballfootballengerlandfootballfootballfootballfootballengerlandfootballfootball... footballfootballfootballengerlandfootballfootballfootballfootballengerlandfootballfootball... footballfootballfootballengerlandfootballfootballfootballfootballengerlandfootballfootball... footballfootballfootballengerlandfootballfootballfootballfootballengerlandfootballfootball... footballfootballfootballengerlandfootballfootballfootballfootballengerlandfootballfootball... footballfootballfootballengerlandfootballfootballfootballfootballengerlandfootballfootball...
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I have a phone call with India, it's

footballfootballfootballengerlandfootballfootballfootballfootballengerlandfootballfootball... footballfootballfootballengerlandfootballfootballfootballfootballengerlandfootballfootball... footballfootballfootballengerlandfootballfootballfootballfootballengerlandfootballfootball... footballfootballfootballengerlandfootballfootballfootballfootballengerlandfootballfootball... footballfootballfootballengerlandfootballfootballfootballfootballengerlandfootballfootball... footballfootballfootballengerlandfootballfootballfootballfootballengerlandfootballfootball... footballfootballfootballengerlandfootballfootballfootballfootballengerlandfootballfootball... footballfootballfootballengerlandfootballfootballfootballfootballengerlandfootballfootball...
footballfootballfootballengerlandfootballfootballfootballfootballengerlandfootballfootball... footballfootballfootballengerlandfootballfootballfootballfootballengerlandfootballfootball... footballfootballfootballengerlandfootballfootballfootballfootballengerlandfootballfootball...
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Even the bloody Americans

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I appreciate you enjoy your sport, but really take a fucking hint.

You echo my partner...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 01 July, 2021, 01:18:45 pm
I am honestly happy for people to enjoy it, but I can't turn on the radio or TV, have any conversation – even with previously normal people – without the footballfootballfootballfootballfootballfootballfootballfootball.

And when I clearly show zero interest, they just carry on footballfootballfootballfootballfootballfootballfootballfootballing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 01 July, 2021, 01:26:03 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 01 July, 2021, 09:32:17 am
Modern WC’s are rubbish. Their flush is pathetic (oh how I pine for our old syphonic device) and their refill time laggardly.

Thames water emailed me yesterday, inciting me to reduce my water consumption with their free gadgets. They can keep them! As far as I can see they all score 'own goals'.

I'll flush a 'water-saving' loo three times until the pan is clear; two gallons with a drop of 6 feet would be more effective than this push-button close-coupled rubbish.

I use my washing machine to remove dirt & smells from my clothes. I'll use it less frequently i it does this WELL; low temperatures, weak detergents, less water and slow spins might save water and energy in theory...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 01 July, 2021, 01:36:37 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 01 July, 2021, 01:26:03 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 01 July, 2021, 09:32:17 am
Modern WC’s are rubbish. Their flush is pathetic (oh how I pine for our old syphonic device) and their refill time laggardly.

Thames water emailed me yesterday, inciting me to reduce my water consumption with their free gadgets. They can keep them! As far as I can see they all score 'own goals'.

I'll flush a 'water-saving' loo three times until the pan is clear; two gallons with a drop of 6 feet would be more effective than this push-button close-coupled rubbish.

I use my washing machine to remove dirt & smells from my clothes. I'll use it less frequently i it does this WELL; low temperatures, weak detergents, less water and slow spins might save water and energy in theory...

Notice how "laundry sanitiser" has became a thing?

Modern detergents may well loosen dirt even at cold wash temperature, but cold washing won't kill off the bacteria...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 01 July, 2021, 01:38:28 pm
Quote from: ian on 01 July, 2021, 01:18:45 pm
I am honestly happy for people to enjoy it, but I can't turn on the radio or TV, have any conversation – even with previously normal people – without the footballfootballfootballfootballfootballfootballfootballfootball.

And when I clearly show zero interest, they just carry on footballfootballfootballfootballfootballfootballfootballfootballing.

During the 1998 World Cup the German TV channel ARD2 had hoardings reading "100% Fußball-frei".
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TimC on 01 July, 2021, 01:49:03 pm
Quote from: ian on 01 July, 2021, 01:18:45 pm
I am honestly happy for people to enjoy it, but I can't turn on the radio or TV, have any conversation – even with previously normal people – without the footballfootballfootballfootballfootballfootballfootballfootball.

And when I clearly show zero interest, they just carry on footballfootballfootballfootballfootballfootballfootballfootballing.

I counter with the TdF and Wombledin. That at least gets them on to 'bloody cyclists'!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 01 July, 2021, 01:53:13 pm
Wimbledon being on all afternoon all over the Beeb will at least provide a few minutes alternative viewing while the adverts are running on ITV4. :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 01 July, 2021, 01:57:39 pm
I have no idea about Wimbledon, though I did once go – once upon a time, we had a corporate box thing – god that was boring.

I'm breaking with my sports-avoidance and watching the TdF highlights though, though I'm not entirely sure why. I fear all those slim young men in lycra could be somewhat homoerotic. It could push me over to the other side. Fortunately, once they get the commentators on it pushes me back.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nuttycyclist on 01 July, 2021, 04:21:58 pm
Quote from: spesh on 01 July, 2021, 01:36:37 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 01 July, 2021, 01:26:03 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 01 July, 2021, 09:32:17 am
Modern WC’s are rubbish. Their flush is pathetic (oh how I pine for our old syphonic device) and their refill time laggardly.

Thames water emailed me yesterday, inciting me to reduce my water consumption with their free gadgets. They can keep them! As far as I can see they all score 'own goals'.

I'll flush a 'water-saving' loo three times until the pan is clear; two gallons with a drop of 6 feet would be more effective than this push-button close-coupled rubbish.

I use my washing machine to remove dirt & smells from my clothes. I'll use it less frequently i it does this WELL; low temperatures, weak detergents, less water and slow spins might save water and energy in theory...

Notice how "laundry sanitiser" has became a thing?

Modern detergents may well loosen dirt even at cold wash temperature, but cold washing won't kill off the bacteria...

There was something on daytime tellybox the other week, where they did "proper" science.  The people who did their washing at 30C had more bacteria post wash than they did before they put the stuff in the machine.  i.e. the washing machine at 30 made the bedding more dirty.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 01 July, 2021, 06:06:11 pm
Quote from: spesh on 01 July, 2021, 01:53:13 pm
Wimbledon being on all afternoon all over the Beeb will at least provide a few minutes alternative viewing while the adverts are running on ITV4. :demon:

We at P@nd3m1c Pr0duckt10nzTM® record it and start watching 20-30 minutes later.  In theory we should catch up around the time of the last shitvert break before the end of the stage.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 02 July, 2021, 02:24:09 pm
Boss (who ignores us unless he needs to talk to us): Before implementing a system that requires cloud access, in a new location, it might be a good idea to check that there is access to the internet in said location, eller hur?

It hasn't, of course...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 02 July, 2021, 09:19:56 pm
2020 - Washing machine died.  Flat, unequivocal 'f##k off with your tinkering skills, I iz ded' from the control board.
       - Voluntarily also replaced the tumble drier as a) the old one was VERY NOISY, b) it scared the hell out of me the volume of fluff that had escaped the drum into the gubbins space at each annual cleanout, c) it broke down frequently (corollary of which is it was very fixable).
2021 - Dishwasher died.  Coaxed some life back into the motor that drove the dial.  It still tended to stick but seemed set to give a few more months at least before we had to do the disposable society consumerism thing.  4 days later the drain pump packed up.
       - Lawn mower started pining for the fjords today.  Motor bearings have got very stiff resulting in excess brush destruction.  That should be easy except a) every part of the motor is a press fit onto the spindle, no hope of removing any of the bottom end.  I suspect the top end bearing would have been doable if the lower end could have been dismantled non-destructively.  b) the brushes are unobtanium. c) new complete motor assembly £180.  New similar machine £199. 

Still clinging on
       - Mrs tween is making noises about a bigger freezer, may as well as the current one is sick.  There should not be condensation on the outside (yes we have defrosted it annually)

Bored of this game.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 03 July, 2021, 08:49:37 am
Quote from: SoreTween on 02 July, 2021, 09:19:56 pm
2020 - Washing machine died.  Flat, unequivocal 'f##k off with your tinkering skills, I iz ded' from the control board.
       - Voluntarily also replaced the tumble drier as a) the old one was VERY NOISY, b) it scared the hell out of me the volume of fluff that had escaped the drum into the gubbins space at each annual cleanout, c) it broke down frequently (corollary of which is it was very fixable).
2021 - Dishwasher died.  Coaxed some life back into the motor that drove the dial.  It still tended to stick but seemed set to give a few more months at least before we had to do the disposable society consumerism thing.  4 days later the drain pump packed up.
       - Lawn mower started pining for the fjords today.  Motor bearings have got very stiff resulting in excess brush destruction.  That should be easy except a) every part of the motor is a press fit onto the spindle, no hope of removing any of the bottom end.  I suspect the top end bearing would have been doable if the lower end could have been dismantled non-destructively.  b) the brushes are unobtanium. c) new complete motor assembly £180.  New similar machine £199. 

Still clinging on
       - Mrs tween is making noises about a bigger freezer, may as well as the current one is sick.  There should not be condensation on the outside (yes we have defrosted it annually)

Bored of this game.
the only real cure to compulsory consumerism is to buy yourself a +1
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 03 July, 2021, 09:10:29 am
Quote from: rafletcher on 01 July, 2021, 09:32:17 am
Modern WC’s are rubbish. Their flush is pathetic (oh how I pine for our old syphonic device) and their refill time laggardly.


The loos in the multiple-occupancy building I currently work in are appalling. A double flush used to be a bit of a badge of honour after a good night out. Triple flush meant I'd excelled myself, and quite possibly incurred some internal damage with the previous night's proceedings.

These loos always need a double flush, sometimes double, stir up the remnants with the brush to break up any paper that might have the smallest air bubble trapped, then flush again. And they are slow to refill. Which is doubly horrible, because you can guess how many people other than me actually bother to do that, and hence the typical state of the loos when you go to use them  :sick:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jaded on 03 July, 2021, 09:19:47 am
If you are having trouble with turd pile ups in ineffective loos, release the first flush as the pile up begins, before there is significant bulk in the pan. It requires dexterity and coordination, and obviously isn’t as satisfying as a proper bowl filler…
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 03 July, 2021, 09:47:27 am
In ours it's the paper that's the worst. Any bubbles at all caught in it, and it just floats and rides the waves - rarely are solids the issue.

Vaguely related, the Drain Unblockers youtube channel (https://www.youtube.com/c/TheDrainUnblockers) is strangely relaxing to watch.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 03 July, 2021, 10:09:13 am
My theory isn't that it's just the cistern/flush that's the issue here - I'm sure that the shape/angle of the u-bend in the pan itself is a contributing factor to successful "first-time flushing"

BUT cisterns are poor too, especially the two button type - our cloakroom WC was pathetic and wouldn't stop running into the pan (it was a very expensive model all in a wooden cabinet - can't remember what make - was there when we bought the house) - I replaced it with a £30 cistern from Screwfix . . .  it's now so powerful that you have to hang on to the door handle to avoid being sucked into the pan ;D

While we're on flushing - en suite cistern was poor so the water level baffles were taken out (by a plumber) to increase water volume in the flush - better, but the volume whistling down the soil pipe now pulls the shower trap and sewage smells rise up - everything is boxed in/tiled etc so there's no obvious way to find out if and where there might be a soil vent (which should stop the trap pulling)  ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 03 July, 2021, 12:15:09 pm
I would imagine that fitting an AAV would help with that.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 03 July, 2021, 02:34:44 pm
Quote from: Canardly on 03 July, 2021, 12:15:09 pm
I would imagine that fitting an AAV would help with that.

Yes - BUT there is no access to nor any visible pipework before the soil pipe gets to the cloakroom WC on the ground floor pretty much underneath the shower tray . . .  in typical stupid fashion everything is boxed in and tiled with no removable inspection panels.  There's no soil stack through the roof (which would provide air admittance) nor anything I can find in the loft like an internal AAV.    The shower trap is one of the shallow "double-sealed" type with a cup in it that should retain water and be the seal against smells - it seems that the seal water is being pulled and leaving an air gap..
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 04 July, 2021, 06:02:46 pm
As bathrooms seem to be a topic here at the moment I shall -it the following grumble here rather than the First World Problem thread where it could equally have been posted.

Hotel showers. No, make that budget hotel showers. In particular, those that are fitted over baths that are only big enough for TdF climbers and jump jockeys. Starting at a the top, the shower head is never fitted high enough, which means bending down to get ones head wet, and twirling to get wet in both sides. The water pressure is usually high enough, which should be a plus, but often causes greater problems. That small bath is also narrow, not of itself an issue as a shower tray, but this being a budget hotel, no expense has be given in provision of a proper shower screen, no they use what I can only think are disposable shower curtains that are so light that even moving quickly draws them to you. And of course, in a vain attempt to keep the water within the confines for the bath, the hand the shower curtain so that it is inside the line of the inner edge of the bath thus exacerbating the narrowness issue. and back to that high pressure jet of water which is excellent through the appliance of SCIENCE at drawing in the shower curtain which then clings to the body beautifully. Which results in even more water ending up outside the curtain and thus on the floor. The only real positive is that it’s not my bathroom and so I will not have to clear up after me.

And while I’m on the subject of hotel showers, who’s bright idea was it to decant my shower gel and shampoo into unlabelled clear bottles? Ok, I might know the answer to that. But the reason for the grumble is my penchant for perfume free and undyed shower gel and shampoos which means I have a small collection of clear ‘airline friendly’ toiletry bottles with either clear or white unperfumed viscous liquids with no clue as to what they actually are. I think I might have got lucky with my choices this weekend but the ‘shampoo’ did create a very dense lather.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 04 July, 2021, 07:26:23 pm
Quote from: Jaded on 03 July, 2021, 09:19:47 am
If you are having trouble with turd pile ups in ineffective loos, release the first flush as the pile up begins, before there is significant bulk in the pan. It requires dexterity and coordination, and obviously isn’t as satisfying as a proper bowl filler…

Somewhat difficult with the flush buttons in line with you spine…. Ours is exacerbated by having a right angle in the soil pipe immediately behind the pan. I guess that’s solution is a complete bathroom rebuild and a side exit pan.

Now we have suctioning of the waste traps on the bath (to the left) and bidet (to the right) when emptying the (central) hand basin. Probably as a result of 20 years of my wife’s wiry hair.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 04 July, 2021, 07:35:53 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 04 July, 2021, 06:02:46 pm
As bathrooms seem to be a topic here at the moment I shall -it the following grumble here rather than the First World Problem thread where it could equally have been posted.

Hotel showers. No, make that budget hotel showers. In particular, those that are fitted over baths that are only big enough for TdF climbers and jump jockeys. Starting at a the top, the shower head is never fitted high enough, which means bending down to get ones head wet, and twirling to get wet in both sides. The water pressure is usually high enough, which should be a plus, but often causes greater problems. That small bath is also narrow, not of itself an issue as a shower tray, but this being a budget hotel, no expense has be given in provision of a proper shower screen, no they use what I can only think are disposable shower curtains that are so light that even moving quickly draws them to you. And of course, in a vain attempt to keep the water within the confines for the bath, the hand the shower curtain so that it is inside the line of the inner edge of the bath thus exacerbating the narrowness issue. and back to that high pressure jet of water which is excellent through the appliance of SCIENCE at drawing in the shower curtain which then clings to the body beautifully. Which results in even more water ending up outside the curtain and thus on the floor. The only real positive is that it’s not my bathroom and so I will not have to clear up after me.

And while I’m on the subject of hotel showers, who’s bright idea was it to decant my shower gel and shampoo into unlabelled clear bottles? Ok, I might know the answer to that. But the reason for the grumble is my penchant for perfume free and undyed shower gel and shampoos which means I have a small collection of clear ‘airline friendly’ toiletry bottles with either clear or white unperfumed viscous liquids with no clue as to what they actually are. I think I might have got lucky with my choices this weekend but the ‘shampoo’ did create a very dense lather.

I believe that the budget hotels will often have "water saving shower heads" and basin taps - the concept is to mix air and water to give pretty much the same effect but also reduce actual water flow - and therefore consumption and thus cost.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 04 July, 2021, 07:36:05 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 04 July, 2021, 06:02:46 pm
Hotel showers. No, make that budget hotel showers. In particular, those that are fitted over baths that are only big enough for TdF climbers and jump jockeys. Starting at a the top, the shower head is never fitted high enough, which means bending down to get ones head wet, and twirling to get wet in both sides.

The corollary to that is shower heads fitted at such extreme altitude that the spray has dispersed to a medium drizzle by the time it reaches your head.  Bonus points when this is combined with a Pissy Landlord Electric Shower™, feeble BRITISH water pressure and/or installed in a female-only showering facility.

Obviously the proper solution is a movable shower head (which is also useful if you want to wash bits and pits without getting your hair wet).  Except that they break.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 04 July, 2021, 07:39:12 pm
And showers that have sufficient pressure were it not for the fact that the nozzles are so blocked with scale that all that emerges are fine needle of spray in random directions.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: FifeingEejit on 04 July, 2021, 07:58:21 pm
As zo eone who identified as a lanky bastirts, (even if the scales and belly disagree) anti-vandal shower heads are one of my pet peevs (ok so I have a lot of them i suppose).

I'm not even all that tall really at 1.83ish meters (varies according tontine of day, how I've been sitting and other stuff)

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 04 July, 2021, 10:55:45 pm
Quote from: FifeingEejit on 04 July, 2021, 07:58:21 pm
As zo eone who identified as a lanky bastirts, (even if the scales and belly disagree) anti-vandal shower heads are one of my pet peevs (ok so I have a lot of them i suppose).

I'm not even all that tall really at 1.83ish meters (varies according tontine of day, how I've been sitting and other stuff)

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk

I'm not going to buy a BKL-L09 and use Tapatalk.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jaded on 05 July, 2021, 07:40:17 am
 ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 05 July, 2021, 09:34:27 am
The hotel showers that have a half-door, ensuring half the water ends up on the floor. On day two, you have to strategically place half the towels on the floor to soak up the lake.

Those and the showers that lull you into a false sense of security. You're there under the perfectly temperatured jet of water, soaping away, and then, there's a momentary burst of ice or fire that has you scurrying for safety and confessing to crimes you've not yet committed.

I remember one occasion in Ethiopia (where no one goes for the hotel shower experience) where I trying to get the dribble from the detached shower onto my head when I looked up through the open window above my head to see an entire family sitting on the stairwell enjoying the show.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 06 July, 2021, 06:22:54 pm
Banks, official looking bank statements for proof of funds re; money laundering regs.

Banks have to apply similar looking money laundering regs to solicitors, so why is it that of the 5 accounts I have with the Nationwide I can only download a full statement with my name and address on it for 2 of them  ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 06 July, 2021, 07:42:53 pm
I once grabbed a logo from a website and made up my own 'bill' – I figured the five minutes of copy and pasting was better than six hours on the phone to a call centre.

I will offer my ninja skills to real money launders who obviously won't have figured this out.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 06 July, 2021, 08:08:18 pm
Well there's an idea if I get any grumblings, but seriously if a bank can do it for one account, why not them all?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 06 July, 2021, 08:15:54 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 06 July, 2021, 06:22:54 pm
Banks, official looking bank statements for proof of funds re; money laundering regs.

Banks have to apply similar looking money laundering regs to solicitors, so why is it that of the 5 accounts I have with the Nationwide I can only download a full statement with my name and address on it for 2 of them  ???

. . . there's a bloke that lurks here that might be able to answer that  ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 06 July, 2021, 09:15:24 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 06 July, 2021, 08:08:18 pm
Well there's an idea if I get any grumblings, but seriously if a bank can do it for one account, why not them all?

If you hung around with Demons, like I do, you'd know why. They're making your life interesting and user-testing innovative strategies for eternal torment.

In other grumblenews, I've adopted one sporting event, and that's the TdF. So dear radio, which has never been tempted to mention cycling before, why spoil it by telling me who wins the stage, eh? Did you really run out of footballfootballfootballfootballfootballfootballfootballfootballfootballfootballfootballfootballfootball?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 07 July, 2021, 12:06:23 am
Quote from: ian on 06 July, 2021, 09:15:24 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 06 July, 2021, 08:08:18 pm
Well there's an idea if I get any grumblings, but seriously if a bank can do it for one account, why not them all?

If you hung around with Demons, like I do, you'd know why. They're making your life interesting and user-testing innovative strategies for eternal torment.

In other grumblenews, I've adopted one sporting event, and that's the TdF. So dear radio, which has never been tempted to mention cycling before, why spoil it by telling me who wins the stage, eh? Did you really run out of footballfootballfootballfootballfootballfootballfootballfootballfootballfootballfootballfootballfootball?

The wretched BBC are forever doing that for the Tour, F1, Moto GP ect &, moreover, ect.  Any sport they don’t cover, basically.

The bastards.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 07 July, 2021, 12:26:30 am
Obviously what's needed is for P@nd3m1c Pr0duckt10nzTM® to branch out into other sports, so we don't need to go anywhere else.  Who knows, it might even make foopball interesting.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 07 July, 2021, 07:34:30 am
Quote from: Kim on 07 July, 2021, 12:26:30 am
Obviously what's needed is for P@nd3m1c Pr0duckt10nzTM® to branch out into other sports, so we don't need to go anywhere else. Who knows, it might even make foopball interesting.


+++OUT OF CHEESE ERROR+++
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 07 July, 2021, 07:44:05 am
Built-in bathroom cabinetry with no means of accessing the pipework to locate a (possible) weeping leak.    Shower room was re-furbed by the previous owners with very smart "vanity" as the Americas call BUT built in situ with no removable panels/doors etc.   - stupid.

Looks like I'll have to cut away a couple of panels with a flat-blade multi-tool and then work out how to put it back together again.  Aaargh!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 07 July, 2021, 07:49:49 am
Quote from: ian on 06 July, 2021, 09:15:24 pm
In other grumblenews, I've adopted one sporting event, and that's the TdF. So dear radio, which has never been tempted to mention cycling before, why spoil it by telling me who wins the stage, eh?

I basically stop listening to radio news during events like that, though there's always some snippet will leak through.

My current strategy, aided by Eurosport/GCN now showing full 5+ hour stages rather than 2-3 hours of the last bit is to end up so far behind on catch up viewing that I've forgotten anything I'd heard about it by the time I watch it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 07 July, 2021, 09:49:53 am
Quote from: robgul on 07 July, 2021, 07:44:05 am
Built-in bathroom cabinetry with no means of accessing the pipework to locate a (possible) weeping leak.    Shower room was re-furbed by the previous owners with very smart "vanity" as the Americas call BUT built in situ with no removable panels/doors etc.   - stupid.

Looks like I'll have to cut away a couple of panels with a flat-blade multi-tool and then work out how to put it back together again.  Aaargh!

This is my bathroom. I dread the day the cistern breaks, it's going to take dynamite to get to it. That did happen in the downstairs loo and everything had to be ripped out and then put back. It doesn't look as nice the second time around.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 07 July, 2021, 12:13:49 pm
Helldesk monkeys. If a site-wide outage is planned for Monday 5th July, would it not be a good idea to tell us about it beforehand, rather than on, say, Wednesday 7th July?

I hope you enjoyed repeating yourself 1500 times when everybody on camp phoned to say they'd dropped off the notwork.

Twats.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 09 July, 2021, 12:35:32 pm
Quote from: robgul on 07 July, 2021, 07:44:05 am
Built-in bathroom cabinetry with no means of accessing the pipework to locate a (possible) weeping leak.    Shower room was re-furbed by the previous owners with very smart "vanity" as the Americas call BUT built in situ with no removable panels/doors etc.   - stupid.

Looks like I'll have to cut away a couple of panels with a flat-blade multi-tool and then work out how to put it back together again.  Aaargh!

I need to access the pipework in mine, which was refurbished by B&Q for the previous owners.  Why did they install two 10kW electric showers in a bungalow with a brand new top spec oil fired boiler?  Idiots, they each cost far more than a pumped mixer shower, and use nineteen billion times more energy (and won't last all that long).  I'll have to get out the Fein Multimaster and slice between the wall tiling on the "clever" end wall they've built at the end of the bath/shower to access the pipework, and attempt to remove several large tiles.  I'll then install a pumped mixer shower, and remove the stupid booster pump they installed, which every time I use any cold water anywhere in the house, bursts into noisy and energy consuming action.  The stupidity of electrically heating the water in the shower has been exacerbated by me installing solar PV, which diverts spare electrons into heating the hot water cylinder, so stored hot water is not exactly at a premium.  Use of cold water in my house involves two pumps firing up, as our supply is from a borehole.  all this pumpery uses a fair bit of my overall electricity consumption.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 09 July, 2021, 01:10:27 pm
Football, and I'm sure the same applies to Wombleden and others, yes, even le Tour de la belle Hexagone, can be approached from a non-sports angle. Shirt designs and haircuts are two of the most obvious. Then there's the spectators, the commentators, the choice of adverts (why did they think viewers of this would be potential consumers of that?) and so on.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 09 July, 2021, 02:54:28 pm
Yes, getting rid of the electric shower in our prospective new place is high on the list of things to be done (just behind get shot of the crap looking electric cooker). I'm not going to enjoy going from a proper mains shower back to a pissy electric one.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 12 July, 2021, 07:23:32 pm
Just seen an advert from Condor Ferries inviting to take an "overseas staycation". I think that word doubly doesn't mean what you think it means!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Karla on 12 July, 2021, 07:44:07 pm
I listed some stuff on the local Facebook free groups.  Countless timewasters later, who all begged for the items and then didn't turn up, they're going in the bin.

Once upon a time I'm sure Freecycle was populated by dedicated hippies who took it seriously. It was pretty bad 3-4 years ago when I used it to get rid of dad's stuff.  Now it seems to be mostly people who think your time is as cheap as theirs  :hand:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 12 July, 2021, 08:09:26 pm
Quote from: Karla on 12 July, 2021, 07:44:07 pm
I listed some stuff on the local Facebook free groups.  Countless timewasters later, who all begged for the items and then didn't turn up, they're going in the bin.

Once upon a time I'm sure Freecycle was populated by dedicated hippies who took it seriously. It was pretty bad 3-4 years ago when I used it to get rid of dad's stuff.  Now it seems to be mostly people who think your time is as cheap as that's  :hand:

I've got rid of 8 things over the last week on the local Freegle group. So far only 1 person didn't collect and they did at least let me know they weren't going to be able to come after all, was pleasantly surprised.
One advantage with Freegle is it shows you users ratings and will also tell you if a particular user hasn't been replying to messages.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 13 July, 2021, 07:20:17 am
Seeking advice on fora - why do people a) not read the question, and/or b) reply with no relation to the original question?

I should add that yacf and the forum that used to be a club that had an interest in cycle touring are the noble exceptions for cycle related issues . .

I've been doing/fixing various things in our house and needed some basic guidance on a few matters . . .  if I say it myself, my skills in these areas in terms of doing the work are pretty good but (even I  ;D) don't know everything!

I've posted what I think are reasonable questions on a few building/plumbing/electrical fora and almost zilch response to the actual question, but quite a few erroneous posts - plumbers are worst*

* and plumbers in the flesh are also beyond the worst in terms of :  responding to enquiries, actually turning up to look at a job, returning to do the job.  How do they manage to stay in business?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 13 July, 2021, 11:13:38 am
Hey Windoze,
That thing you did this morning where you decided to do an update without asking for permission while I was in the middle of giving a customer webinar, that was really helpful.
No love,
Mrs Pingu
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 13 July, 2021, 11:19:34 am
Quote from: robgul on 13 July, 2021, 07:20:17 am
Seeking advice on fora - why do people a) not read the question, and/or b) reply with no relation to the original question?

That's easy:

a) Just like in every other aspect of life, People Don't Read Things Properly.  At least on forums - where nobody has any obligation to do anything - it's merely irritating, rather than in a work context or when you're trying to obtain goods and services from them.

b) People don't have the answer to the original question, but might have some tangentially related information/experience that they consider potentially helpful, or at least interesting.  It's a community, not a support medium.  That said, when I write technical posts, I'm writing for the people who find it in future via search engines as much as the OP of the thread.  What goes around comes around.  (Ob-xkcd (https://xkcd.com/979/).)

Also, some people just like the sound of their own voice, or think it's a game.  It's the internet, just scroll past.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 13 July, 2021, 12:20:13 pm
Quote from: Kim on 13 July, 2021, 11:19:34 am
Quote from: robgul on 13 July, 2021, 07:20:17 am
Seeking advice on fora - why do people a) not read the question, and/or b) reply with no relation to the original question?

That's easy:

a) Just like in every other aspect of life, People Don't Read Things Properly.  At least on forums - where nobody has any obligation to do anything - it's merely irritating, rather than in a work context or when you're trying to obtain goods and services from them.

b) People don't have the answer to the original question, but might have some tangentially related information/experience that they consider potentially helpful, or at least interesting.  It's a community, not a support medium.  That said, when I write technical posts, I'm writing for the people who find it in future via search engines as much as the OP of the thread.  What goes around comes around.  (Ob-xkcd (https://xkcd.com/979/).)

Also, some people just like the sound of their own voice, or think it's a game.  It's the internet, just scroll past.

Yep - agree point a) but my experience re point b) in the stuff I'm seeking to find out about has posts that aren't remotely applicable or even tangentially valuable to anyone. 

I'd like to think that fora contributions I might make are of use to the original enquirer

.... I do quite a bit of scrolling past . . .

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 14 July, 2021, 01:36:01 pm
Next door had their fence replaced. I think the relative they used isn't really used to doing domestic fences.  Mini-digger with an auger to drill post holes (said minidigger having been driven back and forth across our pation for access), then lashings of wet concrete around the bases. Annoying when our border is only 18" wide, so last night was spent chiselling off some of the over-splash.  Then I went to get some wood out of the car. Our side gate - which is an opening at the end of their fence - only opens 3/4 of the way before grounding. It's been re-hung about 1/2" lower - presumably because the screw holes were getting knackered after he'd had it off a couple of times already  >:(.  So Friday afternoon's job is to take it off again and remove some material from the bottom.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 15 July, 2021, 07:32:14 am
There's a line in Bright Lights, Big City, "Visiting your own six a.m. Lower East Side of the soul." Well, I invite Mr McInerny to visit my own four a.m. Lower West Side of the screeching seagulls. Noisy avian pirates. The great attraction of an urban kite population is to keep down the seagulls.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 15 July, 2021, 10:07:54 am
I have the day off, no plans, thought a lovely pleasant lie-in was called for. Maybe arise about 11am, have a coffee on the patio, angle for a pub lunch, generally have a chilled day.

9.06am.

'BeeeRRRRRrzzzzzTTTTTTTTzzzzzzbeeerrrrrrrrrrrrRRRRRRRRRRTTTTTTT' says Mr Chainsaw and 'GGGGGGGRRRRRGGGGGLLLLLLLRRRRRGGGGG' says Ms Wood Chopper in response.

Every-fucking-time. Of course, now I'm up they're done, they were just taking off some road overhanging branches (phew, I like that tree, and it stops everyone up the hill seeing me at the bedroom window in my pants, so it also performs a vital community service).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 15 July, 2021, 10:31:41 am
The rain is off, the road is dry, the clouds are clearing from the sky. I need to ride, I know I can, but I'm stuck here awaiting a god-damned delivery serf. 10:00 to 19:00 indeed. Bastards.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 15 July, 2021, 01:50:19 pm
Tired and listness now, because we stayed up till 3 am catching up on TdF, and in these plague times, I have become accustomed to my 8 hours a night minimum. Coffee just made me jittery. I'd have a nap, but as I'm taking the day off, it would feel just like a workday.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 15 July, 2021, 05:21:21 pm
Maybe I should just start on the beer. It's a holiday and a nice man brought me 24 cans of 360 Degrees Brewing's output (honestly, we just stumble across these places when wandering around) and my wife isn't here to supervise.

I thought I would dedicate my time to getting another pair of hiking boots, one of the current pairs has developed self-cooling features and the second pair is still wet from the weekend and, as a consequence, smells like something you wouldn't want to meet. But I'd like to buy another pair of the same – without the smell – as they're very comfy and I can then throw the stinky pair in the washer.

Which meant thirty minutes scrutinizing pictures of hiking boots like it's some weird variety of p0rn because nowhere on the boot does it say what model they are. Then finding a lot places that have them not in my size or that do have them in my size, but hey, we're European and do you know what we don't do? Ship to the UK anymore, that's what.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 17 July, 2021, 01:09:16 pm
email from British Cycling this morning "Your membership expires in 3 days and your benefits will no longer be valid"   This is the FIRST and ONLY notification I've had for renewal - one would think it was in BC's interest to notify and collect the dosh?

The only "benefit" that is of use to me is the insurance which covers the requirements of the two cycling clubs where I'm a member.

. .  . now what if I had been away on a tour and my benefits expired?

They would probably argue that the onus was on me to check the renewal - but things don't work like that . . . I can't think of anything I have that has to be renewed, other than my passport, where there is not a mechanism of reminders/invoices etc.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: grams on 17 July, 2021, 01:13:52 pm
If you’re on direct debit BC take the dosh and inform you weeks later.

I got a text reminder from the passport office 6 months before expiry. Which is still too late if you’re going somewhere that needs 6 months left.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 17 July, 2021, 03:08:57 pm
We almost got into problems with passports. Mine expired in February 2022 having been issued in in November. But the EU only accept 10 years from date of issue! Then Foreign office said I needed 6 months unexpired which is not true. EU will accept 3 months.

Upshot is that I got a new passport which lasts 10 years from date of issue.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: citoyen on 17 July, 2021, 04:26:37 pm
Not a rant, just a bit irritating - and maybe even an FWP…

The car park at a local woods where I sometimes take the dog has become no longer free since my last visit. That’s ok, I don’t object to paying (on the basis that there’s no such thing as “free” parking - free at point of use just means the cost is being transferred elsewhere). 

Nor do I object to being obliged to use the RingGo app to pay - this is 2021 after all.

My grumble? The fact that the remote location means the car park is in a mobile dead spot… :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 17 July, 2021, 04:43:23 pm
We used to refer to our late neighbour as “the mechanical gardner” as he had the full panoply of power tools, including a garden vacuum. He also used to garden at the daftest times, such as the full heat of a summers afternoon. It seem his widow has inherited this tendency. It’s 27C, and after vacuuming her conservatory she’s now strimming the garden edges.  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 18 July, 2021, 07:47:25 am
Quote from: robgul on 17 July, 2021, 01:09:16 pm
email from British Cycling this morning "Your membership expires in 3 days and your benefits will no longer be valid"   This is the FIRST and ONLY notification I've had for renewal - one would think it was in BC's interest to notify and collect the dosh?

The only "benefit" that is of use to me is the insurance which covers the requirements of the two cycling clubs where I'm a member.

. .  . now what if I had been away on a tour and my benefits expired?

They would probably argue that the onus was on me to check the renewal - but things don't work like that . . . I can't think of anything I have that has to be renewed, other than my passport, where there is not a mechanism of reminders/invoices etc.

Just to add to this . . .  I renewed my membeship paying with a card (not DD) yesterday afternoon and received a confirmation email etc saying card would arrive in 10-14 days.   So far so good.

This morning I received another email from BC with the subject line as just the word :    can't     

Nothing else, just that - and the body text extolling the virtues of the so-called benefits.   A rather strange subject line (I assume it wasn't a typo  ;)  ;D )
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 18 July, 2021, 12:00:52 pm
Quote from: citoyen on 17 July, 2021, 04:26:37 pm
Not a rant, just a bit irritating - and maybe even an FWP…

The car park at a local woods where I sometimes take the dog has become no longer free since my last visit. That’s ok, I don’t object to paying (on the basis that there’s no such thing as “free” parking - free at point of use just means the cost is being transferred elsewhere). 

Nor do I object to being obliged to use the RingGo app to pay - this is 2021 after all.

My grumble? The fact that the remote location means the car park is in a mobile dead spot… :facepalm:

I’d object to Ringo only. Easy enough (as in our local town car parks) to have contactless as well. And avoids the no signal / no smartphone / no Ringo app issues. Unless (which I’ve just thought of  ::-)) there’s no power at that site and enforcement is by camera car.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 18 July, 2021, 12:03:10 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 18 July, 2021, 12:00:52 pm
I’d object to Ringo only. Easy enough (as in our local town car parks) to have contactless as well.

Shirley the contactless machine needs some sort of connection to the outside world, which is likely to be prohibitively expensive if there's no cellular coverage.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 18 July, 2021, 12:04:28 pm
Quote from: Kim on 18 July, 2021, 12:03:10 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 18 July, 2021, 12:00:52 pm
I’d object to Ringo only. Easy enough (as in our local town car parks) to have contactless as well.

Shirley the contactless machine needs some sort of connection to the outside world, which is likely to be prohibitively expensive if there's no cellular coverage.

Yep, as my addendum above belatedly recognised.  ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 18 July, 2021, 04:07:14 pm
Harrumph. I’m getting old, getting fed up with the young people next door ruining a lovely peaceful afternoon with their dratted music on some Bluetooth speaker.  :-\ >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 18 July, 2021, 04:16:06 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 18 July, 2021, 04:07:14 pm
Harrumph. I’m getting old, getting fed up with the young people next door ruining a lovely peaceful afternoon with their dratted music on some Bluetooth speaker.  :-\ >:(

Huh - we've got 2 kids screaming about the water temperature in the giant paddling/swimming pool that was set up yesterday.  The "kids" are 17 year old twin girls and should know better.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 18 July, 2021, 04:30:05 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 18 July, 2021, 04:07:14 pm
Harrumph. I’m getting old, getting fed up with the young people next door ruining a lovely peaceful afternoon with their dratted music on some Bluetooth speaker.  :-\ >:(
Outdoor music should be banned. It's always shite as well.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 18 July, 2021, 04:41:02 pm
I’m hiding inside trying to find some respite from the excessive temperature outdoors. It’s only working a little because I’m sitting here sweating like I do when I go running. It’s most horrid.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 18 July, 2021, 05:41:02 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 18 July, 2021, 04:07:14 pm
Harrumph. I’m getting old, getting fed up with the young people next door ruining a lovely peaceful afternoon with their dratted music on some Bluetooth speaker.  :-\ >:(

People several houses away are having Noisy Party.

Partner is Not Pleased.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 18 July, 2021, 05:50:42 pm
Lots of light aircraft passing overhead in the last 15 minutes.  I just remembered that it is British F1GP weekend.   It always happens.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 23 July, 2021, 12:42:19 pm
Head/desk head/desk head/desk head/desk head/desk head/desk head/desk

I need to order at least 3 new MODNet headsets. One to replace the ones which were taken from my desk, one for a colleague whose headset has stopped working, and one for a new bod who is starting in a couple of weeks and is coming from outside the MOD so won’t have her own headset, and it was decided that this iHub should hold a couple of spares. Having searched the Service Catalogue for headsets I was presented with a list of items, just about any of which could have been the relevant one. I asked Sally (the virtual helldesk agent) the specific question regarding Service Catalogue item number, and the response was a most helpful “Ask your Authorised Demander (i.e. me) to order them through the Catalogue”. I am now going through the items the Catalogue search threw up in the hope I might accidentally hit the right one at some point.


Just on the verge of posting this when the Adjutant stuck her head round the door to announce the headsets 7 Brigade had promised us* had been dispatched and would be here next week. GAAAAAH!

The only thing that stops this being a rant is the fact I was able to leave a long and detailed account of exactly why the virtual helldesk agent is somewhat less useful than a chocolate fireguard :thumbsup:


head/desk head/desk head/desk head/desk &c &c




*The Adjt had asked for some a couple of weeks ago, apparently, but forgot to mention this to anyone until today as she was half-way out the door heading for a sunny weekend at home. ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 23 July, 2021, 01:46:18 pm
There was a brief time where the company I worked for would only issue headsets against a telephone number and only allowed one headset per telephone number. This is fine for various the call centre bods and their managers, but less fine for project managers setting up test facilities. The process was completely inflexible and I had to put a purchase order in to buy off book items from an unregistered supplier. It was a process I was familiar with as the catalogue was primarily set up to stop people ordering more than their allocation or tested and signed off products. (Something we project managers in the development arena tended not to want!)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nuttycyclist on 23 July, 2021, 08:09:49 pm
Dear wood pigeons, please stop tap dancing and copulating on the roof over my head.

I can't be arsed to get the air rifle out and put you in tomorrow's pie, mainly as I haven't looked at the open licence recently since the Chris Packham debacle, and even if you are back on the list I don't currently have crops you are damaging in the veggie patch which would qualify you as a legitimate target.  Secondly if I did research it now, by the time I'm ready you'll be having a post coital smoke in the neighbour's tree, which puts you legally out of range.

Consider this your first warning.


p.s.  if you could wash your faeces off the car I might take this into consideration before your second warning.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 24 July, 2021, 09:43:01 am
Wanted to jack up our sagging main gate to work on it.  Found out that at some point in the last 20 years some evil bugger has relieved us of the jack and 4-branch wheel spanner out of our old A4. Arse.

Used the jack out of the A5, discovered that my plan to bolt a steel fence-post across gate as diagonal won't work.  Need to dismantle half of it and immobilize gates for a day or two while I fit a diagonal into the frame.

Double-arse.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 24 July, 2021, 05:02:39 pm
People who take their guitars out into the garden and start singing.
1. They're never as good as they think they are.
2. Why is it always fucking Oasis?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 24 July, 2021, 05:45:49 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 24 July, 2021, 05:02:39 pm
People who take their guitars out into the garden and start singing.
1. They're never as good as they think they are.
2. Why is it always fucking Oasis?
I find that remark rather offensive, I’m every bit as good at singing as I think I am.  >:( Mind ewe, I stopped singing when my voice broke because I am utterly unable to hit the right notes, let alone hold them. This is one of the biggest disappointments in my life because I really enjoyed singing when I could. Oh, and I don’t play the guitar outside, or for that matter inside.
And other than thinking that Oasis might have done a song called wonder wall, and I think that they were a band with the Gallagher brothers I know nothing of them or their songs.
You obviously need to move next door to me.  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 24 July, 2021, 05:48:53 pm
Kids of today. In my day, people who picked up a guitar played stairway. And we were grateful for it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 24 July, 2021, 06:39:26 pm
For well over a decade, I've had a couple of grab bags to take out on the bike with one - one of tools and one with tubes/patches/small spares (chain links, brake pads etc.). Those two, swapping over tube types as necessary, mean I've got everything I need and can be easily transferred between bikes and luggage options.
A few weeks ago I lost track of my tool bag, nowhere to be found. Spent ages looking for it, over several days, and have been riding with a suboptimal set of tools.

Bit the bullet and ordered a new multitool to start building up a set again. That popped through the door earlier today. Can you guess what I found within 15 minutes of breaking open the new tool? Can you?

On the positive side, new tools are always nice things.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nicknack on 24 July, 2021, 08:05:30 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 24 July, 2021, 05:45:49 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 24 July, 2021, 05:02:39 pm
People who take their guitars out into the garden and start singing.
1. They're never as good as they think they are.
2. Why is it always fucking Oasis?
I find that remark rather offensive, I’m every bit as good at singing as I think I am.  >:( Mind ewe, I stopped singing when my voice broke because I am utterly unable to hit the right notes, let alone hold them. This is one of the biggest disappointments in my life because I really enjoyed singing when I could. Oh, and I don’t play the guitar outside, or for that matter inside.
And other than thinking that Oasis might have done a song called wonder wall, and I think that they were a band with the Gallagher brothers I know nothing of them or their songs.
You obviously need to move next door to me.  ;D
You'd be fine with Oasis then.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 24 July, 2021, 10:44:26 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 24 July, 2021, 05:02:39 pm
People who take their guitars out into the garden and start singing.
1. They're never as good as they think they are.
2. Why is it always fucking Oasis?

Oh. Sorry.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 25 July, 2021, 10:04:00 am
Quote from: MattH on 24 July, 2021, 06:39:26 pm
For well over a decade, I've had a couple of grab bags to take out on the bike with one - one of tools and one with tubes/patches/small spares (chain links, brake pads etc.). Those two, swapping over tube types as necessary, mean I've got everything I need and can be easily transferred between bikes and luggage options.
A few weeks ago I lost track of my tool bag, nowhere to be found. Spent ages looking for it, over several days, and have been riding with a suboptimal set of tools.

Bit the bullet and ordered a new multitool to start building up a set again. That popped through the door earlier today. Can you guess what I found within 15 minutes of breaking open the new tool? Can you?

On the positive side, new tools are always nice things.

That's the spirit.  Guess what I found this morning after ordering a replacement jack for our A4 yesterday? OTOH the anti-theft socket for the wheel spanner is missing so I'm no forrader.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: grams on 26 July, 2021, 10:13:36 am
Our local Argos has gotten rid of its deli counter Job Centre screen and everyone's order number is zero.

It seems like the system is you had your receipt to a poxy human and then go and stand about receiptless with the other marks until your thing arrives and hope they remember your face. No idea what it's like when it's busy.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CommuteTooFar on 26 July, 2021, 01:53:01 pm
Somebody sent me £20K but I cannot work out who it was.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 26 July, 2021, 02:12:41 pm
Quote from: CommuteTooFar on 26 July, 2021, 01:53:01 pm
Somebody sent me £20K but I cannot work out who it was.
oop, I think it must have been me. In error. Please can you send it back to me?  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 26 July, 2021, 03:17:51 pm
A software company has a bundle of programs that include a help desk function, which they decide to spell Helpdesk. Fair enough, they want to make it a little bit distinctive from any generic help desk. But now they've put out a training video in which they spell it HelpDesk. How am I supposed to ensure their lousy captions are consistent with what's on screen and with company practice when what's on screen isn't consistent with company practice? Well, I suppose this one reason why I haven't yet been automated out of existence (I'll be following the on-screen version as it's what will accompany the text).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 26 July, 2021, 04:37:14 pm
There's a circle of hell for people who name software or features of software after real things that already exist within the same general context.  It's not as if software developers don't spend half their life pasting things into search engines and don't know better than to give things ungoogleable names.

If there's a problem with the Helpdesk function, who you gonna call?

(This grumble sponsored by "My Computer")
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 26 July, 2021, 05:02:06 pm
Why restrict that circle to software names? Anyway, they've made me smile with a small typo: "we have visible warnings on licensed entitlement failure". I do think "licensed to fail" should be a thing, it sounds far more fun "licensed to kill", and "licensed entitlement failure" just suggests someone having a massive strop.  :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 26 July, 2021, 05:16:18 pm
Licensing entitlement might not be a bad idea either...

Ungooglable names are just as frustrating outside the world of software, I'm just more inclined to give the creators slack for not considering the searchability problem.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 26 July, 2021, 05:27:14 pm
Quote from: Kim on 26 July, 2021, 05:16:18 pm
Licensing entitlement might not be a bad idea either...
Far too many people think they're licensed to it anyway.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 26 July, 2021, 07:54:35 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 24 July, 2021, 05:02:39 pm
People who take their guitars out into the garden and start singing.
1. They're never as good as they think they are.
2. Why is it always fucking Oasis?

Reminds me, when I built my first time machine and everyone was like 'are you going to go back and kill Hitler?' and I was 'no, I'm starting with Oasis.'

Unfortunately, it's all true about the alternative timelines, so there's now one without Oasis and then there's ours. I killed Hitler in another one, but there was still Oasis.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 27 July, 2021, 01:26:33 am
How about the one where they send Oasis to kill Hitler?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 27 July, 2021, 04:45:32 pm
More software terminology: "an identity-as-a-service product". There would be a less clumsy way to say this, if only "identity-as-a-service" hadn't (apparently) become an accepted phrase.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 27 July, 2021, 05:10:58 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 27 July, 2021, 04:45:32 pm
More software terminology: "an identity-as-a-service product". There would be a less clumsy way to say this, if only "identity-as-a-service" hadn't (apparently) become an accepted phrase.
what, pray, is an Identity-as-a-service? Is it a service for those wishing to use a different identity but can’t be arsed to steal someone else’s?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 27 July, 2021, 06:05:30 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 27 July, 2021, 05:10:58 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 27 July, 2021, 04:45:32 pm
More software terminology: "an identity-as-a-service product". There would be a less clumsy way to say this, if only "identity-as-a-service" hadn't (apparently) become an accepted phrase.
what, pray, is an Identity-as-a-service? Is it a service for those wishing to use a different identity but can’t be arsed to steal someone else’s?

I think it's when your cloudy webwankbollocks software doesn't understand that you're an authenticated user because they've outsourced the authentication to someone else.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Andy W on 27 July, 2021, 06:26:53 pm
I'm brewing up for a full on rant but currently at grumble status.
Some individuals  ( son and daughter in laws) and others eat with a fork only. I set the table, knives and forks etc and before you know it people start eating like an extra from an American war film. Head lowered to the plate and clumsy attempts to " chow down". Struggling to eat meat and two veg without the use of a knife. I bite my tongue,  occasionally literally.  After dinner I ask what their favourite meals are. Pasta. No need for a knife or teeth. Am I the only person this annoys? My poor Mum did her level best to drag us up properly. Grr
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 27 July, 2021, 06:42:44 pm
Paint companies.  When you put the word, "grey" in the name you give to a paint I expect to see something that looks grey, a bit like the label on the tin, you know?  So why the hell did it, despite lots of careful stirring before application, look like PRU blue*?  It's a kitchen you muppets, not a MK XIX Spitfire.  Some wasted hours, four coats of white and one throughly annoyed and justifiably disappointed MrsLurker later the situation is recovered (haa haa).

So, anyone want two cans of "Coastal Grey"?  One unopened, one barely used.  Free if you can be arsed to collect it.  Bottom RH corner of gloucestercestershire.

*Yes, we did buy a sample pot and try it out.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 27 July, 2021, 06:53:11 pm
Never, ever, buy any paint based on names. Always use a reference number.  With household paints this will usually be either a BS4800 or NCS reference.  Anyone who tries to sell you paint by name, does not deserve your, or anyone's business.

If you don't have a proper reference chart, then try looking at "E-paints" online, they all sorts of charts and guides, and cross references available.  Yes, paint reference charts are expensive!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 27 July, 2021, 07:31:20 pm
Quote from: Andy W on 27 July, 2021, 06:26:53 pm
I'm brewing up for a full on rant but currently at grumble status.
Some individuals  ( son and daughter in laws) and others eat with a fork only. I set the table, knives and forks etc and before you know it people start eating like an extra from an American war film. Head lowered to the plate and clumsy attempts to " chow down". Struggling to eat meat and two veg without the use of a knife. I bite my tongue,  occasionally literally.  After dinner I ask what their favourite meals are. Pasta. No need for a knife or teeth. Am I the only person this annoys? My poor Mum did her level best to drag us up properly. Grr

Don’t go to Minnesota. They don’t use knives at all, they cut their food with the fork, and aid deposition onto the fork via fingers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 27 July, 2021, 07:37:35 pm
Quote from: Andy W on 27 July, 2021, 06:26:53 pm
I'm brewing up for a full on rant but currently at grumble status.
Some individuals  ( son and daughter in laws) and others eat with a fork only. I set the table, knives and forks etc and before you know it people start eating like an extra from an American war film. Head lowered to the plate and clumsy attempts to " chow down". Struggling to eat meat and two veg without the use of a knife. I bite my tongue,  occasionally literally.  After dinner I ask what their favourite meals are. Pasta. No need for a knife or teeth. Am I the only person this annoys? My poor Mum did her level best to drag us up properly. Grr
I’ll eat suppers on my knee in front of the TV with just a fork, but when we sit at the table for dinner I’ll use both knife and fork. That said, what we eat will largely depend on whether we’ve got company or not and that would dictate whether we have dinner or supper.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 27 July, 2021, 07:47:20 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 27 July, 2021, 05:10:58 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 27 July, 2021, 04:45:32 pm
More software terminology: "an identity-as-a-service product". There would be a less clumsy way to say this, if only "identity-as-a-service" hadn't (apparently) become an accepted phrase.
what, pray, is an Identity-as-a-service? Is it a service for those wishing to use a different identity but can’t be arsed to steal someone else’s?
It's Mr Ben in a flaky, expensive version at the end of a long piece of anbaric string.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 27 July, 2021, 07:49:22 pm
*makes mental note to name an LDAP server mrben*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 27 July, 2021, 10:20:40 pm
Quote from: Andy W on 27 July, 2021, 06:26:53 pm
I'm brewing up for a full on rant but currently at grumble status.
Some individuals  ( son and daughter in laws) and others eat with a fork only. I set the table, knives and forks etc and before you know it people start eating like an extra from an American war film. Head lowered to the plate and clumsy attempts to " chow down". Struggling to eat meat and two veg without the use of a knife. I bite my tongue,  occasionally literally.  After dinner I ask what their favourite meals are. Pasta. No need for a knife or teeth. Am I the only person this annoys? My poor Mum did her level best to drag us up properly. Grr

Completely agree.  Hold your knife and fork properly and sit up straight.  You do not slouch with forearms on the table and just shovel food in!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 27 July, 2021, 10:21:27 pm
No uncooked joints on the table ...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 27 July, 2021, 11:34:42 pm
Quote from: jsabine on 27 July, 2021, 10:21:27 pm
No uncooked joints on the table ...
All joints on the table will be carved.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 28 July, 2021, 01:12:51 am
Eating "manners" are definitely one of those age, social class and culture things.

Many South Asians eat using their hands/chapattis etc. East Asian people often hold a bowl close to the mouth and shovel the food in with spoon/chopsticks... North Americans use cutlery differently from Middle Class English people... I hear people complain about Germans and how they use cutlery...

I was bought up in a household with eating manners much like the grumblers here would like. I don't think I really notice how others handle cutlery and eat if I'm honest, but many of my friends are disabled so like me have idiosyncratic eating styles anyway. We usually eat at a table cos the ergonomics are better and it's easier to clean...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 28 July, 2021, 01:25:24 am
USAnians are just plain weird when it comes to cutlery.  Starting with their insistence on referring to it as “silverware” even when it’s molished from plastic.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Regulator on 28 July, 2021, 06:52:29 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 28 July, 2021, 01:25:24 am
USAnians are just plain weird when it comes to cutlery.  Starting with their insistence on referring to it as “silverware” even when it’s molished from plastic.


Don't get me started on their use of the word 'entree'...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 28 July, 2021, 08:38:56 am
Quote from: barakta on 28 July, 2021, 01:12:51 am
Eating "manners" are definitely one of those age, social class and culture things.

Many South Asians eat using their hands/chapattis etc.
Not long after I came back to the UK after have been in India for a few years, I went for a meal with two fine upstanding members of this forum (okay, it was Flatus and Jaded) at an Indian restaurant. I can't remember what we ate, though the food was pretty good, but I do remember that at one point  I noticed I was instinctively tearing little bits off my chapati and using them as a sort of scoop for other food, while F&J were not. I expect I wouldn't now either.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 28 July, 2021, 08:39:47 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 28 July, 2021, 01:25:24 am
USAnians are just plain weird when it comes to cutlery.  Starting with their insistence on referring to it as “silverware” even when it’s molished from plastic.
And "flatware".
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 28 July, 2021, 09:02:52 am
entree (v.): To cause an animal – for example a sqrl, BEAR or fretful porpentine – to climb a tree before shooting it utterly to DETH.  “We entreed that varmint, then Billy Bob done kilt it with his .50 Mortalistastic Kill-o-Matic”.  Usage mainly found s. of Mason-Dixon Line.

[“No. No, not that.” — Ed.]
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 28 July, 2021, 09:06:52 am
Put a ´ on it and you have what the varmint then became. Unless it became a hat.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 28 July, 2021, 10:22:00 am
Quote from: Kim on 27 July, 2021, 07:49:22 pm
*makes mental note to name an LDAP server mrben*
Today's new-to-me phrase is pod federation, which not only gives me an image of peas united, but reminds me that when I was a small child I knew an even smaller child known, for some reason, as Pod. The great but sometimes frustrating thing about IT people is they take English words and put them together in a way that is almost but not quite a new language.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 28 July, 2021, 12:13:20 pm
Quote from: Kim
Today's new-to-me phrase is pod federation...
Space-faring Borrowers innit?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: arabella on 28 July, 2021, 07:19:53 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 28 July, 2021, 10:22:00 am
Today's new-to-me phrase is pod federation, which not only gives me an image of peas united, but reminds me that when I was a small child I knew an even smaller child known, for some reason, as Pod. The great but sometimes frustrating thing about IT people is they take English words and put them together in a way that is almost but not quite a new language.
It was definitely Pod and not Paud?  Paud being short for Paudraig (I've probably spelt it wrong, but it's the irish equivalent of Pat short for Patrick)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 28 July, 2021, 08:00:31 pm
That's possible. I don't know.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 28 July, 2021, 08:37:27 pm
'Pod' is a virtualisation thing, isn't it?  Somewhere between a container and a VM, for cloud computing porpoises.  (I know very little about that someone-else's-computer stuff.)

Presumably they federalise in order to take to the clouds, or something...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 28 July, 2021, 08:53:03 pm
We used to use Pod as a descriptor for a small group of developers in some iteration or other of managements idea of agile development
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 28 July, 2021, 09:02:40 pm
I think we had pods once – the idea was to embed developers with teams of sales engineers, sales etc. (or vice versa) to give them a broader perspective. It wasn't a bad idea on paper, but developers and sales in the same room, nah. It had a short half-life.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 28 July, 2021, 09:27:06 pm
Yes, pod is to do with virtual machines, clusters and load balancing. I think federations is part of the load balancing process and also to ensure VMs are available to users worldwide even if their nearest server is down.

But Pod the small child was a unique individual.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 28 July, 2021, 09:59:00 pm
Never heard pod in that context. We 'containerize' (everything runs on Amazon, who manage all that availability business).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: neilrj on 28 July, 2021, 11:15:55 pm
Federation Pods are an escape vessel in Star Trek surely?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 28 July, 2021, 11:22:35 pm
When we moved into our outpost the photocopiers where placed in a cubicle designated copy pods. The resident Ecologists had jolly japes by putting up pictures of small crustaceans (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copepod) in them.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 29 July, 2021, 07:40:17 am
Some bugger with a trailer full of pig food or some such just stopped outside for a minute, and now my office stinks of rotten cabbage.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jaded on 29 July, 2021, 09:31:32 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 28 July, 2021, 08:38:56 am
Quote from: barakta on 28 July, 2021, 01:12:51 am
Eating "manners" are definitely one of those age, social class and culture things.

Many South Asians eat using their hands/chapattis etc.
Not long after I came back to the UK after have been in India for a few years, I went for a meal with two fine upstanding members of this forum (okay, it was Flatus and Jaded) at an Indian restaurant. I can't remember what we ate, though the food was pretty good, but I do remember that at one point  I noticed I was instinctively tearing little bits off my chapati and using them as a sort of scoop for other food, while F&J were not. I expect I wouldn't now either.

I remember that well  :) . Interestingly, i am more likely now to use flat bread as a scoop. Possibly because of you and possibly because of going for several meals at the house of a local restaurateur.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 29 July, 2021, 11:47:16 am
My greatest achievement!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: citoyen on 29 July, 2021, 11:55:09 am
Quote from: ian on 28 July, 2021, 09:02:40 pm
I think we had pods once – the idea was to embed developers with teams of sales engineers, sales etc. (or vice versa) to give them a broader perspective. It wasn't a bad idea on paper, but developers and sales in the same room, nah. It had a short half-life.

Forcing anyone else to be in the same room as sales is probably against the Geneva conventions.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 29 July, 2021, 07:01:39 pm
DFDS: Hello, it looks like you're not going to use that travel credit from last year, would you like a refund instead?
Mrs P: Ooh, good idea, that will come in handy!
DFDS: OK confirmed, you may need to wait up to 45 days to see the munney
Mrs P: <grumbles,  45 days??>

47 days pass, no munney appears

Mrs P: 'ere where's that munney you offered me?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 30 July, 2021, 12:43:07 am
When I type “dfds” this fondleslab automatically converts it to “disgraced former Defence Secretary Liam Fox” ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 30 July, 2021, 01:34:10 am
The United Steamship Company1 was very much part of my growing up. (Not least because Mum's brother spent a short time as its MD...)

1) Det Forenede Dampskibs-Selskab
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 30 July, 2021, 07:52:50 am
Doc told me to take a week's rest from the bike.  He didn't tell me to take a rest from going up the feckin wall.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 30 July, 2021, 08:41:52 am
Why would the doctor be so stupid. Even my wife would not say that! 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nuttycyclist on 30 July, 2021, 12:49:05 pm
My physio once said that to me.

Physio: "what did you do last weekend?"
Nutty: "400k audax"
Phsyio: You need to rest this injury.   What will you do this weekend?"
Nutty: "600k audax".



Mind you, what with a further injury, annoyance re Southend Cycle Town fiasco (as discussed in here), and other more important life matters, I've had many years rest since.  I am now fat, unfit, and cannot believe what I managed easily in the past.    I wish I'd never taken the time off the bike.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 02 August, 2021, 05:26:13 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 29 July, 2021, 07:01:39 pm
DFDS: Hello, it looks like you're not going to use that travel credit from last year, would you like a refund instead?
Mrs P: Ooh, good idea, that will come in handy!
DFDS: OK confirmed, you may need to wait up to 45 days to see the munney
Mrs P: <grumbles,  45 days??>

47 days pass, no munney appears

Mrs P: 'ere where's that munney you offered me?

Emailed them. They now say they are taking 60 days to process refunds. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 02 August, 2021, 05:36:03 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 02 August, 2021, 05:26:13 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 29 July, 2021, 07:01:39 pm
DFDS: Hello, it looks like you're not going to use that travel credit from last year, would you like a refund instead?
Mrs P: Ooh, good idea, that will come in handy!
DFDS: OK confirmed, you may need to wait up to 45 days to see the munney
Mrs P: <grumbles,  45 days??>

47 days pass, no munney appears

Mrs P: 'ere where's that munney you offered me?

Emailed them. They now say they are taking 60 days to process refunds.
They're chancers.
Unless the laws have changed in the past 18 months, I don't think they're allowed to do that.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 02 August, 2021, 07:54:04 pm
I'm stood on a street corner waiting for my second AA van of the day. And some oik in a car just called me Einstein.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 02 August, 2021, 08:12:48 pm
Quote from: perpetual dan on 02 August, 2021, 07:54:04 pm
I'm stood on a street corner waiting for my second AA van of the day. And some oik in a car just called me Einstein.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

I hope AA is Automobile Association.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 02 August, 2021, 08:14:19 pm
Quote from: Basil on 02 August, 2021, 08:12:48 pm
Quote from: perpetual dan on 02 August, 2021, 07:54:04 pm
I'm stood on a street corner waiting for my second AA van of the day. And some oik in a car just called me Einstein.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

I hope AA is Automobile Association.
Yes. There's sub optimal levels of smoke coming from the brakes this morning and this evening.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 03 August, 2021, 09:14:19 pm
Compressed air fittings!  Why?

USB-C has its work cut out in the things-that-should-be-compatible-but-implementations-vary-in-unpredictably-annoying-ways competition.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nuttycyclist on 06 August, 2021, 12:12:08 pm
Quote from: nuttycyclist on 08 June, 2021, 02:11:22 pm
Sun's out, but sitting in garden office instead of sunlounger out of habit.  Doors and windows open.
Neighbours have the builders in and so nothing but chainsaw engines, thrown timber, loud radio, and chatting to drown out the birdsong.

They are of course allowed to do this, so I can't complain, but I miss the silence.

This morning Postman Pat kindly delivered a letter from local council to say that the same $NEIGHBOURS have applied for planning permission for an extension.  I have no grounds to object, nor want to since if I was in their shoes I'd want to do what I want.

I just hope it's quick and quiet.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 08 August, 2021, 06:56:08 pm
Had my first total bonkers Freegler today. There's another one who writes gibberish messages that are barely comprehensible (they want a "harny hovaer") but I ignore that one and block (tho that seems to get unblocked on a regular basis).
Today's one (no ratings) asked about 2 items and suddenly got all arsey when they got the auto message that one of them had been taken. Then multiple messages and "I will speak to admin".

Well go on then, you fucking weirdo. You don't understand the way the messaging works, clearly and then you threaten me with the authorities.  (And also, even if you do feel aggrieved,  it's my stuff until such time as I choose to give it to somone for free so fuck off.)
Blocked and reported for harassment.
Sheesh. I've Freegled a lot of stuff with overwhelmingly positive experiences but it just takes 1 person to shit on your day..
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Regulator on 10 August, 2021, 12:38:46 pm
I am only (almost) 54... yet I am inundated with post offering 'over 55s housing', mobility aids, etc.   >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 10 August, 2021, 02:52:38 pm
Quote from: Regulator on 10 August, 2021, 12:38:46 pm
I am only (almost) 54... yet I am inundated with post offering 'over 55s housing', mobility aids, etc.   >:(

Wait until your 64, then it's assisted living and funeral plans.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 10 August, 2021, 02:55:20 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 10 August, 2021, 02:52:38 pm
Quote from: Regulator on 10 August, 2021, 12:38:46 pm
I am only (almost) 54... yet I am inundated with post offering 'over 55s housing', mobility aids, etc.   >:(

Wait until your 64, then it's assisted living and funeral plans.

I am 58 and yet I don't get any of that guff.  I count myself fortunate.  😀
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 10 August, 2021, 02:56:43 pm
Could be the cruises that trigger it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 10 August, 2021, 06:12:47 pm
Dear Coca Cola European Partners Great BRITAIN Limited

When I pluck a fresh can of your Coke ZEROTM fizzy pop product from the box of same lurking in the fridge, would it be asking too much to expect the said can actually to contain 330 ml of Coke ZEROTM fizzy pop product rather than 330 ml of nicely-chilled air?

Bah!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Paul on 10 August, 2021, 08:24:18 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 10 August, 2021, 06:12:47 pm
Dear Coca Cola European Partners Great BRITAIN Limited

When I pluck a fresh can of your Coke ZEROTM fizzy pop product from the box of same lurking in the fridge, would it be asking too much to expect the said can actually to contain 330 ml of Coke ZEROTM fizzy pop product rather than 330 ml of nicely-chilled air?

Bah!
Aha! I once had a peppermint aero with NO bubbles. Maybe that’s where they got to?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 10 August, 2021, 08:43:57 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 10 August, 2021, 06:12:47 pm
Dear Coca Cola European Partners Great BRITAIN Limited

When I pluck a fresh can of your Coke ZEROTM fizzy pop product from the box of same lurking in the fridge, would it be asking too much to expect the said can actually to contain 330 ml of Coke ZEROTM fizzy pop product rather than 330 ml of nicely-chilled air?

Bah!

Now that's what I call a lucky escape.

Or,

Now that's what I call ZERO.

🙂🙃😉🙃🙂
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 11 August, 2021, 07:37:51 am
Our idiot cantonnier - low-grade labourer who looks after verges, street furniture and the like - is just outside blasting dust out of the gutters with a leaf-blower. The noisy bastard loves the thing.  God help us once autumn sets in.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nuttycyclist on 11 August, 2021, 03:55:05 pm
I don't need a new tool, especially one that will only ever be used once in its life and costs ~£x.  But needs must and so internet research has been undertaken with many examples and options ranging from £x to £1.5x

Since the job needs to be done today I went to local not-to-be-named shop to purchase said item.  Due to $COVID said shop cannot now be perused for wares and instead the public need to ask at the perspexed off counter for their Fork Handles.  I duly queued, asked, and assistant went to find aforesaid item.  On return I recognised aforesaid item from earlier internet research and was not happy with the £2.5x price ticket. 

I politely winced and said it was a bit pricey, and assistant quietly waited to ask another if they had anything cheaper.  Reply was that they had a better quality one at £4x price but it was worth it.   I politely said sorry, but as it was considerably cheaper elsewhere it wasn't for me, thanked them politely for their time, and left.

As I walked away I clearly heard "well you were another ******* waste of time".    I so much wanted to turn around and point out that I am an almost monthly customer, with some big ticket items, for over a decade and they should be grateful that I was trying to shop locally at an independent shop, even if they are usually a bit grumpy.  If they want the custom then price match accordingly and don't insult the customers as they leave.


Next step is to bodge a home-made tool, and after that is to shop online and not go back.  Well done mate, regular customer lost.   **** you too.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 11 August, 2021, 04:03:45 pm
Quote from: nuttycyclist on 11 August, 2021, 03:55:05 pm
But needs must [...]
Since the job needs to be done today

Such is the cost of a distress purchase.
Same as buying an ethernet cable from PC World.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nuttycyclist on 11 August, 2021, 04:25:03 pm
**** you Mr shop man!    My home made tool has worked, cost me nuffink, and I wish I'd thought of that before coming to your specialist shop.

<middle finger emoji>
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 11 August, 2021, 05:42:50 pm
Mr Sainsbury of the house of toothy comestibles, or more correctly those his employ, has let me down considerably. it is normal to receive a delivery from this emporia at the Beardy's Bastion antimeridan of a Tuesday, but due to the coming nuptials of Master Beardy it was necessary to be elsewhere making important garment purchase at the usual hour. Because it was discovered late that this clash would occur, the last available delivery slot yesterday was 21:00 to 22:00, which was duly booked and the evening meal was ad libbed.

There was no delivery and no communication from the shop keepers.  >:(
A call was received at 8:30 this morn from a very apologetic under keeper of the emporia with some excuse of 'mobile' failure for the delivery driver  and alate return to the depot.
A replacement delivery was booked for 16:30 to 17:00.
The delivery truck arrived at the appointed hour and the man disappeared into the bowels of his vehicle to assemble the components of our delivery.
we waited.
We waited some more
And then we did wait longer.SMALL
Fifteen minutes later, the gentleman appeared at our for with a SMALL collection of items.
No chilled items he said. They were left out* he said. He had been in contact with the under keeper who had said she would get them to use either LATE the evening or tomorrow.
We said this evening^, so he said he would convey this to the under keeper who would call and confirm.
She has since called. I let Dr Beardy (Mrs) talk to her, but it has been confirmed that they would TRY and deliver this evening. Dr Beardy (Mrs) reported that the under keeper was perplexed at the error and contrite. Not sufficient I'd wager to make a financial recompense.

Nothing for dinner AGAIN, and a real possibility of running out of cow juice for my morning cuppa if no delivery this evening.

I'm not happy.  >:(

*I assumed that they'd been left off the van, Dr Beardy (Mrs) is of the opinion that they were lift out of the fridge on the van.
^The forthcoming nuptials may require another shopping trip on the morrow**, and Dr Beardy (Mrs) does not trust me to make what she considers an appropriate choice when it comes to tie selection.
**I'm waiting on the delivery of a new tie from an online vendor, and Dr Beardy (Mrs) has decreed that if it does not arrive in the morning pos, a new one will be acquired locally.

I'm also a little stressed. :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nuttycyclist on 11 August, 2021, 05:55:33 pm
<Hug to Beardy>
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 12 August, 2021, 10:02:36 am
Thank you nutty.

My tie has arrived so no need for shopping trip this am  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 12 August, 2021, 12:33:30 pm
EuroCarParts, would it be too much to expect that if you tell me filters and oil are in stock at my local branch and let me click-and-collect them, they actually are? Without me having to stand around for 45 minutes whilst they fail to find them?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 12 August, 2021, 07:03:24 pm
Been to Suffolk for a 4 day break with Mrs robgul - good time etc. 

BUT what is it about Suffolk and a cream tea (a feature of short breaks for us .. . .  scones, jam, cream etc) . . . asked for a Cream Tea (one with Earl Grey tea) at the fairly smart country house hotel we were staying at  - two pots of tea duly arrived with a JUG OF CREAM instead of milk.   That's gotta be a first? They just didn't understand what a Cream Tea was  ???

Each afternoon for the rest of the trip we scoured cafes and tea-rooms for a Cream Tea but were disappointed at every turn.  Now, if it had been the Forest of Dean or deepest Lincolnshire I could understand  ;D


I've been promised home-made scones and jam with cream tomorrow afternoon now we're back at home.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Regulator on 13 August, 2021, 07:01:50 am
Quote from: robgul on 12 August, 2021, 07:03:24 pm
Been to Suffolk for a 4 day break with Mrs robgul - good time etc. 

BUT what is it about Suffolk and a cream tea (a feature of short breaks for us .. . .  scones, jam, cream etc) . . . asked for a Cream Tea (one with Earl Grey tea) at the fairly smart country house hotel we were staying at  - two pots of tea duly arrived with a JUG OF CREAM instead of milk.   That's gotta be a first? They just didn't understand what a Cream Tea was  ???

Each afternoon for the rest of the trip we scoured cafes and tea-rooms for a Cream Tea but were disappointed at every turn.  Now, if it had been the Forest of Dean or deepest Lincolnshire I could understand  ;D


I've been promised home-made scones and jam with cream tomorrow afternoon now were back at home.


Ahh - you were looking for the wrong things.  Creams teas are a southern affectation.  In Suffolk, the traditional dish is fish and chips.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 13 August, 2021, 08:00:08 am
Quote from: Regulator on 13 August, 2021, 07:01:50 am
Quote from: robgul on 12 August, 2021, 07:03:24 pm
Been to Suffolk for a 4 day break with Mrs robgul - good time etc. 

BUT what is it about Suffolk and a cream tea (a feature of short breaks for us .. . .  scones, jam, cream etc) . . . asked for a Cream Tea (one with Earl Grey tea) at the fairly smart country house hotel we were staying at  - two pots of tea duly arrived with a JUG OF CREAM instead of milk.   That's gotta be a first? They just didn't understand what a Cream Tea was  ???

Each afternoon for the rest of the trip we scoured cafes and tea-rooms for a Cream Tea but were disappointed at every turn.  Now, if it had been the Forest of Dean or deepest Lincolnshire I could understand  ;D


I've been promised home-made scones and jam with cream tomorrow afternoon now were back at home.


Ahh - you were looking for the wrong things.  Creams teas are a southern affectation.  In Suffolk, the traditional dish is fish and chips.

Not sure about that - brother-in-law was in Yorkshire this week and had a Cream Tea on two days? - and I've had a Cream Tea at Balloch, Loch Lomond.

Did have some chips from chip shops: 
1 Lowestoft - probably the second worst bag of chips I have ever had, all bits and cold. Complaining got just a shrug of the shoulders from the shop operative.
2 Dunwich Beach (last time I was there was 2003, on a bike very early in the morning) - top notch chips, exactly as they should be.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 13 August, 2021, 08:05:20 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 02 August, 2021, 05:26:13 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 29 July, 2021, 07:01:39 pm
DFDS: Hello, it looks like you're not going to use that travel credit from last year, would you like a refund instead?
Mrs P: Ooh, good idea, that will come in handy!
DFDS: OK confirmed, you may need to wait up to 45 days to see the munney
Mrs P: <grumbles,  45 days??>

47 days pass, no munney appears

Mrs P: 'ere where's that munney you offered me?

Emailed them. They now say they are taking 60 days to process refunds. 

Oh quelle surprise! >60 days later and still no munney. I don't suppose there's even any legal I can throw at them either.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Regulator on 13 August, 2021, 04:28:21 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 13 August, 2021, 08:05:20 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 02 August, 2021, 05:26:13 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 29 July, 2021, 07:01:39 pm
DFDS: Hello, it looks like you're not going to use that travel credit from last year, would you like a refund instead?
Mrs P: Ooh, good idea, that will come in handy!
DFDS: OK confirmed, you may need to wait up to 45 days to see the munney
Mrs P: <grumbles,  45 days??>

47 days pass, no munney appears

Mrs P: 'ere where's that munney you offered me?

Emailed them. They now say they are taking 60 days to process refunds. 

Oh quelle surprise! >60 days later and still no munney. I don't suppose there's even any legal I can throw at them either.

If I recall correctly, once a refund is agreed for goods or services, they have 14 days to make the repayment (may be different in Scotlandshire).  Not sure whether this would fall into that category.

Depending on much it is, I'd write/email to them giving them outlining your travails to date and giving them 14 days in which to ensure that the refund hits your account, failing which you will institute proceedings through Small Claims.

Alternatively, if paid for with a credit card (or Visa Debit card) use their facility to make the reclaim.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 13 August, 2021, 05:45:10 pm
I've just had a look at the CMA page on Covid related refunds and its a bit woolly:
The CMA notes that statutory deadlines for payment also apply in certain situations. gee, helpful.

Anyhoo, I sent DFDS a snippy email right after I wrote the above post telling them that the delay was unacceptable, purely due to their finance policy, and I wanted the refund in the next 5 days. I'll see what sort of response I get from that and then start pointing them at websites if no joy.
I did look up the section 75 credit card claim this morning and got the impression from somewhere that it could take months, but I can't find where I got that from now.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 13 August, 2021, 09:42:32 pm
It’s at grumble phase at the moment because I’ve been told not to upset the wedding.

Basically, we arrived at the hotel and booked in at 2pm and booked a table in the restaurant with the rejoinder that we could change the booking once we knew who was arriving and how many we needed feeding. My daughter was then told when she booked in at 4pm that the restaurant was full booked this evening. When we were ready for dinner, our reservation ‘wasn’t on the system’. There’s a lot of other details,I shall fill in later, but the fact remains that as guests of the hotel we are second to the diners. That we’ve booked the hotel a wedding and have booked a significant number of the rooms over the weekend and some beyond is of no consequence. The restaurant is fully booked this evening and guests will have to take their chances in the garden.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 15 August, 2021, 06:32:24 pm
Well, thank you Quest TV. In place of stage 1 of the Vuelta (which the EPG still says was on last night) we got a recording of…. Border Force Poland  >:( >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 15 August, 2021, 06:48:55 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 15 August, 2021, 06:32:24 pm
Well, thank you Quest TV. In place of stage 1 of the Vuelta (which the EPG still says was on last night) we got a recording of…. Border Force Poland  >:( >:(

Oh. Yes. So we did.
Quest really are useless, aren't they?
<digs out discovery plus again..>
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 15 August, 2021, 07:03:38 pm
Also, while I'm here in the salle de grognement, WTF do people keep getting their CH thermostats installed in their halls?
It's a fucking stupid place to put it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 15 August, 2021, 07:14:05 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 15 August, 2021, 06:32:24 pm
Well, thank you Quest TV. In place of stage 1 of the Vuelta (which the EPG still says was on last night) we got a recording of…. Border Force Poland  >:( >:(
Oh, I think I've seen that, about 20 years ago, po polsku. That it's still going and now being shown internationally is disturbing. I recall it as a sort of Piggi Patel fantasy (before she was anyone you'd heard of) played out by Crimewatch re-enactors.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Diver300 on 15 August, 2021, 07:18:23 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 15 August, 2021, 07:03:38 pm
Also, while I'm here in the salle de grognement, WTF do people keep getting their CH thermostats installed in their halls?
It's a fucking stupid place to put it.
We have a thermostat in the hall.

And one (or more) in each of the ten other rooms.

I agree that having one in the hall only ensures that the temperature will be wrong at all times in any room that people spend time in. The idea that one thermostat is adequate for any house is somewhat bizarre, along with the idea that radiators can be balanced with pre-set valves.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 15 August, 2021, 07:19:56 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 15 August, 2021, 07:14:05 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 15 August, 2021, 06:32:24 pm
Well, thank you Quest TV. In place of stage 1 of the Vuelta (which the EPG still says was on last night) we got a recording of…. Border Force Poland  >:( >:(
Oh, I think I've seen that, about 20 years ago, po polsku. That it's still going and now being shown internationally is disturbing. I recall it as a sort of Piggi Patel fantasy (before she was anyone you'd heard of) played out by Crimewatch re-enactors.
It does put paid to the 'UK' is being punished myth together with sausage wars, as the same rules are clearly being applied elsewhere and some time ago.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 15 August, 2021, 07:43:22 pm
Quote from: Canardly on 15 August, 2021, 07:19:56 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 15 August, 2021, 07:14:05 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 15 August, 2021, 06:32:24 pm
Well, thank you Quest TV. In place of stage 1 of the Vuelta (which the EPG still says was on last night) we got a recording of…. Border Force Poland  >:( >:(
Oh, I think I've seen that, about 20 years ago, po polsku. That it's still going and now being shown internationally is disturbing. I recall it as a sort of Piggi Patel fantasy (before she was anyone you'd heard of) played out by Crimewatch re-enactors.
It does put paid to the 'UK' is being punished myth together with sausage wars, as the same rules are clearly being applied elsewhere and some time ago.
When I saw it, it would have been before Poland joined the EU. I recall it being mostly about catching refugees from the Middle East creeping over the border from Ukraine or Belarus with the aid of smugglers, as well as vodka, cigarettes and yes even sausages being smuggled in by "ants". I don't recall anything being smuggled out – doubtless that was being shown on Border Force Deutschland.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 15 August, 2021, 07:44:26 pm
Quote from: Diver300 on 15 August, 2021, 07:18:23 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 15 August, 2021, 07:03:38 pm
Also, while I'm here in the salle de grognement, WTF do people keep getting their CH thermostats installed in their halls?
It's a fucking stupid place to put it.
We have a thermostat in the hall.

And one (or more) in each of the ten other rooms.

I agree that having one in the hall only ensures that the temperature will be wrong at all times in any room that people spend time in. The idea that one thermostat is adequate for any house is somewhat bizarre, along with the idea that radiators can be balanced with pre-set valves.

Our "master" thermostat is wireless, thus can be moved around - but what we do have is some radiator valves that have their own timers - so, for example, my wife's "yoga studio" a.k.a. bedroom #3 can have its own timed heating just for the hour or so each day when she uses it - when the rest of the house is heated (you just have to keep the door closed)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 15 August, 2021, 07:50:12 pm
We have a wireless stat here, mainly cos it was the easiest thing to retrofit, certainly made sense once we got the wood burning stove fitted and it spent most of the time in the bedroom instead..
I suspect the stat in the hall in the new place is wired in, but maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 15 August, 2021, 07:51:28 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 15 August, 2021, 06:48:55 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 15 August, 2021, 06:32:24 pm
Well, thank you Quest TV. In place of stage 1 of the Vuelta (which the EPG still says was on last night) we got a recording of…. Border Force Poland  >:( >:(

Oh. Yes. So we did.
Quest really are useless, aren't they?
<digs out discovery plus again..>

Dunno who they have commentating instead of Rob Hatch but he's a bit too Alan Partridge for my liking. Just have Maggie Backstedt instead :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 15 August, 2021, 07:54:03 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 15 August, 2021, 07:51:28 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 15 August, 2021, 06:48:55 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 15 August, 2021, 06:32:24 pm
Well, thank you Quest TV. In place of stage 1 of the Vuelta (which the EPG still says was on last night) we got a recording of…. Border Force Poland  >:( >:(

Oh. Yes. So we did.
Quest really are useless, aren't they?
<digs out discovery plus again..>

Dunno who they have commentating instead of Rob Hatch but he's a bit too Alan Partridge for my liking. Just have Maggie Backstedt instead :)

God, he’s dreadful!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 15 August, 2021, 08:24:21 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 15 August, 2021, 07:03:38 pm
Also, while I'm here in the salle de grognement, WTF do people keep getting their CH thermostats installed in their halls?
It's a fucking stupid place to put it.

It makes a sort of sense if you don't have a rad in the hall or keep it turned down low, and want the stat to be in the coldest place in three house so it only closes off the heating when it's up to temperature from heat leaking from the warmer rooms.

In conjunction with TRVs in the rooms and judicious use of closed doors, it actually works reasonably well. I'll change it when we update the heating from the 1980s though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 15 August, 2021, 08:46:27 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 15 August, 2021, 07:03:38 pm
Also, while I'm here in the salle de grognement, WTF do people keep getting their CH thermostats installed in their halls?
It's a fucking stupid place to put it.

I'll raise you the upstairs landing, on the other side of the cardboard wall from the hot water tank.   :facepalm:

At least that was convenient for the installer.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 15 August, 2021, 09:13:34 pm
And lets not forget external compensators, which recently almost became compulsory.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 15 August, 2021, 09:17:53 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 15 August, 2021, 07:03:38 pm
Also, while I'm here in the salle de grognement, WTF do people keep getting their CH thermostats installed in their halls?
It's a fucking stupid place to put it.
It seems like a good place for a radio receiver, nice and central in most houses. It probably makes some sense if all the doors are open and the whole house is heated the same - like my parents’ place in the 70s.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 15 August, 2021, 10:26:28 pm
No, because in a 2 story house it just means you get hot bedrooms when the hottest place you want is the lounge (or whatever you call the room where you do most of your slobbing but not sleeping).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 15 August, 2021, 10:27:04 pm
Quote from: Canardly on 15 August, 2021, 09:13:34 pm
And lets not forget external compensators, which recently almost became compulsory.
Are they not a good thing? Sounded sensible to me.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 15 August, 2021, 10:28:40 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 15 August, 2021, 10:26:28 pm
No, because in a 2 story house it just means you get hot bedrooms when the hottest place you want is the lounge (or whatever you call the room where you do most of your slobbing but not sleeping).

Ultimately, we use our houses upside-down.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 15 August, 2021, 10:29:16 pm
I'm also waiting with bated breath to find out where the condensate from the boiler has been routed, cos it's nowhere near the kitchen or bathroom drains. (Crossed fingers it's not just disappearing under the floor to, nothing....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 15 August, 2021, 10:31:04 pm
Quote from: Kim on 15 August, 2021, 10:28:40 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 15 August, 2021, 10:26:28 pm
No, because in a 2 story house it just means you get hot bedrooms when the hottest place you want is the lounge (or whatever you call the room where you do most of your slobbing but not sleeping).

Ultimately, we use our houses upside-down.

Our new house has a downstairs bathroom and the bedrooms upstairs. How long before one of us falls down the stairs (we currently have none) in the middle of the night?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 15 August, 2021, 10:39:42 pm
Quote from: jsabine on 15 August, 2021, 08:24:21 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 15 August, 2021, 07:03:38 pm
Also, while I'm here in the salle de grognement, WTF do people keep getting their CH thermostats installed in their halls?
It's a fucking stupid place to put it.

It makes a sort of sense if you don't have a rad in the hall or keep it turned down low, and want the stat to be in the coldest place in three house so it only closes off the heating when it's up to temperature from heat leaking from the warmer rooms.

But, I'm not sitting or spending any time in the hall, I don't care how cold it is in there.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 15 August, 2021, 10:43:06 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 15 August, 2021, 10:39:42 pm
Quote from: jsabine on 15 August, 2021, 08:24:21 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 15 August, 2021, 07:03:38 pm
Also, while I'm here in the salle de grognement, WTF do people keep getting their CH thermostats installed in their halls?
It's a fucking stupid place to put it.

It makes a sort of sense if you don't have a rad in the hall or keep it turned down low, and want the stat to be in the coldest place in three house so it only closes off the heating when it's up to temperature from heat leaking from the warmer rooms.

But, I'm not sitting or spending any time in the hall, I don't care how cold it is in there.

That's because your telephone is installed in the wrong room :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 15 August, 2021, 11:17:55 pm
Lol. It's been over 16 years since we had a phone in a hall. Plus people still speak on these things? ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 15 August, 2021, 11:25:43 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 15 August, 2021, 11:17:55 pm
Lol. It's been over 16 years since we had a phone in a hall. Plus people still speak on these things? ;)

 O:-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 16 August, 2021, 12:12:46 am
Any spare warm air that creeps into my hall – where the thermostat lives – immediately shoots off up the stairwell and gathers in a corner two floors up.  For this reason the thermostat is only ever used as an on/off switch.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 16 August, 2021, 09:06:47 am
Quote from: Kim on 15 August, 2021, 10:28:40 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 15 August, 2021, 10:26:28 pm
No, because in a 2 story house it just means you get hot bedrooms when the hottest place you want is the lounge (or whatever you call the room where you do most of your slobbing but not sleeping).

Ultimately, we use our houses upside-down.
https://youtu.be/im3saZsxvqY
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 16 August, 2021, 09:20:21 am
Many USAian houses are bedrooms down, living up.  Probably the warmer zones.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 16 August, 2021, 09:43:33 am
Our hall is the central point of the house, so not too bad to have the main thermostat there, some set to 20.5 degrees, so with some jiggerpokery with thermostatic valves – basically turn everything other than my wife's office rad off – it seems to work (it's wireless, so I could put it anywhere) fine enough. We can't actually close any doors because cats. I've never bothered to make it more complicated, our last place had zones and stuff (it was three storeys), took a degree in computer science to operate.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 16 August, 2021, 01:09:47 pm
Minimum quantity of non-poncy milk: six pints.  Nice one, Mr Sainsbury’s House of Toothy Comestibles.  At this rate I may have to revert my shopping habits to pre-Tour de France practices i.e. not Mondays.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cycleman on 16 August, 2021, 07:08:32 pm
I phoned ice trikes this to order a full fat trice to discover that they are unavailable till next year sometime hopefully maybe  searching the interwebs for another option I discovered azub.eu have a UK dealer which I phoned and they are on holiday. And my back gone ping as well. UK dealer back on the 26th so hopefully I'll see what is possible then ( and my back should be better)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 16 August, 2021, 08:50:35 pm
Quote from: cycleman on 16 August, 2021, 07:08:32 pm
I phoned ice trikes this to order a full fat trice to discover that they are unavailable till next year sometime

n+1 for sensible off-roading?

Hope the back un-pings itself in a timely manner.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cycleman on 17 August, 2021, 09:50:43 am
That's the plan. I am looking at azub-tricon-gr-off-road-trike as alternative but the UK dealer is on holiday at present so Time will tell if its available.
The back is a little better this morning but I am still stuck here for a few days  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 17 August, 2021, 07:30:05 pm
Goes on internet banking to see about changing one's address:
Quote
No, you can't do that here, you can either:
  • Phone us
  • Send a message by carrier pigeon
  • Do it via mobile banking

Seriously, is mobile banking not just a wanky version of online banking? WtF do I have to install that as well? Gaaah.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SteveC on 17 August, 2021, 07:36:41 pm
With my bank, RBS, the app is actually a bit more reliable than the website. I have been known to sit at the computer, but use the phone.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cygnet on 17 August, 2021, 08:35:25 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 17 August, 2021, 07:30:05 pm
Goes on internet banking to see about changing one's address:
Quote
No, you can't do that here, you can either:
  • Phone us
  • Send a message by carrier pigeon
  • Do it via mobile banking

Seriously, is mobile banking not just a wanky version of online banking? WtF do I have to install that as well? Gaaah.

Nationwide? I had to change my address during Lockdown, the only option was to go into a branch.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 17 August, 2021, 08:51:41 pm
I was referring to Bank Of Scotland, but I've got Nationwide and Santander to look forward to.
Speaking of grumbles Santander said I needed to use mobile banking to pay their credit card rather than doing it from a Santander current account via online banking. Why is this stuff so shit?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cygnet on 17 August, 2021, 08:58:32 pm
I could have done Nationwide by post with a downloaded form, but I didn't have a printer.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 17 August, 2021, 09:21:40 pm
They do claim on their website you can do it online but I'd have to login to find out and Pingu's hogging the lapdog.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 17 August, 2021, 09:32:22 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 17 August, 2021, 09:21:40 pm
[...] Pingu's hogging the lapdog.

Goodness me! A single-lapdog household?
That must be a rarity.

I'm quite sure I have no idea how many PC type things there are here, but as best I can come up with:

Mrs F: Old lapdog, new lapdog, work lapdog.
Me: My lapdog, Work lapdog. Desktop PC.
PSOs: one desktop machine in each of their rooms.
Other: A several of servers: 2 windows and 2 linux.
And that's what is currently active. There will be other retired machines lying around if I look.

I think I might be a bit odd, thobut :-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 17 August, 2021, 09:39:19 pm
Barakta's got two ork lapdogs, which would be fine machines without the security bloatware.  I've got an EeePC that's just about usable for configuring routers and such, and currently have custody of the BHPC's jam-filled Babbage engine.

There are also a couple of ancient (XP era) lapdogs awaiting collection by someone who needs a 32-bit machine to run some expensive proprietary software.

But other than that, a decent desktop each, an older desktop in the dining room, and a server.  Rasperry Pis in each room for beepy flashy stuff, of which two have a screen and keyboard attached for IRC duty.  Phones and fondleslabs to taste.  Assorted smart things running Tasmota.

I'm extremely disinclined to go anywhere near online banking from anything other than a Linux machine.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 17 August, 2021, 09:56:50 pm
Well yeah there's my work lapdog, but that's not for doing personal banking on. Plus having a lapdog on your lap is not very conducive to having a lapkitty curled up purring on your lap, so I have a tablet instead, that I've never got round to logging into all these things with.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 17 August, 2021, 10:19:36 pm
I'm supposed to be getting a work lapdog which I expect will either turn up here after we've moved or the new place before.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 18 August, 2021, 10:07:55 am
Similarly, I find most banking apps better website 'experience' and avoid that horrible input the third, fifteen, and 829th letter of your password, and then the word that you've forgotten authentication mechanism (face recognition is a lot easier). But banking is always one letter away from anything that might be classified as pleasurable.

I have a pile of superannuated laptops that are still functional, I can't think of a reason to buy a new one though. I wonder if the mothership will want my old Macbook Pro back when I leave, they can have it, it needs a new battery and it looks, how can I put it, well-travelled. It's also a bit sticky from my habit of eating fruit for lunch and probably a certifiable biohazard. That said, my ex-colleague Em once let me use her laptop at a meeting. I've never seen anything so disgusting. I recoiled. People in the next building recoiled. I have a child, she bleated. I think she gave birth on the bloody thing while eating cake.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 18 August, 2021, 10:15:21 am
This might not be correct, however it came from a usanian person regarding their own border enforcement.

If your device (laptop, phone, tablet) is locked with a code or password, they cannot compel you to tell them the code so they can examine the device (unless they have a warrant). Said code or password is deemed to be private information.

However, if it is locked with fingerprint or facial recognition, they can compel you to unlock using that (since your face and fingerprints are deemed to be public data).

My usanian employers do not permit their employees to travel to/from the USA with their normal laptop. Instead, a special stripped-down version is issued, cleansed of all company data.

Insane paranoia or informed business decision? Crazy that, in their country, companies have to be wary of their own government.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 18 August, 2021, 10:45:49 am
That's a fifth amendment issue – you cannot be compelled to incriminate yourself by producing information that you know (i.e. a password). However, fingerprints and other biometrics reveal nothing about what's in your mind, so this isn't information that you know, so isn't covered by the self-incrimination clause.

They still need a warrant mind, but unless it's changed, you can't use a fifth amendment defence to overturn the warrant (plus a judge is less likely to grant a warrant they know will be overturned).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 18 August, 2021, 06:06:18 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 17 August, 2021, 08:51:41 pm
I was referring to Bank Of Scotland, but I've got Nationwide and Santander to look forward to.
Speaking of grumbles Santander said I needed to use mobile banking to pay their credit card rather than doing it from a Santander current account via online banking. Why is this stuff so shit?
generally I find bank of Scotlands websites both personal and business to be really poor but the Apps are much better.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 18 August, 2021, 06:09:04 pm
Last time I checked Barclays wouldn’t let you use their app unless you have a Barclays current account.  Which in my case I have not got.  I didn’t have a Barclays account at all until they borged my ING one.  The bastards.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 18 August, 2021, 07:59:36 pm
I only have a Barclay CC (I'm not sure how, tbh, I think it was Egg once upon a time) and I use the app. Checking, it's actually a specific Barclaycard app.

I should just get rid of some credit cards, I have six of the bloody things and I use precisely two of them.

But generally, the apps are a lot easier since you can skip the entire security rigamarole by using FaceID on the phone.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 19 August, 2021, 12:36:02 pm
Quote from: ian on 18 August, 2021, 07:59:36 pm
But generally, the apps are a lot easier since you can skip the entire security rigamarole by using FaceID on the phone.
This  :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 19 August, 2021, 12:47:48 pm
This should probably make rant but last year the next door but one neighbours who's garden we go through to access ours said to help ourselves to apples as their tree which we had already been scrumping off was laden with beautiful fruit and they could store no more.

They sadly moved and I realised when ilooked this week that the new owner has chopped the tree down. I am utterly bewildered as to why you would although my other neighbours did the same with their two apple trees as only like golden delicious

Neither are gardeners but a tree giving you free apples seems a no brainer to me
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 19 August, 2021, 01:07:06 pm
That is really sad.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 19 August, 2021, 01:16:03 pm
Any senseless chopping down of trees makes me ranty.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Regulator on 19 August, 2021, 02:05:47 pm
Quote from: The Family Cyclist on 19 August, 2021, 12:47:48 pm
...
Neither are gardeners but a tree giving you free apples seems a no brainer to me

Apple trees take maintenance, but...

Quote from: ian on 19 August, 2021, 01:16:03 pm
Any senseless chopping down of trees makes me ranty.

^^^
This!

Where people are applying for permission to remove trees, as a council we are requiring them to replace them with two new trees (and they have to be proper mature saplings rather than twigs)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: PhilO on 19 August, 2021, 02:48:59 pm
Every couple of years our neighbours to the rear drop hints about our apple tree, which TBF is rather tall (I can't quite pick the highest apples with a 5m pole). 

So I have some sympathy, except that they complain that it overshadows their garden - bearing in mind that their back faces NW and the tree is at the far RHS as they look at it.  Yes, that's right. It's due north of their garden.  Of the 4 gardens that come together near the tree, the only one that never gets any shade from it is theirs.

So, tough...  :demon:

[I am slowly thinning it and bringing down the crown height, but only to improve the crop and ease access for picking. And over the course of a few years.  And even then, I'm not going to sacrifice the shape of the tree.]
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 19 August, 2021, 02:58:22 pm
We are in a conservation zone and limited in what we can do.  We had one really old apple tree that was mainly dead wood reduced and it is now sprouting again and may bear fruit next year.  A couple of other trees were a mess and we got agreement to remove them, reduce the beech and the magnolia.  In return we planted 2 rowan, 2 apple and 2 plums.  We are eating a few plums every day at the moment and have a crop of apple to pick with the Rowan trees adding colour with a wonderful crop of bright red berries. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andytheflyer on 19 August, 2021, 06:20:54 pm
Glad you have apples. Last year my 2, (a Cox and a Laxton) were loaded, couldn't eat them fast enough.  This  year the Cox has nothing, not one, and the Laxton about a dozen.  TBF, the Cox had no blossom, and we had no frost at the critical time that I saw, so don't know why I have no apples.  The trees look fine, so maybe next year. 

I have a huge crab apple tree between the 2, and it has very few crab apples too.  Normally, it's loaded.  Barely enough for a batch of crab apple jelly this year. Very unusual.

Is this a grumble or a first world problem?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 19 August, 2021, 08:46:04 pm
I have found the garden really strange this year. Some things have done really well and some things have just died. Even my dahlias have been poor this year.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andytheflyer on 20 August, 2021, 08:00:47 am
Dahlias - now that's interesting.

My late wife had a magnificent dahlia display last year and over the winter ordered 50 new tubers.  After her death in April I planted them out in tubs, expecting a good display in her memory.  They've done OK, but nothing like as good as the display last year.  Maybe it's just me - I don't pretend to be a gardener.  I have a good display of bedding plants but no skill needed for them I suspect.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 20 August, 2021, 08:18:19 am
One of my cycling chums has a muscat vine in his back garden.  Last week he posted a pic of his harvest on FB: a heap of mildewed lumps.  His were just eating grapes, but the entire wine harvest has been badly hit this year.  More to the point as far as I'm concerned, though, the durum wheat harvest has taken a knock so pasta will be in short supply.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 20 August, 2021, 08:43:17 am
Quote from: chrisbainbridge on 19 August, 2021, 08:46:04 pm
I have found the garden really strange this year. Some things have done really well and some things have just died. Even my dahlias have been poor this year.

Odd, the two holly trees we have out front have (mostly) died. They don't look obviously diseased. Everything else is fine.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 20 August, 2021, 09:00:10 am
Quote from: ian on 20 August, 2021, 08:43:17 am
Quote from: chrisbainbridge on 19 August, 2021, 08:46:04 pm
I have found the garden really strange this year. Some things have done really well and some things have just died. Even my dahlias have been poor this year.

Odd, the two holly trees we have out front have (mostly) died. They don't look obviously diseased. Everything else is fine.

Another oddity - we have what is alleged to be the largest walnut tree in Warwickshire* immediately behind our garden fence - last year loads of walnuts, this year almost none??   The upside is that the bloody squirrels wont be planting walnuts in the lawn.

It has a TPO and has some other sort of listing too.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 20 August, 2021, 09:06:11 am
Just the one rather small cucumber this year.  Last year I couldn't eat them fast enough to keep up. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 20 August, 2021, 09:42:34 am
Quote from: andytheflyer on 20 August, 2021, 08:00:47 am
Dahlias - now that's interesting.

My late wife had a magnificent dahlia display last year and over the winter ordered 50 new tubers.  After her death in April I planted them out in tubs, expecting a good display in her memory.  They've done OK, but nothing like as good as the display last year.  Maybe it's just me - I don't pretend to be a gardener.  I have a good display of bedding plants but no skill needed for them I suspect.
Friends of mine run a flower farm and grow many many dahlias. They're behind compared to last year with the damp not so warm weather as prime suspect.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 20 August, 2021, 03:38:04 pm
Quote from: andytheflyer on 19 August, 2021, 06:20:54 pm
Glad you have apples. Last year my 2, (a Cox and a Laxton) were loaded, couldn't eat them fast enough.  This  year the Cox has nothing, not one, and the Laxton about a dozen.  TBF, the Cox had no blossom, and we had no frost at the critical time that I saw, so don't know why I have no apples.  The trees look fine, so maybe next year. 

I have a huge crab apple tree between the 2, and it has very few crab apples too.  Normally, it's loaded.  Barely enough for a batch of crab apple jelly this year. Very unusual.

Is this a grumble or a first world problem?

Biennial bearing (https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=280)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 20 August, 2021, 04:02:40 pm
Quote from: robgul on 20 August, 2021, 09:00:10 am
Quote from: ian on 20 August, 2021, 08:43:17 am
Quote from: chrisbainbridge on 19 August, 2021, 08:46:04 pm
I have found the garden really strange this year. Some things have done really well and some things have just died. Even my dahlias have been poor this year.

Odd, the two holly trees we have out front have (mostly) died. They don't look obviously diseased. Everything else is fine.

Another oddity - we have what is alleged to be the largest walnut tree in Warwickshire* immediately behind our garden fence - last year loads of walnuts, this year almost none??   The upside is that the bloody squirrels wont be planting walnuts in the lawn.

It has a TPO and has some other sort of listing too.

I have a feeling that the cause is the heat and drought last summer.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 20 August, 2021, 04:24:00 pm
Everything is pretty late. We have no ripening tomatoes, still plenty of flowers. The sweetcorn is a major disappointment, I ev3n pulled out two runts, and the cobs we have are small and unrepentant. Cherry blossom and plum blossom got frosted. All the pears bar one, and all the apples have dropped. Even our chard, which is generally prodigious and indestructible, has struggled this year. The only good things are parsley, which always seems to go well, and the chives.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 20 August, 2021, 05:12:51 pm
Quote from: T42
...the durum wheat harvest has taken a knock so pasta will be in short supply.
And given the fires all around the Med. together with ongoing disease probs. olives and olive oil are likely to be very much more expensive in the near future.  Oh and of course the, "New Economic Arrangement", hereinafter the NEA, that now exists between the (dis)UK and the mainland will very likely aggravate matters even more.

On matters horticultural in general, we too have noticed a good deal less flower and thus fruit on plants than we have been accustomed to in previous years.   
 April really was the cruellest month this year.  The local apple trees are particularly interesting.  One out the back which is normally heavily laden, almost devoid of fruit another out the front within 50 or 60 yards of the first has more or less as much fruit as usual.  All very odd.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andytheflyer on 20 August, 2021, 06:10:16 pm
Quote from: fboab on 20 August, 2021, 03:38:04 pm
Quote from: andytheflyer on 19 August, 2021, 06:20:54 pm
Glad you have apples. Last year my 2, (a Cox and a Laxton) were loaded, couldn't eat them fast enough.  This  year the Cox has nothing, not one, and the Laxton about a dozen.  TBF, the Cox had no blossom, and we had no frost at the critical time that I saw, so don't know why I have no apples.  The trees look fine, so maybe next year. 

I have a huge crab apple tree between the 2, and it has very few crab apples too.  Normally, it's loaded.  Barely enough for a batch of crab apple jelly this year. Very unusual.

Is this a grumble or a first world problem?

Biennial bearing (https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=280)
Thx for that.  I suspected that there may be a year on/year off phenomenon, but that seems to confirm it.  I'll have to see what next spring brings. And it's obviously not just me and the dahlias.......
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 20 August, 2021, 08:23:54 pm
When everyone talks about climate change they're always going on about sea-level rise. I'd be more worried about the impact on global food supply – plants are very sensitive to climate change and, well, we're kind of dependent on crops.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 20 August, 2021, 08:28:53 pm
I was going to say earlier, are we all going to be starving next year?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 20 August, 2021, 08:51:25 pm
It's a taste of things to come. We might have to get used to chowing down on cassava. Yum.

That's the slower change though. Extreme and acute weather events can cause significant stress both short and long term. I've seen quite a few heavily lodged cereal fields this summer from the rain, which will hit harvests.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 20 August, 2021, 09:53:48 pm
Cassava is kind of tasteless but it feeds a lot of people. At the moment at least.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 21 August, 2021, 10:21:06 am
Went to next village on MrsT's hybrid (if that's English for VTC) to get some ice cream. Damn thing's sticky-out platform pedals with no cleats or toe-hooks kept banging my shins.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: grams on 21 August, 2021, 11:12:48 am
Someone in my building has applied to have post held at the delivery office and the post office are doing it for the whole building. I just collected an armful of stuff after seeing something funny on the tracking.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 22 August, 2021, 06:35:57 pm
Sorting through some old paperwork for disposal because I'm the sort of guy who knows how to have fun when he's left alone for the weekend. I found not one, but two, cheques for the princely sum of £90 from our insurer for some kind of overpayment. Probably out of date. I had read the letters I'd assumed they would do something reasonable like pay the money back into the account they take the payment from, not squirrel away a cheque in the six pages of legalise bumpf. Twats.

Double twats for their excellent customer service the other day when I phoned them to ask about the hike in our premiums. We don't do discounts they say, apparently, if I want a better deal I should go somewhere else. I believe that's a customer service fuck off. Which we promptly did. Really not sure how that's a win for them but we're about £400 better off. Congrats Legal & General. Twats.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 22 August, 2021, 07:16:23 pm
Quote from: ian on 22 August, 2021, 06:35:57 pm
Sorting through some old paperwork for disposal because I'm the sort of guy who knows how to have fun when he's left alone for the weekend. I found not one, but two, cheques for the princely sum of £90 from our insurer for some kind of overpayment. Probably out of date. I had read the letters I'd assumed they would do something reasonable like pay the money back into the account they take the payment from, not squirrel away a cheque in the six pages of legalise bumpf. Twats.
https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=120018.0
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 23 August, 2021, 09:37:48 am
Oi Biggles. And your mate.
A. You're not supposed to fly at low level directly over the town.
B. And three times?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 23 August, 2021, 11:46:36 am
I've just listened (well, not 'just'; over the last week or so) to the first two (excellent) books in Pat Barker's Regeneration Trilogy and between me buying the first two, excellently read by Peter Firth, they've removed the third from sale and now I can only get it on Pre-Order, read by Simon Russel Beale.
a) the book came out in 1995. Pre-Order?
b) I bet some names are now pronounced wrong
c) I HAVE TO WAIT A WEEK
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 23 August, 2021, 11:56:58 am
Is the third part The Ghost Road? It's the best of the three!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 23 August, 2021, 12:13:02 pm
SHUT UP
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 25 August, 2021, 08:36:42 am
Really the best!

---o0o---

My grumble: got a bloody club committee meeting this evening, at the top of a bloody great hill in the forest. It's in a restaurant so we get free nosh on the club's ticket, but my eyes are terrible for driving in the dark these days.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wobbly John on 25 August, 2021, 10:09:33 pm
Jay's Yorkshire Workshop - A telly program.

The misuse of guarding on the machinery, lack of dust extraction and downright dangerous practice is winding me up more than odd choice of techniques and mistakes they are making.  :( :( :(

 I ought to just turn the telly off. :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 29 August, 2021, 08:38:59 am
I'm WFH in Romania mainly on account of August in Romania being reliably dry and sunny and the UK being gloomy and wet.

So BH weekend, it's coming down in sheets and the forecast is "MeteoAlarm: Disruption due to thunderstorms". Even if it stops briefly I've brought no mudguards. And in the UK? Bah. I could just relax, drink beer and watch some films, but apart from a small handful, Amazon Prime says "You can't watch that, you're in a different country".
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 29 August, 2021, 11:08:38 am
Quote from: Pickled Onion on 29 August, 2021, 08:38:59 am
I'm WFH in Romania mainly on account of August in Romania being reliably dry and sunny and the UK being gloomy and wet.

So BH weekend, it's coming down in sheets and the forecast is "MeteoAlarm: Disruption due to thunderstorms". Even if it stops briefly I've brought no mudguards. And in the UK? Bah. I could just relax, drink beer and watch some films, but apart from a small handful, Amazon Prime says "You can't watch that, you're in a different country".

First World problem.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 29 August, 2021, 06:28:06 pm
Bloody C4 ent showing the Belgian GP until hours 20:00.  The bastards.  I'll just have to make do with the touring cars from Thruxton.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 29 August, 2021, 06:38:30 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 29 August, 2021, 06:28:06 pm
Bloody C4 ent showing the Belgian GP until hours 20:00.  The bastards.  I'll just have to make do with the touring cars from Thruxton.
There’s less than 10 MINUTES of actual track ‘action’ and that all took place behind the safety car. Rained off but 2 laps had to be run for a race to be declared.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 29 August, 2021, 07:06:43 pm
They lied to me!  They lied in their EPG.  It said 20:00.  It still says 20:00.  And it’s been recording for 35 minutes.  The liars.

Edit: except it’s recording something that isn’t F1.  Sort it out u muppets!

Also I forgot ITV had today’s BRITISH Moto GP live.  Arseburgers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 29 August, 2021, 08:53:06 pm
Well my box started the recording at 8…….
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 29 August, 2021, 09:24:12 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 29 August, 2021, 08:53:06 pm
Well my box started the recording at 8…….

Mine did too, but only after I'd killed the recording of “A Place In The Sun” and reëducated it in the fine art of doing as it’s bloody well told.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 30 August, 2021, 08:44:18 pm
The first of the weeks many takeaway deliveries and we got the wrong order (oh look, Brewdog again).
Not only wrong but a) chicken (I don't eat chicken 'out' as a rule) and b) battered and deep fried which gives Pingu the boak.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 30 August, 2021, 10:49:54 pm
The wings were better than I expected. The chicken in batter 'burger' was too fatty for me thobut and the fat infected the bun  :sick:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 31 August, 2021, 11:23:17 am
Bank web site just informed me that in future I'd have to use their phone app to confirm purchases otherwise <Voice of God>paying for stuff would shortly become a lot more complex than it already was</VoG>, so I obediently hied to the Great Satan's app store & downloaded the same. The thing is a vile can of worms, taking half an hour to set up with multiple text messages & codes to be entered. I then have to set up my phone for unlocking via fingerprint & PIN, turning round three times, scratching my arse and touching wood. No, not that.

Shit upon them. Wassat? Oh, I have to enter my PIN first.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nuttycyclist on 31 August, 2021, 09:58:30 pm
Opened front door to go out, and there was a puddle on the door sill (under the closed door) and it hasn't been raining.  The children asked why, and I said "I presume one of you dripped there on your return from swimming lessons earlier - can you get some kitchen towel please?"

On wiping it up and smelling it, I realised it was cat's piss  :sick:

It appears that one of the neighbourhood menaces has now decided to scent mark my front door!  The spray on the door and dribbles down was clear on further investigation.

A change from a few years ago when I had to daily pick up the turds (and on arrival home in the dark frequently stood in them and walked them indoors).  Fortunately whichever cat that was, which I never traced but have suspicions (based on watching it defecate on the back lawn) has changed habits.


Door cleaned, disinfected, and anti-cat toilet training powder applied all over the front doorstep area.    Dead blackbird also removed from back garden.


FFS cat owners, they are your pets, keep them in your premises and not mine.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 31 August, 2021, 10:04:40 pm
We have cats and the local unneutered toms still came and pissed on our door. Which obviously freaked our cats out.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 01 September, 2021, 08:41:09 am
We got cats pissing on our doorstep while we still had the dogs. Cheeky bastards.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 01 September, 2021, 09:16:03 am
I think what most people think are cat turds are actually from foxes, cats do generally bury them to make for an exciting treasure hunt if you're ever inclined to dig up your flower beds.

To be fair, I don't think you can have a reasonable discussion with a cat about its behaviour. They make teenagers seem rational. Though if your teenager is shitting in anyone's flowerbeds it's probably time to have some sort of discussion.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nicknack on 01 September, 2021, 09:51:48 am
Quote from: ian on 01 September, 2021, 09:16:03 am
I think what most people think are cat turds are actually from foxes, cats do generally bury them
The ones we find on our lawn (area with grass - 'lawn' is probably pushing it a bit) are defffo moggy ones cos I've seem 'em doing it. No attempt at burial whatsoever.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 01 September, 2021, 09:53:12 am
The local foxes have cost us a doormat recently, the gits.
Though as I watched someone else's mog stalking the wildlife in our garden this morning, I did wonder whether remote controlled snakes are a thing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 01 September, 2021, 10:01:13 am
Quote from: perpetual dan on 01 September, 2021, 09:53:12 am
The local foxes have cost us a doormat recently, the gits.
Though as I watched someone else's mog stalking the wildlife in our garden this morning, I did wonder whether remote controlled snakes are a thing.

Yes
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 01 September, 2021, 10:13:10 am
We have an extremely timid cat these days, so the local cat population have now encroached into the space formally defended by the last incumbent. I decided that I’d try and make life a bit easier on the timid puss and looked at how I might deter the local cat mafia. I bought an inferred triggered water sprayer. My only successful hit has been Dr Beardy (Mrs) who wasn’t listening when I explained it to her. (Yes, that was my fault. I admit it). So this and the logistics of making sure it was deactivated when timid cat did go out means that it is languishing in one of the sheds along with other shed related TQT.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 01 September, 2021, 10:20:17 am
I do have a super-sprayer hun (and deadly aim) by the back door that I used to squirt the Giant Grey Monkey-Faced Cat (GGMFC) with – it used to fight with Little Monster Cat all the time and it's twice her size. They (it turns out there are two of them) seem to have taken the hint and found some other territory. Or possible the tiny dervish of claws was enough of a match for them.

We do have a family of foxes (though the cubs have dispersed now) under the summer house. They leave the occasional turd on display (our cats like to bury in the flower bed just outside the kitchen, joy). The cats occasionally have spats with them, but mostly the foxes are pretty chill about sharing, they'll just come out and nap on the lawn or on top of the garage.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 01 September, 2021, 11:08:40 am
One midnight I saw cat meet fox in our garden. Cat was terrified, shrank into the corner, shivering with fear, until fox had gone. Fox either wasn't aware of cat's presence or didn't care, just ambled slowly on. OTOH a friend says his cat curls up in the garden next to their local fox, both sleeping there.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nuttycyclist on 01 September, 2021, 11:09:16 am
Quote from: nicknack on 01 September, 2021, 09:51:48 am
Quote from: ian on 01 September, 2021, 09:16:03 am
I think what most people think are cat turds are actually from foxes, cats do generally bury them
The ones we find on our lawn (area with grass - 'lawn' is probably pushing it a bit) are defffo moggy ones cos I've seem 'em doing it. No attempt at burial whatsoever.

Same here.  And the ones always deposited exactly where you put your foot when getting out of the car after a drive home in the dark are also definitely cat and not fox.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 01 September, 2021, 01:13:39 pm
Quote from: T42 on 01 September, 2021, 08:41:09 am
We got cats pissing on our doorstep while we still had the dogs. Cheeky bastards.

Standard cat behaviour.  Dog places are territorial no-man's-land and therefore ideal for use as a toilet.



My general experience of cats is that unless they're sick or very elderly they do try to bury their waste, with degrees of competence ranging from 'token scratching' through 'barely adequate' to 'utterly tragic'.  I suspect domestication is breeding this sort of adult territorial behaviour out of them.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 01 September, 2021, 01:39:19 pm
Quote from: perpetual dan on 01 September, 2021, 09:53:12 am
The local foxes have cost us a doormat recently, the gits.
Though as I watched someone else's mog stalking the wildlife in our garden this morning, I did wonder whether remote controlled snakes are a thing.

Chum of mine has a pet python, but he's in Oz.  He's worried about it just now because it seems to be constipated - somewhat torpid, not crapping, got a lump halfway along.

Dunno if he's done a cat census recently.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 01 September, 2021, 04:22:29 pm
Quote from: Kim on 01 September, 2021, 01:13:39 pm
  I suspect domestication is breeding this sort of adult territorial behaviour out of them.

I'm not so sure, our cat tries to bury her food bowls. Half-heartedly and unsuccessfully admittedly, but try she does.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 01 September, 2021, 04:39:17 pm
I know our front lawn is a bit unkempt (again) but whichever dog owner is letting their dog crap there and just leaving it needs to fuck right off
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 01 September, 2021, 04:50:17 pm
Bad Cat digs a hole, deposits her brown eggs in it, and then kicks the soil onto the patio and leaves the turds uncovered.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 01 September, 2021, 09:04:06 pm
Quote from: Kim on 01 September, 2021, 01:13:39 pm

My general experience of cats is that unless they're sick or very elderly they do try to bury their waste, with degrees of competence ranging from 'token scratching' through 'barely adequate' to 'utterly tragic'.  I suspect domestication is breeding this sort of adult territorial behaviour out of them.

A few years back I was basking in our garden, looked up to see Pumpkin having a massive poo in the middle of my downstairs neighbours lawn and she looked well pleased with herself when she'd finished. I was mortified, but we did go and pick them up. Torties are weird though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 01 September, 2021, 10:34:11 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 01 September, 2021, 09:04:06 pm
Quote from: Kim on 01 September, 2021, 01:13:39 pm

My general experience of cats is that unless they're sick or very elderly they do try to bury their waste, with degrees of competence ranging from 'token scratching' through 'barely adequate' to 'utterly tragic'.  I suspect domestication is breeding this sort of adult territorial behaviour out of them.

A few years back I was basking in our garden, looked up to see Pumpkin having a massive poo in the middle of my downstairs neighbours lawn and she looked well pleased with herself when she'd finished. I was mortified, but we did go and pick them up. Torties are weird though.

For a few months Poo Patrol was part of my daily routine.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Regulator on 02 September, 2021, 07:31:14 am
Local cats know our garden is a 'no go' area that is enforced by Jack with extreme prejudice.

A new cat decided it was going to start crapping on the front parking area/outside the front door.  An introduction to Jack was arranged and, having dislodged itself from the tree, it has since avoided our place.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 02 September, 2021, 07:24:56 pm
Door knobs. All I want is a replacement for the one with no handle (there will follow photographic evidence of how naff they are later).
Why is it so complicated? Spindle size, length, set back and other such door furniture black magic. Just something that means we don't shut ourselves out of the kitchen, not rocket science!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 03 September, 2021, 09:35:18 am
Quote from: T42 on 02 September, 2021, 05:25:30 pm
Put a diagonal brace into one side of our main gate.  First time I've used a pocket hole jig - by no means as easy as the brand's videos show.

Not entirely finished but at least the gate is functional again, otherwise I'd be lifting my bike over the fence tomorrow.

Discovered that my Wolfcraft pocket-hole jig uses 9.2 mm beech plugs to keep weather out of the holes.  Dowels here come in 6, 8 and 10 mm sizes. Have to clamp a few bits up in the drill press and sand them down. Arse.

Also, my Titebond III Ultimate has transmogrified into a gungy block. Double-arse.

Why am I thinking of Hornby all of a sudden?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 03 September, 2021, 09:55:54 am
Gates are certainly less challenging in OO.  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 03 September, 2021, 10:03:57 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 02 September, 2021, 07:24:56 pm
Door knobs. All I want is a replacement for the one with no handle (there will follow photographic evidence of how naff they are later).
Why is it so complicated? Spindle size, length, set back and other such door furniture black magic. Just something that means we don't shut ourselves out of the kitchen, not rocket science!

Browsing the forum and listening to an episode of Dr. Phil's Bedside Manner from north of the border, I think that I know where your door handle is.  A patient presented to A&E with a door handle stuck because apparently he had his hands full, was naked in his kitchen and tried to open the door in a novel manner ...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 03 September, 2021, 10:32:27 am
We bought sticky out handles, which I regret, not because they have got stuck up my arse (trust me, this is not the sort of DIY activity I involve myself in), but the number of times I've painfully whacked them with the back of my hands (I even have a scar from one occasion). This might, in part, be down to the fact that I walk like a monkey though. Or so I'm told.

Should have bought round doorknobs, which was my preference in the first place.

As a break from tales of curious anal insertions, the best study I saw was about a bloke who somehow managed to insert his scrotum and testicles through a large and very substantial metal nut. However he'd got them in, no amount of diligence was going to get them out again, so after a couple of days of pain and strangulated testes, he finally had to visit A&E, presumably walking big leggy style, but I mean, it was the sort of nut that looked like it might hold tractor wheels on. No amount of lubricated medical manhandling could remove the offending item either, so in the end it came down to a careful application of power tools, and they had to grind it off. I'm told he made a full recovery. Men, in general, should not be allowed access to their own parts.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 03 September, 2021, 10:38:12 am
My problem with door handles is they catch the sleeves of T-shaped shirts when you aren't expecting it, causing rapid deceleration.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 03 September, 2021, 11:22:10 am
The ones in Larrington Towers have a penchant for grabbing the belt of one’s dressing gown. The subsequent disruption to forward progress can lead to spillage of Brown Drink.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 03 September, 2021, 11:23:28 am
Quote from: Kim on 03 September, 2021, 10:38:12 am
My problem with door handles is they catch the sleeves of T-shaped shirts when you aren't expecting it, causing rapid deceleration.
How on earth do you catch the sleeve of a T shaped shirt on something as low as a door handle?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 03 September, 2021, 11:27:26 am
If anyone could insert these knobs I'd be impressed, they are really very large.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 03 September, 2021, 11:44:01 am
Quote from: Beardy on 03 September, 2021, 11:23:28 am
Quote from: Kim on 03 September, 2021, 10:38:12 am
My problem with door handles is they catch the sleeves of T-shaped shirts when you aren't expecting it, causing rapid deceleration.
How on earth do you catch the sleeve of a T shaped shirt on something as low as a door handle?
Long sleeved T shirt?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nuttycyclist on 03 September, 2021, 11:58:26 am
Quote from: Beardy on 03 September, 2021, 11:23:28 am
Quote from: Kim on 03 September, 2021, 10:38:12 am
My problem with door handles is they catch the sleeves of T-shaped shirts when you aren't expecting it, causing rapid deceleration.
How on earth do you catch the sleeve of a T shaped shirt on something as low as a door handle?


I have exactly the same issue here.  The door handles are at bicep height, have torn several t-shirts, and I have a lovely scar on one arm where it tore my skin as well.


The good thing about them though is that when the children get sent to their room in disgrace, they can't get out.  (half joking.)   Trouble is that they have now grown and so I need to work out if I can get a locksmith to make a new antique key that will fit the lock.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 03 September, 2021, 12:06:17 pm
Endless fucking Beatles songs whilst on hold on the phone. I wish there were an option to hold without the noise  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nuttycyclist on 03 September, 2021, 12:07:54 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 03 September, 2021, 12:06:17 pm
Endless fucking Beatles songs whilst on hold on the phone. I wish there were an option to hold without the noise  >:(

How long have you been on hold?   Did you start Yesterday, or is this just A Day in the Life?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jaded on 03 September, 2021, 12:10:00 pm
 ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 03 September, 2021, 12:17:38 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 03 September, 2021, 11:27:26 am
If anyone could insert these knobs I'd be impressed, they are really very large.

Even I've been surprised (and my knowledge of smut is quite high, thanks to my evil friend Alison, who can re-orientate even the most mundane dinner time conversation to a description of obscure sexual practices) by the size of some of the things people insert.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 03 September, 2021, 02:34:10 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 03 September, 2021, 11:23:28 am
Quote from: Kim on 03 September, 2021, 10:38:12 am
My problem with door handles is they catch the sleeves of T-shaped shirts when you aren't expecting it, causing rapid deceleration.
How on earth do you catch the sleeve of a T shaped shirt on something as low as a door handle?

By walking past it.  No, I'm not entirely sure either.  Tends to happen when I'm carrying things like the laundry basket, so there's probably a posture thing going on.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 03 September, 2021, 02:36:32 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 03 September, 2021, 11:23:28 am
Quote from: Kim on 03 September, 2021, 10:38:12 am
My problem with door handles is they catch the sleeves of T-shaped shirts when you aren't expecting it, causing rapid deceleration.
How on earth do you catch the sleeve of a T shaped shirt on something as low as a door handle?
This may surprise you, but human beings come in various heights from really rather short to;  My, my! Aren't you tall!?  Door handle heights have also been known to vary, although not, perhaps, as much as humans.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 03 September, 2021, 02:41:34 pm
Quote from: TheLurker on 03 September, 2021, 02:36:32 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 03 September, 2021, 11:23:28 am
Quote from: Kim on 03 September, 2021, 10:38:12 am
My problem with door handles is they catch the sleeves of T-shaped shirts when you aren't expecting it, causing rapid deceleration.
How on earth do you catch the sleeve of a T shaped shirt on something as low as a door handle?
This may surprise you, but human beings come in various heights from really rather short to;  My, my! Aren't you tall!?  Door handle heights have also been known to vary, although not, perhaps, as much as humans.

I'm relatively tall, thobut, and most of my T-shaped shirts are of the non-baggy persuasion.

I've just made a less-than-scientifically-rigorous measurement of 28cm from door handle to shirt sleeve.  You wouldn't think that could happen.  And most of the time it doesn't, which is probably why it's so dramatic when it does.


Reminds me of a flatmate I had when I was a PSO who was  a) very tall  b) rather autistic, who had a specific locking-his-door-and-walking-down-the-corridor ritual, that he'd go back and start again from scratch if you interrupted.  It eventually came up in conversation and he explained that he'd worked out exactly where to tread so that he'd be at the bottom of the stride as his head passed the structural girder and assorted light fittings, thereby avoiding a clunking.  Physicists!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nuttycyclist on 03 September, 2021, 02:51:37 pm
I have just measured, all my door handles have a horizontal handle exactly 52inches from the ground.  This is exact height to go in a t-shirt sleeve.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 03 September, 2021, 04:11:06 pm
And, quite by chance, I saw the first quarter of an hour or so of, "The Way to the Stars" on Film4 just after 3 this afternoon in which P.O. Penrose (John Mills) opens the door to his room with a handle at a little under chest height.  Mind you it was a proper doorknob rather than a lever so highly unlilkely it would snag any of his clothes, however....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 03 September, 2021, 04:15:13 pm
Quote from: Kim
I've just made a less-than-scientifically-rigorous measurement of 28cm from door handle to shirt sleeve.  You wouldn't think that could happen. 
Quantum superposition of door handles?  There's a research project and grant in that if I'm any judge.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 03 September, 2021, 04:23:50 pm
I seem to remember some long discussion about handle heights when we had this place redone.

Evidently, I should have used the words not the height that will snag the back of my swinging hand and result in significant blood loss.

Similarly, they're also at the perfect height to jang watches.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 03 September, 2021, 04:29:45 pm
Well after some more dismemberment I have ascertained that I can't just put a new mortice latch in cos that's an old size too and the wrong shape (i.e. it's not a tubular latch) so the next best option may be to attempt to file the hole in the latch so it will accept a modern 8mm spindle. I guess eventually GAMI to fit new doors and handles will occur but there are too many other priorities like a shed, and a less crap shower and a less crap cooker.

Anyhoo, today some new Superglue arrived (the previous tube was welded closed) so the short term solution is gluing the knob into the fitting.
A photie of the aforementioned naff knob.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51421551181_ee3d9ce079.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mkWTED)2021-09-03_04-26-01 (https://flic.kr/p/2mkWTED) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pingus/), on Flickr
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 03 September, 2021, 04:38:01 pm
My brother's house is of similar vintage, and has the same 'auld wifie' doorknobs.
They must have been going cheap around that time.

They really are of such unyielding hideousness as to take your breath away!
A bit of bodgery like you suggest might work.
Not sure how practical it would be to re-work the door to accept a modern latch.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 03 September, 2021, 06:33:36 pm
Quote from: Pingu on 17 August, 2021, 10:19:36 pm
I'm supposed to be getting a work lapdog which I expect will either turn up here after we've moved or the new place before.

We moved on 31st August, there was an attempted delivery to our old address in 1st September  :thumbsup: ::-) Twats.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 03 September, 2021, 06:42:26 pm
I have also found somewhere that sells 7mm spindles and 7 to 8mm shims to allow use in a modern handle. Not sure how that would work with a handle which is designed for the grub screw to fit into a spindle with a slot in it though.
Am thinking that a new handle of the lever on backplate variety might be more sensible than a lever on rose as the latter seem to be more designed for bolt through fixings and I'm thinking the backplate design would spread the load of the force a bit better.
I might try buying one of each of these items for a test...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 03 September, 2021, 09:16:30 pm
Yeah, those'll definitely fit somewhere.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 03 September, 2021, 09:55:54 pm
Elephant's bum?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 03 September, 2021, 10:04:47 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 03 September, 2021, 09:55:54 pm
Elephant's bum?
Don’t forget the monkey when it’s time to remove it.  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 04 September, 2021, 10:36:30 am
Signs that we are getting bigger and bigger as a nation.  I buy clothes in 'Medium'. I've always been medium, all my life. Well, except yacf tops where, inexplicably, I am Large.
So having gone to Carmarthen for the first time in well over a year, I decided to pick up a three pack of jolly colourful underpants.  Medium of course.
It was only when I got home that I actually looked at the waistband size that was hidden in tiny writing on a coloured background.   
35".  Bugger.
Luckily I hadn't opened the pack, but now I need to think of a reason to drive back for more than just exchanging a pack of shreddies.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nuttycyclist on 06 September, 2021, 06:12:50 pm
I've always been frustrated in Tescos that I can't find sweet potatoes on the self weigh scales, so have to search in order to print a bar code.

Today I accidentally found them.  Apparently sweet potatoes and baking potatoes are "salad" items, and not "root vegetables".

Am I wrong (again) or just confused.  ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 06 September, 2021, 06:14:53 pm
In this case (and probably in many others) Tesco are wrong and this is why you are confused.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 06 September, 2021, 06:17:38 pm
If only it were possible for the same item to appear in both categories...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 06 September, 2021, 06:26:38 pm
Or that you could start typing in "sweet potato" and it would find it. Or best of all, have a "I've got a weird vegetable, dunno what it is" button.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 06 September, 2021, 06:32:43 pm
or a camera on the weighing scales that automatically identified your sweet potato as a banana.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nuttycyclist on 06 September, 2021, 06:37:41 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 06 September, 2021, 06:26:38 pm
Or that you could start typing in "sweet potato" and it would find it. Or best of all, have a "I've got a weird vegetable, dunno what it is" button.

This is what I've had to be doing for some time now.   Selecting "salad" instead of "root vegetable" is significantly quicker than the search option.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 06 September, 2021, 06:45:19 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 06 September, 2021, 06:32:43 pm
or a camera on the weighing scales that automatically identified your sweet potato as a banana.
Yes!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 06 September, 2021, 07:44:35 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 06 September, 2021, 06:32:43 pm
or a camera on the weighing scales that automatically identified your sweet potato as a banana.
This is bound to be sold to the Home Office as facial recognition technology.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nuttycyclist on 06 September, 2021, 07:51:14 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 06 September, 2021, 07:44:35 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 06 September, 2021, 06:32:43 pm
or a camera on the weighing scales that automatically identified your sweet potato as a banana.
This is bound to be sold to the Home Office as facial recognition technology.

Only the top quality ones.  The lower quality will be sold to the water treatment plants as faecal recognition technology. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 06 September, 2021, 08:07:50 pm
Quote from: nuttycyclist on 06 September, 2021, 07:51:14 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 06 September, 2021, 07:44:35 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 06 September, 2021, 06:32:43 pm
or a camera on the weighing scales that automatically identified your sweet potato as a banana.
This is bound to be sold to the Home Office as facial recognition technology.

Only the top quality ones.  The lower quality will be sold to the water treatment plants as faecal recognition technology.
Free men or not, we will all be numbers (on the Bristol stool chart).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 06 September, 2021, 08:33:25 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec
..."I've got a weird vegetable, dunno what it is" button.
Nigel Farage?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 06 September, 2021, 08:46:46 pm
Saturday: order new docking station from HP. Says delivery by Weds.
Sunday: text from PorcelFarce tells me my parcel will be delivered Monday
Monday: tracking on PF website says "advised not received"
Numpties
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Regulator on 07 September, 2021, 07:35:25 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 03 September, 2021, 04:29:45 pm
Well after some more dismemberment I have ascertained that I can't just put a new mortice latch in cos that's an old size too and the wrong shape (i.e. it's not a tubular latch) so the next best option may be to attempt to file the hole in the latch so it will accept a modern 8mm spindle. I guess eventually GAMI to fit new doors and handles will occur but there are too many other priorities like a shed, and a less crap shower and a less crap cooker.

Anyhoo, today some new Superglue arrived (the previous tube was welded closed) so the short term solution is gluing the knob into the fitting.
A photie of the aforementioned naff knob.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51421551181_ee3d9ce079.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mkWTED)2021-09-03_04-26-01 (https://flic.kr/p/2mkWTED) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pingus/), on Flickr


Ooh!  A diamante butt plug...  how posh!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 07 September, 2021, 08:15:06 am
Quote from: nuttycyclist on 06 September, 2021, 07:51:14 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 06 September, 2021, 07:44:35 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 06 September, 2021, 06:32:43 pm
or a camera on the weighing scales that automatically identified your sweet potato as a banana.
This is bound to be sold to the Home Office as facial recognition technology.

Only the top quality ones.  The lower quality will be sold to the water treatment plants as faecal recognition technology.
There has to be a process for finding new cabinet members.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 07 September, 2021, 09:28:52 am
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 07 September, 2021, 08:15:06 am
Quote from: nuttycyclist on 06 September, 2021, 07:51:14 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 06 September, 2021, 07:44:35 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 06 September, 2021, 06:32:43 pm
or a camera on the weighing scales that automatically identified your sweet potato as a banana.
This is bound to be sold to the Home Office as facial recognition technology.

Only the top quality ones.  The lower quality will be sold to the water treatment plants as faecal recognition technology.
There has to be a process for finding new cabinet members.
They float to the top...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 07 September, 2021, 10:52:55 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 07 September, 2021, 09:28:52 am
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 07 September, 2021, 08:15:06 am
Quote from: nuttycyclist on 06 September, 2021, 07:51:14 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 06 September, 2021, 07:44:35 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 06 September, 2021, 06:32:43 pm
or a camera on the weighing scales that automatically identified your sweet potato as a banana.
This is bound to be sold to the Home Office as facial recognition technology.

Only the top quality ones.  The lower quality will be sold to the water treatment plants as faecal recognition technology.
There has to be a process for finding new cabinet members.
They float to the top...
Not to be confused with rising to the top.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 07 September, 2021, 04:57:47 pm
We decided to pop up to Aberaeron for brunch this morning because weather.  I was aware that the ToB Aberaeron/Llandudno leg was today but figured they'd be long gone by the time we rocked up.
Wrong.  It seems that all the (surprisingly elderly) spectators had watched the (in my experience thoroughly uninteresting start) and then decided that it would be a good idea to stop for lunch on the coast.
Bugger.

Also. Why have you all put a bike on your roof rack?  You're obviously not going to ride it.  Is it some sort of badge?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 07 September, 2021, 05:18:39 pm
Quote from: Basil on 07 September, 2021, 04:57:47 pm
We decided to pop up to Aberaeron for brunch this morning because weather.  I was aware that the ToB Aberaeron/Llandudno leg was today but figured they'd be long gone by the time we rocked up.
Wrong.  It seems that all the (surprisingly elderly) spectators had watched the (in my experience thoroughly uninteresting start) and then decided that it would be a good idea to stop for lunch on the coast.
Bugger.

Also. Why have you all put a bike on your roof rack?  You're obviously not going to ride it.  Is it some sort of badge?

Blimey.  The Aberaeron/Llandudno stage is not until tomorrow.  Good God, they're gathering early.   I blame that Geraint Thomas.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 07 September, 2021, 07:03:53 pm
Quote from: Regulator on 07 September, 2021, 07:35:25 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 03 September, 2021, 04:29:45 pm
Well after some more dismemberment I have ascertained that I can't just put a new mortice latch in cos that's an old size too and the wrong shape (i.e. it's not a tubular latch) so the next best option may be to attempt to file the hole in the latch so it will accept a modern 8mm spindle. I guess eventually GAMI to fit new doors and handles will occur but there are too many other priorities like a shed, and a less crap shower and a less crap cooker.

Anyhoo, today some new Superglue arrived (the previous tube was welded closed) so the short term solution is gluing the knob into the fitting.
A photie of the aforementioned naff knob.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51421551181_ee3d9ce079.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mkWTED)2021-09-03_04-26-01 (https://flic.kr/p/2mkWTED) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pingus/), on Flickr


Ooh!  A diamante butt plug...  how posh!

Well, I tried ordering a 7mm spindle and some 7 to 8mm shims, but the spindle hasn't arrived yet and the current spindle is obv 7.xmm as the shims wouldn't fit on it.
So as the superfluid superglued (bloody autocarrot) knob had already fallen off again I took the lever out and filed the hole to make it bigger. Which took a good 15 to 20 mins in this heat.
Anyway, eventually success.
I'm going to wait and see how the 7mm spindle works with the shims cos I don't really want to have to do the filing again.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51434519339_02d00537d2.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mn6mDz)2021-09-07_06-30-15 (https://flic.kr/p/2mn6mDz) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pingus/), on Flickr
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 07 September, 2021, 07:05:08 pm
At least we're in less danger of getting shut out of the kitchen now..
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 08 September, 2021, 07:56:54 am
I'm staying in Cambridge for work, in an abnb. Good location, short walk to office, and easy to get into town. That's important because I don't have any transport other than 2 blistered feet.

Abnb instructions - open keysafe, remove front door key with room name; oh, no key with my room name. Msg host, let myself in with another key (putting that back in safe).

Get to room. Claims to be a room for 4 - well, there is a double with a single bed above it. I guess one person could sleep on the floor!

Doorhandle falls off.

Toilet flush control is, erm missing. Toilet can be flushed by shoving your finger in a hole in the wall.

Host doesn't respond to messages until later the next day.

FFS.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 10 September, 2021, 08:50:53 am
Be careful nothing soft shoves back at you.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 10 September, 2021, 08:53:42 am
Quote from: T42 on 10 September, 2021, 08:50:53 am
Be careful nothing soft shoves back at you.
Shoving back is only a minor problem compared to something grabbing the aforementioned inserted digit and trying to,pull the rest of you through the hole.  :o
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 10 September, 2021, 08:56:51 am
Oh what a good idea! :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 10 September, 2021, 08:58:31 am
Yeah . . . the host said she was going to go to B&Q to get a replacement control, it had only  just broken; pull the other one, it is a stupid tile-in cistern with dual flush. The laminated instructions for how to flush had clearly been there for a long time.

Lay in bed on first night - what the heck is under this sheet?  A straw. Rigid reusable drinking straw. Obviously a lot of care taken when remaking the beds. At least it was clean (I bet it was tangled up with bedding and went through the wash).

The location is as convenient as it could be for work and access to town, shops. Not impressed with the 'hosting'.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Regulator on 12 September, 2021, 07:31:46 am
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 10 September, 2021, 08:58:31 am
Yeah . . . the host said she was going to go to B&Q to get a replacement control, it had only  just broken; pull the other one, it is a stupid tile-in cistern with dual flush. The laminated instructions for how to flush had clearly been there for a long time.

Lay in bed on first night - what the heck is under this sheet?  A straw. Rigid reusable drinking straw. Obviously a lot of care taken when remaking the beds. At least it was clean (I bet it was tangled up with bedding and went through the wash).

The location is as convenient as it could be for work and access to town, shops. Not impressed with the 'hosting'.


Are you north or south of the city?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 12 September, 2021, 02:59:22 pm
Chesterton, next to Jesus lock.

Waiting for flight back now.

Don't like crowds at all.

Can understand why glasgow has been covid hotspot. Almost none of the morons on train to Glasgow wore a mask.


Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Regulator on 13 September, 2021, 07:47:37 am
Ah - close to the Science Park then.

Next time you're down let me know and we can meet up for a drink to break the boredom.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 13 September, 2021, 08:42:00 am
Quote from: Regulator on 13 September, 2021, 07:47:37 am
Ah - close to the Science Park then.

Next time you're down let me know and we can meet up for a drink to break the boredom.

Miles away from the science park. This is opposite Jesus Green.

I wasn't exactly bored down there; work from 7:30-7ish, go for a jog, eat, collapse into bed. Varied that with meeting people at canoe club and adding a paddle one night.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 14 September, 2021, 09:39:48 am
Oi, Nationwide; start accepting digital versions of cheques, so I don't have to travel into town to bank one. And tell your staff not to use the feeble excuse that you're a building society not a bank, as you've been offering such services for years.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andytheflyer on 15 September, 2021, 08:30:08 am
You can bank a cheque at the Post Office for many banks.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 15 September, 2021, 12:42:04 pm
The horizontal bar in the least-significant minutes digit of our Samsung microwave has ceased to function, less than 5 years after we bought it. 8:20 is now 0:20, etc.  3rd µwave we've had in 30 years, the others being Moulinex & Whirlpool.  The Moulinex was best.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 15 September, 2021, 12:48:08 pm
The display on the built-in microwave at the flat did the same.

The actual display is a proprietary custom thing, and so I had to replace the entire front panel PCB assembly which was more expensive than I'd have liked.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 15 September, 2021, 12:49:38 pm
Probably a zebra strip issue.  Sort of thing that's easy to make a lot worse in a misguided attempt to fix it.

Grandma's Microwave (a proper 80s one that I got custody off as a PSO) had several dead buttons after a similarly optimistic attempt to bodge the dying membrane keypad.  We kept using it, simply avoiding certain digits and the defrost mode we never used anyway.  To this day we tend to set cooking times times like 1:11 rather than 1:00.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 15 September, 2021, 02:26:26 pm
It wouldn't surprise me if a replacement display cost more than a new µwave.  Back in the 90s a tiny part in my Philips beard trimmer broke, and the repair quote was within a few francs of the original cost.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 15 September, 2021, 07:17:27 pm
FFS.  The lawn needs cutting.  Again!  Hope I get it done during the next few dry days.
C'mon winter.   :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: arabella on 16 September, 2021, 11:28:38 am
Based on the above comments I'll stick to microwaves with twiddly dials and not pads.  At least if the dial goes you can put sticky tape round the wotsit at the back so it still grips
(see also: washing machine, where I did just that)
ymmv, pad probably works better with eg frozen fingers
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: essexian on 16 September, 2021, 12:43:52 pm
Approximately 40 years ago, I purchased a Black and Decker drill for the princely summer of £35. Two years ago, after many years of faithful service and with the chuck now so stiff it was hard to use, I purchased a new drill as a replacement spending considerably more than I had previously! I know, I was shocked too!

The new drill came with a “keyless chuck” which appeared to be a great idea as I was always losing the key. However…. Is it just me that thinks all keyless chucks are a pile of steaming rubbish? Take this morning, I had 20, 75mm deep holes to drill into concrete so I can anchor down the base of my new car port…. I have managed to do 4 such holes in 3 hours as the no matter how hard you tighten the chuck, it comes undone leaving the drill bit wedged in the hole. Irritating is not the word I was using….sorry neighbours.

Thus, I may be looking for a new drill this afternoon…. One with a chuck operated with a key.

Keyless chucks, rubbish.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 16 September, 2021, 12:46:51 pm
I have a keyless chuck on my Makita cordless drill, and it's Not Rubbish.
It Just Works.

I can transmit enough torque through it to unscrew my arm, and it doesn't come loose.

Perhaps some are better than others.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nuttycyclist on 16 September, 2021, 01:10:41 pm
The keyless chuck on the drill I have had for over 20 years has never let me down and the drill gets regular abuse.  Last used yesterday to power the pulpmaster to extract a gallon of apple juice from the apples picked.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 16 September, 2021, 01:33:45 pm
I had problems with a keyless chuck on a Hitachi branded drill but others that I have used are fine.  I simply replaced the crappy chuck with one bought from Screwfix (brand escapes me) and that works perfectly.  I even upgraded to half inch from 3/8ths in the process.

I also have a really cheap SDS drill purchased from Lidl for a specific sacrificial task a few years ago but the blighter refuses to die as I expected it to.  I guess that it would eat up your carport anchor holes with relish.  If you are close to Rugby you are welcome to see if you can destroy it for me.  😀
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 16 September, 2021, 01:37:27 pm
Quote from: essexian on 16 September, 2021, 12:43:52 pm
Approximately 40 years ago, I purchased a Black and Decker drill for the princely summer of £35. Two years ago, after many years of faithful service and with the chuck now so stiff it was hard to use, I purchased a new drill as a replacement spending considerably more than I had previously! I know, I was shocked too!

You could just have replaced the chuck. I did on both my old B&D drills, one from 1969 & the other from 1979.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 16 September, 2021, 02:17:04 pm
Quote from: arabella on 16 September, 2021, 11:28:38 am
Based on the above comments I'll stick to microwaves with twiddly dials and not pads.  At least if the dial goes you can put sticky tape round the wotsit at the back so it still grips
(see also: washing machine, where I did just that)
ymmv, pad probably works better with eg frozen fingers
Yeah, those are okay if you have a twiddly wrist with which to operate them...

To be fair, I reckon 25 years is a good innings for a membrane keypad. The magnetron packed in a few years later.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 16 September, 2021, 02:22:37 pm
Probably the last warm sunny spell of the year, so a nice quiet contemplation in the garden.
Except not.  Near neighbours are having work done and so I unwillingly have to listen to Radio Builder.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 16 September, 2021, 02:37:17 pm
Sod it. I'll cut the grass then.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 16 September, 2021, 02:44:13 pm
Rohm keyless chucks are the way forward.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jasmine on 16 September, 2021, 03:24:05 pm
My neighbour is mowing his grass again. Not in itself irritating; it's irritating because he does it twice a week for 4 hours at a time. His garden is moderately large, but not 4 hours on a sit-on mower size. Bafflingly, he has also mowed a section of the field at the front of his house twice this week. A field that has horses in it.  ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Gattopardo on 16 September, 2021, 04:20:52 pm
Trying to buy an SFR sim card, on line, in France.  But can't as I don't have a mobile number to open the account.

Contacting them on twitter to ask what to do, does not answer the question that I ask.  Trying to figure out if I am in contact with a real person or AI.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 16 September, 2021, 04:45:10 pm
The Inlaw Paw, being an ex-RN medic, always interpreted SFR as Syphillis, First Record.  Next time around they called it the SFR and bar.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Gattopardo on 16 September, 2021, 05:34:05 pm
Fancied all you can eat mussels today from Flunch chain and the offer finished on the 12th September.

No idea what I am going to eat now.

Looks like another all you can eat asian place.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 16 September, 2021, 06:43:17 pm
Quote from: Basil on 16 September, 2021, 02:22:37 pm
Probably the last warm sunny spell of the year, so a nice quiet contemplation in the garden.
Except not.  Near neighbours are having work done and so I unwillingly have to listen to Radio Builder.
Radio Builder is really A Thing, except it’s called Fix Radio, set up by Charlie Mullins of Pimlico Plumbers fame.
Quote
We're for builders, carpenters, electricians, plumbers, roofers, painters, decorators, plasterers scaffolders - in fact, anyone who makes their living on the tools.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 16 September, 2021, 06:56:06 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 16 September, 2021, 06:43:17 pm
Quote from: Basil on 16 September, 2021, 02:22:37 pm
Probably the last warm sunny spell of the year, so a nice quiet contemplation in the garden.
Except not.  Near neighbours are having work done and so I unwillingly have to listen to Radio Builder.
Radio Builder is really A Thing, except it’s called Fix Radio, set up by Charlie Mullins of Pimlico Plumbers fame.
Quote
We're for builders, carpenters, electricians, plumbers, roofers, painters, decorators, plasterers scaffolders - in fact, anyone who makes their living on the tools.

Gosh.  But it wasn't that today.  I was astonished when I realised that it was Steve Wright in the Afternoon.   That still exists!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Gattopardo on 16 September, 2021, 09:00:24 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 16 September, 2021, 06:43:17 pm
Quote from: Basil on 16 September, 2021, 02:22:37 pm
Probably the last warm sunny spell of the year, so a nice quiet contemplation in the garden.
Except not.  Near neighbours are having work done and so I unwillingly have to listen to Radio Builder.
Radio Builder is really A Thing, except it’s called Fix Radio, set up by Charlie Mullins of Pimlico Plumbers fame.
Quote
We're for builders, carpenters, electricians, plumbers, roofers, painters, decorators, plasterers scaffolders - in fact, anyone who makes their living on the tools.

Things I now know and wish I didn't.

I also know that I will remember this and not some important information.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 17 September, 2021, 08:48:34 am
Quote from: Gattopardo on 16 September, 2021, 05:34:05 pm
Fancied all you can eat mussels today from Flunch chain and the offer finished on the 12th September.

Gawd - they were virtually our office canteen 40 years ago.  OK if you didn't mind having to re-heat your main course in the microwave provided.  Do they still do that?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Diver300 on 17 September, 2021, 08:53:44 am
Quote from: essexian on 16 September, 2021, 12:43:52 pm

Thus, I may be looking for a new drill this afternoon…. One with a chuck operated with a key.
It is possible to change the chucks on some drills. There is a screw down the middle which can be accessed with the chuck fully open.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Regulator on 17 September, 2021, 09:37:45 am
Quote from: Tim Hall on 16 September, 2021, 06:43:17 pm
Quote from: Basil on 16 September, 2021, 02:22:37 pm
Probably the last warm sunny spell of the year, so a nice quiet contemplation in the garden.
Except not.  Near neighbours are having work done and so I unwillingly have to listen to Radio Builder.
Radio Builder is really A Thing, except it’s called Fix Radio, set up by Charlie Mullins, the racist, homophobic, Covidiot, Brexshit supporter, of Pimlico Plumbers fame.
Quote
We're for builders, carpenters, electricians, plumbers, roofers, painters, decorators, plasterers scaffolders - in fact, anyone who makes their living on the tools.


FTFY...   ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 17 September, 2021, 09:57:24 am
Quote from: Regulator on 17 September, 2021, 09:37:45 am
Quote from: Tim Hall on 16 September, 2021, 06:43:17 pm
Quote from: Basil on 16 September, 2021, 02:22:37 pm
Probably the last warm sunny spell of the year, so a nice quiet contemplation in the garden.
Except not.  Near neighbours are having work done and so I unwillingly have to listen to Radio Builder.
Radio Builder is really A Thing, except it’s called Fix Radio, set up by Charlie Mullins, the racist, homophobic, Covidiot, Brexshit supporter, of Pimlico Plumbers fame.
Quote
We're for builders, carpenters, electricians, plumbers, roofers, painters, decorators, plasterers scaffolders - in fact, anyone who makes their living on the tools.



FTFY...   ;)

Wiki and The Guardian (amongst others) would dispute your Brexit supporter claim:

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/oct/05/millionaire-refuses-take-down-bollocks-brexit-poster (https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/oct/05/millionaire-refuses-take-down-bollocks-brexit-poster)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie_Mullins (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie_Mullins)

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Regulator on 17 September, 2021, 10:02:04 am
Quote from: Tim Hall on 17 September, 2021, 09:57:24 am
Quote from: Regulator on 17 September, 2021, 09:37:45 am
Quote from: Tim Hall on 16 September, 2021, 06:43:17 pm
Quote from: Basil on 16 September, 2021, 02:22:37 pm
Probably the last warm sunny spell of the year, so a nice quiet contemplation in the garden.
Except not.  Near neighbours are having work done and so I unwillingly have to listen to Radio Builder.
Radio Builder is really A Thing, except it’s called Fix Radio, set up by Charlie Mullins, the racist, homophobic, Covidiot, former Brexshit supporter, of Pimlico Plumbers fame.
Quote
We're for builders, carpenters, electricians, plumbers, roofers, painters, decorators, plasterers scaffolders - in fact, anyone who makes their living on the tools.



FTFY...   ;)

Wiki and The Guardian (amongst others) would dispute your Brexit supporter claim:

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/oct/05/millionaire-refuses-take-down-bollocks-brexit-poster (https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/oct/05/millionaire-refuses-take-down-bollocks-brexit-poster)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie_Mullins (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie_Mullins)

He originally supported it... until he realised how it would impact his business.  He then flipped.  I've amended my amendment to include 'former'.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 17 September, 2021, 10:54:45 am
Quote from: Regulator on 17 September, 2021, 09:37:45 am
Quote from: Tim Hall on 16 September, 2021, 06:43:17 pm
Quote from: Basil on 16 September, 2021, 02:22:37 pm
Probably the last warm sunny spell of the year, so a nice quiet contemplation in the garden.
Except not.  Near neighbours are having work done and so I unwillingly have to listen to Radio Builder.
Radio Builder is really A Thing, except it’s called Fix Radio, set up by Charlie Mullins, the racist, homophobic, Covidiot, Brexshit supporter, of Pimlico Plumbers fame.
Quote
We're for builders, carpenters, electricians, plumbers, roofers, painters, decorators, plasterers scaffolders - in fact, anyone who makes their living on the tools.


FTFY...   ;)
I have a feeling he flipped on the covid thing and Pimlico Plumbers became one of the first businesses to mandate vaccines and masks.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Regulator on 17 September, 2021, 11:04:25 am
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 17 September, 2021, 10:54:45 am
Quote from: Regulator on 17 September, 2021, 09:37:45 am
Quote from: Tim Hall on 16 September, 2021, 06:43:17 pm
Quote from: Basil on 16 September, 2021, 02:22:37 pm
Probably the last warm sunny spell of the year, so a nice quiet contemplation in the garden.
Except not.  Near neighbours are having work done and so I unwillingly have to listen to Radio Builder.
Radio Builder is really A Thing, except it’s called Fix Radio, set up by Charlie Mullins, the racist, homophobic, Covidiot, Brexshit supporter, of Pimlico Plumbers fame.
Quote
We're for builders, carpenters, electricians, plumbers, roofers, painters, decorators, plasterers scaffolders - in fact, anyone who makes their living on the tools.


FTFY...   ;)
I have a feeling he flipped on the covid thing and Pimlico Plumbers became one of the first businesses to mandate vaccines and masks.

He sacked workers who were hesitant about coming back to work (https://metro.co.uk/2020/08/03/boss-sacks-workers-who-refuse-come-back-furlough-13074431/) and he criticised the extension of furlough (https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1401557/sadiq-khan-new-latest-pimlico-plumbers-charlie-mullins-furlough-row-latest-vn) - all whilst sat in his villa in Spain.  I think he moved the supporting vaccines and masks as it impacted his bottom line, as customers were requiring them.

We won't use them now, despite the company being local to the flat in London and their staff generally being good, due to his behaviour over a range of issues in recent years. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 17 September, 2021, 11:12:46 am
Just a question here.

'We' are anti-Brexit, pro-vaccine, pro-sanity folks, in the main. It's what happens when you get an education, mostly.

If we hate people who have idiotic views, shouldn't we celebrate them changing their mind? Isn't that, in fact, the goal of Brexit I told you So, That's how vaccines work, etc etc?

Seems very harsh if 'we' get our goal of persuading folks to 'our' world view, and then condemning them for flip-floppery?

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Regulator on 17 September, 2021, 11:22:23 am
Quote from: fboab on 17 September, 2021, 11:12:46 am
Just a question here.

'We' are anti-Brexit, pro-vaccine, pro-sanity folks, in the main. It's what happens when you get an education, mostly.

If we hate people who have idiotic views, shouldn't we celebrate them changing their mind? Isn't that, in fact, the goal of Brexit I told you So, That's how vaccines work, etc etc?

Seems very harsh if 'we' get our goal of persuading folks to 'our' world view, and then condemning them for flip-floppery?


I'm not condemning him for flip-floppery.  I dislike him for being a c*nt!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 17 September, 2021, 11:27:28 am
Quote from: fboab on 17 September, 2021, 11:12:46 am
Just a question here.

'We' are anti-Brexit, pro-vaccine, pro-sanity folks, in the main. It's what happens when you get an education, mostly.

If we hate people who have idiotic views, shouldn't we celebrate them changing their mind? Isn't that, in fact, the goal of Brexit I told you So, That's how vaccines work, etc etc?

Seems very harsh if 'we' get our goal of persuading folks to 'our' world view, and then condemning them for flip-floppery?


It's modern life isn't it? You can't change an opinion on account that having the opinion in the first place is indelible. Witness the common sport of trawling through people's social media for that one flippant comment back in 2012.

If you're very right, and not just right, but righteously right, then everyone else isn't just wrong, they're morally wrong and are thus an enemy to be defeated. There's certainly no middle ground for fear of tainting that righteousness.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 17 September, 2021, 01:03:28 pm
Quote from: ian on 17 September, 2021, 11:27:28 am
If you're very right, and not just right, but righteously right, then everyone else isn't just wrong, they're morally wrong and are thus an enemy to be defeated. There's certainly no middle ground for fear of tainting that righteousness.

Which is, of course, the mindset of the modern Tory
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 17 September, 2021, 01:20:02 pm
To be honest, it seems to apply evenly to either pole of opinion.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 17 September, 2021, 09:07:04 pm
Quote from: ian
To be honest, it seems to apply evenly to either pole of opinion.
Aye.  There is no monopoly on mindless adherance to dogma.  Hmmm, that sounds like it should be a line in a Billy Bragg song.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 17 September, 2021, 10:53:14 pm
Quote from: TheLurker on 17 September, 2021, 09:07:04 pm
Quote from: ian
To be honest, it seems to apply evenly to either pole of opinion.
Aye.  There is no monopoly on mindless adherance to dogma.  Hmmm, that sounds like it should be a line in a Billy Bragg song.
It probably is, just not one he’s published, or one that didn’t do so well
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 18 September, 2021, 08:09:02 am
Bloody Chinese ebay seller - again:  Bought a switch "despatched from London" . . . .  but again this turned out not to be true as nothing turned up for 3 weeks despite there being a "received at depot" on the tracking from Yodel in Hayes, Middx.    Are these people just liars or incompetent, or both (and I mean the seller - I know Yodel is hopeless)

Anyway I got a refund today withe the usual disjointed message text from this type of Chinese seller . . . .  Aaaaargh! - why do I buy this stuff?

What's really annoying is that the switch is for a woodwork machine I need to use NOW - looks like a bit of choc-block conecting and using the wall socket switch for on/off until I can get a proper switch.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 20 September, 2021, 07:08:37 am
This is more a random moan about the bleedin' pandemic than my daughter, but...

Little Miss CAMRAMan; it's unfortunate that you have a bad cold, but the symptoms match Covid, so it's off to a PCR test for you. You're in such a state that the school would turn you away and insist you do the same anyway.

Being a petulant, obstinate so-and-so won't make you feel better - quite the reverse, but I understand your frustration, so take the Lem-Sip, breathe in the Olbas Oil and let's get to the test centre to hopefully discover the result is negative in due course. If the pharmacy can suggest anything to help your breathing, so much the better.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 20 September, 2021, 09:43:45 am
Can someone please tell me why, in this computer riddled age, that every box of my standing medication has got a leaflet in it with the side effects of and rules pertaining to that particular drug.

Every 8 weeks I get 6 boxes of levoththyroxin, (three different sized tabs). It’s bad enough that the tablets are individually wrapped in blister packs, but every box contains an identical copy of the same leaflet. I’ve been taking levothyroxin for over 20 years. If the instructions do change for some reason, I’m unlikely to pick up on it because I’ve been dumping the leaflets for over 19 years and 11 months still folded up. I get at least two boxes of each of the other meds on my repeat ‘script also with their leaflets.

It’s infuriating when even I can think of two different solutions without even going to the trouble of a brainstorming session.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 20 September, 2021, 09:51:21 am
Quote from: Beardy on 20 September, 2021, 09:43:45 am
Can someone please tell me why, in this computer riddled age, that every box of my standing medication has got a leaflet in it with the side effects of and rules pertaining to that particular drug.

CYA procedure, so that you can't claim you haven't been warned.

What pisses me off is that some drugs come in multiples of 28 and some in multiples of 30, so that they never all run out at the same time.  After taking them for untold years one of mine is over a month out of step with the rest.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 20 September, 2021, 12:38:35 pm
Quote from: T42 on 20 September, 2021, 09:51:21 am
What pisses me off is that some drugs come in multiples of 28 and some in multiples of 30, so that they never all run out at the same time.  After taking them for untold years one of mine is over a month out of step with the rest.

Assuming the prescriber gets the numbers right (which is a big ask given a GP whose skill set includes neither accurate mental arithmetic nor smooth operation of babbage-engines), this usually gets fixed by pharmacists taking scissors to the blister packs and giving you weird numbers of pills in generic boxes.  I assume the rest ends up in the bin.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 20 September, 2021, 12:49:27 pm
Ah. Not here, you just have to live with it. Still, the main thing is that you end up getting them.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 20 September, 2021, 01:00:56 pm
Quote from: Kim on 20 September, 2021, 12:38:35 pm
Quote from: T42 on 20 September, 2021, 09:51:21 am
What pisses me off is that some drugs come in multiples of 28 and some in multiples of 30, so that they never all run out at the same time.  After taking them for untold years one of mine is over a month out of step with the rest.

Assuming the prescriber gets the numbers right (which is a big ask given a GP whose skill set includes neither accurate mental arithmetic nor smooth operation of babbage-engines), this usually gets fixed by pharmacists taking scissors to the blister packs and giving you weird numbers of pills in generic boxes.  I assume the rest ends up in the bin.
With photocopies of the instructions!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 20 September, 2021, 02:11:06 pm
It would be useful if the medication had a tactile + QR code taking you directly to the instructions which could be then made accessible to people who can't read TINY text, need to use assistive tech, and if available there could be BSL and Easy Read options to...

Honestly wouldn't be hard, but would need consistent political will and enforcement.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 20 September, 2021, 02:21:00 pm
Grumble 1.  Day 2 PCR test kit didn't arrive.  Supplier nagged.  I wonder if I'm adding to the 300,000 naughty people statistic.

Grumble 2.  Yesterday I cleaned my solar panels.  Last night Pegasus roosted in the tree above.  Today I cleaned my solar panels.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 20 September, 2021, 02:34:58 pm
Quote from: barakta on 20 September, 2021, 02:11:06 pm
It would be useful if the medication had a tactile + QR code taking you directly to the instructions which could be then made accessible to people who can't read TINY text, need to use assistive tech, and if available there could be BSL and Easy Read options to...

Honestly wouldn't be hard, but would need consistent political will and enforcement.

It's already a logistical challenge for the pharmaceutical companies making sure the drugs get into the correct regional packaging with the correct regional lefalet. Adding (because no guarantee of online/mobile access) online content that needs to be managed and version controlled as well will only put the costs up.  Plus online content has a habit of persisting beyond it's use-by date, whereas paper in the pack will always be relevant to that pack.

So, it's actually quite difficult to accomplish reliably, and very difficult to control so that information is up-to-date and relevant.

This is not to diminish the difficulties of those who need assistive technologies.  I'm not sure what information is imparted by the braille on current packaging - it may be as simple as brand / name and a warning re toxicity.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 20 September, 2021, 05:58:49 pm
In my left hand: a Stanley ratchet screwdriver.

In my right hand: a Stanley non-ratchet screwdriver.

Are we to assume that the ratchet screwdriver is impractical for the task at hand?

Yes.  It is too long.

Do the bits from the former fit the latter?

Why, no!  No, they do not!

Well then, is there a bit with a Pozidrive head for the latter?

Why, no!  No, there is not!  Only flat ones.

And the moral of this tale?

Always take your own tools when volunteering to bodge Lt. Col. Larrington (retd.)’s b0rked furniture back into a vague semblance of working order.  I did get the screws adequately tightened in the end, but there were prodigious Bad Swears involved.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 20 September, 2021, 07:17:39 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 20 September, 2021, 05:58:49 pm
In my left hand: a Stanley ratchet screwdriver.

In my right hand: a Stanley non-ratchet screwdriver.

Are we to assume that the ratchet screwdriver is impractical for the task at hand?

Yes.  It is too long.

Do the bits from the former fit the latter?

Why, no!  No, they do not!

Well then, is there a bit with a Pozidrive head for the latter?

Why, no!  No, there is not!  Only flat ones.

And the moral of this tale?

Always take your own tools when volunteering to bodge Lt. Col. Larrington (retd.)’s b0rked furniture back into a vague semblance of working order.  I did get the screws adequately tightened in the end, but there were prodigious Bad Swears involved.
This sounds like a trip to my Mum's house, and not taking my own tools.
Or screws, for that matter.
My late father had a habit of hoarding old, used screws.
Always slotted.
Never X-head.
Always shit tools, as well.
Gah!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: yorkie on 20 September, 2021, 07:47:53 pm
Quote from: Kim on 20 September, 2021, 12:38:35 pm
Quote from: T42 on 20 September, 2021, 09:51:21 am
What pisses me off is that some drugs come in multiples of 28 and some in multiples of 30, so that they never all run out at the same time.  After taking them for untold years one of mine is over a month out of step with the rest.

Assuming the prescriber gets the numbers right (which is a big ask given a GP whose skill set includes neither accurate mental arithmetic nor smooth operation of babbage-engines), this usually gets fixed by pharmacists taking scissors to the blister packs and giving you weird numbers of pills in generic boxes.  I assume the rest ends up in the bin.


Among other tablets, I am taking Betahistine, which gets prescribed at a rate of 60 tablets per issue. As Betahistine generally comes in strips of 10 or 20, I usually get a box containing the requisite number of complete strips of tablets. Someone who gets Betahistine from the same pharmacy as me obviously gets a weird quantity of tablets, as every so often I get a generic box stuffed full of small off-cuts of 2 or 4 tablets...




...every last one of which has at least one sharp edge which makes paper cuts seem benign!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 20 September, 2021, 08:24:44 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 20 September, 2021, 07:17:39 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 20 September, 2021, 05:58:49 pm
In my left hand: a Stanley ratchet screwdriver.

In my right hand: a Stanley non-ratchet screwdriver.

Are we to assume that the ratchet screwdriver is impractical for the task at hand?

Yes.  It is too long.

Do the bits from the former fit the latter?

Why, no!  No, they do not!

Well then, is there a bit with a Pozidrive head for the latter?

Why, no!  No, there is not!  Only flat ones.

And the moral of this tale?

Always take your own tools when volunteering to bodge Lt. Col. Larrington (retd.)’s b0rked furniture back into a vague semblance of working order.  I did get the screws adequately tightened in the end, but there were prodigious Bad Swears involved.
This sounds like a trip to my Mum's house, and not taking my own tools.
Or screws, for that matter.
My late father had a habit of hoarding old, used screws.
Always slotted.
Never X-head.
Always shit tools, as well.
Gah!

Ah yes, the screws.  I thought I had taken adequate supplies of my own screws but they were all too long, so I had to go to Homebase in the pouring rain to buy more, rather than recycle his unmatched paint-covered slot-headed hoard of threaded cheese.  And the new ones turned out to be made of finest Chinesium, and two of them snapped while being screwed into wood and so did the drill bit I was using for pilot holes and I hate everybody.

He does have quite a nice socket set, or it will be once the rust that’s seeped through from the nasty tin box that houses it has been removed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 20 September, 2021, 08:34:08 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 20 September, 2021, 08:24:44 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 20 September, 2021, 07:17:39 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 20 September, 2021, 05:58:49 pm
In my left hand: a Stanley ratchet screwdriver.

In my right hand: a Stanley non-ratchet screwdriver.

Are we to assume that the ratchet screwdriver is impractical for the task at hand?

Yes.  It is too long.

Do the bits from the former fit the latter?

Why, no!  No, they do not!

Well then, is there a bit with a Pozidrive head for the latter?

Why, no!  No, there is not!  Only flat ones.

And the moral of this tale?

Always take your own tools when volunteering to bodge Lt. Col. Larrington (retd.)’s b0rked furniture back into a vague semblance of working order.  I did get the screws adequately tightened in the end, but there were prodigious Bad Swears involved.
This sounds like a trip to my Mum's house, and not taking my own tools.
Or screws, for that matter.
My late father had a habit of hoarding old, used screws.
Always slotted.
Never X-head.
Always shit tools, as well.
Gah!

Ah yes, the screws.  I thought I had taken adequate supplies of my own screws but they were all too long, so I had to go to Homebase in the pouring rain to buy more, rather than recycle his unmatched paint-covered slot-headed hoard of threaded cheese.  And the new ones turned out to be made of finest Chinesium, and two of them snapped while being screwed into wood and so did the drill bit I was using for pilot holes and I hate everybody.

He does have quite a nice socket set, or it will be once the rust that’s seeped through from the nasty tin box that houses it has been removed.
Not a good day then?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 20 September, 2021, 10:38:58 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 20 September, 2021, 08:34:08 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 20 September, 2021, 08:24:44 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 20 September, 2021, 07:17:39 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 20 September, 2021, 05:58:49 pm
In my left hand: a Stanley ratchet screwdriver.

In my right hand: a Stanley non-ratchet screwdriver.

Are we to assume that the ratchet screwdriver is impractical for the task at hand?

Yes.  It is too long.

Do the bits from the former fit the latter?

Why, no!  No, they do not!

Well then, is there a bit with a Pozidrive head for the latter?

Why, no!  No, there is not!  Only flat ones.

And the moral of this tale?

Always take your own tools when volunteering to bodge Lt. Col. Larrington (retd.)’s b0rked furniture back into a vague semblance of working order.  I did get the screws adequately tightened in the end, but there were prodigious Bad Swears involved.
This sounds like a trip to my Mum's house, and not taking my own tools.
Or screws, for that matter.
My late father had a habit of hoarding old, used screws.
Always slotted.
Never X-head.
Always shit tools, as well.
Gah!

Ah yes, the screws.  I thought I had taken adequate supplies of my own screws but they were all too long, so I had to go to Homebase in the pouring rain to buy more, rather than recycle his unmatched paint-covered slot-headed hoard of threaded cheese.  And the new ones turned out to be made of finest Chinesium, and two of them snapped while being screwed into wood and so did the drill bit I was using for pilot holes and I hate everybody.

He does have quite a nice socket set, or it will be once the rust that’s seeped through from the nasty tin box that houses it has been removed.
Not a good day then?

He seemed satisfied with the result, as his eyesight isn’t up to seeing the fearsome ugliness of the repair, and the chair had not yet collapsed again as of 12:30 today, so it could have been worse.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 21 September, 2021, 12:48:32 pm
Quote from: yorkie on 20 September, 2021, 07:47:53 pm
...

...every last one of which has at least one sharp edge which makes paper cuts seem benign!

I’ll hazard a guess that this is a blood thinner, or otherwise contraindicated for people with cuts?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 21 September, 2021, 12:54:20 pm
Nahh, it's the stuff that sometimes works for Ménière's, when it isn't doing approximately nothing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: yorkie on 21 September, 2021, 01:26:34 pm
Quote from: perpetual dan on 21 September, 2021, 12:48:32 pm
Quote from: yorkie on 20 September, 2021, 07:47:53 pm
...

...every last one of which has at least one sharp edge which makes paper cuts seem benign!

I’ll hazard a guess that this is a blood thinner, or otherwise contraindicated for people with cuts?


Nope! I have it prescribed for vertigo. Keeps me from not quite falling over all the time...


...just some of the time!  :P
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 21 September, 2021, 06:50:30 pm
We had a tree surgeon look at the back garden. Turns out the trees at the far end are bastarding Leylandii :facepalm:, so rather than my original plan of just getting rid of 5 to make space for a shed and leaving a few for the birds to hide in I asked for a quote to kill them all utterly to deth.
That was £750 vs £1380. Pingu went :o :-X
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 21 September, 2021, 06:55:54 pm
They must be big uns.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 21 September, 2021, 07:02:34 pm
Keep them. In ten or twenty years, everyone will love them.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 21 September, 2021, 07:13:07 pm
 Just about to remove a 40 year old hedge comprising approx 23 of these at around the 2m high mark. This at a cost of £30 each and that includes stump grinding.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 21 September, 2021, 07:28:07 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 21 September, 2021, 06:50:30 pm
We had a tree surgeon look at the back garden. Turns out the trees at the far end are bastarding Leylandii :facepalm:, so rather than my original plan of just getting rid of 5 to make space for a shed and leaving a few for the birds to hide in I asked for a quote to kill them all utterly to deth.
That was £750 vs £1380. Pingu went :o :-X

If where you are is anything like here we get about 3 leaflets a weeks from "tree specialists" - we wanted a stand of 5 or 6 Leylandii trimmed to a sort of box shape (as they were like when we bought the house last year) - tree surgeon man wanted £800 - Irishman with a chainsaw, pair of blunt loppers and a 20 year-old lad wearing flip-flops to help . . . . £150 cash.  Job done in 90 minutes, all cleared away and excellent.  Result
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 21 September, 2021, 07:38:28 pm
Yeah and the dodgers wearing flip flops run away very fast when something falls the wrong way and lands on your neighbours prized greenhouse/home office/woman cave etc.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 21 September, 2021, 07:54:25 pm
Quote from: Canardly on 21 September, 2021, 06:55:54 pm
They must be big uns.
They are all knitted together inside.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51500454446_c92d5596a9.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2msVhRL)2021-09-21_07-49-53 (https://flic.kr/p/2msVhRL) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pingus/), on Flickr
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 21 September, 2021, 09:02:54 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 21 September, 2021, 07:54:25 pm
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51500454446_c92d5596a9.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2msVhRL)2021-09-21_07-49-53 (https://flic.kr/p/2msVhRL) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pingus/), on Flickr

Am I the only one seeing the makings of a topiary boot?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 21 September, 2021, 09:07:59 pm
Quote from: Kim on 21 September, 2021, 09:02:54 pm
...

Am I the only one seeing the makings of a topiary boot?

No. Though I reckon there’s scope for something with a heel.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 22 September, 2021, 07:41:37 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 21 September, 2021, 07:54:25 pm
Quote from: Canardly on 21 September, 2021, 06:55:54 pm
They must be big uns.
They are all knitted together inside.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51500454446_c92d5596a9.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2msVhRL)2021-09-21_07-49-53 (https://flic.kr/p/2msVhRL) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pingus/), on Flickr

The row of Leylandii is not unlike ours - from the picture unless you really need the space I'd just get them trimmed to the "elevated box" sort of shape and keep them to keep a screen at the end of the garden.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 22 September, 2021, 08:02:19 am
We have a few at the back of our garden. Would quite like to remove and replace with something nicer, but currently they do a good job of breaking northerly winds. They might end up being beheaded though. (That will be me, with a handsaw, shinning up the trunk.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 22 September, 2021, 08:38:17 am
That's only a small row, fit for DIY destruction IMO.  Sling a rope around about 2/3 of the way up, get a Pingu to lean into it, whilst a MrsPingu saws away at a lower level. (I managed 3 x 60 footers in a similar manner, although I had to tie off the rope to the base of a convenient hedge to keep it under tension as I was working single handed).  We stacked the logs for 18 months and then used them on the fire.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 22 September, 2021, 10:10:58 am
Quote from: robgul on 21 September, 2021, 07:28:07 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 21 September, 2021, 06:50:30 pm
We had a tree surgeon look at the back garden. Turns out the trees at the far end are bastarding Leylandii :facepalm:, so rather than my original plan of just getting rid of 5 to make space for a shed and leaving a few for the birds to hide in I asked for a quote to kill them all utterly to deth.
That was £750 vs £1380. Pingu went :o :-X

If where you are is anything like here we get about 3 leaflets a weeks from "tree specialists" - we wanted a stand of 5 or 6 Leylandii trimmed to a sort of box shape (as they were like when we bought the house last year) - tree surgeon man wanted £800 - Irishman with a chainsaw, pair of blunt loppers and a 20 year-old lad wearing flip-flops to help . . . . £150 cash.  Job done in 90 minutes, all cleared away and excellent.  Result

Anything like that around here and it's "call Albert".  Similar cost.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 22 September, 2021, 11:18:51 am
Problem is that when you pay £150, they completely neglect health and safety (it's just a lad, and his mum won't miss him), insurance (that's going to be expensive, let's leg it), and everything they remove will end up flytipped down a local lane, because all those things mean you can't get the work done for £150. Plus there's a lot more to proper tree surgery than owning a chainsaw. That said we pay a man who trades under the name of Angry Beaver.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 22 September, 2021, 01:27:51 pm
Ah, but our Albert knows a Thai chap who's a real tree surgeon, has all the safety gear, does a lovely job and moonlights cheaply.  Albert then loads the results into his 5 m³ trailer and tractors it off to a neighbour, who accumulates a vast heap every season then puts it through an agricultural mulcher to make bedding for his sheep in the winter.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 22 September, 2021, 03:02:19 pm
Quote from: ian on 22 September, 2021, 11:18:51 am
Problem is that when you pay £150, they completely neglect health and safety (it's just a lad, and his mum won't miss him), insurance (that's going to be expensive, let's leg it), and everything they remove will end up flytipped down a local lane, because all those things mean you can't get the work done for £150. Plus there's a lot more to proper tree surgery than owning a chainsaw. That said we pay a man who trades under the name of Angry Beaver.

I saw the bloke we used - working for the very expensive tree surgeon man . . .  perhaps that's why our job was done on a Saturday afternoon?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 22 September, 2021, 03:46:23 pm
I'm not saying he wasn't legit, that's for you to decide, just that often these 'do the job cheap' merchants are undercutting the proper trades by cutting all those corners like tax, health and safety, insurance, and proper disposal of any waste. Not doing those things always makes a job cheaper. Not to say there are many guarantees with anyone, most of the fly-tipping around here seems to be house clearances and builder's waste.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 22 September, 2021, 03:56:33 pm
Quote from: ian on 22 September, 2021, 03:46:23 pm
I'm not saying he wasn't legit, that's for you to decide, just that often these 'do the job cheap' merchants are undercutting the proper trades by cutting all those corners like tax, health and safety, insurance, and proper disposal of any waste. Not doing those things always makes a job cheaper. Not to say there are many guarantees with anyone, most of the fly-tipping around here seems to be house clearances and builder's waste.
Thats why we left the EU, to get away from all those unnecessary Brussels imposed rules!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 22 September, 2021, 07:40:16 pm
This is what I was getting at. In the 30 quid a tree example I can't see how they can be responsibly disposed of for that price, let alone anything else...

My brother did offer me his chainsaw but I quite like all my fingers where they are.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 22 September, 2021, 07:59:57 pm
I've been hearing people complaining for a few weeks about empty shelves in supermarkets. Hadn't noticed any myself. But I've just been into the "big Sainsbury's" (not really very big but bigger than others locally) that used to be my regular supermarket pre-Covid. First time in there since 1BP. So that's where the empty shelves are... Including the whole delicatessen counter shut. Though TBF it is student time. And despite the gaps on the shelves, there were half-unpacked boxes all over the floor. Place is a complete mess! Mask wearing was high though.

I guess in lockdown it was "shop local to reduce infection and preserve community", now it's "shop small to find what you want".
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 22 September, 2021, 08:24:21 pm
The specialist counters in my local Mr Sainsbury’s House of Toothy Comestibles have been closed since March last year, and it appears to be the same story at the one local to Fort Larrington.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 22 September, 2021, 08:27:24 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 22 September, 2021, 08:24:21 pm
The specialist counters in my local Mr Sainsbury’s House of Toothy Comestibles have been closed since March last year, and it appears to be the same story at the one local to Fort Larrington.
Specialist counters  ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 22 September, 2021, 08:32:18 pm
Fresh meat, fresh fish, delicatessen, etc.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 22 September, 2021, 08:34:02 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 22 September, 2021, 08:32:18 pm
Fresh meat, fresh fish, delicatessen, etc.
Ah yes. They appear to have been overwhelmingly gone.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 22 September, 2021, 08:40:17 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 22 September, 2021, 08:27:24 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 22 September, 2021, 08:24:21 pm
The specialist counters in my local Mr Sainsbury’s House of Toothy Comestibles have been closed since March last year, and it appears to be the same story at the one local to Fort Larrington.
Specialist counters  ???
The market for unmarked VHS tapes and magazines in plain brown envelopes isn't what it used to be.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 22 September, 2021, 08:58:25 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 22 September, 2021, 08:34:02 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 22 September, 2021, 08:32:18 pm
Fresh meat, fresh fish, delicatessen, etc.
Ah yes. They appear to have been overwhelmingly gone.

Probably never to reopen, as margins are greater on the pre-packed versions.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tod28 on 22 September, 2021, 09:35:36 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 22 September, 2021, 08:58:25 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 22 September, 2021, 08:34:02 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 22 September, 2021, 08:32:18 pm
Fresh meat, fresh fish, delicatessen, etc.
Ah yes. They appear to have been overwhelmingly gone.

Probably never to reopen, as margins are greater on the pre-packed versions.

https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/store-design/sainsburys-to-permanently-close-in-store-counters-and-420-argos-stores/650089.article (https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/store-design/sainsburys-to-permanently-close-in-store-counters-and-420-argos-stores/650089.article)

Sainsbury’s to permanently close in-store counters and 420 Argos stores (05/11/20)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 22 September, 2021, 11:17:43 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 22 September, 2021, 08:24:21 pm
The specialist counters in my local Mr Sainsbury’s House of Toothy Comestibles have been closed since March last year, and it appears to be the same story at the one local to Fort Larrington.

Silly Oak TAAW.  I think they closed them back when people gave a shit about Covid rules.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 22 September, 2021, 11:36:41 pm
Quote from: Tod28 on 22 September, 2021, 09:35:36 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 22 September, 2021, 08:58:25 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 22 September, 2021, 08:34:02 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 22 September, 2021, 08:32:18 pm
Fresh meat, fresh fish, delicatessen, etc.
Ah yes. They appear to have been overwhelmingly gone.

Probably never to reopen, as margins are greater on the pre-packed versions.

https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/store-design/sainsburys-to-permanently-close-in-store-counters-and-420-argos-stores/650089.article (https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/store-design/sainsburys-to-permanently-close-in-store-counters-and-420-argos-stores/650089.article)

Sainsbury’s to permanently close in-store counters and 420 Argos stores (05/11/20)

Our Argos-in-Sainsbury’s is still alive and well, for those “I need a network switch and I need it NOW” moments.  It's nearer than PC World…
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 23 September, 2021, 08:34:30 am
They may not have anything to which to repurpose the space, but leaving the empty deli refrigerated display does give a derelict air. Whole shop was a mess I haven't seen in a supermarket since KwikSave. I'm inclined to think managerial ineptitude must be playing a role in this particular branch. Also, my favourite Tibetan Buddhist checkout operator lady wasn't on shift!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Giraffe on 23 September, 2021, 09:09:31 am
Quote from: Jurek on 22 September, 2021, 08:34:02 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 22 September, 2021, 08:32:18 pm
Fresh meat, fresh fish, delicatessen, etc.
Ah yes. They appear to have been overwhelmingly gone.
Still there in Waitrose and I sometimes get myself a treat if in the mood. Didn't notice last time I was in a big M&S as it was a game of dodgems avoiding clusters of fat lumps not wearing masks.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 23 September, 2021, 03:20:01 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 21 September, 2021, 06:50:30 pm
We had a tree surgeon look at the back garden. Turns out the trees at the far end are bastarding Leylandii :facepalm:, so rather than my original plan of just getting rid of 5 to make space for a shed and leaving a few for the birds to hide in I asked for a quote to kill them all utterly to deth.
That was £750 vs £1380. Pingu went :o :-X

Well, I got another guy round, who is from an established outfit. He said it was an easy job with no real climbing involved and his jaw dropped when I told him the first quote.
This one: £380 for the lot.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 23 September, 2021, 10:53:55 pm
 :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Regulator on 24 September, 2021, 07:58:34 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 23 September, 2021, 08:34:30 am
They may not have anything to which to repurpose the space, but leaving the empty deli refrigerated display does give a derelict air. Whole shop was a mess I haven't seen in a supermarket since KwikSave. I'm inclined to think managerial ineptitude must be playing a role in this particular branch. Also, my favourite Tibetan Buddhist checkout operator lady wasn't on shift!

The First-World Problems thread is that a way..... ---->
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Regulator on 24 September, 2021, 08:00:05 am
Quote from: Giraffe on 23 September, 2021, 09:09:31 am
Quote from: Jurek on 22 September, 2021, 08:34:02 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 22 September, 2021, 08:32:18 pm
Fresh meat, fresh fish, delicatessen, etc.
Ah yes. They appear to have been overwhelmingly gone.
Still there in Waitrose and I sometimes get myself a treat if in the mood. Didn't notice last time I was in a big M&S as it was a game of dodgems avoiding clusters of fat lumps not wearing masks.

Open in our Waitrose and Morrisons.  Closed in one of our local Tescos (open in other Tescos' in the area) and our big Sainsbury's.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 24 September, 2021, 08:49:13 am
Given that Morrisons are up for sale, I can't see them lasting long there.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 24 September, 2021, 10:06:55 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 23 September, 2021, 03:20:01 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 21 September, 2021, 06:50:30 pm
We had a tree surgeon look at the back garden. Turns out the trees at the far end are bastarding Leylandii :facepalm:, so rather than my original plan of just getting rid of 5 to make space for a shed and leaving a few for the birds to hide in I asked for a quote to kill them all utterly to deth.
That was £750 vs £1380. Pingu went :o :-X

Well, I got another guy round, who is from an established outfit. He said it was an easy job with no real climbing involved and his jaw dropped when I told him the first quote.
This one: £380 for the lot.

Here's another data point:

We had 20 very overgrown Leylandii taken down a month or so back.
They totally blocked out light from the neighbour's garden.

These were big boys, around 4 people high.
Way beyond a DIY job for me and my ikkle chainsaw.

This was done by Roy Cowie ( see posts passim, 'By appointment to Brenda, Big Lugs and the rest' ), so at the higher end of the market. Not cowboys.
Total cost was somewhere around £700.

It was a big job to remove them, a squad of several workers, several vans and the biggest timberwolf wood-chomper I've ever seen.

The 30cm steel rule in the second pic gives an idea of scale.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51510297171_ea7bd01deb_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mtMJKV)
Leylandii (https://flic.kr/p/2mtMJKV) by Ron Lowe (https://www.flickr.com/photos/62966413@N04/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51511225925_e61003baef_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mtSuQV)
Leylandii (https://flic.kr/p/2mtSuQV) by Ron Lowe (https://www.flickr.com/photos/62966413@N04/), on Flickr

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Regulator on 24 September, 2021, 11:07:35 am
Getting those stumps out will be 'fun'....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 24 September, 2021, 11:13:22 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 22 September, 2021, 07:40:16 pm
This is what I was getting at. In the 30 quid a tree example I can't see how they can be responsibly disposed of for that price, let alone anything else...

My brother did offer me his chainsaw but I quite like all my fingers where they are.
Tree Surgeon who I have used before. Branches shredded on site and removed. Trunks sawn into logs and removed. Comes back later at end of week and grinds the stumps. Leaves neat and tidy.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 24 September, 2021, 05:47:35 pm
Quote from: Feanor on 24 September, 2021, 10:06:55 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 23 September, 2021, 03:20:01 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 21 September, 2021, 06:50:30 pm
We had a tree surgeon look at the back garden. Turns out the trees at the far end are bastarding Leylandii :facepalm:, so rather than my original plan of just getting rid of 5 to make space for a shed and leaving a few for the birds to hide in I asked for a quote to kill them all utterly to deth.
That was £750 vs £1380. Pingu went :o :-X

Well, I got another guy round, who is from an established outfit. He said it was an easy job with no real climbing involved and his jaw dropped when I told him the first quote.
This one: £380 for the lot.

Here's another data point:

We had 20 very overgrown Leylandii taken down a month or so back.
They totally blocked out light from the neighbour's garden.

These were big boys, around 4 people high.
Way beyond a DIY job for me and my ikkle chainsaw.

This was done by Roy Cowie ( see posts passim, 'By appointment to Brenda, Big Lugs and the rest' ), so at the higher end of the market. Not cowboys.
Total cost was somewhere around £700.

It was a big job to remove them, a squad of several workers, several vans and the biggest timberwolf wood-chomper I've ever seen.

The 30cm steel rule in the second pic gives an idea of scale.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51510297171_ea7bd01deb_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mtMJKV)
Leylandii (https://flic.kr/p/2mtMJKV) by Ron Lowe (https://www.flickr.com/photos/62966413@N04/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51511225925_e61003baef_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mtSuQV)
Leylandii (https://flic.kr/p/2mtSuQV) by Ron Lowe (https://www.flickr.com/photos/62966413@N04/), on Flickr

Interesting. Did you get the stumps ground out as well?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 24 September, 2021, 06:12:01 pm
You bunch of planet-killing carbon-monkeys.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Giraffe on 25 September, 2021, 10:23:11 am
Took down a conifer of some sort for next door, stump only about 30 cm, drilled deep holes all over it with a spade bit and in a couple of years it had rotted away completely.
Should work on soft stumps such as yours, don't know about hard stumps. I must pop across the road and do that to some stumps of ash and a type of willow before this interregnum ends on Monday.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Hot Flatus on 25 September, 2021, 10:29:50 am
Quote from: Regulator on 24 September, 2021, 11:07:35 am
Getting those stumps out will be 'fun'....

Could always grind them
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tod28 on 25 September, 2021, 12:51:08 pm
Quote from: Giraffe on 25 September, 2021, 10:23:11 am
Took down a conifer of some sort for next door, stump only about 30 cm, drilled deep holes all over it with a spade bit and in a couple of years it had rotted away completely.
Should work on soft stumps such as yours, don't know about hard stumps. I must pop across the road and do that to some stumps of ash and a type of willow before this interregnum ends on Monday.

Put some ammonium sulphamate (used to be sold as 'rootout' but now only as compost accelerant) in the drilled holes to prevent regrowth on hardwoods and to accelerate decomposition on all varieties.

edited to remove big thumb errors!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 27 September, 2021, 09:53:04 pm
I want to put up a couple of rows of coat hooks in the vestibule, but the elastrickery meter and all that jazz are in there so obviously almost the whole wall goes wee-oo when I wave the deth detector at it.
So I guess they'll be going in the hall then.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 28 September, 2021, 08:06:28 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 27 September, 2021, 09:53:04 pm
I want to put up a couple of rows of coat hooks in the vestibule, but the elastrickery meter and all that jazz are in there so obviously almost the whole wall goes wee-oo when I wave the deth detector at it.
So I guess they'll be going in the hall then.

Wires in the wall are seldom running horizontally - and if they are under plaster would (should) be in a conduit cover  . . . 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 28 September, 2021, 09:59:10 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 27 September, 2021, 09:53:04 pm
I want to put up a couple of rows of coat hooks in the vestibule, but the elastrickery meter and all that jazz are in there so obviously almost the whole wall goes wee-oo when I wave the deth detector at it.
So I guess they'll be going in the hall then.

Hooks onto a batten / backboard, only need 2 -4 holes to fix it - or "no more nails" type stuff?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 28 September, 2021, 10:12:56 am
It's a row of hooks on a board, getting the 2 holes in the right place on the wall was proving to be a challenge though. Although I guess I can drill a hole somewhere else in the board..
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 28 September, 2021, 10:21:45 am
What's the construction of the wall? Is it lath and plaster, or plasterboard?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 28 September, 2021, 10:27:04 am
Plasterboard I think. I don't think it's weeooing at lath nails, it's fairly well concentrated above the meter cupboard.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 28 September, 2021, 10:38:02 am
You want to find the mid-points of the wooden uprights behind the plasterboard.
This is what you will want to screw the hook board into.
Yes, this may involve re-drilling the hook board.
The wires will generally be going vertically between the uprights, not across them.

In this scenario, if you cannot see the vertical rows of plasterboard screws to show the line of the uprights, my preferred approach is to use a thin screwdriver to experimentally poke holes in the PB. It will simply push through anywhere between the uprights, but will not damage any wiring or pipework. If you have hit an upright, you will not be able to push it through. Give it a wiggle left and right to see if you can feel an upright. Move left or right, repeating this till you find an upright. Try to find the other side of the upright, and hence determine the mid-point.

The next one will usually be 16 or 24" / 400 or 600mm away, depending on vintage.

You will end up with a horizontal series of tiny holes which will be hidden behind the thing you are mounting. Un-hidden holes can either be filled or ignored, depending on where they are.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: PhilO on 28 September, 2021, 10:44:03 am
I've had good results using 3M Command Strip hooks in our hallway, to avoid holes.  The kids' school bags (significantly heavier than most coats) have been well supported there for a few years now.

https://command.3m.co.uk/3M/en_GB/command-gb/products/?N=5002385+8711749+8723920+3294857496&rt=r3
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 28 September, 2021, 11:52:07 am
Quote from: Feanor on 28 September, 2021, 10:38:02 am
You want to find the mid-points of the wooden uprights behind the plasterboard.
This is what you will want to screw the hook board into.
Yes, this may involve re-drilling the hook board.
The wires will generally be going vertically between the uprights, not across them.

In this scenario, if you cannot see the vertical rows of plasterboard screws to show the line of the uprights, my preferred approach is to use a thin screwdriver to experimentally poke holes in the PB. It will simply push through anywhere between the uprights, but will not damage any wiring or pipework. If you have hit an upright, you will not be able to push it through. Give it a wiggle left and right to see if you can feel an upright. Move left or right, repeating this till you find an upright. Try to find the other side of the upright, and hence determine the mid-point.

The next one will usually be 16 or 24" / 400 or 600mm away, depending on vintage.

You will end up with a horizontal series of tiny holes which will be hidden behind the thing you are mounting. Un-hidden holes can either be filled or ignored, depending on where they are.

That's my method of choice, with a bradawl - if you punch the holes behind where your board with the hooks will go you don't even need to fill the holes  ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 28 September, 2021, 12:19:54 pm
Coat-stand!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 28 September, 2021, 05:31:37 pm
Well it's done. And I was reminded just how much I hate drilling into walls. (Years of living with lath & plaster did that).
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51528573705_11209a1791.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mvppJz)2021-09-28_05-21-33 (https://flic.kr/p/2mvppJz) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pingus/), on Flickr
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 28 September, 2021, 05:50:18 pm
This may astonish you, but I also used to live at number 51.

Alas, The Asbestos Power is not a number, it's a name. Though filthily common so I have to tear down the signs for any houses that I see with the same name. There can be only one.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 28 September, 2021, 06:16:25 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 28 September, 2021, 05:31:37 pm
Well it's done. And I was reminded just how much I hate drilling into walls.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51528573705_11209a1791.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mvppJz)2021-09-28_05-21-33 (https://flic.kr/p/2mvppJz) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pingus/), on Flickr

I hope that the hooks and coats hanging thereon don't foul the door when it's opened . . .   just saying.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 28 September, 2021, 06:20:39 pm
There was nowhere else for it to go on that wall so had no choice, but it seems ok. Will probably have the 2nd set I bought put up in the kitchen cupboard under the stairs for overspill though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 28 September, 2021, 09:40:05 pm
That’s a strange place for a toilet roll holder.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 28 September, 2021, 09:54:49 pm
Haha, you like the previous owner's naff choice of handles then?  ;D
Which reminds me, I still need to find a replacement knob for the vestibule door...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 29 September, 2021, 03:05:34 pm
Quote from: The Family Cyclist on 19 August, 2021, 12:47:48 pm
This should probably make rant but last year the next door but one neighbours who's garden we go through to access ours said to help ourselves to apples as their tree which we had already been scrumping off was laden with beautiful fruit and they could store no more.

They sadly moved and I realised when ilooked this week that the new owner has chopped the tree down. I am utterly bewildered as to why you would although my other neighbours did the same with their two apple trees as only like golden delicious

Neither are gardeners but a tree giving you free apples seems a no brainer to me

And now the house which had the wonderful apple tree chopped down has gone on the market. If there's any time between the current and new owners moving out and in I'm considering guerrilla planting an apple tree
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 02 October, 2021, 07:36:35 pm
In the absence of a “Geography the makes you cringe” thread I'd like to inform the clot currently presenting a feature of offshore wind farms on the BBC News Channel that Grimsby is not now and never has been in East Yorkshire >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 02 October, 2021, 09:06:17 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 02 October, 2021, 07:36:35 pm
In the absence of a “Geography the makes you cringe” thread I'd like to inform the clot currently presenting a feature of offshore wind farms on the BBC News Channel that Grimsby is not now and never has been in East Yorkshire >:(
Absobloodylutely, the closest it got was humberside, but I don't think that went down well between Grimsby and Hull
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 02 October, 2021, 10:13:01 pm
Humberside was only ever a reality in the minds of the hot air factory that is Westminster. Those that live north and south of the Humber reside, as always, in the East Ryding of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire respectively
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 02 October, 2021, 10:29:08 pm
And may dog have mercy on their souls.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 03 October, 2021, 05:17:35 pm
We only want a shed. Nothing fancy, just a shed for gardening tat.
Local firm recommended by Pingu's co-worker "February at the earliest"
Greenhousepeople/Dobbies "12 week delivery"
Somewhere else local "we've got one in stock" \o/ Drive out there to have a look, it looks like crap.  :facepalm:

Thanks brexshit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 03 October, 2021, 06:14:17 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 03 October, 2021, 05:17:35 pm
We only want a shed. Nothing fancy, just a shed for gardening tat.
Local firm recommended by Pingu's co-worker "February at the earliest"
Greenhousepeople/Dobbies "12 week delivery"
Somewhere else local "we've got one in stock" \o/ Drive out there to have a look, it looks like crap.  :facepalm:

Thanks brexshit.

Try Tiger Sheds - excellent quality and some on 4-5 week delivery (but may cost you more being near the Arctic Circle)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 03 October, 2021, 06:17:50 pm
Expensive but well put together.
http://www.beastsheds.co.uk/beast-sheds
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 03 October, 2021, 07:21:43 pm
Thanks both. Beast say "we cannot deliver to your address" but Tiger looks good and impressed that they include bearers in the price. They don't have the 7x5' we were looking for but I'm sure we can squeeze in an 8x6'. Only issue is we'd need to erect it ourselves...lol

Tiger do have *extreme* variations in reviews on Google though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 03 October, 2021, 08:09:44 pm


Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 03 October, 2021, 05:17:35 pm
Thanks brexshit.
This one isn't Brexit, it started with Trump.
Trump put tariffs on Canadian timber, making European timber financially attractive to the US. Add in international shortages due to forest fires, Chinese demand, and a post-lockdown construction boom and we get a doubling of softwood price and massive shortages.


Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 03 October, 2021, 08:12:21 pm
Well, brexshit and Trump are 2 sides of the same coin, but thanks for the explanation :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 03 October, 2021, 08:45:13 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 03 October, 2021, 07:21:43 pm
Thanks both. Beast say "we cannot deliver to your address" but Tiger looks good and impressed that they include bearers in the price. They don't have the 7x5' we were looking for but I'm sure we can squeeze in an 8x6'. Only issue is we'd need to erect it ourselves...lol

Tiger do have *extreme* variations in reviews on Google though.
Did you see the Zombie Fortification Cabin (https://www.tigersheds.com/product/zombie-fortification-cabin-zfc-1/) on Tiger. Only £69995.  :o
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 03 October, 2021, 08:48:57 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 03 October, 2021, 08:45:13 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 03 October, 2021, 07:21:43 pm
Thanks both. Beast say "we cannot deliver to your address" but Tiger looks good and impressed that they include bearers in the price. They don't have the 7x5' we were looking for but I'm sure we can squeeze in an 8x6'. Only issue is we'd need to erect it ourselves...lol

Tiger do have *extreme* variations in reviews on Google though.
Did you see the Zombie Fortification Cabin (https://www.tigersheds.com/product/zombie-fortification-cabin-zfc-1/) on Tiger. Only £69995.  :o

Quote
This product is temporarily unavailable to new orders.

So if the Zompockyclipse kicks off in the next few weeks we’re all doomed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 03 October, 2021, 09:28:16 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 03 October, 2021, 08:48:57 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 03 October, 2021, 08:45:13 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 03 October, 2021, 07:21:43 pm
Thanks both. Beast say "we cannot deliver to your address" but Tiger looks good and impressed that they include bearers in the price. They don't have the 7x5' we were looking for but I'm sure we can squeeze in an 8x6'. Only issue is we'd need to erect it ourselves...lol

Tiger do have *extreme* variations in reviews on Google though.
Did you see the Zombie Fortification Cabin (https://www.tigersheds.com/product/zombie-fortification-cabin-zfc-1/) on Tiger. Only £69995.  :o

Quote
This product is temporarily unavailable to new orders.

So if the Zompockyclipse kicks off in the next few weeks we’re all doomed.
Quote
we are prioritising building and fulfilling for existing orders.
Only those that haven’t yet ordered one.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 04 October, 2021, 07:45:08 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 03 October, 2021, 07:21:43 pm
Thanks both. Beast say "we cannot deliver to your address" but Tiger looks good and impressed that they include bearers in the price. They don't have the 7x5' we were looking for but I'm sure we can squeeze in an 8x6'. Only issue is we'd need to erect it ourselves...lol

Tiger do have *extreme* variations in reviews on Google though.

My wife bought a Tiger for her allotment in late 2018 - very helpful delivery man carried the panels to the pre-prepared site in the middle of the allotments. 

I assembled it (making a sub-frame for the base as previously mentioned) - pretty simple, about an hour is all it took (with my wife holding up the panels as I did the fixings) . .  I used screws rather than the supplied nails as  a) it would be stronger, and b) if we wanted to move it/take it away it would take to bits easily.  The roofing felt etc was fine but I added a further layer of felt, turned over at the edges and secured with screwed on battens.  We now have some spare guttering left over from the new greenhouse we have at the house so that will get fitted to the shed in due course.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Maverick on 04 October, 2021, 08:39:06 am
More local to you - try Forest Sawmills at Padanaram, on Forfar to Kirriemuir Road. No website but good quality sheds.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Regulator on 04 October, 2021, 10:26:45 am
My NHS smartcard reader has stopped working... just as I need to access the Spine.   >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 04 October, 2021, 05:52:16 pm
Quote from: Maverick on 04 October, 2021, 08:39:06 am
More local to you - try Forest Sawmills at Padanaram, on Forfar to Kirriemuir Road. No website but good quality sheds.
Forestmuir sawmill,  if that's who you mean, also have diabolical reviews on Google.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Maverick on 05 October, 2021, 09:03:18 am
Apologies, my bad. It was a different company actually in Padanaram, it appears to be no longer trading.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 05 October, 2021, 10:43:01 pm
Council, I filled in your online change of address form for the cooncil tax on 22nd July. Still no update.
Now I emailed you with a screenshot of your web portal with the case number and details why can't you just open that and action it rather than asking for my address details? It's all there in the case!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 10 October, 2021, 10:22:36 pm
If you were offering your services asca guitar tutor, would you just completely ignore two emails from a prospective student? Even a "sorry I've not got any space right now" would be a civilised response, shirley?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 18 October, 2021, 10:15:37 am
Useless drunken scrotes who decided to abscond with the little fence that separates the end of our driveway from next door's about 1 am this morning. Heard some odd noises as we were going to bed, put it down to foxes, but then realised that foxes don't usually talk. Looked out the window, and saw someone down there (it's pretty dark and our outside lights had turned off for the night).

They'd evaporated by the time I got outside, presumably into the park at the bottom. No point chasing them as I was in my jimjams and what am I going to do if I do catch them? Found the fence at the bottom of the hill in the middle of the road, all broken, not sure if it was them or someone managed to drive over it. But thanks anyway, now we have to pay a man to replace it. Not a big deal, just annoying senseless vandalism that seems to be endemic and, if anything, getting worse. Shall we call the police, says my wife, then we both laugh for a bit and go to bed.

This is why we can't have nice things.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 18 October, 2021, 03:36:04 pm
I'm coughing & feeling rather wheezy.  There is something bubbling at the top of my respiratory tract.  LFR test negative, so it's probably just seasonal lurgy  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 19 October, 2021, 01:41:12 pm
Needing to prove to The Mgt of the Green Note, wot is a music venue in darkest Camden innit, that he does not have Teh Plague, Mr Larrington arms himself with a collect code and sets out to acquire a lateral flow test wossname.

Pharmacy #1:Alas, we haz not any.  Of them.
Pharmacy #2:We, also, haz not any.  Of them.
Mr Larrington:I am beginning to sense a theme here…

TBC
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 19 October, 2021, 01:47:16 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 19 October, 2021, 01:41:12 pm
Needing to prove to The Mgt of the Green Note, wot is a music venue in darkest Camden innit, that he does not have Teh Plague, Mr Larrington arms himself with a collect code and sets out to acquire a lateral flow test wossname.

Pharmacy #1:Alas, we haz not any.  Of them.
Pharmacy #2:We, also, haz not any.  Of them.
Mr Larrington:I am beginning to sense a theme here…

TBC
When do you need it by?
You can collect one from me at work tomorrow, if needs be.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 19 October, 2021, 01:58:36 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 19 October, 2021, 01:47:16 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 19 October, 2021, 01:41:12 pm
Needing to prove to The Mgt of the Green Note, wot is a music venue in darkest Camden innit, that he does not have Teh Plague, Mr Larrington arms himself with a collect code and sets out to acquire a lateral flow test wossname.

Pharmacy #1:Alas, we haz not any.  Of them.
Pharmacy #2:We, also, haz not any.  Of them.
Mr Larrington:I am beginning to sense a theme here…

TBC
When do you need it by?
You can collect one from me at work tomorrow, if needs be.

Tomorrow afternoon or Thursday daytime.  I'll try the branch of Lloyds on Larrington Towers Road later this pm and see what transpires…
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 19 October, 2021, 02:10:26 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 19 October, 2021, 01:58:36 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 19 October, 2021, 01:47:16 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 19 October, 2021, 01:41:12 pm
Needing to prove to The Mgt of the Green Note, wot is a music venue in darkest Camden innit, that he does not have Teh Plague, Mr Larrington arms himself with a collect code and sets out to acquire a lateral flow test wossname.

Pharmacy #1:Alas, we haz not any.  Of them.
Pharmacy #2:We, also, haz not any.  Of them.
Mr Larrington:I am beginning to sense a theme here…

TBC
When do you need it by?
You can collect one from me at work tomorrow, if needs be.

Tomorrow afternoon or Thursday daytime.  I'll try the branch of Lloyds on Larrington Towers Road later this pm and see what transpires…
Let me know if you want me to bring one in with me.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 19 October, 2021, 03:43:20 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 19 October, 2021, 02:10:26 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 19 October, 2021, 01:58:36 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 19 October, 2021, 01:47:16 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 19 October, 2021, 01:41:12 pm
Needing to prove to The Mgt of the Green Note, wot is a music venue in darkest Camden innit, that he does not have Teh Plague, Mr Larrington arms himself with a collect code and sets out to acquire a lateral flow test wossname.

Pharmacy #1:Alas, we haz not any.  Of them.
Pharmacy #2:We, also, haz not any.  Of them.
Mr Larrington:I am beginning to sense a theme here…

TBC
When do you need it by?
You can collect one from me at work tomorrow, if needs be.

Tomorrow afternoon or Thursday daytime.  I'll try the branch of Lloyds on Larrington Towers Road later this pm and see what transpires…
Let me know if you want me to bring one in with me.

Plague-test-o-thing obtained from cheerful lady at Lloyds up the road, but thanks for the offer.  YACF at its finest.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 21 October, 2021, 01:48:52 pm
Something's on fire.  It smells plasticky.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Regulator on 28 October, 2021, 02:19:58 pm
Dear recruiters on LinkedIn...

How about doing a little bit of research before sending me messages about your latest 'wonderful opportunity'?   My current job title includes the words 'National Lead' and I've been with my current employer (a major IS provider) for 7 years... what makes you think I'm likely to be interested in a six month interim contract manager's job with a trust or a CSU?

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 28 October, 2021, 07:32:30 pm
Quote from: Regulator on 28 October, 2021, 02:19:58 pm
Dear recruiters on LinkedIn...

How about doing a little bit of research before sending me messages about your latest 'wonderful opportunity'?   My current job title includes the words 'National Lead' and I've been with my current employer (a major IS provider) for 7 years... what makes you think I'm likely to be interested in a six month interim contract manager's job with a trust or a CSU?



Ditto, just because I'm a Principal Consultant, doesn't mean that I want to be a Principal Property Lawyer or Principal Electrical Engineer etc
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 04 November, 2021, 01:42:40 am
Lightbulb, if you’re going to blow, then blow rather than doing a disconcerting blink at random intervals.  Also, I bet I haven’t any suitable replacements :(

Edit: Four minutes later, darkness ensued.  And not because the timer switch turned it off either.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 04 November, 2021, 08:44:50 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 04 November, 2021, 01:42:40 am
Lightbulb, if you’re going to blow, then blow rather than doing a disconcerting blink at random intervals.  Also, I bet I haven’t any suitable replacements :(

Edit: Four minutes later, darkness ensued.  And not because the timer switch turned it off either.

Quick! Send for {three, four} {boy scouts, Belgians, Jesuits, engineers, psychiatrists,...}!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 04 November, 2021, 10:26:38 am
Microsith employees.  MS-DarkTM will be the new industry standard.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 04 November, 2021, 11:42:11 am
Nipped into Decathlon for some new bottles, got them home and bloody hell, they've got Arkea Samsic all over them. :sick:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ham on 08 November, 2021, 12:50:06 pm
I'm offering a reasonably valuable piece of domestic equipment (steam generator iron) on Freecycle, I'd quite like to see it  go to a good home. My responses thus far:


In case you are wondering, good form is to say why you want the item.

The only person to bother putting in more of a text is:

Please do you do drop off. Please is this still available for my newborn baby clothes living in a temporary accommodation of 40 staircases without lift in Leyton Bakers Arm E10

On the current showing I might well shove it into a rucksack and cycle over, not really the object of Free'cycle'
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 09 November, 2021, 01:39:35 pm
I can get a flu jab from all good pharmacies*, most crap ones and, in all likelihood, branches of Nobby & Dick's Auto Salvage (Finchley), but a Coronalurgi booster requires travel to the far-flung reaches of E17, to regions so distant they are practically in Leyton.  Either that or the NHS website is suffering from geographical bias.  “Ewwwwwww, he lives north of Forest Road!  Let him suffer!”

Bah!

* including the one a dozen doors <<<< thataway up Larrington Towers Road
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 10 November, 2021, 08:30:16 am
MrsT booked us a visit from one of the roving nurses who minister to the aged around here, so that she can give us our flu shots.  Unfortunately she (MrsT) didn't specify a time so we've been hanging around since 7:30 am getting pissëder off by the minute.

ETA: and they didn't.  Rescheduled for Friday, tomorrow being a holiday.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 10 November, 2021, 01:55:16 pm
Having a trigger finger was mildly amusing when it first started but the joke is wearing a bit thin now. It’s not bainfull, but it is constantly uncomfortable and it lock out nearly every time I bend my finger either when just relaxing or when I’m doing something.  >:(

But on a happier note I’m having a COVID booster this afternoon and I’m booked in for a flu jab 24/10 when i visit the surgery for a BP reading.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 10 November, 2021, 06:38:25 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 10 November, 2021, 01:55:16 pm
Having a trigger finger was mildly amusing when it first started but the joke is wearing a bit thin now. It’s not bainfull, but it is constantly uncomfortable and it lock out nearly every time I bend my finger either when just relaxing or when I’m doing something.  >:(

But on a happier note I’m having a COVID booster this afternoon and I’m booked in for a flu jab 24/10 when i visit the surgery for a BP reading.
Don't know how to tell you this but 24/10 was a couple of weeks ago now, you might be a bit late
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 10 November, 2021, 08:20:00 pm
Fecking merino thermals with stupidly placed seams have rubbed my oxters red raw  :'(
I won't be buying Isobaa again.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 10 November, 2021, 08:28:03 pm
As you know, one of my hobbies is reporting badly parked cars - though Sevenoaks broke their form (a more paranoid mind than mine might assume that's for a reason). It seems that somewhere (good god, why can't councils do IT?) the form gets emailed to a list of individuals and one of them has left.

I know this because I got the bounceback with the entire list of names and email addresses for their parking & amenities team.

Heh heh heh.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 10 November, 2021, 08:34:43 pm
<request from Sevenoaks transport dept to IT dept>
Quote
Can you put this email address on the blacklist please? We're getting spammed
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 11 November, 2021, 12:08:50 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 10 November, 2021, 08:34:43 pm
<request from Sevenoaks transport dept to IT dept>
Quote
Can you put this email address on the blacklist please? We're getting spammed

More likely they'd send it to every single employee of Sevenoaks council and start a “Reply All” deluge that will eventually paralyse the whole of Kent.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jaded on 11 November, 2021, 12:13:48 am
Isn't it SingleOak now  ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 11 November, 2021, 07:46:38 am
Quote from: Jaded on 11 November, 2021, 12:13:48 am
Isn't it SingleOak now  ???

Crikey, that was a long time ago . .  the great storm of 1987
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 11 November, 2021, 08:01:03 am
Quote from: robgul on 11 November, 2021, 07:46:38 am
Quote from: Jaded on 11 November, 2021, 12:13:48 am
Isn't it SingleOak now  ???

Crikey, that was a long time ago . .  the great storm of 1987

Chum of mine got his dad mightily offgepißt by sending him a postcard addressed to Oneoak back then.  Guess who suggested it.  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 11 November, 2021, 09:01:45 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 10 November, 2021, 08:20:00 pm
Fecking merino thermals with stupidly placed seams have rubbed my oxters red raw  :'(
I won't be buying Isobaa again.

We've been pleased with the mountain warehouse branded thermals. Can photo the seams for you if you want to know.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 11 November, 2021, 10:53:15 am
Quote from: robgul on 11 November, 2021, 07:46:38 am
Quote from: Jaded on 11 November, 2021, 12:13:48 am
Isn't it SingleOak now  ???

Crikey, that was a long time ago . .  the great storm of 1987

Indeed, they've mostly grown back.

For the record, I don't live in Kent, it's a county of shirtless heathens.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 11 November, 2021, 11:58:42 am
A bit like SellyNoOak.  There are pictures of it being cut down about a century ago.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 11 November, 2021, 12:58:01 pm
...to fit more cars in.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Paul on 11 November, 2021, 03:31:19 pm
Oh my god. I accidentally went to the start of this thread instead of the latest grumblings (small phone, fat fingers).

I was alarmed to find that it turned 10 years old in April!

I still think of it as one of the ‘new’ threads!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 11 November, 2021, 10:23:39 pm
Asda home delivery: I booked a 7 to 9pm slot for this evening. You sent me a text saying the driver was delayed and would be 10 minutes late. So you have the technology to keep me updated. Imagine my delight when I clicked on the link in your text telling me Nick would now be 75-90 minutes late. Any later and I'd be leaving a note on the door asking Nick to take the delivery back, as I've got an early start tomorrow. Pick up the phone, call and explain you twunts. I shan't be giving Nick any grief as s/he will, no doubt, already be frazzled, but your customer service stinks.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 11 November, 2021, 11:14:04 pm
Quote from: CAMRAMan on 11 November, 2021, 10:23:39 pm
Asda home delivery: I booked a 7 to 9pm slot for this evening. You sent me a text saying the driver was delayed and would be 10 minutes late. So you have the technology to keep me updated. Imagine my delight when I clicked on the link in your text telling me Nick would now be 75-90 minutes late. Any later and I'd be leaving a note on the door asking Nick to take the delivery back, as I've got an early start tomorrow. Pick up the phone, call and explain you twunts. I shan't be giving Nick any grief as s/he will, no doubt, already be frazzled, but your customer service stinks.
Ive had the same issue with Mr Sainsbury’s house of toothy comestibles, but in my case they reported a delayed delivery and then didn’t show up at all!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Deano on 12 November, 2021, 09:48:11 am
Refund form on the TPE website, bloody hell. I've spent more time trying to complete this than the ticket was worth - it wouldn't let me submit it, but wouldn't tell me what I'd done wrong.

I think it was cos I kept putting a £ in the amount, it worked fine with just the numbers, but what a palaver.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 12 November, 2021, 06:15:43 pm
Yay, ScotFail have decided to terminate my train back to Glasgow at Perth instead, so now I have an extra 30 minute wait for the next train.  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 15 November, 2021, 08:33:35 am
Quote from: Deano on 12 November, 2021, 09:48:11 am
Refund form on the TPE website, bloody hell. I've spent more time trying to complete this than the ticket was worth - it wouldn't let me submit it, but wouldn't tell me what I'd done wrong.

I think it was cos I kept putting a £ in the amount, it worked fine with just the numbers, but what a palaver.

Allowing the user to only type numbers into fields that require a number has been a thing since green screen data entry terminals, say around 1965? But now, well after the digital revolution, not only can they not be bothered to validate the input, but the server end chokes on the input  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 15 November, 2021, 09:07:59 am
Quote from: Pickled Onion on 15 November, 2021, 08:33:35 am
Quote from: Deano on 12 November, 2021, 09:48:11 am
Refund form on the TPE website, bloody hell. I've spent more time trying to complete this than the ticket was worth - it wouldn't let me submit it, but wouldn't tell me what I'd done wrong.

I think it was cos I kept putting a £ in the amount, it worked fine with just the numbers, but what a palaver.

Allowing the user to only type numbers into fields that require a number has been a thing since green screen data entry terminals, say around 1965? But now, well after the digital revolution, not only can they not be bothered to validate the input, but the server end chokes on the input  :facepalm:
A friend of mine was telling how she had trouble filling in a webform. One field wouldn't accept (correct) input. So she looked at the underlying html, spotted the crappy regex, edited it in the cached copy and entered the data.

Wonderful data sanitation security there.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 15 November, 2021, 10:28:49 am
Quote from: Pickled Onion on 15 November, 2021, 08:33:35 am
Quote from: Deano on 12 November, 2021, 09:48:11 am
Refund form on the TPE website, bloody hell. I've spent more time trying to complete this than the ticket was worth - it wouldn't let me submit it, but wouldn't tell me what I'd done wrong.

I think it was cos I kept putting a £ in the amount, it worked fine with just the numbers, but what a palaver.

Allowing the user to only type numbers into fields that require a number has been a thing since green screen data entry terminals, say around 1965? But now, well after the digital revolution, not only can they not be bothered to validate the input, but the server end chokes on the input  :facepalm:
It’s largely the product of marketing teams believing that they are web developers because they’ve got access to a wysiwyg page editor and one of them did a webpage as,part of their dissertation in 2005.

As most older IT people know, system development has many disciplines and specialities with testing having three distinct phases. Of course, most accountants and senior managers have had enough of experts and think we’re just making it all up. Which is why my mate has currently been at work since Saturday 6th when the company web front end was hacked…
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 15 November, 2021, 02:06:10 pm
Having been a Software Configuration Manager then Release Manager at one of the UK's biggest banks I despair at the clear lack of QA that has infested the IT space.  I blame the retail sector because my experience of them was that reckless is not sufficient to describe their approach.

Do it once, do it right is not a retail mindset.  Retail seem to think that they can fudge through.  Get me drunk and I will tell you which major UK retailer is only three days from crashing out of business on a permanently rolling basis, and why.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 15 November, 2021, 03:18:30 pm
Quote from: Polar Bear on 15 November, 2021, 02:06:10 pm
Having been a Software Configuration Manager then Release Manager at one of the UK's biggest banks I despair at the clear lack of QA that has infested the IT space.  I blame the retail sector because my experience of them was that reckless is not sufficient to describe their approach.

Do it once, do it right is not a retail mindset.  Retail seem to think that they can fudge through.  Get me drunk and I will tell you which major UK retailer is only three days from crashing out of business on a permanently rolling basis, and why.
My understanding is that there are a number of organisations who are consistently walking the edge of catastrophe. My mate’s firm have just had a week’s down time on their Online presence and the outage also affected their bricks and mortar operations. From what I understand, this,is down to poor QA in some areas…

And it’s not just the retail sector. Look what happened to the TSB a three or so years ago, that was a multi week outage down to lack of comprehensive pre upgrade testing.

He’ll, I even had a week long outage on division’s online help system because the third party software supplier lied to my queries on rollback testing. When the upgrade failed and I called a rollback, they couldn’t. Fortunately for me, I not only had my query and the response documented I also had my risk escalation to my manager documented. Phew!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 15 November, 2021, 04:05:56 pm
I agree but in 2002 when I moved from finance to retail I thought that I had left utopia and entered into a land where dinosaurs roamed and the only end of a stick was the shitty end.

I effectively made myself redundant three and a half years later because the IT Director rejected the opportunity to expand the IT provision to include DR or to embrace actual testing proclaiming that our programmers were so good that they could fix anything overnight.  A heavy burden to carry.  He got fed up of me rejecting bugs and errors, er I mean software updates into live.

Retail was a complete disaster inhabited by smooth talking chancers.  Some of them will have escaped and infected finance, manufacturing, infrastructure, etc.  The galloping rise of online "services" has hastened this.  I still have friends there with skin as thick as trump's youngest and they tell me that very little has changed since 2006.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 15 November, 2021, 04:32:59 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 15 November, 2021, 09:07:59 am
A friend of mine was telling how she had trouble filling in a webform. One field wouldn't accept (correct) input. So she looked at the underlying html, spotted the crappy regex, edited it in the cached copy and entered the data.

Wonderful data sanitation security there.

A friend of mine is a webdev and regularly does this on online forms which don't work properly or don't allow a suitable title... And yes, tells you a lot about the security (or lack thereof) at many orgs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 15 November, 2021, 04:46:28 pm
I used to work for an organisation, that had many flaws. However, planning DR and forward planning for issues was (I guess still is) regularly undertaken.

In 2019 they war gamed 'what if the head office entire site was rendered unusable/destroyed', and implemented fallback to cope.

We know what happened in 2020. To switch to 100% working from home, without disruption to work, took a single email. Snap. Done.

There is probably no coincidence that that industry sector pays about 50% more than other IT sectors.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Paul on 15 November, 2021, 05:52:16 pm
What is it with people advertising bikes for sale on FB (and probably elsewhere) that seem to think prospective buyers have no interest in seeing the business (drive) side of the bike?

A disproportionate number seem to concentrate entirely on the non-drive side. I suppose that it could be that I notice it disproportionately (such that I'll bother to drag myself to the keyboard to grumble), or it could actually be the case.

If the latter, it's got me wondering whether some people - you know, the ones who aren't on cycling forums - might actually prefer the 'clean' side of the bike, thinking it looks better.

I'm not saying they're necessarily wrong, aesthetically. But I assume that they don't realise/appreciate that you can tell a lot about a bike by looking at the business side.

If they just took photos of both sides...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 15 November, 2021, 05:54:03 pm
Because BRITONS generally interact with their bicycles from the left, and will be in the habit of wheeling it, locking it, leaning it against walls, etc from that side[1].  Only the sort of weirdos you get on cycle forums think about the sprockety stuff.

Obviously if you're selling something, you should photograph it from all important angles.  But these are lazy people, as evidenced by using Facebook for an eBay job.


[1] I've grinked the council on a couple of occasions to point this out, wrt the half-arsed installation of wheeling ramps.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 15 November, 2021, 06:29:28 pm
Is there a fully arsed way to implement wheeling ramps? If you have a track each side it's still making assumptions about tyre width, distance needed from tyre track to railings, steepness up which a fully laden bike can be pushed and down which it can be controlled, etc, and they're almost always wrong. The best way to do it is to have a set of unimpeded stairs for foot people and a full width ramp for wheel people and leg people who simply prefer it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 15 November, 2021, 06:32:38 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 15 November, 2021, 06:29:28 pm
Is there a fully arsed way to implement wheeling ramps?

Good question.  The steps to the towpath at Five Ways probably qualify, as they now have a total of three (crap) wheeling ramps for a normal-width flight of stairs, not leaving an awful lot of room for feet.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 15 November, 2021, 06:43:41 pm
(https://live.staticflickr.com/8652/15766333987_f9dc68bc9c_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/q2dzNB)
Ah, Belgium, man! (https://flic.kr/p/q2dzNB) by Mr Larrington (https://www.flickr.com/photos/mr_larrington/), on Flickr

Doubly entertaining with a laden trike…
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 15 November, 2021, 06:45:35 pm
This^ explains Belgium's success at downhill skiing. Or might do, if they had any success at downhill skiing. As it is, it's more likely to explain their success in cyclocross.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 15 November, 2021, 08:45:00 pm
That looks similar to the geese ramp[1] that was recently installed on the stairs by the back of Mr Sainsbury's Emporium of Toothy Comestibles, so that they have easy access from the canal should they want to commit suicide on the A38.


[1] PushBikes' working theory, as it's clearly unsuitable for bicycles.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 16 November, 2021, 07:52:41 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 15 November, 2021, 06:45:35 pm
This^ explains Belgium's success at downhill skiing. Or might do, if they had any success at downhill skiing. As it is, it's more likely to explain their success in cyclocross.

Or their A&E skills in dealing with broken necks.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 16 November, 2021, 09:25:03 am
Bugger. My wife dropped a dinner plate yesterday, whilst emptying the dishwasher.  We only have had 4 of that size to start with. It's Denby, but carries no marks, and is a plain grey-brown. The last time one was broken was over 25 years ago, and that ones replacement was a patterened rather than plain one.  I fear we'll struggle to find a replacement to match either the patterned or plain, especaily as we have no idea what the designs are called.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Edd on 16 November, 2021, 10:55:21 am
Quote from: rafletcher on 16 November, 2021, 09:25:03 am
Bugger. My wife dropped a dinner plate yesterday, whilst emptying the dishwasher.  We only have had 4 of that size to start with. It's Denby, but carries no marks, and is a plain grey-brown. The last time one was broken was over 25 years ago, and that ones replacement was a patterened rather than plain one.  I fear we'll struggle to find a replacement to match either the patterned or plain, especaily as we have no idea what the designs are called.

Repair job?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kintsugi
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 16 November, 2021, 12:31:34 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 16 November, 2021, 09:25:03 am
Bugger. My wife dropped a dinner plate yesterday, whilst emptying the dishwasher.  We only have had 4 of that size to start with. It's Denby, but carries no marks, and is a plain grey-brown. The last time one was broken was over 25 years ago, and that ones replacement was a patterened rather than plain one.  I fear we'll struggle to find a replacement to match either the patterned or plain, especaily as we have no idea what the designs are called.

There are quite a few "old china" companies that buy in remnants from house clearances etc as well as end-of-line and seconds - https://www.chinasearch.co.uk/  at Kenilworth is one such emporium - there are lots of others.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 16 November, 2021, 01:45:10 pm
Quote from: Edd on 16 November, 2021, 10:55:21 am
Quote from: rafletcher on 16 November, 2021, 09:25:03 am
Bugger. My wife dropped a dinner plate yesterday, whilst emptying the dishwasher.  We only have had 4 of that size to start with. It's Denby, but carries no marks, and is a plain grey-brown. The last time one was broken was over 25 years ago, and that ones replacement was a patterened rather than plain one.  I fear we'll struggle to find a replacement to match either the patterned or plain, especaily as we have no idea what the designs are called.

Repair job?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kintsugi

If we can find the tiny little missing bits....  :-\
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 16 November, 2021, 01:46:24 pm
Quote from: robgul on 16 November, 2021, 12:31:34 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 16 November, 2021, 09:25:03 am
Bugger. My wife dropped a dinner plate yesterday, whilst emptying the dishwasher.  We only have had 4 of that size to start with. It's Denby, but carries no marks, and is a plain grey-brown. The last time one was broken was over 25 years ago, and that ones replacement was a patterened rather than plain one.  I fear we'll struggle to find a replacement to match either the patterned or plain, especaily as we have no idea what the designs are called.

There are quite a few "old china" companies that buy in remnants from house clearances etc as well as end-of-line and seconds - https://www.chinasearch.co.uk/  at Kenilworth is one such emporium - there are lots of others.

Yep, I know, it's just a bit of a shot in the dark with no name to search on. Maybe I'll email them with a picture and see where it gets me.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 16 November, 2021, 02:03:52 pm
Ours are pretty ancient but found some here. The regularly used pieces have all had the stamp on the bottom removed by dishwasher over the years. Check your less regularly used pieces to see if the model can be identified via a stamp on the base.
https://www.chinasearch.co.uk/denby/seville/ (https://www.chinasearch.co.uk/denby/seville/)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 16 November, 2021, 04:17:47 pm
Quote from: Jaded on 11 November, 2021, 12:13:48 am
Isn't it SingleOak now  ???

Post October 1987…
I thought they might have replanted some.

Will Google…

ETA Maybe it should be EightOaks…

From Wiki
Quote
The eponymous oak trees in Knole Park have been replaced several times over the centuries. In 1902 seven oaks were planted on the north side of The Vine cricket ground to commemorate the coronation of King Edward VII.[6] During the Great Storm of 1987, six of those trees were blown down. Their replacements, planted in a ceremony involving well-known people from television shows such as Blue Peter and locals such as Gloria Hunniford and Caron Keating, were vandalised, leaving the one mature tree standing. The trees have been replaced and eight Oak trees of varying ages line The Vine.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 16 November, 2021, 04:51:20 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 16 November, 2021, 09:25:03 am
Bugger. My wife dropped a dinner plate yesterday, whilst emptying the dishwasher.  We only have had 4 of that size to start with. It's Denby, but carries no marks, and is a plain grey-brown. The last time one was broken was over 25 years ago, and that ones replacement was a patterened rather than plain one.  I fear we'll struggle to find a replacement to match either the patterned or plain, especaily as we have no idea what the designs are called.

Sympathy. I dropped my Wedgwood Peter Rabbit egg cup last week. They're getting thin on the ground and post-postage from the UK costs more than the ones I could find on eBay.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 16 November, 2021, 07:33:26 pm
Quote from: Canardly on 16 November, 2021, 02:03:52 pm
Ours are pretty ancient but found some here. The regularly used pieces have all had the stamp on the bottom removed by dishwasher over the years. Check your less regularly used pieces to see if the model can be identified via a stamp on the base.
https://www.chinasearch.co.uk/denby/seville/ (https://www.chinasearch.co.uk/denby/seville/)

A simple but effective hint - I checked the other 2 plates, and hey, presto! they are Denby Langley Mayflower, and better still, I got 2 matching plates off eBay, which should be here Saturday.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 17 November, 2021, 06:59:46 pm
It always something with these bicycle things!

So I realised that my rear brake was making a funny noise a couple miles from home this evening (how long it had been making that noise masked by traffic noise I don't know) so used it as little as possible from then on till I could have a proper look in a warm and well lit kitchen.

It's a chuffing big lump of metal embedded in the brake pad. With a somewhat scuffed rim as a result. Not sure if the metal was picked up from the rim or if it's 'foreign'.

On the brand new only been fitted for a week wheel. That was there to replace the wheel that had a full split of the rim a couple week ago.

Maybe that old wheel wasn't as used before I got it as I suspected. Maybe I've just been using overly harsh brake pads. I didn't think I was given at how often I've been replacing them.

These (https://smile.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B005PVLSIM) are what I've been using. Anyone got any recommendations for a better alternative perchance?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 17 November, 2021, 08:11:27 pm
Koolstop salmon pads are kind to rims and quite powerful.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 17 November, 2021, 09:48:08 pm
Cheer LWaB. I'll look at ordering some tomorrow. I've already ordered some more of the Clarks ones as I could get them definitely by tomorrow so I can ride Friday but they'll just be on till I get the Koolstop pads and holders then.  :thumbsup:

And I'll move up my plans to get a disc brake on the front and a roller brake on the rear.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 18 November, 2021, 08:39:15 am
I have hardly used cash for the last 2 years, but occasionally I have need of a little.  I tried two cash machines this morning, both of which refused to provide me with £10, despite it being offered, and instead insisted I accept £20.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andytheflyer on 18 November, 2021, 08:44:58 am
Quote from: Ashaman42 on 17 November, 2021, 09:48:08 pm
Cheer LWaB. I'll look at ordering some tomorrow. I've already ordered some more of the Clarks ones as I could get them definitely by tomorrow so I can ride Friday but they'll just be on till I get the Koolstop pads and holders then.  :thumbsup:
+1 for the Salmon KoolStops.  Excellent pads.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 18 November, 2021, 05:40:26 pm
Ah, Tesco home delivery. It’s very good that you email in advance now, listing the substitutions and shortages. That meant I could know ahead of time to reject the smoked bacon you’d substituted for the unsmoked I’d selected. Of course, it all goes to pot when you deliver early and I’m not yet (as I should have been) home.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 18 November, 2021, 08:54:52 pm
I have discovered a small hole in the seat of my jeans. Arse. Literally.
The hole is on the left buttock so that makes it, in Bristolian terms, a Knowle West (sorry).

The problem now is should I buy a new pair of jeans or should I pretend that I'm still young enough to wear non-jean trousers, and if so what? Or maybe I should patch them, after all everything seems to be going back to the 1970s.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 18 November, 2021, 09:02:24 pm
Audax UK patch.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 18 November, 2021, 09:02:58 pm
...or perhaps a winged wheel if you can find one.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 18 November, 2021, 09:08:48 pm
That is almost a good idea. Trouble is experience says that what starts as a small worn-through patch on one side soon spreads and it isn't long before the other side goes through too. It needs AUK, Winged Wheel and more!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 18 November, 2021, 09:16:04 pm
Put your holy jeans aside and then use the less worn material from the lower leg to patch the next pair of holy jeans.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 18 November, 2021, 09:20:08 pm
Patch edges might not be the most comfortable fabric on which to sit, especially if you use hard chairs.

Treat yourself to new jeans or trousers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 18 November, 2021, 09:21:23 pm
Oh yeah! The cuff of the leg, same side, is getting a bit worn too. For some reason I tread on that side a bit, but never on the right side.

Anywayz, I'm currently tending to the "jeans are boring" and "this isn't the 20th century anymore" views, while also feeling a strong dose of "yeah but jeans are practical and easy".
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 18 November, 2021, 09:28:58 pm
I only recently disposed of a pile of old jeans which I had been hoarding for patching purposes.  The patching simply didn't happen.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 18 November, 2021, 09:40:05 pm
I'm wearing jeans like a postie.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 18 November, 2021, 10:07:56 pm
I own zero pairs of jeans. Red trouser status unascertained.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 18 November, 2021, 10:13:03 pm
Red jeans are a thing. Not sure whether a good thing but a thing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 19 November, 2021, 12:09:12 am
I did once own a pair of red jeans.  In 1973.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 19 November, 2021, 08:54:55 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 19 November, 2021, 12:09:12 am
I did once own a pair of red jeans.  In 1973.
+1.  Two-tone, flared from the knee.  Hell's teeth! What was I thinking!?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 19 November, 2021, 09:13:30 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 18 November, 2021, 09:20:08 pm
Patch edges might not be the most comfortable fabric on which to sit, especially if you use hard chairs.

Treat yourself to new jeans or trousers.

The edges of the pockets on my jeans have never bothered me.


Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 19 November, 2021, 09:25:28 am
Quote from: TheLurker on 19 November, 2021, 08:54:55 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 19 November, 2021, 12:09:12 am
I did once own a pair of red jeans.  In 1973.
+1.  Two-tone, flared from the knee.  Hell's teeth! What was I thinking!?
I hazard a guess that you were thinking along the lines of ‘<deity> thoughbut I’m cool. I’m just BOUND to pull in this fine threads’.  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 19 November, 2021, 09:59:20 am
Quote from: Beardy on 19 November, 2021, 09:25:28 am
Quote from: TheLurker on 19 November, 2021, 08:54:55 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 19 November, 2021, 12:09:12 am
I did once own a pair of red jeans.  In 1973.
+1.  Two-tone, flared from the knee.  Hell's teeth! What was I thinking!?
I hazard a guess that you were thinking along the lines of ‘<deity> thoughbut I’m cool. I’m just BOUND to pull in this fine threads’.  ;D
This for sure. Though if it had been me, in 1973, my thoughts would have been on the lines of "Mummy, I don't like these funny trousers, they make me fall over!"

Anyway, I remembered (now not in 1973) that I do have a small pile of non-jean trousers that I've basically never worn. This is because they date from when I was in India and as such they are not really suitable for BRITISH winter. Nevertheless, I looked and found a pair of (slight shudder) chinos which are more or less wearable, if I should have to, for instance, meet any humans between now and such time as I replace the holey jeans. (In fact I am meeting someone today but it's my sister so holey jeans will be considered Normal For Brother.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 19 November, 2021, 10:32:04 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 19 November, 2021, 12:09:12 am
I did once own a pair of red jeans.  In 1973.
Ditto, but 1979, when I was old enough to know better...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ham on 19 November, 2021, 10:57:57 am
1972, bell bottoms with a label from Carnaby Street anna side to side flap with big back buttons, instead of a fly. Not the most convenient of garments I dare say, but crimson red.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 19 November, 2021, 01:23:12 pm
Amazon, for gawd's sake! 

I just had to buy a new kindle, because my 11 year old one died (not the battery, that was fine).

I have the new one just delivered, and I see they've implemented the EU desire of not supplying chargers, good.  Then I noticed the bloody thing still has a micro USB socket, not USB C.  C'mon, catch up, will you!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 19 November, 2021, 01:34:03 pm
That’s a bit like my iPhone 13 having a Lightening socket when they have moved tablets and laptops over to usb C.

Mind ewe, of my furious headphones and ear buds (6 Bluetooth sets in current use) no two have the same charging connection, on usb a male, one micro usb, one usb C and three bespoke. One of the bespoke connections did however come with two charging cables.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 19 November, 2021, 05:20:27 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 19 November, 2021, 01:34:03 pm
That’s a bit like my iPhone 13 having a Lightening socket when they have moved tablets and laptops over to usb C.

Mind ewe, of my furious headphones and ear buds (6 Bluetooth sets in current use) no two have the same charging connection, on usb a male, one micro usb, one usb C and three bespoke. One of the bespoke connections did however come with two charging cables.

Is the Lightning one, the flat thing with clearly visible contacts?  I have a lead for that, for my drone, when a iThing user friend borrows it.  I did have a tracking device with a weird multi-magnet contact thingy, but the tracker was so crap I've given up on it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 19 November, 2021, 05:25:32 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 19 November, 2021, 01:34:03 pm
That’s a bit like my iPhone 13 having a Lightening socket when they have moved tablets and laptops over to usb C.

Mind ewe, of my furious headphones and ear buds (6 Bluetooth sets in current use) no two have the same charging connection, on usb a male, one micro usb, one usb C and three bespoke. One of the bespoke connections did however come with two charging cables.

Sort of thing that makes you really appreciate the 3.5mm analogue headphone jack[1].


[1] Not that these are completely immune to fuckery.  Barakta can't connect her Cochlear streamer thingy to her phone because it makes silly assumptions about 4-pole jacks and headphone impedence.  Naturally her BAHA can't speak Bluetooth to the phone directly, because it's a legal requirement that BAHAs lag about 10 years behind current hearing aid technology, and also because it's The Devil's Other Radio and therefore wouldn't work properly anyway.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 19 November, 2021, 06:32:14 pm
Did I just see TV's Louise Lear presenting the BBC's national weather forecast while wearing trackie bottoms :o. Lord Reith will be turning in his grave!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 19 November, 2021, 09:06:47 pm
It’s children in need on the BBC this evening which pretty much means all rules are out of the window. It’s the most appalling behaviour.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 19 November, 2021, 09:19:58 pm
Beardy, I have taken a dislike to you. I had forgotten all about Children in Need until you mentioned it. Post some mind bleach please!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 20 November, 2021, 01:13:38 am
I would have used the off switch after our Apple TV+ fest of Foundation and Invasion but Dr Beardy (Mrs) turned it over to Goghlebox (to which she is addicted) and I got sucked in.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 20 November, 2021, 11:58:10 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 18 November, 2021, 08:54:52 pm
I have discovered a small hole in the seat of my jeans. Arse. Literally.
The hole is on the left buttock so that makes it, in Bristolian terms, a Knowle West (sorry).

The problem now is should I buy a new pair of jeans or should I pretend that I'm still young enough to wear non-jean trousers, and if so what? Or maybe I should patch them, after all everything seems to be going back to the 1970s.
Right on cue: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/nov/20/are-the-2020s-really-like-living-back-in-the-1970s-i-wish-
I'm going to swap my jeans for a flowing floral midi dress!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 20 November, 2021, 12:13:52 pm
Kool in the kaftan/love 'n' peace, man (https://youtu.be/v2ETPZgApwE)?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 20 November, 2021, 12:43:03 pm
Of for an “Afghan” coat. On a school cruise in the Med, we visited Istanbul. Some brave souls bought “Afghan” coats. Sadly the blow fly eggs on the improperly tanned leather hatched in the dormitories.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 20 November, 2021, 12:51:53 pm
None of the 20-odd Afghans I met a month or so ago was wearing an Afghan coat. But it is now 2021 not 1971. Come to that, none of them was wearing a "flowing floral midi dress" either!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 22 November, 2021, 08:29:42 pm
Has anyone tried buy a torch recently. I’m not looking for anything fancy, I don’t want a light sabre, I doesn’t need to be waterproof to 10 bar (mores the pity) it doesn’t need to light up half of Suffolk. I just want a rugged torch I can keep in the kitchen draw that will work when it needs to and is powerful enough to reach the end of the garden. (About 50m).

It’s a bloody minefield. There are actually web retailers, multiple, who sell nothing but torches. I’m going for a lie down.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 22 November, 2021, 08:37:29 pm
My luvverly Revo Supersignal radio is playing up.   It still works, but the alarm function hasn't been waking me up & when I go to try & reset the times it says "not saved"  ???     I may need to try the "Factory Reset" button.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 22 November, 2021, 09:31:33 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 22 November, 2021, 08:37:29 pm
My luvverly Revo Supersignal radio is playing up.   It still works, but the alarm function hasn't been waking me up & when I go to try & reset the times it says "not saved"  ???     I may need to try the "Factory Reset" button.

Has it got some sort of clock backup flattery that might be batt?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 22 November, 2021, 09:56:06 pm
Gah! I'm fed up of arguing the toss with students over whether they need to wear their labcoats (they do). Or whether I have to kick them out of the workshop when I go home and not let them work till security come round to lock the building up properly (I do).

All because the main tech for the area doesn't enforce said rules. So the students are (rightly) annoyed at the mixed instructions. "But X doesn't make us." Which, yeah sure, but I've been told that I must apply these rules so...

This is a department I only help out in as well. I got voluntold to be workshop cover for the main tech who only works Tues-Fri. And when this started (a couple years ago) I had a discussion with him saying that I don't wanna be standing there looking like a idiot saying one thing whilst he says another so can we just stick to the same page? Knowing he has previous form for just not enforcing things. To which he agreed. That lasted all of two weeks.

And he wants me to help him out on the days he's in but too busy to do it all himself. Well I can't do that without completely losing my stick to the rule thing I do on Mondays. Unless I run round enforcing things whilst he's saying it's not a problem.

He's a nice enough guy to chat to but by God he's an awful cow-orker.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 22 November, 2021, 10:13:22 pm
Quote from: Kim on 22 November, 2021, 09:31:33 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 22 November, 2021, 08:37:29 pm
My luvverly Revo Supersignal radio is playing up.   It still works, but the alarm function hasn't been waking me up & when I go to try & reset the times it says "not saved"  ???     I may need to try the "Factory Reset" button.

Has it got some sort of clock backup flattery that might be batt?


Not to my knowledge, it’s a mains powered unit. The factory reset didn’t do much.  It scans OK for DAB stations but doesn’t for FM, manual scanning works (and it’s only used for R3 anyway) but it’s not waking me up!


They used to be made in Scotland but were taken over by a German firm & the support is over there now. Sufficiently expensive to be worth repairing if it could be done, but shipping & possible post Brexit bollocks are a deterrent.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 22 November, 2021, 10:37:55 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 10 November, 2021, 08:20:00 pm
Fecking merino thermals with stupidly placed seams have rubbed my oxters red raw  :'(
I won't be buying Isobaa again.

Isobaa is one of those I get on with very well, obviously my oxters are compatible. Though I do have a pair of winter tights I can't wear on the recumbent, they chafe in a very unpleasant location :'(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 22 November, 2021, 10:49:27 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 16 November, 2021, 09:25:03 am
Bugger. My wife dropped a dinner plate yesterday, whilst emptying the dishwasher.  We only have had 4 of that size to start with. It's Denby, but carries no marks, and is a plain grey-brown. The last time one was broken was over 25 years ago, and that ones replacement was a patterened rather than plain one.  I fear we'll struggle to find a replacement to match either the patterned or plain, especaily as we have no idea what the designs are called.

Same problem, our wedding china is a Denby blue, about three years later it was discontinued. Some of the remainders are safely chipped and we bought a bunch of plain white backups a couple of years ago
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 22 November, 2021, 11:00:46 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 22 November, 2021, 08:29:42 pm
Has anyone tried buy a torch recently. I’m not looking for anything fancy, I don’t want a light sabre, I doesn’t need to be waterproof to 10 bar (mores the pity) it doesn’t need to light up half of Suffolk. I just want a rugged torch I can keep in the kitchen draw that will work when it needs to and is powerful enough to reach the end of the garden. (About 50m).

It’s a bloody minefield. There are actually web retailers, multiple, who sell nothing but torches. I’m going for a lie down.


I have a little AAA keyring light & also a camping  headtorch by Olight, but they've got very spendy recently.  Fenix are decent.   Alternatively get a 2nd hand Maglite off Evilbay & stick an LED in place of the bulb.  Bright light & burglar bashing goodness. 


Heinnie's have a decent selection & an excellent reputation for customer service if you need it. https://heinnie.com/lighting/flashlights/?sort=avgcustomerreview
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: lissotriton on 23 November, 2021, 12:28:32 am
+1 for Fenix torches, though not exactly cheap.

Or Lidl have a torch this week, £15. Looks pretty decent specs. I think USB charging is handy for everyday use. https://www.lidl.co.uk/p/christmas-decorations/crivit-rechargeable-led-torch/p47714
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 23 November, 2021, 01:18:13 am
I haz one o'these (https://www.harborfreight.com/3-12-in-led-mini-flashlight-63599.html), which is a splendid thing, doubly so if you get it as a freebie, but probably unobtanium in the Land of the Eastern Angles.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 23 November, 2021, 10:20:07 am
Quote from: ElyDave on 22 November, 2021, 10:49:27 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 16 November, 2021, 09:25:03 am
Bugger. My wife dropped a dinner plate yesterday, whilst emptying the dishwasher.  We only have had 4 of that size to start with. It's Denby, but carries no marks, and is a plain grey-brown. The last time one was broken was over 25 years ago, and that ones replacement was a patterened rather than plain one.  I fear we'll struggle to find a replacement to match either the patterned or plain, especaily as we have no idea what the designs are called.

Same problem, our wedding china is a Denby blue, about three years later it was discontinued. Some of the remainders are safely chipped and we bought a bunch of plain white backups a couple of years ago

My (first) wedding china was Denby Romance.  Whilst we were engaged, we went and chose it, and the nice lady said "Oh, that pattern will be in production for 20 years at least".  Er, it was discontinued before we were even married!  We had to spend all our wedding present money on buying stuff to complete the set, including spending half our honeymoon trawling shops who had stock left.  I suppose that was an indicator for the marriage, which lasted about 8 years.
We (the 2nd Mrs W, with 27 years endurance award) are still using that china on a daily basis, although we did buy a set of plain white stuff when we moved house.  Obviously it wasn't Denby, as I wouldn't trust them again!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 23 November, 2021, 10:53:58 am
Quote from: Beardy on 22 November, 2021, 08:29:42 pm
Has anyone tried buy a torch recently. I’m not looking for anything fancy, I don’t want a light sabre, I doesn’t need to be waterproof to 10 bar (mores the pity) it doesn’t need to light up half of Suffolk. I just want a rugged torch I can keep in the kitchen draw that will work when it needs to and is powerful enough to reach the end of the garden. (About 50m).

It’s a bloody minefield. There are actually web retailers, multiple, who sell nothing but torches. I’m going for a lie down.
Head torch or hand held? USB rechargeable, AAs or 18650? Capable of multiple colours? Variable beam width? Metal or plastic body? Do you want your initials engraved on it? Metric or Imperial lumens?

(Fenix are good, as others have said.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 23 November, 2021, 01:15:54 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 23 November, 2021, 10:53:58 am
Quote from: Beardy on 22 November, 2021, 08:29:42 pm
Has anyone tried buy a torch recently. I’m not looking for anything fancy, I don’t want a light sabre, I doesn’t need to be waterproof to 10 bar (mores the pity) it doesn’t need to light up half of Suffolk. I just want a rugged torch I can keep in the kitchen draw that will work when it needs to and is powerful enough to reach the end of the garden. (About 50m).

It’s a bloody minefield. There are actually web retailers, multiple, who sell nothing but torches. I’m going for a lie down.
Head torch or hand held? USB rechargeable, AAs or 18650? Capable of multiple colours? Variable beam width? Metal or plastic body? Do you want your initials engraved on it? Metric or Imperial lumens?

(Fenix are good, as others have said.)
You’re not funny Mr Cudz and you’re not helping either  >:(
 :P
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 23 November, 2021, 02:59:52 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 23 November, 2021, 01:15:54 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 23 November, 2021, 10:53:58 am
Quote from: Beardy on 22 November, 2021, 08:29:42 pm
Has anyone tried buy a torch recently. I’m not looking for anything fancy, I don’t want a light sabre, I doesn’t need to be waterproof to 10 bar (mores the pity) it doesn’t need to light up half of Suffolk. I just want a rugged torch I can keep in the kitchen draw that will work when it needs to and is powerful enough to reach the end of the garden. (About 50m).

It’s a bloody minefield. There are actually web retailers, multiple, who sell nothing but torches. I’m going for a lie down.
Head torch or hand held? USB rechargeable, AAs or 18650? Capable of multiple colours? Variable beam width? Metal or plastic body? Do you want your initials engraved on it? Metric or Imperial lumens?

(Fenix are good, as others have said.)
You’re not funny Mr Cudz and you’re not helping either  >:(
 :P

Yeah he completely overlooked Bluetooth...  :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 23 November, 2021, 05:46:54 pm
Quote from: Kim on 23 November, 2021, 02:59:52 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 23 November, 2021, 01:15:54 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 23 November, 2021, 10:53:58 am
Quote from: Beardy on 22 November, 2021, 08:29:42 pm
Has anyone tried buy a torch recently. I’m not looking for anything fancy, I don’t want a light sabre, I doesn’t need to be waterproof to 10 bar (mores the pity) it doesn’t need to light up half of Suffolk. I just want a rugged torch I can keep in the kitchen draw that will work when it needs to and is powerful enough to reach the end of the garden. (About 50m).

It’s a bloody minefield. There are actually web retailers, multiple, who sell nothing but torches. I’m going for a lie down.
Head torch or hand held? USB rechargeable, AAs or 18650? Capable of multiple colours? Variable beam width? Metal or plastic body? Do you want your initials engraved on it? Metric or Imperial lumens?

(Fenix are good, as others have said.)
You’re not funny Mr Cudz and you’re not helping either  >:(
 :P

Yeah he completely overlooked Bluetooth...  :demon:

And of course the obligatory smartphone app to adjust brightness etc.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 23 November, 2021, 08:21:19 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 22 November, 2021, 10:37:55 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 10 November, 2021, 08:20:00 pm
Fecking merino thermals with stupidly placed seams have rubbed my oxters red raw  :'(
I won't be buying Isobaa again.

Isobaa is one of those I get on with very well, obviously my oxters are compatible. Though I do have a pair of winter tights I can't wear on the recumbent, they chafe in a very unpleasant location :'(

I'm not entirely sure if it's just the Isobaa that's chafing or if the Alpkit fleece I was wearing on top is part of the problem. Not happy with the way Isobaa washes anyway.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 24 November, 2021, 11:33:25 am
Quote from: rafletcher on 23 November, 2021, 05:46:54 pm
Quote from: Kim on 23 November, 2021, 02:59:52 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 23 November, 2021, 01:15:54 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 23 November, 2021, 10:53:58 am
Quote from: Beardy on 22 November, 2021, 08:29:42 pm
Has anyone tried buy a torch recently. I’m not looking for anything fancy, I don’t want a light sabre, I doesn’t need to be waterproof to 10 bar (mores the pity) it doesn’t need to light up half of Suffolk. I just want a rugged torch I can keep in the kitchen draw that will work when it needs to and is powerful enough to reach the end of the garden. (About 50m).

It’s a bloody minefield. There are actually web retailers, multiple, who sell nothing but torches. I’m going for a lie down.
Head torch or hand held? USB rechargeable, AAs or 18650? Capable of multiple colours? Variable beam width? Metal or plastic body? Do you want your initials engraved on it? Metric or Imperial lumens?

(Fenix are good, as others have said.)
You’re not funny Mr Cudz and you’re not helping either  >:(
 :P

Yeah he completely overlooked Bluetooth...  :demon:

And of course the obligatory smartphone app to adjust brightness etc.
My smartphone has a built-in torch. It's actually quite useful but wouldn't illuminate Beardy's garden. Unless I was in Beardy's garden at the time.

Seriously, I'd say you have two basic decisions:
1. head torch or hand held?
2. power source?
   (I have loads of rechargeable AAs hanging around and a recharger; you might have an equally whimsical reason for preferring, say, 18650s)

Then just set a budget and go.

Alternatively, don't you have any bike lights that would serve the same function?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Paul on 24 November, 2021, 02:45:02 pm
Bloody leaf blowers.

There, I’ve said it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 24 November, 2021, 02:51:59 pm
Quote from: Paul on 24 November, 2021, 02:45:02 pm
Bloody leaf blowers.

There, I’ve said it.

And bloody garden vacuums too.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 24 November, 2021, 02:56:15 pm
Our gardeners use a blower. I'm pretty sure it would be faster and less hassle (and far quieter) to simply use a rake and/or brush.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 24 November, 2021, 03:46:14 pm
I'm fairly sure they must be on Mr Larrington's list but slow bullets would be wasted on them. Just tie them to a stake in front of a squad of leaf blowers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 24 November, 2021, 06:27:27 pm
Oi, plumbing!  Bad enough that you have started groaning again even though it ent summer no MOAR but worse is you waiting until I'm halfway down the bloody stairs before starting to ululate, thereby preventing me from jibbling the cold tap to shut you up :hand:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 24 November, 2021, 07:51:52 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 22 November, 2021, 10:13:22 pm
Quote from: Kim on 22 November, 2021, 09:31:33 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 22 November, 2021, 08:37:29 pm
My luvverly Revo Supersignal radio is playing up.   It still works, but the alarm function hasn't been waking me up & when I go to try & reset the times it says "not saved"  ???     I may need to try the "Factory Reset" button.

Has it got some sort of clock backup flattery that might be batt?


Not to my knowledge, it’s a mains powered unit. The factory reset didn’t do much.  It scans OK for DAB stations but doesn’t for FM, manual scanning works (and it’s only used for R3 anyway) but it’s not waking me up!

They used to be made in Scotland but were taken over by a German firm & the support is over there now. Sufficiently expensive to be worth repairing if it could be done, but shipping & possible post Brexit bollocks are a deterrent.



The German owners referred me to the UK support people who say send it to us & we'll see what we can do.  Please include a £24 handling charge in case we need to send the lifeless carcass back to you.  Repair & pats will of course be extra. 


It works perfectly well as a radio, and as I'm working at home I don't really need an alarm clock, but I like being woken by the dulcet tones of Petroc Trelawney without having to grope for the remote to turn it on.   ???


I suspect a repair will be spendy (if they pay their techs properly) so may have to live with it.  Bah.  Nothing lasts anymore. 

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 25 November, 2021, 10:57:07 am
I've just been phone-spammed by the fucking Jehovah's Witnesses >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 25 November, 2021, 12:43:52 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 25 November, 2021, 10:57:07 am
I've just been phone-spammed by the fucking Jehovah's Witnesses >:(
That is the funniest thing I've heard all day! Sorry Mr Larrington but it really is.

I do hope the call was recorded for training purposes.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 25 November, 2021, 12:50:35 pm
I want to organise a weekend in London for January or early February.  It looks like they are fettling the West Coast Main Line as I can't book a damn ticket.  "Timetable unconfirmed".   >:(


Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 25 November, 2021, 06:30:27 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 25 November, 2021, 12:43:52 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 25 November, 2021, 10:57:07 am
I've just been phone-spammed by the fucking Jehovah's Witnesses >:(
That is the funniest thing I've heard all day! Sorry Mr Larrington but it really is.

I do hope the call was recorded for training purposes.

Fortunately the rnsering machine took care of it but if she phones again I may get sweary.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 25 November, 2021, 07:00:20 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 25 November, 2021, 06:30:27 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 25 November, 2021, 12:43:52 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 25 November, 2021, 10:57:07 am
I've just been phone-spammed by the fucking Jehovah's Witnesses >:(
That is the funniest thing I've heard all day! Sorry Mr Larrington but it really is.

I do hope the call was recorded for training purposes.

Fortunately the rnsering machine took care of it but if she phones again I may get sweary.

Alternatively, ask them if they have a few minutes to talk about halibut. :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 25 November, 2021, 07:13:15 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec
Quote from: Mr Larrington
I've just been phone-spammed by the fucking Jehovah's Witnesses >:(
That is the funniest thing I've heard all day! Sorry Mr Larrington but it really is.

I do hope the call was recorded for training purposes.

Fortunately the rnsering machine took care of it but if she phones again I may get sweary.
I had an enjoyable time the other day calling, "Steve from 'Microsoft'" a fraud, a swindler, liar and a thief and when he told me to, "Mind my language." repeated the accusation with added swearing.  Most satisfying. Won't stop him of course, but it made *me* feel better.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: grams on 25 November, 2021, 08:33:33 pm
Quote from: TheLurker on 25 November, 2021, 07:13:15 pm
I had an enjoyable time the other day calling, "Steve from 'Microsoft'" a fraud, a swindler, liar and a thief and when he told me to, "Mind my language." repeated the accusation with added swearing.  Most satisfying. Won't stop him of course, but it made *me* feel better.

He's not taken it well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WW2JWIv6G8
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hubner on 25 November, 2021, 08:59:24 pm
People who play "games" in supermarket checkout queues.

Two people are shopping together, each with their basket, they split up and join separate queues, then one of them push into the faster moving queue where their friend is.

A person joins a queue and puts down their trolley/basket, then goes off to do more shopping, then expects their trolley/basket to keep their "place" in the queue.

They probably think they're being really clever, don't they realise to everyone else they're just being utter prats??

JUST QUEUE LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE!!

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hatler on 25 November, 2021, 10:54:08 pm
Quote from: grams on 25 November, 2021, 08:33:33 pm

He's not taken it well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WW2JWIv6G8
What an absolute cock.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 26 November, 2021, 12:02:06 am
Anyone attempting to use a trolley to bagsy a place in the queue round 'ere will get the same treatment as towels on sun loungers got from an Aussie witnessed by the Elder Larringtons somewhere warm, viz. “Look, mate, where I come from it's bums that bag seats, not bloody towels!”
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 26 November, 2021, 12:19:49 am
The only game to play in the supermarket is to challenge the checkout operator to guess how much your shopping costs. Closest to the total wins. Tell them if you get it spot on, they pay.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 26 November, 2021, 01:48:07 am
Mum trained Kid Brother to tot up approximate trolley costs, as she pushed him around in the seat on top.

They'd then shock the checkout bod by getting it right...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 26 November, 2021, 07:46:21 am
Quote from: Kim on 23 November, 2021, 02:59:52 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 23 November, 2021, 01:15:54 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 23 November, 2021, 10:53:58 am
Quote from: Beardy on 22 November, 2021, 08:29:42 pm
Has anyone tried buy a torch recently. I’m not looking for anything fancy, I don’t want a light sabre, I doesn’t need to be waterproof to 10 bar (mores the pity) it doesn’t need to light up half of Suffolk. I just want a rugged torch I can keep in the kitchen draw that will work when it needs to and is powerful enough to reach the end of the garden. (About 50m).

It’s a bloody minefield. There are actually web retailers, multiple, who sell nothing but torches. I’m going for a lie down.
Head torch or hand held? USB rechargeable, AAs or 18650? Capable of multiple colours? Variable beam width? Metal or plastic body? Do you want your initials engraved on it? Metric or Imperial lumens?

(Fenix are good, as others have said.)
You’re not funny Mr Cudz and you’re not helping either  >:(
 :P

Yeah he completely overlooked Bluetooth...  :demon:

And the ability to flash (geddit?) custom firmware into the torch so that you can change the UI. I was surprised to find that is a thing when looking for a new headtorch recently.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 26 November, 2021, 09:39:47 am
Quote from: MattH on 26 November, 2021, 07:46:21 am
Quote from: Kim on 23 November, 2021, 02:59:52 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 23 November, 2021, 01:15:54 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 23 November, 2021, 10:53:58 am
Quote from: Beardy on 22 November, 2021, 08:29:42 pm
Has anyone tried buy a torch recently. I’m not looking for anything fancy, I don’t want a light sabre, I doesn’t need to be waterproof to 10 bar (mores the pity) it doesn’t need to light up half of Suffolk. I just want a rugged torch I can keep in the kitchen draw that will work when it needs to and is powerful enough to reach the end of the garden. (About 50m).

It’s a bloody minefield. There are actually web retailers, multiple, who sell nothing but torches. I’m going for a lie down.
Head torch or hand held? USB rechargeable, AAs or 18650? Capable of multiple colours? Variable beam width? Metal or plastic body? Do you want your initials engraved on it? Metric or Imperial lumens?

(Fenix are good, as others have said.)
You’re not funny Mr Cudz and you’re not helping either  >:(
 :P

Yeah he completely overlooked Bluetooth...  :demon:

And the ability to flash (geddit?) custom firmware into the torch so that you can change the UI. I was surprised to find that is a thing when looking for a new headtorch recently.

To be fair, the Bluetooth/App gubbins on my head torch has been useful for exactly that reason: It allowed me to configure it to start at the dimmest brightness setting and step upwards, rather than vice-versa (as most torchy things are inexplicably programmed to do).  Having done that, I turned the Bluetooth off and haven't really touched it since.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nuttycyclist on 26 November, 2021, 09:59:31 am
Dear dog owner, thank you for picking up the mess and bagging it.

My front garden is NOT a council operated dog poo bin. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 26 November, 2021, 12:10:59 pm
Took the day off because we had exciting plans somewhere in the wildest Sussexes (involving mud, beer, and steam trains).

Instead, sitting here waiting for the garage to call because the 'part didn't arrive.' It had better arrive soon.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 28 November, 2021, 02:21:21 pm
I'm fairly sure I have not one but two spare sets of cleats somewhere.

Can I find either? No, of course not. The moment I order some though...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 28 November, 2021, 03:22:30 pm
Dear Members of the Public, trade counters are NOT showrooms!

Do your research about what you want *before* rocking up at the counter.
Preferably, from home. Then present yourself at the counter for click-and-collect, take your stuffs and leave.
But if you must, there's a laminated catalog on a desk in the corner. Stand quietly in the corner, make your selections, write the part numbers on the slip provided, then present yourself at the counter.

Pls not to be rocking up with only the vaguest idea of what you think you might want, then spending 30 mins asking for advice, wanting to see each and every thing.
If that's what you need, pls to be going to a showroom staffed with people who's job it is to offer advice and demo the stuffs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 28 November, 2021, 03:34:07 pm
Quote from: Feanor on 28 November, 2021, 03:22:30 pm

Pls not to be rocking up with only the vaguest idea of what you think you might want, then spending 30 mins asking for advice, wanting to see each and every thing.
That's what internet flora are for  ;D

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 28 November, 2021, 04:33:05 pm
Quote from: Feanor on 28 November, 2021, 03:22:30 pm
Dear Members of the Public, trade counters are NOT showrooms!

Do your research about what you want *before* rocking up at the counter.
Preferably, from home. Then present yourself at the counter for click-and-collect, take your stuffs and leave.
But if you must, there's a laminated catalog on a desk in the corner. Stand quietly in the corner, make your selections, write the part numbers on the slip provided, then present yourself at the counter.

Pls not to be rocking up with only the vaguest idea of what you think you might want, then spending 30 mins asking for advice, wanting to see each and every thing.
If that's what you need, pls to be going to a showroom staffed with people who's job it is to offer advice and demo the stuffs.

Ah - sounds familiar as I waited to be served for my online order from Screwfix this morning
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Giraffe on 29 November, 2021, 07:43:43 am
I did need to look at one item in Screwfix. It was a combination square and I needed to know if it was reflective. The old one had spots of rust on the scale and shiny metal, so was difficult to read at some angles to the light. No point in buying another shiny one.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 29 November, 2021, 08:48:04 am
Quote from: Giraffe on 29 November, 2021, 07:43:43 am
I did need to look at one item in Screwfix. It was a combination square and I needed to know if it was reflective. The old one had spots of rust on the scale and shiny metal, so was difficult to read at some angles to the light. No point in buying another shiny one.

Buy a Bahco square - excellent and, at least mine has, black scale lines in the engraving to make it easier to see.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 29 November, 2021, 09:22:44 am
Yes I agree there are times when you *do* need to inspect something.
Like when the description on the website is inadequate, missing important things like dimensions or thread sizes etc.

Rather than trying to maintain their own description I'd far rather they just provided the manufacturers p/n so I could go look it up myself!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 29 November, 2021, 09:29:28 am
As a DIYer there have been occasions when I’ve known what I need, but not what it is called and on such occasions the Trade Counter bod has been a source of great knowledge. Admittedly, in these days of t’ internet I’ve mostly been able,to find out what it’s called, but on those occasions when my Google fu has deserted me, I claim the right to ‘ask a friend’.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 29 November, 2021, 06:35:15 pm
My new forks have arrived for my commute bike and on unwrapping the paint on the back of the crown and partway up the steerer is bubbly and cracked/peeling.

Why can't things just be simple for once?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cygnet on 29 November, 2021, 08:18:27 pm
Creators of internet forms:

If you require my DOB, do NOT put in a shitty pop up that makes me tap backwards in monthly increments from today, and disable all other means of adding that information. Too many taps   >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 29 November, 2021, 10:54:45 pm
I think my birthday would be quite recent in that situation. It’s not like I was going to give a real one anyway.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cygnet on 30 November, 2021, 10:26:06 am
Even to be 18 that's 216 taps/clicks and I expect financial service providers take an adverse view on that approach.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 30 November, 2021, 06:06:09 pm
Dear local council, I see a minor flaw in focusing your residential street parking enforcement on the hours between 9-5 pm.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 30 November, 2021, 10:14:17 pm
Quote from: cygnet on 30 November, 2021, 10:26:06 am
Even to be 18 that's 216 taps/clicks and I expect financial service providers take an adverse view on that approach.
I’m struggling to imagine an Internet forum I’d give the correct day of the year to. It’s an unnecessary level of detail that only helps those that later hack the site. Maybe I’m lacking imagination.

The right year is, just, fewer than 216 clicks away - assuming there’s a separate year control. Roughly the right age seems fine, until we’re in something way more official than a forum.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pedaldog. on 30 November, 2021, 10:15:13 pm
Quote from: ian on 30 November, 2021, 06:06:09 pm
Dear local council, I see a minor flaw in focusing your residential street parking enforcement on the hours between 9-5 pm.
Quote from: ian on 30 November, 2021, 06:06:09 pm
Dear local council, I see a minor flaw in focusing your residential street parking enforcement on the hours between 9-5 pm.

The street parking where I live is unusable for residents in "Working hours" due to being a 15 minute walk to the Town centre and various office/industrial areas.  Restricted parking due to emergency services access means that you lose your space if it's emptied for more than 10 minutes.  Paying a few quid a year for "Residents Only" rules was down voted by said residents as the majority of them, including me again, don't have cars. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Si S on 30 November, 2021, 10:26:56 pm
Quote from: perpetual dan on 30 November, 2021, 10:14:17 pm
Quote from: cygnet on 30 November, 2021, 10:26:06 am
Even to be 18 that's 216 taps/clicks and I expect financial service providers take an adverse view on that approach.
I’m struggling to imagine an Internet forum I’d give the correct day of the year to. It’s an unnecessary level of detail that only helps those that later hack the site. Maybe I’m lacking imagination.

The right year is, just, fewer than 216 clicks away - assuming there’s a separate year control. Roughly the right age seems fine, until we’re in something way more official than a forum.

 ;D

One of you is discussing an internet forum, the other an internet form.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 30 November, 2021, 10:35:52 pm
Quote from: Si S on 30 November, 2021, 10:26:56 pm
Quote from: perpetual dan on 30 November, 2021, 10:14:17 pm
Quote from: cygnet on 30 November, 2021, 10:26:06 am
Even to be 18 that's 216 taps/clicks and I expect financial service providers take an adverse view on that approach.
I’m struggling to imagine an Internet forum I’d give the correct day of the year to. It’s an unnecessary level of detail that only helps those that later hack the site. Maybe I’m lacking imagination.

The right year is, just, fewer than 216 clicks away - assuming there’s a separate year control. Roughly the right age seems fine, until we’re in something way more official than a forum.

 ;D

One of you is discussing an internet forum, the other an internet form.
:facepalm:

Those expensive new glasses that haven’t arrived yet are plainly needed!

You’re right. It must be a great deal to be trusting a company with such a crappy system! Ask them about RSI insurance maybe?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 01 December, 2021, 01:25:01 am
Quote from: Pedaldog on 30 November, 2021, 10:15:13 pm
Quote from: ian on 30 November, 2021, 06:06:09 pm
Dear local council, I see a minor flaw in focusing your residential street parking enforcement on the hours between 9-5 pm.
Quote from: ian on 30 November, 2021, 06:06:09 pm
Dear local council, I see a minor flaw in focusing your residential street parking enforcement on the hours between 9-5 pm.

The street parking where I live is unusable for residents in "Working hours" due to being a 15 minute walk to the Town centre and various office/industrial areas.  Restricted parking due to emergency services access means that you lose your space if it's emptied for more than 10 minutes.  Paying a few quid a year for "Residents Only" rules was down voted by said residents as the majority of them, including me again, don't have cars.

Round here they had a Residents Parking Wossname for places nearer the tube station than Larrington Towers, but about three years ago The Man extended it to include lots MOAR, including Larrington Towers Road and Larrington Gardens Road.  Without even asking, the bounder.  Bizarrely, you can* still park for free a stone’s throw from Leytonstone tube ???

* or could in the pre-plague era.  Central Line = very handy for gigs at Shepherds Bush Empire.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 01 December, 2021, 08:46:37 am
Quote from: Si S on 30 November, 2021, 10:26:56 pm
Quote from: perpetual dan on 30 November, 2021, 10:14:17 pm
Quote from: cygnet on 30 November, 2021, 10:26:06 am
Even to be 18 that's 216 taps/clicks and I expect financial service providers take an adverse view on that approach.
I’m struggling to imagine an Internet forum I’d give the correct day of the year to. It’s an unnecessary level of detail that only helps those that later hack the site. Maybe I’m lacking imagination.

The right year is, just, fewer than 216 clicks away - assuming there’s a separate year control. Roughly the right age seems fine, until we’re in something way more official than a forum.

 ;D

One of you is discussing an internet forum, the other an internet form.
Talking about internet forms and dates, my son's been filling in his UCAS form (for the kidless, this is university application). It asks for country of birth, which in his case was not the UK. Then it asks for date of first entry to the UK. So we were trying to work it out. I can't even remember if it was 2010 or 2011. There is no record because, of course, he has a UK passport. Then he solved the problem, to an extent, by realising that it was asking for date of first entry and he first came to the UK as a baby. So he made up a random date when he was about six months old.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 03 December, 2021, 01:05:21 pm
Received an email telling me my electricity meter needs replacing cos it's old. I know it's at least ten years old, maybe double that, but I have no idea how long these things last. I do remember someone came to replace it several years ago and was unable to because of the weird way it's wired (basically IIRC would have involved cutting off more than just us). So I ignored that email... then they sent another, so okay, I booked a time slot to have someone come and look at it, making sure it was well after Christmas. Having booked that, there was a series of questions to find out if I can have a smart meter. The result was I cannot. I'm not bothered about whether my meter is smart or dumb, but I am mildly bothered if there's a possibility it might become unsafe, and most of all I'm disgruntled because the total absence of confirmatory email or message to the effect that no smart meter = no replacement, means I have no idea whether they're actually coming to replace it or not.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: orienteer on 03 December, 2021, 02:19:15 pm
I think there is a legal requirement to replace them at intervals to ensure accuracy.

After being pressed by my supplier to fit smart meters, I gave in. The guy who turned up was too large to get into the available space under the sink unit and went away. Haven't heard from them since! The meter has been replaced before, so it is possible.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 03 December, 2021, 06:41:18 pm
The shower emitted a strange odour, a peek down the tunnel revealed festering undrained bilge in the tray. That might be connected to when I flushed the loo earlier it made a strange gurgling noise that echoed up through the shower enclosure. That's going to require a grown-up with strong stomach to fix. I have been officially accused of doing something monstrous down the toilet which I refute. I blame her hair which gets every-bloody-where. For the moment, I have poured a bottle of bleach down the hole and offered up a prayer.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 03 December, 2021, 06:49:33 pm
Hand sanitiser.
Finds all those wee cracks on your hands that you didn't know were there.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 03 December, 2021, 06:53:57 pm
Quote from: orienteer on 03 December, 2021, 02:19:15 pm
I think there is a legal requirement to replace them at intervals to ensure accuracy.


This, if it’s a mechanical counter.  Same for gas meters. We’re on our third gas meter in 22 years, but same ‘leccy as it’s digital (but not smart).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 03 December, 2021, 06:54:03 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 03 December, 2021, 01:05:21 pm
Received an email telling me my electricity meter needs replacing cos it's old. I know it's at least ten years old, maybe double that, but I have no idea how long these things last. I do remember someone came to replace it several years ago and was unable to because of the weird way it's wired (basically IIRC would have involved cutting off more than just us). So I ignored that email... then they sent another, so okay, I booked a time slot to have someone come and look at it, making sure it was well after Christmas. Having booked that, there was a series of questions to find out if I can have a smart meter. The result was I cannot. I'm not bothered about whether my meter is smart or dumb, but I am mildly bothered if there's a possibility it might become unsafe, and most of all I'm disgruntled because the total absence of confirmatory email or message to the effect that no smart meter = no replacement, means I have no idea whether they're actually coming to replace it or not.

My not very old electricity meter was replaced with a Smart meter in 2017.

The technician at the time was unable to switch of the mains as the switch had seized and he couldn't budge it.

The display on my smart meter is now blank. It stopped communicating with the mother ship when all the small electricity suppliers went bust. They sent a meter reader round in September but I can't read a blank meter...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 03 December, 2021, 07:03:04 pm
The box of wormgears that measures my gassss has been attached to Larrington Towers longer than I have, what is a tad more than 24 years.  The anbarism one is bit younger.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 03 December, 2021, 07:31:40 pm
Our leccy meter is digital. I'm not too fussed whether they actually replace it or not, I'd just like them to tell me whether someone's going to turn up on the appointed day.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 03 December, 2021, 07:32:38 pm
I wasn't sure they'd be able to smarter our meter as we had it imprisoned in a special – and tight – dungeon of understair IT shame when we had this place refurbished. I can get in there but a fat bloke, no way. Fortunately, the engineer was part ferret and wriggled right on in.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 03 December, 2021, 09:27:35 pm
My electric and gas meters are mounted in white cabinets on an external wall, which you can see on StreetView.

Man came to install Smart gas meter on a rainy day in June this year.

Said it wasn't safe if he couldn't disconnect leccy.

I said switch was seized so I don't have a smart gas meter and my leccy meter seems in trouble.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 03 December, 2021, 10:43:52 pm
Is it normal to have a switch upstream of the meter in a domestic installation?  Normally you just get a fuse at the cut-out, and any switching is downstream of the meter.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Giraffe on 04 December, 2021, 09:29:44 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 03 December, 2021, 06:54:03 pm

My not very old electricity meter was replaced with a Smart meter in 2017.

The technician at the time was unable to switch of the mains as the switch had seized and he couldn't budge it.

The display on my smart meter is now blank. It stopped communicating with the mother ship when all the small electricity suppliers went bust. They sent a meter reader round in September but I can't read a blank meter...
The seizure of the switch might be related to a certain incident in Jan. 2000 that involved a Big Bang and Sparkle and needed a "nengineer" to replace the fusey thing that was blown to hell.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 04 December, 2021, 05:03:54 pm
Quote from: Kim on 03 December, 2021, 10:43:52 pm
Is it normal to have a switch upstream of the meter in a domestic installation?  Normally you just get a fuse at the cut-out, and any switching is downstream of the meter.

That’s what I’m used to, a FOB fuse to be pulled to isolate the entire property, just upstream of the meter.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 04 December, 2021, 08:05:34 pm
FOB not being free on board? I've been spending too much time looking at trading of LNG and similar lately
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 06 December, 2021, 03:05:03 pm
So I've been buying Tesco Finest Columbian instant coffee. It was arond £15 a kilo.  It seems to hae been replaced with a "microground" instant Columbian coffee - at £25 a kilo. Bastards.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: orienteer on 06 December, 2021, 03:11:11 pm
Coffee prices are soaring world-wide due to poor harvests and increasing demand, especially from China.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 06 December, 2021, 03:29:06 pm
Coffee is current about $5/kg (peaked earlier this year at about $9) - droughts and a severe frost decimated Brazilian harvests, there are numerous covid-era logistical issues, and arabica has increasingly susceptibility to diseases compounded by global warming. Prices will only go up.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 06 December, 2021, 03:29:59 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 06 December, 2021, 03:05:03 pm
So I've been buying Tesco Finest Columbian instant coffee. It was arond £15 a kilo.  It seems to hae been replaced with a "microground" instant Columbian coffee - at £25 a kilo. Bastards.
Soviet-model price evolution.
(There was officially no inflation in the Soviet Union, because Marxism-Leninism. But every so often the, eg, No 1 Turkmenistan wholewheat loaf would be replaced by the N0 1 Uzbekistan wholewheat loaf, to which it bore a remarkable resemblance but the price was higher.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 07 December, 2021, 01:10:21 pm
The Graun have modified (b0z0rked?) their website coding and now my android tablet, so old it has a cuneiform font, doesn't display all the sections.  The bloody football's still there, though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 07 December, 2021, 01:21:29 pm
It's okay, the only thing you're missing is them using a stock photo of skyscrapers in the United Arab Emirates to illustrate a story about the University of East Angular.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 07 December, 2021, 02:30:15 pm
Actually, today they've used some academic buildings in Norwich to illustrate a story about the United Arab Emirates introducing a four-and-a-half day working week.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/07/uae-cuts-working-week-and-shifts-weekend-back-a-day
(https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/924b7f4637d38041cb2956d02f7242345ee6b63d/0_268_4229_2538/master/4229.jpg?width=620&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=8a1d3194f73d1eb8ea8dc70db0c2b883)
You can tell it's not the UAE because of the UK-style road cone and triangular road sign.

(Also, yay UAE! Though I'm mighty suspicious of their motives.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 07 December, 2021, 02:32:47 pm
Blue sky and palm trees? That ain't Norwich.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 07 December, 2021, 02:35:35 pm
Wot!! Wowbagger is always telling us how the east is much drier and sunnier!!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 07 December, 2021, 03:47:15 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 07 December, 2021, 02:35:35 pm
Wot!! Wowbagger is always telling us how the east is much drier and sunnier!!
yeah, but he’s significantly more east (and south) than narich. Fsvo significant obv.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 07 December, 2021, 09:24:13 pm
That feeling you get when you log in somewhere, get the password right and then it asks you security questions. The name of your first and last school.
That's not what we have on our records.
Well they're wrong then.  :-\
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TimC on 08 December, 2021, 04:38:44 am
Quote from: Beardy on 07 December, 2021, 03:47:15 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 07 December, 2021, 02:35:35 pm
Wot!! Wowbagger is always telling us how the east is much drier and sunnier!!
yeah, but he’s significantly more east (and south) than narich. Fsvo significant obv.

Think you need to check your geography!

Also, Naarch has no buildings over 3 storeys high. They’d get blown over.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 08 December, 2021, 09:22:48 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 07 December, 2021, 09:24:13 pm
That feeling you get when you log in somewhere, get the password right and then it asks you security questions. The name of your first and last school.
That's not what we have on our records.
Well they're wrong then.  :-\

Yeah, arguing with a computer over where you first went to school. I definitely did go there.

I don't do the first pet one, but that was at least 36 gerbils (probably more, but I ended up with two in the end with fewer than four ears). Don't send your child to the pet shop with little knowledge of sexual reproduction and a stipulation to buy 'two girls' or 'two boys.'
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hatler on 08 December, 2021, 11:09:07 am
My previous employer implemented a new identity management system.

There were a selection of 'Only you could possibly know' type questions to aid identity verification.

Make of first car
Town where you were born
Favourite colour
Father's first name

The answers to all of which were four letters or fewer.

Guess what ?  Yep, answers had to be five letters or more.

I complained to IT and their helpful suggestion was to 'make an answer up'.

Fools.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 08 December, 2021, 11:16:13 am
Easy

Subaru
Heanor
Puce
Ask my mum.

Next!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 08 December, 2021, 12:39:31 pm
Or just give the same word for all of them.  Following the example set by Spike Milligan on “Blankety-Blank”, “Truss” seems like a good'un.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 08 December, 2021, 03:43:46 pm
Moist.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Zipperhead on 08 December, 2021, 05:25:23 pm
Quote from: ian on 08 December, 2021, 09:22:48 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 07 December, 2021, 09:24:13 pm
That feeling you get when you log in somewhere, get the password right and then it asks you security questions. The name of your first and last school.
That's not what we have on our records.
Well they're wrong then.  :-\

Yeah, arguing with a computer over where you first went to school. I definitely did go there.

I don't do the first pet one, but that was at least 36 gerbils (probably more, but I ended up with two in the end

You are ******* ****(redacted) famous film star, AICMFP
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 11 December, 2021, 02:39:55 am
How long can a bloody helichopter keep circling the parish before it runs out of petril?  Bugger off, PC Biggles >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 11 December, 2021, 10:34:38 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 11 December, 2021, 02:39:55 am
How long can a bloody helichopter keep circling the parish before it runs out of petril?  Bugger off, PC Biggles >:(

Not terribly long:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-50220838
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 11 December, 2021, 07:18:13 pm
Went to the "on view" for a furniture auction yestreday and left some  "on the book" bids with the auctioneer . . .  watching the sale live online this afternoon one of my lots was knocked down to me (with the hammer falling at just less than my max bid :thumbsup:) - the auctioneer then said there an online bid from one of the bidding platforms before the hammer touched the desk and that bid trumped my maximum.  There's no question it was after the hammer fell . . .  I have complained, we'll see.

Upside is that I did get two of the items, with one substantially below my maximum bid.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hubner on 12 December, 2021, 12:42:03 pm
Wilko puncture kit's gone up to £1.60! It went up to £1.20 quite recently, I think. Before that it was £1.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 12 December, 2021, 01:55:59 pm
Deflation inflation?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 12 December, 2021, 03:30:15 pm
I miss having a boiler fed shower.
When you've come home from a cold winters pootle standing under an electric shower and its pifflous emanations just doesn't provide the same level of cosy.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 12 December, 2021, 03:32:52 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 12 December, 2021, 03:30:15 pm
I miss having a boiler fed shower.
When you've come home from a cold winters pootle standing under an electric shower and its pifflous emanations just doesn't provide the same level of cosy.

Something else for you to upgrade to at the new Pingu Towers - a pumped electric shower (I installed one at my daughter's flat and it made a significant difference)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 12 December, 2021, 03:36:46 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 12 December, 2021, 03:30:15 pm
I miss having a boiler fed shower.
When you've come home from a cold winters pootle standing under an electric shower and its pifflous emanations just doesn't provide the same level of cosy.
perhaps you need to share your shower with a pingu.  ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 12 December, 2021, 03:39:37 pm
Quote from: robgul on 12 December, 2021, 03:32:52 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 12 December, 2021, 03:30:15 pm
I miss having a boiler fed shower.
When you've come home from a cold winters pootle standing under an electric shower and its pifflous emanations just doesn't provide the same level of cosy.

Something else for you to upgrade to at the new Pingu Towers - a pumped electric shower (I installed one at my daughter's flat and it made a significant difference)

I’m thinking of one of them, as our natural head is piffling - ceiling heights of about 6ft 6” and a cold water tank on a 3ft riser. Which shower did you fit? I assume it runs off the cold water header rather than mains?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 12 December, 2021, 03:52:04 pm
It's nothing to do with low pressure in our case. More the simple fact that as the mains water gets colder the shower throttles the flow back to heat it up sufficiently. Eventual upgrade will be to a boiler fed shower. When I can find the magic beans.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 12 December, 2021, 03:56:48 pm
At my last place, I installed a pumped shower because the bathroom was upstairs, leaving only a couple of feet head of water.

I used a Stuart Turner Monsoon unit, connected to a standard bar mixer.
This was installed in the loft, as low as possible below the cold tank, because the pump does need some positive head to operate.

You need to provide dedicated high capacity feeds to the pump from both the hot and cold water tanks.
You can't just tee it into any convenient hot and cold pipes that run nearby.

Eta: A pumped shower uses stored hot water.
Any shower that does heaty-up-on-the-fly needs a serious amount of power to provide a decent shower. Either many kW of extra-tickly (10.5kW was the biggest when I last looked, requiring 16mm2 cable which is unwieldy to work with), or from a gas boiler which will be in the 20kW+ range.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 12 December, 2021, 04:07:51 pm
We had to put in an electric shower for a variety of reasons.  Even at 11kW it still reduces to a trickle in the winter  :'(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 12 December, 2021, 04:17:09 pm
What I’m looking for is a pump assisted mixer shower, a I don’t really like power showers, I just need a small boost, maybe 2m extra head. Not sure that’s something that exists.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 12 December, 2021, 04:25:43 pm
What do you not like about Power Showers? From your description of what you want it sounds very similar to what's at my mum's. Cold tank in the loft, stored hot water along the hall with a pump to encourage it along. I wouldn't describe what comes out of the shower as 'Power' but perfectly acceptable. The pump is a bit noisy though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 12 December, 2021, 04:32:22 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 12 December, 2021, 04:25:43 pm
What do you not like about Power Showers? From your description of what you want it sounds very similar to what's at my mum's. Cold tank in the loft, stored hot water along the hall with a pump to encourage it along. I wouldn't describe what comes out of the shower as 'Power' but perfectly acceptable. The pump is a bit noisy though.

“Power Showers”, or those that I’ve experienced, were so forceful the spray went everywhere (and with a shower curtain, sucked it in) and emptied the tank in short order. I guess it still is a power shower I want, just a bit of a weedy one! One with small pumps built into the box on the wall,  as opposed to a larger pair of inline ones under the bath.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 12 December, 2021, 06:05:03 pm
Shirley the forcefulness of a shower is adjustable by twiddling the knob?  With a power shower you can twiddle between "piddly" and "pressure-washer" (with a separate knob-twiddling axis for hot-cold), and with a Pissy Landlord Electric Shower™ you can twiddle between "warm and piddly" and "arctic pressure washer".
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 12 December, 2021, 06:08:42 pm
 ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 12 December, 2021, 06:21:22 pm
We have a power shower rainfall thing that takes hot water from the cylinder. It's pretty awesome when it envelopes you in steamy wet hotness. It also has a proper digital temperature setting so there's no faff and it tells you when the water is ready. It even has a little pause after you press the on button to let you withdraw your hand. It's a very risk-averse showering experience.

On the other side of shower experiences, there was the shower I had in Ethiopia once where it really was a bit of hose pipe with a tepid trickle that I somehow had to hold with one hand and soap with the other in what must have been an entertaining spectacle because I looked up at the end to see an entire family watching the show through the broken window.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hatler on 12 December, 2021, 06:34:37 pm
We had Christmas day in the hills in Vietnam one time. It was a Soviet era hotel and the slightly manky shower with dirty cracked tiles was the low spot. Lower still was that we had to sit on the floor to be low enough such that the dribble of luke warm water had enough pressure to be squeezed out of the shower head.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 12 December, 2021, 07:17:59 pm
I think this is what Mrs P is hankering for:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49205963977_76787c1817_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2hYaqMg)
IMG_4907_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2hYaqMg) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pingus/), on Flickr
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 12 December, 2021, 07:34:57 pm
Æcellent String Technology  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 12 December, 2021, 08:19:01 pm
Ah, the Clive-o-Matic 9000, complete with patented 'spicy water' technology.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 12 December, 2021, 08:45:49 pm
I don't generally like showers.
The showers in the basement of the Royal Hallamshire Hospital were good though...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 12 December, 2021, 09:05:50 pm
Quote from: Pingu on 12 December, 2021, 07:17:59 pm
I think this is what Mrs P is hankering for:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49205963977_76787c1817_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2hYaqMg)
IMG_4907_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2hYaqMg) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pingus/), on Flickr

Oh fuck I really was worried we were going to get electrocuted by that one!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 13 December, 2021, 07:35:35 am
Quote from: Pingu on 12 December, 2021, 07:17:59 pm
I think this is what Mrs P is hankering for:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49205963977_76787c1817_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2hYaqMg)
IMG_4907_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2hYaqMg) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pingus/), on Flickr

I wouldn't do that to my moka pot.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 13 December, 2021, 04:03:52 pm
Batteries: why does one’s stash never contain enough of the size one actually needs?

Bah!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 13 December, 2021, 04:14:42 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 13 December, 2021, 04:03:52 pm
Batteries: why does one’s stash never contain enough of the size one actually needs?
Bah!

Because you do not employ the Hellibird as Keeper of Batteries, Bulbs and Divers Domestic Requisites…

GadgetCare of Middlesex.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: FifeingEejit on 13 December, 2021, 04:27:11 pm
Quote from: Kim on 03 December, 2021, 10:43:52 pm
Is it normal to have a switch upstream of the meter in a domestic installation?  Normally you just get a fuse at the cut-out, and any switching is downstream of the meter.
Hydro* fuse - meter - switch
First time I've seen this set up, seems to save sparks from snipping the wire on the hydro fuse and telling you it was like that when they got there.

* yes yes i know I'm SSEB but Hydro is impregnated in my brane. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20211213/0e29ff903acd434894ec368ad0b07896.jpg)

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: FifeingEejit on 13 December, 2021, 04:36:11 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 12 December, 2021, 04:32:22 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 12 December, 2021, 04:25:43 pm
What do you not like about Power Showers? From your description of what you want it sounds very similar to what's at my mum's. Cold tank in the loft, stored hot water along the hall with a pump to encourage it along. I wouldn't describe what comes out of the shower as 'Power' but perfectly acceptable. The pump is a bit noisy though.

“Power Showers”, or those that I’ve experienced, were so forceful the spray went everywhere (and with a shower curtain, sucked it in) and emptied the tank in short order. I guess it still is a power shower I want, just a bit of a weedy one! One with small pumps built into the box on the wall,  as opposed to a larger pair of inline ones under the bath.
The best Show I've ever had was in the changing rooms at Ninewells hospital
Due to the design of the busking being antiquated at the time there is a hot water system on level 15 or more of the tower that only exists for generation of vaccum by water drop (or something along those lines), the changing rooms are on level 5.

Not just washed but power washed.

Of course that vaccum Generation System was never used because between specification and opening someone in vented desktop vaccum generation or something.

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 13 December, 2021, 04:54:53 pm
A vented vacuum is rarely a suck cess.   ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 13 December, 2021, 05:17:43 pm
Quote from: FifeingEejit on 13 December, 2021, 04:36:11 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 12 December, 2021, 04:32:22 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 12 December, 2021, 04:25:43 pm
What do you not like about Power Showers? From your description of what you want it sounds very similar to what's at my mum's. Cold tank in the loft, stored hot water along the hall with a pump to encourage it along. I wouldn't describe what comes out of the shower as 'Power' but perfectly acceptable. The pump is a bit noisy though.

“Power Showers”, or those that I’ve experienced, were so forceful the spray went everywhere (and with a shower curtain, sucked it in) and emptied the tank in short order. I guess it still is a power shower I want, just a bit of a weedy one! One with small pumps built into the box on the wall,  as opposed to a larger pair of inline ones under the bath.
The best Show I've ever had was in the changing rooms at Ninewells hospital
Due to the design of the busking being antiquated at the time there is a hot water system on level 15 or more of the tower that only exists for generation of vaccum by water drop (or something along those lines), the changing rooms are on level 5.

Not just washed but power washed.

Of course that vaccum Generation System was never used because between specification and opening someone in vented desktop vaccum generation or something.

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk
There's nothing to match being serenaded in the shower.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 13 December, 2021, 05:42:06 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 13 December, 2021, 04:03:52 pm
Batteries: why does one’s stash never contain enough of the size one actually needs?

Forward planning by Stan at a quantum level, ensuring the forward voltage of a white LED is about right for *3* AA/AAA cells in series.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 13 December, 2021, 05:48:26 pm
Quote from: FifeingEejit on 13 December, 2021, 04:27:11 pm
Quote from: Kim on 03 December, 2021, 10:43:52 pm
Is it normal to have a switch upstream of the meter in a domestic installation?  Normally you just get a fuse at the cut-out, and any switching is downstream of the meter.
Hydro* fuse - meter - switch
First time I've seen this set up, seems to save sparks from snipping the wire on the hydro fuse and telling you it was like that when they got there.

Eminently sensible arrangement.  Usually installed because:
a) There's more than one consumer unit, and regs require a single isolator switch that kills everything.
b) Work was being done in stages (especially if by-the-book wrt getting someone in orange hi-vis to pull the cut-out fuse), and it was convenient to run the meter tails to an isolator, and jibble about with the consumer unit later.
c) Long cable run from the meter to the consumer unit in a flat conversion or similar.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 14 December, 2021, 06:02:27 pm
Quote from: T42 on 13 December, 2021, 07:35:35 am
Quote from: Pingu on 12 December, 2021, 07:17:59 pm
I think this is what Mrs P is hankering for:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49205963977_76787c1817_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2hYaqMg)
IMG_4907_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2hYaqMg) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pingus/), on Flickr

I wouldn't do that to my moka pot.
We had one like that in a hotel in China near the wall.  I was only reassured by hearing everybody else having their showers without screams or sudden changes in the lighting.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Paul on 15 December, 2021, 12:41:11 pm
Is the device on the right for summoning the towel boy?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: grams on 15 December, 2021, 01:55:54 pm
Looks like an RCD* handily placed so you can reset it if when it trips.

I could mock but my flat is so tiny I can reach the consumer unit without leaving the shower if the bathroom door is open.

* one hopes
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 15 December, 2021, 02:01:47 pm
Bin day in Smelly Oak.  I put the bins out as usual.

This morning, as is common, the general waste was uncollected.  The recycling had been collected, and the paper/cardboard 'pod' was missing, as usual.  In its place was an assortment of someone else's mixed rubbish.  I had to tip the wheeliebin out and sort through it.  There was schmoo.   >:(

I've reported the missing pod, but I don't think they can provide new ones at present, because brexit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 15 December, 2021, 02:40:46 pm
We have had a basic savings account with the Yorkshire building Society for a number of years. It’s a simple affair, virtually no interest paid at present, but it allows instant access and has an ATM card. I have perhaps twice done an electronic transfer from the account to pay for PSO flat rental deposits and the like. I’m told it also has Direct Debit facilities, but I’ve never used them.

However, YBS in their infinite wisdom have decided that they want to,be a traditional building society and have withdrawn the DD and ATM from the account, and the teller told me proudly yesterday that in the fullness of time they’ll be issuing passbooks for the account. I did ask if the people at head office had heard that the 21 century arrived some time ago now, and that as a customer all I want is a safe place to put my slush fund with an ability to get at it when I needed. She seemed unmoved.

Because YBS have ceased all their ATM cards I’m now looking for a simple account with a bank or building society that has a branch locally to pay on sundry extras, Christmas and birthday day cheques and the like, with an ATM card. Interest would be nice, but is unlikely for an instant access account. Oh, and no fees. Otherwise I’ll be investing in some shoe boxes to put under the bed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 15 December, 2021, 03:47:22 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 15 December, 2021, 02:40:46 pm
We have had a basic savings account with the Yorkshire building Society for a number of years. It’s a simple affair, virtually no interest paid at present, but it allows instant access and has an ATM card. I have perhaps twice done an electronic transfer from the account to pay for PSO flat rental deposits and the like. I’m told it also has Direct Debit facilities, but I’ve never used them.

However, YBS in their infinite wisdom have decided that they want to,be a traditional building society and have withdrawn the DD and ATM from the account, and the teller told me proudly yesterday that in the fullness of time they’ll be issuing passbooks for the account. I did ask if the people at head office had heard that the 21 century arrived some time ago now, and that as a customer all I want is a safe place to put my slush fund with an ability to get at it when I needed. She seemed unmoved.

Because YBS have ceased all their ATM cards I’m now looking for a simple account with a bank or building society that has a branch locally to pay on sundry extras, Christmas and birthday day cheques and the like, with an ATM card. Interest would be nice, but is unlikely for an instant access account. Oh, and no fees. Otherwise I’ll be investing in some shoe boxes to put under the bed.

Go with any bank, and use the Post Office facility for paying in cash and cheques. We, perforce, have to as there is no bank left in our local town, and it's 5 miles in either direction to the next, whereas we have a local PO in the next village.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 15 December, 2021, 04:36:48 pm
Quote from: grams on 15 December, 2021, 01:55:54 pm
Looks like an RCD* handily placed so you can reset it if when it trips.

I could mock but my flat is so tiny I can reach the consumer unit without leaving the shower if the bathroom door is open.

* one hopes

That's the left, not the right  ;D. I assume Paul's referring to the funnel shaped thing hanging off the wall.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ham on 15 December, 2021, 08:06:36 pm
Technology, eh? Who'd have it. My old bluetooth speaker announces it's connection, it's Bose an' proper posh. So it was quite obvious that I needed to name my work laptop "Fluffy" to have it announce "connected to Fluffy", simple things give me pleasure. Now my new headphones, Bose an' proper posh (and free with my phone) don't attempt to speak the name but spells it "F-l-u-f-f-y". Bah, humbug.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 15 December, 2021, 08:17:31 pm
Quote from: Paul on 15 December, 2021, 12:41:11 pm
Is the device on the right for summoning the towel boy?

I think it's an intimate parts sprayer.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 15 December, 2021, 08:23:57 pm
Quote from: grams on 15 December, 2021, 01:55:54 pm

I could mock but my flat is so tiny I can reach the consumer unit without leaving the shower if the bathroom door is open.

In my Paris flat late 1980s, i could lean out of my shower stir the porridge on my left, or chat with a young lady sitting on the loo on my left.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 16 December, 2021, 07:44:54 am
Quote from: rafletcher on 15 December, 2021, 03:47:22 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 15 December, 2021, 02:40:46 pm
We have had a basic savings account with the Yorkshire building Society for a number of years. It’s a simple affair, virtually no interest paid at present, but it allows instant access and has an ATM card. I have perhaps twice done an electronic transfer from the account to pay for PSO flat rental deposits and the like. I’m told it also has Direct Debit facilities, but I’ve never used them.

However, YBS in their infinite wisdom have decided that they want to,be a traditional building society and have withdrawn the DD and ATM from the account, and the teller told me proudly yesterday that in the fullness of time they’ll be issuing passbooks for the account. I did ask if the people at head office had heard that the 21 century arrived some time ago now, and that as a customer all I want is a safe place to put my slush fund with an ability to get at it when I needed. She seemed unmoved.

Because YBS have ceased all their ATM cards I’m now looking for a simple account with a bank or building society that has a branch locally to pay on sundry extras, Christmas and birthday day cheques and the like, with an ATM card. Interest would be nice, but is unlikely for an instant access account. Oh, and no fees. Otherwise I’ll be investing in some shoe boxes to put under the bed.

Go with any bank, and use the Post Office facility for paying in cash and cheques. We, perforce, have to as there is no bank left in our local town, and it's 5 miles in either direction to the next, whereas we have a local PO in the next village.

This.

We moved to Halifax 20 years ago when I was working in Solihull as there was a branch there, our nearest is now Newmarket (I think) 20-odd miles away, but we also have a LLoyds account and can do Halifax business in the branch in Ely.

You can, generally, these days also pay in cheques electronically with phone banking apps that scan the cheque for you, so physical branch location whilst nice and comfy is not strictly necessary these days.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 16 December, 2021, 09:21:17 am
Needed to seal from new window/door to barn blockwork - building foam filled the gaps, now for silicone bead on the outside.

MrsC picked up some brown sealant for me. Says 'window sealant' on the tube, but also says 'paintable', so it must be acrylic rather than silicone. Also says 'slow curing'.

Forecast good last night, no rain, little wind. So I get the most important bits done, usual messy business. Still, in and smoothed.

Check it this morning.

It hasn't even started to cure.
Also, it rained this morning and the raindrops have given my carefully-smoothed beading acne.

Probably going to have to remove all of it and redo with silicone. That will be an effing messy job.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Zipperhead on 16 December, 2021, 02:21:51 pm
Quote from: Basil on 15 December, 2021, 08:23:57 pm
Quote from: grams on 15 December, 2021, 01:55:54 pm

I could mock but my flat is so tiny I can reach the consumer unit without leaving the shower if the bathroom door is open.

In my Paris flat late 1980s, i could lean out of my shower stir the porridge on my left, or chat with a young lady sitting on the loo on my left.

Mon cher, je pense que vous avez besoin d'un léger changement de régime. Ça sent comme si quelque chose avait rampé là-haut et était mort. Soyez un cher et passez le savon, voulez-vous?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 16 December, 2021, 04:18:52 pm
I'd probably not be that formal to a young lady using the loo next to me first thing in the morning.  ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 17 December, 2021, 01:50:57 pm
Whither the double bidet?

---o0o---

Missed a parcel delivery yesterday so La Poste, may their knickers rot and drop off, left me a bit of paper telling me to go to a particular URL before midnight, enter the number on the paper and reschedule delivery.  Which I did. Result:

modification.livraison:500

500 = Internal server error

So now I have to go to a neighbouring town with a Thou-Shalt-Not-Park street system and fetch the §"$%&/( thing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 17 December, 2021, 02:02:10 pm
In the mean time, because the 500 was a failure to deliver the confirmation message, la poste will deliver the parcel to chez 42 and finding no one in willl leave another piece of paper with a similar missive. Rinse and repeat until you stop la poste wagon on the road a la Dick Turpin betwixt the two towns.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 17 December, 2021, 02:30:41 pm
Unit recalls the time Porcel Farce tried to deliver a very small but requiring a signature package to Larrington Towers.  “You were out so we left it at the sub post office up the road where it was signed for by Mr Singh”.  Sub post office denies all knowledge of either the package or Mr Singh.  Porcel Farce, both on the phone and in person, no use whatsoever.

Weeks later an e-mail from the sender appeared.  “O hai!  Your package has been returned as undeliverable to us in our bike shop in exotic Seattle.  You want we should try again?”

I got them to send it to work second time around, where it arrived safely a couple of days later.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: orienteer on 17 December, 2021, 02:52:23 pm
Something I ordered from John Lewis two weeks ago has apparently remained in Royal Mail's Milton Keynes sorting centre ever since. The tracing system provides no means of pursuing it, so I am now waiting for JL to sort it out.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 17 December, 2021, 04:39:31 pm
Whilst something I ordered from JL on Monday arrived yesterday  :smug:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: orienteer on 18 December, 2021, 05:12:28 pm
Quote from: orienteer on 17 December, 2021, 02:52:23 pm
Something I ordered from John Lewis two weeks ago has apparently remained in Royal Mail's Milton Keynes sorting centre ever since. The tracing system provides no means of pursuing it, so I am now waiting for JL to sort it out.

JL just informed me that the parcel has been "lost", they are out of stock of the items, so will refund me.

I've just ordered alternatives from JL, to be collected at my local Waitrose tomorrow, so Royal Mail is avoided.

Just thought, Royal? Maybe I should complain to Brenda.  :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 21 December, 2021, 07:46:54 am
I've had work and Mariah Carey stuck in my head since I woke at 4am.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 22 December, 2021, 06:47:52 pm
Got a bit curious about the post-war quickly built house I was born in (one of tens of thousands of that design) & did some looking up.

And stumbled across this lot of arseholes - https://www.thepropertybuyingcompany.co.uk/

They'll generously take one off your hands, presumably for not much money after having convinced you they're almost unsellable. They have plenty of faults (the insulation was crap, for example), but the gits invent others (e.g. poky little windows - completely wrong. If anything they were too big, because heat fled through their single glazing & steel frames) & mix them up with a completely different style of quick-build post war house which used a different construction method & different materials, & was designed by & named after a different architect. They also say that the house was listed in the 1985 Defective Housing Act, which is wrong. The type they mix it up was. Doh!

Just talking the price down, I expect. I wonder how many people they've ripped off? Claim to have spent about £125 million buying houses & the like, so probably quite a lot).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 22 December, 2021, 09:01:56 pm
Quote from: Bledlow on 22 December, 2021, 06:47:52 pm
Got a bit curious about the post-war quickly built house I was born in (one of tens of thousands of that design) & did some looking up.

And stumbled across this lot of arseholes - https://www.thepropertybuyingcompany.co.uk/

They'll generously take one off your hands, presumably for not much money after having convinced you they're almost unsellable. They have plenty of faults (the insulation was crap, for example), but the gits invent others (e.g. poky little windows - completely wrong. If anything they were too big, because heat fled through their single glazing & steel frames) & mix them up with a completely different style of quick-build post war house which used a different construction method & different materials, & was designed by & named after a different architect. They also say that the house was listed in the 1985 Defective Housing Act, which is wrong. The type they mix it up was. Doh!

Just talking the price down, I expect. I wonder how many people they've ripped off? Claim to have spent about £125 million buying houses & the like, so probably quite a lot).

Was the house an Airey ?  - pre-cast concrete - there were several other brands of similar construction but I can't recall the names.   They had all the characteristics you describe and over time they sort of fell apart as the reinforcing steel rusted, expanded and popped the concrete panels.  Lots of them were re-skinned with bricks and still function as reasonable dwellings today.

. . . and yes the link is a real rip-off . . . it and similar outfits have been around for a while - just a step above loan sharks preying on people.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 22 December, 2021, 11:16:16 pm
No. It was a BISF house. Steel framed & 1st floor steel-clad, like this - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BISF_house (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BISF_house) - designed to a Ministry of Works spec by Sir Frederick Gibberd.
But the arseholes said a BISF house was also known as an Airey house, was designed by Sir Edwin Airey & was "Concrete panels known as ship-lap". Load of bollocks.
https://www.thepropertybuyingcompany.co.uk/news/post/bisf-house (https://www.thepropertybuyingcompany.co.uk/news/post/bisf-house)

I hate it when people talk bollocks when they're trying to make money. Even if it's just because they're too lazy to get it right & don't give a toss, it's still dishonesty.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 22 December, 2021, 11:54:22 pm
Quote from: Bledlow on 22 December, 2021, 11:16:16 pm
...I hate it when people talk bollocks when they're trying to make money...

That's why I don't do shitverts.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 23 December, 2021, 08:29:40 am
Quote from: Bledlow on 22 December, 2021, 11:16:16 pm
No. It was a BISF house. Steel framed & 1st floor steel-clad, like this - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BISF_house (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BISF_house) - designed to a Ministry of Works spec by Sir Frederick Gibberd.
But the arseholes said a BISF house was also known as an Airey house, was designed by Sir Edwin Airey & was "Concrete panels known as ship-lap". Load of bollocks.
https://www.thepropertybuyingcompany.co.uk/news/post/bisf-house (https://www.thepropertybuyingcompany.co.uk/news/post/bisf-house)

I hate it when people talk bollocks when they're trying to make money. Even if it's just because they're too lazy to get it right & don't give a toss, it's still dishonesty.

If you were to buy just the Crittall windows today they'd probably cost more than the house when it was built . . . they've become a design-classic with price tag to match.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 23 December, 2021, 01:28:58 pm
I remember being mildly surprised to see the Crittall name on an old silo or storage tank in a farmyard a few months ago. It was in a village in Somerset. I guess that must be what they started off doing before they made windows and doors.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 23 December, 2021, 02:25:04 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 23 December, 2021, 01:28:58 pm
I remember being mildly surprised to see the Crittall name on an old silo or storage tank in a farmyard a few months ago. It was in a village in Somerset. I guess that must be what they started off doing before they made windows and doors.

I think it refers to the profiled steel used to build them - not sure of it's tha same company

http://www.bennettcropstorage.co.uk/re-use-rather-than-demolition-of-crittall-square-bins/
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 23 December, 2021, 03:24:00 pm
My glasses decided to snap in half this morning, which was somewhat annoying... >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 23 December, 2021, 03:29:57 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 23 December, 2021, 02:25:04 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 23 December, 2021, 01:28:58 pm
I remember being mildly surprised to see the Crittall name on an old silo or storage tank in a farmyard a few months ago. It was in a village in Somerset. I guess that must be what they started off doing before they made windows and doors.

I think it refers to the profiled steel used to build them - not sure of it's tha same company

http://www.bennettcropstorage.co.uk/re-use-rather-than-demolition-of-crittall-square-bins/
Quite possibly, though according to Wiki they did make curtain walling in the 1950s.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crittall_Windows#Postwar_history
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 23 December, 2021, 03:38:16 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 23 December, 2021, 02:25:04 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 23 December, 2021, 01:28:58 pm
I remember being mildly surprised to see the Crittall name on an old silo or storage tank in a farmyard a few months ago. It was in a village in Somerset. I guess that must be what they started off doing before they made windows and doors.

I think it refers to the profiled steel used to build them - not sure of it's tha same company

http://www.bennettcropstorage.co.uk/re-use-rather-than-demolition-of-crittall-square-bins/

Crittall Silos Ltd made grain storage stuff - the address was at Silver End, Braintree which is where the Crittall Windows HQ is located so probably a connection?  I think they manuafactured silos at Tolleshunt d'Arcy not that far from Braintree
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: canny colin on 24 December, 2021, 09:37:19 am
A large house in a very Posh Hamlet  in Geordieshire . Has had a very large Marquee erected ( 20 ft X 25 ft at a guess ,Two 3 axel waggon loads any way )
on the car park . For a Christmas soiree . Entitled bustards .
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 25 December, 2021, 08:33:31 am
Well, that's me pigeonholed: son's SO gave MrsT the latest Prix Goncourt winner for Christmas, while I got a low French comedy of a genre that I despise, and I suspect she does too.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 29 December, 2021, 03:54:34 pm
So we are going to a New Year's Eve do at a local restaurant with local chums.  They have asked us if we could give them an idea of what we will be ordering. I couldn't find the special menu on their website, so phoned them to ask if I was looking in the wrong place or something.
"Oh, we put it up on facebook last week"

 :facepalm:  >:( >:( Grump.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 29 December, 2021, 04:57:53 pm
Justified grump I'd say. Ask them to send a handwritten copy by cycle courier.  :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 29 December, 2021, 05:16:37 pm
Facebook != online. Honestly any business who CBA to have a basic website with info on starts to not deserve custom.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SteveC on 29 December, 2021, 05:31:11 pm
Trouble is, it's so much easier to get stuff onto Facebook than it is onto a lot of 'cheap' websites.
A lot of the pubs round here do have websites, but they are rarely up to date.  All the current stuff is on FB.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 29 December, 2021, 05:36:55 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 29 December, 2021, 04:57:53 pm
Justified grump I'd say. Ask them to send a handwritten copy by cycle courier.  :D

I got them to email me a copy.   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 29 December, 2021, 08:22:21 pm
Quote from: Basil
Admission.  I'm actually not that fussed about cake.
Have we got a, "Burn the heretic!" thread?  If not, why not?  :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 29 December, 2021, 10:08:03 pm
 ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 29 December, 2021, 10:11:34 pm
This is a cycling forum, we're all heretics.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 30 December, 2021, 02:04:34 pm
Crittal still make windows, the factory isn't in silver end anymore and the old site is basically derelict but listed so in silver end they keep lopping chunks out of the countryside to build houses when there is a great big brown field site being wasted
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 30 December, 2021, 03:46:48 pm
Quote from: The Family Cyclist on 30 December, 2021, 02:04:34 pm
Crittal still make windows, the factory isn't in silver end anymore and the old site is basically derelict but listed so in silver end they keep lopping chunks out of the countryside to build houses when there is a great big brown field site being wasted

I think you'll find that Crittall has also licenced the designs etc to other manufacturers (and any patents have probably expired) - we had an interior room divider screen/door made (at vast expense!) by Cotswold Casements at Moreton-in-Marsh - to all intents and purposes it's Crittall.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 30 December, 2021, 04:44:57 pm
The gear stick in my car has gone all floppy and ineffectual.
It’s in reverse.
In a car park.
In York, which is far from home. (It was fine all the way here.)

I’m going out for dinner next, but I’m going to need the AA at some point soon.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 30 December, 2021, 05:32:37 pm
Dear oncoming MTBists,
I'm sure 1.21 jiggawatts of lighting (each) is a sound idea when hurtling down barely defined trails between the trees but that's not what you are doing right now is it?  Right now you are pedalling slowly uphill on a 3m wide gravel track designed to be rideable by a 4 year old.  Seems overkill.
Would you mind awfully turning them down a touch?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 30 December, 2021, 10:56:50 pm
Quote from: perpetual dan on 30 December, 2021, 04:44:57 pm
The gear stick in my car has gone all floppy and ineffectual.
It’s in reverse.
In a car park.
In York, which is far from home. (It was fine all the way here.)

I’m going out for dinner next, but I’m going to need the AA at some point soon.
Fixed. With the suggestion that an actual garage takes a look soon.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 31 December, 2021, 11:58:58 am
Quote from: The Family Cyclist on 30 December, 2021, 02:04:34 pm
Crittal still make windows, the factory isn't in silver end anymore and the old site is basically derelict but listed so in silver end they keep lopping chunks out of the countryside to build houses when there is a great big brown field site being wasted

I think comments about some of the buildings “listed” in this country deserves a rant of its own  >:( >:(

(See one of this seasons Grand Designs where a listed mill building had, with the agreement of Historic England, to be completely demolished as it was too unstable, only to be re-established afterwards. As part of a house, with no recognisable mill features other than a proximity to water.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: De Sisti on 31 December, 2021, 12:41:14 pm
Next door neighbours and their guests using the path up to my front door as a shared path
to get to their front door. They park their two cars right-up in front of their house, leaving
no room to conveniently walk up to their front door.


Things will change when I have my porch rebuilt next year. I will ask the builder (whom
I know quite well) to erect some railings, to ensure there is a distinct boundary between
the two properties.

Neighbours will then have the option of only parking one car on their driveway (usually
parking their other car on the pavement, blocking pedestrian access), or squeezing past
their two cars on their driveway.


Things get even worse when her boyfriend or daughter come to visit her
(two cars on driveway and one parked on the pavement).


The lady and her grown-up son (30) are quite nice. I suppose when it comes to parking,
people can get very......(what's the word I'm looking for?)
 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 31 December, 2021, 03:06:42 pm
Arsey
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 31 December, 2021, 03:46:33 pm
Inconsiderate.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 31 December, 2021, 03:54:10 pm
Ignorant.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hatler on 31 December, 2021, 04:33:36 pm
Twattish
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hatler on 31 December, 2021, 04:34:46 pm
Overtly and inexplicably proprietorial.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 31 December, 2021, 05:25:48 pm
UnBRITISH
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 31 December, 2021, 05:58:18 pm
The previous six posts strike me as uncommonly restrained.
Is this New Year's goodwill or something?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 31 December, 2021, 09:55:57 pm
Back in September, the council dug up the pavement outside my parents' house and laid fresh tarmac. The problem being that they undermined a retaining garden wall, and then hit it with their digger, causing a reasonable section of it to collapse.

After the contractors on the ground told my dad (who is 86) he had to claim on his home insurance, we eventually got the council to accept responsibility and arrange for it to be reinstated. Unfortunately it is a stone wall on a listed building. I was up there for the first time in ages today. The wall is still down, surrounded by plastic barriers, partly blocking the pavement. The builder is ready to rebuild it, but being blocked by the listing people, who are wanting copies of the deeds etc. before giving permission. The builder is one nominated by the council, and works on similar stone properties all the time. All he needs to do is dig the garden back a bit, rebuild the wall (and they have a load of spare matching stone if any needs to be replaced) and refill it. No idea when it'll actually get cleared to be rebuilt.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 31 December, 2021, 11:52:19 pm
Quote from: Basil on 29 December, 2021, 03:54:34 pm
So we are going to a New Year's Eve do at a local restaurant with local chums.  They have asked us if we could give them an idea of what we will be ordering. I couldn't find the special menu on their website, so phoned them to ask if I was looking in the wrong place or something.
"Oh, we put it up on facebook last week"

 :facepalm:  >:( >:( Grump.

Bloody hell.  We need an un-grumble thread.
Dinner in the Porth hotel Llandysul tonight was astonishingly good.. 
Chef was 2010 master chef the professionals semi-finalist.
No big deal for you metropolitans, but just fantastic for Llandysul.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 01 January, 2022, 07:57:03 am
Quote from: Basil on 31 December, 2021, 11:52:19 pm
Quote from: Basil on 29 December, 2021, 03:54:34 pm
So we are going to a New Year's Eve do at a local restaurant with local chums.  They have asked us if we could give them an idea of what we will be ordering. I couldn't find the special menu on their website, so phoned them to ask if I was looking in the wrong place or something.
"Oh, we put it up on facebook last week"

 :facepalm:  >:( >:( Grump.

Bloody hell.  We need an un-grumble thread.
Dinner in the Porth hotel Llandysul tonight was astonishingly good.. 
Chef was 2010 master chef the professionals semi-finalist.
No big deal for you metropolitans, but just fantastic for Llandysul.

I thought that Wales was "closed" ?   Was this a lock-in dinner?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 01 January, 2022, 11:06:22 am
There are good* and bad times to set off New Year fireworks and I put it to Mr Git who, to judge from the sound of it lives not far down Larrington Gardens Road, that twenty to six in the fucking morning is possibly the worst yet.  If I was able to make a positive id then your house would resemble a scale model of Dresden on Valentine's Day 1945, or Bethany (11)’s skool after that arson attack which was nothing to do with her.

(Props eyelids open with disposable lighters)

* unless you are of a nervous disposition
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 01 January, 2022, 02:46:27 pm
Quote from: robgul on 01 January, 2022, 07:57:03 am

I thought that Wales was "closed" ? 


No.
Nightclubs closed.  Pubs and restaurants back to table service only.
Masks may only be removed when seated.
Rule of 6.
So no real difference for Mrs. B and I.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 01 January, 2022, 02:51:24 pm
Quote from: Bledlow on 22 December, 2021, 11:16:16 pm
No. It was a BISF house. Steel framed & 1st floor steel-clad, like this - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BISF_house (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BISF_house) - designed to a Ministry of Works spec by Sir Frederick Gibberd.
But the arseholes said a BISF house was also known as an Airey house, was designed by Sir Edwin Airey & was "Concrete panels known as ship-lap". Load of bollocks.
https://www.thepropertybuyingcompany.co.uk/news/post/bisf-house (https://www.thepropertybuyingcompany.co.uk/news/post/bisf-house)

I hate it when people talk bollocks when they're trying to make money. Even if it's just because they're too lazy to get it right & don't give a toss, it's still dishonesty.

I've had quite a bit of dealings with BISF houses, and also lived next to a row of Aireys, which had to be completely re-enveloped.

In my professional view, BISF houses have a negative value, i.e. if you are given one, you are financially worse off than before.  They rust terminally, in critical areas, frequently at the bottom of the corner posts, and normally have asbestos cladding, and bugger all insulation.  I hate them with a vengeance, and that view is also attached to estate agents who gaily list them for significant sums, saying they are fine.  They bloody well aren't!  I also have considerable experience of REEMA houses, Laing Easiform, Unity, Cornish Unit, Wates, and a few others I've managed to excise from my memory.  I did used to live in a 1970's REEMA, which wasn't bad, they're cold, but dry, and can probably withstand a nuclear explosion.

Aireys and BISF look nothing like each other, the only similarity is that they are both houses.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 01 January, 2022, 07:51:36 pm
The contrary Italian dishwasher started working again after a spell of being awkward and has now chosen to sit there sullen as a teenager and not work again. I had to wash the beer glasses by hand. Stupid machine, you really are getting replaced this time.

Bad Cat urinated in her favourite box, now she's dolorous that I threw it out. It sits on the worktop so she can watch me cook and she doesn't like other boxes nearly so much. I forgive her the micturitional mishap, she went out the catflap and one of the houses down below decided to launch a series of huge fireworks sending her flying back into the kitchen, up and into the box, and the rest was soggy history.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 01 January, 2022, 08:39:23 pm
Aw poor Bad Cat
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 01 January, 2022, 09:12:30 pm
It wasn't what we wanted to see. We found her another Howling Hops box, hopefully it will meet her requirements. Beer boxes are the perfect size, but she's very preferential when it comes to beverage brand.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 01 January, 2022, 09:54:17 pm
Seems to be working for her.

Now what I am supposed to do with the 24 cans of frothy, hoppy goodness that it used to contain?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 01 January, 2022, 10:56:23 pm
I'm sure you'll suppress the gag reflex, just for your kitteh.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 02 January, 2022, 11:13:25 am
O hai, mi left elbow!

Look, I haven’t been using for you for [“playing tennis” – Ed.], nor have I bashed you against the Chippendale furniture which in my case I have not got or doused you in petril and set you ablaze.  So if you'd be so kind as to stop sending hurty stabby instances of ouch at me at random intervals I'm sure we can make this relationship work.

kthxbai
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 02 January, 2022, 12:43:34 pm
Stabby left elbow?  That's a symptom of mountain bicycles, that is...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 02 January, 2022, 01:20:53 pm
Wouldn't that be scabby left elbow (and right elbow, both knees, etc)?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 02 January, 2022, 01:57:50 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 02 January, 2022, 01:20:53 pm
Wouldn't that be scabby properly on mud
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 02 January, 2022, 04:56:12 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 02 January, 2022, 01:20:53 pm
Wouldn't that be scabby left elbow (and right elbow, both knees, etc)?

Well yes, but eventually the scabs fall get picked off, and you're left with an assortment of mild scars and an elbow that occasionally does stabby things without warning when you lean on it at the wrong angle.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 02 January, 2022, 05:09:06 pm
Stabby left el-bow here as well, and I don't either tennis or golf, just 65km today. Will have to consult with mrsED's relevant exercise sheets
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 02 January, 2022, 05:25:19 pm
Elbow pain is shit, my left one was playing up the other day. I have fucked elbow anatomy and arthritis now tho, so I do at least know why.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 02 January, 2022, 05:27:45 pm
Quote from: Kim on 02 January, 2022, 12:43:34 pm
Stabby left elbow?  That's a symptom of mountain bicycles, that is...

Yebbut it only started doing it last night and the Perfectly Good Gentleman’s Mountain Bicycle hasn’t been out this side of Xmas ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 02 January, 2022, 07:46:09 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 02 January, 2022, 05:27:45 pm
Quote from: Kim on 02 January, 2022, 12:43:34 pm
Stabby left elbow?  That's a symptom of mountain bicycles, that is...

Yebbut it only started doing it last night and the Perfectly Good Gentleman’s Mountain Bicycle hasn’t been out this side of Xmas ???

No dreams about getting gnarly on the trails?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 02 January, 2022, 08:27:55 pm
Quote from: barakta on 02 January, 2022, 05:25:19 pm
Elbow pain is shit, my left one was playing up the other day. I have fucked elbow anatomy and arthritis now tho, so I do at least know why.
I think you might be exaggerating barakta, I’m sure there’s some part of your body that isn’t borked to fuckery. You just need to focus on that bit.


Ok, ok, I’m going.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 02 January, 2022, 08:36:04 pm
Quote from: Kim on 02 January, 2022, 07:46:09 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 02 January, 2022, 05:27:45 pm
Quote from: Kim on 02 January, 2022, 12:43:34 pm
Stabby left elbow?  That's a symptom of mountain bicycles, that is...

Yebbut it only started doing it last night and the Perfectly Good Gentleman’s Mountain Bicycle hasn’t been out this side of Xmas ???

No dreams about getting gnarly on the trails?

Not with those tyres ;D  Not to mention the trails* being too far away and at the top of a hill.

* OK, Epping Forest
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 02 January, 2022, 08:47:50 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 02 January, 2022, 08:27:55 pm
Quote from: barakta on 02 January, 2022, 05:25:19 pm
Elbow pain is shit, my left one was playing up the other day. I have fucked elbow anatomy and arthritis now tho, so I do at least know why.
I think you might be exaggerating barakta, I’m sure there’s some part of your body that isn’t borked to fuckery. You just need to focus on that bit.


Ok, ok, I’m going.  :facepalm:

There are bits, I'd have to think hard which ones they are tho  ;D. If you don't laugh, well...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 02 January, 2022, 08:50:52 pm
Quote from: barakta on 02 January, 2022, 08:47:50 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 02 January, 2022, 08:27:55 pm
Quote from: barakta on 02 January, 2022, 05:25:19 pm
Elbow pain is shit, my left one was playing up the other day. I have fucked elbow anatomy and arthritis now tho, so I do at least know why.
I think you might be exaggerating barakta, I’m sure there’s some part of your body that isn’t borked to fuckery. You just need to focus on that bit.


Ok, ok, I’m going.  :facepalm:

There are bits, I'd have to think hard which ones they are tho  ;D. If you don't laugh, well...

Until recently, the go-to body part was knees.  Which were generally my department aches-and-pains wise.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 02 January, 2022, 09:13:22 pm
I was recently told by one of the carers that I make "dad noises" when I stand up, I attribute that to tired (if not yet fully borked) everything
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 02 January, 2022, 10:26:02 pm
Quote from: Kim on 02 January, 2022, 08:50:52 pm
Quote from: barakta on 02 January, 2022, 08:47:50 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 02 January, 2022, 08:27:55 pm
Quote from: barakta on 02 January, 2022, 05:25:19 pm
Elbow pain is shit, my left one was playing up the other day. I have fucked elbow anatomy and arthritis now tho, so I do at least know why.
I think you might be exaggerating barakta, I’m sure there’s some part of your body that isn’t borked to fuckery. You just need to focus on that bit.


Ok, ok, I’m going.  :facepalm:

There are bits, I'd have to think hard which ones they are tho  ;D. If you don't laugh, well...

Until recently, the go-to body part was knees.  Which were generally my department aches-and-pains wise.
Quote from: ElyDave on 02 January, 2022, 09:13:22 pm
I was recently told by one of the carers that I make "dad noises" when I stand up, I attribute that to tired (if not yet fully borked) everything

https://img-9gag-fun.9cache.com/photo/aqLr3MY_460s.jpg applies. :demon: ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 02 January, 2022, 11:10:31 pm
Yes
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 03 January, 2022, 09:33:52 am
I’ve not been able to select large paper handkerchiefs in my Tesco online shop for the last 3 months, neither Kleenex nor own brand. Only “original” half size ones.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 09 January, 2022, 01:23:23 pm
Ah, Vodafone support. A small broadband issue - we lost it for 2 hours yesterday evening, it’s back but the sync speed is showing as 53mbs instead of the (guaranteed) 72+. So I start a chat, go through some stuff, and its escalated to 2nd line, and I’m asked when I’d like to be contacted. “After 5pm” says I. Just had lunch, checked phone (on silent), yep, 2 missed calls from Vodafone  :(. Then a text with a reference number. Call them back, reference number entered - “I’m sorry, that number isn’t recognised”  >:( >:(.  And then, when I do get through after repeated pressing of 1, I’m in the very busy queue. Gave up after 20 minutes on hold.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 09 January, 2022, 05:09:43 pm
Oh, and eBay sellers who “add a tracking number” except it’s the number off the proof of postage receipt.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 09 January, 2022, 09:43:34 pm
Why are shitvers so damned noisy? I have to wear my hearing aids when I watch ITV because their subtitles are so flakey,  it the shitverts. <Deity> thobut, the shitverts are just too loud.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 09 January, 2022, 09:53:05 pm
Because the molishers of shitverts care about you being able to hear them.  Preferably from another room.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 09 January, 2022, 10:44:28 pm
I wrote a big post about compression and noisy shitverts but it was lost because Pingu was posting on another thread so, poo.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 10 January, 2022, 02:26:38 pm
I run a busy multi franchise and multi site parts department with around a dozen engineers and trade and retail sales

I keep good records and can generally find things we've discussed but have a couple of techs who ring me and just assume they're the only person I deal with, start spurting details at me ignoring the fact I've probably just put the phone down or replying to an email and what really gets me is they think I always know off the top of my head something they had several months back

Yes they may know their customer site inside out but I can't know all of them
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rogerzilla on 10 January, 2022, 05:55:41 pm
My electric kettle has crapped out after almost 8 years.  This seems to be much better than average, so I'll get a similar Breville one.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hatler on 11 January, 2022, 03:30:18 pm
This is close to being a full on rant.

I've just finished sitting through the entire TMS broadcast on BBC Sounds for the last day of the last test, and it cuts off four overs from the end !!

Bastards.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 11 January, 2022, 04:08:57 pm
It's the BBC's woke liberal snowflake metropolitan westernising elite failing the cricket test.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 13 January, 2022, 08:12:47 am
Well, it is only a game...  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 17 January, 2022, 06:55:26 pm
T'wife purchased from middle of the lidl a reflective dog coat for our greyhound who's a big lad. It didn't fit

It's been sat to go back for a fortnight, she passes lidl four times a day although tbf with the kids isn't ideal to go in

She went to do our shop last week and forgot it. She then went back a few days later but couldn't remember password for lidl plus app that has the receipts on

I went today with it but it couldn't be deducted off this week's shop it had to be credited first....back onto the card it was paid for.....which she has......so we still have it!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 17 January, 2022, 07:08:21 pm
Might be quicker to put the dog on a diet...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 17 January, 2022, 08:12:02 pm
Quote from: Kim on 17 January, 2022, 07:08:21 pm
Might be quicker to put the dog on a diet...


Cheeky git
He's a greyhound so all skin and bone, he's just a rather tall one.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 18 January, 2022, 11:25:45 am
Courier services to the Islands can be a bit slow (they actually hand it over to a local firm in Inverness, who then kick the parcel around their depo yard for a day or two before delivery). This two-stage stuff pushes the price up.

Royal Mail is fast, efficient and doesn't cost any more than any address on mainland UK.

Sensible companies, like Spa cycles, send small stuff Royal Mail.

Wiggle/chainreaction/et al always use a courier firm. So a small package, that would get here in 2days standard Royal mail parcel post, takes over a week via Herpes/DPU etc.

This is what drives people to use Amazon. They fly their stuff in and orders are delivered in 24hrs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 18 January, 2022, 12:00:21 pm
Given the choice, I always opt for Royal Mail delivery over courier. It's cheaper and more reliable, even in a sizeable mainland city.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 18 January, 2022, 01:37:05 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 18 January, 2022, 12:00:21 pm
Given the choice, I always opt for Royal Mail delivery over courier. It's cheaper and more reliable, even in a sizeable mainland city.

Less of an issue with so much working from home, but the RM "come and pick it up" depot is usually somewhere reasonable (in my case it's just a few minutes walk), whereas most couriers' are half way back to the place it was bought from.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 18 January, 2022, 01:50:12 pm
Yes. About five minutes walk for me too.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 18 January, 2022, 05:57:52 pm
I don't think a courier has knocked on our door for years, they just dump it on the doorstep or occasionally where the note tells them (behind the porch). I think in part because they're blocking the narrow road outside and obviously, if they delay someone for 30 seconds the murders will begin. On the plus side, we don't get any of those we tried to deliver cards and fortunately the front step isn't easily visible from the street so it doesn't get nicked.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 18 January, 2022, 06:11:09 pm
Quote from: perpetual dan on 18 January, 2022, 01:37:05 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 18 January, 2022, 12:00:21 pm
Given the choice, I always opt for Royal Mail delivery over courier. It's cheaper and more reliable, even in a sizeable mainland city.

Less of an issue with so much working from home, but the RM "come and pick it up" depot is usually somewhere reasonable (in my case it's just a few minutes walk), whereas most couriers' are half way back to the place it was bought from.

Yes - couriers have a habit of putting their depots in places that appear to be chosen for their inaccessibility to non-car owners (but hey, they have free car parking... :facepalm:).

That said, I've just looked up the location of my local RM delivery office (have not had cause to use it yet, having only moved last month and been in for deliveries thus far) and it appears to be several miles away!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 21 January, 2022, 10:58:57 pm
Arrived home from holiday to find no heating!  We knew the central heating was being looked at whilst we were away but they have not sorted it and left it worse.  Hopefully the engineer will be out tomorrow.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CommuteTooFar on 24 January, 2022, 08:23:44 pm
I have a new  rubbish system. As a single person I do not put enough weight in the new nearly empty containers. Next windy day they will travel.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: campagman on 24 January, 2022, 08:42:52 pm
Quote from: CommuteTooFar on 24 January, 2022, 08:23:44 pm
I have a new  rubbish system. As a single person I do not put enough weight in the new nearly empty containers. Next windy day they will travel.
I don't put mine out until I deem there is enough rubbish within to justify collecting.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: arabella on 25 January, 2022, 04:08:00 pm
Nor do I.
seems easier than asking the council to swap in a half size replacement and doing the same waiting.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 25 January, 2022, 07:25:36 pm
We have a food waste bin. The compostable bags are a bit flimsy. I wish the binmen would just empty each bin. Instead they move the bags, to collect several houses together, which then split on the pavement. It’s only more efficient because they don’t clean up after themselves. This week they compounded this by only half empty the thing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 25 January, 2022, 08:01:00 pm
Fortunately ours have a couple of guys who each pull along a wheely bin into which they empty the food waste caddies. Then the wheely bins are tipped into the truck.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 25 January, 2022, 08:17:09 pm
Our food waste is no longer allowed in the green (Formally compostable) waste bin and must now go in the general waste for incineration.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 25 January, 2022, 08:22:15 pm
At my last place, we had a food waste caddy, which was then intended to be emptied in the big street food bin across the road. But the bags supplied were compostable, and as we don't tend to generate much food waste, they would inevitably disintegrate well before they were full. :sick:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 25 January, 2022, 08:24:35 pm
If you don't fill the kitchen caddy in two days or so, you need to empty it anyway. I've never experienced the bags decomposing in the caddy but the condensation generated does develop mould and generally gets to pong.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 25 January, 2022, 08:39:46 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 25 January, 2022, 08:01:00 pm
Fortunately ours have a couple of guys who each pull along a wheely bin into which they empty the food waste caddies. Then the wheely bins are tipped into the truck.

That sounds rather sensible.  Luckily we have a million jackdaws in the town, so spillages are cleaned up pretty quickly.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 25 January, 2022, 08:48:04 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 25 January, 2022, 08:01:00 pm
Fortunately ours have a couple of guys who each pull along a wheely bin into which they empty the food waste caddies. Then the wheely bins are tipped into the truck.

That what ours appear to do. I'm not one per cent convinced they don't wait till no one is looking and empty that bin into the main rubbish lorry.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 25 January, 2022, 08:56:10 pm
After much poking about in kitchen cupboard I finally found the cut-out in the back that offers access to the dishwasher plug. In the cupboard under the sink that my wife had assured me included no such thing because she'd checked twice.

On the other hand, a switch it off and back on seems to have made the dishwasher work again. Hopefully, it will stay working because someone is going to have fun plugging the new one in.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 26 January, 2022, 08:38:17 am
Quote from: ian on 25 January, 2022, 08:56:10 pm
After much poking about in kitchen cupboard I finally found the cut-out in the back that offers access to the dishwasher plug. In the cupboard under the sink that my wife had assured me included no such thing because she'd checked twice.

On the other hand, a switch it off and back on seems to have made the dishwasher work again. Hopefully, it will stay working because someone is going to have fun plugging the new one in.

Will it not be like exchanging internal bike cables?  Attach the new one to the old one and pull it through?  The problem comes when you have sealed on plugs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 26 January, 2022, 08:54:05 am
The cable on a new appliance will be hard-wired into it, and have a moulded plug.

Actually, I expect replacing it would be pretty straightforward.
The cable will come to the wall-mounted socket behind the adjacent unit by one of two routes:

-via the void space behind the back of the unit (there's usually a fairly generous gap between the back of the unit and the wall, to allow for services). You will see this once you have dragged the old appliance out enough.

-via a circular hole cut in the side of the unit, large enough to pass a plug through. The water hose will often use the same hole.

In the highly unlikely case that neither of the above apply, and the kitchen has been built around a plugged-in dishwasher (!), then anyone replacing it would just use a hole saw to make the circular hole as described above. This would take all of 30 seconds.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 26 January, 2022, 09:38:11 am
I'm pretty sure the kitchen wasn't built around the dishwasher, so I guess someone got it plugged in. There's a hole at the bottom of the adjacent unit where the wire and pipes go and then thread up to the socket in the void behind the second unit (the socket strategically placed so that if we ever have a water leak from the sink we'll know about it when the electrics go out). Fitting a new dishwasher won't be my job, a grown-up will have to figure that out.

Anyway, it did work again last night, so maybe it just needed a hard reboot, or I'm living in the honeymoon period of appliance optimism.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: PhilO on 26 January, 2022, 10:12:02 am
Wire fishing tools are a thing and make feeding cables immensely easier.  I made my own from an old tape measure (cut off hook, attach wire loop such as a paper clip in its place) and it's by-far the highest cost:utility ratio tool I own.  :thumbsup: 

Sadly too wide for fishing cables inside bike frames, though!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 26 January, 2022, 10:28:58 am
I can only solve problems with software. Hardware is someone else's problem.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 26 January, 2022, 10:39:26 am
Quote from: ian on 26 January, 2022, 10:28:58 am
I can only solve problems with software. Hardware is someone else's problem.
As a thought leader can you not just explain to the new wire why it wants to be behind the units and plugged into that socket just there.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 26 January, 2022, 12:47:25 pm
All of this is vastly superior to the socket-behind-the-appliance approach, which is the sort of thing that seems like a good idea when a malfunctioning appliance is Somebody Else's Problem.  We have an extra-annoying variation on that: Washing machine power and plumbing are behind the washing machine, removal of which depends on the removal of the fridge.

But then the whole kitchen is composed of disintegrating landlord-quality crap, flung up without a care for how any of it might actually be used.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 26 January, 2022, 01:20:33 pm
My main gripe though was that my wife assured me – and indeed got quite annoyed when I said 'are you sure?' – that there was no plug for the dishwasher in the cupboard so I had to pull out the dishwasher to find out that she was in fact very wrong. Now she's claiming it's at a funny angle so she couldn't see. It's there, in the cupboard, clearly visible to anyone crouched and looking into the cupboard. 'Well, you should have looked yourself then.' Married life, kids.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 26 January, 2022, 03:14:27 pm
Teachers (or their minions): is it really wise to corral your charges in the bike path* when decanting them from a coach?

* Yes, I know, but my (lack of) speed up that road is an embarrassment to cyclists in general and me in particular.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 27 January, 2022, 05:08:48 am
So I’m lying here unable to sleep because I’m worrying over a technical problem on my website build. I therefore decided I needed to listen to a ‘sleep tape’ but I find I can’t because I am unable to get sound to get sound to come out of my earbuds. Even though I was awakened an hour and a half ago by them playing in my ears.

Irony is alive and well   
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 27 January, 2022, 08:44:39 am
My solder sucker has done a bunk.  Last used two years ago.  Insult to injury: I found the spare nozzles.  :( :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 27 January, 2022, 09:42:13 am
Sucking solder is so 20C. Solder wicking is where it’s at these days.

 ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 27 January, 2022, 11:33:31 am
Quote from: Beardy on 27 January, 2022, 09:42:13 am
Sucking solder is so 20C. Solder wicking is where it’s at these days.

 ;D
If you can get lead-free solder to wick.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 27 January, 2022, 11:36:52 am
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 27 January, 2022, 11:33:31 am
Quote from: Beardy on 27 January, 2022, 09:42:13 am
Sucking solder is so 20C. Solder wicking is where it’s at these days.

 ;D
If you can get lead-free solder to wick.

A syringe of flux goes a long way to helping with this, also adding a touch of fresh solder before wicking helps.

A proper desoldering station with a vacuum pump sucking up through the tip of the iron is a good but expensive solution too.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 27 January, 2022, 01:58:50 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 27 January, 2022, 09:42:13 am
Sucking solder is so 20C. Solder wicking is where it’s at these days.

 ;D

Ah, but for auditory satisfaction the click-thunk of the sucker is hard to beat.  Ditto the fun of unscrewing the end and flicking the wee balls across the room.

And the good news is the sucker crawled out of the hiding-place where it had been all along in my toolbox, under a wallet of tiny Prisunic screwdrivers my kids gave me 40 years ago.  Could have sworn it was blue last time I used it, but it's purple now.

Now where have I heard that before?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 27 January, 2022, 02:40:28 pm
Quote from: ian on 25 January, 2022, 08:48:04 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 25 January, 2022, 08:01:00 pm
Fortunately ours have a couple of guys who each pull along a wheely bin into which they empty the food waste caddies. Then the wheely bins are tipped into the truck.

That what ours appear to do. I'm not one per cent convinced they don't wait till no one is looking and empty that bin into the main rubbish lorry.

I know ours behaves themselves, and stop the vehicle at each house, and methodically empty each bin/box/caddy into their multi compartmented truck.  Its various recycling every week, and rubbish every three weeks, but half the time we don't bother to put the rubbish bin out because it takes at least 6 weeks to fill it.  We have ours separated into cardboard/paper, plastics (not film, which we do need to take to the recycling place every 3 months or so), glass, and food waste.  Tin cans go in with plastics because they separate that easily.  We live in the middle of nowhere, but we do have one next door neighbour, so that's probably the only instance on their round where the truck only moves 15 metres or so between each house!  However, its taken 4 years to get Powys CC to start to clear our road drains which we actually know haven't actually been cleared for 12 years, so its highways nil points, and recycling 9/10.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 27 January, 2022, 05:24:29 pm
Quote from: Feanor on 27 January, 2022, 11:36:52 am
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 27 January, 2022, 11:33:31 am
Quote from: Beardy on 27 January, 2022, 09:42:13 am
Sucking solder is so 20C. Solder wicking is where it’s at these days.

 ;D
If you can get lead-free solder to wick.

A syringe of flux goes a long way to helping with this, also adding a touch of fresh solder before wicking helps.

A proper desoldering station with a vacuum pump sucking up through the tip of the iron is a good but expensive solution too.

Between lead-free solder and plated through-holes, the only reliable way to de-solder things these days involves generous application of a) hot air  b) flux  and  c) harsh language

The odd occasion where the solder sucker does the job on its own is cause for celebration.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 28 January, 2022, 03:53:41 pm
I finally managed to find (thanks, DC Rainmaker!) a way to get my basic Garmin watch to display power data from the Stages indoor bikes at the gym I've recently joined, so that I can laugh at the pitiful handful of watts I produce these days. Except they've moved the bikes around this week, and the one I thought was synced to my watch no longer is. Now I have some other random person's power data attached to my last few rides. :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 28 January, 2022, 04:50:45 pm
Quote from: phantasmagoriana on 28 January, 2022, 03:53:41 pm
I finally managed to find (thanks, DC Rainmaker!) a way to get my basic Garmin watch to display power data from the Stages indoor bikes at the gym I've recently joined, so that I can laugh at the pitiful handful of watts I produce these days. Except they've moved the bikes around this week, and the one I thought was synced to my watch no longer is. Now I have some other random person's power data attached to my last few rides. :facepalm:

The computer I use on the Red Baron is a relatively rare beast, in that it's a non-GPS bike computer that uses proper ANT+ sensors that actually work (small, coin cell powered, basic trip computer functions, easy to read display, you know the sort of thing).  In order to conserve power, it stops listening to sensors that haven't produced any data for a few minutes.  Fair enough.  However, this timeout is cunningly hard-coded to be slightly longer than a really slow traffic light cycle, but slightly shorter than it takes for the BHPC to stop faffing about at the start line and begin a race.

Which wouldn't matter (much) if the key combinations for "reconnect to sensors" and "pair new sensors" weren't easily confused.  I've spent a substantial part of more than one race watching someone else's [probably John Lucian, seeing as you're always sucking his wheel - Ed.] speed/cadence data as a result...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 28 January, 2022, 06:19:51 pm
In my racing days I used to get interference from some heinous rival's HRM, with the result that mine shot up to about 340 rpm on the start line and stayed there.  It also used to go bonkers in the vicinity of a certain breed of TfL bus.  I ended up buying a new on, made by Not-Cateye >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 28 January, 2022, 07:08:21 pm
340BPM?  Sounds like Mike Burrows...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 29 January, 2022, 08:25:59 am
That's normally indication of impending failure of a Garmin HR strap.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 29 January, 2022, 10:41:44 am
I think a HR of 340bpm would be an indication of impending heart failure as well, so a chest strap borking would be a bit of a relief   ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pedaldog. on 30 January, 2022, 12:35:04 am
Quote from: Kim on 28 January, 2022, 07:08:21 pm
340BPM?  Sounds like Mike Burrows...
What... Sounds like an arrogant, self important Pillock?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 30 January, 2022, 12:40:22 am
Mr Burrows eventually persuaded himself to give up racing against young whippersnappers (like Kim ;)) after his heart started red-lining for no readily-apparent reason.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pedaldog. on 30 January, 2022, 12:50:21 am
He should've tried to make it pump blood to BOTH sides?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 30 January, 2022, 10:53:57 am
Photographer of music events. Your auto focus beep is way more annoying than your shutter during quiet, contemplative music. And surely no use to you when the later bands reach 100dB. Please switch it off. (Another member of the audience did ask, and he stopped taking photos for a bit.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 30 January, 2022, 12:49:43 pm
Quote from: perpetual dan on 30 January, 2022, 10:53:57 am
Photographer of music events. Your auto focus beep is way more annoying than your shutter during quiet, contemplative music. And surely no use to you when the later bands reach 100dB. Please switch it off. (Another member of the audience did ask, and he stopped taking photos for a bit.)

Any halfway decent camera is capable of being totally silent.  Obviously you have the minor limitations of using electronic shutter, but these days that also has advantages.  I've done this at music events myself.  Of course if you persist in using an olde worlde SLR with clunking shutter and mirror, then you'll never be silent.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 30 January, 2022, 05:23:48 pm
Quote from: Wombat on 30 January, 2022, 12:49:43 pm
Quote from: perpetual dan on 30 January, 2022, 10:53:57 am
Photographer of music events. Your auto focus beep is way more annoying than your shutter during quiet, contemplative music. And surely no use to you when the later bands reach 100dB. Please switch it off. (Another member of the audience did ask, and he stopped taking photos for a bit.)

Any halfway decent camera is capable of being totally silent.  Obviously you have the minor limitations of using electronic shutter, but these days that also has advantages.  I've done this at music events myself.  Of course if you persist in using an olde worlde SLR with clunking shutter and mirror, then you'll never be silent.

Indeed. And, without having checked the spec, I'm confident that it (a Sony SLR shape with added vertical grip) could have both muted the beeps and used electronic shutter. He was there as a photographer, on the guest list, so there's really no excuse.

As you say, electronic shutter works quite well. And mirrorless cameras don't have a mirror to flap about. I really ought to try taking my own camera along sometime (rather than just use my phone mid-dance) - though I'm never sure how welcome that is with the organizers.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 01 February, 2022, 04:44:51 pm
Got a new meal worm feeder for the birds delivered yesterday.
Today it fell off the pole in the yet another storm and broke.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 04 February, 2022, 10:51:00 pm
Multi factor authentication, oh how we curse thee!  Bah!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 05 February, 2022, 12:26:50 am
Those last two posts are my life in a nutshell...




 ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 05 February, 2022, 08:53:47 am
Beard trimmer conked out yesterday morning, had to finish with scissors.  Sprang into action & ordered a new one PDQ.  Tried trimmer again yesterday afternoon, and of course it was OK.

Needed a new one anyway, since the wretched NiCd battery in the current one died >15 years ago and it's buried under 3 layers of pingfuckitry.  Once the new one arrives I'll shove the spudger a bit deeper and have another go.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 05 February, 2022, 03:27:35 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 01 February, 2022, 04:44:51 pm
Got a new meal worm feeder for the birds delivered yesterday.
Today it fell off the pole in the yet another storm and broke.  >:(

What is with the prices for bird feeders?

I want to replace our current two 4-perch ones with a single big multi-perch and mount it on a very high pole (with a pulley). Cat-proofing.

They are £40!
For a bird feeder!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 05 February, 2022, 04:54:32 pm
I paid 30-something a few months back, mainly so I had a feeder which was designed to be easy to clean, rather than with hard to get at corners that was minging within a year.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 05 February, 2022, 05:02:59 pm
You pay for durability.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 05 February, 2022, 06:41:07 pm
£40 sounds cheap with a pulley. Some of the ones I was looking at were over £40 for just a bog standard pole with hangers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 06 February, 2022, 10:45:29 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 05 February, 2022, 06:41:07 pm
£40 sounds cheap with a pulley. Some of the ones I was looking at were over £40 for just a bog standard pole with hangers.
40 quid just for the bird feeder. The pole and pulley etc. I was going to have to build myself
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 06 February, 2022, 10:54:11 am
So we thought that the radio colemantary on the Calcutta Cup match might be better for someone who can’t see the distascope these days.  “Alexa, play BBC Radio 5 Live!”

(1 minute later)

“Are they watching the same match as me?” asked Mr Larrington plaintively.  Simultaneous broadcast (remember that?) it is not.  Back to TV's Brian Moore & co before the time lag makes me seasick :-\
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 06 February, 2022, 11:51:02 am
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 06 February, 2022, 10:45:29 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 05 February, 2022, 06:41:07 pm
£40 sounds cheap with a pulley. Some of the ones I was looking at were over £40 for just a bog standard pole with hangers.
40 quid just for the bird feeder. The pole and pulley etc. I was going to have to build myself

Well yes, everything is just expensive now. Someone on our local FB wildlife group built themselves a natural feeder 'pole' using branches butted up against each other.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 06 February, 2022, 04:29:15 pm
Blimey, they have gone up a bit!!  The squirrel proof one I’ve got is now £109!!!  :o

https://www.lovegardenbirds.co.uk/brome-squirrel-buster-plus

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 06 February, 2022, 09:51:13 pm
My Tom Tom car sat nav is becoming unreliable and so Dr Beardy (Mrs) says I can have a new one for my b’day.

I’ve been doing some research, and new ones have moved over to a subscription model for speed camera information and depending on the model, for other information as well.  >:(

I also checked Garmin, who seem to be getting out of the car market as they have very few models on offer, and they seem to mostly need a phone to access live info.

I’m either going to have to investigate repairs to my existing unit or use my phone.

Mutter, grumble.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 07 February, 2022, 10:24:08 am
I have not used a satnav for years. Even the built in one becomes out of date. Rather than buy a satnav why not get a mid size phone/tablet with a data only sim (or just let it link to your existing phone) which will do your music and google maps for directions?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 07 February, 2022, 10:28:41 am
Phone here, I'm not sure the special use-case for a standalone unit other than not paying for data, but increasingly it seems new models still require mobile data and subscription services. I suspect most makers of standalone units have seen the light and know it's an approaching train.

Both Google and Apple do traffic conditions etc.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 07 February, 2022, 11:06:33 am
If Mr Garmin discontinues the TwatNav that’s been sitting on my Mega-Global Big River Corporation of Seattle, USAnia Wishlist since late 2019 I shall be this: miffed.  Bad enough that the robbing thieves make you pay a whole lot extra to get North Leftpondia on an SD card…. I have a manky old freebie one which is adequate for domestic use but AFAIK it cannot be made to show Leftpondia except possibly with the application of large sums of money, computer time and swearing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 07 February, 2022, 11:29:16 am
I can't see why I would buy one when I have a device that already does it, with me, all the fecking time. If you're worried about data usage, you can download the route in advance.
If you worried about the invasion of privacy, well, that ship has sailed so far it's back from its world tour.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jasmine on 07 February, 2022, 11:55:19 am
Yes, I'd rather that the console linked to my phone. I have a Garmin satnav in the car and it's a f**ker for calculating difficult 'fastest routes' because it assumes that you can drive at the speed limit everywhere, so likes to send you down tiny lanes that have a theoretical speed limit of 60mph, but actually achieve about 25-30 whilst praying that nothing comes the other way because you haven't seen a proper passing place in the last mile. Google calculate based on traffic data, so tends to result in better routes. I only use the console because it's a nice big screen and it mutes the radio when giving instructions, so less of a task load when driving.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TimC on 07 February, 2022, 12:19:04 pm
Quote from: chrisbainbridge on 07 February, 2022, 10:24:08 am
I have not used a satnav for years. Even the built in one becomes out of date. Rather than buy a satnav why not get a mid size phone/tablet with a data only sim (or just let it link to your existing phone) which will do your music and google maps for directions?

The satnav in my car self-updates when it's connected to my home wifi and Ford have been arsed to put out an update. Generally it's ok, but it's not a patch on the CarPlay that is part of the same unit and allows the use of whichever web-based satnav service I'm feeling disposed towards at the time, all of which are as up to date as can be achieved. I'm not a fan of using a phone screen for navigation - generally they're too small and too likely to be usurped by something else happening on the device. I like the idea of using a cheapish tablet to do the job (decent screens of 8" or so are available for less than £100), but I've not looked at how to achieve getting the data needed on the screen - I may well investigate that for my toy car, on which the satnav is at best 3 years out of date and for which updates to keep it at that level run at £500 plus!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 07 February, 2022, 01:34:25 pm
I have wired CarPlay but have added the dongle to make it wireless.
If I was trying to do what beardy wanted I would be looking at a small tablet slaved to my phone using the aux input on the car.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 07 February, 2022, 04:27:56 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 06 February, 2022, 09:51:13 pm
My Tom Tom car sat nav is becoming unreliable and so Dr Beardy (Mrs) says I can have a new one for my b’day.

I’ve been doing some research, and new ones have moved over to a subscription model for speed camera information and depending on the model, for other information as well.  >:(

I also checked Garmin, who seem to be getting out of the car market as they have very few models on offer, and they seem to mostly need a phone to access live info.

I’m either going to have to investigate repairs to my existing unit or use my phone.

Mutter, grumble.

Re speed camera information, I never used TomToms, but got them as a POI layer from https://www.pocketgpsworld.com/modules.php?name=Cameras
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 07 February, 2022, 05:17:42 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 06 February, 2022, 10:45:29 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 05 February, 2022, 06:41:07 pm
£40 sounds cheap with a pulley. Some of the ones I was looking at were over £40 for just a bog standard pole with hangers.
40 quid just for the bird feeder. The pole and pulley etc. I was going to have to build myself

I can recommend Jacobi Jayne (Livingwithbirds.com for buying direct from them). Their feeders have a lifetime defect guarantee and they also promise to send you replacement parts for the price of delivery for damage by squirrel or predator attack.

We took delivery of a new worm feeder on Monday that broke on Tuesday after it fell off the pole in a storm. I emailed them to ask if I could buy a replacement base and they kindly said they'll just send me one for gratis, which was nice of them.

(Sorry, not a grumble)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: orienteer on 07 February, 2022, 06:23:21 pm
Cheap bird feeders in Lidl from Thursday.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 07 February, 2022, 08:33:26 pm
Quote from: orienteer on 07 February, 2022, 06:23:21 pm
Cheap bird rat feeders in Lidl from Thursday.
Ftfy
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 07 February, 2022, 09:27:21 pm
Feb. 3rd: Mr Larrington rings $COMPANY to arrange the visit of A Man to install Lt. Col. Larrington (retd.)'s New! IMPROVED!! medical alarm box wossname.  “Feb. 10” says their minion, until half an hour later when they ring back and say “How about tomorrow?”  It is agreed.

Feb. 4th: The Man does not turn up, nor does $COMPANY advise us of his can't-make-it-ness >:(

Feb. 7th: Mr Larrington rings $COMPANY to rearrange the visit of A Man to install Lt. Col. Larrington (retd.)'s New! IMPROVED!! medical alarm box wossname.  “Feb. 11” says their minion.  Now he'll turn up at the same time as The Man who is coming to (hopefully) mend the dishwasher and they’ll trip over each other or steal each other’s tools or accidentally drive off in the wrong van or something.

Bah!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 08 February, 2022, 09:42:46 am
Neither have turned up yet, so you predictions of chaos and doom may be unfounded.

Just sayin’
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 08 February, 2022, 07:36:18 pm
It's bin night and the recycling pod has not re-spawned since I reported it missing after the last recycling collection.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 09 February, 2022, 08:00:58 pm
On behalf of Dr Beardy (Mrs) and her sister whom are dealing with death stuff.

Banks. You’d have thought that they’d worked out by now that people die. They’ve been trying to get in touch with the bank to a)sort out my M-in-L personal bank accounts and b) sort out the joint accounts that my F-in-L now needs to manage on his own. Apparently contacting a real person via the website or phone proved to be a challenge to far today. None of the websites or robotic phone options offered anything relevant to ‘my mum has died…’

Given my former career, I’m very aware of the security issues and the cost of providing people to actually speak to customers. However, even when I was involved in setting up such systems and processes, I used to get quite wound up with my colleagues over the obfuscation of telephone numbers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 09 February, 2022, 08:04:09 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 09 February, 2022, 08:00:58 pm
On behalf of Dr Beardy (Mrs) and her sister whom are dealing with death stuff.

Banks. You’d have thought that they’d worked out by now that people die. They’ve been trying to get in touch with the bank to a)sort out my M-in-L personal bank accounts and b) sort out the joint accounts that my F-in-L now needs to manage on his own. Apparently contacting a real person via the website or phone proved to be a challenge to far today. None of the websites or robotic phone options offered anything relevant to ‘my mum has died…’

It used to be that entering 00 on phone banking got you through to a person.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 09 February, 2022, 08:05:23 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 09 February, 2022, 08:04:09 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 09 February, 2022, 08:00:58 pm
On behalf of Dr Beardy (Mrs) and her sister whom are dealing with death stuff.

Banks. You’d have thought that they’d worked out by now that people die. They’ve been trying to get in touch with the bank to a)sort out my M-in-L personal bank accounts and b) sort out the joint accounts that my F-in-L now needs to manage on his own. Apparently contacting a real person via the website or phone proved to be a challenge to far today. None of the websites or robotic phone options offered anything relevant to ‘my mum has died…’

It used to be that entering 00 on phone banking got you through to a person.
Yep, we got wise to such things (see my addition)  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 09 February, 2022, 08:26:14 pm
Searching for [bank name] + 'bereavement services' threw up useful numbers for me a couple of years ago.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 09 February, 2022, 08:37:37 pm
I had to deal with banks and utility companies a few years ago when my dad died.
All that stuff was in his name, as was the fashion of their generation.
I had to get everything switched over to my mum's name.

I found that all of the services I mentioned had a dedicated process to deal with this, and there were no stupid impediments placed in the way. I was quite surprised.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 09 February, 2022, 08:41:21 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 09 February, 2022, 08:05:23 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 09 February, 2022, 08:04:09 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 09 February, 2022, 08:00:58 pm
On behalf of Dr Beardy (Mrs) and her sister whom are dealing with death stuff.

Banks. You’d have thought that they’d worked out by now that people die. They’ve been trying to get in touch with the bank to a)sort out my M-in-L personal bank accounts and b) sort out the joint accounts that my F-in-L now needs to manage on his own. Apparently contacting a real person via the website or phone proved to be a challenge to far today. None of the websites or robotic phone options offered anything relevant to ‘my mum has died…’

It used to be that entering 00 on phone banking got you through to a person.
Yep, we got wise to such things (see my addition)  :facepalm:

You probably know this, but do contact any pension providers ASAP, especially DWP to notify them, to avoid nastiness.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 09 February, 2022, 09:30:43 pm
Quote from: jsabine on 09 February, 2022, 08:26:14 pm
Searching for [bank name] + 'bereavement services' threw up useful numbers for me a couple of years ago.
that would have been my approach, but if I’ve mentioned Dr Beardy (Mrs) is a control freak, it’s nothing compared to her sister, who isn’t only a hyper control freak, but also suffers from entitlement as well! Although, I understand she retired to the kitchen today because she didn’t want her brother to think she was trying to take over when their father had asked specifically for his help. Families eh!

Another issue the family struggles with at a difficult times is that they all beleive everything should be done NOW. They think any time spent considering the best approach is ‘faffing around’ and EVERYTHING should just happen. Trying to tell them to just relax a little is just asking for a growling at.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 12 February, 2022, 12:15:38 pm
So you really thought your speech to text software could cope with a 90 minute presentation containing words and phrases such as: Tregs, T effectives, Zynlonta, pyrrolobenzodiazepine, gemcitabine, KAAG1? No it can't. But that's as nothing compared to putting your slides on a platform that required me to fire up Microsoft Edge!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 12 February, 2022, 12:24:20 pm
Edge wants badly to be killed with fire.  There may be a way to stop it from treating every open tab as a separate wossname when you’re <alt-tab>ing around the open Stuffs on your Babbage-Engine but I have so far failed to find it.  Not that I use it much, but sometimes esoteric parts of the Microsith universe will accept no substitute.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rogerzilla on 12 February, 2022, 01:38:08 pm
Someone on the CTC forum is WRONG and the forum is down so I can't tell them ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 12 February, 2022, 01:54:42 pm
Quote from: rogerzilla on 12 February, 2022, 01:38:08 pm
Someone on the CTC forum is WRONG and the forum is down so I can't tell them ;D

OK from France.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 15 February, 2022, 11:38:03 am
There are some tricksy bastards on Amazon:

(click to show/hide)

Damn thing was empty, too.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 16 February, 2022, 11:27:44 am
Dear automatic phone-spam machine woman from Heck

Please to wait until the rnsering machine has delivered its message before starting your spiel.  That way I could promote this to a full-on Rant instead of merely noting that “rrrr tomorrow. Many thanks.” is unlikely to win you any admiration, friends of customers.  Actually, no, you can just fuck off and stop phoning me when I'm asleep.

Kthxbai
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 18 February, 2022, 06:42:22 pm
Hey Sainsbo's delivery, do you not think it's about time you added a free text instruction for substitutions, like what Tesco's have?
Also, what sort of person thinks 63% rum is a suitable sub for bog standard Havana Club?

(My piña colada tastes funny even after dilution...)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 18 February, 2022, 08:47:16 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 18 February, 2022, 06:42:22 pm
Hey Sainsbo's delivery, do you not think it's about time you added a free text instruction for substitutions, like what Tesco's have?
Also, what sort of person thinks 63% rum is a suitable sub for bog standard Havana Club?

(My piña colada tastes funny even after dilution...)

I do!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 18 February, 2022, 08:54:01 pm
Pah, 63%, I remember the stuff our Jamaican neighbours used to bring around. OK, I mostly don't (a toss-up between that and the plastic-bottled Ugandan rum our other neighbour used to bring around). I think that had an octane rating rather than an ABV.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 18 February, 2022, 10:04:35 pm
I don't like my piña colada tasting of whisky.  It is wrong.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 18 February, 2022, 10:17:26 pm
The stuff my grate frend Al claimed he knocked up in his Sheds* went under the name of "whiskey" but I think it was actually AvGas filtered to remove the dye.  But a passing Scotsman** approved of it, so I suppose it must be accounted a success.

* He's in Humboldt County CA where just about everything is legal.
** Charlie, manager of, and purveyor of scurrilous tales about, one Graeme Obree.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Guy on 28 February, 2022, 03:31:31 pm
I am horrified to learn that this building no longer has any fire extinguishers. In the event of a fire we will be expected to tackle it* with First Aid Fire Appliances.  ::-)

Elfin Safety audit coming up and there's loads of perfectly serviceable English to forget, and loads of new jargon to learn.   :sick:





*Providing it is safe to do so, obvs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 01 March, 2022, 12:32:58 pm
To whom it may concern...

Yes, there's plenty of spare room in my wheely bin because I only put one sack of rubbish in it. However, parking your excess black sack in it without so much as a by your leave is, I feel, taking the wee-wee.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Slave To The Viking on 01 March, 2022, 10:25:10 pm
If you want to stick a note on it, you can let them know they can put it in mine if they like.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 02 March, 2022, 07:45:39 am
You know what's worse than waking up at 5am? It's waking up at 5am and immediately stepping with besocked feet onto a sodden bath mat because there's water coming through the bathroom ceiling!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pedaldog. on 02 March, 2022, 03:44:30 pm
Quote from: Ashaman42 on 02 March, 2022, 07:45:39 am
You know what's worse than waking up at 5am? It's waking up at 5am and immediately stepping with besocked feet onto a sodden bath mat because there's water coming through the bathroom ceiling!


Or slipping and falling on the way to the bathroom, noticing from your position looking up at the hallway ceiling to see the Bulge caused by the upstairs residents having a flood in their flat.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 03 March, 2022, 01:11:54 pm
Quote from: Ashaman42 on 02 March, 2022, 07:45:39 am
You know what's worse than waking up at 5am? It's waking up at 5am and immediately stepping with besocked feet onto a sodden bath mat because there's water coming through the bathroom ceiling!

You sleep in the bath?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 03 March, 2022, 01:59:52 pm
Bloody stupid basin design. It's curved so I can't use the Fugi tool. MkI pinkie it is then.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51915607936_f0986f59aa.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2n6B4wy)2022-03-03_01-55-42 (https://flic.kr/p/2n6B4wy) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pingus/), on Flickr
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: PhilO on 03 March, 2022, 03:08:22 pm
Won't that make water pool between the basin and the wall?!  :o :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 03 March, 2022, 04:02:29 pm
Stupid, isn't it?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 03 March, 2022, 04:14:24 pm
Quote from: chrisbainbridge on 03 March, 2022, 01:11:54 pm
Quote from: Ashaman42 on 02 March, 2022, 07:45:39 am
You know what's worse than waking up at 5am? It's waking up at 5am and immediately stepping with besocked feet onto a sodden bath mat because there's water coming through the bathroom ceiling!

You sleep in the bath?
Ok almost immediately. I wasn't completely awake at any rate.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 03 March, 2022, 04:27:51 pm
I'm having a bad electricity day.  First this (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=117751.msg2705301#msg2705301).  Now I discover (partway through hoovering, naturally) the hoover cable has an intermittent break just short of the plug strain-relief.  I've lopped off the moulded plug and a couple of inches of cable and will fit a new one when barakta gets off her video call and I can go rummaging in the box of Mains Electrical Stuff That Might Come In Useful™ (which lives beside her desk) for a replacement.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 03 March, 2022, 05:12:56 pm
I think moulded on/in plugs are the work of STAN, but then I'm very old and not that open to new ideas these days.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 03 March, 2022, 05:41:05 pm
I think moulded plugs do solve the problem of 90% of people being idiots who can't be trusted to wire a plug safely.  But they're occasionally a pain, and go in the bin.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 03 March, 2022, 07:53:52 pm
I also keep a box of useful electrical bits that I may never needTM that Mrs ED always mocks until they come in handy.  Plugs are included.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 03 March, 2022, 09:04:31 pm
I never mock Kim's keeping things for "might come in handy" cos she regularly uses them, handily.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 03 March, 2022, 09:07:26 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 03 March, 2022, 07:53:52 pm
I also keep a box of useful electrical bits that I may never needTM that Mrs ED always mocks until they come in handy.  Plugs are included.

I too have many boxes of useful bits of many varieties of many things that may come in useful sometime* . . . Mrs robgul's attitude is much the same until I answer in the positive to the "Do you have  . . . ?" questions.

*in my workshop I have a small bin (about 10" x 10") marked "To sort" in which all odd bits/screws/fixings/nuts/bolts/whatever get stored until such time as rake through to use something.  Works for me.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 03 March, 2022, 09:12:21 pm
In addition to the random screws jar (doesn't everyone have one of those?) my mum used to have a pot noodle pot that operated as a kind of lost-and-found pingfuckits exchange, which is entirely sensible when you have a household of more than two, especially if it includes children of an age where toys with critical plastic losables are a stable.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 03 March, 2022, 10:18:52 pm
My organisational skills are such that although i KNOW I’ve got one of those, I can rarely find it under duress and thus end up making a visit to one of the many local large sheds hereabout. I’ll then find said item while I’m looking for another IKIGOOT items, but rather than put it somewhere sensible* I resolve to remember where that is. And promptly forget.

*This is a euphemism for getting my shit organised.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Giraffe on 04 March, 2022, 11:12:38 am
Being disorganised is when serendipity becomes finding what you are looking for.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 04 March, 2022, 11:30:55 am
I took the bus today for the first time since the event cos the Future Classic TM was going into the garage. Now that we've moved the garage is the wrong side of town so it's a 2 bus job (I would have taken the bike but the forecast was for pishing rain).
Anyway, my grumble. Instead of the buses being every 10mins they're now every half an hour. Of course I had just missed one both times...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 04 March, 2022, 11:49:54 am
It's important to use a bus occasionally to remind yourself why bicycles are so good.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 04 March, 2022, 12:59:40 pm
I have just discovered that my preferred sewing shop in Cirencester (aeromodelling sundries, for the supply of) is closing in less than 3 weeks because the owner is retiring and hasn't been able to sell it on, despite trying to do so for 4 years.  Anyone suggesting recourse to the Bay of Thieves and, or BigRiver will be summarily executed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 04 March, 2022, 03:31:03 pm
Wednesday:  Place order with BigRiverCo for item I'm surprised & slightly annoyed I don't have in stock.  Add three other items to make it a worthwhile order.  Guaranteed delivery next day.
Thursday:  These items will arrive tomorrow. knuts.
Friday:  Two parcels arrive containing the items I'm in no rush for.  The one I need - arriving tomorrow.  Dubbl knuts.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 04 March, 2022, 06:54:40 pm
Quote from: TheLurker on 04 March, 2022, 12:59:40 pm
I have just discovered that my preferred sewing shop in Cirencester (aeromodelling sundries, for the supply of) is closing in less than 3 weeks because the owner is retiring and hasn't been able to sell it on, despite trying to do so for 4 years.  Anyone suggesting recourse to the Bay of Thieves and, or BigRiver will be summarily executed.

The obvious solution is to take over the shop.  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 04 March, 2022, 07:01:42 pm
and hold the owner hostage until he agrees to unretire?  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Slave To The Viking on 05 March, 2022, 01:53:25 am
Hang on.

Sewing shop, aeromodelling sundries, for the supply of? Now, granted, I don't know a right lot about aeromodelling, but the usefulness thereto of a sewing shop is all but beyond me.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 05 March, 2022, 07:59:12 am
In no particular order. 

- Pins, various, esp. silk pins.  Securing balsa frames while building.
- Beads, glass/plastic.  Prop. thrust bearings.
- Shirring elastic.  Rigging.  Biplanes.   
- Hooks & eyes.  Mounting hooks / simple hinges for dethermaliser and other set ups.
- Good quality needles (not the made of cheese crap you get in supermarkets) for threading rigging and other piercing tasks.
- Good quality scissors.  Most cutting is done with scalpels or razor blades, but there are times when only scissors will do and scissors that have and keep a good edge are a godsend.
- Sewing thread in various diameters for other odds & sods.  E.g. button thread wrapped around dowelling is a remarkably effective way of suggesting cylinder fins on radial motors for small models where a detailed scale motor would be too heavy or otherwise impractical.
- Wool.  Absolutely priceless when prototyping a keel build model to check the line of stringers in the formers.

I don't need to replace many of these bits often, but when I do...




Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 05 March, 2022, 05:53:59 pm
Some weeks back I grumbled to the local council about a dropped kerb on my way to the park. I say dropped kerb, but it's a bit special. A house has done the usual, and carved a parking space out of their garden. My thoughts on converting gardens to car parks is well-known, and it doesn't seem a battle I'm going to win, so hey-ho. But in this case, the front garden is a good metre or more above the road, which is about two metres away. Previously there was a steep grass verb separating the pavement from the road.

Basically:

 garden ---\
                 \
                  \---road

So they took out the verge and replaced it with a steep bit of tarmac that flattens off for the pavement section. I'd say the gradient is about 30% if not more. I'm not sure how anyone thought that was a good idea, there's clearly no way anyone can get a car over it without it bottoming out, and judging from the scratches on the tarmac someone tried just once.

The parking space isn't big enough for a modern car, so the flat bit of pavement would be blocked if someone could get a car up there. Anyone who has poor vision or is in a wheelchair and makes a misjudgement will basically have a steep and nasty fall into the roadway. It's black tarmac, there's no distinction between flat and slope, no tactile edging, and if it ever gets icy, which black tarmac will, it's going to be lethal.

I can't believe everyone looked at this and didn't see the problem. Anyway, chatting with the local councillor earlier and mentioning the verve in which my complaint is being followed up on, it seems that the owners of the house in question and in dispute with the council for putting in an unusable 'dropped kerb', the council are in dispute with their contractor, etc. It's like a carnival of stupid from everyone involved. It's 2022, councils shouldn't even be facilitating this shit at the best of times, but this is criminally bad.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 05 March, 2022, 06:57:31 pm
This post would be enhanced by pictures
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 06 March, 2022, 09:15:24 am
I have a trip organised for tomorrow which will undoubtedly be the highlight of my Monday this week - a booking for the local recycling centre to get rid of quite a bit of rubble and remains of wood from recycled projects.   

Warwickshire CC now has a timed booking system - brilliant!   It's run as a "ticket" with EventBrite . . .  OK that's a cheap and cheerful system - BUT do I really need two reminder emails from EventBrite and one from WCC about my "upcoming event"???  (I have 24 hours to go - should I expect more?)

. . . and I'm then expecting a plethora of crap emails from EventBrite as I'm now in their system . . .    (I do have the email address I used seeded so can block them, but that's not the point)

I wonder if I'l get a happy sheet email from TrustPilot to rate my tip exprience?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 06 March, 2022, 10:07:57 am
I’ve had a couple of involvements with EventBright, and even as a former developer of not dissimilar systems, I don’t think I’ve come across a bigger pile of donkey do on line anywhere ever. It’s horrible.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 06 March, 2022, 12:05:29 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 06 March, 2022, 10:07:57 am
I’ve had a couple of involvements with EventBright, and even as a former developer of not dissimilar systems, I don’t think I’ve come across a bigger pile of donkey do on line anywhere ever. It’s horrible.

Agreed - the ONLY positives are that a) you can be online with ticket sales in 5 minutes, and b) it's relatively cheap as a service.     

That said as ratepayer I'm pleased that the LA didn't waste millions and take an age to develop their own booking system - as soon as the Covid thing allowed they had the tip booking system working - and it really is a lot better than the queues that used to be there (although the inconvenience of having to book has perhaps created a noticeable increase in fly-tipping out in the sticks  >:( )
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 06 March, 2022, 01:44:28 pm
You'll also be encouraged to post pictures of your refuse to Farcebok or Instagrunt.

Fortunately they have no such system at the tip in Guildford, coz I think I'm going to be spending quite a while there in the coming months.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 06 March, 2022, 04:35:37 pm
Quote from: ian on 05 March, 2022, 05:53:59 pm
a steep grass verb
I grass
You roll
He slips
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 06 March, 2022, 06:47:08 pm
I am a law-abiding citizen
You are a covert human intelligence source
He is a fukn grass
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 06 March, 2022, 08:28:13 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 06 March, 2022, 06:47:08 pm
I am a law-abiding citizen
You are a covert human intelligence source
He is a fukn grass
<Thread merge> who shops people to the rozzers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 07 March, 2022, 03:06:11 pm
Putting cassette on motorized wheel for Ti Warhorse.  Har har: it's a solid through axle and my only cassette tool is for QR wheels. Decathlon & Intersport only offer the same ones, so BigRiver scores again (got a gift token to spend). <muttered imprecations>
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 07 March, 2022, 03:45:04 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 05 March, 2022, 06:57:31 pm
This post would be enhanced by pictures

I've only driven past it recently, I don't often wander that way and it's about ten minutes away. You can minimize the gradient slightly by driving at an odd angle, but given the gouges in the fresh tarmac, there's no great strategy.

I'm mostly astounded by the multilevel stupidity on behalf of the house owners, the council, and their contractors. They'd need a hovercar.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 07 March, 2022, 08:13:01 pm
Quote from: T42 on 07 March, 2022, 03:06:11 pm
Putting cassette on motorized wheel for Ti Warhorse.  Har har: it's a solid through axle and my only cassette tool is for QR wheels. Decathlon & Intersport only offer the same ones, so BigRiver scores again (got a gift token to spend). <muttered imprecations>

I'm trying to visualise why there would be a difference?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 07 March, 2022, 08:28:00 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 07 March, 2022, 08:13:01 pm
Quote from: T42 on 07 March, 2022, 03:06:11 pm
Putting cassette on motorized wheel for Ti Warhorse.  Har har: it's a solid through axle and my only cassette tool is for QR wheels. Decathlon & Intersport only offer the same ones, so BigRiver scores again (got a gift token to spend). <muttered imprecations>

I'm trying to visualise why there would be a difference?

The tool has a shaft which goes in where the QR skewer would usually fit so without the hole you can't push the tool into the splines.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: orienteer on 07 March, 2022, 10:45:39 pm
Quote from: ian on 07 March, 2022, 03:45:04 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 05 March, 2022, 06:57:31 pm
This post would be enhanced by pictures

I'm mostly astounded by the multilevel stupidity on behalf of the house owners, the council, and their contractors. They'd need a hovercar.

I was very disappointed in Portsmouth a couple of weeks ago when the Hoverbus from the station to the hovercraft terminal turned out to have wheels.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 08 March, 2022, 10:27:57 am
Quote from: The Family Cyclist on 07 March, 2022, 08:28:00 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 07 March, 2022, 08:13:01 pm
Quote from: T42 on 07 March, 2022, 03:06:11 pm
Putting cassette on motorized wheel for Ti Warhorse.  Har har: it's a solid through axle and my only cassette tool is for QR wheels. Decathlon & Intersport only offer the same ones, so BigRiver scores again (got a gift token to spend). <muttered imprecations>

I'm trying to visualise why there would be a difference?

The tool has a shaft which goes in where the QR skewer would usually fit so without the hole you can't push the tool into the splines.

That's it.  The really annoying thing is that mine looks as if the shaft might just be removable, but it isn't.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hatler on 08 March, 2022, 11:05:23 am
Quote from: orienteer on 07 March, 2022, 10:45:39 pm
Quote from: ian on 07 March, 2022, 03:45:04 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 05 March, 2022, 06:57:31 pm
This post would be enhanced by pictures
I'm mostly astounded by the multilevel stupidity on behalf of the house owners, the council, and their contractors. They'd need a hovercar.

I was very disappointed in Portsmouth a couple of weeks ago when the Hoverbus from the station to the hovercraft terminal turned out to have wheels.
;D   I would love to see a hoverbus negotiate the streets of Southsea.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 08 March, 2022, 07:38:56 pm
I didn't know that there were still hovercraft routes, I thought they'd all gone years ago, or is that just the cross-channel ones?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hatler on 08 March, 2022, 08:06:08 pm
Last time I looked the hovercraft was still running from Southsea to the IoW, but that was a few years ago. I'm sure spesh will be able to advise.

The cross-channel monster hover between Dover and Calais died a death once the tunnel was built, though it limped on to the mid 90s.

On our races between Ramsgate and Calais/Boulogne/Dunkirk/Gravelines in that decade the noise of the hovercraft was almost a constant companion.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: orienteer on 08 March, 2022, 10:36:53 pm
The Southsea/Ryde hovercraft claim to be the only one in the world now. I guess hydrofoils superseded them.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 08 March, 2022, 10:56:12 pm
Quote from: hatler on 08 March, 2022, 08:06:08 pm
Last time I looked the hovercraft was still running from Southsea to the IoW, but that was a few years ago. I'm sure spesh will be able to advise.

The cross-channel monster hover between Dover and Calais died a death once the tunnel was built, though it limped on to the mid 90s.

On our races between Ramsgate and Calais/Boulogne/Dunkirk/Gravelines in that decade the noise of the hovercraft was almost a constant companion.

You rang? ;D

The hovercraft service still runs - if I'm in my back yard and the wind is the right direction, I can hear them when they arrive or depart.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vernon on 08 March, 2022, 11:05:08 pm
Quote from: spesh on 08 March, 2022, 10:56:12 pm
Quote from: hatler on 08 March, 2022, 08:06:08 pm
Last time I looked the hovercraft was still running from Southsea to the IoW, but that was a few years ago. I'm sure spesh will be able to advise.

The cross-channel monster hover between Dover and Calais died a death once the tunnel was built, though it limped on to the mid 90s.

On our races between Ramsgate and Calais/Boulogne/Dunkirk/Gravelines in that decade the noise of the hovercraft was almost a constant companion.

You rang? ;D

The hovercraft service still runs - if I'm in my back yard and the wind is the right direction, I can hear them when they arrive or depart.

And if it's strong enough, then the hovercraft appears over your back fence...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 08 March, 2022, 11:12:04 pm
Quote from: Vernon on 08 March, 2022, 11:05:08 pm
Quote from: spesh on 08 March, 2022, 10:56:12 pm
Quote from: hatler on 08 March, 2022, 08:06:08 pm
Last time I looked the hovercraft was still running from Southsea to the IoW, but that was a few years ago. I'm sure spesh will be able to advise.

The cross-channel monster hover between Dover and Calais died a death once the tunnel was built, though it limped on to the mid 90s.

On our races between Ramsgate and Calais/Boulogne/Dunkirk/Gravelines in that decade the noise of the hovercraft was almost a constant companion.

You rang? ;D

The hovercraft service still runs - if I'm in my back yard and the wind is the right direction, I can hear them when they arrive or depart.

And if it's strong enough, then the hovercraft appears over your back fence...

I'm roughly level with the international ferry port - if it got that windy, I might have more pressing matters on my mind...  :o
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Clare on 08 March, 2022, 11:45:19 pm
Especially now that damn great Virgin behemoth is berthed across the way from you.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 09 March, 2022, 07:38:09 am
Late to bed, and the doorbell had us up at 06:15 this morning: MrsT had ordered a district nurse to come and take a blood sample and hadn't specified the time.  Was going to ride today, can barely crawl now. Think I need another cuppa.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hatler on 09 March, 2022, 08:16:05 am
Top room lodger returned after a couple of months away but couldn't find where the keys were stashed. That was one unnecessary get up at midnightish.

He then double locked the front door, and left the keys in.

Cue Little Miss hatler returning at 02.40.

Harrumph.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 09 March, 2022, 09:49:32 am
We were down at Pegwell Bay last year, as part of our "do the whole south coast" project. We stopped to look at the viking ship as we passed it, then wandered down to the coast to walk the dog.
We had no idea what the really weird tarmac was for - there are remains of a big car park with markings, a footbridge, mini roundabouts etc. It took us ages to figure out it was actually an abandoned hoverport.

https://www.google.com/maps/@51.3281708,1.3707701,681m/data=!3m1!1e3
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 09 March, 2022, 10:37:47 am
Due to Amazon and Yodel stuffing up, I'm going to have to spend most of my Saturday taking buses to/from town, to get cat litter. I'll also be able to buy food, but could have done that by bike in much less time (and without waiting about).

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 09 March, 2022, 01:48:30 pm
When the company said the insulation survey guy would come between 1 and 3 I wasn't expecting it to take a whole 2 hours!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 09 March, 2022, 06:01:10 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 09 March, 2022, 01:48:30 pm
When the company said the insulation survey guy would come between 1 and 3 I wasn't expecting it to take a whole 2 hours!

So that went as follows:
1. Guy looks through underfloor hatch "yes, plenty room, no problem there"
2. "The front wall is granite so there's no cavity there" (really? It's not just decorative?)
3. Rear wall. I say "there's definitely a cavity here because I saw it when the walls got cored for the extractor vents". He says "i need to drill a hole and check anyway ". I point to where the (unused) aerial cable goes into the kitchen wall and say "can you not just use that one?". He says "naw it's not big enough". Spends 10 mins drilling the wall until his battery gives up. Doesn't reach a cavity when he expects to. At which point he decides to shove the boroscope in the aerial hole I pointed out earlier and says in a surprised manner "well, there is a cavity".
Yes I know, I told you that *and* showed you a photo.
4. Despite only wanting a quote for loft, underfloor and cavity insulation he has to start filling in some script on his tablet that involves all sorts of other stuff already covered in the EPC such as windows, doors, boiler. This involves him taking about 10 pictures of the front of the house, and 10 pics of the boiler, involves a lot of swearing about it not focusing on the boiler until I suggest he turns the light on  ::-)
5. He checks the loft and declares there to be plenty of insulation up there (thank heavens for small mercies). Then he had to draw the layout of the house.
2h 15 later he finally leaves.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 10 March, 2022, 10:42:18 am
Today is my birthday. Yea. But have I got birthday cards? No, not a one. Nor any presents. You’d think I’d given them all the plague or something. Oh, wait…
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 10 March, 2022, 11:11:34 am
Roofer won't go up on a ladder, so now we need to get scaffolding etc.

Also a big bill because, despite buying a house that had a new roof, they did a shit job apparently (this being no surprise, we already had to retrofit ventilation etc). Much sucking of teeth from the roofers. Does no one in this country do anything right?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 10 March, 2022, 12:27:21 pm
Quote from: ian on 10 March, 2022, 11:11:34 am
Roofer won't go up on a ladder, so now we need to get scaffolding etc.

Also a big bill because, despite buying a house that had a new roof, they did a shit job apparently (this being no surprise, we already had to retrofit ventilation etc). Much sucking of teeth from the roofers. Does no one in this country do anything right?
When the primary motivation is money, how little can I pay, how much can I get out of them, how much profit can I get, etc, then the quality of the job is not going to,be of primary concern, with the the customer nor the tradesman. As one of my general managers told the whole unit, good enough is by definition good enough.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cycleman on 10 March, 2022, 07:50:53 pm
Happy birthday beardy :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 10 March, 2022, 08:29:57 pm
Quote from: beardy
Today is my birthday. Yea. But have I got birthday cards? No, not a one. ....
You must tell me how you do it. I've been trying to get my family to not send such things this 10 to 15 years past.  The buggers keep sending them though. It's bloody annoying.  Happy birthday Beardy.

Quote from: ian
Does no one in this country do anything right?
Looks at manager, any manager, wanting product (might be software, might not be, just sayin') delivered to stuuupidly tight deadlines for less money than it actually costs do do the job right.

*Wanders off thinking dark thoughts*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 10 March, 2022, 08:31:18 pm
Quote from: hatler on 08 March, 2022, 08:06:08 pm
Last time I looked the hovercraft was still running from Southsea to the IoW, but that was a few years ago. I'm sure spesh will be able to advise.

The cross-channel monster hover between Dover and Calais died a death once the tunnel was built, though it limped on to the mid 90s.

On our races between Ramsgate and Calais/Boulogne/Dunkirk/Gravelines in that decade the noise of the hovercraft was almost a constant companion.

I remember travelling on that, must have been early 80s, all I can remember is the noise and vibration  how they ever got certified for civilian travel I have no idea
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 10 March, 2022, 08:45:36 pm
I only flew on it once, around 1985.  Boulogne to Folkestone on a glass calm day after a major overnight storm. Cross channel in 20 minutes flat.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 10 March, 2022, 08:47:19 pm
For My birthday every year apparently I  'get' the hanging baskets.  Which I have to remember to order myself.  Pay for, and then collect when they're ready.  ::-)  :facepalm:  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 10 March, 2022, 08:48:20 pm
We had a school day trip to Boulogne on a hovercraft circa 1981. What sticks in my memory is that there were sliding windows and one kid lost his British Visitor's Passport (remember them? little green booklets) out of the window. Fortunately this was on the way back.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 11 March, 2022, 01:07:57 am
A tale told by the brother of some motoring photographer chap, who worked on the car deck of the cross-Channel hoover, was that one rough day someone neglected to tie down the vehicles properly.  With the result that someone's shiny XJ6 literally hit the roof.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 11 March, 2022, 07:35:05 am
The hovercraft service from Dover was brilliant - IF the sea was reasonably calm - if not it was :sick:

In, I think, 2006 I used the IoW hovercraft with a bike across to Southsea - there were 3 of us and the thing only took 2 bikes at a time in a little cupboard on the outside, on top of the skirt - two of us went 1st and then had an ice-cream at Minghella's*  while we waited for Steve.

*. . . related to film-maker Anthony Minghella
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 11 March, 2022, 10:00:30 am
Some time in the 80s we crossed Dover-Calais. The trip was the usual loud, malodorous tooth-loostening thudfest, but worse by far was the [h]overpriced breakfast in the Dover hoverport cafeteria with hoverburgers slopping in horrible hovergravy with limp hoverchips, hoverVAT laid on with a spade. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 13 March, 2022, 01:22:49 pm
I hear tell car insurance prices are falling. Well the price of ancillary policies aren’t. I had excess insurance last year, £32. Same coverage this year, with a “loyalty” discount, £42!  Even shopping around the best I can see is £35. Bah.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 14 March, 2022, 09:58:25 am
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 09 March, 2022, 10:37:47 am
Due to Amazon and Yodel stuffing up, I'm going to have to spend most of my Saturday taking buses to/from town, to get cat litter. I'll also be able to buy food, but could have done that by bike in much less time (and without waiting about).

Slog to-from town was a slog, as expected. Ended up walking the length of town (only a bit over a km), with shopping in bags, cat litter, birdseed  . . . worked out it was about 35kg or so. Didn't get home until 2pm.

So guess what was delivered this morning?

I now have 90l of cat litter, with another 20l on the way. FFS.

Even if I had an incontinent tiger at home, I wouldn't need that much.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 14 March, 2022, 04:08:15 pm
We may need a Hovercraft thread.... despite spending pretty much every holiday from age 6 to about 13 in Southsea with my Nan and seeing the Hovercraft hundreds of time I've never been on it. I do remember the wind having picked up once us being hearded off the beach next to the landing area so they had a bigger target to aim at

My Grandfather was also one of the first people on scene in 1972 when one overturned

And I currently supply air conditioning hoses to a Hovercraft manufacturer
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 14 March, 2022, 07:06:43 pm
FFS I'm getting the cold again, 2 weeks after the last one.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 14 March, 2022, 07:08:20 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 14 March, 2022, 09:58:25 am
Even if I had an incontinent tiger at home, I wouldn't need that much.

'Be careful what you wish for'?   :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: benborp on 14 March, 2022, 08:38:20 pm
'arf a giraffe?

FFS! The size of impacting asteroids should me measured in aquatic mammals.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 14 March, 2022, 08:41:10 pm
Quote from: benborp on 14 March, 2022, 08:38:20 pm
'arf a giraffe?

FFS! The size of impacting asteroids should me measured in aquatic mammals.

Or mega or giga-petunias?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: benborp on 14 March, 2022, 08:49:23 pm
Considering the animal-rights implications it would probably have to be peta-petunias.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 14 March, 2022, 09:45:26 pm
You could use virtual aquatic mammals to avoid the wrath of the animal rights people.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 15 March, 2022, 01:37:32 am
Why does my right arm appear to have been used as a scratching post by a discontented cat?  I don’t have a cat.  Discontented or otherwise.  Bah!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 15 March, 2022, 09:05:42 am
Could it have been a BEAR cub? You haven't been to Surrey, have you?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 15 March, 2022, 11:02:50 am
I have been to Surrey over the weekend, but the arms was mauled by Ghost Kitteh before I went there.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 15 March, 2022, 02:03:37 pm
Just finished EPO (electropoetin) build and it's bloody raining.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 15 March, 2022, 05:12:16 pm
Gross margins
Bosch cooker hood (currently unobtainium) £460
Neff equivalent (pretty much the same except for the badge) £660!
That is some margin they're raking in!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 17 March, 2022, 08:57:46 pm
As covid has put the kibosh on my trip to the pool, I mounted the trusty exercise bike to help me sweat out some grot. Gave it some welly, and of course, mighty *crunk* fifteen minutes in. I don't think both pedals are supposed to be in the same position.

Sigh. More shopping. At least I didn't much like it, it was the only one available back at the beginning of the covid era.

I replaced it with the rarely used rowing machine. I'm going to hurt from more than just covid tomorrow. Oh poor muscles.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 17 March, 2022, 09:52:06 pm
You've certainly got it mildly if you can do that stuff.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 17 March, 2022, 10:07:13 pm
I do feel like crud, though wading through the 1,000,000 different exercise bikes hasn't improved my symptoms. Is Peleton a cult? Do I need to measure the accuracy of my workout to the microsecond on a Watt bike? Will any of them cure covid?

I can break real bikes, it stands to reason I can break the stationary equivalent. At least I didn't grind my face on the tarmac.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 17 March, 2022, 10:11:52 pm
I've never met an exercise bike that wasn't made of cheese.  Presumably because if you want one that isn't, it costs as much as a proper bike, and that way lies madness.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 18 March, 2022, 01:09:31 am
Quote from: ian on 17 March, 2022, 10:07:13 pm
I do feel like crud, though wading through the 1,000,000 different exercise bikes hasn't improved my symptoms. Is Peleton a cult? Do I need to measure the accuracy of my workout to the microsecond on a Watt bike? Will any of them cure covid?

You are forbidden from owning a Pelican Peloton unless the property you propose to house it in is worth at least £2 million.  It’s right there, in the small print.  Of course £2 million is about the cost of a garden shed in Surrey, so they’ll probably let you buy one.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 18 March, 2022, 09:51:13 am
I can't, to be honest, be arsed with subscriptions, I only use it twice a week to keep my cycling legs as I haven't ridden an actual bike for some time (and possibly won't again, see: mojo, loss thereof). But just in case. I mostly just put on a podcast and grind away.

I used to break the axle on my commuting bike quite often too. No idea, I'm one of those small blokes that always turns out to be a megalomaniac dictator, not a 28 stone biffer. It was an easy choice last time, it was literally the last exercise bike available in the UK.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 18 March, 2022, 10:18:39 am
Peloton is a cult run by the world's worst marketing executives. They make human sacrifices to the God of Advertising Fail.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 18 March, 2022, 10:37:47 am
It looks that way.

My wife does this Les Mills thing that involves Kiwis (the nation, not the bird) shouting at her to 'maximize those abs' and similar. The perils of a mezzanine office with no door.

Apparently, she now wants something she can do 'spinning' on too.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 18 March, 2022, 10:39:59 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 18 March, 2022, 10:18:39 am
Peloton is a cult run by the world's worst marketing executives. They make human small child sacrifices to the God of Advertising Fail.

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-56993894 (https://www.bbc.com/news/business-56993894)

Corrected for accuracy, including references.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 18 March, 2022, 10:51:35 am
Quote from: ian on 18 March, 2022, 10:37:47 am
It looks that way.

My wife does this Les Mills thing that involves Kiwis (the nation, not the bird) shouting at her to 'maximize those abs' and similar. The perils of a mezzanine office with no door.

Apparently, she now wants something she can do 'spinning' on too.

We have a Peloton, because Mrs Dan likes the shouty spinning thing. She's really happy with it.
I use it about once a week, to show a video of somewhere picturesque (whose speed bears no relation to my pedalling) and play my own music to suit the degree of sweatiness I want to achieve.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 18 March, 2022, 10:57:48 am
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 18 March, 2022, 10:39:59 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 18 March, 2022, 10:18:39 am
Peloton is a cult run by the world's worst marketing executives. They make human small child sacrifices to the God of Advertising Fail.

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-56993894 (https://www.bbc.com/news/business-56993894)

Corrected for accuracy, including references.
Ugh.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: pcolbeck on 18 March, 2022, 04:01:32 pm
I'm doing a mandatory biannual security course online. You cant skip parts you have to sit through them then answer questions. This one hour section is all about how must all follow the EU GDPR regulations and which are the relevant authorities to report breaches to etc. Nobody setting this stuff seems to have realised that Brexit happened or that the EU GDPR no longer applies in the UK after 31 December 2020.
The UK carried over much of the same law but the regulatory authorities etc are all different.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 18 March, 2022, 09:41:09 pm
It seems I'm not buying an exercise bike, oh no, I'm purchasing an experience. I have had a lot of experiences thus far, and frankly, some of them have been of questionable quality.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 20 March, 2022, 10:20:05 pm
I’m trying to book a trip off brexit island, by train. At this notice interrail is cheaper. But actually getting a booking is frustrating. There are, of course, two sites I can do this on. One says no bookings on my first and second choice trains. The other says I can make a booking, but rejects my ticket number. Arrrg.

I’m going to leave it till the morning and try again, in case there’s some batch update going on. If it’s still broken I can try the phone, or a different train - though that’s going to mean more juggling elsewhere.

Why is this stuff never straightforward?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 21 March, 2022, 10:14:25 am
Organisations who do not employ a sufficient of call handlers and insist on telling you that they know you are waiting every ten seconds or so.

ETA

After 18 minutes of waiting it’s tempting to flounce, but I NEED to talk to the CC fraud team, and if I do drop out I’ll lose my place in the queueueueue

And the cheesy music… Aggghhh
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 21 March, 2022, 10:30:29 am
Quote from: Beardy on 21 March, 2022, 10:14:25 am
Organisations who do not employ a sufficient of call handlers and insist on telling you that they know you are waiting every ten seconds or so.

ETA

After 18 minutes of waiting it’s tempting to flounce, but I NEED to talk to the CC fraud team, and if I do drop out I’ll lose my place in the queueueueue

And the cheesy music… Aggghhh

Indeed, just play me the whole song, at least!

Though Eurostar's phone line is just hanging up on me today, which isn't ideal either.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 22 March, 2022, 03:14:48 pm
So after having to wait MOAR than three weeks to get an appointment for a blood test, how many other people were in the waiting area when I arrived at Vampire Central today?

One (1).

And how long did I have to wait?

About 2 (two) minutes.

Grrr!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 22 March, 2022, 11:33:01 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 22 March, 2022, 03:14:48 pm
So after having to wait MOAR than three weeks to get an appointment for a blood test, how many other people were in the waiting area when I arrived at Vampire Central today?
One (1).
And how long did I have to wait?
About 2 (two) minutes.
Grrr!

Blood test at GP surgery: morning only, appointment only, 15 minute wait despite appointment. Nobody else in waiting room. Vampire young and faffy.
Blood test at Queen Square. State Hospital number to reception staff, pick number from ticket machine. See n or n-1 on display in hall, proceed to vampire chamber. In & out in less than 10 minutes. Have to make appointments now but available all day. Vampires slick and efficient.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 23 March, 2022, 12:54:31 am
We in Waltham Forest phased out that grab-a-ticket nonse a couple of years ago and a good thing too, because if you turned up fifteen minutes before the place opened you could easily wait a couple of hours before the blood-letting and if you turned up ten minutes after it opened you probably wouldn’t get vampired at all chiz.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 23 March, 2022, 02:48:08 am
Queen Square is so slick that it takes longer to negotiate the labyrinthine approach to the Out-Patient Department than to register, take a ticket, get bled and leave.
A cab driver dropping me at the door can only gobble half a sandwich before I'm ready to leave...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 25 March, 2022, 07:59:19 am
Car insurance. "It's going down" Hmmm, that'll be why my rebewal is nearly 30% higher than last years premium will it (and starting a new quote added another 30%).  The only change - I'm over 65.  Obviously that's "actuarial tables" not "age discrimination".
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 25 March, 2022, 10:35:23 am
Mine came down this year, from £298 to £235.  This never happened before  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 25 March, 2022, 11:06:20 am
And indeed, using one of those cost comparison sites that my current insurer Direct Line eschews, I can get a quote that's slighlty less than my last years premium.  I may phone DL for the lols and see what they (aka UK Insurance) have to say. Certainly, going through SEAT insurance (also UK Insurance) as a new customer gives the same price give or take as DL have quoted.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 25 March, 2022, 03:20:09 pm
Self-adesive labels on wood . . . 

I had to buy a load of timber from Wickes for a carpentry job as my usual supplier a) couldn't supply all the sizes I wanted, and b) for the sizes they could supply they were much more expensive  (that's a well-known company with the initials TP)

Wickes duly delivered about £300 of PSE this morning, on time and it all looks pretty straight - BUT each pack of 4 lengths had a large s/a label stuck on the timber . . . and then when you broke the packs apart there was another s/a label on every length.   Gentle use of a heat gun and carbide scraper - and nearly an hour - got the labels off but they left a sticky residue that will have to be sanded off before I can apply a water-based stain and seal of poly.

There must be a better way to mark the timber . . .
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 25 March, 2022, 03:25:32 pm
Do you have at least a cash account at TP. They pull your pants down if your just general public.

I had to set up a cash account to hire a mixer. A while later went in and got a price for some fencing posts and when I mentioned having a cash account so not even credit the discount was about 60%
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 25 March, 2022, 03:40:28 pm
Quote from: The Family Cyclist on 25 March, 2022, 03:25:32 pm
Do you have at least a cash account at TP. They pull your pants down if your just general public.

I had to set up a cash account to hire a mixer. A while later went in and got a price for some fencing posts and when I mentioned having a cash account so not even credit the discount was about 60%

I do have a TP cash account (and they do free delivery for anything) - and at Jewsons (waste of time - very limited range at the local branch), Buildbase (only sell expensive r/s treated timber and again a limited range in stuff I use at the local one) - as well as Wickes TradePro account - oh, and Brewers paint shop account too.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 25 March, 2022, 03:52:18 pm
Was just checking as know how crap they can be. It's a shame as people go in once and get ripped off so end up returning to B&Q.

Unsurprisingly our TP shut down a few years back
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 25 March, 2022, 07:25:21 pm
Quote from: The Family Cyclist on 25 March, 2022, 03:52:18 pm
Was just checking as know how crap they can be. It's a shame as people go in once and get ripped off so end up returning to B&Q.

Unsurprisingly our TP shut down a few years back

In fairness TP locally seems pretty good, depending on what you want - it seems that all of the merchants (TP, Jewson, Buildbase, Screwfix, Toolstation, B&Q, Plumb Center, City Electrical, Wickes et al) have reduced the range of items they keep . . . doubtless for all sorts of reasons related to Covid and supply chain issues.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 25 March, 2022, 07:32:02 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 25 March, 2022, 11:06:20 am
And indeed, using one of those cost comparison sites that my current insurer Direct Line eschews, I can get a quote that's slighlty less than my last years premium.  I may phone DL for the lols and see what they (aka UK Insurance) have to say. Certainly, going through SEAT insurance (also UK Insurance) as a new customer gives the same price give or take as DL have quoted.

Despite checking every time, I have never found DL to be cheaper, not once
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 27 March, 2022, 08:02:42 pm
O hai TV's Channel 4!

There had better be a good reason for your poxy webshite saying tonight’s F1 highlights were at 19:30 when the EPG on both the distascope and the memory-box say 22:30.  GBFO accidents, for e.g., or an attack by Space Nazis.

kthxbai

Edit: it's because you were still showing me last week's schedule even after poking the “Refresh” wossname.  It should default to Right Now if you do that, you useless cretinous morons!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 27 March, 2022, 10:41:58 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 27 March, 2022, 08:02:42 pm
O hai TV's Channel 4!

There had better be a good reason for your poxy webshite saying tonight’s F1 highlights were at 19:30 when the EPG on both the distascope and the memory-box say 22:30.  GBFO accidents, for e.g., or an attack by Space Nazis.

kthxbai

Edit: it's because you were still showing me last week's schedule even after poking the “Refresh” wossname.  It should default to Right Now if you do that, you useless cretinous morons!
Wot you need is a VPN and a couple of forin urls so you can watch the race of the motor cars as it happens.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 27 March, 2022, 11:32:38 pm
And now a moment’s inattention has seen the memory-box go into Green Screen ov DETH Mode from switching shit on in the wrong order, which can only be fixed by unplugging the wretched thing from the mains, and if I do that while it’s recording it'll stop and not start again and I hate everybody >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 28 March, 2022, 09:51:45 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 27 March, 2022, 11:32:38 pm
And now a moment’s inattention has seen the memory-box go into Green Screen ov DETH Mode from switching shit on in the wrong order, which can only be fixed by unplugging the wretched thing from the mains, and if I do that while it’s recording it'll stop and not start again and I hate everybody >:(

One thing I discovered by chance about the Manhattan box I bought after getting fed up with the flaky Humax firmware is that it does pick up recordings after a power outage - this was early on in my ownership when there were still a couple of bugs, now fixed. The only drawback is that it’s dual- instead of triple-tuner, but with all the streaming channels it’s rare that an unresolvable clash occurs. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 28 March, 2022, 02:58:21 pm
We are staying in a hotel for a few days and found the shower to be very hot.  The thermostatic valve went from uncomfortably hot to extremely scalding hot. So i complained.  The maintenance man came up this morning and played around with it.  He then asked what the problem was and denied any problem.  Apparently you are not meant to have cool or cold showers!
Anyway i have bought a thermometer and will check the temperature.

Similarly, why have airconditioning which only goes down to 16degC.  We sleep with the window open and a 2.5tog duvet all winter at home.  We feel as if we are sleeping in a sauna!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 28 March, 2022, 06:11:00 pm
30 minutes ago a plumber turned up. Replaced the inter ale and all is fine again. Yes, he said, I have probably replaced every tap in the hotel over the last couple of years.

Why did they not just say that this morning when we first reported it ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 28 March, 2022, 08:11:35 pm
Quote from: chrisbainbridge on 28 March, 2022, 02:58:21 pm
Similarly, why have airconditioning which only goes down to 16degC.

Presumably because the sort of people who sleep with the window open in winter don't usually buy air conditioners.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pedaldog. on 28 March, 2022, 09:45:22 pm
I got a new Bridge saddle for my baritone acoustic guitar. it's about 3 1/2 " wide, 1/2 " high and about 1/18" thick.
It arrived in a box 14" by 12" by 5". Filled with Paper for packing!
A single wind of bubble-wrap inside a standard envelope would've been acceptable.
Thomann UK, Shipped via DHL.

Conservation?, Who Needs it!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Giraffe on 29 March, 2022, 09:16:38 am
Space in that box for a Brooks saddle!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 29 March, 2022, 08:18:14 pm
USAF.  Please not to be flying B-52s directly over the house at, double-oh what effing time do you bloody well think this is!? on the first night in ooooh, too bloody long when I don't have to get up at 0445 and was really looking forward to a lie in until 0600.  Gits.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 30 March, 2022, 02:03:39 pm
Cancelled The Ocean at the End of the Lane the other week because I had covid. Now tonight, when we had rescheduled our tickets, they have covid. C'est la vie.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 30 March, 2022, 05:14:44 pm
Quote from: TheLurker on 29 March, 2022, 08:18:14 pm
USAF.  Please not to be flying B-52s directly over the house at, double-oh what effing time do you bloody well think this is!? on the first night in ooooh, too bloody long when I don't have to get up at 0445 and was really looking forward to a lie in until 0600.  Gits.

Don't know what it was, but something came over the house about 9pm last night that shook the rafters, very low and slow and definitely not one of those Osprey things.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cycleman on 30 March, 2022, 06:26:55 pm
I just spent the best part of half an hour filling in a computerised council form for a new bus pass and just as I was about to complete it a message pops up saying the information has not been saved due to technical issues please resubmit the information from the beginning  ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 30 March, 2022, 06:30:01 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 30 March, 2022, 05:14:44 pm
Quote from: TheLurker on 29 March, 2022, 08:18:14 pm
USAF.  Please not to be flying B-52s directly over the house at, double-oh what effing time do you bloody well think this is!? on the first night in ooooh, too bloody long when I don't have to get up at 0445 and was really looking forward to a lie in until 0600.  Gits.

Don't know what it was, but something came over the house about 9pm last night that shook the rafters, very low and slow and definitely not one of those Osprey things.

Some jet-propelled git came over rainy E17 at about 03:30 this morning.  The police helichopters are bad enough  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 30 March, 2022, 09:08:26 pm
Quote from: robgul
Self-adesive labels on wood . . . 
...There must be a better way to mark the timber . . .
Some balsa suppliers do this as well and on the thinner sheets (/132" & 1/20" esp) I frequently end up cutting that section of sheet out and using it as scrap/packing during builds because there's no way of removing the label and leaving the wood it is stuck to usable.  Fortunately most suppliers don't; they scribble the price in ballpoint pen and sometimes the thickness in one corner.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 31 March, 2022, 10:30:55 am
Quote from: cycleman on 30 March, 2022, 06:26:55 pm
I just spent the best part of half an hour filling in a computerised council form for a new bus pass and just as I was about to complete it a message pops up saying the information has not been saved due to technical issues please resubmit the information from the beginning  ???
This sort of thing really annoys me. In these days of document imaging and storage it should really just be a case of ensuring that the data held is current. The system seems to be designed to discourage applications. E.g. if you are blind its unlikely to change.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 31 March, 2022, 03:15:12 pm
Have to agree with Canardly.  I am convinced that the plan is to make it as difficult as possible simply to discourage applications.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 31 March, 2022, 06:22:45 pm
I've just booked train tickets, for the first time in a long while.

I have to have paper tickets. Either collected or posted to me. No paperless.

FFS!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 31 March, 2022, 06:29:37 pm
Damned EDF website can’t cope with the load so I can’t currently submit my meter readings. I wonder if everybody is being thwarted, or if it’s just the overflow.
Perhaps I’ll send them an email with my meter readings.  >:(
Title: UGE
Post by: hellymedic on 31 March, 2022, 06:32:27 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 31 March, 2022, 06:22:45 pm
I've just booked train tickets, for the first time in a long while.
I have to have paper tickets. Either collected or posted to me. No paperless.
FFS!

I think there was no paper ticket option when I booked SouthWestern Railway tickets yo Bournemouth at Christmas.

I don't run a smartphone and ended up printing a HUGE A4 sheet from a pdf.

That was OK for me but I don't know if a home print-out would be acceptable if you were claiming expenses.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 31 March, 2022, 06:43:07 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 31 March, 2022, 06:29:37 pm
Damned EDF website can’t cope with the load so I can’t currently submit my meter readings. I wonder if everybody is being thwarted, or if it’s just the overflow.
Perhaps I’ll send them an email with my meter readings.  >:(

Bugger.  I was deliberately leaving it until late in the hope that the rush had died down >:(
Title: Re: UGE
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 31 March, 2022, 06:59:37 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 31 March, 2022, 06:32:27 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 31 March, 2022, 06:22:45 pm
I've just booked train tickets, for the first time in a long while.
I have to have paper tickets. Either collected or posted to me. No paperless.
FFS!

I think there was no paper ticket option when I booked SouthWestern Railway tickets yo Bournemouth at Christmas.

I don't run a smartphone and ended up printing a HUGE A4 sheet from a pdf.

That was OK for me but I don't know if a home print-out would be acceptable if you were claiming expenses.

I suspect it is because I'm using the edinburgh airport tram.

Still ridiculous. I was using paperless over 10 years ago. In the era of Covid, not supporting paperless?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 31 March, 2022, 07:01:06 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 31 March, 2022, 06:29:37 pm
Damned EDF website can’t cope with the load so I can’t currently submit my meter readings. I wonder if everybody is being thwarted, or if it’s just the overflow.
Perhaps I’ll send them an email with my meter readings.  >:(

I'm confused, I thought the purpose of smart meters was that I didn't need to read them, they could do so remotely? I mean, this is the premise they pitched, surely. Why do they need to estimate anything?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 31 March, 2022, 07:14:12 pm
No smart meters here, so I need to read them myself. The system does say that if you’ve a smart meter there’s no need to submit a reading.

I got as far as a submission form* which failed to upload when completed. So far I’ve had errors 403, 404, 502 and 503.

*because the live online database upload is borked.

ETA

I managed to get the form to submit but it then failed because the postcode wasn’t recognised. WTF designers a web form that fails due to a trailing space!? >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 31 March, 2022, 07:16:56 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 31 March, 2022, 06:59:37 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 31 March, 2022, 06:32:27 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 31 March, 2022, 06:22:45 pm
I've just booked train tickets, for the first time in a long while.
I have to have paper tickets. Either collected or posted to me. No paperless.
FFS!

I think there was no paper ticket option when I booked SouthWestern Railway tickets yo Bournemouth at Christmas.

I don't run a smartphone and ended up printing a HUGE A4 sheet from a pdf.

That was OK for me but I don't know if a home print-out would be acceptable if you were claiming expenses.

I suspect it is because I'm using the edinburgh airport tram.

Still ridiculous. I was using paperless over 10 years ago. In the era of Covid, not supporting paperless?

The trams were cut short recently due to the tie-in works for the new extension.
They just didn't come into the city center at all, because they could not turn around at York Place which is now demolished!

I've just looked at their website, and they are now saying that they run as far as St Andrews Square, which is what you need for Waverly Station.
So all good, I think.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 31 March, 2022, 07:55:26 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 31 March, 2022, 07:14:12 pm
No smart meters here, so I need to read them myself. The system does say that if you’ve a smart meter there’s no need to submit a reading.

That's how we ended up with estimated bills for years under $previous_supplier.

At least with Octopus you can see that they're actually getting data (or not as the case may be), rather than just assuming that the meters work.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 31 March, 2022, 08:22:44 pm
I submitted my readings yesterday  :smug:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 31 March, 2022, 08:54:52 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 31 March, 2022, 07:14:12 pm
No smart meters here, so I need to read them myself. The system does say that if you’ve a smart meter there’s no need to submit a reading.

I got as far as a submission form* which failed to upload when completed. So far I’ve had errors 403, 404, 502 and 503.

I got a 501 just now, but now I just get a screenful of absolutely nothing chiz.
Title: Re: UGE
Post by: ElyDave on 31 March, 2022, 09:37:55 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 31 March, 2022, 06:32:27 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 31 March, 2022, 06:22:45 pm
I've just booked train tickets, for the first time in a long while.
I have to have paper tickets. Either collected or posted to me. No paperless.
FFS!

I think there was no paper ticket option when I booked SouthWestern Railway tickets yo Bournemouth at Christmas.

I don't run a smartphone and ended up printing a HUGE A4 sheet from a pdf.

That was OK for me but I don't know if a home print-out would be acceptable if you were claiming expenses.

Yes, they are, you generally take a photo, e-mail it and the system does the rest.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Legs on 31 March, 2022, 09:47:13 pm
Send them a WhatsApp message with pictures of your meter and your customer ID to 07480802942
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: lissotriton on 31 March, 2022, 10:07:43 pm
Quote from: Feanor on 31 March, 2022, 07:16:56 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 31 March, 2022, 06:59:37 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 31 March, 2022, 06:32:27 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 31 March, 2022, 06:22:45 pm
I've just booked train tickets, for the first time in a long while.
I have to have paper tickets. Either collected or posted to me. No paperless.
FFS!

I think there was no paper ticket option when I booked SouthWestern Railway tickets yo Bournemouth at Christmas.

I don't run a smartphone and ended up printing a HUGE A4 sheet from a pdf.

That was OK for me but I don't know if a home print-out would be acceptable if you were claiming expenses.

I suspect it is because I'm using the edinburgh airport tram.

Still ridiculous. I was using paperless over 10 years ago. In the era of Covid, not supporting paperless?

The trams were cut short recently due to the tie-in works for the new extension.
They just didn't come into the city center at all, because they could not turn around at York Place which is now demolished!

I've just looked at their website, and they are now saying that they run as far as St Andrews Square, which is what you need for Waverly Station.
So all good, I think.
Depends on what train you are on, but probably quicker and easier to change to the tram at Haymarket.
Or Edinburgh Park / Edinburgh Gateway if coming from the west/north.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 01 April, 2022, 01:54:45 am
I’ve just submitted the readings. The gas and electricity I’ve used in the last couple of hours is going to be negligible, but the readings were taken at 6pm.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 01 April, 2022, 02:01:12 am
Likewise, though I bet I'll get an e-mail in three weeks' time saying I got one, or more, of the numbers wrong coz it doesn’t give you a previous reading to check against.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 01 April, 2022, 02:52:05 am
Quote from: ian on 31 March, 2022, 07:01:06 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 31 March, 2022, 06:29:37 pm
Damned EDF website can’t cope with the load so I can’t currently submit my meter readings. I wonder if everybody is being thwarted, or if it’s just the overflow.
Perhaps I’ll send them an email with my meter readings.  >:(

I'm confused, I thought the purpose of smart meters was that I didn't need to read them, they could do so remotely? I mean, this is the premise they pitched, surely. Why do they need to estimate anything?

My 'smart' meter stopped communicating with the mothership last autumn. I think this was at the time that small suppliers were going bust. I thought things would start working after a while, as was suggested on the e-on website but it hasn't happened.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Giraffe on 01 April, 2022, 08:55:05 am
Octopus was slow but usable yesterday. Trickery readings went but gas was queried. Gas was a week's worth lower than expected due to borked boiler, so I assumed that was the problem and sent annie mail.
New boiler being fitted today if ingineur survives 20 miles on icy roads.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 01 April, 2022, 09:47:54 am
Went to see Ray Mears last night. Good stuff but slightly spoilt by the Young People in the stalls scoffing, very noisily, what must have been a metric shitload of crisps, sweets and fizzy drinks.
Why do venues sell such stuff?
Why do those herding the Young People not do anything about it?

If only the Young People in question were wearing clothing that identified them? Oops, they were.  nth X town Scouts you haz email.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 01 April, 2022, 01:43:17 pm
Back when I was a PSO, the anime society had rules about crisps:  Chiefly that you were supposed to take the opportunity while the lights were on and the projector people were fighting with codecs to dissect the bag so it could be laid flat with a neat pile of crisps on the desk in front of you.  Crisps could then be picked from the top of the pile and the bag left un-rustled for the duration of the film.  A similar approach was taken to the opening of cans.  Individually-wrapped sweets weren't really a thing, as PSOs are well outside the target demographic for Werther's Originals.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 02 April, 2022, 02:07:08 pm
I'm trying to book a venue for my son's birthday. Nothing flash, just a room in a pub or something.

Filled in online form - no response.

Tried phoning, multiple times. One place is permanently engaged. The other never answers the phone.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 02 April, 2022, 02:23:28 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 02 April, 2022, 02:07:08 pm
I'm trying to book a venue for my son's birthday. Nothing flash, just a room in a pub or something.

Filled in online form - no response.

Tried phoning, multiple times. One place is permanently engaged. The other never answers the phone.
Depending on location, local political party clubs often have a room available and occasionally catering facilities.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 02 April, 2022, 04:56:55 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 02 April, 2022, 02:07:08 pm
I'm trying to book a venue for my son's birthday. Nothing flash, just a room in a pub or something.

Filled in online form - no response.

Tried phoning, multiple times. One place is permanently engaged. The other never answers the phone.
sports clubs also are often keen to rent out space.  Other places are Church halls and Parish halls
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 02 April, 2022, 05:35:49 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 01 April, 2022, 09:47:54 am
Went to see Ray Mears last night. Good stuff but slightly spoilt by the Young People in the stalls scoffing, very noisily, what must have been a metric shitload of crisps, sweets and fizzy drinks.
Why do venues sell such stuff?

Dunno.
When we hosted a piano party, I made sure all available refreshments were 'quiet': no crisps or crinkly plastic etc.

You'd think entertainment venues could use a similar strategy. I'm sure there is some sort of planning to choose those little ice cream pots at classical concerts...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 03 April, 2022, 09:52:41 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 02 April, 2022, 05:35:49 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 01 April, 2022, 09:47:54 am
Went to see Ray Mears last night. Good stuff but slightly spoilt by the Young People in the stalls scoffing, very noisily, what must have been a metric shitload of crisps, sweets and fizzy drinks.
Why do venues sell such stuff?

Dunno.
When we hosted a piano party, I made sure all available refreshments were 'quiet': no crisps or crinkly plastic etc.

You'd think entertainment venues could use a similar strategy. I'm sure there is some sort of planning to choose those little ice cream pots at classical concerts...

Profit innit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 03 April, 2022, 11:03:46 am
Why are fiction books getting longer. Used to be 250-300 pages was deemed sufficient. Now it’s more like 400, and frankly I don’t think it’s been an improvement. More editors should be like those for Donna Leon or Barbara Nadel.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 05 April, 2022, 08:24:22 am
The heating system has failed, right before I have to go south.

Normally I'd book a half day off work and fix it myself, but work pressures say no.

It's probably just the oil filter needing replacement/cleaning, but I can't risk taking that apart, finding I need parts, etc. Don't have time to do it before I leave.

buggerit I'll have to pay to get someone in.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: arabella on 07 April, 2022, 05:24:25 pm
Bank!
Why, in this day & age of massive automation do you still refuse to transfer £££ around on a Saturday or Sunday or Public Holiday*?
I can't believe you need 48 hours every single weekend for maintenance.
Or at least offer "last thing on a Friday" so $Recipient can't see it until they look at the weekend.

*aka bank holiday. OK, there's a clue in the name but that's an anachronism, or ought to be
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 07 April, 2022, 07:42:13 pm
This flower bed appears to actually be a swimming pool.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51987883752_5a99d48f48.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2ncZuBj)2022-04-07_07-37-55 (https://flic.kr/p/2ncZuBj) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pingus/), on Flickr

I can see this plan of improving the clay soil is going to be a bit of a challenge. Not helped by the fact that those neighbouring gardens appear to be a few inches higher than ours.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 07 April, 2022, 07:42:45 pm
Quote from: arabella on 07 April, 2022, 05:24:25 pm
Bank!
Why, in this day & age of massive automation do you still refuse to transfer £££ around on a Saturday or Sunday or Public Holiday*?
I can't believe you need 48 hours every single weekend for maintenance.
Or at least offer "last thing on a Friday" so $Recipient can't see it until they look at the weekend.

*aka bank holiday. OK, there's a clue in the name but that's an anachronism, or ought to be

Hmm, that's not all banks . . . I have no problem making instant transactions during weekends . . . I think some of the "challenger banks" might be guilty of this (possibly to do with the treasury function holding cash over a few days to earn interest?)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 07 April, 2022, 07:56:02 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 07 April, 2022, 07:42:13 pm
This flower bed appears to actually be a swimming pool.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51987883752_5a99d48f48.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2ncZuBj)2022-04-07_07-37-55 (https://flic.kr/p/2ncZuBj) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pingus/), on Flickr

I can see this plan of improving the clay soil is going to be a bit of a challenge. Not helped by the fact that those neighbouring gardens appear to be a few inches higher than ours.

Compost
Compost
Compost
Grit
Grit
Grit
and a spade
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 07 April, 2022, 08:06:24 pm
Have you done it?
Does it *really* work?

I have several sacks of soil improver, a rotovator, a pile of bark chips. But reading the internet is making me doubt this will work...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 07 April, 2022, 08:57:25 pm
Yes it works, I've been here 15 years and have a functioning veg plot, and some decent flowerbeds though there are still areas I've not worked so much where i could put in a spade and make a pot out of what I dig up.

It takes time and effort over years, not a single season, though you would likely see incremental benefits. Plough all of your home-made compost back into the patch.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 07 April, 2022, 09:10:04 pm
We live on heavy clay. The flower borders have been improved, starting in 1975….  The veg beds I made raised and filled with whatever split bags I could get from the garden centre. It’s taken 20 years and 5 out of 6 are pretty good.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 07 April, 2022, 10:47:19 pm
Oh well, that is somewhat encouraging.
I could dig a French drain but I don't think there's anywhere to route it to...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: arabella on 08 April, 2022, 09:42:15 am
Quote from: robgul on 07 April, 2022, 07:42:45 pm
Quote from: arabella on 07 April, 2022, 05:24:25 pm
Bank!
Why, in this day & age of massive automation do you still refuse to transfer £££ around on a Saturday or Sunday or Public Holiday*?
I can't believe you need 48 hours every single weekend for maintenance.
Or at least offer "last thing on a Friday" so $Recipient can't see it until they look at the weekend.

*aka bank holiday. OK, there's a clue in the name but that's an anachronism, or ought to be

Hmm, that's not all banks . . . I have no problem making instant transactions during weekends . . . I think some of the "challenger banks" might be guilty of this (possibly to do with the treasury function holding cash over a few days to earn interest?)
Nor do I, if I log in on the day (afair).  But I can't plan in advance to make a transfer at a weekend (eg 9th April 2022 ends up as 11th April 2022), any standing orders falling on the weekend are held over until the Monday.  So "last day of the month" can turn out to be "the Monday after the last day of the month".
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 12 April, 2022, 07:46:31 pm
My wife has her hair cut at home. Her hairdresser cancelled tomorrow’s appointment, but happily rearranged it for Friday morning. At 08:45. That’s Good Friday when I’m off work. The joys of living with a retired person for whom Bank Holidays have no bearing.   :-\
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 13 April, 2022, 10:56:59 am
Looking forward to a busy but fun five day weekend as booked tomorrow off to bolt onto Easter weekend

My colleagues got covid so can't have tomorrow off as would leave no one in department

Arse
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 13 April, 2022, 12:17:27 pm
I'm getting rather weary of the neighbours' dog, which has - for reasons that aren't entirely clear - taken to prolonged barking/howling sessions in the mornings from about 7:30 to 10-11ish.  This conspires perfectly with my circadian rhythms insisting that I should be AWAKE! at 6am (but also that going to bed before midnight is a complete waste of time).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 13 April, 2022, 06:23:45 pm
Last time I got a new passport I had to do it early for some reason, so the expiry date was 10y 7m after the valid from date.
Now, despite being over a year before the expiry date I'm going to have to apply for a (shit black) new one because I need to go away in August and it won't have 6m validity while being within 10y of the valid from date.
Brexit, the gift that keeps on giving.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 13 April, 2022, 06:25:21 pm
I have a shiny! new! Shit Black Passport™, and TBH, the sooner they expire the better.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 13 April, 2022, 06:47:13 pm
Professor Larrington informs me that the current turnaround time for a new pisspot passport is about 10 weeks.  Just applied online for a new one.  Still need to post the old one to exotic Bootle coz there was an envelope famine at Larrington Towers chiz.  Then I have to find some suitable maroon crayons…
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 13 April, 2022, 07:22:41 pm
*Looks at flock(?) of moths in wallet, looks at passport, sighs, puts passport back in the drawer whence it came.*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 13 April, 2022, 08:14:46 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 13 April, 2022, 06:47:13 pm
Professor Larrington informs me that the current turnaround time for a new pisspot passport is about 10 weeks.  Just applied online for a new one.  Still need to post the old one to exotic Bootle coz there was an envelope famine at Larrington Towers chiz.  Then I have to find some suitable maroon crayons…

The she was extremely lucky from what I read in last weeks Graun. Fingers crossed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 13 April, 2022, 08:19:23 pm
Mine came through a fair bit quicker than that, though I applied back in February.  They spent about three weeks pretending that they hadn't received my old one, then got the new one done in under 2 weeks.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 13 April, 2022, 09:21:55 pm
When Pingu renewed his they were claiming 10 weeks and it only took a couple, but that was during proper lockdown when no one was going anywhere.
I just remembered I'm supposed to be going away in June or July (or possibly both) as well so maybe I need to tell work to pay for the fast track service...

This is claiming about a month...
https://www.passportwaitingtime.co.uk/latest-uk-passport-processing-times-13th-april-2022/
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 14 April, 2022, 01:04:23 am
Quote from: rafletcher on 13 April, 2022, 08:14:46 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 13 April, 2022, 06:47:13 pm
Professor Larrington informs me that the current turnaround time for a new pisspot passport is about 10 weeks.  Just applied online for a new one.  Still need to post the old one to exotic Bootle coz there was an envelope famine at Larrington Towers chiz.  Then I have to find some suitable maroon crayons…

The she was extremely lucky from what I read in last weeks Graun. Fingers crossed.

Just to clarify, Professor L hasn’t applied for one herself recently and was merely relaying the experience of cow-orkers/chums/Penniless Student Oaves/fellow Grauniad readers.

Edit: don’t need mine for travelling purposes until September but…
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 14 April, 2022, 08:26:06 am
My son applied for one a couple of weeks ago. His expires in July. He's not going anywhere, at least not abroad, but he is going to Cornwall (which some define as Not England) to university in September, and they, it seems, need his passport as ID. I think it was the university itself, rather than UCAS or @#~£$! Student Finance. But anyway, first his photo was deemed unsuitable due to "uneven lighting". Then, because he is Erewhonian, they needed to see his FOREIGN passport. Apparently they need to check the names are the same...  ??? Whereas they promptly acknowledged receipt of about-to-expire BRITISH passport, they have not done so for FOREIGN passport. He's now convinced they've impounded it and put him on a list for MI5. And all to go to Cornwall.

All passports mentioned above are burgundy funny shade of red.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 14 April, 2022, 10:04:38 am
I did the one-day passport office thing some time back, which was painless, but as detailed elsewhere, they gave me a passport made out of tissue paper that snarls up the readers and helpfully, when I complained, they helpfully advised me to pay for a new one. Annoyingly my wife got hers renewed a few months later and got a far better quality one. Grumble. On the plus side, I had expensed it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 14 April, 2022, 10:04:53 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 14 April, 2022, 08:26:06 am
He's now convinced they've impounded it and put him on a list for MI5. And all to go to Cornwall.


back in the pre-plague days, I used to travel, a lot, and to some funny places involving proper visas obtained from embassies.  To facilitate this, I have two UK passports allowing one to be in an embassy while travelling with the other.  When coming back through UK passport control (non-auto-face-recognition gates) I always got a second look, and got asked on one or two occasions as I think the system must have flagged this up.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 14 April, 2022, 12:43:07 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 14 April, 2022, 08:26:06 am
My son applied for one a couple of weeks ago. His expires in July. He's not going anywhere, at least not abroad, but he is going to Cornwall (which some define as Not England) to university in September, and they, it seems, need his passport as ID. I think it was the university itself, rather than UCAS or @#~£$! Student Finance.

I expect it's a requirement of some piece of Priti Fascist legislation to make sure the university aren't educating the wrong FOREIGNS by mistake.  There's all sorts of ridiculous rules they have to comply with.[1]

Also, a passport is about the only piece of universally-recognised ID a BRITON without a driving licence can use.


[1] Cue barakta rant about $university having to teach deaf drama students in an acoustically inappropriate building because the Shiny! New! building couldn't be used because nobody remembered to apply to add it to the home office's list of authorised edumacational establishments.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 14 April, 2022, 04:06:53 pm
Quote from: Kim on 14 April, 2022, 12:43:07 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 14 April, 2022, 08:26:06 am
My son applied for one a couple of weeks ago. His expires in July. He's not going anywhere, at least not abroad, but he is going to Cornwall (which some define as Not England) to university in September, and they, it seems, need his passport as ID. I think it was the university itself, rather than UCAS or @#~£$! Student Finance.

I expect it's a requirement of some piece of Priti Fascist legislation to make sure the university aren't educating the wrong FOREIGNS by mistake.  There's all sorts of ridiculous rules they have to comply with.[1]

Also, a passport is about the only piece of universally-recognised ID a BRITON without a driving licence can use.
And to think it was the potential admin problems that put him off his initial plan of studying in Holland. It's probably easier to get to Rotterdam than Falmouth too.


Quote
[1] Cue barakta rant about $university having to teach deaf drama students in an acoustically inappropriate building because the Shiny! New! building couldn't be used because nobody remembered to apply to add it to the home office's list of authorised edumacational establishments.
There are times when it is fully justified to ignore, subvert or just break the law.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 15 April, 2022, 05:01:56 pm
Ah, yet another Brexit bonus. I needed some replacement disc pads, Shimano JO3A. Most retailers in the UK are asking £22 - 25 a pair. Bike24 in Germany, €13.22.  >:(  Fortunately my stepson lives in Berlin, and is visiting the UK in a couple of weeks.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 15 April, 2022, 06:21:33 pm
Sadly pissing off the HostileEnvironment Home Office could get the entire uni shut down...

Vs the few hundred £ damages a disabled student could claim. And the uni would have a reasonable excuse...

Same for copyright, 10k fines and criminal record, so fuck disabled people and access via the regressive copyright exemptions which have to be applied for case by case (causing delay in access)...

Listed buildings are more important than disabled access and all...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 15 April, 2022, 06:25:35 pm
Quote from: barakta on 15 April, 2022, 06:21:33 pm
Listed buildings are more important than disabled access people and all...
FTFY
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 18 April, 2022, 11:13:00 am
Wanted to watch Paris-Roubaix yesterday via France Télévision's site, but the wretched login page just went round in circles.  Tried it again just now and it worked.  :demon:  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 18 April, 2022, 02:16:59 pm
If it wasn’t for the contrails we’d have a virtually clear blue sky.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 18 April, 2022, 09:46:16 pm
I have just booked train tickets for a forthcoming trip from CrossCountry.
(I couldn't get tickets via GWR to work and failed to log into Transport for Wales).

I want orange cardboard ; I don't have a suitable phone and wouldn't want to faff with one at a gate line if I did.

They now charge an extra £1 to collect tickets from a machine and £1.20 for 2nd class post.

Post suits me fine but £1 to collect tickets from a machine rankles!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 18 April, 2022, 10:13:34 pm
Ugh!  That's something to get disgruntled about next time I find myself using a train.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 18 April, 2022, 11:18:17 pm
It's also ableist as the reason I don't have a smartphone is that I can't operate a touch screen.
Other rail operators might charge/deliver differently but having battled with several over the weekend, I ran out of spoons.
South Western Railway didn't have an orange cardboard option in the winter IIRC and we ended up printing our tickets onto A4 paper.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 19 April, 2022, 07:48:13 am
Milk & More

Two things, both which have been raised with you and your delivery operative more than once:

1:  Please put the delivery in the box.  You have been doing this for more than a year continuously so why stop now?

2:  We take unsalted butter.  Salted butter is not a suitable substitution.

I suspect that it's a churn of staff but I find such a basic lack of attention to detail really frustrating.

Time to be wasted now emailing / telephoning these numpties and I shall leave a note out for the milkman for the next delivery.  Little things help retain customers ...

Bottled milk to the doorstep is an expensive luxury and the walk to the Coop for organic milk in ruddy plastic would give me exercise but I'd be consuming plastic which we are trying to avoid.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 19 April, 2022, 08:29:23 am
Quote from: Polar Bear on 19 April, 2022, 07:48:13 am
Milk & More

Two things, both which have been raised with you and your delivery operative more than once:

1:  Please put the delivery in the box.  You have been doing this for more than a year continuously so why stop now?

2:  We take unsalted butter.  Salted butter is not a suitable substitution.

I suspect that it's a churn of staff but I find such a basic lack of attention to detail really frustrating.

Time to be wasted now emailing / telephoning these numpties and I shall leave a note out for the milkman for the next delivery.  Little things help retain customers ...

Bottled milk to the doorstep is an expensive luxury and the walk to the Coop for organic milk in ruddy plastic would give me exercise but I'd be consuming plastic which we are trying to avoid.
Badoom tish!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 19 April, 2022, 08:37:27 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 18 April, 2022, 09:46:16 pm
I have just booked train tickets for a forthcoming trip from CrossCountry.
(I couldn't get tickets via GWR to work and failed to log into Transport for Wales).

I want orange cardboard ; I don' have a suitable phone and wouldn't want to faff with one at a gate line if I did.

They now charge an extra £1 to collect tickets from a machine and £1.20 for 2nd class post.

Post suits me fine but £1 to collect tickets from a machine rankles!
I'd agree. I think a charge for post is justifiable as it is a cost, though £1.20 probably more than covers the cost. But a charge for collecting from machine is not on. The last few train tickets I've bought have been from TVM, from manned ticket office and on train; all the same price, there's no extra charge in those circumstances for using a machine. Nor, which might be more logical, for buying via interaction with a real live human*. Those have all been GWR, I don't know if that makes a difference.

*But if they really wanted to encourage people to buy from TVMs rather than humans, it would be a good idea to make sure they all work. Simply installing a machine on a platform is not enough.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 19 April, 2022, 09:03:51 am
The thieving bastards who flog gig tickets charge you for:
This latter crime will see them off to the Reëducation Camps toot sweet once we of the Democratic Ruthless Bastards Party are entrenched in #10.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Rod Marton on 19 April, 2022, 09:15:01 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 19 April, 2022, 08:37:27 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 18 April, 2022, 09:46:16 pm
I have just booked train tickets for a forthcoming trip from CrossCountry.
(I couldn't get tickets via GWR to work and failed to log into Transport for Wales).

I want orange cardboard ; I don' have a suitable phone and wouldn't want to faff with one at a gate line if I did.

They now charge an extra £1 to collect tickets from a machine and £1.20 for 2nd class post.

Post suits me fine but £1 to collect tickets from a machine rankles!
I'd agree. I think a charge for post is justifiable as it is a cost, though £1.20 probably more than covers the cost. But a charge for collecting from machine is not on. The last few train tickets I've bought have been from TVM, from manned ticket office and on train; all the same price, there's no extra charge in those circumstances for using a machine. Nor, which might be more logical, for buying via interaction with a real live human*. Those have all been GWR, I don't know if that makes a difference.

*But if they really wanted to encourage people to buy from TVMs rather than humans, it would be a good idea to make sure they all work. Simply installing a machine on a platform is not enough.

I can conform that GWR do not charge you to use a machine, however they charge you an exorbitant amount for ticket delivery. Also they have the world's most user-unfriendly website (which falls over regularly), I'm not surprised you couldn't get tickets through it. I buy tickets through it often enough to be used to its quirks, but still have to check regularly that the ticket I am ordering is for the right train on the right day between the right stations. I'm not entirely sure why I stick with it, probably because I travel mostly on their trains and it is one of the few sites you can book bikes on.

One further word of warning: GWR online ticketing is not integrated with GWR ticket offices. This can lead to some interesting situations.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 19 April, 2022, 12:21:05 pm
I have my first real cold (apparently not covid) since the debut of the plague era – it's a lot worse than the covid I had a few weeks back. An epic grotload of snot seems to have pressure-sealed my head. I don't miss this. At least the worst of it waited till the end of the Easter weekend.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 19 April, 2022, 12:30:33 pm
Out at Easter with many many friends, staying in bunkhouser type place. Some of us went for a Healthy Walk on Sunday, with a view to taking a glass of BEER halfway round. Get to Thee Pubbe, which seems to be very proud of its pies. A bit of an eating place vibe, but still a Thee Pubbe.

"Have you booked?"
"No, we're just after a quick drink"
"I'm sorry, we're really busy (we were the only ones at the bar)"
"We'll only be half an hour, having a drink in the garden"
"We're expecting a large group in an hour. I'm sorry, we're really busy"

No BEER so off we went.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 19 April, 2022, 12:53:38 pm
That seems to be common these days in country pubs – buying a pint involves the staff spending much time looking at booking lists and consultations with managers, all conducted in a near empty pub. Entreaties that we'll stand out of the way and be gone in twenty minutes struggled to make much headway. The majority of the time, the promised hoards of booked customers have yet to appear when we leave. Possibly they were eaten by bears. They never book.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 19 April, 2022, 02:12:25 pm
15 years or more ago we started encountering this on our Sunday rides.  The pretentious pubs of southern Leicestershire became all gentrified and if you didn't have a booking you were turned away.   What resulted though was discovering a few small, local gems where unpretentious but good food can be had for not very many earth pounds and the teapot seems to never be quite empty.

If the hospitality trade is struggling now it's partly down to their own greed in the past.  I have no sympathy for the bleating, whinging, moaning, self-entitled proprietors.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 19 April, 2022, 02:39:14 pm
Much of it seems to be down to junior staff and their managers, none of whom seem empowered with any kind of decision-making abilities. I suspect some of these pubs don't have landlords, they have an executive leadership team and PowerPoint slides about table occupancy statistics.

Also, I hate to say it, but British staff. As a nation, we can't do service. Bar staff, you know the person who's already at the bar? That's the one you serve first, not the chap who just walked up. It's not hard, I've worked behind a bar.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TimC on 19 April, 2022, 03:20:37 pm
Trip Advisor/Facebook reviews are a fairly powerful weapon against public house bureaucracy. None of them like to have it revealed that their Service Is Crap and their welcome is no such thing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 19 April, 2022, 03:47:20 pm
Quote from: TimC on 19 April, 2022, 03:20:37 pm
Trip Advisor/Facebook reviews are a fairly powerful weapon against public house bureaucracy. None of them like to have it revealed that their Service Is Crap and their welcome is no such thing.
Yup. Already tripadvisored them. and razed the pub to the ground and sowed the land with salt
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Hot Flatus on 19 April, 2022, 03:49:29 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 19 April, 2022, 12:30:33 pm
Out at Easter with many many friends, staying in bunkhouser type place. Some of us went for a Healthy Walk on Sunday, with a view to taking a glass of BEER halfway round. Get to Thee Pubbe, which seems to be very proud of its pies. A bit of an eating place vibe, but still a Thee Pubbe.

"Have you booked?"
"No, we're just after a quick drink"
"I'm sorry, we're really busy (we were the only ones at the bar)"
"We'll only be half an hour, having a drink in the garden"
"We're expecting a large group in an hour. I'm sorry, we're really busy"

No BEER so off we went.

This is because you mistakenly thought you were in a pub. You weren't, you were in a restaurant purporting to be a pub.  Imagine going into a restaurant and asking if you could just have a drink...you'd be shown the door.

I'm not being sarcastic, it's just that pubs either have to sell a lot of pints (with small margins) or they are effectively restaurants.  If you look at how many pubs have closed in the last decade you can see why.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 19 April, 2022, 03:53:08 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 19 April, 2022, 03:47:20 pm
Quote from: TimC on 19 April, 2022, 03:20:37 pm
Trip Advisor/Facebook reviews are a fairly powerful weapon against public house bureaucracy. None of them like to have it revealed that their Service Is Crap and their welcome is no such thing.
Yup. Already tripadvisored them. and razed the pub to the ground and sowed the land with salt
Remind me to never cross you.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 19 April, 2022, 03:55:29 pm
Yes, but that doesn't address why they can't just sell you a pint and let you sit at an empty table that isn't booked for another 30 minutes without having to spend several minutes in consultation. Particularly when the staff mostly seem to standing around and waiting for the promised arrival of the predicted hoards. And even if they are busy, they ought to be able to handle busy.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 19 April, 2022, 04:02:45 pm
During a ride a few years back Wowbagger and I once stepped inside a 'Pub' somewhere in the wilds of Essex/Suffolk, both being somewhat hot and bothered and of course wearing relevant cycling apparel. We had been looking for a suitable hostelry for some time but these were noticeable by their absence. One or two snooty looking glances down the elegant but derogatory noses of the bar staff suggested a tactical locality error and we both withdrew quietly.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Hot Flatus on 19 April, 2022, 04:08:49 pm
Quote from: ian on 19 April, 2022, 03:55:29 pm
Yes, but that doesn't address why they can't just sell you a pint and let you sit at an empty table that isn't booked for another 30 minutes without having to spend several minutes in consultation. Particularly when the staff mostly seem to standing around and waiting for the promised arrival of the predicted hoards. And even if they are busy, they ought to be able to handle busy.

It isn't worth their while. They probably make 75p on a pint.

Lots of pubs aren't pubs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 19 April, 2022, 05:08:51 pm
I don't think it's more worthwhile paying staff to tend empty tables.

Even restaurants have bars, where they serve drinks, the mark-up on drinks is more generous than on food after all.

In my experience, it's poor organization and inflexibility, some pubs are fine, will cheerfully pour you a drink and find you a table, even if they're going to have to ask you 'to move in thirty minutes').
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TimC on 19 April, 2022, 06:55:33 pm
Since the pandemic, quite a few pubs near me no longer do food. They can't get the chefs or the waiting staff, and it's easier to make money by being a decent landlord and shifting pints (and 'artisan' gin) by the gallon. I think my local (next door, and still doing excellent food) is one of very few that charges less than £5 a pint. The markup in some of them is eye-watering.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 19 April, 2022, 07:18:06 pm
Quote from: ian on 19 April, 2022, 05:08:51 pm
I don't think it's more worthwhile paying staff to tend empty tables.

Even restaurants have bars, where they serve drinks, the mark-up on drinks is more generous than on food after all.


I’m not sure, the reason most pubs are now restaurants serving drinks is that wet sales alone aren’t profitable enough.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 19 April, 2022, 07:30:40 pm
Knowing a couple of people who ran a restaurant, the mark-up on a drink is much higher than food, but the trade-off is that the average meal bill is lot bigger than a bar tab, and 10% of £30 is a ultimately less than 5% of £300. Note the tense, they said it was basically impossible to balance the books given their increasingly vertiginous rent, every day had to be the best day, and every day that wasn't their best day ate into their residual finance resources. Leaving tables empty though is pointless, every drink sold brings something in.

I think it's often down to 'managed pubs' where the staff can pretty much only put people on available tables and when the 'computer says no' they're not empowered to say 'feel free to sit at the table until the guests turn up' at least until they've consulted with two layers of more senior management and got approval in triplicate. We were once told we couldn't sit in part of a completely empty pub because it 'wasn't her zone' (back during the grisly reign of table service only). Lest you think this was a football pitch-sized pub, it literally was about eight tables. She did explain that the computer wouldn't let her serve us on a table she wasn't allocated to (and that person had yet to turn up). While I feel her pain, basically refusing to serve customers in an empty pub, even if it doesn't lose much money, isn't going to do your reputation much good. We commonly go visit pubs we've encountered on our travels for a meal. Not that one though. Most pubs, fortunately, are fairly accomodating now you can walk up a bar and just order.

(In other news, I bought two pints at the weekend: the damage, £11.90 a pint. I expect no less from Hackney.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TimC on 19 April, 2022, 08:05:11 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 19 April, 2022, 07:18:06 pm
Quote from: ian on 19 April, 2022, 05:08:51 pm
I don't think it's more worthwhile paying staff to tend empty tables.

Even restaurants have bars, where they serve drinks, the mark-up on drinks is more generous than on food after all.


I’m not sure, the reason most pubs are now restaurants serving drinks is that wet sales alone aren’t profitable enough.

Obviously that depends on how much you charge and what your overheads are. The boys next door own their pub, charge on average about £12 for a main course and £4 for a pint. They drive a number of Range Rovers and Porsches and are damn fine people. But they no longer have a mortgage, so for them the income vs expenses sum is definitely tilted towards income. On the other hand, a nearby ‘pub’ that reopened today charges an average of £40 a main and £9 a pint. And I think they’ll struggle because they’ve spent over £1m doing the place up.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 19 April, 2022, 08:14:22 pm
£40 for a main???
In a pub?  Not fine dining...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TimC on 19 April, 2022, 08:48:10 pm
Look it up. The Angel in Stoke-by-Nayland.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 19 April, 2022, 08:57:25 pm
I looked, blimey that's a bit pricy even by Surrey standards. I also read the first item as 'Newlyn Weevil.'
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hatler on 19 April, 2022, 09:15:33 pm
Quote from: ian on 19 April, 2022, 07:30:40 pm
(In other news, I bought two pints at the weekend: the damage, £11.90 a pint. I expect no less from Hackney.)
Good god. Really ?  It's clearly some time since I've been in a pub.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 19 April, 2022, 09:23:06 pm
It was posh beer they'd shipped from a distant land (Lewes) and I misread the price (or rather that the price was for a half). It was very nice though so I'm not really complaining. (It's a lot cheaper in their taproom.)

Most places, decent (not Carling-class bilge) pints are £5-6ish.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 19 April, 2022, 09:27:00 pm
Quote from: TimC on 19 April, 2022, 08:48:10 pm
Look it up. The Angel in Stoke-by-Nayland.

Alright, it *is* fine dining then.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 19 April, 2022, 09:29:25 pm
We went out for a meal yesterday. We showed up a bit early (well after 1 mind you) to see if we could get a drink and a menu. The manager (I assume, he had a blazer with brass buttons unlike the other staff) commented that a lot of others had arrived early and he’d see what he could do. As he did this he gestured towards a half empty room, and then had to consult the computer.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 19 April, 2022, 09:38:32 pm
Once upon a time people had Brains and could make decisions...... whilst watching someone try to add up a bill using a pencil and paper is something else and actually quite upsetting.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 19 April, 2022, 09:56:47 pm
Quote from: Canardly on 19 April, 2022, 09:38:32 pm
whilst watching someone try to add up a bill using a pencil and paper is something else and actually quite upsetting.

We bought 2 ice-cream cones with 99-flakes in them today.
A couple of quid, I expect. Plus 30p for the flake.

The person serving us had to go away and spend a minute or two to find the calculator, to be able to enter the correct amount into the card terminal.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Clare on 19 April, 2022, 10:05:40 pm
Then you get the groups who rock up at a bar claiming to only want the one quick drink so you let them have a table on the agreement that they will leave in half an hour because you have a booking.

Do they leave?

No they bloody don't and there is no way to get them to leave short of pitchforks and flaming torches.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 19 April, 2022, 10:30:53 pm
Quote from: Clare on 19 April, 2022, 10:05:40 pm
Then you get the groups who rock up at a bar claiming to only want the one quick drink so you let them have a table on the agreement that they will leave in half an hour because you have a booking.

Do they leave?

No they bloody don't and there is no way to get them to leave short of pitchforks and flaming torches.

I expect this is the main issue.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 19 April, 2022, 10:36:25 pm
Quote from: Kim on 19 April, 2022, 10:30:53 pm
Quote from: Clare on 19 April, 2022, 10:05:40 pm
Then you get the groups who rock up at a bar claiming to only want the one quick drink so you let them have a table on the agreement that they will leave in half an hour because you have a booking.

Do they leave?

No they bloody don't and there is no way to get them to leave short of pitchforks and flaming torches.

I expect this is the main issue.
Then the pub should change its name from pub to restaurant.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 19 April, 2022, 10:37:37 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 19 April, 2022, 10:36:25 pm
Quote from: Kim on 19 April, 2022, 10:30:53 pm
Quote from: Clare on 19 April, 2022, 10:05:40 pm
Then you get the groups who rock up at a bar claiming to only want the one quick drink so you let them have a table on the agreement that they will leave in half an hour because you have a booking.

Do they leave?

No they bloody don't and there is no way to get them to leave short of pitchforks and flaming torches.

I expect this is the main issue.
Then the pub should change its name from pub to restaurant.

Agreed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Clare on 19 April, 2022, 10:47:09 pm
Why?

Where does the distinction between pub and restaurant come?

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 19 April, 2022, 10:53:29 pm
Quote from: Clare on 19 April, 2022, 10:47:09 pm
Why?

Where does the distinction between pub and restaurant come?
A pub is a place where punters can wander in, buy a drink and wander out again. Food may, or may not be, available. Note that we only wanted a pint or two.
A restaurant* is a place where bookings are much more the norm and the selling of food is their main source of revenue.

*The Scottish restaurant is not a restaurant. It is a chain of burger bars.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Clare on 19 April, 2022, 10:56:14 pm
The various pubs (with food) I have worked in would be defined as a pub Sunday evening to Friday lunchtime and a restaurant the rest of the time except bank holidays and December, when they would also be a restaurant, by your definition.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TimC on 20 April, 2022, 12:55:16 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 19 April, 2022, 09:27:00 pm
Quote from: TimC on 19 April, 2022, 08:48:10 pm
Look it up. The Angel in Stoke-by-Nayland.

Alright, it *is* fine dining then.

Well, I'm waiting for an experienced opinion on that! It's unlikely to be mine...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 20 April, 2022, 07:23:59 am
 :o

Those prices!

I was in a decent local pub (definitely a pub, it doesn't serve food) in York, two weeks ago. Didn't pay even £5 for a pint.

Coupled with that, we wanted to reserve a room for my son's 30th. NP, no charge, they just put up some Reserved signs, we could decorate the room, put extra tables in it and bring our own food.

A proper local pub.  (The Fox, in holgate, York, in case you are curious. They even welcome cyclists).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 20 April, 2022, 07:58:12 am
All this makes my 4 pints* of craft ale (different selection from 4 or 5 options most weeks) at £11 delivered to my door a bargain (and it only went up from £10 last week) - we have a "street beer club" of about 8 members with our own "landlord" to co-ordinate ordering etc.

It all started when the enterprising local small-ish brewery at the start of the first lockdown was looking for a way to continue - local delivery was promoted by word of mouth and has continued now that we are back to more normal times.

* 10 litre box is £33 and 20 litre £63
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 20 April, 2022, 09:20:39 am
The last pint in a pub I bought was £4.20. That was earlier this year, though before energy-geddon.

Ed: I've just remembered it was a Wetherspoons. Right in the centre of Bristol mind.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 20 April, 2022, 09:23:58 am
Quote from: TimC on 20 April, 2022, 12:55:16 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 19 April, 2022, 09:27:00 pm
Quote from: TimC on 19 April, 2022, 08:48:10 pm
Look it up. The Angel in Stoke-by-Nayland.

Alright, it *is* fine dining then.

Well, I'm waiting for an experienced opinion on that! It's unlikely to be mine...

Well, it's above-average for London (mains at St Johns and similar are around £25) so I don't fault their ambition, but it would have to be very good. You can certainly eat very well in London for less.

I drink posh beer, hence the prices, I'm sure you can get Fosters for £2.90 pint, but you can also eat sharps out of the bin at the back of a hospital for free, so bargains aren't always good. Posh beers is often served in thirds or halves, so it's not like you're knocking back pints, so I think of the pricing as more akin to wine.

My wife is fine appraiser of lime and soda pricing and gets really, really angry if it costs more than £2 for a pint. She has a list of pubs which I think, eventually, one dark fateful night she'll head out into the countryside like a vengeful angel to burn down.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Rod Marton on 20 April, 2022, 10:11:11 am
Quote from: ian on 20 April, 2022, 09:23:58 am
Quote from: TimC on 20 April, 2022, 12:55:16 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 19 April, 2022, 09:27:00 pm
Quote from: TimC on 19 April, 2022, 08:48:10 pm
Look it up. The Angel in Stoke-by-Nayland.

Alright, it *is* fine dining then.

Well, I'm waiting for an experienced opinion on that! It's unlikely to be mine...

Well, it's above-average for London (mains at St Johns and similar are around £25) so I don't fault their ambition, but it would have to be very good. You can certainly eat very well in London for less.

I drink posh beer, hence the prices, I'm sure you can get Fosters for £2.90 pint, but you can also eat sharps out of the bin at the back of a hospital for free, so bargains aren't always good. Posh beers is often served in thirds or halves, so it's not like you're knocking back pints, so I think of the pricing as more akin to wine.

My wife is fine appraiser of lime and soda pricing and gets really, really angry if it costs more than £2 for a pint. She has a list of pubs which I think, eventually, one dark fateful night she'll head out into the countryside like a vengeful angel to burn down.

The Angel was the first ever pub I drank in. It would have been less than £1 a pint then. Times change.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TimC on 20 April, 2022, 10:26:12 am
Quote from: Rod Marton on 20 April, 2022, 10:11:11 am

The Angel was the first ever pub I drank in. It would have been less than £1 a pint then. Times change.

Yes, I've drunk there many times in the past 50 years, and in the Crown opposite and the now-long-gone Black Horse. I'm unlikely to visit it again!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Hot Flatus on 20 April, 2022, 10:27:41 am
The last time I paid a high price for a meal and thought it was worth it was last week. A seafood tagine at Le Jardin in Marrakesh. Fucking incredible. €15. That's a day's wages for a labourer here.

Prior to that, in UK, can't remember. Probably because I rarely eat out other than at local ethnic places that I know to be good. Done all the wanky places, Le Manoir etc during the courting years, pre-kids. Don't miss it a bit. A £25 main which is invariably pan-fried fillet of something with a dribble of someone's  jus, on a bed of gay hair.  Over in 4 minutes. Can do that shit at home.

Eating at Al Fassia tomorrow night. Tagine de poison, because I'm a pesccie and everything else will be made of this....

(https://i.ibb.co/VJm2Ymn/IMG-20220419-121116-698.jpg) (https://ibb.co/YPZpBZn)

Over here a 'headshop' is a little different to the ones you might find in Amsterdam.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: orienteer on 20 April, 2022, 10:47:03 am
For your sake, I hope there's another s in the dish... ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 20 April, 2022, 02:38:32 pm
Bloody mobile data. At work I sit within 50m of a mast (shared by Vodafone and BT that I know of). Usually I get the full 4 bars and decent 4G.  For the last week it's been 2 bars, virtually no data, and downstairs only 3G.  But there's never anywhere to actually communicate the problem, just "solutions" if you have problems with mobilke data grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 20 April, 2022, 04:01:42 pm
Quote from: Hot Flatus on 20 April, 2022, 10:27:41 am
A £25 main which is invariably pan-fried fillet of something with a dribble of someone's  jus, on a bed of gay hair.  Over in 4 minutes. Can do that shit at home.
Jay Rayner, is that you?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 20 April, 2022, 04:03:31 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 20 April, 2022, 02:38:32 pm
Bloody mobile data. At work I sit within 50m of a mast (shared by Vodafone and BT that I know of). Usually I get the full 4 bars and decent 4G.  For the last week it's been 2 bars, virtually no data, and downstairs only 3G.  But there's never anywhere to actually communicate the problem, just "solutions" if you have problems with mobilke data grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

The power's being siphoned off for these:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49704008881_4d6bd17b6e_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2iJb3bn)
Makes sense... (https://flic.kr/p/2iJb3bn) by Mr Larrington (https://www.flickr.com/photos/mr_larrington/), on Flickr
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 20 April, 2022, 04:58:46 pm
Pub Identification Questionnaire

   Do you serve food?
   a) No
   b) Yes.  Plain, Cheese & Onion or Salt & Vinegar
   b) Certainly {sir/madam/preferred honorific}. Would you like to see our extensive menu?

a) & b) - Pub
c)        -  Not Pub.

HTH.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 20 April, 2022, 05:15:28 pm
Nah. Pub lunch is an ancient and worthy thing. Ploughman's, shepherd's pie, ect, ect. Other agricultural workers of bygone times might be available.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 20 April, 2022, 05:20:11 pm
Beaten by Cudzo, I was going to suggest answer d) please see the blackboard by the fire: ploughmans, simple sandwiches, soup of the day, jacket pottato with simple toppings, pint of pawns, fish and cips, sheepherds pie, burger, steak and ale pie etc. e.g. simple comfort food and fuel for the touring cyclist. Sundays it may include the roast of the day.

answer d) would still qualify as a pub as you sit in the bar and no you haven't got to book a table in advance.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 20 April, 2022, 05:21:57 pm
v) No. This is a branch of Specsavers.  Aren’t you glad you came!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 20 April, 2022, 05:24:16 pm
Modern life being rubbish innit, now you have to book a table in the pub, but queue for a table in a restaurant.

I've no idea who 'Sophie 6.30pm' is, but she's got a lot to answer for, on any given evening she seems to have booked a table in 34% of all London pubs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 20 April, 2022, 05:40:37 pm
Sophie you say? THAT LONDON, you say?

That’ll be my daughter-in-law. And yes, she does have a lot to answer for. In fact she NEVER bloody shuts up.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 20 April, 2022, 05:43:10 pm
I miss the plastic tray covered in cling film that would contain ham and tomato rolls and cheese and onion rolls.
Couple of beers, couple of rolls. Lovely.   That's everything I wanted.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 20 April, 2022, 05:51:06 pm
Owing to a mishap the other week, I booked the wrong pub for Sunday lunch, and the place I booked only had crisps. And no cheese and onion. We generally don't have people book, explained the landlady, as we stood at the bar.

A pint of lime and soda was only 60p though. That, apparently, didn't make up for the booking mishap.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 20 April, 2022, 06:59:49 pm
Quote from: Basil on 20 April, 2022, 05:43:10 pm
I miss the plastic tray covered in cling film that would contain ham and tomato rolls and cheese and onion rolls.
Couple of beers, couple of rolls. Lovely.   That's everything I wanted.

The Coach and Horses is that way.
<--
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TimC on 20 April, 2022, 07:06:38 pm
Quote from: TheLurker on 20 April, 2022, 04:58:46 pm
Pub Identification Questionnaire

   Do you serve food?
   a) No
   b) Yes.  Plain, Cheese & Onion or Salt & Vinegar
   b) Certainly {sir/madam/preferred honorific}. Would you like to see our extensive menu?

a) & b) - Pub
c)        -  Not Pub.

HTH.

(c) isn't one of the available answers!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 20 April, 2022, 07:19:36 pm
Quote from: Kim on 20 April, 2022, 06:59:49 pm
Quote from: Basil on 20 April, 2022, 05:43:10 pm
I miss the plastic tray covered in cling film that would contain ham and tomato rolls and cheese and onion rolls.
Couple of beers, couple of rolls. Lovely.   That's everything I wanted.

The Coach and Horses is that way.
<--

Wow, they still do that?   It was there that I was thinking of.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 20 April, 2022, 07:25:18 pm
Quote from: TimC
(c) isn't one of the available answers!
I know.  I couldn't be arsed to go back and correct it.  :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 20 April, 2022, 07:55:44 pm
Quote from: Basil on 20 April, 2022, 07:19:36 pm
Quote from: Kim on 20 April, 2022, 06:59:49 pm
Quote from: Basil on 20 April, 2022, 05:43:10 pm
I miss the plastic tray covered in cling film that would contain ham and tomato rolls and cheese and onion rolls.
Couple of beers, couple of rolls. Lovely.   That's everything I wanted.

The Coach and Horses is that way.
<--

Wow, they still do that?   It was there that I was thinking of.

I assume you're referring to the Coach at Weatheroak? - and yes they still do!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 20 April, 2022, 08:58:53 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 20 April, 2022, 05:40:37 pm
Sophie you say? THAT LONDON, you say?

That’ll be my daughter-in-law. And yes, she does have a lot to answer for. In fact she NEVER bloody shuts up.  >:(
It might be my sister Sophie. She lives in That London and has (or had) a loyalty card for her favourite Thee Pubbe.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 20 April, 2022, 09:04:58 pm
Quote from: robgul on 20 April, 2022, 07:55:44 pm
Quote from: Basil on 20 April, 2022, 07:19:36 pm
Quote from: Kim on 20 April, 2022, 06:59:49 pm
Quote from: Basil on 20 April, 2022, 05:43:10 pm
I miss the plastic tray covered in cling film that would contain ham and tomato rolls and cheese and onion rolls.
Couple of beers, couple of rolls. Lovely.   That's everything I wanted.

The Coach and Horses is that way.
<--

Wow, they still do that?   It was there that I was thinking of.

I assume you're referring to the Coach at Weatheroak? - and yes they still do!

That's the one (cunningly positioned at the bottom of a bastard hill to trap cyclists), though I haven't been inside since The Event.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 20 April, 2022, 09:26:06 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 18 April, 2022, 09:46:16 pm
I have just booked train tickets for a forthcoming trip from CrossCountry.
(I couldn't get tickets via GWR to work and failed to log into Transport for Wales).
I want orange cardboard ; I don't have a suitable phone and wouldn't want to faff with one at a gate line if I did.
They now charge an extra £1 to collect tickets from a machine and £1.20 for 2nd class post.
Post suits me fine but £1 to collect tickets from a machine rankles!

Tickets arrived today, which is pretty impressive for 2nd class post, the day after a LONG Bank Holiday weekend.

Now just have to hope our 5 minute connection time at Swansea, both ways, works OK…

(We're on the Heart of Wales line and our ticket would not be valid on an earlier outward GWR train. This is not a problem on the return leg.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 20 April, 2022, 11:11:24 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 19 April, 2022, 03:47:20 pm
Quote from: TimC on 19 April, 2022, 03:20:37 pm
Trip Advisor/Facebook reviews are a fairly powerful weapon against public house bureaucracy. None of them like to have it revealed that their Service Is Crap and their welcome is no such thing.
Yup. Already tripadvisored them. and razed the pub to the ground and sowed the land with salt
Now there's interesting. Their TripAdvisor page yesterday had as the two most recent reviews ones from me and another member of our party. Today only mine is there. This is because they've created a new page (The Farmers Boy Pub and Restaurant) and moved some of the reviews there, including the one from our party. They replied to that one blaiming it on Covid related short staffing and a consequential "book only" policy. Nio mention of such a made up policy on their website.  Sneaky blighters.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 20 April, 2022, 11:40:38 pm
To be fair, pub websites are legally required to be at least 12 months out of date (24 in the case of pages pertaining to food menus or camping facilities).  It's a tradition, or an old charter or something.  So plausible deniability there.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 20 April, 2022, 11:47:37 pm
Oh indeed, pub websites are notoriously shite.  The "book only" policy the manglement claim to have is somewhat scuppered by the latest tripadvisor review being from someone who called in "on spec" today and had a lovely 10/10 experience.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 21 April, 2022, 07:37:59 am
Quote from: Kim on 20 April, 2022, 09:04:58 pm
Quote from: robgul on 20 April, 2022, 07:55:44 pm
Quote from: Basil on 20 April, 2022, 07:19:36 pm
Quote from: Kim on 20 April, 2022, 06:59:49 pm
Quote from: Basil on 20 April, 2022, 05:43:10 pm
I miss the plastic tray covered in cling film that would contain ham and tomato rolls and cheese and onion rolls.
Couple of beers, couple of rolls. Lovely.   That's everything I wanted.

The Coach and Horses is that way.
<--

Wow, they still do that?   It was there that I was thinking of.

I assume you're referring to the Coach at Weatheroak? - and yes they still do!

That's the one (cunningly positioned at the bottom of a bastard hill to trap cyclists), though I haven't been inside since The Event.

 >:(  - yep, either Weatheroak hill towards Earlswood or Icknield Street towards Brum - the upside (sort of, it means crossing Redditch) is that my journey home from there is down the lane opposite towards Beoley with only modest inclines.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Giraffe on 21 April, 2022, 09:58:06 am
Queen Eleanor Hotel, southern edge of Northampton (Travelodgey-type place), does good food inc. F&C, big breakfasts etc. No need to book most lunchtimes - poss. some evenings. Bar and food areas barely separated, Abbot ale £3.97 and very nice.
Yesterday there was a cyclist in and he'd put his bike in the bar - OK as not many people there.

2 main courses, pint of Abbot and coffee £16.84. Have spent nearly £30 for two but a lot more food.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 21 April, 2022, 10:11:33 am
Yebbut, evil Greene King Abbot  :hand:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 21 April, 2022, 10:18:28 am
Quote from: Pingu on 21 April, 2022, 10:11:33 am
Yebbut, evil Greene King Abbot  :hand:
It took my a week or three to realise why the nice beer I was drinking on a quiet night out was giving me the bad heads the following morning when we moved to Suffolk a number of years ago!  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 21 April, 2022, 10:33:10 am
Quote from: Basil on 20 April, 2022, 05:43:10 pm
I miss the plastic tray covered in cling film that would contain ham and tomato rolls and cheese and onion rolls.
Couple of beers, couple of rolls. Lovely.   That's everything I wanted.

And the blokes from the local GKN factory popping in to get their bottle of mild filled before going on shift managing the furnaces (as I once saw in that there Mordor whilst having a pint and roll for lunch).  Actually, in that particular factory (the Kings Mill IIRC - Joe Bloggs piecework shops in the building opposite staining the adjacent canal rainbow colours before it became the norm) the late shift had a habit of hopping over the back wall to get a round in before closing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 21 April, 2022, 10:39:13 am
Quote from: Beardy on 21 April, 2022, 10:18:28 am
Quote from: Pingu on 21 April, 2022, 10:11:33 am
Yebbut, evil Greene King Abbot  :hand:
It took my a week or three to realise why the nice beer I was drinking on a quiet night out was giving me the bad heads the following morning when we moved to Suffolk a number of years ago!  :facepalm:

But better that than Charlie Wells "Ace" lager, famed for it coliforms and subsequent gaseous bean overdose effect.

I have to confess to liking Abbot and their IPA.  I see they also now brew Old Speckled Hen, and Belhaven, another 2 I enjoy.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hatler on 21 April, 2022, 11:24:27 am
Quote from: rafletcher on 21 April, 2022, 10:39:13 am
Quote from: Beardy on 21 April, 2022, 10:18:28 am
Quote from: Pingu on 21 April, 2022, 10:11:33 am
Yebbut, evil Greene King Abbot  :hand:
It took my a week or three to realise why the nice beer I was drinking on a quiet night out was giving me the bad heads the following morning when we moved to Suffolk a number of years ago!  :facepalm:

But better that than Charlie Wells "Ace" lager, famed for it coliforms and subsequent gaseous bean overdose effect.

I have to confess to liking Abbot and their IPA.  I see they also now brew Old Speckled Hen, and Belhaven, another 2 I enjoy.
Is anyone else familiar with the Bedford drink, a 'Silly' ?  Half of Abbot with a bottled half of St Edmund Ale. Great fun (as far as you can remember that is).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hatler on 21 April, 2022, 11:27:00 am
Black & Decker. Grump grump.

Mrs h bought an expensive (for us) 36V cordless B&D strimmer a few years back. It only gets light use at the lottie, but after about two years it gave up. I took it apart and the motor was shot - one of the magnets was disintegrating. New motor was £50 so it was replaced (include soldering new terminals, which is my least fave bit of DIY). Two years later and it's done exactly the same thing again.

Harrumph.

Makita equivalent purchased. Bah humbug.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 21 April, 2022, 11:41:27 am
Quote from: hatler on 21 April, 2022, 11:27:00 am
Black & Decker. Grump grump.

Mrs h bought an expensive (for us) 36V cordless B&D strimmer a few years back. It only gets light use at the lottie, but after about two years it gave up. I took it apart and the motor was shot - one of the magnets was disintegrating. New motor was £50 so it was replaced (include soldering new terminals, which is my least fave bit of DIY). Two years later and it's done exactly the same thing again.

Harrumph.

Makita equivalent purchased. Bah humbug.
I think you did well there, and not gone for a De Walt as they come out of the same factory as B&D.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hatler on 21 April, 2022, 12:00:15 pm
Decision based upon what I've read here.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 21 April, 2022, 01:31:36 pm
Quote from: hatler on 21 April, 2022, 11:27:00 am
Black & Decker. Grump grump.

Mrs h bought an expensive (for us) 36V cordless B&D strimmer a few years back. It only gets light use at the lottie, but after about two years it gave up. I took it apart and the motor was shot - one of the magnets was disintegrating. New motor was £50 so it was replaced (include soldering new terminals, which is my least fave bit of DIY). Two years later and it's done exactly the same thing again.

Harrumph.

Makita equivalent purchased. Bah humbug.

I much prefer a scythe.

Needs sharpening for 2 min before starting work, and costs a lot to for initial purchase.

Never runs out of power though.

Cut the lawns with it on Mon. Grass was too wet to use lawnmower, and besides, it was a quiet peaceful day. The 'swish' of a scythe doesn't disturb anybody.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 21 April, 2022, 01:43:25 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 21 April, 2022, 01:31:36 pm
Quote from: hatler on 21 April, 2022, 11:27:00 am
Black & Decker. Grump grump.

Mrs h bought an expensive (for us) 36V cordless B&D strimmer a few years back. It only gets light use at the lottie, but after about two years it gave up. I took it apart and the motor was shot - one of the magnets was disintegrating. New motor was £50 so it was replaced (include soldering new terminals, which is my least fave bit of DIY). Two years later and it's done exactly the same thing again.

Harrumph.

Makita equivalent purchased. Bah humbug.

I much prefer a scythe.

Needs sharpening for 2 min before starting work, and costs a lot to for initial purchase.

Never runs out of power though.

Cut the lawns with it on Mon. Grass was too wet to use lawnmower, and besides, it was a quiet peaceful day. The 'swish' of a scythe doesn't disturb anybody.
It's also a very satisfying way of mowing a lawn, as well as being much faster than using a mower. One swing and you've cut a 3mØ swathe. I could've bought three electric mowers with what I paid for my scythe. In addition to the company I bought it from has been making scythes since the 16th century.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hatler on 21 April, 2022, 01:59:40 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 21 April, 2022, 01:43:25 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 21 April, 2022, 01:31:36 pm

I much prefer a scythe.

Needs sharpening for 2 min before starting work, and costs a lot to for initial purchase.

Never runs out of power though.

Cut the lawns with it on Mon. Grass was too wet to use lawnmower, and besides, it was a quiet peaceful day. The 'swish' of a scythe doesn't disturb anybody.
It's also a very satisfying way of mowing a lawn, as well as being much faster than using a mower. One swing and you've cut a 3mØ swathe. I could've bought three electric mowers with what I paid for my scythe. In addition to the company I bought it from has been making scythes since the 16th century.

If you ever find yourself on the North side of Dartmoor, then I suspect you'd like this place - https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/finch-foundry

It's not just grass the strimmer is for, but all sorts of gubbins on the lottie.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 21 April, 2022, 02:28:26 pm
Plus the obvious acting power, for which a strimmer just doesn't (forgive me) cut it. But a chainsaw certainly does.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 21 April, 2022, 03:30:10 pm
"Open back of remote control and insert batteries".  The line illustration shows a pair of delicate female hands gently sliding the back from the casing.

Why then does it take 10 minutes of swear-filled personful striving to budge the bastard a fexadecimal fornicating millimetre?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 21 April, 2022, 03:34:35 pm
Quote from: hatler on 21 April, 2022, 01:59:40 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 21 April, 2022, 01:43:25 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 21 April, 2022, 01:31:36 pm

I much prefer a scythe.

Needs sharpening for 2 min before starting work, and costs a lot to for initial purchase.

Never runs out of power though.

Cut the lawns with it on Mon. Grass was too wet to use lawnmower, and besides, it was a quiet peaceful day. The 'swish' of a scythe doesn't disturb anybody.
It's also a very satisfying way of mowing a lawn, as well as being much faster than using a mower. One swing and you've cut a 3mØ swathe. I could've bought three electric mowers with what I paid for my scythe. In addition to the company I bought it from has been making scythes since the 16th century.

If you ever find yourself on the North side of Dartmoor, then I suspect you'd like this place - https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/finch-foundry

It's not just grass the strimmer is for, but all sorts of gubbins on the lottie.
My eldest lives in Foundry House, next door to Finch Foundry. When we were staying a couple of weeks ago, they were in the process of refurbishing the water wheel. That looked like a very steady job for the carpenters involved.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hatler on 21 April, 2022, 03:57:29 pm
Finch Foundry is my absolute favourite NT property.

(And who'd have thought 30 years ago I'd ever write that sentence ?)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 21 April, 2022, 04:00:05 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 21 April, 2022, 01:43:25 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 21 April, 2022, 01:31:36 pm
Quote from: hatler on 21 April, 2022, 11:27:00 am
Black & Decker. Grump grump.

Mrs h bought an expensive (for us) 36V cordless B&D strimmer a few years back. It only gets light use at the lottie, but after about two years it gave up. I took it apart and the motor was shot - one of the magnets was disintegrating. New motor was £50 so it was replaced (include soldering new terminals, which is my least fave bit of DIY). Two years later and it's done exactly the same thing again.

Harrumph.

Makita equivalent purchased. Bah humbug.

I much prefer a scythe.

Needs sharpening for 2 min before starting work, and costs a lot to for initial purchase.

Never runs out of power though.

Cut the lawns with it on Mon. Grass was too wet to use lawnmower, and besides, it was a quiet peaceful day. The 'swish' of a scythe doesn't disturb anybody.
It's also a very satisfying way of mowing a lawn, as well as being much faster than using a mower. One swing and you've cut a 3mØ swathe. I could've bought three electric mowers with what I paid for my scythe. In addition to the company I bought it from has been making scythes since the 16th century.
Sadly not quicker in my garden. Lots of awkward shapes, little paths and daft things like bulbs in the lawn that have to be mowed around.

I have a short brush blade (50cm). Works on grass, nettles; pretty much anything up to a cm thick.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 21 April, 2022, 04:07:28 pm
Quote from: hatler on 21 April, 2022, 03:57:29 pm
Finch Foundry is my absolute favourite NT property.

(And who'd have thought 30 years ago I'd ever write that sentence ?)
Alice sort of looked after the foundry during lockdown although it wasn't her property and she was never a formal key 'rep'. Her and her husband are currently looking for somewhere to live in deepest cornwall at the moment though, so she'll be giving up the rent free 3+ bedroom cottage in devon, all in the name of career advancement. to sy they are struggling to find even an affordable home in cornwall, let alone anything like they are leaving, is an understatement.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 21 April, 2022, 04:48:14 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 21 April, 2022, 04:00:05 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 21 April, 2022, 01:43:25 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 21 April, 2022, 01:31:36 pm
Quote from: hatler on 21 April, 2022, 11:27:00 am
Black & Decker. Grump grump.

Mrs h bought an expensive (for us) 36V cordless B&D strimmer a few years back. It only gets light use at the lottie, but after about two years it gave up. I took it apart and the motor was shot - one of the magnets was disintegrating. New motor was £50 so it was replaced (include soldering new terminals, which is my least fave bit of DIY). Two years later and it's done exactly the same thing again.

Harrumph.

Makita equivalent purchased. Bah humbug.

I much prefer a scythe.

Needs sharpening for 2 min before starting work, and costs a lot to for initial purchase.

Never runs out of power though.

Cut the lawns with it on Mon. Grass was too wet to use lawnmower, and besides, it was a quiet peaceful day. The 'swish' of a scythe doesn't disturb anybody.
It's also a very satisfying way of mowing a lawn, as well as being much faster than using a mower. One swing and you've cut a 3mØ swathe. I could've bought three electric mowers with what I paid for my scythe. In addition to the company I bought it from has been making scythes since the 16th century.
Sadly not quicker in my garden. Lots of awkward shapes, little paths and daft things like bulbs in the lawn that have to be mowed around.

I have a short brush blade (50cm). Works on grass, nettles; pretty much anything up to a cm thick.
My scythe has a 60cm blade. I have a Japanese Sickle for the close combat in tight corners stuff. It's surprising what the scythe will go through once the blade has worked up some momentum. I bought both for doing Mum's lawn which is flat and large enough that you need binoculars to recognise close relatives positioned at the far end. Between the two tools, they seem to have all points covered. All a bit moot now as we sold Mum's house about a month ago, and my garden is no more than 5m x 5m.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 21 April, 2022, 04:58:33 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 21 April, 2022, 04:48:14 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 21 April, 2022, 04:00:05 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 21 April, 2022, 01:43:25 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 21 April, 2022, 01:31:36 pm
Quote from: hatler on 21 April, 2022, 11:27:00 am
Black & Decker. Grump grump.

Mrs h bought an expensive (for us) 36V cordless B&D strimmer a few years back. It only gets light use at the lottie, but after about two years it gave up. I took it apart and the motor was shot - one of the magnets was disintegrating. New motor was £50 so it was replaced (include soldering new terminals, which is my least fave bit of DIY). Two years later and it's done exactly the same thing again.

Harrumph.

Makita equivalent purchased. Bah humbug.

I much prefer a scythe.

Needs sharpening for 2 min before starting work, and costs a lot to for initial purchase.

Never runs out of power though.

Cut the lawns with it on Mon. Grass was too wet to use lawnmower, and besides, it was a quiet peaceful day. The 'swish' of a scythe doesn't disturb anybody.
It's also a very satisfying way of mowing a lawn, as well as being much faster than using a mower. One swing and you've cut a 3mØ swathe. I could've bought three electric mowers with what I paid for my scythe. In addition to the company I bought it from has been making scythes since the 16th century.
Sadly not quicker in my garden. Lots of awkward shapes, little paths and daft things like bulbs in the lawn that have to be mowed around.

I have a short brush blade (50cm). Works on grass, nettles; pretty much anything up to a cm thick.
My scythe has a 60cm blade. I have a Japanese Sickle for the close combat in tight corners stuff. It's surprising what the scythe will go through once the blade has worked up some momentum. I bought both for doing Mum's lawn which is flat and large enough that you need binoculars to recognise close relatives positioned at the far end. Between the two tools, they seem to have all points covered. All a bit moot now as we sold Mum's house about a month ago, and my garden is no more than 5m x 5m.

Agreed.
I have an antique grass hook for the tight stuff. It's also impressive what that will go through - I cut down some willows recently and used it to do the small limbing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 21 April, 2022, 06:30:58 pm
Oh, is a grass hook what I will need for cutting the grass next to the pond when it's finished, I wonder?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 21 April, 2022, 06:33:31 pm
Oh god I just found a Japanese sickle on Axminster tools.
Go to the tool pr0n thread.
Go directly to the tool pr0n thread.
Do not pass go.
Do not collect £200.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 21 April, 2022, 06:43:49 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 21 April, 2022, 06:33:31 pm
Oh god I just found a Japanese sickle on Axminster tools.
Go to the tool pr0n thread.
Go directly to the tool pr0n thread.
Do not pass go.
Do not collect £200.
Would you like mine?
I no longer have a use for it.
Your's for the postage.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 21 April, 2022, 07:20:26 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 21 April, 2022, 06:33:31 pm
Oh god I just found a Japanese sickle on Axminster tools.
Go to the tool pr0n thread.
Go directly to the tool pr0n thread.
Do not pass go.
Do not collect £200.


If you want tool pr0n, look at Niwaki

I have some of their stuff, and I go all light headed every time I use it
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 21 April, 2022, 07:42:14 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 21 April, 2022, 07:20:26 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 21 April, 2022, 06:33:31 pm
Oh god I just found a Japanese sickle on Axminster tools.
Go to the tool pr0n thread.
Go directly to the tool pr0n thread.
Do not pass go.
Do not collect £200.


If you want tool pr0n, look at Niwaki

I have some of their stuff, and I go all light headed every time I use it
That's where I get my stones from.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 21 April, 2022, 07:57:04 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 21 April, 2022, 06:43:49 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 21 April, 2022, 06:33:31 pm
Oh god I just found a Japanese sickle on Axminster tools.
Go to the tool pr0n thread.
Go directly to the tool pr0n thread.
Do not pass go.
Do not collect £200.
Would you like mine?
I no longer have a use for it.
Your's for the postage.
Thank you for your kind offer. YHPM.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 21 April, 2022, 08:12:34 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 21 April, 2022, 07:57:04 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 21 April, 2022, 06:43:49 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 21 April, 2022, 06:33:31 pm
Oh god I just found a Japanese sickle on Axminster tools.
Go to the tool pr0n thread.
Go directly to the tool pr0n thread.
Do not pass go.
Do not collect £200.
Would you like mine?
I no longer have a use for it.
Your's for the postage.
Thank you for your kind offer. YHPM.


That Jurek. Whata Guy  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 21 April, 2022, 08:32:16 pm
I have a feeling I've just been led into a world of sharpening stones....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 21 April, 2022, 08:37:13 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 21 April, 2022, 08:32:16 pm
I have a feeling I've just been led into a world of sharpening stones....
It is a gift that keeps on giving....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 21 April, 2022, 11:20:53 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 21 April, 2022, 08:37:13 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 21 April, 2022, 08:32:16 pm
I have a feeling I've just been led into a world of sharpening stones....
It is a gift that keeps on giving....

And decapitated squirrels.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 22 April, 2022, 01:06:13 am
Quote from: Pingu on 21 April, 2022, 11:20:53 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 21 April, 2022, 08:37:13 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 21 April, 2022, 08:32:16 pm
I have a feeling I've just been led into a world of sharpening stones....
It is a gift that keeps on giving....

And decapitated squirrels.

“Best sort” – Jurek, yesterday :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Giraffe on 22 April, 2022, 09:36:17 am
My sickle is a modernish one - perhaps 40 - 50 yo. It's offset to keep the hand clear of the ground (but that makes it 'handed') and has a pressed-in curved ridge underneath so that bounces off small lumps. I took out the old bolts and put new ones with wing nuts so that it can be folded for carrying, along with other tool, for clearing bits of RoWs.
The scythe has olde worlde aluminium handle with adjustable handles and the blade can be foled up to the handle - very useful for storage.
I've used it only once, carefully counting feet after each swish!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 22 April, 2022, 04:00:09 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 21 April, 2022, 08:32:16 pm
I have a feeling I've just been led into a world of sharpening stones....

If you have a grass hook (sickles have serrated blades), then the cheapest 'cigar stone' works very well. Should be able to get one for about £7. Absolutely no need to spend lots of money.



Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 22 April, 2022, 04:59:09 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 22 April, 2022, 04:00:09 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 21 April, 2022, 08:32:16 pm
I have a feeling I've just been led into a world of sharpening stones....

If you have a grass hook (sickles have serrated blades), then the cheapest 'cigar stone' works very well. Should be able to get one for about £7. Absolutely no need to spend lots of money.
By that definition, what I have offered Mrs.P, is a grass hook. It is without serrations.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Giraffe on 23 April, 2022, 09:21:00 am
Serrated blades! 70 years of calling a grass hook a sickle and now I learn something today!
When I was about 8 - 9 yo I was cutting down nettles with a GH. Nettles were much taller than I but, to be fair, in Cornwall they were above my 6' 2" fathher's head. Slash and jump was a good tactic.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 23 April, 2022, 10:52:41 am
Quote from: Giraffe on 22 April, 2022, 09:36:17 am
My sickle is a modernish one - perhaps 40 - 50 yo. It's offset to keep the hand clear of the ground (but that makes it 'handed') ...

Don't tell the Guardian and you'll probably get away with it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 23 April, 2022, 08:10:17 pm
Ah, puny roadway stone, my mighty wheels will push thee aside.

Not, it seems, if those mighty wheels are on a Brompton so are, in fact, less mighty and more repurposed pram wheels.

Still, after not being on a bike for ages, it was nice to find that I still know how to fall off.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 24 April, 2022, 01:44:37 am
O hai TfL!

If the boards at your bus stop say the number 3 bus is supposed to stop at stop “P” outside Brixton Station then could you kindly pass this gen onto your drivers rather than making me walk most of the way to fucking Kennington and stop “F”?

kthxbai
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 25 April, 2022, 03:38:13 pm
If I'd know that sweet spring shower was actually going to do what it said on the tin rather than bin down for forty minutes (which was what it looked like doing) I could have hidden in the underpass at the Crooked Billet instead of getting soaked.

(Drips)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 26 April, 2022, 01:01:47 pm
OK.  We've both got covid, but what Mrs B  needs to understand is that I've got mancovid so it is definitely all about me.  :demon:   ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 26 April, 2022, 01:14:44 pm
Quote from: hatler on 21 April, 2022, 01:59:40 pm
If you ever find yourself on the North side of Dartmoor, then I suspect you'd like this place - https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/finch-foundry

O hai National Truss!

The plural of “Finch” is not “Finch's”.  sort it out u muppets!

Kthxbai
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 26 April, 2022, 01:45:03 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 26 April, 2022, 01:14:44 pm
Quote from: hatler on 21 April, 2022, 01:59:40 pm
If you ever find yourself on the North side of Dartmoor, then I suspect you'd like this place - https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/finch-foundry

O hai National Truss!

The plural of “Finch” is not “Finch's”.  sort it out u muppets!

Kthxbai
One of my grate frends is a volunteer at a small National Trust property and drives their instagram account.  She's a retired teacher, but specialised in Hard Sums, not Eng so I keep a close on her possesive a'postrophe's, tipping her off on the QT when she forgets that the newsfroup alt.possesive.its.has.no.apostrophe was created for a reason.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 26 April, 2022, 09:19:02 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 26 April, 2022, 01:14:44 pm
Quote from: hatler on 21 April, 2022, 01:59:40 pm
If you ever find yourself on the North side of Dartmoor, then I suspect you'd like this place - https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/finch-foundry

O hai National Truss!

The plural of “Finch” is not “Finch's”.  sort it out u muppets!

Kthxbai
I shall have a word with the former Ms Beardy the elder.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 29 April, 2022, 08:54:55 am
My employer wants me to prove I'm entitled to work for them by showing them my passport, work visa or birth certificate. 


I've been there since 1985......  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 29 April, 2022, 09:59:29 am
My former employer tried that about ten years ago, and included the requirement that us serfs in Harlow would have to present our papers at HQ in London Town.  This was met with such a resounding “FUCK OFF!” by us Essex Menials that the idea was never mentioned again.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 01 May, 2022, 10:20:10 am
Maybe they considered that the resounding "FUCK OFF" proved that you were true-born Britishpersons.

Meanwhile, I have just given a severe dressing-down to a bottle of white spirit whose anti-moronic-child safety-cap required such downforce that the bottle began to crumple before the misbegotten thing would turn.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: JonBuoy on 01 May, 2022, 10:48:04 am
Quote from: andrewc on 29 April, 2022, 08:54:55 am
My employer wants me to prove I'm entitled to work for them by showing them my passport, work visa or birth certificate. 


I've been there since 1985......  :facepalm:


I had something similar a few years ago from our HR dept.  29/2/2008 appears to be the key date:

Quote
Under section 15 of the 2006 Act, an employer may be liable for a civil penalty if
they employ someone who does not have the right to undertake the work in question if that
person commenced employment on or after 29 February 2008.

From: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1071247/Employer_s_Guide_to_Right_to_Work_Checks__PDF_.pdf
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 03 May, 2022, 09:58:51 am
Coffee bot decided the flip the breaker on the circuit board this morning, meaning no coffee, and much flipping of breakers to restore the power. Seems the power will only come back on if the bloody thing is unplugged. No idea. No coffee either.

But really, today is an honorary Monday, and nothing should come between me and coffee. More so as I have my weekly meeting with the mothership's galactic commander. Are you OK, ian? No, boss, I am not. She now knows a lot about my coffee machine woes, less so anything she might have been planning to talk to me about.

Made coffee by hand now. I may be OK by lunchtime.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 03 May, 2022, 11:53:57 am
If the coffee bot contains a heating element (which I assume it does) it'll likely be that that's failed, and causing the trips.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 03 May, 2022, 12:09:04 pm
It has two – one to heat the water, another to warm the butt of the thermos flask. I suspect the butt warmer has gone, it's had a decade-plus of being dripped on and other terrible abuse. Not to mention the time I forgot to put the filter in and the water just came out of the top and flooded the machine and surrounding kitchen. That was a good morning.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 03 May, 2022, 12:31:29 pm
Or the one that heats the water has scaled up, overheated, split open and provided the angry pixies with a path to earth through Surrey's finest calcium carbonate solution.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: grams on 03 May, 2022, 01:00:05 pm
Quote from: ian on 03 May, 2022, 12:09:04 pm
It has two – one to heat the water, another to warm the butt of the thermos flask. I suspect the butt warmer has gone, it's had a decade-plus of being dripped on and other terrible abuse. Not to mention the time I forgot to put the filter in and the water just came out of the top and flooded the machine and surrounding kitchen. That was a good morning.

Unless it's a particularly posh one it's all done by the one element in the hot plate, which is also the water pump, via the magic of steam expansion and a non-return valve stopping it going back into the tank.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 03 May, 2022, 01:01:55 pm
Well, ian is hardly likely to have a plebeian Coffeebot :demon:  The very idea…
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 03 May, 2022, 01:11:47 pm
Quote from: grams on 03 May, 2022, 01:00:05 pm
Quote from: ian on 03 May, 2022, 12:09:04 pm
It has two – one to heat the water, another to warm the butt of the thermos flask. I suspect the butt warmer has gone, it's had a decade-plus of being dripped on and other terrible abuse. Not to mention the time I forgot to put the filter in and the water just came out of the top and flooded the machine and surrounding kitchen. That was a good morning.

Unless it's a particularly posh one it's all done by the one element in the hot plate, which is also the water pump, via the magic of steam expansion and a non-return valve stopping it going back into the tank.

Every day is a school day!
I don't have a filter type coffee machine, and have never had cause to open one up.

Sure enough, there's a nice drawing of one here:
https://www.quora.com/How-does-a-coffee-machine-work
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 03 May, 2022, 03:56:03 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 03 May, 2022, 01:01:55 pm
Well, ian is hardly likely to have a plebeian Coffeebot :demon:  The very idea…

It's not one of those fancy six million quid espresso machines, but it is a coffee robot that is fed beans at the top and issues a thermos flask of hot coffee at the bottom, all in time for 9am each morning ready to fuel my brain. £200 apparently. I think that's probably the same price as a large latte in Costa these days.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 03 May, 2022, 07:44:52 pm
Urgh.
I dunno what I've got but my throat feels like I've swallowed an armband and my back and shoulders really hurt.
Go away.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 03 May, 2022, 09:07:43 pm
Quote from: grams on 03 May, 2022, 01:00:05 pm
Quote from: ian on 03 May, 2022, 12:09:04 pm
It has two – one to heat the water, another to warm the butt of the thermos flask. I suspect the butt warmer has gone, it's had a decade-plus of being dripped on and other terrible abuse. Not to mention the time I forgot to put the filter in and the water just came out of the top and flooded the machine and surrounding kitchen. That was a good morning.

Unless it's a particularly posh one it's all done by the one element in the hot plate, which is also the water pump, via the magic of steam expansion and a non-return valve stopping it going back into the tank.

Indeed, that seems to be the case, the element does double duty of warming the flask while heating the water (and then turns off leaving the thermos to keep everything warm (thus avoiding that nasty burned coffee taste that turns you into a twice-divorced and on-the-take police officer).

I would, of course, fix it using my screwdriver skills but my wife has hidden all the tools and I have no clue (yeah, but who made the electricity come back on, me, that's who). These coffeebots (a Cuisinart Grind & Brew Plus) seem to last precisely ten years, I remember splurging (at the time) my first ever UK bonus (or £130 of it) on the first one in 2002 which died (I forget how) in 2012, hence this one. Ten years probably isn't bad for a modern appliance and I'm terrible at exciting stuff like descaling. If it ain't broke, I don't fix it, given my attempt to fix anything generally just further the brokenness. That said, I've reached a detente with the dishwasher which stopped behaving for a while, but I've now found tends to work if press the buttons in a certain order and close my eyes before pressing the start button. One of the lessons of pikey parentage is that I absolutely won't replace anything until it's dead (or a bloke down the pub offers me a one-careless-owner replacement for £5).

So, new coffeebot ordered. I will commit to descaling this one at least a decade whether it needs it or not.

Let's not ask why my wife's office is on the same circuit as the kitchen and not the upstairs. At least the shower pump didn't go off.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 04 May, 2022, 10:19:14 am
The new one will probably tell you when to descale it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 04 May, 2022, 10:35:51 am
I think not. They reassuringly seem to have changed none of its features in the last two decades. Grind on/off, coffee strength mild/medium/strong, number of cups 4-12 (you can further hack the strength by varying the amount of water, thus introducing your own new 'dangerous' strength setting), then programme or manual.

I was dreading finding they'd updated it to need a wifi connection and an app.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 04 May, 2022, 07:56:41 pm
Meanwhile the plastic filter cone and insulated coffee jug that that we bought decades ago continue to keep me in hot coffee for most of the morning, every morning and neither show any signs of breaking down.  Luddism FTW.  :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 04 May, 2022, 09:10:48 pm
It serves double-duty, because the grinder is my alarm clock. When I hear it start I know it's the dread moment that I have to get up and Thought Lead, so up and into the shower, and by the time I arrive in the kitchen, there's a flask of 8 cups of freshly ground and brewed coffee waiting to fuel my ascent into wakefulness.

It's proven a lot easier to program than my wife, who has yet to make me even a single cup of coffee.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: De Sisti on 06 May, 2022, 01:49:01 pm
Quote from: De Sisti on 31 December, 2021, 12:41:14 pm

Next door neighbours and their guests using the path up to my front door as a shared path
to get to their front door. They park their two cars right-up in front of their house, leaving
no room to conveniently walk up to their front door.

Things will change when I have my porch rebuilt next year. I will ask the builder (whom
I know quite well) to erect some railings, to ensure there is a distinct boundary between
the two properties.

Neighbours will then have the option of only parking one car on their driveway (usually
parking their other car on the pavement, blocking pedestrian access), or squeezing past
their two cars on their driveway.

Things get even worse when her boyfriend or daughter come to visit her
(two cars on driveway and one parked on the pavement).

The lady and her grown-up son (30) are quite nice. I suppose when it comes to parking,
people can get very......(what's the word I'm looking for?)
Finally got round to having some railings put up to stop neighbour & partner/neighbour son/son's
girlfriend/neighbour's guests using my path as a communal walkway to their front door.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52054065281_b83f926fc6.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52053015632_fc6e5247af.jpg)
They'll look better once the tips are coloured with some Hammerite Smooth Gold paint.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 06 May, 2022, 03:07:05 pm
The people who manage our industrial estate where I work clearly aren't doing no mow may, the still relatively short grass which was however looking nice with daisies and dandelions is now a scalped greeny brown mess

The guy strimming was in trainers, shorts and no eye or ear protection.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 09 May, 2022, 10:42:35 am
Quote from: The Family Cyclist on 06 May, 2022, 03:07:05 pm
The people who manage our industrial estate where I work clearly aren't doing no mow may, the still relatively short grass which was however looking nice with daisies and dandelions is now a scalped greeny brown mess

The guy strimming was in trainers, shorts and no eye or ear protection.

Similar for our across-the-road neighbour, scalps his lawn twice a week.

And on another note, whilst out on my rides this weekend, I can across 2 people in different locations strimming down the hedge parsley on the verges -  outside their property lines, in a location invisible from their homes. Why?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 09 May, 2022, 10:44:08 am
I work in an open plan office, with my back to the walkway. Why is it people feel obliged to rap their knuckles on the top of my drawer unit as they pass  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: De Sisti on 09 May, 2022, 10:54:30 am
Quote from: De Sisti on 06 May, 2022, 01:49:01 pm
Quote from: De Sisti on 31 December, 2021, 12:41:14 pm

Next door neighbours and their guests using the path up to my front door as a shared path
to get to their front door. They park their two cars right-up in front of their house, leaving
no room to conveniently walk up to their front door.

Things will change when I have my porch rebuilt next year. I will ask the builder (whom
I know quite well) to erect some railings, to ensure there is a distinct boundary between
the two properties.

Neighbours will then have the option of only parking one car on their driveway (usually
parking their other car on the pavement, blocking pedestrian access), or squeezing past
their two cars on their driveway.

Things get even worse when her boyfriend or daughter come to visit her
(two cars on driveway and one parked on the pavement).

The lady and her grown-up son (30) are quite nice. I suppose when it comes to parking,
people can get very......(what's the word I'm looking for?)
Finally got round to having some railings put up to stop neighbour & partner/neighbour son/son's
girlfriend/neighbour's guests using my path as a communal walkway to their front door.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52054065281_b83f926fc6.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52053015632_fc6e5247af.jpg)
They'll look better once the tips are coloured with some Hammerite Smooth Gold paint.
Painting of railings complete. I am dead chuffed. Several neighbours have complemented me
on how well the look (even the ones next door who were taking liberties using my path as a communal walkway :-D )


(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52061319364_0c90d80a0a.jpg)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52061577670_a3e943ef01.jpg)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: diapsaon0 on 09 May, 2022, 11:01:09 am
Well done.  They can now be fined for parking a car on the pavement.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: De Sisti on 09 May, 2022, 11:31:05 am
Quote from: diapsaon0 on 09 May, 2022, 11:01:09 am
Well done.  They can now be fined for parking a car on the pavement.
Lots of pavement-parking on my road taking place. Never a parking official to be seen.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 09 May, 2022, 10:13:50 pm
Had to put the heating on again today.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 10 May, 2022, 07:20:16 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 09 May, 2022, 10:13:50 pm
Had to put the heating on again today.

I turned our heating system to off on Sunday (having had it set at a conservative 18 for about 3 weeks for the slightest background when timing allowed) - caught my wife with the gas fire running last night.  Looks warmer for the coming days.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 10 May, 2022, 09:19:47 am
Quote from: robgul on 10 May, 2022, 07:20:16 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 09 May, 2022, 10:13:50 pm
Had to put the heating on again today.

I turned our heating system to off on Sunday (having had it set at a conservative 18 for about 3 weeks for the slightest background when timing allowed) - caught my wife with the gas fire running last night.  Looks warmer for the coming days.

Mine just presses the +1hr override button.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 10 May, 2022, 09:43:27 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 09 May, 2022, 10:13:50 pm
Had to put the heating on again today.

Had the fan on in the bedroom last night :smug:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 10 May, 2022, 09:54:52 am
Can't find my fingerless mitts, so I thought I'd treat myself to a new pair.

HOW MUCH!

Not paying that money unless I get to try them on (I have fat hands and most mitts don't fit).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 10 May, 2022, 06:11:35 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 10 May, 2022, 09:43:27 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 09 May, 2022, 10:13:50 pm
Had to put the heating on again today.

Had the fan on in the bedroom last night :smug:
You are a git!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 10 May, 2022, 06:17:19 pm
Just been for a concerted rummage round all the boxes containing screws etc left here by the plumber last Tuesday in the hope that I could find the correct screws to allow me to screw the front panels back on the sockets that are hanging out of the kitchen wall as I am getting fed up of them like that, but unfortunately the correct screws are nowhere to be found and there is nothing useful in my screw stash that will do.
We picked a really good time to get the coronalurgi  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 10 May, 2022, 06:57:33 pm
Grumble 1.  The woman at the campsite asked if I qualified for the over 60 rate.  The chap pitched next to me asked if my ride was a “retirement thing “. 


Am I losing my youthful good looks ?


Grumble 2. The first day’s ride of this trip saw me wrestling a loaded Thorn Nomad through a kissing gate. I’ve now got a large bruise on my abdomen from the stem.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 10 May, 2022, 08:59:50 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 10 May, 2022, 06:11:35 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 10 May, 2022, 09:43:27 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 09 May, 2022, 10:13:50 pm
Had to put the heating on again today.

Had the fan on in the bedroom last night :smug:
You are a git!

I'm thinking of switching from my winter 4-Tog duvet to my summer sheet already.  Sweltering this week so far
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 10 May, 2022, 09:01:05 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 10 May, 2022, 06:17:19 pm
Just been for a concerted rummage round all the boxes containing screws etc left here by the plumber last Tuesday in the hope that I could find the correct screws to allow me to screw the front panels back on the sockets that are hanging out of the kitchen wall as I am getting fed up of them like that, but unfortunately the correct screws are nowhere to be found and there is nothing useful in my screw stash that will do.
We picked a really good time to get the coronalurgi  ::-)

If they are the standard socket face screws I could probably bung a load in the post if that would help?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 10 May, 2022, 09:20:34 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 10 May, 2022, 09:01:05 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 10 May, 2022, 06:17:19 pm
Just been for a concerted rummage round all the boxes containing screws etc left here by the plumber last Tuesday in the hope that I could find the correct screws to allow me to screw the front panels back on the sockets that are hanging out of the kitchen wall as I am getting fed up of them like that, but unfortunately the correct screws are nowhere to be found and there is nothing useful in my screw stash that will do.
We picked a really good time to get the coronalurgi  ::-)

If they are the standard socket face screws I could probably bung a load in the post if that would help?

Also, check in the back of the faceplate. There are often little clippy places to store the screws to stop them getting lost.

They are M3.5, but come in varying lengths.
Sometimes, the backing box is set quite deep below the surface, esp. if there's additional tile thickness too.
So this calls for extra-long ones, but they are readily available.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 10 May, 2022, 10:02:35 pm
I hate faceplate screws.  They're a silly (for metric values of silly) size and would greatly benefit from a better screw head, and that's before they get mashed as you try to line them up with the backbox while trying to cram too many uncooperative wires into a tight space.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 10 May, 2022, 10:20:44 pm
Quote from: Kim on 10 May, 2022, 10:02:35 pm
I hate faceplate screws.  They're a silly (for metric values of silly) size and would greatly benefit from a better screw head, and that's before they get mashed as you try to line them up with the backbox while trying to cram too many uncooperative wires into a tight space.

My least-favourite thing is trying to aim the screws into the backing box when it's deeply set, doubly so if you can't see the 'ole you are aiming for.
You might get one just started, but then you just can't get the second one to find it's mark.
And when it does, it goes in cross-threaded because the faceplate is at a wonky angle because too many wires.
And once it's cross-threaded, it's almost impossible to then get it in not cross-threaded.
And then, as you tighten it up, one of the conductors will become nipped or abraded and trip out the RCD.

I just love this stuff.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 10 May, 2022, 10:38:27 pm
Come the revolution, backboxes shallower than 40mm will be outlawed.  It won't solve most of the screw problems, but it'll make the wires a bit easier.

I note that you can get security torx head versions.  I wonder if improved aiming accuracy and reduced likelihood of the screwdriver slipping and scratching/stabbing something shiny/fleshy is worth the not-being-able-to-find-the-right-screwdriver effect.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 10 May, 2022, 10:51:50 pm
I had already checked the back of the faceplates with no joy. That's of the existing ones. The 2 old single faceplates which have been replaced by double boxes are lying in a cabinet, no screws of course and the replacement double boxes have no faceplates. So presumably the sparky snaffled it all away somewhere when he was here while we were on holiday.

@ElyDave thank you for the kind offer but I've lived with it for a week so I'll just have to clench my teeth for another...
Alternatively I could go and scavenge the screws from the new socket in the boiler cupboard <strokes chin smiley>
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hatler on 10 May, 2022, 10:56:29 pm
Quote from: Feanor on 10 May, 2022, 10:20:44 pm
Quote from: Kim on 10 May, 2022, 10:02:35 pm
I hate faceplate screws.  They're a silly (for metric values of silly) size and would greatly benefit from a better screw head, and that's before they get mashed as you try to line them up with the backbox while trying to cram too many uncooperative wires into a tight space.

My least-favourite thing is trying to aim the screws into the backing box when it's deeply set, doubly so if you can't see the 'ole you are aiming for.
You might get one just started, but then you just can't get the second one to find it's mark.
And when it does, it goes in cross-threaded because the faceplate is at a wonky angle because too many wires.
And once it's cross-threaded, it's almost impossible to then get it in not cross-threaded.
And then, as you tighten it up, one of the conductors will become nipped or abraded and trip out the RCD.

I just love this stuff.

Apologies, but this is fantastic to hear.
I thought it was only me and my incompetence that ever experienced that.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 11 May, 2022, 06:57:08 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 10 May, 2022, 10:51:50 pm
Alternatively I could go and scavenge the screws from the new socket in the boiler cupboard <strokes chin smiley>

Of course that didnae work because, as Feanor rightly pointed out, they're deep boxes which I don't have elsewhere.

I shall try texting the plumber to see if he can get the sparky to shove some thru our letterbox.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 11 May, 2022, 07:50:45 pm
Ah dear wife, much as I appreciate you badgering the gardeners to come and tame the jungle, be nice if you checked I didn't have several important meetings in the morning, ones that might not benefit from a soundtrack of petrol-powered mowers and strimmers. Oh, I'll be at the office is not an optimal response.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 11 May, 2022, 09:13:42 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 09 May, 2022, 10:42:35 am
Quote from: The Family Cyclist on 06 May, 2022, 03:07:05 pm
The people who manage our industrial estate where I work clearly aren't doing no mow may, the still relatively short grass which was however looking nice with daisies and dandelions is now a scalped greeny brown mess

The guy strimming was in trainers, shorts and no eye or ear protection.

Similar for our across-the-road neighbour, scalps his lawn twice a week.

And on another note, whilst out on my rides this weekend, I can across 2 people in different locations strimming down the hedge parsley on the verges -  outside their property lines, in a location invisible from their homes. Why?

Cos some people including my collegue at work think things must be kept tidy including nature
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cygnet on 11 May, 2022, 09:56:55 pm
Quote from: The Family Cyclist on 11 May, 2022, 09:13:42 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 09 May, 2022, 10:42:35 am
Quote from: The Family Cyclist on 06 May, 2022, 03:07:05 pm
The people who manage our industrial estate where I work clearly aren't doing no mow may, the still relatively short grass which was however looking nice with daisies and dandelions is now a scalped greeny brown mess

The guy strimming was in trainers, shorts and no eye or ear protection.

Similar for our across-the-road neighbour, scalps his lawn twice a week.

And on another note, whilst out on my rides this weekend, I can across 2 people in different locations strimming down the hedge parsley on the verges -  outside their property lines, in a location invisible from their homes. Why?

Cos some people including my collegue at work think things must be kept tidy including nature
Cos parking?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 12 May, 2022, 09:36:48 am
Just found out that another name for hedge parsley is tall sock-destroyer.  :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 12 May, 2022, 09:51:13 am
Quote from: cygnet on 11 May, 2022, 09:56:55 pm
Quote from: The Family Cyclist on 11 May, 2022, 09:13:42 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 09 May, 2022, 10:42:35 am
Quote from: The Family Cyclist on 06 May, 2022, 03:07:05 pm
The people who manage our industrial estate where I work clearly aren't doing no mow may, the still relatively short grass which was however looking nice with daisies and dandelions is now a scalped greeny brown mess

The guy strimming was in trainers, shorts and no eye or ear protection.

Similar for our across-the-road neighbour, scalps his lawn twice a week.

And on another note, whilst out on my rides this weekend, I can across 2 people in different locations strimming down the hedge parsley on the verges -  outside their property lines, in a location invisible from their homes. Why?

Cos some people including my collegue at work think things must be kept tidy including nature
Cos parking?

Nope, at least not in the cases I mentioned, as the verges are outside large detached houses / bar conversions and there's never been ant street parking on that lane. Just ignorance.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 12 May, 2022, 07:13:49 pm
Helllp!

So this happened
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52067812122_a96f122182.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2nk49wE)2022-05-12_07-09-29 (https://flic.kr/p/2nk49wE) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pingus/), on Flickr

I wasn't pushing hard, in fact the face plate wasn't on , I was just trying to see if I could get a sticky screw in there without cross threading it and it suddenly all moved backwards and is stuck.
Any great ideas? (Besides give up and walk away).
The other face plate is sorted now, at least.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 12 May, 2022, 07:26:39 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 12 May, 2022, 07:13:49 pm
Helllp!

So this happened
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52067812122_a96f122182.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2nk49wE)2022-05-12_07-09-29 (https://flic.kr/p/2nk49wE) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pingus/), on Flickr

I wasn't pushing hard, in fact the face plate wasn't on , I was just trying to see if I could get a sticky screw in there without cross threading it and it suddenly all moved backwards and is stuck.
Any great ideas? (Besides give up and walk away).
The other face plate is sorted now, at least.

WITH CARE - attack the plastic box with tin-snips to cut it into bits that can be pulled back over the wire - fit replacement new box.  (Make sure the juice is off !)

. . .  are you sure you're fitting this correctly? - the aperture looks like it might be too large for the front flange to sit against the surface and for the spring loaded bit to meet the inner face of the aperture when you screw on the faceplate.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 12 May, 2022, 07:55:15 pm
I did not fit it. It was either the one already there or the sparky fitted a new box. I was merely trying to get the faceplate screwed in instead of having another week of using it while hanging out of the wall.
Also, the aperture isn't too large, that's just the splashback you're looking at there. There is still plasterboard behind the box flange.
I have sussed out what it's supposed to look like via Google. I think I will just leave it for the sparky to sort whenever he comes back.
Clearly it was a problem getting it to stay put because the clip on the other side of the box has a wood screw securing it ..
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 12 May, 2022, 08:23:58 pm
Fill it with polyurethane foam then move house. It's the only way to be sure.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 12 May, 2022, 09:07:37 pm
That's one of those newfangled boxes with wings[1] for cardboard walls, isn't it?  In which case, I agree with ian.


[1] Cue rollerskates and conspicuously non-black lycra
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 12 May, 2022, 09:08:44 pm
I got the yellow 'wing' back inside the box.

Currently trying to find a picture on Google of how it actually works.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 12 May, 2022, 09:14:42 pm
Oh I think I see the problem. The tiny thin white bits that are supposed to stop the yellow wing from moving back while you try and stick a screw in it are all snapped. Fecking stupid design.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wowbagger on 12 May, 2022, 09:19:00 pm
This reminds me of one of those 1960s quiz programmes with Robert Robinson in which you examine a photograph of a familiar object taken at an unusual angle and very close up and you have to identify it. I'm guessing, judging by those blue things that look like wires, that it is some electrical gadgetry.

Have I won?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 12 May, 2022, 09:20:10 pm
See:
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 10 May, 2022, 06:17:19 pm
Just been for a concerted rummage round all the boxes containing screws etc left here by the plumber last Tuesday in the hope that I could find the correct screws to allow me to screw the front panels back on the sockets that are hanging out of the kitchen wall as I am getting fed up of them like that, but unfortunately the correct screws are nowhere to be found and there is nothing useful in my screw stash that will do.
We picked a really good time to get the coronalurgi  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 12 May, 2022, 09:32:08 pm
That's a standard plasterboard backing box.

They have a thin flange around the front of them, which lands on the front face of the plasterboard.
Then, there are a pair of external sliding wings either side, the yellow bits in your photo.
You can't see the wings, they are on the outside of the box.
As you tighten the screws, the yellow bit will be pulled forwards till the wings clamp onto the back of the plasterboard.
The plasterboard is clamped between the front flange, and the wings.
The ole in the pb needs to be a close fit to the main body of the box, so the flange doesn't fall through from the front, and the wings can grab it from behind(!).

In order to get the box into the 'ole in the first place, the wings can be retracted into the box.
Usually, you slide the yellow bit all the way back, and it will then fold inwards.
The box is shoved into the ole, the wings pushed back out and the yellow bits pulled forwards till it touches the inside of the plasterboard.
Once the yellow bit is slid forward, it can no longer fold inwards.
Note that the final fore-aft position of that yellow piece depends entirely on the thickness of the pb and whatever other stuff may be stuck onto it.

Typically, there's nothing other than friction holding that yellow bit forward before the screws are tightened, and it will slide back quite readily.
So when trying to get the screw started, best not to shove too hard, or the threaded yellow bit will just shove away from you.
If it has, then just manually shove it back.
The wood screw you mention sounds like a bodge to stop it sliding away from you!
That it has a design feature (snapped) to assist with this sounds like an extravagance!

One thing about your photos...
The front flange is not visible. Is that some kind of facing which has been placed over the top of the plasterboard, and the flange is on top of the plasterboard, but behind the facing?
Never mind, I see you answered that earlier.
But that's why this needs longer screws.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 12 May, 2022, 10:14:28 pm
While I have the wing floating about inside, that I can just about hold on to, I had another try with the screw. The thread is knackered, it doesnae want to go in, so here endeth my attempt to frob it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 12 May, 2022, 10:39:55 pm
I'd normally just disconnect the socket from the wires and replace the backing box.
But the splashback-over-the-front-flange precludes that, I think.

In the absence of an M3.5 tap, I think with a bit of brute force and ignorance, a screw can be forced into the damaged part, re-cutting the thread.
Perhaps.

Then it's onto more serious warfare.


Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 13 May, 2022, 07:51:04 am
Quote from: Feanor on 12 May, 2022, 09:32:08 pm
That's a standard plasterboard backing box.

They have a thin flange around the front of them, which lands on the front face of the plasterboard.
Then, there are a pair of external sliding wings either side, the yellow bits in your photo.
You can't see the wings, they are on the outside of the box.
As you tighten the screws, the yellow bit will be pulled forwards till the wings clamp onto the back of the plasterboard.
The plasterboard is clamped between the front flange, and the wings.
The ole in the pb needs to be a close fit to the main body of the box, so the flange doesn't fall through from the front, and the wings can grab it from behind(!).

In order to get the box into the 'ole in the first place, the wings can be retracted into the box.
Usually, you slide the yellow bit all the way back, and it will then fold inwards.
The box is shoved into the ole, the wings pushed back out and the yellow bits pulled forwards till it touches the inside of the plasterboard.
Once the yellow bit is slid forward, it can no longer fold inwards.
Note that the final fore-aft position of that yellow piece depends entirely on the thickness of the pb and whatever other stuff may be stuck onto it.

Typically, there's nothing other than friction holding that yellow bit forward before the screws are tightened, and it will slide back quite readily.
So when trying to get the screw started, best not to shove too hard, or the threaded yellow bit will just shove away from you.
If it has, then just manually shove it back.
The wood screw you mention sounds like a bodge to stop it sliding away from you!
That it has a design feature (snapped) to assist with this sounds like an extravagance!

One thing about your photos...
The front flange is not visible. Is that some kind of facing which has been placed over the top of the plasterboard, and the flange is on top of the plasterboard, but behind the facing?
Never mind, I see you answered that earlier.
But that's why this needs longer screws.

Perfect description of what is a useful product - if fitted correctly.

As a remedy .... it looks as if it's possible to fit a new "plasterboard box" direct to the splashback material - assuming the aperture is the correct size.  Just follow feanor's post for instructions (if you see the an undamaged box in the flesh it's intuitive https://www.screwfix.com/p/appleby-2-gang-dry-lining-knockout-box-35mm/36960 )

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 13 May, 2022, 07:58:30 am
CV-19 permitting, might be worth Mrs P picking up said M3.5 tap - not expensive, and might come in handy in the future. (Happy to stick mine in the post, but two way postage is probably more than a new one.)

https://www.screwfix.com/p/c-k-re-threading-tool-m3-5-x-0-6mm/59312

If the threads are properly buggered then the same tool in M4 is product number 23881 but that's a more normal tap size to have hanging around ...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 13 May, 2022, 08:05:02 am
I was just thinking I should go rummage in the garage for my taps, clearly you lot got there before me :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 13 May, 2022, 12:45:27 pm
Quote from: jsabine on 13 May, 2022, 07:58:30 am
CV-19 permitting, might be worth Mrs P picking up said M3.5 tap - not expensive, and might come in handy in the future. (Happy to stick mine in the post, but two way postage is probably more than a new one.)

https://www.screwfix.com/p/c-k-re-threading-tool-m3-5-x-0-6mm/59312

If the threads are properly buggered then the same tool in M4 is product number 23881 but that's a more normal tap size to have hanging around ...

I might get one of those. I only had a 3mm or a 4mm and the 3mm didn't help.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 13 May, 2022, 01:21:59 pm
At work during the week we have radio 2 on via the old fashioned FM radio which I can just about tolerate if I ignore Jeremy vines pointless idiots arguing

However on Fridays when in office on own or when colleagues on holiday get to listen to what I want. Usually 6 music or maybe something on sounds via the computer

However our Internet at works so bad been banned from listening through computer, can't face the eurovision love in on radio 2 so it's sitting in silence till GQT at 3pm
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 13 May, 2022, 03:05:23 pm
Sciatica.  Ouch!  That effing hurt!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hatler on 13 May, 2022, 05:57:49 pm
Scared of not being fit enough for a surfing weekend in N Cornwall a couple of weekends ago, I set about getting surf-fit. Press ups, planks and burpees. Daily morning routine. Then, two weeks before the weekend I thought I ought to turn the burpees into a surfing pop up (identical, except that you end up with feet in a surf position, as opposed to alongside each other).

Bugger. That'll teach me. Cue the worst back ache ever - virtually immobile for the whole of the Easter weekend and despite multiple sessions with a physio I'm still a long way off being right. Hints of a disc problem apparently.  That'll put the kibosh on a few things.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 13 May, 2022, 06:05:42 pm
Quote from: hatler on 13 May, 2022, 05:57:49 pm
Scared of not being fit enough for a surfing weekend in N Cornwall a couple of weekends ago, I set about getting surf-fit. Press ups, planks and burpees. Daily morning routine. Then, two weeks before the weekend I thought I ought to turn the burpees into a surfing pop up (identical, except that you end up with feet in a surf position, as opposed to alongside each other).

Bugger. That'll teach me. Cue the worst back ache ever - virtually immobile for the whole of the Easter weekend and despite multiple sessions with a physio I'm still a long way off being right. Hints of a disc problem apparently.  That'll put the kibosh on a few things.
That sounds a bit grim.  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hatler on 13 May, 2022, 06:23:32 pm
Indeed. It's improving, but ever so slowly. At least I don't need the opiates any more.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 14 May, 2022, 07:20:20 am
This health & fitness lark is dangerous.  GWS.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 14 May, 2022, 01:36:19 pm
Sounds ouchy GWS.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hatler on 14 May, 2022, 01:56:03 pm
Thank you all. I'm happy to report that non-strenuous cycling appears to be possible (that's how I got to the last physio appointment).

Look after your back everyone !!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 14 May, 2022, 03:07:59 pm
Can someone e-mail me the will to go grovelling under the desk in the Estate Office?  I need to extricate my dead PC, y'see, so's I can transplant bits of it into the new one.

No, thought not. Bah.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 14 May, 2022, 04:02:08 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 13 May, 2022, 12:45:27 pm

Quote from: jsabine on 13 May, 2022, 07:58:30 am
CV-19 permitting, might be worth Mrs P picking up said M3.5 tap - not expensive, and might come in handy in the future. (Happy to stick mine in the post, but two way postage is probably more than a new one.)

https://www.screwfix.com/p/c-k-re-threading-tool-m3-5-x-0-6mm/59312

If the threads are properly buggered then the same tool in M4 is product number 23881 but that's a more normal tap size to have hanging around ...

I might get one of those. I only had a 3mm or a 4mm and the 3mm didn't help.

Huzzah, thanks to the Big River Co, I can haz tool. And by some miracle I managed to get it to go back together.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52073048459_6ec4c8223f.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2nkvZ7k)2022-05-14_03-57-14 (https://flic.kr/p/2nkvZ7k) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pingus/), on Flickr

I could have done without Pingu using the camera flash outside at the same time as I was screwing it in, gave me a bit of a twitch ..
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 14 May, 2022, 05:50:55 pm
 :-D  We were in a bunkhouse once & Kim was fettling something electrical. I took a photo & the flash went off.  This earned me a hard stare. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 15 May, 2022, 01:03:15 pm
I'm in a restaurant where the staff seem to have split the work strictly by task. One to seat you, one to take your order, another to take menus away, another to deliver food, another to clear tables etc.

Efficient it is not. A 5 minute wait to get seated in a 2/3 empty room. "Can i order please" is replied with "I'll just get someone". 28 minutes after sitting down a man in hi viz has brought my (first) drink.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 15 May, 2022, 03:40:36 pm
They shifted nursing from task-oriented to person-centred care a while back.

Shame this establishment has gone the other way...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 15 May, 2022, 03:44:50 pm
Quote from: perpetual dan on 15 May, 2022, 01:03:15 pm
I'm in a restaurant where the staff seem to have split the work strictly by task. One to seat you, one to take your order, another to take menus away, another to deliver food, another to clear tables etc.

Efficient it is not. A 5 minute wait to get seated in a 2/3 empty room. "Can i order please" is replied with "I'll just get someone". 28 minutes after sitting down a man in hi viz has brought my (first) drink.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

I think the last time something like that happened to me, overnighting at some airport somewhere in Europe, I ended up asking for my bill three times, waiting about 15 minutes after the last, and then just walking out.  There was nothing on my bill the next morning.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 15 May, 2022, 04:51:17 pm
The Ozzie and I experienced shockingly bad service at a restaurant on Butlers Wharf a few years back.
When the manager came across to ask 'Is everything OK?' we didn't rant or anything.
We simply told him that we would never be coming back and gave him the reason why.
When the bill came the food was FOC, and apparently we'd just been gifted membership to some wine-tasting club or something, which meant that the bottle of champagne we'd just necked, had 30% knocked off its price.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 16 May, 2022, 09:27:24 am
Quote from: perpetual dan on 15 May, 2022, 01:03:15 pm
I'm in a restaurant where the staff seem to have split the work strictly by task. One to seat you, one to take your order, another to take menus away, another to deliver food, another to clear tables etc.

Efficient it is not. A 5 minute wait to get seated in a 2/3 empty room. "Can i order please" is replied with "I'll just get someone". 28 minutes after sitting down a man in hi viz has brought my (first) drink.

To be fair, the place was probably managed by someone with an MBA.

This approach doesn't seem uncommon anymore, I'm not clear how it can be efficient in any small restaurant or pub. Maybe if you have a several hundred covers on a busy day. Maybe.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 16 May, 2022, 09:55:10 am
They had maybe 40 tables. It might have given the appearance of working if the sitting you down person hadn't had to spend so long checking he could fit me in before needing the table back, and if there had been fewer waiting staff standing around avoiding making eye contact!

The food, when it came, was pretty good. I wasn't expecting "fast food" and the hour it took to order, get and eat my one course filled the time before my time in the exhibition I had a timed ticket for. They could probably have sold me a second drink or a dessert with a bit more attentiveness.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 16 May, 2022, 02:52:12 pm
Last week in Mr Sainsbury’s House of Toothy Comestibles:

1 pint own-brand semi-skilled milk: 60p
1 pint Grahams semi-skilled milk: 60p

This week:

1 pint own-brand semi-skilled milk: 70p
1 pint Grahams semi-skilled milk: 60p

Robdogs.

Also, please put back the seats outside the front door as they were well useful for donning one's Trouser-Chain Interference Prevention Units without unpleasant bending.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 17 May, 2022, 01:56:32 am
Sainsbury's semi-skilled has gone up from 80p to £1.05 for two pints in the last 18 months...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 17 May, 2022, 12:00:29 pm
And the lactose-free has gone from £1 to £1.20

(The Arla stuff is well into the £1.60 range or higher, depending on the shop.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 17 May, 2022, 12:13:55 pm
This makes Co-op oat-based unmilk a bargain, having only gone up from 85p to 95p a litre. Which is quite remarkable, given that it's the Co-op. But also, as it's the Co-op, there will be regional variations (I believe Mr Larrington's local branch is actually a Coöp).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 17 May, 2022, 12:19:20 pm
We have no fewer than three Coöps in these parts, though the last time I ventured into one of them was more than twenty of your Earth years ago, when two of them hadn’t actually been built.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 17 May, 2022, 01:20:29 pm
You went into one of them when two hadn't been built? You are a Time Lord AICMFP!*

*I'll take it with 20 years of interest, please.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 17 May, 2022, 06:51:03 pm
I'm going to be away with work for 2 weeks, including both weekends in the middle of June. You know, longest days and what passes for summer in the Heathen Lands.
Why can't they send me to hot places when it's dark all day and the weather is shit?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 19 May, 2022, 07:27:36 pm
So, I appreciate the scaffolders now want to come at 7.30 am, but I can't magically guarantee they'll find somewhere to park*. I'd hazard that will be unlikely before 9 am when people leave for work (I did arrange with a neighbour to use their space, but I can't exactly order them to go to work early).

*we live on a narrow hill, and the turn into our driveway is ninety degrees, so the biggest thing you'll get around that corner is a van; the lane behind is all private and there's no public parking and all spaces are guarded zealously.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 19 May, 2022, 08:38:52 pm
Quote from: ian on 19 May, 2022, 07:27:36 pm
So, I appreciate the scaffolders now want to come at 7.30 am, but I can't magically guarantee they'll find somewhere to park*. I'd hazard that will be unlikely before 9 am when people leave for work (I did arrange with a neighbour to use their space, but I can't exactly order them to go to work early).

*we live on a narrow hill, and the turn into our driveway is ninety degrees, so the biggest thing you'll get around that corner is a van; the lane behind is all private and there's no public parking and all spaces are guarded zealously.
You've found scaffolders that don't just rock up, block the road, and throw metal bits across the pavement? Are you sure they're real?

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 19 May, 2022, 08:41:22 pm
I suspect that's the plan. At 7.30 am, when any reasonable person should be sleeping.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 19 May, 2022, 08:43:31 pm
I once had the pleasure of teaching with scaffolders outside the window. In the end i had to request they stop swearing so loudly. I may have used loud and colourful language to do this.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 19 May, 2022, 09:59:52 pm
I vividly remember watching scaffolders taking down a scaffolding ‘crown’ from the top of the ten storey public library that was across the road from my office. The dismantling was fairly standard fair from what we could see, but the scaffolders then lobbed the poles one at a time from the top of the building down to a smallish grass patch some 10m away from the foot of the building. The safety provision the seemed to adopt consisted of red and white plastic hazard tape around the grassy patch and the chap at the bottom waving to the chap at the top when no one was passing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 20 May, 2022, 01:10:19 am
I may have mentioned before the family of one of my fellow zeks, who subsidised their scaffolding business by dealing coke, or possibly vice-versa, and were their own best customers.  This does not bear thinking about.  D actually served two stints in the Gulag; after the second he emigrated to Bury St. Edmunds just to get away from his brothers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 20 May, 2022, 08:41:32 am
Well, anyway it's 8.39 am and if there were scaffolders they've evidently been scoffed by the bears.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 20 May, 2022, 07:22:32 pm
You know what is worse than a Powerpoint presentation where the presenter reads out bullet points?

A recording of a presentation where the presenter reads out bullet points.

compulsory viewing. Shoot me now
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 20 May, 2022, 07:24:06 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 20 May, 2022, 07:22:32 pm
You know what is worse than a Powerpoint presentation where the presenter reads out bullet points?

A recording of a presentation where the presenter reads out bullet points.

compulsory viewing. Shoot me now

Bonus points for craptions.  And not being able to change the playback speed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 20 May, 2022, 07:36:55 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 20 May, 2022, 07:22:32 pm
You know what is worse than a Powerpoint presentation where the presenter reads out bullet points?

A recording of a presentation where the presenter reads out bullet points.

compulsory viewing. Shoot me now

I always try to make sure that my commentary and the bullet points stand alone, a-la His Bobness and big flashcards
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 20 May, 2022, 07:48:43 pm
Quote from: Kim on 20 May, 2022, 07:24:06 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 20 May, 2022, 07:22:32 pm
You know what is worse than a Powerpoint presentation where the presenter reads out bullet points?

A recording of a presentation where the presenter reads out bullet points.

compulsory viewing. Shoot me now

Bonus points for craptions.  And not being able to change the playback speed.

Bonus points for presentation karaoke, where they use the pointer on every word...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 20 May, 2022, 07:49:38 pm
I deliberately ensure my presentation rarely interacts with the bullet points on any given slides.

To be serious, the bullet points should illustrate what you're saying, but there's no point in spending your time saying things that people can simply read for themselves.

That said, I abhor bullet points. It's a visual format, so use visuals. Text should be limited to captions and labels. If you want to write a document, write a document.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 20 May, 2022, 08:40:54 pm
Quote from: ian on 20 May, 2022, 07:49:38 pm
I deliberately ensure my presentation rarely interacts with the bullet points on any given slides.

To be serious, the bullet points should illustrate what you're saying, but there's no point in spending your time saying things that people can simply read for themselves.

That said, I abhor bullet points. It's a visual format, so use visuals. Text should be limited to captions and labels. If you want to write a document, write a document.

I go big on text, talk lots, use pictures

My colleague, small text, white space, detail

We clash
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 20 May, 2022, 08:46:47 pm
One of our DSs showed a slide full of code the other day. It's not the fucking Matrix.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 20 May, 2022, 09:07:34 pm
Slides full of code are just about permissible when you're actually teaching programming languages.  But they're really hard to do without breaking all the readability rules.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 20 May, 2022, 09:12:49 pm
Quote from: ian on 20 May, 2022, 08:46:47 pm
One of our DSs showed a slide full of code the other day. It's not the fucking Matrix.

Directeur Sportif?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 20 May, 2022, 09:16:04 pm
I'm not minded code on a slide is ever acceptable beyond a single annotated line that somehow encapsulates some kind of programmatic awesomenanlity. Julia is quite cool though, so I didn't immediately laser him into atoms.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 21 May, 2022, 10:38:01 am
Needed to get part n° of "Do not disassemble" BB on eCow. Natch, it's underneath. Easy! Put phone on self-portrait, hold it under BB. But will the damn thing focus? No it will not: it has caught a glimpse of my horrid hovering physog and even though I put BB between me and it the twat still knows I'm up there somewhere and will not look at what's right in front of it. Fuzzy shots & dudgeon ensue.

I end up using the front camera and aiming at the touch-screen blurgs via an old mirror tile on the floor.  Dontcha just love tech?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 23 May, 2022, 08:41:59 am
Why do smoke-alarm batteries invariably run out at 3 am?

Just noticed that the battery was best before March 2019 and I bought & installed the alarm in August 2019.  The mairie had bought up a shitload of them and flogged them to denizens at cost - we bought two.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: PhilO on 23 May, 2022, 09:29:37 am
Quote from: T42 on 23 May, 2022, 08:41:59 am
Why do smoke-alarm batteries invariably run out at 3 am?

Because that's when they're at their coolest.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 23 May, 2022, 09:42:09 am
Quote from: PhilO on 23 May, 2022, 09:29:37 am
Quote from: T42 on 23 May, 2022, 08:41:59 am
Why do smoke-alarm batteries invariably run out at 3 am?

Because that's when they're at their coolest.
There’s nothing cool about the battery reminder going off at 3am >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hatler on 23 May, 2022, 09:37:55 pm
Quote from: hatler on 14 May, 2022, 01:56:03 pm
Thank you all. I'm happy to report that non-strenuous cycling appears to be possible (that's how I got to the last physio appointment).

Look after your back everyone !!
Bugger. Proper knackered now. Spent all day flat on my back. Not getting any better. Off to A&E tomorrow I think (though no idea how I'm going to get there).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 24 May, 2022, 10:21:30 am
French income tax return time: my annual grapple with bank-account downloads and that Excel thing. :sick: :sick: :sick:

We received a princely 137€ more than last year. Missus! Put some more water in the soup.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 25 May, 2022, 11:56:00 pm
Washing machine, your purpose it to wash Stuff.  Not get through an indeterminate fraction of the wash cycle before giving up and showing “UE” on your little display-face.

“UE” is LGese for “imbalanced load”.  Yes.  Yes, it is.  Two towels, two pillow cases, a duvet cover and a sheet, in this case.  Gertcha!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 26 May, 2022, 09:39:13 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 25 May, 2022, 11:56:00 pm
Washing machine, your purpose it to wash Stuff.  Not get through an indeterminate fraction of the wash cycle before giving up and showing “UE” on your little display-face.

“UE” is LGese for “imbalanced load”.  Yes.  Yes, it is.  Two towels, two pillow cases, a duvet cover and a sheet, in this case.  Gertcha!

We once had a Bosch service engineer who tested our machines ability to sense an unbalnaced load with the aid of his newest piece of eqyuipment - a pink hot water bottle.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 26 May, 2022, 10:51:03 am
Redid it in two lots, end of cycle reached without further grumbling from machine.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 26 May, 2022, 03:46:21 pm
Quote from: T42 on 23 May, 2022, 08:41:59 am
Why do smoke-alarm batteries invariably run out at 3 am?

Just noticed that the battery was best before March 2019 and I bought & installed the alarm in August 2019.  The mairie had bought up a shitload of them and flogged them to denizens at cost - we bought two.

We have named these 'Sleep Detectors' somewhere in this very forum.
Voltage drops when batteries are at their coolest…

https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=31801.msg2625378#msg2625378 (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=31801.msg2625378#msg2625378)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 26 May, 2022, 04:53:29 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 26 May, 2022, 03:46:21 pm
Quote from: T42 on 23 May, 2022, 08:41:59 am
Why do smoke-alarm batteries invariably run out at 3 am?

Just noticed that the battery was best before March 2019 and I bought & installed the alarm in August 2019.  The mairie had bought up a shitload of them and flogged them to denizens at cost - we bought two.

We have named these 'Sleep Detectors' somewhere in this very forum.
Voltage drops when batteries are at their coolest…

https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=31801.msg2625378#msg2625378 (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=31801.msg2625378#msg2625378)

So if there's a fire under they should keep quiet.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 26 May, 2022, 05:04:05 pm
Quote from: T42 on 26 May, 2022, 04:53:29 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 26 May, 2022, 03:46:21 pm
Quote from: T42 on 23 May, 2022, 08:41:59 am
Why do smoke-alarm batteries invariably run out at 3 am?
Just noticed that the battery was best before March 2019 and I bought & installed the alarm in August 2019.  The mairie had bought up a shitload of them and flogged them to denizens at cost - we bought two.
We have named these 'Sleep Detectors' somewhere in this very forum.
Voltage drops when batteries are at their coolest…
https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=31801.msg2625378#msg2625378 (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=31801.msg2625378#msg2625378)
So if there's a fire under they should keep quiet.

I'm more than happy for them to sound LOUDLY when there is a real fire.
They're fairly sensitive to non-fires that occur when you're awake, like making toast.

The short, sharp, impossible-to-locate beep every 60 seconds, in the dead of night, is the annoyance that causes many to remove smoke detectors or their batteries, and never replace them.

I have a good stock of PP3 batteries as I neither wish to be immolated, murdered by a sleepless partner, nor kept awake.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 26 May, 2022, 06:13:00 pm
If they kept beeping it wouldn't be so bad.  It's when they beep a few times in the middle of the night and then stop, so you don't know which one to defenestrate that really drives you insane.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 26 May, 2022, 08:12:13 pm
Personally I find it very effective to have a SO who is a lighter sleeper than you are  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 26 May, 2022, 08:20:54 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 26 May, 2022, 08:12:13 pm
Personally I find it very effective to have a SO who is a lighter sleeper than you are  ;D
The problem with this approach is that lightly sleeping partners are usually sufficiently annoyed at being awoken while you slumber on that the exact revenge by waking you up to deal with THEIR disturbance.  >:(

DAMHIKT
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 26 May, 2022, 08:31:05 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 26 May, 2022, 05:04:05 pm
Quote from: T42 on 26 May, 2022, 04:53:29 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 26 May, 2022, 03:46:21 pm
Quote from: T42 on 23 May, 2022, 08:41:59 am
Why do smoke-alarm batteries invariably run out at 3 am?
Just noticed that the battery was best before March 2019 and I bought & installed the alarm in August 2019.  The mairie had bought up a shitload of them and flogged them to denizens at cost - we bought two.
We have named these 'Sleep Detectors' somewhere in this very forum.
Voltage drops when batteries are at their coolest…
https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=31801.msg2625378#msg2625378 (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=31801.msg2625378#msg2625378)
So if there's a fire under they should keep quiet.

I'm more than happy for them to sound LOUDLY when there is a real fire.
They're fairly sensitive to non-fires that occur when you're awake, like making toast.

The short, sharp, impossible-to-locate beep every 60 seconds, in the dead of night, is the annoyance that causes many to remove smoke detectors or their batteries, and never replace them.

I have a good stock of PP3 batteries as I neither wish to be immolated, murdered by a sleepless partner, nor kept awake.

This is why we invented 'wires'.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 26 May, 2022, 09:19:53 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 26 May, 2022, 08:20:54 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 26 May, 2022, 08:12:13 pm
Personally I find it very effective to have a SO who is a lighter sleeper than you are  ;D
The problem with this approach is that lightly sleeping partners are usually sufficiently annoyed at being awoken while you slumber on that the exact revenge by waking you up to deal with THEIR disturbance.  >:(

DAMHIKT

Oh no! I am not "wakeable", I seem to be a heavy sleeper  ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 27 May, 2022, 08:08:17 am
Our doorbell has started going off at random. This could become a rant if i can’t find a fix. (Battery in the push has been changed, ringers are on the mains.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CarlF on 27 May, 2022, 08:18:13 am

Quote from: perpetual dan on 27 May, 2022, 08:08:17 am
Our doorbell has started going off at random. This could become a rant if i can’t find a fix. (Battery in the push has been changed, ringers are on the mains.)
Is this a wireless doorbell?

Quote from: Feanor on 26 May, 2022, 08:31:05 pm

[...]

This is why we invented 'wires'.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 27 May, 2022, 08:59:56 am
It's what wireless doorbells do, keep you on your toes. We fixed ours by unplugging it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 27 May, 2022, 09:21:43 am
Quote from: ian on 20 May, 2022, 08:46:47 pm
One of our DSs showed a slide full of code the other day. It's not the fucking Matrix.

That reminded me of one of our new corporate videos. Showing what cool people we are by having the handful of presentable and easy on the eye engineers doing cool stuff in darkened rooms, with their faces illuminated by their eye searing displays projecting text on to them. Which scrolls up the displays in an important and hi-tech looking way. But when you read the text it's all about errors in the code...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: orienteer on 27 May, 2022, 10:57:35 am
Quote from: perpetual dan on 27 May, 2022, 08:08:17 am
Our doorbell has started going off at random. This could become a rant if i can’t find a fix. (Battery in the push has been changed, ringers are on the mains.)

Some car remote locking systems can trigger wireless doorbells, they use the same radio frequency.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 27 May, 2022, 11:41:35 am
Grumble

MrsC chose our lawnmower - a flymo. I was against it, saying I wanted one with wheels.

It hasn't been too bac; less work and 'hovers' better than I expected.

However, the handles are flimsy. Really flimsy. Noticed that they were wobbling more than usual; yup, a bit broken. They clip on to the body with a metal spring clip, this pushes against a bit of plastic thinner than a matchstick.

Yeah, the leverage of the 1.2m long handles is taken by a bit of plastic thinner than a matchstick.

I think they are designed for perfect flat lawns that are mowed every two days.

Oh and the person who says they are easier on slopes has never had to mow an irregular lawn with steep sloping bits. They are good for giving your core a workout.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 27 May, 2022, 11:57:44 am
Yes, it’s wireless. It makes it easier to have a second ringer somewhere I might hear from in bed / while working. Been ok for years, I wonder if it has channels / an id that can be adjusted…
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 27 May, 2022, 12:29:23 pm
I think ours get damp in the dinger, but who knows. I was going to get a grown-up to fit a replacement but then I remember I really don't want to answer the door (most couriers either follow the instruction to put the item in the box behind the porch or simply leave it on the doorstep). If I'm that excited about a delivery, I can turn on the outside security cameras which will ping me when someone approaches the front door. It also releases the bears.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 27 May, 2022, 01:02:23 pm
Those annoying little 12V batteries beloved of wireless door-dingers are a recipe for electrolytic corrosion and associated gremlins.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 27 May, 2022, 05:10:40 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 27 May, 2022, 11:41:35 am
Grumble

MrsC chose our lawnmower - a flymo. I was against it, saying I wanted one with wheels.

It hasn't been too bac; less work and 'hovers' better than I expected.

However, the handles are flimsy. Really flimsy. Noticed that they were wobbling more than usual; yup, a bit broken. They clip on to the body with a metal spring clip, this pushes against a bit of plastic thinner than a matchstick.

Yeah, the leverage of the 1.2m long handles is taken by a bit of plastic thinner than a matchstick.

I think they are designed for perfect flat lawns that are mowed every two days.

Oh and the person who says they are easier on slopes has never had to mow an irregular lawn with steep sloping bits. They are good for giving your core a workout.
What you need is goats :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 27 May, 2022, 05:25:35 pm
Good idea. With a simple harness they'll be able to tow the Flymo along for zero effort mowing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 27 May, 2022, 06:19:20 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 27 May, 2022, 05:10:40 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 27 May, 2022, 11:41:35 am
Grumble

MrsC chose our lawnmower - a flymo. I was against it, saying I wanted one with wheels.

It hasn't been too bac; less work and 'hovers' better than I expected.

However, the handles are flimsy. Really flimsy. Noticed that they were wobbling more than usual; yup, a bit broken. They clip on to the body with a metal spring clip, this pushes against a bit of plastic thinner than a matchstick.

Yeah, the leverage of the 1.2m long handles is taken by a bit of plastic thinner than a matchstick.

I think they are designed for perfect flat lawns that are mowed every two days.

Oh and the person who says they are easier on slopes has never had to mow an irregular lawn with steep sloping bits. They are good for giving your core a workout.
What you need is goats :)

Standard or bingly-bongly goats?  The latter might be an annoyance if you want a lie-in, mind.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 27 May, 2022, 08:30:43 pm
Dunt matter as long as they smell of goat funk :P
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 27 May, 2022, 11:00:43 pm
Yeah, full-gas bingly-bongly goats, for sure.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 27 May, 2022, 11:56:18 pm
Yebbut there is still a super long way to go and anything can happen.  Ask A Yates.

yeh! ~ A Yates, yesterday
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 28 May, 2022, 08:51:14 am
Mr Sainsbury's driver: Bugger off! I booked my delivery between 9 & 10am and got out of bed in time to suit me, not you. If you call and I don't answer, please don't persist in calling and then actually turn up. I am normally pleased to see you earlier than scheduled, but not today, so take the hint, eh?!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TPMB12 on 28 May, 2022, 01:44:22 pm
Quote from: MattH on 27 May, 2022, 05:25:35 pm
Good idea. With a simple harness they'll be able to tow the Flymo along for zero effort mowing.
Once saw a guy mow a very steep lawn with a hover mower by loweri it down by rope before pulling back up and dying the next strip. Unlikely to do that with a rotary mower I reckon. Looked OK result too.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TPMB12 on 28 May, 2022, 01:48:28 pm
Got a feeling I need a new gadget toy, thinking chromebook 2 in 1 or phone,  but can't spare the money. We're saving to work on the house,  possible extension coming up and they always take up more money than you think.

What m would you do to scratch that purchase itch when you can't justify the spend? I know I'm going to work myself into getting something then getting guilty and feeling bad.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 29 May, 2022, 01:10:12 am
Professor Larrington has just sent me some pictures from Iceland.  I want a holiday >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hatler on 29 May, 2022, 07:25:56 am
Bah. Back still bloody painful. Very restricted in what I can do. Back specialist booked for a fortnight's time. A whole Summer of excitement may have to take a dive. Bah, and I say again BAH !!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 29 May, 2022, 09:09:50 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 29 May, 2022, 01:10:12 am
Professor Larrington has just sent me some pictures from Iceland.  I want a holiday >:(
Dr Beardy’s sister has, since mid April, spent two weeks visiting Manchu Picchu and the Galapagos, and a further week in Madrid. In a three weeks she’s off to Montreal for a couple of weeks, and then in July she’s off to Valencia. She’s already complaining that it’s too much.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 29 May, 2022, 11:15:57 am
Quote from: Beardy on 29 May, 2022, 09:09:50 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 29 May, 2022, 01:10:12 am
Professor Larrington has just sent me some pictures from Iceland.  I want a holiday >:(
Dr Beardy’s sister has, since mid April, spent two weeks visiting Manchu Picchu and the Galapagos, and a further week in Madrid. In a three weeks she’s off to Montreal for a couple of weeks, and then in July she’s off to Valencia. She’s already complaining that it’s too much.

You can go off some people  :P
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 29 May, 2022, 11:44:19 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 27 May, 2022, 05:10:40 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 27 May, 2022, 11:41:35 am
Grumble

MrsC chose our lawnmower - a flymo. I was against it, saying I wanted one with wheels.

It hasn't been too bac; less work and 'hovers' better than I expected.

However, the handles are flimsy. Really flimsy. Noticed that they were wobbling more than usual; yup, a bit broken. They clip on to the body with a metal spring clip, this pushes against a bit of plastic thinner than a matchstick.

Yeah, the leverage of the 1.2m long handles is taken by a bit of plastic thinner than a matchstick.

I think they are designed for perfect flat lawns that are mowed every two days.

Oh and the person who says they are easier on slopes has never had to mow an irregular lawn with steep sloping bits. They are good for giving your core a workout.
What you need is goats :)

Goats need to eat twiggy stuff. It isn't good for them, being kept on grass alone.

Besides, our garden is a maze of shrubs, small trees and (choked by grass) general plants
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 29 May, 2022, 06:27:58 pm
Oi! Internet.
A Jubilee Sale?  Really?
Please fuck off.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 29 May, 2022, 06:31:54 pm
What's wrong with a jubilee sale? There are lots of things you can do with jubilee clips!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 29 May, 2022, 06:49:20 pm
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52095599408_7777c3546f_o.png)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 30 May, 2022, 08:38:36 am
Order from Bike24.de has so far gone from Dresden to Lyon to Speyer. ???  DHL have a schraube loose somewhere - or maybe they think that Alsace is still part of Germany.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 30 May, 2022, 10:46:11 am
The painters told me they were planning to start work on my balcony today,  unless it was raining.......   guess what....... it's raining. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 30 May, 2022, 07:10:43 pm
Strimmer has died, battery rot. Ah, I'll buy a new battery, thinks I.

Hmm, a replacement battery is more than twice the cost of the machine itself.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 30 May, 2022, 07:37:33 pm
Goats, I tell you!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 30 May, 2022, 07:43:54 pm
First obtain ur gote:

(https://pics.me.me/vend-a-goat-ea-weve-all-been-there-you-put-your-money-in-44531303.png)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 30 May, 2022, 08:00:59 pm
That's an idea I've contemplated. We met three of them on Saturday (on a hike that included an unanticipated gin still), should have borrowed them, though they were big ones (anglo-nubian apparently) and might not have fitted in the back seat of our little car. Probably too big to overhead project too, at least not without an NG-HAP.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 31 May, 2022, 11:01:14 am
Sony! I has a 43 of those fine imperial inches, 4K Android TV, bought in late 2016.  I've got crap hearing, and many programmes have widely varying volume levels including lots of muttering (Yes, you, BBC and Silent Witness).  Therefore I thought, Oh, I have excellent Aftershokz bluetooth headphones, the TV has bluetooth, I'll use those, so Mrs W can have normal level (she can hear an ant fart 3 miles away) and I can have direct to the bonce input.  Goes into setup menu, "pair new device", put headphones into pairing mode, put telly into pairing mode, searching for new devices.  it just sits there and finds nothing.  I Google the issue this morning, to find many Sony tellys do not have the required A2DP profile.  I spend ages finding the specs online (not in the 16 page 20mm thick 400 language manual), to discover it has the profile for pairing bluetooth 3D glasses (it is NOT a 3D TV), but not headphones... Grrr! Apparently the voice command thingy via the remote, is bluetooth, which was news to me, and that works fine, just not the obvious thing you might want to connect.

What the ****ing hell is the point of having a 3D bluetooth profile on a non 3D telly, but no audio profile?

It ranks on a par with Sony's inability to make a home cinema amplifier that could read the audio stream from an SACD played on one of their own blu-ray players.  I had to buy an Onkyo amp in the end.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 31 May, 2022, 11:04:43 am
Quote from: ian on 30 May, 2022, 08:00:59 pm
That's an idea I've contemplated. We met three of them on Saturday (on a hike that included an unanticipated gin still), should have borrowed them, though they were big ones (anglo-nubian apparently) and might not have fitted in the back seat of our little car. Probably too big to overhead project too, at least not without an NG-HAP.
Can you knot encourage teh BEARS to munch the grass as a preventative measure on jungle encroachment of teh Asbestos Palace?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 31 May, 2022, 11:12:59 am
Quote from: Wombat on 31 May, 2022, 11:01:14 am
Sony! I has a 43 of those fine imperial inches, 4K Android TV, bought in late 2016.  I've got crap hearing, and many programmes have widely varying volume levels including lots of muttering (Yes, you, BBC and Silent Witness).  Therefore I thought, Oh, I have excellent Aftershokz bluetooth headphones, the TV has bluetooth, I'll use those, so Mrs W can have normal level (she can hear an ant fart 3 miles away) and I can have direct to the bonce input.  Goes into setup menu, "pair new device", put headphones into pairing mode, put telly into pairing mode, searching for new devices.  it just sits there and finds nothing.  I Google the issue this morning, to find many Sony tellys do not have the required A2DP profile.  I spend ages finding the specs online (not in the 16 page 20mm thick 400 language manual), to discover it has the profile for pairing bluetooth 3D glasses (it is NOT a 3D TV), but not headphones... Grrr! Apparently the voice command thingy via the remote, is bluetooth, which was news to me, and that works fine, just not the obvious thing you might want to connect.

What the ****ing hell is the point of having a 3D bluetooth profile on a non 3D telly, but no audio profile?

It ranks on a par with Sony's inability to make a home cinema amplifier that could read the audio stream from an SACD played on one of their own blu-ray players.  I had to buy an Onkyo amp in the end.
A word of caution if considering a new TV. Many TVs these days allow the pairing of external devices, either through Blootuth or via a 3.5mm jack thus allowing a TP BT device. However, far too many of these sets divert the audio to the secondary device at the exclusion of the primary audio output and they do NOT allow dual feed. This is of course, of no use to people like you (and me) whom have partners with well adjusted hearing who wish to listen to the TV in the old fashioned way.

Ironically, my TV has developed an intermittent fault whereby it DOES dual feed to the external sound bar and the internal speakers, which is getting me in trouble with Dr Beardy. I’m not sure why it’s my fault, but hey, married life  :-* ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 31 May, 2022, 11:23:45 am
My current TV does indeed have the option of speakers on or off, when headphones are connected.  I'm now assuming this means connected via the 3.5mm headphone jack, as there's evidently no other way.

So, are you telling me there are bluetooth thingies that plug into a 3.5mm headphone jack?  Never thought of that!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 31 May, 2022, 11:34:13 am
Quote from: Wombat on 31 May, 2022, 11:23:45 am
My current TV does indeed have the option of speakers on or off, when headphones are connected.  I'm now assuming this means connected via the 3.5mm headphone jack, as there's evidently no other way.

So, are you telling me there are bluetooth thingies that plug into a 3.5mm headphone jack?  Never thought of that!

Mr Google, he say Yes!
https://www.amazon.co.uk/bluetooth-transmitter-3-5mm/s?k=bluetooth+transmitter+3.5mm
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 31 May, 2022, 12:10:18 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 31 May, 2022, 11:34:13 am
Quote from: Wombat on 31 May, 2022, 11:23:45 am
My current TV does indeed have the option of speakers on or off, when headphones are connected.  I'm now assuming this means connected via the 3.5mm headphone jack, as there's evidently no other way.

So, are you telling me there are bluetooth thingies that plug into a 3.5mm headphone jack?  Never thought of that!

Mr Google, he say Yes!
https://www.amazon.co.uk/bluetooth-transmitter-3-5mm/s?k=bluetooth+transmitter+3.5mm

Ooh, I think I'll give that a try.  Its just something I've never thought of, so never looked for.  I use a USB bluetooth dongle for the desktop PC to talk to the Aftershokz, so it shouldn't have been a surprise!  Thanks all!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 31 May, 2022, 12:12:15 pm
At some point on Sunday I lost my mobile phone.
Went to find it on Monday morning and it wasn't there.
Phoned it and it went straight to voicemail.
Bugger.
Called my provider and asked them to kill my old phone remotely.
Ordered a new shiny 3rd generation SE.
What annoys me is that the phone I lost was a 1st generation SE which, frankly, is the last phone that Apple made that was actually a sensible size which you could operate with one hand and fit it into your pocket.
Everything else since has been growing in increments of ridiculous.
This morning two things happened.
The new phone was delivered and I found my old phone.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 31 May, 2022, 12:43:21 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 31 May, 2022, 11:12:59 am
Quote from: Wombat on 31 May, 2022, 11:01:14 am
Sony! I has a 43 of those fine imperial inches, 4K Android TV, bought in late 2016.  I've got crap hearing, and many programmes have widely varying volume levels including lots of muttering (Yes, you, BBC and Silent Witness).  Therefore I thought, Oh, I have excellent Aftershokz bluetooth headphones, the TV has bluetooth [...]
A word of caution if considering a new TV. Many TVs these days allow the pairing of external devices, either through Blootuth or via a 3.5mm jack thus allowing a TP BT device. However, far too many of these sets divert the audio to the secondary device at the exclusion of the primary audio output and they do NOT allow dual feed.

This was how I thought Wombat's story was going to end.  Rather than the usual Devil's Lesser Radio incompatibility woes.

Needless to say that useful features like that (and, my personal bugbear, the ability to re-balance a surround sound mix to emphasise the speech) are well below the radar of distascope molishers.  They can barely bring themselves to put the subtitles on a dedicated button, rather than burying them in some language menu...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 31 May, 2022, 06:52:45 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 30 May, 2022, 07:37:33 pm
Goats, I tell you!

(https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/05fbe038a4149edabc1046a0ac576782d671b228/0_0_3500_2334/master/3500.jpg?width=1065&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=aac5afc18ba8bfcb34db9cce7b46a91d) (https://www.theguardian.com/news/gallery/2022/may/31/pollution-in-kosovo-and-a-dog-cafe-tuesdays-best-photos#img-8)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 31 May, 2022, 06:56:01 pm
Robogoats?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vernon on 01 June, 2022, 06:19:13 am
Are they bingly-bing-bong robogoats, or do they they emit a fruit-co "bwang" on startup?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 01 June, 2022, 11:09:22 am
I'm sure it'd be a trivial matter to program a robogoat to bingle-bongle, although I bet they installed a really cheap and tinny speaker out of a flat-screen TV.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 01 June, 2022, 01:33:06 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 31 May, 2022, 06:56:01 pm
Robogoats?

What's the point in a goat that doesn't eat anything everything?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 04 June, 2022, 10:01:43 pm
I ache, therefore I am.


Several hours digging weeds up from between the brick paving in front of the parental mansion.  I’m going to go out & buy a few litres of Agent Orange!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 05 June, 2022, 11:03:59 am
I believe that Agent Orange is only available by the gallon, and short American gallons at that.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 05 June, 2022, 12:33:56 pm
Quote from: Kim on 31 May, 2022, 12:43:21 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 31 May, 2022, 11:12:59 am
Quote from: Wombat on 31 May, 2022, 11:01:14 am
Sony! I has a 43 of those fine imperial inches, 4K Android TV, bought in late 2016.  I've got crap hearing, and many programmes have widely varying volume levels including lots of muttering (Yes, you, BBC and Silent Witness).  Therefore I thought, Oh, I have excellent Aftershokz bluetooth headphones, the TV has bluetooth [...]
A word of caution if considering a new TV. Many TVs these days allow the pairing of external devices, either through Blootuth or via a 3.5mm jack thus allowing a TP BT device. However, far too many of these sets divert the audio to the secondary device at the exclusion of the primary audio output and they do NOT allow dual feed.

This was how I thought Wombat's story was going to end.  Rather than the usual Devil's Lesser Radio incompatibility woes.

Needless to say that useful features like that (and, my personal bugbear, the ability to re-balance a surround sound mix to emphasise the speech) are well below the radar of distascope molishers.  They can barely bring themselves to put the subtitles on a dedicated button, rather than burying them in some language menu...

My story has ended for now, with the purchase of a dongly thing, which eventually was persuaded to pair with my Aftershokz, after several unsuccessful attempts.  My telly does indeed provide a flat headphone output, which is unaffected by the volume control, so the speaker and headphone levels are unrelated.  The business referred to by Kim, of the speech channel on TV progs and films, infuriates me.  I've already adjusted the volume of the centre speaker of my home cinema setup to be louder than standard, but we usually only use that when we're watching something special, when we are sitting down properly, paying attention, and probably have food and drink to hand.  For general purpose telly watching, maybe sorting subtitles would help me, when its important to not miss words.  I've never really explored subtitles, I think I'll go and have a play.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 05 June, 2022, 01:38:27 pm
Some Hearing people (who always seem to be monoglot English-speakers) have an irrational hatred of subtitles.  I pretty much always have them on, even when barakta isn't watching[1], unless it's
word
by
word
craptions
of
the
type
you
pet
on
live
TV
programmes
and
when
Youtube
content
creators
can't
be
[_]
to
make
videos
properly, which I'll turn off for being more distracting than they are helpful.

These days, pretty much all output by the BBC et. al is subtitled, as per Ofcom rules.  Except on iPlayer where they're occasionally missing.


[1] We haven't had a TV for years, and she finds it easier to watch video in a small window on her computer screen to avoid double-vision.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 05 June, 2022, 02:21:40 pm
My daughter, good hearing, always turns them on. I personally find that they distract me from what I'm trying to watch
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 05 June, 2022, 04:46:14 pm
One useful side-effect of not watching on a television (and moreover, on a monitor with a sensible aspect ratio) is that there's usually enough letterboxing to shift the video up the screen a bit (using arcane mplayer-fu) and put the subtitles in the black area below, so they don't occlude anything.  This makes them about 78% less annoying.

Postman Piers deserves extra credit for working out how to put English subs at the top of the screen and Polish at the bottom.  Or vice-versa.  Never seen a telly that can do that.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 05 June, 2022, 07:16:22 pm
I can’t watch TV without them and it has become difficult to watch films at the cinema due to the crap audio mixing. I’d love to b3 able to move the subtitles around the screen, although I’d settle for being able to turn them on and off simply when the get in the way because they’re live, and thus lagging, stuttering and just, well, crap.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 05 June, 2022, 08:05:38 pm
Anything USanian generally gets subs here, plus anything else local where they mumble a lot.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 05 June, 2022, 11:00:12 pm
O hai ITV!

All I want to do is watch the highlights of yesterday’s Superbike TT.  It should not take you twenty minutes of swirly thing to not start playing them.  Not over a pipe of the stoutness of that installed at Fort Larrington.  sort it out u muppets!

Kthxbai
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 07 June, 2022, 12:52:18 pm
At the station at 06:00 this morning.
No Overground trains going any further north than Dalston Junction.
Called my boss, and told him I'd try again at 08:00.
Caught a train at 08:00, got as far as Dalston Junction at which point they cancelled the service on account of there being trespassers on the line.
Got directions to the nearest minicab office from the Overground staff.
Minicab office didn't have any cars available.
Ended up hailing a black cab.
One of the new electric ones with the massive panoramic sunroof.
£26.00 to get to work   ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 07 June, 2022, 01:22:22 pm
For the first time in quite a while I'm booking a bunch of business trips. I used to do this all the time. Now I have brain freeze. Also the swirling PLEASE DON'T TOUCH ANYTHING!!! terrifies me. It spins forever. The longer it spins the more I'm tempted to reach and plink a button on the keyboard just to see what happens.

How much baggage do I need?

I DON'T KNOW!

Stop asking me questions, computer.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 07 June, 2022, 07:09:12 pm
I'm in the same boat, or plane, possibly need to make a trip to Egypt later in the month.  I haven't done foreign for two years.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hatler on 07 June, 2022, 07:17:49 pm
Quote from: hatler on 29 May, 2022, 07:25:56 am
Bah. Back still bloody painful. Very restricted in what I can do. Back specialist booked for a fortnight's time. A whole Summer of excitement may have to take a dive. Bah, and I say again BAH !!
I managed to luck out last week with possibly the only combination of activity and weather which meant I didn't have to spend the week looking at either a wall or a ceiling - cruising aboard a very well appointed yacht out of the Clyde with wall to wall sunshine, light to moderate breezes and nothing bigger than a ripple in the way of waves. I was able to lie at the stern steering whilst all the others pulled all the ropes.  ;D

Getting to the restaurant in Tarbert did however involve my being carted there in a marina baggage trolley. Oh the indignity.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 07 June, 2022, 09:03:27 pm
What’s this?  No Channel 4 News because of a bloody foopball mat…

… England v. Germany, you say?  And that presenter is a dashed pretty gel!  I think I can live without TV's Cathy Newman applying her pointy shoes to Cabinet ministers for 24 hours ;D

Oh.  Bollocks!  Germany have just scored.  Bollocksbollocksbollocks!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 07 June, 2022, 09:49:28 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 07 June, 2022, 07:09:12 pm
I'm in the same boat, or plane, possibly need to make a trip to Egypt later in the month.  I haven't done foreign for two years.

I did do a trip late last year, so I figured out the fundamentals of the new mothership's travel booking system. Then forgot them.

On a plus side, I've discovered I'm immune to the 'out-of-policy' settings you get when a hotel is £1 over the stipulated limit. Ain't nothing stopping me eating all the stale Ritz crackers in the mini-bar now.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 07 June, 2022, 09:53:43 pm
Me three.

<glances at corporate credit card>
Wonder if this still even works? Can I find the PIN for it?

At least it's not an Amex.
Policy Droid: "Why did you not put all these things in your expense report on the company Amex per policy?"
Omnes: "Because nowhere fucking accepted it!"
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 07 June, 2022, 10:01:59 pm
I used to get the Amex policy violations all the time for the same reason. I ignored them, there really aren't a lot of opportunities to use Amex in places like Malawi or Tanzania. I also used to get a spanking for not booking my own trips and getting an agent to do them, like it was cheaper for me to spend a couple of days organizing a multi-stop itinerary in five countries than spending $60 for the agent to do it.

Nothing so fancy as a corporate card aboard this mothership though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 07 June, 2022, 10:12:57 pm
2 weeks ago they replaced my electricity meter with a Smart Meter.  I've now got a remote display in the living room telling me what I'm using.    I'm now scared to turn the Hi-Fi on!   It turns the light from green to amber  :jurek:    The valve amp is rated as 200W input, 50W output.  It keeps the place lovely & warm....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 07 June, 2022, 10:15:41 pm
Oman for me on Saturday. 2 weekends wasted during what passes for Furrybootoon summer. We couldn't have gone there in the winter or spring when the weather might have been tolerable? Oh no, too easy.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 07 June, 2022, 10:27:18 pm
Isn’t that one of those places they bang you up for enjoying a cool beer?  :hand:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 07 June, 2022, 10:35:29 pm
Not in Oman, shirley, being an ex-British colony and all that. 

I can't imagine one of my uni mates would have spent 15 years there without a beer
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 08 June, 2022, 01:39:26 am
On the subj. of travelling to Abroad — the abode of FOREIGNS, lest we forget — I have been not phoning the motel in Battle Mountain to check whether the reservation I made for the cancelled 2020 event has been carried over for about four months, and really ought to make sure I've got somewhere to stay before booking a flight, reserving a motor-car, getting a fresh ESTA and an International Driving Permit (1949), insewerants ect and, moreover ect.

Then I'll test positive for Plague and not be allowed on the æroplane :-[
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 08 June, 2022, 07:44:56 am
Quote from: andrewc on 07 June, 2022, 10:27:18 pm
Isn’t that one of those places they bang you up for enjoying a cool beer?  :hand:

I'm sure it'll be fine in Muscat. Next Saturday we shall be in the field, apparently one of the USanians from executive accounts has deemed we shall be having a BBQ out there.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hatler on 10 June, 2022, 12:48:14 pm
Harrumph. Faithfully listening to TMS
(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 10 June, 2022, 08:03:34 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 30 May, 2022, 10:46:11 am
The painters told me they were planning to start work on my balcony today,  unless it was raining.......   guess what....... it's raining.


.... and still waiting.... >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 11 June, 2022, 01:23:03 pm
The rear Schwalbe Hurricane tyre on my Haibike has a smallish sidewall split that I've only just noticed when cleaning the bike.

Now, that could be a manufacturing defect, or it could be down to the fact that I put it on in dim light and read the 55psi maximum pressure as 5.5atm and pumped it up accordingly! Anyhoo, a replacement has been ordered and it was only £18.

Pressure reduced for the ride home, although it could have been there for months.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 11 June, 2022, 07:04:36 pm
So when booking Stuffs with BRITISH Airways yesterday I had to enter things like passport details.  Today another bit of BA's webby SCIENCE decided it hadn’t got enough information to satisfy something or other and wanted me to enter things like passport details.  sort it out u muppets!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 14 June, 2022, 07:44:21 am
Feeling below par again.  Light-headed, slight throat irritation, thickly cough, a few aches around the body and a small amount of congestion. It's been coming on since Sunday.  Also feeling weary.

I had two years of feeling top of the world and since then it's just one thing after another.

Bah, humbug.  🙁
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 14 June, 2022, 10:20:57 am
Interested in crossing a military range in 'ampshire?  Look no further than here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/south-east-training-estate-firing-times

A handy list of all the firing times for last month.  Outstanding.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 14 June, 2022, 10:53:40 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 11 June, 2022, 07:04:36 pm
So when booking Stuffs with BRITISH Airways yesterday I had to enter things like passport details.  Today another bit of BA's webby SCIENCE decided it hadn’t got enough information to satisfy something or other and wanted me to enter things like passport details.  sort it out u muppets!

God, I hate that and I want to hunt down the person who came up with the idea of paying for bags with tigers and chopsticks. I don't want to pay extra for bags, and honestly, I've not packed so I don't know how many I need. In fact the entire process of online check-in and the like. Oh for the days when you turned up at the airport, waved your passport and ticket at the desk, and they took your bags (and sent you to NYC and your bags to Bogata). Now you spend a week online fucking around so you can still go and stand in line at the airport (in a process identical to old skool in-person check-in, just with a longer queue) to wave your passport and whatever paperwork your computer vomited which will inevitably be somehow wrong to the tune of £48 or you will be 'fined' for missing step 16b part ii of the online check-in process. I suspect the deftly diabolical and perfectly manicured hand of Finestre, the Demon of Such Things.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 14 June, 2022, 11:39:03 am
Being one who travels heavy the whole online check-in thing for me is naught but a waste of time and voles, albeit that with BA at least you can bagsy your choice of seat for free.  Except that the desirable seats* on your flight were bagsied by someone willing to pay extra for the privet hedge six months ago.

* This is Cattle Class, obv.  I wish I could afford to travel in Raddled Posho Class, so then I wouldn’t.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 14 June, 2022, 12:04:40 pm
I still remember the dread edict aboard the last mothership: no more will subdeck minions travel to the US business class. Oh, the wails, the gnashing, the beckoning torments of economy class hell. Still, such torments were avoidable (with two tiers of management approval) on flights to the far east and Oztralia and other distant destinations, which was nice, though they spoiled me and made me soft for the next trip Stateside.

Current motherships say no business class with director-level approval... that said, my next couple of flights are EasyJet. I'm not missing my routine trips to the US.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 14 June, 2022, 08:30:30 pm
Dog emptiers!  Bastards.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 15 June, 2022, 12:36:21 pm
Been out triffid-slaying*.  The wheels fell off my brown wheelie bin, garden waste for the disposal of, years ago and since then my sack trolley has absented itself from the space 'twixt fridge and wall where it's lived since its bungy cords were still, well, bungy.  Dragging bins full of dismembered triffid up steps is hard work and I'm going for a lie-down.

* Some professional busybody and, I presume, triffid-slayer knocked on the door last night to tell me that:
and then got mardy when I closed the door on him and went back to my peanuts, fizzy pop and Six O’clock News
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 15 June, 2022, 01:50:50 pm
My security clearance is due to expire.  Don't worry sez the boss.  I've applied for renewals for all the team.  He's dun it wrong sez Security...


Apparently it now needs a DBS check as well.   I had to download an app to my phone, scan my passport & take a selfie.  I wasn't wearing a shirt at the time.......   I'll probably be flagged as some sort of pervert & charged £18 for the privilege!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 15 June, 2022, 04:59:49 pm
Ah the joys of being interviewed about ones sex life by some aged and retired oscifer of Missis Kwenies Nobel armed services. And that’s after you’ve filled in a 90billiin page questionnaire about that and how much money you haven’t got.

Nope, don’t miss the three yearly renewal of security clearances.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 15 June, 2022, 05:08:08 pm
I've never needed that level of clearance,  and apparently they've now decided that a BPSS is adequate.   The DBS came through about 10 minutes ago.  Hooray for automation.     Now the battle of claiming back the £18 fee!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 16 June, 2022, 06:29:21 pm
The Man emptied my brown bin today.  Now I have no excuse for putting off further triffid-killin', except that it'll be too hot tomorrow.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 16 June, 2022, 06:58:29 pm
Yeah but you’ve got a fortnite before the return of the man
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 17 June, 2022, 07:58:18 am
My good lady wife really doesn't understand inflation and how much more expensive things are getting/going to get

I know its crap not being able to do things but I'm just fed up with having to be the one who says no to things rather then her thinking it through. Examples are her wanting to go off and see various friends and family all over the country and still failing to understand the fuel bill is going to be considerable as we have a big old uneconomical car which was OK before fuel prices nearly doubled in the last few years

We also got a lump sum for child tax/working tax as they had our earnings as higher then actually were which I thought brilliant that will help cover summer holiday expenses and go towards winter fuel bill. Straight away she wants to book dinner in the fancy restaurant in town and we can't really justify probably 100 quid for a night out
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 17 June, 2022, 11:58:02 am
Shirley the correct approach to receiving money from HMRC is to put it in the bank for 5 years in case they change their mind.  (DAHIKT)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jasmine on 17 June, 2022, 12:13:46 pm
I've just had a letter from the council telling me that my £150 Cost of Living council tax rebate is ready to be paid to me. This would be good news, except that to collect it I have to take the physical letter I've just received to a Post Office branch (nearest is 6 miles away, open office hours) along with my council tax bill and photo ID, whereupon I will be issued with £150 cash. I must do this within 1 month of the post date of the letter (7 days ago FFS).

I don't get a physical council tax bill, so I'll have to print my own out. I don't have a printer, so I'll have to ask someone else to do it for me. I have no other reason to go to town during office hours, so that's a special journey. I suppose I can use the same journey to put the cash into the bank. I pay council tax online (you have to register for an account), so why on earth can't it just be paid back onto the card/account I've paid from? Or even just deduct it from the next bill? Or even sending me a pissing cheque would have been more convenient.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 17 June, 2022, 12:37:35 pm
To make it as difficult as possible for people to claim it, obviously.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 17 June, 2022, 01:19:08 pm
Is the the £150 loan that they will want back, or something else?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 17 June, 2022, 02:02:05 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 17 June, 2022, 01:19:08 pm
Is the the £150 loan that they will want back, or something else?

Something else, they had underpaid us child support/working tax credit as had got my salary wrong
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jasmine on 17 June, 2022, 02:17:21 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 17 June, 2022, 01:19:08 pm
Is the the £150 loan that they will want back, or something else?

No, mine is a free £150 rebate on council tax. See here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/council-tax-rebate-factsheet

I can't rant because it's free money, but I can certainly grumble about it being significantly more difficult to claim than it ought to be. I seriously wonder how many people who might actually need it will find themselves unable to get it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 17 June, 2022, 02:48:34 pm
Buck CC just paid it back into our account, fortunately. HMRC OTOH are areswipes with their bloody cheques  >:( >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 17 June, 2022, 08:05:59 pm
I think it was automagically paid into the bank accounts of anyone paying council tax by DD, but not others.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 20 June, 2022, 10:22:15 am
Walking, no, ambling from the accommodation to the office in camp this morning, my calf muscle went 'pop' and now I can't walk properly. Just what I need for wandering round 6 airports in 12 hours. FFS  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 20 June, 2022, 10:40:14 am
Finger!  I know I did you a mighty disservice in that incident involving E'd-up clubbers, loose gravel and a Mercedes S-Class but you shouldn’t suddenly start hurting now, because said incident took place in 1989 >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 20 June, 2022, 11:32:12 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 20 June, 2022, 10:40:14 am
Finger!  I know I did you a mighty disservice in that incident involving E'd-up clubbers, loose gravel and a Mercedes S-Class but you shouldn’t suddenly start hurting now, because said incident took place in 1989 >:(

It's the weather i tell you,  mine, wot I did in about 1994 was aching yesterday as was my similarly iffy knee.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 20 June, 2022, 11:30:16 pm
Six hours after leaving home for parts foreign I’m waiting for a taxi home having not escaped the airport. Shout out to EasyJet for being shit and doing everything possible other than simply admit defeat in which case I’d have been home at 9.30pm at least.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 21 June, 2022, 06:36:21 am
Quote from: Jasmine on 17 June, 2022, 02:17:21 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 17 June, 2022, 01:19:08 pm
Is the the £150 loan that they will want back, or something else?

No, mine is a free £150 rebate on council tax. See here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/council-tax-rebate-factsheet

I can't rant because it's free money, but I can certainly grumble about it being significantly more difficult to claim than it ought to be. I seriously wonder how many people who might actually need it will find themselves unable to get it.

it's definitely not free money.  It's a rebate.  There will be many poorer folk who need it most but are more likely not to manage the hoops.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 21 June, 2022, 12:34:47 pm
Quote from: ian on 20 June, 2022, 11:30:16 pm
Six hours after leaving home for parts foreign I’m waiting for a taxi home having not escaped the airport. Shout out to EasyJet for being shit and doing everything possible other than simply admit defeat in which case I’d have been home at 9.30pm at least.

Will go for round 2 (was part-hoping they'd have no seats for today's flight, but it seems I'm rebooked). If they cancel it again, I'm stomping Gatwick in a Godzilla fashion.

If there was one dubious benefit to Covid, it was not having to step foot near a plane. You know it's bad news when they have to wake up the plummy-voiced captain to deliver it. Either that or the people who do the actual Easyjet plane-driving have been faking the regional accents. TimC will be here in a moment to deliver a stern rebuke. But I bet it sounds reassuring.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 21 June, 2022, 12:59:54 pm
Quote from: ian on 21 June, 2022, 12:34:47 pm
Quote from: ian on 20 June, 2022, 11:30:16 pm
Six hours after leaving home for parts foreign I’m waiting for a taxi home having not escaped the airport. Shout out to EasyJet for being shit and doing everything possible other than simply admit defeat in which case I’d have been home at 9.30pm at least.

Will go for round 2 (was part-hoping they'd have no seats for today's flight, but it seems I'm rebooked). If they cancel it again, I'm stomping Gatwick in a Godzilla fashion.

If there was one dubious benefit to Covid, it was not having to step foot near a plane. You know it's bad news when they have to wake up the plummy-voiced captain to deliver it. Either that or the people who do the actual Easyjet plane-driving have been faking the regional accents. TimC will be here in a moment to deliver a stern rebuke. But I bet it sounds reassuring.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPkKEttKIQU
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 21 June, 2022, 01:51:49 pm
Quote from: Pingu on 21 June, 2022, 12:59:54 pm
Quote from: ian on 21 June, 2022, 12:34:47 pm
Quote from: ian on 20 June, 2022, 11:30:16 pm
Six hours after leaving home for parts foreign I’m waiting for a taxi home having not escaped the airport. Shout out to EasyJet for being shit and doing everything possible other than simply admit defeat in which case I’d have been home at 9.30pm at least.

Will go for round 2 (was part-hoping they'd have no seats for today's flight, but it seems I'm rebooked). If they cancel it again, I'm stomping Gatwick in a Godzilla fashion.

If there was one dubious benefit to Covid, it was not having to step foot near a plane. You know it's bad news when they have to wake up the plummy-voiced captain to deliver it. Either that or the people who do the actual Easyjet plane-driving have been faking the regional accents. TimC will be here in a moment to deliver a stern rebuke. But I bet it sounds reassuring.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPkKEttKIQU
Did you deliberately pick that video because the successful pilot's name was Collins?  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 21 June, 2022, 03:13:48 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 21 June, 2022, 01:51:49 pm
Quote from: Pingu on 21 June, 2022, 12:59:54 pm
Quote from: ian on 21 June, 2022, 12:34:47 pm
Quote from: ian on 20 June, 2022, 11:30:16 pm
Six hours after leaving home for parts foreign I’m waiting for a taxi home having not escaped the airport. Shout out to EasyJet for being shit and doing everything possible other than simply admit defeat in which case I’d have been home at 9.30pm at least.

Will go for round 2 (was part-hoping they'd have no seats for today's flight, but it seems I'm rebooked). If they cancel it again, I'm stomping Gatwick in a Godzilla fashion.

If there was one dubious benefit to Covid, it was not having to step foot near a plane. You know it's bad news when they have to wake up the plummy-voiced captain to deliver it. Either that or the people who do the actual Easyjet plane-driving have been faking the regional accents. TimC will be here in a moment to deliver a stern rebuke. But I bet it sounds reassuring.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPkKEttKIQU
Did you deliberately pick that video because the successful pilot's name was Collins?  ;D

I thought it was a trailer for a biopic.





But, honestly, I didn't know (or I've forgotten) what the C stood for  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 23 June, 2022, 10:13:10 am
My wife insists on a physical newspaper every day, and since the demise of the Independent we take the Graun. They've just put up our subscription by 20%.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 23 June, 2022, 07:19:29 pm
What’s that EasyJet, flight delayed till 0017. How delightful. Also after Swiss National Bedtime so get in the fucking sea, you are not easy and don’t appear to have any usefully located jets. Do not attempt to travel at the moment, it is in the words of TV’s best accent fucking diabolical.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 23 June, 2022, 08:07:02 pm
Just to heighten our gloom, I see that BA ground staff have voted for strike action, which will be annoying if it continues into September.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 23 June, 2022, 08:13:33 pm
My flight is cancelled. Yet not cancelled on the EasyJet system. If they would just admit it I could fuck off to find a hotel.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 23 June, 2022, 10:57:32 pm
And eventually they did the deed. Need a hotel, sir? Owing to unprecedented demand good luck finding you own sir. Need to rebook a flight, sir? How's Sunday sound? Do you like Luton? We hear it's lovely, sir. A clear statement of your rights to rebook with another airline? Talk to our staff, sir. We don't have any, but our call centre will be open at 8am tomorrow.

Gave up and found a hotel and rebooked on another airline on an epic trek via Spain since there are precisely zero seats on anything tomorrow. Why might that be, possibly because the hotel receptionist looked up at me and uttered 'Gatwick flight?' Seems they've cancelled the same flight (and many others) every night this week.

What really fucks me off is that I could have just stayed where I was (and would have been enjoying a bbq with the boss tonight) rather than traipsing to the airport for no good reason whatsover. I'd raise this to a rant, but I realise it's ultimately a #firstworldproblem.

Though to make it serious, I've spent so long fucking about, that I'm doomed to a room service meal at half midnight.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Hot Flatus on 23 June, 2022, 11:31:05 pm
Enjoy
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 24 June, 2022, 12:02:45 am
You've not been reading the news I guess...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 24 June, 2022, 07:04:23 am
Oh god, what have I done now?  I didn’t know they didn’t provide those ‘services’ at a Crowne Plaza.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 24 June, 2022, 09:11:16 am
They don’t.  You've just been compromised by Moscow.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jaded on 24 June, 2022, 09:23:12 am
Bloody cancel culture.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 24 June, 2022, 10:25:27 am
Many years ago, I had a delightful flight to Nice (I think) - urgent customer issue, need to get on the first flight there. So 6:30am flight from Manchester to Heathrow, then down to Nice. Except the 6:30 flight was delayed because someone hadn't got on, but their bags were, then they decided to check the wings and de-ice them. I guess it's unusual for it to be cold up north in February, so nobody thought to check. That meant I missed the flight from Heathrow. No problem, BA sent me to Gatwick on the coach to get the afternoon flight. Which didn't go because fog at Gatwick meant the incoming flight was diverted to Heathrow. A night in a Gatwick hotel (paid for by BA), without my bags because for some reason they'd been sent to Lyon, which wasn't on either my original or revised flight plan, then managed to get the first flight out of Gatwick to arrive at the customer only 24 hours late.

I don't miss flying.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 24 June, 2022, 11:46:50 am
As a seasoned traveller in places more, erm, rustic than western Europe, I'm relatively sanguine about such matters. Cheap flights are cheap for a reason, when they go wrong you're on your own. I'd have minded a lot less if they'd cancelled the flights in advance, they obviously knew several hours before that they weren't going to happen, but they drag it out to the very last minute. Complete information drought, of course, and the entire information service at Geneva was one increasingly harried poor woman mobbed by several hundred people (EasyJet alone had cancelled five flights). And they're very cagey about your rights (like booking on an alternative carrier), which they don't list on the piece of paper they hand out, but instead you have to find them on a website (along with the small print about compensation). In fact, if you don't have a working smart phone, you're probably screwed.

I was super-tempted to get the train home, but it has a late arrival in the UK at the wrong end of London for Surrey. So now I'm having coffee in Barcelona. Mostly annoyed that I have a pile of work I planned to get done today and the airport wifi isn't up to much more than this.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hatler on 24 June, 2022, 12:03:17 pm
For a period I had access to the flight system at Geneva (working the skiing holiday trade).

I would regularly see flight delays on the system of many hours, but the publicly displayed info would only ever show a maximum of about an hour and a half.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 24 June, 2022, 12:15:57 pm
As far as I could deduce from the internet science of flight information, the plane that was supposed to turn into my plane was cancelled earlier in the day, so I don't think the service ever existed after lunchtime. I did feel sorry for the poor information clerk though. Plenty of frustrated people and quite a few in tears.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hatler on 24 June, 2022, 02:09:15 pm
It was not unusual for a plane to be on the tarmac at GVA, with an LGW return ahead of it before its next flight to LGW, to still be showing as a one hour delay.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 24 June, 2022, 09:46:46 pm
Back in the UK. Huzzah, I think. With beer. Glorious cold beer.

That said, I am going to Florence next month and my wife is travelling to Barcelona next week. Time for more grumbling. Is any of this interesting to anyone? I suspect not. Think of yourselves as my therapists. This may explain many of my problems.

Just in case you think I'm living the crazy expense-fueled highlife and all this is merely a brag, I sent a picture of my Tuesday night meal to my wife, which was two little plastic bottles of merlot and a little tube of Pringles. Yours for £10.50.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 24 June, 2022, 09:59:01 pm
I read that as two litre bottles of merlot, either impressive, or problem.

My trip to that LONDON tues/weds went better than anticipated, mostly because i left home before 5am tues, and surfed the front of the wave, and left afterv6pm weds to miss the worst of the shit.

Unlike me, I think most sensible people stayed home
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 24 June, 2022, 10:09:20 pm
Indeed, but it was a very important business meeting* and, incidentally, (a curiously early) company summer party (the London one is in a more sensible August)

*laugh it up, but they put a Tidy Haired Thought Leader™ in charge of things. It seems as foolish to me as to you.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 25 June, 2022, 10:29:08 am
Got an email from social security this morning: "An important message is available on your account". Log into account, sure enough there's a wee box reading "New Message!".  Click on box: "Not available".  Email just now: "Someone logged into your account".

Feckin shower.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 25 June, 2022, 11:01:31 am
Campsites that play music in the showers. And it's always Radio 2. Just why?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 25 June, 2022, 11:10:25 am
Because you always need to know about hold ups and lane closures in obscure parts of the country while you're in the shower.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TimC on 25 June, 2022, 11:11:03 am
To prevent wanton and reprehensible singing?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 25 June, 2022, 01:18:28 pm
Quote from: TimC on 25 June, 2022, 11:11:03 am
To prevent wanton and reprehensible singing?
But that's exactly what they play!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 25 June, 2022, 02:05:05 pm
Quote from: ian on 21 June, 2022, 12:34:47 pm
If there was one dubious benefit to Covid, it was not having to step foot near a plane.
I didn't find that a dubious benefit at all, home all summer 2020 was fab even if I was chained to my desk annoyingly long hours 6 days a week.
I also enjoyed the time as things started to ease and only essential travel was allowed.  Yes there was a load of extra paperwork to carefully negotiate but the only good airport is a nearly empty airport and planes maximum 2/3 full are better than the same plane rammed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 27 June, 2022, 10:27:02 pm
20 years service this month and although it's nice to get a present, here's what my choice appears to boil down to:
B & O Beoplay H95 wireless headphones - these look very nice indeed but I'm not sure I need a pair of £700 cans  :o
An Apple watch - I don't do iThings
A selection of iPads - see above
A selection of iPhones - as I said...
A Lenovo laptop - actually we could do with a new laptop but 14" is a bit too small.
Various wanky golf clubs or watches
A selection of GBFO gas BBQ grill things

What I'd much rather have is a selection of useful Makita tools that I can see available in the general catalog but aren't available to me, presumably because they're not expensive enough.
(Yes I could get something and sell it on ebay in theory but I've never done that before and reading the stories on here doesn't make me inclined...)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 27 June, 2022, 10:33:29 pm
For ten years service I got a £250 Amazon gift token in USD. I didn’t stick around for twenty. My boss used to send me a booze hamper every Christmas though. My team get a free night out/night in once a month. If they’re good boys and girls.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 27 June, 2022, 10:39:54 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 25 June, 2022, 11:01:31 am
Campsites that play music in the showers. And it's always Radio 2. Just why?

I don't think I've experienced this phenomenon...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pedaldog. on 27 June, 2022, 10:54:27 pm
C+CC site, ALC meet, in Clitheroe was guilty of this very crime in 2019.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 29 June, 2022, 08:16:33 pm
So, I am about to go do battle with the EasyJet compensation computer. If this doesn't make me swear plentifully, nothing will.

I have an emergency midweek beer in hand.

To start with, why is the booking reference never anywhere useful. For fuck's sake, just put it in every email and don't insist I keep inputting it. You know what the booking is, it's there on-screen, right in front of me.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Hot Flatus on 29 June, 2022, 08:46:23 pm
Quote from: ian on 27 June, 2022, 10:33:29 pm
For ten years service I got a £250 Amazon gift token in USD. I didn’t stick around for twenty. My boss used to send me a booze hamper every Christmas though. My team get a free night out/night in once a month. If they’re good boys and girls.

We get an ice-cream once a year
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 29 June, 2022, 09:18:41 pm
That's because you are a very bad boy.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 29 June, 2022, 09:50:14 pm
£750. Must have been living large. Good job for them that I'm not a Tory MP.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 29 June, 2022, 09:53:31 pm
I think ten years got me a £100 voucher, no idea what, if anything 15 years gets me.  I'll find out in October.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Nuncio on 29 June, 2022, 09:54:59 pm
I was Tupe'd shortly after 20 years service - £800 in vouchers - to a company which, weirdly, gave £1200 after 21 years. So that was 2 long service awards a year apart. My current employer, after yet another TUPE transfer, recognizes 35 years service, but required that I sign over from my Tupe'd Ts&Cs to their standard terms for me to qualify, which wasn't worth my while at the time, but would have been a couple of years later. Overall, I can't complain. Except I've never been given an ice cream.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 29 June, 2022, 10:22:32 pm
20 years in my place probably makes you one of the founders, or close to it. So, shares that were probably worth a reasonable amount when we got bought. In my case, 20 years ought to get rolled into retirement. But that’s a way off!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 29 June, 2022, 10:40:23 pm
My mothership is about 11 years old and back then it was about six people and three dogs. We did have our first retirement. That said, we should have 2200 people by the end of the year. Don’t ask me how many dogs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 30 June, 2022, 07:36:18 pm
I’ve had two lots of £500 the last at 40 years. I think I got the first at either 25 or 30 years, but they kept changing the time required for the first one. I might have got,something for 20 years, but it’s a long time ago. I would also extra holiday allowance at 30 years if I’d not gon and got promoted in a shine seat role before then which attracted the maximum holiday allowance already.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 30 June, 2022, 08:03:27 pm
I refused to engage with our hospitals long service awards.  I have worked in the NHS for 41 years except for 6 months when I was sent to Ghana to set up a Plastic Surgery Unit in 1994.  The idiots wanted to give me a framed certificate for 25 years and refused to give me a 40 year award.  I told them to piss off.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 01 July, 2022, 07:17:30 am
At the current place, the shorter long service awards (5, 10 etc.) get a pin badge to put on your lanyard, and a free buffet lunch with the senior management team in one of the conference rooms upstairs after the pin badge giving ceremony in the same room. I think you have to hit 25 before it's anything meaningful.

Whoopee! I didn't bother turning up, my pin badge is in one of the random boxes of stuff at work.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 01 July, 2022, 11:29:34 am
Quote from: chrisbainbridge on 30 June, 2022, 08:03:27 pm
I refused to engage with our hospitals long service awards.  I have worked in the NHS for 41 years except for 6 months when I was sent to Ghana to set up a Plastic Surgery Unit in 1994.  The idiots wanted to give me a framed certificate for 25 years and refused to give me a 40 year award.  I told them to piss off.
That sounds a bit like the same sort of bureaucratic thinking that a colleague of mines father suffered with his war service. He volunteered so he could join the RAF to fly, and rejoined the PO on demob. His war service was excluded from his Post Office pensionable service as a consequence. His conscripted colleagues all had their war service counted in their PO pensionable service. My colleague reported his father was very bitter about this treatment.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 01 July, 2022, 11:33:31 am
Quote from: Beardy on 01 July, 2022, 11:29:34 am
Quote from: chrisbainbridge on 30 June, 2022, 08:03:27 pm
I refused to engage with our hospitals long service awards.  I have worked in the NHS for 41 years except for 6 months when I was sent to Ghana to set up a Plastic Surgery Unit in 1994.  The idiots wanted to give me a framed certificate for 25 years and refused to give me a 40 year award.  I told them to piss off.
That sounds a bit like the same sort of bureaucratic thinking that a colleague of mines father suffered with his war service. He volunteered so he could join the RAF to fly, and rejoined the PO on demob. His war service was excluded from his Post Office pensionable service as a consequence. His conscripted colleagues all had their war service counted in their PO pensionable service. My colleague reported his father was very bitter about this treatment.
Exactly the same, I know I am being petty but I was so annoyed with them after I have worked my socks off for the NHS.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: PhilO on 01 July, 2022, 11:49:38 am
At my previous employer, 10 years service qualified for a £50 Argos voucher. I was due to be presented with it on the day I left to move to my current job.  It was suggested that it 'wouldn't be appropriate' for me to attend the ceremony - which was of course the only possible way to make me want to!  :facepalm:

[But not enough to actually do so.]

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 01 July, 2022, 11:52:10 am
I was actually using up my leave allowance after I had left the office when I reached my 40y. My boss held ‘the ceremony’ at the last team meeting I attended instead.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 01 July, 2022, 12:06:37 pm
Quote from: chrisbainbridge on 01 July, 2022, 11:33:31 am
Quote from: Beardy on 01 July, 2022, 11:29:34 am
Quote from: chrisbainbridge on 30 June, 2022, 08:03:27 pm
I refused to engage with our hospitals long service awards.  I have worked in the NHS for 41 years except for 6 months when I was sent to Ghana to set up a Plastic Surgery Unit in 1994.  The idiots wanted to give me a framed certificate for 25 years and refused to give me a 40 year award.  I told them to piss off.
That sounds a bit like the same sort of bureaucratic thinking that a colleague of mines father suffered with his war service. He volunteered so he could join the RAF to fly, and rejoined the PO on demob. His war service was excluded from his Post Office pensionable service as a consequence. His conscripted colleagues all had their war service counted in their PO pensionable service. My colleague reported his father was very bitter about this treatment.
Exactly the same, I know I am being petty but I was so annoyed with them after I have worked my socks off for the NHS.

justifiably so if it was the NHS/GOVUK that sent you to Ghana anyway.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 01 July, 2022, 12:39:39 pm
I need to pop out to the chemists for further supplies of Drugs before the start of “The *** & Super D Show” but it’s just gone very dark and very wet outside.

Bah!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 01 July, 2022, 07:04:54 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 27 June, 2022, 10:27:02 pm
20 years service this month and although it's nice to get a present, here's what my choice appears to boil down to:
B & O Beoplay H95 wireless headphones - these look very nice indeed but I'm not sure I need a pair of £700 cans  :o
An Apple watch - I don't do iThings
A selection of iPads - see above
A selection of iPhones - as I said...
A Lenovo laptop - actually we could do with a new laptop but 14" is a bit too small.
Various wanky golf clubs or watches
A selection of GBFO gas BBQ grill things

What I'd much rather have is a selection of useful Makita tools that I can see available in the general catalog but aren't available to me, presumably because they're not expensive enough.
(Yes I could get something and sell it on ebay in theory but I've never done that before and reading the stories on here doesn't make me inclined...)

Today myself and a fellow long term inmate had another look and found that all the B&O headphones had gone from the selection and had been replaced by several ghastly designer handbags (they might be designer but they look like they're worth all of a fiver).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 02 July, 2022, 10:48:12 am
One place I worked at gave a set of flying ducks for 25 years.

The whole idea's a bit crap really. What they should be giving is a pay rise and an annual bonus so if anyone wants to choose some random stuff from a catalogue they can afford to. That's the attitude at my current place, where you get a perspex block to stick on your desk at 10 years, and a bigger one at 20. But they pay us adequately.

One thing they did do was some years ago when the company was much smaller, the owner said that if the company grew by X% over the next Y years, anyone still with the company would get a percentage. There are no shareholders. The company did grow, many of the original cohort had left, so the ones still there ended up with a "long service gift" comfortably into seven figures.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 02 July, 2022, 11:38:18 am
I confess, I don't much see the point, other than the old skool recognition, I suppose. No one sticks around for the long-service award. I really wanted a gift card. I did work at the same place for 18 years (well, I worked for a start-up that was acquired and then spent another decade and a bit bouncing around various roles before I was enticed into defection). Honestly, I was hoping to get made redundant, a year's salary (which they were giving out) would have a nice long-service award. But they made it clear that it wasn't going to happen, big meanies.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 02 July, 2022, 03:33:32 pm
Long service awards always make me think of Second Technician Arnold J Rimmer's medals.

They're a bit of an anachronism now that staying at one employer for more than a few years means you either:
a) Work for the NHS (other monolithic public sector bodies are available)
2) Are sticking with the devil you know for fear of discrimination
iii) Have been in the role since jobs for life were normal, are likely now indispensable, and are biding your time for retirement or a lucrative redundancy payout.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Diver300 on 02 July, 2022, 09:19:37 pm
Wago have a range of connectors with 2.54 mm spacing (0.1"), presumably to allow for vero board and other electronics stuffs using imperial measurements, which is fine and might be useful, if they didn't cock it up by having the rows 5 mm apart.

Wago 233-506 if anyone wants to look it up.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 02 July, 2022, 09:36:23 pm
 :facepalm:

Wonder if that's still wedgeable?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rogerzilla on 04 July, 2022, 01:44:55 pm
Stupid webshites that tell you to upgrade your browser when they mean "sorry, we CBA to test it with anything except Chrome".  They can FRO.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 04 July, 2022, 02:31:06 pm
I've been instructed to do that when I've been using an up-to-date version of Chrome too.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 04 July, 2022, 02:46:50 pm
Quote from: rogerzilla on 04 July, 2022, 01:44:55 pm
Stupid webshites that tell you to upgrade your browser when they mean "sorry, we CBA to test it with anything except Chrome".  They can FRO.
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 04 July, 2022, 02:31:06 pm
I've been instructed to do that when I've been using an up-to-date version of Chrome too.

Thanks for reminding me of yet another reason why I take inspiration from the Patrician of Ankh Morpork's enlightened policy WRT mime artists when it comes to web developers. :demon:

Quote
Vetinari ... tends to hang mime artists upside down in a scorpion pit opposite a sign reading "Learn The Words," but this is generally taken by the population as simply an amusing character trait.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 04 July, 2022, 05:58:42 pm
That makes a change from it being internet explorer one is admonished to use. To be fair to web devs, it’s not their policy, but that of the Product Managers who will not stump up the beans cor further testing and development to be undertaken.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 04 July, 2022, 06:31:26 pm
I suspect part of the problem is that successful web development companies eventually get borged by marketing companies.  Even if the devs survive the resulting culture clash, the product probably doesn't.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 04 July, 2022, 09:33:58 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 04 July, 2022, 05:58:42 pm
That makes a change from it being internet explorer one is admonished to use. To be fair to web devs, it’s not their policy, but that of the Product Managers who will not stump up the beans cor further testing and development to be undertaken.

Hehheheheheh. That's my evil product director laugh.

I confess I made swingeing cuts to old browser support for my particular platform back in the day, but had you seen the spreadsheet of costs to develop, test, and support old browsers, you'd understand why the decision is made. No one wants to pay more for legacy browser support. Trust me, I've had the discussions.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 05 July, 2022, 07:56:59 am
I once worked on a debugger that had to be supported on Windows, Linux and Mac. The online help (which I produced) had to work on all browsers on all platforms.

Testing that took up considerable amount of my time for each release. Multiple VMs and two machines. So tedious.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rogerzilla on 05 July, 2022, 03:50:29 pm
People on Other Forums or Faecebook groups than moan about thread drift.

They must be great fun in the pub.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 05 July, 2022, 03:53:22 pm
Quote from: rogerzilla on 05 July, 2022, 03:50:29 pm
People on Other Forums or Faecebook groups than moan about thread drift.

The strange thing is they're invariably the ones who don't even remember the days when people used email/news clients in a way that preserved the threading properly.  To them, it's always been in chronological order.  Or worse.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 05 July, 2022, 03:58:41 pm
Those people are weird. I don't think like that. I ended up talking about being chased by the cheese dalek yesterday, which wouldn't have been too bad, but it was someone's mid-year review.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 05 July, 2022, 05:50:37 pm
Short of a rant as I'm not actually surprised . . .  just changed our BT Business Broadband set-up to have digital phone (VOIP?) 3 weeks ago - that's fine and is a LOT less than we were paying before.  BT supplied one phone (Yealink W53H) in the deal - we wanted another handset and having asked BT whether it would work bought one from an Amazon purveyor for about £35 less than BT wanted.

Guess what - despite telling me to the contrary - it doesn't work as BT has some embedded factory settings to work with their "hub".   So, more expense.  Minor upside is that they are going to replace the unit (which sounds tinny) they supplied 3 weeks ago with the later, upgraded model ... for free (and the new one is also the new version - I assume)

Aaaargh!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 06 July, 2022, 11:54:23 am
Quote from: Kim on 05 July, 2022, 03:53:22 pm
Quote from: rogerzilla on 05 July, 2022, 03:50:29 pm
People on Other Forums or Faecebook groups than moan about thread drift.

The strange thing is they're invariably the ones who don't even remember the days when people used email/news clients in a way that preserved the threading properly.  To them, it's always been in chronological order.  Or worse.

<sobs>
Did you have to remind me?

What utter cockwomble decided that threading was a bad idea?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 06 July, 2022, 12:10:23 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 06 July, 2022, 11:54:23 am
Quote from: Kim on 05 July, 2022, 03:53:22 pm
Quote from: rogerzilla on 05 July, 2022, 03:50:29 pm
People on Other Forums or Faecebook groups than moan about thread drift.

The strange thing is they're invariably the ones who don't even remember the days when people used email/news clients in a way that preserved the threading properly.  To them, it's always been in chronological order.  Or worse.

<sobs>
Did you have to remind me?

What utter cockwomble decided that threading was a bad idea?

Total guess, but I'm thinking Microsoft.  They're the ones who permanently broke quoting, and like to hide people's email addresses in the UI (with hilarious consequences when multiple people have the same name).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 06 July, 2022, 09:26:41 pm
We’ve being watching Sherwood over that last few evenings, and apart from the protagonist switching from crossbow to recurve bow throughout for no apparent reason (and using the same arrows with both!) we’ve both quite enjoyed it as good TV.

However, in the prolog, the final scene is two blokes pulling up at a gate by the woods with shovels. They acknowledge each other and set of separately into the woods. Which totally mystified me, until Dr Beardy mentioned that they’d just had a voiceover of a local radio station reporting a key fact. A voice over the subtitlers decided wasn’t worth their while transcribing. Useless bastards.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 07 July, 2022, 01:57:39 pm
This morning we have:

-Weoweoweoweoweoweoweoweoweoweoweoweoweoweo more or less continuously for several hours now from a burglar alarm.
-Boo-BEEP! Over and over as builders flap around with some door or other.
-BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! This vehicle is reversing.
-Occasional strimmers
-Intermittent dog
-Someone revving up a small two-smoke, likely for hayfever purposes.
ETA:
-Police helichopter circling


I think they should all resign.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 07 July, 2022, 02:15:05 pm
I think they should go back where they came from.  Oh yes!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 07 July, 2022, 09:07:23 pm
Quote from: Kim
...-Boo-BEEP! Over and over...
I (mis)read that as Bo-Peep and wondered, briefly, if she'd wandered to Mordor to look for her sheep.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nicknack on 12 July, 2022, 08:49:22 pm
Oh, whoopee!

I'm just getting over a week of shitty Covid, the weather is stupidly hot, and now we have no water. Super.

Apparently no one on the island (Sheppey) has any cos the pipe from the mainland is busted. Southern Water are being their usual helpful selves and giving no indication as to when the supply might be restored. Some on Facebook are saying Monday but I've no idea where that info comes from. Looks like being a fun next few days.

<edit> Southern Water have woken up and informed all that it's fixed and we should get full taps again sometime in the night. Hoorah!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 12 July, 2022, 10:40:11 pm
I’m sure that being a vet’s receptionist requires many skills. If you’re handling medicine requests, I’d like to think that being able to convert grams to kilograms would be amongst them.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 12 July, 2022, 10:53:01 pm
Quote from: perpetual dan on 12 July, 2022, 10:40:11 pm
I’m sure that being a vet’s receptionist requires many skills. If you’re handling medicine requests, I’d like to think that being able to convert grams to kilograms would be amongst them.

I'm picturing a hamster being fed a pill the size of, well, a hamster...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 12 July, 2022, 11:01:56 pm
Quote from: Kim on 12 July, 2022, 10:53:01 pm
Quote from: perpetual dan on 12 July, 2022, 10:40:11 pm
I’m sure that being a vet’s receptionist requires many skills. If you’re handling medicine requests, I’d like to think that being able to convert grams to kilograms would be amongst them.

I'm picturing a hamster being fed a pill the size of, well, a hamster...
We’ve got 3 droppers each for the rats. Apparently there’s not much in each, but I can well imagine them getting a bath rather than a drop. Their homework was checked by someone in green, but as the weight went to them via the receptionist I’m going to double check the leaflet anyway. Also, how much?!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nicknack on 13 July, 2022, 08:24:16 am
Quote from: nicknack on 12 July, 2022, 08:49:22 pm
Oh, whoopee!

I'm just getting over a week of shitty Covid, the weather is stupidly hot, and now we have no water. Super.

Apparently no one on the island (Sheppey) has any cos the pipe from the mainland is busted. Southern Water are being their usual helpful selves and giving no indication as to when the supply might be restored. Some on Facebook are saying Monday but I've no idea where that info comes from. Looks like being a fun next few days.

<edit> Southern Water have woken up and informed all that it's fixed and we should get full taps again sometime in the night. Hoorah!

They lied.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 13 July, 2022, 04:47:15 pm
We have tickets for the local festival. Looking forward to it. Ooh, look, there is a list of the performers with details on each one.

Except, one thing. When they are playing. No running order on the whole website.

Facebook has some photos of flyers with the running order, and via a photograph of a flyer I discover that there is a festival app - which has the running order. FFS
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nicknack on 14 July, 2022, 08:20:08 am
Third day without water now. You can get bored with this.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 14 July, 2022, 10:49:52 am
Quote from: nicknack on 14 July, 2022, 08:20:08 am
Third day without water now. You can get bored with this.

I'll have none tomorrow, but I'm confident it'll be back on by 1600 ish.  This is only because we will have no electricity because they are cutting down trees that are in the way, all day.  Its a very rural area, and we don't have mains water, but its pumped from our borehole.  Not a real problem for us, as there will be some storage, but its an ideal excuse to go out and do some vital shopping, and have lunch out.  biggest downer? no electricity supply means no solar PV generation either.  Whoever decided that domestic PV installations couldn't have automatic disconnect, and therefore couldn't run in island mode, needs a kick in the bollocks.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 14 July, 2022, 11:07:42 am
I'm happy to supply the boot
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 14 July, 2022, 11:10:11 am
Quote from: Wombat on 14 July, 2022, 10:49:52 am
Quote from: nicknack on 14 July, 2022, 08:20:08 am
Third day without water now. You can get bored with this.

I'll have none tomorrow, but I'm confident it'll be back on by 1600 ish.  This is only because we will have no electricity because they are cutting down trees that are in the way, all day.  Its a very rural area, and we don't have mains water, but its pumped from our borehole.  Not a real problem for us, as there will be some storage, but its an ideal excuse to go out and do some vital shopping, and have lunch out.  biggest downer? no electricity supply means no solar PV generation either.  Whoever decided that domestic PV installations couldn't have automatic disconnect, and therefore couldn't run in island mode, needs a kick in the bollocks.

I presume that is to avoid having to add controller circuitry that would handle synchronising with the grid (while devices are drawing power), when connection is reestablished.
So, with your current (sic) setting, I guess the incoming grid power is used to drive the frequency.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 14 July, 2022, 12:09:58 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 14 July, 2022, 11:10:11 am
Quote from: Wombat on 14 July, 2022, 10:49:52 am
Quote from: nicknack on 14 July, 2022, 08:20:08 am
Third day without water now. You can get bored with this.

I'll have none tomorrow, but I'm confident it'll be back on by 1600 ish.  This is only because we will have no electricity because they are cutting down trees that are in the way, all day.  Its a very rural area, and we don't have mains water, but its pumped from our borehole.  Not a real problem for us, as there will be some storage, but its an ideal excuse to go out and do some vital shopping, and have lunch out.  biggest downer? no electricity supply means no solar PV generation either.  Whoever decided that domestic PV installations couldn't have automatic disconnect, and therefore couldn't run in island mode, needs a kick in the bollocks.

I presume that is to avoid having to add controller circuitry that would handle synchronising with the grid (while devices are drawing power), when connection is reestablished.
So, with your current (sic) setting, I guess the incoming grid power is used to drive the frequency.

I think it's just a safety feature to avoid back-feeding ostensibly 'dead' cables and electrocuting line workers, in the absence of proper isolation.

I don't think re-synchronising an inverter is particularly tricky; it's not like there's a rotating machine that needs its speed slewed.  At worst you can just drop the output for a cycle or two and come back in sync, and let the load cope with the glitch.  I have a UPS that switches back and forward between dual-conversion and bypass mode when the mains voltage is wibbly, and I think it just switches a relay.  DC power supplies cope fine, and mains loads are unlikely to care.

No reason you couldn't have an island-capable inverter with appropriate changeover switching, but most people don't want to pay for that.  I think it tends to be a feature of battery storage systems, because a pure-solar supply becomes quite unpredictable.  (Perhaps in a non-combined system the battery inverter does the islanding, and a standard PV inverter can just tie to that?)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 14 July, 2022, 03:53:43 pm
Quote from: Kim on 14 July, 2022, 12:09:58 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 14 July, 2022, 11:10:11 am
Quote from: Wombat on 14 July, 2022, 10:49:52 am
Quote from: nicknack on 14 July, 2022, 08:20:08 am
Third day without water now. You can get bored with this.

I'll have none tomorrow, but I'm confident it'll be back on by 1600 ish.  This is only because we will have no electricity because they are cutting down trees that are in the way, all day.  Its a very rural area, and we don't have mains water, but its pumped from our borehole.  Not a real problem for us, as there will be some storage, but its an ideal excuse to go out and do some vital shopping, and have lunch out.  biggest downer? no electricity supply means no solar PV generation either.  Whoever decided that domestic PV installations couldn't have automatic disconnect, and therefore couldn't run in island mode, needs a kick in the bollocks.

I presume that is to avoid having to add controller circuitry that would handle synchronising with the grid (while devices are drawing power), when connection is reestablished.
So, with your current (sic) setting, I guess the incoming grid power is used to drive the frequency.

I think it's just a safety feature to avoid back-feeding ostensibly 'dead' cables and electrocuting line workers, in the absence of proper isolation.

I don't think re-synchronising an inverter is particularly tricky; it's not like there's a rotating machine that needs its speed slewed.  At worst you can just drop the output for a cycle or two and come back in sync, and let the load cope with the glitch.  I have a UPS that switches back and forward between dual-conversion and bypass mode when the mains voltage is wibbly, and I think it just switches a relay.  DC power supplies cope fine, and mains loads are unlikely to care.

No reason you couldn't have an island-capable inverter with appropriate changeover switching, but most people don't want to pay for that.  I think it tends to be a feature of battery storage systems, because a pure-solar supply becomes quite unpredictable.  (Perhaps in a non-combined system the battery inverter does the islanding, and a standard PV inverter can just tie to that?)

Naively I assumed that an islanded battery + PV system would have a charge controller feeding the batteries from the PV panels, and the mains supply inverter would work directly off the battery system.

The alternative would be a mains supply inverter taking feed from the PV system and if that wasn't sufficient, pulling power from the batteries. But then you'd also need a circuit to sense the state of battery charge, and feed into that from PV when the batteries dropped low on charge.

Guess a really decent system would also be doing individual battery charging and sensing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 14 July, 2022, 05:31:55 pm
My wife isn’t really into cycling, but enjoys watching the Tour highlights. I’ve avoided todays result, just on principle. She’s going out to dinner, and has requested I don’t watch them without her. I hope she’s back at a sensible hour as I’ll not be able to remain ignorant of the outcome for another 27 hours.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 14 July, 2022, 06:08:27 pm
(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 14 July, 2022, 10:44:06 pm
<mode=grumpy_old_man>

I’m going to have to stop watching American maker videos.

It’s annoying that they’ve nearly all got massive workshops and they they’ve nearly all got sponsorship deals with Festool and thus have all the gear. But that’s not just an American phenomenon, many other nationals have big purpose built workspaces and all the (sponsor supplied) tools*. That’s only a green bug eyed monster driven irritation though.

No, the one unique fault that nearly ALL American makers have is their insistence on using an archaic outdated irrational and quite frankly annoying system of measurement. Many without even bothering to acknowledge and provide more sane measurements as well. It’s really REALLY beginning to get to me.

And breathe.

*Matthias Wandel and John Heisz aside, whom both mostly make their own ‘shop tools. And as an aside (I suspect being Canadian) both also tend to either work in metric or reference metric measurements. But then I’ll admit to a little bit,of fanboyizm towards both.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 14 July, 2022, 10:51:10 pm
I can generally pretend they just like making the maths harder.  And then they get the drill bits out...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 15 July, 2022, 07:40:13 am
Quote from: Beardy on 14 July, 2022, 10:44:06 pm
<mode=grumpy_old_man>

I’m going to have to stop watching American maker videos.

It’s annoying that they’ve nearly all got massive workshops and they they’ve nearly all got sponsorship deals with Festool and thus have all the gear. But that’s not just an American phenomenon, many other nationals have big purpose built workspaces and all the (sponsor supplied) tools*. That’s only a green bug eyed monster driven irritation though.

No, the one unique fault that nearly ALL American makers have is their insistence on using an archaic outdated irrational and quite frankly annoying system of measurement. Many without even bothering to acknowledge and provide more sane measurements as well. It’s really REALLY beginning to get to me.

...

I don't let it get to me: after all, their horizons are limited and if they're any good they can get to a million subscribers on US viewers alone. If they switched to metric their sponsors would drop them.

And anyway, I'm grateful to one such who showed me how to build a barn door: https://youtu.be/ussfk-416xQ if you're interested. Of course, mine are about twice the size...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 15 July, 2022, 02:52:31 pm
Is that the imperial to metric conversion?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 15 July, 2022, 04:42:25 pm
Yebbut I'm not aiming at Mars so it's OK.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 15 July, 2022, 09:04:58 pm
I can imagine the first man on mars "one giant leap... who the f*** left that knackered old farm trailer there?"
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 15 July, 2022, 09:49:38 pm
Renowned polluters Southern Water cancelled their appointment for today yesterday afternoon. Next one is in august, so quite a lot more over hot showers for us.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 16 July, 2022, 08:54:44 am
Judging by the temperature predictions you'll be needing cold showers anyway.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 16 July, 2022, 10:08:02 pm
Quote from: T42 on 16 July, 2022, 08:54:44 am
Judging by the temperature predictions you'll be needing cold showers anyway.
Our shower temperature is just dictated by the flow and the cold temperature. So far the water in the pipes is a bit cold for my tastes, even on a hot day! :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hatler on 17 July, 2022, 09:15:16 am
Bah. Cycled back through Richmond Park last night gone midnight with Mrs hatler. Roehampton Gate wide open. Got to Robin Hood Gate and it was chained shut.

Had to hurk two bikes over the gates. Not easy a few beers under.

Harrumph.

Suitably grumpy email despatched to the Park.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 17 July, 2022, 01:20:46 pm
Yes madam, I make myself a busybody when you're crossing a busy road near a corner when you have a young child with you and you were probably her grandmother. Pointing out that there was a pelican crossing 10 metres away was my public service for the day. Don't get your grandchild into poor road crossing habits, you foolish person.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 17 July, 2022, 04:54:47 pm
Google maps! First there was a cafe on yesterday's ride, which the ride leader had checked on Google maps. Open 10-4 on Saturday. When we got there, no, it's completely closed at weekends. Then this morning I had said I'd lend a hand at a friend's allotment. I'd never been there before so they sent me a link on Google maps. A nice clear easy-to-follow walking route. Which then wanted me to walk through a school playground. This was of course locked and there's no path anyway. Well it's a new school – built in 2006! I managed to find another way round, found the entrance and then it turned out this wasn't even the right allotments – hers is a separate section on a different road.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 20 July, 2022, 10:03:53 pm
Got in the car to go to the hairdresser. Battery was flat.
Ummed and ahhed about bike or bus but I don't like leaving the bike unsupervised long in town.
Bus was late and then the driver spent 5 mins dicking about on his phone at the terminus before leaving.
Bus home was late.
Got home and Pingu said one of the bikes hung on the garage wall with hooks and masonry wall plugs had fallen off the wall.
That's enough for one evening.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 20 July, 2022, 10:21:59 pm
“Where TF has the heavy-duty soopa-sticki clear tape gone?” growled a very hot and sticky Mr Larrington, after turning the Estate Office umop-ap!sdn and failing to find it.  Before remembering that he'd put it in his rucksack the other week when taking a parcel destined for Abroad to the Post Ossif :facepalm:

Also, Porcel Farce say they'll collect parcel destined for Abroad v2.0 “between 09:00 & 16:30”.  Which means I'll be sofa-bound by 08:55 and the Porcel Farce minion coming at 16:28. Bah.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 21 July, 2022, 07:37:12 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 20 July, 2022, 10:03:53 pm
Got in the car to go to the hairdresser. Battery was flat.
Ummed and ahhed about bike or bus but I don't like leaving the bike unsupervised long in town.
Bus was late and then the driver spent 5 mins dicking about on his phone at the terminus before leaving.
Bus home was late.
Got home and Pingu said one of the bikes hung on the garage wall with hooks and masonry wall plugs had fallen off the wall.
That's enough for one evening.

Surely he complimented you on the haircut as well ?  ;D

[Years a go when I worked in an office one of the girl used to go for haircuts at lunchtime about every 6 weeks - on those days her boss put a Post-it on his screen to remind him to say "Hair looks nice" when she came back  ;D ;D]
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 21 July, 2022, 08:58:57 am
I went to ride in this morning and the front tyre won't keep air in. And not enough time to both fix it and ride in.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 21 July, 2022, 09:31:09 am
Quote from: robgul on 21 July, 2022, 07:37:12 am

Surely he complimented you on the haircut as well ?  ;D

[Years a go when I worked in an office one of the girl used to go for haircuts at lunchtime about every 6 weeks - on those days her boss put a Post-it on his screen to remind him to say "Hair looks nice" when she came back  ;D ;D]

Which reminded me of one of the offerings in Monkey Dust.

Aaanyway, our garden sprinkler has been failing for a while, the oscillating "motor" sticking at random times, resulting in excess puddling.  So I bought a replacement, exactly (huh!) the same model.  Except it's been "improved" by reducing the size of the holes in the spray bar.  This results in a finer spray (too fine to be discerned from the tap when watering the far end of the plot), meaning longer watering periods are required, and a spray pattern, which used to just match the width of our garden (a magnificent 11ft), now exceeding it by some margin giving overspray into neighbouring plots. Regulating this means fiddling with the tap in it's final 1/4 turn of travel. Bah.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 21 July, 2022, 09:32:47 am
Quote from: rafletcher on 21 July, 2022, 09:31:09 am
Quote from: robgul on 21 July, 2022, 07:37:12 am

Surely he complimented you on the haircut as well ?  ;D

[Years a go when I worked in an office one of the girl used to go for haircuts at lunchtime about every 6 weeks - on those days her boss put a Post-it on his screen to remind him to say "Hair looks nice" when she came back  ;D ;D]

Which reminded me of one of the offerings in Monkey Dust.

Me too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVXKk_gxigQ
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 21 July, 2022, 06:31:18 pm
The baby Jersey Royals I've just boiled aren't cooling down quickly enough on the kitchen window sill to render them a candidate for tonight's potato salad.
I need to eat.
First world  problem, maybe...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 21 July, 2022, 08:54:51 pm
Pingu always greets me ironically with exactly the phrase from Monkey Dust.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 21 July, 2022, 09:20:15 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 21 July, 2022, 09:31:09 am
Aaanyway, our garden sprinkler has been failing for a while, the oscillating "motor" sticking at random times, resulting in excess puddling.  So I bought a replacement, exactly (huh!) the same model.  Except it's been "improved" by reducing the size of the holes in the spray bar.  This results in a finer spray (too fine to be discerned from the tap when watering the far end of the plot), meaning longer watering periods are required, and a spray pattern, which used to just match the width of our garden (a magnificent 11ft), now exceeding it by some margin giving overspray into neighbouring plots. Regulating this means fiddling with the tap in it's final 1/4 turn of travel. Bah.

Can't you dismantle them and then mantle them in the opposite order so you end up with the innards of one and the outards of the other?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 21 July, 2022, 09:36:52 pm
I keep reading excess pudding. Which obviously is not even a thing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 21 July, 2022, 11:20:25 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 21 July, 2022, 09:36:52 pm
I keep reading excess pudding. Which obviously is not even a thing.

This Unit hereby endorses this product, service or sentiment ~ Bethany (12), this evening.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 22 July, 2022, 03:22:34 pm
Your email isn't that important. Why are you always putting it as high priority
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 23 July, 2022, 08:23:30 pm
Evans in Hendon is closing and has a Closing-Down Sale. 20% off everything!

D found some nice winter gloves. They are slightly marked but hey, gloves never stay clean!

D gets home & proudly shows me latest purchase

with fucking security tag still in place…

GGGGRRR!!!

This isn't the first time he's brought tagged gloves home. Last time was Halfraud's
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 23 July, 2022, 08:25:03 pm
Well those security tags clearly aren't doing their job! D is a master shoplifter! I hope he's got the receipt!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 23 July, 2022, 08:43:46 pm
I don't know if they somehow get inactivated on the counter, even if not removed.
Certainly no alarms will have sounded...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 23 July, 2022, 08:50:33 pm
Had that with a n ≥ 3 pack of boxers once.  Airport security didn’t pick it up either ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 23 July, 2022, 10:41:08 pm
Came home to find the front living room window broken (the sealed unit is still in place, the outer pane is now crazypaved). No idea. I don’t think I’m engaged in any neighbourhood feud. Could have been a low flying bird. People tend to knock on it rather than the door as it’s by the path to that door. Nothing on the security cam. No brick with a ransom note rubberbanded around it. I took the trebuchet off the cats. Now it’s making a odd crinchycrinchy noise as I lounge by it on the sofa. A mystery for the ages.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 24 July, 2022, 12:02:58 am
Was once minding my own business at Fort Larrington when there was an almighty "THUMP" as a wood pigeon flew full-tilt into a (double-glazed) window.  It left a sort of greasy vaguely pigeon-shaped smear on the glass but didn't break it.  Went outside to look for a concussed pigeon to have for dinner but it had stumbled off.

If there's any honey in the Asbestos Palace, ian, it was probably BEARS.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 24 July, 2022, 11:38:30 am
Quote from: ian on 23 July, 2022, 10:41:08 pm
Came home to find the front living room window broken (the sealed unit is still in place, the outer pane is now crazypaved). No idea. I don’t think I’m engaged in any neighbourhood feud. Could have been a low flying bird. People tend to knock on it rather than the door as it’s by the path to that door. Nothing on the security cam. No brick with a ransom note rubberbanded around it. I took the trebuchet off the cats. Now it’s making a odd crinchycrinchy noise as I lounge by it on the sofa. A mystery for the ages.

Has there been any grass mowing in the vicinity? We’ve had small stones through the greenhouse courtesy of a neighbours mower. And then there’s always random air rifle shots.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 24 July, 2022, 12:24:43 pm
No, the gardeners weren't around (they did the same to the patio door with some overenthusiastic strimming some time back) and there's really no vicinity to any other gardens. I doubt it's an air rifle as we're not really overlooked and the only angle you could do it from is from down the hill (as we have big fir trees to the front). Someone could have lobbed a stone from the bottom of the drive – we do get very occasional random bits of vandalism, but that's always drunks late at night or the school kids, as we're on a path from one place to another – but daytime Saturday seems a bit unlikely.

We have errant bird strikes before and indeed they usually just a bird-shaped smear, plus it would have been flying very low to hit the bottom of a downstairs window.

It might have been an overzealous rap by Mr Post Office (not that sort of rap), who had attended earlier to leave a parcel, though I don't remember noticing a broken window (and the camera wasn't on) when I headed out, though it's feasible I didn't look back as I scooted down the driveway as it's quite steep and I don't want to fall off before I've left the property. Or some old chip or crack that has been there for a while and the heating cycles of this week did for it. There's no clear sign of anything sharp having it hit the origin point and it at the height where someone would knock on it. I may be fitting the evidence to my theory.

I'd do CSI: Surrey, but the cats are staying shtum under interrogation. They didn't see nuthin. No bears at all. A tad annoying as we're on holiday next week (though not going anywhere far) and now we'll have to mess about getting a glazier in to replace it. Plus it's a bit disconcerting.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 24 July, 2022, 03:23:31 pm
Quote from: ian on 23 July, 2022, 10:41:08 pm
Came home to find the front living room window broken (the sealed unit is still in place, the outer pane is now crazypaved). No idea. I don’t think I’m engaged in any neighbourhood feud. Could have been a low flying bird. People tend to knock on it rather than the door as it’s by the path to that door. Nothing on the security cam. No brick with a ransom note rubberbanded around it. I took the trebuchet off the cats. Now it’s making a odd crinchycrinchy noise as I lounge by it on the sofa. A mystery for the ages.

I've had a double glazed unit fail like that.
Our upstairs balcony is recessed into the house, and it has some large DG units.
One day, one just let out an almighty BANG and the outer pane was crazy-paved like an old fashioned windscreen.

Nothing hit it.  I think it was just internal stresses. I can't remember if it was hot that day or not.
The glazier dude said it was quite a regular occurrence.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 24 July, 2022, 04:03:03 pm
I'm also suspecting a more innocent failure, the window does sit in the sun in the afternoon, and the silver aluminium blinds behind it were partly closed to keep the temperature in the house down (and it was warm and sunny yesterday afternoon) – this would have reflected some of the sunlight and heat back into the window unit. Plus the temperatures have been fairly extreme in recent days.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 24 July, 2022, 04:13:35 pm
One of my greenhouse panes broke a few years back, toughened glass, I suspect the frame twisting due to hot and dry condition shrinking the soil differentially
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 24 July, 2022, 04:31:40 pm
I still think there are fair odds that it was the bears firing squirrels at the window with a trebuchet.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 24 July, 2022, 04:36:12 pm
My trebuchet is in the shed, I checked earlier
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 24 July, 2022, 04:39:19 pm
The bears have their own. And a siege engine made out of wheelie bins.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 24 July, 2022, 05:47:19 pm
We had a conservatory roof fail like that. Came down to find a whole conservatory roof panel in pieces on the floor.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 24 July, 2022, 06:56:51 pm
That's the problem, once the bears get on top of the conservatory via their wheelie bin siege engine, the glass won't support them. #MoreMoats.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 24 July, 2022, 11:51:38 pm
Your broken window glass might be from something else.
https://www.wintech-group.com/news/2020/04/the-glass-butterfly-effect/
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 25 July, 2022, 07:45:47 am
Quote from: rafletcher on 24 July, 2022, 11:38:30 am
We’ve had small stones through the greenhouse courtesy of a neighbours mower.

I got strimmer-shot on my last ride but one. Nice whack on the ankle, great fun.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 25 July, 2022, 08:28:42 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 23 July, 2022, 08:43:46 pm
I don't know if they somehow get inactivated on the counter, even if not removed.
Certainly no alarms will have sounded...
This is the puzzling bit. Are the tags deactivated by proximity to something in the till? Or are they perhaps more for show, with only a few being active? Or perhaps they're not aimed at shoplifting but warehouse theft and there are no sensors in the shop? Or just that some of them are duds?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 25 July, 2022, 11:31:49 am
The usual tradesman palaver – working through the list to get 'we only do entire windows...' Lordy, we can't be the only people in the SE who've needed just the bloody unit replaced. Finally found someone to come around and 'take a look.'

I remember the time we had a new sealed unit with a catflap hole in it, quite a big job as it was for a single pane french door. The glazier made and fitted it and we both looked down upon his work. 'Isn't that a small crack?' says I. Off he goes to make a new one. After pausing to emit some Very Bad Words.

In other grumble news, forms on that internet website. Really, how hard is it to indicate something is missing or incorrect, I appreciate turning the field a faint shade of pastel green is really, erm, useful, but why is it wrong? A hint! A clue! For some reason, it just didn't like autofill (seems to be a thing), typing the exact same data works the same.

Still, the internet website will be great once they've finished it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 25 July, 2022, 12:10:13 pm
Auto fill often inserts a space in after the data, and bad coding or lack of comprehensive testing often leads to online forms that don’t accept ANYTHING beyond it’s permitted data. Postcode fields are the worst offenders for this.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 25 July, 2022, 06:56:45 pm
Whatever that statue of Paddington BEAR in Norfolk Square Gardens is made from, TV lady, it is most assuredly not “Legos” >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 25 July, 2022, 07:01:03 pm
Autofill seems to be a problem on some websites now, where they won't believe you've entered something in to a required field if Chrome has done it itself. So you have to click into each field, and type then delete a character so it realises there's something there to check.

I think web designers actively look for innovative usability fails, in an arms race against browser coders.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 25 July, 2022, 09:40:04 pm
Quote from: MattH
I think web designers actively look for innovative usability fails...
Like the fucking morons who "coded" Oxfam's gift aid ticket printer UI. You (or rather the staff) have to type in leading zeroes to make it up to 8 digits.  It's a fucking number, you don't need leading zeroes and if it's held as a string (despite the fact that it's a *number*) pad it with zeroes when it has been entered.  Sweet suffering baby cheeses, it. is. not. sodding. difficult!  Hmm, sorry, that probably should have been in the rant thread.  As you were.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 26 July, 2022, 08:02:18 am
We have a fancy wifi camera doorbell. Blink, cheap version of Ring from Amazon.

Amazon, that massive rich company. The sort of company, you'd think, capable of paying for and designing software.

The connection system is utter crap. Only one account permitted, so for multiple members of a household to access the doorbell, they have to share a login.

FFS.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 26 July, 2022, 08:48:43 am
Quote from: TheLurker on 25 July, 2022, 09:40:04 pm
Quote from: MattH
I think web designers actively look for innovative usability fails...
Like the fucking morons who "coded" Oxfam's gift aid ticket printer UI. You (or rather the staff) have to type in leading zeroes to make it up to 8 digits.  It's a fucking number, you don't need leading zeroes and if it's held as a string (despite the fact that it's a *number*) pad it with zeroes when it has been entered.  Sweet suffering baby cheeses, it. is. not. sodding. difficult!  Hmm, sorry, that probably should have been in the rant thread.  As you were.
Curious. I'm sure all the GA numbers I've come across have been 10 digits, with four of them being the reference of the shop where the person signed up. Getting the printer to work though is another matter and as for having the barcodes printed on green labels rather than white...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 26 July, 2022, 08:28:07 pm
TRying to download a roiute file for this weekends jaunt, it decided not to work and corrupted leading a perpetual loop of death for my Garmin, last time I'm sure I managed to sort it out OK, but for some reason this time it decided to do a complete reset of all user information and settings.  Grrrrrr

Cue re-entering every screen and parameter I've already enetered every time it decides to throw a wobbly.  This time I'm writing them all down in my little black book of cycling stuff not to forget
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant
Post by: Beardy on 26 July, 2022, 08:55:19 pm
I’m fast coming to the conclusion that Garmin products are the absolute mutts nuts when it comes to their designated central function, and even ok at related periferal functions, but any attempt to integrate them with any function or systems  not of Garmin’s express interest they positively bomb.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 26 July, 2022, 09:09:42 pm
This Unit was, however, mildly amused when Geraint Thomas confessed to using his for — gasp — route-finding* during Saturday's TdF time-trial :D

* or at least, in the absence of a working wireless, seeing whether the next corner was, er, full gas or likely to kill him to DETH.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant
Post by: ElyDave on 26 July, 2022, 10:29:59 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 26 July, 2022, 08:55:19 pm
I’m fast coming to the conclusion that Garmin products are the absolute mutts nuts when it comes to their designated central function, and even ok at related periferal functions, but any attempt to integrate them with any function or systems  not of Garmin’s express interest they positively bomb.

The only problem is, I'm now so ingrained that it's a Stockholm situation
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant
Post by: Kim on 26 July, 2022, 10:32:58 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 26 July, 2022, 08:55:19 pm
I’m fast coming to the conclusion that Garmin products are the absolute mutts nuts when it comes to their designated central function, and even ok at related periferal functions, but any attempt to integrate them with any function or systems  not of Garmin’s express interest they positively bomb.

Does 'long bike rides' count as a function or system?  Cos I'd say you were bang on the money there.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 27 July, 2022, 08:34:53 am
Eight o'clock is no time to be delivering building materials, C&S man, especially with a big lorry (with a noisy hoist-thingy on the back) that blocks Larrington Gardens Road and thereby causes impatient motons to sound their horns >:(

I thought all the non-useless workshy twat builders had gone back to Poland.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 27 July, 2022, 04:20:13 pm
A supplier I have the misfortune of dealing with at work. I've been trying to get a wiring loom for a van they fitted out for about a  month. First they were shut for covid and then finally started answering phone calls

After several yes will get sorted phone calls told me would be dispatched last week and invoice to follow. They continually ignored emails and a lot of the time wouldn't answer phone to me

Customer also rang them and got same replies

Friday got told was being made over weekend

Monday they needed to check something with Customer so provided his number

Yesterday chased yeah all being sorted

Today couldn't get hold. Customer did and was told the looms nothing to do with them. It might not be as a grey area whether it's them or van manufacturer but it's taken nearly a month to tell me that having had weeks of yeah it's being sorted
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 27 July, 2022, 08:39:21 pm
Thanks SES Water for doing a bit of impromptu gardening by the water meter.  I appreciate the easements allow for them doing maintenance but really asking or informing us first wouldn’t be a courtesy too far, would it?

At our last place Thames Water had to winch a digger into our garden to make a big hole. The asked us nicely and let me have a go driving their poo-bot through the sewer.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 28 July, 2022, 04:47:49 pm
Dear Brico****, when I buy a full-face anti-garden-shrapnel mask I would like to be able to see through it.  Or should I change my name to Monet and start spoiling canvas?

(https://pbase.com/image/172821413.jpg)

Unfortunately I bought the thing in March and can't remember from which shop.



Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 28 July, 2022, 05:05:48 pm
Wow.  That's pretty special.

I assume it's not got a protective film that peels off or anything?  Could it have started out transparent and deteriorated somehow?  Looks a bit even for that.  I'm struggling to imagine what the molisher was thinking.  Other than impressionism.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant
Post by: Pickled Onion on 28 July, 2022, 06:50:15 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 26 July, 2022, 08:55:19 pm
I’m fast coming to the conclusion that Garmin products are the absolute mutts nuts when it comes to their designated central function, and even ok at related periferal functions, but any attempt to integrate them with any function or systems  not of Garmin’s express interest they positively bomb.

Garmins don't even integrate properly with their own app*, so expecting them to integrate well with 3rd party apps is a bit hopeful.



* Quite astonishingly simply called "Connect", as if their product is the only thing you'd ever wish to connect to with a smart phone
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant
Post by: Kim on 28 July, 2022, 08:16:13 pm
Quote from: Pickled Onion on 28 July, 2022, 06:50:15 pm
Quite astonishingly simply called "Connect", as if their product is the only thing you'd ever wish to connect to with a smart phone

All the best apps have ambiguous names.  Is it a bus timetable or a network diagnostic tool?  Is it an ebook reader or a motorsport game?  Who knows!  Barakta informs me that people with normal colour vision go by the colour of the icon.

I blame marketroids, who think that you can build 'brand identity' by having a silly name, rather than make a silly name usable by having brand identity.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 28 July, 2022, 09:07:49 pm
Tbf I've never heard it referred to as anything other than "Garmin Connect" which is pretty clear.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 28 July, 2022, 10:31:52 pm
Quote from: Kim on 28 July, 2022, 05:05:48 pm
Wow.  That's pretty special.

I assume it's not got a protective film that peels off or anything?  Could it have started out transparent and deteriorated somehow?  Looks a bit even for that.  I'm struggling to imagine what the molisher was thinking.  Other than impressionism.

My first thought was 'protective film'.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 29 July, 2022, 06:25:12 am
Quote from: Kim on 28 July, 2022, 05:05:48 pm
Wow.  That's pretty special.

I assume it's not got a protective film that peels off or anything?  Could it have started out transparent and deteriorated somehow?  Looks a bit even for that.  I'm struggling to imagine what the molisher was thinking.  Other than impressionism.

Possible, I suppose, although the thing was so cheap I wouldn't have expected it.  I'll have a pick at it presently.

ETA: Colour me idiot, there is a film on it, both sides.  Thanks, Kim.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 29 July, 2022, 04:52:13 pm
Harbury Post Office: I work in a mail room, so I know Royal Fail have a tracked service that asks for a signature. Telling me that the only way I can return my passport and get it signed for is their Special Delivery service is bollocks. You'd already tried upselling to first class, for which there was no need, so I took back my package and I'll send it from somewhere less grasping.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 01 August, 2022, 03:08:23 pm
I hate insurance companies. I’m doing my annual home insurance renewal, and of course my current provider is over 30% cheaper on the comparison sites than on my renewal.

If it were that simple of course, I’d be sorted, but the cheapest offer is more than 50% cheaper, and I’ve on;y looked at one comparison site. If I go to another comparison site, I’ll have to put all my details in again, and details of all the ‘valuables’. All the insurance companies attempt to make it look simple by creating as big a blanket as they can to cover all your stuff, but the blankets are often riddled with holes and nearly always exclude any velocipede that is more than a BSO, or include it only if it is fastened to a ground anchor that would hold the HMS Ark Royal with a chain and lock made from depleted uranium.

Have I said I hate insurance companies.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 01 August, 2022, 04:23:46 pm
HMRC who seem to delight in asking me to complete forms with the information they already have. I think you know my NI payments because you, erm, are in receipt of the money. Also, it's great that I can defer NI from job to another, but really, I have a PhD and I don't know what that means, or why you're asking me.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 01 August, 2022, 05:32:46 pm
Quote from: CAMRAMan on 29 July, 2022, 04:52:13 pm
Harbury Post Office: I work in a mail room, so I know Royal Fail have a tracked service that asks for a signature. Telling me that the only way I can return my passport and get it signed for is their Special Delivery service is bollocks. You'd already tried upselling to first class, for which there was no need, so I took back my package and I'll send it from somewhere less grasping.

We've had similar getting stuff shipped (comparatively) cheap post to USA. A combination of denying it exists or not having the relevant paperwork/labels
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 01 August, 2022, 06:09:24 pm
Quote from: ian on 01 August, 2022, 04:23:46 pm
HMRC who seem to delight in asking me to complete forms with the information they already have. I think you know my NI payments because you, erm, are in receipt of the money. Also, it's great that I can defer NI from job to another, but really, I have a PhD and I don't know what that means, or why you're asking me.

HMRC's everything is impenetrable. I think it's deliberate so we can never check their errors, which of course are extremely common cos they don't actually employ enough staff with consistency and training.

I sued them once on the basis of various epic access fail including the low accessibility of their written information because it often contradicted itself outright.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 01 August, 2022, 06:59:34 pm
I think they are asking if I have two jobs, in which case, I can defer paying NI on one of them.

But I don't have two jobs, which they should also know. It's a reminder that I need an adult to look after this, the last one retired, which was unfortunate for me and fortunate for him.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 02 August, 2022, 10:36:26 pm
Virgin. Your password entering "keyboard" on the tv (tv remote cursor driven thing) has misplaced a character. One commonly found on BRITISH keyboards. Maybe it's behind the shift key we can't select? Please put it back. I don't want to be changing passwords in n places just because of your poor design.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 03 August, 2022, 12:45:30 am
The (non-Joy Devision) oven gloves at Fort Larrington used to hang on the end of that trolley-thing in the middle of the kitchen, but now don’t.

Could I find them this evening?  No.  No, I could not.

And did I subsequently burn my fingers trying to move a shelf in a screaming hot oven?  Yes.  Yes, I did.

Bah >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 03 August, 2022, 10:02:44 am
Easyjet seem to have given me a pile of money after a recent failed trip, but they've not told me what and I can't remember what I claimed, and when I put in the claim number into their magic website, it says unrecognised. One amount seems to tally up with my memory of the hotel plus an alternative flight. I presume the other is a random amount of compensation. Be nice if they told me, since it doesn't align with any actual stated compensation amount, but I assume there's some excuse-o-meter they can invoke. A big boy pushed over our plane and ran away. A dog ate the flight plan. That sort of thing.

In other news, glazier please come and replace our window, this is day three of probably today. He has his own tradesman excuse-o-meter.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: JellyLegs on 04 August, 2022, 08:52:53 pm
Quote from: ian on 01 August, 2022, 06:59:34 pm
I think they are asking if I have two jobs, in which case, I can defer paying NI on one of them.

But I don't have two jobs, which they should also know. It's a reminder that I need an adult to look after this, the last one retired, which was unfortunate for me and fortunate for him.

If it’s the communication I think it is then HMRC have possibly received some NI payments credited to your NI account that came from an unexpected source.  I have had more than one job for decades and I have had this each time I started with a new employer.  As relatively few people have two or more jobs, receipt of NI deductions from multiple employers for the same NI number triggers a check to ensure they tie up the credits to the correct account in case someone somewhere has given your NI number by mistake.  It’s  also an anti-fraud measure to prevent someone not entitled to work in the UK giving your details to an employer.  Or at least that was how it was explained to me when I queried it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 05 August, 2022, 08:47:32 am
The ferries are stuffed up again.

Normally, I take this as nothing to get wound up about; it is part of island life.

However, this week it is getting to me.
Bought a kayak for MrsC from someone on Skye. Plan; catch ferry over, walk on with kayak, ferry home.

Except:
MrsC has to head south on Sat to clear furniture out of her parent's house.
My brother and wife are arriving here on Fri.
I have numerous doors to refit in house.
I have house to clean and prep for visitors (we've had friends staying for past two weeks, so no space/time to clear).
Work is really busy, 12hr days.

Best option is cancelling picking up the kayak, giving me the day to refit doors instead. Can't rely on that until I know if the kayak seller can hang on to it for a couple more weeks. they aren't responding to emails.

Gah!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 05 August, 2022, 09:24:59 am
Quote from: JellyLegs on 04 August, 2022, 08:52:53 pm
Quote from: ian on 01 August, 2022, 06:59:34 pm
I think they are asking if I have two jobs, in which case, I can defer paying NI on one of them.

But I don't have two jobs, which they should also know. It's a reminder that I need an adult to look after this, the last one retired, which was unfortunate for me and fortunate for him.

If it’s the communication I think it is then HMRC have possibly received some NI payments credited to your NI account that came from an unexpected source.  I have had more than one job for decades and I have had this each time I started with a new employer.  As relatively few people have two or more jobs, receipt of NI deductions from multiple employers for the same NI number triggers a check to ensure they tie up the credits to the correct account in case someone somewhere has given your NI number by mistake.  It’s  also an anti-fraud measure to prevent someone not entitled to work in the UK giving your details to an employer.  Or at least that was how it was explained to me when I queried it.

I now suspect that it's down to the fact I did have two jobs in a single week (as I left one job on Tuesday and started a new one on Wednesday, don't ask). I don't recall the resolution of the HMRC down to the day unless they're calculating interest owed. I'll get around to filling in the pointless paper work.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 05 August, 2022, 08:33:02 pm
Trying to get to ABerdeen for two days week after next

Sleeper train full on the way up,
Rail strike on the way back

So much for trying to reduce impact and not be overly spendy for clients.  And to top it all BA's flight reductions means it's Sleazy Jet from Gitwock on the way up and to Luton on the way back. What fresh Hell is this?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 06 August, 2022, 02:27:10 pm
You could try Norwich to Aberdeen - but a bit pricy!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 06 August, 2022, 04:23:34 pm
Surely, Mr Bus Driver, there is some way of silencing that 1Hz “BEEP” serenading me from 'stow Central to Larrington Towers?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 06 August, 2022, 04:57:53 pm
Villager on Farcebook: Your recycling bin is overflowing because you can't be arsed to squash your boxes and empty plastic bottles. Don't blame the council for your laziness.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 06 August, 2022, 07:56:55 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 06 August, 2022, 02:27:10 pm
You could try Norwich to Aberdeen - but a bit pricy!

I used to use that route a lot, before BA bought BMI and I lost my Star Alliance frequent flyer membership as a result.  As you say, now very pricey
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rr on 06 August, 2022, 10:04:21 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 06 August, 2022, 07:56:55 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 06 August, 2022, 02:27:10 pm
You could try Norwich to Aberdeen - but a bit pricy!

I used to use that route a lot, before BA bought BMI and I lost my Star Alliance frequent flyer membership as a result.  As you say, now very pricey
Last time I went up it was from city airport

Sent from my motorola edge 20 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rr on 06 August, 2022, 10:08:17 pm
Quote from: MattH on 25 July, 2022, 07:01:03 pm
Autofill seems to be a problem on some websites now, where they won't believe you've entered something in to a required field if Chrome has done it itself. So you have to click into each field, and type then delete a character so it realises there's something there to check.

I think web designers actively look for innovative usability fails, in an arms race against browser coders.
The best one is that Microsoft forms does not see text  entered using dragon, and deletes it when you click next or submit. You have to add something with the keyboard.

Sent from my motorola edge 20 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 06 August, 2022, 11:43:24 pm
Quote from: rr on 06 August, 2022, 10:04:21 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 06 August, 2022, 07:56:55 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 06 August, 2022, 02:27:10 pm
You could try Norwich to Aberdeen - but a bit pricy!

I used to use that route a lot, before BA bought BMI and I lost my Star Alliance frequent flyer membership as a result.  As you say, now very pricey
Last time I went up it was from city airport

Sent from my motorola edge 20 using Tapatalk

BA dropped the LCY route a long while ago, who were you flying with?

I used to use LCY to EDI regularly, and occiasionally to places like Zurich.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 08 August, 2022, 10:12:06 am
The Asbestos Place has reached the plateau of eternal maintenance, which means something falls apart every other week. So with the mystery broken window fixed (we will be finding glass on the driveway forever).

Anyway, yesterday I flushed the upstairs loo and water came out of the front, where the cistern is. I’ve quelled the noisy gurgling of many a hotel room toilet over the years, but some bright spark ensured these waterworks are sealed up and the inner workings secreted away. Tidy it may be, accessible without destruction it won’t be. Job for a grown-up.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rogerzilla on 08 August, 2022, 10:09:13 pm
Oh ffs, it's daddy longlegs time of year. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 08 August, 2022, 11:17:28 pm
Yes. Yes it is.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 09 August, 2022, 12:05:11 am
I quite like them. They don’t bite.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cycleman on 09 August, 2022, 06:45:58 am
My cats  🐈🐈‍⬛ like them to  :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 09 August, 2022, 07:08:01 am
Quote from: CAMRAMan on 06 August, 2022, 04:57:53 pm
Villager on Farcebook: Your recycling bin is overflowing because you can't be arsed to squash your boxes and empty plastic bottles. Don't blame the council for your laziness.

As someone who has communal recycling bins that aren't emptied often enough, people who don't flatten their boxes are one of my pet peeves. In my last place, I ended up putting laminated notices on the bins, and may have to do the same here - not that it would make any difference to the terminally lazy. >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 09 August, 2022, 07:43:53 am
Quote from: CAMRAMan on 06 August, 2022, 04:57:53 pm
Villager on Farcebook: Your recycling bin is overflowing because you can't be arsed to squash your boxes and empty plastic bottles. Don't blame the council for your laziness.

I think you're in the same bin collection area that we are in SuA?  - just wait until this person has to grapple with the new (severely reduced) collection regime!

... plastic bottles:  half a cup of boiling water from the kettle, crush, replace top - simples.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Giraffe on 09 August, 2022, 08:45:06 am
Bins outside flats: "Flat residents only" - less space needed and will reduce rubbish as 2-D residents are taken away.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 09 August, 2022, 08:59:22 am
Consett Pool was closed for 3 years after the Carillion-built pool with its all singing all dancing movable floor broke.
Opened July 1st. Closed again 8th August after, yes, the movable floor broke, leaving swimmers with a deep end deeper at one side than the other. It opened at 06:30 so I didn't have to rush to bike from there to work. Stanley Pool doesn't open till 7 which means I only get half an hour before I need to get moving to get to work. O, and I had MWF at Consett and Stanley only lets non-club in on WTh. And the route to Consett is gently uphill for 14km and the route to Stanley is brutally uphill.
Pah.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rogerzilla on 09 August, 2022, 10:19:19 am
Quote from: Giraffe on 09 August, 2022, 08:45:06 am
Bins outside flats: "Flat residents only" - less space needed and will reduce rubbish as 2-D residents are taken away.
What about Murdoc, Russel and Noodle?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 09 August, 2022, 01:51:40 pm
I ordered some samples of wall tiles the other day (all the same style) from 5 potential suppliers - received BUT only one supplier had the brains to label the tile or send any sort of information about the company - dumb or what?  Pretty basic sales/marketing stuff if you want to get any orders.

I managed to identify one as the sender name was on the label (Victoria Plumb, tile was awful) - not a bloody clue for the other 3???  What's annoying is that the one we probably want is one of the unknowns. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 09 August, 2022, 02:15:47 pm
Quote from: robgul on 09 August, 2022, 01:51:40 pm
I ordered some samples of wall tiles the other day (all the same style) from 5 potential suppliers - received BUT only one supplier had the brains to label the tile or send any sort of information about the company - dumb or what?  Pretty basic sales/marketing stuff if you want to get any orders.

I managed to identify one as the sender name was on the label (Victoria Plumb, tile was awful) - not a bloody clue for the other 3???  What's annoying is that the one we probably want is one of the unknowns.

Yes, I had the same issue a few months back with tiles. Total contrast to flooring samples, of which all I received were clearly labelled. Tile companies clearly need to speak to flooring companies!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 09 August, 2022, 02:27:01 pm
Quote from: phantasmagoriana on 09 August, 2022, 02:15:47 pm
Quote from: robgul on 09 August, 2022, 01:51:40 pm
I ordered some samples of wall tiles the other day (all the same style) from 5 potential suppliers - received BUT only one supplier had the brains to label the tile or send any sort of information about the company - dumb or what?  Pretty basic sales/marketing stuff if you want to get any orders.

I managed to identify one as the sender name was on the label (Victoria Plumb, tile was awful) - not a bloody clue for the other 3???  What's annoying is that the one we probably want is one of the unknowns.

Yes, I had the same issue a few months back with tiles. Total contrast to flooring samples, of which all I received were clearly labelled. Tile companies clearly need to speak to flooring companies!

Ditto - we were inundated with bits of wood, all labelled and many in fancy packaging.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 10 August, 2022, 01:03:35 pm
Just how does one request the lady of the house to stop interrupting you without it causing a flounce and slammed door? For clarity, I am trying to research the sourcing of paint to meet her requirements at a cost that will not excessive.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 10 August, 2022, 01:11:34 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 10 August, 2022, 01:03:35 pm
Just how does one request the lady of the house to stop interrupting you without it causing a flounce and slammed door? For clarity, I am trying to research the sourcing of paint to meet her requirements at a cost that will not excessive.

That's where you're going wrong, applying reason, JFDI, NOW!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 10 August, 2022, 01:13:43 pm
The lady of the house researches and buys the paint here...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fimm on 10 August, 2022, 01:15:01 pm
Dear cow-orker, while I don't mind you wandering around holding a conversation on your fancy wireless headphones, please don't stand behind my desk to do it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 15 August, 2022, 07:46:35 am
Need to get on with the barn door today but it's 15h August, yet another pestiferous religious holiday when Thou Shalt Not Make A Noise.  The village is quiet as the tomb, bar a raven family bawling to each other chimney to chimney: nobody's abroad, not even a BFO tractor or a little shit on a moped. Nor yet a little shit on a BFO tractor.  I hope it's because everyone has a crushing hangover.  I WANT TO WORK.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 15 August, 2022, 10:58:25 am
I’m liking the sound of France (or lack thereof). Here we have the Monday to Friday symphony of building works, other renovations and gardening. Then at the weekend we have the DIYers and their misguided adventures in home renovation.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 15 August, 2022, 05:25:18 pm
When are we going to be equipped with go gadget extendable legs, or jet packs? I've got a leaky gutter joint that shouldn't be rocket science to fix but it's located just out of reach of a)our ladder and b)the height I am comfortable being on a ladder at.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 15 August, 2022, 06:15:26 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 15 August, 2022, 05:25:18 pm
When are we going to be equipped with go gadget extendable legs, or jet packs? I've got a leaky gutter joint that shouldn't be rocket science to fix but it's located just out of reach of a)our ladder and b)the height I am comfortable being on a ladder at.

For similar reasons (well, he said he couldn't get a tower in, and the angles for ladders weren't conducive), we had to spaff an extra £350 on scaffolding for the roofer to fix the corner of our roof.

In other grumble news, I thought I'd take the first day of my holiday (before we get the train to parts foreign tomorrow) to check some tax things as I'm between accounting grown-ups (the last one retired). I'm pleased to now report that I am both in receipt of a £92 overpayment refund (a cheque, by golly) while simultaneously owing them £776 for underpayment. This is god's way of keeping tax accountants in employment.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 15 August, 2022, 06:21:45 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 15 August, 2022, 05:25:18 pm
When are we going to be equipped with go gadget extendable legs, or jet packs? I've got a leaky gutter joint that shouldn't be rocket science to fix but it's located just out of reach of a)our ladder and b)the height I am comfortable being on a ladder at.

I'm not sure I'd trust go-go-gadget legs at any height I'd be uncomfortable at on a ladder, tbh.  They don't look all that strong, and are known to be a little bit unpredictable.  Weirdly - and this isn't something you say often - the jet pack seems like the safer option.

Possibly something the elephant could help with, when it's outgrown car-washing duties?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 15 August, 2022, 09:01:02 pm
You could presumably use a really strong elephant's trunk as a cherry picker if it were so inclined, that would be handy. Speaking of which I need to phone the fecking cavity wall insulation people AGAIN and rip them a new one find out if they are going to hire one or just sit on my money forever.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 17 August, 2022, 11:09:08 am
Oi. Schafernaker.1  Where's my thunder and lightning?  You been promising me thunder storms for days now.

1 chosen at random. Any other media meteorologist will do
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 17 August, 2022, 03:31:26 pm
They're here in not-currently-sunny E17.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 17 August, 2022, 05:03:19 pm
So you're probably not American. Neither am I. But the client is, so they want Usanian spellings, and it's really rather simple to switch the language setting to "English USA", which will then catch all those -ise endings.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 18 August, 2022, 04:12:32 pm
My sister sent MrsT a bouquet of lilies and roses for her birthday yesterday.  MrsT has them on the kitchen table 'coz "otherwise we won't see them all day".  The bloody lilies stink to high heaven, it's a wonder the parrot hasn't keeled over. :sick:  MrsT's sense of smell is vestigial.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 18 August, 2022, 07:13:16 pm
One of my new Veloce levers is buggered already. I only put them on around the turn of the year and it's not like I've done thousands of miles since then.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 19 August, 2022, 10:26:22 am
Dear fellow residents:

You may not be aware, but there's a bin strike for the next two weeks. Yes, it sucks, but we all have to share the bins. I'm trying to minimise the amount of refuse I generate, on account of there being nowhere to actually put it. Just an idea.

So, do you think it's a good idea to fill the communal landfill bin with FURNITURE? Perfectly functional furniture which you could have donated to charity, or offered on Freecycle? >:(

(Reader, I retrieved it, like the feral bin-diver that I am. Now cleaned and offered on Freecycle...no doubt the selfish idiots will soon fill the bin again... :-\)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 19 August, 2022, 10:42:50 am
Quote from: phantasmagoriana on 19 August, 2022, 10:26:22 am
Dear fellow residents:

You may not be aware, but there's a bin strike for the next two weeks. Yes, it sucks, but we all have to share the bins. I'm trying to minimise the amount of refuse I generate, on account of there being nowhere to actually put it. Just an idea.

So, do you think it's a good idea to fill the communal landfill bin with FURNITURE? Perfectly functional furniture which you could have donated to charity, or offered on Freecycle? >:(

(Reader, I retrieved it, like the feral bin-diver that I am. Now cleaned and offered on Freecycle...no doubt the selfish idiots will soon fill the bin again... :-\)
This might not apply where you are, but it's student moving time. The furniture might not have been dumped by anyone who it belongs to but by a BTL landlord's doer-uppers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 19 August, 2022, 11:05:14 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 19 August, 2022, 10:42:50 am
Quote from: phantasmagoriana on 19 August, 2022, 10:26:22 am
Dear fellow residents:

You may not be aware, but there's a bin strike for the next two weeks. Yes, it sucks, but we all have to share the bins. I'm trying to minimise the amount of refuse I generate, on account of there being nowhere to actually put it. Just an idea.

So, do you think it's a good idea to fill the communal landfill bin with FURNITURE? Perfectly functional furniture which you could have donated to charity, or offered on Freecycle? >:(

(Reader, I retrieved it, like the feral bin-diver that I am. Now cleaned and offered on Freecycle...no doubt the selfish idiots will soon fill the bin again... :-\)
This might not apply where you are, but it's student moving time. The furniture might not have been dumped by anyone who it belongs to but by a BTL landlord's doer-uppers.

Could well be - plenty of students around here (oh the joys of city living...). Normally the landlords don't actually bother to throw stuff in the bins, though - they just dump it next to them. I could probably make a full-time job out of reporting fly tipping, overflowing bins, and the like... :-\
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 19 August, 2022, 11:24:45 am
Quote from: phantasmagoriana on 19 August, 2022, 11:05:14 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 19 August, 2022, 10:42:50 am
Quote from: phantasmagoriana on 19 August, 2022, 10:26:22 am
Dear fellow residents:

You may not be aware, but there's a bin strike for the next two weeks. Yes, it sucks, but we all have to share the bins. I'm trying to minimise the amount of refuse I generate, on account of there being nowhere to actually put it. Just an idea.

So, do you think it's a good idea to fill the communal landfill bin with FURNITURE? Perfectly functional furniture which you could have donated to charity, or offered on Freecycle? >:(

(Reader, I retrieved it, like the feral bin-diver that I am. Now cleaned and offered on Freecycle...no doubt the selfish idiots will soon fill the bin again... :-\)
This might not apply where you are, but it's student moving time. The furniture might not have been dumped by anyone who it belongs to but by a BTL landlord's doer-uppers.

Could well be - plenty of students around here (oh the joys of city living...). Normally the landlords don't actually bother to throw stuff in the bins, though - they just dump it next to them. I could probably make a full-time job out of reporting fly tipping, overflowing bins, and the like... :-\
Or a calendar to match Mr Larrington's Mattresses of Walthamstow and Kim's Fridges of Selly Oak.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 19 August, 2022, 11:29:37 am
I'm aggrieved to find that my new £75 waterproof, worn once in the rain and twice just in case, has an actual hole in it rather than purely cosmetic scuffs.

Which are probably from LEL where it didn't get worn for a single moment.



Sent from my SM-G525F using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ravenbait on 19 August, 2022, 11:58:53 am
Why is it that manufacturers of performance nutrition make their powders and tabs to be dissolved in 500ml of water, and ALSO sell bottles that are 650ml in size?

Looking at you, Veloforte.

Sam
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 19 August, 2022, 12:50:22 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 19 August, 2022, 11:24:45 am
Quote from: phantasmagoriana on 19 August, 2022, 11:05:14 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 19 August, 2022, 10:42:50 am
Quote from: phantasmagoriana on 19 August, 2022, 10:26:22 am
Dear fellow residents:

You may not be aware, but there's a bin strike for the next two weeks. Yes, it sucks, but we all have to share the bins. I'm trying to minimise the amount of refuse I generate, on account of there being nowhere to actually put it. Just an idea.

So, do you think it's a good idea to fill the communal landfill bin with FURNITURE? Perfectly functional furniture which you could have donated to charity, or offered on Freecycle? >:(

(Reader, I retrieved it, like the feral bin-diver that I am. Now cleaned and offered on Freecycle...no doubt the selfish idiots will soon fill the bin again... :-\)
This might not apply where you are, but it's student moving time. The furniture might not have been dumped by anyone who it belongs to but by a BTL landlord's doer-uppers.

Could well be - plenty of students around here (oh the joys of city living...). Normally the landlords don't actually bother to throw stuff in the bins, though - they just dump it next to them. I could probably make a full-time job out of reporting fly tipping, overflowing bins, and the like... :-\
Or a calendar to match Mr Larrington's Mattresses of Walthamstow and Kim's Fridges of Selly Oak.

While I'd love to be able to take the credit for the Mattresses of Walthamstow calendars they are the product of the Walthamstow Tourist Board, aka one Gemma Rigg.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 19 August, 2022, 12:51:24 pm
Quote from: ravenbait on 19 August, 2022, 11:58:53 am
Why is it that manufacturers of performance nutrition make their powders and tabs to be dissolved in 500ml of water, and ALSO sell bottles that are 650ml in size?

Looking at you, Veloforte.

Sam

Because they only dissolve if you really vigorously shake the bottle. Needs some extra room to get that agitation.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 19 August, 2022, 12:56:33 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 19 August, 2022, 12:51:24 pm
Quote from: ravenbait on 19 August, 2022, 11:58:53 am
Why is it that manufacturers of performance nutrition make their powders and tabs to be dissolved in 500ml of water, and ALSO sell bottles that are 650ml in size?

Looking at you, Veloforte.

Sam

Because they only dissolve if you really vigorously shake the bottle. Needs some extra room to get that agitation.

Maybe for powders, but Nuun and SIS tablets dissolve very well.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ravenbait on 19 August, 2022, 01:16:26 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 19 August, 2022, 12:51:24 pm
Quote from: ravenbait on 19 August, 2022, 11:58:53 am
Why is it that manufacturers of performance nutrition make their powders and tabs to be dissolved in 500ml of water, and ALSO sell bottles that are 650ml in size?

Looking at you, Veloforte.

Sam

Because they only dissolve if you really vigorously shake the bottle. Needs some extra room to get that agitation.

Which would be fine if they put a 500ml marker on the bottle.

But they don't.

Sam
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ravenbait on 19 August, 2022, 01:17:15 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 19 August, 2022, 12:56:33 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 19 August, 2022, 12:51:24 pm
Quote from: ravenbait on 19 August, 2022, 11:58:53 am
Why is it that manufacturers of performance nutrition make their powders and tabs to be dissolved in 500ml of water, and ALSO sell bottles that are 650ml in size?

Looking at you, Veloforte.

Sam

Because they only dissolve if you really vigorously shake the bottle. Needs some extra room to get that agitation.

Maybe for powders, but Nuun and SIS tablets dissolve very well.

To be fair to Veloforte, not only do their powders taste revolting, they have bits in. So you probably do need the extra shake room.

Sam
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 19 August, 2022, 01:29:30 pm
Loose crank on the Perfectly Good Gentleman’s Mountain Bicycle.  Can I find the outsize Allen key required for tightening it?

Why, no!  No, I cannot!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 19 August, 2022, 03:43:35 pm
So it’s currently an almost perfectly good gentleman’s mountain bicycle then?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 19 August, 2022, 03:46:16 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 19 August, 2022, 03:43:35 pm
So it’s currently an almost perfectly good gentleman’s mountain bicycle then?
Is that a gentleman's mountain bicycle that is almost perfectly good or a mountain bicycle for an almost perfectly good gentleman?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 19 August, 2022, 05:12:02 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 19 August, 2022, 03:46:16 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 19 August, 2022, 03:43:35 pm
So it’s currently an almost perfectly good gentleman’s mountain bicycle then?
Is that a gentleman's mountain bicycle that is almost perfectly good or a mountain bicycle for an almost perfectly good gentleman?
I plead the 5th!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 19 August, 2022, 05:16:20 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 19 August, 2022, 03:46:16 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 19 August, 2022, 03:43:35 pm
So it’s currently an almost perfectly good gentleman’s mountain bicycle then?
Is that a gentleman's mountain bicycle that is almost perfectly good or a mountain bicycle for an almost perfectly good gentleman?

Yes.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wowbagger on 19 August, 2022, 07:19:20 pm
My Dear Wife and I decided at short notice to partake of a pub meal. We are sitting outside the Peterboat in Leigh. I am drinking tap water. The asking price for a pint of ordinary IPA is £7.05.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 19 August, 2022, 11:16:02 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 19 August, 2022, 03:46:16 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 19 August, 2022, 03:43:35 pm
So it’s currently an almost perfectly good gentleman’s mountain bicycle then?
Is that a gentleman's mountain bicycle that is almost perfectly good or a mountain bicycle for an almost perfectly good gentleman?

Shirley the latter?  A gentleman should always have Allen keys handy.  After all, he'll need them for adjusting the lathe.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 20 August, 2022, 10:41:20 am
One of the flats below me is being renovated.  Hammering & banging since 08:00 this morning, and a big pile of removed kitchen cabinets left outside.   It had been on the market for ages.  I'd guess another slumlord has snapped it up for his portfolio. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 20 August, 2022, 10:42:10 pm
Mrsc really wanted a picnic bench in the garden for when we had guests. Just in case there was some sunshine someday.
Very expensive £600 picnic bench selected. We agree I will go back and pick it up in the car because it is flat pack and I'll have to put some on the roof and some in the back.
Get home, lift it off the car. It was a ton. I promptly drop the top on my face, bend my glasses and bruise my face. I then spend the next 4 hours in the absolutely pissing rain putting the bloody thing together. £600 and some of the parts didn't fit. A circular saw was involved in making adjustments.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 21 August, 2022, 07:50:48 pm
Well this is fun. If you are a Brit and took your driving licence before 97 you have C1 added automatically. But as a Dane who took his before 97 in DK, that didn't get added to his UK licence. So now I'm trying to apply to get a provisional licence so that I can take the various tests and get the C1 licence. The new online system at DVLA tells me since I don't have a UK passport I have to use the old system (and it shows :) ) but the old system just says no.

I updated/changed my DK licence to a UK one, because the EU rule said that you can only use the DK one for a year in another EU country before you had to get the local one (easy thing to do 8 years ago). Never really had to use or do it beforehand. Since I didn't drive or owned a car before 8 years ago in the UK. And when I rented I just said I was visiting for a wee while or had only lived here for 4-5 month. To sneak past that rule and check by the rental place.

I have now asked the DVLA online to send me the two forms (D2 and D4) so that I can fill them in and send back. To see if it is possible to apply for a provisional C1 licence via old school snail mail.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 22 August, 2022, 04:41:31 pm
Update on the C1 licence. I can't fill it in online, reason unknown/untold by the DVLA chat tool (first a bot then a helpful and fast person) But I can do it via snails. the D4 medical test is cheaper if you go with companies than your GP (£50 vs £140). And for some reason it's only valid for 3 months. Where as your licence you get at say 18 is valid aaallllllll the way to your are 70 (bar any major medical) heck your eye sight isn't really informed to the DVLA unless you say or your doctor update your medical paper with something like person lost eyes.

Update on the C1 licence: just talked to an instructor who told me to hold fire as I could end up saving £1000+ As the government is in talk with the various orgs (RAC, AA etc) to add C1 back onto all driving licences. This is due to be finished by October, but yes the gov could use the next 6+ months nattering and general faffing about before they agree to anything. Though there's also the question is this applied to people who swapped the native licence to a UK one. And there's pressure for the government to get the C1 on all driver's licence since they (the industry) are in desperate need of driver's. The instructor told me to give them a bell in mid Oct to see if they had heard something new.

They are taking in bookings in for driving tests in Nov/Dec. And DVLA is known to take 2-10 weeks to send back your provisional licence, so plan ahead if you are thinking about getting extras to your licences. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 23 August, 2022, 08:22:50 pm
Talking of excessive bureaucracy, I’m in Swindon this evening my Ms Beardy the younger so she can take the OSKE nursing exam.

She’s a qualified and experienced nurse, but because she had the audacity to be poorly for a couple of years and didn’t complete her 3 yearly professional assessment, she now has to be reassessed as an overseas applicant to regain her PIN so she can carry on nursing. At a cost of £800 pulse the expense of travelling from east Anglia to Swindon. And this is the streamlined version because they are so desperate for nurses.  Before last year, she would have had to enrol on a 4 month ‘return to practise’ course.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: arabella on 23 August, 2022, 09:37:51 pm
Reminds me that when I wanted a year off after childbirth back in the late 1990s.  I was told I couldn't as I'd forget everything. (or somesuch).
A few years later on the rules changed so they had to let people take a year off after maternity.  How I laughed, very dryly.

When are they going to make a similar adjustment to paternity leave I wonder? After all, Bojo "I don't know how many chilren I have" and JRM "I've never changed a nappy" may be on their way out.

$employer told me they couldn't afford to implement the same maternity and paternity schemes.  Does that mean they are deliberately employong men rather than women to reduce their cost base, I ask myself.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 27 August, 2022, 05:00:43 pm
With my ongoing annoyance at not being able to get a decent feed with English commentary for F1 in any way approaching reliability, I started to cave in a bit and look into getting Sky TV. I won’t be caving an any more given that to pay for 400 sportball matches and an unknown quantity of golfist carryons, neither of which I’m even slightly interested in. Not to mention further payment for a shed load of entertainment channels that we probably won’t watch.

Oh, and that’s before you consider the generally opaque presentation of what it really costs with discounted prices shown and 18 months minimum contract periods with the rider ‘costs could increase within this time.

I don’t think I’ll be investing in sky any time soon.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 27 August, 2022, 05:08:40 pm
My IPX7 rated dash-cam got rained on on Thursday and now has water inside it, which considering it's IPX7 is not where the water should be able to get to.  As a result, I have no footage of Thursday or Friday, Friday being when I would have had soem decent footage of some of the climbing I did.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 28 August, 2022, 08:25:50 pm
We’re watching some programme on Netflix about a set of twins who swap places with each other. It’s a bit complicated because that fact wasn’t initially introduced. I’m having a hard time following it, mostly because the sub-titles have slipped and I can’t work out who is saying what to whom. That coupled with the loss of interest because I wasn’t that interested in it to start with  a bit slow with nothing blowing up or anything.
Dr Beardy seems hooked though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 29 August, 2022, 07:31:46 am
You have just explained  very well why I detest subtitles, because they very rarely match the action, I also find them very visually intrusive and attract my attention away from the thing I'm watching.  So because I refused to watch the latest Bond with them on yesterday, Mrs ED was trying  my patience by
a) asking pointless questions such as where is Dame JD?
2) asking "why is he doing that" questions repeatedly when I'd seen as much of the film as her, or asking  "what did he just say" (she alleges her hearing is better than mine despite mine being regularly tested) and
iii) eating crunchy shit in my ear'ole

Do I qualify as a grumpy old curmudgeon yet?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 29 August, 2022, 08:19:59 am
Quote from: ElyDave on 29 August, 2022, 07:31:46 am
You have just explained  very well why I detest subtitles, because they very rarely match the action, I also find them very visually intrusive and attract my attention away from the thing I'm watching.  So because I refused to watch the latest Bond with them on yesterday, Mrs ED was trying  my patience by
a) asking pointless questions such as where is Dame JD?
2) asking "why is he doing that" questions repeatedly when I'd seen as much of the film as her, or asking  "what did he just say" (she alleges her hearing is better than mine despite mine being regularly tested) and
iii) eating crunchy shit in my ear'ole

Do I qualify as a grumpy old curmudgeon yet?

I rather like films or programs where the story or background of the characters slowly unfolds. You don't know what is going on. They don't know what is going on.

MrsC does not enjoy these: "What is this about? What is the point of them doing that, why is this happening?"  Just watch the damn movie and find out.

So you have my sympathy.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 29 August, 2022, 08:20:52 am
I think all women are programmed to ask those questions if there is a man sat next to them. 😂😂
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 29 August, 2022, 09:52:32 am
Quote from: chrisbainbridge on 29 August, 2022, 08:20:52 am
I think all women are programmed to ask those questions if there is a man sat next to them. 😂😂

It's the other way around in our house.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 29 August, 2022, 10:36:41 am
My aunt points at Shir Shean on the telly and asks: “Why's he dressed as a Russian?”

The film?  “The Hunt For Red October” :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 30 August, 2022, 11:12:48 am
At Christmas I was given a £50 voucher for Waterstones.   Can I find it ?  Can I hell.  I suspect I've got until late November to find & use it. Time to do some tidying.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 30 August, 2022, 12:21:24 pm
Bloody stupid idiotic and moronic .gov.uk webform.

First it asks me for a 16 digit number AND 5 digit offence code (yes, I’m a bad boy and I’m paying a speeding charge)

Then it asks my for my payment details, and then it gives me a 24 (twenty four) digit reference number which it then tells me is a transaction number that is issued regardless of whether the payment was successful or not. Apparently I need to check my bank statement to see if the transaction was successful.

Ok, that’s done then.

Nope.

I have a paper form that they sent me with the initial number and offence code which now requires me to copy the 24 digit number into a too small box, and also write my FULL name in another box which is next to my printed full name and address. I’ve the. To sign and date the form which I’ve to snail mail to them with my driving license so the can annotate the record they have of my driving licence so they can send my driving license unmolested back to me.

Questions;
Who the hell designs these processes, because it sure as hell isn’t someone familiar with process design
Who the hell designs these on line forms, again it isn’t someone familiar with online forms
And finally, the paper form has obviously been updated to support the online process, but not by someone with half a brain.

Even I could come up with a better process and forms and I was only the project manager of such things employing people with skillz to do the actual work.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 30 August, 2022, 04:02:26 pm
Where have you horble gits hidden the Post Office in the High Street?  It used to be next door to the library, and now it isn’t >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 30 August, 2022, 04:05:47 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 30 August, 2022, 04:02:26 pm
Where have you horble gits hidden the Post Office in the High Street?  It used to be next door to the library, and now it isn’t >:(

I'm sure you'll have found it on How St, next door-ish to Maccy D's.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 30 August, 2022, 04:15:55 pm
Rode right past the one on Hoe Street without noticing it was there (they've moved that one too) and the one in Forest Road was all out of 1949-model IDPs.  But now I know where they all are – having consulted Thee Mappe – so will renew my quest tomorrow.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 30 August, 2022, 06:56:11 pm
Our PO is now only open for about 5 hours a day.  3 hours from 9 and 2 hours from 2 o'clock and no longer opens on Saturday mornings.  Words like inadequate, pathetic and useless come to mind.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 30 August, 2022, 10:40:06 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 30 August, 2022, 11:12:48 am
At Christmas I was given a £50 voucher for Waterstones.   Can I find it ?  Can I hell.  I suspect I've got until late November to find & use it. Time to do some tidying.  :facepalm:
In the pigskin writing case I inherited from my grandfather. In an envelope marked "Phil Tickets".     :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Paul on 31 August, 2022, 10:23:41 am
Quote from: andrewc on 30 August, 2022, 10:40:06 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 30 August, 2022, 11:12:48 am
At Christmas I was given a £50 voucher for Waterstones.   Can I find it ?  Can I hell.  I suspect I've got until late November to find & use it. Time to do some tidying.  :facepalm:
In the pigskin writing case I inherited from my grandfather. In an envelope marked "Phil Tickets".     :thumbsup:
Ah, the epitome of “somewhere safe”.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 31 August, 2022, 11:00:49 am
Fucking cars.
In Edinburgh. Junior has just kerbed his car destroying both lefthand tyres on his older Ford Focus.
"Daddy gips it!"

Two flats, one spare.
Swap one flat for spare to hold car up, take flat wheel to tyre place.
Explain situation, purchase 2 new tyres, one fitted to this wheel, and we will return shortly with the other.

Only the second flat cannot be removed.
Locking nut mangled and tool breaks in it.
To the Ford dealer.... you need the magic key code which we do not have, and then a several week delivery time!
Call out a mobile wheelnut remover guy who has at it with a BFO impact wrench.
After an hour, he has broken the wrench. Gives up.
No longer a roadside job, requires recovery to workshop for possibly destructive removal.

Oh look, he has RAC cover with his insurance.
This is utterly worthless.
Took 5 hours for someone to show up, with robo-texts every 30 mins.
When they finally show up, at 8 PM, its a man inna van, despite being repeatedly told its a recovery job.
He takes one look at it and says "That's a recovery job, mate!". No shit.
He taps at his ipad and calls out a recovery truck.
Incoming text... we are now back at square one, and we can expect another 5 hour wait.
We cancel the recovery, which I think is what they wanted anyway.

This morning, I called a local recovery company and talked to an actual person, and have an actual timed appointment for this afternoon.  Here's hoping.

<ETA> Yep, local recovery service:
-Call picked up instantly by human.
-Took basic details, tells me driver will call back shortly to arrange time.
-Driver does indeed call back within 5 mins, and says 'early PM, will call back at 10:30 with more accurate time'.
-Driver calls back at 10:30 as promised, and makes appointment for 12:30.
-Driver shows up at 12:28.
-Cost of recovery from one side of Edin to the other, one hour total elapsed time: £80.  Was on the lower end of what I was expecting.

Driver said that around 80% of his work was from people utterly frustrated by RAC and similar.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 31 August, 2022, 11:12:27 am
I think I'd be ranting, rather than grumbling, Feanor.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 31 August, 2022, 06:44:15 pm
Just learned that the Edmonton branch of the Happy Swedish Halls Of Joy is closing.  Arse >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 31 August, 2022, 07:04:59 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 31 August, 2022, 06:44:15 pm
Just learned that the Edmonton branch of the Happy Swedish Halls Of Joy is closing.  Arse >:(

Has closed today more like.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 31 August, 2022, 07:19:47 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 31 August, 2022, 06:44:15 pm
Just learned that the Edmonton branch of the Happy Swedish Halls Of Joy is closing.  Arse >:(

That was announced a while ago - seems an odd decision?   - but then so was the closure of Coventry as that served a vast tract of country to the east of Brum

IIRC years ago the Edmonton/North Circular Road site was a Queensway Furniture store?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 01 September, 2022, 08:35:05 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 31 August, 2022, 06:44:15 pm
Just learned that the Edmonton branch of the Happy Swedish Halls Of Joy is closing.  Arse >:(
DKUATB!
Was announced months ago...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 01 September, 2022, 08:40:34 pm
I've got what I assume is a skin tag on my neck. It's tiny. It's really fucking irritating though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 01 September, 2022, 09:16:24 pm
So I need some crispy* folding FOREIGN banknotes on account of going to Abroad next week.  But soft!  What is this?  HorseyBank will deliver it to you door the following afternoon if you order it before time X, free gratis and for nothing!  So because I was having to stay in anyway for the useless workshy twats of UPS to (fail to) deliver a new NAS, I thought “I will have some of that, oh yes!”  And ordered some USD at a time well before X o'clock.  And guess what?

They’re not here >:(

* Very few banknotes in this day and age are actually crispy but…

Edit: turns out they use Royal Snail for delivery.  Royal Snail, unlike UPS, are not useless workshy twats but they were on strike on Wednesday.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 03 September, 2022, 09:39:04 am
Rain's brought back the mozzies.  The bloody things were singing in my ear last night and gave me two adjacent itchy lumps on my right hand for an encore.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 04 September, 2022, 09:18:18 am
People who paint over door hinges. Just stop it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 04 September, 2022, 02:40:07 pm
I have an advance ticket on a train. The train is running 56 minutes late. There are other trains. Can I take one of those?

"No! No, you can't get on this train unless yours is one hour late!"


ETA: Despite running below line speed, it looks like it's going to arrive at KGX a mere 59 minutes late, so avoiding the delay repay.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 04 September, 2022, 06:22:36 pm
ah that old chestnut, France have used that for years. Weighing up which train would end up costing the most if delayed and then set it on a fast track to destination, not stopping at "cheaper" stations. Great fun if you are going into terminus as you will be flying, though not so if you were planning to get off at a station you are now flying past.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cygnet on 04 September, 2022, 11:24:40 pm
Well not quite.

If you are on a time critical journey it may be better to have reserved seats on an open ticket. Advance tickets are sold for one specified  train, so if it's late tough.

Obviously they will try to keep all trains under the hr delay to reduce refunds regardless of whether you have an advance ticket.  I think there's a partial refund for +30m?

Useful to note that split tickets which seem to becoming a popular alternative to advance tickets, also mean you have less opportunity for recompense for delays.

It's almost as if the TOCs and NR have run the numbers on their contracts for ticket income v ticket refunds due to delays, and agreed how to mitigate losses.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 05 September, 2022, 07:40:51 am
And of course each TOC has it's own rules about when and if you can claim a partial or full refund and/or hop onto another service.

I think that the hopping onto an alternative service requires an actual agreement for each instance of delay.  The default is NO.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 05 September, 2022, 09:26:34 am
Aren't most TOCs on management contracts now rather than any form of p&l?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 05 September, 2022, 09:02:32 pm
OK, it ended up 70 minutes late, so I get the refund.

The station staff said the rule for LNER for taking an alternative was 60 minutes. They also agreed that the stated 56 minutes late was optimistic a LIE, given that the train was somewhere north of Grantham, so even if it wasn't broken it would have to break records if it really did arrive less than an hour late.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 09 September, 2022, 12:15:09 pm
Hotmail's spam filters seemed to be a bit overwhelmed in recent days  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 10 September, 2022, 01:21:32 pm
Something's intermittently bipping.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 11 September, 2022, 10:55:22 am
Luton Airport: your 3-letter code is LTN. Always has been, so your branding using LLA is confusing. Luton ain't in London, however wishful your thinking might be, so stick with LTN, kthxbai...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 11 September, 2022, 01:48:30 pm
What do you expect from a townful of hatters?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 11 September, 2022, 04:35:00 pm
They don't want to be mistaken for a Local Traffic Neighbourhood.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 11 September, 2022, 04:49:35 pm
Dear job applicants, please stop contacting me through LinkedIn. This will not help your case – more so if done repeatedly – and no, I won't respond. The application is thataway, follow the instructions and apply if you are interested and would like to be considered.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Captain Nemo on 11 September, 2022, 05:44:50 pm
Quote from: CAMRAMan on 11 September, 2022, 10:55:22 am
Luton Airport: your 3-letter code is LTN. Always has been, so your branding using LLA is confusing. Luton ain't in London, however wishful your thinking might be, so stick with LTN, kthxbai...

LLA is the code for Lulea airport in Sweden...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 11 September, 2022, 06:14:21 pm
I have been there, as it happens...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 11 September, 2022, 06:16:40 pm
Surely time they rebranded as Lulea Stockholm, if not Lulea London!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 11 September, 2022, 07:49:33 pm
Quote from: ian
...contacting me through LinkedIn.
LinkedIn is still a thing?  Gosh.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 11 September, 2022, 07:59:56 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 11 September, 2022, 06:16:40 pm
Surely time they rebranded as Lulea Stockholm, if not Lulea London!
Even by Ryanair standards that's a stretch!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 11 September, 2022, 11:13:02 pm
All airports eventually get appropriated by London.  We're going to end up with London Baikonur and London Kennedy eventually.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 11 September, 2022, 11:16:19 pm
London Kennedy is fine, it's when what's at the other end is also described as London...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 11 September, 2022, 11:23:23 pm
London Tranquillity.  It's only a matter of time.  And delta-v.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 12 September, 2022, 10:28:08 am
Quote from: TheLurker on 11 September, 2022, 07:49:33 pm
Quote from: ian
...contacting me through LinkedIn.
LinkedIn is still a thing?  Gosh.

LinkedIn is bigger than ever, and the company seems to have plans to expand well beyond the 'professional contacts version of facebook' paradigm. Training courses, marketing products; it is all there.

I've found contract work through Linked in, plus my previous and current job.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 12 September, 2022, 10:43:47 am
Yeah, LinkedIn still a (very big) thing, though I'll say the quality of the applicants we raise through it is at the very shit end of very variable. Read the fucking job description. Here's a handy way (https://viralpostgenerator.com/?target=998942e43ce445e7a8ed43cc51862f42&params=%7B%7D) to compose your own posts.

It's more useful for professional stalking, figuring out who's who in the competitors, so we can try to steal them. Honestly, we have a hard time with open applications, if you need to fill a role, go find them. Unfortunately, I have five roles open at the moment so I'll be reading CVs until the end of time. Fortunately, I only have to do the final interviews.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 12 September, 2022, 10:53:06 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 11 September, 2022, 06:16:40 pm
Surely time they rebranded as Lulea Stockholm, if not Lulea London!

except Stockholm's airport is Arlanda... (yes, I've been there several times.)

and as everybody knows, LLA is the code for Llanfair Caereinion railway station.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 12 September, 2022, 10:59:57 am
Yes, the point was rather that it's nowhere near either Stockholm or London.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 12 September, 2022, 04:13:56 pm
Quote from: mrcharly
...LinkedIn is bigger than ever

Quote from: ian
Yeah, LinkedIn still a (very big) thing...

How depressing.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 13 September, 2022, 07:41:06 am
Quote from: TheLurker on 12 September, 2022, 04:13:56 pm
Quote from: mrcharly
...LinkedIn is bigger than ever

Quote from: ian
Yeah, LinkedIn still a (very big) thing...

How depressing.

Why is that depressing?

Via LinkedIn, I'm still in touch with the (ex) managing director of a software firm I worked for 20 years ago. I have no desire to link 'social media' accounts to him, no interest in his family, but it is interesting seeing what he is doing (working on an aerospace communications centre).

Pre-linked-in, I was a member of a usergroup for technical authors on Yahoo (remember yahoo groups?).

What is different (or bad) about Linked In?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 13 September, 2022, 08:18:36 am
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 13 September, 2022, 07:41:06 am
Quote from: TheLurker on 12 September, 2022, 04:13:56 pm
Quote from: mrcharly
...LinkedIn is bigger than ever

Quote from: ian
Yeah, LinkedIn still a (very big) thing...

How depressing.

Why is that depressing?

Via LinkedIn, I'm still in touch with the (ex) managing director of a software firm I worked for 20 years ago. I have no desire to link 'social media' accounts to him, no interest in his family, but it is interesting seeing what he is doing (working on an aerospace communications centre).

Pre-linked-in, I was a member of a usergroup for technical authors on Yahoo (remember yahoo groups?).

What is different (or bad) about Linked In?

All the recruiters.
Merely existing doesn’t make you someone I know professionally.
If you’re offering me a JavaScript job then I suspect your client is too desperate to be somewhere I want to jump ship to.

But I do like it (as noted above) as a way to keep in touch with ex-colleagues. If I was looking for a job it would be part of my search.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 13 September, 2022, 09:00:08 am
Quote from: perpetual dan on 13 September, 2022, 08:18:36 am
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 13 September, 2022, 07:41:06 am
Quote from: TheLurker on 12 September, 2022, 04:13:56 pm
Quote from: mrcharly
...LinkedIn is bigger than ever

Quote from: ian
Yeah, LinkedIn still a (very big) thing...

How depressing.

Why is that depressing?

Via LinkedIn, I'm still in touch with the (ex) managing director of a software firm I worked for 20 years ago. I have no desire to link 'social media' accounts to him, no interest in his family, but it is interesting seeing what he is doing (working on an aerospace communications centre).

Pre-linked-in, I was a member of a usergroup for technical authors on Yahoo (remember yahoo groups?).

What is different (or bad) about Linked In?

All the recruiters.
Merely existing doesn’t make you someone I know professionally.
If you’re offering me a JavaScript job then I suspect your client is too desperate to be somewhere I want to jump ship to.

But I do like it (as noted above) as a way to keep in touch with ex-colleagues. If I was looking for a job it would be part of my search.
Not a single one of the jobs I've had (via linked in) involved recruitment agencies.

I've either been searching (and found the job listed on there) or been contacted directly.

It's much better than JobServe. (anyone remember JobServe?)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 13 September, 2022, 10:01:34 am
I don't mind LinkedIn, it keeps my professional life distinct from other social media. Yes, some of the posts are toe-curling, but mostly it's a resource for finding people. Professional stalking I call it. It also satisfies those idle 'I wonder what they're doing now' queries about former colleagues and associates (and exes).

Yeah, I get a lot of recruiters contacting me to sell me candidates, but you can (and I do) ignore them. I get a lot of people offering me jobs (or at the least the opportunity to apply for them, some on target, some off). The quality of CVs we get via LinkedIn are variable, it does get a backwash of keyword-based applications, but I work in a field where direct recruitment is a far better option, so LinkedIn is a good resource for finding who's who, and who works in similar teams for our competitors, so we can sic the 'talent acquisition' (HR is always going to HR) on them.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 13 September, 2022, 11:38:10 am
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 13 September, 2022, 09:00:08 am
Quote from: perpetual dan on 13 September, 2022, 08:18:36 am
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 13 September, 2022, 07:41:06 am
Quote from: TheLurker on 12 September, 2022, 04:13:56 pm
Quote from: mrcharly
...LinkedIn is bigger than ever

Quote from: ian
Yeah, LinkedIn still a (very big) thing...

How depressing.

Why is that depressing?

Via LinkedIn, I'm still in touch with the (ex) managing director of a software firm I worked for 20 years ago. I have no desire to link 'social media' accounts to him, no interest in his family, but it is interesting seeing what he is doing (working on an aerospace communications centre).

Pre-linked-in, I was a member of a usergroup for technical authors on Yahoo (remember yahoo groups?).

What is different (or bad) about Linked In?

All the recruiters.
Merely existing doesn’t make you someone I know professionally.
If you’re offering me a JavaScript job then I suspect your client is too desperate to be somewhere I want to jump ship to.

But I do like it (as noted above) as a way to keep in touch with ex-colleagues. If I was looking for a job it would be part of my search.
Not a single one of the jobs I've had (via linked in) involved recruitment agencies.

I've either been searching (and found the job listed on there) or been contacted directly.

It's much better than JobServe. (anyone remember JobServe?)

Oh for sure, it's useful.
It's just that (in comparison to a special interest group) i get a lot of recruitment spam and connection requests from recruiters that i have no connection with. It makes spotting useful interactions harder.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 13 September, 2022, 03:50:50 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 12 September, 2022, 10:59:57 am
Yes, the point was rather that it's nowhere near either Stockholm or London.

I didn't have a clue where Lulea was!  I couldn't be arsed to check, so assumed it was a Swedish regional airport.  For all I know, it might be on Christmas Island, or Easter Island, or second Sunday in Ascension Island.

I thought it might be more likely I'd get a lippy comment that there isn't a railway station in Llanfair Caereinion, but I'll be working there tomorrow, so there is, so there!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 13 September, 2022, 03:52:58 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT
Quote from: TheLurker
Quote from: mrcharly
...LinkedIn is bigger than ever

Quote from: ian
Yeah, LinkedIn still a (very big) thing...

How depressing.

Why is that depressing?

What is different (or bad) about Linked In?
From the very brief time that I was signed up a long time ago the volume of utterly, utterly, *utterly* irrelevant spam from slave traders and requests to be "fiends"*.  I wasn't that impressed by the turgid and vainglorious boasting that seemed to constitute most profiles either.  So, if Linked-In is currently the best bet for finding new work the prospect of having to sign up there is too, too depressing for m'dear.  There are other reasons as well, but they are purely commercial in nature.

As for keeping in touch with ex-colleagues. There is the wonderful invention called e-mail or even, if they hang out on the same forums as oneself, the personal message.

Yeah I remember yahoo groups,  aren't we old? :)

*Or whatever the LI terminology was/is.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 13 September, 2022, 06:04:12 pm
You are just jealous that I have 794 followers.

Never make the mistake of setting your profile to 'hiring' though, I swear the entire population of India contacted me in a single afternoon.

Seriously people, hounding me personally will not gain you my favour in the hiring process (I'm not even the hiring manager for any of these roles).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 15 September, 2022, 04:29:20 pm
D has optician's appointment at 16.30 today. Shop is about 400m hence.
Sets off on foot at 16.20.
Phone call from opticians at 16.22, wanting him...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 16 September, 2022, 05:38:09 pm
Leisure centre provider, if the pool is now open because you fixed it, maybe you could take the message off your website that it's closed, and maybe post a note to the effect that has reopened in any of your social media channels. That way I wouldn't have to randomly find out about it from someone who managed to evade your answering machine.

Hopefully be a quiet session though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 18 September, 2022, 02:22:20 pm
I’m going to have to venture to the supermarket for provisions tomorrow because the damn place will be closed and popping out to get ‘things we have forgotten’ will not be an option.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 19 September, 2022, 01:33:23 pm
Being a bank holiday at the start of central heating season, and therefore the worst time for it to happen, the boiler conked out last night.  "L2" ignition failure, apparently.  My spidey-sense says it's the gas valve or drive electronics, because it's making a horrendous rumbling noise just before it tries (and fails) to ignite, rather than anything easy like a sense electrode that needs tweaking or an accumulation of schmoo in the condensate tank.

*sigh*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Hot Flatus on 19 September, 2022, 01:39:39 pm
Wut?

Central heating season starts on bonfire night.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 19 September, 2022, 01:43:19 pm
Not if you're a plumber.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 19 September, 2022, 01:55:40 pm
Quote from: Hot Flatus on 19 September, 2022, 01:39:39 pm
Wut?

Central heating season starts on bonfire night.

Come on be fair, when the clocks change is acceptable  ..... my wife was surprised that the heating didn't come on as it was a bit chilly this morning - well, it might have done if it was programmed to do so  ;D ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 19 September, 2022, 06:00:21 pm
Similar to Kim's grumble, we had a lovely bike ride today but when we got home the electric shower was b0rked. Yet moar expense.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 19 September, 2022, 07:50:30 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 19 September, 2022, 06:00:21 pm
Similar to Kim's grumble, we had a lovely bike ride today but when we got home the electric shower was b0rked. Yet moar expense.

We had to have baths  :o If it had happened at our last place we'd have being cosplaying Robert Smith, Saturday 22:15.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 19 September, 2022, 07:55:59 pm
Quote from: Pingu on 19 September, 2022, 07:50:30 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 19 September, 2022, 06:00:21 pm
... the electric shower was b0rked.

We had to have baths

Halieluija! Praise be!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 19 September, 2022, 08:00:17 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 19 September, 2022, 06:00:21 pm
Similar to Kim's grumble, we had a lovely bike ride today but when we got home the electric shower was b0rked. Yet moar expense.
Our shower is also complaining about low pressure when it isn’t, and so refusing to do hot water.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 19 September, 2022, 08:14:31 pm
Quote from: perpetual dan on 19 September, 2022, 08:00:17 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 19 September, 2022, 06:00:21 pm
Similar to Kim's grumble, we had a lovely bike ride today but when we got home the electric shower was b0rked. Yet moar expense.
Our shower is also complaining about low pressure when it isn’t, and so refusing to do hot water.
Take a look at the inlet filter. You might need to do a bit of disassembly, so usual water-combined-with-electricity warnings apply.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 19 September, 2022, 09:20:20 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 19 September, 2022, 08:14:31 pm
Quote from: perpetual dan on 19 September, 2022, 08:00:17 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 19 September, 2022, 06:00:21 pm
Similar to Kim's grumble, we had a lovely bike ride today but when we got home the electric shower was b0rked. Yet moar expense.
Our shower is also complaining about low pressure when it isn’t, and so refusing to do hot water.
Take a look at the inlet filter. You might need to do a bit of disassembly, so usual water-combined-with-electricity warnings apply.

If the inlet filter is not blocked, then liberal application of Fernox ls-x should fix that.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 19 September, 2022, 09:48:54 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 19 September, 2022, 08:14:31 pm
Quote from: perpetual dan on 19 September, 2022, 08:00:17 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 19 September, 2022, 06:00:21 pm
Similar to Kim's grumble, we had a lovely bike ride today but when we got home the electric shower was b0rked. Yet moar expense.
Our shower is also complaining about low pressure when it isn’t, and so refusing to do hot water.
Take a look at the inlet filter. You might need to do a bit of disassembly, so usual water-combined-with-electricity warnings apply.
I was going to do that, and then it all disappeared down a rabbit hole of 'might be the flow valve' and then 'might be the solenoid', at which point I lost the will to even try.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 19 September, 2022, 10:31:59 pm
Fortunately our pissy landlord electric shower remains fully-functional.  Which is good because it's bad enough doing the washing-up in cold water (and my hands were already cracking after the weekend).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 19 September, 2022, 10:41:04 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 19 September, 2022, 09:48:54 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 19 September, 2022, 08:14:31 pm
Quote from: perpetual dan on 19 September, 2022, 08:00:17 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 19 September, 2022, 06:00:21 pm
Similar to Kim's grumble, we had a lovely bike ride today but when we got home the electric shower was b0rked. Yet moar expense.
Our shower is also complaining about low pressure when it isn’t, and so refusing to do hot water.
Take a look at the inlet filter. You might need to do a bit of disassembly, so usual water-combined-with-electricity warnings apply.
I was going to do that, and then it all disappeared down a rabbit hole of 'might be the flow valve' and then 'might be the solenoid', at which point I lost the will to even try.
I've had good results with The Shower Doctor website for diagnosis of shower problems then procurement of replacement widgets in the past.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 20 September, 2022, 12:50:45 am
San Francisco airport, could you just make up your mind which gate the Shiny Metal Birbs are leaving from and stick with it, eh?  Or that bloke with the headphones on might find himself in Madrid instead of That London.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 20 September, 2022, 09:34:19 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 20 September, 2022, 12:50:45 am
San Francisco airport, could you just make up your mind which gate the Shiny Metal Birbs are leaving from and stick with it, eh?  Or that bloke with the headphones on might find himself in Madrid instead of That London.
Are you softening us up for one of those “help I’m in a Spanish jail” scams?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 20 September, 2022, 09:53:45 am
My Sea To Summit folding camping mug has developed a small split, so unless I can bodge a repair (glue?) I’ll have to replace it after this trip.  It’s lasted several years. 
One of my drybags is delaminating, so that will have to be replaced as well. I think that’s about 20 years old!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 20 September, 2022, 09:55:26 am
I would not glue a mug or a plate. Yes I'm sure you can get "food safe" glues but just no.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 20 September, 2022, 11:41:24 am
Quote from: Kim on 19 September, 2022, 01:33:23 pm
Being a bank holiday at the start of central heating season, and therefore the worst time for it to happen, the boiler conked out last night.  "L2" ignition failure, apparently.  My spidey-sense says it's the gas valve or drive electronics, because it's making a horrendous rumbling noise just before it tries (and fails) to ignite, rather than anything easy like a sense electrode that needs tweaking or an accumulation of schmoo in the condensate tank.

*sigh*

Ah, thanks for the reminder.

Our boiler had a hiccup a few weeks back but it wasn't serious.  I keep meaning to book a full service for it given that in it's 21 years it's had one previous service, one call out to replace the diverter valve and this one little hiccup. 

Must book that service.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 20 September, 2022, 04:02:15 pm
Quote from: perpetual dan on 20 September, 2022, 09:34:19 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 20 September, 2022, 12:50:45 am
San Francisco airport, could you just make up your mind which gate the Shiny Metal Birbs are leaving from and stick with it, eh?  Or that bloke with the headphones on might find himself in Madrid instead of That London.
Are you softening us up for one of those “help I’m in a Spanish jail” scams?

Help! I'm on a sofa in Walthamstow!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 20 September, 2022, 05:36:39 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 20 September, 2022, 04:02:15 pm
Quote from: perpetual dan on 20 September, 2022, 09:34:19 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 20 September, 2022, 12:50:45 am
San Francisco airport, could you just make up your mind which gate the Shiny Metal Birbs are leaving from and stick with it, eh?  Or that bloke with the headphones on might find himself in Madrid instead of That London.
Are you softening us up for one of those “help I’m in a Spanish jail” scams?

Help! I'm on a sofa in Walthamstow!

An improvement, I suspect, on being on a (discarded). mattress in Walthamstow.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 20 September, 2022, 08:08:42 pm
Quote from: robgul on 19 September, 2022, 01:55:40 pm
Quote from: Hot Flatus on 19 September, 2022, 01:39:39 pm
Wut?
Central heating season starts on bonfire night.
Come on be fair, when the clocks change is acceptable  ..... my wife was surprised that the heating didn't come on as it was a bit chilly this morning - well, it might have done if it was programmed to do so  ;D ;D

My heating came on Sunday morning but not yesterday,
I thought this was because it was a little warmer outside but then observed blank display on CH thermostat controller.
It had flat batteries, which I couldn't change and D's away.

Thankfully, cleaning lady came today and helped fit new batteries.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 20 September, 2022, 08:27:53 pm
Boiler update: I moved all the stuffs so that barakta wouldn't have to move them in my absence when I went for a covidstab.  The emergency gas man couldn't not attend, so the regular gasman didn't attend instead.

We've determined that the boiler's out of warranty, so I expect he'll turn up at some point tomorrow, look at it, pronounce it "beyond economic repair" and bugger off pending authorisation and copious free time to install a new boiler.  Presumably something with a higher power output and a stainless steel heat exchanger, as these have been subjects of his previous tutting.

This irks me from a wastefulness perspective, but I suppose makes sense from a minimising future dealings with the landlord perspective.

Getting a bit fed up with washing in cold water.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 20 September, 2022, 10:12:38 pm
I texted our usual plumber today but got no reply.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 20 September, 2022, 10:43:39 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 20 September, 2022, 10:12:38 pm
I texted our usual plumber today but got no reply.

Our preferred plumber is like that.
Monday, phone twice.  No pickup.
Tuesday, phone twice.  No pickup.  Txt. No response
Wednesday.  See Tuesday.
Thursday.  Start asking around for other recommendations.
Friday.  He just turns up unannounced.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 20 September, 2022, 11:20:54 pm
Quote from: Basil on 20 September, 2022, 10:43:39 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 20 September, 2022, 10:12:38 pm
I texted our usual plumber today but got no reply.

Our preferred plumber is like that.
Monday, phone twice.  No pickup.
Tuesday, phone twice.  No pickup.  Txt. No response
Wednesday.  See Tuesday.
Thursday.  Start asking around for other recommendations.
Friday.  He just turns up unannounced.

To borrow from Douglas Adams...

There is a theory which states that if ever anyone discovers exactly how plumbers perceive time and phone calls in this universe, it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something where plumbers' perception of time and phone calls is even more bizarre and inexplicable. There is another theory which states that this has already happened.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 21 September, 2022, 04:52:58 am
Metropolitan Police, please do be fucking off and not circling overhead at this time of day in your noisy helicopter thing. Kthxbai.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 21 September, 2022, 05:17:35 am
And finally you've decided to foxtrot Oscar just as the first of the  incoming redeye to LHR commence. Lovely start to my day.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 21 September, 2022, 07:45:12 am
Quote from: Basil on 20 September, 2022, 10:43:39 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 20 September, 2022, 10:12:38 pm
I texted our usual plumber today but got no reply.

Our preferred plumber is like that.
Monday, phone twice.  No pickup.
Tuesday, phone twice.  No pickup.  Txt. No response
Wednesday.  See Tuesday.
Thursday.  Start asking around for other recommendations.
Friday.  He just turns up unannounced.

if I was you I'd go straight to Thursday next time.  Clearly the grapevine kicks into action with some urgency in your neck of the woods.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 21 September, 2022, 08:10:43 am
Quote from: Kim on 20 September, 2022, 08:27:53 pm
Getting a bit fed up with washing in cold water.
But you're a rufty-tufty biking and camping woman! Or something. (Heat water on the hob and pour it over yourself in the bath?)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 21 September, 2022, 08:12:10 am
Quote from: Jurek on 21 September, 2022, 04:52:58 am
Metropolitan Police, please do be fucking off and not circling overhead at this time of day in your noisy helicopter thing. Kthxbai.
We have a hospital with helipad five minutes walk away and the "notorious" St Pauls and Stapleton Rd areas the same in the other direction...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 21 September, 2022, 12:42:34 pm
As a tie-in with the "pretending you're not old" thread https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=87402.1225 I was suprised to discover recently that printed A level certificates are still a thing. And a thing that has to be collected in person by the student. In the week from Monday 12th to Friday 16th September. When said student has, guess what, already gone off to university in a far-away town.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 21 September, 2022, 01:31:53 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 21 September, 2022, 04:52:58 am
Metropolitan Police, please do be fucking off and not circling overhead at this time of day in your noisy helicopter thing. Kthxbai.

Had the buggers at least three times last night >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 21 September, 2022, 01:33:11 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 21 September, 2022, 12:42:34 pm
As a tie-in with the "pretending you're not old" thread https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=87402.1225 I was suprised to discover recently that printed A level certificates are still a thing. And a thing that has to be collected in person by the student. In the week from Monday 12th to Friday 16th September. When said student has, guess what, already gone off to university in a far-away town.

Have they shifted the terms around?  I suppose they would, the shifty bastards. Anyway, my first term in Edinburgh started on 12th October.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 21 September, 2022, 01:38:32 pm
I think not so much shifted as expanded the university terms so they're as long as school terms.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 21 September, 2022, 02:05:55 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 21 September, 2022, 01:38:32 pm
I think not so much shifted as expanded the university terms so they're as long as school terms.

Or they're an ex-Poly, which already had longer terms.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jasmine on 21 September, 2022, 03:19:34 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 21 September, 2022, 12:42:34 pm
As a tie-in with the "pretending you're not old" thread https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=87402.1225 I was suprised to discover recently that printed A level certificates are still a thing. And a thing that has to be collected in person by the student. In the week from Monday 12th to Friday 16th September. When said student has, guess what, already gone off to university in a far-away town.

Does anyone ever ask to see the actual certificates? I've never needed to produce them to anyone. Mind you, I discovered when applying for professional chartership a few years ago that I didn't have any of my degree certificates and realised that no one had ever asked me to prove I was actually qualified for anything.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 21 September, 2022, 03:32:19 pm
Ive been asked for copies in the past, yes.

Anyway, my grumble: We don't have any (formal) flexible / hybrid working agreement. We can, once a year, ask to vary our hours, and then we have to stick with that for the year. So, I recently put in a request to shift my day 1/2hr earlier - I work 10 minutes from home, so no hardship, and already get in at the time I want to formally start. And yet... our HR manager (who didn't speak directly to me, instead having her assistant talk to my boss) is worried I might not like the new hours and I'd be stuck with them.  ::-) ::-) so has asked that I refrain from making the request until after her holiday (ok, that's next week), when apparently a new procedure for flex/hybrid working will be rolled out. Meantime, I'm told by the assistant "well, work the times you want to, as long as no-one complains it'll be fine". Bah.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 21 September, 2022, 03:54:24 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 21 September, 2022, 08:10:43 am
Quote from: Kim on 20 September, 2022, 08:27:53 pm
Getting a bit fed up with washing in cold water.
But you're a rufty-tufty biking and camping woman! Or something. (Heat water on the hob and pour it over yourself in the bath?)

Yes, but my hands still disintegrate after a few days of camping.  And there's less to clean when you're living in a tent.  Our kitchen is currently a ming-pit pending the restoration of hot water.

Anyway, gasman arrived this morning, and I dragged myself out of bed[1] to watch him remove an accumulation of schmoo from the condensate trap thinger, restoring the boiler to life, and complain that the radio thermostat wossname was crap (which it is, even before I switched the supply off at the mains overnight and it didn't come back).

I think we're getting a new thermostat with Honeywell written on it, and a quote for a less shit boiler.  Landlord will then get some more quotes, and give the job to the cheapest cowboy.


[1] Covid vaccine's given me full-on flu symptoms this time.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 21 September, 2022, 04:15:52 pm
Quote from: Jasmine on 21 September, 2022, 03:19:34 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 21 September, 2022, 12:42:34 pm
As a tie-in with the "pretending you're not old" thread https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=87402.1225 I was suprised to discover recently that printed A level certificates are still a thing. And a thing that has to be collected in person by the student. In the week from Monday 12th to Friday 16th September. When said student has, guess what, already gone off to university in a far-away town.

Does anyone ever ask to see the actual certificates? I've never needed to produce them to anyone. Mind you, I discovered when applying for professional chartership a few years ago that I didn't have any of my degree certificates and realised that no one had ever asked me to prove I was actually qualified for anything.

No one has ever asked to see any of my qualifications, so I could be completely bluffing my entire career based on a CSE grade 4 in metalwork. Probably a good thing, since I have little clue where those certificates might be. Inside my PhD thesis, probably. Where that is, who knows.

I just had to validate that I do indeed have a PhD, and at least I could find it online, a gripping 228 page read. I just downloaded a copy. I probably have it on floppy disk somewhere. I'd think these days, that if it were important, they'd check with the source, rather than rely on an easily fakeable certificate.

The only people who I thought might want to see the PhD certificate were the the US immigration authorities and my employer over there, but neither of them asked either.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 21 September, 2022, 04:48:53 pm
I think I have twice been asked for sight of my degree certificate. Never As and Os. Oh and I've definitely had to show my CELTA (a TEFL qualification).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 21 September, 2022, 05:08:54 pm
Plumber got back to me today so hopefully we will have a working shower next week.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 21 September, 2022, 05:17:23 pm
Quote from: T42 on 21 September, 2022, 01:33:11 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 21 September, 2022, 12:42:34 pm
As a tie-in with the "pretending you're not old" thread https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=87402.1225 I was suprised to discover recently that printed A level certificates are still a thing. And a thing that has to be collected in person by the student. In the week from Monday 12th to Friday 16th September. When said student has, guess what, already gone off to university in a far-away town.

Have they shifted the terms around?  I suppose they would, the shifty bastards. Anyway, my first term in Edinburgh started on 12th October.

I think they must have, MrsED seemed very skeptikal when I suggested term started in the first week of October, similar to No 1 daughter (Cambridge has shorter terms).  One of our nephews went back to Warwick this week or last.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 21 September, 2022, 06:22:11 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 21 September, 2022, 01:31:53 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 21 September, 2022, 04:52:58 am
Metropolitan Police, please do be fucking off and not circling overhead at this time of day in your noisy helicopter thing. Kthxbai.

Had the buggers at least three times last night >:(
It parks up somewhere in Essex, not too far from your's.(ETA North Weald apparently)
So whenever it flies into Londres, it is likely to fly past Larrington Towers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 21 September, 2022, 06:25:58 pm
A friend had it directly over her roof when she discovered thieves stripping the lead off (she literally lives under a church roof!) several years ago. Though that was only because it happened to be on its way back from some other call.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 21 September, 2022, 06:53:15 pm
Quote from: ian on 21 September, 2022, 04:15:52 pm
No one has ever asked to see any of my qualifications, so I could be completely bluffing my entire career based on a CSE grade 4 in metalwork...

You could get a job with Douglas Ross (the wee fanny). (https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/sep/21/scottish-tory-leader-job-offer-withdrawn-bogus-cv-douglas-ross)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 21 September, 2022, 07:17:56 pm
Quote from: rafletcher
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec
I think not so much shifted as expanded the university terms so they're as long as school terms.

Or they're an ex-Poly, which already had longer terms.
Norwegian Blue?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 21 September, 2022, 07:34:23 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 21 September, 2022, 06:22:11 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 21 September, 2022, 01:31:53 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 21 September, 2022, 04:52:58 am
Metropolitan Police, please do be fucking off and not circling overhead at this time of day in your noisy helicopter thing. Kthxbai.

Had the buggers at least three times last night >:(
It parks up somewhere in Essex, not too far from your's.(ETA North Weald apparently)
So whenever it flies into Londres, it is likely to fly past Larrington Towers.

Well thats news, thought they were at Boreham but apparently moved out
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 21 September, 2022, 07:45:22 pm
Quote from: T42 on 21 September, 2022, 01:33:11 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 21 September, 2022, 12:42:34 pm
As a tie-in with the "pretending you're not old" thread https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=87402.1225 I was suprised to discover recently that printed A level certificates are still a thing. And a thing that has to be collected in person by the student. In the week from Monday 12th to Friday 16th September. When said student has, guess what, already gone off to university in a far-away town.

Have they shifted the terms around?  I suppose they would, the shifty bastards. Anyway, my first term in Edinburgh started on 12th October.

Term at Edinburgh this year started this week (last week was freshers' week) - I think they rejigged their academic year a while back.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 21 September, 2022, 10:00:15 pm
Quote from: ian on 21 September, 2022, 04:15:52 pm
Quote from: Jasmine on 21 September, 2022, 03:19:34 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 21 September, 2022, 12:42:34 pm
As a tie-in with the "pretending you're not old" thread https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=87402.1225 I was suprised to discover recently that printed A level certificates are still a thing. And a thing that has to be collected in person by the student. In the week from Monday 12th to Friday 16th September. When said student has, guess what, already gone off to university in a far-away town.

Does anyone ever ask to see the actual certificates? I've never needed to produce them to anyone. Mind you, I discovered when applying for professional chartership a few years ago that I didn't have any of my degree certificates and realised that no one had ever asked me to prove I was actually qualified for anything.

No one has ever asked to see any of my qualifications, so I could be completely bluffing my entire career based on a CSE grade 4 in metalwork. Probably a good thing, since I have little clue where those certificates might be. Inside my PhD thesis, probably. Where that is, who knows.

I just had to validate that I do indeed have a PhD, and at least I could find it online, a gripping 228 page read. I just downloaded a copy. I probably have it on floppy disk somewhere. I'd think these days, that if it were important, they'd check with the source, rather than rely on an easily fakeable certificate.

The only people who I thought might want to see the PhD certificate were the the US immigration authorities and my employer over there, but neither of them asked either.

A few years ago there was a sudden interest amongst City employers to give the appearance of not hiring anyone who might be regarded as less than honest. New hires would be declined if the credit check showed a missed credit card repayment. One place I was at did a retrospective check of certificates and a guy who'd been there a couple of years couldn't produce 'A' Level certs and was marched from the building (the offence being lying on his CV rather than a lack of qualifications as he had a degree).

I don't know if there were any actual regulatory rules or if it was just the agencies trying to make extra money, but the next contract I took they insisted on seeing certs for everything stated on the CV. One I couldn't find was a professional exam and the company that issued it no longer existed which was a complete pain.

My thesis is on a magnetic tape - a 12" reel - it wouldn't fit on floppies on account of all the illustrations being in some weird Tektronix format that means they will never be seen again even if I tracked down a museum with a VAX tape reader.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 21 September, 2022, 10:17:12 pm
I was impressed the nice people at the University of Edinburgh have scanned my thesis and put it online. It's like the future, man. Well, it was in 2015 when they evidently scanned all the hard copies. They singularly failed to make it any more interesting though. It was onwards and upwards after that into the genetics of stereochemistry. Always in demand at parties, was I.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 21 September, 2022, 10:20:28 pm
Quote from: ian on 21 September, 2022, 10:17:12 pm
I was impressed the nice people at the University of Edinburgh have scanned my thesis and put it online.

Oh, Lordy.
I hope they haven't done mine.
It was crap (and they agreed, and awarded a degree commensurate with that assessment)!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 21 September, 2022, 10:26:13 pm
It looks like they did them all (https://era.ed.ac.uk) (I'm a 1995 PhD vintage).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: JellyLegs on 21 September, 2022, 11:04:47 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 21 September, 2022, 06:22:11 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 21 September, 2022, 01:31:53 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 21 September, 2022, 04:52:58 am
Metropolitan Police, please do be fucking off and not circling overhead at this time of day in your noisy helicopter thing. Kthxbai.

Had the buggers at least three times last night >:(
It parks up somewhere in Essex, not too far from your's.(ETA North Weald apparently)
So whenever it flies into Londres, it is likely to fly past Larrington Towers.

Pedantically neither his nor yours but ours - all police helicopters were transferred to National Police Air Service (NPAS) a few years back and their bases rearranged (aka about 10 were closed) in the name of progress (aka a 15% cut in funding).  The Met no longer has a helicopter as such.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 22 September, 2022, 12:56:36 am
Quote from: ElyDave on 21 September, 2022, 05:17:23 pm
Quote from: T42 on 21 September, 2022, 01:33:11 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 21 September, 2022, 12:42:34 pm
As a tie-in with the "pretending you're not old" thread https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=87402.1225 I was suprised to discover recently that printed A level certificates are still a thing. And a thing that has to be collected in person by the student. In the week from Monday 12th to Friday 16th September. When said student has, guess what, already gone off to university in a far-away town.

Have they shifted the terms around?  I suppose they would, the shifty bastards. Anyway, my first term in Edinburgh started on 12th October.

I think they must have, MrsED seemed very skeptikal when I suggested term started in the first week of October, similar to No 1 daughter (Cambridge has shorter terms).  One of our nephews went back to Warwick this week or last.

Pretty sure Oxfod hasn’t started yet on account of Professor Larrington strolling off to Venice the other day.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 22 September, 2022, 01:13:38 am
Birmingham's non-FOREIGN PSOs seem to have arrived this last week.  I think BCU's arrived last week.

ETA: I stand corrected.  We must be surrounded by skivey arts students™ who only have two lectures on Thursday afternoons or something.  Unless it's just taken that long for their parents to find a parking space.

Oxbridge of course has shorter terms, so that their students can go on a grand tour of their friends' normal universities before they go home for Christmas.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 22 September, 2022, 08:23:37 am
I got asked to show my PhD certificate when i went for a job as a uni lecturer.
That job also burnt a lot of goodwill moving terms around. Apparently two of them is more efficient. But the September start involved overlaps with several good conferences, post school holiday holiday prices, disconnects any Easter break from school holidays and puts exam revision across Christmas.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 22 September, 2022, 09:58:11 am
Quote from: phantasmagoriana on 21 September, 2022, 07:45:22 pm
Quote from: T42 on 21 September, 2022, 01:33:11 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 21 September, 2022, 12:42:34 pm
As a tie-in with the "pretending you're not old" thread https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=87402.1225 I was suprised to discover recently that printed A level certificates are still a thing. And a thing that has to be collected in person by the student. In the week from Monday 12th to Friday 16th September. When said student has, guess what, already gone off to university in a far-away town.

Have they shifted the terms around?  I suppose they would, the shifty bastards. Anyway, my first term in Edinburgh started on 12th October.

Term at Edinburgh this year started this week (last week was freshers' week) - I think they rejigged their academic year a while back.
Does freshers' week not count as part of term? It certainly counts as part of last year's A level students no longer being around to pick up certificates!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 22 September, 2022, 11:02:50 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 22 September, 2022, 09:58:11 am
Quote from: phantasmagoriana on 21 September, 2022, 07:45:22 pm
Quote from: T42 on 21 September, 2022, 01:33:11 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 21 September, 2022, 12:42:34 pm
As a tie-in with the "pretending you're not old" thread https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=87402.1225 I was suprised to discover recently that printed A level certificates are still a thing. And a thing that has to be collected in person by the student. In the week from Monday 12th to Friday 16th September. When said student has, guess what, already gone off to university in a far-away town.

Have they shifted the terms around?  I suppose they would, the shifty bastards. Anyway, my first term in Edinburgh started on 12th October.

Term at Edinburgh this year started this week (last week was freshers' week) - I think they rejigged their academic year a while back.
Does freshers' week not count as part of term? It certainly counts as part of last year's A level students no longer being around to pick up certificates!

And accounts for a run on paracetamol at Boot's.

Certificates: I think ours (degree scrolls, if you please) are in the bottom drawer of the chest in the hall, along with old dog leads & son's size 48 slippers that he left when he moved out two or three decades back.  IIRC they're in Latin. The scrolls. The slippers are merely eloquent.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 22 September, 2022, 11:32:40 am
Ordinarily, I pick up a copy of The Metro in the morning.
I complete the concise crossword by the time the train has reached it's third stop.
I then start on the cryptic one and usually complete that on my way home or when I get home.
The last couple of days, I have completed the cryptic one before I have reached my destination in the morning.
Leaving me little to do on my journey home.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 22 September, 2022, 02:27:54 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 22 September, 2022, 11:32:40 am
Ordinarily, I pick up a copy of The Metro in the morning.
I complete the concise crossword by the time the train has it's third stop.
I then start on the cryptic one and usually complete that on my way home or when I get home.
The last couple of days, I have completed the cryptic one before I have reached my destination in the morning.
Leaving me little to do on my journey home.

Origami?  You could make paper hats from the pages and pass them round, explaining that they're protection against smirking aliens masquerading as prime ministers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 22 September, 2022, 02:33:35 pm
Quote from: T42 on 22 September, 2022, 02:27:54 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 22 September, 2022, 11:32:40 am
Ordinarily, I pick up a copy of The Metro in the morning.
I complete the concise crossword by the time the train has it's third stop.
I then start on the cryptic one and usually complete that on my way home or when I get home.
The last couple of days, I have completed the cryptic one before I have reached my destination in the morning.
Leaving me little to do on my journey home.

Origami?  You could make paper hats from the pages and pass them round, explaining that they're protection against smirking aliens masquerading as prime ministers.
I already have the carriage to myself on account of my mask.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 22 September, 2022, 03:05:29 pm
I am pretty sure I was asked for my O Level Certificates as part of the university entry process. I'm not sure if A Level certs were needed or available in time.

There was an 'Application for Form R' that needed completion before you could enter Medical School at a Joint Matriculation Board university.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 22 September, 2022, 07:00:20 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 21 September, 2022, 05:08:54 pm
Plumber got back to me today so hopefully we will have a working shower next week.

Why didn't I think of getting the bath taps replaced with a thermostatic bath shower mixer until now? Oh well, too late now...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 22 September, 2022, 07:36:34 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 22 September, 2022, 07:00:20 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 21 September, 2022, 05:08:54 pm
Plumber got back to me today so hopefully we will have a working shower next week.

Why didn't I think of getting the bath taps replaced with a thermostatic bath shower mixer until now? Oh well, too late now...

Electric shower does at least mean you've got a backup in case of boiler failure.  (Though I must admit that I usually shower using anna daptor on the bath taps, because 24kW combi boiler beats 8kW[1] electric hands down in the litres-per-minute competition.)


[1] Formerly 7kW, but the nice guys from Western Power Distribution dug up the road and swapped us to a phase with a sufficiency of voles.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 22 September, 2022, 08:33:51 pm
Obviously the ideal case is having more than one bathroom and both types of shower as a back up. Which is handy if you have more than one bathroom.

The bath tap thing wouldn't have been ideal anyway cos the taps are at the wrong end of the bath (i.e. not the wall and screen end) so there would have been a realllly long hose.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 22 September, 2022, 08:41:38 pm
After 10 days of dancing under a shitlandlordelectricshower at my daughters I really enjoyed my own combi-boiler fed shower this morning.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 22 September, 2022, 09:13:50 pm
Git.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 22 September, 2022, 09:27:44 pm


Quote from: Jurek on 22 September, 2022, 02:33:35 pm
...

I already have the carriage to myself on account of my mask.

Well, everyone's youthful good looks need help at some point.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 22 September, 2022, 09:43:33 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 22 September, 2022, 08:33:51 pm
The bath tap thing wouldn't have been ideal anyway cos the taps are at the wrong end of the bath (i.e. not the wall and screen end) so there would have been a realllly long hose.

Yeah, we've got that problem. *rummages for photo*

(https://www.ductilebiscuit.net/gallery_albums/bhpc_clock/2021_01_17_17_27_44.sized.jpg)

Note cunning generation rent bodge using waste pipe (avec cable ties and old inner tube) to keep it out of the way.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 22 September, 2022, 09:50:02 pm
Well you call it "generation rent" but it's reminiscent of "make do and mend lodgers" in novels of the 50s and early 60s.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 22 September, 2022, 09:55:01 pm
Oh very good, I approve! What is that contraption in the bath?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 22 September, 2022, 10:08:33 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 22 September, 2022, 09:55:01 pm
What is that contraption in the bath?

BFO digital clock.  Wacky races, for the timing[1] of.  It's notoriously difficult to photograph (though generally looks okay on video (https://youtu.be/n6CgY84yTEY?t=324)).

(https://www.ductilebiscuit.net/gallery_albums/bhpc_clock/2021_04_05_14_10_38.sized.jpg)

Seen above with most of the electronics replaced by tissue paper, while the case undergoes a waterproofing test.

More in the fettling thread (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=1241.msg2585764#msg2585764).  And a full write-up in issue 146 of Laidback Cyclist (https://shop.bhpc.org.uk/laidback-cyclist-issue-146).



[1] Technically the jam-filled Babbage engine does the timing, and this is just a massive repeater display for the benefit of those who didn't bring bifocals, squinting through steamed-up velomobile hoods, etc.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Captain Nemo on 22 September, 2022, 10:10:12 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 22 September, 2022, 09:55:01 pm
Oh very good, I approve! What is that contraption in the bath?

Obviously a Heisenberg generator.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 22 September, 2022, 10:12:14 pm
Bloody hell Kim, you've mowed your lawn!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 22 September, 2022, 10:15:52 pm
Quote from: Basil on 22 September, 2022, 10:12:14 pm
Bloody hell Kim, you've mowed your lawn!

I hacked it all back a few years ago, because reasons.  Since then I've been attempting to persuade it to grow grass (or at least moss or that clover-like stuff that's sprung up everywhere in the last few years) by selectively murdering the other weeds using a combination of agricultural-strength glyphosate and ultra-violence.  So far I've mostly concluded that grass likes daylight.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 22 September, 2022, 10:19:44 pm
Quote from: Kim on 22 September, 2022, 10:08:33 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 22 September, 2022, 09:55:01 pm
What is that contraption in the bath?

BFO digital clock.  Wacky races, for the timing[1] of.  It's notoriously difficult to photograph (though generally looks okay on video).

(https://www.ductilebiscuit.net/gallery_albums/bhpc_clock/2021_04_05_14_10_38.sized.jpg)

Seen above with most of the electronics replaced by tissue paper, while the case undergoes a waterproofing test.

More in the fettling thread (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=1241.msg2585764#msg2585764).  And a full write-up in issue 146 of Laidback Cyclist (https://shop.bhpc.org.uk/laidback-cyclist-issue-146).



[1] Technically the jam-filled Babbage engine does the timing, and this is just a massive repeater display for the benefit of those who didn't bring bifocals, squinting through steamed-up velomobile hoods, etc.

I knew it was a time machine.


A transmogrifier would've been differently orientated.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 22 September, 2022, 10:30:24 pm
Very good, many geek points.
May I point out clover = good for bees, glyphosate prolly not so much.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 22 September, 2022, 10:40:21 pm
I've got an "I don't tidy up, you don't sting me" arrangement with the bees that have taken up residence in that outbuilding on the right, and they seem to be doing reasonably well.  Probably helped by the impressive meadow that has sprung up through the gaps in the block paved BloodyStudent garden on the left.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 24 September, 2022, 09:03:29 am
I put an overnight wash on last night.
This morning I had to literally tear one of my socks to get it out of the machine where it had got wedged between the drum and the rest of the machine.
Drum was also full of fractured material - not sure whether it was metal or stone or what.
It is very difficult to turn the drum by hand, and it makes very gravelly / graunchy noises when you do manage to turn it.
New washing machine ordered from John Lewis.
Delivery in a two hour slot next Saturday.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Hot Flatus on 24 September, 2022, 09:19:37 am
I ate two chilli and cider pickled eggs on Thursday evening in a fit of neophyte over-enthusiasm, and tbqhwy, in hindsight, it was a mistake.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 24 September, 2022, 01:24:48 pm
Ah, the Royal Academy. I pay for my wife’s membership by annual DD. This is not a problem. The problem is not getting any warning email from the RA telling me it was going to take payment. Nor has it informed my wife that her membership has renewed. Complete incompetents.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 24 September, 2022, 02:40:54 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 24 September, 2022, 09:03:29 am
I put an overnight wash on last night.
This morning I had to literally tear one of my socks to get it out of the machine where it had got wedged between the drum and the rest of the machine.
Drum was also full of fractured material - not sure whether it was metal or stone or what.
It is very difficult to turn the drum by hand, and it makes very gravelly / graunchy noises when you do manage to turn it.
New washing machine ordered from John Lewis.
Delivery in a two hour slot next Saturday.

Our washing machine bearing is in the process of disintegrating.  I finally determined that it's 8 years old, so I suppose that's not unreasonable.  Also means that it's probably not worth spending all day dismantling it to its component parts, replacing the bearing, and putting it back together again, only for everything else to fail in the next couple of years (assuming it doesn't acquire a leak).

Wondering if overspecifying the load capacity of the new machine would prolong bearing life...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hatler on 24 September, 2022, 02:47:17 pm
Quote from: Kim on 24 September, 2022, 02:40:54 pm

Wondering if overspecifying the load capacity of the new machine would prolong bearing life...

I'd like to be able to think "almost certainly".

Another ploy would be to not let it spin at max speed whenever you can. Radial forces are a function of the square of the spin speed after all.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 24 September, 2022, 02:49:33 pm
Quote from: hatler on 24 September, 2022, 02:47:17 pm
Quote from: Kim on 24 September, 2022, 02:40:54 pm

Wondering if overspecifying the load capacity of the new machine would prolong bearing life...

I'd like to be able to think "almost certainly".

Another ploy would be to not let it spin at max speed whenever you can. Radial forces are a function of the square of the spin speed after all.
Or not spin at max speed with an uneven load. Bath towels are good at doing this.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 24 September, 2022, 02:51:09 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 24 September, 2022, 02:49:33 pm
Quote from: hatler on 24 September, 2022, 02:47:17 pm
Quote from: Kim on 24 September, 2022, 02:40:54 pm

Wondering if overspecifying the load capacity of the new machine would prolong bearing life...

I'd like to be able to think "almost certainly".

Another ploy would be to not let it spin at max speed whenever you can. Radial forces are a function of the square of the spin speed after all.
Or not spin at max speed with an uneven load. Bath towels are good at doing this.

Which is annoying, because bath towels are one of the things that most benefits from a good hard spin.

(It also occurs to me that a larger drum means more force on the laundry for a given spin RPM.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 24 September, 2022, 03:10:14 pm
Most modern “quality” machines won’t spin with a significantly out-of-balance load. My wife found this out when, shortly after we acquired a Bosch washing machine, she called an engineer out as it wasn’t spinning at all. There was a fault - he tested the spin with their newest technical aid, a small pink hot water bottle used to simulate the out of balance load.

With bath towels, if we get the oob issue, we do a 400 or 600 spin - which are more tolerant of lack of uniformity - then follow up with 1 or 2 1400 spins, depending whether outdoor or indoor drying is on the cards.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 24 September, 2022, 03:14:05 pm
TBH, I find bedding is worse than towels in that respect.  Has a habit of balling itself up inside the duvet cover about 50% of the time.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 24 September, 2022, 03:35:09 pm
Quote from: Kim on 24 September, 2022, 03:14:05 pm
TBH, I find bedding is worse than towels in that respect.  Has a habit of balling itself up inside the duvet cover about 50% of the time.
How does it do that?
Everything, literally, dives for cover.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 24 September, 2022, 03:44:38 pm
I should add that the other 50% of the time, the cover is inside-out, so it all balls up *outside* the cover.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Flite on 24 September, 2022, 03:52:52 pm
I just do the buttons up on the duvet covers when I take them off for washing, so other stuff can't get inside
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 24 September, 2022, 03:57:07 pm
Quote from: Flite on 24 September, 2022, 03:52:52 pm
I just do the buttons up on the duvet covers when I take them off for washing, so other stuff can't get inside

Yes. 2 spaced buttons does the trick for me.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 24 September, 2022, 03:57:16 pm
Quote from: Hot Flatus on 24 September, 2022, 09:19:37 am
I ate two chilli and cider pickled eggs on Thursday evening in a fit of neophyte over-enthusiasm, and tbqhwy, in hindsight, it was a mistake.
Blimey.
Three days.
That's going some.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 24 September, 2022, 05:26:29 pm
Quote from: Basil on 24 September, 2022, 03:57:07 pm
Quote from: Flite on 24 September, 2022, 03:52:52 pm
I just do the buttons up on the duvet covers when I take them off for washing, so other stuff can't get inside

Yes. 2 spaced buttons does the trick for me.

Doesn't stop it doing the swiss roll thing, though.  I think it's the fitted sheet that's the instigator, collecting a bundle of pillowcases in one corner to form a lump around which everything else gets wrapped.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Flite on 24 September, 2022, 05:34:14 pm
Ah - we gave up on fitted sheets when I couldn't work out what size was needed for the depth of new mattress.
So it's flat heets and hospital corners
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 24 September, 2022, 05:49:13 pm
Quote from: Hot Flatus on 24 September, 2022, 09:19:37 am
I ate two chilli and cider pickled eggs on Thursday evening in a fit of neophyte over-enthusiasm, and tbqhwy, in hindsight, it was a mistake.

Nominative determinism...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 24 September, 2022, 05:51:19 pm
Quote from: Flite on 24 September, 2022, 05:34:14 pm
Ah - we gave up on fitted sheets when I couldn't work out what size was needed for the depth of new mattress.
So it's flat heets and hospital corners

Bought some extra-deep fitted sheets from John Lewis after our old sheets failed with our new mattress...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 24 September, 2022, 06:25:45 pm
Can confirm that you can't do hospital corners in an actual hospital, because the sheets are the wrong shape.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 24 September, 2022, 06:37:39 pm
Quote from: Kim on 24 September, 2022, 06:25:45 pm
Can confirm that you can't do hospital corners in an actual hospital, because the sheets are the wrong shape.
Nurses don’t generally have time for hospital corners these days and anyway, as most hospital stays are spent on trolleys there’s no real need. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 24 September, 2022, 07:11:08 pm
Quote from: Flite on 24 September, 2022, 05:34:14 pm
Ah - we gave up on fitted sheets when I couldn't work out what size was needed for the depth of new mattress.
So it's flat heets and hospital corners
Pillow openings away from the door or Sister will get cross.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 25 September, 2022, 03:50:25 pm
I hate baths.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 25 September, 2022, 04:54:02 pm
MrsC wanted a hoist putting in the barn for her kayak. Reasonable request. Found a likely hoist for the job on the net, brackets, pulleys, rope, straps for boat. Not overpriced.

Today I tried putting the bloody thing up. First issue - the pulleys are fixed in one position. Orientation of brackets dictated by rafters, so, some creative thinking, I turned pulleys by 90degrees (new holes needed in brackets).

Cool. Put brackets up.

Start threading rope  . . .

Nope that isn't enough rope for a ceiling of X height and we are well above that. By my calculations it needs 25m of rope, about 15 is supplied.

Just spent as much as original cost of pulleys etc on some rope.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 25 September, 2022, 04:58:51 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 25 September, 2022, 03:50:25 pm
I hate baths.

Baths are good! I miss having one sometimes, though 99% of the time I'm happy with a shower.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 25 September, 2022, 05:05:25 pm
Nope, they're just a faff. Shuffle down one end and lie down to get your hair wet, sit up again to wash it. Repeat twice more for conditioner.  Wave all your appendages about to get soapy, then contort yourself to rinse them again.
Then I found myself using the old people's handrail to get up. The ignominy.
Arse about getting the temperature right, then 2 mins later it's cool.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 25 September, 2022, 05:33:59 pm
I can't really comment on the potential greatness of baths, because I have never fully enjoyed a bath. Cause all the baths I have tried have been more less like sitting in a tub of water. Heck even DK don't make them long enough. If I had the skills I would love to make one big enough so that I can finally make a comment on the potential greatness of said baths.

As for showers the "invention" of the rain fall showers, well their rise in popularity, have caused more showers to be build where water hit my body from above the shoulders which I greatly enjoy.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 25 September, 2022, 05:40:47 pm
My childhood home had an extra-long bath as the previous occupant had been a tall architect. I was able to float in it until I was 12.
Our current bath is 'standard' and effectively shortened and shallowed by my bath lift.
I can't drown in my bath or even get all my hair underwater.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 25 September, 2022, 06:55:41 pm
Getting clean is a mere side-effect of a good bath.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 25 September, 2022, 07:19:48 pm
Quote from: ian on 25 September, 2022, 06:55:41 pm
Getting clean is a mere side-effect of a good bath.
ian, he speaks the truth.

Book, steaming hotness (water, not book), gin and tonic. Or whisky.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 25 September, 2022, 07:24:31 pm
Our last house had a 6ft bath and a huge hot water tank to fill it.

I haven't had a bath in over ten years
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nicknack on 25 September, 2022, 07:24:41 pm
Quote from: Hot Flatus on 24 September, 2022, 09:19:37 am
I ate two chilli and cider pickled eggs on Thursday evening in a fit of neophyte over-enthusiasm, and tbqhwy, in hindsight, it was a mistake.
Which reminds me...

About 40 years ago (it seems like yesterday) I had a long weekend in Dorset with a bunch of Mrs n's Oxford college friends. One of the highlights of the occasion was a pickled egg eating competition in the local pub. The  first one to show an empty gob won. The winner just swallowed it whole. I don't think anyone was more surprised than him.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Hot Flatus on 25 September, 2022, 07:27:54 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 25 September, 2022, 07:19:48 pm
Quote from: ian on 25 September, 2022, 06:55:41 pm
Getting clean is a mere side-effect of a good bath.
ian, he speaks the truth.

Book, steaming hotness (water, not book), gin and tonic. Or whisky.

....rich fruitcake, tea and a slice of strong Cheddar.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 25 September, 2022, 07:41:25 pm
It must be deep and hot (steady there, hosses), plenty of bubbles, a glass of excellent beer or fine vino for hydration purposes, along with a good book and some top tunes.

My wife hates baths but she’s weird and comes from Southend. For me, it’s a Sunday night ritual.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 25 September, 2022, 07:44:57 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 25 September, 2022, 07:24:31 pm
Our last house had a 6ft bath and a huge hot water tank to fill it.

I haven't had a bath in over ten years

My recollection of the last bath I had must be getting on for 35 years ago.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 25 September, 2022, 07:49:40 pm
Steeping in yer ain filth and emerging with skin like a prune?  Noo.  Not for me.  You can't beat a shower for both cleaning and refreshing you and quickly at that.  The place for relaxing with a book, booze and nibbles is a bed, or, at a pinch, the sofa.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 25 September, 2022, 08:16:23 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 25 September, 2022, 05:05:25 pm
Nope, they're just a faff. Shuffle down one end and lie down to get your hair wet, sit up again to wash it. Repeat twice more for conditioner.  Wave all your appendages about to get soapy, then contort yourself to rinse them again.
Then I found myself using the old people's handrail to get up. The ignominy.
Arse about getting the temperature right, then 2 mins later it's cool.

This.  Plus, your knees get cold.  And if you're properly dirty (eg. due to COR in shorts)  you end up covered in it.

Showers meanwhile need enough litres/min to not be shivery, and to rinse long hair in a timely manner.  Fixed shower heads are acceptable if and only if they are accompanied by a movable one on a hose:  Sometimes you don't want to get your hair wet.  Sometimes you're using it as a bidet.  Sometimes you're hosing down something other than your body.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 25 September, 2022, 08:55:35 pm
Quote from: Kim on 25 September, 2022, 08:16:23 pm
Fixed shower heads are acceptable if and only if they are accompanied by a movable one on a hose

Yes! Our main shower has only one fixed head. It's just as well I've not cycled in a very long while, because I have no idea how I could clean a bike in it. The rubbish electric en-suite shower has a hose, but the cubicle is too small to fit more than a wheel in.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rogerzilla on 25 September, 2022, 09:07:38 pm
Bought 36 148mm spokes.  The seller slipped ONE 150mm spoke in there!  I thought I'd laced it wrong until I took the bastard out and measured it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 25 September, 2022, 10:58:09 pm
Keep the noise down, you rabble!  I'm off to vegetate in the bath…
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 26 September, 2022, 07:25:05 am
We only have two bottom sheets for our bed as two have worn through and haven't had chance to replace yet.

Wife changed our bed as had a friend staying to look after our dog and chickens

She kindly stripped the bed and put on in washing machine. We wouldn't have worried after two nights use, we therefore had to put the sheets my wife had taken off back on and I'm trying to dry everything on top of usual washing and camping clothes. It's just started raining with loads of the line
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 26 September, 2022, 09:51:58 am
How filthy are you bathshy fools? I routinely get two showers a day, but Sunday is bath night, but I remember my grandparents had one bath a week unless it was a special occasion, and they came from the era where the only available showers were golden and thus ill-advised as part of any daily personal hygiene ritual.

I had the childhood trauma of shared baths, and as the boy child, that meant I was last in line, at which point the water resembled a lukewarm gruel. I know this makes it seem that I come from Victorian times, but it was the 70s (we didn't have a bathroom till I was eight, so we actually had a tin tub). It might have led one to appreciate St Agnes' disavowal of bathing. On the subject of saints, I believe it was St Benedict who opined strongly on the moral dangers of relinquishing one's thoughts while semi-submerged in a bath of warm water, and that such turpitudinous temptations shouldn't be countenanced, especially in the young.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Hot Flatus on 26 September, 2022, 09:55:52 am
I remember being on the Baxters PBP bus in 2007 listening to a wizened old audaxer with prodigious nasal hair droning on about how he wasn't "into all that super-hygiene fad", and only had a bath once a week.

I don't think his weekly bath was supplemented with showers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 26 September, 2022, 10:46:56 am
I love a good soak in the tub but it is a wasteful luxury. I suppose that is what most luxuries are.  🤔

When we installed our bathroom a few years back I made sure that the shower head was on a riser bar that could easily accommodate both my needs and those of mllePB who is a good 6 inches shorter.  Fortunately I am not of Danish proportions so a standard riser rail sufficed   😇
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 26 September, 2022, 11:00:16 am
For the record, I also have tidy nasal hair.

A dedication to Tidy Hair doesn't stop with the top of the head. It's an all-the-way down commitment.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 26 September, 2022, 11:04:21 am
Quote from: ian on 26 September, 2022, 11:00:16 am
For the record, I also have tidy nasal hair.

A dedication to Tidy Hair doesn't stop with the top of the head. It's an all-the-way down commitment.

TMI.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 26 September, 2022, 03:48:10 pm
Quote from: Kim on 24 September, 2022, 02:40:54 pm
Our washing machine bearing is in the process of disintegrating.  I finally determined that it's 8 years old, so I suppose that's not unreasonable.  Also means that it's probably not worth spending all day dismantling it to its component parts, replacing the bearing, and putting it back together again, only for everything else to fail in the next couple of years (assuming it doesn't acquire a leak).

Wondering if overspecifying the load capacity of the new machine would prolong bearing life...

Further to this, I've just realised that our washing machine hole is a wierd size, due to idiotic plumbing.  I'm going to have to move the fridge and get the old one out in order to get some accurate measurements, as new idiotic plumbing has been installed since the last one was purchased.

Doesn't leave an awful lot of choice of washing machines.  Are Haier any good, they seem to have some well-specced shallow ones?

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Hot Flatus on 26 September, 2022, 06:19:59 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 26 September, 2022, 11:04:21 am
Quote from: ian on 26 September, 2022, 11:00:16 am
For the record, I also have tidy nasal hair.

A dedication to Tidy Hair doesn't stop with the top of the head. It's an all-the-way down commitment.

TMI.

Picture a naked Toby Young, but with shaved junk
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 26 September, 2022, 08:24:06 pm
Careful, you'll get him excited.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Auntie Helen on 26 September, 2022, 08:34:16 pm
Quote from: ian on 25 September, 2022, 07:41:25 pm
It must be deep and hot (steady there, hosses), plenty of bubbles, a glass of excellent beer or fine vino for hydration purposes, along with a good book and some top tunes.

My wife hates baths but she’s weird and comes from Southend. For me, it’s a Sunday night ritual.
I also come from Southend and have had less than 10 baths in the last 30 years.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 26 September, 2022, 09:03:20 pm
I've had one bath in the last 30 years. It was in Ukraine. A couple of years after the fighting in Donbass started, so there were precious few tourists, which meant I could book the grand suite in a (Cossack-themed) hotel for £30 a night. The bathroom alone was the size of my first flat, and the bath was big enough to float in, if not quite swim. Amazingly for the area there was not only hot water but it was actually water coloured, so it seemed rude not to. Especially after the ~300 km ride to get there.

The novelty wore off fairly quickly.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: orienteer on 26 September, 2022, 09:08:30 pm
We use the Japanese style of bathing. One tub of hot water, used by all bathers in turn to soak after first rinsing off the naughty bits; then washing outside the bath (on a long adjacent shower tray in our case) with hot water and soap, which must be thoroughly rinsed off before returning to the bath tub for a final hot soak; the latter helps to heat the body for the night (Japanese homes traditionally didn't have any central heating).

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 26 September, 2022, 09:28:30 pm
I'm of ian's generation, and yes, Sunday night as bath night was a general thing. Fitted in well as the only thing on the telly was Songs of Praise. The immersion heater was switched on specially - "Sink" setting, so we got 15 cm or so of water in the bath, no chance of topping up - and shared, at the same time when small, one after the other when bigger.

And before anyone (young) asks, yes, everyone in those days did stink by the end of the week. But as everyone stank, you didn't really notice. Plus the stink of cigarette smoke on everyone and everywhere masked it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 27 September, 2022, 08:26:55 am
We haven't had baths for 30+ years either. When we had the bathroom done over 15 years ago we didn't want to put in a bath at all but the Inlaw Paw protested so we got one.  The irony is that he couldn't get into it so he switched to 100% showers as well.  We've used the bath just once, for the dogs when they rolled in something narsty.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 27 September, 2022, 08:50:53 am
Yesterday was one of those days.

Started with discovering that about 3 days worth of work had gone. Server hardware failure over weekend, I hadn't checked in work, so it wasn't on the backup server.

Then I started working on the oil boiler. Took some parts out of old boiler (they are in pristine condition). Took parts out of newer boiler. Discovered that they are different and not interchangeable.

Decided to try patching up knackered parts with some special grout/sealant. (They are too knackered to go back in, literally falling apart). Start gluing stuff together with sealant - it gets harder and harder - I realise that the grout gun is knackered. The handle has literally crumpled. That's ridiculous, my hands aren't that strong. No car, so difficult to go and buy replacement.

So now I have loads of work missing, a dismantled boiler, weather is getting cold. FML.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 27 September, 2022, 05:29:41 pm
Hooray, the plumber's been. We haz new shower! No more stinky baths! \o/
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 27 September, 2022, 06:11:13 pm
Today, I have been mostly playing whitegoods Sokoban, dismantling the washing machine / condensate drain pipework, cleaning all manner of schmoo from within and putting it all back together.  With more than a little help from barakta, who did battle with spiders and got covered in fungal ming.

As predicted, the condensate drain issue was washing machine water running up the horizontal run of 20mm pipe and drying into a layer of slime, rather than crap coming down the pipe from the boiler end.

Have also determined exactly how much space there isn't to the pipework behind the washing machine.  Might be able to gain another 30mm if I cap off the hot feed tap and re-route the condensate drain a bit, but I'd rather not.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 28 September, 2022, 09:05:11 am
The week improves a bit.

I managed to find the missing work, hidden in a text repo.

Boiler/stove reassembled, with bits glued together by high temp silicone.

Replacement parts ordered. Effing expensive, they've cost me £267.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rogerzilla on 28 September, 2022, 12:05:15 pm
Before he died, my father did explain to me how he knew that prison inmates were only allowed a certain number of inches of water in the bath, a number he enforced on us when we were kids.  Apparently his work football team used to play Walton Prison inmates occasionally, and used the facilities afterwards.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: campagman on 28 September, 2022, 09:00:10 pm
I thought that libraries were quiet places where noise was kept to a minimum and talking a whisper. When did it become ok to shout into a mobile phone on speaker? If it was a youngster I could, maybe, understand but no, it was an older lady who should have known better. They had no books on homebrewing either.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 28 September, 2022, 09:14:57 pm
My last bath was just under 3 years ago when I decided it would be soothing after breaking 3 ribs. It was, until it dawned on me that getting out of a bath with broken ribs was going to be extremely painful. In the end I sort of Fosbury flopped over the side of the bath, squashing my knackers in the process, which turned out to be extremely painful. It was one of those lose/lose situations.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: librarian on 28 September, 2022, 11:44:10 pm
Quote from: campagman on 28 September, 2022, 09:00:10 pm
I thought that libraries were quiet places where noise was kept to a minimum and talking a whisper. When did it become ok to shout into a mobile phone on speaker? If it was a youngster I could, maybe, understand but no, it was an older lady who should have known better. They had no books on homebrewing either.

Complain to the management.  But quietly, mind.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: canny colin on 03 October, 2022, 01:33:06 pm
The fucking plaster won't go off  and I am bored stiff .Now the lady of the house has brought me round a cup of tea. The skimming plaster has decided to shoot off . I never get a hot cup ot tea.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 03 October, 2022, 07:29:56 pm
Quote from: campagman on 28 September, 2022, 09:00:10 pm
I thought that libraries were quiet places where noise was kept to a minimum and talking a whisper. When did it become ok to shout into a mobile phone on speaker? If it was a youngster I could, maybe, understand but no, it was an older lady who should have known better. They had no books on homebrewing either.

Probably around the time that libraries became de-facto DWP access centres.  The librarians tend to have more important things to do than go round shushing people.

IME older people are far worse for obnoxiously loud mobile phone calls[1] in public places.  I attribute this mostly to younger people eschewing voice calls, but also because anyone used to phones with sidetone being a bit discombobulated by the wretched things, even if they have perfect hearing.  And that's before you factor in the sound-coming-out-of-the-wrong-end-of-the-phone issues.  A lot of people seem to keep their phone permanently on speaker mode in an attempt to hear better.


[1] The youngsters make up for this by sodcasting.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 03 October, 2022, 08:29:18 pm
On a related note, why do Young People hold their phones horizontally in front of their faces when making a phone call? ??? Is it because they've never actually used a landline with a receiver?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 03 October, 2022, 08:35:02 pm
Quote from: phantasmagoriana on 03 October, 2022, 08:29:18 pm
On a related note, why do Young People hold their phones horizontally in front of their faces when making a phone call? ??? Is it because they've never actually used a landline with a receiver?

I think it's because the speakers and microphone are on the bottom edge of the phone, so it does actually make sense, sort of.  And you can see the screen during the call, which is potentially useful.  It still looks daft.

(Loosely related: Some years ago, it was noted that sign-language-using smalls would use the flat-hand proform for <telephone> rather than the traditional y-hand.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: JonBuoy on 03 October, 2022, 08:35:52 pm
I always assumed that they didn't want to get their brain fried by the radio waves...or something.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 03 October, 2022, 09:24:57 pm
Ah sidetone, how I miss thee. Sidetone, what it was, how to produce it, and which components need replacing if it isn’t there where all parts of my extensive telephone engineering education.

You would not believe the lengths BT and formally the Post Office went to, in ensuring that Sidetone was suitable for the majority of subscribers, and the testing that went on to ensure it played nicely with various compression algorithms used in analogue and then digital multiplying employed in the network. Every person who worked at the BT Labs had a duty to attend the testing sessions when they were randomly selected from the employment list, largely because the testing of Sidetone and detection of compression artefacts is a largely subjective issue and so random manual,testing had to be carried out.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: felstedrider on 03 October, 2022, 09:36:17 pm
Trying to get to a renewables conference in Amsterdam by train on Wednesday.   I need a lift into town because of the train strike.   Turns out there’s a strike in Belgium as well so my connection from Brussels has gone flaky.  Trying to do the right thing is hard sometimes.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 05 October, 2022, 10:23:38 am
Ladybird Insurance: Your system answered my initial call swiftly enough and I chose the correct option to amend my policy. However, without telling me, you then filtered the call through to another company and I was told it would be about a minute's wait. It turned out to be nearly 10. The ensuing call was then punctuated with being put on hold several times, basically because Right Choice (sic) Insurance Broker's systems are crap by the sound of things. A change of policy to include business use should not take nearly half an hour. (& cost £70)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 05 October, 2022, 07:20:36 pm
Have a look at the NFU.  They're not the cheapest*, but they don't apply "admin" charges when you need to change insurance reqs.


*Nor the most expensive.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Flite on 05 October, 2022, 08:55:12 pm
Fully endorse the NFU.
We have been with them for about 45 years.
We have had several very large claims, all settled quickly and fairly, and that is what is important to us rather than scratching round for the cheapest quote every year.
We just phone up a real person in a local office, they make any changes instantly, and a revised bill if applicable arrives in the post a few days later.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cygnet on 05 October, 2022, 10:12:15 pm
Quote from: Kim on 03 October, 2022, 08:35:02 pm
Quote from: phantasmagoriana on 03 October, 2022, 08:29:18 pm
On a related note, why do Young People hold their phones horizontally in front of their faces when making a phone call? ??? Is it because they've never actually used a landline with a receiver?

I think it's because the speakers and microphone are on the bottom edge of the phone, so it does actually make sense, sort of.  And you can see the screen during the call, which is potentially useful.  It still looks daft.

(Loosely related: Some years ago, it was noted that sign-language-using smalls would use the flat-hand proform for <telephone> rather than the traditional y-hand.)

Isn't the speaker at the top of the phone mostly? I.e. where your ear would be if you held the mic at the btm end near your mouth.

I blame Alan Sugar, the Apprentice and Apple. (I've heard that in the the old days the screen shut off as you hold it as a conventional phone, you lose ability to sit in a taxi with your fellow sociopaths and show that you are actually having a conversation with the boss-man, and not lying out your arse. Which is temporarily refreshing for your fellow taxi inhabitants). And thus a trope was born.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 06 October, 2022, 09:49:00 am
There’s generally a small speaker for your ear (the receiver in telephone engineering speak) at the top of your phone, and a microphone to capture your voice (transmitter in TES) at the bottom of your phone. The more powerful ‘music’ speakers initially started at the bottom of your phone, although more advanced phones now have ‘music’ speakers at the top and bottom of the phone to provide stereo separation when you put the phone in landscape orientation for watching videos.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 06 October, 2022, 12:08:05 pm
There is a colleague workmate someone at work I needed some info off.  He wasn't in Monday. Nor Tuesday. I asked his colleague if he would be in this week. "No, he's off sick" say they. "Oh, I'll see him next Monday then" say I. They "laughs". Grrrrr.  This individual never gets ill except over a weekend, and never recovers until the following week, all nicely self-certified. Around 4 times a year. Dog knows how HR haven't had numerous interviews with him about how they can help as he's obviously suffering disproportionately.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 06 October, 2022, 12:15:19 pm
Chronic weekenditsis is a serious illness. Bouts can take up to five days to resolve.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 06 October, 2022, 12:18:25 pm
How many grandparents funerals has he been to?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 06 October, 2022, 04:27:24 pm
I routinely get invites to professional meetings. Sometimes, for meetings in China I get several invites as well as being asked to give a presentation.  These are generally polite, professional emails.

Today I recieved a very strange email with the heading "let me introduce myself":
Quote
Hello Christopher,

I hope you are well and don't mind me reaching out.

I've been on the organiser team for Future Surgery for a little while now as the lead marketer, but I've never properly introduced myself. In the lead up to the conference this November, I wanted to send you a quick email to let you know a bit about myself.

1. My name is Hannah

2. I am a big foodie and have a particular interest in baking (cakes especially) - I love discovering new restaurants and bakeries right here in London (recommendations welcome!).

3. I love to travel and when I'm not helping surgeons with their professional development, I'm probably planning my next adventure (again, please send me recommendations!).

4. I believe in being open and honest and in that spirit, I would really value feedback and suggestions on what I can do to improve your experience with us at Future Surgery.

My team and I always thrive to provide you with cost and time effective way of gaining your CPD, valuable clinical information & professional development, special offers and updates from the profession & suppliers. If there is anything you want to see or hear from us, please do let me know.

I am beyond excited to join you on this journey and hopefully welcome and meet you in person at this year's Future Surgery taking place on 15-16 November at ExCeL London.

As a little welcome gift from me, I am pleased to tell you that as a healthcare professional based here in the UK, you are eligible for a complimentary pass (saving you £499+ VAT!). Use my discount code FSHANNAH at checkout to receive your free pass today. Please note, T&Cs apply.

Click here to book your pass.

Kind Regards,
Hannah True
Marketing Executive
www.futuresurgeryshow.com
h.true@closerstillmedia.com


I find this rather unsettling.  By the last line I am almost expecting an invitation to dinner.  Am I reading too much into this? 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 06 October, 2022, 04:55:35 pm
Go for it, she's beyond excited which is my daily goal. Mere excitement? I can do that any time, just watch me. Going beyond is something else and she's already there. I think in a different life I'd like to be an Excitement Coach.

Credit to her, she got your attention. Are you taking her flowers? She looks nice. I've probably freaked her out in return by viewing her LinkedIn profile now. I'll probably have to give her a job.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 06 October, 2022, 05:26:05 pm
Beyond Excited sounds like the name of an events co.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 06 October, 2022, 05:26:50 pm
Quote from: chrisbainbridge on 06 October, 2022, 04:27:24 pm
I routinely get invites to professional meetings. Sometimes, for meetings in China I get several invites as well as being asked to give a presentation.  These are generally polite, professional emails.

Today I recieved a very strange email with the heading "let me introduce myself":
Quote
Hello Christopher,

I hope you are well and don't mind me reaching out.

I've been on the organiser team for Future Surgery for a little while now as the lead marketer, but I've never properly introduced myself. In the lead up to the conference this November, I wanted to send you a quick email to let you know a bit about myself.

1. My name is Hannah

2. I am a big foodie and have a particular interest in baking (cakes especially) - I love discovering new restaurants and bakeries right here in London (recommendations welcome!).

3. I love to travel and when I'm not helping surgeons with their professional development, I'm probably planning my next adventure (again, please send me recommendations!).

4. I believe in being open and honest and in that spirit, I would really value feedback and suggestions on what I can do to improve your experience with us at Future Surgery.

My team and I always thrive to provide you with cost and time effective way of gaining your CPD, valuable clinical information & professional development, special offers and updates from the profession & suppliers. If there is anything you want to see or hear from us, please do let me know.

I am beyond excited to join you on this journey and hopefully welcome and meet you in person at this year's Future Surgery taking place on 15-16 November at ExCeL London.

As a little welcome gift from me, I am pleased to tell you that as a healthcare professional based here in the UK, you are eligible for a complimentary pass (saving you £499+ VAT!). Use my discount code FSHANNAH at checkout to receive your free pass today. Please note, T&Cs apply.

Click here to book your pass.

Kind Regards,
Hannah True
Marketing Executive
www.futuresurgeryshow.com
h.true@closerstillmedia.com


I find this rather unsettling.  By the last line I am almost expecting an invitation to dinner.  Am I reading too much into this?

. . .  if there's a dinner invite forthcoming take your toothbrush  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 06 October, 2022, 05:40:57 pm
I get similar emails which get filed immediately as spam which in my case is what they are. Basically the spammers waste their time on disabled students' advisers at universities about conferences that literally don't exist.

I know I'm ill (temp of 38.3C earlier) cos I got 2/3 down one of those spams before recognising it as spammy shite and defenestrating it. Usually I notice the FROM is bollocks.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 06 October, 2022, 05:49:12 pm
Quote from: barakta on 06 October, 2022, 05:40:57 pm
I get similar emails which get filed immediately as spam which in my case is what they are. Basically the spammers waste their time on disabled students' advisers at universities about conferences that literally don't exist.

I know I'm ill (temp of 38.3C earlier) cos I got 2/3 down one of those spams before recognising it as spammy shite and defenestrating it. Usually I notice the FROM is bollocks.
This is an actual event and at one point I had even been thinking about going to it as I have an interest in innovation.  I just found this form of marketing rather seedy.  I have put in a formal complaint to the Royal College of surgeons who were organising it'
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 06 October, 2022, 05:54:09 pm
Yeah, it does seem a bit creepy and well into freebies-for-marketing stuff which I thought wasn't allowed in NHS any more.

No more branded pharmaceutical stuffs like Kim's (doctor) dad used to bring home. We still have a nice little metal Ciproxin branded ruler!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 06 October, 2022, 05:58:44 pm
Bayer had all the best swag.  They did those little Maglites, too.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 06 October, 2022, 06:04:46 pm
One of our neighbours is going to be hosting a wedding for a friend. A Greek friend. Through a mutual contact (my wife’s hairdresser) we already know that the bar provider has been asked - and refused - to serve 15 - 17 year olds. And as there will be a marquee in the paddock behind their house, I assume it’ll be quite a large gathering.  We live in a linear village with a narrow road. Apparently (it a family building concern run from the house) the company secretary will be putting notes through all our doors apologising in advance for the disruption - because of course they won’t have organised additional parking, like the field that’s used for Church weddings or village hall events.

At least it’s unlikely to end like the one we attended in Crete, with Kalashnikov’s being fired into the heavens at 3am.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 06 October, 2022, 09:20:49 pm
When I got new locks for Beardy’s Bastion, I went to the trouble of getting all the locks keyed alike. This, however does not stop Dr Beardy morning at me when she has to use the ‘back door key’ to lock the front door because I’ve left the ‘front door key’ in my painting trousers after I’d used it to open and close the garage door during the course of todays DIY task.

It’s not as if the main portcullis and the tradesman’s entrance are that far apart. Grief, she even has to pass the former after she’s locked the latter and is on her way to bed!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 07 October, 2022, 07:01:35 am
First of the autumn lurgies, resting heart rate up, headache, snottiness, coughing, and blood sugar playing silly buggers. Tested negative for covid yesterday, but will test again tomorrow just in case.

The first clue was the blood sugar weirdness
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 08 October, 2022, 03:20:15 pm
Dear wife, you know energy costs have gone through the roof. And we live in a small terraced cordage with a front door, a back door, and one door in between, that is generally open during the day. When you go out the back door, why do you have to open it to the 90 degree position, and then wander off to see to your washing/garden/compost bin when a simple nudge back would accelerate its closing to a significant degree.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 08 October, 2022, 07:54:02 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 08 October, 2022, 03:20:15 pm
Dear wife, you know energy costs have gone through the roof. And we live in a small terraced cordage with a front door, a back door, and one door in between, that is generally open during the day. When you go out the back door, why do you have to open it to the 90 degree position, and then wander off to see to your washing/garden/compost bin when a simple nudge back would accelerate its closing to a significant degree.

I've been a lot more thorough about back door closing in such situations since the Rat Incident...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 08 October, 2022, 07:55:45 pm
Quote from: Kim on 08 October, 2022, 07:54:02 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 08 October, 2022, 03:20:15 pm
Dear wife, you know energy costs have gone through the roof. And we live in a small terraced cordage with a front door, a back door, and one door in between, that is generally open during the day. When you go out the back door, why do you have to open it to the 90 degree position, and then wander off to see to your washing/garden/compost bin when a simple nudge back would accelerate its closing to a significant degree.

I've been a lot more thorough about back door closing in such situations since the Rat Incident...
How does a Rat Incident rate against a Squirrel Incident? Or a Pine Marten Incident...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 08 October, 2022, 08:21:07 pm
Quote from: Kim on 08 October, 2022, 07:54:02 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 08 October, 2022, 03:20:15 pm
Dear wife, you know energy costs have gone through the roof. And we live in a small terraced cordage with a front door, a back door, and one door in between, that is generally open during the day. When you go out the back door, why do you have to open it to the 90 degree position, and then wander off to see to your washing/garden/compost bin when a simple nudge back would accelerate its closing to a significant degree.

I've been a lot more thorough about back door closing in such situations since the Rat Incident...

Ah, for rats, and mice, and glis glis, we have Phoebe to thank  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 08 October, 2022, 08:25:09 pm
Rat and mice incidents are two a penny round here, that's why we have a healthy buzzard and kestrel population
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 08 October, 2022, 08:31:15 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 08 October, 2022, 07:55:45 pm
Quote from: Kim on 08 October, 2022, 07:54:02 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 08 October, 2022, 03:20:15 pm
Dear wife, you know energy costs have gone through the roof. And we live in a small terraced cordage with a front door, a back door, and one door in between, that is generally open during the day. When you go out the back door, why do you have to open it to the 90 degree position, and then wander off to see to your washing/garden/compost bin when a simple nudge back would accelerate its closing to a significant degree.

I've been a lot more thorough about back door closing in such situations since the Rat Incident...
How does a Rat Incident rate against a Squirrel Incident? Or a Pine Marten Incident...

Rat was definitely easier to evict than a squirrel, as rats will run in more predictable directions.  I merely opened the external door, set the washing machine (which the rat was hiding behind) to run a spin cycle, and positioned myself by internal door with a stout stick, while barakta made sure it stayed closed.  As the machine started up, the rat legged it, swerved to avoid me and went straight out the back door.  Job done.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 08 October, 2022, 08:35:58 pm
It's easier to predict a rat's movements, as people are closer to rats.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 08 October, 2022, 08:55:29 pm
Rats also have more respect for the Z-axis than squirrels.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 09 October, 2022, 03:21:12 pm
Painting a second coat Pure Brilliant White High Gloss is an exercise in nuance, especially so in bright sunlight. That it was an overhead surface just compounded the horridness of the whole exercise. 

I’m already aching.

On, and the masking tape was only partially successful in its life mission nd I’m going to have to go over the adjacent dark surfaces, no doubt a multitude of times, once the paint has dried.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 10 October, 2022, 10:27:20 am
Quote from: Kim on 08 October, 2022, 08:55:29 pm
Rats also have more respect for the Z-axis than squirrels.

Going up but not necessarily coming down: I just read that US rats can fall 50 feet without being rendered U/S.

No data available for Donald Trump.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 10 October, 2022, 08:19:24 pm
Bloody Birmingham pubs.  Chalk board with millions of beers listed.  All you have to go on is just the increasingly stupid names.  Ask PSO behind the bar.  I prefer a malty beer to a hoppy beers.  SPO panics and runs away.
OK I'll have a pint of stupid name please.  Turned out to be a very hoppy IPA.  Shit. I hate IPAs.
I manage just over half of it but realise that my taste buds aren't going to tune in and give up.  #1 son seems happy with his cider, so back to the bar.  PSO sees me coming and runs away again, bless her.
OK, I'll try a pint of even more stupid name.
Wierd colour.   
OFFS. It tastes of blackcurrant!   What is the matter with you people?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 10 October, 2022, 09:13:38 pm
There was a time when weird beers were a new thing and if you asked they would give you a small taster glass before you ordered a pint. In some places the tasters were so generous you could have well over a pint before you ordered the one you actually paid for.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 10 October, 2022, 10:04:13 pm
I’ll always ask for a taster if I don’t know the beers; in my local, they’ll usually offer up the taster to me before I ask when they’ve got a new beer on.

Also, they never argue with me if I say a beer is off, they just offer me another beer and take the one I’ve rejected off sale.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 10 October, 2022, 10:20:37 pm
Alternatively pick the one that doesn't have a stupid name. Basil's mild or Ruby Red or some such. (This is what smart phones and Google were invented for).
OTOH if the pub can't find room on the board to write a tiny word like IPA, malty, porter, lager that's a bit crap.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 11 October, 2022, 07:45:15 am
When I worked as a barman, it was normal to offer someone a taste of a beer if they weren't familiar with the offerings "What do you normally drink? Try this then."

However, I'm with Basil. Making a beer hoppy doesn't make it good (I enjoy a nice cold hoppy beer on a hot day, or when I'm eating fish). Generally prefer stouts or malty beers, but increasingly go into pubs that only have something that tastes like cat's piss mixed with flowers.

I blame Brewdog. They make over-hopped beers their brand, people bought into the hype, now all breweries are desperately trying to prove they are 'hip' and 'new' by making beers from hops and stupid flavourings.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 11 October, 2022, 07:52:58 am
Quote from: Basil on 10 October, 2022, 08:19:24 pm
Bloody Birmingham pubs.  Chalk board with millions of beers listed.  All you have to go on is just the increasingly stupid names.  Ask PSO behind the bar.  I prefer a malty beer to a hoppy beers.  SPO panics and runs away.
OK I'll have a pint of stupid name please.  Turned out to be a very hoppy IPA.  Shit. I hate IPAs.
I manage just over half of it but realise that my taste buds aren't going to tune in and give up.  #1 son seems happy with his cider, so back to the bar.  PSO sees me coming and runs away again, bless her.
OK, I'll try a pint of even more stupid name.
Wierd colour.   
OFFS. It tastes of blackcurrant!   What is the matter with you people?

Blackcurrent! - that's got to be slightly better than the "pure grapefruit juice" beer I had the other day (in a pub just south of Birmingham)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 11 October, 2022, 09:27:16 am
The day after I lead the Panzers down Whitehall hipster brewers offering fruit-flavoured ”BEER” will themselves be offered the choice of a Reëducation Camp or deportation to Belgium.  Harsh on the Belgians, I'll admit, but needs must.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 11 October, 2022, 10:15:21 am
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 11 October, 2022, 07:45:15 am
When I worked as a barman, it was normal to offer someone a taste of a beer if they weren't familiar with the offerings "What do you normally drink? Try this then."

However, I'm with Basil. Making a beer hoppy doesn't make it good (I enjoy a nice cold hoppy beer on a hot day, or when I'm eating fish). Generally prefer stouts or malty beers, but increasingly go into pubs that only have something that tastes like cat's piss mixed with flowers.

I blame Brewdog. They make over-hopped beers their brand, people bought into the hype, now all breweries are desperately trying to prove they are 'hip' and 'new' by making beers from hops and stupid flavourings.

I think the Americans were making very hoppy beer long before Brewdog – making use of the new world hop varieties that grow so well in the Pacific north-west. I was supping murky craft beers in the US long before Brewdog existed.

I'm a big fan of hoppy monster beers, though occasionally I like to take a step back, or go with some old-school British hops. Five Points do a nice bitter. Not a super-fan of fruit-flavoured beers unless they're a sour.

Personally, it's great that many pubs now feature a range of beers beyond the traditional grim firing squad of pumps for Fosters, Carling, and Guinness. And yes, a taster should be expected if you want one.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 11 October, 2022, 10:55:29 am
Of course, I realise why these pubs don't offer a standard 'Best Bitter' alongside all the hipster crap.  If they did, they'd get loads of grumpy old gits like me who stay for ages but only buy 1 or sometimes 2.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 11 October, 2022, 11:34:12 am
Quote from: Basil on 11 October, 2022, 10:55:29 am
Of course, I realise why these pubs don't offer a standard 'Best Bitter' alongside all the hipster crap.  If they did, they'd get loads of grumpy old gits like me who stay for ages but only buy 1 or sometimes 2.
Batham's and Holden's breweries in the Black Country are two examples of how good, honest & delicious beer - with limited choice - can be sold to a wide variety of customers in fairly basic surroundings. (With the exception of the Holden's pub in West Bromwich that has been 'transformed' by a modern refurb.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 11 October, 2022, 02:58:07 pm
Went to buy another couple of solar security lights from Amazon - the ones I bought back in May are now listed as "Prime only" - i.e. you have to be a Prime member . . . or pay nearly 25% more for them.  Bastards.

Whenever they have a "free to join for nn time" offers on Prime I've joined and then cancelled at the last minute, but there seem to be fewer offers/opportunities.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 12 October, 2022, 06:09:21 pm
I've just filled out a form in which I had 7 fields to fill out.  It's a Terd .docx.  6 different text formats set for the 7 table cells.  Another party had filled out 2 fields prior to sending to me, 2 more formats. 
No marching ants, surprisingly.

(Some people need a slap upside the head sooo badly)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 13 October, 2022, 07:01:45 pm
After the Pissy Landlord Electric Shower dying a couple of weeks back, tonight, in an unusual fit of tidy I decided to shove the Dyson round the carpets. Except it made a farting noise and emitted that funny smell of burning electrics.
 :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 13 October, 2022, 07:14:06 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 13 October, 2022, 07:01:45 pm
After the Pissy Landlord Electric Shower dying a couple of weeks back, tonight, in an unusual fit of tidy I decided to shove the Dyson round the carpets. Except it made a farting noise and emitted that funny smell of burning electrics.
 :facepalm:
Nilfisk is your friend.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 13 October, 2022, 07:22:03 pm
Spoke to a local repair place on FB who reckon they can replace the motor for 30 squids (which seems like a bargain having googled how to), if that's what it is, so going to give them a try. I wouldn't buy another one new cos Brexshit etc but I like my Dyson. It must be about 16 or 17 yrs old so it doesn't owe me anything.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 13 October, 2022, 07:32:13 pm
It’s the majic smoke that’s escaped. If,you ask Kim, she might have a sachet of it lying around  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 13 October, 2022, 07:35:06 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 13 October, 2022, 07:32:13 pm
It’s the majic smoke that’s escaped. If,you ask Kim, she might have a sachet of it lying around  ;D

I think you'll find that it comes in jars: https://www.mez.co.uk/smoke2.jpg  ;)

NB: You need to specify which type of magic smoke, depending on earthing arrangements: https://www.ntnoa.org/photos/2016/smoke.jpg
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 14 October, 2022, 12:03:26 am
Your links make it appear as though the only supplier of said majic smoke is the Prince of Darkness - that seems a little anti-competitive. What if we do not wish to support his monopolistic practices?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 14 October, 2022, 12:33:11 am
Magic smoke is available from Chinese suppliers.  Trouble is, you can never be sure whether it’s spying on you and reporting back to the Central Policy Research Office.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 14 October, 2022, 12:41:59 am
You've also got to make sure you're not using N-type smoke when you need P-type, otherwise the electrons go backwards.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Clare on 17 October, 2022, 02:47:35 am
My mug has developed a crack and my brown drink has escaped.

 :(

It was my tea mug
It had power to restore
No more mighty mug.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 17 October, 2022, 08:19:47 am
That is a tragic happening. You have my sympathy. If you knocked on my door, you'd have my tea. But you cannot have my mug!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 17 October, 2022, 08:35:02 am
Waitrose are bringing back their free coffee! Which would be great, if I still lived within half a mile of a Waitrose...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 17 October, 2022, 10:17:25 am
Well, if you insist on putting brown drink inna TEA mug you shouldn’t be surprised that it commits suicide :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 17 October, 2022, 10:22:04 am
Quote from: Clare on 17 October, 2022, 02:47:35 am
My mug has developed a crack and my brown drink has escaped.

 :(

It was my tea mug
It had power to restore
No more mighty mug.

Thats what happens when you use them upside down.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Clare on 17 October, 2022, 10:34:09 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 17 October, 2022, 10:17:25 am
Well, if you insist on putting brown drink inna TEA mug you shouldn’t be surprised that it commits suicide :demon:

 ???

Brown drink goes in a tea mug, black drink goes in a coffee mug.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: De Sisti on 17 October, 2022, 10:50:49 am
Somehow I was given a £20 note (a few weeks ago), which is no longer legal tender.
I unwittingly tried to make a purchase with it, only to suffer embarrassment with it not
being accepted.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hatler on 17 October, 2022, 11:16:50 am
A bank will exchange it for you.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 17 October, 2022, 11:20:16 am
What is this £20 note you speak of? I have vague rememberings of them, but can’t quite put my figure on anything.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 17 October, 2022, 11:30:07 am
What is this 'bank' of which you speak?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 17 October, 2022, 12:08:49 pm
Quote from: Clare on 17 October, 2022, 10:34:09 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 17 October, 2022, 10:17:25 am
Well, if you insist on putting brown drink inna TEA mug you shouldn’t be surprised that it commits suicide :demon:

 ???

Brown drink goes in a tea mug, black drink goes in a coffee mug.

No, no!  Tea goes in a tea mug!  Black drink goes in a pint glass, as any fule Guinness drinker kno.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Clare on 17 October, 2022, 08:23:32 pm
Guinness, as any individual with an iota of taste learns very quickly, goes down the drain.

 :sick:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 18 October, 2022, 10:00:19 am
To book an appointment at the frikkin tip:

<type> fdean.gov.uk
<click> Reject All
<click> Close sidebar
<click> Bins & Recycling
<click> Recycling Banks & Centers
<click> Book an appointment
<click> Use necessary cookies only
<click> Close shitmail popup
<click> Car & van bookings for an HRC
<click> Make a car booking
<click> Yes I have understood
<click> No I am not a robot
<8x click today> Click the pics (recaptcha)
<click> Submit
<click> Next
On the cookies popup - <click> Change my preferences
<click> Functionality cookies
<click> Off
<click> Tracking cookies
<click> Off
<click> Targeting and advertising cookies
<click> Off
<click> Submit my preferences
<click> Yes I have read 10,000 words of BS
<click> Next
<click> Oak quarry (at last! That's the name of the recycling center I want to use)
<click> Next
<click> Date
<click> Time
<click> Next
<type> fill out details (type of waste, name, vehicle reg, postcode (<click> lookup <click> select address), phone number, email, email again)
<click> Next
<click> Submit form.

Sigh.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Rod Marton on 18 October, 2022, 10:56:07 am
Quote from: SoreTween on 18 October, 2022, 10:00:19 am
To book an appointment at the frikkin tip:

<type> fdean.gov.uk
<click> Reject All
<click> Close sidebar
<click> Bins & Recycling
<click> Recycling Banks & Centers
<click> Book an appointment
<click> Use necessary cookies only
<click> Close shitmail popup
<click> Car & van bookings for an HRC
<click> Make a car booking
<click> Yes I have understood
<click> No I am not a robot
<8x click today> Click the pics (recaptcha)
<click> Submit
<click> Next
On the cookies popup - <click> Change my preferences
<click> Functionality cookies
<click> Off
<click> Tracking cookies
<click> Off
<click> Targeting and advertising cookies
<click> Off
<click> Submit my preferences
<click> Yes I have read 10,000 words of BS
<click> Next
<click> Oak quarry (at last! That's the name of the recycling center I want to use)
<click> Next
<click> Date
<click> Time
<click> Next
<type> fill out details (type of waste, name, vehicle reg, postcode (<click> lookup <click> select address), phone number, email, email again)
<click> Next
<click> Submit form.

Sigh.
So you live in Gloucestershire too.

The only plus side is that the tip is much less crowded than it used to be.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 18 October, 2022, 11:04:51 am
And my regular shout-out for websites that don't let the autofill work, refuse to allow copy and paste, and of course, throw up a cryptic error when you have the temerity to include a space in the sixteen digit number you've forced me to type.

A terrible, terrible eternal damnation awaits the people who design and maintain these forms. Just saying because I'm the executive consultant on that project.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 18 October, 2022, 11:38:58 am
Quote from: SoreTween on 18 October, 2022, 10:00:19 am
To book an appointment at the frikkin tip:

<type> fdean.gov.uk
<click> Reject All
<click> Close sidebar
<click> Bins & Recycling
<click> Recycling Banks & Centers
<click> Book an appointment
<click> Use necessary cookies only
<click> Close shitmail popup
<click> Car & van bookings for an HRC
<click> Make a car booking
<click> Yes I have understood
<click> No I am not a robot
<8x click today> Click the pics (recaptcha)
<click> Submit
<click> Next
On the cookies popup - <click> Change my preferences
<click> Functionality cookies
<click> Off
<click> Tracking cookies
<click> Off
<click> Targeting and advertising cookies
<click> Off
<click> Submit my preferences
<click> Yes I have read 10,000 words of BS
<click> Next
<click> Oak quarry (at last! That's the name of the recycling center I want to use)
<click> Next
<click> Date
<click> Time
<click> Next
<type> fill out details (type of waste, name, vehicle reg, postcode (<click> lookup <click> select address), phone number, email, email again)
<click> Next
<click> Submit form.

Sigh.

Still better than sitting in a queueueueueueueue of idling cars on Lifford Lane for 45 minutes.  Especially when you're not going to the tip.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 18 October, 2022, 02:07:38 pm
Quote from: Rod Marton on 18 October, 2022, 10:56:07 am
Quote from: SoreTween on 18 October, 2022, 10:00:19 am
To book an appointment at the frikkin tip:

<type> fdean.gov.uk
<click> Reject All
<click> Close sidebar
<click> Bins & Recycling
<click> Recycling Banks & Centers
<click> Book an appointment
<click> Use necessary cookies only
<click> Close shitmail popup
<click> Car & van bookings for an HRC
<click> Make a car booking
<click> Yes I have understood
<click> No I am not a robot
<8x click today> Click the pics (recaptcha)
<click> Submit
<click> Next
On the cookies popup - <click> Change my preferences
<click> Functionality cookies
<click> Off
<click> Tracking cookies
<click> Off
<click> Targeting and advertising cookies
<click> Off
<click> Submit my preferences
<click> Yes I have read 10,000 words of BS
<click> Next
<click> Oak quarry (at last! That's the name of the recycling center I want to use)
<click> Next
<click> Date
<click> Time
<click> Next
<type> fill out details (type of waste, name, vehicle reg, postcode (<click> lookup <click> select address), phone number, email, email again)
<click> Next
<click> Submit form.

Sigh.
So you live in Gloucestershire too.

The only plus side is that the tip is much less crowded than it used to be.

The booking system seems to be working here in Warwickshire - they use the cheapie EventBrite ticket system - clunky but fairly brief.    BUT we seem to have had an increase in fly-tipping out in the sticks, possibly because of the need to book?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 18 October, 2022, 02:45:08 pm
Yeah, but fly tipping isn't the problem of the company that runs the tip, so thatsnot an issue they are going to worry about fixing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 18 October, 2022, 02:47:46 pm
The entire rubbish collection and disposal system needs rethinking, from domestic refuse collection (could we find a way to collect it without cluttering up pavements?) to hazardous waste and beyond.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 18 October, 2022, 03:40:09 pm
Quote from: Rod Marton on 18 October, 2022, 10:56:07 am
So you live in Gloucestershire too.

The only plus side is that the tip is much less crowded than it used to be.

Yep and Yep

Quote from: Kim on 18 October, 2022, 11:38:58 am

Still better than sitting in a queueueueueueueue of idling cars on Lifford Lane for 45 minutes.  Especially when you're not going to the tip.
Also yep.  There regularly used to be queues outside Oak Quarry, mostly they were predictable so easily avoided but you could get caught out at unexpected times.  Now it's a queue of 2-3 cars if you turn up at the start of your 30 minute slot but otherwise straight in.

Hereford is worse, after registering there you're only allowed 10 visits a year.  That's not going to encourage fly tipping at all.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 18 October, 2022, 04:44:02 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 18 October, 2022, 02:45:08 pm
Yeah, but fly tipping isn't the problem of the company that runs the tip, so thatsnot an issue they are going to worry about fixing.

It's the LA that runs the booking - and I'm pretty sure that the operatives at the sites are their employees - the contractors just take the giant skips away.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: arabella on 18 October, 2022, 06:53:39 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 18 October, 2022, 02:47:46 pm
The entire rubbish collection and disposal system needs rethinking, from domestic refuse collection (could we find a way to collect it without cluttering up pavements?) to hazardous waste and beyond.
Well, there would be plenty of space to not clutter up the pavements by putting bins in the road outside château arabella and not on the pavement, except that the pavement is used as a car park.
So I (and many other) pedestrians end up walking down the road ...

But yes, unlike that Europe where users may have to take rubbish to some communal bin at 100 yards metres away, and collect post from a post office, we insist on door to door here (well, for now at least ...)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 18 October, 2022, 08:28:04 pm
I am sure I read that somewhere (Liverpool, I think) was trialling centralized rubbish storage and collection, with some success. It may challenge the British mindset of chucking it outside their front door and it instantly becoming someone else's problem.

Our local municipality, the Jungles of Surrey, is apparently mulling a step back from the wheelie bins that have been increasingly fecund in recent years, spawning a range of additional wheelie bins, so a household can max out at four (ok, one caddy, one garden waste, one recycling, and one general rubbish). I'd like to say this is because they give a shit about blocked pavements, but if they did, they might be tempted to do something about the endemic pavement parking that quite often doesn't leave enough space for a wheelie bin.

I recently found out the cost of a bulky waste collection, which was a grand £53 quid for a broken exercise bike and a few other bits and pieces (about eight years ago when we moved here, they would collect three items a year for free). I can't imagine why most people just leave it on a corner or down a country lane. Of course, if you have a car, the refuse centre is free.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 18 October, 2022, 10:45:44 pm
On a related note, our new washing machine was finally delivered yesterday.  I'll skip the grumble about manufacturers lying about the depth of their machines, and the one about lowest-bidder landlords' contractors installing stupid pipework that wastes too much of the limited space.

Anyway, I'd successfully deposited the old machine on the pavement, attached a note to the effect of "knackered bearings, otherwise works, please take", and was in the process of folding up the wheelchair ramp when a WVM winds down his window and asks if it's scrap.  That's about 2 whole minutes slower than last time.
Title: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 18 October, 2022, 10:49:03 pm
Brighton has communal bins in the street. I don’t live there, but it looks like they mostly work. Though there is sometimes some bits left beside the bin, for the seagulls to explore.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 19 October, 2022, 07:26:36 am
Oh nice they even asked, here I had put the washing machine out in the backyarden, ready to take over to SiL. A lad just open the back gate and walked in to look at it. Didn't even knock or ask.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 19 October, 2022, 07:45:44 am
Quote from: arabella on 18 October, 2022, 06:53:39 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 18 October, 2022, 02:47:46 pm
The entire rubbish collection and disposal system needs rethinking, from domestic refuse collection (could we find a way to collect it without cluttering up pavements?) to hazardous waste and beyond.
Well, there would be plenty of space to not clutter up the pavements by putting bins in the road outside château arabella and not on the pavement, except that the pavement is used as a car park.
So I (and many other) pedestrians end up walking down the road ...

But yes, unlike that Europe where users may have to take rubbish to some communal bin at 100 yards metres away, and collect post from a post office, we insist on door to door here (well, for now at least ...)

We have large street bins for areas where there are lots of flats (on roads, not pavements - much to the annoyance of some drivers! ;D). They would be great if (1) people actually used them correctly and didn't dump rubbish next to the recycling bins and vice versa, and (2) the council emptied them more frequently.

People do flytip next to the bins on a regular basis. On the plus side, I picked up slightly tired bathroom storage unit of exactly the size I was looking for, cleaned it up and painted it and it's having a new life in my bathroom. On another occasion, I got 4 wheeled wooden underbed storage boxes. :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 19 October, 2022, 08:36:09 am
There are a couple of places in the posh bits of Bristol where a conglomeration of student flats has led to large wheeled skips being put into designated places on the road – not pavement. I don't know but suspect this counts as commercial waste, which is collected separately (you have to make your own arrangements).

And of course blocks of flats have similar arrangements.

Still, it's better than the systems in urban India (dump everything on the street corner and let the cows and crows eat it) or rural Poland (good collection if you choose to pay for it – but most people don't, so they burn it all, including plastics, in domestic boilers intended to run on coal).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 19 October, 2022, 08:36:41 am
Quote from: arabella on 18 October, 2022, 06:53:39 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 18 October, 2022, 02:47:46 pm
The entire rubbish collection and disposal system needs rethinking, from domestic refuse collection (could we find a way to collect it without cluttering up pavements?) to hazardous waste and beyond.
Well, there would be plenty of space to not clutter up the pavements by putting bins in the road outside château arabella and not on the pavement, except that the pavement is used as a car park.
So I (and many other) pedestrians end up walking down the road ...
So much this...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hatler on 19 October, 2022, 09:43:46 am
Is there anywhere that operates a commmunity exchange scheme, where there's a designated area for people to put something they no longer need but which is perfectly serviceable ?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 19 October, 2022, 09:48:41 am
Charity shops? Freecycle? Wall? I know (or think) you're talking about a designated, probably council-run, area, a sort of anti-tip, but I wonder if there's really a need or a demand?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 19 October, 2022, 10:12:44 am
Charity shops in non-skint areas seem to be very picky indeed about what they will take.  One in Hedge End (it was Marie Curie) wanted to pick and choose each individual item from the car load that Mrs W took there recently, from my late mother's home.  We'd already sorted it into charity shops, or recycling centre, but no, they all seem to want absolutely perfect goods without even a hint of a mark on them.  I wonder quite who they are catering for?

Marie Curie got nothing, as Mrs W just shut the tailgate and drove off.  Most of it ended up in the charity shops in Welshpool, who take a more realistic view.  The amount we had to just take to the tip was horrifying, including things like an unmarked G Plan dining suite, and we had to give away a 2 month old £500 Bosch fridge freezer.  People don't seem to want stuff unless its brand new in a box, from China.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hatler on 19 October, 2022, 10:45:44 am
Wombat, I feel your pain. I'm about a month behind you on this journey.  We've found an ethical house clearing company near my late mum's house, but lining them up is proving tough.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 19 October, 2022, 10:48:55 am
The reason charity shops won't take stuff is two-fold: lack of storage, and even more a lack of customers. Everyone donates, few buy.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 19 October, 2022, 11:49:53 am
When I needed to clear my dad's Sheltered flat in Lichfield, I contacted the local British Heart Foundation and told them that they could have everything as long as they took everything.   Which they did (even the phone, which I hadn't meant them to do).
There was some tat, but also some very nice stuff which made it worth their while.

However, this was 2011 and I expect things have changed.
I tried the same with my mother's sheltered flat in Reading last year but no one bit.  Ended up paying a professional clearance company to do it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 19 October, 2022, 12:16:12 pm
As said, a lot of charity stores fell prey to virtuous dumping (or plain old dumping). It's cheaper that paying the council to dispose of stuff. They can't store it and often can't sell it, so end up having to foot the costs.

It's true that some people have odd perceptions – we have a pile of Ikea cupboards and bookshelves in the garage, which aren't in perfect condition, but they're not in bad condition either. Couldn't give them away (some quite odd people came around, I mean really, it wouldn't be free if it were brand new and in perfect nick, would it?) Someone actually asked if we could deliver it.

On the other hand, when we had the kitchen ripped out, no sooner than it was sat on the drive, someone pulled up and asked us if we still wanted it, and despite its condition it was gone in a day.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 19 October, 2022, 12:35:35 pm
Quote from: ian on 19 October, 2022, 12:16:12 pm
On the other hand, when we had the kitchen ripped out, no sooner than it was sat on the drive, someone pulled up and asked us if we still wanted it, and despite its condition it was gone in a day.

I'm sure their future tenant was delighted...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 19 October, 2022, 01:05:16 pm
Our daughter in law works for charities in the legacy department. She’s currently at BHF (though she’s just got a job with The Royal Society). And she was saying at the weekend that the charity shops of most large charities are, at best, self funding, with their primary reason for existence being as reminders of the charities existence. She went on to say that the recent energy price rise is going to make most shop estates cost centres and the charities as a whole will be doing some very difficult sums to decide on how many shops to keep and where.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 19 October, 2022, 04:11:25 pm
Quote from: Wombat on 19 October, 2022, 10:12:44 am
Charity shops in non-skint areas seem to be very picky indeed about what they will take.  One in Hedge End (it was Marie Curie) wanted to pick and choose each individual item from the car load that Mrs W took there recently, from my late mother's home.  We'd already sorted it into charity shops, or recycling centre, but no, they all seem to want absolutely perfect goods without even a hint of a mark on them.  I wonder quite who they are catering for?

Marie Curie got nothing, as Mrs W just shut the tailgate and drove off.  Most of it ended up in the charity shops in Welshpool, who take a more realistic view.  The amount we had to just take to the tip was horrifying, including things like an unmarked G Plan dining suite, and we had to give away a 2 month old £500 Bosch fridge freezer.  People don't seem to want stuff unless its brand new in a box, from China.

You should have tried Freecycle or Freegle. The only things I've never managed to get rid of on there were some ancient roof bars and an unused double electric socket.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 19 October, 2022, 04:28:55 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 19 October, 2022, 04:11:25 pm
Quote from: Wombat on 19 October, 2022, 10:12:44 am
Charity shops in non-skint areas seem to be very picky indeed about what they will take.  One in Hedge End (it was Marie Curie) wanted to pick and choose each individual item from the car load that Mrs W took there recently, from my late mother's home.  We'd already sorted it into charity shops, or recycling centre, but no, they all seem to want absolutely perfect goods without even a hint of a mark on them.  I wonder quite who they are catering for?

Marie Curie got nothing, as Mrs W just shut the tailgate and drove off.  Most of it ended up in the charity shops in Welshpool, who take a more realistic view.  The amount we had to just take to the tip was horrifying, including things like an unmarked G Plan dining suite, and we had to give away a 2 month old £500 Bosch fridge freezer.  People don't seem to want stuff unless its brand new in a box, from China.

You should have tried Freecycle or Freegle. The only things I've never managed to get rid of on there were some ancient roof bars and an unused double electric socket.
Reminds me I saw an odd thing on the wall yesterday. A converter socket, like one you'd use for GOING ABROAD, but both sides were UK.  ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 19 October, 2022, 05:39:55 pm
Quote from: Kim on 19 October, 2022, 12:35:35 pm
Quote from: ian on 19 October, 2022, 12:16:12 pm
On the other hand, when we had the kitchen ripped out, no sooner than it was sat on the drive, someone pulled up and asked us if we still wanted it, and despite its condition it was gone in a day.

I'm sure their future tenant was delighted...

It wasn't that bad, I'd just not considered it worthy of recycling considering it had been in use as a kitchen for a decade or two. Weirdly, I couldn't get rid of the decent stuff. Though I mostly gave up after the weirdoes who expected me to deliver it, or one woman that carefully inspected a couple of small cat scratches, like she was looking for a reason to get a discount.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 19 October, 2022, 05:49:25 pm
Quote from: hatler on 19 October, 2022, 09:43:46 am
Is there anywhere that operates a commmunity exchange scheme, where there's a designated area for people to put something they no longer need but which is perfectly serviceable ?

Not quite the same (I'm not sure how feasible that would be with big items in areas where not many people have cars) but we have a local "street bounty" Facebook group where people can post stuff they've seen dumped around town for the attention of others that might be able to use it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 19 October, 2022, 06:09:21 pm
Quote from: ian on 18 October, 2022, 08:28:04 pm
I am sure I read that somewhere (Liverpool, I think) was trialling centralized rubbish storage and collection, with some success. It may challenge the British mindset of chucking it outside their front door and it instantly becoming someone else's problem.
I saw that too & my memory also says liverpool, underground bins QG may be acquainted with.  Not Just Bikes on gootube has a good video about them. Looks very effective.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 19 October, 2022, 09:32:13 pm
I’m having to spend way too long in POBI just to try and keep up with all the traffic, and I decide to take a break and look in on Health and fitness only to find a several of very long and complicated replies to,a thread I’ve been watching in there.

Sod it, I’m gonna get a beer!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 20 October, 2022, 10:08:06 am
Biggles1 and Biggles2.  Bit low wasn't that, lads?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 20 October, 2022, 11:52:57 am
Quote from: Basil on 20 October, 2022, 10:08:06 am
Biggles1 and Biggles2.  Bit low wasn't that, lads?

I was out near Shrewsbury once, and I swear they were so low the grass was blown over by their wake.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 20 October, 2022, 12:44:04 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 20 October, 2022, 11:52:57 am
Quote from: Basil on 20 October, 2022, 10:08:06 am
Biggles1 and Biggles2.  Bit low wasn't that, lads?

I was out near Shrewsbury once, and I swear they were so low the grass was blown over by their wake.

You want to try being in the middle of the beach at Bamburgh, wearing shorts, when the jets are so low they sand-blast your legs  :hand:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Captain Nemo on 20 October, 2022, 02:11:14 pm
Quote from: robgul on 20 October, 2022, 12:44:04 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 20 October, 2022, 11:52:57 am
Quote from: Basil on 20 October, 2022, 10:08:06 am
Biggles1 and Biggles2.  Bit low wasn't that, lads?

I was out near Shrewsbury once, and I swear they were so low the grass was blown over by their wake.

You want to try being in the middle of the beach at Bamburgh, wearing shorts, when the jest are so low they sand-blast your legs  :hand:

Good job Bamburgh Casle is a bit more substantial than this Aussie observation post...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_Mh3dsln9M

Always had a soft spot for the old 'Vark and was really chuffed when I got rider number F111 for PBP2015
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 20 October, 2022, 02:42:52 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 19 October, 2022, 04:11:25 pm
Quote from: Wombat on 19 October, 2022, 10:12:44 am
Charity shops in non-skint areas seem to be very picky indeed about what they will take.  One in Hedge End (it was Marie Curie) wanted to pick and choose each individual item from the car load that Mrs W took there recently, from my late mother's home.  We'd already sorted it into charity shops, or recycling centre, but no, they all seem to want absolutely perfect goods without even a hint of a mark on them.  I wonder quite who they are catering for?

Marie Curie got nothing, as Mrs W just shut the tailgate and drove off.  Most of it ended up in the charity shops in Welshpool, who take a more realistic view.  The amount we had to just take to the tip was horrifying, including things like an unmarked G Plan dining suite, and we had to give away a 2 month old £500 Bosch fridge freezer.  People don't seem to want stuff unless its brand new in a box, from China.

You should have tried Freecycle or Freegle. The only things I've never managed to get rid of on there were some ancient roof bars and an unused double electric socket.

A bit tricky, when you are clearing a house 200 miles from home, you're staying in a hotel with almost no wifi and poor phone signal, and you've got 3 days maximum.  We didn't know what we had, till we got stuck in, down there.  We knew about the fridge, and put it on Gumtree for a third of its purchase price (it was absolutely mint condition, hardly used) but no-one was interested, so we gave it away to a friend of one of mum's carers. Our spare bedroom is still littered with stuff we thought was worth making a real effort to sell, but we only have a small car, so the amount was limited.  People are unlikely to travel to our home to collect low value items, as we're a fair way from anywhere. Postage costs make low value items unaffordable.  We made a lot of (pre-booked) tip runs in those few days...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TimC on 21 October, 2022, 04:49:45 pm
Quote from: Basil on 20 October, 2022, 10:08:06 am
Biggles1 and Biggles2.  Bit low wasn't that, lads?

Were they ours, or Russian?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 21 October, 2022, 05:26:00 pm
Dr Beardy has been clearing out THE kitchen drawer this afternoon and has found a number of unused mini-maglites. Given the impeding power cuts I decided to check them out and prepare them deployment.

They have no lamps; no worries, I’ll order some led conversions for them.

I probably won’t, as I can buy two whole led torches for less than the price of one generic led conversion. Pah, I wanted to save them from landfill.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 21 October, 2022, 06:09:01 pm
Quote from: TimC on 21 October, 2022, 04:49:45 pm
Quote from: Basil on 20 October, 2022, 10:08:06 am
Biggles1 and Biggles2.  Bit low wasn't that, lads?

Were they ours, or Russian?
Probably mercans. Do they still have bases here?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 22 October, 2022, 07:45:33 am
Quote from: Beardy on 21 October, 2022, 05:26:00 pm
Dr Beardy has been clearing out THE kitchen drawer this afternoon and has found a number of unused mini-maglites. Given the impeding power cuts I decided to check them out and prepare them deployment.

They have no lamps; no worries, I’ll order some led conversions for them.

I probably won’t, as I can buy two whole led torches for less than the price of one generic led conversion. Pah, I wanted to save them from landfill.

You are aware there's is, or at least would have been a spare bulb in the end cap
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TimC on 23 October, 2022, 12:41:52 am
Bought two touch-controlled lamps from B&Q today. Neither worked. It’s a bloody 20 mile round trip to take them back.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 24 October, 2022, 01:13:02 pm
“Hmmm!” thought Mr Larrington as he made his way from the pick-up-ur-undelivered-post office towards Mr Sainsbury’s House of Toothy Comestibles.  “Something feels loose on this 'ere Perfectly Good Gentleman’s Mountain Bicycle!”

Not long afterwards the left crank fell off.  At the bottom of the short sharp climb out of the Crooked Billet underpass >:(

One-legged pedalling is rather hurty, especially with a pair of Ortliebs stuffed with Toothy Comestibles.  I had to walk the uphill bit.  Investigation of the state of b0rk of the crank/bb interface can wait until I've had more brown drink.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 24 October, 2022, 01:21:26 pm
Saturday: found great recipe for hoisin sauce substitute, uses i.a. peanut butter. Haven't seen the stuff in shops for years (Alsace, whaddaya want?), make trial sample, bloody good.

Monday: MrsT says peanut butter gives her the shits.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 24 October, 2022, 03:27:52 pm
Hoisin or satay?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Paul on 24 October, 2022, 03:30:53 pm
Quote from: T42 on 24 October, 2022, 01:21:26 pm
Saturday: found great recipe for hoisin sauce substitute, uses i.a. peanut butter. Haven't seen the stuff in shops for years (Alsace, whaddaya want?), make trial sample, bloody good.

Monday: MrsT says peanut butter gives her the shits.
Quote from: hellymedic on 24 October, 2022, 03:27:52 pm
Hoisin or satay?
Anally, I suspect.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 24 October, 2022, 04:54:50 pm
Sainsbury's have just cancelled my delivery scheduled for 16.30 - 17.30 today.

Apparently, the roads are closed/blocked.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 24 October, 2022, 06:39:54 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 24 October, 2022, 04:54:50 pm
Sainsbury's have just cancelled my delivery scheduled for 16.30 - 17.30 today.

Apparently, the roads are closed/blocked.

What, all of them?  ::-)

I nearly missed a vital delivery recently when a couple of roads were closed for a festival. Luckily the guy had the wit to phone me and I guided him in. What he didn't have the wit for were (a) reading a map; and (ii) following the big yellow DIVERSION signs.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 24 October, 2022, 07:39:33 pm
Related grumble: There's currently a big yellow DIVERSION sign on the pavement outside our house, for the benefit of drivers with the ability to see through parked cars avoiding the roadjbex on $adjacent_road.

As this might constitute a trip hazard to pedestrians, they've placed a cone beside it.  This leaves a gap approximately one wheeliebin wide.  Tomorrow is bin day...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 24 October, 2022, 08:06:12 pm
Also, the bloody underpass was flooded again today, though not as badly as it was the other week.  So I was at least on dry land when my crank fell off.

Note to TfL: clear ur drains >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 24 October, 2022, 08:17:41 pm
My Daddy said Silver Street is always flooded…

Back to my Sainsbury's non-delivery.
I don't know which roads were closed,
Driver arranged redelivery for same time tomorrow.
Said I'd get an email.
No email so far.
Unable to speak to human on Helldesk. Press various buttons, wait, line disconnects.

Hope I do get comestibles...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 25 October, 2022, 09:28:06 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 24 October, 2022, 03:27:52 pm
Hoisin or satay?

Hoisin.  Substituted extra dark miso & toasted pine-nuts, bunged in a couple of semi-dried apricots to sweeten it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 25 October, 2022, 09:35:13 am
We have a Mondial Relay parcel service point about 200 metres down the road.  The other day I ordered coffee with free delivery via MR for >= 2 kg, then found out that to "improve" service, MR were just doing bulk deliveries to their service point 18 km away.  :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 25 October, 2022, 11:01:52 am
Bloody UK banking service. I transferred some moneys from my building society account to the bank account of Ms Beardy the elder. I did this electronically before midday yesterday and it still hasn’t shown up in Ms Beardy’s account. It has obviously been removed from my account.

I checked on the BS (how apposit) webby science to see what they say about delays. They say that under normal conditions, their ‘Faster payment’ service should, SHOULD, deliver the moneys to an external account by the end of the next working day.

It’s nice to know that there’s still employment for w legged donkeys in the banking systems pony express!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 25 October, 2022, 11:33:28 am
Trying to log on to Bank banking logon which has been amended recently. The site thinks about things for quite some time, doesn't accept log on credentials and then reports a fault. The status page of the same bank states all is working normally.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 25 October, 2022, 11:45:20 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 24 October, 2022, 04:54:50 pm
Sainsbury's have just cancelled my delivery scheduled for 16.30 - 17.30 today.
Apparently, the roads are closed/blocked.

Delivery was then rescheduled for the same time today. Driver said I'd get an email.
I didn't.
Wanted to confirm foods were coming but several attempts to call Helldesk, with Much Waiting failed.
No delivery by 6pm

Resorted to Twiitter.

Eventually got a reply stating good would be delivered between  8 & 9pm

Groceries arrived 19.45.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fimm on 27 October, 2022, 02:05:00 pm
Grumble, either at myself for using unnecessarily ornate language, or at the person selling a <thing> on Gumtree who didn't understand that "6:30pm tomorrow (Thursday)" means "6:30pm on Thursday".
Next time I'll try to remember to say what I mean.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 28 October, 2022, 09:40:20 am
Wasps. Ok, they're Goog Guys, and the nest behind our (terraced) neighbours sofit hasn't bothered us this summer. But now the mornings are dark (I'm eating my breakfast at 6:40) and I have the light on in the lounge, we're getting dozens of them clustering around the windows, and also coming in through the Velux vent in the bathroom window, as they go for the lights. And they leave some kind of excretion all down the windows, which is unsightly.  I suppose one benefit of the clocks going back will be to stop that behaviour for a couple of weeks.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 28 October, 2022, 08:57:14 pm
What is the point, OK, what is the fucking point of washing machine programmes which require you to prod the machine a several of times in order for it to continue its cycle.
I mean, what happened to automation?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 28 October, 2022, 09:16:07 pm
This is how the machines start to take over...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 28 October, 2022, 09:40:52 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 28 October, 2022, 08:57:14 pm
What is the point, OK, what is the fucking point of washing machine programmes which require you to prod the machine a several of times in order for it to continue its cycle.

It's so you can add raisins at the appropriate point in the cycle.

Either that or it was developed by the Windows Update people.

(Something to do with creases, I think.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 28 October, 2022, 09:43:13 pm
The raisins are added automatically if you already have a rabbit or a hamster.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 28 October, 2022, 10:23:01 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 28 October, 2022, 08:57:14 pm
What is the point, OK, what is the fucking point of washing machine programmes which require you to prod the machine a several of times in order for it to continue its cycle.
I mean, what happened to automation?

Lol. Everytime I put our washer on I get the rage while I press it multiple times until it decides I've pressed the start button for the exact number of milliseconds it deems is a start press as opposed to an accidental bum nudge.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 28 October, 2022, 11:38:06 pm
Ah, the never actually taken seriously by product managers art of UI design. I beleive you can actually take a degree in the subject, but no product development team has ever knowing employed a UI designer or ergonomicist. They very idea…
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 29 October, 2022, 12:54:04 am
I've been struggling with the UI of the new washing machine.  It's a load of capacitive touch buttons, with one rotational encoder knob for selecting programs.  For some reason my brain insists on ignoring the big flashing '⏯' button to start the program, and wants to either push the non-button manufacturer's logo at the centre of the Big Knob, or the '⏻' button on the far right.  More than once I've switched it off and had to start again.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 29 October, 2022, 12:57:10 am
My uni runs a rapidly expanding MSc in User Experience Design and they like to brag about former students' achievements in the daily staff newsletter. Often actually interesting stuff.

We need more people designing things more ergonomically.

Also not just all touchscreens which are awful accessibility wise for anyone with even slightly impaired vision. A partially blind friend had to pay £400+ extra for an induction hob that was accessible to her and had to do a lot of careful research to choose the right model.

At work we have printers for students, all touchscreen, so our blind or partially sighted students can't use them without help which some do want to do sometimes e.g printing a letter or something in larger print.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 29 October, 2022, 04:29:11 pm
Touchscreens are also dreadful for those with dexterity issues. My vision is basically fine, so long as images keep still.

I can push the 'Start' on my washing machine and the other bits, which only need to be touched, as needed. Program selection is a rotating clicky knob. which is fine.

I can't reliably or usefully do the 'gestures' on D's iPads or phone though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 29 October, 2022, 06:10:22 pm
Touchscreens are terrible for everyone, except when:

a) You want to pretend you're in Star Trek: TNG
2) A frustrated hardware engineer who would otherwise be using physical buttons is given vague specifications or trying to keep costs down
iii) The user interface needs to be wipe-clean for infection-control reasons
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 29 October, 2022, 06:16:38 pm
When considering UI there should be a mandatory question asked. Is this type of UI used in a jet fighter. If the answer is no, then it is NOT fit for purpose.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 30 October, 2022, 09:03:43 am
MrsT announced Friday that we'll be getting Visitors this pm. Fuckkit, the sun's shining and there's no wind and now I have to clean out the god-damned parrot. :demon:

Plus: they get CAEK and éclairs and "I didn't get any for you" since I'm diabetic and can only eat them halfway through a ride and WHY won't I be halfway through a ride this pm, mm? Mm?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 30 October, 2022, 09:05:39 am
Quote from: Beardy on 29 October, 2022, 06:16:38 pm
When considering UI there should be a mandatory question asked. Is this type of UI used in a jet fighter. If the answer is no, then it is NOT fit for purpose.
I suppose the red arrows might have a choice of spin speed?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 30 October, 2022, 05:05:36 pm
Joined several local FB groups to post an item for sale. I carefully made sure to 'unfollow group' and set notifications to off but I'm still getting all the shite people are selling on my feed. Useless pile of poo.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 30 October, 2022, 06:26:15 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu
Useless pile of poo.
Can't see them getting many buyers for that. :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 01 November, 2022, 10:49:35 am
Wretched village kids came round trick-or-treating in the American tradition last night. At least, that's what they thought they were doing, but all they were really up to was mob-handed begging for sweets - there must have been 30-odd all strung out along the footpath, probably a primary-school class with a teacher tagging along.  I put the outside light on and opened the door to the first lot to ring, told them "no sweets here". Closed up, light out. 30 seconds later the bell went again so I left the light out and gave them an 1800 lumen Cree in the face instead, whereafter peace.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 01 November, 2022, 11:54:26 am
I just had the butler standing in the porch with a sawn-off.  Works wonders.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 01 November, 2022, 01:03:27 pm
Most of the farmer's kids around here would come back with Daddy's boar-slaying rifle.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 01 November, 2022, 01:19:32 pm
Whilst carving the pumpkin yesterday lunchtime I did suggest I reproduce this one
(http://www.suffolkgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/swear-pumpkin.jpg)
But it was vetoed
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 01 November, 2022, 01:21:39 pm
Quote from: T42 on 01 November, 2022, 01:03:27 pm
Most of the farmer's kids around here would come back with Daddy's boar-slaying rifle.

IRTA “BEAR-slaying” and thought “Hang on, T42 doesn’t live in Surrey” ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 02 November, 2022, 07:13:56 pm
Been waiting well over a year for a cover to come into stock for our Ikea sofa. Now it's finally in stock it's not available for delivery. Nearest collection store is a 300 mile round trip away.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 02 November, 2022, 08:10:59 pm
If you need it delivering to the midlands and then Forwarding let me know.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 02 November, 2022, 08:24:08 pm
Seems to be no delivery anywhere, in store only in and only in certain stores.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 03 November, 2022, 08:23:54 am
Happy to collect from Gateshead and post to you Mrs P, if it's there?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 03 November, 2022, 09:14:40 am
Quote from: fboab on 03 November, 2022, 08:23:54 am
Happy to collect from Gateshead and post to you Mrs P, if it's there?

Thanks for the offer fboab, but it seems to be 'instore only' at Gateshead, no click und collect unfortunately.
That's only available at Glasgow, Leeds, Sheffield, Nottingham, Wembley, Cardiff.
Thanks anyway :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 03 November, 2022, 10:34:29 am
“Tomorrow. Thank you.”

Leaving the above as a message on my answering machine is unlikely to persuade me to call you back, or even give you money in the more likely scenario, viz. you’re a Very Stupid Scammer.  Programming your message-bot to wait until the thing goes “beeeeeeeep” might yield better results.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 03 November, 2022, 10:47:52 am
I'd forgotten about it, but it's back. It comes around every year. Is it a week tomorrow? I'm not sure, I just want not to be told about it, but I've just received and instantly deleted my first email about, yes you guessed it, Black Friday.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 03 November, 2022, 11:34:34 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 03 November, 2022, 10:47:52 am
I'd forgotten about it, but it's back. It comes around every year. Is it a week tomorrow? I'm not sure, I just want not to be told about it, but I've just received and instantly deleted my first email about, yes you guessed it, Black Friday.

Apropos of the grammar thread, I got an email about Pre-Black[1] Friday(sic) offers from South Downs Bikes on Tuesday.


[1] 80% grey?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 03 November, 2022, 11:42:16 am
If there’s any decent offers to be had on pre-abused laptops I might have to bite the bullet and, y'know…  Eurrgh, I feel dirty now.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 03 November, 2022, 11:51:46 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 03 November, 2022, 09:14:40 am
Quote from: fboab on 03 November, 2022, 08:23:54 am
Happy to collect from Gateshead and post to you Mrs P, if it's there?

Thanks for the offer fboab, but it seems to be 'instore only' at Gateshead, no click und collect unfortunately.
That's only available at Glasgow, Leeds, Sheffield, Nottingham, Wembley, Cardiff.
Thanks anyway :)
We have an island 'man with a van' company who periodically does trips off-island to Ikea for this very reason.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 03 November, 2022, 12:31:48 pm
Servicing basic hubs - usually pretty simple - front needs a 13mm cone spanner, rear a 15mm, both plus a 17mm for the locknut.  But no, pair of wheels from a Specialized bike needs 2 off 17mm cone spanners . . .  and who has more than 1 of each of the cone spanner sizes?  Not me, I have a complete Park set from 13 to pretty big, but just one of each.

... and while I'm at it - there must be an easier and less messy way to refill a Park Tools grease gun from a bulk can of grease . . .  I have to use a flat tyre lever to spoon the stuff in, press it down - and repeat - then a home-made tool (bit of seatpost tube) to push the inner cap up to create the pressure. Aaargh!  Oh, and a bigger gun (more grease) would be an improvement.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 03 November, 2022, 12:39:28 pm
Quote from: Kim on 03 November, 2022, 11:34:34 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 03 November, 2022, 10:47:52 am
I'd forgotten about it, but it's back. It comes around every year. Is it a week tomorrow? I'm not sure, I just want not to be told about it, but I've just received and instantly deleted my first email about, yes you guessed it, Black Friday.

Apropos of the grammar thread, I got an email about Pre-Black[1] Friday(sic) offers from South Downs Bikes on Tuesday.


[1] 80% grey?
Shades of... I'm going to vomit  :sick:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 03 November, 2022, 01:12:58 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 03 November, 2022, 10:47:52 am
I'd forgotten about it, but it's back. It comes around every year. Is it a week tomorrow? I'm not sure, I just want not to be told about it, but I've just received and instantly deleted my first email about, yes you guessed it, Black Friday.

The Friday after Thanksgiving, which is the 3rd Thursday in November. In the US.  Has the UK a Thanksgiving these days?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 03 November, 2022, 02:58:05 pm


Quote from: T42 on 03 November, 2022, 01:12:58 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 03 November, 2022, 10:47:52 am
Has the UK a Thanksgiving these days?
It might start to be a thing after the next election

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 03 November, 2022, 03:31:59 pm
Quote from: T42 on 03 November, 2022, 01:12:58 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 03 November, 2022, 10:47:52 am
I'd forgotten about it, but it's back. It comes around every year. Is it a week tomorrow? I'm not sure, I just want not to be told about it, but I've just received and instantly deleted my first email about, yes you guessed it, Black Friday.

The Friday after Thanksgiving, which is the 3rd Thursday in November. In the US.  Has the UK a Thanksgiving these days?

But if Britain was to adopt Thanksgiving then we should support our Commonwealth partner and follow the Canadian practise of the 2nd Monday of October.  :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 03 November, 2022, 03:48:46 pm
Quote from: matthew on 03 November, 2022, 03:31:59 pm
Quote from: T42 on 03 November, 2022, 01:12:58 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 03 November, 2022, 10:47:52 am
I'd forgotten about it, but it's back. It comes around every year. Is it a week tomorrow? I'm not sure, I just want not to be told about it, but I've just received and instantly deleted my first email about, yes you guessed it, Black Friday.

The Friday after Thanksgiving, which is the 3rd Thursday in November. In the US.  Has the UK a Thanksgiving these days?

But if Britain was to adopt Thanksgiving then we should support our Commonwealth partner and follow the Canadian practise of the 2nd Monday of October.  :demon:

And probably emulate both in not being able to find anything to be really thankful for. Weather, politicians and prosperity are all out the window.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 04 November, 2022, 02:12:46 pm
Buy tickets to see $POPULAR_BEAT_COMBO in London's Famous London.

As we're in the future, these are E tickets, what get emailed to me.
Check in box. Email has arrived.

"Please print your tickets and bring them with you to the event. You will not be able to enter the event without them. This email alone cannot be used for entry."

Bah.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 04 November, 2022, 02:52:38 pm
Odd, pretty much every event we attend in that London's Famous London allow you to wave the barcode in the email on your phone under the reader where it works, unsurprisingly, in exactly the same way as it would if it were printed on a piece of paper.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 04 November, 2022, 02:55:54 pm
I know I've dutifully printed out tickets in the past only to find that everyone else is just waving their phone.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 04 November, 2022, 02:58:55 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 04 November, 2022, 02:55:54 pm
I know I've dutifully printed out tickets in the past only to find that everyone else is just waving their phone.
A several of times I've been to a gig, armed with e ticket on my phone, only to be asked for my name, which is then ticked off a list on a piece of paper with a grubby biro. 

Note to self: Go to more upmarket gigs.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 04 November, 2022, 03:52:54 pm
Actually, I'm sure there was something recently that demanded we print out copies. We didn't and nothing bad happened.

Someone, somewhere is probably working on a machine that allows someone to copy a piece of paper multiple times. Imagine that, if you can aim your eyes so far into the future. I know, it's seems implausible, but if like me, you've been reliant on monkish scribes to date, it'll be a life-changer.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cygnet on 04 November, 2022, 08:56:52 pm
Quote from: ian on 04 November, 2022, 03:52:54 pm
Someone, somewhere is probably working on a machine that allows someone to copy a piece of paper multiple times. Imagine that, if you can aim your eyes so far into the future. I know, it's seems implausible, but if like me, you've been reliant on monkish scribes to date, it'll be a life-changer.
It matters not whether the [barcode/pixel thing] can be replicated or not, cos only the first person with it in any scannable form shou
Quote from: Tim Hall on 04 November, 2022, 02:58:55 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 04 November, 2022, 02:55:54 pm
I know I've dutifully printed out tickets in the past only to find that everyone else is just waving their phone.
A several of times I've been to a gig, armed with e ticket on my phone, only to be asked for my name, which is then ticked off a list on a piece of paper with a grubby biro. 

Note to self: Go to more upmarket gigs.



Note to self: go to all the good gigs, including the ones where the promoter doesn't have commercial tech?!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 04 November, 2022, 09:56:48 pm
We've had e-tickets for the Southbank Centre and then entered the place via the crips' entrance dungeon, where there is no mobile reception. Staff have admitted us when we quoted our seat number but the Luddite in me would have preferred a hard copy, which wouldn't get a hissy fit in a dungeon.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 04 November, 2022, 10:02:00 pm
You don't need mobile reception, it's on your phone already.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 05 November, 2022, 09:12:20 am
I’ve had e-ticket on the company app before (rather than download to Google wallet) which did insist on checking home. Interrail, for instance. Guess how good my phone reception was in a tunnel when the ticket man came round.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rogerzilla on 05 November, 2022, 06:22:45 pm
Premier Inn.  If you're going to use the kind of shit ticket dispenser that only provides individual sheets of single ply* bog roll, ffs don't have a shower head that's bolted to the wall, as your guests are going to need a Calcutta rinse after failing to clean up in the conventional way.

*Achtung, Herr Kaleun, we have a hull breach!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 05 November, 2022, 07:09:08 pm
Just bought some 3M Command Strips. They have zero stickiness on either side, rendering them useless. >:( I must have got a bad batch, as I've used the same type before without any issues.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 06 November, 2022, 01:00:19 pm
You must have picked up the Commando strips by mistake.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Socks on 06 November, 2022, 01:12:39 pm
Motorbikes on cycle / footpaths.  Over the last year or two a couple of local routes have been widened and tarmacced, so I now have a choice of quiet traffic free routes to get out of town and into the country lanes.  Except for the yoofs on piggin motorbikes.  Six today - two on one motorbike without helmets or number plates, doing a stupid speed.  Another group of three on scrambler bikes, helmets and number plates but at least doing a sensible speed and keeping left.  And two crossing the path, to go onto a footpath. 

No chance of any enforcement of course, and they are easy to hear from a long way away so plenty of warning.  So I suppose just keep fingers crossed that they 'share with care'
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 06 November, 2022, 02:40:51 pm
I've always been of the opinion that the best way to keep the yoofs on motorbikes away from such paths is to make them attractive enough to the legitimate users that they become busy and no fun to ride a motorbike on.  (And I'll even go as far as suggesting that the occasional yoof riding their motorbike down the towpath responsibly at bicycle speeds in order to transport their fishing kit, for example, isn't doing anyone any harm anyway.)

There was also that time that a couple of yoofs onna motorbike helped lift my loaded touring bike bike over a Silly Sustrans Gate™ on the Middlewood Way, before proceeding to lift their motorbike.  Which neatly demonstrates that barriers are not the solution.

Police only seem to care if they think the motorbikes are stolen.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 06 November, 2022, 03:34:37 pm
Two stories about motorbikes on converted railways, both very old, neither directly involving me. The first is something I overheard back in the late 80s, someone was riding a motorbike along the path at night, there was "a granny with no lights" who jumped into the hedge – the point being he, the rufty tufty* biker, was also scared by suddenly coming across the unlit granny on her old roadster.

The second is one I read in a m/c magazine, a reader's story of how they came to buy a certain s/h machine. This involved taking it for a test ride along a similar path, crashing into a skinhead (this must also have been the 80s or very early 90s), biker and pedestrian (and bike) end up on the ground. Having ascertained that no one needs an ambulance, the biker's next thought is to get away before the skinhead beats him up. Only of course the bike has stalled and he can't get it started again. I think he then bought it out of embarrassment of having to explain to the owner what had happened!

*Tufty? Is this squirrels?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 07 November, 2022, 01:12:32 pm
Couldn't find my overshoes on Saturday morning, they're a bit shagged anyway and I had Rainy Adventures planned for Sunday, so I had a look at Balfe's Bikes website for New! Shiny! ones.

They had the Endura MT500 shown as in stock and as their warehouse is nearby I toddled over.

Couldn't see any on the shelf so asked the Nice Man behind the counter.

Yes, they're in stock he says, but not in stock here. They're in stock at their supplier and he could get them by the 14th.  This is obviously some strange use of the word safe in stock that I wasn't previously aware of.

(Bought some pull on ones from Decathlon instead which I then discovered won't fit over my generously sized feet. The original overshoes turned up on Sunday. Phrases such as "boy looking" may have been used)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cygnet on 07 November, 2022, 10:25:06 pm
Counterpoint: I've visited a Decathlon which had [item] in stock for "Click and Collect" but not in stock for turning up and trying to buy the thing.

Yes what I should have done (and have done since in other stores) is use their WiFi to click and collect and visited other stores while they "pick" it. Just like Argos...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 08 November, 2022, 03:19:09 pm
There's an Amazon Locker, open 24/7, ¼ mile hence.

If I place an order for two items, only one can use the locker. In fact I can't get *any* local locker to accept two items.

I arrange delivery to my home.

This arrives at a time inconvenient to The Man, displeasing him greatly.

I can't grumble about weekend delivery within 48 hours of placing an order, for Standard Delivery.

Poor workers though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 08 November, 2022, 03:51:23 pm
Do I need to know in an email from a major cycling organisation based in Manchester that was signed off as :


<Redacted : very obviously a female name>
(She/Her)
Customer Services

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 08 November, 2022, 04:02:07 pm
Quote from: robgul on 08 November, 2022, 03:51:23 pm
Do I need to know in an email from a major cycling organisation based in Manchester that was signed off as :


<Redacted : very obviously a female name>
(She/Her)
Customer Services

Pronouns in a signature doesn't do any harm if it isn't useful or pertinent. Maybe it's not ideal for using on external emails but I don't think Outlook lets you auto set signatures by domain of TO: field.

It's a way of showing solidarity with trans people or those whose names aren't so obviously gendered or genderable... Think Andrea is an Italian mans name but would be read as female in the UK. Adrian in the USA can be female whereas in the UK it is always female. Alex could be either of the binary genders. Non binary people don't always have gender neutral names.

Some trans people have names or physical appearance and clothes choices that don't necessarily code their gender to other people by default. Choice to share pronouns in signature is one way they can let people know what the correct ones are.

I have email pronouns in my work signature. I hope to be an ally to trans people and show that I will be kind and decent to them. I have worked with several trans students and it has been helpful when I've found mixed names in paperwork from them to receive an email with "my pronouns are XYZ" cos that usually explains it without me having to ask "I notice different names, can I check which name/pronoun is correct for you please?".

Knowing a student's pronoun means I can use it correctly to them and is an opportunity to ask if they need advice on navigating university as an often young trans person. Not everyone knows how to change their name in the systems, that MyUni has a process for doing name/pronoun change for different levels of stuff and staff should treat that trans student with dignity and respect. Just as we look out for other things like caring responsibilities or other signs of needing support that the wider uni could provide.

For what it's worth, I don't believe anyone should be compelled to disclose pronouns in verbal or written contexts, it should always be optional with no censure for not doing so.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 08 November, 2022, 04:02:46 pm
Quote from: robgul on 08 November, 2022, 03:51:23 pm
Do I need to know in an email from a major cycling organisation based in Manchester that was signed off as :


<Redacted : very obviously a female name>
(She/Her)
Customer Services

Congratulations, you now know that Redacted's name is gender-appropriate and they're probably not a transphobe.


(Yes, I think putting pronouns in signatures are silly, when email has supported X-headers for this sort of metadata for decades.  But it's at least an order of magnitude less pointless than those stupid legal disclaimers people often have.)


ETA: Crosspost with barakta.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 08 November, 2022, 04:05:27 pm
I used to have two sigs in Outlook, for internal and external emails (there was no point adding the legal stuff to the bottom of internal emails) and it was the work of moments to select which sig to attach from the drop-down in the menu bar. So, just laziness on the part of the sender then.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ham on 08 November, 2022, 04:36:59 pm
I added gender identifier/pronoun preference when - as a global company - I received a mail from someone from a different culture that I wouldn't have been able to guess, and thought, yeah that doesn't hurt.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 08 November, 2022, 04:39:30 pm
Quote from: Kim on 08 November, 2022, 04:02:46 pm
Quote from: robgul on 08 November, 2022, 03:51:23 pm
Do I need to know in an email from a major cycling organisation based in Manchester that was signed off as :


<Redacted : very obviously a female name>
(She/Her)
Customer Services

Congratulations, you now know that Redacted's name is gender-appropriate and they're probably not a transphobe.


(Yes, I think putting pronouns in signatures are silly, when email has supported X-headers for this sort of metadata for decades.  But it's at least an order of magnitude less pointless than those stupid legal disclaimers people often have.)


ETA: Crosspost with barakta.

Just "Customer Services" would be fine, no need for a name, or even a title - just the answer to my question would be adequate - at least I wasn't "reached out to" asked if "are you well" or wished "a nice day/pleasant evening"  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 08 November, 2022, 04:42:21 pm
Quote from: Ham on 08 November, 2022, 04:36:59 pm
I added gender identifier/pronoun preference when - as a global company - I received a mail from someone from a different culture that I wouldn't have been able to guess, and thought, yeah that doesn't hurt.

Absolutely agree - I used to work for a large global IT company in that situation.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 08 November, 2022, 04:51:08 pm
Quote from: robgul on 08 November, 2022, 04:39:30 pm
Just "Customer Services" would be fine, no need for a name, or even a title - just the answer to my question would be adequate

I think it's harmless and occasionally useful to know who you're talking to when you get a response from a generic account like that.  Especially if you're then going to follow-up in another media that wouldn't preserve the threading (eg. a voice call or by sending them a parcel).  Depends on how advanced their case management is, really.  If everything gets filtered through some customer database it's redundant.  If it's a small business it's often useful to be able to tell them that all the context is in Dave's head, and it'll probably be quicker to go and get him.

I expect there's also Marketing wisdom that tells us that people are more receptive when they imagine they're talking to an actual human, even when it's a bot...   >:(


Quote
- at least I wasn't "reached out to" asked if "are you well" or wished "a nice day/pleasant evening"  ;D

The "hope this finds you well" thing seems to have sprung up in response to the COVID-19.  Fair enough, I suppose.  But it does seem a little strange.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 08 November, 2022, 07:26:08 pm
Quote from: Kim on 08 November, 2022, 04:51:08 pm
Quote from: robgul on 08 November, 2022, 04:39:30 pm
Just "Customer Services" would be fine, no need for a name, or even a title - just the answer to my question would be adequate

I think it's harmless and occasionally useful to know who you're talking to when you get a response from a generic account like that.  Especially if you're then going to follow-up in another media that wouldn't preserve the threading (eg. a voice call or by sending them a parcel).  Depends on how advanced their case management is, really.  If everything gets filtered through some customer database it's redundant.  If it's a small business it's often useful to be able to tell them that all the context is in Dave's head, and it'll probably be quicker to go and get him.

I expect there's also Marketing wisdom that tells us that people are more receptive when they imagine they're talking to an actual human, even when it's a bot...   >:(


Quote
- at least I wasn't "reached out to" asked if "are you well" or wished "a nice day/pleasant evening"  ;D

Agreed - but the message in question was just an automated "boilerplate text" response.

The "hope this finds you well" thing seems to have sprung up in response to the COVID-19.  Fair enough, I suppose.  But it does seem a little strange.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ravenbait on 08 November, 2022, 07:39:10 pm
Quote from: robgul on 08 November, 2022, 07:26:08 pm
The "hope this finds you well" thing seems to have sprung up in response to the COVID-19.  Fair enough, I suppose.  But it does seem a little strange.

I've used "I trust this finds you well," as an opening statement in hand-written letters for years. I think I picked it up from examples of fictional epistles in late Victorian literature. I prefer this to "How are you?" because it provides an opening for someone to share otherwise if that's the case and they want, while allowing them to leave me to the stated assumption if they prefer.

Sam (my current grumble is that I don't even have the energy to grumble)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 08 November, 2022, 07:44:50 pm
"Think Andrea is an Italian mans name but would be read as female in the UK."

I know an Italian man called Andrea, here in the UK. I also have a work email contact called Andreea – not a typo, double e – who is Romanian, or at least based in Cluj-Napoca. I'm guessing this Andreea is female, but maybe not – so far it hasn't mattered and it's unlikely to. Curiously, this Andreea works for an organisation with bases in London, Singapore and Chicago, in addition to Romania; the first two offices have started appending pronouns to all their emails but Chicago and Romania don't.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 08 November, 2022, 07:48:50 pm
I emailed an Italian Geezer* called Andrea just last week.
I also know of another Italian Geezer in the UK called Nicola. He shortens it to Nico, but I'm not sure whether this is to avoid confusion or just what the short form is.

* I don't think he painted the Mona Lisa either.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 08 November, 2022, 07:50:17 pm
And there was Nikola Tesla of course.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 08 November, 2022, 08:01:20 pm
Putting pronouns on emails would have helped a lot in identifying gender when I was at work becuase it was often unclear from the name alone when you got an email from India. That said, it was rarely that important for me to know the gender of any of the individuals I was working with, at least from a professional pov, so it wouldn’t have changed to working relationship.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 08 November, 2022, 08:05:29 pm
I also know an Italian bloke yclept Andrea, specifically the one TV's Gary Solomon kept calling “Andreas”.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: orienteer on 08 November, 2022, 08:09:59 pm
About ten years ago I did Bikeability training at schools in NW  London, where there are many immigrants from the Indian subcontinent. Inevitably the attendance list had names I couldn't identify gender from. It got more difficult when I looked at them and still couldn't tell. These were mostly kids in Year 6, about 11 years old.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 08 November, 2022, 08:33:25 pm
Being Indian wouldn't necessarily have helped. For instance, Krishna is a male god but the name is often given to girls too.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 08 November, 2022, 08:53:50 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 08 November, 2022, 08:05:29 pm
I also know an Italian bloke yclept Andrea, specifically the one TV's Gary Solomon kept calling “Andreas”.

You can fault him for that.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: bhoot on 08 November, 2022, 09:04:39 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 08 November, 2022, 07:44:50 pm
"Think Andrea is an Italian mans name but would be read as female in the UK."
A colleague called Simone (Italian man) caught out a few people. And then there are the names written same as English but prononced differently - notable Nicolas in French pronounced as Nicola in English. A while back I was working with a team including a Johann (man) but the Spanish people we dealt with liked to pronounce it Joanne.
I now work with a lot of people from India and getting to grips with gender and pronouns is a bit tricky as they are all new names to me.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 08 November, 2022, 10:01:39 pm
I honestly didn't much care about the sex of my Indian teams, it would either become apparent or not, and it didn't much matter. None of them felt the need to share their pronouns.

One of the lead developers did call me Lan, though, I guess once she'd made the mistake, she decided to run with it, and then it was too late to correct her since we'd both then have to admit it. I think by the end, in any meeting she was in, I referred to myself as Lan. It was just easier.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 08 November, 2022, 10:31:12 pm
Many Indian names are not gender specific.
For a while I had two colleagues of different gender, but with the same name.
Because it was many years ago, but mainly because I've had a pint [2 Ed], I can't remember what that name was.
*deep?  *jit?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 08 November, 2022, 10:36:42 pm
Quote from: ian on 08 November, 2022, 10:01:39 pm
One of the lead developers did call me Lan, though, I guess once she'd made the mistake, she decided to run with it, and then it was too late to correct her since we'd both then have to admit it. I think by the end, in any meeting she was in, I referred to myself as Lan. It was just easier.

Ah, bad case of Calibri...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 08 November, 2022, 10:53:30 pm
Quote from: Kim on 08 November, 2022, 10:36:42 pm
Quote from: ian on 08 November, 2022, 10:01:39 pm
One of the lead developers did call me Lan, though, I guess once she'd made the mistake, she decided to run with it, and then it was too late to correct her since we'd both then have to admit it. I think by the end, in any meeting she was in, I referred to myself as Lan. It was just easier.

Ah, bad case of Calibri...

 ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 09 November, 2022, 12:38:53 am
Quote from: Pingu on 08 November, 2022, 08:53:50 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 08 November, 2022, 08:05:29 pm
I also know an Italian bloke yclept Andrea, specifically the one TV's Gary Solomon kept calling “Andreas”.

You can fault him for that.

 ;D

FOREIGNS of European mien seem incapable of pronouncing “ian”, or even “Ian”, such that even BRITONS now refer to my grate frend Mr Sheen as “Yan”.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 09 November, 2022, 09:26:06 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 09 November, 2022, 12:38:53 am
Quote from: Pingu on 08 November, 2022, 08:53:50 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 08 November, 2022, 08:05:29 pm
I also know an Italian bloke yclept Andrea, specifically the one TV's Gary Solomon kept calling “Andreas”.

You can fault him for that.

 ;D

FOREIGNS of European mien seem incapable of pronouncing “ian”, or even “Ian”, such that even BRITONS now refer to my grate frend Mr Sheen as “Yan”.
Also words such as yeast or yield. And I'm sure someone somewhere has called their child Yeast.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 09 November, 2022, 10:33:11 am
Some Americans seem to struggle with Ian too, which is a bit odd. But I'm often Jan in Europe. My goodly French colleague tries really hard but turns it into something that sounds like the bastard child of Ion/Iron. Still, she's not heard my pronunciation of Guillaume. We ended up calling him Le Bill. Though even then he quibbled the -ll.

I also, on a daily basis, have to stumble through a minefield of Julia-Julias and Julia-Yulias. Plus my boss has a j in her name where there should rightly be an i.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 09 November, 2022, 11:24:00 am
Most non-polak people pronounce the 'J' in my name as the 'J' in juice.
It is, in fact, pronounced like the 'Y' in yacht.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 09 November, 2022, 11:31:24 am
It's doubly complicated as one of the fraught Julia's is American, but she's still officially a Yulia.

And we do have an actual Yulia who, you guessed it, despite hailing from east of the Urals insists on Julia.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 09 November, 2022, 11:39:53 am
We solved this problem on our internal directory by having an extra slot for people to insert their chosen name. But not many people knew that the could make changes to their entry and so didn’t actually make the necessary changes.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 09 November, 2022, 11:42:42 am
Yebbut the problem in lan's case is pronunciation. Julia's name is Julia. The only system for denoting pronunciation that's going to not be misleading, particularly in a mulitlingual, multinational context, is IPA – and that's going to be worse than misleading because the vast majority of people don't know it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 09 November, 2022, 11:48:30 am
It's never really a problem, I work for a very diverse company, so we have consistent name pronunciation challenges, it makes for cross-border small talk at the start of meetings and introductions, instead of the weather.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 10 November, 2022, 08:07:36 am
Our smoke alarm finally died a death at 2am on Sunday, so I purchased some replacements - and went for the "Scottish" (and, I think, "Welsh") solution of wirelessly linked alarms - 2 smoke and 1 heat, the latter for the kitchen.

In the instructions for locating the heat alarm it says "The heat alarm... is ideal for kitchens".    :thumbsup:

In the instructions for positioning the heat alarm it says "Areas to be avoided include the following:- Humida area such as... kitchens... where the relative humidity may exceed 60%"   :-\

I've no doubt our small galley kitchen, some 2m x 3m, will fall into that category   ::-)

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 11 November, 2022, 03:47:25 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 10 November, 2022, 08:07:36 am
Our smoke alarm finally died a death at 2am on Sunday, so I purchased some replacements - and went for the "Scottish" (and, I think, "Welsh") solution of wirelessly linked alarms - 2 smoke and 1 heat, the latter for the kitchen.

In the instructions for locating the heat alarm it says "The heat alarm... is ideal for kitchens".    :thumbsup:

In the instructions for positioning the heat alarm it says "Areas to be avoided include the following:- Humida area such as... kitchens... where the relative humidity may exceed 60%"   :-\

I've no doubt our small galley kitchen, some 2m x 3m, will fall into that category   ::-)
Where did you find them? Our local diy place hasn’t had any for ages.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 11 November, 2022, 04:01:40 pm
Ah my normally grumpy colleague really likes to email when a phone call would be better, quicker and more efficient.

She needed to know how much hose a repair needed, fuly knowing the tech who can answer this is busy and driving between jobs she emails him copying several people in whereas a 30 second phone call would have got the answer hours ago

I did nearly ring him myself but she's got form for basically trying to get rid of responsibilities through emails so she can deal with this.

She also ironically regularly rings me to ask questions she's already emailed me, which I have replied to hours ago....her excuse being.....she gets a lot of emails
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 11 November, 2022, 08:53:43 pm
Conversely... I have a colleague who will, when asked a question requiring a yes or no answer in an e-mail or in a text chat, *insist* on telephoning and boring the arse off me with a half hour history of why the answer is no.  When I don't fucking care why it's yes or no I just need to know which it is.  Annnd relax.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 11 November, 2022, 09:10:48 pm
Quote from: TheLurker on 11 November, 2022, 08:53:43 pm
Conversely... I have a colleague who will, when asked a question requiring a yes or no answer in an e-mail or in a text chat, *insist* on telephoning and boring the arse off me with a half hour history of why the answer is no.  When I don't fucking care why it's yes or no I just need to know which it is.  Annnd relax.

Ah we have one of those. He will email, print the email to hand to you and goninto detail you don't need bur he keeps a lot of stuff to self to make himself useful
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant
Post by: Beardy on 12 November, 2022, 12:13:35 am
I’ll ring if I have to, but I’d much rather email or message you. That way I get an actual answer I can use and don’t have to try and make up the bits I didn’t hear. Though if I’m really fed up with you dodging the task I need you to just get on and do, I’ll arrange a telemetting with you and your boss with a follow up email to all.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 15 November, 2022, 12:11:52 am
A moan about companies that refuse to allow access from commercial VPN providers, often with error messages that just leave you hanging.

B&Q report that their servers are ‘currently out of service for maintenance’, which is becoming less of a problem these days because the increasingly stock either own brand, exclusive to them versions of branded products, or just pain cheap tat.

And the reason for the map at this time of night is my discover that Audible reports ‘No network available’ until I close the VPN.

Yes, I can see why they would do it, but I still think it’s just bullying tactics.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 21 November, 2022, 02:14:56 pm
Royal Mail are changing their stamps to ones which feature a barcode.
After the end of January 2023 stamps without barcodes will be invalid.
However, you can download a form from their website, fill it in and send it with the stamps to Freepost Swapout, and RM will send you barcoded stamps to the same value.
So between home and work I had just over £20.00 worth of stamps.
So I did all of the above and wrote Freepost Swapout on the envelope making it Pretty Bloody Obvious what is in there.
I'm not going see my £20.00 again.
Am I?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hubner on 21 November, 2022, 03:09:00 pm
Can they be swapped in a post office?

Can you get the form from there?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hubner on 21 November, 2022, 03:12:14 pm
I've noticed there's a paper £20 note in my wallet, they were withdrawn in Sept.

Now I have to waste time and go to the bank to pay it into my account.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 21 November, 2022, 03:18:54 pm
I had an "emergency cash stash" in case the Machines Failed......   all paper 20's.  I spent the last of it a few months ago. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ScumOfTheRoad on 21 November, 2022, 03:39:42 pm
Regarding the stamps, Mrs Scum keeps a stash of them... I insisted that they were used up sending Round Robins and cards.
Thankyou for the tip on the swapout address!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: orienteer on 21 November, 2022, 03:45:20 pm
Royal Mail announced a six month extension of the old stamp deadline today; it was 31st January, now 31st July.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 21 November, 2022, 05:53:29 pm
Quote from: hubner on 21 November, 2022, 03:09:00 pm
Can they be swapped in a post office?

Can you get the form from there?
Nope and,
Nope.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 21 November, 2022, 05:56:36 pm
Quote from: orienteer on 21 November, 2022, 03:45:20 pm
Royal Mail announced a six month extension of the old stamp deadline today; it was 31st January, now 31st July.
Wahay!
An additional 6 months of theft opportunities.
ETA - I'm sure that not all postal workers are thieves.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hubner on 21 November, 2022, 06:25:35 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 21 November, 2022, 05:53:29 pm
Quote from: hubner on 21 November, 2022, 03:09:00 pm
Can they be swapped in a post office?

Can you get the form from there?
Nope and,
Nope.
>:(
Discrimination against people without a printer. Legal challenge time.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 21 November, 2022, 06:27:37 pm
Quote from: hubner on 21 November, 2022, 06:25:35 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 21 November, 2022, 05:53:29 pm
Quote from: hubner on 21 November, 2022, 03:09:00 pm
Can they be swapped in a post office?

Can you get the form from there?
Nope and,
Nope.
>:(
Discrimination against people without a printer. Legal challenge time.
G'luck with that.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 21 November, 2022, 07:14:28 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 21 November, 2022, 02:14:56 pm
Royal Mail are changing their stamps to ones which feature a barcode.
After the end of January 2023 stamps without barcodes will be invalid.
However, you can download a form from their website, fill it in and send it with the stamps to Freepost Swapout, and RM will send you barcoded stamps to the same value.
So between home and work I had just over £20.00 worth of stamps.
So I did all of the above and wrote Freepost Swapout on the envelope making it Pretty Bloody Obvious what is in there.
I'm not going see my £20.00 again.
Am I?

Yep, my wife got her replacement stamps today, after 2-3 weeks.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: graculus on 21 November, 2022, 07:26:57 pm
We have an actual form, delivered (one presumes by our postman on his rounds) a couple of months ago. Probably won't need to use now as  we don't have that many stamps to use up.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hubner on 21 November, 2022, 07:59:14 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 21 November, 2022, 05:53:29 pm
Quote from: hubner on 21 November, 2022, 03:09:00 pm
Can they be swapped in a post office?

Can you get the form from there?
Nope and,
Nope.

https://www.royalmail.com/sending/barcoded-stamps
Quote
Discover our new Barcoded Stamps
Use up your regular stamps by 31 January 2023, or swap them out for our new barcoded stamps.


Where can I get a Swap Out form from?
 
The 'Swap Out' scheme opened on 31 March 2022. 'Swap Out' forms are available from the following places: print one off our website; complete a request form on the website; contact Royal Mail Customer Services who will arrange for one to be sent to you; pick one up from any Delivery Office Customer Service Point. Please note from end of November 2022 swap out forms will also be available at Post Offices.


Can I take my stamps to the Post Office to swap them out?
 
You will from the end of November be able to pick up a 'Swap Out' form from your local Post Office along with a free post envelope – but the Post Office won’t be able to swap your stamps for barcoded ones.


When does the Stamp Swap Out Scheme end / when do I need to swap out my non-barcoded stamps by?
 
It’s fine to keep using non-barcoded stamps as postage up until 31 January 2023. You can swap out your stamps any time from 31 March 2022 onwards — there is currently no end date as to when you need to swap out your non-barcoded stamps by.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hubner on 21 November, 2022, 08:04:31 pm
Quote from: orienteer on 21 November, 2022, 03:45:20 pm
Royal Mail announced a six month extension of the old stamp deadline today; it was 31st January, now 31st July.

It looks like they haven't updated the info.
https://www.royalmail.com/sending/barcoded-stamps
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 21 November, 2022, 08:10:10 pm
Quote from: hubner on 21 November, 2022, 08:04:31 pm
Quote from: orienteer on 21 November, 2022, 03:45:20 pm
Royal Mail announced a six month extension of the old stamp deadline today; it was 31st January, now 31st July.

It looks like they haven't updated the info.
https://www.royalmail.com/sending/barcoded-stamps
No surprise there.
Comms is their raison d'etre.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 21 November, 2022, 08:53:55 pm
2nd of our Gigaset DECT phone headsets has gone b0rk. Thought they were supposed to be good. Bah.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 22 November, 2022, 09:31:17 pm
British Gas, you have our billing preferences, our email address, our phone number for messages etc. You regularly send me random shit to these. I have checked online and our billing preference is not postal. That's the only box that isn't ticked.

So we get the bills in the post. Which is now so infrequent (once every couple of weeks at the moment, often 3-4 weeks) that it came with the late payment reminder in the same bundle.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 22 November, 2022, 10:05:03 pm
Oh, related grumble:

Natpest were nagging me to switch to paperless statements every time I logged in, and then taking me to a settings screen which showed - correctly - that the various accounts are already set to paperless.  And then refusing to accept the click on the 'save' button on the reasonable grounds that I hadn't changed anything.

Eventually this annoyed me sufficiently that I set one account to postal bills, logged out and came in again to set it back to paperless.  This seems to have worked.  So far.  Who knows what might be in the post.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 23 November, 2022, 07:50:59 am
Quote from: Kim on 22 November, 2022, 10:05:03 pm
Oh, related grumble:

Natpest were nagging me to switch to paperless statements every time I logged in, and then taking me to a settings screen which showed - correctly - that the various accounts are already set to paperless.  And then refusing to accept the click on the 'save' button on the reasonable grounds that I hadn't changed anything.

Eventually this annoyed me sufficiently that I set one account to postal bills, logged out and came in again to set it back to paperless.  This seems to have worked.  So far.  Who knows what might be in the post.

My Premium Bonds account is set to paperless - yet they send both paper and email for winnings - I guess it's too much to hope that they send two payments for each win ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 23 November, 2022, 08:08:56 am
Quote from: ian on 22 November, 2022, 09:31:17 pm
British Gas, you have our billing preferences, our email address, our phone number for messages etc. You regularly send me random shit to these. I have checked online and our billing preference is not postal. That's the only box that isn't ticked.

So we get the bills in the post. Which is now so infrequent (once every couple of weeks at the moment, often 3-4 weeks) that it came with the late payment reminder in the same bundle.
Maybe you’ve missed a layer of negation. If you swap all the box ticks does the spam stop and bills come by email?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 23 November, 2022, 11:36:13 am
Quote from: perpetual dan on 23 November, 2022, 08:08:56 am
Quote from: ian on 22 November, 2022, 09:31:17 pm
British Gas, you have our billing preferences, our email address, our phone number for messages etc. You regularly send me random shit to these. I have checked online and our billing preference is not postal. That's the only box that isn't ticked.

So we get the bills in the post. Which is now so infrequent (once every couple of weeks at the moment, often 3-4 weeks) that it came with the late payment reminder in the same bundle.
Maybe you’ve missed a layer of negation. If you swap all the box ticks does the spam stop and bills come by email?

I think I need to try again.

We had a huge battle with EDF once, who insisted on sending a bill literally to the 'meter on the side of the cycle shed' an instruction which the postman diligent followed to the letter, so most of the time it blew away or I'd find a soggy iteration in the bushes, the most disappointing hedge grumble. We'd change the billing address and the next bill would revert. And they couldn't send us an electronic version because 'it's a business account' which is evident bullshit. We moved and it's probably still being delivered to the meter.

No idea what happened to the post which managed perfecting through the covid era, we now get a bundle every umpteen weeks (we can measure it by the number of weekly New Scientists that it contains, the last one with the gas bill and reminder was five).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 23 November, 2022, 11:43:14 am
Quote from: Kim on 22 November, 2022, 10:05:03 pm
Oh, related grumble:

Natpest were nagging me to switch to paperless statements every time I logged in, and then taking me to a settings screen which showed - correctly - that the various accounts are already set to paperless.  And then refusing to accept the click on the 'save' button on the reasonable grounds that I hadn't changed anything.

Eventually this annoyed me sufficiently that I set one account to postal bills, logged out and came in again to set it back to paperless.  This seems to have worked.  So far.  Who knows what might be in the post.

I only have a credit card with them nowadays, but this is something that's been annoying me for years - the paperless statements box has been ticked, yet still the paper statements keep coming...will give this a go!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 23 November, 2022, 01:06:18 pm
Quote from: robgul on 23 November, 2022, 07:50:59 am
My Premium Bonds account is set to paperless - yet they send both paper and email for winnings - I guess it's too much to hope that they send two payments for each win ;D

It doesn't matter what my premium bonds account is set to; in ~36 years it's never won anything.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 23 November, 2022, 01:18:01 pm
Apparently the strategy with premium bonds is to sell and buy on a regular basis such as every 12 or 24 months.  There is conjecture online that newer bonds tend to pick up small wins in their early months.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 23 November, 2022, 02:42:57 pm
They have to publish their rates – it's on average 2.2%, of course, unlike a standard investment, payout is lumpy, but if you hold enough, you'd anticipate around 2.2% which in recent times has outperformed many investments.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 23 November, 2022, 03:04:13 pm
Perhaps they should be renamed Dreamium Bonds.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 23 November, 2022, 03:06:50 pm
Quote from: Kim on 23 November, 2022, 01:06:18 pm
It doesn't matter what my premium bonds account is set to; in ~36 years it's never won anything.

Well, I've not won anything ever in 60 years.  Admittedly I only hold £5, but that was a lot of paper round money in those days.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: lissotriton on 23 November, 2022, 04:31:50 pm
Quote from: Polar Bear on 23 November, 2022, 01:18:01 pm
Apparently the strategy with premium bonds is to sell and buy on a regular basis such as every 12 or 24 months.  There is conjecture online that newer bonds tend to pick up small wins in their early months.
That's a myth, they all have the exact same chance of winning. Newer investments are likely to be bigger, so more chance of winning something than a few quid that's been for years.
Also you need to hold them for a full calendar month before they are eligible for a draw. So selling and buying them again means you are missing out on at least 1 draw.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 23 November, 2022, 04:52:24 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 21 November, 2022, 07:14:28 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 21 November, 2022, 02:14:56 pm
Royal Mail are changing their stamps to ones which feature a barcode.
After the end of January 2023 stamps without barcodes will be invalid.
However, you can download a form from their website, fill it in and send it with the stamps to Freepost Swapout, and RM will send you barcoded stamps to the same value.
So between home and work I had just over £20.00 worth of stamps.
So I did all of the above and wrote Freepost Swapout on the envelope making it Pretty Bloody Obvious what is in there.
I'm not going see my £20.00 again.
Am I?

Yep, my wife got her replacement stamps today, after 2-3 weeks.
And lo!
Barcoded stamps have been delivered \0/
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 23 November, 2022, 05:49:24 pm
To the twat sitting opposite me on the train: don't give me that look when I ask politely for you to move your bag so I can get my feet under the table. There's a feckin' rack for bags that size... Kthxbai.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 23 November, 2022, 05:52:11 pm
Quote from: lissotriton on 23 November, 2022, 04:31:50 pm
Quote from: Polar Bear on 23 November, 2022, 01:18:01 pm
Apparently the strategy with premium bonds is to sell and buy on a regular basis such as every 12 or 24 months.  There is conjecture online that newer bonds tend to pick up small wins in their early months.
That's a myth, they all have the exact same chance of winning. Newer investments are likely to be bigger, so more chance of winning something than a few quid that's been for years.
Also you need to hold them for a full calendar month before they are eligible for a draw. So selling and buying them again means you are missing out on at least 1 draw.

The likelihood of winning remains effectively the same regardless of your investment (it's just that 2.2% of £500k is more than £5k). The yield on any premium bond investment is averaged out at 2.2% per annum. But some investors will get £0 and a few will get £lots. Not sure how it distributes, averages hide many sins.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: lissotriton on 23 November, 2022, 06:08:51 pm
Quote from: ian on 23 November, 2022, 05:52:11 pm
The likelihood of winning remains effectively the same regardless of your investment (it's just that 2.2% of £500k is more than £5k). The yield on any premium bond investment is averaged out at 2.2% per annum. But some investors will get £0 and a few will get £lots. Not sure how it distributes, averages hide many sins.
But the minimum prize is £25. So if you have invested £1000 or less, on average you will win £0.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 23 November, 2022, 08:01:48 pm
Actually, I misunderstood how they work, apparently, each £1 bond has an independent chance of winning, but the average return across any portfolio is tuned to 2.2% (or rather they create a prize fund based on this number).

So you can win £25 from a single £1 bond, and buying more bonds will increase your odds of winning a prize, but not your direct odds of winning a larger prize. Indirectly though, if your win rate is higher, you're more likely to feature a larger prize.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Giraffe on 24 November, 2022, 04:54:38 pm
£25 prizes are no more - min. is £50. Interest rate on the overall fund has been increased so that the odds are very slightly shortened.
When the max. holding went up I consolidated all of mine (some from '60s and after in small amounts) on the (fallacious) grounds that the bigger the block the less chance of it being jumped.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 24 November, 2022, 07:15:34 pm
Quote from: Giraffe on 24 November, 2022, 04:54:38 pm
£25 prizes are no more - min. is £50. Interest rate on the overall fund has been increased so that the odds are very slightly shortened.
When the max. holding went up I consolidated all of mine (some from '60s and after in small amounts) on the (fallacious) grounds that the bigger the block the less chance of it being jumped.

Err, are you sure about the £50 minimum? - I got 3 x £25 in the November 22 draw.   NS&I website seems to be tilting the number of £50 vs £25 wins towards 50, but retaining £25

https://nsandi-corporate.com/news-research/news/nsi-increase-premium-bonds-prize-fund-rate-0

Looking at the winnings on my holding the notional interest rate (i.e. total for the year against value of holding) is about 1.1% to date for 2022 (that's with the lower rates applying earlier in 2022 - and winnings are paid out not added as I have the max) 

Not a brilliant return but at least you can't lose your money.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Giraffe on 25 November, 2022, 05:27:58 pm
No - ISTR reading it somewhere and have now checked. Seems that 25s have been reduced and 50s and 100s increased in number - sorry.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 28 November, 2022, 12:17:36 pm
I wish i could get google maps to stop telling me about hire scooters when i ask for *walking* directions. I've got a suitcase and want to see the place, not dodge people at speed in an unfamiliar city.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 28 November, 2022, 02:25:19 pm
A pint of own-brand semi-skilled milk in Mr Sainsbury’s House of Toothy Comestibles now costs ninety-five of the BRITONS' pence.  I expect it’s more than a quid in the BEAR-proof emporia of Leafy Surrey.  Rob-dogs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wowbagger on 28 November, 2022, 02:53:36 pm
Having only just become accustomed to the existence of a day called "Black Friday", on which I steadfastly refuse to buy anything, I'm now being bombarded with emails about something called "Cyber Monday" - which appears to be another day associated with worshipping Mammon.

Note to grasping capitalist bastards everywhere: please fuck off.

Mods: if "Fuck off" is too strong for a grumble, please reclassify this as a rant. TYSM!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 28 November, 2022, 04:50:34 pm
Quote from: Wowbagger on 28 November, 2022, 02:53:36 pm
Having only just become accustomed to the existence of a day called "Black Friday", on which I steadfastly refuse to buy anything, I'm now being bombarded with emails about something called "Cyber Monday" - which appears to be another day associated with worshipping Mammon.

I learned of both at the same time, from friends unfortunate enough to work as webmonkeys in the capitalist machine.  I maintain that they are both fundamentally USAnian phenomena, that have no rightful place in BRITISH culture.  Like the Superb Owl, or Halloween.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 28 November, 2022, 05:48:32 pm
For those who want something different then can I recommend GivingTuesday tomorrow
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 28 November, 2022, 06:32:22 pm
Grumble: our kitchen has a back door, but there is no light switch by the back door, so if you come in that way you have to walk through the room in the dark before you can turn the light on.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 28 November, 2022, 06:48:25 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 28 November, 2022, 06:32:22 pm
Grumble: our kitchen has a back door, but there is no light switch by the back door, so if you come in that way you have to walk through the room in the dark before you can turn the light on.  :facepalm:

I feel your pain - my garage has a switch at the door into the utility room - if I enter from the garage doors, with bike, I have to stumble over benches, bikes etc in the dark to switch the light on (and it may then get worse if the internal door, which can only be locked/unlocked from the house side, is locked and I have to exit the garage and enter by the house front door)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 28 November, 2022, 06:55:52 pm
Similarly, our dining room lacks a light switch by the kitchen door.  This is only a minor inconvenience as  a) you can't actually enter the back garden from the street without going over the neighbours fence, as the gate locks on one side  and  b) automagic lights.

But I did find a junction box terminating a mysterious wire in the floor void above where the switch *should* be, so someone obviously got half way to installing one before giving up.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 28 November, 2022, 07:54:59 pm
Quote from: robgul on 28 November, 2022, 06:48:25 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 28 November, 2022, 06:32:22 pm
Grumble: our kitchen has a back door, but there is no light switch by the back door, so if you come in that way you have to walk through the room in the dark before you can turn the light on.  :facepalm:

I feel your pain - my garage has a switch at the door into the utility room - if I enter from the garage doors, with bike, I have to stumble over benches, bikes etc in the dark to switch the light on (and it may then get worse if the internal door, which can only be locked/unlocked from the house side, is locked and I have to exit the garage and enter by the house front door)

I keep exiting the garage in the morning and waiting until the automagic door has closed before I realise I've left the garage light on. Maybe I need to try out one of those motion sensitive bulbs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hatler on 28 November, 2022, 07:57:00 pm
Some idle pillock wired our house so that there's a landing light switch in the hall, but there's no hall light switch on the landing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cycleman on 28 November, 2022, 08:01:13 pm
Can't you leave the bikes front light on to find your way through the garage?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 28 November, 2022, 08:04:07 pm
Quote from: hatler on 28 November, 2022, 07:57:00 pm
Some idle pillock wired our house so that there's a landing light switch in the hall, but there's no hall light switch on the landing.
Ours is like that too.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 28 November, 2022, 08:06:35 pm
My garage is in two parts, the rear workshop part bulk lighting has switches at each end.  The front garage part bulk lighting has switches at each end. Then there's the minimal lighting through the whole building which has switches at the front & rear doors. All fitted by me. And all rendered useless by my inability to leave a switch in the 'wrong' position. I frequently find myself walking through a dark building tripping over stuffs in order to leave all switcheses in the correct 'off' posituon.
Le sigh.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 28 November, 2022, 08:22:40 pm
The landing lights in Larrington Towers have a switch at both ends of the scale and one is positioned such that it makes a reasonable fist of illuminating the hall too, in spite of the 180-degree turn in the stairs.  The hall light switch, though, is hidden behind whatever is hanging on a rail installed by Miss von Brandenburg without due care or attention.  This is why there’s a torch permanently positioned on the little shelf with the phone base station on it – so I can adjust the thermostat without groping through a bunch of coats.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 28 November, 2022, 08:24:40 pm
Quote from: hatler on 28 November, 2022, 07:57:00 pm
Some idle pillock wired our house so that there's a landing light switch in the hall, but there's no hall light switch on the landing.

Does that pillock cover the Stratford-upon-Area too? - same issue here.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 28 November, 2022, 08:25:59 pm
Quote from: cycleman on 28 November, 2022, 08:01:13 pm
Can't you leave the bikes front light on to find your way through the garage?

Lights on a bike?? - I don't ride when I need lights to see (I do have some tiny "identifier lights" that I use if it's very dull)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 28 November, 2022, 08:28:47 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 28 November, 2022, 07:54:59 pm
Quote from: robgul on 28 November, 2022, 06:48:25 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 28 November, 2022, 06:32:22 pm
Grumble: our kitchen has a back door, but there is no light switch by the back door, so if you come in that way you have to walk through the room in the dark before you can turn the light on.  :facepalm:

I feel your pain - my garage has a switch at the door into the utility room - if I enter from the garage doors, with bike, I have to stumble over benches, bikes etc in the dark to switch the light on (and it may then get worse if the internal door, which can only be locked/unlocked from the house side, is locked and I have to exit the garage and enter by the house front door)

I keep exiting the garage in the morning and waiting until the automagic door has closed before I realise I've left the garage light on. Maybe I need to try out one of those motion sensitive bulbs.

Sounds a bit like the usual situation I've been in the loft .... descend, push ladder up, start to close hatchway . . . reverse actions to switch off loft light
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 28 November, 2022, 09:05:42 pm
Quote from: robgul on 28 November, 2022, 08:24:40 pm
Quote from: hatler on 28 November, 2022, 07:57:00 pm
Some idle pillock wired our house so that there's a landing light switch in the hall, but there's no hall light switch on the landing.

Does that pillock cover the Stratford-upon-Area too? - same issue here.
he was having an off day when he was doing suffolk because my stairs lights (calling the flat bit at the top of the stairs a landing would be somewhat grandiose) have a switch top and bottom. but the hall lights have a switch at each end but none upstairs. Oh, wait, I was the one who rewired my home.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 28 November, 2022, 10:57:54 pm
Quote from: Kim on 28 November, 2022, 04:50:34 pm
  Like the Superb Owl
I read that and thought perhaps it was a variation on the Elf on The Shelf, so did some frantic web based research.
Then the penny dropped
Then the ROFL.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 29 November, 2022, 01:05:50 am
Elf On The Shelf can get in the bin, too.  And the trash for Leftpondian elves.

https://mastodon.lol/@TomatoSoup@mastodon.world/109421350613961872 refers
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 29 November, 2022, 09:26:26 am
Our kitchen only had one door but where is the light switch? On the wrong side of the door, not in the kitchen at all.  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 29 November, 2022, 10:14:19 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 29 November, 2022, 09:26:26 am
Our kitchen only had one door but where is the light switch? On the wrong side of the door, not in the kitchen at all.  ::-)

The light switches for our bathrooms (2 upstairs) and downstairs cloakroom all have light switches on the outside of the room - all normal rocker switches and avoid the awful pull-cord things required in such rooms - an excellent decision by the aforementioned errant electrician  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 29 November, 2022, 12:03:09 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 28 November, 2022, 07:54:59 pm
Maybe I need to try out one of those motion sensitive bulbs.

Why not a plug-in night light like this..

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Photocell-Brightness-Adjustable-Babyliya-Lighting/dp/B08D63NJ1G/ref=zg_bs_10709371_sccl_4/262-3290019-8181153?psc=1
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 29 November, 2022, 12:27:36 pm
Quote from: robgul on 29 November, 2022, 10:14:19 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 29 November, 2022, 09:26:26 am
Our kitchen only had one door but where is the light switch? On the wrong side of the door, not in the kitchen at all.  ::-)

The light switches for our bathrooms (2 upstairs) and downstairs cloakroom all have light switches on the outside of the room - all normal rocker switches and avoid the awful pull-cord things required in such rooms - an excellent decision by the aforementioned errant electrician  :thumbsup:

Pull switches are for entertaining cats and visiting Leftpondians (who boggle that we're so obsessed with electrical safety, and then take a 240V water heater into the shower with us).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fimm on 29 November, 2022, 01:06:21 pm
At some point in the past our living room had the door moved from one end to the other, but the light switch was not moved at the same time, so you have to walk right through the room to turn the light on. My husband has "solved" this by buying smart bulbs which you can turn on and off using your phone...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: PhilO on 29 November, 2022, 02:02:42 pm
Our kitchen has no switch by the back door, so I fitted a ceiling lamp with a built-in PIR sensor and leave it switched on permanently.  You can also get rechargeable PIR lamps for the inside of wardrobes etc, which could be velcroed to a strategic part of the wall if you don't want to be bothered fitting a new lamp.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 29 November, 2022, 02:27:19 pm
Quote from: fimm on 29 November, 2022, 01:06:21 pm
At some point in the past our living room had the door moved from one end to the other, but the light switch was not moved at the same time, so you have to walk right through the room to turn the light on. My husband has "solved" this by buying smart bulbs which you can turn on and off using your phone...

I'm strongly of the opinion that manually operating lamps from your phone, while undeniably useful on occasions, falls somewhat short of 'smart'.

Tie it to a MQTT event from a PIR or a door opening, or it being dark or something.  Otherwise you've just got a more complicated light switch.

(Voice commands occupy a creepy middle ground.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 29 November, 2022, 03:03:22 pm
The biggest issue with voice commands is that most current systems rely on ‘someone else’s computer ™’ doing the voice decoding, an option of which I’m particularly fond
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fimm on 29 November, 2022, 03:38:56 pm
Quote from: Kim on 29 November, 2022, 02:27:19 pm
Quote from: fimm on 29 November, 2022, 01:06:21 pm
At some point in the past our living room had the door moved from one end to the other, but the light switch was not moved at the same time, so you have to walk right through the room to turn the light on. My husband has "solved" this by buying smart bulbs which you can turn on and off using your phone...
I'm strongly of the opinion that manually operating lamps from your phone, while undeniably useful on occasions, falls somewhat short of 'smart'.
I do not disagree... particularly when only his phone can turn off the lights and his phone is locked. I used the OFF switch...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 29 November, 2022, 03:40:29 pm
Quote from: fimm on 29 November, 2022, 03:38:56 pm
Quote from: Kim on 29 November, 2022, 02:27:19 pm
Quote from: fimm on 29 November, 2022, 01:06:21 pm
At some point in the past our living room had the door moved from one end to the other, but the light switch was not moved at the same time, so you have to walk right through the room to turn the light on. My husband has "solved" this by buying smart bulbs which you can turn on and off using your phone...
I'm strongly of the opinion that manually operating lamps from your phone, while undeniably useful on occasions, falls somewhat short of 'smart'.
I do not disagree... particularly when only his phone can turn off the lights and his phone is locked. I used the OFF switch...

At which point only the switch can turn it on again, which is the other perennial problem with smart bulbs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fimm on 29 November, 2022, 04:25:46 pm
Quote from: Kim on 29 November, 2022, 03:40:29 pm
Quote from: fimm on 29 November, 2022, 03:38:56 pm
Quote from: Kim on 29 November, 2022, 02:27:19 pm
Quote from: fimm on 29 November, 2022, 01:06:21 pm
At some point in the past our living room had the door moved from one end to the other, but the light switch was not moved at the same time, so you have to walk right through the room to turn the light on. My husband has "solved" this by buying smart bulbs which you can turn on and off using your phone...
I'm strongly of the opinion that manually operating lamps from your phone, while undeniably useful on occasions, falls somewhat short of 'smart'.
I do not disagree... particularly when only his phone can turn off the lights and his phone is locked. I used the OFF switch...

At which point only the switch can turn it on again, which is the other perennial problem with smart bulbs.
Indeed.
Hopefully we will eventually get the place rewired and the switch moved to a more sensible spot.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 29 November, 2022, 04:50:27 pm
Or you could buy a switch that is comparable with your brand of smart bulb and stick it to the wall by the door. Yes, it will need its batteries changing from time to time, but it’s a lot less hassle than what seems to be going on.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 29 November, 2022, 05:32:57 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 29 November, 2022, 04:50:27 pm
Or you could buy a switch that is comparable with your brand of smart bulb and stick it to the wall by the door. Yes, it will need its batteries changing from time to time, but it’s a lot less hassle than what seems to be going on.
I was thinking that Ikea have such bulbs and 'shortcut buttons', I think they call them.
(Guess you need 2 shortcut buttons, one at each side of the room with the switch always on.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 29 November, 2022, 09:20:27 pm
Surprisingly, considering the electrics we found when we discovered The Asbestos Palace deep in the Surrey jungles (cue an electrician looking at various wires and uttering 'dunno what they were trying to do here'), the light switches were generally already in sensible places. The only vaguely annoying one is the garden lights which are at the wrong end of the kitchen and not by the back door (which is actually in the extended bit of the kitchen so I presume the outdoor circuit predated that expansion). Not sure why we didn't have it moved, the rewiring of the kitchen took much brow furrowing as it seemed they wired the extension via the light fittings, which considering that's where the oven and dishwasher etc. are, was apparently sub-optimal).

Not that we use the ceiling lights very often, we're umbral lamp people, and they're run by smart switches.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 29 November, 2022, 11:34:13 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 29 November, 2022, 04:50:27 pm
Or you could buy a switch that is comparable with your brand of smart bulb and stick it to the wall by the door. Yes, it will need its batteries changing from time to time, but it’s a lot less hassle than what seems to be going on.

Even better, if access permits, install a Shelly 1 at the 'rose'.

I did this on a whim when they replaced our bathroom light with a nice big LED one, and it's proved invaluable for not-having-to-touch-the-lightswitch-when-emptying-buckets-of-poo.  Also, barakta (who is a reading-in-the-bath person) can frob it from the old phone she uses for the purpose.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 30 November, 2022, 12:09:38 pm
I'm taking the morning ferry off the island tomorrow.

The car has decided to break down today. Flat battery.


I knew it was getting a little run down, but assumed that was due to short journeys in winter (lights on, windscreen wipers).

Sunday - sluggish to start.
Today - started, let MrsC drive it for 20min, then wouldn't start again.

My concern is that there might be a power leak or charging problem.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 30 November, 2022, 12:47:44 pm
20min on island roads (so presumably not v fast) long enough to charge it?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 30 November, 2022, 01:54:37 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 30 November, 2022, 12:47:44 pm
20min on island roads (so presumably not v fast) long enough to charge it?
Seems not if lights and wipers are used.

The DRL failed a week ago, so I'm a bit concerned that there is an electrical fault.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fimm on 30 November, 2022, 02:16:30 pm
Quote from: Kim on 29 November, 2022, 11:34:13 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 29 November, 2022, 04:50:27 pm
Or you could buy a switch that is comparable with your brand of smart bulb and stick it to the wall by the door. Yes, it will need its batteries changing from time to time, but it’s a lot less hassle than what seems to be going on.

Even better, if access permits, install a Shelly 1 at the 'rose'.

I did this on a whim when they replaced our bathroom light with a nice big LED one, and it's proved invaluable for not-having-to-touch-the-lightswitch-when-emptying-buckets-of-poo.  Also, barakta (who is a reading-in-the-bath person) can frob it from the old phone she uses for the purpose.
I have no idea what either of these things are, but they sound interesting, especially the smart switch. I shall google. Thank you.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 30 November, 2022, 05:06:43 pm
The Shelly 1 is a small device with a WiFi-capable microcontroller and a relay, wrapped up in a neat little box with appropriate gubbins to wire directly to the mains.  Typical use case is that you bury it in a junction box or light fitting, and wire it up in such a way that it controls the power to the light.  So far, so smartbulb.  The clever bit is that you connect the existing switch wire to the Shelly's input terminal, so it knows what the switch is doing, but the Shelly stays powered up at all times.

You can then program it to do whatever clever stuff you might reasonably program it to do.  Typically, if you frob the light on or off with your phone or a timer program or whatever, changing the state of the lightswitch will frob it the other way (ie. it behaves as if the switch is now part of a double-switch circuit with the smartness, which is intuitive even for people who don't know it's there).

They have a whole range of similar devices (more advanced ones have multiple outputs or inputs, energy meters, and so on), and are one of the few internet-of-things products I really rate.  Not least because they don't lock you into using their own web service to communicate with them.  Indeed, they're designed in such a way that it's reasonably easy to write your own firmware for them if you want to.  (I have a Shelly Plus 1 hidden behind the landlord's crappy timer that I've written my own firmware for operating as a smart thermostat.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 30 November, 2022, 07:29:07 pm
Dental appointments for me and my wife tomorrow . . .  receptionist rings to confirm/remind etc - OK - but then says that the dentist (owner of the business) and hygienist we have been going to for 30 years (and my wife for probably 7 or 8 years more than that) have departed - the dentist retired (at 71 - getting a bit long in the tooth  ;D ;D ;D) and the hygienist has left - and that we would be seeing xx dentist and yy hygienist.

Apparently we were not informed of the retirement for "legal reasons" - I can only assume he's flogged the business and the contract stipulated that he couldn't inform the client base as they might vote with their feet? - i.e. the new owner gets the clients by default.   OK, I can understand that if the dentist was moving but carrying on as there would be a risk of taking clients with him (although they would probably move when they found out)

Somewhat pissed off at the short notice (26 hours) . . . we have voted with our feet - partly on principle and partly the distance we travel having moved from the dentist's area about 25 years ago We always said when he retired we'd find a dentist locally . . . .  but expected to have some notice to do that.

Our records have been requested.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 30 November, 2022, 07:37:29 pm
As I'm on holiday this week (well, not really, a pile of vacation days that aren't going to take themselves, I think I'm working for about eight days in total in December) I did promise to do an hour or so's work for a meeting next Monday. That's not really the grumble, I figure I can do it now with a beer in hand, the grumble is that between last Friday and now, I've forgotten what I committed to do.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 30 November, 2022, 07:56:57 pm
The tooth terrorist who numbers Lt. Col. Larrington (retd.) among his flock is so popular that he actually started a rumour that he'd emigrated to Australia to keep the number of patients manageable.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 01 December, 2022, 12:57:25 pm
Quote from: ian on 30 November, 2022, 07:37:29 pm
As I'm on holiday this week (well, not really, a pile of vacation days that aren't going to take themselves, I think I'm working for about eight days in total in December) I did promise to do an hour or so's work for a meeting next Monday. That's not really the grumble, I figure I can do it now with a beer in hand, the grumble is that between last Friday and now, I've forgotten what I committed to do.
You've beaten me - I'm working 9.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 01 December, 2022, 03:19:13 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 01 December, 2022, 12:57:25 pm
Quote from: ian on 30 November, 2022, 07:37:29 pm
As I'm on holiday this week (well, not really, a pile of vacation days that aren't going to take themselves, I think I'm working for about eight days in total in December) I did promise to do an hour or so's work for a meeting next Monday. That's not really the grumble, I figure I can do it now with a beer in hand, the grumble is that between last Friday and now, I've forgotten what I committed to do.
You've beaten me - I'm working 9.
I’ve heard of this work, I beleive, but I seem to have forgotten many of its foibles.  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cygnet on 01 December, 2022, 10:16:36 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 01 December, 2022, 12:57:25 pm
Quote from: ian on 30 November, 2022, 07:37:29 pm
As I'm on holiday this week (well, not really, a pile of vacation days that aren't going to take themselves, I think I'm working for about eight days in total in December) I did promise to do an hour or so's work for a meeting next Monday. That's not really the grumble, I figure I can do it now with a beer in hand, the grumble is that between last Friday and now, I've forgotten what I committed to do.
You've beaten me - I'm working 9.
If I took the nuclear option I'd only be working another day and a half.  :facepalm: But I'm willing to negotiate.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 05 December, 2022, 04:51:01 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 01 December, 2022, 12:57:25 pm
Quote from: ian on 30 November, 2022, 07:37:29 pm
As I'm on holiday this week (well, not really, a pile of vacation days that aren't going to take themselves, I think I'm working for about eight days in total in December) I did promise to do an hour or so's work for a meeting next Monday. That's not really the grumble, I figure I can do it now with a beer in hand, the grumble is that between last Friday and now, I've forgotten what I committed to do.
You've beaten me - I'm working 9.
I was due to have my last day in the office on Dec 16th but, thanks to a combination of using up leave as a long weekend next weekend, and train strikes, my last day in the office is on Dec 8th, and I'm not back until January 9th \0/
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Diver300 on 05 December, 2022, 06:02:07 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 30 November, 2022, 01:54:37 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 30 November, 2022, 12:47:44 pm
20min on island roads (so presumably not v fast) long enough to charge it?
Seems not if lights and wipers are used.

The DRL failed a week ago, so I'm a bit concerned that there is an electrical fault.
20 mins should be enough to charge the battery, but it should be a longer time to be sure.

First assumption would be long-term degradation of the battery from being discharged too much or left discharged.

If you can get hold of a voltmeter, the voltage should be at least 13.5 V when the engine is started. Measure it soon after starting in case the car has some clever charging.

It is difficult to work out if the battery is being discharged when the car isn't in use or if the battery is discharging itself or has lost capacity. Measuring the current when the car shuts down is quite difficult. It is often easiest to replace the battery first and you don't get many hours from a competent mechanic for the cost of new battery.

I would guess that the DRL failure is conincidental.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 05 December, 2022, 06:32:27 pm
Just when did motor scooters become mopeds in common parlance? Mopeds have pedals, the clue’s in the name you numpties!  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 05 December, 2022, 06:36:38 pm
We've moved premises at work.
This morning it took 4 train journeys to get me into work, and a further 3 to get me home.
I was at my desk at 06:45, which is a little earlier than I'd like it to be.
I can confirm that the advertised London Overground 05:32 service from Forest Hill to Highbury & Islington does not exist.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Slave To The Viking on 05 December, 2022, 07:36:49 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 05 December, 2022, 06:32:27 pm
Just when did motor scooters become mopeds in common parlance? Mopeds have pedals, the clue’s in the name you numpties!  >:(

A very, very long time ago. Decades.

The name gives a clue as to its etymology, not its meaning.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Diver300 on 05 December, 2022, 09:11:35 pm
Quote from: Slave To The Viking on 05 December, 2022, 07:36:49 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 05 December, 2022, 06:32:27 pm
Just when did motor scooters become mopeds in common parlance? Mopeds have pedals, the clue’s in the name you numpties!  >:(

A very, very long time ago. Decades.

The name gives a clue as to its etymology, not its meaning.
An example.

Some EVs have a message broadcast on the CANbus describing the power unit state, which has a value of "crank", after the start button is pressed, before it goes into a state where a "gear" can be selected.
That has come from using an electric motor to start an IC engine, in an action called "cranking".
That action is named after the shape of the starting handle used when electric starter motors weren't fitted or weren't considered sufficiently reliable, so it comes from the same source as bicycle pedal cranks.

The software state in an EV has absolutely nothing to do with a crank.

The "gear" that is selected has a similar convoluted etymology.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: lissotriton on 05 December, 2022, 09:19:33 pm
Quote from: Slave To The Viking on 05 December, 2022, 07:36:49 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 05 December, 2022, 06:32:27 pm
Just when did motor scooters become mopeds in common parlance? Mopeds have pedals, the clue’s in the name you numpties!  >:(

A very, very long time ago. Decades.

The name gives a clue as to its etymology, not its meaning.
Not all motor scooters are mopeds. And not all mopeds are motor scooters.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 05 December, 2022, 09:26:35 pm
Mopeds have a quasi-legal definition at https://www.gov.uk/driving-licence-categories#:~:text=Category%20P,by%20an%20internal%20combustion%20engine.

I think you mean a Cat P motorcycle

Category P
You can drive 2-wheeled vehicles with a maximum design speed of over 45km/h (28mph) but not more than 50km/h (31mph).
Its engine size must not be more than 50cc if powered by an internal combustion engine.

My 28mph electric motorcycle goes back to the dealer tomorrow.
28mph is not a sensible maximum speed, even on urban roads.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 05 December, 2022, 10:09:02 pm
In my defence, I, and to be fair, I suspect a large number of the forum contributors, grew up in the heyday of the moped as a legal entity, whereby 16yo could only ride 50 cc mopeds and to qualify for the status, they had to have pedals that could also propel them. The current legal status is obviously a watered down version of that previous legal status.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 05 December, 2022, 10:18:40 pm
The modern equivalent (in a not-really sort of way) are the e-bikes styled as full-on motorcycles, but with pedals and a 15mph speed limit.

Unrelated, I was passed by a proper electric motorbike doing about 35-40mph earlier.  It sounded like something imperial stormtroopers would use to dodge ewoks at speed through the forests of Endor on.   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: lissotriton on 05 December, 2022, 10:26:44 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 05 December, 2022, 10:09:02 pm
In my defence, I, and to be fair, I suspect a large number of the forum contributors, grew up in the heyday of the moped as a legal entity, whereby 16yo could only ride 50 cc mopeds and to qualify for the status, they had to have pedals that could also propel them. The current legal status is obviously a watered down version of that previous legal status.
Mopeds haven't required pedals since 1977. Though still limited to 50cc (or electric equivalent), and a max design speed of 28mph.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 06 December, 2022, 08:03:28 am
The govt. is showering us with reminders to turn our heating down to 19°, not leave our phones on charge permanently, switch off lights we're not using etc. etc. etc. and even so we're being threatened with 2-hour rolling blackouts in the New Year.  Yet every wretched tuppeny-ha'penny village (e.g. Strasbourg) is bedecked with Christmas lights and every church is blasted with kW of floodlighting and the useless things stay on all night. 

A real inspiration to save energy.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 06 December, 2022, 08:06:42 am
Quote from: Beardy on 05 December, 2022, 10:09:02 pm
In my defence, I, and to be fair, I suspect a large number of the forum contributors, grew up in the heyday of the moped as a legal entity, whereby 16yo could only ride 50 cc mopeds and to qualify for the status, they had to have pedals that could also propel them. The current legal status is obviously a watered down version of that previous legal status.

My recollection was that if you had a car driving licence you could ride a sub-50cc "moped" as long as it had pedals (which enabled it be ridden until you started the motor) - I had a Puch in about 1975 for a couple of years until I loaned it to my brother who tried moto-cross on it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 06 December, 2022, 08:30:21 am
Sorry but having a full motorcycle licence the correct term for any 50 cc two wheeled vehicle is a putfart
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: trundle on 06 December, 2022, 09:21:11 am
Quote from: The Family Cyclist on 06 December, 2022, 08:30:21 am
Sorry but having a full motorcycle licence the correct term for any 50 cc two wheeled vehicle is a putfart

I'll just leave this here https://www.youtube.com/@2STROKESTUFFING/featured (https://www.youtube.com/@2STROKESTUFFING/featured)  ;D

A drag racing 50cc engine... an excellent form of lunacy.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 06 December, 2022, 09:34:55 am
Quote from: Diver300 on 05 December, 2022, 09:11:35 pm
Quote from: Slave To The Viking on 05 December, 2022, 07:36:49 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 05 December, 2022, 06:32:27 pm
Just when did motor scooters become mopeds in common parlance? Mopeds have pedals, the clue’s in the name you numpties!  >:(

A very, very long time ago. Decades.

The name gives a clue as to its etymology, not its meaning.
An example.

Some EVs have a message broadcast on the CANbus describing the power unit state, which has a value of "crank", after the start button is pressed, before it goes into a state where a "gear" can be selected.
That has come from using an electric motor to start an IC engine, in an action called "cranking".
That action is named after the shape of the starting handle used when electric starter motors weren't fitted or weren't considered sufficiently reliable, so it comes from the same source as bicycle pedal cranks.

The software state in an EV has absolutely nothing to do with a crank.

The "gear" that is selected has a similar convoluted etymology.
This information is displayed on the dashboard. Nothing to do with hurrying or hyphens. Horse-drawn coaches had a curved wooden board at the front to protect the coachman's leg from being dashed by pebbles and mud. The instruments on early motor cars were fixed on a similarly shaped and positioned panel, but serving a completely different function.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 06 December, 2022, 10:12:35 am
Quote from: trundle on 06 December, 2022, 09:21:11 am
Quote from: The Family Cyclist on 06 December, 2022, 08:30:21 am
Sorry but having a full motorcycle licence the correct term for any 50 cc two wheeled vehicle is a putfart

I'll just leave this here https://www.youtube.com/@2STROKESTUFFING/featured (https://www.youtube.com/@2STROKESTUFFING/featured)  ;D

A drag racing 50cc engine... an excellent form of lunacy.

There used to be a 50 (later 80) cc class in Grand Prix motorcycle racing.  They revved to about 20,000 rpm and had so little torque that gearboxes sprouted more and more ratios in an attempt to keep the things moving.  And remember that back in those days the TT was a World Championship event :jurek:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jasmine on 06 December, 2022, 10:28:05 am
Quote from: Diver300 on 05 December, 2022, 06:02:07 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 30 November, 2022, 01:54:37 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 30 November, 2022, 12:47:44 pm
20min on island roads (so presumably not v fast) long enough to charge it?
Seems not if lights and wipers are used.

The DRL failed a week ago, so I'm a bit concerned that there is an electrical fault.
snipped a bit

It is difficult to work out if the battery is being discharged when the car isn't in use or if the battery is discharging itself or has lost capacity. Measuring the current when the car shuts down is quite difficult. It is often easiest to replace the battery first and you don't get many hours from a competent mechanic for the cost of new battery.

I would guess that the DRL failure is conincidental.

I had something similar this time last year. Car would drive ok, but had tendency to discharge overnight. I live on a hill so could jump it if I'd parked facing outwards. It would then be ok during the day. I thought it might be an electrical short, or discharging via the lights (headlights come on when the door is opened). The mechanic at the garage suggested just changing the battery first. If that didn't fix it then they'd need to look a bit closer, but if it did, it's much cheaper than them poking about for a couple of hours. I was dubious because the car was doing a load of weird shite at the time, but it seems that the dodgy battery was playing havoc with the car brain.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 06 December, 2022, 10:35:18 am
Quote from: Diver300 on 05 December, 2022, 06:02:07 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 30 November, 2022, 01:54:37 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 30 November, 2022, 12:47:44 pm
20min on island roads (so presumably not v fast) long enough to charge it?
Seems not if lights and wipers are used.

The DRL failed a week ago, so I'm a bit concerned that there is an electrical fault.
20 mins should be enough to charge the battery, but it should be a longer time to be sure.

First assumption would be long-term degradation of the battery from being discharged too much or left discharged.

If you can get hold of a voltmeter, the voltage should be at least 13.5 V when the engine is started. Measure it soon after starting in case the car has some clever charging.

It is difficult to work out if the battery is being discharged when the car isn't in use or if the battery is discharging itself or has lost capacity. Measuring the current when the car shuts down is quite difficult. It is often easiest to replace the battery first and you don't get many hours from a competent mechanic for the cost of new battery.

I would guess that the DRL failure is conincidental.

Didn't have any problems on the trip, but then I'd expect 8 hours of driving to fully charge the battery.

Will check the running voltage today. The voltage with engine off (before I left), was 12.06, it will be interesting to compare that now after so much driving.

The battery is an AGM, which I'm not familiar with. Not sure of the behaviour differences from wet Lead acid.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 06 December, 2022, 11:00:05 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 06 December, 2022, 10:12:35 am
Quote from: trundle on 06 December, 2022, 09:21:11 am
Quote from: The Family Cyclist on 06 December, 2022, 08:30:21 am
Sorry but having a full motorcycle licence the correct term for any 50 cc two wheeled vehicle is a putfart

I'll just leave this here https://www.youtube.com/@2STROKESTUFFING/featured (https://www.youtube.com/@2STROKESTUFFING/featured)  ;D

A drag racing 50cc engine... an excellent form of lunacy.

There used to be a 50 (later 80) cc class in Grand Prix motorcycle racing.  They revved to about 20,000 rpm and had so little torque that gearboxes sprouted more and more ratios in an attempt to keep the things moving.  And remember that back in those days the TT was a World Championship event :jurek:
I beleive that Honda built a six cylinder 50cc motorbike for this series, which boggles the mind somewhat.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 06 December, 2022, 11:46:06 am
Wikinaccurate only lists a maximum of two cylinders for the 50s, coupled to a 9-speed 'box.  They did build some straight-6 250s though.

Some of the 50s used caliper rim brakes :jurek:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 06 December, 2022, 11:50:08 am
A Honda 125 twin I had many decades ago used a cable-operated front disc brake. It worked suprisingly well.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 06 December, 2022, 07:21:11 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 06 December, 2022, 11:46:06 am
Wikinaccurate only lists a maximum of two cylinders for the 50s, coupled to a 9-speed 'box.  They did build some straight-6 250s though.

Some of the 50s used caliper rim brakes :jurek:

Honda built a 125cc 5 cylinder. 10 speed gearbox, 20,500 red line.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tod28 on 08 December, 2022, 01:06:52 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 06 December, 2022, 10:35:18 am
Quote from: Diver300 on 05 December, 2022, 06:02:07 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 30 November, 2022, 01:54:37 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 30 November, 2022, 12:47:44 pm
20min on island roads (so presumably not v fast) long enough to charge it?
Seems not if lights and wipers are used.

The DRL failed a week ago, so I'm a bit concerned that there is an electrical fault.
20 mins should be enough to charge the battery, but it should be a longer time to be sure.

First assumption would be long-term degradation of the battery from being discharged too much or left discharged.

If you can get hold of a voltmeter, the voltage should be at least 13.5 V when the engine is started. Measure it soon after starting in case the car has some clever charging.

It is difficult to work out if the battery is being discharged when the car isn't in use or if the battery is discharging itself or has lost capacity. Measuring the current when the car shuts down is quite difficult. It is often easiest to replace the battery first and you don't get many hours from a competent mechanic for the cost of new battery.

I would guess that the DRL failure is conincidental.

Didn't have any problems on the trip, but then I'd expect 8 hours of driving to fully charge the battery.

Will check the running voltage today. The voltage with engine off (before I left), was 12.06, it will be interesting to compare that now after so much driving.

The battery is an AGM, which I'm not familiar with. Not sure of the behaviour differences from wet Lead acid.

State of charge about 50% for an AGM
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 08 December, 2022, 04:55:25 pm
Note to company web designers - if you want people to actually buy your products, this captcha isn't helpful.

(https://i.ibb.co/CnqBQY7/Screenshot-2022-12-08-16-46-25.png)

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 08 December, 2022, 05:38:02 pm
Inverse Stroop effect.  Noice.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 08 December, 2022, 06:58:46 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 28 October, 2022, 08:57:14 pm
What is the point, OK, what is the fucking point of washing machine programmes which require you to prod the machine a several of times in order for it to continue its cycle.
I mean, what happened to automation?
I hate this fucking machine. It requires my intervention every five fucking minutes.



Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 08 December, 2022, 09:55:14 pm
I was thinking the same other day and this morning when I had about 15 attempts to get mine to actually start.
I miss my old Miele.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 08 December, 2022, 09:57:02 pm
Jurek, has yours got stuck on some weird setting that can be reset by clever pushing of buttons in an special engineer black magik sort of fashion?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 08 December, 2022, 10:08:45 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 08 December, 2022, 09:57:02 pm
Jurek, has yours got stuck on some weird setting that can be reset by clever pushing of buttons in an special engineer black magik sort of fashion?
I need to step away from the hammer.
It is a new machine.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 08 December, 2022, 10:19:55 pm
Faulty maybe? It shouldn't need constant supervision like a small child...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cygnet on 08 December, 2022, 10:35:34 pm
Do new fangled machines come with an e.g. carbon cost to replacement sticker? It's all very well producing an A++ efficient in use appliance, but if it fails after X-n years the LT material use and/or cost/benefit (e.g. out of warranty) could both suffer. (Cost of constructing replacement machines for those that fail early should be included in the overall rating - but does that come into consumer efficiency or constructor efficiency?)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 09 December, 2022, 09:37:10 am
Quote from: Jurek on 08 December, 2022, 10:08:45 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 08 December, 2022, 09:57:02 pm
Jurek, has yours got stuck on some weird setting that can be reset by clever pushing of buttons in an special engineer black magik sort of fashion?
I need to step away from the hammer.
It is a new machine.
It is probably trying to send you updates via a web app.

Both our washing machine and tumble drier are 'wifi enabled' but we steadfastly refuse to connect them.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 09 December, 2022, 11:29:26 am
I ken not how your Algorithm decided I have shown an interest in fishing tackle, Mr Zuckerberg.  Taking the piss out of gam-gams – eighty per cent of whose profile pictures feature a dead fish – is not the same thing at all.  Just stop it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 09 December, 2022, 04:02:06 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 09 December, 2022, 09:37:10 am
Quote from: Jurek on 08 December, 2022, 10:08:45 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 08 December, 2022, 09:57:02 pm
Jurek, has yours got stuck on some weird setting that can be reset by clever pushing of buttons in an special engineer black magik sort of fashion?
I need to step away from the hammer.
It is a new machine.
It is probably trying to send you updates via a web app.

Both our washing machine and tumble drier are 'wifi enabled' but we steadfastly refuse to connect them.

I'd make a joke about my washing machine being wife connected but a it's 2022 and b i do about 95% of the laundry
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 09 December, 2022, 04:08:54 pm
Washing machine on a smart plug seems to be a good compromise, as it allows you to:
a) Make it come on when the electricity is cheap
b) Measure how many electrons it uses
c) Generate notifications when it finishes
(ie. the sum total of 'smart' things you might reasonably want to do with a washing machine) without the machine itself getting Ideas above its station, risk becoming part of a Chinese botnet or being bricked remotely by the manufacturer.

I've never actually looked at how smart appliances work, but I'm assuming there's some godawful blingly bongly app that over-complicates the process of selecting  "40° synthetics wash.  Again." while trying to sell you overpriced consumables, extended warranties or (assuming Amazon don't hold the patent on this sort of thing) another washing machine.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 09 December, 2022, 04:36:46 pm
If Amazon made washing machines, they would be equipped with motion sensor cameras to survey your kitchen (or bathroom, or wherever) and probably also send you pictures of your laundry in mid-wash.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 12 December, 2022, 05:14:13 pm
So, finally got an email from someone called Do Not Reply To at Easyjet telling me my compensation claim for a flight in June has been denied because of excuses (ATC issues). This only took nearly six months. So, as I'm taking the day off and committing myself to nothing useful, I've spent an hour trying to figure out what they have paid me for cancelling two flights. I'm still no wiser, none of the individual payments accord with anything I claimed. I assume one payment is compensation for the first flight (£220) and the remainder almost, but doesn't quite, cover the replacement flight and hotel (£20ish off). Maybe they were against my steak dinner and wine bill. The least I deserved since I spent an hour at the airport after my flight was cancelled advising their other passengers of their rights that were obfuscated in the photocopied So Your Flight has been Cancelled piece of paper (you have to click through a webpage to find out that, yes, you are entitled to get a flight with another airline and book yourself a hotel).

I suppose I am in profit to the tune of £200, but the entire process has been shoddy. You'd think, given the number of flights they've cancelled, they'd be good at it by now. I can't be arsed to grink them again as I'm in profit, albeit somewhat randomly.

In other news, still no closer to getting a five-digit passcode to Barclaycard, their latest advice is to set it using the app that I can't get into because it requires the near-mythical five-digit passcode. This is round #82, the one that doesn't involve me saying no 5 digit, not 4 a lot to a support person who will then splain that a PIN is four digits. I do so know this.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rogerzilla on 12 December, 2022, 05:57:54 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 09 December, 2022, 04:36:46 pm
If Amazon made washing machines, they would be equipped with motion sensor cameras to survey your kitchen (or bathroom, or wherever) and probably also send you pictures of your laundry in mid-wash.
I can imagine leaked footage of beskidded grundies making it onto rotten.com.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 12 December, 2022, 08:49:58 pm
I've just spent a month visiting various family members in Colombia and doing a bit of travelling round. Without fail everyone I met asked "where are you from?" (usually followed by "yeah, that figures, your Spanish is terrible"). I also asked the same of others, eg American accent "I'm Norwegian", different Spanish accent "I'm from Bolivia", etc.

Anyway, I was at breakfast at one place and asked the woman opposite (indeterminate accent) the same question, she gave me a look and said "I grew up in London", I replied "Oh really, so did I" and carried on the conversation. Having got back I've read a few recent articles in the Grauniad and apparently I'm a Racist Bigot of the highest order and should contact my employer's HR with a letter of resignation.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 12 December, 2022, 09:12:10 pm
You only need to resign if you asked where they were really from. Repeatedly.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 12 December, 2022, 09:39:48 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 12 December, 2022, 09:12:10 pm
You only need to resign if you asked where they were really from. Repeatedly.

According to this article (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/sep/01/where-are-you-from-hard-question-to-answer) and this other article (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/nov/30/buckingham-palace-where-are-you-from-black-british) just the first question is racist, without the follow-up.

I speak to people as people, regardless of appearances. I'm willing to be educated/corrected but to my mind, if I'm told I have to speak differently to someone because of the colour of their skin, then *that* is discrimination.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 13 December, 2022, 09:22:05 am
Quote from: Pickled Onion on 12 December, 2022, 09:39:48 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 12 December, 2022, 09:12:10 pm
You only need to resign if you asked where they were really from. Repeatedly.

According to this article (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/sep/01/where-are-you-from-hard-question-to-answer) and this other article (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/nov/30/buckingham-palace-where-are-you-from-black-british) just the first question is racist, without the follow-up.

I speak to people as people, regardless of appearances. I'm willing to be educated/corrected but to my mind, if I'm told I have to speak differently to someone because of the colour of their skin, then *that* is discrimination.

I embarrassed myself with work colleagues one day.

We were walking as a group, for a team lunch. Conversation moved to 'where had people grown up'. In the group there was me (Australia), another Australian, 3 from India, 1 from Taiwan. I turned to the only person who hadn't said anything and asked where they grew up. In outraged tones, they replied "North London!"

Now, in my defense, this colleague talked a lot about his preferred food, cooking, and, crucially, said "Where I come from, we don't eat rice and we don't use forks, we use bread like chapattis to eat with."

I was ignoring accents, because those were primarily driven by where people learned to speak English (although I lost my Aussie accent, one of my Indian-born colleagues had an Irish accent because that's where he went to school, etc).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 13 December, 2022, 09:46:19 am
Having travelled around the world a lot, you get used to be asked where you are from – and vice versa. Sometimes it's surprising, which is part of the fun of meeting new people. Obviously if you meet someone in a village in the backend of Malawi wearing traditional dress and he says he's actually Canadian, the response isn't 'are you sure?' (even more interesting, his brother turned out to be in London's very own Metropolitan Police). The world is often a lot more international and diverse than people assume so be open to surprises and make no assumptions. I was unaccountably South African for years and I've told the story of when a well-meaning lady from the US called the African contingent people of colour which went all sorts of wrong ways and I think she's still recovering. Generally, in much of the developing world, once people learn I don't have children, they're astounded. One time, after a meeting in Nigeria, someone shoved a package of some kind of herbs into my hand – 'to help you with the lady, lots of babies' he confided. He was a vet though, so I didn't take it.

I could be offended by that, of course, my fecundity is my business (or more accurately my wife's), but different cultures.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 13 December, 2022, 10:32:02 am
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 13 December, 2022, 09:22:05 am
Quote from: Pickled Onion on 12 December, 2022, 09:39:48 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 12 December, 2022, 09:12:10 pm
You only need to resign if you asked where they were really from. Repeatedly.

According to this article (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/sep/01/where-are-you-from-hard-question-to-answer) and this other article (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/nov/30/buckingham-palace-where-are-you-from-black-british) just the first question is racist, without the follow-up.

I speak to people as people, regardless of appearances. I'm willing to be educated/corrected but to my mind, if I'm told I have to speak differently to someone because of the colour of their skin, then *that* is discrimination.

I embarrassed myself with work colleagues one day.

We were walking as a group, for a team lunch. Conversation moved to 'where had people grown up'. In the group there was me (Australia), another Australian, 3 from India, 1 from Taiwan. I turned to the only person who hadn't said anything and asked where they grew up. In outraged tones, they replied "North London!"

Now, in my defense, this colleague talked a lot about his preferred food, cooking, and, crucially, said "Where I come from, we don't eat rice and we don't use forks, we use bread like chapattis to eat with."

I was ignoring accents, because those were primarily driven by where people learned to speak English (although I lost my Aussie accent, one of my Indian-born colleagues had an Irish accent because that's where he went to school, etc).
Why was he outraged?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 13 December, 2022, 10:49:24 am
As a Penniless Student Oaf I once asked a fellow Oaf of Oriental appearance “Where you from, then, Bill?”

“Lime'aaase!” he replied, in purest Cockney.  This seemed a perfectly satisfactory answer and I did not press the matter further.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 13 December, 2022, 12:08:17 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 13 December, 2022, 10:32:02 am
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 13 December, 2022, 09:22:05 am
Quote from: Pickled Onion on 12 December, 2022, 09:39:48 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 12 December, 2022, 09:12:10 pm
You only need to resign if you asked where they were really from. Repeatedly.

According to this article (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/sep/01/where-are-you-from-hard-question-to-answer) and this other article (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/nov/30/buckingham-palace-where-are-you-from-black-british) just the first question is racist, without the follow-up.

I speak to people as people, regardless of appearances. I'm willing to be educated/corrected but to my mind, if I'm told I have to speak differently to someone because of the colour of their skin, then *that* is discrimination.

I embarrassed myself with work colleagues one day.

We were walking as a group, for a team lunch. Conversation moved to 'where had people grown up'. In the group there was me (Australia), another Australian, 3 from India, 1 from Taiwan. I turned to the only person who hadn't said anything and asked where they grew up. In outraged tones, they replied "North London!"

Now, in my defense, this colleague talked a lot about his preferred food, cooking, and, crucially, said "Where I come from, we don't eat rice and we don't use forks, we use bread like chapattis to eat with."

I was ignoring accents, because those were primarily driven by where people learned to speak English (although I lost my Aussie accent, one of my Indian-born colleagues had an Irish accent because that's where he went to school, etc).
Why was he outraged?

The implication in my question was that he grew up somewhere in India/Bangladesh/Pakistan.

My question was naff.

In the group of about 6, I think we found out that he was the only person who was born and grew up in England.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 13 December, 2022, 01:25:08 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 13 December, 2022, 12:08:17 pm

The implication in my question was that he grew up somewhere in India/Bangladesh/Pakistan.

My question was naff.

In the group of about 6, I think we found out that he was the only person who was born and grew up in England.

This is the bit that I'm struggling with. We are many generations along from the time when someone in England with not-white skin is likely to not be from England. So what in your question implies they are from India/etc.?

If someone in Australia asks where you're from (you said you've lost your Australian accent), do you get offended at the implication you're European? Do you feel the need to explain that your ancestors were European? Or do you just say you're Australian?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 13 December, 2022, 01:45:13 pm
We don't have the subtleties of the context or Mr Charly's exact words. Nor do we know anything about this person, other than eating chapattis in the way they're intended, which might suggest a geographical origin. Except we do have the quote, "Where I come from, we don't eat rice and we don't use forks, we use bread like chapattis to eat with." I'd say that while plenty of people in North London eat like that, that doesn't make North London "a place where people don't eat rice etc". If asked to list places where people eat [etc], you probably wouldn't put North London on your list. And starting with "Where I come from," does invite the question as to where that is.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 13 December, 2022, 02:00:24 pm
Quote from: Pickled Onion on 13 December, 2022, 01:25:08 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 13 December, 2022, 12:08:17 pm

The implication in my question was that he grew up somewhere in India/Bangladesh/Pakistan.

My question was naff.

In the group of about 6, I think we found out that he was the only person who was born and grew up in England.

This is the bit that I'm struggling with. We are many generations along from the time when someone in England with not-white skin is likely to not be from England. So what in your question implies they are from India/etc.?

If someone in Australia asks where you're from (you said you've lost your Australian accent), do you get offended at the implication you're European? Do you feel the need to explain that your ancestors were European? Or do you just say you're Australian?

I tell people I'm the most despised of immigrants; an economic migrant (my parents emigrated to Oz  in search of better incomes and possibilities).

I think he was being over-sensitive, tbh. I don't have an australian accent. He has a fairly neutral english accent. My much missed colleague who was walking next to him has a hint of Brummie accent (she did her second degree there, but was born and grew up in India).

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 13 December, 2022, 03:05:26 pm
Surely - and I'm a clueless white person, so what do I know - it's about context?

If you're in a group of people who've travelled somewhere taking about where you've come from, then it seems reasonable to ask the next person in the group where they come from.

If you're in a group of people talking about the weather, cold fusion or sourdough recipes and you ask the only brown-faced person in the group where they come from, not so much.

If, on receiving a reply to the effect of 'Penge', 'Canadia' or 'God's own planet of Yorkshire' you follow up with "No, where are you *really* from?" that's pretty unambiguous racism.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Hot Flatus on 13 December, 2022, 03:15:20 pm
I think the whole point about the Palace comments was that they were exclusionary.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 13 December, 2022, 03:24:05 pm
Quote from: Kim on 13 December, 2022, 03:05:26 pm
Surely - and I'm a clueless white person, so what do I know -
You might be white and clueless, but you're also a person who doesn't live where they grew up and didn't (afaik) grow up where they were born, as well as having lived in various other places in between. Just like the person in the first of Pickled Onion's links below, and a huge number of other people. Yet you still have an answer, even if it's not definitive and might vary by place, time, questioner, etc.

Quote from: Pickled Onion on 12 December, 2022, 09:39:48 pm
According to this article (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/sep/01/where-are-you-from-hard-question-to-answer) and this other article (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/nov/30/buckingham-palace-where-are-you-from-black-british) just the first question is racist, without the follow-up.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 13 December, 2022, 03:25:38 pm
Quote from: Hot Flatus on 13 December, 2022, 03:15:20 pm
I think the whole point about the Palace comments was that they were exclusionary.
And the moving of her hair in order to read her name badge was at least as offensive.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 13 December, 2022, 03:49:32 pm
Whilst in hospital in Great Missenden my wife asked her non-white, non-European, nurse where he was from. "Aylesbury" was the reply - which was accurate in as much as that was where he was currently living. His birth country was, it turned out, Nepal - which is what my wife intended to elicit by her question. It can somethimes just be a matter of interpretation and comprehension.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 13 December, 2022, 04:13:17 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 13 December, 2022, 03:24:05 pm
Quote from: Kim on 13 December, 2022, 03:05:26 pm
Surely - and I'm a clueless white person, so what do I know -
You might be white and clueless, but you're also a person who doesn't live where they grew up and didn't (afaik) grow up where they were born, as well as having lived in various other places in between. Just like the person in the first of Pickled Onion's links below, and a huge number of other people. Yet you still have an answer, even if it's not definitive and might vary by place, time, questioner, etc.

Indeed.

The difference is that people don't routinely ask me where I'm from within the first 5 minutes of meeting me.  I might get asked it - in reasonable contexts - a handful of times a year at most.  Rather than several times a week.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Auntie Helen on 13 December, 2022, 04:39:47 pm
Whereas I get asked it every week. Usually people ask if I’m from the Netherlands or Norway.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 13 December, 2022, 05:22:12 pm
Anyone with peripatetic career will be used to answering the question once every five minutes (unless you have the sort of British accent that comes direct from a Richard Curtis movie, which I don't). Of course, then I've usually been the only British (and white person) in the room, so exoticism is to be expected.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 13 December, 2022, 05:24:45 pm
Quote from: Kim on 13 December, 2022, 04:13:17 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 13 December, 2022, 03:24:05 pm
Quote from: Kim on 13 December, 2022, 03:05:26 pm
Surely - and I'm a clueless white person, so what do I know -
You might be white and clueless, but you're also a person who doesn't live where they grew up and didn't (afaik) grow up where they were born, as well as having lived in various other places in between. Just like the person in the first of Pickled Onion's links below, and a huge number of other people. Yet you still have an answer, even if it's not definitive and might vary by place, time, questioner, etc.

Indeed.

The difference is that people don't routinely ask me where I'm from within the first 5 minutes of meeting me.  I might get asked it - in reasonable contexts - a handful of times a year at most.  Rather than several times a week.

I think this is the nub of the issue. If most 'where are you from' questions are really asking 'You aren't british, so tell me where you are really from, you immigrant to my country.'


Refreshingly, in my new locality, people ask "Where are you staying?" followed by "Are you liking it here?", since accent alone identifies you as a non-local.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 13 December, 2022, 07:44:27 pm
My mum does this, and it grates. Especially with hospital staff. And then reports what she learnt to me. It would grate less if name and country of origin weren’t apparently almost the only things to define a person. It’s not like the nurse caught the 87 bus from Nigeria to Stoke Mandeville that morning.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 13 December, 2022, 08:29:09 pm
To be fair, both the left and the right of the belief spectrum do seem obsessed with catalogue people and their origins and how many of them there are in a manner that would have probably impressed Galton. Though they reach diametrically opposite conclusions from each other.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 13 December, 2022, 09:02:04 pm
As part of getting to know someone I might get around to asking about their origins, but id be unlikely to ask someone I’d just met, even in a work context. Ditto whether they’ve got children or if they’re married. I’m just not that interested in people I suppose, not unless I’m working with them for a while and I’m getting to know them anyway.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 13 December, 2022, 09:47:55 pm
It has never really crossed my mind to ask folk where they are from though I recall that sometimes in a social group context such information has been shared amongst the group.  Likewise I cannot recall being asked it much but when I am I tend to say the name of the town where I currently reside, Rugby.

This debate has caused me to think about this and I would say that I am asked this question mostly by a certain category of person.  This might explain to me the initial question from Lady Susan Hussey but does not explain nor excuse the follow up questions or the actual hands on moving of hair.  I see this behaviour in an altogether more sinister and controlling manner.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 13 December, 2022, 10:10:37 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 13 December, 2022, 09:02:04 pm
As part of getting to know someone I might get around to asking about their origins, but id be unlikely to ask someone I’d just met, even in a work context. Ditto whether they’ve got children or if they’re married. I’m just not that interested in people I suppose, not unless I’m working with them for a while and I’m getting to know them anyway.

Another can of worms. Is it a fairly normal question to prompt conversation (people with kids often like to talk about them) or does it carry the subtext "are you gay?"
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 14 December, 2022, 08:03:21 am
Quote from: Beardy on 13 December, 2022, 09:02:04 pm
As part of getting to know someone I might get around to asking about their origins, but id be unlikely to ask someone I’d just met, even in a work context. Ditto whether they’ve got children or if they’re married. I’m just not that interested in people I suppose, not unless I’m working with them for a while and I’m getting to know them anyway.

As part of getting to know someone is the key, I think. At work where we’re from (all over), partners (no, not all straight), kids, politics, education etc have all been topics. But over time, within a group, with established trust. Not as an opening gambit towards an individual who is likely to be different to me.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 14 December, 2022, 08:05:01 am
I'll ask people where they're from if I think the answer might be relevant or, more commonly, interesting. A couple of months ago on a train journey I got talking to a woman sat at the same table – we have similar-ish work, have both done taught TEFL and various other things to sustain a conversation – and she had a curious accent, with southern and northern elements but nothing at all like, say, Birmingham. Turned out the answer was Nottingham, which of course made me think of ian's frequent comments about that accent.

I can't imagine a situation in which it's acceptable to move someone's hair unless you're cutting it, dyeing it or similar. Occasionally it would be a nice power to have though; I remember an occasion in India during a break at work when a woman with Classical South Indian Beauty Standard hair (straight, jet black, very long) suddenly turned round and the ends of her hair went in my cup of tea.  :sick: Well, I'd drunk most of it at least.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Flite on 14 December, 2022, 08:08:40 am
I had no idea that interested questions about folks lives was such a sensitive issue, but there isn't a lot of open diversity in our area, and I suspect folks have grown thicker skins.

Quote
whether they’ve got children or if they’re married
I wouldn't ask that these days, but I do sometimes ask if someone has family living nearby.
It's a fairly open question, and so far no-one has reacted badly.
In this weather, asking if folks had a difficult journey to work is pretty reliable as a conversation opener.

It's safer to talk about your pets....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 14 December, 2022, 08:17:29 am
Three 'where are you from' situations in my life come to mind.

In my volunteering job on the canal I'll frequently ask boaters "Where's home for you?" - which avoids 'where are you from? - three miles thataway last night' conversations.

Restaurant serving staff - I've been known to say "that's a great accent, Where's it from?" - doesn't seem to raise any hackles, and starts a conversation.

Lastly - here in Leicester, possibly because we are such a diverse area - it's not seen as an issue (that anyone has mentioned to me) to ask "Where's your family from?" once you are on more than nodding acquaintance with someone. With Ugandan, Kenyan, Indian and other Asian backgrounds living here (among many others) it can be a real joy to hear some of the stories families have.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 14 December, 2022, 08:55:59 am
My Wiser central heating system has 2 'smart modes:
Eco - which is suppose to use an algorithm to work out the heat capacity of your home to decide whether it can turn the heating off earlier than scheduled to save energy (I think)
Comfort - which seems to do the same sort of thing but works out how long it takes your home to get up to temperature and turns the heating on earlier so that it's at your desired temperature at the scheduled 'on' time, rather than just starting heating at that time.

So fine, I decided to just turn 'Eco' mode on so that it decides when to turn off.
Except there seems to be a bug and it's either running Comfort mode or it's just turning on randomly.
Which is bloody annoying because when the heating comes on Pumpkin thinks it's breakfast time.
Cue me getting a load of pointy claws poked in my face at 0415 the other morning.

Guess I'll be turning that off.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 14 December, 2022, 09:27:32 am
I think that if you're used to travelling or working in a diverse environment, it's a normal question. I work with a diverse company with people from a lot of places and backgrounds. There's a lot of cultural differences too – in Africa and Asia people are very to the point with questions that we wouldn't consider asking in the UK.

That said, even in south London, there was a lot of diversity – my neighbours were a Windrush-generation extended family that spanned the UK to Florida, next door but one, gin-dispensing Ugandans, further down a couple from Hong Kong, etc. (on that street, out of twelve houses, only two were white British). Everyone had a story.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Hot Flatus on 14 December, 2022, 09:34:12 am
Were any of them from Hackney?

Again, let's refocus back on what the issue was because it wasn't about asking somebody from a foreign country where they were from. It was about refusing to accept that a British-born British person was from Britain.

I would say that I work in a fairly diverse environment. There are, after all, 42 different languages spoken, but I don't think I'll be blasting around saying "but where are you really from?" any time soon.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 14 December, 2022, 04:44:46 pm
I'm not sure anyone is actually arguing with that.

Mind you, if I came from Hackney, I'd keep quiet about it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Hot Flatus on 14 December, 2022, 05:15:03 pm
What's the matter with Hackney? Don't you like sourdough pizza and jazz?

Quote from: ian on 14 December, 2022, 04:44:46 pm
I'm not sure anyone is actually arguing with that.

There has certainly been a concerted effort (in media, social and otherwise) to reframe the actual occurrence to fit in with the readership's own personal bigotries.

It's an awkward one, because I too am fascinated by other people's cultures and it is largely what drove me to visit 50+ countries. But I'm also aware that unsolicited enquiry may not be read in the way intended, in the context of UK residents facing media driven hostility.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 14 December, 2022, 05:47:52 pm
I think, in all honesty, most of the population think the accused is batty, old posh lady who escaped from the royal attic when Liz mark 2 popped her clogs (though, I don't believe she's told her side of the encounter, but it seems a safe bet).

Anyway, other than the Tory backbenches and their benighted constituents, thankfully many of us appreciate the fact that it's 2023 and we're a multicultural society.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 14 December, 2022, 05:56:43 pm
Quote from: ian on 14 December, 2022, 05:47:52 pm
I think, in all honesty, most of the population think the accused is batty, old posh lady who escaped from the royal attic when Liz mark 2 popped her clogs (though, I don't believe she's told her side of the encounter, but it seems a safe bet).

That was my assumption, but I often have to remind myself that the royals are a lot more choreographed than we tend to assume:  I reckon it's entirely possible that it was an engineered racist gaffe (in the Philip style) in order to generate news and appeal to the gammonariat.

But mostly, I don't care.  Nobody deserves to be subject to racism, but if you're meeting geriatric royalty it is something of an occupational hazard.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 14 December, 2022, 06:06:20 pm
I think Pickled Onion's take on it was a bit wider though and felt to be a bit more impactful on him personally, as demonstrated by the other story he linked to.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 14 December, 2022, 07:35:08 pm
As a precaution against to possibility of winter power cuts my parents have ordered a calor gas heater.... which hasn't arrived yet. 


Phoning around it appears that 15kg butane cylinders are in short supply, with some places only swapping cylinders for existing customers & not issuing new ones. £40 deposit & £50 per refill as well.  :jurek:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 14 December, 2022, 07:43:03 pm
Try your local Faceache or Gumtree or whatever group. Our friends got a cylinder that way.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 14 December, 2022, 08:01:48 pm
Quote from: ian on 14 December, 2022, 05:47:52 pm
I think, in all honesty, most of the population think the accused is batty, old posh lady who escaped from the royal attic when Liz mark 2 popped her clogs (though, I don't believe she's told her side of the encounter, but it seems a safe bet).

Anyway, other than the Tory backbenches and their benighted constituents, thankfully many of us appreciate the fact that it's 2023 and we're a multicultural society.

Are you the time traveller who is telling their story in riddles in the pages of The Scum?

I still haven't escaped 2022 myself.  🤔😉
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 14 December, 2022, 08:27:17 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 14 December, 2022, 07:43:03 pm
Try your local Faceache or Gumtree or whatever group. Our friends got a cylinder that way.

Oh fuck please don't. Or at least be very very careful about the provenance of it. The only reason people aren't stealing them off boats &etc. is because they are quite difficult to sell on.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 14 December, 2022, 08:58:55 pm
Quote from: Pickled Onion on 14 December, 2022, 08:27:17 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 14 December, 2022, 07:43:03 pm
Try your local Faceache or Gumtree or whatever group. Our friends got a cylinder that way.

Oh fuck please don't. Or at least be very very careful about the provenance of it. The only reason people aren't stealing them off boats &etc. is because they are quite difficult to sell on.

I think it is fine if they are being given away.

Quite a few people here have old cylinders that they can't afford to refill. No proof of purchase or missing logos, so they can't get a deposit back (well, there didn't used to be one yonks ago). So they give them away.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 14 December, 2022, 09:06:34 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 14 December, 2022, 06:06:20 pm
I think Pickled Onion's take on it was a bit wider though and felt to be a bit more impactful on him personally, as demonstrated by the other story he linked to.

Yes.

Obviously the "really" question is offensive regardless of context or even race, it's basically "are you lying to me?", the race element makes it 100 times worse.

I was a little surprised at both the reaction of my breakfast companion, and the linked article, where it seems you shouldn't ask a person where they're from if they're black. I am upset by the fact one should discriminate - so it's fine to ask someone white with a northern accent where they're from and get the answer "Bradford", but not someone non-white where the answer is the same.

Reading through the replies, it seems this is a very British problem, and is clearly due to the number of racist bigots we still have, so that people come to see the question as hostile through constant repetition.

As Flatus says

Quote from: Hot Flatus on 14 December, 2022, 05:15:03 pm
It's an awkward one, because I too am fascinated by other people's cultures and it is largely what drove me to visit 50+ countries. But I'm also aware that unsolicited enquiry may not be read in the way intended, in the context of UK residents facing media driven hostility.

Most people everywhere you go are interested where you come from, and are quite happy to reciprocate, being either proud of where they were born or grew up or of their ancestry and will be keen to talk about it. It seems that in Britain there are a lot of people who despite being British feel they are not accepted as British. That may be media driven hostility, or the media reflecting attitudes (certainly not attitudes of circles I am in contact with) but either way it is sad and concerning.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 14 December, 2022, 09:08:50 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 14 December, 2022, 08:58:55 pm
Quote from: Pickled Onion on 14 December, 2022, 08:27:17 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 14 December, 2022, 07:43:03 pm
Try your local Faceache or Gumtree or whatever group. Our friends got a cylinder that way.

Oh fuck please don't. Or at least be very very careful about the provenance of it. The only reason people aren't stealing them off boats &etc. is because they are quite difficult to sell on.

I think it is fine if they are being given away.

Quite a few people here have old cylinders that they can't afford to refill. No proof of purchase or missing logos, so they can't get a deposit back (well, there didn't used to be one yonks ago). So they give them away.

GPWM, I read that as being sold. Like cheap bikes on those platforms.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 15 December, 2022, 10:24:52 am
I can’t remember where I put the reports of my leaking toilet, but I’ll continue here only because I CBA to really rant about it.

I _think_ I’ve diagnosed the issue to a failure of manufacture with a molding that hasn’t been properly glazed in within the innards of the toilet basin. This is allowing a minor, but persistent, leak between the flush pipe inlet and the double walled portion of the ‘frame’ of the toilet. I say t_think_ because the toilet is one of those fancy back-to-wall types that is firmly affixed in place, with the suspected fault deep within the fabric of the construction and diagnostics have been with a newly purchased endoscope and strategically placed fluorescent dye stuff.

I suspect that this has been an issue since it was installed new, but because the plumbers were a bit dim and the installation a bit dodgy, the leak went undetected and the water soaked into the floor. In replacing the now rotted floor with a properly installed tile I’ve left the water nowhere to go and so it’s become obvious. The only proper so.union I can see is to replace the toilet bowl which is not a popular choice 10 days before a full family Christmas and 5 days before they all start descending on us.

Pah!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 15 December, 2022, 11:08:13 am
If you can get to the join and open it up, push loads of Fernox LX in there (it is a non-curing silicone).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 15 December, 2022, 11:09:10 am
Quote from: Pickled Onion on 14 December, 2022, 09:06:34 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 14 December, 2022, 06:06:20 pm
I think Pickled Onion's take on it was a bit wider though and felt to be a bit more impactful on him personally, as demonstrated by the other story he linked to.

Yes.

Obviously the "really" question is offensive regardless of context or even race, it's basically "are you lying to me?", the race element makes it 100 times worse.

I was a little surprised at both the reaction of my breakfast companion, and the linked article, where it seems you shouldn't ask a person where they're from if they're black. I am upset by the fact one should discriminate - so it's fine to ask someone white with a northern accent where they're from and get the answer "Bradford", but not someone non-white where the answer is the same.
I'm not sure where you get that from. The palace problem was the "really" question. The other article you linked to https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/sep/01/where-are-you-from-hard-question-to-answer
is someone saying how difficult it is for them to decide what answer to give, because they've moved around so much.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 15 December, 2022, 11:54:58 am
Quote from: Beardy on 15 December, 2022, 10:24:52 am
I can’t remember where I put the reports of my leaking toilet, but I’ll continue here only because I CBA to really rant about it.

I _think_ I’ve diagnosed the issue to a failure of manufacture with a molding that hasn’t been properly glazed in within the innards of the toilet basin. This is allowing a minor, but persistent, leak between the flush pipe inlet and the double walled portion of the ‘frame’ of the toilet. I say t_think_ because the toilet is one of those fancy back-to-wall types that is firmly affixed in place, with the suspected fault deep within the fabric of the construction and diagnostics have been with a newly purchased endoscope and strategically placed fluorescent dye stuff.

I suspect that this has been an issue since it was installed new, but because the plumbers were a bit dim and the installation a bit dodgy, the leak went undetected and the water soaked into the floor. In replacing the now rotted floor with a properly installed tile I’ve left the water nowhere to go and so it’s become obvious. The only proper so.union I can see is to replace the toilet bowl which is not a popular choice 10 days before a full family Christmas and 5 days before they all start descending on us.

Pah!

I think we had the same issue when we got our last bathroom done up. It was mainly completed but when my plumber came back after I'd painted, to install the radiator, he appeared unexpectedly with a new cistern in tow because he thought there was a small leak in a seal somewhere and he was doing the right thing getting a new one.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 15 December, 2022, 11:57:38 am
I think it's usually a neutral question. It can of course be used in an exclusionary way, just as many questions can, and yes it's more likely to be used that way to a black person, as well as more likely to be perceived even if the intent isn't there.

So we could do with a non-exclusionary way of asking the same question. "Where do you live" might cover it at least in many cases. "Where you're from" can of course be the place you live or any/many of several other places.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 15 December, 2022, 02:22:19 pm
Replacement toilet ordered. I might be able to repair the hole in the faulty toilet, but the idea of taking it out and searching for what is in effect a slow puncture with no guarantee that I’ll either find it or be able to fix it even if I do, not only fills me with dread, but has also been decreed A BAD IDEA™ by Dr B. It’d take a braver (or more foolhardy) individual than I to risk the wrath of Dr B so close to Christmas.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 15 December, 2022, 03:06:46 pm
does it have to be done prior to Christmas.  Can it not wait until after the festivities?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 15 December, 2022, 04:33:16 pm
In Dr Bs' corner, if it's new and faulty why should you fix it? You're due a new one.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 15 December, 2022, 04:41:17 pm
It will probably wait until after Christmas, even if it turns up in super quick time. I’m not sure I could cope with the stress if I tried to do it before.

It’s not new, that’s the annoying thing. It’s been leaking into the floor for 5 years and has managed to rot the floor boards.  The boards were on a solid floor with a sheet of plywood over the top, and it wasn’t until that started to,rot through that we first saw the signs of rot. We can’t chase the plumber either because he stopped trading 4 or so years ago and retired.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 15 December, 2022, 04:43:27 pm
Ah. Yes, that is annoying.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 15 December, 2022, 04:48:58 pm
You know how the Guardian has a little hide button, so you can hide stuff on the main page like the Sport section (useful when the tour is on) or the World Sportsball Cup?
I wish they'd make one for Harry & Meghan. I'm bored seeing it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 15 December, 2022, 05:17:42 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 15 December, 2022, 04:48:58 pm
I wish they'd make one for Harry & Meghan. I'm bored seeing it.
It's a handy way of tuning republican sentiment into a royalist cause.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 15 December, 2022, 07:42:17 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 15 December, 2022, 11:57:38 am
I think it's usually a neutral question. It can of course be used in an exclusionary way, just as many questions can, and yes it's more likely to be used that way to a black person, as well as more likely to be perceived even if the intent isn't there.

So we could do with a non-exclusionary way of asking the same question. "Where do you live" might cover it at least in many cases. "Where you're from" can of course be the place you live or any/many of several other places.

Depends who's asking, could be TEH FENZ, about 20 miles North of Cambridge, Wiltshire, The UK, all over the place.  Each of which is contextually defendable
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 15 December, 2022, 07:45:42 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 15 December, 2022, 07:42:17 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 15 December, 2022, 11:57:38 am
I think it's usually a neutral question. It can of course be used in an exclusionary way, just as many questions can, and yes it's more likely to be used that way to a black person, as well as more likely to be perceived even if the intent isn't there.

So we could do with a non-exclusionary way of asking the same question. "Where do you live" might cover it at least in many cases. "Where you're from" can of course be the place you live or any/many of several other places.

Depends who's asking, could be TEH FENZ, about 20 miles North of Cambridge, Wiltshire, The UK, all over the place.  Each of which is contextually defendable
On wow! Not just a cool dude but The Actual Fonz!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 15 December, 2022, 09:43:01 pm
I've been wondering for a few weeks (since it got dark and cold) why the PIR light out by the door to the garage keeps going on. It's finally occurred to me - it's sited quite close to the flue for the boiler, the heat from that must be setting off the sensor.
I know it was just a replacement for one that was there before (which didn't work) but why did the sparky not think to point that out when he installed the new one?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 15 December, 2022, 11:18:27 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 15 December, 2022, 11:57:38 am
I think it's usually a neutral question. It can of course be used in an exclusionary way, just as many questions can, and yes it's more likely to be used that way to a black person, as well as more likely to be perceived even if the intent isn't there.

So we could do with a non-exclusionary way of asking the same question. "Where do you live" might cover it at least in many cases. "Where you're from" can of course be the place you live or any/many of several other places.

The problem to me seems to be the implication that the person being asked doesn't really belong in the group.
Suspect nobody would take offence at an Audax reunion if posed that question.

'Where are you REALLY from?' is more offensive...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 15 December, 2022, 11:27:39 pm
D and I are planning our seasonal visit to his Dad in Christchurch, Dorset.
We've done this most years apart from 2020, since ??2002.

I've been trying to book myself a wheelchair bay on the trains and received this as part of a an email from SouthWestern Railway.

<<All our trains have wheelchair spaces, with a companion seat adjacent to them, however, seats on our trains are non-reservable, this includes the wheelchair spaces. >>

WTAF?

I'm not too worried about our outward journey from Waterloo cos getting a bay from a terminus of origin should be fine.
I'm anxious about joining a train en route from an unstaffed station...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 15 December, 2022, 11:45:27 pm
Scotland and Germany have the sensible "where do you stay/live" which is distinct from "where are you from" which avoids this problem.

I figure that it doesn't cost white folk a lot of thought to think a little about what they ask and not to zoom into the first non-white person and ask 'where are you from' and maybe ask something else or not ask it of anyone for a bit. If in a group where everyone's asked/discussing where they live or origins, by all means ask the BME person at their turn, but equally don't do the 'where are you really from' and be hyper alert to it being a sensitive subject.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 15 December, 2022, 11:57:07 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 15 December, 2022, 11:27:39 pm
I've been trying to book myself a wheelchair bay on the trains and received this as part of a an email from SouthWestern Railway.

<<All our trains have wheelchair spaces, with a companion seat adjacent to them, however, seats on our trains are non-reservable, this includes the wheelchair spaces. >>

WTAF?

I reckon that's either "Computers are hard, so we're not bothering."  or  "Running a train service is hard, so we're not making any promises."
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 16 December, 2022, 01:33:11 am
I think it's the latter but travel as a wheelchair user is stressful and this only increases the stress.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 16 December, 2022, 07:51:46 am
Didn't have a good night's sleep as littlest monkey had a bad dream and woke me just after 4am

Got up to walk dog at 0540 as usual. Walked said dog and came home much in need of tea. Made a big mug of tea and put on table. The wife had left a clear biro on the table which with our multi coloured table cloth I missed so stuck mug on it and sloshed tea all over table.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 16 December, 2022, 07:58:48 am
woke up at 6:00 for the loo to find radiator stone cold.  Checked the boiler, not working.  Wife/vicar phoned the contract plumber as we are in a tied house.  I poured warm water over condensate pipe outside.  Still not started properly.  runs for a few minutes, cuts out, etc.  Waiting for call back from plumbing contractor.

Lounge fire lit, couple of fan heaters and a dimplex running.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 16 December, 2022, 09:15:13 am
Diesel stove/heating refused to fire last night. Listened carefully, couldn't hear the ignition spark. "Ah, the electrodes are coked up again"
Stove is very hot, so can't do anything last night. We have a solid fuel stove in living room, so no great hardship.

This morning, open up stove, give electrodes a polish. Test fire - electrodes spark immediately, but cut out before diesel starts spraying through nozzle.

Weird, thinks I, starting to suspect ignition capacitor is dying (I assume there is one).

Try it again - electrode doesn't spark at all.

Third time, ignition.


Now I'm wondering if it is the capacitor, and that it either is losing capacity or being very slow to 'fill'.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 16 December, 2022, 09:18:32 am
Quote from: Kim on 15 December, 2022, 11:57:07 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 15 December, 2022, 11:27:39 pm
I've been trying to book myself a wheelchair bay on the trains and received this as part of a an email from SouthWestern Railway.

<<All our trains have wheelchair spaces, with a companion seat adjacent to them, however, seats on our trains are non-reservable, this includes the wheelchair spaces. >>

WTAF?

I reckon that's either "Computers are hard, so we're not bothering."  or  "Running a train service is hard, so we're not making any promises."
It'll be like bike spaces and indeed any seat. On some trains, determined mostly by what rolling stock is being used, nothing is bookable, although it all exists.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 16 December, 2022, 09:41:30 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 16 December, 2022, 09:18:32 am
Quote from: Kim on 15 December, 2022, 11:57:07 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 15 December, 2022, 11:27:39 pm
I've been trying to book myself a wheelchair bay on the trains and received this as part of a an email from SouthWestern Railway.

<<All our trains have wheelchair spaces, with a companion seat adjacent to them, however, seats on our trains are non-reservable, this includes the wheelchair spaces. >>

WTAF?

I reckon that's either "Computers are hard, so we're not bothering."  or  "Running a train service is hard, so we're not making any promises."
It'll be like bike spaces and indeed any seat. On some trains, determined mostly by what rolling stock is being used, nothing is bookable, although it all exists.
Bookable seats require the intervention of a Real Human Bean ™ to place tickets in booked seats. This is a cost to the business and any extra charges levied for booking seats won’t be sufficient to cover. Shareholders ROI MUST be protected and maximised.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 16 December, 2022, 09:50:40 am
Quote from: Beardy on 16 December, 2022, 09:41:30 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 16 December, 2022, 09:18:32 am
Quote from: Kim on 15 December, 2022, 11:57:07 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 15 December, 2022, 11:27:39 pm
I've been trying to book myself a wheelchair bay on the trains and received this as part of a an email from SouthWestern Railway.

<<All our trains have wheelchair spaces, with a companion seat adjacent to them, however, seats on our trains are non-reservable, this includes the wheelchair spaces. >>

WTAF?

I reckon that's either "Computers are hard, so we're not bothering."  or  "Running a train service is hard, so we're not making any promises."
It'll be like bike spaces and indeed any seat. On some trains, determined mostly by what rolling stock is being used, nothing is bookable, although it all exists.
Bookable seats require the intervention of a Real Human Bean ™ to place tickets in booked seats. This is a cost to the business and any extra charges levied for booking seats won’t be sufficient to cover. Shareholders ROI MUST be protected and maximised.
Quite a lot of seats have an electronic display now.


I think the real reason they are ditching the booking is because it enables them to switch around rolling stock more easily. If you have some carriages with 50 seats and one wheelchair space, some with 60 seats, then taking bookings forces you to ensure the right number of carriage type X are at the right place at the right time. That is expensive, both in planning terms and logistically.

No bookings, you can use any carriage.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 16 December, 2022, 10:19:02 am
6 years ago we paid 12,000€ to have an electric chair put in to hoist the Inlaw Paw to his bedroom of an evening. He used it exactly once before a heart attack put him in bed for his last months.  Since then we've been taking the thing for a trundle every week or two to maintain the batteries, and dusting and greasing it sort-of regularly.

Today the bloody thing went clunk halfway up, its pilot lights went out and it's immovable.  I called Stannah (rot their knickers) and they want 300€ to come and look at it - after Christmas, leaving our stairs half-blocked until then.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 16 December, 2022, 11:22:38 am
After faffing with the CH this morning i headed off to the office.  My main meeting was not till 11.30 so I thought I would get breakfast at the little cafe down the road.  Arrived at 09:00 to a freezing cold cafe, chef not back from the shops, not very welcoming so i left and went to work.

Come 11:00 i go to collect car from service and think I will get a bacon roll from just round the corner.  get in, order and they tell me they have run out of bacon!

Not my day.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 16 December, 2022, 11:33:55 am
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 16 December, 2022, 09:50:40 am
Quote from: Beardy on 16 December, 2022, 09:41:30 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 16 December, 2022, 09:18:32 am
Quote from: Kim on 15 December, 2022, 11:57:07 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 15 December, 2022, 11:27:39 pm
I've been trying to book myself a wheelchair bay on the trains and received this as part of a an email from SouthWestern Railway.

<<All our trains have wheelchair spaces, with a companion seat adjacent to them, however, seats on our trains are non-reservable, this includes the wheelchair spaces. >>

WTAF?

I reckon that's either "Computers are hard, so we're not bothering."  or  "Running a train service is hard, so we're not making any promises."
It'll be like bike spaces and indeed any seat. On some trains, determined mostly by what rolling stock is being used, nothing is bookable, although it all exists.
Bookable seats require the intervention of a Real Human Bean ™ to place tickets in booked seats. This is a cost to the business and any extra charges levied for booking seats won’t be sufficient to cover. Shareholders ROI MUST be protected and maximised.
Quite a lot of seats have an electronic display now.
I think the real reason they are ditching the booking is because it enables them to switch around rolling stock more easily. If you have some carriages with 50 seats and one wheelchair space, some with 60 seats, then taking bookings forces you to ensure the right number of carriage type X are at the right place at the right time. That is expensive, both in planning terms and logistically.
No bookings, you can use any carriage.

This wouldn't stress me if *I* could use any carriage; point is, there are very few wheelchair spaces and I need one to be available if I'm joining a train originating elsewhere.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 16 December, 2022, 12:35:05 pm
Quote from: T42 on 16 December, 2022, 10:19:02 am
6 years ago we paid 12,000€ to have an electric chair put in to hoist the Inlaw Paw to his bedroom of an evening. He used it exactly once before a heart attack put him in bed for his last months.  Since then we've been taking the thing for a trundle every week or two to maintain the batteries, and dusting and greasing it sort-of regularly.

Today the bloody thing went clunk halfway up, its pilot lights went out and it's immovable.  I called Stannah (rot their knickers) and they want 300€ to come and look at it - after Christmas, leaving our stairs half-blocked until then.
No help to you, sorry, but when we put a stair lift in for my mum, the first time she descended the stairs with an air of grace and majesty, I played the Thunderbirds March on my phone to herald her arrival.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 16 December, 2022, 01:36:29 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 14 December, 2022, 08:55:59 am
My Wiser central heating system has 2 'smart modes:
Eco - which is suppose to use an algorithm to work out the heat capacity of your home to decide whether it can turn the heating off earlier than scheduled to save energy (I think)
Comfort - which seems to do the same sort of thing but works out how long it takes your home to get up to temperature and turns the heating on earlier so that it's at your desired temperature at the scheduled 'on' time, rather than just starting heating at that time.

So fine, I decided to just turn 'Eco' mode on so that it decides when to turn off.
Except there seems to be a bug and it's either running Comfort mode or it's just turning on randomly.
Which is bloody annoying because when the heating comes on Pumpkin thinks it's breakfast time.
Cue me getting a load of pointy claws poked in my face at 0415 the other morning.

Guess I'll be turning that off.

So last night, as I was not getting to sleep I noticed that the heating was on at 0030. WTF?
After some more poking about in the app eventually I found that the smart TRV in my office (the only one we have) was calling for heat. So I went and poked around in the settings for that. The heating was scheduled to be off at that time in that room. More heard scratching. Eventually I found though that the TRV setting was not set to follow the schedule. So it was just calling for heat any time it got a bit chilly.

Looked at my usage in the Octopus app this morning and it transpires that since last week the heating has been coming on every hour or so during the night. So something weird happened last week that made the schedule be turned on for that TRV.
Bloody annoying but at least I've got to the bottom of it now, somewhat.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 16 December, 2022, 01:46:37 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 16 December, 2022, 12:35:05 pm
Quote from: T42 on 16 December, 2022, 10:19:02 am
6 years ago we paid 12,000€ to have an electric chair put in to hoist the Inlaw Paw to his bedroom of an evening. He used it exactly once before a heart attack put him in bed for his last months.  Since then we've been taking the thing for a trundle every week or two to maintain the batteries, and dusting and greasing it sort-of regularly.

Today the bloody thing went clunk halfway up, its pilot lights went out and it's immovable.  I called Stannah (rot their knickers) and they want 300€ to come and look at it - after Christmas, leaving our stairs half-blocked until then.
No help to you, sorry, but when we put a stair lift in for my mum, the first time she descended the stairs with an air of grace and majesty, I played the Thunderbirds March on my phone to herald her arrival.

I must ask the service bloke if he can plumb that in.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 16 December, 2022, 01:52:06 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 16 December, 2022, 09:50:40 am
Quote from: Beardy on 16 December, 2022, 09:41:30 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 16 December, 2022, 09:18:32 am
Quote from: Kim on 15 December, 2022, 11:57:07 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 15 December, 2022, 11:27:39 pm
I've been trying to book myself a wheelchair bay on the trains and received this as part of a an email from SouthWestern Railway.

<<All our trains have wheelchair spaces, with a companion seat adjacent to them, however, seats on our trains are non-reservable, this includes the wheelchair spaces. >>

WTAF?

I reckon that's either "Computers are hard, so we're not bothering."  or  "Running a train service is hard, so we're not making any promises."
It'll be like bike spaces and indeed any seat. On some trains, determined mostly by what rolling stock is being used, nothing is bookable, although it all exists.
Bookable seats require the intervention of a Real Human Bean ™ to place tickets in booked seats. This is a cost to the business and any extra charges levied for booking seats won’t be sufficient to cover. Shareholders ROI MUST be protected and maximised.
Quite a lot of seats have an electronic display now.


I think the real reason they are ditching the booking is because it enables them to switch around rolling stock more easily. If you have some carriages with 50 seats and one wheelchair space, some with 60 seats, then taking bookings forces you to ensure the right number of carriage type X are at the right place at the right time. That is expensive, both in planning terms and logistically.

No bookings, you can use any carriage.

I don't think any of the train operators south of the capital have seat bookings (Southern/Thameslink, Southeastern, South West) - certainly not on routes in the SE network. I suppose for the longer routes (Exeter etc.) they might, but to Surreyshire they don't.

We don't even have first class, which is good, because that means you can sit in the first class section and enjoy the luxury of, erm, marginally less dirty seats and the stale bouquet of earlier dope smokers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 16 December, 2022, 05:34:45 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 16 December, 2022, 11:33:55 am
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 16 December, 2022, 09:50:40 am
Quote from: Beardy on 16 December, 2022, 09:41:30 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 16 December, 2022, 09:18:32 am
Quote from: Kim on 15 December, 2022, 11:57:07 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 15 December, 2022, 11:27:39 pm
I've been trying to book myself a wheelchair bay on the trains and received this as part of a an email from SouthWestern Railway.

<<All our trains have wheelchair spaces, with a companion seat adjacent to them, however, seats on our trains are non-reservable, this includes the wheelchair spaces. >>

WTAF?

I reckon that's either "Computers are hard, so we're not bothering."  or  "Running a train service is hard, so we're not making any promises."
It'll be like bike spaces and indeed any seat. On some trains, determined mostly by what rolling stock is being used, nothing is bookable, although it all exists.
Bookable seats require the intervention of a Real Human Bean ™ to place tickets in booked seats. This is a cost to the business and any extra charges levied for booking seats won’t be sufficient to cover. Shareholders ROI MUST be protected and maximised.
Quite a lot of seats have an electronic display now.
I think the real reason they are ditching the booking is because it enables them to switch around rolling stock more easily. If you have some carriages with 50 seats and one wheelchair space, some with 60 seats, then taking bookings forces you to ensure the right number of carriage type X are at the right place at the right time. That is expensive, both in planning terms and logistically.
No bookings, you can use any carriage.

This wouldn't stress me if *I* could use any carriage; point is, there are very few wheelchair spaces and I need one to be available if I'm joining a train originating elsewhere.

For 'you', read 'the ToC'.

Sorry, brain context. I used to write instructions for software that was used to plan this sort of timetabling.

Yes, it is infuriating, and completely down to cost-saving by the ToCs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 16 December, 2022, 06:23:15 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT
...software that was used to plan this sort of timetabling.
You mean they actually *plan* things?  Wonders will never cease.  Mind you, if they can sink to the current piss-poor levels of service *with* planning what they'd be (in)capable of if they left things alone defies imagination.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: De Sisti on 16 December, 2022, 06:36:01 pm
A local company has just fitted some blinds in my bathroom. Before the fitter left, I noticed that
one of the bathroom wall tiles had a crack on in (in line with where he drilled a hole to fit the blinds inside the window frame. The crack was not there before he started the installation.

The fitter said he didn't cause the damage (and there was no point in arguing with him). I have sent an email of complaint to his office, along with a picture of the crack. If they further deny it
I will use the legal protection I have in my home insurance to help me settle the matter.

I think I will ask them for their insurer's details and see if that prompts them to sort out my complaint.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 16 December, 2022, 08:31:05 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 15 December, 2022, 07:45:42 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 15 December, 2022, 07:42:17 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 15 December, 2022, 11:57:38 am
I think it's usually a neutral question. It can of course be used in an exclusionary way, just as many questions can, and yes it's more likely to be used that way to a black person, as well as more likely to be perceived even if the intent isn't there.

So we could do with a non-exclusionary way of asking the same question. "Where do you live" might cover it at least in many cases. "Where you're from" can of course be the place you live or any/many of several other places.

Depends who's asking, could be TEH FENZ, about 20 miles North of Cambridge, Wiltshire, The UK, all over the place.  Each of which is contextually defendable
On wow! Not just a cool dude but The Actual Fonz!

ISWYDT  ;D ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 16 December, 2022, 10:31:40 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 16 December, 2022, 09:41:30 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 16 December, 2022, 09:18:32 am
Quote from: Kim on 15 December, 2022, 11:57:07 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 15 December, 2022, 11:27:39 pm
I've been trying to book myself a wheelchair bay on the trains and received this as part of a an email from SouthWestern Railway.

<<All our trains have wheelchair spaces, with a companion seat adjacent to them, however, seats on our trains are non-reservable, this includes the wheelchair spaces. >>

WTAF?

I reckon that's either "Computers are hard, so we're not bothering."  or  "Running a train service is hard, so we're not making any promises."
It'll be like bike spaces and indeed any seat. On some trains, determined mostly by what rolling stock is being used, nothing is bookable, although it all exists.
Bookable seats require the intervention of a Real Human Bean ™ to place tickets in booked seats. This is a cost to the business and any extra charges levied for booking seats won’t be sufficient to cover. Shareholders ROI MUST be protected and maximised.
Really? Still?

I'm trying to remember when I first saw electronic displays above seats saying whether they were reserved or not. It was a long time ago. Yes, there are old carriages, but surely, there must be very many which don't need someone to walk along the train putting tickets on booked seats.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 16 December, 2022, 11:18:26 pm
Helly, the train company not allowing bookings may be in breach of their "Accessible Travel Policy (ATP)" The intrepid Mr Doug Paulley reported his local train company to the Office for Rail and Road (ORR) very recently.

The ATP is there precisely so wheelchair users can guarantee a seat as there's very few places you can travel.

Problem is complaining takes a lot of time and energy as even pointing out "you're breaking your legal mandate" doesn't work cos the frontline numpties don't understand and they'll stall you for time.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 19 December, 2022, 10:37:24 am
Bloody power interruptions: “Beep” goes the clock radio, followed closely by “bleep” from the bedside phone wanting its time and date settings checked, then “beep, rumble rumble” from the printer rebooting, then whatever is on the TV, as it and the digibox turn on. And of course the cooker and microwave need their clocks resetting. And the shonkily refurbished iPod my wife’s using (she listens to audiobooks all night, every night) loses its WiFi connection. Sigh. All at 2am of course.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 19 December, 2022, 11:09:36 am
Still no water. 🌵
This is now getting rather serious.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 19 December, 2022, 11:24:24 am
Quote from: Basil on 19 December, 2022, 11:09:36 am
Still no water. 🌵
This is now getting rather serious.

If you saw my other thread last week - when it comes back on, if there's been a leak involving a digger in a muddy hole, run an outside tap to clear any possible debris and avoid the risk of clogging cistern inlet valves and mixer taps.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 19 December, 2022, 12:41:35 pm
Thanks Rob. 
A property near me has a broken gutter. I put a bucket under the cascade and 10 minutes later went back to get it.  It was full.
That's the bog flushed.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 19 December, 2022, 01:05:09 pm
Good idea :)
The advantages of having a water butt for such an eventuality I guess...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Peter on 19 December, 2022, 01:30:57 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 19 December, 2022, 10:37:24 am
Bloody power interruptions: “Beep” goes the clock radio, followed closely by “bleep” from the bedside phone wanting its time and date settings checked, then “beep, rumble rumble” from the printer rebooting, then whatever is on the TV, as it and the digibox turn on. And of course the cooker and microwave need their clocks resetting. And the shonkily refurbished iPod my wife’s using (she listens to audiobooks all night, every night) loses its WiFi connection. Sigh. All at 2am of course.

First world problems!  Makes you hark back to the days when all that went off was your dialysis machine or the iron lung ...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 19 December, 2022, 02:51:46 pm
Quote from: Peter on 19 December, 2022, 01:30:57 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 19 December, 2022, 10:37:24 am
Bloody power interruptions: “Beep” goes the clock radio, followed closely by “bleep” from the bedside phone wanting its time and date settings checked, then “beep, rumble rumble” from the printer rebooting, then whatever is on the TV, as it and the digibox turn on. And of course the cooker and microwave need their clocks resetting. And the shonkily refurbished iPod my wife’s using (she listens to audiobooks all night, every night) loses its WiFi connection. Sigh. All at 2am of course.
First world problems!  Makes you hark back to the days when all that went off was your dialysis machine or the iron lung ...

Power restoration in these parts is usually accompanied by the simultaneous activation of all the neighbourhood burglar alarms...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 19 December, 2022, 02:54:31 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 19 December, 2022, 02:51:46 pm
Power restoration in these parts is usually accompanied by the simultaneous activation of all the neighbourhood burglar alarms...

Indeed.

It's worse in the summer, when you have the windows open and there's an alarm or two that aren't deactivated until September.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 19 December, 2022, 02:56:05 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 19 December, 2022, 02:51:46 pm
Quote from: Peter on 19 December, 2022, 01:30:57 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 19 December, 2022, 10:37:24 am
Bloody power interruptions: “Beep” goes the clock radio, followed closely by “bleep” from the bedside phone wanting its time and date settings checked, then “beep, rumble rumble” from the printer rebooting, then whatever is on the TV, as it and the digibox turn on. And of course the cooker and microwave need their clocks resetting. And the shonkily refurbished iPod my wife’s using (she listens to audiobooks all night, every night) loses its WiFi connection. Sigh. All at 2am of course.
First world problems!  Makes you hark back to the days when all that went off was your dialysis machine or the iron lung ...

Power restoration in these parts is usually accompanied by the simultaneous activation of all the neighbourhood burglar alarms...

And as Kim would no doubt attest it is worse in studentville during the holidays as there is no one resident to reset most of them out.

* and whilst I was typing.... *
Quote from: Kim on 19 December, 2022, 02:54:31 pm

Indeed.

It's worse in the summer, when you have the windows open and there's an alarm or two that aren't deactivated until September.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 24 December, 2022, 11:45:16 am
Tis the youngests birthday today. Due to working a lot in retail I've rarely been about for the birthday fun. Today had loads planned and got the f ing lurgy cold that's going round so they've all gone off for lunch and cinema and I'm stuck at home feeling grim
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 24 December, 2022, 08:08:02 pm
That's maddening! I hope you feel better soon and tomorrow goes well.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 25 December, 2022, 07:15:51 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 19 December, 2022, 01:05:09 pm
Good idea :)
The advantages of having a water butt for such an eventuality I guess...

I suggested that to Mrs ED last week when we were interrupted for about 14 hours

Didn't go down well :facepalm: ;D ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 25 December, 2022, 09:20:50 am
Quote from: barakta on 24 December, 2022, 08:08:02 pm
That's maddening! I hope you feel better soon and tomorrow goes well.

Thanks. Feel so much better today, didn't think I would be making Christmas Dinner today. Have wisely decided against church this morning especially as was meant to be on welcome.  The lurgy has been doing its rounds of family I'm seeing today but taking it elsewhere isn't the right thing to do.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 26 December, 2022, 12:32:57 pm
Installed Windscribe VPN on my fondleslab so's I could pretend to be French.  Got their welcome e-mail, containing a “random fact”

Quote
All swans in England belong to the queen.

Wrong.  Doubly wrong, in fact.  I shall unsubscribe immediately.  FUMMIN'
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 26 December, 2022, 04:06:41 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 26 December, 2022, 12:32:57 pm
Installed Windscribe VPN on my fondleslab so's I could pretend to be French.  Got their welcome e-mail, containing a “random fact”

Quote
All swans in England belong to the queen.

Wrong.  Doubly wrong, in fact.  I shall unsubscribe immediately.  FUMMIN'

They can still break your arm, thobut.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 26 December, 2022, 10:30:12 pm
Broken side table and red wine all over the carpet.  At 10pm on Boxing Day.  Swears bad enough to make Jacinda blush ensue.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 26 December, 2022, 10:31:22 pm
Someone else's red wine, hopefully.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 26 December, 2022, 10:42:46 pm
Was it a sawn (TBAGO)?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 26 December, 2022, 10:50:39 pm
Lt. Col. Larrington (retd.)'s red wine.  The table was collateral damage – it had already been b0rked and (badly) mended so when Professor Larrington moved it the leg fell off.  Natch all the decent table-mending screws are back at Larrington Towers.

No sawns involved, though a saw might be when I try mending the table tomorrow.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 26 December, 2022, 11:07:55 pm
Ah well, no sense in crying over spilt wine. Clean carpets are over rated.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 26 December, 2022, 11:08:20 pm
Didn't somebody post something about repairing a table a while ago?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 26 December, 2022, 11:20:54 pm
Same Mr Larrington, different table…
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 26 December, 2022, 11:35:00 pm
Phew!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 27 December, 2022, 12:05:47 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 26 December, 2022, 11:20:54 pm
Same Mr Larrington, different table…

Is this like Postman Piers and his uncanny ability to kill chairs?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 27 December, 2022, 12:47:50 am
Quote from: Kim on 27 December, 2022, 12:05:47 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 26 December, 2022, 11:20:54 pm
Same Mr Larrington, different table…

Is this like Postman Piers and his uncanny ability to kill chairs?

Very likely.  Once upon a time there was a nest of three tables inherited from Professor Larrington's godmother, of which one is twice b0rked and another is a pile of matchwood in the motor-house.  The other repaired one was a wedding present to Lt. Col. Larrington (retd.) in 1958 and is now tucked into a corner under the stairs where it can’t be sat on.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 27 December, 2022, 12:57:14 am
To be fair, I have a similar effect on rugs.  It's just that they runkle rather than wobble-snapping, so I tend not to get in quite so much trouble over it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 27 December, 2022, 10:57:26 am
Most of the rugs in Fort Larrington have been removed to the garage as a trip hazard but the one in front of the fireplace is definitely ambulatory.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 27 December, 2022, 12:19:58 pm
The former Ms Beardy the elder is leaving the family home today, days earlier than she originally advised. This unit is not a happy unit at this change of plans.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 28 December, 2022, 11:06:05 am
It'll soon be two years since our dogs died but they still managed to lighten our bank account by 300€ today. The electric chair had gathered a clump of hair that had taken that long to trip a thingummy in the drive mechanism that threw the gadget into panic mode and cut the juice. The Stannahman took about 10 minutes to clear it, then half an hour drinking coffee and showing me pictures of the house he's restoring in Brittany.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 28 December, 2022, 07:20:25 pm
Lid of the kettle has decided to go on strike and needs to be prised open with a knife.  Bah!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hatler on 29 December, 2022, 07:08:26 pm
Bah. Left our box of home-mixed muesli at the in-laws.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 29 December, 2022, 08:35:14 pm
Boots the chemist refused1 to prepare my repeat prescription this afternoon based on ‘it only came in this morning’2 and ‘you aren’t due until the 10th’3 (January). So I’m going to have to go in the morning if I want the medication before I go away.


1. Refused is maybe a bit strong. They were reluctant, and I was reluctant to make a fuss because the pharmacist is a friend.

2. Well, the doctors surgery acknowledged they’d met my request early yesterday morning so it’s been in the system nearly two working days.

3. Well, that would have been too late because I’ll run out at the end of next week. And as I’ve already told you I’m going away tomorrow, any time after then will also be too late.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 30 December, 2022, 12:41:22 am
I have been steadily developing cold symptoms since Christmas.  This might well end up buggering my New Year plans.

Bah >:(

(Sneezes)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Hot Flatus on 30 December, 2022, 12:44:46 am
^ well at least it's not that shit flu that I and loads of others have had.

My grumble is that, foolishly, I drank too much coffee today. The last one being at 4.30pm. Which means I won't sleep until probably 2am.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 30 December, 2022, 03:59:50 pm
My Stac Zero Halcyon has been getting increasingly erratic in its connection to reality bluetooth recently, and has expressed a relucance to move one of its arms such that today I could coax no more than 120W out of it. Having "repaired" it once and as it's now out of both warranty and manufacture, I've reluctantly splashed out on a new Tacx Neo 2SE
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 30 December, 2022, 04:18:57 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 30 December, 2022, 12:41:22 am
I have been steadily developing cold symptoms since Christmas.  This might well end up buggering my New Year plans.

Bah >:(

(Sneezes)

I had my cold on the weekend of the 5th, and (just like when I was a kid, and had my adenoids removed to prevent just this…) I still have sniffles and sneezes. It’s getting really boring. Especially as I gave the cold to my wife a week later, who was totally over it in 4 days. Bah indeed  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 30 December, 2022, 08:25:36 pm
For the last few days I've had a nonspecific sore throat and a mild unproductive cough that doesn't seem to respond to my inhalers (peak flow is normal), and no other symptoms.  LFT is negative for covid and barakta seems unaffected.  Presumably I've managed to acquire some sort of lurgy from either the orthopaedic hospital or - more likely by sheer weight of numbers - the Sainsbury's pre-Christmas scrum.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Hot Flatus on 30 December, 2022, 08:36:34 pm
I know almost nobody who hasn't been ill in recent weeks.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 30 December, 2022, 10:48:13 pm
I'm mostlty an anti-social hermit, who has been lurgy-free since Covid in January.l
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 31 December, 2022, 12:49:40 am
It’s usually one or both of Professor Larrington and Dr Davis who has the Christmas cold and tries to infect me with it, so I shall do my utmost to pass this one on to both of them tomorrow  :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TimC on 31 December, 2022, 03:41:37 am
After a busy family Christmas at Chez C, I was informed by an ex-wife who attended that she tested positive for Covid on her return home. Almost immediately, I developed a nasty dry cough. If I’ve got bloody Covid for the third time this year, I will not be happy. Whether it’s Covid or not, like Mr L this has severely curtailed my NYE plans. So, Hootenanny it is then. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Paul on 31 December, 2022, 09:27:31 am
Another one here succumbing to infection. I’ve been nursing Dyl through his illness (possibly flu, given that he wasn’t even well enough to open his presents!) since Christmas Day, so it’s no surprise.
I don’t mind forgoing NYE celebrations, but I’d rather not be ill.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 31 December, 2022, 09:50:09 am
Too many people with various levels of lurgy at the moment.  I have had a couple of small doses in the past nine days. It all started with us catching covid in late October and has been an ongoing theme of snorting, coughing and wheezing ever since and we have very careful ensured that we are not spreaders due to having to keep an eye on an oldie. 

Apparently hospitals are being crammed full of flu as well as covid cases at the moment.  🙁
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 31 December, 2022, 11:05:29 am
Quote from: TimC on 31 December, 2022, 03:41:37 am
After a busy family Christmas at Chez C, I was informed by an ex-wife who attended that she tested positive for Covid on her return home. Almost immediately, I developed a nasty dry cough. If I’ve got bloody Covid for the third time this year, I will not be happy. Whether it’s Covid or not, like Mr L this has severely curtailed my NYE plans. So, Hootenanny it is then.

My clod has not yet developed to the point where it’s seriously inconvenient or apt to stop me driving 120 miles this afternoon.  GWS, Tim.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 01 January, 2023, 08:29:45 am
Don't need Covid this morning to feel like shit warmed up on a shovel: the damned neighbours let loose with the fireworks at midnight - it was like Beirut in the 1980s. Some arsehole with a Colonel Bogey horn was also driving round the village sounding the bloody thing every 10 seconds.

I hope they all have vile hangovers this morning.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 01 January, 2023, 12:36:45 pm
I wouldn't mind if they let off the fireworks at midnight.  It's the ones without digital watches who let them off at random times between 7pm and about 3am that get me.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 01 January, 2023, 12:44:50 pm
Some toerag was setting them off near Larrington Towers around hours 06:30 last year, while SHOUTING.  Here in Northern Cotswoldia things are a bit more civilised.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 02 January, 2023, 01:15:14 pm
I’m not entirely sure how I’m still alive given that whilst feeling like death warmed up over the last three days, I received sympathy from an ex nurse AND and ex GP both of whom I’m related to.  For this to have been the case I must have died at least three times over the weekend.

I’m just post viral with a niggling cough and lots of snot, although I managed to drive the 200 miles home. Dr Beardy has succumbed and taken herself to bed. Another indication of this one’s virulence. (Dr Beardy is the ex nurse in the above scenario)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 02 January, 2023, 01:27:34 pm
Quote from: Kim on 30 December, 2022, 08:25:36 pm
For the last few days I've had a nonspecific sore throat and a mild unproductive cough that doesn't seem to respond to my inhalers (peak flow is normal), and no other symptoms.  LFT is negative for covid and barakta seems unaffected.  Presumably I've managed to acquire some sort of lurgy from either the orthopaedic hospital or - more likely by sheer weight of numbers - the Sainsbury's pre-Christmas scrum.

This seems to have gone.  Throat's back to normal at any rate, and I don't seem to be coughing an unusual amount.  Never got a positive covid test.

By way of karma, something immensely painful has gone wrong with barakta's good[1] knee.  She doesn't appear to have bashed or twisted it, but it's visibly swollen, tender to the touch and about 4°C hotter than the reference knee.  She's currently holed up in bed, apparently with the aid of 4am diazepam, so I'm leaving her to it.


[1] Which is to say, the one on the leg with the mostly-functional hip.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 02 January, 2023, 03:36:16 pm
Still coughing a bit but most of the clod symptoms seem to have picked Dr Davis as an easier target so he's probably wrapped up and sniffing in a blanket while watching foopball on the telly while I am, er, not.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 02 January, 2023, 04:27:11 pm
Spending the day in the downstairs bed elevating this fucking leg is really not much fun at all, cold and boring. Old Chromebook and my phone and the ergonomics aren't amazing...

May have to take emergency annual leave from work tomorrow to give me another day to elevate this leg (I don't fancy trying to do work with these ergonomics) and try the GP on Wednesday as this isn't tenable. I'm not supposed to be taking NSAIDs (cos of the still healing femur) but if it's bursitis like I suspect, that's the recommended treatment and it's taking A Lot of ibuprofen to make even a small difference. I also can't use paracetamol at all cos (it doesn't work for pain and) it gives me severe migraines. That's also bearing in mind I have morphine ongoing for fucking femur/leg which is probably the metal work.

The diazepam I took at 4am was probably not doing owt for the pain but did make me sleep which is what I needed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cycleman on 02 January, 2023, 06:44:40 pm
Really hope you feel more comfortable soon barakta.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 02 January, 2023, 08:13:23 pm
GWS Barakta.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 02 January, 2023, 09:31:40 pm
After moaning about my own ills, I now realise that I’m being a bit of a wimp and realise that others are a lot worse off. I’m sorry to hear of your woes N, GWS. Virtual hugs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Hot Flatus on 02 January, 2023, 09:39:18 pm
Being ill is shit, but that sounds especially shit. GWS.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 03 January, 2023, 12:49:54 pm
A horrible catch 22.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 05 January, 2023, 05:42:24 pm
This is a sort of ungrumbleish...

Bursitis seemed to clear up with two solid days of elevating my leg. Clobbering it with ibuprofen a bit probably didn't hurt either.

The rest of my body hated the ergonomics of sitting up in bed tho. Both hips playing up, including the right one collapsing out under me yesterday, just about managed to flail to other leg and not fall over...

One physio appt booked for 3rd Feb to discuss FEET which I think are excessively supinated cos I now have less-matching hips and can't walk without footpain. Oh well, excuse to keep avoiding the superspreader event which is my work's office and a bunch of workaholics who share their germs around.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 05 January, 2023, 09:18:09 pm
B given what you have been through in the last twelve months I think that your are more than entitled to a bit of grumblish time.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 07 January, 2023, 12:48:31 pm
Either just before or just after Christmas I clean all our carpets, especially the kitchen which gets pretty messy.  Today was the day.  I rented a Rugdoctor cleaner from our local Asda.  Got it home filled it up and then tried to use it.  Every time I pressed the start button it tripped all the electrics!  With the journey, etc that is about 3 hours wasted.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 08 January, 2023, 06:51:01 pm
You have carpet in the kitchen? I've not seen that since around 1980 and they were carpet tiles that could be washed in the sink!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 08 January, 2023, 07:19:45 pm
We bought a house in 2002 that had carpet tiles in the kitchen. From a dog owner that lived like a student. They were minging and the first thing we fixed in the house.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 08 January, 2023, 11:08:18 pm
“Drat and, moreover, fiddlesticks!” exclaimed Mr Larrington, as the bathroom light went “PHUT” shortly after he had settled in for a nice long soak >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 09 January, 2023, 12:48:59 pm
It's January.  I left the front door open only long enough to read the gas meter.  And now there’s a fucking fly in here >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 09 January, 2023, 03:33:25 pm
Quote from: Pickled Onion on 08 January, 2023, 06:51:01 pm
You have carpet in the kitchen? I've not seen that since around 1980 and they were carpet tiles that could be washed in the sink!
It is specifically for places like kitchens and we really like it. Our last house had carpet tiles. It is a bit warmer to the feet and just needs the machine running over it every now and then.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 11 January, 2023, 10:11:37 am
Ok, it’s official. I’m fed up of winning the lottery. I’ve won five (5) times THIS YEAR and I’ve only bought 3 tickets. 

I usually only play the EuroLottery, and then only when I remember. And only one entry. It’s a bit of fun, nothing more. But New Year’s Eve was a ‘must be won’ draw on the Lotto, so I bought a ticket for that as well. I won a fiver and a lucky dip in the next draw. That won a lucky dip, and that won a lucky dip. Hopefully tonight’s lucky dip will end that run! I’ve also bought an entry in two of the the three euromillions this year, and both have won.

So far I’m £5:50 up on where I started the year!

This would be funny but in November I had a similar run when I won on the euromillions four (4) times in a row. So I’ve won the lottery nine times in the last nine weeks. And I’m still poor!* I’m fed up of it I tell you. FED UP!

*fcvo poor. Ok, I’m not poor in any real sense of the word, I accept that.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 11 January, 2023, 10:25:28 am
O hai Mega-Global Spaignish CityBankCorp!

Thank you for the e-email asking me to update my phone number in your online banking wossname.  Now, if you could see your way clear actually to allowing me to log in, rather than displaying a Swirly Thing for two minutes and then throwing me back to the login screen, why, that'd be just peachy!

Kthxbai!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 11 January, 2023, 10:26:24 am
Today's grumble.
The older I get, the less of my back I can reach in the shower.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 11 January, 2023, 11:50:47 am
Bollocks! ‘twas a scam >:(. Poxy fondleslab Mail doesn’t show “From” address unless you poke it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 11 January, 2023, 11:55:40 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 11 January, 2023, 11:50:47 am
Bollocks! ‘twas a scam >:(. Poxy fondleslab Mail doesn’t show “From” address unless you poke it.

I often get texts and mail about my Santander account.
They're easy to spot as scam as I don't actually have a Santander account.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 11 January, 2023, 12:03:42 pm
I, unfortunately, do.  Though these days it gets used only for a single monthly standing order so there’s less than a hundred quid in it.  The bloody phone call is probably going to cost more than that (18 minutes and counting).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 11 January, 2023, 10:04:45 pm
Where *is* my purple hat?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 12 January, 2023, 10:38:48 am
Bloody hell. I’ve won ANOTHER free lotto ticket. This is getting bloody silly. If I believed in anything, I’d swear that <deity> was messing with me!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 12 January, 2023, 11:50:25 am
A multiparty grumble. I claimed compo for a series of train failures back in December. GWR said that for some reason – they didn't state why – they couldn't pay back to my card but would send me a cheque. Which has just arrived. That's the first grumble.

The second grumble is about NatWest's app. As banks no longer have branches (more or less), I thought I'd try to pay in the cheque using the app. There is a special feature for this. It requires you to take a photo of the cheque – but instead of you lining the cheque up according to their instructions (keep it flat, include all the corners, etc) the app takes control of the camera for you. This results in it firing off photos according to some trigger or other, which nevertheless doesn't match the app's own conditions. So the app takes a photo and then rejects it. It took five or six goes before it got one which it liked. And after all that it still gave me a message that the cheque "could not be processed today" and I should contact – of all organisations – the Post Office!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: graculus on 12 January, 2023, 04:12:13 pm
Apols if you already know this: Post Offices keep a stock of envelopes, printed up for the major banks, which you can return to the Post Office with your cheque and paying in slip enclosed and they will deliver it to the bank for free.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 12 January, 2023, 05:04:20 pm
When I first had a bank account (mid '80s) they gave me separate cheque and paying-in books, and they both got used. Now, not only are they one item but finding it is the first task!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Flite on 12 January, 2023, 05:29:43 pm
Quote
Post Offices keep a stock of envelopes

Living in a rural area, this is by far the simplest way for us to pay in cheques
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 12 January, 2023, 05:38:13 pm
Quote from: Flite on 12 January, 2023, 05:29:43 pm
Quote
Post Offices keep a stock of envelopes

Living in a rural area, this is by far the simplest way for us to pay in cheques

I'm with an online-only bank: this is the only way to pay in cheques!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 12 January, 2023, 05:45:53 pm
I recently discovered that Natpest have adopted take-a-photo-of-the-cheque-with-your-phone paying-in technology, and more impressively, it actually works.  When Thing2 introduced me to the concept some years ago I though it was a hilarious workaround for the USAnian failure to do anbaric currency properly, but it turns out that it's also useful when there's a pandemic or your bank turns into a trendy wine bar.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 12 January, 2023, 05:51:08 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 12 January, 2023, 05:04:20 pm
When I first had a bank account (mid '80s) they gave me separate cheque and paying-in books, and they both got used. Now, not only are they one item but finding it is the first task!

I had those when I first got a proper bank account (around the time when Wet Wet Wet were permanently on the radio).  At some point they got combined, but the stupid way round - far more cheques than paying-in slips in the book.

I still know where mine is, though.  It's on top of the Dell Optiplex that lives down the side of my desk.

*peers down the side of desk*

*notes absence of cheque book, and moreover the afore-mentioned Optiplex*

*dredges up vague memory of the Optiplex going in the WEEE pile at the tip some years ago*

*wonders where the cheque book went*
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 12 January, 2023, 06:19:54 pm
Two scenarios: First and most likely is that it got shipped off to Liberia or Bangladesh or wherever Wet Midlands send their WEE. There it got picked up by a canny local, who's having a high old time pretending to be a Western tourist, writing cheques left right and centre for casinos, champagne rickshaw rides. Second is that Barakta's forged your signature to buy herself a new pair of glasses  :D .
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 12 January, 2023, 06:29:20 pm
There's still a cheque book here...

The last time I used it was when the Juniors were still at school, some 5 years ago now.
The school seemed to need a constant stream of small payments for Things, and would only accept cheques!

Contribution for bus costs for visit to Thing: £1.99. Cheque, please.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 12 January, 2023, 06:32:20 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 12 January, 2023, 06:19:54 pm
Two scenarios: First and most likely is that it got shipped off to Liberia or Bangladesh or wherever Wet Midlands send their WEE. There it got picked up by a canny local, who's having a high old time pretending to be a Western tourist, writing cheques left right and centre for casinos, champagne rickshaw rides. Second is that Barakta's forged your signature to buy herself a new pair of glasses  :D .

I'd be impressed if anyone could forge my signature, given that since the rise of chip&pin I seem incapable of getting it right myself.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 12 January, 2023, 08:08:52 pm
Quote from: Kim
... far more cheques than paying-in slips in the book.
RBS cheque books have always (well at least since 1980) had paying in slips in the back of them.  They still do.  If you need more you can get separate books of paying in slips.  And when I'm at the bank tomorrow I shall ask them nicely for another one as Mrs L handed me the just emptied one not two hours since.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 12 January, 2023, 09:53:30 pm
Kim's chequebook is in the top drawer next to me. While she didn't know that, it is the logical first place she would have looked.

Mine is at the bottom of my box of crap.

I have used cheques for court fees as that's the easiest option unless your create a specific court fee account and I don't sue enough discriminators for that, although I know people who can't phone or handwrite who have them.

Cheques are silly in this day and age. BACS should allow better reference/tagging.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 12 January, 2023, 10:18:53 pm
Quote from: Flite on 12 January, 2023, 05:29:43 pm
Quote
Post Offices keep a stock of envelopes

Living in a rural area, this is by far the simplest way for us to pay in cheques

This works for us painlessly..

I keep forgetting that we have a NatWest in the car park every Wednesday from 10.00 till 13.00.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 12 January, 2023, 10:39:22 pm
I ended up behind a mobile horseybank for a bit on a bike ride once.  It was notable for the unusual satellite dish on the roof, and the lack of equine propulsion.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 13 January, 2023, 07:24:43 am
Acknowledgement of a formal complaint letter to a nearby District Council signed off "With Warmest Regards"
FFS
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Paul on 13 January, 2023, 07:31:15 am
There’s a hole in my (left) marigold.
 >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rogerzilla on 13 January, 2023, 07:33:08 am
Quote from: Paul on 13 January, 2023, 07:31:15 am
There’s a hole in my (left) marigold.
 >:(
I always keep a pair on hand (boom-tish) for such calamities.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 13 January, 2023, 08:00:30 am
Quote from: barakta on 12 January, 2023, 09:53:30 pm
Kim's chequebook is in the top drawer next to me. While she didn't know that, it is the logical first place she would have looked.
…

Which raises the question of why you’re being kept in the same drawer as the chequebook?

I also had a refund from GWR as my most recent cheque paying in.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Paul on 13 January, 2023, 09:12:31 am
Quote from: rogerzilla on 13 January, 2023, 07:33:08 am
Quote from: Paul on 13 January, 2023, 07:31:15 am
There’s a hole in my (left) marigold.
 >:(
I always keep a pair on hand (boom-tish) for such calamities.
Aha: like marmalade? Buy the next jar when you open the current one?
 :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 13 January, 2023, 10:16:43 am
The coffee machine is doing exactly what I tell it to do in spite of me wanting it to do something different! Pah.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 13 January, 2023, 11:38:32 am
Quote from: Beardy on 13 January, 2023, 10:16:43 am
The coffee machine is doing exactly what I tell it to do in spite of me wanting it to do something different! Pah.
Why aren't these smart machines intelligent too?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 13 January, 2023, 11:45:10 am
Quote from: Basil on 12 January, 2023, 10:18:53 pm
Quote from: Flite on 12 January, 2023, 05:29:43 pm
Quote
Post Offices keep a stock of envelopes

Living in a rural area, this is by far the simplest way for us to pay in cheques

This works for us painlessly..

I keep forgetting that we have a NatWest in the car park every Wednesday from 10.00 till 13.00.
Quote from: Kim on 12 January, 2023, 10:39:22 pm
I ended up behind a mobile horseybank for a bit on a bike ride once.  It was notable for the unusual satellite dish on the roof, and the lack of equine propulsion.
A horsedrawn horseybank could persuade me to change accounts! Good for the roses too.

I remember That Emily Chappell saying how her mother was a mobile librarian, driving the book bus round rural parts of Wales (though probably not Llandysul) and had been told to no longer visit certain places as those particular roads were assessed as too hazardous for a van full of mental incendiaries, but as her dedication to literature was greater than her regard for safety, she did anyway. I hadn't thought about there being mobile banks, but it makes perfect sense. Put Mrs Chappell in charge of one and they'll be giving out free money (but you might have to clean off the horse poo).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 13 January, 2023, 11:52:27 am
Mobile shops too.  I remember them from the Ladybird Book of Rose-Tinted Nostalgia.  And there’s a chap in Western Australia who operates a mobile butcher’s shop out of a gert big artic.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 13 January, 2023, 12:18:49 pm
I have memories of a mobile pub, but not whether it was actually real, or from an episode of Focus North or similar....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 13 January, 2023, 12:46:53 pm
Perhaps it only became mobile once you'd imbibed a minimum quantity of boozahol?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 13 January, 2023, 12:53:15 pm
Quote from: Kim on 13 January, 2023, 12:18:49 pm
I have memories of a mobile pub, but not whether it was actually real, or from an episode of Focus North or similar....

The home-brewed bike trailer I hauled to Denmark in 1993 was known as “The World-Renowned Portable Pub” :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 13 January, 2023, 03:38:55 pm
Went to the branch to pay the cheque in. Got there at 10 to 2. Oh dear, thought I, there's going to be a peak lunch-hour queue. But no. There was one person ahead of me, which made one customer for each customer-facing staff. No wonder they're closing the branches when nobody uses them! (Yes there is a circularity there).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Giraffe on 13 January, 2023, 05:21:09 pm
Quote from: Paul on 13 January, 2023, 07:31:15 am
There’s a hole in my (left) marigold.
 >:( 
As an aside, where are Large Marigold gloves available? Seems that size 8½ is 'Large' - no, I can't even begin to get into that. I need 10 at least and then it's chance if that'll fit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 13 January, 2023, 05:45:55 pm
Quote from: Paul on 13 January, 2023, 07:31:15 am
There’s a hole in my (left) marigold.
 >:(

If you ask barakta nicely she might have a spare...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Paul on 13 January, 2023, 05:50:00 pm
Quote from: Giraffe on 13 January, 2023, 05:21:09 pm
Quote from: Paul on 13 January, 2023, 07:31:15 am
There’s a hole in my (left) marigold.
 >:( 
As an aside, where are Large Marigold gloves available? Seems that size 8½ is 'Large' - no, I can't even begin to get into that. I need 10 at least and then it's chance if that'll fit.
I can’t help you. The L suits my delicate digits.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Paul on 13 January, 2023, 05:51:20 pm
Quote from: Kim on 13 January, 2023, 05:45:55 pm
Quote from: Paul on 13 January, 2023, 07:31:15 am
There’s a hole in my (left) marigold.
 >:(

If you ask barakta nicely she might have a spare...
Really?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 13 January, 2023, 05:57:19 pm
Quote from: Paul on 13 January, 2023, 05:51:20 pm
Quote from: Kim on 13 January, 2023, 05:45:55 pm
Quote from: Paul on 13 January, 2023, 07:31:15 am
There’s a hole in my (left) marigold.
 >:(

If you ask barakta nicely she might have a spare...
Really?

Her left arm isn't much good for scrubbing, so she tends to wear out the right ones first.  Not sure what the current inventory of the rubber gloves drawer is like thobut (I do occasionally sacrifice left gloves to really minging jobs in the interest of balance).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Paul on 13 January, 2023, 06:00:31 pm
Might they work inside out? I mean adequately?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 13 January, 2023, 06:29:25 pm
Quote from: Giraffe on 13 January, 2023, 05:21:09 pm
Quote from: Paul on 13 January, 2023, 07:31:15 am
There’s a hole in my (left) marigold.
 >:( 
As an aside, where are Large Marigold gloves available? Seems that size 8½ is 'Large' - no, I can't even begin to get into that. I need 10 at least and then it's chance if that'll fit.
I’ve not found any rubber gloves that fit me, neither household or disposable or for that matter gardening gloves. We can’t be that much in a minority. I’ve found motorcycle, diving and even sailing gloves, but work gloves not a one.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 14 January, 2023, 08:22:50 am
Went downstairs this morning, fed the bloody parrot, put MrsT's herbal infusion on.  Either dust from the BP's seed or MrsT's vile concoction got up my nose and by the time I sat down at the table I had filled about 6 sheets of kitchen roll with snot.  By the time I got up & got out it was more like a dozen.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Diver300 on 14 January, 2023, 09:45:03 am
Quote from: Kim on 12 January, 2023, 05:45:53 pm
or your bank turns into a trendy wine bar.
Mine turned into a clock.

https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/101122620-national-westminster-bank-cambridge-market-ward#.Y8J5enbP2Uk (https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/101122620-national-westminster-bank-cambridge-market-ward#.Y8J5enbP2Uk)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 16 January, 2023, 01:23:14 pm
“Perhaps I should have worn some proper gloves while riding to Mr Sainsbury’s House of Toothy Comestibles today!” whimpered Mr Larrington, clutching the radiator.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant
Post by: Beardy on 17 January, 2023, 04:31:35 pm
Damned JAS screws. I’ve got posidrive and Philips screwdrivers aplenty, but no JAS. ok, Philips will fit at a pinch, but the cam out a bit easily.

Another grumble about the new TV, although this is an obscure one. The TV will pair with my Sony earbuds and will pipe sound into them in parallel with the TV speaker. Then the audio stops 2o seconds or so after the remote is used. If I pick up the remote and ‘wake it up’ (it’s a fancy smart remote with some touch sensitive bits!) the audio resumes in the earbuds. For 20 seconds. Rinse and repeat.

I’ve connected a pair of headphones via Bluetooth and they work ok. I can’t find my HA Bluetooth interface so can’t try that (although that’s a nightmare all on its own!). I’ve other earbuds and headphones to try, but the ones I wanted to use don’t work. And given how obscure the problem is I can’t find anything on the interwebs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 17 January, 2023, 10:26:15 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 13 January, 2023, 11:52:27 am
Mobile shops too.  I remember them from the Ladybird Book of Rose-Tinted Nostalgia.  And there’s a chap in Western Australia who operates a mobile butcher’s shop out of a gert big artic.

If you're on Twitter and want Ladybird nostalgia, follow @LBFlyawayhome...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rr on 17 January, 2023, 10:55:25 pm
Plenty of mobile chip shops around.

Sent from my motorola edge 20 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Legs on 18 January, 2023, 03:49:26 pm
EDfuckingF unilaterally decided to cancel my smart meter appointment this afternoon, but had neglected to notify me.  This was the second appointment, because last time (October, I think), my wife waited in all afternoon and they never turned up.  Cocks.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Flite on 18 January, 2023, 04:48:34 pm
Octopus cancelled the installation of our smart meter 3 times, with long intervals between.
Think the engineer didn't want the hassle of fitting it in a 3-phase set-up or travelling out into the sticks.
Finally done last week, man said it took twice as long as a "normal" installation.
As feared, the monitor thingy doesn't work in the house, so it's in the shed where it will never be looked at.

Correction : OH has just come in from lubing my bike and he has looked at it, but so far we don't have enough info to compare and make changes.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 18 January, 2023, 05:46:03 pm
Quote from: Flite on 18 January, 2023, 04:48:34 pm
Finally done last week, man said it took twice as long as a "normal" installation.

You'd expect that, what with there being twice as many wires to connect...


Quote
As feared, the monitor thingy doesn't work in the house, so it's in the shed where it will never be looked at.

Correction : OH has just come in from lubing my bike and he has looked at it, but so far we don't have enough info to compare and make changes.

The octopus website and/or API does a better job than the little display thingy for everything except instantaneous power, anyway.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Flite on 18 January, 2023, 06:01:00 pm
Quote
You'd expect that, what with there being twice as many wires to connect...
We were the first call of the day, so it would mean the poor bloke was going to be late for the rest of his appointments - felt a bit sorry for him!
And yes, I think OH is clued up about the octopus website so I'm keeping a low profile till I have a better idea of how we might adapt our timings to get a better tariff.
The AGA will be fun - the system is set to get itself up to full cooking temperature twice a day, and by some magic it monitors useage so it knows when to turn itself up to achieve same. And by human magic, I organise the cooking around it. I'm sure there are economies to be made...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 18 January, 2023, 06:20:17 pm
Another bloody lightbulb gone PHUT >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 18 January, 2023, 09:28:21 pm
Excite! My Scout hut has a New! Shiny! smart meter, on account of the old one being old. However,because reasons, the hut has a three phase supply and two meters. Only one has been replaced, with the other still a spinny disc.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 20 January, 2023, 10:43:26 am
Don't you just hate it when you drop the new bog roll into the bog?   :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 20 January, 2023, 04:13:01 pm
Quote from: Basil on 20 January, 2023, 10:43:26 am
Don't you just hate it when you drop the new bog roll into the bog?   :facepalm:

Is this proof that a bloke has actually changed a toilet roll??????????????
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 20 January, 2023, 04:25:25 pm
Quote from: robgul on 20 January, 2023, 04:13:01 pm
Quote from: Basil on 20 January, 2023, 10:43:26 am
Don't you just hate it when you drop the new bog roll into the bog?   :facepalm:

Is this proof that a bloke has actually changed a toilet roll??????????????

 ;D

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 20 January, 2023, 06:29:50 pm
Quote from: robgul on 20 January, 2023, 04:13:01 pm
Quote from: Basil on 20 January, 2023, 10:43:26 am
Don't you just hate it when you drop the new bog roll into the bog?   :facepalm:

Is this proof that a bloke has actually changed a toilet roll??????????????
I’d have to say no, becasue it seems he failed in the attempt!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 20 January, 2023, 08:59:48 pm
I can say, as a bloke, I have never dropped a bog roll into the lavatory. But then again, I've never cycled into the canal either. I live a sheltered life.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 20 January, 2023, 10:57:50 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 20 January, 2023, 06:29:50 pm
Quote from: robgul on 20 January, 2023, 04:13:01 pm
Quote from: Basil on 20 January, 2023, 10:43:26 am
Don't you just hate it when you drop the new bog roll into the bog?   :facepalm:

Is this proof that a bloke has actually changed a toilet roll??????????????
I’d have to say no, becasue it seems he failed in the attempt!

Cutting out the middle-man, thobut. Such efficiency.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 20 January, 2023, 11:59:31 pm
Quote from: robgul on 20 January, 2023, 04:13:01 pm
Quote from: Basil on 20 January, 2023, 10:43:26 am
Don't you just hate it when you drop the new bog roll into the bog?   :facepalm:

Is this proof that a bloke has actually changed a toilet roll??????????????

IME it's not changing the rolls that blokes (Basil notwithstanding) have a problem with, so much as remembering to actually buy the stuff.

There are many things in life that really shouldn't be subject to just-in-time purchasing logistics, and a surprising amount of them involve toilets.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 21 January, 2023, 07:53:12 am
Quote from: Kim on 20 January, 2023, 11:59:31 pm
Quote from: robgul on 20 January, 2023, 04:13:01 pm
Quote from: Basil on 20 January, 2023, 10:43:26 am
Don't you just hate it when you drop the new bog roll into the bog?   :facepalm:

Is this proof that a bloke has actually changed a toilet roll??????????????

IME it's not changing the rolls that blokes (Basil notwithstanding) have a problem with, so much as remembering to actually buy the stuff.

There are many things in life that really shouldn't be subject to just-in-time purchasing logistics, and a surprising amount of them involve toilets.

Buying the stuff reminds me:   We moved house and then went on a long-ish holiday . .  domestic supplies were run down prior to the move for obvious reasons of storage/packing etc.   Covid strucj while we were away and the holiday was cut short by 3 weeks . .  . the panic buying of toilet rolls back in the UK worried my wife to the point that she bought a 4-pack in a supermarket in New Zealand to bring home!

Personally I think the squares of newspaper on the nail on the back of the bog door would have been fine had itcome to it ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 21 January, 2023, 07:58:54 am
Quote from: Basil on 20 January, 2023, 10:43:26 am
Don't you just hate it when you drop the new bog roll into the bog?   :facepalm:

Especially when you've just scuttled across the bathroom with your bum al fresco to fetch it from the cupboard under the sink.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Poacher on 21 January, 2023, 11:45:53 am
Say goodbye to bogroll blues by installing a bidet, as we did nearly 40 years ago in Manoir du Braconnier.  :smug:




(Still rely on bogroll for phase 1 cleaning, thobut.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 21 January, 2023, 04:30:18 pm
Need a new garage ped door. Can't get our previous fitters to answer the phone, some comment on Google reviews about creditors ... Need to find someone else now.

My The North Face snow boots split right across the toes this morning. Probably perished with age.

Need to buy new tyres before the Future Classic goes for MOT next month.

My phone has spent the past few months displaying droid rot and threatening to die.

Now my tablet is doing the same.

I forsee much spending in my future.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 21 January, 2023, 05:38:46 pm
Previous occupants of this house left a new loo roll in both toilets.
I cant change loo rolls whilst standing and doing the task whilst seated prevents mishaps.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 22 January, 2023, 08:22:37 am
Quote from: Poacher on 21 January, 2023, 11:45:53 am
Say goodbye to bogroll blues by installing a bidet, as we did nearly 40 years ago in Manoir du Braconnier.  :smug:

Spike Milligan on French his hotel room "...and a bidet of steaming coffee".
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 22 January, 2023, 10:09:10 am
At Mar a Lago the bidets are full of steaming covfefe.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 23 January, 2023, 08:56:03 am
Beware the crema.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 23 January, 2023, 10:31:34 am
We have a rather nice polished chrome bog roll holder upstairs, presumably made in the PRC. Quite why the Chinese insist on spoiling an otherwise excellent product by not inserting springs at both end of the roll I do not know. It make changing a roll a bit of a nightmare, including the risk of stabbing onself with a long flat bladed screw driver, the use of which is compulsory for changing a roll.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wowbagger on 23 January, 2023, 11:51:27 am
Bugger. Trying to phone the doctor. "You have dialled an incorrect number" says the Electronic Lady.

Well, not according to their website, I haven't, which is the same as the one stored in my phone, and which I have been using for some years.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 23 January, 2023, 02:42:09 pm
Quote from: Wowbagger on 23 January, 2023, 11:51:27 am
Bugger. Trying to phone the doctor. "You have dialled an incorrect number" says the Electronic Lady.

Well, not according to their website, I haven't, which is the same as the one stored in my phone, and which I have been using for some years.

My parents village was badly impacted by someone lifting a manhole and dragging out as much copper cable as they could. BT lost the phone lines to pretty much the whole village though fibre to the cabinet survived so internet access was largely maintained. However installing new copper and reconnecting the pairs correctly at each end was a major exercise, and for an extended period phone numbers were miss connected and dialling one number could get someone almost anywhere else in the village. Let alone them working out the billing for outgoing calls whilst mis-connected.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 23 January, 2023, 02:59:54 pm
A rather long moan but with a good end
(click to show/hide)

If you have read the above you prolly figured ...

(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 23 January, 2023, 04:17:06 pm
Quote from: woollypigs on 23 January, 2023, 02:59:54 pm
A rather long moan but with a good end
(click to show/hide)

If you have read the above you prolly figured ...

(click to show/hide)

Just promise me, you won't start posting videos tagged with 'van life'.

Drives me round the "£$%"£$^ bend.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 26 January, 2023, 08:00:21 am
Us cottage ownere - a terrace of 8 - have a rough ground parking area we use to keep the road clear. In December the contrcators laying FTTP ducts decided to take a short cut across and alog it, rather than use the road. This resulted in the heavy clay subsoil being scattered all over it, making it a bit of a quagmire. The FTTP company agreed to make good, but the agreed date was the date of the snowfall here, so nothing happened. I've been chasing them since, and on Tuesday a guy turned up to say they'd be doing the work Friday. He then decided Monday would be better, give the frozen ground time to thaw.  Of course that meand all the cars will ned to be moved on Monday to make space, and one of our neighbours is away. Fortunatley he leaves a car key with another neighbour.

Last night we get a phone call as I'm preparing dinner. It's the neighbour with the key, who has, once again, not done as she was asked and run his car occasionally. So now it's battery is flat, and so is the front offside tyre. So that's my Friday afternoon and probably a chunk of Saturday charging the battery - extension has to be laid across the road - and pumping up his tyre. Luckinly I'll be changing wheels on my car as well, so was intending to be around.

This is the second time she's let the battery go completely flat, and he's not the sense he was born with so won't have got the battery replaced after the first time. I hope it'll not only charge but also hold the charge long enough for the necessary manoeuvering over the weekend.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 26 January, 2023, 07:04:33 pm
O hai EDF!

If you really want me to have a “smart” meter you'll have to wait until the ambient temperature outside reaches 20 degrees.

Now smeg off.

Kthxbai!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 26 January, 2023, 08:50:01 pm
If you ignore them for long enough they get bored. It took some time though.

Unless, of course, my spam folder learned to eat their emails…
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 26 January, 2023, 11:54:19 pm
A Several of years ago one, or more, Cheerful Geordies from EDF would phone and say “smart meter”, I'd say “OK” and only then would Cheerful Geordie become noticeably less cheerful on discovering that they didn’t actually have any people available to fit 'em.  As far as I know Geordies don’t read back to front or umop-ap!sdn so why they apparently read their script from the wrong end will be forever a mystery.  Because after the third or fourth repetition of this little one-act play they gave up for half a decade or more.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 28 January, 2023, 08:40:27 am
Bah. Expecting a Chronopost (24-hour delivery service) today so decided not to go cycling.  Opened email this morning to find that they don't deliver at weekends. The wretched package got from Bordeaux to Strasbourg overnight and now it'll sit there until Monday.   If I'd seen that earlier I wouldn't have had the double shot of vasoconstrictor with breakfast.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 28 January, 2023, 11:22:19 am
I have grumbled upthread about our neighbour who was “looking after” another’s car whilst they were away. Well I went out yesterday to attempt to charge the battery. Opened the drivers door with the key. Tried to open the passenger door from the inside. No deal. Which means I can’t open the bonnet. Which mean I can’t charge the battery. And the inter webs say “jack up the car and possibly remove the bumper and get your hooked tool over the release cable. Like fuck. Turns out all she’d been doing, rather than running the engine occasionally, was turn on the ignition and check for lights. Which just woke up the electronics and drained the battery faster  ::-)

That’s the second year in a row she’s done that. Fortunately the contractors coming to re-surface the parking area are made of sterner stuff - and the cars a manual. They’re going to push it out of the way to do their work Monday.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 28 January, 2023, 11:42:26 am
Quote from: rafletcher on 28 January, 2023, 11:22:19 am
I have grumbled upthread about our neighbour who was “looking after” another’s car whilst they were away. Well I went out yesterday to attempt to charge the battery. Opened the drivers door with the key. Tried to open the passenger door from the inside. No deal. Which means I can’t open the bonnet. Which mean I can’t charge the battery. And the inter webs say “jack up the car and possibly remove the bumper and get your hooked tool over the release cable. Like fuck. Turns out all she’d been doing, rather than running the engine occasionally, was turn on the ignition and check for lights. Which just woke up the electronics and drained the battery faster  ::-)

That’s the second year in a row she’s done that.

Obviously there's a need for reëducation all round, but I can't help thinking that whoever designed a car that was basically impossible to recover from a batt flattery condition is more culpable than a well-meaning neighbour who presumably has a driving licence yet is stunningly ignorant about how cars work or indeed the laws of thermodynamics[1].

Anyway, in the absence of car-thief tactics, could the battery be charged via the not-a-cigar-lighter socket?  Or, if available, a trailer socket with a permanent live pin.


[1] These are the people that Toyota's "self-charging hybrid" advertising campaign is targeted at, so there must be enough of them around.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 28 January, 2023, 12:29:05 pm
I'm confused by this. Is it really impossible to open the passenger door or the bonnet while the battery is flat? How is that compatible with the possible need for rapid exit, eg if the car's on fire? Or is the reason you can't open the passenger door something unrelated to the battery? I can just about imagine a bonnet release being located inside the passenger door frame...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 28 January, 2023, 12:48:51 pm
@Kim, I guess the cigarette lighter option was what the AA used the last time.

@Cudzo, it may be the passenger door is fubar - I expected it to open mechanically from the inside. It’s entirely possible it’s broken, the owner isn’t very mechanically aware and rarely if ever carries a passenger- usually just the person who he is visiting in Romania when she comes on a return visit.

 And yes, this being a car designed in Europe, the bonnet release is only accessible when opening the drivers passenger door.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 28 January, 2023, 03:40:30 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 28 January, 2023, 12:48:51 pm
And yes, this being a car designed in Europe, the bonnet release is only accessible when opening the drivers passenger door.

Can't you sidle over the gear-stick etc?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 28 January, 2023, 04:12:41 pm
Some ( mine I think but ICBA to outside to check) vehicles have the bonnet release lever concealed, or obstructed, by the closed passenger door.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 28 January, 2023, 05:10:12 pm
Right enough, I had a car in which the boot lid release was like that.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 28 January, 2023, 05:23:35 pm
That is a stupid design.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 28 January, 2023, 05:24:55 pm
Finally got out on our first bike ride since October. Quite cold when I got home.
Stupid pissy electric shower.
That is all.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 28 January, 2023, 09:02:18 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 28 January, 2023, 05:23:35 pm
That is a stupid design.

Agreed. Some have it half obscured which is even stupider. My current car has it on that pillar but accessible with the door shut. My next has it sensibly placed under the dash on the drivers side. It’s Japanese.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 28 January, 2023, 11:47:38 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 28 January, 2023, 05:24:55 pm
Finally got out on our first bike ride since October. Quite cold when I got home.
Stupid pissy electric shower.
That is all.
I insisted on an over spec combi-boiler just so,I could,have hot water in the shower at close to mains water pressure. This is something I’ve insisted on ever since that first combi. You’ve got to do it Mrs Pingu, you know it makes sense.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 29 January, 2023, 12:21:26 am
Quote from: Beardy on 28 January, 2023, 11:47:38 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 28 January, 2023, 05:24:55 pm
Finally got out on our first bike ride since October. Quite cold when I got home.
Stupid pissy electric shower.
That is all.
I insisted on an over spec combi-boiler just so,I could,have hot water in the shower at close to mains water pressure. This is something I’ve insisted on ever since that first combi. You’ve got to do it Mrs Pingu, you know it makes sense.

It's high up on Mrs P's list of stuffs I can tell you.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 29 January, 2023, 08:25:36 am
Being in a tied house with an electric shower and he big attraction of our bolt hole flat is the mains pressure hot shower. Luxury!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 29 January, 2023, 08:48:00 am
Quote from: chrisbainbridge on 29 January, 2023, 08:25:36 am
Being in a tied house with an electric shower and he big attraction of our bolt hole flat is the mains pressure hot shower. Luxury!

Yeah. We had to fit a pressure-reducer. 60 psi throughout.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ScumOfTheRoad on 29 January, 2023, 09:28:49 am
Re the flat battery on the car.  On my VW Touran if the key battery goes flat you can lever off a little plastic cover on the drivers door which reveals - a conventional lock. The key then unlocks the door.
For the passenger door though this unlocks from the inside. I dont think there is a similar plastic cover on the passenger side. Might be worth checking though.
On VW there is a tiny slot on the bottom of the plastic cover which perfectly fits the key shank so you can lever it off.

As an aside you need to use fresh batteries not weak ones. VW dealership changed the battery then said key would still not work and they wanted 60 quid to reprogram it. There is a procedure to sync the key with the car which you can find online so saved 60 quid.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hubner on 29 January, 2023, 09:56:59 am
On screen keyboard on a mobile without the apostrophe, where you have to go back and forth to symbols.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 29 January, 2023, 10:16:58 am
No apostrophe on mine either, but touching and holding the Full Stop key reveals a small selection of symbols,  including the '.
Touching and holding the Comma key does the same, but stupidly exactly the same selection.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 29 January, 2023, 11:39:39 am
Quote from: ScumOfTheRoad on 29 January, 2023, 09:28:49 am
Re the flat battery on the car.  On my VW Touran if the key battery goes flat you can lever off a little plastic cover on the drivers door which reveals - a conventional lock. The key then unlocks the door.
For the passenger door though this unlocks from the inside. I dont think there is a similar plastic cover on the passenger side. Might be worth checking though.
On VW there is a tiny slot on the bottom of the plastic cover which perfectly fits the key shank so you can lever it off.

As an aside you need to use fresh batteries not weak ones. VW dealership changed the battery then said key would still not work and they wanted 60 quid to reprogram it. There is a procedure to sync the key with the car which you can find online so saved 60 quid.

It’s the car battery that’s flat, and this being a 2006 A3, it has a visible conventional lock on the drivers door, but nothing on the passenger side. I’m still of the mind the passenger door is bust, any door should be openable from the inside,no matter the state of the central locking.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Auntie Helen on 29 January, 2023, 12:41:10 pm
My old 2002 A6 had a non-opening passenger door (from inside) which was to do with the door hinges dropping a little. This would of course be an MOT failure as well as bad news anyway so my mechanic fixed it somehow. He had to do it again a few years later. Might be an Audi thing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 29 January, 2023, 04:47:52 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 29 January, 2023, 11:39:39 am
I’m still of the mind the passenger door is bust, any door should be openable from the inside,no matter the state of the central locking.

Yes it's broken. Not being able to open any door from the inside is an MOT failure.

The normal way of getting out of my Spitfire was to use the outside handle, until one year it was noticed at MOT. I protested that this was no hazard as the car had neither roof nor side windows, but roolz is roolz and I had to get it fixed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 29 January, 2023, 05:29:30 pm
Quote from: Pickled Onion on 29 January, 2023, 04:47:52 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 29 January, 2023, 11:39:39 am
I’m still of the mind the passenger door is bust, any door should be openable from the inside,no matter the state of the central locking.

Yes it's broken. Not being able to open any door from the inside is an MOT failure.


My bold. Being able to set a child lock, to prevent mid-tantrum exits, has always been a thing on cars I've had. Though I only recall it on the rear doors. So I'm assuming it's not the case here.

Being unable to manually open the door sounds broken to me too.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 29 January, 2023, 05:42:51 pm
Yes, I once had a car on which I thought for a time one of the rear doors was broken, because a passenger had somehow set it to child lock without me noticing.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 29 January, 2023, 05:48:30 pm
Kids today probably never get left in a car unsupervised for long enough to read the entire manual and learn how to disable the child locks...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 29 January, 2023, 05:54:53 pm
My Bil and Sil used to leave theirs in the car, parked in the garden, with the key in the ignition so he could amuse himself by blowing the horn constantly. He was about two years old, so too young to read.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 29 January, 2023, 06:28:33 pm
Quote from: Pingu on 29 January, 2023, 12:21:26 am
Quote from: Beardy on 28 January, 2023, 11:47:38 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 28 January, 2023, 05:24:55 pm
Finally got out on our first bike ride since October. Quite cold when I got home.
Stupid pissy electric shower.
That is all.
I insisted on an over spec combi-boiler just so,I could,have hot water in the shower at close to mains water pressure. This is something I’ve insisted on ever since that first combi. You’ve got to do it Mrs Pingu, you know it makes sense.

It's high up on Mrs P's list of stuffs I can tell you.

It's top of my list of stuffs. I just need to see if my employer sees fit to dispense a decent bonus this year to fund it...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 29 January, 2023, 06:46:25 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 28 January, 2023, 05:24:55 pm
Finally got out on our first bike ride since October. Quite cold when I got home.
Stupid pissy electric shower.
That is all.

We have a pumped rainfall shower thing. It's the most awesome thing possible to have. It also has digital temperature settings and a blinky light and beep when the temperature is ready. It even gives you a pause so you can press the on-button and withdraw before the flow starts.

The non-pumped shower that just takes water from the hot cylinder is like holding a leaking kitten over your head. There's something messed up about the hot water in the Asbestos Palace, it takes weeks, for instance, to get from the cylinder to the hot water tap in the bathroom, despite the fact they're about 2.5 metres apart. I think the pipework must go via Kent.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Hot Flatus on 29 January, 2023, 07:04:35 pm
Maybe you had a Soviet plumber?

I love all the dystopian tales from the Eastern bloc era, such as the Yugoslav town which had one central plant outside town to provide hot water and central heating for everyone.

Need I say more?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rogerzilla on 29 January, 2023, 08:18:00 pm
Quote from: ian on 29 January, 2023, 06:46:25 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 28 January, 2023, 05:24:55 pm
Finally got out on our first bike ride since October. Quite cold when I got home.
Stupid pissy electric shower.
That is all.

We have a pumped rainfall shower thing. It's the most awesome thing possible to have. It also has digital temperature settings and a blinky light and beep when the temperature is ready. It even gives you a pause so you can press the on-button and withdraw before the flow starts.

The non-pumped shower that just takes water from the hot cylinder is like holding a leaking kitten over your head. There's something messed up about the hot water in the Asbestos Palace, it takes weeks, for instance, to get from the cylinder to the hot water tap in the bathroom, despite the fact they're about 2.5 metres apart. I think the pipework must go via Kent.
The gravity-only shower in the Shrine To 1980s Pampas works well considering that the head available is about 0.5m.  It's a Mira Agile EV, which was the mixer I found that would run off the lowest pressure.  I used all-swept bends, a separate feed from the cold water cistern, and a Warwick flange on the cylinder.  There is about 18" from the cylinder to the mixer, so it runs hot almost instantly.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 29 January, 2023, 08:34:22 pm
Quote from: rogerzilla on 29 January, 2023, 08:18:00 pm
Quote from: ian on 29 January, 2023, 06:46:25 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 28 January, 2023, 05:24:55 pm
Finally got out on our first bike ride since October. Quite cold when I got home.
Stupid pissy electric shower.
That is all.

We have a pumped rainfall shower thing. It's the most awesome thing possible to have. It also has digital temperature settings and a blinky light and beep when the temperature is ready. It even gives you a pause so you can press the on-button and withdraw before the flow starts.

The non-pumped shower that just takes water from the hot cylinder is like holding a leaking kitten over your head. There's something messed up about the hot water in the Asbestos Palace, it takes weeks, for instance, to get from the cylinder to the hot water tap in the bathroom, despite the fact they're about 2.5 metres apart. I think the pipework must go via Kent.
The gravity-only shower in the Shrine To 1980s Pampas works well considering that the head available is about 0.5m.  It's a Mira Agile EV, which was the mixer I found that would run off the lowest pressure.  I used all-swept bends, a separate feed from the cold water cistern, and a Warwick flange on the cylinder.  There is about 18" from the cylinder to the mixer, so it runs hot almost instantly.
I have no idea what a Warwick flange is but I'm not at all surprised that it's in 1980s Pampas.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rogerzilla on 29 January, 2023, 09:50:04 pm
Oddly, it's nothing to do with *that* episode of Inbetweeners.

It's an independent shower outlet from the top of the cylinder that should be free of air bubbles and won't suffer a significant pressure drop (ooh, cold shower) if someone in the house uses a hot tap.

A Surrey flange is very similar, just with a horizontal instead of vertical shower outlet.

An Essex flange does the same job but requires drilling the side of the cylinder.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 30 January, 2023, 07:44:12 am
Quote from: hubner on 29 January, 2023, 09:56:59 am
On screen keyboard on a mobile without the apostrophe, where you have to go back and forth to symbols.

Not if you use the French layout.  Or is that illegal in the UK these days?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 30 January, 2023, 07:53:02 am
Quote from: T42 on 30 January, 2023, 07:44:12 am
Quote from: hubner on 29 January, 2023, 09:56:59 am
On screen keyboard on a mobile without the apostrophe, where you have to go back and forth to symbols.

Not if you use the French layout.  Or is that illegal in the UK these days?
French layouts are confiscated at the border.

Mostly I let the phone insert apostrophes. That approach to correct words is sriskier on an apple, where getting a cursor into the middle of a word seems to break some design principle.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 30 January, 2023, 09:29:27 am
Quote from: perpetual dan on 30 January, 2023, 07:53:02 am
Quote from: T42 on 30 January, 2023, 07:44:12 am
Quote from: hubner on 29 January, 2023, 09:56:59 am
On screen keyboard on a mobile without the apostrophe, where you have to go back and forth to symbols.

Not if you use the French layout.  Or is that illegal in the UK these days?
French layouts are confiscated at the border.
Quote

Death of my life and sacred blue. (GMF thx)

Quote
Mostly I let the phone insert apostrophes. That approach to correct words is sriskier on an apple, where getting a cursor into the middle of a word seems to break some design principle.

Aye well, apples are sold by grocer's.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 30 January, 2023, 09:53:15 am
Quote from: T42 on 30 January, 2023, 07:44:12 am
Quote from: hubner on 29 January, 2023, 09:56:59 am
On screen keyboard on a mobile without the apostrophe, where you have to go back and forth to symbols.

Not if you use the French layout.  Or is that illegal in the UK these days?

These days, you get arrested and thrown in prison if you use a French keyboard.
</Stewart_Lee>
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 30 January, 2023, 12:59:07 pm
I thought one of the main benefits of brexit was that we could throw the French keyboards in the same bin as the SCART connectors?

Anyway, my mobile keyboard has the apostrophe on the 'v' key.  It's the colon and semicolon (on 'b' and 'n' respectively) that I tend to struggle with, because my eyeballs don't have enough pixels to tell them apart in poor lighting conditions.  (And if you're having to use a colon, semi or otherwise, from a mobile device you're already having a bad day.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 30 January, 2023, 01:58:46 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 29 January, 2023, 11:39:39 am
It’s the car battery that’s flat, and this being a 2006 A3, it has a visible conventional lock on the drivers door, but nothing on the passenger side. I’m still of the mind the passenger door is bust, any door should be openable from the inside,no matter the state of the central locking.

If the car has deadlocking, it may not be possible to open the passenger door without the central locking working. That's the whole point of deadlocking - you can't smash a window and reach through to pull the handle.

In normal operation, once the car is unlocked, the deadlocks are off. Even if lock it from inside (or it autolocks on drive off) by pressing the lock button, it doesn't deadlock and you can get out by pulling a handle in an emergency. You can only set the deadlocks from the outside, either by the remote or some incantation of double or long locking using a key.

Interestingly (or not) the hidden mechanical lock on at least some JLR products is in the passenger side door, not the driver's.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 31 January, 2023, 08:56:22 pm
Quote from: rogerzilla on 29 January, 2023, 09:50:04 pm
...
An Essex flange does the same job but requires drilling the side of the cylinder.

It's at this point I fear the internet has got away from me.

I blame the manky pipework at The Asbestos Palace on the usual fact the former owners were BBC set designers. I assume the super-low flow rates are down to the fact that much of the pipework is actually now-illegal drinking straws and sticky-backed plastic.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 01 February, 2023, 12:37:32 am
After The Man redid all the water mains in the area a few years ago,  by stuffing plastic pipes inside the existing antediluvian ones, my water went from “boiler supplies screamingly hot water when bath tap is wide open” to “more than 3/4 of a turn on tap = luke-warm bath”.  And you only have to nudge the cold tap by about bugger-all to render the boiler's efforts null and void.

This makes no sense.

Additional: Bugger off, Officer Biggles, and take your helichopter with you >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 01 February, 2023, 08:14:33 am
Bloody Stannah rides again, or rather doesn't.  Fixed a month ago, the wretched electric chair went clunk and stopped dead in exactly the same place as last time.  Last time which cost us 300€ that could have been better spent ripping the thing out and dumping it in a ditch. Stannah's after-sales service switchboard tells me "To remain close to you at all times, we cover the whole of France" but the mechanic is based around 200 km from here and has to cover the whole of Alsace and Lorraine as well.

And now our stairs are 50% blocked into the bargain.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 01 February, 2023, 09:12:18 am
While it is admirable that the motor-ists of E17 are showing support for striking teachers this Unit would rather they didn’t do so by sounding the horns of their motor-cars when said Unit's normal getting-up time is still an hour and a half in the future.

(Reaches for matches)

Omnes:Bethany (12)!  You gotta rival!
Bethany (12):Fck! Off!
ML Maire:To prop my eyelids open, cretins!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 01 February, 2023, 03:19:49 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 01 February, 2023, 12:37:32 am
Additional: Bugger off, Officer Biggles, and take your helichopter with you >:(

Jbex took me to sunny Bromley by Bow today. A Wokka flew over, heading north then seemed to pause off in the distance. I wondered, idly, if it was was hovering over Larrington Towers, just to annoy you.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 01 February, 2023, 03:25:33 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 01 February, 2023, 03:19:49 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 01 February, 2023, 12:37:32 am
Additional: Bugger off, Officer Biggles, and take your helichopter with you >:(

Jbex took me to sunny Bromley by Bow today. A Wokka flew over, heading north then seemed to pause off in the distance. I wondered, idly, if it was was hovering over Larrington Towers, just to annoy you.
I think it lands / parks / docks at North Weald - so it is going to pass Mr.L's place pretty much wherever it is crime busting in London.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 01 February, 2023, 06:16:00 pm
Officer Biggles seems to spend an inordinate amount of time hovering around E17 thobut, mostly in the middle of the night or on Sunday afternoons.

Jeeves!  Fetch my MANPAD!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 01 February, 2023, 06:39:06 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 01 February, 2023, 03:25:33 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 01 February, 2023, 03:19:49 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 01 February, 2023, 12:37:32 am
Additional: Bugger off, Officer Biggles, and take your helichopter with you >:(

Jbex took me to sunny Bromley by Bow today. A Wokka flew over, heading north then seemed to pause off in the distance. I wondered, idly, if it was was hovering over Larrington Towers, just to annoy you.
I think it lands / parks / dock at North Weald - so it is going to pass Mr.L's place pretty much wherever it is crime busting in London.
In my world, and possibly others, according to teh intarwebs, a Wokka is a Chinook, on account of the sound. I don't think London's Finest, who keep their aircraft at North Weald, use them.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 01 February, 2023, 06:50:05 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 01 February, 2023, 06:39:06 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 01 February, 2023, 03:25:33 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 01 February, 2023, 03:19:49 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 01 February, 2023, 12:37:32 am
Additional: Bugger off, Officer Biggles, and take your helichopter with you >:(

Jbex took me to sunny Bromley by Bow today. A Wokka flew over, heading north then seemed to pause off in the distance. I wondered, idly, if it was was hovering over Larrington Towers, just to annoy you.
I think it lands / parks / dock at North Weald - so it is going to pass Mr.L's place pretty much wherever it is crime busting in London.
In my world, and possibly others, according to teh intarwebs, a Wokka is a Chinook, on account of the sound. I don't think London's Finest, who keep their aircraft at North Weald, use them.
The Polis copter lives, I believe, at North Weald.
The Chinooks are, as far as I know, Army jobbies which relax with cocktails in Woolwich barracks.
They have to fly down the Lea Valley and along the Thames.
Flying elsewhere is verboten is my understanding.
Tim Collins may enlighten us further in due course.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 01 February, 2023, 07:15:56 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 01 February, 2023, 06:50:05 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 01 February, 2023, 06:39:06 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 01 February, 2023, 03:25:33 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 01 February, 2023, 03:19:49 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 01 February, 2023, 12:37:32 am
Additional: Bugger off, Officer Biggles, and take your helichopter with you >:(

Jbex took me to sunny Bromley by Bow today. A Wokka flew over, heading north then seemed to pause off in the distance. I wondered, idly, if it was was hovering over Larrington Towers, just to annoy you.
I think it lands / parks / dock at North Weald - so it is going to pass Mr.L's place pretty much wherever it is crime busting in London.
In my world, and possibly others, according to teh intarwebs, a Wokka is a Chinook, on account of the sound. I don't think London's Finest, who keep their aircraft at North Weald, use them.
The Polis copter lives, I believe, at North Weald.
The Chinooks are, as far as I know, Army jobbies which relax with cocktails in Woolwich barracks.
They have to fly down the Lea Valley and along the Thames.
Flying elsewhere is verboten is my understanding.
Tim Collins may enlighten us further in due course.

The police choppers used to be based at Sewardstonebury/Chingford - just adjacent to Gilwell Park, the Boy Scout place - not sure if they still are.    My father lived at Sewardstonebury and the noise pissed him off immensely.

... and to me a Wokka is also a Chinook
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 01 February, 2023, 07:40:41 pm
I took wokka as representing a generic helicopter noise.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 01 February, 2023, 09:25:25 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 01 February, 2023, 07:40:41 pm
I took wokka as representing a generic helicopter noise.

These may help to distinguish between single and double rotor sounds

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Zm6v1iHivg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1EYPy67qOU
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 02 February, 2023, 01:01:00 am
The Met's Plodcopters have been at North Weald for a Several of years now; before that they were at Lippitts Hill in Epping Forest.  The National Police Air Service still has helichopters at the latter though.  Both use Eurocopter/Airbus 145s which while quieter than Chinooks are still noisy bastards when hovering over one's manor at three in the bloody morning.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 02 February, 2023, 08:28:04 am
Quote from: Jurek on 01 February, 2023, 06:50:05 pm
The Chinooks are, as far as I know, Army jobbies which relax with cocktails in Woolwich barracks.
They have to fly down the Lea Valley and along the Thames.
Flying elsewhere is verboten is my understanding.

Not sure how wide the flight corridor down the Thames is, but when we see Chinooks (and, I think, the occasional Apache) from sunny SE7, they're almost invariably south of us, so we're between them and the river - and we're not that close to the river.

The police fly over fairly regularly as well, but we prefer to think that they too are on their way to the badlands yclept Woolwich.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 02 February, 2023, 08:36:02 am
One of the Army's favourite helicopter-training areas is around 30k from here.

https://youtu.be/Vl6-00wJrzA

It's quite impressive when you're cycling tranquilly along the road and one of they buggers suddenly explodes up over the top of the banking so low that you could count every rivet.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 02 February, 2023, 09:19:16 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 02 February, 2023, 01:01:00 am
The Met's Plodcopters have been at North Weald for a Several of years now; before that they were at Lippitts Hill in Epping Forest.  The National Police Air Service still has helichopters at the latter though.  Both use Eurocopter/Airbus 145s which while quieter than Chinooks are still noisy bastards when hovering over one's manor at three in the bloody morning.

Ah - Lippitts Hill is the place (it's near Sewardstonebury - I just couldn't remember the name) - my father was about 800m due south of the site, on a direct line into central London, so had the pleasure of the whole noise and vibration experience  :(

Back in my youth the pub next to the chopper site, The Owl, was "the place" for the young, trendy and groovy gang from Buckhurst Hill (where I lived) and Woodford to amass on Saturday and Sunday lunchtimes.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 02 February, 2023, 10:22:32 am
My employer is being dragged kicking and screaming into the 20th century with respect to "flexible" working. Which in reality is "you can start any time between 7 and 9, but you must work the same fixed full day every day, oh, and 1 day a week (except Mondays) you can work from home".  Not my definition of "flexible" working.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: PhilO on 02 February, 2023, 12:27:03 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 02 February, 2023, 10:22:32 am
My employer is being dragged kicking and screaming into the 20th century with respect to "flexible" working. Which in reality is "you can start any time between 7 and 9, but you must work the same fixed full day every day, oh, and 1 day a week (except Mondays) you can work from home".  Not my definition of "flexible" working.

My previous employer had a flexi-hours policy which was effectively: You can start as early as you like and finish as late as you like.  In return (and this bit was explicitly stated!) we were expected to do at least 5% extra hours unpaid.

This was only one of a number of reasons why they are my ex-employer.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fimm on 02 February, 2023, 02:22:36 pm
Colleague 1, if you are contacting someone out of the blue, it would be nice to have some sort of introduction along the lines of "Your name was given to me by <person> they suggested you might be able to help with <some description of thing>" rather than just messaging "Hi can I call you?".

Colleague 2, if you need to test the emergency lighting, it would be polite to warn us that you are going to turn all the lights off before you do so...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Flite on 02 February, 2023, 02:26:41 pm
Quote
It's quite impressive when you're cycling tranquilly along the road and one of they buggers suddenly explodes up over the top of the banking so low that you could count every rivet.

We live in a small valley under what used to be a regular flight path of the Vulcan bombers.
First warning was the darkening sky - then that roar
Loved them to bits.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 02 February, 2023, 02:35:44 pm
Quote from: fimm on 02 February, 2023, 02:22:36 pm
Colleague 2, if you need to test the emergency lighting, it would be polite to warn us that you are going to turn all the lights off before you do so...
Perhaps they also needed to test emergency reactions?  :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 02 February, 2023, 03:25:32 pm
Quote from: Flite on 02 February, 2023, 02:26:41 pm
Quote
It's quite impressive when you're cycling tranquilly along the road and one of they buggers suddenly explodes up over the top of the banking so low that you could count every rivet.

We live in a small valley under what used to be a regular flight path of the Vulcan bombers.
First warning was the darkening sky - then that roar
Loved them to bits.

When I read H2G2 I could relate to the Vogon Constructor Fleet, having been under the flightpath of a Vulcan as a 6 yr old.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 02 February, 2023, 04:22:27 pm
Quote from: Flite on 02 February, 2023, 02:26:41 pm
Quote
It's quite impressive when you're cycling tranquilly along the road and one of they buggers suddenly explodes up over the top of the banking so low that you could count every rivet.

We live in a small valley under what used to be a regular flight path of the Vulcan bombers.
First warning was the darkening sky - then that roar
Loved them to bits.

Ditto us and Concorde.  At 11:30 every morning it used to pass over our house, about 20 km from Roissy. Wonderful sound.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 02 February, 2023, 06:44:07 pm
Used to go over Fort Larrington most days too.  IIRC it took a more southerly track than most Transatlantic flights so it could get to the open sea and light the blue touchpaper ASAP.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 02 February, 2023, 07:48:19 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 02 February, 2023, 10:22:32 am
My employer is being dragged kicking and screaming into the 20th century with respect to "flexible" working. Which in reality is "you can start any time between 7 and 9, but you must work the same fixed full day every day, oh, and 1 day a week (except Mondays) you can work from home".  Not my definition of "flexible" working.

Embroiled in the mothership abductee engagement survey at the moment. The Swiss do work a 42 h/week standard (to be fair, you should see their salaries, which hover around twice the equivalent in the UK). They also record all their hours in a very Germanic fashion. A fair number on this basis opt to do a 4-day week and take a 20% salary cut. All of this means, our UK abductees are pegged at 40 h/week which is causing some displeasure (not unreasonably, considering it's an industry where 35 h/week is fairly standard in the UK). We did sort of make the decision to do a reduction in the UK, but then misplaced it. We're mostly flexible and completely hybrid though, and the office has beer and snacks, and we throw good parties. As for my department, if they act like grown-ups, I'm not bothered when they come and go as long they're generally about when needed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 02 February, 2023, 07:52:58 pm
Quote from: ian on 02 February, 2023, 07:48:19 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 02 February, 2023, 10:22:32 am
My employer is being dragged kicking and screaming into the 20th century with respect to "flexible" working. Which in reality is "you can start any time between 7 and 9, but you must work the same fixed full day every day, oh, and 1 day a week (except Mondays) you can work from home".  Not my definition of "flexible" working.

Embroiled in the mothership abductee engagement survey at the moment. The Swiss do work a 42 h/week standard (to be fair, you should see their salaries, which hover around twice the equivalent in the UK). They also record all their hours in a very Germanic fashion. A fair number on this basis opt to do a 4-day week and take a 20% salary cut. All of this means, our UK abductees are pegged at 40 h/week which is causing some displeasure (not unreasonably, considering it's an industry where 35 h/week is fairly standard in the UK). We did sort of make the decision to do a reduction in the UK, but then misplaced it. We're mostly flexible and completely hybrid though, and the office has beer and snacks, and we throw good parties. As for my department, if they act like grown-ups, I'm not bothered when they come and go as long they're generally about when needed.
Which industry is this, with a standard 35hr week?

I moved jobs to reduce hours from 65-70 down to a more reasonable 50-55
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 02 February, 2023, 08:05:00 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 02 February, 2023, 07:52:58 pm
Quote from: ian on 02 February, 2023, 07:48:19 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 02 February, 2023, 10:22:32 am
My employer is being dragged kicking and screaming into the 20th century with respect to "flexible" working. Which in reality is "you can start any time between 7 and 9, but you must work the same fixed full day every day, oh, and 1 day a week (except Mondays) you can work from home".  Not my definition of "flexible" working.

Embroiled in the mothership abductee engagement survey at the moment. The Swiss do work a 42 h/week standard (to be fair, you should see their salaries, which hover around twice the equivalent in the UK). They also record all their hours in a very Germanic fashion. A fair number on this basis opt to do a 4-day week and take a 20% salary cut. All of this means, our UK abductees are pegged at 40 h/week which is causing some displeasure (not unreasonably, considering it's an industry where 35 h/week is fairly standard in the UK). We did sort of make the decision to do a reduction in the UK, but then misplaced it. We're mostly flexible and completely hybrid though, and the office has beer and snacks, and we throw good parties. As for my department, if they act like grown-ups, I'm not bothered when they come and go as long they're generally about when needed.
Which industry is this, with a standard 35hr week?...

My bunch of work-shy, superannuated, waste-of-hard-working-taxpayers'-money, wokists.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 02 February, 2023, 08:29:30 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 02 February, 2023, 07:52:58 pm
Quote from: ian on 02 February, 2023, 07:48:19 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 02 February, 2023, 10:22:32 am
My employer is being dragged kicking and screaming into the 20th century with respect to "flexible" working. Which in reality is "you can start any time between 7 and 9, but you must work the same fixed full day every day, oh, and 1 day a week (except Mondays) you can work from home".  Not my definition of "flexible" working.

Embroiled in the mothership abductee engagement survey at the moment. The Swiss do work a 42 h/week standard (to be fair, you should see their salaries, which hover around twice the equivalent in the UK). They also record all their hours in a very Germanic fashion. A fair number on this basis opt to do a 4-day week and take a 20% salary cut. All of this means, our UK abductees are pegged at 40 h/week which is causing some displeasure (not unreasonably, considering it's an industry where 35 h/week is fairly standard in the UK). We did sort of make the decision to do a reduction in the UK, but then misplaced it. We're mostly flexible and completely hybrid though, and the office has beer and snacks, and we throw good parties. As for my department, if they act like grown-ups, I'm not bothered when they come and go as long they're generally about when needed.
Which industry is this, with a standard 35hr week?

I moved jobs to reduce hours from 65-70 down to a more reasonable 50-55

The tidy mines of Thought Leadership (data and analytics mostly, I worked in various bits of Thomson and its entities for years). That's 35 hours contractual, obviously as a salaried subdeck minion, I have always worked more (and I've never had a job where they counted the actual hours, and travelling made for long weeks). This is the first time I've been contracted to 40 hours, though as a bridge crew these days it's not like it matters, I mostly work 9-6ish.

Of course, that five extra hours matters to the junior subdeck minions who are expected to be on-station and don't enjoy the bounteous benefits of Swiss-style remuneration and thus might be tempted to go elsewhere.

If I see any of my bunch lolling around on Teams after 6pm, I tell them to fuck off, I don't want people working stupid hours, it's stressful and unproductive.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 02 February, 2023, 08:34:16 pm
My week was technically 37 hrs, but I was very much frowned at because I had a habit of working 37 hrs a week. Being an early starter (usually the first in of a morn) meant I left work at 4pm or earlier and I also left my desk for a proper lunch hour as well. Those that got the major share of the bonus pot typically did 50 or 60 hrs a week and didn’t take any time when they worked over a release weekend.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 05 February, 2023, 09:57:44 am
Quote from: Beardy on 02 February, 2023, 08:34:16 pm
My week was technically 37 hrs, but I was very much frowned at because I had a habit of working 37 hrs a week. Being an early starter (usually the first in of a morn) meant I left work at 4pm or earlier and I also left my desk for a proper lunch hour as well. Those that got the major share of the bonus pot typically did 50 or 60 hrs a week and didn’t take any time when they worked over a release weekend.

I'm a strong believer that working long hours produces worse results. I've always worked the accepted or contracted minimum and nearly everywhere have been given better raises/bonuses than the presenteeism bunch.

The one outlier was one place where I and the other new starter both worked strictly 8-4:30 with an hour lunch. The other teams came in late and most days worked until 10 PM or later. We brought in our project ahead of schedule, exceeded system performance targets several-fold, saved the company £millions. The other teams produced buggy code with regular outages. They got the bulk of the bonuses, we both left.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 05 February, 2023, 11:38:49 am
Our washing machine has stopped doing the going round bit of washing stuff. It’s about 12 years old, we have hard water and it’s seen the kids through school. It’s been repaired before, so even if this is just brushes I suspect it’s turning into an income stream for the repair man.

So now I’m comparing replacement machines. Have synthetics programmes gone out of fashion?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 05 February, 2023, 12:46:18 pm
Quote from: perpetual dan on 05 February, 2023, 11:38:49 am
Our washing machine has stopped doing the going round bit of washing stuff. It’s about 12 years old, we have hard water and it’s seen the kids through school. It’s been repaired before, so even if this is just brushes I suspect it’s turning into an income stream for the repair man.

So now I’m comparing replacement machines. Have synthetics programmes gone out of fashion?

We just use a low temp quick wash for synthetics.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 05 February, 2023, 01:44:47 pm
Our washer has 2 'easy care' programs (30 and 40") which I use for gear type synthetics and stuff, though they are over 2h long. If I want a quick wash it's 'dark wash' or something else. Having said that I'm not convinced by this Bosch, all my merino has suddenly started bobbling since we moved house and washing machine.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Flite on 05 February, 2023, 03:55:45 pm
My fairly new Samsung has a ridiculous number of programmes with silly names and very little explanation of what they actually do.
The "Synthetics" wash takes over two and a half hours! At this time of year we wear a lot of wool, so I chuck all my bike kit and anything else that won't go in the cotton wash in the Wool programme, which takes about half an hour.  Then anything that isn't delicate goes in for an extra 10 mins fast spin.
I only use about 4 programmes all together. Basically I can change the temperature and dosage and spin speed to anything I want in most of the programmes, so it's all a nonsense. Much easier to just have delicate/cotton; temperature; spin speed.

But I do like the autodose system for detergent that only needs filling up every few weeks - useful for clumsy arthritic hands
Title: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 05 February, 2023, 03:58:14 pm
Quick is, in my head, for “not very dirty”. I rarely need some particular item turned round in minutes rather than hours. If it gets speed by banging things about harder then cycling kit and printed gig t shirts will both probably suffer. Equally a wool wash is maybe a bit over gentle for clothes that have been wicking sweat for a day.

Anyhow, we’ve picked a Samsung. Without the auto-dose as we use different detergent in different washes and that sounded like a good way to get none or both sorts rather than one or the other.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Flite on 05 February, 2023, 04:16:04 pm
Quote
we use different detergent in different washes
Can be done if you know which buttons to press.
Use autodose for the detergent you use most. Turn it off and use manual when you want to use the alternative.
I'm too lazy!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 07 February, 2023, 10:34:47 pm
Got to have a grumble about project managers and even more, project management systems. PM asks if I can edit a document from a one-hour meeting by 7 o'clock, if they get it to me by 3 o'clock. Sure, no problem. Then sometime later, will it be okay if it doesn't reach me till 5 o'clock? But the meeting only lasted 17 minutes, so the document is quite short. In that case, yes, still no problem.

Five o'clock comes, I download and open the document. Hang on... I saw this yesterday! It's a completely different document! They've uploaded the wrong one. So I send an urgent email to the PM and cc their team, but of course everyone's gone home. I hang around till 7 cos I have other work to do in the meantime, then as the right document still hasn't arrived and no one's even responded to any of my emails, I go out on a hot date. Well, a meal and a chat with a group of sub-yacfoid loons.

Get back about 9.30. Gosh, PM's assistant (based in Chicago, I think) has replied. They've chased the document writer and got the correct document. They haven't found anyone else to look at it. Okay then, I'll do it. It won't take long cos it is short.

When I've done that, I have to upload it to the system. But I can't, because it wants me to leave feedback. Which I normally do but in this case it won't let me, cos it claims "no resource has been assigned" or similar words. So step 2 of the system won't let me officially deliver the document because step 1 hasn't been completed, and step 1 can't be completed because the system won't let me. Nicely circular! Never mind, I've emailed it off and it's not my problem now. (And as to why the meeting only lasted 17 minutes, I think the three people who turned up fell asleep... )
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 08 February, 2023, 10:33:14 am
Quote from: Flite on 05 February, 2023, 04:16:04 pm
Quote
we use different detergent in different washes
Can be done if you know which buttons to press.
Use autodose for the detergent you use most. Turn it off and use manual when you want to use the alternative.
I'm too lazy!

My coffee machine works like that.  Doesn't spin dry though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 08 February, 2023, 05:17:29 pm
After yesterday's grumble, it turns out they've decided to pay me extra for that job. Triple the standard rate, in fact, "to compensate for the time and effort you invested in completing the task last night." Which is ironic as although it was annoying, it wasn't at all an effort and the actual job didn't take long.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 09 February, 2023, 04:53:34 pm
Oh FFS!  I just want radio which, on my walking into the room and switching it on, will simply play the station I left it on.
Fuck off with all function buttons and bloody menus.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 09 February, 2023, 05:33:34 pm
It is for this reason I still have a smallish transistor radio that does not understand DAB or anything else invented after about 1990.  As well as doing this one thing and doing it well it will also run for a loooong time on batteries should it not be plugged into the mains.   Progress? You can keep it. :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 09 February, 2023, 09:59:18 pm
Quote from: TheLurker on 09 February, 2023, 05:33:34 pm
It is for this reason I still have a smallish transistor radio that does not understand DAB or anything else invented after about 1990.  As well as doing this one thing and doing it well it will also run for a loooong time on batteries should it not be plugged into the mains.   Progress? You can keep it. :)

I bought 5 or 6 mains/battery radios that did LW/MW/VHF for £10 apiece, from Dixon's when I was a Rich Younger Doctor. I think I still have one unopened in a box. They don't last forever but work fine for a while and aren't mutually out of synch if I have several in different rooms.

They have several advantages over my DAB radio...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 10 February, 2023, 02:39:57 pm
Google seem to have decided to punish those of us1 who use a VPN, by asking us to verify that we are not robots every time we enter a search request. Gits.


1. I assume that they aren’t singling me out.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 10 February, 2023, 02:45:21 pm
Quote from: Basil on 09 February, 2023, 04:53:34 pm
Oh FFS!  I just want radio which, on my walking into the room and switching it on, will simply play the station I left it on.
Fuck off with all function buttons and bloody menus.

My DAB does that, don't known if only works if station was a preset as only listen to 6 music, radio 4 or 5 sports extra.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 10 February, 2023, 03:11:19 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 10 February, 2023, 02:39:57 pm
Google seem to have decided to punish those of us1 who use a VPN, by asking us to verify that we are not robots every time we enter a search request. Gits.


1. I assume that they aren’t singling me out.

Only does that to me with YouBend vids, search behaves normally.  GCHQ has your number, mate.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 11 February, 2023, 08:44:43 pm
Lt. Col. Larrington (retd.)'s PS2 talked quite happily to the telly at Christmas.  And now it doesn’t.

Arse!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 12 February, 2023, 07:15:06 am
I would really like to cut my toenails.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Paul on 12 February, 2023, 10:16:28 am
How is your knee? I knew from somewhere that you were both currently hors de combat, but it was only after a rummage through posts that I discovered that you’d had a knee replacement.
E (female, 58) had a partial knee replacement in October. It went very well. Tidy little scar. Very painful for the first few weeks but much better now.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 12 February, 2023, 12:06:57 pm
Quote from: L CC on 12 February, 2023, 07:15:06 am
I would really like to cut my toenails.

That's a one-handed job.

You don't trust Chris to do it left-handed?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CrinklyLion on 12 February, 2023, 12:12:09 pm
Can you throw money at the problem, and get a mobile beautician in to give you a pedicure?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 12 February, 2023, 01:32:22 pm


Quote from: CrinklyLion on 12 February, 2023, 12:12:09 pm
Can you throw money at the problem, and get a mobile beautician in to give you a pedicure?
Good idea! I have filed the worst of the left but no chance on the right. I shall investigate.

Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 12 February, 2023, 12:06:57 pm
That's a one-handed job.

You don't trust Chris to do it left-handed?

Absolutely not.

Quote from: Paul on 12 February, 2023, 10:16:28 am
How is your knee? I knew from somewhere that you were both currently hors de combat, but it was only after a rummage through posts that I discovered that you’d had a knee replacement.
E (female, 58) had a partial knee replacement in October. It went very well. Tidy little scar. Very painful for the first few weeks but much better now.

I'm still in the 'very painful for the first few weeks' stage- tramadol and oramorph. Total replacement (I'm 54) as I was bone on bone and latterly my walking distance was shorter than the work car park. I have physio tomorrow, as you'll remember it's all about the bend. I need enough that I don't have to replace umpteen cranks on all my bikes.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Peter on 12 February, 2023, 01:59:03 pm
I didn't know this, L.  All the very best.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 12 February, 2023, 02:44:45 pm
Barakta had me cut her toenails last year in similar circumstances.  I was at least able-handed, but her weird mutant toenails meant that my prior experience of trimming my own and those of assorted reluctant pets was of little use.  I managed not to draw blood, and didn't get bitten, which I count as a success, even if she thought the job half-arsed.

Get A Professional Foot-Fetishist[1] In, I say...


[1] I can think of no other sane reason for pursuing a career in other people's feet.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Paul on 12 February, 2023, 11:08:00 pm
Quote from: L CC on 12 February, 2023, 01:32:22 pm


Quote from: CrinklyLion on 12 February, 2023, 12:12:09 pm
Can you throw money at the problem, and get a mobile beautician in to give you a pedicure?
Good idea! I have filed the worst of the left but no chance on the right. I shall investigate.

Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 12 February, 2023, 12:06:57 pm
That's a one-handed job.

You don't trust Chris to do it left-handed?

Absolutely not.

Quote from: Paul on 12 February, 2023, 10:16:28 am
How is your knee? I knew from somewhere that you were both currently hors de combat, but it was only after a rummage through posts that I discovered that you’d had a knee replacement.
E (female, 58) had a partial knee replacement in October. It went very well. Tidy little scar. Very painful for the first few weeks but much better now.

I'm still in the 'very painful for the first few weeks' stage- tramadol and oramorph. Total replacement (I'm 54) as I was bone on bone and latterly my walking distance was shorter than the work car park. I have physio tomorrow, as you'll remember it's all about the bend. I need enough that I don't have to replace umpteen cranks on all my bikes.

It’s an amazing thing, I think, knee replacement. Good luck with the physio.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Paul on 12 February, 2023, 11:10:50 pm
Quote from: Kim on 12 February, 2023, 02:44:45 pm
Barakta had me cut her toenails last year in similar circumstances.  I was at least able-handed, but her weird mutant toenails meant that my prior experience of trimming my own and those of assorted reluctant pets was of little use.  I managed not to draw blood, and didn't get bitten, which I count as a success, even if she thought the job half-arsed.

Get A Professional Foot-Fetishist[1] In, I say...


[1] I can think of no other sane reason for pursuing a career in other people's feet.
I did my brother’s a few times when he was unable to. It took me a little while to work out that it was much better to file them.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 13 February, 2023, 06:56:30 am
I just read a brief description of knee replacement surgery.

Good grief.

I'm amazed that the joint has enough stability (afterwards) to function.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 13 February, 2023, 11:20:03 am
This is probably not the thread to talk about the demise of my B-in-L who died due to botched knee replacement surgery. So I won’t mention it. Mind you, it was his comorbidities that were poorly managed rather than the actual knee surgery.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 13 February, 2023, 11:50:18 am
I'm immune to such comments.
It's an incredibly common operation meaning the surgical team are very experienced and the pathway to successful rehabilitation clear and well tested.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 13 February, 2023, 02:20:34 pm
I beleive that, in my B-in-L case, it was that very familiarity of the surgeon that caused the issue and his early demise.

He completely failed to fully read the pre op notes by another surgeon and continued in his accustomed fashion. He used a tourniquet, as I believe is normal practices, when the other surgeon had ruled out the use of one due to comorbitities.

Last I heard about the case was my S-in-L was reluctantly suing the hospital. She’s a doctor herself and felt that surgeons are just humans, but she was encouraged to sue, by the hospital itself I believe, because they reckoned it was the on.y way the failed procedures would be reviewed properly.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 13 February, 2023, 03:51:38 pm
Due to starting to run again I've dug out my old mp3 player. Need to add some more music. Except my laptop doesn't have a CD drive so can't. May have to bring to work and do it from my work computer


Oh and another grumble about stuff packed in plastic normally being cheaper. I use refill shops and get that they're independent businesses so ate often a bit more expensive but we have a refillable compost bag. To refill was £11.99 and think bag was £2 to start with. You'd be looking about £7 quid for a pre packed bag

At least this time I filled it so packed in hard to get as much as possible
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 14 February, 2023, 12:20:53 pm
It's just taken me an hour and two minutes to convince British Gas that the three subtly different addresses they had for us – one for electricity, one for gas, and a third for gas meter reference point number (I didn't have to deal with the electricity meter reference point, thankfully!) – all refer to the same physical property. I'm not actually totally sure why it became a problem now, after living here for 11 years.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 14 February, 2023, 12:35:59 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 14 February, 2023, 12:20:53 pm
It's just taken me an hour and two minutes to convince British Gas that the three subtly different addresses they had for us – one for electricity, one for gas, and a third for gas meter reference point number (I didn't have to deal with the electricity meter reference point, thankfully!) – all refer to the same physical property. I'm not actually totally sure why it became a problem now, after living here for 11 years.
It’ll be an ‘upgrade’ to a computer or software package somewhere in amongst the 10s of different computer systems they’ll have interconnected to handle their customer and supplier data.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rogerzilla on 14 February, 2023, 02:39:52 pm
Sainsbury's had run out of any tolerable Valentine cards last week so I Moonpigged it.  Ordered Friday afternoon, estimated delivery Sat 11th, never turned up even by 14th because Royal Mail have stopped trying.  Bastards.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Poacher on 14 February, 2023, 03:54:19 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 14 February, 2023, 12:20:53 pm
It's just taken me an hour and two minutes to convince British Gas that the three subtly different addresses they had for us – one for electricity, one for gas, and a third for gas meter reference point number (I didn't have to deal with the electricity meter reference point, thankfully!) – all refer to the same physical property. I'm not actually totally sure why it became a problem now, after living here for 11 years.

Ask them whether they're using the National Land & Property Gazetteer (NLPG), and if not, why the hell not.
You can find out your Unique Property Reference Number (UPRN) using https://www.findmyaddress.co.uk/ and quote that to them, after which there should be no confusion.



(Confession: I was involved, in a very small way, in creating this definitive database, and any systems analyst who chooses not to use it needs taking outside and re-educating with a nail-bearing piece of 4 by 2)

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 14 February, 2023, 04:15:02 pm
Quote from: Poacher on 14 February, 2023, 03:54:19 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 14 February, 2023, 12:20:53 pm
It's just taken me an hour and two minutes to convince British Gas that the three subtly different addresses they had for us – one for electricity, one for gas, and a third for gas meter reference point number (I didn't have to deal with the electricity meter reference point, thankfully!) – all refer to the same physical property. I'm not actually totally sure why it became a problem now, after living here for 11 years.

Ask them whether they're using the National Land & Property Gazetteer (NLPG), and if not, why the hell not.
You can find out your Unique Property Reference Number (UPRN) using https://www.findmyaddress.co.uk/ and quote that to them, after which there should be no confusion.



(Confession: I was involved, in a very small way, in creating this definitive database, and any systems analyst who chooses not to use it needs taking outside and re-educating with a nail-bearing piece of 4 by 2)
Interesting! That only accepts one of the three addresses – the PO seems to recognize all three of them, and the local council even chops and changes. Fortunately (probably fortunately) the one it accepts is the one BG have settled on.

Also curious that here I have a five-digit UPRN. The house I grew up in has a 12-digit UPRN. I wonder if this is a bit like AUK, where the grizzled veterans on old steel reminiscing about PBP '77 have three digit numbers and the ones shooting round on carbon have six or seven? (No, it's probably not)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 14 February, 2023, 05:49:00 pm
Quote from: rogerzilla on 14 February, 2023, 02:39:52 pm
Sainsbury's had run out of any tolerable Valentine cards last week so I Moonpigged it.  Ordered Friday afternoon, estimated delivery Sat 11th, never turned up even by 14th because Royal Mail have stopped trying.  Bastards.

. . . presumably the all-night petrol station saved your bacon with card, flowers and a bar of Galaxy   ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 14 February, 2023, 09:00:14 pm
Quote from: robgul on 14 February, 2023, 05:49:00 pm
Quote from: rogerzilla on 14 February, 2023, 02:39:52 pm
Sainsbury's had run out of any tolerable Valentine cards last week so I Moonpigged it.  Ordered Friday afternoon, estimated delivery Sat 11th, never turned up even by 14th because Royal Mail have stopped trying.  Bastards.

. . . presumably the all-night petrol station saved your bacon with card, flowers and a bar of Galaxy   ;D

For similar reasons, I had to draw my wife's card, which I hope she appreciates because it took me all yesterday evening. The daily post is now a stealth delivery late in the evening, once every couple of weeks. I can chart it by how many weekly issues New Scientists it features. Top one so far is five. She brought me a load of plants for my balcony, which curiously all seem to have names, and have started to email me. Helena is apparently a cycad and likes her soil on the dry side.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rogerzilla on 14 February, 2023, 09:18:34 pm
SO Moonpigged me 24h later than I did hers, and mine turned up today.  Next year I shall shop locally and earlier.  You definitely get ruder ones online, though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 15 February, 2023, 03:20:37 pm
Wanted to pop by the running shop on way home from work as need some new running shoes soon. Despite it being a beautiful day worked through lunch instead of going for a walk so could skive off a bit early

Another depot at work gave a customer the wrong order so had to send someone to sort thar which means I'm in office on own so can't leave early.

Arse
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 15 February, 2023, 06:52:01 pm
Quote from: Poacher on 14 February, 2023, 03:54:19 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 14 February, 2023, 12:20:53 pm
It's just taken me an hour and two minutes to convince British Gas that the three subtly different addresses they had for us – one for electricity, one for gas, and a third for gas meter reference point number (I didn't have to deal with the electricity meter reference point, thankfully!) – all refer to the same physical property. I'm not actually totally sure why it became a problem now, after living here for 11 years.

Ask them whether they're using the National Land & Property Gazetteer (NLPG), and if not, why the hell not.
You can find out your Unique Property Reference Number (UPRN) using https://www.findmyaddress.co.uk/ and quote that to them, after which there should be no confusion.



(Confession: I was involved, in a very small way, in creating this definitive database, and any systems analyst who chooses not to use it needs taking outside and re-educating with a nail-bearing piece of 4 by 2)

Shame it can't actually get my address right!  it seems to want to insert two post towns, one of which is definitely wrong, and definitely not on the Royal Mail database, or the local authority's or land registry's databases.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 16 February, 2023, 06:44:07 pm
My battery powered Braun travel alarm clock has just given up the Ghost and its only 43 years old. The quality of things these days. I dunno.  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 16 February, 2023, 06:47:15 pm
Quote from: Canardly on 16 February, 2023, 06:44:07 pm
My battery powered Braun travel alarm clock has just given up the Ghost and its only 43 years old. The quality of things these days. I dunno.  ::-)
I believe they're still available - I bought a brace of them not so long ago.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 16 February, 2023, 09:45:11 pm
Yes still available and have ordered one.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 17 February, 2023, 10:07:25 am
Quote from: Canardly on 16 February, 2023, 06:44:07 pm
My battery powered Braun travel alarm clock has just given up the Ghost and its only 43 years old. The quality of things these days. I dunno.  ::-)

I had one of those: wee square black thing dating from ~1983.  Mine lasted a good few years, until an inadvertent hand motion sent it flying.  The replacement, a Citizen, is still chuntering away.  Made in China, not.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jaded on 17 February, 2023, 10:13:49 am
Quote from: Wombat on 15 February, 2023, 06:52:01 pm
Quote from: Poacher on 14 February, 2023, 03:54:19 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 14 February, 2023, 12:20:53 pm
It's just taken me an hour and two minutes to convince British Gas that the three subtly different addresses they had for us – one for electricity, one for gas, and a third for gas meter reference point number (I didn't have to deal with the electricity meter reference point, thankfully!) – all refer to the same physical property. I'm not actually totally sure why it became a problem now, after living here for 11 years.

Ask them whether they're using the National Land & Property Gazetteer (NLPG), and if not, why the hell not.
You can find out your Unique Property Reference Number (UPRN) using https://www.findmyaddress.co.uk/ and quote that to them, after which there should be no confusion.



(Confession: I was involved, in a very small way, in creating this definitive database, and any systems analyst who chooses not to use it needs taking outside and re-educating with a nail-bearing piece of 4 by 2)

Shame it can't actually get my address right!  it seems to want to insert two post towns, one of which is definitely wrong, and definitely not on the Royal Mail database, or the local authority's or land registry's databases.

Our PO address includes the post town, but not the actual town. Since there is a street in the post town with  the same name as ours, if the address isn't manually altered, and delivery drivers use the address rather than the postcode, items take longer…
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 17 February, 2023, 11:12:37 pm
How in the name of all that's unholy did I manage to burn my arm while asleep last night ???  I definitely didn’t set myself on fire before going beddy-byes and this morning had a blister the size of a 1p coin.

Unless it was aliens…
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rogerzilla on 18 February, 2023, 07:15:16 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 17 February, 2023, 11:12:37 pm
How in the name of all that's unholy did I manage to burn my arm while asleep last night ???  I definitely didn’t set myself on fire before going beddy-byes and this morning had a blister the size of a 1p coin.

Unless it was aliens…
Any signs of rectal probing?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 18 February, 2023, 08:26:28 am
Quote from: rogerzilla on 18 February, 2023, 07:15:16 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 17 February, 2023, 11:12:37 pm
How in the name of all that's unholy did I manage to burn my arm while asleep last night ???  I definitely didn’t set myself on fire before going beddy-byes and this morning had a blister the size of a 1p coin.

Unless it was aliens…
Any signs of rectal probing?

No.  No, none of that.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 18 February, 2023, 08:39:31 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 18 February, 2023, 08:26:28 am
Quote from: rogerzilla on 18 February, 2023, 07:15:16 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 17 February, 2023, 11:12:37 pm
How in the name of all that's unholy did I manage to burn my arm while asleep last night ???  I definitely didn’t set myself on fire before going beddy-byes and this morning had a blister the size of a 1p coin.

Unless it was aliens…
Any signs of rectal probing?

No.  No, none of that.

Just as well. Rectal probing that reaches the arm is kinda radical.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 18 February, 2023, 09:03:46 am
Then to add injury to, er, MOAR injury; spent last night on a mattress on the floor at Schloß von Brandenburg, in a room full of Things freshly liberated from a storage unit over there ////.  Mr Larrington's toes did not expect to find a sturdy wooden shelf on the floor, leading to Mr Larrington sprawled across the said mattress like the remains of a Chinese weather balloon.  With an already-dodgy shoulder taking the brunt of the impact.

“Aaaah, FUCK!” said Mr Larrington, the words coming easily from force of habit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 18 February, 2023, 10:21:03 am
Brekkie chez Andrew.  Kettle on, crumpets toasting, coffee grinder grinding.    Then all 3 stop.  Not a power cut, lights are fine.


All 3 are plugged into a 4 plug extension lead which goes to a double wall socket.  I move the plug to the other socket & everything starts working again.


Fed & caffeinated I take another look.  The on/off switch for the dodgy socket is stuck at on (though it's always left that way).  I move the plug back & everything works ??


Looks like I'm going to be buying a new double socket & searching for a screwdriver though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 18 February, 2023, 12:19:12 pm
Unless it's a particularly feeble kettle, you've probably exceeded 13A.  Presumably the plug fuse was in the early stages of thinking about blowing, but hoping to get some coffee first.  (Being designed to prevent wiring meltdowns, they're not especially fast.)

In the absence of expensive semiconductors to do the job, it sounds like the switch sacrificed itself to protect the fuse.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 18 February, 2023, 03:43:39 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 17 February, 2023, 11:12:37 pm
How in the name of all that's unholy did I manage to burn my arm while asleep last night ???  I definitely didn’t set myself on fire before going beddy-byes and this morning had a blister the size of a 1p coin.
Unless it was aliens…

Mebbe it's not a burn, but an insect bite or some other insult your skin Does Not Like.

Burns are not the only cause of blistering...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 18 February, 2023, 03:49:27 pm
I had a brisk walk to the shops & back yesterday. Only about 3.5km.  Now my right knee has gone on strike. This getting older business is no fun.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 18 February, 2023, 07:52:09 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 18 February, 2023, 03:49:27 pm
I had a brisk walk to the shops & back yesterday. Only about 3.5km.  Now my right knee has gone on strike. This getting older business is no fun.
Getting older certainly sucks, but when you consider the alternative, I’d take it any day.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 18 February, 2023, 10:35:00 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 18 February, 2023, 10:21:03 am
Brekkie chez Andrew.  Kettle on, crumpets toasting, coffee grinder grinding.    Then all 3 stop.  Not a power cut, lights are fine.

All 3 are plugged into a 4 plug extension lead which goes to a double wall socket.  I move the plug to the other socket & everything starts working again....
I strongly suspect it's wot Kim sed.

I suggest not switching on the kettle at the same time as the other two, or (once the sockets have been replaced) plugging the kettle into one socket & the others into the other one.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 19 February, 2023, 12:48:36 pm
Today I am mostly learning that while the Gorgeous Grandchildren are indeed Gorgeous, they are also walking crawling biological warfare units with not a care who they infect.

(Safe distance from khazi < 5m)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 19 February, 2023, 01:07:00 pm
Dirty little vectors of disease!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: graculus on 20 February, 2023, 10:01:01 am
They work in teams. Elder gorgeous grandchild started pre-school last autumn and brings back anything going round. Younger gorgeous grandchild then proceeds to sneeze/dribble/ooze it on you (escaped the last round as I already had chickenpox as a child myself).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 20 February, 2023, 07:16:33 pm
The Royal Mail click&drop website.. I’ve not used it for a while. Went on, and part way through I’m asked “Would you like to arrange collection” - with no option to say “No”. Went out and back, thinking I’d missed something. Nope. Turns out that only when you’ve put your postage into your basket and go to pay, do you get the option to remove the zero cost collection   ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 20 February, 2023, 07:17:55 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 20 February, 2023, 07:16:33 pm
The Royal Mail click&drop website.. I’ve not used it for a while. Went on, and part way through I’m asked “Would you like to arrange collection” - with no option to say “No”. Went out and back, thinking I’d missed something. Nope. Turns out that only when you’ve put your postage into your basket and go to pay, do you get the option to remove the zero cost collection   ::-)

Ah yes, I've neglected to rant about that one previously.  Bloody stupid piece of UI.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 20 February, 2023, 10:14:38 pm
I'm a Le Guin fangirl, so for me, Ansible is already a thing, admittedly a fictional thing but I am disproportionately irritated that it's name is used for a Linux geeky thing that Mr Smith is using for work.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 21 February, 2023, 12:13:56 am
Quote from: L CC on 20 February, 2023, 10:14:38 pm
I'm a Le Guin fangirl, so for me, Ansible is already a thing, admittedly a fictional thing but I am disproportionately irritated that it's name is used for a Linux geeky thing that Mr Smith is using for work.

It wouldn't be so bad if the name was used for a Linux geeky thing that was a revolutionary type of communications tool, but AIUI it's something dull that the grown-up spaceadmins use for sheepdogging their herds of pretend computers.

I believe the term has been Lobachevskied by assorted lesser science fiction writers, so we can't even assume that the offending Linux geek has good taste in books.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 21 February, 2023, 07:58:54 am
Quote from: Kim on 21 February, 2023, 12:13:56 am
Quote from: L CC on 20 February, 2023, 10:14:38 pm
I'm a Le Guin fangirl, so for me, Ansible is already a thing, admittedly a fictional thing but I am disproportionately irritated that it's name is used for a Linux geeky thing that Mr Smith is using for work.

It wouldn't be so bad if the name was used for a Linux geeky thing that was a revolutionary type of communications tool, but AIUI it's something dull that the grown-up spaceadmins use for sheepdogging their herds of pretend computers.

I believe the term has been Lobachevskied by assorted lesser science fiction writers, so we can't even assume that the offending Linux geek has good taste in books.
Could someone kind and patient please explain for me the meaning, use and origin of this term "Lobachevskied"? I know that Nikolai Lobachevski was a 19th century mathematician who discovered/invented/explored something to do with geometry, but that doesn't seem terribly relevant.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 21 February, 2023, 08:50:03 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 21 February, 2023, 07:58:54 am
Quote from: Kim on 21 February, 2023, 12:13:56 am
Quote from: L CC on 20 February, 2023, 10:14:38 pm
I'm a Le Guin fangirl, so for me, Ansible is already a thing, admittedly a fictional thing but I am disproportionately irritated that it's name is used for a Linux geeky thing that Mr Smith is using for work.

It wouldn't be so bad if the name was used for a Linux geeky thing that was a revolutionary type of communications tool, but AIUI it's something dull that the grown-up spaceadmins use for sheepdogging their herds of pretend computers.

I believe the term has been Lobachevskied by assorted lesser science fiction writers, so we can't even assume that the offending Linux geek has good taste in books.
Could someone kind and patient please explain for me the meaning, use and origin of this term "Lobachevskied"? I know that Nikolai Lobachevski was a 19th century mathematician who discovered/invented/explored something to do with geometry, but that doesn't seem terribly relevant.

Tom Lehrer may throw some light on this with his parody song . . .  https://lyricsplayground.com/alpha/songs/l/lobachevsky.html    (also on YT   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQHaGhC7C2E  )
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 21 February, 2023, 09:28:03 am
Quote from: robgul on 21 February, 2023, 08:50:03 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 21 February, 2023, 07:58:54 am
Quote from: Kim on 21 February, 2023, 12:13:56 am
Quote from: L CC on 20 February, 2023, 10:14:38 pm
I'm a Le Guin fangirl, so for me, Ansible is already a thing, admittedly a fictional thing but I am disproportionately irritated that it's name is used for a Linux geeky thing that Mr Smith is using for work.

It wouldn't be so bad if the name was used for a Linux geeky thing that was a revolutionary type of communications tool, but AIUI it's something dull that the grown-up spaceadmins use for sheepdogging their herds of pretend computers.

I believe the term has been Lobachevskied by assorted lesser science fiction writers, so we can't even assume that the offending Linux geek has good taste in books.
Could someone kind and patient please explain for me the meaning, use and origin of this term "Lobachevskied"? I know that Nikolai Lobachevski was a 19th century mathematician who discovered/invented/explored something to do with geometry, but that doesn't seem terribly relevant.

Tom Lehrer may throw some light on this with his parody song . . .  https://lyricsplayground.com/alpha/songs/l/lobachevsky.html    (also on YT   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQHaGhC7C2E  )
:thumbsup:
One for the explanation
and another for the song
 :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 21 February, 2023, 10:18:03 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 21 February, 2023, 09:28:03 am
Quote from: robgul on 21 February, 2023, 08:50:03 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 21 February, 2023, 07:58:54 am
Quote from: Kim on 21 February, 2023, 12:13:56 am
Quote from: L CC on 20 February, 2023, 10:14:38 pm
I'm a Le Guin fangirl, so for me, Ansible is already a thing, admittedly a fictional thing but I am disproportionately irritated that it's name is used for a Linux geeky thing that Mr Smith is using for work.

It wouldn't be so bad if the name was used for a Linux geeky thing that was a revolutionary type of communications tool, but AIUI it's something dull that the grown-up spaceadmins use for sheepdogging their herds of pretend computers.

I believe the term has been Lobachevskied by assorted lesser science fiction writers, so we can't even assume that the offending Linux geek has good taste in books.
Could someone kind and patient please explain for me the meaning, use and origin of this term "Lobachevskied"? I know that Nikolai Lobachevski was a 19th century mathematician who discovered/invented/explored something to do with geometry, but that doesn't seem terribly relevant.

Tom Lehrer may throw some light on this with his parody song . . .  https://lyricsplayground.com/alpha/songs/l/lobachevsky.html    (also on YT   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQHaGhC7C2E  )
:thumbsup:
One for the explanation
and another for the song
 :thumbsup:

If you're not familiar with Lehrer it's worth a listen to many of his satirical songs . . .  most are on YT or can be found as free downloads.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 21 February, 2023, 10:27:15 am
He recently threw open his entire back catalogue for free download – sheet music and recordings.  Except the rare-as-hen's-teeth album recorded live in Australia; presumably someone else owns the rights to that.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: graculus on 21 February, 2023, 11:07:49 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 21 February, 2023, 10:27:15 am
He recently threw open his entire back catalogue for free download – sheet music and recordings.  Except the rare-as-hen's-teeth album recorded live in Australia; presumably someone else owns the rights to that.

Here, should you need it:

https://tomlehrersongs.com/ (https://tomlehrersongs.com/)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 25 February, 2023, 04:30:07 pm
Why can’t the broadcasters just get subtitle placement right? I’ve been watching the rugby this afternoon, and both ITV and the BBC have decided that putting the subtitles in the top right hand corner is a good idea. That is over the match information panel, you know, the panel that has things like the score, match time and penalty information. The stuff those of us that are deaf can’t get from any other source.

Idiots.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 27 February, 2023, 05:32:09 pm
O hai BT!

Your talking machine left a message on my listening machine that was so long that the latter got bored and cut your droid off in mid-sentence.  This is silly.  Stop it.

Kthxbai
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 02 March, 2023, 12:08:33 pm
Dear Vitality Health, I know costs are increasing, but an increase in the premium I'm expected to pay for my wife of 60% "because people join the scheme, get treatment, then leave" (we have an annual option to join/leave so that takes some premeditation!) smacks somewhat of bullshit. I'm sure you'll manage fine without my (and I expect quite a few others) contributions. Luckily my employer (for the time being at least) still covers me, which for hoi polloi in a British company (ok, we're Japanese owned) is unusual in itself.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 03 March, 2023, 07:17:12 pm
Next week, on International Women's Day, our diversity ERG (employee resource group) is holding an event to celebrate. 'Embrace Equity' is this year's theme.
I'm right on board with the diversity and inclusion thing, but do you absolutely have to make people pose like a plonker for some ridiculous social media shot (last year it was crossed arms under your chin, this year seems to look like hugging yourself)?

<Exit stage right to the introvert zone>
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 03 March, 2023, 08:54:16 pm
I will be sure to embrace equity by tightly hugging my bosses.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 04 March, 2023, 10:38:30 am
Embrace equity = take the money and run.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 04 March, 2023, 12:32:28 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 04 March, 2023, 10:38:30 am
Embrace equity = take the money and run.

Yes, I thought that too. Giz more equity plz.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 04 March, 2023, 01:05:03 pm
(https://i.imgflip.com/7d97yq.jpg)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 04 March, 2023, 02:18:38 pm
I'm going to France tomorrow for work. Due to travel home on Wednesday (which will take all day as there are no Air France flights to Furrybootoon anymore).
Except there are French strikes planned for Tuesday and Wednesday.
What could possibly go wrong? (Packs extra undies)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 04 March, 2023, 02:51:01 pm
One wonders why, given the absolute pot-mess HMG's Govt have made of things here, quite why you'd want to come back?  Have you considered claiming political asylum when you get there?  Failing that you could try for refugee status.  Got to be worth a go.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 04 March, 2023, 07:55:32 pm
“Damn and blast British Telecom!” shouted Mr Larrington, the words coming easily through force of habit.

My Internets has died.  Again.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 04 March, 2023, 09:37:43 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 04 March, 2023, 02:18:38 pm
I'm going to France tomorrow for work. Due to travel home on Wednesday (which will take all day as there are no Air France flights to Furrybootoon anymore).
Except there are French strikes planned for Tuesday and Wednesday.
What could possibly go wrong? (Packs extra undies)

And now it seems there are no such thing as taxis from PUF on a Sunday. 2.5H walk to my hotel at 2300 ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 05 March, 2023, 01:12:12 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 04 March, 2023, 09:37:43 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 04 March, 2023, 02:18:38 pm
I'm going to France tomorrow for work. Due to travel home on Wednesday (which will take all day as there are no Air France flights to Furrybootoon anymore).
Except there are French strikes planned for Tuesday and Wednesday.
What could possibly go wrong? (Packs extra undies)

And now it seems there are no such thing as taxis from PUF on a Sunday. 2.5H walk to my hotel at 2300 ???
Is a hire car an option? No reasonable employer would refuse to pay for such if no other transport were available.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 05 March, 2023, 07:55:48 am
Quote from: Beardy on 05 March, 2023, 01:12:12 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 04 March, 2023, 09:37:43 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 04 March, 2023, 02:18:38 pm
I'm going to France tomorrow for work. Due to travel home on Wednesday (which will take all day as there are no Air France flights to Furrybootoon anymore).
Except there are French strikes planned for Tuesday and Wednesday.
What could possibly go wrong? (Packs extra undies)

And now it seems there are no such thing as taxis from PUF on a Sunday. 2.5H walk to my hotel at 2300 ???
Is a hire car an option? No reasonable employer would refuse to pay for such if no other transport were available.

Doubtful at that hour on a Sunday  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 05 March, 2023, 08:04:58 am
There wouldn't be a problem on my employer's side but I really don't want to have to be trying to navigate in a strange car in a strange  town in the dark on my own given my night vision is a bit crap.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: orienteer on 05 March, 2023, 10:03:32 am
Ask the hotel whether they could arrange a pick-up?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 05 March, 2023, 10:36:35 am
One of her colleagues in situ has managed to book a taxi  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 05 March, 2023, 10:38:12 am
Hurrah!  Internets restored in the Wee Smalls :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 05 March, 2023, 10:50:53 am
[ungrumble]And I have an unexpected travel buddy so I won't be rocking up there on my tod  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 05 March, 2023, 04:57:51 pm
Why the hell do they put the frame number on the bottom bracket then put the cable guide over it so that you can't read it?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 05 March, 2023, 07:31:10 pm
Why doesn’t the YouTube app have an option to exclude ‘shorts’ from my subscriptions list. It’s getting silly when some providers are putting 5 or 6 shorts a day in their feed and only releasing a longer video weekly.

Ok, it’s a rhetorical question, and it could probably have as easily gone in first world problems, but it’s really beginning to tick me off.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Paul on 06 March, 2023, 12:13:57 am
Quote from: T42 on 05 March, 2023, 04:57:51 pm
Why the hell do they put the frame number on the bottom bracket then put the cable guide over it so that you can't read it?
I know. I think it’s just so that we don’t get too relaxed about things.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 06 March, 2023, 07:42:44 am
Quote from: Beardy on 05 March, 2023, 07:31:10 pm
Why doesn’t the YouTube app have an option to exclude ‘shorts’ from my subscriptions list. It’s getting silly when some providers are putting 5 or 6 shorts a day in their feed and only releasing a longer video weekly.

Ok, it’s a rhetorical question, and it could probably have as easily gone in first world problems, but it’s really beginning to tick me off.

+1 - I understand that YT has upped the payment alogorithm for "shorts" - hence the upswing in numbers to increase content providers' revenues.    They're pretty much a waste of time - along with quite a lot of the mainstream dross on YT.   

Edit:  a quick Google suggests that you can suppress the shorts in the YT phone/tablet app - but as yet I've not found a way to do that with a PC browser (whic is how I watch YT)

Edit 2 - Firefox extension Hide YouTube-Shorts does the job . . no Shorts appear in my subscribed list of channels.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 11 March, 2023, 05:08:26 pm
My BB renewal date is 5 April. So last year on 30 March I phoned and renewed the contract.

There's a clause in the contract that says "the price will increase by CPI. + x% in March each year". Silly me assuming it meant *during* the contract.

Nope.

It went up on 31 March, before the contract started  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 14 March, 2023, 01:51:49 am
Been sitting waiting with an oldie for an out of hours district nurse.  What little humour might have been there at the outset is long gone.  🙁
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 14 March, 2023, 09:49:52 am
Is that noise a bunch of rufty-tufty hairy-arsed builders with a gennie or compressor or similar?

Why, no!  No, it is not.  It is a rufty-tufty hairy-arsed lorry driver who has parked his reefer wagon directly opposite Larrington Towers in order to make a very slow delivery somewhere.  I hope your vehicle catches fire and the insewerants won’t pay up >:(

I'd just finished typing that when he buggered off.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 15 March, 2023, 11:12:33 am
"your call is important to us" hold music. Apart from being annoying, I've been listening to one for about 15 minutes now on speakerphone. But where it loops, it stops suddenly mid-tune - to make you think it's been answered - then starts again just as you reach for the phone. Would a gentle fade out before starting again be too much to ask for.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 15 March, 2023, 02:08:02 pm
It truly amazing in all the years of hanging on the telephone and enduring the "hold" music. I've only once heard a quality that didn't make my ears bleed.

A couple of times there had been good tunes, but the digitalization had butchered any quality there was and made it impossible to enjoy.

That one company, sadly forgotten, I had to make a comment where I thanked the powers that be.

One should think in this day and age, the sound quality on a digital phone system, one would be able to listen too with fear of permanent damage.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 15 March, 2023, 02:20:37 pm
I've never encountered Blondie as hold music, which is odd,
https://youtu.be/uWhkbDMISl8
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: woollypigs on 15 March, 2023, 02:25:13 pm
I've heard her "One way or another" but never the above linked
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 15 March, 2023, 02:37:14 pm
Tom Scott did a video on why hold music has got even worse (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2A8q3XIhu0)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 15 March, 2023, 03:00:26 pm
The simple fact is that businesses want you to use their websites and not call them at all. It is far far cheaper to do customer handling via websites than over the phone , so anything that can be done to drive you to the website is fair game.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 15 March, 2023, 03:08:54 pm
Quote from: Polar Bear on 14 March, 2023, 01:51:49 am
Been sitting waiting with an oldie for an out of hours district nurse.  What little humour might have been there at the outset is long gone.  🙁

It got worse.

At 6:00a.m. I called 111 for the third time.  They said that they had referred to call to the out of hours district nurse.  I pressed the issue and spent over 90 minutes with various call handlers and a clinician.

At 745:am they admitted defeat and suggested that I call the daytime service district nurse at 8:am, 12 hours after the call for out of hours service.

He was sorted by 10:30, but...

During my interaction with the daytime district nursing team ( discovered that the out of hours district nurse does not deal with catheters stomas, etc. but there is a dedicated rapid response team with a dedicated telephone number which does.  I am amazed that 111 did not know this and neither did the clinician with whom I discussed the problems at length.

The NHS is a crumbling wreck, unfortunately.   Thank you tories.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 15 March, 2023, 03:11:50 pm
Quote from: barakta on 15 March, 2023, 02:37:14 pm
Tom Scott did a video on why hold music has got even worse (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2A8q3XIhu0)
It's not really the sound quality that's the objectionable thing about hold music, it's (frequently) the limited choice of music (yes of course I love Vivaldi, but not the same six bars repeated for the nth time), and (always) the fact that you really just want to talk to a person. And of course, you wouldn't be phoning them at all unless something hadn't already gone wrong, so even if the phone is answered instantly by a knowledgeable human, it's still a shit experience.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 15 March, 2023, 04:36:54 pm
The thing that pisses me off is the, "Use the website, it's quicker" message on the company IT support line.  Yes, well. I wouldn't be bloody well calling the help line if I could access the sodding web site, now would I?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 15 March, 2023, 05:17:17 pm
Polar Bear, sadly a common issue. A friend of mine was discharged from hospital with a catheter which blocked and he couldn't unblock it. His usual district nurses were closed and it was only cos a mutual friend knows about national out of hours services that they were able to find the right number. It was a medical emergency cos of bladder bursting risk and friend didn't want to be 999ed back to hospital (if that could even have been done within the 2 hour emergency window).

Oh and you can BSL call 111 via video-relay setup but there is no way for them to call people back in BSL....

111 is a waste of fucking time. They don't know anything when they should know and their data recording about reported issues is useless (lets suggest medX to someone who is allergic to medX and when medX is not a treatment for KnownDiagnosedIssueTM). I flat out won't use 111 now and I will tell other parts of the NHS exactly why.

If they want me to use a service, it needs to not be obnoxiously shit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: arabella on 18 March, 2023, 12:19:41 am
I am still sitting in the train which was supposed to have arrived 2 and 3/4 hours ago. It was only meant to be a 1 and 3/4 hour journey.
I need my beauty sleep, I prefer my non-sleeping at this time of the night to be audax related....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jaded on 18 March, 2023, 12:35:33 am
Quote from: TheLurker on 15 March, 2023, 04:36:54 pm
The thing that pisses me off is the, "Use the website, it's quicker" message on the company IT support line.  Yes, well. I wouldn't be bloody well calling the help line if I could access the sodding web site, now would I?

Yes.

Although using the website to find the number so that you can be put on hold can be damn near impossible.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 18 March, 2023, 12:37:39 am
Throw in a bit of VOIP for good measure...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 18 March, 2023, 02:56:48 pm
Quote from: Jaded
Although using the website to find the number so that you can be put on hold can be damn near impossible.
I have it writted down on this piece of paper wot I have here in my hand. </bluebottle>


Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: delthebike on 19 March, 2023, 01:29:01 pm
NHS Southend have invited me for a targeted lung health check which is fine by me, however the contact number they give to arrange things is an 0300 number and is charged by BT at 27p/min. Why are they using a high price number as it must put people off calling?

Fortunately for me I have 700 free minutes and 0300 numbers are included in that for up to one hour on a single call.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 19 March, 2023, 01:33:54 pm
Quote from: delthebike on 19 March, 2023, 01:29:01 pm
NHS Southend have invited me for a targeted lung health check which is fine by me, however the contact number they give to arrange things is an 0300 number and is charged by BT at 27p/min. Why are they using a high price number as it must put people off calling?

Fortunately for me I have 700 free minutes and 0300 numbers are included in that for up to one hour on a single call.

This is a telco problem, not an NHS problem.  030 is the allocated non-geographical range for not-for-profit organisations, and calls should cost the same as to an 01 or 02 number.  (The weasel point is whether they allow you to use inclusive minutes.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: PhilO on 20 March, 2023, 09:18:04 am
Quote from: Beardy on 15 March, 2023, 03:00:26 pm
The simple fact is that businesses want you to use their websites and not call them at all. It is far far cheaper to do customer handling via websites than over the phone , so anything that can be done to drive you to the website is fair game.

Conversely, my grumble is all the organisations (usually the small businesses, admittedly) who list online contact methods (Email, SMS, FaceAche, etc), but completely ignore anything other than a phone call.  I'm capable of phoning, merely hate the bloody things - it must be so much worse for people who can't actually use the phone. Why publish Email details on your website if you're not going to respond?  :-\
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 20 March, 2023, 12:31:35 pm
Quote from: PhilO on 20 March, 2023, 09:18:04 am
Quote from: Beardy on 15 March, 2023, 03:00:26 pm
The simple fact is that businesses want you to use their websites and not call them at all. It is far far cheaper to do customer handling via websites than over the phone , so anything that can be done to drive you to the website is fair game.

Conversely, my grumble is all the organisations (usually the small businesses, admittedly) who list online contact methods (Email, SMS, FaceAche, etc), but completely ignore anything other than a phone call.  I'm capable of phoning, merely hate the bloody things - it must be so much worse for people who can't actually use the phone. Why publish Email details on your website if you're not going to respond?  :-\

Particularly irksome are the ones who respond to email by phoning you, which is simply rude.  I'm glaring at you, Spa Cycles.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 20 March, 2023, 05:24:52 pm
I registered with Morrison's to place an emergency groceries order with them, which I have thankfully3 been able to cancel.1

I notice they have a 'cash back' / discount scheme that entices you to sign up to one of those scammy £15/month subscription thieves; beware!

1) I had mistakenly arranged my Sainsbury's delivery to go my parents' address today, which would have been disastrous!2 There weren't any available delivery slots for my address at the time, though I managed to snap one up later.

I have extensively destocked my fridge, kitchen & fruit bowl.

2) Dad's in hospital, extremely sick; Mum's with him and they really don't need/want my bacon!

3) Morrison's deterred me because they were pricy, seemed to offer no option on unavailability/substitution and didn't seem to permit ordering small quantities of greengroceries.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 20 March, 2023, 07:18:41 pm
Quote from: PhilO on 20 March, 2023, 09:18:04 am
Quote from: Beardy on 15 March, 2023, 03:00:26 pm
The simple fact is that businesses want you to use their websites and not call them at all. It is far far cheaper to do customer handling via websites than over the phone , so anything that can be done to drive you to the website is fair game.

Conversely, my grumble is all the organisations (usually the small businesses, admittedly) who list online contact methods (Email, SMS, FaceAche, etc), but completely ignore anything other than a phone call.  I'm capable of phoning, merely hate the bloody things - it must be so much worse for people who can't actually use the phone. Why publish Email details on your website if you're not going to respond?  :-\

It's the ones that respond to your email (usually after 48+ hours) with a 'call our support numer.' Had I wanted to do that, I would have done that. Believe me, the enticements of your on-hold system aren't something I'm seeking out.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 20 March, 2023, 08:27:45 pm
I'm deaf and I routinely say "I can't call cos I am deaf, please use email as a reasonable adjustment".

There are still a number of numpties who will reply with "call us on".

I then remind them I told them I was deaf and sometimes numpty will keep it up.

I made the Director of PALS and Clinical Care literally Face Palm during a meeting about another accessfail (which they handled really well) and at the end I added printouts of correspondence with Some Numpty In Physio Services.

We had already been discussing the NHS Accessible Information Standard which I know inside out (I know the guy who sued the Secretary of State for Health into it) and had been constructive about "gaps that need fixing".

I got an apology later that week from the head of physio and to be fair, they haven't been stupid at me by email since...

But it's not always that simple. I'm '-' to giving NatWest a blast with the Data Protection Act where I'll explicitly state they can SMS but not voicecall me and a breach WILL be pursued vigorously via the ICO or more likely litigation cos incoming calls are POO.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 20 March, 2023, 08:31:19 pm
In other news, booking train tickets. Look, I don't know when I'm travelling, so I'll just book a return ticket. What kind of ticket-site gymnastics do you have to contort yourself through to find the non-advanced ticket options? Eventual success, I find the good old-fashioned super-off-peak, off-peak, anytime. Yet wait, when are these fares available, for which trains, why are there two of each which seem to cover overlapping times? There's a super-off-peak that's even superer super-off-peak, yet they seem to be the same trains, but cost me £35 less than the less super super-off-peak. Is there any intimation as to the difference? Maybe there's an invisible pixel I can click to learn the secret? Undoubtedly if I choose the wrong one, I'll be cast from the train somewhere in Northamptonshire. I don't want that. No one wants that.

Next step, how do I make the return ticket first class? Surely they want to make the already ambitious heist of my bank account easy. On no, they do not. You are in a maze of convoluted search options, none of which say 'first class.' Eventually, I need a cup of tea to recuperate, even Indiana Jones didn't find treasure so difficult to find (even as tawdry sequels go, I don't think Indiana Jones and the Southern Railway Website is going to be in cinemas anytime soon).

One cup of tea later, 'your session has timed out.'

The last time I did this I managed to book a ticket that looked like a return, but wasn't, the little checkbox had gone for plausible deniability. You might have clicked me, who can say, do you have any witnesses? So I had to book again and claim a refund minus £10 because that how much the jam costs to fill one of Nation Rail's diabolical Babbage-engines.

Then, of course, when I turned up at the station for me return trip, the train on my booking didn't actually exist. Oh, I should add that I can't book my train from my actual station, or I can, but it's automatically about £80 more because such fares only exist from St Pancras. How it costs £80 extra when it costs £10-15 in real money from here to the centre of the capital is another mystery.

Trains in Switzerland, on the other hand: first or second class, please. That's really about it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 20 March, 2023, 09:48:27 pm
Well, nobody in Northamptonshire wants that.  Probably ...  🤔 🤣
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 21 March, 2023, 12:57:00 am
The battery on the Perfectly Good Gentleman’s Mountain Bicycle's computer appears to be dying.  Now I'll have to find the fucking manual to program it again after replacing it :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 21 March, 2023, 01:16:17 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 21 March, 2023, 12:57:00 am
The battery on the Perfectly Good Gentleman’s Mountain Bicycle's computer appears to be dying.  Now I'll have to find the fucking manual to program it again after replacing it :(

It might keep the settings if you're really quick at swapping it?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 21 March, 2023, 01:43:14 am
Might try it tomorrow if it ent chucking down when I need to venture into the blasted wilderness south of the Lea Bridge Road.  Otherwise it can wait and I'll get the bus.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 21 March, 2023, 03:06:31 am
Quote from: Kim on 21 March, 2023, 01:16:17 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 21 March, 2023, 12:57:00 am
The battery on the Perfectly Good Gentleman’s Mountain Bicycle's computer appears to be dying.  Now I'll have to find the fucking manual to program it again after replacing it :(

It might keep the settings if you're really quick at swapping it?

I think the late great Sheldon Brown had generic instructions on his website.

Calibration constants are usually the tyre cicumference in millimetrs and many devices default to some sort of 'standard ATB wheel size after resetting.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 21 March, 2023, 10:17:50 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 21 March, 2023, 12:57:00 am
The battery on the Perfectly Good Gentleman’s Mountain Bicycle's computer appears to be dying.  Now I'll have to find the fucking manual to program it again after replacing it :(

It'll probably be online somewhere. I have a link in my browser to mine.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 21 March, 2023, 12:08:42 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 21 March, 2023, 03:06:31 am
Quote from: Kim on 21 March, 2023, 01:16:17 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 21 March, 2023, 12:57:00 am
The battery on the Perfectly Good Gentleman’s Mountain Bicycle's computer appears to be dying.  Now I'll have to find the fucking manual to program it again after replacing it :(

It might keep the settings if you're really quick at swapping it?

I think the late great Sheldon Brown had generic instructions on his website.

Calibration constants are usually the tyre cicumference in millimetrs and many devices default to some sort of 'standard ATB wheel size after resetting.

The wheel circumference is the easy bit.  It's the incantation required to set it that's elusive.  See also: Setting the clock on the oven.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 21 March, 2023, 12:11:28 pm
Quote from: Pingu on 21 March, 2023, 10:17:50 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 21 March, 2023, 12:57:00 am
The battery on the Perfectly Good Gentleman’s Mountain Bicycle's computer appears to be dying.  Now I'll have to find the fucking manual to program it again after replacing it :(

It'll probably be online somewhere. I have a link in my browser to mine.

This Unit hereby endorses this product, service or sentiment.

(I'm from the 1990s and my partner swears at university websites for a living, so I actually go one further and maintain a local archive of destruction manual PDFs.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 21 March, 2023, 12:26:40 pm
(Checks Dropbox)

Oh, look!  Trek_computer.pdf!  Hurrah!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 21 March, 2023, 12:41:28 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 21 March, 2023, 12:26:40 pm
(Checks Dropbox)

Oh, look!  Trek_computer.pdf!  Hurrah!

Recognise, Picard Jean-Luc. Recognise Riker, William T
Twenty seconds to auto-destruct...
Ten seconds to auto-destruct...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 21 March, 2023, 01:04:35 pm
+++ ¡Vaya! ¡Aquí viene el queso! +++
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 21 March, 2023, 02:26:44 pm
My bank's online banking 'theme' has updated from perfectly serviceable black, grey and shades of blue to pink, magenta and purpe, which I find harder to read and Do Not Like.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 21 March, 2023, 02:38:05 pm
For some obscure reason which what I have not fathomed yet, the contactless payment facility of my newer bank account does not work at John Lewis, whereas it does work in the adjacent Waitrose. The same bank account Visa card will also not work via Apple Pay on Big River Co. Whereas it works at lots of other online retailers. It’s very irritating.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 21 March, 2023, 03:36:01 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 21 March, 2023, 01:04:35 pm
+++ ¡Vaya! ¡Aquí viene el queso! +++

And I've managed to persuade the cadence wossname to display too, but not until after I got home from this afternoon’s mammoth 7 km round trip.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 22 March, 2023, 09:19:58 pm
Now, Mr Sony of 123 High Street, Japan.

Why, when it took my PVR gadget all of five minutes to do a complete retune, does it take your idiot distascope more than half an hour to do the same thing?

Grrrr!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 23 March, 2023, 01:31:37 pm
Multi-part grumble.

We have a problem with air getting into the heating pipes. Causes airlocks and other circulation issues.

One bedroom smells damp, so we wondered if there was a leak below that room.

To get access to under that floor, I could either:
Pull up carpet and cut a hatch into the floorboards.
Or,
Go in through existing hatch and make access ways through the supporting walls (there are four of these, running the length of the house under the floor).

I decided to the latter, as it would give me access under the whole house.
Did I mention that I'm mildly claustrophobic and scared of the dark? The underfloor space is 3-2ft high, wet, muddy and, of course, dark.
4 horrible hours work with a kango, hammer and chisel, I have the access ways cut and lintels added.

No leak in pipes that I can see.

What I can see, however, is that the pipes aren't supported. They just added 90degree bends, shoved them through the floor and connected to radiators.
So there are 10-20ft lengths of pipe suspended by nothing more than the pipe fitting on the rads. They are also uninsulated and 5-7cm clear of the joists, so I can't simply add pipe clips.

Very much inclined to redo the whole thing with plastic, properly.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Giraffe on 23 March, 2023, 05:50:23 pm
Or support the pipes and insulate them.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 24 March, 2023, 06:57:06 am
Quote from: Giraffe on 23 March, 2023, 05:50:23 pm
Or support the pipes and insulate them.

The whole system is currently plumbed 'series', meaning each radiator forms part of the continuous circuit. It is therefore impossible to fit any thermostatic valves to any radiators.

That really, really needs fixing and to do so requires adding a new return circuit anyway.

I could build the circuit over time, leaving the rad and boiler connections until last.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 24 March, 2023, 08:23:24 am
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 23 March, 2023, 01:31:37 pm
Did I mention that I'm mildly claustrophobic and scared of the dark? The underfloor space is 3-2ft high, wet, muddy and, of course, dark.
4 horrible hours work with a kango, hammer and chisel, I have the access ways cut and lintels added.

Sounds vile.  I'd probably have GAMI'd.  Bon courage for the rest of the job.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 24 March, 2023, 08:28:17 am
Gotta say, never having had to be in one, 3ft sounds a lot larger than I'd have imagined. Wet and muddy doesn't help though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 24 March, 2023, 12:03:43 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 24 March, 2023, 08:28:17 am
Gotta say, never having had to be in one, 3ft sounds a lot larger than I'd have imagined. Wet and muddy doesn't help though.
IT is only 3ft at the lower end - that still isn't enough to sit up in.

2 ft is small, particularly when constrained by wires and pipes. I had to lie flat to fit under those.
My core muscles are reminding me that I'm a desk potato now; not built for using a kango and swinging a lump hammer for hours while doing a semi-situp.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 25 March, 2023, 07:02:46 pm
Scottish power have written to me to say that from April 1st my electricity cost will decrease, it's dropping by a whole penny a unit.  And on the same day my standing charge rises by almost 5p/day.  Bastards.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 29 March, 2023, 01:47:04 pm
I've been doing detailed research watching that YouTube they have these days, for some hints on building a learning tower. It's a kitchen stool with a cage, Gorgeous Grandchildren for the use of, so one or other of them can reach up and get their fingers chopped off "help" with the cooking. 

The simplest involve buying a stool from the Swedish Halls of Joy and screwing some 2 x 1 on to it.

The more complicated start with a sheet of maple ply, cutting it on the bench saw, glueing it into thick pieces, more shaping on the band saw. A bit of router use, then a drum sander.

Then some other bits of wood go through the thicknesser (planer?) a couple of times.

A bit of router work to make some grooves, then a bit on a different router to smooth the edges.

It's all a bit much.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: JonBuoy on 29 March, 2023, 02:53:45 pm
You will definitely have to use it to show them how to make pizza.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 29 March, 2023, 03:01:01 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 29 March, 2023, 01:47:04 pm
I've been doing detailed research watching that YouTube they have these days, for some hints on building a learning tower. It's a kitchen stool with a cage, Gorgeous Grandchildren for the use of, so one or other of them can reach up and get their fingers chopped off "help" with the cooking. 

The simplest involve buying a stool from the Swedish Halls of Joy and screwing some 2 x 1 on to it.

The more complicated start with a sheet of maple ply, cutting it on the bench saw, glueing it into thick pieces, more shaping on the band saw. A bit of router use, then a drum sander.

Then some other bits of wood go through the thicknesser (planer?) a couple of times.

A bit of router work to make some grooves, then a bit on a different router to smooth the edges.

It's all a bit much.

I had ti Google what a learning tower is, when you said a stool with a cage I had the mental image of a bar stool with a metal cage on top with big enough holes for a kid to get hands through
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 29 March, 2023, 03:49:41 pm
Seems to me that once they've helped you with all that woodwork, they should have learned how to be sufficiently careful with their remaining fingers that cookery shouldn't be a problem.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 29 March, 2023, 04:05:57 pm
Quote from: Kim on 29 March, 2023, 03:49:41 pm
Seems to me that once they've helped you with all that woodwork, they should have learned how to be sufficiently careful with their remaining fingers that cookery shouldn't be a problem.
I suspect the purpose of the tower cage bit is to stop them distractedly stepping off the side of the platform.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 29 March, 2023, 04:41:20 pm
Looks a bit like a reinvented high chair.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 29 March, 2023, 06:21:14 pm
Quote from: Kim on 29 March, 2023, 03:49:41 pm
Seems to me that once they've helped you with all that woodwork, they should have learned how to be sufficiently careful with their remaining fingers that cookery shouldn't be a problem.
Madam, may I refer you to your signature  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cygnet on 29 March, 2023, 11:01:38 pm
This talk of routing reminded me of a recent conversation with a foreign colleague. Rowing (the water-based activity) vs rowing (the argumental based activity)

Routing is going to blow their mind.  :o
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 29 March, 2023, 11:04:56 pm
For my wife, who has just discovered that the train (after 10pm) is a rail replacement bus service and simultaneously the road that it needs to replace the train is closed every evening after 10pm for resurfacing.

A certain measure of British genius.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 29 March, 2023, 11:19:24 pm
That's the integrated transport solution we've been waiting for  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 31 March, 2023, 04:27:18 pm
Dear The BBC Radio 4

A few weeks ago Just A minute finished its run.  Hurrah, I thought, time for something in the Monday evening comedy slot that is (a) funny and (ii) something I like.

But no. For a series of the Museum of Curiosity started.  Bah.

Peeking at next week's Monday night offering I see the Museum of Curiosity has finished. Hurrah.  To be replaced by Just a Minute. Again. Double bah.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Flite on 31 March, 2023, 04:41:28 pm
I abandoned Radio 4's idea of comedy years ago.
Mostly noisy, shouty and not to my taste at all.
And the endless trailers for them are even worse.
Turn up the volume to listen to the weather forcast and have my ears blown off by the trailer.
What do they teach sound engineers these days?
Bring back ISIRTA....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 04 April, 2023, 07:39:41 pm
At work one aspect of our business is 90% dealt with from a different location but sometimes they use our workshop and this means me being asked to take payment/hand over keys etc which I'm happy to do

Not so happy with the fact I keep getting whinged out/having details queried about servicing/prices/why the van was sat for a week before anyone told them was done

I'm normally helpful but today just had too much to do so gave them phone number of relevant person and said deal with them
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: JefO on 04 April, 2023, 10:16:00 pm
I agree
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 05 April, 2023, 07:33:27 am
Reminds me of when I was development boss for a word-processing system and some marketing lizard passed a copy of the pre-beta version to a client and gave them my number "in case they had problems". Could have murdered the bastard.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 08 April, 2023, 10:22:04 am
Remote controls that don’t work until you've pressed every button half a dozen times and sworn most vilely at them can get tae fuck.  Double points if it uses a CR2025 battery which in my case I have not got, and nor have the von Brandenburgs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 08 April, 2023, 03:08:55 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington
Remote controls that don’t work until you've pressed every button half a dozen times and sworn most vilely at them..
Failure modes in order of probability

1 - The computer in the TV is so underpowered it takes a geological epoch to cotton on to the fact it is being prodded with IR by the magic wand.  Yes, Panasonic I *am* looking at you.

2 - The magic wand's battery is flat

3 - The thin conducting film of graphite/whatever they put on the back of the magic wand's cheap & nasty rubberised keypad to bridge the conductive fingers on the PCB has worn off.

In order of easiness, the following fixes may be applied.

A - Replace the battery

B - Use a butter knife (other tools are available) to prise the casing of the magic wand apart and either paint conductive silver paint (available from Maplins and all other good electronic component suppliers - whaddya mean Maplins is no more?) on the back of the cheap & nasty (did I mention that keypads these days are cheap & nasty rubberised rubbish?) keypad buttons.  At a pinch a 2B pencil may be used instead.

C - Build a time machine (See Hobby Electronics Dec. 2431).  Travel back in time.  Find the pillock who *will* invent Digital TV and kill him utterly to DETH.  Oh and while you're about it kick the father of the sod responsible for DAB as hard as you can in the goolies as well.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: orienteer on 08 April, 2023, 03:57:24 pm
Often find just opening the battery compartment and jiggling the batteries makes them work; probably corrosion on the contacts.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 08 April, 2023, 04:06:04 pm
This is for a NAD amplifier, and requires an unbent paper clip or something to open the battery 'ole.  There may be such a thing – or even a bent one – somewhere in Schloß von Brandenburg but I have no idea where anything as esoteric as that lurks.

“We've got an app for that!” exclaimed NAD's webby SCIENCE.  Yes.  Yes, you have.  And neither the iOS nor Android versions even detect the amp at all.

Bah!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 08 April, 2023, 04:52:13 pm
A minor grumble. I decided to put my "personalised" registration onto the new-to-me Mazda, seeing how it's a fine day.  All went well until I went to tell my insurer (Churchill) who like many is 90% online.  I tick the box to say I want to change the reg - and it tells me it's processing it, even though I've yet to tell it the new number.  Then I see a date-from box - except it only allows dates from the 24th April, the first day of my next years policy.  So I call up the nice man in South Africa, and it doesn't let him do it either! It was eventually sorted out, but really should be slicker.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 08 April, 2023, 04:53:34 pm
My Wahoo devils-lesser-radio(s) cadence sensor appears to have droid rot.  A new flattery and some exploratory reflowing of the solder on the terminals brought the blinkenlight to life, and I can get the Android app to see it over Bluetooth intermittently, but it's failing to pair with the bike computer over Ant+.  Speed and HR sensors are working as expected.

I know, serves me right for not using proper wired computers, but there's a distinct lack of somewhere sensible to mount a cadence reed switch on the bike in question.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 08 April, 2023, 07:31:03 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 08 April, 2023, 04:52:13 pm
A minor grumble. I decided to put my "personalised" registration onto the new-to-me Mazda, seeing how it's a fine day.  All went well until I went to tell my insurer (Churchill) who like many is 90% online.  I tick the box to say I want to change the reg - and it tells me it's processing it, even though I've yet to tell it the new number.  Then I see a date-from box - except it only allows dates from the 24th April, the first day of my next years policy.  So I call up the nice man in South Africa, and it doesn't let him do it either! It was eventually sorted out, but really should be slicker.

. . .  and they presumably charged you a fee?  (and possibly upped the premium as theft of personalised plate vehicles is fraught) - as an aside I was more than pissed off to be charged a fee to change my registered address when I moved house - to an address in the same CV37 6--  level postcode.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 08 April, 2023, 09:16:36 pm
No, no fee. They are pretty good like that.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 08 April, 2023, 10:19:11 pm
The 'Florida Man Bible' thread.
I haven't a clue what any of you are talking about.
I'm aware of the bible.  Never read it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 08 April, 2023, 10:21:09 pm
I read it when I was about 16, to work out what all the fuss was about.  There's some pretty gruesome stuff in there, interspersed with lots of boring bits for which I've mostly recycled the neurons.  So I don't get half the Florida Man references either.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 08 April, 2023, 10:26:19 pm
Oh good. I don't feel so alone now.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 08 April, 2023, 10:31:37 pm
I've read it all in novel form: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/965733.The_Book_of_God

Well, when I say "all", I think lots got left out to make it a novel; most obviously the long lists of genealogies, but quite a lot of other stuff too. Nevertheless, the novelization device is pretty good, makes it a lot more readable. The New Testament was more interesting to me, partly because it's focused on the same set of characters (yeah, more like a novel), partly because it's not full of battles, justifications for rape, torture and murder, and bizarre judgements, but also because it just seems more relevant.

I was given that by a friend who is, not surprisingly, a Catholic – I'm not sure it would work well with Evangelicals.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 08 April, 2023, 10:55:29 pm
Interesting.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 09 April, 2023, 11:53:21 am
It’s Easter, my first holiday of the year, and I have what has developed (since a slight cough on Wednesday) into a full on snottageddon  :( :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 10 April, 2023, 07:27:21 pm
I got a free Easter egg* from work. Some rotter has scoffed it without me getting a look in. And the “super” market has none left**

* Small Cadbury’s one, nothing fancy.
** They sell out of eggs amongst other things every weekend lately. I suppose this is at least consistent.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 11 April, 2023, 12:10:45 pm
So Gigaclear want to put in place (well, have had granted already) a TTRO daytime (08:00-18:30) road closure on our no-through road village main road. Won't affect the commuters/home workers, of whiuch there are a few, but there are many retired folk in the village who will ne inconvenienced.  There is a suggested diversion, and that on paper looks good. Unfortunately some 100m of it are along an unmade unadopted, massivley potholed private road. One that most of us (save residents, deliveries and those following sat-navs) avoid driving at all costs unless we have 4x4's, the damage is so great, for fear of damaging our cars.  >:(

So I've had a grumble (behave..) to my local councillor, as the last time that route was tried it got recinded as the unadopted status means no automatic right of way it doesn't belong to the council, so it couldn't (at that time at least) can't be used as part of a diversion.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 12 April, 2023, 12:36:48 am
Labels, sigh.

1. Mr Range Ltd, sticking the label to your non-stick kitchen products with STAB1 glue is unhelpful and calls into question the non-stick qualities of your product.  5 days I've been carefully peeling small areas of label off my new baking tray each time I await the kettle and I guesstimate 3 to go. Also, printing unknown instructions on the reverse of the label, of which I have naturally only seen tiny fragments, is fantastic optimism.

2. Mr Producer of Princes reduced fat corned beef. Nice product. Apart from the label which appears to be printed on adamantium sheet. I quickly have up with nails trying to find the key tab.  After bending two knives, one of which I liked, I left the tin in water for two hours for the label to soften. Missing lunch time entirely. It was barely sufficient time.

#simpleThingsMadeNeedlesslyHard

1 like S#1t to a blanket
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 12 April, 2023, 09:45:01 am
Quote from: SoreTween on 12 April, 2023, 12:36:48 am

reduced fat corned beef. Nice product.

What? WHAT?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 12 April, 2023, 01:33:40 pm
I ate my lifetime's quota of corned beef before the age of 5 (living in ABROAD, where refrigeration was not to be relied on), so the very thought of the stuff generally makes me want to boke, but reducing the fat doesn't seem like a terrible idea?  Might be less slimy bits...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 12 April, 2023, 02:54:41 pm
I once met a bloke who had fond memories of UK forces and their copious supplies of le cornèd boeuf.  I suppose it was heaven after rutabagas. I occasionally think I'd like some then, having got it, try a slice and nearly throw up.  Makes me wish we still had dogs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 12 April, 2023, 08:14:37 pm
What has happened to C4News these days? If it's not wall to wall vox pops, today it was more like BBC News24 rolling nothing happening waiting for Biden to appear.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 12 April, 2023, 08:20:59 pm
I love corned beef. With all the fat. I don't know what it is though and I figure I'm better off not asking. I'm still recovering from learning, at age twelve, that tongue was actual tongue, a great lolling thing that slithered across the butcher's block.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 12 April, 2023, 08:30:08 pm
Dangerous stuff (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1964_Aberdeen_typhoid_outbreak)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 13 April, 2023, 07:46:44 am
Light in the fridge-freezer packed up last week - emailed Siemens to get part number and replacement (LED thing) - they said has to be fixed by a technician but FOC as it's less than 3 years old and five year warranty - man will come on Weds 11.   Excellent news.

Man turns up - looks at light . .  "It's not working, I'll have to order one"  WTF?  . ..  worse still it's on back-order from Germany and takes 2 weeks  - slight upside is that he did make another appointment.
 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 13 April, 2023, 07:59:31 am
Quote from: robgul on 13 April, 2023, 07:46:44 am
Light in the fridge-freezer packed up last week - emailed Siemens to get part number and replacement (LED thing) - they said has to be fixed by a technician but FOC as it's less than 3 years old and five year warranty - man will come on Weds 11.   Excellent news.

Man turns up - looks at light . .  "It's not working, I'll have to order one"  WTF?  . ..  worse still it's on back-order from Germany and takes 2 weeks  - slight upside is that he did make another appointment.

Reminds me of old Trident disc drives, things that weighed over a hundred kilos and held 25 Mb of data.  The company I worked for, who i.a. sold the things, once provided one for a tech course run by one of our dealers.  The instructor told his class, correctly, that "you never remove this bit here because if you do it'll break, and it takes months to get a new one".  So he did, and it did, and it did.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Giraffe on 13 April, 2023, 06:08:37 pm
The technical term is Provocative Maintenance - working well, serviced, breaks down. Usually takes longer, so that the techie has time to get a long way away.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: JefO on 13 April, 2023, 10:11:26 pm
Bloke I am training with does extra miles before our training then I keep dropping him. If he didn't do the extra miles, he would keep up. Wish he would do the extra after the ride instead. Glad he trains with me, but I am losing patience, as waiting for him is detracting from my training.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 14 April, 2023, 09:12:47 pm
Barakta's leg-zapping machine has an ineffectual warning beeper at a frequency she can't really hear.  It was also programmed on a Friday afternoon by someone who'd probably read a couple of Adafruit tutorials, leading to a distractingly flickery full redraw of its crappy OLED display every second as the countdown updates and - it seems - seconds that last longer than a second while it's busy beeping about low battery.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 18 April, 2023, 11:33:09 pm
And the target market involves largely elderly people (with slow healing fractures) who are very very likely to have presbycusis (age related hearing loss) which takes out the higher frequencies first. So you want to be avoiding anything above 2kHz, or doing two-tone with something 500-1000Hzish and then something higher to cover your bets.

And I reckon that "I have a problem" beep is ~8kHz cos I can barely hear it which suggests it's over the 7kHz top end this hearing aid is rated for (I checked) and sounds higher than the tinnitus I matched to Kim's sig-gen at 7kHz (cos I'm sad like that, I frequency matched my tinnitus).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 19 April, 2023, 09:13:56 am
What does it do? Make muscles spasm?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 19 April, 2023, 12:09:29 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 19 April, 2023, 09:13:56 am
What does it do? Make muscles spasm?

Applies (by my maths) almost homeopathic levels of ultrasound to the fracture.  There's a 50% chance this is woo (research is ongoing), but it seems harmless and therefore worth trying.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 19 April, 2023, 02:08:26 pm
This morning I left a dead kettle and a load of batteries out for recycling.  They were in separate clear plastic bags on top of the refuse bin as instructed.  Lorry pulls up, bags lifted, bin opened, bags chucked in, bin emptied into lorry.

Registration number noted.
Driver (team leader) spoken to.
Biffa grinked.
cc Forest of Dean council.
and local rags.

 >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 22 April, 2023, 05:25:32 pm
I've capitulated and put the heating on.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 22 April, 2023, 05:29:31 pm
Why is it February again?
 >:( 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 24 April, 2023, 10:19:56 pm
I want to put a motion sensor bulb in the garage because we keep leaving it on. You can get motion sensor bulbs but they mainly seem to exist in ES cap. Of course that light fitting is a BC. I am not an electrician.
Why can't stuff just be easy?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 25 April, 2023, 08:55:37 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 24 April, 2023, 10:19:56 pm
I want to put a motion sensor bulb in the garage because we keep leaving it on. You can get motion sensor bulbs but they mainly seem to exist in ES cap. Of course that light fitting is a BC. I am not an electrician.
Why can't stuff just be easy?

I got an adapter from one to the other of amazon I think or eBay
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 25 April, 2023, 09:13:54 am
Yes, I bought adaptors of both flavours from our almost local hardware store. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 25 April, 2023, 11:15:58 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 24 April, 2023, 10:19:56 pm
I want to put a motion sensor bulb in the garage because we keep leaving it on. You can get motion sensor bulbs but they mainly seem to exist in ES cap. Of course that light fitting is a BC. I am not an electrician.
Why can't stuff just be easy?

I just did a google search on 'motion sensor bulbs', and the first Amazon hit seemed to have several BC options available.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 25 April, 2023, 01:36:04 pm
Adaptors that let you fit a ES lamp inna BC socket are extremely useful, but should be regarded with a degree of caution, as the outer part of the ES screw can become live due to the polarisation roulette inherent in the BC socket.  Good adaptors enclose the entire screw part to prevent accidental gefingerpoken, but not all of them do.

Personally, I consider them Mostly Harmless for ceiling lamps, as if you're getting a ladder out, you're in a mind to think about safety.  I'd be wary of using one in a table lamp with a switch on the holder, thobut.

Pragmatically, I think we should admit defeat and install ES holders wherever possible.  The BC fitting is nice, but it's basically BRITISH exceptionalism at this point.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: lissotriton on 25 April, 2023, 02:01:20 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 24 April, 2023, 10:19:56 pm
I want to put a motion sensor bulb in the garage because we keep leaving it on. You can get motion sensor bulbs but they mainly seem to exist in ES cap. Of course that light fitting is a BC. I am not an electrician.
Why can't stuff just be easy?
You could fit a separate PIR sensor, but that would be a bit more work wiring it in.
Would let you adjust which way it is pointing, so it can turn on as soon as you open the door.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 25 April, 2023, 02:18:30 pm
Seems to me that both BC and ES fittings are on their way out in favour of fancy recessed things which require you to call a plasterer when you need a new bulb.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 25 April, 2023, 06:06:03 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 25 April, 2023, 02:18:30 pm
Seems to me that both BC and ES fittings are on their way out in favour of fancy recessed things which require you to call a plasterer when you need a new bulb.

GPWM
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 25 April, 2023, 06:38:53 pm
I did say 'mainly' rather than exclusively. The ones I've found seem to be a bit low on the lumens front (IMO) for a single bulb in a garage.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 25 April, 2023, 07:46:47 pm
Quote from: lissotriton on 25 April, 2023, 02:01:20 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 24 April, 2023, 10:19:56 pm
I want to put a motion sensor bulb in the garage because we keep leaving it on. You can get motion sensor bulbs but they mainly seem to exist in ES cap. Of course that light fitting is a BC. I am not an electrician.
Why can't stuff just be easy?
You could fit a separate PIR sensor, but that would be a bit more work wiring it in.
Would let you adjust which way it is pointing, so it can turn on as soon as you open the door.

That’s what I did in our shed, as the wall switch had a tendency to arc in the damp atmosphere  and trip the RCD in the socket. Now it just stays switched on and the PIR does the business.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ham on 25 April, 2023, 09:08:24 pm
Quote from: Kim on 19 April, 2023, 12:09:29 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 19 April, 2023, 09:13:56 am
What does it do? Make muscles spasm?

Applies (by my maths) almost homeopathic levels of ultrasound to the fracture.  There's a 50% chance this is woo (research is ongoing), but it seems harmless and therefore worth trying.

Is this an alternative to Exogen? That was recommended by the specialist for Mrs Ham's ankle, post fusion of 4 joints last August. 3 healed ok, so is that a measure of success? Second op needed for the other in a week's time :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 25 April, 2023, 09:11:09 pm
Quote from: Ham on 25 April, 2023, 09:08:24 pm
Quote from: Kim on 19 April, 2023, 12:09:29 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 19 April, 2023, 09:13:56 am
What does it do? Make muscles spasm?

Applies (by my maths) almost homeopathic levels of ultrasound to the fracture.  There's a 50% chance this is woo (research is ongoing), but it seems harmless and therefore worth trying.

Is this an alternative to Exogen? That was recommended by the specialist for Mrs Ham's ankle, post fusion of 4 joints last August. 3 healed ok, so is that a measure of success? Second op needed for the other in a week's time :(

No, it's Exogen.  There was probably a rant about them failing to provide their service in a timely manner in another thread.

As of the last x-ray the fracture appears to be healing very slowly, for whatever that's worth.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ham on 25 April, 2023, 09:36:59 pm
Quote from: Kim on 25 April, 2023, 09:11:09 pm

Applies (by my maths) almost homeopathic levels of ultrasound to the fracture.  There's a 50% chance this is woo (research is ongoing), but it seems harmless and therefore worth trying.
Quote
No, it's Exogen

Yes, HOW LONG does that single charge last ?  ?  The answer is apparently about 100 hours (https://www.ultrasoundbonehealing.co.uk/using-exogen)...... However, a previous version of the machine claimed 5 hours on a single charge (https://www.exogen.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/81087030-Rev.-B-EXOGEN-User-Guide-LR_compressed.pdf) Hmmmm

Quote
There was probably a rant about them failing to provide their service in a timely manner in another thread.
Our process was smooth and - besides the cost - unremarkable

Quote
As of the last x-ray the fracture appears to be healing very slowly, for whatever that's worth.

Hope it ends up well in the end. There does seem to be some evidence for the benefit of ultrasound, but there's no meaningful research and each individual circumstance mitigates for uncertain outcome.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 25 April, 2023, 10:00:33 pm
I am attending a posh dinner later this week in parts foreign. Evening attire says the invite. What is this thing?

I find the suit because I have only one* and it's at the back of the wardrobe. It seems the Bad Cat had also made room for herself back there as it took thirty minutes to defuzz. Now it only smells vaguely of a creature who is in year fifteen of her entirely successful campaign to avoid bath time. Shoes, hmm, I had a pair of faintly smart shoes but they fell apart at my father's funeral probably because I bought them 2003 and wore them twice and the rubber soles had turned to frangible plastic that steadily disassembled through the event. I have some dark Converse. A tie, I've never owned, so less trouble there. I'll pass in uncivilized society. Packing is hard work, I can't believe I used to keep a 'ready bag' for this kind of thing.

*lie, I have a couple, I paid a nice man in Hong Kong bespoke. Very nice they were. But I was fat, then I wasn't, all in the time I never wore them. Now I can fit in them twice and have room for a friend.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 25 April, 2023, 10:09:16 pm
Quote from: Ham on 25 April, 2023, 09:36:59 pm
Quote from: Kim on 25 April, 2023, 09:11:09 pm

Applies (by my maths) almost homeopathic levels of ultrasound to the fracture.  There's a 50% chance this is woo (research is ongoing), but it seems harmless and therefore worth trying.
Quote
No, it's Exogen

Yes, HOW LONG does that single charge last ?  ?  The answer is apparently about 100 hours (https://www.ultrasoundbonehealing.co.uk/using-exogen)...... However, a previous version of the machine claimed 5 hours on a single charge (https://www.exogen.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/81087030-Rev.-B-EXOGEN-User-Guide-LR_compressed.pdf) Hmmmm

Looks like barakta has the older model. 

5 hours sounds on the optimistic side of about right.  Within an order of magnitude anyway.


Quote
Quote
There was probably a rant about them failing to provide their service in a timely manner in another thread.
Our process was smooth and - besides the cost - unremarkable

Usual NHS lacking the resources to keep their subcontractors in line problems, I think...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ham on 25 April, 2023, 10:19:08 pm
Quote from: Kim on 25 April, 2023, 10:09:16 pm

Usual NHS lacking the resources to keep their subcontractors in line problems, I think...

Ah. Congrats on getting it through the NHS, I suppose. This was a direct transaction, here's the price page for the new unit (https://www.ultrasoundbonehealing.co.uk/shop). Given the price tag there's little wonder it went more smoothly. We're fortunate to have private insurance through my work, they don't cover the cost of the unit.

Is it a shit world because you can buy betterer care, or a good one because ultimately it is available for those in real need? I actually tend to the latter.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 25 April, 2023, 11:46:54 pm
My Exogen is lucky if it does 5-6 zaps worth on a battery charge which is about 2 hours total (each zap cycle is 20mins).

While Cochrane and NICE were ambivalent, I'm guessing there must be something 'worth a try' for the NHS to fund it out of the ortho hospital. Weirdly my pelvis had much larger bone gaps which healed up no problem, it's just been this sodding femur.

I have finally got off my backside to chase the hip secretaries for my late-March appointment as their appointment organising seems to have died and require the patient to do all the chasing legwork. Hoping they'll say it's healed enough to go on the waiting list for metalwork out as we think that's the source of some of my remaining leg pain.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 26 April, 2023, 08:17:15 am
Netflix, having cancelled my account last week, do you really think that sending me an email every single day since saying that I can rejoin for the standard price is
a) going to change my mind, or
b) annoy me enough that I'll remove myself from your mailing lists and potentially miss something that would tempt me to rejoin for a while?

An email a month or so would be fine (like NowTV do), but this is just taking the mickey.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 27 April, 2023, 10:54:38 pm
I don’t believe that it is beyond the wit of engineers and designers to come up a toilet seat hinge design that is flexible enough to account for porcelain moulding errors yet stable enough once installed to not allow the seat to move. Why, therefore, do toilet manufacturers continue to provide such shittily designed hinges?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 27 April, 2023, 10:56:28 pm
Is there an amusing back story to this?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 27 April, 2023, 11:02:06 pm
I’m sorry to disappoint, but no backstory, amusing or otherwise. Just the new toilet pan I fitted recently came with those crappy cam adjustment design that just can’t actually work. I kind of accepted that on replacement seats, but on a new fresh out of the box bog, I’d kind of expected better.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 28 April, 2023, 07:57:13 am
Quote from: Beardy on 27 April, 2023, 10:54:38 pm
I don’t believe that it is beyond the wit of engineers and designers to come up a toilet seat hinge design that is flexible enough to account for porcelain moulding errors yet stable enough once installed to not allow the seat to move. Why, therefore, do toilet manufacturers continue to provide such shittily designed hinges?

Having just fitted a new pan/cistern and seat ("comfort height" - really great) I cobbled the fittings by a) fitting some rubber sleeving round the seat fixing bolts to keep them "centred" in the porcelain, and b) put a dab of clear silicone under the two discs that the bolts hold down  (The seat is the type that demounts from the fittings so fairly easy to effect my fix - so far there has been no movement)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 28 April, 2023, 04:54:57 pm
IME the best thing for a 'Euroflo' fitting type is those rubber cone shaped bungs being inserted underneath into the appropriate hole together with a stainless washer and wing nut be it 8 or 6mm. I gave up on detachable type lids after numerous incidences of loose fittings and sliding seat syndrome. For a time we also had those one way only fixings due to a hidden cistern which proved to becompletely useless. As to why the surface washers cannot be manufactured with a non degradable grippy material,  Deity knows. Self centering washers are available for kitchen taps so why not WCs?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Giraffe on 28 April, 2023, 05:25:43 pm
"fitting type is those rubber cone shaped bungs being inserted "
butt plugs, dear.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 28 April, 2023, 05:29:11 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 27 April, 2023, 11:02:06 pm
I’m sorry to disappoint, but no backstory, amusing or otherwise...

Chiz
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 01 May, 2023, 06:25:58 pm
Ah, so, new shoes. Like all thoroughly modern gentlemen, I purchase them online these days. Out of the box they come, hmm, look a bit well, worn. Glance at soles. Actual dirt from the outside world. I get that people try shoes on, that they don't fit and they return them. But these look like someone has worn them for a week or two, entered and run a tough mudder and then returned them. Grumble because I now have to faff about to return them and I like the colour, but I'm not keen to re-order them from the same vendor.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 03 May, 2023, 11:34:01 am
I can't find my folding camping mug  :(       I've got other receptacles to use, but they take up more room.   If I order another one you know what will happen....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 03 May, 2023, 01:06:50 pm
Danglemug time...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 03 May, 2023, 02:31:44 pm
Danglebugs, OTOH, are nasty large black insects that people the sun-baked canyons where roads cut through the maize-fields and hover in wait for car windscreens and striving cyclists' gaping cakeholes.  Don't forget the salt & pepper.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 03 May, 2023, 07:55:56 pm
Chewing gum. What is its purpose, other than for me to step in or otherwise adulterate my clothing with the foul stuff? That dread pavement suck as you lift your shoe. The experiment where you end up mixing toothpaste and peanut butter in an attempt to liberate a clump of the foul stuff from a jacket.

I've tried it. It tastes of mint for about two seconds then tastes of nothing. Did anyone in the entire history of mankind's engagement with chewing gum say 'gosh, I love to hear the sound of someone masticating' or 'you look great chewing, please do it some more.'

I'm broadly against the death sentence, but I think maybe in this case it would act as a suitable deterrent. #harshbutfair.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: campagman on 03 May, 2023, 08:58:15 pm
I've got some of that chewing gum that is supposed to clean your teeth. I think the idea is good and has some potential.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 03 May, 2023, 09:09:44 pm
That's probably a lie from Big Chewing Gum.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 03 May, 2023, 09:33:44 pm
Quote from: ian on 03 May, 2023, 07:55:56 pm
Did anyone in the entire history of mankind's engagement with chewing gum say 'gosh, I love to hear the sound of someone masticating' or 'you look great chewing, please do it some more.'

I have known people who habitually chewed gum in the belief that it made them look more attractive  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 03 May, 2023, 09:37:06 pm
Quote from: Pickled Onion on 03 May, 2023, 09:33:44 pm
Quote from: ian on 03 May, 2023, 07:55:56 pm
Did anyone in the entire history of mankind's engagement with chewing gum say 'gosh, I love to hear the sound of someone masticating' or 'you look great chewing, please do it some more.'

I have known people who habitually chewed gum in the belief that it made them look more attractive  ::-)

I was going to say, it's what teenagers who don't have the nerve to take up smoking do to look cool.  And the ones who do do in an attempt to mask the smell of smoking.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 04 May, 2023, 09:40:27 am
Quote from: Kim on 03 May, 2023, 09:37:06 pm
I was going to say, it's what teenagers who don't have the nerve to take up smoking do to look cool.  And the ones who do do in a failed attempt to mask the smell of smoking.
ITYM?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: orienteer on 04 May, 2023, 10:24:13 am
In the past have had tradesmen round to quote for some work. If they were chewing gum that's an immediate fail.

To me it's a sign of contempt.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 04 May, 2023, 10:52:36 am
Quote from: SoreTween on 04 May, 2023, 09:40:27 am
Quote from: Kim on 03 May, 2023, 09:37:06 pm
I was going to say, it's what teenagers who don't have the nerve to take up smoking do to look cool.  And the ones who do do in a failed attempt to mask the smell of smoking.
ITYM?

Indeed.  Smokers' idea of how the sense of smell works is painfully naive.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: onerousdeporte on 04 May, 2023, 05:04:57 pm
Why do chain reaction use EVRI?  Cos my parcel has been out for delivery for days and not made it to me.

Insult to injury is the texts and emails being sent to say the parcel delivery is running late and should be with me at 21...and the emails arrives at 22!

Planetx used to be terrible but now use fedex, and parcel arrived within time slot...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 04 May, 2023, 06:20:21 pm
Quote from: onerousdeporte on 04 May, 2023, 05:04:57 pm
Why do chain reaction use EVRI?  Cos my parcel has been out for delivery for days and not made it to me.

Insult to injury is the texts and emails being sent to say the parcel delivery is running late and should be with me at 21...and the emails arrives at 22!

Planetx used to be terrible but now use fedex, and parcel arrived within time slot...
The problem is that the recipient of the parcel is not the customer of the delivery company, the retailer is. As long as the carrier remains cheap and the retailer remains ignorant of the delivery issues no change will occur.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: onerousdeporte on 05 May, 2023, 01:19:46 am
Quote from: Beardy on 04 May, 2023, 06:20:21 pm
Quote from: onerousdeporte on 04 May, 2023, 05:04:57 pm
Why do chain reaction use EVRI?  Cos my parcel has been out for delivery for days and not made it to me.

Insult to injury is the texts and emails being sent to say the parcel delivery is running late and should be with me at 21...and the emails arrives at 22!

Planetx used to be terrible but now use fedex, and parcel arrived within time slot...
The problem is that the recipient of the parcel is not the customer of the delivery company, the retailer is. As long as the carrier remains cheap and the retailer remains ignorant of the delivery issues no change will occur.

Evri, is the new name for hermes.  Hermes were terrible, so how to improve the consumer perception...make the service better?  Of course not just change the name so the consumer doesn't know they are getiing hermes.  Worst bit is waiting and waiting then getting emails that the package won't be turning up an hour after the time slot.  Best one is the parcel was delivered then getting emails and texts about delays and tha package will be there tomorrow.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 05 May, 2023, 06:47:05 am
Quote from: onerousdeporte
Evri, is the new name for hermes.  Hermes were terrible...
Some of this may be down to individual couriers and how large a conurbation you live in.  Urban traffic plays merry hell with delivery schedules.  A lifetime ago I did exactly that sort of delivery work for Jenners and frequently got my ear bent for "late" deliveries* about which I could do bugger all but apologise, even though I came to know every rat-run and traffic avoiding short cut to the south side.  So heaven help a new bod in a big town with traffic volumes many, many times worse than they were 40 years ago.

Of course it would help if the parcel delivery companies didn't force their drivers to deliver unfeasibly large numbers of parcels in too short a time, but they have done this ever since parcel delivery wagons were bikes with a basket on the front.

By the by.  Many of MrsL's electronic mail-order purchases are delivered by Hervri, and the bloke who covers our patch out here in the sticks is almost never late.

*Even though there was no advertised delivery timetable.  Never mind, the customer is always right. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 05 May, 2023, 07:35:33 am
Quote from: TheLurker on 05 May, 2023, 06:47:05 am
Quote from: onerousdeporte
Evri, is the new name for hermes.  Hermes were terrible...
Some of this may be down to individual couriers and how large a conurbation you live in.  Urban traffic plays merry hell with delivery schedules.  A lifetime ago I did exactly that sort of delivery work for Jenners and frequently got my ear bent for "late" deliveries* about which I could do bugger all but apologise, even though I came to know every rat-run and traffic avoiding short cut to the south side.  So heaven help a new bod in a big town with traffic volumes many, many times worse than they were 40 years ago.

Of course it would help if the parcel delivery companies didn't force their drivers to deliver unfeasibly large numbers of parcels in too short a time, but they have done this ever since parcel delivery wagons were bikes with a basket on the front.

By the by.  Many of MrsL's electronic mail-order purchases are delivered by Hervri, and the bloke who covers our patch out here in the sticks is almost never late.

*Even though there was no advertised delivery timetable.  Never mind, the customer is always right.

Traffic congestion
That's it, and we all contribute to it.

It is notable that deliveries are frequently *early* on the islands, despite the distances. People buy a lot online here; the major couriers ship to a depot in Inverness, where a local islands courier takes over.

There is no traffic congestion and the deliveries are made, on time, by a driver with a smile.

I'd hate to be a delivery driver in any city. Must be one of the worst jobs imaginable. Underpaid and despised.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 05 May, 2023, 07:48:05 am
Trying to find a padlock to fit an equipment case. Why don't the manufacturers or even specialist websites make it easy to see from the specs what the shackle diameter is, and how long the straight bit of the shackle is? They typically just list the height between the highest point of the shackle and the body, plus the width of the lock without spending ages digging. Some do allow you to filter by shackle diameter, but I'm spending ages trying to find something I thought would takes seconds to sort out (it's a small Max case, so will only fit a 5mm shackle - which is somewhat limiting if trying to avoid Chinese locks only designed for use indoors - but also needs about 18mm straight on the shackle when closed, which is hard to see what does and doesn't have that without going to stupidly long ones). Think I've found a reasonable Abus one now, but it shouldn't have been this hard.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 06 May, 2023, 03:03:28 pm
Saturday: neighbour A mows his lawn, then neighbour B mows his lawn, then neighbour C mows his lawn, then neighbour D mows his lawn, then neighbour E mows his lawn, then neighbour F mows his lawn, then neighbour G mows his lawn...  I wish the buggers would synchronize and do them all at the same time.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 06 May, 2023, 08:40:21 pm
Quote from: onerousdeporte on 05 May, 2023, 01:19:46 am
Quote from: Beardy on 04 May, 2023, 06:20:21 pm
Quote from: onerousdeporte on 04 May, 2023, 05:04:57 pm
Why do chain reaction use EVRI?  Cos my parcel has been out for delivery for days and not made it to me.

Insult to injury is the texts and emails being sent to say the parcel delivery is running late and should be with me at 21...and the emails arrives at 22!

Planetx used to be terrible but now use fedex, and parcel arrived within time slot...
The problem is that the recipient of the parcel is not the customer of the delivery company, the retailer is. As long as the carrier remains cheap and the retailer remains ignorant of the delivery issues no change will occur.

Evri, is the new name for hermes.  Hermes were terrible, so how to improve the consumer perception...make the service better?  Of course not just change the name so the consumer doesn't know they are getiing hermes.  Worst bit is waiting and waiting then getting emails that the package won't be turning up an hour after the time slot.  Best one is the parcel was delivered then getting emails and texts about delays and tha package will be there tomorrow.

We always had good experience with Hermes. Cheery wife and husband team.

I must be old because I don’t nee pd everything I order delivered within 24h. Delayed gratification is better than no gratification.

That said my shoe sage continues, replacement pair is a week into Evri expecting. Let’s hope not the full nine months.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 06 May, 2023, 11:19:23 pm
Dear bands wot I would like to see live,

Please stop filling your calendar with festivals.  If I wished to listen to your music badly delivered1 whilst standing knee deep in mud & chinese takeaway, well, I'd have bought a bathtub full of chinese takeaway, packed a set of airline earpods and gone camping this weekend.  I hear Etherly farm is suitably moist.

What I seek is unadulterated you at your best delivered over an earsplitting sound system crafted by the finest sound engineers.  In the dry2.

Thanks.

So fuck the festivals right off and lets have more gigs.  Please.

1Probably perfectly well played and perfectly well electronically delivered to the speaker banks but with no roof on the place, soft to quagmire underfoot and an uncontrollable number of sound absorbing meatsacks in the field there really is feck all chance of good quality audio delivery.
2Squelchy carpets notwithstanding.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: sam on 07 May, 2023, 12:01:18 am
Quote from: SoreTween on 06 May, 2023, 11:19:23 pm
Dear bands wot I would like to see live,

Dear Meatsack,

Thank you for taking the time to contact us. Enclosed please find complimentary tickets to Quagmirefest '23, and a 25% off coupon for a new pair of wellies.

Regards,
The Band

(https://i.imgur.com/0vVHL9j.jpg)
source (https://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2013/jun/18/muddy-music-festivals-glastonbury-in-pictures)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 07 May, 2023, 06:14:58 am
Bloody dog with it being light early woke me up but then decided it was too wet out for a walk.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 07 May, 2023, 07:48:19 am
Quote from: sam on 07 May, 2023, 12:01:18 am
Dear Meatsack,

Thank you for taking the time to contact us. Enclosed please find complimentary tickets to Quagmirefest '23, and a 25% off coupon for a new pair of wellies.

Regards,
The Band

Thanks, I'll start packing. :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 07 May, 2023, 03:13:42 pm
Planet X/Plazma: Your compact twin headlight is very good value and easy to fit. I'm looking forward to checking out its performance. HOWEVER, for the time being I'd only be using it on flashing mode, as it's post-Equinox. You offer two flashing modes: 1) An epileptic fit-inducing one that will have all sufferers within a 500m range triggering; and 2) SOS. Now, not everyone recognises that morse code, but I do, and I'm not using it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: arabella on 07 May, 2023, 06:40:10 pm
Quote from: T42 on 06 May, 2023, 03:03:28 pm
Saturday: neighbour A mows his lawn, then neighbour B mows his lawn, then neighbour C mows his lawn, then neighbour D mows his lawn, then neighbour E mows his lawn, then neighbour F mows his lawn, then neighbour G mows his lawn...  I wish the buggers would synchronize and do them all at the same time.
I tried synchronising once.
The neighbour who was mowing his lawn stops.  Then starts up again after I'm done  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 07 May, 2023, 08:19:14 pm
Someone cheerfully strimming a lovely blooming verge, poppies and all. Her verge of course, but I think slamming on the brakes, reversing, and running her over was a proportionate response.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 09 May, 2023, 10:31:55 am
Spent a lovely weekend in South/Mid Wales in the camper, on some lovely sites. I'm quite happy to pay for car parks when we visit a village rather than being cheapskate and trying to find on-road parking; typically a pound an hour or so is fine.

So in Aberaeron, went to the public car park about 5pm on Sunday. Almost nothing in it, but the cafe is open so opportunity for an ice cream and a wander round for an hour. Went to the pay and display machine - £3:40 for 2 hours. Bit steep, but OK. Then saw that was for cars only. £6:80 for two hours for a car and caravan. For campers/vehicles converted for sleeping the only option is £9 for 24 hours. But you aren't allowed to actually sleep in them. WTF? We headed off elsewhere instead.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 10 May, 2023, 06:54:31 pm
The Germ Ridden Horrors Gorgeous Grandchildren have shared their cold with me. Again.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 10 May, 2023, 07:09:09 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 10 May, 2023, 06:54:31 pm
The Germ Ridden Horrors Gorgeous Grandchildren have shared their cold with me. Again.
Little vectors of disease is how they’re known in this household. They have also been known as transporters of mobile dandruff, but that seems to be less of a problem if you don’t have regular close contact with them.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 10 May, 2023, 08:14:18 pm
They appeared to be overfilled with snot and drool, such that it emerged at every turn.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Giraffe on 11 May, 2023, 06:02:22 pm
Don't let them pirouwet!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 12 May, 2023, 10:24:50 am
It's a beautiful morning and the air is full of sound of several petrol strimmers.
Seem No Mow May doesn't apply in Llandysul.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 12 May, 2023, 11:01:17 am
It’s shitvert season in Mr Zuckerberg’s Walled Garden again.  Fckles >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 12 May, 2023, 11:19:51 am
Quote from: Basil on 12 May, 2023, 10:24:50 am
It's a beautiful morning and the air is full of sound of several petrol strimmers.
Seem No Mow May doesn't apply in Llandysul.

It doesn't apply for most people unfortunately.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 12 May, 2023, 11:40:51 am
Splendid use of the town council's funds with a new sign here in Stratford-upon-Avon . . . just in case you can't see the ferry.

I'm surprised there isn't a second sign warning that there are couple of steps down to the landing stage

(https://i.ibb.co/jbZQ08g/chain-ferry.jpg)

That is metres, not miles
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ham on 12 May, 2023, 11:45:38 am
I'm surprised someone hasn't added the distance to Brian yet
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 12 May, 2023, 01:49:09 pm
I have had my photo taken at work. Unannounced. For the Organogram on the new! rebranded! website.

I'd've brushed my hair if I'd known. This 'do' is post-bike-post-swim-post-bike-straight-outta-bed FFS.

In other news- surely I'm not the only one who uses photos like this to, well, mock mercilessly the poor beggers in the pictures?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 12 May, 2023, 07:48:47 pm
Dear The BBC

Is the Eurovision Cheese Contest really the world’s most important news story today?

Me, I don’t think so.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 12 May, 2023, 07:53:51 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 12 May, 2023, 07:48:47 pm
Is the Eurovision Cheese Contest really the world’s most important news story today?

It seems to have been the most important news story since the coronation rain finished.

I was wondering why they were making so much fuss about it, but belatedly realised it's because the UK - and presumably therefore a decent chunk of the BBC itself - is responsible for hosting it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Diver300 on 12 May, 2023, 08:34:59 pm
Manufacturers of twin and earth cable, it's been over 50 years and a change of colours since the wiring regulations demanded sleeving on the earth wires, so why isn't it built into the cables. The extra faffing that the loose bits of sleeving adds would be removed, making the marginal extra cost worthwhile.

Professional electrician who has done some wiring on my house, it was only 3 lights and a fan in the bathroom, with a single pull-cord switch. The fan needs permanent power as well as switched. There's a shaver socket as well, and cable from the fuseboard and a cable leading to the bedroom lights. Nothing too difficult, but you managed to connect switched power to both connections on the fan, use three 4-way junction boxes when two would have been fine, not use the cable clamps in the junction boxes correctly, loose a screw from the lid of a junction box, fit a single terminal block to extend a wire inside a junction box instead of stripping a bit more sheathing (in two places) and join two earth wires by twisting only, hiding the evidence inside the earth sleeving.

I realise that I am under qualified* to comment on someone who does wiring for a living and has the part P training.

*Electronic engineering degree
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 12 May, 2023, 08:56:56 pm
Quote from: L CC on 12 May, 2023, 01:49:09 pm
I have had my photo taken at work. Unannounced. For the Organogram on the new! rebranded! website.

I'd've brushed my hair if I'd known. This 'do' is post-bike-post-swim-post-bike-straight-outta-bed FFS.

In other news- surely I'm not the only one who uses photos like this to, well, mock mercilessly the poor beggers in the pictures?

One of my minion's headshots looks the Darren/MODOK from Antman, so I 'shopped him into the actual thing and added him to the org-chart. It's still amusing other people several months later. I do my bit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 12 May, 2023, 09:24:51 pm
Quote from: Diver300 on 12 May, 2023, 08:34:59 pm
Manufacturers of twin and earth cable, it's been over 50 years and a change of colours since the wiring regulations demanded sleeving on the earth wires, so why isn't it built into the cables.

But then you wouldn't be able to strip the outer jacket by pulling on the earth like the bit of string from a tub of Laughing Cow cheese.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: onerousdeporte on 12 May, 2023, 10:29:01 pm
Quote from: ian on 06 May, 2023, 08:40:21 pm
Quote from: onerousdeporte on 05 May, 2023, 01:19:46 am
Quote from: Beardy on 04 May, 2023, 06:20:21 pm
Quote from: onerousdeporte on 04 May, 2023, 05:04:57 pm
Why do chain reaction use EVRI?  Cos my parcel has been out for delivery for days and not made it to me.

Insult to injury is the texts and emails being sent to say the parcel delivery is running late and should be with me at 21...and the emails arrives at 22!

Planetx used to be terrible but now use fedex, and parcel arrived within time slot...
The problem is that the recipient of the parcel is not the customer of the delivery company, the retailer is. As long as the carrier remains cheap and the retailer remains ignorant of the delivery issues no change will occur.

Evri, is the new name for hermes.  Hermes were terrible, so how to improve the consumer perception...make the service better?  Of course not just change the name so the consumer doesn't know they are getiing hermes.  Worst bit is waiting and waiting then getting emails that the package won't be turning up an hour after the time slot.  Best one is the parcel was delivered then getting emails and texts about delays and tha package will be there tomorrow.

We always had good experience with Hermes. Cheery wife and husband team.

I must be old because I don’t nee pd everything I order delivered within 24h. Delayed gratification is better than no gratification.

That said my shoe sage continues, replacement pair is a week into Evri expecting. Let’s hope not the full nine months.

Think that I'm not explaining myself well, the issue isn't the speed of delivery.  The issue is getting a delivery slot time and no delivery, and the text/email that the parcel won't be delivered an hour after the delivery slot has passed, along with the text/email that the delivery is running late.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 13 May, 2023, 07:27:19 am
Quote from: Kim on 12 May, 2023, 09:24:51 pm
Quote from: Diver300 on 12 May, 2023, 08:34:59 pm
Manufacturers of twin and earth cable, it's been over 50 years and a change of colours since the wiring regulations demanded sleeving on the earth wires, so why isn't it built into the cables.

But then you wouldn't be able to strip the outer jacket by pulling on the earth like the bit of string from a tub of Laughing Cow cheese.

Indeed - pulling the earth wire is a very satisfying action . . .  and I guess that sheathing the complete earth wire core would substantially increase the size of the cable and its weight/volume of plastic.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Flite on 13 May, 2023, 08:23:50 am
Quote
We always had good experience with Hermes.

Same applies up here in the Pennines.
Local drivers who know the roads and their customers, and stay in the job long-term.
Safe place to leave parcels is perhaps less of a problem in a rural area as well.
It's a system that works well in a rural location like ours, where delays on the road are perhaps less likely.
In one local area, the drivers post on fb if they think there will be delays (usually at the collection depot).
And when it snows, we all know about it....

I appreciate that in urban areas it must be a lot more difficult to predict times, and to keep staff long enough for them get good at the job.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 13 May, 2023, 11:58:49 am
Quote from: robgul on 13 May, 2023, 07:27:19 am
Quote from: Kim on 12 May, 2023, 09:24:51 pm
Quote from: Diver300 on 12 May, 2023, 08:34:59 pm
Manufacturers of twin and earth cable, it's been over 50 years and a change of colours since the wiring regulations demanded sleeving on the earth wires, so why isn't it built into the cables.

But then you wouldn't be able to strip the outer jacket by pulling on the earth like the bit of string from a tub of Laughing Cow cheese.

Indeed - pulling the earth wire is a very satisfying action . . .  and I guess that sheathing the complete earth wire core would substantially increase the size of the cable and its weight/volume of plastic.

To be fair, some of the FOREIGNS in ABROAD seem to manage.  Makes the cable look weird and flat to BRITISH eyes.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 16 May, 2023, 10:05:58 am
Buggered my lower back lifting the eBrute onto the workstand.  Sod's Law says that once you're old enough to need an eBike you'll be too decrepit to lift it with impunity.  T42's propositional identity suggests that as bike is to workstand so electric bike is to electric workstand.  T42's propositional consequence is that the bloody thing'll cost more than the bike.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Ham on 16 May, 2023, 10:19:21 am
Quote from: Kim on 13 May, 2023, 11:58:49 am
Quote from: robgul on 13 May, 2023, 07:27:19 am
Quote from: Kim on 12 May, 2023, 09:24:51 pm
Quote from: Diver300 on 12 May, 2023, 08:34:59 pm
Manufacturers of twin and earth cable, it's been over 50 years and a change of colours since the wiring regulations demanded sleeving on the earth wires, so why isn't it built into the cables.

But then you wouldn't be able to strip the outer jacket by pulling on the earth like the bit of string from a tub of Laughing Cow cheese.

Indeed - pulling the earth wire is a very satisfying action . . .  and I guess that sheathing the complete earth wire core would substantially increase the size of the cable and its weight/volume of plastic.

To be fair, some of the FOREIGNS in ABROAD seem to manage.  Makes the cable look weird and flat to BRITISH eyes.

I'm pretty certain I've heard from a RELIABE source (Teh Internets)  that under the latest regulations earth wire will be covered (and the same gauge) ?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 16 May, 2023, 10:33:59 am
It's already possible to buy a T&E with an insulated earth.

https://www.meteorelectrical.com/cables-accessories/cable/6193y-2-5mm-twin-insulated-earth-blue-brown-cable-100m.html

Note that it says "Insulated earth so meet regulations in Ireland".
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 16 May, 2023, 11:14:56 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 12 May, 2023, 07:48:47 pm
Dear The BBC

Is the Eurovision Cheese Contest really the world’s most important news story today?

Me, I don’t think so.

If only it were. MmmmmMMMmmm cheeeeeeese. You Tubey cheeeeese compo (https://youtu.be/YWDbzkHc4go)


Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 16 May, 2023, 03:11:05 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 16 May, 2023, 10:33:59 am
It's already possible to buy a T&E with an insulated earth.

https://www.meteorelectrical.com/cables-accessories/cable/6193y-2-5mm-twin-insulated-earth-blue-brown-cable-100m.html

Note that it says "Insulated earth so meet regulations in Ireland".

The comment about colours of cables - and the partial change from black/red to blue/brown over the decades reminded me of my ex-wife's thought years ago that the earth wire should be brown!  [She's not ex for reasons of electricity confusion  ;D  ]
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 16 May, 2023, 10:38:29 pm
It's first cut time.  Hay makers charging through.  Probably till very late judging by those FO search lights they have fitted these days.
Grump.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Flite on 17 May, 2023, 09:20:57 am
Quote
the earth wire should be brown!

She's not the only one!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rogerzilla on 17 May, 2023, 09:28:15 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 12 May, 2023, 07:48:47 pm
Dear The BBC

Is the Eurovision Cheese Contest really the world’s most important news story today?

Me, I don’t think so.
That. Is. A. Disgrace.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 17 May, 2023, 12:44:23 pm
Quote from: Flite on 17 May, 2023, 09:20:57 am
Quote
the earth wire should be brown!

She's not the only one!

Whoever builds Vauxhalls would appear to agree.  I've nearly released the magic smoke because of that (at which point I saw sense and obtained a wiring diagram, where you merely had to think in German).  The great thing about standards is there are so many to choose from.

TBH, it's the black wires that throw me.  By rights they should be the ones with the least electricity on them, so mains wiring going from black meaning neutral to black meaning live just seems arsebackwards.  See also: Leftpondians.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 17 May, 2023, 12:59:39 pm
Huh? The live wire is brown isn't it? And not just in the UK. Is this a Kim colour-blindness thing? Or a Vauxhall thing? Or has everything changed again post-Brexit (because sovereignty so now we can electrocute ourselves)?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 17 May, 2023, 01:06:27 pm
UK wiring (old):

BLACK: Neutral
RED: Live1
YELLOW: Live2
BLUE: Live3
GREEN/YELLOW: Earth


UK Wiring (new, EU-harmonised):

BLUE: Neutral
BROWN: Live1
BLACK: Live2
GREY: Live3
GREEN/YELLOW: Earth


Leftpondians:
WHITE: Neutral
BLACK: Live1
RED: Live2
BLUE: Live3
GREEN: Earth


Any sane car:
BLACK: Chassis ground (battery negative)
RED: Battery positive
YELLOW: Positive when ignition on


Vauxhall:
BROWN: Chassis ground (battery negative)
BLACK: Battery positive
I've recycled the neurons after that, but by that point you're swearing in German and buzzing things out with a multimeter anyway.


(This list is not exhaustive, and it's the official colours, not Kim-vision)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 17 May, 2023, 01:12:52 pm
Ooh, I've never had to deal with more than one live. It's enough dealing with one life let alone several lives!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 17 May, 2023, 01:16:07 pm
Three-phase is pretty much never seen domestically in the UK (it's more common in ABROAD), though it may become a thing on new builds, because electric cars.

You do occasionally encounter cable designed for three-phase applications in situations where you need extra switched lives for something.  Extractor fans, central heating, etc.  Or when armoured cable that's only available in the three-phase colours is used.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 17 May, 2023, 01:18:40 pm
FiL had three-phase to his shed, to run his welder at appropriate voltage. But also he was an electrician. In fact, he must have gone directly from no domestic electricity to three-phase.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 17 May, 2023, 01:24:24 pm
My grandmother's house had a three-phase cut-out, but only a single-phase meter installed.  Seemed eminently sensible.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Auntie Helen on 17 May, 2023, 01:52:25 pm
We are three phase here in this house in Germany but I can’t say I notice anything special.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 17 May, 2023, 01:53:46 pm
Meanwhile, going back a bit, Brown= live in plugs/on appliance flexes, along with blue for neutral and green & yellow for earth.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 17 May, 2023, 01:57:30 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 17 May, 2023, 01:53:46 pm
Meanwhile, going back a bit, Brown= live in plugs/on appliance flexes, along with blue for neutral and green & yellow for earth.

Yes, that used to be the case even under the old wiring colours, which was odd.  I assume appliances got harmonised earlier.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 17 May, 2023, 02:30:36 pm
Blimey thoubut, motor insurance seems to have gone up. The meerkat is returning quotes that are in line with the 33% hike in my renewal notice.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 17 May, 2023, 02:33:05 pm
Quote from: Auntie Helen on 17 May, 2023, 01:52:25 pm
We are three phase here in this house in Germany but I can’t say I notice anything special.

You generally wouldn't, unless you want to plug in a Turbo Nutter Bastard 5000 welder, or stick your fingers in sockets on different sides of the house at the same time in a Mr Tickle style.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 17 May, 2023, 05:30:25 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 17 May, 2023, 02:30:36 pm
Blimey thoubut, motor insurance seems to have gone up. The meerkat is returning quotes that are in line with the 33% hike in my renewal notice.

Yep, mine was well up this year across the board. My wife’s, however, I got for the same price, with a different provider.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 17 May, 2023, 06:23:46 pm
As said elsewhere I've not owned a car for over 23 years.    I've just run an imaginary quote through Swinton using a car pulled from Autotrader. 


£1688 based on a 2009 Nissan Note priced at £2,265.  That's fully comp with my sister as a named driver.  TPFT was considerably more !  :jurek:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 17 May, 2023, 06:42:02 pm
TPFT is only for the feckless poor, hence being more that comp.  £1700 isn’t bad with no NCD and no insurance history.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Diver300 on 17 May, 2023, 06:51:57 pm
Quote from: Kim on 17 May, 2023, 01:06:27 pm
UK wiring (old):

BLACK: Neutral
RED: Live1
YELLOW: Live2
BLUE: Live3
GREEN/YELLOW: Earth


UK Wiring (new, EU-harmonised):

BLUE: Neutral
BROWN: Live1
BLACK: Live2
GREY: Live3
GREEN/YELLOW: Earth


Leftpondians:
WHITE: Neutral
BLACK: Live1
RED: Live2
BLUE: Live3
GREEN: Earth


Any sane car:
BLACK: Chassis ground (battery negative)
RED: Battery positive
YELLOW: Positive when ignition on


Vauxhall:
BROWN: Chassis ground (battery negative)
BLACK: Battery positive
I've recycled the neurons after that, but by that point you're swearing in German and buzzing things out with a multimeter anyway.


(This list is not exhaustive, and it's the official colours, not Kim-vision)

In the doors of some cars:-
Black:- ground
Black:- battery +ve
Black:- anything else

supposedly for security.

The "black = security" breaks down when the obviously added on as an afterthought pair of black wires can be easily traced.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Diver300 on 17 May, 2023, 06:54:39 pm
Quote from: Auntie Helen on 17 May, 2023, 01:52:25 pm
We are three phase here in this house in Germany but I can’t say I notice anything special.
The VW e-UP! will only charge at 3.6 kW instead of the rated 7.2 kW because we've had to cheek to charge it not in ze fatherland on single phase electricity.

It only uses 2 of the 3 phases and will charge on 3.6 kW on each.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 17 May, 2023, 07:11:14 pm
Quote from: Diver300 on 17 May, 2023, 06:54:39 pm
The VW e-UP! will only charge at 3.6 kW instead of the rated 7.2 kW because we've had to cheek to charge it not in ze fatherland on single phase electricity.
It only uses 2 of the 3 phases and will charge on 3.6 kW on each.

Eeeew! Nasty, eh? Lumpity-Lump goes the phase load balancing...

Wonder if it can be fooled by simply jumpering a single phase supply to all phases, and letting it draw 7.2 kW from the single phase.
My oven has that option: there are 3 live input terminals where the cable comes in, but for UK spec, they just have a jumper between them all.
Or if it checks for the 120 degree phase shift to stop such shenanigans.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 17 May, 2023, 07:32:06 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 17 May, 2023, 02:30:36 pm
Blimey thoubut, motor insurance seems to have gone up. The meerkat is returning quotes that are in line with the 33% hike in my renewal notice.

My quote this month was up >50% on last year. So I looked around for quotes, and got on to the chatbot to tell it I wasn't renewing.

CB: I'm so sad. Tell me your other quote and I'll beat it!
Pickles: £119
CB: . o 0
CB: Great News!!!
CB: I can knock £50 off our quote!!!
CB: Shall I go ahead and process your renewal at £255?
Pickles: No.
CB: Awww, why not???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Diver300 on 17 May, 2023, 08:39:28 pm
Quote from: Feanor on 17 May, 2023, 07:11:14 pm
Quote from: Diver300 on 17 May, 2023, 06:54:39 pm
The VW e-UP! will only charge at 3.6 kW instead of the rated 7.2 kW because we've had to cheek to charge it not in ze fatherland on single phase electricity.
It only uses 2 of the 3 phases and will charge on 3.6 kW on each.

Eeeew! Nasty, eh? Lumpity-Lump goes the phase load balancing...

Wonder if it can be fooled by simply jumpering a single phase supply to all phases, and letting it draw 7.2 kW from the single phase.
My oven has that option: there are 3 live input terminals where the cable comes in, but for UK spec, they just have a jumper between them all.
Or if it checks for the 120 degree phase shift to stop such shenanigans.

3.6 kW on each of 2 phases at 230 V is 15.6 A in each phase and also 15.6 A in the neutral. It is a lot more even than 7.2 kW of charging (or a shower or whatever) on a single phase which is 31.2 A in both live and neutral.

On that point, we haven't tried putting a single phase onto both live inputs of the e-UP! as that would put double the design current through the neutral conductor, so four times the heating, which doesn't sound like a good idea, on a bit of cable that would cost £££££ to change.

The battery on the car is only 32 kW, so a full charge is 4.4 hours on 7.2 kW or 8.8 hours on 3.6 kW, so either is too long to sit and wait for and both are less than an overnight, so there's no real-world advantage for home charging on that car by going up to 7.2 kW.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 18 May, 2023, 09:25:24 am
Bah.  I've been planning a not too ambitious tour for the upcoming BH weekend taking in the Heart of Wales line on the Sunday afternoon.  They've just announced bustitution Ammanford to Llandrindod so that's the weekend bolloxed :-(

Need a new plan.

(Gumble rather than rant as I recognise that shit gotta be done and I was making my final check before booking accommodation)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 18 May, 2023, 10:31:28 am
So my blood test appointment today is at 14:35, no?

(Checks confirmation e-mail)

No.  No, it is at 16:25.  And the accompanying form says “Fasting”.  Bugger.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 19 May, 2023, 09:18:47 am
Perhaps a criticism rather than a grumble . . .

I needed to change my British Cycling membership email address . . .   you can't do that online from your "dashboard" (in this day and age that's strange) - tried to message with the form, that crashed the system.

Phoned and spoke to someone - explained what I wanted to do - "What's your number?" - gave that - "What do you want to change email to?" - gave that . . .  no checking, ID validation etc .  Seems a bit lax to me.


By contrast, today I needed to change my details at an organisation familliar to Mr Zilla and had to go through about 4 steps with my card/card reader - a comforting process  :thumbsup:

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 19 May, 2023, 06:20:44 pm
A couple of minutes walk from us a new supermarket has been built. We've put up with road closures since before Christmas (!), traffic going through our estate as the only way to avoid a several mile diversion etc.
But it is now open. So for the first time I walked over there to grab some food for tonight. Except I couldn't find a way to walk in. There is no pedestrian access from the side that faces the village. There is from the adjacent side on the main road, about as far as you can get from the older housing where I live as possible. And you can't get to that without walking the wrong way around a rounabout and crossing three busy roads to get back to pretty much where you started as the pavement is closed.
So the only way to get there on foot without a long and irritating walk is to go down the curved car access road into the car park, where there are no pavements so you are literally walking in the middle of the road.

Brilliant bit of design there, and way to go to encourage locals to walk rather than drive.   >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SteveC on 19 May, 2023, 06:32:36 pm
Our local Asda was similar. There was a pedestrian way in, but it was a long way from our office and the housing around it. The problem was eventually solved by repeatedly tearing down a bit of fence until they saw sense and put in a second pedestrian only entrance.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 20 May, 2023, 08:33:08 am
I spent 3 hours on my hands & knees yesterday, pulling up weeds in the parental garden.   Now I'm sneezing & my nose is running.  Pah!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 20 May, 2023, 09:47:48 am
Supermarkets don't want people walking there.  You can't carry enough shopping away with you for them to make a tasty profit on you.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 20 May, 2023, 10:04:49 am
Quote from: andrewc on 20 May, 2023, 08:33:08 am
I spent 3 hours on my hands & knees yesterday, pulling up weeds in the parental garden.   Now I'm sneezing & my nose is running.  Pah!

Put your foot on it.  As me da used to say.

Nah, sympathy: I was besnotted then bunged up for hours earlier this year after riding through a short stretch of forest.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 20 May, 2023, 04:36:34 pm
Quote from: SteveC on 19 May, 2023, 06:32:36 pm
Our local Asda was similar. There was a pedestrian way in, but it was a long way from our office and the housing around it. The problem was eventually solved by repeatedly tearing down a bit of fence until they saw sense and put in a second pedestrian only entrance.
Sometimes direct action is the only way.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 20 May, 2023, 10:50:44 pm
How hard is it to get a certificate to say you can work on domestic electrics / plumbing? (Without upsetting the inswerants or solicitors when we sell.)
I had a plumber round today, who didn’t seem to understand the difference between a flow control (basically a tap, on a cheap electric shower) and a thermostat - or at least claimed that what we have is a thermostat when it patently isn’t. He also needed reminded to come and see us. The previous one just seemed untrustworthy. I could have replaced the shower in the time I’ve spent trying to sort out a tradesman.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 21 May, 2023, 10:24:23 am
Maybe things have changed, but it used just to be “a competent person” rather than a formally required certificate. Which meant I did my own.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 21 May, 2023, 12:24:53 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 21 May, 2023, 10:24:23 am
Maybe things have changed, but it used just to be “a competent person” rather than a formally required certificate. Which meant I did my own.
Unfortunately, in this case a competent person has a specific legal interpretation which does not include a homeowner of competence.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 21 May, 2023, 08:19:08 pm
I'm fairly sure you can work on the plumbing whether you're competent or not (in either sense of the word).

For electrical works, you can diy if you get someone with the correct certification to sign it off for you. Personally I'd be happy changing an existing fitting like-for-like on the basis that no-one will ever know (assuming I'm not cack-handed enough to burn the house down) but would get actual alterations to the wiring signed off.

For gas, I'm not sure, but ISTR someone OTP (MrCharly?) has posted about doing similar to the above, getting sign-off from a registered gas fitter.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 21 May, 2023, 09:17:30 pm
I had a look, and I think that where electricity meets water (a power shower) there’s a higher expectation than simple stuff like changing a light fitting. I’ve done basic plumbing and changes to wiring before.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 21 May, 2023, 09:43:46 pm
From recollection for DIY plumbing for water and waste is unregulated, all gas requires registered fitter sign-off and electricity is mixed. You can change sockets, light fittings nad the like (because, as you say no would know anyway) but alterations and additions to circuits have to be signed off by a registered person.

For the regulations, a competent person is a qualified, registered and regularly checked tradesperson. Of course, part P makes a mockery of all of it all.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 21 May, 2023, 10:11:29 pm
If you're working on gas for money, you need to be on the Gas Safe register. If you're DIYing, you merely need to be "competent" - which is carefully undefined in the legislation (though my working assumption is that if something goes bang, the courts will assume you weren't).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 21 May, 2023, 11:07:09 pm
Quote from: jsabine on 21 May, 2023, 10:11:29 pm
If you're working on gas for money, you need to be on the Gas Safe register. If you're DIYing, you merely need to be "competent" - which is carefully undefined in the legislation (though my working assumption is that if something goes bang, the courts will assume you weren't).
I’m sorry jas but a ‘competent person’ is very clearly defined by the HSE
 
Quote
A competent person is someone who has sufficient training and experience or knowledge and other qualities that allow them to assist you properly. The level of competence required will depend on the complexity of the situation and the particular help you need

It’s nice to think that a competent person is someone with sufficient intelligence and common sense, but in this regard it isn’t.

That said, it’ll be a cold day in hell before I allow a tradesman to undertake work,I considered myself capable of. My lack,of faith in the same is only reinforced every time I feel obliged to  allow one of them into my home.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 21 May, 2023, 11:43:43 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 21 May, 2023, 11:07:09 pm
a ‘competent person’ is very clearly defined by the HSE
 
Quote
A competent person is someone who has sufficient training and experience or knowledge and other qualities that allow them to assist you properly. The level of competence required will depend on the complexity of the situation and the particular help you need

A competent person has sufficient qualities to do the job competently?

Like I said, carefully undefined - that "definition" is so circular it might as well be the Life of Pi.

Quote
It’s nice to think that a competent person is someone with sufficient intelligence and common sense, but in this regard it isn’t.

Meh. If you've got enough intelligence and common sense to read and interpret the standards and seek advice when you're unsure, and the skills to do the work properly, then I struggle to see how that's an insufficiency of "knowledge and other qualities"
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 22 May, 2023, 06:11:18 am
Umm Dunning Krueger effect?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 22 May, 2023, 07:47:45 am
In our club we used to have a chap who was renowned for being thick, deaf and stubborn.  I ran into him yesterday at a local event. He was interested in my bike motor so I explained it to him.  He then says "you home tomorrow?"  I nod.   "I'll be round at 10 to see it" and was utterly unstickable.  O horror, horror, horror.

Well he's not getting a coffee.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 22 May, 2023, 08:20:55 am
Quote from: Beardy on 21 May, 2023, 11:07:09 pm
I’m sorry jas but a ‘competent person’ is very clearly defined by the HSE
For DIY work in your own home, the HSE doesn't come into it.

Domestic premises are exempt from HSE legislation for work you do yourself.

A contractor working on your premises does fall under their scope, however, since they are 'at work'.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 22 May, 2023, 10:51:36 am
I've done quite a bit of gas work on my boats (replumbed the gas piping on 3 boats). If the boats aren't residential, then this doesn't need to be done by a gas safe engineer (just like caravans). Our boats were residential, however we had BSC inspections done by a surveyor who was a pedant on the gas pipework, appliances and fittings. Said he'd had to give evidence on gas explosions too many times.

Never had an issue with my gas work.

House stuff - I've redone pipework for mains gas (moved a stove), then had a certified engineer test it. Oh, and repaired a combi boiler. In current house I've plumbed in the gas cooker to bottled gas. MrsC then looked it over. She worked for British Gas and is paranoid about gas leaks.

Much of gas work is common sense, regulations are there for a reason and it is easy to test. Well worth reading the regs.

I think electrics are more difficult to test and much more complex.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 22 May, 2023, 11:33:06 am
Quote from: T42 on 22 May, 2023, 07:47:45 am
In our club we used to have a chap who was renowned for being thick, deaf and stubborn.  I ran into him yesterday at a local event. He was interested in my bike motor so I explained it to him.  He then says "you home tomorrow?"  I nod.   "I'll be round at 10 to see it" and was utterly unstickable.  O horror, horror, horror.

Well he's not getting a coffee.

Well. he's been and gone.  Had to explain everything 4 or 5 times and ended up promising to help him fit one if & when.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 22 May, 2023, 01:33:28 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 22 May, 2023, 10:51:36 am
I think electrics are more difficult to test and much more complex.

I think that's true.  Stuff that flows in pipes is mostly about it  a) not leaking  and  b) delivering enough flow,  both of which are intuitive enough to troubleshoot, and easily avoided by competent use of the appropriate fittings.

Electricity is more subtle, and it's entirely possible to cock things up in a way that never poses a danger in practice, until either the use-case changes (hence all those tales of woe with 13A EV chargers) or some other fault occurs.  The regulations are more of a moving target, too.

That said, I think it's too easy to fixate on the safety of permanent electrical installations.  There isn't an epidemic of electrocutions due to non-compliant bathroom installations (which would be considered normal and ordinary in most of the world) or fires due to split ring mains.  The real risk is from appliances that are either shoddy by design or unsafe through wear and tear, but you don't employ tradespeople to purchase those.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 22 May, 2023, 01:53:07 pm
One such risk an electrician chum noticed recently was a power lead of inadequate gauge for the rated current of the heater it came with.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 22 May, 2023, 03:05:52 pm
Quote from: T42 on 22 May, 2023, 01:53:07 pm
One such risk an electrician chum noticed recently was a power lead of inadequate gauge for the rated current of the heater it came with.

Power leads have been shrinkflating for a while.  Used to be that a kettle or heater would come with some sturdy 2.5mm.

Obviously the Chinese knock-off manufacturers take this to another level with CCA and/or misleadingly thick insulation[1], particularly on IEC 'kettle' leads which they assume will be used to power some low-current computing device where it won't be a problem.


[1] Which I recently learned was also standard practice among manufacturers of Leftpondian extension leads, albeit with small print warning of the current rating (but, obviously, no fuse to enforce it).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 22 May, 2023, 04:38:03 pm
They probably reckon that kettle flexes won't melt before the kettle boils.  Heaters, though...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 22 May, 2023, 04:49:06 pm
Meanwhile, I just realized that the flashy overhead effects are not due to lightning but a quarter of my last remaining LED striplight turning on and off of its own accord. Rats.

Oh well, at least there's none of that "maybe it's the starter" havering.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 23 May, 2023, 07:24:04 pm
I got a letter today about some planned roadworks on the A27 near me.
The roadworks finished on 20th.
The letter was posted on 10th, in darkest Kent (Maidstone).
I’m not sure why they’re spending money on letters, and even less sure why they’re spending money with the Royal Mail when the service is this shitty.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 23 May, 2023, 08:32:30 pm
Was it actually posted on the 10th or just dated then?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 23 May, 2023, 09:33:27 pm
The garden looks like it's five months into No Mow May and the gardeners, I assume, have become bear snacks. Or they will, because the workshy fuckers have yet to turn up or call us back, which I guess means they don't want to do the garden but in that passive British way, they won't tell us that, they'll just agree to call back (never).

I didn't like them anyway, since they had trouble discerning between the actual garden plants and the not actual garden plants (aka weeds), which I think is an essential skill for a gardener. Also, they would often leave having half done the garden. It's really not our problem if you didn't leave enough time before your next job. I guess we nagged them once too often. Or I'll find bones in a couple of months' time and feel bad. The bears are hungry this kind of year. Or maybe they went to the top and the yeti got them. I warned them. Beware the pampas grass.

Where now in the stage of ringing others to have them not call back. Ironically, the one that did ring back, did so to cheerfully tell us he's moved back to Poland, thanks.

I did think the bear had eaten the last window cleaner, but it turned out he'd simply given up window cleaning to take up smoking dope full time.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 23 May, 2023, 09:39:40 pm
Our garden is more than 5 years into No Mow May.  It's absolutely bouncing with wildlife at the moment.  I found myself on a bit of an expedition to find the garden shed at the far end earlier in the week.  It's amazing and wonderful.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 23 May, 2023, 09:48:35 pm
We do purposefully leave some of it wild (estate agents would optimistically describe it as a 'cottage garden', which they did when we brought it, and it featured wrist-thick brambles that tried to get into the house to strangle us while we slept) and I'm deliberately withholding the strimmer till the flowers have gone, but there's stuff that needs doing like trimming the conifers out front and battling some of those brambles before they achieve malefic sentience again. One of my annoyances with the previous gardeners was their senseless mowing and pointless leaf-blowing. Not to mention removing plants for no good reason. I mean, try asking, we're literally in the house.

It's pretty cool out there at the moment, we have a family of foxes that provide regular entertainment (a mother and four cubs) bouncing around the top lawn.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 23 May, 2023, 09:59:35 pm
We’ve not seen the foxes or the deer since the begging of no mow May, but that’s probably becasue we can’t see over the tall grass to the bottom of the garden whey they frolic. We need an upstairs window in the back of the house really.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 23 May, 2023, 10:22:50 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 23 May, 2023, 08:32:30 pm
Was it actually posted on the 10th or just dated then?
Dated then. But as the information was time sensitive, it seems reasonable to assume it was posted on 10th or 11th. If they’d posted it as they unloaded the traffic cones it’d still be late arriving today. There was also a letter from the bank triggered by the base rate change on 11th, and a card that should have arrived on 14th / 15th.

I might email cc our MP suggesting they ask for a refund of the postage for the whole lot. I presume this was paid for with tax.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 24 May, 2023, 02:38:21 am
Quote from: Polar Bear on 20 May, 2023, 09:47:48 am
Supermarkets don't want people walking there.  You can't carry enough shopping away with you for them to make a tasty profit on you.

I was quite happy to pu 20kg groceries in my back pack and Mum does that with a trolley.

Mum likes high end fruit & veg, which aren't too good in supermarkets, mind.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 24 May, 2023, 02:25:54 pm
You’d think that after nearly 50 years of it, I’d at least be used to being a sweaty blob after any amount of activity. I’ve just mowed the front lawn and now literally have sweat running down my face and body. Yuck. It’d be easy to blame my corpulence for the excess of leakage, but it was ever thus, (since puberty) and sweat was an irritant even when I was at my flying weight.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 24 May, 2023, 05:34:48 pm
I've had that problem since well before puberty.  It's more annoying in the winter, on account of how hard it is to stay warm in wet clothing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 25 May, 2023, 01:24:09 pm
At 1.19pm today I received an email telling me that a parcel was due to be delivered by 1.02pm. I know it's only meant to be a rough estimate but what's the point of saying anything more than "today"?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 25 May, 2023, 01:29:23 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 25 May, 2023, 01:24:09 pm
At 1.19pm today I received an email telling me that a parcel was due to be delivered by 1.02pm. I know it's only meant to be a rough estimate but what's the point of saying anything more than "today"?

Either it's lazy programming (rounding to something human-reasonable would be an extra step) or it's psychology.  AIUI if you give someone an appointment for 14:28 they're more likely to turn up on time than if it's 14:30, for example.  But similarly, if you give someone an estimated delivery time of 13:02 they're more likely to believe the parcel is actively being tracked by your super parcel-tracking system than if you say "13:00".  See also those fake maps they put on tracking sites.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 25 May, 2023, 01:39:08 pm
The email must have been triggered by something – the parcel being put in the van, perhaps – that happened at 1.19. That's 17 minutes after the latest delivery estimate in the same email. That's the silly thing. I'm sure they could have an email triggered along the lines of "Your parcel is expected to be delivered between [current time + 30 minutes] and [current time + 8 hours]." Or just "Your parcel is in the delivery van and on its way to you today!"
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 25 May, 2023, 01:42:56 pm
However, an email from "Avon Needs Trees" has topped this. It asks for feedback – from something that's happening tomorrow! But they're just a little charity, they're allowed little slips.

Ed: They've just sent a follow up apologising for the error!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 25 May, 2023, 04:19:25 pm
Gosh, I'm in tech grumble mode today! When I've finished a document for work, it usually has to be uploaded to a specific site. If I've written it, that's that, but if I've edited it, I have to give feedback, which can be general or detailed. Feedback or 'evaluation' has to be given before the document can be officially delivered. But today with one job, the system went into a sort of Mobius loop Catch 22 situation where not only required feedback before the document could be officially delivered but also wouldn't let me leave feedback until it had been delivered! So I attached it to an email instead...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rower40 on 26 May, 2023, 07:41:38 am
Quote from: T42 on 06 May, 2023, 03:03:28 pm
Saturday: neighbour A mows his lawn, then neighbour B mows his lawn, then neighbour C mows his lawn, then neighbour D mows his lawn, then neighbour E mows his lawn, then neighbour F mows his lawn, then neighbour G mows his lawn...  I wish the buggers would synchronize and do them all at the same time.
(sorry for delayed response)
Sounds like there’s just one lawnmower between them.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 26 May, 2023, 08:32:21 am
Quote from: rower40 on 26 May, 2023, 07:41:38 am
Quote from: T42 on 06 May, 2023, 03:03:28 pm
Saturday: neighbour A mows his lawn, then neighbour B mows his lawn, then neighbour C mows his lawn, then neighbour D mows his lawn, then neighbour E mows his lawn, then neighbour F mows his lawn, then neighbour G mows his lawn...  I wish the buggers would synchronize and do them all at the same time.
(sorry for delayed response)
Sounds like there’s just one lawnmower between them.

And a cultivator or three.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 27 May, 2023, 07:53:10 pm
My train into Chelt Spa is due to arrive 8 minutes ago.
My train out of Chelt Spa is due to leave now.
My train into Chelt Spa is in fact just passing through Gloucester.

Sigh.

And an 8 minute change morphes into an hour and a half. An apology might have softened the blow.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 27 May, 2023, 09:40:26 pm
You can’t build character out of apologies.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 27 May, 2023, 10:10:46 pm
I’ve just decided I’ll nip down to the local shop for some beer as I really fancy a glass of beer. The shop shut 10 minutes ago >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 28 May, 2023, 07:58:53 am
Quote from: Beardy on 27 May, 2023, 10:10:46 pm
I’ve just decided I’ll nip down to the local shop for some beer as I really fancy a glass of beer. The shop shut 10 minutes ago >:(

It was the work of a moment to grow some hops and malt some barley...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Paul on 28 May, 2023, 11:11:34 am
Quote from: T42 on 06 May, 2023, 03:03:28 pm
Saturday: neighbour A mows his lawn, then neighbour B mows his lawn, then neighbour C mows his lawn, then neighbour D mows his lawn, then neighbour E mows his lawn, then neighbour F mows his lawn, then neighbour G mows his lawn...  I wish the buggers would synchronize and do them all at the same time.
Are they at least in key?
 ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 28 May, 2023, 02:49:21 pm
Quote from: Paul on 28 May, 2023, 11:11:34 am
Quote from: T42 on 06 May, 2023, 03:03:28 pm
Saturday: neighbour A mows his lawn, then neighbour B mows his lawn, then neighbour C mows his lawn, then neighbour D mows his lawn, then neighbour E mows his lawn, then neighbour F mows his lawn, then neighbour G mows his lawn...  I wish the buggers would synchronize and do them all at the same time.
Are they at least in key?
 ;D

They don't need to be, they only ever play Stockhausen.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 01 June, 2023, 04:39:07 pm
What the fuck is up with Indeed? I've just received four emails in five minutes inviting me to apply for jobs via Indeed. The emails are written in a way so as to make it look like they're from the employers concerned, but they come from an address "invitetoapply@indeed.com". I wouldn't mind if they were at least relevant, but one of them is for a motability customer service rep and another is for a cakesmith. The latter bringing to mind this situation:
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/63/48/86/634886500b04f69e2953c5fdd6cadec3.jpg)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 03 June, 2023, 01:47:35 pm
OK, I'll apologise for boring you with a trivial domestic moan but
Can you two ever use a cup or plate more than once?  As the day progresses the kitchen work tops fill with yet more that you are constantly bringing down.  Why don't you ever wash them?
Probably because the fairies finally get tired of it and do it for you.
And
AND
It's a bazillion degrees out there and there isn't a cloud in the sky, just as it has been for over a week now.  So why the F is the bloody tumble dryer on?
 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 03 June, 2023, 01:56:52 pm
Ah, the fine weather tumble-dryers. Our neighbours are such. At least the (relatively) new ones on the left do have a line now as well. The previous residents never did, but at least they, unlike the current ones, didn’t use those “fresh” smelling sheets that are enough to make me gag. And to be fair to our close neighbour on the right she does also have a line, but it only ever sees bedding and towels. The rest, tumble dried.

We don’t possess a tumble dryer, for several reasons. We only have room for one appliance, and combined washer/dryers are reportedly THE most unreliable piece of domestic equipment. Plus they’re hugely expensive for a decent one. And the clothes come out feeling and smelling horrid, even sans anti-static sheets compared to those air dried, be that outside or in extremes over a radiator.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 03 June, 2023, 02:18:19 pm
We had a tumble dryer (or two) when all three children were at primary school,  it not since the last one moved to high school. We do have a creil in the kitchen, but the eldest oft complained of her clothes smelling of cooking. We’ve always had a line or a whirlly thing outside though, and that has always been the first choice for drying.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 03 June, 2023, 02:29:54 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 03 June, 2023, 01:56:52 pm
We don’t possess a tumble dryer, for several reasons. We only have room for one appliance, and combined washer/dryers are reportedly THE most unreliable piece of domestic equipment. Plus they’re hugely expensive for a decent one. And the clothes come out feeling and smelling horrid, even sans anti-static sheets compared to those air dried, be that outside or in extremes over a radiator.

We have one. As flat-dwellers, line drying is a luxury we don't have, though the dryer part only gets used in emergencies (dehumidifier is the usual solution). I think it's handy in that sort of situation - a standalone dryer wouldn't get enough use to justify the space it takes up.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 03 June, 2023, 02:49:18 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 01 June, 2023, 04:39:07 pm
What the fuck is up with Indeed? I've just received four emails in five minutes inviting me to apply for jobs via Indeed. The emails are written in a way so as to make it look like they're from the employers concerned, but they come from an address "invitetoapply@indeed.com". I wouldn't mind if they were at least relevant, but one of them is for a motability customer service rep and another is for a cakesmith. The latter bringing to mind this situation:
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/63/48/86/634886500b04f69e2953c5fdd6cadec3.jpg)

Alas, that reminds me of an old cycling chum I haven't seen for years. I saw a pic of him today and he must be tipping the 100 kg.  Sad.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 03 June, 2023, 05:33:05 pm
Quote from: Basil on 03 June, 2023, 01:47:35 pm
OK, I'll apologise for boring you with a trivial domestic moan but
Can you two ever use a cup or plate more than once?  As the day progresses the kitchen work tops fill with yet more that you are constantly bringing down.  Why don't you ever wash them?
Probably because the fairies finally get tired of it and do it for you.
And
AND
It's a bazillion degrees out there and there isn't a cloud in the sky, just as it has been for over a week now.  So why the F is the bloody tumble dryer on?

I'd argue those aren't trivial, they're infuriating.

We once lived with a "use a zillion crockeries/culteries" person who never washed up. Kitchen was knee deep in half manky and half barely used items that no one washed unless we did it and Kim and I never had access to clean stuff for ourselves.

I lost my shit after asking nicely a lot and outright banned the culprit from using a set number of crockery/cutlery items so we ALWAYS had clean ones and made them put their dirty stuff in their own washing up bowl. Suddenly Culprit realised the nasty kitchen mess monster was themself! Kim realised Culprit was using the banned cutlery/crockery but always washed it up and put it away, so Kim kept quiet cos that still solved the problem of us never having clean stuff when we wanted it and us having to do more than our fair share of cleaning.

Also using tumble drier is very expensive and wasteful, especially if they are not paying the bill.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 03 June, 2023, 06:02:32 pm
For years, the younger lot have been doing their own laundry.

Always drying in the tumble drier.

Used to do my head in. We had two washing lines, one of them they had to walk past to get to the laundry room.

They've learnt, but it took bloody long enough!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cycleman on 05 June, 2023, 07:18:44 pm
Someone's stolen my phone in tescos this afternoon. I went to the Vodafone store in Slough and they lent me a phone so I could report the phone stolen. It took the call handler over a hour to find my account then wanted to send me a security text to my phone for verification purposes. I gently explained to her that MY Phone Has Been STOLON  ::-). After more delay and repeated security questions they have stopped the phone from being used and said they would send my a replacement sim card tomorrow. I have just received a text from them saying that the sim will not be dispatched tomorrow and apologies for the delay  :hand:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 05 June, 2023, 08:48:53 pm
That's awful Chris. I hope they send the new sim card pronto and that you can get a new phone.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 07 June, 2023, 02:49:25 pm
Quote from: perpetual dan on 23 May, 2023, 07:24:04 pm
I got a letter today about some planned roadworks on the A27 near me.
The roadworks finished on 20th.
The letter was posted on 10th, in darkest Kent (Maidstone).
I’m not sure why they’re spending money on letters, and even less sure why they’re spending money with the Royal Mail when the service is this shitty.

We got our first delivery since that one today. 28 personally addressed items, including various from solicitors, the bank, tax-man and birthday cards - that we might plausibly have wanted sooner.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cycleman on 07 June, 2023, 06:48:22 pm
The sins arrived this morning and I was expecting a call from Vodafone to set up the phone this afternoon. I got a text saying that it would take up to 4 days for the sim to arrive and they will phone me to set it up on Monday. I will have to borrow the wife's phone and moan at them in the morning  :hand:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 08 June, 2023, 09:37:48 pm
BBC, et al: a legal e-bike has a motor of 250W and a programmed maximum speed of 25Km/h (15.5MPH).

Something that scrotes ride round on capable of speeds grossly in excess of said limit, and, almost certainly, not powered by a 250W motor, is legally a motorbike, so please to be referring to them as such, thank you.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 08 June, 2023, 10:53:42 pm
Quote from: CAMRAMan on 08 June, 2023, 09:37:48 pm
BBC, et al: a legal e-bike has a motor of 250W and a programmed maximum speed of 25Km/h (15.5MPH).

Something that scrotes ride round on capable of speeds grossly in excess of said limit, and, almost certainly, not powered by a 250W motor, is legally a motorbike, so please to be referring to them as such, thank you.

To be fair:
a) "illegal e-bike" gives a more accurate mental image of what they were riding than "motorcycle" or "electric motorcycle" or "non-compliant motorcycle".
b) BBC et. al are unlikely to report on the legality or otherwise of the bike in question until the police give a statement to that effect.
c) "e-bike" is still technically if not legally correct, in that it's electric and it's a bicycle.

I also note that the theme of the reporting seems to be very much "police are killing oiks by chasing them with motor vehicles" rather than the "electric bicycles are a deathtrap" you might otherwise expect.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 09 June, 2023, 07:30:05 am
Yebbut, 'electric motorcycle' would conjure up the image of something that you can't just buy down the nearest branch of Evans. Electric motorcycles are clearly deathtraps in the wrong hands and on public roads.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 09 June, 2023, 09:17:51 am
Is this still about the Cardiff incident? I haven't seen photos of what they were riding but there are certainly plenty of yooves on electric motorbikes with no registration etc round here, usually pulling wheelies through red lights. When I say "electric motorbikes" I mean both in styling (like a trail motorbike) and in absence of pedals. I presume they're sold as "not for road use" thus falling into the same lack-of-legislation gap as e-scooters.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 09 June, 2023, 09:32:26 am
There's no gap, the law sees anything >250W (or modified to go faster than 15.5MPH) as a motorbike, requiring insurance, MOT* & a helmet to be worn and CBT to be undertaken. There's probably also an ignored requirement for it to be type approved.

* If applicable

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 09 June, 2023, 09:44:06 am
That's what I mean by the gap. It's a motorbike in law but because it's a bit different from most motorbikes, it gets away with being unregistered etc. It's a gap in enforcement both at street level and at the admin and sales level – also, to an extent, in public perception.

I've just seen a grainy photo of the Cardiff bike and it doesn't look quite as "motorbikey" as the ones I'm thinking of.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 09 June, 2023, 09:56:23 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 09 June, 2023, 09:17:51 am
Is this still about the Cardiff incident?

No, it's another one in Salford.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-65854332

And as Kim says, whilst we may well conjecture that the e-bike in question was modified to allow it to travel at greater than the legal speeds allowed, the BBC can't comment (and I've seen nothing from the Cardiff incident referring to mods either, although I strongly suspect that was the case there also.)

I also noted the initial slightly anti-Police vibe of "e-bikeist dies after being chased" although to be fair the initial report I saw on this latest incident said "followed".
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 09 June, 2023, 10:24:58 am
The one you've linked to above says "followed". This seems slightly odd. Being "chased" implies the police wanted them to stop, but they didn't. It implies some crime was suspected or detected, whereas "followed" suggests there was no request to stop and no specific offence. So why would the police "follow" someone overtly? They might do so covertly to gain information, but to do so overtly seems a bit like "stop and search" based on vague socioeconomic factors ("scrotes") rather than specific information. Which is just the kind of situation that would lead to riots, as happened in Cardiff. In other words, if (as is probably the case) the bike was illegal, it might be better to have stopped them and dealt with it rather than some vague pressuring.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 09 June, 2023, 11:33:04 am
And how do you stop them (assuming they'd be unwilling to do so if asked politely) without blues 'n twos?  It could be they were spotting for a patrol car, and didn't want to get into a chase. Whetver. Damned if they do, damned if they don't. Lets just let them ride about unfettered for fear of the reactions we might provoke.  More suited to POBI.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 09 June, 2023, 12:03:34 pm
My point is that they didn't use the blues and twos. If they spotted a (petrol) motorbike without plates etc, I assume they would have. But by following them (if that's what they were actually doing) they weren't quite letting them ride round unfettered either – at least not for a short time.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 09 June, 2023, 12:26:17 pm
So, reading the article, looking at the location using Google Maps and the "earth" pictures and the pictures in the news article I would say that the e-bikeist appears to have shot out between the bollards where they escaped the following police vehicle but straight over into the path of the oncoming ambulance.  Looking at the pictures I would suggest that he had travelled a good 100 metres, maybe more (using the zigzags in the picture and referencing Google once again) which means that for whatever reason he was unable to avoid a head on with the ambulance.

I think that it is legitimate for the police to patrol and follow somebody that they feel warrants further enquiries.  If the lad had stopped then he wouldn't have endured his fatal accident. 

The problem with policing is that they are damned if they do and damned if they don't.  As for the report: we simply don't have enough information.  I could speculate til the cows come home but that is pointless, counter-productive even.

Sad that somebody loses their life in such a pointless manner.

<Edit>

I saw my typo just now.  I meant to say 10 metres not 100.  My personal opinion on why he hit the ambulance is not entirely relevant but I am thinking that he shot out and was not able to bring the beast under proper control and cut back to the left side of the road before hitting the oncoming ambulance.

Regardless, it's very sad.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 09 June, 2023, 12:50:24 pm
The tragedy, as well as the sad deaths, is a cocktail of a laissez-faire attitude to the selling of such machines in the knowledge they won't be used off-road, social deprivation, and parents/carers who think it's a good idea to buy such a machine for young, inexperienced riders.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 09 June, 2023, 01:00:47 pm
Quote from: CAMRAMan on 09 June, 2023, 12:50:24 pm
The tragedy, as well as the sad deaths, is a cocktail of a laissez-faire attitude to the selling of such machines in the knowledge they won't be used off-road, social deprivation, and parents/carers who think it's a good idea to buy such a machine for young, inexperienced riders.
Good summary.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 09 June, 2023, 01:40:19 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 09 June, 2023, 01:00:47 pm
Quote from: CAMRAMan on 09 June, 2023, 12:50:24 pm
The tragedy, as well as the sad deaths, is a cocktail of a laissez-faire attitude to the selling of such machines in the knowledge they won't be used off-road, social deprivation, and parents/carers who think it's a good idea to buy such a machine for young, inexperienced riders.
Good summary.

And one that's equally applicable to the petril version.  That for decades the canonical solution to the problem has been Silly Sustrans Gates™ says everything.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 09 June, 2023, 08:59:33 pm
In olden times it was the kids on little motorbikes sundering the evening peace, till the police regularly S59ed them. I guess the electric version is the new mode. I hate to be harsh (ok, not really), but Darwin might just be doing his job.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 09 June, 2023, 10:22:56 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 09 June, 2023, 12:03:34 pm
My point is that they didn't use the blues and twos. If they spotted a (petrol) motorbike without plates etc, I assume they would have.

Given the numbers of bikes (and quads) we see (admittedly in phases) round our way, sans plates and ridden by riders who are both sans helmets and appear too young to be in possession of a licence, I think that's a bold assumption.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 09 June, 2023, 11:13:21 pm
[
Quote from: CAMRAMan on 09 June, 2023, 07:30:05 am
Yebbut, 'electric motorcycle' would conjure up the image of something that you can't just buy down the nearest branch of Evans.
You can't just buy an illegal e-bike down the nearest branch of Evans either.  You either buy an illegal bike and hand it to your youth of limited experience or buy a legal bike and disregard the laptop he's plugged into it and the whoopin' and a'hollerin as he hurtles up & down the road.  Either way - parents.

Quote from: ian on 09 June, 2023, 08:59:33 pm
In olden times it was the kids on little motorbikes sundering the evening peace, till the police regularly S59ed them. I guess the electric version is the new mode. I hate to be harsh (ok, not really), but Darwin might just be doing his job.
Harsh.  Kids being (thinking themselves bulletproof) kids.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 10 June, 2023, 06:42:57 am
Eejits that I ordered a 14€ insole from sent it by Colissimo with signature, so now MrsT or I must be home to receive the thing. Twats.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 10 June, 2023, 10:27:38 am
Quote from: jsabine on 09 June, 2023, 10:22:56 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 09 June, 2023, 12:03:34 pm
My point is that they didn't use the blues and twos. If they spotted a (petrol) motorbike without plates etc, I assume they would have.

Given the numbers of bikes (and quads) we see (admittedly in phases) round our way, sans plates and ridden by riders who are both sans helmets and appear too young to be in possession of a licence, I think that's a bold assumption.
Fair point. (Are you supposed to wear a helmet on a quad? I thought it was only motorbikes, hence the bizarre situation that a passenger in a sidecar doesn't need one but the rider does.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 10 June, 2023, 10:28:34 am
Quote from: T42 on 10 June, 2023, 06:42:57 am
Eejits that I ordered a 14€ insole from sent it by Colissimo with signature, so now MrsT or I must be home to receive the thing. Twats.
Haven't had to sign for a parcel since the pandemic. Things say they require signatures but it's just not done nowadays. Could be different in France of course!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 10 June, 2023, 03:25:21 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 10 June, 2023, 10:27:38 am
Quote from: jsabine on 09 June, 2023, 10:22:56 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 09 June, 2023, 12:03:34 pm
My point is that they didn't use the blues and twos. If they spotted a (petrol) motorbike without plates etc, I assume they would have.

Given the numbers of bikes (and quads) we see (admittedly in phases) round our way, sans plates and ridden by riders who are both sans helmets and appear too young to be in possession of a licence, I think that's a bold assumption.
Fair point. (Are you supposed to wear a helmet on a quad? I thought it was only motorbikes, hence the bizarre situation that a passenger in a sidecar doesn't need one but the rider does.)
The track width is the determining factor. This creates the bizarre situation that some tadpole trikes (by the likes of Yamaha and purgeot) can be ridden on a car licence sans lid, and others require motorcycle licence and helmets.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 12 June, 2023, 12:41:15 pm
Mr Sainsbury’s House of Toothy Comestibles has ripped out about 2/3 of its remaining manned tills in favour of MOAR, bigger self-checkouts almost, but not quite, entirely identical to the ones they ripped out in favour of MOAR manned tills a Several of years ago.  In common with their predecessors, however, they really don’t like big floppy Ortlieb panniers >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 12 June, 2023, 12:53:05 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 10 June, 2023, 10:28:34 am
Quote from: T42 on 10 June, 2023, 06:42:57 am
Eejits that I ordered a 14€ insole from sent it by Colissimo with signature, so now MrsT or I must be home to receive the thing. Twats.
Haven't had to sign for a parcel since the pandemic. Things say they require signatures but it's just not done nowadays. Could be different in France of course!

It varies according from one delivery wight to another. Anyway, I missed them on Saturday, being waylaid by Lady P, and they're supposed to deliver it today but the usual time for La Poste has passed. Next chance will be to pick it up on Wednesday.  PITA.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 12 June, 2023, 02:47:01 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 12 June, 2023, 12:41:15 pm
Mr Sainsbury’s House of Toothy Comestibles has ripped out about 2/3 of its remaining manned tills in favour of MOAR, bigger self-checkouts almost, but not quite, entirely identical to the ones they ripped out in favour of MOAR manned tills a Several of years ago.  In common with their predecessors, however, they really don’t like big floppy Ortlieb panniers >:(

My previous solution to this was to attach the panniers to the trolley and use the hand held scanner to fill the panniers as I went round. Now I tend to be there in a car so have the normal bags rather than panniers.  :-[
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 12 June, 2023, 03:47:53 pm
Quote from: matthew on 12 June, 2023, 02:47:01 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 12 June, 2023, 12:41:15 pm
Mr Sainsbury’s House of Toothy Comestibles has ripped out about 2/3 of its remaining manned tills in favour of MOAR, bigger self-checkouts almost, but not quite, entirely identical to the ones they ripped out in favour of MOAR manned tills a Several of years ago.  In common with their predecessors, however, they really don’t like big floppy Ortlieb panniers >:(

My previous solution to this was to attach the panniers to the trolley and use the hand held scanner to fill the panniers as I went round. Now I tend to be there in a car so have the normal bags rather than panniers.  :-[

Problem with that is that using the self-scan thing requires using one's Nectar card.  I've been boycotting Nectar since they got into bed with the D**ly M**l.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 12 June, 2023, 03:56:40 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 12 June, 2023, 03:47:53 pm
Quote from: matthew on 12 June, 2023, 02:47:01 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 12 June, 2023, 12:41:15 pm
Mr Sainsbury’s House of Toothy Comestibles has ripped out about 2/3 of its remaining manned tills in favour of MOAR, bigger self-checkouts almost, but not quite, entirely identical to the ones they ripped out in favour of MOAR manned tills a Several of years ago.  In common with their predecessors, however, they really don’t like big floppy Ortlieb panniers >:(

My previous solution to this was to attach the panniers to the trolley and use the hand held scanner to fill the panniers as I went round. Now I tend to be there in a car so have the normal bags rather than panniers.  :-[

Problem with that is that using the self-scan thing requires using one's Nectar card.  I've been boycotting Nectar since they got into bed with the D**ly M**l.
In what way do the self-checkouts not like panniers? They have several designs, including one where you pack onto a sort of table, which I think would work fine with panniers – but I guess they don't have that one at your branch.

Anyways, my solution would be to either: put panniers in trolley, put purchases into trolley next to panniers, then from "bagging area" to panniers;
or: shop elsewhere.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Giraffe on 12 June, 2023, 04:52:13 pm
Panniers and rucksacks are too heavy and a voice says 'unexpected bag in item area' or something - no such problem in Waitrose.
Aldidl were OK, then went to all manned tills - selling a couple of tons of carrots and FA else, I guess.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 12 June, 2023, 08:03:45 pm
Despite mostly wearing the same variety of shoe since prehistoric times with never a notable problem, a new pair worn for the first time yesterday rubbed my leftest little toe. This little toe is mutant because I broke it stubbing it on an Ikea coffee table the doctor's prognosis was well, that probably hurt didn't it? Why, yes it did. Anyway, it's obligingly mutant, in that it's twisted a little bit but isn't normally an issue. Honestly, I'm not even sure of the point of little toes. I think this is more of a grumble about little toes (generally, I don't like toes, I don't want to see my toes and even less do I want to see the toes of others, so summer is slowly unreeling horror show for me). Anyway, my new shoes are just reminding me of The Horror of Toes and this I don't like.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 12 June, 2023, 09:15:15 pm
Quote from: Giraffe on 12 June, 2023, 04:52:13 pm
Panniers and rucksacks are too heavy and a voice says 'unexpected bag in item area' or something - no such problem in Waitrose.
Aldidl were OK, then went to all manned tills - selling a couple of tons of carrots and FA else, I guess.
I get something unexpected in the bagging area almost every time. The helpers reassure the till pretty soon.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 12 June, 2023, 09:17:34 pm
I still won't accept that unexpected item in the bagging area isn't a euphemism.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 12 June, 2023, 10:04:30 pm
It really should have been recorded in the voice of Lesley Philips or Samantha from ISIHAC. Or Rogerzilla.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 12 June, 2023, 10:50:01 pm
Ian, cosmetic removal of the little toe to fit into narrower shoes is available.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 13 June, 2023, 01:22:37 am
The till kept telling me to put $ITEM in the bag when I already had and the minion had to reassure it about half a dozen times.  I think she was as fed up with me as I was with it.

Anyway, the sole appears to be unsticking on one of my Perfectly Good Gentleman’s Mountain Bicycle shoes.  This is annoying.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: orienteer on 13 June, 2023, 10:52:46 am
Quote from: ian on 12 June, 2023, 09:17:34 pm
I still won't accept that unexpected item in the bagging area isn't a euphemism.

Unexpected item in the lunch-box area 😈
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 13 June, 2023, 04:31:03 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 01 June, 2023, 04:39:07 pm
What the fuck is up with Indeed? I've just received four emails in five minutes inviting me to apply for jobs via Indeed. The emails are written in a way so as to make it look like they're from the employers concerned, but they come from an address "invitetoapply@indeed.com". I wouldn't mind if they were at least relevant, but one of them is for a motability customer service rep and another is for a cakesmith. The latter bringing to mind this situation:
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/63/48/86/634886500b04f69e2953c5fdd6cadec3.jpg)
And one just now for "auction house jewellery assessor". Obviously by my extensive retail expertise and expertise in precious metals and gemstones, which in my case I do not have.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Hot Flatus on 13 June, 2023, 08:45:54 pm
Velux blinds.

They are just shit aren't they. Plastic parts and thin string that saws through them destroying itself in the process, and cost an extortionate amount to replace.  I've just mended mine for the 5th time in 11 years.

Shit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 13 June, 2023, 09:01:28 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 13 June, 2023, 04:31:03 pm
And one just now for "auction house jewellery assessor". Obviously by my extensive retail expertise and expertise in precious metals and gemstones, which in my case I do not have.

I've probably mentioned before that some years ago my official job title was "Assistant Chief Technical Architect" - i.e. one below the top technical person in the business. I'd regularly get recruiters emailing me not-to-be-missed vacancies with fantastic career progression opportunities as an architect's assistant; duties including photocopying drawings, general office admin, making the tea etc, for minimum wage. And sometimes they'd send follow up emails asking why I wasn't jumping at such a fantastic role  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 13 June, 2023, 09:05:14 pm
Quote from: chrisbainbridge on 12 June, 2023, 10:50:01 pm
Ian, cosmetic removal of the little toe to fit into narrower shoes is available.

Well, before I get that drastic, I'd hate to learn there truly is a use for little toes too late in the game, I've stuffed the offending shoe with highly-pressurized socks to stretch it out. More news on this exciting saga will, I'm sure, be featured in a future episode.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 13 June, 2023, 09:13:31 pm
Hydraulic boot expanders are A Thing...

https://www.skiequipmentuk.co.uk/ski_boot_spares_repairs_and_fitting3/
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 13 June, 2023, 09:34:39 pm
Quote from: ian on 13 June, 2023, 09:05:14 pm
Quote from: chrisbainbridge on 12 June, 2023, 10:50:01 pm
Ian, cosmetic removal of the little toe to fit into narrower shoes is available.

Well, before I get that drastic, I'd hate to learn there truly is a use for little toes too late in the game, I've stuffed the offending shoe with highly-pressurized socks to stretch it out. More news on this exciting saga will, I'm sure, be featured in a future episode.

At primary school, there was a lad with no little toes. I remember thinking at the time, having just read some stuff on evolution, that we would all have four toes in the future. And how much simpler things would be. Maybe three or two would be sufficient.

Big toes, on the other hand, are very important. A grand hiking expedition we went on was cut short on account of my grate frend Dodo having lost one big toe in a cycling mishap in her youth (cut off between chain and chainring while reversing since you ask) and was unable to continue after a couple of days walking due to ankle problems caused by the missing item.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 13 June, 2023, 09:38:53 pm
Most shoes have stupidly narrow toe boxes that bear no resemblance to actual feet (not just the width - it's the shape. Humans don't have pointy feet, so why wear pointy shoes?). I switched to barefoot/minimalist shoes a couple of years ago, and no longer have to deal with such nonsense. :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 13 June, 2023, 09:59:20 pm
They are normal shoes, I'm not going for some Cuban-heeled winklepickers or cross-dressing in my wife's heels. I'm sure they'll loosen up after a couple of wears. I am boring and have been wearing – on and off – the same variety of shoes since I was about 14 and they've never interfered with my little toes until now. Generally, I have low-maintenance feet, even new hiking boots usually just fit and I can walk twenty miles with nary a blister, while my wife – on the other hand foot – has to 'break them in' and still seems to have acquired a pile of hiking boots she, for various reasons, doesn't get on with. Again, I just buy the same variety every five or so years, job done.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 13 June, 2023, 11:01:10 pm
Quote from: phantasmagoriana on 13 June, 2023, 09:38:53 pm
Most shoes have stupidly narrow toe boxes that bear no resemblance to actual feet (not just the width - it's the shape. Humans don't have pointy feet, so why wear pointy shoes?).

I've never actually seen a mistake agent, car hire weasel, insurance broker or similar with their socks off, but I assume their penchant for unusually pointy footwear is a form of fashionable masochism rather than a freak mutation that's spread amongst the financial services community.  Either way, we might as well blame them for shoes that don't fit; collectively they're usually the reason we can't have nice things.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 13 June, 2023, 11:05:26 pm
Quote from: Pickled Onion on 13 June, 2023, 09:34:39 pm
A grand hiking expedition we went on was cut short on account of my grate frend Dodo having lost one big toe in a cycling mishap in her youth (cut off between chain and chainring while reversing since you ask) and was unable to continue after a couple of days walking due to ankle problems caused by the missing item.

Thanks, I'm now terrified of bicycles.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 13 June, 2023, 11:13:37 pm
Quote from: Hot Flatus on 13 June, 2023, 08:45:54 pm
Velux blinds.

They are just shit aren't they. Plastic parts and thin string that saws through them destroying itself in the process, and cost an extortionate amount to replace.  I've just mended mine for the 5th time in 11 years.

Shit.

Yes.  Yes, they are.  The one in the Grand Bedchamber is held closed with gaffer tape, while the one in my bedroom at Fort Larrington won't open at all.

Shit.

Quote from: Feanor on 13 June, 2023, 09:13:31 pm
Hydraulic boot expanders are A Thing...

https://www.skiequipmentuk.co.uk/ski_boot_spares_repairs_and_fitting3/

I've got a hat-stretcher, but it’s strictly mechanical.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 14 June, 2023, 12:25:03 pm
I'm Dotwatching ,  not a cycling event but an Amazon delivery which was missed yesterday.... 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 14 June, 2023, 12:51:21 pm
Quote from: Kim on 13 June, 2023, 11:05:26 pm
Quote from: Pickled Onion on 13 June, 2023, 09:34:39 pm
A grand hiking expedition we went on was cut short on account of my grate frend Dodo having lost one big toe in a cycling mishap in her youth (cut off between chain and chainring while reversing since you ask) and was unable to continue after a couple of days walking due to ankle problems caused by the missing item.

Thanks, I'm now terrified of bicycles.

Don't worry, it was a trike. Reversing a two-wheeled bike while barefoot and feet not on pedals is a feat of agility not many of us could aspire to.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 14 June, 2023, 09:07:34 pm
Stupid aqua aerobics woman who just has to be in place first. Your session starts at 1915. It's 1912. We are still swimming lengths. I appreciate the lifeguard has started to wind in the lane rope so you can start promptly. That doesn't mean barge in and push the rope so it blocks the lane and people like me, sprinting their last few lengths, swim right into it, just because you must, must, must be in the same place each week.

This is why I'm training a shark and showing it your picture. In the meantime, I'm terribly sorry that I splashed a gallon of water into your witless face. Accidents will happen.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andyoxon on 15 June, 2023, 04:55:08 pm
Trip to the local recycling centre.  Tried to charge me for a hutch and wooden framed run, on the basis that it was "outdoor wood" - this despite the fact they are not listed under chargeable items, and technically hutches are often in garages etc...   I said 'nah mate', they said 'you may be sent back to me...'.  I wasn't.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 16 June, 2023, 04:26:50 pm
I’ve not worked myself up to a full rant yet, but it is simmering.

Yesterday I ordered , at not inconsiderable cost, an Ego electric multi tool set. The webby science of the retailer offered me next working day delivery for an extra fiver if ordered before 3pm, of which I availed myself. The time was 12:50.

The next email I received was at 9am this morning to say the item had been dispatched. To no one’s surprise at all, I have note received any further communication or a delivery.

This means that a weekend of gardening is not going to happen now.

I’ll be contacting them on Monday to request my fiver back, and if they get difficult, I’ll be returning the item under the distance selling rules for a full refund.

ETA

No refund for me and a weekend in the garden awaits. I’m still waiting for an update on when I can expect the delivery though. 10/10 for delivering as specified. 0/10 for communicating with the customer.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 16 June, 2023, 04:36:55 pm
Quote from: Hot Flatus on 13 June, 2023, 08:45:54 pm
Velux blinds.

They are just shit aren't they. Plastic parts and thin string that saws through them destroying itself in the process, and cost an extortionate amount to replace.  I've just mended mine for the 5th time in 11 years.

Shit.

They are indeed.  The cord used is clearly sub-standard and not fit for purpose.

We have blinds from another company which we have inside curtains on windows and they too have an alarming tendency to suffer snapped cord.

Why do these businesses always cut corners?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 19 June, 2023, 08:16:05 am
Father's day. A brunch out (new place in town opening on a Sun), then out to Tiumpan Head, the UK's premier land site for whale watching. Well, it wasn't on Sun afternoon. Saw nothing but a solitary porpoise.

Head home, only to read that a friend had seen several Minke and scores of dolphins on the same morning, from the same place. Bloody cetacians.

So I head up to the peat bank, to try to get as much in as possible before the week of wet weather hits. Take my wheelbarrow, so I could make multiple trips (don't normally bother, just yomp sacks on my back).
One trip - fine, much faster with barrow. Car loaded, drive home, offload, head back.
No barrow. Left it just down the track, I've been gone less than 20min, probably 15.
Some fucker has nicked it.

This, in an area where most people don't lock houses, sheds, etc. And on a sunday.

It is really upsetting and shocking. I can easily afford to replace the barrow, that's not the point. Whoever took it would have known that.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 19 June, 2023, 10:27:47 am
One of the Wee Frees (or is it the Wee Wee Frees?) was determined to stop you working on a Sabbath (or should that be Lord's Day?)!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 19 June, 2023, 11:36:13 am
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 19 June, 2023, 08:16:05 am
Father's day. A brunch out (new place in town opening on a Sun), then out to Tiumpan Head, the UK's premier land site for whale watching. Well, it wasn't on Sun afternoon. Saw nothing but a solitary porpoise.

Head home, only to read that a friend had seen several Minke and scores of dolphins on the same morning, from the same place. Bloody cetacians.

[cetacean needed]

(http://legslarry.org.uk/BikeStull/coat_48.png)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 19 June, 2023, 12:50:34 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 19 June, 2023, 10:27:47 am
One of the Wee Frees (or is it the Wee Wee Frees?) was determined to stop you working on a Sabbath (or should that be Lord's Day?)!

Some other people have suggested that.

Don't know how they justify that when there are people working on the fish farms, hospital, ferry, airport, etc, etc, etc

I will be having a word with the local minister. Stealing on the sabbath is worse than working.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 19 June, 2023, 08:46:44 pm
Wee Frees?  Havers man, it's Wombles.  They can't abide litter.  :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 19 June, 2023, 09:02:34 pm
Tobermory or Cousin Cairngorm McWomble the Terrible, though?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Clare on 19 June, 2023, 09:08:01 pm
Did you go back today to see if it had been returned?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 20 June, 2023, 07:19:18 am
Quote from: Clare on 19 June, 2023, 09:08:01 pm
Did you go back today to see if it had been returned?
No. It is 5km away.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 21 June, 2023, 07:06:23 am
Someone in the neighbourhood has been running an electric motor of some variety since I got out of stir. Not loud enough to be really obtrusive but it nearly coincides in pitch with the hum of my computer, with a beat frequency of about 2 Hz.  Feels like the throb of a headache.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andyoxon on 23 June, 2023, 11:06:58 am
Where did I put all my AA Eneloops?  :facepalm:  Put them somewhere neatly packed, as used them mainly for my Etrex (now semi-retired).  Now I need some, and can I find them? No!    ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 23 June, 2023, 11:15:27 am
An unscheduled trip to Mr Sainsbury’s House of Toothy Comestibles may be required due to insufficient Brown Drink to last until Monday.  Bah!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 24 June, 2023, 03:13:09 pm
Today, well this evening, is the annual “Music under the stars” charity event on the farm opposite, run by a guy who works in publishing, for his mates to play covers of 50’s, 60’s, and sometimes later, pop songs. Badly. Several renditions of Johnny B Goode are to be expected, played increasingly badly by increasingly inebriated bands who are increasingly convinced of their musical talents  ::-). Luckily it’s to the NE of us, and the wind has gone to the SW. And they’ve been disciplined to stop at 11’ish.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 24 June, 2023, 03:21:54 pm
Roadworks all over our immediate area and the navvies have left their "Road Closed" signs in place even though in several places it's perfectly possible to get through.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Giraffe on 24 June, 2023, 06:45:14 pm
Local bypass: a road has long been on the signs to re-open on 23/6. It was changed 2 days ago to 21/7. Most of the time it is actually possible to get through on foot and, occasionally, with 4 wheels.
There's a walk that I like that uses the road - if I'm blocked it's 4 miles to retrace, as the bastards have closed the RoWs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 27 June, 2023, 04:06:04 pm
I appear to have left my faithful MSR Packtowel at the York Rally  :(


Found it in the saddle bag  :thumbsup:     
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cycleman on 27 June, 2023, 07:42:37 pm
 :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Woofage on 29 June, 2023, 12:52:55 pm
Broke the elastic on one of my Keen sandals. Keen has a video showing how to fit the "replacement kit". Said "replacement kit" is not available...

I've ordered an alternative. Will see if it's any good.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 29 June, 2023, 07:56:18 pm
Grocery shopping this evening.  Onions:  source of origin, Australia.

WTF could possibly have caused that ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 30 June, 2023, 07:44:52 am
Quote from: Woofage on 29 June, 2023, 12:52:55 pm
Broke the elastic on one of my Keen sandals. Keen has a video showing how to fit the "replacement kit". Said "replacement kit" is not available...

I've ordered an alternative. Will see if it's any good.

Chum had cycling shoes of the type that is tightened by bits of string wound onto bobbins.  Around 40k from home one of them snapped.  One of my old Zefal trouser tapes aka parking brakes got him home.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 30 June, 2023, 08:58:44 am
Quote from: Polar Bear on 29 June, 2023, 07:56:18 pm
Grocery shopping this evening.  Onions:  source of origin, Australia.

WTF could possibly have caused that ???

We were importing antipodean onions long before Brexit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 30 June, 2023, 09:25:42 am
I bought a tree lopper online at the end of May.
At the beginning of this week I emailed them to ask when I'm likely to receive it.
They emailed back straight away, informing me that they were expecting it on June 30th and would send them out straight away.
Yesterday I had an email from someone who introduced themselves as an administrator and advised me that the lopper vendor had gone into liquidation and pending orders would not be completed.
Gah!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 30 June, 2023, 09:56:19 am
Quote from: rafletcher on 30 June, 2023, 08:58:44 am
Quote from: Polar Bear on 29 June, 2023, 07:56:18 pm
Grocery shopping this evening.  Onions:  source of origin, Australia.

WTF could possibly have caused that ???

We were importing antipodean onions long before Brexit.

That genuinely surprises me.  Perhaps because I don't normally use the larger supermarkets I simply hadn't noticed. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 30 June, 2023, 11:41:13 am
Back when I last looked Sainsbury’s shiitake mushrooms came from China, while Tesco's came from, er, Lancashire. 

(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 01 July, 2023, 06:34:42 pm
Oi, The Guardian. What's the point in having the ability to hide the sport section when you then post a spoiler in the headlines section instead? (I know it's probably aimed at people with no interest in sport rather than 'look away now' types.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 01 July, 2023, 06:52:07 pm
With the full coverage of TdF etc on GCN - typically 7 hours a day - we end up so far behind that we've forgotten any headlines that sneak through before we see the race. We can be a week or more behind on the grand tours, so only tend to see and remember if someone big has crashed out, or sometimes who the overall winner was.

Edit to add: the one that really annoyed me was a few years ago, when the guy who sat next to me at work knew I was a cyclist. He'd insist on talking about what had happened the previous day - or was being fed in from a news feed that day - despite me repeatedly telling him I was a week behind and trying to avoid hearing anything.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 01 July, 2023, 07:11:57 pm
We only watch the highlights. Would get nowhere otherwise.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 01 July, 2023, 07:53:06 pm
I only follow the P@nd3m1c Pr0duckt10nz™® colemantary.  I'm not sure this is particularly efficient, thobut.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 01 July, 2023, 07:56:26 pm
Quote from: Kim on 01 July, 2023, 07:53:06 pm
I only follow the P@nd3m1c Pr0duckt10nz™® colemantary.  I'm not sure this is particularly efficient, thobut.

Especially not when a hopelessly out-of-practice Mr Larrington greviously bollixes his estimate of how long it’ll take him to catch up with the recording from FFWDing through the shitverts.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 02 July, 2023, 03:06:54 pm
I wonder why it is considered acceptable to ruin a reasonable Sunday afternoon by singing out of tune and time in a group outside. So called social singing group. Some perversions should be kept private and inside.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 02 July, 2023, 05:37:49 pm
Quote from: chrisbainbridge on 02 July, 2023, 03:06:54 pm
I wonder why it is considered acceptable to ruin a reasonable Sunday afternoon by singing out of tune and time in a group outside. So called social singing group. Some perversions should be kept private and inside.

I live within droning distance of a church.  It's still better than  a) car horns  2) strimmers  iii) dogs  0x04) bagpipes
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 02 July, 2023, 08:18:10 pm
Quote from: Kim on 02 July, 2023, 05:37:49 pm
within droning distance of a church.

 ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 02 July, 2023, 08:28:31 pm
Quote from: Basil on 02 July, 2023, 08:18:10 pm
Quote from: Kim on 02 July, 2023, 05:37:49 pm
within droning distance of a church.

 ;D

They're a bit on the evangelical side, but evidently not to the point of having decent music.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 02 July, 2023, 10:27:01 pm
Quote from: chrisbainbridge on 02 July, 2023, 03:06:54 pm
I wonder why it is considered acceptable to ruin a reasonable Sunday afternoon by singing out of tune and time in a group outside. So called social singing group. Some perversions should be kept private and inside.

Could be worse - I once had a bagpipe band start practising outside my flat on a Sunday morning.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 02 July, 2023, 10:59:49 pm
A long time ago I suffered something in the region of 14 pipe, horn, drum and all the other noisy carp leftpondian style marching bands practicing 200 meters up the road from home.  Really, the full on tassles, twirlers and sparkly outfits plus a hundred noise makers of varying talent & timing per group marching fucking bands.
Just the ones from leftpondia had hired a 747 to get to Gatwick. Plus more teams from the UK, Europe and all over the globe.
I have no idea if being within earshot of the practice ground rather than the competition ground improved or worsened the experience (and no desire to find out!). Court Lodge School fields was not the only practice ground and that'll date it.  Thursday afternoon it was a case of oooh that's interesting I wonder what's going on. By Friday afternoon as more teams arrived and the gaps of (relative) peace narrowed nerves began to fray.   Right through Saturday - arghhh!
Thankfully they forked off to Crawley for the actual competition on the Sunday.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 03 July, 2023, 07:26:00 am
Yesterday I had my coffee & cake at a pâtisserie just across the road from a church.  When they cut loose with the bells at 12 noon it was a wonder the shop window didn't shatter.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 03 July, 2023, 09:55:03 am
Yebbut they don't know how to ring church bells properly in France!  Its just random jangling/donging, instead of proper full circle ringing to call changes or methods, what we do here in the UK (and other CofE regions).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 03 July, 2023, 10:11:44 am
Quote from: Wombat on 03 July, 2023, 09:55:03 am
Yebbut they don't know how to ring church bells properly in France!  Its just random jangling/donging, instead of proper full circle ringing to call changes or methods, what we do here in the UK (and other CofE regions).
A well rung method is a sound to behold, though there are very few towers these days that can manage a well rung method. Even my old tower (even though I’ve now left) struggles these days. Campanology is on the wane it would seem.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 03 July, 2023, 10:32:03 am
We were quite lucky here, in that before covid we would regularly have a full band of six reasonably competent ringers every Sunday and on Thursday 'practice night'. Thursday would be a little more chaotic as I suspect there would be a couple of novice tryer outers with them.
After a year of silence they got an automated system which is crap because it is too perfect.  (In the same way that syn drums are crap.)
They're now back to proper bell ringers although it's rare that there are more than five.
We still get the crap syn bells occasionally.  I'm guessing that there are fewer competent ringers around and the one full band play away in other neighbouring churches sometimes.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 03 July, 2023, 12:53:42 pm
Bought tickets yesterday for Kirkaldy's Testing Works on July 22nd - one of the rare (monthly) occasions when they'll actually be running the main testing machine - only to find out that there's a rail strike that day.  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 03 July, 2023, 02:16:33 pm
Quote from: Wombat on 03 July, 2023, 09:55:03 am
Yebbut they don't know how to ring church bells properly in France!  Its just random jangling/donging, instead of proper full circle ringing to call changes or methods, what we do here in the UK (and other CofE regions).

Nothing to do with it.  I enjoy a good peal at an appropriate distance. they buggers were LOUD.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 03 July, 2023, 02:48:15 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 03 July, 2023, 12:53:42 pm
Bought tickets yesterday for Kirkaldy's Testing Works on July 22nd - one of the rare (monthly) occasions when they'll actually be running the main testing machine - only to find out that there's a rail strike that day.  :(

Not in Fife  :P
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 03 July, 2023, 03:40:20 pm
My cleaning lady is mother to a 11-year-old, who is approaching the end of Primary School, as befits kids of that age.

Child has end-of-term/school play in near future, before kids are scattered to pastures anew by the four winds.

No parental photography is permitted.

After performance, photographs of child + parent will be taken, presumably in costume.

So, no group shot of final curtain call.

No class photo for a lifetime of nostalgia.

This emphasis on kids' security and privacy both saddens and maddens me.

D, Friend and I quite frequently muse over their 1975 class pic.

Life will be poorer without these things IMHO...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 03 July, 2023, 04:20:06 pm
I don't remember parental photography of school plays being much of a thing when I was at primary school.  A teacher may have taken photos during dress rehearsals of the bigger ones.  By secondary this was formalised, with the lighting and blocking being jibbled to better suit official photography for some newsletter or - not uncommonly - the portfolios of the Arty Kids who'd done the costumes or set design.  Parents were discouraged from using flash, but some did take photos or occasionally (analogue) video.  My parents didn't and I don't feel that I was missing out (though my feelings on the matter may have been different if I'd had a more significant role than third sheep or random member of the chorus).

Of course, the world has changed, and the only thing worse than someone else's parents shitting your photos all over friendface is your own parents shitting your photos all over friendface.

On the gripping hand, policies such as this are probably better than conspicuously removing the token Looked After child from the play in order to comply with TEH RULEZ, which seems like a good enough reason to me.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 03 July, 2023, 04:29:57 pm
The bathroom light I chose for the last bathroom is discontinued. Which means I have to find an alternative one. Same for the vinyl flooring.
Bah.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 03 July, 2023, 05:20:18 pm
Quote from: Pingu on 03 July, 2023, 02:48:15 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 03 July, 2023, 12:53:42 pm
Bought tickets yesterday for Kirkaldy's Testing Works on July 22nd - one of the rare (monthly) occasions when they'll actually be running the main testing machine - only to find out that there's a rail strike that day.  :(

Not in Fife  :P
Different Kirkcaldy  ;)
The person not the place.
Clicky (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Kirkaldy)
More clicky (https://www.testingworks.org.uk)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 03 July, 2023, 09:19:42 pm
Quote from: Kim on 03 July, 2023, 04:20:06 pm
I don't remember parental photography of school plays being much of a thing when I was at primary school.  A teacher may have taken photos during dress rehearsals of the bigger ones.  By secondary this was formalised, with the lighting and blocking being jibbled to better suit official photography for some newsletter or - not uncommonly - the portfolios of the Arty Kids who'd done the costumes or set design.  Parents were discouraged from using flash, but some did take photos or occasionally (analogue) video.  My parents didn't and I don't feel that I was missing out (though my feelings on the matter may have been different if I'd had a more significant role than third sheep or random member of the chorus).
Of course, the world has changed, and the only thing worse than someone else's parents shitting your photos all over friendface is your own parents shitting your photos all over friendface.
On the gripping hand, policies such as this are probably better than conspicuously removing the token Looked After child from the play in order to comply with TEH RULEZ, which seems like a good enough reason to me.

My gripe is mostly about absence of final tableau or class pic.

Mum's off to see her starring 11 year old grandchild at a similar do tomorrow and fully expects a photography ban too.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 03 July, 2023, 09:29:01 pm
Yebbut, pædobear!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 03 July, 2023, 10:33:44 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 03 July, 2023, 09:19:42 pm
My gripe is mostly about absence of final tableau or class pic.

Those weren't a thing in my day.  Well, there was the official annual one in school uniform (are those still a thing?), but nothing play related.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: arabella on 04 July, 2023, 01:05:02 pm
I think parental photos of the play etc. were banned because one or other parent(s) objected to other parents photoing their child.  At least that's what we were told.  Not that I would have taken any.
I limited myself to reception and year 6 class photos of my little dears. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 04 July, 2023, 08:18:33 pm
Why is it going to take First Direct up to 5 working days to open a new savings account for me ?  I'm not exactly a new customer, they've had my dosh for the last 30 years or so.   >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 04 July, 2023, 08:25:50 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 04 July, 2023, 08:18:33 pm
Why is it going to take First Direct up to 5 working days to open a new savings account for me ?  I'm not exactly a new customer, they've had my dosh for the last 30 years or so.   >:(

Are you the one time leader of a rabble rousing shite political party perhaps?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 04 July, 2023, 09:57:47 pm
I'm an unpaid follower of Mr Larrington's Democratic Ruthless Bastards.....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 05 July, 2023, 08:03:05 am
Twisted my knee on my new cardiologist's death-trap staircase, a horrid "square" spiral with wide triangular treads in the bends and 25-cm-wide treads in between, like something out of a mediaeval castle designed to trip invaders. Wish my old cardio hadn't retired, he was a great bloke.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 05 July, 2023, 09:12:03 am
New pet peeve on trains – people who fill the large luggage rack with small items that would easily fit on the overhead rack. I'm talking about the rack for suitcases etc at the end of the carriage, not the bike cupboard (though that too).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 05 July, 2023, 01:21:20 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 04 July, 2023, 08:25:50 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 04 July, 2023, 08:18:33 pm
Why is it going to take First Direct up to 5 working days to open a new savings account for me ?  I'm not exactly a new customer, they've had my dosh for the last 30 years or so.   >:(

Are you the one time leader of a rabble rousing shite political party perhaps?


They've just phoned me up & given me a 10 minute interrogation on my employment status, country of birth & residence and country I pay tax in.   If they are doing this for people of my modest means then Farage must have got the full Camp X-Ray treatment ...  :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 05 July, 2023, 01:48:11 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 04 July, 2023, 08:18:33 pm
Why is it going to take First Direct up to 5 working days to open a new savings account for me ?  I'm not exactly a new customer, they've had my dosh for the last 30 years or so.   >:(

So you don't complain when it's not openened the next day. Oh, wait....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 05 July, 2023, 01:57:13 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 05 July, 2023, 01:48:11 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 04 July, 2023, 08:18:33 pm
Why is it going to take First Direct up to 5 working days to open a new savings account for me ?  I'm not exactly a new customer, they've had my dosh for the last 30 years or so.   >:(

So you don't complain when it's not openened the next day. Oh, wait....


I applied online on Sunday.  They advertise as being 24/7 with the ability to open a current account in minutes, but this one is different .    I've been with them since they started in 1989 and have never been anything but pleased with their service. 


Account now set up, money transferred via their website https://www.firstdirect.com/savings-and-investments/savings/bonus-savings-account/
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 05 July, 2023, 02:00:26 pm
I'm also a 1st Direct customer (and Midland before then). The only time I've been irritated was when I asked to remove one of my christian names from my cards (my first name, never used). "Not unless you change it by deed poll" they said  ::-)  It's still there.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 05 July, 2023, 07:12:27 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 05 July, 2023, 02:00:26 pm
I'm also a 1st Direct customer (and Midland before then). The only time I've been irritated was when I asked to remove one of my christian names from my cards (my first name, never used). "Not unless you change it by deed poll" they said  ::-)  It's still there.

Which is the usual bollocks. Legally a deed poll is not required, there's a thing called "name change by usage", and very sensible it is too. After all, it's far more secure for your card to state the name everyone knows you by, for fairly obvious reasons.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 05 July, 2023, 07:27:36 pm
Time for Tea.  Open fridge, that I might have milk to go in said Tea.  Full bottle of ketchup falls out of fridge door; lands on Mr Larrington's bare foot.

Fuckity-ow >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 05 July, 2023, 08:00:16 pm
Bank related, though not me this time. But prompted by the "been a customer forever" grumble. One of our ex-grads (been here for a couple of years) wanted to get a loan for a car. Her bank insisted she go in in person, because they still think she's fifteen apparently. Then after she went in at the time they told her, the lady told her she'd have to come back the following day to fill in the forms and finish the loan application, with no reason given and no-one waiting in the branch. So she ended up having to travel in to town twice, losing an hour and a half of work each time (luckily we're not a clock watching company; as long as the work gets done all is good so she wasn't having hassle from us over this).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 05 July, 2023, 08:05:31 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 05 July, 2023, 07:27:36 pm
Time for Tea.  Open fridge, that I might have milk to go in said Tea.  Full bottle of ketchup falls out of fridge door; lands on Mr Larrington's bare foot.

Fuckity-ow >:(

That's what you get for keeping ketchup in the fridge.  If you want to keep something that doesn't need to be kept in the fridge in the fridge, I suggest bread; it hurts less.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 05 July, 2023, 08:09:41 pm
That'd be the ketchup that says “Keep refrigerated once opened” on it…
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 05 July, 2023, 08:17:44 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 05 July, 2023, 08:09:41 pm
That'd be the ketchup that says “Keep refrigerated once opened” on it…

I always assumed they were just lying, but it seems that it's more controversial than that:

https://www.theguardian.com/food/2023/jul/03/should-you-refrigerate-ketchup-store-shelf
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 05 July, 2023, 08:21:06 pm
There is no issue too trivial to be turned into a Guardian controversy.

And the next one is right in that article:
Quote
“On a personal level, I store my ketchup in the fridge. I prefer my ketchup to be firm, not runny, so it doesn’t separate. When I squeeze the bottle and liquid comes out first, it gets on the bun and makes me mad.”
Squeezy plastic bottle or solid foot-breaking glass bottle? Or maybe a tub?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 05 July, 2023, 08:33:22 pm
Why anyone self-respectingly Guardian isn't using Stoke's Bloody Mary Ketchup is of deep confusion to me.

I've never kept ketchup or HP in the fridge (and I don't use ketchup often, so I'm sure it's way beyond any reasonable use-by date, it's so old I figure the main risk is fossilization).

Mayonnaise on the other hand. Though if you're dicing with the Devil's sex custard in the first place, I figure you have it coming to you. Salad Creme would be perfectly safe stored on Venus. It only exists to confuse American tourists who ask for sour cream in British pubs. Their only countermove to Salad Creme was to invent Miracle Whip. Which, as moves go, is practically thermonuclear in its diabolical subtlety.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 05 July, 2023, 08:33:36 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 05 July, 2023, 08:09:41 pm
That'd be the ketchup that says “Keep refrigerated once opened” on it…

Hmm. I keep a big bottle of ketchup to refill a smaller “ready use” one. Neither is, has ever been - despite instructions on the label - kept in a fridge. The larger bottle must have been opened 3 months ago and is kept in the shed. Ditto salad cream, pickled chillies, piccalilli etc. etc. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 05 July, 2023, 08:36:36 pm
Where you are going wrong is having ketchup. Have brown sauce like a  proper British person.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 05 July, 2023, 08:41:31 pm
Referring back to Mr Larrington's original post, I don't think either ketchup or brown sauce (or for that matter salad cream or mayonnaise) would improve his cup of tea.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 05 July, 2023, 08:50:24 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 03 July, 2023, 03:40:20 pm
My cleaning lady is mother to a 11-year-old, who is approaching the end of Primary School, as befits kids of that age.

Child has end-of-term/school play in near future, before kids are scattered to pastures anew by the four winds.

No parental photography is permitted.

After performance, photographs of child + parent will be taken, presumably in costume.

So, no group shot of final curtain call.

No class photo for a lifetime of nostalgia.

This emphasis on kids' security and privacy both saddens and maddens me.

D, Friend and I quite frequently muse over their 1975 class pic.

Life will be poorer without these things IMHO...
Our now-19-year-old's end-of-primary play was videoed and distributed on DVD to parents. There was a permission form beforehand, but evidently everyone signed it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 05 July, 2023, 08:58:31 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 05 July, 2023, 08:50:24 pm
Our now-19-year-old's end-of-primary play was videoed and distributed on DVD to parents. There was a permission form beforehand, but evidently everyone signed it.

I'm impressed by how this statement sounds both high-tech and futuristic while also being incredibly dated.  I suspect this means I'm old.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wowbagger on 05 July, 2023, 09:11:38 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 05 July, 2023, 08:50:24 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 03 July, 2023, 03:40:20 pm
My cleaning lady is mother to a 11-year-old, who is approaching the end of Primary School, as befits kids of that age.

Child has end-of-term/school play in near future, before kids are scattered to pastures anew by the four winds.

No parental photography is permitted.

After performance, photographs of child + parent will be taken, presumably in costume.

So, no group shot of final curtain call.

No class photo for a lifetime of nostalgia.

This emphasis on kids' security and privacy both saddens and maddens me.

D, Friend and I quite frequently muse over their 1975 class pic.

Life will be poorer without these things IMHO...
Our now-19-year-old's end-of-primary play was videoed and distributed on DVD to parents. There was a permission form beforehand, but evidently everyone signed it.

Somewhere in the annals I have a couple of whole school photographs involving Phyllis, when she was about 16, therefore 1935 or so. Phyllis died, which is a salutary lesson of what happens when you appear in school photographs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 05 July, 2023, 09:30:19 pm
Quote from: Kim on 05 July, 2023, 08:58:31 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 05 July, 2023, 08:50:24 pm
Our now-19-year-old's end-of-primary play was videoed and distributed on DVD to parents. There was a permission form beforehand, but evidently everyone signed it.

I'm impressed by how this statement sounds both high-tech and futuristic while also being incredibly dated.  I suspect this means I'm old.
I suspect the clue to this is in "now 19".
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 05 July, 2023, 09:31:59 pm
Quote from: Wowbagger on 05 July, 2023, 09:11:38 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 05 July, 2023, 08:50:24 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 03 July, 2023, 03:40:20 pm
My cleaning lady is mother to a 11-year-old, who is approaching the end of Primary School, as befits kids of that age.

Child has end-of-term/school play in near future, before kids are scattered to pastures anew by the four winds.

No parental photography is permitted.

After performance, photographs of child + parent will be taken, presumably in costume.

So, no group shot of final curtain call.

No class photo for a lifetime of nostalgia.

This emphasis on kids' security and privacy both saddens and maddens me.

D, Friend and I quite frequently muse over their 1975 class pic.

Life will be poorer without these things IMHO...
Our now-19-year-old's end-of-primary play was videoed and distributed on DVD to parents. There was a permission form beforehand, but evidently everyone signed it.

Somewhere in the annals I have a couple of whole school photographs involving Phyllis, when she was about 16, therefore 1935 or so. Phyllis died, which is a salutary lesson of what happens when you appear in school photographs.
But but but... Dorian!

I have, I think, destroyed all my school photographs, and I'm still alive. But I am getting older.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 05 July, 2023, 09:40:32 pm
Quote from: MattH on 05 July, 2023, 08:36:36 pm
Where you are going wrong is having ketchup. Have brown sauce like a  proper British person.

Can’t stand the filthy muck :sick:  This Unit will have no lorry with garnishing its sossidges with runny boot polish.

The mustard is in the fridge too, but that’s in a much smaller and more stable container.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 05 July, 2023, 09:56:31 pm
You've not lived until you've tried ketchup in the US. Partaking regularly in US condiments, I'm sure, results in living far less longer. Sweet isn't an effective quantum. It's like injecting the contents of Sherbet Fountain directly into your frontal lobes and then skydiving without a parachute into the Tate & Lyle factory. With your mouth open. If you survive that, you'll find your pancreas has hired a lawyer and petitioned for divorce. I wouldn't worry, it won't survive long enough for you to worry about alimony. If any bacteria can survive in a US condiment, I don't want to meet them. The guns won't help, they'll laugh at bullets.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 05 July, 2023, 10:09:37 pm
There's a jar of mayonnaise in my fridge.  Home made to a Nigella recipe.   It's now about 3 weeks old & I think I may need the gloves & face mask to dispose of it & clean the jar out :sick: .   I never seem to get to the end of a batch the same week as making it.....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 05 July, 2023, 10:20:50 pm
Homemade mayonnaise is something you do once, and your release you've made an entire bucket of diabolical sex glue with just a single yolk. Given any mayonnaise is, in the majority of circumstances, too much mayonnaise, you'll pretty much left with a increasingly desperate array of off-piste usages before it becomes a biological hazard. Unguent l'amour, crowd control, building render. It is the sauce of shame.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 05 July, 2023, 10:27:10 pm
Quote from: ian on 05 July, 2023, 10:20:50 pm
Homemade mayonnaise is something you do once, and your release you've made an entire bucket of diabolical sex glue with just a single yolk. Given any mayonnaise is, in the majority of circumstances, too much mayonnaise, you'll pretty much left with a increasingly desperate array of off-piste usages before it becomes a biological hazard. Unguent l'amour, crowd control, building render. It is the sauce of shame.

Home-made croissants are equally pointless, but without the possibility of using them in a sexy rumpus situation. Unless you are really weird. The crumbs go everywhere.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 05 July, 2023, 11:24:04 pm
I have et ketchup in USAnia, mostly to offset the BACON.  Which they can’t do either.  BACON should be flexible, not liable to shatter and fly into the eye of a diner on the other side of the room.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Vernon on 06 July, 2023, 12:26:24 am
Quote from: Jurek on 03 July, 2023, 05:20:18 pm
Quote from: Pingu on 03 July, 2023, 02:48:15 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 03 July, 2023, 12:53:42 pm
Bought tickets yesterday for Kirkaldy's Testing Works on July 22nd - one of the rare (monthly) occasions when they'll actually be running the main testing machine - only to find out that there's a rail strike that day.  :(

Not in Fife  :P
Different Kirkcaldy  ;)
The person not the place.
Clicky (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Kirkaldy)
More clicky (https://www.testingworks.org.uk)

I was going to suggest that the Holiday Inn Express a couple doors up (which is where we were staying when we first discovered it) isn't too expensive,  but I've just checked their website.
How much?  :o
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: matthew on 06 July, 2023, 09:19:54 am
Quote from: Kim on 05 July, 2023, 08:58:31 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 05 July, 2023, 08:50:24 pm
Our now-19-year-old's end-of-primary play was videoed and distributed on DVD to parents. There was a permission form beforehand, but evidently everyone signed it.

I'm impressed by how this statement sounds both high-tech and futuristic while also being incredibly dated.  I suspect this means I'm old.

How do you think I feel, I believe my parents still have the VHS tapes of some of my school Christmas plays / musicals.  :o Including the incident when young James, whilst playing Santa had a costume failure and his trousers fell down.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 06 July, 2023, 01:53:51 pm
Dear gardeners,
I understand your team is in our area tomorrow.
We are due to have our pianos tuned for no small fee.
More than 24 hours' notice of a proposed visit would sure come in handy.
I'm afraid you'll have to come some other time.
Helen
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 06 July, 2023, 09:49:00 pm
Someone has performed Plumbing on one of nextdoor's toilets.  The cistern refilling is now distractedly loud rather than "ah, that's nextdoor's cistern refilling".  Fortunately I'm not one of those neurotic about noise people (wouldn't last long living with barakta if I were).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 07 July, 2023, 12:47:29 pm
O hai, Vendors of $STUFFS!

The more you pester me to review your product or service, the less inclined I am so to do. Keep up this heathen and unBRITISH practice and I'll give you a really really bad one.

Yes, Lloyds Pharmacy, I surely do mean you.

Kthxbai
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cygnet on 07 July, 2023, 08:12:01 pm
That'll be the new owners perhaps.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 07 July, 2023, 09:30:14 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 05 July, 2023, 09:40:32 pm
Quote from: MattH on 05 July, 2023, 08:36:36 pm
Where you are going wrong is having ketchup. Have brown sauce like a  proper British person.

Can’t stand the filthy muck :sick:  This Unit will have no lorry with garnishing its sossidges with runny boot polish.

The mustard is in the fridge too, but that’s in a much smaller and more stable container.

I keep mustard in the fridge too. It's not as hot after a few weeks. I definitely need to do a double-blind trial with two pots opened at the same time and kept in the cupboard and fridge to find out which loses its hotness quicker. Scientifically, can mustard heat be chilled out of mustard or not? One of life's great questions, I'm sure.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 07 July, 2023, 10:03:32 pm
Quote from: Pickled Onion on 07 July, 2023, 09:30:14 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 05 July, 2023, 09:40:32 pm
Quote from: MattH on 05 July, 2023, 08:36:36 pm
Where you are going wrong is having ketchup. Have brown sauce like a  proper British person.

Can’t stand the filthy muck :sick:  This Unit will have no lorry with garnishing its sossidges with runny boot polish.

The mustard is in the fridge too, but that’s in a much smaller and more stable container.

I keep mustard in the fridge too. It's not as hot after a few weeks. I definitely need to do a double-blind trial with two pots opened at the same time and kept in the cupboard and fridge to find out which loses its hotness quicker. Scientifically, can mustard heat be chilled out of mustard or not? One of life's great questions, I'm sure.

If you do decide to do this, I would be interested in the results.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 07 July, 2023, 11:52:30 pm
This is why mustard powder was invented. You mix the amount you need at the time you need it. Keep the tin with the spices in a dry cupboard.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 08 July, 2023, 05:31:23 am
Just as an aside, having moved No1Daughter into our house, we now have (count 'em) 5 jars of mustard in our fridge.

You can't mix your own whole grain or Dijon at the point of use.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 08 July, 2023, 11:07:06 am
I have just been Witnessed by a large woman in a print dress and a small man in a tie. The woman spoke while the man, who was called Paulo, stood behind and swatted at insects. They threaten to come back at some unspecified later date to discuss the leaflet, which will be a short discussion.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Paul on 08 July, 2023, 11:14:42 am
They sound like a seaside postcard  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 08 July, 2023, 11:21:33 am
They lacked only a knotted hankie – and a beach!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 08 July, 2023, 11:22:59 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec
I have just been Witnessed ... threaten to come back at some unspecified later date to discuss the leaflet, which will be a short discussion.
I wholeheartedly recommend Lurker Senior's approach as when roused from his slumbers after a hard day's night-shift.  It involved many bad, ooh very, *very* bad, swears at considerable volume and very close range.  A good day all round.  They never came back and I learnt lots of lovely new vocab.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 08 July, 2023, 05:50:02 pm
I've got to wonder whether what they get from this door-chugging approach. If I met someone in some other situation, say a party or even a bike ride (a bike ride!), and discovered they were a JW (or Mormon or somesuch) I might well ask them about this. What are the core beliefs of JWs, how does this get expressed in their daily life, what do their services and rites look like, does their church have an opinion on x, y and z...? Conversion is highly unlikely but understanding is more probable. Whereas knocking on the door is just going to annoy most people.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 08 July, 2023, 06:37:33 pm
AIUI there's a psychology answer about the repeated rejection strengthening people's in-group identity...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 08 July, 2023, 07:05:56 pm
The Chumbawamba principle?  :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Paul on 09 July, 2023, 08:53:38 am
My two pennies: they have made it their job, but they have no target beyond the knocking.

It’s a ‘God is watching so look busy/reward in heaven’ thing, I reckon.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 09 July, 2023, 10:53:39 am
Dr Beardy is a mean person!

 We were discussing the Tour and I mentioned that it was a rest day tomorrow. She replied, ‘not for you’’ which I consider to be very mean  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wowbagger on 09 July, 2023, 11:00:18 am
Quote from: TheLurker on 08 July, 2023, 11:22:59 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec
I have just been Witnessed ... threaten to come back at some unspecified later date to discuss the leaflet, which will be a short discussion.
I wholeheartedly recommend Lurker Senior's approach as when roused from his slumbers after a hard day's night-shift.  It involved many bad, ooh very, *very* bad, swears at considerable volume and very close range.  A good day all round.  They never came back and I learnt lots of lovely new vocab.

I have used two separate approaches. The first is from G. B . Shaw “oh, great! I’m Jehovah. How are we doing?”, or my own version: “I’m Jehovah. Now you’ve witnessed me you can bugger off!”
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 09 July, 2023, 11:44:46 am
My response is, 'No, sorry,  but I'm not superstitious'.
You can see their confused look as they try to figure out what I have said.
They may wish to attempt a response, but it's too late, as I have quietly but firmly closed the door.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 09 July, 2023, 12:12:29 pm
No thank you, I’ve already got one works quite well I’ve found.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 09 July, 2023, 04:30:46 pm
Quote from: Paul on 09 July, 2023, 08:53:38 am
My two pennies: they have made it their job, but they have no target beyond the knocking.

It’s a ‘God is watching so look busy/reward in heaven’ thing, I reckon.
I think there was a central edict a few years ago that all JWs have to put a certain amount of time into conversion/mission activities. Frequently see them standing, again in pairs or small groups, in the central shopping district with a display of pamphlets. I've no idea how they choose between that and door-knocking, which achieves greater interest or if they have any sort of target in terms of eg leaflets dispensed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 09 July, 2023, 08:04:57 pm
An apostate JW friend tells me they semi-volunteer for particular tasks. The obligation is, of course, part of the religion. There’s no obligation to convert anyone, as they have to see a pamphlet and find the light themselves.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andyoxon on 09 July, 2023, 08:41:15 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 09 July, 2023, 04:30:46 pm
Quote from: Paul on 09 July, 2023, 08:53:38 am
My two pennies: they have made it their job, but they have no target beyond the knocking.

It’s a ‘God is watching so look busy/reward in heaven’ thing, I reckon.
I think there was a central edict a few years ago that all JWs have to put a certain amount of time into conversion/mission activities. Frequently see them standing, again in pairs or small groups, in the central shopping district with a display of pamphlets. I've no idea how they choose between that and door-knocking, which achieves greater interest or if they have any sort of target in terms of eg leaflets dispensed.

It's a striving to do good works to be amongst the chosen '144000', AFAIA.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 09 July, 2023, 09:02:18 pm
I have seen their pamphlet and held it in my hand – do I have to actually read it to see the light? From what little I know of JW-ism, there are some beliefs I rather admire, such as their uncompromising rejection of militarism. But I don't want to discuss that with door-knockers cos then they'd come back and want to talk about all the other stuff!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 09 July, 2023, 09:08:53 pm
Prompted by the 144,000, just googled to see how many JWs are worldwide. First return was rather grim:
Quote
BERLIN, March 10 (Reuters) - Here are some facts about the Jehovah's Witnesses and their community in Germany, shaken by a mass shooting at a Jehovah's Witness hall in Hamburg on Thursday.
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/jehovahs-witnesses-some-facts-about-their-history-community-germany-2023-03-10

which refers to:
Quote
HAMBURG, March 9 (Reuters) - A gunman in Germany shot dead six people before killing himself at a Jehovah's Witness worship hall in Hamburg, authorities said on Friday, in an attack that is bound to renew calls for stricter gun controls.

Eight other people were wounded, including a seven-months pregnant woman who lost her unborn daughter, police and prosecutors said at a news conference.

Officials said they had been tipped off about the perpetrator but had not taken away his legally-owned gun before the shooting at an event on Thursday night.
It seems probably no sect is free from sectarian violence.
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/least-six-dead-after-shooting-hamburg-focus-online-media-2023-03-09/
 :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 09 July, 2023, 09:10:00 pm
I worked with a JW about 40 years ago and he was most reticent about discussing it with me. I was a fairly recent discoverer of atheism (having been brought up as CofE) and although not shouty about it, I was interested in other views. He really didn’t want to talk about it, so I didn’t push.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andyoxon on 09 July, 2023, 09:19:21 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 09 July, 2023, 09:08:53 pm
Prompted by the 144,000, just googled to see how many JWs are worldwide. ...
AFAIA it started out as an actual '144000' based on Revelations, but them became more 'symbolic' as their numbers grew.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 09 July, 2023, 09:56:47 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 07 July, 2023, 12:47:29 pm
O hai, Vendors of $STUFFS!
The more you pester me to review your product or service, the less inclined I am so to do. Keep up this heathen and unBRITISH practice and I'll give you a really really bad one.
Yes, Lloyds Pharmacy, I surely do mean you.
Kthxbai

This Unit heartily endorses the sentiment.

Purveyors of protein powder are pestering me for a review right now.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 10 July, 2023, 01:51:17 pm
I worked with someone for more than a year before discovering she was a JW, she drank and smoked and I didn't even know she was religious. I discovered it when moving into her former office and she'd put up religious phrasing posters up high (not easily visible from standing height and behind book shelves) which she had forgotten to take down. I mentioned this and someone said "Oh they're F's she's a JW" and I was so WTAF.

F was one of these people who I think was v different between home and work; she was fine with LGBT people but I know one of her kids is LGBT and they were estranged before F died a few years after leaving our workplace. So I don't know if homelife was different to professional/work life...

F did mention that doorknocking was fun and people enjoyed doing it, getting out, chatting to people, saw it as a fun activity people wanted to do...

Haven't had doorknocks for ages, Covid has made JWs less inclined to it, just the shitty leaflets which go straight into recycling. Doorknocker spammers/scammers of all kinds get the "no thanks *close door*" treatment anyway.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 10 July, 2023, 04:55:24 pm
Quote from: barakta on 10 July, 2023, 01:51:17 pm
Haven't had doorknocks for ages, Covid has made JWs less inclined to it, just the shitty leaflets which go straight into recycling. Doorknocker spammers/scammers of all kinds get the "no thanks *close door*" treatment anyway.

A couple of boisterous dogs in the garden work wonders.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 11 July, 2023, 08:20:01 am
Must have been a hell of a storm somewhere last night, the power went on and off and on again three or four times back of 23. Had me out of bed and charging round the place switching off beeping USPs and resetting flashing clocks.  It finally stabilised and let us get to sleep only to drop out again in the wee small hoors: redo from start. Then the bloody binmen came round at 0500 and again at twenty past - H&S forbids doing both sides of a street in a single pass, doubtless because Mummy never taught them to cross a road. Yrs trly is p'd off and knackered.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 11 July, 2023, 08:44:21 am
Was woken about half five by a mightily pissed off cat who wanted to come in. Went downstairs to let him in and got wet socks in the dirty protest from the other cat. Love my daughter, do not love mopping her cat's pee before 6.

Am considering a temporary cat flap. How much are doors?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 11 July, 2023, 08:50:37 am
Quote from: T42 on 11 July, 2023, 08:20:01 am
Then the bloody binmen came round at 0500 and again at twenty past - H&S forbids doing both sides of a street in a single pass, doubtless because Mummy never taught them to cross a road. Yrs trly is p'd off and knackered.
What a ridiculous regulation.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nicknack on 11 July, 2023, 09:47:28 am
Sciatica and sleep don’t mix.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 11 July, 2023, 09:55:22 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 11 July, 2023, 08:50:37 am
Quote from: T42 on 11 July, 2023, 08:20:01 am
Then the bloody binmen came round at 0500 and again at twenty past - H&S forbids doing both sides of a street in a single pass, doubtless because Mummy never taught them to cross a road. Yrs trly is p'd off and knackered.
What a ridiculous regulation.
That depends on the road. It’s possible a regulation that exists to protect the bin men on a dangerous road on the route, but the manager responsible for H&S has just applied the rule to the whole route for simplicity.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 11 July, 2023, 10:04:50 am
Quote from: nicknack on 11 July, 2023, 09:47:28 am
Sciatica and sleep don’t mix.

Sympathy. Arthritis + vertigo and sleep don't mix either.

Yours, dizzily, &tc.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 11 July, 2023, 11:58:34 am
I have to read 400 five digit numbers off an LCD display and punch them into a spreadsheet. This ranks even above Coldplay in my personal list of Undesirable Things.

Bah!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 11 July, 2023, 12:15:50 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 11 July, 2023, 11:58:34 am
I have to read 400 five digit numbers off an LCD display and punch them into a spreadsheet. This ranks even above Coldplay in my personal list of Undesirable Things.

That's the sort of thing that would have me wasting approximately 5 times the amount of time it takes to enter 400 5 digit numbers into a spreadsheet researching machine vision libraries, before giving up and entering 400 5 digit numbers into a spreadsheet.

Why nobody molishes a certified stopwatch that can write CSV files or whatever is a mystery.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 11 July, 2023, 01:00:05 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 11 July, 2023, 09:55:22 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 11 July, 2023, 08:50:37 am
Quote from: T42 on 11 July, 2023, 08:20:01 am
Then the bloody binmen came round at 0500 and again at twenty past - H&S forbids doing both sides of a street in a single pass, doubtless because Mummy never taught them to cross a road. Yrs trly is p'd off and knackered.
What a ridiculous regulation.
That depends on the road. It’s possible a regulation that exists to protect the bin men on a dangerous road on the route, but the manager responsible for H&S has just applied the rule to the whole route for simplicity.

Summat like.  It applied to the postie for a while too but they jacked it in pretty quickly.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 11 July, 2023, 05:38:27 pm
Quote from: Kim on 11 July, 2023, 12:15:50 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 11 July, 2023, 11:58:34 am
I have to read 400 five digit numbers off an LCD display and punch them into a spreadsheet. This ranks even above Coldplay in my personal list of Undesirable Things.

That's the sort of thing that would have me wasting approximately 5 times the amount of time it takes to enter 400 5 digit numbers into a spreadsheet researching machine vision libraries, before giving up and entering 400 5 digit numbers into a spreadsheet.

Why nobody molishes a certified stopwatch that can write CSV files or whatever is a mystery.

This one has been modded with a connection not only to a debouncing gizmo, such that two operations of a tape switch only trigger the lap count once, but also to a hot-rodded mouse that will simulate doing a left-click. Position the cursor over the appropriate button in the pre-configured spreadsheet & voila! However, it still needs checking.  Also, the stopwatch thinks one lap about 90% of the way into James' 100 km record ride was about 4” slower than those either side of it, which doesn’t make much sense on a 250m lap ???

I've got the timing data from the velodrome’s system too, so we’ll pick the fastest :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 11 July, 2023, 06:13:39 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 11 July, 2023, 05:38:27 pm
Quote from: Kim on 11 July, 2023, 12:15:50 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 11 July, 2023, 11:58:34 am
I have to read 400 five digit numbers off an LCD display and punch them into a spreadsheet. This ranks even above Coldplay in my personal list of Undesirable Things.

That's the sort of thing that would have me wasting approximately 5 times the amount of time it takes to enter 400 5 digit numbers into a spreadsheet researching machine vision libraries, before giving up and entering 400 5 digit numbers into a spreadsheet.

Why nobody molishes a certified stopwatch that can write CSV files or whatever is a mystery.

This one has been modded with a connection not only to a debouncing gizmo, such that two operations of a tape switch only trigger the lap count once, but also to a hot-rodded mouse that will simulate doing a left-click. Position the cursor over the appropriate button in the pre-configured spreadsheet & voila!

That's both useful and appalling in equal measures.


Quote
Also, the stopwatch thinks one lap about 90% of the way into James' 100 km record ride was about 4” slower than those either side of it, which doesn’t make much sense on a 250m lap ???

Wormholes, probably.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 11 July, 2023, 06:34:18 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 11 July, 2023, 11:58:34 am
I have to read 400 five digit numbers off an LCD display and punch them into a spreadsheet. This ranks even above Coldplay in my personal list of Undesirable Things.

Bah!

Sounds like a job for the work experience oaf.  :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 11 July, 2023, 06:37:34 pm
Need to put the data from the spreadsheet, the stopwatch and the space cowboy1 side by side, but there was a Tour de France happening elsewhere.

The WWX Lackey has a full-time job on its hands keeping the spill-chucker running.

1: Newport velodrome's timing bod is a Steve Miller.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 11 July, 2023, 06:51:53 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 11 July, 2023, 06:37:34 pm
Need to put the data from the spreadsheet, the stopwatch and the space cowboy1 side by side, but there was a Tour de France happening elsewhere.

The WWX Lackey has a full-time job on its hands keeping the spill-chucker running.

1: Newport velodrome's timing bod is a Steve Miller.

Does that mean it's Miller time?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 12 July, 2023, 12:04:01 am
Subtract four seconds from the stopwatch numbers and it tallies with the spreadsheet to within a few thousandths of a second :thumbsup: And there’s only a second or so difference between them and the pukka velodrome system.

Playing games with times in Excel is one of the least fun things you can do this side of the Tory Party conference.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 12 July, 2023, 12:20:34 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 12 July, 2023, 12:04:01 am
Playing games with times in Excel is one of the least fun things you can do this side of the Tory Party conference.

There's a reason I forked CrossMgr and started learning Python...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: L CC on 12 July, 2023, 09:11:17 am
In a non-technical grumble a repeat of the "why when I find a product I like is it then almost immediately discontinued" grumble.

Today's iteration: Kit & Caboodle Leave In Conditioner. It worked, it got rid of the chlorine and it wasn't massively overpriced (Trihard toiletries, I'm looking at you, you gouging bastids).

Sigh.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 12 July, 2023, 09:56:16 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 12 July, 2023, 12:04:01 am
Playing games with times in Excel is one of the least fun things you can do this side of the Tory Party conference.

Yes. As timelord for our local club TT series, I have to wrangle times in a spreadsheet quite a lot.

For me, the biggest issue was that excel can't handle negative times by default.
And I need to.
I need to calculate veterans's times against a 'standard', and they can be plus(faster) or minus(slower) than the target time.

The underlying reason is that excel converts anything that looks vaguely like a time into a 'serial number' under the hood. This is I think an un-signed integer. This serial number is then displayed back to you in the format you select in the cell formatting. Due to the underlying data being un-signed, it can't go negative.

The solution is to set the spreadsheet to use the '1904' date system.
This applies an offset, or bias, to the serial numbers, allowing us to go negative by up to (I think) 4 years.

(You need to set the date system in the first instance, before entering any dates/times, otherwise it re-interprets the existing serial numbers and then displays them as 4 years out! A work-around is to export the column of dates/times as text, then re-import them once the date system has been changed.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 12 July, 2023, 11:21:45 am
Also three times during the course of two hours Excel randomly decided to add sixty seconds to a lap.  Then realised its mistake or something and subtracted sixty seconds from the following one.  Giving lap times of 78 and -42 seconds, neither of which is entirely convincing on a 250 metre track.  Add to that the mystery four seconds on the stopwatch and on the whole I'm glad we’re relying on the velodrome system which just required paste, add lap times, convert sum to sensible format.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 12 July, 2023, 11:33:24 am
Quote from: Feanor on 12 July, 2023, 09:56:16 am
The underlying reason is that excel converts anything that looks vaguely like a time into a 'serial number' under the hood. This is I think an un-signed integer. This serial number is then displayed back to you in the format you select in the cell formatting. Due to the underlying data being un-signed, it can't go negative.

AIUI, it's days since 1900, and then fractions of a day.  Because god forbid anyone would want to do integer arithmetic on seconds.  Except when whatever created the spreadsheet decided to make the time fields strings, in which case you've got to parse them first.

There's a reason I forked CrossMgr and started learning Python...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 12 July, 2023, 12:15:38 pm
Isn’t the base date somewhere in 1970? What with Dos being based on CP/M and CP/M being unix based I thought they all used the same start date.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 12 July, 2023, 12:21:57 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 12 July, 2023, 12:15:38 pm
Isn’t the base date somewhere in 1970? What with Dos being based on CP/M and CP/M being unix based I thought they all used the same start date.

That's the Unix epoch, which all right-minded systems use.  Not because it's a particularly sensible date, but because it's the de-facto standard and counting seconds makes it relatively easy to work with.

Having just looked this up, it seems that Excel's special snowflake epoch was chosen for bug-for-bug compatibility[-1] with Lotus 1-2-3[1].  And, just to be different, Windows uses 1601.
There's a lovely Wikipedia page full of this shit:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epoch_(computing) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epoch_(computing))


[-1] It gets the leap years wrong.
[1] Note for young people: The Betamax[2] of spreadsheets.
[2] If you're a Young Person, you'll regard anything with a tape in it with the suspicion it deserves.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andyoxon on 12 July, 2023, 05:18:55 pm
Possibly should be FWPs, but bloke engrossed in his mobile, walking his dog past our place.  Dog wanders across our grass pees on the shrubbery next to house, joins it's master down the path...  If it had tried to cr*p on the lawn, I'd have been out there...  ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 13 July, 2023, 01:54:40 pm
Note to self: read the instructions on the back of the bottle of windscreen washer fluid before refilling the reservoir.  Still, if climate change means -70 C in the next year or so at least the Fast-Appreciating Future Classic will still have a sparkly windscreen.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 13 July, 2023, 02:04:34 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 30 June, 2023, 09:25:42 am
I bought a tree lopper online at the end of May.
At the beginning of this week I emailed them to ask when I'm likely to receive it.
They emailed back straight away, informing me that they were expecting it on June 30th and would send them out straight away.
Yesterday I had an email from someone who introduced themselves as an administrator and advised me that the lopper vendor had gone into liquidation and pending orders would not be completed.
Gah!
I've just had the replacement loppers delivered to my place of work.
They're too long to put on any of the three trains I use to get home  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 14 July, 2023, 07:46:10 am
The quality of BBC reporting.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-guernsey-66181262

 Lead photograph for the the article is of "The men's peloton race took place on Wednesday". Good to know that the reporter fully understands the sport they are talking about.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 14 July, 2023, 08:10:05 am
After the Faran rebuild I can't find my 4mm driver for my torque wrench, bugger.

Checked the bin as I emptied it, not there.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 14 July, 2023, 01:37:59 pm
Chewing a slightly over toasted crumpet this morning & managed to damage a filled molar.   Dentist can't fit me in until a week on Monday.  I'm hoping it can be repaired.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 14 July, 2023, 03:13:54 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 14 July, 2023, 01:37:59 pm
Chewing a slightly over toasted crumpet this morning & managed to damage a filled molar.   Dentist can't fit me in until a week on Monday.  I'm hoping it can be repaired.

If you can, opt for the “ceramic” white filling. It bonds to the enamel and holds the remaining tooth together better than amalgam.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 14 July, 2023, 05:53:22 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 11 July, 2023, 09:55:22 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 11 July, 2023, 08:50:37 am
Quote from: T42 on 11 July, 2023, 08:20:01 am
Then the bloody binmen came round at 0500 and again at twenty past - H&S forbids doing both sides of a street in a single pass, doubtless because Mummy never taught them to cross a road. Yrs trly is p'd off and knackered.
What a ridiculous regulation.
That depends on the road. It’s possible a regulation that exists to protect the bin men on a dangerous road on the route, but the manager responsible for H&S has just applied the rule to the whole route for simplicity.
Our street is a bus route and emergency vehicle route, so such a rule would make sense here. T42's in Frane so they migh have different rules. Our bin men come after 7am anyway.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 15 July, 2023, 01:06:05 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 14 July, 2023, 08:10:05 am
After the Faran rebuild I can't find my 4mm driver for my torque wrench, bugger.

Checked the bin as I emptied it, not there.

Found it, when I got off the bike today, I noticed it dangling out of the rear break mount, must have detatched from the handle when I finished centring and tightening the brake.  How it stayed there for the subsequent 300km or so of riding I have no idea.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 15 July, 2023, 03:37:58 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 14 July, 2023, 05:53:22 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 11 July, 2023, 09:55:22 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 11 July, 2023, 08:50:37 am
Quote from: T42 on 11 July, 2023, 08:20:01 am
Then the bloody binmen came round at 0500 and again at twenty past - H&S forbids doing both sides of a street in a single pass, doubtless because Mummy never taught them to cross a road. Yrs trly is p'd off and knackered.
What a ridiculous regulation.
That depends on the road. It’s possible a regulation that exists to protect the bin men on a dangerous road on the route, but the manager responsible for H&S has just applied the rule to the whole route for simplicity.
Our street is a bus route and emergency vehicle route, so such a rule would make sense here. T42's in Frane so they migh have different rules. Our bin men come after 7am anyway.

That's a rule we could do with.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 15 July, 2023, 05:59:15 pm
Quote from: T42 on 15 July, 2023, 03:37:58 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 14 July, 2023, 05:53:22 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 11 July, 2023, 09:55:22 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 11 July, 2023, 08:50:37 am
Quote from: T42 on 11 July, 2023, 08:20:01 am
Then the bloody binmen came round at 0500 and again at twenty past - H&S forbids doing both sides of a street in a single pass, doubtless because Mummy never taught them to cross a road. Yrs trly is p'd off and knackered.
What a ridiculous regulation.
That depends on the road. It’s possible a regulation that exists to protect the bin men on a dangerous road on the route, but the manager responsible for H&S has just applied the rule to the whole route for simplicity.
Our street is a bus route and emergency vehicle route, so such a rule would make sense here. T42's in Frane so they migh have different rules. Our bin men come after 7am anyway.

That's a rule we could do with.

Pre-plague ours used to come at about 05:30 but now it’s more likely to be mid-afternoon.  I think their second jobs driving minicabs dried up during lockdown.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 15 July, 2023, 08:48:31 pm
In an unusual turn of events, Dr Beardy wants me to go to the pub this evening to represent her at an event being run by my local for MIND in honour of our friends son. I went to the pub last night with my buddy and really don’t feel like going out this evening. I even left a fiver with the bar staff last night for the collection, but the bosss lady still wants me to go.

Grumbles.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 15 July, 2023, 09:30:50 pm
Travel by public transport they say because it is blah, blah, blah, blah, good for the environment.  Blah, blah, blah, blah, reduces congestion.  Blah, blah, blah, blah ...

We'll, I do tend to agree but it has become incredibly unreliable.  We took the train to Northampton today to visit 78 Derngate.  It was an interesting 2 hours followed by a very acceptable lunch at Nuovo.

And then we went for the train to return home.  It should run at half hourly intervals but 3 had already been cancelled due to a derailment in the tunnel between Northampton and Rugby.  Quickly reassessing the lack of rail replacement buses I check and discover an ordinary bus making the journey due in about 10 minutes.  30 minutes later it turned up ...   

How do we ever expect people to stop using their cars with such appalling levels of service? 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 15 July, 2023, 11:07:10 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 15 July, 2023, 01:06:05 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 14 July, 2023, 08:10:05 am
After the Faran rebuild I can't find my 4mm driver for my torque wrench, bugger.

Checked the bin as I emptied it, not there.

Found it, when I got off the bike today, I noticed it dangling out of the rear break mount, must have detatched from the handle when I finished centring and tightening the brake.  How it stayed there for the subsequent 300km or so of riding I have no idea.

Good effort  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: davelodwig on 17 July, 2023, 11:30:59 am
Quote from: Polar Bear on 15 July, 2023, 09:30:50 pm
Travel by public transport they say because it is blah, blah, blah, blah, good for the environment.  Blah, blah, blah, blah, reduces congestion.  Blah, blah, blah, blah ...

We'll, I do tend to agree but it has become incredibly unreliable.  We took the train to Northampton today to visit 78 Derngate.  It was an interesting 2 hours followed by a very acceptable lunch at Nuovo.

And then we went for the train to return home.  It should run at half hourly intervals but 3 had already been cancelled due to a derailment in the tunnel between Northampton and Rugby.  Quickly reassessing the lack of rail replacement buses I check and discover an ordinary bus making the journey due in about 10 minutes.  30 minutes later it turned up ...   

How do we ever expect people to stop using their cars with such appalling levels of service?

The bus was probably delayed by all the cars.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cycleman on 17 July, 2023, 06:37:47 pm
A week after I reported the sun ez 3 recumbent tricycle stolen I received a phone call from the police asking for a picture and details of the trike. Just makes me wonder if they have been looking out for it at all since it was stolen Saturday week  :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 17 July, 2023, 07:34:01 pm
Quote from: davelodwig on 17 July, 2023, 11:30:59 am
Quote from: Polar Bear on 15 July, 2023, 09:30:50 pm
Travel by public transport they say because it is blah, blah, blah, blah, good for the environment.  Blah, blah, blah, blah, reduces congestion.  Blah, blah, blah, blah ...

We'll, I do tend to agree but it has become incredibly unreliable.  We took the train to Northampton today to visit 78 Derngate.  It was an interesting 2 hours followed by a very acceptable lunch at Nuovo.

And then we went for the train to return home.  It should run at half hourly intervals but 3 had already been cancelled due to a derailment in the tunnel between Northampton and Rugby.  Quickly reassessing the lack of rail replacement buses I check and discover an ordinary bus making the journey due in about 10 minutes.  30 minutes later it turned up ...   

How do we ever expect people to stop using their cars with such appalling levels of service?

The bus was probably delayed by all the cars.

A perfectly reasonable deduction imo. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 17 July, 2023, 07:44:15 pm
Living close to the start of a bus route ought to alleviate any hassles, but it doesn't, because the marvellous London Transport bus tracking technology only knows when the bus leaves its starting point, otherwise it defaults to the confabulation of the timetable. Sadly, there's a 30-second gap between the time it takes for me to briskly walk to the stop than for the bus to get there. It's not 30 seconds in my favour when the bus leaves and starts the clock.

It would be good if it followed the timetable, as there's a bus every 10 minutes, but reality can mean a 30-minute wait. Given the halving of the train service to a 2 trains a hour, and the general fact that no one gives a shit about the behaviour of people on public transport any more, it didn't ought to be a surprise that most people opt for the car. Getting the train or bus these days feels more of a duty than an option.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: PhilO on 18 July, 2023, 04:12:11 pm
Quote from: cycleman on 17 July, 2023, 06:37:47 pm
A week after I reported the sun ez 3 recumbent tricycle stolen I received a phone call from the police asking for a picture and details of the trike. Just makes me wonder if they have been looking out for it at all since it was stolen Saturday week  :(

With luck it might mean that they've recovered something that they think might be it?

Although if that was the case I assume that they'd have said so and/or you'd have been back to say by now...  :-[
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 18 July, 2023, 05:08:04 pm
Amazon supplier issue . . . - or is it some sort of scam?

I ordered a jacket (exactly the same as one I already have, but a different colour so I know what I'm buying) from Amazon Marketplace at a keen price - seller fulfilled, not from an Amazon mega-shed.  The order was acknowledged as normal by Amazon and then "despatch confirmed" by the seller the following day with Royal Mail, but no tracking details.

Almost 2 weeks later no sign of delivery . . . .  digging around in the Amazon site it appears the seller has a rating of only 80% (OK, I should have looked) . . .  with all but a couple of the 1 and 2 star reviews saying delivery was never made (and some difficulty in getting refunds)

Given the volume of non-deliveries I'm beginning to wonder if this is some sort of scam?   Either people not pursuing refunds ? OR (and this is a bit off the wall) using the "order to refund period" to support cash-flow with customers' money?   Or what?

It's not in any way mission-critical but is just a PITA - if it doesn't appear I'm sure I'll get the money back from Amazon.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 19 July, 2023, 09:53:13 am
Hah! I've been trying to return a pair of cycling gloves to Amazon for the last week.  The only means they'll give me is to photograph a bar code and take it to a UPS pickup point where they will helpfully print the dispatch label and do up the parcel for me.

Except that none of the UPS agents in the neighbourhood yet has the special printer to do it and when I attempt to find one so equipped via UPS's site they can't even find the place where I live.

Return deadline is Monday so I've WTF'd it, Amazon can have my 30€. Which is what the buggers wanted all along.


In general, this has been a frustrating day so far.  I need to shove an August hospital emmerdement back to November but they won't give me an out-patient appointment so far in advance so they want to hospitalize me, and the place I've ordered my new bike motor from aren't picking up.  The hospital thing is to implant a subcutaneous holter and since I'll be riding and sweating like a pig I don't want to risk infection but it looks like I'm going to have to.  I'm hundreds of km behind on my plans for this year.  And sick of hearing "be reasonable" & similar irritating platitudes.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 20 July, 2023, 05:57:01 pm
Why is Tesco advertising 'Back to school' shit on the wireless?
Most schools have not yet broken up for the summer.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 20 July, 2023, 06:31:13 pm
Quote from: Jurek
Why is Tesco advertising 'Back to school' shit on the wireless?
Wild guess?  Many parents are so strapped for cash they have to spread the cost of buying all the new kit required for growing kids over 2 or 3 months and Tesco know this.  Only a guess mark you.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 20 July, 2023, 06:43:57 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 20 July, 2023, 05:57:01 pm
Why is Tesco advertising 'Back to school' shit on the wireless?
Most schools have not yet broken up for the summer.
Because they want to be advertising Christmas next week?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 20 July, 2023, 07:34:54 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 20 July, 2023, 05:57:01 pm
Why is Tesco advertising 'Back to school' shit on the wireless?
Most schools have not yet broken up for the summer.

"Back to School" has always started about a nanosecond into the holidays, in order to demoralise any pupils who are being dragged round the shops.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cycleman on 20 July, 2023, 08:33:15 pm
Today's grumble is that Slough police are as much use as a chocolate teapot with a hole in it  ::-).
Having a doctors appointment this morning I was riding though Slough when coming the other way was my missing sun ez 3 recumbent. The rider turned out to be a Romanian lad who had found it dumped outside the dentist in Slough and decided to rehome it  ::-).  It quickly became apparent that he genuinely thought that it was a abandoned cycle. He happily rode to the police station with where I reported the trike recovered. He the police what he had done and they made him aware that he should not take anything from private or public property that was not his and sign a Statement confirming that he now understands this. He then rode the trike back to my house before walking off.
Today's was the first time I had ridden as far as Slough high street since I had struggled painfully out to report the trike missing. Both occasions it's gone missing I have though my own efforts been able to recover it. There are many more police driving and walking around Slough over the last couple of weeks and the lad been using quite often. Either the he was incredibly lucky or the police were just not looking  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 20 July, 2023, 09:54:28 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 20 July, 2023, 05:57:01 pm
Why is Tesco advertising 'Back to school' shit on the wireless?
Most schools have not yet broken up for the summer.

'Twas ever thus. I remember sseing all the 'Back to School' merchandise on Sale at Woolworth's before the end of term, when I was at primary school.

To be fair, our Scottish friends are back at school mid-August.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 20 July, 2023, 09:56:22 pm
Quote from: perpetual dan on 20 July, 2023, 06:43:57 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 20 July, 2023, 05:57:01 pm
Why is Tesco advertising 'Back to school' shit on the wireless?
Most schools have not yet broken up for the summer.
Because they want to be advertising Christmas next week?
Christmas starts first week of September, though Harrod's start in August...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: orienteer on 20 July, 2023, 10:03:54 pm
Quote from: cycleman on 20 July, 2023, 08:33:15 pm
Today's grumble is that Slough police are as much use as a chocolate teapot with a hole in it  ::-).
Having a doctors appointment this morning I was riding though Slough when coming the other way was my missing sun ez 3 recumbent. The rider turned out to be a Romanian lad who had found it dumped outside the dentist in Slough and decided to rehome it  ::-).  It quickly became apparent that he genuinely thought that it was a abandoned cycle. He happily rode to the police station with where I reported the trike recovered. He the police what he had done and they made him aware that he should not take anything from private or public property that was not his and sign a Statement confirming that he now understands this. He then rode the trike back to my house before walking off.
Today's was the first time I had ridden as far as Slough high street since I had struggled painfully out to report the trike missing. Both occasions it's gone missing I have though my own efforts been able to recover it. There are many more police driving and walking around Slough over the last couple of weeks and the lad been using quite often. Either the he was incredibly lucky or the police were just not looking  >:(

Glad to hear you got it back!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cycleman on 21 July, 2023, 07:27:17 am
 :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 21 July, 2023, 07:49:43 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 20 July, 2023, 09:54:28 pm
To be fair, our Scottish friends are back at school mid-August.

Ditto Norn Iron. I can still remember our headmaster saying at the end of my first year in primary school "...and you'll not be back until the 23rd of August".  A whole 6 weeks holiday we had, when I came back I had the Wicked Witch of the West for a teacher. She kept a cane in the corner and used it, too.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: liam_whippet on 21 July, 2023, 10:25:10 am
Quote from: cycleman on 20 July, 2023, 08:33:15 pm
Today's grumble is that Slough police are as much use as a chocolate teapot with a hole in it  ::-).
Having a doctors appointment this morning I was riding though Slough when coming the other way was my missing sun ez 3 recumbent. The rider turned out to be a Romanian lad who had found it dumped outside the dentist in Slough and decided to rehome it  ::-).  It quickly became apparent that he genuinely thought that it was a abandoned cycle. He happily rode to the police station with where I reported the trike recovered. He the police what he had done and they made him aware that he should not take anything from private or public property that was not his and sign a Statement confirming that he now understands this. He then rode the trike back to my house before walking off.
Today's was the first time I had ridden as far as Slough high street since I had struggled painfully out to report the trike missing. Both occasions it's gone missing I have though my own efforts been able to recover it. There are many more police driving and walking around Slough over the last couple of weeks and the lad been using quite often. Either the he was incredibly lucky or the police were just not looking  >:(

Really glad you've got your bike back.

Does the efficiency of the Slough police mean they have now arrested the dentist?  <smiley>
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 21 July, 2023, 10:35:12 am
Quote from: cycleman on 20 July, 2023, 08:33:15 pm
Today's grumble is that Slough police are as much use as a chocolate teapot with a hole in it  ::-).
Having a doctors appointment this morning I was riding though Slough when coming the other way was my missing sun ez 3 recumbent. The rider turned out to be a Romanian lad who had found it dumped outside the dentist in Slough and decided to rehome it  ::-).  It quickly became apparent that he genuinely thought that it was a abandoned cycle. He happily rode to the police station with where I reported the trike recovered. He the police what he had done and they made him aware that he should not take anything from private or public property that was not his and sign a Statement confirming that he now understands this. He then rode the trike back to my house before walking off.
Today's was the first time I had ridden as far as Slough high street since I had struggled painfully out to report the trike missing. Both occasions it's gone missing I have though my own efforts been able to recover it. There are many more police driving and walking around Slough over the last couple of weeks and the lad been using quite often. Either the he was incredibly lucky or the police were just not looking  >:(
Result!  :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

And good on the Romanian lad for going to the police with you.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 22 July, 2023, 06:31:50 pm
I wish my hearing aids  had more adjustable range when they’re Bluetoothed to devices. American TV and film audio is especially unbalanced wrt voice vs effects and this I get completely deafened when I have my internal volume loud enough to,hear the dialogue.

Yes, I do recognise the irony of a deaf person complaining of being deafened.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 22 July, 2023, 07:11:47 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 22 July, 2023, 06:31:50 pm
I wish my hearing aids  had more adjustable range when they’re Bluetoothed to devices. American TV and film audio is especially unbalanced wrt voice vs effects and this I get completely deafened when I have my internal volume loud enough to,hear the dialogue.

Yes, I do recognise the irony of a deaf person complaining of being deafened.

Deaf and hard of hearing (HOH) people are more likely to have issues of this kind:
* We have reduced dynamic range through hearing aids compared to natural hearing.
* Many of us experience something called 'recruitment' which is a narrower band between quietest sound we can hear and the pain threshold of sound...

Modern hearing aids try to do Dynamic Range Compression (DRC) but honestly, it sounds like shit. I usually prefer to have DRC off/minimised and ride the volume switch.

I think even hearing people with decent sound setups are saying that modern programmes seem to have TERRIBLE sound mixing with the speech too quiet and everything else too fucking loud.

If you're technically inclined (and the tech/prog support it) you might want to look at breaking out the sound into one of those 5:1 setups or whatever its called (someone nerdy can use the right words pedantically at me downthread) so that you could remix it relatively and put your hearing aid audio into the remixed output with the right combo of gizmos and effort... (Effort).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 22 July, 2023, 10:26:49 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 22 July, 2023, 06:31:50 pm
I wish my hearing aids  had more adjustable range when they’re Bluetoothed to devices. American TV and film audio is especially unbalanced wrt voice vs effects and this I get completely deafened when I have my internal volume loud enough to,hear the dialogue.

Yes, I do recognise the irony of a deaf person complaining of being deafened.

It ain't just you, I get f7cking annoyed at having to constantly jibble the volume for dialogue vs action vs ads
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 22 July, 2023, 10:44:46 pm
Agree. Another reason why I sometimes use the subtitles.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 22 July, 2023, 10:53:10 pm
I find subtitles distracting, I read them rather than watching the action.  And on news bulletins, they never keep up with the speech
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 23 July, 2023, 01:21:28 pm
Quote from: barakta on 22 July, 2023, 07:11:47 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 22 July, 2023, 06:31:50 pm
I wish my hearing aids  had more adjustable range when they’re Bluetoothed to devices. American TV and film audio is especially unbalanced wrt voice vs effects and this I get completely deafened when I have my internal volume loud enough to,hear the dialogue.

Yes, I do recognise the irony of a deaf person complaining of being deafened.

Deaf and hard of hearing (HOH) people are more likely to have issues of this kind:
* We have reduced dynamic range through hearing aids compared to natural hearing.
* Many of us experience something called 'recruitment' which is a narrower band between quietest sound we can hear and the pain threshold of sound...

Modern hearing aids try to do Dynamic Range Compression (DRC) but honestly, it sounds like shit. I usually prefer to have DRC off/minimised and ride the volume switch.

I think even hearing people with decent sound setups are saying that modern programmes seem to have TERRIBLE sound mixing with the speech too quiet and everything else too fucking loud.

If you're technically inclined (and the tech/prog support it) you might want to look at breaking out the sound into one of those 5:1 setups or whatever its called (someone nerdy can use the right words pedantically at me downthread) so that you could remix it relatively and put your hearing aid audio into the remixed output with the right combo of gizmos and effort... (Effort).
One of the issues of being HOH as opposed to being deaf is that I’m very much on the periphery of the deaf community and not seen as ‘disabled’ by most abled people. As a consequence the support I’ve received over the years has been incredibly patchy and most of the knowledge I have about my condition is a result of technical curiosity. I think I knew most of what you said, but hadn’t thought it because moaning is easier  :facepalm:

As to the 5:1 setup, I’ve thought of this in the past to overcome the problems sans HAs, but lounge tech must pass the spousal test, and HiFi has fallen foul of this in the past. Admittedly speakers and speaker cables were involved last time I tried it. I will have to look into 5:1 processors though I think I’ll be looking at high end kit if I want a fibre output for post processed mixing. And that will fall foul of the financial controller. Sometimes being married can be restrictive ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 23 July, 2023, 03:26:47 pm
<Snip>
Quote from: Beardy on 23 July, 2023, 01:21:28 pm
One of the issues of being HOH as opposed to being deaf is that I’m very much on the periphery of the deaf community and not seen as ‘disabled’ by most abled people. As a consequence the support I’ve received over the years has been incredibly patchy and most of the knowledge I have about my condition is a result of technical curiosity. I think I knew most of what you said, but hadn’t thought it because moaning is easier  :facepalm:

I think that's very common for HOHers to feel less understood and 'seen' as people who are dis-abled by society around them. You hear enough to feel like you're not "legit deaf enough" while experiencing a lot of the same challenges of more deaf people. One of the good things about social media starting more discussions is more people realising "no one feels deaf enough" and even with a spectrum of deafness/impact, we have more in common than not, therefore should collaborate more.

In my work, I find the "less auditorily deaf" people are often the most dis-abled in everyday life because they are not perceived as properly deaf "just a little hard of hearing" and no one teaches HOH people that even a little deafness is very different from having normal hearing (and indeed that people with normal hearing often struggle too in certain situations). Those people who like myself clearly can't hear for shit if we take our hearing aids off, can't be perceived as hearing, have a stronger sense of identity/legitimacy in our deafness.

I know with my hearing aids in, cos I don't sound deaf, people often forget that I am deaf and get frustrated when I don't hear well, or need them to make specific effort like getting my attention first, facing me, slowing down just a little and maybe speaking a little clearer/louder...

I am unusual in that I now live with someone who has a high tolerance for the "What?" and need for maybe 30% of sentences to be repeated at times. Most people have to live with others who are less understanding. In my family home my mum was great, one sister variable and my dad and other sister were pretty bad at deaf awareness and I find even now, my mum has to re-acclimatise to me because she doesn't see me enough to have my level retained. I think it also helps that Kim is a former theatre sound tech and engineer with sound experience cos she understands technically where/why I can't hear well and that the hearing aid really is a bodge and without it, we are into sign language and accidental occasionally correct lipreading territory only.

Quote
As to the 5:1 setup, I’ve thought of this in the past to overcome the problems sans HAs, but lounge tech must pass the spousal test, and HiFi has fallen foul of this in the past. Admittedly speakers and speaker cables were involved last time I tried it. I will have to look into 5:1 processors though I think I’ll be looking at high end kit if I want a fibre output for post processed mixing. And that will fall foul of the financial controller. Sometimes being married can be restrictive ::-)

Ah, difficult. I am lucky we don't care about wires. Would Dr B be more tolerant of wires/£££ if she understood it as an accessibility thing for you? I think sometimes hearing people don't really understand that.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 23 July, 2023, 07:09:10 pm
Quote from: barakta on 23 July, 2023, 03:26:47 pm
<Snip>
Quote from: Beardy on 23 July, 2023, 01:21:28 pm
One of the issues of being HOH as opposed to being deaf is that I’m very much on the periphery of the deaf community and not seen as ‘disabled’ by most abled people. As a consequence the support I’ve received over the years has been incredibly patchy and most of the knowledge I have about my condition is a result of technical curiosity. I think I knew most of what you said, but hadn’t thought it because moaning is easier  :facepalm:

I think that's very common for HOHers to feel less understood and 'seen' as people who are dis-abled by society around them. You hear enough to feel like you're not "legit deaf enough" while experiencing a lot of the same challenges of more deaf people. One of the good things about social media starting more discussions is more people realising "no one feels deaf enough" and even with a spectrum of deafness/impact, we have more in common than not, therefore should collaborate more.

In my work, I find the "less auditorily deaf" people are often the most dis-abled in everyday life because they are not perceived as properly deaf "just a little hard of hearing" and no one teaches HOH people that even a little deafness is very different from having normal hearing (and indeed that people with normal hearing often struggle too in certain situations). Those people who like myself clearly can't hear for shit if we take our hearing aids off, can't be perceived as hearing, have a stronger sense of identity/legitimacy in our deafness.

I know with my hearing aids in, cos I don't sound deaf, people often forget that I am deaf and get frustrated when I don't hear well, or need them to make specific effort like getting my attention first, facing me, slowing down just a little and maybe speaking a little clearer/louder...

I am unusual in that I now live with someone who has a high tolerance for the "What?" and need for maybe 30% of sentences to be repeated at times. Most people have to live with others who are less understanding. In my family home my mum was great, one sister variable and my dad and other sister were pretty bad at deaf awareness and I find even now, my mum has to re-acclimatise to me because she doesn't see me enough to have my level retained. I think it also helps that Kim is a former theatre sound tech and engineer with sound experience cos she understands technically where/why I can't hear well and that the hearing aid really is a bodge and without it, we are into sign language and accidental occasionally correct lipreading territory only.

Quote
As to the 5:1 setup, I’ve thought of this in the past to overcome the problems sans HAs, but lounge tech must pass the spousal test, and HiFi has fallen foul of this in the past. Admittedly speakers and speaker cables were involved last time I tried it. I will have to look into 5:1 processors though I think I’ll be looking at high end kit if I want a fibre output for post processed mixing. And that will fall foul of the financial controller. Sometimes being married can be restrictive ::-)

Ah, difficult. I am lucky we don't care about wires. Would Dr B be more tolerant of wires/£££ if she understood it as an accessibility thing for you? I think sometimes hearing people don't really understand that.

Ah, this post is seriously valuable to me, one of the HoH'ers that can't get folk to make any allowances for me, as they seem to think I'm just being stupid, or not paying attention, despite pointing out to them that my hearing is rubbish.  I love Mrs W dearly, but she just doesn't seem to grasp that she needs to talk TO ME, not just wiffle on facing the other way at the other end of our massive dining room.  And please stop asking me something as I'm just leaving the room!  Its not helped by the fact that she can hear an ant fart at 200 metres distance...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 23 July, 2023, 08:59:14 pm
Quote from: barakta on 23 July, 2023, 03:26:47 pm
<Snip>
Quote from: Beardy on 23 July, 2023, 01:21:28 pm
One of the issues of being HOH as opposed to being deaf is that I’m very much on the periphery of the deaf community and not seen as ‘disabled’ by most abled people. As a consequence the support I’ve received over the years has been incredibly patchy and most of the knowledge I have about my condition is a result of technical curiosity. I think I knew most of what you said, but hadn’t thought it because moaning is easier  :facepalm:

I think that's very common for HOHers to feel less understood and 'seen' as people who are dis-abled by society around them. You hear enough to feel like you're not "legit deaf enough" while experiencing a lot of the same challenges of more deaf people. One of the good things about social media starting more discussions is more people realising "no one feels deaf enough" and even with a spectrum of deafness/impact, we have more in common than not, therefore should collaborate more.

In my work, I find the "less auditorily deaf" people are often the most dis-abled in everyday life because they are not perceived as properly deaf "just a little hard of hearing" and no one teaches HOH people that even a little deafness is very different from having normal hearing (and indeed that people with normal hearing often struggle too in certain situations). Those people who like myself clearly can't hear for shit if we take our hearing aids off, can't be perceived as hearing, have a stronger sense of identity/legitimacy in our deafness.

I know with my hearing aids in, cos I don't sound deaf, people often forget that I am deaf and get frustrated when I don't hear well, or need them to make specific effort like getting my attention first, facing me, slowing down just a little and maybe speaking a little clearer/louder...

I am unusual in that I now live with someone who has a high tolerance for the "What?" and need for maybe 30% of sentences to be repeated at times. Most people have to live with others who are less understanding. In my family home my mum was great, one sister variable and my dad and other sister were pretty bad at deaf awareness and I find even now, my mum has to re-acclimatise to me because she doesn't see me enough to have my level retained. I think it also helps that Kim is a former theatre sound tech and engineer with sound experience cos she understands technically where/why I can't hear well and that the hearing aid really is a bodge and without it, we are into sign language and accidental occasionally correct lipreading territory only.

Quote
As to the 5:1 setup, I’ve thought of this in the past to overcome the problems sans HAs, but lounge tech must pass the spousal test, and HiFi has fallen foul of this in the past. Admittedly speakers and speaker cables were involved last time I tried it. I will have to look into 5:1 processors though I think I’ll be looking at high end kit if I want a fibre output for post processed mixing. And that will fall foul of the financial controller. Sometimes being married can be restrictive ::-)

Ah, difficult. I am lucky we don't care about wires. Would Dr B be more tolerant of wires/£££ if she understood it as an accessibility thing for you? I think sometimes hearing people don't really understand that.
Thanks barakta, your words are as ever insightful and helpful. I’m lucky for the most part that Dr B is a very kind and understanding person (but as an ex nurse, illnesses only ever garner 3 days sympathy) and she has for most of our lives together been very good. We do still have the occasional row when she’s snarky about me not listening and me being snarky in return in reminding her that I am actually deaf.  ::-) The biggest single niggle she has is audio ‘bleed’ from my headphones or HAs and the most frequent question is ‘do you need it that loud?’ For the most part I try to explain why I do, but as a social scientist and people person, the tech is neither of interest to her or comprehensible. 

On the buying stuff because I need it front, that’s not usually an issue, but as we’re both retired I do need to be more careful than I used to when buying stuff to ‘test’. I’m thinking I might get myself a job so I can collect a toy fund, but when I sit down the feeling goes away.  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 24 July, 2023, 10:22:10 am
Quote from: rafletcher on 14 July, 2023, 03:13:54 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 14 July, 2023, 01:37:59 pm
Chewing a slightly over toasted crumpet this morning & managed to damage a filled molar.   Dentist can't fit me in until a week on Monday.  I'm hoping it can be repaired.

If you can, opt for the “ceramic” white filling. It bonds to the enamel and holds the remaining tooth together better than amalgam.


I walked in this morning & thought they were going to make me re-book the appointment as all their systems were down & they couldn't do X ray etc.  Luckily it proved to be a simple fix, replacing a bit of broken tooth rather than the filling so she didn't need to drill, just cleaned and dried the area then applied the white stuff.  Only charged me the £25.80 visit fee,  that doesn't seem right.  Perhaps I'll get a phone call later..
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 24 July, 2023, 10:51:41 am
What is wrong with the people I work with?
We have five re-cycling bins in the kitchen.
Each is a different colour to the next and is marked with words and pictures of what is supposed to go in them.
So today (and every day) we have:
Glass re-cycling has blue tissue in it.
Food waste has blue tissue in it.
Plastics has blue tissue in it.
Metal has blue tissue in it.
Paper and card...... I think you can probably guess   :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 24 July, 2023, 10:57:56 am
Quote from: Jurek on 24 July, 2023, 10:51:41 am
What is wrong with the people I work with?
We have five re-cycling bins in the kitchen.
Each is a different colour to the next and is marked with words and pictures of what is supposed to go in them.
So today (and every day) we have:
Glass re-cycling has blue tissue in it.
Food waste has blue tissue in it.
Plastics has blue tissue in it.
Metal has blue tissue in it.
Paper and card...... I think you can probably guess   :facepalm:

Most of it'll end up in landfill anyway.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 24 July, 2023, 11:21:15 am
It was a grumble from my son when he was in university halls - they had multiple recycling bins, and the cleaners would refuse to empty if they were "contaminated" with the wrong sort of waste. They were maintained seperated right up until the bin wagon turned up (which he could see from his window). All the different coloured big bins just ended up being thrown in the back of the same wagon.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 24 July, 2023, 11:29:28 am
Not here in Powys, it doesn't.  The collection truck has numerous compartments in it, and it goes to a recycling centre where it is dealt with separately.  The place you can visit also includes several other categories that aren't roadside collected, such as plastic film.  Wales is generally pretty good on recycling.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 24 July, 2023, 11:31:15 am
Everything recyclable here just goes in your green bin.  Sorting is SEP.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 24 July, 2023, 11:44:06 am
Same here - except the bin is blue and glass does go into a separate bin.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ScumOfTheRoad on 24 July, 2023, 11:45:26 am
I live in apartment block. We have several 'paladin' large wheeled bins for domestic rubbish,
plus four similarly sized recycling bins with blue plastic tops.

What boils my piss:
I regularly see food waste like pizza boxes or ready meal containers, unwashed, in the recycling
Cardboard boxes are thrown in there and people don't bother flattening them
I often see entire bin liners, full,  in the recycling. I supect some people dont know the difference between the types of bin

In these parts of London rubbish is incinerated anyway, so I often throw Amazon cardboard and glossy paper in the rubbish to let it be burned.
I suspect cardboard and glossy paper are not in reality recycled.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 24 July, 2023, 12:07:46 pm
Quote from: Wombat on 23 July, 2023, 07:09:10 pm
Ah, this post is seriously valuable to me, one of the HoH'ers that can't get folk to make any allowances for me, as they seem to think I'm just being stupid, or not paying attention, despite pointing out to them that my hearing is rubbish.  I love Mrs W dearly, but she just doesn't seem to grasp that she needs to talk TO ME, not just wiffle on facing the other way at the other end of our massive dining room.  And please stop asking me something as I'm just leaving the room!  Its not helped by the fact that she can hear an ant fart at 200 metres distance...

I am glad to have been able to help even a little. Sadly, while it's helpful for the deaf person to know, what's more helpful is their friends, family and work colleagues (and maybe people in general).

There's a huge assumption that hearing aids are like glasses, just fix everything to normal or near as damnit normal which is very much not the case.

Also 30dB hearing loss which is barely hearing-aid territory compared to normal or better than normal hearing is a huge difference which is hard to convey. I have an audio file of Sue Lawley who I dropped the 2kHz and above by I think 12 or 30dB and it's muffled and awful. I use it as part of a wider deaf awareness training that I run to say this is what happens if I chop the top frequencies but I can't simulate anyone's deafness hearing aid or cochlea implant hearing because they may have distortion and a lot depends on the brain making sense of what inputs it has. But it gives people an idea of what suddenly becomes indistinct and unclear... Whether it changes their long term behaviour towards deaf/HOH people I cannot know tho.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 24 July, 2023, 07:55:20 pm
Quote from: ScumOfTheRoad on 24 July, 2023, 11:45:26 am
I live in apartment block. We have several 'paladin' large wheeled bins for domestic rubbish,
plus four similarly sized recycling bins with blue plastic tops.

What boils my piss:
I regularly see food waste like pizza boxes or ready meal containers, unwashed, in the recycling
Cardboard boxes are thrown in there and people don't bother flattening them
I often see entire bin liners, full,  in the recycling. I supect some people dont know the difference between the types of bin

In these parts of London rubbish is incinerated anyway, so I often throw Amazon cardboard and glossy paper in the rubbish to let it be burned.
I suspect cardboard and glossy paper are not in reality recycled.

I've never understood the people who don't break-down and flatten cardboard boxes, they just chuck them out by the bin. It's a few seconds of work (admittedly, one of my circa-age 15 supermarket job tasks was breaking down approximately one bazillion boxes every weekend).

Generally, though, I think asking people to clean and sort their own recycling is probably a false economy when there are big machines to do that far more effectively than lazy-assed humans.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 25 July, 2023, 09:25:40 am
If you live in West London, your rubbish goes on a very smelly train to Avonmouth, where it provides heat and power for the Avonmouthians.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 25 July, 2023, 10:26:53 am
Quote from: barakta on 24 July, 2023, 12:07:46 pm
Quote from: Wombat on 23 July, 2023, 07:09:10 pm
Ah, this post is seriously valuable to me, one of the HoH'ers that can't get folk to make any allowances for me, as they seem to think I'm just being stupid, or not paying attention, despite pointing out to them that my hearing is rubbish.  I love Mrs W dearly, but she just doesn't seem to grasp that she needs to talk TO ME, not just wiffle on facing the other way at the other end of our massive dining room.  And please stop asking me something as I'm just leaving the room!  Its not helped by the fact that she can hear an ant fart at 200 metres distance...

I am glad to have been able to help even a little. Sadly, while it's helpful for the deaf person to know, what's more helpful is their friends, family and work colleagues (and maybe people in general).

There's a huge assumption that hearing aids are like glasses, just fix everything to normal or near as damnit normal which is very much not the case.

Also 30dB hearing loss which is barely hearing-aid territory compared to normal or better than normal hearing is a huge difference which is hard to convey. I have an audio file of Sue Lawley who I dropped the 2kHz and above by I think 12 or 30dB and it's muffled and awful. I use it as part of a wider deaf awareness training that I run to say this is what happens if I chop the top frequencies but I can't simulate anyone's deafness hearing aid or cochlea implant hearing because they may have distortion and a lot depends on the brain making sense of what inputs it has. But it gives people an idea of what suddenly becomes indistinct and unclear... Whether it changes their long term behaviour towards deaf/HOH people I cannot know tho.

Thank you! We don't have "like" buttons here, but if it did, I'd hit that 1000 times... You are currently my hero!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nicknack on 29 July, 2023, 09:56:47 am
Ring on the doorbell at about 10 last night. We weren't surprised because we were expecting our daughter and family. There was no one there.
 A few minutes later there were 4 fairly loud cracks. Of course it's the local yoof having a laugh. Last time it was eggs, this time it appears to have been an air rifle/slingshot. So instead of cleaning egg off walls, windows and car we have a kitchen window to replace.
Police have been informed but I'm not expecting much response.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 29 July, 2023, 10:03:19 am
I think that deserves more than just a grumble.  >:( Hope you don't have too much trouble/expense replacing the window.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: nicknack on 29 July, 2023, 12:19:07 pm
You're probably right but ranting is too much effort.

Replacement will be easy. Just needs the application of cash.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 01 August, 2023, 08:10:31 am
Insurance cover it?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 01 August, 2023, 08:13:54 am
The Graun have changed something in their CSS and the Chrome on my antiquated tablet can't handle it. Hide/show sections no longer works, some headline boxes aren't big enough for the content and cut it off, and some of them are superimposed on others. Bah.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 01 August, 2023, 11:08:35 am
Quote from: nicknack on 29 July, 2023, 09:56:47 am
Ring on the doorbell at about 10 last night. We weren't surprised because we were expecting our daughter and family. There was no one there.
 A few minutes later there were 4 fairly loud cracks. Of course it's the local yoof having a laugh. Last time it was eggs, this time it appears to have been an air rifle/slingshot. So instead of cleaning egg off walls, windows and car we have a kitchen window to replace.
Police have been informed but I'm not expecting much response.

Which reminds me, was there ever a resolution to phantasmagoriana's egg saga?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 01 August, 2023, 02:03:12 pm
Quote from: nicknack on 29 July, 2023, 09:56:47 am
Ring on the doorbell at about 10 last night. We weren't surprised because we were expecting our daughter and family. There was no one there.
 A few minutes later there were 4 fairly loud cracks. Of course it's the local yoof having a laugh. Last time it was eggs, this time it appears to have been an air rifle/slingshot. So instead of cleaning egg off walls, windows and car we have a kitchen window to replace.
Police have been informed but I'm not expecting much response.

In a bid to get their Tory chums re-elected haven't police chiefs just a promised to investigate every crime*?

* With the exception of a very long list ... 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 01 August, 2023, 06:24:44 pm
Quote from: Polar Bear on 01 August, 2023, 02:03:12 pm
Quote from: nicknack on 29 July, 2023, 09:56:47 am
Ring on the doorbell at about 10 last night. We weren't surprised because we were expecting our daughter and family. There was no one there.
 A few minutes later there were 4 fairly loud cracks. Of course it's the local yoof having a laugh. Last time it was eggs, this time it appears to have been an air rifle/slingshot. So instead of cleaning egg off walls, windows and car we have a kitchen window to replace.
Police have been informed but I'm not expecting much response.

In a bid to get their Tory chums re-elected haven't police chiefs just a promised to investigate every crime*?

* With the exception of a very long list ...

Such as ones that happen in the past?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: JefO on 02 August, 2023, 10:22:32 pm
I took exception today, when some work was being done on my neighbour's guttering.

To do this work, the slave had to go on my neighbour's garage roof - which adjoins with my garage roof. This is flat roofing with felt and stones. They had spread their tools and some of the tiles (unnecessarily removed) on my garage roof.

I had a quiet word with the workman, who was blatantly on my side of the join... he said he understood in poor English.

A little later his bully of a boss (who I had taken an instant dislike to) was on the neighbour's roof... but "Alex" the slave, was on my side again.

I said I wasn't happy about the damage being done to my roof, and that I had already asked that they keep off my roof, I asked to make sure that all understood. I was assured that was the case.

I carried on working in my garage and heard heavy footsteps clearly on my side of the roof again about an hour later. I might have shouted a bit at that point.

Why the fu&^ do people working for my neighbours feel compelled to come onto my property?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 02 August, 2023, 10:33:32 pm
Location , location , location....    That's a nice flat,  I can afford it, but it's on the Wrong Side of the river  >:(     (Current issues with aging parents mean I don't want to increase the travel time between us.)


https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/137528030
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 03 August, 2023, 08:19:18 am
I had need of a new passport photo, so took the opportunity of my weekly Tesco shop to use their photo-booth.  Of course, everything is digital these days, so out came the pictures, along with the digital code to use on the application.  There was also the option of emailing the photos to oneself, which facility I availaed myself of.

Get home, look through emails, move obvious ones to junk, can't see the photos. Shrug as have the hard copy.

Next day my wife gets hers done, and when I get home I mention the email, and she says "Oh yes, I got mine" and she shows me a email.

From: Max Spielman. Subject: Photo ID.  Text: a line of question marks thus ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
Which I had, of course, put in junk.   ::-)

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 03 August, 2023, 12:58:38 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 02 August, 2023, 10:33:32 pm
Location , location , location....    That's a nice flat,  I can afford it, but it's on the Wrong Side of the river  >:(     (Current issues with aging parents mean I don't want to increase the travel time between us.)


https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/137528030

It is, but that listing contains 100% more photos than it actually needed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Paul on 03 August, 2023, 02:10:03 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 02 August, 2023, 10:33:32 pm
Location , location , location....    That's a nice flat,  I can afford it, but it's on the Wrong Side of the river  >:(     (Current issues with aging parents mean I don't want to increase the travel time between us.)


https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/137528030

Nice. Makes prices in my area look mad. Anywhere for the bikes?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 03 August, 2023, 02:15:11 pm
There is a bike in one of the pics, hidden behind a tasteful screen.   Or you could use the walk in wardrobe!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Paul on 03 August, 2023, 02:24:10 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 03 August, 2023, 02:15:11 pm
There is a bike in one of the pics, hidden behind a tasteful screen.   Or you could use the walk in wardrobe!
Oh yes! Picture 19.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 03 August, 2023, 03:04:53 pm
Quote from: Paul on 03 August, 2023, 02:10:03 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 02 August, 2023, 10:33:32 pm
Location , location , location....    That's a nice flat,  I can afford it, but it's on the Wrong Side of the river  >:(     (Current issues with aging parents mean I don't want to increase the travel time between us.)


https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/137528030

Nice. Makes prices in my area look mad. Anywhere for the bikes?
Indeed. That would perhaps buy a studio flat round here.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 05 August, 2023, 12:10:00 pm
My car insurance is up for renewal. 32% higher this year after 18% higher the year before. (I live in the same place, drive the same quite modest car, haven't had any accidents, or changed how I use the car, or become significantly older.) I've got better things to do with my time than shop around for insurance.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 05 August, 2023, 12:47:53 pm
The railways and electronic ticketing. The idea of being able to get a ticket online then either print a barcode or load onto a reusable smart card directly from my phone rather than queuing at the station to pick up a piece of orange card is compelling, especially when I know I've got plenty of time at home or on the office to do that order, but will be tight on time at the station.

Except my success rate in London for either is about 50% on whether the gate will let me through. If it doesn't I have to try multiple barriers or go and find someone to be condescending ("I'll believe you this time" is what I've literally had said to me) as they open the barrier.

So give up and back to queuing for tickets at the orange cards tend to work.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 05 August, 2023, 12:56:11 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 02 August, 2023, 10:33:32 pm
Location , location , location....    That's a nice flat,  I can afford it, but it's on the Wrong Side of the river  >:(     (Current issues with aging parents mean I don't want to increase the travel time between us.)


https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/137528030

That's a lot of flat for the money! :o Or maybe I just need to move to Wallasey...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 05 August, 2023, 02:13:45 pm
Quote from: perpetual dan on 05 August, 2023, 12:10:00 pm
My car insurance is up for renewal. 32% higher this year after 18% higher the year before. (I live in the same place, drive the same quite modest car, haven't had any accidents, or changed how I use the car, or become significantly older.) I've got better things to do with my time than shop around for insurance.

Just use a comparison site, it’ll save your details easily enough for next year. I do it every year because of the arbitrary and considerable increase. Odd thing is mostly I seem to end up with the same underwriter (UK Insurance) but with a lower quote dependent on the branding.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 05 August, 2023, 02:28:20 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 05 August, 2023, 02:13:45 pm
Quote from: perpetual dan on 05 August, 2023, 12:10:00 pm
My car insurance is up for renewal. 32% higher this year after 18% higher the year before. (I live in the same place, drive the same quite modest car, haven't had any accidents, or changed how I use the car, or become significantly older.) I've got better things to do with my time than shop around for insurance.

Just use a comparison site, it’ll save your details easily enough for next year. I do it every year because of the arbitrary and considerable increase. Odd thing is mostly I seem to end up with the same underwriter (UK Insurance) but with a lower quote dependent on the branding.

Yes, that's what I've done - and got back to more or less what I paid this year. So Direct Line can do one.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 05 August, 2023, 02:59:34 pm
We have an insurance broker around the corner from us.  They can get deals which are not online.

I'm quite pleased that real people still do this sort of thing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 05 August, 2023, 03:44:54 pm
Quote from: MattH on 05 August, 2023, 12:47:53 pm
The railways and electronic ticketing. The idea of being able to get a ticket online then either print a barcode or load onto a reusable smart card directly from my phone rather than queuing at the station to pick up a piece of orange card is compelling, especially when I know I've got plenty of time at home or on the office to do that order, but will be tight on time at the station.

Except my success rate in London for either is about 50% on whether the gate will let me through. If it doesn't I have to try multiple barriers or go and find someone to be condescending ("I'll believe you this time" is what I've literally had said to me) as they open the barrier.

So give up and back to queuing for tickets at the orange cards tend to work.

I have 100% success rate now, but it it took a while to figure out the optimum combination:

Buy the ticket in the app, not the website. A soon as payment is complete, click through a bunch of screens to get to "Add to Wallet". This means that from about 2 hours before the departure time, there's an icon on the phone's Home Screen which is handy, and when clicked it not only shows the QR code but ups the brightness for the scanner.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 05 August, 2023, 04:01:40 pm
Passport renewals. So it takes 10 weeks (or can do). But you have immediately to surrender your existing passport - actually it has to be posted to reach the Passport office before they’ll start your application. Why, in these days of biometric passports, can we not keep our existing ones until such time as the new one is received, like ones credit cards? 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 05 August, 2023, 07:20:08 pm
Quote from: rafletcher
Why, in these days of biometric passports, can we not keep our existing ones until such time as the new one is received, like ones credit cards?
Because that would be too fucking simple.  Anyway, they've probably got some old geezer stuck in a cupboard somewhere on an unbreakable contract or Royal charter who's paid a butt of Malmsey the five gross to clip the corner off your old one.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 05 August, 2023, 08:56:50 pm
O hai Waterstone's!

It used to be possible to order stuffs from your webby SCIENCE for collection from the nearest branch of your establishment.  And now, at least with the combination of the Michelin Road Atlas of North America (spiral bound) and your branch in Walthamstow, it isn’t.  And to get it posted will cost another three quid.  Sort it out u muppets!

Kthxbai!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 05 August, 2023, 09:50:26 pm
Quote from: Pickled Onion on 05 August, 2023, 03:44:54 pm
I have 100% success rate now, but it it took a while to figure out the optimum combination:

Buy the ticket in the app, not the website. A soon as payment is complete, click through a bunch of screens to get to "Add to Wallet". This means that from about 2 hours before the departure time, there's an icon on the phone's Home Screen which is handy, and when clicked it not only shows the QR code but ups the brightness for the scanner.

I buy on the app, but don't like to rely on a working phone hence printing or using the smart card (plus at Waterloo I see people struggling with phones and doing the same "try the next barrier" that I do with the card. I think some of the barriers just lose connectivity.
The cards should be more reliable than any optical system, and it does seem to recognise the card - it's the backend that seems to fail and it can't decide that there is something valid on it, even if the phone app (which is the same that the revenue protection team use) says it is ok.

Regardless, it's unfit for purpose.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 06 August, 2023, 02:40:16 pm
Do you know what grinds my gears in a most unseasonal fashion. No? Well I’ll tell you. Publicans and restauranteurs who neglect basic house maintenance. In particular those that do not oil the toilet door hinges. It’s bad enough that you are seated at the same end of the establishment as the toilets with no provision for patrons to access the same without them walking past your table whilst you are tucking in to an otherwise very good Sunday roast. But to have every entry and exit from said facilities heralded by the loud squeaking of the door hinges is beyond the pale.

Sort it out you doilies.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 06 August, 2023, 03:13:01 pm
Reminds me of Les Vacances de Monsieur Hulot.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 06 August, 2023, 06:52:36 pm
The wife’s birthday shenanigans in London Town. Not a grumble, she had a good time, but endless beforehand to-and-fro about the dire weather predictions. Which came to naught, didn’t even need my trusty storm proof umbrella.

Then the trains, owing to the interminable industrial action, our last train home was about 5pm. So we relocated to Croydon in the basis we could Uber home later in the evening. Except no Ubers would pick up. Oh well, get the bus. Wait time >30 minutes (for a 10-12 minute service). Got a different bus to get a taxi from closer to home. No taxis available. Finally got the other bus; because of roadworks it’s operating in two parts. You might think that one part waits for the other to arrive to expeditiously transfer ongoing passengers but of course not. That admittedly was in our favour as it was ready to leave rather than wait 30 minutes for the other half. Got home eventually.

I may have ideas why night time economies are dying…
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 08 August, 2023, 12:07:01 pm
Bought a new phone the other day, Motorola G53, as the old one had a cracked screen then drowned at the weekend.

The phone has the capability for "Turbo Charging", so it can squeeze electrons in quicker, if it's fed them. 3A rather than the more normal 2A (ish).  The cheapskate scallywags only supplied a 2A chrger though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 08 August, 2023, 12:20:52 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 08 August, 2023, 12:07:01 pm
The phone has the capability for "Turbo Charging"

This is Motorolaspeak for QC something.  Probably 4 on something that new, which I think is starting to cross-pollinate with USB-C power delivery, for an even more confusing mess of standards than usual.

Given that it's a phone, it would probably only pull the full 3A for a couple of minutes with a really bat flattery,
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: grams on 08 August, 2023, 01:30:05 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 08 August, 2023, 12:07:01 pm
The cheapskate scallywags only supplied a 2A chrger though.

You got a charger in the box?!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 08 August, 2023, 01:37:19 pm
Quote from: grams on 08 August, 2023, 01:30:05 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 08 August, 2023, 12:07:01 pm
The cheapskate scallywags only supplied a 2A chrger though.

You got a charger in the box?!
I know! Exciting, isn't it?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 08 August, 2023, 01:52:00 pm
Quote from: Kim on 08 August, 2023, 12:20:52 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 08 August, 2023, 12:07:01 pm
The phone has the capability for "Turbo Charging"

This is Motorolaspeak for QC something.  Probably 4 on something that new, which I think is starting to cross-pollinate with USB-C power delivery, for an even more confusing mess of standards than usual.

Given that it's a phone, it would probably only pull the full 3A for a couple of minutes with a really bat flattery,
Great Scott on the YouTube they have now posted a video at the weekend detailing his adventures in testing QC and SC to see what impact it had on battery life. His conclusion was only use QC when you are in a hurry otherwise use a slower charge to prolong your battery life. Quick Charging Great Scott on YT (https://youtube.com/watch?v=iMn2yVoEqPs)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 09 August, 2023, 04:48:42 pm
Go west from Wales and there is an island. The top end of it is Northern Ireland.

The rest is Ireland. Not Southern Ireland.

(this grumble is directed at my geographically challenged colleagues.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 09 August, 2023, 05:13:24 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 09 August, 2023, 04:48:42 pm
Go west from Wales and there is an island. The top end of it is Northern Ireland.

The rest is Ireland. Not Southern Ireland.

(this grumble is directed at my geographically challenged colleagues.)
I'm reading Robert Fisk's history of Ireland in WW2 and it's full of references to 'Southern Ireland', all of them direct quotes from UK ministers at the time.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 09 August, 2023, 06:55:52 pm
I’d suggest it’s the Republic of Ireland, part of the island of Ireland, although in Irish it’s Eire, which is indeed Ireland, which is the name of both the island, and the Republic.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 09 August, 2023, 09:06:19 pm
“Ratbogies!” exclaimed Mr Larrington, on discovering that his current tin of wood painty-stuff is highly unlikely to last until the completion of the recommended three coats.  Of it.  This will at least mean I can give it a coat or two extra on the outside, and discover the route from the track round the Banbury Reservoir to the canal.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 09 August, 2023, 11:39:39 pm
Phone's borked. No internet connection when in Japan (calls worked), which was irritating, but Mrs B's phone was fine, & when fiddling with mine found that the relevant menu was almost completely missing.

Motorola says it's Vodafone's fault because the fucked bit is network settings. Vodafone says it's Motorola's fault because it's phone settings. I pointed out that if I put Mrs B's SIM in my phone it was much happier, but they want to see that in person. I'll have to borrow Mrs B's phone & take it to the local Vodafone shop.

Simultaneously, Virgin Media has blocked my email, apparently because of suspicious usage. They gave me instructions to recover them. Don't work. Blood from stones getting responses. Thy're vague about the suspicious use but prime among the possible causes was forwarding of suspicious emails. They would not say if forwarding dodgy mails to report@phishing.gov.uk, phishing@virginmedia.com or similar sites would arouse suspicion . . . .

It's secondary: my main mail is something else, & all the old mail I want is archived, but there are still some people who might not know my main email. Oh, & one of the Virgin addresses is my rescue address for my main mail.

They're now treating it as resolved because they've given me two sets of slightly different recovery instructions, neither of which works because I'm blocked from performing the required actions by the block which the procedure is supposed to remove . . . . Doh!

This is very, very irritating.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 10 August, 2023, 02:04:43 am
Virgin flat-out refused to let me forward various spammy e-mails from Lt. Col.Larrington (retd.)’s account to their dedicated reporting address because the messages being forwarded contained spam-like content  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wowbagger on 10 August, 2023, 12:43:18 pm
Buggeration!

A couple of months ago I decided to enrol on an OU Photography Course which starts in October. I've had a couple of nice friendly emails telling me stuff, like logging into "Studenthome" to start exploring, but when I try it tells me that my account resembles another account and won't let me in. It crossed my mind this morning that October is approaching faster than I would like, so I need to get this sorted out. So I spent a long time on hold, spoke to a pleasant sounding woman for a while, she made an attempt to put me through to someone technical, I was on hold for quite a bit longer, then it sounded as though someone was about to answer and I was cut off.

Is this what happens when you phone at lunch time?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 10 August, 2023, 01:49:07 pm
Meanwhile, Leroy Merlin appear to have a cunning ploy to stop you getting reimbursed when they fail to deliver.  You use their Contact page to complain about something and they send you an email asking for the order number, which you already filled in on the Contact page. You reply to the email, giving the order number, and receive an automatic reply telling you they can't accept email so kindly use the included link to go to the contact page and do it properly, dumbo.  You go to the contact page and can find sweet FA that would let you continue the conversation, so you fill the form out for the 42nd time and off we go on the carousel once more.

They've had my money since 1st July and I haven't been able to have a coherent dialogue with the cunning bastards yet. IHTFG.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 10 August, 2023, 06:25:56 pm
Quote from: T42
They've had my money since 1st July and I haven't been able to have a coherent dialogue with the cunning bastards yet. IHTFG.
Registered letter (or Fr. equiv.) to Head Orifice threatening them with the Bailiffs (or Fr. equiv.) if they don't cough up?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 10 August, 2023, 08:30:21 pm
Should’ve trusted my instincts.  One 750 ml time of wood painty-stuff has proven sufficient to give all surfaces of the replacement front door three coats.  That's £18 down the dunny chiz.  And I can’t take it back for a refund coz the tin has a socking great dent in it after this afternoon's incident of divvery (qv).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 10 August, 2023, 09:13:01 pm
Tell them you're taking it back for a refund cos it's got a dent in it?

(Back when I worked at the Coop people used to deliberately pick up damaged goods off the shelf, pay, and then immediately go to customer services cos it was refund AND replacement on food or some such.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 10 August, 2023, 09:57:23 pm
I think I'll just bung an extra coat or two on the outside.  Anything to put off moving the bloody thing from the kitchen to the door 'ole and trying to install it, coz it weighs more than any two bikes in the Fleet.

Also I'd have to find the receipt, which has probably been recycled already with it being BIIINNNSSS Day.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 11 August, 2023, 10:57:32 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 10 August, 2023, 09:57:23 pm
I think I'll just bung an extra coat or two on the outside.  Anything to put off moving the bloody thing from the kitchen to the door 'ole and trying to install it, coz it weighs more than any two bikes in the Fleet.

Cue Ben Aaronovitch?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 11 August, 2023, 12:42:47 pm
Have the day off. Go for a swim, think I. Pool has different ideas since they have 'staffing issues' meaning they close today at 6pm. OK, I can go this afternoon, right. No, because there isn't one. There isn't any session. Which they don't say in the notice they, of course, don't put on their website, oh no, but Facebook. Astoundingly though, they did at least update the timetable page, which is an improvement on previous and saved me clambering up 98-steps of hill to find out that there's no session. Small mercies. A bit shit though, so I've wasted five minutes in a pointless grink.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 11 August, 2023, 01:07:06 pm
Quote from: T42 on 10 August, 2023, 01:49:07 pm
They've had my money since 1st July and I haven't been able to have a coherent dialogue with the cunning bastards yet. IHTFG.

And bang!  Email this morning: we've reimbursed you!  Only 6 weeks it took them.  :demon: :demon: :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 11 August, 2023, 01:17:39 pm
Grink semi-successful as they're opening the pool 3-4 pm, and as I'm hopefully the only person that knows about this, it's all mine. I might wee.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 12 August, 2023, 03:29:33 pm
And now
1) I have all the symptoms of an upper respiratory tract infection, plus a couple of (mild) extras
&
2) I've tested positive for covid-19. Twice. So it's probably true.

I've been given antibiotics for the URTI & told to isolate, keep warm & hydrated, & rest. And phone up if i get worse.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 14 August, 2023, 06:43:40 am
My greyhound is a poor excuse for a dog so got up at usual time to talk him for a walk pre work. He was as excited as ever. But alas its rained overnight so he decided against a walk

As was super organised last night had made my lunch so got nothing to do before work. Could have had longer in bed (I do have lots of things to do but all rather noisy so not suitable for pre 7am)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 15 August, 2023, 11:14:08 am
I've just been to the pharmacy and asked for some lemon Dioralyte.
He gave me something that wan't lemon and wasn't dioralyte.
What is wrong with people?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 15 August, 2023, 03:06:37 pm
Maybe he thought you wanted "Lemonade or a light".  :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 15 August, 2023, 04:48:11 pm
M&S have moved out of their nice old building Compton House in Church St, Liverpool which they've occupied since 1928.   They've moved up the road to the Liverpool One shopping centre, taking over part of the building that used to be Debenhams.    I didn't much like it as Debenhams & based on 1 fleeting visit today I don't like the new M&S.  The menswear department* is much smaller & they have Popular Beat Combos playing on the PA  :(
*useful for parental presents.


https://twitter.com/Liverpool1207/status/1691053759563010048?s=20


https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/whats-on/shopping/gallery/ms-30-photos-take-you-27524535       I'm agreeing with comments in the Echo.  Someone please shoot me now....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 17 August, 2023, 08:03:36 pm
The computer at Mr Sainsbury’s House of Toothy Comestibles cannot tell the difference between zero-alcohol Brewdog Punk IPA* and the real thing and thus the self-checkout demands a Minion to verify that you’re legally allowed to buy the Stuffs >:(

* Can’t watch a The World Cup Final without BEER.  It’s like a law, or something.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 17 August, 2023, 09:18:36 pm
Football final? When’s this then? Not that I’ll be watching. Sportball <shudder>
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 17 August, 2023, 09:33:55 pm
The parents have a minor roof leak.   Possibly a few loose tiles & maybe some flashing.   A neighbour recommended a friend of his who's a roofer & "won't let us down" .   So far he's missed 2 agreed times to come & look at the job to give us a quote.  I think I'll be looking at Checkatrade or similar for somebody else.   >:(



Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 17 August, 2023, 09:42:50 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 17 August, 2023, 09:18:36 pm
Sportball <shudder>

It's not so bad when it's *lesbian* sportsball.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 17 August, 2023, 10:35:05 pm
I won't be able to watch the sportsball final, due to being somewhere on the other side of the Irish Sea on a Clwb Wisgi Llandysul organised visit to a several of Irish distilleries.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 18 August, 2023, 07:24:17 am
Quote from: Beardy on 17 August, 2023, 09:18:36 pm
Football final? When’s this then? Not that I’ll be watching. Sportball <shudder>

Have to commend the Graun on putting the Women's World Cup in a separate section with a [HIDE] button.  Now if they'd just do that with the rest of football...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 18 August, 2023, 09:27:45 am
Apple. Whenever I plug my 'phone into my laptop in order to charge it, you ask me if I want to allow said laptop to access files on the 'phone. I say "No". The the file explorer window immediately opens on the laptop - with no access to the 'phone  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 18 August, 2023, 04:12:11 pm
Quote from: T42 on 18 August, 2023, 07:24:17 am
Quote from: Beardy on 17 August, 2023, 09:18:36 pm
Football final? When’s this then? Not that I’ll be watching. Sportball <shudder>

Have to commend the Graun on putting the Women's World Cup in a separate section with a [HIDE] button.  Now if they'd just do that with the rest of football...
They do, it's the whole of the sport section though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 18 August, 2023, 08:19:23 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 18 August, 2023, 09:27:45 am
Apple. Whenever I plug my 'phone into my laptop in order to charge it, you ask me if I want to allow said laptop to access files on the 'phone. I say "No". The the file explorer window immediately opens on the laptop - with no access to the 'phone  ::-)

My Linux machine does something similar.  There's probably a file I can edit somewhere to tell it not to, thobut.

Windows, presumably, demands a reboot...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 19 August, 2023, 02:58:42 pm
Whereas an Android phone plugged into a Windows PC just asks if you want access for file transfer or not, and if you say file transfer, then it will indeed open a folder (unless you've already told the PC never to open folders if you plug it in...)  if you say no, just charging, then it'll just charge.  Blimey, two different OSs not having an argument! Miracles...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Diver300 on 19 August, 2023, 09:14:13 pm
Vent-Axia shouldn't be making bathroom timer fans that take around 10% of their full power when sat there doing nothing. Arguably, there is no need for them to have the electronics running at all once the timer has expired and the fan has stopped as the trigger is a 240 V signal. Even the lazy design that leaves the electronics running could use a capacitive dropper not a resistive one which will cost around £3 per year and will heat the board so much that it will probably only last a few years.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 19 August, 2023, 09:42:50 pm
Quote from: Diver300 on 19 August, 2023, 09:14:13 pm
Vent-Axia shouldn't be making bathroom timer fans that take around 10% of their full power when sat there doing nothing. Arguably, there is no need for them to have the electronics running at all once the timer has expired and the fan has stopped as the trigger is a 240 V signal. Even the lazy design that leaves the electronics running could use a capacitive dropper not a resistive one which will cost around £3 per year and will heat the board so much that it will probably only last a few years.

Somewhere in the murky depths of the fettling thread, there's a post where I bypass the electronics in Mrs-Barakta's-Mum's downstairs bathroom fan, because some idiot used a resistive dropper and it cooked itself after a few years...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 20 August, 2023, 09:38:02 am
ID Mobile: my contract expires in 2 months, and I'm not desperate to upgrade before then; especially when you're asking £25/month for a phone I can get elsewhere for £4/month less, with more data thrown in. I'll just buy outright and get a SIM-only deal, kthxbai. As it happens, Three's signal round these parts is shite, so switching networks wouldn't be a bad idea anyway.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 20 August, 2023, 04:51:22 pm
Royal Mail, why have you decided I want my parcel collected? The delivery office is, by some oversight I’m sure, open at a convenient time tomorrow and on my way to the bus stop - whereas waiting in is neither. I simply need to pay and print the label. You even suggest this is possible on the first page. (I’m sure this used to work.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 20 August, 2023, 07:52:48 pm
Quote from: perpetual dan on 20 August, 2023, 04:51:22 pm
Royal Mail, why have you decided I want my parcel collected? The delivery office is, by some oversight I’m sure, open at a convenient time tomorrow and on my way to the bus stop - whereas waiting in is neither. I simply need to pay and print the label. You even suggest this is possible on the first page. (I’m sure this used to work.)

It’s automatically added to the basket now, you need to always remove it if you don’t want a collection.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 20 August, 2023, 07:53:37 pm
Quote from: perpetual dan on 20 August, 2023, 04:51:22 pm
Royal Mail, why have you decided I want my parcel collected? The delivery office is, by some oversight I’m sure, open at a convenient time tomorrow and on my way to the bus stop - whereas waiting in is neither. I simply need to pay and print the label. You even suggest this is possible on the first page. (I’m sure this used to work.)

I suspect they're trying to close and destaff as many offices as possible.

If they collected from everyone, they'd need fewer staff and less space.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 20 August, 2023, 08:10:56 pm
The more folk opt for home collection, the less an open office will be needed and the more easily office closure can be justified.

Seems banks, ticket offices and Post Office counters are going this way...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 21 August, 2023, 12:46:34 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 20 August, 2023, 08:10:56 pm
Seems banks, ticket offices and Post Office counters are going this way...

Aye. The services our village PO provided have now been shifted to the local tabac/newsagent/varming-engines emporium, while a branch of our bank in another town has recently closed and moved some of its services to the bakery across the road.  :o  Going to need a mortgage to buy a loaf of bread, maybe.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 21 August, 2023, 01:40:17 pm
Haven't noticed any POs closing here. Still have a choice of three within a half-mile radius. And two of them have ATMs (in fact one has two – one outside, one inside – plus of course the cash-at-the-counter machine).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Socks on 21 August, 2023, 04:09:12 pm
Piggin energy providers!  In my case, OVO for gas and electric.  A few years ago we had a second generation smart meter fitted, which worked for a while and was quite handy in tracking usage and not needing to send readings in every month or two. 

Then it stopped communicating with both gas and electricity meters.  Got round to reporting it about nine months ago.  Filled in an on-line questionnaire to help them identify that the bloody thing was, after all, faulty.  In the meantime I've been sending meter readings using my on-line account - a minor nuisance.

Eventually got an email and phoned to arrange for the meters to be replaced.  Engineer came today, replaced the electricity meter which is now communicating with OVO and the display unit.

He couldn't do anything about the gas meter because he hadn't been given some reference number (MPRN?)  And the display on the gas meter has gone blank so I can't even do manual readings .....

Back to square one - fault reported to OVO and awaiting response.  Customer f...ng service my arse!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 22 August, 2023, 09:17:58 am
Every year our village organizes a 3-day Sat/Sun/Mon knees-up called the Kirwe, and we have droves of people turning up to generally freak out and get pissed.  The racket starts in the early evening and goes on until after 3 am. Kids were still zooming through on mobylettes at 4 this morning.

In consequence, MrsT and I haven't had a decent night's sleep since Friday. Today I'm crawling round, feeling like death warmed up and wanting to strangle a few of the wee bastards.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 22 August, 2023, 04:22:44 pm
Sounds like a good tradition to start a weekend away?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 24 August, 2023, 06:28:13 am
What sort of time is this for a Mr Larrington to be awake?

(Goes in search of matches to prop eyelids open)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andyoxon on 25 August, 2023, 08:27:57 am
Buy a new mobile phone & you don't even get a charger included...  ::-)  I can use my old one, but of course it doesn't charge the phone at the faster rate...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 25 August, 2023, 08:45:03 am
Of course you may not need to charge at the faster rate but there's nothing like an opportunity for the cash hungry corporations to empty your wallet for you.  I was staggered at the cost of some of the "faster" chargers.  I make do with what I already have.

Generally but not absolutely, charging and discharging at faster rates is synonymous with reduced battery life.  Of course, it's simplicity itself to change the battery isn't it ...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 25 August, 2023, 08:46:05 am
It's to reduce waste ie duplication of chargers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 25 August, 2023, 08:59:19 am
Mostly I charge my phone overnight. I’m not sleeping any faster, and I’ve yet to have a phone that wasn’t full when I wake up. If I top up, it’s probably a wire into some other device. So mostly I’m ok with no new charger.

On the other hand, my mobile reception (ID) seems to be getting worse. Which makes me grumble as I try and get a bus ticket on an app that has a 5 click purchase process. Remember when the River corp were really pleased with 1-click ordering? Surely repeat purchase of a £2 bus ticket could be easier than this?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 25 August, 2023, 09:24:06 am
Fast charging also degrades the Barry faster, so not using a fast charger is a good thing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 25 August, 2023, 09:55:03 am
Quote from: Beardy on 25 August, 2023, 09:24:06 am
Fast charging also degrades the Barry faster, so not using a fast charger is a good thing.
Poor Barry. We should leave him on his island.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andyoxon on 25 August, 2023, 12:35:33 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 25 August, 2023, 09:24:06 am
Fast charging also degrades the Barry faster, so not using a fast charger is a good thing.

Fair point.  I'll probably cope with 'sluggish' 18W charging...  ;)

#FWP
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 25 August, 2023, 12:44:13 pm
I have had to bring three wall warts, devices for the charging of, with me on holibobs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 25 August, 2023, 02:32:19 pm
Quote from: perpetual dan
Surely repeat purchase of a £2 bus ticket could be easier than this?
Indeed; cash, but that would mean the bus company doing work it used to do before it off-loaded its work and costs onto you and your computer.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 25 August, 2023, 02:38:59 pm
I thought most buses were tap-in now. That seems simpler than either using an app, buying from a shop, or paying cash (which requires change and slows the bus down).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 25 August, 2023, 02:58:33 pm
Quote from: Polar Bear on 25 August, 2023, 08:45:03 am
Of course you may not need to charge at the faster rate but there's nothing like an opportunity for the cash hungry corporations to empty your wallet for you.  I was staggered at the cost of some of the "faster" chargers.  I make do with what I already have.

Generally but not absolutely, charging and discharging at faster rates is synonymous with reduced battery life.  Of course, it's simplicity itself to change the battery isn't it ...

MrsT's new refurb iPhone seems battery-hungry so I had a look at how to put a new one in.  Bloody hell: special tools + glue(!!?)  My wonderful old Motorola MB 525 had a removable battery and you could buy spares for half nothing.  It was also small enough to stash virtually anywhere.

So of course it was obsoleted by software and serves mainly as a paperweight these days. :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 25 August, 2023, 09:16:01 pm
Quote from: Polar Bear on 25 August, 2023, 08:45:03 am
Generally but not absolutely, charging and discharging at faster rates is synonymous with reduced battery life.  Of course, it's simplicity itself to change the battery isn't it ...

It would be nice if you could configure the charging rate by a menu option on the phone (like the one for selecting whether it's going to be a USB-Storage device).  I know you can knobble the QC/PD stuff with a USB condom[1], but that's a level of complication that's rarely justified.


[1] Anna Daptor that isolates the USB data lines, while passing the power supply through.  PCs and suspicious public charging sockets, for the use with.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 25 August, 2023, 09:19:45 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 25 August, 2023, 02:38:59 pm
I thought most buses were tap-in now. That seems simpler than either using an app, buying from a shop, or paying cash (which requires change and slows the bus down).
My local buses do tap in, but you have to tap out too. The app is scan in, and has the convenience of no tapping out and also knowing when the bus is coming. They also have another special card, with no apparent advantage to me, and cash but no change.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 25 August, 2023, 09:41:55 pm
Quote from: perpetual dan on 25 August, 2023, 09:19:45 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 25 August, 2023, 02:38:59 pm
I thought most buses were tap-in now. That seems simpler than either using an app, buying from a shop, or paying cash (which requires change and slows the bus down).
My local buses do tap in, but you have to tap out too. The app is scan in, and has the convenience of no tapping out and also knowing when the bus is coming. They also have another special card, with no apparent advantage to me, and cash but no change.
Interesting. You can tap out too here, but you don't have to, and only in certain circumstances is there any advantage. There's also an app and I think for a time tickets were cheaper on the app, but not anymore. I don't use buses enough to download it, though the live timetable feature sounds useful. I've supposed that if you pay cash, you get change, but perhaps you don't. I'll have to ask someone who uses the buses more.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: lissotriton on 25 August, 2023, 09:57:57 pm
Quote from: Kim on 25 August, 2023, 09:16:01 pm
Quote from: Polar Bear on 25 August, 2023, 08:45:03 am
Generally but not absolutely, charging and discharging at faster rates is synonymous with reduced battery life.  Of course, it's simplicity itself to change the battery isn't it ...

It would be nice if you could configure the charging rate by a menu option on the phone (like the one for selecting whether it's going to be a USB-Storage device).  I know you can knobble the QC/PD stuff with a USB condom[1], but that's a level of complication that's rarely justified.


[1] Anna Daptor that isolates the USB data lines, while passing the power supply through.  PCs and suspicious public charging sockets, for the use with.
Most newer phones have some sort of "optimized charging". So that will charge at a slower rate overnight, and only charge to 100% shortly before you are predicted to wake up. Not sure if you can manually switch it on during the daytime.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 27 August, 2023, 09:23:34 am
I am ill.  I hope it’s just a clod and not Teh Plague >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Auntie Helen on 27 August, 2023, 09:26:38 am
Fingers crossed and thumbs pressed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 27 August, 2023, 02:32:28 pm
My very good friend: it's been 2 months since you were here and we discovered that the ebike battery wouldn't fit your frame. You went away knowing that a couple of rivnuts would do the trick. Only now, a week before we try again to convert your bike, do you decide to fit the rivnuts.

And then when you struggle to drill the holes, you tell me that you've tried a centre punch to no avail. Only you hadn't, had you? All you'd done was stick tape on the frame thinking that would help you drill into painted steel. So go and buy a punch - preferably one of the sprung ones, and give that a go.


And you spelled 'pedal' 'peddle'. That's the worst faux pas of all 🙂
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 27 August, 2023, 11:54:57 pm
Fucking health.

Since August 11th: respiratory tract infection, COVID-19, oral thrush & now shingles!

I feel tired & weak. But at least I spotted the shingles early. Got drugs prescribed by Urgent Care thingy in town centre today, collected from Boots coz it was open today.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 28 August, 2023, 07:43:29 am
GWS.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 28 August, 2023, 10:33:21 am
It would seem that a mosquito got inside our mosquito net last night, and was a somewhat greedy thing because we’re both sporting nasty red itchy spots this morning. Did I mention that they itch!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 28 August, 2023, 10:38:39 am
Quote from: Beardy on 28 August, 2023, 10:33:21 am
It would seem that a mosquito got inside our mosquito net last night, and was a somewhat greedy thing because we’re both sporting nasty red itchy spots this morning. Did I mention that they itch!
You have mozzy nets in Naarch? (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=123474.msg2735687#msg2735687) :o
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 28 August, 2023, 10:48:44 am
One of the bloody things had a suck at my left eyelid the other night.  The eye was half-closed and secreting some kind of watery gleh at one point, now receding after exhibition of a Noye's-Fluddesworth of eye-drops.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 28 August, 2023, 11:18:52 am
Quote from: Jurek on 28 August, 2023, 10:38:39 am
Quote from: Beardy on 28 August, 2023, 10:33:21 am
It would seem that a mosquito got inside our mosquito net last night, and was a somewhat greedy thing because we’re both sporting nasty red itchy spots this morning. Did I mention that they itch!
You have mozzy nets in Naarch? (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=123474.msg2735687#msg2735687) :o
We’re a little further south than Naarch, on the hills over looking the valley of the River Deben and those few miles make all the difference, let me tell you.

The nets were a cheap and worthwhile investment, with bites being an infrequent occurrence rather than the pre-investment almost nightly event.

nb. Hills and valley are used as relative terms and are with respect to the landscape topography hereabouts. I’ve had mosquito bite reactions that were greater than some of the pimples the locals refer to as hills.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 28 August, 2023, 05:23:34 pm
Toolstation.
Why is that when I search your website for 'window lock' and select an item from the choices available, what you actually sell me is a window handle and not a lock.
Which I do not discover until I have traipsed down to your shop, bought the item, traipsed back home with it and opened the package.
What your website does not tell me is that you do not actually sell window locks.
Gah! and what is more, ftmch!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 30 August, 2023, 04:14:47 pm
 Now then, Community Speedwatch people. The very least you can do when an enthusiastic cyclist approaches is to point your gadget and shout out the speed. OK?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 30 August, 2023, 05:37:31 pm
Happened to me several times on my Birmingham commute. They would often shout out my speed, but the gits usually chose an uphill section where my speed was somewhat unimpressive.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 30 August, 2023, 05:54:07 pm
Quote from: Basil
They would often shout out my speed, but the gits usually chose an uphill section where my speed was somewhat unimpressive.
The good burghers of Quenington I am looking at you. The sarky comments along the lines of, "C'mon you're only doing {redacted to spare my blushes} MPH" weren't appreciated either.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 31 August, 2023, 12:50:59 am
Quote from: Basil on 30 August, 2023, 05:37:31 pm
Happened to me several times on my Birmingham commute. They would often shout out my speed, but the gits usually chose an uphill section where my speed was somewhat unimpressive.

This.  I did suggest to the ossifer that it would be more impressive in the other direction.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 01 September, 2023, 07:40:46 pm
I knew that would happen.  I couldn't find my long, fine tip screwdriver so I toddled off to B&Q and bought a replacement.  Guess what I've just found in the bottom of the toolbox that I checked twice yesterday.....    :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 01 September, 2023, 08:04:36 pm
Have another look in your toolbox and see if there's a pair of struts for 30" span Slingsby Prefect would you?  I put them somewhere "safe" late last year and now I can't find them.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 01 September, 2023, 08:16:29 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 01 September, 2023, 07:40:46 pm
I knew that would happen.  I couldn't find my long, fine tip screwdriver so I toddled off to B&Q and bought a replacement.  Guess what I've just found in the bottom of the toolbox that I checked twice yesterday.....    :facepalm:
your No4 or No5?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 01 September, 2023, 08:46:14 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 01 September, 2023, 08:16:29 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 01 September, 2023, 07:40:46 pm
I knew that would happen.  I couldn't find my long, fine tip screwdriver so I toddled off to B&Q and bought a replacement.  Guess what I've just found in the bottom of the toolbox that I checked twice yesterday.....    :facepalm:
your No4 or No5?


I was clerical, a Commo.  Then somehow I jumped tracks & got made a TO on the say so of a chap called Roy Corrin (Thanks Roy).  After that I passed my CCNA exam & they made me a D1.  I was never issued a tool set !
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 02 September, 2023, 01:49:14 am
It is a Bank Holibob weekend in Leftpondia, which means hotel rooms are two or three times the price they are normally.

Bah!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 02 September, 2023, 08:12:13 am
We came back from camping yesterday with most things damp and our bell tent needs to dry before being packed away

Also have a week's worth of washing and bed stuff we changed for our house sitter

Now first grumble is the weather's awful for drying today. Dead calm and overcast.

Second grumble next week when I'm back at work and kids are back at school weather's looking brilliant for camping
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 02 September, 2023, 12:30:06 pm
Went into the West End this morning as a shirt vendor had invited me to come in and 'try some for size' only to find that when I got there 'Oh, we don't have any of those in stock'  ::-)
To make a bad day better, instead of getting the Tube/Overground home I got off the Tube at Battersea Power Station, boarded a Thames Clipper and headed for home via Greenwich Pier.
Best part about the trip being that once the boat is east of the HQ of the River Police at Wapping, they're allowed to apply full throttle which turns the boat ride into something of a funfair ride  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 02 September, 2023, 12:47:19 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 02 September, 2023, 12:30:06 pm
Went into the West End this morning as a shirt vendor had invited me to come in and 'try some for size' only to find that when I got there 'Oh, we don't have any of those in stock'  ::-)
To make a bad day better, instead of getting the Tube/Overground home I got off the Tube at Battersea Power Station, boarded a Thames Clipper and headed for home via Greenwich Pier.
Best part about the trip being that once the boat is east of the HQ of the River Police at Wapping, they're allowed to apply full throttle which turns the boat ride into something of a funfair ride  :thumbsup:

Back in the 70s there was a hydrofoil boat that plied the Thames as a tourist ride - excellent, although the spray reduced visibility.  The Clipper boats although fast do seem very sedate.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 02 September, 2023, 01:26:46 pm
Just found some YouTube footage of that operating in the 80s.
Double decker P&O ferries jobbie, filmed going past Docklands when the docks still had ships in them  :o and The Long Good Friday had yet to be filmed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 02 September, 2023, 02:19:35 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 02 September, 2023, 01:26:46 pm
Just found some YouTube footage of that operating in the 80s.
Double decker P&O ferries jobbie, filmed going past Docklands when the docks still had ships in them  :o and The Long Good Friday had yet to be filmed.

Working back in my mind this must have been the hydrofoil I went on in 1974 or 5 - https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=302645453833150  (film looks like it's the "launch" of the service - I wasn't there!)   
IIRC on the day I rode the hydrofoil I had gone to the Isle of Dogs to look at some houses being built on Manchester Road . . .  almost bought one but was persuaded not to by my father - how wrong you can be with the way that the area, and its values, have developed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 03 September, 2023, 12:15:39 am
Nary a bridge nor water tower worthy of my attention today.  'tis the End Times, I tells 'ee!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 03 September, 2023, 07:57:01 pm
Dear purveyors of clothing that goes around legs.  The type of clothes that do not extend all the way down the leg to the foot is a "PAIR of shorts". It is NOT a "short". A short is something I might drink.  And while we're on the subject, I don't want to "Shop" these "shorts". I might want to buy them, or shop for them. And I won't pre order them either.

Blimey, I'm grumpy. Where's my dinner?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 05 September, 2023, 02:14:25 pm
I’ve been tasked with emptying the dishwasher. I hate emptying the dishwasher.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 05 September, 2023, 03:29:07 pm
O hai the BBC

On your weather app, plz to distinguish between Portland ME and Portland OR.

Kthxbai
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 05 September, 2023, 07:42:08 pm
Just be grateful you didn't want the weather for Springfield. :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 05 September, 2023, 09:48:55 pm
I’m touring in Ireland. Accommodation seems to be hard to book on the day so last night I planned a route and booked a b&b in a nice town.

At 01:50 this morning she cancelled cos of double booking.

That’s not my grumble. These things happen.

So I manage to find a place 15 km out of town. That’s ok I’ll have a couple of Guinnesses in town then ride out. It’s on the route. The description says “breakfast available for additional charge”. Several reviews say the breakfast is wonderful.

On arrival I ask and the host says “we’ve never done breakfast” and told me to cycle back and get something from the Spar. Not only is that a blatant LIE but I really don’t want to add a 30 km trip to a long day of headwinds.

Check on Google and the first place for food on route is 45 km. FFS.

I’m tempted to sneak out and cut the &B off the big shiny sign.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 06 September, 2023, 03:23:18 am
Quote from: TheLurker on 05 September, 2023, 07:42:08 pm
Just be grateful you didn't want the weather for Springfield. :)

40 C on the 25th of August for the one in Illinois.  I melted.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 06 September, 2023, 09:57:11 am
On Sunday afternoon I was stung by a wasp. On Monday evening I stubbed my toes on a bed leg. Yesterday nothing, just bruised toe from Monday. What does today hold?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 06 September, 2023, 01:51:53 pm
 Monday;
Cooker repair only partially successful.
Tuesday;
mixer repair unsuccessful.
Wednesday;
Got up to find some div ( :facepalm: ) had left the fridge open on his way to bed last night and now it seems to have died. On the hottest week of the year. The day after a weeklyy supermarket delivery with extras for the guests* we’re expecting tomorrow. Guess who’s going to Curry’s this afternoon.

*who have chosen a campsite with access only off the Tour of Britain route which is due tomorrow!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 06 September, 2023, 06:22:50 pm
There's a lot to be said for a fridge that moos at you when you leave the door open.  Especially when the whole thing is tilted such that the door usefully self-closes, except when allowed to do so with excess velocity, whereupon it bounces open leaving a gap that's just right for letting the air circulate while looking closed from a distance.  DAHIKT.

Unfortunately, I've yet to come up with an algorithm to time the moos so that it doesn't pester you while you're rummaging about in the fridge, without also waiting until you get to the top of the stairs before announcing its non-closedness.  There's an unfriendly BLUE LED too, but barakta routinely ignores blinkenlights, especially when distracted by  a) caffeine  b) stairs
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 07 September, 2023, 09:16:26 am
My GPs surgery had a fantastic system where you turn up before 08:00 and are pretty much guaranteed to see a doctor in the next three hours.
So good it was, that at the end of August they decided to do away with it and replace it with an online booking system.
All of which means that this morning, having been turned away at the surgery, I was able to book myself an appointment for next Monday afternoon.
The online booking system is only operational between the hours of 08:00 and 16:00.
WTF is that all about?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 07 September, 2023, 10:43:35 am
Helichopter buzzing about for ages at audax o'clock this morning. Only a grumble as I presume it was on some legit mission and not a bunch of boy racers in a chavved up Sikorsky.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 07 September, 2023, 03:15:27 pm
One or more of the wretched things buzzing back and forth much of yesterday here.  Seems they ferry Columbia River pilots to and from ships wishing to pass the sandbanks at the mouth of the river without joining the Graveyard of the Pacific.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 07 September, 2023, 07:22:53 pm
Bloody hearing aids.  Left fattery is completely blat. There may have been a warning, but in this crowded noisy place, I missed it. Right fattery is warning of imminent failure.
A little earlier warning would have been good. I don't carry batteries.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 07 September, 2023, 07:54:15 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 07 September, 2023, 09:16:26 am
My GPs surgery had a fantastic system where you turn up before 08:00 and are pretty much guaranteed to see a doctor in the next three hours.
So good it was, that at the end of August they decided to do away with it and replace it with an online booking system.
All of which means that this morning, having been turned away at the surgery, I was able to book myself an appointment for next Monday afternoon.
The online booking system is only operational between the hours of 08:00 and 16:00.
WTF is that all about?

My surgery used to do a turn-up and get seen open surgery every morning – in the few occasions I needed the tender attentions of the sawdoc, getting there before 10am earned me a 30-minute wait and an appointment. This, they decided was 'too popular' so they cancelled in favour of the 8.30am telephone scrum. But you don't have to phone, you can use the online form.

Except, that if you don't fill it in at 8.30am they turn it off the moment the appointments for the day have gone, even if you want to book a non-urgent appointment for a day in the future.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 07 September, 2023, 09:22:28 pm
Quote from: Basil on 07 September, 2023, 07:22:53 pm
I don't carry batteries.

Well there's your problem.  Can't you dispatch the dog to go and fetch some or something?

We have hearing aid batteries liberally distributed throughout our lives (including a few of the more common Wrong Size, in case of visiting deafies) with flagrant disregard for expiry date, in much the same way as Ventolin inhalers.  It's the only way to be sure.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 08 September, 2023, 12:07:48 am
Quote from: Basil on 07 September, 2023, 07:22:53 pm
Bloody hearing aids.  Left fattery is completely blat. There may have been a warning, but in this crowded noisy place, I missed it. Right fattery is warning of imminent failure.
A little earlier warning would have been good. I don't carry batteries.

My hearing aids give me a whole 30 sodding seconds notice of batt flatteries... Great fun when in a video call for work. Have to excuse myself, change the flipping thing (with packet that lives on desk for a reason), reboot hearing aid, wait for it to chime a bit, then re-get it into the correct receiver mode to work with computer sound.

Less said about the on/off being battery door open, as in WIDE open so battery falls out, otherwise it still hearing aids and squeals, the better. Fucking Oticon. The engineer who designed that is getting a smack if I ever meet him (and it's totally a him).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 08 September, 2023, 12:23:40 am
Quote from: Kim on 07 September, 2023, 09:22:28 pm
Quote from: Basil on 07 September, 2023, 07:22:53 pm
I don't carry batteries.

Well there's your problem.  Can't you dispatch the dog to go and fetch some or something?


I shudder to think what Basil's dog might return with if sent out to buy batteries.  An aircraft carrier, probably, or a Formula One team.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 08 September, 2023, 12:35:39 am
She came back with Aston Villa.
Did my first team talk with them today.
"Score more goals than they do."
Why has no one thought of that before?
I'm going to be a great manager.  👍
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 08 September, 2023, 09:05:37 am
Talking of hearing aids, in response to threats to my life, I’ve started wearing mine all the time*. This change of habit and the current hot weather has resulted in bilateral otitis externa which has rendered me (temporarily hopefully) totally deaf. And with no little discomfort.

*it’s amazing just how much I can actually hear when I’m fully plugged in. Who’s have think it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rogerzilla on 08 September, 2023, 11:47:50 am
Rightmove REALLY needs a filter to avoid properties near busy roads.  You can rule out 2/3 of the houses of the type we're looking for because the cats wouldn't be safe.  Plus popping exhausts, etc.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 08 September, 2023, 04:20:06 pm
The Brown Drink machine here is b0rked.  No Brown Drink for breakfast.  Aaaarrrgh!

(Stomps back to room to make Proper Tea instead)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fimm on 11 September, 2023, 02:07:34 pm
"Do not iron".
Which bit of a padded bra do you think I'm going to try and iron?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 11 September, 2023, 02:38:35 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 03 September, 2023, 07:57:01 pm
Dear purveyors of clothing that goes around legs.  The type of clothes that do not extend all the way down the leg to the foot is a "PAIR of shorts". It is NOT a "short". A short is something I might drink.  And while we're on the subject, I don't want to "Shop" these "shorts". I might want to buy them, or shop for them.

Should you wish to purchase a long-legged undergarment to keep thighs and knees warm this winter, you might need to seek a thermal 'pant', not long johns.

HTH & HAND,

Me.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 11 September, 2023, 02:59:52 pm
Quote from: Basil on 08 September, 2023, 12:35:39 am
She came back with Aston Villa.
Did my first team talk with them today.
"Score more goals than they do."
Why has no one thought of that before?
I'm going to be a great manager.  👍
I'd be much happier if you could adjust that to: 'score fewer goals than the opposition on all occasions, when possible', please.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 11 September, 2023, 08:21:38 pm
I know now from the news about dogs eating people that the monster I've had to squeeze past a few times is an American Bully XL. It's like the dog equivalent of a monster truck. I always encounter the beast on some narrow steps so have to squeeze by while it growls menacingly because she's apparently 'nervous around strangers.' There's zero chance that the woman walking it would be able to control it if it did decide to eat me (or anyone else). There are plenty of cute and friendly dog breeds, so I'm not sure the attraction of something that looks like it escaped from Doom.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 11 September, 2023, 08:56:20 pm
The C4News article on dangerous dogs tonight was possibly one of the most tabloidy pieces I have seen on that program for years, it was naff.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 11 September, 2023, 09:05:34 pm
Oh, are we getting the Kenneth Baker treatment again?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 11 September, 2023, 09:12:04 pm
Only saw some blurb online, which clued me into the breed. I know the adage it's not the dog, it's the owner, but I'd rather bad owners had a chihuahua than something that looks ready to chew through a truck.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 11 September, 2023, 09:34:09 pm
The BBC report was rather tabloidesk as well. I’m all for persona freedoms, but we don’t allow people to have wolves as pets, so,I suppose it just a matter of where you draw the line. These things do seem to fall on the wrong side of any line you might want to draw though. Also, I’m surprised that people can afford to feed anything as big as that given the current state of many people’s finances.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 11 September, 2023, 09:41:23 pm
Children and other dogs are freely available.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 11 September, 2023, 10:06:47 pm
In this case, it's not so much the dog breed per se (though it's obviously intended as a status dog), it's the fact there's really no way even a beefy bloke could control it, so the odds of the slim, five-foot woman usually walking it aren't good. That and the fact that it's 'nervous around strangers' don't add confidence. I suppose you could say that about any big dog. Anyway, I don't enjoy having to squeeze by it while she struggles to hold it to one side while I pass.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 12 September, 2023, 08:34:03 am
I'm generally pro dog, and firmly of the "It isn't the breed, it is the owner" opinion.

However, there is no place, purpose or justification for owning a dog that you can't physically control. Two of the deaths so far this year have been professional dog walkers, killed by their own dogs.

Ban the breed, ffs, for the same reason we ban 'zombie knives'. They only appeal to weirdos who fantasize about hurting people.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jasmine on 12 September, 2023, 08:50:10 am
Like mrcharly, I'm also pro-dog, and generally don't believe in certain breeds being specifically dangerous dogs. However, XL Bully dogs are horrifically inbred from a very small genetic line in the US (not uncommon for a dog to have only 3-5 great grandparents instead of 8 ). Responsible husbandry of any animal involves breeding in desirable trails, but avoiding undesirable traits. Animals that display human aggression shouldn't be bred. Unfortunately, XL bullies continue to be bred from lines that have human aggression and have killed people because it happens to align with being shaped like a tank. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 12 September, 2023, 09:52:21 am
Quote from: Jasmine on 12 September, 2023, 08:50:10 am
Like mrcharly, I'm also pro-dog, and generally don't believe in certain breeds being specifically dangerous dogs. However, XL Bully dogs are horrifically inbred from a very small genetic line in the US (not uncommon for a dog to have only 3-5 great grandparents instead of 8 ). Responsible husbandry of any animal involves breeding in desirable trails, but avoiding undesirable traits. Animals that display human aggression shouldn't be bred. Unfortunately, XL bullies continue to be bred from lines that have human aggression and have killed people because it happens to align with being shaped like a tank.
Does "human aggression" mean aggression against humans or human-style aggression?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Regulator on 12 September, 2023, 10:38:34 am
Quote from: Jasmine on 12 September, 2023, 08:50:10 am
Like mrcharly, I'm also pro-dog, and generally don't believe in certain breeds being specifically dangerous dogs. However, XL Bully dogs are horrifically inbred from a very small genetic line in the US (not uncommon for a dog to have only 3-5 great grandparents instead of 8 ). Responsible husbandry of any animal involves breeding in desirable trails, but avoiding undesirable traits. Animals that display human aggression shouldn't be bred. Unfortunately, XL bullies continue to be bred from lines that have human aggression and have killed people because it happens to align with being shaped like a tank.

It's clear that some breeds are being selectively bred to be aggressive.

I love dogs and dogs tend to love me (other than Binky, who dislikes everyone) but even I would be wary around certain breeds, such as the XL Bully.  These aren't being bred as pets but as status symbols for men with small dicks.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jasmine on 12 September, 2023, 11:23:18 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 12 September, 2023, 09:52:21 am
Does "human aggression" mean aggression against humans or human-style aggression?

Sorry, unprovoked aggression against humans. Most dog bites don't happen "out of nowhere" - there's often quite a lot of dog behaviour warning signs that the people involved have ignored or not understood. Unfortunately, quite a lot of dog bites (particularly involving children) that have an underlying human cause (e.g. kids trying to ride the family dog and it biting them because it is in pain). "Human aggression" or "human-directed aggression" is used to describe aggressive behaviour against people that does not appear to have arisen from another stimulus.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 12 September, 2023, 02:57:19 pm
Quote from: Jasmine on 12 September, 2023, 11:23:18 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 12 September, 2023, 09:52:21 am
Does "human aggression" mean aggression against humans or human-style aggression?

Sorry, unprovoked aggression against humans. Most dog bites don't happen "out of nowhere" - there's often quite a lot of dog behaviour warning signs that the people involved have ignored or not understood. Unfortunately, quite a lot of dog bites (particularly involving children) that have an underlying human cause (e.g. kids trying to ride the family dog and it biting them because it is in pain). "Human aggression" or "human-directed aggression" is used to describe aggressive behaviour against people that does not appear to have arisen from another stimulus.

While I agree with all of the above, I'd add that most dogs will deliver a warning nip first, usually not breaking skin.
Early this year my daughter visited with her son (2.5yrs old). He is used to dogs.
We have a middle-aged Border terrier (which were bred for hunting). Despite warnings, my grandson kept pulling the dog's tail and poking him. One time, they were out of sight (through a doorway) and there was a growl and a wail. Dog had delivered a warning nip and scarpered (no skin broken, very slight bruise).
We kept them apart.

Same grandson visited this year. He's learnt his lesson around dogs, and was more polite. Dog was very wary, but they accepted each other (I have some lovely photos of them sitting together on the rug).

Some dogs, and more common in some breeds, go from nothing to full-on attack.

They aren't suitable for any use or habitation and in my mind are 'dangerous dogs'. Keep them muzzled at all times or have them put down.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 12 September, 2023, 03:24:47 pm
Independently of the above, it's worth mentioning that dogs also have a socializing behaviour which consists of grooming another dog's fur with its small frontal teeth.  A dog may identify a small dog-sized human as a fellow dog and attempt to socialize in this manner, not realizing that skin isn't fur. The ensuing wail may earn the poor pooch an undeserved clout; in fact, MrsT is aware of one case in the USA that went to court and ended with the poor beast being put down.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 12 September, 2023, 09:03:06 pm
Quote from: Jasmine on 12 September, 2023, 08:50:10 am
Like mrcharly, I'm also pro-dog, and generally don't believe in certain breeds being specifically dangerous dogs. However, XL Bully dogs are horrifically inbred from a very small genetic line in the US (not uncommon for a dog to have only 3-5 great grandparents instead of 8 ). Responsible husbandry of any animal involves breeding in desirable trails, but avoiding undesirable traits. Animals that display human aggression shouldn't be bred. Unfortunately, XL bullies continue to be bred from lines that have human aggression and have killed people because it happens to align with being shaped like a tank.

Quite honestly, any of these heavily inbred dogs should be banned just on animal cruelty grounds. A French Bulldog, for instance, has a life expectancy at birth of 4.5 years (other bulldogs and pugs aren't much improved).

We encounter a lot of dogs out in the country, which on the most part are friendly (sometimes overly so) and well-behaved. The other categories are those that 'don't like strangers' (maybe put it on a lead then) or those 'that don't normally do that' (I somehow doubt it).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 13 September, 2023, 12:12:21 am
There is actually a printed list of dangerous doggos outside the Civic Center here in Battle Mountain, but it's not much use since someone has posted another notice over half of it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 13 September, 2023, 07:59:12 am
Quote from: ian on 12 September, 2023, 09:03:06 pm
We encounter a lot of dogs out in the country, which on the most part are friendly (sometimes overly so) and well-behaved. The other categories are those that 'don't like strangers' (maybe put it on a lead then) or those 'that don't normally do that' (I somehow doubt it).

I once got bitten by one of those, through a thick neoprene overshoe at that.  "But he's not like that" the woman wailed, implying thereby that it was somehow my fault. It was nothing dire so I let it go.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 13 September, 2023, 10:14:32 am
My sis in law has a black lab bitch that has shown unprovoked aggression to some other dogs on two occasions now. She’s no idea why Mabel dislikes certain dogs so vehemently while is friendly to all other dogs. As a consequence she no longer allows Mabel off the lead when in public; it makes her life more difficult because the dog no longer gets as much exercise with not being able to run around, but S-in-L sees it as the responsible way to behave with a dog that has shown aggression.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 13 September, 2023, 04:55:30 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 11 September, 2023, 02:38:35 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 03 September, 2023, 07:57:01 pm
Dear purveyors of clothing that goes around legs.  The type of clothes that do not extend all the way down the leg to the foot is a "PAIR of shorts". It is NOT a "short". A short is something I might drink.  And while we're on the subject, I don't want to "Shop" these "shorts". I might want to buy them, or shop for them.

Should you wish to purchase a long-legged undergarment to keep thighs and knees warm this winter, you might need to seek a thermal 'pant', not long johns.

HTH & HAND,

Me.

Last winter I wanted longjohns for something. Well obviously keeping legs warm but can't remember specifically

Hunted and hunted but couldn't find

Remembered I'd sent them to Ukraine
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 15 September, 2023, 12:12:28 pm
Another person has died after being attacked by two dogs, and so the knee is being jerked. The American Bully XL will be banned from Christmas. Let’s hope the legislation is carefully planned and worded, with proper provision for identification of the banned breeds. But I for one will not be holding my breath on that.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wowbagger on 15 September, 2023, 02:49:42 pm
We had a brief power cut this morning at almost exactly 11.30. It only lasted a couple of minutes but it seems to have buggered up the timing on the weather station sending data to the Raspberry pi.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 15 September, 2023, 03:34:01 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 15 September, 2023, 12:12:28 pm
Another person has died after being attacked by two dogs, and so the knee is being jerked. The American Bully XL will be banned from Christmas. Let’s hope the legislation is carefully planned and worded, with proper provision for identification of the banned breeds. But I for one will not be holding my breath on that.

If they are "banned" what happens to those that are already here?  - and what happened to existing animals when the other 4 or 5 breeds were banned?  - extermination?

- as a dog-hater (with the exception of guide/assistance dogs), having been attacked as a child, I hope so.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 15 September, 2023, 04:46:13 pm
I think the last time breeds were banned there was a proviso to allow the dog to continue to exist but to be muzzled at all times.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 16 September, 2023, 04:02:00 pm
Sunk into the Graun's Quick Crossword this morning when a rumble and a crash hauled me out again.  Looked down into the street to see broken roof-tiles littering pavement and road.  Half a dozen tiles had come away from our top auvent, impacted on the middle one and been deflected out into the road.  Fortunately nobody had been passing at the time either on foot or in a car, otherwise hamburger.

What's an auvent*?  This is the gable end of our house:

(https://pbase.com/image/173975007.jpg)

Those cutlet frills are the auvents. The top one is missing a few tiles.  Got road and pavement cleared with help of lad from next door, set out a couple of trestles and Keep Out tape as warning.  Went in & phoned the bloke who usually fixes such things for us, but natch it's Saturday so it's answering machine only until Monday.

And then it'll be 1500€ for the scaffolder and 50€ for the tiles. If we're lucky.

* Google says awning or porch roof. Google is an arse.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 16 September, 2023, 04:08:46 pm
 Oh wow you live in a pagoda
 :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 16 September, 2023, 04:15:57 pm
How many satellite dishes do you have?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 16 September, 2023, 04:50:01 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 16 September, 2023, 04:15:57 pm
How many satellite dishes do you have?

Those were put up for the Inlaw Paw back in the 90's so that he could watch UK TV.  No idea what they point at these days - we don't use them.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 16 September, 2023, 04:56:22 pm
Your house is cool!

On the cost front, would a cherry picker be cheaper?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 16 September, 2023, 05:14:32 pm
That is a wonderful and beautiful house.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 16 September, 2023, 05:27:41 pm
It is.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 16 September, 2023, 07:15:00 pm
Lovely.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 16 September, 2023, 08:08:48 pm
Why does strictly come dancing start at 6:30? It’s far too early for me to make my escape to the pub!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 16 September, 2023, 08:27:18 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 16 September, 2023, 08:08:48 pm
Why does strictly come dancing start at 6:30? It’s far too early for me to make my escape to the pub!

May I rephrase that:  Why does strictly come dancing start at all?

Mrs robgul has been down to the big London city place today but, I understand, has set the recording device for it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 16 September, 2023, 10:25:34 pm
I don't understand how anyone can watch most live 'reality TV', it's all shouty and noisy and impossible to follow (captions are always inaccurate and so delayed as to be pointless).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 16 September, 2023, 10:31:22 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 16 September, 2023, 08:08:48 pm
Why does strictly come dancing start at 6:30? It’s far too early for me to make my escape to the pub!

Damn, I would have engineered my escape. Luckily I'm in Iceland, and was involved in a several whisky tastings at the time, some very well appreciated tipples
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wowbagger on 16 September, 2023, 10:45:38 pm
Not having a television, or sharing a house with anyone who wants to watch it, makes it quite easy to avoid unwanted programmes like this.

Does Peter West (1920-2003) still present it?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 16 September, 2023, 10:50:07 pm
Thank dog I WFH now. The daily shouting across the office of Strictly, Bake Off, whatever 'highlights' used to be one of my bugbears  :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 16 September, 2023, 11:05:11 pm
I remain confused that Come Dancing became one of the BBC's flagship programmes. I eagerly await the rise of Extreme One Man And His Dog or The Songs Of Praise Factor.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 16 September, 2023, 11:33:14 pm
I escaped to the Bands in the Park and then to the pub. Returned home, and it was still on!
Was told to "Shut up. Take the dog out."
Complied.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 17 September, 2023, 12:30:11 am
Quote from: Pingu on 16 September, 2023, 10:50:07 pm
Thank dog I WFH now. The daily shouting across the office of Strictly, Bake Off, whatever 'highlights' used to be one of my bugbears  :demon:

That's a definite bonus. My ex colleagues were lovely but some could not grasp that I didn't watch TV or know any ads and I didn't caaaare. Fortunately the boss didn't watch much TV either, so we could run away together.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 17 September, 2023, 07:40:05 am
Quote from: Wowbagger on 16 September, 2023, 10:45:38 pm
Not having a television, or sharing a house with anyone who wants to watch it, makes it quite easy to avoid unwanted programmes like this.

Does Peter West (1920-2003) still present it?

I was just wondering the same thing, and whether Peggy Spencer's Penge Formation Team still represented Home Countes South?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 17 September, 2023, 08:00:24 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 16 September, 2023, 04:56:22 pm
Your house is cool!

On the cost front, would a cherry picker be cheaper?
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 16 September, 2023, 05:14:32 pm
That is a wonderful and beautiful house.
Quote from: LittleWheelsandBig on 16 September, 2023, 05:27:41 pm
It is.
Quote from: Canardly on 16 September, 2023, 07:15:00 pm
Lovely.

Thanks, everyone.  I have to agree, but being timber-framed it's very susceptible to the elements.  Since out first run-in with gales in 1991 I'm continually waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Re the cherry-picker, I'll wait and see what the roof chap says.  He's practically a chum and rides an MTB so he'll not be out to sting me.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 17 September, 2023, 09:18:56 am
Quote from: robgul on 16 September, 2023, 08:27:18 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 16 September, 2023, 08:08:48 pm
Why does strictly come dancing start at 6:30? It’s far too early for me to make my escape to the pub!
May I rephrase that:  Why does strictly come dancing start at all?
It's a plot by the rest of the patriarchy to give us chaps nearly 3 months of Saturday evenings free to do whatever the blazes we like by keeping the ladies otherwise distracted.  So keep shtum old boy or you'll ruin the whole bally scheme.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 17 September, 2023, 10:25:22 am
Came home from a dander to the next village to find all the clocks blinking: another damned power cut.  And the expresso machine needing to be dialled in again, of course.  I suppose the B2C has lost its marbles as well* but I only use it for cappuccino and the settings for that aren't important.

* shades of that larcenous bugger Elgin.  Anyway it's Portsoy the marble comes from. Except it's serpentinite.  Or any night. Oh shut up.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 17 September, 2023, 12:02:42 pm
Quote from: T42 on 17 September, 2023, 10:25:22 am
Came home from a dander to the next village to find all the clocks blinking: another damned power cut.  And the expresso machine needing to be dialled in again, of course.  I suppose the B2C has lost its marbles as well* but I only use it for cappuccino and the settings for that aren't important.

* shades of that larcenous bugger Elgin.  Anyway it's Portsoy the marble comes from. Except it's serpentinite.  Or any night. Oh shut up.
The evidence would suggest that there is only one candidate for marble loss  :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 17 September, 2023, 12:42:25 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 17 September, 2023, 12:02:42 pm
Quote from: T42 on 17 September, 2023, 10:25:22 am
Came home from a dander to the next village to find all the clocks blinking: another damned power cut.  And the expresso machine needing to be dialled in again, of course.  I suppose the B2C has lost its marbles as well* but I only use it for cappuccino and the settings for that aren't important.

* shades of that larcenous bugger Elgin.  Anyway it's Portsoy the marble comes from. Except it's serpentinite.  Or any night. Oh shut up.
The evidence would suggest that there is only one candidate for marble loss  :demon:

Better stick a finger in the UPS then...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 17 September, 2023, 02:54:45 pm
Quote from: TheLurker on 17 September, 2023, 09:18:56 am
Quote from: robgul on 16 September, 2023, 08:27:18 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 16 September, 2023, 08:08:48 pm
Why does strictly come dancing start at 6:30? It’s far too early for me to make my escape to the pub!
May I rephrase that:  Why does strictly come dancing start at all?
It's a plot by the rest of the patriarchy to give us chaps nearly 3 months of Saturday evenings free to do whatever the blazes we like by keeping the ladies otherwise distracted.  So keep shtum old boy or you'll ruin the whole bally scheme.

That's the theory - I usually escape to the workshop to fettle bicycles or indulge in making sawdust with woowork projects - but Mrs robgul seems to spend the whole episode with WhatsApp messages back and forth with a group of 3 other equally infatuated women, and then regales me with the so-called "highlights" afterwards. 

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 17 September, 2023, 02:56:30 pm
Is it really only on three months a year? People seem to be talking about it year round.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 17 September, 2023, 03:03:13 pm
Dr Beardy is now getting excited for the start of Back Off as well.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 17 September, 2023, 03:19:54 pm
Might be nothing to do with Strictly - I have no real notion of these strange heathen rituals - but I just noticed that The Grumble Thread has now reached Page 666.

Put your invocation here ====>
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 17 September, 2023, 03:49:32 pm
 :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 17 September, 2023, 05:55:30 pm
After a chilly cycle today I was planning on doing something useful afterwards (weeding, painting or some such) but instead I sat down and the coolth in here is such that I have entered a state of torpor.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 17 September, 2023, 07:30:09 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 17 September, 2023, 03:03:13 pm
Dr Beardy is now getting excited for the start of Back Off as well.  :facepalm:
I’m quite excited by that too. Bake-off is connecting with our teenager TV.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 17 September, 2023, 08:03:11 pm
My short Alt-Berg Hogg dual purpose (riding and walking) motorbike boots have decided to become water permeable  :( Riding home in torrential rain on the M4 from doing a BC race today, I thought maybe water had splashed up between my waterproof trousers and top of my boots as one foot was paddling. But no, tops of socks and bottom of trousers are dry, it must have been a membrane failure in the boot. And the other sock was damp too.
Only had them about 9 years and probably 100,000 miles (I alternate them with the high leg version that I tend to wear in colder weather). But they were nicely broken in and very comfy.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 18 September, 2023, 04:59:36 pm
Some genius wired the power socket over there ==> to the light switch over there <== so when I switched the lights off at bedtime it also switched off the voles feeding my laptop  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 18 September, 2023, 05:11:42 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 18 September, 2023, 04:59:36 pm
Some genius wired the power socket over there ==> to the light switch over there <== so when I switched the lights off at bedtime it also switched off the voles feeding my laptop  >:(

This seems quite popular amongst Leftpondians (lamps, for the control of).  Right-thinking BRITONS use 5A BS546 sockets for the purpose, which neatly avoids this sort of confusion.

Wrong-thinking BRITONS, particularly those farming PSOs as a cash-crop, sometimes employ it as a devious strategy to reduce the anbarism bill.  The bastards.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 18 September, 2023, 06:27:43 pm
And that's like the hotel rooms where you need to put your key card into the slot inside in order to turn on power into the room - meaning you can't go out leaving something charging up. Unless you happen to have spare credit card sized pieces of plastic in your wallet (I always carry a key card from a previous hotel specifically for this).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 18 September, 2023, 07:57:23 pm
Quote from: MattH on 18 September, 2023, 06:27:43 pm
And that's like the hotel rooms where you need to put your key card into the slot inside in order to turn on power into the room - meaning you can't go out leaving something charging up. Unless you happen to have spare credit card sized pieces of plastic in your wallet (I always carry a key card from a previous hotel specifically for this).
The cardboard that the room key often comes in can also be used for this. Alternatively ask for 2 keys.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 19 September, 2023, 04:49:58 pm
Quote from: TheLurker on 01 September, 2023, 08:04:36 pm
Have another look in your toolbox and see if there's a pair of struts for 30" span Slingsby Prefect would you?  I put them somewhere "safe" late last year and now I can't find them.
Oh, of course. Under my BE2c.  I mean it's so obvious.  Why wouldn't I put them there rather than with the other gliders?  Pillock.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 22 September, 2023, 01:51:36 pm
Get up in the morning, slaving for bread, sir fire up kettle. Get Aeropress from its hidy hole. Ditto coffee. Grap filter paper holder. Oh noes. No filter papers. I knew I was getting low but there were some left. Look in cupboard for standby caffetiere. No sign. No coffee. Arse.

Message The Boy later. Ah, he says. Soz, there was a washing up incident yeterday resulting in the demise of the filters. He was going to tell me but forgot.  I shall send him to bed without any supper.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 22 September, 2023, 02:37:04 pm
This year's BloodyStudent resident of the room on the other side of ---> that wall appears to be a player of terrible (as befits a Young Person) music.  I keep hearing bursts of rap and vocoder noises.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 22 September, 2023, 03:02:42 pm
Quote from: Kim on 22 September, 2023, 02:37:04 pm
This year's BloodyStudent resident of the room on the other side of ---> that wall appears to be a player of terrible (as befits a Young Person) music.  I keep hearing bursts of rap and vocoder noises.

Music liked by any young person is by definition terrible.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 22 September, 2023, 05:31:57 pm
I was doing something at work where we needed to make some noise to check a conference recording system was working. So the obvious thing was to use a phone to play music whilst we checked the other end. A young lad I was working with volunteered his. He wasn't impressed when I told him it was obviously badly broken as it was making such a hideous distorted noise.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 23 September, 2023, 11:29:19 am
Bloody Jehovah's Witnesses !  While I was in the shower !
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wowbagger on 23 September, 2023, 12:06:33 pm
Did you appear in all your glory?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 23 September, 2023, 12:09:01 pm
My indignation at being disturbed was conveyed via the intercom. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Bledlow on 27 September, 2023, 11:03:00 am
Fucking hell! Well-despised thespian L. Fox has reached new depths of cretinism, if that's possible. In a discussion which was supposed to be about mental health -

"Show me a single self-respecting man that would like to climb into bed with that woman - ever, ever"
"That little woman"
"Who'd want to shag that?"

Referring to - https://uk.linkedin.com/in/ava-evans-268b9b151 (https://uk.linkedin.com/in/ava-evans-268b9b151)

Even GB News has decided to stop paying him.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 27 September, 2023, 11:47:12 am
Quote from: Simon Harris
BREAKING: A source at Ofcom has confirmed that after highly misogynist remarks were made over journalist Ava Santina, a strongly worded letter to GB News will confirm that if they breach the rules just eleven more times, a letter with slightly stronger wording will be sent.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 27 September, 2023, 01:42:01 pm
My 12-vole pump, motor-car tyres for the inflation of, appears to have ceased to extract voles from either of outlets in the motor-car unless the plug is wiggled in a limited and specific way.

Bah!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 27 September, 2023, 02:40:59 pm
To be honest I was not even surprised at what Lozza Fox said about any woman, that kind of language and attitude is normal for those Fashy Culture Warrior types.

I'm more surprised GBFashNews even bothered to pretend they were shocked and took Fox off air (for now). Maybe the whole #MeToo and awareness of misogyny starting with that kind of language is trickling into "socially unacceptable EVEN for blatant Fash".

Language that bad and worse is normal background noise for women and other marginalised groups.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 27 September, 2023, 02:59:10 pm
Quote from: Bledlow
"Who'd want to shag that?"
Just a guess, but perhaps that's his problem?  He's not getting any because every woman he meets looks at him and thinks exactly that, so he's gone all incel about it.  Whatever, he's an unpleasant little idiot.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Hot Flatus on 27 September, 2023, 05:42:23 pm
Quote from: barakta on 27 September, 2023, 02:40:59 pm
To be honest I was not even surprised at what Lozza Fox said about any woman, that kind of language and attitude is normal for those Fashy Culture Warrior types.

I'm more surprised GBFashNews even bothered to pretend they were shocked and took Fox off air (for now). Maybe the whole #MeToo and awareness of misogyny starting with that kind of language is trickling into "socially unacceptable EVEN for blatant Fash".

Language that bad and worse is normal background noise for women and other marginalised groups.

Today a 15 year old schoolgirl was murdered in London because she rejected a male's sexual advances.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 27 September, 2023, 05:43:25 pm
That twat Dan Wooton now too.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Diver300 on 27 September, 2023, 06:39:48 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 27 September, 2023, 01:42:01 pm
My 12-vole pump, motor-car tyres for the inflation of, appears to have ceased to extract voles from either of outlets in the motor-car unless the plug is wiggled in a limited and specific way.

Bah!
Cut off the last few cm of wire and wire a plug on the rest. If he existing plug is rewireable, it can be used again.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 27 September, 2023, 07:31:59 pm
Quote from: Hot Flatus on 27 September, 2023, 05:42:23 pm
Quote from: barakta on 27 September, 2023, 02:40:59 pm
To be honest I was not even surprised at what Lozza Fox said about any woman, that kind of language and attitude is normal for those Fashy Culture Warrior types.

I'm more surprised GBFashNews even bothered to pretend they were shocked and took Fox off air (for now). Maybe the whole #MeToo and awareness of misogyny starting with that kind of language is trickling into "socially unacceptable EVEN for blatant Fash".

Language that bad and worse is normal background noise for women and other marginalised groups.

Today a 15 year old schoolgirl was murdered in London because she rejected a male's sexual advances.

I know that misogyny starts with comments and attitudes and yes, in some cases ends up with violence. I'm just surprised Fash News gives a shit, cos this is old old old news to me as a woman.

Men are scared of being rejected (laughed at); women are scared of being killed" (https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/188039-men-are-afraid-that-women-will-laugh-at-them-women) sums up the vile and horrifying situation that poor young woman found herself in today and the entitlement of that young man came from a lot of somewheres.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 28 September, 2023, 12:41:47 am
Quote from: barakta on 27 September, 2023, 02:40:59 pm
I'm more surprised GBFashNews even bothered to pretend they were shocked and took Fox off air (for now). Maybe the whole #MeToo and awareness of misogyny starting with that kind of language is trickling into "socially unacceptable EVEN for blatant Fash".

Maybe they'd gone a whole week without doing something to get themselves in the - and I use the term entirely within context - proper news.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 28 September, 2023, 08:37:20 am
They’ve (Gammon Broadcasting) also now suspended Wooten for the same incident. Has someone with a conscience been employed by mistake?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 28 September, 2023, 12:45:40 pm
Why won’t they let me sit in one of the front seats. It’s not fair.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 28 September, 2023, 01:48:31 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 28 September, 2023, 12:45:40 pm
Why won’t they let me sit in one of the front seats. It’s not fair.
Is this an aeroplane cockpit kind of front seat?

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 28 September, 2023, 02:03:39 pm
Quote from: perpetual dan on 28 September, 2023, 01:48:31 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 28 September, 2023, 12:45:40 pm
Why won’t they let me sit in one of the front seats. It’s not fair.
Is this an aeroplane cockpit kind of front seat?

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
Or upstairs at the front on the number nine bus?

(shades of Spine Milligna's interview when he tried to jon the RAF)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 28 September, 2023, 02:28:57 pm
An aeroplane. It’s only a little one though. The flight was an hour and ten minutes. I’m spending some more time waiting around now, this time for a bus. This is the main problem with domestic flights in the UK; lots of waiting around because lack of connections. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 29 September, 2023, 11:08:39 am
Currently staying at the rural campus of Larrington Colij Oxfod.  Have single bed because the von Brandenburgs are occupying double.  Fell out of it in the middle of the night.  Hurt knuckles.  Woken by artisans building new greenhouse at 09:15.  Hate everybody.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Hot Flatus on 01 October, 2023, 07:55:22 am
Beer Festivals.

They are shit, aren't they. It's a hard thing to say given that they are a celebration of beer, but they really are shit.  The beer is invariably badly kept. Casks need to be kept in 11-13⁰ temps, but they are racked at whatever the ambient temperature happens to be, which is only that low on a late autumn to early spring day, outside.  They need to be racked and allowed to settle, with a cellarperson controlling the carbonation, but they never are. So what you get is a pint of flat, warm beer.

Added to which, everyone is pissed and therefore annoying. The only way to cope with this is to drink copious quantities of flat, warm beer.

And why do the people who run beer festivals think that guests will be entertained by a bunch of paunchy 60-somethings in leather waistcoats and reading glasses balanced on their pates trying to play Thin Lizzy covers?

I'd rather stay at home and drink my own piss tbqhwy
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 01 October, 2023, 09:29:05 am
Quote from: Hot Flatus on 01 October, 2023, 07:55:22 am
Beer Festivals.

…

And why do the people who run beer festivals think that guests will be entertained by a bunch of paunchy 60-somethings in leather waistcoats and reading glasses balanced on their pates trying to play Thin Lizzy covers?

I'd rather stay at home and drink my own piss tbqhwy

Last one I went to had a bunch of paunchy, white, 60-somethings in stripy blazers playing Sweet Georgia Brown and Oh When the Saints. Where can I find these Thin Lizzy covers you speak of?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 01 October, 2023, 09:37:22 am
Rail prices (again).
Three of us going to York for a couple of days in 6 weeks time. £400+ and you’ve no idea whether there will be engineering works. I like the train, and it’s maybe an hour faster (if there’s no engineering works), but that’s a lot of money (even compared to 45p a mile) and uncertainty.
Look again in a couple of weeks, I guess.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SteveC on 01 October, 2023, 12:07:37 pm
I don't like going on holiday.
I like being on holiday. It's the preparing, packing and getting there which I don't like.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 01 October, 2023, 02:26:34 pm
Quote from: perpetual dan on 01 October, 2023, 09:37:22 am
Rail prices (again).
Three of us going to York for a couple of days in 6 weeks time. £400+ and you’ve no idea whether there will be engineering works. I like the train, and it’s maybe an hour faster (if there’s no engineering works), but that’s a lot of money (even compared to 45p a mile) and uncertainty.
Look again in a couple of weeks, I guess.

Yeah, the train is generally cheaper than one person in a car (off peak) but once you get 3-4 people travelling together it can be pretty expensive in comparison. A "Two together" railcard would bring the price down by a fair bit, or a family railcard even more if one of your 3 is a child.

You should definitely know whether there will be engineering works these are planned in advance. Strikes less so, but you'll still know well ahead of time and get refunds if the train's not running (I've found mainline services still running on strike days very pleasant as a lot of people stay away and they're more likely to be punctual).

It doesn't look like there's any engineering works in 6 weeks, but I don't know where you're travelling from. Check here: https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/status-and-disruptions/
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 01 October, 2023, 02:38:37 pm
Good point, fiends and family might be worth it.

The online journey planner is what flagged the uncertainty about engineering work. Which in the past has always meant “it’ll be broken, we just haven’t planned the alternative yet”. But I’m willing to be wrong.

As we still own a car, rather than car club, I can make the decision as late as I like. Though, a bit like buying unripe pears in the supermarket, rail prices can swap from “you shouldn’t book yet” to “you should have to booked more in advance for the best prices” overnight.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 01 October, 2023, 02:56:28 pm
Quote from: perpetual dan on 01 October, 2023, 09:37:22 am
Rail prices (again).
Three of us going to York for a couple of days in 6 weeks time. £400+ and you’ve no idea whether there will be engineering works. I like the train, and it’s maybe an hour faster (if there’s no engineering works), but that’s a lot of money (even compared to 45p a mile) and uncertainty.
Look again in a couple of weeks, I guess.

The National Rail website gives engineering work within the next 12 weeks if you look in the right place.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 01 October, 2023, 02:58:00 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 01 October, 2023, 02:56:28 pm
Quote from: perpetual dan on 01 October, 2023, 09:37:22 am
Rail prices (again).
Three of us going to York for a couple of days in 6 weeks time. £400+ and you’ve no idea whether there will be engineering works. I like the train, and it’s maybe an hour faster (if there’s no engineering works), but that’s a lot of money (even compared to 45p a mile) and uncertainty.
Look again in a couple of weeks, I guess.

The National Rail website gives engineering work within the next 12 weeks if you look in the right place.

I was getting my times and prices from the national rail website!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 01 October, 2023, 08:17:59 pm
Travelling from the land of the Angles to the end of Cornwall, flying part of the journey made it quite a bit cheaper. The killer though, is the lack of planned connections, with the accumulated waiting time being greater than the actual travel img time. And the 3 busses at this end of the journey nearly made me ded! I might splurge on a taxi for thst part of the return journey.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 02 October, 2023, 09:54:41 am
Cardio-appointment notification popped up on my phone this weekend, for tomorrow mid-afternoon thus ****ing up the whole day.  No idea what agency sent it, it certainly wasn't any of my doing.  Called suspected culprit and they confirmed it - bloke wants to check the Afib bug they put in my chest in August. Bah. At least the café in the hospital foyer has good croissants and half-decent coffee.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 02 October, 2023, 10:11:45 am
Quote from: Hot Flatus on 01 October, 2023, 07:55:22 am
Beer Festivals.

They are shit, aren't they. It's a hard thing to say given that they are a celebration of beer, but they really are shit.  The beer is invariably badly kept. Casks need to be kept in 11-13⁰ temps, but they are racked at whatever the ambient temperature happens to be, which is only that low on a late autumn to early spring day, outside.  They need to be racked and allowed to settle, with a cellarperson controlling the carbonation, but they never are. So what you get is a pint of flat, warm beer.

Added to which, everyone is pissed and therefore annoying. The only way to cope with this is to drink copious quantities of flat, warm beer.

And why do the people who run beer festivals think that guests will be entertained by a bunch of paunchy 60-somethings in leather waistcoats and reading glasses balanced on their pates trying to play Thin Lizzy covers?

I'd rather stay at home and drink my own piss tbqhwy

I've worked bar at a beer-festival-with-music 3 years in a row. 3-4hrs work per day got free festival entry.
First two years were ok. Beer racked days before to allow to settle. Cooling by soaked sacks. Beer was chosen to work from barrels; there were hand pumps for some beers, and cooling lines for light ales.
(Found myself in the embarrassing situation of people refusing to be served by the other person on the hand pumps - I had 2 years of pulling pints in a rural pub. He had no idea how to pull a pint and wasn't interested in learning).
Third year, we ran out of beer on second night of festival. Emergency delivery from brewery, at 1am I was hefting wooden barrels up onto the racks (back when I could do such a thing by myself). We tapped the barrels just before the tent opened; boy it was shit, still cloudy and shaken up. Punters still drunk so they didn't mind. Plus, they didn't have enough people to staff the tents, so we ended up working bar 8hrs a day.
By the end of the festival I was exhausted and fed up. Didn't want to do it again.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 02 October, 2023, 07:16:39 pm
Pharmacy2u.com, not only have you disappeared your app from Shirley the Carer's phone but you’ve also disappeared it from Mr Google's Play Store, which helpfully says “Something went wrong” when you poke the link on their webshite.  The FruitCo app is still OK.  Sort it out u muppets  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 03 October, 2023, 12:58:19 pm
PSA: Halloween, in as much as it's a thing in the UK, is at the *other* end of October.  HTH.  HAND.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 03 October, 2023, 05:36:46 pm
Fuxache! I've just noticed WhatsApp has (I don't know if just today or since when) a new thing called "Channels". Like they're trying to turn it into Youtube. And first on its list is Mark "such a nice guy" Zuckerberg.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 04 October, 2023, 09:02:02 am
Quote from: Kim on 03 October, 2023, 12:58:19 pm
PSA: Halloween, in as much as it's a thing in the UK, is at the *other* end of October.  HTH.  HAND.

Yeah. Though mainland Brits transferred the fun & games to 5th Nov after Jimmy the One failed to get blown up in 1605.  In Norn Iron they didn't see the point of celebrating a Cafflick surviving assassination so we still had the bonfires etc. on the right day.

Always found it amusing that Halloween went to the US with the Irish, and the USAnians made it into a product then exported it back to the UK.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 04 October, 2023, 12:24:55 pm
I'd have said that nowadays Halloween is much bigger here than 5th Nov. The fireworks get spread out over at least a week, so it's hard to tell which they're for, but there are far more pumpkins, skelingbones, and people going out dressed as zombies, than Bonfire stuff.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 04 October, 2023, 01:04:48 pm
Of course in Silly Oak we get zombies 10 months a year.  The combustion, on the other hand, tends to be seasonal (late June by the builders, early November by the students).

There's a house on a nearby road that was done up like a horror-movie crime scene last Halloween, and the decorations never taken down.  I suppose it might be a real horror-movie crime scene.  Or possibly a Scooby-Doo one.  If I meet a ghost I'll make a note to check if it's a landlord wearing a mask.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 04 October, 2023, 01:09:03 pm
"Scooby Dooby Doo, where are you? We got some work to do now" etc, singing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cygnet on 04 October, 2023, 11:15:16 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 04 October, 2023, 12:24:55 pm
I'd have said that nowadays Halloween is much bigger here than 5th Nov. The fireworks get spread out over at least a week, so it's hard to tell which they're for, but there are far more pumpkins, skelingbones, and people going out dressed as zombies, than Bonfire stuff.

Bonfire stuff, (and bonfire related Fireworks) require less interaction than scroungers kiddies knocking on your door. Loads of people wander up my local hill for good views of fireworks. 0 kids come knocking on my door at Halloween.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 04 October, 2023, 11:50:25 pm
A convention that seems to have developed over recent years is the interpretation of the presence of a pumpkin lantern by the door as an opt-in to trick-or-treating.  This seems eminently sensible.   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 05 October, 2023, 10:35:19 am
Dr Beardy likes Halloween and insists that I carve he a pumpkin or two (which I don’t actually mind) and then places one outside to attract becostumed urchins* for them to be liberally plied with cheap sweeties which I have been dispatched to the local shope to purchase. Given how much I detest a)being bothered of an evening, b)the commercialisation of festivals and holy days anc c) festivals and holy days, I do send a lot of my time preparing for them so that Dr B can enjoy the nonsense.

*actual well over half of the evenings visitors will be driven around** the neighbourhood in a suitably large and rugged of road vehicle as befits the countryside dwellers of the Far Eastern wastes of the Angles.

** mostly to protect them from all the extra vehicles that will be on the roads that evening.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 05 October, 2023, 12:17:12 pm
I’m happy to do the preparing, and feeding sugar to kids. They’ll be in bed by the time any summoning gets going.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fd3 on 05 October, 2023, 02:56:33 pm
My wife is incredibly smart, so why does she do stupid things?
Today she asked some builders to give a quote on some roofing.  We could do it now they say, to which she agrees.  3 hours later she has a £500billans isn't sure what they did. 
3 people, 3 hours work + parts, 500 is on the high end but it's not the worst thing ever.  I just don't get why she didn't check what they would do, agree price, and if she did why she's now unsure that they did the right thing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 06 October, 2023, 01:49:30 pm
I'm trying to book train tickets via LNER website.

Get to payment stage; "sorry, an error has occurred"

Try again, an hour later. Same thing

Give it another hour, try via a different browser. Same error.

Get on their customer support and they very


very


slowly

ask what train I'm trying to book.

I just want the damn website up, so I can pick my tickets
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 07 October, 2023, 01:21:58 pm
“Ratknackers!” exclaimed Mr Larrington, adverbially.  “The sole of my left Perfectly Good Gentleman’s Mountain Bicycle shoe has gone from ‘coming unstuck a bit at the heel’ to ‘coming unstuck for 3/4 of its entire length’!”

Equal quantities of glue and foul cursing will hopefully see it reattached and remaining thus for another seventeen years.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 07 October, 2023, 02:46:16 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 07 October, 2023, 01:21:58 pm
Equal quantities of glue and foul cursing will hopefully see it reattached and remaining thus for another seventeen years.
This unit approves of this service and sentiment, or attempt thereat, and wishes the esteemed Mr Larrington much success in his venture.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 07 October, 2023, 05:15:44 pm
While this unit sympathises: BTDT.

(https://pbase.com/johnewing/image/165170107.jpg)

Those shoes were only 3 years old, which maybe explains why Carnac went phut.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 07 October, 2023, 05:26:18 pm
Those seventeen years have included thirteen years of sitting on a shelf, mind.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 08 October, 2023, 02:26:31 pm
Google maps, you have an annoying habit of titling roads that otherwise are in-named with the name of a property there on. Hence we have “Model Row” which are 8 cottages in fact, not the whole bloody road. Worse still the green lane between our village and the next is now called “Rectory Farm Cottages”. Muppets.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 08 October, 2023, 03:39:16 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 07 October, 2023, 05:26:18 pm
Those seventeen years have included thirteen years of sitting on a shelf, mind.

That'd make anyone come unstuck.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 08 October, 2023, 04:33:45 pm
I'm surprised they've not disintegrated rather than come unstuck after that time.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 08 October, 2023, 08:47:19 pm
Perusing a website with the aim of purchasing tickets to see a band.
Price £xx.yy
Fees £n.mm

So far, so usual

But what's this? Delivery charge for e-ticket £1.65

Gouging abstrads.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 08 October, 2023, 09:04:25 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 08 October, 2023, 08:47:19 pm
But what's this? Delivery charge for e-ticket £1.65

Gouging abstradcts.
FTFY. It doesn't get much more abstract than a delivery charge for a pattern of electrons.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ScumOfTheRoad on 09 October, 2023, 01:59:54 pm
My car lives in an underground car parl with rollder shutter doors. Simple blip on the central locking to lock. I am reasonably certain it will be there the next day should I wish to use it.
My bike lives in the same car park in a locked cage. Wheelbender aluminium racks or hung by front wheel. It has a big chain, a D lock and a cable. So three additional keys to secure it, and I'm not sure it will be there as thieves have cut their way into these cages.

I've said this before - why is it not as convenient to use a bike to go shopping? i wouldnt dare leave a bike outside out local Tesco.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 09 October, 2023, 03:31:09 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 07 October, 2023, 01:21:58 pm
Equal quantities of glue and foul cursing will hopefully see it reattached and remaining thus for another seventeen years.

Obviously not enough of one or other ingredient as the bloody thing came loose again on the way to Mr Sainsbury’s House of Toothy Comestibles just now >:(  Requiring me to remove foot from shoe before shoe could be removed from pedal chiz.  At least a session of walking around stuck it down enough not to have to repeat the foot-shoe-pedal comedy on getting home.

More glue, more clamps, more swearing and liberal quantities of d/s tape applied.  Otherwise it’s new shoes time.  Or flat pedals.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 09 October, 2023, 05:09:44 pm
Needs Shoe Goo + 24 hrs to cure.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 09 October, 2023, 05:44:27 pm
I think I've worked out who these are for: https://youtu.be/DD0hlruv9vo?t=166

(Though I note that mountain bicycling in them is probably best left to the antipodians...)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 09 October, 2023, 06:37:47 pm
Quote from: T42 on 09 October, 2023, 05:09:44 pm
Needs Shoe Goo + 24 hrs to cure.

Seems there’s a stockist in 'stow Central.  May have to check 'em out.  Except I'd need the Perfectly Good Gentleman’s Mountain Bicycle to get there…
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 10 October, 2023, 02:23:35 pm
Two perfect cycling days - 23°C and light winds today and tomorrow - fucked up by medicrap. Thursday the wind ramps up to 40 kph gusts, then we get rain at the weekend and the temperature plummets.  >:( >:( >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Diver300 on 11 October, 2023, 01:55:50 pm
The second closest post box to here has now got the last collection time as 9:00 am on weekdays. It now matches the closest post box to here, and puts reasonable collection times well outside walking or cycling during lunch time distance and into driving or keen cycling down main roads distance.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 11 October, 2023, 02:40:52 pm
I think 9am is a default time for the majority of post boxes. It's the time on my nearest box, which I would never cycle to as it's about 50 metres away. I've used it maybe four times in the twelve years I've been here and can't imagine what I might have to post that would be too urgent to wait till tomorrow morning collection and also not require a visit to the PO for weighing, registering or whatever.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Diver300 on 11 October, 2023, 05:11:41 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 11 October, 2023, 02:40:52 pm
I think 9am is a default time for the majority of post boxes. It's the time on my nearest box, which I would never cycle to as it's about 50 metres away. I've used it maybe four times in the twelve years I've been here and can't imagine what I might have to post that would be too urgent to wait till tomorrow morning collection and also not require a visit to the PO for weighing, registering or whatever.
Online printing of postage is quite easy, and I use it a lot.

If I'm getting something ready during the evening, I can book a collection for the middle of the next day. However, that doesn't always work, and waiting in for a collection can be just as frustrating as waiting in for a delivery.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 13 October, 2023, 01:50:48 pm
Delayed grumble: when booking a Plague booster the other day I noticed that there was a page asking whether you had any needs such as disabled access, car parking ect &, moreover, etc.

Did they mention bike parking?  Why, no!  No, they did not.

My GP's place is lacking in such things too.  The bastards.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 13 October, 2023, 03:32:15 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 13 October, 2023, 01:50:48 pm
Delayed grumble: when booking a Plague booster the other day I noticed that there was a page asking whether you had any needs such as disabled access, car parking ect &, moreover, etc.

Did they mention bike parking?  Why, no!  No, they did not.

My GP's place is lacking in such things too.  The bastards.

I always park right by the surgery door.
One of the doctors grumbled at me for doing that, saying that they'd had a lovely bike rack installed round the back.
I told her that I didn't want to park round the back. I wanted to park round the front, like all the carists do. And if Dai Scumbag wanted to fiddle with my lock, he'd not be hidden from view as he fiddled.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 15 October, 2023, 05:51:41 pm
This being Surreyshire, there is certainly no bike parking at the GPs.

In other grumbles, I cracked off a chunk of molar on a pomegranate seed. Basically it’s a childhood era filling where they left very little actual tooth to contain the industrial quantity of amalgam. Looking at it, I’m not sure how it survived so many decades. Now I can’t resist poking the jagged remains with my tongue. It feels a lot worse than it looks.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 16 October, 2023, 12:14:01 pm
Zuckerbots, kindly fuck off with your “Suggested for you” feature.  Doubly so if you’re suggesting “Firearms News”.  You thick fucks.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: davelodwig on 16 October, 2023, 12:34:55 pm
Quote from: Basil on 13 October, 2023, 03:32:15 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 13 October, 2023, 01:50:48 pm
Delayed grumble: when booking a Plague booster the other day I noticed that there was a page asking whether you had any needs such as disabled access, car parking ect &, moreover, etc.

Did they mention bike parking?  Why, no!  No, they did not.

My GP's place is lacking in such things too.  The bastards.

I always park right by the surgery door.
One of the doctors grumbled at me for doing that, saying that they'd had a lovely bike rack installed round the back.
I told her that I didn't want to park round the back. I wanted to park round the front, like all the carists do. And if Dai Scumbag wanted to fiddle with my lock, he'd not be hidden from view as he fiddled.

Our surgery has two Sheffield stands that require you to bump the bike up the curb and walk across some grass.

I'll be fucked if I'm doing that with the box bike with the boy in the front, so I just park in a car space put the nurses lock on and chain it to a handy lamp post.

I've only been asked once if I can move it, apparently no wasn't the answer they were expecting.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 16 October, 2023, 02:40:05 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 09 October, 2023, 03:31:09 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 07 October, 2023, 01:21:58 pm
Equal quantities of glue and foul cursing will hopefully see it reattached and remaining thus for another seventeen years.

Obviously not enough of one or other ingredient as the bloody thing came loose again on the way to Mr Sainsbury’s House of Toothy Comestibles just now >:(  Requiring me to remove foot from shoe before shoe could be removed from pedal chiz.  At least a session of walking around stuck it down enough not to have to repeat the foot-shoe-pedal comedy on getting home.

More glue, more clamps, more swearing and liberal quantities of d/s tape applied.  Otherwise it’s new shoes time.  Or flat pedals.

Superglue + d/s tape + clamps + cursing seems to have at least permitted a round trip to Mr Sainsbury’s House of Toothy Comestibles without it trying to escape again.  Crosses thumbs, presses fingers coz the cheapest appropriate replacement shoes are a) £60 and iii: Shimano.  TV's NC Boardman does some for £40 but they’re orange enow to attract the attention of ASR helichopters.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 19 October, 2023, 11:25:27 am
By asking me for meter readings only a month after my last lot EDF are clearly trying to force me down the smart meter road, the sneaky toerags.  Also this means putting on trousers, and shoes, and doing battle with teh Horble Spiky Bush ov Doom that lives in front of the gas meter cupboard and has grown alarmingly since being lovingly pruned with a chainsaw earlier this year  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 19 October, 2023, 11:31:46 am
Ah, maybe that's why I've had eight emails in three days asking for my electricity meter reading. And they don't need it till the 22nd. But they've also marked the meter "permanently incapacitated" or something similar, as en-smartening it would require de-anbarizing the entire street.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 19 October, 2023, 02:39:47 pm
I doubt it's that Machiavellian, I've been reading the meter monthly for at least 7 years, and I've only been pestered for Smartness for the last couple. And to be fair, once I got the 'tuits to tell them to cease and desist their blandishments they did forthwith.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 22 October, 2023, 11:24:09 am
Water pressure was noticeably down when I filled the kettle this morning. Faceache has its uses, a post on the village page elicited the information that there was a burst water main in the adjacent village of Aston Clinton. Again. Thames Water (well, their nominated contractors) have conspicuously failed to fully repair the previous burst (it’s still weeping through the road surface) about 100 yards away from the current one. It’s a good thing that road is no longer the main A41!!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 23 October, 2023, 12:12:49 pm
Every year we have to do a "riskmaster" driver thing at work, which is my company's way of mitigating driver risk by having a third part check things like our driving licences, insurance and MOT (if using our own cars) and doing a set of tests every year a bit like the modern theory test.

The theory test bits are always rubbish. This year I was asked what LPG stood for. Not quite sure how that relates to my ability to drive. But having selected the correct answer it helpfully told me that LPG is becoming more available and may help to bring down the cost of my motoring. Probably true a decade ago.

Then it showed a normal with flow cycle lane sign (blue rectangle, picture of bike on the left and a solid white line next to it) and asked what it mean. Options were "No entry for cyclists", "Contra flow cycle lane", "cycle route ahead" and "cycle race". None of which are correct. It expected "cycle route ahead" which is the red triangle cycle sign. I guessed that, but it is just wrong. My company pays a fortune for this shit.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 25 October, 2023, 11:19:52 am
Zefal's el cheapo mudguard set provides 5 mm Allen-head bolts, with one washer and one plain nut per bolt.  I'd have preferred a couple of washers and a locking nut but you don't get what you don't pay for. 6 mm bolts would have been better, too, a closer match to the holes most bikes have.

As it happens I have exactly zero 5 mm lock nuts in the workshop, just a couple of 6es and a bunch of 4s.  Rats.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 26 October, 2023, 08:22:39 pm
Today, in Sainos, in search for my breakfast grapefruit for tomorrow, there were only two examples available.
One, about the size of a tennis ball.
The other as soft as a stress ball.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 29 October, 2023, 06:14:59 am
Forgot to change the dog back to GMT so no extra hour in bed
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 29 October, 2023, 07:24:01 am
Canine Mean Time
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 29 October, 2023, 07:38:09 am
Quote from: The Family Cyclist on 29 October, 2023, 06:14:59 am
Forgot to change the dog back to GMT so no extra hour in bed

Remembered to sleep in but just realized I haven't reset all the misbegotten clocks & timers.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 29 October, 2023, 08:25:28 am
Quote from: The Family Cyclist on 29 October, 2023, 06:14:59 am
Forgot to change the dog back to GMT so no extra hour in bed

Ditto, but with cats.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Flite on 29 October, 2023, 09:46:21 am
The cat and I usually get up about 6am.
Last night I remembered to put my alarm clock back an hour.
The cat put her's forward an hour, so I was woken at 5am!
She was been out, got soaked, dried her feet on my lap and is fast asleep under the table.
Lucky beast.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 29 October, 2023, 12:51:29 pm
Ob GMT, BST and local time:
(https://www.bristol247.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Mr-Langfords-plaque-photo-Barbara-Evripidou-1600x900.jpg)
https://www.bristol247.com/news-and-features/features/bristol-smallest-plaque-connection-clocks-going-back/
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 29 October, 2023, 02:28:40 pm
Pumpkin actually didn't wake me up super early, which was nice.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 29 October, 2023, 03:33:38 pm
The automatic analogue wall clocks seem to have gone wild without actually reverting to GMT.
Hope they revert tonight!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hbunnet on 29 October, 2023, 03:46:50 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 29 October, 2023, 03:33:38 pm
The automatic analogue wall clocks seem to have gone wild without actually reverting to GMT.
Hope they revert tonight!

Yes, we found that also on two clocks. I've just checked 15:45 and one has changed and the North facing one has not.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 29 October, 2023, 05:26:15 pm
Ah, OK. I was wondering why ours didn't change overnight.  It always has done before.
I waited till about lunchtime and then sorted it by simply taking out the battery and putting it back in again. Forcing a reset.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 29 October, 2023, 05:28:52 pm
IIRC the MSF signal only flags that there's about to be a DST change for the hour before the change, so it's entirely possible for the clock to miss it if the signal's iffy.  Which is has been ever since they moved the transmitter to Cumbria.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 29 October, 2023, 05:33:30 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 29 October, 2023, 12:51:29 pm
Ob GMT, BST and local time:
(https://www.bristol247.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Mr-Langfords-plaque-photo-Barbara-Evripidou-1600x900.jpg)
https://www.bristol247.com/news-and-features/features/bristol-smallest-plaque-connection-clocks-going-back/

That article's got one of those comedy units we've been grumbling about:

Quote
To commemorate the job of this master clock and Langford’s efforts, Bristol’s smallest plaque, no larger than a 30cm ruler, can be found directly underneath the clock, now in a somewhat sorry state outside Costa on College Green.

So ≤30cm, then?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 29 October, 2023, 05:53:45 pm
I have 3 such clocks, all out of my reach. They all face southwest.
If I wish to force a reset, I'll need to ask David for help. He's out right now…

Will wait and hope.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 29 October, 2023, 07:47:38 pm
Quote from: Kim on 29 October, 2023, 05:28:52 pm
IIRC the MSF signal only flags that there's about to be a DST change for the hour before the change, so it's entirely possible for the clock to miss it if the signal's iffy.  Which is has been ever since they moved the transmitter to Cumbria.

Rugby was much better!

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 29 October, 2023, 09:51:40 pm
Quote from: Kim on 29 October, 2023, 05:33:30 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 29 October, 2023, 12:51:29 pm
Ob GMT, BST and local time:
(https://www.bristol247.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Mr-Langfords-plaque-photo-Barbara-Evripidou-1600x900.jpg)
https://www.bristol247.com/news-and-features/features/bristol-smallest-plaque-connection-clocks-going-back/

That article's got one of those comedy units we've been grumbling about:

Quote
To commemorate the job of this master clock and Langford’s efforts, Bristol’s smallest plaque, no larger than a 30cm ruler, can be found directly underneath the clock, now in a somewhat sorry state outside Costa on College Green.

So ≤30cm, then?
No. No, not at all that. A ruler always has blank bits at each end. So it's ≤30cm + a small, unspecified amount. They should really specify whether the rule is plastic, metal or wooden.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 30 October, 2023, 01:41:18 am
<pedant> I don't think steel rules have blank bits...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 30 October, 2023, 06:58:41 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 30 October, 2023, 01:41:18 am
<pedant> I don't think steel rules have blank bits...

One of mine does
But the other one doesn't
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Regulator on 30 October, 2023, 12:37:18 pm
My body clock is refusing to reset... I was awake at 4.45 am this morning (instead of the usual 5.45 am).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 30 October, 2023, 02:40:07 pm
The Gorgeous Grandschildren came to stay at the weekend. Whilst being perfect at everything, they don't know about clocks, daylight saving and granddad's need for kip.

Actually I don't care, for they are wonderful, even at audax o'clock.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 30 October, 2023, 03:42:36 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 29 October, 2023, 07:47:38 pm
Quote from: Kim on 29 October, 2023, 05:28:52 pm
IIRC the MSF signal only flags that there's about to be a DST change for the hour before the change, so it's entirely possible for the clock to miss it if the signal's iffy.  Which is has been ever since they moved the transmitter to Cumbria.

Rugby was much better!

Facebook reminded me I also had clock issues this time last year...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 30 October, 2023, 04:19:37 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 30 October, 2023, 03:42:36 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 29 October, 2023, 07:47:38 pm
Quote from: Kim on 29 October, 2023, 05:28:52 pm
IIRC the MSF signal only flags that there's about to be a DST change for the hour before the change, so it's entirely possible for the clock to miss it if the signal's iffy.  Which is has been ever since they moved the transmitter to Cumbria.

Rugby was much better!

Facebook reminded me I also had clock issues this time last year...

Regular as...  ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 30 October, 2023, 04:59:43 pm
 ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 30 October, 2023, 05:05:50 pm
I had a plan to mow lawns this evening.

5pm and it is getting dark already.

Cheers, end of DST.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 31 October, 2023, 01:49:32 pm
Young man, you may have gone to Harrow, and have a B.E. 1.1  and an M.Phil (Engineering for sustainability) 1.1 (Cantab), but your last communication leaves me in doubt as to whether you'd know one end of a spanner from the other.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Salvatore on 31 October, 2023, 02:13:34 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 30 October, 2023, 06:58:41 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 30 October, 2023, 01:41:18 am
<pedant> I don't think steel rules have blank bits...

One of mine does
But the other one doesn't

I checked mine. One end does, and just over 1 metre away, the other end doesn't.

Edit: It's not steel, it's aluminium, made in Sheffield.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 31 October, 2023, 03:07:34 pm
Quote from: Salvatore on 31 October, 2023, 02:13:34 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 30 October, 2023, 06:58:41 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 30 October, 2023, 01:41:18 am
<pedant> I don't think steel rules have blank bits...

One of mine does
But the other one doesn't

I checked mine. One end does, and just over 1 metre away, the other end doesn't.

Edit: It's not steel, it's aluminium, made in Sheffield.

We were told in school that the extra bits on wooden rulers were there so that the ends of the scale would remain visible even if the corners got worn down. Steel rules didn't need them (unless used to test a grindstone).  Modernity doesn't care about what we were told in school.

BTW, why do we call a wooden one a ruler and a steel one a rule?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 31 October, 2023, 03:17:34 pm
I thought the steel ones were scales.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 31 October, 2023, 04:53:47 pm
The rules have fallen from my eyes.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fd3 on 31 October, 2023, 05:29:31 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 08 October, 2023, 08:47:19 pm
But what's this? Delivery charge for e-ticket £1.65
Gouging abstrads.
I remember going to a theatre to buy tickets.so that I wouldn't have to pay the retailer's handling fee; but the theatre add the charge even if you buy direct from them.
It's not really an extra fee if you can't avoid it.

@cudzo, well played sir
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SteveC on 01 November, 2023, 07:26:11 pm
Had to go to our local Asda for my flu jab this evening.
All the Halloween tat has been cleared away.
The bollards between the car park and the entrance each have a cover, with a C*******s candy cane on.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 01 November, 2023, 07:30:16 pm
It was a perfect storm of pumpkins, poppies and christmas tat in Mr Sainsbury's Emporium Of Toothy Comestibles yesterday.  Like their calendar had really bad timezone issues.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 04 November, 2023, 08:12:07 pm
I went to the DIY shop for some araldite earlier. They didn't have any :(

The closest thing comes with two special single use plastic mixing nozzles. So a use twice tube of glue! This seems profligate, at best. What's wrong with a bit of foil and mixing with a matchstick?

Sent from my SM-S911B using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 04 November, 2023, 08:25:51 pm
Just yesterday, I had need to use a bit of 2-part epoxy to fix something.
I liberated a pack of Dexter Hysol Epoxi-Patch from my former workplace some years back, and it's lasted well and is Very Good.

Just googled it, and it seems the brand has been borged by Loctite, but this looks much like the box I have:
https://colab.research.google.com/drive/1Ktp_UGs-h0H-n8KN5Nu1v2d7MU99WErU

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 04 November, 2023, 08:40:58 pm
Dexter Hysol were the title sponsors of the Cheetah, the last bike to set an HPV flying 200 metre world record anywhere other than Battle Mountain, trivia fans.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 05 November, 2023, 08:45:39 am
Quote from: perpetual dan
I went to the DIY shop for some araldite earlier. They didn't have any :(
I think you may be unfortunate in your choice of DIY shop.  Araldite (other two part adhesives are available) can still be bought as a two tube blister pack complete with mixing tray & (stupidly small) spatula.  As any fule kno a cocktail stick is the only proper mixer & applicator for Araldite.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 05 November, 2023, 11:41:40 am


Quote from: TheLurker on 05 November, 2023, 08:45:39 am
Quote from: perpetual dan
I went to the DIY shop for some araldite earlier. They didn't have any :(
I think you may be unfortunate in your choice of DIY shop.  Araldite (other two part adhesives are available) can still be bought as a two tube blister pack complete with mixing tray & (stupidly small) spatula.  As any fule kno a cocktail stick is the only proper mixer & applicator for Araldite.

Probably, it happens to be convenient rather than good! (Also leaking quite badly this week.) I'm glad the real stuff is still available - that mixer nozzle is a terrible idea.

Doesn't a cocktail stick poke through the foil?



Sent from my SM-S911B using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 05 November, 2023, 12:03:03 pm
Foil? A bit of cardboard is wot I always use, these days oft liberated from a cereal box. Using foil seems very posh.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 05 November, 2023, 12:24:39 pm
Ditto, or a scrap of paper.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 05 November, 2023, 12:32:08 pm
Shiny card for me too - whatever happens to be in the recycling bin.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 05 November, 2023, 01:23:10 pm
Ah. One of those habits learned from Dad that I never really questioned. Edges folded up to avoid going over the edge.

Sent from my SM-S911B using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 05 November, 2023, 01:51:30 pm
Quote from: perpetual dan on 05 November, 2023, 01:23:10 pm
Ah. One of those habits learned from Dad that I never really questioned. Edges folded up to avoid going over the edge.

Sent from my SM-S911B using Tapatalk
I’m not surprised that you worry about piercing the foil if you’re mixing vigorously enough to require folded up edges. Calm down young man*, and smell the glue.  ;D


*An instruction I was given whilst, as a newly minted telephone’s apprentice, I was given a digging bar and was in the process of digging my first (and only) hole in the road. Apparently we had all day to dig the hole! It was exciting though, we had temporary traffic lights and everything.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 05 November, 2023, 02:58:02 pm
If you mix the epoxy too fast, you will add a lot of air, which reduces strength. Not a problem for most things but we secure the bolts of 200t capacity bollards into a wharf with epoxy. It certainly matters then.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 05 November, 2023, 03:03:48 pm
Quote from: LittleWheelsandBig on 05 November, 2023, 02:58:02 pm
If you mix the epoxy too fast, you will add a lot of air, which reduces strength. Not a problem for most things but we secure the bolts of 200t capacity bollards into a wharf with epoxy. It certainly matters then.
Do you not have to degas the epoxy? I’d have thought for critical applications like that degassing would be standard.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 05 November, 2023, 03:21:40 pm
No. Just mixed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Usually the manufacturer trains the crew in how to prepare the hole and to mix and place the material.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 05 November, 2023, 07:22:28 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 05 November, 2023, 01:51:30 pm
Quote from: perpetual dan on 05 November, 2023, 01:23:10 pm
Ah. One of those habits learned from Dad that I never really questioned. Edges folded up to avoid going over the edge.

Sent from my SM-S911B using Tapatalk
I’m not surprised that you worry about piercing the foil if you’re mixing vigorously enough to require folded up edges. Calm down young man*, and smell the glue.  ;D
…

:D
My Dad isn’t one to waste foil on an overly large glue mixing whatsit. Though I suppose it avoids the butter side down issue if it gets dropped on the carpet.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Woofage on 06 November, 2023, 04:57:22 pm
Why can't some BRITISH people understand the difference between a donkey and their posterior aspect?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 06 November, 2023, 05:15:49 pm
Quote from: Woofage on 06 November, 2023, 04:57:22 pm
Why can't some BRITISH people understand the difference between a donkey and their posterior aspect?

And English subtitles of BRITISH films, where the character says "arse" but the subtitles say "ass". Perhaps they think it's the UK pronunciation, rhyming with "grass"?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 06 November, 2023, 05:24:56 pm
Last night I dreamt that I was being physically attacked.
All very vivid stuff.
To the extent that I awoke, to find my attacker standing in front of me.
I lashed out with my right foot in order to defend myself.
This resulted in me suffering The Most Painful Cramp Ever in my calf, which meant that there were no further nam-nams for me last night.
My calf  remains sore, more than twelve hours later.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 06 November, 2023, 06:05:51 pm
That kind of thing is really unsettling; especially with a physically painful reminder of the bad dream. Hope you can banish the nasty thoughts and sleep better tonight; also that the leg improves.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Peter on 06 November, 2023, 06:12:21 pm
Quote from: Pickled Onion on 06 November, 2023, 05:15:49 pm
Quote from: Woofage on 06 November, 2023, 04:57:22 pm
Why can't some BRITISH people understand the difference between a donkey and their posterior aspect?

And English subtitles of BRITISH films, where the character says "arse" but the subtitles say "ass". Perhaps they think it's the UK pronunciation, rhyming with "grass"?

Actually it rhymes with both, in roughly equal numbers of the population.  It's a geographical thing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 07 November, 2023, 01:38:30 pm
I had to take one of my bikes to an LBS for something (one of the few things!) I don't have the tools for - namely bleeding the SRAM disc brakes.  Job done OK BUT they had lowered the saddle right down onto the frame (presumably someone had a test ride to check the brakes?) - BUT failed to put it back to the correct height.  I collected the bike with the car so didn't notice - I only found out when I fitted the under-saddle bag back on.

To me a basic thing when working on a customer's bike and the saddle/seatpin is moved is to mark the height with a bit of tape on the seatpin so you can reftit it to the correct height.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 07 November, 2023, 02:27:12 pm
T42's Conjecture proves true again: it's to rain every day this week with the exception of tomorrow, when I have the car booked in for a service.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 07 November, 2023, 06:58:34 pm
Tonight’s edition of the BBC Londonton TV news has clearly fallen through a wormhole from about six weeks in the future.  It’s not even Advent yet, clots >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 09 November, 2023, 08:26:32 am
Car service yesterday.  "We couldn't put it through our car-wash, it's been broken for the last two years and we're waiting for parts". 

At least they vacuumed the sawdust out of the footwell.  And I did rather like the track of cat's paw-prints from radiator to boot, even though it's not our cat.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 09 November, 2023, 04:19:36 pm
Southam Royal Fail Delivery Office: Fuck off with your 08.00 to 10.00 enquiry office opening times.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 11 November, 2023, 11:28:21 am
Quote from: CAMRAMan on 09 November, 2023, 04:19:36 pm
Southam Royal Fail Delivery Office: Fuck off with your 08.00 to 10.00 enquiry office opening times.

Aye. Yesterday I phoned up a specialist's office to get an appointment and the answering machine told me "our office is open 9am to 12am and 2pm to 4pm. Please try again within these periods".  It was 15:45.  Poets Day isn't just a UK phenomenon.

---o0o---

In other news, ain't it wonderful how a single traitorous easy-open tag can ruin your whole mood?  Light-hearted to murderous in 5 minutes.

Parrot didn't learn any new words but he's had a refresher course.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 11 November, 2023, 04:39:12 pm
Quote from: robgul on 07 November, 2023, 01:38:30 pm
I had to take one of my bikes to an LBS for something (one of the few things!) I don't have the tools for - namely bleeding the SRAM disc brakes.  Job done OK BUT they had lowered the saddle right down onto the frame (presumably someone had a test ride to check the brakes?) - BUT failed to put it back to the correct height.  I collected the bike with the car so didn't notice - I only found out when I fitted the under-saddle bag back on.

To me a basic thing when working on a customer's bike and the saddle/seatpin is moved is to mark the height with a bit of tape on the seatpin so you can reftit it to the correct height.

I've dine similar when put the wife's saddle up so could put in work stand and forgot. For once hadn't stuck it up to make her saddle a better height for cycling
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Regulator on 13 November, 2023, 08:00:08 am
Mr R and I swapped cars over the weekend and he managed to crash mine.  He pulled up outside a friend’s house, which is on a slope, and got out without putting the handbrake on.  He was then somewhat surprised when the car rolled down the slope and into a wall.

It was all caught on our friend’s Ring doorbell.  I’m tempted to send it to You’ve Been Framed* to help defray the repair costs. 


*Yes, I know the programme isn’t being made any more, unfortunately…
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 13 November, 2023, 09:17:01 pm
If you want to do virtue signalling commemorate Remembrance Day on Facebook for Grownups LinkedIn, my top tip is to GET THE WORDS RIGHT.

It's "They shall grow not old" you twonks. Not "They shall not grow old"
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 17 November, 2023, 05:03:57 pm
Thermostat on the kitchen heater just went phut. Damn thing was only 40 years old. :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 18 November, 2023, 09:05:12 am
Today is a Saturday, thus there are no builders with their noisy power tools to wake me up.  Nor are Tea Requirements to be fulfilled.  Therefore I do not need to be awake at audax o'clock.  So should you send me further inane txt msgs at 06:54, Miss von Brandenburg, your cats will go to bed without any supper :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 18 November, 2023, 11:53:41 am
There were, however, garden tidiers with noisy, stinky leaf blowers here.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 18 November, 2023, 11:57:32 am
It’s cold, rainy and windy here s9 no irksom gardening activities in progress. And better still, no expectation by the lady of the house that I will indulge in such ungentlemanly behaviour either.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 18 November, 2023, 03:15:04 pm
Apparently fairly skinny people like me wear out clothes or just cloth recycle, or wear very skinny jeans which im not pulling off at 40. I've normally done pretty well at getting trousers from charity shops but have been trying for ages to get some replacements for my verging on indecently worn ones from charity shops but nothing. Went to a big industrial unit charity shop today, they had maybe 6 pairs of 32" and most were hideous or skinny jeans

Ended up having to buy some new ones
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 19 November, 2023, 06:31:47 pm
I've just discovered you can no longer add non Amazon links to one's Amazon wish list (without the aid of Alexa), which is annoying as that's where my family used to put stuff for Xmas pressie requests.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 20 November, 2023, 11:51:51 am
Quote from: The Family Cyclist on 18 November, 2023, 03:15:04 pm
Apparently fairly skinny people like me wear out clothes or just cloth recycle, or wear very skinny jeans which im not pulling off at 40. I've normally done pretty well at getting trousers from charity shops but have been trying for ages to get some replacements for my verging on indecently worn ones from charity shops but nothing. Went to a big industrial unit charity shop today, they had maybe 6 pairs of 32" and most were hideous or skinny jeans

Ended up having to buy some new ones
Ignore the size on the label, it bears no relation to real measurements. If you're looking for 32" jeans they may be labelled 30" or 34". Last week in a small charity shop I tried on three pairs of jeans all labelled 30" waist. One pair probably had a genuine 30" waist or maybe smaller, couldn't get them done up. Another was loose on me. The third was a decent fit at the waist but the supposed 34" leg actually stopped a couple of inches above my ankles. The surprise was that the tight pair were Wrangler, the larger two were cheaper brands. (I bought the short pair, cos that makes them decent cycling-around-town jeans, at least in summer, with less chain entanglement, as well as being suitable for sacrificial tasks like wallpapering.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 20 November, 2023, 02:48:42 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 19 November, 2023, 06:31:47 pm
I've just discovered you can no longer add non Amazon links to one's Amazon wish list (without the aid of Alexa), which is annoying as that's where my family used to put stuff for Xmas pressie requests.

Yeah.  I get complaints from everyone in the family that there's nothing in "my" wish list, as if Amazon should be able to supply everything a human bean could wish for and then some.

I also need a "Please don't get me this" list, for things like music that suits their taste but not mine (e.g. minor composers who have written unlistenable-to dirges for guitar and glandered camel).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 20 November, 2023, 06:02:21 pm
Quote from: T42 on 20 November, 2023, 02:48:42 pm
I also need a "Please don't get me this" list

This should be a thing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Deano on 20 November, 2023, 09:24:13 pm
Yes, it's perfectly sensible to have a torch while walking your dog through the unlit park, but please stop shining that thing in my face.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 21 November, 2023, 09:15:25 am
Quote from: Deano on 20 November, 2023, 09:24:13 pm
Yes, it's perfectly sensible to have a torch while walking your dog through the unlit park, but please stop shining that thing in my face.

Ah yes, my morning drive out of the village frequently encounters a several of dog emptiers thus equipped, some with an additional head torch.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 21 November, 2023, 10:36:00 am
Just taken the Fast-Appreciating Future Classic in for its MOT.  Walked back to the Schloß.  Wish I'd begged Charlie the Builder to accompany me so as to give me a lift back :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 21 November, 2023, 01:21:40 pm
Woke up feeling a little bleary eyed this morning.  A glance in the bathroom mirror shows my left eyelid is rather swollen.  I look like I've been sparring!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 22 November, 2023, 06:34:28 pm
TV's Louise Lear appears to be presenting the weather forecast wearing trackie bottoms.  Whatever happened to standards?

Tchah.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 22 November, 2023, 08:15:18 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 22 November, 2023, 06:34:28 pm
TV's Louise Lear appears to be presenting the weather forecast wearing trackie bottoms.  Whatever happened to standards?

Tchah.

Aboard my old mothership we used to have a crazy marketing lady who once turned up at the office in a tiger print onesie and gold platform trainers. I think I was left staring open-mouthed. She was like 'are you looking at my boobs' to which my only response was 'I don't know what I'm looking at.' It certainly wasn't her boobs.

Then my boss appeared behind me and commanded 'it's designer, ian" like I was the most stupid person in the world for evidently not recognizing this obviousness.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: liam_whippet on 22 November, 2023, 08:48:54 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 22 November, 2023, 06:34:28 pm
TV's Louise Lear appears to be presenting the weather forecast wearing trackie bottoms.  Whatever happened to standards?

Tchah.

Well, to be fair, she did seem to be presenting the weather from Hull, which I think probably Explains Everything...

Black and white trackie bottoms, I would point out, not red and white ...  Yet more evidence of BBC bias, I'm afraid ...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 23 November, 2023, 10:30:57 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 22 November, 2023, 06:34:28 pm
TV's Louise Lear appears to be presenting the weather forecast wearing trackie bottoms.  Whatever happened to standards?

They went to hell with the move from 405 to 625 lines.

Quote
Tchah.

Indeed.

Aside: Boy! Fire up the camel, I'm going to pigstick a few wallahs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 24 November, 2023, 05:21:11 pm
I’m sure there have been grumbles here about the newday John Lewis credit card, but today it seems they really don’t want me as a customer any longer. They’ve sent an email telling me my limit is being halved and it was already half what I’d like.

So is there a link or number to call to decline this offer? No. About 90% of the email is instructions on how to close my account if I don’t like the change.

It’s true I don’t spend thousands on groceries every month, but I’d really really like to be confident that if I had an emergency or even just a single large purchase I could use my card without worrying about hitting the limit or denting my credit score.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 24 November, 2023, 06:43:30 pm
Quote from: Pickled Onion on 24 November, 2023, 05:21:11 pm
I’m sure there have been grumbles here about the newday John Lewis credit card, but today it seems they really don’t want me as a customer any longer. They’ve sent an email telling me my limit is being halved and it was already half what I’d like.

So is there a link or number to call to decline this offer? No. About 90% of the email is instructions on how to close my account if I don’t like the change.

It’s true I don’t spend thousands on groceries every month, but I’d really really like to be confident that if I had an emergency or even just a single large purchase I could use my card without worrying about hitting the limit or denting my credit score.
John Lewis (sadly) appear to be a sinking ship.
The current CEO is leaving their post after the briefest time in office of any of their previous CEOs.
Its a shame as I'm unaware of any other retailer that comes close to JLP's (previous) level of customer service.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 24 November, 2023, 07:01:43 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 24 November, 2023, 06:43:30 pm
Quote from: Pickled Onion on 24 November, 2023, 05:21:11 pm
I’m sure there have been grumbles here about the newday John Lewis credit card, but today it seems they really don’t want me as a customer any longer. They’ve sent an email telling me my limit is being halved and it was already half what I’d like.

So is there a link or number to call to decline this offer? No. About 90% of the email is instructions on how to close my account if I don’t like the change.

It’s true I don’t spend thousands on groceries every month, but I’d really really like to be confident that if I had an emergency or even just a single large purchase I could use my card without worrying about hitting the limit or denting my credit score.
John Lewis (sadly) appear to be a sinking ship.
The current CEO is leaving their post after the briefest time in office of any of their previous CEOs.
Its a shame as I'm unaware of any other retailer that comes close to JLP's (previous) level of customer service.

Agreed on points 1 & 3 but the lady departing is the Chairman/Person/Woman - not the CEO of the group - John Lewis & Waitrose each have a CEO.  Being chairman of the board she is somewhat remote from day-to-day reality (and had no background in retail, she was a civil servant). 

. . . and yes, my wife found the change to the new card provider a complete PITA with the way it all worked - although her transfer went through and the credit limit remained the same.   

It does seem that the new provider's client base of "store card merchants" is a bit down-market . . . perhaps they charge John Lewis less per transction.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 25 November, 2023, 09:32:34 am
Posted a pic to FB, and one of my chums commented with a GIF. Now you can't look at the pic full-size without bloody clapping hands twitching your eye away from it.

In other news, the berk who installed the now-duff convector in our kitchen led the flex from it into a hole in the panelling then brought it in through 6" of wall sideways and into the back of the junction box. instead of going in directly. Not too difficult to remove but why, Ô Lord, why???

I'm now thinking of doing the same thing so that the next occupant of this heap will have the same conundrum. ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 25 November, 2023, 11:05:46 am
Wizz Air! Don’t tell me the flight is “boarding” when we can all see full well through the big windows that it’s only just landed and the passengers haven’t got off yet.

And while we’re at it Tirana Airport! €29 for a bottle of bog standard Capt Morgan’s does not qualify as Duty Free. Not by any stretch.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 25 November, 2023, 11:42:01 am
I do love my family, i do. And it’s always very nice when some of them come and stay, it really is. But why do they have to make so much noise and why do the residents of this dwelling feel the need to compete?

Five minutes peace now they’ve all wandered off into town. I’ll let them do some shopping and then go and join them in a pub for a Sunday lunchtime snifter
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 25 November, 2023, 11:52:43 am
Cats!  While it is a Good Thing that you are outside taking the crisp autumn air rather than moping around the Schloß trying to persuade me that it's time for MOAR cat fud I need to go out.  Get your act together, you furry hellspawn :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 25 November, 2023, 12:38:38 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 25 November, 2023, 11:52:43 am
Cats!  While it is a Good Thing that you are outside taking the crisp autumn air rather than moping around the Schloß trying to persuade me that it's time for MOAR cat fud I need to go out.  Get your act together, you furry hellspawn :demon:
Me thinks you protesteth too much Mr L. I think you are rather enjoying your spell of cat sitting.  :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 25 November, 2023, 03:53:29 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 25 November, 2023, 11:42:01 am
I do love my family, i do. And it’s always very nice when some of them come and stay, it really is. But why do they have to make so much noise and why do the residents of this dwelling feel the need to compete?

Five minutes peace now they’ve all wandered off into town. I’ll let them do some shopping and then go and join them in a pub for a Sunday lunchtime snifter

That's a lot of shopping they're going to do if you're not meeting them in the pub til tomorrow...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 25 November, 2023, 04:08:51 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 25 November, 2023, 12:38:38 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 25 November, 2023, 11:52:43 am
Cats!  While it is a Good Thing that you are outside taking the crisp autumn air rather than moping around the Schloß trying to persuade me that it's time for MOAR cat fud I need to go out.  Get your act together, you furry hellspawn :demon:
Me thinks you protesteth too much Mr L. I think you are rather enjoying your spell of cat sitting.  :demon:

Inasmuch as it means I haven’t yet turned the heating on in Larrington Towers.  Also Sleepy Sussex appears to have no need for those new-fangled police helichopters…

Louisifer, though, is a bloody nuisance when he gets it into his stupid great stupid fat stupid head that it’s dinner time.  Which starts immediately after lunchtime and goes on until bedtime.  And he's just picked a fight with a rug.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 26 November, 2023, 09:10:40 am
CSI: Hastings investigation exonerates cats from sound of Things falling from Great Height onto floor of room above my head; finger of blame pointing squarely at Gravity pulling shelf out of wall, hurling Stuffs to the floor and breaking Miss von Brandenburg's small glass octopus  :'(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 26 November, 2023, 10:54:37 am
Hah!  Back before we were married we bought MrsT's mum a small glass octopus. She showed it to her execrable Boston Terrorist, which immediately leapt at it and knocked it out of her hands, naturally breaking bits off.  We were then compelled to crawl round retrieving small lobster-red bits of glass in case the wretched animal ate one and croaked.

I think that was the only dog I ever detested, and it was only like that because she teased the life out of it. It was eventually put down for biting too many people.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 26 November, 2023, 11:09:37 am
Octopus appears possibly not irreparable.  Other b0rked Stuffs possibly less so..
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 26 November, 2023, 02:18:23 pm
As excuses go, ‘I wasn’t in The room at the time’ sounds a bit weak, even if it is true.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 26 November, 2023, 04:17:12 pm
I was asleep.  Well, half-asleep.  The alarm was snoozing while I put off giving the cats their brekkie.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 26 November, 2023, 05:48:49 pm
Your fault then, for forcing them to take measures to punish you for not feeding them on time!  Insufficiently experienced cat-wrangler...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 26 November, 2023, 05:54:09 pm
Was it just gravity, or did the cats give it a helping hand to fall off the wall?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 26 November, 2023, 07:31:14 pm
Just gravity, on account of the door being closed with the cats on the opposite side.  Of it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 26 November, 2023, 09:03:13 pm
Having had a chance to consider this, it is quite plain to me that Charlie the builder is to blame. Had he not been on the estate with his hammer wielding minions, the fabrics of the building would not have been disturbed enough to reject the fixing responsible for holding back the effects of gravity being exerted upon the glass octopus.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 26 November, 2023, 10:09:29 pm
I shall put this to Charlie the Builder tomorrow but he'll probably hit me with his hammer* while the cats point and laugh.

* Lie
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 27 November, 2023, 06:24:43 pm
It's been getting more bolshy over the last few weeks but this weekend we were unable to lock or unlock the new garage doors from the outside.
So today I messaged the guy that supplied and fitted it and he said "I'll be in touch before Xmas"  >:( Oh really.
Think I'll be watching the installation videos and seeing if I can adjust it myself then.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 27 November, 2023, 06:29:22 pm
Let him know that you’ll be holding him liable for any thefts from the unlockable garage until he comes and fixes it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 28 November, 2023, 02:43:53 pm
Was it cold when I went out yesterday evening at seven o'clock? Yes it was. Did I put my gloves on? Yes I did. Was it even colder when I came home two hours later? Yes it was. Did I put my gloves on again? No I did not. So did I ride home with bare hands? Yes I did. Did my hands get cold? Yes they did. Fortunately it's only a ten minute ride. But why did I not put my gloves on for the ride home? Because I could not find them.  :( I think I must have left them on the bike. Or dropped them somewhere. Anyway, I have other gloves at home, so it's not the end of the word nor even of warm fingers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 28 November, 2023, 04:54:06 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec
But why did I not put my gloves on for the ride home? Because I could not find them. 
Umm. Have you checked your jersey pockets?  I only ask because err, um a friend of mine did something similar once and when he took his jersey off at home he found that they'd been keeping his kidneys rather than his hands warm.  He was quite pleased though, cos it meant he hadn't lost them.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Flite on 28 November, 2023, 05:29:51 pm
I lost one glove for months till I found it had velcro-ed itself inside my jacket.
At least I had kept the other one....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 28 November, 2023, 10:22:49 pm
I like Viyella shirts.  They are well made, last a long time & fit nicely.  I've a wardrobe full of them in various shades of check....


Recently I bought one in plain blue, with a herringbone weave & double cuffs so I can wear my snazzy cufflinks.  Supposed to be the same size as my others (17 1/2).  I wore it for the first time tonight.  It's OK at the chest & neck, but is Too Damn Short in the body.  It feels like it wants to escape from my trousers & expose my hairy midriff to the world....  :jurek:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Clare on 28 November, 2023, 10:51:38 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 28 November, 2023, 10:22:49 pm
Recently I bought one in plain blue, with a herringbone weave & double cuffs so I can wear my snazzy cufflinks.  Supposed to be the same size as my others (17 1/2).  I wore it for the first time tonight.  It's OK at the chest & neck, but is Too Damn Short in the body.  It feels like it wants to escape from my trousers & expose my hairy midriff to the world....  :jurek:

You need to do what professional dancers do, sew it to your pants.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 28 November, 2023, 11:42:20 pm
Quote from: Clare on 28 November, 2023, 10:51:38 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 28 November, 2023, 10:22:49 pm
Recently I bought one in plain blue, with a herringbone weave & double cuffs so I can wear my snazzy cufflinks.  Supposed to be the same size as my others (17 1/2).  I wore it for the first time tonight.  It's OK at the chest & neck, but is Too Damn Short in the body.  It feels like it wants to escape from my trousers & expose my hairy midriff to the world....  :jurek:

You need to do what professional dancers do, sew it to your pants.


That sounds painful….. :jurek:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 29 November, 2023, 08:11:48 am
Quote from: andrewc on 28 November, 2023, 10:22:49 pm
I like Viyella shirts.  They are well made, last a long time & fit nicely.  I've a wardrobe full of them in various shades of check....


Recently I bought one in plain blue, with a herringbone weave & double cuffs so I can wear my snazzy cufflinks.  Supposed to be the same size as my others (17 1/2).  I wore it for the first time tonight.  It's OK at the chest & neck, but is Too Damn Short in the body.  It feels like it wants to escape from my trousers & expose my hairy midriff to the world....  :jurek:
Braces FTW
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 29 November, 2023, 08:58:28 am
Quote from: andrewc on 28 November, 2023, 10:22:49 pm
I like Viyella shirts.  They are well made, last a long time & fit nicely.  I've a wardrobe full of them in various shades of check....


Recently I bought one in plain blue, with a herringbone weave & double cuffs so I can wear my snazzy cufflinks.  Supposed to be the same size as my others (17 1/2).  I wore it for the first time tonight.  It's OK at the chest & neck, but is Too Damn Short in the body.  It feels like it wants to escape from my trousers & expose my hairy midriff to the world....  :jurek:

I hear you. I have the body of a 6-footer and the legs of a 5-footer. Back when shirts still had tails that wasn't a problem, but in recent years manufacturers have been making them shorter and shorter.

I just found a site where they make them to measure for a mere 60€...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 29 November, 2023, 09:08:28 am
Quote from: TheLurker on 28 November, 2023, 04:54:06 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec
But why did I not put my gloves on for the ride home? Because I could not find them. 
Umm. Have you checked your jersey pockets?  I only ask because err, um a friend of mine did something similar once and when he took his jersey off at home he found that they'd been keeping his kidneys rather than his hands warm.  He was quite pleased though, cos it meant he hadn't lost them.
Alas, as I was not wearing a cycling jersey (ten-fifteen minute ride each way with two hours of civilianizing in the middle), no such pockets to check. But I did check all those I had, and my pannier, and all sorts of other conceivable and inconceivable places. Last night, wearing my supposedly less warm gloves, I didn't actually feel any colder, though I did realize that it's good for cycling gloves to be long in the cuff.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 29 November, 2023, 09:32:57 am
Quote from: andrewc on 28 November, 2023, 10:22:49 pm
Recently I bought one in plain blue, with a herringbone weave & double cuffs so I can wear my snazzy cufflinks.  Supposed to be the same size as my others (17 1/2).  I wore it for the first time tonight.  It's OK at the chest & neck, but is Too Damn Short in the body.  It feels like it wants to escape from my trousers & expose my hairy midriff to the world....  :jurek:

Shirt stays are what you need. Or to find a new brand of shirt that's less stingy on material. Or do what I do - polo shirts and fleeces.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rogerzilla on 29 November, 2023, 09:40:32 pm
After fixing the upstairs chodbin three weeks ago, the downstairs one is leaking from the inlet valve seal (bottom-entry cistern).  Redundancy is definitely a good thing in toilets.  These are both age-related failures, as neither have been disturbed in my almost 10 years here.

Siphoned and dried out, and new valve kit ordered from Screwfix.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 30 November, 2023, 12:22:09 am
I have an horble suspicion that the least accessible light bulb in the whole of Larrington Towers is about to die >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 30 November, 2023, 12:29:48 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 30 November, 2023, 12:22:09 am
I have an horble suspicion that the least accessible light bulb in the whole of Larrington Towers is about to die >:(

I'm guessing that'll be one that involves fettling live electrics one-handed in the dark while leaning over a perilous and indeed lumpy drop, holding onto a rickety ladder by a bit of string?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 30 November, 2023, 01:03:57 am
It's above the stairs and there are two (2) lights on the same switch so even if this one does blow it'll not be totes dark.  But it still involves wrestling the ladder in from the Sheds and into position on the stairs without dislodging any of the framed posters on the Cool Wall:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/4502/36783335423_a3ecc9ba9c_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Y3qd7k)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 30 November, 2023, 08:43:44 am
Quote from: MattH on 29 November, 2023, 09:32:57 am
Quote from: andrewc on 28 November, 2023, 10:22:49 pm
Recently I bought one in plain blue, with a herringbone weave & double cuffs so I can wear my snazzy cufflinks.  Supposed to be the same size as my others (17 1/2).  I wore it for the first time tonight.  It's OK at the chest & neck, but is Too Damn Short in the body.  It feels like it wants to escape from my trousers & expose my hairy midriff to the world....  :jurek:

Shirt stays are what you need...

Then the hem of the damned shirt pulls off. A while back I shoved my hand through the tail of a shirt while tucking it in for the umpteenth time in the day.  Rubbish quality at quality prices.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 30 November, 2023, 09:54:20 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 30 November, 2023, 01:03:57 am
It's above the stairs and there are two (2) lights on the same switch so even if this one does blow it'll not be totes dark.  But it still involves wrestling the ladder in from the Sheds and into position on the stairs without dislodging any of the framed posters on the Cool Wall:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/4502/36783335423_a3ecc9ba9c_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Y3qd7k)
A Cool Wall worthy of the name.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 30 November, 2023, 12:00:53 pm
My mum, who's a nurse</johnny_briggs>, came up with a cunning plan for the lightbulb-over-the-stairs problem back in the incandescent era:  Relocate the rose above the plasterboard, and replace the pendant flex with one a several of metres long, most of which could be kept coiled up in the loft until the need to lower it (with mild carefulling, to avoid Rodney You Plonker issues) arises.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 30 November, 2023, 12:17:28 pm
Quote from: MattH on 29 November, 2023, 09:32:57 am
Quote from: andrewc on 28 November, 2023, 10:22:49 pm
Recently I bought one in plain blue, with a herringbone weave & double cuffs so I can wear my snazzy cufflinks.  Supposed to be the same size as my others (17 1/2).  I wore it for the first time tonight.  It's OK at the chest & neck, but is Too Damn Short in the body.  It feels like it wants to escape from my trousers & expose my hairy midriff to the world....  :jurek:

Shirt stays are what you need.



I had to google that term.....


I don't think the world is ready for me to dress like this.... :jurek:    https://www.amazon.co.uk/shirts-stays/s?k=shirts+stays


(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81ZWRYCvojL._AC_UL640_QL65_.jpg)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Regulator on 30 November, 2023, 12:18:56 pm
Very Rocky Horror...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 30 November, 2023, 03:27:11 pm
And there are some that connect sock tops to shirt bottoms. I’m glad I’ve lived in ignorance of such things!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wowbagger on 30 November, 2023, 05:15:20 pm
Moving swiftly on from Liverpudlian sartorialism, may I hereby wish a lifetime’s haemorrhoids on the scummy git who scammed my credit card?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 30 November, 2023, 09:25:10 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 30 November, 2023, 12:17:28 pm
Quote from: MattH on 29 November, 2023, 09:32:57 am
Quote from: andrewc on 28 November, 2023, 10:22:49 pm
Recently I bought one in plain blue, with a herringbone weave & double cuffs so I can wear my snazzy cufflinks.  Supposed to be the same size as my others (17 1/2).  I wore it for the first time tonight.  It's OK at the chest & neck, but is Too Damn Short in the body.  It feels like it wants to escape from my trousers & expose my hairy midriff to the world....  :jurek:

Shirt stays are what you need.



I had to google that term.....


I don't think the world is ready for me to dress like this.... :jurek:    https://www.amazon.co.uk/shirts-stays/s?k=shirts+stays


(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81ZWRYCvojL._AC_UL640_QL65_.jpg)
Fuuuuuck!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rogerzilla on 30 November, 2023, 09:38:17 pm
Bought a cordless screwdriver from the big orange place.  Comes in nice case, which was oddly unsealed.

On opening it:

1. One of the Philips bits is well used
2. There are no Pozi bits but two of each type of Philips bit
3. The instructions have been opened (they did have a seal).

Bastards.  It's going back (again) for a refund.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 01 December, 2023, 01:33:29 am
Ways you'd prefer not to spend a Thursday evening #28948: discovering that a significant proportion of the wossnames in your trailer mods for Euro Truck Simulator 2 contain so many models that they won’t actually work, thus causing you to have to split the wretched things in half by hand  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 01 December, 2023, 10:06:04 am
Quote from: andrewc on 30 November, 2023, 12:17:28 pm
Quote from: MattH on 29 November, 2023, 09:32:57 am
Quote from: andrewc on 28 November, 2023, 10:22:49 pm
Recently I bought one in plain blue, with a herringbone weave & double cuffs so I can wear my snazzy cufflinks.  Supposed to be the same size as my others (17 1/2).  I wore it for the first time tonight.  It's OK at the chest & neck, but is Too Damn Short in the body.  It feels like it wants to escape from my trousers & expose my hairy midriff to the world....  :jurek:

Shirt stays are what you need.



I had to google that term.....


I don't think the world is ready for me to dress like this.... :jurek:    https://www.amazon.co.uk/shirts-stays/s?k=shirts+stays


(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81ZWRYCvojL._AC_UL640_QL65_.jpg)
I think most of YACF assumes you dress like that already, in the privacy of your own home.  :D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rogerzilla on 01 December, 2023, 11:29:08 am
Whoever invented the bottom-entry fill valve for toilet cisterns was a twat.

1. It introduces a point of failure that wasn't there before.
2. It is very hard to ensure a good seal in an oversize cast ceramic hole (which is why all sorts of funky self-centring washer kits exist).
3. If the bastard leaks, you have to siphon the cistern dry before trying again.
4. You don't know if it's going to leak until you fill the cistern and it leaks.

Bring back the side entry cistern!  What's wrong with seeing pipes anyway?  It's a room you crap in.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: grams on 01 December, 2023, 11:32:39 am
You still have your cistern out on display and not tiled behind a wall? Disgusting!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rogerzilla on 01 December, 2023, 12:18:28 pm
Quote from: grams on 01 December, 2023, 11:32:39 am
You still have your cistern out on display and not tiled behind a wall? Disgusting!
I wouldn't be able to sleep if I had a tiled-in cistern!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 01 December, 2023, 12:53:56 pm
 ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 01 December, 2023, 01:14:45 pm
It's one of those fields where the last 30 years of innovation has just made things worse.  Like printers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 01 December, 2023, 01:35:54 pm
Quote from: Kim on 01 December, 2023, 01:14:45 pm
It's one of those fields where the last 30 years of innovation has just made things worse.  Like printers.
That’s largely because few product designers ever have to worry about maintenance liability.

I spent the beginning of my career mending things that had maintenance considerations designed in, the middle part of my career trying to get things to work that had been oversold by the bastard salesmen and the final years of my career trying to argue maintenance liability against the marketeers who were more interested in aesthetics and price point.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 01 December, 2023, 01:45:50 pm
Quote from: rogerzilla on 01 December, 2023, 11:29:08 am
Whoever invented the bottom-entry fill valve for toilet cisterns was a twat.

1. It introduces a point of failure that wasn't there before.
2. It is very hard to ensure a good seal in an oversize cast ceramic hole (which is why all sorts of funky self-centreing washer kits exist).
3. If the bastard leaks, you have to siphon the cistern dry before trying again.
4. You don't know if it's going to leak until you fill the cistern and it leaks.

Bring back the side entry cistern!  What's wrong with seeing pipes anyway?  It's a room you crap in.

Fernox LX is your friend. Smear a generous layer on the washer before assembly.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rogerzilla on 01 December, 2023, 03:00:56 pm
Quote from: Kim on 01 December, 2023, 01:14:45 pm
It's one of those fields where the last 30 years of innovation has just made things worse.  Like printers.
Don't start me on plastic pipes.  I ripped them all out.  And the pushfit fittings (pushfittings?). My late mother's house has flexible plastic microbore to all the radiators, buried in the walls.  Good luck with that in 10 years' time after 1000 heat cycles.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 01 December, 2023, 03:06:30 pm
Quote from: rogerzilla on 01 December, 2023, 03:00:56 pm
Quote from: Kim on 01 December, 2023, 01:14:45 pm
It's one of those fields where the last 30 years of innovation has just made things worse.  Like printers.
Don't start me on plastic pipes.  I ripped them all out.  And the pushfit fittings (pushfittings?). My late mother's house has flexible plastic microbore to all the radiators, buried in the walls.  Good luck with that in 10 years' time after 1000 heat cycles.
I hear that twist fittings are the latest thing. Quicker to install and easier to dismantle.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 01 December, 2023, 04:35:19 pm
Quote from: rogerzilla on 01 December, 2023, 03:00:56 pm
Quote from: Kim on 01 December, 2023, 01:14:45 pm
It's one of those fields where the last 30 years of innovation has just made things worse.  Like printers.
Don't start me on plastic pipes.  I ripped them all out.  And the pushfit fittings (pushfittings?). My late mother's house has flexible plastic microbore to all the radiators, buried in the walls.  Good luck with that in 10 years' time after 1000 heat cycles.

I know you hate plastic, and we've had this conversation before, but I'm going to reiterate; properly installed plastic is superior to modern copper (which is very far from pure copper). Properly installed. It is easy to not install properly, because people look at it and think it is like assembling lego.

Microbore of any type is no good.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 04 December, 2023, 12:07:01 pm
I don’t want to go out into the Big Room.  It’s cold and damp, and I won’t enjoy it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 04 December, 2023, 12:43:02 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 04 December, 2023, 12:07:01 pm
I don’t want to go out into the Big Room.  It’s cold and damp, and I won’t enjoy it.
are you back ar Larrington Towers or are you still keeping Charlie the constructor company?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wowbagger on 04 December, 2023, 01:12:28 pm
I'm in full agreement with the uselessness of modern cisterns and their inferior filling mechanisms.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 04 December, 2023, 01:19:50 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 04 December, 2023, 12:43:02 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 04 December, 2023, 12:07:01 pm
I don’t want to go out into the Big Room.  It’s cold and damp, and I won’t enjoy it.
are you back ar Larrington Towers or are you still keeping Charlie the constructor company?

The former.  No ULEZ in Hastings so I could use the Fast-Appreciating Future Classic to go shopping (also it's a seven mile round trip from the Schloß to Mr Sainsbury’s House of Toothy Comestibles and contains some horble hills).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 04 December, 2023, 06:41:41 pm
Quote from: grams on 01 December, 2023, 11:32:39 am
You still have your cistern out on display and not tiled behind a wall? Disgusting!

Behind-the-wall cisterns make it extremely difficult for me to use an unmodified WC.

I can't rise from a low seat without using both hands to push down/pull forward on something.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 04 December, 2023, 07:27:40 pm
I'm going out for some chamber music shortly, the Ensemble of St Luke's playing some lovely pieces.  https://www.liverpoolphil.com/whats-on/classical-music/ensemble-of-st-lukes/8718


My digestive system has chosen this moment to get quite loud....  :facepalm:   
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 05 December, 2023, 02:15:26 pm
Disappointed.  Got new orthotics this morning because my left ankle-bone occasionally hits the cranks, and every winter's neoprene overshoes are rubbed through by spring.  I'd corrected this recently by shoving Specialized varus wedges into the toes of my shoes, but thought I might as well get the real thing courtesy of the health service so went to a podiatrist. Surprise: the orthotics only work on the heel and have no effect on ankle-tumblehome on the bike.  When I WTF'd the bloke on the subject he said "oh, go on using your wedges".  >:( >:( >:(

Pshaw.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 05 December, 2023, 03:33:53 pm
HK uses a cycling podiatrist to get orthotics that work with the forefoot, rather than concentrating on the heel.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 05 December, 2023, 04:22:29 pm
Yes. There is one in Alsace, but since he caters to the top pros here (keeps plaster casts of their feet) he likely costs a bomb whereof the social security will pay a generous 3.50€.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 05 December, 2023, 04:28:13 pm
I wouldn't be surprised if HK's podiatrist drove a Roller, judging by the cost of her orthotics.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 06 December, 2023, 08:24:25 am
So I keep using the wedges.

Aye well.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rogerzilla on 06 December, 2023, 05:53:28 pm
My Poundland battery-powered Xmas lights (on the tree in the middle of the front lawn) have crapped out in their second year.  They might revive with a hairdryer - I think the IP rating is, as usual with Chinese shite, lies.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 08 December, 2023, 11:09:18 pm
Quote from: LittleWheelsandBig on 05 December, 2023, 04:28:13 pm
I wouldn't be surprised if HK's podiatrist drove a Roller, judging by the cost of her orthotics.

I get mine through the NHS, a nice lady at Addenbrookes phones me once a year and asks if I'd like a new pair.  Mine are based on my foot casts, and specifically targetted at my forefoot due to big-toe-bone-spurs.

I rarely run these days as a result.  My 2022 Cambridge half is likely to be my last
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 09 December, 2023, 07:21:36 am
Saturday so no alarm to set so hoped for a bit of a lay in. Was never going to be a great sleep though as on the sofa due to wife having cold and taking night nurse which escalates her snoring to something akin to the mating call of a red deer

Dog woke me up first but settled, then woke me again as he needed to go in garden to have a wee, no point trying to take him for a walk as its raining and he doesn't like the rain. Snuggled back down in sleeping bag and then alarm goes on wife's phone which she had set for last Saturday and forgot to cancel and left downstairs

To make matters better she came down shortly after and grumbled why I had set my alarm to which I pointed out I hadn't she had
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 09 December, 2023, 02:47:17 pm
Why do electrons in the employment of banks only travel on working days do you think? Gits.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 09 December, 2023, 03:03:31 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 01 December, 2023, 04:35:19 pm
Quote from: rogerzilla on 01 December, 2023, 03:00:56 pm
Quote from: Kim on 01 December, 2023, 01:14:45 pm
It's one of those fields where the last 30 years of innovation has just made things worse.  Like printers.
Don't start me on plastic pipes.  I ripped them all out.  And the pushfit fittings (pushfittings?). My late mother's house has flexible plastic microbore to all the radiators, buried in the walls.  Good luck with that in 10 years' time after 1000 heat cycles.

I know you hate plastic, and we've had this conversation before, but I'm going to reiterate; properly installed plastic is superior to modern copper (which is very far from pure copper). Properly installed. It is easy to not install properly, because people look at it and think it is like assembling lego.

Microbore of any type is no good.

This retired building maintenance professional with decades of experience endorses this viewpoint.  Nowt wrong with properly installed plastic.  As for copper with bloody compression fittings, just don't get me started...  Designed to leak!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 09 December, 2023, 03:38:39 pm
So Apple have obsoleted the iPod Touch, one of which my wife uses every day and night to listen to audiobooks, including from our local library on BorrowBox. Recently BorrowBox had some issues, and wouldn’t play. Two updates later it’ll only run on the 7th gen Touch, but not on the 6th gen (her back-up - she can’t sleep without something playing) as it needs a later IOS and Apple have blocked the 6th gen from the update. I could understand if they were still supporting them and wanted people to trade up, but it’s a dead line. Bugger. Oh and they’re making silly money now. I guess an older Android phone will be the next step.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 09 December, 2023, 05:48:38 pm
That’s not an Apple issue, that’s the software providers issue as they’ve blocked their software working on older versions of the OS. Apple not porting their newer OS to older devices is understandable because it might be too big or require changes to accommodate old hardwear. Of course Apple are to blame if they are the vendor of the App.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 09 December, 2023, 07:39:51 pm
The used vacuum cleaner I bought a few weeks back to live upstairs has been a bit whiffy in operation. Today I finally investigated. The pre motor filter reeks of damp/mildew.  :sick: Clearly the previous owner washed it and put it back damp. (Or lived in a house full of mould, it doesn't look mouldy but pheeeeeuuuw).
I did attempt to wash and soak in vinegar but it still smells. Time to bin that filter then.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 09 December, 2023, 08:19:03 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 09 December, 2023, 02:47:17 pm
Why do electrons in the employment of banks only travel on working days do you think? Gits.

My theory is that the 'back-end server' is some low-paid oik frantically copying and pasting data between some vintage COBOL that nobody understands and a hacky mess of Perl and Excel that nobody understands.  Pretty much every conversation I've ever had with anyone who works with financial systems has only reinforced this view.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 10 December, 2023, 12:58:39 pm
We have a leaning shed. Long term bodge plan is to get some thicker runners to go under one side but that's a spring job. For now there is a big triangular gap between the top of the door and the frame that I need to bodge closed because it's letting the rain in (I have a brand new box of blood fish & bone that is soaking). Bah.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 10 December, 2023, 01:13:29 pm
IRTA 'learning shed', which really ought to be A Thing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 10 December, 2023, 01:48:35 pm
Quote from: Kim
Quote from: Beardy
Why do electrons in the employment of banks only travel on working days do you think? Gits.
My theory is that the 'back-end servant' is some low-paid oik...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 10 December, 2023, 02:23:18 pm
Quote from: Kim on 09 December, 2023, 08:19:03 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 09 December, 2023, 02:47:17 pm
Why do electrons in the employment of banks only travel on working days do you think? Gits.

My theory is that the 'back-end server' is some low-paid oik frantically copying and pasting data between some vintage COBOL that nobody understands and a hacky mess of Perl and Excel that nobody understands.  Pretty much every conversation I've ever had with anyone who works with financial systems has only reinforced this view.
Actually, my experiences over a career of managing the integration of disparate back end systems rather reinforces this suggestion and I’m embarrassed not to have come to the same conclusion in my own.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 10 December, 2023, 02:28:22 pm
Back in the days when this Unit toiled as a lowly greaser of Babbage's Cogs in a financial institution, networks were creaky and unreliable and data was transferred largely by voodoo and us BOsFH.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 10 December, 2023, 04:42:38 pm
While the links can now be made fairly robust and redundant diverse routing is fairly simple to implement, the actual protocols, setup and ongoing maintenance of data networking remain the work of Stan and require frequent blood sacrifices of work experience PSOs. I’m sure of it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 10 December, 2023, 05:25:18 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 10 December, 2023, 02:28:22 pm
Back in the days when this Unit toiled as a lowly greaser of Babbage's Cogs in a financial institution, networks were creaky and unreliable and data was transferred largely by voodoo and us BOsFH.

And the Adidas network: office boy sprinting with floppy.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 11 December, 2023, 08:07:25 am
Quote from: Beardy on 10 December, 2023, 02:23:18 pm
Quote from: Kim on 09 December, 2023, 08:19:03 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 09 December, 2023, 02:47:17 pm
Why do electrons in the employment of banks only travel on working days do you think? Gits.

My theory is that the 'back-end server' is some low-paid oik frantically copying and pasting data between some vintage COBOL that nobody understands and a hacky mess of Perl and Excel that nobody understands.  Pretty much every conversation I've ever had with anyone who works with financial systems has only reinforced this view.
Actually, my experiences over a career of managing the integration of disparate back end systems rather reinforces this suggestion and I’m embarrassed not to have come to the same conclusion in my own.  :facepalm:
The real reason is that between leaving your account and arriving in another account, funds sit in the bank's account (actually in a special account). Add up all the transactions, and that special account has a heck of a balance.

Which the bank uses to make more money.

So they deliberately delay the completion of transactions as long as possible.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 11 December, 2023, 09:03:00 am
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 11 December, 2023, 08:07:25 am
Quote from: Beardy on 10 December, 2023, 02:23:18 pm
Quote from: Kim on 09 December, 2023, 08:19:03 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 09 December, 2023, 02:47:17 pm
Why do electrons in the employment of banks only travel on working days do you think? Gits.

My theory is that the 'back-end server' is some low-paid oik frantically copying and pasting data between some vintage COBOL that nobody understands and a hacky mess of Perl and Excel that nobody understands.  Pretty much every conversation I've ever had with anyone who works with financial systems has only reinforced this view.
Actually, my experiences over a career of managing the integration of disparate back end systems rather reinforces this suggestion and I’m embarrassed not to have come to the same conclusion in my own.  :facepalm:
The real reason is that between leaving your account and arriving in another account, funds sit in the bank's account (actually in a special account). Add up all the transactions, and that special account has a heck of a balance.

Which the bank uses to make more money.

So they deliberately delay the completion of transactions as long as possible.

Yes.  Back when we first came to France we set up an account with a French bank and transferred the money we gained on selling our house in Scotland to it.  It took over a month to arrive, probably going via several intermediate handlers that all embezzled their own whack under the cover of "legitimate" delays.  Another phunny with that account was how every so often a significant amount would be debited for no reason, to be re-credited again in a few days.  They weren't above charging interest if this put you into overdraft in the meantime, either.

I remember being told in history class at school that back in Pepys's time, First Lords of the Admiralty etc. were entrusted with vast sums by the Treasury, with the sole obligations of keeping strict accounts and returning the balance at the end of their tenure.  In the meantime they were free to invest whatever they liked and keep the interest.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 11 December, 2023, 12:22:35 pm
I left 1st Direct when I was with my previous employer because my pay never turned up in my account until the day after I'd been paid. When I queried this with 1st Direct they said it was their SOP so I took my business elsewhere on principle.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 11 December, 2023, 01:54:50 pm
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 12 December, 2023, 01:56:19 pm
We just received a lidded plastic basket full of 5-litre paper recycling bags from the bunch that handle the trash in this fair city.  Apparently we're supposed to use them for all food waste from now on. When full we're to cart them to collection points, whereof there will be two in the village.

I can just imagine how pleasant that's going to be when it's 40°C and full of festering out-of-date meat.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 12 December, 2023, 02:03:11 pm
The BRITISH solution would be for you to keep them at home until bin day, when they may or may not bother to collect them.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Regulator on 12 December, 2023, 02:23:05 pm
Quote from: T42 on 12 December, 2023, 01:56:19 pm
We just received a lidded plastic basket full of 5-litre paper recycling bags from the bunch that handle the trash in this fair city.  Apparently we're supposed to use them for all food waste from now on. When full we're to cart them to collection points, whereof there will be two in the village.

I can just imagine how pleasant that's going to be when it's 40°C and full of festering out-of-date meat.

What was noticeable in Portugal is that bins were communal, rather than for individual houses.  One or two locations per village/hamlet (depending on the size of the village/hamlet) or one or two locations per street in larger towns.  Different bins for different types of waste.

They also seemed to be collected more frequently than in the UK - two or three times a week or, in some cases, daily.  Which I suppose is easier if you've got fewer bins to empty.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 12 December, 2023, 02:30:24 pm
I'm reasonably sure that in Bristol the communal bins in tower blocks, which are just big wheeled skips, are emptied daily or every couple or days, as opposed to fortnightly for streets of houses. But food waste and other recycling, for houses, gets collected weekly – I'm not sure what happens with recycling there.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: grams on 12 December, 2023, 03:05:15 pm
Once you see the how the Forruns do it, door-to-door collection looks ridiculously inefficient and not even particularly convenient.

(communal recycling locations also means you can easily have separate recycling bins for different materials, a crucial step towards the wokerati's dream of 7 Different Bins)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 12 December, 2023, 03:22:49 pm
Quote from: Regulator on 12 December, 2023, 02:23:05 pm
Quote from: T42 on 12 December, 2023, 01:56:19 pm
We just received a lidded plastic basket full of 5-litre paper recycling bags from the bunch that handle the trash in this fair city.  Apparently we're supposed to use them for all food waste from now on. When full we're to cart them to collection points, whereof there will be two in the village.

I can just imagine how pleasant that's going to be when it's 40°C and full of festering out-of-date meat.

What was noticeable in Portugal is that bins were communal, rather than for individual houses.  One or two locations per village/hamlet (depending on the size of the village/hamlet) or one or two locations per street in larger towns.  Different bins for different types of waste.

They also seemed to be collected more frequently than in the UK - two or three times a week or, in some cases, daily.  Which I suppose is easier if you've got fewer bins to empty.

That was standard practice when we had a place in Spain - a few giant wheelie bins ("Dumpster" in the USA) - and collected every day (at least they were in the summer, don't know about the winter.

Here in SuA we've had waste food caddies for about 18 months now - one small for in the house and another larger one outside (presumably to load from the inside one?) - collected every week by a very PC electric truck.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 12 December, 2023, 04:44:44 pm
Quote from: grams on 12 December, 2023, 03:05:15 pm
Once you see the how the Forruns do it, door-to-door collection looks ridiculously inefficient and not even particularly convenient.

(communal recycling locations also means you can easily have separate recycling bins for different materials, a crucial step towards the wokerati's dream of 7 Different Bins)
"We want eight and we won't wait!"
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 12 December, 2023, 04:46:55 pm
The collective bins here are to have levers on the sides to open a hatch on the top, which will give access to what sounds like a rolling-cylinder airlock. I'm wondering how fool/weatherproof that will be.

Saw a great plastic-bottle shredder down at Super U today. Might take a few down there for the entertainment value.  I'm wondering if anyone's tried it with a full one yet.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 12 December, 2023, 05:15:18 pm
Quote from: T42
I'm wondering if anyone's tried it with a full one yet.
Tell us how you get on. :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 12 December, 2023, 05:40:24 pm
Quote from: T42 on 12 December, 2023, 01:56:19 pm
We just received a lidded plastic basket full of 5-litre paper recycling bags from the bunch that handle the trash in this fair city.  Apparently we're supposed to use them for all food waste from now on. When full we're to cart them to collection points, whereof there will be two in the village.

I can just imagine how pleasant that's going to be when it's 40°C and full of festering out-of-date meat.

I guess the answer to that is to change your habits and don't be leaving yourself with out of date meat?
We all throw too much food away, as a society.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 13 December, 2023, 07:39:53 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 12 December, 2023, 05:40:24 pm
Quote from: T42 on 12 December, 2023, 01:56:19 pm
We just received a lidded plastic basket full of 5-litre paper recycling bags from the bunch that handle the trash in this fair city.  Apparently we're supposed to use them for all food waste from now on. When full we're to cart them to collection points, whereof there will be two in the village.

I can just imagine how pleasant that's going to be when it's 40°C and full of festering out-of-date meat.

I guess the answer to that is to change your habits and don't be leaving yourself with out of date meat?
We all throw too much food away, as a society.

Trouble is that it'll take a while to fill the damn things with chicken bones, prawn heads & the trimmed-off inedible bits from steaks. You wouldn't keep a 5L bag in the fridge and the rain'd play Old Harry with it so it'll have to stink it in a corner of the kitchen until full enough to cart down to the municipal fly-factory.  It's about as well thought through as a chocolate teapot.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 13 December, 2023, 09:17:23 am
Given tha bags are paper, I’m wondering how well they’ll maintain their integrity after a few decomposing items have oozed their fluids.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 13 December, 2023, 11:23:56 am
We get the small caddy (Kitchen) / large caddy (Bin collection) combo for food waste. Except we compost most of ours. Some meat scraps go out for the corvids and magpies to enjoy.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Flite on 13 December, 2023, 01:06:05 pm
Quote
I guess the answer to that is to change your habits and don't be leaving yourself with out of date meat?

Easier still, don't buy/eat meat, fish etc
Plant material goes on the compost heap, a bit goes in the under-sink waste cruncher and onward to the treatment unit in the garden.

Our council doesn't do any waste food collection.
If it did, we would just use it for the allegedly bio-degradeable/compostable food wrappings that are actually not home-compostable.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 13 December, 2023, 04:05:02 pm
Marketing people! I ordered an item from M&S on Sunday, whereafter I received two emails the same day. The first was an order confirmation, nd the second, n hour or so later, was a Despatch notice. The reported an expected delivery date of Friday. Ok, but others can do it quicker.

This afternoon I received an additional email telling me that it had now been received by their courier and the item’s status changed from Despatched to In Transit.

I’ve just had a heated discussion with Sarah about the use of language, and how the words they are using do not describe what is going on. I suspect that the product managers and marketeers have redefined internally what the words mean when used in the order status, and have bent them so that it appears progress is being made greater than the actuality,  but it irritates me that they can’t just be open and honest about stuff.

I’m sure this makes me a grumpy old man, then I suspect that the only real change in my status over the years is the age  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 13 December, 2023, 04:23:25 pm
Quote from: T42 on 13 December, 2023, 07:39:53 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 12 December, 2023, 05:40:24 pm
Quote from: T42 on 12 December, 2023, 01:56:19 pm
We just received a lidded plastic basket full of 5-litre paper recycling bags from the bunch that handle the trash in this fair city.  Apparently we're supposed to use them for all food waste from now on. When full we're to cart them to collection points, whereof there will be two in the village.

I can just imagine how pleasant that's going to be when it's 40°C and full of festering out-of-date meat.

I guess the answer to that is to change your habits and don't be leaving yourself with out of date meat?
We all throw too much food away, as a society.

Trouble is that it'll take a while to fill the damn things with chicken bones, prawn heads & the trimmed-off inedible bits from steaks. You wouldn't keep a 5L bag in the fridge and the rain'd play Old Harry with it so it'll have to stink it in a corner of the kitchen until full enough to cart down to the municipal fly-factory.  It's about as well thought through as a chocolate teapot.


Our caddy is mostly full of my daily orange peel, onion, garlic skins and leek trimmings so it's rare that much stinky stuff gets in there, though it can get a bit bothered with vinegar flies in the summer.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 14 December, 2023, 09:08:18 am
Quote from: Beardy on 13 December, 2023, 04:05:02 pm
I’ve just had a heated discussion with Sarah about the use of language, and how the words they are using do not describe what is going on. I suspect that the product managers and marketeers have redefined internally what the words mean when used in the order status, and have bent them so that it appears progress is being made greater than the actuality,  but it irritates me that they can’t just be open and honest about stuff.

Given that they're all at it, I think the path of least resistance has to be to accept that the language used reflects order status in their systems, rather than the physical location of the parcel.

But then I don't think it's *too* much of a stretch to say that an order's status may be 'despatched' when all the picking and packing and addressing and courier booking stuff has been done, and it's waiting in the outgoing goods bay for the courier to stick it in their van.

After all, I consider a letter 'posted' when it's waiting in a postbox for the postperson to stick it in *their* van - it would cause me grief to try and get it back, and similarly it would cause systemic grief to try to undespatch the parcel, cancel the courier, put the goods back on the shelf ...

(But no, there wouldn't be anything wrong with calling that status 'Waiting for Collection' either)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 16 December, 2023, 09:46:01 am
Run out of Brown Drink. Bah.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 16 December, 2023, 10:11:31 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 16 December, 2023, 09:46:01 am
Run out of Brown Drink. Bah.
Youll have to drink coffee instead.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 17 December, 2023, 08:18:53 pm
Whitehouse and Mortimer: If you really were in Vesterålen and the Lofotens at Christmas, you would be in darkness nearly all the time, not hours of daylight.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Giraffe on 18 December, 2023, 05:43:45 pm
Like a fillum set in the Scottish Highlands: time of day 16:50h, broad daylight - a week before Christmas!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 18 December, 2023, 06:00:48 pm
I've been thinking about replacing some of our Euro cylinder locks to get them keyed alike so I've been checking out the measurements. How come most of them poke out at least 5mm beyond the escutcheon? Lazy arse door fitting companies...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 18 December, 2023, 07:10:37 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 18 December, 2023, 06:00:48 pm
I've been thinking about replacing some of our Euro cylinder locks to get them keyed alike so I've been checking out the measurements. How come most of them poke out at least 5mm beyond the escutcheon? Lazy arse door fitting companies...

. . .  when we moved to this house I swapped the two Euro cylinder locks to the type that has a knob on the inside rather than locking with a key . . .  locking with a key on the inside was a real PITA. 

Security doesn't appear to be compromised as the front door letter box has a guard on it (should stop anyone reaching in and turning the knob) - back door is part glazed so a brick would do the necessary either way.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 18 December, 2023, 07:13:30 pm
I have an infestation of mice in my kitchen.
Poison has been deployed.
I await the results.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 18 December, 2023, 07:30:18 pm
Will whoever arse-dialled my mobile this afternoon kindly fuck off?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 18 December, 2023, 07:53:44 pm
I have two shipments due from Amazon.
Both have been collected from the vendor by Royal Mail.
Both are overdue by one week from their anticipated delivery date.
Royal F*ckers.
ETA - Amazon have said 'Just wait another 3 days and then request a refund'
I don't want a refund.
I just want the goods I paid you for.
What is wrong with people these days?
ETFA - Sounding like old person.  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 18 December, 2023, 08:02:39 pm
Quote from: robgul on 18 December, 2023, 07:10:37 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 18 December, 2023, 06:00:48 pm
I've been thinking about replacing some of our Euro cylinder locks to get them keyed alike so I've been checking out the measurements. How come most of them poke out at least 5mm beyond the escutcheon? Lazy arse door fitting companies...

. . .  when we moved to this house I swapped the two Euro cylinder locks to the type that has a knob on the inside rather than locking with a key . . .  locking with a key on the inside was a real PITA. 

Security doesn't appear to be compromised as the front door letter box has a guard on it (should stop anyone reaching in and turning the knob) - back door is part glazed so a brick would do the necessary either way.

I've been thinking about getting a thumb turn on the front door for a while. Probably shouldn't as although the letter box is miles away there are some small panes in the door but it's a pain having to get the key in the door when there's a delivery.
I'm keen to replace the lock that came with the new garage door given that half the keys are shit so I thought I'd kill 2 birds with one stone and reduce the number of keys needed as well....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 18 December, 2023, 09:11:11 pm
Thumb turns are fine if you don’t have glass in the door. Mind ewe, if you routinely leave the key in the lock it’s just as weak as a thumb turn if there’s glass present.

To answer Mrs P, the reason for the sticky out lock is because, the locksmith, joiner or builder usually only have a limited number of locks on their vans and so they use what they’ve got. An anti-snap lock (actually a sacrificial snapping point) reduces the risk from that, but is worth fitting in any case to mitigate against the thief riving the escutcheon off.

Of course, the favourite way for a thief to enter your home is to kick the door in, so the lock becomes of secondary importance.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 26 December, 2023, 06:52:10 pm
I have an arrowhead shaped pendant thing, the mortal remains of a necklace bought at Navajo Bridge in 2014.  Today the leather thong wot it dangled from b0rked.  It fell on the kitchen floor.  And also b0rked, into four pieces.

Bah!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 27 December, 2023, 08:15:47 pm
Not a single leaf of Yorkshire Tea to be had in Mr Sainsbury’s House of Toothy Comestibles this afternoon  >:(  And on a day suitable for buying bulky things like big boxes of tea bags too i.e. using the car instead of the Perfectly Good Gentleman’s Mountain Bicycle chiz.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 27 December, 2023, 08:18:44 pm
That's just a setup for the YACF How Much TEA Can You Carry On A Mountain Bicycle Challenge...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 27 December, 2023, 10:09:27 pm
Mrs P won't let me 'Fnarr' to one of her posts. Chiz.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rogerzilla on 28 December, 2023, 09:12:03 pm
Computer is doing a 60GB download.  Bastard Windows goes into hibernate mode even if a download is in progress, so I left it for 2 hours and it downloaded 15 minutes' worth.  How much is Microshaft paying its programmers to get basic stuff that wrong?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 28 December, 2023, 09:27:13 pm
Quote from: Pingu on 27 December, 2023, 10:09:27 pm
Mrs P won't let me 'Fnarr' to one of her posts. Chiz.
I think I worked out which one...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 28 December, 2023, 10:02:31 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 28 December, 2023, 09:27:13 pm
Quote from: Pingu on 27 December, 2023, 10:09:27 pm
Mrs P won't let me 'Fnarr' to one of her posts. Chiz.
I think I worked out which one...

You're not allowed to either.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 29 December, 2023, 01:23:46 am
Quote from: Tim Hall on 28 December, 2023, 09:27:13 pm
Quote from: Pingu on 27 December, 2023, 10:09:27 pm
Mrs P won't let me 'Fnarr' to one of her posts. Chiz.
I think I worked out which one...

Is it the one to do with dodgy boilers?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 29 December, 2023, 08:14:19 am
How can Briritsh Cycling manage to send me 3 membership cards since I renewed* in mid-August?   

No card received by late September so I chased them up - the 3 (identical) cards have appeared towards the end of October, November and now December?


*membership actually ran out in late July but they didn't send a renewal notice? . .  that seems a bit fundamental to retain membership.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 30 December, 2023, 01:14:33 pm
Fellow NYD walkers. I know it's been raining, which is why the route I proposed was a mixture of towpaths, Sustrans route and bridleways - with the option to stick to roads if the latter proved too muddy. I really try to avoid road walking as much as possible, as it aggravates my PF. So, the route you proposed is 90% on-road and probably 100%, as the footpath is likely to be a quagmire.

No thanks.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 31 December, 2023, 11:50:36 am
Just back from the cafe where I enjoyed poached eggs, beans and bubble.
What I didn't enjoy so much was stepping on a paving slab, one of those, you know, special paving slabs that pivots about an axis which runs diagonally from corner to corner.
Douglas Adams has formally identified these in The Meaning of Liff, but I cannot remember what it is called.
Either way, when you step on a corner which is perpendicular to the axis, the slab tips up and sends a bidet-like jet of water all the way up your leg (remember, I'm wearing shorts) which then proceeds to run down my leg and into my boot.
Beaucoup merde.
I Blame the assholes who damage the pavements by parking their cars on them..
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 31 December, 2023, 12:29:46 pm
Sorry, I know you shouldn't laugh at other people's misfortune, but I did do a small chortle.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 31 December, 2023, 12:31:59 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 31 December, 2023, 11:50:36 am
Just back from the cafe where I enjoyed poached eggs, beans and bubble.
What I didn't enjoy so much was stepping on a paving slab, one of those, you know, special paving slabs that pivots about an axis which runs diagonally from corner to corner.
Douglas Adams has formally identified these in The Meaning of Liff, but I cannot remember what it is called.
Either way, when you step on a corner which is perpendicular to the axis, the slab tips up and sends a bidet-like jet of water all the way up your leg (remember, I'm wearing shorts) which then proceeds to run down my leg and into my boot.
Beaucoup merde.
I Blame the assholes who damage the pavements by parking their cars on them..
I didn't know you were a postie.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 31 December, 2023, 08:21:37 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 31 December, 2023, 12:31:59 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 31 December, 2023, 11:50:36 am
Just back from the cafe where I enjoyed poached eggs, beans and bubble.
What I didn't enjoy so much was stepping on a paving slab, one of those, you know, special paving slabs that pivots about an axis which runs diagonally from corner to corner.
Douglas Adams has formally identified these in The Meaning of Liff, but I cannot remember what it is called.
Either way, when you step on a corner which is perpendicular to the axis, the slab tips up and sends a bidet-like jet of water all the way up your leg (remember, I'm wearing shorts) which then proceeds to run down my leg and into my boot.
Beaucoup merde.
I Blame the assholes who damage the pavements by parking their cars on them..
I didn't know you were a postie.
I think you may be behind @rafletcher to have made that assumption.
In any case, both of you are wrong. :P
Happy New Year to both of you.  :)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 31 December, 2023, 10:27:43 pm
Ah, so you’re just eccentric  ;D

HNY

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 31 December, 2023, 10:53:52 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 31 December, 2023, 11:50:36 am
Just back from the cafe where I enjoyed poached eggs, beans and bubble.
What I didn't enjoy so much was stepping on a paving slab, one of those, you know, special paving slabs that pivots about an axis which runs diagonally from corner to corner.
Douglas Adams has formally identified these in The Meaning of Liff, but I cannot remember what it is called.
Either way, when you step on a corner which is perpendicular to the axis, the slab tips up and sends a bidet-like jet of water all the way up your leg (remember, I'm wearing shorts) which then proceeds to run down my leg and into my boot.
Beaucoup merde.
I Blame the assholes who damage the pavements by parking their cars on them..

<click, tappity tappity... click>

Quote
Affpuddle (n.)
A puddle which is hidden under a pivoted paving stone. You only know it's there when you step on the paving stone and the puddle shoots up your leg.

http://tmoliff.blogspot.com/2012/04/affpuddle-n.html
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 01 January, 2024, 11:53:39 am
This summer walking Tooley St I stepped on the same, the paving slab pivoting to unleash a geyser of water the colour of gravy all the way up the front of my leg from shoe to groin. As I was wearing light coloured shoes and trousers the result looked like I’d had a bad toilet accident.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 02 January, 2024, 06:18:57 am
I was having a lovely sleep, probably helped by getting plenty of exercise yesterday and no grog. About 4am I am awoken by a car alarm. Went to window and could see its neighbours so watched and nothing untoward apparent

Then noticed could see light under our bedroom door so went out and found the wife had been woken by alarm some 40 minutes earlier and was trying to contact our neighbour who must be away to not notice the alarm under their bedroom window. In my defence of not hearing the wife's a snorer so I sleep with earplugs

I headed back to bed and the wife joined me. Our dog then started whining so I ended up coming down and trying to get a bit more sleep on the sofa till the alarm went

I think with various illnesses in house, being away, kids not sleeping and the hound I've managed only a couple of full nights in an actual bed over Christmas period.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 02 January, 2024, 10:41:04 am
Quote from: The Family Cyclist on 02 January, 2024, 06:18:57 am
I was having a lovely sleep...

Sympathies.  Our New Year was ruined by the neighbours' megaton-level fireworks* and then I was awakened at around 04:30 this morning by the damned bin-men, then as I was dozing off again the folk who work in Germany started out and woke me up again.  :demon:

* powerful fireworks are illegal in France but the locals nip over into Germany and bring back Vergeltungswaffen that rattle the bloody windows.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 02 January, 2024, 04:49:14 pm
Thanks

On the drive to work as too windy to cycle my engine management light came on after putting in some diesel, suspect may be related to running very low in tank

Got home and my fence has blown over so need to fix once the wind drops below 50mph
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 02 January, 2024, 06:20:58 pm
3.15A fuse protecting a 13A desktop outlet. What's all that about, eh?

Enquiring minds ect ect.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 02 January, 2024, 06:37:18 pm
I've just done my 22/23 tax return.

Oh my life the gov.uk self assessment website is sh!te.

Owed gov money, tried to pay online; they can't take payments from the cooperative bank. FFS.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 02 January, 2024, 06:47:18 pm
HMRC is particularly useless. Everyone else uses GOV.UK which is pretty good. HMRC uses some weird shite that isn't accessible and has a horrible UI.

Sometimes other depts like DWP are made to use HMRC's verify engine which is a steaming pile of shite.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 02 January, 2024, 06:50:55 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 02 January, 2024, 06:20:58 pm
3.15A fuse protecting a 13A desktop outlet. What's all that about, eh?

At a guess, the wiring leading up to the outlet isn't rated higher than that. It's not unusual to have fairly small fuses on that kind of thing; they are only really intended for running a computer, monitor or lamp, not a 3kW heater.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 02 January, 2024, 08:38:18 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 02 January, 2024, 06:37:18 pm
I've just done my 22/23 tax return.

Oh my life the gov.uk self assessment website is sh!te.

Owed gov money, tried to pay online; they can't take payments from the cooperative bank. FFS.


Reminds me that I found a cheque for £92 from them for a previous year, I'd assumed they'd just put the money in my bank, but there backside of the perforated letter was an actual cheque that I had missed (and, of course, given the delay, the cheque bounced when I attempted to sneak it into my account). Their weird combination of doing shit like this, randomly giving me money or adjusting my tax code to account for over-and-under-payments is driving me mental.


But yes, the form is also a bit mental, and the instructions seem to have been written by someone whose eighth language is English. But hey, here's a YouTube video that will explain this question in just 25 minutes. If it existed.


On the plus side, they seem to have accepted that I overpaid to the tune of a lot and have deposited the cash into my account. Which probably means they'll declare I underpaid by the same amount.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 02 January, 2024, 09:00:06 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 02 January, 2024, 06:20:58 pm
3.15A fuse protecting a 13A desktop outlet. What's all that about, eh?

Enquiring minds ect ect.

That's common in offices, where there's sockets on every desk.
The sockets are for PCs and phones, not fan heaters.

The wiring is not designed for high loads at each desk.

<ETA> What MattH said.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Socks on 02 January, 2024, 09:09:05 pm
Quote from: ian on 02 January, 2024, 08:38:18 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 02 January, 2024, 06:37:18 pm
I've just done my 22/23 tax return.

Oh my life the gov.uk self assessment website is sh!te.

Owed gov money, tried to pay online; they can't take payments from the cooperative bank. FFS.


Reminds me that I found a cheque for £92 from them for a previous year, I'd assumed they'd just put the money in my bank, but there backside of the perforated letter


 was an actual cheque that I had missed (and, of course, given the delay, the cheque bounced when I attempted to sneak it into my account). Their weird combination of doing shit like this, randomly giving me money or adjusting my tax code to account for over-and-under-payments is driving me mental.


But yes, the form is also a bit mental, and the instructions seem to have been written by someone whose eighth language is English. But hey, here's a YouTube video that will explain this question in just 25 minutes. If it existed.


On the plus side, they seem to have accepted that I overpaid to the tune of a lot and have deposited the cash into my account. Which probably means they'll declare I underpaid by the same amount.

You shouldn't assume that the purpose of HMRC is to collect taxes, the government ensures that they only aim for the PAYE and self assessment plebs,  Once you become rich enough taxes are optional.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 02 January, 2024, 09:33:55 pm
Quote from: Feanor on 02 January, 2024, 09:00:06 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 02 January, 2024, 06:20:58 pm
3.15A fuse protecting a 13A desktop outlet. What's all that about, eh?

Enquiring minds ect ect.

That's common in offices, where there's sockets on every desk.
The sockets are for PCs and phones, not fan heaters.

The wiring is not designed for high loads at each desk.

<ETA> What MattH said.
I guessed as much. Having a label in large friendly letters saying so would be handy, as it would have saved me $FAR_TOO_LONG wrestling spaghetti under my desk and in the tray suspended beneath it just to get my headset working. I suspect someone plugged a heater of some sort into it.  Mind you, the click-together wiring running between the desks is Quite Hefty Indeed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 02 January, 2024, 11:24:02 pm
3.15A seems like an oddly-specific fuse rating.  What am I missing?  Is it horse-related?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 02 January, 2024, 11:40:36 pm
Quote from: Kim on 02 January, 2024, 11:24:02 pm
3.15A seems like an oddly-specific fuse rating.  What am I missing?  Is it horse-related?
No idea. It's a 20mm fuse. Then I googled "why do 3.15A fuses exist?" and found a fascinating rabbit hole. Laters!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 02 January, 2024, 11:44:28 pm
Professor Larrington spent a fair chunk of this morning trying to figure out whether the four-figure sum that made up the Swedish equivalent of the mrs joyful prize for rafia work* was taxable but finally discovered that it ent.  Hurrah!  Trebles all round!

* actually something academic and Old Norse-related
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 03 January, 2024, 07:51:22 am
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 02 January, 2024, 06:37:18 pm
I've just done my 22/23 tax return.

Oh my life the gov.uk self assessment website is sh!te.

Owed gov money, tried to pay online; they can't take payments from the cooperative bank. FFS.

I, being a good boy, started my return in September - online system was hopeless (property income section made no sense) - so printed the form, completed by hand and mailed it before the October deadline - sometimes old skool is simplest.  Good news is that they owe me £400 but I've no idea why or how.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 03 January, 2024, 09:54:01 am
Quote from: robgul on 03 January, 2024, 07:51:22 am
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 02 January, 2024, 06:37:18 pm
I've just done my 22/23 tax return.

Oh my life the gov.uk self assessment website is sh!te.

Owed gov money, tried to pay online; they can't take payments from the cooperative bank. FFS.

I, being a good boy, started my return in September - online system was hopeless (property income section made no sense) - so printed the form, completed by hand and mailed it before the October deadline - sometimes old skool is simplest.  Good news is that they owe me £400 but I've no idea why or how.

Timeo Danaos etc.  My dad was once delighted to get a small tax refund, then three weeks later my mum got a demand for £600.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 05 January, 2024, 09:40:22 am
It’s over an hour since I dragged myself out of bed to sit here and wait for the GP to call. It’s not as if I can shower or anything while I wait is it?

Pah
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 05 January, 2024, 11:37:57 am
I could swear I got a txt msg while cat-sitting at Schloß von Brandenburg telling me it was time to get an appointment with the eye screening lot.  Can I now find it?

Why, no!  No, I cannot :(

Edit: Not such a feckin' div after all; it was buried five fathoms down in the NHS app :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Diver300 on 05 January, 2024, 08:56:23 pm
Quote from: Feanor on 02 January, 2024, 09:00:06 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 02 January, 2024, 06:20:58 pm
3.15A fuse protecting a 13A desktop outlet. What's all that about, eh?

Enquiring minds ect ect.

That's common in offices, where there's sockets on every desk.
The sockets are for PCs and phones, not fan heaters.

The wiring is not designed for high loads at each desk.

<ETA> What MattH said.
There's a slightly obscure British Standard about sockets in furniture. BS6396 https://www.cmd-ltd.com/advice-centre/usb-chargers-and-power-modules/bs6396/ (https://www.cmd-ltd.com/advice-centre/usb-chargers-and-power-modules/bs6396/)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 05 January, 2024, 09:47:25 pm
"In furniture" seems to be doing the heavy lifting there.  Presumably it doesn't apply to the daisy chain of 4-ways ratsnested with assorted data cables under my desk.  But might to the ones screwed to the underside of barakta's...  I'll continue to ignore it while not plugging any kettles or EVSEs into them.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 07 January, 2024, 01:34:50 pm
Hmm. Fairly sure it'll apply to the fact that my desk has a cable with a plug on the end, feeding a switched FCU that in turn feeds a 4-way and a 6-way in a cable tray, a socket inset into the desktop, and a further socket at the bottom of one of the legs.

Best ignored, I fancy, even if I do sometimes plug Henry into the desktop socket or the leg-bottom one.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 07 January, 2024, 03:32:31 pm
Quote from: Kim on 05 January, 2024, 09:47:25 pm
"In furniture" seems to be doing the heavy lifting there.  Presumably it doesn't apply to the daisy chain of 4-ways ratsnested with assorted data cables under my desk.  But might to the ones screwed to the underside of barakta's...  I'll continue to ignore it while not plugging any kettles or EVSEs into them.

(Looks under desk) 1 off 8x strip, 2 off 5x strips, 1 off 4x.  Our circuits are 16A but the supply cable doesn't get above room temperature. Detectably.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 07 January, 2024, 07:18:13 pm
Yeah, all our desktop computer stuff daisy-chains back to a single socket from which is currently being drawn a smidgen more than 1A.  Which is fine.  The only thing in here that draws real power is the fan heater, and that's plugged straight into the wall.  Or the hoover, which the fan heater gets unplugged for.

I see that standard used to refer to "office and educational furniture", which is clearly the spirit in which it's intended.  The idea being to ensure that nothing gets overloaded in an environment where you can't assume people will be electrically sensible with hoovers and tea-urns.

Presumably it's not furniture if it's permanently installed work surfaces in a kitchen/laboratory/workshop.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Diver300 on 07 January, 2024, 07:49:26 pm
Quote from: Kim on 07 January, 2024, 07:18:13 pm
Presumably it's not furniture if it's permanently installed work surfaces in a kitchen/laboratory/workshop.
Permanently installed sockets won't be in turn plugged into a 13 A socket somewhere.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 07 January, 2024, 07:53:26 pm
Quote from: Diver300 on 07 January, 2024, 07:49:26 pm
Quote from: Kim on 07 January, 2024, 07:18:13 pm
Presumably it's not furniture if it's permanently installed work surfaces in a kitchen/laboratory/workshop.
Permanently installed sockets won't be in turn plugged into a 13 A socket somewhere.

GPWM.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 08 January, 2024, 12:01:47 am
Electric planer: very good at separating wanted and unwanted wood.

Electric planer: also very good at dispersing unwanted wood all over the kitchen even with the unwanted wood bag fitted ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 08 January, 2024, 08:15:38 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 08 January, 2024, 12:01:47 am
Electric planer: very good at separating wanted and unwanted wood.

Electric planer: also very good at dispersing unwanted wood all over the kitchen even with the unwanted wood bag fitted ???

Yeah.  When I planed a few boards in the barn last summer my extractor hose wouldn't reach to where I was working.  The floor in the driver's side of the car is now decorated with shavings.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 11 January, 2024, 11:29:42 am
A pox on the designers of coffin sized shower cubicles. And an even bigger malady on the builders who lack imagination and thoughtlessly fit the same.

I shall be glad to get home to my open ended walk in shower (and my king size bed, but that’s another grumble).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 11 January, 2024, 11:42:49 am
In contrast, we have a landlord-installed walk-in shower replacing the previous, perfectly adequate, shower over the bath. The walk-in shower is as big as the bath was but less useful – you can't eg wash a bike in it (shshsh!), soak clothes in it, and Mrs Cudzo complains she can no longer wash her hair without having a shower (as opposed to simply leaning over the bath tub). And in order to make room for this oversized shower, they've replaced the previous basin and toilet with miniature items. You can no longer wash your hands without splashing the floor.

The totally ridiculous remote control device for the shower, which requires frequent new batteries and without which it will not function at all, is a separate grumble.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 11 January, 2024, 11:52:51 am
I’ll admit that the small basin I had fitted when we had the bathroom rejigged is an abomination which I shall re-fit at some point. And the aesthetic’s of the damn thing are also irritating me now, although that could be because I’ve always favoured function over form, and it’s failing in the former may be prejudicing my views.

As for hair washing; everyone showers every morning in the Beardy bastion, and so it’s somewhat moot.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 11 January, 2024, 02:22:54 pm
Ours being a traditional Alsacien farmhouse the loft was designed for storing grain, with free entry and exit for the wind at each end. Since we moved in we've blocked off as many of these as we can, but there's still the odd hole; so when I heard a corvid crake-crake-crake-crake yesterday evening my immediate thought was "Bloody hell, there's a raven in the loft!"  The noise was repeated a couple of minutes later, but since it was after dark I didn't feel like opening the loft door and getting a large panicky bird in the face.  I let it be.

Fast forward, and today the thing had slipped my mind until an hour ago, when crake-crake-crake-crake rang out again.  "Have to deal with that now," sez I to MrsT. "What?" sez she.  "The bird upstairs, I just heard it again."  "Oh," sez she. "That's my new ring tone for SMSes".

She leaves her phone on her desk when she goes downstairs in the evening, and for some Fruity reason it creaks twice for every new message.

Pfuck.

Better than a faceful of raven, though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 11 January, 2024, 03:52:36 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 11 January, 2024, 11:52:51 am
I’ll admit that the small basin I had fitted when we had the bathroom rejigged is an abomination which I shall re-fit at some point. And the aesthetic’s of the damn thing are also irritating me now, although that could be because I’ve always favoured function over form, and it’s failing in the former may be prejudicing my views.

As for hair washing; everyone showers every morning in the Beardy bastion, and so it’s somewhat moot.

Hmm, my wife will have to think about the hair-washing angle before we repalce our bath (her 2 metal hips are making getting in and out a pain for showers.

As to basins, add to small basins the fact that the mixer tap obscures about 25% of it, and the glass shelf above is ripe for head butting.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 11 January, 2024, 06:45:53 pm
I can wash my hair fine in the shower cubicle without getting in it. Though I do have short short hair, which probably helps. And obv you need a shower with a hose and not a fixed head.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 11 January, 2024, 06:54:18 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 11 January, 2024, 06:45:53 pm
I can wash my hair fine in the shower cubicle without getting in it. Though I do have short short hair, which probably helps. And obv you need a shower with a hose and not a fixed head.

Her hair is pretty short, and neither of us like rainfall showers so it’ll be a wall bracket. Plus we only have 7ft ceilings.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 11 January, 2024, 06:59:20 pm
I probably can wash my shoulder length hair in a sink but if I'm just hairwashing then a bath is easier. I need the bath for pain management reasons anyway. I like baths. I don't feel safe standing in showers and ours isn't conducive to a shower stool.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 11 January, 2024, 07:44:11 pm
The problem with ours for hair washing is that you can't access the shower head itself without getting in the shower, due to the glass screen, and therefore getting your feet wet. Mrs C likes to just wash her (shoulder length) hair independently of her body. And to dye and rinse it. It doesn't bother me but then I have Middle Aged Man Hair.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Regulator on 12 January, 2024, 12:52:56 pm
Quote from: barakta on 11 January, 2024, 06:59:20 pm
I probably can wash my shoulder length hair in a sink but if I'm just hairwashing then a bath is easier. I need the bath for pain management reasons anyway. I like baths. I don't feel safe standing in showers and ours isn't conducive to a shower stool.

And you can't really sip champagne and nibble chocolates in a shower...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 12 January, 2024, 01:21:33 pm
Hair??  I remember hair...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 12 January, 2024, 02:51:19 pm
Perennial gym-going grumble. People who sit on equipment searching their playlists on their phones as opposed to exercising.  >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Regulator on 12 January, 2024, 02:57:23 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 12 January, 2024, 02:51:19 pm
Perennial gym-going grumble. People who sit on equipment searching their playlists on their phones as opposed to exercising.  >:(

Luckily doesn't happen in my gym - which is classed based. 

Although Katherine has been know to text whilst doing hip thrusts...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 12 January, 2024, 03:22:55 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 12 January, 2024, 02:51:19 pm
Perennial gym-going grumble. People who sit on equipment searching their playlists on their phones as opposed to exercising.  >:(
Sometimes they are doing a multi-part set that has 2-3 min waits between each part.
Frankly, those are anti-social. I know they are good training, but for people who have limited time, they can wreck completion of a gym session.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 14 January, 2024, 03:42:41 pm
Yep, appreciate that, and some have the timer running on the phone as part of the workout. A couple of minutes is fine, 5 minutes texting or WhatsApp-ing back and forth not so much. But it’s minor, and it’s only because of my latent OCD that it irks me, there’s always something I can do. Hence a grumble not a rant.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: davelodwig on 15 January, 2024, 01:47:52 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 12 January, 2024, 03:22:55 pm
Quote from: rafletcher on 12 January, 2024, 02:51:19 pm
Perennial gym-going grumble. People who sit on equipment searching their playlists on their phones as opposed to exercising.  >:(
Sometimes they are doing a multi-part set that has 2-3 min waits between each part.
Frankly, those are anti-social. I know they are good training, but for people who have limited time, they can wreck completion of a gym session.

I always thought it was good practice to let someone slip in and do a set in their routine in the breaks in yours, is that not the thing anymore.

I bought some weights so I can get my routines in at home so it's been a while since I've been in a gym
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 15 January, 2024, 02:07:26 pm
Quote from: davelodwig on 15 January, 2024, 01:47:52 pm

I always thought it was good practice to let someone slip in and do a set in their routine in the breaks in yours, is that not the thing anymore.



Yep, that's how it used to work, back when people in gyms talked to each other as opposed to all listening to their personal soundtracks  :). And I guess the style of gym makes a difference, thoise more strength biased I'm guessing will still be like that.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 16 January, 2024, 01:33:03 pm
Trade union trainer: learn to shutTF up and do the task you set, FFS. 45 minutes of you droning on, mainly off on a tangent, is rather tedious. You must have done some teacher training and learned about TTT and its rationing, mustn't you?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 16 January, 2024, 10:03:19 pm
People who say "threaded" when talking about screws when they mean "stripped" or "cross threaded" are this: A bit annoying.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 17 January, 2024, 08:09:54 am
New tablet. Gotta set the bugger up. Feels like work.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fimm on 17 January, 2024, 08:37:45 am
Formula E, which is often more entertaining than Formula 1, is now only available on Discovery+ at the top subscription level. We not going to pay £30 a month just too watch Formula E. Grumble.
(This might be better in the 1st world problems thread.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TimC on 17 January, 2024, 09:27:13 am
Discovery + doesn’t work on my Samsung tablet, so I won’t be watching it anyway!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 17 January, 2024, 09:35:14 am
Lenovo tablet. It's an android, Jim, but not as we know it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 17 January, 2024, 02:37:28 pm
People who tag people in emails, like this "thanks @fred.smith@domain.com for your comment", as if they're they're the cool kids on that Instagram they have these days are this: Rather Annoying Too.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 17 January, 2024, 03:39:47 pm
I’ve just tried to buy a couple of,open return rail tickets to attend a funeral, but the computer say no! LNER are trying to spin the change as an improvement because I don’t need to plan my return journey when I book my outward journey. Err, I didn’t need to plan my return journey with an open return, so that’s bollox.

I’m going to go a sit in a corner and sulk about this for a bit. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 17 January, 2024, 08:08:30 pm
It’s a price hike, disguised as ‘progress’ and hidden from view.
It ensures even packing of ‘services’.

Last minute ‘walk-on’ fares are usually pricey.

Stuffs happen, meaning you’d like the flexibility of being able to jump on any suitable return train, which you can’t do now.

GGGGGRRRRR!!!!!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: bhoot on 17 January, 2024, 09:27:10 pm
This (https://www.seat61.com/london-to-edinburgh-by-train.htm) might be useful depending on where you are trying to go to - there seems to be a workaround for Edinburgh (look for IMPORTANT UPDATE: LNER FARE CHANGES FROM FEBRUARY 2024)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 18 January, 2024, 12:26:32 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 17 January, 2024, 02:37:28 pm
People who tag people in emails, like this "thanks @fred.smith@domain.com for your comment", as if they're they're the cool kids on that Instagram they have these days are this: Rather Annoying Too.

That username convention in the fediverse irks me, for similar reasons.  What's wrong with username@domain.tld?  If you want to make it clear that it's not an email address, that's what URI schemes are for.  If you want your application software to turn them into clickable wotsits, that what regular expressions are for.

It's almost like nobody remember how the internet is supposed to work.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 18 January, 2024, 02:29:41 pm
I think I may have commented in the past about my father's propensity for leaving DIY jobs half finished.


See what I found lurking behind a TPOC & propped up panel in the kitchen.  It must have been like this for over 25 years....  :facepalm:


He may have moved the socket when he put new kitchen units in.  Wires on the right are dead so the old socket could be further down.


(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53471887785_defd6bdee8.jpg)


   (https://flic.kr/p/2pt8piK)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 18 January, 2024, 02:33:18 pm
He’s sleeved the earth, so that’s not a complete bodge job.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 18 January, 2024, 02:38:16 pm
Could also be 'wires on the right are dead' in the split ring main sense?  Here be dragons...

Also, the lx tape on the appliance cord on the left looks suspicious...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 18 January, 2024, 02:58:49 pm
Quote from: Kim on 18 January, 2024, 02:38:16 pm
Could also be 'wires on the right are dead' in the split ring main sense?  Here be dragons...

Also, the lx tape on the appliance cord on the left looks suspicious...


I think that may have been a patch up job after the rat visitation several years ago.   Something else to check when I can find the circular tuits.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 19 January, 2024, 02:06:30 pm
Today's list of Rather Annoying People:

1.  People who merge cells in Excel
2.  People who use Excel because the document they want is in landscape not portrait.
3.  People in general
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 19 January, 2024, 03:16:17 pm
Insurance renewal for buildings and contents arrived today - up from £313 to £407

Phone the company:

"How may I help you today?"

Me "I have my renewal notice and want to pay less please"

"One moment please . .  <5 seconds>  ... I can adjust the premium to £346"

Me "Is that for exactly the same cover?"

"Yes it is"

Me "OK, thanks I'll go with that, please renew"


[Having had a look at a comparison site the only prices from companies I would deal with, for the same cover, were £336 and £363 - and these were two brands from the same insurer]

What is it with these people?   - we've used the same insurer for about 5 years, with the same conversation each year reducing the (increased) renewal quote by 10-15%.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 19 January, 2024, 05:04:58 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall
Today's list of Rather Annoying People:

1.  People who merge cells in Excel
2.  People who use Excel because the document they want is in landscape not portrait.
3.  People in general
I'll see your, "People who use Excel" and raise you, "People who use Powerpoint."
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 19 January, 2024, 08:20:44 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 19 January, 2024, 02:06:30 pm
Today's list of Rather Annoying People:

1.  People who merge cells in Excel
2.  People who use Excel because the document they want is in landscape not portrait.
3.  People in general

What's wrong with merging cells?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 19 January, 2024, 08:30:55 pm
It's a perfectly useful thing to do to make titles across the top of sheets and that kind of thing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 19 January, 2024, 08:33:23 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 19 January, 2024, 08:20:44 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 19 January, 2024, 02:06:30 pm
Today's list of Rather Annoying People:

1.  People who merge cells in Excel
2.  People who use Excel because the document they want is in landscape not portrait.
3.  People in general

What's wrong with merging cells?


It's some kind of weird sex.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 19 January, 2024, 08:38:43 pm
Quote from: ian on 19 January, 2024, 08:33:23 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 19 January, 2024, 08:20:44 pm
What's wrong with merging cells?
It's some kind of weird sex.
What's wrong with weird sex?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 19 January, 2024, 08:39:45 pm
I wasn't making a value judgement. Let those cells do what cells do.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 19 January, 2024, 08:47:17 pm
Frankly, I'd far rather make a table in Excel and paste it into a word document than try to make a table behave itself in bastarding Word.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Flite on 19 January, 2024, 08:56:09 pm
People who use excel and call it a database.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 19 January, 2024, 09:10:27 pm
Merging cells plays absolute havoc if you have to a) reference them or 2. copy and paste them. At least it did when I last used excel in any sort of anger.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 19 January, 2024, 09:27:14 pm
A quick FISE tells me there are 750 million Excel users, therefore there's >750 million expectations of the ways Excel should be used.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 19 January, 2024, 10:17:03 pm
Excel is far better than any database. Fact.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 19 January, 2024, 10:20:19 pm
To quote from the glossary of an only slightly sarcastic document I wrote last month:

Quote
Excel: A functional programming language masquerading as a piece of accountancy software that's commonly used for managing databases.  [goes on to explain how $application uses Excel files to populate its internal database]
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 19 January, 2024, 10:27:11 pm
Nobody has mentioned MS Access yet ...  🏳️🏳️🏳️
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: spesh on 19 January, 2024, 10:27:27 pm
Quote from: Feanor on 19 January, 2024, 08:38:43 pm
Quote from: ian on 19 January, 2024, 08:33:23 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 19 January, 2024, 08:20:44 pm
What's wrong with merging cells?
It's some kind of weird sex.
What's wrong with weird sex?

Nothing per se, provided both/all involved have agreed on a safe word, the story they'll give to the triage nurse in A&E if it goes slightly wrong, and a site clean-up/escape & evasion plan if it goes really wrong...

Oh, wait - you were talking about spreadsheets, weren't you?

In which case, there may well be some very niche spreadsheet-based pr0n involving utterly filthy macros somewhere on the web, in accordance with Rule 34.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 19 January, 2024, 10:35:50 pm
Quote from: Polar Bear on 19 January, 2024, 10:27:11 pm
Nobody has mentioned MS Access yet ...  🏳️🏳️🏳️

That's because approximately nobody uses it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 19 January, 2024, 10:45:51 pm
A couple of years ago a colleague built a new database to process some project data in Access. I genuinely didn't know it was still a thing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 20 January, 2024, 12:51:55 am
This unit has been using Access of late, to try to assist in the building of games mods but because it’s so utterly soul-destroying I tend only to do so when waiting on the von Brandenburgs' cats.  Which happens infrequently enough that I've forgotten what I did the last time and have to start again, with extra Bad Swears.

I did actually use it for work once, but that was about thirty years ago and the bits I half-remembered from then don’t appear to be there now ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 20 January, 2024, 01:25:57 am
Quote from: Kim on 19 January, 2024, 10:35:50 pm
Quote from: Polar Bear on 19 January, 2024, 10:27:11 pm
Nobody has mentioned MS Access yet ...  🏳️🏳️🏳️

That's because approximately nobody uses it.
I tried to use it to demonstrate how simple that was after a particularly fruitless rant at a team I was working with about using excel as a database, but I gave up when someone decided that Sharepoint was the universal tool for project management, budget tracking and expenses.

I did try and use Sharepoint as a joint file repository for excel spreadsheets but senior management t kept asking me to email them the files every time I sent them an embedded Sharepoint link. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Adam on 20 January, 2024, 08:13:35 am
Quote from: Kim on 19 January, 2024, 10:35:50 pm
Quote from: Polar Bear on 19 January, 2024, 10:27:11 pm
Nobody has mentioned MS Access yet ...  🏳️🏳️🏳️

That's because approximately nobody uses it.

Up to about 10 years ago, the most common client database/wealth management software package used by UK financial advisers was written in MS Access.  And it worked very well.  I remember reading in about 2015 that Microsoft were ending support of Access by 2024, so started the process of identifying a more suitable alternative software package. 

One of the many reasons I took early retirement in 2018 was to avoid the actual process of migrating everything (as I'd had the headaches of doing the previous migration to the current system from a mainframe Tripos based system in 1995 when the firm was much smaller), so left that to my successor!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 20 January, 2024, 11:01:33 am
I run the business side of my work on an Access designed database and it works beautifully. Has done for 29 years and will outlive me. I believe it is still in use in many private hospitals for maintaining individual consultants records and is only now being updated. I refused the update as it added no functionality I need and my team would kill me if I changed something.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Peter on 20 January, 2024, 11:10:00 am
Chris, if you think your  "team" would kill the goose that lays the golden egg you need to upgrade your team, THEN the system, if necessary!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: citoyen on 20 January, 2024, 01:26:11 pm
Christ, I’d forgotten Access ever existed. Thanks for reminding me. Not.

I’ve long since given up trying to explain to people that a spreadsheet is not a database. That ship is well over the horizon by now.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: citoyen on 20 January, 2024, 01:35:08 pm
Quote from: robgul on 19 January, 2024, 03:16:17 pm
What is it with these people?   - we've used the same insurer for about 5 years, with the same conversation each year reducing the (increased) renewal quote by 10-15%.

I also had the same conversation with my home insurance provider every year. Until last year. They seem to have stopped the customer-who-can-be-bothered-to-call discount.

I stayed with them anyway as I’ve been generally happy with the service and they dealt with a recent claim well. Still came as a bit of a shock though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 20 January, 2024, 02:36:48 pm
Quote from: citoyen on 20 January, 2024, 01:26:11 pm
...a spreadsheet is not a database. That ship is well over the horizon by now.
Thirty plus years over the horizon.  Advert in the Health Service Journal, 1991/2, "Experience with Excel required to develop databases."  I was appalled.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Auntie Helen on 20 January, 2024, 02:45:10 pm
I used Microsoft access 10 years ago to do a database for songwriter royalties. I took over from a woman who had had a breakdown after dealing manually with the CSV files that came from PRS etc. She imported them into Excel and manually adjusted all the different rows, of which there were thousands upon thousands, to try to calculate the different road is due for different splits of artists and different percentages.

I wrote a quick access database, which did this work once a month in two hours. She used to work three days per week every week on it. Excel was completely the wrong tool and she was not very good at Excel. Anyway, access worked so much better.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 20 January, 2024, 05:11:40 pm
Years ago I wrote a package for a client who surveyed sewers for local cancels.  For speed I used VB6 and its Jet database, and even got wireframe 3D modelling to work.

Next thing I knew he had installed it for Strasbourg City Council and they were using it on 32 PCs with a central server.  It seemed to be pretty robust, too.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 20 January, 2024, 08:15:06 pm
Quote from: chrisbainbridge on 20 January, 2024, 11:01:33 am
I run the business side of my work on an Access designed database and it works beautifully. Has done for 29 years and will outlive me. I believe it is still in use in many private hospitals for maintaining individual consultants records and is only now being updated. I refused the update as it added no functionality I need and my team would kill me if I changed something.


I fear I inadvertently supplied a fair portion of Harley and Wimpole St my own brand Access concoction back in the early 2000s. One of them paid - not in cash - but a free fortnight in his unoccupied château. We slept in a different room each night. We meaning my wife, not him, it wasn’t that kind of gig.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 21 January, 2024, 08:51:23 am
Quote from: ian on 20 January, 2024, 08:15:06 pm
Quote from: chrisbainbridge on 20 January, 2024, 11:01:33 am
I run the business side of my work on an Access designed database and it works beautifully. Has done for 29 years and will outlive me. I believe it is still in use in many private hospitals for maintaining individual consultants records and is only now being updated. I refused the update as it added no functionality I need and my team would kill me if I changed something.


I fear I inadvertently supplied a fair portion of Harley and Wimpole St my own brand Access concoction back in the early 2000s. One of them paid - not in cash - but a free fortnight in his unoccupied château. We slept in a different room each night. We meaning my wife, not him, it wasn’t that kind of gig.

Chum of mine got a buckshee Toyota Supra that way, back in the 80's.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Flite on 21 January, 2024, 04:10:09 pm
Quote
Excel is far better than any database. Fact.

Are you old enough to remember Lotus software?
Had a brilliant database. (for it's time....)
Taken over by Sage, I think, who wanted the database.
They promptly stopped support for private (non-business) users.

I did eventually realise that the reason everyone else used excel instead of a database was that microsoft's home package had word and excel, but not a proper database.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Giraffe on 21 January, 2024, 04:32:28 pm
I used Lotus Approach for events for a long time. Eventually ran to 7 related DBs, as we had too many calculated fields (a 20,000-capacity overflowed short of the peak of a bit under 600 events). Couldn't have done it without Francis and Sheila. I guess that Access would've gone titsup even looking at that.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 22 January, 2024, 01:10:54 am
I'm old enough to remember Lotus 123 being better than Excel.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 22 January, 2024, 07:18:58 am
I remember Lotus 123 coming out and knocking Visicalc off top dog spot.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Flite on 22 January, 2024, 09:17:00 am
On the recommendation of a newly established computer engineer, in the days when computers were built to spec from components, the first computer for our small business ran Lotus software.
It did what it was told to do, instead of coming up with whizz-bang ideas nobody needs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 22 January, 2024, 10:56:08 am
Quote from: Flite on 22 January, 2024, 09:17:00 am
On the recommendation of a newly established computer engineer, in the days when computers were built to spec from components, the first computer for our small business ran Lotus software.
It did what it was told to do, instead of coming up with whizz-bang ideas nobody needs.

Yebbut Ami Pro was an absolute Pig.

Wordperfect did what it said on the box, and was nicely cross-platform to boot (I used it on DOS and VAX, no file incompatibilities).

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Regulator on 22 January, 2024, 11:10:46 am
Quote from: Beardy on 20 January, 2024, 01:25:57 am
Quote from: Kim on 19 January, 2024, 10:35:50 pm
Quote from: Polar Bear on 19 January, 2024, 10:27:11 pm
Nobody has mentioned MS Access yet ...  🏳️🏳️🏳️

That's because approximately nobody uses it.
I tried to use it to demonstrate how simple that was after a particularly fruitless rant at a team I was working with about using excel as a database, but I gave up when someone decided that Sharepoint was the universal tool for project management, budget tracking and expenses.

I did try and use Sharepoint as a joint file repository for excel spreadsheets but senior management t kept asking me to email them the files every time I sent them an embedded Sharepoint link.


SharePoint is the IT version of Marmite.   It is an invention of Stan and should be destroyed utterly to DETH.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 22 January, 2024, 11:12:00 am
Quote from: MattH on 22 January, 2024, 07:18:58 am
I remember Lotus 123 coming out and knocking Visicalc off top dog spot.
it was SuperCalc that was top dog when 123 was introduced to the world was it not? VisiCalc was a freeware offering? Unless I’m misrembering.

Lotus Notes was, if I remember correctly, a very early precursor to Sharepoint with added integrated email.


I cut my computing teeth on SuperCalc, WordStar and dBase 3 all on DOS3.1 running from am 20Mb hard drive.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 22 January, 2024, 11:25:24 am
No Visicalc came first, and was commercial. SuperCalc was a year later, addressing additional platforms.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SuperCalc
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 22 January, 2024, 11:29:19 am
VisiCalc was the first spreadsheet, first released for the Apple II, and was ported to divers other OSs.  Wikinaccurate says it cost “under $100” in 1979.  SuperCalc came along a year or so later, initially for CP/M before being ported elsewhere.

Edit: xp with MattH
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 22 January, 2024, 12:51:13 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 22 January, 2024, 10:56:08 am
Wordperfect did what it said on the box, and was nicely cross-platform to boot (I used it on DOS and VAX, no file incompatibilities).

The rot set in when people wanted to spend all their time in a WYSIWYG editor (as popularised by MSWord), and subsequently forgot what a word processor was actually for.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 22 January, 2024, 12:58:30 pm
TeX is still around...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 22 January, 2024, 01:53:13 pm
Quote from: MattH on 22 January, 2024, 12:58:30 pm
TeX is still around...

Indeed, but people who aren't neck deep in mathematics tend to look at you like you're some kind of 1337 h4xx0r if you suggest it.

Markdown, for all its limitations, works quite well for documentation that's going to be processed electronically, and the trivial learning curve makes it relatively popular.

It doesn't help that Windows doesn't come with a decent text editor.  (And a lot of text editors are very programming-oriented, to the point of lacking basic features like a spillchucker.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Maverick on 22 January, 2024, 02:16:58 pm
Quote from: Kim on 22 January, 2024, 01:53:13 pm
Quote from: MattH on 22 January, 2024, 12:58:30 pm
TeX is still around...

Indeed, but people who aren't neck deep in mathematics tend to look at you like you're some kind of 1337 h4xx0r if you suggest it.

Markdown, for all its limitations, works quite well for documentation that's going to be processed electronically, and the trivial learning curve makes it relatively popular.

It doesn't help that Windows doesn't come with a decent text editor.  (And a lot of text editors are very programming-oriented, to the point of lacking basic features like a spillchucker.)

BBEdit is my choice for all text related tasks.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 22 January, 2024, 02:21:15 pm
Quote from: Kim on 22 January, 2024, 01:53:13 pm
It doesn't help that Windows doesn't come with a decent text editor.  (And a lot of text editors are very programming-oriented, to the point of lacking basic features like a spillchucker.)

Just realized that I've been using TextPad for <gasp> 30 years, though a while back I got the 2009 update.  And it does have a spellchecker, though I never bothered downloading the dictionaries.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 22 January, 2024, 06:57:07 pm
“Drat and, moreover, fiddlesticks!” exclaimed Mr Larrington, on discovering that his hand drill will not accommodate a 10mm bit.  Now I have to dig out the anbaric one and the extension lead and I hate everybody.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 22 January, 2024, 07:03:28 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 22 January, 2024, 06:57:07 pm
“Drat and, moreover, fiddlesticks!” exclaimed Mr Larrington, on discovering that his hand drill will not accommodate a 10mm bit.  Now I have to dig out the anbaric one and the extension lead and I hate everybody.
My bold.
A bit (Did you see what I did there?) optimistic IMHO.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 22 January, 2024, 07:16:17 pm
It does fit in the 'ole but is too big for the grippy things to, er, grip.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 22 January, 2024, 07:21:41 pm
Get thyself a late crimbo present: an anbaric hole-maker which works on voles stored inna can, un-tethering yourself from the extension-lead of doom.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 22 January, 2024, 07:43:53 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 22 January, 2024, 07:16:17 pm
It does fit in the 'ole but is too big for the grippy things to, er, grip.

Where’s the brace and, um, bit when you need it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 22 January, 2024, 07:50:36 pm
You're gonna need a  bigger boat drill
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Diver300 on 22 January, 2024, 08:04:24 pm
Quote from: Feanor on 22 January, 2024, 07:21:41 pm
Get thyself a late crimbo present: an anbaric hole-maker which works on voles stored inna can, un-tethering yourself from the extension-lead of doom.
I endorse this product or sentiment.
About a year ago I moved from my totally worn out 10 mm battery drill to a 13 mm one with a brushless motor, which is smaller and lighter and takes the same batteries.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 22 January, 2024, 08:43:27 pm
Quote from: Feanor on 22 January, 2024, 07:21:41 pm
Get thyself a late crimbo present: an anbaric hole-maker which works on voles stored inna can, un-tethering yourself from the extension-lead of doom.

I've got one.  Somewhere.  My recollection is that it was A Bit Shit when last it was used and doubt the ensuing twenty-plus year gap will have done the flattery much good.  Even if I can find the charger.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: grams on 22 January, 2024, 11:01:35 pm
It's (often) fairly easy to change chucks between drills if the 'ole is the only concern.

(there'll be a left hand thread screw in the bottom of the chuck)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cygnet on 22 January, 2024, 11:06:46 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 19 January, 2024, 02:06:30 pm
Today's list of Rather Annoying People:

1.  People who merge cells in Excel
2.  People who use Excel because the document they want is in landscape not portrait.
3.  People in general

People who "use" excel and "sort" incomplete sheets of data

Filter, people. Don't bloody sort unless you are 100% certain you aren't going to fuck up the entire logic..
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 23 January, 2024, 12:45:15 pm
Wibbly anbarism meant I was woken repeatedly by lights rebooting / lemmings / fire panel / every fucking burglar alarm in Silly Oak from 7-9am this morning.  Which meant barakta was woken repeatedly by me flinching, getting up to investigate and bury my head under a pillow.  I now feel like death, and she appears to have resorted to Decaf.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 23 January, 2024, 01:11:04 pm
Quote from: grams on 22 January, 2024, 11:01:35 pm
It's (often) fairly easy to change chucks between drills if the 'ole is the only concern.

(there'll be a left hand thread screw in the bottom of the chuck)

Indeed it is and it's a wheeze which I executed a year or two back.  Why supply an electric drill with a hefty motor and only a 3/8ths inch chuck?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 23 January, 2024, 03:29:21 pm
Quote from: Polar Bear on 23 January, 2024, 01:11:04 pm
Quote from: grams on 22 January, 2024, 11:01:35 pm
It's (often) fairly easy to change chucks between drills if the 'ole is the only concern.

(there'll be a left hand thread screw in the bottom of the chuck)

Indeed it is and it's a wheeze which I executed a year or two back.  Why supply an electric drill with a hefty motor and only a 3/8ths inch chuck?

It helps them to sell larger drill bits with a reduced sized shank to fit the chuck.   

So I'm told the size of the "jaws" in the chuck need to cover a wide range of drill bit sizes and a chuck that takes, say 12mm, safely will probably not close down far enough to grip a 2mm drill.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Giraffe on 23 January, 2024, 05:18:29 pm
I've a wheel brace that takes ½" bits. It has the usual 1:4 ratio but the drive wheel can be slid out and repositioned to give 1:1- I've used it for hole saws when I didn't have stringless drill and there was no voles piped in.
A wheel brace is very useful for starting a bit on a slippery surface such as tiles. If the whell is just rocked slightly (I hold the wheel directly) the bit doesn't 'walk'.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 23 January, 2024, 05:58:55 pm
Carpet 'shopping' online is even more dull than tile shopping.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 23 January, 2024, 07:19:12 pm
Quote from: Regulator
SharePoint is the IT version of Marmite...
Beg to differ.  Some people like Marmite.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 23 January, 2024, 09:10:48 pm
Does anyone know what Sharepoint is actually supposed to do or how it works? It's sort of like a shared drive, but then in different views, it's like some kind of intranet, and in other views, some weird kind of document management system. What the fuck is it?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: cygnet on 23 January, 2024, 09:26:48 pm
It's definitely a document manglement tool.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 23 January, 2024, 09:27:42 pm
According to the colleagues who set things up in Sharepoint after The Event it's canine cojones, according to those who actually have to use it it's a pile of stinking ordure.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 23 January, 2024, 09:36:07 pm
I don't mind using SharePoint if I can sync the drive to my folders in explorer. If I can only use it through a browser I hate it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 23 January, 2024, 09:43:39 pm
I just don't understand it. Or why it appears to have fucked Onedrive and birthed some kind of bastard software stepchildren.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 24 January, 2024, 12:23:05 am
The problem is that most of its functionality lies hidden in the developers options and most corporations don’t allow most none Sharepoint specific developers access to the developers options. I know this because I bought books to try and learn how to become a power user, only to find out that unless you are a fully certified Sharepoint developer you can’t do anything beyond share files and change the way you view those files.

How someone high up in IT procurement decided that it was a project management tool with functionality that replaces MS Project I really don’t know. But it doesn’t.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 24 January, 2024, 01:20:27 am
Quote from: Kim on 23 January, 2024, 12:45:15 pm
<snip>...and she appears to have resorted to Decaf.

Impugning my reputation, merely cos I left the decaf tea out last night when I restocked the small-jar... I was on full-caff this morning thank you very much!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 24 January, 2024, 01:23:01 am
Quote from: ian on 23 January, 2024, 09:10:48 pm
Does anyone know what Sharepoint is actually supposed to do or how it works? It's sort of like a shared drive, but then in different views, it's like some kind of intranet, and in other views, some weird kind of document management system. What the fuck is it?

Version control for people who willingly wear ties, innit.  Will fuck up your data every bit as well as git, but leaves you with the warm fuzzy feeling that it probably isn't your fault.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 24 January, 2024, 01:29:42 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 23 January, 2024, 09:36:07 pm
I don't mind using SharePoint if I can sync the drive to my folders in explorer. If I can only use it through a browser I hate it.

I have managed for-now to get ShitPoint to sync thru OneDrive. It's not amazing, it takes a while to sync and I have to fuck about with aliases or it does bad things to my folder structure. I have to search in the HorridWebShitPoint if I want to sort from our root level directory (I can't access more up, so had to sync each folder inside our shared root individually which suuuucks).

No one I work with understands my fury on this. The windows file system/Explore is generally keyboard navigable and used to be well behaved. Now it and ShitPoint are both glitchy and have a habit of reloading files while you're mid-filename edit or something - which is just plain fucking rude.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Auntie Helen on 24 January, 2024, 06:18:06 am
After about two years at work of tearing out my hair, trying to get one drive and SharePoint to sync to my machine, I finally managed to do it. I made sure I didn’t touch anything to break it, and it carried on synchronising exactly what I wanted.

New computer at the beginning of this year, guess what I discovered yesterday. So I have to somehow start again, remember how I did all these links, pass them onto my colleagues who use these documents I produce, and all that with all the other delights of a new computer, such as one of my monitors, randomly shutting off for no good reason.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Regulator on 24 January, 2024, 09:53:12 am
Quote from: TheLurker on 23 January, 2024, 07:19:12 pm
Quote from: Regulator
SharePoint is the IT version of Marmite...
Beg to differ.  Some people like Marmite.

Yes... and they're all members of the lunatic fringe of the Tory Party.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Regulator on 24 January, 2024, 09:55:09 am
Quote from: Kim on 24 January, 2024, 01:23:01 am
Quote from: ian on 23 January, 2024, 09:10:48 pm
Does anyone know what Sharepoint is actually supposed to do or how it works? It's sort of like a shared drive, but then in different views, it's like some kind of intranet, and in other views, some weird kind of document management system. What the fuck is it?

Version control for people who willingly wear ties, innit.  Will fuck up your data every bit as well as git, but leaves you with the warm fuzzy feeling that it probably isn't your fault.

SharePoint is mandatory to get the correct security certification for NHS work.  It sucks.  And it's a nightmare if you want to do proper version control...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 24 January, 2024, 11:05:58 am
Quote from: barakta on 24 January, 2024, 01:20:27 am
Quote from: Kim on 23 January, 2024, 12:45:15 pm
<snip>...and she appears to have resorted to Decaf.

Impugning my reputation, merely cos I left the decaf tea out last night when I restocked the small-jar... I was on full-caff this morning thank you very much!
I breathe a sigh of relief.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 24 January, 2024, 01:27:33 pm
 ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fimm on 24 January, 2024, 03:44:59 pm
Dear colleague, the sentence you want is "The question is..." not "The ask is..."
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 24 January, 2024, 04:45:23 pm
Quote from: fimm on 24 January, 2024, 03:44:59 pm
Dear colleague, the sentence you want is "The question is..." not "The ask is..."

 An 'ask' is usually a requirement, not a question.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 24 January, 2024, 06:54:07 pm
Quote from: fimm
Dear colleague, the sentence you want is "The question is..." not "The ask is..."
Aye and it's not a fucking "learning" either. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 24 January, 2024, 09:35:46 pm
I have worked with proper enterprise document management systems like Documentum. Sharepoint isn't that.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 24 January, 2024, 09:55:30 pm
I think that Sharepoint is the repository for all the bits of code that MS have cut out of acquired applications over the years that someone didn’t want to throw away.

‘Hey Bill, what should we do with this calendar function we cut out of Visio?’, “hey Bill, this file system that we didn’t want in Minecraft is quite good, what should we do with it?”  Etc.

To which the answer became, put all those bits in a new application and call it Sharepoint. Most corporate IT firms will buy anything from us if we tell them it’s a new standard.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 24 January, 2024, 10:33:22 pm
People who when they park their cars in locations where on street parking is a bit limited, such as outside my Rural Idyll, and don't "shuffle up" but have half a car space in front and half a car space behind are Quite Annoying.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 25 January, 2024, 12:56:56 pm
Had my hair cut this morning.  I'm now really cold. :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 25 January, 2024, 02:09:29 pm
FFCT membership card gets a millimetre or two larger every year. Procrustean truncation required to fit CC slots in wallet, whereupon the plastification buggered off.  The organisation has never been the same since the committee had a brain fart and changed the name to FFvelo without consulting the membership.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Diver300 on 25 January, 2024, 07:37:57 pm
I don't know if there are lots of bots of Facebook Market, or just real people on there are failing the Turing test. I have answered the question "Is it still available" about 10 times. What really pisses me off is the lack of response after that.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 25 January, 2024, 07:46:14 pm
Quote from: Diver300 on 25 January, 2024, 07:37:57 pm
I don't know if there are lots of bots of Facebook Market, or just real people on there are failing the Turing test. I have answered the question "Is it still available" about 10 times. What really pisses me off is the lack of response after that.

I think people just ask because there's a pre-written text in FB and like so many people with social media (WhatsApp!!!!) are just trigger-happy.

All the stuff I list on FB Marketplace (and Freecycle/Gumtree) has "if it's listed here it's available" at the bottom of the text description -  and don't answer the "is it available" messages   (but I do make sure to delete the item as soon as I have the dosh in my hand - or collected in the case of Freecycle)

. . . for the "I'll send  UPS/DPD/Fedex with the money" messages I respond asking if they'd like to speed up the process if I send my bank details to them now  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: lissotriton on 25 January, 2024, 08:03:54 pm
Quote from: Diver300 on 25 January, 2024, 07:37:57 pm
I don't know if there are lots of bots of Facebook Market, or just real people on there are failing the Turing test. I have answered the question "Is it still available" about 10 times. What really pisses me off is the lack of response after that.
Probably much of it is people accidentally pressing the button, while scrolling past on their phone.
Could reply and ask when are they able to pick it up.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wowbagger on 28 January, 2024, 12:23:09 am
Dontcha just hate it when you get to bed time, really looking forward to sinking into a delicious comfy mattress and snuggling under a nice warm duvet and you have completely forgotten that when you got out of that self-same bed earlier in the day you stripped it so that you could put the linen in the laundry?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: canny colin on 28 January, 2024, 08:59:35 am
Yesterday in Sitges , sunny Spain . Got cut up on a roundabout by a Range Rover  thingy proudly bearing a union Jack flag , GB and UK stickers . Two weeks cycling in Spain and that's the only time I have had cause to swear at a motoron . Just like in good old blighty , I had right of way and they thought, "fuck him ".
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 28 January, 2024, 10:29:45 am
I stayed in a hotel last night that wanted to charge per device per night for WiFi. Which I’ve not seen in a long time. They also had a little radiator in the cupboard, which was needed (though to be fair it meant the ineffectual AC noise could be switched off).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 28 January, 2024, 10:43:34 am
Quote from: Kim on 24 January, 2024, 01:23:01 am
Quote from: ian on 23 January, 2024, 09:10:48 pm
Does anyone know what Sharepoint is actually supposed to do or how it works? It's sort of like a shared drive, but then in different views, it's like some kind of intranet, and in other views, some weird kind of document management system. What the fuck is it?

Version control for people who willingly wear ties, innit.  Will fuck up your data every bit as well as git, but leaves you with the warm fuzzy feeling that it probably isn't your fault.

Oi!

I ain't worn a tie in the workplace for over 20 years, but I still have to use sharepoint. And its definitely not my fault
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 28 January, 2024, 11:28:06 am
Quote from: perpetual dan on 28 January, 2024, 10:29:45 am
I stayed in a hotel last night that wanted to charge per device per night for WiFi. Which I’ve not seen in a long time. They also had a little radiator in the cupboard, which was needed (though to be fair it meant the ineffectual AC noise could be switched off).

I don’t think I've stayed anywhere that charged for wifi since 2012.  Obv some places* have had such terrible Internets that it was much simpler not to bother, mind.  Name and shame!

* Usually in far-flung parts of Canuckistan.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 28 January, 2024, 12:54:44 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 28 January, 2024, 10:43:34 am
Quote from: Kim on 24 January, 2024, 01:23:01 am
Quote from: ian on 23 January, 2024, 09:10:48 pm
Does anyone know what Sharepoint is actually supposed to do or how it works? It's sort of like a shared drive, but then in different views, it's like some kind of intranet, and in other views, some weird kind of document management system. What the fuck is it?

Version control for people who willingly wear ties, innit.  Will fuck up your data every bit as well as git, but leaves you with the warm fuzzy feeling that it probably isn't your fault.

Oi!

I ain't worn a tie in the workplace for over 20 years, but I still have to use sharepoint. And its definitely not my fault

Bet someone with a tie made you use it, thobut.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 28 January, 2024, 01:40:33 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 28 January, 2024, 11:28:06 am
Quote from: perpetual dan on 28 January, 2024, 10:29:45 am
I stayed in a hotel last night that wanted to charge per device per night for WiFi. Which I’ve not seen in a long time. They also had a little radiator in the cupboard, which was needed (though to be fair it meant the ineffectual AC noise could be switched off).

I don’t think I've stayed anywhere that charged for wifi since 2012.  Obv some places* have had such terrible Internets that it was much simpler not to bother, mind.  Name and shame!

* Usually in far-flung parts of Canuckistan.
Britannia International in Canary Wharf. Convenient for O2, and an acceptable bed for the night, but not a hotel I’d seek out for a return visit.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 28 January, 2024, 01:48:15 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 28 January, 2024, 11:28:06 am
Quote from: perpetual dan on 28 January, 2024, 10:29:45 am
I stayed in a hotel last night that wanted to charge per device per night for WiFi. Which I’ve not seen in a long time. They also had a little radiator in the cupboard, which was needed (though to be fair it meant the ineffectual AC noise could be switched off).
I don’t think I've stayed anywhere that charged for wifi since 2012.  Obv some places* have had such terrible Internets that it was much simpler not to bother, mind.  Name and shame!
* Usually in far-flung parts of Canuckistan.

Premier Inn ‘free’ Wifi is pretty shite.
They also sell something faster which is pricy shite.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 28 January, 2024, 02:43:00 pm
Iust be one of the few people in the world who really like git (not GitHub).


GitHub is like git in the same way Word 365 is like Word 6.


Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 28 January, 2024, 03:14:41 pm
https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2024/jan/28/10-best-uk-country-pubs-for-a-winter-weekend

Quote from: Grauniad
...on the shores of Loch Fyne, with many of the bedrooms having views out over the tranquil waters of the lake...

 :facepalm:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 28 January, 2024, 07:07:22 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 28 January, 2024, 01:48:15 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 28 January, 2024, 11:28:06 am
Quote from: perpetual dan on 28 January, 2024, 10:29:45 am
I stayed in a hotel last night that wanted to charge per device per night for WiFi. Which I’ve not seen in a long time. They also had a little radiator in the cupboard, which was needed (though to be fair it meant the ineffectual AC noise could be switched off).
I don’t think I've stayed anywhere that charged for wifi since 2012.  Obv some places* have had such terrible Internets that it was much simpler not to bother, mind.  Name and shame!
* Usually in far-flung parts of Canuckistan.

Premier Inn ‘free’ Wifi is pretty shite.
They also sell something faster which is pricy shite.

Connecting to Premier's free wifi caused Bad Swears in Hessle during LEL but once I'd persuaded it to play with my fondleslab it was OK.  Certainly much better than the old system in the Battle Mountain Super 8, especially when the latter was clogged by myriad Penniless Student Oaves all doing Whatsgram and Instaface.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 28 January, 2024, 07:12:50 pm
Quote from: Kim on 28 January, 2024, 12:54:44 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 28 January, 2024, 10:43:34 am
Quote from: Kim on 24 January, 2024, 01:23:01 am
Quote from: ian on 23 January, 2024, 09:10:48 pm
Does anyone know what Sharepoint is actually supposed to do or how it works? It's sort of like a shared drive, but then in different views, it's like some kind of intranet, and in other views, some weird kind of document management system. What the fuck is it?

Version control for people who willingly wear ties, innit.  Will fuck up your data every bit as well as git, but leaves you with the warm fuzzy feeling that it probably isn't your fault.

Oi!

I ain't worn a tie in the workplace for over 20 years, but I still have to use sharepoint. And its definitely not my fault

Bet someone with a tie made you use it, thobut.

Our IT team, your lucky if they wear shoes
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 29 January, 2024, 08:35:41 am
Quote from: ElyDave on 28 January, 2024, 07:12:50 pm
Quote from: Kim on 28 January, 2024, 12:54:44 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 28 January, 2024, 10:43:34 am
Quote from: Kim on 24 January, 2024, 01:23:01 am
Quote from: ian on 23 January, 2024, 09:10:48 pm
Does anyone know what Sharepoint is actually supposed to do or how it works? It's sort of like a shared drive, but then in different views, it's like some kind of intranet, and in other views, some weird kind of document management system. What the fuck is it?

Version control for people who willingly wear ties, innit.  Will fuck up your data every bit as well as git, but leaves you with the warm fuzzy feeling that it probably isn't your fault.

Oi!

I ain't worn a tie in the workplace for over 20 years, but I still have to use sharepoint. And its definitely not my fault

Bet someone with a tie made you use it, thobut.

Our IT team, your lucky if they wear shoes

Humph. The rates my clients wanted I was lucky if I could wear shoes.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 29 January, 2024, 01:29:57 pm
“Why won’t my right pannier go on the rack?” asked Mr Larrington, between Bad Swears.

Answer: because the screw thingy that secures the wossname that hooks around the rack strut has worked loose.  Cheap German rubbish  ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 29 January, 2024, 01:51:41 pm
Bloody Teams, it isn't picking up or sending sound to my hearing aid gadget so I just had to do a short notice video call with colleague out of the speakers. Teams has also moved the audio settings AGAIN.

I do NOT have the executive function/memory to fight Teams right now as I'm massively overloaded with work and if I fight Teams I lose the work shit out of my brain
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 29 January, 2024, 05:07:14 pm
Quote from: barakta on 29 January, 2024, 01:51:41 pm
Bloody Teams, it isn't picking up or sending sound to my hearing aid gadget so I just had to do a short notice video call with colleague out of the speakers. Teams has also moved the audio settings AGAIN.

I do NOT have the executive function/memory to fight Teams right now as I'm massively overloaded with work and if I fight Teams I lose the work shit out of my brain

There has been a global outage on Teams. Since that was resolved, quite a few people are complaining that their audio device settings have been changed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 29 January, 2024, 08:24:07 pm
My life has more motorway service stations than is good for me. The latest fad seems to be using a labyrinth style layout which is Not Good when all I want is a wee and a cup of mediocre coffee. I don't want to weave through the various ways of spending vast amounts of money on All The Other Things on offer. Just stop it. And while you're about it, how about clear signs to the car park exit? Thanks ever so.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 29 January, 2024, 08:29:06 pm
Akin to the supermarket strategy to place milk at maximum distance from both entrance and exit, thwarting any midnight mission for Quick Cow to make imminent breakfast...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 29 January, 2024, 08:37:32 pm
Shirley that's not a new thing?  Service stations have been leading you past eateries, fruit machines and displays of overpriced lqt since I was small enough to be briefly distracted from my urgent need for a wee by displays of overpriced lqt.

Ikea, of course, turned it into an art form.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 29 January, 2024, 09:37:17 pm
Quote from: Kim on 29 January, 2024, 08:37:32 pm
Shirley that's not a new thing?  Service stations have been leading you past eateries, fruit machines and displays of overpriced lqt since I was small enough to be briefly distracted from my urgent need for a wee by displays of overpriced lqt.

Ikea, of course, turned it into an art form.
This afternoon's example (M5, Exeter Services) brought the art form to a new high (or low).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 29 January, 2024, 09:46:43 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 29 January, 2024, 09:37:17 pm
Quote from: Kim on 29 January, 2024, 08:37:32 pm
Shirley that's not a new thing?  Service stations have been leading you past eateries, fruit machines and displays of overpriced lqt since I was small enough to be briefly distracted from my urgent need for a wee by displays of overpriced lqt.

Ikea, of course, turned it into an art form.
This afternoon's example (M5, Exeter Services) brought the art form to a new high (or low).

.... agreed, and Exeter has numerous other features of awfulness.

The spangly, relatively new, services at Rugby involve an incredibly long-distance hike from door to urinal
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 29 January, 2024, 11:53:55 pm
I nominate South Mimms.  Also you have to come off the M25 and negotiate a roundabout and when I was there at New Year the entry/exit road was flooded right by the petril station.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 30 January, 2024, 06:53:29 am
Donington Park, but for a different reason. Coming south on the M1, you see the signs for the services. It then takes you off the motorway onto an A road, which you drive down for a couple of miles to get to the actual services, so far (google claims 6 minutes from the M1) that you wonder if you're on the right road. Calling it a motorway services is somewhat of a stretch. And they  are then shit. The one time I went it was about 8pm. I was there with my youngest, and we needed food. The Burger King (best option there for hot calories) had no fries and their fizzy drink machine wasn't working. And they took forever to cook what little food they had as they had no staff - which probably also explained how filthy it was. Horrible place.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 30 January, 2024, 07:48:49 am
Quote from: Kim on 29 January, 2024, 08:37:32 pm
Shirley that's not a new thing?  Service stations have been leading you past eateries, fruit machines and displays of overpriced lqt since I was small enough to be briefly distracted from my urgent need for a wee by displays of overpriced lqt.

Ikea, of course, turned it into an art form.

I've seen this in some stations now. It isn't just placing the loos at the back so you have to walk past everything else, it is arranging everything in something more like a spiral maze.

Can't be space efficient, but forces you to walk almost through shops.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 30 January, 2024, 08:00:54 am
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 30 January, 2024, 07:48:49 am
Quote from: Kim on 29 January, 2024, 08:37:32 pm
Shirley that's not a new thing?  Service stations have been leading you past eateries, fruit machines and displays of overpriced lqt since I was small enough to be briefly distracted from my urgent need for a wee by displays of overpriced lqt.

Ikea, of course, turned it into an art form.

I've seen this in some stations now. It isn't just placing the loos at the back so you have to walk past everything else, it is arranging everything in something more like a spiral maze.

Can't be space efficient, but forces you to walk almost through shops.

In similar vein, at the Louvre in Paris if they put the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo near the door it would save awful lot of time for the hordes of visitors.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 30 January, 2024, 08:25:30 am
Quote from: robgul on 30 January, 2024, 08:00:54 am
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 30 January, 2024, 07:48:49 am
Quote from: Kim on 29 January, 2024, 08:37:32 pm
Shirley that's not a new thing?  Service stations have been leading you past eateries, fruit machines and displays of overpriced lqt since I was small enough to be briefly distracted from my urgent need for a wee by displays of overpriced lqt.

Ikea, of course, turned it into an art form.

I've seen this in some stations now. It isn't just placing the loos at the back so you have to walk past everything else, it is arranging everything in something more like a spiral maze.

Can't be space efficient, but forces you to walk almost through shops.

In similar vein, at the Louvre in Paris if they put the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo near the door it would save awful lot of time for the hordes of visitors.

Haven't been to the Louvre for ~50 years, and even then it was heaving.  The Metro station underneath was worth the visit, though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 30 January, 2024, 01:44:05 pm
Quote from: MattH on 30 January, 2024, 06:53:29 am
Donington Park, but for a different reason. Coming south on the M1, you see the signs for the services. It then takes you off the motorway onto an A road, which you drive down for a couple of miles to get to the actual services, so far (google claims 6 minutes from the M1) that you wonder if you're on the right road. Calling it a motorway services is somewhat of a stretch. And they  are then shit. The one time I went it was about 8pm. I was there with my youngest, and we needed food. The Burger King (best option there for hot calories) had no fries and their fizzy drink machine wasn't working. And they took forever to cook what little food they had as they had no staff - which probably also explained how filthy it was. Horrible place.

That bit of the A453 is quite useful for avoiding the congested M1 if you're coming up the A42 and heading for Nottingham, thobut.  Best give the services a miss, of course.

(I think the issue is that the southbound exit from the M1 feeds you straight onto the A42 downstream of the services, hence coming off a junction early.  It's fine in the other direction.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 30 January, 2024, 06:27:01 pm
Quote from: Kim
Shirley that's not a new thing?  Service stations have been leading you past ....
It is a fairly new thing.  In past times (say about 10 years ago) the path from the door to the bogs was more or less a straight line albeit past all the shops, nowadays, "You are in a twisty maze of passages, all alike." 

The one that sticks in my mind is Clackett Lane on the Outer London Car Park  'cos now you can't even skip through the areas given over to "food" franchises because of the stupid {insert your favourite obscenity here} barriers and the miserable bastards have taken out the pleasant little fountain that it used to have.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 30 January, 2024, 07:11:43 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 29 January, 2024, 11:53:55 pm
I nominate South Mimms.  Also you have to come off the M25 and negotiate a roundabout and when I was there at New Year the entry/exit road was flooded right by the petril station.

I think this was the ‘turning’ control when I did the Great Eastern, in 1995.
South Mimms was a fairly popular coffee stop for Barnet Cyclists then too.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: grams on 30 January, 2024, 10:51:17 pm
You can just go to the truck stop at South Mimms if you just want a wazz.

It still had a grumble* vending machine last time I was there.

The national cycle network goes around the back of the main services and there's even a gate directly between it and the dog emptying area. Not sure how unique that is.

(* the DVD kind)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 31 January, 2024, 08:57:53 am
IIRC from last time I was at Leigh Delamere (a group DIY a few years ago) you could just walk in and had a line of food places on the right and bogs on the left, off a straight, easy to navigate corridor. But however good the design, a motorway service station is never a pleasant place.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 31 January, 2024, 10:32:59 am
Call centre operators who have no concept of the service they are supporting. In this case, Greater Anglia.

The lady I spoke first told me my journey was ok - it wasn’t as the middle of three connecting trains is cancelled. Then she told me that I could catch a later train on the middle leg and I had to point out that this would miss the connection and finally she offered a full refund and told me to rebook on a later service. Of course, booking for travel today is costing more than the advanced fare, but least I’m not having to pay the £20 service charge the website wanted to add on!

And it’s not even a strike hit service.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 31 January, 2024, 10:38:13 am
Quote from: Beardy on 31 January, 2024, 10:32:59 am
Call centre operators who have no concept of the service they are supporting. In this case, Greater Anglia.

The lady I spoke first told me my journey was ok - it wasn’t as the middle of three connecting trains is cancelled. Then she told me that I could catch a later train on the middle leg and I had to point out that this would miss the connection and finally she offered a full refund and told me to rebook on a later service. Of course, booking for travel today is costing more than the advanced fare, but least I’m not having to pay the £20 service charge the website wanted to add on!

And it’s not even a strike hit service.
There's a reason it's called Greater Angrier.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jasmine on 31 January, 2024, 12:11:29 pm
Every time I've travelled on a train where a train is cancelled or delayed resulting in me ending up on a different train, the train co has accepted the 'wrong' advance ticket. Is this not the case, or is it because you'd have to get on the correct first train for this to qualify?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 31 January, 2024, 03:09:26 pm
There would have been a two hour delay between Ipswich and Peterborough so we would have been well adrift on the main line which would have been a pain in the arse. And as I’m travelling with Dr Beardy it isn’t worth the risk of agro.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 01 February, 2024, 03:23:46 am
What’s blue and doesn’t fit?
(click to show/hide)

Shirts purchased online for D from M&S. Size 15 1/2, regular fit.
They just don’t work.
The sleeves aren’t long enough, there’s not enough fabric in the back, the shirt is tight round the armpits and the upper chest.

D has fitted size 15 1/2 shirts since forever and is comfortably wearing some ancient Van Heusen shirts in this size that he’s had for the best part of three decades. I think he bought them with his late mother. She died in 1997. They’re getting rather worn and need replacement. D’s size and shape are fairly average - 70kg, 5’ 10” (175cm).

The shirts will be returned.

I am Not Impressed!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Auntie Helen on 01 February, 2024, 04:55:36 am
I suppose one could say people have changed size and shape in the last 30 years.

What I notice when returning to the UK from this cycling area of Germany is that there seem to be a lot more overweight people walking around in Colchester than in Kempen.

Sizing has to keep up I suppose.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 01 February, 2024, 10:52:38 am
That's a rare example of sizing getting smaller rather than bigger. Perhaps they were simply mislabelled? Which raises the prospect of a larger size being true to size and therefore too big...

International comparison is interesting cos I remember having the distinct opposite impression in earlier decades. I'm thinking 80s, 90s so a long, long time ago.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 01 February, 2024, 11:01:43 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 01 February, 2024, 03:23:46 am
What’s blue and doesn’t fit?
(click to show/hide)

Shirts purchased online for D from M&S. Size 15 1/2, regular fit.
They just don’t work.
The sleeves aren’t long enough, there’s not enough fabric in the back, the shirt is tight round the armpits and the upper chest.

D has fitted size 15 1/2 shirts since forever and is comfortably wearing some ancient Van Heusen shirts in this size that he’s had for the best part of three decades. I think he bought them with his late mother. She died in 1997. They’re getting rather worn and need replacement. D’s size and shape are fairly average - 70kg, 5’ 10” (175cm).

The shirts will be returned.

I am Not Impressed!
Charles Tyrwhitt shirts are nice (I inherited some from my FiL).

The ones I have a slim fit and work well on me (174cm, 84kg, long arms)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 01 February, 2024, 12:47:54 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 01 February, 2024, 10:52:38 am
That's a rare example of sizing getting smaller rather than bigger. Perhaps they were simply mislabelled?

That does happen.  I had to return a sports bra last year which was labelled in the wrong band size (easily demonstrated, as I had an identical one of the correct size to compare it to).

Also, one of the several sets of identical socks I bought the other week turns out to be a different size from all the others, in spite of the packaging (which I dug out of the paper recycling sits-around-until-it-overflows-and-all-gets-fucked-in-the-general-waste-bin-because-the-council-won't-collect-it box.  This is fine, in that I'm on the cusp of sizes and happier with the larger socks, but annoying when they get paired with different sizes.  I resorted to marking the larger socks by adding a couple of stitches in a contrasting colour.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 01 February, 2024, 03:14:54 pm
While we are grumbling about clothes

MrsC bought me a couple of packs of underwear. Size medium for 34" waist.

They fit around the waist.

The legs are sized for someone who fits into skinny jeans. There isn't enough material to stretch over my bum.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 01 February, 2024, 04:00:48 pm
I am convinced modern clothing is shaped for the fat and or flabby.
D has found trousers that fit on the waist don’t accommodate manhood/buttocks/thighs.
D is not particularly muscular.
He’s just not flabby - you see he walks and cycles places and doesn’t drive or watch TV…

The Luddite man needs Luddite clothes...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Woofage on 01 February, 2024, 04:29:01 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 01 February, 2024, 03:14:54 pm
MrsC bought me a couple of packs of underwear. Size medium for 34" waist.

What brand?

I too have (still) have an underpants problem (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=121720.msg2680748#msg2680748)...

I've found that Fatface undies in size small ( :o) fit pretty well but the fabric is a bit more flimsy than either the M&S or White Stuff pants that I used to buy (both of these brands offerings are now huge compared to previously).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 01 February, 2024, 06:32:18 pm
Quote from: Woofage on 01 February, 2024, 04:29:01 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 01 February, 2024, 03:14:54 pm
MrsC bought me a couple of packs of underwear. Size medium for 34" waist.

What brand?

I too have (still) have an underpants problem (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=121720.msg2680748#msg2680748)...

I've found that Fatface undies in size small ( :o) fit pretty well but the fabric is a bit more flimsy than either the M&S or White Stuff pants that I used to buy (both of these brands offerings are now huge compared to previously).

Some nameless brand from the factory shop in our local supermarket.

I used to always buy lonsdale. Fit well, lasted well.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 01 February, 2024, 06:34:46 pm
Arsebiscuits  :demon: There was a power cut in Furryboottoon this arvo for nearly 1.5 hours. Afterwards the Squeezebox wouldn't power up, but there was a faint red light visible in the digiital socket. A quick look on a FISE indicates this may be due to a b0rked power supply. Cheap replacement ordered from the Mega-Global Big River Corporation of Seattle, USAnia. We'll see how that goes.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 01 February, 2024, 07:21:16 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 01 February, 2024, 03:23:46 am
What’s blue and doesn’t fit?
(click to show/hide)

Shirts purchased online for D from M&S. Size 15 1/2, regular fit.
They just don’t work.
The sleeves aren’t long enough, there’s not enough fabric in the back, the shirt is tight round the armpits and the upper chest.

D has fitted size 15 1/2 shirts since forever and is comfortably wearing some ancient Van Heusen shirts in this size that he’s had for the best part of three decades. I think he bought them with his late mother. She died in 1997. They’re getting rather worn and need replacement. D’s size and shape are fairly average - 70kg, 5’ 10” (175cm).

The shirts will be returned.

I am Not Impressed!

Van Heusen* shirts were remarkably spacious, as well as lasting forever. I had one from the 80's that I bought at a jumble and only recently threw it out. It still fitted me with middle-age spread. The modern style is "fitted" or "tailored" and when I still wore shirts and ties had to go up a size or two on account of broad shoulders, which then leaves it baggy at the neck.


* just gooogled, and they are still going. But a quick look on the site shows their shirts now are mostly very tight, like all the others.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 01 February, 2024, 10:25:43 pm
I deliberately chose ‘Regular Fit’, rather than slim fit or tailored fit, because I wanted a shirt to permit D to wave his arms like an orchestral conductor, reach bike brakes and accommodate his masculine shoulders, which are not inordinately broad. They’re wider than mine but he wears my Sprayway GoreTex jacket for winter cycling & walking.
‘Relaxed Fit’ is, I thought, for Real Fatties, which D is not...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rr on 01 February, 2024, 11:54:29 pm
Shirt sizing is weird, I think for sizes bigger than teenage they assume you're fat. I have a 17½ inch neck (since my teens and it is mostly muscle) and big shoulders, I have also been 20kg overweight.  Slim-fit m&S shirts in my collar size are tight on my shoulders, but have room for a large pillow down the front. Standard fit shirts have room for me to wave my arms around but I can fit a mattress under them.
Least bad are Le Redoute big and tall.
Can't get most trousers past my knees.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 02 February, 2024, 12:18:32 pm
And for the next instalment in the intermittent series of Showers in other peoples home, I bring you the shower you have to dance in. Ok, dancing may be optional, but if you want to actually get wet all over, then moving around is compulsory. Rinsing off is particularly annoying.

At least this one isn’t contained in a coffin sized enclosure.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 02 February, 2024, 03:58:38 pm
The idea that you can size an entire shirt by the neck still seems weird.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 02 February, 2024, 04:19:54 pm
It does but I suppose a collar HAS to fit, more so when ties were de rigueur..

I usually work on the assumption that collar size in centimetres = chest size in inches, ie a factor of about 2.5.

Of course, shoulders arms and sleeves aren’t factored at all.

It strikes me that I bought D a nice smart white ‘Autograph’ shirt from M&S not so long ago, which fits fine.

It might be the ‘budget’ shirts have a more skimpy cut. The Autograph shirt has short sleeves, which are quite wide.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 02 February, 2024, 04:43:49 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 02 February, 2024, 03:58:38 pm
The idea that you can size an entire shirt by the neck still seems weird.

If you think that's weird wait until you hear about dress sizes...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 02 February, 2024, 05:12:50 pm
Quote from: Kim on 02 February, 2024, 04:43:49 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 02 February, 2024, 03:58:38 pm
The idea that you can size an entire shirt by the neck still seems weird.

If you think that's weird wait until you hear about dress sizes...
I realize that I have no idea how UK dress sizes work other than that they only use even numbers, appear to start around 8, and seem to be entirely unitless. This makes shoe sizes, which at least count concrete lengths, even if that length is a barleycorn, and even if they do start at 1 from an assumed basis, highly logical. So, I presume dress sizes refer to some measurement on the human body, but only one: I'm going to guess waist. As to how many inches that waist is assumed to be at the theoretical zero, and the increment between sizes, I have no idea. And it will probably turn out to be not waist but something really silly like the distance from navel to ribs anyway.

Ed: There's an ISO! 8559 with various sub-sections. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clothing_sizes But as with all good standards, there are alternative standards. Many alternatives.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 02 February, 2024, 09:11:01 pm
Non-formal shirts usually devolve into the S/M/L/XL spectrum which is a bit more rational, though I find small while in principle fine sometimes are (a) too short like they're made for genuine midgets, or they think the crop-top look is a good one for me and (b) too tight across the shoulders and chest. I don't think I'm particularly muscular, though perhaps being a daily swimmer has added a subtle hulkishness to my frame. Maybe I will go challenge one of the bears in my garden to a hug.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 03 February, 2024, 02:49:51 pm
Most clothes sizing suffers from being a way to simplify what’s made, rather than get a good fit. I’m pretty sure that actual tape measures are rationed within the factories making most mass-market clothes -  variation between items with the same label can be laughable. There’s also the undeclared vanity factor in sizing (I suspect even worse for women’s clothes), where a nominal size has to be interpreted by shop and range.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 03 February, 2024, 04:12:38 pm
Things broadly went downhill when we started on the road to ethical sourcing and now they're not allowed to beat their staff in those Bangladeshi sweatshops when they get it wrong. Where's the customer feedback there?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 03 February, 2024, 04:15:38 pm
There’s a reason that high street outfitters have changing rooms…
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 03 February, 2024, 04:24:14 pm
Quote from: perpetual dan on 03 February, 2024, 02:49:51 pm
There’s also the undeclared vanity factor in sizing (I suspect even worse for women’s clothes)

And it's an inverse-vanity on cycling clothes, where someone who normally wears L in casual t-shirts needs to be XXL or larger in cycling jerseys.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 03 February, 2024, 05:04:51 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 03 February, 2024, 04:15:38 pm
There’s a reason that high street outfitters have changing rooms…

D didn’t believe me when I told him he could try on shirts at M&S Brent Cross.

He thought everything was impenetrably packaged. He’s also accustomed to my getting Stuffs for him as he HATES shopping in person. Bicycle approach to Brent Cross Torture Chamber from here is not very nice (though access via the Waitrose car park is tolerable).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Giraffe on 03 February, 2024, 06:13:00 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 03 February, 2024, 04:15:38 pm
There’s a reason that high street outfitters have changing rooms…
By the time that I get to the shop I've often walked around 4 - 8 miles and the last ½ mile is mostly uphill, so I'm too sweaty to try a shirt.
Biggest problem is Sports Direct as one of the rooms is a used as store cupboard, the other has a queue and SD won't take back an item that doesn't fit - well, only for a credit note. Primark is OK on this.
I'm very awkwardly shape: mostly M but arms and back are L - XL, so most of my clothing is a compromise.

Items from the '90s that still fit me can't be replaced even with same make & model due to parsimony with fabric.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 03 February, 2024, 08:13:24 pm
Quote from: Giraffe on 03 February, 2024, 06:13:00 pm
Items from the '90s that still fit me can't be replaced even with same make & model due to parsimony with fabric.

And vanity sizing/shaping.
Whilst yacf denizens have mostly maintained a physique from an active lifestyle, the rest of the populace has become flabbier and paunchier. Clothing manufacturers produce to clothe the masses.

I’ve whinged before how the waist size for an M&S Size 14 has crept from 26” to 32” in the last 4 decades and how D can’t get trousers to fit.

Now it’s shirts!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 03 February, 2024, 08:24:46 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 03 February, 2024, 04:15:38 pm
There’s a reason that high street outfitters have changing rooms…

. . . Mr Trump is rather partial to women's changing rooms  :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 04 February, 2024, 08:35:19 am
I always order the 2 most likely sizes and send one back. Why drive to an out of the way shop, struggle to park, walk miles to find the relevant shop, to stand in a queue for the changing room. Order as many sizes colours, etc as wanted try them on at home with a decent mirror and send back the ones you don’t want. I can either drop them off at the coop or John Lewis even get the post office to collect from my porch.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Flite on 04 February, 2024, 08:50:19 am
That's what I do.
But increasingly I'm sending everything back as nothing fits.
Wide back, neanderthal arms, small bust, waist seems smaller than average even though I'm definitely not skinny.
I usually end up buying men's jackets, but any sort of trousers is a real problem.
I made all my own clothes when younger, but arthritis in my hands has scuppered that.


Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 04 February, 2024, 03:34:54 pm
Well quite! The problem is not SIZE; it’s SHAPE!

OTHERS’ shapes have changed and mass manufacturers produce to suit.

D’s shape hasn’t changed much.
Mine has ‘matured’ but my waist is still much smaller than M&S dumpy shapes nowadays.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Giraffe on 04 February, 2024, 04:08:27 pm
One problem is what I term 'drop': from waist band to gusset measured at the back. The fleecy jogging bottoms (plain, tapered leg from Primark about 7 - 8 years ago are OK - apart from bottoms not quite big enough for my calfs - but those nowadays have gone from 17" drop to 14" in L. XL and XXL just get a bit bigger around the waist (but still OK for me!) with drop and leg about the same. I do have a big arse to fit in there (still solid muscle at almost 77, surprisingly).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 04 February, 2024, 04:12:53 pm
I thought the term was ‘rise’, not ‘drop’...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Gattopardo on 04 February, 2024, 04:33:27 pm
Yep it is shape even in Mens clothing.  But I am an odd shape.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Flite on 04 February, 2024, 04:45:53 pm
Quote
One problem is what I term 'drop': from waist band to gusset measured at the back
aka "rise"
Yup really irritating. I would like my waistband round my waist not my hips.
And low rise trousers are horrid for driving....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 04 February, 2024, 04:47:35 pm
D is NOT an odd shape or size.
He was truly Mr Average in almost every way last millennium.
Standard stock clothing from last century fits fine but we are from another generation era!
We are Oldies!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 04 February, 2024, 04:54:05 pm
Ah, the fashionable men of YACF, needing trousers like these:-

(https://i.etsystatic.com/7271476/r/il/193730/4023651446/il_1588xN.4023651446_3zpl.jpg)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 04 February, 2024, 05:56:16 pm
Quote from: Flite on 04 February, 2024, 04:45:53 pm
Quote
One problem is what I term 'drop': from waist band to gusset measured at the back
aka "rise"
Yup really irritating. I would like my waistband round my waist not my hips.

+Eleventy.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: bhoot on 04 February, 2024, 07:40:09 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 04 February, 2024, 03:34:54 pm
Well quite! The problem is not SIZE; it’s SHAPE!

OTHERS’ shapes have changed and mass manufacturers produce to suit.


So true - I have some 15 (at least) year old trousers from a reputable outdoor brand that are now a little bit tight on the waist, but I know that their current offerings would be way too baggy if I choose them for the hip size. I suppose it does put me off buying new things. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: bhoot on 04 February, 2024, 07:44:11 pm
And for a completely different grumble, it now looks as if out of the four lifts for the Greenwich and Woolwich foot tunnels, only one is currently functioning (Greenwich North). We went through the Woolwich tunnel today (no choice to use the ferry at weekends now - another grumble) and were happy enough to carry the bikes down (closed for maintenance, as it was 3 week's ago) given that it said south lift in service. Well it wasn't, and after struggling up the stairs (100 steps) we could see the entrance was securely padlocked so it hadn't just stopped.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 04 February, 2024, 09:49:56 pm
Quote from: MattH on 04 February, 2024, 04:54:05 pm
Ah, the fashionable men of YACF, needing trousers like these:-

(https://i.etsystatic.com/7271476/r/il/193730/4023651446/il_1588xN.4023651446_3zpl.jpg)

But they are not red!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 05 February, 2024, 08:25:29 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 04 February, 2024, 04:12:53 pm
I thought the term was ‘rise’, not ‘drop’...

I think in tailorig terms "rise" is the measure on trousers at the front
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 05 February, 2024, 08:27:54 am
Quote from: bhoot on 04 February, 2024, 07:44:11 pm
And for a completely different grumble, it now looks as if out of the four lifts for the Greenwich and Woolwich foot tunnels, only one is currently functioning (Greenwich North). We went through the Woolwich tunnel today (no choice to use the ferry at weekends now - another grumble) and were happy enough to carry the bikes down (closed for maintenance, as it was 3 week's ago) given that it said south lift in service. Well it wasn't, and after struggling up the stairs (100 steps) we could see the entrance was securely padlocked so it hadn't just stopped.

An alternative crossing with a bike, a bit further upstream, is the ferry at Canary Wharf - goes to the Hilton (?) hotel on the other side - it does cost, cheaper with Oyster etc.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 05 February, 2024, 08:54:13 am
Quote from: robgul on 05 February, 2024, 08:27:54 am
Quote from: bhoot on 04 February, 2024, 07:44:11 pm
And for a completely different grumble, it now looks as if out of the four lifts for the Greenwich and Woolwich foot tunnels, only one is currently functioning (Greenwich North). We went through the Woolwich tunnel today (no choice to use the ferry at weekends now - another grumble) and were happy enough to carry the bikes down (closed for maintenance, as it was 3 week's ago) given that it said south lift in service. Well it wasn't, and after struggling up the stairs (100 steps) we could see the entrance was securely padlocked so it hadn't just stopped.

An alternative crossing with a bike, a bit further upstream, is the ferry at Canary Wharf - goes to the Hilton (?) hotel on the other side - it does cost, cheaper with Oyster etc.
Or a Thames Clipper Ferry from Greenwich to Mast House Pier.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: bhoot on 05 February, 2024, 09:13:48 am
Or the DLR between King George V and Woolwich Arsenal, or between Island Gardens and Cutty Sark, and now the Elizabeth line between Woolwich and Custom House. Compared to when we first came here pre bikes being allowed on the DLR (and actually we we were here pre the DLR going under the Thames at all) we do have a lot more choices. But it is still rather annoying that the foot tunnel lifts are so unreliable. In the Greenwich one there is usually an accumulation of abandoned Lime bikes at the bottom of the out of service lift.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 05 February, 2024, 12:58:21 pm
I like the way that they installed electronic signs to tell you when the lifts are broken.  Sort of thing that makes you proud to be BRITISH.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 05 February, 2024, 01:23:34 pm
I've carried the Pino up the stairs at Greenwich.  An amount of Steely Determination with a side order of Heavy Breathing was needed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 05 February, 2024, 01:57:18 pm
Losing a single sock in the wash is just part of the unfathomable working of the universe.  Losing a jumper, otoh…  And it’s practically an antique too >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 05 February, 2024, 03:12:03 pm
Grumble.
I bought some gorilla epoxy sold as 'sets in 5min'. Even says it on the tube.

Read instructions. It is workable for 5 min, initial set is 30min, cure is 24hrs.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Giraffe on 05 February, 2024, 04:57:36 pm
Quote from: robgul on 05 February, 2024, 08:25:29 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 04 February, 2024, 04:12:53 pm
I thought the term was ‘rise’, not ‘drop’...
I think in tailoring terms "rise" is the measure on trousers at the front
OK - learned that today. As I measure that and the overall length from the top... Also measure across the hips and look at amount of material for the bum it's easier to measure the back.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 05 February, 2024, 07:00:04 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 05 February, 2024, 03:12:03 pm
Grumble.
I bought some gorilla epoxy sold as 'sets in 5min'. Even says it on the tube.

Read instructions. It is workable for 5 min, initial set is 30min, cure is 24hrs.
Is that the 25ml for £9 job? I used one of those today and only just had enough. What happened to the toothpaste tube-sized portions they used to flog?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 05 February, 2024, 09:36:32 pm
I come home from the orifice just as Pingu's going out. I sit down and am bothered by a solventy smell. A couple of hours I sit there for, wondering what's been glueing, cleaning or otherwise, the pong is driving me mad.
Eventually I get up to do something and as I pass I spot the local free magazine in all it's shiny colour sitting on the cat tree! It's that! Bloody pongy printing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 05 February, 2024, 09:40:44 pm
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 05 February, 2024, 09:36:32 pm
Bloody pongy printing.

I once wrote a Mrs Trellis letter to the editor of Bike Immunity Bi Community News complaining about that after they changed printing company.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 06 February, 2024, 08:00:41 am
Quote from: Mrs Pingu on 05 February, 2024, 09:36:32 pm
I come home from the orifice just as Pingu's going out. I sit down and am bothered by a solventy smell. A couple of hours I sit there for, wondering what's been glueing, cleaning or otherwise, the pong is driving me mad.
Eventually I get up to do something and as I pass I spot the local free magazine in all it's shiny colour sitting on the cat tree! It's that! Bloody pongy printing.

It could have been the Audax mag (about which I have posted before, aroma-wise)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 06 February, 2024, 08:28:39 am
Quote from: CAMRAMan on 05 February, 2024, 07:00:04 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 05 February, 2024, 03:12:03 pm
Grumble.
I bought some gorilla epoxy sold as 'sets in 5min'. Even says it on the tube.

Read instructions. It is workable for 5 min, initial set is 30min, cure is 24hrs.
Is that the 25ml for £9 job? I used one of those today and only just had enough. What happened to the toothpaste tube-sized portions they used to flog?

yes, in double syringe format.
I didn't pay £9 for it though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 06 February, 2024, 09:55:17 am
I bought some Araldite Rapid in the syringe format for work. The glue is absolutely fine, but unlike the picture on the RS website with the two syringes going to separate nozzles, then a little plastic stirrer to mix, it comes with swanky nozzles that do the mixing for you.
 
Very neat and easy to apply, with precise mixing and just put the end of the nozzle where you need it and squeeze the syringes evenly. But the nozzles fill with a fairly significant (compared to the tube size) volume of epoxy to mix it, and obviously the glue then sets inside so they are effectively single use.

You get two with the tube, and you can buy more at tens of pence each, but it makes the whole thing far more expensive and wasteful if, like me, you'll keep a set for several years using it occasionally for small jobs. I could easily lose more glue in the nozzles than I actually use.

For someone doing big or repeat assembly work in a commercial environment, I can see the advantage. As it is, at work I had two things to glue, but could only do one at a time, so both nozzles gone with about 1/4 of the glue used, the rest is useless until I buy more nozzles.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 06 February, 2024, 10:25:11 am
I've found the old metal toothpaste tubes to be the best. No chance of accidental mixing, better control of amounts. Just storing them is a pain, as they very easily puncture.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 06 February, 2024, 11:51:42 am
I found the older syringes better, due to the puncturing problem with metal tubes - I ended up binning too many of them due to that failure, and making a mess of wherever they were stored.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: perpetual dan on 06 February, 2024, 12:50:59 pm
I have a toolbox with segmented trays that generally keeps glue separate.  And I agree, the mixing nozzles are profligate.

Sent from my SM-S911B using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 06 February, 2024, 01:11:09 pm
I’m hovering between a grumble and a rant for this one, but here we are.

Bloody train operators decided to cancel the final train on the last leg of a three train journey some time in the fortnight between when we bought the tickets and when we travelled. This resulted in the connection time increasing from an already long 50 minutes to an excessive 1:50 minutes. 

They won’t honour the delay repay because they decided to cancel the train by removing it from the timetable. Bastards.

The ‘new’ timetable now makes the journey by train impractical.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 06 February, 2024, 02:03:55 pm
Quote from: Pingu on 01 February, 2024, 06:34:46 pm
Arsebiscuits  :demon: There was a power cut in Furryboottoon this arvo for nearly 1.5 hours. Afterwards the Squeezebox wouldn't power up, but there was a faint red light visible in the digiital socket. A quick look on a FISE indicates this may be due to a b0rked power supply. Cheap replacement ordered from the Mega-Global Big River Corporation of Seattle, USAnia. We'll see how that goes.

And, 3-2-1, we're back in the room  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 06 February, 2024, 09:06:42 pm
Quote from: Kim on 05 February, 2024, 12:58:21 pm
I like the way that they installed electronic signs to tell you when the lifts are broken.  Sort of thing that makes you proud to be BRITISH.


They'd save on electricity if the signs told you, instead, which lifts weren't broken.


I've certainly carried a fully laden bicycle up and down those stairs enough times over the years.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: bhoot on 06 February, 2024, 09:22:30 pm
Quote from: ian on 06 February, 2024, 09:06:42 pm
Quote from: Kim on 05 February, 2024, 12:58:21 pm
I like the way that they installed electronic signs to tell you when the lifts are broken.  Sort of thing that makes you proud to be BRITISH.

They'd save on electricity if the signs told you, instead, which lifts weren't broken.

So far this year at various times some signs told you the lift was in service when it wasn't, some said correctly that the lift was out of service and the sign at the south end of the Greenwich tunnel was "out of service" when actually the adjacent lift wasn't!

The status of the lifts on the Greenwich council website appears to be a snapshot from Jan 10th, so that is not very useful either.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ian on 06 February, 2024, 09:52:17 pm
One of the many marvels of modern life is that it's not just the lifts that don't work, the things that are supposed to tell us if the lifts are working or not don't work.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 07 February, 2024, 08:48:27 am
Otis regrets.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Wombat on 07 February, 2024, 10:23:20 am
That'll be on Schindler's list...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: JefO on 07 February, 2024, 06:34:11 pm
Oh I can't be bothered to write down all I have to grumble about anymore.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 07 February, 2024, 08:58:42 pm
That was exciting. Oven door just went bang. :o
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 07 February, 2024, 09:27:11 pm
Quote from: phantasmagoriana on 07 February, 2024, 08:58:42 pm
That was exciting. Oven door just went bang. :o

I didn't realise they could do that...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 07 February, 2024, 09:28:36 pm
Eek
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 07 February, 2024, 09:29:35 pm
Moar information required.  Don't leave us in suspenders.....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 07 February, 2024, 10:05:09 pm
Ours did that, two ovens ago. I remember that the door was open at the time but not why – either we were just about to take something out or maybe putting some baking trays, empty, in there. It wasn't at the start of cooking or midway.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 08 February, 2024, 08:14:10 am
Quote from: andrewc on 07 February, 2024, 09:29:35 pm
Moar information required.  Don't leave us in suspenders.....

Now that it's cool and I'm clearing up, I can see it was one of the 4(!) glass panels that shattered (I'm sure my last oven had 2...). The cats were terrified, especially the one who was sitting very nearby at the kitchen table when it happened.

I have no idea what caused it - it had been on but was off at the time so shouldn't have been hugely hot. It appears to happen often enough that the manufacturer has a page about it (https://www.aeg.co.uk/support/support-articles/cooking/ovens/oven-glass-shattered/).

Fortunately, replacement panels seem easy enough to get hold of. I just need to figure out which of the 4 to order. ::-)

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Poacher on 08 February, 2024, 10:35:56 am
Quote from: phantasmagoriana on 08 February, 2024, 08:14:10 am
Quote from: andrewc on 07 February, 2024, 09:29:35 pm
Moar information required.  Don't leave us in suspenders.....

Now that it's cool and I'm clearing up, I can see it was one of the 4(!) glass panels that shattered (I'm sure my last oven had 2...). The cats were terrified, especially the one who was sitting very nearby at the kitchen table when it happened.

I have no idea what caused it - it had been on but was off at the time so shouldn't have been hugely hot. It appears to happen often enough that the manufacturer has a page about it (https://www.aeg.co.uk/support/support-articles/cooking/ovens/oven-glass-shattered/).

Fortunately, replacement panels seem easy enough to get hold of. I just need to figure out which of the 4 to order. ::-)

Wherein it says "Avoid knocks on the door especially on the sides of the pains" Not sure whether this is in the right thread.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 09 February, 2024, 06:19:01 pm
I got asked to verify the identity of one of my scout leaders so she could apply for a passport.  I'm not one of the "recognised professions" on the Official List but looking into it, the .gov.uk website says
Quote

be ‘a person of good standing in their community’ or work in (or be retired from) a recognised profession
So if I'm of good standing, whatever that is, it should be fine. I then got an email from the passport service with a link to follow so that I could do all the identjty verification on line, as jf we're in the future.

Follow the link. Am I in one of these recognised professions? No option for being "of good standing", so I clicked yes anyway. If I get banged up or she doesn't get her passport I shall be a Bit Annoyed.

Add to the that I had to confirm my email address. The first  box was prefilled and had a capital letter at the start. I typed the confirmation in all in lower case. Computer said they didn't match. Which technically they didn't but they do in email address terms.
Oh yes, another thing.I had to enter the name of my employer, which includes some brackets, to which the .gov computer said no.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 12 February, 2024, 04:02:00 pm
Quote from: Wombat on 07 February, 2024, 10:23:20 am
That'll be on Schindler's list...

Sch(w)indler’s lifts have been a PITA since before I was a PSO at the (Royal) Hallamshire Hospital in the 1970s...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 12 February, 2024, 04:07:15 pm
Dear TfL,
If you decide to close your Oyster website for maintenance over a weekend, please do not attempt to take payment from my credit card, fail, and send me Threatening Emails.

Quote
Dear Dr VECHT,

We automatically topped up your Oyster card (number *****) with £20.00 pay as you go credit on 08 February 2024. However, we were unable to take payment from your credit or debit card.

Please pay this outstanding charge within three working days otherwise your Oyster card may be stopped.

If you use pay as you go on Oyster, consider using contactless instead.

You're charged adult-rate pay as you go fares, but won't need to top up or worry about running out of credit and you could benefit from weekly (Monday to Sunday) as well as daily capping.

Find out more at tfl.gov.uk/contactless.

Yours sincerely,

My credit card is fine.
Your Threatening Emails stressed me without good reason.

Timestamped 0324 10 February 2024, when website was inaccessible.

I am Not Impressed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Phil21 on 13 February, 2024, 10:00:25 am
ebay: You can't sell your Victorinox multitool on ebay because we consider it to be a "knife".
Also ebay: axes are fine.

Judging by the cost of a new one, it's probably worth over £100.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 13 February, 2024, 10:09:36 am
Quote from: Phil21 on 13 February, 2024, 10:00:25 am
ebay: You can't sell your Victorinox multitool on ebay because we consider it to be a "knife".
Also ebay: axes are fine.

Judging by the cost of a new one, it's probably worth over £100.

Weird. You can buy edged things on ebay. Chisels, axes, gouges, sickles; all good.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 13 February, 2024, 10:10:54 am
You've probably got parliament to blame for that, not Ebay.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Phil21 on 13 February, 2024, 10:15:34 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 13 February, 2024, 10:10:54 am
You've probably got parliament to blame for that, not Ebay.

Yes. Googling indicates that anything with a blade that is lockable or over 3 inches in length is now considered an illegal weapon unless you can prove you have a need for it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: sam on 13 February, 2024, 10:23:35 am
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 13 February, 2024, 10:09:36 am
Weird. You can buy edged things on ebay. Chisels, axes, gouges, sickles; all good.

Chisels, axes, gouges, sickles, all less likely to be hidden on a person. Merely an observation; I have no axes to grind here.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 13 February, 2024, 11:11:41 am
Quote from: Phil21 on 13 February, 2024, 10:15:34 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 13 February, 2024, 10:10:54 am
You've probably got parliament to blame for that, not Ebay.

Yes. Googling indicates that anything with a blade that is lockable or over 3 inches in length is now considered an illegal weapon unless you can prove you have a need for it.

Please don't use this phrasing, even police officers get it wrong. It is oft repeated and is nonsense.

It is not an 'illegal weapon'.

The restriction is on carry in a public place unless you have a reasonable excuse.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 14 February, 2024, 03:16:03 pm
The bathroom waste pipe has finally blocked (3m long with virtually no fall). Thankfully 1) The loo still works and b) My wifes tame plumber (she used to teach his kids) can get out tday or tomorrow.  So only one flannel bath in the kitchen to endure.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: sam on 14 February, 2024, 04:43:49 pm
Follow-up to "I'm Such a Fecking Div": (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=95565.msg2875799#msg2875799)

Keen not to have to go through the annoyance of returning an item I don't need, I stick the following sign on our front door this morning, just in case I miss the driver:

(https://iili.io/JEqBevj.jpg)

I then spend part of the morning camped out in the kitchen and/or the side of the living room that faces the driveway so I don't miss the driver.

At one point I turn away from the window, talking to my wife for a few minutes, when suddenly I hear the thunk of a package through the mail slot. Looking out the window again, I see that I missed the driver, who's headed towards his van.

I then race out and tell him why I need to refuse the package, as suggested by Amazon themselves. Fortunately he's a friendly bloke and understands, saying he'll inform his supervisor; meanwhile I'm in receipt of an email saying the package has been delivered.

Fingers crossed this doesn't turn into a thing.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jasmine on 14 February, 2024, 08:25:45 pm
Quote from: sam on 14 February, 2024, 04:43:49 pm

Fingers crossed this doesn't turn into a thing.

You know it's going to turn into a thing

I have 3 identical vacuum cleaners because the first one delivered was the wrong one. Attempts to return it generated a new one being sent out, after one had already been sent out. Further attempts to return the extra one resulted in a new one (or 2) being automatically sent out by the depot (delivered to my shed) until I gave up on sending them back.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: sam on 14 February, 2024, 10:14:00 pm
Looks to be a happy ending, after a rocky start. You know how it goes. There was no "I was a fecking div" option in the menu.

(https://iili.io/JEBModu.jpg)

Fortunately I got through to a human who understood the situation and aided me. Hallelujah. Next stop: vacuum cleaners. With a messy bunny in the house (https://youtu.be/4_vXZC3R4FM?si=uQqOiS_55F3NFw03) we could use a few inadvertent spares.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 15 February, 2024, 07:31:19 pm
That advert on the tv for Pot Noodle where people make noises like an unblocked drain eating them is More Than a Bit Annoying.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 15 February, 2024, 09:05:52 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 15 February, 2024, 07:31:19 pm
That advert on the tv for Pot Noodle where people make noises like an unblocked drain eating them is More Than a Bit Annoying.

Not seen that one, but I'm reasonably certain that Pot Noodle adverts are *supposed* to be annoying.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 15 February, 2024, 10:02:43 pm
Quote from: Kim on 15 February, 2024, 09:05:52 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 15 February, 2024, 07:31:19 pm
That advert on the tv for Pot Noodle where people make noises like an unblocked drain eating them is More Than a Bit Annoying.

Not seen that one, but I'm reasonably certain that Pot Noodle adverts are *supposed* to be annoying.
I suspect I have misophonic tendencies. That and the Pot Noodles look absolutely gopping.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: orienteer on 16 February, 2024, 09:55:02 am
Quote from: Tim Hall on 15 February, 2024, 10:02:43 pm
Quote from: Kim on 15 February, 2024, 09:05:52 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 15 February, 2024, 07:31:19 pm
That advert on the tv for Pot Noodle where people make noises like an unblocked drain eating them is More Than a Bit Annoying.

Not seen that one, but I'm reasonably certain that Pot Noodle adverts are *supposed* to be annoying.
I suspect I have misophonic tendencies. That and the Pot Noodles look absolutely gopping.

If you ever visit Japan, do not enter any noodle restaurant; it's considered compulsorily polite to make as much noise as possible when slurping.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 16 February, 2024, 10:21:26 am
Quote from: orienteer on 16 February, 2024, 09:55:02 am
Quote from: Tim Hall on 15 February, 2024, 10:02:43 pm
Quote from: Kim on 15 February, 2024, 09:05:52 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 15 February, 2024, 07:31:19 pm
That advert on the tv for Pot Noodle where people make noises like an unblocked drain eating them is More Than a Bit Annoying.

Not seen that one, but I'm reasonably certain that Pot Noodle adverts are *supposed* to be annoying.
I suspect I have misophonic tendencies. That and the Pot Noodles look absolutely gopping.

If you ever visit Japan, do not enter any noodle restaurant; it's considered compulsorily polite to make as much noise as possible when slurping.
Is it possible to eat noodles with chopsticks without slurping?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 16 February, 2024, 10:54:25 am
Quote from: orienteer on 16 February, 2024, 09:55:02 am
Quote from: Tim Hall on 15 February, 2024, 10:02:43 pm
Quote from: Kim on 15 February, 2024, 09:05:52 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 15 February, 2024, 07:31:19 pm
That advert on the tv for Pot Noodle where people make noises like an unblocked drain eating them is More Than a Bit Annoying.

Not seen that one, but I'm reasonably certain that Pot Noodle adverts are *supposed* to be annoying.
I suspect I have misophonic tendencies. That and the Pot Noodles look absolutely gopping.

If you ever visit Japan, do not enter any noodle restaurant; it's considered compulsorily polite to make as much noise as possible when slurping.

If you're eating ramen the slurp is necessary to cool the broth.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 16 February, 2024, 11:07:13 am
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 16 February, 2024, 10:21:26 am
Quote from: orienteer on 16 February, 2024, 09:55:02 am
Quote from: Tim Hall on 15 February, 2024, 10:02:43 pm
Quote from: Kim on 15 February, 2024, 09:05:52 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 15 February, 2024, 07:31:19 pm
That advert on the tv for Pot Noodle where people make noises like an unblocked drain eating them is More Than a Bit Annoying.

Not seen that one, but I'm reasonably certain that Pot Noodle adverts are *supposed* to be annoying.
I suspect I have misophonic tendencies. That and the Pot Noodles look absolutely gopping.

If you ever visit Japan, do not enter any noodle restaurant; it's considered compulsorily polite to make as much noise as possible when slurping.
Is it possible to eat noodles with chopsticks without slurping?

Yes, as my Japanese colleague demonstrated when picking the last half noodle out of his otherwise empty bowl.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: JefO on 19 February, 2024, 02:06:26 pm
Builders didn't come Saturday, but they said they would, so I parked in the road all of Friday night and Saturday, so they could get their large van on my drive...

Today, to avoid peeving the neighbours with my car being in the road, when the skip lorry turned up to remove the skip, I was out of the way (a few miles away). What could go wrong with them removing the skip while I was elsewhere??? Neighbour's block paved driveway now needs relaying due to some crap reversing on the skip lorry driver's part. Skip lorry driver denies damaging the neighbour's drive and says the builder's vans must have done it.

Tosser.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 19 February, 2024, 09:09:31 pm
Bugger.
Out of chocolate error.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 19 February, 2024, 10:54:35 pm
In similar vein, I neglected to buy more Brown Drink today and can only hope that there’s enough left to last until I have to go out on an unrelated mission on Thursday.
Title: Not enough energy for a rant
Post by: sam on 20 February, 2024, 03:52:21 am
Love my new power bank.

(https://iili.io/JEL4JZQ.jpg)

Hate the fact that I need it.

This is therefore an Apple grumble.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 24 February, 2024, 07:01:46 pm
I'd just finished washing the ground floor windows, and was about to hang the washing up, when the tradesperson in the next door garden started cutting up paving slabs, sending dust everywhere. Bastids.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 26 February, 2024, 07:05:53 pm
Biggles and mate at night again.
Definitely a thing now.

Eta.  Ooh, round again for a third time.
How much is this costing me?

Or are they USAian?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 28 February, 2024, 09:07:56 am
Car dealers AND Brexit  >:(.   I bought a new car, but it came without a spare so I asked for one to be supplied by the dealer.  Then I discovered the boot underfloor cover I have doesn't fit over the spare, so asked them to source that, even gave them the part number  ::-)  They don't want to do it in case it's wrong and I get stuck with it  >:( >:(.  Googling I found a used one in NL. Of course "since Brexit shipping to the UK is no longer possible"  >:( >:( >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 28 February, 2024, 09:52:02 am
Quote from: rafletcher on 28 February, 2024, 09:07:56 am
Car dealers AND Brexit  >:(.   I bought a new car, but it came without a spare so I asked for one to be supplied by the dealer.  Then I discovered the boot underfloor cover I have doesn't fit over the spare, so asked them to source that, even gave them the part number  ::-)  They don't want to do it in case it's wrong and I get stuck with it  >:( >:(.  Googling I found a used one in NL. Of course "since Brexit shipping to the UK is no longer possible"  >:( >:( >:(
There are parcel amalgamation services (probably not quite the right term), which accept your parcel in the seller's country and then ship it on to you in bulk, so reducing the shipping (and hopefully import duty) costs. At least, there are for US to UK, so you could have a look for something similar in NL.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tod28 on 28 February, 2024, 02:10:10 pm
I bought a used gear shift box and cables etc for a Micra from a breaker in Latvia via ebay in January. Arrived in 5 days, no brexshit hassle whatsoever, so it can be done!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 28 February, 2024, 06:15:21 pm
“Raining Datsun cogs” joak goes here ==>
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 28 February, 2024, 09:59:21 pm
Bloody February has been a dreadful month. 
But wait. They've awarded us an extra day.
Bugger.   :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 28 February, 2024, 11:27:03 pm
Still, at least there’s a new release from bonkers space rockers Psychic Lemon coming tomorrow to cheer us up.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 29 February, 2024, 12:18:26 am
Quote from: Basil on 28 February, 2024, 09:59:21 pm
Bloody February has been a dreadful month. 
But wait. They've awarded us an extra day.
Bugger.   :(

It's been ruddy good for me, long may it continue  ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 29 February, 2024, 12:19:39 am
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 28 February, 2024, 11:27:03 pm
Still, at least there’s a new release from bonkers space rockers Psychic Lemon coming tomorrow to cheer us up.

 Ta, I'd missed that :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 29 February, 2024, 11:24:10 am
Used AirBnB quite a bit, travelling down to work. Stayed in multiple places in Cambridge, ranging from multi-room boarding houses full of builders, to someone's spare bedroom.

Trying to book now; what has happened? Very few places offering kitchen access. Prices have skyrocketed (not surprising I guess).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 29 February, 2024, 11:49:16 am
I may have previously ranted about randoms appearing at the door with suspicious looking Council ID, asking to inspect the property for some licence thing we'd never heard of, and which our lettings agency had never heard of either, so agreed we were right to turn them away as a probable scam.

Anyway, after much back and forth, it turns out that they are in fact legit - it's an experimental thing for private lettings in specific wards - and they had been failing to communicate with our agency (seemingly because they were emailing someone who's off sick with a non-functional out-of-office message).  Anyway, we'd agreed that they were coming to inspect between 9 and 11 this morning - barakta (who is living in the dining room, because hip surgery) got up and dressed and toileted specifically in order to be ready.

And they haven't turned up.  (There's is a slight possibility that they may have turned up and knocked ineffectually rather than using the doorbell as they managed the last two times.)  This is annoying, as we've wasted the morning freezing our arses off with windows open in anticipation of COVID-spewing strangers, and we're presumably going to have to go through it again at some point.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 29 February, 2024, 12:12:58 pm
Update: Email from the agency saying they came at 9:20 and can they have a phone call.   :facepalm: :facepalm:

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 29 February, 2024, 12:17:59 pm
Quote from: Basil on 28 February, 2024, 09:59:21 pm
Bloody February has been a dreadful month. 
But wait. They've awarded us an extra day.
Bugger.   :(

The leap day has broken our computer system at work, FFS. It was plenty busy enough without this.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 29 February, 2024, 12:42:31 pm
Quote from: phantasmagoriana on 29 February, 2024, 12:17:59 pm
The leap day has broken our computer system at work, FFS. It was plenty busy enough without this.

(https://preview.redd.it/uhboopf6f8u71.jpg?auto=webp&s=3f8c8ef5787ff5ed27067de734d1ec95b72ac5f6)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 29 February, 2024, 01:51:22 pm
Quote from: Kim on 29 February, 2024, 12:12:58 pm
Update: Email from the agency saying they came at 9:20 and can they have a phone call.   :facepalm: :facepalm:

I chuntered at the agency about how I'm not well (true, I feel distinctly mediocre and worsened by TooEarly getting up TM).

Agency has managed to sort out 3-4pm today for another council visit attempt and the agency lady has phoned CouncilFuckwit and repeatedly stressed "Use The Doorbell".

Council Fuckwit's excuse for not using doorbell is we might not be expecting or wanting them... Which is stupid and unhelpful.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 29 February, 2024, 02:05:10 pm
I'm struggling to parse that.

So they didn't ring the doorbell to let you know they were there, because you might not be expecting them to be there?
So what was the point in turning up at all if they weren't going to tell you they'd arrived?
It's almost as though they are ex-home delivery people who just want to drop off a "sorry you weren't in" card rather than leaving your parcel.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 29 February, 2024, 02:57:44 pm
Quote from: MattH on 29 February, 2024, 02:05:10 pm
It's almost as though they are ex-home delivery people who just want to drop off a "sorry you weren't in" card rather than leaving your parcel.
UPS: Unannounced Property 'Spections.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 02 March, 2024, 02:46:33 pm
I don't know what I've done to deserve this; LinkedIn has sent me a recommendation to follow... Penny Mordaunt.  :o
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 02 March, 2024, 05:03:00 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 02 March, 2024, 02:46:33 pm
I don't know what I've done to deserve this; LinkedIn has sent me a recommendation to follow... Penny Mordaunt.  :o
Browsing history -> women of a certain age -> women of a certain age wearing swimming costume/ carrying a sword.
 At least that's how they got me my friend.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 03 March, 2024, 11:06:18 am
Boots Optiquacks.  I know that people who miss appointments are a pain,  but did you have to call me at 09:10 on Sunday to remind me I've a check up tomorrow ? 
Yours grumpily etc.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 03 March, 2024, 12:55:45 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 03 March, 2024, 11:06:18 am
Boots Optiquacks.  I know that people who miss appointments are a pain,  but did you have to call me at 09:10 on Sunday to remind me I've a check up tomorrow ? 
Yours grumpily etc.

Turn up late and tell them you overslept.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 03 March, 2024, 03:15:10 pm
I’ve got to change our mobile phone service provider because Plusnet have decided there’s not enough money in it.

Of all the utilities to need to change, I think that mobile phone contracts are probably the most needlessly complicated. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 03 March, 2024, 06:36:42 pm
Quote from: Beardy
I’ve got to change our mobile phone service provider
Giff Gaff is OK.  They do cheap, £6 or thereabouts, rolling monthly renewals (Goody Bags or some such *stupid* name) which are fine for near unlimited calls/texts and a moderate amount of 'phone based browsing. 

Quote from: Beardy
Of all the utilities to need to change, I think that mobile phone contracts are probably the most needlessly complicated.
Dunno, broadband can be gear-grindingly painful too.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Regulator on 03 March, 2024, 09:07:49 pm
Quote from: TheLurker on 03 March, 2024, 06:36:42 pm
Quote from: Beardy
I’ve got to change our mobile phone service provider
Giff Gaff is OK.  They do cheap, £6 or thereabouts, rolling monthly renewals (Goody Bags or some such *stupid* name) which are fine for near unlimited calls/texts and a moderate amount of 'phone based browsing. 

Quote from: Beardy
Of all the utilities to need to change, I think that mobile phone contracts are probably the most needlessly complicated.
Dunno, broadband can be gear-grindingly painful too.


I’m with giff gaff and would recommend them. They’re quite generous on their international roaming as well. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 03 March, 2024, 09:26:23 pm
Quote from: TheLurker on 03 March, 2024, 06:36:42 pm
Quote from: Beardy
Of all the utilities to need to change, I think that mobile phone contracts are probably the most needlessly complicated.
Dunno, broadband can be gear-grindingly painful too.

Yeah, but it's necessarily complicated.  The phone people just like to string you along.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 06 March, 2024, 10:48:33 pm
Found an out of print obscure book that I've been searching for, on and off, for a while. It's listed on a Ebay from a USA based seller.

Ships to:
Quote
Worldwide
Excludes:
Australia, Austria, Barbados, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, French Guiana, French Polynesia, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Guadeloupe, Guernsey, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jersey, Latvia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Martinique, Mayotte, Netherlands, New Caledonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Croatia, Reunion, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Venezuela
That's stretching the definition of "Worldwide" to an Annoying Degree.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 07 March, 2024, 01:07:16 am
Time for that accommodation address in Belgrade?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 07 March, 2024, 10:06:09 am
Overnight engineering work overran last night, so this morning there were no trains to take me to work.
So I opted to WFH.
Only my internet connection was down.
And the right channel in the amplifier through which the iMac runs, has stopped working.
Trying to establish that the loss of my internet and loss of one of the channels on my amp were unrelated was fun.
Not.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53573198454_ee09659c7d_4k.jpg) (http://[url=https://flic.kr/p/2pC5Drq) (https://flic.kr/p/2pC5Drq)  (https://www.flickr.com/photos/jurekb/)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 07 March, 2024, 01:58:07 pm
I had a grumpy old man moment in Boots this morning. I had a handful of items and was asking past the pharmacy counter to see that there was four members of staff behind the counter and that they had no customer queueueueueueing. I stoped and asked the salesdroid to pay for my items. She rather dismissively told me there was a till at the other end of the store, which I had already noted had on salesdroid and a queueueue. Had she been polite rather than dismissive I _might_ have wandered off muttering, however… I politely pointed out that a)there was a queueueue at said till point, b)she had a till, and c)there was 4 of them and no other customers. Her snarky backchat caused me to ask her a bit more forceful if d)she had heard of customer service. As one of the other three behind the counter was the store manager and he did not intervene, I suspect he might not have been totally happy with her attitude. I’ll find out from the other pharmacist, ie not the one that was there today, next time I see her as she is a friend.

The youth of today don’t know they’re born… grumble mumble etc.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 07 March, 2024, 04:22:43 pm
I won't use Boots pharmacies anymore cos their staff are so often incredibly rude.

I've been known to walk out of a Boots when they refused to serve me at the till and insisted I used the shitty self-checkouts. I'd explained I struggled with them and got bullshit especially trying to use a gift card which didn't work on the self-checkouts. As there was clearly staff available, I just put my prospective purchases down and walked out.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Regulator on 08 March, 2024, 09:42:30 am
I now use PillSorted for my regular meds as the Boots in the village never appears to have anything in stock.  I sometimes use them for emergency prescriptions but that's very hit and miss as well.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 08 March, 2024, 10:04:32 am
Boots is the better of the two pharmacies in town, which tells you how bad the other one is. In addition to that, the actual pharmacists have always been very helpful to me and one of them is a long time friend as well. The salesdroids have always been meh, but this is the first time I’ve had one be less than helpful. We’ll see if I’m banned next time I go in.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 08 March, 2024, 10:15:56 am
When Lloyds Direct utterly failed to supply a quarter of the pills in my latest order Boots in 'stow Central were able to get them in by the next day.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 08 March, 2024, 10:52:31 am
Oh well, if we're grumbling about pills, both of the pharmacies we use have recently switched suppliers, with the result that the nice compact little boxes we used to get have become four times the size and no longer fit my pill drawer.  And this when our dear government is rabbiting on about ecologicalities and plastic in the environment.

Furthermore, now that the wunnerful food-waste collection scheme is under way we're discovering that the brown paper bags the council provide go soft under the onslaught of damp coffee-grounds and tea-bags. Even a banana skin will make them soft enough to tear when we try to extract them from the dedicated bin.  Maybe we're supposed to desiccate everything in the oven first.


Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 08 March, 2024, 01:42:50 pm
I suspected branded pharmacy chains are a bit like bread in branded supermarkets, very variable at a local level.

I'd like my pharmacy to stop giving me boxes of offcuts of meds packets. I guess better me than some confused elderly person but it's still irritating.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 08 March, 2024, 03:36:03 pm
Quote from: barakta on 08 March, 2024, 01:42:50 pm
I suspected branded pharmacy chains are a bit like bread in branded supermarkets, very variable at a local level.

I'd like my pharmacy to stop giving me boxes of offcuts of meds packets. I guess better me than some confused elderly person but it's still irritating.

Is that even legal?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 08 March, 2024, 04:14:04 pm
Quote from: T42 on 08 March, 2024, 03:36:03 pm
Quote from: barakta on 08 March, 2024, 01:42:50 pm
I suspected branded pharmacy chains are a bit like bread in branded supermarkets, very variable at a local level.

I'd like my pharmacy to stop giving me boxes of offcuts of meds packets. I guess better me than some confused elderly person but it's still irritating.

Is that even legal?

STandard and necessary.

Say, box comes with 80 pills. Patient X is prescribed 2x per day, for two weeks. So 28 pills are dispensed. Should the pharmacy throw away the remainder?

the legal requirement is for the warning/use notice to be provided with the pills. Sometimes that means the pharmacy has to print off a copy.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 08 March, 2024, 04:35:56 pm
As Mr C says it is legal and required cos batches don't match prescribed amounts.

It is annoying enough when it's 1 offcut in a normal packet but sometimes I get 30 pills as 5 or 6 different offcuts of different brands, which is a complete pain.

And yes, I've had a printout with meds (from hospital) which was clearly designed for A3 printing onto A4, it wasn't actually readable and as it was a controlled drug I'd had a weird reaction to, I did have to Google it to find the leaflet in a readable form.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 08 March, 2024, 05:00:43 pm
I’ve had a moan at my friendly pharmacist about the warning leaflets. I get two boxes of three different dose tablets of thyroxine every two months and have had for the past twenty four years. Yet I still get six identical leaflets with every prescription. I also take on tablet twice daily so that’s another leader that I get four off. Then there’s two each of the remaining drugs. The only thing that anything has changed on my bi-monthly prescription in the last 15 years has been the dosage.

But nothing can be done about the total waste in f paper because it’s a legal requirement with no flexibility in the rules.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 08 March, 2024, 05:20:21 pm
Quote from: mrcharly-YHT on 08 March, 2024, 04:14:04 pm
Quote from: T42 on 08 March, 2024, 03:36:03 pm
Quote from: barakta on 08 March, 2024, 01:42:50 pm
I suspected branded pharmacy chains are a bit like bread in branded supermarkets, very variable at a local level.

I'd like my pharmacy to stop giving me boxes of offcuts of meds packets. I guess better me than some confused elderly person but it's still irritating.

Is that even legal?

STandard and necessary.

Say, box comes with 80 pills. Patient X is prescribed 2x per day, for two weeks. So 28 pills are dispensed. Should the pharmacy throw away the remainder?

the legal requirement is for the warning/use notice to be provided with the pills. Sometimes that means the pharmacy has to print off a copy.

I only ever get complete sealed boxes, but then all my meds are long-term so maybe they do snip bits off here as well. That said, I've never seen a pharmacist doing so.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 09 March, 2024, 12:32:43 pm
One of my shiny Nevada Department of Transportation trouser bands made a successful bid for freedom on the way to Mr Sainsbury’s House of Toothy Comestibles just now.  Bah :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 09 March, 2024, 04:18:38 pm
I'll keep an eye out for it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: andrewc on 13 March, 2024, 12:58:59 pm
The Council Tax bill has just arrived.   £1613.59 for a tiny Band A 1 bedroom flat  in Liverpool.  (£1210.19 after my single persons discount).  :'(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 13 March, 2024, 04:45:30 pm
Txt msg apparently from Porcelfarce.  Going directly to their website shews that the tracking number in the msg actually exists and it will be delivered tomorrow.  Only trouble is, I haven’t ordered anything from Armour Motor Products of Poole.  This is mostly because I do not have a motorcycle.  Finger trouble on the part of the real customer seems likely.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 13 March, 2024, 07:41:01 pm
Tomorrow: Mr Larrington has fun on a Kawazumi ZY1900 TerminatorBastard.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: liam_whippet on 13 March, 2024, 08:41:34 pm
Armour Motor Products of Poole, you say?

Presumably a well-made set of greaves are less likely to fall off than, er, 'trouser bands from the Nevada Department of Transportation' - and are, if anything, more shiny??
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 13 March, 2024, 10:41:25 pm
Quote from: andrewc on 13 March, 2024, 12:58:59 pm
The Council Tax bill has just arrived.   £1613.59 for a tiny Band A 1 bedroom flat  in Liverpool.  (£1210.19 after my single persons discount).  :'(

Mine was £2488.51 for my 3 bedroomed semi...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 14 March, 2024, 11:51:47 am
Whatever it is, it’s out for delivery.  In Manchester.  When it doesn’t show up on my doorstep I may have some fun at Porcelfarce's expense  :demon:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Feanor on 16 March, 2024, 04:55:35 pm
Junior the younger is currently working in a hotel here in Edinburgh, a temporary job whilst he decides what to do next.
He cycles there and back, and leaves bike locked up around the side of the building.
He finished his shift, and came out to find the front wheel had been nicked.
Just the front wheel, not any of the more usual nickables like lights etc.

He went back inside and had a grumble about it to other staff.
"Hmm, that's funny, I noticed a bike wheel out the back!" says one.

Sure enough, there is a near-identical 700c QR wheel with similar size tyre, but flat!
Looks like someone nicked his wheel to get home, abandoning their own punctured wheel out of sight! They could have just left it beside the bike!

So he now has someone else's now-repaired wheel on the front of his bike!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 17 March, 2024, 07:02:10 pm
Security skewers ftw. Or even just a zip tie round the through skewer lever and round fork leg, as a friend does on a BSO.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: canny colin on 17 March, 2024, 11:50:40 pm
Oh look , look its Aidan f . oh its not . In the shadow of giants . 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 18 March, 2024, 08:29:08 am
Currently listening on speaker to hold music that slowly fades out to nothing then, just as you're beginning to think that it has automatically hung up and lift the phone to your ear, comes back full blast.  Should know better than to try and call a pensions agency at 09:30 on a Monday.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 18 March, 2024, 08:44:22 am
I've put a fold kink into the tube of one of my hearing aids.
Rather than post it, I have brought it in myself to save time.

If you want to get a parking space at Glangwili Hospital, you have to arrive at sparrow fart.
I you arrive at sparrow fart, Audiology reception is not yet open.
So I'm now sitting with a foul coffee.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 18 March, 2024, 09:53:22 am
Quote from: Basil on 18 March, 2024, 08:44:22 am
I've put a fold kink into the tube of one of my hearing aids.
Rather than post it, I have brought it in myself to save time.

If you want to get a parking space at Glangwili Hospital, you have to arrive at sparrow fart.
I you arrive at sparrow fart, Audiology reception is not yet open.
So I'm now sitting with a foul coffee.
Ipswich Hospital audiology department don’t do walk in repairs so I’d have had a three week wait for the next repair appointment. But they do have a drop off box and I had the repaired HA back within two or three days.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 18 March, 2024, 12:43:05 pm
It's not really a walk up repair service. I pop them into a sturdy envelope.  On the outside, I write my name, dob, nhs number, full address and the repair required.
Same as posting it, but much quicker and safer.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 18 March, 2024, 12:44:55 pm
The loss of drop ins for audiology is a HUGE pain, they act like it's for efficiency but it's not better for patients who as you say end up with a wait for quite a while or trying to schedule it round work etc. I don't really trust postal repairs as they often come back not working right - BAHAs are very very hard to get right and I am very very acutely able to spot errors. Even in-person collection had a 50% "not repaired correctly rate" in my childhood. My first hearing aid technician was lovely about it when I was 5 and did not have tact, he once sent a HA back 3x before someone discovered a loose wire (analogue days).

I once used the former drop in 3x in 2 weeks when my BAHAs failed and they only had dodgy loaners which kept failing too. It was 10 min walk from work so I could go in for 9am, and get into work by 9:30. I hear nothing without my BAHA, if I don't have a working one, I literally can't do 50% of my job or much else. One reason I keep 2 BAHAs even tho 99% I use 1, is that I have a spare (although I now have 2 fully working old ones and one half working old one which I will also keep).

At least I learned Audiology can reprogram a set of BAHAs for my needs without my physical head which confuses me as the shape of my head affects the reverb, but I suspect cos they're all digital the variation between individual aids is minute (which is nice as I no longer have a 2 week adjustment period for a new physical aid) so the original my-head programming should work.

My boss hates loss of drop in audiology repair cos she's super busy, so ends up struggling to get her aids repaired without missing out on work, whereas with dropin she could turn up first thing and only have to juggle an early part of a day so do a meeting remotely from her car/hospital or move it.

My mum is a former teacher of the deaf so she knows how to do tube replacements, but she's 73 and struggling with the vision/dexterity needed to do tubes properly for her own hearing aids which she's had for 11 years now. I think the loss of places in the community someone can just drop into, is a huge loss and a mistake as it'll result in people getting out of the habit of wearing their hearing aids or feeling they're too difficult to manage.

Sadly NHS ICB commissioning groups have outsourced a lot of "basic" audiology to highstreet Boots/Specsavers/Scrivens which I remain unconvinced is a good thing for quality.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 18 March, 2024, 05:14:27 pm
Outsourcing is a great idea for small to medium enterprises where they don’t have sufficient work to keep various specialist fully employed. Even then, the calculations are not as clear cut as they might first seem. Outsourcing in larger organisations will ALWAYS result in reduced service or reduced pay for those delivering it (and thus probably reduced service) because outsourcing companies have a legal requirement to make a profit from the reduced costs they will be charging to have got the work in the first place. Why this is not clearly evident to all involved is beyond me.

<fx/ climbs off soapbox>
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Regulator on 19 March, 2024, 07:54:15 am
Quote from: Beardy on 18 March, 2024, 05:14:27 pm
Outsourcing is a great idea for small to medium enterprises where they don’t have sufficient work to keep various specialist fully employed. Even then, the calculations are not as clear cut as they might first seem. Outsourcing in larger organisations will ALWAYS result in reduced service or reduced pay for those delivering it (and thus probably reduced service) because outsourcing companies have a legal requirement to make a profit from the reduced costs they will be charging to have got the work in the first place. Why this is not clearly evident to all involved is beyond me.

<fx/ climbs off soapbox>

There is no legal requirement for a company to make a profit.  In fact, there are such things as ‘not for profit’ companies.

In quoted companies there may be pressure from shareholders to create a profit - but it’s still not a legal requirement. 


There are a number of outsourcing companies that are ‘not for profit’, particularly in health and social care. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 19 March, 2024, 09:00:19 am
There are different types of companies with different primary responsibilities.  For instance, public limited companies are primarily disposed to create shareholder value.  This can be in both share value and profit.  Partnerships are expected to make a profit but partnerships are not public limited companies.

There are many more business vehicles including "not for profit" but that also requires "not for loss".  The loss of course can be covered in many ways.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 19 March, 2024, 10:20:33 am
Quote from: Regulator on 19 March, 2024, 07:54:15 am
Quote from: Beardy on 18 March, 2024, 05:14:27 pm
Outsourcing is a great idea for small to medium enterprises where they don’t have sufficient work to keep various specialist fully employed. Even then, the calculations are not as clear cut as they might first seem. Outsourcing in larger organisations will ALWAYS result in reduced service or reduced pay for those delivering it (and thus probably reduced service) because outsourcing companies have a legal requirement to make a profit from the reduced costs they will be charging to have got the work in the first place. Why this is not clearly evident to all involved is beyond me.

<fx/ climbs off soapbox>

There is no legal requirement for a company to make a profit.  In fact, there are such things as ‘not for profit’ companies.

In quoted companies there may be pressure from shareholders to create a profit - but it’s still not a legal requirement. 


There are a number of outsourcing companies that are ‘not for profit’, particularly in health and social care.
Whether a company is legally required to make a profit or not wasn’t really the thrust of my rant and even a not for profit is going to lead to a reduction of service due to a reduction of revenue within a sub sector while duplicating overheads. Unless you are suggesting that some health organisations pay more than their internal costs to bring in not for profit outsourcing partners.

It used to be argued that specialist organisations could be more efficient due to economies of scale and less less waste because they understood their sub sectors better than others. This may have been true once, but my 40 years of watching outsources reduce service levels AND the pay and conditions of the TUPEd employees would suggest this has always been, at best, a false dream.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Basil on 19 March, 2024, 10:21:25 am
Quote from: Basil on 18 March, 2024, 08:44:22 am
I've put a fold kink into the tube of one of my hearing aids.
Rather than post it, I have brought it in myself to save time.

If you want to get a parking space at Glangwili Hospital, you have to arrive at sparrow fart.
I you arrive at sparrow fart, Audiology reception is not yet open.
So I'm now sitting with a foul coffee.

[ungrumble]
Wow. Hearing aids arrived in the post early this morning.  New tubes, plus spares so that I can do the job myself next time.
Great service.
[/ungrumble]
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 19 March, 2024, 11:57:24 am
Quote from: Basil on 19 March, 2024, 10:21:25 am
Quote from: Basil on 18 March, 2024, 08:44:22 am
I've put a fold kink into the tube of one of my hearing aids.
Rather than post it, I have brought it in myself to save time.

If you want to get a parking space at Glangwili Hospital, you have to arrive at sparrow fart.
I you arrive at sparrow fart, Audiology reception is not yet open.
So I'm now sitting with a foul coffee.

[ungrumble]
Wow. Hearing aids arrived in the post early this morning.  New tubes, plus spares so that I can do the job myself next time.
Great service.
[/ungrumble]
There's a thread for that. Albeit not the one I was thinking of: https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=76032.msg1562599#msg1562599
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 20 March, 2024, 03:58:29 pm
Over on the Facebook Audax group, I have advised a newbie Audax rider to avoid using flashing lights as they are irritating and don’t help other road users judge speed and position.

Somebody is arguing. I just can’t be bothered to engage but stand by what I have posted.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 20 March, 2024, 04:25:29 pm
Ugh, we got blinded by some fuckwit with a flashing white front light (no other light) the other night wheeling me home from the sports centre (on the uni campus). Twat was also cycling up the pedestrian footpath and not up the fucking road which was empty... I may have commented intentionally loudly about how fuckwitted flashing white front lights are.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 20 March, 2024, 04:50:54 pm
I can’t be bothered to engage with idiots!
Sorrynotsorry!
This chap is asking for ‘evidence’ flashing lights are bad for helping others judge speed & position.
I don’t know of any.
I don’t care!

Flashes irritate.
[Message to Newbie and everyone]

Please don’t use flashers.

That is all.

End of.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 20 March, 2024, 06:06:46 pm
This ^
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 20 March, 2024, 06:23:49 pm
Quote from: hellymedic on 20 March, 2024, 03:58:29 pm
Over on the Facebook Audax group, I have advised a newbie Audax rider to avoid using flashing lights as they are irritating and don’t help other road users judge speed and position.

Somebody is arguing. I just can’t be bothered to engage but stand by what I have posted.
Real Audaxers aspire to PBP
Flashing lights are not permitted on PBP.
End of discussion.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Hot Flatus on 20 March, 2024, 06:35:20 pm
I disagree with the notion that flashing front lights do not help with safety.

There's nothing like a bright flashing front light to get attention from drivers, particularly those waiting to pull out from sideboards. I use one all the time now because I think they are more visible than bright clothing.

Rear flashers too. I'm not particularly sold on the ability to judge distance as being that important. Its far more important that a driver sees you from as far away as possible so that they can factor you into their calculations. As I driver, I appreciate it when cyclists have bright flashing lights.

I agree that bright lights on cycleways are both unnecessary and annoying. Less so on the road, particularly the sort of rural/urban commuting I do where Im unlikely to have anyone on my wheel. I wouldn't use a flashing rear in a group ride at night of any sort, and on the basis of having a group of front lights I tend to turn the front flash off at night on group rides.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 20 March, 2024, 08:00:25 pm
Quote from: Hot Flatus on 20 March, 2024, 06:35:20 pm
There's nothing like a bright flashing front light to get attention from drivers, particularly those waiting to pull out from sideboards.
It's the drivers in the kitchen cabinet you've got to look out for.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 20 March, 2024, 08:19:21 pm
Quote from: Hot Flatus on 20 March, 2024, 06:35:20 pm
I disagree with the notion that flashing front lights do not help with safety.

There's nothing like a bright flashing front light to get attention from drivers, particularly those waiting to pull out from sideboards. I use one all the time now because I think they are more visible than bright clothing.

Rear flashers too. I'm not particularly sold on the ability to judge distance as being that important. Its far more important that a driver sees you from as far away as possible so that they can factor you into their calculations. As I driver, I appreciate it when cyclists have bright flashing lights.

I agree that bright lights on cycleways are both unnecessary and annoying. Less so on the road, particularly the sort of rural/urban commuting I do where Im unlikely to have anyone on my wheel. I wouldn't use a flashing rear in a group ride at night of any sort, and on the basis of having a group of front lights I tend to turn the front flash off at night on group rides.
I completely agree with every single part of this^
I'll add that I'm confident flashing lights will be seen illuminating hedges & trees far more reliably than a static light alerting oncoming drivers when you are still obscured round a bend.  My flasher is always on my head not on the bars and I look down as soon as the oncoming driver dips their lights.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jaded on 20 March, 2024, 11:36:43 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 20 March, 2024, 08:00:25 pm
Quote from: Hot Flatus on 20 March, 2024, 06:35:20 pm
There's nothing like a bright flashing front light to get attention from drivers, particularly those waiting to pull out from sideboards.
It's the drivers in the kitchen cabinet you've got to look out for.

When I read this I thought, screwdrivers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 21 March, 2024, 09:06:44 am
Getting the buggers into the kitchen cabinet to start with is unsimple.  Those big chest freezers are much more practical.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Hot Flatus on 21 March, 2024, 09:42:20 am
Quote from: Jaded on 20 March, 2024, 11:36:43 pm

When I read this I thought, screwdrivers.

When I read this I thought B&W  ;)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: arabella on 21 March, 2024, 01:57:16 pm
(Assume I quoted all the other posts on this subject just beforehand)

Quote from: SoreTween on 20 March, 2024, 08:19:21 pm
Quote from: Hot Flatus on 20 March, 2024, 06:35:20 pm
I disagree with the notion that flashing front lights do not help with safety.

There's nothing like a bright flashing front light to get attention from drivers, particularly those waiting to pull out from sideboards. I use one all the time now because I think they are more visible than bright clothing.

Rear flashers too. I'm not particularly sold on the ability to judge distance as being that important. Its far more important that a driver sees you from as far away as possible so that they can factor you into their calculations. As I driver, I appreciate it when cyclists have bright flashing lights.

I agree that bright lights on cycleways are both unnecessary and annoying. Less so on the road, particularly the sort of rural/urban commuting I do where Im unlikely to have anyone on my wheel. I wouldn't use a flashing rear in a group ride at night of any sort, and on the basis of having a group of front lights I tend to turn the front flash off at night on group rides.
I completely agree with every single part of this^
I'll add that I'm confident flashing lights will be seen illuminating hedges & trees far more reliably than a static light alerting oncoming drivers when you are still obscured round a bend.  My flasher is always on my head not on the bars and I look down as soon as the oncoming driver dips their lights.

I did a load of research into this earlier in the year for AUK AGM purposes.   
Anyone in AUK can see it on the AUK forum (log into AUK, scroll down to the bottom and clicky on the forum link, look for this year's AGM resolution 1 - of course you will have done so already in the run up to the AGM, but there are further comments since)
Anyone else let me know.
TLDR: minimal/no evidence that flashing lights are "safer", plenty of stuff to say that flashing lights cause problems for a number of people - including motorists.

Please only use lights in steady mode, wherever you are (and make sure they're pointing in a sensible direction for your fellow cyclists).
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SoreTween on 21 March, 2024, 11:38:25 pm
OK, will do.  Always open to the possibility of being wrong. :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 21 March, 2024, 11:43:50 pm
I very occasionally consider it appropriate to use a flashing front light to make it clearer that I'm a cyclist.  Usually this involves  a) daylight  2) apocalyptic rain/snow/fog  iii) not being in a group.  Sometimes I even have a light that's capable of flashing available (my preferred dynamo lighting doesn't).

I'll use a flashing rear as a supplemental light when riding alone in urban conditions, but mainly on the two-is-one-one-is-none principle.  You don't need that in a group when there's someone who can tell you that your rear light is b0rked, and they're more likely to be helpful if you're not dazzling them.

I've no idea why anyone would think that a flashing front light in the dark is a safety benefit.  The most likely outcome is that you faceplant into some unseen kerb/pothole/bin/bollard/badger because you're seeing the world in strobe-o-vision.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: JonBuoy on 22 March, 2024, 07:14:18 am
I use the cheap LED front lamp on my shopping bike in steady mode although I would possibly use it in flashing mode in busy urban situations.  I cannot perceive any flicker but it obviously does as at certain speeds my front wheel appears to stop and even go backwards.  I find this fascinating and while I am watching this I am indeed more likely to run into a kerb/pothole/bin/bollard/badger  ::-)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Hot Flatus on 22 March, 2024, 07:23:12 am
Quote from: arabella on 21 March, 2024, 01:57:16 pm


Please only use lights in steady mode, wherever you are

No.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 22 March, 2024, 07:30:59 am
My preferred has been steady on the front, steady on the rear, with backup capable of flashing, more because it's a battery LED that just does. In poor conditions I'd have the flashing on at the same time as the steady. But I'll read Arabella's stuff with interest. I've only once had real problems following a flashing light; it was a forumite (who shall remain nameless, because it really doesn't matter) on a dark part of Mille Cymru in the rain and low cloud. In the conditions I became unable to actually see the road, with glare from the water on my glasses starbursting the really bright flash and had to drop a long way back so I had a clear view again.

The other time I've had issues with someone's lighting was a steady front. The lad I was riding with had brigher-than-the-sun mountain bike lighting on his bike, and it meant I was riding in my own shadow, and didn't see a road feature so hit the kerb hard, taking out a tyre.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Hot Flatus on 22 March, 2024, 07:41:45 am
Again, it's of little advantage to have flashing lights in a group and the potential disadvantages outweigh the potential benefits. 

I remember jwo asking me to turn off the flashing light on Mille Cymru. I didn't object...I had hundreds of miles in my legs, was knackered, and appreciative of having my attention drawn to it. It ought be be part of the culture where a polite request is treated as such.

I haven't read Arabella's posts on what research she has read. I might later. It is something I have looked into previously and found research to be scant and flawed.  It tends to be undergraduate of postgraduate projects. Inconclusive at best. The lack of research does not support either side of the debate.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Regulator on 22 March, 2024, 11:04:40 am
Are we going to have to have a Lights sub-section to go with the Helmet sub-section...?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 22 March, 2024, 02:01:29 pm
Quote from: Regulator on 22 March, 2024, 11:04:40 am
Are we going to have to have a Lights sub-section to go with the Helmet sub-section...?

Well obviously as all this stupid talk around battery lights isn't necessary as you should all have a nice dynamo light with a lovely beam pattern fitted and corresponding dynamo lit rear light
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Regulator on 22 March, 2024, 02:02:45 pm
Quote from: The Family Cyclist on 22 March, 2024, 02:01:29 pm
Quote from: Regulator on 22 March, 2024, 11:04:40 am
Are we going to have to have a Lights sub-section to go with the Helmet sub-section...?

Well obviously as all this stupid talk around battery lights isn't necessary as you should all have a nice dynamo light with a lovely beam pattern fitted and corresponding dynamo lit rear light

Ah - I see the representative for the Judean Peoples Front has turned up...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 22 March, 2024, 04:04:05 pm
“Oh bother!” exclaimed Mr Larrington.  “I fear my Perfectly Good Gentleman’s Mountain Bicycling shoes have passed beyond the ability of commercially-available adhesives to repair!”
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 22 March, 2024, 04:04:35 pm
MrsT proved by involuntary demonstration yesterday that her phone was not shockproof.  To furnish a new one, Orange required order confirmation by text message via her inoperable phone. Cue muggins surrendering a pint of blood to Amazon for a new one. Heigh ho. :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: PhilO on 22 March, 2024, 04:21:48 pm
Quote from: T42 on 22 March, 2024, 04:04:35 pm
MrsT proved by involuntary demonstration yesterday that her phone was not shockproof.  To furnish a new one, Orange required order confirmation by text message via her inoperable phone. Cue muggins surrendering a pint of blood to Amazon for a new one. Heigh ho. :(

Shirley that just requires the sim from the defunct phone to be inserted into A.N.Other device?  Or am I missing something (entirely possible!)?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 22 March, 2024, 06:56:37 pm
When I first got a Hope Vision 1 (which I still have, in fact), I experimented with using it in flash mode. I found the mere reflection of the flash on an overcast day disorienting. In fact, possibly worse than looking at it from the front. So I didn't use it in that mode again.

As for flashing rear, I'll use one when I have to ride on a fast, busy road. It's never occurred to me to use it in an urban area; and there are enough cyclists riding around town with no lights at all, or with just a rear light or just front, or a red light at the front, or various other unorthodox combos, and somehow everyone sees them.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 22 March, 2024, 07:21:58 pm
David’s rear tyre has deflated, for reasons as yet unknown.

Removing the rear wheel and changing the tube will be a PITA, given there are disc brakes and hub gears.

Expect frustration. Imagine tube has failed.

Await events...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 22 March, 2024, 07:32:29 pm
I’ve used a small flashing rear in conjunction with a larger stead rear when I’ve cycled on country roads. I’ve never felt the urge to try a flashing front though.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 23 March, 2024, 10:14:00 am
Quote from: PhilO on 22 March, 2024, 04:21:48 pm
Quote from: T42 on 22 March, 2024, 04:04:35 pm
MrsT proved by involuntary demonstration yesterday that her phone was not shockproof.  To furnish a new one, Orange required order confirmation by text message via her inoperable phone. Cue muggins surrendering a pint of blood to Amazon for a new one. Heigh ho. :(

Shirley that just requires the sim from the defunct phone to be inserted into A.N.Other device?  Or am I missing something (entirely possible!)?

No, you're right.  Given the right adapter. :(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 23 March, 2024, 12:06:21 pm
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53605430361_44fd800255_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pEVQRX)
So.  Farewell then… (https://flic.kr/p/2pEVQRX) by Mr Larrington (https://www.flickr.com/photos/mr_larrington/), on Flickr
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 23 March, 2024, 12:29:40 pm
Quote from: T42 on 23 March, 2024, 10:14:00 am
Quote from: PhilO on 22 March, 2024, 04:21:48 pm
Quote from: T42 on 22 March, 2024, 04:04:35 pm
MrsT proved by involuntary demonstration yesterday that her phone was not shockproof.  To furnish a new one, Orange required order confirmation by text message via her inoperable phone. Cue muggins surrendering a pint of blood to Amazon for a new one. Heigh ho. :(

Shirley that just requires the sim from the defunct phone to be inserted into A.N.Other device?  Or am I missing something (entirely possible!)?

No, you're right.  Given the right adapter. :(


And new phone had the right size "slot" in the tray.  Job done.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 23 March, 2024, 01:14:06 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 23 March, 2024, 12:06:21 pm
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53605430361_44fd800255_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pEVQRX)
So.  Farewell then… (https://flic.kr/p/2pEVQRX) by Mr Larrington (https://www.flickr.com/photos/mr_larrington/), on Flickr

Well that's a rubbish.  And what's more, have you seen the state of modern mountain bicycling shoes?  They've all turned into plastic roadie nonsense.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Paul on 23 March, 2024, 01:59:05 pm
Quote from: Kim on 23 March, 2024, 01:14:06 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 23 March, 2024, 12:06:21 pm
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53605430361_44fd800255_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pEVQRX)
So.  Farewell then… (https://flic.kr/p/2pEVQRX) by Mr Larrington (https://www.flickr.com/photos/mr_larrington/), on Flickr

Well that's a rubbish.  And what's more, have you seen the state of modern mountain bicycling shoes?  They've all turned into plastic roadie nonsense.

I blame the soleless corporations.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 23 March, 2024, 02:08:53 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 23 March, 2024, 12:06:21 pm
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53605430361_44fd800255_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pEVQRX)
So.  Farewell then… (https://flic.kr/p/2pEVQRX) by Mr Larrington (https://www.flickr.com/photos/mr_larrington/), on Flickr

Think up a hard-luck/tear-jerker story and take them to the Repair Shop - the cobbler guy will get them back to look like new!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Canardly on 23 March, 2024, 02:27:32 pm
Spread soil out on groundsheet to dry so can use riddle. And then it rains.......again and again and ag....
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rower40 on 24 March, 2024, 07:36:21 am
Quote from: robgul on 23 March, 2024, 02:08:53 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 23 March, 2024, 12:06:21 pm
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53605430361_44fd800255_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2pEVQRX)
So.  Farewell then… (https://flic.kr/p/2pEVQRX) by Mr Larrington (https://www.flickr.com/photos/mr_larrington/), on Flickr

Think up a hard-luck/tear-jerker story and take them to the Repair Shop - the cobbler guy will get them back to look like new!
I suggest you get several quotes for repair, and post them here. Everyone here likes reading through a load of old cobblers.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 24 March, 2024, 09:30:55 am
Quote from: Canardly on 23 March, 2024, 02:27:32 pm
Spread soil out on groundsheet to dry so can use riddle. And then it rains.......again and again and ag....

Meteo Blue gives you handy animated rain maps and also works in Englandshire.

https://www.meteoblue.com
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: rafletcher on 24 March, 2024, 11:08:59 am
Quote from: T42 on 24 March, 2024, 09:30:55 am
Quote from: Canardly on 23 March, 2024, 02:27:32 pm
Spread soil out on groundsheet to dry so can use riddle. And then it rains.......again and again and ag....

Meteo Blue gives you handy animated rain maps and also works in Englandshire.

https://www.meteoblue.com

So does Home and Dry. Still not convinced, especially when the country is freckled with hail squalls.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 24 March, 2024, 07:08:10 pm
I wasted a day of our holiday today in bed with digestive distress. Just about managed to drag myself up for a shower to go for dinner, more for Pingu's benefit than mine. Managed a whole 1/4 of a pizza and took the rest back to the hotel in a box. Hopefully normal service will be resumed tomorrow.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 24 March, 2024, 08:24:33 pm
That's just unfair. Hope your guts are better behaved tomorrow!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 24 March, 2024, 08:27:41 pm
I had that too. A day of feeling rough, a day of not too bad, then a night of liquid guts and a day of not too bad. All sorted now though.

Ages since I've had that.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 24 March, 2024, 09:32:03 pm
I just can't keep awake and am too lethargic to get out on a bike - the last 3 days I've slept for about 3 hours each afternoon (as well as overnight) - must still be jet-lag?

I'm usually OK with it after a couple of days but it's been a week since we got back - 25.5 hours in the air with 2.5 on the ground between flights, 13 hour time difference (flying east to west).

Fed up with it!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 25 March, 2024, 08:21:09 am
Bah, another day off.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 25 March, 2024, 08:36:43 am
Quote from: robgul on 24 March, 2024, 09:32:03 pm
I just can't keep awake and am too lethargic to get out on a bike - the last 3 days I've slept for about 3 hours each afternoon (as well as overnight) - must still be jet-lag?

I'm usually OK with it after a couple of days but it's been a week since we got back - 25.5 hours in the air with 2.5 on the ground between flights, 13 hour time difference (flying east to west).

Fed up with it!

I read years ago that you recovered at roughly one hour of jet-lag per day, but IME this wasn't linear; instead you'd feel equally lousy for a couple of days in a row then get back about two hours of lag at one go, & so forth.  The overall recovery time was the same. Going W to E was much worse: I decided that the lag in that case was 24 - lag-hours, which fitted my experience pretty well.

I once touched down in Frankfurt at 7am after a flight from San Francisco to find a most generous message from my boss: you'll be jet-lagged so you don't need to come in until after lunch.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 25 March, 2024, 09:35:06 am
I never managed to get my company to send me to Indonesia for a week before the job started.  Jet lag recovery in Bali would have worked very well I'm sure.

As to being ill on holiday, that's just generally crap (pun intended  ;D )
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 25 March, 2024, 11:46:08 am
Quote from: T42 on 25 March, 2024, 08:36:43 am
Quote from: robgul on 24 March, 2024, 09:32:03 pm
I just can't keep awake and am too lethargic to get out on a bike - the last 3 days I've slept for about 3 hours each afternoon (as well as overnight) - must still be jet-lag?

I'm usually OK with it after a couple of days but it's been a week since we got back - 25.5 hours in the air with 2.5 on the ground between flights, 13 hour time difference (flying east to west).

Fed up with it!

I read years ago that you recovered at roughly one hour of jet-lag per day, but IME this wasn't linear; instead you'd feel equally lousy for a couple of days in a row then get back about two hours of lag at one go, & so forth.  The overall recovery time was the same. Going W to E was much worse: I decided that the lag in that case was 24 - lag-hours, which fitted my experience pretty well.

I once touched down in Frankfurt at 7am after a flight from San Francisco to find a most generous message from my boss: you'll be jet-lagged so you don't need to come in until after lunch.

Yep - my wife* saw the "one day per hour" thing so perhaps another 3 or 4 days and all will be fine.    Have to say I used to fly from the UK to the US west coast for work quite often and never had an issue - just stay up until normal time for bed.

She also thought that as we were Business Class jet-lag wouldn't be a problem  ;D ;D

. . . and while I'm grumbling about flying . . .  it seems that if you fly from/to London Heathrow on an Airbus 380 you have a massively long walk to the gate - one of the staff said it's because they only have the double-deck air bridges for 380s out there. My wife timed the walk at a fairly brisk pace at 14 minutes from aircraft door to border control.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Regulator on 25 March, 2024, 04:20:28 pm
Tell her to try flying from Stansted.  You can find Strava segments running from the arrivals gate to immigration...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 25 March, 2024, 06:38:18 pm
Quote from: Regulator on 25 March, 2024, 04:20:28 pm
Tell her to try flying from Stansted.  You can find Strava segments running from the arrivals gate to immigration...

TBH, I find (or pre-COVID found) Emirates from STN to be a great way to do it for anything heading eastwards, flying business class they alway sent a car to pick me up as I'm just inside their 50 mile radius.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 25 March, 2024, 10:44:56 pm
We had the same from emirates from Birmingham, and hen in Dubai, Mali and on the way back. The a380 lounge in Dubai is brilliant.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 26 March, 2024, 08:47:46 am
Sheer fucking genius:

(https://pbase.com/image/174437087.jpg)

Council-imposed paper bags for food waste are truly worthy of a Nobel. Or a straitjacket.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 26 March, 2024, 09:29:02 am
Yeah, I bought paper ones to try a few years ago (cos here in the land of economic liberty, you have to buy your own, of course) and they also didn't really work. Though TBF even the compostable plastic ones need changing every two days or so regardless of fullness.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fimm on 26 March, 2024, 12:39:49 pm
Why do the people sending out emails at work need to put "gentle reminder". It's a reminder. Doesn't need to be gentle.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 26 March, 2024, 04:59:35 pm
Agreed, I guess they're trying not to seem too naggy while being helpful with reminder and links/etc.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 27 March, 2024, 12:15:10 am
Always comes across a bit passive-aggressive IMO, no matter what they may have intended
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 27 March, 2024, 12:22:43 am
Quote from: T42 on 26 March, 2024, 08:47:46 am
Sheer fucking genius:

(https://pbase.com/image/174437087.jpg)

Council-imposed paper bags for food waste are truly worthy of a Nobel. Or a straitjacket.

I fear this may be down to the quality rather than the material - we've been using paper bags for food waste (and in fact choosing them rather than the cornstarch ones also offered by the council) for several years.

We only use them for the stuff that's going off for high-temperature composting in the council collections (peelings etc go in our own compost bin), but they generally last fine for the week between collections.

This post has been a useful reminder - we need to order some more ...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 27 March, 2024, 08:08:33 am
Quote from: jsabine on 27 March, 2024, 12:22:43 am
Quote from: T42 on 26 March, 2024, 08:47:46 am
Sheer fucking genius:

(https://pbase.com/image/174437087.jpg)

Council-imposed paper bags for food waste are truly worthy of a Nobel. Or a straitjacket.

I fear this may be down to the quality rather than the material - we've been using paper bags for food waste (and in fact choosing them rather than the cornstarch ones also offered by the council) for several years.

We only use them for the stuff that's going off for high-temperature composting in the council collections (peelings etc go in our own compost bin), but they generally last fine for the week between collections.

This post has been a useful reminder - we need to order some more ...

Ours are supplied free of charge but they aren't collected. We have to trog round to a communal bin in front of the sale défaite salle des fêtes.  Chum saw a bloke emptying his chip pan into one such.  When it's pissing down for days we tend to have a couple of full ones kicking about the floor, which is less than agreeable. Leave them outside and the local cats & rats get them. The whole scheme is about as well-planned as the barriers on the cycle paths.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 27 March, 2024, 08:40:03 am
You can only comment on the planning if you know what outcome is intended. If the goal is to stop people separating their green waste or to compost at home, then crappy bags and a communal collection points would be the way I’d go.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 27 March, 2024, 09:43:28 am
I've seen what they told us and I've seen the results. :sick:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Phil21 on 30 March, 2024, 10:45:56 am
You know that funds transfer that I initiated from my broker account to my current account on Tuesday that is supposed to take 2-3 "working" days. Still showing as pending in my banking app and since this is Easter it won't complete until Tuesday. That's seven days.

FFS banks, mainframes run 24/7/365 there is no reason for this in the modern age.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 30 March, 2024, 05:22:36 pm
Quote from: Father Ted
That money was just resting in my account
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 30 March, 2024, 06:39:13 pm
Quote from: Phil21 on 30 March, 2024, 10:45:56 am
You know that funds transfer that I initiated from my broker account to my current account on Tuesday that is supposed to take 2-3 "working" days. Still showing as pending in my banking app and since this is Easter it won't complete until Tuesday. That's seven days.

FFS banks, mainframes run 24/7/365 there is no reason for this in the modern age.

"Mainframes" have always run 24hrs, though in the past there will have been a "batch" process that ran at some point on a work day after a manual sign-off. Now there is no reason for this kind of bollocks, if it's left one account it should be in the destination account within seconds. One or other bank is deliberately holding the cash for their own benefit.

Similarly pension companies: I was paid  last Weds with the cash to be available in my account on Thurs before the holiday weekend. At the same time they will have sent my pension to the pension company. But pensionCo. won't even register it until next Tue or Weds and it will then be "unallocated" until Fri at the earliest. From my company ALONE that's A Several of millions of BRITISH Pounds for well over a week at the SONIA rate of 5.19% which sounds like a nice little earner.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 30 March, 2024, 06:58:36 pm
The pension thing is something that's annoying us at the moment. Looks like my company doesn't submit pension funds at the same time as payroll, but sits on it for a week. Then it goes to pension co, who sit on it until the next Friday batch job.
Bonuses paid in the March 15 payroll that were put into the pension haven't arrived yet, though the standard pension contribution has. If you'd elected to have bonus as cash instead, it would have been in the March pay run.
Someone is making lots of money in interest.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Phil21 on 31 March, 2024, 11:41:58 am
Quote from: Pickled Onion on 30 March, 2024, 06:39:13 pm
Quote from: Phil21 on 30 March, 2024, 10:45:56 am
You know that funds transfer that I initiated from my broker account to my current account on Tuesday that is supposed to take 2-3 "working" days. Still showing as pending in my banking app and since this is Easter it won't complete until Tuesday. That's seven days.

FFS banks, mainframes run 24/7/365 there is no reason for this in the modern age.

"Mainframes" have always run 24hrs, though in the past there will have been a "batch" process that ran at some point on a work day after a manual sign-off. Now there is no reason for this kind of bollocks, if it's left one account it should be in the destination account within seconds. One or other bank is deliberately holding the cash for their own benefit.

Similarly pension companies: I was paid  last Weds with the cash to be available in my account on Thurs before the holiday weekend. At the same time they will have sent my pension to the pension company. But pensionCo. won't even register it until next Tue or Weds and it will then be "unallocated" until Fri at the earliest. From my company ALONE that's A Several of millions of BRITISH Pounds for well over a week at the SONIA rate of 5.19% which sounds like a nice little earner.

Yeah I know mainframes usually run batches, usually based on picking up files left in certain directories. I have some experience in the financial IT world. Probably nobody dare touch the core machines which are lashed together COBOL and JCL and there's a layer of "Enterprisey" Java and .Net code around it feeding it files occasionally.

I think the main problem is that the BANKS are signed up to the Faster Payments System https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faster_Payments but other financially oriented companies such as stockbrokers and and pension companies aren't. At least, not when getting money out of them. Strangely, they seem much faster at getting money in.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 01 April, 2024, 10:36:26 am
Quote from: Phil21 on 31 March, 2024, 11:41:58 am
Probably nobody dare touch the core machines which are lashed together COBOL and JCL...

Gawd, COBOL.  Pre-Y2K I was inveigled into writing a COBOL converter. Had to put the syntax trees in separate editable files because I eventually had to cope with about 5 different dialects.  Piggy wasn't the word for it, it was fierce.  I had to take 3 weeks off due to burnout in Jan 2000.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 01 April, 2024, 01:23:28 pm
Soft front tyre on Perfectly Good Gentleman’s Mountain Bicycle.  Wasn’t like that on Saturday.  I can haz patches?  Yes.  I can haz rubber solution that didn’t turn into a rock-hard lump a decade ago?  Almost certainly not.

Bah!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 01 April, 2024, 01:56:58 pm
Quote from: T42 on 01 April, 2024, 10:36:26 am
Quote from: Phil21 on 31 March, 2024, 11:41:58 am
Probably nobody dare touch the core machines which are lashed together COBOL and JCL...

Gawd, COBOL.  Pre-Y2K I was inveigled into writing a COBOL converter. Had to put the syntax trees in separate editable files because I eventually had to cope with about 5 different dialects.  Piggy wasn't the word for it, it was fierce.  I had to take 3 weeks off due to burnout in Jan 2000.

As a relatively new engineer on plant, one of my projects was as the process eng representative on a project to replace a MaxiVis control system. It took a f@$king age, over ran cost and time, expanded like buggery as we found all sorts of additional systems and PLCs to trasnfer in as well.  To cap it all I know of at least one other example of the same system still in use on an oil terminal in the UK
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 01 April, 2024, 02:30:00 pm
Quote from: ElyDave on 01 April, 2024, 01:56:58 pm
Quote from: T42 on 01 April, 2024, 10:36:26 am
Quote from: Phil21 on 31 March, 2024, 11:41:58 am
Probably nobody dare touch the core machines which are lashed together COBOL and JCL...

Gawd, COBOL.  Pre-Y2K I was inveigled into writing a COBOL converter. Had to put the syntax trees in separate editable files because I eventually had to cope with about 5 different dialects.  Piggy wasn't the word for it, it was fierce.  I had to take 3 weeks off due to burnout in Jan 2000.

As a relatively new engineer on plant, one of my projects was as the process eng representative on a project to replace a MaxiVis control system. It took a f@$king age, over ran cost and time, expanded like buggery as we found all sorts of additional systems and PLCs to trasnfer in as well.  To cap it all I know of at least one other example of the same system still in use on an oil terminal in the UK

If it ever goes down you've got them over a barrel.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 01 April, 2024, 05:02:05 pm
Out with friends on Exmoor yesterday,  we walked up through Horner Wood, an ancient woodland, up onto the moor to the top of Dunkerry Beacon. Lovely. Peaceful.  Or so you would think. Just about the whole time we could hear Bangin' Tunes blasting out from a small but fucking noisy gathering of mostly young people, accompanied by generators, amplifiers and accessories. Our route later took us through the car park/beauty spot where they were gathered. I was sorely tempted to switch their generator off.
(click to show/hide)

They are not my Favourite People.

Edit: BBC news reports thre were two such gatherings on Exmoor. Police  attended, equipment siezed. Good.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 03 April, 2024, 09:55:56 am
Very soft mattresses do not a good match make with 125kg lumps of lard with bad backs. The feather pillows only compound the situation, especially when said lump of lard has a minor allergy to feathers. And that’s before you add in the diminutive size of said ‘double’ bed. Oh, and the duvet is a down jobbie that’s too warm as well.

It’s probably for the best if I don’t describe my condition this morning.  :-\ >:(
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 03 April, 2024, 10:51:38 am
That sounds miserable. I too loathe soft beds and feathers. Snotty Skeleton Crankmonster and I know your back was already playing up recently.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 04 April, 2024, 05:38:07 pm
Amazon delivery driver: I used to be a postman, so I know how important house numbers are, which is why there are five, yes five, number elevens outside my house. The main one is a distinctive, brass pair of digits on my front door. You, in your haste, ignored these and delivered to number seven. So near, yet so incompetently far.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 04 April, 2024, 06:00:10 pm
I can’t roll over in bed and fear pressure sores.
I am easily able to regulate my temperature by sticking limbs and extremities out of our goose down duvets and we have different duvets and mattress surfaces for different seasons.
I’m very happy with my duvet and medium + firm sprung double-sided double mattress.
I don’t get on with bigger and would have to reposition our built-in bedside cabinets if we were to get a larger mattress.
What suits one person won’t suit another!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: alfapete on 04 April, 2024, 06:47:30 pm
Quote from: CAMRAMan on 04 April, 2024, 05:38:07 pm
Amazon delivery driver: I used to be a postman, so I know how important house numbers are, which is why there are five, yes five, number elevens outside my house. The main one is a distinctive, brass pair of digits on my front door. You, in your haste, ignored these and delivered to number seven. So near, yet so incompetently far.
Your very helpful signs are no use if they only made it to No 7 now, are they?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 04 April, 2024, 06:58:34 pm
Quote from: CAMRAMan on 04 April, 2024, 05:38:07 pm
Amazon delivery driver: I used to be a postman, so I know how important house numbers are, which is why there are five, yes five, number elevens outside my house. The main one is a distinctive, brass pair of digits on my front door. You, in your haste, ignored these and delivered to number seven. So near, yet so incompetently far.

Five elevens - perhaps he thought you lived at number 55??

IGMC
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: CAMRAMan on 04 April, 2024, 07:36:25 pm
I'll grant you two of the elevens were added by the developer and are stylish, so therefore illegible. The others are very clear, as befits a former Royal Mail wallah.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pingu on 04 April, 2024, 09:17:09 pm
Quote from: robgul on 04 April, 2024, 06:58:34 pm
Quote from: CAMRAMan on 04 April, 2024, 05:38:07 pm
Amazon delivery driver: I used to be a postman, so I know how important house numbers are, which is why there are five, yes five, number elevens outside my house. The main one is a distinctive, brass pair of digits on my front door. You, in your haste, ignored these and delivered to number seven. So near, yet so incompetently far.

Five elevens - perhaps he thought you lived at number 55??

IGMC

Or 1111111111?
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 04 April, 2024, 10:28:05 pm
Bah. A Nice Man is just finishing up fitting a new lock to my front door following a "getting locked out as the old lock b0rked" situation.

Drilling the old lock through the door at a Specific Location followed by poking , jiggling and mild swears got him into my flat. Clever stuff. I fear it will be a spendy exercise.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 04 April, 2024, 11:39:22 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 04 April, 2024, 10:28:05 pm
Bah. A Nice Man is just finishing up fitting a new lock to my front door following a "getting locked out as the old lock b0rked" situation.

Drilling the old lock through the door at a Specific Location followed by poking , jiggling and mild swears got him into my flat. Clever stuff. I fear it will be a spendy exercise.

That happened to me a several of years ago:  Hardest part was convincing the letting agents that I hadn't lost my key, but the lock had snibbed itself (presumably) as I closed the door on the way out.  By the time the Nice Man arrived, I'd spent a good half an hour almost but not quite managing to un-snib it using a pair of spokes taped together.  He had a token go with the aid of his mirror-onna-stick, and then declared that I wanted a new lock anyway, didn't I? and got the BFO drill for precision application of ultra-violence.

Anyway *greps* here's some light reading that hopefully won't prove useful one day:
 https://ia601307.us.archive.org/29/items/FDNYforcibleEntryReferenceGuide/FDNY_Forcible_entry_reference_guide.pdf
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 05 April, 2024, 07:55:45 am
Quote from: Kim on 04 April, 2024, 11:39:22 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 04 April, 2024, 10:28:05 pm
Bah. A Nice Man is just finishing up fitting a new lock to my front door following a "getting locked out as the old lock b0rked" situation.

Drilling the old lock through the door at a Specific Location followed by poking , jiggling and mild swears got him into my flat. Clever stuff. I fear it will be a spendy exercise.

That happened to me a several of years ago:  Hardest part was convincing the letting agents that I hadn't lost my key, but the lock had snibbed itself (presumably) as I closed the door on the way out.  By the time the Nice Man arrived, I'd spent a good half an hour almost but not quite managing to un-snib it using a pair of spokes taped together.  He had a token go with the aid of his mirror-onna-stick, and then declared that I wanted a new lock anyway, didn't I? and got the BFO drill for precision application of ultra-violence.

Anyway *greps* here's some light reading that hopefully won't prove useful one day:
 https://ia601307.us.archive.org/29/items/FDNYforcibleEntryReferenceGuide/FDNY_Forcible_entry_reference_guide.pdf

At our previous house I managed to lock myslef out at about 2200 when the door blew closed behind me as I was putting something in the car.  My wife was away for 2 days.  Fortunately the door had a small glass panel about 30 x 20cm - non-safety glass - I broke the glass, and having long arms was just able to reach the lock and get back in.  Then a bit of fettling with a piece of wood to replace the glass temporarily overnight and a visit to the glass merchant the following day. Phew!   Since then I always have my keys on me . . . although where we live now the front and back doors don't close and lock without further intervention.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Polar Bear on 05 April, 2024, 08:21:00 am
A couple of years ago my youngest son and his partner moved house.  Their old house had a uPVC door with a regulation euro cylinder which requires you to actually lock the door.  The new property has a wooden front door with a mortice lock and a Yale lock.

Yup, you've guessed it.  Second day there ...   
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 05 April, 2024, 08:30:43 am
when we built our house I had a keypad fitted to the garage roller door.  I reckoned that the chances of losing/leaving my keys and all the electricity going off was low enough to be acceptable.  Not having t take keys with me on a bike ride was an added bonus
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 05 April, 2024, 08:46:30 am
Quote from: Kim on 04 April, 2024, 11:39:22 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 04 April, 2024, 10:28:05 pm
Bah. A Nice Man is just finishing up fitting a new lock to my front door following a "getting locked out as the old lock b0rked" situation.

Drilling the old lock through the door at a Specific Location followed by poking , jiggling and mild swears got him into my flat. Clever stuff. I fear it will be a spendy exercise.

That happened to me a several of years ago:  Hardest part was convincing the letting agents that I hadn't lost my key, but the lock had snibbed itself (presumably) as I closed the door on the way out.  By the time the Nice Man arrived, I'd spent a good half an hour almost but not quite managing to un-snib it using a pair of spokes taped together.  He had a token go with the aid of his mirror-onna-stick, and then declared that I wanted a new lock anyway, didn't I? and got the BFO drill for precision application of ultra-violence.

Anyway *greps* here's some light reading that hopefully won't prove useful one day:
 https://ia601307.us.archive.org/29/items/FDNYforcibleEntryReferenceGuide/FDNY_Forcible_entry_reference_guide.pdf

There isn't much in that FDNY PDF that isn't terminally destructive.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 05 April, 2024, 09:00:07 am
To be fair, if you need to get into a building because either it's on fire or someone is desperate for help, being gentle with the door is probably quite low priority.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 05 April, 2024, 09:03:01 am
Some years ago LFB made axes 'Officer Issue only' on account of a large number of fire fighters entering buildings and demolishing doors which weren't locked.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Paul on 05 April, 2024, 09:12:43 am
Quote from: Jurek on 05 April, 2024, 09:03:01 am
Some years ago LFB made axes 'Officer Issue' only on account of a large number of fire fighters entering buildings and demolishing doors which weren't locked.

Hence (at page 26 of the guide): And finally, you should always TRY THE DOOR KNOB - “is the door open?”

 ;D
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 05 April, 2024, 12:23:30 pm
I thought that the fire brigades of the world used a key, universal 10lb or metric equivalent  ???
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 05 April, 2024, 12:28:29 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 05 April, 2024, 12:23:30 pm
I thought that the fire brigades of the world used a key, universal 10lb or metric equivalent  ???

That's not always enough for security doors (at least, not in a timely manner).  Hence the guide.  A lot of it is about ways to gain leverage in the right spot before applying the ultra-violence.

You've got to appreciate the cleverness of the Halligan tool in that context.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 05 April, 2024, 02:04:53 pm
Why do interwebs form molishers continue to be such incapable fuckwits when it comes to data entry verification? If you have a free test box as a response to a question that includes the answer “No”, then demanding that I put a valid address in said box when I respond “No” showers monumental incompetence by the designer, the developer AND the tester and a distinct lack of interest by the PM and the requirements definer. That this is on a bereavement form is just bad manners.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jasmine on 05 April, 2024, 02:07:35 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 01 April, 2024, 05:02:05 pm
Out with friends on Exmoor yesterday,  we walked up through Horner Wood, an ancient woodland, up onto the moor to the top of Dunkerry Beacon. Lovely. Peaceful.  Or so you would think. Just about the whole time we could hear Bangin' Tunes blasting out from a small but fucking noisy gathering of mostly young people, accompanied by generators, amplifiers and accessories. Our route later took us through the car park/beauty spot where they were gathered. I was sorely tempted to switch their generator off.
(click to show/hide)

They are not my Favourite People.

Edit: BBC news reports thre were two such gatherings on Exmoor. Police  attended, equipment siezed. Good.

Was it specifically illegal activity (e.g. an actual rave) or just some people enjoying the countryside in a way that you don't approve of?
There is a very real conflict as more people start to use the countryside in the respect that the way that people choose to enjoy the countryside isn't universal. Quite often, this is cultural - quietly enjoying the countryside is the typical way that white, and predominantly middle-class people spend time out in the countryside.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 05 April, 2024, 02:09:00 pm
Quote from: Paul on 05 April, 2024, 09:12:43 am
Quote from: Jurek on 05 April, 2024, 09:03:01 am
Some years ago LFB made axes 'Officer Issue' only on account of a large number of fire fighters entering buildings and demolishing doors which weren't locked.

Hence (at page 26 of the guide): And finally, you should always TRY THE DOOR KNOB - “is the door open?”

 ;D

Maybe it should be at the beginning of the instructions rather than finally.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 05 April, 2024, 02:14:27 pm
Perhaps, as it’s not an on the job guide, but a ‘to be read before you deploy’ guide, it’s the last thing mentioned in the hope that it is an instruction more likely to be remembered.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 05 April, 2024, 02:21:28 pm
Internet survey forms.
Had one this morning that I actually wanted to provide feedback to the company on (had been intending to send them a suggestion). They had a three by three grid of "have you used this part of the package?"
Part aPart bPart c
Yes
OOO
No
OOO
Didn't know it existedOOO

But rather than checkboxes, radio buttons in the 9 positions that were exclusive along the horizontal line. So you couldn't answer the same for every part. And you couldn't continue without filling in the answer for every part, so if you hadn't used any of them but knew they were there you had to say that one you had used, and one you didn't know existed.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: arabella on 05 April, 2024, 02:22:40 pm
Quote from: Jasmine on 05 April, 2024, 02:07:35 pm
(snipped)
Was it specifically illegal activity (e.g. an actual rave) or just some people enjoying the countryside in a way that you don't approve of?
There is a very real conflict as more people start to use the countryside in the respect that the way that people choose to enjoy the countryside isn't universal. Quite often, this is cultural - quietly enjoying the countryside is the typical way that white, and predominantly middle-class people spend time out in the countryside.
I think the problem is that "enjoying" the countryside by bringing along amps, music etc prevents the enjoyment of others who want to be listening to bird life/nothing/a quiet conversation with many pauses in the way that "enjoying" the countryside by any of listening to bird life/nothing/a quiet conversation with many pauses doesn't prevent any of the other activities. 
A noisy gathering without amplifiers etc is also OK because the noisy gathering without needing to talk over the amp doesn't need to be as noisy as the gathering with the amp!
Volume of amps etc likely to carry further than a conversation, and thus be intrusive on what others may be doing.  ie your enjoyment of the countryside shouldn't prevent anyoe else's enjoyment of the same countryside. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: MattH on 05 April, 2024, 02:24:30 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 05 April, 2024, 02:14:27 pm
Perhaps, as it’s not an on the job guide, but a ‘to be read before you deploy’ guide, it’s the last thing mentioned in the hope that it is an instruction more likely to be remembered.

And done in an amusing style to increase the memorability.

Like the powerpoint training I saw for a piece of equipment that was coated in an anti-fungal paint, which rather than saying wash your hands after touching it so as not to contaminate your food, said that you should not lick the equipment. Raises a laugh, people remember it.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 05 April, 2024, 02:45:08 pm
Quote from: Pingu
Quote from: robgul
Quote from: CAMRAMan
Amazon delivery driver: I used to be a postman, so I know how important house numbers are, which is why there are five, yes five, number elevens outside my house. The main one is a distinctive, brass pair of digits on my front door. You, in your haste, ignored these and delivered to number seven. So near, yet so incompetently far.

Five elevens - perhaps he thought you lived at number 55??

IGMC

Or 1111111111?

Or even 1023.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 05 April, 2024, 02:49:48 pm
Quote from: Jasmine on 05 April, 2024, 02:07:35 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 01 April, 2024, 05:02:05 pm
Out with friends on Exmoor yesterday,  we walked up through Horner Wood, an ancient woodland, up onto the moor to the top of Dunkerry Beacon. Lovely. Peaceful.  Or so you would think. Just about the whole time we could hear Bangin' Tunes blasting out from a small but fucking noisy gathering of mostly young people, accompanied by generators, amplifiers and accessories. Our route later took us through the car park/beauty spot where they were gathered. I was sorely tempted to switch their generator off.
(click to show/hide)

They are not my Favourite People.

Edit: BBC news reports thre were two such gatherings on Exmoor. Police  attended, equipment siezed. Good.

Was it specifically illegal activity (e.g. an actual rave) or just some people enjoying the countryside in a way that you don't approve of?
There is a very real conflict as more people start to use the countryside in the respect that the way that people choose to enjoy the countryside isn't universal. Quite often, this is cultural - quietly enjoying the countryside is the typical way that white, and predominantly middle-class people spend time out in the countryside.
As the police seized equipment, that suggests it was illegal. It had all the appearances (and sounds) of being a rave. Not a big one. But you make a good point - even if the equipment wasn't seized and there was no illegal activity, they were "enjoying the countryside in a way that I don't approve of." Music played at such a volume that it can be heard nearly 2km away in a National Park is Too Loud.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: yorkie on 05 April, 2024, 02:50:24 pm
Quote from: arabella on 05 April, 2024, 02:22:40 pm
Quote from: Jasmine on 05 April, 2024, 02:07:35 pm
(snipped)
Was it specifically illegal activity (e.g. an actual rave) or just some people enjoying the countryside in a way that you don't approve of?
There is a very real conflict as more people start to use the countryside in the respect that the way that people choose to enjoy the countryside isn't universal. Quite often, this is cultural - quietly enjoying the countryside is the typical way that white, and predominantly middle-class people spend time out in the countryside.
I think the problem is that "enjoying" the countryside by bringing along amps, music etc prevents the enjoyment of others who want to be listening to bird life/nothing/a quiet conversation with many pauses in the way that "enjoying" the countryside by any of listening to bird life/nothing/a quiet conversation with many pauses doesn't prevent any of the other activities. 
A noisy gathering without amplifiers etc is also OK because the noisy gathering without needing to talk over the amp doesn't need to be as noisy as the gathering with the amp!
Volume of amps etc likely to carry further than a conversation, and thus be intrusive on what others may be doing.  ie your enjoyment of the countryside shouldn't prevent anyoe else's enjoyment of the same countryside.


Not one, but two illegal raves. BBC Somerset's report (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-68707795) has more details.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: TheLurker on 05 April, 2024, 03:51:30 pm
Quote from: Beardy
Why do interwebs form molishers continue to be such incapable fuckwits when it comes to data entry verification?
Because companies employee the cheapest morons they can find to develop their software.  Signed. A cheap moron.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 05 April, 2024, 04:37:21 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 05 April, 2024, 02:49:48 pm
Quote from: Jasmine on 05 April, 2024, 02:07:35 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 01 April, 2024, 05:02:05 pm
Out with friends on Exmoor yesterday,  we walked up through Horner Wood, an ancient woodland, up onto the moor to the top of Dunkerry Beacon. Lovely. Peaceful.  Or so you would think. Just about the whole time we could hear Bangin' Tunes blasting out from a small but fucking noisy gathering of mostly young people, accompanied by generators, amplifiers and accessories. Our route later took us through the car park/beauty spot where they were gathered. I was sorely tempted to switch their generator off.
(click to show/hide)

They are not my Favourite People.

Edit: BBC news reports thre were two such gatherings on Exmoor. Police  attended, equipment siezed. Good.

Was it specifically illegal activity (e.g. an actual rave) or just some people enjoying the countryside in a way that you don't approve of?
There is a very real conflict as more people start to use the countryside in the respect that the way that people choose to enjoy the countryside isn't universal. Quite often, this is cultural - quietly enjoying the countryside is the typical way that white, and predominantly middle-class people spend time out in the countryside.
As the police seized equipment, that suggests it was illegal. It had all the appearances (and sounds) of being a rave. Not a big one. But you make a good point - even if the equipment wasn't seized and there was no illegal activity, they were "enjoying the countryside in a way that I don't approve of." Music played at such a volume that it can be heard nearly 2km away in a National Park is Too Loud.
Subject to exceptions, mistakes, opportunism, etc. As Valiant, amongst others, would no doubt remind us. Nevertheless, I agree with you on the effect.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 05 April, 2024, 05:43:03 pm
Quote from: Kim on 04 April, 2024, 11:39:22 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 04 April, 2024, 10:28:05 pm
Bah. A Nice Man is just finishing up fitting a new lock to my front door following a "getting locked out as the old lock b0rked" situation.

Drilling the old lock through the door at a Specific Location followed by poking , jiggling and mild swears got him into my flat. Clever stuff. I fear it will be a spendy exercise.

That happened to me a several of years ago:  Hardest part was convincing the letting agents that I hadn't lost my key, but the lock had snibbed itself (presumably) as I closed the door on the way out.  By the time the Nice Man arrived, I'd spent a good half an hour almost but not quite managing to un-snib it using a pair of spokes taped together.  He had a token go with the aid of his mirror-onna-stick, and then declared that I wanted a new lock anyway, didn't I? and got the BFO drill for precision application of ultra-violence.

Anyway *greps* here's some light reading that hopefully won't prove useful one day:
 https://ia601307.us.archive.org/29/items/FDNYforcibleEntryReferenceGuide/FDNY_Forcible_entry_reference_guide.pdf

This was a mortice lock. I was worried that my lovely front door that the Cheery Chippy installed a couple of years ago would be damaged by the locksmith. Fears=groundless. He unscrewed the escutcheon plate (The bit the handle is in. That. ) had a peek at what he could see of the lock, looked it up on an app to identify the make. This gave him the x and y coordinates of where to drill and away he went. He could then do things to $SpecialLockSpeak with various bits of metal and, with one bound, he was free. Or in to the flat.

He had a suitable replacement lock with him, so that was fitted, escutcheon replaced, keys handed over. No sign of his visit. £192 which was a bit less than I was thinking. 
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 05 April, 2024, 06:34:11 pm
My front door slams shut and needs a key to open it from the outside, if the back door is left open.
ANY air movement tends to be funnelled into that door.
D gets locked out quite a bit...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 05 April, 2024, 06:47:27 pm
Fortunately both front doors of Larrington Towers open inwards and require a certain amount of muscle to close.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Jurek on 05 April, 2024, 06:59:02 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 05 April, 2024, 05:43:03 pm
Quote from: Kim on 04 April, 2024, 11:39:22 pm
Quote from: Tim Hall on 04 April, 2024, 10:28:05 pm
Bah. A Nice Man is just finishing up fitting a new lock to my front door following a "getting locked out as the old lock b0rked" situation.

Drilling the old lock through the door at a Specific Location followed by poking , jiggling and mild swears got him into my flat. Clever stuff. I fear it will be a spendy exercise.

That happened to me a several of years ago:  Hardest part was convincing the letting agents that I hadn't lost my key, but the lock had snibbed itself (presumably) as I closed the door on the way out.  By the time the Nice Man arrived, I'd spent a good half an hour almost but not quite managing to un-snib it using a pair of spokes taped together.  He had a token go with the aid of his mirror-onna-stick, and then declared that I wanted a new lock anyway, didn't I? and got the BFO drill for precision application of ultra-violence.

Anyway *greps* here's some light reading that hopefully won't prove useful one day:
 https://ia601307.us.archive.org/29/items/FDNYforcibleEntryReferenceGuide/FDNY_Forcible_entry_reference_guide.pdf

This was a mortice lock. I was worried that my lovely front door that the Cheery Chippy installed a couple of years ago would be damaged by the locksmith. Fears=groundless. He unscrewed the escutcheon plate (The bit the handle is in. That. ) had a peek at what he could see of the lock, looked it up on an app to identify the make. This gave him the x and y coordinates of where to drill and away he went. He could then do things to $SpecialLockSpeak with various bits of metal and, with one bound, he was free. Or in to the flat.

He had a suitable replacement lock with him, so that was fitted, escutcheon replaced, keys handed over. No sign of his visit. £192 which was a bit less than I was thinking.
Around 20 years back when I was working overseas I received a call from my upstairs neighbour informing me that he'd locked himself out.
'Look mate, I'm in Lisbon and not back for a couple of weeks' was my response, 'You'll have to sort it out yourself'.
He did.
He used the first locksmith he found on the inter webs.
The locksmith in question charged him £150.00 for the pleasure of utterly butchering the frame of my front door (which has since been repaired and reinforced with steel - in case anyone has any ideas of breaking in) and fitting a £19.95 rim lock (which has since been replaced)
Sounds to me like you've not done too badly, Tim.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Pickled Onion on 05 April, 2024, 10:26:31 pm
Quote from: Jurek on 05 April, 2024, 09:03:01 am
Some years ago LFB made axes 'Officer Issue only' on account of a large number of fire fighters entering buildings and demolishing doors which weren't locked.

Reminds me of one time someone called the fire brigade to a house I was in with a mate. We'd lit a fire in the fireplace on the first floor and it was maybe a bit fierce on starting, but nothing to worry about. On seeing the blue lights we went to the ground floor and stepped out of the large, low and wide open sash window. The firefighters asked if there was anyone else inside, we said "no", but to make sure they pulled out their axes and laid into the front door, quickly turning it into splinters.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: ElyDave on 05 April, 2024, 11:39:16 pm
For various reasons, me and the then brand new Mrs ED got locked out of our first house on return from honeymoon.

I broke in with a Swiss  army knife
We changed those locks
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 06 April, 2024, 10:34:42 am
Quote from: ElyDave on 05 April, 2024, 11:39:16 pm
For various reasons, me and the then brand new Mrs ED got locked out of our first house on return from honeymoon.

I broke in with a Swiss  army knife
We changed those locks

And we locked ourselves out of our bedroom.  Our flat was on the top floor and instead of a corridor just had the landing, with the living-room, bedroom and cludge opening onto it.  I went out of the cludge window, along the roof to the bedroom dormer and in that way.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 06 April, 2024, 11:44:56 am
Using better locks is mostly a pointless exercise in giving yourself a false sense of security. The majority of external doors used in the uk will yield in a myriad of locations upon the swift application of a hefty boot. I’ve always thought that the FB use of axes, hammers and other pry bars is more about protecting the firefighter from minor door inflicted injuries than overcoming significant resistance.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 06 April, 2024, 01:30:47 pm
Partner pointed out that door frame and surrounding structures were much weaker than door & lock assembly, just this week...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 06 April, 2024, 02:19:27 pm
God bless Saturday afternoons, when we get to appreciate the combined melodies of neighbours' lawn-mowers and brush-cutters.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Beardy on 06 April, 2024, 08:09:44 pm
Buying a car, is for most of us a series of compromises, more so when you’re buying used and have set yourself a budget.

Why then*, do ALL the motor car vendors bastardise their bastarding webbie science to make the experience as soul destroyingly painful as their bastard marketing bosses can dream of. I mean, what is the point of having 55 gazzilion selection criteria if, when I press the search button, the first car you present for my perusal fails to meet 54 gazillion of the things I’ve chosen. And then inject another of YOUR choices every five and a half further options.

*Yess, it is a rhetorical question. I know that ht e answer is that they are all bastarding bastards with no recorded fathers on their birth certificates. Well, apart from those that weren’t born; they’re just bastarding bastards.

Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 06 April, 2024, 09:02:12 pm
Quote from: Beardy on 06 April, 2024, 11:44:56 am
Using better locks is mostly a pointless exercise in giving yourself a false sense of security. The majority of external doors used in the uk will yield in a myriad of locations upon the swift application of a hefty boot. I’ve always thought that the FB use of axes, hammers and other pry bars is more about protecting the firefighter from minor door inflicted injuries than overcoming significant resistance.

Yeah, our lock got upgraded on usability grounds (the new one having a barakta-friendly internal twiddler), the security upgrade was a bonus.  That's in a decent UPVC door with multi-point locking, which is the sort of thing that requires more than a bit of harsh language to force.

(If you really wanted to break in, the best approach would be via the back window, which - because landlords - is held in place by a sub-optimal amount of expanding foam and optimism.)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Tim Hall on 10 April, 2024, 11:05:58 pm
A Great Clearout was underway at work. A Samsung monitor was about to be skipped as "it doesn't work". I knew it did work, said so and relocated it to the back seat of my car

It has no stand.Bah
It has VESA holes.
The Boy has a spare swivelly arm thing with a VESA wotsit.Hurrah.
Can I find any M4 screws to attach the monitor to the VESA wotsit? Why no, no I cannot. This despite looking in a Several of Boxes of tqt.Bah.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: fimm on 11 April, 2024, 10:06:38 am
I posted a grumble earlier this week about having had injections in both arms and only my dominant arm being painful. Said grumble was lost in the Great Crash, and now I wish to update my grumble to the effect that both my arms are still sore.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 11 April, 2024, 01:10:07 pm
Sympathies. Having had a perfusion port in one arm and a pressure bandage on the other wrist made life rather puzzling yesterday. Pressure bandage still there and catches on stuff during mousing. Itches like hell now, too.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: robgul on 12 April, 2024, 10:34:36 am
I HATE white bikes - servicing a rather nice Trek today . . . every time I touch it my gloves leave marks on the white parts - when I'd finished all the work and put it back together then had to spent 10 minutes with a clean cloth and bike cleaner to wipe it all down.     Upside is that the customer is delighted with the result.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: JellyLegs on 12 April, 2024, 06:01:31 pm
I rang HMRC this morning as they have kindly decided to base my tax code for this year on their estimate of my income rather than my actual pay and somehow they have estimated I will receive almost three times my salary.  Should have been easy for them this year too as for the first time in twenty odd years, I just have the one employment. 

HMRC Phone Lines open at 8am.  I ring and it connects at 7:59:55, goes through 30 seconds of “Why don’t you try our online help” [I had] and then tells me they are closed. Ring back, now 8:00:45 and get put on hold.  What follows is lots and lots of inane “your call is important…” messages interspersed with a bit of hold music. No helpful info like a position in the queue.  Thirty four minutes later, I get put through to a human.  Less than two minutes after that, problem solved by very helpful agent.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 12 April, 2024, 06:15:03 pm
That's pretty good going for HMRC...  Unless of course you discover the helpful human has fucked up your tax code.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 12 April, 2024, 06:33:43 pm
HMRC and other government depts not having resource to handle calls properly boils my piss.

Charity Commission has been regularly closing down its phonelines early which spannered my tiny charity. We have 2 deaf, 2 autistic people (1 is deaf and autistic) so phones are REALLY not our thing but had to be used cos they Did A Stupid with all our logins. Need to write them a complaint.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: JonBuoy on 12 April, 2024, 08:47:46 pm
Lots of Electricity-type vans were gathering in my street when I left the house for a pootle at 1600.  When I got back at 1900 they had dug a decent sized hole across the pavement to the house two doors away.  Had a brief chat with the digger driver who told me that they were trying to discover why the voles weren't getting into the house and suspected that the posh new porch was the culprit.  He also asked me if I could do wheelies  ::-)  Loud digging noises are still happening - hopefully they don't carry on too late!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: JellyLegs on 12 April, 2024, 09:19:58 pm
Quote from: Kim on 12 April, 2024, 06:15:03 pm
That's pretty good going for HMRC...  Unless of course you discover the helpful human has fucked up your tax code.

I hadn’t considered that possibility   :o  though the new tax free amount she quoted me on the phone was close enough to the figure I was expecting for it not to be worth me arguing.  It will all be cleared up in my self assessment return next year.  The near tripling of tax deducted in my April salary that resulted from their fantasy coding will leave us needing to dip into savings, but I am fortunate enough to have some savings to raid, and the overpaid tax will be refunded to me next month.  Because my income varies and up until this year I have had two or even three PAYE positions running simultaneously, I am used to doing a tax return at the year end to clarify if they owe me or I owe them.

Quote from: barakta on 12 April, 2024, 06:33:43 pm
HMRC and other government depts not having resource to handle calls properly boils my piss.

Charity Commission has been regularly closing down its phonelines early which spannered my tiny charity. We have 2 deaf, 2 autistic people (1 is deaf and autistic) so phones are REALLY not our thing but had to be used cos they Did A Stupid with all our logins. Need to write them a complaint.

It should not be rocket science but almost all big corps and Govt departments seem to be making it incredibly difficult for anyone to contact them nowadays with anything but the most simple and standard questions.  Accessibility should be baked in to everything they do, but unfortunately the are plenty of organisations out there who will only react when their hand is forced.  Hope you get it sorted.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: jsabine on 13 April, 2024, 01:11:32 am
Quote from: JellyLegs on 12 April, 2024, 06:01:31 pm
I rang HMRC [...] No helpful info like a position in the queue.  Thirty four minutes later, I get put through to a human.  Less than two minutes after that, problem solved by very helpful agent

45 minutes on hold, 6 minute conversation in my case.

But given it was updating my mother's tax code to reflect her additional tax allowance for being registered sight impaired (and backdating it, albeit only to the last tax year), still a pretty good hourly rate (as long as I get either commission or inheritance ...)
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 13 April, 2024, 02:39:41 pm
Is it the Luftwaffe? Is it a swarm of hornets?  Nope, it's Pressure-Washer-Man!!!  The obsessive over the road who spent hours doing his back patio* a couple of days ago has been blasting everything he can find since mid-morning.  He did his house walls as far up as he could reach, he's done his front steps and his garage door. He'll be doing his hedge next. Noisy!

* wish he'd do his back passage.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 13 April, 2024, 02:42:17 pm
D is away for the weekend so I’m home alone.
Light bulb blew in downstairs loo. ‘Too bad', I thought ‘I can wee, wipe & flush without light.’
Then it got dark. Hall, stairs & landing light wouldn’t work.
‘Buggrit’ I think ‘probably tripped upstairs lighting circuit’s circuit breaker.’
Oh well, I sit downstairs all day and kitchen lights & sockets are OK.

Undressed & did teeth by glow of bedside table light and D’s computer screens - D having failed to rest his computers before leaving.

Log in to home alarm system’s website. Seems AC power to alarm panel has failed so that must also be fed from the upstairs lighting circuit. It has battery back-up.

D will be back tomorrow...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 13 April, 2024, 03:44:03 pm
Anonymous yacf forumenger is en route to the rescue.
Yay!!!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Peter on 13 April, 2024, 03:51:32 pm
 :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Kim on 13 April, 2024, 04:57:26 pm
Hurrah.

It's normal to feed alarm (particularly fire alarm) panels from a lighting circuit, as it makes it more obvious that the supply has tripped, and removes the temptation to just turn off the supply to a malfunctioning alarm.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 13 April, 2024, 05:10:33 pm
Spur to alarm panel was rewired in December, having been wrong for eons.
Alarm system is still maddening.
Give audible warning when bike shed is opened/closed, despite my best efforts. All other sensors work silently.
Bike shed sensor was only recently replaced.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: barakta on 13 April, 2024, 05:34:40 pm
Glad someone could assist, I know we'd happily do so if we were in vicinity. YACFweb ftw community.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 13 April, 2024, 06:34:37 pm
After divers retailers had Issues with card payments the other week, today it was the turn of the Co-op up the road.  Fortunately the sub-post office two doors down has an ATM.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 13 April, 2024, 08:23:28 pm
Mercy mission accomplished!
Circuit breaker reset.
Blown bulb replaced.
Joe Blow pump taken home for investigation and fettling.

Many thanks to Team!
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: hellymedic on 13 April, 2024, 09:31:46 pm
Alarm system power restored too.
Email alerts for much...
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: T42 on 15 April, 2024, 10:29:23 am
Filling in a demand to finally get a complementary pension that I accrued in the early 80s but was never informed of since the company went dramatically bust.

Their easy on-line form wants exact dates of employment not just for the 80s but for my entire career.  And every time I stop to look something up or to hunt for a bit of bumf it logs me out then opens up another tab when I log in again.

Good job my hair no longer offers any tearing-purchase.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: Regulator on 15 April, 2024, 10:33:02 am
My walk back from the pub yesterday has led to excessive foot pain this morning (in my right foot).  I need to get the underlying issue identified and addressed before I do the walk to Rome at the end of May.  It might be time to see the physio again.
Title: Re: The Grumble Thread - No energy for a full on rant.
Post by: SteveC on 15 April, 2024, 07:13:00 pm
I have just received an email from the National Trust inviting me to book up for 'Christmas at Stourhead".  :facepalm: :hand: